Shape of My Heart by Kemberlee Shortland - Review and Giveaway

(Romantic Suspense)

This review is in conjunction with a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kemberlee will be awarding a plot of land in Ireland, donated by Macroom Land Trust to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Gráinne has moved back to Dublin to get her life straightened out. She dreams of college and a better life. She’s working, but the money isn’t enough to support herself and pay tuition. Moonlighting at The Klub! as an exotic dancer seems to be her answer to fast money.

John ‘JD’ Desmond is a detective working undercover in the Blues Tavern. The Klub!, owned by Jimmy Malloy, is being used as a drug front, headed by the notorious Taylor Wade. JD had intended to get Gráinne to snitch for him, but when he falls in love with her, things get complicated.

When Gráinne witnesses Jimmy’s murder, she and JD are forced to go on the run until Wade can be apprehended. Wade lives up to his nickname, The Hunter, and JD and Gráinne quickly find themselves at the end of a gun and running for their lives.

My Review:

This book is part of a series, but don't let that stop you from picking it up. It's definitely stand alone, although I DO want to read the other books in the series.

We first meet Grainne as her exotic dancer persona, Jett. There was a little disconnect for me between the first and second chapter--it took me a few seconds to realize time had passed and it was the same character. Once I was passed that minor bobble I enjoyed the rest of the book.

I understood her reasons for wanting to "prove" herself to her brother--her backstory is only hinted at but apparently she had a history of making bad choices. Once she realized how slippery the slope was, she tried to back out of it, but it was almost too late.

I really liked JD-- he was sweet, caring, but not beyond telling her the hard truths. The banter between them in the pub in chapter two was fun.

The romance and suspense was well balanced. The sleazeballs were completely sleazy-- but, as in all good romantic suspense books, right prevails. But not without some heartstopping moments beforehand.

Good job, Kemberlee. 4 stars.

Enjoy an excerpt:

“Gráinne, can we talk?”

“Talk?” She put her magazine aside. “About what?”

“I think you know.” He locked gazes with her. He could tell she was nervous by the way she started fidgeting.

Then she turned away, refusing to look at him for longer than a millisecond. “My love life is none of your concern,” she told him, reminding him unnecessarily of their previous discussion.

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Then I don’t know what you mean.” She spun on her heel, intent on leaving the bar area.

He grasped her arm. To his surprise, she didn’t struggle. But something odd happened as he loosened his grasp. He felt something powerful pass between them. His fingers tingled as he touched her. It radiated up his arm and shot through his body.

For the second time today, he felt himself stiffen, and wished that circumstances were different, that she was naked beneath him and gazing up at him with eyes he knew would undo him.

She glanced over her shoulder, but not directly at him. “Let me go.” Her barely audible words shook him back to the moment. It wasn’t a command, but he couldn’t help noticing her words were tinged with pleading.

“Will you stay to talk with me? I think this is important.”

About the Author:

Kemberlee is a native Northern Californian who was raised in a community known as Steinbeck Country; home to author John Steinbeck, as well as Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, and others. With so much literary influence around her, it's not hard to see why Kemberlee fell in love with the printed word.

It was in 1997 while employed by Clint Eastwood that Kemberlee couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend six month in Ireland. While in Ireland, she met a man who eventually became her husband.

Living in Ireland has allowed Kemberlee to study the country's torrid past and unique culture first hand, and has even picked up a cúpla focal . . . a few Irish words.

In recent years, Kemberlee had published several short stories and novels, including the popular Irish Pride Series.

Kemberlee's current work in progress is a time travel romance called The Diary.

Find Kemberlee online —

http://www.kemberlee.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKemberleeShortland
http://www.twitter.com/kemberlee
http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Shortland_Kemberlee

Rhythm of My Heart by Kemberlee Shortland - Virtual Review tour and giveaway

(Contemporary romance novella)

This review is done in conjunction with the publisher's virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Tirgearr Publishing will be awarding a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of their whole library, which includes the next six books which are publishing soon (one at the end of the month, the last five over five days the first week of December, including their year end special publication). Total retail value of $150, so comment today AND follow the tour (if you click on the tour banner above, it'll take you to a list of his tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new publisher AND win an awesome prize!



Artist Representative, Eilis Kennedy, gave up a singing career so that other women could have a fair chance at having their music heard. Having suffered rejection from callous men in the industry, she thought she would get away from ‘casting couch’ mentality. But when she finds herself in the office of Fergus Manley, all bets are off. Disgusted by his continual come-ons and lewd invitations, Eilis is looking for ‘the one’ who will take her career to the next level, getting out from under Fergus’s controlling thumb.

Aspiring blues guitarist, Kieran Vaughan, is looking for his big break. But after suffering near bankruptcy at the hands of an unscrupulous business partner, Kieran is left picking up the pieces. He’s unsure if the debts will ever be paid or if he’ll ever have a chance to do something with his music. At his whit’s end, he’s about ready to throw in the towel and find a full-time job with real hours.

When Eilis discovers Kieran playing in a seedy pub in Dublin’s Northside, she knows he’s the one rare talent she’s been searching for. With her know-how and his talent, Eilis will finally get everything she’s been waiting for. Neither of them count on the powerful attraction from first meeting. Eilis is so rocked by Keiran’s forthright words that it sends her running. Kieran risks being arrested as he chases Eilis across Ireland.

Seeing what’s happening between Eilis and Kieran, anger wells inside Fergus and he steps up his pursuit of Eilis. Refusing to let Kieran get in his way, Fergus vows to add Eilis’s notch to his bedpost, whatever it takes.

Will Kieran be able to protect her?



I love Ireland, and one of the best parts about Rhythm of My Heart is the way the author incorporates Ireland into the story—from the descriptions of the city to the Tunnocks Teacakes (and, after the description of them, I have to find a stateside source!)

This story is classic romance—boy meets girl; they feel a connection (literally, in this case); because of a misunderstanding on both sides they spend time apart; and I'm not giving away any spoilers (after all, like I said, it IS a romance) when I say there is a HEA at the end. In the meantime, you get the chance to see how two people learn to trust each other. Once the misunderstandings are cleared up, the way is clear for two people to fall in love—or is it?

Another man is also interested in Eilis…and he's not one to give up.

I'm glad this is a series…there are secondary characters I'm looking forward to knowing more about.

If you love Ireland, if you love a nice romance—give Rhythm of My Heart a try.

Rated: 4 Flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.

Kemberlee is a native Northern Californian who was raised in a community known as Steinbeck Country, home to author John Steinbeck, as well as Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson and others. With so much literary influence around her, it's not hard to see why Kemberlee fell in love with the printed word.

Sarah's Secret, Kemberlee's first novel, was the result of years of short story writing. It was completed, though unpublished, in 1989, several other novels following as she learned the craft of writing and developing her voice.

Kemberlee began her professional writing career as a reviewer in 1995, publishing reviews with Compuserve Romance Reviews then What I'm Reading. She was a co-founder and charter member of RIO (Reviewers International Organization), chaired the RIO Award of Excellence awards, headed up the RIO newsletter and served two terms as RIO President. And she's published travel articles since 1998.

It was in 1997 while employed by Clint Eastwood that Kemberlee couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend six month in Ireland. While in Ireland, she met a man who eventually became her husband. Upon permanently relocating to Ireland, Kemberlee established an Irish travel consultancy and built a reputation as one of Ireland's foremost Irish travel experts.

Living in Ireland has allowed Kemberlee to study the country's torrid past and unique culture first hand, and has even picked up a cúpla focal . . . a few Irish words.

http://www.kemberlee.com
http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Shortland_Kemberlee/rhythm-of-my-heart.htm