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Always On My Mind (The Sullivans) Mass Market Paperback – April 29, 2014
Can you find forever a second time?
After a tragic loss three years ago, Grayson Tyler leaves his life in New York City behind and starts over in the rolling hills of the California coast. He's convinced himself that all he'll ever need again is the blue sky, a thousand acres of pasture and the crashing waves of the ocean.
That is, until the day Lori Sullivan barges into his life and promptly blows his emotionless and solitary world to shreds. Her passion and fire drive him crazy, as only a woman nicknamed Naughty can. But will Lori be able to convince him that it's safe to love her and that forever isn't actually out of reach?
www.BellaAndre.com
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherMIRA
- Publication dateApril 29, 2014
- Dimensions4.16 x 0.8 x 6.65 inches
- ISBN-100778316173
- ISBN-13978-0778316176
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The perfect combination of sexy heat and tender heart." –Barbara Freethy, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"Bella Andre writes warm, sexy contemporary romance that always gives me a much needed pick me up. Reading one of her books is truly a pleasure." –Maya Banks, New York Times Bestselling author
"I can't wait for more Sullivans!" –Carly Phillips, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Loveable characters, sizzling chemistry, and poignant emotion." –Christie Ridgway, USA Today Bestselling Author
"I'm hooked on the Sullivans!" –Marie Force, Bestselling Author of Falling For Love
"No one does sexy like Bella Andre." –Sarah MacLean, New York Times Bestselling Author
"The chemistry is explosive!"
–Reading, Eating and Dreaming blog
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre is known for “sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance” (Publishers Weekly). Winner of the Award of Excellence, the Washington Post has called her “one of the top digital writers in America.” Married with two children, Bella splits her time between Northern California and the Adirondacks. You can visit Bella online at www.BellaAndre.com.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Lori Sullivan wasn't looking for trouble. She swore she wasn't.
Just because her nickname was Naughty, and trouble seemed to follow her wherever she went, didn't mean she wanted any today. On the contrary-for the first time ever, she was looking for some peace and quiet.
No one in her family knew she was back in San Francisco, having just flown in on the red-eye from Chicago. Even though she loved them more than anything else in the world, she just couldn't face them right now. Her six brothers, her twin sister and her mother were the best family a girl could have and yet, if they found out that she was back in town, they'd not only want to know why she'd walked out on her show halfway through its run, but they also wouldn't back off until they'd wrung every horrible detail out of her.
How did she know that?
Because that was exactly what she'd done to every one of them over the past twenty-five years whenever they'd faced a crisis-personal or otherwise.
So, instead of wheeling her suitcase from the San Francisco Airport baggage claim area over to the taxi station to head home to her apartment, she impulsively headed for the rental-car desk.
"Good morning, how can I help you?" chirped the blonde woman behind the desk.
Lori guessed the two of them had to be around the same age but, by contrast, she felt at least a decade wearier than her. "I need a car."
"Great! Where are you headed and how long do you need it for?"
The woman's smile was so bright, Lori felt her eyes tearing up from the glare. Fortunately, after her bleary-eyed flight across the country, immediately upon landing she'd put on her sunglasses to deal with the blinding sunlight pouring in through her small airplane window. She was glad she was still wearing them as she'd hate for the woman to think she was crying.
No, Lori refused to cry over anything that had happened in Chicago. Or during the year and a half before that.
She wasn't a crier, damn it. Never had been, never would be.
The world would have to do a heck of a lot more than give her a cheating scum of a boyfriend and take away her entire dancing career to make her cry.
She was young. She was healthy. She had her whole life ahead of her.
Somehow, some way, she'd figure out what to do with the next seventy years.
Which brought her back to the woman's questions. Where was she going? And for how long?
Blaming lack of sleep for the fact that all her brain could come up with was blanks, she asked, "Where's your favorite place to go?"
The woman was momentarily surprised by Lori's question, but then her face got all dreamy. "Pescadero."
Lori slipped her sunglasses down her nose so that she could peer at the woman over the frames. "Pescadero?"
Having lived in Northern California her entire life, Lori figured she must have driven through there at some point, but as far as she could recall, Pescadero had been nothing more than a bunch of farms strung together.
The woman nodded happily. "I just love the green rolling hills that seem to go on forever, all those sheep and cows munching away, and the fact that the ocean is at the end of nearly every farm road."
Lori loved living in the city. She loved working in cities, too, especially since her dance career had always been intrinsically tied to the movement all around her. A sleepy farm town was the last place she would ever have thought to choose for an impromptu vacation.
"It sounds perfect. How long can I have the car?"
Again, the woman gave her a slightly strange look before saying, "One month. Longer than that and I'll have to fill out additional paperwork. But it's really more of a day trip. A shortish one, at that. I can't imagine how you could possibly spend a month in Pescadero."
Even though Lori was silently wondering the same thing, she handed over her credit card and signed a dozen forms promising that she wouldn't damage the car. A few minutes later, she was holding the keys and was about to walk away from the rental desk when she turned back.
"Any idea how to get to Pescadero from here?"
An hour and a half later, Lori was wondering if the farmland was ever going to end when she saw a roof. Feeling like a sailor who had been out to sea for months before finally catching sight of land, she put her foot down harder on the gas pedal and sped toward what she could now see was the teeny-tiny Pescadero Main Street.
The car rental lady had been right about the pretty green fields and the cute sheep, but she'd somehow forgotten to mention how quiet the silence was or how lonesome.
Lori had filled her world with loud music and tall buildings and vibrant people for so long that it was strange to be surrounded by complete quiet. She'd flipped on the car radio at one point, but it had felt akin to turning on a boom box in the middle of a church, so she'd immediately turned it off.
Still, for all that her mood wasn't exactly at its best, it was the first sunny day she'd seen in weeks and she was determined to enjoy the warm sun and blue skies. Plus, just as her auto-mechanic-slash-mogul brother Zach had always claimed, there really was something about getting in a car and going for a drive. Granted, she thought as she looked down at her little rental car, he usually did his joyrides in a Ferrari. Besides, he didn't do them alone anymore, now that he and Heather were in love and engaged.
Lori pulled up in front of the Pescadero General Store just as a little girl walked outside carrying a big bag of dog food and wearing a huge smile. A man Lori easily assumed was her grandfather was barely a beat behind her holding a brand-new dog crate. Wearing cowboy boots and well-worn blue jeans, they both fit perfectly into the farm town.
As she got out of the car, Lori saw the girl's puppy. His leash had been tied to a nearby post and when he caught sight of the little girl, the black-and-white dog started wagging its tail so hard its whole body looked like a kite flying in the breeze. The girl immediately dropped the bag of dog food on the ground and picked up the puppy in her arms to give it kisses. The grizzled old farmer said in a gruff voice, "You're going to spoil him," but his eyes were full of love.
For the second time today, Lori felt her eyes begin to tear up. She'd gotten used to the bright sunlight and had flipped her sunglasses up on top of her head a while ago, but now she plopped them back over her eyes.
As she stepped onto the sidewalk, both the man and the girl stopped to look at her, each of them doing a double take. She couldn't figure out what had shocked them so much not until she finally looked down at herself.
Oh, yeah, this was why. The formfitting, sleeveless, bright-pink top covered in multicolored sequins that ended at midthigh, and nearly opaque tights combined with the glittery heels she'd been dancing in, were a little strange to be wearing in the middle of the day. Not just here, but anywhere, really.
She'd completely forgotten what she was wearing when she'd stormed out of the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, thrown her things into her suitcase, then headed to the airport to catch the next plane to San Francisco. She'd wrapped an oversize scarf around herself on the plane and in the airport, but it was so warm and sunny during her drive that she'd stripped it off and had left it on the passenger seat.
Of course the puppy didn't care what she was wearing, and when she reached for it, he wriggled his furry body toward her. "What a cute puppy," she said to the little girl. "What's his name?"
"Jonas."
"That's a great name," Lori said as she smiled and patted the dog, but just as her fingertips stroked the soft fur between the puppy's ears, the girl's grandfather dragged them away.
A moment later, when Lori turned to head for the General Store's front door, the ground felt as though it was moving beneath her. Bracing herself against the wall, Lori realized she hadn't had anything to eat for nearly twenty-four hours. Despite what most people thought dancers' lives were like, she had a healthy appetite and a fast metabolism, and knew she shouldn't have gone so long without eating.
It was just that food hadn't sounded very good for a while now .
With renewed purpose, she pushed through the door. Animal feed and farm supplies ran the length of one side of the store. In the middle was a display of knitwear, jeans, cowboy boots and what looked like packages of underwear and socks. The other side of the store had a deli counter, several refrigerated units holding eggs and cheese and milk, plus shelves weighed down with canned food.
She grabbed a bag of chips and walked up to the register. The teenage boy behind the deli counter turned bright red. "Wh-what can I get y-" he swallowed hard and reached up to loosen the neck of his T-shirt "-you."
Even as it occurred to her that maybe she should have gone back to the car for her scarf to wrap around her dance outfit, she enjoyed the appreciation in his eyes. Just because she was done with men didn't mean she didn't still want to be wanted by them. That way she could have the pleasure of kicking them all to the curb-except for sweet teenage boys, of course.
"What's the best sandwich you've got?"
His eyes went wide at her question, as if she'd asked him for the answer to how the earth rotated on its axis rather than just about cold cuts and bread. And boy, was he working hard to keep his eyes on her face rather than letting them drop to her breasts, which were pretty much on full display in her outfit. He was so cute that she wanted to leap across the counter to hug him for making her feel pretty again, at least for a few seconds of adolescent adoration.
"Um, I don't know." He swallowed hard again before turning to scan the list of sandwiches handwritten on the board behind him. "Maybe the Muffuletta?"
"Sounds good." She put down the chips on the counter as he started to ring her up. "I'll also take the strongest cup of coffee you can brew."
Who knew how much longer she'd be out driving these farm roads before she found a place to stay for the night? She did have the rental car for an entire month, after all.
He took her money with a shaking hand and when she asked, "Could you tell me where the bathroom is?" he dropped it all on the floor, then hit his head on the open register drawer when he went to pick it up.
Clearly not trusting himself to speak this time, he simply knelt on the floor and pointed toward the back of the building with a shaky hand. Lori figured it was a good idea to give him a break while he made her sandwich; she'd hate for him to slice off the tip of a finger with the meat cutter just because she was standing too close in barely there spandex and glitter.
After quickly taking care of business, she looked at herself in the mirror and would have laughed if she hadn't been so horrified by the mess she found in the reflection. With quick and efficient professionalism she fixed her hair and makeup. She'd always subscribed to the idea that if you looked good, you felt good, but today she had a feeling mascara and lip gloss weren't going to fix much of anything.
After leaving the bathroom, she took a few moments to look around a little bit. On second glance, the General Store was pretty cute inside, a little farm "superstore" with groceries and clothes and chicken feed, clearly all of equal importance to the people who lived here. One table had a Local Authors sign on it and she stopped to scan the books of poetry, novels and a couple of non-fiction tomes on farming techniques. The books gave her a sense of the community that this store supported, likely made up of farmers and their families who had been here for generations.
She'd been part of the dancing community for so long she hadn't ever looked for any other world to belong to. Especially not when Sullivan family events with her mother and seven siblings were frequent enough to take up any free time she had.
But now, even the thought of dancing made her sick to her stomach. Her ex had wooed her with dancing. and then betrayed her with it. Once upon a time, she'd danced for herself, for the pure joy it had given her. Until these past few months, when she'd been little more than Victor's puppet, dancing to try to please him. By the time she realized that nothing pleased him, she'd forgotten how to dance for any other reason. And now, it felt as if there was a dead, numb zone inside her where her heart used to be.
She supposed she'd find another community to belong to in time.
Lori was just about to head back to the deli counter to pick up her sandwich when she noticed a large board filled with flyers. She'd always been interested in strangers' lives and devoured biographies as fast as her librarian sister, Sophie, could give them to her. Looking at a community posting board was such a perfect window into lives she'd never live. And the truth was that as she'd driven the short Main Street, she'd been surprised by how cute the town was. The storefronts dripped with old Western charm and she'd even passed a farm stand that looked like a picture out of a magazine.
In the middle of the board was a piece of white paper with the words Farmhand Needed in a strong, clearly masculine hand. Not for one second of her life had she ever thought about living or working on a farm. For her entire life, she'd known exactly what she was and what she would be: a dancer.
Only, since she wasn't going to dance anymore, why not try something completely different, something that could very well turn out to be her second calling?
Maybe if she had gotten more than a dozen hours of sleep all week, she might have taken a clearer, more coolheaded look at the decision she was making.
Because she wasn't looking for trouble. She swore she wasn't.
The thing was, for the first time in a very long time, Lori felt a stirring of excitement. Of anticipation.
And a thrill that felt a little bit like fear.
She'd always liked the scary rides at the amusement park, and had been the one to drag her siblings to horror movies. But what could possibly be scary about working as a farmhand?
Especially when she'd already decided she was going to be the best damn farmhand the world had ever seen. Not to try to please anyone else, but to please herself, and to know that at the end of a long day on the farm, she'd done good work that she could be proud of.
Lori ripped the ad off the board and put it down in front of the deli boy. She was impulsive, but she wasn't stupid, so she asked him, "Do you know the guy who posted this? Is he a nice man?"
The boy nodded. "Sure, Grayson is nice."
Lori liked the sound of that name. Grayson. Probably some old farmer like the grandfather she'd seen on the sidewalk-someone who'd been married for fifty years and needed extra help with his chickens and cows. She had no idea what that help would entail, but she'd always been a fast learner.
She grinned and asked, "Can you tell me how to get to his farm?"
Product details
- Publisher : MIRA; Original edition (April 29, 2014)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0778316173
- ISBN-13 : 978-0778316176
- Item Weight : 5.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.16 x 0.8 x 6.65 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,743,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #119,885 in American Literature (Books)
- #197,735 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author
Bella Andre is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of "The Sullivans", "The Maverick Billionaires", "The Morrisons", and the NYT bestselling "Four Weddings and a Fiasco" sweet romance series written as Lucy Kevin.
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Having sold more than 8 million books, Bella Andre's novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists 83 times. She has been the #1 Ranked Author at Amazon (on a top 10 list that included Nora Roberts, JK Rowling, James Patterson and Steven King), and Publishers Weekly named Oak Press (the publishing company she created to publish her own books) the Fastest-Growing Independent Publisher in the US. After signing a groundbreaking 7-figure print-only deal with Harlequin MIRA, Bella's "The Sullivans" series is being released in paperback in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Known for "sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance" (Publishers Weekly), her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine "Red Hot Reads" twice and have been translated into ten languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post called her "One of the top writers in America" and she has been featured by Entertainment Weekly, NPR, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and TIME Magazine. A graduate of Stanford University, she has given keynote speeches at publishing conferences from Copenhagen to Berlin to San Francisco, including a standing-room-only keynote at Book Expo America in New York City.
If not behind her computer, you can find her reading her favorite authors, hiking, swimming or laughing. Married with two children, Bella splits her time between the Northern California wine country, a 100 year old log cabin in the Adirondacks, and a flat in London overlooking the Thames.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy the book's romance, humor, and character development. They find the love story sweet, with some spice and heat. The book is described as entertaining, funny, and lighthearted. Readers appreciate the great characters and their personalities. They describe the writing quality as well-written, easy to read, and creative. The Sullivan family is praised as wonderful and great to read about.
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Customers enjoy the romance in the book. They find it sweet, with some spice and heat that keeps them interested. The love story is described as loving, passionate, and successful. The epilogue and second meeting are appreciated. Readers appreciate the heartfelt dialogue and great storyline.
"...This is a very touching and romantic story and it also shows how difficult it can be on a celebrity when it comes to his private life...." Read more
"...The storyline was engrossing, causing me to laugh, cry and groan. Heartfelt, honest and credible dialogue aligned well with the story, and once again..." Read more
"...Overall, a great read. This one was a perfect ending to this branch of the Sullivan family...." Read more
"...This is a funny, well-written, and interesting romance." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it entertaining and heartwarming, with a lighthearted tone and an enjoyable beach read. The story is described as sweet, easy to read, and satisfying their reading joy.
"...You will love this story, it will make you laugh, it will make you mad and it will make you cry. And the ending OMG the ending I cried like a baby...." Read more
"...Writing creative, sensual and heat-filled love scenes, is something Bella Andre does brilliantly. Her scenes were believable, passionate and sexy...." Read more
"...Grayson was just fighting the love he felt for her. This is a funny, well-written, and interesting romance." Read more
"...She's a lighthearted mischief maker who embraces each new member of the family without reservation...." Read more
Customers enjoy the character development. They find the characters Lori and Grayson great with an energetic personality. They appreciate that other family members are included from previous books. The characters are described as strong, interesting, and a fitting reflection of the author's story.
"...Naughty, aka Lori Sullivan, is the sort of vivacious character that I adore - fiery, passionate, intelligent, sassy and fun...." Read more
"...men and women who love them are all high achievers and strong, fascinating people...." Read more
"...I'm telling you this girl is SASSY. Basically, she has the best personality ever. She cracked me up throughout this entire novel. &#..." Read more
"...The story line, the main characters, the secondary characters all come together in a wonderful, heartwarming, sexy book...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's likability. They find it well-written and touching, with an engaging story and lovely setting. The characters are endearing and the humor is enjoyable.
"...Her scenes were believable, passionate and sexy. The storyline was engrossing, causing me to laugh, cry and groan...." Read more
"...on My mind was quick witted, fun, HOT, sad & heartbreaking but also sweet and romantic. And I can't wait for Rafe's story and more Sullivan books...." Read more
"...intriguing about it taking place in the rural one horse, but lovely town, of Pescadero, CA, just over the mountains from the millions of people in..." Read more
"...THE SERIES: If you are looking for something SWEET and SEXY then The Sullivans companion series by Bella Andre is absolutely perfect for you...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find it easy to read and enjoyable, with smooth, creative, sensual love scenes. The writing is described as creative, quick-witted, and fun. Readers appreciate that the book is written in a local city.
"...Writing creative, sensual and heat-filled love scenes, is something Bella Andre does brilliantly. Her scenes were believable, passionate and sexy...." Read more
"The series of "The Sullivan's" is one of the most fun, well-written, and interesting series you will find!..." Read more
"...She brings him back to life. Always on My mind was quick witted, fun, HOT, sad & heartbreaking but also sweet and romantic...." Read more
"...That said, it is still a very good series with smooth consistent writing and good plots despite the sameness...." Read more
Customers enjoy the family life in the book. They find the Sullivans to be a wonderful family to read about, and they wish they were part of it. The series is described as a great love story with each book focusing on a different family member.
"...This is a true Friends - to lovers read. Then you have Smith & Valentina's book...." Read more
"...The strong family characters woven throughout are fabulous. Rereading the entire series is definitely in my future." Read more
"...book in the series but it was still good and great to see the whole family together again...." Read more
"...a large, one-of-a-kind family that’s made up of 8 magnificent and unique siblings. Chase – Photographer (The Look of Love)..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's insights. They find the stories inspiring and thought-provoking, with characters who understand life and its complications. The book is described as heartwarming and well-written.
"...the sort of vivacious character that I adore - fiery, passionate, intelligent, sassy and fun...." Read more
"...Sullivan men and women and the men and women who love them are all high achievers and strong, fascinating people...." Read more
"...Sometimes, when feeling sarcastic, too much perfection (throughout the whole series) can be annoying but if you are up for HEA and beautiful people..." Read more
"...I really loved this book. Lori is so fun and full of life and Grayson is quiet and solemn. She brings him back to life...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's warmth and romance. They find the Sullivan family warm and wonderful. The books leave readers with a feeling of closeness and laughter.
"...She brings him back to life. Always on My mind was quick witted, fun, HOT, sad & heartbreaking but also sweet and romantic...." Read more
"...parents now, and, thankfully, Mary and Jack had more spark, fire, warmth, passion, feeling, and verve than any of their kids have displayed in 8..." Read more
"...Sweet story with some spice and heat that kept me interested from page 1 till the very last page...." Read more
"...takes us on a wonderful journey into our minds and the Sullivan family is so warm and wonderful and don't we all wish that we had that kind of..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2013I was not familiar with Bella Andre or her work but for some reason almost a year back a few of her books caught my eye. They happened to be the first 3 in "The Sullivan's" series. I put them in my wish list for later review. Every time I was in the wish list I saw them and said maybe next time. Well finally I went to her webpage and saw there was an entire series (8 books) so I was in between series or waiting for new releases to my existing series when I said what the heck I'll give it a shot. I'm so glad I did. You're probably wondering why I didn't review each book, well if you're like me if I start a series and it grabs me I continue reading nonstop so it ends up being one big fat book. That's what happened here.
This series absolutely needs to be read in order starting with Chase & Chloe's book. How he found her wrecked on the side of the road and brought her to his brothers vineyard. How he instantly fell in love with her. Then Marcus's book (the eldest brother) which broke my heart when his girlfriend of two years was caught with another man in her bed. How he meets Nicola (Nico a pop star) and finally gives in to his feelings. Then you have Gabe & Megan's book and not to forget little Summer (Megan's daughter). Gabe saved Megan and her daughter from an apartment fire that could have turned out very deadly. In this story the attraction is there but Gabe swore he would never get involved with another victim until the sweetheart of a little girl pulls all the stops out. Then you have Sophie and Jake's story. Sophie has always had a serious crush on Jake since the age of 5, as they got older Jake had feelings for Sophie but was warned by his best buddy Zach and the other Sullivan brothers that their sisters are off limits. Sophie had other ideas and the Nice (nickname given as a child) was more naughty when she finally set her sights on what she really wanted. Then you have Zach & Heather's book and summer plays a part in this one. She wants her Uncle Zach to dog sit her brand new puppy cuddles. Okay so you have a man who is known as a playboy toting around a small puppy named cuddles. In comes Heather a dog trainer. Heather has sworn off men because of her father and his lies and she refused to live like her mother. Zach plays the field but has no intentions of settling down and leaving a wife alone like what happened to his mother when his Dad died unexpectedly at a young age. This story I found a little darker but loved it none the less. Then there is Ryan and Vicki's story. Vicki was Ryan's best friend all through high school and he made a promise to her when she saved his life. She called him on that promise. This story is very emotional and touching as are all of them really. The attraction Ryan and Vicki have for each other goes way back, but they didn't want to ruin their friendship. This is a true Friends - to lovers read. Then you have Smith & Valentina's book. Smith a very well-known Movie Star, producer, who has his pick of females. But he knows they only want him for the celebrity not the man. In comes Valentina, she is the manager of Smith's co-star Tatiana Landon. Smith can't afford any distractions, he is risking everything to produce and star in his film Gravity. BUT he can't stop thinking of Valentina. This is a very touching and romantic story and it also shows how difficult it can be on a celebrity when it comes to his private life. Valentina is not a stranger to actors and swore she would never get involved with one ever. The feelings between these two is undeniable and thank god they succumb.
And that brings us to Always on my Mind, Lori & Grayson's story and what a story it is. Like with the others I don't want to give the story away and spoil the reader's enjoyment. Lori is a dancer, sassy mouthed, tenacious and in your face. I love her in all the books. She knows how to push everyone's buttons and she talks and talks. She is the only Sullivan that has not found her significant other. But when something happens involving her boyfriend of two years Lori runs. She leaves her show and leaves her life and runs. She's not ready to go home to her family and be put through the 20 questions so she rents a car and ends up in Pescadero CA applying for a farmhand position. Thinking the farm owner will be an old man and she can give it a try for a month. In comes Grayson and he's not old, he's hot, built and irresistible but has shut himself off from feelings and people for three years, very grumpy, not very friendly and wants her out of there. She is stirring up feelings he has not allowed for three years and he needs her gone. But Lori is a whirlwind he had not expected. You will love this story, it will make you laugh, it will make you mad and it will make you cry. And the ending OMG the ending I cried like a baby. This story was an emotional roller coaster and I loved every delicious minute of it.
Mary Sullivan did right when raising her children and watching them grow up and become very very successful both in business and in love. Now maybe it's her turn for a 2nd chance at love. We'll have to wait and see what the next phase of the Sullivan's will bring us. I understand the Seattle Sullivan's could be showing up soon. I can't wait. Bella Andre I give every single one of your books 5* and I will most def read them again.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2013You could wonder whether accomplished author, Bella Andre could successfully deliver an eighth novel in The Sullivans series; keeping true to the characters and their individualism, as well as keeping the interest alive. Well, I truly enjoyed Always on My Mind! So, yes, I think she did!
Naughty, aka Lori Sullivan, is the sort of vivacious character that I adore - fiery, passionate, intelligent, sassy and fun. She was also empathetic and compassionate, touched with a tender vulnerability, beautifully captured by Ms Andre. Leaving Chicago emotionally battered and scarred, she arrived in Pescadero in glittery clothes and with determined optimism. Unwilling to cry wolf to her loving family, she sought temporary solace in the quiet rural atmosphere, with the purpose to regroup, and decide her next step in life. Dancing had been her life. It no longer held the allure it once held and she was lost.
From the moment the initial flurry of energy, sequin clad Lori, erupted into Grayson's quiet, ordered, purposefully secluded life, he knew he was in trouble. Not only did her beauty transfix him, her determination impress yet rile him; Lori's insistence in trying to 'heal' him caused him to be malicious in his reactions towards her. Despite his grumpy and bossy exterior, Lori was convinced that this "super, crazy, wicked hot" man was a man worth her time and her continual forgiveness. Despite being angry that she had been dropped into his life out of the blue, blowing "his emotionless world to shreds", it was impossible for him to ignore someone so irritating yet irresistible. "Lori Sullivan wasn't just Naughty, she was a force of nature."
Such passion, antagonism, and lust was sure to combust, and when it did - it was HOT! However, it was not just their delicious sizzle that kept me reading. It was the intuitively written journey from emotional destitution of Lori and Grayson to affecting healing that kept me captive. (and at times, teary too!)
Writing creative, sensual and heat-filled love scenes, is something Bella Andre does brilliantly. Her scenes were believable, passionate and sexy. The storyline was engrossing, causing me to laugh, cry and groan. Heartfelt, honest and credible dialogue aligned well with the story, and once again, her Epilogue left me positively yearning for the next book in the series. Thank you Bella Andre, thank you!
Top reviews from other countries
- DizzyReviewed in Australia on April 26, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Dizzy
I have bought all the San Francisco Sullivan's except Mary's. Then jumped onto the Seattle lot💕💕💕💕 Desiree u won't be disappointed!!
- CanGirl19Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Sullivan Yet!!!!
I've read all of the Sullivan books, and really love this series! I have to say that this has to be by far my favorite!!!! Never expected to like Naughty's story more than Chase's or Gabe's or Sophie's or Ryan's or Smith's....LOL, but I have to say this is the best of the bunch!!!!! Loved, loved, loved Grayson!!!! Something about a Cowboy!!!! Throughout the story, I felt an emotional tug in my heart for these two wounded souls!!!! You just can't help falling in love with them. They are just so perfect for each other! I'm so happy Bella Andre finished the series with these eight brothers and sisters on such an amazingly high note!!!! Now, I can't wait to read about their cousins!!!! I hope there are lots more Sullivans, cause I can't get enough of them!!!! :D
- Sparky GalReviewed in Canada on February 1, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent item
Reading
- Karen GooderhamReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series
I totally love this series by Bella Andre. I love these books with the whole family connection going on and you learn more and more about the family as you work your way through the series.
This is Book 8 and it features choreographer Lori Sullivan, nicknamed 'Naughty' and farmer Grayson Tyler. Lori has left her job and needs time to re-assess her life, she doesn't want to go home to her family while she decides what to do and so heads to Pescadero where she isn't known by anyone. She gets a job as a farmhand on Grayson's farm, after a lot of persuasion. He is not really happy about it.
Loved learning about this two and looking forward to the next one now.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Australia on July 15, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars The Sullivans
Thoroughly enjoying The Sullivans series.