Synopsis:
When handsome California surf god Lincoln Savage suddenly rolls into Ocean Beach like a rogue wave, shy beauty Simone Bianchi’s foundation is shaken. No longer under the thumb of her domineering father, she’s made a simple quiet life for herself and her fluffy fourteen pound Havanese pup running a surf shop in her hometown of OB. Long ago she gave up her dreams for a future with Linc.
But now the notorious lead singer of the Dirt Dogs has returned, and Simone is reluctant to admit that she’s still vulnerable to his killer dimpled smile and easy charm. She finds that although she’s stowed away the mementos, it hasn’t been as easy to erase the memories of their epic summer love.
It seems he hasn’t forgotten, either.
Is the recording contract he’s offering merely a pretense?
Or does he have something more in mind?
Does he really believe that they can just pick up where they left off, despite all the bad luck and heartache?
And is she willing to risk everything again for one last chance at love?
My review:
Outside is the newest work from author Michelle Mankin, an author I have enjoyed reading in the past, and follows the journey of a couple from their first young love dating days through a nasty breakup and present day reconnection. It was sweet and sexy and quite enjoyable!
Simone and Lincoln meet when they are both young and the connection and attraction they feel becomes all-consuming. The problem comes when life, family, and their pasts and current paths tear them apart. Fast forward fifteen years to when they reconnect in person. Because even though they had been apart, their connection was still very real and very strong.
What I loved about this book was when we first meet this couple, it’s in the present day and we are thrown into an emotional turmoil right away. It was an instant pull into the book and I loved that. I also loved reading their past and felt so connected to the feelings and emotions they felt toward one another and reminded my of my first love. It’s kind of funny, actually. I related to this story because it’s very reminiscent of a boyfriend I once had and our high emotion start, breakup, and ultimate reunion…and he’s now my husband of almost 14 years. I really appreciated all of that new relationship angst! The one thing I wish we could have seen more of was the present day and having seen more of Lincoln working to get Simone back. Overall, though, this was a great read!
If you’re looking to escape into a story with wonderful characters and high emotion, this is a book for you. A perfect beach read! Thank you, Ms. Mankin, for a terrific story!
Three-and-a-Half Loves
:
“Dammit, Mona.” I leaned in closer inhaling her sweet scent and nearly brought to my knees with desire. I wanted to have her. Right here. Right now. I had to curl my fingers into fists to keep from reaching out, grabbing her and reminding her how it used to be between us. Her lids lowered and her breathing turned ragged. Was she remembering, too, or trying to forget?
“Go away, Linc.” Apparently the latter.
“Maybe I can’t,” I admitted my voice raspy with stripped down need. “Maybe I don’t want to.”
“Don’t.” She closed her eyes and her chin dropped. “Don’t do this to me.” She wet her lips. They visibly trembled. Even though I knew I had upset her I still wanted to kiss them. “I’m not one of your groupies easily flattered by your bullshit. The fact that you’re a big rock star doesn’t impress me. I know who you really are Lincoln Savage. I’ve seen you at your best and I’ve survived you at your worst. So don’t think you can come here and play games with me.”
The walls vibrated as soon as the spotlights hit them. Feet stomped. Fans yelled. Some even stood on their chairs. Camera lights clicked on and so did Lincoln. Brightly. He strode to the center of the stage. Confident. Compelling. Controlled. A cosmic force.
He plucked the mic from the stand glared at the audience daring them to come along with him or get the hell out of the way, before he and the guys launched into a cover of ‘Satisfaction’ that kicked ass as righteously as the original.
It went uphill from there. Ramon on guitar flashing his flirt. Ash slamming sexy on his drums. Patch firm and steady on bass. And Linc my gorgeous warrior with depths of worth that he still failed to recognize eclipsing them all. The Dirt Dogs might still a bit rough around the edges but they were undeniably on the ascent. What had started out as something to occupy their time when the surf wasn’t up had transformed into a magical mélange of Pacific saltwater, California sun and hard rocking in your face attitude.
I moved quickly across the parking lot shielding my eyes from the glare when I reached the sand. The tension inside my stomach instantly ratcheted tighter. I recognized Lincoln right away. Even in his wet suit the way he moved across the surface of the ocean on his board was as unique as he was.
Under the curtain unleashing his fins.
Maxing out of the tube.
Finding steep wall and going nearly vertical.
Those were the maneuvers I knew, the others I didn’t but that didn’t make them any less awe inspiring.
`My favorite inspirational surf youtube video with music that captures the tone and spirit of Outside perfectly`
Surf Mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz5mCIJa_L8
“You afraid?”
I shook my head. I was never afraid of him. Never.
He studied me a beat seeming to notice my parted lips, heavy breathing, hard nipples and trembling.
“Turned on?” he guessed.
I nodded.
“Get on my board then, babe. I aim to please if you’ll let me.”
About the Author:
The bestselling author of the Black Cat Records series of novels.
Romance with subtext.
Reimagining classic stories with sexy rock stars and thought provoking issues.
Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a BRUTAL STRENGTH centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock ‘n roll industry.
Things take a bit of an edgier, once upon a time turn with the TEMPEST series. These pierced, tatted, and troubled Seattle rockers are young and on the cusp of making it big, but with serious obstacles to overcome that may prevent them from ever getting there.
Rock stars, myths, and legends collide with paranormal romance in a totally mesmerizing way in the MAGIC series.
When Michelle is not prowling the streets of her Texas town listening to her rock music much too loud, she is putting her daydreams down on paper or traveling the world with her family and friends, sometimes for real, and sometimes just for pretend as she takes the children to school and back.
Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | TSU | Newsletter
GIVEAWAY
Gnarly Surf Themed Prize Pack including:
A Fiery Orange Striped Roxy Beach Towel
A signed paperback of Outside, an OB surf sticker,
Need It Now Roxy Palm tree printed Linen Beach Tote
in seafoam green to carry all of it.
(Value of $125)
Share link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDk5NjRmMDM5ZDM4YTBjYWM0YzAyYzM0NGI2ODRhOjcxMQ==/?
THANK YOU!