Winter delivers an absolutely fun ride of a read!
*****
Winner Takes All
Warriors of the Heart #4
by Laurie Winter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 21 January 2019
Blurb:
Storm Thompson wants to be anywhere but Liberty Ridge. Especially since his hometown also contains his childhood nemesis, Colleen Gardner. With a young daughter and mentally ill mother to care for, he struggles to simply make ends meet. Every day, his goal of owning an organic farm slips further out of reach.
Psychiatrist Colleen Gardner has her sights set on starting a retreat to help veterans suffering from PTSD. She’s done well but her small town fundraisers just aren’t enough.
“The Great American Scavenger Hunt” TV show offers a million-dollar prize, and Colleen and Storm are selected as competitors. Both resolve to do whatever is needed to win, even using the other to get ahead. Storm and Colleen compete to fund their dreams, but their already tattered relationship becomes more strained. Only one will win the money. But will love prove the ultimate prize?
You can find Winner Takes All on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41210093-winner-takes-all
You can buy Winner Takes All here:
– Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6453-winner-takes-all.html
– Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Winner-Takes-Warriors-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B07L7FXVW1/
Previous books in the series:
– Home Field (Warriors of the Heart #1): https://www.amazon.com/Field-Warriors-Heart-Laurie-Winter-ebook/dp/B0719DXJL6/
– True Horizon (Warriors of the Heart #2): https://www.amazon.com/Horizon-Warriors-Heart-Laurie-Winter-ebook/dp/B076GZ4WVK/
– After All (Warriors of the Heart #3): https://www.amazon.com/After-All-Warriors-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B07BST4T8G/
*****
Excerpt:
The Great American Scavenger Hunt
Day 1
Storm stood on the stairs of the US Capitol Building, and the weight of his travel pack dug into his shoulders. Before sunrise, all the contestants were bussed seven miles over from their hotel in Arlington. A few other contestants started conversations, and his minimal replies made clear he wasn’t here to make friends. Colleen ignored him, which was good. Her mere presence provided enough distraction.
He had a good view of her down at the other end of the line. How could she stand upright underneath the weight of her pack? The thing looked as heavy as her. He’d bought his at the secondhand shop in Liberty Ridge. Colleen probably shopped at a high-end outdoor store that carried the latest gizmos and gadgets. Her pack and its contents might cost the equivalent of a small country’s GDP.
When he’d seen her yesterday at lunch, he almost didn’t recognize her. Her short hair looked amazingly sexy. This morning, she wore a tousled look, like she’d just rolled out of bed, which she likely had being that the clock just struck seven-thirty am.
The host of the show, Burt Blackstone, walked before the assembled group. He stood medium height, with a trim build, and a head of closely cropped, salt-and-pepper hair. Today, Burt wore khaki shorts and an orange button-up top. “I want to wish every one of you good luck. We’ll start filming shortly. I’ll go over the rules once more, mostly for the audience’s sake. Then, I’ll give the signal, and you’ll be off.”
A low murmur drifted over the group.
Storm shifted the weight of his travel pack and mentally walked through his plan. He held a red envelope, which was identical to the ones given to the other contestants. Let’s rock and roll.
*****
Review:
Winner Takes All has a little different feel to it, especially in relation to the other books in this series, but I absolutely loved the opportunity to join Storm and Colleen as they take on The Great American Scavenger Hunt. It was a little like reading a recap of an early season of The Amazing Race, which was one of my favorite series when it first came out,. All of the fun of a road trip without ever leaving your chair 🙂 I was a little unsure about how the timing matched up, and there was a few places where it definitely felt weird, but overall it was a great ride. And I loved how it gave Colleen and Storm a chance to connect as adults and remember how close they were once upon a time.
Although the fourth in a series, I feel like this one is easily a stand alone story. We have gotten to know Colleen a bit, especially her past and how she treated others, which probably helps readers understand better the person she is today. But I think it also works if you are getting to know the new her through Storm’s perspective. Winter does a great job of throwing Storm and Colleen together, forcing them to have to address their own issues as well as their thoughts about each other. The high stress, intimate time together doesn’t give them much chance to hide from each other. Or themselves.
*****
Author Info:
Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love. She keeps her life balanced with regular yoga practice and running. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she’s enjoying time with her family, who are scattered between Wisconsin and Michigan. Laurie has three kids and one fantastic husband, all who inspire her to chase her dreams.
You can find and contact Laurie Winter here:
– Website: https://lauriewinter.com/
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieWinterAuthor/
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauriew_author
– Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3467635.Laurie_Winter
– Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-Winter/e/B0719P553X
– Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LWinterauthor/
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriewinter_author/
*****
Giveaway:
One winner will win a prize package (US Only). The prize package includes: a Tea, Books, Magic mug, a Romance Trope scented soy candle, and a $25 Amazon gift card.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1000e4f1313/
*****
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