Book Review with ARC Giveaway: Sultry with a Twist

"Ho-o-ly...sugar!" as June would say. This was a fun read!
Sultry with a Twist (Sultry Springs)
by Macy Beckett

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402270364
• ISBN-13: 978-1402270369

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release Date: October 2, 2012 | Series: Sultry Springs
When Mae-June July Augustine hightailed it out of Sultry Springs, Texas, with her heart in pieces, she swore she'd never return. But nine years later, one thing stands between June and her dream of opening an upscale martini bar: a month of community service under the supervision of the devilishly sexy Luke Gallagher, her first love and ex-best friend. As lust turns to love, June must decide where she belongs: in the glorious anonymity of Austin or back in Sultry Springs with the man who intoxicates her like no other.

Review:
June has worked nine years and scrimped and saved to fulfill her dream. Now she has sold her condominium and has six weeks to finalize touches for the opening her own upscale bar in downtown Austin, Texas. But before they will issue the liquor license there is the minor problem of a warrant back in her home town of Sultry Springs, Texas.

Mae-June, as she is known at home, has to answer for a youthful indiscretion. The Judge, an old family friend, sentences her to a month of community service and county ‘arrest’ living with her Grandmother with whom she hasn’t spoken in nine years. Grammy Pru was a strict disciplinarian. Having lost her daughter who was known as a town drunk, Grammy was intent on controlling June. June was intent on escaping through college studies to become a psychologist. But June discovered, while working for her school expenses, that she loved bartending and creating new drinks.  Grammy was appalled and issued an ultimatum at which point June cut ties.

Now June not only has to face her Grammy but she has to cope with her first love, Luke Gallagher, her partner in the youthful indiscretion. June had always loved Luke but he had headed out to the army as soon as he was able. The next she heard was he married a woman while in Germany. Now June, who has never fully overcome her heartbreak, has to work with Luke. 

Luke has his own difficulties and issues, having been abandoned by his mother as a young boy and struggled as an angry teen whom Grammy had to try to manage. Luke ran into problems while in the service and lost the career he longed for. He is now a successful contractor with a nonprofit company because he was given a second chance. Yet he doesn’t believe in love and apparently doesn’t think he is worthy to be loved.

Now June has to risk her own heart and see if she can convince Luke that he is a good guy worthy of love. Can she stick it out in the face of his pushing her away?

These characters are really likeable. June is so determined,  brave and full of love. Luke is so vulnerable. I was rooting for them all through the bumpy relationship. The romance is sweet and sexy. The writing is smooth, descriptive and sultry - very nice, easy reading.

My final thoughts: this is a story full of fun with lots of heat and tension. There is some language on the edge. It is a good book for romance lovers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Early description I liked:

A breeze stirred, and a familiar high, metallic tinkle of wind chimes sang out from above. Page 17.

Luke and June’s early view of Grammy:

Luke had once said, “Before Freddy Krueger goes to sleep at night, he checks his closet for your grandma.” Page 18.

June recognizes the risks of loving Luke:

But with Luke, she’d be risking more than just money.  Cash lost could always be earned again, but the pain of heartbreak lingered for years. Page 147.

I received this title for review from Sourcebooks.

This is set in Texas for the Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author Challenge List.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit  the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 26, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 27, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.