Review and Giveaway Something to Prove (The O'Leary's #3) by Shannyn Schroeder

REVIEW:

In the plethora of the romance novels is quite hard to find something special. Authors’ creativity and talent are put to the test even for those books intended solely for true fans of the genre. How I’m not such a fan, although lately I kind of read only contemporary romance, I can say that I am quite demanding and I’m rolling my eyes quite quickly. Regarding Something to Prove I can affirm that I had not the opportunity to do so and that is a (very) good thing.

Each of us have (maybe) something to prove, and especially Colin and Elizabeth. It is important to them to realize what they have to prove and especially what they are willing to sacrifice to do it. Professional and personal interests will collide, and the decisions (that the author has "motivated" properly) will not be the happiest ones. History of their families will make the "fight" fiercer and more dangerous; dangerous because the victory on a plane can be a big loss on the other. Colin and Elizabeth as main characters are enjoyable, enough shaped to convey us about their feelings, fears and risks that they are willing (or not) to assume or assert.

Shannyn Schroeder avoided well the negative effects of stereotypes and when she used the clichés she did it for the benefit of the love story. A love story that has the advantage of being perfectly valid, the feelings and resentments carried by protagonists could be found in real life. I could say that the main trump of the story is the naturalness and plausibility of the characters and of the way in which the events take place, despite the existence of some explanations a bit too easy at times, and also the way, a delicate one, in which the intimate scenes are created.

Narrated in the third person and giving us the both lovers’ points of view (even if they consider their relationship to be just casual sex) Something to Prove was for me an enjoyable read as I think it will be for everyone with a romantic side.

EXCERPT

TOUR SCHEDULE

“You don’t have the business management experience or education the other candidates have.”

He smiled. “Neither does my brother, but you went to him.”

“Like the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. He’s a success. Just because you share a branch of the family tree doesn’t guarantee me anything.”

“But you’ve seen me with people.” He thunked the chair back down on all four legs. “I was good with you.”

Between his intense blue eyes and his low bedroom voice, his words warmed her blood again. 

“And that would be another reason to not work with you. I don’t have time for someone who’s more interested in flirting than working.”

“Sweetheart, you flirted with me. I took your cues and acted on them. I’m completely capable of working with a partner without sleeping with her.”

Part of Elizabeth felt relief at his statement. More of her felt another sting of disappointment.

His steely blue gaze bore into her. No sign of lust. Nothing to imply that he planned to kiss her again. Not even a hint of sexual attraction. If they pretended that night had never happened, a partnership could work.

She steadied herself for a strong negotiation. “I’ll offer you twenty-five percent profits and a bonus twenty percent when I sell, assuming you hold up your end of the bargain and bring in the customers. I remain the manager and boss and all decisions go through me.”

“Make it forty percent profits and thirty percent on sale.”

“You bring personality to the table. No proven experience, and you expect me to give you almost half the business?” She leaned back in her chair. 

“My personality is the one thing you need most. It can’t be taught or bought.”

“Thirty profits and twenty-five at sale.”

He narrowed his eyes as if computing, then leaned forward. “Deal.”

“One more thing. No flirting. Just business.”

He sighed like she was being insufferable. “Contrary to popular belief, I am capable of being professional. When do we start?”

“It’s locked up, so we can start tomorrow. I’ll have the contract drawn up for you to sign when you get there. Nine a.m.?”

“I’m closing at O’Leary’s tonight. Make it eleven. Even I need my beauty sleep.”

“You plan to continue to work at O’Leary’s?”

“It’s my family’s bar.”

“I’m not a simpleton. There are only so many hours in a day. I won’t have you thinking you can drop by The Irish just to collect a check.”

His smile was disarming. “Sweetheart, simple isn’t what anyone would call you. I’ll prove my worth soon enough. Seems a lot of people expect that.” He rose and extended his hand. “I’ll sign your contract, but a handshake will do for me.”

She shook his hand and tried to ignore its strength and warmth and the zing of her nerves. As he turned to leave, she enjoyed the view and immediately began to question her sanity. She’d just created a business partnership based on a man’s charm. What the hell was she thinking?

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About the author:
Shannyn is a former English teacher, who now works as a part-time editor while raising her three kids.

Even though she wrote from high school through college (mostly poetry), she’d never considered a career as an author. Writing fell by the wayside as she focused her energy on creating lesson plans and new and fabulous ways to torment her teen students. One group in particular dubbed her “The Torture Master,” a title she carried into motherhood.

After the birth of baby number two, Shannyn resigned from teaching and fell in love with reading romance novels. She read so many books so quickly that her husband teased, “If you’re going to read so many damn books, why don’t you just write one?”

So she did.

That first book is safely buried on her hard drive, but the process set Shannyn on the path to where she is today—agented with a debut ebook coming out with Kensington in late 2012.

She is recovering from her Diet Coke addiction, fears putting her foot in her mouth on social media, and has a renewed appreciation for the bad girls of the world.

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