Roman's Holiday by Susan Aylworth
Four years after Roman Kincaid was catapulted into stardom as a country-western singer and A-list movie star, he is burned out: exhausted by a grueling schedule, drained by the ceaseless demands of producers and managers, weary of meeting the needs of others at the expense of his own. Leaving a sold-out show in Phoenix, he rents a car and drives north and east, landing in the Painted Desert town of Rainbow Rock.
Nearly three years after leaving her old life behind, Lottie Beale is feeding people and baking pies, managing the Kachina Café and tending secrets of her own. When circumstances conspire to give two attractive people some time alone together amid the world-class vistas of the Four Corners, they discover more than either had bargained for.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My Review
I'm always interested in a good celebrity novel and this one takes place in a fun, unique setting. A few years ago, my family took a big road trip to this area--Northern Arizona, New Mexico, the Grand Canyon, Four Corners, etc and I loved being able to visualize the places where Roman and Lottie explored.
Roman is a country music sensation in desperate need of a break. He escapes his demanding manager and ends up in a small Northern Arizona town, where he settles in for awhile, under a fake name, of course. Lottie is master pie maker and runs a little restaurant in town. They both have their secrets and it's only a matter of time until they're discovered.
Roman is a contradiction. On one hand, he is so patient, kind, and selfless, but on the other hand, he came off as being conceited. I would think that someone needing a break would avoid his own music, but Roman has ring tones set to his songs and would blast his own music while driving in a car. Lottie is as sweet as the pies she bakes and her newest creation had me drooling. I would love to get my hands on a piece of that pie! She does have issues and secrets, but I wanted to see her overcome them and grow beyond them a little more than she did. I love the friendship and connection the two formed.
I enjoyed the story, but at times felt like a little something was missing. There were moments when it felt scripted--like a travelogue or guidebook almost--but I was still entertained.
Content: mild romance (kissing, some innuendo); mild descriptions of violence; mild language. Clean.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
*I received a copy from the tour host in exchange for an honest review*
Excerpt
They stood four feet apart on the bare new flooring of the Kachina, the air between them sizzling. The moment was interrupted when one of Gilbert’s workmen came down the stairs and announced, “That there shower should be workin’ for ya now.” He looked from Roman to Lottie and back again, said “Scuse me, folks,” and went right back up the stairs.
Lottie smiled. “I think we startled him.”
“Hm… reckon so.” The moment passed. “So what’s in this new pie of yours?”
Glad
for the reprieve, Lottie grabbed her purse and jacket and started for
the door as she answered, “Some of the ingredients are secret, of
course. That is, I could tell you, but then I’d have to—”
“Kill me? That’s a little extreme, isn’t it?” He held the door for her.
“Not at all. You see, I take my pies very seriously.”
“Um,
yeah. I can see that.” He helped her into the cab of his truck and came
around to sit behind the wheel. “So what ingredients aren’t secret?”
“This
pie is basically a salted caramel cream, but I’ve added some slivers of
dark, semi-sweet chocolate and a special flavoring. I think you’ll like
it.”
“I have all day to anticipate, don’t I?”
“That can only make it better.”
“I’m sure it will.”
Desires and promises both spoken and unspoken hung between them as they turned northward.
Author Susan Aylworth
Susan Aylworth started her first book when she was nine. "It was called Buff, The Proud Stallion. I wrote eight whole pages." For her fifth grade career day, she stated her ambition to become "a rich and famous author." Decades later, she is pleased to have achieved the 'author' part of that goal. A former university professor, she enjoys researching backgrounds and careers for her novels. "It's one way to live many lives at once." She lives in northern California with her husband of 45 years and two spoiled cats.
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