Review: Jaclyn M. Hawkes' The Most Important Catch

Recently I had the chance to read Jaclyn M. Hawkes' latest novel, a romance titled The Most Important Catch.


From the back of the book:
She knew too much, and she’d seen too much. And the police refused to help. Knowing that she was to be the next scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life.

 

When the weather turned cold, she turned south. She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only she didn’t know that. She thought he was a businessman. Not being a huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind, generous, and that she was safe with him. Or was she?

His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame wasn't nearly as lethal as his attraction. He kept her safe and protected. All except her heart.

My thoughts:

This wasn't the first book of Jaclyn's that I've read. I reviewed her historical romance, Journey of Honor, here on my blog more than a year ago and you'll be able to tell from reading that review that I enjoyed the story. Since then, however, I think Jaclyn's writing has improved, and I enjoyed this book even more.

Again Jaclyn was able to craft interesting characters and an intriguing situation, but the best part for me this time was the setting. I loved the idyllic, country life that Kelly found herself sequestered in and wished for just such a quiet spot for myself. (Maybe I'd get more writing done!!) But alas, at the moment, my life is a bit busier than hers and instead, found myself reading late into the night (or early into the morning) because I wanted to stay submerged in the North Carolina woods.

Overall, it was a great story. At times, I wondered how Kelly could have been so blind to some things which should have been obvious to her (I won't say what because I don't want to spoil the story), especially since the premise was based on her meticulous observation skills; however, it was plausible enough for me to continue (willing suspension of disbelief). It's a squeaky clean romance and a great way to escape life and spend a couple of days' reading.

If you'd like to purchase your own copy, you can find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Book Depository.

About the Author: 
Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets.  (It was never boring!)  She received a Bachelor’s degree, had a career, and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children.  She loves shellfish, the outdoors, the youth, and hearing her children laugh.  She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.


Getting a hold of Jaclyn is fairly easy! You can check out her blog, follow her on Twitter @JaclynMHawkes, or like her Facebook page to get to know more about her.

LDS Authors and Some Great Reads!

One thing I've learned over the past week when I was at the LDStorymakers conference is that there are more LDS authors than I realized! I love knowing there are people out there crafting wholesome, uplifting, well-written stories!

In celebration of this and in conjunction with the awesome blog, "I Am a Reader, Not a Writer," I am participating in this fabulous book giveaway. On my website, you have a chance to win...a copy of my debut novel, Nourish & Strengthen. It's about a very busy, sometimes overwhelmed LDS mom who for some reason thinks she's failing if she's not perfect. None of us ever feel that way, right?

So, to make sure you don't feel overwhelmed, I've made entering this contest super easy. Please choose ONE of the following and comment on it at the end of my post:

1. Become a follower of my blog (only if you aren't already).
2. Like my Facebook Page (if you haven't previously):  http://www.facebook.com/mariahoaglandauthor
3. Tweet or post about my book on Facebook

Remember, I'm only asking for ONE!!(But I won't complain if you do all of the above, in fact, the more you do, the more chances you'll be entered to win.) Thanks so much and good luck winning! If you are chosen as the winner and you reside in the US, you can choose either a print version or an ebook version of Nourish & Strengthen, if you live outside the US you can choose whatever ebook version you prefer!

Please also include an email address if I don't already have it or if it isn't easy for me to find.

Here are the other participants of the Blog Hop if you're ready to move on:

Building a Better Book: LDStorymakers

So last weekend I attended LDStorymakers writing conference for the third year in a row. And every year it astounds and inspires me. This year's theme, "Building Better Writers," built upon a construction and was the foundation for many great ideas I got at the conference. So here's a list of my current projects:

1. Construction of my second LDS women's novel is nearly complete. I'm done with the first draft, sent more than half of it through my critique group, and am now putting on the finishing touches. OK, maybe not "finishing" touches--maybe more like picking out countertops and tile. But soon it will be ready for the first walk-through (beta readers). Some of the classes I attended at Storymakers helped me see where I needed to reinforce my structure so it doesn't collapse.

2. I'm currently in the process of constructing my author webpage. Check back...I'll post a link when I have it up and running.

3. In addition to the typical end-of-school Mom madness, I'm in the middle of moving out of state. Another big construction project...or at least renovation (okay, just boxing, moving, unpacking, painting). Lots of fun, but time consuming.

I love having several projects running at the same time, don't you?

Writing, Running, and Diabetes=Team Sports?

Borrowed from sportsposterwarehouse.com

Normally, running is very much an individual support. Sure, there are track teams, cross country teams, relay teams, but I've been hoofing it alone most times. And then I realized today, while I ran four glorious miles on the banks of the Provo River in a beautiful canyon in Utah, that I was there because of the support I receive from my husband. We'd walking around town, shopping, reminiscing, when I said, "I'd love a run right now." So he agreed. He didn't run with me, but he drove me there, enjoyed some quiet time, and allowed me to do my thing.

Same thing with writing. You sit for hours upon hours by yourself, typing, planning, deleting, rewriting. But then there are those in your critique group who help you rip out what is boring, poorly written, or just plain wrong. They encourage and uplift, help you find solutions to your problems, offer suggestions. I don't think my first book, Nourish & Strengthen, would ever have gotten off my computer without the support of an old friend who volunteered so many hours in editing, discussing, and recruiting the help of others. (Thank you, Tom!)

And then there's diabetes. That one might be the most obvious. Or not. I mean, only I can be in charge of each bite I take, how much insulin I inject, how frequently I check my blood sugar and correct highs or lows. The advice of doctors is important, and even more, is the support of the family--making sure I am accountable, without nagging me about it. Showing a good example. Not tempting me.

So now as I head off for two and a half fabulous days at the LDStorymakers writing conference (that I look forward to every year) I am thinking about support teams and team sports and right now, I am thankful for the team feeling I get at the conference. I meet so many great people who want to help and share on the way to reaching my dream and theirs--to communicate. This will be my third year in attendance, and I can't imagine not wanting to go next year, or the year after, or the year after that. (Maybe eventually, I'll be part of the team and be able to present?)

So my advice to you today, as humble as it is, look at the teams you have supporting you--especially the ones you may not necessarily think of as teams--and thank them.