Blurb
He’s sexy. He’s
southern. And he’s a superstar chef. Meet Elijah Jackson, my hot new neighbor...
From the outside
looking in? I’ve got it all. Prestigious job. Pretty house. And a perfect
boyfriend who proposed with the perfect ring.
But as beautiful as
my life looks on the outside, I feel like something’s missing. So I hop in my
car and head south. I’m hoping the thousand mile distance will clear my
mind--and give me time to work on the romance novel I secretly want to write.
Charleston, South
Carolina: home to stunning architecture, sultry accents, and--oh yeah--my new
neighbor, Elijah Jackson. A chef at one of the city’s most renowned
restaurants, he’s simultaneously intimidating and inviting. Especially when he
shows up at my door, shirtless, offering me homemade biscuits.
As if his abs for
days and inked up deliciousness aren’t enticing enough, he also encourages me
to chase down my dreams, one chapter at a time. And the chemistry between us?
Hotter than the kitchen at Eli’s restaurant.
But I still have a
life a thousand miles away. One I’ve worked really hard to build. And I don’t
know if I can just leave it all behind.
Romance novels
always end in happily ever after. But is one possible for a southern charmer
and this yankee girl?
SOUTHERN CHARMER
is a slow burn, standalone romance. It’s the first book in the CHARLESTON HEAT
series, set in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Author Bio
Jessica Peterson began reading romance to escape the
decidedly unromantic awkwardness of her teenage years. Having found solace in
the likes of Mr. Darcy, Jamie Fraser (OMG love the gingers!), and Edward
Cullen, it wasn’t long before she began creating tall, dark and handsome heroes
of her own.
She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Mr.
Peterson, and her smelly Goldendoodle Martha Bean. She is the author of the
super sexy STUDY ABROAD and FLINGS WITH KINGS series. Check her out at www.jessicapeterson.com
Author Links
Review
* * * * 1/2
I've been reading Jessica Peterson's books for over a year now and the one
thing that's been consistent is how sexy her stories are. I think she outdid herself
here though because not only did she create a sexy, talented southern chef, she
made him one of the most sensitive and open-minded male characters I've ever
had had the pleasure of reading!
After her boyfriend proposes to her and her not giving him an immediate
emphatic "yes" in response, Olivia retreats to Charleston for a few
weeks where in hopes of clearing her head and returning to him
fully committed to their future. Taking the time off is exactly what she needs right now. She's worked so hard for most of her life having achieved a career to be proud of, a dream boyfriend, a picture perfect life. But once she's
away from the hustle and bustle of New York and the slower less frenetic speed of Charleston is like a much-needed soothing balm for her soul. She has the space to think and can actually hear her thoughts and one of them is saying, "get that romance novel written!"
Eli is the neighbour she meets who is so opposite of everything she is used to.
He's confident, laid back, open. He doesn't sweat the small stuff too much. Oh,
and he's shirtless. A lot. He instantly welcomes her and is shocked when he offers to help her with her writing. Not even her own boyfriend has offered to do that much less supported her dream. He thinks it's beneath her while Eli's thinks it's creative and is excited for her. Can he be real, please? This little thing they had going was charming.
Now I know the romance is a huge part of this story but let me tell you what I
loved more than that: Olivia's awakening. After all this time of
living up to everyone else's image of what she should be or want, she finally takes a
breath to understand what she wants without all the naysayers
cluttering her mind. So yes, she comes alive through her friendship with Eli,
new friends she makes, but it's still all HER finally
listening to HER voice and being unapologetic about it. Olivia, who defends the romance genre so fiercely and who argues for its merits, finds her own self-confidence bolstered through the process of writing her own novel. I was overjoyed for her! And just as Eli encourages her, she encourages him with his restaurant
businesses. No romance goes smoothly so naturally there's a hiccup which anyone
could see coming. It's just that I hoped the character's reaction wasn't quite
what it was.
I enjoyed Southern Charmer a lot. The little glimpses into
Olivia's writing experience I'm sure were inspired by Peterson's own and I like getting those behind-the-scenes insights. I could tell
that this was a personal story for her since she chose Charleston, a city
she loves, as the setting, and that she made Olivia an aspiring author
and Eli a chef in what sounds like one of the most amazing foodie cities around. I think this
Charleston Heat series is going to be one to keep an eye on, so get it on it
now and let your soul experience a little Southern charm!
~ Bel
