Release Launch/Review Tour: Overruled: Emma Chase
Emma Chase
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Emma Chase, New York Times bestselling author of the Tangled Series, returns with the first installment of the Legal Briefs Series.
As a DC defense attorney, Stanton Shaw keeps his head cool, his questions sharp, and his arguments irrefutable. They don’t call him the Jury Charmer for nothing – with his southern drawl, disarming smile and captivating green eyes – he’s a hard man to say no to. Men want to be him and women want to be thoroughly cross examined by him.
Stanton’s a man with a plan. And for a while, life was going according to that plan.
Until the day he receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school sweetheart and mother of his beloved ten-year old daughter. Jenny is getting married — to someone who isn’t him.
That's definitely not part of the plan.
***
Sofia Santos is a city raised, no-nonsense litigator who plans to become the most revered criminal defense attorney in the country. She doesn’t have time for relationships or distractions.
But when Stanton, her "friend with mind-blowing benefits" begs for help, she finds herself out of her element, out of her depth, and obviously out of her mind. Because she agrees to go with him – to The-Middle-Of-Nowhere, Mississippi – to do all she can to help Stanton win back the woman he loves.
Her head tells her she's crazy...and her heart says something else entirely.
What happens when you mix a one stop-light town, two professional arguers, a homecoming queen, four big brothers, some Jimmy Dean sausage and a gun-toting Nana?
The Bourbon flows, passions rise and even the best laid plans get overruled by the desires of the heart.
Stanton Shaw's life did not play out like he planned it as a teen. Well his career did, but not his personal life. The love of his life, Jenny, still lives in Mississippi with their daughter, while he lives in D.C. working as a high powered attorney. They decided a long time ago to enjoy an "open relationship" when they are apart with no questions asked.
He has good colleagues and friends and his career. He and his very similar minded colleague, Sofia Santos are especially close. They are friends with benefits that work together and play together without pesky complications. His life in D.C. is good, and Jenny and their daughter, Presley, are safe and happy living the country life.
Sofia was smart, fiery, passionate and played off of Stanton well. She was confused as well, but understood his limitations and did not want to ruin things. Sometimes I felt like she was too patient with him, but overall she was a strong character and could hold her own.
They had serious chemistry and fire, but initially kept it in the "friends with benefits" label and never thought they wanted more. After all, Stanton's heart was already taken. But once all of the players are in one place, it becomes quite a tangled web. I will admit that there were some parts where it was more of a love triangle or quadrangle that kind of annoyed me, but I was able to get past it.
All of their families were quite colorful and added so much drama and humor. I loved the interactions with Stanton and his daughter, Presley. They were so heartwarming and gave him another facet to his character. And who can resist vising with Stanton's buddy Drew Evans (Tangled series)? Drew always cracks me up and puts a smile on my face.
Stanton Shaw lives and works in Washington, DC, as a defense attorney. With his charming nature, southern drawl, and ability to read people, he is successful and compelling. Having grown up in Mississippi, the city has always called to him, though he still loves his hometown.
Sofia Santos grew up in the city. She doesn’t have time for relationships in her career focused plans. She is no-nonsense and driven.
Stanton and Sofia strike up a mutually beneficial agreement -- a friends with benefits agreement. Because neither have the time or plans for a relationship right now. At least, until Stanton learns his high school sweetheart (and the mother of his daughter) is getting married. Now all he can think about is winning Jenny back, and he needs Sofia’s help.
Early in the book, I was a little frustrated by Stanton’s attitude about Jenny and Sofia and their places in his life. He invited Sofia to travel to Mississippi with him because he couldn’t leave her in DC by herself for a week, while he has left Jenny (whom he claims to love) on her own in Mississippi for 10 years, without visiting in over a year?! I was baffled at his confusion that she would find someone else when she was obviously not his priority. He had no plans to move back to Sunshine, and she refused to leave.
BUT I also loved him. Emma Chase has a way of writing these selfish, career driven men in a such a way that I can’t help falling in love with them. Watching him build his bed, knowing he’s skating a fine line that can’t hold, and knowing everything is going to collapse around him is one thing. And I didn’t like him several times through the beginning. But then watching things fall apart for him I can’t help but feel sorry for the man. It’s as exasperating as it is amazing.
There were times the general premise of this book and the characters themselves seemed so far fetched that I had a hard time feeling like the story was believable. But then again, it was just so entertaining to watch Stanton try to sort out the mess he found himself in that I couldn't help but love this story.
Stanton Shaw's life did not play out like he planned it as a teen. Well his career did, but not his personal life. The love of his life, Jenny, still lives in Mississippi with their daughter, while he lives in D.C. working as a high powered attorney. They decided a long time ago to enjoy an "open relationship" when they are apart with no questions asked. He has good colleagues and friends and his career. He and his very similar minded colleague, Sofia Santos are especially close. They are friends with benefits that work together and play together without pesky complications. His life in D.C. is good, and Jenny and their daughter, Presley, are safe and happy living the country life.
But when Stanton finds out that Jenny is apparently moving on and getting married, he makes a rash decision and drags Sofia with him to the country to be his wing woman, keep him calm, and help him get Jenny back. Not his brightest plan, but he had his reasons. And Sofia just can't seem to say No to him.
Oh my...Stanton...He was alpha, charming, sexy, determined, dirty-talking and sometimes sweet. He was usually in control unless faced with situations that caused anger or passion. But I wanted to shake him at times...really...SHAKE HIM! He had a good heart, but was clueless and blind when it came to matters of the heart. It was hard for him to reconcile all he wanted. He wanted it all, but there was no way he could really have it all.
Oh my...Stanton...He was alpha, charming, sexy, determined, dirty-talking and sometimes sweet. He was usually in control unless faced with situations that caused anger or passion. But I wanted to shake him at times...really...SHAKE HIM! He had a good heart, but was clueless and blind when it came to matters of the heart. It was hard for him to reconcile all he wanted. He wanted it all, but there was no way he could really have it all.
Throw in a rural location, jealous, altercations, hijinks, passion, mistakes, miscommunication and new realizations amidst country justice and fickle mother nature and see complete chaos ensue.
Sofia was smart, fiery, passionate and played off of Stanton well. She was confused as well, but understood his limitations and did not want to ruin things. Sometimes I felt like she was too patient with him, but overall she was a strong character and could hold her own.
This was sexy, witty, fun, and romantic. It was told in both Stanton and Sofia's pints of view which was critical especially in times of miscommunication. The settings of D.C. and rural Mississippi provided interesting backdrop changes. And the differences of Southern-bred Stanton and City girl Sofia in the rural environment made it even more interesting. It had the fast-paced unfiltered Emma Chase style that sucks you in, frustrates you, keeps you invested, and makes you laugh or fan yourself at alternate times.
This was a captivating start to this new series set in the legal field with strong characters, humor, and steam. Next up will be Stanton's grouchy manwhore room mate Jake Becker in Sustained. I was really intrigued by their fellow lawyer friend Brent Mason and am looking forward to his story in Appealed.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Stanton Shaw lives and works in Washington, DC, as a defense attorney. With his charming nature, southern drawl, and ability to read people, he is successful and compelling. Having grown up in Mississippi, the city has always called to him, though he still loves his hometown.Sofia Santos grew up in the city. She doesn’t have time for relationships in her career focused plans. She is no-nonsense and driven.
Stanton and Sofia strike up a mutually beneficial agreement -- a friends with benefits agreement. Because neither have the time or plans for a relationship right now. At least, until Stanton learns his high school sweetheart (and the mother of his daughter) is getting married. Now all he can think about is winning Jenny back, and he needs Sofia’s help.
Early in the book, I was a little frustrated by Stanton’s attitude about Jenny and Sofia and their places in his life. He invited Sofia to travel to Mississippi with him because he couldn’t leave her in DC by herself for a week, while he has left Jenny (whom he claims to love) on her own in Mississippi for 10 years, without visiting in over a year?! I was baffled at his confusion that she would find someone else when she was obviously not his priority. He had no plans to move back to Sunshine, and she refused to leave.
BUT I also loved him. Emma Chase has a way of writing these selfish, career driven men in a such a way that I can’t help falling in love with them. Watching him build his bed, knowing he’s skating a fine line that can’t hold, and knowing everything is going to collapse around him is one thing. And I didn’t like him several times through the beginning. But then watching things fall apart for him I can’t help but feel sorry for the man. It’s as exasperating as it is amazing.
There were times the general premise of this book and the characters themselves seemed so far fetched that I had a hard time feeling like the story was believable. But then again, it was just so entertaining to watch Stanton try to sort out the mess he found himself in that I couldn't help but love this story.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.
When you’re a defense attorney in Washington DC, you see first-hand how hard life can be and that sometimes the only way to survive is to become harder. I have a reputation for being cold, callous, intimidating – and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.
Complications don’t work for me - I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will get you off. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming – and I don’t pretend to be.
Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room and am knee deep in a damn compost pit.
Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be hard, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.
And that – that I know how to do.
Appealed (The Legal Briefs #3)
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Appealed (The Legal Briefs #3)Add to Goodreads
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Expected November 17, 2015
When Brent Mason looks at Kennedy Randolph, he doesn’t see the awkward, sweet girl who grew up next door. He sees a self-assured, stunning woman…who wants to crush the most intimate - and prized - parts of his anatomy beneath the heels of her Christian Louboutins.
Expected November 17, 2015
When Brent Mason looks at Kennedy Randolph, he doesn’t see the awkward, sweet girl who grew up next door. He sees a self-assured, stunning woman…who wants to crush the most intimate - and prized - parts of his anatomy beneath the heels of her Christian Louboutins.
Brent has never let the loss of his leg in a childhood accident affect his ability to lead a fulfilling life. He sets high goals–and then he reaches them.
And now he has his sights set on Kennedy.
**
When Kennedy looks at Brent Mason, all she sees is the selfish, Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue-worthy teenager who humiliated her in high school to join the popular crowd. A crowd that made those years a living hell.
She’s not a lovesick social outcast anymore - she’s a DC prosecutor with a long winning streak behind her. Brent is the opposing attorney in her next case and she thinks it’s time to put him through a little hell of his own.
But things aren’t exactly working out that way.
Because every fiery exchange has her wondering if he’s as passionate in the bedroom as he is in the courtroom. Each argument and objection only makes him want her more. In the end, Brent and Kennedy may just find themselves in love…or in contempt of court.
APPEALED is a sexy, humorous romance about first crushes, second chances and the final verdict of the heart
By day, Emma Chase is a devoted wife and mother who resides in a small town in New Jersey. By night she is a keyboard crusader, toiling away the hours to bring her colorful characters and their endless antics to life. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.
Emma is an avid reader. Before her children were born she was known to consume whole books in a single day. Writing has also always been a passion and with the 2013 release of her debut romantic comedy, Tangled, the ability to now call herself an author is nothing less than a dream come true.
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