Review and Excerpt Tour: Stone Princess: Devney Perry
Stone Princess
Devney Perry
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Release Date May 5, 2020
Presley Marks has just become a cliché: the jilted bride. Wearing a white dress, standing in front of her friends and family, she announces that her fiancé—according to his text—has forgotten about the wedding.
Humiliated and angry, she hides from the world in the mundane routine of her life. Working at the Clifton Forge Garage isn’t glamorous, but it’s safe from the spotlight.
At least it was, until Shaw Valance comes to town.
The notorious Hollywood actor is starring in a movie based on the town’s infamous murder. When he’s not on set, Shaw hovers at the garage, watching as they build his custom motorcycle and irritating her with his handsome smile. He was supposed to leave once filming wrapped and go back to his fancy life, not buy the house next door.
But Shaw might regret that purchase once Presley’s ex-fiancé returns, bringing with him a war between old rivals that could burn both their houses down.
This group weathered the storm of murder, mayhem, and loss, but they are survivors...and now someone wants to make a movie about it...Presley Marks is the little spitfire that helps hold the garage together. She had a bad childhood, lost someone dear to her, and has wasted years on her unreliable and selfish former fiance'. Now she feels like she is starting over. She's sad, mad, and determined to deal with it on her own, but she is also strong and sassy.
When charming movie star Shaw Valance comes strolling into the garage, her guards go up. And something about her resistance and unconcern for his fame, reels Shaw right in. He is just in town for filming and has a lot riding on this new project. These two go round and round, but Shaw is persistent and is determined to wear down Presley's resistance.
They are sure they can have a quiet fling with no repercussions, even though along the way, they find friendship, trust, and passion. But it was only supposed to be short-term and they both have triggers that could be set off easily. And in the midst of their struggles, comes some unexpected chaos that will throw an even bigger wrench in their lives.
I loved this movie star meets small-town girl romance with just enough snark, angst, mystery, and suspense. Presley and Shaw were magic together! They had such natural chemistry and spark, but I also loved their vulnerability and rapport when together. Presley was unapologetically herself. Shaw had his own interesting history and had his priorities in order. He was down-to-Earth and just such a swoony hero in so many ways.
I enjoyed visiting Clifton George and all her friends. This group has truly made their own family and they are stubborn, supportive, and at times intimidating. It feels like coming home now, but this book has its own unique feel and vibe that set it apart from the first two books. And this one can be read as a stand-alone. I am looking forward to more in this series with Leo, Emmett, and I have also fallen for the Police Chief Luke.
Presley Marks has worked hard to put her past behind her, except for the one part of her past that found her in Montana: her fiance, Jeremiah. After he leaves her at the altar, she plans to hide out until the gossip blows over and move on to the next topic. But the next topic to blow into town is Shaw Valance and the movie he is producing and starring in. It’s bad enough he’s stirring up attention to the murder the town has just started moving past, but he also keeps showing up at the garage, AND moves in next door.
She’s been burned in the past and doesn’t trust herself or him, but he’s determined enough to chip through her icy veneer to find the real Presley beneath. And he might find it isn’t worth the trouble when her ex shows up again, stirring up trouble with the old MC rivalry.
I have always loved Presley. She runs the garage office with efficiency and care, having adopted the men in the garage as brothers, and looking to Draven as a father-figure during his life. Her life has hardened her, and she rarely shares her “before,” choosing to focus on the life she has built in Clifton Forge rather than the terror she grew up in.
Shaw is a strong match for her. Celebrity was never his life’s goal, and though he finds himself in the spotlight now, it wasn’t where he had always dreamed of being. He has his work cut out for him when he sets his sights on Presley though. She is not charmed by his fame, and if anything it works against him. He’ll have to get to her through sheer will and persistence.
I have been struggling reading lately, but the story in Stone Princess kept me thinking even when I couldn’t physically continue reading. I found every excuse to pick up the book, even if for only a few paragraphs at a time. There is just enough background conflict to keep the tension high, and a perfect amount of relationship drama between Pres and Shaw to keep me on my toes for them.
I loved the way this brought us back to Clifton Forge, giving a glimpse into what the town and the former Tin Gypsies have settled into after the shock of murder and death have faded. Things are not fully settled though, and the fragile truce between the Gypsies and the Warriors is threatened. I can’t wait for Noble Prince. The pieces we get of both characters for the next book have me wanting it in my hands yesterday.
She’s been burned in the past and doesn’t trust herself or him, but he’s determined enough to chip through her icy veneer to find the real Presley beneath. And he might find it isn’t worth the trouble when her ex shows up again, stirring up trouble with the old MC rivalry.
I have always loved Presley. She runs the garage office with efficiency and care, having adopted the men in the garage as brothers, and looking to Draven as a father-figure during his life. Her life has hardened her, and she rarely shares her “before,” choosing to focus on the life she has built in Clifton Forge rather than the terror she grew up in.
Shaw is a strong match for her. Celebrity was never his life’s goal, and though he finds himself in the spotlight now, it wasn’t where he had always dreamed of being. He has his work cut out for him when he sets his sights on Presley though. She is not charmed by his fame, and if anything it works against him. He’ll have to get to her through sheer will and persistence.
I have been struggling reading lately, but the story in Stone Princess kept me thinking even when I couldn’t physically continue reading. I found every excuse to pick up the book, even if for only a few paragraphs at a time. There is just enough background conflict to keep the tension high, and a perfect amount of relationship drama between Pres and Shaw to keep me on my toes for them.
I loved the way this brought us back to Clifton Forge, giving a glimpse into what the town and the former Tin Gypsies have settled into after the shock of murder and death have faded. Things are not fully settled though, and the fragile truce between the Gypsies and the Warriors is threatened. I can’t wait for Noble Prince. The pieces we get of both characters for the next book have me wanting it in my hands yesterday.
My realtor would have earned a higher commission if she had mentioned that the woman who lived next door was Presley Marks. “Isn’t this a surprise?”
“Is it?” Presley asked, frowning as I descended my steps and crossed the lawn, meeting her in her driveway. She raised a dark blond eyebrow. “Because it sort of feels like stalking.”
I chuckled. “I swear I had no idea you lived next door.”
But what a bonus. I wouldn’t have to make excuses to stop by the garage to see her. She could tear that insurance waiver to shreds. Presley had to know I didn’t give a damn about that bike they were building for me.
“You bought this house?”
“Yeah.” I reached for the grocery bags she had in her hands. “Here, let me help.”
She twisted away. “I’ve got them.”
“Come on.” I stepped forward and she took a step back. Wait, did she really think I was stalking her? “I’m just trying to help. I mean, I’ll probably start writing down your daily schedule so I can make sure our paths cross at least once a day. But that’s normal, right? For stalkers?”
“Are you being funny?”
My smile flattened. “I guess not.”
Noble Prince (#4)
Fallen Jester (#5)
Tin Queen (#6)
Devney Perry
Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media.
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