Book Review: 'Made in Nashville' by Mandy Baggot
Publisher Harper Impulse
Launching 6th February 2014
Blurb:
Made in Nashville...feel the country!
An on-stage attack left Honor Blackwood with more scars than just the one on her face. It’s been ten years since she left her spot as Nashville’s brightest country music star. Is now the time to return? And is she brave enough to do it?
Country rebel and rock star, Jared ‘Jed’ Marshall is hot property on the Tennessee music scene in more ways than one. He’s wild, he’s sexy and everybody wants a piece of him. But when he sets his sights on Honor, is it pure attraction or just distraction on his mind?
Honor’s record label sign the ex-boyfriend that dumped her and suddenly going back to her old life is harder than she thought. Can she get a new contract? Will she get to perform at the Marlon Festival? Or will Dan Steele destroy everything?
When a secret from the past becomes public knowledge it’s no longer just about the music. Are all the people in her life lying to her to get what they want? And who is really behind the anonymous gifts she keeps getting sent?
Join the country scene to find out!
Made in Nashville – where the off-stage action’s as hot as the music!
Love ABC’s Nashville? Fall in love with a story that’ll drag you into the heart of the country music scene.
Battle scars, broken contracts and a returning star with a point to prove. Fists are flying faster than award nominations and emotions run even higher.
Country rebel and rock star, Jared ‘Jed’ Marshall is hot property on the Tennessee music scene in more ways than one. He’s wild, he’s sexy and everybody wants a piece of him. But when he sets his sights on singer Honor Blackwood, is it pure attraction or just distraction on his mind?
Visit the home of country music and get ready for the finger-picking read of the year!
Review:
I was already a fan of country music and the TV programme Nashville, so when I was offered the chance to join the tour for Mandy Baggot's Made in Nashville I was really excited. I am really passionate about music and the connection it can have to so many people through it's melody and lyrics, and have spent many years playing in bands and writing my own songs (not professionally of course!).
I can definitely say I wasn't disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the country music scene, and Mandy successfully depicts the music industry in all its glory - from the highs to the lows and full of politics between musicians.
I really loved the characters Mandy created. You instantly feel sorry for Honor as you learn how immensely her life changed when she was attacked on stage. Honor is now a hugely troubled girl who is very insecure due to the scar left on her face from the attack. Apart from the physical trauma, Honor suffers huge emotional damage - she has completely drawn into herself and removed herself from the music scene and world that she was such a massive part of. A great deal of Honor's suffering comes from the fact that the whole world knows about the attack, and because they continue to recognise her 10 year on, she is unable to hide away from the past. When Honor has the opportunity of becoming a part of the world she used to live for, she is afraid to take the first step, unsure whether she can handle it.
Then there is Jared 'Jed' Marshall! Now who doesn't love to read about the bad boy cowboy musician. I am a bit partial to a musician myself, so instantly fell in love! Jed's world is very black & white - he takes life as it comes, but he also has a bit of a temper which can erupt instantaneously! Despite this, the compassion he shows for Honor is incredibly endearing. At first he is determined to get her to join him on his tour, but soon it becomes about trying to help save her and rescue her from the horrible pit her attacker has pushed her into.
I love the relationship between Jed and Honor - you can immediately feel the chemistry and connection between them. Mandy beautifully writes about the reactions they each feel when they look at each other, when they're near each other and it is so gorgeous the way Jed learns Honor's different quirks that maker her unique. There are definitely some intense scenes where Jed and Honor start to act on the attraction they feel. Mandy brilliant builds the tension and gets the heart racing as she describes the feelings and emotions running through the characters.
Throughout the story I was definitely rooting for Jed and Honor, and on a musicians level, desperate for Honor to break back into the music scene and follow her passion. You do have to concentrate on the story as it jumps quickly from following Honor to Jed, but this is also refreshing to have the perspectives of both characters at once to get a real intense image of how they are both feeling and reacting to one another. It really helps to bring their relationship alive, as it connects their stories together.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance story, a hot book boyfriend, and a story with a surprising, unpredictable twist! A lot of people are put off by the country music background in the story, but I wouldn't let this put you off. The relationships, passion, and thrilling twists make this book a must read for everyone!
A story of fear, determination and passion for what you were born to do...
About the Author:
Mandy Baggot is a romantic fiction author. In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance. Her self-published title, Strings Attached was also short-listed for the Best Author Published Read award.
Also in 2012 she signed with American publishing house, Sapphire Star Publishing, who produced her novels, Taking Charge and romantic suspense, Security.
In June 2013 she signed a two book deal with Harper Collins' digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse.
She is a regular contributor to writing blogs and on-line magazine, Loveahappyending Lifestyle http://www.loveahappyending.com/.
Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World’s Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.
Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.
She is an advocate for women in business and belongs to the networking group Women on Wednesdays.
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6 comments
Thank you so much for this amazing review, Jess. I'm so glad you got involved in Honor and Jared's story and loved their chemistry!
ReplyDeleteMandy :)
Jess, what a fabulous review. Love what you say and your format.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking part in Mandy's tour.
Shaz
x
It was definitely my pleasure Mandy. I couldn't help but become engulfed by the intensity of their passion, for each other and their music xx
ReplyDeleteAww thank you Shaz! That really means a lot to me, especially from you! I am always a little nervous posting my reviews so love to hear people enjoy them. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to become involved with Fiction Addiction Book Tours. You've been amazing! xx
ReplyDeleteOk, so I freaking love Nashville (hate that the UK's so behind!) and I'm so so glad you loved this book so much as it's next on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteCora @ Tea Party Princess
Sticking with the "Nashville" theme....I love Gunnar on Nashville. I could listen to him sing all day.
ReplyDelete