Can a sexy Hispanic action movie star find himself in the BWCA of upper Minnesota? Will the local woman he grows to love believe someone who "lies for a living"? Can their relationship progress beyond its rocky start? And can Raul discover what is really important in life?
When a famous action movie star known for indulging in his addictions to excess, needs to clean-up for a major role that even he doubts he can deliver, the indie director sends him up to a resort owned by his grandmother in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of upper Minnesota, to learn to commune with nature. His guide is Veronica, the director's cousin, a tall, athletic woman who has the relaxed, sensible nature of someone who knows herself well, and has the confidence that comes from having family around to love and support her. Raul's initial clumsy attempt to seduce her makes her laugh--so he calls her fat. Is there any hope for a relationship after that rocky start? Can Raul overcome his hard-partying nature to discover what is really important in life? And will Veronica ever believe him, when he "lies for a living?"
Excerpt
Raul looked around himself with surprise when they walked out of the same door he had walked in through a short time ago. Then he had been oblivious to anything other than his own bodily discomfort and his anger at the world for his predicament. Now that he had a full belly and a pot of coffee in him, he was impressed at the beauty of the natural surroundings that he hadn't noticed before. "That is one beautiful lake," he said as he tried to keep up with the blonde with long legs that she seemed to enjoy stretching in exercise. He hadn't been doing his usual work-out routine lately, figuring that there would be time enough to get himself into great shape before the movie actually started filming. So he was huffing and puffing as he raced to keep up with the woman who rounded a small building that held canoes and other stuff that he didn't recognize.
She stopped and leaned back against the wall to point at the lake. "See how pretty the sun looks when it bounces off the...hey! What are you doing?"
Raul had caught up to her then done what he always did: tried to kiss the pretty girl. Only this pretty girl turned her head then moved, so that he ended up hitting his face on the wall. He looked at her, aggrieved. "I was trying to kiss you."
"Why?"
He was taken aback. "Uh, because you're pretty? And because I figured that's why you invited me out here away from that nagging old bag..."
Veronica's hand shot out and slapped him hard across the face.
"What was that for?" He rubbed the sore spot that proved it wasn't just her legs that were in good shape.
She advanced on him, her eyes narrowed. "Don't you ever call my grandmother an old bag again! Don't you even think it! You are a conceited pompous jerk with an ego the size of an elephant! Though I can't for the life of me see what you are so proud of--a string of lousy movies that consisted of you taking off your shirt early and often? Dialogue that sounded like it was written by a love-struck twelve-year-old? I have no idea what Jared sees in you, but whatever it is, it must be buried pretty deep!"
He retaliated. "Until you got all high and mighty I was willing to overlook the fact that you look like you eat more of your own pie than you should, and you people up here obviously have no idea that there might be any benefit to using makeup. I was willing to lower my standards to throw you a bone--my bone to be exact. Who knows if you'll ever get another chance to take a famous movie star into your bed? But if you're going to be all nasty and stuff, then forget it."
Veronica giggled, which grew to guffawing and continued until there were tears in her eyes.
He stared at her, his anger beginning to fade as her infectious laughter made him smile. "What's so funny?" He demanded when she stopped for a breath.
"You! You actually thought I wanted you to kiss me? You really thought I was so hard up to get laid that I'd even consider a spoiled, out-of-shape, drunken drug-addict like you?"
He stopped smiling.
"You've probably got more venereal diseases than I can even name. You've been linked to every female you've ever made a movie with. I think you should just be honest about things and make porn, but since the money's better where you are, you're smart to ride the gravy train while you still have your good looks. Lord only knows that won't be much longer, as hard as you are working on killing yourself."
He glared at her. "Are you done yet?"
She nodded. "Uh-huh. I think that about says it all."
"Why did you people agree to put me up if I'm such an asshole?"
Veronica shrugged. "We love Jared and he asked for a favor. He's making a movie about Gram-Marie's late husband's great-grandfather. Jared used to love the stories Grampa would tell about his family and the early days, back when old Hank Maynard was founding the city of Grand Marais."
She picked up a stone and tossed it into the lake, making it skip three times before it dropped into the water. "Besides, we had no idea you'd be so difficult to get along with.
Professional Reviews
Smashwords Reader Alec-5 stars!
This is the first book that I ever read by Fiona McGier - I bought it from the original publisher when it came out a few years ago, and it has held a special place in my library since. I loved it so much that I had to buy it again now that Ms. McGier is re-publishing her Minnesota romances herself. This is still hands down my favorite erotic romance novel that I have read. It combines all of the emotion of a very well-written romantic comedy with some truly intense and rewarding sex scenes, all the while telling the story of Raul's redemption as he finds not only love for the first time, but a home. And what a home! Ms. McGier's love for the setting of this book, Grand Marais, Minnesota, is palpable in every description, to the extent that the setting itself becomes a character, helping Raul along his journey to self-discovery and love. And all this is to say nothing of how much I love Veronica. It takes a truly special person to make a drugged-up booze hound Hollywood sex freak want to be a one-woman man, and she does it simply by being herself, a strong, independent, sexy, pie-making Nordic princess. Do yourself a favor, and read this book! You will laugh, you will cry, you will get super turned on. Once you're hooked, high five yourself because this is a series! Enjoy.
Romance Junkies Review
McGier's FOR THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE has no holds barred in the telling of this story. I didn't think I would like it at first in the way that Raul was introduced to us. But slowly he grew on me as I saw him trying to find his real self and turn his life around to be better than he ever has been or thought he could be. Veronica/Ronnie/Nica was almost too good to be true and Raul was the bad boy that she needed to tame. The chemistry between he and Veronica was explosive but also sweet at times. Seeing Veronica's family interactions amongst the many different relatives and generations just showed Raul more of what he was missing. He liked that he was accepted by the people of the town and felt a feeling of belonging. There is evil and good, real characters with ups and downs to their lives, setbacks and moving forward, family, friends and those that aren't but think they are, careers, an idyllic resort on a lake in Minnesota, Los Angeles with its good and bad side, happiness, sorrow, laughter, tears, evil, drugs, hot and steamy sex but also some that's crude, and ultimately romance and love. There were many layers to each of the characters that were slowly revealed to us - both the good and the bad. There is closure but a few more chapters would have been the ice cream or whipped cream on the pie since there is an anticipated happily ever after. The epilogue was a nice touch and whet my appetite for more.
McGier is a new to me author and I look forward to reading the sequel to this book which is ONLY ONE MAN WILL DO and meeting up with the characters I met in book one. I will also be adding her other contemporary romance novels to my ever growing TBR pile! On the author's website there are many pie recipes, some of which I will definitely be giving a try!
Harlie's Book Reviews Blogspot
Holy Crap! I think I just read the best book of the year. Yep, I did. This book had it all. From the opening page to the last page, I was put on an emotional journey of a man that people thought wouldn’t amount to much and the one woman that changed his outlook on life and found a permanent place in his heart.
Again, there is so much going on in the book but at the same time there isn’t. Ms. McGier doesn’t crowd the book with unnecessary characters but every character in the book has a role to play with Raul and Ronnie’s love story. Yes, this book is a love story, pure and simple.
Raul has never loved a woman besides his mother. As an actor he is used and abused by dealers, execs and women. He slowly came to that realization when he forced to live in a cabin on a lake with nothing to keep him occupied. His self discovery is slow and thoughtful. Ms. McGier had me frustrated at times with her pacing but be patient…and yes, Raul was taught patience. This reader was taught patience and it paid off in spades. Watching Raul finally figure out what was truly important to him was at times painful (the Oscars), joyful (canoe trip) and his and Ronnie’s first time together.
Veronica (Ronnie) was a strong heroine and she needed to be with Raul. She was everything that he needed but had never had. He had to court her (for a better set of words). She had his number and she had no problem dialing it when he needed the reality check. The only thing that bothered me about her was that I thought at the end of the book, she might have let him off a little easy. But hey, he was groveling and truly speaking from his heart for the very first time.
No one writes a truly romantic, sweet love story than Ms. McGier. She takes her time with her characters and lets their story unfold slowly. Nothing is ever rushed. At one point towards the end of the book, I cringed and cried with the Oscar scenes. At that point, I didn’t think that it would work out for Ronnie and Raul. My heart broke for both of them.
Raul’s savior was someone that I didn’t expect but at the same time, she was the perfect choice. I’m hoping that in the future that we get a story about Kelly, Raul’s co-star. Their banter and scenes together were golden. “Gramps” and ”Go back and play in the sandbox” are just how these two worked together and Kelly has a story to tell.
I’m not sure that I have really conveyed how much I loved Raul and Ronnie’s story. It as simplistic in nature but also poignant. I found Raul’s journey one that most enduring, at times hilarious and sweet.
Don’t miss out on this book. Oh and just to tease you…the epilogue was EPIC!!!! Didn’t see that coming at all…. *faints*
