Something
to Prove
The
O’Learys
By: Shannyn Schroeder
eKensington
Releasing January 2014
5 Things About the O’Learys
1. The
O’Learys were never supposed to be a series. When I came up for the idea for More Than This, I had planned to write a
trilogy – one book for each of the 3 friends: Quinn, Indy, and Kate. However,
once I started writing about Ryan’s family, I fell in love with them and a
series was born.
2. Colin
O’Leary, the hero in Something to Prove,
was a total surprise. When I wrote More
Than This, I knew that Ryan (the hero in that book) came from a big family,
but I hadn’t taken the time to get to know them all. In fact, in the earliest
draft, I thought Ryan was the oldest because he acts like the oldest child. I
was writing a scene in More Than This
where Ryan is on the phone with Quinn and I needed to get him off, so I had his
manager interrupt him because someone wanted to see him. When he answers his
office door, he expected to see his manager. “The face staring back at him,
though, was nearly identical to his own. Colin. Ryan stood dumbfounded staring
into the dark blue eyes of his older brother. They hadn’t seen each other in
years.” In that moment, I knew Colin had a story to tell.
3. One
thing I keep waiting for a reader to call me on is the amount of physical
affection the O’Learys show each other. In my experience, Irish families tend
to be quite reserved. We aren’t the touchy-feely types. In all of my books, the
kids all kiss their mom hello or good-bye. I did it as a writer’s shortcut to
show that they’re a close family. In reality, I don’t think that would happen.
4. Something to Prove is the first book to
keep the title I gave it. The truth is, I suck at titles. More Than This had three titles before I sold to Kensington. I
really like the titles my editor came up with for both More Than This and A Good
Time. When I sent in Something to
Prove, I figured that one would change as well, but he liked it and it
stayed.
5. O’Leary’s
Pub is loosely based on a real bar in Chicago. My friend’s family owns the bar,
The Abbey Pub. The interior of the Abbey isn’t how I see O’Leary’s but it’s the
atmosphere that’s the same. So if you’re ever in Chicago and want to visit a
great Irish pub, go to The Abbey. As a side bit of trivia, I had my wedding
reception at The Abbey Pub.
Blurb
Two ambitious people team up to prove
themselves to their families—and find there may be more to their partnership
than just business…
Elizabeth Brannigan
is determined to show her father she’s capable of running the family business.
Saving his struggling Chicago bar seems like the perfect project. But she’ll
need a little help dealing with the rough crowd. Who better to assist her than
the handsome co-owner of a thriving Irish pub? Of course, with so much work to
do, there are bound to be a few late nights…
Colin O’Leary’s
father passed away before he could prove to him that he wasn’t a screw-up. Now
he wants to show his brother he’s responsible enough to own a bar of his
own—and Elizabeth may be able to help him. But when their professional
aspirations clash, tempers—and passions—flare. Are they mature enough to mix
business with pleasure—or will they have to choose between the two?
Buy Links:
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She grabbed her purse and headed back into the bar. He stiffened at the sight of her. Oh, yeah, this was going well. “We missed lunch. I thought maybe you might want to grab something to eat before we have to meet with people.”
His shoulders relaxed and his mouth quirked. “Is that an invitation?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
“That’s all?”
What else did he want? She raised her brows, waiting for an explanation.
“No ‘thank you’?”
“Why should I thank you for doing your job?”
He walked around the bar and stood much too close for her comfort. “I think you owe me a thank-you for rescuing you from the biker.”
She rolled her eyes. “You did not rescue me. I handled myself fine.”
His smile broadened. “From where I stood, he was about to handle you.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“What would you have done if I wasn’t here?”
She debated telling him that the door wouldn’t have been open. The clientele of this establishment made her uneasy, but she wasn’t about to give him that fuel. “I would’ve called the police.”
“Wrong choice. You need me more than you thought, Legs.” He walked past her toward the door.
“What did you call me?”
“Legs.” He tilted his head and his gaze ran down the length of her. “As in you’re all leg.”
“My name is Elizabeth.”
He smiled, and her heart jumped. A smile should not have that effect.
He continued, oblivious to her condition. “Anyway, if you’d made that call to the cops, he would’ve gone into a rage. You have to be able to read people.”
“That’s why I hired you. So we’re back to you just doing your job and no thanks are necessary.” She turned to the door with her car keys in hand. His laugh echoed in the empty bar behind her and she couldn’t hold her smile back.
Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/09/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for.html
Review ~
Something to Prove is a fun story that moves quickly. Elizabeth is a woman on a mission and it is nice to see a strong character that while she has family issues, she is determined to prove herself and what her capabilities are. Even when she hits roadblocks, she either barrels through them or works around them and has the finish line always in sight.
Colin is trying to prove himself as well, but he is much more relaxed (just like a guy, right?). Even while he is trying to prove he isn't a screw up and will stick around, he likes to have fun. He tries not to take things too seriously and enjoys living in the moment more than worrying about what might be.
Something to Prove moves at a nice pace and is a really sweet romance with characters that are a little older and have some life experiences behind them.
Author Info
Even though she
wrote from high school through college (mostly poetry), she’d never considered
a career as an author. Writing fell by the wayside as she focused her energy on
creating lesson plans and new and fabulous ways to torment her teen students.
One group in particular dubbed her “The Torture Master,” a title she carried
into motherhood.
After the birth of
baby number two, Shannyn resigned from teaching and fell in love with reading
romance novels. She read so many books so quickly that her husband teased, “If
you’re going to read so many damn books, why don’t you just write one?”
So she did.
That first book is
safely buried on her hard drive, but the process set Shannyn on the path to
where she is today—agented with a debut ebook coming out with Kensington in
late 2012.
She is recovering
from her Diet Coke addiction, fears putting her foot in her mouth on social
media, and has a renewed appreciation for the bad girls of the world.
Author Links
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