Batter Up by Robyn Neeley

Today I’m excited to share my first review of the month on a fun novel called Batter Up by Robyn Neeley, in addition to a fab interview with the author! I chose to kick off December with a bang and this novel was a fun treat. It’s not Christmas themed, but I think you’ll enjoy this holiday season just the same.

Batter Up [Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls Book 1] by Robyn Neeley

Publication: June 15, 2015

Book Blurb: Bakeshop owner Emma Stevens has a secret. A delicious premonition she shares every Monday evening with the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls as they gather at the Sugar Spoon bakery forBatter Up night.

Investigative reporter Jason Levine just found himself as the man candy for a bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Roped into attending the Vegas nuptials, was he hearing things when the groom shares that the only reason he’s getting married is because a small town baker conjured up the name of his soulmate in her cake batter?

Sparks fly when Jason tries to expose Emma as a fraud, but reality and logic go out the window as he begins to fall under her spell.

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

My Review

Batter Up is a deliciously magical novel about the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls.

There’s magic in the kitchen when Emma Stevens whips up cupcakes on Monday’s Batter Up night in her bakeshop. There’s something special about her cupcake batter that helps bachelors find their true love. Each week a lucky bachelor is selected, one that is ready to meet his match and settle down. Emma is used to helping the bachelors in town find love, but she hasn’t been lucky in the love department herself. When a gorgeous gentleman comes to town to stir up trouble and reveal her for a fraud, Emma is in for quite a bumpy ride. I enjoyed watching her navigate the twists and turns and ultimately her confidence and pride.

This was a fun novel filled with sweet surprises, subtle humor and lots of love. I loved the storyline and the idea behind the bachelor’s batter up night. One of the main themes of the novel is the idea that fate, destiny and faith have a heavy hand in all matters of love. Batter Up is an adorable, heart-warming and charming story filled with wonderful characters and a little bit of magic thrown in for good measure.

5 stars for this magical love story… I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Interview with the Author – Robyn Neeley

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

Author Bio: Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places; watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit; can’t live without Dunkin Donuts coffee and has never met a cookie she didn’t like. If you have a must read romance suggestion or a fabulous cookie recipe, she wants to know. Visit her at www.robynneeley.com.

1. Would you like to start by introducing yourself?

Hi Arielle! I’m so excited to stop by Living Life With Joy. Thanks so much for having me. I write romantic comedy – sometimes with a touch of magic – always with a heart-warming ending.

2. Can you give us a brief overview of your latest novel and the inspiration behind it?

My latest novel is Tangled Up – Book 2 in my Bachelor of Buttermilk Falls series.

When readers pick up one of my books they are in for fast and funny dialogue, a sweet story, and a heart-warming ending. Magical realism fits in nicely with my brand, and I was more than eager to give it a try with this series. It began with Batter Up , which includes one spell-binding approach to finding true love.

My heroine in Tangled Up definitely tangles up her love life when she decided to cast a spell on the guy she’s been sleeping with to reverse his memories so he’ll forget their time tangled up! The magical twist on the amnesia trope was super fun to write especially when my heroine realizes she’s made a colossal mistakes.

3. What other novels have you published and what are you working on at the moment?

I have a super cute romantic comedy called Destination Wedding. My hero, Luke, and his twin, brother trade places on a flight to Hawaii. When Luke pretends he’s his twin, Drew, and kisses the heroine to calm her flying nerves (she’s a mess) little does he know it sends off a chain reaction of hilarious mistaken identity. I also have a companion book, Holiday Wedding, where its Drew’s turn to get his happily ever after.

I’m currently working on Kiss and Make Up – Book 3 in the Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls series. It’s been so fun to write and involves a light paranormal element that was endearing to write and really sets up the conclusion for the series. I’m also working on a continuity with two other authors in which a guacamole tycoon wills away his inheritance to three random women—appearing to have done some matchmaking for his three sons before he passed away. It’s hysterical and such a fun opportunity to build a world and characters with two other authors.

4. Do you have any writing superstitions or rituals?

I have two things that always make it into my books: 1.) Some sort of transportation scene to give a shout out to when I first learned I would become a published author; 2) a mention to Nancy Drew – I loved those books growing up and read all of them multiple times.

5. Who are the authors that inspire you and what genres do you enjoy reading?

I love reading contemporary romance and women’s fiction. There are so many authors that I will one-click on my Kindle without a second thought. Some of my favorites this year include Sarah Allen Addison (love her magical realism books), Dana Volney (her holiday books are so fun), and Kimberly Kincaid (super sexy heroes!).

6. Do you have any tips for emerging authors?

Write every day. Do what you can to get those words down. It’s standard advice because it’s true.

7. A few of your favorites…

Favorite scent? Anything vanilla! I’m allergic to perfume but I can get away with vanilla scents.

Favorite color? Pink. Although I don’t wear it, I do own a lot of pink notebooks!

Favorite food? I’ve never met a cookie I didn’t like. When I had to cut back on gluten last year that well… did not go well.

Favorite word? Oooh this is a tricky one. I’m going to say Magic. Whether it’s cute spells or the magic of the holidays or of a cute meet, magical elements are definitely important to me.

Favorite book? The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. I LOVE that book.

Favorite time period in history? Eighties child!

Favorite article of clothing? My black high boots, oh, and I have a pair of brown lace up boots that I bought after I saw a character wear them on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. Love those!

Favorite drink of choice? Dunkin Donuts Mocha Iced Coffee. I’m addicted to Dunkin Donuts.

8. Either or…

Dogs or cats? Meow!

Red wine or white? White

Coffee or tea? Definitely coffee

Summer or Winter? Little bit of both. So happy the first day of the season and ready to say goodbye by the last day.

Sleep in or get up early? Get up way too early!

Apple or PC? Both!

Thanks for having me, Arielle! Before I leave, I wanted to share that Batter Up is on sale for $0.99 as part of the Hot Hometown Hunks Collection. Readers can grab it on Amazon and other e-retailers.

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Like what you’ve read so far? Check out Robyn’s first novel in the series Batter Up, and then get yourself a copy of her other novels in the Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls series!