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Maverick
by
Kellen Handler is in deep.
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic ...more
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic ...more
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ebook, 213 pages
Published
May 21st 2013
by Mission Bay Publishing
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3.5 STARS
There really was so much going against this book. On its own, it's pretty hard to sell an adult contemporary romance between a hugely successful professional surfer with a sob story and the similarly haunted publicist sent to fix his wrecked image. The potential for cliches is astounding, all of which Maverick delivered on. If you're looking for something original and fresh, mixing surfing with mediocre angst is probably as far as this book will take you.
But the ride really wasn't ...more
There really was so much going against this book. On its own, it's pretty hard to sell an adult contemporary romance between a hugely successful professional surfer with a sob story and the similarly haunted publicist sent to fix his wrecked image. The potential for cliches is astounding, all of which Maverick delivered on. If you're looking for something original and fresh, mixing surfing with mediocre angst is probably as far as this book will take you.
But the ride really wasn't ...more

Initial reaction: This is one of those times when I feel torn about a rating because there was quite a bit in this that took turns away from the typical New Adult novel, but at the same time, it doesn't shed many of the stereotypes and some things had me feeling a little ragey at the consideration.
But for what it's worth, I liked Kellen and Gina's relationship, at least watching it in its better moments and for the fact that the two actually talked out their issues. That's far different than ...more
But for what it's worth, I liked Kellen and Gina's relationship, at least watching it in its better moments and for the fact that the two actually talked out their issues. That's far different than ...more


The ocean was an extension of myself, the only place where I could find solace and peace. And even though I'd lost my best friend to it, I couldn't let it go, couldn't turn my back to it. I couldn't exist without it.

There was something in his voice, in his eyes, something that hinted there really was more to him than the public persona I'd read about. He was damaged.

If I'm being honest here, what initially drew me in to read this was the hot cover. What? Like you've never done that! Please!
I ...more

Maverick by Anna Cruise Author: Anna Cruise Title: Maverick Series: Cover Rating: Book Rating: Buy This Book:
Kellen Handler is in deep.
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen ...more
Kellen Handler is in deep.
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen ...more

"I see you holding on to the past. Letting it control what you do, what you allow into your life. I don't want that for you. And I don't want that for me."
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"And I'm not saying that things are gonna be perfect. I'm not saying we're gonna wake up tomorrow and all our demons will be gone. But I think we can keep them locked away. Deal with them on our own time. In our own way. You know?"
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*****5 AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND TEAR-WORTHY STARS*****
First of all, the hot cover totally ...more
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"And I'm not saying that things are gonna be perfect. I'm not saying we're gonna wake up tomorrow and all our demons will be gone. But I think we can keep them locked away. Deal with them on our own time. In our own way. You know?"
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*****5 AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND TEAR-WORTHY STARS*****
First of all, the hot cover totally ...more

This would have been a perfect five star read for me but in the end I was just sort of left... unsatisfied. As it is, it's more of a 4.5.
I feel horrible about it because it really had everything.
A great hero and heroine, with awesome chemistry.
A great story line that I breezed through.
Something a little different than your usual NA romance.
Low on drama! Yay.
Kellen is really just misunderstood. Love these nice guy heroes. He didn't piss me off once, which tells you a lot since there actually were ...more
I feel horrible about it because it really had everything.
A great hero and heroine, with awesome chemistry.
A great story line that I breezed through.
Something a little different than your usual NA romance.
Low on drama! Yay.
Kellen is really just misunderstood. Love these nice guy heroes. He didn't piss me off once, which tells you a lot since there actually were ...more

If you've been following my reviews, then it's no secret to you that I love a good Anna Cruise book. Maverick definitely delivers. In fact, dare I say it, it may just be my favorite of her books. There's a shortage of bad boy surfers in the literature arena, so Kellen is a refreshing addition to the book boyfriend shelf.

When we first meet Kellen, he's waking up from a drunk night of debauchery with another conquest, whom in his mind can only remember as "Ch."
Chelsea? Cheryl? What was her ...more

When we first meet Kellen, he's waking up from a drunk night of debauchery with another conquest, whom in his mind can only remember as "Ch."
Chelsea? Cheryl? What was her ...more

I got to read Maverick for Ashley’s Reading Bliss blog. First off, I enjoyed reading Maverick. I wasn’t sure what I was going to get out of this book. Kellen seemed liked he wasn’t going to be a good guy at first and then I was like oohhhh I like him! He had a bad*** reputation but he was just hurting and needed someone to help him see he needed to talk through his emotions and Gina was there for him until she got scared. Gina I wasn’t a very big fan of at some parts of the book but in the end I
...more

I'm going to keep this short and simple.
This book was alright. I feel like it had a lot of potential. I really liked Kellen in this book. I thought he was a great guy. He wasn't a hard headed asshole...he really was sweet, thoughtful and caring. Gina on the other hand. I think she was just crazy. I hated her character. I could not really relate to her at all. The angst was really not necessary. I did not understand why she kept on lashing out on Kellen.
I gave it 3 stars because the story was ...more
This book was alright. I feel like it had a lot of potential. I really liked Kellen in this book. I thought he was a great guy. He wasn't a hard headed asshole...he really was sweet, thoughtful and caring. Gina on the other hand. I think she was just crazy. I hated her character. I could not really relate to her at all. The angst was really not necessary. I did not understand why she kept on lashing out on Kellen.
I gave it 3 stars because the story was ...more

I loved this story for more than my obsession with surfing. This book holds deeper issues for both main characters that I wasn't expecting. I was really happy that Kellen wasn't made to sound stupid or one dimensional like many surfer book boyfriends. Gina was given secrets that unfold as you go and give way to a deep pain that links them together. This book was crafted well to keep interest and pace, but did leave me a little wanting at the end. Great quick summer read!

Not a bad, there was just something missing for me.

One of the common threads in New Adult fiction is that the male star in the books can often play a sport, more than often it's something like Boxing, MMA, Football or Baseball. In Anna Cruise's she offers us up the sport of Surfing. This peaked my interest as I like the "idea" of a surfer and love surfing movies, though of course I'm not really a water person myself. In Maverick we meet champion surfer and a bit of a smart-ass Kellan Handler. He's the type of guy who will sleep with anyone and
...more

I adore this book! The main characters, Kellen and Gina...sigh. They both have a past and they were thrown together against their wishes, but as they get to know each other they are able to help each other. That’s what I adore! Gina isn't the type of person to take anyone’s crap, especially Kellen’s, and Kellen is exactly the type of person Gina needs to pull her back into life. Anyone else want a group hug?
I enjoyed reading the book from Kellen's point of view. Ms. Cruise did a wonderful job of ...more
I enjoyed reading the book from Kellen's point of view. Ms. Cruise did a wonderful job of ...more

I haven't read one Anna Cruise book that I haven't devoured from beginning to end. Seriously! This one was just as good as the others. Kellan and Gina are both fighting demons, running from their grief, all while trying to fake it for the world. I love how strong of a character Gina is, how she just takes control of the situation and let's Kellan know what's what, no questions allowed. This book was beautiful, heartbreaking, and full of hope. I loved it!!!

4.5 stars

I thought this story could’ve gone in two separate ways. One, Gina and Kellen could’ve been great friends, but the second option: them getting together, is also a good fitting story as well. Gina is right, Kellen is not a bad guy, but he didn’t have someone to direct him, which got him into trouble in the first place. For some reason, I feel that if this was all in Kellen’s point of view that it would’ve been a tad more interesting, but this is a very very very tiny nitpick and nothing that I
...more

This was the first book I've read by this author after being recommended by author Melissa Pearl. The storyline was OK, but not enough to get me invested into the characters. There were some contrived scenes that really didn't need to be included especially the last scene with Gina & Branagan. And for me, the ending seemed to be incomplete. It felt like it needed an epilogue to give it closure. I'm not sure if I will read anything else by this author other than the collaboration with Ms.
...more

For more on this review, please see...
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
I am not going to lie…look at that cover! That’s the first thing that drew my attention and lucky for me, I was NOT disappointed by a pretty cover! The second thing that grabbed my attention is that this is a story about a professional surfer. I love the water! God only knows how I developed this love of water when I was raised in a region with grass and mountains as far as the eye can see. I am going to go as far as ...more
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
I am not going to lie…look at that cover! That’s the first thing that drew my attention and lucky for me, I was NOT disappointed by a pretty cover! The second thing that grabbed my attention is that this is a story about a professional surfer. I love the water! God only knows how I developed this love of water when I was raised in a region with grass and mountains as far as the eye can see. I am going to go as far as ...more

A competitive surfer who is self-destructing fast and is barely clinging to the one thing he still has- surfing and the sea and a woman afraid to go near the sea and her memories who is hired to clean up his image. It shouldn't work, but it does- too well- if they can both stop running from their pasts long enough to see it through.
Kellen gets his name in the paper and not in a good way marking the beginning of the end for him if he doesn't clean up his reputation. Unfortunately, he is also ...more
Kellen gets his name in the paper and not in a good way marking the beginning of the end for him if he doesn't clean up his reputation. Unfortunately, he is also ...more

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak

I fell in love with the waves, the cover and Kellan - in no particular order.
Maverick was something I looked forward in reading once I was done with two others (If I Fall & It Was You). I love the way she writes - not to mention the length of her novels: not too short, not too long and she never intends to drag her readers.

Kellan knew what loss it - but he never did learn how to cope unless he's suited and riding the waves. In the ...more
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak

I fell in love with the waves, the cover and Kellan - in no particular order.
Maverick was something I looked forward in reading once I was done with two others (If I Fall & It Was You). I love the way she writes - not to mention the length of her novels: not too short, not too long and she never intends to drag her readers.

Kellan knew what loss it - but he never did learn how to cope unless he's suited and riding the waves. In the ...more

MustReadBooksOrDie
Court: Maverick is my kryptonite for a book. We have a tortured bad boy surfer who is messing up his reputation and spot on the pro tour with women and booze. Then we have PR person Gina who is sent in to help fix his reputation, and of course the sparks fly. Gina though has an interesting past herself, so things don't go quite like I thought they were going to.
Shel: Oh, me too Courtney. Me too. Hot surfer boy? Strong, smart, sassy female? I'm all in.
Court: The setting of ...more
Court: Maverick is my kryptonite for a book. We have a tortured bad boy surfer who is messing up his reputation and spot on the pro tour with women and booze. Then we have PR person Gina who is sent in to help fix his reputation, and of course the sparks fly. Gina though has an interesting past herself, so things don't go quite like I thought they were going to.
Shel: Oh, me too Courtney. Me too. Hot surfer boy? Strong, smart, sassy female? I'm all in.
Court: The setting of ...more

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Blog Tour Post: The Shadow Realm
I must admit, I was a bit worried that I wasn't gonna like this book. I had been dying to read it since I seen that awesome cover. But a couple weeks ago I read Cruise's other book, It Was You, and I didn't like it. This really disappointed me because I was so looking forward to reading Maverick and I was worried that I wasn't gonna like it the same way I didn't like It Was You. I am delighted to say though that this is not the case. I really really enjoyed this ...more
I must admit, I was a bit worried that I wasn't gonna like this book. I had been dying to read it since I seen that awesome cover. But a couple weeks ago I read Cruise's other book, It Was You, and I didn't like it. This really disappointed me because I was so looking forward to reading Maverick and I was worried that I wasn't gonna like it the same way I didn't like It Was You. I am delighted to say though that this is not the case. I really really enjoyed this ...more

2...2.5...I'm going to go with 3 stars...I'm going to do my best to organize my thoughts here.
First things first
So Kellan

Our super hot surfer. I have to admit, at first, I wasn't so much liking him--not in a "hey, what a douchebag" kind of way but more like a "eh, whatever" kind of way. But, ultimately, he grew on me. A tragedy had struck him and he handled it much as one would expect, lots of drinking and banging of random girls. He doesn't care much about anything but surfing...and maybe ...more
First things first
So Kellan

Our super hot surfer. I have to admit, at first, I wasn't so much liking him--not in a "hey, what a douchebag" kind of way but more like a "eh, whatever" kind of way. But, ultimately, he grew on me. A tragedy had struck him and he handled it much as one would expect, lots of drinking and banging of random girls. He doesn't care much about anything but surfing...and maybe ...more
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Anna Cruise has been writing and drooling over boys since middle school. Lots of years have passed but some things never change...
Her novels include IT WAS YOU, IT WAS ME, IF I FALL, SET IN STONE and MAVERICK. Additional titles releasing during 2013 include a stand-alone NA, DOWN BY THE WATER and two untitled novels.
Her novels include IT WAS YOU, IT WAS ME, IF I FALL, SET IN STONE and MAVERICK. Additional titles releasing during 2013 include a stand-alone NA, DOWN BY THE WATER and two untitled novels.
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