Big Trouble in Little Hope

by C.J. Barry

A NOVELLA

Escaping your home town can be murder.

Eve Mattison is going to escape her home town of Little Hope and her family’s scandals if it kills her. And it just might when she discovers a surprise her sweet, recently deceased grandmother left behind—an erotica novel under contract that “someone” needs to finish. That would be Eve.

Her plan has one problem: inspiration.

Enter sexy, unsuspecting Gideon Briggs, a successful architect from New York City. When his Uncle—the only real father he had—lures him back to his old stomping grounds undercover to stop whoever is sabotaging the family construction business, Gideon reluctantly agrees to stay for two weeks. . .tops.

His plan has one problem: Eve.

As Eve and Gideon close in on the suspects, the past, and each other, the secrets begin to unravel. It becomes clear that escaping from Little Hope might be a lot harder than they bargained for.

Genres: Romance

139 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

C.J. grew up reading science fiction novels, comic books, and her brother's Cracked magazines. In high school, a creative writing teacher told her she should be a writer, but she decided to go to college instead. In college, a writing professor told her she should be a writer, but she decided to be a computer programmer instead. A husband, a cat and two kids later, an adult education teacher told her she should be a writer. She finally gave in, and after selling the first novel she ever wrote, decided that all those teachers were right. Seven novels later, she continues to bring her unique blend of high adventure and sizzling romance to her novels.

C.J has won numerous awards for her novels, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America.

By day, she works as a web manager. By night, she co-hosts a writing podcast, dreams up adventures, and pens the books she was destined to write.


Per the author's website, this person also writes under the pen name "Samantha Graves."

Go to: http://www.cjbarry.com/

Click on Romantic Suspense and it takes you to "Samantha Graves."

http://www.samanthagraves.com/

Reviews

[Rachel-RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve lives in a small, judgmental town. Her plans are waylaid when she needs to stay to help her grandma and later, after her grandmother dies and she inherits her house. The house needs a lot of work before she can sell. Eve works in construction. Her boss experiences vandalism and threats at their current job site. Enter Gideon, Walter's nephew. Gideon is undercover. He is also an architect in NYC and is part owner of his own firm. But Eve doesn't know this.
After Eve's grandmother's death, she and her sister Liz are shocker to learn their grandmother (Harriet) was a writer of erotic romance and her current WIP is unfinished. Eve needs to finish it or they owe money since Harriet was paid an advance.
This was so fun. The main characters were so fun and likable. Eve was confident and knew her hit. Liz killed it when she stood up to a bully in defense of Eve. The secondary characters were pretty awesome too! I will also say the who-done it in regards to the vandalism at the job site was a surprise and I liked it!
Harriet's husband was abusive and she was beaten very badly. Her friends Margaret, Helen, and Abigail stepped in to save her and were threatened by Harriet's spouse. They killed him in self defense and buried him in the field where the current construction is underway. Eve grew up thinking he drowned in the river). They were responsible for the vandalism.
Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo 2022: architect square.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a cute, funny book. Alot of tongue in cheek humor regarding really small towns and some nice characters. I have never been disappointed by any book from this author.

[P.A. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine finding out your grandmother wrote erotica when you inherit her house. Now imagine that she used your picture for the author. If that’s not bad enough, you live in a small town where people can’t understand the words private life.

C. J. Barry creates a fun ride with the story set in a small town where everyone thinks they have a right to judge you. Then she throws in a hot architect on a secret mission, a woman with plans to leave town, and a mystery at the the building site.

If you are a fan of C. J. Barry, you’ll love this story. I recommend it to anyone who likes a romance with a little mystery attached.