Owner of a Broken Heart

January 6, 2020
The scorching first romance in the Richardson Sisters series from Hodges (Deadly Rumors) sees sportswriter Nina Richardson retreat to her hometown of Charleston, S.C., after being caught in a social media firestorm and dumped by her boyfriend. Marketing manager Clinton Jefferson has always admired Nina’s father, the owner of a successful B and B, and he’s not about to let his attraction to Nina blow his shot at working for him. Nina is equally resolved to ignore her chemistry with her father’s latest hire, burnt out on heartbreak and scolded by her older sisters to be more careful with her affections. But their determination to keep things professional lasts all of two seconds before they fall into bed. The sexual tension is palpable as Nina and Clinton navigate their desire and doubt, but readers will long for more of an emotional connection to accompany the lust. More impressive is Hodges’s characterization of Nina’s two sisters, each of whom is strong-willed, unique, and sure to provide fodder for future installments. Sizzling love scenes and a strong sense of family will have readers returning for the next in the series. Agent: Amanda Leuk, Spencer Hill and Associates.

January 24, 2020

Nina Richardson's sports journalism career is jeopardized when her angry reaction to a sexist comment causes a social media scandal. Returning home to her family's famous B&B for both comfort and a place to recoup her plans, Nina isn't expecting her father's new marketing manager to capture her interest. Clinton Jefferson is bookish and not into sports, but is definitely into Nina. Yet can Clinton convince Nina that he won't be the next in a long string of men who will use and then lose her? VERDICT A fun series launch with a hero and heroine who have great chemistry that is guaranteed to please readers of Alexa Martin. Hodges's (Rumor Has It) writing shines when building the relationships among the sisters, sure to be the stars of future books.--Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee P.L.

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2020
Sportswriter Nina Richardson is suspended from her job after a patronizing football player calls her sweetheart at a media session, and it goes viral. Then she finds her boyfriend with another woman. She escapes to Charleston, to stay at her father's famous B&B. Meanwhile Clinton Jefferson quit his corporate hotel-chain job to work on marketing for the man he'd admired for years. He certainly didn't expect to fall in love with his new boss' youngest daughter, Nina. Clinton struggles to prove to Nina that he's not like her ex, but a lifetime of issues with his father gets in the way, and Nina's sisters have doubts about how fast she and Clinton are talking about forever. Surviving an accident and several other obstacles helps the couple see what's truly important. Hodges excels at portraying her trademark protagonists?smart, successful career women?with Nina and her siblings, and Clinton is as appealing as he is business savvy. Fans of Susan Mallery and Sheryl Woods will enjoy the keen and sexy launch of Hodges' Richardson Sisters series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)