Mandy Baggot

Made in Nashville...feel the country! An on-stage attack left Honor Blackwood with more scars than just the one on her face. It's been ten years since she left her spot as Nashville's brightest country music star. Is now the time to return? And is she brave enough to do it? Country rebel and rock star, Jared 'Jed' Marshall is hot property on the Tennessee music scene in more ways than one. He's wild, he's sexy and everybody wants a piece of him. But when he sets his sights on Honor, is it pure attraction or just distraction on his mind? Honor's record label sign the ex-boyfriend that dumped her and suddenly going back to her old life is harder than she thought. And when a secret from the past becomes public knowledge it's no longer just about the music... Are all the people in her life lying to her to get what they want? Join the country scene to find out! Made in Nashville - where the off-stage action's as hot as the music!

Made in Nashville

Jess Bickerton

I was already a fan of country music and the TV programme Nashville, so when I was offered the chance to join the tour for Mandy Baggot's Made in Nashville I was really excited. I am really passionate about music and the connection it can have to so many people through it's melody and lyrics, and have spent many years playing in bands and writing my own songs (not professionally of course!).

I can definitely say I wasn't disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the country music scene, and Mandy successfully depicts the music industry in all its glory - from the highs to the lows and full of politics between musicians.

I really loved the characters Mandy created. You instantly feel sorry for Honor as you learn how immensely her life changed when she was attacked on stage. Honor is now a hugely troubled girl who is very insecure due to the scar left on her face from the attack. Apart from the physical trauma, Honor suffers huge emotional damage - she has completely drawn into herself and removed herself from the music scene and world that she was such a massive part of. A great deal of Honor's suffering comes from the fact that the whole world knows about the attack, and because they continue to recognise her 10 year on, she is unable to hide away from the past. When Honor has the opportunity of becoming a part of the world she used to live for, she is afraid to take the first step, unsure whether she can handle it.

Then there is Jared 'Jed' Marshall! Now who doesn't love to read about the bad boy cowboy musician. I am a bit partial to a musician myself, so instantly fell in love! Jed's world is very black & white - he takes life as it comes, but he also has a bit of a temper which can erupt instantaneously! Despite this, the compassion he shows for Honor is incredibly endearing. At first he is determined to get her to join him on his tour, but soon it becomes about trying to help save her and rescue her from the horrible pit her attacker has pushed her into.

I love the relationship between Jed and Honor - you can immediately feel the chemistry and connection between them. Mandy beautifully writes about the reactions they each feel when they look at each other, when they're near each other and it is so gorgeous the way Jed learns Honor's different quirks that maker her unique. There are definitely some intense scenes where Jed and Honor start to act on the attraction they feel. Mandy brilliant builds the tension and gets the heart racing as she describes the feelings and emotions running through the characters.

Throughout the story I was definitely rooting for Jed and Honor, and on a musicians level, desperate for Honor to break back into the music scene and follow her passion. You do have to concentrate on the story as it jumps quickly from following Honor to Jed, but this is also refreshing to have the perspectives of both characters at once to get a real intense image of how they are both feeling and reacting to one another. It really helps to bring their relationship alive, as it connects their stories together.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance story, a hot book boyfriend, and a story with a surprising, unpredictable twist! A lot of people are put off by the country music background in the story, but I wouldn't let this put you off. The relationships, passion, and thrilling twists make this book a must read for everyone!

A story of fear, determination and passion for what you were born to do...

Made in Nashville

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