Country Heaven

Dare River, Book 1

By: Ava Miles

Narrated by: Em Eldridge

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Ava Miles welcomes you to Dare River, her best-selling small-town family series featuring bad boys, reluctant heroes, and boys next door. Find love, uncover family secrets, heal betrayals, and discover there’s nothing more powerful than happily ever.

"If ever there was a contemporary romance that rated a 10 on a scale of 1 to 5 for me, this one is it!" (The Romance Reviews)

When famous—and infamous—country singer rock star Rye Crenshaw saunters into the diner where she cooks, Tory Simmons is certain she's got him pegged. He's a bad boy who lives large. But while she couldn't care less about country music or arrogant men, Rye makes her an offer she can't refuse when he asks her to be his private chef. The job is the answer to all her prayers: It will clear out her debt and finance the fresh start she desperately needs.

Rye is certain his sassy new cook is the last woman who'd ever tempt him, but spending time with the wholesome girl next door will do wonders for his damaged public image. Her food also happens to be the best he's ever eaten, both comforting and seductive. They find themselves becoming friends, although both are secretly hoping for a whole lot more.

When an emergency in his family whisks him home, Rye does the one thing he's never risked: He lets a woman into his heart....

Soon the emotions Rye faked for the tabloids become all too real, but will the country heaven he's found in Tory's arms survive in the real world?

©2014 Ava Miles (P)2015 Ava Miles

Enjoyable Romance with Recipes included

What did you love best about Country Heaven?

I am new to AM books and was a little hesitant with one of the lead characters being a Music Star. I AM SO GLAD I READ THIS BOOK. It's all about Family and how family's get started, evolve, and relate with a great romance tossed in for good measure. I'm ready for more of Dare River!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tory Simmons. She may have some financial problems which is how she ends up on the Music Tour (and bus) but she is a lady with strong family values. She was orphaned at a young age due to a car accident and lived with her Grandparents who were wonderful people. She is in the process of finishing her Doctorate in Anthropology when Rye finds her in her Grandparent's Diner working between classes as a Cook. Did I mention her Grandmother was a fabulous cook? She taught Tory everything she knows and a love of cooking.

Which character – as performed by Em Eldridge – was your favorite?

Tory's Grandmother. Along with the wonderful pieces of knowledge, she taught Tory all her wonderful recipes that are shared with us at certain stages of the book, where appropriate including: Mean Truck Driver Pancakes - they will improve anyone's mood. (recipe included in book)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When all the Crenshaw clan are making Sugar Cookies including the niece and nephew.

Any additional comments?

Now don't let me put you off this book by talking about only the women characters. Rye Crenshaw is one hunky, sexy, Country Music Star. Plays the stereotype well. But Tory sees right thru him from the beginning. It took me/and him half the book to figure out "who he really wanted to be".

Great sweet story

I am pretty stingy with 5 stars but this book was unusually good! It had a few story lines interwoven to keep you interested. A few steamy scenes but not explicit. Nicely done! I recommend.

Country Heaven

I loved the story and the characters of this book...can’t wait to listen to the next book in the series...being from Mississippi the pictures Ms. Ava paints of the southern traditions and culture with words gives you a warm feeling. There are ups and downs mixed with a bit of melancholy. And longing. This book has you rooting for country’s bad boy Rye Crenshaw (you will also want to slap the tar of him). If you need a good love story full of emotions this book is it! You will laugh and cry with the characters. Happy listening!

Sweet book

This is a sweet book. I did find it predictable. I think the cussing in it could have been eliminated very easily. Nice to pass the time with.

A surprising read

Would you listen to Country Heaven again? Why?

I assumed this would be a run of the mill cowboy romance. I was wrong. It had a great story line and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Loved it

This is a wonderfully romantic story. It still includes life's problems and comes to a heartwarming ending. The narrator was great.

Great book.

Charming story with lovable characters. Easy to listen to and hated to turn it off.

surprising

I'm a diehard Nora Roberts fan. Her books are usually the only ones I buy yo listen to. But after listening to this first Dare River book I'm hooked. Looks like I'll have 2 authors in my favorites. Excellent book can't wait to read the next ond!!!!

Country love

Any additional comments?

I read this book about 2 years ago and decided to listen to it as I travel to and from work. Rye and Tory are both such strong characters. They give one another a run for their money. Rye hires Tory to be his cook while he travels for his summer tour. He knows she needs the money and that she loves to cook, so it's a win/win situation.
Tory is not impressed by celebrity life and she tends to keep to herself. But, the more and more time she spends with Rye, the more she realizes that there is more to him than his tough guy, country image that he uses for his fans.
When Rye asks her to go with him to see his estranged family after his father has a heart attack, he begins to realize how much he wants her to be in his life.
There are many bumps in the road for Rye and Tory, and ultimately, he has to overcome trust issues if he doesn't want to lose her forever.

Country Heaven

A series of books about Rye Krenshaw and his family and friends. A continuation of some of the characters from the Dare Valley books.