With proud Blackthorne blood in his veins, Brock Blackthorne loves his job the keeper of the “brand.” His job is to protect the family name, to keep the company’s reputation as clean as possible, and ensure that skeletons stay well-hidden at the family compound in King Harbor, Maine. So when an ambitious and inquisitive biographer is tasked to pen a revealing “tell all” book about the … Blackthornes, Brock decides to personally guide the beautiful writer far away from any family landmines. But the more time he spends sharing the history and heart of his unusual clan, the more he wants this captivating woman in his arms…and in his life.The daughter of renowned investigative journalists, Jenna Gillespie’s job, reputation, and advance money is on the line if she doesn’t unearth something scintillating and surprising about this dynasty built on whisky. Unfortunately, the maddeningly sexy Brock Blackthorne is doing everything he can to make sure that doesn’t happen. But when she uncovers a lead about the family’s multi-million dollar whisky recipe having been stolen, Brock decides to help her, certain they will finally remove a cloud that hangs over the family name.As Jenna and Brock get closer to the truth, they also get closer to each other. And when the real story is finally revealed, one of them will have to sacrifice all they think they hold dear if they have any chance for a lifetime of love.
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This book was pretty dang good. There was mystery, history, fear, lust, and fun. It was a lot of stuff crammed into this book and it kept me reading until I was done.
Brock and Jenna have such a great chemistry and they both want the truth. Jenna wants to know the history of the Blackthornes, warts and all. Brock wants to control the history given to her to ensure a positive outcome. Hasn’t he learned by now that you can’t control everything, especially a woman on a mission.
I loved learning about the backstory for the family and the whisky (no e). But it was also interesting to learn of the love story for Alistair Blackthorne and Graham Sr. But I think I enjoyed the history of the estate the best. Hearing about how it came to be and how the seven boys would play hide and seek and other kid games. And let us not forget sneaking girls in as teenagers. I feel like I’ve become enmeshed in this family and not someone looking in from the outside.
Brock Blackthorne is the brand manager for the Blackthorne family’s business dynasty. Always uber concerned with how any action, comnent, or relationship by a family member can affect the Blackthorne brand and reputation, he finds himself sharing a cab on a strong night with a perfect stranger, Jenna Gillespie, who, unbeknownst to him, is a writer working on a tell-all book about the Blackthornes. Their attraction to one another is instant and explosive and leads to some out-of-character behavior from Brock.
Fast forward – once Brock and Jenna realize the true identities of one another and the purpose for their planned meeting, Brock decides to keep close tabs on Jenna by taking her to the family estate in Maine. They become deeply invested in solving the mystery if the source of the original Blackthorne Gold whisky even if it results in tarnishing the Blackthorne brand.
Along the way, each of them have to overcome their fears – Brock’s fear of heights and Jenna’s fear of thunderstorms. And they have to distance themselves from one another in order to come together.
This was, by far, my favorite of the Blackthornes series. The chemistry between the two main characters jumped off the pages and sizzled. And the danger they found themselves in kept the pages turning. I loved that this pair was the one who solved the mystery and laid the rumors of questionable whisky origins to rest.
I highly recommend this book by the fabulous Roxanne St. Claire and look forward to Logan’s story coming up next.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
What an excellent story that I could not put down!
Brock Blackthorne is part of the wealthy Blackthorne family that has made their money through whisky, yachts and race cars that all bear their name. Brock’s job is to keep the brand name clean and he takes his job very seriously. When Brock heads back to Boston after a vacation at the family house in King Harbor, Maine he happens upon a beautiful woman, Jenna Gillespie, when they both try to get the same cab in the middle of a rainstorm. One thing leads to another and they end up spending the night together.
The next day, back at work, Brock meets with the journalist who would like to write a book about the Blackthorne family and it is none other than Jenna! Brock decides he will work with Jenna just so he can oversee and control what she will write about. Of course the more time they spend together, the more feelings start getting involved.
When Brock and Jenna uncover an interesting lead, they work together to try to find out answers until Brock ends up blindsided. It will take a whole lot of looking inside their hearts before these two can get to their happy ending but it will be so worth it!
I just adored Brock and Jenna. They both were looking for something in their lives and they ended up finding it in each other. It was fun watching both of them fall hard!
Roxanne St. Claire has totally made me fall in love with her latest hero in book 5 of the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes series. Brock David Blackthorne had me falling for him pretty much from the first page of this story…and I wasn’t alone based upon the chemistry between Brock and Jenna Gillespie.
Brock and Jenna have an interesting first meeting thanks to a crazy thunderstorm that starts when them sharing a cab and ends with them spending the night together. Brock is super protective of his family, so when he discovers Jenna wants to write a tell-all book that will delve into the family, the business, and rumors about a long ago stolen whisky recipe, he agrees to be her contact with the family. The fact that they both are insanely attracted to one another made their choice of business only working relationship so fun; especially as their chemistry only grew stronger the more time they spent together.
The mystery of the possible stolen whisky recipe kept me on the edge of my seat through much of the book. I love how well Jenna and Brock worked together and I especially loved how sweet Brock’s grandmother was with Jenna. I loved these two characters so much and really felt like they were perfect for one another. They each had a childhood trauma and it seemed just talking with one another helped them each find a way to healing said trauma.
I’ve jumped around in my reading of the books in this series so far, so I can attest that each of the stories can be read as a stand-alone story. However, I also have already pre-ordered or purchased any of the books currently out as I want to know everything about this family. Roxanne St. Claire has written a beautiful story centering on family, love, laughter, and mystery that had so much heart I didn’t want it to end.
Rating: 5 stars (B+)
Review copy provided by publisher
Captivated the moment I started reading and still yearning for more now that I am done. Smexy man, beautiful girl, Scottish whisky, a dash of mystery, secrets and possibly love. Jenna has something to prove to her parents, herself and book critics. Will her tell all book on the Blackthorne’s save her reputation as a writer. Brock has something to hide, a family secret and possibly his heart. Will he be able to keep focus on the truth? Lives can be changed when a secret is revealed, but how do you keep up a lie. Do you face facts or run for the hills? This is something that Brock and Jenna have to figure out together in order to save themselves. This is a wonderful story of two people that complete each other. Reading their story and I can picture myself there, especially standing on the Widow’s Walk. Make sure you are ready to stay to the end once you open this book!
Brock is part of a multi-authored set of stories about the Blackthorne family and all of these authors have done a great job with each story. Brock Blackthorne has to keep on his toes around Jenna Gillespie who has been sent to write a book on this very private family. There have been whispers of secrets for years surrounding the Blackthorne family and Jenna is determined to get to the truth. However, she finds more than she bargained for.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and loved being able to join this couple with their ups and downs and finding their way to a happy ever after. I totally didn’t see the surprise at the end but it was definitely a very nice way to round out this story. I’ve read many, many books by this author and totally enjoy her style of writing. Brock is a great addition to her many other hits.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Although I haven’t any of the Blackthornes books prior to Brock it was ok. I loved certain aspects of Brock.
Some parts felt they dragged. But overall is was good.
I loved how Jenna and Brock met. A cab ride, a storm, and an innocent drink. It turns to be very interesting to say the least.
Jenna is after a story to write about the Blackthornes. She wants the history about the family. What she finds is so much more. An aged old myth. Is it true or not? No one will say,
but she will find out. Jenna is confused and very mad when she learns the truth about Brock.
Brock is very protective of his family. No one will tarnish his family. When Jenna comes into
his office things look differently after that night they met. He find himself helping her. He was bound to stop what she was doing.
See what happens.
Brock and Jenna have an interesting adventure on their way to finding love in Brock, book five in the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes series, written by Roxanne St. Claire. Each book is part of the series but is a standalone story.
Brock and Jenna meet in the most unusual manner, sharing a cab during a rain storm which leads to an interesting night together. When Brock discovers that Jenna is researching the family he decides, as protector of the family name and reputation, to make sure that she will not uncover anything related to the rumor that the whisky recipe was stolen. In order to do this Brock decides to help her, certain that anything they find will clear the rumor and cloud over the family name. As these two get closer to finding the truth their attraction and chemistry also develop, causing conflicts of all sorts. Not only do these two discover the truth, they discover a love so strong that neither can live without the other.
Two things really stuck with me while reading this story. First, Jenna and Brock helped each other deal with major fears each has had since childhood; Jenna lightening and Brock heights. Secondly, as an only child of older and famous parents, Jenna often felt lonely. Brock and the Blackthornes might have provided a family of siblings and cousins for Jenna but she and Brock discovered that the true opposite of loneliness is love. That is such a heart-warming thought.
Ms. St. Claire wrote a tale rich with sexual chemistry, humor, tearful moments, and endearing characters giving Brock and Jenna a chance for happiness, love and a lifelong future together. I definitely recommend Brock to other readers and look forward to checking out the other books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I really liked Jenna and Brock. When they met, it was instant attraction. But, when Jenna finds out who Brock really is, he is off limits. Jenna is trying to write a book about his family. He is making sure that she doesn’t write a book that doesn’t show his family in an unfavorable light. She discovers some facts about an old secret. He wants the truth, but he doesn’t want to announce it to all the world. When it is all over, will they still be together or will the old secrets keep them apart?
This book had me so invested! I loved it! 5 stars for this one!
Meet Brock, always worried about the Blackthorne brand. He’s proud to be a Blackthorne, and will protect his family at any cost. When he meets a woman, Jenna, while hailing a cab, they both do something so unlike themselves, and it starts one heck of a journey for them!
Jenna is writing a story on the Blackthornes, she wants to find out if in fact the whisky they brew is from a stolen recipe. As she gets to know Brock and his family, can she still write the book she came to write?
Each story in this series gets better and better!! I’ve really enjoyed this one, make sure you grab Brock today, but if you haven’t started the series, I suggest you start at the beginning!
This is one of those books that you will be thinking about for days after you finish reading it. From the opening scene between Jenna and the sexy stranger to the revealing of the “family secret” at the end, I was drawn into this story and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.
I must admit, I wish I would find my Brock – a man who is proud of his family name and heritage, whose life is guided by his desire to keep the company’s reputation clean and any family secrets from seeing the light of day, and has a strong sense of loyalty to his family
Then there’s Jenna, a biographer who has been tasked with writing the Blackthorne family story and it would certainly help if she could find something about the family that isn’t common knowledge. But she isn’t the typical get the story at any cost type of person, and somehow her genuineness wins over the hearts of those she comes in contact with.
This is more than just a love story – there is also humor, strong family connections, some suspense, and great characters. I’m looking forward to reading the stories of the rest of the Blackthornes.
So far, I’m loving this series as a whole. The characters are lovable, and despite the fact that they are stubborn men, they aren’t afraid to face life’s truths and learn and grow. The family history is a bit murky and sordid, but they love being Blackthornes.
Being a Blackthorne means more than money. It means that they are a part of a family that has lived, loved, and lost, but managed to stay together…at least for now. And for Brock Blackthorne, having a family that is always there for him no matter what life throws at them is the most important thing. Jenna has never really had that kind of support. Having been born to and raised by older, career-driven parents, she’s a little lost both personally and professionally, and this project with Brock could literally make or break her in both areas. When the mystery surrounding the Blackthorne name takes a wild turn, will it knock them off course or will the road lead them back to each other?
NICUnurse’s Rating: Until this book, I haven’t ever read this author’s work. Not for any other reason than there are just SO many books by SO many romance authors out there to choose from. And while I know she’s a bestselling author, her writing style just wasn’t for me. The story felt a little like listening to a long piece of music that is comprised strictly of staccato beats, which also made it harder to connect with the characters. However, with that said, I will honestly admit that I loved how she deepened the mystery surrounding the Blackthorne family history and the secret that we’re all dying to know that Claire claims to have kept for so long. All in all, it was a pleasant read. I just don’t think I connected with the author’s writing style. Who knows…maybe you will. Despite all of this, if you’re invested in the series like I am, I would still encourage you to give Brock a chance because the revelations in this book are not worth skipping. And the book isn’t badly written or anything like that. Sometimes you connect with an author’s style, and sometimes you don’t. This time, I didn’t. Ultimately, I give Brock by Roxanne St. Claire 3.75 out of 5 stars.
I received a free ARC of Brock, by Roxanne St. Claire, part of the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes, for an honest review. I loved the book. I could not put it down. I was originally on the fence as to whether or not I wanted to read the series, and reading Brock’s story and how he interacts with his brothers and cousins, made me change my mind. I have already downloaded the first two stories and have pre-ordered the other four. Brock is the story of Brock Blackhorne, who is in charge for maintaining the image and brand of Blackthorne Gold whisky. On a rainy evening, Brock hails a cab and as he opens one car door, Jenna Gillespie opens the other and they decide to share the taxi. Jenna is in town to meet with Brock to write a “tell all” book about the Blackthornes, hoping to dig us some family secrets. Brock introduces himself as “David”, because he doesn’t want Jenna to know that he is a Blackthorne and Brock is such a rare name. Therefore, Jenna does not realize that “David” is Brock Blackthorne. Things heat up between Jenna and David and they spend the night in Jenna’s hotel room. Brock is surprised to discover that his early morning meeting with “J. Gillespie” is with Jenna. Brock is uncertain if he wants to help Jenna write her book about his family. She brings up the idea that the recipe for their Blackstone Gold whiskey was stolen, and he wants to put an end to this rumor once and for all. Jenna is hell bent on discovering some Blackthorne family secrets to assure the book is a bestseller. Brock agrees to help Jenna, only because he wants to control and know what she is writing. As things continue to heat up between them, Jenna tells Brock that she does not want to start any relationship with him, until her book is done. She is concerned how it might look to her publisher. Like all Roxanne St. Claire books, this one includes her signature bittersweet moments, heartwarming memories, wonderful characters, and an amazing story. I love Fiona Blackthorne, Brock’s grandmother. She is so funny and feisty, and so protective of her family. Both Jenna and Brock have crippling fears, which makes them so real. Love the surprise plot twist that Roxanne throws in near the end, as always. It was a wonderful story and I could not put it down. Glad that everything was resolved in the end, and some of it I did not see coming. I love how Roxanne includes details about the other brothers and cousins and their relationships, even though she did not write the other books in the series. I am certain it will be one of my favorites in the series and am sure it will make for a wonderful series. So looking forward to reading the other books.
While the basic story of this book follows a well trodden path, Ms St. Claire managed to fill the nooks and crannies with a variety of goodies.
We get the basic love story, but also a colorful assortment of family, a mystery, surprises along the way, and characters that are well rounded and believable.
Well done!
He’s the man with a plan. She’s a woman with her own agenda. What neither counted on was their emotions getting in the way. With every Blackthorne this series keeps getting better. This time around Roxanne St. Claire puts the family fixer in the spotlight. Brock is the keeper of secrets. He takes his duties quite seriously. When a inquisitive woman who plays by her own rules sets her sites on his family, all bets are off. Between butting heads and tempting fate, Brock and Jenna start to face some hard truths about themselves and the people around them. But when the blinders come off and feelings are exposed, will they be able to trust each other enough to fall in love? Brock is a firework that never loses heart.
This is book 5 in the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes series. It stands alone, however. I have not read the others and I enjoyed it immensely.
There are two sets of siblings, who are cousins to each other, and they all work for the family whisky company (there is no “e” in their whisky). Brock’s job is to ensure the branding is correct (i.e., the “e” stays out of whisky). When Jenna is assigned to write a “tell-all” book about the family and the family business it becomes Brock’s job to ride herd on her and be sure she does not focus on the bad gossip (did the family REALLY steal the recipe from a competitor?) and damage the family and company reputations.
Jenna is good at digging and she does not want to leave the rumors alone. Brock and Jenna are falling for each other all the same. This is a fun story and the ending is surprising but it still fits. The plot is not stretched to achieve the surprise outcome.
I was given a free copy of the book.
Brock by Roxanne St Claire is the 5th book in the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes series. The Blackthornes are a proud family of Scottish descent. This family is very successful at multiple businesses from whisky(no e) making, boats, and cars. Brock is the youngest of 3 brothers. Their father and mother were killed when the boys were young. Their Uncle Graham and Aunt Claire along with their Nana, raised the boys. Graham and Claire have 4 boys. Brock is head of the Brand Management Division. He protects the family name at all costs along with his heart. Until Jenna Gilespie comes barreling into his life during a rainstorm, that is. Jenna is writing a book about the Blackthorne family and wants complete and unfettered access to all members of the family. Secrets, possible stolen whisky recipe, begin to surface during Jenna’s research and Brock decides to supervise/help Jenna with her research. Both Brock and Jenna realize that they are very much attracted to each other. The sexual tension/chemistry is through the roof. Will Jenna and Brock find what they are looking for in family secrets and love? Gotta read to find out. I love Roxanne St. Claire’s writing not just Brock but all her books. This one different most that I have read. It most definitely is a romantic suspense with a lot of sexual chemistry/tension. The hero and heroine is this story are beautiful, inside and out, have hearts looking for that something special to fill the empty spaces within. Do they find it in each other? Brock has a very strong sense of family love and loyalty. Jenna is an only-child whose heart is looking for someone to take her heart, hold it securely in the palms of their hands, never letting go and filling it with unconditional love and loyalty. I so loved these characters and the whole family. If you like romantic suspense, loving and strong characters, then I highly recommend this book by Roxanne St. Claire along with all the books in this series. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, 5 stars*****
I enjoyed this fun read. Brock and jenna share good chemistry and a powerful attraction. I thought they were both very likable characters. I found the storyline to be quite entertaining with its blend of drama, romance, mystery, secrets and suspense. I really liked the push-pull between this couple’s desire for each other and their desire to do their jobs. A very good read and a solid addition to this series.
Loved this storyline from start to finish. The author’s wonderful writing style had me laughing, smiling and feeling all the emotions the characters were going through as I flipped through the pages.
Brock is in charge of keeping his family’s reputation in tack, a job he takes very seriously. Jenna is a reporter whose career is on the line pending the current assignment she has been given: a tell all book on the Blackthornes. She has been given the hint of a scoop but needs confirmation. A scoop that Brock infactitly denies but decides to work with her in order to keep an eye on her as well as help finally put old rumors to rest. But being together day and night brings out sparks neither one of them expects.
This is a very well written heartwarming story that will take you on a fun and exciting journey to find the truth both in the Blackthornes Whisky family and in Brock and Jenna themselves. I highly recommend Brock and all the books thus far in the Blackthornes series. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars.
Brock is the 5th book in the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthorns and it was fantastic! This is Brock and Jenna’s story. Brock does brand management for the Blackthorns business so when Jenna shows up to write a tell all story about the Blackthorns he going to keep a close eye on her. He will go with her as she gets her interviews. When she hears the the recipe for their Blackthorn Gold Whisky could have been stolen she’s determined to get to the truth! What will happen when the truth comes out?
This story is well written with wonderful characters. It was funny, romantic, passionate read with twists and turns that will keep you reading! I love the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthorns books and I look forward to the next book in the series!