Release Day | Unworthy Heart by Dorothy F. Shaw

Unworthy Heart by Dorothy F. Shaw

Publication date: May 5, 2015

Goodreads Book Page

Overview

Opposites not only attract, sometimes they spontaneously combust.

The Donnellys, Book 1

Ryan Donnelly’s past relationship may have failed, but he’s determined to make single fatherhood and his career a resounding success. He’s got his eye on the top of the ladder at an L.A. marketing firm when his gaze snags on co-worker Maiya Rossini.

She’s a feisty, witty, tattooed redhead who’s nowhere near his type, but she pushes every one of his hot buttons.

Maiya clawed her way out of her dysfunctional, trailer-park childhood to earn a college degree and establish a promising career. Her future dreams are big, bright and packed with full-throttle fun, but when it comes to matters of the heart and men—especially stuffy corporate types like Ryan—her past slams on the emotional brakes.

In the office and in the bedroom, Maiya and Ryan rub each other in all the right ways. Though Maiya is everything Ryan didn’t know he wanted, he’s got his work cut out for him convincing her she’s worthy of love—or the bright light she’s brought to his life could slip through his fingers.

Warning: Contains a lot of graphic, yummy sex. To those prone to lock their bedroom doors, fair warning. In this book, there are no doors, only windows. With no curtains. For those who aren’t afraid to keep their eyes wide open: Enjoy the show!

My Review

 Oh yeah, I'm totally on the Dorothy Shaw fan train thanks to this story and the sexy Ryan Donnelly. They say you don't really know what you need until you've had it, tasted it, and felt it. For Ryan and Maiya this is most certainly so. They are quite different on the outside, Maiya being more of a rocker chick while Ryan's a bit of classic corporate, but it's the chemistry between the two that makes them work. They can match wits, be comfortable teasing one another, and seamlessly fall into one another's lives. Sometimes the greatest leap of faith reaps the greatest reward and that is just what Ryan and Maiya have to figure out. 

While this is my first novel by Dorothy Shaw, I had no issue enjoying the novel. Her writing style is liquid, allowing the reader to easily drop into the story and intake it all. Shaw pointedly shows shades of grey with Ryan and Maiya, making them more than one dimensional characters which I loved! Ryan is a single father with a good heart. He is dominant enough to be a wicked dirty talker who takes charge in the bedroom and comfortable enough in his own skin to be a complete goofball. I loved Ryan, really freaking loved him. Maiya is a bit edgier, tattooed, sassy, and sarcastic. She has childhood hangups that still touch her today. The two balance one another out and push each other. The sex between them is explosive, the verbals spars are hilarious, and the chase is as good as the fall. 

I'm not a fan of blowing smoke up an author's rear end which could be part of the reason why I was gifted with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I genuinely enjoyed the story and had a hard time putting it down to return to my job. The stars fall at a solid 5 out of 5 due to the easy way the story takes shape, the growth of the characters as individuals and together as a couple, and for the deliciously sinful sex. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, hoping for Jimmy's story because I love him and his tattooed self!

Teaser: Taking her hand, Ryan led her up the aisle toward the exit. "Do you have any idea how many times I jacked off the past two weeks thinking of you?" 

She stopped short, halting his forward motion. "Fucking hell, Ryan!" She put her hand over her mouth and looked around at the other patrons, and then began in a lower tone. "Do you have any idea how hot that is? Jesus, I think I just had a mini orgasm."

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Meet The Author

Dorothy F. Shaw lives in Arizona, where the weather is hot and the sunsets are always beautiful. She spends her days in the corporate world and her nights with her Mac on her lap. Between her ever-open heart, her bright red hair and her many colorful tattoos, she truly lives and loves in Technicolor! As Dorothy sees it: the journey is the best part!

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Q & A Session

1. What inspired you to write this story? Almost 5 years ago, I was at a large executive meeting for the company I worked for at the time, and a co-worker, someone who always reminded me of my brother, said I should write a book about him. My answer: ew…no way. But then the idea struck about two people, polar opposite that work together, but have an instant attraction which manifests through their banter and tit for tat interactions. I started this book shortly after. I finished it 3 years ago this month, and because it’s the first book I’ve ever written, it took me 3 years to get it in acceptable shape for submission and then publishing.

2. Did you always have a passion for writing? My passion for writing began in 2009. Before that, I had picked up reading again. (I hadn’t read anything in over 15 years (I know, cringe) and then True Blood came on HBO and I went in search of the books, then couldn’t stop reading.) After that I met a few aspiring authors on twitter and they encouraged me to write due to some blog posts I had put up. I thought they were insane, but I tried and let’s just say, the bug bit and hasn’t let go.  

3.  Which of the characters in your novel would you say you relate to the most? why? Easy: Maiya. This was the first book I ever wrote, and like many new aspiring authors we write what we know. Well, I know about being a red head with tattoos. I also know about having rough edges and working in a corporate world. Many people think Maiya is me. She’s not. But she is cut from me. I understand her fears and her insecurities. I also understand her no bullshit attitude…a little too well. However, Maiya’s issues are far different than mine…after all, we all have issues. =)

4. Which of your characters in the novel would you say is your favorite? Why? This is so hard to answer! Of course, I love Miaya. Her pain and struggle are so real. But I also love Ryan. I love how he knows he doesn’t want to lose her, but doesn’t quite know how to keep her. I do love Jodi too. Jodi is based on a friend, who’s name is also Jodi that I worked with. There’s an acknowledgement to her. Their personalities are damn near the same in my eyes. With every line Jodi speaks in this book, I hear it said in my friends voice. Its special to me.

...But then…Jimmy! Oh, my dear Jimmy. Jimmy is a bad-boy with a gentle heart. And he’s hot. And he’s funny. And did I mention hot? Yeah…talented too. Can’t wait for you to read his book!

5. How did you select the names of your main characters, Ryan and Maiya? Ryan is Irish, I knew that I needed a good name to go along with Donnelly. And when he told me he had nine siblings? Well, let’s just say after I got up off the floor, I had to name all of them. Plus middle names, because Irish Catholic… (Ryan Matthew, in case you were wondering.) And then any kids the already married siblings had, had to be named. Good stuff. Kinda cramped my brain when I was done. Maiya was just different but not too different. And felt like it fit with her Italian feisty self. =)

6. Where did you get your inspiration to write Ryan? I loved him and he's quite unique in how he's written. Ryan was cut from another friend from work, (different from the one I mentioned above) there’s an acknowledgement to him in the front of the book. He’s preppy, hot and a smart ass in such a way that used to annoy the crap out of me. I cut Ryan from him, but then Ryan grew on his own, as he needed too. But truth be told, Ryan surprised me. I thought he’d be the one who had a hard time accepting this new love. In the end, it was Maiya who struggled.

7. If you had to select someone to play Ryan in a movie, who would it be and why? My eyes just got really big… I don’t get to watch a lot of movies because, yeah, this whole writing gig while doing a full time executive corporate gig. But…how about Ryan Gosling! He’s good looking without being like, OMG to-die-for-perfect. He’s a preppy, pretty boy who I believe could totally be a goofball.