Sweet Contradiction by Peggy Martinez - Book Tour & Review

Title: Sweet Contradiction

Author: Peggy Martinez

Genre: NA Romance

Blitz Organizer: B³ Tours

When Beth Michaels high tailed it out of the hole-in-the-road town she grew up in, she only had two goals. One—get as far away as quickly as possible, and two—never set foot in her parent’s home again. But when she receives a heart breaking call from her childhood best friend, Jen, she has no choice but to turn her ’56 Ford pickup back in the direction of Salem, Missouri to attend a funeral. 

There’s a new local in town when Beth arrives, and suddenly, it ain’t all that easy for her to remember her rules for dating. #1. Cookie-cutter-perfect guys ain’t her type. #2. Tie wearin’ and church frequentin’ is an automatic dismissal. #3. Most importantly, never date anyone from small minded, conservative, Bible-thumping towns like Salem. Unfortunately, Matthew Wright breaks all her rules and then some. 

Matt might be from a small town and have small town values, but that doesn’t mean he fits into a little slot of Beth’s preconceived notions. After all, ever so often good guys are good. Now if he could just convince Beth to let go of her past and give him a chance, he’s pretty sure there’s a whole lotta sweet under that prickly exterior. His own … Sweet Contradiction.

***FAIR WARNING: If you are easily offended by books that happen to mention things concerning God, Religion, Etc., in a favorable or unfavorable light, then this book might not be for you.***

The FAIR WARNING might have given you a pause for a few moments and leave you pondering if you will continue reading or not...

- but let me tell you not to let this part of the blurb discourage you. 

Because despite the religious subject of this novel, Ms. Martinez is able to pull off an amazing, heartwarming and one of the sweetest story of love and friendship.

Meet the Characters

Getting interesting, huh?

Beth Michaels rushed herself out of Salem the moment she reached 18, travelling across the country, she never dared look back. But when Jen, her best friend, suddenly cried for help - she came back. Her best friend, who has been with her since she was a child needed her. Despite all the resentment of coming back home, she drove her Ford Pickup back to Salem to mourn with Jen. What she didn't expect is to run in into a new face in town, Matt - who is a total contradiction to what she wanted in a man. 

Matthew Wright, is indeed a sweet contradiction. He's more than just your ordinary small-town guy with some values. He may be a good boy, but he too has some wild side. If only Beth can let go of her stigma and give him a chance to show him how much he wants her.

“The town whore and the pure preacher’s son? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Poor, poor Beth. I hated her family, I hated how they use God, religion and faith to verbally and emotionally abuse a child. I couldn't blame her from bailing out on them the moment she reached her legal age. She deserves a childhood filled with fairy tales and happy-ever-afters, not some parables with distorted story lines being used to frighten a child.  Good thing there's Jen and her mother who took her in and made her family. Somehow, despite all the things happening at her home, Beth had experienced a near-normal childhood because of her friend. And when Jen needed her, she came back. It seems that there was more to coming back than joining her friend in mourning. There were some things Jen isn't telling her.

I love Matt, and if I could just creep inside his brain, I'd probably love him even more. Nevertheless, he's just what Beth needed to stay put. Yes, he goes to church. Yes, he's family is religious. But no, he's not like Beth's father. He's a wonderful, wonderful guy who adored Beth. He wants her to be happy, and he's willing to do anything for her. If only Beth could see how lucky she is. I love his romantic side. The scene on the lake, under the stars, in the fair and during the barn dance - yay. #totalswoon!

The pacing of the story was excellent, it didn't bore me. I like how the story progressed and how Beth's character developed. Jen managed to snag my heart too. She's a keeper. Beth is totally lucky to have her as a friend and a sister. I wish she too would have her happy ending when it's time for her story. If only Hunter managed to come to his senses before its too late!!! 

Sweet Contradiction is a short, sweet read that left a dreamy smile on my face and a sense of anticipation for Jen's novel. I'm hoping it comes out before 2014 - help me pray!!!

Rating: ★★★★★

I want to taste the sweetness of your lips again, but next time I want to be able to take my time. I want you under me so I can feel your entire body quivering beneath me when I make love to you.  

Matt pointed to a prize without his eyes ever leaving mine.“I’ll take that one.”  

“I’m not looking for perfect, I’m looking for real. I’m looking for passion and love, Babe.”  

How was I supposed to tell him how he affected me and how that any other time before this moment meant absolutely nothing, because none of those moments were with him?   

I learned a lot that night—like how incredibly mind blowing ho-hos and wine coolers were together, how that you could discover the answers to life’s most difficult questions by watching Buffy, but most of all, that no matter what was going on in life—a best friend could make it all seem bearable.  

“Sharing interests and faith isn’t the most important thing to me, Beth. But, a sharing of souls, like you and I do? That’s something I’ve never had before and I’ll do everything in my ability to strengthen that bond.”  

“I told you that one day we’d both be able to reach for our dreams. Sometimes that means we have to let go of the people who would trample our souls so we can soar.” Jen smiled sadly as she ran a finger over the ribbon charm. “And sometimes that means living in the moment and loving without restraint … no matter how much time we may have together.”   

“You’ll marry me now? Dad says mom married him ‘cause he brought her flowers and candy.” He furrowed his brow in thought. “I don’t have any candy … but I can getcha a frog.”

Peggy Martinez is a homeschooling mom of one boy and four girls.
She has been married to her soul mate, Omar, since January 2000. She enjoys reading, writing, soap making, all things aromatherapy, and Twizzlers- lots of Twizzlers. She dreams of one day owning a small homestead, raising some chickens along with her children, growing a large garden, and eventually taking a dream vacation to Greece. It isn't too far fetched to think you could happen upon her and her husband having a conversation about religion, political conspiracies, a zombie apocalypse, or gangster movies.

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