Something to Prove by Shannyn Schroeder - Book Tour, Book Review, Giveaway

Something to Give

The O’Learys

By: Shannyn Schroeder

eKensington

Releasing January 2014

Two ambitious people team up to prove themselves to their families—and find there may be more to their partnership than just business…

Elizabeth Brannigan is determined to show her father she’s capable of running the family business. Saving his struggling Chicago bar seems like the perfect project. But she’ll need a little help dealing with the rough crowd. Who better to assist her than the handsome co-owner of a thriving Irish pub? Of course, with so much work to do, there are bound to be a few late nights…

Colin O’Leary’s father passed away before he could prove to him that he wasn’t a screw-up. Now he wants to show his brother he’s responsible enough to own a bar of his own—and Elizabeth may be able to help him. But when their professional aspirations clash, tempers—and passions—flare. Are they mature enough to mix business with pleasure—or will they have to choose between the two?

Look at the cover and tell me you don’t want to read this!!!

Elizabeth and Colin had both have Something To Prove to their families. For Elizabeth – she wants to show her father that she could handle being the next CEO of their family business. Never mind that she was a woman, that she was popping antacids to settle her stomach upset due to stress or going behind her father’s back to make her pet project. Auditing, she came across a bar in Chicago, she thought it would be a perfect project to show her father how she works better than her brother. But, she needs more than her brains to get things going and dealing with the rough crowd that has been frequenting the establishment. Who better to ask than the handsome bartender-slash-co-owner of a nearby successful Irish Pub?

If Elizabeth has Something To Prove to her father, Colin has something to prove not just to his brother but his whole family. He screwed up big time when he walked out on them. Now, all he wants is to prove that he can be responsible enough to own a bar of his own. Elizabeth may be able to help him. But can he keep his hands on this beautiful woman in front of him?

They have made something amazing out of a near-dilapidated bar – regardless of their constant clash and bickering. It was great seeing Elizabeth finally loosen up. She tries to fight it hard, but Colin is a charming guy. No matter how tall the walls around Elizabeth are – she was about to lose her heart on him. Question is, are they mature enough to mix business with pleasure? Or will they have to choose only one?

My heart goes to these two characters, who have made some mistakes in the past and are very much willing to rectify and make up for their shortcomings. But, up to what extent? Elizabeth was on the verge of bleeding her stomach out because of stress, and Colin – (although, I was wondering what made him turn his back on his family), I was hoping they would give him the chance he deserves. He was working his ass off on the bar. Elizabeth’s pet project was the chance he was waiting for. But, their hard work is in danger as someone barges in their bar and tries to sabotage it.

We don’t need to please other people to know our worth. Just do your job to the best of your ability, compete with yourself rather than with others and never forget to have fun. Life is too short to waste on being miserable.

A story about love, romance, sibling rivalries, trust, families and priorities. Something To Prove is sexy, romantic, heartwarming and heartbreaking. The cover had lived up to its expectation. I have enjoyed reading this novel, and excited to meet the rest of the O’Learys. 

“You don’t have the business management experience or education the other candidates have.” 

He smiled. “Neither does my brother, but you went to him.” 

“Like the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. He’s a success. Just because you share a branch of the family tree doesn’t guarantee me anything.” 

“But you’ve seen me with people.” He thunked the chair back down on all four legs. “I was good with you.” 

Between his intense blue eyes and his low bedroom voice, his words warmed her blood again.

“And that would be another reason to not work with you. I don’t have time for someone who’s more interested in flirting than working.” 

“Sweetheart, you flirted with me. I took your cues and acted on them. I’m completely capable of working with a partner without sleeping with her.” 

Part of Elizabeth felt relief at his statement. More of her felt another sting of disappointment. 

His steely blue gaze bore into her. No sign of lust. Nothing to imply that he planned to kiss her again. Not even a hint of sexual attraction. If they pretended that night had never happened, a partnership could work. 

She steadied herself for a strong negotiation. “I’ll offer you twenty-five percent profits and a bonus twenty percent when I sell, assuming you hold up your end of the bargain and bring in the customers. I remain the manager and boss and all decisions go through me.” 

“Make it forty percent profits and thirty percent on sale.” 

“You bring personality to the table. No proven experience, and you expect me to give you almost half the business?” She leaned back in her chair. 

“My personality is the one thing you need most. It can’t be taught or bought.”
“Thirty profits and twenty-five at sale.” 

He narrowed his eyes as if computing, then leaned forward. “Deal.” 

“One more thing. No flirting. Just business.” 

He sighed like she was being insufferable. “Contrary to popular belief, I am capable of being professional. When do we start?” 

“It’s locked up, so we can start tomorrow. I’ll have the contract drawn up for you to sign when you get there. Nine a.m.?” 

“I’m closing at O’Leary’s tonight. Make it eleven. Even I need my beauty sleep.”
“You plan to continue to work at O’Leary’s?” 

“It’s my family’s bar.” 

“I’m not a simpleton. There are only so many hours in a day. I won’t have you thinking you can drop by The Irish just to collect a check.” 

His smile was disarming. “Sweetheart, simple isn’t what anyone would call you. I’ll prove my worth soon enough. Seems a lot of people expect that.” He rose and extended his hand.  

“I’ll sign your contract, but a handshake will do for me.” 

She shook his hand and tried to ignore its strength and warmth and the zing of her nerves.  

As he turned to leave, she enjoyed the view and immediately began to question her sanity. She’d just created a business partnership based on a man’s charm. What the hell was she thinking?

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Shannyn is a former English teacher, who now works as a part-time editor while raising her three kids.

Even though she wrote from high school through college (mostly poetry), she’d never considered a career as an author. Writing fell by the wayside as she focused her energy on creating lesson plans and new and fabulous ways to torment her teen students. One group in particular dubbed her “The Torture Master,” a title she carried into motherhood.

After the birth of baby number two, Shannyn resigned from teaching and fell in love with reading romance novels. She read so many books so quickly that her husband teased, “If you’re going to read so many damn books, why don’t you just write one?”

So she did.

That first book is safely buried on her hard drive, but the process set Shannyn on the path to where she is today—agented with a debut ebook coming out with Kensington in late 2012.

She is recovering from her Diet Coke addiction, fears putting her foot in her mouth on social media, and has a renewed appreciation for the bad girls of the world.

          

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