| Title | : | The South Beach Search (The Florida Files, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0373608829 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780373608829 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 384 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2014 |
Trading the past for a simpler life in Miami is part of yoga teacher Taki's path to better karma. But when a devastating theft brings federal prosecutor Reese Beauchamps into her life, things are suddenly a lot more complicated!
She's drawn to gorgeous Reese in ways she can't explain. His analytical mind prevents him from understanding why spiritual intuition guides her…and he reminds her of what she'd rather forget. But chasing a criminal, they can't dodge the sizzle of attraction. Now, unless Taki trusts Reese's determination to protect her, she might run again…and leave love behind.
The South Beach Search (The Florida Files, #1) Reviews
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Not to sure about this one. It would keep my attention and then I'd get bored and then repeat again and again
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The South Beach Search by Sharon Hartley explores the relationship that springs up when two people get thrown together by a freak event. In this case, both the hero and heroine have items stolen from their cars while parked at the gym. For federal prosecutor Reese Beauchamps, stakes are high because his briefcase containing sensitive notes on a volatile upcoming case have gone missing. However, yoga teacher Taki feels a sense of urgency over her theft as well. She has recently returned from a grueling quest to obtain a blessed bowl and she needed to gift that bowl to a local ashram in order to free herself from the bad karma piled up by her family.
It’s actually an interesting and very promising start to a story. In many ways, I felt as though I was reading an inspirational novel featuring a religion other than Christianity. Taki deeply believes and tries to live by yogic principles and this shows through quite genuinely in her character. Reese, not surprisingly has a very different outlook, and so both the chemistry and the clash of belief systems between these two make for compelling reading.
Unfortunately, I can’t quite recommend this book because while it starts off well, the fantastical events that lead up to the Big Reveal of the culprits are just a trainwreck. I enjoyed reading a book with a well-drawn character whose beliefs differed so much from anything I normally encounter but oh, that crazypants ending! Grade: C.
Reviewed this as Midweek Mini over at All About Romance:
http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=15985 -
Good story.
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This was an interesting story in 2014 when I first read it and it is still a good read.
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I have to admit I didn't go much on this one, as I found it just too far-fetched and the characters so divergent I just couldn't believe what I was reading. Reese and Taki are are opposite ends of several scales, and although Hartley tries hard (as do the hero and heroine) I just couldn't believe that they could actually work together. I dont want to be a hater, and I avoid the term atheist, but as a secular humanist, with my mother intensely involved in paganism, wicca/spiritualism, buddhism and other systems, I feel I can relate. It's far too great a gap of beliefs and values to bridge. I've seen friends crash and burn in similar relationship conflicts, so this setup just didn't seem a winner.
Similarly, Reese impresses Taki with his memory of her and what she's said, but then he flubs and presents the Unicorn as a vegetarian, not a vegan restaurant. While this sounds like simple error, there's as much difference between a vegan restaurant and vegetarian one as between a vegetarian one and normal one. Failing to realise this distinction is usually a red flag to this crowd. I also don't buy his enthusiastic acceptance of her diet, usually there's a lot of whining and conflict involved in giving up meat, not that vegetarian or vegan meals are boring or tasteless (I love Thai vegetarian, om nom!) but for carnists it's a big step. Taki's not a vegan, but I never met a vegetarian so casual about their diet. It's doesn't seem very realistic at all.
Quibbles aside, the way the two interacted was a lot of fun and the back story about Taki's mysterious history was interesting, with a good ending. A nice light read as long as you don't read it too critically. -
Taki isn't her real name, even though she is a yoga teacher. Reese is a real life Assistant US Attorney in Miami intent on putting a major bad guy away.
When Taki's special Tibetan bowl and Reese's briefcase with key details he needs in his court case are stolen from their respective cars, their lives collide and with it, their hearts.
Is Take really a wacko who believes in Tarot readings? Will he ever NOT be a workaholic lawyer too like her hated father for her to take a chance on love with him?
When Take is kidnapped and SHE finds her bowl and Reese's briefcase, the plot thickens even more. Read and be thrilled at how it all turns out. -
Yoga teacher Taki is happy with her tranquil life until a valuable artifact is stolen. Now she has to contend with this loss along with Reese Beauchamps, who’s in charge of the investigation. Running from her past, Taki doesn’t want him digging too deeply into her identity. But drawn to the man, she can’t help herself from trying to dig past his barriers. Can a free spirit and a pragmatist forge a lasting bond? As they work together to expose the thief, Taki fears losing her heart more than her ancient relic. Memorable characters, a trendy setting and a heartwarming romance make for a delightful read.
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"Hartley’s characterization is particularly good. She does an excellent job depicting Taki’s and Reese’s personality traits and in highlighting the differences between them. Even Taki’s unsure reaction to their attraction is nicely done" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
