Feature Post: Meet the Shaughnessy Brothers
This month, bestselling author Samantha Chase launches her new contemporary romance series the Shaughnessy Brothers. In the series starter, MADE FOR US, readers are introduced to the five amazing Shaughnessy brothers–each more successful than the last. From a building contractor, to a scientist, to a former racecar driver, and even a rock star, these brothers are as different as can be, but also extremely close. Losing their mother early in their lives solidified the brotherly bond and helping raise their baby sister also brought them together. But with their sister raised and careers in order it is time for the next phase in their lives. And while these brothers might not be looking for happily-ever-afters, romance is looking for them! Below get to know each of these sexy Shaughnessys starting with Aidan from MADE FOR US.
Name: Aidan Shaughnessy
Occupation: Building Contractor
Height: 6’2
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Age: 34
What makes you the perfect date?
No one – including myself – has ever said that! But if I had to say something, it would be that I like to take care of all the details so that my date doesn’t have to worry about a thing.
What do you look for in a woman?
Typically someone strong and independent but also enjoys being taken care of.
Describe yourself in 100 words or less:
I’m a bit of a control freak – or so I’ve been told! I’m hard working and know exactly what I want out of life. I can be quiet and observant – a bit of a people watcher. I don’t enjoy crowds very much. I prefer if I’m out, to be out in a small group or with one person.
***
Name: Hugh Shaughnessy
Occupation: Luxury Resort Owner/Designer
Height: 6’3
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Age: 32
What makes you the perfect date?
I am extremely attentive. I believe in taking a woman out for a romantic dinner with dancing and candlelight and making her feel like she is the most important thing in the world.
What do you look for in a woman?
She’s intelligent and easy to talk to but who isn’t looking for forever. I travel a lot and she would need to be understanding of that.
Describe yourself in 100 words or less:
I’m a really regimented man. I mean really. I like things done a certain way and I’m a stickler for routines and schedules. Some say I’m overly cautious – in every aspect of my life – but that doesn’t mean that I’m boring. I have an appreciation for the finer things and I’m outgoing and enjoy being around people and making new friends.
***
Name: Quinn Shaughnessy
Occupation: Former Race Car Driver turned Automotive Restorer
Height: 6’
Hair Color: Dirty Blonde
Eye Color: Blue
Age: 30
What makes you the perfect date?:
I’m the fun one in the family. I like to go out with a woman to a bar or someplace with loud music or find something athletic to do. I want to be where the party is.
What do you look for in a woman?
I’ll admit to being a little shallow here – I am all about looks. Tall, blonde, curvy…and that’s about it.
Describe yourself in 100 words or less:
Like I said, I’m the fun one. I am all about living life to the fullest. I enjoy sports – all sports – and I hate to be idle. Cars are my current passion and to me it’s go-big-or-go-home. If I can’t succeed and excel at something, then it’s time to move on. So far it’s worked for me.
***
Name: Owen Shaughnessy
Occupation: Astrophysicist
Height: 6’
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Age: 28
What makes you the perfect date?
I don’t really think I am. I don’t believe perfect is something anyone can attain. Dating really hasn’t been on my radar but when I do take a woman out, we usually talk about science. And she’s normally a scientist so I guess you can say I make sure we talk about mutual interests.
What do you look for in a woman?
I spend a lot of my time trying to not be noticed. But if I notice a woman, it’s usually because we’re both working together or studying together. I look for someone who understands me.
Describe yourself in 100 words or less:
Quiet. Shy. Socially awkward. At least that’s how most people tell me I am. I don’t think about it much. I’m devoted to my field of study and helping others learn about astrophysics and it pretty much consumes all of my time and energy.
***
Name: Riley Shaughnessy
Occupation: Musician/Rock Star
Height: 6’
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Age: 28
What makes you the perfect date?
When I’m out on a date with a woman, there is no one else in the world. I put all of my attention on her and do my best to make sure that our date includes everything she wants.
What do you look for in a woman?
I used to be all about the looks – mainly because women were always chasing after me. I had superficial relationships, now I look for a woman who sees more than a rock star, a celebrity. I want to find someone who just sees me.
Describe yourself in 100 words or less:
Confident. Talented. And currently, mildly insecure. I have always loved music, loved to sing and if I couldn’t do that, I don’t know what I’d do with myself. Music is just a part of me. I put my partying ways behind me – not that I had much of one. I’m just as comfortable on stage in front of thousands of people, as I am at home watching TV.
***
Title: Made For Us
Author: Samantha Chase
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: The Shaughnessy Brothers, Book 1
Summary
Can't make time for love?
The Shaughnessy brothers have spent the years since their mother's untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. Oldest son Aidan is hard-working, handsome, successful-and still single. Sure, he'd like to have his own family someday, but who has the time?
She'll show him how to find it
Zoe Dalton, a stunning designer Aidan meets on one of his construction jobs, has the beauty and heart to make Aidan realize how much he could be missing. But it's not easy to break down walls you've spent years building up. Now there's a major storm bearing down on the North Carolina coast, and it could be catalyst enough to force Aidan and Zoe into some major decisions of the heart.
Buy Links
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1CUdwvA
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1Kje4hf
iBooks: http://apple.co/1SAHlTT
IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1DtcvFI
Made for Us by Samantha ChaseMade for Us by Samantha Chase is a 2015 Sourcebooks Casablana publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book in a new series which focuses around the Shaughnessy Brothers. First up , is Aiden, the “go to” guy in the large family of overachievers.
In the years since the death of his mother, Aiden, who took her passing particularly hard, has been the rock of the family. He's built a successful career for himself, helps his father and all his highly successful siblings, but has little time left over to work on his own life. Over the years he has become controlling, staid, an unbending perfectionist, and has garnered a reputation for being difficult to work with.
Enter, Zoe, an interior designer, a transplant from Arizona, grieving the loss of her mother, looking to make a fresh start in North Carolina. When she is told to drop everything and her current client list in order to correct some huge mistakes for Aiden Shaughnessy, she gets a first hand, face to face , introduction to the famous 'dictator'.
I'm not sure where to start here to be honest. Aiden is a very unique character, not unlike a lot of workaholic, highly successful men, who are used to being in charge, barking orders and having them instantly obeyed. But, truthfully, Aiden isn't really the total jerk he appears to be at first glance. He has some difficult inner demons to exorcise. It occurred to me while I was reading this book that Aiden seems to have some kind of personality disorder. It bothered me to the point that I decided to do an internet search and lo and behold I discovered Aiden's symptoms matched, almost to the letter, the co-dependent personality.
He was afraid to let himself be who was, he expected himself to be perfect, he appeared rigid and controlled, he was afraid to let other people be themselves and let things happen naturally, he thought he knew best how things should turn out or how people should behave.
So, while Aiden is not the most likable person in the world, it's obvious he needs specialized help and frankly poor Zoe was not equipped to handle him. Zoe herself is dealing with a lot and Aiden's dark and brooding mood swings are mystifying to her, although Aiden's family is used to it, which is a huge part of the problem. As close as the family appears to outsiders, and as much as they would like to believe they are close knit, they are actually dysfunctional. The youngest child, seventeen year old Darcy, is just as much a victim to Aiden's heavy handed control freak tendencies as Zoe is. Then there is the patriarch of the family who enables Aiden and allows him to rule the family, because it's just easier that way. The other brothers have also found Aiden's leadership to be a relief since it has left them unencumbered with the burden of helping with their father and younger sister, freeing them to pursue their own paths in life.
I do think that if a serious issue is brought into focus in a novel, it might be a good idea to put a name with the face, so that readers will not presume this behavior is typical or normal. I love romance novels and their ability to bring difficult and misunderstood issues into focus, and of course I am a huge believer in the power of love and it's ability to bridge any gap, to heal any wound, to bring forgiveness, hope, and faith to even the most hopeless of situations. But, sometimes love must rely on common sense and that means seeking help from outside sources if need be.
After having said all that, I don't want you to think I disliked the story, because I DID like it! It's an unconventional love story and I love seeing very difficult and trying personalities come to their senses before it's too late. It was good to see Zoe finally get a grand gesture and have a little good come her way for a change.
The best part is that Aiden is not the only one who gets a wake up call, as his entire family will play a role in helping him understand he needs to face the inevitable changes that come in life and will help him see where he needs to make improvements. They all owe Aiden for one thing or another so, it was fun to see them come together to help him for a change.
Another charming aspect of the story was the mild paranormal undercurrent that cropped up from time to time that added a pinch of sentimentality and is a touching way to guide Aiden into understanding it's okay to be with Zoe and their relationship is meant to be.
There is a wonderful and very romantic ending and a happy ever after ,which is why we read these books and it makes it worth all the drama and tears and frustrations. This is a solid start to the series and I'm curious to see whose turn it will be next.
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Author Biography
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.
When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.
Social Networking Links
Website: http://www.chasing-romance.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
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