New review is now up.

*****

Who said tempting a sweet Southern belle would be easy?

When rebel biker Bullworth Clayton gets tangled up with pastel-and-pearls-clad April Church, sparks fly. Sure, April would clearly rather work with anyone else, but if teaming up with Bull means a successful charity event for a sick little boy they both care about, then so be it.         

April is baffled at how drawn she is to the leather-wearing, tattooed Bull—he just doesn’t fit with her simple, safe, country-club life. And as much as the handsomely rugged man tempts her, she still can’t shake the images of the tragic motorcycle accident from her past, which left her scarred and her father broken.

Bull tempts her to don a pair of leather pants and go for a ride with him, while April desperately tries to resist her attraction to the wild side and keep her exploits hidden from her small town. Will they be able to navigate their differences and find a middle road to love?

I have to be honest – I didn’t like April all that much at first … but I’m not sure I’m supposed to.  She’s timid, meek, and kinda shallow.  I understand that she had a terrible thing happen in her past, but she’s even afraid of spicy food … I know there are people like that out there, I even know a few, but it doesn’t necessarily make her an appealing heroine.  Which, for me, made her transition all the sweeter.  Working with Bull and the other bikers showed her a brand new world and exposed her to new things, so that by the time the book was over I really liked her.

Bull is your typical big, bad biker hero.  He works with his hands, loves his Harley, and is comfortable with his place in the world.  But he’s got some growing of his own.  Meeting April allows him to let go of some long held guilt and see his past in a bit of a better light.  I’m not sure everyone will like how much he pushes April, trying to get her out of her comfortable little world, but I thought he was fantastic.  He’s got a big heart, he just had a little baggage to get rid of first.

There’s a quick, fun little secondary story between one of Bull’s friend and April’s best friend and although most of it happens off the page, I liked them together.  I don’t think there is enough drama to give them their own story, but it was a good catalyst for April to reevaluate her priorities and what she wants out of her future.

If, like me, you find yourself a little put out with April, don’t give up – Bikers and Pearls is definitely worth it.  With a satisfying resolution and fun characters, it’s got a great mix of heart and depth, making April’s journey one to enjoy.