French Roast

Dare Valley

Romance - General
252 Pages
Reviewed on 09/01/2013
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Ava Miles burst onto the contemporary romance scene after receiving Nora Roberts’ blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts’ name in her debut novel, NORA ROBERTS LAND, which kicked off The Dare Valley Series and brought praise from reviewers and readers alike. Much to Ava's delight, BlogCritics says "It [NORA ROBERTS LAND] captures the best of...a Nora Roberts novel,” while USA Today's Happily Ever After blog praises the book saying it "combines small-town romance with big-world issues in a full-bodied romance" and noting its "great hero...wonderful, idyllic setting... [and] great characters." Ava continues The Dare Valley Series with her recognized wit and charm, creating happy endings with humor and heart.

Born in a small town herself, Ava has created the small, Colorado town of Dare Valley and the residents who make it memorable, including the Hale family who, like Ava, are descended from a long line of journalists. Ava's great-great-grandfather won his first newspaper in a poker game in 1892 and her family has had something to do with telling stories, whether to share news or, in her case, fiction, ever since. In fact her clan is still reporting on local events more than one hundred years later at their family newspaper.

Ava is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Washington Romance Writers. She is also part of an unofficial group that regularly convenes a writing retreat at Nora Roberts' restored Inn Boonsboro in western Maryland.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite

Like many male and female friendships in high school, Jill Hale found herself in love with her lifelong best friend Brian McConnell. As graduation rolls around, Jill finally gets up the nerve to tell Brian how she really feels. However, as these things tend to go, Brian has other plans…in New York City where he dashes off to become a culinary genius. With her heart torn to pieces, Jill sees Brian’s tight-lipped plans as a betrayal and their friendship dwindles until it no longer exists. The next time Ava Miles introduces us to Jill in French Roast, eight years have passed and she is a successful coffee shop owner in search of a new business venture. Fate steps in, giving her a chance to make amends with her ex-crush and ex-best friend who returns to town to “find himself”.

In a place like Dare Valley the secrets, miscommunications, and barely hidden sexual tension between Jill and Brian send the rumor mill into overdrive. Ava Miles does a fantastic job of showing the differences in Brian and Jill’s new expectations of their relationship. Brian sees this business venture as an opportunity to get his career on track, his best friend back and have his dream girl in his arms. Jill, while still pining for Brian, isn’t so sure that going after her dream of being Mrs. McConnell is a smart decision. Together these former friends take you on an entertaining ride complete with small town gossip, a conniving ex, secrets, and an investor with ulterior motives. French Roast is a full-bodied romance with a rich small town flavor.