Not advised for Christian readers! I was not impressed with the drinking and gambling themes that run throughout the story line. There is also much language to be concerned about and there is premarital sexual activity.

I have no desire to continue the series by Ava Miles. While she does have talent in constructing a story, I wish her books were on the clean side. ( )

Title: The Grand Opening
Author: Ava Miles
Series: Dare Valley #3
Published: Createspace
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"The Grand Opening" by Ava Miles was a wonderful romantic story of Peggy McBride and Mac (Maverick) Maven. This is the authors third novel in her Dare Valley series. We find that both of these two are new to Dare Valley, Colorado. Peggy was divorced, now a single mother that had moved to Dare to be closer to her brother and family. Peggy loved her job of being a deputy sheriff and it seems like all was going well for her until he meets us with Mac. Why was this? Mac was handsome and rich and had moved into Dare with his sister and nephew to restore 'The Grand Mountain Hotel as a boutique poker' venue and for some reason this deputy sheriff was against any form of gambling. Mac was well know for his 'High Stakes poker games.' What had happen in Peggy's life that caused her to feel so negative about gambling and had set her nerves on edge? However, there still seemed to be some 'tenderness and passion' that went on between these two when they were together but they were definitely on separate sides when it came to Mac's business. It was obvious that there was something that had gone on with Peggy that was holding her back that keeps her from wanting to live life to its fullest.

This was a very moving story where there were many subplots in this novel that was going on...such as: Mac and Peggy comes together in the rescue operation in that involved a pie loving moose, ... with Marc's sister Abbie and his best friend Rhett Butler Blaylock,... a teenager reckless driving and the hotel having a bomb threat during a poker game. You will really have to keep up because this story moves very fast which makes for a good read. To get all the answers to the above you must pick up "The Grand Opening" to see how this author will bring it out the well written story to the reader. Be ready for a good read with a read filled with humor, 'quirky townspeople' and a loving romance that finally comes to light. I love the hero in this story being such a 'fighter, lover and best friend.' The heroine gave me a headache at time with all of her 'love hate relationship with Marc,' however in the end it all ....well pick up the novel to see for yourself!

The characters were all so developed, well rounded and so very colorful only making this read a captivating read that once you started it you will not be able to put it down until the end.

I found "The Grand Opening" was definitely a story of one's family coming first in this well written series by this author that I would definitely recommend as a good read. ( )

Peggy McBride moved to Dare Valley, Colorado to be close to her brother and his family. She has settled in to her job as Deputy Sheriff, and raising her six year old son Keith as a single Mom. She likes this small town, and it's characters, and is happy living here. Until......Mac (Maverick) Maven arrived to renovate and open as a boutique poker venue the Grand Mountain Hotel. Mac is known far and wide for his High Stakes poker games, and his group of very popular hotels. He and Peggy are immediately attracted, but on opposite sides regarding his hotel. She hates gambling with a passion, which translates into a serious dislike for all Mac stands for.

There are lots of interesting sub plots, one involving Mac's sister Abbie, and one of his poker playing friends Rhett Butler Blaylock. Mac and Peggy are thrown together over a rescue operation with a moose, reckless driving, bomb threats and their growing attraction. Grand Opening is a fast moving novel, and I learned a lot about the sport of poker playing. The only negative I could find was Peggy's persistent love/ hate relationship with Mac. I could understand her reluctance in the beginning, but he tries over and over to prove the depth of his feelings, and she, in most cases threw it back in his face. Very strong personalities and emotions play a part in this story.

This was an entertaining read in spite of my occasional urge to shake some sense into Peggy!

I received this novel from the publisher for an honest review.

Pat Fordyce ( )