Blog Tour: Nowhere But Here by Renee Carlino

Nowhere But Here
By:  Renee Carlino
Release Date:  May 5, 2014
Publisher:  Atria (An imprint of Simon & Schuster)
Source:  Publisher
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Mature Content:  18 & Up
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A Chicago reporter in her mid-twenties unexpectedly finds love in Napa Valley when she’s assigned to spend a week with a famously reclusive genius. Kate Corbin has lost her spark. From the outside, her life seems charmed. She has a handsome, long-term boyfriend and a budding journalism career at a popular Chicago newspaper. But in reality, her relationship is going nowhere, and she’s quickly losing motivation for what she once believed was her dream job. When her boyfriend dumps her unceremoniously, Kate loses all hope of finding love. With no living family and few friends, Kate confides in her boss. Trusting that the hungry, ace reporter is buried somewhere deep inside, he gives Kate the opportunity to jumpstart her career. The assignment: to interview the famously reclusive R.J. Lawson, a wealthy tech genius who disappeared years ago but recently reemerged as a Napa Valley vintner. The week takes an unexpected turn, however, when Lawson refuses to divulge any information. Desperate for a lead, Kate turns to Jamie, a vineyard hand who shows her the romance of wine country—and stirs her aching heart. But his connection to Lawson is ambiguous, and when Jamie disappears before the end of the week, Kate is left to investigate another story: the truth behind the man who stole her heart. USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino explored love and heartbreak in her beautifully written debut Sweet Thing, and her newest novel does not disappoint. For fans of Colleen Hoover, K.A. Tucker, and Katja Millay, Nowhere But Here is a stirring and satisfying romance that you won’t want to put down.

My Thoughts:  

Nowhere But Here, by Renee Carlino, is a beautiful and sensual romance.  I have read Ms. Carlino's Sweet Thing Series, and fell head over heels in love with her writing style, and storytelling ability.  When I heard about Nowhere But Here, I wanted to read it, because Ms. Carlino has a gift with words.  She is an amazing author, and I want to read anything that she writes.  I was very impressed by Nowhere But Here.  It was a completely different and distinct work, but was just as amazing as her Sweet Thing Series.

Kate (Katy) is a newspaper reporter for the special interest section of the Chicago Crier, who has lost her spark.  She lost her mother to Breast Cancer, when she was just eight years old.  After her mother died, she went to live with Rose, her mother's best friend, who became like a second mother to her.  Katy has now lost Rose (to an infection after a gallbladder surgery) the only family she has ever had, and is in a deep depression.  She doesn't know who her father is, has no other family, and a shallow relationship based purely on sexual gratification with an apathetic boyfriend.  Her only friends are her Editor, Jerry and coworker, Beth.  Jerry decides to help Katy by giving her the opportunity to interview, R.J. Lawson, a successful and wealthy technological genius, and owner of a prestigious winery in the Napa Valley.  Mr. Lawson is a recluse, and has finally agreed, after much persistence from Jerry, to be interviewed for the newspaper.

When Katy arrives at the Napa Valley Winery and Bed and Breakfast, her life takes a complete turn for the better.  She meets R.J. Lawson, who is a complete disappointment.  He hits on Katy repeatedly, and isn't cooperative.  Lucky for Katy, she also meets Jamie, a ruggedly handsome, hardworking gentleman, who has a passion for the vineyard and life.  Jamie is a jack of all trades, and does whatever is necessary to ensure the success of the winery.  He has diabetes and has to consistently check his blood sugar levels and act accordingly.  He gives Katy the adventure of her life when he wines and dines her, takes her sailing, and teaches her about the vineyard.  

I adored Jamie.  He was very down to earth, humble, and a true gentleman.  The relationship that developed between Jamie and Katy was absolutely beautiful.  It stared off with attraction, sexual chemistry, and friendship.  Katy and Jamie got to know the essence of each other, and it was amazing to watch the transformation in Katy take place.  She became happier, more free, fun, self-assured, and hopeful.  I also loved the secondary characters in the story.  Jerry was like a father figure for Katy, and he offered her great advice and support.  I enjoyed Katy's friendships with Beth, and eventually with everyone that worked on the winery.  We even get a few mentions about Will Ryan, Mia Kelly, and their little family, as well as a surprise visit!  I was so excited to hear about and catch up with two of my favorite fictional characters.  The plot of the story started off slowly, but then it picked up the pace in the middle, and flew at the end!  Ms. Carlino really took the time necessary to develop the characters and plot.  After reading, Nowhere But Here, I am sure that anything Ms. Carlino writes will be excellent in every way!

My Rating:

I give Nowhere But Here, by Renee Carlino, 4.5 Romantic, Genuine, Sexy, Hopeful, and "What Real Love Should Be Like, Filled Stars!  Read this story for an unforgettable romance that will take you to the exquisite setting of the Napa Valley, and in to the arms of every woman's dream man!

My Favorite Quotes:

"I felt like we had grown together like a couple of trees planted too closely together, our branches mingling so that we didn't know whose limbs belonged to whom."  (eARC, Loc. 2010)

~Katy

"I knew in five fu**ing minutes that I had to know you, that I needed you in my life.  I've never felt that way about anyone, ever.  Whatever happens will be up to you, but I'll be a different man if I can't have you.  I will never breathe as deeply as I did when I was with you.  I'll never see the range of color on a perfectly cloudless sky.  I will never smell anything as sweet as you or hear a voice that fills my heart up as much as yours does." (eARC, Loc. 2714)

~Jamie

"I can't imagine that what I'm feeling for you isn't because of some kind of infinite power over our souls.  You were the light coming toward me as I stood in the darkness."  (eARC, Loc. 2750)

~Jamie

About Renee Carlino:

Renee’s first friends were the imaginary kind and even though her characters haven’t gone away, thankfully the delusions have. She admits she’s a wildly hopeless romantic and she blames 80’s movies staring Molly Ringwald for that. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on the next book, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate. 

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