Title: A Late Thaw

Author: Ana Blaze

Published by: AB Publishing

Date published: October 27, 2013

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 48 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Kiley St. Claire and Cole Thomas

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“Ana Blaze managed in 48 pages, what some authors can’t do 200! Cole and Kiley are extremely well developed, the romance flows quickly but smoothly and I was attached to the characters before chapter 3 was over!” ~Becca

Barrett, Vermont, home to nearly as many goats as people. It’s the perfect picturesque spot to stop for cocoa after a ski trip or to buy your Christmas tree from a hunky farmer wearing snug jeans and a pair of well-worn boots. Kiley St. Claire isn’t there for either. She’s come home for one reason and one reason only: make enough money waiting tables at the local tourist trap to survive her final semester of graduate school. Of course she is going to have to see that Christmas tree farmer eventually. That’s fine; Kiley isn’t the same nerdy little girl he palled around with. Nope, she’s done crushing on Cole Thomas. Totally done. 

Cole thought he was ready, but seeing Kiley again is a punch to the gut. She rejected him and ran away without explanation. He still couldn’t imagine a future with another woman. Now at least he’ll have a chance to say what he’s needed to say for years and then, just maybe, he’ll be ready to move on. He only wishes she didn’t look so damn good in her uniform.

This was my first Ana Blaze book, I’m sure those of you that keep up with my reviews know that I am all about finding new authors to obsess over When I got a look at the blurb for A Late Thaw, I just couldn’t say no! It just seemed so sweet and romantic! I always enjoy a good friends become lovers story!

Kiley and Cole had sparks flying as soon as the book began! Their chemistry was electric, explosive, and emotional. Even though they had spent the past few years apart, as soon as they are in the same room emotions start to run wild! The very first chapter had me hooked and wishing the book was longer.

I’m not usually a huge fan of short stories, I am usually very disappointed because I feel like things are missing in the relationship, the flow is rushed and I either don’t attach to the characters or the book ends just in time for me to which just ticks me off. I was VERY surprised by A Late Thaw, it didn’t do any of these things! Ana Blaze managed in 48 pages, what some authors can’t do 200! Cole and Kiley are extremely well developed, the romance flows quickly but smoothly (I felt like moving this fast worked because they had been friends for so long. If they had just met this would not have worked!) and I was attached to the characters before chapter 3 was over! Put simply, A Late Thaw is an excellently executed love story!

I loved how seamlessly the book switches between Kiley and Cole. You guys know I love a good dual POV book! I find it endearing that no matter how hard they tried, neither one of them could move on over the years apart and yet they had no idea how the other felt! Not really sure how that happens lol 

Anyways, let’s talk about the story for a minute. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s a basic “friends turn lovers” story and yet manages to be unique and fun. I adored the banter between Kiley and Cole! I can honestly say that I fell in love with Cole as soon as I got to read his POV, he is just your typical Southern man, which basically means that he is sexy, sweet, and protective!

Oh yeah, I’m supposed to be talking story…not sexy men!

Where was I? Okay…the sex in this book manages to be HOT, HOT, STEAMING HOT and yet touches on the serious and humorous at the same time! Not fully sure how Ana Blaze managed that one but dang…YOU GO GIRL! If you haven’t read A Late Thaw yet and don’t know what I’m talking about (Well one…go buy it NOW and read it! Totally worth it!) just know that clouds pop up in the most random of places! Haha best weather forecast ever!

Random note: I totally relate to Kiley’s method of getting eggs! I’m not worried about the chickens though….it’s the rooster you need to look out for!

I guess I should stop rambling and get to the point, huh? My overall opinion of this book is that it ROCKS! I quickly fell in love with Ana Blaze’s writing style and couldn’t put the book down! Luckily for me it was short, seeing as I started reading it at about 11pm last night! The characters are well developed, easy to love, and totally made for each other!

Ana lives just outside Washington, DC, with her very supportive husband and three rather demanding cats. She loves the ocean, Indian food, Ikea, and cooking. Before settling down as a writer, Ana was an elementary school teacher, a preschool teacher, a camp counselor, a waitress, a research assistant, a canoe tour guide, and one glorious summer during college she spent eight hours a day placing stickers inside library books so they would be part of the fancy new automated checkout system. She won’t say which job she liked best.

Ana is a member of Romance Writers of America.

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Describe Cole in 15 words or less!

Strong. Dependable. Hot. Loyal. Tall. Built. Farmer. Funny. Stubborn. Sexy.

Who is your favorite character in the book? Why?

I tend to like the guys best and this is one of those times. Cole is just an incredibly solid guy. He is at an age when a lot of guys are still being kids, but he’s already taken over his family farm. He has employees that count on him and the weight of preserving his father’s life’s work on his shoulders but he took it all in stride. Also, he has the great taste and common sense to have fallen for Kiley, who is snarky and klutzy and would totally be one of my besties.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The first kiss. I love Kiley and Cole’s first kiss because it has been coming for sooooo long and there is a whole myriad of emotions fueling it. 

I have to agree with you here! That first kiss and both of their reactions was PERFECT! Even Cole seemed surprised by it!

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

My stories are usually inspired by a very specific moment or scene that appears in my head. I will sort of dissect that scene to get to know the characters and then they run things. I can be surprised…a little. I tend to get to know them very well before things get very far along.

What’s next for you?

I’m always working on a few projects. Right now I am trying to focus on finishing the first book in a paranormal romance series, but there is a contemporary novella threatening to take over my time for a few weeks first. 

I have to throw in at least a few SILLY questions!

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

A party can always use a little extra eye candy, so let’s hope Cole can make it. I probably won’t be inviting Buddy from Buddy’s Bierhaus, but mainly because he always brings stale pretzels. I mean the man owns a bar, the least he could do is bring some beer, right?

If A Late Thaw were a dessert what would it be and why?

Well the whole story is a bit of a love story to Vermont, so it would definitely be maple flavored.  Can pancakes be dessert? If not, we’ll go with maple candy.

What books are on your nightstand or by your chair?

Right now, I have a stack. I just finished Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost and haven’t moved it yet so that’s there. Beside it, sits Addicted to Love by Lori Wilde, Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine and Undead to the World by D.D. Barant. I’m holding off on that last one because I think I skipped a book earlier in the series and want to read that one first. 

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

I really like Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series, Frost from Laurell K. Hamilton’s Merry Gentry Books, Eric from Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series, Lucas Cortez from Kelley Armstrong’s Woman of the Otherworld series, David from Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden books and R from Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion.

OMG I am a total Bones fan! I adore that series and always find myself hoping for a new one! I like the spin off series about Vlad as well! Eric is pretty dang hot as well! Wait…dang girl I think your list matches up pretty perfectly with mine! The only book I haven’t read yet is Warm Bodies!

Looking for a great deal?

I recently joined forces with four other fabulous writers to create a unique contemporary romance anthology called One Lucky Night and right now it is on sale for only 99 cents!

I really love A New Tune, my novella from this collection, and if you like sexy, singer-song writers who are willing to fight for the girl of their dreams, you might too.

One Lucky Night Blurb:

One night can change everything…

The crew at Boston’s Brazen Head Pub hasn’t been very lucky in love. Can a mysterious visitor inspire them to look past old hurts and misconceptions and give romance a chance? One Lucky Night is a collection of five sexy interwoven novelettes by Aria Kane, Grace Teague, Ana Blaze, Constance Phillips, and Melinda Dozier.

Lucky Break by Aria Kane

Four years ago, chef Derek Chase walked out of Andrea Rivera’s life after a tragedy neither of them were prepared to deal with. When she’s called to the Brazen Head to repair a dishwasher, old sparks ignite buried feelings.

Lucky Star by Grace Teague
When her life is threatened by a mugger, Charlotte Price realizes she’s in love with her best friend, Tommy Leung. The Brazen Head seems like the perfect neutral place to confess her feelings, but nothing goes according to plan.

A New Tune by Ana Blaze
When it comes to dating, Holly Hall has one unbreakable rule: no musicians. Not even gorgeous ones. Especially not gorgeous ones. Dating them only leads to heartbreak. So why did she let singer-songwriter Cian O’Neill kiss her? And why is she thinking about doing it again?

Lexi’s Chance by Constance Phillips
As a bartender, Sean Whelan meets all kinds of women every night, but none turn his head the way that Lexi has. She’s been playing cat and mouse with him for weeks. Tonight, Sean’s determined to get Lexi to quit teasing and take a real chance on him.

Drink or Dare by Melinda Dozier
A bachelorette party Drink or Dare game pairs paramedic students, Rachel Robertson and Killian Whelan, in a flirting match. Soon, the dares threaten to turn their academic rivalry into something much more.

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