Stranded

As I am not a lesbian I thought I ordered this book by mistake, however, to my complete surprise I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So in turn I have ordered a number of books and have thoroughly enjoy reading them as well.

I have always been a huge fan of Blayne Cooper. I even loved `The Road to Glory,' which my partner thought was ludicrous. Needless to say, I expected to like `Stranded' even before I read the book description or started on the first page - and I wasn't disappointed. Here, the author brings us lovely, straight divorcee Rachel Michaels. Although her radio talk show is very popular, Rachel wants to try new things and takes a job with a women's professional soccer team. The team sends her to Venezuela to interview their newest star recruit, Miranda Gutierrez. At the airport and ready to embark on the journey, Rachel is told she will be going with the owner's assistant, Nora Butler. Rachel suspects Nora is an administrative assistant who is sleeping with her boss. At the airport, they are told they will also both accompany Miranda on a tour of the Venezuelan wilds. Neither woman is thrilled with that proposition. It doesn't take long for Rachel to discover Nora is the assistant general manager of the team and not just a bed-warming secretary. She and Nora hit it off until Nora hits on her - and comes on very strong. Unexpectedly, Nora comes out with both guns blaring trying to get Rachel into her bed. Both are terribly embarrassed about the whole thing the next morning. Gee - what a way to start a new job! Things only get worse when Rachel and Nora meet Miranda. Or, better said, find her having a roll in the hay (literally) in her father's barn with a sexy stud. They both panic because the girl is only 17 and they thought they were getting a clean-cut, innocent teen. They are even more distraught when they discover Miranda secretly married this guy so she wouldn't have to leave him behind. Even with all this, the adventure hasn't really started. The three women set off on their wilderness adventure and almost immediately find themselves in trouble. Their jeep is washed off the road by a heavy rainstorm and the driver is killed. There is no cell service, no real roads, no way to get help. They learn to rely on each other to survive. In the meantime, the relationship between Rachel and Nora develops until neither can resist. The initially disgusted Miranda begins to call them Mama and Papa, and somehow they pull through. As much as I've said here, it's their survival journey that kept this reader engaged. Bottom Line - There is so much substance to this book it is hard to say what I liked best. Regardless of your usual reading preference, this story has something for everyone to enjoy.

I've always been a huge fan of Blayne Cooper/Advocate since the 1990s and have read all of Blayne's work. However, I was kinda cool on Blayne's last novel (Hard Times, a women in prison story) which I found a bit too bleak. That's why I was so very pleased to discover that Blayne has gotten back to writing what she's so good at, namely incredibly funny, highly entertaining, and well-written stories, which what her new novel 'Stranded' is. Like the title of this book says, the story revolves around a divorced middle aged radio personality who gets a contract to be the announcer of a new major league woman's soccer team. As part of the deal, she directed to fly down to Venezuela with the sexy female Vice President of the team (who kinda looks like Evangeline Lilly) and meet their new star soccer player. Once they get down there, mayhem abounds, and the three women end up a perilous/survivor situation in the jungles of Venezuela. The only thing I would have changed in this story was to extend the ending by about 10 pages, and give the reader more sweet love! This book is definitely a keeper!!

I love Stranded. The book is well written, humorous, romantic, and one of my favorites of the year. I would highly recommend it.

Blayne has done it again. She's crafted a romance, within some dire circumstances that leaves you guessing where the several relationships will end up. Strong, complex characters you come to care about & Blayne's wonderful humor woven throughout, it's a book you don't want to miss.

"Stranded" is a plot-heavy novel that packs a comedic punch. Cooper has an eye for the absurd even in a desperate situation. Her characters go through some very tough times but there's always a ray of hope along with a laugh. She crafts a relationship slowly, through small acts that ring true. No "there are 2 women, they have to get together" shortcuts here. The love story is very believable because it's built brick by brick. You'll love it!