@IndieSagePromo Review: Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid

Neanderthal Marries Human

Knitting in the City, #1.5
Penny Reid

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Caped Publishing
Date of Publication: June 14, 2014
Number of pages: 417
Word Count: 110,690
Cover Artist:

Available at the following retailers:
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There are three things you should know about Quinn Sullivan: 1) He is madly in love with Janie Morris, 2) He’s not above playing dirty to get what (or who) he wants, and 3) He doesn’t know how to knit.

After just five months of dating Janie, Quinn—former Wendell and unapologetic autocrat—is ready to propose marriage. In fact, he’s more than ready. If it were up to Quinn, he would efficiently propose, marry, and beget Janie with child all in the same day—thereby avoiding the drama and angst that accompanies the four stages of pre-matrimony: engagement, meeting the parents, bachelor/bachelorette party, and overblown, superfluous wedding day traditions. But Janie, much to Quinn’s dismay, tosses a wrench in his efficacious endeavors and challenges him to prove his devotion by going through the matrimonial motions, no matter how minute and mundane.

Will Quinn last until the wedding day? Or will he yield to his tyrant impulses?

Regardless, one thing is for certain, Quinn Sullivan will have to learn to expect the Spanish Inquisition (i.e. the unexpected) if he plans to have and keep Janie Morris as his wife.

This book is not a standalone. It is the sequel to ‘Neanderthal Seeks Human,’ it is book #1.5 in the ‘Knitting in the City’ series, and it is a full length, 100k word novel.

Again, you must read ‘Neanderthal Seeks Human’ first before reading this book.

This book is written in first person, alternating POV (Janie Morris AND Quinn Sullivan; but more Janie than Quinn).

Excerpt: 

“Are you okay?” I covered his hand with mine, wanting the physical contact. This was an action on my part that would have been remarkable six months ago as I’d never been one to seek or give physical touches as comfort. But with Quinn, touching and being touched felt as natural and essential as breathing or reading comic books.

“Yeah. Fine. You?” His eyes searched mine, but they were cagey and distant.

I frowned at him for a moment before speaking my thoughts. “I feel like there is something wrong—with you—and you don’t want to tell me, or you’re waiting to tell me. Is it work? Does it have something to do with why I have three guards with me everywhere I go?”

“Why do you think there’s anything wrong?”

“Because you’re McCoolpants Von No Touchy since we entered the limo.”

One of his eyebrows arched, his cool expression wavering.

“What’s this? A new nickname?”

“I hope not. But it’s the most efficient way I can think of to describe how strangely you’re behaving.”

“What’s strange?”

“You haven’t made any attempt to take off my clothes. In fact, you haven’t even reached under my skirt. Based on historical data, this behavior is strange.”

He gave me his slow, sexy grin—made even more potent by our semi-touching closeness. “It was a short ride.”

I shrugged. “That’s never stopped you before.”

“This is good news.” His voice was barely contained mirth.

“What is good news?”

“I now have your expectations calibrated to expect sex every time we ride in a limo.”

Review: 

In September of 2013 I stumbled across this great book called Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid. The main character, Janie Morris, is a bit of a socially awkward geek. She has trouble making connections with people, but she manages to catch the eye and attention of Quinn Sullivan, head of a security company. When breaking up with her cheating boyfriend costs her her apartment and job, she goes to stay with her best friend, Elizabeth. It is through Elizabeth that we meet her Knitting Group. Janie becomes an honorary member, even though she doesn't knit. Each of the stories in the series covers one of the ladies in the knitting group.

I gave the first book 4 stars and when book 2, Friends without Benefits came out, I found it equally delightful, yet totally different. I was all set up to read book 3, when I found out about Neanderthal Marries Human, the story of Janie and Quinn's courtship and marriage. When I heard there would be some Quinn POV, I all but jumped up and down thrilled to get inside this sexy mystery man.

Janie continues to delight. We get a much deeper understanding of her family dynamics and how they shaped her into the person she is. We also get our first good look into Quinn. I must admit I really wasn't sure what to expect. He is both a little darker and a bit sweeter than I had imagined him. I thought there was much more growth as characters in this book for both Janie and Quinn. I am so glad I got a chance to see their continued journey together, and gave this 4 stars. Next up is Love Hacked, #3.

Giveaway: 

SIGNED: Kristen Ashley Motorcycle Man, Penny Reid NSH/NMH, Amy Harmon Different Blue and Making Faces, Kylie Scott Lick, R.K. Lilley In Flight
+ Panty Dance Party bag signed by Book Bash Authors
+ Spank Naughty List notebook signed by Book Bash Authors

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Book Tour Info: 
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July 7th:
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July 8th:
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July 9th:
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July 10th:
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July 14th:
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July 15th:
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July 17th:
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Author Bio:

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

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