Semi-Tough Luck

Written by Jackie Barbosa

Narrated by Ivy Peterson and Patrick Zeller

Sylvia

Tonight, I lost my home, most of my possessions, and my livelihood when my semi rig was stolen from a truck stop parking lot in Middle-of-Nowhere, Nebraska. Yeah, everything’s insured, but that still leaves me with nowhere to sleep, one change of clothing, no way to get home, and only the paltry credit line on my Visa to cover my expenses until the insurance company settles.

So it’s not like I can easily refuse when the local sheriff suggests that I hitch a ride with his younger brother, Ivan Carlson, who’s headed to San Diego to play pro hockey. There’s no reason to think Ivan will be anything but a perfect gentleman. Which is a shame, because he’s sex on skates, but it would be wrong for me to take advantage of him. Wouldn’t it?

Ivan

When I met Sylvia Figueres, she was having the worst day of her life. The last thing a woman in her shoes needs is some stranger hitting on her. But man, I want to. Then my brother points out that she needs a ride to the west coast and I just happen to be going that way. I can’t say no, and since my big brother, the goddamn sheriff, is trusting me to behave like the gentleman I’m not, I’m going to have to keep my feelings to myself. And drive fast.

Or that’s the plan, until we wind up having to share a motel room.

Whoops?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Aug 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094423517

Jackie Barbosa

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer when I grew up, but there were plenty of times when I wasn’t sure I ever would be. As it turns out, it just took me about twenty years longer to grow up than I expected! On the road to publication, I took a few detours, including a stint in academia (I hold an MA in Classics from the University of Chicago and was a recipient of a Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities) and many years as a technical writer/instructional designer for a data processing company. I still hold my day job, but my true vocation has always been writing fiction and romance in particular. To stay informed of my release schedule, you can sign up for my newsletter (which I only send out when I actually release a book) or follow me on Twitter or Facebook. As a matter of public record, I tend to be a lot more active on Twitter, but also a lot more political. I am represented by Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. I’m a firm believer that love is the most powerful force in the world, which that makes romance the most powerful genre in the world. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise!

Reviews for Semi-Tough Luck

[Natale Michaud · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While some might have a problem with her having an abortion at 20, I don't. The story went from 0-70 in a hot minute on a short cross country trip.

[א ג · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

sweet. How is she blonde? Last chapter. what did i miss Maybe I didn't understand something

[Brittany Lauseng · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book went way to fast. It skipped all the good stuff and just went from 0 to done with nothing in between.

[Bill Hair · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 Stars for me!

My rating range of this story... 4 Stars
If significant, why? See Final Notes

Main Character Ratings...
H = 8/10
h = 8/10

Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?

Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 25%
How much of the story? 20%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained

Heat Rating... 7/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above

Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No

The back story... Female Truck Driver has her rig and purse stolen. The local sheriff realizes that she has no place to go and provides a room at his house with his wife and young child so she can get her plans sorted out. The Sheriff's brother arrives early and he is convinced to give the truck driver a ride back to LA.

The Romance... Lusty at first. They build almost an Instalove romance while driving across the country.

The drama explosion... None. Both tell tough parts of their lives to each other.

Did it feel real or contrived? Somewhat real
Was it OTT? No
Separation involved? No
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Properly

Final Notes... No politics... Woo Hoo! This is a short story but we'll told.

HEA or HFN? HEA

[Jade Campion · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Abortion is murder. Don't skirt around it. Many couples desperate to adopt