Customer Reviews

Beneath the Surface: The Matchmaker, Book 1

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

EJ Vega never stood a chance. Not that he wanted to, anyway, after meeting Tabitha Lyons. It doesn't take long for him to figure out that his matchmaking older sister Angela, who just happens to be psychic, has somehow finagled a plot to throw him in frequent intimate contact with the beautiful fashion consultant. But he isn't complaining about the match - the moment he lays eyes on her he realizes they are destined to be together. The trouble is going to be convincing the skittish Tabitha of that fact.

Tabitha Lyons is used to being alone, even comfortable with it now. After growing up in foster homes and a disastrous relationship, her life is better that way. All she needs is her work - until she meets the sexy author EJ Vega, that is. A few minutes with him and she knows he is trouble, bound to shake up her orderly world and leave her changed forever.

Until this month, I had not read any of Gracie C. McKeever's work, but I quickly devoured both of her books I received for review this month. After reading the other book first, I immediately turned to The Matchmaker, Book 1: Beneath the Surface. As much as I loved the other story, I adored Beneath the Surface!

I have to say, I wasn't sure quite what to expect after reading the blurb for this one, but it just knocked my socks off. The paranormal element is ever present, and a key part of the plot, but it never feels like a paranormal story. It feels very realistic, with the familiarity of a story that is strictly contemporary, lending the psychic talents wielded by EJ and his sister more credibility.

EJ Vega is the perfect love interest for the withdrawn Tabitha. Simultaneously steady and patient while also powerful and dynamic, he is just what the doctor ordered to draw her out of her self-imposed social exile and into a passionate romance.

The large Vega clan promises several entertaining sequels in this series, and I know there is already one released, which I will be working to get in my hot little hands just as soon as possible!

Series Order:
Beneath the Surface: The Matchmaker, Book 1
Terms of Surrender: The Matchmaker 2
Manifest Destiny [The Matchmaker 3] (Siren Publishing)

Connected Story:
Spells Cast in Shadows
(This book is not part of The Matchmaker series, but contains crossover characters from 'Manifest Destiny'. While 'Manifest Destiny' can be easily comprehended and enjoyed without reading 'Spells Cast in Shadows', the story in 'Manifest Destiny' will be greatly enhanced by reading 'Spells Cast in Shadows' first.)

Eric James (EJ) Vega was an ad executive that left the hustle of his nine to five behind for a career as an author. He's excited and ready to exhale in doing what he loves best, writing. EJ has a publishing deal with Renegade and a book that is generating its fair share of buzz. With his impeding success, EJ's sister Evelyn somehow convinces him he needs a new wardrobe and fast. He is going to have to do book tours and he has to look his absolute best. So, Evelyn hooks EJ up with fashion stylist Tabitha Lyons.

Tabitha Lyons owns her own company Lyons Style, Inc and she is a successful fashion consultant who is at the top of her game. When she first meets Eric James Vega she knows the man is trouble with a capital T. He's too sexy and too cocky all of which serve to turn Tabitha on. Eric James has the power to effect Tabitha's libido like no other. As much as she tries to resist him and his charm, she finds herself more and more intrigued by the man. Even though the two of them seem like night and day they still make a great pairing.

Beneath the Surface is book 1 in The Matchmaker series. The story is a phenomenal start to the matchmaking talents of Angela Calminetti, EJ's sister. Angela wants all her siblings and family happy and in love. She uses her telepathic abilities to make sure that this happens.

EJ and Tabitha, they have to struggle to make it to happiness, the two are stubborn and try to best each other. But they are miserable without one another. EJ knows Tabitha is the one because she reminds him of his first love Sinclair. Sinclair committed suicide when EJ was much younger and he has never really trusted his heart to another woman. Tabitha is different, for the first time in years EJ wants to tell her the truth about his telepathic abilities. Tabitha has had a rough life and is not very trusting of anyone but Eric James seems like he is worthy of her trust. Gracie C. McKeever shows that the bond between EJ and Tabitha will be long-lived and everlasting. And that the two are each others pretty match. Beneath the Surface is an outstanding book that is captivating. I definitely recommend this for readers.

Chantay W.
Reviewer, for Euro Reviews
We review in Flags!

I loved this book so much. The writing was exceptional and I felt every emotion that the author was trying to elicit from me. Im now a fan. Very well written and highly recommend this book.

Rugged heart-throb EJ Vega has two choices: continue fighting the destiny his life-meddling sister throws in his face or submit himself to the beautiful whisky-eyed, but closed-hearted Ms. Lyons. Living with fears of abandonment, Tabitha must decide whether or not to waddle in her comfort zone of mistrust or open her soul to some Italian healing.

In Beneath the Surface, McKeever created a passionate love story riddled with themes of redemption, forgiveness, and acceptance. With her signature touch of paranormal, characters lightly touch other world elements but maintain normalcy, an effective touch. Moving, with highly-charged, delicious sex scenes, Beneath the Surface will no doubt scratch your erotic itch . . .at least until you can fully medicate. A definite four sistah hugs for a delectable weekend read.

4 Pink Diamonds
Sistah Tasha of the SistahFriend Book Club

New York Times bestselling author, EJ Vega, needs a wardrobe makeover for all his book signings and appearances and his older sister Evelyn, sets him up with a professional shopper, Tabitha Lyons. Although EJ is generally opposed to his sister's idea, he goes along with it. When Tabitha shows up, the sparks immediately begin to fly between the two and the attraction is something neither of them can ignore - even though they want to. EJ is a player with many women, while Tabitha is carrying baggage from her unhappy childhood. What she doesn't know is EJ possesses his sister Angela's psychic ability also and he knows Tabitha is blocking him out but he just doesn't know why.

To add to the mix, EJ's old girlfriend, Jade, accosts them on the sidewalk in front of his building and she and Tabitha get into it with EJ refereeing. After the ugly confrontation, Tabitha is too angry to even speak to him again. EJ, determined to have this woman, goes to her house and as he begins to soften her up, in walks a tall, handsome black man who Tabitha introduces as her brother. EJ is beyond angry and the battle is on again. Will they ever share their secrets with each other and make a go of it? Or will they continue to fight and hold each other off?

BENEATH THE SURFACE: The Matchmaker by Gracie C. McKeever is a hot, steamy, love story of two people who care for each other but who are never on the same page. It is the typical story of boy meets girl, boy loves girl and girl has too many issues. Tabitha is portrayed as an irritating, anal retentive, control freak who can work your nerves with her need for perfection. The characters are well developed and it is an interesting story of the ups and downs of love, with wild sex thrown in for color. If you like erotica, then this is the book for you.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Beneath the Surface: The Matchmaker by Gracie C. McKeecer is Book 1 in the Matchmaker series. This book is about Angela Calminetti, a married mother of five, the eldest sibling in the Vega clan of 6 kids, and a gifted psychic and telepath. Nothing is more important to Angela than her family and their happiness. Angela is known as the family matchmaker, and she'll do all that she can to make sure her younger sisters and brothers are happy in life and love; even if they don't want her meddling in their affairs.

The book mainly focuses on Angela's younger brother, Eric James (EJ) Vega, a former Madison Avenue ad executive who quit his corporate job to pursue his writing career. EJ gave up all of the expensive trappings that came along with his corporate job, including his expensive wardrobe. It is for this reason that his sister Evelyn convinces him that he needs a fashion makeover before he goes on his first national book tour. Evelyn recommends her personal shopper, Tabitha Lyons, to help EJ with his wardrobe. He is unaware that his older sisters Evelyn and Angela are playing matchmaker.

Tabitha Lyons is the owner of her own business, Lyons Style, Inc. If it's one thing that Tabitha knows, it's fashion. She senses success in her new client, Eric James Vega, and is determined to make his wardrobe a success. However, she is unprepared for EJ and his charmful ways and starts to fall for him, which is a problem for Tabitha because she's not used to having feelings so strong for any man.

Beneath the Surface: The Matchmaker is a good love story. However, the execution of the story is lacking in many areas throughout the book. There are many times when the story seems to miss certain details and doesn't fully elaborate on a lot of points. This often causes the reader to go back and reread passages because they think that maybe they missed reading something. The story didn't seem like a paranormal read because the gifts of Angela and EJ weren't fully developed in the story, even though they should've been. However, if you like a story with many love scenes, then this is the story for you. Overall, Beneath the Surface: The Matchmaker was a good read and I look forward to reading the other stories in this series.

Reviewed by LaShonda Bates
for Urban Reviews