Linn Random - Your Cheat'in Hearts Review

Your Cheatin’ Hearts

Linn Random delivers a contemporary, comedy of errors that shows romance can happen anytime, anywhere, with the most unlikely cast of characters.

Maggie Colter wants grandchildren and if her son, Jack, won’t find a woman to help produce them, then she will find a woman for him. Shelby MacGregor appears to be just the woman for the job. One little white lie, for the greater good of course, and Maggie’s plan is in motion.

Shelby is a private investigator that has dedicated herself to exposing the cheating hearts of her small town. She knows from experience that love is a fickle emotion. When Maggie Colter hires her to protect Jack, she reluctantly agrees; little does she know how her ordered life is going to come unsettled. As soon as the investigation begins, a runaway skateboard, a fake name, heated chemistry, and two bungling accomplices conspire to make this one case that Shelby may never recover from. Of course, when Jack is around, recovery is the furthest thing from her mind. Will Shelby rethink her mantra on cheatin’ hearts if she survives this case?

Your Cheatin’ Hearts is a quick, funny romantic tale. The characters within the story are entertaining and likable. Maggie’s plan to get grandchildren sets in motion an adventure that is plagued with comic mishaps. As Shelby deals with an unexpected turn of events in the case, readers can’t help but smile at her discomfort and Maggie’s ability to get Jack and Shelby right where she wants them. The light mystery surrounding Jack heightens readers’ expectations twofold. First, they anticipate the fallout when Jack discovers what his mother and Shelby have been up to and secondly, they can’t help but wonder if the manufactured threat against him is not so manufactured after all. Readers who are looking for some lively, bold characters on their way to love can’t go wrong with Your Cheatin’ Hearts.

Reviewed by: Amanda

Your Cheatin Hearts

Rating: 8
Review: Everyone has a meddling mother story; please I don't want to get started on my meddling mother stories. When mothers decide to meddle in our lives the results can range from disastrous to merely annoying or to those truly rare occasions where the results have a happy ending. Linn Random's Your Cheatin' Hearts is one of those stories where meddling in someone else's life can have unexpected results.

Maggie Colter is a woman desperate to become a grandmother. She has lost all patience with her son, Jack. His inability to find the right woman has forced Maggie to take matters into her own hands. She has a plan and Shelby MacGregor is part of that plan.

When Maggie approaches Shelby with the story of someone stalking her son, Shelby tries to convince her that this is a job for the police. Shelby reluctantly takes the job of following Jack Colter at Maggie's request with the understanding that if it truly becomes a "life or death" situation, that they will call the police. Shelby is uncertain how much of the truth Maggie is telling her but she knows something is going on. Being truthful or not being truthful is what her P.I. firm, Your Cheatin' Hearts, is based on, as they specialize in cheating spouses.

As circumstances unfold, Shelby finds that she is caught in a web of lies-well intentioned lies but lies nonetheless. When she meets Jack and as they come to know each other, she finds in him the man of her dreams. However, she knows that he will never accept all the lies she's told him, no matter what reasons she gives.

Jack Colter has had his heart broken before by a deceptive woman. After all these years he has met Shelby MacGregor-the one woman who believes in honesty like he does. He finds that with Shelby his heart is opening up to trust and love again. Everything should be great but things can be deceiving.

Can they build a relationship based on deceit? What is truly behind Maggie’s lies? Why is Jack being followed? Who are these men and what do they want? Can Shelby solve the mystery of why Jack is being stalked or will her heart get in the way?

Linn Random’s Your Cheatin’ Hearts, is a funny quick-witted story that had me smiling and secretly laughing. This is a story that proves that lying, even for the best of reasons, can have unexpected results. The truth is always the best policy. Ms. Random’s fast paced dialogue and sharp sense of humor has me waiting in anticipation for her next book.

Reviewed By Theresa Rhodes
© January 200

diannenogueras writes "YOUR CHEATIN’ HEARTS BY LINN RANDOM

April 2004

$4.99
Contemporary
130
5 Stars

Maggie Colter has decided that by this time next year she will be holding her first grandchild in her arms. Since her son does not see the urgency, she decides to take the matter into her own hands; but first she must find the perfect woman to be her future daughter-in-law. On her way home one afternoon she spots Shelby MacGregor out on the street in front of the courthouse. After doing a little investigation of her own, she decides that Shelby is the one. The question is how will Maggie get Shelby and Jack to meet, fall in love and start a family. Therein begins this enchanting tale…

The last thing Selby MacGregor, the owner of Your Cheatin’Hearts private investigation agency, ever expected was to find herself lying in the arms of the man she was supposed to be protecting. She is even more perplexed when Maggie decides to bring her into her home undercover as the famous romance writer Silver Lake. What starts as a benign case for Shelby,soon turns into finding herself attracted to and falling in love with her, client Jack Colter. When will Maaggie and Shelby tell Jack the truth? Will Jack forge them when he finds out Maggie and Shelby have lied to him?

The one thing Jack Colter hates more than anything in life is "lying". Jack runs the families successfulmercantile and catalog mail order busness know as Bear Creek Outfitters. Once morning on his way to work a jogger comes out of nowhre and falls right in front of his car. The last thing he expects is for her to be a famous romance writer Silver Lake. Jack is almost instantly smitten and thrilled when his mother decides to invite Silver Lake to recuperate at hter home. Shortly after meeting Silver Lake, Jack decides to do everything in his power to win her heart, Will Jack's love be able to help him forgive Siver Lake for lying about who she really is?

Your Cheatin’Hearts by Linn Random is fabulous story. Ms. Random demonstrates her extremely creative imagination and great sense of humor as she ensnares her readers from beginning to end. Ms. Random created the most endearing three-dimensional characters that give this wonderful book depth. This story is filled with allot of laughter, allot of love, and allot of sexual tension. You will fall in love with Maggie Colter, you feel sorry for Shelby MacGregor, you will rout for Silver Lake, and you will fall in love with Jack; even though, at the end you will want him to do a bit more suffering for being so dense. I truly hope Ms. Random will give us a peek at Maggie Colter holding her, FIRST, much sought after grandchild. I have highly recommended this book to several of my friends already. If you enjoyed Ms. Random’s Lights, Camera, Murder you will absolutely be titillated with Your Cheatin’Hearts, you will not be disappointed.

Dianne Nogueras
Reviewer for eCata Romance
www.ecataromance.com

Patti Fischer

Romance Reviews Today

YOUR CHEATIN’ HEARTS – Linn Random

Hendersonville, North Carolina – Present Day

Private Investigator Shelby MacGregor is hired by Maggie Colter, but not for what Shelby thinks. Matchmaking Maggie wants her son Jack Colter to hook up with Shelby, but instead tells the lovely PI that she suspects someone is following him. Shelby throws herself into the assignment, but hitting the pavement to avoid being hit by Jack’s car was not in the plan. Waking up at the hospital, she discovers that Maggie Colter has told Jack that Shelby is Silver Lake, a popular romance novelist, and convinces Jack that “Silver” must stay with them.

Once ensconced in Maggie’s home, Shelby/Silver begins to spend time with Jack, as he’s become enamored of her, and he takes the opportunity to show her around the area to be near her. Deciding it’s better to go along with the ruse to keep an eye on Jack, she does have a few problems to sort out. One is meeting a good friend of Maggie’s named Brad, who’s suspicious of Shelby/Silver to the point of hostility. Why is Brad that way? Is he a suspect? Shelby also has to avoid running into people she knows -- friends and foes. How long will she be able to keep the truth from Jack?

YOUR CHEATIN’ HEARTS refers to the name of Shelby’s agency. Her specialty is cheating spouses, but she gives into the pleadings of the sweet, elderly Maggie to follow her son. Readers quickly learn that Shelby is smart and persistent and her doggedness shows why she’s successful. When her accident happens and she wakes up to find out that Maggie is telling everyone her name is Silver Lake, she experiences twinges of guilt over the charade, but knows that it will allow her to keep an eye on Jack. You will find yourself chuckling as Shelby tries to keep her true identity a secret while doing her covert investigation.

Jack Colter is the successful as owner of Bear Creek Outfitters, and is well aware of his mother’s past matchmaking attempts. The handsome bachelor is not looking for a romance, but when he sees Silver Lake hit her head, his first instinct is to make sure she is okay, and his second is to get to know her better. He knows his mother is pushing Silver at him, and she acts strangely sometimes, but it doesn’t stop him from falling in love with her. I thought Jack fell in love a little too fast, but at only one hundred pages, a love interest happens quickly. Readers are also aware of what Maggie Colter is up to, so the real suspense doesn’t occur until late in the story.

Linn Random has once again penned an intriguing tale that blends suspense with romance. She will take you on a fabulous tour of the backcountry of North Carolina, as though you are there, too. Although readers will know right from the start what Maggie’s up to, there are soon hints of possible danger for the Colter family. In the meantime, we get to learn about Shelby, Jack, and the others around them. As for Brad’s attitude toward Shelby, it was obvious to me why he was suspicious of her. I also wondered when Shelby would finally tell Jack the truth, but fate always seemed to interfere until the climatic ending. Will he be able to forgive her and his mother?

Don’t miss YOUR CHEATIN’ HEARTS for a deliciously entertaining story that mixes romance, suspense, and humor.

Patti Fischer

Romance Reviews Today

Cupid Library 'Review

Cupid-Plot-Factor: 5 Cupids

Cupid-Romance-Factor: 5 cupids

I enjoyed reading this wonderful romantic story, which contains also a good dose of suspense and humour.

The three main characters are insightfully described. Maggie is a lovely want-to-be-grandmother who is very creative and oh so innocent when she tries to set up both Shelby and Jack. Jack is the (walking) dream of every mother in law. He is tender, sympathetic but also insistent about getting close to Shelby. It was great to read about his feelings when he falls deeper and deeper for "Silver". Shelby's character is a delightful mix of independence and at the same time longing to be loved and cherished as herself without changing for anyone.

Above all Linn Random has a terrific talent in describing the surroundings and places in a very detailed and pictorial way. For example when Shelby walks through Maggie Colter's house, it seemed to me I was there and could see everything myself.

I really like Your Cheatin' Hearts - a romance novel, which allowed me to dream and to laugh and hope to for a happy ending, it is a recommended read. This is the first romance novel of Linn Random I read but it will definitely not be the last!

Ulrike, Cupid's Library Reviews

5 Unicorns- Enchanted in Romance

Your Cheatin Hearts - Author- Linn Random

Shelby is very independent, but also has the side that wants to be loved, and needed, and to be one mans dream woman. She owns the "Cheatin Hearts Detective Agency. A new client Maggie Colter tells her that her son, Jack is in terrible danger and that he needs someone keep him safe. Maggie makes Shelby believe that she is the only woman for the job, the job of keeping her son alive and well. But what Shelby doesn't know is that Maggie, didn't hire her to protect her son, she hired her to get her son to fall in love with her and marry her so that she will finally have grand babies. She was tired of waiting to hear the pitter patter of little feet running around, so she took the matter in her own hands and found Shelby for her Son.

Jack Colter sees Shelby for the first time when she takes a hard fall in front of his SUV , she slips into unconsciousness, knowing that her undercover has been blown to sky high. Jack is a kind, strong, gentle man that so deserves to have a woman that will love him and give him all that he wants and desires and Shelby is that woman, but she also has some fire in her that is also good for Jack.

Shelby is hired by Jack's mother, that hired her to protect her son, but that is not the real reason, the real reason, is that she thought Shelby would be the perfect wife for her son. Now to get the two of them to meet and fall in love and give her the darn grand babies she so wants to have. Shelby runs the "Your Cheatin Hearts Detective Agency, and when Maggie comes and tells her, her son is in danger, she is not sure if she believes the woman. But then she sees a mysterious truck that had stolen plates was seen in the neighborhood of were jack lives, she is convenes. But she is jogging by his house to watch over him and is taken out by a skate boarder that had jumped out in front of her, and she takes a very hard falls in front of Jack's big SUV. Before she goes under she realizes that her undercover mission has been blown. She comes too in a doctor's office where Maggie lived; witch by the way is right next door to her son, Jack. Oh man it heats up after that. The story has such funny turns when the two of them are together. Will Maggie get her way? Will Jack fall for Shelby so that they can give Maggie the grandchildren she so wants? Will Shelby let Jack into her heart? And fall in love with him? Will Jack fall for what his mother set in play for him behind his back?

Oh man this story was so good. I couldn't put it down. I laughed so much while I read this book. I so love this author’s way of writing that is for sure. I cannot wait until the next wonderful, great story this author writes, because I sure know I want to read anything she writes, She is on my auto author buy list that is for sure. If you have not been lucky enough to read this book, go to buy it right now, because if you do not you will be very sorry, that is the sole truth.

Reviewed by Nicole Harvey, Reviewer-Enchanted in Romance

ROMANCE JUNKIES “Whether she is writing comedy or suspense Linn Random is a truly talented writer who is not to be missed” Dana, Reviewer, Romance Junkies

Your Cheating Hearts

Maggie Colter wanted a grandchild more than anything in the world. Since her son Jack has had no luck in finding the perfect woman for himself, Maggie has decided to find her for him. She already has the perfect person in mind now she just needs a plan to get these two together.

Shelby MacGregor liked being a private investigator, she was in law enforcement for a while but it was not for her. In the three years that she has owned YOUR CHEATIN HEARTS she has learned a lot about how to read people but Maggie Coulter was a complete puzzle to her. Maggie says her son's life is in danger, that someone is following him but Jack Coulter looked like a man who could take care of himself. Still, Maggie seemed genuinely concerned about Jack so Shelby agreed to take the job, without letting Jack know what was going on.

When Jack nearly runs over a beautiful woman he decides to take her to the hospital himself but when Shelby comes too, Maggie introduces her to everyone as the popular romance author Silver Lake. Maggie convinces Shelby to go along with her lie saying it would be the perfect plan to
watch Jack without him knowing it.

Maggie might have made the story up but it looked like someone really was following Jack, they even tried to break into his house. The more time Shelby spent with Jack the harder it became to keep lying to him. Jack Coulter had already been hurt once and he had no intention of having his heart broke again. The more time he spent with "Silver" the more he was losing his heart. Everything about her seemed perfect, like they were made for each other. When Maggie is kidnapped, Shelby's training automatically takes over as she takes charge of the scene. Shelby might be able to save Maggie but in the process will she lose Jack when he finds out that she has been lying to him all along?

YOUR CHEATIN HEARTS is a sweet, funny romance that will keep you turning page after page. Even though Maggie's approach to the problem may have been a little wrong, her intentions were good. Whether she is writing comedy or suspense Linn Random is a truly talented writer who is not to be missed.

Reviewed by Dina, Romance Junkies

Your Cheatin' Hearts - Review by Fallen Angel Reviews - Rating 4 Angels

Linn Random delivers a contemporary, comedy of errors that shows romance can happen anytime, anywhere, with the most unlikely cast of characters.

Maggie Colter wants grandchildren and if her son, Jack, won’t find a woman to help produce them, then she will find a woman for him. Shelby MacGregor appears to be just the woman for the job. One little white lie, for the greater good of course, and Maggie’s plan is in motion.

Shelby is a private investigator that has dedicated herself to exposing the cheating hearts of her small town. She knows from experience that love is a fickle emotion. When Maggie Colter hires her to protect Jack, she reluctantly agrees; little does she know how her ordered life is going to come unsettled. As soon as the investigation begins, a runaway skateboard, a fake name, heated chemistry, and two bungling accomplices conspire to make this one case that Shelby may never recover from. Of course, when Jack is around, recovery is the furthest thing from her mind. Will Shelby rethink her mantra on cheatin’ hearts if she survives this case?

Your Cheatin’ Hearts is a quick, funny romantic tale. The characters within the story are entertaining and likable. Maggie’s plan to get grandchildren sets in motion an adventure that is plagued with comic mishaps. As Shelby deals with an unexpected turn of events in the case, readers can’t help but smile at her discomfort and Maggie’s ability to get Jack and Shelby right where she wants them. The light mystery surrounding Jack heightens readers’ expectations twofold. First, they anticipate the fallout when Jack discovers what his mother and Shelby have been up to and secondly, they can’t help but wonder if the manufactured threat against him is not so manufactured after all. Readers who are looking for some lively, bold characters on their way to love can’t go wrong with Your Cheatin’ Hearts.

Reviewed by: Amanda

5 Unicorns Review by Enchanted Romance

Shelby is very independent, has a side that wants to be loved, and needed to be one mans dream woman. She owns the "Cheatin Hearts Detective Agency and one day she has a woman, Maggie Colter come and tell her that her son, Jack is in terrible danger and needs someone to keep him safe. Maggie makes Shelby believe that she is the only woman for the job, keeping her son alive and well. What Shelby doesn't know is that Maggie didn't hire her to protect her son, she hired her to get her son to fall in love with her and marry her so that she will finally have grand babies. She was tired of waiting to hear the pitter patter of little feet running around, so she took the matter in her own hands and found Shelby for her Son.

Jack Colter sees Shelby for the first time when she takes a hard fall in front of his SUV, slipping into unconsciousness. He is a strong and gentle man that so deserves to have a woman that will love him and give him all that he wants. Shelby is that woman but she has some fire in her that is also good for Jack.

The story has such funny turns when the two of them are together. Will Maggie get her way? Will Jack fall for Shelby so that they can give Maggie the grandchildren she so wants?

Oh man this story was so good. I couldn't put it down. I laughed so much while I read this book. I so love this author’s way of writing and cannot wait until the next wonderful, great story this author write. If you have not been lucky enough to read this book go to buy it right now because if you do not you will be very sorry that is the sole truth.

Reviewed by Nicole http://www.enchantedinromance.net/Staff.htm

Your Cheatin' Hearts

Cupid-Plot-Factor:
4.5 cupids

Reviewer: Ulrike

Take a resolute but also endearing want-to-be grandmother who thinks her only chance to get grandchildren is to find a woman for
her son herself and you get - Maggie Colter! Maggie Colter wants grandchildren and she wants them at any cost. Because she
thinks beautiful PI Shelby MacGregor is the perfect match for her son she hired her under false pretences. She pretends that
someone is following her son Jack.
While surveying Jack Colter Shelby has an accident and loses consciousness. Shelby awakens again at the doctor's examination
room and is surprised to hear Maggie telling everybody, including Jack, that she is Silver Lake, a famous romance author.
After Maggie introduced her as Silver Shelby plays along with the scheme but also insists in revealing the truth to Jack. Though
Maggie succeeds again and again to protect it. Therefore, Shelby poses as Silver and continually gets into comical situations when
she tries to keep her cover. Of course she has no idea about "her" books or tries to hide when she accompanied Jack to a
romantic dinner but instead stumbles into the annual law enforcement association meeting with all her former colleagues.
Jack and Shelby both suffer from the pain of having cheating former partners. Jack mistrusts all women and Shelby thinks her
business ranks first and promised herself she would never fall in love again because she would never be ready to love again. But
both are attracted to each other at first sight. Jack thinks Shelby is the perfect woman for him and falls in love. Shelby falls for Jack
as well. She is not able to resist his good looks, his humour, his tenderness and gentle manners when he woos her. Because
Shelby has to pretend to be Silver Lake and to lie to Jack she feels pangs of conscience and thinks Jack will never forgive her
when he finds out the truth about her.
But then real danger in the form of two escaped convicts shows up.
Will Shelby be able to protect Jack and Maggie? And will Jack still trust and love Shelby when he learns her true identity and that
Maggie and Shelby set him up?

I enjoyed reading this wonderful romantic story, which contains also a good dose of suspense and humour.
The three main characters are insightfully described. Maggie is a lovely want-to-be-grandmother who is very creative and oh so
innocent when she tries to set up both Shelby and Jack. Jack is the (walking) dream of every mother in law. He is tender,
sympathetic but also insistent about getting close to Shelby. It was great to read about his feelings when he falls deeper and
deeper for "Silver". Shelby's character is a delightful mix of independence and at the same time longing to be loved and cherished
as herself without changing for anyone.
Above all Linn Random has a terrific talent in describing the surroundings and places in a very detailed and pictorial way. For
example when Shelby walks through Maggie Colter's house, it seemed to me I was there and could see everything myself. I really like Your Cheatin' Hearts - a romance novel, which allowed me to dream and to laugh and hope to for a happy ending, it is a
recommended read.
This is the first romance novel of Linn Random I read but it will definitely not be the last!
Cupid's Library Reviews

Linn Random,author,romance,mystery,suspense novelist,e-books