Cocktail Society Book Club Read – Driven – K. Bromberg

This month, Michelle and Shannon read DRIVEN by K. Bromberg (you can already read Shannon’s review of the book here).

Rylee Thomas is used to being in control. But she’s about to meet the one man that just might make her enjoy losing it…

I am the exception to the rule.

In a world full of willing women, I’m a challenge to the roguish and achingly handsome Colton Donavan. A man used to getting exactly what he wants in all aspects of life. He’s the reckless bad boy constantly skating that razor thin edge toward out of control, on and off of the track.

Colton crashes into my life like a tornado: sapping my control, testing my vulnerabilities beyond their limits, and unintentionally penetrating the protective wall around my healing heart. Tearing apart the world I rebuilt so carefully with structure, predictability, and discipline.

I can’t give him what he wants and he can’t give me what I need. But after a glimpse beneath his refined exterior into the dark secrets of his damaged soul, can I bring myself to walk away?

Our sexual chemistry is undeniable. Our individual need for complete control is irrefutable. But when our worlds collide, is the chemistry enough to bring us together or will our untold secrets and battle of wills force us apart?

Series: The Driven Trilogy #1
Release Date: May 2013
Publisher: JKB Publishing
Source: Provided by Author
Book Club Readers: Shannon, Michelle

Book Club Discussion

What are your overall thoughts about the book?

S:  I’m a little torn over this one.  On the one hand, I liked these two characters that were forever changed by events in their past.  Neither one of them really dealt with what happened to them, they just figured out a way to move forward.  But then they were both a bit too self-destructive and at times it was a little too much to take.

M:  I loved the chemistry between Rylee and Coltan. The storyline moved along fast enough to keep you hooked, and I actually read it in a very short period of time. The boys at the house stole my heart. The author did a great job of describing the feelings of Colton and Rylee. I absolutely loved the music. I think this book shoud have a companion cd with all the songs mentioned in the book. It was awesome because there are those times when you just can’t frame the words to say what you want to say and are feeling. When you find that song that speaks for you its like magic.

Unfortunately, I absolutely hate it when books end on a cliffhanger and you have to buy the next book to see how the couple works things out. I love book series but those cliffhangers make me feel like the author is tricking me into buying the next book.

Did you like / love / hate the characters? What specifically made you like / love / hate them?

S:   We spent a lot of time in Rylee’s head. And to be honest, it got a bit depressing. I could understand her being emotionally broken. I could even understand her finding herself physically drawn to Colton and unwilling to fight the attraction. What I could understand was a woman with a psychology and social work background letting herself fall into the emotional back and forth she was in with Colton.

Colton’s demons made him poison and he was most definitely poison for her, because she wouldn’t fit into his mold. Just when I thought she might have finally had enough of an emotional slap from him, she went right back to him again.

Rylee’s actions, when it came to Colton, often had me very angry with her and not being very sympathetic when she kept going back for more. 

M:  I loved Rylee’s character. She was smart, willing to take a risk, loving, forgiving, and concerned about others. I did think that she shared too much of her history without getting enough of Coltan’s history. I wanted her to establish some boundaries early on with her and Coltan’s relationship. I think there were too many times she receivd conflicting signals and just went right back to him. When she was being warned off by a competitor I really wanted to see her give some snappy comebacks, but her comments were pretty lame. Overall, her character was great.

Coltan’s character was very generous and kind. He had some past demons, but I thought it was very arrogant and selfish for him to delve into her past without sharing some of his. I liked the open, sensitive Coltan and saw far too little of him. I even liked the brash race car driver Coltan but not the Coltan that shut down and froze Rylee out.

What was your favorite part or scene from the book?

S:  Any interaction Colton had with the boys at Rylee’s home.  You could tell he had such a connection with the boys.  He went out of this way to make them feel special and wanted.  it was obvious that was something he has been missing until he was adopted.

M:  My favorite scene was when they were together at his house and he felt like he could share his life with her and like it.  That moment when you’re with someone and you realize it’s better because they’re there is priceless.  He remembered her favorite treats.  They spend the night together and share not just sex but open up completely to each other.  It’s easy to see why Rylee loves him.  It was just so sweet.

What did you enjoy the author’s “voice” or style of writing?

S:  I didn’t mind the style of writing.  I did get tired of the characters always yelling or talking through their teeth at one another (that’s what I took the italics to mean).  

M:  I enjoyed the author’s style of writing.  She firmly contextualized the story by the addition of pop culture music.  She covered heavy topics such as child abuse, guilt, death, grief, psychological trauma, fear of commitment, and many other things.  She was very adept at touching on everything from multiple partners to bullying and inequalities in school discipline.  She wrote about of it in such an engaging manner you really didn’t feel the weight of all of it.

Is there a cocktail recipe that fits the book (story, characters, etc)?

S:  

OFF TO THE RACES COCKTAIL (http://liquor.com/recipes/off-to-the-races/)

Homemade peach-apricot-chipotle syrup takes this drink way beyond the Julep.

INGREDIENTS IN THE OFF TO THE RACES COCKTAIL
2 Shiso leaves
2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
1 oz Peach-Apricot-Chipotle Chile Agave Nectar*
Just under 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Peach bitters (Fee Brothers)
Garnish: Shiso leaf
Glass: Double Old Fashioned

HOW TO MAKE THE OFF TO THE RACES COCKTAIL
In a shaker, muddle the shiso leaves. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Shake well and strain through a tea strainer into a double Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a shiso leaf.
*Peach-Apricot-Chipotle Chile Agave Nectar

INGREDIENTS:
8 oz Water
8 oz Light amber organic agave nectar
1 tsp. Smoked chipotle chile powder
6.5 oz (half a jar) Apricot preserves (Bonne Maman)
6.5 oz (half a jar) Peach preserves (Bonne Maman)

PREPARATION:
Combine the water and the agave nectar in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the mixture is warm (do not boil), add the remaining ingredients. Stir continuously until blended. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
This drink is served at The Summit Bar in New York City.