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Behind the Love #2
Behind the Bar
Behind the Bar has a new cover with original ISBN-10: 1500455474
ISBN-13: 978-1500455477
HE WANTS A BREAK. SHE WANTS A RING. LOVE STANDS ON SHAKY GROUND. Susie Williams yearns for a romantic wedding with her boyfriend of five years. Reggie Barker runs from demands to marry any woman, including Susie. After the wedding of their best friends, Reggie resists Susie's hints about marrying. He suggests they take a break. An angry and heartbroken Susie kicks him down the road and into the arms of the voluptuous Sally Jean. After Susie is mugged, she discovers Reggie's gambling debt brought the thugs to Victory to scare him into paying. With her love for Reggie in doubt, she is tempted by a rich publisher and reconsiders her options. Meanwhile, Reggie starts to realize Susie means more to him than the tavern he owns, more than the gambling he's hidden, and more than any other woman he knows. But it all might be too late for Susie, who begins to unravel a mystery from a night long ago when Reggie and all the other characters played a pivotal role in her life. And before Reggie can commit to marriage, he must come to terms with a father who abandoned marriage many years earlier Both Reggie and Susie must learn to trust each other before love can ever survive a second chance. Behind the Bar is the second novel in the Behind the Love contemporary romance series, but it is also a stand-alone romance. Once you read one novel in this series, you'll want to learn more about the romances that feature sizzling attractions, dramatic confrontations, and intertwined and complicated lives. Set in the fictional small town of Victory, Florida, friends fight and love and form families of their own choosing.
ISBN-13: 978-1500455477
HE WANTS A BREAK. SHE WANTS A RING. LOVE STANDS ON SHAKY GROUND. Susie Williams yearns for a romantic wedding with her boyfriend of five years. Reggie Barker runs from demands to marry any woman, including Susie. After the wedding of their best friends, Reggie resists Susie's hints about marrying. He suggests they take a break. An angry and heartbroken Susie kicks him down the road and into the arms of the voluptuous Sally Jean. After Susie is mugged, she discovers Reggie's gambling debt brought the thugs to Victory to scare him into paying. With her love for Reggie in doubt, she is tempted by a rich publisher and reconsiders her options. Meanwhile, Reggie starts to realize Susie means more to him than the tavern he owns, more than the gambling he's hidden, and more than any other woman he knows. But it all might be too late for Susie, who begins to unravel a mystery from a night long ago when Reggie and all the other characters played a pivotal role in her life. And before Reggie can commit to marriage, he must come to terms with a father who abandoned marriage many years earlier Both Reggie and Susie must learn to trust each other before love can ever survive a second chance. Behind the Bar is the second novel in the Behind the Love contemporary romance series, but it is also a stand-alone romance. Once you read one novel in this series, you'll want to learn more about the romances that feature sizzling attractions, dramatic confrontations, and intertwined and complicated lives. Set in the fictional small town of Victory, Florida, friends fight and love and form families of their own choosing.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2015
31 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
P.C. Zick
51books144followersP.C. Zick describes herself as a storyteller no matter what she writes. And she writes in a variety of genres, including romance, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction. She's won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and fiction. Currently, crafting fiction—mostly romances—occupies her time.
The three novels in her Florida Fiction Series contain stories of Florida and its people and environment, which she credits as giving her a rich base for her storytelling. "Florida's quirky and abundant wildlife—both human and animal—supply my fiction with tales almost too weird to be believable."
Her contemporary romances in the Behind the Love series are also set in Florida. The novels in her most recent series, Smoky Mountain Romances, are set in the fictional town of Laurel, North Carolina. She is currently working on a new romance series, Rivals in Love. Join the Crandall family of Chicago as the siblings find love despite their focus on successful careers. Her Montauk Romances are set in and around Long Island and feature simple, yet sophisticated beach houses designed with romantic intent.
Civil War Journal from the 2nd Michigan contains the reminiscences of her great-grandfather, Harmon Camburn, who joined the Union Army on April 20, 1861. The book contains his journal as well as annotations about the war in general. She’s also included several appendices that add local context to the journal. This is an expanded version of Civil War Journal of a Union Soldier published in 2013.
She has written several books of nonfiction on topics from gardening to travel to memoir. Her body of work contain stories set in a variety of places. Along with writing contemporary fiction and romances and creative nonfiction, Ms. Zick is also an editor, book formatter, and publisher.
She and her husband live in Tallahassee, Florida, during the winter. In the spring, they enjoy life in the Smoky Mountains near Murphy, North Carolina, where they enjoy gardening, kayaking, and golfing. And of course, in both locations,
Ms. Zick weaves stories that share her philosophy of living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter, and passion.
The three novels in her Florida Fiction Series contain stories of Florida and its people and environment, which she credits as giving her a rich base for her storytelling. "Florida's quirky and abundant wildlife—both human and animal—supply my fiction with tales almost too weird to be believable."
Her contemporary romances in the Behind the Love series are also set in Florida. The novels in her most recent series, Smoky Mountain Romances, are set in the fictional town of Laurel, North Carolina. She is currently working on a new romance series, Rivals in Love. Join the Crandall family of Chicago as the siblings find love despite their focus on successful careers. Her Montauk Romances are set in and around Long Island and feature simple, yet sophisticated beach houses designed with romantic intent.
Civil War Journal from the 2nd Michigan contains the reminiscences of her great-grandfather, Harmon Camburn, who joined the Union Army on April 20, 1861. The book contains his journal as well as annotations about the war in general. She’s also included several appendices that add local context to the journal. This is an expanded version of Civil War Journal of a Union Soldier published in 2013.
She has written several books of nonfiction on topics from gardening to travel to memoir. Her body of work contain stories set in a variety of places. Along with writing contemporary fiction and romances and creative nonfiction, Ms. Zick is also an editor, book formatter, and publisher.
She and her husband live in Tallahassee, Florida, during the winter. In the spring, they enjoy life in the Smoky Mountains near Murphy, North Carolina, where they enjoy gardening, kayaking, and golfing. And of course, in both locations,
Ms. Zick weaves stories that share her philosophy of living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter, and passion.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 17, 2018
The blurb makes it seem like the Hero got with an OW right after being kicked out...
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September 11, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (9/11/18)!💝
June 3, 2017
Behind the Bar is the second in the Behind the Love series, and I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed the first book. Once again, it is a three-point-five star read rounded down. As with the first book, I had an internal debate of whether I was to round this one up or down � and whilst it did have more four star moments than the first book, I was still leaning more towards three stars when I stopped to think about how much I enjoyed this one.
Behind the Bar tells the story of two of the characters introduced to us in the first book. As with the first book, the story starts at a wedding, before things quickly grow out of control. Whilst the first book is a story of finding new love, this is a story of recognising the love you have. Due to this, we have a very different kind of read in Behind the Bar. I really enjoyed this change of feel, allowing us to read a completely different kind of story.
As with the first book, however, I felt as though the story had ups and downs. When I was reading a part of the story where I was interested, you could not pull me away from the book; however, there were certain parts of the book where I felt as though I was forcing myself to work through the story. Overall, the story was interesting, yet my enjoyment of the story came and went more than it should have. I think, in part, this is because I managed to work out quite a bit of how the story was going to play out. There was a lot happening within this story, yet I managed to see most of the things before they occurred. Had there been more twists, I would have been shocked a bit more. I’m not saying everything was predictable, just that I wasn’t as shocked by most events as I would have liked to be.
Despite this, I really enjoyed getting to know the characters from the first book even better. As I’ve already stated, it’s a very different kind of story. In addition to being a different type of story, the characters are also very different. Hence why I said this book has a very different feel to it. Moreover, we get to see the characters from the prior book as well, allowing us to see how their lives have progressed.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than the first book. It’s left me curious to see how the future stories play out.
Behind the Bar tells the story of two of the characters introduced to us in the first book. As with the first book, the story starts at a wedding, before things quickly grow out of control. Whilst the first book is a story of finding new love, this is a story of recognising the love you have. Due to this, we have a very different kind of read in Behind the Bar. I really enjoyed this change of feel, allowing us to read a completely different kind of story.
As with the first book, however, I felt as though the story had ups and downs. When I was reading a part of the story where I was interested, you could not pull me away from the book; however, there were certain parts of the book where I felt as though I was forcing myself to work through the story. Overall, the story was interesting, yet my enjoyment of the story came and went more than it should have. I think, in part, this is because I managed to work out quite a bit of how the story was going to play out. There was a lot happening within this story, yet I managed to see most of the things before they occurred. Had there been more twists, I would have been shocked a bit more. I’m not saying everything was predictable, just that I wasn’t as shocked by most events as I would have liked to be.
Despite this, I really enjoyed getting to know the characters from the first book even better. As I’ve already stated, it’s a very different kind of story. In addition to being a different type of story, the characters are also very different. Hence why I said this book has a very different feel to it. Moreover, we get to see the characters from the prior book as well, allowing us to see how their lives have progressed.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than the first book. It’s left me curious to see how the future stories play out.
April 12, 2015
“Behind the Bar� by P.C. Zick is the second in the “Behind the Bar� Series. After “Behind the Altar� this book brings more romance and complications to life. The day that Dean and Leah are getting married Susie’s sister Lisa returns, initiating thought processes in Susie that rock the foundations of her life.
This book focuses on the relationship between Susie and Reggie, which comes under scrutiny and threat as the past catches up with the two and their insecurities and doubts come into play. Several sub-plots add a very dynamic character to the book that makes for a very smooth and enjoyable reading experience.
While being a thoroughly entertaining romance at heart, the novel shows a writer with much insight into human nature and psychology, which makes the characters so utterly relatable and the story so much more interesting than many others in the genre. An enjoyable and thoughtful romance.
This book focuses on the relationship between Susie and Reggie, which comes under scrutiny and threat as the past catches up with the two and their insecurities and doubts come into play. Several sub-plots add a very dynamic character to the book that makes for a very smooth and enjoyable reading experience.
While being a thoroughly entertaining romance at heart, the novel shows a writer with much insight into human nature and psychology, which makes the characters so utterly relatable and the story so much more interesting than many others in the genre. An enjoyable and thoughtful romance.
October 31, 2020
This story started out quite differently than the other stories. First of all, Finn had met his mate when he was ten years old. After he finished his business in Ireland, he was going to America to find her. Surprise! His mate inherited a cottage from her uncle in Ireland & now Finn is her neighbor. This story is really intense, and the danger actually comes from one of their own. The action scenes are really intense and excitement building. Grace finds a magic of her own hidden in the caves of Ireland, changing her view of her entire world. The narrator in this series does not fail in her delivery, making the story that much more enjoyable.
May 21, 2017
This is the second book in this series by this author. Even though this is a series these book can be read as stand alone reads. This book has a lot more romance than the first book. These two characters are fantastic and the story around them is well written. This book has tension, untruths and complex relationships to help build the story. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
April 6, 2015
P.C. Zick’s, Behind the Bar, is a tale of two lovers, Reggie and Susie caught in the miasma of ghosts from the past, the shadow of childhood fears and the unrealized confusion of dissimilar hopes for the future. At the start of the story, both love each other deeply while not yet with heart and soul.
Zick’s skillful blending of tension, untruths and complex relationships has the reader enthralled as each new sub-plot unfolds. High school friends with a dark secret, a woman’s buried memories from an unhappy childhood and the emotional legacy left by parents who were themselves not whole nor healthy as adults, make it clear that Susie’s fairytale dreams were only that � dreams.
When all seems lost and never meant to be, the author brings to a satisfying close, a story of love that is, always was, and should ever be. After all, when you start from the premise that two individuals, hopelessly and irrevocably in love, is the ideal precedent for marriage, the reader hopes to the very last word that it will be so for Reggie and Susie. Find out if Susie and Reggie will also have the fairy tale wedding and life together, when you read, Behind the Bar.
Though I found many aspects of the entwined relationships to be amusing, I also found the background story to many of their problems, hang-ups and attitudes equally fascinating. There’s no bond like old team mates, and there is no bond stronger than that between sisters and best friends. I recommend this book to romance enthusiasts for many reasons. One, the author captures a setting and placement in time that is presented so that it is easily visualized. The second reason I recommend this book is that the various couplings are done with a fine enough brush that the details serve to contrast and complement the varied relationships very well. Though more for any reader than just fans of romance, the qualities which clearly mark this for a romance book are crafted with refinement and care so that any reader can enjoy the reading as I did.
T. Jones
For TJs Virtual Book Tours
Zick’s skillful blending of tension, untruths and complex relationships has the reader enthralled as each new sub-plot unfolds. High school friends with a dark secret, a woman’s buried memories from an unhappy childhood and the emotional legacy left by parents who were themselves not whole nor healthy as adults, make it clear that Susie’s fairytale dreams were only that � dreams.
When all seems lost and never meant to be, the author brings to a satisfying close, a story of love that is, always was, and should ever be. After all, when you start from the premise that two individuals, hopelessly and irrevocably in love, is the ideal precedent for marriage, the reader hopes to the very last word that it will be so for Reggie and Susie. Find out if Susie and Reggie will also have the fairy tale wedding and life together, when you read, Behind the Bar.
Though I found many aspects of the entwined relationships to be amusing, I also found the background story to many of their problems, hang-ups and attitudes equally fascinating. There’s no bond like old team mates, and there is no bond stronger than that between sisters and best friends. I recommend this book to romance enthusiasts for many reasons. One, the author captures a setting and placement in time that is presented so that it is easily visualized. The second reason I recommend this book is that the various couplings are done with a fine enough brush that the details serve to contrast and complement the varied relationships very well. Though more for any reader than just fans of romance, the qualities which clearly mark this for a romance book are crafted with refinement and care so that any reader can enjoy the reading as I did.
T. Jones
For TJs Virtual Book Tours
March 30, 2015
The first thing that came to mind while reading this story was the movie “The Breakfast Club� –except ten years later. The relationships are intricate and sometimes painful as there tends to be a lot of psychological baggage carried from teenage years into adulthood, especially when done in a group like these characters. Sometimes one must forgive and forget to move on, but in the case of Susie Williams, one must remember in the first place. Susie is a young woman who has blocked out portions of her abusive childhood, until her friends help her piece the puzzle back together. I absolutely loved these characters, especially Sally Jean, and the final conversation between Susie and Sally Jean literally brought tears to my eyes.
“Behind the Bar� is the second book in the “Behind the Love Trilogy.� If you start with this book, you’ll find the first few chapters move pretty fast, and you’ll have to figure out who everyone is. That being said, you can start with this book and catch up quickly, not feeling as if you’ve missed anything because this is a stand-alone story. I guarantee you will love this group of misfits and find yourself going back to the first in the series “Behind the Altar.� The third in the series, “Behind the Curtain,� will be released soon, and I can’t wait!
For those sensitive to adult language and situations, there is a little bit in this book, but not enough to curl your hair.
“Behind the Bar� is the second book in the “Behind the Love Trilogy.� If you start with this book, you’ll find the first few chapters move pretty fast, and you’ll have to figure out who everyone is. That being said, you can start with this book and catch up quickly, not feeling as if you’ve missed anything because this is a stand-alone story. I guarantee you will love this group of misfits and find yourself going back to the first in the series “Behind the Altar.� The third in the series, “Behind the Curtain,� will be released soon, and I can’t wait!
For those sensitive to adult language and situations, there is a little bit in this book, but not enough to curl your hair.
March 30, 2015
I love reading books in a series. We get to visit old beloved characters and see what happens with characters we met earlier. This can fail for authors, if they depart too far from the tone/mood/issues of the earlier work. But it can be a huge success if the reader gets more of the same people and places... with a twist. That's the case with Behind the Bar.
Zick manages to let readers revisit the town and characters we fell in love with in the first book of the series, but the plot is fresh and new. It's not more of the "same old, same old" that sequels can be.
She starts with the couple with the most history in the beginning of the series, and instead of them taking the next logical step in their relationship, she blows them apart. It's their journey (through their respective painful histories) from the break-up forward that draws readers in and keeps them frantically turning the pages to find out more.
I highly recommend this novel--heck, this series--to readers who love romance and the exploration of interpersonal relationships, particularly when the lead characters have to drag along such tremendous baggage. It's a fresh take on the romance genre, and one well worth reading.
Zick manages to let readers revisit the town and characters we fell in love with in the first book of the series, but the plot is fresh and new. It's not more of the "same old, same old" that sequels can be.
She starts with the couple with the most history in the beginning of the series, and instead of them taking the next logical step in their relationship, she blows them apart. It's their journey (through their respective painful histories) from the break-up forward that draws readers in and keeps them frantically turning the pages to find out more.
I highly recommend this novel--heck, this series--to readers who love romance and the exploration of interpersonal relationships, particularly when the lead characters have to drag along such tremendous baggage. It's a fresh take on the romance genre, and one well worth reading.
April 13, 2015
I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I did not read the previous book in this series, so that may be why I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters. It has a good story line, and the character building was great. However, I didn't feel like there was a lot of spark between the main couple. I didn't feel like there was much passion except when they were fighting. It is more of a sweet story, then a romance. Like a movie on the Lifetime network, it leaves you warm and fuzzy from the great ending. I really liked the characters in this book. They fight, argue, and forgive. There is a lot of love; I just didn't feel much passion. It is like the main lovers were in a rut just going about their everyday lives till there was too much frustration for it to continue to be the same old thing. I liked the story line, but it didn't suck me in. For me it was not a book that I just had to stay up all night to read because I couldn't stand to put it down, but I still really enjoyed it.
March 29, 2015
4.5 STARS!
Heartfelt small-town romance that paints a convincing portrait of what happens when a couple that’s been together forever faces challenges both from the outside and from within.
Reggie starts out as something of an a**hole. He takes his long-time girlfriend Susie for granted, has a wandering eye, and makes it crystal clear he’s not interested in marriage. Susie starts as a pushover who loves Reggie so much that she’ll do everything for him--run his business, do his accounting, make excuses for his behavior—all the while hoping he’ll finally propose.
But then a successful former classmate returns to town, setting off a series of events that drive Reggie and Susie apart. It’s a pleasure watching these two find their way back to each other--and in the process seeing both characters mature into strong people who take responsibility for their actions and learn the real meaning of love.
Heartfelt small-town romance that paints a convincing portrait of what happens when a couple that’s been together forever faces challenges both from the outside and from within.
Reggie starts out as something of an a**hole. He takes his long-time girlfriend Susie for granted, has a wandering eye, and makes it crystal clear he’s not interested in marriage. Susie starts as a pushover who loves Reggie so much that she’ll do everything for him--run his business, do his accounting, make excuses for his behavior—all the while hoping he’ll finally propose.
But then a successful former classmate returns to town, setting off a series of events that drive Reggie and Susie apart. It’s a pleasure watching these two find their way back to each other--and in the process seeing both characters mature into strong people who take responsibility for their actions and learn the real meaning of love.
April 15, 2017
From Bad Beginnings, Comes True Love
BEHIND THE ALTAR:BOOK1 had started out with the wedding of two of its minor characters. In this second book, BEHIND THE BAR:Book 2, Zick uses that same trend. Only this time the couple giving their vows are Dean and Leah, stars of Book 1. They are in love and deep bliss, but Zick moves quickly on to her next focus: Reggie and Susie, also from the first book.
While Dean and Leah are in Marital Dreamland, Reggie’s and Susie’s four-year-relationship is headed toward rocky times. Everyone agrees there should have been a marriage attached to it by this time. Yet that hasn’t happened, and therein lies the rub––for Susie, that is. She’s yearning for commitment and Reggie is reluctant to tie the knot. So why not, one might ask, when he obviously loves her? This is where Zick comes in with her ability to delve into the deeper, psychological side of things. Turns out in each of their backgrounds, parental neglect and bad behavior had played leading roles, so now, years later, insecurities and fears are rearing their ugly heads and turning both of them into “damaged goods�.
When you add to the mix four former football “heroes� pitted together for the wedding and a reunion, we learn another truth: sometimes high school “buddies� are not as loyal as they seem. Bribery, gambling addictions, and duplicity begin to swirl around all the characters, as Reggie and Susie struggle with true love versus old, set patterns. Voila! Another complex and riveting story. You did it again, Ms. Zick!
BEHIND THE ALTAR:BOOK1 had started out with the wedding of two of its minor characters. In this second book, BEHIND THE BAR:Book 2, Zick uses that same trend. Only this time the couple giving their vows are Dean and Leah, stars of Book 1. They are in love and deep bliss, but Zick moves quickly on to her next focus: Reggie and Susie, also from the first book.
While Dean and Leah are in Marital Dreamland, Reggie’s and Susie’s four-year-relationship is headed toward rocky times. Everyone agrees there should have been a marriage attached to it by this time. Yet that hasn’t happened, and therein lies the rub––for Susie, that is. She’s yearning for commitment and Reggie is reluctant to tie the knot. So why not, one might ask, when he obviously loves her? This is where Zick comes in with her ability to delve into the deeper, psychological side of things. Turns out in each of their backgrounds, parental neglect and bad behavior had played leading roles, so now, years later, insecurities and fears are rearing their ugly heads and turning both of them into “damaged goods�.
When you add to the mix four former football “heroes� pitted together for the wedding and a reunion, we learn another truth: sometimes high school “buddies� are not as loyal as they seem. Bribery, gambling addictions, and duplicity begin to swirl around all the characters, as Reggie and Susie struggle with true love versus old, set patterns. Voila! Another complex and riveting story. You did it again, Ms. Zick!
April 16, 2017
Susie Williams has been dating Reggie for years and is ready to move onto the next phase, especially once their friends Dean and Leah get married. Unfortunately that is the opposite of what Reggie wants and he ends their relationship.
As Susie tries to pick herself up and move on, friends from their pasts come back but do they have hidden agendas?
Will Reggie get himself out of the mess he has created for himself in time to figure out what he has lost? Will the truth about certain hidden secrets from the past come out and affect the future?
This story was great and there were so many secrets in this book that I couldn't wait for it all to crack open!
I thought Susie was great and I was super mad with Reggie for what he put her through. I was so mad when Reggie's actions placed Susie in danger but luckily Sam was there to pick up the pieces for Susie.
I loved how my opinions of certain characters were totally flipped around when certain secrets were revealed and it was certain things that I wasn't expecting which made me enjoy the book so much more!
Reggie got himself into a whole heap of trouble in this book and had to hit rock bottom before figuring out that he needed the right kind of help to get his life on track. I loved his friendship with Dean and how Dean was able to help him with an honest plan.
I was totally surprised with the revelations of Susie's sister, Lisa. I then completely understood why she left and but I have no idea on why she waited so long to tell Susie.
This a great series and I am looking forward to seeing what's next!
As Susie tries to pick herself up and move on, friends from their pasts come back but do they have hidden agendas?
Will Reggie get himself out of the mess he has created for himself in time to figure out what he has lost? Will the truth about certain hidden secrets from the past come out and affect the future?
This story was great and there were so many secrets in this book that I couldn't wait for it all to crack open!
I thought Susie was great and I was super mad with Reggie for what he put her through. I was so mad when Reggie's actions placed Susie in danger but luckily Sam was there to pick up the pieces for Susie.
I loved how my opinions of certain characters were totally flipped around when certain secrets were revealed and it was certain things that I wasn't expecting which made me enjoy the book so much more!
Reggie got himself into a whole heap of trouble in this book and had to hit rock bottom before figuring out that he needed the right kind of help to get his life on track. I loved his friendship with Dean and how Dean was able to help him with an honest plan.
I was totally surprised with the revelations of Susie's sister, Lisa. I then completely understood why she left and but I have no idea on why she waited so long to tell Susie.
This a great series and I am looking forward to seeing what's next!
April 29, 2017
The second book in the behind the love series stands strongly alongside the first. A truly compelling story that leaves you wanting to move to this small town in Florida just so you can follow in the live of the characters in this book. Although part of a series this story stands just as well in its own right. A great story by an amazing author. This review was written on behalf of Amo & Sarah's book
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