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Ride to Restoration by DJ Wilson
Publication Date: July 16, 2014 It's apparent, a little startling, even refreshing, to see the author, D.J. Wilson, borrowing from his own life experiences, blending life stories and maxims with compelling, spellbinding fiction.In this second book, D learns that paying it forward is not without costs, toss in Candi Parker, the girl of D’s dreams gone rogue, along with vivacious Victoria Lawson, attorney at law, who willingly steps in to fill Candi’s thong, and D’s hilarious misadventures continue across Canada. Reality sets in and the bullets begin to fly just two days after he returns to the states.
D sends Victoria away to keep her out of harm’s way, before tackling his real life demons, aka A.J. Standford, the Ponzi scheming banker who has a bounty on D’s head, and Candi’s extended family, the Gambinos, who will profit from his demise.
The romantic side of the story poses multiple questions: Will D settle for Victoria after being royally screwed by Candi or will his feelings for Candi propel him back into her life and the crime family’s ongoing chaos? Will Candi take back her sleazy ex-husband Joseph or will she somehow manage to break with her powerful family and come crawling back to D’s loving arms?
With all of this going on, there’s bound to be hell to pay sooner rather than later. Like momma always said, “When you play with fire, you’re gonna get burned.”
One dollar from each e-book sale benefits Second Harvest Food Bank and purchases three meals for those needing a little extra help.
Reviews of Ride to Restoration:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read!
Arlena Dean 5 stars Shelves: 5-stars, a-good-book, adult-read, adventure, drama, erotica, love, my-reviews, mystery, part-of-series, relationships, romance, twist, sex
Title: Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2
Publisher: Riscatto Publishing
"Ride to Restoration" by D.J. Wilson....
What was this novel about?
"In this second book, D learns that paying it forward is not without costs, toss in Candi Parker, the girl of D’s dreams gone rogue, along with vivacious Victoria Lawson, attorney at law, who willingly steps in to fill Candi’s thong, and D’s hilarious misadventures continue across Canada. Reality sets in and the bullets begin to fly just two days after he returns to the states.
D sends Victoria away to keep her out of harm’s way, before tackling his real life demons, aka A.J. Standford, the Ponzi scheming banker who has a bounty on D’s head, and Candi’s extended family, the Gambinos, who will profit from his demise.
The romantic side of the story poses multiple questions: Will D settle for Victoria after being royally screwed by Candi or will his feelings for Candi propel him back into her life and the crime family’s ongoing chaos? Will Candi take back her sleazy ex-husband Joseph or will she somehow manage to break with her powerful family and come crawling back to D’s loving arms?
With all of this going on, there’s bound to be hell to pay sooner rather than later. Like momma always said, “When you play with fire, you’re gonna get burned.”
What I liked from this novel....
First of all I will say I think it is best to read 'Ride to Redemption' book one of this author's novels before reading this one because it will explain a lots that continues on in this read 'paying it forward" 'Ride to Restoration.' Get ready for a read with a little bit of it all and you will have to keep up with it because it is easy to get lost especially who is who? This author uses a lots of narratives along with some subconscious thoughts of the different characters. The chapters will jump around from one area to another as this author will lead you on a long ride as we visit with Candice, Joseph, Victoria, and D(Jon David). Be ready for a journey of steamy sex scenes, traveling...riding the motorcycle, romance, hunts, bantering between them and even beautiful scenery described in this read as you will 'play it forward' throughout the read. So, will we learn what is going on with "that diamond story that's flooding the news channels that was making instant millionaires to so many people?" How will V come out of all of this mess he has gotten himself in...with Candi and V? Be prepared for a long read because this author will not leave anything out in his seventy some chapters.
What I also liked from this read...
The main and secondary characters were really off the chart... all very interesting, well developed and even believable as the reader gets many sides of them as you read about their present and future.
I liked the feeling of being able to seem that you were there with each of them. This was definitely a unique way of deliverance of a read given to us by the author. The are a lots of questions to all of the Ponzi scheming that is brought out in the read. I don't want to give any of this good story away so you will just have to pick up 'Ride to Restoration' to see how this author will bring it all out to the readers. Believe me it will be one interesting ride! Now, I will say a little something about the ending...yes, you will be left having to wait and see what's next in this author's Ride Series... Book 3 'Ride to Retribution.'
...
4 of 5 stars
Brenda Johnson
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ride to Restoration, the second book in the Ride series. Every time I had to put the book down; I began to wonder what was going to happen next. The characters are vibrant and bold; I found myself relating with Vic alot during this book; she is strong, independent and knows exactly what she wants and that is D. Looking forward to reading more in the Ride series
...
5 stars out of 5Carol Robart
What's real and what's not? It's interesting when an author bases a character so much on details that mirror the ones found in his biography. It makes the reader pause and wonder, "Did a lot of this stuff really happen, or is this guy just pulling my leg?" The author's name is DJ Wilson, and his character is D, full name Jon David. Coincidence? I think not. They both live in Tennessee at a place called Dale Hollow Lake, and they both have labra-doodle dogs. Their physical traits are also similar, middle-aged, greying hair, bearded faces. Are they one in the same? It's hard to say, not having a definitive answer from the author, but a strong case can be made that DJ borrows from a lot of his own life experiences when creating D's adventures. That's one thing for a sports drama or maybe even a mystery, but it takes some serious guts when it comes to erotic fiction. D does things in the novel, that some women might find reprehensible (passing a vibrator around between two women, when most wouldn't even share a toothbrush) and others would find graphically pleasing (with plenty of mouth, lips and tongue references). As a writer, he's not shy in describing his sexual tastes.
...
5 starsCity Girl Who Loves to Read http://citygirlwholovestoread.blogspot.com/2014/10/dj-wilson-ride-to-restoration-review.html
The journey taken in RIDE TO RESTORATION is like the one in RIDE TO REDEMPTION, only in reverse. This time, D is leaving his Canadian sanctuary and heading home to his lakeside cabin in Tennessee. But things are not always as they seem when his final destination changes, when danger arises. He's no longer a part of the federal government's witness protection program, voluntarily going off the electronic grid to avoid any kind of detection from the man who wants him dead.
But oh, what sights there are to be had along the way. The world's largest teepee, for one and the Northern Lights, for another. D even finds himself in the middle of a duck tornado during migration season and stuck in a tree when a mama bear and her cub come calling. Yet the isolation and long, cold winters of the Canadian wilderness quickly drive him back to warmer climates. He knows he'll miss the quiet solitude of these backwoods towns and the charming people in them, but he has unfinished business he needs to attend to.
Such as, giving up his refuge on the banks of Dale Hollow Lake—his dream house, the one he built himself. The idyllic gated community where he'd share a bottle of wine and dine with his fellow residents during their monthly get togethers—it's all over now. He can't go back home, not anymore. The Mafia knows where he lives and so does the kingpin behind bars who has a price on his head. He's no longer safe there. He has to disappear and go where nobody can find him.
But first, he has a date with destiny along the southern coast of Florida. Daytona Beach sets the stage for an epic reunion with one of his lovely ladies—the home of the elderly retirees, NASCAR fans, perpetual spring breakers and leather-clad bikers. It's a lively mix of humanity that culminates in traffic jams along infamous I-95.
A picture is painted back to D's early days when he was happily married and finding some alone time with his wife in a minivan in the hotel parking lot while their children slept soundly upstairs. The Aunt Catfish seafood shack is still there, but now the shoreline is littered with hurricane-resistant condominiums that only the wealthy can afford. D reflects on how some things change, while others remain the same, showing how the passing of time can alter a well-loved location in one's memories.
The novel spends some time in St. Augustine, making D's teeth rattle when he rides his bike over the 400-year-old cobblestone streets. He rides on to the southern elegance of Savannah, Georgia and the pristine beauty of Tybee Island, one of the few places that D can imagine himself living besides Dale Hollow Lake.
Through it all, D takes us from relaxing B&Bs where the owner treats him like family to a hunting lodge run by a professional husband and wife outfitter team to a Wild West kind of hotel whose main claim to fame is karaoke night, not its communal bathroom. Along the way, D stops in impersonal Holiday Inns and refuels in truck stops. Traveling is not always glamorous, but with bags full of stolen diamonds to pay the way, it can be, more often than not.
And of course, the food is not to be forgotten. Sometimes for dinner, moose is on the menu and sometimes it's just a six-pack of beer at the hotel bar. More often than not, mornings begin with a cup of black and green tea and a scrumptious breakfast after an early riser workout on the elliptical machines or a walk in the great outdoors. D even knows how to find a first rate Italian restaurant right in the heart of Georgia, but he's content to eat in an off the highway Subway, too.
D is a man of many tastes, willing to go with the flow and adjust to wherever life takes him. He's a lover of luxury when it comes to claw foot tubs and four poster beds, but he'll also don animal scented clothing if the occasion calls for it. He's not too proud to blend into his surroundings. He's a biker, and he knows that sometimes he'll be welcomed with open arms and other times he'll be looked at like a rebel-rouser. And he's okay with that. He's used to laying his head on a different pillow every night. That's who he is.
...
5 stars
Connie Char
He's still on his motorcycle, running for his life Jon David, the man otherwise known by the capital letter D, is a self-proclaimed masterpiece in the making. His two main goals in life are to do the right thing and to pay it forward, letting the chips fall where they may. In the second book of DJ Wilson's RIDE series, D's still on his motorcycle, running for his life from a Bernie Madoff-style crook whose diamonds he stole and freely distributed to those in need. But it's not just the packages of bling that have gotten him in trouble, but also a certain part of the female anatomy, he labels a weapon of mass destruction. He thinks he can replace his former riding partner, Candi, with his latest biker babe, Victoria, who's been wanting to get in D's pants since they met. She's game to wear Candi's clothes and mimic her moves in the bedroom, much to D's initial satisfaction. But the buzz soon wears off, and he finds himself thinking more and more of the one who got away, rather than the one currently at his side. Growing up as an overweight kid, D still struggles with self-confidence issues. Candi's rejection of him stings when he thinks about how she betrayed his trust by going back to her ex-husband.
...
5.0 out of 5 stars Adventurous
Crystal (California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
If you have not read Ride to Redemption first, I suggest that you pick it up. Ride to Restoration picks right up where Redemption drops you so it is like you never stopped reading. I found that I enjoyed this book much more than the first. It is very well thought out and very in tune with the characters. Restoration definitely is more action packed with great details and some funny moments. It is like D cannot catch a break! This book has you travelling all over the place and guessing who will D end up with in the end. You will not be disappointed with this addition to the adventure in Ride to Restoration.
...
5.0 out of 5 stars
James
It's interesting when an author bases a character so much on details that mirror the ones found in his biography. It makes the reader pause and wonder, "Did a lot of this stuff really happen, or is this guy just pulling my leg?" The author's name is DJ Wilson, and his character is D, full name Jon David. Coincidence? I think not. They both live in Tennessee at a place called Dale Hollow Lake, and they both have labra-doodle dogs. Their physical traits are also similar, middle-aged, greying hair, bearded faces. Are they one in the same? It's hard to say, not having a definitive answer from the author, but a strong case can be made that DJ borrows from a lot of his own life experiences when creating D's adventures.
That's one thing for a sports drama or maybe even a mystery, but it takes some serious guts when it comes to erotic fiction. D does things in the novel, that some women might find reprehensible (passing a vibrator around between two women, when most wouldn't even share a toothbrush) and others would find graphically pleasing (with plenty of mouth, lips and tongue references). As a writer, he's not shy in describing his sexual tastes and what turns him on between the sheets, and practically everywhere else—from hot tubs to tree stands. All he can think about is sex, which most men can probably identify with, but it can be a bit much at times, especially when he's hopping back and forth between the aforementioned two women.
But there are also parts that are sad, like when D sits down in his lakeside abode, maybe for the last time, and pens a heartfelt message to his sons. He hasn't seen them in a long time, not since he divorced their mom. He misses them deeply, even if he doesn't know how to go about reestablishing a relationship with them. The letter is by far the most touching moment in the series thus far, for its honesty and the knowledge that maybe DJ is including in the book to reach out to someone in real life as well.
The references to D writing a book chronicling his motorcycle adventures with Candi and Victoria are also sly mentions to what he's doing, as if he's winking at readers, letting us in on the joke. The allusions to Christian Grey from the FIFTY SHADES OF GREY trilogy are also quite humorous, especially when Candi teases D that he's not living up to his more dashing fictional counterpart.
The whole series begs the question, "What's real and what's not?" Are the other characters based on living, breathing individuals, too? Readers want to know. Will DJ reveal what's behind the curtain or will he deliberately keep everything shrouded in a hint of mystery, a dash of intrigue? Only time will tell.
...
5.0 out of 5 starsJBarr
Ride to Restoration by DJ Wilson
This book picks up where Ride to Redemption left off but if you've not read that one this story can give you glimpses of what happened prior. Reading the first book will tell the whole story.
After reading the first book I became mesmerized. I finally figured out why. Just the way the story is told, some narrative, some subconscious thoughts really give you a feel for the characters.
This author reminds me SO much of Nelson DeMille and how his stories are told and evolve. Love the little remarks about 'points' just as DeMille in his books.
This book starts out in Canada and Vic and D are regroupoing after Candi has left. Alternating chapters where Candi is in FL with her family and what's going on in her life while we are along for another ride with Vic and D.
Love all the nature, travel, romance, scenery as it's displayed in front of us, as if we can see it for ourselves. Love scenes and fun bantering throughout. All the new things on this extension of the journey, some new words for me to look up-love learning new words.
All the instances of paying it forward continue in this book.
I like series books but I need to read new things and this one delivers that and more. A different side to the main characters and you learn new things about them, their past, and their future.
Some series books I've read try to play catch up with the first book but they repeat enough of the backstory so that it takes up 3/4 of the new book. This book is not like that. It's all new material with just glimpses of the past so you are not left out in the dark.
Can't wait for the next one in this series.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
...
5.0 out of 5 stars The journey taken in RIDE TO RESTORATION is like the one in RIDE TO REDEMPTION
J. Summers
This review is from: Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
The journey taken in RIDE TO RESTORATION is like the one in RIDE TO REDEMPTION, only in reverse. This time, D is leaving his Canadian sanctuary and heading home to his lakeside cabin in Tennessee. But things are not always as they seem when his final destination changes, when danger arises. He's no longer a part of the federal government's witness protection program, voluntarily going off the electronic grid to avoid any kind of detection from the man who wants him dead. But oh, what sights there are to be had along the way. The world's largest teepee, for one and the Northern Lights, for another. D even finds himself in the middle of a duck tornado during migration season and stuck in a tree when a mama bear and her cub come calling. Yet the isolation and long, cold winters of the Canadian wilderness quickly drive him back to warmer climates. He knows he'll miss the quiet solitude of these backwoods towns and the charming people in them, but he has unfinished business he needs to attend to. Such as, giving up his refuge on the banks of Dale Hollow Lake—his dream house, the one he built himself. The idyllic gated community where he'd share a bottle of wine and dine with his fellow residents during their monthly get togethers—it's all over now. He can't go back home, not anymore. The Mafia knows where he lives and so does the kingpin behind bars who has a price on his head. He's no longer safe there. He has to disappear and go where nobody can find him. But first, he has a date with destiny along the southern coast of Florida. Daytona Beach sets the stage for an epic reunion with one of his lovely ladies—the home of the elderly retirees, NASCAR fans, perpetual spring breakers and leather-clad bikers. It's a lively mix of humanity that culminates in traffic jams along infamous I-95. A picture is painted back to D's early days when he was happily married and finding some alone time with his wife in a minivan in the hotel parking lot while their children slept soundly upstairs. The Aunt Catfish seafood shack is still there, but now the shoreline is littered with hurricane-resistant condominiums that only the wealthy can afford. D reflects on how some things change, while others remain the same, showing how the passing of time can alter a well-loved location in one's memories. The novel spends some time in St. Augustine, making D's teeth rattle when he rides his bike over the 400-year-old cobblestone streets. He rides on to the southern elegance of Savannah, Georgia and the pristine beauty of Tybee Island, one of the few places that D can imagine himself living besides Dale Hollow Lake. Through it all, D takes us from relaxing B&Bs where the owner treats him like family to a hunting lodge run by a professional husband and wife outfitter team to a Wild West kind of hotel whose main claim to fame is karaoke night, not its communal bathroom. Along the way, D stops in impersonal Holiday Inns and refuels in truck stops. Traveling is not always glamorous, but with bags full of stolen diamonds to pay the way, it can be, more often than not. And of course, the food is not to be forgotten. Sometimes for dinner, moose is on the menu and sometimes it's just a six-pack of beer at the hotel bar. More often than not, mornings begin with a cup of black and green tea and a scrumptious breakfast after an early riser workout on the elliptical machines or a walk in the great outdoors. D even knows how to find a first rate Italian restaurant right in the heart of Georgia, but he's content to eat in an off the highway Subway, too. D is a man of many tastes, willing to go with the flow and adjust to wherever life takes him. He's a lover of luxury when it comes to claw foot tubs and four poster beds, but he'll also don animal scented clothing if the occasion calls for it. He's not too proud to blend into his surroundings. He's a biker, and he knows that sometimes he'll be welcomed with open arms and other times he'll be looked at like a rebel-rouser. And he's okay with that. He's used to laying his head on a different pillow every night. That's who he is.
...
5 stars
Lance Morcan
A rousing good read
Sex, humor, Ponzi schemes, sleazebags, romance and travel – not to mention snappy writing, edgy dialogue and a clever storyline; this novel has it all!
In amongst the drama and action are some genuinely humorous scenes, making this a super-easy read. Love the banter and often quirky dialogue.
Highly recommended reading for anyone into escapism and a rousing good read!
...
5 starsLoren Lockner
Ride to Restoration’s narrative style may be a bit jolting at first, but one becomes quickly attuned to the varying points of view and quickly joins the fun. This is the 2nd in the series and leads right into the upcoming 3rd part of the series, ‘Ride to Retribution.’ If you liked the sexy mayhem of the first novel, then brace yourself, because the stories of the madcap adventures of D, Candi, Victoria, Joseph, and some bad guys just keeps getting steamier and more suspenseful. Recommended.
...
5 out of 5 stars If you like motorcycle adventures, hot love triangles and steamy sex scenes, then this one's for you
Mary Ann Langan
If you like motorcycle adventures, hot love triangles and steamy sex scenes This is the second book in D's adventures as he travels across Canada with a new companion, his sassy lawyer, Victoria. This Harley riding heartthrob is still on the run trying to escape the Ponzi scheming crook who put a bounty on his head from behind bars for stealing his stockpile of diamonds. D's erotic journey continues as he tries to forget Candi, his chaps wearing companion in the last book. He thinks that she betrayed him by going back to her ex-husband and reestablishing contact with her Mafia connected family. Little does he know, she did it to save his life, sacrificing their love in order to keep him alive. But when he finds out, will he stay with Victoria or go back to Candi? D is definitely an interesting character, one who mixes romance with intrigue, along with a whole lot of heart. He's the kind of guy who can't resist helping those who are down on their luck and that makes him someone you can't help rooting for. If you like motorcycle adventures, hot love triangles and steamy sex scenes, then this one's for you.
...
5 stars
Must-have
The journey taken in RIDE TO RESTORATION is like the one in RIDE TO REDEMPTION, only in reverse. This time, D is leaving his Canadian sanctuary and heading home to his lakeside cabin in Tennessee. But things are not always as they seem when his final destination changes, when danger arises. He's no longer a part of the federal government's witness protection program, voluntarily going off the electronic grid to avoid any kind of detection from the man who wants him dead. But oh, what sights there are to be had along the way. The world's largest teepee, for one and the Northern Lights, for another. D even finds himself in the middle of a duck tornado during migration season and stuck in a tree when a mama bear and her cub come calling. Yet the isolation and long, cold winters of the Canadian wilderness quickly drive him back to warmer climates. He knows he'll miss the quiet solitude of these backwoods towns and the charming people in them, but he has unfinished business he needs to attend to. Such as, giving up his refuge on the banks of Dale Hollow Lake—his dream house, the one he built himself. The idyllic gated community where he'd share a bottle of wine and dine with his fellow residents during their monthly get togethers—it's all over now. He can't go back home, not anymore. The Mafia knows where he lives and so does the kingpin behind bars who has a price on his head. He's no longer safe there. He has to disappear and go where nobody can find him. But first, he has a date with destiny along the southern coast of Florida. Daytona Beach sets the stage for an epic reunion with one of his lovely ladies—the home of the elderly retirees, NASCAR fans, perpetual spring breakers and leather-clad bikers. It's a lively mix of humanity that culminates in traffic jams along infamous I-95. A picture is painted back to D's early days when he was happily married and finding some alone time with his wife in a minivan in the hotel parking lot while their children slept soundly upstairs. The Aunt Catfish seafood shack is still there, but now the shoreline is littered with hurricane-resistant condominiums that only the wealthy can afford. D reflects on how some things change, while others remain the same, showing how the passing of time can alter a well-loved location in one's memories. The novel spends some time in St. Augustine, making D's teeth rattle when he rides his bike over the 400-year-old cobblestone streets. He rides on to the southern elegance of Savannah, Georgia and the pristine beauty of Tybee Island, one of the few places that D can imagine himself living besides Dale Hollow Lake. Through it all, D takes us from relaxing B&Bs where the owner treats him like family to a hunting lodge run by a professional husband and wife outfitter team to a Wild West kind of hotel whose main claim to fame is karaoke night, not its communal bathroom. Along the way, D stops in impersonal Holiday Inns and refuels in truck stops. Traveling is not always glamorous, but with bags full of stolen diamonds to pay the way, it can be, more often than not. And of course, the food is not to be forgotten. Sometimes for dinner, moose is on the menu and sometimes it's just a six-pack of beer at the hotel bar. More often than not, mornings begin with a cup of black and green tea and a scrumptious breakfast after an early riser workout on the elliptical machines or a walk in the great outdoors. D even knows how to find a first rate Italian restaurant right in the heart of Georgia, but he's content to eat in an off the highway Subway, too. D is a man of many tastes, willing to go with the flow and adjust to wherever life takes him. He's a lover of luxury when it comes to claw foot tubs and four poster beds, but he'll also don animal scented clothing if the occasion calls for it. He's not too proud to blend into his surroundings. He's a biker, and he knows that sometimes he'll be welcomed with open arms and other times he'll be looked at like a rebel-rouser. And he's okay with that. He's used to laying his head on a different pillow every night. That's who he is.
...
5.0 out of 5 stars A Sexy ‘You want to be a millionaire.’Oregongirl (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
Ride to Restoration’s narrative style may be a bit jolting at first, but one becomes quickly attuned to the varying points of view and quickly joins the fun. This is the 2nd in the series and leads right into the upcoming 3rd part of the series, ‘Ride to Retribution.’ If you liked the sexy mayhem of the first novel, then brace yourself, because the stories of the madcap adventures of D, Candi, Victoria, Joseph, and some bad guys just keeps getting steamier and more suspenseful. Recommended.
...
5.0 out of 5 stars "What's real and what's not?" Only time will tell., November 20, 2014
Rufus Shelton
This review is from: Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
It's interesting when an author bases a character so much on details that mirror the ones found in his biography. It makes the reader pause and wonder, "Did a lot of this stuff really happen, or is this guy just pulling my leg?" The author's name is DJ Wilson, and his character is D, full name Jon David. Coincidence? I think not. They both live in Tennessee at a place called Dale Hollow Lake, and they both have labra-doodle dogs. Their physical traits are also similar, middle-aged, greying hair, bearded faces. Are they one in the same? It's hard to say, not having a definitive answer from the author, but a strong case can be made that DJ borrows from a lot of his own life experiences when creating D's adventures. That's one thing for a sports drama or maybe even a mystery, but it takes some serious guts when it comes to erotic fiction. D does things in the novel, that some women might find reprehensible (passing a vibrator around between two women, when most wouldn't even share a toothbrush) and others would find graphically pleasing (with plenty of mouth, lips and tongue references). As a writer, he's not shy in describing his sexual tastes and what turns him on between the sheets, and practically everywhere else—from hot tubs to tree stands. All he can think about is sex, which most men can probably identify with, but it can be a bit much at times, especially when he's hopping back and forth between the aforementioned two women. But there are also parts that are sad, like when D sits down in his lakeside abode, maybe for the last time, and pens a heartfelt message to his sons. He hasn't seen them in a long time, not since he divorced their mom. He misses them deeply, even if he doesn't know how to go about reestablishing a relationship with them. The letter is by far the most touching moment in the series thus far, for its honesty and the knowledge that maybe DJ is including in the book to reach out to someone in real life as well. The references to D writing a book chronicling his motorcycle adventures with Candi and Victoria are also sly mentions to what he's doing, as if he's winking at readers, letting us in on the joke. The allusions to Christian Grey from the FIFTY SHADES OF GREY trilogy are also quite humorous, especially when Candi teases D that he's not living up to his more dashing fictional counterpart. The whole series begs the question, "What's real and what's not?" Are the other characters based on living, breathing individuals, too? Readers want to know. Will DJ reveal what's behind the curtain or will he deliberately keep everything shrouded in a hint of mystery, a dash of intrigue? Only time will tell.
...
5.0 out of 5 stars A rousing good read
Sterling Gate Books (New Zealand)
Sex, humor, Ponzi schemes, sleazebags, romance and travel – not to mention snappy writing, edgy dialogue and a clever storyline; this novel has it all!
In amongst the drama and action are some genuinely humorous scenes, making this a super-easy read. Love the banter and often-quirky dialogue.
Highly recommended reading for anyone into escapism and a rousing good read!
...
5 stars
Christine W. The Character Connection http://thecharacterconnection.blogspot.com/2014/10/dj-wilson-ride-to-restoration-review.html
Jon David, the man otherwise known by the capital letter D, is a self-proclaimed masterpiece in the making. His two main goals in life are to do the right thing and to pay it forward, letting the chips fall where they may. In the second book of DJ Wilson's RIDE series, D's still on his motorcycle, running for his life from a Bernie Madoff-style crook whose diamonds he stole and freely distributed to those in need.
But it's not just the packages of bling that have gotten him in trouble, but also a certain part of the female anatomy, he labels a weapon of mass destruction. He thinks he can replace his former riding partner, Candi, with his latest biker babe, Victoria, who's been wanting to get in D's pants since they met. She's game to wear Candi's clothes and mimic her moves in the bedroom, much to D's initial satisfaction. But the buzz soon wears off, and he finds himself thinking more and more of the one who got away, rather than the one currently at his side.
Growing up as an overweight kid, D still struggles with self-confidence issues. Candi's rejection of him stings when he thinks about how she betrayed his trust by going back to her ex-husband. All he sees when he looks in the mirror is grey hair and crow's feet, telling himself that's the reason why she left him. He tries not to dwell on the negatives in his life—how his ex-wife fell out of love with him, how he's estranged from his children, how he's had to give up everything in order to stay alive.
What he's wishing for is Mayberry, a modern day utopia where he can reside among like-minded individuals who will like him for the man he is, not what they can get out of him. He's through with self-absorption and greed. He's through with communicating through voicemails, emails and texts. He wants to live a simple life, concentrating on the people who are most important to him, and not cling to the material things he no longer desires. He even locates possible communities in Hawaii and Newfoundland that might offer just what he's looking for, if he can only get there.
Yet there's another side to D that isn't so nice. Sure, he's a dreamer, an idealist, but he can also be a bit of a jerk. He has a habit of belittling women, calling Victoria, 'Little Miss Priss' and making fun of her with his friend, Greg. He also tends to drink too much whenever he starts feeling sorry for himself. He's not above pleasing the woman he's with, but he usually only wants to fool around when he's in the mood. He even has the nerve to mess around with Victoria while he's talking on the phone to Candi. Sometimes he comes off like a know-it-all, always having the answer to everything, acting like he's the only one who knows what to do in any given situation—the right road to take, the perfect restaurant to dine in, the sure way to handle people—that his egomania can become a bit much at times.
D's a character who's flawed and readily admits it. His self-awareness is not often found in fiction and it's very refreshing. He knows that he's still a work in progress. He's a good man, who wants to be a great man, but he's not there yet. He has issues he needs to work out and internal demons he has to conquer before that can happen. He's not at peace with who he is yet, but he's trying to be. The hope is that one day he'll finally get there.
...
5 stars
The Plot Thickens http://theplotthickensbookblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dj-wilson-ride-to-restoration-review.html
It's interesting when an author bases a character so much on details that mirror the ones found in his biography. It makes the reader pause and wonder, "Did a lot of this stuff really happen, or is this guy just pulling my leg?" The author's name is DJ Wilson, and his character is D, full name Jon David. Coincidence? I think not. They both live in Tennessee at a place called Dale Hollow Lake, and they both have labra-doodle dogs. Their physical traits are also similar, middle-aged, greying hair, bearded faces. Are they one in the same? It's hard to say, not having a definitive answer from the author, but a strong case can be made that DJ borrows from a lot of his own life experiences when creating D's adventures.
That's one thing for a sports drama or maybe even a mystery, but it takes some serious guts when it comes to erotic fiction. D does things in the novel, that some women might find reprehensible (passing a vibrator around between two women, when most wouldn't even share a toothbrush) and others would find graphically pleasing (with plenty of mouth, lips and tongue references). As a writer, he's not shy in describing his sexual tastes and what turns him on between the sheets, and practically everywhere else—from hot tubs to tree stands. All he can think about is sex, which most men can probably identify with, but it can be a bit much at times, especially when he's hopping back and forth between the aforementioned two women.
But there are also parts that are sad, like when D sits down in his lakeside abode, maybe for the last time, and pens a heartfelt message to his sons. He hasn't seen them in a long time, not since he divorced their mom. He misses them deeply, even if he doesn't know how to go about reestablishing a relationship with them. The letter is by far the most touching moment in the series thus far, for its honesty and the knowledge that maybe DJ is including in the book to reach out to someone in real life as well.
The references to D writing a book chronicling his motorcycle adventures with Candi and Victoria are also sly mentions to what he's doing, as if he's winking at readers, letting us in on the joke. The allusions to Christian Grey from the FIFTY SHADES OF GREY trilogy are also quite humorous, especially when Candi teases D that he's not living up to his more dashing fictional counterpart.
The whole series begs the question, "What's real and what's not?" Are the other characters based on living, breathing individuals, too? Readers want to know. Will DJ reveal what's behind the curtain or will he deliberately keep everything shrouded in a hint of mystery, a dash of intrigue? Only time will tell.
...
5 stars
Tribute Books Mama http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2014/10/dj-wilson-ride-to-restoration-review.html
This is the second book in D's adventures as he travels across Canada with a new companion, his sassy lawyer, Victoria. This Harley riding heartthrob is still on the run trying to escape the Ponzi scheming crook who put a bounty on his head from behind bars for stealing his stockpile of diamonds.
D's erotic journey continues as he tries to forget Candi, his chaps wearing companion in the last book. He thinks that she betrayed him by going back to her ex-husband and reestablishing contact with her Mafia connected family. Little does he know, she did it to save his life, sacrificing their love in order to keep him alive.
But when he finds out, will he stay with Victoria or go back to Candi?
D is definitely an interesting character, one who mixes romance with intrigue, along with a whole lot of heart. He's the kind of guy who can't resist helping those who are down on their luck and that makes him someone you can't help rooting for.
If you like motorcycle adventures, hot love triangles and steamy sex scenes, then this one's for you.
...
5 starsTribute Books Reviews & Giveaways http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/2014/10/dj-wilson-ride-to-restoration-review.html
My Review
There are many words of wisdom scattered throughout DJ Wilson's RIDE TO RESTORATION.
"Choose substance over style."
"To have a friend, you have to be a friend."
"The newness is gone along with the thrill of the chase."
"Our lives reflect the decisions we make."
"Look beyond that which disappoints you."
"Our minds are constantly at war with our past."
"Circumstances change, forcing people to change."
These little tidbits are meaningful in of themselves, but they combine to form a powerful whole. Wilson has a deft touch for infusing his fiction with life lessons that can benefit anyone. No matter where a person's at in life, they resonate beneath the surface of the story, making it that much richer.
Sure, the novel revolves around D and the women on the back of his motorcycle, but as a character he's also a biker philosopher, a deep thinker endlessly searching for inner peace and unconditional love. He's made a lot mistakes, having to start over one too many times, making him feel like he's alone in the world, drifting along in a sea of users and hypocrites.
But it doesn't dim his optimism any. He still believes in doing the right thing and championing people in need from terminally ill children to emotionally scarred war vets. He has an overwhelming desire to make the world a better place. Oftentimes, he gets frustrated when the people around him don't live up to their potential. He gives a lot because he expects a lot in return, not in terms of a monetary value or material goods, but an exchange of the heart, a union of spirits.
That Woodstock feel good mentality extends to everyone D comes in contact with. He may be naive. He may often get duped, but he's willing to give people a chance, no matter how many times he gets burned. His ex-wife leaves him after twenty plus years of marriage. His new girlfriend steals from him and takes off. He can be a bit of a sap when it comes to women, but it doesn't stop him from reaching out to members of the female variety who happen to catch his eye. He always goes in to each new relationship with the hope that maybe this time, this one will be the one for him, that kindred spirit he's been dreaming of.
His fortune cookie style of wisdom is simply stated, but it's backed by hard won experience. He's well aware of what it's like to end up on the short end of the stick, and he'd never knowingly do that to someone else. He wants to give everyone a fair shake, considering it his sacred duty as a human being. Of course, if a person dares to cross him by endangering someone he cares about, then all bets are off. He'll defend those he loves tooth and nail, right to the end, his loyalty knowing no bounds.
D's a lover and a fighter, but that's what makes him interesting. He tries to reconcile the two sides of himself and make them into a solid individual, but at times he struggles living up to the image he has of himself, breaking down at unexpected moments when he starts to lament his past. It's only when he sets his mind firmly on the future that he's able to move past his feelings of unworthiness and rejection and grab life by the handlebars. As a biker, forward motion is where he's most comfortable, when he forgets to look in the rearview mirror and focuses solely on the road ahead.
It's no wonder his signature line is, "Let's ride!"
...
5 stars
Victoria Brown
He's used to laying his head on a different pillow every night. The journey taken in RIDE TO RESTORATION is like the one in RIDE TO REDEMPTION, only in reverse. This time, D is leaving his Canadian sanctuary and heading home to his lakeside cabin in Tennessee. But things are not always as they seem when his final destination changes, when danger arises. He's no longer a part of the federal government's witness protection program, voluntarily going off the electronic grid to avoid any kind of detection from the man who wants him dead. But oh, what sights there are to be had along the way. The world's largest teepee, for one and the Northern Lights, for another. D even finds himself in the middle of a duck tornado during migration season and stuck in a tree when a mama bear and her cub come calling. Yet the isolation and long, cold winters of the Canadian wilderness quickly drive him back to warmer climates. He knows he'll miss the quiet solitude of these backwoods towns and the charming people in them, but he has unfinished business he needs to attend to. Such as, giving up his refuge on the banks of Dale Hollow Lake—his dream house, the one he built himself.
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