This Could Have Been Our Song! (Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series - #1) by Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba

  This Could Have Been Our Song! A coulda

 woulda shoulda ballad… 

  Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series  - #1

©      Author – Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba

©      Genre – Contemporary Romance

©      Publication Date – January 18^th 2013

©      Publisher – Ever After Edition

©      Cover Artist – Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba

Book one:

Love can be such a “coulda, woulda, shoulda” song sometimes…

Lucia Mpobo-Riddell could have been a dancer like the rest of women of her family but instead she chose music. Marcus Grant could have been a doctor like the rest of his family but instead he chose music. She also could have not fallen for Marcus on her birthday but she did. And Marcus, he could have told Lucia the truth about his real reason for being in Toronto that night, but he didn’t. Now they have to deal with big reveals and consequences: Marcus almost stealing her job and being force to work on an album together. Marcus, because he couldn’t swallow his pride, leaves Toronto and goes home to London. Lucia, because she just couldn’t give up on her first amazing opportunity to produce a whole album. And to complicate the situation further, the band they’re working for is not the easiest one. Mary Gillis, Marcus’ on and off flame, still has a hold on him. Greg McMullen, Lucia’s close friend and former dance partner is back in town and has been in love with her for years. Then there’s Marcus and Lucia, in the middle of their own a professional and personal tug-of- war with each over and the rest of the world. But maybe things could still work out… All things considered, this could have been one heck of a love song!

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Excerpt

LUCIA

I’m almost halfway down my Frappuccino when I see Greg coming out of the theatre. He’s late and he isn’t wearing his workout outfit but a loose pair of jeans and a dark, thin hoodie. By the time he reaches me across the street, he’s made at least ten heads turned, men and women alike.

“Hi, handsome specimen.” I hand him his drink.

“Hi, yourself,” Greg answers and sit down next time. “Sorry I took a shower after rehearsal.” He eagerly starts to drink his Frappuccino. “Delicious…just like you, beolkku.” He’s kissing my neck.

“You shouldn’t have. I’m just walking you home.” I get off the bench and stretch. Today is a perfect day for a walk downtown. “I almost forgot what happens each time I’m outside with you.”

 “What does happen?” Greg asks, putting his arm around my hips and lightly pushing me.

“Umm…let’s see,” I say, staring back, and another woman is smiling at him. “The entire city, straight and gay combined, are ogling you.”

“Oh…that,” he laughs. “I could say the same about you, Lulu.”

“So how are rehearsals going?” I ask. I’m taking his hand while walking west on King Street. His condo is just off Tecumseth Street.

“Well, it does help that we’re in our fourth month. But our stage here is smaller so I had to make a few adjustments,” he says, finishing his drink. Greg was already famous worldwide for his choreographies and own performances. But with a show of this magnitude, he raised his own stake.

“I’m so proud of you, Greg,” I tell him.

“I’m proud of you too. Getting out there on your own wasn’t an easy decision but you made it and I’m sure only good thing will come out of it,” he says before we cross the street. The happy hour crowd is not out just yet but the King West restaurants are getting ready.

“It’s not a hundred dancers and three-hour shows but we’re getting there…or not,” I joke.

“You got my sister’s vote. She and Michael really hit it off last week. I think they’re going on their fifth date tonight.” he says. He turns and looks at me. “Should this bother me?”

“You liked him, remember; you sent me there,” I tease. I have no idea what brothers should feel. I only have my sisters and we tend to encourage the naked policy.

“Yes, but not her!”

“He’s a good guy, Greg. I’m sure he likes her at least as much as she so obviously likes him,” I giggle. Kathie in love is always adorable. I wish her the best. “Axelle’s pregnant; she told us yesterday. So next summer I’m going to be an aunt for the third time,” I tell him with a big smile. We’re turning south on Tecumseth Street and the walk is almost over. I’ll take the streetcar back to the subway station.

“Congratulation! That’s great news! Which reminds me…” He takes an envelope out of his hoodie pocket. “I have your tickets for the premiere.”

“We could have paid for them, you know,” I tell him and check the tickets; six to be exact. Annie will be able to come with us as well. “Those are great seats. Thank you, Greg.” I kiss him on the cheek.

“You will pay; I expect you there at least once a week,” he says, touching his cheek.

“Your show is here until late January!” I’m completely shocked. I’ll be there, front row.

“You’ll be there…” he says. We’re getting to his building.

“Singing and dancing my ass off!” I say in his lobby. I haven’t been here this year yet. Have I been so out of it this year? “It was a great walk. I’ve missed doing that with you,” I tell him and I sincerely do.

“I just plain missed you, my yeppeun¹⁷ Lulu.” He’s caressing my cheek and making me blush.

Making me blush? “Please! You’re the handsome, perfect specimen,” I tell him. [17. Beautiful]

“That sounds like I’m irresistible,” he says softly and it’s making me feel warm inside.

Making me feel warm inside? “Duh…since the academy, no woman has ever been able to resist you,” I say.

“There has been at least one woman immune all this time,” he murmurs before kissing me. I know this type of kiss; I gave one for the first time on Noor’s wedding day. But this is the first time that anyone’s given one to me.

“Greg…” I manage to mumble when he finally releases my lips. I didn’t ask you to stop!

“Not that immune after all, Lulu,” he says against my mouth.

 No one could be immune after a kiss like that given by a man who looks like Greg. When he starts kissing me again, I kiss him back. I’m not leading him on; I really want to explore this. I’m not leading him on…

The Book Official Soundtrack

Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series - Fictional Cast

Jessica Szohr asLucia Mpobo-Riddell and  Garrett Hedlund as Marcus Grant

Daniel Henney as

Greg McMullen

The Sisters Antonia Thomas and Jennifer Beals 

Beesly&Matt Marsh Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper

For the rest of the cast click on the Pinterest logo...

My review (originally posted in May, 2013)

This novel made me wish I could live in Toronto, dance, produce music, play guitar and bake mouth-watering pastries in under an hour while surrounded by the coolest multi-ethnic cast I have ever read about. In other words, Lucia Mpobo-Riddell is my newest hero.

When we meet Lucia- Luce/Lucita/Lulu- she’s just embarked on what’s going to be a stormy relationship with London-based producer Marcus Grant. Taken together, they’re an interesting study in human potential: Lucia lost both of her parents when she was very young, but she’s taken her grief and channeled it into all of her creative outlets. Marcus, born with an equal amount of talent but blessed with loving parents, has achieved respect in his chosen profession but is still thisclose to being great. The reader quickly understands that it’s Marcus who can’t get out of his own way, but like Lucia- and his family and friends- we’re rooting for him to do the right thing.

Like Lucia’s sisters, I alternated between wanting to punch Marcus, wanting him to make Lucia happy, and wanting him to walk away because he just wasn’t good enough and he’d had his chance. Just when those feelings peaked, in walked the equally compelling (and more accomplished) Greg McMullen. He’s “all that”, and he treats Lucia like gold. But even though I’m squarely on Team Greg, I can understand why Lucia still isn’t entirely done with Marcus. (But here’s hoping she comes to her senses in the sequel!)

As much as I enjoyed Lucia, Marcus and Greg, I also appreciated the large supporting cast, particularly the close knit family members that are like best friends and the best friends who are so close that they're like family. But not everyone is milk and honey: the sins of Lucia's mother and grandmother loom large over the lives of their family members, and it's heartbreaking how much Lucia and especially her sister Noor still pine for their parents' love. While the tone of the novel is mostly adventurous and fun, these reminders ground the piece.

Plenty of humor here, but the funniest line is “I’m taller, my eyes are green and I too speak fluent Korean.” So take that!

Highly recommended.  

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