Book Review: Unscrupulous (The Manhattanites #2)

Unscrupulous
Avery Aster
August 29, 2013

Official Synopsis:

Book 2 in The Manhattanites series

At thirty-three Warner Truman is one of the richest men on the planet, a spa mogul who buys and sells resorts at will. He holds powerful executive’s careers in his well-groomed hands. Nothing is beyond Warner’s reach…until he meets her.

Stunning, tantalizing, and perverse, Taddy Brill captivates Warner’s carnal desire like no woman he’s ever met. A self-made millionaire, Taddy is tougher than steel, more brilliant than diamonds and, at twenty-seven, she’s never depended on a man for anything…until she meets him.

The more Taddy plays with Warner’s affections, driving him to erotic heights, the more she is confronted by a dark past. But before she can love him, Taddy must meet her worst fears head-on or risk losing it all, including herself.

Review:

I decided to read this one first ahead of  the first book. There is something about Taddy and Warner’s story that wanted me to get to read the book first. Let me just say that it was so much fun there was never a dull moment when I was reading it.

Pretty much jaded at an early age, Taddy was forced to toughen up and become what she is. Only opening up to her best friends and keeping others at bay so as to protect herself from being hurt. But, she meets Warner and she is pretty much drawn to him taking her off her comfort zone. Warner on the other hand, lost his wife to cancer and was deeply affected by the loss until he meets Taddy. So, then begins a pursuit that would lead them half-way through the world until they‘re reunited. Together, they explore their relationship and then fall in love in the end.

I super loved this part of the book, that I kept re-reading it again and again…

“You’re here.
You came for me.
You kept your word.”

I am sucker for this kind of scenes, where a heroine finally realizes that despite all the messed up things that life has thrown her, there is someone who will restore your faith in everything.  Also, despite being abandoned by her family, my heart also bled for Taddy as even if it was so painful to her she still tries and hopes to re-connect with her mother who I eventually wanted to strangle at the end.

With words like Big Daddy, His Anaconda and Vajazzling, interesting characters and exotic locations Avery Aster’s entertaining, flirty, and steamy style of writing made the whole “Unscrupulous experience” a memorable one.  Overall, 4 stars ^_^

Book Review: Blind Obsession

 

Blind Obsession
Ella Frank
April 25, 2013

 

Official Synopsis:

Obsession, defined as the domination of one’s thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image or desire….

Chantel Rosenberg’s passion for music and life had never shone brighter than the time she spent in Bordeaux France. It’s a time when feelings arose and desires ran deep, a time that fundamentally changed her life.

A man living in seclusion, Phillipe Tibideau is haunted and plagued by memories he cannot disregard. Choosing to live a quiet life in his Chateau surrounded by the vineyards of France, he’s left his passion for art behind. 

However, the time has arrived to tell his side of a tale. A tale that has depicted him as a ‘beautiful monster’ and he’s finally allowing someone close.

Close enough to ask questions. Questions he’s not sure he wants to answer. Questions about her.

For up and coming journalist Gemma Harris, the pursuit of truth is what drives her and when a job of a lifetime presents itself there is nothing in the world that will stop her from taking it. Even if it does mean leaving her home for several months to stay at Chateau Tibideau, with him.

This is a story of what happens when three passionate lovers collide and the desire for truth, art and music merge.

Chateau Tibideau is a place full of unanswered questions, dark sinful desire and a beauty so hauntingly sad it will have you wondering how you will ever leave the same….

Review:

I just finished reading the book and WOW!

It is very difficult to put into words, the story that this book conveys and how it made me feel when I was reading it. It evoked such a myriad of emotions in me: anger, hatred, frustration, sadness, emptiness…It was so vividly written that most of the time I felt their pain, loss and yearning. I was a story that made you hang to each word and savor each moment from beginning to end.

After finishing reading the book, the cover now makes a whole lot of sense to me. A truly different love story that left me heartbroken but wanting more in the end. Ella Frank is a very talented writer to weave such a haunting and poignant love story that is Blind Obsession. Two thumbs-up for such an unforgettable tale of love.

5 Weeping Stars!!!

Book Review: Letters to a Secret Lover

Letters to a Secret Lover
Toni Blake
March 1, 2013

Official Synopsis:

The last thing she needs right now is a man

Lindsey Brooks had it all—an awesome job doling out advice to the lovelorn, a fabulous high-rise apartment, and a to-die-for fiance. But then she got dumped—wearing nothing but a Kiss the Cook apron—and desperate to escape, she retreats to a tiny Montana town to reclaim a family treasure. She never dreamed anyone would try to stop her – or that he’d be sexy as sin.

Too bad she finds such a hot one …

Rob Colter isn’t into relationships—but Lindsey sees Rob as the perfect guy to help her “get back on the horse.” The sex horse, that is. Unfortunately, he comes complete with a mysterious past, which gets even more mysterious when she finds his passionate letters to another woman – whose name happens to be tattooed on his chest.

And too bad he has so many secrets …

Now Rob’s dangerous past is about to catch up with them both. And if that’s not horrible enough, Lindsey is falling for him – hard. For a girl who usually has all the answers, Lindsey is up to her neck in trouble.

Review:

Surprisingly, one of the best romance books I have read in a long while. More than just a love story, it was a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness, of trust and second chances. It was so beautifully written that at times I could feel the intensity of emotions jumping out of the pages.

I loved Rob and Lindsey. Theirs was a love story so touching and heartwarming. I couldn’t help but be emotional and cry.

5 Stars…

Book Review : Forever Black (Forever Trilogy, #1)

Forever Black
Sandi Lynn
March 1, 2013

Official Synopsis:

When Ellery moved to New York with her boyfriend, she thought they’d live happily ever after in their small New York apartment. She never thought he’d pack his bags and leave because he “needed space.” With her newfound single status and fear of being alone, Ellery buries herself in her artwork and paintings until one night she helps a mysterious intoxicated stranger get home safely. Little did she know the mysterious stranger is none other than CEO and millionaire Connor Black. After finding Ellery in his kitchen the next morning and assuming she broke his #1 rule about sleepovers, he becomes intrigued, not only by her stubbornness and defiance, but by her kindness.

Connor Black, emotionally dead and damaged, that stemmed from a personal tragedy, made a vow to never love or fall in love with a woman, until Ellery Lane walked into his life by accident. After she opens up and shows him her world, Connor starts to feel emotions and feelings he never knew existed. Despite the rumors and warnings regarding Connor Black and his use and misuse of women, Ellery finds herself being drawn into his world. 

Ellery knows they can never be together because she is harboring a deep secret that could destroy Connor emotionally forever. 

Join Connor and Ellery as they embark on a journey of courage, love and strength. Will it be enough to save them?

Review:

This story is a testament to the age old cliché that love conquers all. It was nice to see the relationship developing between the two. The most unforgettable scene was Connor laying beside Elle in the park while it was raining asking “Why are you doing this?” to which Elle replied “Cause I can lay here and no one will know I am crying.” Awwwww…

This is a very emotional read. Being a cancer survivor myself, I can relate to Elle in a personal level. Believe me, fighting cancer can take a hell lot of strength both physically and emotionally and my heart goes out to Elle. 

Over-all it was intense rollercoaster ride of emotions for me.

4 stars…