LIFE, ROMANCE AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS

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Sunday 28 February 2016

Review: The Italian's Ruthless Seduction (Rich, Ruthless and Renowned #1) by Miranda Lee

The Italian's Ruthless Seduction (Rich, Ruthless and Renowned #1)The Italian's Ruthless Seduction by Miranda Lee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2,5 stars

I don’t often read books by this author but decided …why not!!!
The Italian’s Ruthless Seduction by Miranda Lee was not an exciting story for me.

Sergio Mancini has always wanted his stepsister, Bella but had never given in to his feelings because he thought her to be a gold digger like her mother, who had married his father for money and left him broken-hearted.

When Bella asks Sergio to help her escape the paparazzi…..she’s since become a famous actress/singer…..she goes to his family home in Lake Como.

Sergio decides that this time he will give in to his attraction to Bella.
I kind of found Bella rather likeable……even though she has gone through a lot of guys in her life……….hey, wait, I am not a prude……..but I totally understand her falling for Sergio………after all, he’s the first man to ever give her an O……..!! And yes, I liked Sergio too!!!

This wasn’t exactly an awful book………..it was more like just OK….certainly not one that I will ever reread again.

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Review: Bound to the Tuscan Billionaire by Susan Stephens

Bound to the Tuscan BillionaireBound to the Tuscan Billionaire by Susan Stephens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

BOUND TO THE TUSCAN BILLIONAIRE by Susan Stephens is the 17th book in the One Night With Consequences Series is an engaging and sweet love story – Cinderella meets her Prince.

Cassandra Rich, daughter of a famous and amoral rock star, orphaned and left penniless at a young age, she has, with the help of her godmother, found the perfect job as a gardener on a beautiful estate in Tuscany, owned by the rich Italian businessman, Marco de Fivizzano.
He’s strangely attracted to Cassandra, the total opposite of the type of women he usually dates and beds. He persuades her to attend a society function as his date…..things heat up between them which results in a much unexpected pregnancy.

These two have a lot of emotional baggage to deal with. I loved how compassionate Cass was towards Marco. Despite the awful life she’s had, she hasn’t let it get her down. She believes in love and in giving…………

Interesting story line, engaging characters and fantastic settings.

An enjoyable read.


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Review: The Secret That Shocked De Santis (The Throne of San Felipe #1) by Natalie Anderson (Goodreads Author)

The Secret That Shocked De Santis (The Throne of San Felipe #1)The Secret That Shocked De Santis by Natalie Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2,5 stars

In The Secret That Shocked De Santis by Natalie Anderson, Army lieutenant and daughter of a General in the small Mediterranean kingdom of San Felipe Stella Zambrano has spent her life trying to please her father and is determined to make him proud of her achievements.
But her life is thrown upside down from the result of her one night…no, make that one day stand with the country’s charming playboy prince.

Three months after giving her virginity to the prince on a deserted beach, she finds herself…pregnant!!! Don’t these people know about protection???? Anyway, this unexpected shock has Stella in a position of note. If she tells Prince Eduardo de Santis about the baby…. He will demand she marry him to ensure that the little “one” will be one of the country’s legitimate heirs…but worse than that…what about her career????

I struggled to get into this book. Whilst I liked in the beginning was that the heroine had an interesting career, that she was tough and feisty…but when she falls pregnant, she becomes this emotionally messed up woman.

I found Eduardo very charming and likeable albeit a bit too alpha at the start. I found it rather touching when he takes Stella to a special place for their first night of “nuptials.”

I thought in the end that the two made quite a cute couple – I would have liked to have felt more chemistry between them at the beginning….somehow the passion ignites almost at the end of the story.

This is an okay read for me……..



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Saturday 27 February 2016

Review: Awakened by Her Desert Captor by Abby Green (Goodreads Author)

Awakened by Her Desert CaptorAwakened by Her Desert Captor by Abby Green
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1,5 star

I am beside myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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A first time that I just couldn’t get into a story written by Abby Green, my favorite Mills and Boon author!! How was this possible?

Now, I could say ..because I am not into desert sheik books….but hey, I’ve read some of those by her which I enjoyed, but her latest, Awakened by her Desert Captor was a total and I mean a total miss for me!!!!

A stripper/burlesque dancer and a desert sheik ostracized by his family, who are “into” each other the first time they meet. He’s due to marry her sister for society acceptance and she thinks he’s not right for that position.
She stops the wedding…..that was a pretty good part and that’s the only reason for the 2 star rating here!!!

Hero thinks heroine is a slut for dancing in scant clothes in some Paris club….Heroine thinks he’s a total loss!!!
He kidnaps her and takes her to his desert oasis tent where he plans to punish her….i.e. have loads of sex….and send her off on her way.

She does a couple of sexy dances for him inside the opulent tent, he discovers she’s……………no, no no spoiler here…..see, her boss, the club owner knew the heroine’s mother, who just happen to have been a burlesque dancer in her heyday and because he liked her mother allows the heroine to dance in the show without having to disrobe and show off her body in total!!!! Really!!!! Can I really believe this????
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I almost gave up before the ending…maybe I should have because the epilogue was beyond naff!!! The heroine’s sister’s secret revelation!!!! Made no sense to me at all!!!

Look, if you are a lover of desert sheikhs….you will probably like this one. But for me……..sorry my darling Abby Green……….I couldn’t love this one!!!

However, I am looking so forward to your next book!!!

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Thursday 25 February 2016

Review: The Final Seven (The Lightkeepers, #1) by Erica Spindler (Goodreads Author)

The Final Seven (The Lightkeepers, #1)The Final Seven by Erica Spindler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read quite a few books by Erica Spindler, which have been mostly in the romantic/suspense genre.
The Final Seven, the 1st book Erica Spindler’s latest The Lightkeepers Series is a bit different from what I have read by her in the past, which have been more in the romantic/suspense genre.

This series has a supernatural/paranormal “touch”. A group of people, working for a task force named Sixers, who have special abilities to fighting crime and evil.

The first book lays the foundation to the world of this group. Characters that will play a huge part are introduced, such as Micki, the tough cop who is partnered with Zach, one of the Sixers.

This is a well-written, taut and suspenseful plot, with so many twists and turns that grab you from the start. You just keep turning the pages…unable to put the book down.

I liked the paranormal and the romance and suspense elements a lot. In fact, I was pretty hooked and I am so looking forward to the next installment.


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Wednesday 24 February 2016

Review: Castelli's Virgin Widow by Caitlin Crews (Goodreads Author)

Castelli's Virgin WidowCastelli's Virgin Widow by Caitlin Crews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2,5 stars

Unwrapping The Castelli Secret, by Caitlin Crews ….my review https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
here……was Rafael Castelli’s book and CASTELLI’S VIRGIN WIDOW is the follow up of Luca Castelli, his younger brother’s story.

Wow!! The Castelli men really keep things in the family!!!! Rafael finds his HEA with his stepsister and now we have Luca making eyes at his ……..stepmother!!!!! And if I thought Rafael was an ass how he behaved towards Lily……hell, he was an “angel” compared to how Luca treats Kathryn, their father’s young….and I mean very young…she’s in her twenties and their father in his 80”s….(shades of Ann Nicole Smith and J Howard Marshall!!!!).

Luca is beyond furious when he discovers that in terms of his father’s will, he will have to work with the evil and gold digging stepmother!!! Horrors!!! He spends almost 80% of the book being a total bastard. He’s disrespectful, calls her a whore, and tries to sabotage her position in the family winery …..in between all of that, he finds himself attracted to her…..no, he’s not falling in love with her!!! He just wants to “bang” her….anyway, he doesn’t believe in love because???? No one has ever loved him!!!! Really!!!!!!

Kathryn was the only reason I finished this book. I found myself really liking her a lot. She stood up to Luca, had a backbone and even though she did slap Luca’s face once – she should have smacked it more times, I felt – she never lowered herself to his level. I liked her determination and grit……….just wish she had kicked her horrible mother’s butt sooner!!! Talk about a mother from hell!!!

As Luca begins to getting to know Kathryn, he thinks he may have been wrong about her…after all, she was a virgin and he was her “first” one!!!! But no, he reverts back to his “whorish” comments once again….on and on…..
“Kathryn….give this guy a miss, please! You’re too good for him.” I kept saying that over and over again!!!
But no, the girl is just too good!!! Me, I would have kick him out ……….let me tell you that there was no groveling on his part…..he kept making excuses for his loathsome behavior!!!! His arrogance!!!
His term of endearment for Kathryn is “cucciola mia”……my little doggie/puppy!! Kathryn is not crazy about it…..”I don’t think you have a choice!!!!” he tells her!!!!!

Luca Castelli has to be one of my least favorite heroes of the Mills & Boon books I have read!!!

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Monday 22 February 2016

Review: The Consequence He Must Claim by Dani Collins (Goodreads Author)

The Consequence He Must ClaimThe Consequence He Must Claim by Dani Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THE CONSEQUENCE HE MUST CLAIM by Dani Collins is a brilliant follow-up to the 1st book in this duet, The Marriage he Must Keep……see my review here… https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... and where we first met Sorcha Kelly, whose baby boy had been temporarily swapped with Octavia’s baby….we now have her own story.

Sorcha had worked as Cesar Montero’s PA for over three years in Spain and one night both give in to their desire for each other. The following morning Cesar is involved in an accident which leaves him with amnesia. When Sorcha tries to see him at the hospital, she’s refused entry and told by his family that he’s engaged to be married to another woman.

Heartbroken she goes back home where she discovers that her night of passion with Cesar resulted in a pregnancy.
When the baby mix-up happens at the hospital, Cesar is contacted and told about Sorcha and their newborn baby boy.

Wow, this is a pretty intense and emotional story. I felt sad for Cesar….his family are cold and emotionaless and the only thing they care about is money and their position in society…..they are also manipulative and feel absolutely nothing about anyone.

Well-written and fresh story-line, engaging characters. I found Sorcha and Cesar so likeable and endearing….and of course…little baby Enrique!!!
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I really loved this mini-series and highly recommend it to anyone who loves Happily Ever After stories!!!

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Review: The Marriage He Must Keep by Dani Collins (Goodreads Author)

The Marriage He Must KeepThe Marriage He Must Keep by Dani Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Marriage He Must Keep by Dani Collins, is the 1st book in her The Wrong Heirs Duet. The storyline is rather a unique one. Two babies who are swapped at birth – by mistake or planned? Thankfully both mothers know which baby belongs to whom!!!
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Alessandro Ferrante had entered into a marriage of convenience with the sweet and endearing heiress Octavia, which had benefited both of them. But when Alessandro sends her to live alone in London, Octavia begins to feel lost and alone and pregnant. During her pregnancy, Alessandro never visits her and she’s left in the care of his aunt and cousin.

Octavia nearly dies giving birth and even worse, discovers that her baby son had been deviously swapped with another baby born at the same time, by a very wicked family member of Alessandro.
I loved Octavia. photo 673c648d0a1b907522e60dd5ba08955c_zpsee06cc62.jpg She was an endearing and very likeable character. Her growth and confidence from the shy and innocent person she had been to becoming a strong, take not sh….t from anyone….Alessandro and his family included.

Poor Alessandro!!! Yes, he’s sexy, rich…gorgeous…..he’s Italian…you know what I mean!  photo images_zpsononpg1n.jpg But is he a sucker for punishment!! He takes his responsibilities seriously when it comes to family….but when someone he trusted betrays him, almost having him lose Octavia and his son……….! I did find the reasons he gave Octavia for sending her away a bit OTT!!!! But never mind……….he did have to work hard at getting her back…yes, a lot of groveling from him!!!

This is a story filled with family secrets, betrayals, lies….but also with emotions and love….. with the sweetest ending!!!! Octavia, Alessandro & the cute baby Lorenzo!!
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Yes, Sorcha and baby Enrique’s story is nicely set up for the next book!!! Can’t wait!

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Sunday 21 February 2016

Review: Illicit Night with the Greek by Susanna Carr (Goodreads Author)

Illicit Night with the GreekIllicit Night with the Greek by Susanna Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Illicit Night with the Greek by Susanna Carr is the 15th book in the One Night with Consequences Series.

This was an emotionally moving and touchingly heartbreaking story.

Stergios Antoniou and his stepsister, Jodie Little share a very sad and heart rending past and meeting up again after not seeing each other for many years, brings the feelings they have for each other to surface again.

I detested Stergios at first – his behavior towards Jodie was so ruthless and despicable and abusive. How cold and heartless he was………… And how my heart cried for Jodie………..
“I trusted you but you took advantage of the love I have for you.” More tears spilled over her lashes. “You know my history. You know how miserable I was having no family connection, hating how I was forgotten and invisible. And yet you did the same to me as my parents.” – Jodie
Her uncaring parents – I shudder to think that anyone could ever have a father and mother like hers…….. who never showed or given her any love in her life……and all she wanted was to be part of a loving family. Heart- totally-breaking.
One of the things I liked about Jodie was that despite not ever having a loving family, she never gave up of finding and making one for herself.

What made this story believable for me was the complexity and build-up of the plot and the character development. Stergios and Jodie will have to overcome a lot of past and present issues before they are able to finding true happiness together……
“I choose you, Jodie.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer.
“I can’t live without you. I don’t want to anymore.” His hand tightened in her hair. “I love you, Jodie.” - Stergios
Jodie and Stergios’s HEA is wrapped up in a really lovely epilogue.

A good addition to this series.

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Review: A Deal Sealed By Passion by Louise Fuller

A Deal Sealed By PassionA Deal Sealed By Passion by Louise Fuller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, talk about a “hot” beginning…………..
”His lean, dark features tightening, he shifted his gaze and stared down dispassionately at the naked women sprawled over both him and one another in the emperor-sized bed. They were beautiful and wanton and idly he tried to remember their names. Not that it mattered. He would never see either of them again. Women had a tendency to confuse intimacy with commitment but he liked variety and anyway the 'c' word was simply not part of his vocabulary.

The brunette shifted in her sleep, her arms flopping onto his chest. Feeling a spasm of irritation, he reached down and lifted the tangle of limbs away from his torso and onto the rumpled sheets before rolling over and out of the bed.

His breathing quiet and measured, he stood up and began to pick his way between the shoes and stockings strewn across the soft pale grey carpet. In front of the huge panoramic window that covered the length of the apartment he noticed a half-empty bottle of champagne and, leaning over, he picked it up.

'Happy Birthday, Massimo,' he murmured and, lifting it to his lips, he tipped it up.”
Page 1 of Louise Fuller’s novel, A Deal Sealed by Passion!!!! And the heat continues!!!

Italian Massimo Sforza, sexy, rich and ruthless tycoon does not do love, emotion or commitment!!! What he does love is winning over his enemies and having a lot of gorgeous and beautiful women in his bed, on his own terms…great sex and nothing more.
”Behind him, one of the women moaned softly, and he felt a frisson of lust shudder over his skin. Besides, right now, he was more interested in vice than virtue.

Savouring his body's growing arousal, he glanced at the sky. It was nearly dawn. The project meeting was scheduled for that morning. He hadn't been planning to attend—but what better birthday present could there be than hearing first-hand that the last remaining obstacle had been removed? And that work on his largest and most prestigious resort ever could finally begin.

His eyes narrowed as the blonde lifted her head, her lips curving into a suggestive pout. Coolly, he smiled back at her. Perhaps there was one thing…

He watched the brunette uncurl and stretch lazily and began to walk back to the bed.”
But Massimo is about to find his life changing in ways he never imagined, when he meets Flora Golding, the person standing in his way to obtaining his latest acquisition.

I found Massimo and Flora rather appealing and enjoyed seeing them come together. Their interaction and sparkly dialogue was totally fabulous …….and I loved seeing the passion and chemistry build up.

I relished the colorful and vivid descriptions of the Sardinia setting…the old and slightly crumbling palazzo and the gardens just added such magic to the story.

I’ve seen comments about the heroine not being a virgin………okay, I am not crazy about a wanton and loads of sex partners before she meets the hero…..but to be honest…..how many heroines are virgins in 2016???? I don’t mind a non-virgin most of the times so Flora not being one didn’t bother me………she wasn’t exactly a slut!!!!

This is the 1st book I’ve read by this author, which I enjoyed…. and I will be on the lookout for any others that she has written.

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Monday 15 February 2016

Review: Catch Me (Detective D.D. Warren, #6) by Lisa Gardner (Goodreads Author)

Catch Me (Detective D.D. Warren, #6)Catch Me by Lisa Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a reread!!
Everyone has to die sometime. Be Brave

This is one of the messages the killer leaves behind!!

The opening chapter of Catch Me, the 6th novel in Lisa Gardner’s Detective D.D. Warren Series is like a punch on your chest!! It’s so horrifying and so dark……An 8 year old girl is stabbed by her insane mother, who is trying to set fire to their home with her baby sister inside, manages to knock out the mother and save her sister.

Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant survives the terrible things her mother had done to her when she’s taken in by her aunt.

Twenty years later, Charlene has moved to Boston and works as a police dispatch officer. The reason she left her home in New England was to ensure the safety of her aunt, after the murders of her two best friends. She knows that on January 21, she will be the next victim.

Detective D.D. Warren is investigating the murders of two pedophiles, which she believes is the work of a serial killer, when she’s approached by Charlie and told the story of her best friends murders and wants to give her as much information so that if she’s killer on Jan 21, D.D. will be able to catch the killer.

The author skillfully switches back and forth from Charlie’s traumatic childhood to present day and how she prepares herself to facing her killer.

The plot is filled with tension filled suspense, twists and turns that had me guessing until almost the last chapter,- and when the identity of the killer is revealed – a total shocker.

The issue of pedophiles and how they use the internet to lure young children is scarily chilling. I certainly learnt a lot about this issue in this story.

I am so liking D.D.’s new life as a mom!!! And the relationship between her and Alex, little baby Jack’s father is really special. I adore Alex….this is the kind of man that any woman would want in her life.

Another great addition to this series that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

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Review: The 7th Month (Detective D.D. Warren #5.5) by Lisa Gardner (Goodreads Author)

The 7th Month (Detective D.D. Warren #5.5)The 7th Month by Lisa Gardner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2,5 stars

The 7th Month, book #5.5 in Lisa Gardner’s Detective D.D. Warren Series, is a short and quick read – the story takes place over 24 hours.

D.D. Warren is now desk-bound, 7 months pregnant and bored out of her mind.
So when she’s approached by a movie producer offering her a job as a police consultant on his latest movie about a serial killer. The plot just never grabbed me……..and page before each chapter outlining the “how-to” guidelines for murder, made no sense to me.

The story wrapped up pretty fast…yes, I know, this is a short story….also never got to know the secondary characters, never mind that I cared nothing for them either.

I have to be honest and say that the only part of this little book that I enjoyed were the scenes between D.D. and her man, Alex. Their relationship is pretty awesome……………and “reading” D.D. thoughts about her man….cute!!!

I am so looking forward to reading the next book.


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Sunday 14 February 2016

Review: Leonetti's Housekeeper Bride by Lynne Graham

Leonetti's Housekeeper BrideLeonetti's Housekeeper Bride by Lynne Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Leonetti’s Housekeeper Bride by Lynne Graham, we meet Gaetano Leonetti, a high-powered and ambitious and handsome banker, determined to becoming CEO of the family bank.
But he has a huge obstacle standing in his way to reaching that goal – his grandfather had give him an ultimatum……marry a nice, good and loving i.e. ordinary woman or else that golden position will be filled by someone else.
Gaetano is in a bit of a pickle!!! He doesn’t do people….or women. He doesn’t want to get close to anyone……he does very well on his own!! No emotions….no clinging…..no love you or ever…..
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During an unplanned visit to the family’s country home, he meets up again with one of his childhood friends…..Poppy Arnold, the housekeeper’s daughter….and he sees a way to solve the “problem” of finding the suitable wife his grandfather has ordered.

Poppy is hardworking, loyal and will do anything to help her mother’s struggle with alcoholism and her wayward brother. She has secretly taken over her mother’s duties at the Leonetti’s home to ensure that her family will keep their home in the estate. She’s such a delightful and endearing character that you can’t resist falling in love with her.
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Gaetano’s devious plan is to introduce the future wife to his grandfather that will be the total opposite of what he expects…..Poppy is not a polished, elegant stylish kind of woman…for heaven’s sake….she has a leaning towards a Goth style…black…and black…..just wait until his grandfather takes a look at her………..
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He will definitely see that she’s not the right wife material…..thus giving Gaetano the perfect opportunity to avoid the marriage trap whilst obtaining his CEO dream job!!

So Gaetano makes Polly an offer she can’t refuse…….in exchange to pretending to be his fiancée, he will help her family.
Wow, this guy is pretty anal!!!! He even draws up a contract with rules and regulations that Poppy has to uphold…..the most important rule being Poppy’s behavior and dress “sense” ……………

But things have a way of not going the way Gaetano expected!!!!

The chemistry between the two soon becomes pretty explosive…..and despite both being hard-headed and both trying to keep things between them on a “professional” manner…..it can’t stop the sexual tension build-up. They were interesting and good together.

Loved the epilogue……and one of my favorite parts….the wedding shoes Gaetano buys Poppy!!!!!!

This was a sweet romantic love story, which I really enjoyed reading.

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Monday 1 February 2016

Review: Prince Hafiz's Only Vice (Mills & Boon Modern) (Royal & Ruthless - Book 4) by Susanna Carr (Goodreads Author)

Prince Hafiz's Only Vice (Mills & Boon Modern) (Royal & Ruthless - Book 4)Prince Hafiz's Only Vice (Mills & Boon Modern) by Susanna Carr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sorry...may contain a couple of spoilers....
Oh, the romantic desert prince………………….
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……I think I’ve mentioned before that ……I have “gone off” sheikhs and princes, who live in some small unknown desert country, where most of the people are poor and only sheikhs are rich beyond anything we can imagine……and take on Western gorgeous women as lovers and marry the pure local princess!!!!
So, you may be asking me….why are you reading Prince Hafiz's Only Vice, by Susanna Carr? Isn’t it about just the kind of sheikh you mentioned above???
Truthfully??? I have no idea why I picked this one up and actually read it until the END!!! And…….??
Well, it wasn’t amazing but to be totally honest, it wasn’t bad either.

Okay, I’m gonna try keeping my review as simple and short as possible……………
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The poor Prince!! He’s had a lot of so not good things happening in his life….he’s suppose to be the heir to the kingdom he loves and wants to do good for it and its people….but he was a very bad boy in his younger days with a French lover and his father, the king disowned him and warned him to toe the line or else!! Did Hafiz learn anything from that experience? Of course not!!! He can’t help himself when it comes to sexy Western women!! And this time, he goes even further and OTT….he whisks the new paramour off from …was it St Louis? Well, some city in old USA and flies he to his little kingdom, where he keeps her hidden from the entire world, in the apartment he sets up for her!!!!
What, you can’t believe that???? Nor could I!!!
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Lacey gave up her budding career as a lounge singer and piano player after meeting Hafiz at the hotel she was playing at, leaves her old life behind and flies off into the sunset…oops…no, flies to Hafiz’s little kingdom, where he’s set her up in a luxurious apartment and visits her for sex…no, no walkies in town, no meeting his family or friends….she’s his sex benefit!!!

But after a year shut away from all and everything….well, she has been kind of busy behind Hafiz’s back…learning Arabic, which is going to be such a surprise to him….. making friends with …no not really the locals…it’s more with embassy people….the surprise is going to something she never expected!!! She reads the latest news in the local English newspaper that Hafiz is going to be married…..no, not to her, Lacey, but some suitable virginal local or some next door kingdom princess!!!
Lacey stared at the engagement announcement. Her mind refused to comprehend the words. "Marry?" she whispered. Her wild gaze flew to Hafiz's harsh face. "You're getting married?"
She waited in agony as he rose to his full height. He looked very tall and intimidating. Almost like a stranger.

Lacey didn't realize she was holding her breath until he answered. "Yes."
The single word sent her universe into a spiral. "I don't…I don't…." She stared at the headline again, but the pain was too raw, too intense.

 photo Phoebe_stop_the_madness_zps3bj1okir.gifYes, not to Lacey….why did she know this? Because the twit named Hafiz had never asked her to marry him…….
Her hands shook as the rage and something close to fear swirled inside her. Fear of losing everything. Pure anger at the thought of Hafiz with another woman. The fury threatened to overpower her. She wanted to scream at the injustice and claw at something. Stake her claim. Hafiz belonged to her.

"You have been with another woman." She couldn't believe it. "All this time, you were with someone else."
Hafiz's eyes narrowed at the accusation. "No. You have been the only woman in my life since I met you in St. Louis a year ago."

She was the only woman, and yet he was going to marry another? "Then how are you…I don't understand."
OMG…..Hafiz…..you'd better have a good answer here……….
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He braced his feet a shoulders' width apart and clasped his hands behind his back, preparing for battle. "I met the bride today and she agreed."

Lacey's mouth gaped open. "You just met her?" She snatched the flicker of hope and held on tight. "So, it's an arranged marriage."

Hafiz let out a bark of humorless laughter. "Of course."
"Then, what's the problem?" She moved slowly as she stood. Her arms and legs felt limp and shaky. "Say that you won't get married."

He looked away. "I can't." Regret tinged his voice.

Poor Hafiz and poor Lacey. These two love each other so much but they can’t be together!!!
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Can it get any worse for these two ill-fated lovers?? You bet it can!!!!

Hafiz’s parents know about his little secret…..keeping a mistress is not an option if he wants to be reinstated as his country’s next King….that’s what his father promises him!!!! Of course Hafiz is not going to choose his country over the woman he loves beyond love!!!! Wrong…..he chooses country!!!!! She has to understand the reason why? Really!!!!! Tears, more tears…
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Right….let me stop right here!!!! Otherwise, you will know the entire story….so if this book sounds interesting…get your own copy and start reading another Arabian adventure!

Surprisingly and unexpectedly a fun and pleasurable read ……oh, just a mention that I do like this author’s writing style!!!

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Review: A Deal with Benefits (One Night With Consequences, #2) by Susanna Carr (Goodreads Author)

A Deal with Benefits (One Night With Consequences, #2)A Deal with Benefits by Susanna Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Deal with Benefits by Susanna Carr is the 2nd book in the One Night With Consequences series and overall a really enjoyable read.

Sebastian Cruz is handsome, determined, and arrogant, who rose from his poor background to self-made millionaire….and nothing will stand in his way to obtaining the small island of Inez Key and its owner. means!!!!

Ashley Jones has inherited Inez Key after the death of her parents. She’s barely managing to hold on to her home and finds herself defaulting on her loan. Her last chance is to ask the person who has been trying to buy her out, to give her more time to finding the money needed to pay the debt.

She not only discovers that Sebastian Cruz is the same man she had met and spent a night of passion with some time back.

Meeting Ashley again, Sebastian lays his cards on the table to her……his offer….spend two weeks in his bed and she can keep the island…….hard, devious and totally uncaring! So what if it’s her father who is actually the person he wants revenge from…he’s dead..so next best thing……….revenge on the daughter!!
Ashley felt trapped. Cornered.
It was a struggle to remain still and meet Sebastian’s gaze.
“What do you want from me?”
“Two weeks in my bed.”
Her skin went hot and her mouth dropped open. “I wouldn’t stay in your bed for two more minutes let alone—”
“Make it three,” he said coldly.
Her eyes widened. “You…” she bit out.
“And now it’s four,” he said with no emotion. “Do you want to make it five weeks?”
Wow, this story has it all…..revenge, blackmail, sexual tension, passionate chemistry, drama, misunderstandings, conflicting emotions………and it all happens over a short period of time.

I was unsure about liking Sebastian in the beginning and kept thinking….how is this arrogant ass……..h…. going to redeem himself …will he “see the light”? But, hey, surprise….in the end; I kind of warmed up to him.
Ashley was a surprise!! I admired her inner strength and understood the reasons for Inez Key being so important to her. I also liked that she stood up to Sebastian and didn’t become a whining doormat.

I’ve read most of the books in this series, which has been a kind of a hit and miss for me, but this one of the better stories.

An excellent addition to the series.

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