#ModernTempted... Sex, Lies & Her Impossible Boss - Jennifer Rae

Sex, Lies & Her Impossible Boss - Jennifer Rae
Mills & Boon Modern Tempted
Harlequin UK, 2014
ISBN: 9781472017642

My rating

From the back cover:


"‘There’s no such thing as “just sex”, Cash.’
When the new boss of Faith Harris’s TV station, the famously ruthless and annoyingly gorgeous Cash Anderson, tells her he’ll be cancelling her sex and relationships show she knows she’s in for a fight. She’s worked her silk-clad butt off to get her high ratings, and no man’s going to take them away from her – however hot under the collar he secretly gets her…

But sugar’s better than vinegar any day, so Faith decides to prove to Cash just how meaningful her show really is. The only trouble is, it’s also rather…risqué. And there was enough chemistry between them even before Faith set about proving just how riveting sex can be…!"

I really enjoyed this book, my first from Jennifer Rae. And let me tell you, I was really happy throughout reading this book as it is everything I want and hope to get from the Modern Tempted/KISS line.

The book is capital H hot - I could actually feel my cheeks heating up at certain moments, and my eyebrows wrinkle-inducing-high at others! The story has a lot of fun and quirk included and it is all wrapped up in quite a lovely little love story.

The heroine hosts her own sex and relationships show - great idea although on a few occasions I couldn't quite get the image of the show being a bit like Eurotrash (remember that show?!) out of my head. What I liked most about Faith was that she was so determined to stick up fro herself and prove that she had created something worthwhile whilst showing the narrow minded hero that he was wrong, wrong, wrong about her!

Loved reading the slow build up to their eventual relationship... you know what was really great about this story? The hero and heroine actually spent a lot of time together! A romance novel revelation.

Both Faith and Cash have been hurt by relationships in the past, and Jennifer Rae uses these hurts well. OK, a little more time could have been spent delving a little deeper and exploring this, and had this been a straight up Modern/Presents book then I would have expected that but for the story as it was, I think the balance was just right.

There is an awesome amount of push/pull between Faith and Cash and plenty of sexual tension to keep you interested, trust me. Plus the weird, wacky, and wonderful world of sexual exploration is fabulous to read!

Great job!

Xx



With thanks to Flo and the Modern Tempted team at Romance HQ. Sorry I'm so late at posting this review ;-).

#ModernTempted The Reunion Lie by Lucy King

The Reunion Lie - Lucy King
Mills & Boon Modern Tempted
Harlequin UK, 2014
ISBN: 9780263910742

My Rating

From the back cover:

"It was only meant to be a little white lie...

Inventing a fake fiance was an act of desperation for Zoe Montgomery - a knee-jerk response to her horrifying high school reunion! But now that she's convinced London's most unattainable bachelor to play the part, her little white lie is spiralling out of control. 

Because everyone wants a piece of tycoon Dan Forrester. Including Zoe! Especially once she's seen the view from his bedroom...

This might be a fake engagement, but she's certainly not faking anything else! Now the reunion is over, and Zoe and Dan have convinced the world they're meant to be! But convincing each other? That's a whole different challenge..."

There was something about the back cover blurb that made me think I wouldn't enjoy this book all that much... But I must have been reading something different as I ended up loving this book!

The opening of this book is fantastic, I was utterly absorbed from the word go. Lucy King managed to draw me right into the heroine's feelings, I was feeling as uncomfortable, unconfident, and inadequate as the heroine was at that moment in her private hell of a reunion. I loved the touch that the heroine had only gone to prove a point only to have that point backfire on her!

Then with the heroine's ridiculous attempt at saving face by not only inventing a fantastical fiancé but also pretending the next guy who walked in was him, and quite literally jumping on him, the story became a bit of a farce, in a really good way. Good job that the man took it well, and actually helped with the pretence, oh that was fun to read! I wanted to roll my eyes, but I couldn't.

Lucy had me totally hooked already and the hero and heroine's story was only beginning. There is instant, recognisable chemistry between this pair and I loved that both characters, individually, were so strongly written. The relationship develops slowly and I was really invested in it. What I particularly liked about this story is that the author didn't really on that one big "black moment" (there is one but its not the total focus of the conflict) instead the conflict is clear throughout and the hero and heroine's insecurities slowly chip away at their supposed happiness... Very poignant.

A really enjoyable read. Fun, flirty, sad, and romantic!

Xx

#ModernTempted Maid of Dishonour - Heidi Rice

Maid of Dishonour - Heidi Rice
Mills & Boon Modern Tempted
Harlequin UK, 2013
ISBN: 9780263910575












My rating

From the back cover:

"When she's very, very bad…
Gina Carrington knows exactly how to have fun! But when she sleeps with her friend's brother, the off-limits Carter, she quickly discovers she's overstepped the mark.
…life is so much more fun!
Years later, Gina sees Carter again to prepare for her friend's wedding, and she can't help but wonder what the harm would be in one more night…. He's available, gorgeous and behind that laid-back Southern charm there's a wild side even she can't tame! But Gina has secrets which she can't hide forever—will their chemistry be strong enough to keep Carter by her side when her secrets come to light?"

I rarely give 5 stars, what can I say? I guess I'm just one of those people that think there is always room for improvement. However, this book was five star worthy literally from the first page and maintained it to the very last! I couldn't find any fault with it at all.

Well, actually that is not necessarily true, the ending bit was a little cheesy for me but somehow Heidi Rice managed to pull it off. Even taking the Mickey out of it herself with the line "'Someone pinch me, I think I've been transported into a chick flick'"

Not only does Heidi write with the kind of wry, almost self deprecating, and quite British style, she also manages to include funny little references like Planet Zod, and a galaxy far, far away. And I better not even get started on the fact that this was one helluva sexy book. (Believe me, it is eye-poppingly so!).

And what is even better is that wrapped in that amazing package I have just waxed lyrical about is a really great story. The characters are perfect, especially the heroine. She is a very real character, with major flaws and is a totally modern-girl. Gina is the best crafted heroine I have read in a long while.
This is a brave plot, and the romance between these two characters as well as the style of this book might well push a lot of people's 'NO' button. I, personally, like reading something that is a little out-there.

Every single thing about this book works, I know I'm going on and on now. I'll stop soon I promise. I don't want to go into too much detail about the actual story, as you really need to read it for yourself. It is fun, flirty, romantic, at times tear-worthy, absorbing, and out-and-out outrageous!

In short, Fab-u-LOUS!

Xx

#ModernTempted The Girl Least Likely to Marry - Amy Andrews

Girl Least Likely to Mary - Amy Andrews
Mills & Boon Modern Tempted
Harlequin UK, 2013
ISBN: 9780263910513

My Rating

From the back cover:

"Talk nerdy to me

Samuel Tucker is absolutely the last person scientist Cassie Barclay would ever date. Yes, he’s gorgeous, but he’s also far too cocky for his own good and thinks that pi is a tasty afternoon treat. So when he asks her to dance at her friend Reese’s non-wedding she’s wondering why on earth she says yes!

Tuck is used to people assuming he’s all brawn and no brain, and amuses himself by winding Cassie up. But when he finally takes her to bed, suddenly it’s Tuck who can show Cassie a thing or two! Can he convince her that love and sex have nothing to do with logic and everything to do with chemistry?

Don’t miss the linked stories in The Wedding Season quartet – Available in MODERN TEMPTED™"

Despite hearing many good things, this is actually the first book I have ever read by Amy Andrews. Naturally I was excited and had high hopes. I don't think I was disappointed with the final result!

This is the second book in The Wedding Season mini-series and follows straight on from The Unexpected Wedding Guest by Aimee Carson.

Readers beware... this book is capital H hot! And has so much will-she?-won't-she? sexual tension you'll virtually be perching on the edge of your seat! (P.s. Sort of a mini spoiler - there is a faked orgasm, which was not only very brave of the author but almost made me want to cheer out loud. Lol! Immediate thumbs up!)

I really enjoyed the flow and pace of the story as well as the way the relationship built throughout the story. The growth of the characters vs. the time span is spot on and holds your interest. 

I can't quite decide if there was enough of the hero to really get to grips with him, the heroine was such a detailed characters that the hero's character kind of got lost somewhere among it all. The author's style suits me perfectly, lots of spark and humour along with well thought out characters. The writing suffers from too much repetition at times, too much of the heroine 'sniffing' the hero and the word 'pheromones' appears 38 times a bit too many IMO (I didn't count, Kindle worked it out for me!). The dialogue, however, is just right and is one of the main strengths of this book.

Overall I very much enjoyed this book, it's just the kind of book I expected from the Modern Tempted series. 

Recommended. 

Xx

#ModernTempted The Unexpected Wedding Guest - Aimee Carson

The Unexpected Wedding Guest - Aimee Carson
Mills & Boon Modern Tempted
Harlequin UK, 2013
ISBN: 9780263910490









My rating

From the back cover:

"‘Surprised to see me?’

Getting caught in her wedding dress by her drop-dead-gorgeous ex-husband is Reese Michael’s worst nightmare. Especially when her perfect-on-paper fiancé then cancels their wedding!

Reese has spent years trying to forget how her marriage to Mason Hicks crashed and burned – yes, their chemistry was incredible, but a girl can’t live on lust alone! And what’s a jilted bride supposed to do when the one man she could never forget is back in her life, as irresistible as ever? Mason might be her own personal brand of Kryptonite, but surely life is meant to be lived a little dangerously…?

Don’t miss the linked stories in The Wedding Season quartet – Available in MODERN TEMPTED™!"

When I first heard that some of my fave authors were involved in a continuity series I felt two things.  First, very excited! And second, curious to see how it turns out. This is the opening book to 'The Wedding Season' series from Modern Tempted/Harlequin KISS and it starts the series off, if not with a bang but definitely with a pop and fizzle. 

Aimee Carson has penned a really nice reunion story. Her Hero and Heroine have grown over their years apart, or perhaps grown-up would be a better phrase. The author makes no attempt to give excuses for her characters past failings in their relationship, happily admitting that they were just two young at the time and not ready for the full and total commitment it takes to make a marriage work. And that's OK, and the book displays that attitude, which, you know, is honest and really refreshing to read.

While I do feel that the dialogue at times felt a little forced and there was a little too much focus on the physical rather than emotional, as well as a lot going on in the background of the story, overall the story pulled me in right from the start and kept me invested in hoping the two would get their second chance. 

The sizzle-factor is here, in spades, as well as some light, fun moments with a tantalising glimpse into the characters waiting for their stories to get told.

Very enjoyable. 

Xx

(Modern) Tempted by the...

Last week, in my few free moments between some work-induced stress, I received an email from the lovely Flo (editor extraordinaire of Mills & Boon) inviting me to be part of the launch of a new fantastic series from Mills & Boon.

It's called Modern Tempted and it promises to be fresh and flirty. The official word is...

"Modern Tempted is all about delivering the intense romance people expect from Mills & Boon, but with a contemporary edge - think friends-with-benefits, one-night stands, and holiday flings! Our stories sizzle with chemistry, and offer a playful, lively take on romance, for the 21st century reader who likes her stories hot!


... each story guarenteeing sassy, sexy writing from some of the most talented authors around, including Mills & Boon superstars Kelly Hunter, Mira Lyn Kelly, Heidi Rice, Natalie Anderson and Liz Fielding. You're truly spoilt for choice with these lot!"

For those of you, like me, who have missed the hot, sassy stories that the old RIVA line used to deliver, but not so much missing the sweeter ones, then this new series should fill that book-shaped hole!

My first impression of the covers are that they are very similar to the Modern series, which is like a nice, warm security blanket. It's familiar, and brings with it a certain level of expectation about the kind of stories we will be getting - you know the ones, steamy, full of alpha-males, glamorous, etc. Yet the covers have a bit more 'pop' and colour than the standard Modern's do, so while I want those intense stories that the Modern line is so good at delivering I also want a bit of freshness and fun. The covers do a nice job of building up my anticipation.

I can't wait to get stuck in to the first of the four launch books for the series... 

I just can't decide which one to go for first....

For more fun stuff relating to the Modern Tempted line use the #moderntempted on twitter and visit the Mills & Boon facebook page.

Let me know what you think about this new series and watch this space for reviews coming soon...

Xx

With thanks to Flo and the Modern Tempted team at Romance HQ.