ELLE by Emma Mars

Publisher:  Harper Perennial

Date published:  April 7, 2015

ISBN:  978-0-06-227419-9

Fiction/Erotica

Paperback

Reviewed by Lynne

http://www.amazon.com/Elle-Room-Two-Hotelles-Trilogy/dp/0062274198

Obtained via publisher

Rating:  4

ELLE by Emma Mars is the second book in the Hotelles Trilogy:  Room Two.

Annabelle Lorand – ELLE – is a young French woman, a former escort, who continues her carnal education in a hotel room in Paris with Louie Barlet, the man she loves and who has conquered her completely.  Initially engaged to his deceptive brother, David, she broke it off when Louie, her new client at the time, awakens ELLE's body and her psyche to exquisite and sensual pleasures such as she has never known.

Since their first meeting, many things have changed in ELLE's life.  First, her engagement with David was broken and, sadly, her mother died.  Meanwhile, Louie has taken ELLE beyond her wildest fantasy.  Together, they explore the boudoirs to other famous courtesans such as Mademoiselle Josephine, Deschamps,and others.  Completely in love with Louie, ELLE willingly opens herself up to him with uninhibited self-abandonment.  With Louie, she discovers absolute ecstasy, absolute sweetness, and absolute desire.

But, unfortunately, David unexpectedly returns to complicate their lives.  He stirs up painful memories for ELLE and threatens her blissful state.  Afraid his deception will end her education and relationship with Louie, she is unaware that her troubles are only just beginning.

ELLE by Emma Mars is an incredible romp through the boudoirs and hotels of Paris, that explores the boundaries of trust and love.  Well-written, powerfully erotic, Mars has a real knack for the sensual.  She orchestrates elaborate, emotionally-charged sex scenes that will leave the reading gasping for more.  Full of unexpected twists and turns, the complexities of this well-crafted mystery is psychologically stimulating.

At the start of ELLE by Emma Mars, I thought this might be a slow page-turner, so it took me a little while to get into the story, perhaps because I had not read the first book in this series, Hotelles.  As time went on, I came to understand ELLE as a human being, a good character, who was confused and unsettled about a great many things.  But the ending was completely unexpected and one that eventually chased all of her fears away.  Nice.

ELLE by Emma Mars has a plethora of interesting and curious characters that add to the mysteries inherent in this completely erotic, sensual tale.  Again, because I never read the first Hotelles novel, it took a little while to connect certain people to the happenings in this story, but by the end, things are made clear, especially regarding the underlying character, Aurora, who was said to have drowned years before and who both David and Louie were supposedly in love with.  The mystery surrounding Aurora is very intriguing and adds much depth to ELLE by Emma Mars, particularly when ELLE begins her own investigation, traveling to different areas of Louie's past in order to get to the truth and find peace of mind.  David has done a good job of filling ELLE's head with doubts about everything she has ever been told by both him and Louie, which threatens her happiness for the future she has imagined with Louie.

The scene when Louie gets arrested because of what is being exposed at his art gallery adds a lot of intrigue to ELLE, too.  The accuser is someone I completely came to dislike.

Mars employs great dialogue and interesting settings in this spellbinding tale, which keeps things real and poignant in many ways.  When reading of ELLE's new home, it made me want to go out and actually buy a little place like that myself.  Just a place to get away from it all once in awhile.  The architecture and history in this novel add a refreshing, unique perspective to ELLE, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

ELLE by Emma Mars is a brilliantly-conceived tale with a well-devised plot to keep the reader engaged and interested.  Plenty of sensual delights, mysteries, and whodunit scenarios that should appeal to a wide array of readers who love a good erotic novel set in beautiful Paris, the city of love, with all the trimmings of suspense and mayhem intertwined. 

Well done, Ms. Mars. 

FALLING HARD (Bad Boys Undercover #2) by Helenkay Dimon

 

Publisher:  Avon Books

Date published:  May 26, 2015

ISBN:  978-0-06-233007-9

Romance/Romantic Suspense

Paperback

Reviewed by Lynne

http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Hard-Bad-Boys-Undercover/dp/0062330071/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Obtained via publisher

Rating:  5

 

Bad boy, Weston Brown, a former Marine, on assignment with the black ops force known as the Alliance, is back where he doesn’t want to be.  In Pakistan.  But he goes back out on assignment, pulled into his deadliest operation yet.

Lexi Palmer has been working with her father in a medical clinic in Skardu, Pakistan, where they focus mainly on helping those with mountain climbing injuries.  Brown’s job is to bring Lexi’s father safely home, after Alliance has been informed about illegal arms movements in Pakistan.  Unfortunately, the doctor is nowhere to be found when Brown arrives.  It is then he must rescue Lexi and get her safely away.  But the problem is, who does he trust, since Lexi is friends with questionable men from Pakistan?

Lexi has been asking too many questions and has drawn the wrong kind of attention.  When Brown arrives, she is drawn to his quiet, yet tough guy manner, completely opposite her usual type of men.  The attraction is mutual, but West knows he has a mission to complete and fights his feelings.  His killing machine reputation has kicked in, so he has only one thing on his mind.  Keep Lexi safe by his side and from a killer who leaves no loose ends behind. 

FALLING HARD (Bad Boys Undercover #2) by Helenkay Dimon is an exciting, riveting, fast-paced novel full of suspense, primal passion, and intrigue of the deadliest kind.  It is a stand-alone book that will keep the reader on her toes as each page leads the reader along brutal terrain and through various bad guys and battles.

Bad boy, Weston Brown, is the sort of hero that any woman would want protecting her.  He is handsome, rugged, well-built, and good at what he does.  It is no wonder Lexi is so attracted to him. 

Lexi is a strong heroine who knows her own mind, has her own set of skills, and knows exactly what she wants.  Plus, she doesn’t take garbage from any man, which West seems to admire about her.

The intimacy between West and Lexi is tastefully executed, and it is clear how strong the feelings are between the two, even amidst the danger they are in.

I also like the other members of the Alliance team, who care about West and Lexi enough to involve themselves in their business.  When West shows his vulnerable side, it is then one senses the honesty of his true feelings for Lexi, even if he doesn’t come right out and say it.

The real bad guys in Dimon’s FALLING HARD (Bad Boys Undercover #2) create enough friction and conflict in this story to keep one rooting for West and Lexi.  It is interesting how Dimon keeps one guessing as to just how much torture West can take or just how well he can act when around all the bad guys.

Dimon is a strong, talented writer who does well in blending passion, suspense, and excitement into FALLING HARD (Bad Boys Undercover #2).  The plot and fast-paced twists and turns of this story add to the tension, both sexual and otherwise, in this enjoyable read.  If one is looking for a different sort of summer read, then I would recommend FALLING HARD (Bad Boys Undercover #2) by Helenkay Dimon.  It is well written and a whole lot of fun.

 

THE DEVIL TAKES A BRIDE (The Cabot Sisters) by Julia London

Publisher:  HQN Books

Date published:  January 27, 2015

ISBN:  978-0-373-77890-4

Historical Romance

Paperback

Reviewed by Lynne

http://www.amazon.com/Devil-Takes-Bride-Cabot-Stepsisters/dp/0373778902

Obtained via publisher

Rating:  5

THE DEVIL TAKES A BRIDE by Julia London is a dazzling reading experience. 

Grace Cabot and her sisters, Honor, Prudence, and Mercy were once the toast of society, until the death of the Earl of Beckington, their stepfather.  Uncertain of their future with their stepbrother, Augustine, who is engaged to be married, the Cabot sisters   now await the shame of losing their status in society and the fine luxuries they are accustomed to.  To avoid this, Grace takes it upon herself to snag for herself a husband of quality by plotting to seduce a wealthy viscount into marriage.  Unfortunately, her plans backfire, and she suddenly finds herself in the arms of another man - the wrong man - and one who is, shockingly, one of the most disagreeable men in England.  Jeffrey, the Earl of Merryton.

Merryton is a tortured soul, a man governed by routine and ruled by duty, a man who prefers solitude and...order.  He never intended to marry, until he finds himself passionately caught up in the arms of a beautiful temptress with golden hair, a woman he can’t resist wanting in every way.  Then, as fate would have it, he finds himself in a position that is necessary if he is to protect his good name and that of his family.  A position that will disrupt his orderly life and perhaps ruin it beyond repair.

THE DEVIL TAKES A BRIDE by Julia London is a marvelously entertaining read, a work of sheer genius.  London’s skill in characterization and detail, particularly of Merryton’s madness, is unique and well presented.  The plotting is exceptional, and the story kept me glued to the book and quickly turning pages to see what would happen next.

Grace Cabot is a clever young woman whose motives are in the right place, her fears warranted because of her mother’s illness, yet is so innocent as to believe her plan at snagging a rich husband would work out in the end and take care of all of her problems.  The fact that it does, although she marries the wrong man, makes for an interesting read.

I loved how Grace makes every attempt to settle into Merryton’s ordered home, of how she begins changing it to suit her own needs.  The bad pianoforte playing and the dogs were a nice touch, which added some humor to the story. 

It is fun to watch how Merryton handles all of the disruptions invading his life.  More importantly, it is great to see how London helps Grace slowly wheedle her way into his heart, making him want her so badly that all other women are pushed from his mind.

The characters in THE DEVIL TAKES A BRIDE by Julia London are realistic and likeable, and London subtly and skillfully weaves changes in our hero, Merryton, especially in his thought processes and odd behaviors, as the story progresses, just as the reader hopes will happen, in the end.  The fact that Grace grows to care for him as she is intent on becoming a good wife to him, since it was her stupidity that brought them together in the first place, makes this story all the more wonderful.  Also, London does a superb job in tying up all the loose ends for a grand finale that had me smiling...a lot.

I absolutely loved THE DEVIL TAKES A BRIDE by Julia London and was very disappointed when the story ended because I had come to really care about Grace and Jeffrey.  In fact, all of the characters.  It is well written, fast paced, very original in its scope, and with a satisfying plot that contains many twists and turns that will keep the reader definitely wanting more. 

I eagerly look forward to reading the next book in this series, on Grace’s younger sister Prudence’s own romance, and I hope other readers will enjoy THE DEVIL TAKES A BRIDE by Julia London as much as I did.

Well done, Ms. London.  Another winner, to be sure.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE SHEIK RETOLD by Victoria Vane & E. M. Hull

Publisher:  Vane Publishing, LLC
Date published:  August 28, 2013
ISBN:  13:978-1492169956
Historical Romance
E-Book
Reviewed by Lynne
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sheik-Retold-Victoria-Vane-ebook/dp/B00EV516XU
Obtained via publisher

Rating:  5

 

The year is 1920.  Diana Mayo is an English heiress, yet is under the thumbnail of her half-brother, Aubrey, who is a selfish, self-centered lout who is bored by women and seeks an American wife.  Motherless Diana has been treated as a boy all her life and was to be her brother’s companion.  She learned to ride, shoot, and fish like a man and, therefore, was raised with a cold nature and no love for any man.  She is very strong-willed and independent and rebuffs all the men seeking her hand, content with her lifestyle and being able to afford to do whatever she fancies. 

Diana soon fancies taking a tour through the Sahara desert, despite one suitor’s attempt to stop her, sharing with her the dangers of such a venture.  Ignoring his advice, she goes ahead with her plans, only to find herself suddenly kidnapped and held captive by a gorgeous, powerful desert sheik, Ahmed Ben Hassan.  But little does Diana know that her half-brother arranged the kidnapping and wants her killed.

Hassan intends to have Diana at all costs, no matter what she wants.  All she can think of is escaping the only man who has ever stirred her heart, mind, and body in ways she has never experienced before.  When she finally tests her boundaries, only then does she become aware of her true feelings for her captor and reconsider what it is she really wants out of life.  And only then does she realize the lengths Ahmed will go to to protect what is his.

THE SHEIK RETOLD by Victoria Vane is a wonderful, skillfully-woven, exotic tale of adventure and romance that will keep the reader on the edge of her seat.  Vane is a strong, talented writer who has done a fabulous job of retelling the original story, THE SHEIK, first created by Edith Maude Hull.

The passionate love story between Diana Mayo and Ahmed Ben Hassan was later brought to life in the silent film, THE SHEIK, which featured Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres.  Since I have a copy of this film, I was intrigued at thought of Vane’s taking the initiative to retell the story.  I was not disappointed.  Vane has done an incredible job of rewriting THE SHEIK, and I loved every minute of it.  Hassan and Mayo are both strong, independent characters, and it is a joy to experience their conflicts and later the depth of emotion between them.

Vane also does the necessary job of spicing up this story, in her own way, which adds so much more depth to THE SHEIK RETOLD than one can experience in the film.  I have not had the pleasure of reading Hull’s original text, but I may see if I can get a copy.

Vane has made THE SHEIK RETOLD an interesting, beautiful tale of romance that any hopeless romantic will love to devour.  Or anyone else who is interested in well-written desert tales.  Either way, I would love to read this story again, just because I have always enjoyed the original.  This retelling has so much more to offer the reader than one would see in the original film.  Although, since I haven’t read the original Hull version, I have nothing else with which to compare it.

The minor characters add a great deal to THE SHEIK RETOLD as well.  Gaston, Diana’s loyal servant and faithful protector, Hassan’s enemy, Ibraheim Omair, and his close friend, a Frenchman named Vicomte Saint Hubert, help bring this story to life, and Vane has accomplished this well, in my opinion.

Vane does a good job in showing Hassan’s true character, both in and out of the love nest.  He is a strong, hunky, alpha male that any woman would swoon over.  And Diana is the sort of woman that many aspire to be:  strong, independent, and in control of their lives.  Yet she is also what God made women to be:  beautiful, talented, intelligent.  And able to love with her entire being the man that is able to capture her heart.

THE SHEIK RETOLD is a fast-paced, well-plotted romance that will thrill the reader and leave them wanting more.  I absolutely loved it.  The fact that I’m a sucker for romance tales about desert sheiks has nothing to do with it.  THE SHEIK RETOLD stands alone as a skillful tale of intrigue, conflict, adventure, and romance that I would recommend to anyone who wants to be whisked away to an exotic location, just for a spell, to experience a life some may only dream about.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.