Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
COVER REVEAL! "The Rules" series by Monica Murphy
ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND fans...you are going to LOVE
this new series by Monica Murphy! Check out the covers and the FAIR GAME excerpt
below!
Title(s): Fair Game, In the Dark, Slow Play
Series Name: The Rules Series
Author Name: Monica Murphy
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Series Name: The Rules Series
Author Name: Monica Murphy
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Blurbs (subject to change):
FAIR GAME (The Rules Series, Book 1) May 12, 2015
Bad enough Jade Frost’s boyfriend drags her to a boring poker game. Even worse
that he actually threw her into the betting pot during an intense round…and lost.
Talk about the perfect excuse for Jade to make him her ex-boyfriend.
Now she supposedly belongs to the ultra rich, extremely gorgeous Shep Prescott. He could have anything he wants yet he seems to be in hot pursuit of her. No matter how rude, how snarky, how impossible she acts, it doesn’t stop him. More like her horrible behavior seems to make him want her more.
When she finds herself starting to fall for him, Jade’s confused. There’s more to Shep than the carefree rich charmer he portrays. He has secrets. And she wants to discover them, no matter how ugly they might be…
Add to Goodreads
“What are you doing?” she asks, sounding the tiniest bit breathless.
“Making sure you’re not injured,” I answer, proud of how under control I sound. Inside, I’m chaos. My heart is thumping hard against my chest and my breathing’s accelerated. I grip her knee, and realize my hand is fucking shaking.
“I think you’re trying to get your hand up my skirt.” Leave it to Bitch Face to call me out. I can’t help but find her straightforwardness attractive. No girl is ever straightforward with me. They’re always coy. Playing games and flirting and never asking for what they really want. They always defer to me.
After awhile, that gets pretty damn boring.
“Maybe I am,” I say, moving my hand to rest on top of her knee.
Her lips curve into the smallest smile and seeing it feels like a victory. As if I’ve just won an extra difficult battle and that tiny curve of her lush lips is my prize. “You’re pretty determined, aren’t you?”
She’s not pushing me away. I need to take this moment. Seize this fucking moment and make it mine. Make her mine. At least for tonight. Her scent is making my head spin and just touching her knee has got me sporting wood. “I'm always determined.”
“Determined to piss me off?”
I chuckle and her smile grows. “Am I doing a good job?”
“You’re an expert at making me mad.”
“I think we’re having a moment,” I tell her. “A bonding moment.”
She looks the slightest bit horrified. “No. Way. That is the last thing I want to do.”
I raise my eyebrows, let my hand slide up a bare inch more. Then another. I’m so close to getting under that skirt, it’s not even funny. “You don’t like me very much, do you?”
“You don’t like me either. You call me Bitch Face.”
“You introduced yourself to me as Bitch Face.”
She tilts her head, all that wavy red hair tumbling over her shoulder. My fingers itch to touch it. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Yeah. I thought it was an unusual name…” I let my voice drift and she smiles once more.
“Says the man with an unusual name.”
“I told you it’s an old family name.”
“As a last name, not as a first.” She makes a little face. “It’s not very sexy.”
“You don’t think?” Interesting.
“I can’t imagine shouting out your name in the throes of passion.” Her cheeks go the faintest pink. That she’s even thinking like this gives me a secret thrill.
Forbidden. Unknown. This is the last girl I should consider getting naked with.
“Throes of passion?” I ask. “Someone’s been reading too many romance novels.”
“You know what I mean.” She waves a hand, dismissing her words.
“I don’t.” I pull the innocent act, which she isn’t falling for but it’s still fun. “What are you talking about exactly?”
“You’re not going to make me explain, are you?”
“I would love for you to explain. Or maybe I should help you.” I crawl my fingers up her thigh, playing with the frayed hem of her denim skirt. “Are you talking about…having sex?”
She nods, her cheeks blazing up. Hmm, she’s extra pretty when she blushes.
“And that moment…when we’re fucking…and you’re so damn close.” I lean in and inhale deep, my eyes almost falling shut as I absorb her scent, her warmth and that flush in her cheeks, the way her breathing quickens. “So fucking close as I push deep inside you. You don’t think it would be sexy to yell out my name just as I make you come?”
“N-no.” She shakes her head, that single word coming out as a squeak.
“Really.” I give in and settle my cheek next to hers, nuzzle her ear with my nose before I whisper, “Because by the time I have you coming, I’m fairly certain you’ll be crying out my name and begging me please.”
“You’re a real arrogant prick, aren’t you?”
I pull back from her the slightest bit, a little shocked. The girl doesn’t mince words. “Merely confident in my abilities.” I cup the back of her head, thread my fingers in the silky soft waves of her hair. I’d love to wrap her hair around my fist and tug her head back right before I kiss her…
“Proud of your manwhore status?”
“I can’t help it if the ladies flock to me.”
She rests her hand on my chest and gives me a gentle shove. “I’m not flocking to you.”
“Even after all that talk about coming and with my hand up your skirt?”
Jade looks down with a sharp gasp, dropping her hand to mine and shoving it out from beneath her skirt. “What are you doing?”
“I thought it was obvious.” When she says nothing, only glares at me, I continue. “I was going to kiss you and hopefully get you off with my fingers.”
Her mouth drops open. Instead of looking aroused, she looks…pissed. Vaguely horrified. “You’re disgusting.”
I lean back. Move way, way back though I’m not getting off the bed. Not yet. I still have a chance.
Or then again, maybe I don’t.
IN THE DARK (Book 2) August 25, 2015
Now she supposedly belongs to the ultra rich, extremely gorgeous Shep Prescott. He could have anything he wants yet he seems to be in hot pursuit of her. No matter how rude, how snarky, how impossible she acts, it doesn’t stop him. More like her horrible behavior seems to make him want her more.
When she finds herself starting to fall for him, Jade’s confused. There’s more to Shep than the carefree rich charmer he portrays. He has secrets. And she wants to discover them, no matter how ugly they might be…
Add to Goodreads
FAIR GAME Excerpt (unedited):
“What are you doing?” she asks, sounding the tiniest bit breathless.
“Making sure you’re not injured,” I answer, proud of how under control I sound. Inside, I’m chaos. My heart is thumping hard against my chest and my breathing’s accelerated. I grip her knee, and realize my hand is fucking shaking.
“I think you’re trying to get your hand up my skirt.” Leave it to Bitch Face to call me out. I can’t help but find her straightforwardness attractive. No girl is ever straightforward with me. They’re always coy. Playing games and flirting and never asking for what they really want. They always defer to me.
After awhile, that gets pretty damn boring.
“Maybe I am,” I say, moving my hand to rest on top of her knee.
Her lips curve into the smallest smile and seeing it feels like a victory. As if I’ve just won an extra difficult battle and that tiny curve of her lush lips is my prize. “You’re pretty determined, aren’t you?”
She’s not pushing me away. I need to take this moment. Seize this fucking moment and make it mine. Make her mine. At least for tonight. Her scent is making my head spin and just touching her knee has got me sporting wood. “I'm always determined.”
“Determined to piss me off?”
I chuckle and her smile grows. “Am I doing a good job?”
“You’re an expert at making me mad.”
“I think we’re having a moment,” I tell her. “A bonding moment.”
She looks the slightest bit horrified. “No. Way. That is the last thing I want to do.”
I raise my eyebrows, let my hand slide up a bare inch more. Then another. I’m so close to getting under that skirt, it’s not even funny. “You don’t like me very much, do you?”
“You don’t like me either. You call me Bitch Face.”
“You introduced yourself to me as Bitch Face.”
She tilts her head, all that wavy red hair tumbling over her shoulder. My fingers itch to touch it. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Yeah. I thought it was an unusual name…” I let my voice drift and she smiles once more.
“Says the man with an unusual name.”
“I told you it’s an old family name.”
“As a last name, not as a first.” She makes a little face. “It’s not very sexy.”
“You don’t think?” Interesting.
“I can’t imagine shouting out your name in the throes of passion.” Her cheeks go the faintest pink. That she’s even thinking like this gives me a secret thrill.
Forbidden. Unknown. This is the last girl I should consider getting naked with.
“Throes of passion?” I ask. “Someone’s been reading too many romance novels.”
“You know what I mean.” She waves a hand, dismissing her words.
“I don’t.” I pull the innocent act, which she isn’t falling for but it’s still fun. “What are you talking about exactly?”
“You’re not going to make me explain, are you?”
“I would love for you to explain. Or maybe I should help you.” I crawl my fingers up her thigh, playing with the frayed hem of her denim skirt. “Are you talking about…having sex?”
She nods, her cheeks blazing up. Hmm, she’s extra pretty when she blushes.
“And that moment…when we’re fucking…and you’re so damn close.” I lean in and inhale deep, my eyes almost falling shut as I absorb her scent, her warmth and that flush in her cheeks, the way her breathing quickens. “So fucking close as I push deep inside you. You don’t think it would be sexy to yell out my name just as I make you come?”
“N-no.” She shakes her head, that single word coming out as a squeak.
“Really.” I give in and settle my cheek next to hers, nuzzle her ear with my nose before I whisper, “Because by the time I have you coming, I’m fairly certain you’ll be crying out my name and begging me please.”
“You’re a real arrogant prick, aren’t you?”
I pull back from her the slightest bit, a little shocked. The girl doesn’t mince words. “Merely confident in my abilities.” I cup the back of her head, thread my fingers in the silky soft waves of her hair. I’d love to wrap her hair around my fist and tug her head back right before I kiss her…
“Proud of your manwhore status?”
“I can’t help it if the ladies flock to me.”
She rests her hand on my chest and gives me a gentle shove. “I’m not flocking to you.”
“Even after all that talk about coming and with my hand up your skirt?”
Jade looks down with a sharp gasp, dropping her hand to mine and shoving it out from beneath her skirt. “What are you doing?”
“I thought it was obvious.” When she says nothing, only glares at me, I continue. “I was going to kiss you and hopefully get you off with my fingers.”
Her mouth drops open. Instead of looking aroused, she looks…pissed. Vaguely horrified. “You’re disgusting.”
I lean back. Move way, way back though I’m not getting off the bed. Not yet. I still have a chance.
Or then again, maybe I don’t.
IN THE DARK (Book 2) August 25, 2015
Stuck spending the summer with his screwed up family, Gabriel Walker is bored out
of his mind and looking for an adventure. And he seems to find it with the hot girl
who lives next door. The attraction between them is instant. Electric. Soon they’re
spending every stolen minute together. Talk about the perfect summer fling…
Lucy isn’t what she seems. She doesn’t live next door—she’s the maid who’s been hired to house sit for the summer while the family goes on a worldwide vacation. If Gabe wants to believe she’s a spoiled rich girl looking for some fun, she can go along with that. After the summer, she’ll never see him again.
They don’t count on running into each other at college. Now Lucy must keep up the pretense of being a rich girl—and it’s exhausting. She knows she’s falling in love with Gabe and she’s scared he feels the same. Will he still care about her when he discovers the truth?
Add to Goodreads
SLOW PLAY (Book 3) November 3, 2015
Lucy isn’t what she seems. She doesn’t live next door—she’s the maid who’s been hired to house sit for the summer while the family goes on a worldwide vacation. If Gabe wants to believe she’s a spoiled rich girl looking for some fun, she can go along with that. After the summer, she’ll never see him again.
They don’t count on running into each other at college. Now Lucy must keep up the pretense of being a rich girl—and it’s exhausting. She knows she’s falling in love with Gabe and she’s scared he feels the same. Will he still care about her when he discovers the truth?
Add to Goodreads
SLOW PLAY (Book 3) November 3, 2015
Newly broke girl Alexandria Asher just wants to live a normal life. After her parents
are sent to prison on embezzlement charges, she enrolls in college under her
mother’s maiden name and tries her best to pretend she’s someone else.
Tristan Chadwick is everything Alex is trying to avoid. A seemingly egotistical, lazy, rich jerk, she dumps her beer on his head when he comes on to her one night at a party. This only spurs Tristan into action. He loves nothing more than a challenge. And the beautiful Alex is exactly the type of challenge that intrigues him.
Tristan Chadwick is everything Alex is trying to avoid. A seemingly egotistical, lazy, rich jerk, she dumps her beer on his head when he comes on to her one night at a party. This only spurs Tristan into action. He loves nothing more than a challenge. And the beautiful Alex is exactly the type of challenge that intrigues him.
Despite her reluctance, Alex finds herself quickly involved with Tristan. Underneath
that playboy exterior is a good guy, a sweet and sexy guy who she is undoubtedly
falling for. What they both don’t realize is the actions of Alex’s parents are the
reason for so much tragedy in Tristan’s family. And when Tristan discovers who
Alex and her family really is, can he forgive and forget?
Add to Goodreads
Add to Goodreads
About the Author:
Facebook |& nbsp;Twitter | Website
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
STEALING ROSE Release Blitz!!!
"Stealing Rose" by Monica Murphy was released yesterday, and I posted my review on it already (see previous blog entry).
In connection with the release blitz for this book, here's some more information about the book. :)
GIVEAWAY:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NGE1MDEyNTkzNmEzMjcwYWY1N2NlODA1YWVlMmE3OjQ5OA==/?
BLURB:
People say the youngest child has it easy, but nothing can be further from the truth. Unlike my two sisters, Violet and Lily, I’m never in the limelight. I just work my butt off for Fleur Cosmetics and get little to no thanks for it. I’ve been pushed too far one too many times, and I’m finally brave enough to do something about it.
Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.
For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.
And maybe I don’t want to.
Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.
For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.
And maybe I don’t want to.
EXCERPT:
I sit on the edge of the mattress, not about to give up. I need to get closer to her and eventually get closer to that damn neck- lace she wore. Dexter wants it. He’s been hounding my ass for it. And I’ll get it.
Eventually.
I’d rather focus on her first. Earn her trust. So I’m not casing out her hotel room. I’m not looking for any stray jewelry lying around.
Hell, I’m in too deep now.
I’m here with Rose because I want to be, not because I want to steal something from her.
Yet. Don’t forget the “yet” part at the end of that last thought.
Yeah. Who wants to focus on trying to steal a necklace when I could be sliding back into bed with her? I want to feel the hot, tight clasp of her pussy milking my cock again. I want to feel her touch me, feel her lips on my skin, hear her moan when I hit a spot that feels particularly good. I want to learn all of those spots, memorize them for later. Because there will be a later for Rose and me. I plan on that. And she’d better plan on it too, no matter how much in denial she is.
“Rose.” She turns to look at me, her expression wary. Guarded. I know the feeling. More than anything, I know that look. I’ve been wearing the same guarded expression pretty much all my life. I trust no one. They’re all out to screw me over; it doesn’t matter who they are. I’ve become so good at playing the part, of being whoever I need to be at any given moment, I have no idea who the real me is anymore.
Being with Rose is the closest I’ve felt to myself since I don’t know when. I want to explore this. Explore what we share, what she makes me feel, what we are when we’re together.
She’s ready to kick me out and I’m ready to cling. Talk about a total role reversal. I need to get my head back on straight and focus.
“Caden.” She matches my tone, watching me expectantly. When I don’t say anything she rolls her eyes. “Do you realize I don’t even know your last name? What does that say about me, that I’d let you into my room and—fool around with you for hours and I don’t know your last name? It’s appalling behavior.”
“Appalling behavior? You sound like a crabby old school- teacher.” I want to laugh but I don’t. She’s dead serious. I think she’s just shocked herself with what we’ve done.
I’ve shocked myself too, but in a good way. While she acts like we’ve committed the ultimate sin.
“You wouldn’t understand.” She averts her head as if it pains her to look at me and I move closer to her, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“It’s Kingsley,” I murmur, wishing I could kiss her. Comfort her. But that’s not happening, not yet. I’ve got to take it slow.
She turns, a little gasp escaping her when she discovers how close I am. “What?”
“My last name. It’s Kingsley.”
“Are you serious? Of course it is.” She tosses her hands up in the air, making her breasts jiggle, and I jerk my gaze away from her chest.
Advance praise for Stealing Rose
“Prepare to have your heart stolen! Rose and Caden's story crackles and sizzles right to the swoony end.”—New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans
“Prepare to have your heart stolen! Rose and Caden's story crackles and sizzles right to the swoony end.”—New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans
WHICH FOWLER SISTER ARE YOU?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She's a workaholic who loves her job. When she's not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.
FOWLER SISTERS SERIES BUYING LINKS:
Owning Violet: http://tinyurl.com/knq2xvx
Stealing Rose
Taming Lily: http://tinyurl.com/ltfra7p
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
"Stealing Rose" by Monica Murphy
"Stealing Rose" (Fowler Sisters, #2)
Written by Monica Murphy
Note: this ebook was generously provided to me by Wordsmith Publicity, via Net Galley, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
A Bit of Background
I got the ARC of this book in early January, shortly after I had reviewed "Owning Violet". I ended up reading the book in one night, and absolutely loving it. I have been dying to talk about it, and publish the review, because I enjoyed the book so much, but I have had to hold off until the book was actually released, almost 2 months later.
"Stealing Rose" is the second book in the Fowler Sisters series by Monica Murphy. It is preceded by "Owning Violet", and will be succeeded by the forthcoming novel, "Taming Lily". In my view, the books can be read separately, as each is about a different sister, and the storylines are not terribly intertwined. However, I do believe that the enjoyment of the series is enhanced by reading them together.
The Story
Everyone seems to think that being the youngest means that you've got it made, and life is a cakewalk. But anyone who comes last in the birth order knows that that's not true at all. In fact, in some cases, being the youngest is the most difficult role to play, and that's certainly the case for Rose Fowler.
All three of the Fowler women are strong and unique, but Rose feels like she is the one who is the least appreciated. Lily, the oldest, is the wild child, who steals the spotlight wherever she goes, and with whatever she does. Violet, the middle daughter, is the responsible one, who is the star of the show at the family corporation, Fleur Cosmetics. Rose feels like no matter what she does, or how hard she tries, she's always relegated to the background... and she's finally had enough of it.
At the premiere of a documentary about the Fowler empire in Cannes, matriarch and grandmother, Dahlia Fowler, lends Rose an incredible pink and white diamond necklace, which is prominently featured in the film, to wear to the afterparty. The moment the jewels touch her skin, something sparks within Rose, and it's like she comes alive as a result of that.
When an absolutely gorgeous stranger locks eyes with her from across the room, the nice girl suddenly has an urge to become naughty. Rose decides to go skinny dipping in the hotel pool, and mysterious Caden comes out and takes her breath away. Suddenly, however, he's disappeared from her life just as quickly as he breezed into it, and she can't get her mind off the handsome stranger.
Fueled by her newfound confidence and independence, Rose decides to turn down her father, leave Fleur Cosmetics and step out from her sisters' shadows. She finds herself in London, unsure of what to do next, when she runs into Caden once again, and this time, he isn't going to disappear from her life.
But what if Caden isn't what she thinks. What if all the warnings about the danger of running off with strangers that we all heard when we were younger actually have some truth to them? What if Caden and Rose didn't meet by accident, and there's something larger at play? Rose decides that she's already gotten on the exciting ride, and she doesn't want to get off just yet, no matter what the consequences.
My Thoughts
WOW! It has been SOOOO DIFFICULT to keep a lid on this review. Seriously. I am not quite sure how I was able to keep quiet about how AMAAAZING this is for this long! I'm so glad that I can finally share this with you!!!
First off, Monica Murphy is brilliant. I haven't read too much of her work, but I fully intend to read each and every piece she has ever published, including those under the pen name Karen Erickson. Seriously. She's that good. If I had more time (boo, law school!), I would have done this already... but as it stands, I've got a lot of Monica Murphy / Karen Erickson to look forward to this summer. Yay!
I like how we catch a glimpse of what's been happening in the lives of Violet and Ryder here, too, and a little taste of what's to come with Lily. What I like the most about this is the fact that they don't get in the way of Caden and Rose's storyline. In fact, their presence only serves to enhance the storyline, which is fantastic.
I love Rose, because we get to see her development from being hardworking, but timid and shy (shown in small doses in Owning Violet), to this open minded woman living intentionally out loud, and following her heart and her passions. I think that women like her don't get enough credit in the real world, because people are so obsessed with obligations and responsibilities, that the women who have the courage to give those things up in order to pursue what they really want out of life are shunned, rather than praised. I, for one, have so much respect for Rose, for just taking a massive leap of faith and trusting that things will work out as they should. Part of me wishes that I could be more like that, too.
For some reason, Caden doesn't quite appeal to me as much as Ryder did. That isn't to say that he doesn't appeal to me at all -- he does, but how could a sexy international con artist like him not appeal to me? But there's something about how Ryder planned everything so meticulously that appealed to me in a way that Caden didn't. Having said that, I think that Caden is a better fit for Rose, though. So maybe I understand why he turned out the way that he did, and I appreciate his character for what he is. I guess he's just not going to be MY book boyfriend, but that isn't to say that he won't end up being someone else's... or a lot of other women's... possibly even YOURS.
I really enjoyed the chemistry and interplay among all the characters. While the tension and heat between Caden and Rose felt so real that it almost became its own living and breathing thing, and I think that was the biggest treat here, I feel it's also important to mention that the strength of the supporting cast of characters is what really made this book a remarkable experience and a joy to read. From the introduction to matriarch Dahlia, to the painfully needy Whitney, to the reformed versions of Violet and Ryder, to the introduction of Caden's mentor and his mother, and finally to the pre-development of the character of Lily, each character we meet here leaves a strong impression on the reader, and is memorable in his or her own way. These characters are so strong, in fact, that they could likely each support their own book, or series of books in this universe. I'd definitely spring for the chance to read more about all of them.
Taken together, this book was every bit as amazing as I had hoped it would be. I can't wait until "Taming Lily" comes out, so I can finally sink my teeth into her character and story. For now, I'm just glad that I can finally talk about how much I loved loved loved "Stealing Rose"! :)
Overall Rating
FIVE BIG BRIGHT SHINY STARS!!!
Extremely highly recommended!!!! And while you're at it, go get Stealing Violet and pre-order Taming Lily, too!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
TEASER TUESDAY!!! "Stealing Rose" by Monica Murphy
#StealingRose #TeaserTuesday
BLURB:
People say the youngest child has it easy, but nothing can be further from the truth. Unlike my two sisters, Violet and Lily, I’m never in the limelight. I just work my butt off for Fleur Cosmetics and get little to no thanks for it. I’ve been pushed too far one too many times, and I’m finally brave enough to do something about it.
Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.
For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.
And maybe I don’t want to.
Pre-Order "Stealing Rose" here:
Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.
For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.
And maybe I don’t want to.
Pre-Order "Stealing Rose" here:
iBooks : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/stealing-rose/id923815419?mt=11
Amazon (3/3): http://tinyurl.com/me29pp5
Nook (3/3) : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stealing-rose-monica-murphy/1119702763?ean=9780553393286
Amazon (3/3): http://tinyurl.com/me29pp5
Nook (3/3) : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stealing-rose-monica-murphy/1119702763?ean=9780553393286
Other Books in the Series:
Owning Violet: http://tinyurl.com/knq2xvx
Taming Lily: http://tinyurl.com/ltfra7p
Advance praise for Stealing Rose
“Prepare to have your heart stolen! Rose and Caden's story crackles and sizzles right to the swoony end.”—New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She's a workaholic who loves her job. When she's not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
50 Shades of Grey -- the movie, with some commentary about the books, too...
Honestly, I’m not too sure where to start with this… I’ve never been the kind of person that has written movie reviews. Frankly, I don’t feel particularly qualified to voice an opinion about cinematic pursuits, because I have pretty much zero knowledge of the inner workings of making a movie. This is part of why this overwhelming urge to put my thoughts to paper (albeit not actual paper -- we do live in the digital age, after all) surprised me. The nagging need to express my thoughts and opinions about the 50 Shades movie hasn’t abated since about 10 minutes into the movie last night, so I find myself here now… trying to figure out how best to express myself.
Maybe we should start with the books. I read the entire trilogy. Straight through, from beginning to end. In three successive evenings. In fact, I’m pretty sure that if I had just started reading on a weekend, or on a day off from class, I could have gone from beginning to end in just one sitting, in one day. But since I started in the middle of the week, and I had to attend to the responsibilities associated with being a law student and a functional human being (inconvenient things, like attending classes, doing homework and sleeping), I just had to fit the books in whenever and wherever I could. But I digress.
50 Shades was, admittedly, my first foray into the world of erotic fiction. It was also the first time I had read a book (much less an entire trilogy) in electronic format. Yes. These are the books that got me hooked on erotica -- but not because I thought they were great, in fact, it was quite the opposite. It occurred to me that if this story was out there, there had to be other books in this genre, and better conceived, more impressively written pieces were just waiting for me to discover them. I was right, but that’s another story for another time.
Anyone who has read 50 Shades in any amount knows how bad the writing is, so I don’t think I need to go into detail about that here.
I think that the other problem that so many people have with 50 Shades is that they try to ground it in the reality of their lives, or the world the way that they know it. I enjoyed reading these books (despite the bad writing), because I viewed them with the understanding that they were an expression of some lady’s secret fantasies. Like I always say, it’s called fiction because it isn’t real, and it’s not supposed to be. I am the kind of reader that is willing to suspend my reality and my judgment to let the story flourish within the confines of the reality that the author has created in his or her universe. Maybe that’s why despite my myriad of issues with how the characters were created or depicted, I still managed to enjoy the books.
I am not a leather person. I have a very limited understanding of how their circle operates. I do not claim to be an expert, nor do I even project being well-versed on this subject. In her defense, I don’t think the author ever claimed to be, either. While I understand the abhorrent nature of this work to many in the leather community, I think that a lot of that has to do with the portrayal of this book in the media, and by its readers and rabid fans. 50 Shades is not meant to be an introduction to bondage. It’s one woman’s fantasy (about Twilight) which has BDSM tendencies, but ultimately reveals a dearth of knowledge about the inner workings of the leather community and how bondage actually works.
Though I’ve already said that I am no expert on fetish life, I endeavored to do a small amount of research before and while I was reading 50 Shades to get at least a broad overview of the complex themes that it attempted to incorporate. Given my extremely limited information and understanding, I have some issues about how the main characters were conceived and depicted.
The thing is this: for someone who is supposed to be an experienced Dom, Christian Grey seems to be as clueless about the world of BDSM as I am. Right off the bat, he didn’t spot that Anastasia was massively inexperienced in the realm of sex (even the vanilla kind). In fact, she’s a virgin (more on this later). He didn’t take her many apprehensions and incessant pestering about wanting to do “normal” things as a sign that she might not be a good fit for this lifestyle. Grey reveals himself to be a poor Dom right from the start. While he seems to have a vague understanding of walking that fine line between pleasure and pain, but none of the underlying reasons for why this is is the case. It almost seems as if he just knows that he gets off on inflicting physical pain, and has been extremely fortunate to have found women who take pleasure in receiving it. He is, in essence, one-dimensional when it comes to sex and dominance. It seems to me that Grey’s understanding of the term Dom is more akin to my understanding of the term Top.
Further, I take offense to the characterization that Christian Grey has become a Dom as a direct result of his past, which is “50 shades of fucked up”. Why can’t he just be a Dom because that’s the kind of person that he is? I feel like that’s why most Doms are probably the way that they are -- they're just hard wired that way. I think that the author’s depiction here is that you have to be all kinds of messed up in order to become involved in the BDSM crowd, and I don’t think that’s a fair assessment at all. Not only does it show a profound lack of understanding of what leather people are like, it actually serves only to worsen the public prejudice against people whose preferences run contrary to what is considered “the norm”. I happen to be the kind of person who thinks that normal is highly overrated, and I’m the first person who will encourage you to “let your freak flag fly”, so to speak… but I also try very hard not to judge others just because they sin differently from me. At the end of the day, our differences (rather than our similarities) are what make us special and unique and interesting, and I think that’s something that a lot of people flatly reject when they pass judgment on others. Which speaks more to the character of the judger than the judgee, I think.
For her part, Anastasia starts off as the stereotypical naïve college student, sequestered in her own little protective bubble of university life. For a student with a 4.0 average, in English literature, and who has presumably read a vast amount of books, her mind doesn’t appear to have been opened nor her horizons broadened by the work she has purportedly imbibed. What troubled me the most about her character, though, was that she was so willing to be manipulated by the people and circumstances that surrounded her. In a word, Ana is weak. As I’ve mentioned before, I do not personally have a particularly deep understanding of the interplay between Doms and Subs, but my thought is this: if I were a wealthy, eligible bachelor Dom, the Sub that I would seek out would be someone who was complex and interesting and with a mind and life of her own, but who was willing to explore the side of submission that involves relinquishing control and submitting to pleasure. I wouldn’t be interested in someone who would do anything I asked, just because it made me happy -- I don’t think that’s a Submissive, rather, I think it is an indication of someone who does not fully understand himself or herself, and is ill-equipped to enter into a Dom-Sub relationship. In fact, I would consider it indicative of the fact that this person could potentially be forever ruined, or at the very least, stunted by any relationship that capitalized on his or her lack of self-understanding, instead of fostering an environment of discovery and expanding horizons.
At this point, I feel compelled to address the stance that many people have taken in regard to these books: that Christian Grey is a woman beater and rapist. Stop. I don’t think he’s either of these things -- I just think that the author lacked the knowledge and skill to properly convey his character’s nuances. So can we please just agree that this was badly written fiction, and that the author didn’t do her characters or her intended storyline the justice that they deserved?
Heh, justice… see what I did there? No? Ok, moving on…
I think that the books, at their core, were supposed to be about the development of the romantic relationship between Christian and Anastasia, and the kink was just supposed to be a bonus. At least when I read it, that was the impression that I got -- but I read these books before they got a ton of press, and there was a lot of hype about the bondage angle. The thing is that I think leather is considered a lifestyle because it’s not something that is only associated with sex. It’s an all-pervasive part of your character, and finds application in various aspects of life, even outside the bedroom. I think that’s where the author ran into issues with her representation, she tried to depict someone who lives a certain lifestyle, and brings someone else (entirely inappropriate to that kink) into that universe, but she doesn’t know enough about how any of it works to make the characterizations fair or believable.
So… the movie adaptation. I watched it with my mom. Yes. At first, I worried that this would be awkward, but after some thought, I rationalized that the worst case scenario here was that she would be appalled, and I would be amused by her reactions. So I pushed through as planned. I was wrong about the worst case scenario. I hadn’t planned for this movie to be a nightmare disguised as a cinematic pursuit.
Let’s start with the casting. I had issues with this right from the get-go, just based on physical descriptions. I was never a fan of the decision to cast Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey -- he is nothing like what I pictured Grey would look like, and was thankful when the role was recast. I didn’t know much about Jamie Dornan, but the initial photos revealed him to be similar in looks to Henry Cavill, circa The Tudors… although not quite on the level of Henry Cavill (but let’s be honest, there’s no one who is quite on the level of Henry Cavill, is there?) Next, I didn’t think that Dakota Johnson would be an appropriate Anastasia Steele. Sure, next to Charlie Hunnam, it looked like they had the correct age difference. Next to Jamie Dornan, however, I wasn’t convinced. In fact, I’m still not. Further to that end, while Johnson is beautiful in her own way, she isn’t quite what I had pictured Ana to look like. I think that there’s something to be said about more rounded features giving an overall sense of youth and innocence, and Johnson’s naturally thinner build and more angular facial construction just don’t give me that same feel.
I don’t know that this is fair -- I read a number of interviews with Jamie Dornan before the film was released. In these interviews, he revealed that he had difficulty getting into character, and I suppose this was to be expected somewhat, since Christian Grey isn’t exactly the norm. The problem that I had with it, though, was that he really didn’t seem to respect the BDSM community in his very limited interactions with them. He talks about going to a bondage party after his wife and child were asleep, and having to take hot shower before touching them again after coming home from the event. It just feels disrespectful to me… It’s not as if kink is something that should be perceived as dirty (in a bad way) or that you should have to scrub yourself of after being a party to it. I really sort of lost respect for Jamie Dornan after reading about him saying this on multiple occasions, across a variety of interviews. But again, before going into the movie, I tried to clear my mind of this information and just see how it all played out on screen.
The performances were flat, at best. Dakota Johnson’s eyes are beautiful, and I feel like they’re probably really expressive, but the whole time, she’s just giving us one note: either pretending to be innocent and confused, or she’s just plain confused. And annoying. I don’t remember Anastasia Steele being quite that annoying in the books… but it has been a long time, and I refuse to read them again. At the beginning, I was frustrated by her over the top portrayal of innocence and naiveté, but then I progressed to being annoyed by her persistent nagging about wanting what was “normal”, as if there was ever any chance that she’d have a “normal” relationship with Christian Grey. Finally, at the end, I was just bored bored bored by her performance. It really felt like she was just going through the motions, and that she wanted to be done with the movie as badly as I did.
Jamie Dornan had such potential, at least in my mind. I thought he was a more appropriate choice physically than Charlie Hunnam, but when I actually saw him on the big screen, I was very sorely disappointed. His depiction of dark, alluring and mysterious was just flat, flat and even more flat. There was zero expression in his eyes, and he looked like his brain was about a million and a half light years away while reciting his lines the way a third grader does in the school play, which is to say, without intent, conviction or emotion. As much as I tried to keep those interviews out of my mind, I kept going back to them and thinking to myself: how could he have had so much trouble getting into the role, when it doesn’t seem like he was playing the role at all?!
As for the dialogue… well… since the books were so horribly written, I didn’t really expect that the film adaptation would be too much better in that regard. Sadly, I was right. However, even the signature lines that made me smile in the books, like “laters, baby” and “we aim to please, Miss Steele” felt like they were just thrown into the movie out of necessity, and failed to elicit any reaction from me other than an extension of my disappointment.
The one thing that I did think they got right was Christian Grey’s office. The gorgeous staff, in their polished suits, high heels, flawless hair and makeup and with their perfect sense of decorum made me want to put more effort into my everyday appearance. Although I hate to admit it, I felt a little bit like my fashion sense was more akin to Anastasia’s than the office staff’s, and that’s something that needs to change, particularly considering my intended field.
The highly anticipated physical contact scenes between the two main characters were the biggest disappointment. It was evident that there was no chemistry between the actors, and what came across in the film was a clinical treatment that tried too hard to be artistic. Basically, I don’t think that even the crappiest of crappy porn studios (hardcore or soft) would have found this to be acceptable material to put out onto the market. It just wasn’t hot. At all. In fact, it was barely even lukewarm.
Let me tackle here the depiction of Ana losing her virginity... I feel like most people remember their first time, since it's such an important experience in our lives, the point at which (in theory) a girl becomes a woman, or a boy becomes a man -- well, in this case, it's when Ana goes from clueless and innocent to clueless and annoying. Which means she went from being a girl to being a sullen teenager. Great. Also, can I just take this moment to mention that her first time looks a lot like her second time, and her third time, and however many times they had sex in this movie. The sex is all one note, one kind, one dimensional: which is to say it's boring. Painfully boring.
The highlight of the movie for me was supposed to be the incident in the bedroom with the tie and the wine and the ice... you know the one that I'm talking about. But while it was slighty steamier than the rest of the sex scenes in the movie, I wasn't invested in it. It really took me a while to understand that this was the scene that I had been looking foward to, and when I did, I just wanted to throw something at the screen because it was so bad. SO. BAD. Like to the point that I almost walked out because I had enough of being this bored with a movie that had so much potential to be amazing.
The playroom, also known as the red room of pain, was also somewhat disappointing. While I loved the organization and the overall feel of the environment, I just thought it was a little too much stuff, crammed into too small a space, and not the expansive, lush, opulent playroom that I had imagined from the books.
The saving graces of this movie, at least for me, are the short helicopter flight in Charlie Tango, and the even shorter glider flight. The former, I enjoyed because it provided such a beautiful view of the Seattle area, and for once, I could see some benefit in dating Christian Grey. The latter, I enjoyed primarily because it looked like something fun that I would like to do, but also because it is the one scene in the entire movie where Christian Grey looks like he actually feels something. Anything. The bonus here is that Ana is also at her least annoying.
Taken together, I have this to say… In the right hands, the 50 Shades movie could have made a masterpiece of what was a mediocre set of books. In its current incarnation, it only serves to validate the dearth of substance in the trilogy, and remind the world why they don’t watch soap operas -- because no matter how big the budget, or how much the hype, a glorified soap opera is still just a soap opera. No offense meant to soap operas, I do realize that some of the actors who star in them give their characters more depth and meaning than the ones who were in this film. Clooney and Stamos are names that spring to mind.
Thankfully, my 50 Shades movie ticket came with a coupon for 50% more churros at my favorite churreria in the mall. And I got to experience the newly renovated movie theater, with more comfortable seats, and Dolby Atmos sound. And I only paid about $6 for an evening show with reserved seating. And I got to write this review… so I guess it wasn’t a completely worthless experience after all. :)
Monday, February 9, 2015
"College Bound" by Lilia Ford
Book Information
"College Bound"
Written by Lilia Ford
Note: This ebook was generously provided to me by LiliaFord Romance LLC, via Net Galley, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
A Bit of Background
When I first requested this book, I had no idea that this is how it was going to turn out. I guess I feel compelled to warn you up front, because I'm pretty sure that this kind of novel isn't for alll audiences. I ended up quite enjoying it, but I know several people who wouldn't be as open to it, and I'm not sure if you're one of them.
This book features a significant amount of gender bending, and extremely flexible rules of control and consent, which I believe are very atypical in the real world, if not totally unacceptable. It also features an attempted rape scene. If you're not comfortable with these things, it may not be for you. But if you're open minded enough, then it's an enjoyable read. So... you've been forewarned.
The Story
From living in a suburban McMansion with her family, and looking forward to a bright future ahead, Natalie finds herself branded as the school slut, totally broke, and living in the back room of the gas station convenience store where she works. Talk about a fall from grace.
With some help from one of her professors who genuinely cares, and her academic acumen, Natalie is still accepted to her top choice university, Brown. Unfortunately, financial aid form filing falls due at a particularly low point in Natalie's existence, and after a failure to file these forms, she is in danger of losing her chance at a better life, just because she can't scrape together enough cash to make the deposit payment -- never mind paying for her actual tuition.
Gareth Boyd is an old family friend, who takes an unreal interest in Natalie's life. She suspects that he has some shady intentions in mind, but shrugs off the bad feeling because she's happy to have a friend, and the free lunches don't hurt either. He reveals to her that he's willing to pay for her school expenses -- if she can meet his expectations. And what high expectations they turn out to be.
My Thoughts
Honestly, this book isn't going to be for everyone. I think that so often I look for meaningful characters and situations in the pieces that I read, and I suppose that is reflected fairly clearly in the way that I express my thoughts in reviews. From time to time, however, I quite enjoy reading something where I can shut my overactive brain off, and just enjoy what's going on. This is one of those books for me.
I really enjoyed watching the plot unfold before me, and while I think that many of the twists and turns that the plot took on were a little too surreal to have happened in actual life, I suppose that's why this is a work of fiction, and I am willing to suspend my reality momentarily in order to enjoy a book. The story was laid out somewhat in the spirit of a big budget action movie, lots of crazy events, not a whole lot of storyline holding them all together... But jam packed with super attractive people, and lots of intense sex and fight scenes to make up for the lack of story. I liked it. Not everyone will, but I did.
Natalie was my least favorite character in the whole piece. I found her stubborn and juvenile, to the point of being incredibly irritating. I still can't quite figure out what isn't right with Jamie, but I like him a lot more than I like her. He seems to be able to put his issues on hold and be able to understand and enjoy the situation presented to him for what it is, without wanting any more or any less of it, and I have to respect that. I also really like Daniel, who doesn't play a particularly important role in the story, but has a really imposing presence that can be felt beginning from his first appearance, and lingers pretty much throughout. Part of me wishes that his character had been more developed here, or that a spinoff could be written with him as the main focus in the future. Gareth was my favorite in the beginning, but his absence for a large chunk of the middle of the book sort of made me rethink my attachment to him. I think that for a character who is supposed to be in charge, his prolonged disappearance is unwarranted, and should have been resolved sooner.
All that being said, the sex in this book was RED HOT! Like I had to read and reread several of the scenes to get my maximum enjoyment out of them. Confession: I reread these scenes even after I finished the book -- they're actually hot enough to come back to. Again and again. Particularly the last few scenes made me wonder what that experience would be like in real life, and if I'd ever get the chance to play out that fantasy that I never knew I had. This remains to be seen.
Overall Rating
3.5 stars
Recommended for open minded people who want to read something different.
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