How to Date a Douchebag

Title: How to Date a Douchebag

Series: The Studying Hours #1

Author: Sara Ney

Genre: NA Romance

Release: September 13, 2016

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30633037-how-to-date-a-douchebag

Blurb:

CRUDE. ARROGANT. A**HOLE.

No doubt about it, Sebastian ‘Oz’ Osborne is the university’s most celebrated student athlete—and possibly the biggest douchebag. A walking, talking cliché, he has a filthy mouth, a fantastic body, and doesn’t give a sh*t about what you or anyone else thinks.

 

SMART. CLASSY. CONSERVATIVE.

Make no mistake, Jameson Clarke may be the university’s most diligent student—but she is no prude. Spending most of her time in the hallowed halls of the library, James is wary of pervs, jocks, and douchebags—and Oz Osborne is all three.

She’s smart, sarcastic—and not what he expected.

  

…EVERY DOUCHBAG HAS HIS WEAKNESS.

He wants to be friends.

He wants to spend time with her.

He wants to drive her crazy.

He wants…

Her.

Teaser Pics

Author Bio

Purveyor of all things witty & romantic, I love: iced latte's, traveling, and bright, bold colors. On any given day, you can find me in my office, lovingly gazing at my bookshelf or shuffling my Bic felt-tip pen collection. I love hand writing letters, and sarcasm. 

I live in the midwest, but "Will Write for Travel," and believe everyone should follow their dreams, no matter how big or small. My favorite authors include Cindy Miles, S Walden, Suzanne Enoch, Tessa Dare (to name a few). I am a glutton for Historical, RomCom, Sports and MC romance.

One husband. Two daughters. Plenty of chaos.

Social Media Links:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/saraneyauthor/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/SaraNey

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/saraneyauthor 

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7798960.Sara_Ney

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Sara-Ney/e/B00IMVGLE8

Susan Stoker Kindle World Special Forces: Operation Alpha

Debuting on July 21st, 2016, the characters you have come to love in the SEAL of Protection and Delta Force Heroes Series' will be showcased in their very own Kindle World! 

Special Forces: Operation Alpha is an amazing world where you can read about Wolf, Abe, Cookie, Mozart, Dude, Benny & Tex, (SEALS) and Ghost, Fletch, Coach, Hollywood, Beatle, Blade & Truck (Deltas) in OTHER authors' books.

So, what authors will be writing in the Special Forces Kindle World? 
​A BROAD range of authors, but that's how I wanted it! 
The stories will be paranormal, suspense, contemporary, erotic, military, NA/YA and even M/M!

So it's okay if something doesn't appeal to you...there are a lot of others you can choose from...but of course I hope you'll give them all a shot! 

Anne Conley

Redemption for Misty
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: Promises are meant to be broken and consequences are worth accepting when danger threatens what you love the most. 

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29VVMm6





Desiree Holt

Protecting Maddie
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: He has to protect her from a mob boss, get protection for her parents, and do all this while fighting a blazing attraction for the woman, an attraction that threatens to incinerate them every time they are in the same room together. 

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2avIi2d


Elle Christensen

Finding Ayva
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: He’ll protect her from danger until she is of age and able to cross into the Fae realm. But, will that be time enough to make her fall in love with him?

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2aa3hZv


Elle James

Cowboy D-Force
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: When the stalker becomes the predator, the power of Delta Force brotherhood becomes a force to reckon with.​

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29VVThg


Gennita Low

No Protection
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: He's discovering there is no protection from the past and with a woman strong enough to fight beside him, certainly none for his heart.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29WGYXn


Jordan Dane

Redemption for Avery
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: A heartless predator is still butchering young girls. Mozart’s worst nightmare is back with a cruel vengeance.

Blurb: 

When he sleeps, the hunt begins.

FBI Profiler Ryker Townsend is a rising star in Quantico’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, but his dark secret could cost him his career. When he sleeps, he has visions of his next case. He sees through the eyes of the dead, the last images imprinted on their retinas. His nightmares are riddled with clues he must decipher to hunt humanity’s Great White Shark—the serial killer.

While he’s investigating the shocking slaughter of a seventeen-year old girl at Big Bear Lake, the tormented soul of another dead child appears to him in broad daylight. Twelve-year old Avery Reed reaches out to Ryker—a disheveled and haunted girl, unable to speak—held earthbound out of love for her grief-stricken brother, Sam. Avery’s presence draws Ryker into a sinister conspiracy and she has a desperate message for her brother, if she can make Ryker understand.

Navy SEAL Sam “Mozart” Reed has been haunted by the brutal death of his little sister Avery when Sam was only fifteen-years old. He vowed to seek and destroy the killer who splintered his family, wiping out everything he’d ever known. Nineteen years later, his darkest wish came true when he found Hurst, her alleged killer, and stopped him from murdering one last time. But when Mozart learns the FBI has reopened Avery’s case, he fears the worst. His SEAL team may have ended the carnage of a serial killer years ago, but for the first time, Mozart has doubts that Hurst was the man who took Avery’s life. A heartless predator is still butchering young girls. Mozart’s worst nightmare is back with a cruel vengeance.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2avIgY0


Kathy Ivan

Saving Sarah 
Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: Can they find her before it's too late, or will their quest cost more than one life?

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29MTeLP


Kori David

Rescuing Pandora
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: He joins forces with a deadly Delta Force team to rescue the woman he never stopped loving, and try to get them out of the country before ISIS can destroy them all.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29WGLn6


Lainey Reese

Protecting New York 
Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: When ghosts from their past infringe upon their present and threaten their personal paradise, Dude and Cheyenne must rely on the help of friends, new and old, to keep from losing what matters most—each other.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29VVZpr


Leigh Carman

Freeing Falcon
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: Babysitting rich idiots isn’t his job. But when Tucker finally meets the stunning and seriously spoiled Falcon, he realizes maybe this mission isn't so bad.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29MTeLS

Lindsay Cross

Aaron’s Honor
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: He'd sworn to protect and he'd failed. Now Aaron lived for one purpose- to rescue the woman he lost before she’s sold into slavery and spend the rest of his life making her see how much he loves her. 

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29VWiAu

Liz Crowe

Marking Mariah
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: When terrifying, inexplicable violence rips the sleepy community apart, Trigger is forced back into action--where he must accept his feelings about 

Buy links: 


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29OqKh1





Magan Vernon

Protecting Us
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: Now both of their lives are unraveling and the only way they're able to stay afloat is if they protect each other.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29VW2l7

Maryann Jordan

Protecting Love 
Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: When Evie is threatened, Patrick rushes to save her, vowing to protect her at all costs.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29VVMCF


MJ Nightingale


Protecting Beauty 
Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

​Blurb: FBI agent Tex Keegan will come across his first case, the case that soured him on the slow wheels of justice, and tortured him for over a decade, making him the man he has become. Living through it again is something he never wanted to do. But he may have no choice.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29PLNyY


Rochelle Paige


Protection Crisis
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: Sparks fly when he hunts Chloe down, and Kael quickly discovers he has something in common with her stalker—an obsession with the beautiful actress.

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29VVVFZ

Shauna Allen

Awakening Aubrey
 Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World

Blurb: When love at first sight turns into sexy nights, hard choices, and a life or death mission, will Jude and Aubrey fight for each other or let their future die?

Buy links:


Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2avHOJs


I, Porn Star by Zara Cox

Book Information

"I, Porn Star"

Written by Zara Cox

Note: this ebook was generously provided to me by RockStarLit PR, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

A Bit of Background

I got the ARC of this book a month or so ago, and I completely forgot about it because of school commitments and impending midterm examinations.  I was supposed to have this review up a few days ago, and it wasn't until I got a reminder email that I even realized that I had to read the book and do a review of it at all.  I know that I've been remiss in posting here over the last several months, but this book really was worth coming out of my cave for, and I'm so glad that I read it.

Blurb 
My name is Quinn Blackwood:  By day, I'm a billionaire CEO. Rich. Entitled.
By night, I'm the exclusive porn star only known as Q.
Why? Because I love women. If I believed in an almighty being, I'd thank him for creating them. They're by far his most perfect creation… especially when I'm fucking one of them.
Oh, did I mention I'm an asshole? Fuck yeah. According to my shrink, I'm one twisted motherfucker. And that's just the way I like it. Until she walks into my life…

My name is Elyse Gilbert, nicknamed ‘Lucky' because according to my dad, I'm the unluckiest person alive, and I'll die the same way I came into the world: naked, screaming, and dirt poor.
Yeah, my life is a twisted, seething mess. But that life changed the day I met HIM.
He made me forget the cameras.
He made me forget I was doing this for the money.
He made me forget my shame.
He made me forget everything. I was consumed by him. Only him.
But now my past has caught up with me.

My Thoughts

This book has a bit of a thriller vibe to it, and that's usually really badly executed when it comes to the adult books that I've read, so the fact that Zara Cox pulls this off so well was both a relief and a revelation.
I really appreciated the character development and the pace of the plot in this.  The way you find out tidbits about both Elyse and Quinn's past and how they play into their futures is well planned, and well executed.  It moves right along at a fairly steady pace throughout, until reaching its crescendo near the end, and wrapping up all loose ends quite completely.
I like that both of the main characters are interesting in their own way, and have their own complicated back stories, and it's not about some dude that's rich and powerful and extremely messed up, and some poor uncomplicated, unsuspecting little girl... That's been so played out, and doesn't give enough credit to women at all -- this is much more real in a way, because the characters are multi dimensional and interesting enough to get invested in.
Of course, the part that everyone wants to know about when reading adult novels is the sex -- it's hot, heavy, and well written.  The only complaint I have with the sex scenes at all (if it can even be considered a complaint?) is that I still don't know why Quinn says "motherfucker" so frequently -- it doesn't seem to tie into anything else, and isn't particularly creative.  Other than that, the hot and heavy parts are sexy enough to sear you to your core.

About the Author

Zara Cox has been writing since she was thirteen years old, but it wasn't until eight years ago that she decided to share her love of writing sexy, gritty stories with anyone besides her close family (the over 18s anyway!). Her best-selling Indigo Lounge Series is Zara's first step in her erotic romance-writing journey. In 2016she hopes to bring her readers even more sizzling-hot stories featuring panty-melting alpha heroes and the women who rock their world. She's also working on an entirely new super-hot series, so watch this space and keep in touch! She loves to hear from her readers.

Overall Rating

FIVE BIG BRIGHT SHINY STARS!!!

Extremely highly recommended!!!!

Buy Links  

Amazon Kindle US: http://amzn.to/1S0bs9i
Amazon Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/250ogn4
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/250okDs
iBooks: http://apple.co/1U1FLQx

Kobo US: http://bit.ly/1S0bCgO
Kobo UK: http://bit.ly/1S0bCgO

NEW RELEASE - Under My Skin by J. Kenner

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

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

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

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.

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

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.
Facebook |& nbsp;Twitter | Website

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.

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

WHICH FOWLER SISTER ARE YOU?

https://www.playbuzz.com/ballan…/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.

Facebook | Twitter | Website

FOWLER SISTERS SERIES BUYING LINKS: 

Owning Violet: http://tinyurl.com/knq2xvx

Stealing Rose

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

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/stealing-rose

Taming Lily: http://tinyurl.com/ltfra7p

"Stealing Rose" by Monica Murphy

Book Information

"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!