Platinum Pleasures by Kate Deveaux with Review & Giveaway

One night…one fantasy for hire…one sizzling case of mistaken identity.

Ainsley Simmons can hardly believe she’s ordered a fantasy lover online — a man to fulfill her deepest sexual desires for the entire evening. She’s in for a surprise when sexy young Mr. M. shows up at her door in a classic case of mistaken identity.

Ainsley has the night of her life being pleasured by the much younger and demanding multi-millionaire — until she discovers he’s not her fantasy lover after all.

He’s even better than that…

KATE DEVEAUX is a contemporary, erotic romance writer and die-hard romantic. It was after reading Jane Eyre in high school, that she became hooked on the idea of writing about romance, excitement and drama. Kate has been penning stories, from the sensual to the sinfully sexy, ever since!

A former wedding planner, Kate has always been ""in love"" with love! She was inspired to transition from writing racy short stories to full length manuscripts after meeting other authors in the romance world at industry workshops, conferences and events. Now a multi published contemporary romance novelist, Kate is a member of Savvy Author, Romance Writers of America (RWA) as well as their erotic romance chapter, Passionate Ink. Born in London, England, Kate has lived in both the U.K. and the U.S. She and her husband currently reside in Arizona. When she’s not writing or reading, Kate can be found on the tennis court—yes, there’s even ""love"" in that game too!

Platinum Pleasures

By Kat Deveaux

Four stars

It’s Valentines Day, a day lovers around the world take advantage of to lavish their loved one with gifts and attention; but for the single people, it’s a day-long reminder that they are alone. At least that is how Ainsley is feeling about the holiday, especially since her boyfriend up and left her for a younger woman. Ainsley is in her mid-40s and is feeling her age more and more everyday. When a friend suggests she treats herself to an elite male escort service to indulge in her most intimate desires, she decides that she’s worth it, and can forget about how crappy a holiday Valentines Day really is.

Marcus is the founder and CEO of Platinum Pleasures, an upscale travel agency that puts together the most extravagant travel accommodations you can possibly imagine. They cater to the ultra rich, from private planes, deserted islands, to the best tickets in the house, there’s nothing that can’t be bought via Platinum Pleasures. Marcus is a widower, having lost his wife a couple of years previously. When his assistant asks him to hand deliver some tickets to a client on the way home, he thinks nothing of it, considering Valentines Day has become meaningless to him as well. So when he knocks on the door and the scantily clad Ainsley opens the door with a look in her eye that she’s willing to devour Marcus on the spot, Marcus basks in his good fortune, and makes the most of it.

Ainsley is expecting her escort to show up at her door, knowing nothing about the surprise that her aunt has sent her for the holiday, a luxury vacation to Monaco. So when Marcus shows up at her doorstep, she think he’s the main entrée of her order and immediately sets to work seducing the young hottie. It isn’t until have several rounds of hot sex that she gets a phone call from the agency that there has been a mix-up and her date wouldn’t be showing up until the following day that she realizes there’s been a case of mistaken identity. What happens next is funny, touching, sexy, and endearing; a story of finding love where and with whom you least expect it.

Platinum Pleasures was a fun, quick read. It is a short story and it was sizzling, but I honestly just felt like there could be “more” there. I loved the characters of both Marcus and Ainsley and felt like there was still so much more of their story left to tell. The ending was a little predictable, but it was a happy ending that for an older woman like Ainsley, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that sometimes the “well-seasoned” of us win. I liked that Ainsley had some typical hang ups about her body considering the age difference between her and Marcus, however it didn’t stop her from taking advantage of her time with Marcus and getting what she needed both physically and emotionally ut of the process.

Platinum Pleasures was a solid four-star read. Again, I loved the story, it was a lot of fun, but I really do feel that there is more to tell and I’d love to know how things turned out for Marcus and Ainsley!

Christina Mock

6/2/14

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Abby's Survival by B.L. Mooney with Review

The sequel to Liv's Existence

Love and Loss.

Two tiny words, each with their own powerful impact. They can both happen at any given moment and both can forever change your soul. It’s how you allow it to change you that matters. The hard part is finding a balance when the loss gets overwhelming. How do you do that when everyone you thought you couldn’t live without leaves you?

Loss is inevitable. I’ve had enough in my life to know that much. Now I’ve just got to figure out how to survive it.

Ages 18+ due to adult situations and violence. Some situations may be difficult for some readers.

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John stepped in and closed the door. “That isn’t the reception I was hoping for.” He locked the door.

“And what reception was that? I couldn’t get the parade together for you since you never called to tell me you were ever coming back.” I never looked up while I talked, but I had heard him lock the door and my excitement grew. If I looked up, he would’ve known I wanted him—despite how indifferent I was trying to be.

I should’ve kept my eyes on him. He was next to me before I knew it, and he startled me as he twirled my chair around and knelt down in front of me. “I like you in skirts, Abs.” He slid his hand up my thigh.

“Jo–John.” I stopped his hand. “You don’t get to ignore me for ten days and then come waltzing into my office expecting me to drop my panties for you.” I turned back to my desk, proud that I had stood my ground. I hadn’t done that before.

John sighed and got up to go back to the chair in front of my desk. “I’m sorry, Abby. I’m a fool that had to figure out a few things, but I figured them out, and I’m here now.” He watched me work in silence for a few minutes. “When can you get out of here, so we can have a proper celebration?”

“And just what are we celebrating?”

“Us.”

I didn’t know if I had heard him right. I wanted to jump over the desk and onto his lap, but I was scared that I had misunderstood what he was saying. I swallowed. “Us? What do we have to celebrate?”

“Why don’t we talk about that over dinner? So, when can you go?”

“Why do you automatically assume I’m free for dinner—or anything else, for that matter?” I was still pissed he hadn’t called for ten days and came in as if nothing had happened. 

“You’re pissed. I get it, and I deserve it. I’m in town for a few days, and if you change your mind, give me a call.” He was up and had the door open before he finished. 

“Are you going to call me back this time?” I was still hurt, but didn’t want him to leave.

“No, I’m going to answer and not let it go to voicemail. I really am sorry, Abs. When you want me, call me, and we’ll talk over dinner.” He turned and walked out. 

I stared at my phone. I wanted to call him back to the office desperately, but I didn’t want to seem too desperate. Who was I kidding? I picked up the phone.

He didn’t answer the phone, but stepped back into the doorway with a huge smile. “I thought you’d never call.” He locked the door again and was back by my side with just a few large steps. He lifted me out of my chair and put my arms around his neck. “This is the greeting you will greet me with from now on.” He slapped my ass and kissed me hard. “Understood?”

I grabbed the bulge in his jeans. “Keep ordering me around and slapping my ass like that, and I’ll never touch your little friend here again.” I squeezed. “Understood?”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Completely.”

I tried to not smile, but failed. “You just took that as a challenge.” I turned back to my desk.

John grabbed me and pulled me to him. I placed my hands on his chest to brace myself for impact before I slammed into him. “I’m not finished with you yet.” He cupped my face and brought it to his. He kissed me so softly and sweetly that I had trouble catching my breath. I was glad to finally have something good steal breath from me. I gripped his shirt, trying to pull him closer. 

He stopped kissing me, but still held my face and looked in my eyes. He whispered, “I love you, Abigail Hughes.”

My eyes shot open wide as I tried to push on his chest. I needed to be out of his grip, but he wouldn’t let me go. “You can’t love me. I’m no good for you.”

He pulled me to him and wrapped his big arms around me. “It’s scary, isn’t it? To let yourself be this vulnerable with someone again takes a lot of trust—and I’m very happy and honored you decided to trust me.”

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B.L. Mooney started writing when the voices and storylines in her head ran out of room. They were getting too cramped and neither B.L. nor the characters could take it anymore, so she did the only thing she could do--she made room. She always knew she wanted to write, but vowed to make time for it later. Now that she's made time for writing, most everything else falls to the wayside. That seems to suit the characters that keep popping up just fine.

B.L. lives in the Midwest and her other talents include in-demand cookies, a very dry sense of humor, and stealth eavesdropping. Some mannerisms, attitudes, or twists come from random sentences picked up while passing by strangers. So speak up the next time you have something to gossip about. You never know, it may just end up on the pages of the next book you read.

Abby’s Survival

By B.L. Mooney

Review by Christina

Four stars

In order to truly understand this book, you must read the first book in the series, Liv’s Existence. These are not standalone books by any means.

Abby’s Survival begins immediately where Liv’s Existence ends and chronicles the healing Liv has to do not only physically, but emotionally as well. Both Liv and Abby must come to grips with how their contact with Adam has forever changed not only their lives, but the way that interact with those around them. Can Liv’s newfound love with Kyle stand the test? Will Abby’s past come back to haunt her new relationship with John?

The entire cast has reassembled for this volume of the story. Unfortunately I can’t share a whole lot about the story without giving away some pretty major spoilers, but if you’ve read the first book, I’m sure you’ll understand the amount of emotion within the pages.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed with Abby’s Survival. In the first book, Ms. Mooney created two characters in Liv & Abby that were strong and willing to face their challenges head on, regardless of the level of challenge. In this book, it felt like there was a whole lot more angst and self-doubt. There seemed to be a whole lot more “he loves me, he loves me not”, “I don’t deserve him”, etc. than there needed to be in order for the story to progress. These are two characters that we know are broken and we know that they are each going to confront their demons in different ways, but in a lot of ways, they ended up the same whiny mess at one point.

While I was disappointed, that doesn’t mean that Abby’s Survival isn’t a good book, because it definitely is. Once again, Ms. Mooney has presented a well-written, emotionally heartbreaking tale. The characters feel genuine and the storyline kept me engaged. I just felt that given the age of the characters involved, as well as the gravity of storyline itself, the angst came off a little more NA than it needed to. I am completely satisfied with the ending and feel that fans of the series will be as well, knowing that for what Liv & Abby have endured they more than deserve their happily ever after. Four stars to Abby’s Survival and I’m looking forward to what Ms. Mooney has lined up for us next.

Christina Mock 5/18/14

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Sway by Kate Roth with Review

Love. Family. Business.

Talent manager, Beau Harris only cares about one of those things. His career is suddenly in a downward spiral and the only friend he has left is client and pop star, Vanessa Curtis. 

Seeking refuge from the life he’s come to loathe, Beau moves in with Vanessa to focus on her upcoming tour. Yet unexpectedly, he ends up focusing more on his budding friendship with her sister and back-up dancer, Whitney.

Finally able to open up, Beau and Whitney share with each other the vulnerabilities they’ve hidden from the rest of the world. Unable to deny that their connection burns deeper than attraction, they’re forced to confront the feelings they’ve long since given up on. But the emotional baggage, the struggle to break old patterns, and the fear of what Vanessa will think makes falling in love more complicated than they could’ve imagined.

Love. Family. Business.

Those three things now hopelessly woven together, Beau will have to fight for the happily ever after he never knew he truly wanted.

**Sway is a stand alone adult contemporary romance in the Confession Records collection. Book 1, Natural Harmony, introduces characters that reappear in Sway but these books can be read in any order.**

Sway BUY LINKS:

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 Natural Harmony is $2.99. Natural Harmony includes the introduction of Beau Harris. 

Natural Harmony BUY LINKS:

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Sway

Confession Records #2

By Kate Roth

 

Beau Harris is pretty much everything you don’t want in a man all wrapped up in a hot package. He’s a shark; he’s ruthless at what he does and makes no apologies. He’s a serial womanizer who is only looking out for number one, himself.

 

Or so we thought.

 

Whitney is a dancer, preparing to tour with pop princessVanessa Curtis as she heads out to promote her latest album. She’s also Vanessa’s little sister. She hasn’t seen Beau since she was just a teen, when Vanessa first signed with Beau, and Whitney was sent off to an exclusive boarding school in Europe. She’s heard the rumors of Beau’s manwhorish ways, but the Beau that she gets to know is nothing like that. Is Beau just behaving himself to get in Whitney’s pants? Or has he genuinely changed his ways, knowing that Whitney is the one for him?

 

At the end of Natural Harmony I’ll be honest, I thought Beau was a serious asshole. The way he treated and strung Sabrina along made me not like him a whole lot. By the end of Sway, jumpin’ Jesus on a pogo stick…my ovaries were ready burst and I was ready to profess my undying love for the man. Ms. Roth had taken Beau from a broken shell of a man, near the point of desperation, to a man that embodied love and fidelity. We see what happened in his past to make him the way he is, and see what has to happen in order to find the happiness that he once had.

 

I loved Natural Harmony, the first book in this series. I wish I hadn’t used that term the first time around because it makes it all the harder to summarize my feelings for this book. I freaking LOVED this book. Ms. Roth writes romance, however she doesn’t let that label pigeonhole her; her books are so much more than just mere romances.Sway, in particular, pushes the boundaries of the average romance. Yes, we’re treated to some hot, sexy goodness; however, Ms. Roth takes on some hot topic issues, namely the May/December romance of Beau and Whitney, as well as the same-sex romance of another set of characters. What it all boils down to is that we’re all humans and we all deserve to find the love of someone. That love may look different from person to person, but we all deserve to be happy, regardless of what others may perceive is “right” or “proper”.

 

While Sway is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I highly suggest reading Natural Harmonyfirst though, as Sway will mean all the more to you. We see Beau in a completely different light and the way he’s able to interact with Sabrina and Wade just further exemplifies his metamorphosis.

 

This was an easy five star read that I devoured in one sitting. It is well written and I’ve established that the characters are well developed and the storyline is engaging.This book will pull you in and you will feel all of those emotions of love. Loves lost, first loves, unrequited love, it’s all there.

 

I think one of the reasons that I like Ms. Roth’s characters so much is that she is writing US. We can relate to her characters because any one of us could be her character. O.k., so we’re not pop stars or record executives, however we are people that find love in different places, in different ways. I mean, Beau is the hero and he’s graying and in his 40s. I have a husband like that, I can relate to that. I like escaping into books, but at the same time, it’s nice to see your life reflected back to you once in awhile. To think, “hey, my life’s not so bad!” As much as we’d all love to have our hot 25-year-old MMA fighter, or rock star, or our perfect dom, rarely is that in the cards. Beau Harris? Yeah, that could happen.

 

Christina Mock

5/11/14