Guest Review : *Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger*

Guest Review By Jasprit Kaur

Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Series : #2 The Devil Wears Prada

Released : 4th June 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins 

Format : Paperback

Source : Publisher (Thank you) 

Buy : Amazon (UK/USA)/Book Depository

Overall rating

 .................................... The Blurb  ....................................

The sequel you’ve been waiting for: the follow-up to the sensational #1 bestseller The Devil Wears Prada.Almost a decade has passed since Andy Sachs quit the job “a million girls would die for” working for Miranda Priestly at Runway magazine—a dream that turned out to be a nightmare. Andy and Emily, her former nemesis and co-assistant, have since joined forces to start a highend bridal magazine. The Plunge has quickly become required reading for the young and stylish. Now they get to call all the shots: Andy writes and travels to her heart’s content; Emily plans parties and secures advertising like a seasoned pro. Even better, Andy has met the love of her life. Max Harrison, scion of a storied media family, is confident, successful, and drop-dead gorgeous. Their wedding will be splashed across all the society pages as their friends and family gather to toast the glowing couple. Andy Sachs is on top of the world. But karma’s a bitch. The morning of her wedding, Andy can’t shake the past. And when she discovers a secret letter with crushing implications, her wedding-day jitters turn to cold dread. Andy realizes that nothing—not her husband, nor her beloved career—is as it seems. She never suspected that her efforts to build a bright new life would lead her back to the darkness she barely escaped ten years ago—and directly into the path of the devil herself..

 .................................... Jasprit's Thoughts   ....................................

In Long

I admit to being not a huge fan of The Devil Wears Prada book, it was a decent chick lit read, but after watching the film again recently (I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve watched it) that when I heard about the follow up book I felt really encouraged in giving it a go. And I’m so glad that I did because it was the best chick-lit book I have read in a long time.

In Revenge Wears Prada, we find ourselves back with Andy ten years after she left Miranda Priestly hanging at Paris fashion week. For Andy that was the worst year of her life, she didn’t expect that ten years later when Andy was actually happy with what was going on in her life that Miranda would once again threaten to have an impact in her life once more.

I adored Andy’s character, despite everyone saying that she had made the biggest mistake of her life those ten years ago; she was actually leading a successful life. Her magazine The Plunge had been bringing in a steady income for nearly the last three years and they had been having great success with big name stars lining up to feature in the magazine. And she was about to marry the love of her life Max. But then all of a sudden things started getting pretty stressful.

Andy had so much to deal with so early on that I found myself immediately backing her corner, the Andy we once knew had matured into an even more confident woman. It was easy not to form such a strong connection with her character as all she wanted to achieve was the best out of life. She was always one to think things through carefully and not make selfish, impulsive decisions like a lot of other characters did. I think this is one of the reasons I wasn’t able to rate Revenge wears Prada 5 stars, I absolutely adored this book, but a character who I really became to like over the course of the book, they had literally won me over made the biggest mistake possible. I think I was truly left heartbroken for a few days afterwards after things had gone down.

Weisberger did a brilliant job in creating new characters that were easy to fall hard and fast for. Max was an absolutely wonderful inclusion to this book; he was considerate, sweet and had some swoony moments. I admit that he did completely win me over with his gentle side that I didn’t pay attention in the slightest when some ex’s showed up on the scene. It was also great getting to know returning characters once more. Miranda once again was a difficult character to get my feelings around. Whereas I detested her immensely in The Devil wears Prada, she brought out a whole another side to her, that at times I was confused about whose character to believe.

Final Thoughts

Revenge Wears Prada was a wonderful follow up to the Devil Wears Prada. The wait for this book I would have to say was definitely worth it, with Weisberger bringing another entertaining story. There were some crazy stressful times, a pinch of heartbreak along the way (I am seriously still not over this betrayal!) but overall a whole lot of fun. If you’re in the mood for a fun read or a quick pick me up when feeling low, this is the perfect book to go to.

Find Jasprit : 

The Readers Den

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Thank you Jasprit for your wonderful review and sharing your thoughts on Revenge Wears Prada.

Nearly There!

Hi to all my lovely readers out there!

I have mentioned on twitter a few times about being pregnant etc and you may have seen my older post few months back about being pregnant. 

Well, I am finally due!

Well I am due 15th September but in England they say your due anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks pregnant. I could have baby tomorrow or in 5 weeks. which is pretty crazy really. 

Now I have been lucky to work with some wonderful authors who have let me schedule guest posts. I have lots of WoW and Cover Crazy posts scheduled AND as long as baby doesn't come this week I will be doing a Nicole Williams month in September, including an author interview with Nicole herself!

Some exciting stuff =)

Please do be patient with me. Although September looks like a busy month for Books for Company despite me probably not being online much at all. I think October and November may be a very quiet month because I won't have September to schedule posts for then. 

I WILL carry on blogging but I may take time out. I am going to see how I feel!

Anyway I wanted to share a picture of my 4D Scan with you all.

We don't know the gender =)

Waiting on Wednesday #101

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Just One Year - Gayle Forman 
Published : 1oth October 2013
I didn't actually know that this was going to become a series. I have the first in the series, Just One Day, on my bookshelf and I really do want to read it. Being a fan of Gayle I have high exceptions for the book! 
I am pleased to see it's part of a series as I am sure I will be left wanting more when I have read Just One Day. I love both the covers and how well they go together! 
Definitely spurred me on to read Just One Day sooner so I can read Just One Year when it comes out. 

The Blurb :
SPOILER FOR Just One Day : 

The heartrending conclusion—from Willem’s POV—to the romantic duet of novels that began with Allyson’s story in Just One Day

After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem’s story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson’s own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

Cover Crazy #98

Cover Crazy is a meme I enjoy taking part in as a book lover because for me, although they say don't judge a book by it's cover, covers have a big influence over whether I pick a book up or not! 

Little White Lies by Katie Dale
This is one of those covers I need to look at a for a few minutes to totally understand it but it does really grow on me the more I do so. It is rather crowded with all the writing but I do love the tagline, makes me really want to read it! 

Waiting on Wednesday #100

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Find Me - Romily Bernard
Published : 24th September 2013
I love the sound of this, I am totally into mystery books at the moment because they totally grip me. Find me definitely sounds like the sort of book with the potential to keep me rather engrossed. 
I love the idea that Wick obviously has a very troubled life and doesn't care for much but when it seems to involve her sister she wants to solve it. 
This seems to be a stand alone novel which is another plus for me, I do sometimes like to read a stand alone as there aren't that many now it seems. 

-

The Blurb :

"Find Me." These are the words written on Tessa Waye's diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa's just been found...dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target. Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick.

Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick's deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she's going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

Blog Tour - Sassy in Stilettos by Nana Malone

Nana Malone's Writing Journey 

When I started writing my first book (which now sits in the bottom drawer in my office) I immediately grabbed my laptop and started banging out a manuscript knowing nothing about characterization, plot or the writing business. Like so many newbie “have a lot to learn” writers, I said things like, “How difficult could it be?” An adorable heroine, sexy hero, a cute meet, sprinkle some acerbic wit and bam, you have a book. God, I had no idea. Who knew I needed plot, characterization, some magical writing and heaps of luck?

After several failed attempts at gluing a haphazard plot together for my first book, I got myself some craft books. Make that lots of craft books, joined RWA, signed up for every class I could get my hands on, and found the best critique partner that a newbie like me deserved or could ask for. She’s been patient, but honest. Tells me what I don’t want to hear, encourages me to be the best writer I can be and I’m so honored to call her a friend and one of my favorite authors, Misty Evans. If you’ve never read her, you’re missing out!

Over the years I’ve met some amazing writers. Women who pour their hearts out onto the paper. Those who plot, those who pants it. All of them hustling towards an impossible goal while traversing the land mines of day job, significant others, kids and personal lives.

Because now, 13 years later, 14 books, over a hundred rejection letters and experiences I wouldn’t trade for a pair of Prada pumps, (Let’s be honest, I might trade the experience for some Louboutins), I know what work goes into being a writer. The pain, pleasure, joy of it. The sweat and the literal tears. It’s in my blood now.

The In Stilettos Series came out of my love of strong heroines and even stronger friendships. Sure, these books are about romance, but they are just as much about the strong friendships that women form. I wanted to explore these friendships as well as love and look at the things that women would do for people they love. With the final book in the In Stilettos series now out, I find that I miss my ladies. They were such a hoot to write. Jaya (Sexy in Stilettos), Ricca (Sultry in Stilettos), and Micha (Sassy in Stilettos) are as real to me as real friends. Their friendship will always be part of me and influence other books I’ve written.

About Nana

USA Today Best Seller and iTunes Breakout Books author, Nana Malone's love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin.
It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters. 
While she waits for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, in the meantime Nana works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is. 

Nana also writes sizzling erotic novellas as Q. Malone.

Find Nana

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Buy Sassy in Stilettos

Amazon Kindle (UK/USA)

Amazon Paperback (UK/USA)

Book Depository 

Top Ten Tuesday #13

Top Ten is run by The Broke and the Bookish 

Top Ten Things That Make Your Life As A Reader/Book Blogger Easier

Goodreads

I don't think I could actually explain how much I rely on goodreads in so many ways. It's the way I keep track of the books I have read, books I want to read, books I still need to review, find new books I want to read, find covers which I love. I heart goodreads!

Blogger

As much as blogger annoys me with the constant annoying little probems I couldn't blog without blogger so obviously it makes my life a lot easier. The scheduling post options is like a life saver. 

Book Publishers 

Being able to work hand in hand with book publishers is a massive part of blogging and definitely makes blogging easier. I don't just mean because they send review copies out but I mean because they keep me up to date with books coming out, new authors etc! I love working with publishers.

Lovely Authors

Authors also play a massive part in making my blogging easier, for some same reasons as book publishers.

Guest Posts
I love guest posts and it's such a massive help when authors write a guest post for Books for Company. It fills Books for Company with fun posts while giving me the chance to write new posts myself. 

Netgalley
I don't use this as much as I should because I am lucky to get such lovely physical review copies but netgalley definitely  makes blogging easier for lots of people I know!

Love of Books
To blog I definitely think your love for books has to be big. Blogging does take up a lot of time but I get a thrill from working with publishers, authors and other book lovers as well as writing about books I have loved!

Gmail
Obviously I couldnt blog much without my emails as that's how all guest posts and contact is taken place!

Guest Post + Giveaway - What Inspired Me to Write Red Threads by Stacey J. Mitchell

What Inspired Me to Write Red Threads

by Stacey J. Mitchell

Put simply, my first novel was inspired by a blog post. It was one that I wrote when I was taking part in the 2012 A-to-Z Challenge. If you're not familiar with the A-to-Z Challenge, it goes something like this: for every day in the month of April (apart from Sundays), you write a blog post on a different letter of the alphabet. You start with A on 1 April and work through to Z, which should be posted on 30 April.

Many people write their blog posts around a theme, and this was something I chose to do. I love history and the subject I had selected was mythology. I chose to write about some cultures that I was familiar with (Greece, Rome, and Egypt) and some that I knew less about (the Native American Indians, Japan, and China). Being a challenge that revolves around the alphabet, anyone taking part also has to write posts on those awkward letters at the end of the alphabet such as U, X, Y, and Z—and that was when including Japanese and Chinese mythology really helped me!

When I was reading around the subject of Chinese mythology, I discovered the concept of the Red String of Fate. It states that two people who are destined to be together (soulmates in Western cultures) are connected by a red thread, which runs from the ankle of one to the ankle of the other (or little finger to little finger in Japanese mythology).

This became my 'R' post in the A-to-Z Challenge. It really stuck with me and I started thinking about how I might use it in fiction. What if the red thread didn't just join two soulmates? Perhaps it could be used as a more general indicator of someone's fate, connecting one person to the most important person in his or her life at that time (and not just romantically—after all, we have so many different kinds of relationships).

I thought it would be fun to write about a character who could see these fate lines, but didn't understand what they were. I decided it could become a kind of ability for her, which opened up a door into a completely different aspect of life. I added in beings called Fateliners who help to guide people through the biggest events in their lives, and evil entities who are intent on stopping humans from fulfilling their fate—and in doing so are trying to create chaos in the world.

As you can see, one thought led to the next and I got a little carried away—but the more I thought about it, the more excited I became. I still find it amazing that a novel (and the potential for a whole series) grew out of a short blog post, but inspiration sometimes strikes when you least expect it to!

Giveaway

International

Ends 23rd August

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

I am a tea drinker and history geek who lives in south Wales. I love reading, being outdoors, cooking, and stand-up comedy--but I don't like bananas and insects.
I have been writing stories ever since I could hold a pen (I know, I know--you've heard that a million times before). It's true, though, and I love writing so much that I even enjoyed my university coursework.
Red Threads is my first novel (but will be the first of many)

Buy/Add Red Threads 

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Smashwords

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Find Stacey Mitchell

Website

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Waiting on Wednesday #99

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Being Solane Jacobs - Lauren Morrill
Published : 7th January 2014
Definitely a fan of this cover! 
The first thing which came to mind when I read this blurb was the movie 'The Parent Trap'. I used to love this movie as a kid and watched it so many times.
This definitely has an element of that movie and I am actually really interested to give this book a go as I don't think it's the sort of book I would usually go for. Always think it's good to go for books which you wouldn't usually go for sometimes. I have often found I loved a book I wouldn't have  normally read! 

-

The Blurb :

Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater from Washington, D.C., who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.

When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one: no strangers to judge or laugh at Sloane Emily, no scouts expecting Sloane Devon to be a hero. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie—and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.

Can’t Resist YA - Membrane Blog Tour

Interview with Carol Moreira

Carol on Membranes Book Cover
I love Membrane’s cover – it’s by talented east coast artist Anne Verge (http://www.avcreative.ca/contact.html). It represents the parallel universes in the story (some theorize parallel universes lie within giant cosmic soap bubbles, which may have been Anne’s inspiration) The girl reflected within the globe represents the two 16-year-old girls at the heart of the story who are genetically identical parallel doubles from different worlds.

Carol on Tanya, the main characterThe main character Tanya, or TOT as she is called, has been bullied severely and had to move schools within her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She’s a bit over-sensitive by nature, but bullying has caused her to develop anxiety. She stumbles into another world and meets her parallel double who is much more confident, capable, intellectual and attractive than she is. At first, there’s a lot of conflict between them and TOT calls her double P for Princess as she feels her double patronizes her. As the story develops, TOT grows stronger. TOT was quite a tricky character to get right as she had to be both damaged and vulnerable and resilient enough to carry the story. I balanced her out by making her a sailor and a lover of music – both very life-affirming interests that help her get through her troubles. I was bullied myself as a teen so that’s probably the basis for TOT, and sadly bullying is always with us and in the news. There’s no doubt that bullying damages many people and prevents them becoming their best selves. TOT turns out to be strong and interesting, just like her double, but she has to work harder to be that way.

Carol on the idea for Membrane came

The idea first came to me when I read a book called The Universe Next Door by Marcus Chown in which he writes that, “Physicists are increasingly accepting the idea that there exists an infinity of realities stacked together like the pages of a never-ending book. So there are an infinite number of versions of you, living out an infinite number of different lives in an infinite number of parallel realities.” That struck me as a cool and fascinating tool for looking at identity and the idea is at the core of the story.

Carol on her influences for Membrane

I have tons of influences! Some writers I currently admire are Yann Martel for his brilliant Life of Pi, Susan Casey, whose non-fiction book The Wave is amazing, and Alan Bradley for his Flavia de Luce series. On the east coast of Canada we have some great writers of YA fiction, including fellow Fierce Ink writer Kat Kruger, author of The Night Has Teeth, Vicki Grant, who writes wonderfully humorous books for teens, and Lesley Choyce who always tells a good story.

Carol Moreira is an award-winning journalist based in St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia. Her debut novel, the young adult book Charged, was published by James Lorimer in 2008. She is currently editor of the business news site www.entrevestor.com, run by her husband, as well as editor of Celtic Life International magazine.

Find Carol

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Facebook

Buy Membrane

Amazon (UK/USA)

This or That with Alix Wenmouth

Please welcome Alix Wenmouth to Books for Company

Alix's debut book is called Addicted To You and was released on 22nd March

Addicted to You is now available in paperback!

On Books :
Paperback or Kindle?
Paperback. One of my favourite things in the world is a well stocked bookshelf. However, when it comes to going on holiday books can take up most of my suitcase, so in that instance - definitely Kindle!

Series or Stand Alone?
Hmm. This is a tricky one - some of my favourite all time books are stand alone, like Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls or classics like Wuthering Heights and The Picture of Dorian Gray. But then Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is my favourite series, I absolutely love them and have read them again and again. I remember sitting down excitedly when I was about ten with a book of short stories that included one by Richard Adams about the rabbits in my favourite film (that became my favourite book) of all time Watership Down. It terrified me, I had nightmares for weeks.

Cover or Blurb?
Both. But I get a bit obsessed with covers. If there are different versions in a series, I have to make sure mine are all from the same set. I remember being really gutted when I was bought Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for Christmas and the cover was from the wrong set. I wanted to read it so badly though that I couldn't wait for the shops to open to change it. It still annoys me a bit when I see it sat on my bookshelf, looking out of sync with all the others!

Long or Short?
I don't think the length of a book really matters as long as it catches my attention and draws me in. Once I'm hooked that's it.

Fiction or Non Fiction?
Fiction. I love getting lost in another world for a bit.


Random :
Sand or Snow?
Right now: SAND. I am dying for a holiday!

Animal's or People?
Both. My friends and family are hugely important to me and I don't get to see any of them as much I'd like, so I cherish the time I spend with them. I have always had cats, I couldn't live without feline company.

Tidy or Messy?
Tidy. Although that's easier said than done isn't it?!

Plane or Car?
Hmm. I love a road trip, there's nothing like going on an adventure. Can I have both? I'd like a plane to take me to America, and then a vintage car to drive down the west coast in.

Laptop or Phone?
I definitely suffer from an unhealthy attachment to my phone. I never turn it off, just incase. I was at Glastonbury last weekend and when my phone died I had about 30 minutes of sheer panic before I calmed down and embraced the freedom from my emails and the connection with the outside world. I was actually quite disappointed when I had to turn it on and step back into reality again!

Library or Bookshop?
Libraries are a really important part of our society. The amount of closures that there have been lately are really worrying. I spent a huge amount of time in my local library when I was a child, I agree with Philip Pullman when he says that libraries are vital to help children unlock their imaginations. People of all ages use the library - my Nan has always used her local one. They mean so much more to people than just being a place to borrow books from.

Find Alix

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Buy Addicted to You 

Kindle

Amazon (UK/USA)

Paperback

Amazon (UK/USA)

Waiting on Wednesday #98

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Isla and The Happily Ever After - Stephanie Perkins
Published : 13th May 2014
Ok I am going to sound totally crazy because I still haven't read Lola and The Boy Next Door despite loving and adoring Anna and the French Kiss. I couldn't wait to read TBND. The time will definitely come for that and this! Maybe I should wait until 'Isla' is out and then read them both one after the other =)
Really hope they both live up to my exceptions! I have see raving reviews about TBND so I am sure they both will.

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The Blurb :

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Top Ten Tuesday #12

Top Ten is run by The Broke and the Bookish 

Top Ten Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels

I tend to find so many books these days have sequels which could have been stand alone books so it's refreshing when a book is a stand alone. Most of these books I am  more than happy that they are stand alone books however I most definitely could and would have read more!

Stolen - Lucy Christopher 

I loved this book so so so so much! It's really such a captivating, raw read. I was gutted when it ended, although it couldn't have ended better I just wanted more! 

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour - Morgan Matson

I loved this book, such a fun summer read! Would have loved to see where the characters went next with their life's. 

Close My Eyes - Sophie McKenzie

Oh I so wish there was another one after Close My Eyes. Such an amazing read! 

Torn - David Massey 

Stay - Deb Caletti

But I Love Him - Amanda Grace

Bitter End - Jennifer Brown

Stay With Me - Paul Griffin

Cover Crazy #97

Cover Crazy is a meme I enjoy taking part in as a book lover because for me, although they say don't judge a book by it's cover, covers have a big influence over whether I pick a book up or not! 

Watch Over Me - Tara Sivec
This cover gives me mixed feeling, it's quite strange. The whole cross in the distance was at first spooky but then because of the lighting and how bright it is it's clear the book isn't a thriller but more about a girl who loses someone. 

Guest Post + Excerpt with Ana W.Fawkes

Please welcome Ana to Books for Company. 

Thank you Ana for stopping by and introducing us to your book 'Almost Taken' 

I’ve had experience in romance before but not like this. This series is something fun, flirty, sexy, and different. I thought of the title based on the plots of the stories… Two Weddings, One Funeral, & One Baby. It looked fun and it made sense. Plus, readers know what they’re getting.

I liked bringing the characters together in unique ways and seeing their relationships grown. In Almost Taken, Jared knows something that Becky doesn’t. To make matters worse, Jared and Becky are walking down the aisle together at a friend’s wedding.

Now I’m bring the end of my ten book series, By His Command, in August. It’s a project that started last October and the fan turned it into the ten books. I like balancing everything between romance and erotic romance. It’s fun. Some days I get to write a really deep story and some days I get to write some steamy scenes for another project. It’s like having two sides to myself!

I hope everyone enjoys Almost Taken as much as I enjoyed writing it!

And be sure to read this excerpt… and grab a copy of the book!

Excerpt

Something in Harry's eyes didn't seem right. Nor Becky's. Jared reminded himself he was there to sell the apartment, not judge people, and not play mental matchmaker.
“So?” Becky asked, her eyes shifting from Harry to Jared.
“So...?” Jared asked and smiled.
He couldn’t help himself then as he started at the deep brown color of Becky’s eyes. They had a twinkle about them, radiating something.
“So, what?” Harry chimed in, his uneasy voice able to ruin any pleasing moment.
“What comes next?” Becky asked.
Harry laughed. He slipped his left hand around to Becky’s shoulder and squeezed. “This is where the men talk. Take another walk through the place, okay?”
Jared held his smile even though he felt Harry deserved a backhand to the face. But that was typical Harry, always finding a way to demean people around him, especially women. But yet women always went for him. Whether it was the money, the sense of power, or the rough but attractive looks, Harry always had a woman.
Becky nodded and broke away from Harry, moving to the steps.

Jared turned and watched until Becky was out of sight. When he looked back at Harry, Harry held up a finger. They listened to the click-clack of Becky’s shoes until they were a distant sound.
“Okay, now we can talk,” Harry said.
“Fair enough. Any questions...?”
“How’s the market treating you now?” Harry asked.
“The market? Which one?”
“Ah, always the show off,” Harry waved a finger at Jared. “See, that used to work in college but it’s not stable or viable now, is it? You look like you’re still grabbing at a hundred straws, hoping one will be the money making one.”
“I’ve done okay,” Jared said.
“Just okay?”
Harry raised an eyebrow. Jared knew the routine. Harry wouldn’t come out and ask it, but his eyes said everything.
How desperate are you to sell this house?
Jared wasn’t exactly desperate...
“This has been on the market for six months,” Harry said.
“Owners moved out two months ago.”
“And you couldn’t move it?”
“Haven’t given it much thought. The owners called me two weeks ago and said it was time to get aggressive.”
“Sure, sure,” Harry said. “I get it. Can we cut the shit, Jared, and figure this out?”
“Make an offer,” Jared said and closed the leather folder. “You know the market. You know the house. You know the drill. How many houses do you own now?”
“A few,” Harry said. He turned and walked into the bedroom that Becky wanted to be her painting room. He looked out the window and sighed. “There’s not enough room for my cars though.”
“I’m sure you have a place for them already,” Jared said.
“Smart man,” Harry said. “Tell you what. Let me take Rebecca home and discuss this with her. Privately. Without the pressure” - Harry looked over his shoulder and smiled - “and good charm of yourself.”
“Fair enough,” Jared said, knowing damn well Harry wasn’t going to buy the place.
For a second he considered asking Harry what the hell the point was to even bring Becky here. It had all been a waste of time.
Jared heard the sound of Becky climbing the steps again. When he saw Becky he decided it hadn’t been that much of a waste of time. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw someone as beautiful as Becky. But when she breezed by him, seeking the comfort of Harry, he then understood what the entire thing had been.
An image.
Harry brought Becky to look at houses each time she thought about the future, hoping to keep her calm and once again, in check. Just like the talk about planning on getting engaged.
“If you have any questions, give me a call,” Jared said.
“Of course,” Harry replied.
Becky looked at Harry like she had something to say. Jared would have loved to hear what she had to say, but Harry already started walking. When he passed him, Jared watched the fake happy couple disappear down the steps but not before Becky looked back and smiled.
Jared memorized the smile, from the way the right side of Becky’s mouth curled a little more than the left, to how she had little dimples, and how her eyes and smile went together in perfect harmony.
He shook his head. Jared was so used to memorizing features... that’s all it was, nothing else.

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