X

Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

You are here: Home / Home

Exclusive Book Trailer Release for “A Little Too Far” by Lisa Desrochers, and I cannot WAIT to read this! You’ll see why… ;)

By 19 Comments

Quick update!! – 09-15-2013
A Little Too Far (releasing this Tuesday)<—- This is what I’m reading right now (and already loving! I’m at 44% … and excited as to where it’s going… I have no *real* clue!). That’s why I’ve been so quiet, snuggled in my big bean-bag chair. I love reading-Sundays! 😀 Anyway… it’s that “taboo” one I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, where she’s *ahem* “with” her stepbrother (hehe) and then she leaves for Italy, and she meets a gorgeous young deacon (about to become a priest). You know where I’m going with this. 😉

So… it’ll be out this Tuesday, and I’m devouring it as we speak. I should have my review up tomorrow! Oh and here is the old post from when I first found out about this book, and the book trailer and of course, the pre-order link on Amazon.

See my original post below. I went a little crazy when I found out the premise. 😉 Tee hee!!

——————————

A Little Too Far <— Okay, this book?? Oh I cannot WAIT to read it. Taboo on TWO levels, people!! What. the. heck is this one going to put me through? All I know is I am SO in!

What am I talking about? Just look at how this synopsis starts…

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother.

GAH!!! Whaaaaaaat!!?? eek <—- See my eyes bugging out right there? I really did that when I read it. Choked a bit, too… It reminded me of another book I loved like crazy a few months back so I was already titillated…

And then, I continued reading the synopsis…

In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.

But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell.

Oh. No. *grins maniacally* Where is this going?

Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest.

O.M.G. eek It’s going there!!!!! 😉

I can’t stop chuckling ’cause as crazy as this sounds, I just gotta read it. I’m all wiggly with antsiness. Sure, I love sweet heartwarming romance, just like the next guy, but sometimes, (lots of times) I like it like this. Right up my alley! My heart is already twisting in anticipation for where this one’s gonna lead us.

Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

TWO men!! And both… “forbidden”. YAY ME!!!! But alas, it is a little over three weeks away, ’cause it only releases on September 17th. *sigh*

It is up for pre-order though at a bargain price! —> A Little Too Far 

Okay so wanna see the trailer? It’s cute, and apparently I’m not the only one into this sort of read. Anyone with me?

Book Review – Every Rose by Lynetta Halat

By 7 Comments

Every Rose
You guys had me so excited (and SO scared) with this adamantly recommended book (and I really only paid attention when I noticed fellow reader, Liz, suggested it as her favorite for my “so good I forgot to eat” list). Once I read that, noticed the other recommendations pouring in as other readers agreed with her, and coupled those with that crazy warning “intro” to the synopsis, I knew I was in! And I was in for pain, but I wanted that kind of intensity. Bring it on!

Jenn: I took a chance on a book yesterday.  Every Rose by Lynetta Halat. Did not even read what it was about….I bought this book purely for the absolutely gorgeous cover. OH HAPPY DAY I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Liz: One of my favorite books ever!!!

Bobbie: Every Rose by Lynetta Halat. Fabulous read but not for the faint of heart. It is life-changing.

Finest: Every Rose is a must read like yesterday!!!

Stacy: If you love a great love story then Every Rose it a great one. It will have you laughing and ugly crying in no time. It is such an emotional read not only did I not want to put it down to eat but I didn’t want to sleep. I was getting misty eyed reading what everyone else was saying about it and can’t wait to know what you think.

Melanie: Every Rose is a must read!!!!

Jeanie: Beautiful & bittersweet! This book totally surprised me! Really good read!

Concetta: You won’t regret it, I can promise….but bring the kleenex box along for the ride.

Maureen: Amazing book! Michael Bang is a dream. Put your Kindle in a waterproof cover!

Well… after reactions like that… (ugly cry?!!! YES!!!) how could I possibly resist?

And… I liked it! Especially the beginning, the writing style, the sweeeeeeetness of it all. This is another one that had that “Sweet Gum Tree” feel. Or kind of like… “Butterfly Weeds” (full of romantic tension and angst, but not so “steamy” by way of scenes).

It’s sexy but kind of has that wholesome, life lesson feel. That “best friends” to “potential love” story… ’cause one of ’em is SO in love with the other, and the other resists like mad. First, ’cause she doesn’t think she’s in love with him back, and second, ’cause she’s afraid to eventually ruin the friendship. I do love those ’cause every once in awhile, the “resister” starts paying attention to those butterflies, and the jealous twinges, and the persister starts… letting go.

I never wanted to hurt him. I try to move toward him. “Michael, I -”

He throws his hands up, warding me off. “No it’s all good. Take care, Lorraina. See ya around.”

Ohhhh the drama that might ensue! I was anticipating… anything, and I loved that anything could happen.

And this one’s not so much about the bad boy/ good girl love story (although “Mike” is considered a “bad boy” with his temper tantrums, fighting, and constantly being suspended from school). Mix all that in with being considered from a “trash family”, and you’ve got yourself the makings of an angry teen/forbidden love story. And true love does not scare this guy away but his patience, and willingness to be there for her no matter what she insists upon, had me really connecting to him.

Oh and, no worries. You get the teen part of their friendship, but this is not YA, ’cause eventually, we move into the adult stage, where we get to experience all of the emotions, troubles and potential growth that comes with it.

So what’s it about?

Lorraina and Michael become friends in high school. Both from troubled families, with a lot of personal issues in common, so they really connect (but in secret as her father has warned her against him).

Surprisingly, it seemed Michael was off limits to me. I was told that in no uncertain terms the whole Bang family was trash and that I’d better steer clear. If I was caught so much as talking to Michael, I would get the whooping of my life. I knew he meant it too. Daddy never was one for empty threats.

So their friendship remains the ultimate secret. Taboo. Forbidden. And despite all of this, Michael is very clear about his intentions for Lorraina…

“And why would I ever want to call you?”

“Well, how else are you going to get to know your future husband?”

I hear myself laugh a flirty little laugh, but it is a bravado for sure.

But she rebuffs his every profession of love.

That was the whole of our first conversation. Short, simple, to the point. Names, brief introductions, marriage proposal. I really was intrigued even though I knew I shouldn’t be. I also very much liked the attention that he was giving me. That feeling would wear off quickly enough, though.

It’s cute. And sometimes… sad. And sometimes, when he gets all alpha… *whoo* YES!

“Don’t you ever hang up on me again,” he said through his teeth.

I’ve never heard him get angry with me before. I cringed. Then, a part of me delighted. I didn’t get that.

But graduation eventually separates them, and their academic careers lead them in different ways.

“He used to be my best friend, but we lost touch.” I give her a very simplified version of our very complicated history.

Until one day, four years later, she goes home and sees him again. He’s gorgeous beyond her recollection. The lanky “cute” teen is now a coveted man, and every feeling stirs in her that he (once upon a time) ever wanted. But he’s sooooo…. different now. Sexy. Confident.

I gawk at his lithe body. In high school, Michael was still Michael. He was beautiful but not like this. He was kind of lanky in high school and a little self-concious. Now, he looks so strong, so stable.

And so the game of pursuit changes.

I enjoyed it immensely, with just a few bouts of “slow” that had me able to put it down. But it also had many bouts that wow’d me or scared me.

So what about that crazy synopsis warning?

*skip the next part if you want to go in not knowing anymore… I don’t *spoil* it, but I prefer those who are like me (anti-spoiler), to go in having NO clue, so…. you know… the next part, is not for you. ;)*

What about those telling us to keep a box of tissues handy?

I can’t discuss that in detail because where this book leads us, if and how it resolves itself is up to you to find out (if you’re game).

Did I cry? Well…. this is where my rating changed. Because while I anticipated *crazy* at some point, I… didn’t react as strongly as I was hoping to. Was it because I was overly warned, or prepared? Maybe partly… but I think it’s more this: while so much time and effort was spent of the sweet build of the story (as teen best friends), and all of that tension and emotion as adults (which I LOVED!), I think the *reveal* and the subsequent character reactions to the “reveal” didn’t get as much detail as it so deserved.

I’m not saying the reactions weren’t right, just that I wasn’t indulged in it. Steeped in it. Bombarded by it. And something like that should have had me reeling.

I knew it, I got it, but I didn’t feel it like I needed to. Did it hurt? Yes. But did it kill me? No. And it should have.

That said, this is still a sweet, well written love story (albeit at times a bit… distractingly mushy) that had many amazing touches, phenomenal sentiments and realistic scenes that I will never forget.

Life is tragic. A lot of people interpret that to mean all doom and gloom; but, to me, within tragedy there lies a chance for a new beginning, a new life.

And for that, I give this book 4 stars!

 

Cover Reveal for upcoming book release “Mine” by Katy Evans!!

By 8 Comments

YAY!!!! Cover reveal time, and it’s for a book that I am so excited to read. It’s the sequel to one of my recent favorite bad-boy fighter books, “Real” <— (that’s my review). I can’t wait, ’cause I am dying for more of that REMY intensity! In fact I was just swoooooning about him to my husband a couple of days ago, telling him about how sweet and relevant his “song choices” are in expressing his feelings (and how he reacts when he doesn’t get the song he wants, back. 😉 ), and how crazy he gets when she’s not ringside, how he wants so much more than a “groupie”… and the make-out sessions. *whoooo* The emotion, and his intensity can be felt, deeeeeeep.

*sigh* He is one of my favorite “mega-alphas” in that he is so laser-focused on his girl. He’s that ultimate power-hottie, bad-ass that everyone wants, or everyone wants to be… and the only thing HE wants is her. And even though this is not a very “I am woman, hear me roar” thing for me to say, but… OMG I love the scenes when he goes crazy when he doesn’t know where she is. *blush* It’s cause he wants to protect her. Pro-tect her. 😉 Awwww, right? *giggle*

And the author herself has provided a tiny tidbit of fun for us about her upcoming release “MINE“.

5 fun facts about MINE (The REAL series):

  • It’s also a rollercoaster
  • It’s longer than REAL
  • Remy is still hot, primal, and possessive
  • Brooke is determined to fight for him
  • It’s Brooke and Remy’s last full length book, aside from the REMY POV novella releasing Nov. 26

and here’s Katy’s own blurb for the book:

Brooke
“I belong to him. He belongs to me. Our love is all-consuming, powerful, imperfect, and real…

I’ve left everything behind. My family. My friends. I’ve become a dreamer, and he is my one and only dream. What he wants, I want to give, and what I can give, I want him to take. There is nothing on this earth that will take me away from him. He’s my fighter, but I will fight even harder to be with him…”

Sidenote from me about all of the above…. OMG YAY!!!!!!!! *squeeeeeeeee*

And here is the publisher’s blurb:

In the international bestseller REAL, the unstoppable bad boy of the Underground fighting circuit finally met his match. Hired to keep him in prime condition, Brooke Dumas unleashed a primal desire in Remington “Riptide” Tate as vital as the air he breathes . . . and now he can’t live without her.

Brooke never imagined she would end up with the man who is every woman’s dream, but not all dreams end happily ever after, and just when Remington needs her the most, Brooke makes a discovery that forces her away from the ringside. Now with distance and darkness between them, the only thing left is to fight for the love of the man she calls MINE.

Oh wow. Yep… as crazy as Remy got in book #1 when she wasn’t in his line-of-sight… “… and now he can’t live without her… “ I think he’s about to lose his mind in book #2. Mine (The REAL series) is up for pre-order on Amazon as we speak. 🙂 Also available on Barnes and Noble & iBooks, too!

Ready for the cover? Voila!!!

These books were so good, that we forgot to eat! Part one…

By 64 Comments

Ahhhhh the ever-coveted *love* fog. You know the one. You’ve been in it before. Where you can subsist on love and water, alone.

You can’t think straight, see straight, but you’re as happy as can be…

“Vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche…” (it’s a popular french expression, and my mom used to say this to me, whenever I’d have a new crush as a teen). And yes… *sigh* Boy-crazy me had lots of ’em. rolleyes

My latest famous actor crush? I’d re-watch his movie a million times – in a row – and not eat for days. My latest rock star crush? I’d listen to his voice (yah, it seems it was always the singer for me), and not eat for days. My latest “real-boy” crush? Yeah… you get the picture.

I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. All I could do was daydream. Whether he is “real-life” or not, it still has the same effect on me. What. A. Rush! And apparently, I’m addicted to it.

And when I realized, books (er… certain “guys” in books) could give me the exact same rush, I was in potential “book-love” heaven. I devour book after book after book, just hoping to have that feeling again. And every once in awhile, I hit that jackpot!! While I can often crush on the “hero” of any book I’m reading, some just hit me harder, and last longer, than most. And this is what this post is about.

The books that were so good I forgot to eat. These heroes put me in a love fog. There must be magic in these books, and even though I know they’re “fiction” my heart was (and still is) fooled, ’cause I still love ’em with as much intensity now, as I did, then. These hit me the hardest. I had a visceral, physical reaction to them, mostly involving my heart (which I think is my favorite part of me!)…

AND… our fellow readers have been indulging me with their favorites too! (see below)

So here they are. These books were so good, they affected us so hard, that we forgot to eat:

Maryse: For me, the most obvious and long-term “no-eating” books were:

  • Twilight (of course) – OMG I couldn’t think straight after that one (I would go to work in a daze). I think it’s the hardest I’ve ever fallen for a fictional character (but alas, Edward has been replaced). By Travis. 🙂
  • I could go on and on about my favorite scenes Beautiful Disaster that still give me shivers right now. I know that I forgot to eat (’cause of my *love fog*) even after Beautiful Disaster (another one that had me going to work in a daze with a goofy grin all day for days, thinking of Travis).
  • And Thoughtless jump-started me back into my intense need for non-stop music, and Kellan had me swooooooning and day dreaming, and wholeheartedly searching for “rock star books”.
  • Fifty Shades Trilogy: this was something I had NEVER experienced before and Christian Grey BLEW me away. I was devastated and elated at the same time, and couldn’t get enough!!
  • Oh! And Lover Awakened, too! <— I *heart* Z! He started me on my intense love for brooding, angry, untouchable, unattainable “sort of antihero” bad boys (which remain my favorite heroes) and he will ALWAYS be my #1. Do you hear that, Sherry!!?? Off my man! 😉 Tee hee!! You can read this one as a standalone (it’s book #3 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series) but Zsadist made even more of an impression on me as I got to know him (er… I mean be warned against him, ’cause he’s so dangerous) in book #1 & 2.
  • Okay the choices above are a bit “old school Maryse”, but I can’t help it. They are still my all-time favorites and are the ones that hit me the hardest. 😉 But if you want to know lately, which ones have affected me hard and I still think about, I’d say Lying Season by Karina Halle (Dex is my newest favoritest 😉 hero) and Surviving Raine by Shay Savage (’cause Bastian the jerk is right up my love alley)! Oh and these bad boys totally had my rapt attention too: Madeline Sheehan’s Unbeautifully and Real by Katy Evans. Now I don’t know that I forgot to eat with these guys, per se (except with Dex, I know I totally did!), but the fact that I still get goosebumps when I think back to specific scenes and can remember almost every detail of their books… yeah. Visceral.

       

And our fellow readers chime in (and OMG so many in here that I LOVED, that I had to quit commenting next to each post!) 😉

There are over 40 readers in Part One of this “… so good we forgot to eat” blog series I’m doing, and SOOOOO many more reader suggestions to come…

Sherry: Ooooh..lets see…Lover Awakened for ME too *brat* Me Before You was all nighter along with The Edge of Never, which I don’t think I put down once.  Slammed was another and definitely Present Perfect which I just happened to finish at 3:15 this morning. Oh Taking Chances too!!! Pulled an all nighter there!

Liz: Taking Chances, The Edge of Never, Falling Into You, Every Rose. <— sidenote from Maryse: excellent choices – and Edge of Never ripped my heart out. And wow to that “Every Rose” book… I haven’t heard of it but after that synopsis (eeeeeep!!), it looks like I need to get on that! YAY ME!

Jacie: Rebecca Donovan’s Breathing Series

Lisa: I agree, I just got done listening to it while driving back and forth to work. I spent seven weeks on this series and I miss Emma and Evan so much. I want to start the series all over and relisten. I felt ever emotion and more. I heard that the author is writing about Jonathan, I can hardly wait.

Sarah: The Breathing series by Rebecca Donovan. I had read the first two books months ago, but when the third one came out, I read them again, back to back. No lie, my stomach was cramping for the 3 days it took to read them. Total book hangover!

Lisa: Totally agree, see my message above…LOVED this series. I have NEVER read another that made me react like that but I want to. It was so beautiful.

Debra: Twilight, Dark Lover, and Real <—- sidenote from Maryse… YES, YES & YES!!

Paula: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, Thoughtless and Effortless (ignored the family on a beach vacation while reading them), Reckless, any EIT book by Karina Halle.

Alyssa: Definitely the The Edge of Never, Beautiful Disaster, the Twilight Saga. I threw New Moon across the room multiple times!!! And got so grumpy my family stayed far away. How could I have forgotten Hopeless!!!!!

Sara: JB Salsbury’s Fighting for Flight!! Loved it!!

Candace: The Hunger Games, Beautiful Disaster, Real

Randi: The Lonely. And LOST BOY. Both from Tara brown. A Different Blue by Amy Harmon, Kaleb, Zane, and Travis by Nicole Edwards …the Breathing Series by Rebecca Donovan

Stacy: Present Perfect, Taking Chances, the Emi Lost & Found Series (OMG!!), and 50 Shades of course!!

Abby: With Twilight, I felt like a junkie needing my next fix but in my case, it was the next book.  Then I hid the book covers from my hubby so he would think I was on the same book when in reality I was on the last… BDB-love them.

Brooke: Thoughtless & Effortless. I read them both in 24 hours.

Fayza: The Opportunist is by far the best book I read all year!

Camille: Thoughtless series! The only time I stayed up almost all night and would read on my phone under the blankets in bed.

Jessica: Laurell K Hamiliton’s Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter). I was on the last 10 pages when I lfet work and half way through my drive I finally had to pull over onto the side of the highway and finish the book.

Jennie: Really like the Night Huntress Series by Jeanine Frost….after BDB that is!

Louise: Fifty Shades. No question. I had no idea there were books out there like that. I was in a trance.

Rebecca: Lords of the Underworld Series.

Ashley: Fifty shades of Grey, At Peace by Kristen Ashley, Consequences & Truth (Consequences) by Aleatha Romig

Nancy: The Heart Has Reasons

Gokulakrishnan: the sea of tranquility  ♥♥ 50 shades of grey ♥♥

Sara: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Laura: Conquer by M.S. Willis. Its book three in Control series.

Theresa: Rebecca Zanetti’s The Dark Protector Series especially Fated & Claimed

Laura: Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy it sucked me in from page one.

Kelly: Everything Colleen Hoover!

Debbie: All of the above!

Erika: The edge of never, or How to Kill a Rock Star

Argie: The ones you said plus 50shades,Collide, Beauty from Pain, On Every Street, Unbeautifully.

Renee: Beautiful Disaster every time I read it, Emi Lost & Found Series and my dystopian favorite which are amazing I highly recommend them Matched, Crossed, and Reached by Ally Condie

Kiersten: One weekend I didn’t leave my room! I think it was slammed, point of retreat and my boy… Acheron <— sidenote from Maryse… may I just say Oh GOD yes!!!! I was sooooo jealous of… *ahem* her! 😉

Hayley: had to be Afterlife Saga by Stephanie Hudson didn’t leave my bed for days such a fantastic saga definatly my all time favorite x

Mary: Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series <— sidenote from Maryse agreed!!!! LOVE these guys and have at least 6 favorites in the bunch. Talon is my #1!!!

Jillian: Fifty Shades and BDB, definitely!

Sarah: The Crossfire series, Fifty Shades series, Real by Katy Evans, hmmm, the list is endless. When I start reading, everything else is secondary.

Kim: Lover Awakened is definitely one of mine.

Larissa: The Edge of Never.Gone Girl: A Novel.Hopeless.Beautiful Disaster.

Barbara: Fifty shades I was in a haze for three days !! The slammed series kept me up for two nights and THOUGHTLESS which is my number one that one really did a number on me!! I’m still doing re-reads on the whole series!

Holly: Afterlife Saga! I could not put them down!

Katherine: Just bought the audio book for Lover Awakened, so I can listen to the last chapter any time I want. Love Z!

Alexandra: ANY J.R. Ward book! But I’ve also started reading the Maya Banks Breathless series and I’ve been a zombie since Monday!

Carolyn: Acheron.

Angela: I have read all of these but Lover Awakened, it was good? The other 3, well let’s just say I have re-read all of them so many times I’ve lost count! Some of my favorite books EVER!!! <— sidenote from Maryse: OMG ANGELA!!!!!! You are missing out on the BEST one of them all (and favorited by a GREAT MAJORITY of J.R. Ward’s fans… other than those of “V’s” books – he also rocked our worlds).

JaBraun: Fifty shades Series…. depressed that its over.

Grace: Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series. I’ve been hooked like it’s meth for 20 years. <—-sidenote from Maryse: OH YES!!! JAMIE gave me all sorts of shivers (of the good and bad kind). Now THAT guy will make you feel.

Jeanette: Thoughtless Series, The Blackstone Affair, Collide & Pulse, The Mighty Storm, those did it for me.

Shannon: Every time I read something by Colleen Hoover!!!

Aimi: The Afterlife Saga by Stephanie Hudson, literally lived on a couple of hours sleep a night cos I sat up reading til the early hours, didn’t wanna put it down.

Karon: 50 Shades was awesome. And for more than the substance of the books, but for opening many minds/discussions. The BDB series got me too. As did the Fever Series…whew. I was there for Twilight too.

Kylee: Thoughtless, Effortless, Reckless… I’d take Kellan Kyle over Christian Grey any day!

Judy: Present Perfect. That book made me ball my eyes out and I was up til 3 am the night before and 4 am last night to finish it.. And packing it in on my breaks at work. Omg.

Nancy: Edge of never, hopeless , sea of tranquility , Find You in the Dark, Captive in the Dark

Shawna: YAY LYING SEASON. Karina and her books ROCK!!!

Carrie: Who is the author of this “Beautiful Disaster” your all talking about? There are several in Kindle books. And by the way, mine is hands down the “Experiment in Terror” series! Dex Foray!!

Nancy:  Carrie, Beautiful Disaster is a MUST read. You will love it. They are making it into a movie, make sure you read it before the movie comes out. You will fall in love with Travis…

MORE TO FOLLOW in PART TWO of “books that were so good we forgot to eat…”

                                                                           

Book Review – Exposure by Iris Blaire

By 16 Comments

Exposure (East Park)
<—- OMG that was steamy but done soooooo right. I absolutely LOVED it. I couldn’t (and still can’t) believe my luck when I saw this one pointed out by a fellow reader, because it was exactly what I needed. Angsty, but not too angsty. Super-sexy, but not over-the-top. It was witty, realistically romantic, had amazing dialogue, and had enough tension (and a few “forbidden” touches) to keep me glued.

At the time it was brought to my attention, there wasn’t much info by way of our fellow readers (as none of us had read it yet), but that synopsis had me, so I highlighted it on my latest bargain post. And then… a few of you picked it up, read it and LOVED it. And I’m RIGHT there with you! I didn’t put it down once.

Maryse: the synopsis intrigues me. 1.) She’s a university student with an “erotic modeling” secret (so she goes by two names – Evan, and Rylan, to keep her secret). Then she models with another student hottie and… “She promises herself that she can just be friends with Dallas. He has a girlfriend, after all. And Evan needs to focus.” eek Ruh Roh. ;) (thanks Aimee!!) ME ME ME!!! I wanna try this one! :D

Emily: I just finished “Exposure” by Iris Blaire and I really enjoyed it. A fast, easy read with plenty of tension and steam worthy moments. I’m excited to see how this story continues.

B: Just finished “Exposure” and HOLY HOTNESS!!! PHEW!  finished it in four hours, quick read.

Anna: Just bought and read Exposure.  Totally hot.  Adore both MCs.  Picked it up and didn’t stop reading until I was done.

Agreed!!!!

I’d almost say I “5-star” loved it because, to me, it had just enough of everything to make it almost my perfect read. But it was missing one tiny thing. Length. 😉 Tee hee. Oh come on… you know what I mean. *blush* It played out seamlessly, and while there were just a few things I would have wanted explored in more detail like…the girlfriend… stuff (and er… *more* other… stuff redface), I think had the book been longer, these tiny hiccups wouldn’t have been an issue. That, plus a little extra of everything intense (more time in those moments, and more time in the angst) and I would have been a puddle of mush.

But, at 151 pages, this author ROCKED it, so imagine had it been 300 or 350 pages? If I was allowed even that much more time with Dallas, I have a feeling I’d be in a severe love-fog right now, rendering me delightfully useless. I lovvvve that feeling (when it’s book-induced, of course). 😉 But despite it’s shortish length, it still affected me enough to have me dreaming of it. And interestingly enough, it wasn’t so much the “steamy” that I was dreaming of, as much as it was the subtle gestures of affection, and looks. Specifically, I dreamed of the pining, and the stolen moments. It is that kind of detail, that has me falling and connecting.

And as much as these two wanted each other, there were (believable) issues standing in their way. Which made their connection even more intense, and the stolen moments that much more affecting. A sexy book, yes (and WOW what a premise), but so much more about those first stages of attraction and maybe even love, amongst all of that *hot*.

Dallas runs the pad of his thumb against my jaw and whispers in my ear, “You’re good at faking it.”

He’s teasing me. He’s teasing me because he knows my reaction is real.

I suppose it might be considered New Adult, considering both main characters are in University, but this one just had a slightly “older’ feel to it than many of the NA that I’ve been reading lately. Mature, determined characters with serious heads on their shoulders. And not so much “innocence” dictating the angst. More… the realistically “forbidden”.

So what’s it about?

Evan (oh that was another of my issues. The fact that almost every character had a unisex name was confusing at first, but I found the rhythm soon enough). Okay back to the story…

“Evan” (the heroine in the story), pays for her tuition by posing in an indie campus erotic magazine. Soft core, but still… she’s pretty much “exposed” for everyone to see.

I get paid well. A couple hours of shoots a week is better than thirty hours at the coffee shop, which is what I was doing when first starting college. But pulling straight As in class like molecular biology and immunobiotechnology isn’t exactly a cake walk. I need time. I need to eat.

East park exposed let me do both of those things. All I have to do is look like a naked Bratz doll for a couple of hours a week and boom. Groceries paid, tuition paid, rent paid.

Best friends with the talented female photographer, and the other main female model, the three of them are roommates and “stars” at school. Except that “Evan” is a plain-Jane on purpose (so that she is not recognized). Nobody knows normal college girl “Evan” is actually sex-pot “Rylan” and she goes out of her way to keep it that way. No boyfriends, no real socializing, and nothing for anyone to put “two and two” together.

No guys ever have the opportunity to connect Evan Cosette to Ryan Willow. And I’d like to keep it that way.

I know… believe me, at first, I was skeptical too. How could someone so high profile and coveted, be able to walk around in public, amongst her fans, without being recognized? While they are both the same girl, bombshell “Rylan” (with eyelashes, full makeup, and hair) does not look like the frumpy-on-purpose Evan. Glasses, full freckles, no lashes, messy bun. Nondescript clothing.

I take out my contacts and shove my glasses on my face.

Little ugly Evan is back. Glorious freckles and all.

Same girl yes, but two different girls to anyone not specifically looking for it.

I’ve managed this sh!t for two years without being recognized. I can manage one more semester.

One more.

But when her best-friend photographer wants to include some gorgeous male students as models in the photo shoots (to expand readership to female fans), Evan goes ballistic.

That’s too close for comfort and risks “outing” her if the news got out. If the guys realize who she actually is, before she becomes “Rylan”. And it doesn’t help matters (for her, but it sure did for me!! :D) when the one she has to work with just so happens to be the gorgeous grad student (Dallas) teaching her class that morning. Eeeeeeep!!! (and YAY!!!!)

“He’s in my department, Brit. The first time a subscriber sees the two of us near each other, they are going to figure out exactly who I am.

And of course, they are AMAZING together in the photos.

My skin vibrates with his laughter. He’s aware of how much this is killing me.

This session just turned from smoldering hot to pure torture.

“Lick her neck,” Britain instructs.

Okay, now it’s pure torture.

Dallas crawls forward until his body covers mine. “Don’t mind me,” he murmurs, still grinning.

Dallas lights her up in every way, no matter how hard she tries to resist. For her own needs (she wants to stay focused on school, on anonymity and well… he has a girlfriend).

Yes, my girlfriend wants me to pose for East Park Exposed. The mag is so popular, she said. You’ll get your face out there. Your modeling career will take off.

She’s been pushing the modeling thing ever since I decided to go into field research instead of med school. It’s her way of making sure I’m still going to be paying some bills, since now I’ll be getting my PhD for a five-figure salary.

But Dallas is OMG!!!!!! Soooooo sexy, so swooooonworthy, such a gentleman (and yet at times, when he can’t help himself… totally not eek). But SUCH A SWEETHEART. So gorgeous, so intelligent, and the ultimate catch. Nope. No bad boy here, but I loved him just as intensely as if he was.

And don’t forget… he still only knows her as “Rylan” (who just so happens to be his favorite model from back when he was just a subscriber). 😉 And now he’s struggling with his own conscience as he tries to squash his increasing *crush* on her, while having to simulate intimacy. And what happens when simulation begins to feel real… and risks crossing the line?

Ohhhh the forbidden attraction. So fun!!!! Go read it. It’s SOOOO worth every minute, and I’m desperate for more!

Great writing, awesome characters, a slowly (but not too slowly) developing friendship craving for more. Original storyline (but believable). Definitely one for my “Favorite “Short” Stories” list, ’cause this was the PERFECT short.

4.5 stars!!!

Contact Me | About Maryse | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | © 2025 Maryse.net – Maryse’s Book Blog |
I am part of the Amazon affiliate program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Other than potential affiliate link commissions, I receive no compensation for reviews. All opinions I have expressed are my own.