Grayson Anders and Chloe LaRoche's book
Silent Partner
By Renee Vincent
Book Blurb:
Grayson Anders has it all. He's the co-owner of a happening nightclub in downtown Boston, he's wealthy, and women practically throw themselves at his feet the moment he steps on the dance floor. But profiting from these obvious benefits is not his desire. His passion is dancing and he wants nothing more than to find the perfect dance partner.
Chloe LaRoche is a talented artist, but a failing entrepreneur. Her once thriving studio is now on the brink of foreclosure and unless she paints the next Van Gogh Starry Night, she'll have to cut her losses and say goodbye to her quaint little gallery. Fearing her career is at an end, she drags herself to the local hotspot, determined to drown her worries in the bottom of a shot glass. At least that was the plan...until she lays eyes on a wickedly sexy, swarthy dancer in the club-Grayson Anders. Unable to resist, Chloe finds herself in Grayson's arms, indulging on a passionate, out-of-control, one night stand. And when both awaken the next morning, they are consumed with inspiration. Grayson finds his perfect dance partner and Chloe finally finds her muse. But will her secret destroy both their dreams?
Silent Partner was one of the novels in an eight ebook bundle deal for only .99, Unfortgettable Heroes.
What a great concept for a story Silent Partner was. I have to admit that when I started reading it I was thinking something was going to be a bit different about the Chloe since she seemed to be pretty silent for a heroine. The reader is treated to a lot of what Chloe is thinking but not much in the way of verbal. Of course when we first meet Chloe, it is at a night club where the music is blasting and talking is usually at a minimum anyways.
Grayson is sexy. He completely knows he owns the floor with his dance moves and all the women there want him. It was a toss up between whether he was super confident or completely arrogant. When he starts to gyrate and dance with Chloe, I could picture the pair of them right in front of my eyes.
When Grayson leads Chloe to his apartment above the night club, it was a very sexy read. I loved that he carried the shot glasses in his hands and all the descriptions that were used to get them to the bedroom. Hot!
Without adding too many spoilers, Grayson and Chloe don't immediately become a couple. Grayson has to fix how he wronged Chloe and he did an amazing job. I found Silent Partner a quick and easy read.
Teasers: tossed shots, ab painting "MINE", cabby protector, limo ride apology
Mara and Daegan's book
Raeliksen
By Renee Vincent
Book Blurb:
Mara, the daughter of an Irish clansman, was raised to believe the men of the North are heathens - murderous pagans without a moral bone in their bodies. Despite warnings of the Northmen's raids, and the growing threat of another incursion, Mara is continually drawn to her favorite place - the River Shannon.
Dægan Ræliksen, a wealthy chieftain from Norway's frozen fjords, secretly discovers Mara at the water's edge. He is charmed by her beauty and sensuous grace. As the days pass, his contentment with simply watching her grows thin. He can no longer deny his unabated desire for the young maiden. His search for a wife has ended. However, Mara and Dægan come face-to-face in a time when Ireland is in turmoil - when every Irishman is being called up to fight against the Nordic foreigners. In these times of upheaval, how can Dægan make peace with Mara's father and acquire the woman he treasures? Furthermore, can Mara move past her fears and find the noble man within the savage.
I finished Raeliksen three days ago and it is only now that I can sit down to type a review. Even now I’m trying to form what I will say. I feel stuck. How do I say exactly what I want to say without giving away the ending? I never want anyone to read a review of mine and know the ending.
So to attack my conundrum let’s start out at the beginning of the novel. I loved how Daegan and Mara introduced themselves to each other. Who doesn’t love a scuffle to the ground with the hero trying to protect a fair maiden from the mean and evil villains and then the heroine paying back the unknowing favour by breaking his nose? Loved it! I truly love when a hero is saving the day for a strong and able woman. Right away, I knew I was going to love these two together. And I did.
I loved the formula Renee Vincent used for the plot conflict. Daegan and Mara’s pending relationship was not the conflict itself but rather all the bumps in the road to allow them the peace and love that they were craving. There was war, villains, treaties, family, promises, a burial, culture differences heck even the weather was a hindrance for their happiness. I was so pleased to read about a couple that WANTED to be together and their open love for each other was not the issue. There were no immature misunderstandings or miscommunications that are often the formula for romance novels. It was so refreshing to read that the couple was not fighting with each other but rather their circumstances.
Daegan was a Viking hero you love to love. I need to share this bit of heartfelt speech he recites to Mara so that you get a true sense of the man the author created. "I have, from the day I was born, believed that my death would be glorious and I would be chosen among the best to fight each day, arm in arm, with those who have gone before me. And when that day should come, it would be an honor that every man envies, to be allied with the gods against the beasts of the underworld. But the more I am with you, the more I am rejecting the thought of that life. With you in my arms, I have no wish to die in that manner. Not anymore. You have made me believe that love is stronger than a sword arm and more eternal that the last breath of a dying warrior on the battlefield.”
So here’s where I need to make a decision on how much further I need to reveal as to not ruin the ending. Let me just say that Raeliksen is a moving and emotional love story. There are many religious undertones found throughout the novel that spoke well of the time (Ireland 916 AD). I truly liked Mara as the heroine. She was a woman of distinguished courage and I respected her right away. Daegan. Oh Daegan. I completely fell in love with him. Smart, brave, respectful lover, honourable and a true leader. He was the entire package. I would love to ask the author what spoke to her to make her end Raeliksen as she did. That’s all I’m saying about it. If you want to know more, you’ll have to read it.
