Review: Revenge in Rio by Samantha Darling #multicultural #romance

The Blurb

Calculated revenge, unexpected passion…

Business magnate Luca Venancio is returning to Rio to pay his respects to his late brother, and to seduce his once fiancée, Daniella, back into his bed. Five years ago she left him without so much as a word, shunning him and the rich life he could offer in exchange for his younger, reckless brother. Now Luca wants revenge—seduce her and dump her, that's all he intends to do.

Blackmailed into a violent farce of a marriage, Daniella had no choice but to comply to protect Luca's life, even though it meant never being able to see him again. Years later, a twist of fate reunites them, throwing her plans of fleeing Rio out of the window and the love of her life straight back in.

Luca's flawless plan soon becomes complicated when he discovers Daniella is expecting his brother's child. It becomes even more complicated when old passions return. Can he actually go through with seducing her, bedding her, and then discarding her?

My Review

The short journey to Rio though this novella was lovely. From the urban favela where gangs ruled the area to the hero’s hidden mansion. It was a true rags to riches story.

I felt badly for Daniella and what she had to go through in her marriage to Miguel. Her experience was well portrayed and believable. Luca had suffered emotionally during those years too, only in the lap of luxury. His need for revenge was understandable, considering the rejection he’d festered in his heart for so long.

It was an entertaining read. I would have liked for the author to translate some of the Portungese words she sprinkled throughout the story to make it more Brazil authentic. I also remained curious as to how Luca had amassed his wealth. He seemed to go from the ghetto to living the high life overnight.

Overall it was a touching, passionate story.

I give Revenge in Rio three chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Review: Complicated by You (Coventon Campus Series , Book 1) by Kenya Wright

I’ve been meaning to read a book by Kenya Wright since I encountered her during a blog hop late last year. The erotic aspect of her romances held me back. I read this novel as one of the recommended books in March for the  Around the World in 80 Books Reading Challenge. It was the perfect opportunity to finally read her work.

Blurb

Evie's childhood friend Jay has always had her back. But college complicates things as Jay starts dating Evie's roommate Cynthia. Now, Evie spends her nights trying to sleep while Jay and Cynthia go at it like rabbits a few feet away! 

Evie hates feeling like a third wheel and hates wishing it was her in Jay's arms even more. It doesn't help that Jay won't let Evie date or even hook up without interfering and making sure everyone on campus knows that she's off limits. 

Something has to give. Evie can't continue pining away for Jay, and Jay can't continue to act like he owns her when he won't so much as touch her. And worse of all, Evie can barely look Cynthia in the eye for fear she will know just how she feels about Jay. 

Then one night shifts Evie, Jay and Cynthia into an web of love and deceit, tangling their hearts and forcing one of them to come to a compromise that will change all their lives. 

How far should someone go for love? 

My Review

Every once in a while a little bit of super spicy is in order when it comes to romances.  Complicated by You  was a perfect break from my usual sweet and spicy.

I didn’t know what to expect when a started the novella. I became enthralled by how much romance Ms. Wright was able to mix into the story. The characters had me giggling throughout  with their conversations and antics.

Although I don’t agree with the decision of the heroine, I still respect her. My engagement with her characters means Ms. Wright has done a proper job of trapping me in the world of her writing. I will be reading more of her books in the future.

I give this book five out of five chocolate bars (Snickers).

I purchased it from Amazon.

Happy reading everyone.

Review: Midnight by Beverly Jenkins

I read this book as part of the Around the World in 80 books 2014  reading challenge for February, African-American History Month.

The Blurb

In a time of peril, she fears nothing—except the forbidden passions of her heart.

In Boston, revolution is in the wind—yet none would ever suspect Faith Kingston of treason. But under cover of darkness, the beautiful daughter of a Tory tavern owner becomes the notorious spy “Lady Midnight,” passing valuable secrets to the rebels. Dedicated to fighting British tyranny, she’ll let nothing distract her— until a dark, mesmerizing stranger enters her life. 

A reckless, worldly adventurer, Nicholas Grey has returned to troubled Massachusetts seeking revenge for the death of his rebel father. He suspects a local innkeeper, but it’s the man’s breathtaking, ebony-skinned daughter who has truly captured his interest. Nicholas burns for the sensuous, secretive lady—and Faith cannot mask her own blazing desires. But when destiny unites their causes, the passion that draws Midnight into Nicholas’s arms is as dangerous as it is glorious—and it could spell disaster for them both.

My Review

Ms. Jenkins has a gift for interweaving romance, history, and intrigue in a way that keeps the reader flipping the pages not wanting to put the book down, while learning at the same time. Faith, a strong female with courage that had me gasping at times made me proud. Nicholas, well, is there anything to say about a wealthy, attentive, intelligent, strong man whose courage rivals that of the woman he will fall in love with? Put these two characters together and you have instant attraction with sparks flying everywhere.

I had no idea African Americans had any involvement before or  during the American Revolutionary War. My eyes are now open to how important they were in driving the British out.

Midnight is a wonderful novel that I am so happy I got the opportunity to read.

I give Midnight four out of five chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.com.

Review: Bollywood Fiance for a Day by Ruchi Vasudeva

I read this book as part of the Around the World in 80 Books Challenge which took me to India this month.

The Blurb

The man of her Bollywood dreams 

Winning the chance to meet the ultimate Bollywood heart-throb, Zaheer Saxena, is just what Vishakha needs to take her mind off her recent humiliation—being jilted the week before her wedding! And when gorgeous Zaheer offers to be her fake fiancé, the chance to save face with her family is just too tempting… 

It’s a deal that benefits them both—Zaheer is warding off any unwanted female attention until his next film is finished—but can Vishakha trust herself not to hope that her dream fiancé for a day will be her forever man?

My Review

I loved the intensity of Vashakha and Zaheer’s attraction. Ms. Vasudeva impressed me with her initial description their encounter from Zaheer’s perspective. Their magnetism held strong until I got to the last page. 

In the beginning I wondered how the characters would end up together. How likely is it for an intelligent, foreigner-to-Bollywood woman with major family issues to get involved with a handsome, buff, adrenaline junkie, superstar? The author did a great job of meshing their worlds and making it seem possible.

I enjoyed the flavor of being in India, moving from a big city to a town, and the whole cultural experience when it came to weddings (they do like to celebrate).  Yet at the same time I didn’t understand a lot of the Indian words the author used without further explanation, which took me out of the story wishing I knew what the word meant, but I got back into it quickly.

This book gets four out of five chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.com.

Around the World in 80 Books Reading Challenge 2014! #AmReading

I've joined the Around the World in 80 Books Reading Challenge 2014!  I'm so excited. I haven't done a reading challenge since my local library sponsored one when I was ten. For your information, I rocked that challenge!

Keep track of the books I read by clicking here.

80 books is a lot, but Love Bites and Silk has set up mini challenges within the bigger challenge in order to inspire us slow readers just in case we can't reach the 80. All I know is that I'm going to have some gems on my sidebar in 2015.

If you're interested in finding out more information about the challenge or want to sign up, then head over to the Love Bites and Silk site. 

Happy reading everyone.