Series: A Pinetree Novel, #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
~Synopsis~
Ex-con, Aaron Masters, is searching for redemption.
Young aspiring photographer, Nina King, is searching for a place to belong.It’s time for the Valentine’s Day Date Auction at the exclusive Boston nightclub St. Andrews, and Aaron would rather be anywhere else. That all changes when he catches a glimpse of Nina, the woman he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about since their recent chance encounter. When they met her smile—for a precious moment—warmed the darkness inside. Now he’ll stop at nothing to make her his woman, keep her, and protect her from the truth of his rough past.
Nina hasn’t been able to get a certain handsome man, with long hair and gorgeous blue eyes, out of her thoughts—or her dreams. The goddess is smiling down on her when she sees him again at a charity date auction. As her professional internship has recently ended, she’s now out of work and trying to find herself while struggling to build a viable career.
Aaron and Nina’s relationship soon heats up, but not everyone in their lives are excited about this new development. Under the guise of friendship, some attempt to destroy what the two have built together.
Can these two lost souls find a future together?
*Note: this story takes place 3 years before A White Hot Christmas: Novella
~Book Review~
3.5 Stars
“Sunshine came back in my life, if only for a moment, and I saw things clearly for the first time in months.”
A
random coffee shop encounter is only the beginning for fledgling photographer
Nina King and part-time bartender/dog trainer Aaron Masters.
The
opening scenes—their initial meeting—I felt was really well done as it pulled
me into the story and the characters. Both Aaron and Nina had a lot of potential,
and I was intrigued about Aaron’s criminal past. After that it seemed like
their relationship was really rushed with Nina pondering changing her
relationship status on Facebook and Aaron wanting to change his whole life
before they even had a second date. Don’t get me wrong, Aaron needed and
deserved something good in his life; it would have just added so much more to
the romance if there had been more build-up so their chemistry could simmer a
little. As it was, it felt like a lot of insta love and insta lust.
“Golly, I’ve never felt this full.”
“‛F*ck, Sunshine. You’re so tight.’”
About
that! Their love scenes were pretty
sexy and definitely frequent but their dialogue was a little mixed matched. Nina’s
‘goodness’ and ‘golly’ drove me nuts! At first it was just a little eye roll
worthy but then it become annoying. She
was just too sweetsy for me without the background behind it.
Overall,
it was an okay read. Generally light-hearted and angst-free which I enjoy but
there were places I would have liked to see a little more development, characters/plot
points that I felt could have been expanded on for a little more excitement or
a richer story.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | KOBO | I Books
~Excerpt~
“One more taste,” Aaron whispers. Leaning in, he gently cups my face in his hands. He gives me a gently sucking, nipping kiss that leaves me wanting more, and my hands gripping his arms are not wanting to let go. Ever.
“Do you want to go somewhere?” I breathe out. “I’d invite you in, but I have a roommate.”
“Yes.” His breath is tickling the hairs around my face as he chuckles.
I smile brightly releasing him from my hold. I’m craving more of what I know this man can give me.
Gentle dominance, and honest affection.
“But not tonight,” he says, smiling and shaking his head. Then, with his thumb and forefinger, he takes my chin and admonishes, “Don’t pout.”
“But—”
“Not tonight,” he says sternly, then leaning in, he runs his nose along my neck and whispers, “there’s always tomorrow.”
I shiver.
“Okay,” I say softly, though every pulse point in my body is pounding in anticipation.
There is no way I’m going to be able to sleep tonight, without taking the edge off first. At least now I wouldn't feel as sketchy, like I’m violating him in some way, when I imagine Aaron as I power up Mr. Satisfaction tonight.
Thank goodness I remembered to buy batteries today!
“What time are you done with work tomorrow night?”
Work. Right, that thing you go to where you earn money. Which, I don’t exactly have. Because I'm a loser, who has no real skills and is supported by her parents.
“I don’t have to work tomorrow,” I say, suddenly uncomfortable.
“Good, I’ll pick you up at five when my shift is over. Make sure to dress warmly. I don’t want you getting cold during your surprise,” he says, smiling brightly.
“Okay.”
“Goodnight, Sunshine,” he draws me close, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple.
“Goodnight,” I say, exiting the truck. Walking towards the building, I turn to see him watching me. Waiting for me to get inside safely. Underneath that rough exterior, he really is a gentleman.
Text Copyright © 2015 Rene Webb, All Rights Reserved
~About The Author~
Growing up in New England, Rene spent her childhood playing make-believe, acting out stories with her Barbies, Legos, My Little Ponies, and Playmobile. She has since taken to writing down the dramas that invade her mind.
Authors such as Jane Austen, Kristen Ashley, Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright, Donna Fletcher, Jennifer Ashley and Bianca Giovanni have inspired her. They all create strong female characters, swoon-worthy men, and stories that leave their readers with the hope, that you, too, will find your own H.E.A.!
Rene also enjoys reading, baking, seeing movies, going to museums, and spending time with her friends and family.
Rene lives in Washington DC.
She is also known as Kitty Bennet, on the book blog, Lit. 4 Ladies, which she runs with her sister.
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