Medusa – A Love Story By Sasha Summers

Loves Of The Olympus Series By Sasha Summers: Medusa – A Love Story

Name of the author: Sasha Summers

Name of the publisher: Crescent Moon Press

ISBN: 978-1-937254-51-3

E-ISBN: 978-1-937254-52-0

Format: Amazon Digital Services, Inc

Disclaimer:  I received an electronic copy of this book in exchanged of my honest review. This review is a part of the blog Enchantress of Books Blog Tours is organizing a Birthday Bash Party for "Medusa (Loves of Olympus, bk #1)" by Sasha Summers.

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The Book Blurb....

It's said love can change a person. Medusa wasn't always a monster... Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She's no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves... and curses her as the creature with serpent locks. Ariston goes to war with a full heart... and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her. Poseidon will use Greece's war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.

The Story...

When I started reading this book images of Uma Thurman was playing havoc in my inner mind. How the hell should I read a novel where the main protagonist has snakes dancing on her head, who is evil personified? Then Sasha Summers presents Medusa- A love story where she comes out as a beautiful priestess of Athena, whose beauty not only captures the eye of  mortals but also the Gods of Olympus.

She was not born a Goddess and due to circumstances is turned into a monster. Till now, even when I had read that it was a curse which had turned her such, I always thought she enjoyed turning people into stones. Medusa the evil woman was replaced by Medusa the wronged one.[If I had to go through what she went through, I would happily be turning every man to stone and then chipping them off- and the Gods would be part of my sculpture collection too!!]

Medusa was given to Athena to serve as her priests because her father had flooded the olive orchard of Athena. [What a way of life for the young child, not being given a choice of how to lead her own life!!] But she fulfilled all her duties with devotion and love. And then she met Ariston- a soldier of Athena, a guard for the priestess.

Medusa’s beauty was captivating and Ariston fell in love with her. But both of them knew their limitations and never crossed the line. Medusa had to remain chaste, not even a touch of a man was tolerated by Athena and after serving like that for many years, she was given the freedom for two days to lead her life as she wanted to. She chose to follow her heart.

What happens after that forms the core of the tragic tale of Medusa's lifestory. How Poseidon becomes the part of the love story and how Athena rewards her followers makes you wonder are we mortals so bad after all? Do the Gods have no responsibility at all? 

What I liked...

The relationships. They formed the core of this novel. Whether between the sisters of Medusa or between the two lovers – each had a place in the novel. Nothing was forced. The flow of the story kept me going[ Did I tell you I finished his book without taking a break and my DH did all the cooking :)] Well, to put it delicately-the power of the Gods was awesome and I found a writer whose books would always be a part of my collection. It was so damn interesting. [Need to freeze up some casseroles for the next book]

I loved the way Poseidon feels true love washing over him when he washed over the two lovers on the beach. It was the lover's feeling which is depicted through Poseidon’s emotional turmoil. Beautifully depicted, Sasha!

I also loved the way how the two lovers, Medusa and Ariston, worked towards keeping each other safe even without meeting each other. Such a tragedy to be a slave to another being's [even if he or she is a God] wrath or desire.

But mostly what I loved is the mythbuster that Medusa is all evil. The way she felt after she turned her first victims to stone was so unlike the image of Medusa, I had in mind.

What I didn’t like...

Nothing that I would want to change. Yes I am a Greek mythology nerd and I did watch Percy Jackson at least 12 times. So when I got to read a different version of Medusa, I lapped it up. Medusa is projected so beautifully not only physically but also in thoughts. Of course I did not like P……..[Sorry could not help it but I am sure after you read this book you all would agree with me. He is evil or what?] 

Ratings...

Reasoning....

The completeness of the story, the tragedy of the two lovers and the emotional battles fought in this story along with the real battles have all be very well justified. Sasha Summers has done a good research for this book and there is no question that is left unanswered by the author.

Author Bio...

Sasha is part gypsy. Born June 9, 1974, stories have always played an important role in her life. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Meet Sasha Summers at:

Website|Twitter|Facebook|Goodreads|Pininterest|YouTube

Author Interview...

Tell us about your book?

SS: Medusa, A Love Story is what happens before the known Medusa/Perseus myth. We all know the snake-haired witch story... I wanted to understand why.

How did you come up with the title?

SS: I loved the contradiction. Medusa - Love? Wait, what?

What books have influenced your life ?

SS: WOW - that’s a tough question. Everything from Watership Down to Barbara Cartland to George Orwell to Diana Gabaldon, I’d love to think my story’s might touch reader.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

SS: Honestly, no. My mom has some stories from when I was little, so I guess I’ve been writing for longer than I remember. :)

Who designed the covers?

SS:  Jeannie Ruesch - love my covers.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

SS: The end. I was so torn. You don’t want to disappoint readers but you can’t change established mythology - or at least I couldn’t.

Do you have any advice for other new writers?

SS: Keep at it and write the story in your heart. Also, pay close attention to any contracts you’re offered, make sure it’s good for you and your story.

Do you ever experience writer's block?

SS:  YES. I’ve been in a drought for about four months now and it really bites! But, I’m on the mend and the words are flowing. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen again for a long long long long time. :) Actually, I’d be fine if I never had it again.

Do you write an outline before every book you write?

SS: Not really. I make notes and, as the story develops, a sort of outline takes place. But I’ve learned that if I try to plot too much of the story before I’m writing it, I get stuck or feel stifled.

What are your expectations for the book?

SS: I’d just love for more readers to discover Medusa, A Love Story. I’ve been really pleased with the response it’s received - I hope that continues.

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A Rafflecopter Giveaway:

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The Giveaway Prizes :) Grab it Readers.....

1. Autographed copy of “Medusa, A Love Story (Loves of Olympus Series, Bk #1)”
2. Autographed copy of “For the Love of Hades (Loves of Olympus Series, Bk #2)”
3. Thea (owl) Necklace
4. “Medusa” car charm
5. Series Swag

Wild for the Sheriff by Kathleen O'Brien

Name of the book: Wild for the Sheriff

Name of the author: Kathleen O'Brien

Publisher: Harlequin Romance

ISBN-10: 0373718306

ISBN-13: 978-0373718306





A Sneak Peak...

“Were you watching me through the window?”

 How on earth did Dallas respond to that question? And something in Rowena’s expression said she knew he was squirming. He could say he’d been in the habit of checking Bell River while it was unoccupied. He could say… But he hadn’t ever been very good at lying. “We got a call, at the department. Somebody reported seeing…something irregular.” “Wicked and wanton, as the Wright family is known to be? You should know. You remember how we are, don’t you?” He must have made an involuntary motion, because Rowena’s smile broadened, now looking both evil and sexy as hell. “Did you come out here to see if you could get a look at these wicked goings-on, or maybe even get a piece of the action?” Garwood, wake up, he commanded himself. This is now…not fifteen years ago. Stop acting like such a stupid puppet. You know what a mistake it is to let her manipulate you…. Yet, even after that stern warning, he still let her take his hand, and tug him toward the shadowed corner.

She...

She is Rowena. A girl with a cruel past. A past that includes a brutal father and a murdered mother. A past that includes her boyfriend being shot by her father. A past that includes abandoning her sisters, for which one of the sisters never forgave her. But she came out of all these with great determination and grit.

Back at the homestead where it all began, she had to fight for her reputation, vandalism and above all the love of her life. Known as a drifter, would she be able to make her family and her love realize that she has changed and would do anything to keep her roots grounded.

He….

He is Dallas, the Sheriff of the town. A complete contrast to the wild Rowena. Left to raise his son Alec, by a wife who had abandoned them, he knows Rowena is bad news. His mind told him to marry a docile lady with lots of motherly feelings, in other words all that was lacking in Rowena. But his heart always pulled him towards Rowena. He knew behind all the grit was  frightened, timid girl but was he strong enough to protect her from only only anti social elements but also from herself?

The Love Story…

Rowena knew that she and Dallas did not belong together. In her high school days she had gone all out of the way to seduce him, only to have him shot at by her father. He had survived the attack and had become a Sheriff of the town when she returned to claim her homestead. He was sober where as she was wild. He enjoyed permanency, whereas she was a bohemian.

When Rowena saw Dallas after so many years, she found him as attractive as ever. But she knew that she could not make any commitment. On the other hand, Dallas’s son Alec was trying to get a girlfriend for his father, and when he saw the high spirited Rowena, he thought it would be fun to play the matchmaker. But too many ghosts in the past were haunting both of them. Moreover, Rowena had to prove that she could stick to a commitment in a long run. She had a dream, to open a dude ranch. But for that she needed her sisters to agree but her younger sisters had lost their faith in her when she had run away from her aunt’s place, after leaving her younger sister behind.

Sometimes due to fate and sometimes due to Alec’s intrusion, they both found themselves in awkward situations. Their attraction for each other pulled them towards each other until one fateful rainy night………

What I liked….

Rowena’s character came out very strong. Spunky, full of life battling with her inner demons. Whereas she was projected  an ‘I don’t care…” attitude kind of girl on the other hand she was sensitive to a motherless boy’s feelings. A very contrasting character who takes on the burden of this story on her shoulder.

What I did not like…

Strangely, because of Rowena, Dallas came out as a weakling. Okay that is too strong a word, but I really did find him a tad weak, who waited on the outskirts for the action to take place. True, he always helped Rowena, but even if he did not arrive she would have taken care of herself. Sorry Dallas, a bit more macho maybe.

Rating ...

Reasoning…

I found the story too long and would have given it a 3 had it not been for Alec.  No actually the story has some nice folds and each layer holds another story. Whether the relationship between the sisters or Alec and Dallas, the relation of Mitch and Alec or Mitch and Bonnie, all the characters are well played… except for Dallas. [Sorry I did find him a bit intimidated by Rowena…..]

Meet the author…

Kathleen wrote her first book in the first grade. It was a shameless derivative story about Dick and Jane, and was at least seven pages long. Her mother loved it. Her first grade teacher, Sister Anna Mary, loved it. But it would be almost three decades before Kathleen attempted another novel.

In the meantime, though, she never stopped writing. She wrote some awful poetry in high school, working through the typical hormonal overreaction to having her heart broken by "the wrong boy."

After college, she took a newspaper job, and she eventually worked her way up to the position of television critic before throwing it all over to follow her heart, and her husband, a fellow journalist, to make a home in Miami.

When her first child was born, and her life began to consist of cleaning up after small creatures who didn't understand indoor plumbing, she decided she had to go back to writing. But she couldn't bear to leave her amazing little girl, so she turned once again to novels. And because she was a born sentimentalist, and a great believer in romance, she decided to try to write for Harlequin.

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Heaven In Her Arms by Ria Gomes

Name of the book:   Heaven In Her Arms

Name of the author:  Ria Gomes

Name of the publisher: Now defunct Asylett Press, United States of America, 2010

Format of the book:  ebook [Kindle]

Disclaimer: I got this book from the author in exchange for my honest review

She…

She is Michelle. Daughter of an aristocrat in the town of Albuquerque Town,  Goa. Her family was known for their power and wealth. Her father has instilled in her the importance of the family name. She had lived like that all her life, without her mom who had abandoned her at a very young age.[ Or so she thought!!]. Life would have continued in the path her father had chosen for her, had she not met Darrell at the age of seventeen.

He…

He is Darrell. A commoner by the standard of the patriciate of the town of Albuquerque. He fell in love with Michelle the moment he saw her and was determined to have her at any cost. Excelling in all fields, he was known for his determination and his go getter attitude. That was till he lost the love of his life Michelle.

The Love Story…

They met in high school and fell in love. They fought for their love and got engaged. But on the night before their marriage, Darrell finds himself charged with attempted rape and Michelle gets married to Craig. Of course the father is to be blamed. But is it? Is everything so simple as it looks? Or is there another devious master plan behind the star crossed lover’s fate? That is what Darrell comes back to find out after 5 years, years, which he has spent hating Michelle, working day a night to reach that strata of the society, which had rejected him. 

Now the tables are turned. She is no more the rich girl whose father owned the town. But a widow, who is at the mercy of Darrell, to keep a roof over the head of her son and invalid father. Passion sizzles between them and they are back to where they had started but this time the secrets, deceits of the past are clouding their judgement.

Would Darrell be able to forgive her for marrying Craig? Will Michelle ever find out why Darrell was arrested? Read this beautiful tale of love, deceit and passion as the two protagonists take you through the town of Albuquerque with their beautiful, heart touching tale of love and hate.

What I liked…

Ria Gomes has a very good command over the language, as she paints with her words the town of Albuquerque. I could almost see the beautiful town with it’s Portuguese structures and cobbled pavements. The characters are very well etched and the pain of the lovers - palpable. The fear of Michelle is beautifully portrayed as she passes through the stages of  being a daughter, lover, mother and above all a woman.

What I didn’t like….

Darrell. No, don’t get me wrong. He is a strong character, with all the qualities I would look for my partner in life but I found him coming in too strong . But I am sure most of you will argue with me that the macho types should be portrayed like this. Agreed. 

But sensitiveness? Well he was angry about what he thought to be the deceptiveness of Michelle. Agreed. But I still want my hero to be ultra sensitive. Sue me. :D

Ratings....

Reasoning...

If  I answer my own questions on what I did not like, how do I take away the stars. If you don’t agree with me let me know.

Meet Ria Gomes....

Ria is an Indian, born and raised in Goa. After completing her formal education, she worked at secretarial jobs for a couple of local firms before she married the man she’d been in love with since her college days.  She resides with him and her children in Muscat-Oman, and had initially worked as an Executive Secretary for the past several years. Later, she gave up her nine-to-five job after the birth of her second child and chose instead to be a homemaker as well as try her hand at her long cherished dream of being a writer.

A Chat with Ria....

1.What inspired you to write your first book?

Firstly, I’d like to thank you Rubina, for having me on your blog and allowing me to express some of my views on myself and my book.

Now to answer your question. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always yearned to write. Perhaps it was my mother’s insistence that I write everything I had to learn by rote, five to ten times each, that got me caught into the writing habit.  So in those days when I was a child and into a lot of Enid Blyton’s, I would imagine I’d one day grow up and write children’s books. Then later, came the classics, and I thought I’d love writing something along the lines of Jane Austen, or even Charles Dickens. By the time I was out of high school, I fell in love with romances and decided that was definitely what I’d like to write-great love stories about brave men and women who won against all odds and created their own fairy tales. I held on to that dream, and finally, when I attempted to realize it, I wrote ‘Heaven In Her Arms’.

2.How did you come up with the title?

The title of my book came to me when I was almost in the middle of my book. Something about the way the male protagonist thought of his sweetheart gave me the title of my book.

3.Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Not the experiences or events as such, but rather the upbringing principles of a certain mindset and belief system in which I’d been raised, contributed to a certain extent in crafting this novel.

4.If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

This question brought a smile to my lips. When my son was very little I would read him some story, and as I read, I remember feeling as if I was being reconnected with old friends. This feeling of familiarity with authors and their writings has continued over the years as I introduced him to more and more authors which I myself had enjoyed reading as a child. I believe that each of these authors seems to have left a lasting impression on me and so in some way have inspired and mentored me. Most times I find myself trying to create a story and find a solution out of every situation like Enid Blyton, infusing emotions like Charles Dickens and trying to adopt a perky way of telling my story like Sandra Marton.      

5.What are your current projects?

Presently, I’m trying to finish the edits on another romance, ‘A Bride To Bed’ and find a publisher for ‘Sunny’s Girl’, and simultaneously working on another unfinished manuscript tentatively named ‘A Ruthless Seduction.’

6.Who designed the covers?

Someone from back in Goa was engaged to design the cover for this book. It isn’t exactly what I’d expected it to be, but it is the most appropriate from among the other two he came up with.  

7.What was the hardest part of writing your book?

At the time I write any book-and this happens to me every time-I tend to think that whatever I’m working at is the toughest part to tackle, but after I play with it for some time, it almost always becomes a pleasurable experience. Now when I think back over Heaven In Her Arms, I realize that I enjoyed writing about all my characters as well as the scenes, and that includes the sex scenes, although I did remember having a hard time writing those.

8.Do you ever experience writer's block?

Oh that is the bane of my life. There are days when I feel I’m a complete blank, other times I feel I’m up against a wall especially when a character seems to want something that’s radically different from what I’ve mapped up for him/her, and sometimes a scene just doesn’t seem to work. When that happens, I allow my mind to relax by taking up other, mostly household, chores or just listening to some music. Anything that will take my mind away from the story for a while usually works and gives me a clear indication on how I need to proceed next.

9.While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

Mmmm…there’s no direct answer to that one. Most times I have to get inside the characters head and skin to think what he/she thinks and feels, but I’m always aware that the person I’m writing about isn’t me. Then there are those times when I apply my own experiences in some scenes of the book and get a vague sense as if it’s me, but that doesn’t happen all that often.

10.What are your expectations for the book?

Of the three manuscripts I’ve written, ‘Heaven In Her Arms’ probably because it was my first, has a special place in my heart. When I worked at it, I had been resolved to write a story readers would cherish for a long time and some of the feedback I’ve received has been pretty positive. It fills me with a sense of satisfaction that it was a story well written. Naturally, my hope is that more and more romance readers get a chance to read this endearing story of love lost and found.

Amen to that Ria!

You will find Heaven In Her Arms at:

Sparks Fly with the Billionaire by Marion Lennox

Name of the novel : Sparks Fly with the Billionaire 

Author: Marion Lennox 

Publisher: Harlequin; Lgr edition (April 2, 2013) 

ISBN : ISBN-13: 978-0-373-74236-3 

 Sneak Peak...

“Allie, I care,” he said, and it was as if someone else was talking. “How can you care?” He had no answer. He only knew that he did. He only knew that it felt as if a part of him was being wrenched out of place. He was a banker, for heaven’s sake. He shouldn’t feel a client’s pain. But this was Allie’s pain. Allie—a woman he’d known for less than a day. A woman he was holding with comfort, and something more. He looked down at her, and she looked straight back up at him, and he knew that now, for this moment, he wasn’t her banker. In a fraction of a moment things had changed, and he knew what he had to do. He knew for now, for this moment in time, what was inevitable—and she did, too. He cupped her face in his hand, he tilted her chin—and he stooped to kiss her. 

The Story

She…. 

She is Allie. A circus trapeze artist. Granddaughter of the ringmaster of the circus. The circus ‘Sparkle’ is not only her livelihood but also her life. From her childhood, she has been in love with each member of the circus, whether the animals or the other artists.Her grandparents were becoming old and she was looking forward to take over the circus and look after her old grandparents. That was till Mathew did not walk into her life and rock her world.

He ….

He is Mathew Bond, a banker by profession and attitude. A tragic accident had taken away his parents and he had been brought up by his grandfather. His grandfather,having lost his son, had become a hard man and had taught him all about banking but little about love. Mathew who was lovingly called Matt by his sister, became the hard banker Mathew, who knew only about business and nothing else.He did not want anyone to get close to him for the fear of losing them. His protective, emotional armor was broken chip by chip by a pink dressed trapeze artist.

The Love Story….

This love story is one of the most unique stories I have ever read. It is not a sizzling love story which we nowadays see as a trend. There is a kiss or two but the emotions have been highlighted rather than the passions.  

Matthew had gone to declare foreclosure of the circus but he had never imagined that he would end up as the ringmaster of the circus. On one hand he had to do his duty but on the other hand, his humane side, did not like the pain Allie was going through. So taking off his banker attitude, he performs as a ringmaster and wins the heart of his lady love. [Well, that's after saving some runaway camels and dogs and of course a damsel in distress]

But will he be able to save the circus and if he doesn’t will he be able to still win the love of Allie? Well, read on. You  might just be surprised!

What I liked...

I loved the romance in this story. There was passion, but the emotional factor was more superior. This is one kind of relationship which can sustain any turbulence life throws at them. Mathew is a character, who would not think twice before going all out to make his lady love happy, asking nothing in return.

What I didn’t like...

As you can see, I have rambled about Mathew and said very little of Allie. I like that girl but I do feel that the way she felt about her circus, the animals – that passion she had for them could have been bit more focused on Mathew.

Ratings...

Reasoning...

As I have said, I wish the relationship was more balanced. One might argue, for the sake of argument, that Allie did invoke the love for life in Maggot, Mathew’s aunt. But the reasons why she went there is altogether another story. This is the moment I choose to zip up. Let me know if I am carrying the Go Dutch syndrome too far?

Author Bio...

Marion Lennox is a country girl, born on an Australian dairy

farm. She moved on—mostly because the cows just weren’t interested in her stories! Married to a “very special doctor,” Marion writes for the Harlequin® Medical™ Romance and Harlequin® Romance lines. (She used a different name for each category for a while—readers looking for her past romance titles should search for author Trisha David, as well). She’s now had more than seventy-five romance novels accepted for publication. In her non-writing life, Marion cares for kids, cats, dogs, chooks and goldfish. She travels, she fights her rampant garden (she’s losing) and her house dust (she’s lost). Having spun in circles for the first part of her life, she’s now stepped back from her “other” career, which was teaching statistics at her local university. Finally she’s reprioritized her life, figured what’s important and discovered the joys of deep baths, romance and chocolate. Preferably all at the same time! 

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Craving Beauty : Nalini Singh

He.....

Marc Bordeaux. A man carrying scars from his childhood. Not one to trust easily and definitely not a man to give his heart to any woman easily. Fighting a street life where thievery, drugs etc. were the norms of the day, he used his business acumen to rise up in life. While finishing his studies he did odd jobs to earn money to invest in the future. So it is of no wonder that he is introduced to the readers as an eligible bachelor who is considered appropriate to marry the desert beauty, Hira.

She...

Is Hira Dazirah. All her life she wanted to prove herself. She had a business sense but just because she was a girl she was not encouraged to study further.She had accepted that way of life. Rejected by what she thought to be her true love, she decides to marry according to her tyrant father's wishes.  She had seen him before the marriage, and had felt the full force of his ‘ghost gray eyes’.

The love affair......

From their first encounter attraction flared between them, but it was soon clouded with suspicion and misunderstanding when Marc agreed to marry Hira without meeting her at all. Hira did not want to end up like a trophy bride just like her mother. She did her best to appear cold and icy towards her husband when they went to his house 'far from the bustle of New Orleans, Southeast of Lafayette'. But soon she realized that they shared a very strong mutual attraction for each other. Would that be enough to seal their marriage for eternity?

Would Marc see her as an intelligent woman, who had an intelligent mind behind that beauty of hers, or would he possess her as a beautiful trophy to show the society that even with all his scars he could still have a beautiful woman?

Would Hira be able to make her husband understand that she needed not only his love but also his trust? Would she ever be able to put her husband’s insecurity to rest?

What I liked......

The characters were very distinct. Each had their own fears and insecurities. Both the characters were equal in terms of their insecurities and passion. I could relate to Hira very well, especially, when she was fighting for her rights as a woman. When she thought Marc was being patronizing, she stood up to him. When she thought that he was having a secret, she fought to know it and when she felt that Mac was being aloof she fought for her love. All in all, she was a complete woman who could overcome her insecurities, adjust to a new land and fight for her love.

Marc, with all his scars and insecurities, was a lovable character when he was not being a pain in the neck. (Ahem!!) But what I loved about him was when he opened an account for his mother in law, understanding that she had to beg her husband for money. (That made me fall in love with Marc!!)

What I didn't like......

Marc to some extend seemed pig headed and he seemed to solve all his anger, disagreement and sorrow by ‘romping’ on the bed. That characteristic of Marc makes him a bit shallow for me. The second thing which I found a bit off putting was Hira always acting without any flaws and being too good to be true. She went on calling March ‘Husband’ and the way she spoke English, though suited with her character, was a bit off-putting.

Rating: ****

On the whole I loved the story. The love and passion between them was palpable. I would give this story 4 out of 5 stars. The one star I am taking away for Marc’s pigheadedness.(Hmm. I can be stubborn too.....)

More Than He Expected - Andrea Laurence

She ......

She is Gwen Wright. A nurse by profession, who generally falls in love with men who would eventually leave her. She preferred it that way. She had a troubled past with her mother always falling in love with the wrong guy and always blaming her after the break up.

Gwen did not want to end up like that. So, she had vowed never to be the one who would ruin her life for a man or spend her life pining for one. She worked the nights in a hospital and mostly slept it off in the daytime. This would leave her with friends, who could not get too nosy about her life.

This was till she decided to become a surrogate for Susan and Robert, who could not have kids of their own. Her this one unselfish act made her a very special person. Even when she faced with financial difficulties, she did not think about herself but only about ' Peanut'. ( As she lovingly called the baby)

But Adrienne, her best friend, was very worried about her and forced her to visit them at their home in San Harbor. Well in her 2nd trimester and tired if climbing the stairs of her flat, she decided to take up her offer all the while knowing that she would risk running into Alex.

He......

He is the playboy Alex Stanton., who did not believe in having term relationships. His excuse being he did not want to have a marriage like his parents. His father had done the honorable thing of marrying his mom after she became pregnant with him. Both were miserable. He never wanted to be caught like that in a relationship. So, whenever things got serious he would end it.

This was till he did not meet Gwen. She was the only reason he had come to Sag Harbor- to have another go at ' no commitment ' fling with Gwen. And then he saw the baby bump.

The Love Affair.....

Gwen and Alex had met at Adrienne and Will's wedding. Mutual attraction had flared and they ended up making love followed by two weeks of a torrid affair. It ended amicably with both of them not wanting to make a commitment or so they both thought. Eight months later they met again. But this time Alex found that  Gwen was pregnant. Not with his  child but she was a surrogate mom. The pregnancy - instead of making him want to run away made him want her more.

Gwen on the other hand found that her new found resolution of celibacy going awry the moment Alex made his intentions clear. But this time things had changed for her. She had fallen in love with him.

But could she expect Alex to ever fall in love too or would she like her mother end up alone- without her baby and without her love.

My Views...

The concept of surrogacy has been treated very gently. The pain of the mother who gives up the child vs the joy of the mother who receives the child has been brought out beautifully.

Gwen's character has been defined by this generosity of hers. Alecx depicted as a hardcore playboy shows in many instances as a caring and a loving person. In fact throughout the novel his actions are in total contrast to his persona which makes him a very lovable character.

A very good read on the whole and I would give 4/5 stars. The one star I am holding back because of the prude in me (snicker!!!) found the love scenes a bit too Ahem...... ( so ignore me and add your own fifth star )

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A Conflict Of Interest - Barbara Dunlop

Cara Cranshaw was a White House PR. Her job had become the sole obstruction in her love life. She had fallen in love with reporter Max Gray and was dating him before the elections.

But now after the elections, they decided to stay away from each other due to work ethics.Then she found out that she was pregnant! She also knew how Max felt about fatherhood, so she decided not to tell him at all.

While they were trying to keep their emotions at bay, a scandal broke out which was connected  to The President. He had a love child! Moreover, the love child was one of Cara's best friend. Both Cara and Max wanted to find out the truth but sadly they were in the opposite sides of the fence.

Max wanted to know the truth in terms of news, scandal and as an investigative reporter, but Cara wanted to stop any scandalous truth from harming the popularity of The President. Things were not going anywhere between them until Gillian ( Cara's sis) decided to intervene.

She created such situations which made Max realize that losing Cara was way beyond pain. He did not know if it was love but he sure felt a primitive possessiveness regarding her.But one day while following her, he finds out the truth regarding her pregnancy.

How in the midst of the Presidency scandal do they find love for each other and does Max overcome his fear of fatherhood kept me turning the pages of this novella.

Throughout the story, the conflict has been maintained but above the conflict is the passion that exists between the MC's.

To be honest, when I started with this novel I kinda did not like it.  The story started with Cara being pregnant and both trying to keep away from each other. Maybe that is the reason they were hardly in the same page. Their interaction with the other characters in the novel was more strong and the two seemed to fit here and there in the story.

I even sympathized with Max more since he seemed to find even flimsy excuses to meet her but always leaving when asked to, understanding her need to put her career first. He is a character you could relate to. Tough yet humane.

But after a few pages, the story focused more on Cara's emotions. Her fear regarding their relationship was well founded. Max did not want to become a father. The story also gained momentum after the avalanche in which they were both caught and I found it hard to keep down the book from this point.

There are other characters also who add different layers to the story. Specially Jake and Gillian ( Cara's sister). I found Gillian very endearing and her support in Cara's life is what kept the MC's from reaching their goal.

The other aspect was the political aspect, in which The President had fathered a love child. The scandal has been delicately woven in the story without turning it into a political battle.

My only regret would be that I would never know what happened after the DNA results came out and were the hackers of the White House computer system caught? :(

 I almost gave a sigh of regret after I closed on the last page.

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