Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Blog Tour, My 5 Star Review: Ember (Death Collector 1) by Jessica Sorensen

My Thoughts: 5 Stars
Talk about mind games...this book plays them with you from beginning to end. Ember is an interesting alluring book, full of suspense and wonder. 

Jessica does it again! I am a huge fan of Jessica's writing, even before this book. And love the eclecticness of her writing. Although I am admirer of ALL her books, I really do love the dark supernatural writing style that we see in Ember, and that we've seen in some of her other books (like The Fallen Star series). She most certainly doesn't let us (her readers) down in Ember. Kudos to her, for keeping us intrigued, book after book...

The storyline and characters are creative, well defined, and unpredictable. She keeps us guessing, and I love, love, love that about this book. 

I recommend this book to EVERYONE, especially those of you who are familiar with and love her dark supernatural writing style.

Blurb (from Goodreads):
(New Adult Paranormal)
**Mature Content Advisory**
Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual situations and language
For nineteen-year-old Ember, life has always been about death. With a simple touch, she can see when
someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person that
knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
But that changes when she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous and mysterious and is the only person
Ember can't sense death from. The silence he instills in her mind and body allows her to feel things she’s
never been able to before, so despite her initial reservations, Ember lets Asher into her life and lets
herself to get close to him. But the closer they get, the more Ember realizes that Asher is keeping secrets
from her.
When unexplained deaths begin to surface in her town, Ember questions why she can’t see Asher's
death and what it is he’s hiding from her.

Author Bio: 
The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.


Author Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4601855.Jessica_Sorensen
Blog: http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessFallenStar
Facebook (YA): https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jessica-Sorensen/165335743524509?fref=ts
Facebook (Adult): https://www.facebook.com/JessicaSorensensAdultContemporaryNovels
Goodreads book link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13560376-ember



My Thoughts:
I am a huge fan of Jessica's writing; she's in my top 5 Favorite author's. I am currently reading Ember, and loving it. I was hoping to have it completed by the blog tour date, but that wasn't possible. No worries though, I will post my review as soon as I finish the book. Jessica's creative writing style always captivates and intrigues me. Thank you for visiting Kindred Souls Book Blog. Come back again soon for my review of Ember. Be sure to hit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, or Kobo up for your FREE copy of Ember! 
Giveaway
Jessica is giving the following giveaways:
 An ebook of Ember
A signed paperback of Ember (US ONLY)
5 bookmarks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase Links:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/14D4TEd
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/16xecTc
Smashwords –  http://bit.ly/147DyXk
Kobo - http://bit.ly/14VyCWH

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Review of Searching for Moore by Julie A. Richman


Book Title: Searching For Moore
Author: Julie A. Richman
Release Date: Previously Released
  
   
   

Kindred Souls Book Blog (review by Dusty)- I recently finished Searching for Moore, book 1 of the Needing Moore Series, and where do I begin.....well, it definitely leaves you needing MORE...what a cliffhanger!! I can not wait to see where book 2 of their journey takes us and boy has it been a journey for these two, Schooner and Mia.

It was a refreshing and unique change from other books I have read to have a story mostly based on older, mature characters (present day) rather than high school/college age.  You definitely get your $$ worth with this book, with the length and thorough story from both, Schooner and Mia's point of view, it's almost two books in one. 

It was very interesting how the author told their story from present to past and back again between both POV's and the ability (as the reader) to follow so effortlessly, very well written Julie!! The characters feelings were realistic and believable, and the parties and celebrities give you a little touch of fantasy.

 I don't want to give too much of the story away and ruin your own reading experience, but Schooner and Mia were cheated at a lifetime together because of a manipulative, selfish C.J.  After 24 years of never knowing the truth, they reunite and pick up right where they left off to begin the life together that they never got to experience, or will they....  maybe not, if Schooner's son, Zac, has anything to do with it.  I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

*ARC provided for honest review
(Synopsis provided below)
Purchase Links:    
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/lqztsdp
 
Searching For Moore Synopsis:
Attended by reality TV star wannabes and Southern California social climbers, Schooner Moore knows the party his wife is throwing for his forty-third birthday has little to do with him and everything to do with her social standing in Orange County. The evening turns out to hold more surprises than just his wife's Botoxed friends groping at his privates, when a conversation with his old college roommate, Beau, reveals the biggest surprise of the night.

Beau has had contact on Facebook with Mia Silver. Just hearing her name sends Schooner into a tailspin, as he is now just a Friend Request away from the one who got away when she disappeared without a goodbye, leaving him wondering why she left.

A serial failure at romance, Manhattan boutique ad agency owner, Mia, gets a blindside of her own when a Facebook Friend Request from first love, Schooner, appears in her email. Going with her gut reaction, Mia hits accept, propelling her past to catch up with her in a New York minute, as a forceful Schooner is determined to understand what tore them apart and to explore the possibility of a second chance at love.

From a 1980's Southern California college campus and a devastating first love to present day New York City, Searching for Moore explores how technology has eradicated the divide between our past and our present, and asks whether you would give up everything to reconnect with The One in a single keystroke?
 
About the Author:
Author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.

    
Connect with the Author:
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6949287.Julie_A_Richman
     
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Managers: Milasy and Lisa    



Contact us at: promotions@therockstarsofromance.com 
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Website: www.therockstarsofromance.com




Saturday, June 15, 2013

Cover Reveal: Let Love Stay by Melissa Collins


Title: Let Love Stay
Author: Melissa Collins
Release Date: July 31, 2013
Cover Designer: Cover It!


Author Bio: 
I’ve always been an avid reader.  Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer.  Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer.  I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it.  When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity.  My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there.  I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
 

Synopsis:
If you’re lucky, you’ll fall in love – truly, madly and deeply in love.  But what happens when that honest and pure love isn’t enough to erase your fears?  What happens when your past rears its ugly head and threatens your future? 
Maddy and Reid had that kind of love – the all-encompassing, Earth shattering, once in a lifetime kind of love.  Then life happened.  Old wounds that were thought to be long healed and scabbed over are ripped opened and they are forced to face the possibility that, maybe, they are not strong enough to fight their demons and embrace the light. 
Together, they found out what love is, but now they will each need to heal on their own before they can ever be together again.  They must face their fears and beat down their pasts in order to find their way through this crazy uphill battle called love. 
They’ve let love in, but now, they need to find out how to Let Love Stay. 

Links:
Twitter - @mcollinsauthor


Excerpt:
I get out of the truck and walk over towards the two of them.  Maddy’s back is to me as I approach her and her date, so she doesn’t see me right away.  But once the guy sees me, she spins around to look at what has caught his eye. 
Her face is shocked and when our eyes lock, my heart skips a beat.  There’s a pull between us.  As much as I hate to admit it, she owns me.  Her eyes are magical.  They dance with light and passion and when she looks at me, they are filled with love. 
The love and passion that are sparkling in her emerald green eyes evaporate when she realizes the scene that I’ve just stumbled upon.  I can only imagine what’s going through her mind, but I’m sure the images of me kicking Logan’s ass are flashing vividly through her mind. 
I’m no more than a few feet from them when the guy pushes Maddy behind him to protect her from what he perceives as a threat.  He’s not very far from the truth, but she’s not the one who needs protecting. 
Menacingly close now, he pipes up.  “Who the fuck are you?  What do you want?”  Okay, I’ll give the prick a little bit of credit for trying to stand up to me, but he has no clue what he’s competing against here. 
The caveman in me wants to deck this guy and drag Maddy into a bed – any bed – and claim her, repeatedly, until she understands that she’s mine and no one else’s.  I’m going to do that anyway, but hopefully I can refrain from knocking this guy on his ass.  I’d like to have the use of my hands tonight. 
My eyes never leave Maddy’s, but my words are directed at him.  “Me?  I’m the boyfriend, asshole.”  Maddy’s eyes widen slightly as I say “boyfriend.”  Did she really think we ever broke up? 
I avert my gaze from Maddy for a minute to stare this douchebag down.  “And who the fuck do you think you are?”  He falters, not enough that most people would notice, but I’m in predator mode.  I see his throat work hard to swallow past the newly formed fear.  His pupils dilate slightly and the pulse beating in his neck picks up as adrenaline surges through him.  If he thinks he’s going to win this battle, he is wrong – so fucking wrong. 
He puffs out his chest as he says, “I’m Maddy’s date for tonight.”  He snickers lightly as he says, “You know?  She never mentioned a boyfriend when I asked her out.  Must not be much of a boyfriend if she doesn’t even mention you.”  He swells with pride at his snarky little quip.  In the split second he looks away from me to gauge Maddy’s approval, I lay him flat on the ground as I drop my shoulder into his gut and take his legs out from underneath him with one of my own.  I freaking love my takedown skills.  I didn’t even have to bust up my hands.  I’m definitely going to need them in a little bit. 
I straddle over him and pull him up by the collar.  “Whether she mentioned me or not, she’s mine, so lay the fuck off.  Got it?”
Maddy still hasn’t said a word and I haven’t actually spoken directly to her.  I’m pretty sure she understands my actions though.  Wordlessly, I reach my hand out to her.  This is her chance.  If she still wants me, then she’ll come with me.  This is who I am, who I’ve always been.  If she can’t understand that I love her, that I want her more than anything, then it’s not because I haven’t tried as hard as I possibly could to prove it to her.
Hand still outstretched, I look her directly in the eyes, as I try to convey everything that I’m thinking, that I’m feeling.  In what feels like an act of God, she understands me and laces her hand in mine. 

Cover Update:
The cover of Let Love In, book one in The Love Series, had a little make-over...


Amazon Purchase Link for Let Love In:

Let Love Stay, releases July 31st!




 Copyright: "Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs"

Friday, June 14, 2013

Blog Tour, Review, Giveaway: Safe Word by Teresa Mummert


Title:  Safe Word
Author: Teresa Mummert
Genre: Erotica/contemporary romance
Release Date: May 25, 2013


Links:


Contact info:

Author:

Book:


Synopsis:
 A chance meeting with a stranger can turn your entire world upside down.
When Colton ‘Colt’ Bishop enters a bar in New York City, he has a plan. His job is to find an easy target and take her back to his place for a few days. He is working his way up the crime ladder doing a job he never wanted.
Lily Hilton has it all, but is hiding from a troublesome past. When she enters a bar downtown, and runs into her old high school crush, her entire world is turned upside down. She is determined to make him notice her, but that plan may work better than she expects.
Colton does not hesitate to take Lily home and use her as his new pawn, but their past begins to catch up with them as their secrets unravel and he must decide what is more important to him, protecting Lily or himself.

My Thoughts:
Oh My, where to start. This read is, um, unusual, and I mean that in a good way. The story line is most certainly unique. The characters are well developed. 
Colt aka Cole lives a sinister lifestyle. He's a bad guy, but if it's possible, and well it is because he is a 'good' bad guy. Colt has a chance (or not so chance) run in with Lily aka Rose, which changes everything for both of them. 
This read is full of angst, suspense, fear, criminal activity, but also, love, adoration, sex, protection, and commitment. 
When two people are meant to be, no amount of time and separation will change the fact that they are soulmates. They only exist apart, but when they are together, they feel, they love, they truly live. 
No matter how hard they may try to deny each other, ultimately their happiness, their heart, their lives rests within each other.

I recommend this read to anyone who is willing to read outside of the 'romance' box. This book is an erotic thriller/erotic romance. It's a dark read, but there is plenty of light to be seen if you're willing to see it.

I give it 4 Stars! 

About the author: 

 I was a Russian spy at the ripe age of thirteen, given my uncanny ability to tell if someone was lying ( I also read fortunes on the weekends). By sixteen I had become too much of a handful for the Lethal Intelligence Ensemble (L.I.E.). I was quickly exiled to the south of France where I worked with wayward elephants in the Circus of Roaming Animals and People (C.R.A.P.). I was able to make ends meet by selling my organs on the black market for pocket change and beer money. At the age of twenty three I decided to expand my horizons and become a blackjack dealer in Ireland. I loved the family atmosphere at Barney's Underground Liquor Lounge (B.U.L.L.). People couldn't resist the allure of Liquor up front and poker in the rear. Eventually I became tired of the rear and headed off to the United States to try my hand at tall tales. That is what brings us here today. If you have a moment I'd like to tell you a story.
(This bio is not to be taken seriously under any circumstance.)


Teresa Mummert is an army wife and mother whose passion in life is writing. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels White Trash Beautiful and Suicide Note. Born in Pennsylvania, she lived a small town life before following her husband's military career to Louisiana and Georgia. 


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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Cover Re-Reveal: Searching for Moore by Julie A. Richman


Book Title: Searching For Moore
Author: Julie A. Richman
Release Date: Previously Released
  
   
   
Purchase Links:    
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/lqztsdp
 
Searching For Moore Synopsis:
Attended by reality TV star wannabes and Southern California social climbers, Schooner Moore knows the party his wife is throwing for his forty-third birthday has little to do with him and everything to do with her social standing in Orange County. The evening turns out to hold more surprises than just his wife's Botoxed friends groping at his privates, when a conversation with his old college roommate, Beau, reveals the biggest surprise of the night.

Beau has had contact on Facebook with Mia Silver. Just hearing her name sends Schooner into a tailspin, as he is now just a Friend Request away from the one who got away when she disappeared without a goodbye, leaving him wondering why she left.

A serial failure at romance, Manhattan boutique ad agency owner, Mia, gets a blindside of her own when a Facebook Friend Request from first love, Schooner, appears in her email. Going with her gut reaction, Mia hits accept, propelling her past to catch up with her in a New York minute, as a forceful Schooner is determined to understand what tore them apart and to explore the possibility of a second chance at love.

From a 1980's Southern California college campus and a devastating first love to present day New York City, Searching for Moore explores how technology has eradicated the divide between our past and our present, and asks whether you would give up everything to reconnect with The One in a single keystroke?
 
About the Author:
Author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.
 
    
Connect with the Author:
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6949287.Julie_A_Richman
      
 
The Rock Stars of Romance Promotions  
Managers: Milasy and Lisa    
Contact us at: promotions@therockstarsofromance.com 
Alternate Email: trsor0404@gmail.com 
Website: www.therockstarsofromance.com 
 
  
 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Afflicted by Sophie Monroe

Book Title: Afflicted

Author: Sophie Monroe

Release Date: May 17, 2013


Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Fresh off tour Blake Potter, the sexy bassist for Battlescars, is in Smithville, Ohio to work on their next album ‘Coming Clean’. Still pining after Aubrey’s best friend, Piper, it’s going to be harder than he expected to see her back with her long-term boyfriend, Cole. He’s trying his hardest to forget her, but no matter how hard he tries to stay away circumstances keep bringing them together. Being burned before, he refuses to let it happen again. He’s still struggling to let go of Rowan, the girl that made him the way he is.

Piper is fighting an uphill battle of her own. She’s working her ass off trying to make a name for herself as a tattoo artist. Her long-term boyfriend, Cole, was recently discharged from the Marines turning her world in a way that she never expected. When he begins leaving for days at a time Piper starts struggling to help him pick up the pieces. She calls the one person that might be able to help, Blake. He becomes the friend that she needs no matter how much it’s killing him.

What will happen when one phone call changes everything for both of them leading them in a path that neither anticipated? Pasts will come out of the shadows and threaten to ruin everything.


Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The main characters are young,strong yet conflicted. They are attracted to each other, but will they let their past hurts & mistakes keep them apart? Maybe they will find that their soft, safe place to fall is in each others arms? You really need to add Pipes & Blakes story to your must read list. You won't be disappointed. 

~Review by Deb, guest reviewer :-)

Goodreads Link: 

Barnes and Noble:

About the Author: 
Sophie Monroe is an author from New Jersey. She’s obsessed with music and loves a good story. She released the Amazon Best Seller Battlescars in March. Afflicted is a spin-off of Battlescars with different characters but has appearances of the reader’s favorites Jake, Aubrey and Granny Jean, along with the rest of the gang.
Author Links:

Facebook: 

Goodreads Page: 

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Monday, June 10, 2013

New Release Spotlight: Conquer Your Love by J.C. Reed


Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance 
Release date: June 8th, 2013

Blurb:
Meeting Jett was like bad luck. Dangerous. Unpredictable. And better avoided. In his game, the stakes are high. But are they worth the risk?
Brooke Stewart, a realtor in New York, finds forgetting is hard, but forgiving is harder. When the man she trusted, betrayed her, the only way to forget is to move on. Brooke is determined to start a new life, until she meets him again: the green-eyed, sexy as sin, six foot two sex god. The man who played dirty. The man who played her.
Sexy, handsome, and arrogant Jett Mayfield knows he has made mistakes. He could have any other woman, and yet it’s Brooke he wants. When second chances collide with secrets and Brooke is threatened by the past, Jett is determined to protect her. She accepts his help unwillingly because she needs him but she wants to play his game on her own terms. And she has no intention to forgive or let him back into her bed.
When the man she is supposed to hate is the one she should trust, will he conquer her…or lose her forever?

A woman who can’t forgive.
A man who has made mistakes.
Two lives that are about to cross again and more secrets laid bare.

Whoo Hoo! Conquer Your Love, the sequel to Surrender Your Love is now available! I'm ready to ready more of Jett and Brooke's story. What about you? 

Amazon Purchase Link: http://amzn.to/18YNGDy


Sunday, June 9, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Let Love In by Melissa Collins


Synopsis:
What would happen if you lost everything?  If the people who were supposed to love you unconditionally were no longer there for you, how would your world change? 
That’s exactly what happened to Madeleine Becker when her parents died when she was ten years old.  Ripped from her home and everything that she has ever loved, she is forced to start all over again.  The only way for her to move on is to build walls around her heart and keep everyone at a safe distance. Her logic: she can't get hurt if she doesn't fall in love.
That theory is blown to pieces when she meets Reid Connely during her freshman year at college. He is gorgeous and darkly mysterious. He understands Maddy's pain all too well, but sharing his pain would mean breaking down the walls he put up around his own heart. Conflicted between loving Maddy and hiding his dark past, Reid starts to reevaluate his world.  Maddy's inner strength, snarky personality and breath taking beauty help Reid to make peace with his past.
Together they find out what happens when they let love in.

My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed Let Love In, staying up to the wee morning hours to finish it! 

I completely fell in love with Reid and Maddy. He is uber sweet, and she is uber smart. 

The ending killed me and put a huge lump of emotion in my throat, but I completely respect Maddy's decision. I have no doubt that Reid will come to his senses in Let Love Stay. 

Let Love In is a story of heart-ache and Loss, and learning to love again.

The sequel, Let Love Stay will be coming out soon! 

My Favorite Quotes:

"all I heard was my mom's voice- crooning sweet comforts in my ear when I was sick, rousing me from sleep when I was drowsy, singing me lullabies when I had a nightmare." ~Maddy

"I wanted to learn how to deal with such life-altering loss in a graceful and strong way. I wanted to survive, just like she had." ~Reid

"I've always wanted someone to say things like that to me, to want me beyond reason, to make me feel loved and in one sweet whispered sentence, he has done just that. In that moment, I realize I am falling hard and fast for this gorgeous man beside me..." ~Maddy

"And it's just that simple. He takes care of every last detail. He takes care of me, and I love him so much for it."
~Maddy



Snippet of Maddy and Reid’s first encounter:

There was a group playing quarters on the island and another group lining up shots on the breakfast bar – so not my scene.  I just shrugged my shoulders, opened the door, pulled out a bottle of water and, when I turned around to walk back outside, I face-planted into a wall of solid muscle. 

“Hand me one?” His voice was smooth and... gruff at the same time.  Red-faced, I turned back around and got him his water, glad for the cool respite that the opened refrigerator door offered. 

“Here you go.” I could not peel my eyes away from his mouth as he moved the bottle to his lips.  They were perfect - beautiful and full in a completely masculine way.  I watched, completely fascinated, as his throat moved, downing the water in three or four large gulps. He wiped his mouth with his forearm and I couldn’t help but let my eyes travel up the rest of his arm to his biceps and shoulders – those were the same as his lips – perfect.  Amazingly, gorgeously, utterly, divinely perfect.  Muscled and tanned, his arms were mouthwatering.

My knees wobbled.  My heart thudded.  Thousands of butterflies spread their wings in my belly. 

“Thanks…” he stared blankly at my face for a minute and I couldn't help but wondering if he liked what he saw.  He cleared his throat and roused me from my little daydream where the gorgeous boy is mesmerized by the maybe-a-little-above-average looking girl.  That’s when I realized he was asking for my name.

“Maddy.  Sorry, my name’s Maddy." I nearly choked on my tongue to get my freaking name out.

Author Links:
Twitter - @mcollinsauthor



Author Bio: 

I’ve always been an avid reader.  Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer.  Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer.  I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it.  When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity.  My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there.  I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it


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Friday, June 7, 2013

Cover Reveal: No Second Chances by R.J. Greer

Cover Reveal
No Second Chances
Carpe Diem Series
By R.J. Greer

Personally, I'm in love with this gorgeously unique cover! ~Karese

Synopsis:
Another job interview that starts out just like all others, turns into a lustful struggle and control of a wild relationship between a techy UCLA graduate and the horribly damaged yet ravishingly beautiful VP of WCC.

Aaden Macgregor graduated from UCLA with the hopes and dreams of something greater. Destiny Walters is the control freak of a VP that is every man's dirty desire. Destiny's scent broke Aaden's interview fears and drove him to lay eyes upon a queen utterly out of his fantasies. Aaden decides to seize the day and overcome his social challenges by making a once in a lifetime confession that sparks an adventure unlike any other. 

But why would a VP of a international company be interested in a guy full of self doubt? Will this adventure end with each of their wicked desires satisfied or will it turn into the most passionate relationship either has ever experienced?