Review: sensual steamy romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 26, 2013
Solace in Scandal. Bound by Lies, Torn by Truth. Kimberly Dean.Arc supplied via Netgalley.I enjoyed this book, its classed as Erotica and as Romance. Its a very strong romance side, but less so on the erotica side. Its hot, sensual, steamy sex scenes, but not as graphic and in your face as so much erotica is, so don't let that put you off if erotica isn't your thing.Elena, she seemed so lost and fragile, working on her PHD and hiding out from the press on the Wolfe estate. Seems the butler/manager worked for her family in past when she was a child, and she was still close to him. She was being harassed by the media, and couldn't afford legal representation to stop them, so he suggested she stay at a little used house on the estate while Alex was in prison. It gave her much needed sanctuary.Alex was released early and saw her doing yoga out by the lake. He didn't know she was staying, and his first instinct was to tell her to go, but then he learns of the problems she's suffered and feels for her so he says she can stay. She doesn't want to be there any more than he wants her there, and yet she can't escape the press who are camped outside the grounds.They carry on with their separate lives, occasionally meeting up accidentally, then an incident happens that brings them close - yeah..much, much closer; hot, steamy sex closer. Gradually they each learn more about the other, and the preconceived notions they have get replaced by the truth. The time when they are out for a meal and the airhead ex mentions "that Fonzie thing" - well, as a child of the 70's I could picture The Fonz coming along, trademark grin and wrists in the air "heeeyyy...you talkin' bout me?"Underlying the hot sensual romance is the story where Alex needs to get back and be seen at work to keep people confident in his company, Elena needs to complete her PHD, and somehow they want and need to keep their romance together. With the media out for blood still, and not bothered who supplies it, there are some difficult times. I understood exactly how cloistered Elena felt, and why she needed to do what she did. Alex, well - I understood too how after his experience he just wanted to protect her, and keep her away from the bloodhounds out to stir up any trouble they could. It was a great romance, bitter-sweet at times when tough decisions had to be made, and I just loved the way the ending tied up so much, and gave answers way and beyond what I expected.Really enjoyed this story, and the sensuality of the romance. It was just right, fitted so well with the characters and the actions, where sometimes we just get caught up in the drama, act on the moment without thinking things through. I'd happily read this again. Priced at 1.99 for 200 pages/769kb its a bargain for romance readers.Stars: almost a five, four and a half.