I enjoy sexy romance stories and Lexi Ryan has created many entertaining titles. Her latest, Text Appeal, is set in the exciting world of Las Vegas and involves two opposites trying to make a relationship work with a smarmy ex-boyfriend and judgemental father getting in the way. Lexi is here today giving us a glimpse into this book as well as giving you the chance to win a gift card to your favorite bookstore. You can also learn more about this book by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour listed here.
Charlie 'The Devil' Singleton is the face of professional poker. Notorious for playing cards and women, Charlie's ready to change his ways, and the surprisingly sexy texts he's getting from Riley are making him bet everything...on her.
Riley Carter is nothing like the hotel heiresses who make the news. A girl who's determined to run her father's hotel empire can't share many traits with women who fill the gossip rags. But 'The Devil' has a way of tempting even the best behaved girls.
When Riley discovers the naughty messages on her cell have been coming from Charlie, not her would-be fiancé, she falls into a hot affair with the last man she expected. But consorting with the notorious bad boy puts her hard-won reputation on the line. Is Charlie worth more to her than a little TEXT APPEAL?
EXCERPT:
Riley gaped at Charlie. “I want him of course. He’s great. We have a history. He works for my father too, so he understands the demands of my job. We make a good couple. A good fit.”
Charlie made a humming sound. “Sounds...practical. What does he do for you?”
“What do you mean?” She took a shallow breath. She could hardly think when Charlie was this close.
His mouth grazed the edge of her jaw. “He doesn’t like lingerie, and it’s your secret joy, so I assume he makes up for it in some other way.”
She licked her lips and tried to block the fingers of pleasure that began where his hand pressed against her back and radiated through her core. This man was everything she didn’t need, and yet her body reacted desperately to every touch. Her ING whimpered about being thirsty and Charlie being just the refreshment she needed.
“Does he like it rough?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble against her ear. “Or maybe he ties you up? Kisses down your body, his mouth against your breasts, his tongue flicking over your nipples? Does he taste you?”
Riley closed her eyes against the wicked pleasure betraying her between her legs. “No.” Then because that revealed too much, she said, “I mean, he’s...gentle.”
“Hm,” he said, but the sound was filled with more condescension than understanding. “What is it about him? Do you like it slow? Thorough? Does he make you feel cherished when he’s moving inside you?” He was asking about Chaz, and yet the words were whispered like foreplay.
With her body pressed against Charlie’s like this, when she was so close she could feel the strength of him, could trace her fingers across the breadth of his shoulders, she couldn’t imagine Charlie in a romantic relationship where sex wasn’t a key ingredient. “Not all relationships revolve around sex.”
He chuckled against her ear, his breath hot there. “The good ones do.”
“Not all of them,” she snapped, then winced at how defensive she sounded.
He stopped moving. “You have had sex with him, haven’t you?”
She stopped moving. Only Charlie would find the possibility that they were celibate so horrifying. “We’re consenting adults. We’ve been together.”
He pulled back to study her face and raised a brow. “Sounds...thrilling.”
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Charlie made a humming sound. “Sounds...practical. What does he do for you?”
“What do you mean?” She took a shallow breath. She could hardly think when Charlie was this close.
His mouth grazed the edge of her jaw. “He doesn’t like lingerie, and it’s your secret joy, so I assume he makes up for it in some other way.”
She licked her lips and tried to block the fingers of pleasure that began where his hand pressed against her back and radiated through her core. This man was everything she didn’t need, and yet her body reacted desperately to every touch. Her ING whimpered about being thirsty and Charlie being just the refreshment she needed.
“Does he like it rough?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble against her ear. “Or maybe he ties you up? Kisses down your body, his mouth against your breasts, his tongue flicking over your nipples? Does he taste you?”
Riley closed her eyes against the wicked pleasure betraying her between her legs. “No.” Then because that revealed too much, she said, “I mean, he’s...gentle.”
“Hm,” he said, but the sound was filled with more condescension than understanding. “What is it about him? Do you like it slow? Thorough? Does he make you feel cherished when he’s moving inside you?” He was asking about Chaz, and yet the words were whispered like foreplay.
With her body pressed against Charlie’s like this, when she was so close she could feel the strength of him, could trace her fingers across the breadth of his shoulders, she couldn’t imagine Charlie in a romantic relationship where sex wasn’t a key ingredient. “Not all relationships revolve around sex.”
He chuckled against her ear, his breath hot there. “The good ones do.”
“Not all of them,” she snapped, then winced at how defensive she sounded.
He stopped moving. “You have had sex with him, haven’t you?”
She stopped moving. Only Charlie would find the possibility that they were celibate so horrifying. “We’re consenting adults. We’ve been together.”
He pulled back to study her face and raised a brow. “Sounds...thrilling.”
BUY AT: AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | ARe | SMASHWORDS
REVIEWS:
“Text Appeal is smart, sexy, filled with great writing and memorable dialogue, and features characters you won't easily forget.”--Barnes & Noble’s LOVE ROCKS Indie Review column
“Readers will find themselves cheering for Riley and Charlie both. Lexi Ryan writes her dialogue with wit, humor, a bit of sarcasm, and throws in some wonderful chemistry!” --InD’Tale Magazine
“Ms. Ryan's story is fun and flirty. Text Appeal won't disappoint!”--Storm Goddess Book Reviews
MY IMPRESSION OF THE STORY:
This was a sexy story with an immensely likable hero and a heroine that annoyed me only once or twice. They seemed to bring out the best in each other where she finally started living for herself as opposed to other's desires and he endeavored to become a better man. Their relationship started out in a clever way that allowed the sexual tension to build to a steamy and sweat-inducing conclusion. Their sexual interludes were nicely paced allowing real emotions to come through helping them achieve their HEA. The world of poker is a fast-paced one, and while Ms. Ryan does a nice job incorporating it into the story, I wish we'd seen more of it. There was a lot of build-up for something that's only dealt with on 4 or 5 pages.
Along with an entertaining main couple comes Charlie's sister, Lacey. She's the perfect supportive friend to Riley, funny yet honest to a fault. I'd love to see her get her own story as she's a colorful and humorously outspoken character who could give her man a run for his money.
While I found the majority of the story satisfying there were parts of the storyline that were predictable. The smarmy ex-boyfriend who only wants the rich girl for her money has been done before. He was smarmy from the start and didn't get near the comeuppance I was hoping for. With a conclusion that was a bit rushed, his ending along with those of Charlie and Riley was over too soon.
That's much to recommend this story. First and foremost are the likable characters whose relationship is entertaining as well as satisfying. There's moments of lightheartedness amongst the angst that kept me glued to the pages and cheering as the story sped to its conclusion.
My rating for this is a B+
“Readers will find themselves cheering for Riley and Charlie both. Lexi Ryan writes her dialogue with wit, humor, a bit of sarcasm, and throws in some wonderful chemistry!” --InD’Tale Magazine
“Ms. Ryan's story is fun and flirty. Text Appeal won't disappoint!”--Storm Goddess Book Reviews
MY IMPRESSION OF THE STORY:
This was a sexy story with an immensely likable hero and a heroine that annoyed me only once or twice. They seemed to bring out the best in each other where she finally started living for herself as opposed to other's desires and he endeavored to become a better man. Their relationship started out in a clever way that allowed the sexual tension to build to a steamy and sweat-inducing conclusion. Their sexual interludes were nicely paced allowing real emotions to come through helping them achieve their HEA. The world of poker is a fast-paced one, and while Ms. Ryan does a nice job incorporating it into the story, I wish we'd seen more of it. There was a lot of build-up for something that's only dealt with on 4 or 5 pages.
Along with an entertaining main couple comes Charlie's sister, Lacey. She's the perfect supportive friend to Riley, funny yet honest to a fault. I'd love to see her get her own story as she's a colorful and humorously outspoken character who could give her man a run for his money.
While I found the majority of the story satisfying there were parts of the storyline that were predictable. The smarmy ex-boyfriend who only wants the rich girl for her money has been done before. He was smarmy from the start and didn't get near the comeuppance I was hoping for. With a conclusion that was a bit rushed, his ending along with those of Charlie and Riley was over too soon.
That's much to recommend this story. First and foremost are the likable characters whose relationship is entertaining as well as satisfying. There's moments of lightheartedness amongst the angst that kept me glued to the pages and cheering as the story sped to its conclusion.
My rating for this is a B+
*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
Author of both contemporary and paranormal romance, Lexi Ryan writes smart, spunky stories that sizzle. She enjoys reading, sunshine, a good glass of wine, and rare trips to the beach with her husband and children.
Lexi lives in Indiana where she divides her time between her family, her writing, and her job as an English professor. You can find her at her website: lexiryan.com
Facebook – http://facebook.com/lexiryan
Twitter – @writerlexiryan
E-mail – writerlexiryan@gmail.com
Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/qymaH
Twitter – @writerlexiryan
E-mail – writerlexiryan@gmail.com
Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/qymaH
**********GIVEAWAY**********
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Why are good women always with the wrong guy? Is it just something we have to get out of out systems? How could Riley not know the texts were not from her boyfriend? Text Appeal sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it to see more of Charlie and Riley.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Thanks for stopping by, Joanne! Riley's cell was "misprogrammed" and she doesn't realize it until she's in too deep.
DeleteAs for the wrong guy, I don't know. :( I have two sisters who spent a lot of time with jerks who weren't worthy. I think sometimes we have to believe we're worthy of better before we can accept better into our lives... It's certainly something I think about when I meet characters who have horrible taste in men. ;)
I hope you love the book. Best of luck with the giveaway!
Thank you for being a part of my barrage promotion and for taking the time to read and review the book!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to everyone entering the giveaway! :)
Thank YOU for joining us at my site! TA was a fun read and I really hope you will tell Lacey's story. She deserves love too for being such a tell it like it is sidekick.
DeleteYou'll be visiting my site again after the first of the year so I'll be counting down the days until then. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Great review of Text Appeal. I really enjoyed reading it!
ReplyDelete:D Beth!
Awesome review. Sounds great!
ReplyDeletejbandy8233 AT gmail DOT com
That is a very sexy excerpt. It got me VERY interested in the book.
ReplyDelete