I'm pleased to have KD McLean visiting again today with her emotionally draining read Annik's Story, the final installment in The Tales of Pandora series. Keep reading to learn about this series and my impressions of this book. Make sure to fill out the form for your chance to win one of the books in this series too!
She’s not hoping for a billionaire or even a millionaire, just a guy who can strike a spark to her tinder! Is she asking too much? She's a great gal! Just ask her parents! She might be a bit naive about some things, but capable enough- she's a correspondent for a major magazine, after all. So there!
On assignment she meets Michael, 42 years old, also a writer. The attraction is immediate and intense. Rachel, who sees vanilla as only a baking ingredient, enchants him. Michael can whip up some pretty hot delights himself, outside of the kitchen. He introduces a curious Rachel to powerful experiences of sensuality. Her sense of propriety engages in a running battle with her now sparked desires.
Michael is an excellent cook and knows how to turn up the heat. Sampling the flavors offered, Rachel experiences humorous hiccups. On a date, Michael ramps up the risque, resulting in a memorable skirt swirling salsa dance. Rachel's "What the hell, Iain't getting any younger" attitude spurs Michael to take her to the exclusive, adults only club Pandora's. Here, Rachel witnesses even more variations of earthly delights, and begins a lifelong friendship with another guest.
Michael is a realist, convinced that within 90 days, his affair with Rachel will be but another painful memory of loss. He is neither willing nor able to yell 'Geronimo' and fall for her. He can't, and that's that.
Maybe he should just get a damn dog.
This modern, urban, grown up love story is a recipe –three cups romance and one cup of slapdash humor. Blend in spices of eroticism, and beat until smooth.
BUY LINKS: Amazon | ARe
NANCY BARTON, M.D. is 39. She’s single, and… used to it. Training to become a doctor didn’t allow for entanglements. She deferred. Which became reserve. Which hardened after her one relationship dwindled to its end.
Now they call her ‘Ice Queen’. Which is a laugh. ‘Doctor Ice Queen’ relishes intense passion. She is known as ‘Mistress Nancy’, a respected Dominatrix at the adult club PANDORA’S. Her two lives never touch, though. Both lives are kept private.
It’s not perfect. What is, anyway? She rarely longs for the what will never be’s- the picket fence, the star struck love… hell, she’s too old for kids anyway.
It’s fine.
So what do you do when ‘That Guy’ walks into your life?
‘That Guy’, that TERRY CARPENTER. That war vet. Mind scrambling cute, dammit. With his own cravings and qualities that fit into yours like the solution to a jigsaw puzzle. Starry eyed over you despite your efforts to keep him at arm’s length.
What the hell do you do when such a man walks into your life?
And drops to his knees?
BUY LINKS: Amazon | ARe
Overwhelmed by her mother’s medical bills, grad student Annik Dandridge had sex for money. That one decision led to her becoming an Escort or in her own words “a whore”. Using her intelligence she leverages her exotic good looks, becoming the most sought after Escort in her city. Having sex for money pays extremely well. In selling her body, Annik despairs of ever finding someone to love her.
Tom Evans, her best client never got that memo. Despite having loved Annik from the first moment he hired her, he knows there’s too big an age gap. Annik fully understands that nothing permanent could ever result from a successful businessman and a prostitute.
There’s more to the Pandora legend-hope. Is hope enough to fulfill their impossible dreams?
But evil is powerful. Paul Lester personifies it. He has killed many women, just because he likes to. He has plans for the one whore who escaped. On the night Annik’s greatest joy, he puts his plans in motion.
The Story of Annik, the final tale of Pandora’s.
BUY LINKS: Amazon | Smashwords | ARe
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
The Tales of Pandora series comes to an end in this melodramatic, steamy, and unconventional fancy rags to riches story. Life comes full circle for a trio of female friends whose stories have been told throughout these three books and revolve around the affects of the club Pandora's has had on their lives. This final installment shows how the once rich and pampered Annik Dandridge ends up as a high price escort and the plan she has for changing her future with the help of a friend turned lover.
Annik was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and was on course to become a psychotherapist when a series of misfortunes left the family money gone and her mother needing constant home care. With her waitressing job not enough to pay for her mother's cares she takes a drunk customer up on his offer which became the first step in a new career that pushed her dreams into the background. She learned a lot throughout the years and is now at the top of her game making lots of money but leaving her lonely with no hope of a fairytale future of a husband and kids. She knows that her background will turn away suitors as she has no illusions about herself. She calls herself a whore and knows that many in society see her as trash. Luckily she has a small group of people she can count on, namely cab driver Dan who saved her from a vicious psychopath and businessman/client Tom who she has a secret attraction to. The author vividly depicted the life of an escort, showing readers the preparation for a date and the special and varied ways that Annik interacts with her clients. You practically feel a part of the action and can sense the loneliness and pride that Annik feels at the end of a date. When an opportunity to better herself comes up she jumps at the chance and uses her brains, and Tom's assistance, to leave her old life behind. In a whirlwind of events that bring her more happiness than ever before Annik slowly sees her dreams coming true, but danger is soon stalking her as the one who got away becomes the hunted and her happiness almost comes to a crashing end. Throughout it all Annik remains strong-willed, rarely showing her true emotions. She makes no apologies for her past and in some ways she can be seen as heroic for making her own way and doing whatever necessary for those she loves.
Tom is a sweet and charming older man who has come to care for Annik after becoming her client three years ago. He kept his feelings hidden for fear of rejection but finally admits the truth and sweeps her away to a better life giving her so many of her dreams. His background isn't dug into near as deeply as Annik's. He's merely a nice guy hurt by love in the past but who's willing to be hurt again for his love of Annik. He's dreamy and supportive, never making Annik feel indebted or ashamed of her past.
The author digs deep into Annik's life which makes for a lengthy story that drags at times. The sexual encounters are steamy and varied and the differences between work sex and romantic sex are plainly obvious. The inclusion of a serial killer lent a bit of a soap opera feel to the story with the time spent in his head describing his work and his hunting of Annik making for some creepy moments. Their scenes together were heart-pounding but over before they started in a quickly wrapped up conclusion. On a whole this was an intriguing story giving an uncompromising view of the world's oldest profession and putting a gritty spin on the Pretty Woman trope.
My rating for this is a B+
*I received this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
KD McLean was born in a dark time- it was 2:00 AM, but with grit and determination, she persevered until the light came. And we haven't been able to get rid of her since.
Having experienced a husband who, as Rachel's ex did- 'drift' led Michelle to internet dating. Of course that was well after the voodoo dolls were put away. She reeled in her share of eels and carp in the Plenty of Fish pond.
Like Rachel, KD is enjoying her own happy ever after with a intelligent and handsome man- who keeps hiding her eyeglasses so he can stay handsome.
Being single, without a billionaire boyfriend was tough. She's got the guy, and buys Lottery tickets- half a loaf and all that, you see?
The Story of Rachel is her first novel. The topic was inspired by some book she picked up somewhere. It was a wonderful book- the woman who wrote it might make some money, Michelle hopes.
Sensuality and laughter are two qualities that make life a blessing. There are many others, of course, but the most important gift of life- love- is deeply enhanced by these two endowments.
She's not saying a word about her research for this novel. Nope. Not a damn word. Kids and grandchildren… need we say more?
Life is good. Life is a gift. KD knows this.
BLOG: www.kdmcleanauthor.blogspot.
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/kd.mclean.77
TWITTER: twitter.com/KatieMcLean18
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/
Having experienced a husband who, as Rachel's ex did- 'drift' led Michelle to internet dating. Of course that was well after the voodoo dolls were put away. She reeled in her share of eels and carp in the Plenty of Fish pond.
Like Rachel, KD is enjoying her own happy ever after with a intelligent and handsome man- who keeps hiding her eyeglasses so he can stay handsome.
Being single, without a billionaire boyfriend was tough. She's got the guy, and buys Lottery tickets- half a loaf and all that, you see?
The Story of Rachel is her first novel. The topic was inspired by some book she picked up somewhere. It was a wonderful book- the woman who wrote it might make some money, Michelle hopes.
Sensuality and laughter are two qualities that make life a blessing. There are many others, of course, but the most important gift of life- love- is deeply enhanced by these two endowments.
She's not saying a word about her research for this novel. Nope. Not a damn word. Kids and grandchildren… need we say more?
Life is good. Life is a gift. KD knows this.
BLOG: www.kdmcleanauthor.blogspot.
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/kd.mclean.77
TWITTER: twitter.com/KatieMcLean18
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/
**********GIVEAWAY**********
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment