Words of Wisdom....from The Scarf Princess: Book Tour for Platinum Pleasures by Kate Deveaux (Review & GIVEAWAY)

Single gals everywhere will be drawn to Platinum Pleasures by Kate Deveaux, an erotic tale with the older woman/younger man theme. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this novella, along with my impressions of it, along with learning about the inspiration behind it. Make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a slew of prizes such as 3-$10 Amazon GCs, 3 eBook bundles, and an eBook too!

I am often asked how I get the inspiration for my books.

I love being asked this question as it makes me really think about just how I get fired up to write a new book, to create new characters, new plot lines, and tap into an intense romance that is just begging to be told.

Being a visual person, I often find that making a Pinterest Board for the story taking shape in my mind helps spark my imagination. Putting a face to a character, a theme to a book, as well as visualizing the setting, and/or location, is very much at the essence of each new story I start to tell.

Such was the case with the hero in Platinum Pleasures, Marcus Roarke. Several themes co-mingle here: The “Platinum theme,” with the hero, Marcus, a drop-dead hunky young billionaire whose company is aptly titled Platinum Enterprises. But there’s more to Marcus than just his looks and robust checking account. Under the jet set dashing man is something more raw and tender. Marcus is a widower and Valentine’s Day is his wedding anniversary, making the day a potent reminder of love lost.
My Pinterest board for this book evokes not only the sexy young mega man with the world at his fingertips, but also the “Platinum” theme that is not only the name of his company, but also the level of sensuality in the book as he finds love again in the most unlikely place — running an errand on the way home from work on Valentine’s Day.

On my Pinterest board I show Ainsley as a mature, curvy, Mrs. Robinson themed heroine. Ainsley is recently single and finds herself alone once again on what should be the most romantic of days.

A heroine who knows what she wants, Ainsley isn’t afraid of a little experimentation in and out of the bedroom when she takes a chance and hires a lover for Valentine’s to fulfill her darkest desires.

The bond between young Marcus and Ainsley, the curvy woman at the door, is above and beyond gold — it is Platinum all the way when two broken hearts find a way to escape Valentine’s Day alone.

When Marcus arrives at Ainsley’s door, he turns the tables on her Mrs. Robinson’s type expectations and takes control. An instant connection is made and neither one realizes they are part of a case of mistaken identity until it’s too late…they have fallen for each other…hard.
As well as the love theme between the Marcus and Ainsley, there is also the importance of the setting: Beverly Hills. Her penthouse. His penthouse.
And the finer things in life, his Aston Martin, her aunt’s Maybach. All these images form the theme of the book, sensual, luxe and utterly pleasurable.
For a virtual tour of Platinum Pleasures and the inspirations I found in crafting this sinfully hot Valentine’s tale, check out the board and let me know what you think…
https://www.pinterest.com/katedeveaux/platinum-pleasures/

One night…one fantasy for hire…one sizzling case of mistaken identity.

Ainsley Simmons can hardly believe she’s ordered a fantasy lover online — a man to fulfill her deepest sexual desires for the entire evening. She’s in for a surprise when sexy young Mr. R shows up at her door in a classic case of mistaken identity.
Ainsley has the night of her life being pleasured by the much younger and demanding multi-millionaire — until she discovers he’s not her fantasy lover after all.
He’s even better than that.

EXCERPT:

Ainsley’s doorbell chimed again. Oh goodie. She clasped her hands together and shivered with anticipation. Whoever her mystery man was, he was back—and she was ready to play.
Standing tall, holding in her stomach in and smiling widely, she braced herself for what lay ahead as she headed for the foyer. She was intrigued by whether anyone would be there or not this time.
Maybe it was some kind of hide and seek. Kinky hide and seek, she hoped.
Her hand trembled on the knob as she opened her front door.
“Oh,” she said, surprised to see a man holding a large box of chocolates out to her. A very good looking younger man with intense blue eyes. Good, she’d asked for that. So far...so good.
“Chocolates,” she purred, eyeing the trademark famous wrapping. “I love chocolate, especially Swiss.”
Casting her eyes up, she surveyed the hunk before her. Suit and tie.Umm. Not quite what she’d been expecting, but then what did someone who came to fulfill your deepest sexual desires wear? They couldn’t very well parade around in their undies. Embarrassed, she glanced down at her mostly naked self then back up at her guest. His vivid blue eyes were glued to her body, his mouth agape.
“Oh, do come in,” she said, flattered that his gaze lingered on her as she held the door wide for him to enter.
“Uh...uhhh,” he said after a pause, stepping cautiously across the threshold and into the marble foyer.
Damn, he was undeniably sexy, just what she’d asked for. And oh so young, what was he, twenty-five, if that? And that look on his face...he looked confused, as if unsure. Well she’d be only too happy to kiss that look right off him. Oh, this was going to be fun.
“Miss Simmons?” he asked, shifting uncomfortably. She pressed a finger across his lips to silence him. “Ah, no names, the company said so, remember?” she said, not removing her finger.
“Call me...Mrs M.” She’d never been married, even though she’d lived with Charles for more years than proved wise. The very thought of going by a pseudonym sent an empowering thrill through her. Very Mrs Robinson, if she did say so herself.
“Mrs M,” he said, stepping back. Her finger fell from his lips. “I came to deliver”—he reached into his pocket as if looking for something—“to deliver... Damn,” he said, still searching for something.
“Later.” She was in no mood for any paperwork. It would just ruin the mood. As nervous as she was, now that her fantasy lover was there before her, she could barely wait for him to take control so she could just relax and be pleasured. Just as the Fantasies Incorporated’s website promised.
But he just stood there.
She waited, wondering if he was going to take charge soon. He didn’t make a move and she was nervous. Maybe she was supposed to make the first gesture? After all, she was the customer.
“Come...follow me,” she said, deciding she’d better make the first gesture. Leading the way through her cream and gold upholstered expanse of a living room, she stopped midway, sensing he wasn’t following. Glancing back, she saw he still stood in her wide front entrance.
“Well, come on,” she prompted, taking the moment to admire his sandy blond hair with the jagged edges that brushed just below his ears. She loved it when these young men wore their hair a little disheveled and longer like he did. She couldn’t wait to tangle her fingers through it while he pleasured her. Fucked her. Her cheeks flamed hot at the thought.
Her fantasy man smiled, almost shyly, his brow arching slightly. A cocky look, if ever she’d seen one. What a turn on that was, he must be playing into this whole Mrs Robinson theme. He nodded and stepped out of her foyer and into her home, following her to the opulent living room. Her body surged with anticipation. This was going to be the best Valentine’s present ever. Glancing back, she saw his eyes were riveted to her ass. She grew wet at the thought.
“I was expecting you.” She filled the silence with a nervous laugh as she stopped at the well-stocked bar on the far side of the room. The silver ice bucket gleamed with condensation, and the two crystal flutes she’d set beside it shimmered against the setting sun. Beyond their refreshments was one of the best views in Beverly Hills.
“You were?” He gulped, his Adam’s apple showing as he swallowed.
She nodded. “I have champagne chilling...you do drink champagne, don’t you?” she inquired. Not waiting for the answer, she pulled the chilled bottle from the ice bucket. Slow droplets of condensation dripped onto the marble floor. “Here, you uncork it, I’m hopeless at it.” She handed him the bottle and sat down one of her bar stools, almost sliding off in her silky peignoir.
He smiled and loosened his tie. Oh, yum. He caught her gaze and he blushed. Fuck—did he really just blush? Oh, he played the Mrs Robinson thing better than she could have imagined.

BUY LINKS: TOTALLY BOUND | AMAZON | BN

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Those looking for a quick read to bring a smile to their face and a blush to their cheeks will get just that with Platinum Pleasures. As a woman in her forties I was drawn to the older woman/younger man theme and the emotional doubts both of them experienced. By the time the final page was turned I was completely won over by the perfect balance of witty banter and steamy yet playful sexual interludes nicely spaced throughout the story wishing I hadn't reached the end.

After being cruelly dumped, with her money and pride taken by her ex, Ainsley didn't want to spend Valentine's Day wallowing in pity. Her treat to herself is a steamy night where the man of her dreams fulfills all her sexual fantasies. The man who shows up appears confused at first but quickly gives her a night to remember, a night where she sees her body as perfect. For one night she's free to be the woman she's always wanted to be, one who's confident and commanding. In the harsh light of day though, when it's discovered that her dream man isn't who she thought he was, her doubts come crashing back in and have her shoving him out the door. He's not the kind of man to give up easily and is soon back waging an emotional war to win her heart. I liked Ainsley immensely and could easily relate to her self-doubts. She was a strong-willed woman who was blindsided by her ex but quickly picked herself up and jumped wholeheartedly back into life in a very memorable way. I enjoyed her ability to give as good as she got which made the verbal banter between her and mystery man Marcus more entertaining.

Marcus is going through his own emotional turmoil as his wife died on Valentine's Day which has him dreading the evening ahead. He's closed himself off to emotional ties as the feelings she engendered in him are difficult to equal. He doesn't want to be left alone again. When he's set-up on an errand by his very caring secretary to deliver a package, he's pleasantly surprised by how things turn out. He's become bored with the women he's been meeting until he greets Ainsley in her very sexy pjs. He senses something different about her, she's someone who's real and who wants him only for himself. He's intrigued by her dichotomy of sexy siren and shy vixen and though she kicks him out the next day, he wants nothing more than to stay. He's not a man who loses and will do whatever it takes to convince her that age, and any of her other self-doubts, means nothing to him and that the connection they have is undeniable. Marcus is immensely charming and sexy, he's playful yet intense in bed and Ainsley is a great match. He's a man who's confident too and knows exactly what he wants which makes him go after Ainsley with intensity. He knows that life is too short to give up on happiness when you find it and will do whatever necessary to get her to see that too.

This was an immensely satisfying story with witty banter, intense verbal foreplay, and sweet yet sensual and erotic interludes. Though we don't get a lot of background on these two people I still felt a connection to them as they're likable and their emotional pain a great connecter. The flow of the story kept me fully immersed from start to finish, captivated by its sensual haze, and once again shows off Ms. Deveaux's talent for crafting great reads in small packages!

My rating for this is an A-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Kate Deveaux is a contemporary, erotic romance writer and die-hard romantic. It was after reading Jane Eyre in high school, that she became hooked on the idea of writing about romance, excitement and drama. Kate has been penning stories, from the sensual to the sinfully sexy, ever since!
A former wedding planner, Kate has always been "in love" with love! She was inspired to transition from writing racy short stories to full length manuscripts after meeting other authors in the romance world at industry workshops, conferences and events. Originally from England, now resides in the U.S. with her husband.
When she’s not writing or reading, Kate can be found on the tennis court—yes, there’s even "love" in that game too!