As a fan of Roni Loren's works I'm thrilled to introduce you to her newly released series starter, Off the Clock. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this erotic-fueled tale, along with my impressions of it, and then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this first installment in the Pleasure Principle series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a tote bag made of out of print library cards and full of books too!
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LOVING ON THE EDGE NOVELS, THE FIRST IN A SENSUAL NEW SERIES
Overtime has never felt so good...
Marin Rush loves studying sex. Doing it? That’s another story. In the research lab, Marin’s lack of practical knowledge didn’t matter, but now that she’s landed a job at The Grove, a high-end, experimental sex therapy institute, she can’t ignore the fact that the person most in need of sexual healing may be her.
Dr. Donovan West, her new hotshot colleague, couldn’t agree more. Donovan knows that Marin’s clients are going to eat her alive unless she gets some hands-on experience. And if she fails at the job, he can say goodbye to a promotion, so he assigns her a list of R-rated tasks to prepare her for the wild clientele of The Grove’s X-wing.
But some of those tasks are built for two, and when he finds Marin searching for a candidate to help her check off her list, Donovan decides there’s only one man for the job—him. As long as they keep their erotic, off-the-clock activities strictly confidential and without strings, no one will get fired—or worse, get attached…
EXCERPT:
Donovan stared out the window at the grounds and tucked his hands in his pockets, centering himself and bringing the focus back to the task at hand. “I want you to succeed here, Marin. Don’t doubt that. I’m going to train you to the best of my ability, and I have full confidence that you’ll catch on quickly. As for our past, I think we’re both grown-ups and can leave that where it is.” He paused, trying to let go of his dour thoughts and channel some levity. He smiled at his reflection in the window. “Unless you need to profess some undying love that’s been burning for me since you let me divest of your virginity?”
Donovan stared out the window at the grounds and tucked his hands in his pockets, centering himself and bringing the focus back to the task at hand. “I want you to succeed here, Marin. Don’t doubt that. I’m going to train you to the best of my ability, and I have full confidence that you’ll catch on quickly. As for our past, I think we’re both grown-ups and can leave that where it is.” He paused, trying to let go of his dour thoughts and channel some levity. He smiled at his reflection in the window. “Unless you need to profess some undying love that’s been burning for me since you let me divest of your virginity?”
****
Marin’s whirling work-related thoughts skidded to a halt, all of them falling off the edge at Donovan’s comment. Her lips parted.
But Donovan spun around, a devilish smile on his handsome face and his hands still tucked in his pockets. “That’s how it’s supposed to go, right? The guy who takes the V-card always has a special place. Research has proven it.” He put his hand on his chest. “Come on, did you write my name in your notebooks with a heart around it? You can tell me. I’m a doctor."
A choked laugh escaped her. “Research doesn’t say any such thing. Plus, your name would be too long to fit in a heart. And if you recall, I walked away from you that night, doctor. So you were probably the one pining over your misguided night with a teenager."
He chuckled, the sound as rich and warm as she remembered. It softened some of those hard edges he’d acquired in the years since she’d known him, gentled the icy blue in his eyes. “Of course I was. There was bad poetry written. Sad songs played. I went through this weird emo/goth phase. It wasn’t pretty."
“I’m sure,” she said dryly. But let out an internal sigh of relief at his shift in mood. This was the Donovan she remembered. He was still in there somewhere. She could work with that guy. She wasn’t so sure about the other.
He grinned, unrepentant. “See. You’re going to do just fine. There are two important requirements to work in this field: shamelessness and a sense of humor.” He raised a finger. “Oh, and the ability to keep a straight face no matter what."
He gave her a super-serious therapist face.
She tried to give her own back to him, but she lost the staring contest and laughed.
He pointed at her. “All right. Elephants slain?"
He still hadn’t told her what he’d been doing in the parking lot in that half-dressed state, but it really wasn’t any of her business. “Sure. Bleeding on the floor."
“Aw, poor elephants."
He slipped off his suit jacket, hooked it around the back of his chair, and sat behind his desk in one gracefully executed maneuver—all confidence and swagger. The accomplished doctor. The ridiculously beautiful man. Donovan West was pure impact.
She had a feeling he was probably loved or hated around here, not much in between. He was a man who inspired reaction. He’d sure as hell always inspired one in her. Just not one that had any place at work.
Stop it. She sat up straighter, studiously ignoring how well his shoulders filled out that dress shirt, how the blue of his tie matched his eyes, and how his dark hair looked thick enough for her fingers to get lost in. Nope. Totally wasn’t going to pay attention to any of that.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Readers who enjoy reunion stories will find themselves charmed as well as blushing by the erotically-charged connection between two damaged souls whose lone encounter changed both of them irrevocably. In the talented hands of Ms. Loren the sexual encounters are scorching, balanced with likable characters and strong emotions easy to relate to. Once the final page was turned it ends up being a memorable series starter that gives readers of her works what they've come to expect.
In college Marin was totally devoted to school and caring for her family as her mother's mental illness and not having a father left her running the household. Fears over her mother's illness showing up in her and keeping her mother from injuring herself kept her from experiencing life to the fullest except for one night with the grad student she'd always been attracted to and who gave her her first taste of freedom. That moment was over far too soon though as real life intruded on her happiness with a tragic event that led to nine years of her trying to keep her head above water. Needing more money to send her brother to school has her leaving the comforts of all she's made for herself to get a job at a prestigious sex clinic where she runs into her past. She's still attracted to the complex Donovan, and his orgasmic voice, but knows that getting caught up in him again will jeopardize the job she's desperate to keep. Marin's an admirable heroine, dedicated to family to the exclusion of her own happiness. Tragedy didn't define her but had her showing true strength in raising her brother, Nate, and their scenes together brought a smile to my face. She may be naive when it comes to sex but she's smart when it comes to feelings and isn't afraid to call out Donovan on his self-destructive behavior or experience the wilder sides of sex. Her interactions with him crackled from the first time they met to their reunion nine years later and I enjoyed their time in the bedroom and out as every minute teemed with sexual tension as they started to bond on a much stronger level.
Donovan's sexy and may seem confident as he oozes sensuality but the murder of his parents has left its mark with his self-destructive behavior and fear of intimacy. It keeps him flitting from one unforgettable woman to another as he refuses to let go of the past. The only woman to hold his interest is Marin but involving himself with her will end his chances for promotion. But the more time they spend together the more her sweet innocence calls to him and has him going against policy. Donovan was often arrogant and jaded but being around Marin brought out a softer side to him. The longer they're together, engaging in educational delights, the closer they became and the more he was forced into dealing with his painful past and feelings of loneliness that have kept him from his HEA. Donovan's immensely likable despite his issues and you can't help but want to hug him for all he's lost and his years of misery because of it. Being around Marin brought a sense of peace to him which made for many intensely sensual, and even lighthearted at times interactions, that enhanced the overall story.
Overall this was another winner from Ms. Loren as the sex scenes were hot and nicely balanced with humor and compelling characters. Marin and Donovan are wonderful together from their sensual connection to witty banter and I enjoyed seeing her unexpectedly becoming the teacher in their relationship and journey to HEA. Surrounding this engaging main couple is a wonderful cast of secondary characters that have me excited for future installments as we dig deeper into the sexy shenanigans of The Grove. Ms. Loren continues to craft stories that pull you in while heating you up and this series starter is no different and is one I recommend wholeheartedly!
In college Marin was totally devoted to school and caring for her family as her mother's mental illness and not having a father left her running the household. Fears over her mother's illness showing up in her and keeping her mother from injuring herself kept her from experiencing life to the fullest except for one night with the grad student she'd always been attracted to and who gave her her first taste of freedom. That moment was over far too soon though as real life intruded on her happiness with a tragic event that led to nine years of her trying to keep her head above water. Needing more money to send her brother to school has her leaving the comforts of all she's made for herself to get a job at a prestigious sex clinic where she runs into her past. She's still attracted to the complex Donovan, and his orgasmic voice, but knows that getting caught up in him again will jeopardize the job she's desperate to keep. Marin's an admirable heroine, dedicated to family to the exclusion of her own happiness. Tragedy didn't define her but had her showing true strength in raising her brother, Nate, and their scenes together brought a smile to my face. She may be naive when it comes to sex but she's smart when it comes to feelings and isn't afraid to call out Donovan on his self-destructive behavior or experience the wilder sides of sex. Her interactions with him crackled from the first time they met to their reunion nine years later and I enjoyed their time in the bedroom and out as every minute teemed with sexual tension as they started to bond on a much stronger level.
Donovan's sexy and may seem confident as he oozes sensuality but the murder of his parents has left its mark with his self-destructive behavior and fear of intimacy. It keeps him flitting from one unforgettable woman to another as he refuses to let go of the past. The only woman to hold his interest is Marin but involving himself with her will end his chances for promotion. But the more time they spend together the more her sweet innocence calls to him and has him going against policy. Donovan was often arrogant and jaded but being around Marin brought out a softer side to him. The longer they're together, engaging in educational delights, the closer they became and the more he was forced into dealing with his painful past and feelings of loneliness that have kept him from his HEA. Donovan's immensely likable despite his issues and you can't help but want to hug him for all he's lost and his years of misery because of it. Being around Marin brought a sense of peace to him which made for many intensely sensual, and even lighthearted at times interactions, that enhanced the overall story.
Overall this was another winner from Ms. Loren as the sex scenes were hot and nicely balanced with humor and compelling characters. Marin and Donovan are wonderful together from their sensual connection to witty banter and I enjoyed seeing her unexpectedly becoming the teacher in their relationship and journey to HEA. Surrounding this engaging main couple is a wonderful cast of secondary characters that have me excited for future installments as we dig deeper into the sexy shenanigans of The Grove. Ms. Loren continues to craft stories that pull you in while heating you up and this series starter is no different and is one I recommend wholeheartedly!
My rating for this is an A!
*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.
If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.
WEBSITE: http://www.roniloren.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/roniloren
GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/
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