Readers looking for a romance that sets itself apart from the crowd will find themselves drawn to this older woman/younger man interracial romance. Keep reading to get a glimpse of the fun and flirty Consolation Prize by Linda Kage, along with my impressions of it, then learn even more about this romance by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this ninth installment in the Forbidden Men series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC too!
Don't you just hate it when someone destroys all your carefully made plans?
I mean, I had goals: college to graduate in one semester, a future I was working hard to reach, and an image of myself I wanted the world to see. My life was stacked into these precisely placed blocks. But then Colton Gamble came along and knocked them all askew.
I hated how he messed everything up, how he could hog all my attention whenever he was around, how he made my pulse quicken--but only because he ticked me off...not because I was attracted to him. Oh! And I hated how he knew how attractive he was too, the shallow, full of himself, doesn't take no for an answer, too-flirty, too cocky, extremely irritating jerk.
The boy had all the qualities that turned me off. Or so I thought.
One night he wasn't quite the brainless, over-confident jerk I usually took him for.
One night, he took care of me when I was at my lowest. He opened up to me and made me open up to him.
Now I'm learning maybe he's not what I first thought he was. And maybe I'M not what I first thought I was. Maybe it’s okay to rearrange a couple of my perfectly set blocks. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll stop worrying about what I’m afraid everyone else will think and finally reach for something I really want. It’s possible some of my plans need to be destroyed, and Colton Gamble is exactly the kind of mess I need in my life.
What do you think? Should I give him a try?
Desperately seeking your advice.
Julianna Radcliffe
EXCERPT:
“Juli can’t stop staring at you tonight."
“Juli?” That name perked me to immediate attention. “Julianna’s here?"
I followed Asher’s gaze to a dimly-lit table in the back corner that bordered the dance floor. It was empty save for one individual, one of the loveliest individuals to grace the planet.
I have no clue how she did it, but Julianna Radcliffe always managed to look equal parts disdainfully untouchable and wet-dream sexy.
Tonight, her dress was pure sin. She wore a long, strapless light gray number that had a front slit, exposing a perfectly toned leg most the way up her thigh and a bustier top that hugged proud, ample breasts. The paleness of her dress made the tone of her skin appear even darker than usual, which made my stomach knot with tension because I yearned to investigate all that dark-dark skin, see how it felt under my hands, how it tasted against my tongue, how it trembled when I stroked it.
Yet I knew without a shadow of a doubt there was no way that would ever happen, because that lady right here was a ball breaker. You could tell it by the straight-backed, poised way she held herself, as if she might as well be behind a boardroom table, doling out punishments to her inferior insubordinates, and by the way she had no tolerance for stupidity or players. I swear, her stare alone could shrivel a guy’s family jewels to impotent nothingness. I usually had the itching urge to cover my junk whenever I talked to her.
And yet she was an irresistible challenge to idiots like me. Not just because she was model-worthy stunning, which she was. Nothing on her was ever out of place; it always struck me with the urge to mess her up…in the best ways possible. But because I felt the need to be the exception to the rule, the one who got past her defenses and scaled that impossible mountain.
Brandt groaned.
I glanced at him, forcing my brain back to the problem at hand, that being Julianna and her inability to take her eyes off my newly married brother. “Hasn’t it been months since you and she were over?” I asked, confused.
He sent me a sharp glance. “Over? We never started. There’s nothing to be over. Juli and I didn’t even finish the one date we went on."
Asher sniffed. “Well, it looks as if she’s still willing to finish it."
“Dammit.” Brandt glanced toward his wife. “I hope Sarah doesn’t see her watching me. I don’t want anything upsetting her on our wedding day." Asher shook his head. “So, why’d you even invite Juli?"
“I work with her.” Brandt moodily tugged at the collar of his tux.
It seemed odd to me that someone so classically beautiful worked in a nightclub as a bartender. To me, Julianna clearly belonged on a runway, displaying the latest fashion, or--
“It would’ve been strange to invite everyone else and leave her out. Besides, we’re still friends. She’s probably my favorite coworker."
“Hey,” Asher muttered, offended since he occasionally bartended at Forbidden with Brandt too.
Brandt rolled his eyes. “You don’t count."
But that only seemed to confuse Asher more. “Why don’t I count?"
Ignoring him, Brandt brought his hand up to his mouth so he could chew on his thumbnail. “We need to distract her somehow. Someone needs to..." Trailing off, he turned slowly toward me, and the intent in his gaze was pretty damn clear.
I paused mid-sip. “Wait, what? You can’t possibly want me to distract her?”
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FIND THE FORBIDDEN MEN SERIES ON GOODREADS here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Ms. Kage's Forbidden Men series has introduced readers to some delicious heroes and this latest installment adds another perfect hero to the list in a romantic tale that deals with an interracial older woman/younger man couple and the issues surrounding their being together. The heavy issues are nicely balanced with a fun and flirty battle of the sexes that put a smile on my face after all the anger and doubts over their different hues. By the final page readers will find themselves cheering and immensely satisfied for the hard-fought conclusion that had me completely enamored of this unforgettable main couple.
Juliana's always felt alone and on the outside looking in. She always looks put-together too, perfect from head to toe, but it hides a past full of pain that starts intruding on her future as the story progressed which has her grateful for the love and support of Colton. Their relationship started off a bit adversarial, a sensual battle of the sexes, but it soon became more despite their mutual doubts over her initial attraction to his brother. As outside forces try to tear them apart over their different hues and her abusive ex's threats getting more dangerous their connection really gets tested in a romance full of angst and self-doubts. Juliana's an appealing and relatable young woman who tries to live her life as her father wants, and in antithesis to society's assumptions, but slowly realizes she needs to live life on her own terms. Colton isn't what she envisioned for her future but he turns out to be exactly what she needs as their playful and sensual banter leads to heartfelt talks and scorching encounters. Through Colton Juliana starts finding a place for herself with a support network that soon feels like family.
Colton is an outgoing and carefree young man who had a traumatic childhood that he's risen up from despite all its nightmare-inducing moments. The moment he saw Juliana he was attracted, but like every young man, his interactions were boyishly taunting. One fateful night changed everything though and had him unleashing a sensual onslaught that had her seeing him as a man despite his being four years younger. What started out as a one-night stand soon became something more, something they have to fight for in the face of societal and familial criticism. Colton's the quintessential hero as he never let his past break him. He's always quick to smile, with his fun and flirty ways, that makes readers smile too. He may be young in years but he's quick to step up and do what needs to be done. From helping his sister-in-law through her battle with post-natal depression to keeping Juliana safe when her ex comes calling he's immensely supportive and caring which endeared him to me. Through it all he embraces the power of love and deserves a HEA after all the angst and rollercoaster emotions.
This was a fast-paced read with a decadently delightful romance between two very different people. Fun and flirty moments were nicely balanced with heavy issues to make this a realistic and unforgettable read. Colton and Juliana are a formidable couple whose scorching encounters blend with witty banter and encounters teeming with sensual tension that had me rooting for them every step of the way. Surrounding this unforgettable couple are friends and family we've seen through the previous books in this series and they're a supportive group still dealing with issues of their own. Their interactions might sometimes be adversarial but it's always about their love for each other. Ms. Kage continues to entertain with a delightful series that pulls at your heartstrings while warming your heart and I hope the books keep coming!
Juliana's always felt alone and on the outside looking in. She always looks put-together too, perfect from head to toe, but it hides a past full of pain that starts intruding on her future as the story progressed which has her grateful for the love and support of Colton. Their relationship started off a bit adversarial, a sensual battle of the sexes, but it soon became more despite their mutual doubts over her initial attraction to his brother. As outside forces try to tear them apart over their different hues and her abusive ex's threats getting more dangerous their connection really gets tested in a romance full of angst and self-doubts. Juliana's an appealing and relatable young woman who tries to live her life as her father wants, and in antithesis to society's assumptions, but slowly realizes she needs to live life on her own terms. Colton isn't what she envisioned for her future but he turns out to be exactly what she needs as their playful and sensual banter leads to heartfelt talks and scorching encounters. Through Colton Juliana starts finding a place for herself with a support network that soon feels like family.
Colton is an outgoing and carefree young man who had a traumatic childhood that he's risen up from despite all its nightmare-inducing moments. The moment he saw Juliana he was attracted, but like every young man, his interactions were boyishly taunting. One fateful night changed everything though and had him unleashing a sensual onslaught that had her seeing him as a man despite his being four years younger. What started out as a one-night stand soon became something more, something they have to fight for in the face of societal and familial criticism. Colton's the quintessential hero as he never let his past break him. He's always quick to smile, with his fun and flirty ways, that makes readers smile too. He may be young in years but he's quick to step up and do what needs to be done. From helping his sister-in-law through her battle with post-natal depression to keeping Juliana safe when her ex comes calling he's immensely supportive and caring which endeared him to me. Through it all he embraces the power of love and deserves a HEA after all the angst and rollercoaster emotions.
This was a fast-paced read with a decadently delightful romance between two very different people. Fun and flirty moments were nicely balanced with heavy issues to make this a realistic and unforgettable read. Colton and Juliana are a formidable couple whose scorching encounters blend with witty banter and encounters teeming with sensual tension that had me rooting for them every step of the way. Surrounding this unforgettable couple are friends and family we've seen through the previous books in this series and they're a supportive group still dealing with issues of their own. Their interactions might sometimes be adversarial but it's always about their love for each other. Ms. Kage continues to entertain with a delightful series that pulls at your heartstrings while warming your heart and I hope the books keep coming!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Linda Kage grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the youngest of eight children. Now she lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and nine cuckoo clocks. Her life's been blessed with lots of people to learn from and love. Writing's always been a major part of her world, and she is so happy to finally share some of her stories with other romance lovers.
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