As a reader obsessed with rock star romances I found myself quickly caught up in the ups and downs of the romance between a man who's just now discovered the perfect woman after her being in his life for years and the woman who's dedicated to her career. Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of No One to Hold by Arell Rivers, along with my impressions of this book, then discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this first installment in the Hold series make sure to enter the giveaways below for the chance to win signed print copies of all three books in this series as well as the chance to win a digital copy of this book too!
Succumb to Cole Manchester—talented, witty, charming, sexy and oh-so flawed—a womanizing rock star whose shallow life is transformed when he experiences love for the first time.
From the outside, Cole Manchester seems to have it all: looks, fame, money, awards and women. When tragedy strikes, he realizes how hollow his life is, and opens the door to the one thing he’s never considered … finding love. He’s inexplicably drawn to the quiet wallflower whoworks on his team, a line he knows he shouldn’t cross.
After devastating heartbreaks, all Rose Morgan wants is to blend into the woodwork. Working at her dream job as a publicist, she’s safely hiding in plain sight. Until her client, the sexy Cole Manchester, notices her. R
Cole needs Rose to teach him how to love. Rose needs Cole to teach her how to trust. Together, they form a bond ignited by passion but fueled by insecurities. When her mother’s interference collides with his fan’s twisted plot, C
EXCERPT:
I put my arm around her shoulders, positioning the camera to take a selfie of us. But as I’m about to take the photo, I shake my head. Reaching over, I take off her glasses and click the shot.
“Why did you do that?"
“Because I want this picture to capture the real us. No barriers."
Rose sucks in her breath and I can’t hold back any longer. The brilliant colors from the setting sun bring out the beauty of her blue eyes and silky reddish-brown hair. Her gorgeous body is like a siren calling my name. I must taste her. Wrapping her in both my arms with the camera off my shoulder, I look deeply into her ice blue eyes. Desire and anxiety seem to be at war in them.
“Don’t be nervous, Rose. I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time."
Add surprise to the list of emotions blasting from her eyes, right before they close. I can’t prevent this kiss any more than the waves can avoid crashing into the rocks. I stop a hair’s breadth from her lips and inhale her unique scent. My mind registers the smell of flowers and the ocean. Her face tilts up toward mine in silent assent. I’m lost.
Finally, our lips meet in soft exploration. I move my hands down her back, pulling her soft body against mine. Her lips yield to my demands without hesitation. Her hands hesitantly climb up my naked chest and encircle my neck. She emits a low moan.
That little sound encourages me to deepen the kiss. Her mouth opens. Soon our tongues are exploring and caressing. My cock hardens as passion erupts between us. Needing to feel more of her, my hands move lower on her back until they meet her ass. Her body is molded to mine. Cupping her luscious cheeks, the final bit of my restraint is gone. I crush her against my body, knowing full well she can feel my rock hard erection against her stomach. Her boobs rub against my chest in time with her erratic breathing. She moans again. Or is that me?
“Why did you do that?"
“Because I want this picture to capture the real us. No barriers."
Rose sucks in her breath and I can’t hold back any longer. The brilliant colors from the setting sun bring out the beauty of her blue eyes and silky reddish-brown hair. Her gorgeous body is like a siren calling my name. I must taste her. Wrapping her in both my arms with the camera off my shoulder, I look deeply into her ice blue eyes. Desire and anxiety seem to be at war in them.
“Don’t be nervous, Rose. I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time."
Add surprise to the list of emotions blasting from her eyes, right before they close. I can’t prevent this kiss any more than the waves can avoid crashing into the rocks. I stop a hair’s breadth from her lips and inhale her unique scent. My mind registers the smell of flowers and the ocean. Her face tilts up toward mine in silent assent. I’m lost.
Finally, our lips meet in soft exploration. I move my hands down her back, pulling her soft body against mine. Her lips yield to my demands without hesitation. Her hands hesitantly climb up my naked chest and encircle my neck. She emits a low moan.
That little sound encourages me to deepen the kiss. Her mouth opens. Soon our tongues are exploring and caressing. My cock hardens as passion erupts between us. Needing to feel more of her, my hands move lower on her back until they meet her ass. Her body is molded to mine. Cupping her luscious cheeks, the final bit of my restraint is gone. I crush her against my body, knowing full well she can feel my rock hard erection against her stomach. Her boobs rub against my chest in time with her erratic breathing. She moans again. Or is that me?
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BUY LINKS: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (UK) | AMAZON (AU) | KOBO | BN | iBOOKS
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a fan of rock star romances there was much that drew me to this story. From the delicious rocker whose fame is just starting to go worldwide, caught up in the superficiality of the music world while dealing with the death of his mother, to the young woman devoted to her job and torn by her feelings, this story kept me on edge. Add in a stalker whose actions become more aggressive as the story progresses, and the nefarious actions of a woman whose job is all about images, and you end up with a romance full of highs and lows that culminate in a jaw-dropping conclusion.
Cole Manchester's fame gave him endless women and a life controlled by others to sate the public's appetite for what they expect of rock stars. It gave him everything he thought he wanted until the day his mother died of cancer and he was forced in to reevaluating his life. Seeing everyone around him finding love has him longing for the same, and after numerous disastrous blind dates, finds himself drawn to a woman who's always been there for him. Theirs isn't a romance without roadblocks though as her commitment to her job pushes him towards other women despite his proclamations of love. As doubts regarding her feelings for him, as well as her mother's prejudices, start driving a wedge between them their bond starts unraveling leaving readers guessing as to what comes next. Cole's immensely appealing despite his being a player early on. His mother's death makes him realize how empty his life is, and knowing she wants more for him, sets him on a path to finding someone that wants him for himself. Seeing him so vulnerable when it came to finding a forever kind of woman had me aching for him. His loyalty and commitment to those he cares for was also appealing and had me rooting for him as he struggled to win over the serious-minded Rose. Once he committed to Rose though he showed it wholeheartedly amongst their friends and family, as she wanted to keep it out of the public eye out of fear for her job, which left me saddened over his being relegated to being a dirty little secret. Despite how deep his feelings for Rose are she ultimately pushes him too far in a moment that changes everything for them.
Rose grew up with a mother burned by love one too many times which left her disillusioned when it comes to that feeling. A one night-stand that she comes face-to-face with once again, as well as an ex who broke her heart, has her doubting the feelings Cole engenders in her. Love has proven to be fleeting for her which has her devoting herself completely to her work where she's the brains behind her boss's questionable tactics. Though she comes to care for Cole her self-doubts eat at her and have her repeatedly choosing her work over what they could be if she just let go. Weighing even more heavily on her are threats from an obsessed fan that bring danger ever closer to her. When a blatant dismissal of Cole leads to a morning of regrets for everyone, the HEA that was once in reach now seems impossible. In some ways I liked Rose as she was smart and strong-willed, focused on making something of herself. She did show a duplicitous side occasionally which left me uncomfortable and doubting her time with Cole. He treated her like a queen, supporting her in everything she did, yet she refused to claim him out loud. She was happy to reap the decadent delights he lavished on her but wouldn't profess her love for him. Her final act left me frustrated with her but still holding out hope that she and Cole can reconnect.
From start to finish this was a romance that kept me on edge. From a romance that always seemed to be on shaky ground to an obsessed fan that always seemed to be on the periphery I was left in constant chaos. Cole was a good person ready to be a man and find a woman worthy of him. At times I thought Rose would be that woman as their connection was crackling, seen through numerous scorching encounters, but when it came to love she was running scared. Her job in public relations also made me question her devotion as her job relied on perpetuating lies, putting Cole in a position where she was left to doubt him. My biggest quibbles with this book relate to her and I can only hope she starts listening to her heart in the next installment. While waiting for that next installment readers will have much to mull over from the fall-out of Cole's drunken night in Las Vegas.
Cole Manchester's fame gave him endless women and a life controlled by others to sate the public's appetite for what they expect of rock stars. It gave him everything he thought he wanted until the day his mother died of cancer and he was forced in to reevaluating his life. Seeing everyone around him finding love has him longing for the same, and after numerous disastrous blind dates, finds himself drawn to a woman who's always been there for him. Theirs isn't a romance without roadblocks though as her commitment to her job pushes him towards other women despite his proclamations of love. As doubts regarding her feelings for him, as well as her mother's prejudices, start driving a wedge between them their bond starts unraveling leaving readers guessing as to what comes next. Cole's immensely appealing despite his being a player early on. His mother's death makes him realize how empty his life is, and knowing she wants more for him, sets him on a path to finding someone that wants him for himself. Seeing him so vulnerable when it came to finding a forever kind of woman had me aching for him. His loyalty and commitment to those he cares for was also appealing and had me rooting for him as he struggled to win over the serious-minded Rose. Once he committed to Rose though he showed it wholeheartedly amongst their friends and family, as she wanted to keep it out of the public eye out of fear for her job, which left me saddened over his being relegated to being a dirty little secret. Despite how deep his feelings for Rose are she ultimately pushes him too far in a moment that changes everything for them.
Rose grew up with a mother burned by love one too many times which left her disillusioned when it comes to that feeling. A one night-stand that she comes face-to-face with once again, as well as an ex who broke her heart, has her doubting the feelings Cole engenders in her. Love has proven to be fleeting for her which has her devoting herself completely to her work where she's the brains behind her boss's questionable tactics. Though she comes to care for Cole her self-doubts eat at her and have her repeatedly choosing her work over what they could be if she just let go. Weighing even more heavily on her are threats from an obsessed fan that bring danger ever closer to her. When a blatant dismissal of Cole leads to a morning of regrets for everyone, the HEA that was once in reach now seems impossible. In some ways I liked Rose as she was smart and strong-willed, focused on making something of herself. She did show a duplicitous side occasionally which left me uncomfortable and doubting her time with Cole. He treated her like a queen, supporting her in everything she did, yet she refused to claim him out loud. She was happy to reap the decadent delights he lavished on her but wouldn't profess her love for him. Her final act left me frustrated with her but still holding out hope that she and Cole can reconnect.
From start to finish this was a romance that kept me on edge. From a romance that always seemed to be on shaky ground to an obsessed fan that always seemed to be on the periphery I was left in constant chaos. Cole was a good person ready to be a man and find a woman worthy of him. At times I thought Rose would be that woman as their connection was crackling, seen through numerous scorching encounters, but when it came to love she was running scared. Her job in public relations also made me question her devotion as her job relied on perpetuating lies, putting Cole in a position where she was left to doubt him. My biggest quibbles with this book relate to her and I can only hope she starts listening to her heart in the next installment. While waiting for that next installment readers will have much to mull over from the fall-out of Cole's drunken night in Las Vegas.
My rating for this is a B.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
THE NEXT BOOKS IN THE HOLD SERIES...
HARD TO HOLD (BOOK #2): AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (UK) | AMAZON (AU) | KOBO | BN | iBOOKS
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (BOOK #3): AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (UK) | AMAZON (AU) | KOBO | BN | iBOOKS
AUTHOR INFO:
For as long as Arell Rivers remembers, she has been lost in a book. During her senior year in college, she picked up a Danielle Steel novel … and instantly was hooked on romance.
She started writing her first novel, No One to Hold, because the characters were screaming at her to do so. The story started coming out in Arell’s dreams and attacking her in the shower, so she took to the computer to shut them up. But they kept talking.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Arell has what some may call a “checkered past.” Prior to discovering her passion for writing romance, she practiced law, was a wedding and event planner and even dabbled in marketing. She lives with a very supportive husband and two mischievous cats. When not in her writing cave, Arell can be found making dinner in the crock pot, working out with Shaun T or hitting the beach.
She hopes you enjoy her stories about driven men, strong women and the passions that ignite!
**********GIVEAWAY**********
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**********GIVEAWAY**********
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Thanks for your thoughtful review! I really appreciate your comments! And good luck to everyone in the giveaways. :)
ReplyDeleteTY for stopping by & for your kind comment! I'm looking forward to the next step in the relationship between Cole & Rose as it promises to be a heartwrenching one.
DeleteThe Scarf Princess