FicWishes: A Beautiful Lie - RELEASE LAUNCH and a Review of One to Hold by Tia Louise

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A Beautiful Lie - RELEASE LAUNCH and a Review of One to Hold by Tia Louise

(Goodreads Blurb)

WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!

Derek Alexander is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.

When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.

Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.

Standalone, M/F, HEA.

RELEASING OCTOBER 9, 2013

Release Day Excerpt:

I only had a moment to observe how very clean it was before he had me against the wall, pinned by his huge physique.

“You never came.” His voice was a low, husky whisper. “I waited all night.”

My hands rested on his chest, and heat flamed through me with every heartbeat. My eyes traveled up, up, up to his. They were darkened now, and I was certain he was thinking the same thing as me.

He remembered how fantastically our bodies came together two nights ago. I barely registered him reaching out to lock the door.

“I’m sorry,” was all I could say.

“When you walked in the restaurant tonight… god, you’re so beautiful.” He spoke against my skin as his lips pressed into my brow, his beard roughing my closed eyelids. “Are you feeling bad?”

“No,” I managed to say despite the heat surging through me as his lips moved to my temple. “I… didn’t think I could eat.”

“Good,” he said in a thick voice before covering my mouth with his. Mine opened quickly, drawing him in. Our tongues entwined before his lips moved to my jaw then down my neck.

“I thought about you all day.” His breath whispered across my skin, and I couldn’t stop a surge of desire low in my stomach. “Will you let me have you here?”

“Yes,” I barely spoke, and he dropped to his knees.

He gathered the thin fabric of my dress, shoving it up to my waist as he caught the side of my thong with his thumb.

Thank you to the author/publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Story...

After a really bad year, Melissa Jones finds herself on a girl's spa retreat with her best friend. While the girls are out one night, Melissa meets Derek Alexander, ex-Marine and ex-cop. Derek is now a top investigator and is speaking in a conference at the resort where the girls are staying.

The chemistry between Melissa and Derek is amazing. Their encounters are electrifying. While keeping their rendezvous a secret from her friend, Melissa continues to see Derek and have the best sex of her life. Melissa's friend and Derek's partner end up together which allows Derek and Melissa to see each other without the need to hide.

After an amazing week, Melissa heads home to gather what is left of her life with her (soon to be ex) husband so that she can move on. While she is there she discovers information that brings an end to her dreams of a life with Derek.

What Works...

The sexiness. The tension is strong. The sexcapades are epic.

“My hips followed his movements, and when his beard scuffed my skin, I flinched, thrilled by the added sensation.”

This beard is mentioned over and over. I lost feeling in my knees every single time.

The tenderness in this story is surprising and it totally works and the friendships in are great.

What Doesn't...

There were a few places where a character's actions and/or words seemed at odds with what we know about the characters. Not long after hearing that Derek's wife had died, Melissa jokingly says,

"Are you trying to say I was the best you ever had?"

They were not discussing Derek's former wife at the time, but it still seemed heartless and almost cruel to say this to a widower.

Also, there was an Epilogue from Derek's point of view. I really enjoyed his voice, but there was quite a bit of recapping that I could have done without.

I must confess to requesting this ARC based on the cover alone. I am very glad I did so.

4 out of 5 stars