Reader's Edyn Guest Post: Maid for the Billionaire (Legacy Collection #1) by Ruth Cardello

Bona Fide Reflections welcomes Kendra with Reader's Edyn back to the blog. 

Today Kendra is reviewing:

Book Blurb

Dominic Corisi knew instantly that Abigail Dartley was just the distraction he was looking for, especially since having her took a bit more persuading than he was used to. So when business forces him to fly to China, he decides to take her with him, but on his terms. No promises. No complications. Just sex,

Abby has always been the responsible one. She doesn’t believe in taking risks; especially when it comes to men - until she meets Dominic. He’s both infuriating and intoxicating, a heady combination. Their trip to China revives a long forgotten side of Abby, but also reveals a threat to bring down Dominic’s company. With no time to explain her actions, Abby must either influence the outcome of his latest venture and save his company or accept her role as his mistress and leave his fate to chance. Does she love him enough to risk losing him for good?

Book Excerpt

Arms full of bed linens, Abby Dartley froze at the click of the front door opening. Darn it. She couldn’t get caught here, especially in an oversized shirt and jeans instead of her sister’s maid uniform. Lil needs this job. Cleaning the brownstone of a man who never actually occupied it had sounded like a relatively simple, albeit annoying, way to help her sister remain employed.

“Do not let anyone see you,” Lil had pleaded between the fits of sneezes that had accompanied her low, but persistent fever. “They’ll fire me in a second if they find out that you went in my place.”

“Can’t you just call in?” Abby remembered suggesting hopefully.

“I already used my two allowed sick days for Colby,” and then the tears had come.

*****

It wasn’t Lil’s fault that she’d caught the flu. Half the city seemed to be either recovering from it or succumbing to it. More importantly, it had been a long time since Lil had actually requested help, rather than merely grudgingly accepting it. Abby didn’t want to put too much significance on such a miniscule connection, but she couldn’t shake the hope that things could get better between them.

Her first impression of him as he stood in the entrance, unaware of her existence, was that he looked more tired than a man of his age should. Dark circles were evident even against his olive complexion. His expensive suit did nothing to conceal the slump of his wide shoulders. According to Lil, he’d paid to have the brownstone cleaned on a weekly basis, but hadn’t actually been there in over a decade. Something had brought him back and whatever it was, it had steamrolled right over him.

Dialogue Highlights

“Did Jake send you?” he asked as he assessed her. “You don’t look like a model.”

She blinked a few times in surprise as some of her sympathy for him faded. “And you don’t smell like a man who should be wearing Armani, but I wasn’t going to mention it,” she answered in a huff.

******

“Sit,” he ordered.

Her eyebrows flew up in surprise. “Do people always do what you tell them to?” she asked without sitting.

“Usually,” he answered with an unrepentant, wide grin.

Fire flashed in those amber eyes. “I’m not sure I like you.”

A jab of hot excitement shot through him. “I’m not sure you have to.”

******

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re infuriatingly stubborn?” he asked in a voice she was sure had cowered many before her.

As usual, it did nothing to impress her. Just more hot air coming out of his big, fat head.

The material of the pillow muffled her rebuttal. “Anyone ever tell you that you are a jackass?”

Kendra's Review

Maid For The Millionaire had the basis of the same old story, but ended up containing quite an unexpected twist to it. Dominic is the ever-brooding, filthy rich man who has become lost trying to rise above the shadow of his father. Abby is the motherly type who has been taking care of her sister and her baby for a while now. Covering for her sister at work one day, Dominic shows up unexpectedly and quickly finds himself captivated by Abby. She is a breath of fresh air in his world. He quickly sweeps her off of her feet, but keeps their arrangement temporary. And despite the likelihood that their relationship will be fleeting at best, Abby falls hard. 

Then Ms. Cardello throws us a curve ball when Abby ends up in a position that could easily make or break Dominic. Ultimately she handles the situation quite well considering her lack of knowledge about the dealings within Dominic’s world. But Dominic, the ever-suspicious billionaire who made his fortune by trusting no one is immediately suspicious of Abby. Was she planted in his life for this goal, merely putting on a façade of innocence, or was she really caught in an unexpected situation and acting in Dominic’s best interest? Unfortunately Dominic’s past and inability to trust may very well cost him the most valuable treasure he has ever known.

I found myself enjoying this story from the standpoint that Abby is just a good person that works her tail off and is due for some good luck. And Dominic, thinking he is the rescuer is actually being rescued himself. I have a bit of a soft spot for the big, tough guys that are in need of saving; especially when their savior turns out to be a feisty woman who is strong enough to take him on. This story definitely fits that weakness.

What I struggled with was that the situation Abby finds herself in toward the end of the story is far-fetched. I just don’t see a situation like this playing out in real life. But hey, I have never entered the world of billionaire businessmen, so who knows. The situation ends up working out, as it must. I just think that I would have been able to buy into it a little better if the circumstances were more believable. 

Overall, I felt my time spent reading Maid For The Billionaire was not wasted. While I disliked parts of the storyline, I did enjoy getting to know the characters. And I found myself curious enough about Dominic’s sister and her relationship with his business rival to want to read book two out of sheer curiosity. While I am not rushing out to read book two, I have added it to the TBR pile and will eventually get around to satisfying my curiosity. 

(Digital book purchased for personal library)

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections and Kendra!!

Tyger, Tyger Burning Burning Bryte by Cathryn Cade

Bona Fide Reflections is happy to have Kendra from Reader's Edyn over to share one of her reviews.

Thank you so much Kendra!!!

Realease Date:  July 15, 2008

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Format: Kindle

Book Blurb

Half -man, half-beast, untamable…except by the one woman born for him.

The Orion series:

As a novice interpreter aboard the space ship Orion, Calla Fellura is in uncharted territory. Especially when it comes to figuring out how to approach the ship’s sexy navigator, who seems to have no shortage of willing women vying for his attention.

Tryon Jag is an alpha male tyger, one of the few who possess the instincts to guide a ship safely through the deadly Cattarus system. Handsome, wealthy, and of royal blood, Jag controls his universe—and most of the females in it—as easily as he navigates the Orion.

But when Jag unexpectedly undergoes his mating shift on board ship instead of safely on his home planet, he must have a woman or go mad with rage and lust. With an eco-saboteur somewhere aboard, there couldn’t be a worse time for him to lose his mind.

For the sake of duty, Calla forces herself into Jag’s lair. And finds herself blossoming into a true Tyger lily, a woman born to enchant a powerful beast.

The only woman who can save Jag—and the entire crew—from certain annihilation.

Book Excerpt

“I believe that explains why I’ve called you in for a meeting,” he said dryly. “As you know, our navigator on this run must be a Tygean native from planet Bryght. Only they can navigate safely through the Cattarus system. We have one of the best on board—Commander Tryon Jag. Unfortunately, under the influence of their home moons, the Tygeans undergo a yearly mating shape shift. Jag has shifted into full Tyger mating mode. Something’s got to be done.”

His second-in-command, Commander Navos, a tall, spare Indigon, raised one arching brow. “Sedation seems the logical course. A Tyger in shape shift is a dangerous creature, with uncertain temper, and the claws and fangs of a predator.”

“Yes, I could get some type of palliative into his food,” the ship’s physician, Dr. Tentaclar, offered. His several eyes lit with interest, the upper set waving about on their stalks.

“We can’t drug him,” the captain snapped. “We need him awake and alert. Without a Tygean navigator, we will never make it safely through the Cattarus asteroid belt. The gravitation of all the moons will pull the Orion into a crash. Every ship lost in the Cattarus has had a non-native at the helm.”

“It is unfortunate that our departure from Earth was delayed,” said the Indigon. “The moons of the Cattarus system have risen to their male phase, inciting the predictable hormonal reaction in Commander Jag.”

“Yes, we were supposed to be through here days ago. It’s these damned terrorists. The Earthland Security regulations have become so tight; it sometimes takes days to get through customs instead of hours.”

“Is it the ecoterrorists this time?” asked someone. “Or one of those religious fundamentalist groups? I can’t keep them straight.”

“They are all equally dangerous,” cut in Navos, his deep blue eyes cold as an Indigon glacier. “Creatures who are willing to destroy others and themselves to make a religious or political point.”

“Yes, and speaking of going through customs—was it really necessary to body search the entire crew?” growled Ogg, the systems mechanic. “Most of my guys and gals have been with the company for years.”

“Oh, it’s necessary. The terrorists have gotten very tricky with their little bombs.” Dr. Tentaclar leaned forward, all his eyes focused on Ogg. “They’ve discovered how to create organic explosives. Hide the devices right in their body cavities, so they can’t be detected by a holographic search. Then, when the ship is out in space—squersshhh!”

A few of them winced, and Craig held up one hand.

“Thank you, Doctor. I think we all know the results of a bio-bomb on a ship’s systems. Now, back to our immediate problem, if you will.”

“If we cannot proceed without our navigator, we must persuade him to resume his duties,” the Indigon said. “By my reckoning, we will enter the hazardous portion of the Cattarus system in four days. We have until then to deal with the problem.”

“But how will we reason with him?” asked the interpreter, a small Pangaean woman who shimmered with a faint green aura, the result of lifelong exposure to the rich vegetation of her home planet. “Everyone is afraid to go near him. He nearly frightened to death the young couple who chanced to be in the ship’s arboretum when he shifted.”

“We don’t reason with him,” the captain said. Then his eyes sharpened, as he looked at the Indigon. “Unless Commander Navos can assist us.”

“I cannot help you.” Navos shook his head. “It is his feline-enhanced faculties that enable him to do his job. Any attempt at thought control would result in disaster.”

They all looked at Craig, who sighed.

“In that case we get him what he wants—a mate.”

Dialogue Highlights

Of all these, the female was the most problematic. By this time, he should be getting a bit tired of her, nearly ready to present her with an expensive baubble of some kind, and kiss her goodbye. He should have discovered that she had an irritating giggle, or that her tenacious arguments made him want to gag her. But instead, he found that he enjoyed the feminine logic of the way her mind worked, even when it was incomprehensible to him as a male. He enjoyed the sound of her soft, husky voice, even when it was scolding him. Especially when it was catching breathlessly as she gave into him. He looked for ways to make her smile, just to see the way her full lips curved up, and her pretty eyes sparkled.

******

“How many times have you been out?”

“This noyage is my third. I stayed on Earth for a furlough to take some new interpreter training. I hope my roommate hasn’t killed the plants in our apartment,” she added, frowning. She had been going to call him before she was summoned to this tryst. :He isn’t good with them.”

“He?” The word was a snarl.

She tilted her head back up to look at him, startled. He had a dangerous look in those tyger eyes. He was jealous! She refrained from rolling her eyes – just.

“He would love to be here right now, taking my place,” she said wryly. “Renne and I have been friends since we were cubs – we’ve always known that he was gay.”

He grunted, relaxing again, and lifted her hand to his face. Wordlessly, he showed her how he wanted her to stroke her fingers through his hair. It was silky and yet crisp, twining about her fingers as she massaged them through it. She sighed to herself. Men – now he wanted to be petted out of his bad humor. 

Review

I read Tyger, Tyger Burning Bryght as few months ago and am only just getting a chance to write the review. As I recall, this was the first sci-fi, paranormal romance I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Ms. Cade does a fantastic job of creating a believable, futuristic world of alien species and technologies dreamed of. While there is a lot of language used, somehow it fit. I suppose I can attribute such raw acceptance to the fact that this is a science fiction novel. Within my mind, as far as science fiction goes, anything goes. You just have to be open-minded enough to be able to both accept it and recreate it in your head. But I am no strange to the realm of science fiction. In books yes, but not with television. My Dad raised me on Star Trek, so from a very young age I was exposed to all types of creatures. It is kind of funny to watch the original Star Trek series now when you see how far we have come with special effects. As I got older I watched shows like Stargate: SG1, Farscape, all of the Start Trek spin-offs, and many more. But I digress. I believe my point it that such an exposure has allowed me to broaden my mind when reading outside of the box.

Maybe I should get back to the book now. *coughs* Ahem. So Tryon is a Tyger and has been caught off world and mid voyage in the middle of his mating shift. Needless to say, he needs sex and lots of it – fast. The consequences could mean the deaths of many crew members should he be unable to satisfy the sexual need deep within. Calla is also a Tyger and took notice of Tryon when the voyage began, but when he looked right past her, her hope for a tryst faded and he instead became the object of her fantasies. Now she is the only hope for the crew and, well … Tryon’s only hope to regain control and ability to perform his duties. 

I can honestly say that I really enjoyed the time spent reading this story. It was the first time I have read Ms. Cade and I will definitely be back to read more of her work. Perhaps even within this series, The Orion Series. From what I found on the publisher’s website, Tyger Tyger is the first book in the series with 5 books currently published. I wanted to share some other excerpts with everyone, but I am guest posting and thought I should try to keep it clean. I don’t mind saying that I had one heck of a time finding passages that were “clean”. This story is loaded with graphic sexual encounters, and dang! Let me tell you just how smokin’ hot they are! Good lawd! 

That said, even with all of the sexually descriptive scenes, Ms. Cade manages to craft a workable storyline between them. I liked that Tryon is an alpha male that is unexpectedly paired with a strong female. Calla gives as good as she gets most of the time and inevitably, this dense alpha finally gets the clue that he likes it. Unaccustomed to females giving him attitude, Calla well and truly rocks his world. And in the midst of all of this is another component to the story. A group of terrorists has snuck on board and plans to sabotage the ship. The intruder is eventually left to Tryon to sift out. Meanwhile, Tryon makes a muck of his relationship with Calla. Seems crazy, right? A shifting male Tyger, his unplanned female mate with sass, a saboteur on board, the fate of many depending upon it all, crazy amounts of hawt sex, and a potential future relationship gone awry by the ever-present male without a clue. Yeah, I know. But it works and I was completely entertained by it. I mean if a shifting male Tyger and loads of awesomesauce sex don’t grab you, then I really have no idea what else I could dangle in front of you. It is not a deep story that is going to explore the inner angst of the main characters, but it is entertaining at the very least.

(Digital book purchased for personal library)

Kendra

Speed Dating by Nancy Warren

Today our good friend Kendra from Reader's Edyn is stopping by to guest post for us.  We are so happy to have her here on Bona Fide Reflections.

Book Blurb:

Dylan Hargreave thinks I'm an actress paid to pose as his girlfriend at a North Carolina society wedding. How did this happen to me, of all people? Kendall Clarke, award-winning actuary, the veritable shining star of number crunchers who, just hours ago, learned her responsible fiancé (sorry, ex-fiancé) called off our wedding because he'd gotten one of my colleagues pregnant. What are the odds?

Don't tell me you've never heard of Dylan Hargreave. Celebrity NASCAR driver? People magazine's Sexiest Man of the Year? Those eyes. That smile…

Forget sensible! I've assessed the risk…and I'm taking it! I usually keep the brakes on, but as of now I'm taking a vacation. From me.

Book Excerpt:

"So, you're dumping me. Just like that. Right before the biggest night of my life."

He smiled at her, obviously relieved to have the burden of his confession off his chest and no hysterics to wade through. "You're strong, Kendall. You don't need me the way Penelope does."

He walked to the door and opened it, then glanced back. "Good luck tonight." He sounded as though he really meant it.

After the door shut behind her ex-fiancé, Kendall stood there feeling frozen and numb. Bits of thoughts and phrases were jumbled up in her head. Not exciting enough. Pregnant. I need more.

And through it all flickered the humiliating knowledge that this relationship had gone on for months under her nose and she'd never noticed. She had the sick feeling that she was the only one in the office who hadn't.

This was supposed to be the night of her greatest triumph, not her greatest humiliation.

If only she could think more clearly.

She stood there in her new underwear and slowly tugged the engagement ring off her finger and regarded the diamond solitaire. Like her dreams, it was modest.

She ought to return it to Marvin, but he was just thrifty enough that he might offer the ring to Penelope.

She put the ring on the dresser where it made a tiny click. She'd leave it as a tip for the maid.

***

Having decided the ring's future to her satisfaction, she glanced at her clock and discovered with horror that the banquet was starting in fifteen minutes. Luckily she was ready. No, wait, she wasn't. Something was missing. She looked around vaguely.

Oh, of course. Her dress. The one Marvin had helped her pick out at Nordstrom.

Dylan Hargreave gave a rebel yell into the headset, knowing he'd half deafen his spotter and any of the crew who were listening.

"She's sweet," he yelled, feeling the grab of the tires, the tightness of tail. He accelerated into Turn Three at the Speedway in Charlotte, pulling the wheel hard left, hanging on to control as he fought for more speed. A glance at the oversize tachometer told him the engine was cooperating.

Charlotte was his track. He always did well here. Being a North Carolina boy, it was important for him to place high in Sunday's race for a lot of reasons. Today's training run was feeling good. He was pumped; the team members were working together like magic.

The run of bad luck they'd suffered recently was about to end. He loved race week in Charlotte, culminating in the big race.

Sunday, he fully intended to take a victory lap.

He owned this course, and anybody who wanted to try and take him better be ready to do serious battle.

Then he felt the speed fall away as though somebody'd turned off the ignition.

"Aaaaw, no!" he yelled, as a multicolored blur of cars zoomed past him like a swarm of bees. It was only a practice to make sure everything was running smoothly, but it was clear that things on the Hargreave team weren't going smoothly at all.

Favorite Dialogue:

“I feel like you’re trying to race the last lap without putting in all thr laps that come before it.”

He nodded. “Sorry. I’m a little nervous.”

She wouldn’t smile, she mustn’t smile, otherwise he’d think she was weak and easy. But she wanted to smile so badly. Dylan Hargreave nervous? In front of her?

Life was sweet.

Review:

Speed Dating is certainly speedy. I found this book on Kindle as I was browsing through titles one day. I hadn’t heard of Nancy Warren before, but the story seemed intriguing enough, so I decided to give it a shot. 

Basically Kendall has her whole life laid out in front of her. She is about to receive a prestigious award within her profession when her fiancé drops a bomb and tells her that he’s been messing around with a co-worker and, surprise, she’s pregnant. Not shocking that Kendall immediately begins to re-evaluate some of her life decisions. And certainly not unexpected that she sheds her cool exterior for a more daring persona – at least for one night when she accidentally encounters Dylan.

Dylan is in need of some luck. He’s been loosing races left and right. After a night with Kendall that deviates tremendously from his average night, he decides that he needs her longer to play a part. This part involves posing as his girlfriend not only for the cameras, but also to dissuade Dylan’s ex-wife from getting any ideas involving leaving her new husband in an effort to rekindle a relationship with Dylan. Sound confusing? Well, there is a lot going on in this book. 

Eventually Kendall has to make a decision. Stay with Dylan, or return to her demotion at work thanks to her philandering ex-fiancé. The two have come to care for each other, but it is not enough for Kendall despite considering trying to make it work. Dylan is set against a permanent future with anyone and his stubbornness threatens to cost him the one thing that could be the best thing that ever happened to him: Kendall. 

While I moved through this book quickly, I found a few aspects annoying and repetitive. First, Kendall is almost too sensible. She needs to take it down a notch. While she knows nothing about NASCAR, it seems odd that she seems to “get” Dylan right off the bat. And Dylan – let’s just say that I didn’t fall in love with him as a character. He takes dense to a whole new level. The most annoying aspect is the flighty, snobbish ex-wife. Get a clue Dylan! Sheesh! I felt like the book could have easily been a novella had the secondary characters of Ashlee and Harrison been cut out completely. Ironically, I ended up liking Harrison. Odd, that. Also, there is absolutely no SMEXY in this book! A couple of kisses that could have been promising, but then … crickets. Zero heat. The reader is left to conjure whatever thoughts he/she can based on the book, which will be less than stellar, I do assure you. And what fun is it when we have to conjure our own images of smexy? This is what I read for – it is my quest! Well, maybe that is a bit much, but don’t leave me hanging on the smexy! 

Overall, the book was a fun read. I have never read a book centered on the NASCAR sport prior to this one. Knowing nothing about the sport other than you need quick pit stops, and you need to drive very fast (avoiding collisions, of course), I found that I enjoyed the alternate backdrop from the books I usually read. I imagine that many of the details within the book concerning the life of a NASCAR driver are factual as they are very believable. Should I come across another book involving NASCAR, I will likely give it a try just to see what the differences are from author to author. So, liking the characters, not loving them, and totally bummed that there is nada for heat level. But if you are looking for a book to pass the time, Speed Dating would certainly accomplish such a feat. I just doubt that anyone would choose this book for a re-read. *whispers* It’s currently FREE on Nook and Kindle – it’s at least worth free. Might as well give it a shot while the giving’s good. 

(Kindle downloaded from Amazon)

Happy Reading from Kendra with Reader's Edyn!!