Mills & Boon have launched a new series of books on their website this month (or rather they have relaunched the RIVA series) and I was very excited to be asked to review the first four titles in the line.
Modern Tempted (known as KISS in the States) is right up my my street: sassy,
sharp writing with heaps of flirtation and sexual chemistry, so read on to find out what I thought of the first two titles.
If You Can’t Stand the Heat …
Joss Wood
Resisting temptation has
never been so impossible…
Living on the edge used to make wild-card war reporter Jack Chapman feel alive. These days he needs some time out before he burns out. So what better distraction than delectable pastry chef Ellie Evans? She’s oh-so-tempting…and sleeping right next door! Perfect for a short-term fling! Ellie knows it would be beyond stupid to fall for a guy with ice in his veins who’s always on the move. But daredevil Jack is even more irresistible than her death-by-chocolate cake – and saying no has never been Ellie’s strong point!
This was a great introduction to the series, packed full of
flirtation, sass and steamy sexual tension. I was hooked by the end of the
first chapter, not least because of the appearance of that under-represented
species: the red-headed hero (full disclosure, I am myself a ginger).
Jack, the‘reluctantly, cynically charming’ hero, is utterly endearing,
even though at times he doesn't really deserve it. But he does redeem himself
in the end – especially because, much as I loved him being all masterful and taking
control when Ellie needs his help, he’s more adorable still when he stands back
and make her fix things herself.
Ellie was a bit of a challenge for me at first. She desperately
needs to stand up for herself, and at times I wanted to physically shake some
self-confidence into her. But standing back, as Jack does, and seeing her learn
it for herself is infinitely more rewarding.
The glimpses into Ellie’s bakery add more colour and sparkle
to the story, and the descriptions of the South African coast made me as keen
as Jack to up sticks and see it for myself. The chemistry between the hero and
heroine sizzled from their first meeting and the ‘heat’ from the title is evident in everything these characters say and do.
All in all, a great introduction to the series, and had me
reaching straight for the next in the pile…
Natalie Anderson
‘Will you marry me?’
Isn’t that the question every girl dreams of hearing? Victoria certainly used to think so. And safe, steady Oliver seemed perfect husband material. But that was until she met Liam, his rebellious, scorchingly hot best friend. Suddenly Victoria’s feeling things – crazy lust-fuelled things! – she’s never felt before. But for the wrong guy…Then Oliver goes down on one knee and it’s decision time – head or hormones? But, whether she says yes or no, Victoria’s about to discover the truth about guys like Liam – once you go bad you never go back!
‘Hot sex? Yes, Please’
– It would be very difficult to pick a favourite line from this story – it’s packed
with brilliant dialogue, hot descriptions, and insightful emotion, but if I was
forced to, it would be this one.
The author packs in so much meaning to every word, that by
the time the hero has spoken just one – ‘Victoria?’ – we know that they’re
meant to be together. So much emotion crammed into that one word, and that’s only
in the prologue, for heaven’s sake – before the book proper even gets started!
I loved watching Victoria pushing Liam as much as he pushes her
– there’s something so very powerful about him trying to cling to his
control, and Victoria driving him closer and closer to what he really wants. The
scene with the wet shirt – you’ll know it when you get there! – was a
masterclass.
The Sliding Doors-style“what-if” reset half way through the book took me completely
by surprise, and I was a few pages in before I really understood what was going on, that Vivi really was Victoria (was I being
unusually slow?). I did find the jump from the warm glow of a HEA back to early-days sniping a little jarring, and although exploring how just one question can change our lives was definitely very intriguing, I think I could have been just have happy with one story or the other. That said, a second helping of HEA-glow is hard to turn down.
Up next for review are the first two linked titles of the Wedding Quartet, so watch this space.
Mills & Boon are also actively looking for new authors for the line! They're currently running a pitch contest (details here: https://www.facebook.com/millsandboon/app_413669555418802) so maybe #FoodGloriousFood will be winging its way to them soon?!
Ellie
x
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