Synopsis:
Marley Mason is dreading the arrival of the new business consultant. After all, this man will most likely outsource her job to China. The last thing she would expect is a case of mistaken identity, leading to false accusations of kidnapping when she attempts to pick up the wrong man at the airport, or worse…that she would have such a visceral reaction to the right man.
Rick Randy is super sexy, scandalously flirty and perfect masturbation material, but a relationship is out of the question. Rick is contracted on a temporary basis to fix Marley’s ailing company, then pull out, although as he expresses to Marley, pulling out is difficult for him, in more ways than one! Marley’s feelings range from utter confusion to intense contemplation as Rick charms his way into her life. All of those C-words Marley can control, but it’s the other C-word she fears—commitment.(
Review:
Oh My!! I have a new book boyfriend, RICK! Hot in and out of a business suit, just enough of alpha male to get your heart beating, but oh so sweet!!
Rick is a new temporary consultant at the company Marley works for and she is assigned to be his assistant. Their first meeting, when she picks him up at the airport, is hysterical! Honestly I was laughing so hard I was crying! Marley is just forever getting herself mixed up in these crazy situations!
Marley has a horrific incident in her past and she has sworn off relationships (COMMITMENT is not in her vocabulary). Instead she has a "rotation" of a few guys that she hooks up with casually. Rick is a relationship guy (commitment is NOT a 4 letter word for him). However, they can't stay away from each other and initially agree to a C-word free temporary arrangement.
But slowly Rick starts to break through Marley's walls, and eventually a real relationship develops. I loved the connection these two shared. It was HOT as well as sweet, a combination you just don't see often enough. And at times laugh out loud funny! Even before they got together, you could see he cared for her and the scene where he sidetracked her "date" at the bar and also erased all the guys in her phone contact list was hysterical. Although there were a lot of lighthearted and funny scenes, the ones surrounding Marley's past were so emotional and heartbreaking.
This book was just sooo well written. Ms. Schiller was able to have you laughing one minute, crying the next, all with seamless perfection.
I just loved watching Marley slowly let Rick in and start to see how wonderful a true relationship could be, and it killed me when she pushed him away. Rick just wanted to stand by her and help however he could and Marley takes that as him wanting to fix her. I was shaking my ereader wishing I could shake sense into her!!
Her family dynamics was also a delightful aside in the book. All the characters were developed well and added another layer of fun and a little drama to the storyline.
A great, great read! - Tynna
Excerpt
“Well, he’s here. I have to go,” I announced, getting up. Rick clasped my arm.
“Marley, he’s not wearing a helmet,” Rick said.
“So?”
“That’s fine if he’s not going to wear a helmet, but does he have one for you?” The question surprised me, and my mouth went dry. I couldn’t find the answer. ‘None of your business’ seemed cruel, when he looked so concerned. At the same time, I just wanted to leave.
“Nope, he doesn’t believe in them,” Dillon answered for me. I suddenly wanted to snatch the perfect brown curls right out of Dillon’s head.
“Tell him to come in here,” Rick commanded with a slow, ominous voice that almost scared me.
“Why?” I demanded, pulling my arm out of his grasp.
“Because I want to meet him, and that’s the appropriate way to pick up a lady when you’re taking her out on a date.”
God help me! I almost said ‘I’m not a lady’, but luckily, some inner sense of self-control stopped me from uttering that embarrassing statement. Instead, I said, “It’s not a date.” That wasn’t much better.
“Whatever it is, I want to meet him,” Rick insisted.
“It’s not prerequisite of our working relationship that you need to meet him,” I retorted.
“That’s true,” he said nonchalantly. I grabbed my purse, attempting to make a hasty exit. “Call me when the police pick you up. I’ll be giving you a ride sooner than I thought.”
I halted in my tracks. “What are you talking about?” I demanded.
“It’s illegal to ride without a helmet. It’s my duty as a citizen to report you. They’ll probably confiscate his bike, and you’ll need a ride.”
I laughed, but it came out like a hysterical shriek. Rick’s face remained impassive, except for the vein that throbbed on his neck. Dillon looked like he was ready to high-five Rick, infuriating me further. Dillon was my best friend, why was he on Rick’s side?
“You… You can’t do that,” I stammered.
“Then ask him inside.” Rick and I stared at each other in an awkward standoff for several minutes. His face was completely serious—hard, unyielding and commanding. I tried to mimic his expression, but I knew I was failing miserably.
I finally brought my face close to his and whispered in a low voice so only he could hear, “He doesn’t want to come inside. He’s waiting for me out there because he’s going to take me to his place and fuck the hell out of me for the next twenty-five minutes and bring me right back here, so you can just back out of my business right now.”
I pulled away, expecting shock, disgust—even dismissal—but instead Rick gave a tight smile. It wasn’t a happy one. It was as if he was holding back his anger. The throbbing vein in his neck became more prominent. “He only lasts twenty-five minutes? You don’t have very high standards, Marley.”
Author Bio:
This is my debut novel, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. I describe myself as a hopeless romantic in a hopelessly pragmatic world. By day, I don a magic cape, calculator (sometimes an abacus), and an assortment of gel pens for my work in the world of finance. But by night, I sit by the warm glow of my computer monitor, and think of stories that will warm the heart, and cheer the soul.
There is nothing better than the intimate journey and ultimate satisfaction that only a swoon-worthy romance can provide, especially if there are a few laughs along the way. Although writing is my passion, I am a reader first and enjoy nothing more than curling up with a good book and some tasty Italian (the food, of course!). I hope you will enjoy my work and please drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.
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