INTIMATE / REDEMPTION (Intimate Relations 1-2) by Kate Douglas-double review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

HER BEAUTY IS POWERFUL.

They call her Kaz. She’s a gorgeous model with a good head for business—until now, at least. Kaz has just been fired from her latest photo shoot for having the wrong tattoo in the wrong place at the wrong time. But a chance encounter with photographer Jake Lowell could make everything right again . . . if Kaz is willing to accept his proposition. What does she have to lose?

HIS DESIRE IS DANGEROUS.

Jake has been searching for the perfect model to pose for a body-jewelry shoot—one that will leave no room for modesty. Is Kaz, who is nothing if not professional, ready to bare it all for a man she is not sure she can trust? It’s an offer that’s too good to refuse . . . and as Kaz finds herself growing more comfortable with Jake, the attraction between them reaches arousing new heights. But while the artist and his subject learn more about each other in the intimacy of wine country, evil lurks in the shadows—and soon it becomes clear that someone else has designs on them.

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REVIEW: INTIMATE is the first full length installment in Kate Douglas’s contemporary, adult INTIMATE RELATIONS erotic romance series. This is photographer Jake Lowell, and model Kaz Kasanov’s story line. There is a prequel novella –TANGLED-found in the HOT ALPHAS anthology (May 2015) but it is not necessary to understand the series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kaz and Jake) INTIMATE focuses on the building relationship between Kaz and Jake, and the many attempts against their lives. For his latest assignment with Intimate Winery and Jewelry, Jake needed an edgy model-a woman with tattoos and piercings for a body jewelry photo shoot-and Kaz fit the bill to perfection- but from the moment Jake was introduced to Kaz, someone started sending Jake mysterious texts. Combined with the number of attempts on their lives over the next several days, Jake begins to wonder if the sins from his past have finally caught up.

The attraction between Jake and Kaz is immediate. Their relationship goes from professional to lovers very quickly; and a proclamation of love is not very far off. The $ex scenes are numerous, intimate and seductive.

We are introduced to Kaz’s roommates and best friends, Lola and Mandy Monroe, as well as the reappearance of Nate and Cassie from TANGLED. Nate and Cassie Dunagan are winery owners, and Jake takes advantage of the beautiful location for his Intimate photo shoots. Jake’s best friend and Intimate Jewelry owner Marcus Reed plays a secondary role; and Jake’s long lost brother Ben has finally come home after twenty years overseas.

INTIMATE is a story with a little bit of everything: romance, love, $ex, mystery, suspense and a happily ever after. The premise is intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is a quick build to a promise for the future. Ben and Lola’s story will be told next in REDEMPTION.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 29, 2015

SECRETS THREATENING TO CONSUME

Lola Monroe knows that appearances can be deceiving—even in the most beautiful of places and angelic of faces. She’s seen how the ugliest rumors and lies can destroy women’s lives and careers. So when roommate’s brother-in-law shows up at Lola’s doorstep—unannounced, unassuming, and unbelievably gorgeous—she can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding something behind that handsome face, that sly smile, and those tempting lips…

PASSION WORTH FIGHTING FOR

A battle-scarred veteran with devilish looks, Ben Lowell has spent his entire life running from his past, his family—and his deepest, darkest secrets. When he meets Lola, he knows in his heart he can trust her with the truth, even if it means baring his soul and losing her forever. Lola wants to help Ben find redemption by reconciling with his family. But when she discovers more skeletons hiding in his closet—and more dangers waiting in the shadows—the powerful love that binds them together could be the one thing that tears them apart..

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REVIEW: REDEMPTION is the second full length installment in Kate Douglas’s contemporary, adult INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS romantic, suspense series. This is office manger Lola Monroe, and US army major Ben Lowell’s story line. REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order as there is quite a bit of background information revealed in the previous installments. Some of the timeline of REDEMPTION overlaps with the events of INTIMATE. There is also a prequel novella-TANGLED- that can be found in the HOT ALPHAS anthology (May 2015).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lola and Ben) REDEMPTION focuses on Ben Lowell’s return to civilian life, and the family he left behind twenty years earlier. Ben and his brother RJ aka Jake (INTIMATE #1) haven’t seen one another for close to twenty years and in the ensuing time Ben has lived with so much guilt that it threatens to destroy his life. Ben will discover that everything and everyone he knew has changed, and with it comes the realization that to move forward you have to forget about the past-a past steeped in guilt, heartbreak and the biggest mistake of his life. Enter Lola Monroe-Jake’s fiance’s former roommate- and the woman who would save Ben from himself.

REDEMPTION is a romantic suspense story where Ben’s time in the Middle East follows our hero home to San Francisco and into the lives of the people he loves. The secrets military operations, and possible government involvement find Ben searching for the truth about the attack in Afghanistan that left him for dead, and the continuing attacks at home on US soil. Saying that, there is plenty of background information and history about the time Ben spent in the Middle East, and the possible connections to US Senator back home.

The relationship between Ben and Lola is quick to develop: there is an immediate and visceral attraction between our leading characters one that is sated within hours of introduction. The quick friends to lovers scenario finds Ben and Lola proclaiming their love for one another within a matter of days. The $ex scenes are seductive and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Ben’s brother Jake and his fiancé Kaz (INTIMATE #1); Nate and Cassie Dunagan (TANGLED .5); Lola’s roommate/half-sister Mandy Monroe, who may or may not have a thing for Jake’s best friend and IT specialist Marcus Reed. We are also introduced to several law enforcement officers, agents from the FBI, and the requisite evil that comes with many faces-some familiar and some not. There is plenty of action, mystery, and suspense.

REDEMPTION is an entertaining story line where the intrigue builds throughout the story. There are twists and turns, betrayal and revenge, family and friendship, forgiveness and looking forward towards a happily ever after. The premise is infinitely detailed; the main characters are flirty, friendly and intense; the romance is a quick build to a promise for the future. REDEMPTION is a great read for fans of romantic suspense and family love.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy