Reason To Believe (White Lace #2) by Gina Gordon-a review

REASON TO BELIEVE (White Lace #2) by Gina Gordon-a review

Reason to Believe

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About the book: Release Date July 5, 2016

Grace Nolan is doing her best to conform to the rigid corporate world and put her history as a paid escort behind her. And even after seeing the worst that men have to offer, she still hasn’t given up on finding love with the right guy. But right now, Grace could use a distraction to take her mind off her nonexistent love life. The trouble is, giving fashion advice to a former fling with rock-hard abs and a bad-boy attitude isn’t exactly what she had in mind.

After working his way up from cameraman to vice president of an adult media company, Ben Lockwood is floundering. While he reevaluates his future, he asks the most poised and polished woman he knows to make him look respectable. Ben even swears off sex, which makes spending time with Grace pure torture. It’s only a matter of time before they give in to the heat—but unless Ben confronts what his heart has been denying, they may both get burned.

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REVIEW: REASON TO BELIEVE is the second installment in Gina Gordon’s contemporary, adult WHITE LACE erotic, romance series. This is twenty four year old former porn actor/cameraman and the new vice president of White Lace productions Ben Lockwood, and former escort and HR executive Grace Nolan’s story line. REASON TO BELIEVE can be read as a stand alone although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and history between the characters including Max and Everly from book one-Rush. I haven’t had the opportunity to read book one and I felt I was missing some important information.

Told from dual first person points of view (Grace and Ben) REASON TO BELIEVE follows the re-building relationship, the second chance romance between Grace Nolan, and Ben Lockwood. Ben is the new vice president of White Lace productions- a film company that produces porn videos. When his best friend and ‘brother’ Max Hirsh walked away from his father’s porn company to open his own luxury hotel, Ben stood next in line to ‘inherit’ the mantle of vice president in charge of everything. But Ben is in need of a fashion make-over to look the part of the new VP for speaking engagements, and Grace Nolan has offered herself up for the job. Grace and Ben’s personal pasts have allowed for the kindred spirit in each to find one another although Ben refuses to acknowledge the love he feels for the woman who stole his heart.

The world building continues to focus on the ‘behind the scenes’ executives of the porn industry, the actors, the videos, the ridicule, the stereotyping, and the shame for those who work in every aspect of the business. The sex industry is front and center as Grace comes face to face with several men from her past, and Ben’s attempts to prove himself worthy are met with taunts and derision from the closed minds of the people who are not involved.

There are a number of secondary and supporting characters including Grace’s roommate Sadie who suffers at the hands of someone we know little about. Max and Everly from RUSH take the next step forward in their relationship; and Max’s father Hirsch Levin who has come to a decision about the future of White Lace Productions. We are introduced to White Lace’s new ‘intern’ Cory- a student at the local film school and a young man who has a few things to teach our leading hero.

REASON TO BELIEVE is slow to build. The story line focuses on two broken souls whose lives went off track when the future seemed destitute and bleak. There is plenty of push and pull, back and forth between Ben and Grace-neither one believes they are capable of love or being loved. The premise is interesting and revealing; the characters are broken and real; the romance struggles with issues of guilt and memories but in the end our couple get their happily ever after. Some readers may take issue with the story line subject; I recommend going into the story with an open mind.-sometimes people have to make the best of the situation-any way they can.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Naked (Body and Soul #1) by Gina Gordon -a review

NAKED (Body and Soul #1) by Gina Gordon-a review

Naked

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2016

Violet Walker has been hiding. Withdrawn after a terrible car accident, she is worried about going back to her high-pressure job, where she’s expected to project confidence and sleek refinement. Allowing herself a distraction, she’s been watching her sexy neighbor work on his house. But when the shirtless, grinning hunk catches her in the act, Violet is struck by the unmistakable jolt of physical chemistry, a sensation that’s both thrilling and terrifying.

Noah Young is used to moving from one construction job to another, never laying a firm foundation. The same goes for the women in his life—until Violet changes all that. His beautiful voyeur embraces his rough edges and shows him a hint of real love. But even Noah can tell that she’s holding back, hiding her body and her heart from what they both truly want. If only he could get a little help convincing Violet to see herself as he sees her: perfect in every way.

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REVIEW: NAKED is the first installment in Gina Gordon’s contemporary, adult BODY AND SOUL romance series. This is the new CEO of Walker Industries Violet Walker, and construction foreman Noah Young’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Violet and Noah) NAKED follows the building romance between new neighbors Violet Walker, and Noah Young. Approximately one year earlier, Violet was injured in a car accident that killed her fiancé, and left our heroine badly disfigured from the neck on down. Enter Violet’s neighbor Noah Young, a construction worker who is unaware of Violet’s past, and the secret she keeps about her plans for the neighborhood in which they live.

NAKED is a story line about perceived perfection of beauty; the aspirations of one woman whose entire life has prepared her for something big; something more, but a life now scarred by an accident that Violet blames on, no one else, but herself. Violet is about to take over the CEO position at Walker Industries, and is determined to experience life before life experiences her. Violet is a woman who is confident about her abilities, but lacks the self-confidence to reveal herself to the world. As a heroine, Violet’s strengths and weaknesses were one and the same.

The relationship between Noah and Violet is one of friends with benefits that grows into something more. Violet enters into her relationship with Noah never expecting to fall in love with, or to discover that her physical and emotional scars run more than skin deep. Violet hides behind colorful scarves and conservative clothing meant to mask the scars she has yet to reveal to her family or to the man with whom she is falling in love.

NAKED has a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Violet’s parents, several members of the Board of Directors of Walker Industries, and Noah’s large and loving immediate family. We are also introduced to Harper Jones-a young woman who specializes in boudoir photographs and getting woman to accept who they are-scars and all; and Body and Soul tattoo shop owner Luke, who may or may not have a thing for his co-worker Harper.

NAKED is a story about contradictions; about the perception of beauty; and about the secrets we keep. The premise is a slow build to a happily ever but I was a little lost with regards to a certain aspect of the conflict resolution and Violet’s plans for the neighborhood rebuilding project. While Violet’s business outline was in complete contrast and opposition to Noah’s plans, there wasn’t a clear explanation or answer to the final outcome. Confusion reigns for the perceived future.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Recipe for Temptation (Madewood Brothers Series 1, 3, 4) by Gina Gordon-reviews

RECIPE FOR TEMPTATION  (Madewood Brothers Series 1, 3, 4) by Gina Gordon-reviews

Recipe for Temptation

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 11, 2015

She’s the woman he loves to hate.

Penn Foster wants a lot of things. She wants a spot on the board of a charitable foundation. She wants to win the stupid, plastic family trophy. And more than anything, she wants her tall, hot, and brooding boss naked in her bed. Now, on a Hawaiian vacation with her family, she’s desperately trying not to think about how he’d sound whispering dirty things in her ear.

He’s the man she can’t have…or can she?

Cole Murphy keeps himself locked down, away from the press and out of the spotlight. Still haunted by a traumatic childhood, his ability to trust has been decimated. Penn, with her sexy body and confidence, is the only person able to drag him out of his shell. Which is why he crashes her vacation and accepts her proposition for no-strings sex. But is the inescapable heat building between them a delicious temptation, or will it end in total disaster?

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: RECIPE FOR TEMPTATION is the fourth and final ? installment in Gina Gordon’s adult, contemporary Madewood Brothers erotic romance series. This is executive chef and restaurateur Cole Murphy, and Madewood family business marketing and public relations manager Penn Foster’s storyline-a story about family, friendships and forbidden love. Although RECIPE FOR TEMPTATION is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone without any difficulty.

Told from third person point of view RECIPE FOR TEMPTATION follows the building relationship between Penn and Cole. Penn has had a crush on Cole-her quasi boss-for close to three years. Her efforts at flirting have all but been ignored but when her yearly family reunion in Hawaii finds Penn coming face to face with Cole, all bets are off. Cole has arrived to partner with Penn in the Foster family ‘funcation’ competition and Penn is determined to win both in and out of the bedroom.

Cole and his ‘brothers’ were all raised by Vivian Madewood-a woman who took a chance on four young boys from the foster care system. Their individual successes in the restaurant business are the stuff of headline news and gossip rags but unlike his brothers, Cole has yet to find someone to share his life. Enter Penn Foster-best friend to his brother’s wife, and the woman who calls to Cole’s heart, but a hands-off policy at work does not allow for office relationships and in this Cole’s time in Hawaii with Penn has an expiry date at the end of the week.

The sexual attraction between Cole and Penn cannot be denied. Penn is sexually aggressive in the bedroom and isn’t afraid to let Cole know what it is she wants but Cole has some issues that he must learn to overcome, and in this Penn is the perfect match for Cole’s pent up inhibitions. There are reasons behind Cole’s reluctance-ones that Penn must come to understand before offering Cole everything that she is and wants. The $ex scenes are hot, seductive and provocative.

All of the previous storyline couples play a secondary role: Jack and Sterling; Neil and Carson; Veronica and Finn. We are introduced to Penn’s rather over-the –top competitive family-a family that barely acknowledges Penn’s success or ability to survive on her own. Penn is considered the quiet child, and in this, her family has not come to terms with the ‘new’ Penn that they see at the family competition. Penn’s father is all about winning, but Cole is hoping to win Penn’s heart.

The world building continues to focus on Vivian Madewood’s foster sons: Jack Vaughn, Neil Harrison, Finn O’Reilly and Cole Murphy. To keep the boys out of trouble and in line, Vivian started the boys on their love of cooking, and with it came four successful restaurant owner, operators and executive chefs. Each young man would eventually ‘pay it forward’ with foundations that are aimed at enriching the lives of boys and girls in the foster care system.

RECIPE FOR TEMPTATION is a fun read that focuses on family dynamics and falling in love. There are moments of heartbreak when a father is unable to come to terms with the daughter he has always considered a son, and further sorrow when Cole walks away from the only woman he will ever love. The premise is fun with a little bit of angst; the characters are energetic and commanding attention; the happily ever after is the stuff of headline news. Gina Gordon’s MADEWOOD BROTHERS series looks at a family brought together by one woman who opened her heart and her home to four troubled young boys, and raised them to be successful entrepreneurs and loving men. A must-read series that will put a smile on your face.

Reading Order
Recipe for Satisfaction
Recipe for Attraction
Recipe for Seduction
Recipe for Temptation

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Recipe for SeductionRECIPE FOR SEDUCTION
(Madewood Brothers 3)
by Gina Gordon
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2014

Veronica Whitfield feels like a frumpy old maid. After ten years of raising her younger siblings, she’s desperate to get her sexy back. And why not find it with the man she’s been in lust with since she was twelve years old—her brother’s best friend, Finn O’Reilly?

Finn is looking for love. And not any love—true love. Complete with the white picket fence, two children, and a dog. He’s just been a little unlucky finding it, and he sure as hell isn’t about to consider his best friend’s little sister for the job, no matter how badly he wants her in his bed.

But then Veronica propositions him with a game of dark, delicious seduction. Finn is tempted to indulge his hidden need for kink, but at what cost? Following through could very well ruin their friendship, but maybe—just maybe—helping Veronica rediscover her sexy side is exactly what he needs to find love at last…

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION is the third installment in Gina Gordon’s adult, contemporary Madewood Brothers romance series focusing on four ‘brothers’ who grew up in the foster care system eventually finding a home and acceptance with Vivian Madewood-a woman whose ability to nurture and love extoled a sense of pride and responsibility in four young men whose lives would have otherwise gone in a different direction. This is wedding planner Veronica Whitfield, and executive chef Finn O’Reilly’s storyline. RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION can be read as a stand alone; any important information from previous storylines is imparted where necessary. The majority of the primary, secondary and supporting characters all grew up in the foster care system, and their life long friendships and love are the backdrop for the Madewood Brothers series.

Told from third person point of view RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION follows a friends to lovers relationship between Veronica Whitfield and Finn O’Reilly. Veronica and her brother Mark are also the product of the foster care system but eight years earlier Veronica discovered her less than responsible mother had a second family, and Veronica soon became a single mother over night to her two younger half siblings. Fast forward and Veronica is preparing to enjoy life for herself now that her younger brother and sister are about to enter university-but life doesn’t always go according to plan when half brother Cal decides higher education is for losers and he has no plans for the future. Enter easy going Finn O’Reilly-Veronica’s brother Mark’s best friend-and the man that Veronica has loved since eleven years old. Finn offers to take Cal under his wing and teach him the ins and out of being a restaurant chef.

Veronica has had a crush on her brother’s best friend Finn O’Reilly since an early age but raising her siblings and holding down a full time job found Veronica will little time left for herself. Knowing that the time had come to act on her feelings, Veronica sets out to seduce Finn O’Reilly and in doing so discovers that the man with whom she had fallen in love wants a future with children and Veronica isn’t willing to follow the same path. Our couple keep secret their relationship from family and friends, and in this, eventual discovery leads to a sense of betrayal and potential loss of friendship.

The relationship between Finn and Veronica is highly sexual; there was never a time that our couple wasn’t actively involved in some sort of physical activity together. Finn is a bit of an a$$ man, and with it comes the need to spank and his use for a spatula whenever Veronica is in the kitchen. The $ex scenes are numerous, erotic and intense. Veronica and Finn love one another but their plans for the future are going in opposite directions.

All of the previous storyline couples and characters play a secondary and supporting role. Veronica, as a wedding planner, is planning Jack and Sterling’s (Recipe for Satisfaction 1) wedding, which is a secondary plotline throughout the story. We are also introduced to Veronica’s half siblings , as well as her brother Mark. Mark has some issues that need to be addressed, and I am hoping Gina has plans to either continue the MADEWOOD BROTHERS series or write a spinoff that focuses on Veronica’s extended family.

RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION is a story about family; about the bonds that strengthen in face of adversity; about the dynamics that are strained when ‘push comes to shove’. There are moments of humor and fun; heartbreak and sorrow; looking forward and letting go. Gina Gordon’s MADEWOOD BROTHERS series is set in and around Toronto Ontario Canada, and as a fellow Canadian I was very familiar with the sights and sounds of the storyline geography-if you ever have a chance go visit Niagara On The Lake-Veronica and Finn had a romantic getaway-you will too.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Recipe for SatisfactionRECIPE FOR SATISFACTION
(Madewood Brothers #1)
by Gina Gordon
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 1, 2013

Being the financial caretaker for her deadbeat parents isn’t the life professional organizer Sterling Andrews dreamed of. Tired of being the dependable—and boring—daughter, Sterling decides to have a little fun. And what could be more fun than seducing rich bad boy chef, Jack Vaughn? Except, after one scintillating night together, Sterling’s not only lusting for Jack, she’s working for him. And remaining professional becomes harder every day.

Already a major success thanks to his exclusive restaurants, Jack Vaughn is looking for something more. Ultra responsible Sterling is unlike anyone Jack has met…but she’s his employee. Unwilling to give her up, Jack makes Sterling an offer she can’t refuse—for four sexy weekends, he’ll indulge her most wicked fantasies with no professional strings attached. But will mixing business with pleasure spell disaster? Or will they find the recipe for satisfaction?

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REVIEW: Recipe for Satisfaction is the first storyline in Gina Gordon’s new Madewood Brothers series. Gina invites the reader into the world of the Madewood Brothers by introducing Jack and his older siblings and we know each will have a story to tell. Recipe for Satisfaction is Jack and Sterling’s story.

Although Recipe for Satisfaction is an introductory storyline I did not feel overwhelmed with information. There is just enough background information about the brother’s and their family history that the reader is left wanting more.

The four Madewood brothers are each successful in their own right, owning and operating a string of nightclubs, restaurants and eateries around North America but when Jack comes home to Toronto for a few weeks of R&R, the last thing he wanted was a relationship. But the death of their mother has left a hole in the family and Jack needed someone to help organize and pack his mother’s belongings. Enter Sterling Andrews-an organizer and planner who would be perfect for the job. But Jack has other plans for Sterling and makes her an offer that she cannot refuse.

The relationship between Jack and Sterling begins as a torrid but not quite one-night stand. Each looking for a night of passion, without commitments, and yet each discovered they wanted something more. As the storyline progressed, Jack and Sterling develop feelings for one another but Sterling’s extended family’s financial problem drives a wedge between Jack and Sterling when Jack accidently discovers the final notice invoices and credit card receipts. Believing Sterling wants only one thing, Jack pushes away the one woman who could make him happy.

Recipe for Satisfaction is a contemporary romance with a predictable happily ever after that is fast paced and fun to read. There are no thought provoking diatribes about life and love, only two people meant for each other who must overcome some personal obstacles as well as some private heartbreaks.

I only had one problem and that was the ending. It was rather abrupt and Sterling’s last pronouncement to the man she loves, should have pushed him away-in my opinion.

Copy supplied by publisher

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A Taste of Trouble by Gina Gordon-a review

A TASTE OF TROUBLE by Gina Gordon- a review

A Taste of Trouble

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 18, 2013

When Liv Crawford decided to pursue her dream of owning her own bakery, it was no surprise that she forgot to add “maintaining a serious relationship” to her business plan. Not when she believes a cupcake can fix anything, even loneliness.

Jake Miller isn’t concerned about being lonely. He’s cast aside his playboy lifestyle to pursue something more meaningful, his passion for photography. So, when his boss asks him to pursue a beautiful woman and coerce her to his office for a disguised meeting—no matter what it takes—in exchange for the opportunity to turn his hobby into a career, he jumps at the chance. At first sight, Liv awakens his long-buried desire for commitment, but his secret mission could ruin his hopes of keeping her.

Despite Liv’s commitment to swear off relationships to run her bakery, Jake quickly becomes her number one distraction. Yet, even her misgivings can’t tame the heat as they straddle the line between love and ambition.

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REVIEW: A TASTE OF TROUBLE is the latest contemporary romance release from author Gina Gordon. The focus of the storyline centers on Liv Crawford as she endeavors to start up her own cupcake bakery after achieving success with her mentor’s competing business. In the meantime Liv meets Jake Miller and their attraction to one another is immediate and something about Liv tugs at Jake. But things begin to spiral out of control when everything starts to fall apart the closer to opening day and Liv begins to suspect someone close is undermining the entire process.

A Taste of Trouble takes the reader on a roller coaster ride for two people who know what they want but have to make a decision about life choices and, in the bargain each will lose something and someone close to their heart. We watch as Liv is betrayed not once but twice by two people she considers more than friends; and Jake learns the truth about his latest assignment when it compromises both his ethics and his heart.

A Taste for Trouble is an interesting storyline. I was frustrated along with Liv knowing that someone so close would stoop so low. There was a twist in the storyline when Liv discovered the secrets from the past were not quite what she was led to believe and the ball was now in her court if she wanted to pursue a relationship with someone she had grown to hate as a child. If you like a romantic storyline, without too many complications, A Taste of Trouble is a nice read. There is also the potential for future storylines as we meet a few of Jake’s buddies who are his current go-to men when his relationship begins to fall apart.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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