Tag Archives: Hard Love Romance

The Hunt ( A Hard Love Romance #3) by Monica James-Review & Excerpt Tour

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The Hunt (A Hard Love Romance #3) by Monica James-Review & Excerpt Tour

The Hunt BANNER2

THE HUNT
Hard Love Romance #3
by Monica James
Release Date: October 30,2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

The Hunt

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

About the book: Release Date October 30, 2017

My name is Hunter O’Shea and I have a confession to make…I’ve met a girl who consumes me. I know that makes me sound completely whipped, but Mary “Lamb” Mitts has the power to bring me to my knees…it’s just too bad she hates my guts. But that’s okay, because I hate hers, too. The fiery redhead stirs something in me that I can’t explain.

This temporary insanity could be due to the fact my best friend, who used to be a bigger player than me, is getting married. That must be it. I’m caught up in an Oprah moment.

The only solution is to get back in the game and forget she exists. That theory is great—too bad I don’t want anyone else.

I…just…want…her.

I’m so screwed.

••••••••••

REVIEW: THE HUNT is the third instalment in Monica James’ contemporary, adult HARD LOVE ROMANCE erotic, romance series. This is financial investor Hunter O’Shea, and interior design student Mary Mitts’ story line. THE HUNT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Mary and Hunter were first introduced in the first two instalments Dirty Dix and Wicked Dix. Mary is Madison’s BFF, and Hunter is Dr. Dixon Mathews best friend.

Told from dual first person points of view (Mary and Hunter) THE HUNT focuses on the contemptuous and anger filled relationship between financial investor Hunter O’Shea, and waitress/interior designer Mary Mitts. Mary and Hunter’s hate-filled, visceral and verbal exchanges masks a heightened sexual energy that is barely contained in one another’s presence. Seeing something beyond the angry façade Dixon Mathews makes a suggestion that places Mary in the direct line of fire as it pertains to the man that she barely tolerates. What ensues is the slow building but acrimonious relationship between our leading couple, and the fall out as betrayal and jealousy destroy what was never meant to be.

THE HUNT is an emotional, intense and heart breaking story line about two people whose sexual histories are as diverse and different as night and day. Hunter is a manwhore whose reputation precedes his introduction to our story line heroine-a reputation that Mary takes to heart. Hunter doesn’t do relationships; has never fallen in love but something about Mary calls to his soul, a soul he believes isn’t worthy of a happily ever after. Mary’s only boyfriend destroyed her faith in men and her trust in love but her attraction Hunter is palpable and confusing knowing he is the last man she should ever hope to fall in love.

The relationship between Mary and Hunter is one of mutual animosity tethered by a mutual attraction that burns hot and electric. Their antagonistic love /hate dual does not go unnoticed by everyone concerned; it makes for some uncomfortable moments as Madison and Dixon’s wedding day approaches. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and provocative but the lack of trust and miscommunication between our leading couple is frustrating and powerful. My only complaint is the over-use of a certain four-letter word that I do not find conducive or necessary in a romance story line.

We are re-introduced to Dr. Dixon Mathews and his fiancé Madison (Dirty Dix / Wicked Dix), as well as their mutual friendship with Finch and Heidi. The introduction of fellow investor Aaron Gail, and his PA Keira Celly adds the requisite evil that heightens the betrayal and jealousy between our leading couple.

THE HUNT is a story about one woman unable to let go of the past; and one man’s inability to let go of his heart. The premise is engaging, edgy and intense; the characters are edgy, spirited and flawed; the romance is emotional, dramatic and passionate. My only complaint- the language is graphic and course including the use of a certain four-letter word as I mentioned above.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dirty Dix (formerly Addicted to Sin)
Wicked Dix
The Hunt

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

The Hunt Teaser

Excerpt

 

Something is happening and I have no idea what. Mary’s eyes drop to my lips before she uneasily licks hers. Her flushed cheeks, dilated pupils, and heavy breathing all point to one thing—but that’s not possible. This woman hates me, all delicious, lithe five-foot-four of her wants me dead.
So why is she not slapping my cheeks and calling me a dirty manwhore when I inch closer to her lips? And why am I not slamming on the brakes because I don’t kiss—ever, but that rule seems to be obsolete when the supplest pair of lips are a hairs breadth away?
I’m rolling in her perfume. Slathering it all over my body and inhaling it like a new drug. She is all goddess, and if I don’t touch her, I’m going to explode.
Placing my palm to her cheek, we both moan at the contact, and when she parts those lips, I’m as good as gone. “Hunter, wh-what are you doing?”
My name has never sounded sweeter. “Shortcake, I don’t know…you tell me.” The ball is in her court. I’m liquefying and my brain turned to mush about fifteen minutes ago, so I’m in no state to be the one calling the shots.
“I…I…” she fumbles, never breaking eye contact.
“You what?” I ask, tugging at the lobe of her ear, before tracing my pointer down her throat. Her pulse is hammering, a sure sign she’s about to either surrender, or flee.
“I…oh god,” she whimpers, biting her lip when I work my finger back up and paint over her jawline in a slow sweep.
“You have three seconds…three seconds to stop me before I part those lips with my tongue, and I won’t be gentle about it.”

 

About The Author

Monica James

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

She is a bestselling author in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

Facebook: facebook.com/authormonicajames
Twitter: twitter.com/monicajames81
Goodreads: goodreads.com/MonicaJames
Instagram: @MonicaJames
Website: monicajamesbooks.blogspot.com.au
Pinterest: pinterest.com/monicajames81

 

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Wicked Dix (Hard Love Romance #2) by Monica James-Review & Giveaway

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WICKED DIX (Hard Love Romance #2) by Monica James-Review and Giveaway

WICKED DIX

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 24, 2016

I’ve always been a bad boy, with a very wicked reputation.

But then I met Madison – sweet, vulnerable, innocent Madison. She makes me feel as if there is hope for me. As if I could be a good man. I need her more than I need air to breathe.

There’s just one problem: Juliet. She’s a temptress who won’t take no for an answer. If I resist her, she’ll use our dirty secret to ruin everything with Madison.

I don’t want to lose Madison, but can I really change? This is my chance to prove that I can. But it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

Are you ready?

••••••••••

REVIEW: WICKED DIX (formerly known as Driven to Sin) is the second installment in Monica James’s new adult, contemporary HARD LOVE ROMANCE series (formerly known as ‘Sinful Pleasures’) focusing on psychiatrist Dr. Dixon Mathews, and college student Madison. Their continuing story follows our couple as they traverse a minefield of unprofessional ethics, dysfunctional family dynamics, and a myriad of lies and lies by omission wherein Madison will discover that everything she thinks she knows about the man that she loves is disguising the truth about the man he truly is. WICKED DIX should not be read as a stand alone as the story continues upon the events of book one-DIRTY DIX (formerly known as Addicted To Sin).

Told from dual first person points of view (Dixon and Madison) WICKED DIX looks at the fall out of Dixon’s man-whoring way; his unprofessional actions of the past; and his need to control the woman who is about to destroy his life. Dixon is caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place as it pertains to one of his former patients-a woman with close ties to Madison, and the woman who is about to destroy his life. But Dixon isn’t about to go down without a fight, and embarks on an ill-fated mission of abuse of power and professional charm. What ensues is the building relationship between Dixon and Madison, and the fall out of their relationship when the truth is finally revealed.

The ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters includes both Dixon and Madison’s extended family; their friends, co-workers, and the requisite evil that continues to attack our leading couple at every turn. But, to be honest, by keeping secret the truth about his relationship with Juliette, Dixon continued to poke the bear; add fuel to the fire; and circle the abyss of betrayal and heartbreak. His fear for the woman the he loved prevented him from seeing the whole picture, no matter how many times he was warned about the potential for disaster. Dix’s actions were irrational and unreasonable under the circumstances-there would never have been any positive outcome from the games and situation with Juliette of which he was slowly losing control.

I will add, that I am not a fan of mid-series title and cover changes due to the potential for confusion. When I first discovered WICKED DIX on Netgalley, I thought, WOW, another new series by Monica James, but then realized, it was a part of a series that I was already reading, but the title, the series name and the covers had all been changed. This is confusing to readers, especially long time followers of the author who has a habit of frequently changing covers e.g. one of her series has had three (3) complete cover changes to date.

WICKED DIX is an intense, dramatic and heartbreaking story line with a predictable outcome to Dixon’s loss of control. There are some humorous moments when Dix gets together with his friends and buddies. The premise is fateful and intoxicating; the characters are passionate and sometimes destructive; the romance is a startling fight towards a happily ever after. There were several points at which my frustration level rose knowing that the end results were not going to be good but in true romance style, all will be forgiven, but not necessarily forgotten.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of DIRTY DIX (formerly known as Addicted to Sin)

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Wicked Dix teaser

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