Good Karma (Strong Karma #1) by Donya Lynne-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 25, 2014

Bashful Karma Mason has been too concerned with college—and now work—to embrace her sexuality. Bullied as a child, she hides behind an unremarkable wardrobe and relegates herself to the shadows. But when her best friend convinces her to attend a charity benefit in Chicago wearing a stunning red dress that catches the eye of every man in the room, she discovers a surprising side to her personality. One that adores the spotlight but has no idea how to handle the attention.

Mark Strong, a wealthy Chicago businessman, is brimming with confidence. He’s in total control. Nothing—and no one—escapes his notice. However, Mark carries a heavy, painful burden. After finding his fiancée with another man six years ago, he’s erected a fortress around his heart, unwilling to let himself fall in love again. But when enchanting Karma snares his gaze from across the room, he has no idea she will shatter his carefully ordered life.

What starts out as a casual flirtation takes a series of surprising turns as Mark and Karma embark on a sensual journey destined by fate. Mark is driven to know Karma, understand her…educate her, and Karma is his willing student, eager to experience the pleasure he promises. But when the student becomes the teacher, Mark has to make a choice between taking another chance on love or a future alone.

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GOOD KARMA is the first instalment in Donya Lynne’s new, adult, contemporary Strong Karma erotic romance series focusing on Karma Mason and Mark Strong. Our couple first meet at a charity event where Karma was willing to step out of her comfort zone and into a sexy one night stand. What follows is a forbidden relationship between two people whose lives will intertwine between the boardroom and the bedroom.

The storyline focus is on the building relationship between Karma and Mark. Following their ‘almost’ one night stand, Karma discovers that Mark has been hired to streamline the company for which she works. Knowing that embarking on a sexual relationship could very well end their careers, Mark and Karma have a difficult time keeping their work and their private lives apart. Jealous and vindictive co-workers will set their sights on Karma hoping to take her down with the rest of the trash.

The relationship between Mark and Karma is sensual, seductive and educational. Mark is a complex man with more experience and he is willing to teach Karma a thing or two about what he wants and where the two shall go. Mark’s past all but controls his present, and Karma’s insecurities and fragile ego are fodder for those people who believe they have something to gain by destroying what little is left of Karma’s faith.

The secondary characters are colorful: from co-workers to family Karma must fight the barrage and personal attacks on both her personality, her appearance and her position at work. The ground rules have been set for a woman whose life has revolved around trying to make it in a world controlled by power and beauty.

The storyline line ends with a bit of a cliffhanger-one that will evoke a tear or two or ten. I reread the passage several times and each time I cried harder than the last.

Donya Lynne’s foray into the world of contemporary erotic romance is provocative, emotional and heartbreaking. There is startling truth and a staggering fall-out for two people who have fallen in love but for one the head doesn’t know what the heart has done. GOOD KARMA looks at two people whose relationship is built upon a temporary framework-one that will come crashing down when one man is afraid to take a chance.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy