TAMING LILY (The Fowler Sisters #3) by Monica Murphy-Review and Book Tour
Taming Lily
The Fowler Sisters 3
by Monica Murphy
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: July 7, 2015
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 7, 2015
I’m in trouble. Again. And instead of facing my problems head on, I’ve run away. Far away this time, and no one can catch me—not my two younger sisters, Violet and Rose, not my father, my grandmother, or that witch Pilar who wants to take control of my family’s cosmetics company. Now I’m in Hawaii, enjoying the sun and the sand and water, where nobody knows the hot mess known as Lily Fowler. And I’m loving every minute of it.
But someone is watching me. Following me. He’s gorgeous. And soon we’re talking, and against all my instincts, I reveal bits and pieces of myself to Max. It feels good, though I know he can’t be the man for me. These sudden feelings we share are way too complicated, too fraught, too intense.
Then everything explodes and I’m forced to return home. My intentions have always been true, but now everyone’s mad at me. I don’t know who to turn to anymore . . . except to Max. He’s who I want to trust. But I’m not so sure I should. Maybe it’s worth the risk—and what-ifs be damned.
••••••••••••••
REVIEW: TAMING LILY is the third (and final) installment in Monica Murphy’s adult, contemporary The Fowler Sisters romance series focusing on the heirs to the Fleur Cosmetics Company-Violet, Rose and Lily. This is eldest sister Lily and Max’s storyline. TAMING LILY is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone although I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory.
Told from dual first person points of view (Lily and Max) the storyline follows bad girl Lily as she escapes to Maui for what appears to be some fun and relaxation. But Lily has a watcher; not necessarily a stalker or media personnel, but someone who is keeping watch over everything that Lily does. Enter Max-a private investigator-who has been hired to steal something from Lily for a client who is willing to pay. As the storyline builds, so too does the relationship between Max and Lily, one that will end with heartbreak when the truth about Max is revealed.
Lily is the black sheep of the Fowler Family. Never one to follow the family business, Lily has a reputation as a bad girl: sex, drugs, alcohol and parties. She is considered a loose cannon, and is accorded no respect by the people in charge. Her sisters are constantly worried about her safety; her father has lost all respect for his eldest daughter.
Max hadn’t planned to fall in love but his attraction and need for Lily is unexpected. His current dilemma finds our hero caught between doing a job or walking away without a backwards glance. Max’s action will break Lily’s heart and force our heroine to reveal the truth about her quick escape to Hawaii, and how it will affect the family that she loves.
The sexual relationship between Max and Lily is quick to develop; there is an insta lust quality to their attraction, one that finds our couple in erotic situations; Max likes to ‘spank’ during sexual play.
The secondary and supporting characters include Violet and Ryder, Rose and Caden, as well as a cameo from the head of Fleur Cosmetics Forrest Fowler, and his love interest Pilar. There is a definite evil vibe about Pilar that comes to fruition at the end of the storyline. Grandma Fowler is mysteriously absent, and there is no mention of friends or some of the previous storyline characters.
Again, TAMING LILY, like the previous two installments does not put any energy into Forrest Fowler’s relationship with Pilar, which plays an integral role throughout the series. It would have been nice to witness some of the inter-personal relationship dynamics between the couple; their story is the catalyst behind Lily’s need to escape. There is also the déjà vu aspect of TAMING LILY with the similarities between the first two installments- all of our heroines fall in love with the men trying to destroy their lives.
TAMING LILY (and the Fowler Sisters Series) looks at the destructive nature of power and wealth. There is always someone waiting to destroy what has been built; and someone in the wings hoping to catch you when you fall. Monica Murphy writes a heartbreaking and emotional story for each of her storylines heroines that ends with a happily ever after. Here’s hoping there are a few future novellas to address the family situation.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
Reviewed by Sandy
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Max:I hate babysitting jobs, though i don’t know if i’d categorize this particular job as babysitting. I rarely take them on because they suck and they’re boring, but the money was too good to resist. If I took every fucking job that came my way because ofhow much they offer to pay me, I’d be a very rich man working the absolute bottom-of-the-barrel shit jobs. Busting cheating spouses. Catching them in compromising positions. Following them, taking photos, feeling sordid and dirty as I reveal said pictures andwatch my client either rage angrily or fall apart in tears.
Those types of jobs are a dime a dozen.
No thanks. I’m lucky enough that I can pick and choose. Though I felt like with this one, I didn’t necessarily pick it. The job chose me.
It also intrigued me. She intrigued me. Not that I’d ever confess that to a living soul. I have integrity. An image to fulfill and maintain, especially when it comes to my business. I’m not one to let my dick make business decisions for me, but this girl. . . is unlike any girl I’ve ever seen before.
The moment I looked at her photo, I knew.
I watch her now, from my aisle seat on the plane, sitting five rows behind her. She’s in the opposite aisle seat and I can get a good look at her profile if I lean forward slightly, which is exactly what I’m doing. It’s wild, how she appears completelydifferent from the photos I saw of her on the web last night while I did my research.
Whereas the endless images in my Google search featured a sexy-as-hell, scantily dressed woman doing whatever the fuck she wants all over Manhattan, this woman I’m watching now is quiet. Subdued. Wearing one of those matching sweat outfits in black withwhite trim, the word PINK scrawled across her very fine ass in glittery sequins. She blends right in on the plane, looks like every other woman her age. Not like the rich-as-fuck heiress she really is.
When she first boarded her hood was up and she had sunglasses on, as if she were trying to conceal her identity, though really she looked obvious as hell, at least to me. The media is always after her, always on her tail, so her incognito mode shouldn’tbe a surprise.
But considering she’s dressed nothing like her usual self, I figure she became comfortable and eventually tugged the hood down, revealing her long, golden-brown hair streaked with bright blond highlights pulled into a high ponytail.
Offering me a tantalizing view of her perfect profile.
Dainty nose, plump lips. Long eyelashes, high cheekbones, slightly pointed chin. Every time someone passes her by she lifts her head, then immediately looks down. Almost as if she’s afraid someone is going to approach her. Like she’s worried someone will realize who she is.
But no one would. She’s unrecognizable. I’d bet top dollar the only one on this plane who knows she’s Lily Fowler is . . . Me.
The moment the plane touches down I whip out my phone and switch it out of airplane mode, watching as a text message appears.
Did you find her?
I answer my client with a quick yes.
Are you watching her now?
I answer again in the affirmative, my gaze fixed on Lily as she, too, grabs her phone and starts to scroll through it.
Try and grab her laptop now.
Frowning at my phone, I contemplate how to reply. I can’t just make a grab while we’re still on the freaking plane and run. I have to be subtle about this. I warned my overeager, over-insistent client. I don’t make rash decisions. I’m not impulsive, atleast when it comes to work. There’s a method to my madness, and acting like a goddamn thief isn’t part of it.
I finally decide to answer.
I already informed you I’m not going to move too fast.
We don’t have much time.
Slowly I shake my head, glancing up to study Lily before I start typing.
We have enough. I’ll get the job done. Don’t worry.
The plane starts to slow as we make our way to the gate and the passengers are getting restless, including myself. My legs are cramped up. Sitting in coach sucks ass and is almost too much for my six-foot-two frame. My knees fucking ache. Even Lily shiftsand moves in her seat, her head turning to glance behind her, straight at me. Our gazes meet briefly and she looks away, pretending that she never saw me.
Anger burns in my gut. Anger and lust. An interesting combo, one I’ve never suffered through before while working. I pride myself on keeping my distance. Work is work. My personal life is just that . . . personal. Not that I have much of one. Not thatI have anyone in my fucking life, which is just the way I like it.
But this girl’s rejection, as brief as it was, digs at me. Pisses me off.
My phone dings and I check it.
She’s fast. Tricky. You need to take your chances when you can.
A snort escapes me. Trying to tell me how to do my job. I wish I could reply with a big “fuck you,” but I don’t. I have more class than that.
I’m faster. Trickier. Trust me. I’ll make it happen. You’ll get what you want.
As I slip my phone into the back pocket of my jeans, the flight attendant starts talking over the intercom, telling us to remain seated until the seat belt fastened lights turn off. We’re at the gate; all the passengers are poised and ready to grab theirshit and disembark. I don’t bother. My carry-on is sitting in the compartment directly above me. I can tell that the lady next to me is dying to leap out of her seat, but I’ll make her wait. Her irritation is already a palpable thing. Like I give a damn.
I gotta move slow. The last thing I need is to catch my subject’s attention. Not this early in the game.
Lily jumps to her feet the second the seat belt light shuts off, popping open the overhead compartment and pulling out a bag. A laptop bag, from the size of it.
With the coveted laptop most likely lying inside.
I curl my fingers into my palms, resting them on my knees. I want that bag. No. Scratch that. My client wants that bag—more like what’s inside of it. So I want it, too.
And I will do anything to get it.
Anything.
Owning Violet
The Fowler Sisters #1
by Monica Murphy
Genre: adult, contemporary,erotic, romance
Release Date: December 2, 2014
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OWNING VIOLET (The Fowler Sisters #1) by Monica Murphy
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 2, 2014
New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy begins a sexy new contemporary romance series—perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emma Chase—that introduces three sisters born to wealth, raised to succeed, ready to love, destined to make waves.
I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.
Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary—perhaps even more so. He’s also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.
One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch . . . and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart. My soul.
My everything.
_____________
Stealing Rose
The Fowler Sisters #2
by Monica Murphy
Genre: new adult, contemporary, erotic romance
Release Date: March 3, 2015
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STEALING ROSE (The Fowler Sisters #2) by Monica Murphy
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2015
People say the youngest child has it easy, but nothing can be further from the truth. Unlike my two sisters, Violet and Lily, I’m never in the limelight. I just work my butt off for Fleur Cosmetics and get little to no thanks for it. I’ve been pushed too far one too many times, and I’m finally brave enough to do something about it.
Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.
For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.
And maybe I don’t want to.
New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She’s a workaholic who loves her job. When she’s not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.
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