Beauty and the Bachelor by Naima Simone Series: Bachelor Auction #1
Published by Entangled: Indulgence
Publication Date: August 10th 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 186
Source: Publisher
Format: eARC
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Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Billionaire Lucas Oliver is hell bent on revenge. And his plan begins when Sydney Blake—the stunning daughter of his enemy—is tricked into bidding on Lucas at a bachelor auction. Then he serves up a little blackmail…followed by a marriage proposal Sydney has no choice but to accept.
Sydney has been controlled by her family her whole life. When Lucas threatens to reveal her father’s shady business, she is once again forced to do her duty for her family. But worse—oh so much worse—is the rush of lust that Lucas ignites in her blood.
Lucas is determined to make Sydney suffer, but it’s tough when he can’t keep from touching her–or thinking about touching her–all the time. She’s not fairing much better since she’s engaged to a darkly handsome beast intent on destroying her entire family…along with her heart.
Lucas Oliver has spent fifteen years planning revenge on Jason Blake, the man who ruined his life and the perfect weapon? His daughter, Sidney. What he does not count on in is his attraction to Sidney and his need to protect her. So what happens when the person who is supposed to be his instrument of vengeance becomes an endless craving? Oh, what a tangled web!
Sidney Blake has spent the last fifteen years trying to atone for her one act of defiance and its results and has gotten used to the lack of affection and put-downs from her parents. Her value to her parents lies in a marriage merger with a suitably wealthy family, which she is set to do. When a mistake results in her bidding on the wrong bachelor at a charity auction and being subsequently blackmailed into marriage to protect her family, she steps up to the plate. The chemistry between her and Lucas is unexpected and unwelcome.
I loved reading BEAUTY AND THE BACHELOR because it’s a perfect mix of passion and emotion with very fun and enjoyable characters. Lucas though his plan was fool-proof, with every variable accounted for but he does not expect the complicated relationship Sidney has with her parents and he definitely does not expect his need to protect and defend her. Even though he didn’t plan for his attraction to Sidney, he’s sure as heck not going to pass up on a chance to get her into his bed!
The treatment Sidney received at the hands of her parents made my heart ache for her but her need for her parents’ love and approval is one anyone can identify with and I loved seeing her grow more self-confident and assertive especially with Lucas encouraging her to stand up for herself. While the passion is what brings them together, their emotional bonds grow as they open up and share their secrets with each other and in spite of how they came together, you can’t help but hope they find happiness.
Ms. Simone was a recent find for me with her Secrets and Sins series and I enjoy how she combines very intense passion with emotions in a way that is not overdone. I enjoyed BEAUTY AND THE BACHELOR and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
About Naima Simone
I was born the daughter of a sharecropper…okay, maybe not. But, I am the daughter of a pastor from whom I inherited my love of romance. The man can preach a mean Song of Solomon! (There’s that plug, Daddy! You can pay me later!)
Although my first book starred a cucumber named Fred, my first romance came several years later in the seventh grade when I wrote myself as a heroine opposite Ralph Tresvant from New Edition. Through the power of my pen and imagination, Ralph took one look across a crowded stadium, met my dark, mysterious gaze, fell passionately in love and serenaded me in front of millions of fans. Out of all the girls in the world, he chose me! And, of course we lived happily ever after—once we had the inevitable fight, aka black moment, and made up with a passionate declaration of love and fidelity. This same story reincarnated itself many times over the years: with Donnie Wahlberg from New Kids on the Block, Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, and as recently as last night, Vin Diesel.
Though the characters have changed, my love of love has endured. Shaping the lives of the unique men and women who experience the first, hungry bites of lust, the dizzying heights of passion and the tender, healing heat of love— nothing compares to it. Except maybe discovering new material for love scenes with my husband, the head of Research & Development!
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