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Showing posts with label The Pinnacles of Power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Pinnacles of Power. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Review: Dangerous Proposition by Jessica Lauryn
Dangerous Proposition
Author: Jessica Lauryn
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Pinnacles of Power #3
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: author
About the book:
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When Julia Dyson learns her father has been abducted, she believes his hidden profession may be to blame. But when she discovers a man’s name in her dad's caller history, a man suspected of shady business activity and also her teenage crush, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She confronts her father's presumed abductor, resulting in an unforgettable kiss.
In the course of one disastrous evening, diamond smuggling kingpin Colin Westwood learns that his best recruit is missing in action, and that the man has been keeping a secret for years—he has a twenty-six-year-old daughter. Determined to protect his identity, Colin vows to find the young woman, and keep her silent at any cost. Later intrigued to learn that she is actually the attractive woman he kissed, he makes Julia an offer. Come to New York City with him to search for her missing father…as his mistress.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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This is my third foray into the Pinnacles of Power series by Ms. Jessica Lauryn. I really loved the first two titles, and it’s logical that I liked Dangerous Proposition as well. I definitely enjoyed the entire journey we traveled with Colin and Julia!
Seriously. I’ll take a Dangerous Proposition from a hottie like Colin Westwood anytime! Doctor AND diamond smuggler? Mmmhm. Really, though. I was totally willing to take the leap of faith and believe that the Chief of Medicine or some other high-ranking doctor in a hospital setting was able to take enough time away from work to run a mafia-type operation. Julia Dyson, elementary school teacher, was totally right about him. She should have listened to herself sooner. Heat index: 3.5 out of 5.
While this title is the third in a series, I felt it could be read as a stand-alone, as there’s some pretty good reflection on prior events. Because the plot builds, I can’t really divulge too much info (isn’t that the way it always is with suspense?!?). Here’s the nitty-gritty though:
Julia Dyson is your typical run-of-the-mill elementary school teacher on summer vacation. Her dad is missing, and she decides to play Sherlock Holmes over the summer. Julia had periods where she annoyed me. A. Lot. She was second-guessing herself, her feelings, her emotions throughout the story. I understand that characters need to have flaws, but they usually resolve. I didn’t feel that this flaw resolved. As one of those strong, kick-ass women making it in society, I really get annoyed when women that have the potential to be fabulous role models end up a bowl of Jell-o over a dude. Seriously! Even though Julia kicked tush and took names later, she was in her own little world, trying to find a style that is easily mimicked when she should have been proud of who she was.
Dr. Colin Westwood, however, was one of the most beautifully written characters that I’ve seen in a while. The way he changed and evolved through the story was phenomenal. I was a bit dismayed at the way a few items played out, but no book is perfect, and not everyone can see things the way I see them! There are soooo many awesome things that happen to Colin that I can’t discuss! He is, however, the epitome of the brooding hero throughout the story.
I’m not quite sure why I wasn’t as into Dangerous Proposition as much as I was the previous titles in Jessica Lauryn’s Pinnacles of Power series. Great plot, execution. A few things that rubbed me the wrong way, but over-all worth the read if you follow the series. I’m always looking forward to Ms. Lauryn’s latest offering.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Reviews in the Series:
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Thursday, July 19, 2012
Review: Dangerous Proposal by Jessica Lauryn
Dangerous Proposal
Author: Jessica Lauryn
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: BookStrand Publishing
The Pinnacles of Power #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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At nineteen, Alec Westwood nearly committed the most horrific of crimes—murder in cold blood—and narrowly escaped the assignment with his life. When a stunning young woman crosses his path wearing the insignia for the organization that recruited him, he vows not to let fate get a second chance. But when the enchantress gives him a kiss that leaves him spellbound, Alec realizes the power she holds is greater than all his strength and fortitude combined.
On the run from her psychotic fiance, Lena Benson vows to forge a new life. But when her new friend Jack tells her to stay away from Alec Westwood—the man she believes her fiance hired to track her down—she takes matters into her own hands. Alec may have the charm, but she’s calling the shots, even if that means resisting a man whose eyes and touch rob her, literally, of sense.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I was excited to read Dangerous Proposal after reading the series opener for Ms. Lauryn's Pinnacles of Power series, Dangerous Ally. While I don't generally read contemporary romance, Ms. Lauryn surely gets this vampiric reviewer's seal of approval. I look forward to future installments of this series. It's a welcome break from the 'other worldly' literature I generally read.
For starters, Dangerous Proposal ACTUALLY takes place before Dangerous Ally. As a clarification from Ms. Lauryn, Dangerous Proposal is the second book in the series. Dangerous Ally is book #4. I'm told the next published will be book #3 in the Pinnacles of Power series. Lena Benson, our damsel-in-distress, was involved with Lucas Ramone. We don't see exactly how things transpired with Lena and Lucas, but we do see that Lena escaped from the prison that was the Ramone compound. Lucas is made-out to be an absolute monster, which is contrary to what we learned about him in Dangerous Ally. Lena's sister is actually the heroine of Dangerous Ally, and Lucas... well, you'll have to read to find out! Knowing up-front that Dangerous Proposal takes place prior to Dangerous Ally certainly helps the reader place things, and understand some of the context of the first novel, as well as this title.
We don't see much of Raphael Ramone in this title. What little we do see cements my opinion of him as the male version of Mommy Dearest. We do, however, get to meet Lucas' mom, which was a revelation for me. It made me understand the goings-on of the Ramone household a bit more.
Dr. Alec Westwood, a man with a few skeletons in his closet, seems lost and searching for something at the onset of Dangerous Proposal. Flitting from one-night-stand to one-night-stand while performing his duties as a doctor in the local hospital didn't seem to give him the fulfillment he sought. While his affluent family appeared to have a high-profile in the community, Alec wandered rather aimlessly until THAT night. Guys' night out. Local watering hole. Peeved by his brother's arrogance and seeking quiet solace, Alec saw HER. Enter Lena Gallagher. That night, Alec's perspective on life changed. Whether he was willing to admit it, or not.
The elusive Lena Gallagher, scared and eager to begin her life without (and hiding from) Lucas Ramone, entered into an even larger and more tumultuous challenge when she met Alec Westwood – doctor, playboy, and enigma. As paranoid as Lena was about being located by the maniacal and possessive Lucas, she certainly rooted herself to the small town in which she landed. Acquiring a job and securing a place to live, Lena entrenched herself in the community, especially Alec's life, even though she appeared to lie-low. Her dynamic relationship with Alec, however, appeared to be wrought with doubt and unspoken accusations from the beginning. Fortunately for the reader, we know this is a romance and there should be a 'happily ever after'. As a plot strategy, Ms. Lauryn should be commended for utilizing the mistrust and manipulation angle effectively throughout the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 'courtship' between Lena and Alec. Alec's creativity, with regard to Lena and their meetings/activities, was surely a high point of the story line. Interspersed with both Lena and Alec's self-doubt and internal conflict, these gems were intensely romantic and created even more intrigue for this reader.
Jack – I totally couldn't figure him out, however. I enjoyed his plot line, and NEVER would have guessed his importance to the story. Completely unpredictable! I did, however, have misgivings about his place of employment – which is probably due to my own personal feelings on certain topics. This was a phenomenal plot twist, and while it felt as though a portion of this sub-plot was dismissed at about the 75% mark, Ms. Lauren does revive this thread near the end, tying it up in a neat little bow.
Colin, Alec's brother. I have a theory about this one. I'm eager to see how the next installment of Pinnacles of Power looks to see if I'm right!
SPOILER ALERT: Lastly, at the end of Dangerous Proposal, it appears as though Lucas is out of the picture, permanently. Because I've read Dangerous Ally, and know that this title comes AFTER Dangerous Proposal, I contacted Ms. Lauryn. In Dangerous Ally, there is ONE paragraph that hints at the contents of Book #3, tentatively titled Dangerous Proposition. She cleared up my confusion, and I did recall the plot point mentioned, originally thinking it was merely backstory. END SPOILER
Jessica Lauryn weaves an excellent tale of intrigue, romance and suspense in her expertly-crafted Dangerous Proposal. While readers of the prior novel in the Pinnacles of Power series will see familiar characters, the depth and breadth of character development in this title will leave the reader with a few new 'friends', as well as a couple 'sworn enemies'.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it – enthusiastically recommend!
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Guest Post: Jessica Lauryn
Hello Readers! Today I welcome back romantic suspense author Jessica Lauryn. Jessica visited That’s What I’m Talking About earlier this year in January (post HERE) with her debut title, Dangerous Ally. Today she is back to talk about her latest release, Dangerous Proposal. (Please stop back later today to read Vampbard’s review!)
Please help me welcome Jessica back to That’s What I’m Talking About. Take it away Jessica...
Thanks so much for having me, Jen! I’m very excited to be back on That’s What I’m Talking About, and I hope to make some new friends today (and reacquaint with old!) as I share a bit about my latest release, Dangerous Proposal. Set in the lush, mountainous splendor of small town North Conway, New Hampshire, Dangerous Proposal is the second edition to the Pinnacles of Power Series. Just like its precursor, it is a story of excitement, suspense, and of course smoky, red-hot passion!
At the age of nineteen, Alec Westwood, desperate to show up his older brother Colin, accepted an assignment as an assassin. Unable to commit murder, Alec ran, leaving the underground organization who recruited him, in the lurch. Now an adult, he walks into a bar and sees a beautiful woman, who appears out-of-place, and very afraid. He asks her what’s wrong and she draws him into a kiss that leaves him spellbound...and desperate to finish what she started! That is, until he spots the amulet she's wearing, an amulet containing a very distinct picture of a cougar, the symbol for the organization that recruited him ten years ago!
Dangerous Proposal, which takes place prior to my debut release Dangerous Ally, gives a bit of insight as to what happened to Lena Benson, Lilah Benson's older sister. In Dangerous Ally, Lilah is blackmailed into taking a job at the Ramon Mansion. Lena insists her sister quit, and get as far away from the Ramones as possible. In Dangerous Ally, we learn that father and son, both driven by greed and ambition, are willing to go to extreme lengths to get what they want. But in Dangerous Proposal, we see just how far those lengths really are. Raphael Ramone, "emperor" of the Ramone Estate and all around father from hell, makes his son, Lucas an offer he's sure he can't refuse. If Lucas agrees to give him 50% of his smuggling venture, Project Gemstone, Raphael will make his reluctant fiance, Lena Benson, his wife (without her consent!) Lena overhears Lucas agree to this, and then, panicked, she leaves, disappearing into the night. (Bet you could guess which upper east coast tavern she winds up hitting, right? ;) )
When I first began writing Dangerous Proposal (then called Loveless Moon, and later Moonlight Path) I had so many different ideas, I wasn't exactly sure where to begin. Like many writers, I struggle with TMIS (Too Many Ideas Syndrome.) Not a bad thing, when you consider some of the alternatives, but still something to be overcome. Or rather, something to be understood. And one of the ways I was able to do that was by making The Pinnacles of Power into a series.
One element of my story in particular, stood out, and I needed to give that element a lot of thought, concerning where it would fit in. Jack Madera, Lucas's half brother in Dangerous Ally and key antagonist in Dangerous Proposal is much unlike most of the other characters in the Pinnacles of Power Series. He's a wiccan, and consequently he can perform magic--create fire, and play tricks with the mind, just from what we've seen so far. As a reader, I've never been a huge paranormal fan but something about this character was screaming to me that I should include him in what was then my only story. So much so did I want to include Jack that he now appears in both Dangerous Proposal and Dangerous Ally, and he will appear again in his own story, to be released at a later date.
Incorporating a sub-genre (or sub-element) into a story can be the very thing that makes it stand out. Many authors, for instance, write historical romances that have mystery as a sub-genre. One of my favorites is Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz. Reckless and Surrender, both historical romances with mystery as a main ingredient of the plot, are two stories I find myself wanting to read again and again and again.
TMIS may seem like an ailment, but it's actually creativity at it's best. Let's keep those blended-genre romances coming, and make sure they never do find off of our bookshelves! :)
WOW! That is a lot going on all at once, but it seems to work well for you, Jessica! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing more about your stories and the thought process behind your series.
You can find Jessica online at:
Be sure to stop by later today for Vampbard’s review of Dangerous Proposal.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Review & Giveaway: Dangerous Ally
Dangerous Ally
Author: Jessica Lauryn
Release Date: July 6, 2011
Publisher: BookStrand Publishing
The Pinnacles of Power Series
ISBN: #978-1610346979
Genre: Contemporary Suspense Romance
Format(s): Paperback (334 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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For five lonely years, diamond smuggling kingpin Lucas Ramone has hidden himself from the world. With a father who has baited him all his life, made a game of trying to trip him up at every turn, Lucas will do whatever is necessary to protect what is rightfully his. What he isn’t prepared for is Lilah Benson…
Upon accepting a job in the home of her sister’s maniacal ex-fiancé, reporter Lilah Benson believes she has finally found the perfect way to make her mark on the world. Exposing the criminal endeavors of Lucas Ramone won’t soon be forgotten. But as she comes to know the man who was supposed to be her adversary, Lilah is tempted by a passion far stronger than the desire to see her name in print…
Power and control are tools of survival, critical in a world of thievery and deception. Lilah, an innocent in a land of criminals, may be the one person capable of bringing Lucas to his knees. But Lucas will stop at nothing to keep his empire secure.
He will have it all: His Fortune, His Legacy, and Lilah Benson in his bed…
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I spent a lazy Saturday afternoon reading Jessica Lauryn's Dangerous Ally. I really enjoyed the story. Filled with espionage and HOT bow-chicka-wow-wow, it was overall a great read. The plot arc was action-packed (and not just with the HOT scenes - get your mind out of the gutter!) and had several twists. While it wasn't a completely unpredictable story, I found it to be quite telling of unhealthy relationships across the world. Kudos to Lauryn for showing readers that men are capable of overcoming adversity at the hands of abuse.
Bad Dad was quite the villain in this story. Raphael hopefully gets what he deserves in the long run. Mr. Power-Hungry-Cold-As-Iceberg-That-Sunk-the-Titanic was the worst parent imaginable for young Lucas as he was growing up. I can't even give a comparison to a movie character/star for this dude... he's so negative and hideous with regard to his behavior, he must be hideous.
Lilah, our heroine, originally entered the life of Lucas to expose his diamond smuggling endeavors. BUT... she fell for him and that kinda never happened. *snap* The NYT journalist is completely able to care for herself, and resists admitting to herself that she's falling for Lucas until the 11th hour...even though she's gone through the resistance to his overbearing bossiness as well as attempting to blow off jealousy.
Lucas is our hottie hero. What's cool about him is that he's been raised by his dad who is a real *ahem* jerk *ahem*, and he even ends up learning valuable lessons through the course of the book. While it seemed like Lucas was lying to himself for most of the book, it was refreshing to see a relationship in a book develop in a more realistic manner. Kudos, Ms. Lauryn!
VampBard’s Rating:
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GIVEAWAY: Ms. Lauryn is graciously giving away one (1) electronic copy of Dangerous Ally to one lucky commenter. Please leave your comments for Jessica by Thursday January 12, 2012 at 9:00 PM EST to be eligible for the contest. Comments may be left here or after Ms. Lauryn’s guest post HERE. One entry per person, the winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. Contest is open internationally; please leave your email address so the author can send you the book. Thank you to Jessica for this fun giveaway!
Purchase Info:
Dangerous Ally [The Pinnacles of Power]
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