New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy mixes business with pleasure in the second book of her sexy Billionaire Bachelors Club series …
Marina Knight came to this party for one thing only: to slap Gage Emerson in the face. Poised to snatch up her family’s real estate empire, the sexy tycoon is on the verge of making an enemy for life—even if he can make her melt with a single kiss …
When Gage discovers that the alluring woman before him is the key to his latest acquisition, claiming her as his suddenly doesn’t seem quite so cut-and-dried. To get what he wants, he must get to know the fierce woman willing to face him down—as she steadily steals his heart.
Gage’s persistence and intense passion war with Marina’s determination to protect her family. As they delve deeper into an affair they didn’t see coming, Marina’s torn: Will she lose her heart to Gage—or everything she holds dear?
Have you read Crave, the first book in the Billionaire Bachelors Club Series? It’s only 99 cents right now! Check out my review and an interview I did with Archer and Ivy.
Billionaire Archer Bancroft always gets what he wants—and he’s wanted Ivy Emerson, his best friend’s sister, for far too long. Being forbidden and untouchable only makes her more tempting. When a million-dollar bet with his friends throws down a challenge—last bachelor standing takes all—Archer knows he can win. That is, until one enchanted evening with Ivy takes his heart for a ride.
Ivy knows Archer is nothing but bad news: Infuriating, arrogant…and completely intoxicating. But despite her best efforts, she can’t seem to keep away. When a stolen kiss leads to a night of heated passion, Ivy realizes she’s in trouble and in head over heels.
But in the light of day, everything seems clearer and Archer’s not so sure a one-night stand is all he wants. Concocting a plan to keep Ivy by his side, Archer might just be willing to lose this bet…and win the jackpot instead.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3 “Boy Toy” Kisses
I had a feeling these devious little billionaire bad boys were going to be the death of me and I was so right. I feel the same way about Torn that I did about Crave . I loved the premise…I love the characters…it’s just a cocktail for fun! There is just something to be said about a man…that when he meets the right woman…and everything just clicks…I dunno, I can’t help but love it. And I loved a lot about Gage and Marina.
Gage Emerson…his name just exudes sex for me. And so does he…brown hair tinged with gold, piercing green eyes, delicious body, the power and respect that he commands…plus he owns a shit ton of hot expensive cars. He’s intimidating and captivating, smart and business savy, he’s calm and patient to Archer’s impulsiveness…he’s very controlled and contained. Then the icing on the cake that is Gage – he’s a fantabulous big brother…and I’m in official swoon-vile over Mr. Emerson. He’s also never been in love…he doesn’t really do relationships…he’s never really encountered anyone that challenged him or made him want that…until Marina. I loved that she completely turned Gage into the exact opposite of everything he has ever been…that’s the kind of stuff that makes me smile. A lot.
‘He’s just a man, I remind myself. A dreamy, sexy man, in that polished, overtly masculine, deliciously commanding way that I don’t normally find myself drawn to, but…hmm.
A girl is always allowed to change her mind.’
Now Marina Knight is Italian – do not let the last name, blonde hair and blue eyes fool you. That pretty little package comes with the spicy little personality and attitude you get from being raised by full blown Italian women. I really enjoyed Marina because she was no-nonsense. She knew what she wanted out of life…she’s 23, a college grad and she’s come back home to work in the families bakery – the one place where she feels most at home, even if the business has seen better days. She is very, very close with her family and being Italian, that is one thing she has been raised to understand – family means everything. Marina is strong willed, she’s smart and she’s confident and you will not see that more evident than in her interactions with Gage.
‘All I could think about was…her.
She’s consuming my thoughts. I never let a woman do that to me, and I can’t believe how fast my attraction for her has grown. I like everything about her, even how much she seems to hate me.’
I loved how combustible these two were…it was like an electric current and they just had that connection that set things off. It was always hot and passionate…whether positive or negative. Marina never took any of Gage’s shit and Gage always seemed to stick his foot in his mouth around Marina. And I loved it every time he did. They completely threw each other off…they didn’t want to like each other but denying the sexual chemistry was absolutely useless. And speaking of chemistry, I couldn’t get enough of it! But…I did feel a little cheated, similar to the way I felt with Crave. The whole month they are together officially as a couple is skipped… in fact, finding out they are together is second knowledge because the chapter ends with them kind of in an in-between stage and then the next one opens up and it’s like…oh yeah it’s been a month and they are in a relationship. I was a little disappointed because…that was pretty crucial and given the fact that they were fighting the relationship aspect anyways…I kind of had readers jump. I liked that they were together, don’t get me wrong but…I needed a little more info then just to be told.
‘Excitement pulses through my veins. I can’t belive I’m doing this. It’s a mistake. I know it, and I’m sure he knows it too, but there’s something about him I can’t resist. The way he looks at me, the things he says, the way I feel when I’m in his arms, his mouth on mine, our tongues tangling…
He’s irresistible. And I’m tired of fighting it. Fighting with him.’
I crave seeing that build of what makes a couple a couple and I didn’t get that with Gage and Marina. With Ivy and Archer it was established – they grew up together, they knew each other but Marina and Gage were basically strangers, we get to see their first meeting at the start of the book. And it’s a pity too because as much as they fought it, Marina and Gage did have a lot in common and even from the little we got to see the two of them together as a couple, that one thing was evident. Also I felt like we were kind of left hanging a bit with Marinas mother…that was a pretty big lose end considering she was part of the cause of why they broke up…I would have liked to see her reaction in the end. The angst…like Crave…was relatively minimal, which I didn’t mind too much. I think both of them were being stubborn but…that’s very realistic to their characters. There was more angst built into them finally getting together then there was in them reuniting though.
‘Damn it. That’s what I thought. And I hate that I feel lthis way, like I’m using her. Getting to know her, kissing her, having sex with her…it’s changed everything. The power has shifted between us.
Not that I ever really believed I held the power when it came to Marin and me. She’s been tough on me since the first moment we met.
And I like it.’
I make it no secret that I love series books…for many reasons, the biggest one being that you still get to see the original characters and each book builds on the original story line…so while you’re falling in love with a new couple, you’re still getting the other characters that you love just as much. Honestly, it’s hard not to compare Crave to Torn, and…honestly, Archer and Ivy were hot but damn…Gage and Marina were hotter. Lots of exhibitionism-ish style stuff…I never knew when or where the mood might hit them, which was…like I said- hot! I loved the spontaneity and sexiness of it, it was part of their pull and connection, it was just part of what made them a couple…their passion and desire for each other was their initial connection. It’s obviously not everything that made them who they are, but it was hard not to be sucked in by it.
‘Sometimes, when you know, you just know.’
The Billionaire Bachelors Club series is a great blend of a loveable heroine, drool worthy bbf, a touch of angst, a lot of steam and a fabulous HEA. And I can’t lie – I think Matt might be my fav. I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface because he’s always been in the background, I get just enough to want more of him. Matt’s definitely the hard nut to crack…the last one to fall…and the story with Bryn has me super excited for Savor.
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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.
I recently felt torn over getting my husbands dental surgery early and thus sacrificing most of the Christmas spending we had saved up or to wait until we had built up the savings to do it again. We decided to go ahead when he started having some oral pain. Thank you for the info and giveaway!
I feel torn about many different things but mostly decisions as a mom. I try to take each situation day by day and not dwell on things or I would go insane like anyone else dealing with teenagers…lol
Definitely. I can’t think of an example right now, but I know that I have.
Oh yeah, I’ve felt torn! My ex-husband wanted a second chance after being apart for 14 years. He’s the father of my children but, hmmm, no thanks!
Torn over what is right and wrong.
Today I am torn over to shed light on something, or continue fighting a battle by myself. A battle that would not only affect my child, but others as well.
My husband is a high school football coach, it gets to the point in the season where I’m torn over whether I want his team to do well so they’ll advance in the playoffs or if I just want it to be over! It’s always a stressful time for our family! Thanks for the giveaway!
I seem to have experienced it, but I forgot about it 😀
The most recent thing I felt torn over was when my husband was unemployed. I wanted to help him in any way I could but felt torn over the fact that it was something that only he could do. We left it up to God to trust that he had a plan for our lives and to be patient. Everything turned out ok and now we are back on track.
I felt Torn between the things I want and need.
Sometimes I felt that when I really want something I must have to indulge myself but later on you will realize that you should focus first on your needs before you can et what you really want in life!
Yes I have been torn between friends before and that is an awful place to be, I try to step back and let them work it out and be there for both of them in the end, doesn’t always work though. Thanks for the giveaway
I don’t think I’ve been torn over something really big and important. Usually some smaller stuff like whether to leave and study in a different country or not. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I have been torn one too many times, feeling like you are being pulled in opposite directions. I hate that feeling.