Release Date: February 4, 2014
He’s ready for his close up, but she’s the one calling the shots.
On the night of her graduation from film school, straight-laced Maddie Bauers fell completely out of character for an oh-my-god make-out session with a perfect stranger. Complete with the big O.
Seven years later, that romantic interlude is still fresh in her mind. That stranger is now a rich and famous actor. And she’s one very distracted camera assistant working on his latest production. She might consider another tryst…if he even remembers her.
Micah Preston does indeed remember Maddie. Too bad he’s sworn off Hollywood relationships. He allows himself as much sex as he likes—and oh, he does like—but anything more is asking for trouble. For the woman, not for him. Yet knowing Maddie could want more than a movie-set fling doesn’t stop him from pursuing her like a moth drawn to hot stage lights.
But as the shoot nears its end, it’s decision time. Is it time to call, “Cut!” on their affair, or is there enough material for a sequel?
Warning: Contains a dreamy movie star hero, a focus-pulling heroine, off-the-charts instant chemistry, steamy sex in near-public locations, and a new use for lip gloss.
I’m SO ready for the next book in the series!
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Onto every diva’s backside, a little wood must fall.
Lights, Camera, Book 2
Hollywood actress Heather Wainwright was looking forward to a long, relaxing break before starting her next shoot. Except her assistant volunteered her for L.A.’s annual 24 Hour Plays.
Nervous about doing a good job for such a worthy charity, Heather falls back on “diva” mode, a defense mechanism that always carries her through. Until she encounters something that really gets on her nerves—a lowly carpenter whose Norse god eyes pierce right through her.
Highly sought-after production designer Seth Rafferty has little patience for A-listers with superior attitudes, which is why his attraction to Heather is absurd. Yet, sensing vulnerability beneath her screen-queen act, he lets her assumptions play out.
After the wrap party, Heather awakens with little memory of the night before—except that Seth gave her the best orgasm of her life, then disappeared. When he shows up on the set of her next movie, she winds up to give him a piece of her mind…and Seth shows her just how stinging hot “chemistry” can get.
Warning: Contains an outwardly snobby actress with a good heart, a delicious carpenter with a power drill, some much-deserved spanking, and an appropriately consensual—if tipsy—orgasm, as well as sex at an inappropriate time of the month.
The next thing she knew, Micah had pulled her from her seat to the dark recesses of the hall behind them. He held her against the wall, pinning her arms with his own and growled more than spoke. “I make you hot and bothered?”
Maddie’s voice came out small and thin. “You know you do.”
“Well, here I am. Does it really seem like I’m only teasing?” He leaned in and she closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss. But he stopped just short of her mouth. He circled her face with his own, barely grazing her with his nose. His breath tickled and awakened her as it touched her neck, her ear, her skin. She was on fire, molten lava, and she needed more—needed him. Involuntarily she arched her back, wanting him against her.
Taking her cue, he pressed against her tightly, meeting her body in all the right places.
She gasped as she felt his desire, hard and throbbing against her belly. More, more, she wanted more, needed him on her, inside her.
Behind them the movie roared into action, shocking her to her senses. What was she doing? She pushed him away and ran into the empty lobby of the theater, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the light.
She heard Micah follow her and she turned on him, angry. “What is it you want from me?”
“You.” He took a step toward her. “I want you.”
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*
4.5 “focus-puller” “Maddie from the party” Kisses
WOW…I needed a book like this…like this is my kind of romance. This is the kind of book that sweeps me off my feet and keeps me in happy book nerd heaven where I cannot get enough from page one until the very end…loving every single second of it and hating those brief moments when I have to forcibly separate myself from my kindle. I was completely hooked on this book…could not get enough and I’m actually really sad it’s over.
Madalyn Rae Bauers…Maddie is completely and utterly endearing…she’s not a wild child…she’s focused, intelligent and driven. She has big plans for what she wants to do with her career and while she has had some setbacks (due to douchebag directors who had her blacklisted for b.s. reason’s), she has not let that stop her from dreaming and striving to someday achieve her goals. Honestly, her past is enough to make anyone decide to say ‘Fuck It’ , throw in the towel and say goodbye to Hollywood…so her determination and tenacity to push through that really made me like her more. She is very career driven but in the field that she wants to be in…she has to be – it’s show business! I loved Maddie’s attitude, she’s very relatable…she’s funny, kind and sweet yet she’s still got enough sass and spice to not make her a push over. She’s just that perfect personality blend that makes me want to be her BFF. And speaking of, Bree, Maddie’s BFF – I totally loved their friendship and relationship. In fact…everything that happens is totally all Bree’s fault – she arranged Maddie to work on the project that brought her and Micah back together after so many years.
‘“You start,” she said when he didn’t begin.
“I know.” A hint of something – longing, maybe – marked his tone.
She looked up from the script and found him staring at her. Again. What was he doing? Getting into character? Trying to remember his first line? Whatever it was, it made Maddie warm and fuzzy as he ran his eyes up and down her body. Shit. She was a goner.’
Micah Drew Preston…now…let me start by saying I loved a lot about Micah, he is very lovable. He’s sexy and swoony and a freakin’ movie star for crying out loud, the list of his admirable and droolworthy qualities is a mile long…but Micah aggravated the crap out of me. But I’ll get to that…there are too many wonderful things to say about Micah. The man has this sexy air of confidence that is impossible to not be attracted to while at the same time putting you at ease. He’s got the TDH (Tall, Dark & Handsome) thing down pat…he knows how to work a room and be the consummate professional…and yet he does have a down to earth, easy going side…he just doesn’t show it to everyone. He and Maddie also have a lot in common because he too, is very career driven. Since he last saw Maddie he has done nothing but devote his life to making his career his top priority…unfortunately at the cost of his personal life. Which is where we come to the few drawbacks to Mr. Preston…he was full of cop out’s and excuses and the simple fact of the matter is I think he let outside factors and other people make his decisions for him…which is what stole so many years from he and Maddie being together.
‘But he didn’t want to bully her anymore. So he dropped the scene. “I know,” he said. “I hate me to.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“You’re going to break me,” she whispered.
But she was wrong. “You’re the one who’s going to break me.” She would. He knew it now. She was going to break him into so many pieces he wouldn’t be able to recognize himself.
And he was totally looking forward to it.’
So I kinda sorta loved the way Maddie and Micah met…like it’s so out of Maddie’s norm, which was awesome in itself…but the second I turned the page and saw there was a SEVEN YEAR break from when they meet/stuff happens to when they meet again…I’m pretty sure I could have caught flies in my mouth. It was like a sucker punch to the gut! But it was necessary…and they both needed to grow up…do their own thing, so it made sense…plus its part of the key to why Micah kept pissing me off. So they reconnect…and it’s not like OMG – it’s you! and everything is rainbow’s and unicorns. Nope, not so much at all. That was another thing that made me appreciate Maddie…she had more respect than to fall all over herself just because Micah Preston happened to be paying her a little bit of attention…granted, where she got the strength to resist him I will never know. But when they finally do work their shit out…God, it’s just amazing. Of course their insatiable…I mean this is like close to a decade of sexual tension built up here people, this has been long awaited and they’re just down-right-panty-melting-grab-a-fire-extinguisher-HOT! Like…yeah…wow…the dirty book whore in me could not get enough of them sexually. #NoShame Of course I loved the whole ‘getting to know you’ stuff as well…they complement each other beautifully and yet I love it when they riled each other up. I loved their spontaneity and their banter…combined they have the perfect blend of sexy and adorable…and I couldn’t get enough.
“Micha,” she said, not turning to look at him, hoping that the pilot truly couldn’t hear anything with his thick headphones on. “Please, tell me the truth. Are you even considering giving us a chance after this shoot is over?”
He was quiet for a beat. Then he buried his face in her hair and whispered near her ear, “More than you know. More than I ever could have believed I would.”
If I thought I loved Laurelin Paige‘s writing before Take Two…this book completely solidified it for me. I just cannot get enough of her style…she writes these amazing characters pieced into these effortless stories that just have a flow that I am completely in sync with…paired up with enough steaminess to make my knees weak and the right amount of angst to squeeze my heart…it’s a fabulously insatiable combination, just consider me an addict for life…and I refuse rehab. On a complete side note – another thing I love about said amazing characters – their names…L.O.V.E.…more than love…she always comes up with the most uniquely beautiful names, I don’t know how she does it. So…back on track – part of the thing that gets me with her writing is, while I am sucked into the emotions and the characters…everything still makes complete and totally sense. I’m never left scratching my head because there’s a plot hole or things don’t add up – every single detail I could possibly imagine is totally covered…even things I possibly didn’t even consider. Also…this movie is largely based around the Hollywood and film industry (not exactly something everyone is totally knowledgeable about) and yet…I never questioned anything she described. Every aspect was explained efficiently, without being too over the top or boring and yet still giving the pertinent information and on top of that…in an entertaining way. That’s not an easy feat. I absolutely love it! Having that complete story where everything just clicks…*sigh*…best thing ever.
“Hmm.” She was so near to him now, only a few feet away. She could touch him. But one more question. “With all her negative traits,” she said, her eyes lowered, “are you sure that you really….love her?”
He pull her to him in one swift movement. “Oh yeah,” he said huskily, his mouth inches from hers. “I’m damn sure.”
This has to be one of the best angsty romances I’ve read this year and I can’t wait for more from Laurelin. And it’s funny because…Micah and Maddie have a great story…it’s complete – I got my HEA with my big red bow and I couldn’t be happier…but I will always want more from them. Do I think there needs to be more? No…this is a perfect standalone…but I could see the opening for there to be more. There isn’t an epilogue…so I guess I can always hope – but to be honest, there is a total opportunity for a spin-off with Bree (Maddie’s BFF) or Fudge (Micah’s bodyguard) – both of which I would happily and greedily accept! But leave it to Laurelin to surprise me again…up next in the Lights, Camera series is Star Struck…Heather’s book – one of the few people in this book that I disliked. She’s not necessarily a villain, but she’s definitely not painted in a positive light, so I’m intrigued to see Miss. Paige turn my opinion around.
USA Today Bestselling Author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Mad Men and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine. She is represented by the wonderful Bob Diforio of D4EO Literary Agency.
