Uncover "Dirty Little Lies" with my Review!

“Dirty Little Lies” By Clare James

Review by Wendy Dawn

“In Summation”:

Twenty-nine-year-old Stevie Sinclair has just lost everything: her boyfriend, her apartment, even her ugly bird named Free. (Yeah, she knows it’s stupid name, so don’t start.) But most importantly, Stevie’s lost herself. 

As she shuffles through her days in worn-out Hello Kitty PJs—eating ice cream, sipping wine, and contemplating her next move—a magazine article catches her attention. Blaring black letters read: "How to Get Your Sexy Back in Six Easy Steps." 

Stevie studies the article in the trashy magazine like the good student she is and immediately knows what she has to do. With the magazine article in hand, and a bottle of red in her bag, Stevie embarks on a journey to reclaim her life and win back her ex. 

Until she meets Gabe Shannon. Gorgeous, single, and on a quest of his own, Gabe introduces Stevie to a lifestyle that is sure to help get her sexy back and then some. If she doesn’t chicken out … (Oh, you know where this is going.) 

What follows is a story of self-discovery, romantic gestures, erotic encounters, and following one's heart--even if it leads in unexpected directions. 

Note: Portions originally published online as The Club e-series, Dirty Little Lies now has 70% more content, chapters from Gabe's point of view, and a sizzling conclusion to this steamy tale.

“The Reviews are in”:

A truly moving book about a woman who has let her self-esteem and confidence bottom out. This is a novel most women can identify with at some point in their lives. From Stevie’s inner dialogue to her embracing her fears and pushing forward, you will laugh and cry…and be inspired!

Being in one of the longest relationships of her life, Stevie is in a rut. She sees Max, her live in boyfriend, as just another ‘Ken Doll’. He is visually appealing, they have a great friendship, but in the boudoir he can give her the big ‘O’ she needs.

However, she sticks with the safe relationship because she thinks she can’t do any better and it is what it is…she settles.

Yeah, my sex life with Max sucks balls. He knows it; I know it…  

No, it wasn’t hot and heavy like I had with some guys, but it was comfort and love and security. Real grown-up stuff. And considering I turn thirty this year, I’d say it’s about time.

~Stevie settling and accepting her bad sex life and lack of orgasms

Finding condoms in Max’s travel kit, causes a confrontation between the two. He admits to sleeping with others. Yes plural OTHERS! Then doesn’t explain he leaves immediately for a business trip.

Wallowing is pity and doubt, what’s a modern girl to do? Turn to Cosmo of course. The article about getting your sexy back is right on the money for what Stevie needs right now.

As I read the article, one thing is glaringly true - my sexy has long left the building. But no more. My mind races, forming a plan and I go with it. I mean if Cosmo can’t help put my life on the right track, what can?   ~Stevie planning to get her sensuality back after her split with Max

Staying at a hotel after moving from Max’s apartment, she meets Gabe. He is sexy and easy to talk to, especially since Cosmo said to flirt with a stranger and have a sexual adventure Stevie dives in batting her eyelashes.

Gabe is an interesting man. He oozes sexuality and confidence. It doesn’t take long for Gabe to agree with Stevie’s plan to get her sexy back. He even takes her to a private club to help her with her adventure.

“It’s Venus,” Gabe says.

Hence the name, I guess, but weird all the same. Venus watches over us and we approach.

Then Gabe reaches in his pocket, pulls out my panties, and drops them at the statue’s feet.   

~Stevie and Gabe entering club Venus and leaving an offering to the Goddess of love

Seeing how Stevie grows as a character and regains her confidence is inspiring. Gabe also shows her that wanting something more than vanilla is normal; she just needs the right partner.

She dives into her adventure with little prodding from Gabe.

This is what I wanted - an adventure - and I say it’s go big or go home.   ~Stevie getting into the spirit of her sexual adventure and embracing what club Venus offers

These characters will keep you on your toes wondering what is behind the next door. Both have agreed to the time allotted for the adventure. They will part as friends…but what if they want more? 

Stevie started this to get her sexy back in order to take control of her relationships and gain Max back. Will she still want him after the sweet and attentive Gabe?

Sweet, sexy and inspiring, this novel doesn’t disappoint.

The Ratings*:

Hero: 4.5

Heroine: 4.5

Story/Plot/HEA: 4.75

*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.

Hero - The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.

Read "Body Language", my review!

“Body Language” By Dahlia Salvatore

Review by Wendy Dawn

“In Summation”:

Carmen Andrews hasn't spoken for a year, not since she was viciously tortured by a psychopath. Forced into silence by the trauma, she finds a new life in a new town. 

As a dancer, she can get away with not speaking. In her head is a mess of memories, withheld frustrations, and a host of wingless dreams. When her psychologist exhausts all of her resources, she sends Carmen to a speech therapist. 

Fresh out of graduate school, Jacob Weller hopes to help those suffering from mutism and other speech disorders. When he meets Carmen, he finds her attractive, but his ethics keep him from acting on his impulses. 

When tragedy strikes, his own sanity is challenged and his professionalism takes a hit. Believing that he has failed and with few visible changes in Carmen, he considers referring her to a new doctor. 

Carmen has other thoughts on the matter, but struggles with her demons, ones that keep her mouth firmly shut and her heart desperately wanting.

“The Reviews are in”:

 A novel that will draw you into the storyline from the first words. Well written and developed storyline. You will hear the music in your head, from classical ballet music to the raw and emotional blues/jazz. The music becomes one of the supporting characters.

Prima ballerina, Carmen, is attacked and tortured. After her physical wounds heal, she chooses not to speak aloud. Her current therapist is baffled and not able to make any progress with Carmen. The doctor refers her to a colleague, who is just starting his practice, specializing in speech problems.

It’s a strange way to end a relationship, with a handshake. All my life I’ve thought a handshake was the way you greeted someone or agreed to something.   ~Carmen musing on her Doctor referring her to someone else and shaking her hand

Her new doctor, Jacob, is fresh out of college and ready to help people. His personal reasons for specializing in speech disorders make him compassionate and willing to try unconventional therapies.

My focus has always been on people with speech disorders; anything ranging from Dysarthia to Aphasia. As a pathologist, I more often diagnose and study than treat these conditions, bit I aim to do it all with my new practice. I suppose my obsession started in my childhood. I had a bad stutter.   ~Jacob discussing his new practice and why he chose his specialty

Part of what makes Dr. Jacob Weller interesting is his drive. He set aside friendships to pursue his degree. The completion of the degree leaves him lonely with time on his hands for once in his life, causing him to be reflective.

The two letters before my name are at the zero mark. I long for someone to celebrate with, a friend to have drinks with, but I can’t thing of a single soul with whom I could sit in a bar and feel comfortable. My sister is just about the only person that comes to mind, but a sister - even your twin sister - is not the same thing as a buddy.   ~Jacob musing on how he let relationships go to pursue his Doctorial Degree

As Jacob deals with personal tragedy, Carmen walks away from dancing and the company where she had previously been the star. Both confused and troubled souls find themselves in one of the cities nightclubs. 

Carmen is drawn to the elderly blues singer, Ms. Mabel. She sees something wonderful and special in the songstress and thru a misunderstanding becomes her assistant. They develop a friendship and Ms. Mabel gives her many pearls of wisdom, to use in the next phase of the young dancer’s life.

“My name came to me so early, it’s like I’ve been two people my whole life,” she says. “Onstage, I’m Ms. Mabel. Off-stage, I’m Hilda. They’re so different, the both of ‘em.” She chuckles. “I think it’s because to let go of the pain you feel as a real person, you’ve got to become something else. But to get rid of the pain, or at least to get away from it, most people would de anything, least of all give up their name.”   ~Wisdom from blues/jazz singer Ms. Mabel/Hilda to Carmen

Seeing Carmen as a strong survivor, Jacob envies her strength and ability to push forward. He knows someday she will use her voice again. His personal issues have him crying and feeling weak, which is why he admires Carmen.

Like a little boat on an ocean with a one-man crew, she has drifted alone for a year, navigated treacherous waters, weathering the typhoons. I find myself minimized by her bravery. Above everything else I want to know about her, I wish she would tell me how she does it. I wish I could know what it’s like to be truly strong.   ~Jacob admiring Carmen’s strength

Truly fascinating to see the patient and doctor relationship evolve, as both Jacob and Carmen work thru their own problems. A murder mystery is woven into the storyline for interest and intrigue. It doesn’t disappoint, this draws you in and holds your interest well beyond the love story which is developing.

 There are so many possibilities for the talented character, Carmen. Her choices to speak or not…dance or not…and more. 

Can the sexy doctor heal her? Can she heal him?

The Ratings*:

Hero: 4.25

Heroine: 4.25

Story/Plot/HEA: 4.0

*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.

Hero - The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.

Blog tour: Dahlia Salvator's "Body Language"!

Carmen Andrews hasn't spoken for a year, not since she was viciously tortured by a psychopath. Forced into silence by the trauma, she finds a new life in a new town. As a dancer, she can get away with her silence. In her head is a mess of memories, withheld frustrations, and a host of wingless dreams. When her new psychiatrist sends her to a speech therapist to help loosen her tongue, she meets Jacob Weller.

Fresh out of graduate school, Jacob is eager to help those who are suffering from mutism and other speech and language disorders. When he meets Carmen, he finds her attractive but his high ethical standards keep him from mentioning it. But when he's blown away by another woman, his thoughts wander back to the hauntingly beautiful face of Carmen, of the emotive way she looks through him and seems to know him.

As Jacob begins to treat her, he finds himself drawn more and more to her, and even begins to confide in her about himself. As his actions border on the unprofessional, with no visible changes in Carmen, he faces an emotional and professional dilemma.

Carmen struggles with her demons and secrets... secrets that keep her mouth firmly shut and her heart desperately wanting.

Body Language
by Dahlia Salvatore

Genre:
Contemporary Romance / Drama / Suspense

Release Date:
January 17, 2014

Goodreads

 

 Purchase links for Body Language:

Ebook -->http://tinyurl.com/q6d7fct

Temporary Paperback Buy link --> https://www.createspace.com/4595205

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I'm a thirty-two-year-old female author living in Seattle, Washington. I'm married to the love of my life and have been for ten years. I come from Coos Bay, Oregon and moved to Seattle six years ago. I love it here and don't see us going anywhere anytime soon.

I've been heavily influenced by contemporary writers like J.K. Rowling, Mary Balogh, Christina Dodd, Stephanie Laurens, Laurell K. Hamilton, Anne Rice, Stephen King, and many many others. Indie authors who've influenced me (and these are just a few) are Jasinda Wilder, Michelle Hughes, Kristin Flynn, Katie Mac, Dawn Robertson, Ada Slow, Melissa Brodky, Brandelyn Harris, Brandy Dorsch, and Brandy Jellum.

The Body Language Virtual Book Tour is a

Pure Textuality Public Relations promotion.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE.

Come by later today for Wendy Dawn's Review!