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The Secret Life of Amy Bensen #1
Escaping Reality
Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….
His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.
At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.
On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….
His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.
At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.
On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?
250 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2013
About the author
Lisa Renee Jones
341 books14.2k followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with.
In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,693 reviews
December 6, 2022
*TEASER TRAILER FOR THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN SERIES BY PASSIONFLIX*
Passionflix released the very first teaser trailer for my Secret Life of Amy Bensen TV series and I am SO EXCITED! Plus, they revealed that it will begin streaming on December 22nd!! And early Christmas present for us all!
WATCH THE TEASER TRAILER HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjTZU...
*BINGE READ THE BOOK SERIES (FREE IN KINDLEUNLIMITED) BEFORE THE TV SERIES BEGINS ON DEC. 22ND*
GET THE BOOKS: https://www.lisareneejones.com/the-se...
ABOUT THE SERIES
Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….
His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.
At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loved to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard down, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.
On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?
Passionflix released the very first teaser trailer for my Secret Life of Amy Bensen TV series and I am SO EXCITED! Plus, they revealed that it will begin streaming on December 22nd!! And early Christmas present for us all!
WATCH THE TEASER TRAILER HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjTZU...
*BINGE READ THE BOOK SERIES (FREE IN KINDLEUNLIMITED) BEFORE THE TV SERIES BEGINS ON DEC. 22ND*
GET THE BOOKS: https://www.lisareneejones.com/the-se...
ABOUT THE SERIES
Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….
His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.
At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loved to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard down, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.
On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?
Shelved as 'dnf'
August 18, 2013
I am conducting what I'm shelving as a "New Adult (NA) Experiment". I'm going to work my way through some of the popular New Adult books and see if I can weed out the crap and hopefully find some surprising gems. Here's hoping!
DNF. Honestly, I just can't do it. No rating for this one because I couldn't make myself read past page fifteen when her heart pounds because he says his name - Liam Stone - and she gets naughty tingles because he shook her hand.
There are four words that come to mind...
March 29, 2016
I liked the suspense and mystery part of this book, what i did not like was that BIG CLIFFHANGER! ! Lara/ Amy is on the run , she doesn't know what she is running from All she knows is that she has to run, her life was normal till the day her house burned to the ground and killed her family, the fire was not an accident , her father was the target , Lara survived the fire but whoever killed her father wanted her dead too, one day she got a letter from "her guardian angel" saying that the people who wanted her dead have found her and she needed to leave immediately her job, her apartment, her friend, everything behind she has known in New York and go to Denver with a new identity. At the airport she meets this perfectly charming handsome guy "Liam" He is an architect/billionaire who loves to control everything around him .As the story progresses Amy fell hard for Liam, Their love story is amazing, But Can Amy finally escape her reality with Liam or is there more than meets the eye with the current situation ? well you should read it :DD
December 4, 2013
Oh, my, god.
The sex left me wondering..
Sometimes i was like..
But most of the time i was like..
The ending..
I LOVED this book...
I cannot wait for the next one!
The sex left me wondering..
Sometimes i was like..
But most of the time i was like..
The ending..
I LOVED this book...
I cannot wait for the next one!
August 18, 2013
OK bear with me while I try to describe how I’m feeling…
You know how sometimes you really want something that is in a jar?
And that darn lid won’t come off?
BUT YOU ARE DETERMINED TO OPEN THAT LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT AND SHOW IT WHO’S BOSS?
So you tap it and still doesn’t come off..
run it under hot water.. still nothing.. not moving an inch..
sit it in between your knees and use all your strength and it doesn’t budge
so you use a tea towel to try and grip it then nothing
then someone comes along and opens it like it’s the simplest thing to do..
and you are so frustrated you don’t even want the stupid jar anymore? You just want to punch that person in the face for being so smug??
Well that’s me right now!
I mean I have read some frustrating books in my time.. but this one takes the cake.. and honestly I don’t even know how to rate it! Cos it's still paying on my mind.. I'm gunna go with a 4 for now...
GAH
Ok so I’ll try and stay Calm…
Amy is on the run..
We don’t know who from.
We learn that she has a “handler” someone rang her and told her to run years ago.
So she did.
She remembers he had a triangle tattoo on his wrist.
He had set her up with a new life as Amy in New York.
And then he contacts her again…
She is to run again… Leave everything she knows in New York and go straight to the airport.
Everything she needs will be there…
On the flight over she meets a Liam Stone. A reclusive, sexy, rich, famous Architect.
He is money, power and sex
It is insta- chemistry with them…
Of course they end up sleeping together pretty quickly.
You're a beautiful woman who deserves to be properly fucked, which I conclude from both your actions and answers to my questions, that you have not been.
He turns into a possessive, overbearing Alpha Male when she is around and is not happy about her-
1- Not having a phone
2- Not having luggage
3- Moving into an apartment that her boss has set up, with nothing in it
4- Moving to a new state for a new job she knows nothing about
5- About anything really!
I mean yes they have only just met… But from the get go he tries to take over everything… and she lets him… he feels safe for some reason…
Oh and did I mention that he has triangle tattoo right below his belly button? But with the figures on PI instead of words like her “Handler”
But things just get weirder and weirder..
She has no money, but has been ordered not work for a month.
Yet she received a package from her handler stating to go to a certain address to sign a lease.
When she gets there she is giving a package from her “new boss”
Her Boss is never around.. She makes a new friend in Meg who she should be working with but Meg never seems to be at work.
Her “handler” hasn’t reached out to her again.
She has no money coming in.
The new neighbour Jared seems to be everywhere.
She “researches” about her past but nothing comes up.
Liam is taking over her head, heart and life and she is allowing him as something is right about him.
He is opening up to her as well…
And yeah things get weirder..
Questions upon questions upon questions pop up in your head.
Who’s her “Handler?”
Who was she?
Who’s her boss?
Why is Liam being like this?
Why Denver?
What’s with her flashbacks?
What is she researching?
Why a triangle?
Why'd she have to run?
Why’d she have to run again?
Whys she got no money?
Who’s Jared?
What’s she researching?
Ok so we don’t really get any info to answer any of those questions! Hence my frustration…
Oh and a cliffhanger…. An overheard conversation and then she runs..
Then it ends..
It just fucking ends!!!
So I tell you, Lisa Renee Jones
You win! I'm super intrigued now!
Exactly liked you wanted to happen..
I will be reading the next one for my answers!
Please please please give them too me!
and make it quick... Please!
ARC received via Netgalley and Julie Patra Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2013
OH MY GOD!!!
What just happened??
Are you kiddin me??!
The ending...
Bloody hell,I did not expect that!
This book had me feeling so damn confused, on edge, suspicious of everyone and the ending well that was extreme!
"Sharks only have the power you give them, baby. Own them. Don't ever let them own you. And they'll have to fight me to get to you anyway."
At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard down, the ghost’s of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.
Amy is being hunted..by who? we have no idea.She is on the run from someone dangerous.The book starts off where amy is having to leave her life and run.Run for her life and for that she needs to start over in a new place with a new identity.This isn't the first time she has done this and it probably wont be her last.
Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….
His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.
As she is waiting at the airport she meets Liam Stone. Liam is a hot mysterious,darkly entrancing recluse billionaire.He is a man who gets what he wants and he wants Amy.He wants to posses every part of her mind,body and soul.
But this is just what Amy is supposed to avoid.
She cant get attached to anyone
People will die, things will go bad
And she will have to run..again
Liam is determined to keep Amy and the more time she spends with him the more she wants to stay.
But Liam hold secrets of his own
Is he the bad guy or is he the hero?
"A thrill shoots through me at the obvious promise that he will be my lover, and there is no denying that I am seduced by this man, drawn to his confidence and dark good looks. To the gentle lion I believe will take control of everything around him, including me. The man who will demand much of me, and perhaps take more than I should give. And yet, beyond all reason, I want to experience those things. I want to experience him. It almost feels…necessary."
This book made me paranoid,every character that Amy met i felt like, hmmm you must be creepy, maybe it's you that's chasing her..is it you? tell me!!!
This book had me reading really fast because I really just wanted to know what is going on and since I am an impatient person the wait was killing me!
By the end I was like, no no no I cant be finished already, pages must be missing!!!
I really liked Liam but it felt like he was hiding something,he was just too good at hiding his emotions. Liam and Amy may be two people from different worlds but they made sense together. She needs safety and Liam is her safe place. He grounds her and makes her forget about the bad stuff.
Now this handler dude..I have soo many questions! The ending and many other parts had me thinking that I had figured out who he/she was..
But then there is Meg < something is not right with her..
And Jared,hmm I don't know what to think about him but he isn't in my favorites list atm..
Oh I need the next book..please give me it now!!
*ARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review*
Check out my blog for more reviews!
http://zakirrahsbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zakirr...
What just happened??
Are you kiddin me??!
The ending...
Bloody hell,I did not expect that!
This book had me feeling so damn confused, on edge, suspicious of everyone and the ending well that was extreme!
"Sharks only have the power you give them, baby. Own them. Don't ever let them own you. And they'll have to fight me to get to you anyway."
At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard down, the ghost’s of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.
Amy is being hunted..by who? we have no idea.She is on the run from someone dangerous.The book starts off where amy is having to leave her life and run.Run for her life and for that she needs to start over in a new place with a new identity.This isn't the first time she has done this and it probably wont be her last.
Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….
His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.
As she is waiting at the airport she meets Liam Stone. Liam is a hot mysterious,darkly entrancing recluse billionaire.He is a man who gets what he wants and he wants Amy.He wants to posses every part of her mind,body and soul.
But this is just what Amy is supposed to avoid.
She cant get attached to anyone
People will die, things will go bad
And she will have to run..again
Liam is determined to keep Amy and the more time she spends with him the more she wants to stay.
But Liam hold secrets of his own
Is he the bad guy or is he the hero?
"A thrill shoots through me at the obvious promise that he will be my lover, and there is no denying that I am seduced by this man, drawn to his confidence and dark good looks. To the gentle lion I believe will take control of everything around him, including me. The man who will demand much of me, and perhaps take more than I should give. And yet, beyond all reason, I want to experience those things. I want to experience him. It almost feels…necessary."
This book made me paranoid,every character that Amy met i felt like, hmmm you must be creepy, maybe it's you that's chasing her..is it you? tell me!!!
This book had me reading really fast because I really just wanted to know what is going on and since I am an impatient person the wait was killing me!
By the end I was like, no no no I cant be finished already, pages must be missing!!!
I really liked Liam but it felt like he was hiding something,he was just too good at hiding his emotions. Liam and Amy may be two people from different worlds but they made sense together. She needs safety and Liam is her safe place. He grounds her and makes her forget about the bad stuff.
Now this handler dude..I have soo many questions! The ending and many other parts had me thinking that I had figured out who he/she was..
But then there is Meg < something is not right with her..
And Jared,hmm I don't know what to think about him but he isn't in my favorites list atm..
Oh I need the next book..please give me it now!!
*ARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review*
Check out my blog for more reviews!
http://zakirrahsbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zakirr...
July 17, 2013
"I guess ghosts are like lies. They swim like sharks all around me."
In true Lisa Renee Jones’ fashion, this story is sexy, mysterious and leaves us with cliffhanger ending. The good news is that we only have to wait a couple of months at the most for the next and final installment.
Amy is on the run. Right from the first chapter she receives word from her ‘handler’ (Ugh, I want to know who he is!) that she must leave her current job and city. Once again to hit the restart button because...she is in danger.
Slowly Amy reveals bits and pieces of the reasons why she is on the run to a reader.
On her flight to Denver, where she was instructed to relocate, she meets Liam. Liam is a high profile, billionaire architect. Amy has caught his eye and they have INSTANT chemistry. Amy can’t seem to turn Liam down. He gets his hooks into her and she just can't fight the attraction nor does she want to. Their relationship goes from hey I just met you to living together ….
"I'm insane for you, Amy. 'Like' lasted all of ten minutes."
"You have this deer-in-headlights look sometimes that I'm sure means you're going to run. Run to me, Amy, not from me."
New job, new city, new apartment and new neighbor…Jared. Jared is so mysteriously sexy he had my full attention from their first encounter.
He's familiar. Why is he familiar?
Amy's job/employer leaves us with a ton of questions as well.
That ending…
Take it from me, I was left with more questions than answers by the end of the book. I’m truly intrigued to see where Lisa Renee Jones goes with the second and final book!
*ARC courtesy of Julie Patra Publishing via Netgalley*
September 7, 2013
DNF at 58%.
I just couldn't take it any more. This was a farce of an NA (why is it NA at all?) that was just about the sex. And badly written sex at that. The characters had no depth despite the authors best attempt to make Amy so mysterious, Amy just seemed selfish and whiny. I didn't like her, I didn't connect, I don't care.
And then there's the time frame. She locks eyes with this guy for a split second and then BAM super-duper insta-love. By the next day she's feeling such painful emotions at the fact she might never see the controlling bastard again that it's painful to breathe. Amy is a messed up little girl, someone who shouldn't have been taken advantage of. I do NOT like books where domestic abuse is skirted around and even glorified, and this one did exactly that in my eyes.
I never found out what the big "life threatening to everyone around her" mystery about Amy was. It wasn't well written, the mystery elements being forced down your throat with an overly big spoon. Usually in a mystery the mysteries built by information being revealed - at 58 percent, when I couldn't turn another page for fear of driving forks into my eyes, there was nothing that I knew about the character.
I am sick of all the sex in New Adult. Bad sex scenes belong with the joke that was FSoG. This was a laughable attempt at pushing into the market and the overly sexed, quite frankly idiotic characters were not for me.
I feel awful that I can't think of anything nice, especially when I tried so hard with this one.
WAIT! Wait! I thought of something! It was freaking HILARIOUS that Liam Stone had a tattoo around his belly button. And that Amy thought it was sexy. Bwahahahaha. Belly button tattoos on a guy? *snigger*
I just couldn't take it any more. This was a farce of an NA (why is it NA at all?) that was just about the sex. And badly written sex at that. The characters had no depth despite the authors best attempt to make Amy so mysterious, Amy just seemed selfish and whiny. I didn't like her, I didn't connect, I don't care.
And then there's the time frame. She locks eyes with this guy for a split second and then BAM super-duper insta-love. By the next day she's feeling such painful emotions at the fact she might never see the controlling bastard again that it's painful to breathe. Amy is a messed up little girl, someone who shouldn't have been taken advantage of. I do NOT like books where domestic abuse is skirted around and even glorified, and this one did exactly that in my eyes.
I never found out what the big "life threatening to everyone around her" mystery about Amy was. It wasn't well written, the mystery elements being forced down your throat with an overly big spoon. Usually in a mystery the mysteries built by information being revealed - at 58 percent, when I couldn't turn another page for fear of driving forks into my eyes, there was nothing that I knew about the character.
I am sick of all the sex in New Adult. Bad sex scenes belong with the joke that was FSoG. This was a laughable attempt at pushing into the market and the overly sexed, quite frankly idiotic characters were not for me.
I feel awful that I can't think of anything nice, especially when I tried so hard with this one.
WAIT! Wait! I thought of something! It was freaking HILARIOUS that Liam Stone had a tattoo around his belly button. And that Amy thought it was sexy. Bwahahahaha. Belly button tattoos on a guy? *snigger*
February 3, 2017
***I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.com in exchange for honest feedback.***
Amy is on the run. She's being hunted down by someone from her past. Ever since her family was killed years ago, she's been living the life of a stranger. Her only constant has been the mysterious man that saved her from suffering the same fate as her family years earlier.
However, as the years have gone by, Amy has grown leery of her tattooed handler. She's begun to question his true identity and motives. Exactly how closely is he watching her and to what ends? Amy is no longer confident that her handler has her best interests at heart.
When she receives notification from her handler that she must relocate again because her identity has been compromised, she reluctantly does as she's told, heading to Denver to start over again. She doesn't plan on meeting the sexy, confident billionaire, Liam. Nor does she plan on having her world turned upside down. Yet, once she sets her eyes on him her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble.
Slowly but surely, Liam works his way into her heart and her life. Amy comes to depend upon him and feels safe in his arms. However, Liam has secrets and isn't being totally honest with Amy. The extent of his deceitful ness remains to be told in future installments of this series.
This book ends with a big upset and left me craving the next book in the series. I really enjoyed this book, despite the over-used billionaire Alpha stereotypical male lead character. There are many similarities to several other post-'Fifty Shades of Grey' rich guy romances. However, the secrecy and intrigue surrounding Amy's true identity and the past that haunts her, kept this story suspenseful and consuming. Once I got going, I couldn't put it down. I will be starting the next book ASAP to see what's in store for Amy!
Amy is on the run. She's being hunted down by someone from her past. Ever since her family was killed years ago, she's been living the life of a stranger. Her only constant has been the mysterious man that saved her from suffering the same fate as her family years earlier.
However, as the years have gone by, Amy has grown leery of her tattooed handler. She's begun to question his true identity and motives. Exactly how closely is he watching her and to what ends? Amy is no longer confident that her handler has her best interests at heart.
When she receives notification from her handler that she must relocate again because her identity has been compromised, she reluctantly does as she's told, heading to Denver to start over again. She doesn't plan on meeting the sexy, confident billionaire, Liam. Nor does she plan on having her world turned upside down. Yet, once she sets her eyes on him her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble.
Slowly but surely, Liam works his way into her heart and her life. Amy comes to depend upon him and feels safe in his arms. However, Liam has secrets and isn't being totally honest with Amy. The extent of his deceitful ness remains to be told in future installments of this series.
This book ends with a big upset and left me craving the next book in the series. I really enjoyed this book, despite the over-used billionaire Alpha stereotypical male lead character. There are many similarities to several other post-'Fifty Shades of Grey' rich guy romances. However, the secrecy and intrigue surrounding Amy's true identity and the past that haunts her, kept this story suspenseful and consuming. Once I got going, I couldn't put it down. I will be starting the next book ASAP to see what's in store for Amy!
July 25, 2013
4 STARS
WTF was THAT???
I think I hate this author at this moment UNTIL she gives me the second book.
She left me with more questions than answers…
WTF HAPPENED????
WHAT is she running from?
WHO is she running from?
WHO is:
Liam
Meg
Luke
Jarad
Her boss
Derek
The Handler?
And the list goes on
The sparks between Amy and Liam was HOT
I really liked this book and really want to know what happens now.
Beware there is a MASSIVE cliffhanger and as I said before you will have MORE questions than answers. It still doesn’t make sense to me. But did I like it. HELL YES
This is me patiently waiting.
Over and out bitches hahahaha! <3 <3
***********************************************************
Oeeeeeeeee this is live. Think I'm going to read this next!
http://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Realit...
WTF was THAT???
I think I hate this author at this moment UNTIL she gives me the second book.
She left me with more questions than answers…
WTF HAPPENED????
WHAT is she running from?
WHO is she running from?
WHO is:
Liam
Meg
Luke
Jarad
Her boss
Derek
The Handler?
And the list goes on
The sparks between Amy and Liam was HOT
I really liked this book and really want to know what happens now.
Beware there is a MASSIVE cliffhanger and as I said before you will have MORE questions than answers. It still doesn’t make sense to me. But did I like it. HELL YES
This is me patiently waiting.
Over and out bitches hahahaha! <3 <3
***********************************************************
Oeeeeeeeee this is live. Think I'm going to read this next!
http://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Realit...
August 10, 2015
I was very entertained by Amy Bensen’s story. Lisa Renee Jones did an excellent job writing a hot romance, and it was full of intense sexy times. However, I was very disappointed with the mystery aspect of the story. At the heart of this is a girl on the run, hiding her true identity because of some unknown threat, and I wanted to know why? Amy has nightmares and a couple short flashbacks, but it was all very sketchy. I was frustrated with the lack of background information, and I kept wondering when I’d get some answers.
While I want things to turn out well for Amy, I wasn’t all that impressed with her. If I were in her situation, I would hope I’d be a little more proactive in trying to piece together the puzzle of my past and why I was in danger now.
Liam was an excellent love interest, mysterious, good looking, successful, and possessive, and somehow he’s completely taken with Amy after taking a plane trip from New York to Colorado with her. He was pretty intense, sort of the Christian Grey type which is usually fun and thrilling in fictional romance for me. Right away, there were alarm bells ringing about Liam: maybe he’s connected with her past somehow, maybe he’s in on keeping her hidden from whatever baddies are out there, but I never got any answers in that regard until the very end. Even so, what happened was very brief and brought more questions than answers.
Still, with all the negatives with the mystery I was very addicted to the story while reading and I’m diving into book two now. Hopefully, the mystery portion will live up to my expectations in the next installment.
A copy was kindly provided by Julie Patra Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I want things to turn out well for Amy, I wasn’t all that impressed with her. If I were in her situation, I would hope I’d be a little more proactive in trying to piece together the puzzle of my past and why I was in danger now.
Liam was an excellent love interest, mysterious, good looking, successful, and possessive, and somehow he’s completely taken with Amy after taking a plane trip from New York to Colorado with her. He was pretty intense, sort of the Christian Grey type which is usually fun and thrilling in fictional romance for me. Right away, there were alarm bells ringing about Liam: maybe he’s connected with her past somehow, maybe he’s in on keeping her hidden from whatever baddies are out there, but I never got any answers in that regard until the very end. Even so, what happened was very brief and brought more questions than answers.
Still, with all the negatives with the mystery I was very addicted to the story while reading and I’m diving into book two now. Hopefully, the mystery portion will live up to my expectations in the next installment.
A copy was kindly provided by Julie Patra Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2014
Suspense ~ Paranoia ~ Danger
Run or be caught. Hide or die.
Amy and Liam are both waiting to board a plane when their eyes find each other. They can't break the connection they feel and are drawn to each other. Amy is escaping her life in New York to start a new life in Denver until her handler deems it unsafe and sends her elsewhere. Liam is heading to Denver for business.
Liam is a billionaire who wants to take care of Amy. Amy is suspicious of why he wants to care for her.
Amy is on the run but we don't know who she fears. Even Amy herself isn't sure who wants her dead.
Could it be:
• her new boyfriend
• her neighbor
• her handler
• her new friend
• etc ... (so many Infinite Possibilities)
SERIES:
Cliffhangers
**ARC courtesy of Julie Patra Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
October 16, 2015
3.5 Stars
Interesting story. It certainly had me thinking and that cliffhanger was torture! The writing was good and I do have more questions than ever now. This is one of those books where I don't hate it but I didn't love it either. I am interested to see what happens next though.
*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review*
Interesting story. It certainly had me thinking and that cliffhanger was torture! The writing was good and I do have more questions than ever now. This is one of those books where I don't hate it but I didn't love it either. I am interested to see what happens next though.
*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review*
November 16, 2014
*** ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley. This review will be also posted on Smokin’ Hot Book Blog on 22nd July ***
Buddy Read with Bibliophilia
"Fear and a secret are two different things"
Escaping Reality is amazing and mind-blowing surprise that kept me up all night! I’m really excited to tell that I had spectacular opportunity to read stunning beginning of a series that totally captivated me. Everything in this book is new, refreshing and capturing. I’m addicted to Amy Bensen and her secret and I’m starting to count days for sequel. The blurb make Escaping Reality sounds intriguing but the truth is this novel is not intriguing, it’s mesmerizing and just… beautiful. I’m wowed!
Amy Bensen’s life is a lie. Everything she’s doing is just a way to survive. She hides from the past that hunts her and makes her flee to another city, leaving a pieces of normality she started to collect in New York after her first escape. But the danger is still present and will not let her forget. So when she gets another letter from her handler, that says she has to change her name and leave NYC behind, she crumbles again. After few minutes of panic she’s again right on track. With only one luggage in hand and plane ticket to Denver, Amy escapes.
Amy is not naïve character, she’s strong, smart and gorgeous, which made me like her even more. After everything she went through she still has a power to take care of herself and just live. It was nice to see her fighting for survive.
Thanks to weird twist of fate, Amy’s in first class airplane with alluring, demanding and sexy as hell billionaire architect Liam Stone.
"He is money, power, and sex, and while I cannot make out the color of his eyes, I don't need to. All that matters is that he is one hundred percent focused on me, and me on him."
I know lot of people will say that rich alpha male is a trend that starts to be a little bit boring, but in this case, Lisa Renee Jones created character that while still being in the same category as wealthy dominant male we know from Fifty Shades, This Man or Cross is refreshing and not so over the edge, which is really nice. I instantly adored Liam and his flirty attitude as well as fragrance of pure male that is around him. Another plus is the fact that relationship between Amy and Liam is not focused on sex, because it’s not erotica novel. Yes, there is hot sex involved, but it’s not overwhelming, it’s only addition that makes Escaping Reality pleasurable read.
I loved every word that Liam has said. His words were brilliantly smart and clever, comforting and sexy as hell! Almost every quote I loved is from his mouth!
“ His finger slides under my chin, tilts it up, forcing my eyes back to his. “Don’t hide what you feel. See, baby, that’s the thing about fucking properly, it’s raw and honest. There’s no time limit, or embarrassment, or nerves, which should exist. It’s just us fucking. Us feeling. Us being us together. We leave everything else at the door.” He smiles a sexy, easy smile and his hands slide up my back, his forehead resting against mine.”
“Maybe that’s the appeal for both of us. We are different, dark and light. Right and wrong. Now don’t move or I’ll show you just how not an angel I am”
“Sharks only have the power you give them, baby. Own them. Don't ever let them own you. And they'll have to fight me to get to you anyway."
Buddy Read with Bibliophilia
"Fear and a secret are two different things"
Escaping Reality is amazing and mind-blowing surprise that kept me up all night! I’m really excited to tell that I had spectacular opportunity to read stunning beginning of a series that totally captivated me. Everything in this book is new, refreshing and capturing. I’m addicted to Amy Bensen and her secret and I’m starting to count days for sequel. The blurb make Escaping Reality sounds intriguing but the truth is this novel is not intriguing, it’s mesmerizing and just… beautiful. I’m wowed!
Amy Bensen’s life is a lie. Everything she’s doing is just a way to survive. She hides from the past that hunts her and makes her flee to another city, leaving a pieces of normality she started to collect in New York after her first escape. But the danger is still present and will not let her forget. So when she gets another letter from her handler, that says she has to change her name and leave NYC behind, she crumbles again. After few minutes of panic she’s again right on track. With only one luggage in hand and plane ticket to Denver, Amy escapes.
Amy is not naïve character, she’s strong, smart and gorgeous, which made me like her even more. After everything she went through she still has a power to take care of herself and just live. It was nice to see her fighting for survive.
Thanks to weird twist of fate, Amy’s in first class airplane with alluring, demanding and sexy as hell billionaire architect Liam Stone.
"He is money, power, and sex, and while I cannot make out the color of his eyes, I don't need to. All that matters is that he is one hundred percent focused on me, and me on him."
I know lot of people will say that rich alpha male is a trend that starts to be a little bit boring, but in this case, Lisa Renee Jones created character that while still being in the same category as wealthy dominant male we know from Fifty Shades, This Man or Cross is refreshing and not so over the edge, which is really nice. I instantly adored Liam and his flirty attitude as well as fragrance of pure male that is around him. Another plus is the fact that relationship between Amy and Liam is not focused on sex, because it’s not erotica novel. Yes, there is hot sex involved, but it’s not overwhelming, it’s only addition that makes Escaping Reality pleasurable read.
I loved every word that Liam has said. His words were brilliantly smart and clever, comforting and sexy as hell! Almost every quote I loved is from his mouth!
“ His finger slides under my chin, tilts it up, forcing my eyes back to his. “Don’t hide what you feel. See, baby, that’s the thing about fucking properly, it’s raw and honest. There’s no time limit, or embarrassment, or nerves, which should exist. It’s just us fucking. Us feeling. Us being us together. We leave everything else at the door.” He smiles a sexy, easy smile and his hands slide up my back, his forehead resting against mine.”
“Maybe that’s the appeal for both of us. We are different, dark and light. Right and wrong. Now don’t move or I’ll show you just how not an angel I am”
“Sharks only have the power you give them, baby. Own them. Don't ever let them own you. And they'll have to fight me to get to you anyway."
August 7, 2013
I sympathize with indie authors and I try to be gentle with the galleys I'm given so kindly. But I'm appalled by this book: it's dysfunctional, it's sick and, most of all, it's so dumb it hurts.
Be warned that I read only 48% of it, so this review doesn't take into account all the wonderful and interesting things that I'm sure will happen in the second half.
Amy is a girl threatened by a mysterious menace. Her life is dictated by an unknown handler, who settles her in an apartment, gives her money and provides her with a job. And she finds nothing wrong with all that. Of course, being a dimwit, she enjoys being "handled" just fine.
She's like a brainless switch: she can be either scared or sexually aroused. She's a literal "two-dimensional" character.
Enters Liam Stone, your stereotypical male protagonist of romance novels. He's terribly handsome, he's (supposedly) a genius, he has a stellar career (but apparently his success doesn't need actual working time to be accomplished), he's filthy rich and, of course, he's instantly smitten silly by the dimwit.
Of course, she's first scared by him, then sexually aroused by him, then scared again, then aroused, then scared, and so on. A brainless switch.
Their relationship starts off with a couple of heated stares, an inane chat on an airplane, and then BANG! Sex in her new apartment and "you-are-mine-forevah-and-evah-and-I'll-always-take-care-of-you". Seriously.
Apparently, he is a controlling kind of guy, and she enjoys being told what to do, what to think and how to behave. That scares her. But then it arouses her. And she's scared, aroused, scared, scared, aroused… on, off, on, off.
Follow some instances of "oh, I can't accept that you are so rich (but I enjoy the hell out of your leather seats, your branded gifts and other crap)!". And then some instances of "I'm so dominant and sexy, no female being can resist me".
But the dimwit is just slightly scared, and then, aroused.
Enters a gorgeous neighbour, a rough guy opposed to the refined Liam.
And guess what? He's immediately interested in our dear dimwit.
And guess again? She's scared by him. But aroused, too.
What with the mysterious menace? We don't know what that is but, you know, it scares her!
I think I lost half my brain cells reading this crap.
As if that was not enough, this book has gifted me with precious pearls of ignorance.
I graduated in architecture, and I know for a fact that no one can single-handedly design a skyscraper or a huge building complex.
The designing process doesn't work as clumsily described in this book: there's no "genius" who brings a sketch of his dream-building to a meeting and then everyone say "ok, let's build it".
And then, dulcis in fundo, some mangled italian stuff! Because how could an awful book like this one miss my favorite pet peeve? It can't!
Be warned that I read only 48% of it, so this review doesn't take into account all the wonderful and interesting things that I'm sure will happen in the second half.
Amy is a girl threatened by a mysterious menace. Her life is dictated by an unknown handler, who settles her in an apartment, gives her money and provides her with a job. And she finds nothing wrong with all that. Of course, being a dimwit, she enjoys being "handled" just fine.
She's like a brainless switch: she can be either scared or sexually aroused. She's a literal "two-dimensional" character.
Enters Liam Stone, your stereotypical male protagonist of romance novels. He's terribly handsome, he's (supposedly) a genius, he has a stellar career (but apparently his success doesn't need actual working time to be accomplished), he's filthy rich and, of course, he's instantly smitten silly by the dimwit.
Of course, she's first scared by him, then sexually aroused by him, then scared again, then aroused, then scared, and so on. A brainless switch.
Their relationship starts off with a couple of heated stares, an inane chat on an airplane, and then BANG! Sex in her new apartment and "you-are-mine-forevah-and-evah-and-I'll-always-take-care-of-you". Seriously.
Apparently, he is a controlling kind of guy, and she enjoys being told what to do, what to think and how to behave. That scares her. But then it arouses her. And she's scared, aroused, scared, scared, aroused… on, off, on, off.
The easy way he assumes control of my tiniest actions […] should bother me. For reasons I don’t have time to analyze, it only makes him more tantalizingly male.Girl, it's not that you don't have the time, you don't have a brain. Get real.
Follow some instances of "oh, I can't accept that you are so rich (but I enjoy the hell out of your leather seats, your branded gifts and other crap)!". And then some instances of "I'm so dominant and sexy, no female being can resist me".
[…] as a man I’ve been taught that a woman never means ‘fine’ when she says ‘fine’Gods! I'd carve out your nuts for a statement like that!
But the dimwit is just slightly scared, and then, aroused.
Enters a gorgeous neighbour, a rough guy opposed to the refined Liam.
And guess what? He's immediately interested in our dear dimwit.
And guess again? She's scared by him. But aroused, too.
What with the mysterious menace? We don't know what that is but, you know, it scares her!
I think I lost half my brain cells reading this crap.
As if that was not enough, this book has gifted me with precious pearls of ignorance.
I graduated in architecture, and I know for a fact that no one can single-handedly design a skyscraper or a huge building complex.
The designing process doesn't work as clumsily described in this book: there's no "genius" who brings a sketch of his dream-building to a meeting and then everyone say "ok, let's build it".
And then, dulcis in fundo, some mangled italian stuff! Because how could an awful book like this one miss my favorite pet peeve? It can't!
“There’s a great Italian place next to the hotel, if you like Italian?” […]So: let me say that pasta is a popular italian dish and ramen noodles… ARE SO NOT.
“I’m a pasta addict.” I’m about to add “mostly Ramen noodles”
September 7, 2016
Wow, where to begin with this book. I'm not one to give away spoilers with my reviews and this book is a mountain you need to climb to appreciate - although expect a cliffhanger!
Amy Benson is a girl with a past, I know what you are thinking, "I've read this story before" but wait please, you haven't. This book isn't just another New Adult book with a good looking guy and girl who have hot passionate sex, no it goes a lot deeper than that. This book holds mystery, don't expect too many answers I feel they will come with further installments with this book. Its a thriller, its erotic and most of all, its good!
At first I admit I was a little bored, I thought this would be a book like so many others... Girl has past, girl meets boy, he has problems, they have sex and then live happily ever after. Admit it, we've read enough New Adult books to have read that story plenty of times. What kept me going was the mystery, that and I really liked Amy as a character. I loved how you don't know everything, how Amy is down to earth yet still a lady. I liked that we aren't handed things to us on a plate, this story works for your attention and it really does work.
I don't often LOVE a book and give it a full 5 star rating, but this book was well written and just what I needed. If you like a book with a likable girl and a strong male with some hot sex, this is for you. If you like a book with mystery and adventure, this is for you - this book is gripping and one I would recommend to many as it crosses a few genres. I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel.
This review was also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
Amy Benson is a girl with a past, I know what you are thinking, "I've read this story before" but wait please, you haven't. This book isn't just another New Adult book with a good looking guy and girl who have hot passionate sex, no it goes a lot deeper than that. This book holds mystery, don't expect too many answers I feel they will come with further installments with this book. Its a thriller, its erotic and most of all, its good!
At first I admit I was a little bored, I thought this would be a book like so many others... Girl has past, girl meets boy, he has problems, they have sex and then live happily ever after. Admit it, we've read enough New Adult books to have read that story plenty of times. What kept me going was the mystery, that and I really liked Amy as a character. I loved how you don't know everything, how Amy is down to earth yet still a lady. I liked that we aren't handed things to us on a plate, this story works for your attention and it really does work.
I don't often LOVE a book and give it a full 5 star rating, but this book was well written and just what I needed. If you like a book with a likable girl and a strong male with some hot sex, this is for you. If you like a book with mystery and adventure, this is for you - this book is gripping and one I would recommend to many as it crosses a few genres. I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel.
This review was also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
August 31, 2015
“We are raw and honest, or we are nothing.”
4 Sexy, mysterious and intriguing stars
I picked this up as a ‘Read Now’ on NetGalley, thinking that the premise sounded interesting, but I wasn’t expecting to be sucked in to the extent that I was! Wow, this is a great read. Full of mystery, with just enough of a backstory revealed to keep the reader guessing while honestly having no effing clue what is actually going on, and featuring an intense and passionate connection between two strangers that had me alternately swooning and fanning myself while madly flipping pages.
Amy is on the run… from who? We don’t really know, and neither does she, but her life is uprooted yet again when she learns that her secret identity has potentially been blown, and ‘someone’ will soon be after her. Her anonymous “handler” arranges for her immediate departure from New York City to establish a new (yet still secretive) life in Colorado.
Amy is tired of living her life in hiding. She doesn’t understand what is going on, only that she is all alone in the world after the death of her family, and she needs to remain in hiding in order to protect herself from unseen and unknown dangers.
Tired, frustrated and terrified, she boards a plane to start over – again, only to find herself sitting next to a gorgeous man with whom she shares immediate chemistry. He introduces himself as Liam stone, and she soon learns that he is a genius architect who also happens to be a billionaire. Confident, infinitely charismatic and very obviously interested in Amy, he jumps on the sizzling attraction between them. Amy is desperate to feel something – to embrace life and forget her worries for a short while – and is powerless to resist him.
So damn hot!!! Liam soon makes it clear that he is interested in more than just a hook-up but Amy is unable to share anything of herself or her life with him. She needs to keep her distance, but keeping Liam away proves to be a challenge.
Yep, he’s another controlling billionaire – possessive and a wee bit controlling- but from the very beginning we can see Liam’s sweet side. And as he gets a glimpse of Amy’s reality (well, the small amount that she is willing/able to show him, anyway), his caring and protective side starts to come out and he turns on the charm to encourage her to give him a chance.
It’s all very intense and things between them develop quickly, but for some reason it works for me It’s not insta-love, but there are definitely strong feelings involved, and I was happy to get swept along.
I got completely swept up in the developing relationship between these two. It’s a tricky situation because Amy is hiding so much of herself. Liam knows this, he knows that she is hiding something serious, he knows that she’s scared for her life, and while he fights hard to knock down her walls, he doesn’t push her, yet he holds nothing back from her.
Amy has lived so long without trusting anybody that she understandably struggles with Liam’s attentions and possible motives. But as things progress between them, her new life fills her with even more questions - Who is her “handler”? Who is her mysterious employer and why can’t she contact him? Why is her new friend, Meg, so secretive? Why does her new neighbour – a gorgeous hacker who seems super protective over her, seem familiar? And why can’t she find any details on the death of her family? And for the first time, she starts to look for answers.
My head is swimming with possibilities, and honestly I’m just as clueless as Amy is. But I’m very excited to see how it’s all going to fit together.
The book ends with a nasty cliffy which, IMHO, is absolutely not necessary. The author has created a fantastic relationship between Amy and Liam, and there is enough mystery and intrigue to keep me invested in the series and keen for the next book without having to drop a stupid misunderstanding in the final pages to leave the reader hanging. Honestly, it felt like she threw that in there just to make sure people buy the next book, which is a real pet peeve of mine. But irrespective of the hideous ending, I’m definitely hooked and will be diving right in to the next one.
This is a great read, I really enjoyed it - 4 stars.
This book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4 Sexy, mysterious and intriguing stars
I picked this up as a ‘Read Now’ on NetGalley, thinking that the premise sounded interesting, but I wasn’t expecting to be sucked in to the extent that I was! Wow, this is a great read. Full of mystery, with just enough of a backstory revealed to keep the reader guessing while honestly having no effing clue what is actually going on, and featuring an intense and passionate connection between two strangers that had me alternately swooning and fanning myself while madly flipping pages.
Amy is on the run… from who? We don’t really know, and neither does she, but her life is uprooted yet again when she learns that her secret identity has potentially been blown, and ‘someone’ will soon be after her. Her anonymous “handler” arranges for her immediate departure from New York City to establish a new (yet still secretive) life in Colorado.
Amy is tired of living her life in hiding. She doesn’t understand what is going on, only that she is all alone in the world after the death of her family, and she needs to remain in hiding in order to protect herself from unseen and unknown dangers.
If I could flippantly call this paranoia, I’d gladly do so. But I’m not hiding for no reason. I’m trapped in a world that’s black and white. Run or be caught. Hide or die, like everyone I love has died.
Tired, frustrated and terrified, she boards a plane to start over – again, only to find herself sitting next to a gorgeous man with whom she shares immediate chemistry. He introduces himself as Liam stone, and she soon learns that he is a genius architect who also happens to be a billionaire. Confident, infinitely charismatic and very obviously interested in Amy, he jumps on the sizzling attraction between them. Amy is desperate to feel something – to embrace life and forget her worries for a short while – and is powerless to resist him.
“You’re a beautiful woman who deserves to be properly fucked, and I conclude from your actions and your answers to my questions that you haven’t been. I want to be the man to remedy that. I want it very much. “
So damn hot!!! Liam soon makes it clear that he is interested in more than just a hook-up but Amy is unable to share anything of herself or her life with him. She needs to keep her distance, but keeping Liam away proves to be a challenge.
“I’m not going away, Amy. You do know that, don’t you?”
… “I don’t need a protector, Liam.”
“I see things differently.”
My spine locks into a steel bar. “I’m not your ---”
“Not yet. But I want you to be.”
Yep, he’s another controlling billionaire – possessive and a wee bit controlling- but from the very beginning we can see Liam’s sweet side. And as he gets a glimpse of Amy’s reality (well, the small amount that she is willing/able to show him, anyway), his caring and protective side starts to come out and he turns on the charm to encourage her to give him a chance.
“I know that when things feel out of control, you think you need control. But sometimes, having a safe place to give it away is the best way to block everything else out. I’m asking you to let me show you I’m that safe place.”
It’s all very intense and things between them develop quickly, but for some reason it works for me It’s not insta-love, but there are definitely strong feelings involved, and I was happy to get swept along.
“I’m insane for you, Amy. ‘Like’ lasted all of ten minutes.”
I got completely swept up in the developing relationship between these two. It’s a tricky situation because Amy is hiding so much of herself. Liam knows this, he knows that she is hiding something serious, he knows that she’s scared for her life, and while he fights hard to knock down her walls, he doesn’t push her, yet he holds nothing back from her.
“I can’t walk away from you, Amy, and I have this sense that you could bolt at any minute. And you’re right: I’m being barbaric. And intense. That’s who I am, and I can’t be anyone else. When I want something, I go after it. And baby, I want you, and all I can say is you might be smart to run before I get any more into you, but please don’t.”
Amy has lived so long without trusting anybody that she understandably struggles with Liam’s attentions and possible motives. But as things progress between them, her new life fills her with even more questions - Who is her “handler”? Who is her mysterious employer and why can’t she contact him? Why is her new friend, Meg, so secretive? Why does her new neighbour – a gorgeous hacker who seems super protective over her, seem familiar? And why can’t she find any details on the death of her family? And for the first time, she starts to look for answers.
My head is swimming with possibilities, and honestly I’m just as clueless as Amy is. But I’m very excited to see how it’s all going to fit together.
The book ends with a nasty cliffy which, IMHO, is absolutely not necessary. The author has created a fantastic relationship between Amy and Liam, and there is enough mystery and intrigue to keep me invested in the series and keen for the next book without having to drop a stupid misunderstanding in the final pages to leave the reader hanging. Honestly, it felt like she threw that in there just to make sure people buy the next book, which is a real pet peeve of mine. But irrespective of the hideous ending, I’m definitely hooked and will be diving right in to the next one.
This is a great read, I really enjoyed it - 4 stars.
This book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2013
*****5 WTF Stars*****
ARC provided by publisher Julie Patra Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
OK...I only have 3 words after finishing this book??
W.....T......F......??
How can it end this way?? I want more - I have to find out what happens next.....When? When?
This is a masterly created book to have you on the edge of your seat the whole time...wondering....
wondering.....
wondering.....
and then when you think you have it all figured it out.....this is how you feel....
Lara or Amy or whatever name she is going by....is on the run from who?
Beats me....
she is in danger and there is a guy who is helping her with new identities....but who is he??
Beats me....
Why do they want her dead? What happened on that night of the fire? What is the mysterious tattoo? Who is Liam Stone really? Who is Jared? Who is the good guy and who are the bad ones?
I DON'T HAVE ANY FREAKIN ANSWERS!!!
I WANT ANSWERS!!!!
I DEMAND ANSWERS!!!
Ok...so this is what I do know...Amy is running for her life and on the plane she meets Liam Stone who she feels an instant attraction to. Liam feels the same way and quickly inserts himself into her life and becomes her "guardian angel". I do know that her father had something to do with museums and archaeology and Lara (Amy) was a prodigy. Liam is also a prodigy in architecture and is a billionaire. The sex is heated and steamy...Liam loves control and won't let Amy go.
The ending will kill you.......
July 20, 2014
ARC provided by Julie Patra Publishing Via Net Gallery in exchange for an honest review.
Now that was a cliffhanger! I was so wrapped up in this book that I had not even realized I was at the end. I am not one step closer to figuring out who Amy is or what she is running from. This story completely kept my attention at every turn and my mind was spinning with possibilities throughout the entire book - but I have no clue as to what might unfold.
Amy is contacted, she is told to leave everything behind and escape. She is in danger but has no idea who she is running from. She just knows when she is told to go - she goes. She can't stay and risk it - she can't risk putting those around her in danger. For six years Amy has been trying to out run a past that took everything from her. She is boarding a plane to leave New York and heading to Denver when a stranger catches her eye. Everything about him is distracting and her gut tells her he is safe.
As she begins to start her life over again, the stranger Amy met is bound to be a fixture in her life. Liam is an architect who is in town to design a new building. He doesn't do relationships, he has a haunted past that has kept him from seeking the fame that has always lingered due to his talent, ambitions and his youth. Amy and Liam share a connection, but she is fearful that if she keeps him in her life, he might just suffer because of her past.
As they grow closer, the need for Amy to figure out what happened all those years ago grows. She knows she can't let Liam in and protect him at the same time. But something hasn't felt right since Amy arrives in Denver. Feelings of being followed plague her, strange calls and an even stranger employment situation. Amy can't seem to figure out just who she should be protecting herself from and who she should trust.
Wow. To say that this book got intense at the end is putting it lightly. This was my first experience with Lisa Renee Jones and I am very pleased. Her writing was refreshing and there seemed to be nothing given away. This is one of those stories that will make you work for the answers. Things that seem too obvious, things that don't stick out enough... I have a feeling that every single detail will matter at some point. What a fabulous suspense romance. Great sexual chemistry and character development and an intriguing plot. This has the makings for a great series that is open to so many possibilities.
Now that was a cliffhanger! I was so wrapped up in this book that I had not even realized I was at the end. I am not one step closer to figuring out who Amy is or what she is running from. This story completely kept my attention at every turn and my mind was spinning with possibilities throughout the entire book - but I have no clue as to what might unfold.
Amy is contacted, she is told to leave everything behind and escape. She is in danger but has no idea who she is running from. She just knows when she is told to go - she goes. She can't stay and risk it - she can't risk putting those around her in danger. For six years Amy has been trying to out run a past that took everything from her. She is boarding a plane to leave New York and heading to Denver when a stranger catches her eye. Everything about him is distracting and her gut tells her he is safe.
As she begins to start her life over again, the stranger Amy met is bound to be a fixture in her life. Liam is an architect who is in town to design a new building. He doesn't do relationships, he has a haunted past that has kept him from seeking the fame that has always lingered due to his talent, ambitions and his youth. Amy and Liam share a connection, but she is fearful that if she keeps him in her life, he might just suffer because of her past.
As they grow closer, the need for Amy to figure out what happened all those years ago grows. She knows she can't let Liam in and protect him at the same time. But something hasn't felt right since Amy arrives in Denver. Feelings of being followed plague her, strange calls and an even stranger employment situation. Amy can't seem to figure out just who she should be protecting herself from and who she should trust.
Wow. To say that this book got intense at the end is putting it lightly. This was my first experience with Lisa Renee Jones and I am very pleased. Her writing was refreshing and there seemed to be nothing given away. This is one of those stories that will make you work for the answers. Things that seem too obvious, things that don't stick out enough... I have a feeling that every single detail will matter at some point. What a fabulous suspense romance. Great sexual chemistry and character development and an intriguing plot. This has the makings for a great series that is open to so many possibilities.
November 20, 2018
Well this sure kept me guessing what the heck was going on. For a moment there I thought she was delusional.
But good lord Liam, what a nice and unexpected surprise !!!
But good lord Liam, what a nice and unexpected surprise !!!
November 18, 2014
~Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review~
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
2.5 stars
If I had read this book 2-3 years ago when I still enjoyed books with themes similar to Fifty Shades Trilogy I would have probably loved it, but nowadays I feel like I just overgrew this type of stories. I would even go so far and say that this book is better written and with more focus on the plot than sex scenes in comparison to FST, even though there's fair share of steam here, too. It started out promising, I really thought that I might like it, but my first impression and excitement lessened with every next page.
The reasons why this book wasn't for me:
~ Indecisive, naive and annoying female MC
The female mc of this story is Amy Bensen or better say that's one of her fake names. Throughout the story we are given little clues and snippets about Amy's true identity and that's it. We don't find out her real name (except in the synopsis where it says it's Lara) or more about her background in this installment. The one thing that's certain is that Amy is in big trouble. We meet her at the beginning of the story when she's unexpectedly leaving NY and her life there and moving to Denver with a totally new identity and it's said that this is not her first time.
She's been running from city to city for six years already, since her 18th birthday, always casting glances over her shoulders to be sure none of the ghosts from her past are following. As I already said- the beginning was gripping. The suspense and mystery are going to keep you on your toes, well, at least until she meets Liam when most of the focus of the story shifts on accelerated building of their romance. I kind of lost my respect for Amy after she gets involved so quickly with a stranger (Liam) she knew nothing about considering her life/death situation and later on the way she always found some excuse for his caveman behavior. Her naive and immature behavior made me wonder how could a person like her survive for so long on the run? Highly unlikely, if you ask me.
~ Over-possessive caveman for a male MC
The male mc of this story is a famous billionaire and prodigy architect- Liam Stone. Liam is intelligent, drop-dead gorgeous, provocative, cocky and intense. One of those guys who can have everything and anyone his heart desires. While I admit that at the beginning of the story even I wasn't indifferent to his charm, soon enough with every next page his more expressed outbreaks of jealousy and possessiveness started to be extremely annoying. Remember Christian Grey? Well, Liam could be some type of his lighter version.
~ Undeveloped mystery
The best parts of this story for me were the beginning and the ending or better say the gripping and intriguing way the mystery/mindfuck started and the thrilling way it ended. Everything in-between was lacking in those departments and increasing when it comes to lame, over-dramatic situations. The story would have been much better in my opinion if the author had been more imaginative and focused on developing the mystery and less on the romance.
I would recommend this book to the fans of authors like E. L. James and Sylvia Day. I'm positive that they will enjoy it more than I did.
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
2.5 stars
"Haunted, I'm being haunted. All the denial I own won't change my reality."
If I had read this book 2-3 years ago when I still enjoyed books with themes similar to Fifty Shades Trilogy I would have probably loved it, but nowadays I feel like I just overgrew this type of stories. I would even go so far and say that this book is better written and with more focus on the plot than sex scenes in comparison to FST, even though there's fair share of steam here, too. It started out promising, I really thought that I might like it, but my first impression and excitement lessened with every next page.
The reasons why this book wasn't for me:
~ Indecisive, naive and annoying female MC
"I guess ghosts are like lies. They swim like sharks all around me."
The female mc of this story is Amy Bensen or better say that's one of her fake names. Throughout the story we are given little clues and snippets about Amy's true identity and that's it. We don't find out her real name (except in the synopsis where it says it's Lara) or more about her background in this installment. The one thing that's certain is that Amy is in big trouble. We meet her at the beginning of the story when she's unexpectedly leaving NY and her life there and moving to Denver with a totally new identity and it's said that this is not her first time.
She's been running from city to city for six years already, since her 18th birthday, always casting glances over her shoulders to be sure none of the ghosts from her past are following. As I already said- the beginning was gripping. The suspense and mystery are going to keep you on your toes, well, at least until she meets Liam when most of the focus of the story shifts on accelerated building of their romance. I kind of lost my respect for Amy after she gets involved so quickly with a stranger (Liam) she knew nothing about considering her life/death situation and later on the way she always found some excuse for his caveman behavior. Her naive and immature behavior made me wonder how could a person like her survive for so long on the run? Highly unlikely, if you ask me.
~ Over-possessive caveman for a male MC
"Money breeds lies, baby. They swim like sharks around me."
The male mc of this story is a famous billionaire and prodigy architect- Liam Stone. Liam is intelligent, drop-dead gorgeous, provocative, cocky and intense. One of those guys who can have everything and anyone his heart desires. While I admit that at the beginning of the story even I wasn't indifferent to his charm, soon enough with every next page his more expressed outbreaks of jealousy and possessiveness started to be extremely annoying. Remember Christian Grey? Well, Liam could be some type of his lighter version.
"He wants you. I want you. I can't walk away form you, Amy, and I have this sense you could bolt at any minute. And yes, you're right. I'm being barbaric. And intense. That's who I am and I can't be anyone but me.
~ Undeveloped mystery
The best parts of this story for me were the beginning and the ending or better say the gripping and intriguing way the mystery/mindfuck started and the thrilling way it ended. Everything in-between was lacking in those departments and increasing when it comes to lame, over-dramatic situations. The story would have been much better in my opinion if the author had been more imaginative and focused on developing the mystery and less on the romance.
I would recommend this book to the fans of authors like E. L. James and Sylvia Day. I'm positive that they will enjoy it more than I did.
July 14, 2013
Oh no it can not end just like that! I want more I need book two now already. Really loved this story of Amy or is it another name. Amy is in hiding from what or whom we do not know nor does she know for sure. Someone one night saved her from one of the most horrific nights of her life....but did he? I love stories like this where it is hard to figure out all the loss ends. Ms. Jones does and amazing job of keeping you on your toes, not knowing who to trust. I love her writing style it is captivating.
Now for Liam he is 100% Alpha male deliciousness,lol. He is what Amy needs whether she knows it or not and well she does know it. He is Mr. Tall dark and handsome personified, and like all Alpha males he wants what he wants and he gets what he wants which is Amy....or does he get her?
This story start off quick and just keeps going at a wonderful pace. Amy and Liam's meeting I wondered if the like/lust at first sight would work, but it does I thought in this situation. They feel a connection when they first make eye contact, which seems real enough to me, I have felt that before with different people so like I said it worked.
Amy has a lot to try and sort through and nothing seems to be as it should or has been in the past with her friend who saved her. She feels an uneasiness with all those around her except Liam...or does she?
Wonderful story with intelligent, intriguing and hot characters with lots of unanswered questions and scorching hot love scenes.
Book two please:D
Now for Liam he is 100% Alpha male deliciousness,lol. He is what Amy needs whether she knows it or not and well she does know it. He is Mr. Tall dark and handsome personified, and like all Alpha males he wants what he wants and he gets what he wants which is Amy....or does he get her?
This story start off quick and just keeps going at a wonderful pace. Amy and Liam's meeting I wondered if the like/lust at first sight would work, but it does I thought in this situation. They feel a connection when they first make eye contact, which seems real enough to me, I have felt that before with different people so like I said it worked.
Amy has a lot to try and sort through and nothing seems to be as it should or has been in the past with her friend who saved her. She feels an uneasiness with all those around her except Liam...or does she?
Wonderful story with intelligent, intriguing and hot characters with lots of unanswered questions and scorching hot love scenes.
Book two please:D
August 10, 2015
Such a shame. It had a such a good start and then it went... Nowhere really.
It starts with a heroine discovering that her cover is blown and trying to flee. It was suspenseful and exiting until she met the hero on the plane. After that everything revolved around him, how he made her feel, how hot and sexy he was, how he made all the right places to tingle. She insisting on that she needs no help, he deciding that she does. What he wants to help her with is unclear, but he stays over the very first day, because... Well, she is she, he is he, it's just them blah blah. He moves half of the hotel into her apartment, because she doesn't have the basic necessities. Then you get some more of the "oh, his eyes, his body, he makes me feel such and such". I made it to 40% mark and they where still on a second day into their relationship, with him taking care the hell out of her.
Snail has a faster pace than this storie, seriously. DNF.
It starts with a heroine discovering that her cover is blown and trying to flee. It was suspenseful and exiting until she met the hero on the plane. After that everything revolved around him, how he made her feel, how hot and sexy he was, how he made all the right places to tingle. She insisting on that she needs no help, he deciding that she does. What he wants to help her with is unclear, but he stays over the very first day, because... Well, she is she, he is he, it's just them blah blah. He moves half of the hotel into her apartment, because she doesn't have the basic necessities. Then you get some more of the "oh, his eyes, his body, he makes me feel such and such". I made it to 40% mark and they where still on a second day into their relationship, with him taking care the hell out of her.
Snail has a faster pace than this storie, seriously. DNF.
July 23, 2013
I THOUGHT THERE'S MORE!!!
5 Stars!
I started reading it and didn't put it down!
It was very interesting... The way it started made me curious (and when I'm curious I want answers). Then there's Liam Stone! Oh Dear GOD! I love Liam! I mean the name (Liam Payne of One Direction) and Liam Stone. His interest with Amy made me question things... So many questions and the answers are not just there. I want dig and get them. From Liam to Jared to Meg to Luke to non-existing new boss. I was disappointed because I didn't realize that I'm turning the page... I THOUGHT THERE'S MORE! I WANT MORE!
Thanks to Net Galley and Julie Patra Publishing for the ARC in exchange of Honest Review.
@gleekidMC
5 Stars!
I started reading it and didn't put it down!
It was very interesting... The way it started made me curious (and when I'm curious I want answers). Then there's Liam Stone! Oh Dear GOD! I love Liam! I mean the name (Liam Payne of One Direction) and Liam Stone. His interest with Amy made me question things... So many questions and the answers are not just there. I want dig and get them. From Liam to Jared to Meg to Luke to non-existing new boss. I was disappointed because I didn't realize that I'm turning the page... I THOUGHT THERE'S MORE! I WANT MORE!
Thanks to Net Galley and Julie Patra Publishing for the ARC in exchange of Honest Review.
@gleekidMC
November 12, 2013
It took me FOREVER & a day to finally get into this book. Once I did - I couldn't put it down.
I needed to find out about Amy's life!
A great read - everyone should read it!
I needed to find out about Amy's life!
A great read - everyone should read it!
Shelved as 'arc-up-next'
August 14, 2015ARC kindly provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2023
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Introduction
Escaping Reality is a book that is part of a series that has been on my loose TBR for a long while, but when I saw the adaptation of it on Passionflix, I just had to pick it up. I will say that this book just instantly grabbed up my attention and my goodness I was so easily swept away by this story that just captivated me from the first page. There is something about Lisa Renee Jones and her capability of just pulling me so quickly into a story. I absolutely adored what was delivered in this one, and the intensity of the romance was brilliant. It's one of the aspects of this author's writing that I just love the most. I will say that, if you are looking for a sensual romantic suspense, then look no further than with Lisa Renee Jones.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Liam Stone
-Alpha
-Dominant in the Bedroom
-Billionaire
-Architect
-Protective
The Heroine: Amy Bensen
-On the Run
-Family lost
-Loves History
-Lots of secrets, not easy to trust
Summary
It all begins with our heroine, Lara, who is now Amy Bensen. Her family was murdered, and she was instantly forced to having to go on the run. For six years she has been living in hiding, wanting to know the secrets of the past but not able to afraid it would put her at risk. She is now forced to go to a new city and new life in Denver. On the plane she meets up with Liam Stone, a sexy architect and they have an instant connection. But while there is a passion between them, she doesn't know who she can trust and if Liam could be her salvation or the greatest threat to her. But while Amy works through her trust issues with Liam, she wonders if she will ever have the peace she has been looking for...
My Outlook
I absolutely adored this book in every way! I was instantly drawn into it. Now the show literally adapts this book basically word for word. So, I was able to breeze through the first half, only reading the parts that we didn't get to see in the movie, like the thoughts of Amy and her impressions as she goes through the story. But if you love well done adaptations, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it on Passionflix, they literally stick to the plot dialogue and even the small details.
The story itself is so captivating and I was easily drawn into this edgy romance that kept my attention all the way through. I was so drawn into the connection between Liam and Amy. And my goodness, Liam just had my heart. From the beginning he was all in for the heroine, and I loved how he knows she has secrets and is so patient and understanding. Just working on building that bridge of trust between them because she is not able to. He is the type of alpha male that I love to read the most. The way he is so intense, protective, willing to die for type of intensity. The way he is willing to get her what she needs, and its not about buying her love but its his love language. You can see that he wants to protect and provide for the heroine without asking anything in return. It takes a while for her to see that though. I did love the sensual moments that grow between them. It was so well done. There is something in how Lisa Renee Jones just writes such sensual suspense filled romances. And I definitely fell hard for this one here.
Spoiler
Overall View
I found Escaping Reality to be such a fascinating, addictive romance that delivered on all fronts! Its brilliantly written, secretly addictive, and sensually delivered that will only make you want more!
Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5/5
World Building:5/5
Cover: 5/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 4/5
Steam: 4/5
Heart & Feels:5/5
Ending:4/5
Overall View: 5/5
September 29, 2013
Arc provided by Julie Patra Publishing through Netgalley
I knew, right near the beginning, that this would be bad. Let me give you the exact moment I realised this:
"I can’t seem to make myself reach for the envelope and my gaze goes to my image in the mirror, to my long white-blond hair I’ve worn draped around my shoulders tonight rather than tied at my nape, and done so as a proud reflection of the heritage of my Swedish mother I’m tired of denying. Gone too are the dark-rimmed glasses I’ve often used to hide the pale blue eyes both of my parents had shared, making it too easy for me to see the empty shell of a person I’ve become."
Why is this familiar?
Perhaps because it's the standard Mary Sue intro. Seriously, the difference between this and:
"Hi my name is Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way and I have long ebony black hair (that's how I got my name) with purple streaks and red tips that reaches my mid-back and icy blue eyes like limpid tears and a lot of people tell me I look like Amy Lee (AN: if u don't know who she is get da hell out of here!)."
Is that My Immortal does it on purpose.
I made myself read the whole thing, because I did request this from netgalley, so I can only blame myself here. Not that I would need to keep reading because what came afterwards was completely obvious:
"And that’s when the room falls away, when my gaze collides with his. He is sitting in a seat that faces me, one row between us, his features handsomely carved, his dark hair a thick, rumpled finger temptation. He’s dressed in faded jeans and a dark blue tshirt, but he could just as easily be wearing a finely fitted suit and tie. He is older than me, maybe thirty, but there is a worldliness, a sense of control and confidence, about him that reaches beyond years. He is money, power, and sex, and while I cannot make out the color of his eyes, I don’t need to. All that matters is that he is one hundred percent focused on me, and me on him."
Yes. Insta-love. Followed by some inane dialogue with such gems as the main character smiling because the love interest said, and I quote, "sleepy". I'm not kidding, that's seriously all it takes:
“That’s what you said that made me smile. You don’t seem like a man who’d say sleepy’.”
"Maybe I'm being too harsh," I thought to myself. There are plenty of awkward beginings, but the characters are well written, and relatable.
Not here, I'm afraid.
Amy just got a new identity, she needs to leave her entire life behind and become a whole different person because she's in danger, so what does she do? She reads through the paperwork she has to memorise about her new identity while sitting next to a complete stranger on a plane.
Whom she wants to trust because... well, because.
While leafing through these confidential files (which she lets him grab from her hands) she then falls asleep and has a nightmare, from which she wakes up screaming. Then there's some more nonsensical dialogue:
"“And hey—at least there weren’t any hippos crossing the road in this nightmare. I’ve had that one a time or two, as well. Actually, I don’t think the hippos felt like nightmares. Just strange dreams.”"
Who sits down, writes this, and thinks, "Yeah, this sounds like a completely plausible conversation for a runaway to have with a complete stranger."? You can either write a naïve quirky girl, or a hardened runaway. You can't do both.
Well, obviously you can, since it was done, what I mean is you can't realisticaly do both.
This girl is so pathetically naïve you just want to shake some sense into her. She's been warned she's in danger, she's on the run!, but she just falls into Prince Charming's (I'm serious, she thinks of him like that) arms without knowing a single thing about him. A woman with a normal life wouldn't do this. This is how you end up dead in someone's trunk. Why would someone in her situation be so trusting of a very sketchy and over controlling guy who feels the need to tell her "I’m not a serial killer"? Because he's hot and rich? What a great message.
Maybe it's the romantic things he says?
“You’re a beautiful woman who deserves to be properly fucked, which I conclude from both your actions and answers to my questions, that you have not been. I want to be the man to remedy that. I want it very much.”
Okay, so that's a no, too.
I can't say anything about what little there is of a plot without spoiling it, so I won't, but suffice to say it's extremely weak and peppered with overblown drama.
So, in conclusion: Mary-Sue, too stupid to live main character, plus insta-love with Gary-Stue, multimillionaire genius, over controlling love interest.
September 13, 2013
This was a suspense filled roller coaster ride that I did not want to get off. I absolutely adored this book.
Amy is a young woman who is on the run. She has a "handler" who she only knows because he rescued her once from almost being caught. She has no idea who is after her, only that she has to keep moving. She gets a message from her handler that she is in danger of being discovered and she has to drop everything and get on a plane to start a new life with a new identity.
Liam is an architect at the height of his career. He is boarding a plane headed for Denver to pitch his idea for the next big building in the city. Liam spots Amy in the airport terminal, and as luck would have it, she is seated right next to him.
Amy is drawn to Liam but knows that she can not get into a relationship. She has no idea what will happen when she arrives in Denver or even who she will be. She is caught completely off guard and Liam seems to be able to see right through her lies. Amy keeps having these feelings that she is being followed and watched. She begins to question everything and everyone.
Amy tries to run from Liam. She tries again and again. He is persistent and he won't give up. For some inexplicable reason, she trusts him at a time when she trusts no one.
She decides on a brief and amazing encounter, but Liam has other ideas...
“When I want something, I go after it. And baby, I want you, and all I can say is you might be smart to run before I get any more into you, but please don't.”
Liam starts to fall for Amy. He has never fallen for anyone before. Amy can't fall for Liam, it isn't safe for her or him. She has to keep him safe, but she just can't walk away from the feelings she is developing for this enigmatic man.
“All I know is he's letting me see it, and him, and he is exactly what he preaches. Raw and honest, and intense and I believe in this moment that we are a rainbow of the same colors, none of them bright or beautiful. We are the many shades of gray and black, hoping to find a glimmer of light in each other, not more darkness. ”
Amy wants the knight in shining armor, but she knows that it is all an illusion. In the end, only she can save herself, right?
This one ended with a HUGE cliffhanger. Why that didn't annoy the hell out of me? I have no clue. This one will be followed up fairly quickly with the next book set to be published in October, a mere month away. For those of you who have to wait for book two, it won't be long. For the rest of us, we will have to marinate in our angst and wonder what the heck is gonna happen next!
I adored this writing style. It is told from Amy's point of view. Amy has had a lot happen to her and we get glimpses of her past. I am hopeful that we will get the full story in the next installment. Amy was a well developed character. She was no shrinking violet. She did what she had to do to survive. Liam is a bit of a mystery. There is something more to him and I hope that I am guessing right about his role in this saga. I guess I will have to wait and see!
5 Don't make me wait! Stars.
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***This book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Amy is a young woman who is on the run. She has a "handler" who she only knows because he rescued her once from almost being caught. She has no idea who is after her, only that she has to keep moving. She gets a message from her handler that she is in danger of being discovered and she has to drop everything and get on a plane to start a new life with a new identity.
Liam is an architect at the height of his career. He is boarding a plane headed for Denver to pitch his idea for the next big building in the city. Liam spots Amy in the airport terminal, and as luck would have it, she is seated right next to him.
Amy is drawn to Liam but knows that she can not get into a relationship. She has no idea what will happen when she arrives in Denver or even who she will be. She is caught completely off guard and Liam seems to be able to see right through her lies. Amy keeps having these feelings that she is being followed and watched. She begins to question everything and everyone.
Amy tries to run from Liam. She tries again and again. He is persistent and he won't give up. For some inexplicable reason, she trusts him at a time when she trusts no one.
She decides on a brief and amazing encounter, but Liam has other ideas...
“When I want something, I go after it. And baby, I want you, and all I can say is you might be smart to run before I get any more into you, but please don't.”
Liam starts to fall for Amy. He has never fallen for anyone before. Amy can't fall for Liam, it isn't safe for her or him. She has to keep him safe, but she just can't walk away from the feelings she is developing for this enigmatic man.
“All I know is he's letting me see it, and him, and he is exactly what he preaches. Raw and honest, and intense and I believe in this moment that we are a rainbow of the same colors, none of them bright or beautiful. We are the many shades of gray and black, hoping to find a glimmer of light in each other, not more darkness. ”
Amy wants the knight in shining armor, but she knows that it is all an illusion. In the end, only she can save herself, right?
This one ended with a HUGE cliffhanger. Why that didn't annoy the hell out of me? I have no clue. This one will be followed up fairly quickly with the next book set to be published in October, a mere month away. For those of you who have to wait for book two, it won't be long. For the rest of us, we will have to marinate in our angst and wonder what the heck is gonna happen next!
I adored this writing style. It is told from Amy's point of view. Amy has had a lot happen to her and we get glimpses of her past. I am hopeful that we will get the full story in the next installment. Amy was a well developed character. She was no shrinking violet. She did what she had to do to survive. Liam is a bit of a mystery. There is something more to him and I hope that I am guessing right about his role in this saga. I guess I will have to wait and see!
5 Don't make me wait! Stars.
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***This book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
![[image error]](http://johnstohbibliomaniac.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/3b9cdb5e8b159b42e3fb33e4eb17fd1a-e1379114161350.jpg){kind=link}
May 13, 2015
4.5 "Raw and Honest Infinite Possibilities" Stars!
Romantic suspense lovers, who also like a little extra heat in the passion department, will not want to miss Escaping Reality. This steamy little read had me constantly guessing throughout, and the story has just started. While we get a small glimpse at just what danger the heroine may be fleeing from in Escaping from Reality, the huge cliffhanger at the end, makes it clear that we have only scratched the surface, and moreover it is not just the heroine, but also the hero who is hiding secrets. I can't wait to learn more about "The Secret Life of Amy Bensen" and Liam Stone in Book 2, Infinite Possibilities!
"Amy" has been running since she was eighteen. Most recently, she got complacent in her hiding while living in New York, and made the mistake of attracting the attention of her past ghosts by getting a publicly prominent job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fleeing with just the clothes on her back, and the new identity her handler has concocted and communicated to her via the contents of a large yellow envelope, Amy boards a plane to Denver to assume her new life. It is on this flight that she meets Liam Stone.
Amy knows better than to let anyone in to her life, for their own safety as well as hers, and yet she can't help but get caught up in the safety net of Liam's dominant aura. Although she knows she should say "no", Amy inexplicably finds herself lured into a passionate night which she originally intends to be a one night stand.
Liam Stone is a brilliant architect who has made billions pursuing his passion. Notwithstanding his overwhelming success in the business arena, however, socially he is publicly known as a recluse. Amy catches Liam's eye, however, and he immediately notes her overwhelming need to control her fear. Enraptured both by what he sees, and what he perceives Amy is hiding and he is determined to unravel, Liam makes it his mission to conquer Amy. Part of that goal involves allowing her to "escape her reality" by submitting to him in intense erotic episodes that allow her to forget, at least momentarily, the dark secrets she is running from; and the other is to peel back the layers until he exposes the "raw and honest" truth.
I loved both the mystery and mind engaging suspense of Escaping Reality. Frankly I have pondered Amy's potential plight both during the read, and over the couple of days since I finished the book, and I still haven't been able to definitively sleuth out her precise predicament, though I do have a number of theories. Additionally, as a fan of dominant heroes, Liam Stone is exactly the type of protective alpha hero that I love to encounter in my reads, and those reality escaping passionate encounters were definitely off the charts in the heat department! I can't wait to read Infinite Possibilities! My mind is already running through all of the probable circumstances that could possibly explain both that astounding cliffhanger and Amy's past!
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
Romantic suspense lovers, who also like a little extra heat in the passion department, will not want to miss Escaping Reality. This steamy little read had me constantly guessing throughout, and the story has just started. While we get a small glimpse at just what danger the heroine may be fleeing from in Escaping from Reality, the huge cliffhanger at the end, makes it clear that we have only scratched the surface, and moreover it is not just the heroine, but also the hero who is hiding secrets. I can't wait to learn more about "The Secret Life of Amy Bensen" and Liam Stone in Book 2, Infinite Possibilities!
"Amy" has been running since she was eighteen. Most recently, she got complacent in her hiding while living in New York, and made the mistake of attracting the attention of her past ghosts by getting a publicly prominent job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fleeing with just the clothes on her back, and the new identity her handler has concocted and communicated to her via the contents of a large yellow envelope, Amy boards a plane to Denver to assume her new life. It is on this flight that she meets Liam Stone.
Amy knows better than to let anyone in to her life, for their own safety as well as hers, and yet she can't help but get caught up in the safety net of Liam's dominant aura. Although she knows she should say "no", Amy inexplicably finds herself lured into a passionate night which she originally intends to be a one night stand.
Liam Stone is a brilliant architect who has made billions pursuing his passion. Notwithstanding his overwhelming success in the business arena, however, socially he is publicly known as a recluse. Amy catches Liam's eye, however, and he immediately notes her overwhelming need to control her fear. Enraptured both by what he sees, and what he perceives Amy is hiding and he is determined to unravel, Liam makes it his mission to conquer Amy. Part of that goal involves allowing her to "escape her reality" by submitting to him in intense erotic episodes that allow her to forget, at least momentarily, the dark secrets she is running from; and the other is to peel back the layers until he exposes the "raw and honest" truth.
I loved both the mystery and mind engaging suspense of Escaping Reality. Frankly I have pondered Amy's potential plight both during the read, and over the couple of days since I finished the book, and I still haven't been able to definitively sleuth out her precise predicament, though I do have a number of theories. Additionally, as a fan of dominant heroes, Liam Stone is exactly the type of protective alpha hero that I love to encounter in my reads, and those reality escaping passionate encounters were definitely off the charts in the heat department! I can't wait to read Infinite Possibilities! My mind is already running through all of the probable circumstances that could possibly explain both that astounding cliffhanger and Amy's past!
Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
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