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Into the Fire
Gorgeous Entourage #1
E.L. Todd
Releasing on January 30, 2016
Fallen Publishing
Ash
Despite everything I've done for my parents, I'll never
be good enough for them. Instead of seeing a man to be proud of, they just see
an embarrassment. I served four tours in Afghanistan but that doesn't mean
anything to them. They only see the ink, the party life, and my short stint in
jail.
And nothing else.
When they were in trouble, I handed over my life savings.
I didn't think twice about it because they're my family, my blood. They raised
me to be my own man and gave me everything I needed. It didn't matter that it
was every penny I had. It didn't matter that the money was set aside for my
future. My dreams.
Because they needed me.
But now they refuse to pay me back until I become the man
they think I should be.
Alessandra
I have an unusual profession.
I escort men, acting as their date to family functions or
work parties. It's my job to act deeply in love with my client. And I always
nail it.
But it's not what you think.
I'm not a prostitute.
I'm not a call girl.
I'm an actress.
Get it right.
There are strict rules when it comes to my profession.
There is no touching, kissing, or anything but hand-holding. Those who choose
not to comply will get a swift kick in the nuts.
But all this goes to hell when Ash walks into my life.
Even though I've got a couple of titles by E.L. Todd, this was my first time reading any of her work, but it won't be my last.
I liked how well developed both Ash and Alessandra are; they've both got their own past issues that have shaped the people we get to know in this book, and for the most part their issues are anything that could happen to any one of us at some point in our lives. Well, except for the whole parents not wanting to repay the money they had no problem taking. That was the biggest issue I had with the story, Ash's parents. They were so damn sanctimonious I wanted to reach through my ereader and spork both of them in the taint. It's no wonder that Ash doesn't think he's the type to be a boyfriend or potential husband, since he had those two people setting the example.
Ash might come off as being brash and egotistical, and for the most part that's true, but it works for him. He's a straight-shooter and will tell it like it is, but he does in a matter-of-fact way, so while you can't believe what comes out of his mouth, at least you can appreciate it because he's not feeding you the same old song and dance routine that some men always spout. But, then he'll go and say something so deep and profound and honest you can't help but to fall for him just a little more.
Yes, Alessandra is an escort, but she's not the call girl type of escort, and the reason she's doing it is a valid one. She is the type of woman who is independent, and while her current job isn't exactly ideal for a long-term relationship, she does eventually want to settle down and start a family.
What starts out as nothing more than a business transaction soon turns into friendship, and possibly more as feelings begin to change. But will it lead to an actual relationship between them? There are, undoubtedly, a few bumps in the road of their non-relationship, and sometimes it seemed that while Ash is supposedly 30, some of his conversations haven't graduated from high school yet. But the chemistry and banter between Ash and Alessandra is great, and I'm already looking forward to the next book.
Even though I've got a couple of titles by E.L. Todd, this was my first time reading any of her work, but it won't be my last.
I liked how well developed both Ash and Alessandra are; they've both got their own past issues that have shaped the people we get to know in this book, and for the most part their issues are anything that could happen to any one of us at some point in our lives. Well, except for the whole parents not wanting to repay the money they had no problem taking. That was the biggest issue I had with the story, Ash's parents. They were so damn sanctimonious I wanted to reach through my ereader and spork both of them in the taint. It's no wonder that Ash doesn't think he's the type to be a boyfriend or potential husband, since he had those two people setting the example.
Ash might come off as being brash and egotistical, and for the most part that's true, but it works for him. He's a straight-shooter and will tell it like it is, but he does in a matter-of-fact way, so while you can't believe what comes out of his mouth, at least you can appreciate it because he's not feeding you the same old song and dance routine that some men always spout. But, then he'll go and say something so deep and profound and honest you can't help but to fall for him just a little more.
Yes, Alessandra is an escort, but she's not the call girl type of escort, and the reason she's doing it is a valid one. She is the type of woman who is independent, and while her current job isn't exactly ideal for a long-term relationship, she does eventually want to settle down and start a family.
What starts out as nothing more than a business transaction soon turns into friendship, and possibly more as feelings begin to change. But will it lead to an actual relationship between them? There are, undoubtedly, a few bumps in the road of their non-relationship, and sometimes it seemed that while Ash is supposedly 30, some of his conversations haven't graduated from high school yet. But the chemistry and banter between Ash and Alessandra is great, and I'm already looking forward to the next book.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
I sat up
then ran my hands up his chest. “You want to know a secret?”
“Always.”
“You’re the
sexiest man I’ve ever seen.”
“Well,
that’s not a secret, sweetheart.”
“Ugh,
you’re so cocky but you’re still hot.”
“I know.”
My hands
went to his jeans and I unbuttoned them then pulled down the zipper.
Ash watched
me with dark eyes.
I got his
jeans off then saw his long definition in his boxers. It was thick and moved
all the way down to his thigh. “Wow…”
“I get that
a lot.”
I pressed
my lips to this tip through the material and gave him a gentle kiss.
Ash’s eyes
widened and he released a deep moan. “Whoa…sweetheart.”
I grabbed
his boxers and tugged them down.
He gripped
the top and kept them up. “As horny and flattered as I am, not tonight.”
I pouted my
lips. “Why the hell not?”
“Because
I’m not going to take advantage of you.”
“Take
advantage?” I asked. “I’m giving it to you.”
“Even so,
last week you told me no. I know you’re only saying yes now because you’re
drunk. That’s not how I do things.”
I growled.
“Come on, don’t be such a pussy.”
He
chuckled. “Excellent way to get into a man’s pants.”
I growled
again.
“I’ll tell
you what.” He kneeled at the foot of the bed with his torso between my legs.
“If you still want to when you wake up in the morning, I’ll rock you so hard
your bed will break. How about that?”
“But I want
it now…” My hands moved down his chest.
“I’m
sorry.” One hand moved through my hair. “Take it as a compliment.”
“You’re
rejecting me. How is that a compliment?”
“I’m
rejecting you because I care about you. I want to know you want me, not just
because you had too much to drink. And I don’t want to be something you
regret.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “Even drunk, you can understand that,
right?”
I nodded.
“Good.” He
stood up then pulled his t-shirt off.
Oh my lord.
Ash was a
solid slab of muscle. Prominent lines of muscle divided the different areas of
his body. His torso was flanked with power and strength, and the muscle of his
ribs looked like lines of sand in the desert. His stomach contained an eight
pack, full of grooves and valleys. And his chest was wide and expansive. Both
of my hands couldn’t take up half the area. “I usually sleep in the nude but
I’ll sleep in my boxers tonight.”
“I want you
to be comfortable…don’t mind me.”
He chuckled
then pulled the covers back. “Come on. Get into bed.”
“With you?”
Seriously?
“What does
it look like?”
“Are you
trying to torture me?”
That stupid
grin was on his face. “Change and let’s go to bed.”
I eyed his
t-shirt on the floor then snatched it. I pulled it over my dress then removed
my dress from underneath.
“That’s
pretty impressive.”
His shirt
reached past my thighs and made me feel smaller than I already was. I crawled
up the bed then lay in the sheets beside him. “Your shirt smells good.”
“It’s my
natural scent so I’m not surprised.” He turned on his side and faced me. Then
he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. “For what it’s
worth, I’m going to be hard all night.”
“We can fix
that…”
He
chuckled. “I would love to—in the morning.”
“I thought
you were a dick?”
“I am.”
“Then why
are you being so sensitive right now?”
“I’m a dick
because I sleep around and tell women they aren’t getting shit from me. But I’m
not an ass. I don’t lie and act like I’m something I’m not. No woman ever has
to wonder where our relationship is going. And I don’t take advantage of women.
A little buzzed is fine, but totally drunk like this isn’t right. And I don’t
need to get a girl drunk to get her into bed. Besides, I’m your friend. What
kind of friend would I be if I totally used you when you were most vulnerable?
That shit is fucked up.”
Now I felt
like an idiot. I put myself out there and got rejected—coldly.
“Hey.” His
voice came out gentle. “Saying no wasn’t easy. You know how attracted I am to
you. I sincerely hope you still want it in the morning. Because my morning wood
is going to be bigger than usual.” He leaned in and gave me a gentle kiss on
the lips. His mouth was soft and delicate. Even though the touch was innocent,
it somehow made me melt. “Good night, sweetheart.”
“Good
night.”
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Amazon Bestselling author, E. L. Todd, was
raised in sunny California where she still lives today, claiming it’s the best
place in the country. Easily hypothermic and hateful of the cold, she prefers
to be warm all year round. She attended California State University, Stanislaus
and received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, but still pursued
her dream to be a writer. She’s written several novels and many series’, and
her imagination can’t seem to stop. She tries to find the good in people and
she exploits that in her writing, proving that people can make mistakes and
rise above their past.
Her hobbies include sunbathing, swimming, eating at Surf
Taco in San Diego, reading, and learning everything she can about
hippopotamuses’, her favorite creature. Her greatest dream is to make people
forget about the harshness of reality and dive into a good story with lovable
people. When fans tell her they love her work, it gives her the greatest sense
of accomplishment.
Thank you for featuring INTO THE FIRE!
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