Book Review: First Touch by Laurelin Paige

First Touch by Laurelin Paige

Publisher & Release Date: St. Martin’s Griffin, December 29, 2015

Time and setting: Present Day, U.S.A.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotic/BDSM

Length:  384 pages

Heat Level: 4 Flames

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Emily Wayborn is finally her own woman.

After a string of shameful relationships and reckless partying with her best friend Amber, she's now a successful voiceover actress, her wild past and everyone in it firmly behind her. Until she receives a cryptic voicemail from her former friend that sends her spiraling into the darkness she thought she had outrun. One thing is clear from the message, Amber is in trouble.

Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that leads her to Reeve Sallis, a gorgeous and equally dangerous hotelier known

for his power games and shady dealings. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must return to her playgirl ways to uncover his secrets and track down her friend. But as she becomes more entangled with him, she finds she's drawn to Reeve and his depravity despite her growing conviction that he may be the one responsible for Amber' s disappearance.

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/First-Touch-Novel-Last-ebook/dp/B00UFS7C1M/

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25223801-first-touch

Vikki’s Musings

Recently I stumbled upon Laurelin Paige’s Fixed trilogy and thoroughly enjoyed all three books. I found them spell-binding. If you haven’t read them, please do. When I received an offer to read First Touch in exchange for an honest review, I gladly accepted.

This is definitely a novel that is not for anyone who is faint of heart. The story is very dark and quite twisted. The pace is exceptional and so is the writing, and I had a hard time putting it down when life events interfered with my reading!

Emily Wayborn is on a mission to find her best friend. After years of estrangement, she gets a message from Amber that sets her on her quest. Since she has seen pictures of Amber with the notorious Reeve Sallis, she put herself in his way, hoping to solve the mystery of her friend’s disappearance.  

Reeve Sallis is not a nice man. He is depraved and ruthless when it comes to his dealings with women. Emily is drawn to him as she becomes entwined in his dark world. Will she fall back into her old ways as she tries to learn Reeve’s deepest secrets?

While I found this book compelling, I can’t say I actually liked Emily or Reeve. At times, his behavior is abusive toward Emily, and even if she likes his very rough play, for me it goes a bit too far. I have read BDSM books before, but this is not patterned off that life style. There is no tender care after an encounter, no helping Emily to come back from her subspace. These terms are not used in this book.

Emily’s character has few redeeming characteristics and while I felt deep emotion for the ordeal she had suffered that tore her and Amber apart, I was repulsed by it at the same time.  I can’t imagine wanting to reconnect with a woman who virtually turned her back on her at what was the worst moment of her life. There is no doubt of her loyalty, though, perhaps, to her detriment.

Reeve is not a hero, and I had a difficult time finding any redeeming qualities in him as well, and there was nothing in his back story that can explain his why he is so cruel to women. Now, I did feel his raw emotion when Emily tells him what happened to her six years ago, and that did redeem him a bit.

Nonetheless, even though I did not truly like either the hero of the heroine, I did enjoy First Touch. However, be prepared and aware of the extreme darkness of the book. I will definitely read the next one when it comes out. First Touch does end on a cliff hanger, and I have to know how this will play out for them. Happy reading!

Forever with You by Laurelin Paige

(Fixed Trilogy)

Publisher & Release Date: Self-published, January 2, 2014

Time and setting: Present Day, NYC, New York

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotic Romance

Length: 287 pages

Heat Level: 3 Scorching Hot Flames

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

Alayna Withers relationship with Hudson Pierce has tested both her and his ability to trust. They decide that the only way they can move forward together is with open doors and transparency. It won’t be easy for the scarred lovers, but they’re committed to each other more now than ever. Alayna, in particular, has grown through their trials, and has emerged more confident and faithful to the man she loves. 

But while the pair is focused on the future, their past shows up again to threaten their fragile bond. Promises that were made are broken, and Alayna learns that Hudson still has very potent secrets—secrets that will tear them both apart. As much as she feels for him, her ability to forgive and forget is tested beyond her limits. 

Even though she found the only man who could fix her, a forever with Hudson seems more and more out of reach. 

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Forever-You-Fixed-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00HLU14CA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1436541713

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Forever-with-You-Audiobook/B00JG5WZ76

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22645997-forever-with-you

Vikki’s Musings

Forever With You is the last book in the Fixed Trilogy. It is a fantastic finish and I enjoyed it tremendously.  Alayna and Hudson complicated relationship concludes in this book. I have loved this amazing series, and I am so glad I found it.

Will the secrets and lies by omission destroy the budding romance between Hudson and Alayna, separating them forever, or will the truth take them into the light, giving them peace, contentment and the chance to have lasting happiness?

In this final episode of the epic tale, Celia is still up to her tricks. She has now turned to stalking Alayna, just enough to annoy and frighten her, but not enough that she or Hudson, even with his immense power, can do anything about her activities. Over all, Alayna handles this well. I did have a few moments where I wanted to shake some sense in her for her irrational obsessing over Hudson’s employee, Norma.

Again the sexual scenes threatened to set my Kindle and iPhone on fire. However, at times I did find myself skipping over them because they had become a bit repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, they are extremely erotic and very well-written, but I was anxious to find out how the story would play out.

Wow, this is one rollercoaster of a ride emotionally. Ms. Paige had me in tears several times, especially the scene when Alayna finally understands what Hudson’s secret is. This is a highly emotional scene to say the least. What I found truly amazing, even though this story is told only in Alayna’s point of view, I could still completely understand Hudson’s pain. That takes an amazing amount of skill to get that across, through body description and dialogue.

I loved, loved the epilogue! It is written in Hudson’s point of view, and it tied up this incredible series completely. I just discovered Ms. Paige has written a fourth book as companion to the Fixed Trilogy, giving Hudson’s perspective. I plan to read it, but I want to give some space between the series and that book.

While this series did not resonate with me to the same level that the Fifty Shades or Crossfire series, it came very close. If you enjoy a tale with complex characters and a great love story, then this is a series you do not want to miss. I will definitely be adding Ms. Paige to my favorite author list. Happy reading!  

Found in You by Laurelin Paige

(Fixed Trilogy)

Publisher & Release Date: Self-published, January 2, 2014

Time and setting: Present Day, NYC, New York

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotic Romance

Length: 287 pages

Heat Level: 3 Scorching Hot Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

Book 2 in the Bestselling Fixed Trilogy. Warning: This book contains mature content and is not recommended for readers under 17. 

Alayna Withers has only had one kind of relationship: the kind that makes her obsessive and stalker-crazy. Now that Hudson Pierce has let her into his heart, she's determined to break down the remaining walls between them so they can build a foundation that's based on more than just amazing sex. Except Hudson's not the only one with secrets. 

With their pasts pulling them into a web of unfounded mistrust, Alayna turns to the one person who knows Hudson the best--Celia, the woman he almost married. Hoping for insight from someone who understands all sides of the story, Alayna forms a bond with Celia that goes too far--revealing things about Hudson that could end their love for good. 

This is the first relationship where Alayna hasn't spiraled out of control. And she might lose Hudson anyway...

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Found-You-Fixed-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00FIOHII0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1436365740&sr=1-1&keywords=found+in+you+laurelin+paige&pebp=1436365740398&perid=15BN7HS8BH5409QKPXM2

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Found-in-You-Audiobook/B00JG4DA9Y

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22645998-found-in-you

Vikki’s Musings

Found in You is the second book in the Fixed trilogy. It is another riveting read. I am so glad I found these books. I am enjoying them immensely. This second book continues the story of Alayna and Hudson’s complicated relationship. Both characters have a great many issues they are learning to cope with caused by events that happened to them in the past.

Hudson takes Alayna to his penthouse. He has never brought a woman there before, other than family and Celia (she decorated it for him). He begins to realize how deep his feelings are becoming for Alayna.

Alayna feels their relationship is moving too fast and tries to slow it down, but Hudson is like a steamroller, and since he is as manipulative as his mother, although not in a mean way, he convinces Alayna to move in with him.

As Hudson and Alayne’s secrets unfold, will they destroy their budding relationship, or show them they can weather any storm that comes their way?

Hudson Pierce was raised in a completely dysfunctional family. His mother is vindictive and manipulative and is determined that Hudson marry her best friend’s daughter. There is a huge scene in this one that brings the truth to light on an issue that has determined the course of her determination. I can’t wait to see how this plays out in the last book.  Hudson is beginning to acknowledge how deep his feelings are for Alayna. I’m glad to see he doesn’t seem to be running in fear.

Alayna chooses to confide in Celia Werner, not a wise move on her part, and it definitely blows up in her face, threatening her fragile relationship with Hudson. She has such trust issues with men. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have them with women, which causes her a great deal of trouble in this second book. Celia is as manipulative as Hudson’s mother and this comes out loud and clear.

Now, let’s talk about the erotic scenes in this book. They are gritty and raw most of the time, but Hudson can also be tender. I like the contrast between the ones where they are combustible and the ones where they are making love. I think it shows growth in their relationship. Any way you look at it, the scenes are extremely erotic and highly entertaining.

I am still struggling with the narration by Carly Robins. At times, I have a difficult time figuring out who is speaking with any tags to go along with the dialogue. Her voice tone just is not varied enough for my taste. However, she does read with a great deal of emotion.

If you enjoy stories with a lot of emotional angst and complex personalities, then you will want to add this series to your reading list. I am loving it. Happy reading!

Fixed on You by Laurelin Paige

Narrated by Carly Robins

Publisher & Release Date: Self-published, June 24, 2013

Time and setting: Present Day, NYC, New York

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotic Romance

Length: 254 pages

Heat Level: 3 Scorching Hot Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither's past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out--move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan. But what Alayna didn't figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He's smart, rich, and gorgeous--the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson's fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it. Avoiding him isn't an option after he offers a business proposition she can't turn down and she's drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she's fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.

Fixed on You is the first book in a trilogy but ends without a cliffhanger. Due to mature material, it is recommended for ages 17+. 

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Fixed-You-Laurelin-Paige-ebook/dp/B00IFVAAGA/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1436120752&sr=1-3&keywords=laurelin+paige+kindle+books&pebp=1436134195855&perid=17MX3PCAAREP8FK8GDCY

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Fixed-on-You-Audiobook/B00J2ZLLKM

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22882440-fixed-on-you

Vikki’s Musings

I am not sure how I found Fixed on You, but I am certainly glad I did. This is the first time I have read anything by Laurelin Paige, but it will not be the last. This book is a compelling story of two wounded souls on a journey to find peace and hopefully a loving relationship.

Alayna Withers has an addiction to unhealthy relationships. When the new owner shows up at the nightclub she works at, she knows he is a dangerous man for her, and she wonders if she should be running the other way, when all she wants to do is embrace this gorgeous male.

Hudson Pierce is drawn to Alayna from the first moment he sees her at her school doing a presentation before the faculty as part of her final work to earn her MBA. Determined to pursue her, he buys the nightclub she works at; the very one she hopes to move into a leadership role now that she has received her degree.

Can a troubled couple—where neither of players can do romantic relationships—enter into a physical one and keep their hearts’ whole?

Ms. Paige has penned a compelling story that grabbed me from the first page and kept me avidly listening/reading to the end. Fixed on You is a trilogy, along the lines of the Fifty Shades Trilogy and the Crossfire Series, so I was prepared to not have a fully fleshed out ending. However, the book does end on a positive note.

Alayna’s character is intriguing and very well-written. I was able to get into her mind and feel her emotions, and I love when that happens. While her character has a lot of flaws, she has a touch of vulnerability under her tough exterior that comes through loud and clear. I found her an easy character to bond with, and I grew to love her by the end of the book.

Hudson Pierce’s character has a great many facets to his personality. While a great deal of his depth is revealed in Fixed on You, I feel confident more will be forth coming in the next two books. His relationship with his mother is definitely a love/hate one. Sophia Walden Pierce is, so far, a detestable character. I cannot imagine having her as a mother. It is amazing that Hudson’s sister, Mirabelle, seems so unaffected by what could only have been a terribly dysfunctional upbringing. This family has a ton of secrets, and I can’t wait to find them out!

Since I did listen to the audio version along with reading, I do want to mention the narration. While Carly Robins reads with a good deal of emotion, her voice tones for the male characters did not resonate with me, although, this did not keep me from enjoying this incredible book. However, the narrative did keep me from giving it 5 Gold Crowns. While the story is a solid five, the narration is a four at best.

If you enjoy a tale with complex characters with many facets intermingled with a love story that will reach deep inside you and pull at your soul, then Fixed on You is a book you will not want to miss. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I have. I can’t wait to read the next book in this amazing series. Happy reading!