I pondered for a couple of days what to say about Jaci Burton because there is this whole “living in awe”, thing I have going on with respect to this remarkable, prolific, award winning, national best-selling author. Jaci writes romance, erotic romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance stories. Bantam Dell, Berkley Heat, Samhain and Ellora’s Cave publish her books. Okay, I’m taking a breath here.
I am still trying to work through her backlist of books, but every time I turn around she is publishing a new one! What is great is that I have enjoyed every one of Jaci’s books that I’ve read so far. She writes wonderful steamy erotic romance, sweet romance stories, and shape-shifter and demon hunter books that will curl your toes. Then there is her Wild Rider series, which by all accounts rock and are next in my TBR.
I posted here a while back that I was fortunate enough to win an autographed copy of “Riding Temptation”, Jaci’s latest ‘Wild Riders’ story. I emailed her, letting her know I had received the book and thanked her telling her how thrilled I was. Jaci emailed me back and wrote, “No, thank you. I hope you enjoy my Wild Riders.” I have to say, I’ve never had the experience of someone thanking me for giving me a gift before and I think it shows that she is an author who is genuinely grateful for her readers. Jaci is always open to questions about writing and the publishing business when asked over at Writeminded_Readers yahoo group, she offers exceptional and helpful advice.
Jaci referred to herself recently over at the Writeminded Blog as having “writer ADD”, and I took to giggling. I think if a person has to have ADD, Jaci Burton’s is the kind to have!
Nothing Personal
Ryan McKay is filthy rich, good looking and ruthless in business. Due to a weird clause in his grandfather’s will he has to marry and produce an heir within a year or he loses control of ‘McKay Corporation’, the family business. Ryan had a ‘bride’ lined up but at the last minute she decides she wants no part of the ‘arrangement’ and bails leaving him desperate to satisfy the conditions of the will. Ryan was raised by parents who were in a loveless marriage and is quite cold avoiding any relationship commitments with a woman.
Ryan turns to Faith Lewis, his devoted executive assistant and ‘right hand’ asking her if she will marry him, entering into an impersonal business arrangement for one year at which time they would divorce and go their separate ways. Ryan wants nothing to do with a baby so he is quite supportive of Faith having full custody of the child they would make together and she would be provided with more than enough money to support them both.
Faith is shy virgin who dresses in unbecoming clothes and sensible shoes. She has always harbored a secret crush for Ryan who has seen her as a competent assistant, nothing more. Faith accepts Ryan’s proposal with the provision that he keep his distance for two months to allow her time to come to terms with being sexually intimate with him and adjust to their ‘arrangement’.
The will’s provision even specifies that there be two chaperones, Stan, the family lawyer and James McKay, Ryan’s cousin who are to make sure the ‘newlyweds’ share the same bedroom. It is quite a crowd!
Faith is a beautiful demure woman and when Ryan sees her in the wedding dress left behind by the runaway bride he suddenly notices his conservative assistant in a different light. Ryan sets about on a mission to seduce his new wife but despite the fact they are sharing a bedroom he is thwarted at every turn. The story is laced with sexual tension and Ryan is continually surprised by Faith’s sensitivity and compassion. She is also quite funny and enjoys the ‘simpler things’, whereas he has always been formal and accustomed to the ‘niceties’ of life. Ryan is stunned by the simple act that finally wins Faith’s trust.
The love scenes in this book are beautiful and tasteful in keeping with the story. Jaci Burton is known for writing great love scenes, and ‘Nothing Personal’ is no exception.
Another thing I like about Jaci’s books is her ability to write antagonists a reader loves to hate. James McKay is a spoiled, devious, nasty, slimy man, whose main goal is to wrestle control of McKay Corporation from Ryan.
Faith and Ryan’s ‘business arrangement’ blossoms into a deep love that takes both of them by storm, however significant complications do intercede and I was left wondering until the last chapter if their love would endure.
‘Nothing Personal’ explores my favorite theme, the boss and previously unnoticed employee who become lovers.
‘Dare to Love’ is the story of Lucille ‘Lucy’ Fairchild and Jake Dalton two of the most unlikely lovers I think a reader could envision. Lucy comes from the social ‘elite’ and is a successful lawyer and partner in her father’s law firm. Jake is a new owner of a construction company, comes from the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ and has worked extremely hard to achieve business success.
Ever walk along a sidewalk where there is a construction project underway and admire some of the handsome man flesh in the vicinity? Well, one of those hotties could be Jake Dalton, tall, rugged, handsome, intelligent and determined to be successful. Lucy walks by Jake’s construction site and through a series of rather comical incidents ends up agreeing to go out on a date with him.
Raymond Fairchild, Lucy’s father is a controlling, snobbish, manipulative man with Machiavellian tendencies, who has intensions of marrying his daughter off in a ‘business arrangement’, to this slimy repulsive millionaire named Alex. Jaci wrote Raymond Fairchild to be one of the most malignant antagonists I’ve read in a long time. Man, I have to say, “I hated that guy”!!!
Needless to say, when Jake turns up at the door of the Fairchild mansion to take Lucy out, old Raymond very nearly busts an artery. Jake and Lucy have ‘nothing in common’, don’t you know, because of her ‘social status’.
Lucy, against her better judgment, opens up to Jake about her father’s attempts to control her life and arrange a marriage for her. Jake takes pity on Lucy and presents her with a plan to foil old Raymond by ‘pretending’ to be her boyfriend.
The romantic plot written for these two lovers can only be described as a roller coaster ride as they try and maneuver through barriers of social class, their own preconceptions about each other, and Raymond and Alex’s interference.
The love scenes once again are tasteful and written into the plot with perfection. As Jaci likes to say there is no “swinging from the chandeliers”, sex in this novel but it is rife with sexual tension and sweet moments. Jake and Lucy’s story is endearing in that it tells a tale of a love strong enough to survive social, personal, business and family conflict.
I have to say, I love the cover art for ‘Dare to Love’.
If you enjoy interesting light romance stories I highly recommend ‘Nothing Personal’ and ‘Dare to Love’. I am hoping to write a review in the next couple of days of one of Jaci’s erotic romance stories called “Unwrapped”.
Love your books Jaci! Thank you for sharing your gift with us all…
Jaci Burton’s website is: www.jaciburton.com
Wow! Great reviews. Makes me want to run out and get both books!
Thanks for writing them Lea!!!
hugs,
WendyK
I have Surviving Demon Island and Riding Wild. I plan on reading one of them this month.
I have heard GREAT things about her books and I’m sure I’ll be kicking myself in the ass for waiting so long to read her work!
Great reviews!
Thanks so much Wendy and Amy:
I know you won’t be disappointed when you read Jaci’s stories. She has got it right! Something I didn’t mention in the reviews is the suspense that is inherent in the romance plots she writes as well. I’m always biting my nails until the last chapter to find out if the couple is going to have their HEA. lol
Hope you and your young ones have a great Halloween!!
What awesome reviews, Lea! Thank you so much for these. I’m so glad you enjoyed the books!
You are so welcome Jaci!
Thank you for the great stories!!
Regards