Release Day Launch, Review, and Giveaway: After This Night: Lauren Blakely
We are thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Lauren Blakely's AFTER THIS NIGHT! AFTER THIS NIGHT is the second full-length novel from her first Erotic Romance Series, The Seductive Nights Series!
About AFTER THIS NIGHT: This is the conclusion of Julia and Clay's story that began in the New York Times Bestseller Night After Night.
"Why do you like me tied up sometimes?"
"Because the way I feel for you is so out of control that this is one way for me to feel in control again."
Their world was passion, pleasure and secrets.
Far too many secrets. But Clay Nichols can't get Julia Bell out of his mind. He's so drawn to her, and to the nights they shared, that he can't focus on work or business. Only her. And she's pissing him off with her hot and cold act. She has her reasons though-she's trying to stay one step ahead of the trouble that's been chasing her for months now, thanks to the criminal world her ex dragged her into. If only she can get out of this mess, then maybe she can invite the man who ignites her back in her life, so she can have him-heart, mind and body.
He won't take less than all of her, and the full truth too. When he runs into her again at her sister's wedding, they have a second chance but she'll have to let him all the way in. And they'll learn just how much more there is to the intense sexual chemistry they share, and whether love can carry them well past the danger of her past and into a new future, after this night...
Please note: This book is intended for 18+ due to dirty talk, light bondage, and lots of sexy scenes.
Then he saw a new email land in his inbox. From her. The subject line gave nothing away: Hi. But Pavlovian response kicked in, and he opened it before he could think. Because seeing her name still felt like a damn good thing, still held the promise of a sexy note, a naughty line, or a sweet nothing. But more than any of those options, it held the promise of her.
date: April 25, 4:08 AM
subject: Hi
Clay,
Hi. I’m lying awake in bed thinking of last night. How only 24 hours ago you were here with me. How much better it was to sleep with your arms around me, all safe and warm and snug. How much I would love to have you here again. But I know that won’t happen. And I understand. I truly understand. If I were you, I would hate me too. If I were you, I’d be suspicious as hell. And I probably wouldn’t trust me either. So I get 100 percent where you’re coming from and I wish there were another way. I want you in my life so badly that I can feel this ache where you’re supposed to be. But I know I can’t have you, and I’m sorry I can’t be open right now. You deserve more than this. More than me. All I will say is this sucks, and if I could turn back time and do certain things over there’s a lot I would change.
But I wouldn’t change a second with you.
Wow. I just re-read my note. I think that’s the mushiest I’ve ever been with anyone. Damn, you did a number on me, and I’ve got it bad for you. I’m hitting send while I still have the guts in me to do so, even though I will probably regret it. Except this is all true.
Xoxo
Julia
He dropped his head in his hand, and cursed. A wave of frustration and longing rolled through him, and he knew he should turn the damn phone off and ignore her. But this woman, she was under his skin. He hated lies but he’d be lying to himself if he pretended he’d forgotten her in a day.
from: cnichols@gmail.com
date: April 25, 7:12 AM
subject: Hi
I don’t hate you. The farthest thing from it.
He hit send before the regret washed over him, as it eventually would, he was sure.
This begins right where Night After Night left off. Clay and Julia are apart because she is trying to protect him and he can't deal with secrets. So even though they are both emotionally invested and have wicked hot chemistry, they are in a stand off.Julia is in a big financial mess that threatens her safety. She feels alone and burdened, but she isolates herself to keep it from touching those she cares about like her sister McKenna and the man she wants, Clay.
Distance provides some protection for their battered hearts, but the internet and phone are hard to resist. And even though they are both strong willed and stubborn, it is hard to deny that they are drawn together. Even as they cannot seem to let each other go and have secrets, they feel guilty about it. It is a swirl of emotions...pain, loss, guilt, betrayal, and mistrust. But the pull of their need, longing, connection, and chemistry is strong. And once they find themselves in the same place again, all bets are off and resistance is futile.
So they move towards a new relationship based on truth, full disclosure, and support. It is not just about chemistry anymore...it is more...and feelings are involved. There are still challenges facing them and Julia still is in need of help. But the independent, fiery woman is finally ready to let Clay in and for him to ease some of her burden. But they both have situations from the past to face. It all comes down to trust and faith in each other.
But will further secrets break their fragile bond and ruin any progress they made?
I really liked seeing the growth in both characters in this series, not just individually but also together. Clay is commanding and thrives on control, but Julia brings out a vulnerability in him and has the ability to make him lose control. She also likes to be in charge, but is willing to let him take the upper hand. They have an ebb and flow with power that keeps it interesting and mirrors the way they interact out of the bedroom too. They are both independent, strong, opinionated, and stubborn. But they are also both devoted, loving, and passionate. Together they balance each other out and their personalities, preferences, and sense of adventure make them compatible while also keeping things interesting. They have come so far from the people who only thought they could handle a fling and tended to run when things got complicated.
It was told in both points of view giving us a window into their fears, secrets, and feelings. It was funny, intense, sweet, sexy, exciting, swoony, frustrating, and heart breaking at times. They had amazing chemistry and intense passion. There were many hurdles both internally and with the world around them. There was intrigue due to the issues they were dealing with. And location alone provided one big complication. But I loved this convoluted journey with Clay and Julia and all of its twists and turns, and trying to figure out how it was all going to end up.
I loved seeing more with McKenna and Chris from Trophy Husband, David, Jill, and Michele Milo from Playing with Her Heart, and Cam from The No Regrets series, and the other little names dropped and cameos from others in her series. And we met some new interesting ones like Liam an actor/restaurant owner and we heard that Clay has a brother. But I love the connected world in Lauren Blakely's books even though this is a stand alone series. It just adds more layers and make me savor all of the little details and I am always looking at new characters thinking that maybe they might have a story coming in the future.
Thanks to Lauren Blakely for providing me with a beta copy in exchange for an honest review.
And don’t miss the prequel novella, FIRST NIGHT, and the first full-length novel, NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, in the Seductive Nights Series!
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Lauren Blakely:
Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.
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