ARC Review | TAMING LILY by Monica Murphy

Taming Lily by Monica Murphy
Adult Romance published July 7, 2015
Published by Bantam
Author's website  |  Goodreads  |  Buy the Book on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Emma Chase, and Maya Banks, the anticipated finale in New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s sexy contemporary romance series about three fiery and determined sisters with their own ideas about life and love.
 
I’m in trouble. Again. And instead of facing my problems head on, I’ve run away. Far away this time, and no one can catch me—not my two younger sisters, Violet and Rose, not my father, my grandmother, or that witch Pilar who wants to take control of my family’s cosmetics company. Now I’m in Hawaii, enjoying the sun and the sand and water, where nobody knows the hot mess known as Lily Fowler.  And I’m loving every minute of it.
 
But someone is watching me. Following me. He’s gorgeous. And soon we’re talking, and against all my instincts, I reveal bits and pieces of myself to Max. It feels good, though I know he can’t be the man for me. These sudden feelings we share are way too complicated, too fraught, too intense.
 
Then everything explodes and I’m forced to return home. My intentions have always been true, but now everyone’s mad at me. I don’t know who to turn to anymore . . . except to Max. He’s who I want to trust. But I’m not so sure I should. Maybe it’s worth the risk—and what-ifs be damned. . . .

my thoughts...

This is the finale in this series and it may have been my favorite of the three books.  I was intrigued by Lily from the beginning and she ended up being the sister that I liked the most in the end.  This story starts out with Lily on a plane to Hawaii on the run from something, but she's not exactly alone.   Lily is running with a laptop full of someone else's secrets and Max has been hired to take them back.

Review | "Stealing Rose" by Monica Murphy

Stealing Rose by Monica Murphy
Adult Romance published March 3, 2015
Published by Bantam
Author's website  |  Goodreads  |  Buy the Book on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emma Chase—the second novel in New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s sizzling series about three powerhouse sisters and the men who would have their hearts.

People say the youngest child has it easy, but nothing can be further from the truth. Unlike my two sisters, Violet and Lily, I’m never in the limelight. I just work my butt off for Fleur Cosmetics and get little to no thanks for it. I’ve been pushed too far one too many times, and I’m finally brave enough to do something about it.

Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.

For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.

And maybe I don’t want to.

my thoughts...

This second book in the Fowler Series centers around the youngest sister, Rose.  When the book starts out the whole family is in Cannes to screen a documentary about the Grandmother's life and how she started Fleur Cosmetics.  Rose finds herself in a sticky situation and a mysterious handsome man comes to her rescue.  They have a pretty hot moment later on during the party and then he quickly disappears.  In the meantime Rose decides she needs a break from Fleur, but more importantly from her father and his girlfriend so she decides to stay in Paris with Violet and Ryder for a few weeks.

After about a week in Paris she meets Caden again when she goes out to dinner with Violet.  The attraction between them is instantly re-ignited and things get hot and heavy pretty quickly.  They have a whirlwind couple of weeks together before reality comes crashing down on them.  Rose is pretty open with Caden, but he has secrets that, once revealed, have the power to tear them apart.  

This story is told in first person with nearly each chapter alternating between Rose and Caden.  I really like when books are done this way so that we have the opportunity to get to know each of the main characters better.  I really liked Caden, I didn't connect with Rose quite as much.  We do get to see Violet and Ryder in this book and Ryder is much the same guy.  He's great with Rose, he cares from her and give her great advice.  Violet on the other hand, I didn't care for in this book.  She was way too judgmental and seemed, almost, to be a different character than she was in the first book.

I did enjoy this book very much and I am looking forward to Lily's book which will be the conclusion of this series.  As always I feel the need to warn you that this is an adult book and there is a fair amount of profanity and some very descriptive love scenes.  

XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with an ARC copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

Review & Giveaway | "Owning Violet" by Monica Murphy

Owning Violet by Monica Murphy
Adult Romance published December 2, 2014
Published by Bantam
Author's website  |  Goodreads  |  Buy the Book on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy begins a sexy new contemporary romance series—perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emma Chase—that introduces three sisters born to wealth, raised to succeed, ready to love, destined to make waves.

I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.

Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary—perhaps even more so. He’s also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch . . . and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart.  My soul.  My everything.

My Thoughts...

This was the first book I have read by Monica Murphy, but I really enjoyed it.  I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the books in this trilogy.  This book introduces Fowler sisters Violet, Rose and Lily and I just realized as I typed it that Fowler is an anagram of Flower!  The family runs a very successful cosmetics company called Fleur that was started by the Grandmother who also happens to have a flower name.

Violet is the sister who has always worked for the company, that at the current time is being run by her Father.  She doesn't realize it at the time, but he is grooming her to take over some day.  She has been dating Zachary for 2 years now and seems to be on the verge of getting engaged, but things don't turn out the way she thought they would when Zachary chooses a promotion that will send him to London.  Meanwhile we have Ryder who is just the opposite of seemingly safe Zachary.  Little does Violet know how much her life will change when she decides to start "seeing" Ryder.  At first they have a deal, a friends with benefits type of relationship where they are both using the other, but things progress for each of them quite quickly.

Their whole relationship is built upon deception and lies, but it's clear they have a deeper connection than either of them anticipated.  Will it be able to survive when the lies are brought to light?

This is a quick, sexy read. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Monica Murphy's books. I can't wait for the rest of this series to be released!  This is an adult book and there is a fair amount of profanity and some very descriptive love scenes.  

XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*