Tuesday 22 May 2018

Review: Hot Asset by Lauren Layne


HOT ASSET 
by Lauren Layne 
Montlake Romance 
On sale May 22, 2018 
Paperback ISBN: 978-1503901063 | $9.99 US | 270 pages | Ebook ASIN: B075WTFNCM | $4.99 US

A sexy agent hounds Wall Street’s hottest new wolf in an exhilarating novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne



Ian Bradley is the definition of a Wall Street hotshot: seven-figure salary, designer suits, and a corner office. His drive of the floor is just as potent. Every woman who knows him has felt the rush. But now he’s met his match in Lara McKenzie—a woman with the power to bring Ian to his knees.

An ambitious, whip-smart daughter of FBI agents, Lara is a rising star in fighting white-collar crime. Her latest case—the investigation of Ian Bradley for insider trading—could make her career. She knows a scoundrel when she sees one. Ian fits the bill: a cocky, ridiculously handsome bad boy with a slick swagger. 

She’ll do anything to prove he’s guilty. He’ll do anything to prove he’s not. But it’s only a matter of time before their fierce battle of wits gets oh so hot and personal. Now, taking down Ian has become more than business for Lara. It’s become a pleasure—and there’s more at risk than she ever dreamed.

Praise for Lauren Layne ''Layne can always be counted on to create an engaging, steamy and thoroughly rewarding reading experience.'' —RT Book Reviews on Cuff Me 

“This bold contemporary serves up quick-witted banter, [and] a hint of suspense…” —Publishers Weekly on Steal Me 

“[I Knew You Were Trouble] has the office drama, the incredibly real and vibrant characters, and enough snark and fun to keep you up late into the night finishing the story.” —Hypable 


KINDLE      PAPERBACK     AUDIO BOOK     MP3 CD




Love. Love. Love. Men in suits..! This first novel in the 21 Wall Street series more than satisfied my appetite for sharp dressing, sexy businessmen.

Ian Bradley is blasé about his reputation and oozes confidence and charisma...or is it arrogance! He excels at what he does and has worked hard to achieve his corner office, seven-figure salary and stellar reputation within the financial community. So, when he's investigated for insider trading, he's determined to clear his name. Only, the woman investigating his case is someone he wants to get to know more intimately…only her interest in him doesn't extend beyond convicting him of wrongdoing.

SEC investigator Lara McKenzie has ambitions beyond her current role. The daughter of FBI agents, she hopes to follow in their footsteps. But for now, she's responsible for the case against a Wall Street hotshot she'd like to get better acquainted with if current circumstances were less conflicting. Besides, her future career depends on achieving a conviction with this case, only this man isn't going to give up, until he has proved his innocence and captured her heart.

On the surface, Ian and Lara seem to be very unalike from one another. However, once we get to know them, it's clear they are both very self-assured people and neither are fazed by their dissimilar working environments. When their worlds collide, resulting in a conflict of interest, they somehow manage to work around it...eventually. There's no denying the sexual chemistry between these very driven people, yet, the romance is a slow burn with lots of pent-up physical attraction as they circle around each other within the confines of the challenging plight which surrounds them.

I've read and enjoyed many LL novels but I admit to loving her 'men in suits' novels just a little bit more. With a glamorous Manhattan backdrop, how can you not fall for a powerful, wealthy man in a designer suit like Ian? Equally, Lara is independent, strong and somewhat unconventional, a perfect provocative match. This novel had a glossy 'Stiletto' and 'Oxford' feel which I adore but with a Wall Street backdrop, the stakes are higher and the risks greater for the protagonists and their captivating friends. All designed to make you eagerly anticipate the next instalment...which I am.

To sum up, an entertaining beginning for what promises to a fabulous series. Fans of Lauren Layne will love Ian and Lara. If she's a new author for you, Hot Asset is a recommended novel and a place to start.

***arc generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley*** 



Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies, in eight languages. Lauren's work has been featured in Publishers WeeklyGlamourThe Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

Website     GoodReads      Instagram     Bookbub      Pinterest      Lauren Layne Library




Cover Reveal: An Artisan Lovestyle by Kiltie Jackson




An Artisan Lovestyle
Are you ‘living’ your life or just living your life?
Elsa Clairmont was widowed barely five years after marrying her childhood sweetheart. She has struggled to come to terms with the loss and, six years later, has almost ceased to live herself. She does just enough to get by.
Danny Delaney is the ultimate ‘Mr Nice Guy’. He’s kind, caring and sweet. A talented artist in his teens, his abusive mother ruined his career in art and he turned his back on his exceptional gift. Now, he does just enough to get by.
On New Year’s Eve, both Danny and Elsa die in unrelated accidents.
Thanks to some poker playing shenanigans, Elsa’s husband Harry, and Danny’s old Art teacher, William, manage to orchestrate a deal with Death that allows Danny and Elsa to live for one more year on the condition they both agree to complete three tasks.
They have until the last chime of Big Ben on the 31st December to fulfil their quests.
If they succeed, they stay in the world of the living.
If they should fail however…
An Artisan Lovestyle’ is a story of personal growth and self-discovery as two people find themselves forced to make overdue changes in their lives, changes in other people’s lives, and all with the added challenge of finding true love before their time runs out.
Will they do it?
Can they do it?
After all, it’s a matter of Life or Death…




Kiltie grew up in Glasgow in Scotland,  This is a very unique city with a very unique way of looking at life.

When she was old enough to do so, she moved to London and then, after several years of 
obtaining interesting experiences which are finding their way into her writing - she moved up to the Midlands. 

Kiltie currently lives in Staffordshire with five cats and
one grumpy husband. Her little home is known as Moggy Towers, even though despite having plenty of moggies, there are no towers! 
The cats kindly allow her and Mr Mogs to share their house on the condition they keep paying the mortgage! 

She loves reading, watching movies, and visiting old castles. 
She really dislikes going to the gym! 

Her biggest desire is that one day she can give up the day job and write her stories for a 
living.
Kiltie's debut novel, 'A Rock 'n' Roll Lovestyle', was released in September 2017 and won 
a "Chill With A Book - Reader Award" in December 2017. 
She first began writing her debut novel eleven years before it was released but shelved 
it as she didn't think it was very good.

In November 2016 when, having read more on a bestselling author who had begun her own career as a selfpublished author, she was inspired to revisit the unfinished 
manuscript and 
finally finish what she had started.

Since beginning to write again, the ideas have not stopped flowing. 'An Artisan Lovestyle' is the second book in the Lovestyle Series.
 
Work is due to begin on book three (not yet titled but also part of the Lovestyle Series) in the Summer of 2018.
 
She currently has a further ten plots and ideas stored in her file (it's costing a fortune in USB drives as each story has its own memory stick!) and the ideas still keep on coming. 

Kiltie now lives her life around the following three quotes: 
"I love having weird dreams, they're great fodder for book plots!"
"Why wait for your ship to come in when you can swim out to meet it?"
"Old enough to know better, young enough not to care!"

Website     Facebook     Twitter