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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Smoldering Erotic Story But Lack of Emotional Attachment (B- Grade), October 11, 2009
This review is from: Paradise Rules (Mass Market Paperback)
Lana Rodriguez and her personal assistant Melanie are vacationing in Hawaii. Lana is a semi-famous blues singer who is trying to keep a low profile. She isn't too thrilled about being in such a touristy place like Waikiki, but since Melanie needs a bit of R&R due to a nasty divorce, Lana sucks it up. Both women decide to do a little surfing and end up taking lessons at the Jason Koa Surf School. The school is run by a former Olympic medalist who has quite the reputation on the island because of his last name and his superstar status. Lana soon becomes annoyed because Jason is late for their lesson due to some tender loving care he is receiving from one of his students. Lana rips into Jason. He thinks she is cold and uptight and she thinks he is a horny loser.
These two go their separate ways even though Lana really connects with Jason. He knows she is distant for a reason and wouldn't mind cracking that shell she has placed around herself. Lana likes to be in control of everything, even in the bedroom. Instead of picking up any man on the island, she goes through an escort service that is run by Jason's oily cousin Po. Lana is in for a big surprise when Jason shows up at her hotel room. She is ready to throw him out but Jason won't let her and one thing leads to another and they have mind blowing sex. Lana doesn't know how to react to Jason and insults him. He leaves in a huff but not before he tells her that if she wants to get laid again by him, she needs to play by his rules or not at all.
Even though Lana knows that Jason is so wrong for her in every way, she can't stay away from him because the sex between them was too good for words. She will play by his rules even if it means opening herself up to Jason in ways she has never done with a man before. Jason stretches the limits of what is acceptable for Lana and he won't let her hide away from the secret fantasies and desires she has always longed to act out.
These two know that forever is not in the cards and the next few days they throw caution to the wind and engage in some kinky sexual acts that are titillating. But then reality comes crashing down because someone has told the press about Lana's use of the escort service and Jason's role in it. Both must decide if they should work together to find out the person responsible or turn away from their island paradise vacation they both want to have with one another.
Paradise Rules is a very erotic story with many intense sexual acts that may make you squirm. Jason does things to Lana that are very hot and sexy but also a bit shocking. Every act between them is a test of endurance. Jason uses his skill as a lover to break down the defenses Lana has placed around her heart, as well as her body.
The relationship between Jason and Lana is a difficult one to explain. These two do not care for one another in the beginning. Both seem so cold and a bit cruel. They both seem to dislike each other immensely and the only reason they have sex is because of this deep attraction they have for one another. Lana hurls insults at Jason while he overpowers her because of his sexual gifts.
Some readers may not find Paradise Rules to be comfortable reading. The sex scenes are well written but I just couldn't find any connection between Jason and Lana other than each has an itch that needs to be scratched. Their personalities were just too off putting for me to believe that these two would have a happily ever after together. Lana's friend Melanie is a nice woman trying to find peace within herself after her husband has been so horrible to her. Jason's cousin Po is a nasty piece of work but his other family members such as his grandmother Lily were nice to read about.
Beth Kery can sure write some scintillating stories and Paradise Rules is one of them. I enjoyed the exotic island atmosphere but felt the love story between Jason and Lana was lacking. But if you are in the mood for reading hot sex that stretched the limits with the main characters, Paradise Rules may just be the book for you.
Katiebabs
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heroine's transformation, one that includes some very erotic scenes that kept me glued to the pages!, October 6, 2009
This review is from: Paradise Rules (Mass Market Paperback)
Paradise Rules by Beth Kery
Contemporary Romance- Oct. 6th, 2009
4 stars
Paradise Rules demonstrates why Beth Kery is an author to watch out for! In her latest installment, she explores the journey of her heroine's transformation, one that includes some very erotic scenes that kept me glued to the pages!
Lana Rodriguez has issues. When you are popular and famous people try to take advantage of you and she has had to learn the hard and painful way to protect herself and her own. When her friend Melanie is devastated by a nasty divorce Lara decides to drag her with her to Hawaii for a vacation. Once there they both decide to take surfing lesson with Jason Koa. A beautiful if arrogant playboy that annoys Lana. The tension between the 2 is powerful. But Lana and Jason's mutual dislike overlays an intense attraction. When Lana decides to boost her friend's spirits and have a girls night out she decides to call an escort service for her friend and herself. But when she opens her door she is surprised to find Jason ready to service ALL her needs! She is helpless to stop her addiction to his charms but Jason says they can only continue their affair if she agrees to `his' rules.
Jason wants Lara and when he hears that his cousin's escort service latest contract is to find Lana a man, he decides to volunteer himself! As Jason pushes Lara, a woman who is used to control, he doesn't realize the powder keg he has opened. Jason is very dominant and protective. Seeing Lana's true vulnerability breaks something inside him. He wants to be the one she turns to, the one to comfort her. But her painful past prevents her from being impulsive or spontaneous. And when the tabloid releases a scandal concerning their `escorted' relationship they face hard decisions. Is this new relationship something worth holding onto?
Beth Kery excels at hot and sensual scenes. At first I found Lana's character abrasive and Jason's arrogance a bit of a turn off. But as the author slowly built the tension and reveals the vulnerability in her characters I could not stop the pull I felt for the 2! Lana's childhood is scarred and I wondered if she could see through her past of pain. Lana is an intensely private person and she feels comfortable that way. And Jason's very dominant and forceful appearance in her life makes big changes for her. Lana questions her motto to keep men out of her life, but having Jason around makes her feel sooo good. Should she take a chance with Jason? Taking risk with her emotions is difficult for her. She must confront her demons and let a man be there for her when no man has before.
I really enjoyed the relationship between the 2 characters, especially Lana's transformation. They were a well matched pair that were wonderful together.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Above average for some great, hot sex scenes with a dominating guy, but the story conflicts could have been better., February 19, 2010
STORY BRIEF:
Jace is 35. He is a former Olympic gold medalist in swimming. He owns a restaurant and surfing school in Hawaii. He's a hot hunk. Lana is a famous blues singer. She hates Hawaii because she had some troubling times there as a child. She reluctantly comes to Hawaii with her friend Melanie. Melanie is going through a rough divorce and wanted this vacation. Lana calls an escort agency to hire a guy for each of them for the night. Jace learns about this from his brother Po who owns the escort agency. Jace talks Po into letting him go to Lana as her escort.
REVIEWER'S OPINION:
The story was a little weird due to Lana's bitchy, cold and withdrawn personality, but overall a decent story. Jace gets mad at Lana more than once saying she's just using him as a temporary hot vacation fling, planning to forget about him when she leaves. They have some great, hot sex, but then they fight for the reasons mentioned. They are cold and a bit cruel to each other. The reasons for conflict weren't as interesting as I would have liked, but the background stories and side stories were pretty good. Sex scenes include toys, bondage and rear door activity.
DATA:
Story length: 326 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes: 12. Total number of sex scene pages: around 93. Setting: current day Hawaii. Copyright: 2009. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Beth Kery books, see my 4 ½ star review of Release posted 2-7-10.
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