The Red Diary [Mass Market Paperback]

Toni Blake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

When Nick Armstrong finds the red diary, he's shocked--and aroused. In intimate detail, the prim and proper Lauren Ash has recorded her most secret fantasies. Never before has he found such a potent weapon for righting an old wrong. Original.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this debut mainstream romance from Harlequin Temptations author Blake (Hotbed Honey, etc.), a racy journal inspires sexual adventure. Longing for love and excitement, rich girl Lauren Ash commits her erotic desires to a velvet-covered diary, which is surreptitiously read by painter Nick Armstrong as he works on her Florida home. Unbeknownst to Lauren, her wealthy builder father once betrayed Nick's dad. Nick violates Lauren's privacy intending revenge, but he can't resist using the diary to seduce her instead. Lauren melts at Nick's uncanny understanding of her needs, while he is won over by her tenderness and sensuality. Abundant diary excerpts slow the story's momentum and never ring true: surely no 27-year-old would use words like "thrice" or "lave," or phrases like "soaking in every glorious affection my woodland lover imparts." Only in the second half of the book do the couple's frantic gyrations slow long enough for them to connect in a warm, meaningful way. Unfortunately, few readers may make it past the purple prose that mars the early part of the story.
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Review

"A cleverly sexy novel, with charming characters that readers are sure to enjoy." -- Shane Sawyer, The Best Reviews

"A one-of-a-kind romance. The character definition is excellent." -- Carolyn Crisher, Romance Reviews Today

"An evocative and touching novel that will clog your throat with emotion even as it simmers through your blood." -- Paula Klug, A Romance Review, 5 ROSES

"One hot story ... very sweet and quite lovely." -- Susan Mobley, Romantic Times Bookclub

"THE RED DIARY should catapult Toni Blake's writing career with its unique concept, red hot passion, and poignant love story." -- Patricia Rouse, Rouse's Romance Readers Groups

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Warner Forever (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446614866
• ISBN-13: 978-0446614863
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Toni Blake's love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel, nineteen notebook-pages long, and announced to her mother over breakfast one day that she was going to be a writer when she grew up. Since then, Toni has become the author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels. Her work has been excerpted in Cosmo, she's been a recipient of the Kentucky Women Writers Fellowship and a nominee for the prestigious Pushcart Prize, and she's also had more than forty short stories and articles published. Toni lives with her husband in the Midwest and enjoys traveling, genealogy, crafts, and snow skiing. Learn more about Toni and her books at http://www.toniblake.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Touching Erotic Romance, March 25, 2005

By 

Patricia Lieberman (Bohemia, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Red Diary (Mass Market Paperback)

This book by Toni Blake is NOT your typical erotic romance. It has warm endearing characters and a really touching story.

Nick is a housepainter with a wounded heart. Lauren writes her sexual fantasies in a Red Diary which Nick finds while painting her house. He is enticed by what she has written. He knows he shouldn't keep invading her privacy but continues to read the diary. They have some history and at first Nick wants to get even for a past wrong.

Lauren's love teaches Nick that love can heal even the worst of wounds. I definitely recommend this book!!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sensual and entertaining, September 19, 2005

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Red Diary (Mass Market Paperback)

Nick Armstrong hates anything to do with the Ash family. After his mother died, his father took to the bottle and was ousted from a partnership with now multi-millionaire builder, Henry Ash. When Nick is hired to paint the house of Henry's daughter Lauren (whom he has not seen since they were children), he's instantly attracted to her, but can't fathom a relationship with the daughter of his enemy. When Lauren is out, he snoops in her house to get a glimpse of what "should have been his," only to find her diary. When he opens it, he discovers her erotic fantasies, and sets a plan in motion to seduce her with her own fantasies and break her heart. He doesn't factor in that his own heart might become involved. Lauren is not what Nick expects, and he soon finds himself falling for the one woman he doesn't feel he can have. When she discovers his deception, will she ever be able to forgive him?

While the plot itself is a bit predictable, the story is very engaging, and keeps the reader hooked. Nick has so many layers - he's both a tough guy and has a huge soft spot for the disabled brother he supports, while trying to find it in his heart to forgive his father for allowing their lives to be ruined. And Blake can really up to steam quotient - this is one hot book!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Sweet and Old Fashioned!, November 12, 2004

By 

Jonetta (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Red Diary (Mass Market Paperback)

From the beautiful red rose cover to the end of the story, Toni Blake's THE RED DIARY is sexy, sweet and hot! A contemporary romance combines with a good old fashioned love story between two unlikely people. Even the secondary characters have a story you'll want to know more about--BIG HINT, WARNER! Overall, a very satisfying read and a story that will stay with you. Did I mention the sex? It's amazing. Thank you, Toni Blake!