Rivals in Paradise (Kimani Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Gwyneth Bolton (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Kimani (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373861869
• ISBN-13: 978-0373861866
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gwyneth Bolton was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. She currently lives in Syracuse, New York with her husband Cedric. When she was 12-years-old, she became an avid reader of romance by sneaking her mother's stash of Harlequin and Silhouette novels. In the 90s, she was introduced to African American and multicultural romance novels and her life hasn't been the same since. While she had always been a reader of romance, she didn't feel inspired to write them until the genre opened up to include other voices. And even then, it took finishing graduate school, several non-fiction publications, and a six-week course at the Loft Literary Center titled Writing the Romance Novel; before she gathered the courage to start writing her first romance novel. Gwyneth has a BA and an MA in English/Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in English/Composition and Rhetoric. She teaches classes in writing and women's studies at the college level. She has won several awards for her romance novels, including four Emma Awards and the Romance In Color Reviewer's Choice award for new author of the year. When she is not teaching or working on her own African American romance novels, she is curled up with a cup of herbal tea, a warm quilt, and a good book.For more information, visit her website: http://www.gwynethbolton.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Settling The Score, October 28, 2010

By 

Priscilla C. Johnson "bookmaniac" (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rivals in Paradise (Kimani Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Cicely Stevens thought things could not get any worse. First, she lost the promotion as division leader in the corporate department. Next, she walked in on her boyfriend having sex with the receptionist in her apartment. The ultimate worst thing to happen to Cicely was finding out that Chase "The Wolf" Yearwood was booked on the same flight to the Caribbean. In Rivals in Paradise, Gwyneth Bolton shows that rivals in business can also be lovers.

Cicely and Chase were rivals from the moment she set foot on the FAMU campus. He was the top jock and all around ladies man with the predatory skills of a wolf - that lands any deal or woman he wanted. But, Chase could not get close to Cicely. Cicely gave him an ultimatum that he could not pass up and she quickly regrets it. Now she finds herself, 10 years later, in a position she never wanted to be in - until now.

Bolton, once again, has given her readers a romance story that will have you on the edge of your seat. Under the bright full moon on the shores of the Caribbean, Cicely and Chase begin to build a passionate and sexy relationship that will leave readers breathless.

The book was provided by the author for review.

Priscilla C. Johnson

APOOO BookClub

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An AMAZING Island Fling..., October 15, 2010

By 

Malaika Tamu "Sweet n' Sassy" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rivals in Paradise (Kimani Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

So, once I picked up Rivals In Paradise...I simply DID NOT want to put it down...all I can say is AMAZING...I LOVE me some Chase Yearwood...brother laid it on Ms. Cicely REAL good...LOL...and Cicely Stevens is just as SASSY as ever...and talk about some SIZZLING encounters...WHOOSAH...I DEFINITELY want to go to Dahinda...have an island fling...eat some of that YUMMY food...and sing karaoke off-key...Chase's mama is quite a pistol...I love the close bond she has with her son...she can read him like a book...and all I can say is THANK YOU, Leonard...because if it hadn't been for his interference...who knows if/when the "rivals" would have met up AGAIN...WELL DONE, Gwyn...WELL DONE, indeed!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 blue ribbons from Romance Junkies, January 20, 2011

By 

C. Dionne "Chrissy Dionne" (Cloverdale, OREGON USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rivals in Paradise (Kimani Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

If anybody deserves a carefree vacation it's Miss Cicely Stevens. She's been passed over for a promotion despite her qualifications and caught her boyfriend cheating on her in her own bed - all in the same day! The last thing she wants is to spend time with her family over the Thanksgiving weekend. She wants some time to herself to `lick her wounds' and maybe even indulge in a holiday fling. A Caribbean holiday is exactly the thing Cicely needs to boost her foundering spirit.

Chase `The Wolf' Yearwood plays to win, both professionally and personally, and never loses. Ok, so there was that one time back in college but that's a long time ago and hardly even matters now, right? He's at the top of his game and has been handed a sweet job opportunity. Before he assumes his new position as head of the corporate development division at Mainstay Media he's decided to return to his homeland of Dahinda for a visit. What he doesn't expect is for his college rival, Cicely, to be seated next to him during the flight.

Cicely isn't interested in renewing any sort of relationship with Chase and isn't at all happy to discover that she has to put up with him during the flight. They end up rehashing their college battle for the position of student government association presidency and come to the realization that there's more to what happened than either of them realized. Their hostility toward each other hasn't faded but it's tempered by a sexual tension that they've fought hard to deny. Eventually, they agree to put aside their differences and Cicely's even magnanimous enough to take Chase up on his offer to show her around Dahinda. Of course, that's before he knows her grand plan to indulge in a fling. If Cicely is determined to have a holiday affair then he's not going to stop her, he's just going to be real sure that he's the man she chooses. They may have been college rivals but that's all over now, right?

Gwyneth Bolton's newest book RIVALS IN PARADISE pulls readers right into the storyline through Cicely's actions. I could really empathize with her over the loss of a deserved promotion and held my breath waiting for her reaction to catching her boyfriend cheating. I've got to say, she handled the situation like a pro. There was no hiding from the truth or denial - and she left absolutely no doubt that their relationship is over. Chase is cocky and at the same time loveable - which turns out to be an irresistible combination. The sexual tension between Cicely and Chase was present from the moment they started arguing and it was just a matter of time before they caved.

Ms. Bolton infuses this story with all the humor, emotion-filled drama, passion and witty dialogue readers have come to treasure in her writing. I loved the interplay between Cicely and Chase but there were secondary characters who captured my attention as well. My favorite is Chase's mother who is an absolute delight with her friendly nature - not to mention a crack shot with a dishtowel. There are other characters you'll adore and even one you'll love to hate! RIVALS IN PARADISE is a fun read but it also touches you emotionally as you begin to understand Cicely's reasons for dating men who are obviously wrong for her - and how right Chase could be if she'd just give him a chance.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)