Just One Taste (Kingston Family 7) by Carly Phillips-review tour

Just One Taste (The Dirty Dares: Kingston Family 7) by Carly Phillips-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 29, 2022

One grumpy billionaire.

One sassy-sweet supermodel.

Add in a tropical private island paradise.

What could go wrong?

As owner and CEO of Dirty Dare Spirits, thirty-three year old, Asher Dare has it all. Money. Power. Women whenever he wants. A private island retreat when he doesn’t. People he trusts? He can count those on one hand. When one of his best friends asks a favor—hide his twenty-one year old, supermodel sister, on the island until a scandal blows over—Asher can’t say no. But he doesn’t have to like it.

The daughter of a Senator and a Presidential candidate, Nicolette Bettencourt always acts with decorum. Yet through no fault of her own, scandal seems to follow her every move. When nude photos surface, the uproar puts her father’s campaign at risk. And forces her into hiding with Asher, the hottest—and grumpiest—billionaire she’s ever met.

Under soothing tropical breezes, Asher discovers that Nicolette is nothing like the spoiled brat portrayed in the tabloids. She’s warm, sexy, and a temptation Asher must resist at all costs—or he risks betraying his closest friend, bringing a powerful political dynasty to its knees… and losing the woman he loves.

••••••

REVIEW: JUST ONE TASTE is the seventh instalment in Carly Phillips contemporary adult KINGSTON FAMILY erotic, romance series-a series interconnected with the author’s Dirty Dare /Dare Nation series. This is twenty-one year old model Nicolette ‘Nikki’ Bettencourt, and thirty three year old, owner of Dirty Dare Spirits Asher Dare’s story line. JUST ONE TASTE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Asher and Nicolette) JUST ONE TASTE follows the age-gap romance between twenty-one year old model Nicolette Bettencourt, and thirty three year old, owner of Dirty Dare Spirits Asher Dare. A media scandal has forced Nicolette Bettencourt into hiding. A series of nude images focusing on our story line heroine have been published, and her parents run for the White House is now in question. With the help of her older and over protective brother Derek, and his best friend, CEO of Dirty Dare Spirits Asher Dare, Nicolette finds herself on a private island, under the care of the man with whom she will fall in love. As Asher’s brothers begins a deep dive into what happened and why, Asher finds himself falling for a woman of whom he has been told to stay clear. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Asher and Nicolette, and the potential fall-out as Nicolette prepares to move on by herself.

Asher Dare doesn’t do relationships, and finds himself both put out and intrigued by his island companion. In an effort to keep things temporary, Asher proposes time together but to go their separate ways upon their return home. Nikki Bettencourt has always found herself second or third ‘banana’ behind her parents’ aspirations, a trophy to be looked at and admired, but a black mark on their fight towards political control. After another disappointing and embarrassing media scandal, Nicolette finds herself pushed further to the back realizing that to move forward means to move forward alone.

The relationship between Asher and Nicolette begins as forced proximity but quickly turns into something more. Asher has been warned not to cross the line with his best friend’s younger sister, and Nicolette wants the support and comfort she never got at home. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is are large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters: Asher’s parents Serenity and Michael Dare; his brothers Harrison and Zach; as well as the introduction of Nikki’s brother Derek, and their parents Senator Corbin and Collette Bettencourt; island housekeeper Maggie and her son Corey; and Nikki’s friend Winter Capwell. Winter and Harrison’s story line is next.

JUST ONE TASTE is a story of betrayal and jealousy, family and friendships, love and acceptance. The premise is emotional and entertaining; the romance is provocative and steamy; the character are struggling but determined and dynamic.

Previous Reviews and Reading Order

Just One Night
Just One Scandal
Just One Chance
Just One Spark
4.5 Just One Wish
Just One Dare
Just One Kiss

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Haven’t started the series? Book one JUST ONE NIGHT is FREE at these ebook retailers:

Amazon.com Amazon.ca B&N KOBO Chapters Indigo Google Play / Apple /

 

 

 

 

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

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Vampire Vacation by CJ Ellisson-a review

Vampire Vacation (The V.V. Inn #1) and Just One Taste by CJ Ellison-a review

VAMPIRE VACATION (The V.V.Inn Book 1) by C.J.Ellisson

NOTE: Series contains Mature Adult Content

VAMPIRE VACATION is the first book in C.J.Ellisson’s V.V.Inn series focusing on the adventures of Vivian Alexandria-a 580+ year old ancient vampire with a special ability. Located in Alaska, the V.V.Inn caters to the supernatural side of humanity including vampires and werewolves, where Vivian makes all of their fantasies come true ala Fantasy Island. Vivian is the epitome of sexual desire and oozes enough sex appeal to invoke the imaginations of the guests. But Vivian specializes in manipulation, and her ability makes the guests see and hear, what she wants them to see. As the only remaining ‘manipulator’ of her kind, Vivian aka Dria has the power to control even the most ancient and her past history as an enforcer has placed her on the top of the feeding chain when it comes to power and fear. But not everyone is happy with Vivian’s success.

Vivian’s long time mate and husband Rafe stands beside his wife at all times. Although he is not a supernatural, Rafe consumes enough vampire blood to keep up with his wife’s demands and very busy lifestyle. Without a Seethe, Vivian is virtually a one-woman machine. She has never felt the need to accumulate vampires or servants to follow her every command. But events at the V.V.Inn have turned fatal when a dead body is found in one of the guest rooms, and no one can account for his identity and how he was able to find his way into the Inn unnoticed. Security at the Inn will have to be updated and increased, and a new member will soon be added to Vivian’s small family at the Inn.

Several factors begin to fall into place, when Vivian begins to notice that some of her new guests are hiding secrets. But with her powers, she will eventually discern the identity and what precipitated the dead man’s appearance. And what Vivian finds will send shock waves through the Inn.

Jonathan is a werewolf who has worked with Vivian and Rafe for 7 years. Knowing Vivian is happily mated to Rafe, has not stopped Jon’s feelings for the ancient vampire. Never mated, Jon was hoping that perhaps Vivian would change her mind, but Rafe and Vivian’s relationship is based on love and no matter the circumstances, Rafe will always come first with Vivian.

We are introduced to several of the Inn’s employees including Paul the chef-one of the few humans who has not requested that he be a donor. But Paul has a family and does not wish to risk their lives, so he prefers to keep his personal and private life separate. But events at the Inn will place everyone in danger when the person suspected of murder begins to attack those closest to Vivian and her family.

In the end, Vivian will have the Seethe she never wanted and Rafe will be happier with the security recommendations of an ex-military soldier who now spends his life as the undead. Vivian is a heroine who knows what she wants, takes no prisoners and tells it like it is. Vampire Vacation is a great start to C.J. Ellisson’s The V.V. Inn series, and I am looking forward to all of her books.

Reviewed by Sandy

JUST ONE TASTE by CJ Elisson

JUST ONE TASTE is a pre-quel short story, approximately one chapter in length and focuses on Vivian as she re-unites with Rafe after more than a decade apart. At the present we are not sure what has happened between the two, but there is a definite sexual attraction and one that Vivian (aka Dria) does not want to pursue.

Dria is a 580year old female vampire with the special ability to manipulate reality, and an ability that is far too powerful in many eyes. But JUST ONE TASTE does not reflect the power that Dria can wield especially when a man from her past needs a place to stay for the night. Raphael was a young 17year old boy when Dria walked away from his mother’s ‘yoga’ studio but the attraction between the couple has never waivered in all those years. Rafe has apparently sought out Dria, and is willing to take their ‘friendship’ to the next level.

JUST ONE TASTE is exactly that-just one taste or small snippet – a quick look back to when Dria and Rafe first re-connected. Now that they are husband and wife, their adventures at the Vampire Inn continue with each storyline. If I am not mistaken, CJ’s new novel will focus on the backstory (pre-quel) of Vivian and Rafe.

Reading Order
1. Vampire Vacation
2. The Hunt
3. Big Game
4. Just One Taste (prequel)

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Paper Book
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook and Paper book
KOBO

Reviewed by Sandy

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