The Hunt (A Hard Love Romance #3) by Monica James-Review & Excerpt Tour
THE HUNT
Hard Love Romance #3
by Monica James
Release Date: October 30,2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / iBooks /
About the book: Release Date October 30, 2017
My name is Hunter O’Shea and I have a confession to make…I’ve met a girl who consumes me. I know that makes me sound completely whipped, but Mary “Lamb” Mitts has the power to bring me to my knees…it’s just too bad she hates my guts. But that’s okay, because I hate hers, too. The fiery redhead stirs something in me that I can’t explain.
This temporary insanity could be due to the fact my best friend, who used to be a bigger player than me, is getting married. That must be it. I’m caught up in an Oprah moment.
The only solution is to get back in the game and forget she exists. That theory is great—too bad I don’t want anyone else.
I…just…want…her.
I’m so screwed.
••••••••••
REVIEW: THE HUNT is the third instalment in Monica James’ contemporary, adult HARD LOVE ROMANCE erotic, romance series. This is financial investor Hunter O’Shea, and interior design student Mary Mitts’ story line. THE HUNT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Mary and Hunter were first introduced in the first two instalments Dirty Dix and Wicked Dix. Mary is Madison’s BFF, and Hunter is Dr. Dixon Mathews best friend.
Told from dual first person points of view (Mary and Hunter) THE HUNT focuses on the contemptuous and anger filled relationship between financial investor Hunter O’Shea, and waitress/interior designer Mary Mitts. Mary and Hunter’s hate-filled, visceral and verbal exchanges masks a heightened sexual energy that is barely contained in one another’s presence. Seeing something beyond the angry façade Dixon Mathews makes a suggestion that places Mary in the direct line of fire as it pertains to the man that she barely tolerates. What ensues is the slow building but acrimonious relationship between our leading couple, and the fall out as betrayal and jealousy destroy what was never meant to be.
THE HUNT is an emotional, intense and heart breaking story line about two people whose sexual histories are as diverse and different as night and day. Hunter is a manwhore whose reputation precedes his introduction to our story line heroine-a reputation that Mary takes to heart. Hunter doesn’t do relationships; has never fallen in love but something about Mary calls to his soul, a soul he believes isn’t worthy of a happily ever after. Mary’s only boyfriend destroyed her faith in men and her trust in love but her attraction Hunter is palpable and confusing knowing he is the last man she should ever hope to fall in love.
The relationship between Mary and Hunter is one of mutual animosity tethered by a mutual attraction that burns hot and electric. Their antagonistic love /hate dual does not go unnoticed by everyone concerned; it makes for some uncomfortable moments as Madison and Dixon’s wedding day approaches. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and provocative but the lack of trust and miscommunication between our leading couple is frustrating and powerful. My only complaint is the over-use of a certain four-letter word that I do not find conducive or necessary in a romance story line.
We are re-introduced to Dr. Dixon Mathews and his fiancé Madison (Dirty Dix / Wicked Dix), as well as their mutual friendship with Finch and Heidi. The introduction of fellow investor Aaron Gail, and his PA Keira Celly adds the requisite evil that heightens the betrayal and jealousy between our leading couple.
THE HUNT is a story about one woman unable to let go of the past; and one man’s inability to let go of his heart. The premise is engaging, edgy and intense; the characters are edgy, spirited and flawed; the romance is emotional, dramatic and passionate. My only complaint- the language is graphic and course including the use of a certain four-letter word as I mentioned above.
Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dirty Dix (formerly Addicted to Sin)
Wicked Dix
The Hunt
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
So why is she not slapping my cheeks and calling me a dirty manwhore when I inch closer to her lips? And why am I not slamming on the brakes because I don’t kiss—ever, but that rule seems to be obsolete when the supplest pair of lips are a hairs breadth away?
I’m rolling in her perfume. Slathering it all over my body and inhaling it like a new drug. She is all goddess, and if I don’t touch her, I’m going to explode.
Placing my palm to her cheek, we both moan at the contact, and when she parts those lips, I’m as good as gone. “Hunter, wh-what are you doing?”
My name has never sounded sweeter. “Shortcake, I don’t know…you tell me.” The ball is in her court. I’m liquefying and my brain turned to mush about fifteen minutes ago, so I’m in no state to be the one calling the shots.
“I…I…” she fumbles, never breaking eye contact.
“You what?” I ask, tugging at the lobe of her ear, before tracing my pointer down her throat. Her pulse is hammering, a sure sign she’s about to either surrender, or flee.
“I…oh god,” she whimpers, biting her lip when I work my finger back up and paint over her jawline in a slow sweep.
“You have three seconds…three seconds to stop me before I part those lips with my tongue, and I won’t be gentle about it.”
Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.
When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.
She is a bestselling author in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.
Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.
Facebook: facebook.com/authormonicajames
Twitter: twitter.com/monicajames81
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Website: monicajamesbooks.blogspot.com.au
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Very nice and honest review, Sandy. Thanks.
Wonderful review, looks like an emotional story line.
Looks great, thanks Sandy. Congrats to Monica
Fantastic review. I am not a fan of the four letter word you speak of, and I agree, it doesn’t belong in a romance novel of any sort.
Very nice review, thanks Sandy.
Terrific review, Sandy. Sounds like a good story line.
Another great review, thanks Sandy.