Sylvie Proulx has a very proper, professional life, where every second is scheduled and each mouthful of food carefully documented and exercised away. But a woman has needs. So she discreetly requests a 1NS date from Madame Eve, only to be paired with a free-spirited cowboy from Freewill, Wyoming with a thing for steak.
Paul Gaines needs a sponsor for the national rodeo circuit and travels back to Vegas to seek out a meeting. He needs a date to the fancy party, and calls on a dating service he’s known for a long time, expecting a night of fun and companionship. But the more he discovers about Sylvie, the more he wants to cover her in crème brûlée and teach her how to ride a horse. Sylvie has very careful boundaries, and Paul only has one night to convince her to give him a tomorrow.
Genre: Contemporary, foodie romance, western, erotic romance, interracial
Heat level: 4 Word count – 12500
http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=798&osCsid=t3kh823abflkf3q2qafdj71ao7
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DNCOHC4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1377816367&sr=8-2&pi=SL75
~Excerpt~
“You make for a good date, cowboy,” she said. With a tiny grunt, she pushed away and gazed into his face. He kept hands on her back, just in case. “Sorry, I don’t normally get loopy. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“It’s been a full evening.”
“Yeah.” She giggled. “It’s too bad I can’t tell my father about making out next to Alan and his bimbo. Trip highlight.”
“He won’t want to know?” Paul peered into the empty elevator as the doors opened, thankful not to see another person. He guided her inside and pressed the button for the forty-second floor, hoping Raul’s directions were correct.
Sylvie waved a hand at the thought. “Everyone knows Alan is unfaithful.” She took a deep breath, almost thoughtful. “I won’t be able to tell my father about you.”
Paul felt a curious pressure in his chest and dismissed it. “Why not?”
“Because you are my secret.” She put her finger on his lips. “Shhh.”
Like last time, Paul sucked her finger into his mouth and held it there, stroking it with his tongue. She leaned toward him, as though mesmerized by what magic he worked with her stray appendage.
“Everyone needs a secret,” he said when he released her finger. “You can bet I’m gonna tell everyone I know about you. No names, of course.”
A strange cloud settled across her face. “I would love to be able to do that.”
He couldn’t help stroking her cheek, trying to bring her back to whatever happy-go-lucky place she’d abandoned. “Then go ahead. You’re an adult.”
“Only in Vegas.” She pulled him toward her and locked her lips onto his, prying his mouth open and seeking out his tongue. Paul arched his back to keep her upright and held her close to him, awakening the monster that wanted to be inside her again.
He’d never thought about a true one-night stand. Knowing they only had one night didn’t bother him until—faced with the reality he might not see Sylvie again come the morning—he tried to think of all the ways he could keep her awake for as long as they needed to fully explore what unfolded between them.
Surely she hadn’t intended to hold to the one night limit. No matter what the rules.
Review:
I’m at somewhat of a loss how to write this review. I liked it but then I didn’t. It felt incomplete to me. Let me explain below:
1. I know that in a 1NS that I make up my mind if its a HEA or HFN. Paul and Sylvie got their HFN and I’m happy with that. I can only imagine how Mattie is going to take the news. He he!
2. As a crossover with the Western Escape series, I thought that Ms. Rhys did a great job. She brought in the reason why Paul was in Las Vegas and how he came to this decision in his life.
3. Sylvie was a well thought out character and I instantly connected with her. Being controlled from my mother growing up, I “got” her and the issues that she had.
4. What got me was that after the 1NS and decision to try to make it work out between them, where did the other part of the story go. There was the buildup of Paul getting a sponsor and himself needing Sylvie for that but it just fell flat to me. I know, Harlie its a 1NS story, try not to read too much into the beginning but I did. I’m hoping that Ms. Rhys writes a conclusion to their story regarding the sponsorship. I heard that she is working on another one and I hope that I get that conclusion.
I really did like the story but felt like certain parts were unfinished. And I’m weird because I want to know how the sponsorship works out. 🙂
Author Bio:
Camryn Rhys grew up on the border of Canada and the US, and still hasn’t decided which country to call home. She splits her time between the Alberta and Montana Rocky Mountains, with friends and family in both beautiful locations. After running her own restaurant for several years and acquiring advanced degrees in writing, foodie romance seemed the only logical option. When she’s not watching the Food Network, she’s reading a romance novel, or if absolutely necessary, working as a consultant. Someone has to put really excellent food on the table.
I really struggled with the shortness of this book, too, because I love the buildup… and then I want the story to be over. 🙂 I will tell you, there’s more information about Paul coming up in the fourth and final Gaines book, which will be Brady’s love story. Due soon. 🙂 Thanks for the review!