#Review of The Congressman’s Wife (the Congressman’s Trilogy #1) by Arie Paulou & Charlene Keel w/a rafflecopter giveaway! #Review #Woman’s Lit #giveaway

The Congressman’s Wife

by Arie Pavlou & Charlene Keel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE:   Contemporary Women’s Fiction

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

All Eden Bancroft has ever been to her high-profile politician husband is a trophy wife, born and bred for the part.  She believes she has no choice but to play it—until she meets a talented chef and restaurant heir who shows her the real meaning of love. 

The more her husband uses and belittles her, the more deeply Eden falls for Kaleb.  Even with Mitchell’s congressional campaign in full swing, the lovers manage to find brief stolen moments together. When her husband is wounded by a bullet from an angry lobbyist, Eden must stay by his side.  What she learns can set her free, if she has the courage to take a stand.

“The beautiful wife of a would-be congressman falls for a sexy chef in this steamy debut novel . . . A spicy outing that should feed readers’ hunger for romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“The Congressman’s Wife is a thrilling roller-coaster ride from beginning to end: fast-paced, sizzling with sex, yet constantly balanced on the edge of disaster . . . This is unquestionably one of the best books I have read . . .”
—ReadersFavorite.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt One:

Kaleb had been standing close enough to hear it all—not that he’d intended to eavesdrop.  He only wanted to try and give her some kind of signal—to beg, if necessary—to get a moment alone with her.  When he heard her husband’s caustic words, Kaleb wanted to punch him.  He wanted to take Eden’s hand and lead her out of there, away from the complete jackass her husband seemed to be.

Instead, he followed her into the room where coats were checked for the evening.  The maid who’d taken them was nowhere about, and Eden was digging through the racks when Kaleb walked in.  She looked up, surprised.

“We need to talk about it,” he said.

“About what?”  She found her wrap and Mitchell’s Brooks Brothers overcoat, draped them over one arm and turned to face him.

“About this thing between us.”

“That’s not very original.”

“I feel it and I know you feel it.”

“Look, I’m very flattered,” she began but he cut her off.

“We don’t have much time.”  He moved closer, aching to touch her.  “Your husband will come looking for you any minute.  Just tell me when and where I can see you again.  Alone.”

“You can’t,” she said.  “My husband is running for congress.  It’s . . . it would be impossible.”

“No,” he insisted.  “I don’t know why we met or how we’re going to pull this off but I do know one thing.”  He was speaking so softly now that she had to move closer to hear him.

“What?” she asked, her lips just inches from his own.  They were of equal height and he could see how well, how perfectly, they would fit together.

“I won’t give up.  I want to make love to you.”

“At least once?” she countered.

He moved closer still.  “Once will never be enough for us.  You know that, too.”

She sighed, lightly, and her sweet breath lingered on his cheek for a moment before she moved away and broke the spell.

“My husband is waiting for me,” she said.  “You’re a little crazy, you know?  You need to forget about this.  I’m married.  I have kids.  I don’t have time for an affair.”

“Have lunch with me.”

“Sorry—too busy.”

“Just let me talk to you.  Give me two hours—maybe over the weekend.  Then if you never want to hear from me again, that’ll be it.  I swear.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, as if she was considering it.  “As intriguing as that sounds, I’m afraid it’s impossible.  I’m going to the season opening at the Village Resort up in Hunter this weekend, with my best friend.”

“Your husband going too?” Kaleb persisted.

“No.  He has a previous engagement.  Not that it’s any of your business.”

He opened his mouth to answer but Mitchell’s voice rang out in the foyer.  “Edie—let’s go.  Where are you?”

She flashed Kaleb a warning look and called out softly, “Coming, Mitchell.”  Then she left, quickly, before her husband could see Kaleb standing in the shadows.

You know Harlie HATES cheating in a book.  Ugh!  But with this book, she gave it a chance.  And she is sure glad that she did.  Beautifully written, excellent plot, twists and turns and a couple that you truly wanted to be together.  Yes, she really wanted them to be together.  Here are her top reasons for liking/disliking the book:

LIKES

1.  Eden – She could have come across as weak and in some ways, she was in the beginning.  There were children in the marriage and didn’t want to upset that part of her life.  She also didn’t really see a way out of her marriage with Mitchell.  Plus, where would she go?  Plus, when she met Kaleb she honestly didn’t know what true love was or even experienced it.  *sigh*
2.  Kaleb – He never gave up on her.  Never.  Sure, he knew that she was married and to whom but he didn’t care.  He saw and heard they way Mitchell treated her and knew that she deserved so much better.
3. The category that this book is in is Woman’s Lit.  I know, but there is a romantic element to it and some smexy times, too.  But overall, I think the category is corrected.  It’s about a woman’s journey to finding out what true love is about and going for it.
4. I loved the political intrigue.  It kept me glued to the pages of the book.  I love a good political thriller so I’m in.
5. The food.  Yes, the food.  Kaleb can cook and I swear I was famished when I finished the book.

DISLIKES

1.  Mitchell – You are supposed to hate him but he took it to another level for me.  I can’t stand when a husband belittles his wife.  Douche!
2. At times, I really felt like the book put me on a rollercoaster with all the political intrigue.  Yes, I like it but at times, I really wanted the romance between Eden and Kaleb.
3. That this book is part of a trilogy.  I knew that going in but once I finished I really wanted to continue reading about Eden and Kaleb.  I went to Ms. Keel’s website and there is nothing in regards to the next book.  *sad face*
4. The food.  Seriously, I was hungry throughout the whole book.  *winks at Arie*  Evil man
5. That it ended.  Most of the times, I can finish a book and move on to the next one.  Not this one.  I want more.

Overall, this is one of the better political romance books that I’ve read in a very long time.  It’s timely, pertinent and suspenseful.  Plus, the romance between Eden and Kaleb is believable.  And yes, this is a cheating book but I highly recommend it.  Go figure!  🙂

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Charlene Keel has written over a dozen novels and how-to books as well as multiple episodes of popular TV shows such as Fantasy Island and Days of our Lives.  Her Dell book, Rituals, was the basis for the first made-for-syndication soap opera.  Recently she co-authored The Tracks, a YA supernatural trilogy.  Shadow Train, the final installment, won a Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award.  Keel has also written screen adaptations of novels by bestselling authors, and has worked as editor or managing editor for a few international magazines.  In her spare time she ghostwrites books and screenplays for celebrities, doctors, corporate moguls, spies, strippers and anyone who has an interesting story to tell. 

 

For more information:

Website: CharleneKeel.net

Follow Charlene on Twitter

Charlene Keel on Facebook

Blog: Red Sky Book Blog

 

Arie Pavlou is a popular chef who attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and then perfected his craft at some of the top-rated Michelin restaurants in France and New York.  He has lived and worked in France, Cyprus and the U. S. and is an avid world traveler who speaks five languages.  He enjoys all sports and has a talent for knife-throwing, which he perfected at Le Cordon Bleu.  Currently Chef de Cuisine at the renowned Bridgehampton Inn in New York, his specialties include Caramelized Baked Alaska, Winter Salad, Roast Lamb Fondue, Wild Game and Poached Pears with Mint Ice Cream.  The Congressman’s Wife is his first novel, and he’s currently writing a cookbook. 

 

For more information:

Arie Pavlou on Facebook

 

Purchase The Congressman’s Wife (The Congressman Trilogy Book 1)

 

The book is on sale for $0.99.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Arie Pavlou & Charlene Keel will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway ”