My Double Life / Wild and Wicked

Alter Ego #1

by Joanne Rock

Overcoming my insecurities is easier behind a mask. And so is indulging my favorite new hobby of pole dancing, especially when I have the chance to take my dancing public. The next thing I know, I’ve attracted the attention of a Hollywood filmmaker who also happens to be a client at my day job. Only he doesn’t recognize me now, and I need it to stay that way if I want to stay employed.

Except it’s getting more and more difficult to keep my distance from Trey Fraser. I can’t believe he wants me, Courtney Masterson, a woman who’s always hidden from the spotlight. Until now. But if the secret gets out about my alter ego, we’ll both be in hot water…

An earlier draft of this novel released as a Harlequin Blaze.

Genres: Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Joanne Rock is a USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred works of popular fiction, including domestic suspense and romantic suspense. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville and has taught fiction, film, and writing at the college level. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel to gather new ideas.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both stories were good. The second with Kyra and Jesse was my favorite though. They are hot reads, so those who enjoy the Blaze line will want to read these. Carve out some time because this is a much thicker book since there are two in here.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The charm of a Joanne Rock novel is no two books are ever the same. From humor to heartache, drama to endearing there is always something to love. My Double Life has many twists and turns, but at it's heart it is journey of self discovery. A beautiful celebration of life, love and heart.

[Tambra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it Love it. Cant wait for book 2. I love Joanne Rock anyway but this was a great fun fresh new story. Could not put it down.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

I had a blast with Courtney and Trey in My Double Life. Take one hard-working employee who tends to stick to the backrooms instead of the spotlight of the outer offices and have her learn the fun, sexy, and empowering skill of pole-dancing and watch her personality blossom… but not too much, for her employers would never understand let alone keep her employed if they knew what her side gig was. One favor for a friend in need is about to change Courtney’s life forever, for the better, and oh, those possibilities ahead of her are endless.

My Double Life is full of steam, falling in love, and the bravery to let go of past insecurities to embrace another version of oneself. I loved watching Courtney set aside the fearful, never take a risk personality and let her true self come to the front of her life. It’s never easy to change yourself, especially when others keep reinforcing that negative view of yourself that has become a habit over the years – and watching Courtney reaching out for life, for love, for her own future as well as one with Trey was an empowering, enjoyable adventure.

If you love a fun, steamy, emotional romance, one that will have you cheering on the heroine constantly, plus a solid, good romance then you should check this one out real soon.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own -good, bad, or indifferent.* I also own a Kindle edition of this title.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was so much fun! All the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, mixed with the family dysfunction of the best soap operas. Add a splash of secret identity and a smidge of forbidden relationship and you’ve got the recipe for a fabulous diversion. I had no trouble at all connecting with Courtney and her insecurities. And even though Trey’s aren’t as easy to spot, he has his issues with feelings of inferiority that made him equally endearing. I loved this pair together and I’m kind of sad that their story is over already. I so enjoyed watching them step into their personal power and grow into forces to be reckoned with.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Jimnlori · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Double Life by Joanne Rock is a fun contemporary romance that you definitely don't want to miss out on.
Courtney Masterson lives a double life. She works her day job and at night she has fun pole dancing while masking up. No one knows who she is, but a client from her day job, Trey Fraser has taken notice of her at her night job. Now the only way she will keep him as a client is to make sure he doesn't find out who she really is.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character was just too pathetic for me to believe. It is great that she has all this self-confidence while on the dance floor but the woman is just a walking pile of neuroses that is frustrating to read about. It is just so one-sided in a potentially amazing story. Just very disappointing that it felt like reading a Mary Sue book where the perfect man is only attracted to the utterly flawed heroine and she literally runs away every chance she gets scared. This is supposed to be a grown woman!

[Reading Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always laugh when there's a story involving people that see each other in one setting but in another setting they don't recognize the person at all! That's the premise of My Double Life. Courtney has her office day job working in Hollywood and Trey is one of the business clients there. By night Courtney has decided to explore her wild side and work as a pole dancer. This is the Courtney that captures Trey's eye! These two are a lot of fun as they get to know each other on different levels. My Double Life was told from dual POV and is a funny, spicy read!

[Jesenia Sanabia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both books are sweet romance with some bits of hotness. Literally two book in one. Both stories are completely different. Very well written. One totally corporate the other country style.

[J.J. Lair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stimulating. The co-worker scene was amusing. The story with Courtney and Trey wasn’t what I thought it would be, but it went to a readable place.

[Felicity Waterford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t actually read this book but read Jo Osbornes book of life stories. Amazing

[Desere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one : My Double Life:

SCORCHING HOT READ ALERT! I am one hundred present sure that all of us have a wicked side that we either find the guts to release to the world or to someone in private or we let the alter ego stay in the shadows never to be released. But which ever you choose I think letting your other self crack through the surface is definitely the way to go as life is too short not to have some fun.

In the latest read from author Joanne Rock she took a everyday kind of girl Courtney,who is like most of us shy at some point but also shy to the point that talking to hot guys makes her stutter and run, and changed her into a tigress of the night, falling straight into the arms of the man her dreams are made of.

Sound absolutely stunning right? And it certainly was, I loved this read so much that I honestly could not put it down for even a minute I simply had to see how the author would take this insecure woman and turn her into a full fleshed temptation that no man can resist.

The main character of Courtney as I said is a shy girl but also has a little bit of fun on the side by taking pole dancing classes, unexpected events land her on stage in front of a crowd who makes her nervous, which she figures can be easily overcome as after all she is wearing a mask and no one there knows her, but she soon discovers her new hot and very sexy client enter-the-hot-tub-and-I'll-take-you-to-sexual-heaven-Trey is not only in the crowd front and centre but also that he is the only man she wants to really offer up a show for. I loved how the author brought the bad girl out in her by using Trey as the bait.

Only Trey is not your average guy the man has many issues on the family side and this causes some rift between Courtney and Trey offering up some great moments of underlining conflict but in a classic Joanne Rock style it is not the furiously argumentive kind of conflict but that special kind of "we don't shout we just calmly talk it out till the point were there is nothing left to say". I am not always a big fan of this kind of gentle conflict but with the unique writing style of this author it is what made the relationship between these two characters so much more romantic than others I have read before.

The backdrop settings were incredibly sexy from the stage at the nightclub to the hot tub scene that will totally blow your mind and leave you breathless and begging for your very own Trey to come into your life.

The dialogue was really sexy and playful but also held emotional tension of the best kind. I highly recommend this read for all fans of Joanne Rock and readers looking for romance with a unique plot, it is not everyday we find a plain Jane moonlighting as a dancer!

5/5 star review
" Unmasking each other heated kiss after heated kiss"

Book Two Wild and Wicked:

Sizzle, sizzle and more sizzle ! This book absolutely oozed sex and wild and wicked thoughts brought to life when one woman Kyra goes after her best friend Jesse. And my oh my does Kyra make Jesse not only nearly pop an eyeball she very nearly kills the man in a outfit so sexy there is no man on earth that would be able to resist.

The read is about Kyra she is best friend to Jesse and also business partner but she wants to be so much more, she simply cannot get over how much she wants straddle-me-and-I'll-show-you-the-ride-of-your-life Jesse.

And she goes after the man in spectacular fashion ladies, yes a plan so deliciously wicked you never would have thought it! Kyra goes all pirate and kidnaps Jesse and shows him what he has been missing.

I loved how the author let the friendship first be fully blossomed before going into full red hot sexual mode. This is sometimes a very vital part in a relationship as I believe that sometimes it is better for two people to really truly know each other before the uncontrollable urge to strip each other goes into overdrive.

The characters were both very well written and I totally loved them both and could not stop myself from rooting for these two all the way I simply had to make sure they find their happy ending.

The backdrop setting was one of fun and excitement. This read really burned up the pages with sensual heat and passion of the most wicked kind. The dialogue was simply delicious and the author took me from friendship talk to straight out sexy talk.

It was as if the characters were going to jump out of the pages at me any minute, yes my reading friends they were that real and that good. I highly recommend this read for all romance fans looking for a read that has loads of sizzling sensual heat and intense underlining romance.

I also really loved the message of friendship is the stating point to romance that the author conveyed to me as reader.

5/5 star review
" Sometimes getting your man means you need to wild and just a little bit more than wicked"

[Paula Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, it was a little difficult to wrap my head around the fact that it was a Blaze. I kept focusing on the cover, rather than the story. The whole feel of the story was different, and it wasn't until I reconciled myself to the fact that it felt more like a straight contemporary story was I able to settle down and enjoy the discovery of love between Courtney Masterson and Thomas Fraser III aka Trey as well as the discovery, recognition and acceptance of self that both characters learned. This book is told in first person, which is a different style for Rock, at least from other books i read by her, and for me, as a reader of Harlequin Blazes. It was a little jarring at first, but Rock's voice rang true throughout the whole book, which was something I latched on to. While I was reading, I could hear her telling the story, which helped to keep me engaged.

Courtney epitomised everyone who hid from life based on their disabilities, insecurities and the way they were treated by others. It wasn't until she donned a mask when she felt more powerful. She was able to be that confident, sexy and beautiful woman who feared nothing. However, as her journey continued and she came to the realisation of her own power due to her dancing and relationship with Trey, that she was worthy of being in the limelight. It was at this point in the story when Courtney truly began to shine. Her character was easy to connect with in that way because, like Courtney, I do my best work in the shadows. All my insecurities come into play when I am center stage, which are quickly followed by an attack of nerves. I loved watching Courtney learn to harness and learn to wield her power.

Trey was a great character as well. He was a bit tortured and tragic in is own way, and I love a tragic hero. He was Hollywood royalty, but he never used his status in his dealings with Courtney or others. He was a real down-to-earth character who walked around without a mask. Trey's character was a good foil for Courtney. Though he did not wear a physical mask, Trey used his drive, resentment of his father, and his desire to succeed to mask some deeper issues he needed to deal with. On the outside he exuded confidence, but deep down he just wants the love and acceptance of a father who he perceives to be wicked and conniving. His relationship with Courtney enabled him to learn and grow as a person and as a son. She forces Trey to look at things in a different way, by using her own experiences with family to guide the way she advised him.

As I was reading, I felt that the story itself was driven too much by the conflict. It was mostly character driven, which is expected, at least for me, when told in first person. The conflicts were nicely woven in throughout the story, and they added texture to the characters' development. Without them, it would be hard to understand who Courtney and Trey really were nor would we be able to track how and why they changed. I liked the supporting cast of Star and Natalie. Trey's dad was fun to read as well. Rock's use of the supporting cast to help show who Courtney was, in her two different worlds, was well done, as was her use of his father to reveal the deeper side of Trey. His motivations for what he did may seem skewed, but there is more to Thomas Fraser II than meets the eye. I really liked him, in the end, though I hated him in the beginning because his reasons, once revealed, were very realistic, and I could feel his pain. Trey's relationship with his dad, made me think about my own relationship with my mom. They are eerily similar.

I liked this story, and I love Joanne Rock's voice, but although My Double Life had some very sexy scenes typical of a Blaze, it read much better, for me, as a contemporary novel. It's that pesky cover thing! Hence the reason why I don't let covers be the determining factor of whether or not I purchase a book. Please keep in mind, that my opinion of this story are just that, an opinion. Everyone reads books in different ways, and their opinions are affected by many different factors. So, please take the time to read the book yourself, and form your own opinion. It is a good story with a great message. I learned a few things about life and people from this particular Blaze. I will read it again, some time soon.

[Liz F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Sara at www.HarlequinJunkie.com! :D

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.






The author of this double feature, Joanne Rock, has herself a new fan! I loved these books! BUT, I'm feeling like torturing you a little bit so I'm only going to give you a run-down of the first one. Trust me, one you hear about this one, I won't NEED to tell you about the other. So hop to it and go pick up this "2 for the price of 1" double feature!

My Double Life was so much fun. Now, I'm a chick that loves books set in California. I'd never be able to afford to live there since I have 4 giant dogs who need a yard to run in so I have to live vicariously through the heroes and heroines of my favorite romance novels. I'll admit that that was one of the reasons that I enjoyed this book so much. But now that I have that off my chest, I can give you the rest of the reasons; the reasons I think YOU are going to like this book.

Courtney is an awesome heroine. She is so incredibly relatable. She's a CPA but right now, she's a researcher at a risk management/wealth management firm. She has a speech impediment - she stutters when she's nervous or around new people (but she doesn't like the word 'stutter') so she had a very hard time interviewing and just feels thankful that she was given a chance. Of course, she's capable of so much more but she's happy where she's at. I was rooting for her from the very beginning. She's so sweet and kind and caring. She's a really great friend, even if she DOES have a hard time getting comfortable with people. She's a very hard worker at her job and now she's working on being more confident. After a bachelorette party held at gym that specializes in pole dancing exercise, she finds that she loves it! She has no desire to be a stripper but she loves the freedom of feeling like someone else and letting her inner goddess out. It's SO MUCH FUN to watch her transform from her shy, unassuming self into this sexy, bold dancer! Gah! She's great!

Trey is awesome in his own way. He's the son of a Hollywood legend. But he's trying to make his own way, not follow in his father's footsteps. That must be just fine with Trey's dad since it seems that he tries to thwart Trey's every attempt to make it on his own. Trey doesn't get it... he doesn't get why his dad wants to undermine everything he does. So Trey goes to this risk management agency so that he can see what he needs to do so he can start up his own company. So Hollywood is in Trey's blood. But he's not some douchey Hollywood-type. He loves the movie business, he loves making movies. He's willing to work hard to get what he wants. Sure, he's gorgeous, but he's also a sweet and warm guy.

Trey meets Courtney when he goes to the risk management company where Courtney works. Well, actually, they sort of meet. Trey introduces himself to Courtney because he's immediately drawn to her and he's not sure why. Courtney stammers and rushes off to her cubicle. Not an auspicious meeting, for sure. But it's only the beginning for these two.

Another great aspect to this book was that it's a Hollywood-type novel but it doesn't have any of the skeevy Hollywood-types. It definitely shows the nice, shiny side of Hollywood and to be completely honest, that's the side I want to read about. I know it must be tough to actually live in LA and be around all of those perfect people and ugh, all that traffic! But I want to read about the fun stuff! And this book delivers!

Also, just the concept of this book appealed to me. I think it's going to appeal to a lot of you too. I think there are lots of women out there who are like Courtney. We have our day jobs, which we love or not, but we have these, sort of, secret desires. I don't mean sexual; I just mean, things we wish we could do. It was great to see Courtney be bold and daring and to see her go out on a limb like she does. I could almost feel the rush that Courtney feels when she lets go!

Obviously, I highly recommend this book. It was so much fun but it also tackled some serious issues with the characters. I really think that if you give this book a shot, you'll love it. Plus, you'll get a second, equally awesome book to read... for free!! :)

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Double Life

Courtney Masterson is just living her daily life, in a sell that is. When you have a famous mother who is embarrassed by you a father who ignores you and a set of nerves higher than Everest, what else are you supposed to do? Except that is when she walks into the studio and gets near her pole. What started out as a scary/funny bachelorette party is turning into one of the most life altering fitness crazes ever.

Trey Fraser might as well be Hollywood royalty. However it seems there is a rift growing wider and wider with his father. So he needs to figure out how to make sure he has enough capital to move further with his businesses. Which leads him to an investment firm where he meets Courtney Masterson, CPA and then a meeting with a client leads him to meet Natalie Night, pole dancer. Attracted to two women which will he choose? Or will he have to?

Ms. Rock takes us on a journey through one woman’s insecurities towards her strength. While the Courtney does seem to make quick strides in parts of the story to see where she starts to the woman she ends up being is a fantastic growth. I did wish for a little more detail when it came to Trey and Courtney’s relationship, I think she forgave WAY too quickly, it is always nice to see that what outsiders think is perfect, isn’t always the case. This was overall a great story and I look forward to reading what Ms. Rock has in store for both of Trey’s brothers and possibly his father.

Wild and Wicked

Kyra Stafford has been on her own for most of her life. Even when her dad was around she was alone. The one constant has been her need to prove her independence and then of course her best friend Jesse. Jesse Chandler is the typical playboy, terrified of commitment he has bounced from lady to lady from a young age. In fact the only one he hasn’t made a pass for is the one most perfect for him. However one day that changes, when Kyra fears Jesse will soon be out of her life she makes and attempt to get him to see her as a woman. Will it work? Or will this tried and true friendship take a turn for the worse?

Ms. Rock certainly likes to make the reader relate to the female leads insecurities. I was also impressed by her ability to run two stories intertwined without losing either one in the other. Greta and Clint’s story is defiantly a compliment to Kyra and Jesse’s. Overall a great story, with more of the sensual and less heat.

[Carol Brunquell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, did not know what to expect. Have read several Joanne Rock novels, and was thrilled when she gave me a chance to get an advanced copy and to review it. This was a really fun ride, and spicy, spicy, spicy. Just loved every bit of this hot novel with fun characters. From shy to sexy in.....0.1 seconds! Hot male lead... just could not beat this book and could not put it down. I had read earlier Joanne Rock novels where I was a little disappointed that she would have characters have internal thoughts that ran on and on, and I would put the book down because I literally got lost in what was actually happening in the book. No worries any longer, this book has none of that! A++ read.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

In My Double Life, Rock brings us the story of Courtney and Trey. Both are products of their upbringing. Neither of them had parents who believed they were good enough as they were. Together they learn that the best person you can be is exactly who you are. I really enjoyed watching Courtney and Trey find themselves and each other.

This book is packaged with an older release, Wild and Wicked, a classic friends to lovers tale. Kyra and Jesse are fun to watch and they figure out that being best friends sometimes leads to something much more.

[Anita Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of Joanne Rock's books. She is on my keeper shelf and one of her series, I reread once a year. This book blew me away. It was completely different from what she normally writes. I don't want to spoil it at all, but I will say that you should go and read it for yourself. Very clever twists that I did not see coming from her. I enjoyed it immensely. Believable characters with real and normal traits, great dialog and bantering are all in there. Highly recommend it.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is that once I saw the cover of this book and read the description, I knew I wanted to read it! The men…sexy! The women…smart and they knew what they wanted. Not to spoil it for you, read it and enjoy it as I did! You will love the characters. I highly recommend the book! Enjoy!

[Harlequin Books]

"...Courtney's evolution from caterpillar to butterfly is awesome and enjoyable in Rock's lighthearted story. Toss in some hot forbidden fantasies, and it's icing on a delicious cake." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical harlequin read..funny the fan fav rerelease was one I read the first time around and just like then I enjoyed the secondary characters more than the main ones..funny enough you felt the authors obvious interest in them as well..you could feel the writing focus shift to them lol

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one from Joanne Rock! I don't recommend to all my friends because some would not like the heat level but wonderful writing and great flow. I always say Joanne is a great storyteller and she's never proven me wrong, no matter which genre I read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable quick read.

[Jodi]

I give no stars. Found boring

[Danielle Barrineau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great price for 2 books. The story's are good to boot!

[Icecherry1027 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.... I could not put this book down.
Very hot and steamy read.

[Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.segredosemlivros.com/2014/...

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both novels were absolutely fantastic. Both novels feature main characters that find themselves in their quest for love.