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St. James Family #1
Kiss of Ice
It may be Christmas, but Annata St. James is feeling a distinct lack of holiday cheer.Seven years ago, Annata made a big mistake. She gave in to Christophe Van der Kind, the boss's smug, entitled son, in a moment of weakness. Their one night together has haunted her ever since. She will never forget how good he made her feel...but what happened between them is firmly in the past. Now, hard-working Annata has her eyes on the prize - to be named CEO of the company she's been loyal to for fourteen years. Only one thing stands in her way, and he's 6 foot 3, blond-haired, and blue-eyed. Christophe is back, and he's determined to screw her - in more ways than one!It's ice-cold outside, but inside, things are heating up as Annata gears up for the fight of her life... little does she know Christophe has no intention of backing down. He wants Annata for himself, and he'll do everything in his power to make it happen...Contains steamy secret trysts, a globe-trotting BWWM power couple, and a well-earned HEA. For mature readers only.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2013
25 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Lavender Parker
9 books98 followersLavender Parker is an avid reader of romance novels and erotica. Having grown tired of the predictable and often white-washed mainstream romance novels available, she decided to try her hand at writing the kind of stories she wanted to read. Lavender's hot heroes and heroines come in all shades and all ethnicities! She recently completed her first novel in the St. James Family series, Kiss of Ice.
Lavender currently lives with her long-term boyfriend and slightly neurotic dog in the colorful New York City borough of Queens. When on break from her day job in reality television, she also likes to write screenplays and produce low-budget films.
Contact Lavender Parker:
email: parker.lavender@gmail.com
twitter: @lavender_parker
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavenderparker
Lavender currently lives with her long-term boyfriend and slightly neurotic dog in the colorful New York City borough of Queens. When on break from her day job in reality television, she also likes to write screenplays and produce low-budget films.
Contact Lavender Parker:
email: parker.lavender@gmail.com
twitter: @lavender_parker
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavenderparker
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 3, 2013
HATE IT!!!!!! I wish I could get my money back!!! it frustrated me and I completely disliked the heroine SMH she acted like a hateful, jealous little girl!!! I did like the hero he was sweet but kinda of a pushover!! I will not be purchasing book #2.
May 27, 2014
SPOILERS! I liked this story up till they came back.I don't think she was being mean towards him at all. She was cautious because of the stuff he did. So found her reaction just to him snubbing her spot as CEO. Because she worked her whole career there. Chrostophe still didn't take responsibility for taking her position. his entitled ass. The whole Van der Kind family ill. She forgave him too easy for me. Esp. after she was fucking him and he took a girl to Brazil.
July 8, 2015
This was a well written and mostly enjoyable romance. The only thing that kept me from loving this story is the fact that I often found myself becoming irritated by Annata's inability to allow herself to actually acknowledge her feelings for Christophe. Annata fought this relationship from the beginning to the point of being ridiculous. Annata's rejection of Christophe often bordered on being cruel and there where times when I just wanted Christophe to throw in the towel and say that he was out of there. I understand Annata's disappointment when things do not go her way professionally. Did she really expect someone to hand the reins of a family company over to an outsider over their own son, especially when that son is capable of running things well? Come on Annata, let's have some sense of reality here.
Christophe displayed the patience that most men whether in love or not, would not have had. Yes, he was a bit spoiled and over indulged, but he developed into a mature and good man over the years. However, Annata was so busy being petty and condescending that she almost missed the opportunity to be with the type of man that could make her happy.
All in all a good read and I definitely want to read book 2 in this series, Kiss of Fire, so that I can see what happens with Annata's sister Toni and her mysterious firefighter. I just hope that Toni will prove to be less aggravating a character than Annata. Parker wrote Annata to be so realistic that she began to feel like that good friend that you just want to smack in the back of the head and say "Wake up girlie and grab your piece of happiness!"
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
Christophe displayed the patience that most men whether in love or not, would not have had. Yes, he was a bit spoiled and over indulged, but he developed into a mature and good man over the years. However, Annata was so busy being petty and condescending that she almost missed the opportunity to be with the type of man that could make her happy.
All in all a good read and I definitely want to read book 2 in this series, Kiss of Fire, so that I can see what happens with Annata's sister Toni and her mysterious firefighter. I just hope that Toni will prove to be less aggravating a character than Annata. Parker wrote Annata to be so realistic that she began to feel like that good friend that you just want to smack in the back of the head and say "Wake up girlie and grab your piece of happiness!"
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
September 3, 2018
3.5 Stars
I'm not gonna lie, my favorite moment was when the heroes father, the heroine's boss and mentor finally made his decision and how she responded to said decision. My jaw dropped when the hero expected the heroine to still want to be with him. How? Why? Really? I guess in his mind, they still had Paris. Still, she's a better woman than me because I wouldn't have much to say to the hero, or his damn father ... e-v-e-r! What saves this book is that we are privy to the heroes feelings for the heroine.
I'm not gonna lie, my favorite moment was when the heroes father, the heroine's boss and mentor finally made his decision and how she responded to said decision. My jaw dropped when the hero expected the heroine to still want to be with him. How? Why? Really? I guess in his mind, they still had Paris. Still, she's a better woman than me because I wouldn't have much to say to the hero, or his damn father ... e-v-e-r! What saves this book is that we are privy to the heroes feelings for the heroine.
December 27, 2014
I really loked this story very, very much for about 3/4 of the book. But I really disliked the "resolution" of the conflict. So I don't feel like giving 3 stars...
The writing was good, the character interesting, the sex pretty, pretty hot. I liked Annata as a character : strong, competent, independant, no-nonsense and honest with her feelings. I wish she had had more social life though. The short time her cousin was there didn't really let us know more about her. I don't fault her for the way she reacted to Vivica's punk ass. The girl was annoying as hell. I rather liked that Annatta didn't turned into the typical "good" relative, bending in half and sacrificing herself. She made the right decision to send Vivica to the grandmother, and she even went out her way to try and track the girl down. It would ave been intersting to learn more about that, though...I likded that we get to learn about her Grand mother and I liked the glimpses we had of her sister and her other cousin. I would have liked for her to have some social relations outside her family though. Not a BFF per se or the stereotypical gay best friend of something like that. Even just one or two collegues she would go and have a drink with, to unwind...
I liked Christophe too. I liked that he wasn't the steroptypical "alpha white billionaire" bullshit. I liked that the author didn't try to makes him look perfect : he was a pampered rich white boy who got everything handed to him. And he knew it and never pretended otherwise. I liked that he owned this about him, and he was somehow humble, for most of the time, when he compared to Annata. So, all in all, I think he was a decent fellow, I quite liked him. Up until he took part in crushing Annata's dream and never properly took responsability for that. Or properly apologize. Or explain to her why he did what he did. He behaved like a coward and never owned it.
And then, we were made to feel for him being lost and whallowing in self pity and hurting from the break up. Like seriously? How in th ehell is he the one painted as the wronged party?! And he never even tried to go afater her : SHE is the one who always try and reach out for him, evry freaking time!!! UGH ! I hated the writing's choice regarding that part of the plot. I didn't sympathize with his white ass broken heart. Nope. And I didn't think Annata had anything to apologize about. Like, really? She is the one who was painted as the wrong party and that what made me mad. Like everytime we get to see her POV, it was always said she was wrong and stuff. UGH! I hated that she was the one who had to go and take the high road and all. I'm glad she let her anger die : I didn't want those negative feelings to eat her up one way or another. But I think that the way she was used and tossed out by that old ass William (and Christophe who benefitted from the move !!!) should have warranted a better "resolution" that what we got. That awfull old white guy pretty much got way with it scot free. And his justification was just so insensitive and selfish and entitled with white male privilege !!! Then to have Annata go and be all nice with him...Even after some time, even after having her move on with her professsional life, I can't believe that she would just make nice with this asshole like that. Every time I read about that smug old bastard, I just wanted to smash his entitled white face again, and again, and again.
So yeah, the book was good, but the ending was shit to me : not the HEA, but the "resolution" of the conflict. That William shit pretty much ruined the book for me.
The writing was good, the character interesting, the sex pretty, pretty hot. I liked Annata as a character : strong, competent, independant, no-nonsense and honest with her feelings. I wish she had had more social life though. The short time her cousin was there didn't really let us know more about her. I don't fault her for the way she reacted to Vivica's punk ass. The girl was annoying as hell. I rather liked that Annatta didn't turned into the typical "good" relative, bending in half and sacrificing herself. She made the right decision to send Vivica to the grandmother, and she even went out her way to try and track the girl down. It would ave been intersting to learn more about that, though...I likded that we get to learn about her Grand mother and I liked the glimpses we had of her sister and her other cousin. I would have liked for her to have some social relations outside her family though. Not a BFF per se or the stereotypical gay best friend of something like that. Even just one or two collegues she would go and have a drink with, to unwind...
I liked Christophe too. I liked that he wasn't the steroptypical "alpha white billionaire" bullshit. I liked that the author didn't try to makes him look perfect : he was a pampered rich white boy who got everything handed to him. And he knew it and never pretended otherwise. I liked that he owned this about him, and he was somehow humble, for most of the time, when he compared to Annata. So, all in all, I think he was a decent fellow, I quite liked him. Up until he took part in crushing Annata's dream and never properly took responsability for that. Or properly apologize. Or explain to her why he did what he did. He behaved like a coward and never owned it.
And then, we were made to feel for him being lost and whallowing in self pity and hurting from the break up. Like seriously? How in th ehell is he the one painted as the wronged party?! And he never even tried to go afater her : SHE is the one who always try and reach out for him, evry freaking time!!! UGH ! I hated the writing's choice regarding that part of the plot. I didn't sympathize with his white ass broken heart. Nope. And I didn't think Annata had anything to apologize about. Like, really? She is the one who was painted as the wrong party and that what made me mad. Like everytime we get to see her POV, it was always said she was wrong and stuff. UGH! I hated that she was the one who had to go and take the high road and all. I'm glad she let her anger die : I didn't want those negative feelings to eat her up one way or another. But I think that the way she was used and tossed out by that old ass William (and Christophe who benefitted from the move !!!) should have warranted a better "resolution" that what we got. That awfull old white guy pretty much got way with it scot free. And his justification was just so insensitive and selfish and entitled with white male privilege !!! Then to have Annata go and be all nice with him...Even after some time, even after having her move on with her professsional life, I can't believe that she would just make nice with this asshole like that. Every time I read about that smug old bastard, I just wanted to smash his entitled white face again, and again, and again.
So yeah, the book was good, but the ending was shit to me : not the HEA, but the "resolution" of the conflict. That William shit pretty much ruined the book for me.
January 14, 2015
I loved the story, and I understood the heroine, she knew she liked Christophe, but she also resented him as she had worked hard for the company and thought that he would swoop in and steal her job. Still didn't stop her from finding him very attractive.
Yes she's hard but I think you sometimes have to be in the Corporate World. I loved the story and I would recommend it to woman who are professionals and don't take any s***t in the corporate world.
Yes she's hard but I think you sometimes have to be in the Corporate World. I loved the story and I would recommend it to woman who are professionals and don't take any s***t in the corporate world.
May 6, 2014
This is one of the best IR books that I have read in a long while. The plot was good, the leads were good. IMHO-a must read. It is also very well written. I wish this author would provide her editor to some of the other writers in this genre.
October 9, 2014
I liked this book, but the further I got the more annoyed I got with Annata. How many times does he have to say I love you and how long does he have to wait till you finally admit that you love him back? I’ve read other books where the woman took too long to make up her mind, but this one tops all the others; it drove me nuts. While there was a bit of an eye opener as to who was really responsible for breaking them up, I still lost my tolerance for her. I understood what the negative comments were about. At first I didn’t understand the complaints about Annata, but mid-way through the book the complaints about her all made sense. With what she put him through, I pitied Christophe so much.
August 29, 2014
Definitely one of the best books that I've read for the year.
When I thought of Christy's & Annie's love story I was reminded of the Shakespeare's saying The course of true love never did run smooth.
There were countless times when I wanted to reach into the book and give Annie such a hard slap or shake...I can't believe she couldn't see just how much Christy really did love her and she just kept putting up her walls at the slightest thing. I applaud Christy for sticking it out and finally managing to break Annie's walls down a bit.
Can't wait to read other works by the author.
When I thought of Christy's & Annie's love story I was reminded of the Shakespeare's saying The course of true love never did run smooth.
There were countless times when I wanted to reach into the book and give Annie such a hard slap or shake...I can't believe she couldn't see just how much Christy really did love her and she just kept putting up her walls at the slightest thing. I applaud Christy for sticking it out and finally managing to break Annie's walls down a bit.
Can't wait to read other works by the author.
November 5, 2015
Edgy, but frustrating
I was excited to read a story about an older woman, but through the the ENTIRE book, she was anything but. She behaved like childish girl. I couldn't believe she was supposed to be a 37 year old woman. In reality, I just could not believe that the male character would stick around. She was emotionally and somewhat verbally abusive. She gave nothing. I anxiously kept reading, hoping she would be the mature woman ( considering the 5 year age difference), but she failed, even up to the end of the book! That was very disappointing, but the love scenes were nice and steamy
I was excited to read a story about an older woman, but through the the ENTIRE book, she was anything but. She behaved like childish girl. I couldn't believe she was supposed to be a 37 year old woman. In reality, I just could not believe that the male character would stick around. She was emotionally and somewhat verbally abusive. She gave nothing. I anxiously kept reading, hoping she would be the mature woman ( considering the 5 year age difference), but she failed, even up to the end of the book! That was very disappointing, but the love scenes were nice and steamy
July 28, 2024
My fav fictional couple ever!This is my second read and I dont think I can move on easily.This story,every scenes every details become clearer when i read it for the second time.Now I understand why Annata n Christophe being that way.Why they wasted years of not being together.I will not hesitate to revisit the story and these characters years later.
April 19, 2014
Ok loved this book up to two thirds of the way through, then I got tired of Annata's refusal to give Christophe a chance. So obstinate and it just went back and forth. Christophe was a saint - Annata was ridiculous and came across as the typical angry black woman - for no reason!!
December 10, 2021
I adored this couple and enjoyed Christophe's pursuit of this woman. Their love journey was a wild and enjoyable ride.
December 27, 2023
As much as I really enjoyed this book, I am taking away stars because of the FMC. Christy was a sweetheart throughout. Obviously I was really disappointed in him for taking the role of CEO but I completely understood where he was coming from. It is his father's company after all.
To put it plain and simple, Annie was entitled and a hypocrite. Regardless of how hard you have worked, why would you expect William to pick you over his son. Why would you think you have any right over leading his company?
Also, I was honestly hoping she would have to grovel more to get christy back. Christy was a man in love and I am happy that they both got their happy ever after at the end, but I feel that with everything Annie put him through, this was more of a sad love story than anything.
To put it plain and simple, Annie was entitled and a hypocrite. Regardless of how hard you have worked, why would you expect William to pick you over his son. Why would you think you have any right over leading his company?
Also, I was honestly hoping she would have to grovel more to get christy back. Christy was a man in love and I am happy that they both got their happy ever after at the end, but I feel that with everything Annie put him through, this was more of a sad love story than anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2022
I have read several books by Ms. Parker and each one is a gem. I think my favorite so far is the story of Christophe and Annata. Christophe fell in love in Annata when he was fairly young. She was a few years older and ambitiously working her way toward the position of CEO in his family's company. Seven years later Annata has a real chance of moving into that leadership position....her only obstacle is Christophe and their feelings for each other. Will he step aside and let her win or will he fight for his father's company and for her love? So much angst and so much conflict.....I loved this story and look forward to reading the sister's story next!!
January 18, 2025
Difficult
Do not expect this book to go the way you would want. Two prideful people with sticky communication skills when it comes to masters of the heart. Yes, the male lead confesses his feelings halfway through the book. But the year-long wait could have been avoided if both had a mature talk while in Paris rather than trying to live in a fantasy world. At the same time, I, as the reader, would have missed the anxiety of figuring out when they would have their HEA.
Do not expect this book to go the way you would want. Two prideful people with sticky communication skills when it comes to masters of the heart. Yes, the male lead confesses his feelings halfway through the book. But the year-long wait could have been avoided if both had a mature talk while in Paris rather than trying to live in a fantasy world. At the same time, I, as the reader, would have missed the anxiety of figuring out when they would have their HEA.
March 5, 2022
Cliche plot and bland characters. If Lavender Parker gives more persona into the characters instead of describing the most basic physical appearance, the book could've been at least semi-interesting to read. Unfortunately, the author has no skills to do that.
March 5, 2023
I forgot how much I loved this book. I decided to re-read it again after several years and loved it just as much as I did the first time. I really enjoy LP’s writing style and the character development.
November 27, 2019
2.5 stars
September 18, 2021
Extremely repetitive writing style with the use of verbs
October 31, 2013
Annata is as hard as they come. I fell in love with Poor Christy he just kept on coming back for more punishment! Even to the very bitter end it was still him who went to her and threw himself down on the alter again. I stayed up till 4am in the morning to finish reading this story because I just could not believe how much this man loved this woman. This book was sooooo good! I will have to check out her sister Toni's story as I think I am hooked now. Lord have Mercy if a man loved me like that I would fight to keep him!
This is an excellent read. I recommend it highly a real page turner!
This is an excellent read. I recommend it highly a real page turner!
May 18, 2014
Review for audiobook:
I really like BWWM books...but, IDK...I got bored kinda quick... I don't like stories where I can't get a feel of the characters right up front... or if the story drags... My attention tends to drag along... so maybe this one is a skip... Hopefully book 2 will be better... I actually haven't given up on the series as of yet... just this couple!
Narration was alright... I have heard better...
Sale or credit this if you are waiting on another book to come out...and there is simple nothing to listen too... then and only then credit this...Otherwise...SALE all the way...
I really like BWWM books...but, IDK...I got bored kinda quick... I don't like stories where I can't get a feel of the characters right up front... or if the story drags... My attention tends to drag along... so maybe this one is a skip... Hopefully book 2 will be better... I actually haven't given up on the series as of yet... just this couple!
Narration was alright... I have heard better...
Sale or credit this if you are waiting on another book to come out...and there is simple nothing to listen too... then and only then credit this...Otherwise...SALE all the way...
June 24, 2014
I almost didn't read this one, but I'm so glad I did! I was almost swayed by some of the less than favorable comments about Annie and Christophe, but I had to read their story when I saw they would be featured in Kiss of Fire. I loved both of them! These two drove me crazy, but I really enjoyed their story. I've read the first 3 books of the series, and it didn't disappoint. Can't wait for the next book!
So glad I found Lavender Parker. She writes a good story with LOTS of heat!
So glad I found Lavender Parker. She writes a good story with LOTS of heat!
October 1, 2014
I enjoyed this book a lot although I found Annata annoying and frustrating at times. Christophe deserved a medal for continuing to pursue and for putting up with ALL her BS! That being said the book was worth reading and I definitely enjoyed it enough to purchase book two, Annata's sister Antoinette's story.
March 28, 2014
Extremely strong black female lead. I loved it. I felt the relationship grow in this book. The characters were perfect I wouldn't change and thing and recommend this to many people interested in this type of book!
May 13, 2016
I love Annata, she absolutely rocks but I swear her naivety about her position in a family company did not quite match with her level of intelligence. I really found Christophe to be so cute and completely loyal.
This story is a really good read, I enjoyed every bit of it.
This story is a really good read, I enjoyed every bit of it.
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October 23, 2013Free on amazon
November 19, 2013
Annata and Christophe's story was different from a lot of story lines out right now. I was drawn in my their mutual animosity and was with them when it turned into something more.
March 14, 2014
I thought the prequel was good..not..even..close to this book!!! I finished it less than a day I couldn't get enough of Annie & Christy
March 27, 2014
I liked how the story was started but the hero and the heroine's attitudes didn't change much throughout the story. She's bitter and he's childish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews