Ardente

Jeffries #3

by Brenda Jackson

Ela não percebeu o quanto ele estava perto de chegar...

Kimani Cannon soube que teria problemas no instante em que seus olhos esquadrinharam 1.90m de pura sensualidade masculina. Os céus haviam finalmente atendido suas preces... Duan Jeffries era a personificação do homem ideal. Encantador, charmoso, atencioso... E um amante de arrasar na cama! Pena que o caso com o Sr. Gostoso teria a duração de somente uma noite... Até Kim precisar de um acompanhante para o (quinto!) casamento de sua mãe. Duan concorda em bancar o papel de noivo de Kimani. Mas faz algumas exigências (ardentes...) em troca. Para Kim não tem problema! Até ela descobrir que Duan teve motivos particulares para aceitar sua proposta. De repente, Kimani não sabe mais em que acreditar. Sua cabeça e seu coração a aconselham a ter cuidado. Mas seu sangue entra em ebulição a cada vez que sente o toque de Duan...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Harlequin, African American Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Harlequin Blaze

220 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2010

About the author

In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

Reviews

[Lady Raven RAVE! · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book to me was well written, I read a viewers comment that she didn't like it because within the first three pages they were having sex after all the book is called SPONTANEOUS that's ok if she didn't Care for that but I can tell those of you who haven't read the book yet it is good. I don't care that they had sex within the first couple of pages it was different and exciting and most importantly if the author can keep your interest after they have been intimate so quickly then the author has done her job.

I like Duan and Kim they both had there issues growing up and that leads them to be who they are. You will fall in love with both Duan and Kim when reading this book as well as their family. I am a fan of Brenda Jackson and she gave me something different and I enjoyed it.


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[K2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read was O.K.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't usually read a lot of romance novels because they tend to lack substance and this one did not surprise me. This is the third Brenda Jackson romance novel that I've read, the others were Bachelor Unleashed and Temptation. In all 3 of those books, one or both of the main characters had some kind of relationship issue where they did not want a serious long-term relationship. They just wanted sex. The characters were either scorned by an ex or they both had parent abandonment/abuse issues and they swore to never get in a serious relationship and certainly not marriage. Despite their issues with relationships, the characters have this miraculous change of heart, they fall in love, and low and behold they get MARRIED or at least engaged. Now after reading this pattern in 3 of her books I'm starting to wonder if all of Jackson's romance novels are like this. And did she have to randomly throw in the word 'spontaneous' in this one, as if she had to explain why she titled the book that?

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and even viewing the Kindle cover you knew this would be a hot book and lives on to the Blaze line. I enjoyed the story of Duan & Kim and how they grew to trust each other despite their fears. I look forward to reading the story line of the other partners in the Peachtree Private Investigative Firm.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, I always enjoy HQN books! And this one...*whew* fire extinguisher worthy!

Duan & Kim are the perfect couple. Both had the same views on life & love, they came from similar childhoods.

I enjoyed Spontaneous!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brenda Jackson writes romance that sizzles and characters you fall in love with! I couldnt put this book down!

[Magan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So i have to say this book was very Hot, a nice quick read. with lot of juicy sex scenes absolutely perfect !

[Tanya Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read. I enjoyed the story. Duane and Kim made a good couple. Love how Kim was a strong. woman who realize what she wanted and went out and got him

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kimani Cannon has been attracted to the brother of her best friend's fiancé for awhile. She was going to act on it at the engagement party but he had to leave. At the wedding, she goes for it. And Duan Jeffries is not going to turn it down. But he also isn't sure that he wants it to be a one-time thing. When Kim gets a phone call that her mother is getting married for the fifth time, she's worried; none of the other husbands were particularly good and Kim's mom hasn't known this man for long.
Duan hears the man's name and is immediately on alert. He recognizes it from when he was in the Atlanta police department as being a man whose two wives disappeared under mysterious circumstances when he had an airtight alibi.
It was a fun and fluffy story. As a category romance, there's not a lot of room for development in the relationship but Idid see how Kim and Duan fit together.

[Mattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, but I didn't love heroine because in last book she was dating a guy and he was sleeping with another woman and it didn't bother the her because "they weren't exclusive". I just really found that really off-putting that she could knowingly sleep with a guy that was sleeping with other women even if using condoms, that's so unsafe because they can break. I also didn't really like her as a heroine all that much. Hero was ok but didn't really stand out like other heroes do and I found he was kind of forgettable. The added plot of the mother's fiancee and them both investigating him was a good diversion so it wasn't too much sex and made it believable that hero and heroine fell in love and wasn't solely based on sex. Np.

[Page Passion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this is my first read Blaze novel. This series or line of category romances is so beloved by readers, and since Brenda J is my favorite, I figured, why not? This has spicier moments, but compared to what people write now, this isn't that sexually graphic. Maybe the tolerance was different back in 2010? Overall, I like Kim and Duan. I thought they had some great emotional scenes together, but the story didn't necessarily have a lot of stakes. However, Brenda's shorter books don't usually have a lot of stakes, but it can vary. Her stories are always interesting, I will say that, and she knows how to write Heroes. Without giving too much away, there is some fake dating in the story. If that's a trope you enjoy, I think this book will work for you.

[Turtleberry Turtleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duan and Kim had an instant attraction. He couldn't get enough of her. Then he volunteers to pose as her fake fiancé when she goes home to visit her mother and family. When he finds out who her mother might marry, it turns into a case for him. While trying to solve the case, he ends up falling for her. She also falls for him. Both have reasons why they don't want a long term relationship but that doesn't stop their feelings from growing.
I enjoyed how these two fell in love. They didn't fight it but they didn't express their feelings either. Each thought the other didn't want more than a brief situation.
This book was really good. I liked it a lot.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Kimani and Duan's quick relationship/ultimate love story! They were both attracted to one another at first sight and they both did not want a committed relationship, however, the more time they spent together, the more they both realized that they not only wanted a committed relationship, but that they did not want to live without the other because they were two of a kind. Awesome read with very sexy/crazy love scenes!

[amaya crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really awesome book

Because it's an really awesome book I didn't like that Kim tried to let how her father treated her mother be the reason she didn't want to have a serious relationship or that deun tried to do the same thing but in his case it was his mother all the women in my family

[Nikita Serious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oldie but goodie

Mrs. Jackson is an awesome writer. I this in paperback and got it in Kindle as well. I just re-read it and I so love Duan & Kimani's story. Spontaneous loving in every chapter. I'm glad the 2 of them found love in each other.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sizzlung!

This book was in Brenda Jackson's true style! Love her characters and story line. And the sex scenes are SIZZLING!

[marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Great , can't wait until the next one comes out.


All of Brenda Jackson books have been a joy to read for a senior citizen , nice hot and streaming.

[Cynthia Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buttercup

So very excellent. Great use of details that make the story move along swiftly. Love all the characters in this book.

[Ebony Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Brenda Jackson does it again. Romance and action. Another great series. Characters that you want to fall in love with.

[Margaret Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spontaneous combustion!

Another heart warming story. Sizzling from beginning to end! Phew! A glass of water is warranted! Great story of a dream deferred.

[Melanie]

Fabulous

I love the story that they both had family issue. They used those issue to come together. Her relationship with her mother was excellent. #familyandlove

[Arnissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT HOT HOT

This book was hot from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down. It was a great story page for page. Duan and Kim are definitely a match. This book put me in another world. Thank you Ms. Jackson. WHEW!!

[Fallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must start this review saying that there are very few Harlequins I actually like. When I was younger, my family couldn't afford much that wasn't secondhand; so, most of my books came from thrift shop bins. Harlequin was always a brand that was on special with books going for as cheap as 3 for 99¢. Back then, I fancied their paperbacks as forbidden fruit.

As I got older however, I grew to realize that the brand was more or less a mirage of romanticized traditionalism marketed as tantalizing tales; wherein heroines lived to be wooed by white and black knights alike, under some pretext of liberation or redemptive love.

Being a writer further keened me into the brand's interests of preserving that paradigm. They prefer tropes more rudimentary and maybe mildly risqué, not revelatory or ones that impart intimacy which involves insight. So, I must disclose I'm somewhat disappointed and bitter whenever I hear 'Harlequin' tossed into a literary discussion; because more often than not, I'm tempted to write off the brand altogether for what I read to be paltry prose and peddled patriarchy.

That being said, Brenda Jackson completely knocked my socks off with this book. Duan and Kimani are delightful, desirable, and have depth. They are simply composites or caricatures of star-crossed, starstruck lovers mooning over the prospect of romance; nor are they tiresome tempests toiling over some stale, sensualist spilt milk. They actually articulate emotion and affection to which I - or any regular person - can empathize.

Moreover, the characters are further dignified Jackson's writing style. She conveys passion that doesn't overshadow the gravity of her couple. Not only that, but she effects just how romance or intimate ventures make them vulnerable. Unlike 99% of Harlequin's catalog, Spontaneous doesn't pander to pitiful paramours whom either assume a happy-go-lucky or devil-may-care attitude further embodied in corny carnalities.

I've recommend this read to several friends and I'll keep doing so - and I've started looking into Jackson's other works. A small part of me wonders if maybe this novel speaks to a comprehensive capacity of Harlequin, but the greater part of me can't help but snort.

[Jessica Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a impulse purchase when I was doing one of my 'spontaneous' *wink* Kindle shopping sprees. One thing I love about Ms. Jackson (and one thing I can humbly say we have in common) is that we both love and believe in happy endings. Some might think of that as boring or unrealistic or whatever, but I totally disagree. I think of it as inspiring and uplifting and not wary of getting to the end. And that was the case in this book.

I read this book in a couple of days and it didn't take long for me to fall in love with these characters. Kimani (or Kim), the independent and beautiful nurse and future doctor, and Duan, the intense and smoldering sexy private investigator, both of whom share a disdain for one of their parents as well as a mutual lack of desire for anything other than a fling, each really held their own. But their connection is so incredibly intense and insatiable right from the start and they can't seem to get enough of each other. And they get the opportunity to experience what they both say they don't want when Duan's skills and resources are needed to get Kim's mother out of a potentially dangerous situation, and they realize what was apparent from the jump; they were made for each other. I loved that there wasn't a whole lot of subterfuge of them fighting their obvious feelings or refusing to acknowledge or act on them. Sure, you might have known what would happen at the end, but that's not always a bad thing. You might know exactly where you're going but that doesn't mean you don't enjoy the ride getting there. And I surely enjoyed this ride and will be taking it again.

I already knew Ms. Jackson was an awesome author but I will definitely be splurging on more books of hers. It's refreshing to know that love will conquer all at the end of the day.

Oh, and I love Duan.

[Kaetrin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first African American romance but I can't say that it read any differently to me. Kim (Kimani) is best friends with the Duan's brother. They're both attendants at the wedding and have been sending each other smouldering looks since they met at the engagement party. My first problem with the book was that they literally did not have a conversation until after they'd had sex twice - once during the wedding reception and again after it ended. Unless you count "my room number is..." as a conversation. Perhaps because I have not read the earlier books I missed some earlier characterisations? I was told they had the hots for each other but not really shown. I was told they liked each other apart from their physical attraction but there was very little of that shown in the book. It made it hard for me to buy the HEA.
When Kim says "You're a man who probably appreciates a willing woman." I wasn't quite sure how to take that. I mean, don't ALL men appreciate a willing woman? Isn't a man who appreciates an UNwilling woman a rapist? There were also some strange gymnastics which I had trouble imagining - eg "Duan reached out and wrapped her legs around his neck. Then he parted her thighs and entered her..." That made me think Kim has the thighs of Elastagirl.
I thought the suspense plot was far too easily resolved to be completely believable but the sex was very hot, I liked Duan and Kim well enough and at only 142 pages it was an easy evening's read.

http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...

[Kaitlyn Bates · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read. I'm not normally one to read romance novels, particularly Harlequin romance, but I wanted something quick and junky. This met both requirements. I would not have made it priority to read had I not been unable to sleep. I found it unbelievable (for obvious reasons), and I just did not feel as though they developed the characters well at all. I have only read two other Harlequin romances, however both of those had much more intriguing characters and a better plot. It really felt like the whole point of this book was just the smut. I don't think I will be reading any other Harlequin's by Jackson.

[LaTonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read by Brenda Jackson. I absolutely LOVED Kim and Duan's story. I loved the fact that the action started at the beginning of the book and that Kim was experienced and knew exactly what she wanted. The story line was also great because it included a little bit of mystery and suspense that kept me reading to find out the truth about Edward Villarosas. Also, I can't finish this review without saying how much I loved all the steamy scenes between Kim and Duan; this was a really HOT book! Thanks to Brenda Jackson for another great read!

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPONTANEOUS INDEED.......This story was HOT from cover to cover.....Kimani and Duan was made for each other their ideas on relationships was what they both thought they wanted until that first spontaneous night that brought them together...This is a romance read but so HOT that you would have to look at the cover again to make sure. Mrs. Jackson has created a VERY seductive and VERY sensual LOVE story that keeps you wanting more. Keep up the GREAT work Mrs. J.

[agedriven]

Noone writes better desire on site books than Brenda Jackson. Duan Jeffries never married and not looking for that to be his future eyes Kimani Cannon across the room at his brother's wedding. Eyes lock, desire acknowledged and passion starts. Duan pretends to be Kimani's fiance while trying to solve a cold case from two years ago. While working together their sex only relationship turns into love and well the rest is history.

[Shanae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story! This has to be one of the best romance novels I've read from Brenda Jackson. Though typical in the relationship between the main characters, Kimani and Duan, the backdrop about Kimani's mother and Edward Villarosas was entertaining and helped me learn about the main characters. This novel makes me want to read more books from Jackson that aren't about the Westmorelands.