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Paso Doble
Emilio Bautista is bored with his job as a matador and has a PhD in chemistry he’s not using. Cube-farm chemistry is out of the question, but the universities in Andalusia are well staffed—except Covarrubias University. They’re desperate, but he still can’t get hired. Further, for the last six years, he’s been obsessed with a woman he can’t manage to meet, much less seduce.
Victoria LaMontagne is worried about her job as an English professor at Covarrubias University. After six years of being on tenure track, her new department chair is pressuring her to change her teaching style—or else. Further, she learns that one of Spain’s star matadors has a crush on her and threatens her hobby job for a chance to chat with her over tapas and flamenco.
Though they have never met, when Dr. LaMontagne and Dr. Bautista crash into each other in the administration offices, they fall into conversation as if they were long-time friends who’d had a spat. He finds her charming in spite of her tactlessness, vanity, and demanding personality. She finds him intriguing in spite of his obsession with her, his legendary promiscuity, and his boring bullfighting.
She makes him laugh. He solves her problems. They’re just friends—
—right up to the first kiss …
Victoria LaMontagne is worried about her job as an English professor at Covarrubias University. After six years of being on tenure track, her new department chair is pressuring her to change her teaching style—or else. Further, she learns that one of Spain’s star matadors has a crush on her and threatens her hobby job for a chance to chat with her over tapas and flamenco.
Though they have never met, when Dr. LaMontagne and Dr. Bautista crash into each other in the administration offices, they fall into conversation as if they were long-time friends who’d had a spat. He finds her charming in spite of her tactlessness, vanity, and demanding personality. She finds him intriguing in spite of his obsession with her, his legendary promiscuity, and his boring bullfighting.
She makes him laugh. He solves her problems. They’re just friends—
—right up to the first kiss …
- GenresRomance
500 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2014
20 people want to read
About the author
Moriah Jovan
18 books85 followersMORIAH JOVAN writes what her imaginary friends tell her to write. Thus far, they have shown up in the novels Dunham, The Proviso, Stay, Magdalene, Paso Doble, We Were Gods, Black Jack, Lion’s Share, 1520 Main, Twenty-dollar Rag, and Black as Knight, published by B10 Mediaworx. They will, most likely, continue to order her around until she hits on the right drug and dosage. Fortunately, her husband is very understanding of all the other people in her life.
Moriah has been doing this self-publishing thing since 2008 and has the war wounds to prove it. She’s a fair-weather Chiefs and Royals fan, half-assed planner, avid cross stitcher, dilettante crafter, and aspiring odalisque. She regularly thumbs her nose at her to-do list as if it has any authority over her at all. Her goal is to finish all the craft projects she has begun in her life.
All of them.
Moriah has been doing this self-publishing thing since 2008 and has the war wounds to prove it. She’s a fair-weather Chiefs and Royals fan, half-assed planner, avid cross stitcher, dilettante crafter, and aspiring odalisque. She regularly thumbs her nose at her to-do list as if it has any authority over her at all. Her goal is to finish all the craft projects she has begun in her life.
All of them.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 9, 2014
When I pick up a Moriah Jovan title, I expect to read a complex romantic story with deep rivers running below the surface. I expect characters who are engaging, complicated, frustrating, and lovable. In all these respects, Paso Doble does not disappoint. Jovan just keeps getting better and better (which is to be expected); in the pantheon of the Dunhams, this book sits a little higher than the others.
I am impressed with the amount of research Jovan has put into the last couple of titles. In Paso Doble, she takes the reader to Spain and the world of bullfighting as if she had lived there herself and thrown kisses and roses at the toreadors.
Jovan doesn't write Romance (with a capital R). She writes epic stories that are romantic. The central theme is love: finding it, recognizing it, realizing it, and keeping it. And not just love with a member of the opposite sex, but love for ourselves, family, and friends. Like I said - deep rivers. The characters, in some respects, could be viewed as being somewhat over the top (beautiful, brilliant, accomplished), but they are all notched by trials, tribulations and flaws. Besides, who wants to read a book about ordinary people? As much as I might bemoan that romantic fiction (mostly, but not exclusively) is packed with characters who are beautiful, brilliant and (mostly) wealthy, my hypocrisy is exposed when I read - and love - these kinds of stories. Apparently, I don't want to read about ordinary people, either.
I think Emilio is probably the most well-adjusted, just generally happy character Jovan has ever written. He's not completely without problems, and he's not a blissful idiot, but he takes his problems in stride, finds happiness in every corner, and has a generally affable nature. He knows who he is, and he's comfortable with himself. He's also a torero with a Ph.D. in chemistry, and he has more than a little bit of reputation with the ladies. I was falling in love with him before Victoria did.
Quite by accident (or is it?), Emilio bumps into Victoria, who happens to be one of the many Dunham cousins of his bestie, Sebastian Taight (le sigh). And twin sister to Etienne LaMontagne, whom we meet in We Were Gods . She's a professor at Covarrubias University (if you've read Dunham, you'll understand the connection). Victoria is beautiful and she knows it. As a devout, unmarried Mormon, she's also a 32-year-old virgin. Jovan's characterization of Victoria is charming and deep. She exposes what many of us don't realize when we see someone beautiful, and that is that beauty comes with its own set of problems. Victoria's beauty is flawed by her personality traits. Like her brother, Etienne, Victoria has autistic traits, which make her socially awkward and very literal. She says things most people would filter. She finds the mundane aspects of life difficult to handle. She has nearly given up on finding a man who sees her as something more than a prize, an object of desire, and who can tolerate her lack of social awareness and tendency to say exactly what she thinks.
As soon as Emilio and Victoria meet, the real paso doble begins. Sexual tension is so palpable in this story, it's almost another character in the book. I think in our (mostly) sexually liberated society, we've forgotten how erotic abstinence can be. She is certain this manslut wants what every other man has wanted from her, and that's not a long-term relationship. He finds her charming, desirable - and frustrating. Yes, he desires her, but he's no dummy and it doesn't take him long to realize he must pursue his goal with patience. Somehow, the conquest becomes a courtship as these two play out their own dance in tandem with Emilio's dance for Victoria in the bullfighting ring.
I laughed. I started casting the movie in my head. I cried. I laughed some more. I started searching IMDB because, sadly, Antonio Banderas is too old to play Emilio. I'm quite certain Jovan has already cast the movie. I cried some more. The final bullfight - yes, over the top and hopelessly romantic - left me gasping in delight. And what happens after that? You'll have to read the book, because I'm not telling. :-)
I am impressed with the amount of research Jovan has put into the last couple of titles. In Paso Doble, she takes the reader to Spain and the world of bullfighting as if she had lived there herself and thrown kisses and roses at the toreadors.
Jovan doesn't write Romance (with a capital R). She writes epic stories that are romantic. The central theme is love: finding it, recognizing it, realizing it, and keeping it. And not just love with a member of the opposite sex, but love for ourselves, family, and friends. Like I said - deep rivers. The characters, in some respects, could be viewed as being somewhat over the top (beautiful, brilliant, accomplished), but they are all notched by trials, tribulations and flaws. Besides, who wants to read a book about ordinary people? As much as I might bemoan that romantic fiction (mostly, but not exclusively) is packed with characters who are beautiful, brilliant and (mostly) wealthy, my hypocrisy is exposed when I read - and love - these kinds of stories. Apparently, I don't want to read about ordinary people, either.
I think Emilio is probably the most well-adjusted, just generally happy character Jovan has ever written. He's not completely without problems, and he's not a blissful idiot, but he takes his problems in stride, finds happiness in every corner, and has a generally affable nature. He knows who he is, and he's comfortable with himself. He's also a torero with a Ph.D. in chemistry, and he has more than a little bit of reputation with the ladies. I was falling in love with him before Victoria did.
Quite by accident (or is it?), Emilio bumps into Victoria, who happens to be one of the many Dunham cousins of his bestie, Sebastian Taight (le sigh). And twin sister to Etienne LaMontagne, whom we meet in We Were Gods . She's a professor at Covarrubias University (if you've read Dunham, you'll understand the connection). Victoria is beautiful and she knows it. As a devout, unmarried Mormon, she's also a 32-year-old virgin. Jovan's characterization of Victoria is charming and deep. She exposes what many of us don't realize when we see someone beautiful, and that is that beauty comes with its own set of problems. Victoria's beauty is flawed by her personality traits. Like her brother, Etienne, Victoria has autistic traits, which make her socially awkward and very literal. She says things most people would filter. She finds the mundane aspects of life difficult to handle. She has nearly given up on finding a man who sees her as something more than a prize, an object of desire, and who can tolerate her lack of social awareness and tendency to say exactly what she thinks.
As soon as Emilio and Victoria meet, the real paso doble begins. Sexual tension is so palpable in this story, it's almost another character in the book. I think in our (mostly) sexually liberated society, we've forgotten how erotic abstinence can be. She is certain this manslut wants what every other man has wanted from her, and that's not a long-term relationship. He finds her charming, desirable - and frustrating. Yes, he desires her, but he's no dummy and it doesn't take him long to realize he must pursue his goal with patience. Somehow, the conquest becomes a courtship as these two play out their own dance in tandem with Emilio's dance for Victoria in the bullfighting ring.
I laughed. I started casting the movie in my head. I cried. I laughed some more. I started searching IMDB because, sadly, Antonio Banderas is too old to play Emilio. I'm quite certain Jovan has already cast the movie. I cried some more. The final bullfight - yes, over the top and hopelessly romantic - left me gasping in delight. And what happens after that? You'll have to read the book, because I'm not telling. :-)
January 15, 2018
The book took some time to get into, as it felt like I was missing a lot of context in the beginning. But as I went along, and got to know the characters... I didn't want it to end.
The heroine is the prototype of the socially awkward genius professor, extroverted, singer, French-American and so fun to read about. The hero is a scientist, a bullfighter, and an introvert. It could so very easily have been a story of "perfect people" but both of them have their flaws, and their irrational behaviour.
Although the heroine is a Mormon and there are some religious overtones to her behaviour, she does not feel preachy and neither does the book.
It is set in Spain, and the scenery and the culture crash between them is fun. They are really different, and the story shouldn't necessarily work well, but yet the author makes it work.
I had to keep reading to see what would happen.
The language is lyrical, and I bookmarked several of the descriptions.
All in all a very good read.
The heroine is the prototype of the socially awkward genius professor, extroverted, singer, French-American and so fun to read about. The hero is a scientist, a bullfighter, and an introvert. It could so very easily have been a story of "perfect people" but both of them have their flaws, and their irrational behaviour.
Although the heroine is a Mormon and there are some religious overtones to her behaviour, she does not feel preachy and neither does the book.
It is set in Spain, and the scenery and the culture crash between them is fun. They are really different, and the story shouldn't necessarily work well, but yet the author makes it work.
I had to keep reading to see what would happen.
The language is lyrical, and I bookmarked several of the descriptions.
All in all a very good read.
June 30, 2014
Complex and complicated with incredibly well-fleshed characters. Top marks all around. I loved that Victoria was both feminist and faithful, but I really appreciated not being beat over the head by either. I can't say that I've read anything with Mormon characters that weren't vilifying pieces, but I'm curious (secularly curious, anyway) to do some research. I will admit that if I had known this featured Mormon characters, I would probably have stayed far, far away, but I'm glad that I read this and I'm really looking forward to the other books in this series/sub-series.
May 5, 2014
I really liked Victoria and Emilio's story, and it was fun to see some of the pack too.
This is not your normal LDS story, but if you're familiar with Moriah Jovan's other books, then you'll like this other side to it, which brings some of the family back, weaving everybody's stories like she usually does.
I don't like Spanish bullfighting one little bit, but I loved the setting in Spain.
This is not your normal LDS story, but if you're familiar with Moriah Jovan's other books, then you'll like this other side to it, which brings some of the family back, weaving everybody's stories like she usually does.
I don't like Spanish bullfighting one little bit, but I loved the setting in Spain.
May 28, 2014
This book was so fast-paced and sexy that I wanted more, even though the ending was very happy! I just can't let these characters go! They are so well-written that I want to know what happens to them for the rest of their lives! I am now also totally in book-boyfriend love with Emilio....lol! You will really love this one! I can't wait to read it again and savor it!
June 17, 2014
Another Jovan story sadly ended. I think perhaps this book was a bit different from her others or perhaps I was better able to identify with the characters better, both introvert Emilio and socially inept Victoria. I loved the story and as usual, I am left wanting more. That's a good thing though.
Now on to We Were Gods!
Now on to We Were Gods!
January 13, 2017
.
As with all the Dunham books, the lead characters are enormous, godlike figures who tower over the landscape. Victoria is a Dunham cousin and 1) a multilingual polymath and a leading scholar of ESL, 2) a wildly talented lounge singer, 3) the most beautiful woman in Europe. Emilio is a close friend and mentor to a Dunham cousin and 1) the greatest matador of his generation, 2) an exquisitely talented lovemaker, 3) a genius chemist. These are the sorts of things we expect from Jovan protagonists. But they are difficult characters to hate because they are also deeply flawed---and their flaws flow from their godlike attributes.
Victoria, aware she is a genius and beautiful, pushes everyone's buttons. She can't get tenure and no man can put up with her. Especially since, as a devout Mormon, she's keeping her garments on until marriage. Most guys can't put up with her nearly long enough for that. Plus, she has very little patience for other people and, being incapable of taking offence, can very easily offend. She's become emotionally distant from just about everyone.
Emilio is also emotionally distant---he's as desired by the opposite sex, but his distance comes from frequent partaking. He has not room for emotional muchness because he gives away so many little pieces to many women. Plus, he's a natural introvert and finds people exhausting. His reputation as a notoriously sexed-up tabloid-popular matador gets him blacklisted from university jobs and he can't stand working as an assembly-line chemist. And so he's trapped in a glamorous career he's grown out of.
So these two sad and lonely gods must collide.
Although simple on the surface, this is one of Jovan's best works. It's look at modern sexual politics admits truths and looks in corners most people prefer to snigger at.
As with all the Dunham books, the lead characters are enormous, godlike figures who tower over the landscape. Victoria is a Dunham cousin and 1) a multilingual polymath and a leading scholar of ESL, 2) a wildly talented lounge singer, 3) the most beautiful woman in Europe. Emilio is a close friend and mentor to a Dunham cousin and 1) the greatest matador of his generation, 2) an exquisitely talented lovemaker, 3) a genius chemist. These are the sorts of things we expect from Jovan protagonists. But they are difficult characters to hate because they are also deeply flawed---and their flaws flow from their godlike attributes.
Victoria, aware she is a genius and beautiful, pushes everyone's buttons. She can't get tenure and no man can put up with her. Especially since, as a devout Mormon, she's keeping her garments on until marriage. Most guys can't put up with her nearly long enough for that. Plus, she has very little patience for other people and, being incapable of taking offence, can very easily offend. She's become emotionally distant from just about everyone.
Emilio is also emotionally distant---he's as desired by the opposite sex, but his distance comes from frequent partaking. He has not room for emotional muchness because he gives away so many little pieces to many women. Plus, he's a natural introvert and finds people exhausting. His reputation as a notoriously sexed-up tabloid-popular matador gets him blacklisted from university jobs and he can't stand working as an assembly-line chemist. And so he's trapped in a glamorous career he's grown out of.
So these two sad and lonely gods must collide.
Although simple on the surface, this is one of Jovan's best works. It's look at modern sexual politics admits truths and looks in corners most people prefer to snigger at.
July 8, 2015
The first of Jovan's books that I read. I really appreciate the complex characters in her books. They aren't easily pinned down, just like real people aren't just a business person with no outside interests. I don't generally read LDS authors because the plots are too simple, the characters lack depth and their relationship with God/religion is far more simple than my own has been. Jovan writes about the varying degrees of orthodoxy with a subtle respect.
I love family dynasty series and I find all of the Dunhams compelling. And enjoy running into characters as they interact throughout the books.
I love family dynasty series and I find all of the Dunhams compelling. And enjoy running into characters as they interact throughout the books.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews