Drowning

by Jassy De Jong

Sensuous but stifled New York City photographer Erin Mitchell thinks going to South Africa on assignment will be the perfect getaway. But when a flash flood washes away Erin's vehicle and she is stranded at a luxury safari lodge, Erin's romantic working vacation takes an interesting turn. She awakens from her near-drowning and meets her rescuer, Nicholas--hot and brilliant, successful and caring--not at all like her abusive husband. At Leopard Rock in the steamy South African heat, Erin faces the toughest choices of her life. Nicholas is ripped, he's smart and he's "no strings attached." The question of whether to give in or not to give in drowns Erin's senses as she struggles with two impossible goals: ignore the exquisite physical charms of her host, and conceal every last detail whenever her controlling husband calls. On the other side, Nicholas faces impossible choices of his own, as his bon vivant playboy lifestyle may just possibly collide with feelings more powerful than lust.Erotic. Exotic. Wild. Drowning sizzles in the African heat as one woman is stretched to the breaking point by the strength of her vows and the intensity of her seething primal desires.

Genres: Romance

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2014

About the author

Jassy de Jong lives in the countryside outside Johannesburg, South Africa, and shares her life with her wonderful partner Dion, two horses and two cats, one of whom is permanently stationed on her writing desk during office hours. She enjoys traveling, cooking, cycling, and competes in dressage on her Thoroughbred, Msasa Magic. Jassy was thirty-five years old before she met her soul-mate, and while kissing a few frogs along the way (who stayed frogs), she learned a lot about life, love and relationships. She adores writing about the incredible experience of falling in love, and believes that everybody deserves a happy ending... especially her heroines.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got copy for my kindle and jumped in right away one Friday evening. I didn't stop until I finished at 1 am. The book grabbed me right away with it's mysterious and complex characters. The story moved along quickly and at times had my heart racing with the sex scenes!

The story begins with Erin, a photographer waking up in a strange place after having almost died in a terrible accident that leaves her stranded on one side of a river with a handsome Nicholas, her rescuer. On the other side of the river, who she is desperately trying to get back to is her husband who was in a separate car on their journey to a photo shoot.

Erin is drawn to her rescuer and he drops her a proposal no sane woman would turn down! The book is steamy and sensual with beautiful images and scenery of the African outback!

[vvb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rating

I found that this book provided some steamy scenes with a storyline that dealt with lust and love. It fits the bill for an entertaining hot and fast read with characters who just can't resist that pull of love despite their circumstances.

I liked the setting of this story which was an estate in South Africa. I am left wanting to read more stories in a similar location to get a better sense of the land and culture.

This story also got me thinking of toxic relationships.

[Patricia Bergman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads giveaway.

This is probably the most erotic book I've read. The protagonist, Erin, is married to a prominent photographer who is abusive and extremely jealous. Because of an argument he tells to get out of his vehicle on their visit in So. Africa and ride in a car that follows him during a horrible storm. A bridge collapses after he crosses although her vehicle falls into the rushing river. Thankfully, a local estate owner is a trained paramedic and saves her life after she practically drowns. The attraction becomes magnetic between the two and the eroticism is extreme. I liked the story and found myself wanting to find our what was going to happen to her marriage. I recommend this for those who are not offended by this sort of content.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might I start by saying, if Fifty Shades of Grey had been this engrossing I would have understood why so many women went gaga over the book. However, what turns people on or engages them, especially with this genre, is a bit subjective. So in that sense it's hard to fully endorse this book because people like what they like. I just happened to greatly prefer this book to Fifty Shades for instance. The steamy scenes of intimacy (and there are a ton, so if this isn't your thing you might want to look elsewhere and if it is...well...lucky you!) were written very seductively with just the right build up of tension. Nothing feels out-of-place or thrown in there to ratchet up the sexy factor. I also really enjoyed the main men of the story, Erin's husband, Vince, and the dreamboat, Nicholas. It's easy to fall for the South African hunk right along side Erin, but it's Vince's part in the storyline that made the story interesting for me. This probably won't spoil much but de Jong really made me want to punch him in the face a lot. But that's a good thing; I was emotionally invested in Erin's love triangle.

While I enjoyed getting right to the point with all the steamy romance, I felt the introduction was a bit rushed. There wasn't enough time to get to know Erin and Vince before they get separated and this could have been to slowly flesh out the reality of their relationship later in the story, but I didn't feel connected to them at all. You feel a little miffed at Erin for breaking the sacred vows of marriage but, hey, we don't know her or her hubby that well, so you can't feel too sorry for the guy except on a really basic level. I felt a lot more connected to all the characters later in the book, as I so aptly pointed out  with my confession of wanting to punch a fictional character in the paragraph above. However, the author could've given us a little more time with the couple before the accident.

For erotica, a genre I rarely read, this was a good book. It's not an earth shattering story by any means, but compared to other books I've read in my limited experience with this genre, this is my favorite. If you're looking to indulge in some sexy romantic literature pick up this guilty pleasure.

*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.

[Hayley G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect read to keep you company for Valentine's Day!

Drowning was a fantastic romantic getaway, that kept me up through the night (could easily be devoured in one sitting). Erin was a great narrator, although I must admit I found it hard, at first, to read her thoughts and I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but than I realized- it's because Jassy writes the English language so well, it truly shined through in Erin's narrative as her word choice was quite eloquent throughout Drowning, and I suppose this isn't something I encounter a lot in my romance books haha, but I really liked it.

The beginning is a bit disorienting (mush like Erin's state of mind) as she recollects her drowning experience and although the Jassy's novel opens with Erin recounting her brush with death by drowning (very fitting given the title :)) there's not much action in this novel, as it is very much character-driven, but Jassy does an amazing job of portraying three very individual characters in this love triangle.

Right from chapter one, we see that Erin and Vince have a very hostile marriage (I think this helps the reader sympathize with her and Nick's affair). Erin was a great character and I enjoyed watching her grow into her own, not needing to be defined by the relationship she was in.

I fell in love with Nick, he exudes confidence and it is so sexy. He's truly a take-charge man, who doesn't play games and let's Erin know from the get-go what he wants from her. I think many readers will swoon over this man. The romance is quite steamy as this is labelled in the erotic genre, and I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between these two.

But will Erin be able to say good-bye to Nick and return to her new husband? Well you're just going to have to read to find out! ;)

Along with well-developed characters, Jassy does a great job of describing the lush forest and wild-life of the South African setting, I could easily imagine myself at the Leopard Rock Lodge!

If you're looking for a steamy romance to curl up to this Valentine's day, I highly recommend Drowning, I know it will be a re-read for me! :)

Happy Reading!!!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, what a jam-packed, thrilling, hot in more ways than one, emotional roller coaster ride that I'm so glad that I took. Jassy de Jong is a new author for me but I'll definitely be checking out more of her work.

Erin and Vince Mitchell, photographers from New York City, are going to South Africa for one of his jobs. Before leaving, a disagreement and his temper has left them at odds. Erin hopes the time away will help them reconnect and fix the issues that have developed. While traveling, they ride in separate vehicles.

Unbeknownst to either of them, the rain, storms and floodwaters are rising. Vince is traveling in a better vehicle and doesn't realize when his wife is in trouble. When her driver loses control, the bridge is washed out, and the car goes into the river and oohh you'll not believe what happens next!! Or you will if you've read the blurb, she near-to-drowns but she's rescued by the beautiful, ripped, Nicholas de Lanoy, who owns Leopard Rock where they take her to recuperate.

Ooohhh and the chemistry between Nicholas and Erin is off the charts HOT!!! But Nicholas knows she's married, he just wants an indecent proposal until she can get back to her husband. Erin declines at first but with the way Vince continues to treat her, by phone, she reflects back on his treatment in her marriage and realizes she's not happy and wants to be. So she decides to proceed with Nicholas and they have some sizzling hot, sexy times, enjoying each other.

There's also some companionable treks after poachers, repairing fences and normal guy - girl stuff. This is a wonderfully written story about a feisty heroine who goes after what she wants, action packed, romance, erotic, page turning, read all in one sitting, gorgeous scenery that's easily pictured with hints of domestic violence. A fabulous 5☆ read I'd recommend easily.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: I was provided a free advance copy of this ebook for purposes of review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

First, and foremost, I must address the elephant in the room. Domestic violence is so prevalent in American society, everyone knows it exists, but no one wants to talk about it. I personally love the fact, fictional character or not, that Erin picked herself up after being with an abusive man and changed the direction of her life.

It was also refreshing to read a novel set in Africa, a country whose beauty and diversity I have not had the opportunity to read about before. Nicholas being a lady's man AND an animal conservationist? How sexy is that?!?! Come on ... who doesn't like a "bad boy" womanizer with a heart as big as all the outdoors? Especially one who finally meets his match in a woman that changes (and challenges) him to achieve the emotional growth shown in this novel?

I often read several books at the same time. No one I know understands how I can keep from getting the plot lines confused or keep the stories straight in my head. It's a rare book that can capture my interest enough for me to read that book exclusively until the end. This was one of those books. I just couldn't put it down. While I would have liked to read more about Erin's journey to extricate herself from her abusive marriage, I don't count that as a strike against this book. I was left with a desire to read more about Erin and Nicholas and was very sad when the book ended. Might a sequel be in the works??? One never knows.

From the cover art to the story line, to the ending...it was a wonderful reading adventure. On the my next Jassy de Jong experience...

[Star]

Photographers Erin and Vince Mitchell have come to South Africa on assignment for a new shoot. After an argument, Erin and Vince are driving separately to the location when a flash flood hits. Vince wasn’t affected and managed to get to their hotel, but Erin’s car was washed away and she almost drowned. She was rescued by the owner of a luxurious safari lodge and wild animal refuge, but she’s now stranded there at Leopard Rock. When she meets the owner, Nicholas, she is struck by his gentle yet fierce nature and his rugged beauty. He offers her ‘no-strings’ days and nights filled with passion during her stay, but Erin is torn between temptation and the controlling nature of her husband. DROWNING is about one woman’s journey, not only physically but emotionally and sexually as well. Erin Mitchell is in an abusive relationship and her husband uses every trick in the book to keep her down and under his thumb. Nicholas sees Erin in a totally different way – as someone to cherish and adore. As domestic abuse is rampant across the globe, it was good to read a story where the lead female was able to escape the clutches of her abuser. In addition, the conservation and protection efforts for the wild African animals by Nicholas were a beautiful touch. DROWNING will touch your heart and soul and leave you wanting to bring more beauty into your own life.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written imagery, steamy romance scenes, and a bit of internal and external angst all round out Drowning by Jassy de Jong.

When we first meet Erin, she is recovering from an automobile accident in a remote location in South Africa. It seems her host, Nicholas, is also her rescuer. Weaved throughout this story is the fact that Erin is a newlywed, and was traveling with her husband. The connection she feels to Nicholas is what drives the story, as is his attraction to Erin.

Drowning is an erotic, contemporary romance that follows the intertwining lives of Erin and Nicholas. I don't feel that this is a cheating story, exactly. It's about finding the right love, at possibly the wrong time. What I can tell you is that the chemistry is incredible, the sexiness is abundant, and the imagery of the South African landscape was so believable that I felt I was right there.

One thing that I didn't care for was Erin's wishy-washy ways, but even that could be believable since she was, in fact, married at the time of the wreck.I will say that Nicholas made for a great book boyfriend, even if he was just looking for a fling at the beginning. Strong, sexy, and absolutely swoon-worthy.

A little suspense, a bit of guilt, and a lot of sexiness. Lust, love, and romance all have a place in the pages of Drowning. A great Sunday afternoon escape from real life.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ I was sent an ARC in exchange for my honest review ~

Taking on a topic like abuse it tough and when you combine it with a steamy romance novel, it can become a way to see life thorough from a new perspective. This author did just that in this new book and although it is not the main topic of the book, it has an underlying effect on the outcome of the characters.

I love that the author chose a unique storyline that is unlike any other I have read before in the thousands of books that have crossed my path. Being set in Africa, you get not only a beautiful landscape of a setting but also a peek into a different way of life that impacts the characters in a great way as well as the reader too.

I really enjoyed this book. The author took the time to develop her characters into likeable people that you want to read about again and again. While the book gives you the hot scenes and the ending that you are hoping for, this story also gives you so much more. A pleasurable read that leaves you feeling good and celebrates strong women. Definitely one that you will want to read again.

[SuperWendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good erotica is all about the character's journey, and the author does a great job of that with Erin. She's a heroine without an anchor, trapped in an unhealthy marriage, left adrift when she is rescued from near death by the hero of the story. Technically what I would classify as an "erotic romance" - it may not always work as such for some readers given the adultery plot and the details surrounding Erin's abusive marriage. I found it to be a case where the author's suspense writing background was to the benefit of this story - as the unfolding of Erin's current circumstances, life and marriage were enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I think this would make a dynamite book club read - assuming you could get your book club to read erotica. The sex scenes are fairly straight forward, free of kink and fetish(s). A solid B on my personal reading scale.

[Shemeka Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novel! It was unexpected and very refreshing to read. None of the norm was in this book. It broke away from the new trends going around and gave me a new discovery. Even though they were in South Africa, there was no language barrier. It held my attention throughout the entire novel. The descriptions were as needed to paint a picture in the reader's mind, not to up the word count. It was a delight to read and I enjoyed it very much. Nicholas was by far my favorite character in the novel whereas I was wishing that Erin would make up her mind and see what was really going on in her marriage.

[Roxane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe some guy would ask a woman to bed after rescuing her. I mean she almost died and you want to go to bed? Unbelievable beginning but if you like sexy scenes read this book. Ok story