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Smoke and Mirrors
SYNOPSIS Brent “Smoke” Patterson grew up in the heart of America, but nothing in his life resembled the nostalgic hometown memories of waving patriotic flags and homemade apple pie cooling on a window sill. After surviving a series of traumatic events in his childhood, he was thrust into the streets at an early age to learn the underground secret society Los Angeles. He soon found himself steeped in metropolitan ethics and baptized in “The Life.” While his peers spent their youth in college earning bachelor’s degrees, Smoke earned his education from the “School of Hard Knocks” and majored in “Pimp-ology.” He became one of the most underestimated, respected, dominant, and esteemed pimps in all of California. One day a woman enters his life at a most pivotal time and changes his seedy little world forever. Her name is “Paris Raven,” and unlike the women he dominates from sun-up to sundown, she will not be tamed or intimidated. Smoke has met his match, yet, rather than turn away from such a troubled soul, he develops a romantic obsession. He wants this woman, and he is going to get her. There is only one problem – Paris is a notorious madam whose classy appearance leaves men panting, but should they push the wrong button, they find themselves looking down the barrel of her diamond-studded gun. Sparks fly when the two get together, but that is simply a show to disguise their strong, mutual attraction. Smoke falls in love, and Paris can’t resist doing the same. What twists they wave when these two creatures of the night ignite jealousy, revenge, blackmail, and even murder. Come along and take a first-class flight to dark romance. Fasten your seatbelts as turbulent conditions wait ahead in the form of blinding smoke and fractured mirrors. When everything comes to a screeching halt, will hero and heroine’s love endure? Turn these smoking hot pages to find out… WARNING This book deals with intense subject matter that the reader may find objectionable including illegal prostitution and emotional neglect. Furthermore, the tone and language contained herein is authentic to those in the profession and continuous, exceptionally graphic scenes of a sexual nature are prevalent. Please proceed with caution. Thank you.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2014
24 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Tiana Laveen
98 books511 followersTiana Laveen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved away, and now lives inside of her mind, but her heart is occupied with her husband, two children, and twisted imagination. She enjoys a fulfilling and enriching life that includes writing books, public speaking, drawing, painting, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.
Tiana Laveen is a uniquely creative and innovative author whose romance fiction is geared towards those who not only want to temporarily escape from the daily routines of life, but also became pleasantly caught up in the twisted, well developed journeys of her unique characters. Tiana creates a painting with words as she guides her reader into the lives of each and every main character. Her dedication to detail and staying true to her characters is evident in each novel that she writes.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 1, 2014
If someone had asked me if I could fall in love with a pimp, I would have asked them if they were crazy and answered never. Well never say never! This story captivated me from page one. Ms. Laveen has given us a well written story that just flows along giving the reader a great storyline that hooks you until the very last page. The characters were so engaging, I was totally immersed into their lives. Smoke and Paris made me a believer in the fact that if you're open to it, love will come find you no matter your situation. This book made me laugh, cry, cheer, and sometimes want to kick some a$$. I loved it, well done Tiana Laveen!
December 5, 2014
I don't know where to begin with this review. First let me say, when this book was released I was not interested in reading it because of the content(prostitution) and the excessive profanity that was forewarned in the summary. A goodreads friend recommended this book and I was still hesitant to reading it because of the subject matter. This was really tough read for me because there was so much profanity I was constantly bleeping every curse word ...lol and then there was a BDSM scene in the book, which is not my thing. So why did I rate it 5 stars? The writing and story was absolutely SUPERB and I loved Smoke and Paris, they had a chemistry that was undeniable. Any book that has me thinking about the characters in between breaks, is definitely a good read. Ms. Laveen you are an excellent writer, keep doing your thing!
September 9, 2014
In Tiana Laveen’s Smoke and Mirrors, were introduced to Brent "Smoke" Patterson a Pimp in L.A. & Paris Raven a madam. This is not your typical love story and if you are a fan of Ms. Laveens, as I am, you know that she writes and amazing tale that makes you laugh, cry and think.
In this book we learn that things are not always what they seem. Smoke & Paris seem to be mirror images of one another; they both have street smarts and well as book smarts, a lethal combination in the world of prostitution. When Smoke meets Paris, he knows he has to have her, a sets out on a course to do just that. This book is just what you would expect from a Tiana Laveen tale, it has all of the elements we love about her stories, I never thought I would be reading a book about a Pimp and a Madam and falling in love with them but that is just what happens when you read this story. This book is well written and it just draws you in for the very 1st page. Nothing is sugar coated, it gives you the world of pimps & prostitutes in all its graphic nature and really puts you in the mind of the characters and their struggles, but still manages to come across love story and I found myself very entertained by this unique tale of love. I have no idea how she does it, I ‘m just glad that she does I hope she never stops.
In this book we learn that things are not always what they seem. Smoke & Paris seem to be mirror images of one another; they both have street smarts and well as book smarts, a lethal combination in the world of prostitution. When Smoke meets Paris, he knows he has to have her, a sets out on a course to do just that. This book is just what you would expect from a Tiana Laveen tale, it has all of the elements we love about her stories, I never thought I would be reading a book about a Pimp and a Madam and falling in love with them but that is just what happens when you read this story. This book is well written and it just draws you in for the very 1st page. Nothing is sugar coated, it gives you the world of pimps & prostitutes in all its graphic nature and really puts you in the mind of the characters and their struggles, but still manages to come across love story and I found myself very entertained by this unique tale of love. I have no idea how she does it, I ‘m just glad that she does I hope she never stops.
July 29, 2014
Brent & Paris- BRAB Online Book Club
Brent & Paris- BRAB Online Book Club
You never know what to expect when you open a Tiana Laveen book, but you know you're guaranteed a hell of a ride and this was no exception.
It was gritty, harsh, rough, beautiful, wonderful, intriguing and many more adjectives combined. Brent came from an impoverished childhood living with his mom and an absentee father who was a pimp, while Paris mother was a drug addict and father a pimp.
Two self made people who have the scars from their upbringing but thrived at what the did anyway. What happens when these two people meet and there is instant attraction? A novel that takes you to the grittiest of places, sex, violence and anything in between. The dialogue is raw in accordance with the profession of Brent a.k. a. Smoke and Paris.
After all the darkness that this couple has been through, the light at the end of the tunnel, is a story of redemption and a beautiful love story in which two broken people found their HEA in each other. I have to mention the proposal scene, brought tears to my eyes as I was reading it. Well done, I can't express how much I love this story.
Brent & Paris- BRAB Online Book Club
You never know what to expect when you open a Tiana Laveen book, but you know you're guaranteed a hell of a ride and this was no exception.
It was gritty, harsh, rough, beautiful, wonderful, intriguing and many more adjectives combined. Brent came from an impoverished childhood living with his mom and an absentee father who was a pimp, while Paris mother was a drug addict and father a pimp.
Two self made people who have the scars from their upbringing but thrived at what the did anyway. What happens when these two people meet and there is instant attraction? A novel that takes you to the grittiest of places, sex, violence and anything in between. The dialogue is raw in accordance with the profession of Brent a.k. a. Smoke and Paris.
After all the darkness that this couple has been through, the light at the end of the tunnel, is a story of redemption and a beautiful love story in which two broken people found their HEA in each other. I have to mention the proposal scene, brought tears to my eyes as I was reading it. Well done, I can't express how much I love this story.
December 8, 2014
Amazing
This was the first book I read from Tiana Laverne and I loved it. Smoke and Paris were absolutely beautiful. This was definitely not your typical love story which made it that much better. You wanted to cheer for them to be together. Great story that I would highly recommend.
This was the first book I read from Tiana Laverne and I loved it. Smoke and Paris were absolutely beautiful. This was definitely not your typical love story which made it that much better. You wanted to cheer for them to be together. Great story that I would highly recommend.
April 2, 2020
Drop Everything & Read
Here's my Succinct Review
Here's my Succinct Review
June 4, 2016
Blown away, again!
I didn't think I was going to like this book once I read the synopsis, once again Tiana has managed to blow me away with her writing. Smoke and Paris were two lost and damaged souls who found love, acceptance and happiness in each other. Loved this book.
I didn't think I was going to like this book once I read the synopsis, once again Tiana has managed to blow me away with her writing. Smoke and Paris were two lost and damaged souls who found love, acceptance and happiness in each other. Loved this book.
March 10, 2021
I've been spoiled by this writer's previous work which kept me glued to every page. This book didnt keep me as interested but it was still very good. There were some chapters that felt too long to get to the point but then others I wanted more info from. The plot was interesting and very different. The H and h had both been through some major mess - tragic. But found something in each other to help heal their souls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2021
Who are you?
Another great one by this author! A story of your beginning you choose your life. No one have the right to choose who you are! A story of love and the need to support each other, no matter who you are and where you came from! Smoke and Paris two strong independent people who never gave up!
Another great one by this author! A story of your beginning you choose your life. No one have the right to choose who you are! A story of love and the need to support each other, no matter who you are and where you came from! Smoke and Paris two strong independent people who never gave up!
October 14, 2021
Good read
Only TL could create magic from two outcast, by societies standards, that is. This was a great read and as with every book I've read by this author, I loved it. This was a different blind of love story about two survivors. Their lives were not traditional but their story was recognizable. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.
Only TL could create magic from two outcast, by societies standards, that is. This was a great read and as with every book I've read by this author, I loved it. This was a different blind of love story about two survivors. Their lives were not traditional but their story was recognizable. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.
October 16, 2021
Tiana is an extraordinary author. She is very creative when writing her characters. Brent is my new book boyfriend. I love Brent and Paris instant connection. They burn the pages, page after page. Brent pursued her like the alpha he is. I love it!
May 18, 2019
Wow
I absolutely loved this story. I felt it was so compelling and thought provoking. I could not put it down until I read the very last word.
I absolutely loved this story. I felt it was so compelling and thought provoking. I could not put it down until I read the very last word.
August 28, 2021
YOU WILL WANT THAT SMOKE!!!!
SMOKE & PARIS were the ultimate power couple of the streets. SMOKE'S is so smooth he damn near made a sistah say yes I choose you! Please be my pimp. LOL. My man SMOKE is SMOOTH, SEXY, SUAVE personified. This character was written so well that his natural seduction just oozed off the pages. I love Ms. Laveen's books and her characters are just so realistic. With every lite of a cigarette, smirk or chuckle I felt as if I was right there with SMOKE. PARIS was his exact equal. She was beautiful, smart, sexy and NO JOKE. I love these two together. There were issues in this book that let us see the many reasons why some turn to prostitution, but what I really liked was not just the prostitution, but also the pimp. I am a reviewer that talk about what I enjoyed about the book and I don't like to give spoilers, so I have to say you must read it to understand it.
This is my 26th book I have read by Ms. Laveen and I can say, she was Born to write. You have to read her books to understand and see that she does research on the topics and really bring her characters to life. There will be some that will say she is "wordy" but in order to make the story feel realistic, she has to be. The dialogue is not one sided or open ended, its conversational and some time monolical which is what we as humans do when conversing.
SMOKE & PARIS are high on the list of my favorite Tiana Laveen couples.
SMOKE & PARIS were the ultimate power couple of the streets. SMOKE'S is so smooth he damn near made a sistah say yes I choose you! Please be my pimp. LOL. My man SMOKE is SMOOTH, SEXY, SUAVE personified. This character was written so well that his natural seduction just oozed off the pages. I love Ms. Laveen's books and her characters are just so realistic. With every lite of a cigarette, smirk or chuckle I felt as if I was right there with SMOKE. PARIS was his exact equal. She was beautiful, smart, sexy and NO JOKE. I love these two together. There were issues in this book that let us see the many reasons why some turn to prostitution, but what I really liked was not just the prostitution, but also the pimp. I am a reviewer that talk about what I enjoyed about the book and I don't like to give spoilers, so I have to say you must read it to understand it.
This is my 26th book I have read by Ms. Laveen and I can say, she was Born to write. You have to read her books to understand and see that she does research on the topics and really bring her characters to life. There will be some that will say she is "wordy" but in order to make the story feel realistic, she has to be. The dialogue is not one sided or open ended, its conversational and some time monolical which is what we as humans do when conversing.
SMOKE & PARIS are high on the list of my favorite Tiana Laveen couples.
May 12, 2016
Smoke and Mirrors
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book, after all, who cared if these two people who did what they did for a living, found love.
Ms.Laveen has a way of drawing you in though. She creates these delicious looking Heros, who are flawed, but so loveable. Brent "Smoke" is no exception. She tells his story without judgement, so soon you find yourself letting go of some of the biases you had. You keep turning pages and find yourself in a position where you are cheering for a Pimp. All of this because she's a Master story teller that lays her characters bare. The good, the bad and the ugly. Few story tellers have the ability to accurately relate the emotions of both the hero and the shero. You walk away knowing both Brent and Parish. What makes them tick, what draws them together. Their strengths and weaknesses are weaved together in such a way, any doubt you have about these two people being together vanishes. It's a gritty love story, that insists, no matter who are you, you are deserving of a second chance.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book, after all, who cared if these two people who did what they did for a living, found love.
Ms.Laveen has a way of drawing you in though. She creates these delicious looking Heros, who are flawed, but so loveable. Brent "Smoke" is no exception. She tells his story without judgement, so soon you find yourself letting go of some of the biases you had. You keep turning pages and find yourself in a position where you are cheering for a Pimp. All of this because she's a Master story teller that lays her characters bare. The good, the bad and the ugly. Few story tellers have the ability to accurately relate the emotions of both the hero and the shero. You walk away knowing both Brent and Parish. What makes them tick, what draws them together. Their strengths and weaknesses are weaved together in such a way, any doubt you have about these two people being together vanishes. It's a gritty love story, that insists, no matter who are you, you are deserving of a second chance.
August 16, 2014
Love the alpha males in Tiana books
I love the story line and the way she was trying to go in the book. I did think it was going to be more action with more events like the saint novels but this story was all about smoke trying to understand love with the woman Paris. and how Paris and himself to find themself. The person I grew to love most was of course Sir Smoke (lol). I love men with his type of swag. The Adult scenes of course was fun to read gets u a little hot when reading. The only thing that I was disappointed with was that the main female Paris was suppose to be a bad, don't take no stuff female but I didn't see that at all in the book. I would have really liked to see her in that character. Smokes bottom girl got into it more then Paris did in the book
I love the story line and the way she was trying to go in the book. I did think it was going to be more action with more events like the saint novels but this story was all about smoke trying to understand love with the woman Paris. and how Paris and himself to find themself. The person I grew to love most was of course Sir Smoke (lol). I love men with his type of swag. The Adult scenes of course was fun to read gets u a little hot when reading. The only thing that I was disappointed with was that the main female Paris was suppose to be a bad, don't take no stuff female but I didn't see that at all in the book. I would have really liked to see her in that character. Smokes bottom girl got into it more then Paris did in the book
January 7, 2015
I have to say that I Love Tiana. She is one of my favorite authors. Tiana always takes you on a spiritual cleansing through her work. With that being said, Smoke and mirrors was a.... different read for me. Smoke is a pimp unlike any other. Born from a family of pimps, he is trying to make it in his life. That was until he met Paris, A madam Who catches More than just his eye. 60% of the book for me was slow. I usually don't take long to read books. Maybe a week at the most. I spent 4 weeks trying get through this book. The Subject matter didn't bother me at all. It just felt All Over the place. It went from a rough subject matter, to suicide, to Small version of 50 shades of grey. lol I love Tiana's work, This was an Okay read for me.
July 28, 2014
Stellar!
Stellar!
Words truly escape me right now. I am blown away by this book! The author did her research...clearly; the attention to detail is so spot on!
Smoke and Paris share or mirror so many childhood experiences that mold them in their professional and personal lives. Their shared abuses made understanding each other easier than they would've ever thought possible. This book makes you feel everything the characters feel; the pain, the betrayal, the sadness and oh my goodness, the love just wrapped you up in its arms!
This is stellar work by an utterly phenomenal author!
Stellar!
Words truly escape me right now. I am blown away by this book! The author did her research...clearly; the attention to detail is so spot on!
Smoke and Paris share or mirror so many childhood experiences that mold them in their professional and personal lives. Their shared abuses made understanding each other easier than they would've ever thought possible. This book makes you feel everything the characters feel; the pain, the betrayal, the sadness and oh my goodness, the love just wrapped you up in its arms!
This is stellar work by an utterly phenomenal author!
October 23, 2014
Good Read!!!
Smoke was a very well known pimp and Paris is a madam who moves in across the street. Smoke is immediately attracted to Paris and she is attracted to him even though she didn't want to admit it. Smoke is determined to have Paris and he will stop at anything to have her. They both had to come to terms with their pasts and how to overcome it with love and support from one another. I thought this was a good read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Smoke was a very well known pimp and Paris is a madam who moves in across the street. Smoke is immediately attracted to Paris and she is attracted to him even though she didn't want to admit it. Smoke is determined to have Paris and he will stop at anything to have her. They both had to come to terms with their pasts and how to overcome it with love and support from one another. I thought this was a good read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
August 9, 2014
Smokin'-Rhaddley, BRAB member
What a great book. This was the first time I read a full length book by Ms. Laveen, but it will not be the last time. I loved how the story flowed. She was able bring opposites together, and when I felt like I knew what was going to happen she threw me for a loop. I loved the chemistry that the characters had. She discussed serious topics in an unique manner. I will definitely read this book over again.
What a great book. This was the first time I read a full length book by Ms. Laveen, but it will not be the last time. I loved how the story flowed. She was able bring opposites together, and when I felt like I knew what was going to happen she threw me for a loop. I loved the chemistry that the characters had. She discussed serious topics in an unique manner. I will definitely read this book over again.
August 27, 2014
This book was very well written. I have read other authors who have written about pimps and hoes but by far this was the best. I was hooked from chapter 1 on. It was nice to see the broken get fixed and move on to bigger an better things. Ms. Laveen you keep writing and I'll keep buying and reading. Fan for life!
August 18, 2014
Well, dayum. Talk about redemption and over coming severe trauma and circumstances... In this surprisingly deep story, I was rooting for this couple; hoping they would make it out "that" life and cement their relationship. The author did not disappoint, and weaved a saga that left a lasting impression. A must read.
August 19, 2014
Loved, loved, loved, loved this read!!! Just the thought of a pimp and a madam coming together as one intrigues me. The story from front to finish did not disappoint. I love Brent "Smoke" Patterson and his romantic, sensitive, thuggy, intellectual combination. Paris could match wits with him, when he didn't take her breath away. Just all around fabulous. Deserves nothing less than 5stars!!!
January 5, 2016
DIFFERENT!
This was not the usual love story. A Pimp and a Madam!!!! After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read this book. I was not disappointed!!! I will definitely be recommending this book to all my book club friends. Thanks for another awesome read Tiana Laveen, This is a page turner!!!
This was not the usual love story. A Pimp and a Madam!!!! After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read this book. I was not disappointed!!! I will definitely be recommending this book to all my book club friends. Thanks for another awesome read Tiana Laveen, This is a page turner!!!
July 31, 2014
*Review Soon To Come... I really need to think about this one.
September 2, 2014
Loved It
There were a few errors but I'm not gonna hold that against this book. It was a good story line and these things really do happen. Great characters!!
There were a few errors but I'm not gonna hold that against this book. It was a good story line and these things really do happen. Great characters!!
June 15, 2016
Another winner!
August 1, 2014
AWESOME!!!!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews