She Just Found Love In The Last Place She Ever Would Have Expected Shawna is a strong, well-educated woman who has worked hard for what she has, but true love has eluded her for a long time. When her friend Mikki convinces Shawna to keep looking, she eventually meets Virgil, a drop dead gorgeous rock star. He's incredibly smart, caring, and capable of lovemaking that puts everyone else in her past to shame, dedicating himself to pleasuring her in a way that has her crying out like she never has before.
However, in a world that is hardly colorblind, these two people from very different worlds will have to fight for what they have against jaded ex-lovers, the intense and dramatic disapproval of their elders, and Virgil's own haunted, violent past. Now they must both make pivotal decisions that will shape the rest of their lives: Shawna must choose between Virgil and the more traditional guy that is practically kicking her door down to be with her. Virgil, too, must decide between a former bandmate who he knows is bad for him, or Shawna, the new girl in his life that so many disapprove of.
This is a standalone, Interracial BWWM romance novel with some extremely sexy scenes and no cliffhangers! Lock the doors and schedule some alone time.
Since starting on my Romance eBook journey, I've discovered (among others genres) that I like stories about Rock Stars so I was excited to read this story. The writing at times was very strange, almost like it was written by two different people. I didn't like Shawna's friend Mikki because she tried to sabotage the relationship between Virgil & Shawna at almost every turn. It's part of the reason I knew right away (plus the shaving of Shawna's legs) that she was a closet lesbian (no judgment, just an observation).
I also disliked the bad grammar that Shawna (an educated woman) chose to use at times throughout the story. This actually distracted from the story and didn't feel authentic.
However, I enjoyed the sweetness of both Shawna & Virgil and at times the innocence that they both conveyed. The love they had for each other was evident and I liked them as a couple, though they were an odd pairing -- opposites attract -- right? I'm 99 percent sure I couldn't get past a man wearing eyeliner, even if he was a Rocker. LOL
There is a HEA, but I didn't like that the author chose to focus on Shawna and Mikki instead of Shawna and Virgil with the last lines of the story. As a reader, I felt short-changed. I'd be interested to see the author's follow-up with a Mikki story, just to see if Mikki can redeem herself.
Overall, this writer is very talented and I will make an effort to read some of her future works. My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Okay.. How this book ever averaged an overall 4 star rating, is beyond me.
Yes, it has some hot factor. But those moments in between all the madness just isn't enough to make up for this. Many things, especially in the beginning, were choppy & rushed. Soon as things start to find their stride a bit with the story, other things come into play, MANY other things, that derail it.
I'll admit, I love Virgil. He was fleshed out well. Even the surrounding plots & people involved had sparks of life & interest. No doubt things were intriguing and that's honestly what kept me reading. But bottom line, this story had many avenues in the forefront. All of them great, but no real path in mind of where the story wanted to go. So it felt like a jumbled mess of weird, off the wall madness. Especially the way certain reveals came about. Some of them major & then they were just left there. Hanging. Like an after thought. And that's what ruined this one for me.
Plus, there's a plot hole here that truly bugs me because it's something that should have been caught during a beta read, because it's something to do with the moving of the plot.
I can't really give explicit meaning to this critique without ruining the plot(s) here. So if you still are curious, go for it. But I personally wouldn't recommend this read *shrugs*
Love this authors style of writing. The only issue I had with Shawna, was how she gave up her own life but realized that she needed to get back in school and back to work. And I didn't like how she was so concerned about how Virgil wasn't sharing personal things about himself,but she didn't have the courage to show Virgil her "black" side. She felt like he wouldn't understand her love of R&B and Hip Hop and speaking in slang and other things that was very much apart of who she was. I think that even though Virgil was flawed he loved her that if she had shown him her whole self he would've love that about her too. I would love for this author to explore more of Shawna and Vigil , Mikki and Ron's relationships after they become successful. I like to believe as much as Virgil and Shawna went through they could survive his band's success.
This is the story of Virgil and Shawna,a true testament that opposites attract and can find love even when the odds are against you. Shawna,the daughter of a Baptist preacher, is a graduate student working on being a Pharmacist and has little to no time for a social life. Her best friend Mikki, often drags her to events she host as her guest, it is at one of these events that she see a that will open a new chapter in her life. Virgil, a goth musician, is the son of a prominent family and has not had luck of any kind. His mother seems to hate him, his music career has stalled and he is keeping lots of secrets. When he sees Shawna at one of his mother's events he is hooked. When the two get together and begin to find some kind of happiness things get complicated and the real test of love begins. Really good book,it was written really well and the story had a nice flow to it. I loved Virgil and Shawna. Virgil seemed to have a vulnerability about him that kind of made me wonder if he was a weak man but he was written in such a way that you understood why he was that way. Shawna was no pushover and had her own issues with her family and especially with her best friend Mikki,who I could not quit figure out, maybe we will she her is a future story.As the relationship development between them they dealt with a lot of thing you just don't see in romance novels lately, like infidelity, conflicting emotions about new love verse old love, family pressure and most of all finding yourself while fighting to keep your mate.The secondary characters where written well and had a great deal to do with the story while not taking over.Great weekend read, would highly recommend this book.
I sure did enjoy this little gem. This is my first time reading this author. This the story of Shawana and Virgil. Shawana is the church girl while Virgil is the privilege kid with demons nipping at his heals. These two on paper was not a match because they were so different in many ways. Shawana became Virgil anchor and light in darkness. I love how this author kept the story moving and engaging. There was never a dull moment with these two. There was some colorful characters in the story. Mikki her best friend and Virgil bandmates were added bonuses. Then no good book will be good without the antagonist and they were two good ones in the book. I highly recommend this book.
This was one remarkable story of young love dealing with young adults.I love the fact the story is not so much centered on Virgil and Shawna being an interracial couple,being young and in love.This story had quite a few undercurrents that could've taken a dark turn but the writer skates around the subjects.Also it was refreshing to see the mother of the heroine telling her to pump your brakes and look at the big picture.It was nice to let Janet get what she deserves.Also the chemistry between Mikki and Rob is just classic.This is such a really good story I just hated for it to end.I would love to read more about these couples and there lives.
Wonderfully sexy, engaging dialogue, characters that hold your interest. Storyline that had a realistic twist with a Hero that really had to fight an unusual demon and actually lose the fight but have a heroine that's portrayed smart enough to recognize faults and forgive them. Normally this forgiveness would only come after great trial and anguish on both parties part normally after a great period of time had passed. This situation was handled (I felt) much more realistically, although maybe I would have been a little less understanding. Probably. Loved the intensive sexuality in the scenes, very steamy. Good book, loved it.
It started off slowly...building it up with crescendo...with hot erotic sex between the Christian girl and the goth rocker...an eclectic mix of weird friends, Baptist minister father and sweet church wife for Shawna....and Virgil screwed up parents,including a mother always high or drunk...with an insane amount of money...It's charmingly entertaining...Shawn and Virgil had obstacles standing in their way..but made it work out in the ending...and it's funny and fresh. Try it and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
This was a weird book. You can figure out what's going on with the best friend from the beginning; it's pretty obvious. How Shawna never figured it out I have no idea. Alex/Virgil whatever you want to call him, he was lucky Shawna's mother was on his side because what she said was the DUMBEST excuse ever...ever
What a crazy story. His parents was crazy and his ex was crazy. Shawna bestie Mikki was secretly in love with her. SMH Virgil had his issues and to me it seem like he was holding onto Shawna as his savior. But hey, to each is own. I wonder will Mikki and Rob get their own story??
First time reading a book by this Author it was a good read, the shocker for me to find out her best friend was in love with her and no one picked that up but Rob. I hope this is not the last of this story because it was so many unanswered questions. I would love to see a relationship between Rob and Mikki and the success of the band .
I really had a ball with this book. Some people talk to the tv show or the movie they are watching. I talked to the book. It was just as though I was right there. I truly enjoyed this book. I can't wait for Ms. Taylor's next book.
"Crossing the Line" was a very enjoyable read. The troubled rocker and the good church girl made for an interesting story. This, combined with the colorful ancillary characters-Miki, Rob, evil Janet- has me going straight to Crossing the Line 2!!!!
Shockingly... I actually liked the book. I will be honest I didn't expect too. This books has a lot of moving parts and things I loved and things I actually hated.
The part that ticked my nerves was how quickly the relationship progressed. I mean it was seriously like... Dinner, movies... "eating out" all at the same damn time. I was like WOW... um did you guys even exchange last names.
I am also a stickler for details sometimes and I promise I did not hear one time where it was mentioned that a condom was used.. not one single time and all I kept thinking is... this is like a huge STD waiting to happen... yes they are book characters but COME ON I know I am not the only one who thought that a discussion about condom, birth control and STD test was needed. ESP when someone fails to keep it in THEIR FREAKING PANTS.. which brings me to my next dislike..
CRAP ON A STICK this dude was sort of an ass... the whole calling "JANET"... yeah that ish would have pissed me off and she forgave the dude far too quick... not only for that but for the neglecting to keep his crap in his pants... ugh... he needed to sweat a little bit... hell a lot. She felt like a push over to me a little bit and I hated that when she needed to be strong and kick ass... she seemed weak.
And my goodness what kind of church folks... I will just leave that piece alone. I actually laughed at all of that every time it was mentioned I laughed because it was just so out of pocket.
Now I know you are wondering... well hell if she disliked all that what did she actually like... welp I thought Virgil was an ass yes... but he was also very sweet and caring, he did things that made me dislike his character but overall he was pretty good guy just in a messed up situation.
I also like Mikki.. however I peeped her from the beginning, it was actually quite clear if you read between the lines. BUT her and Rob made me laugh and giddy because Alpha male is exactly what the hell she needs.
I know that there is a part 2 with Mikki and Rob being the main characters... I think I am going to pass.. nothing against the book and I am sure it is good but I hardly ever read part 2's unless it a continuation of the main characters in book 1. So here is where I end my journey with this book.
This wasn't a typical love story. I really like that. Most modern day romance novels are like Cinderella with some erotic scenes woven throughout. My only issue is that I had a hard time liking the main character. She started out saying that she didn't make good choices in men and I don't really see where that changed.
Ok...some spoilers...
She had sex in a church! I get that she felt agnostic but she should understand that is still a sacred place to many. It is almost the equivalent of some strangers having sex in her bed and the only excuse they give is that they were horny. Just downright disrespectful. I didn't see anything 'hot' about it. Then she assaulted that woman over him?! What is she,15?! Attacking someone is never okay. Virgil kept alluding to all of these secrets, but she never bothered to find them out before they got married after only being together for a link over 6 months.
I enjoyed the story well enough. I look forward to reading other things by this author...just probably nothing else about this couple. I just don't care enough about them. However, I'd love to read more about Mikki and Rob.
Crossing The Line, is a book the defines that a person can find love in the most unexpected places and with the person they didn't know they were looking for, it kind of reminds me of the movie Something New. Shawna was not looking for love, she found it just the same with Virgil, a gothic rockstar. This story was not without its obstacles for Shawna and Virgil. Shawna's first boyfriend Derrick tired to make his presence felt and known to Shawna and Virgil's toxic ex Janet was making waves, not to mention Shawna's bestie Mikki who is in love with Shawna and Virgil's mom. Virgil proved that his love for Shawna matter above all else and he prove not only to be something new, something different, but someone worth keeping.
There were times in this book where I wanted to slap Shawna, Mikki, Virgil, Janet, Virgil's mom and Derrick. This was well written story that was a little fast paced.
I'm writing my first novel and it's easier said than done. I have 53 test readers some close friends and family and their friends and family. Their feedback has been honest, heartbreaking,but character building for me and the book. I have been rewriting to make sure I do not receive a 1 review once published. With that being said I suggest the author allows readers to sample and her next book n ok t just for gram a r but for flow of the storyline. The premise was good but the execution was ex h adjusting to keep up with so I returned. I'm sorry because I'm stepping out and know it's not easy but honest will only help our craft.
I choose this rating because this was an interesting take on a BWWM story line. What I liked is how Virgil pursued Shawna and her response to his lifestyle. What I didn't like is how she forgave him for all his indiscretions while they were in a relationship. Don't get me wrong everyone's tolerance level is different. I'm just saying he would have had to do some in depth groveling before considering unconditional forgiveness. Maybe it was the hot intimate aspect of their sex life that was the determining factor. Also I wasn't a fan of Mikkie's her supposed best friend's secret feelings for Shawna.
I'm giving this book 2 stars due to the fact that it didn't hold my interest at first so it took me 7 months to read it. I'm glad I came back to the book because I enjoyed the last half of it. The relationship progressed very quickly and the only reason I could see was that they had great sex. I guess for some people that's reason enough!
Once they moved in together that's when the history, families and past relationships come into play and they have to work hard at the relationship. Virgil grows as a person during the course of this book and I enjoyed reading about that.
There was entirely to much stuff going on in this book. The storyline didn't flow making it one of the weirdest books. It had glimmers of hope but they were shattered with sub plots that made no sense. I seriously worry that those who rated this book so highly were only concerned about the sex described which I skimmed over since the storyline was so weak.
This is an excellent read. The writing is captivating, the story complex and believable, the characters full & meaty. One more word needed. Here it is MORE.
The book started off good an ended well..I love the fact that Shawna was strong an wasn't gone to give up on Virgil ..I like that her best friend was crazy about an she didn't even know it...
What can I say, I liked the story of opposites attract......
But I can't shake the feeling that there was something missing. Nevertheless, I liked it. All i would say is I needed more, the concept story was good just needed more detail.
From this story, opposites definitely attract. It goes to show that you never know where or to whom your heart will lead you to. Glad they worked through their problems for a chance at endless love.