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Beauty #3
Beauty and the Barbarian
Ashleigh Thyne was a man haunted by a bevy of things, most of them the hollow echo of memories he'd buried long ago.
The other ghosts rattling the frame of his bed at night consisted of his ex-fiance Mackenzie Rogan's unshakable image and the sound of their daughter's laughter.
For three years he's tried and failed at compartmentalizing the day that she packed up every possession she had and left him.
Polite, distant and aloof had become the basis of their relationship. But with each phone call and holiday spent together, accompanied by dreams that leave tents in his sheets come morning, Ashleigh begins to realize that polite, distant and aloof aren't working anymore.
Adding insult to injury is Mackenzie's engagement to someone that Ashleigh hates on principle alone.
What's a man to do when the first and only woman he'll ever love is attempting to replace him and his pride is finally on its last leg?
Ashleigh doesn't know, but he'll be damned if he allows someone else to claim what belongs solely to him and always will. After all, barbarians weren't exactly known for giving up without a fight, now were they?
The other ghosts rattling the frame of his bed at night consisted of his ex-fiance Mackenzie Rogan's unshakable image and the sound of their daughter's laughter.
For three years he's tried and failed at compartmentalizing the day that she packed up every possession she had and left him.
Polite, distant and aloof had become the basis of their relationship. But with each phone call and holiday spent together, accompanied by dreams that leave tents in his sheets come morning, Ashleigh begins to realize that polite, distant and aloof aren't working anymore.
Adding insult to injury is Mackenzie's engagement to someone that Ashleigh hates on principle alone.
What's a man to do when the first and only woman he'll ever love is attempting to replace him and his pride is finally on its last leg?
Ashleigh doesn't know, but he'll be damned if he allows someone else to claim what belongs solely to him and always will. After all, barbarians weren't exactly known for giving up without a fight, now were they?
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2015
16 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Winter
49 books127 followersWhen Nikki wrote her first story in the tenth grade, she knew without a doubt she was destined for greatness. Now if she could just convince everyone else...
Buckling down, she‟s taken the time to polish what she refers to as her "writing superiority." She hopes that the tales she has created grab the readers‟ attention, and make them devoted slaves to her will fans.
If you want to let her know just how absolutely, positively awesome she is, you can always e-mail her at nikkiwinter19@gmail.com, friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nikkiwinter19 or follow her on Twitter as @NikkiWinter19.
Buckling down, she‟s taken the time to polish what she refers to as her "writing superiority." She hopes that the tales she has created grab the readers‟ attention, and make them devoted slaves to her will fans.
If you want to let her know just how absolutely, positively awesome she is, you can always e-mail her at nikkiwinter19@gmail.com, friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nikkiwinter19 or follow her on Twitter as @NikkiWinter19.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 1, 2015
I so enjoyed this story. Romantic comedies are hard to come by, and even harder to come by if you’re looking for ones with people of color. Nikki Winter does a great job of filling that need. This is a second chance romance, funny with laugh out loud moments, thanks to the sarcastic wit of the characters, including the hero and heroine’s adorable daughter. But there were heartwarming moments, too, like when you learn about the hero, Ashleigh’s tough past with his abusive father, and when you see just how much McKenzie, the heroine, means to him.
Oddly enough, I felt kinda sorry for McKenzie’s fiance, Michael, because of his insecurities and he was clearly not up to handling competition from the sexy hero. At first I thought he got dissed unfairly. But then he put his foot in his mouth, and my sympathy went out the window.
If you’re looking for a funny read with smoking hot sex scenes, check this one out.
Oddly enough, I felt kinda sorry for McKenzie’s fiance, Michael, because of his insecurities and he was clearly not up to handling competition from the sexy hero. At first I thought he got dissed unfairly. But then he put his foot in his mouth, and my sympathy went out the window.
If you’re looking for a funny read with smoking hot sex scenes, check this one out.
July 22, 2015
3.65 Stars!!!
Not bad....nice, lovem' and leavem' story. :-)
I think one of the best lines is: "Where did you leave your panties?" and it was the girl asking the guy the question. lol.
Some awkward sex scenes where I wondered if I had suddenly fallen asleep, dropped my ereader and it bounced, and a BDSM novel opened up on page 52 by mistake...."Ha?"....."What was that?"
Don't get me wrong. I would read more by this author and thought the dialog and internal monologue helped to understand the feelings of each character.
Loved the daughter...she was the most well adjusted of the bunch. alot of angst and hurt feelings wrapped up with a pretty hea bow.
Not bad....nice, lovem' and leavem' story. :-)
I think one of the best lines is: "Where did you leave your panties?" and it was the girl asking the guy the question. lol.
Some awkward sex scenes where I wondered if I had suddenly fallen asleep, dropped my ereader and it bounced, and a BDSM novel opened up on page 52 by mistake...."Ha?"....."What was that?"
Don't get me wrong. I would read more by this author and thought the dialog and internal monologue helped to understand the feelings of each character.
Loved the daughter...she was the most well adjusted of the bunch. alot of angst and hurt feelings wrapped up with a pretty hea bow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2020
Really enjoyed the characters & depth of descriptions!
As a fan of bwwm romance, I must say that this was an enjoyable read. The main characters had their own issues to work through (especially Ashleigh and his abusive upbringing) and they had grown since they'd parted. I also really enjoyed the fact that you have Arista and Nala so much personality! The quick wit and sharp humor of some of the exchanges definitely made me laugh out loud! I also really appreciate that Mac was able to be a success financially even after leaving her pro ball playing husband.
As a fan of bwwm romance, I must say that this was an enjoyable read. The main characters had their own issues to work through (especially Ashleigh and his abusive upbringing) and they had grown since they'd parted. I also really enjoyed the fact that you have Arista and Nala so much personality! The quick wit and sharp humor of some of the exchanges definitely made me laugh out loud! I also really appreciate that Mac was able to be a success financially even after leaving her pro ball playing husband.
May 21, 2019
2.5 meh stars.
May 15, 2017
i got annoyed with MacKenzie...I got the point that she is all grown up and on your own but you cant be dragging on your current bf and keep saying its his fault when he lashes out...that's immature. The daughter was kinda annoying and I did not even get that whole BDSM scene..it was very corny to be honest. I'm not saying the book did not have potential but it just lacked in certain areas. The ending line was kinda off too..it just was not for me.
August 28, 2015
Another one
I am still a fan. This made me laugh and yet fall in love with this couple. I want to know what happens to this couple. The fact that Ash made up in mind to fight for what is his was sexy. Sometimes Mac got on my nerves but in a way I could understand her. Michael was no good anyway. Oh goodness their little girl was a diamond. Well done.
I am still a fan. This made me laugh and yet fall in love with this couple. I want to know what happens to this couple. The fact that Ash made up in mind to fight for what is his was sexy. Sometimes Mac got on my nerves but in a way I could understand her. Michael was no good anyway. Oh goodness their little girl was a diamond. Well done.
July 31, 2015
Cute
I've read quite a few of Nikki's book's and they were all 4-5 star's for me .But this book while it had a very good start and story line was a little too soap opera ish for my taste.
I've read quite a few of Nikki's book's and they were all 4-5 star's for me .But this book while it had a very good start and story line was a little too soap opera ish for my taste.
July 19, 2015
I love this author work, I'm such a fan now.
October 8, 2015
Nikki is always good reading
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews