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The Blue Rose
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384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
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September 15, 2015
This is my first book by A.M. Helen and I have to admit that I'm impressed. My rating is more accurately 4.5 stars. It is a great romance novel for lover's of books like the One Night Trilogy and the This Man Trilogy by Jodi Ellen Malpas. The writing was incredible, the story developed, the characters developed, and there were twists and turns. The story kept you engaged and there was instant attraction between Alexander and Melissa. Both have secrets and secrets, when not shared or explained, can tear what you value most to shreds. Love, lust, and tenderness come naturally for Alexander and Melissa which is great to see considering what they've both gone through. There's wicked exes that wish to destroy them, the ever sweet promise of a beautiful future, and the weight of their secrets crashing upon them. This is book one of Helen's series for Alexander and Melissa so it leaves on a massive cliffhanger, you've been warned!
February 9, 2015
I was given an ARC for a honest opinion.
This story is about Alexander and Melissa. They meet when she comes to interview for a position as a Spanish Teacher/Interpreter. Initially, her mother was to interview but she is ill and Melissa hopes she will get the job.
Alexander and Melissa both have secrets, secrets that have torn their souls apart.
Alex has been so emotionally shut down because of his father and events that happened while Melissa was a victim of a horrible crime as a teenager and can trust no man.
He hires Melissa but feels it is a mistake right away as he is attracted to her. The next day he tells her it won't work and sends her on her way home, telling her to keep the money. She returns it, reminding him she doesn't need his pity. He brings her back to work with him but can't help but be distracted by her. They are soon forming a relationship but all she hears is how Alex beds all these woman and sends them an expensive gift the next day to remind them that he will not be seeing them again and to keep their silence. She doesn't understand why Alex would want her after all the glamorous women he has been with but Alex reminds her that she has such an impact on him and his life and no other woman has meant a thing to him.
Danger does lurk though. A man is bent on revenge against Alex and a man from Melissa's past has found. This man is determined to have Melissa no matter what he has to do.
I read up to the very last page and BOOM!- cliffhanger. The story is really good and the writing is great. All the characters and sub-characters are defined and I had a real sense of "knowing them". There were a couple of parts where I feel it was a little drawn out unnecessarily.
I am not happy about the cliffhanger. I wish I would have been told prior. I don't want to wait 6 months or a year to continue on, by then I will have read 50 more books and forgotten half the good details that I wouldn't have forgotten if I had the whole story in one book.
It's a great story, I do love the characters. If you don't mind cliffhangers grab this book!
Thank you for this opportunity.
This story is about Alexander and Melissa. They meet when she comes to interview for a position as a Spanish Teacher/Interpreter. Initially, her mother was to interview but she is ill and Melissa hopes she will get the job.
Alexander and Melissa both have secrets, secrets that have torn their souls apart.
Alex has been so emotionally shut down because of his father and events that happened while Melissa was a victim of a horrible crime as a teenager and can trust no man.
He hires Melissa but feels it is a mistake right away as he is attracted to her. The next day he tells her it won't work and sends her on her way home, telling her to keep the money. She returns it, reminding him she doesn't need his pity. He brings her back to work with him but can't help but be distracted by her. They are soon forming a relationship but all she hears is how Alex beds all these woman and sends them an expensive gift the next day to remind them that he will not be seeing them again and to keep their silence. She doesn't understand why Alex would want her after all the glamorous women he has been with but Alex reminds her that she has such an impact on him and his life and no other woman has meant a thing to him.
Danger does lurk though. A man is bent on revenge against Alex and a man from Melissa's past has found. This man is determined to have Melissa no matter what he has to do.
I read up to the very last page and BOOM!- cliffhanger. The story is really good and the writing is great. All the characters and sub-characters are defined and I had a real sense of "knowing them". There were a couple of parts where I feel it was a little drawn out unnecessarily.
I am not happy about the cliffhanger. I wish I would have been told prior. I don't want to wait 6 months or a year to continue on, by then I will have read 50 more books and forgotten half the good details that I wouldn't have forgotten if I had the whole story in one book.
It's a great story, I do love the characters. If you don't mind cliffhangers grab this book!
Thank you for this opportunity.
January 12, 2021
Well this had promise but just fell a little short for me. I liked the story line but felt something was missing. The characters didn't really fit well together for me. Melissa annoyed me in parts. I felt that Kane was a little too Alpha. I rolled my eyes in places. I feel that this book tried to enter a market that is over full and fell short. It wasn't bad but it's not the best either.
March 30, 2015
The Blue Rose
Melissa Medina desperately needs this job to get the bills payed, now that her mom is sick again. Even though she is a fighter, she also knows that she was a victim in the past, but after raising herself from scratch she is not giving up now.
Alexander Kane has always believed that his father's money was cursed and that his life was to be lived in the limit, most importantly to be lived without love.
He has a past filled with bitterness, addictions, and heartache but when he sets eyes on Melissa he starts believing that it is possible to love and be loved, ultimately to have a true family.
Can this two lost souls overcome grief, deception and evil ?
Get in this wild ride and hold on because you will be swept away and in the end you'll be crying for more.
So, I wasn't expecting to be carried away by Melissa and Kane, I never saw it coming but loved the roller coaster ride from the first to the last page.
Melissa was the perfect insecure and kick ass girl that fights her ghosts with all her might.
The character was believable, well integrated in the plot and insecure enough to lead to a rising full grown woman with a loving heart, knowing her place to be beside a man she knows will break every barrier she has put up against the world.
There were times I wished she would cut some slack concerning Kane, be more aware of gossip and recognizing that it was all lies but I hope she will get there.
Now Kane is a different story, all together I believe that he might be a "real" man, always with a goal on his mind, knowing what he should go for and staying away from what he knows is destructive and useless.
The fact that the author leads us into a story of love at first sight, a millionaire that obsesses over a wounded girl, is not new, but what is refreshing is the balance between the dominating personality and the love that Kane puts in the relationship.
Other then the lovebirds, you'll find a set of interesting characters, from friends and family to villeins that I could eat their hearts out and I'm truly waiting for the outcome to be just that, justice.
Sometimes you'll find that maybe it happens all too fast and that the writing is rushed, leaping from one moment to another but that's a minor damage when you're already into the action and turning the page to find out what's coming next.
Overall I enjoyed this couple and loved this first book but let me inform you that you'll have to wait for another one coming soon .... I hope !
This romance is in my opinion for mature audiences but what made me give a five star on Netgalley is the fact that A.M. Helen knew how to work the "hot" scenes and make them part of a hole creating a true love story with enough suspense to keep you going and with this I wait impatiently for the next book.
ARC BY NETGALLEY - https://www.netgalley.com/
Publisher: Troubador Publishing - http://www.troubador.co.uk/
Release date: February 1, 2015
Melissa Medina desperately needs this job to get the bills payed, now that her mom is sick again. Even though she is a fighter, she also knows that she was a victim in the past, but after raising herself from scratch she is not giving up now.
Alexander Kane has always believed that his father's money was cursed and that his life was to be lived in the limit, most importantly to be lived without love.
He has a past filled with bitterness, addictions, and heartache but when he sets eyes on Melissa he starts believing that it is possible to love and be loved, ultimately to have a true family.
Can this two lost souls overcome grief, deception and evil ?
Get in this wild ride and hold on because you will be swept away and in the end you'll be crying for more.
So, I wasn't expecting to be carried away by Melissa and Kane, I never saw it coming but loved the roller coaster ride from the first to the last page.
Melissa was the perfect insecure and kick ass girl that fights her ghosts with all her might.
The character was believable, well integrated in the plot and insecure enough to lead to a rising full grown woman with a loving heart, knowing her place to be beside a man she knows will break every barrier she has put up against the world.
There were times I wished she would cut some slack concerning Kane, be more aware of gossip and recognizing that it was all lies but I hope she will get there.
Now Kane is a different story, all together I believe that he might be a "real" man, always with a goal on his mind, knowing what he should go for and staying away from what he knows is destructive and useless.
The fact that the author leads us into a story of love at first sight, a millionaire that obsesses over a wounded girl, is not new, but what is refreshing is the balance between the dominating personality and the love that Kane puts in the relationship.
Other then the lovebirds, you'll find a set of interesting characters, from friends and family to villeins that I could eat their hearts out and I'm truly waiting for the outcome to be just that, justice.
Sometimes you'll find that maybe it happens all too fast and that the writing is rushed, leaping from one moment to another but that's a minor damage when you're already into the action and turning the page to find out what's coming next.
Overall I enjoyed this couple and loved this first book but let me inform you that you'll have to wait for another one coming soon .... I hope !
This romance is in my opinion for mature audiences but what made me give a five star on Netgalley is the fact that A.M. Helen knew how to work the "hot" scenes and make them part of a hole creating a true love story with enough suspense to keep you going and with this I wait impatiently for the next book.
ARC BY NETGALLEY - https://www.netgalley.com/
Publisher: Troubador Publishing - http://www.troubador.co.uk/
Release date: February 1, 2015
April 20, 2017
This is my second book by Ms. Helen. I don't know what to think other than I was disappointed. After the glory that was Five Steps to the Harem, I'd expected more sensuality, chemistry, thrills, chills, and romance.
The Blue Rose fell flat. It felt like the couple were just thrown together and oops, love and sex happened. The loved seemed to forced and sappy, and the sex scenes, while detailed were quick and lacked depth.
The bad guy was freaking insane, and his chilling intent was the best part of the book. I kind of wanted him to get his hands on Melissa, just to see if she'd spit in his face as he deserved.
The back story is heartbreaking--both of their backstories--, the secondary characters are lifeless, and the plot and tension didn't make me want to read the next book. Yeah, it ends on a cliff hanger. The book is so 'meh', that when it got to the end it was like 'nah', I don't care what happens in the next book.
Sad, I was so looking forward to another piece of erotic perfection from A.M. Helen. Disappointment makes Eve sad.
The Blue Rose fell flat. It felt like the couple were just thrown together and oops, love and sex happened. The loved seemed to forced and sappy, and the sex scenes, while detailed were quick and lacked depth.
The bad guy was freaking insane, and his chilling intent was the best part of the book. I kind of wanted him to get his hands on Melissa, just to see if she'd spit in his face as he deserved.
The back story is heartbreaking--both of their backstories--, the secondary characters are lifeless, and the plot and tension didn't make me want to read the next book. Yeah, it ends on a cliff hanger. The book is so 'meh', that when it got to the end it was like 'nah', I don't care what happens in the next book.
Sad, I was so looking forward to another piece of erotic perfection from A.M. Helen. Disappointment makes Eve sad.
February 11, 2015
When her mother becomes to ill to attend a job interview for billionaire Alexander Kane, Melissa Medina feels obligated to take her mothers place.
The attraction was instant, and Alex finds himself agreeing to employ Melissa as his Spanish teacher in her mothers absence.
Despite their attraction for one another, things are not always as they appear. Melissa has been hiding from her horrific past for years, as is Alex hinding from his own ghost of the past...
Can the two right each others pasts overtime, or will their past finally catch up to them, crumbling the little hope that is left..
Ok.. this book ends in a total cliff hanger and I want to throw it against the wall! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.. like NOW!
This book did take a while to really pick up for me, although I never completely lost interest. It was also a bit long.
Overall I enjoyed this book though, more than I initially thought I would. Looking forward to the next installment.
** I received a digital copy of this book in exchange of an honest review**
The attraction was instant, and Alex finds himself agreeing to employ Melissa as his Spanish teacher in her mothers absence.
Despite their attraction for one another, things are not always as they appear. Melissa has been hiding from her horrific past for years, as is Alex hinding from his own ghost of the past...
Can the two right each others pasts overtime, or will their past finally catch up to them, crumbling the little hope that is left..
Ok.. this book ends in a total cliff hanger and I want to throw it against the wall! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.. like NOW!
This book did take a while to really pick up for me, although I never completely lost interest. It was also a bit long.
Overall I enjoyed this book though, more than I initially thought I would. Looking forward to the next installment.
** I received a digital copy of this book in exchange of an honest review**
April 28, 2021
Amazing
I'm hooked!.....this story has so many twists and turns I can't put it down.I love how the writer describes in detail the events. All I have to say keep up the great writing!
I'm hooked!.....this story has so many twists and turns I can't put it down.I love how the writer describes in detail the events. All I have to say keep up the great writing!
November 27, 2021
One of the best books I've read for a while, had me hooked from start to finish, seriously hard to put down
April 20, 2015
I gave this a 6/10 or 3 stars. My thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first of an erotic series of books aimed at the over 18 market and suitable for fans of that genre. The story sets the scene nicely for the series and leaves us on a cliffhanger, so be warned that you'll be left wanting more.
We all have a past and the past is what makes us who we are. Melissa Medina is a young woman with a past that robbed her of so many things in her young life, she prefers her past to remain most definitely in the past and hates to be reminded of what happened to her. Due to her Mum being ill and money being very tight, Melissa goes to a job interview that her Mum was supposed to attend. Alexander is a billionaire businessman wanting to learn Spanish. Is Melissa the right person to teach him Spanish? With no other option and perhaps against his better judgement he employs her on the understanding that she will be called upon at any hour of the day to fit in with his busy schedule.
As Alex and Melissa begin to acquaint themselves with one another during his Spanish lessons an attraction soon develops. Both of them have a past, it's how much their pasts are going to interfere in their lives.
Melissa's past is set to haunt her in more ways than one, as someone that she once knew sees her again and realises that she was the one that got away that perhaps shouldn't have done. Her past is very dark and is best left there.
As the story develops and certain aspects of the past are set on a collision course with the present, will things ever be the same again for Melissa? Will her and Alex's relationship bloom or will it be doomed as fate begins to rear its head? Alex longs to protect Melissa and due to the nature of his business and lifestyle, he has a team of bodyguards to look after him and members of his family, etc. Will they be enough to protect her from her past as well?
I enjoyed this story and found the characters relationships and interactions well developed. I was intrigued by Melissa's past and will be interested to see how this develops in the next in the series.
This is the first of an erotic series of books aimed at the over 18 market and suitable for fans of that genre. The story sets the scene nicely for the series and leaves us on a cliffhanger, so be warned that you'll be left wanting more.
We all have a past and the past is what makes us who we are. Melissa Medina is a young woman with a past that robbed her of so many things in her young life, she prefers her past to remain most definitely in the past and hates to be reminded of what happened to her. Due to her Mum being ill and money being very tight, Melissa goes to a job interview that her Mum was supposed to attend. Alexander is a billionaire businessman wanting to learn Spanish. Is Melissa the right person to teach him Spanish? With no other option and perhaps against his better judgement he employs her on the understanding that she will be called upon at any hour of the day to fit in with his busy schedule.
As Alex and Melissa begin to acquaint themselves with one another during his Spanish lessons an attraction soon develops. Both of them have a past, it's how much their pasts are going to interfere in their lives.
Melissa's past is set to haunt her in more ways than one, as someone that she once knew sees her again and realises that she was the one that got away that perhaps shouldn't have done. Her past is very dark and is best left there.
As the story develops and certain aspects of the past are set on a collision course with the present, will things ever be the same again for Melissa? Will her and Alex's relationship bloom or will it be doomed as fate begins to rear its head? Alex longs to protect Melissa and due to the nature of his business and lifestyle, he has a team of bodyguards to look after him and members of his family, etc. Will they be enough to protect her from her past as well?
I enjoyed this story and found the characters relationships and interactions well developed. I was intrigued by Melissa's past and will be interested to see how this develops in the next in the series.
May 21, 2015
This review was originally posted on The Sassy Bookster
The Blue Rose is very brilliant writing from debut author, A. M. Helen. Overwhelmed by bills and in desperate need of a job, Melissa Medina interviews for a job as a Spanish teacher to billionaire, Alexander Kane, a job that was originally intended for her mother. The instant attraction between them is irresistible and soon they find themselves blurring the line between a professional and personal relationship. In spite of the hot passion between them, both Melissa and Kane are keeping very huge secrets from each other. Melissa has a very dark past filled with abuse and Kane has a debauched past, filled with bitterness, heartache and excesses, a past that has created enemies intent on destroying him.
Even as these two try to build something wonderful together, the past refuses to stay buried. Their fragile relationship has to contend with people obsessed with revenge, greed and a man from Melissa's past intent on having her for himself.
Wow! I so did not see this book coming! The story started out slow but I was soon drawn in and could only hang on for the ride. The Blue Rose is filled with steamy romance, suspense, deceptions and nothing is what is seems. The characters are so very flawed but real, dealing with their insecurities and inadequacies.
I must say that this is some of the finest writing I have read so far this year, even though the story was a little too long for me. I was stunned at the abrupt ending because I intensely dislike cliffhangers (this one will lead you right to the edge and a sharp drop off!) and will have passed on this if I knew that from the beginning, but I'm glad I read The Blue Rose and I look forward to the next book in the series.
*I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
The Blue Rose is very brilliant writing from debut author, A. M. Helen. Overwhelmed by bills and in desperate need of a job, Melissa Medina interviews for a job as a Spanish teacher to billionaire, Alexander Kane, a job that was originally intended for her mother. The instant attraction between them is irresistible and soon they find themselves blurring the line between a professional and personal relationship. In spite of the hot passion between them, both Melissa and Kane are keeping very huge secrets from each other. Melissa has a very dark past filled with abuse and Kane has a debauched past, filled with bitterness, heartache and excesses, a past that has created enemies intent on destroying him.
Even as these two try to build something wonderful together, the past refuses to stay buried. Their fragile relationship has to contend with people obsessed with revenge, greed and a man from Melissa's past intent on having her for himself.
Wow! I so did not see this book coming! The story started out slow but I was soon drawn in and could only hang on for the ride. The Blue Rose is filled with steamy romance, suspense, deceptions and nothing is what is seems. The characters are so very flawed but real, dealing with their insecurities and inadequacies.
I must say that this is some of the finest writing I have read so far this year, even though the story was a little too long for me. I was stunned at the abrupt ending because I intensely dislike cliffhangers (this one will lead you right to the edge and a sharp drop off!) and will have passed on this if I knew that from the beginning, but I'm glad I read The Blue Rose and I look forward to the next book in the series.
*I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
February 25, 2015
Well what really is there to say! I did enjoy these characters. They are strong and hold there own. Melissa had a rough time through out her teen years. Alexander is a billionaire playboy type bachelor ,of course who has a huge promiscuous past. There is something to be said about strong women. Melissa being one of these strong women characters. Who would have thought that her and his past would collide at the same time. She can be strong, but it is frustrating me to no ends that she can be so easily emotionally strayed by actions of some of these characters! I understand she has trust issues, but to have gone through what she has and allow Alez into her life and body? She is so strong and yet is still very vulnerable. Good qualities to have when you have been defeates a robbed of innocence so very young.
There was a couple of things that really confused me in this read. One minute I was reading Alexander's thoughts then I was reading Melissa's. I think maybe chapters would have been a better way to go. There needed to be some distribution between their thoughts. I know there is some things that you wonder what was he thinking? I like knowing things are in parts and in time we will know what each one thinks. One thing I would have liked that I did not see is Leo! What was he thinking? "Tu eres mio!" Si si Si!! Anyhow, I did enjoy this read and I would like to have another book out soon. I always end up forgetting what the first book was about. I end up not buying the next in the series. I read about 1000 books a year...so that being said can you blame me for forgetting!? So that said it was a good read and strong characters just needs a lite tweaking here and there!
I received this ARC from the author via Net Galley for my honest review. Thank you Net Galley!!
There was a couple of things that really confused me in this read. One minute I was reading Alexander's thoughts then I was reading Melissa's. I think maybe chapters would have been a better way to go. There needed to be some distribution between their thoughts. I know there is some things that you wonder what was he thinking? I like knowing things are in parts and in time we will know what each one thinks. One thing I would have liked that I did not see is Leo! What was he thinking? "Tu eres mio!" Si si Si!! Anyhow, I did enjoy this read and I would like to have another book out soon. I always end up forgetting what the first book was about. I end up not buying the next in the series. I read about 1000 books a year...so that being said can you blame me for forgetting!? So that said it was a good read and strong characters just needs a lite tweaking here and there!
I received this ARC from the author via Net Galley for my honest review. Thank you Net Galley!!
March 5, 2015
Melissa thinks this is just your everyday interview to teach a very wealthy man. Little does she know she’s about to embark a crazy and passionate love affair/train wreck that will consume her heart and future. The instant she meets Alex the sparks fly and the boundaries between teacher/student are crossed. Will her past collide head on with Alex’s playboy ways? Or does she have what it takes to take the wild womanizer with a heart barely stitched together?
I’m not exactly sure how I feel about this book after finishing it. It was a very enjoyable read as far as the story goes, but I feel the pacing was just a tad off in spots. It took me a lot longer to get into the meat of the story than I expected. The characters are superb. Melissa is a strong female lead with just enough pep in her step to draw readers into her story and balance out Alex’s womanizer/play boy past. Alex himself is a bit of an enigma. The demons in his closets are numerous and will wreak havoc on any kind of relationship he can manage with the one woman he’s ever truly wanted to possess and own. Now if you aren’t a fan of cliffhanger stories, I would back away very slowly from The Blue Rose. It’s cliff hanger ending will give you a knockout punch without even a single hello in advanced!! Since I finished this book in the wee hours of the morning, I found myself unable to go to sleep because of how much I wanted to know how it was going to end. Guess I just have to impatiently wait for the next book!
March 3, 2015
This was a long book with a cliffhanger ending. Melissa Medina attends an interview with Alexander Kane, a very attractive billionaire, to teach him Spanish so that he can conduct business with Spanish businessmen. Little did Mr Kane know that he would be interviewing Mrs Medina's daughter due to her ill-health. Melissa needs this job to pay for the expensive treatment for her mother and to pay their mortgage and daily living costs. Of course the attraction is instant between them and Alexander, knowing he can't return a loving relationship, sends her back home to her mother, insisting she keep the payment for the three months she would be working for him. As soon as she is gone, he realises she could possibly be the one person he could love and that she may return his feelings for her. There are many characters in this family drama, many secrets and wrongs that Alexander has done over the years when he became addicted to drugs and alcohol while married to the beautiful model Gisele.
Melissa has many secrets of her own and she is finding it very hard to keep them separate from her relationship with Alexander. Little does she know that her tormentor knows where she is and he will stop at nothing to get her back.
Just when it seems everything in both of their lives are going well, fate intervenes and their chance for a happy future is shattered.
The book is well written, the plots are believable and the characters are colourful.
This is a good book for Debut Author A. M. Helen. I look forward to reading the second book in the series The White Rose.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Melissa has many secrets of her own and she is finding it very hard to keep them separate from her relationship with Alexander. Little does she know that her tormentor knows where she is and he will stop at nothing to get her back.
Just when it seems everything in both of their lives are going well, fate intervenes and their chance for a happy future is shattered.
The book is well written, the plots are believable and the characters are colourful.
This is a good book for Debut Author A. M. Helen. I look forward to reading the second book in the series The White Rose.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
March 23, 2015
What? NOOO! It can't end on that cliffhanger!!
This was a great book which had a great combination of steamy romance, and suspenseful thriller. I was intrigued to see how the thriller aspects were going to unwind, particularly as this was quite a long book, but I loved the quick glances we were given into the villain's life, and I really felt so strongly for Melissa, that I hated the man with everything I had.
Melissa's past abduction and rape was handled tenderly and with real care by A.M. Helen, and seeing the slow development of Melissa and Alexander's sexual relationship I felt their story was perfectly paced. I was so pleased to see that A.M. Helen chose to follow the route of Melissa having to trust Alexander completely before letting them sleep together was brilliantly done, and I was pleased to see the realistic development of their sexual relationship with Melissa's past sexual abuse still holding a part of her back.
'The Blue Rose' had me jumping from sighing happily at the sweet romance, and then screaming in dismay as the outside forces begin to pull Melissa and Alexander away from each other. The ending had me shouting and desperately clicking on my kindle looking for the next page. A brilliant cliffhanger that has me itching for more!
The only thing that keeps me from giving this five stars was a few of the phrases used throughout the sex scenes, which jolted me from the story as I debated whether or not the words could have been substituted for others, but I understand that writing sex scenes is incredibly difficult, and everybody's tastes are different when it comes to wording so that may just be me.
4 stars for this captivating book.
This was a great book which had a great combination of steamy romance, and suspenseful thriller. I was intrigued to see how the thriller aspects were going to unwind, particularly as this was quite a long book, but I loved the quick glances we were given into the villain's life, and I really felt so strongly for Melissa, that I hated the man with everything I had.
Melissa's past abduction and rape was handled tenderly and with real care by A.M. Helen, and seeing the slow development of Melissa and Alexander's sexual relationship I felt their story was perfectly paced. I was so pleased to see that A.M. Helen chose to follow the route of Melissa having to trust Alexander completely before letting them sleep together was brilliantly done, and I was pleased to see the realistic development of their sexual relationship with Melissa's past sexual abuse still holding a part of her back.
'The Blue Rose' had me jumping from sighing happily at the sweet romance, and then screaming in dismay as the outside forces begin to pull Melissa and Alexander away from each other. The ending had me shouting and desperately clicking on my kindle looking for the next page. A brilliant cliffhanger that has me itching for more!
The only thing that keeps me from giving this five stars was a few of the phrases used throughout the sex scenes, which jolted me from the story as I debated whether or not the words could have been substituted for others, but I understand that writing sex scenes is incredibly difficult, and everybody's tastes are different when it comes to wording so that may just be me.
4 stars for this captivating book.
July 30, 2015
Where to begin with this book? It's a love/hate relationship and I have to admit this book had me a little bit skeptical, it took me a couple chapters to really get into it. I am not sure how I really feel about it the Book itself was well-written I enjoyed the story line however I felt that there was a lot of runaround a lot of the drama kept repeating itself. We knew what was going to happen for most of the story and then it ended that way in the end. I feel like there could've been a different ending to keep a surprise since we already knew that was the plan was. however I love the characters I love the character build up. I love how in the beginning of the book Melissa is very fragile and throughout the book you get to see her grow within herself and become a stronger woman and in the end ultimately become independent as the story goes on she learns to not believe people so in the end when she does fall for the trick that these people have played on her it's kind of shocking. I feel she could have used that same strength that she had the whole book to figure out what really went down. All in all I enjoyed the story I just didn't like the constant drama that made you want to jump off of a cliff and then in the end being exactly what we knew was already going to happen. Don't get me wrong I loved the book I would definitely recommend it to other people I just with my personal preferences wouldn't like to read the second book if it's going to be that dramatic and with the dramatic run around like this one, but I am hooked on this story and will read it no matter what! Excited to read the next one!
October 5, 2015
Where to begin with this book? It's a love/hate relationship and I have to admit this book had me a little bit skeptical, it took me a couple chapters to really get into it. I am not sure how I really feel about it the Book itself was well-written I enjoyed the story line however I felt that there was a lot of runaround a lot of the drama kept repeating itself. We knew what was going to happen for most of the story and then it ended that way in the end. I feel like there could've been a different ending to keep a surprise since we already knew that was the plan was. however I love the characters I love the character build up. I love how in the beginning of the book Melissa is very fragile and throughout the book you get to see her grow within herself and become a stronger woman and in the end ultimately become independent as the story goes on she learns to not believe people so in the end when she does fall for the trick that these people have played on her it's kind of shocking. I feel she could have used that same strength that she had the whole book to figure out what really went down. All in all I enjoyed the story I just didn't like the constant drama that made you want to jump off of a cliff and then in the end being exactly what we knew was already going to happen. Don't get me wrong I loved the book I would definitely recommend it to other people I just with my personal preferences wouldn't like to read the second book if it's going to be that dramatic and with the dramatic run around like this one, but I am hooked on this story and will read it no matter what! Excited to read the next one!
March 31, 2015
This is one of the more interesting reads I've had the pleasure of picking up in quite a while. I get stuck in a book rut and this one was the first one in a couple of months that I read for pure pleasure. Melissa and Alexander have both had difficulties in their lives but it has made them stronger people in the long run. I love how Melissa is healed during the course of the book but there is also enough turmoil that makes it interesting. I already have been searching the web for the release date of the next installment in this riveting story even though this books was just released February 1st. There are some parts of the book where the author jumps around a little bit which is the reason I gave it four stars rather than five but they are easily overlooked if you found the story as engaging as I did. A. M. Helen is definitely an author I will keep on my radar.
ARC received from NetGalley.
ARC received from NetGalley.
February 25, 2015
I received an ARC for an honest review
First let me say that this book ends with a cliffhanger and I want to know what happened! LOL
Overall I enjoyed the story. It started a little slow but I never lost complete interest and by about 30% I was hooked and waiting for more. But the big thing I was waiting to have happen never did, so I really want to read the next book in the series.
Overall, the characters are likable, and I like the variety of them and hope a few get a spinoff book or a bit of time in future books. It seems all the characters have dealt with some extreme situations and need to recover from those with the help of friends, family and lovers.
A good romantic suspense, but I would have liked a little more action in this book and I'm hoping we'll see that in the second book.
First let me say that this book ends with a cliffhanger and I want to know what happened! LOL
Overall I enjoyed the story. It started a little slow but I never lost complete interest and by about 30% I was hooked and waiting for more. But the big thing I was waiting to have happen never did, so I really want to read the next book in the series.
Overall, the characters are likable, and I like the variety of them and hope a few get a spinoff book or a bit of time in future books. It seems all the characters have dealt with some extreme situations and need to recover from those with the help of friends, family and lovers.
A good romantic suspense, but I would have liked a little more action in this book and I'm hoping we'll see that in the second book.
February 28, 2015
Melissa Medina turns up at the house of Alexander Kane. He's looking for a Spanish tutor and is expecting her middle aged mother. Kane is a playboy billionaire. Married once and ever since has had a bevy of beauties on his arm, None for very long. Meeting Melissa changes his life. Changes his soul.
Melissa is fragile and damaged. Still recovering from an incident when she was a teenager it is hard for her to trust anyone and even harder to trust a strange and forceful man.
As time passes they uncover each others terrible secrets and the end finishes with a cliffhanger - a terrible and quite unexpected twist.
The characters are interesting and relatable and the story is, on the whole, fast paced and intriguing. A real page turner! Hurry up and release the next book.
Supplied by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Melissa is fragile and damaged. Still recovering from an incident when she was a teenager it is hard for her to trust anyone and even harder to trust a strange and forceful man.
As time passes they uncover each others terrible secrets and the end finishes with a cliffhanger - a terrible and quite unexpected twist.
The characters are interesting and relatable and the story is, on the whole, fast paced and intriguing. A real page turner! Hurry up and release the next book.
Supplied by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2015
This was a good book but there were a few things that just left me speechless. The book starts out as Melissa Medina is getting ready for a job interview with Alexander Kane in place of her ailing mother. She goes to this interview and from here their love story begins. Melissa is very sheltered when it comes to love and intimacy after a very horrible event in her life when she was younger and I am definitely glad that Alexander seemed to have gone at Melissa's pace and didn't try to push her. But once they "seal the deal" things just seemed to move way too quickly especially when he mentioned his want for her to have a child. Then a man from Melissa's past comes back to stalk her and she even meets him a few times and never even recognizes him (which I found a bit odd since she dreamed of him and such). The book ends with a cliffhanger I felt but overall it was a decent book
October 16, 2016
I was given the second book in this series, never read books by this author so had to start from the beginning. So glad I did. Melissa is a beautiful, scared woman with a dark secret from her abduction years earlier. Alexander is a rich CEO, handsome, charming and on meeting her is floored by her innocence/beauty. Sebastian is the devil she thought she'd escaped from. Giselle is Alexanders ex wife, Cruel, scheming and manipulative with secrets which are used against her to ensue Melissa doubts Alexander. Threats on Melissa's life and turmoil ensure this story is a page turner to the end. Alexander is confused and isn't believed because of his past. Will they be together again. Giselle or Melissa, who will win. Will Melissa's nemesis seduce her on the rebound. When will she realise who is her enemy, will she survive to tell the tale?
May 30, 2015
Oh My God!! You have a great way to make a woman pull her hair out Ms. Helen! I loved that both Alexander and Melissa had heartbreaking pasts, and it wasn’t one or the other who was in need of saving, it was both. I smirked, cried, laughed, and ranted while reading about their romance coming to life. And the “Evil Ones” (as I call Sebastian and Gisele) are so evil I want to drop-kick them both! But that ending! OMG! That ending! Now I have to sadly wait for the next book to come out. (Please Ms. Helen, I’m begging, please let it be soon!)
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
February 15, 2016
Omg I can not wait for the next book in this series! It has everything, steamy sex, colorful characters, mystery, suspense, troubled pasts….everything that makes a great book.
The more I read, the more I got pulled into the story. I don't know how many times I found my heart racing from wondering what was going to happen next. If you're not into cliffhanger endings, you do hate this book because it leaves the reader with one doozy of a cliffhanger and I am dying to know what happens next!
The more I read, the more I got pulled into the story. I don't know how many times I found my heart racing from wondering what was going to happen next. If you're not into cliffhanger endings, you do hate this book because it leaves the reader with one doozy of a cliffhanger and I am dying to know what happens next!
Read
March 13, 2015Dnf at 40% due to:
- Stereotyping of gay character - so ott and sex-obsessed
- The dialogue. Stilted and unrealistic. Nobody speaks like that in real life
- I see where the plot is headed and it's all a bit Dynasty
So that's why I'm out. I vowed to read fewer but better books this year and unfortunately, this isn't one of them.
- Stereotyping of gay character - so ott and sex-obsessed
- The dialogue. Stilted and unrealistic. Nobody speaks like that in real life
- I see where the plot is headed and it's all a bit Dynasty
So that's why I'm out. I vowed to read fewer but better books this year and unfortunately, this isn't one of them.
March 13, 2015
I was quickly engrossed in Melissa and Alex's story and found myself at the last page far too quickly and yearning to know more of what becomes of them! This story is filled with hot sex, heart breaking background stories and villains you love to hate! Can't wait to read the second book to find out what happens!
August 12, 2016
I found the beginning of the story a bit difficult but once I had got more involved in the story and given it a chance I really enjoyed it. Very different to the first book of hers I read - Five steps to The Harem which is probably why I took a while to settle down but they are both very enjoyable and highly recommended.
ARC from AM Helen
ARC from AM Helen
March 31, 2015
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Didn't realise that it was a two parter, so I was frustrated with the pace of the book from about midway.
I like the story, it's strong characters and the scenery.
It's quite an angsty tale and a good read.
Didn't realise that it was a two parter, so I was frustrated with the pace of the book from about midway.
I like the story, it's strong characters and the scenery.
It's quite an angsty tale and a good read.
October 4, 2015
Overall I enjoyed the story. It started a little slow but I never lost complete interest and by the third or fourth chapter, I was hooked and waiting for more. But the big thing I was waiting to have happen never did, so I really want to read the next book in the series.
February 27, 2015
Ugh, DNF..... I just can't. I think this book was written by someone who doesn't speak English as a first language. The dialogue is clunky and awkward.
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