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The Eatons #5
Sweet Persuasions
Settling down isn't high on Xavier Eaton's list–he's having too much fun playing the field, sharing his bed but never his heart. All that changes when the high–ranking military man and longtime bachelor comes back to South Carolina and walks into Selena Yates's tantalizing patisserie….Charleston is a long way from Selena's West Virginia mining hometown. And the gorgeous Eaton war hero isn't like anyone the wary chocolatier has ever met. Xavier's kisses spark desire… and a powerful yearning to belong to him. As his kisses heat up the sultry Southern nights, Selena is tempted to say "I do" to a lifetime of passion. But is she ready to take her rightful place among the Eaton women as Xavier's beloved and adored bride?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2011
24 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Rochelle Alers
221 books1,057 followersRochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this literal sweet treat of a book. Featuring ex-Marine, Xavier, and former soap star and current French Patiesserie owner, Selena, this book is mostly about the healing power of love™️ and what happens when two people with painful pasts they’d rather keep to themselves come together and find love. I love the Eatons and the cast of friends in this book and reading this kind of made me fall in love with Charleston, South Carolina and made me want to visit.
May 24, 2024
This was a sweet story with no unnecessary drama.
May 5, 2020
This is a difficult review to write and probably an unpopular one too. I really didn´t like Xavier... I know that other reviewers rave about him, but I found him to be aloof, patronising and condescending towards Selena as well as his sister. I didn´t think he sounded sexy (good looking, yes but his character kind of put me off) and I don´t think he treated Selena as an equal. He says he does and he admires her and he thinks she is her own woman, but the way he treats her and brushes her off sometimes, I don´t like it. I also really don´t find the whole thing about him saying his exes calling him "big daddy" attractive, quite the opposite actually. Well, Selena thought it was funny so I guess some people do, which is fair enough, I clearly don´t have to date him :)
Apart from Xavier´s character, there was a lot I liked about the book. I liked Selena´s strength and her ability to build her business after what she´d been through. She didn´t let it define her and although she was cautious when first meeting Xavier, she was able to give him a chance. I loved all the friends that show up throughout the story and how they welcome Selena into the group, and especially her relationship with her neighbour Monica is lovely. I loved how passionate she is about chocolates and making people happy by giving them a very personal experience in her shop as well as on their special days, whether that is a big business meeting or a child´s birthday party. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and could have been developed better but that doesn´t mean I didn´t enjoy the book.
Since I enjoyed the writing, I might read another book from the series to see whether I find myself liking the male lead in that one more.
Apart from Xavier´s character, there was a lot I liked about the book. I liked Selena´s strength and her ability to build her business after what she´d been through. She didn´t let it define her and although she was cautious when first meeting Xavier, she was able to give him a chance. I loved all the friends that show up throughout the story and how they welcome Selena into the group, and especially her relationship with her neighbour Monica is lovely. I loved how passionate she is about chocolates and making people happy by giving them a very personal experience in her shop as well as on their special days, whether that is a big business meeting or a child´s birthday party. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and could have been developed better but that doesn´t mean I didn´t enjoy the book.
Since I enjoyed the writing, I might read another book from the series to see whether I find myself liking the male lead in that one more.
September 11, 2020
Really awesome book
Because I wanted to read this book and didn't have it until now I didn't like that Derrick Perry tried to keep tabs on her after she left L.A. and I would recommend this book to all the women in my family
Because I wanted to read this book and didn't have it until now I didn't like that Derrick Perry tried to keep tabs on her after she left L.A. and I would recommend this book to all the women in my family
March 26, 2021
Delightful
This series has me all mushy inside. Just as the "Innkeeper" series and "Cavanaugh Island" series. Overcoming the obstacles of love was handled superbly by the author. Both characters grew separate in personality and together. I enjoy the author's creativity.
This series has me all mushy inside. Just as the "Innkeeper" series and "Cavanaugh Island" series. Overcoming the obstacles of love was handled superbly by the author. Both characters grew separate in personality and together. I enjoy the author's creativity.
September 25, 2019
Getting a lil watered down. Still wonderful series concept
October 13, 2021
It was nice. Some what predicable!
February 19, 2025
I have been enjoying all of Rochelle Alers books thus far. This one from the Eatons series is one of my favorites. The only thing I don't like about her books is the relationships move too fast. Like would you really invite someone to sleep over your house that you just met a couple days prior? Everyone ends up married and pregnant at the end of all of her books lol. Not saying that's a bad thing, just not realistic.
May 4, 2017
Liked it!
August 17, 2019
Another easy read and I like The Eatons
January 5, 2020
Really enjoyed this happy story, it had the angst and worry which the author handled beautifully. More a 3.4 out of 5.
January 9, 2020
I so love this series. I'm not sure which Eaton is my favorite but Xavier is definitely up there. The description of him and his persona sound good. I'm happy the way the book ended.
February 2, 2022
Great story. Loved the whole series. Narration not so much. :( I only kept reading because I enjoyed the series and the positive ratings. I’m thinking that those were NOT audible books!
September 6, 2025
Continuing the series helps with the characters but can be a standalone.
June 19, 2011
I was excited to finally get to read Xavier's story. As with most books, the ones about military men are special for me. This story was cute and funny. Xavier and Selena were good compliments to each other. I loved Xavier's off center and dry sense of humor. Selena had just enough spice. But the whole story lacked something. There was a bit of detachment between the heroine and hero, not to mention the other characters.
Alers books are always rife with tidbit of history, culinary acumen, artistic knowledge and decorating pizzaz. Her characters are always of the who's who of African American society even if their back story has them coming from humble beginnings. Knowing the accuracy on her part for this kind of information, I was a bit annoyed at the lack of attention to detail as pertains to the Marine Corps.
One of my pet peeves is how authors write in detail about the branches of the military in abstract fashion. It particularly bugs me when the character is one of mine, a Marine. No Marine would ever describe the Marine Corps emblem as "the Marine insignia" and it's always (without fail) the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. MCRD stands for Marine Corps Recruit Depot not Deport. An officer who's been in more than a decade who is still a Lieutenant would not be still on active service. No one drives from Charleston to Beaufort or Parris Island on a daily basis. That drive is absolutely crazy. And no Marine would use part of his dress blues with someone else's uniform, that's sacrilege.
The other part that made this book not so good for me is the flow. In the late two books of Alers' I've gotten the feeling she got lost. I expect less from serial romance novels than from contemporary. Alers always adds a bit of intrigue and mystery to her story. The problem is, when it's a serial like this, it's hard to do. It's like she's focused on the love story then adds some mystery and realizes she's got to get the boy and girl to the altar and throws in a conclusion to the intrigue. You end up thinking "well that sucks".
I am probably goint read the next Eaton book simply because my anal personality will not allow me not find out what's going to happen between Kenyon and Mia. I just hope it's better.
Alers books are always rife with tidbit of history, culinary acumen, artistic knowledge and decorating pizzaz. Her characters are always of the who's who of African American society even if their back story has them coming from humble beginnings. Knowing the accuracy on her part for this kind of information, I was a bit annoyed at the lack of attention to detail as pertains to the Marine Corps.
One of my pet peeves is how authors write in detail about the branches of the military in abstract fashion. It particularly bugs me when the character is one of mine, a Marine. No Marine would ever describe the Marine Corps emblem as "the Marine insignia" and it's always (without fail) the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. MCRD stands for Marine Corps Recruit Depot not Deport. An officer who's been in more than a decade who is still a Lieutenant would not be still on active service. No one drives from Charleston to Beaufort or Parris Island on a daily basis. That drive is absolutely crazy. And no Marine would use part of his dress blues with someone else's uniform, that's sacrilege.
The other part that made this book not so good for me is the flow. In the late two books of Alers' I've gotten the feeling she got lost. I expect less from serial romance novels than from contemporary. Alers always adds a bit of intrigue and mystery to her story. The problem is, when it's a serial like this, it's hard to do. It's like she's focused on the love story then adds some mystery and realizes she's got to get the boy and girl to the altar and throws in a conclusion to the intrigue. You end up thinking "well that sucks".
I am probably goint read the next Eaton book simply because my anal personality will not allow me not find out what's going to happen between Kenyon and Mia. I just hope it's better.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: The Eatons
"Ms. Alers manages to combine several things that I love in this story, decadent deserts, a bit of history, intrigue and romance." from a review posted by an eharlequin.com member, to read more go here.
"Ms. Alers manages to combine several things that I love in this story, decadent deserts, a bit of history, intrigue and romance." from a review posted by an eharlequin.com member, to read more go here.
December 8, 2013
It was nice to meet Xaiver and Selena. Xaiver is a man that had a mission in life that he completed at the risk of his own life. Selena is a woman trying to live a life free from fear. Their union is a fairy tale of love come true for him and a desire for her. I just expected more from Ms. Alers than I got in this story. Maybe the last 'Eaton' story will meet expectations.
June 19, 2011
This was the sweetest book ever. Xavier and Selena worked fast in getting, but it didn't feel rushed as I was reading it. I wish there was a Sweet Persuasions inmy neck of the woods. Those treats desribed in the book sound heavenly. I loved the description of the second wedding sounded beautiful.
June 3, 2012
So far this is my favorite of the series, they have all been very good but Selena and Xavier touched my heart in a way that Griffin/Belinda, Miles/Zabrina and Chandra/PJ have. It made me laugh and want to cry at the same time.
September 3, 2011
Amazing, the way the ex Marine is at a lost until moves back to Charleston and walks into a chocolate shop. Will he ever look at chocolate the same?
"Will someone please tell me what's going on?"
"Will someone please tell me what's going on?"
June 17, 2011
Excited to be reading something (contemporary) set in Charleston, SC.
August 25, 2011
Ms. Alers Always Wrap me up in her Sweet romance..
October 25, 2011
Love it!
October 23, 2011
it was really good book. the only problem was it went o fast and it was to short of a story. other than that great book.
March 22, 2013
I liked the premise but the ending felt rushed, there was a missed opportunity to develop the plot some more.
January 8, 2014
There is a build up to the ex coming back but its quickly wrapped up at the end which leaves you hanging.
October 26, 2014
Great story. I am glad i discovered this author.
February 25, 2016
I loved Xavier's story.
October 25, 2018
Rating 3.75 🌟
December 5, 2012
Loved it.. can't wait to read more of the Eatons in the future.. Loved it..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews