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Inside the Storm

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He has every comfort money can buy and feels right at home in his upscale club. She has nothing and feels like a fraud in her thrift store dress, desperate to feel like she just might belong there. Worlds apart and the most unlikely of pairings, both of them are longing for the same connection, having never known true love. Rochelle catches Blake's eye, and the most confident man in the room is suddenly captivated by the only woman he can't have.
What is it about her? Where did she get her poorly masked bruises? Why did she run? Blake can't let her go.
How could he be interested? What did he want from her? Rochelle's walls just won't come down. She's afraid to let Blake be swept up inside the storm that lies within her.

175 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2020

8 people are currently reading
17 people want to read

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Michael James

79 books149 followers

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5 stars
17 (62%)
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5 (18%)
3 stars
2 (7%)
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1 (3%)
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2 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Nessa.
3,970 reviews74 followers
June 12, 2020
FRANKLY, IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO READ ROMANCE WRITTEN BY A MALE AUTHOR, BECAUSE THE PERSPECTIVE CAN BE DIFFERENT COMPARED TO ONE WRITTEN BY A WOMAN.

THIS ONE WAS MORE LIKE A CLOUD 9 KIND OF ROMANCE. FLUFFY, INSTA-LOVE AND WHILE I WANTED TO REALLY LOVE IT, the entire plot (even though it ends in a sort of cliffhanger) doesn't feel REAL or in-depth in terms of content and character development. Basically, it felt superficial to me. Otherwise, it's a simple story to enjoy if you don't think too much about it or compare it to one of your favourite established authors.

BLAKE is a rich man in his early 50s who has everything he could ever want. Sounds promising? Well, I might have been spoilt by dark eroticas and heavy sex content, because this one didn't reel me in when it came that. Blake's pretty much a goner the moment he laid eyes on Rochelle, and well...personally I think the whole insta-love just takes out the fun in watching them struggle and then fall in love. I'm more of a enemies to lovers kind of person, but Blake's definitely not Mr.Tall, Dark and Broody. In fact, he's Mr.Tall, Rich and Smitten. What I do like about him is his dedication and persistence towards understanding Rochelle and chasing her down most of the time, and trying to win her over like coaxing a wounded animal to trust him. Mainly, that's the reason why I stayed to finish this one since I'm also a sucker for patient heroes who can be a girl's fictional superman anytime, any day.

ROCHELLE is a broken woman who has been living out her days in the slum life ever since she ran away from home at 15. She lost her virginity at 18 in a club that eventually introduces her to a world of sin, sex and submission. Maybe because that whole idea wasn't elaborated or expounded on that I don't TRULY FEEL it....it's like we're being TOLD and not getting to experience it makes me feel disconnected from the characters themselves. No bonding time that leads to full appreciation of the story. Rochelle's cute in a kitten-ish kind of way, and she flies off like a skittered bird every time Blake gets too close for comfort. I've always loved a good broken heroine who comes off as cute but strong at the same time. Rochelle's a mixture of that and also a woman with her dignity intact DESPITE her destitution and shitty cards that life dealt her PRIOR to meeting Blake.

OVERALL this story TRULY had potential BUT the characters were under developed. The connections and emotions that bind the reader to Blake & Rochelle were lacking (not to say it wasn't there), and this might be insignificant to some but since I love a good hot & heavy romance...the sex description could be better too. Story wise, I do like the entire concept but I don't think I'll be going in for Book 2 after this one.
Profile Image for Lisa Marie ~ Words We Love By.
996 reviews64 followers
June 18, 2020
Blake is a wealthy man who spots Rochelle at the bar of the Country Club he owns. She captures his attention because she is different from the over-groomed, socialites he usually sees. Rochelle needed a night away from her life as a stripper/hooker so she donned a nice dress she planned on returning and went to the bar that is light-years away from her everyday reality.

A twist on the "Pretty Woman" / opposites attract tale, Inside the Storm is told in alternating POVs of the two leads and follows as Rochelle learns to trust Blake and Blake learns that he wants more than just a good time from Rochelle. There is an insta-love feel to the story, especially from Blake's side, giving credence to the "when men are ready to commit, the next one he meets is it" way of thinking though he does work hard to win Rochelle over. Rochelle is written a bit more in-depth with her past understandably making her what she is today.

There is a good balance between character interaction and action with a nice dose of heat. The story ends on a heck of a cliff but with enough substance that I am looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Cynthia  Cordell.
114 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2020
Oh Wow!!
Inside the Storm was amazing!
This book started out as a Live Write and has finished as a amazingly written book by two fantastic authors!
Rochelle is a beauty like Blake's never seen, he wants to know more after meeting her. Rochelle runs from Blake, from the possibility of something so good that she doesn't believe she deserves, only to run into trouble into danger into The Storm!
I absolutely love this book and can not wait to see where these two author's take us next!
Profile Image for Sarah.
598 reviews10 followers
June 18, 2020
What started as a live write for Daniel Grayson & Michael James, has turned into a fantastic book. Blake and Rochelle's story had me captivated from the start. They say opposites attract, and this is certainly the case with these two characters. Blake is a very successful business man, while Rochelle had a rough start in life, and now has severe trust issues. Can Blake convince her to let him in and give her the love she deserves? I can't wait for the next release from this duo.
Profile Image for Debi Williams.
2,619 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2020
Loved this book. It was well written and the characters had the chemistry, even though they came from different worlds. It will capture you from the beginning and you won’t be able to put it down. The authors did a magnificent job. Can’t wait to see what they bring us next. You can’t go wrong by reading this book
Profile Image for Julia Leonard.
807 reviews16 followers
June 10, 2020
Fantastic Duo

Rochelle is a beautiful lady down on her luck.
Blake is a successful business man.
He is immediately drawn to her.
Rochelle has had a rough life and has major trust issues.
Will Blake be able to break through the wall she's built up?
This is the beginning of a promising series from these two fantastic authors.
391 reviews6 followers
June 14, 2020
Inside the Storm started as a Live Write by Michael James and Daniel Grayson and was turned into an excellent book. For the most part, I liked the characters, but I felt they could have been developed a little bit more. I thought the story flowed well. Overall, I thought Inside the Storm was a really well-written book. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
8 reviews
June 14, 2020
Wow wee! Incredible Story that won't leave you dissapointed

Wow... From page one you will be hooked. Incredible story line that pulls you in right from the 1st page. I just about cried when I got to the last page as I didn't want it to end. I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Cheryl Blackburn.
312 reviews26 followers
June 15, 2020
Very Enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed this new writing team. Michael and James have a fresh and new feel to their writing. I enjoyed the characters and the chemistry. I love that the characters Rochelle had flaws and Blake didn't care. I can't wait for their next book together.
Profile Image for Martha Lindblom.
839 reviews4 followers
June 18, 2020
What a fantastic wonderful story. Rochelle is a troubled woman working in a sex club since she was 15. She is at a age now that she wants something better. Now you will have to read this wonderful book and see how Rochelle and Blake get together. It is a cliffhanger, but worth the wait. Enjoy
82 reviews
June 27, 2020
This is superb book

I loved this book and found it to be an interesting and intriguing. The character of Rochelle has alot of baggage she's carrying around. Fortunately a Prince Charming may be on the way. When these two authors get together it is fantastic reading for us.
Profile Image for Montana Sky.
28 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2021
Good Story

Enjoyed Rochelle & Blake's beginning. Great reading a different angle to a wealthy business man finding true love.


Disappointment no mention of "to be continued" book. 🤔



Profile Image for Sharilyn Russell.
994 reviews4 followers
June 14, 2020
Spectacular

Loved this book a whole lot. The story keeps you captivated the whole time. A great Cinderella story in current times
Profile Image for Karen Lang.
47 reviews
June 15, 2020
This was so GOOD

I loved this book and Blake and Rochelle and how they came to be. With the way it ended I can't wait for the next book. Great job!!!
Profile Image for Erica Cunningham.
169 reviews3 followers
August 9, 2020
Thank you

Thank you both for an enjoyable story. This had me from start to finish, and I am left wanting more. Can’t wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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