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Private Scandals #1
Private Sessions
THEY DON'T GET ANY BADDER THAN THIS BAD BOY:
The Players:
1) Caleb Payne. Calculating entrepreneur. Avowed bachelor. He takes what he wants --- in the boardroom and the bedroom!
2) Bryna Metaxas. Emotionally invested in her family's business. About to enter into a business deal with Caleb that will shock her on every level ... And she'll love every minute of it.
The Situation:
Dangerously hot, filled with steamy sexual tension and cold business machinations.
The Turning Point:
Caleb makes a critical error. And in the fallout, he realizes that he's lost far more than he gained --- he's given up his one chance at happiness. He'd have to pull off the coup of a lifetime to earn Bryna's trust --- and love --- again.
Then again, that's all part of the plan ...
The Players:
1) Caleb Payne. Calculating entrepreneur. Avowed bachelor. He takes what he wants --- in the boardroom and the bedroom!
2) Bryna Metaxas. Emotionally invested in her family's business. About to enter into a business deal with Caleb that will shock her on every level ... And she'll love every minute of it.
The Situation:
Dangerously hot, filled with steamy sexual tension and cold business machinations.
The Turning Point:
Caleb makes a critical error. And in the fallout, he realizes that he's lost far more than he gained --- he's given up his one chance at happiness. He'd have to pull off the coup of a lifetime to earn Bryna's trust --- and love --- again.
Then again, that's all part of the plan ...
217 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 17, 2010
81 people want to read
About the author
Tori Carrington
186 books186 followersAuthor Tori Carrington is the penname of husband and wife writing team Lori and Tony Karayianni.
Hands down, penning a bio is always the most difficult writing challenge we take on. What do we say? What do we keep a secret? Considering we've been writing together for over twenty-two years...well, that reveals more about us than anything you'll likely read here. We're fiction writers simply because we enjoy escaping into an exciting, colorful, fictional world of our own making. Take great, shameless pleasure in delving into the lives of others. Revel in living vicariously through our characters, trying on career hats we'd never otherwise put on, stretching muscles we'd probably be better off excercising in reality. We won't even discuss how our writing allows us to voice opinions on society, romance and human sexuality that aren't subject to public ridicule but rather presented as entertainment. To go there, well, we'd be revealing a little too much, now, wouldn't we?
So we'll stick to just the facts, ma'am -- or sir, depending on your preference, which may or may not have anything to do with your sex. Should you desire more information, feel free to e-mail us and we'll provide you with our phone number, or -- our preference -- arrange to meet with you one-on-one where we can learn as much, or perhaps more, about you as you will about us. Depending on our mood, we may spill everything we'd prefer to keep a secret, like which traits we would change about the other if given half a chance. Likewise, we may wisecrack our way through the interview, sprinkle our responses with what we find exciting about our latest book, and blissfully skate over personal details that might bare a little too much.
Trust us, this is not an attempt to create an aura of mystery. We're not quite that saavy. No, we're just very protective of our evolving selves and consider ourselves open-minded, known to change an opinion the moment we voice it or are presented with further information, so we're hesitant to commit any to writing. Guess we're very Socrates-like (as opposed to Socratic) in that way, which isn't altogether a bad thing..
So rather than dictate to you here, we'll lay out the basic facts, then provide a number of links to others who have interviewed us.
I'm (Lori Schlachter Karayianni) a Holy Toledo, Ohio, native, having attended Central Catholic but ultimately graduating from Macomber-Whitney with certification in computer science. After working in the computer industry for a number of years -- and after Tony and I endeavored to write our first novel -- I switched to temp work which ultimately led to a four-year stint as a secretary/sales clerk in the engineering and international sales departments of Owens-Illinois, the international container company that put the "glass" into The Glass City. I put the brakes on before I reached the five-year mark, however, the point of no return for most dreamers who get caught in the corporate trap (more vacation time? Better benefits? Probably I should stay until retirement).
Tony's background couldn't be more different from mine, but thankfully it led him to me. Born in Smila, a small hillside village in the area of Ancient Olympia outside Pyrgos, Greece, (where his family has deep roots and an older brother still maintains the family olive groves) he was raised in Athens during a time of political and cultural upheaval, although neither stopped him from becoming a drummer in a successful pop band that often played with Greek singer Teris Chrysos. He immigrated to the U.S. in late 1976 and with the help of the Greek community achieved the American Dream. Only the hunger for something more, the restless searching that originally compelled him to turn his back on his successful music career and brought him here, remained. It wasn't until after we'd become a couple, and he turned to me and suggested that we try our hand at writing, that both of us discovered the true meaning of th
Hands down, penning a bio is always the most difficult writing challenge we take on. What do we say? What do we keep a secret? Considering we've been writing together for over twenty-two years...well, that reveals more about us than anything you'll likely read here. We're fiction writers simply because we enjoy escaping into an exciting, colorful, fictional world of our own making. Take great, shameless pleasure in delving into the lives of others. Revel in living vicariously through our characters, trying on career hats we'd never otherwise put on, stretching muscles we'd probably be better off excercising in reality. We won't even discuss how our writing allows us to voice opinions on society, romance and human sexuality that aren't subject to public ridicule but rather presented as entertainment. To go there, well, we'd be revealing a little too much, now, wouldn't we?
So we'll stick to just the facts, ma'am -- or sir, depending on your preference, which may or may not have anything to do with your sex. Should you desire more information, feel free to e-mail us and we'll provide you with our phone number, or -- our preference -- arrange to meet with you one-on-one where we can learn as much, or perhaps more, about you as you will about us. Depending on our mood, we may spill everything we'd prefer to keep a secret, like which traits we would change about the other if given half a chance. Likewise, we may wisecrack our way through the interview, sprinkle our responses with what we find exciting about our latest book, and blissfully skate over personal details that might bare a little too much.
Trust us, this is not an attempt to create an aura of mystery. We're not quite that saavy. No, we're just very protective of our evolving selves and consider ourselves open-minded, known to change an opinion the moment we voice it or are presented with further information, so we're hesitant to commit any to writing. Guess we're very Socrates-like (as opposed to Socratic) in that way, which isn't altogether a bad thing..
So rather than dictate to you here, we'll lay out the basic facts, then provide a number of links to others who have interviewed us.
I'm (Lori Schlachter Karayianni) a Holy Toledo, Ohio, native, having attended Central Catholic but ultimately graduating from Macomber-Whitney with certification in computer science. After working in the computer industry for a number of years -- and after Tony and I endeavored to write our first novel -- I switched to temp work which ultimately led to a four-year stint as a secretary/sales clerk in the engineering and international sales departments of Owens-Illinois, the international container company that put the "glass" into The Glass City. I put the brakes on before I reached the five-year mark, however, the point of no return for most dreamers who get caught in the corporate trap (more vacation time? Better benefits? Probably I should stay until retirement).
Tony's background couldn't be more different from mine, but thankfully it led him to me. Born in Smila, a small hillside village in the area of Ancient Olympia outside Pyrgos, Greece, (where his family has deep roots and an older brother still maintains the family olive groves) he was raised in Athens during a time of political and cultural upheaval, although neither stopped him from becoming a drummer in a successful pop band that often played with Greek singer Teris Chrysos. He immigrated to the U.S. in late 1976 and with the help of the Greek community achieved the American Dream. Only the hunger for something more, the restless searching that originally compelled him to turn his back on his successful music career and brought him here, remained. It wasn't until after we'd become a couple, and he turned to me and suggested that we try our hand at writing, that both of us discovered the true meaning of th
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 23, 2014
1 star or 5 stars - but for complete different reasons. A while back (maybe more than a year) a review was posted about this book on the SBTB website. It was one of the funniest, most over the top reviews I've ever read...and detailed exactly why this book is so bad. (Sorry, I can't seem to find it right now, but I'll edit my review and link it once I do.) So, of course my friend and I just had to read it. I had sort of forgotten about it until while in the midst of a very bad week a package arrived from my friend that among other things had 1. a bouquet of Blow Pops with a card reading "unemployment blows," 2. a homemade sign for my desk reminding me that May is National Masturbation Month, and 3. this little gem of a so-bad-its-good (or just OK) book. Wow. Just wow.
October 7, 2010
Wow! I think I need a fire extinguisher after reading THAT one! A good read with likable characters, semi-realistic storyline that tugs a little at your heartstrings, and, of course, the Blaze trademark...creative, sometimes a little naughty sex!
It lost a star, for me, because the end simply setup the next book instead of giving us that much needed "and then what happened" I've come to rely on. So, I'll buy the next book, and hopefully it will answer just that.
Oh, I listened to the audio version and it was okay.
It lost a star, for me, because the end simply setup the next book instead of giving us that much needed "and then what happened" I've come to rely on. So, I'll buy the next book, and hopefully it will answer just that.
Oh, I listened to the audio version and it was okay.
January 1, 2015
A friend sent me to the Smart Bitches Trashy Books site just to read a review of this book. Best negative book review ever written!
Based on the review, I knew I had to read it. I bought two copies of this book. One for my collection and another for my friend’s. See authors, negative reviews can result in book sales!
I was not disappointed! Worst book ever! Hysterically bad! Laughing the whole time. My favorite negative, other than THE sex scene, is the business aspect.
A large part of the conflict is the hero and heroine’s business relationship. I would love to be more specific about it, but I can’t. The author wrote nothing concrete about their business dealings, just mentions it all the time. So, the entire book sounds like the grumblings of the House of Commons during the Prime Minister’s questions. Rabble rabble rabble business. Grumble grumble grumble business proposal. Harrumph harrumph harrumph important business stuff. It is SO funny to read!!! Totally worth the read!
Complete side note confession: I totally have a crush on David Cameron. :-D
Based on the review, I knew I had to read it. I bought two copies of this book. One for my collection and another for my friend’s. See authors, negative reviews can result in book sales!
I was not disappointed! Worst book ever! Hysterically bad! Laughing the whole time. My favorite negative, other than THE sex scene, is the business aspect.
A large part of the conflict is the hero and heroine’s business relationship. I would love to be more specific about it, but I can’t. The author wrote nothing concrete about their business dealings, just mentions it all the time. So, the entire book sounds like the grumblings of the House of Commons during the Prime Minister’s questions. Rabble rabble rabble business. Grumble grumble grumble business proposal. Harrumph harrumph harrumph important business stuff. It is SO funny to read!!! Totally worth the read!
Complete side note confession: I totally have a crush on David Cameron. :-D
October 21, 2010
This was such a good book. Enjoyed it so much!
Caleb Payne was a very successful entrepreneur and avowed bachelor, until he met Bryna Metaxas. She was a beautiful intelligent woman trying to save her family's business. Will they be able to keep their meetings purely business or will they succumb to all that sexual tension.
Loved it!
Caleb Payne was a very successful entrepreneur and avowed bachelor, until he met Bryna Metaxas. She was a beautiful intelligent woman trying to save her family's business. Will they be able to keep their meetings purely business or will they succumb to all that sexual tension.
Loved it!
January 25, 2011
A marginalized employee at her own family's business sets out to save the company and the town it supports by going behind her cousins' backs to seek investment from a well-connected consultant. The catch is that the consultant works primarily for the man who wants nothing short of the complete destruction of their company. To what lengths is she willing to go?
March 28, 2011
Apparently book two of a trilogy. Didn't read book one and don't know if I'll find book three. But decent stand alone as it is.
Underappreciated younger cousin sets out to sin a big client against her family's wishes. He doesn't believe in love and keeps kicking women to the curb. This one sticks around.
Really spicy anal sex scene which is unusual for a Harlequin book.
Underappreciated younger cousin sets out to sin a big client against her family's wishes. He doesn't believe in love and keeps kicking women to the curb. This one sticks around.
Really spicy anal sex scene which is unusual for a Harlequin book.
December 10, 2010
This book was so good, I had to go out to buy numbers two and three. Unfortunately I thought the store had already cleared the second one off of the shelves, but I was able to find one last copy of it. I can't wait to continue on this intriguing journey.
January 25, 2016
For some...
Reason I liked the male main character although I wanted to hate him. I may get the rest of the series. I'm interested in getting to know what happened with the other characters as well. It's an interesting story with the business stuff going on.
Reason I liked the male main character although I wanted to hate him. I may get the rest of the series. I'm interested in getting to know what happened with the other characters as well. It's an interesting story with the business stuff going on.
Read
August 14, 2017Miniseries: Private Scandals
June 6, 2015
Good book I am going to check the other ones in the series
January 12, 2011
Meh ... just meh
January 15, 2013
ok short romance, I think it could have explored Caleb and B's romance a little further.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews