Review: A Night of No Return by Sarah Morgan

A Night of No Return
Author: Sarah Morgan
Genre: Adult Romance
ISBN: 9780373131044

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Money, charm and sensual skills don't make up for a heart colder than ice...

Wild parties, wanton women, relentless work—nothing helps tycoon Lucas Jackson escape his dark and haunting past. Arriving at his rural castle in a snarling snowstorm, he craves only complete isolation.… But it seems oblivion can take an unexpected and highly intoxicating form!

Personally delivering the vital file left on her boss's desk, secretary Emma Gray starts to seriously regret her dutiful overtime mission. She never expected the dark side of the usually controlled Lucas could generate such a primitive, powerful—and entirely inappropriate—reaction.

MY THOUGHTS

I have never been a big reader of the classic Harlequin line and I usually only read the Nocturne books in their serial lines.  For some reason though, the summary drew me in and I decided to give them a try.

The first third of the book is about Emma and Lucas being trapped in a fancy castle that Lucas owns with his partners/friends from work.  There is a bunch of narration in the first third of this book to set up the story that will follow in the rest of the pages.  While I appreciate some initial set up in a story, this one was heavy on it. I liked the mystery of why Lucas was the way he was.  I actually liked Lucas better than Emma character-wise.  Emma seemed dull and at times a little dense.  If this man who is drinking and telling a someone to leave several times while his anger is simmering below the surface, you would think a smart woman would back off at least.  Nope, she continued to push and he pushed right back with sexual need.

The next part of the book is after the do the naughty in front of a fire.  It is about Emma traveling with her boss Lucas out of country to a company party and meeting.  They are trying to move past what they did and trying to bring the relationship back to the professional level.  Lucas repeatedly tells Emma that he doesn't do love and family.  He is a use them and leave them type of man.  He starts to reveal reasons of why he is like this to her and solves a little bit of the questions on this.

The last part of the book is Emma setting Lucas up to deal with his reasons in not finding love.  I didn't like the way she went about it and it didn't seem real plausible.  I am suppose to believe that one night of dealing with something is going to change years of guilt and blame?  It just didn't feel right for me.  I still couldn't feel happy about the outcome of this story when I finished the last page.  The chemistry wasn't that great -- mainly because I couldn't bring myself to enjoy Emma's role that much -- and the ending was not only rushed but far fetched too.

I will say though that this book served as a fluffy romance that was also a quick read.  Something I was initially looking for but wanting more for the next read.

MY RATING

If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it!

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON

My Book Haul (26)

From now on I will be posting My Book Haul on Saturdays.

Feel free to link up in the comments if you would like to share your mailbox post 

with me (and others) to check out.

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FOR REVIEW

Wild About You by Kerrelyn Sparks

-- Thanks to AVON/HarperCollins --

Speechless by Hannah Harrington (ARC)

-- Thanks to Harlequin --

Illicit by Opal Carew (ARC)

-- Thanks to St. Martin's --

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So what did everyone else get this week?

The Tarnished Jewel of Jazaar by Susanna Carr

The Tarnished Jewel of Jazaar
Author: Susanna Carr
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Adult Romance
Source: Author Submission
ISBN: 9780373528783

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Jeweled veil weighing heavily on her head, Zoe Martin waits for her sheikh husband-to-be. The shame of her adoptive family, orphan Zoe has endured six years of being kept as a slave—now she's been sold into marriage…to a man known as The Beast!

Being discarded to the sheikh has one bonus—this could mean freedom! Zoe must play along with the three-day—and three-night—ceremony, but she isn't expecting the blazing attraction from just one stolen glance at playboy sheikh Nadir.…

MY THOUGHTS

I am having a really hard time trying to figure out how to put the thoughts in my head about this book into some sort of review.  Was the writing good? Yes.  Was the story plot good? Yes.  Was it my cup of tea so to speak? No.

I have always tried to stay away from the Harlequin books that feature stories from far away lands for the simple fact that it throws me into culture shock.  I should be able to adjust to it since I do read paranormal and they are really out there sometimes.   I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around some of the differences in customs from different areas of the world. With that being said,  I caved and decided to give it a try to expand my reading experiences.

The author did have a good grasp on writing style.  The words and story flowed at an easy pace.  The story itself was one that I had a hard time enjoying.  I wasn't a fan of the way the heroine had hopes and dreams but was forced into doing another thing.  Again, I think it was just the way the culture and customs are that made me not enjoy this story as much as a regular reader of this story line. I would read something by this author though again if it is in a different setting because her writing did flow nicely and beautifully.

MY RATING

If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it!

*I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review*

WANNA HELP A BLOGGER OUT?

I live on the West Coast and sadly, was unable to attend BEA2010.  There were some wonderful books that are on my wishlist that I so wanted to get!  If anyone happened to pick up any extra copies of the following books or if you are willing to lend them to me, I would kiss the feet you walk upon and give you my undying gratitude! I would give you my children, but trust me, no one wants the little brats! LOL Just email me at 

djsfoxylady @ gmail.com 

if you would be willing to help me out!

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Unraveled by Gena Showalter

Clockwork Angel 

Torment by Lauren Kate

Shadow Hills

Beautiful Darkness

Halo

Delirium

The Ivy

Radiance

Leaving Paradise

Monster High

Thanks so much!!!!