Cocktails and Books
Written on Apr 9, 2013
Kia Rutherford-Stanton is a beloved daughter and nearly a rape victim courtesy of her ex-husband and another man he invited into their bedroom. Fortunately, the rape does not happen thanks to the third man that distracts her husband long enough for Kia to run into the bathroom. Her father arrives just in time to find her hysterical and literally carries her home with him. Kia confides the events of that night in a close friend only to have the friend spread the information. At this point I was a goner for Kia. You have enough trust and faith in your spouse to join yourself to them for a lifetime, and they betray you by attempting to rape you and bring along a friend for the fun. That's just unforgivable. The author did such a great job of describing the scene and Kia's emotions. What made the story even better is that she continued to sort of show the reader how that interaction shaped Kia's life, relationships, and attitude for the next 2 years. For me it made me reflect on my life when a romantic relationship failed because my trust was betrayed. The author described the feelings so accurately I was really pulled into this story. I stayed up all night to finish reading this book because I just felt so connected to the characters and the storyline.
In addition to the betrayal by her husband Kia was also betrayed by her friend. I think every woman can understand what it means to have a close girlfriend, and the bond that is forged by sharing confidences. We call our best friend when things are great and when things are absolutely at rock bottom. So it was easy to see how being betrayed by her friend after the betrayal by her husband devastated Kia. I'm certain I cried a bucket of tears just imagining how hurt I would be if my best friend shared some of the things that I told her. The author's skill at drawing the reader in and appealing to the depths of human emotions was really the centerpiece of this novel. There is just no way for you to read it and not be affected.
Chase Falladay shows up on Kia's door shortly after her husband backhands her leaving a bruise. Kia has secretly harbored sexual fantasies about Chase. Her husband is a member of a secret society that engages in alternative sex practices. This information was revealed by the same friend while sharing Kia's confidences with others. Chase is charged with keeping the centuries old group as a figment of imagination rather than a fact and Kia's information could shatter the group. Kia finds an ally in Chase and agrees to say that her information was lies. Chase becomes a protector of sorts and acts an advocate for Kia.
Kia and Chase meet on a snowy evening in a bar 2 years later and despite her ex-husband calling her boring in bed and inept, she decides to seize the moment and leave with Chase and Khalid for a steamy sexual encounter. The sex is just simply off the charts hot. The only thing that I didn't find realistic was that even though she was having sex with both men she only acknowledged Chase. It sort of fit with the storyline, but I can't think of any man that would put as much effort as Khalid did into loving her and then listen to her only call another man's name. But this was not a major distraction.
Of course Chase and Kia work through their issues and again the author did a masterful job of leading the reader through the process of their healing. Intrigue occurs when Kia is mugged and later kidnapped. Chase is in his finest hour, and I forgive him for some of the things he did earlier in the book. I totally fell in love with him. He is the epitome of what every woman would want in a man. The couple defy all the odds and another happily ever after occurs.
Read this book ....it's a delight that is not to be missed and there are other books to come so the pleasure continues.
Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books