{Virtual Book Tour} Review + Giveaway: Fate Book by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Fate Book by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
New Adult Romance
Categories: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
Release Date: August 15, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy Length: 60,000

Description:

Dakota Dane is about to tell a lie she’ll wish she hadn’t. Because her lie is dangerous, sexy, and just showed up on campus, angry as hell and looking for her...

Ugly duckling Dakota Dane has a new boyfriend. He’s male-model gorgeous, built to perfection, wealthy, and smart. He is also a lie. As in, 100% fabricated. Does it matter that Dakota has a perfectly good reason for making him up? Not really. Not when Dakota’s made-up boyfriend shows up on campus in the flesh.

So is she crazy? All signs point to maybe. But the walking, talking enigma with the deadly vibe isn’t about to give her any answers or let her out of his sight. And with college just around the corner, Dakota fears her dreams of a bright future have just collided with a dark rabbit hole…

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

REVIEW

3.5 stars

I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started reading Fate Book. I was intrigued with the blurb. I mean, who wouldn't? A dorky high school girl who had trouble fitting in, made up a boyfriend based on an image he saw on the Internet and the next day she found out that her "made-up" boyfriend was real and pissed at her. I just couldn't resist. I had to read it.

Fate Book had a lot of promise but I was a little bit let down during the first half of book. I couldn't connect to Dakota at all. I questioned a lot of choices she made. Santiago, Dakota's made-up boyfriend, blew hot and cold that I had trouble keeping up with his feelings or his non-feelings for Dakota. Fortunately, the mystery that was hinted at the very beginning was slowly, unraveling and before I knew it, I was hooked to the story.

I liked the twist and turns in this story. And I liked even more that Dakota and Santiago finally got both their head on straight and just confronted their growing feelings for each other. Santiago finally proved how uber hot and badass he can be by being there for Dakota. And when they came together, I was like, "Yipee!"

The ending was okay. It was satisfying although I wanted more answers regarding Dakota's father's involvement in the whole thing. He was a major player in the story but except for a few explanations here and there, I never really got to know him and the state of his relationship with his wife. Overall, still a satisfying read though. :)

Available at:

 Amazon (US) Amazon (UK)
 Amazon (Paperback)

B&N

Kobo

Excerpt:

Lord. Whoever had been on the other end of that phone was coming to my room. I had to get out of there. Because as much as I loved believing in miracles, those didn’t exist, which meant this guy was some psychopathic stalker, some frigging lunatic who’d convinced everyone he was my boyfriend.

I slipped from the covers and immediately had to brace myself on the edge of the hospital bed. My head pulsed with painful, dizzying jabs. I slowly stood upright and willed myself steady. My ribs and hip were sore, but I’d survive. That was, if I got the heck out there.

I blew out a breath and wobbled to the clear plastic bag hanging on the wall with my belongings. I had to find my mother. I had to warn her. What if this guy showed up and tried something?

I slipped on my jeans, sweatshirt, and sneakers, not bothering with the other stuff. I grabbed my phone and purse and tiptoed to the door.

I poked my head out, hoping to spot my mother doing rounds, but instead I saw—

The breath whooshed from my lungs. Santiago?

Cue slow motion and avalanche of conflicting, irrational thoughts accompanied by an imminent panic attack.

My stomach and heart squeezed into a brick and then dropped through the center of my body.

Lord, help me.

Because the man I’d invented—correction—the gorgeous man I’d stolen a picture of, stood twenty feet away, speaking to my mother, wearing low-slung faded jeans and a fitted white, button-down shirt.

I stared in wonderment while my eyes infused with his image and branded itself on my brain. He was lust, rock star, tough guy, jock, Prince Charming, and misfit rolled into one dangerous, rugged, well-groomed package. He sent my female brain into a tailspin.

I’ve lost my mind. That gorgeous man is not standing there. That’s not possible!

I willed my heavy feet to move, but my eyes remained glued to him. He was tall—around six three or six four—and, just like in his photo, built like a lean, mean predatory animal with broad shoulders and powerful-looking…everything. Especially those arms. And those legs. And those…yep. Everything. To boot, he stood with the sort of confidence that gave me the distinct impression he really might be deadly. And ate his meat raw. Possibly still squealing.

Santiago, who towered over my mother, leaned down and hugged her. Then my mother said something, and they laughed like old friends.

What? He hugged my mother? What was happening? Did she know him? Was the universe punishing me for lying? If it was, it was totally working. I’d never, ever lie again.

About the Author:

Before taking up a permanent residence in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Mimi Jean Pamfiloff spent time living near NYC (became a shopaholic), in Mexico City (developed a taste for very spicy food), and Arizona (now hates jumping chollas but pines for sherbet sunsets). Her love of pre-Hispanic culture, big cities, and romance inspires her to write when she’s not busy with kids, hubby, work, and life…or getting sucked into a juicy novel. Or hosting the Man Candy Show on Radioslot.com! (Be very afraid!). She hopes that someday, leather pants for men will make a big comeback and that her writing might make you laugh (or give you a mini-vacay) when you need it most.

Connect with Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Website - http://www.mimijean.net

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MimiJeanRomance

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MimiJeanPamfiloff

Man Candy Show - http://www.radioslot.com/show/man-candy-show

GIVEAWAY INFO:
Prize is 2 "Fate Book" Prize Packs (1 each to 2 winners). Each pack contains an autographed print copy of "Fate Book", a leather journal, and a sexy "Vampires Need Not Apply" and "Fate Book" bookmark from Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (prize image attached). Contest is tour-wide and ends Sept 21. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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{Book Review} Winning the Boss's Heart by Hayson Manning

5 wonderful stars!!For me Winning the Boss's Heart was a wonderful story about second chances. It had all the right elements that makes for a truly romantic read.

Mason Christian is a man on a mission. He has 12 weeks to renovate a historic house. The problem was, his latest secretary had quit on him. Again. He has to hire another one fast if he has to make the deadline. Enter number 42. And no, that's not her real name. Her name is Wilhelmina "Billie" McCloud and she's going to be his 42 secretary. Hence, the number designation.

What he didn't count on was that Forty-two was a little crazy herself and is not afraid to challenge him. Every time he calls her Forty-two, she just calls him by other names, too, like Philbert, Sheldon, Engelbert, Jimbo, etc. It was downright hilarious. Mason couldn't quite figure her out. And there is this apparent attraction between them that no matter how hard he tries to ignore, just wouldn't go away.

Billie McCloud has a plan. Work as Mason's secretary for 12 weeks and then after that culinary school. Being raised in a commune with a flighty mother, all Billie wanted was to belong to a community, to be someone's perfection. Her first marriage taught her not to settle for anything less. She was determined to achieve this even if it means putting up with her new boss's inconsiderate demands. Plus, she might also have a chance at saving the historic house that Mason has set out to destroy on behalf of the community she adored.

The Characters

I find Mason's character truly fascinating. He started off like an unfeeling jerk who doesn't allow anyone close to him. He is single-minded in this goal. He doesn't sought human interaction. But even though he was very inconsiderate and unfeeling, we get a glimpse of the pain that he was hiding beneath that impenetrable façade. And let me tell you, his story and the reason why he's changed so much was so heartbreaking, you would just want to reach out and hug him and make his pain go away.

And Billie, as I've said was a strong character. I have to thank Hayson Manning for creating a female character that isn't annoying, whiny or indecisive. What a relief to actually read about a lead female character that doesn't get on your nerves. Billie was such a wonderfully layered character. She had a hard time growing up as a child in a commune, no less. She also married young. It wasn't an ideal marriage and she lost her husband. Even with these hardships, she never complained once. She was optimistic and determined to make a life for herself.

I loved how she recognized the pain that he was hiding and set out to help him. Although, I did feel that her feelings for the Mason were stronger that Mason's were for her at that time, she was no doormat. She wasn't afraid to call him on his bullshit. And when Mason began to thaw a little bit, we see how deep this man actually feels and how capable he is to fall in love again. But he's stubborn so he did some stupid shit there for a while. But nothing too drastic though and it was totally in keeping with his character.

What I loved…
Aside for my obvious love for the two main characters and their love story, there are other things that I loved as well.

First off, the writing. Loved it. The dialogue was superb. It was funny, light and witty. The characterizations were superb. You get these people. The author was able to draw a very vivid picture of each character, even Stanley, the Great Dane was really written well. I love character-driven stories and this book delivers on that 100%.

Another element to the story is Footsteps Bay itself and its townspeople. The author was able to draw me into that world. I was so seduced by the place, I was contemplating moving to New Zealand specifically to Footsteps Bay. The whole thing just worked for me.

The chemistry between Mason and Billie was superb. The sexy was steamy without be overdone. And thank God there was no token, 'I'm-going-to-make-you-come-so-hard-the-neighbors-will-hear-you-scream,' statement that's so common in Contemporary Romance today. Nonetheless, the physical connection between the two characters were palpable.

(view spoiler)[But I want to do it with you.
Me, you, and Stan. And jam. And all those goddamned
pinecones.
Stay with me, Billie. You have to. Because if you don’t, hear this
now. I will always come for you. And that would make me a stalker.
Don’t let me turn into a stalker, Billie. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, Winning the Boss's Heart was a wonderful story from start to finish with wonderful and likable characters. The ending was fantastic. I'm not going to tell you what Mason did to win back Billie's love but let me tell you now, I was oohhed and aahhed and swooned when I read it. It was just so sweet and satisfying. Plus, that epilogue was just beautiful. I will definitely recommend this to Contemporary Romance lovers out there.

A copy was provided by the author to Ever After Romance Book Blog in exchange for an honest review.