Text Appeal
by Lexi Ryan
Self-Published/Indie
Contemporary Romance
Contains
Comedic Elements
Heat Level: Steamy
Length: 245 pages
Available at*:
Also available in the iTunes store
“Text
Appeal” will be on sale for 99 cents the week of the blog barrage (Dec 10-17).
Blurb:
Charlie 'The Devil' Singleton is the face of professional
poker. Notorious for playing cards and women, Charlie's ready to change his
ways, and the surprisingly sexy texts he's getting from Riley are making him
bet everything...on her.
Riley Carter is nothing like the hotel heiresses who
make the news. A girl who's determined to run her father's hotel empire can't
share many traits with women who fill the gossip rags. But 'The Devil' has a
way of tempting even the best behaved girls.
When Riley discovers the naughty messages on her cell
have been coming from Charlie, not her would-be fiancé, she falls into a hot
affair with the last man she expected. But consorting with the notorious bad
boy puts her hard-won reputation on the line. Is Charlie worth more to her than
a little TEXT APPEAL?
Reviews:
“Text Appeal is smart, sexy, filled with great writing
and memorable dialogue, and features characters you won't easily forget.”--Barnes
& Noble’s LOVE ROCKS Indie Review column
“Readers will find themselves cheering for Riley and Charlie
both. Lexi Ryan writes her dialogue with wit, humor, a bit of sarcasm, and
throws in some wonderful chemistry!”
--InD’Tale Magazine
“Ms. Ryan's story is fun and flirty. Text
Appeal won't disappoint!”--Storm Goddess Book Reviews
My Review:
This was definitely an adult romance read with fairly explicit sex scenes and lots of surprises for the characters involved. I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. It was fresh and interesting with characters very real to life, each of whom had pre-conceived ideas about who they were dealing with.
Riley had grown up wanting to please her father and gain his approval, overlooking what she may have wanted or needed for herself. She appeared very straight laced and "perfect". That in turn caused her boyfriend of several years to perceive her differently than as the "tigress" within. Thus their love life lacked the luster that each of them needed to make it work. Of course, Chaz was a jerk, being drawn to Riley's obvious forthcoming inheritance a little too keenly. Then there was Charlie the "devil" Singleton who had been a womanizer from the get go, but had never experienced real love. Riley did not perceive him as husband material, but as a way to have sex and fun...a good time Charlie, BUT she didn't consider the real Charlie. (I couldn't help but picture Charlie Sheen when I'd read about Charlie). Yes, Sheen's a mess, but Singleton had a lot of insecurities too.
Anyway, Lexi Ryan has great writing style and drew me into her story lock, stock and barrel! I loved the growing bond between Charlie and Riley, loved the dwindling relationship between Riley and Chaz; especially loved the mix up with the text (sext) messaging. The most important thing I loved was how Riley's father went from controlling his daughter to accepting her for who she was and what would indeed make her happy. (We are never too old to change, thank heaven). The story was very well written and was an enjoyable read! So if you love romance, you shouldn't pass this one by, in my humble opinion.
Excerpt
They were in the elevator. And it was moving.
They were in a small, moving elevator. They were in a very small, moving
elevator and she didn’t know how long they’d been here and how much longer it
would take. Had they stalled?
Charlie cleared his throat and loosened her grip
on his jacket. “Not that I’m complaining about having you this close to me,” he
whispered, his breath hot against her ear. “In fact, I could get used to it.”
She was glued to him, she realized vaguely, but
she couldn’t contemplate moving. Not until those doors opened.
“It’s just, Riley, baby, if you’re going to have
your body this close to mine, I want you to be looking desperately at me, not a pair of elevator doors. Do you
have any idea what that does to a guy’s ego?”
She frowned. “I’m not worried about your ego,”
she muttered.
“Hey.” He was stroking her back, soft circles
between her shoulder blades. “You’re shaking.”
“I prefer the stairs,” she whispered.
“Close your eyes.”
She shook her head, staring at the doors. Like
Charlie had promised, the elevator was glass, and that relieved a little of her
claustrophobia. If they got stuck, people would be able to see they were
inside. They’d be okay. Someone would come help them.
The elevator’s second ding signaled their arrival, and the doors slid open to the famous
bustling kitchen of the French restaurant she’d always been curious about but
never visited.
The concierge smiled. “Reservations?”
“Singleton,” Charlie said. And just like that
they were being led out of that death trap of an elevator and to their table.
When the concierge pulled out a chair for her,
Riley gasped at the view. Their seats were right next to the floor-to-ceiling
windows overlooking the eleven-story-high view of the fountains at the
Bellagio.
“Will the heights bother you?” Charlie asked in
a whisper.
She shook her head and slid into her chair,
angling it strategically so she wouldn’t miss a second of the scenery. “It’s
beautiful.”
The concierge placed a leather-bound menu before
her. She opened it and gaped. Quick mental calculations told her a basic meal
here could more than pay for her next shopping spree at Frederick’s. When she looked up, Charlie was
studying her.
“You’re doing it again,” she said, feeling her
cheeks warm.
“Doing what?” Charlie asked, eyeing her over his
menu.
Flames of heat licked higher in her cheeks. She
wished she was one of those women with a cute flush, but hers pinkened her
whole face. She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a whisper. “You’re
looking at me like I’m the sprinkles on a brownie sundae.”
His gaze dropped to her mouth, then the little
of her body not hidden behind the table. Though she was covered by a black,
high-necked number she’d chosen for modesty, the heat in his eyes made her feel
exposed. His focus shifted back to her mouth before he said, “Sweetheart,
you’re the whole damn sundae, and I am more than ready for dessert.”
About the Author:
Author of both contemporary and paranormal romance, Lexi Ryan writes
smart, spunky stories that sizzle. She enjoys reading, sunshine, a good glass
of wine, and rare trips to the beach with her husband and children.
Lexi
lives in Indiana
where she divides her time between her family, her writing, and her job as an
English professor. You can find her at her website: lexiryan.com
Visit Lexi online at:
Disclaimer: I read for my
pleasure. I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am
not compensated for my reviews . I like to read and I like to share my
reviews. I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias. The
words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion. I will
admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.
