"Eve's big chance is here, the Black & Lace Ball, catering to the who's who of the culinary world, including the Editor-in-Chief of Sizzle Christian Grier, who's opinion makes all the difference. What Eve doesn't know is that she's already on Christian's good graces, he's her boss, Kris, at her current catering gig at his high end BDSM club Ganache."
Pages: 41 pages
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Published: 2012
Form: E-book (from a tour for an honest review )
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance (18+ Only)
Series: Masquerade #2
Amazon: Buy / $6.89 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Liquid Silver Books: Buy / $3.99 (E-book)
Excerpt: Chapter 1
Eve wants nothing more than to a be Pastry Chef extraordinaire, and her big chance is here, the Black & Lace Masquerade Ball, catering to the who's who of the culinary world, including the Editor-in-Chief of Sizzle Christian Grier, who's opinion makes all the difference. What Eve doesn't know is that she's already on Christian's good graces, he's her boss, Kris, at her current catering gig at his high end BDSM club Ganache, with them both in masks there she has no idea Kris is Christian Grier and just how much she's gotten under his skin.
Christian has been watching Eve work the Ball all evening, her desserts are heaven on earth but so is she, and he has made up his mind, if she won't respond to his touch at the club, she will here, he'll seduce the little pastry chef and make sure that when the masks come off tonight, she knows exactly who he is and what he wants from her, which is forever.
“Wine, sir?"
Christian’s body stilled. He jerked his head up and found himself shaken to the core.
His beautiful Belle. He’d waited for her all night, tempted to walk across the room and pull her into his arms when he caught sight of her speaking to Josh. It took every ounce of self-control to contain the beast inside of him not to move in her direction.
“What is wrong with you?” Suzanne reached for another glass from the tray and handed it to him.
He grabbed it and brought it half way to his lips before he realized he wore his damn mask.
He pursed his lips together, lowered his hand and growled under his breath. He could only hope that Eve didn’t recognize him. Or his mask.
But then, why should she? It was a plain black mask. Nothing ornate or pompous like some of the fools strutting around tonight. A mask anyone would wear. Besides, no one from the club knew his full name. He went by Kris at Ganache.
“Christian.” Suzanne hissed.
He tore his gaze away from Eve’s beautiful eyes.
“Did you hear what I said?”
Christian shook his head. He hadn’t heard a word. He turned back to Eve only to find her back turned as she offered wine to other guests.
Damn but she looked hot. At the club, she normally wore a skimpy corset and tight skirt when she catered to the crowd. Unless it was a theme night, then he would catch her in leather, plastic or costume. With her wig and silver mask, she tried to blend in. But tonight she stood out and it suited her. The black dress hugged her body and caressed her curves. He wanted nothing more than to strip it off, inch by inch.
It was all he could do not to follow her.
Anya Winter has a way about her writing that is very easy to read, the characters are believable and the plot moves forward smoothly making her novellas very easy to read - not to mention fun! I loved that Eve was a chocolatier, the desserts described in the story were orgasmic on their own! The story wasn't just erotica, it was romance as well, it had a fun quick plot without too much angst which gave this story a yummy sizzling fun vibe. Sure there were secrets and tension but it wasn't at any point depressing, so I'll call this a fun feel good story with dashes of delicious tension, hot sex and one yummy dominating hero!
The characters were, like I mentioned before, very real so it was easy to believe this story, the dialogue was completely normal without any hitches or clichés even in the love scenes - which makes me happy, I hate love scenes with corny or unrealistic dialogue. Now to Eve, I liked her, she has a goal and a dream and she worked her butt off to get it. Her little wild side came evident in a flash back scene at Ganache where Kris her boss makes her very happy behind the bar, and her kind side is very much her normal presence which is probably why Christian begins to fall in love with her.
I enjoyed Christian's character as well, he's bossy, dominating ( bun intended ;) he is after all a Dom at his BDSM club ) and has a very sexy aura about him, maybe it's because he's so respectable outside but the readers knows about his bedroom preferences which also gives him a devious and dangerous aura - no wonder Suzanne was interested as well! ;) Yes, quite, quite liked Christian. Especially in the end where he makes it very clear where his priorities lie now.
Rating :
Anya Winter : You are a doll to have me back on here :)
Niina : Let’s get started! Can you tell my readers here 4 fun unknown facts about you so we can break the ice?
Anya : 4 unknown facts? Hmmm...I'm a chocoholic - oh wait - that's known. I'm a sap when it comes to 'emotional' scenes in commercials. I once travelled to Scotland as a teenager and fell in love. I hid a stash of Hershey Kiss' and I can't find them. I love to do cover art :) There 4 unknown facts :)
Niina : I love emotional scenes in commercials as well. ;) Tell us little about your novella “The Mask”, what’s it about? It’s the second book in the series right?
Anya : Sure is. This is a foodie romance - just to warn you - it's filled with chocolate! Eve Manor is a pastry chef with a plan. She created a signature chocolate dish that was sure to knock the socks off every famous chef and food critic attending the exclusive Black & Lace Masquerade Ball. Imagine her surprise when the Editor-in-Chief of the famous food magazine, Sizzle shows up and not only asks her to dance but challenges her. It's a story about hidden identities ( the Editor-in-Chief has a secret and Eve knows his 'alter ego' ), masked desires and of course...passion.
Niina : I love stories of hidden indentities! So what scene did you most enjoyed writing and why?
Anya : It's a scene between Josh and Christian. Josh literally shoves an eclair into Christian's mouth and demands him to not proclaim Eve a goddess after tasting her creation. I think any scene with Josh is one that will make anyone smile - I know he makes me smile.
Niina : So, why did you pick Erotic Romance genre, with that little taste of BDSM in the masquerade series?
Niina : What do you think makes a hero sexy?
Anya : Other than his eyes or the quirk in his smile? I like sarcasm that is laced with tenderness, uninhabited passion controlled by gentleness. I like mystery and depth.
Niina : I like the little teasing as well... ;) Now to more personal questions! Who is your current book boyfriend?
Anya : I actually just broke up with my book boyfriend - how sad is that? Can you recommend a replacement maybe? I'm feeling lonely ... lol
Niina : LOL! If you haven’t read Black Dagger Brotherhood… it’s full of them. ;D What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Anya : Hmmm...a hot bubble bath with a steamy book. There has to be either wine or a white russian and chocolate by my side as well.
Niina : What’s the sexiest article of clothing on a guy?
Anya : A black t-shirt.
Niina : Brings out the shoulders, yum, for some odd reason I love wide shoulders the best about a guy. ;) Now, what does it take to write a really hot love scene?
Anya : I need a drink :) Either a white russian, vodka and coke or wine. Silence. Night time. No distractions. I need to be able to visualize it in my head and having a dog, 3 kids and a hubby running around the house doesn't do it for me ;)
Niina : LOL! I can imagine! What’s the biggest turn on in a guy, fictional or real life?
Anya : His smile. 100%. Knocks me out blind with a killer smile.
Niina : Before we finish, here are some Quick Fire Questions:
Night or day? Night.
Pick-up or Mini-van? No. You. Didn't. Jeep all the way girl!
Beer or Wine? Wine
Boots or Heels? How about boots with heels?
M&Ms: With or Without Peanuts? Without
Treats: Sweet or Salty? Sweet. Unless it's a Poutine ... then salty (poutine is fries smothered in cheese and then covered in gravy. Delicious!)
Pizza or Burger? Pizza
Date: Going to Park or Going to Movies? Park.
Friends or Will & Grace? Friends.
Drama or Comedy? Drama
Winter or Summer? Summer. However - I live in Northern Canada and it snows in the summer here sometimes.
Jewels or Chocolates? Um. HELLOOOO - chocolate!
Men: Alpha-male or submissive? Alpha
Men: Clean Shaven or Stubble? Clean. Stubble scratches too much.
Tattoos or Piercings on a guy? Both. Yummmy.
Bad boys or good guys? Every bad boy has a bit of good in him :)
Brunettes or Blonds? Black hair!
Vampires or werewolves? I'm allergic to dog hair - give me a vamp :)
Cops or Cowboys? Cowboys - after they've showered. Don't want to smell horse sweat - LOL
Time-Travel or Sci-fi? Time travel please.
Romance or Erotica/Erotic Romance? Erotic romance.
Male POV or Female POV (Point Of View)? Love both.
Times New Roman or Courier? TNR
Pens or Pencils? Pens
Niina : Thanks for visiting the For The Love of Reading, Anya! Any news would you like to share with your readers , or websites they can check out?
Anya : This has been a blast! Thank you Niina for hosting me :) Book three in the Masquerade Series is on its way and it's possible Josh will have his own story afterwards. There's something about that guy ... I can be found at my website - http://www.anyawinter.com or on twitter @anyawinter
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