The Sinful Series by Emma Nichols Published by Self-Published on September 10, 2013
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: ARC
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Sin at Sea: When Alysin decided to surprise her boyfriend at work with dinner, the surprise was on her. Since he was going at it with his secretary on the conference table, she packed a bag and called her BFF. Jolie and Alysin had been traveling the country, working as digital nomads for ten years ever since graduation. Taking this as a sign it was time for a new move, they decided to take a cruise, regroup, and make a plan.Then she meets Mr. Bedroom Eyes. Following her lead, they pretend to be married so that she can rid herself of the guy who started hitting on her before the boat left the dock. Though it was supposed to be a momentary arrangement, he asks her to take it one step farther. Then another and another. The cruise promises to be memorable in every way that matters.Along the way, Alysin learns that she won't have to fake an orgasm if she's with someone who knows what to do, that not all men suck, but the best ones suck really well, and that sometimes what starts out as something pretend, can fast become something completely real. Will the woman who lives life with no regrets, regret that she made that stupid rule about not exchanging names and contact info?Vixen in Vegas:It was supposed to be a week of simply being, of living in the moment, and enjoying every minute while it lasted. Of course, that kind of intoxication can have lingering effects. For Sin, she found herself wanting to break all the rules, to extend her time with the stranger who stole her heart. Vegas was just the right kind of place to take such a gamble. Meeting up with BE at the gondolas was a risk. Love went against everything they had promised, but the best things in life can’t be planned.Soon Alysin will be tested.
After guarding her heart for so long, she finally let a man in and discovered that the worst things in life happened when she least expected them. When she walked in on BE with another woman and overheard their heated conversation, she suddenly remembered there was a reason she made these rules.
Will broken rules lead to broken hearts or will she realize that though love was a gamble, she was all in.
Liezel’s Thoughts:
” He soothes my soul. He calms me in a way that I never have been before. I love him. I really really do.”
Sin at Sea was one of my favorite summer reads this year. ( You can find my review HERE) I thought it was a very easy and playful read that was also both scorching and romantic all at the same time. The friendship between Sin and Jolie was delightful and I was really impressed how the author made that relationship work. Adding BE to the mix made it even better. I really enjoyed it and was looking forward to the next… Vixen In Vegas.
Vixen in Vegas starts immediately where Sin at Sea leaves off where B.E. and Sin are scheduled to meet a week after their cruise. She has all these doubts about their relationship but her BFF Jolie encourages her and is with her every step of the way. If you’ve read the first book you know that she’s taking a huge risk. For being with him for only a week she fell really hard and she knows that he has the potential of breaking her heart but her love is so great that she is willing to face all the consequences.
B.E. is just as enamored with Sin. He never fails to show her in so MANY ways how important she is to him. He wants her in his life forever but he harbors these life changing secrets. When Sin finds out of course she freaks the hell out but again Jolie is there to talk her down. She finds the strength to accept him despite everything and even takes their relationship way beyond the expected.
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This story was not what I thought it would be. While book 1 was very light and playful this one was more serious and emotional and I admire how Emma Nichols was able to switch and combine the two stories effortlessly.
Since it was a longer story the character building in this one was better. Sin was so much more laid back and carefree in the first but in this one she tackles some very difficult issues both with her past and also her current relationships. After her one freak out I was amazed how she was able to turn herself around and develop into this rational and mature woman. No matter what was thrown her way she kept it together not only for both of them but also for the people around them. She had so much more depth than I expected.
B.E. was amazing too. He was even more romantic in this book. He was dealing with some major issues in his life but he always made it to where Sin came first in all things. He practically worshipped the ground she walked on. Even if they came from different lifestyles and backgrounds there was never a doubt in my mind that these two were compatible. Sin made it to where she would fit right into his world.
Another thing I loved about this book is Jolie. If there was a bestfriend that I could wish for it would be her. She is remarkable and I am hoping that we eventually get to read her story and how she also gets her HEA. Please?
And of course I will not neglect to mention the unique way that Sin went about making B.E. hers forever. It was so non traditional yet SO them. Just for that reason this book will seriously be seared into my mind for a very long time. Let’s just say that it will definitely take some time for another author to top that! Loved it!
Vixen in Vegas was a beautiful story of love and acceptance and also sacrifices. It made me feel that I was on a roller coaster ride with all the twists and turns and also the way Emma Nichols was able to manipulate my emotions into feeling both happiness and sadness at the same time . In the end I was elated that with all that they’ve been through they were still able to find their happy ending. Just like Sin at Sea, I highly recommend this one.
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Excerpt:
The water was just starting to boil when my phone rang. I rushed to the bedroom because…well, how often does a phone ring jut after 4am? It could be an emergency. It could be a prank call. Or, according to the picture that glowed on my screen, it could be Jolie calling to cheer me up. That warmed me instantly.“Hey, girl,” I said, all out of breath from my sprint for the phone. You may recall, I am not a jogger.
“Hey, sexy,” he breathed into the phone.
It took me a minute to process just whom I was speaking to. Then the tears started. Actually, it was more of a waterfall effect. Then came the snot. “Oh my god! It’s YOU! And you’re on Jolie’s phone!” I started sniffling while I wiped away the tears and tried my best to hold myself together.
“Yes, babe. It’s me. Jolie called me. It’s a three way. You know. Again,” he joked.
I giggled.
“Are you crying?” He asked concerned.
“No,” I lied. “Must be a cold.”
“Good, I don’t want you crying, especially when I can’t be there to comfort you.” He spoke soothingly into the phone and it reminded me of all those nights snuggled in his arms, talking, and making love. “What’s going on? One day apart and you’ve already decided not to meet me?” He asked.
My chest constricted. It hurt so much. My voice caught in my throat. “I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never done this before,” I whispered hoarsely.
“What? You’ve never made plans a week in advance? You’ve never moved?” He asked questions he already knew the answers to just to make me think.
“I’ve never been in love,” I admitted. “I’m scared of losing me to be with you.” I was silent after that admission. It took a lot for me to share that.
“Well, if it makes you feel any better…I don’t make a habit of falling in love. I tried it once. It didn’t go the way I expected. I’ve been a little gun shy ever since. For you, I’d take a bullet. You are a once in a lifetime kind of love,” he said quietly. “Promise me,
you’ll meet me.”
This conversation was what I needed. Jolie had found the perfect way to soothe my soul and settle my nerves. No wonder she was my BFF. “Hmmm. I suppose I could promise you,” I began playfully, “but what good are promises with you? Here we are, talking on the phone…”
“I’ll have you know I thought this through. I’ve broken no rules.You don’t have my name or my contact information. Jolie does. So there.” He chuckled at his own cleverness.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “And you think this information is safe with Jolie? You think I couldn’t get it from her if I wanted?” I asked.
His deep sexy voice responded, “Yes, that is precisely what I think. Jolie loves you. Jolie even seems to be rather fond of me and she thinks we make a phenomenal couple. So let’s stick to our rules for now. And when I see you on Saturday, you’ll discover what a big, bad rule breaker I am. Just wait for me until then. If one of us needs to, we have Jolie to reach out for us.” He was silent for a moment. So was I as I considered all he had said. “I love you, baby,” he said. “Saturday, I’ll be waiting for you.”
