They Really Are DEVOTED–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing the love for an erotic New Adult romance from Bianca Giovanni. Ever since she REVEALED her Vice, Virtue and Video series I’ve been CAPTURED and DESIRED more; book 4–DEVOTED–was no different. (LOL, all the titles in one sentence! Click for those reviews…)

About the book:
James Laird was once devoted to sex, fame, and money…but now this former porn star is devoted to his lifelong best friend turned fiancée, Lola Caraway. He wants nothing more than to give her a dream wedding: white dress, long veil, and a big reception with the whole family. James’ family is the only problem–he’s not sure if he can deliver on that part of the dream. They haven’t exactly been there for him “for better or for worse.” In fact, James’s parents haven’t spoken to him in six years–not since they discovered his double-life as a porn star.

As James and Lola work to build their life together, they discover mending the past could be more difficult than either of them expected. Will devotion be enough to take them one step closer to happily ever after?

My review:
Lola and James have been lifelong friends, and are only recent lovers. Lola is a college graduate, while James is a newly-retired porn star. He’s still a valuable commodity, however, and makes a good income from his sex toys.

Their impulsive Vegas wedding has caused a lot of trouble for their families, however, and they have capitulated to having the whole shebang back home in Wisconsin so the mothers can gush.

The story really builds on the previous books, but it’s still readable as a standalone. There are wedding plans, and new-couple activities like house hunting and building a life together. Lola is still fearful that she won’t be enough for James’ insatiable appetite for sex, though James is over-the-top in love with Lola. On top of these fears are the very real prejudices they know they will suffer with James’ career hanging like a shadow over their lives. As they solidify the wedding plans, it seems a new wrinkle is going to develop, one that’s both terrifying and awesome, and leaves a whole lotta plot for the next book.

Plus, James’ father–who kicked him out and shut down communications six years ago when he learned James was a porn star–is finally getting what has been coming to him. I was glad to see some real resolution in the family strife, and also to watch James and Lola make good choices for their future together.

Plus, lots and lots of smexytimes. James and Lola are so tender and so loving, it’s easy to imagine their fairytale love. And fun! I cracked up so many times. Their first night in their new house is…frantic. I died. Looking forward to James and Lola really stepping into adulthood in the next book. Lots of challenges ahead!

Interested? You can find DEVOTED on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

This is book FOUR in the series. To get caught up, you can check out my reviews for REVEALED, CAPTURED and DESIRED. The reviews have all the buy-links, as well. Honestly, each book begins and ends cleanly–without cliffhangers only the relationship progressing through the books–so each can be read (mainly) as a standalone. Though, I’ve really enjoyed how this relationship has matured.

About the author:
Bianca Giovanni was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. She grew up with a single mother and Italian grandmother, who was an avid reader. She has had a love of writing since childhood, but self-published her first short stories in 2012. Bianca’s strong female characters and witty dialogue have struck a chord with readers and lead to her popularity on self-publishing platforms.

In 2013, Bianca signed with Omnific Publishing to bring the ‘Vice, Virtue & Video’ series to readers. The series contains First Dance (free introductory short story), Revealed (book #1), Letting Go (book #1.5), and four more novels to be released in 2014. She currently resides in Denver, Colorado, where she can often be found jotting down story ideas in a notebook.

You can connect with Bianca on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Happy Book Birthday to DEVOTED by Bianca Giovanni!

Hi all! It’s election day, here in the fair USA, and I figure if you have made it through the morass of mudslinging political ads and nail-biting races you need a reward…so, how about an erotic romance? Releasing today is DEVOTED, the fourth book in Bianca’s Vice, Virtue and Video series. I’ve read and reviewed the first three books REVEALED, CAPTURED, and DESIRED (click the titles to get those reviews!) and I can tell you, they are heart and heat, in equal measure. Perfect distraction for a contentious election…

Devoted (Vice, Virtue, and Video #4)

Interested? You can find DEVOTED on Goodreads and Amazon.

About the author:

Bianca Giovanni was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. She grew up with a single mother and Italian grandmother, who was an avid reader. She has had a love of writing since childhood, but self-published her first short stories in 2012. Bianca’s strong female characters and witty dialogue have struck a chord with readers and lead to her popularity on self-publishing platforms.

You can connect with Bianca on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Happy Book Birthday to DESIRED by Bianca Giovanni–Review and Giveaway

Hi all! So glad to bring a super HEA extraordinaire New Adult romance releasing TODAY!! DESIRED by Bianca Giovanni is the third installment of the VICE, VIRTUE AND VIDEO series featuring Lola and James. She’s a (relatively) innocent college grad, he’s a porn superstar and they’ve been BFF’s for years. Butnow? Now they are to-geth-er…and it’s HOTTT!

Desired (Vice, Virtue, & Video #3) About the book:

Porn superstar James Laird has devoted himself to a new romance with his lifelong best friend, Lola Caraway. James’s retirement has prompted the industry to honor him at the annual Adult Film Awards in Las Vegas. He’s up for the biggest prize of the night: Man of the Year. With the love of his life by his side and the recognition of his peers, it seems James has it all.

Lola is head-over-heels in love with James, but has no idea what to expect when she accompanies him to the biggest porn industry event of the year. She finds herself torn between being proud of James’s success and shaken by flaring insecurity as a result of her immersion in the world of porn.
She knew James’s former career would be a challenge, but nothing could prepare her for the epicenter of all things porn. Debauchery wars with devotion as they struggle to save their
relationship, their love, their hearts’ desire.

“Bianca has once again skillfully combined nail-biting angst with humor andenough sexual tension to fuel a small country to come up with one great series!”
-Autumn, Agents of Romance

How ’bout we break off a piece of James… ‘cuz he makes me swoon!

“Lo, look at me when I say this to you, okay?” I begin. “I 
like  being gentle with you. I like going slow and being 
tender. I like doing stuff just because it makes you happy, 
even if there’s no endgame for me. Maybe it’s vanilla sex, 
but I’ve found that vanilla sex can be more fun than crazy 
sex if the person you’re doing it with is someone you love.
You make me love vanilla, baby. It’s my favorite flavor now.”

My Review:

So, I’ve followed this series from the beginning. Lola and James are really fun, but a bit of an odd couple in terms of sex–he started young, and did well with all the ladies. So well, he’s now a world famous porn star. She’s only ever been with James–and that happened only recently. They’ve known each other nearly their whole lives and now that they are together, James says he’s done making porn. I have to love James for making this decision. Really–because he’s making bank on the movies, but he’s so over the moon for Lola he won’t even consider being with anyone else. Who COULDN’T love a guy like that? He has found love, and he shouts it from the rooftops.

Lola, on the other hand, is freaked. And with excellent cause. She “knows” James has had it all, and then some, but that’s such and abstract concept. The stark reality of his sexual exploits–both on and off camera–gives Lola a bit of the creeps. Really. She’s barely ever had sex–how can she possibly sate James’ hunger? What if he wants some of that crazy bondage stuff like in his films? Or, threesomes? Or….uh, yes, Lola’s vexed.

Attending the Awards, where James has been nominated for about seven thousand honors, is a peculiar challenge and Lola’s Fifth Circle of Hell–watching James on screen over and over and over, pleasuring one woman after the next, is…excruciating. and nearly sends that beautiful gal running back to the Hollywood Hills.

There’s some by-play with Lola, James and some of their rivals–imagine jealous porn stars still wanting a piece of James and trying to snatch a little of Lola’s virtue–but the end is as sweet as a ripe watermelon. Well, except for Lola’s mother calling to give James what-for on account of his most recent impetuous decision. I had a great time with this book. Though it’s part of a series, it can stand alone. And the smexytimes are as sensual and generous as James’ third leg.

Interested? You can find DESIRED on Goodreads, Barnes & Noble and Amazon. This can be read as a standalone book, but if you’re interested in this steamer, you might want to check out REVEALED (Book 1) [Amazon eBook or Barnes and Noble] and CAPTURED (Book 2) [Amazon or Barnes and Noble].

Revealed (Vice, Virtue, & Video Book 1)

REVEALED introduces us to Lola and James just as Lola’s about to graduate high school, and James is outed to his parents as a porn star. He’s disowned and she’s his rock in the storm. Check out my review for more info.

CAPTURED brings us back to Lola and James when she’s graduated college. She’s in a relationship with a sleazebag who mistreats her for being friends with James, meanwhile James is locked into a bad contract with a sadistic director. These two cling together and learn their hearts are linked. Here’s my review.

GIVEAWAY

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win
One of TEN ecopies of DESIRED or
One of FIVE epacks of the VICE, VIRTUE and Video Trilogy
(courtesy of Omnific Publishing open internationally)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the author:

You can connect with Bianca on her website, Facebook and twitter.

You Will Be CAPTURED! Review and Giveaway!

CAPTURED VICE, VIRTUE, AND VIDEO (BOOK, #2)

BY BIANCA GIOVANNI and OMNIFIC PUBLISHING

New Adult Erotic Romance (very mature content for 17 +)

Available NOW!

Lifelong best friends James Laird and Lola Caraway are reunited when Lola moves to LA after college. Lola is starting her new life, new job, and a new romance with a successful lawyer–a relationship which forces James to question the nature of his feelings for Lola.

Meanwhile James’ agent has him making BDSM films, though to him it’s all an act. Unfortunately, these films have brought him the attention of hardcore producer Eva Satana, who wants James to be a ruthless Dominant -for real- in her brutal and extreme scenes. James soon finds himself caught in a contract he cannot break and compelled by threats to the girl who’s stood by him through everything.

James can’t stand the thought of anyone else with his sweet, virginal best friend. But they are just friends…aren’t they? Can their friendship survive so much desire and deception?

Their decisions will decide who will be free and who will be CAPTURED.

How about a little taste?
“Honestly, I just don’t think I’d ever want to spice it up like that.” My voice has taken on a timid edge, and I realize that all the guys are staring at me. “I just always envision someone being gentle with me. I want something loving and intimate. I think I’d freak out if somebody came at me with handcuffs or a butt plug.” I can’t help but giggle on the last part of the sentence, not even able to describe the tools of the trade without blushing.

“Shit, I think I’d freak out if someone came at you with handcuffs or a butt plug! I’d beat the shit out of somebody if they ever tried that shit with you!” James says as he puts the finishing touches on his homemade guacamole. “You deserve gentle. You deserve to have your first time be sweet and intimate. You should have something perfect, you know?”

I notice Chad and Alejandro giving each other knowing looks.

“I picture something romantic for you—like in front of a fireplace, or maybe on some big bed with a canopy and candles all around the room,” he continues.

“I think you’ve thought about this even more than I have,” I tease, trying to hide how much I appreciate his ideal scenario.

“All I’m saying is I think it should be beautiful for you,” he says dismissively, turning back to the food and obviously trying to avoid eye contact with me.

Chad and Alejandro both glance at me, giving me subtle, almost pleading looks, but I’m not quite sure how to read their reactions.

My Review:
I read REVEALED and I wan’t sure what to expect out of the sequel–I knew Lola and James had a real connection. Best friends into lovers are some of my fave romances, but it seemed like these two had far too much baggage to make that transition.

I mean, really, a virgin and a porn star? Even James knows it’s nuts. This story picks up after Lola’s graduated college and moved to LA to be near her BFF, and take a job at a law firm. Of course, Lola and James are as close as ever. And, that bears unintended consequences for Lola. See, when people find out she’s super close with a pornstar, they connect the two as lovers. As if! Trust me it gets kinda ugly–for both of them. Plus, they each have more-than-friendly feelings for the other, but are too timid to act and ruin the friendship.

James has been contracted to do ten scenes for notorious director and dominatrix Eva Satana–and it’s not good. Eva has James practically brutalizing his co-star the waif-like Stacey. He’s so overcome after his first scene, he hides away for days which worries Lola.

Lola tries to help James get out of his contract, and in the process ends up meeting Stacey. A bit awkward meeting the gal your friend/would-be-lover just banged on camera, especially seeing the bruises left behind. Appalled, Lola realizes she has to help Stacey in order to help James.

Of course, James has an alternate plan. Eva will voluntarily release James from his contract…for a tape of he and Lola having sex. Eva’s clientele love virgin tapes, apparently. If he doesn’t, well, it seems Eva’s willing to unleash some unsavory associates who might just deflower Lola by force.

I’ll just say the tension here was incredible. James is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but his mistakes don’t ravage his friendship with Lola TOO much. Good thing Lola knows how to use those brains of hers. I liked the first book a lot, but this one REALLY blew me away. The level of intimacy and care these two have for each other is so clear. From the start I was screaming at Lola to stay away, but by the end I just couldn’t help it; I fell for James, too. He’s a good guy, really, and his love for Lola is something special. Can’t wait to read more of their love story.

Interested? You can find CAPTURED on Goodreads and Amazon.

I also loved REVEALED–the first book in the series. You can find my review here.

About the Author

She currently resides in Denver, Colorado, where she can often be found jotting down story ideas in a notebook.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

***GIVEAWAY***
I get to give away eBooks of both REVEALED and CAPTURED to a happy reader who comments on this blog post! Just tell me if you think YOU could date a porn star….and I’ll pick a random commenter to get his/her own copies of these sizzlers! Comment by HUMP DAY April 23rd! (Giveaway courtesy of OmniFic Publishing)

Sneak Peek at CAPTURED!

a SNEAK PEEK into

Bianca Giovanni’s CAPTURED

Vice, Virtue, & Video (Book, #2)

New Adult Erotic Romance (very mature content for 17 +)

Releasing April 14, 2014

Published by Omnific Publishing

James can’t stand the thought of anyone else with his sweet, virginal best friend. But they are just friends…aren’t they? Can their friendship survive so much desire and deception?

Their decisions will decide who will be free and who will be CAPTURED.

SNEAK PEEK EXCERPT

“Promise me you won’t fuck him,” he boldly demands.

“James! Okay, first of all, you can’t just throw down rules like that. I’m a grownass woman, and you can’t dictate who I choose to get familiar with. Second, do you actually think I would fuck somebody after only one date?”

“No. You’re a good girl, Lola, and I know you wouldn’t do some shit like that, but I just worry. Eric’s so much older than you, and based on what you’ve told me about him, he seems like kind of a smooth talker. I don’t want him smooth talking you right out of your panties.”

“I want you to look at me when I do this because I’m doing it as hard as I can.” I point to my face before dramatically rolling my eyes.

“Fine, don’t listen to me,” he says, smirking. “Go out there and give it up to that Viking motherfucker ’cause he fed you some line of bullshit to get into your pants. Let’s see how you feel after that, huh? Let’s see what happens when you’re all bummed out about it and I have to build you back up again and show you that you’re worth a lot more than that.”

There’s an underlying tenderness to what he said that makes me smile.

“You are, you know?” His voice sounds softer, more sincere and even a bit shy. “You’re worth way more than a dude like him.”

“You don’t even know him,” I murmur in response.

“But I know you,” he says, looking right into my eyes. “I know what you deserve, how special you are. How beautiful.”

My throat moves as I swallow heavily. Pure, unadulterated honesty. Whenever he says things like this to me, he sounds so genuine and forthright that it catches me off guard. I’m used to Total Smartass James, but HeartfeltandSincere James can stop me in my tracks.

“Give me your other foot,” he says, breaking the moment as he puts my left foot up on his knee. A big smile slowly spreads across my face as I watch him return to the task with such care. “Lola,” he says, grinning, “don’t tell anybody about this—that I’m sitting here painting your fuckin’ toenails like we’re at a slumber party or something.”

I laugh loudly and nod my head. “Afraid this would damage your rep?”

“Beyond belief!” he replies, giving my foot a squeeze. “I can’t be the dude who ties girls up and spanks them and the dude who sits around pampering you like you’re a fuckin’ princess. How the fuck could I maintain any level of coolness if people found out that I spent my whole night cooking dinner and painting your toenails for your date with some other guy?”

That makes me laugh harder, and he gives me that mischievous smile.

“Your secret’s safe with me, dude,” I reply, barely containing a snicker. “I won’t tell anybody how you’re my big sweetie pie.”

“Shut up,” he says, his face taking on the tiniest hint of embarrassment.

“Nobody will find out that you’re my big, honey bunny, teddy bear,” I tease in a baby voice. “Zip it!” he commands with a laugh.

“I’m not gonna tell everybody how you’re my cuddly, snuggly schmoopy.”

“I will put this bottle down, tear your clothes off and fuck you on the goddamn floor, and we’ll see who’s cuddly and snuggly!” he warns, trying to sound menacing.

“All talk.” I shake my head. “Bark and no bite.”

He takes a deep breath, puts the lid on the bottle, and gives me that predatory grin that says he’s primed to attack.

“You wouldn’t dare!” I giggle, tensing in anticipation.

With that, he lunges onto me and pins my arms above my head. He’s pushing down on me with his full body weight, and I have no chance of escaping his grasp. I feign a struggle, but I’m laughing too hard.

“You’re lucky that I am your schmoopy or I’d have to teach that smart mouth of yours a lesson,” he says in a slightly more seductive tone.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I smirk as he lets my hands go. I reach around him and swat his butt, which makes him laugh. “Now finish my toenails, cupcake.”

I have already read a review copy of CAPTURED, and I ADORED it! Sometimes I’m let down by a sequel–as if it’s simply the conduit to get to BOOK THREE…not this time. The story just ROCKS. I loved it. Can’t wait to share my review next week!

About the Author

She currently resides in Denver, Colorado, where she can often be found jotting down story ideas in a notebook.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Other titles in the Vice, Virtue, and Video series:

REVEALED (Book, #1) A seriously fun erotic friend-mance. How Lola helped James after his parents disowned him. And, how James helped Lola figure out how her body worked without going all the way. You can check out my review here. Or, you can just buy the book… Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Cover Reveal! CAPTURED: Vice, Virtue & Video Part 2–Updated with giveaway!!!

Coming April 2014

Book 2 in the Vice, Virtue and Video series

by Bianca Giovanni

and OmniFic Publishing

James has always been a master at pleasuring women, so it was an easy transition to play a Master on-screen in a series of BDSM videos which have brought him fame and the promise of a lucrative career.

The films have also brought him the attention of hardcore producer Eva Satana, who wants James to be a ruthless Dominant -for real- in her brutal and extreme BDSM scenes. James soon finds himself caught in a contract he cannot break and compelled by threats to the woman who’s stood by him through everything.

There’s no way out…unless James bends to Eva’s twisted demand: seduce his virginal best friend and capture it on tape for her depraved audience. Can their friendship survive desire, deception, and one pissed off dominatrix?

Their decisions will decide who will be free and who will be…CAPTURED

The first book, REVEALED, was a total steamer. You can catch my review for it here. What I so loved about the book was the compassionate way James and Lola treated each other. Their friendship morphed into an attraction, but neither pressed the other to go beyond their comfort zone. Lola was sassy and James was sexy, but together they were great buddies. I wanted each of them to find their happiness, and it didn’t necessarily have to be with each other.

Revealed (Vice, Virtue, & Video, #1) Synopsis:

James Laird and Lola Caraway have been next door neighbors and best friends since elementary school. James was always the ultimate player, and after graduation moves to LA and finds his place as a rising star in the porn industry. Lola, three years younger, is a studious overachiever and on track for graduation and success in college. Lola knows about and accepts James and his debauchery; it’s never been a secret between the two friends. However, a hometown visit prompts James to face his evolving feelings for her, especially after his conservative family discovers his true profession and she comes to his rescue. Not wanting to seduce the innocent Lola, he returns to California, where he sets his sights on becoming a superstar in the industry. While Lola is visiting James from college, they dance around their attraction to each other. After Lola admits she’s never had an orgasm, James offers to be her hands-on teacher. A lifetime of friendship with a manwhore tells Lola that she should not get attached to James as a lover, as tempting as his offer may be. Can she please her body while still protecting her heart? From the author of some of the highest rated erotic romance on Smashwords comes this first look into a world of love, friendship…and porn.

About the Author:

Bianca Giovanni is an indie author. Her erotic romance really took off with early versions of Vice, Virtue, and Video selling like gangbusters on Smashwords. Now working with Omnific Publishing, her five book series will reach an even bigger audience. You can find her on her website, twitter, and Facebook.

OmniFic Publishing is letting me choose one lucky commenter to receive
a free eBook to get readers caught up on the series.

If you'd like to read REVEALED--for FREE--comment below to 
tell me how far you have ever gone to help a friend in need. 
Comments must be in by Sunday March 2nd at midnight (CST).

Thanks for stopping in, and keep reading my friends!

	Maggie Blackbird on Pride or Prejudice? FIRST IMPR…
	Pride or Prejudice?… on A Whole New Life SETTLING THE…
	Pride or Prejudice?… on Scorched By Love BURNING IT DO…
	Pride or Prejudice?… on Realty, Renovation and Romance…
	Pride or Prejudice?… on Precarious Love ROCKING THE BO…

V's Reads…

Reviews, Rants and Rambles from a mom and pre-published author

Bianca Giovanni

They Really Are DEVOTED–A Review

Happy Book Birthday to DEVOTED by Bianca Giovanni!