Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Book Review + Giveaway — At Your Beck & Call by Jane Harvey-Berrick



At Your Back and Call Cover

 ~*Synopsis*~
Hallen Jansen has it all. At 28, he has a flashy car, a great apartment, and a job he’s good at and that he loves – as an escort – working at your beck and call.

His life is easy, with no emotions or attachments slowing him down – choosing to keep moving, always running from the past. But when a new client awakens unfamiliar feelings, all bets are off. Can he convince a recently divorced woman twenty years older to trust men again – to trust him? Can Hallen trust himself not to screw things up?

Surrounded by people who choose to judge them, will they make their relationship a reality, or is it heartbreak for both?

Not all services are professional.

 ~*Teaser*~

 ~*Excerpt*~
Have you ever wondered what money smells like? I mean real money. Not just a lot of money, but vats of money, swimming pools of money, whole oceans of money. It smells of sweat and sex, wrapped in silk.

That’s the scent that filled my lungs walking into the Casino de Monte Carlo.

The building was bathed in bright yellow lights, turning the white stucco into a shimmering facade. A marble fountain seemed to pour molten gold into the piscina at its base.

And the women. My God, the women. Birds of Paradise in gowns of every color, shade, texture and tone. You noticed the dresses first—the faces above were all the same—rich, privileged, aware.

“By the way, Emma, what’s it for?”

“What?”

“The fundraiser. Which charity is it for?”

“Christ! I don’t know!” she said, distracted by a blonde woman in skyscraper Laboutins. “Whales or tuna or goldfish or something! Who cares?”

I kept my mouth shut.

At the door, we were greeted by a well dressed staff member who knew both our names, and handed us each a $50,000 casino chip.

Fifty-thousand dollars!

Emma smiled, watching with vulpine amusement as I tried to cover up my astonished reaction.

“Enjoy!” she said, stroking my ass. “If you’re a good boy, there’ll be more where that came from.”

It must have been obvious who and what I was. I wouldn’t say I was oblivious to the barely hidden contempt from those who saw us together, but I’d learned to ignore it. The burn was a little less.



My Hallen (Minus the brown hair!!)
 

I rated At Your Beck & Call FIVE LEAVES!! Jane Harvey-Berrick is honestly one of my favorite authors of all time!  I have literally read all the books she has published.  Each time I read one of her books, I think that particular book is her best work, then I read the next one and say the same thing about that book!  This book was the same; same feelings of this being her best work yet. This was a long book, perfect and extremely detailed (which I love), not at all rushed. It gave me the feeling I get when I read any books by Jane Harvey-Berrick. If someone told me I had only one author that I could only read for the rest of my life, I wouldn't hesitate to answer, Jane Harvey-Berrick.

I have a thing for escort books and as well as stories that feature an older heroine and a younger hero.  (All my life I've always imagined I would marry a younger man. We shall see!) What a fabulous book!! I was torn between devouring it wickedly fast or savoring every chapter.  In the end, devouring won and I ended up reading it in 2 days. Once in a while you luck out and find a special read that will be forever imprinted on your heart.  At Your Beck and Call is that book, and I will never EVER forget Hallen. I love that this story didn’t feel over-the-top or fairy-tale perfect. It felt totally real. 

I just hopped off the Hallen Jansen train and well what can I say? First things first, what an amazing ride! I didn't want to get off, I fell hard for Hallen and Lauren.  The book is told mostly from Hallen's POV.  I've said it before, I've never been fond of reading in a male's POV, but recently something has changed and I absolutely LOVE reading it now.  I love the style of writing in the book.  I just completely adored Hallen inner thoughts. 

The first half of the book is a retelling of his first seven years as a high class escort.  He tells about his childhood and his life through the college years.  Hallen graduates with a degree in Art and he was struggling to make ends meet taking any job available.  He met Eloise who proposed an idea for him to take her daughter as a date to a wedding.  After that Eloise and Hallen went into business.  I enjoyed reading about the experiences and the lessons he learned while being an escort.  Hallen was always professional and always swooning the woman. 

The second half of the book is where Hallen meets Laura. Laura, a divorced independent woman at the age of 48. A very typical woman who opens and captures  the heart of the broken man inside. Hallen met Laura, who is the kind of woman who couldn't  have sex without giving away her heart. There's something about Laura that sparks Hallen.  She's the only one that truly wants to get to know the real him without ulterior motives. 
 ~*About the Author*~
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I started writing contemporary romance two years ago. Before that, I didn’t think I could write a sex scene. Turns out I can!

My lucky number is 13 because I was born on the 13th and live near a haunted castle by the ocean. My number one past-time is watching hot surfers get changed into (and out of) their wetsuits.

My husband doesn’t read my books. My mother does.

Writing is my love, my hobby, my total addiction. All my characters are important to me and whisper their stories, even when I’ve finished writing their books. That’s why you’ll often find bonus chapters/out-takes from various books, because those voices just won’t be quiet.

 ~*Social and Buy Links*~ 



 ~*Giveaway*~
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2 comments:

  1. Thank you for your lovely, lovely words! You've really made me smile and feel very special. THANK YOU :)
    jx

    ReplyDelete