We are so excited to be participating in this tour! I read AROUSE when it first released and absolutely adore this book! Bianca read aroused in preparation for this blog tour and we will find out shortly what she thought ;) Below are BOTH of our reviews and all the buy links you will need to purchase this beautifully written novel for yourself!
Title: AROUSE
Author: Nina Lane
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 2, 2013
Synopsis:
"One day I'm going to touch you in a thousand different ways and show you how to touch me," he said.
And he did.
Struggling with a tormented past, undergraduate Olivia Winter once led a practical but isolated life. Then she met Professor Dean West, a brilliant scholar of medieval history who melted Liv's inhibitions and taught her the meaning of both love and erotic pleasure. But after three years of a blissful, lusty marriage, Liv and Dean now face a crisis that threatens everything they believe about each other...and sex might not be enough to save them.
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Brittany's Review:
It was a bit refreshing for me to read a book about a couple who is already married. So many books I've read share the story of how a couple comes together, how they overcome their issues and get their happily ever after-- but they always leave me wondering just what exactly happens AFTER, so I was excited to see what Arouse had in store. This was a truly lovely story about a happily married couple, Dean and Olivia, who each have difficult and complicated pasts, and how they deal with the problems they encounter in their marriage. A few obstacles and bad decisions leave them now trying to find their way back to each other.
The heart and soul poured into this book was ridiculous (in a great way!). I felt like I was right there with this couple the entire time. Feeling what they were feeling, wanting what they wanted. It was very beautifully written, I cried probably the entire time-- sometimes happy tears, often times not, but I loved every minute of it. It was wonderful to see a couple who truly love each other no matter what problems they face, and who are determined to fight for each other and their marriage. And I really did feel all of those conflicting emotions right along with the characters-- anger for what was done, shame for doing it, desperation in wanting to fix their problems but not knowing how, and then the love and devotion they had for each other despite it all. I mean, let me just say now that I'm in love with Dean. Oh my goodness, he is just amazing. *swoon* He has got to be the perfect mixture of sexy and protective and a little bit geeky. He's just wonderful. Liv sure is a lucky duck.
As much of an emotional and beautiful story this book was, there was still crazy amount of intense, steamy moments. Wow! These were probably some of the best romantic scenes I've ever read, they were so, so good. I absolutely adored this book, and if you're looking for a thought provoking, emotional read with tons of fan yourself sex scenes, look no further. As for the ending... a bit of a cliffhanger. Nothing to get really upset about, but it will definitely ensure that you'll be dying for the next book! Honestly, it was something that I expected to happen earlier in the book-- but since it didn't, I almost forgot all about it, and then BAM! So yes, ALLURE (book two) needs to really hurry up and get here ;) Especially because of that little teaser we got at the end of this book. COAT. CLOSET. That is all. *gulp* I give this one 5 heart wrenching, emotional, arousing stars. Loved it! Go get it-- now!
"Liv," he said, his voice rough with tenderness, "you don't have to be afraid."
"Why not?"
"Because I'll slay monsters for you."
***
"You're so damn strong, Liv, and you don't even realize it. I'm the one who's always had to show people I'm successful, an achiever, the best at everything I did. I'm the one who's always been a goddamn egotist. A groveler. And you…you're the first person who's ever…Christ, Liv, sometimes the way you look at me makes me feel like I can hang the fucking moon."
"Because I've always believed you can."
***
"Since the day we met, I haven’t wanted anyone but you,” Dean says . My heart jumps a little.
“Never looked at another woman,” he continues. “Never thought about one. It’s always been you, Olivia.”
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Bianca's Review:
When is love enough? Can love survive it all? Arouse has to
be the most authentic love story, between man and wife that I have ever
read. Yes, EVER. Brittany has been telling me for awhile
I need to read this book, and wow was she right! I am now forever a fan of this
author. The author allowed you to
experience the story rather than tell it. That my friend is what makes an
amazing book!
The story revolved around a happily married couple Olivia
(Liv) and Dean West. Dean is a professor at a university with a prestigious
position. Liv is his wife that has been supporting her husband throughout his
success. I became so involved in Liv and Dean’s story. The book has POV’s from both Liv and
Dean and occasionally tells their back story of how they came to be. From the moment Liv met Dean, she
realized she no longer wanted to be alone and she would never be the same. .
She let him know about the monsters of her past that she dealt with. Dean
wanted her regardless of that past. He would wait for her. And that he did.
"He was my first in so many
ways - my first lover, my first love. my first confidant, my first and only hero."
Their love story oozes realness. I felt completed connected
to the love between Dean and Liv. Dean
became Liv’s knight in shining armor. He became her rock. This couple went through a lot of ups and
downs in this book. I felt every emotion of happiness, excitement, and hurt
that both Liv and Dean experienced. When an unknown truth comes out, it rocks
both Dean and Liv to the core. Everything that they have built their love and
relationship on, is jeopardy.
I truly enjoyed this beautifully written book. I did not
want it to end. The romantic scenes
will have you wanting to fan yourself! If you are looking for a true love story
that will captivate you from beginning to end, then you must read this book. I
gave this book 5 heart warming, gut wrenching stars! I absolutely am counting
down the days until book two-Allure comes out. I am looking forward to the
continuation of Liv and Dean’s story.
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About the Author:
Nina Lane is a multi-published author of elegant, romantic and often raunchy erotica. Her recent release AROUSE is the first book in the Spiral of Bliss series, and her novel THE EROTIC DARK is a #1 Amazon erotica bestseller.
Nina used to write novels under the name Natasha Rostova and has published stories in anthologies such as “Best Women’s Erotica” and “Erotic Travel Tales.” Her work has been translated into both German and Japanese. In addition to writing, she's an avid reader who loves popcorn and has recently joined a workout boot-camp that is kicking her rear end.
Connect with Nina:
Barnes & Noble
Follow along with the Arouse blog tour!
**GIVEAWAY!**
ENTER TO WIN 1 COPY (epub or mobi) of AROUSE!
Follow along with the Arouse blog tour!
**GIVEAWAY!**
ENTER TO WIN 1 COPY (epub or mobi) of AROUSE!
OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!
GIVEAWAY WILL RUN MAY 2nd - 11th
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED MAY 12th
GOOD LUCK!!
Tour Organized by:
YAY, Brittany and Bianca! So happy to see you as part of the AROUSE tour -- thanks so much for participating and again for posting such a great review of the book. I still think your description of Dean is the best one yet! I so appreciate your support -- thank you! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was truly our pleasure! As you can see, we both LOVED AROUSE and are counting down the days until ALLURE is released! :) I'm so glad you liked my description of Dean... though I don't think it did him justice ;)
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