“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” ― William Styron, Conversations with William Styron

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Great Exploitations (Mischief in Miami) - Nicole Williams


Seduction. Infidelity. Blackmail. Scandal. It can all be bought for the right price and for Sienna Stevens, business is good.

Because she’s in the business of Great Exploitations.

She’s an Eve, a member of a secret society of women contracted by the wives of wealthy, powerful men for one reason and one reason only: to seduce their husbands. To ensure their pre-nuptial agreement will be null and void thanks to a little loophole known as the Infidelity Clause. To ensure that those wives don’t find themselves on the other side of a divorce without a penny to their name.

When it comes to the Eves, Sienna’s one of the best because she follows the number one rule of the Eves to the letter: don’t let it get personal.

When the job file of her wealthiest client yet falls into her lap, Sienna realizes that this case could be the one that’s impossible to detach herself from. The payout would lead to her independence, but will the cost be too high in the end?



***This is a short story (approx. 24,000 words), that will be followed up by future installments***


"Every Eve knew a man who wanted a blonde liked giving it from behind, a man who lusted after a redhead like the woman on top, and a man who liked a brunette preferred classic missionary style.  The rules didn't hold true one hundred percent of the time, but at least ninety-five percent, and that was close enough for me to stamp it into the book of truth."

So, in some cases I’ve really appreciated the novella…a little more insight into the story.  Sometimes, I haven’t loved them…I didn’t feel they added to the story… This time I am having a love / hate relationship with this novella because I LOVED the story and I HATED that it was over so quickly.  I soooo needed more!!! #needmorenicole

I read somewhere that Nicole wanted these books to be like episodes of a television show.  I would say this is more like season finales.  This was too good to just be one regular episode, it's the episode that keeps you hanging on because it keeps getting better and the suspense for what is coming keeps building... and then it leaves you with a cliffhanger and you're left screaming at your TV because you are so not ready to be done yet.  Oh wait...maybe that's just me...and I was huffing at my Kindle and cursing Nicole...but in a good way!  – deep breaths -

One of the things I've always said about Nicole's stories, is that she knows how to write a lovable man.  William, Patrick (really all the Hayward men), Jude, Cole...they've all been amazing.  And at times I haven't loved the leading female character...oh Bryn, how wanted to strangle you at times.

For the first time in any of her stories, there wasn't really a man to fall in love with.  This was all about "Eve." For the first time I had to love the story based solely on my love for the lead female character...my normal inner critic would probably have cringed a little had she known this at first...but I'm happy to report, the inner bitch walked away happy (other than having to wait for the next installment...she is very impatient!)

Even though we never learn her true name and her complete original identity, I did fall in love with Eve.  In her line of work, it is obvious that she is beautiful, but she is also strong, smart and has a wicked sense of humor.  She's doesn't back down and when she's on an "errand" she plays her part completely.  

I got to the end and was so disappointed that it was over.  I can't wait for the next installment, Scandal in Seattle.  Nicole definitely left me wanting more...and I'm sure to expect another cliffhanging "season finale" type episode.  I'm also left wondering if there will be a swoon-worthy man in these short stories.  

In the meanwhile, I will keep falling in love with Eve, and of course Nicole.  

"Because I was in the business of Great Exploitations.  And business was good."




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