Chase and Seduction
Author: Randi Alexander
Pages: 250
Published August 11th, 2013
Reviewer: Sandra Long
Chase is a high school drop out from a backwoods country town who just happens to be extremely talented and handsome. He makes his mark in the country music world in a big way and has all the money and attention he never had growing up the son of poor parents and an alcoholic father. He spends his money wisely, investing in a working ranch where he can get away from the limelight and back to his country roots, caring for his horses and spending time outdoors. He seems to have everything a young man could want--fame, fortune, women, almost everything.
The one thing that Chase does not have is education and his last girlfriend was embarrassed by his poor roots and lack of higher education. She was so embarrassed by it that she made of a point of embarrassing him in front of others, leading to their break-up. Chase's lack of higher education makes him feel inferior to anyone with more education that what he has. He does not recognize that he has more common sense and more school of hard knocks knowledge than most of the academics he meets in this story.
When he is asked to star in a movie being made based on a book by an educated woman named Reno, there is an instant attraction between Chase, the high school drop out and Reno, the college professor. By the end of the move they both have to acknowledge the attraction and the sparks fly. The sex is hot and steamy and constant and almost all their time together is spent engaged in sexual activity.
Both of them see potential problems in their relationship because of time and distance. She lives in South Dakota and he lives in Texas. In addition to writing books, she is also a teacher and therefore until to go on the road touring with his band like he wants.
Problem two is her previous boyfriend who wanted to control her life and shape her into the academic role model he wanted. When he met a woman who was a better fit, he dumped Reno over night but still wanted to control her. After seeing her picture in a tabloid with Chase, the ex used his connections to get Reno a position to teach at the Sorbonne in France for 4 months--something he knows has been a long time dream of hers. But his motive is not to make her happy but to destroy her relationship with Chase, whom he believes is too far beneath her to be worthy of her affections.
After much discussion, Chase and Reno agree that she will take the offer and he accompanies her to Washington D.C. to a black tie affair to honor the recipients of these teaching positions. Everyone in attendance is highly educated except Chase and he immediately feels very uncomfortable and out of place but feels Reno appears to fit right in. Reno's ex is in attendance and makes a point of catching Chase alone and telling him how wrong he is for Reno and how a relationship with him will destroy her academic career that she has struggled for so long. He also overhears two other men in a similar conversation and storms out of the building, refusing to even ride in the limo with Reno back to the hotel. In fact, he never even goes back to the hotel and refuses all her calls, deletes her emails, texts, voice mails, will not open her letters. He eventually does have one of his staff send her a birthday card but does not even sign it.
He has been on a downhill slide ever since their break-up, drinking heavily every night and not being able to compose any new songs. On his birthday he is finishing up his tour when an old friend brings him 2 hookers to his dressing room to try to cheer him up. Then he gets a call from security that Reno is at the gate and asking for him. In his still confused mind he thinks the best thing he can do for the woman he loves with all his heart is to turn her against him so she will start a new life without him. He lets her into the dressing room and tells her this and allows her to see the hookers. She leaves broken hearted and without telling him that she is pregnant with his child,
This book provides an excellent picture of how messed up we can make our own lives by feelings of insecurity, inferiority and by trying to decide what is best for other people and manipulate their lives by lies and secrets. It is very well written and keeps the reader's interest on every page but the explicit sexual scenes are, at least to me, occurring too often and in too much detail. Sex is wonderful and erotic love scenes add to the romance story line in any love story but there is a point where enough detail has been given and there is no need to repeat all of it. I am reminded of the scene in Gone With the Wind when Rhett carries Scarlett to their bed and then in the next scene it is morning and she has a happy smile all over her face--no one has to read a graphic description to know what happened in that bedroom the previous night.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to mature adults who enjoy reading erotica with an important lesson in life interwoven into the story line.
Country music superstar/actor Chase Tanner has yet to be denied anything–and he’s never wanted anything or anyone more than gorgeous screenplay writer Reno Linden. So when the film they are working on is finally finished, Chase decides to turn up the volume on seducing Reno.
Reno Linden lived a quiet, rural life until she was thrust into the Hollywood scene when her book was adapted to film. Chase Tanner is larger than life, sinfully sexy and hell-bent on getting her into bed. Skittish after a failed wedding engagement, Reno risks the plunge into Chase’s arms, and is surprised that her good girl self can keep up with bad boy Chase.
Though Chase returns to his cowboy roots often, and Reno cherishes the time spent with him on his ranch, the two find their careers pulling them in different directions. Will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame?
Heart of Steele (Book 2)
Author Randi Alexander
Pages: 276
Published February 27th, 2014
Actress Tracy Hartman can't believe she just punched country music superstar Steele McLairn in the mouth. And of course, somebody recorded it! Now, the thing has gone viral and to avoid their being harassed by the tabloids, Steele convinces Tracy to head out of LA with him. In a cozy, remote spot, they find the desire they've been feeling for each other has grown into full-blown lust. Steele can't believe his luck. Alone with Tracy, and all it took was taking a punch to the mouth. She's funny, sweet, sexy, and ready to experience every wild thing Steele hungers to do with her. But their time together is cut short, and hidden family issues threaten the trust they've built. Can they find the courage to confide in each other, or will their secrets force them apart?
