CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner - #BOOKREVIEW #BLOGTOUR

Title: Caress of Pleasure

Series: A Dark Pleasures Novella

Author: Julie Kenner

Release Date: April 28, 2015

I'd thought that he was mine, the dark, arresting man who commanded not only my body but my heart. Dante had swept into my life, and I'd succumbed to the burn of passion in his arms.

I'd believed we had a love that would last forever, but he'd shattered my dreams and broken me into pieces when he'd walked away, taking a piece of my soul with him.

Now he has come back seeking my help, and though I try to keep my distance and protect my heart, I cannot deny that the fire between us burns hotter than ever. And I cannot help but fear that this time our passion will reduce us both to ashes.

I fell in love with him once—and I'm honestly not sure that I ever fell out of love.

But I do know one thing for sure—Dante Storm is dangerous to my heart. And whatever we started just now is something that we can't finish.

I meet his eyes and am about to say just that when he shakes his head. “No. Don't say it. You don't need to say it.”

“What?”

“That we can't do it again.”

“We can't.”

“I know.”

I stand in silence. I know why I can't; it's because he will break my heart.

But I don't know why he doesn't want me. I only know that he doesn't. I only know that he walked away once, and that he has already told me he will walk away again.

That should be enough, but then I have to go and open my mouth. I have to ask— “Why? Why did you leave?”

For a minute, I don't think that he's going to answer. But he surprises me by saying, “Because I was looking at forever.”

“And you don't think I was, too?” I'm baffled. With Dante, forever was my mantra.

He looks at me, his eyes so sad I want to cry. “No,” he says, “I know you weren't.”

I start to protest, but he just shakes his head, like a dog shaking off water. “Let's go transfer your money.”

“No,” I say, standing firm.

He cocks his head, then winces. “We shouldn't have done this. It won't happen again. But please don't back out. I really need your help. I can't tell you how urgent this is.”

“I'll help,” I say. “But I don't want your money. And I don't want sex.” That's not entirely true. I want it; I don't think I can handle it.

“Then why?”

“I don't know,” I say. “Maybe because I loved you once upon a time.”

Maybe because I still do.

15 years ago Brenna was devasted when Dante walked away from her and broke her heart.  Now he is back, looking just as he did then.  He wants to hire Brenna, but she can't forget the past.  

While Brenna hasn't been physically wounded, she is definitely a wounded character.  She can't commit to a relationship and has basically sworn them off.  Dante destroyed her when she was still young.  Now she's mature (mid thirties) and a bit jaded.  She knows how life can hurt you and she's experienced the ultimate heartbreak.

Dante is a character we've met before in the other Dark Pleasures books.  He is immortal.  He knows that unless he finds "true, everlasting love" he is destined to be alone.  He thought he had found that love with Brenna 15 years ago, but when he realized that he hadn't he walked away rather than having both of them experience the pain.  Ever since he's been a devastated and hurt.  He, too, doesn't commit to any relationship and just seems to exist.

Even through all the hurt from 15 years prior Brenna and Dante find that they still can't resist each other.  Their love is so explosive that they can't keep away.  But is it an eternal love?  Read the book to find out.  

Like the other Dark Pleasures books this is a short novella.  While it could probably be read as a stand alone I wouldn't recommend that.  It would be confusing if you don't know the history.  I read through Caress of Pleasure in one sitting, mostly because I couldn't put it down.  Another good Julie Kenner book.  I give "Caress of Pleasure" FOUR STARS!

Amazon | Amazon UK

Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures.

Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries.

J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

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