Sourcebooks Casablanca | November 3, 2015 | Contemporary Romance
Beauty and the Brit, book 2
★★★★1/2
SOURCE: PUBLISHER
Monica Campbell may have a history as a wild child, but she's changed her ways. She's respectable, responsible-and, most importantly, she's sworn off bad boys. That is, until Callum Hughes roars back into her life with his sexy British accent and killer smile.
Cal remembers every steamy moment he shared with Monica, but he barely recognizes the straight-laced woman she's become. Determined to lure Monica into letting go of her inhibitions, Cal will use every trick he knows to fire her blood and tempt her body...reminding her just how good it can feel to be bad-and his.
{ about terri l. austin } .
As a girl, Terri L. Austin thought she’d outgrow dreaming up stories and creating imaginary friends. Instead, she’s made a career of it. Now she writes steamy contemporary romance and mysteries. She met her own Prince Charming and together they live in Independence, Missouri.{ a word from callum } .
Hello there, my name is Callum Hughes. Though originally from the UK, I spent my life kicking around the globe, seeing new places and falling in love along the way. Mostly with vintage European sports cars, though trust me, women didn’t escape my notice. Have you ever been to Rio during Carnival? Quite an experience, to say the least. The ladies, the parties…well, decadent is one word for it.Anyway, I’ve developed something of a reputation as a car restoration expert, but really, I just love bringing these works of art back to their former automotive glory. I take pride in my work, but I find it hard to stay in one place for long. Unless I’m obsessing over something like a ’54 Alfa Romeo B.A.T., I enjoy traveling. A lot.
But now that I’m back in Vegas, I’m finding it rather difficult to leave. Mainly because Monica Campbell lives here. I met her once before, years ago. She looked like an angel and kissed like a sinner. Who wouldn’t love that combination? But when we met up again, she was quite altered, different in every way, at least on the outside. Nevertheless, I could sense undercurrents of something uninhibited buried deep inside her, yearning to get out. Those stodgy suits and tamed curls don’t fit her at all. She’s a sex kitten, pure and simple. Therefore, it’s my goal—no, my duty—to tempt her out of this drab shell she’s donned like a shield, and encourage her to reform to her wild ways.
Every time we’re together, there’s a deep sexual tension bubbling between us. And when we touch—well, it sounds stupid—but it’s electric and a bit overwhelming. When she’s in the room, I don’t notice anything, anyone except her. Believe me, I know I sound like a tosser right now, but I can’t help it. Only she does this to me. If it weren’t so exciting, I’d be quite vexed. I like living my life with no strings, no attachments. The woman entices me to put aside my wandering ways, or at least take her with me on my jaunts through Europe and South America.
As for Monica, she likes to pretend she doesn’t notice me, but she gives herself away every time. She can hardly keep her eyes off me, and the way she stares at my tattoo, as though she wants to examine it further, feel it with her fingertips—I must admit, I find it charming. But she keeps fighting this mutual attraction. However, that doesn’t prevent her from sneaking away with me for a quick snog in a supply closet. No, she likes it when I kiss her, when I tempt her. Until she remembers she’s supposed to be a saint. I’m doing my utmost to help her forget all that.
Yet it’s when I talk about my travels that Monica becomes quiet and serious. Then she bombards me with questions about Italy and Spain and Thailand. She’s curious and clever and meant for bigger things than hiding behind a good girl persona. My goal is to make her realize that for herself. If she wants the world, I’ll give it to her. How can I possibly say no to the very complicated, beautiful Monica Campbell?
Q&A with Callum
When you first saw Monica, what did you think?
She’s an absolute stunner. When I first saw her, in that scarlet dress with her wild curls trailing down her back, I was dumbstruck.
After you were reunited had your feelings changed over the years?
Well, she’s changed a good deal, to say the least. She’s gotten…respectable, and that’s not a good look on her. I’m more interested in finding out if the old, wild Monica is still lurking beneath the boxy suits. I have a feeling that girl in the red dress is still in there, just dying to come out and play.
During the years, the wild child Monica has become a serious businesswoman. What is your plan to get her to loosen up?
I’ve noticed that every time I get close to her, she loses that cool, calm demeanor. So naturally, I snog her as often as possible. It’s a damned difficult job, kissing a gorgeous woman with a wicked mouth and a cheeky sense of humor, but if I have to fall on that grenade…
What adventures would you like to take Monica on?
Having grown up in Vegas, Monica has only seen reproductions of things like the Eiffel Tower and Venetian gondolas. I long to show her the real thing.
She’s an absolute stunner. When I first saw her, in that scarlet dress with her wild curls trailing down her back, I was dumbstruck.
After you were reunited had your feelings changed over the years?
Well, she’s changed a good deal, to say the least. She’s gotten…respectable, and that’s not a good look on her. I’m more interested in finding out if the old, wild Monica is still lurking beneath the boxy suits. I have a feeling that girl in the red dress is still in there, just dying to come out and play.
During the years, the wild child Monica has become a serious businesswoman. What is your plan to get her to loosen up?
I’ve noticed that every time I get close to her, she loses that cool, calm demeanor. So naturally, I snog her as often as possible. It’s a damned difficult job, kissing a gorgeous woman with a wicked mouth and a cheeky sense of humor, but if I have to fall on that grenade…
What adventures would you like to take Monica on?
Having grown up in Vegas, Monica has only seen reproductions of things like the Eiffel Tower and Venetian gondolas. I long to show her the real thing.
{ review } .
Originally posted October 26
First off...
I really love that cover.
It was what drew me to the book initially. He's really pretty ;)
Anywho. The book. The words between the covers...
Five years ago, Monica and Cal met -- but during a time in Monica's life where she was the wild child, the one who hadn't a care in the world. Her father remarrying was a sore spot that she wasn't afraid to show off -- which likely added in her wild-child, acting out ways. When bad boy Cal ends up at the wedding, her eye is drawn to him -- and later, if it weren't for her sister putting a stop to it, she would have done more than kiss him in the garden.
He's back now -- but she's changed, and damned if that doesn't bother him.
What I loved the most about Cal was that while he noted and appreciated that Monica had grown up in the past five years, he wanted the girl with the wild abandon, the crazy hair, the fitted clothing. He liked the new Monica... he just wanted to see her merge with the old one.
These two were fun to read about. Monica was trying to be grown up and took on projects that painted her in a more positive light, but at the core of her was that wild child -- the one that her mother had accepted but she, herself, was having a hard time allowing out.
This was a well-written read, with fun times and sexy ones, too. I loved Monica and Cal's relationship, just as I loved all of the Allie and Trevor (Brynn too!) scenes. I didn't read Allie and Trevor's story, but their love seems like it was a fun adventure, too.
An additional note -- I appreciated that while the author didn't put a huge emphasis on Monica's distaste for Karen throughout the story, she did make a note that Monica grew to accept her over the years. The story wasn't about Monica's relationship with her stepmom, but equally, as it held such importance at the beginning, I was happy to see it touched upon and not forgotten about.
First off...
I really love that cover.
It was what drew me to the book initially. He's really pretty ;)
Anywho. The book. The words between the covers...
Five years ago, Monica and Cal met -- but during a time in Monica's life where she was the wild child, the one who hadn't a care in the world. Her father remarrying was a sore spot that she wasn't afraid to show off -- which likely added in her wild-child, acting out ways. When bad boy Cal ends up at the wedding, her eye is drawn to him -- and later, if it weren't for her sister putting a stop to it, she would have done more than kiss him in the garden.
He's back now -- but she's changed, and damned if that doesn't bother him.
What I loved the most about Cal was that while he noted and appreciated that Monica had grown up in the past five years, he wanted the girl with the wild abandon, the crazy hair, the fitted clothing. He liked the new Monica... he just wanted to see her merge with the old one.
These two were fun to read about. Monica was trying to be grown up and took on projects that painted her in a more positive light, but at the core of her was that wild child -- the one that her mother had accepted but she, herself, was having a hard time allowing out.
This was a well-written read, with fun times and sexy ones, too. I loved Monica and Cal's relationship, just as I loved all of the Allie and Trevor (Brynn too!) scenes. I didn't read Allie and Trevor's story, but their love seems like it was a fun adventure, too.
An additional note -- I appreciated that while the author didn't put a huge emphasis on Monica's distaste for Karen throughout the story, she did make a note that Monica grew to accept her over the years. The story wasn't about Monica's relationship with her stepmom, but equally, as it held such importance at the beginning, I was happy to see it touched upon and not forgotten about.
Thanks for having me on today!
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