Thursday, August 1, 2013

Tour Stop: NOT AT FIRST by Phalla S. Rios ~ Review/Giveaway




Synopsis
Falling for two men at the same time was something Angel Mabbott never expected to happen.
Leaving a past full of pain and loss in California, Angel is determined to make something of her life when she starts college in Minneapolis.  But life takes a turn when she finds herself torn between Kevin and Roman.
Kevin Hawken is a domineering man who forces himself into Angel’s life and changes everything she thought she knew.  But how much can he be trusted when he is so secretive about himself?
Angel was instantly intrigued when she first laid eyes on Roman Conti, an Investment firm owner.  He was everything she ever wanted in a man: romantic, loving, and protective over her.
As Angel begins to weave a bitter web of desire and deceit, will she find herself consumed, or will she be able to find her way out and follow her heart?



Excerpt
“Thank you for picking me up,” I tell him before I place an open mouth kiss on the back of his hand.
His fingers tighten around mine and he let out a low deep groan.
“Don’t do that,” He warns. “Or you won’t make it home until later today.”
I giggle satisfy that I took his mind away from Kevin. But my mind stayed on Kevin. The little strip tease in the closet, the way he held me when I woke up and him leaving to Natalie when she called him. Those scenes playing like a movie through my head on repeat.
Who is Natalie?
At every red light, Roman leans over and kisses me. I am a hot mess when he parks the car near the house.


About the author...
Phalla S. Rios lives in California with her husband and two goofy pit bulls. She loves to read and write drinking her favorite tea, Joy, from Starbucks. During her spare time she is usually at the movies or looking for the next best place to eat. She often refers to herself as a foodie. Right now she is finishing up her debut novel, Not at first.

Author Links

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Review
When I read the prologue I was instantly captivated. Here is a girl who has had something major happen to her and she handled it the wrong way. The prologue is told by an unknown male. He sits by her side while she's in a coma, he loves her. Who is he you ask? Well we'll get to that part, or I should say if you read the book, you'll get to that part. I will not let that secret out of the bag.


Angel is off to start her life in another city, she is starting over and trying to move on from her past. I love how this love triangle is written. First she meets Kevin, who by the way I instantly like. Hazel eyes, tattoos that poke out of his shirt sleeves, I'm a sucker for tattoos. She meets Kevin first at the hardware store, then on her first day of college. He becomes her lab partner and this is where the banter begins and the sexual tension grows. I loved Kevin, then I hated Kevin. He is very alpha when it comes to Angel but she is holding back from him. Enter Roman, CEO of a major company. GQ, lived in Italy. This is where I begin to hate Kevin and swoon over Roman. He is a gentleman, hearts and flowers guy. The way this author writes the story you experience the tension between Kevin and Angel. I found myself cheering on Roman, hoping that she makes the right decision and picks the good guy.


A third of the way into the book is where I began to really put the pieces of the puzzle together. Mystery man from the prologue is introduced and Holy Hell, I wasn't expecting that. Things start to unravel in the plot and I began clenching my Kindle. I was holding my breathe through the last few chapters, and thinking to myself "What the hell? This can't be happening?" If you like a book with a plot twist then you will love this one. I really liked the concept of this book. I can't wait to see where the second book takes Angel, Kevin and Roman. I'm giving this book 3 1/2 Stars!

~Jen



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1 comment:

  1. Thanks for sharing your review and the giveaway. Not at First sounds like a good book. evamilliien at gmail dot com

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