Title: The Deal
Series: The Deal #1
Author: Z. Elizabeth
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: 1 December 2014
Synopsis
One feud.
Two families.
One secret.
What happens when you fall for the enemy?
Thanks to their fathers' feud, Nicole and Craig have been enemies since the moment they were born. But six years ago they fell in love... They just never told each other.
Motivated by their grandparents' money, they agree to a simple deal: Stay married for a year and unravel the secrets and lies surrounding their fathers. Bound together, they must figure out why the two former best friends have spent the last thirty years ignoring one another and prohibited any contact between Nicole and Craig.
Craig is more than happy to uncover their fathers' past if it means he gets Nicole for real.
Nicole wants to keep the past exactly where it is and she will fight Craig every step of the way.
With only limited time together, delving into their family history could be the mistake that will break both their hearts.
What happens when secrets and lies are revealed? Can Nicole and Craig live their Happily Ever After after waiting six long years to be together? Or will one secret be enough to break them apart, just like their fathers?
'I'm doing this for us, Nic'
*THE DEAL is suitable for 17+ due to graphic sex scenes and language*
*This is a STANDALONE novel. Book two is a companion novel.
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Excerpt
I turn back to the waves, pick up my bag and grab my phone. John looks over my shoulder, wondering just what I am doing but I sit closer to him and lean in so my cheek is next to his. This feels totally weird but I am going to document this moment and remind him that I gained his trust, albeit, a little too fast, but we are now Father and Daughter-in-law and we haven’t had a picture together yet.
“Um, Nic, just what the hell are you doing?” John asks but I reply with my arm around his shoulder and my arm stretched upwards with my phone. I smile into it, catching John's expression. A mix of confusion, amusement and disbelief at what I am doing.
“Taking our first Father-in-law/Daughter-in-law photo, now smile, John!” I demand, smiling into the camera. John follows suit and I snap the image. I bring the phone so
both of us can see the picture and I laugh. He certainly looks like an older version of Craig and he really is a DILF. I know for a fact when Craig and I have kids he is going to be the yummiest DILF imaginable and I cannot wait!
“Well, Papa Thomas, that is your birthday present sorted.” I giggle, locking the phone and throwing it to the bottom of my bag. John shakes his head and stares back out to the ocean.
“You know, Nic, I had you down all wrong. I thought you were a spoilt little girl who was exactly like her mother, but you are nothing like her. You're like your father; strong, determined, and loyal. I'm so lucky that in some backarse way you and Craig found each other and I'm proud to call you my Daughter-in-law.” John admits and I look to him, tears filling my eyes. It's hard to swallow but I push the lump down. I lean forward and wrap my arms around his neck, wanting a hug. John's arms wrap around my back and he laughs at my emotions, rubbing my back as I sniff the tears back.
“You have no idea how much that means, DILF.” I murmur, drawing back from him. I smile widely at him and gather up my belongings, ready to leave and dart to Kelsie's to pick up my suitcase. “I'll see you around, Papa Thomas. Don't be a stranger now we are BFF's” And with a wink I begin to walk away from him.
“What's a DILF?” He shouts after me and I let out a hearty laugh. I turn around and begin to walk backwards.
“Google it.”
Review
Foxy Rating = Three sexy stars
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
This is the debut of Z Elizabeth and is set in Wales which
is a nice change for a setting than the usual featured ones.
Nic and Craig have been brought up knowing that there is a
secret feud between both of their families, after their fathers, who were once
close as brothers, never spoke to one another after a mysterious incident that
took place over thirty years ago. Nic and Craig are told never to associate
with each other and no questions asked. However after the will of their
grandparents are left, revealing a substantial amount of inheritance that can
only be claimed once Nic and Craig are married and remain so for twelve months.
Both have secretly held feelings for each other since they were
sixteen but nobody will ever know, but Nic is willing to be part of Craig’s
life and walk away after the year is out if only to have lasting memories of
being together with him.
This is a difficult review to do as there are parts of the
book that I loved but others that just did not click for me. The subplot of the
feud was highly over plotted when it did little if nothing for the romance
storyline. I felt it detracted rather than added to the book. When the true
reason is revealed it was a huge deflation and nothing at all to have any build
up over. I also didn’t understand how a will written over thirty years ago
could dictate for Nic and Craig to marry, when they were not born until eight
years after. That had me scratching my head.
The romance, however, between Craig and Nic I absolutely
loved and found this to be captivating and extremely hot! I liked how the forced
togetherness gave them a chance to grow to know each other and put into
perspective these yearning feelings they have had for each other since teenage
years. It was nice to see how this developed with some seriously erotic sexy
times thrown in.
I also loved the gang of friends that Nic and Craig have
been part of, even though they kept at lengths from each other. The camaraderie
and friendship from teenage years, through university to young adults was
nicely executed in the storyline and fully believable. I could also imagine
myself on some of their nights out!
Overall I did enjoy this book but it would have been better
without the feud subplot. It wasn’t needed as the romance was strong enough to
carry the storyline. Three sexy stars.
About The Author
Z. Elizabeth is a debut author who grew up in Wales, UK and wishes she knew how to speak fluent Welsh. Bore da (Good morning), Wedi Bleno (tired) and Ydw (yes) just don't cut it.
Reading has always been a part of her life since she was a young kid and writing came quickly after she discovered her love for studying English Language and writing fiction. Since graduating with a degree in BA Journalism, writing is embedded into her everyday working and personal life. At 15, she finished a full length novel and thought nothing of it until now. The Deal is loosely based upon that story and it's one that she is hugely proud of writing and re-writing and re-writing...
When she isn't slaving away at her day job, you can find her daydreaming about her book boyfriends, reading the next hot book out or binge eating with her friends, continually shocking them with the filth that flies out of her mouth.
Z. Elizabeth hopes that her characters end up on your book boyfriend/girlfriend lists and her book ends up on your favourite list, maybe even your bookshelf.
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