Hard Wear by Marilyn Lakewood (Author Guest Post / Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Virtual Book Tour Cafe, Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Hard Wear by Author Marilyn Lakewood!

Author Guest Post

ROMANTIC ALPHA HEROES

I’ve read hundreds of romances and the hotter the hero, the more I liked the book. The right leading man can turn a good story into a great one. The heroine should be likable and someone I understand, but the hero needs to be breathtaking. Those sexy rogues win me over every time.

Romance stories thrive on alpha heroes, and I think there are certain qualities that make a man, well, heroic.

Here’s a list of my favorite alpha traits in romance books:

Core characteristics:

Calm- You rarely see a hero raving, screaming, or having panic attacks.
Confident- Heroes make decisions and make things happen.
Honorable- Heroes take the high road.
Attentive- Heroes keep track of their girl and give her what she needs.
Protective- He puts himself in front of his girl.
Courageous- He stays in front of his girl. (He saves her and escapes with her. HEA, please.) Compassionate- Heroes take care of the weak, injured, and innocent. And they like dogs.

What he looks like:

Attractive face and lean, muscled body- He’s also well-endowed and knows how to operate that heavy equipment.
Nice hair- Light or dark, it doesn’t matter, but I like longish hair.
Great fitting jeans- Okay, maybe he rocks in a sophisticated, made-to-measure suit too.

And the magic ingredient:

Sex Appeal- A good hero must have this often intangible quality. Without sex appeal there wouldn’t be much passion, and passion is what drives erotic romance.

Well, that’s my list of what I like in a leading man. It’s subjective, yet most women have definite preferences. What do you like in your heroes?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Wishing you all happy reading.

Marilyn

About The Author

Marilyn Lakewood lives in the northwest U.S., not too far from the Canadian border, and believes the long, cold winters are perfect “writing weather.”

She started writing romantic, sex-driven stories “just for fun” seven years ago. Today, she’ll joyously admit she’s obsessed with creating hard-core dominant heroes and happily-ever-after endings.

Visit Marilyn at www.marilynlakewood.com

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Book Review

Hard Wear by Marilyn Lakewood
Book 1: Hot Alpha Billionaire Series
Publisher: Troll River Publications
Publication Date: February 14, 2015
Format: eBook - 230 pages
               Kindle - 1353 KB
               Nook - 345 KB
ISBN: 978-1939564535
ASIN: B00TNGS2QG
BNID: 2940151840606
Genre: Erotic Romance

Buy The Book:

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Virtual Book Tour Cafe.

Book Description:

Book One of the Hot Alpha Billionaire Series

Stand alone. Not a cliff-hanger. HEA. M/F, Mild D/s themes.

How does a sophisticated man with everything, convince an unassuming older woman with nothing, that she’s what he desperately needs?

At 36, Chase Tanner controlled his world and the women in his bed. With a grown son and several successful businesses, he thought he had everything a man could desire… until he walked down the aisle of a country hardware store and saw exactly what he needed for a happily-ever-after. Now, he just had to make her believe it.

”You’re just not good enough, Kali.”

Her ex-husband’s hurtful words echoed in Kali Benson’s heart as she rebuilt her life in tiny Laketon, Washington. It took some time, but at 39, she’s happy, self-sufficient, and emotionally armored.

She’s strong enough to resist a sweet-talking hunk, who drives an old Dodge truck and makes her feel nineteen again... isn't she?

Book Excerpt:

Chase took the shortest route to the auto accessories area and cut through the carpentry section. He turned down the aisle and his steps slowed. Fuses, old trucks, everything, dropped off the radar as his gaze focused on the woman perusing the locks-and-hinge display.

Sweet. There was something incredibly sweet and alluring about her. More than pretty, she was arresting. His heart did a drum roll against his ribs, and he drew in a deep, stabilizing breath.

Easing to a stop a few steps away, he positioned himself near the opposite side of the aisle as if he were interested in something other than her. Not the most inspired tactic, but he needed a moment to process her intense effect on him.

In profile, she had a straight, refined nose, full lips, and a balanced chin. Thick, golden-brown hair shimmered in glossy layers past her shoulders, styled with a fringe of bangs across her dark, tawny brows.

When she pulled an item from the display, he noticed she kept her nails a short, practical length, and she wore no wedding ring.

His eyes drifted down her slender length, admiring her lush, handful-size breasts and the pert nipples that dimpled against her knit top. She had a slim waist, gently rounded hips, and a great curvy ass, temptingly displayed in a pair of distinctive cutoffs. They were distinctive to him, at least. Although she’d removed the label, he recognized Soft Wear jeans and understood what the brand signified.

This little beauty might not want anyone in Laketon to know, but if she bought those jeans, she harbored at least some sexually submissive desires.

In a sudden, vivid image, he pictured her in his bed, her body pinned beneath him, his hands holding hers against the mattress. He imagined her thighs around his hips. The first intimate touch of his cock to her sex. Her mouth parted, gasping when he shifted deeper.

The fantasy jolted him.

He flinched and she turned her head.

Large, topaz eyes danced over him, and she smiled distractedly, the merest civility necessary, before returning her attention back to the shelves. He’d been dismissed. There was nothing haughty or superior about it, but apparently she’d found him unsuitable.

A grin tugged on his mouth. He enjoyed a challenge.

My Book Review:

Hard Wear is a wonderfully light erotic romance tale that follows thirty-six year old successful businessman and Dom Chase Tanner as he pursues the beautiful and reluctant submissive thirty-nine year old divorcee Kali Benson.

Author Marilyn Lakewood weaves an entertaining light BDSM tale set in the small lakeside town of Laketon, Washington, that easily draws the reader into Chase and Kali's story. I loved the balance of romance, drama, and eroticism in this story. The author does a wonderful job of focusing the story on Chase's pursuit of Kali, and how their relationship playfully builds up to a steamy seduction, and grows into something more romantic.

This story has a richly sensual seduction and excitement that keeps the reader engaged as Chase and Kali's story unfolds. I couldn't help but really love Chase, he's a sexy Alpha male Dominant that has no problem persuading a reluctant submissive to give into the pleasures of the body, but what makes him so much more desirable is that he wants something more from Kali, her heart! And as for Kali, she is a woman coming into her own after a devastating divorce. I appreciated her desire to start a new life and her new found optimism, and I couldn't help but smile as she slowly gives into her desires that lay below the surface. But what I enjoyed most of all about this story is that it featured two mature adults who have experienced life and its trials and tribulations, yet still had a mixture of romance and sexual burning desire for each other.

Hard Wear is an enjoyable erotic romance story that has everything that a reader could hope for. It is a very swoon worthy tale that will leave you wanting more!


RATING: 5 STARS 

Contest Giveaway

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Virtual Book Tour

Tour Schedule:

April 26 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog
April 28 - Guest Blogging at Bitches Be Writin
April 28 - Spotlight at IndieWritersReview
April 30 - Interviewed at Deal Sharing Aunt
May 4 - Review & Guest Blogging at Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews
May 6 - Reviewed at Confessions Of The Perfect Mom

May 6 - Guest Blogging at Let's Get Booked!
May 8 - Guest Blogging at Bellevue Book Reviews
May 8 - Spotlight at Writers RevolutionMay 8 - Guest Blogging at Mythical Books (Why A Billionaire?)

May 11 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
May 13 - Reviewed at Bottles & Books Reviews
May 15 - Spotlight at Underneath The Covers
May 15 - 6 Besties at BK Walker BooksMay 15 - Reviewed at I Feel The Need, The Need To Read

May 19 - Review at Paranormal Romance And Authors That Rock
May 21 - Spotlight at Books Books The Magical Fruit
May 21 - Review & Guest Blog at Inner Workings Of A Female Mind
May 21 - Spotlight at ReadsalotMay 28 - Spotlight at Jody's Book Reviews