3.5 Smooches!
Synopsis
Sorena Ghanizada is 31, painfully single, and a world-famous author. She is also clumsy, shy, socially-awkward, and a borderline recluse. In short, she is her publicist’s worst nightmare. But all of that is about to change…
Graham Chambers – a devilishly handsome agent of the mysterious Illusions, Inc. – has been contracted to portray Sorena’s arm candy. His job is to stir up media buzz and give the gossip pages something to talk about. He is the very best at what he does.
Is it just a coincidence then, that bodies start dropping right after his arrival? What is Graham hiding? As things heat up between them and the death toll rises, can Sorena survive long enough to separate truth from trickery?
Review
“She was an introvert. Agoraphobic. Claustrophobic. She was a walking ball of anxieties and quirks.”
Sorena Ghanizada, a world famous, best-selling author was, in actuality, a painfully shy, awkward, asthmatic, and celibate recluse. She lived in a secure little bubble, writing her novels until exhaustion and hunger threatened to overtake her. What she did not do was willingly leave the safety of her home, participate in anything remotely social. Nor did she did have relationships with anyone beyond the extremely tight inner circle of her overbearing mother, her exasperated publicist, Leslie, and her overprotective yet adoring agent, Jonathan.
“Just as a cat brings a dead mouse or bird and places it so proudly at their master’s feet, those girls were brought to her by the killer…”
Six years earlier, at the beginning of the young author’s career, Sorena was the victim of a deranged stalker/serial killer. He encroached into her life, breaching her home, her sense of security, stealing her feelings of safety as he killed innocent women in a disturbing tribute to her. As the reality of her stalker’s actions threatened to overwhelm her, she retreated into herself ensconced behind the walls of her home rarely leaving its confines.
“You can just keep your koochie glitter to yourself!”
To meet the demands of her publisher for her upcoming book tour, Leslie, orchestrates a complete makeover of Sorena, transforming the unknowingly beautiful author into the stunner that she is. This makeover is all encompassing, however, and does not focus only on Sorena’s physical appearance. It also includes a major revamping of her public persona. Much to Sorena’s dismay, Leslie hires Illusions Inc., an extremely discreet firm that provides actors or actresses to play whatever part it is that the client needs for them to play. In Sorena’s case, it was Leslie’s goal was to transform her image from that of a self-conscious author with crippling social anxiety to one more fitting that of her as the successful, smut-writing, renowned author that she has become. Enter male-model gorgeous Illusions Inc. agent, Graham Chambers.
“Graham Chambers…was involuntary-urge-to-rest-your-hand-on-your-chest-and-sigh gorgeous.”
His role is to play the adoring, arm candy lover of the novelist. His goal is to cultivate a buzz around Sorena and give the tabloids something to talk about. In his early 30s, impeccably groomed and devastatingly handsome, Graham easily gives off the impression that he was well accustomed to wealth and the finer things in life. The press adores the new couple, dogging them at every appearance, reporting and speculating on their relationship.
“My heart won’t be able to take it when you leave.”
Starved for affection, Sorena soaks up Graham’s public displays and his attention. She revels in this relationship, even as her subconscious screams at her that it was not real. Graham played his part so flawlessly that Sorena had difficulty reminding herself that he was acting. Unfortunately, for her lonely and inexperienced heart, it was too late, and her heart was already involved. Leslie’s efforts at transforming Sorena, however, were wholly successful, and they did not go unnoticed by anyone. Including the stalker from her past who had been dormant for years.
“…unbeknownst to Sorena and Graham, their subtle public portrayals of affection were stoking the fires of a jealous rage…”
With constant reports of their relationship in the press and paparazzi snapping pictures of them at each stop of the book tour, the stalker suddenly bursts back into her life in the most gruesome fashion. In response, Sorena retreats back into her shell and back into the familiar safety net of her home. But is the stalker closer than she realizes? Are her feelings for Graham real? Could he possibly feel the same? Or were those quick glimpses of emotion she saw in his eyes all part of his act?
This well-written story with an interesting, twisting plot and a surprisingly sweet romance gets a solid 3.5 smooches from me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
