Cover Reveal: INTOXICATED by Monica Murphy

INTOXICATED by Monica Murphy (Billionaire Bachelors Club #3.5)

Expected Publication Date: June 17, 2014

ABOUT INTOXICATED: 

 New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy wraps up her sexy Billionaire Bachelors Club series with a wedding to remember. But this time, they’re not bachelors anymore, and the groom … is one of them.

 It’s Gage and Marina’s wedding day, but wedded bliss seems a long way off: Ivy’s just gone into labor. Marina’s missing her matron of honor. And Bryn’s giving Matt the silent treatment.

It’s up to Archer, Gage, and Matt to make sure this day goes off without a hitch. But between brides and babies, there’s the not-so-little issue of the million-dollar bet to attend to. If only they can figure out who won … and who’s paying up. Is everyone a winner? Or will someone leave broke—and brokenhearted?

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  EXCERPT:

 I’m going to have a baby,” Ivy declares as she stops directly in front of me. Well, her belly stopped directly in front of me, the rest of her soon follows. 

Yes, indeed, my wife is definitely going to have a baby. Soon. 

 I’m getting ready—staring at the mirror as I mess with my tie, making sure it’s perfect—when she approaches me. I shoot her a grin, feeling good, feeling on top of my game. Life couldn’t get any better, you know? We’re celebrating today and with good reason. 

 “I know, sexy mama.” I turn away from the mirror and wink at her. “Trust me, I haven’t forgotten that I’m the one who knocked you up.” 

 She stares at me, no reaction to my wink or my words. She usually slaps my ass and kisses me. Says something sarcastic at the very least. But I’m getting nothing. And it’s kind of disconcerting. “Archer. I’m dead serious. I’m going to have the baby.” 

“I know, babe. And I can’t freaking wait.” I study her, noticing that she looks a little pale and her pupils are dilated. Hmm. “You feeling okay?” 

 Rolling her eyes, she rests her hand on top of her protruding stomach, rubbing it absently. Then not so absently. As in, she’s clutching her belly like she’s in pain. “I’m in—” She sucks in a harsh breath, holding it for a few seconds. “—labor, damn it.”

________________________________________________

ABOUT MONICA MURPHY: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.  

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REVIEW: Savor by Monica Murphy

Savor by Monica Murphy (Billionaire Bachelors Club #3)
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Publication Date: January 21, 2014
Source: Edelweiss via publisher*
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Bryn James can’t take much more. Smart, sexy Matthew DeLuca is everything she wants in a man, but he’s also her boss—the youngest, hottest vineyard owner in the Napa Valley—and he doesn’t see her as anything more than his shy assistant. That’s all about to change. Armed with a hot new look and an attitude to match, Bryn is determined to catch Matt’s eye… professionalism be damned.

With his winery’s grand reopening approaching, Matt is trying to stay focused, but Bryn is suddenly making it very difficult. He’s always thought her prim demeanor effortlessly sexy, but Matt can’t deny that her transformation is jaw-dropping …and going to make it very difficult to keep his hands to himself.

But when one thing leads to another and suddenly Matt is stripping Bryn bare, he’ll be faced with the biggest risk of his career—and his heart. Can he convince her—and himself—that this might just be more than a no-strings office affair?

My Review

The Good



Monica Murphy’s writing is always top notch. I really have no complaints on the style of her writing in this book or this whole series for that matter. The POV changes are balanced between Matt and Bryn and of course each voice is its own. I just knew that I was in Matt’s head vs Bryn’s head because their voices were distinct throughout each chapter in the book. 



I really loved Matt. He wasn’t as arrogant or even extremely confident as Archer or Gage. He does describe himself as the nice one who is easy going and I have to agree. He was much more reserved, but he still had that sexy, slightly naughty aspect to him as well. What I really liked about Matt was his hard working, determined, so willing to be better than his father type of attitude. He also had this vulnerability or fear of not succeeding that kind of made him more modest in my eyes. I especially loved Matt for just being a great guy in general and a good boss. He was really great with Bryn. He respected her, encouraged her, and never put her down.



The initial premise of the romance really drew me in. I was curious to see how Matt and Bryn’s relationship was going to work out, especially since it was a boss/assistant type of deal. I thought they had a good amount of tension, this sort of push and pull going on. Both were really scared and hesitant to start anything. When things started to heat up, it was still rocky and unknown, but I liked that it was kind of a slow burn at first.



The Not So Good

I really wanted to like Bryn. Don’t get me wrong, she had some good qualities such as being dedicated, appreciative, and hard working. She even had a sharp tongue when provoked. What I thought really brought be down was her lack in confidence and self-esteem. Yes, I understood her past encounters really affected her. It was just her wishy washy thoughts and actions. She’d say this and do something else. And her fear and the way she continually put herself down was horrible. I could barely handle it. 



While I liked Matt and Bryn together, their romance lacked some serious development. They liked each other, they were attracted to each other, but I felt that the meat of their problem for me was how they didn’t really know much of each other. I just needed more from them to have myself be invested in their relationship as a whole. When the I love you’s started coming out, I couldn’t feel it or believe it. It bummed me out because if there was just more of that development, it would have been great. 



All in all, Savor was a decent romance novel. It had some spark and shining moments here and there that made me smile. Matt was a great character and I admit the make out scenes were awesome.

*Thanks to Avon Impulse for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion.

Read my review of Torn by Monica Murphy (Billionaire Bachelors Club #2)
Read my review of Crave by Monica Murphy (Billionaire Bachelors Club #1)

REVIEW: TORN by Monica Murphy

Torn by Monica Murphy (Billionaire Bachelors Club #2)
Publisher: Avon Impluse
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Source: Edelweiss via publisher
Rating: 4/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Marina Knight came to this party for one thing only: to slap Gage Emerson in the face. Poised to snatch up her family’s real estate empire, the sexy tycoon is on the verge of making an enemy for life—even if he can make her melt with a single kiss …

When Gage discovers that the alluring woman before him is the key to his latest acquisition, claiming her as his suddenly doesn’t seem quite so cut-and-dried. To get what he wants, he must get to know the fierce woman willing to face him down—as she steadily steals his heart.

Gage’s persistence and intense passion war with Marina’s determination to protect her family. As they delve deeper into an affair they didn’t see coming, Marina’s torn: Will she lose her heart to Gage—or everything she holds dear?

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions

I feel like I have been dying to get my hands on Gage’s book since I finished Crave. Now that I have read and loved and breathed all that is Gage, I can say that the wait was sooooo worth it. Gage was everything and anything I thought he could be and more. He totally owned this book. 



Gage totally met is match in Marina Knight. She may have seemed like a sweet, quiet girl, but she was spunky and full of fire underneath all that. She brought her A game and managed to fluster, confuse and make Gage sweat. I liked her because she was able to get under Gage’s skin and because she valued her family’s legacy. She didn’t give up, she worked hard, and she continued to believe that the bakery was worth something.



Though Gage was arrogant and possibly said the worse things at the worse of times (kind of like Archer, huh?), he was striking, determined and fierce. He was always this put together guy that got whatever he wanted when he put his mind to it and to see him so out of his game was such a fun side to see out of him. He struggled with business and pleasure, but I loved that he let Marina in and basically balanced the two things he enjoyed most. 



Together Gage and Marina were extremely hot, possibly explosive and volcanic. I needed some serious ice cold water during some of their scenes together because hot damn, I couldn’t even! Not only that, Monica Murphy’s writing style is always so easy and quick. It doesn’t take much for me to get lost in her books and that’s exactly what happened with Torn. I was done and I didn’t even realize I was or how much time passed. 



I think my only issue with the book is the pacing of Gage and Marina’s relationship. I thought it went just a little too fast, not because of time. It was the chunk of the their development that lacked luster just a bit. Nonetheless, I loved their chemistry, their intensity, their back and forth, hot and cold tension. Their arguments weren’t tiresome, but so entertaining. And the best part, their wasn’t much angst between the two, but just enough to rattle their relationship and give spice. 



All in all, Monica Murphy didn’t disappoint. I wanted Gage and I got him just the way I wanted him. 

*Thanks to Avon Impulse for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion

Read my review of Crave by Monica Murphy (Billionaire Bachelors Club #1)

REVIEW: CRAVE by Monica Murphy

Crave by Monica Murphy (Billionaire Bachelors Club #1)
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Publication: August 6, 2013
Source: Edelweis eARC* via publisher
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Billionaire Archer Bancroft always gets what he wants—and he’s wanted Ivy Emerson, his best friend’s sister, for far too long. Being forbidden and untouchable only makes her more tempting. When a million-dollar bet with his friends throws down a challenge—last bachelor standing takes all—Archer knows he can win. That is, until one enchanted evening with Ivy takes his heart for a ride.

Ivy knows Archer is nothing but bad news: Infuriating, arrogant…and completely intoxicating. But despite her best efforts, she can’t seem to keep away. When a stolen kiss leads to a night of heated passion, Ivy realizes she’s in trouble and in head over heels.

But in the light of day, everything seems clearer and Archer’s not so sure a one-night stand is all he wants. Concocting a plan to keep Ivy by his side, Archer might just be willing to lose this bet…and win the jackpot instead.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions 

Monica Murphy doesn’t disappoint with this first book in her new Billionaire Bachelors Club series, CRAVE. This book had the makings of an amazing romance novel because just like what Ivy wanted in a relationship, Crave had that spark I was looking for. It lives up to its title because by the end it’ll have you craving for more, no freaking joke. When a billionaire and his best friend’s younger sister finally go all the way...the sexual chemistry explodes and you’ll love it!

I’m going to start with Ivy Emerson. She was the independent, sexy, totally surprises you with her rare boldness newbie interior designer whom I was so completely jealous of! Ivy was such a stellar main character because she was sassy and just plain awesome. If there was anyone who could put Archer Bancroft in his place, anyone who could handle his chicken teasing and sex appeal it would be Ivy. The woman had enough attitude to make sure Archer never messed with her and she had just enough braveness to drop that robe and seduce the living heck out of Archer. Ivy was adorably funny with all her inner dialogue and her pep talks, I just found her so entertaining. If I wasn’t so darn jealous of her for stealing my Archer from me we’d be total besties for sure ;)

Now for Archer Bancroft. Well, he was just rich, sexy and confident as f*ck! He believed no woman could ever tie him down that he bet a million bucks on it! He was cocky and arrogant and sometimes said the wrong thing in the worst situations, but you can't help but smile because of this charm. Like Ivy, I admired his success with his resort and how he continued to take risks with an expansion. Despite his father being a total douche-head, Archer rises to top and proves him wrong. I loved Archer from the start especially with how he felt about Ivy. He really cared for her, really believed that she was worth everything and more. It was super endearing to see him so off his game, so off kilter because of her. Although he didn’t believe he was good enough for Ivy, I sure thought he was. I loved that Archer was a man who can admit his mistakes and say he’s sorry. A quality like that makes him absolutely extraordinary. 


I completely fell in love with Crave and found what Monica Murphy created to be addictive. I really enjoyed being in both Ivy and Archer’s head. I loved their heated gazes, their intimate touches and the passion beneath their bickering and tension. I laughed at how they were both thinking the same thing, but didn’t know they were. It was amusing and deliciously frustrating at the same time. Murphy really draws out Ivy and Archer’s relationship. She really shows the familiarity and the sizzling sexual chemistry I felt between Ivy and Archer through their back and forth banter, in the way they lose themselves in one another, and in the way they get under each other’s skin. Ivy and Archer’s first time together was just a taste, a tease of something to come, of something more. By the end you’re totally convinced that Ivy and Archer just work, that they belong together. And what I really appreciated was Murphy’s ability to give Ivy and Archer’s relationship even more depth by showing how easily they work together, how understanding they could be, and how they both believe in what they can do career wise. Their romance was that slow burn I loved so much.


Overall, Crave was a satisfying seductive read that rocked my world. I’m totally ready for the next installment! I want Gage Emerson next! 

*Thanks to Avon Impulse for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion

Favorite Quotes

"I'll bet big money you'll be the first to go down."

"Go down how? On a woman?"

"I'm surprised you didn't take it to the next level. Grab my dick and claim it as yours."

"I want more from her. I suddenly want it all from her."

"Jesus, Archer, you can't even keep your dick in your pants at a fucking wedding reception? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Archer flashes me a smile, making my heart flutter. Stupid heart."

"More like I'm going to come inside her, if I'm lucky. Which I'm thinking I'm gonna be."

"Fuck. I glance down, the water beating a rapid tattoo on the top of my head, and see my erection. Fucking stupid thing. No wonder women loved to go on and on about how men only think with their dicks."

"She'd given me a hug and thanked me for coming and all I could think about was how much I wish I was coming. Inside of her..."

"Forget him. Screw this guy."

"I already did."

"My favorite part of the day is the nights. Being alone with Ivy. Being inside Ivy."