| Title | : | Allure (Spiral of Bliss, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published May 14, 2013 |
"I love how these two love each other. They are so passionate, vulnerable and just beautiful." -As the Pages Turn
❤️
After lies and betrayal almost destroyed their intense bond, Liv and Dean fought their way back to each other. But now another battle threatens their fragile reconciliation.
Though Dean's protectiveness of Liv is more powerful than ever, he can't escape his seething jealousy and guilt over their shocking deceptions. And when a family crisis drives them back to his hometown, they are forced to confront the painful truth of his past.
Liv and Dean thought they were safe again in the passionate, intense shelter of their love.
They were wrong.
★★★★★
The first three books in the Spiral of Bliss series can be read as a complete trilogy!
AROUSE
ALLURE
AWAKEN
You can also enjoy the full story of Liv, Dean, and their Mirror Lake friends and family in the following order:
AROUSE
ALLURE
AWAKEN
ARRIVE
BREAK THE SKY
ADORE
ALWAYS
"This man, this woman, this book, and this author are beyond words." -TotallyBooked Blog
Allure (Spiral of Bliss, #2) Reviews
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5 alluring stars.*****Review completed May 5, 2013
Allure picks right up where
Arouse left off. Liv and Dean are attending a Christmas party, and they are engaged in some heavy and delicious make-out session in the coat closet. Hawt! *fans self*"If I may be so bold, Olivia…" Florence leans closer and lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Your husband is quite dashing, but his adventurous spirit is… well, it makes him just irresistible."
"I…I beg your pardon?"
"My dear, I'm seventy-three years old," Florence says. "And in fifty-one years of marriage, I can only wish that my husband had even once shagged me in a coat closet."
She winks at me, then turns and walks away.
So, after tasting the appetizer at the party, they really needed to devour the entrée when they got back home. And how! Though while Liv was willing to address their problems right away, Dean preferred to postpone the discussion."We'll talk tomorrow, Liv." He tightens his arm around me and brushes his mouth against my temple. "Right now I want you naked against me. I want to wake up cold because you're hogged all the blankets. I want to feel your leg between mine, your hair in my face, your arm flung across my chest. I want to find myself on the edge of the bed in the morning because you're sprawled all over the mattress. I want to sleep with you."
Even so, Dean is not very keen on discussing the matter because first and foremost it's all about Liv and her well-being. Life, however, is not predictable and has its own agenda. Shortly after, Dean and Liv are compelled to leave for California due to a family emergency.
Nina set a high standard when she wrote
Arouse, and I'm very pleased to say that Allure totally lived up to my high expectations! The book title is perfect, and I loved all the connotations of this word. Liv and Dean's story is a pure spiral of bliss. In fact, Allure is an absolutely delicious cocktail of prime erotic romance. It provides intriguing and believable characters, great dialogue, an authentic, well thought out and engaging plot that is interspersed with plenty of alluring, spicy and deliciously written sex scenes. As it was, I devoured this novel, and I cannot wait to read the conclusion to their fervent journey in Awaken. Though I'm already dreading the day when I'll be reading the final page of their story. I'm going to miss them immensely.
Allure as a whole is beautiful, however, I think that Nina outdid herself when she wrote the final 10 %. The ending is emotional and brilliantly written, and I'm sure you will feel an urge to read Awaken straight away.
The story is told in first person and alternates between Liv and Dean's POV. Additionally, it switched between present and past events.I tilted my head back to look at him. He’d waited a long time for me. His gaze searched mine.
“Thanks for waiting,” I whispered.
“My beauty,” he said, “I’d wait for you forever.”
No worries though, the transitions are smoothly done, and if you have read
Arouse then you know how skilled the author is. As a matter of fact, I think that Nina did a great job at moving the story forward, and with such an ending I'm willing to bet that some interesting events are about to happen in Awaken.
While reading Allure I made some notes. And I must say it's a good feeling when your thoughts have been proven right eventually. My thoughts in the early stages of the plot:
Dean has this unrelenting urge and need to protect Liv, to shield her from everything bad, painful or difficult. Even though it's chivalrous I think it’s pretty unhealthy and kind of smothering. It’s not good because we need to have a choice. Human beings and certainly women in general need to make their own mistakes, and we need to claim the privilege to fail once in a while. And more often than not we learn by making mistakes. At any rate, it helps us to grow as a person and we gain self-confidence and strength. Besides, a couple needs to trust each other completely. Bottom line, you need to communicate early, often and well. Don’t hold back because you think that your partner will get hurt or won't be strong enough to take it. Holding back will only cause smoldering dissatisfactions, it can fester and then it will simply blow the conflict out of proportion.
I was so relieved when Liv said to Dean:"You have to let me fail, Dean, and you have to believe I can get back up on my own."
"I know you can."
My heart constricts. "But you have to let me prove it. You have to accept that I'm going to get hurt, but also that I can be self-reliant. You can't always save me."
Liv really needs to start spreading her wings. She needs to develop more self-reliance in her skills, and she must stand up for herself. I think we will see that in Awaken. Looking back now I believe that Arouse was the excavation. And while Allure was all about laying the foundations, Liv will be ready to build the house in Awaken. My mind is already perusing the connotation of the book title. Liv, wake up!
Great sex is never a problem solver. If anything, it only helps to postpone a much needed controversy, because you must get down to the root of the problem eventually. I know that many readers are getting tired of cliffhangers. Though I must say that I completely understand why Liv and Dean's story is told in three books. As far as I can judge there is enough substance to develop their fascinating journey and it's a long and complex process. If you have to face difficult (marital) problems you don't solve them within a few days, after all. As I see it, Dean and Liv have ways to go when it comes to deal with past and present pains. Also, they must and will be growing as characters to get past their problems. In this context I must say that something sad happened in Allure and I'm "glad" it did because it needed to happen.
Whoever wants to flag this pic: don't do it coz it's been approved by GR. Thank you.
I laugh. “Lovely sentiment, but why did you draw a picture of a smiling butt?”
“A what?”
“A smiling but,” I hold out the note.
“That’s a coffee bean.”
Note to self: Mind out of the gutter coz when I looked at the pic I saw a smiling yet very naked butt.
"The butterflies migrate to survive," I say. "They need to escape the cold. They need nourishment. And once they have that, they always return home."
In that place of us, Liv and Dean, love has its own poetry and language. Allure, quatrefoil, fleur-de-lis. Right here. PR9199.3 R5115 Y68. My white knight. I'm yours. Give me a kiss. Pie love you. I remember. Professor. Beauty.
The sound of textbook pages turning as rain pours outside the window. The twist of a string around his long fingers. That tight, knotted ball inside me opening, flowering into pleasure for the first time ever. Papers about library collections, medieval architecture, database systems, and archeological surveys.
Quiet weekends, board games, take-out pizza, houseplants, and boring foreign films. The soft, gentle healing of old wounds. The glide of his palm over my skin, his deep voice whispering in my ear. The easing of my heart.
The way he looks at me. The way I smile at him. The way we can always just be us.
In reference to certain quotes of Allure
I’ve spent the last weeks craving exactly this—to be swept off my feet by Nina’s powerful, intense and beautiful writing. I’ve longed for this story to be released, to be reclaimed by Dean and Liv’s struggles and laughter, thoughts and feelings. Love will never ever be perfect. Love changes its form over the years but if you nurture and cherish it, then it will always be there, stronger than before and ready to be called whenever you’ll need it. It will be waiting for you in all its flawed yet intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection. I’ve longed to go back to this fascinating couple for a long time, and it was so well worth the wait. Promise me, Nina, that you will be writing more wonderful stories that will make me want to try to stop the march of time. Your writing is a never ending source of inspiration. Thank you for inspiring my thoughts.
As a side note
There is no cheating whatsoever in this story.
**ARC courtesy of Nina Lane, author, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Nina!**
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I have Nina's permission to add her message to my review. As an avid and passionate reader and reviewer this is the most precious gift I can get from an author. It means a lot to me. If you'd like to see what she's written then read the spoiler.
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Picking up where 'Arouse' left off, Dean and Olivia are trying to work through their problems. With a baby on the way, the couple seems to have a renewed appreciation for their relationship. It is strange that a pregnancy scare was the beginning of their temporary downfall months earlier, and a pregnancy also brings them back together.
For the most part, Dean and Olivia are happy and contented in their marriage. This time around, it is the other people in their lives that are causing trouble for them. Between the meddling in-laws, scorned ex-wife and a malicious graduate student, there is bound to be some drama.
The biggest challenge that Dean and Olivia have to face is themselves. Olivia has to deal with her own insecurities and low self-worth. She has to believe that she is worthy of Dean and that he chose her for a reason.
Meanwhile, Dean has to quit sheltering Olivia from the truth. He has to view her as an equal partner in their marriage and not a weak woman in need of protection. Honestly, for such a smart guy, he does some pretty stupid things in this book. At times it felt like history was repeating itself.
There are several twists/upsets in this book. If you've read the first book, you can probably guess most of them. If you can't, I don't want to spoil it for you.
In comparison to the first book, I felt that Dean and Olivia grew stronger this time around. They were determined to work through their problems together. Whereas 'Arouse' was all about them breaking apart, 'Allure' was all about them coming together again.
Overall, this continues to be a wonderful series. It can still be a bit slow-moving and predictable at times, but is well worth the time and effort. I really appreciate that this couple face real adult problems and aren't living in a fairytale. This continues to be a painstakingly beautiful story and I will definitely continue the series. -
I LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK!! (Spoiler-free review.)
I can’t stop thinking about it!!! Just BEAUTIFUL!!
Dean and Liv are officially one of my all-time favorite book couples. Their passion, love, heartache and healing hit me right in the heart.
Allure is the sequel to
Arouse and follows the same couple, Dean and Liv, in a direct continuation of where the first book left off. If you are new to this series, Arouse should absolutely be read first. Arouse was one of those special books that connected me deeply with the characters and made want to know more of their story. I loved the uniqueness of the plot because, contrary to most romance books, this one tells the story of an already-married couple.
This is the story of a marriage – the struggles, the triumphs, the highlights and absolutely rock bottom moments. It’s beautifully crafted, deeply thoughtful and perfectly detailed. Sensual, honest, and unpredictable.
If there was ever a book that highlighted how a true relationship works – how everything is needed in balance, this is the one. And it takes you through that journey with Dean and Liv as they strive to find their happiness. It took the time to work through each of their issues and to strongly connect you to both of them both individually and as a couple. I just could feel every one of their thoughts, insecurities, fears, delights… everything was projected right out from the page and into my heart.
I think one of the reasons that people are loving this story SO much is that the issues that Dean and Liv face are just so REAL. They are heart-wrenching and utterly believable.
I loved that the book took the time to acquaint you with all the different little details of their lives. And I also loved that despite it being a deep heart-felt story, it still had these little lines that just made me burst right out laughing.
I loved that Dean called her “beauty”. Each time he did that, my heart melted just a little bit more. I loved that she called him “Professor”. I loved the way they loved each each other. I loved that it was impossible not to FEEL the depths of that love. That sweeping, passionate, bottom-of-your-heart, forever kind of love.“He tightens his arm around me and brushes his mouth against my temple. “Right now I want you naked against me. I want to wake up cold because you’ve hogged all the blankets. I want to feel your leg between mine, your hair in my face, your arm flung across my chest… I want to sleep with you.”
I loved how protective they were of each other. I loved watching Olivia heal and grow stronger. I loved how Dean cherished her. I loved that, no matter what, they didn’t give up on each other. I loved the message they gave out about marriage.
I really felt like everything that happened, even the mistakes and misunderstandings was understandable. And most importantly, you could see them both learning from their mistakes even if they still continued to make them. They were just trying to make things work. I really didn’t feel anyone was ever specifically at fault, but sometimes while trying to do the right thing, people make the wrong decisions and that’s just part of the (sometimes painful) learning curve of life.“We both want this so badly. I can feel it resonating between us like the hot pull of our first attraction, tangible and intense.”
But Dean and Liv were always just one of those couples who no part of you could ever doubt that they were just meant for each others. They were soul mates.“He is imprinted in my bones, my soul. He has marked me in ways more permanent than time.”
I finished the story at 4:30AM and just sat there with tears streaming down my face. Not sad tears, just an overflow of emotion. It is a true tribute to the strength of the story and writing that this ending was as powerful as it was because the only way it could have been this powerful was if you had truly LIVED their story with them – so that each moment from their lives became precious and meaningful to you.“The allure, huh?”
“I’ve learned a few things about castle architecture over the years.” Liv wraps one arm around my waist. “The allure is a passage behind the parapet of a castle wall. Great for defense when the enemy is approaching. You know you’re safe on the allure.” She tucks her head beneath my chin, twining her hand with mine. “Like we’re safe with each other.”
“No doubt about it, beauty.” I press my face against her sweet-smelling hair. “You’ll always be my allure.”
Nina Lane is one hell of an author and tells the story seamlessly from alternating POVs. Her descriptions, writing style and imagery are vivid, powerful and captivating. I could not put this book down even for a moment.
The ending took me by surprise and while there isn’t a direct cliffhanger, there is a bit of an external one. I’d say it was a similar style to the way to Crossfire books end – so that you feel they’ll make it but there still is a lot more of their story to tell. I definitely would say it’s safe to start the stories now though and not wait for the 3rd book.
Dean and Liv were not perfect people. And they did not have a perfect relationship. But they had true love. It was real. It was believable. It was beautiful.
I highly recommend this series. It’s one of those stories that I know I will be rereading.
If you are looking for an emotionally charged, sensual romance that will touch your heart, this is it!!“Thanks for waiting,” I whispered.
“My beauty,” he said. “I’d wait for you forever.”
5 stars!
Here's my casting for Dean & Liv:
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IF YOU HAVE NOT READ BOOK #1 DO NOT READ.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
5 STARS out of 5
Genre: Adult Romance Erotica FULL REVIEW POSTED 5/13/13
HIGHLY EROTIC. HIGHLY EMOTIONAL. TRUE TO LIFE CHARACTERS.
"You’re the first woman who’s ever made me afraid.” I stared at him.
“Afraid?”
“Afraid of how good this is. Afraid it won’t last.” He pushed a lock of hair off my forehead.
“Scared to death of losing you.”
“Oh.” I was speechless. I swallowed hard.
“You’re… you don’t have to be scared of losing me.” Something flickered in his expression that I didn’t under- stand, couldn’t decipher.
“I don’t?” he said.
I think one of the best qualities in this book series is its believable characters. Nina Lane has written these realistic characters that we can all relate to. They make mistakes proving to be far from perfect, they have insecurities, they have family issues and they want to accomplish certain things In life. Just like you and just like me.
In Allure Dean has no choice but to face his fears and deal with his wife’s pregnancy. Liv and the baby’s health become his number one priority when a family emergency has them boarding a plane to California. Bringing Liv in to the lions den was not how he wanted his wife to spend her time but Liv insisted on being by his side and he reluctantly agrees.
Aware that his mother and sister are not her biggest fans Liv goes to California and gets a little more than she bargained for when she comes face to face with his past.
It becomes clear to readers that this family(Dean’s family) puts on a nice facade for friends but lacks the love, compassion and tenderness towards one another that a family should embody. Secrets in the form of scarred over scabs are reopened. Scars that have not healed properly. So now our already fragile couple is thrown in to a family conflict that has been ongoing for years. Brother against brother, mother ignored by the father and a sister who picks a side and remains ignorant towards her brother and his wife.
Meanwhile Dean tries to tackle an issue on his own that could be career damaging. In doing so he leaves Liv alone at his parents home not knowing this is a time she needs him most. Of course this is when the person everyone least expects lends a helping hand. With no questions asked.
Lane alternates from between Dean and Liv’s pov in Allure which I LOVE! Her writing was emotional and highly erotic. I’m talking squirm-in-your-seat-panty-melting-slick-wet-S-E-X-Y!
‘Her hair falls in a curtain on either side of my face. I grab a swath of her hair to pull her closer for a deep kiss. She sinks farther onto me until I’m throbbing inside her. She shifts, gasping. I dig my fingers into her hips.’
“Ride me,” I whisper. “Hard.”
She also does an excellent job with going from the present to the past while showing us how their relationship slowly built and how Dean’s over protectiveness has become a weight on Liv’s life.
‘Without my husband, I have so little of my own. I don’t know how I let that happen.’
She wants to lift that weight to grow and stand on her own two feet.
“You have to let me fail, Dean, and you have to believe I can get back up on my own.”
“I know you can.” My heart constricts.
“But you have to let me prove it. You have to accept that I’m going to get hurt, but also that I can be self-reliant. You can’t always save me.”
“No. I can’t.” It’s the first time he has ever admitted that. And I don’t want to imagine how much it cost him to finally do so.
Big step forward to progress. HUGE.
I cannot wait to see what the future brings this couple in book #3 Awaken.
My Thoughts
Not gonna lie this book had me in tears as this couple struggle with a lot of personal issues. There was a scene when Liv pulled out her manifesto and started writing... I teared up and could not wipe the tears away fast enough. As a woman I’ve felt and had those same thoughts… Liv just wants to be her own person and to achieve success on her own terms. Not with the assistance of Dean or his bank account.
I for one want more Archer(Dean's brother) This obviously incredibly tormented soul of a man needs his story told. And I am begging Ms.Lane to please please please give Archer a book!
My Casting
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable
Writing Style- Excellent
Plot/Storyline- Gut-Wrenching, Soul Searching and Emotionally Charged
Steam Factor- High/Very Steamy
Overall- I LOVED IT!!! READ IT!!!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to
http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogs...
*Copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review* -
★★★★★! Allure, book 2 of 3. Professor Dean West & Liv’s lives are rocked by joy & sorrow; growth & reflection; trials & tribulations!
“We want the unending spirals of bliss we can create only with each other. We want to shut the rest of the world out while locking ourselves in together.”
Books in the Spiral of Bliss Trilogy should be read in order:
Book 1:
Arouse
Book 2:
Allure
Book 3:
Awaken
In Arouse (book 1) we followed Olivia West’s and her husband Professor Dean West as they experience marriage troubles. Mainly misunderstandings and miscommunications, but also their pasts coming back to haunt them.
Allure (book 2) opens up to the aftermath of book 1’s cliffhanger ending. Dean and Liv make huge progress in overcoming issues and opening up the lines of communication. We learn about their inner thoughts and fears, some via note-drawings. We are treated to moments of bliss, both current and flashbacks plus everything that is sex with Professor Dean.
But their troubles are far from over. Soon their world is rocked by family issues taking them on a trip to see Dean’s family. While Dean tries to deal with his family, Liv is faced with their hostility and secrets from his past.
A stronger more mature Liv emerges while Dean is still confused and mostly paralyzed by his mistakes and his inability to see the “big picture”.
Then tragedies strike yet again putting them both on a downward spiral so out-of-control it threatens not only their marriage but their careers and wellbeing.
Professor Dean West had been his wife’s rock and savior but we saw his position waiver, even crumble at times. Dean is a man who loves his wife with everything he is yet he feels like he was failing her and he will continue making mistakes and being tongue-tied.
Seven words to describe Dean: Captivating, strong, assertive, commanding, noble, obtuse and unforgettable.
“He is imprinted in my bones, my soul. He has marked me in ways more permanent than time.”
Olivia West, Liv aka Beauty has followed her husband in the pursuit of his career and along the way lost her footing. In Allure she will start the process of finding her identity next to her larger-than-life husband.
Six words to describe Liv: Strong, endearing, lost, insecure, naïve and conflicted.
“I press my face against her sweet-smelling hair. “You’ll always be my allure.”
Allure ends with another cliffy, so I’m very much looking forward to book 3,
Awaken for the conclusion of Dean and Liv’s saga!
Captivating plot! Spellbinding storytelling! Interesting characters! Fascinating, lovable and unforgettable hero, Professor Dean West! 6-star shelf and top-10 hero! Epic read!
“You and me, beauty,” he reminds me, his eyes gentle.
“You and me, professor.”
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Hero rating: 5+ stars
Heroine rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5+ stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 5+ stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5+ stars
Story ending rating: N/A
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 5 stars
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Overall rating: 5+ stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
(GIF approved by GR 11-2013). -
"You and me, beauty."
"You and me, professor."
5 SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL STARS.
Arouse is the sequel to
Allure and the beautifully written continuation of Dean and Liv's story. The story of a married couple that is dealt with a lot of drama and painful moments but at the same it's the story of two people who are simply made for each other."He is imprinted in my bones, my soul. He has marked me in ways more permanent than time."
Because their love has proven to be strong and unyeilding. No matter what happens to them now or in the future, they will always have each other to count. Their love is deep and powerful and if there ever was a couple that would deserve their happy ending, it would be Dean and Liv. I really felt for the both of them, they're both easy-to-love characters that have managed to captive my heart with their unique and endearing love for each other."No doubt about it beauty." I press my face against her sweet-smelling hair. "You'll always be my allure."
After the events in the first part of this series, Dean and Liv both needed time to heal, especially Liv. But Dean has proven his love for her by just being there for her and he's willing to fight to win her back. He's willing to wait for her to come back to him, no matter how long it may take.
In this second part of the story, Dean and liv have both come a long way. They have learned to confide more in each other. While Liv tries to be more independable, Dean tries to accept the fact that he cannot always protect her. He tries to realize that if something goes wrong, he doesn't always need to take the blame. As long as they're there for each other, they'll be able to make it through."Be with me, Liv," he said. "Just be with me."
I looked at him and thought that for the first time in my life there was nowhere else I wanted or needed to be.
Although there were already a few chapters from Dean's POV in Arouse, this time, the story is almost equally told from both Liv and Dean's side. That way, we get an even better idea of how both of them are feeling throughout the cents of the story and that's exactly the reason why I love dual point of view stories so much. And being in Dean's head, well...let's just say, it does not disappoint. It actually shows that despite not always being able to show it properly, he really does love his wife with all his heart and anything he does, he does to protect her and to care for her."I can't look at anyone but you, Liv. I can't see anyone but you. I'm...I'm so fucking crazy about you that it's scaring the shit out of me."
And of course, Dean is still the picture of the perfect husband. Well, maybe not perfect, but he sure comes close to it. In any way possible, he tries to show his wife how much he loves her and how much she means to him. As the story continues, we also get a lot of scenes from the past. We learn how they first met and how their relationship slowly but surely evolved into something so permement and life-changing, for the both of them."You know I'm not much of a romantic." He looks at me. "But that semester, even I had to admit it was more than just a coincidence."
"What was?"
"The fact that I was studying the perfect harmony of the stars and planets at the exact same time I was falling in love with you."
Liv has been on her own most of her life, she's never had anyone taken care of her. That is until she least Dean. He soon becomes her rock, her everything and in a way that has made her become vulnerable. But unlike what happened in Arouse, this time, Liv shows that, although Dean is still there to support her no matter what, she's also strong enough on her own. She's strong enough to not let . She's now a strong woman, who will stand by her husband at all times, and for that I really admitted her."Remember when you told me everyone has a key to unlocking their secrets?" I whispered. "And you wanted to know what mine was?"
He nodded. "And you told me you didn't have a key."
"I think I do."
"What is it?"
"You."
What I love most about Dean and Liv and their relationship is that it is so realistic; it's not always rainbows and butterflies or hearts and flowers but that's exactly the way real life isn't either. It's messy and complicated but moments later it can also be beautiful and full of hapiness. You just have to fight through the bad times, to make it to the good ones.
As for the end of the story, luckily it does not end with a cliffhanger like the one in
Arouse, but it still makes me want to read the next part of Dean and Liv's story very soon!
"Thanks for waiting," I whispered.
"My beauty," he said. "I'd wait for you forever."
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5 STARS
"Before her, I had never known a woman who could make the noise of the world and everyone in it disappear. I'd never wanted to prove myself to anyone the way I did to her."
Wow!This is amazing, just like the first one!!!I love it!!!
This book picks up where Arouse left off and things between Dean and Olivia are in a better place, but things are not the same. They are still fighting for their marriage....
"Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will however, always, belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection".
This book is full of love,sweet moments and sex(OMG the sex scenes are so hot!!!I love all of them!!)
Also there are sad moments...and this is what I love in this book!It's so realistic!!
In Allure we can see Liv and Dean's journey trying to find their happiness and what it took for them to get it... You can see how they connect as a couple...
I love,love,love Dean <3 He is one of my favorite book boyfriends!!
He is so real!
"Feel that? he asked. "You're the first woman who's ever made my heart beat like that. You're the first woman I've ever wanted to spend all my time with, the only one who convince me to start a new life. You're the first woman who's ever genuinely made me happy. Who makes me glad to be alive, who makes me burn hotter than fire. You're the first woman who's ever made me afraid. "
Also I like so much Liv!!She is the strong in this book.There is no doubt they love each other so much but I think Dean must be less overprotective and allow Liv to do things alone without his help...
I'm also glad that Liv told Dean about how he uses sex to avoid discussing their problems... Dean wants to protect Liv from hurt but what's happening is he ends up hiding things from her and then when she finds out, she ends up more hurt...
We get glimpses into their past and how they fell in love. ...I love them!!
The sex is definitely erotic and smoking hot !!!
And the ending..wow I absolutely did not see that coming...I was quite shocked!!I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book!!!
I think the author did an extremely work again with this book!!The reality of a marriage was always here and even when things aren't perfect there are the sexy scenes!! -
My God, this series are getting better and better with each book... Loved it so much. And I'm gonna start to read the next one! :-D
Oh I almost forgot... Professor Dean West *swooon* :)
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5 Only-Love Stars
The best kind of stories, are the ones we live everyday. The stories we come up with ourselves, we witness and narrate. These aren’t always happy stories. They are beautiful and passionate, realistic and gritty, just like people, who live, fell in love and make mistakes.
Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection.
Life is hard and unfair. It kicks you, when you are down and deals you the worst possible hand. It is up to us to find the partner in our life journey, that will hold our hands, but not too tight. That will pick us up when we stumble but not before we fall down, that will point out our mistakes but allow us to make them first.
The best partners shelter and don’t smother and their love set us free.
This is Dean & Liv’s story. Unique, beautiful and their own.
I hadn’t even realized how desperately I’d wanted love. How much we both needed to know that in a world of dark corners and sharp needles, there really is a place where kisses taste like apple pie and where stars spill like sugar across the sky. A place where unknown roads no longer scare you because you have another hand to hold. A place where butterflies always flutter whenever you see each other, and a single touch tells you that you are not alone. A place where every kiss still feels like the first.
In
Arouse: A Spiral of Bliss Novel, they realised that they are not perfect. Love is not enough when stress and secrets are burdening it. They fought, they hurt each other and themselves but they only make sense together.
“We’ve spent the past four months failing miserably.” I force the words out, broken but clear. “We let each other down. We made mistakes. We hurt each other.”
In
Allure, the problems are not easing up. Dean’s family, an unforeseen tragedy and a great injustice are haunting them.
Passion was never a problem for them.
Blistering hot and all consuming, it is their answer to the world that is trying to get between them, that is whispering doubts in their minds and is making them afraid to share their deepest insecurities.
Maybe the only solution, is to set each other free and let the heart make its own choice.
I really can’t say anything else about this book. Heartbreaking and deeply emotional, simple and complicated, as only a great love story can be, it will draw you right in and it will take you through Dean and Liv’s journey. When they met, fell in love, learned each other… Seven years in their lives in almost alternating point of views.
Laying bare their souls and invoking all your feelings. Their journey is not done yet, but I pray that the worst part is over. They deserve happiness and family and forgiveness. They are just people and as I have already said, people screw up sometimes.
Nina Lane, wrote a powerful, moving story that touches our heart and soul.
A highly recommended read! I really can’t wait for the next chapter in Dean and Olivia's story, hoping that they will finally…
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5 ALLURING STARS! ★★★★★
“Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection.”
After reading that quote above, I knew THIS was definitely a 5-stars winner for me. Once I put down the book, I was in complete awe as the last 20% completely blew me away. I could feel the tears pooling in my eyes and I just wanted to give a standing ovation to Nina Lane for writing one of the most powerful endings I've ever read. And sweet Jesus, this is only the 2nd book in the series but she delivered a mighty punch right there.
Honestly Nina, if you'd write 10 more books in this series, I'll buy and read all 10 of them. No questions asked.
*******
Allure picks up right after the shocking revelation in the first book. Liv & Dean are still trying to pick up the pieces of their troubled marriage but now they're back; stronger and willing to do whatever it takes to protect each other.
When a family emergency calls Dean back home to California, the couple is once again tested. With more revelations on Dean's past coming to light and fuelled with a series of shocking turns, will they finally reach their breaking points?
*******
I don't want to sound like a broken record and tell you how amazing the writing is. Everyone should just pick up this series and experience for yourselves all these wondrous feelings. Nina's portrayal of marriage is as real as it gets and even in the most perfect relationships, there will always come a time that there will be doubts. Liv and Dean are both flawed characters with their own fears and insecurities but trust me, they are some of the strongest characters I've read, both individually and as a couple."For despite our differences, our struggles, our childhoods at opposite ends of the spectrum... Dean and I were the same.”
Another strong winning point for me in this book is Olivia's character. She was ABSOLUTELY ON FIRE in this one! I admit in Arouse, I wasn't too sure of her; she wavered a lot and her insecurities were everywhere. But in Allure, this woman completely soared through and stole the spotlight (I still love you Dean, but your wife totally won me over in this one).
Gone is that timid, unsure woman and here comes Olivia who's just one BAMF; burning with passion who's ready to fight for what she wants and above all, to protect her husband.“I now understand the fierce protectiveness that Dean has always had for me. I know that white-hot burn of rage, the certainty that you would do anything, anything, to make things right. I hate the helpless feeling simmering at the edge of my anger, the fear that my husband could be hurt. I want to stand in front of him like some avenging angel, battling anyone who dares to try and destroy what he has worked so hard to build.”
*******
Absolutely phenomenal writing from Nina Lane. The weaving of the past and present continues to be perfectly executed and I can see it coming back to a full circle soon enough. There were just so many beautiful quotes that I almost highlighted 50% of the book.
To keep it simple and short, this book completely surpassed all my expectations. I know all my GR ladies and my book bestie kept telling me how amazing this series was but I still had my own tiny reservations. But after putting this down, I whole-heartedly concur with all of you ;)In that place of us, Liv and Dean, love has its own poetry and language. Allure, quatrefoil, fleur-de-lis. Right here. PR9199.3 R5115 Y68. My white knight. I’m yours. Give me a kiss. Pie love you. I remember. Professor. Beauty.
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4.5 Beautiful Stars ....
ALLURE:
Main Entry: appeal
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: power to attract, interest
Synonyms: allure, attraction, attractiveness, beauty, charm, charmingness, engagingness, fascination, glamor, interestingness, pleasingness, seductiveness
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I must say I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Arouse. Sometimes our expectations then are very high for the next instalment. But I was not disappointed. It was another emotional rollercoaster, maybe not as intense as the first but it did have it’s moments. It started off right where the first book ended…..
It flowed along very nicely and I got emotionally involved with both characters, Dean and Liv. Sign of good writing when that happens to me, I felt I was right there with them. Some nice, hot sex scenes, which is always a bonus for me!
We get to go to California for a family emergency and meet with Dean’s family, and what a bunch they are.
I won’t go into much detail about the whole storyline as I don’t want to give anything away. Just to say that the last 10% is a fairly emotional, alluring read. I cannot wait to find out how their story comes together in the next book, Awaken.
Professor Dean West
Olivia (Liv) West
Campus life ...
Dean is no nerdy Professor, no Siree, he is Hawt ...
I loved all her little notes … and his ...
Remember the game of scrabble ...
I know, I know this is not really relevant to the story but the subject matter of the Pre-Raphaelites did come up when Dean was talking to Helen and as I love the Pre-Raphaelites and probably will not come across their mention in many books, thought I would just slip one in here …
“You’re the first woman who’s ever made my heart beat like that. You’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to spend all my time with, the only one who could convince me to start a new life. You’re the first woman who’s made me genuinely happy. Who makes me glad to be alive, who makes me burn hotter than fire. You’re the first woman who’s ever made me afraid.”
“Afraid?”
“Afraid of how good this is. Afraid it won’t last …. Scared to death of losing you.”
Book 1 .......
Arouse
Book 2 ......
Allure
Book 3 ......
Awaken -
After that ending from Arouse, there was no way I could not start this book! I was happy to find that both Dean and Liv seem pretty content with how things are progressing. Unfortunately, Dean's father has a heart attack and off to California they go.
And you just knew who would be there! I'm only glad that Dean had come clean to Liv about things even though he let me down again...and again. Although I understand it's there to cause drama, it just doesn't seem like something Dean would do especially not after everything he's said and then to still be keeping secrets from Liv.
But kudos to Liv for being the better person and having to put up with those three...or four. I was happy we got the back history on the relationships with Dean's mom, sister and brother. I was very impressed with Archer...he definitely stepped up to the plate!
And I hated what happened although I guess we knew it was coming and Liv seemed to handle things very well. Then, there's the drama with one of Dean's students. I can't wait to see where things go with this story line.
I did like the ending when they got back home...finally going to counseling and just coming to term with things and talking it out. I'm not sure about this new development though. Can't wait to read the next book, Awaken.
Favorite quote:
♥ “You and me, beauty,” he reminds me, his eyes gentle.
“You and me, professor.” -
"I didn’t know this kind of love existed, the kind that can both make you whole and shatter you to pieces"
“We both want this so badly. I can feel it resonating between us like the hot pull of our first attraction, tangible and intense.”
After lies and betrayal almost destroy their marriage, Dean and Olivia West reignite their blissful passion. The medieval history professor and his lovely wife are determined to fix their mistakes, and Liv’s unexpected pregnancy intensifies their desire to fall madly in love all over again.
Then a family crisis forces Dean back into a feud with his parents and siblings, dredging up guilt over a painful family secret. Dean fights to shield Liv from the hostility, but for the first time, Liv resists her white knight’s defence. Her newfound resolve clashes with Dean’s desperate need to protect her.
Liv and Dean have battled obstacles together before, but bitter family conflicts now endanger their fragile intimacy. And when Dean’s career is suddenly threatened, he and Liv must struggle with events that could damage them in ways they had never imagined.
Nina Lane is such an amazing writer!!!!!!
OMG!
Her writing is stunning, amazing, beautiful, touching and so much more!
Professor Dean! Words cannot explain how I feel about this man.. If I was in love with him in Arouse, this book is a whole other level.
The love he has for Liv is out of this world, not only that- he is beautiful inside and out, his caring, passionate and everything about him makes him even more sexy than he is to me!
“You became my world the minute I saw you, Olivia Rose.”
“Thanks for waiting,” I whispered.
“My beauty,” he said, “I’d wait for you forever.”
Omg!!! ************SWOOOON******************
Again in Allure their marriage is tested whilst still working through their problems which they already have.
Written in alternate POV’s again from the present to the past. Every single page, every word in those book draws you in.
"I hadn’t even realized how desperately I’d wanted love. How much we both needed to know that in a world of dark corners and sharp needles, there really is a place where kisses taste like apple pie and where stars spill like sugar across the sky"
"A place where unknown roads no longer scare you because you have another hand to hold. A place where butterflies always flutter whenever you see each other, and a single touch tells you that you are not alone. A place where every kiss still feels like the first"
Marriage is hard and when you a couple like Dean and Olivia West its harder, simply because they love each other so deep and think the world of each other.
“I moved closer to Dean, breathing in the scent of his skin, the heat of his body. "Remember when you told me everyone has a key to unlocking their secrets?" I whispered. " And you wanted to know what mine is?" He nodded. "And you told me you didn't have a key." "I think I do." "What is it?"
"You.”
A love like that can also be so destructive and painful because of the high pedestal each other puts the other on.
Dean makes decisions not to stress Olivia and it ends up wounding her trust. Sometimes someone has to fall on their own and make their own mistakes to be their own person.
Dean is in a bad place with his career and his relationship with Olivia and she loves him so much that she does something selfless that will either fix their marriage or break it…
“Silence falls, pulsing with the truth of what I’ve learned and what Dean has yet to acknowledge. Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection.”
I however think that a marriage and love with lust sooo strong, cannot falter no matter what happens…
“You and me, beauty,” he reminds me, his eyes gentle.
“You and me, professor.”
Nina Lane is most DEF on my fav authors list!
I have not read a series in SUCH a long time that I simply cannot get out of my mind... -
Review to come closer to release date!! But I will say..this books ROCKS!! I love Olivia and Dean and the sex in this book is through the roof scorching HOT!!! And again..the emotion that I felt while reading this book was amazing! Nina Lane knows how to write an awesome story!!! LOVED IT!!
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So, Professor Hottie, Part Deux! This won’t work as a stand alone novel It is essential to read Arouse first.
We rejoin Liv & Dean right after Liv’s surprise announcement at the end of Arouse. They have forged a fragile, tentative peace. They’ve never really tackled the issues that forced them asunder – they’ve just tried to move on and rekindle that all-consuming happiness they once shared. They’re once again in their happy little bubble, lighting up the pages of my Kindle with their passion and we join them having a crafty quickie in a coat closet!!
I’ve spent the last weeks craving exactly this—the press of my husband’s powerful body against mine, the full weight of him on top of me. I’ve longed for him to take me, reclaim me, promise me I will always be his. I’ve been desperate to surrender to him again.
Dean’s father’s suffers a heart attack so he and Liv head out to California to be with his family while he recovers. Dean’s family is extremely hostile towards Liv and, to her horror, his ex-wife is also there. Also, events that happened in Arouse will come back to rock the foundations of Dean’s career as things go from bad to worse for them.
This was another incredibly special read from Nina Lane. I am quite a lot in awe of her story telling abilities. It’s such a beautiful love story. It’s so uplifting and yet also so heart breaking all at the same time. It’s such a refreshing change to follow a couple after their apparent Happy Ever After to see that even the happiest marriages aren’t without their own emotional struggles. We get further inside their minds, get to know them a lot better and truly understand the motivations behind the way they behave.
Dean and Liv are much more honest with one another now than ever before but there’s some painful secrets in their past to share but it will help them to understand the reasons for their behaviour – Dean’s protectiveness and Liv’s almost slavish hero-worship of her husband. I just love how much they love one another, how protective they are of each other and how much they mean to one another. It’s so incredibly hopeful.
“Remember when you told me everyone has a key to unlocking their secrets?” I whispered. “And you wanted to know what mine is?”
He nodded. “And you told me you didn’t have a key.”
“I think I do.”
“What is it?”
“You.”
Liv went from strength to strength in Allure despite the crappy hand she is dealt. I love Liv so much – she’s had a horrible childhood, no one has ever loved her the way she deserved and, despite all this, she has a beautiful and generous soul. Dean sees right into the very heart of her and knows that she is special and slowly she lowers that cast iron defence and lets him in. She at first seems fragile, a little lost but make no mistake – this woman is strong and she will stand by her man when he needs her the most, whatever the cost to her.
“Okay, professor.” She squeezes my hands and takes a deep breath. “Let’s get ready for defense. Pull up the drawbridge, boil the oil, station crossbows along the allure.”
My tension eases a little more. I disentangle one of my hands from hers so I can brush my thumb over the notch just beneath her lower lip.
“The allure, huh?”
Dean – he can be my Professor Hottie any day. I adore this man! I love the whole geek chic thing – he’s bookish, studious, has an intellect the size of a small European country and yet, under that buttoned down shirt is a muscular, sexy body and a fierce libido. He’s got that whole Clark Kent, Superman vibe going down. Hawt! He always tries to do the right thing by Liv, is always trying to protect her from the outside world but he and Liv have to learn together that you can’t always do this and that you need to stand together, to take on the world and face it head on.
These Spiral of Bliss books are real slow burners but they completely consume me when I read them. I’m completely absorbed, so heavily involved with the characters – they will live in my imagination for months and years to come. I’ll never forget them and can’t wait for the arrival of Awaken which is due for release some time in the summer. This book made me happy, it also made me cry – it’s beautifully emotional, sad and yet hopeful.
4.5 beautiful stars
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The continuing love story of Dean and Liv West. He's a professor at Kings University, she's a museum volunteer and bookstore clerk. Their relationship endured a lot in the first book. It was full of angst and conflicts.... This book, not quite as much but challenges still face them.
I really really LIKED this book.....I didn't LOVE it.
This is a spoiler free review so my review will be slightly vague. I love Dean. He's such a protective husband and blames himself for everything in life that goes wrong for him and Liv. He's his own worse enemy. This book starts soon after the cliffy-ish ending to Arouse. Liv and Dean get called away to California for a family emergency. This whole first half of the book was rather anti-clamatic for me. A big part of my rating is based on "put downability" of a book. In the first half, I put it down frequently. I just wasn't real invested. I kind of felt like I was reading someone's diary. It's alternating POV between both Liv and Dean throughout the book but it just seemed blah.
The second half really ramps up for me and I get the conflict and angst I need in a book. Liv and Dean have endured their fair share of trials and tribulations and their struggles don't end. It's dramatic and captivating. Some of the drama I predicted would happen....no, actually, I saw it all happening. There wasn't a lot of "I didn't see that coming" with this book. I saw the shit ready to hit the fan...and I prayed they'd learned from past mistakes.
One other issue I have with this book is the flip flopping back and forth from their past and the present. I think this can be done seamlessly in some books......it felt really choppy for me and it seemed like it was cut and pasted in spots that had no relevance to the present story. In fact, the very last few pages were a flashback to their past and it ended the book with a giant "huh? That's it?" I wasn't happy with an ending being a flashback and not present time....a flashback of little consequence too.
Beyond that, I really liked the book. It was HOT. It was SENSUAL. It was REALISTIC. I love that about it. I could not wait to read this sequel. It's not hearts and flowers all the time and the issues they face are REAL LIFE ISSUES we all face at one time or another...career conflicts, family drama, health issues, loss. Nobody is immune and it's VERY relatable in that respect.
It's fairly well edited. I found several typos/ grammatical errors but it didn't distract me too much. A couple times, I had to read something twice when I realized words were flip flopped and such.
The ending left us with a happy for now. There's stuff lurking in the shadows but I have a good feeling about these two.
And my favorite quote (now what woman wouldn't love this?)
Looking forward to Awaken....to be released Summer 2013. -
5 Beautiful Stars!!
In that place of us, Liv and Dean, love has its own poetry and language. Allure, quatrefoil, fleur-de-lis. Right here. PR9199.3 R5115 Y68. My white knight. I’m yours. Give me a kiss. Pie love you. I remember. Professor. Beauty.
Considering how much I loved Arouse, I had very high expectations for this book. And I am happy to say that this book did not disappoint. I never thought I could fall more in love with Dean and Liv's story but I did. This book delivered on all points--great main characters, steam, angst and of course, just overall enjoyment and then some.
Nina Lane, in my opinion, outdid herself in this book. It was raw, real, emotional, gripping, beautiful, tragic, heartbreaking. Some things hit too close to home, which is probably one of the reasons I loved it since I was able to really connect with it on a very personal level.
Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection.
Allure starts off hot. Real hot with Dean and Liv going at it in a coat closet. We knew that they separated briefly for three weeks and they are just getting back together and feeling each other out. You can feel the underlying tension between them, sexual or otherwise. Liv is pregnant and Dean is on the cusp of a career breakthrough but their new found togetherness is tested when Dean had to go back home to California for a family emergency and an accusation at work threatens Dean's career.
The Main Characters and the Story...
I've lost count how many times this guy had me melting. Dean West, gawd, there are no words to describe how wonderful he is in this book. He had me swooning from the first page until the last. And seriously, every time he calls Liv, Beauty, I melt. His love for Liv is so palpable and so fierce, it jumps off the page. He's overprotective but somehow I get his reasons for it.
Liv, I love her as much I love Dean. They're perfect for each other really. In the first book, her insecurities are almost too painful too read but here, she's definitely coming to her own as a woman, as a wife and more importantly as an equal partner to Dean. And I cannot wait for book three because I feel like Liv is going to seriously kick ass--or more accurately, kick someone's ass in that book. Yes, I'm talking about you Maggie.
Both characters are flawed, both with their own insecurities and fears but Dean and Liv are two of the strongest characters I've come across in a while. They have their moment of suspicion and doubt but all married spouses go through this at one point or another. This is one of the reasons why I love this book. It depicts very real situations and emotions married couples go through.
My heart broke for them when and it didn't feel contrived. I already had a sinking suspicion that it will happen but when it did, I seriously cried with them and was rooting for them to have that but I guess it wasn't meant to be yet.
This review would not be complete without mentioning the writing on this book. Let me tell you, the writing is phenomenal. I loved how Nina Lane was able to seamlessly switch from Dean's POV to Liv with the flashbacks. And the prose is just beautiful. I know. I sound like a broken record but it is what it is. Beautiful.
Final Thoughts
I cannot wait for Awaken to be release. I know something big is going to happen with the Maggie situation. I fear for Dean and Liv but I also cannot wait for them to face this together. Someone needs to seriously kick Maggie's ass. Seriously, the girl just pissed me off! I praying for some comeuppance coming her way in the third book. What she did with Liv in the first book and then Dean here is just unforgivable. Grr!
I'll end this review with some of my favorite quotes from the book...
“Girlfriend.” I rested my forehead against his chest. “I guess.” “Not the best word, but it’ll do in public.” He kissed my temple. “In private, you can just be my beauty.”
“You don’t need anyone to fix you, Olivia, least of all me.” Dean pulled me closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Because you’re not broken.”
“Thanks for waiting,” I whispered. “My beauty,” he said, “I’d wait for you forever.”
He nodded. “And you told me you didn’t have a key.” “I think I do.” “What is it?” “You.”
“I was so glad you asked me.” I rub my hand over his leg. “I had a big crush on you.” “I know.” I raise an eyebrow. “You know?” “Why else would you knock the other girls aside whenever I walked in?” Dean looks rather pleased with himself. My mouth drops open. A flush scorches my cheeks. “I did not knock the—”
“You sure did. And you think I didn’t notice the chocolates or the extra cookie you’d put on my plate? Or the time you gave me a box of shortbread and told me it was a free sample?”
“No doubt about it, beauty.” I press my face against her sweet-smelling hair. “You’ll always be my allure.”
“Feel that?” he asked. “You’re the first woman who’s ever made my heart beat like that. You’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to spend all my time with, the only one who could convince me to start a new life. You’re the first woman who’s ever made me genuinely happy. Who makes me glad to be alive, who makes me burn hotter than fire. You’re the first woman who’s ever made me afraid.”
“You know I’m not much of a romantic.” He looks at me. “But that semester, even I had to admit it was more than just a coincidence.” “What was?”
“The fact that I was studying the perfect harmony of the stars and planets at the exact same time I was falling in love with you.”
Ever After Romance Book Blog -
Another 5 I-want-to-crawl-into-this-book-and-live-in-it stars!
Allure was escapism at its finest!
I wish I had a lot to say. This book deserves it. But it left me speechless. I think I have said everything that needed to be said when I wrote review for Arouse. The second installment is just as amazing, and I would be just repeating myself.
I just want to add couple of things:
Every time i pick up Nina Lane's book, I experience another first (How often do you get to do that?). For the life of me I could not allow myself to drool over Dean. Don't get me wrong, I love him dearly, him and Olivia, but that is exactly why I couldn't do it. His and Olivia's relationship was written in such a raw and realistic way, that I couldn't even imagine him knocking on my door. I felt like if I do so, I would be committing some kind of sin. He belongs to Olivia, and Olivia alone. And I'm not a home wrecker (weird, I know, but that's how I felt) :-D.
In Allure, Dean actually reminded me a little of Gabriel from Erotic Dark. I'm not sure why exactly, but it did :-).
Yes, it's erotica. But what I like about these (and Nina's all books in general) is that they are never about just getting down and dirty. It's not about being naked all the time, or what and how main characters did things to each other in bed (or other places). Her stories is about how two people feel about them selfs and each other, while they are in each others embrace. It's about that feeling.
Every challenge Dean and Liv encountered, they handled it like real champs. That is what true love should be about. Loving each other through thick and thin.
A look can be more seductive than a touch, and a single word can feel more erotic than a thousand touches. A simple touch can say more than a thousand words. That's what Nina Lane's stories are about. She redefines erotic genre.
For some reason, while I was reading Allure, I was thinking of a song by Keaton Simons - Unstoppable.
"When I thinking of you my love,
I feel like anything is possible.
When you're back in my arms again,
I know that we will be unstoppable.
One look, one night, one lonely touch.
The dark, the light, I miss you too much.
What's wrong, what's right, It's never enough,
No, it's never enough. No."
I thought it suited the story perfectly.
Nina Lane, you are a rock star! Can't wait for your next book. -
**5+++ Stars!!!***
Just keeps getting better and better....
I don't normally jump right into the next book in the series. I usually need a buffer in between the books so I don't get bored. But not with this series. The writing is so beautiful and the realism in this book is downright amazing. And that last 20%! Nina Lane is now on my auto-buy list. Love this series and I love the Professor. -
5+++++ Stars from both of us. Jointly reviewed for
http://totallybookedblog.com/
Gitte: Dean West brought me to my knees yet again. More over; Nina Lane did just that. Her writing is exceptional, brilliant, classy….amazing; actually there are not enough words or accolades I can throw at her to explain just how I feel.
Every book lover needs to pick up this series and I urge everyone to do just that. Nina Lane has done it again with Allure. I didn’t think I could love the gorgeous professor any more than I already did, but I was wrong. He is in a class of his own; Nina Lane hit gold with him– the jackpot even. However, it is not only about the luscious fiercely protective and passionate Dean; it’s also about the sweet, strong and admirable Liv. Their story continues as they tread the rocky path in a continuation of Arouse.
“You became my world the minute I saw you, Olivia Rose.” – Dean
Their past is woven intricately into the present and Nina Lane nailed not only that but also the two POV’s with fluidity, relevance, emotion and connection. I was in book heaven yet again, but then again I knew I would be.
“Thanks for waiting,” I whispered.
“My beauty,” he said, “I’d wait for you forever.”
Book #1, Arouse, was still fresh in my mind as, even though it’s been a while, I haven’t stopped thinking about them since, they’ll always have a special place in my heart and I know without a doubt they’ll always be with me. The day I can hold book #3 in my hands just cannot come quick enough.
Nina Lane wrote two characters whose journey will have you so emotionally involved all else fades into the background. They have this stunning beauty and raw sensuality with a bit of silliness thrown in. They are so real you believe every word, every emotion; you get caught up in their passion and their struggles.
“I Love you…” – Liv
“I’m really glad to hear that, beauty…Because I love you too.” – Dean
The path of love and marriage is not always easy nor is it always beautiful and comforting, it’s not always a care-free walk in the park. Love can be amazing, passionate and leave you breathless, absolutely, but it can also be devastatingly painful, destructive and challenge all hope. It is how you grow and nurture your love and marriage that will either make or break you.
“Why was I suddenly not enough for you? What if I fail you again?” – Dean
No question; Liv and Dean are without doubt one of my favourite book couples. I absolutely love them with all my heart.
“You and me, beauty,” he reminds me, his eyes gentle.
“You and me, professor.”
I defy any reader not to shed a tear or a hundred. Me? Well I may still be crying….
Jenny:……. “Give me a kiss, beauty“…. And with those words I was back. When Dean West calls Liv “beauty” I melt. I am at his mercy because nobody expresses how they feel with this one word the way Dean West does.
The way he says it…..wow, you feel it, you feel it in your soul that he desperately means it and how that one simple word conveys so much. Yes, this man has me melting alright and the love he feels for Liv has my heart expanding.
This man, this woman, this book and this author are beyond words. As an avid, passionate reader Allure and Arouse remind me of why I love reading and of why it is such a huge part of my life.
We’ve talked about “book love many a time… well this book personifies that for me. For a book to evoke such emotions, to have me forget everything around me, to become so completely at one with the characters and the story – to have these characters constantly in my thoughts long after finishing…. That is it for me! Book love at its best and Allure delivered everything and more in this sequel to Arouse.
“Did you think about us?”
“Every night”
The rawness, the intensity , the realness as these two lay their souls bare – it’s all there and so much more. Nina Lane has written a story so vivid and so masterful that I feel almost like a voyeur watching a real life married couple painfully working through their issues, rather than merely reading about two book characters.
“We want our marriage to be a haven of warmth and pleasure again. We want our pure lustiness back, untainted by fear and mistrust. We want the unending spirals of bliss we can create only with each other. We want to shut the rest of the world out while locking ourselves in together”
We hear from both Dean and Liv in Allure, and the alternate POV’s, together with the back and forth composition and transition is done so effortlessly, so smoothly, the reader never misses a beat, never misses an emotion and never misses a moment of feeling….and you really, truly, deeply feel the hurt, the desperation and the conflict Dean and Liv experience in this book.
“I just wish I knew where to start” I whispered
“Right here, beauty” And he presses his lips to mine
These two love each other without exception. These two imperfect people, who try so hard to get it right, yet so often human frailty shows through when indecision’s and bad decisions are made and sometimes they end up getting it so wrong. Making their marriage work is an effort and you are with them every sensual, passionate, heartbreaking and moving step of the way.
“He is imprinted in my bones, my soul. He has marked me in ways more permanent than time”
Gitte: In a way I think the emphasis was placed on Dean; where he came from, what he’s faced in the past; the consequences of this and of course the consequences of the current struggles they face in their marriage. Dean wants to protect Liv, to the point of obsessive protection. He is always there for her and if he can he will take away anything that may cause her trouble or hurt should it land at her feet. His love and protection. His want. He gave it all to Liv. He is her knight and we all know already that he slays her dragons.
“Be with me, Liv,” he said. “Just be with me.” – Dean
As for Liv, she will amaze you; she amazed me. She comes into her own completely; she becomes the strong one, showing courage and resilience but above all she shows unwavering love and understanding a fighting spirit to protect her husband, the love of her life.
“You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in…forever, Liv. The only person who doesn’t expect anything from me. Who doesn’t care that I’m not perfect.” - Dean
Her trust never really falters despite wanting to unearth the rocks from her and Dean’s journey. The most refreshing aspect of that is that never does she challenge Dean’s love for her nor hers for him. She knows what is needed in order to calm her caged warrior. She is so strong, she’s a fighter, Dean does brings her out of herself and away from her path determined by her past but the strength, that is all her.
“There is so much I want to do with you.” – Liv
“Dean, why…why can’t you look at me?” Liv
“I can’t look at anyone but you, Liv. I can’t see anyone but you…” Dean
“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, Liv. I don’t think you even know how strong you are…” Dean
Dean’s love is one of the most ‘real’, honest, sensual and all-consuming kinds of love I have ever read about. He’s the geeky and funny professor and he had me smiling and laughing, but his passion and protective streak is off the chart. I literally melt into a puddle on the floor every time this man speaks.
“Right now I want you naked against me. I want to wake up cold because you’ve hogged all the blankets. I want to feel your leg between mine, your hair in my face, your arm flung across my chest. I want to find myself on the edge of the bed in the morning because you’ve sprawled all over the mattress. I want to sleep with you.” – Dean
The marriage of Dean and Liv is flawed, just as they are, however the flaws are real as are the struggles. The honesty of emotions and actions taken are ones you would never hesitate to question. You understand and you suffer alongside them. With them.
Seriously, pick this series up and let the brilliance of Nina Lane amaze you!
“Your husband is quite dashing, but his adventurous spirit is…well it makes him just irresistible.” Too right it does, he had me at “Beauty…
Jenny: Gitte, I can’t even begin to tell you what this book was for me. This author has indeed created a couple who reach into your soul, who you connect with completely. You care about them. You feel for them. You hurt with them. Just how this author can project so much between these two with just a glance, just a touch, just a moment leaves me in awe of her talent. I felt it. I physically felt every word.
“Liv. I liked her too much. Liked the way I didn’t feel cold inside when I was with her , the way I didn’t think about anything except her”
As for Dean West. This man has unequivocally stolen my heart. This man is IT for me. There is so much depth to Dean, so much soul, so much sensitivity, so much passion, intelligence, possessiveness, strength and virility….Dean is so male! This book is a discovery of sorts for Dean. We learn so much and peel away layers that has us falling in love with him all over again.
“I need to know you’re mine. That you’re all mine” - Dean
“I am.” Liv
His insecurities, what drives him, his bone deep love for Liv brings him to his knees and seeing this beautiful man so tortured at times, this man who has the best intentions in the world, yet can make mistakes….can make poor choices when all he wants is to be happy with Liv crushed my heart.
“It’s a measure of how much I love my wife that I just agreed to sit through two hours of dancing, singing pirates”
Liv is a mystery to him and his insane desire to protect her from anything and everything consumes him. Making it right is what Dean does best, but trying to always make it right isn’t always the answer.
“Beauty, you’re the only thing I’ve ever been sure of.”
Liv was a revelation. This woman who seemed to need so much, yet really is the strength behind them both. Her tenacity, her sensitivity, her absolute belief in her husband and her love for this man is what drives her. Finding herself, whilst also trying to find Dean. Liv really did come into her own in this book and impressed me with her strength and determination, I admired her and I adored her.
“You’re perfect to me.” I said honestly. “Perfect for me”
“And that’s why I like what we have” he said
Arouse and Allure. Two books I know will stay with me for a long, long time to come. Allure…..what a truly sublime reading experience. I didn’t just read this book. I lived it. I felt it. I hurt, I ached and I loved. Bravo Ms Lane. Roll on Book #3 because I’m ready for more!
ARC supplied by author for an honest review -
5 STARS
WOW, JUST WOW. I'm at a loss of words, sorry..I hope you pick up this series soon. It's outstanding, ravishing, sublime.
I'll share with you this quote that left me speechless (again):
“I hadn't even realized how desperately I'd wanted love. How much we both needed to know that in a world of dark corners and sharp needles, there really is a place where kisses taste like apple pie and where stars spill like sugar across the sky. A place where unknown roads no longer scare you because you have another hand to hold. A place where butterflies always flutter whenever you see each other, and a single touch tells you that you are not alone. A place where every kiss still feels like the first."
No need to say that this goes directly to my favorites shelf.. -
Re-read from January 17 to 18, 2015
“Thanks for waiting,” I whispered.
“My beauty,” he said,
“I’d wait for you forever.”
-
5***** Beautiful, Stunning and Alluring stars!!
Allure where do I start and how do I explain my thoughts? I love this couple from the bottom of my soul!!!
We start pretty much straight where we left off after Arouse where we continue with Dean and Liv's story. After Arouse they need to lean on each other, learn to move forward and Trust each other with Liv they need to build there marriage back up!!
"Right now I want you naked against me. I want to wake up cold because you've hogged all the blankets. I want to feel your leg between mine, your hair in my face, your arm flung across my chest. I want to find myself on the edge of the bed in the morning because you've sprawled all over the mattress. I want to sleep with you."
They use Intimacy as a means to heal, to connect and to stay close...
I would say this story is another roller coaster of a ride a number of ups and downs but not necessarily with them I loved the way they always stuck together.
Deans Father has a unexpected heart attack and is rushed of to hospital so Dean and Liv travel to help Deans Mother and sister, Liv's relationship with Deans family isn't the best and can be awkward but Liv stays strong, she stands her ground and go's with Dean as his wife she wants and needs to be there for him!!He is imprinted in my bones, my soul. He has marked me in ways more permanent than time.
Their Marriage is the key to this book, the foundation to the story, this is about them in a new chapter to there relationship, it's their haven and warmth it's what they need with all the madness that's going on around them they need each other and only each other."I can't look at anyone but you, Liv. I can't see anyone but you. I...I'm so fucking crazy about you that it's scaring the shit out of me."
"Thanks for waiting," I whispered. "My beauty," he said, "I'd wait for you forever."
We go back to the past again in Allure, more moments and times of how they got together and some bad times also, arguments with Deans family also finally meeting Dean brother Can I just say I actually like him.. Am I supposed to? maybe not, but I really hope we see more of him in Awaken. A lot of this story is with Deans family, shopping trips, hospital visits, and meeting Helen Deans ex-wife.
As I say a roller coaster but one I really enjoyed going through with them."What's your key, Olivia?" "My key?" "An Old friend once told me that everyone has a key to unlocking their secrets. What's yours?" "Um... I'm pretty sure I don't have a key." "I'm pretty sure you do." "Well, if everyone has one," I said, "what's yours?" "Ah." A twinkle flashed in his eyes. "You have to discover that yourself." "Then you have to do the same with me." "Challenge accepted."
This book was about them more than anyone else, their trust with each other and some Secrets, it's about their love and forgiveness!!!And somewhere in the midst of the slick pleasure, I wonder when everything became so comfortable with Dean, when I'd lost my inhibitions and discovered that being sexy could be so breathtaking, so satisfying. So easy. Maybe there hadn't been a moment of discovery at all. Maybe, with Dean, it had just always been like this.
As time goes on they learn to communicate in each other, to be honest with each other and to finally do what's right for each other, you will see how strong a unit they are and how strong they are individually.
Liv is intelligent and strong, she is A butterfly for Dean to find out, it's what drew Dean to her in the first place. She was closed of at first because of her past it takes time for Dean to learn and unfold what lays underneath that exterior. But it's one of the reasons Dean is so In love with Olivia West.
Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection.
And lastly I will tell you as I did in Arouse how refreshing I loved this journey I loved how normal this story is.
But what I want for them and for Liv is for them to find themselves in both there love, their unity and for them especially to find a worth for themselves to have a reason to do what they enjoy. I want Liv to find something she enjoys and for them to finally be a family together I can't wait for Awaken and for them to Heal.
This is a little random but you've got mail bookshop reminds me of Allies bookshop don't you think?
Summer 2013 hurry up now so they can get there happy ending I will be doing something like this when it comes out!!
Favourite quotes
"You became my world the minute I saw you, Olivia Rose." He breaks our gaze first and drops the string onto the foyer table. "You know that, don't you?"
******
A place where unknown roads no longer scare you because you have another hand to hold. A place where butterflies always flutter whenever you see each other, and a single touch tells you are not alone. A place where every kiss still feels like the first.
******
"You showed me so much of that," I say. "So much more than I even knew existed. You showed me how to be free, and what it feels like to be safe and wanted and loved. You showed me how to love. How to stop being afraid. How to fight for what I want. Especially when I wanted most was you."
-
5 EFFING STARS. Oh God, that was....
Before anything else, let me just get a hold of myself...
Ok, sooo....Calming breaths, calming breaths...
(If you haven't read AROUSE, stop reading the next paragraph.)
So the story immediately picks up where AROUSE left us. With Liv's pregnancy, Dean becomes more protective of Olivia--more so than he already is. So when something happens to one of Dean's family members, he chooses to isolate Liv so that she wouldn't be exposed to any animosity that his family might bring her. By reading AROUSE, we all know that Liv is actually stronger than we thought, so Liv tells Dean that he doesn't need to always protect her from things that may emotionally hurt her. With Dean being the man that he is, he can't easily get rid of this protective streak towards Olivia (which is now heightened by the pregnancy). With this book, Liv and Dean makes a huge progress on working together as a unit as every married couple should.
First of all, let me say this: I am not married. I may not relate perfectly to the circumstances that Liv and Dean found themselves in. I may not understand some of the choices they make. I may even have comprehended some things wrong--I don't know and I probably won't till I am married.
But with reading this series, I am given a concrete example on how marriage works. I don't know how one series made the idea of marriage scare the hell out of me and, at the same time, make me happy. It's crazy, really. But, here's why:
In Allure, we get to see two kinds of marriage. One, where marriage is a haven for two people. Two, where marriage almost feels like a prison.
The first kind of marriage is probably the main reason why most people get married to their loved one. Marriage gives them the feeling of permanence in the presence of someone you love most. The second one is one of the reasons why married couples choose to separate. What's terrifying is the possibility that some marraiges in the first kind can somehow develop into the second kind.
This roller coaster of a read made me scared so bad that this might somehow happen to Liv and Dean and that they won't find their way back.
But despite the really heavy scenes this book has, there are more than enough sweet moments between Liv and Dean to make up for them. Those notes with drawings are just precious. Some of Dean's lines are just downright diabetes-inducing.I looked at him. His posture was loose, his beautiful mouth curved, his eyes gentle and amused. He reached out and drew a lock of my hair between his fingers, then tucked it behind my ear.
“You’re with me,” he said.
It was such a simple, obvious statement and yet it was weighted with implications of comfort and reassurance.
I love how Dean can express his feelings for Liv in a way that doesn't seem forced and, at the same time, makes Liv get the message clearly. I love how resilient Liv is. How strong-willed a woman she is. I just hope both of them realize these so that they can use these traits of theirs in fixing the problems they have.
So there's one part of the book that just about broke my heart. I have mixed feelings about this, er, happening. First, I was just plain devastated.
Then I thought, "How could they possibly take any more problems?" So I was a bit skeptical. But in the end, I just accepted it for what it is and hope that they make it through.
Overall, I loved this book. I love the characters and the story itself. I also have to compliment Nina's writing which pulled me immediately into this story. The transitions between the present and past events were effective, the pace was just right and every word realistic.
So, Nina, I have one thing to say. Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. You're doing it right. -
4 Stars
Allure is the second book in the Spiral of Bliss series.
Well, book 1 left off on a good note. I can’t believe Liv is pregnant and everyone knows I love a good pregnant mama book. How is Dean going to react? Will this make their relationship stronger or will it make it weaker? Is Liv going to go in baby mama mode? So many questions are going through my mind.
So you can understand how I dove right into Allure. Yet, again Allure is a meaty book and it follows the same writing style as the first one. There are no flashbacks, but plenty of “memories” to reflect on. I’m okay with this, but I didn’t care for the steamy memories. I rather get to the heart of the story.
In Allure the relationship between Liv and Dean are tested and more problems come up. What I liked most about this book was that the story was focused on outside forces, rather than the relationship directly, although it does affect the relationship, I know it doesn’t make any sense.
Dean will have to deal with family drama and Liv is trying to balance being pregnant and supporting her husband at the same time. I love the dynamics between the two and I even liked the mild angst as the couple faces problems.
To be honest, I’m going to take a break from the series, because I’m not sure I can handle the direction the next book is going. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it wouldn’t be my first choice if I had to create an issue between the two. I will not give up on the series though! I love the passion between the two main characters and I love a good marriage book. -
5--BEAUTYfull--Stars!!!
This series is going to give me an ulcer by the time it's all said and done!
Once again, Nina Lane has blown me away. The story of Dean and Olivia West continues in Allure. I can't get over how real these characters are and how relevant and relatable their problems are.
I just absolutely love Dean and Olivia. In reading both Arouse and Allure I felt all of their emotions....their pain, their love, their happiness, their fears.
"Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection."
Allure picks up where Arouse left off. Liv and Dean have re-united after their separation. Liv is also pregnant. Before Dean and Liv have had a chance to talk about what happened between them, Dean gets an unexpected call from his family in California.
Liv refuses to stay in Mirror Lake, without Dean...and Dean wants to protect Liv from his family drama by keeping her away. Allure finds Dean and Liv struggling with the balance of their relationship. Dean wants to continue to protect Liv from anything and everything that has the potential to harm her and Liv just wants to know that she can do things on her own. That Dean believes that she is capable of doing things on her own. And tusting her enough to let her try even if she fails.
While in California, Dean and Liv are faced with more battles and tragedy. And once again, we see Dean struggle to open up to Liv (in order to protect her). We also see Dean struggle with the guilt of feeling like he wasn't there for Liv when she needed him. Despite all of this, as a reader you never question the love that Dean and Liv have for each other. And you see how the strength of that love can carry them through anything. (That and some really hot sex! :) )
“I knew I could be everything for him that he was for me. I could heal his wounds, be his anchor, treasure him. Together we could create our own world, one of warmth and affection, protected from the slings and arrows of the world.
For despite our differences, our struggles, our childhoods at opposite ends of the spectrum... Dean and I were the same.”
The last 25% of the book was gut-wrenching. My stomach was in a ball of knots the entire time.
Why can't things be easy for Dean and Olivia? Why did that have to happen?? The story of Dean and Liv isn't over....and while Allure didn't end on a cliffhanger it did leave me wanting more. Will Dean and Liv's marriage survive the latest obstacle? I can't wait to find out....Awaken coming Summer 2013. -
“Remember when you told me everyone has a key to unlocking their secrets?” I whispered. “And you wanted to know what mine is?”
He nodded. “And you told me you didn’t have a key.”
“I think I do.”
“What is it?”
“You.”
Oh my dear lord ..... !!!!
Nina Lane has out done herself ! If you thought
was arousing ... Then wait till you read Allure . You will fall in love with Dean and Liv , again ! If not , more .. more in love with them !!!
Words cannot express .. Words aren't enough to describe it . You , as a reader have to feel the emotions that seem to pour out of this book ! The love , the hope , the faith , the loss , the passion , the lust ... Lawdy lord !
Read this series .. If you love books that pull your heart strings , then this is it for you !!!!! -
5 BEAUTY/PROFESSOR STARS!
This book picks up, exactly where "Arouse" left off. We carry on watching Dean and Liv continue to struggle through their fears to come out on the other side a stronger couple.
One of the things I love about this book is that it makes you feel so much! I almost feel pulled into this marriage and am constantly thinking about what's going to happen next and how to fix what needs fixing. I also LOVE when Dean calls Liv "Beauty".
Some of my favorite quotes/lines are:
"Thanks for waiting,” I whispered.
“My beauty,” he said. “I’d wait for you forever.”
"I can't look at anyone but you, Liv. I can't see anyone but you. I'm...I'm so fucking crazy about you that it's scaring the shit out of me."
"Remember when you told me everyone has a key to unlocking their secrets?" I whispered. "And you wanted to know what mine was?"
He nodded. "And you told me you didn't have a key."
"I think I do."
"What is it?"
"You."
"You and me, beauty,” he reminds me, his eyes gentle
“You and me, professor.”
The ending for this books was not so much a cliffhanger, but a nice place to stop until book 3 is released. Lucky for me it just came out so I'm off to find my happy ending! -
I want a Dean...
Yes...I most definitely want a Dean. I felt in this book the author focused mostly on Dean, showing his passion and love for his wife and the smexy way he handled her. (Not trying to sound like perv, but these were definitely some of my favorite parts!) Now that Liv is pregnant, Dean feels it's time to upgrade to a house, to make room for baby. I loved the way that Dean took control of making sure his future family was taken care of and the way he handled the news of the pregnancy, being as he seemed so against it after being married before and his ex-wife having multiple miscarriages.
What I hated was that damn, Maggie Hamilton. How she could turn Dean in for making sexual advances, because he wouldn't be her advisor anymore, really irritated me. She was a rich, spoiled girl who was afraid to admit to her father that she was not cutting it, so instead tried to get Dean in trouble. Ugh! I hate women like that.
But overall I loved this book and all the character, besides Maggie, but mostly it was the writing that was engaging and stimulating (to say the least). I will definitely add this author to my favorite author list and be reading much more from her. -
****4 Secret Stars****
This book picks up where
Arouse left off. Dean & Liv are working towards trying to heal their marriage when along the way they both run into some speed bumps that threaten their trust in each other.
Secrets are still overshadowing their relationship.
"What's your key, Oliva?"
"My key?"
"An old friend once told me that everyone has a key to unlocking their secrets. What's yours?"
SERIES:
No cliffhangers. Continuing story.
