Julia Barrett's World

Stacey’s Review:
Eva is a chef that loves her job. She takes pride in the food she makes and it shows. There are a lot of food and meal preparation descriptions, but rather than bore us, they stimulates our senses…and makes us hungry. At the end of the book, there are recipes and quick facts about the meals Eva makes in the book, which was a nice touch.

Eva is hired to prepare a romantic dinner for two for Gabriel Abbott and a date. When she discusses the meal plan on the phone with him, she falls for his sexy voice, just as he does for hers. Later, when they meet by accident, there is perfect chemistry between them and nothing is ever the same.
One of the biggest hurdles facing them is the fact that Eva is a simple country girl and Gabriel is wealthy and educated. Can their two worlds blend enough for them to have a life together? Can Eva trust Gabe, even though he has a past reputation as a playboy?

This book was great with many layers. Julia Barrett created characters so real that I could read about their daily activities all day and enjoy every minute of it. Not only the main characters, but the complimentary cast of secondary characters as well.
I found around the middle, I began to wonder where this book was going. Then a spiteful ex-girlfriend comes into the picture and creates all kinds of problems for our lovers and plenty of suspense for the reader!

If you enjoy a classic romance with a dose of suspense to keep you anxious, then give Beauty and the Feast a read. The sex was hot and the last scene of the book was just perfect and kept me smiling long after I closed the book. Julia Barrett is a talented author that can pull you out of reality with her writing. I look forward to her next release.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Stacey!

http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/05/beauty-and-feast-by-julia-barrett.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Tweet This Post

I got a great recipe for Lemon Cheesecake from Craftydana - check out her link on my interesting sites list. Yummy cheesecake! Remember, you can win a copy of my upcoming Contemporary, Beauty and the Feast, by submitting a sexy recipe - the contests will last until April 1. Project Bacon, also on my links, suggested a great sandwich yesterday so we tried it with phacon instead of bacon, being the devoted lacto-ovo vegetarians that we are. Honey, that sandwich was one of the high points of my culinary life. It is hellaciously good!

Larissa gave me a wonderful review of Captured and she hasn’t read much science fiction - here’s the link: lala’s book corner - http://www.larissaslife.com/

She says, “I loved the growth both characters go through and how much they teach each other and come to rely in one another. It’s a beautiful love story and both Ekkatt and Mari are great leading characters and sooooo hot together.”

I better gear up to write a sequel because that’s what everyone is asking for, including Larissa. C’mon brain, dream! Dream!

Ooh! In other news, Captured received a Recommended Read from Dark Diva Reviews. I am thrilled. Thanks, Stacey!

Stacey’s Review: Julia Barrett created a unique, new world and plot with Captured. The characters were so well fleshed that I became a part of their lives and never wanted the book to end.

Mari is a strong female lead. Despite the tragedies of her past and being forcibly taken to a new planet as human meat, she remains upbeat and in control. I could relate to her: from her feelings after waking up naked in a cage, to wanting a seemingly impossible future with her alien lover. She’s a rough-around-the-edges woman that you have to root for!

Ekkatt is conservative and traditional with a heart of gold. His life progresses smoothly until he captures Mari. With her flaming red hair and large dragon tattoo, he is drawn to her. She questions everything happening to her on the voyage to his planet and forces him to acknowledge that humans are not mindless animals. He risks everything to help the little earthling and soon becomes enchanted by her feisty personality.

The sex is hot, and Ekkatt is certainly one alien to be desired! Nothing is rushed between the two, but progresses naturally and believably. I’m skeptical to even call this an erotic read because the book doesn’t use sex as a crutch at all. The plot is strong and stands alone. The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny, at times, and always true to the characters.

Even after finishing the book, I had a smile on my face and kept imagining Mari and Ekkatt’s future together. Sigh. I was rooting for a HEA and was not disappointed. There is even the potential for a sequel.

My only complaint is the hours of lost sleep because I couldn’t stop reading! Bravo to Ms. Barrett. I will definitely be picking up her future novels and highly recommend, Captured.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Stacey!

Tweet This Post