@TastyBookTours Review: Loving You Is Easy by Wendy S. Marcus

Loving You Is Easy

Wendy S. Marcus

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Loveswept
Date of Publication: December 9th 2014
Number of pages: 276
Cover Artist: Regina Wamaba

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She’s a survivor of the front lines of politics. He’s a wounded soldier returning home from the battlefield. Can they place their trust in the power of love?

Nobody plays the role of perfect politician’s daughter better than quiet, respectable math teacher Brooke Ellstein. But she won’t be caught swimming with the sharks again, not after the son of a wealthy donor sinks his teeth into her and gets away with it. Still, political connections have their perks, such as heading up the governor’s “Support Our Troops” pen-pal initiative—and getting first dibs on the smoking-hot sergeant whose picture shakes her right down to her goody-two-shoes.

When corresponding with sweet, classy Brooke, Shane Develen instinctively hides his commando tattoos and blue-collar roots—and he can tell that she’s hiding something, too. But Shane knows he’s gained her trust when Brooke gives him a blisteringly sexy photo. Then he’s injured in an ambush and a fellow soldier posts the snapshot online. Overnight, Brooke’s reputation turns to ashes. Even though he’s totally wrong for her, Shane shows up on Brooke’s doorstep, determined to set things right—and discovers that right or wrong has nothing on the chemistry they share.

Excerpt: 

Oh no, no, no. Sex was not on her agenda for the evening. Some dinner, enjoyable conversation, maybe another kiss or two and she’d be making the hour drive north to her condo in New York. Her clothes would remain on, all of them, at all times. Even though she’d known him for months, technically, tonight was only their first date.

Either he’d picked up on her “no sex” vibe or he’d been kidding around with her because he finished up with, “ ... hang out, just the two of us, watch a few movies, and talk to each other face-to-face in the same room for a change.” Which sounded wonderful, but in his hotel room? The two of them all alone? Was she strong enough to resist the pull of attraction that had her wanting things she shouldn’t? At least not yet. Because if they had sex when he thought of her only as a friend he’d have no need to make her a girlfriend, to make them exclusive, long-term.

In the quiet hotel elevator, Shane watched Brooke. So damn beautiful in a soft yet strong, sweet yet sexy, classy yet regular girl sort of way—so different from the brash blue-collar bad girls that frequented his favorite North Carolina and New Jersey hangouts.

She was wealthy, smart, independent, and way too good for him by far.

Had he not been chosen for her pen pal program, there was no chance their paths in life would have ever crossed. Yet here he was, so close he could reach out and touch her, so hard with need he had to brace his duffle against the bulge in his pants to keep from scaring her off.

The doors opened and Shane motioned for Brooke to go ahead of him; it was the gentlemanly thing to do, but it also gave him a chance to check her out from behind. Her navy blue and white striped dress went down almost to the floor and outlined her rounded butt and slender thighs perfectly. A long side slit offered tempting glimpses of the smooth, tan skin of her long legs. An expensive-looking, ultrasoft white sweater covered her shoulders, and fashionable white strappy sandals accented her narrow feet.

Everything about Brooke turned him on—made him feel damn lucky to be with her. Too bad he didn’t have the same effect on her.

Shane wished he’d had his phone handy to snap a picture of the expression on Brooke’s face when she said, “This room is all bed.”

He smiled. After sleeping on an uncomfortable cot for too many months he’d opted for the king over two queens. Right this moment he couldn’t be happier he had. “Make yourself comfortable.” He motioned to the bed.

The look she gave him made him laugh. When he got it under control he told her, “Lie down. Sit down.” He pointed to a hard wooden chair pushed beneath a small desk crammed into the corner. “Whatever you’d like.” He tossed his bag onto the bed, unzipped it, and dug around for a clean change of clothes, making sure to locate a long-sleeved shirt that would keep his tattoos hidden. “I’m going to take a quick shower.”

Standing in the entrance to the bathroom he couldn’t resist teasing her some more—Who knew? Maybe if he kept it up she’d give in and agree—so he stuck out his head and said, “Just letting you know I am purposely leaving this door unlocked so you can come in and join me. Consider this an invitation if you need one.”

“There you go again.” Sitting primly on the corner of the bed, Brooke looked up from what he assumed was the room service menu. “Confusing me with a girlfriend.”

The number one problem with good girls is no sex without a commitment. He sort of respected that. But it didn’t keep him from continuing his pursuit, for the fun of it as much as to get her between the sheets of his big, inviting bed. “Haven’t you ever heard of friends with benefits? I am very open to that type of friendship.”

“Of course you are.” She lowered the menu and placed it in her lap. “Unfortunately, I don’t play that game.”

Unfortunate indeed. Cold shower here I come.

Review: 

I hate to admit it, but it has been years since I read a Loveswept novel.  I didn't stop reading them because of a problem with the publisher. Some of my favorite authors and series where part of the Loveswept line. It was more that I was focusing on the new genres of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for a while. By the time I started coming back toward contemporary romance, Loveswept had gotten a major make-over as an e-format only imprint. Apparently I missed that memo. LOL. However I am glad to have found them once again. This makes my second one in the past month.

This story was a study in contrasts.  Teacher to Soldier, Good Girl to Bad Boy, White Collar to Blue Collar, Pearls to Tattoos, Jew to Christian. This was truly an opposites attract book. We are introduced to Brook and Shane originally in their first letters to each other. Then their first face to face meeting when Shane gets leave to come home for a short stay.  But the story truly begins several months later, when some sexy pictures that Brooke gave to Shane ends up on Facebook.

I liked Brooke and Shane's story. There was some good dialogue and I really enjoyed the characters, especially Brooke's best friend Neve. I didn't really connect as well with Brooke, but her best friend was a hoot.  I did think that the message about the dangers of social media might have been played a bit heavy handed. But then again, I'm old enough to thank God regularly that when I was in my stupid younger years that MySpace and Facebook wasn't around. (Okay, yes that just totally dated me, hush.) And the information about wounded veterans was something we all need to hear more often.  I would not mind seeing more from this world.  3 stars.

Giveaway: 

$25.00 eGift Card to Choice Book Seller and Loveswept Mug & Tote

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio:

Wendy S. Marcus is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. A nurse by trade, Wendy holds a Master of Science in Health Care Administration, a degree that does her absolutely no good as she now spends her days, nights, and weekends mucking around in her characters’ lives creating conflict, emotion, and, of course, a happily ever after. Wendy lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her dog Buddy, and blogging/e-mailing/tweeting/facebooking with her online friends.

To connect with the author online:

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