Today, author Synithia Williams is guesting. She’s here to talk about her latest release Careless Whispers, book three in the Jackson Falls series, a contemporary romance. Be sure to read my review of this book. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.
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What inspired Careless Whispers and the Jackson Falls Series
I am a big fan of over-the-top stories full of drama, scandals and romance. Growing up I spent a lot of time watching soaps and imagining what living in those glamorous worlds would be like. A few years ago, when I had an idea along the lines of “what if Victor Newman from Young and the Restless was Black”, I let my imagination go and the Jackson Falls Series began. Careless Whispers is the third book in my Jackson Falls Series.
In Careless Whispers, Elaina Robidoux, the head of the family business has a clash with her father that results in her being fired. Suddenly pushed out of the company she sacrificed so much for she must start over and reestablish herself in the business world without her family’s backing. Surprisingly, she ends up working with Alex Tyson, a man she’s disliked for years. As she and Alex learn to trust each other a deep love and affection builds. But Elaina’s success isn’t what her father expected, and he’ll resort to any means available to bring his daughter back under his control. Means that not only test Elaina and Alex’s growing love but Elaina’s newly found independence from a family that controlled her every move.
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Title: Careless Whispers
Series: A Jackson Falls Novel #3
Author: Synithia Williams
Genre: Contemporary Romance
She’s falling in love with the one man she can’t trust…
Elaina Robidoux knows how people view her: coldhearted, ambitious, ruthless. But it doesn’t matter. Running the family business is all she’s ever wanted and she’s so close she can almost taste it…until her father fires her and hires her nemesis—arrogant, unflappable Alex Tyson. Elaina may be hurt but she refuses to be defeated, so she throws herself into creating a business of her own. But she never dreamed that to close her first deal, she’d need Alex’s help…
Alex understands the power of a family legacy better than most and the last thing he wanted was to take that from Elaina. Her beauty and fierce strength are undeniable, but there’s a softer side that no one but him seems to see. She’s been taught that emotions are a liability, yet one impulsive kiss starts a chain reaction that neither of them wants to stop. But can love ignite—and survive—when secrets and loyalties collide?
Reviews:
“[An] exceptional tale of forbidden love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Forbidden Promises
Praise for Synithia Williams’s Jackson Falls series
“Williams (His Pick for Passion) makes waves with this exceptional tale of forbidden love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Forbidden Promises
“A romance for readers looking for equal parts passion and family drama.” —Kirkus Reviews on Forbidden Promises
“Politics, passion, and family drama combine to make a deliciously soapy second-chance, brother’s-best-friend romance. Readers of Alisha Rai’s Forbidden Hearts series or Reese Ryan’s Engaging the Enemy will be tantalized and surprised by the many twists and turns.” —Library Journal on Forbidden Promises
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“Why did you invite me here?” He spoke the words slowly, deliberately.
She pushed one of the tumblers toward him. Alex took it and set it on the counter beside her. His gaze didn’t waver from her face. Elaina took a sip of her wine. She shoulders relaxed and she finally looked at him.
“Are you trying to make sure I haven’t changed my mind?” she asked. “I understand. I invited you here because I enjoyed our kiss and I’d like to kiss you again. In fact, I’m open to us having sex tonight. If you’re willing.”
He blinked and his head jerked back. She took another sip of her wine. The unsureness in her gaze slowly drifted away. He wasn’t doing this if she needed a drink to get through the night. Alex took the tumbler out of her hands and put it on the counter. When she protested, he shook his head and took her hands in his.
“Part of the question was to make sure you haven’t changed your mind. I did enjoy that kiss earlier, and I sure as hell would like to kiss you again.” He slipped his fingers through hers and tugged her closer. “But I want to know, why me? Why now?”
Her fingers flexed and held his hands tighter. Her gaze dropped to his lips, and a small line formed between her brows as she frowned slightly. “Because you were nice to me when you could have gloated. You hugged me when you didn’t have to. And you’ve never backed down from me.” When her eyes met his again, they were calm and confident. “That and I couldn’t let you leave with Sade.” The flippant final admission made him laugh. “So you were jealous.”
“I was never good at sharing,” she said arrogantly. “You’re mine while we do this. Promise me.”
The fierceness in her voice made him squeeze her hand tighter. Had someone hurt her? Maybe recently. To hell with whatever fool toyed with Elaina’s emotions. He wouldn’t make the same mistake. “I’m not good at sharing either.”
She lifted her chin and smiled softly. “Good. Do you want that drink now?”
He released one of her hands and took her chin between his fingers. Slowly he lowered his head until his lips brushed hers. “I didn’t come here for a drink, Elaina.”
A tremble went through her, and Alex wrapped his arm around her waist and crushed her against him. He hadn’t gotten exactly what he’d wanted from his question. Maybe it was foolish to think Elaina would admit she cared about him a little or felt something more than sexual attraction. But as her lips softened beneath his, he let foolish fantasies drift away. If being kind was one of the reasons she wanted him, then he’d take it, because kindness toward her was something he could continue to do.
Elaina rubbed against him. There was no room for hesitancy or time for him to think about the meaning of the promises they’d made. His tongue brushed across her lower lip, and she sighed softly. Elaina’s arms wrapped around his shoulders, and her breasts pressed against his chest.
Desire shot through him like a rocket to the moon. He was about to be lost. All he wanted was more of her. More of the sweet taste of her lips. More of the decadent crush of her breasts against his chest. More of those soft sighs she made between kisses. If he didn’t slow down, he’d throw her on the counter, rip off those pants and fuck her senseless.
Alex’s mouth left hers, and she whimpered. He squeezed his eyes shut as his dick pushed against the front of his slacks. He trailed kisses across her check and down the side of her neck. Her fingers clutched his shoulders, and he flicked his tongue across the hollow of her neck. Elaina moaned a low yes, and he was quickly losing the battle to take things slow.
His hand slid inside the front of her shirt. Her skin was warm and soft against his fingertips. Her stomach clenched and unclenched as he caressed her. His hand lifted to cup her full breast. The bra was in the way. He wanted skin on skin. He went around back and awkwardly worked at the hooks of her bra.
She smiled against his lips. “I’ve got it.” She reached around and worked magic because the clasps came free.
So what if he wasn’t a bra whisperer? The damn thing was open, and he could finally fill his hands with her full breasts. She moaned as he kneaded gently. Massaging and caressing before his fingers gently pinched the hard tips.
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First off, I did not realise this was a series, and second, the book can be read as a standalone. What captured my attention? The gorgeous cover followed by the summary of the heroine.
I must say I LOVED Elaine Robidoux. If you want to see a fully-fleshed real character, say hello to the strong-willed and determined Elaine, head of the company and groomed from birth to run Robidoux Tobacco. I did not find her the least bit “bitchy.” I found her vulnerable underneath her tough exterior, confused, and even unsure of herself on a personal level.
Alex, on the other hand, was everything Elaine was not. Calm, patient, much inner-strength, and tough enough to not let Elaine push him around, but sensitive enough to handle her rough and tough exterior.
These two complemented each other, and completed each other.
Elaine’s arc was key in their relationship, and I loved how the author handled Elaine’s growth and journey into love. She was also a very sympathetic character thanks to her mother who’d groomed Elaine from the cradle, and the horrible father who saw his daughter as no more than a puppet he wanted to shape to take over the family empire.
When Elaine refuses to “play ball” with her father—watch out. These are two headstrong individuals. Their headbutting isn’t pretty, but it’s also what I loved about the novel. He plays the overbearing father to the hilt, and she rebels in true Elaine style.
The plot is tight. The family scenes are fun, wonderful, tender, and tense. The dialogue is very realistic. The pacing does lag a wee bit now and then, but other than that, this book is something I highly recommend. Do yourself a favour and purchase yourself a copy.
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Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since reading her first one at the age of 13. It was only natural that she would begin penning her own romances soon after. It wasn’t until 2010 that she began to actively pursue her publishing dreams. Her first novel, You Can’t Plan Love, was released in August 2012.
When she isn’t writing, this Green Queen, as dubbed by the State Newspaper, works to improve air and water quality, while balancing the needs of her husband and two sons. You can learn more about Synithia by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationships.
Find Synithia: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub | Amazon | Goodreads
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Maggie Blackbird 