Eyes Wide Open: The Blackstone Affair, Part 3 by: Raine Miller

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Eyes Wide Open

(The Blackstone Affair, Part 3)
By:  Raine Miller
Published:  May 14, 2013
Mature Content:  18 and up
Source:  NetGalley


GR's Summary:

The third part in The Blackstone Affair series: A love on the brink of being destroyed. The fight of a lifetime to keep it alive.

Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them. Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? A stalker is still lurking in the shadows, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together?

Eyes Wide Open is a passion-wrought story that shows us what pure love can achieve when tested and what the heart can accomplish despite danger and adversity.

*To read my review on Naked (The Blackstone Affair, Part 1) Click HERE

*To read my review on All In (The Blackstone Affair, Part 2) Click HERE

My Take on this Journey:

Eyes Wide Open, the dynamically written third segment in the Blackstone Affair, by Raine Miller, will set your pulse racing!!!  The story opens with the perspective thoughts of a crazed lunatic stalking Brynne.  From that point, the story comes in the format of dual perspectives of Brynne and Ethan, continuing where All In, ends.


Ethan, as of yet, has still not divulged his monstrous demons to his beloved Brynne.  He says it's because he doesn't want to saddle her with the atrocities that he lives and breathes daily.  He has had a few nightmares, and Brynne has had to wake him from his sleep.  Each time resulting in some very kinky, randy sex, they both want more of.  Eventually, Ethan trusts Brynne enough to tell her his secrets.


Text messages, and videos are sent to Brynne's old mobile number, (that Ethan has in his possession) and Neil is trying to help Ethan close in on the lunatic responsible, before Brynne gets hurt.  A major upset changes the dynamics of the game for Ethan and Brynne, but their love and respect for one another is the key, and they are still madly in love with each other.  There are major skeletons in both of their closets to deal with, that thoroughly haunt both of their lives.


This novel takes place during the 2012 Olympics, and Ethan and his firm are in charge of the security.  Though there are plenty of distractions, Brynne is always in the forefront of his thoughts and concerns, and he puts a GPS on her phone so he will not lose track of her in case of any mishaps.  Brynne is a runner, and when out of the blue a huge obstacle arises, Ethan is there to pick up the pieces, and shows her that she is always his priority.


I love how Ms. Miller intertwines the characters, (primary and secondary) to make this a full and well developed storyline.  In this segment, the reader is introduced to Ethan's sister, Hannah, her husband, Freddy, and his niece, Zara.  The reader is able to see the tender side of Ethan for a change, instead of the all endearing Alpha Male, controlling, and never sated.  Talk about romance, Ethan is diabolical in that department.  Not a stone is left unturned in the bedroom, or any other room for that matter!!!  This is "Hot," at 100 degrees F.  He talks dirty,  and does it well, and by the time you're done reading this book, you'll be in a frenzy, saying, "Where's my Ethan Blackstone?"  YES...  Definitely, a slice of delicious eye candy, mouth watering, jaw dropping, lip smacking, tongue wagging, toe curling....male!!!


Some may find some of the sex scenes over the top.  I felt they were necessary to the storyline. and indigenous of the place he was coming from at the time.  This was seduction at it's most passionate, and Mr. Blackstone and those penetrating blue eyes are ravenous.  This man is definitely eye candy, and hot sex on a stick combined!  He knows how to devour his woman.   Enveloped by her, he craves her smell, her taste, her touch, and her love.   SIGH...


There are twists, turns, mystery, kink, romance, lust, sex, obsession, death, dominance, submission, and tortured souls. all wrapped up in a wonderfully written package.  Did I say package?!  WOW...  Ethan and Brynne needed each other to survive, and they both show each other how to love, trust, and, value one another.  This couple defies the odds, sometimes in twisted ways.


This guy knows how to melt the panties off of any woman, especially his, and he wants her all the way!  No doubts about it girls, this is a MUST READ!


I give, Eyes Wide Open, 5 Fast Paced, Heart Stopping, Mouth Watering, Toe Curling, Erotic Stars!!!

Quotes:


"Ethan made me feel desirable.  He made me feel beautiful and sexy, from the words that came out of his mouth to the touch of his body in mine when he made love to me.  And afterward, when he held me against him like I was precious."  (eARC Loc, 112)


"I loved how he touched me all the time.  I needed it, plain and simple, and Ethan knew that.  It was just another way in which we were emotionally compatible."  (eARC, Loc, 121)


"You must be exhausted after that long drive," I paused for emphasis, "and all that superb shagging--- "I love you and I never want to let you go,"  he interrupted.  "So don't."  I looked into his blue eyes, which seared me in the dim light.  "I never will."  (eARC, Loc 128)


"Ethan possessed a skill set that combined hot, bad-boy sex god with mannerly, romantic gentleman;  something so rare and captivating, I didn't have a chance of resisting the pull."  (EARC Loc, 762)

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

About the Author:

Raine Miller is a New York Times bestselling author who likes to write romantic stories pretty much every chance she gets.  She has a handsome husband, and two amazing sons to keep her busy the rest of the time.  Her boys know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any.  Thank God!

I’ll leave you with a quote from a young man who didn’t live long enough to write more beautiful words for our continued enjoyment, dying tragically at only twenty-five years old.  One of the most brilliant romantic poets ever to walk this earth, his words continue to take my breath away.  This is from a letter he wrote to his fiance, Fanny Brawne.  He died before they could marry.

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All In: The Blackstone Affair, Part 2 By: Raine Miller

To Add All In to Goodreads Click HERE

All In

(The Blackstone Affair, Part 2)
By:  Raine Miller
Published:  November 9, 2012
Mature Content:  18 and up
Source:  NetGalley


GR's Summary:

The second part in The Blackstone Affair series! Looming danger. A love worth fighting for. A man who’ll go all in.

Ethan Blackstone has a problem on his hands. He’s broken Brynne’s trust and she’s left him. He’s unwilling to live without her and isn’t giving up—he’s dead-set on getting his beautiful American girl back. The passion between them was explosive, but the secrets they hid from each other are dark and chilling and are powerful enough to destroy their shot at a life together. With political threats now directed at Brynne, Ethan is running out of time and he’ll need to gather all his strength and agility to protect her from the dangers that could take her away from him forever. Will Ethan be able to save Brynne from a past that keeps her locked in fear? Will he ever feel the warmth of her touch, the solidity of her trust again? This is a love-struck man who is willing to do whatever it takes to possess the heart of the woman he loves. He’ll go to any lengths to protect her. He’ll go all in.

Here is the fiery story of what happens when two people surrender to a love so great it can heal the scars of the past and give way to a life of pure, rapturous ecstasy.

*To read my review on Naked (The Blackstone Affair, Part 1) Click HERE

My Journey:

All In, is the second novel in the Blackstone Series.  It takes off where Naked, (Book#1) ended, with Ethan Blackstone on the verge of a nervous breakdown, drinking Van Gogh, and smoking his Djarums' till the smoke is coming out of his ears!  He is obssessive, and compulsive, counting down the days since Brynne walked out on him.  We begin with Brynne's point of view, which opens our window on the situation, and lets the reader see through her multi colored eyes what she is thinking and feeling, then goes right into Ethan's point of view, which is mind blowing, from that point forward.  He has to find a way to get his beautiful American Girl back, and he has to be smart about it.  How better than to seduce her with her favorite poet, Keats?!  He can't wait to have Brynne Bennett back in his life, and back in his bed!  Yes, readers, this book is explosively erotic, in more ways than one! 

The trust that Ethan built with Brynne was built on a lie, but he will do anything, and I mean anything, to make her understand that he is, all in.  Ethan is completely enveloped by Brynne, and obsessed till it is driving him out of his mind.  Every waking moment, and even while he sleeps, that is all he can think about, and it's time to make his move.  In the end, it all goes back to having to protect her from the politician's son, and whoever is behind the sinister plot to destroy her once again.  Ethan will not allow it!

Brynne opens the door to Ethan, with the stipulation of, no more lies.  She cannot live with what has happened to her in her past, and wants to come clean to Ethan. She is frightened to the core that she will lose him forever when she reveals the whole tainted truth of her past, and what actually happened to her, (which is a far cry from what her father told Ethan, when he hired him to protect her.)  Brynne doesn't see how Ethan could ever love her once he knows the whole truth.  Ethan shows his extremely neurotic side in this book of the series.  He is possessive of her in every way possible, obsessive about her leaving him again, and completely jealous out of his mind over any man even having thoughts of "His Girl!"  With the compulsivity that drives Ethan about Brynne, and her safety, he pushes her to the point of complete exasperation and anger.  When her feathers get ruffled, Ethan see's that he has a formidable partner, one that isn't going to just sit back and let him run her like he wants to.  In actuality, Ethan can get his way anytime he wants when he puts his charm on, and his body to work.  He know's how to possess Brynne in all the right ways, and knows how to break down her walls, while he drives himself out of his mind with domination over her body and soul. 

This second book in the series, All In, is a thrill ride of a novel.  It takes you into the mind of Ethan Blackstone, and his perspective on this roller coaster of a ride.  He is a passionate man, and sexually obsessed with Brynne.  No matter what he does, sex is right there, and possessing Brynne at every level imaginable, in the back of his thoughts.  All In, is an erotic tale weaved through the mystery of a political career, a senator's son, a masterful cover up of a horrific crime, a black market video, and the death of already one person involved in Brynne's hauntingly frightening secret from her past.  This novel will have you reeling at every turn.  It will have you, the reader, obsessed with the facts, trying to figure out the underlining plot, and where Ethan Blackwell is really coming from in the darkest corners of his mind.  He is a man on a mission, but does not want to let anyone in to his past, especially Brynne.  Will he make the same mistakes again that he made previously?  Will the secrets be too much for her to overlook, or are they made for each other?  If you are a reader, like me, you will want to get to the end of this book to find out what the final twist will bring.  Ethan has to divulge his skeletons from his chaotic past, then bring it to the forefront.  He needs to be as above board as Brynne has been with the hauntingly raw truth about her own past, which brings the reader to tears.

I have to reiterate my origional opinion from book #1, Naked, in this series.  Ms. Miller is one hell of a writer, and where she takes you, there is no turning back!  Get your seat belts reader, cause you're in for one hell of a ride!!!

I give, All In, by Raine Miller 5+ Scintillating, Undulating, Titillatingly, Swoon Worthy Stars!!!

Quotes:

"He overwhelmed me from the first and was definitely a demanding lover, but one thing was certain, I wanted everything he'd ever given me.  I found that out once I left him." (eARC Loc. 73)

"He wasn't demanding and controlling because he wanted to dominate me, he was that way with me because he knew it was what I needed." (eARC Loc. 75)

"Brynne looked beautiful through any lens.  Especially the lenses of my eyes.  Sometimes it almost hurt to look at her." (eARC Loc. 96)

"I think you don't smile much in public.  I would describe you as reserved.  So when you smile at me I'm kind of ... swept away."  (eARC Loc. 107)

"I rolled her into the covers and kissed her slow and thorough, letting her know just how much I needed to hear those words from her.  Still, I wanted more from her.  Always more." (eARC Loc. 1751)

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

About the Author:

Raine Miller is a New York Times bestselling author who likes to write romantic stories pretty much every chance she gets.  She has a handsome husband, and two amazing sons to keep her busy the rest of the time.  Her boys know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any.  Thank God!

I’ll leave you with a quote from a young man who didn’t live long enough to write more beautiful words for our continued enjoyment, dying tragically at only twenty-five years old.  One of the most brilliant romantic poets ever to walk this earth, his words continue to take my breath away.  This is from a letter he wrote to his fiance, Fanny Brawne.  He died before they could marry.

Website | Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Naked: The Blackstone Affair, Part 1 By: Raine Miller

To Add to Goodreads Click HERE

Naked
(The Blackstone Affair, Part 1)
By:  Raine Miller
Published:  August 25, 2012
Mature Content:  18 and up
Source:  NetGalley


GR's Summary:

Brynne Bennett is living the good life. An American art student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s putting her life back on track with school and lots of hard work. When ultra successful London businessman, Ethan Blackstone, buys her nude portrait, he isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. He wants Brynne in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. His dominant nature captivates and ensnares despite the demons she carries inside her. But there are secrets in this relationship. Huge ones. Can Ethan free Brynne from the past that has marked her? Will Brynne let him or will the specters tormenting her resurface to destroy them both…

My Journey:


Naked, by Raine Miller is the perfectly calculated story of Brynne Bennett and Ethan Blackstone. The second I saw the cover, I knew I needed to read this book, and boy am I glad I did!  I couldn't put it down.  From the first paragraph I read, Ms. Miller had me hooked.  This Novella was phenomenal!! It was precision at it's best.  Ms. Miller has a way with words, and it is obvious her years of reading romances has paid off.  Ethan Blackstone is a magnificent specimen of a man.  He can be described as 6'3, beautiful, domineering, captivating, lustful, purposeful, , charismatic,  mysterious, oozed sex appeal, and was deliciously British.  He was a man that knew what he wanted, and got it.  Ethan wanted to possess every little nuance about Brynne, but she didn't understand why he was so blatantly forceful with what he wanted from the first time they met.  Ethan wasn't a man that knew how to take no for an answer.  He ran a security firm for the elite, and the British Government.  He was well to do, carried himself and dressed very high-end. Brynne was the most beautiful woman in the world through Ethan's eyes.  She was a talented American girl who was at the University of London, in the graduate program working on the conservation of art masterpieces, and she did nude modeling on the side to help pay her bills, when her school loans weren't paying in between.  She had stunning looks, multi-colored eyes, with a gorgeously lithe body, that acquiesced the moment Ethan used his charm on her, and the touch of his hands would melt her heart.  She realized what he was doing, but couldn't help herself when she submitted to his requests and demands continuously.  As time went by, Brynne let her defenses down little by little.  Yet, she was carrying a secret, she was not ready to reveal to her very skilled lover.  Ethan has a big secret of his own that is revealed, and he gambles that waiting to tell Brynne will work out and not cost him dearly.  Ethan made Brynne feel things she never knew she could.  There are no words for the way Ms. Miller weaves her explosively erotic encounters, and saying the scenes are edgy is putting it mildly.  It will make her readers what to go out and find their very own Ethan Blackstone!

This novella had an artfully tasteful story of romance, and lust and love in bloom.  I loved the way Ms. Miller sets you up for each scene, one after the other.  She builds the relationship, and trust to another level, until the reader is in this with the characters through to the end.  Her prose are purposeful and direct, and leave no room for questions.  Every one of them is answered.  Except for the secrets, that I am all too eager to read as she reveals them in her sequels.

This novella ended all too soon for me.  It leaves you will a cliffhanger, and definitely wanting more...
Add this book to your TBR list ladies, it's one you will want to keep for your collection, without a doubt.  The scenes, the build up of each encounter, the romance as it blossoms, is oh so extraordinaire. Naked:  The Blackstone Affair, will leave you breathless, and panting for more!  I have already requested the second novel in this series, and can't wait to read and review Ms. Miller's sequel.

I give Naked, 5 Titilating, Lustful, Intriguing, Sinfully Delicious Stars!

Purchase At:

Amazon/Barnes and Noble/The Book Depository

About the Author:

Raine Miller is a New York Times bestselling author who likes to write romantic stories pretty much every chance she gets.  She has a handsome husband, and two amazing sons to keep her busy the rest of the time.  Her boys know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any.  Thank God!

I’ll leave you with a quote from a young man who didn’t live long enough to write more beautiful words for our continued enjoyment, dying tragically at only twenty-five years old.  One of the most brilliant romantic poets ever to walk this earth, his words continue to take my breath away.  This is from a letter he wrote to his fiance, Fanny Brawne.  He died before they could marry.

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