August 25, 2014
Johannesburg native de Jong (Stolen Lives) offers up a tantalizing romantic drama set in the South African bush. Photographer Erin Mitchell is driving over a bridge when a flood washes it away, leaving her near death and stranded. Rescued by the handsome, mysterious Nicholas de Lanoy, she’s forced to take refuge in his private estate while she recovers from her ordeal and waits for the bridge to be repaired so she can return to civilization. Though Erin is desperate to be reunited with Vince, her husband of a few months, she’s unable to resist Nicholas’s seductive charms, and their mutual attraction soon explodes into a passionate affair. The longer she spends away from Vince, the more Erin recognizes just how paranoid, abusive, and controlling her husband is. But she’s determined to remain true to her vows, even if it means giving up Nicholas, a better man in all ways. The sexual chemistry bursts from every page as the erotic nature of the story plays out, with de Jong’s characters coming to life both emotionally and sensually. Only Vince’s unredeemable, vile nature helps to redeem the stigma of adultery, which otherwise hinders the satisfying romance.
September 15, 2014
Erin Mitchell is forced to reevaluate her life, love, and marriage after nearly dying in a flash flood in South Africa. The photographer wakes up in the care of handsome, generous stranger Nicholas de Lanoy, on his beautiful Leopard Rock resort. Safe and healthy, Erin counts herself incredibly lucky--until Vince calls, and she's reminded of the abusive, possessive man she married. As her stay at Leopard Rock extends and her marriage crumbles, Erin and Nick begin a passionate fling that sparks entirely unexpected emotions. Is Erin living a fantasy life, or could Nick really be the one? De Jong's rich, tempting prose is as alluring as Nick's offer of no-strings sex, with descriptions of the lush South African landscape complementing the couple's mounting sexual tension. There is prevalent infidelity, which might deter some readers, as well as the depiction of an emotionally abusive relationship. However, such elements serve to build a substantial story that keeps the audience reading for more than just the sex, and the ending, while positive, retains the refreshing realism present throughout. VERDICT While the grittier components of the plot may deter fans of lighter fare, readers shouldn't pass up this sensuous, entertaining novel.
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