Monica Murphy (1)

Stealing Rose is the second in the Fowler Sisters series by Monica Murphy and it stands well above the first novel, Owning Violet. Owning Violet is a very good book, but the chemistry between the two main characters in Stealing Rose propels this novel at break neck speed. It is steamy, lustful and tugs on the emotional level that many erotic novels are not able to reach.

"...Take a bite,' he urges and I lean in, sinking my teeth into the burger, lifting my chin as I pull away and chew, show more savoring the delicious flavor of the meat and cheese an sauce. 'Good?'
'Delicious,' I say before I burst out laughing. Like, uncontrollable giggles that draw the attention of more than a few diners and even our waitress. I rest my hand over my mouth, trying to contain the laughter, but its no use.
'What's so funny?' he asks, the smile on his face so cute that I do finally stop laughing, enraptured with his gorgeous face instead.
'I feel like we're seducing each other with food. Burgers and salads,' I say, sounding ridiculous.
'We are,' he agrees. 'This has been one night of long, strung-out foreplay, don't you think?'
'Yes.' I take a sip of my drink and realize there's not much left beyond melted ice. I rattle the ice in my glass, glancing around for the waitress, who's already disappeared. 'Though so far I'm the only one who got off..."

Rose Fowler is the youngest of the three Fowler sisters and all her life she has lived in the shadow of her two older siblings. Of Violet the responsible one and Lily the outrageous one. Rose works diligently in the family business, helping to make Fleur Cosmetics into the global giant it is and still her efforts go unnoticed. It will be even worse now with Violet in Paris and their father's new love interest trying to take over in New York. Rose needs to break away and she does it in one rebellious act in Cannes. Where she steps naked out of a pool into the arms of a stranger. A stranger whose embrace and soft kisses is all she has to remember him by. Until she meets him again in Paris and together they begin a passion filled affair that startles and frightens everyone. But Rose doesn't care. She needs this and she needs this stranger named Caden. But did Caden really meet Rose by chance and why is his past such a mystery. Is Rose really ready to risk everything for a man she knows so little about? Or is she risking it to finally find out who she really is and who she can be?

What makes this series so interesting and fresh is that the main characters of the first novel are only supporting characters in this second novel. Each story is uniquely its own as it tells the adventures and misadventures of each sister.

Rose is a woman in search of herself and feeling incredibly chained in by the expectations and limitations placed on her by her family. This is finally her time to be her own person and explore her own desires. What is surprising is how threatened everyone else is by it. Especially her sister Violet who had just gone through a similar dilemma when she decided to break off her engagement to the right kind of guy to find someone she could feel passionate about. See the first novel Owning Violet for that story. But Rose won't let anyone stop her as she explores herself and her new found lover. As for Caden, his past is keeping him from being who he wants to be, only he never really knew he wanted to be anything different than the international jewel thief he is. Can he change who he is for Rose? Does he really want to?

All of this Rose and Caden must work through as they struggle to sate and understand the powerful desire they feel for one another. It is steamy. It is hot. It is also an emotional rollercoaster for both lovers. Murphy weaves her way through this extremely well and crafts an exciting and endearing erotic novel in this second installment in the series.

A very good read. show less

I loved Drew and Fable and their story in One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend (plus their novella). I completely fell in love with them. The bits and pieces we got about Owen, Fable's little brother, in their books drew me in to wanting to read his story. I'm so glad Owen got his own story! This can be read as a standalone. You get references to Owen's relationships with Fable and Drew from the previous books, but Drew and Fable's love story is not really spoiled, so newcomers to show more this series can still go back and read their books (which I loved).

Four Years Later is set when Owen is in college. Owen's life and upbringing have been far from easy or ideal. Fable did her best to help raise Owen, but their manipulative addict of a mother did a number on him, and despite new stability with Drew as a male role model in his life, his sister's unconditional love, and the opportunities of college and football, Owen is still drowning in the aftereffects of the mind games he's been dealt as well as the repercussions of his poor recent choices. He is lost and confused and losing hope quickly. But I loved Owen. There was something honest and innocent in his voice despite the lack of innocence in his life. He had to grow up too quickly, never being given the opportunity to ease into life. I hurt for the guy. I loved that we got to see him step back, taking on a new relationship and looking at his current life as well as his future differently, allowing him to mature and grow into himself. Yet he still remained Owen, just improved.

Then there's Chelsea, who has her own bucket of family drama to deal with. I could relate to Chelsea's shy side, her awkwardness, her insecurities. She was smart and felt out of place often. But I loved that she didn't force herself to be someone she wasn't, even if that lessened her social opportunities. She was a great contrast to Owen, but they also had a lot in common. Watching their relationship develop was very sweet, yet contained just enough drama to keep things interesting. These two had their work cut out for them in the trust and family department, but I appreciated the care that was taken to look at their circumstances in an honest fashion. Owen and Chelsea were really great; their chemistry, their conversations, their trepidations, their belief in the other, their patience and exploration of each other, and the way they were finally able to trust each other. I was rooting for these two hearts who had been dealt a lousy hand, that they would find the jackpot with each other.

Owen and Chelsea's story was just what I needed to finish off this series. I loved getting to know them and was taken on a beautiful journey once again. I'm also so happy to have gotten glimpses into Drew and Fable's life, and baby Autumn. I will miss these characters and their stories. show less

I wasn't sure how to rate this, but the fact that it stuck with me so long after reading it, I couldn't stop myself from giving it 5 Stars. It's a quick read that completely sucked me in, and I read it in a day. As you can see from the blurb, we are following Drew and Fable for a little over a week watching them in a "fake" relationship that Drew needs while they visit his parents for a week during Thanksgiving break. Of course, we are instantly thinking about "why" Drew needs this buffer of show more a fake girlfriend for his family visit, what secrets Drew had so deeply locked inside, and what Fable is going to do as she gets to know this guy who was essentially a stranger to her before this deal. Add to that the very tangible sparks of electricity between them, and this will be a very interesting week for sure.

Along with the intrigue of the plotline and the mystery of the secrets, I really enjoyed the characters. Drew was a ball of muscled mystery, but the reality that no one really knew him, that he was so afraid of getting close to others, and the feelings he had to live with really drew me to him. I wanted to reach out and help him, and cheered Fable when she tried to get through to him. His vulnerability was touching. Drew's story was heart-breaking, and even though I had my suspicions, I commend the author on the way she handled and approached her subject matter.

Fable is a strong heroine, who works so hard and looks out for her own, but is so alone, and feels so unloved and unwanted. But despite all that, she is kind and gentle and didn't let the bitterness take her over, and I loved that about her. I loved Fable's compassionate heart and the way she would stand up for what was important, push when she needed to push, be vulnerable when she needed to be, be responsible for her brother, and be so real with her loneliness and neglect.

As far as mystery goes, despite figuring out many of Drew's secrets, I still wanted to see how it all played out. And I wanted to see if the author would throw any other surprises out there, which she did. It was properly suspenseful and intriguing. The romance was fast but the situation was also highly emotional and intensive, causing emotions to be at their height during this one week period. Plus, these are two people who have different upbringings and experiences, but also similarities and underlying caring attitudes, and with that I could get how things would spark quickly.

Bottomline: This was a beautifully written story about two individuals with hurtful pasts, but through unconventional circumstances are able to break through each other's barriers and give each other a glimpse into something better. There is healing to be done, and I admire the author stepping into a mature topic with compassion. These characters and their story moved me and I look forward to the next book and continuing their journey. Well done, Ms. Murphy! show less

I'm always up for an arranged marriage trope so I picked my first Monica Murphy book and was blown away with her exquisite character development and her breathtaking slow build of intrigue and attraction.

Perry Constantine is fun and charismatic. A rebel in his serious and ruthless family. His mother's favorite. And now he's a lamb led to an arranged marriage. It's a business deal between two powerful families and he has no say in the matter. Then he meets his future wife, the mysterious and show more beautiful Charlotte Lancaster. Perry is in a hell of a predicament. He's too young to marry and have a family, but he wants this frustrating and vulnerable woman. Is it enough to change his future forever?

Charlotte feels alone and unloved in her prestigious family, but she owes them for the scandal she created a year ago. Being forced to marry a stranger is the last thing she expected and when she meets her handsome, easy-going, and angry husband-to-be she is intrigued. He is the first person to actually pay attention to her and he protects her from her father's wrath. Her heart has been broken in the past. She cannot afford to have that happen again.

I love the slow intrigue and seduction of Charlotte and Perry. From the first time they meet under impossible circumstances, the chemistry is there. There is animosity at first, but the longer they are in each other's company, they cannot deny the attraction. Learning about Charlotte's sad life with her heartless family is painful. Her father and brothers are so nasty and uncaring and her mother is extremely selfish and artificial. All she wants is to be loved and to have someone fight for her. Perry is that man when he learns of her vile father's treatment of her and agrees to get her out of that house to live together before the marriage. Perry is a kind and lonely man who is manipulated by his controlling mother and it is good to see him finally step away from her and stand up for himself. He seems to be winning some respect from at least his older brother, Winston, and he loves his sister, Tinsley, though her fiance is a Morelli which is an arch-enemy of the Constantines. I love Perry's attentiveness and compassion for Charlotte when he stands up to her loathsome father. Perry certainly grows throughout the story as he becomes more invested in the idea of their marriage and grows some backbone. Charlotte is young and sheltered and with Perry as her cheerleader, she becomes more outspoken and confident about what she wants for her own life. Surrounding the arranged marriage is the question of why so quickly and so publicly? In addition, an unlikable person from Charlotte's past shows up and drops a bomb leaving a vexing and infuriating cliffhanger.

The Constantines and Lancasters are not typical loving families. Using their children's lives as a business transaction is par for the course. Money and prestige are more important. The only sibling who seemed genuine is Tinsley who welcomed Charlotte with open arms.

I loved this slow-burn, opposites-attract, emotional romance with memorable characters and a surprising twist that has this reader eager to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to Ms. Murphy for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less