Georgia Le Carre

Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-billionaire-banker-blog-tour-boo...

The Billionaire Banker is a story that follows a young woman's desperate attempt to save her mother. Lana has just been let go from her job and doesn't have the money that could save her mother's life from cancer. Doctors say she doesn't have a lot of time left and so Lana must get money fast ans sadly, there is only one way. Lana's first attempt to sell herself to a rich man is worse show more then she ever would have imagined. She is somehow saved by an even richer man named Blake who has been watching her all night. They soon reach an agreement. It is strictly business, but it soon turns into something they both deny. Even if they were to talk about their feelings to one another, Blake's family and tragedy both get in the way before they can be together. And maybe it is for the best.

Oh goodness gracious. My heart is still pounding. I finished this book in a day. It was hard to put down. This is Le Carre's debut and it is one hell of a debut. I loved everything about this book. I was so in love with Lana. For her to go to such depths to save her mom was just heartbreaking. She is very innocent and has a lot to learn, but that doesn't take away anything from her. She has a mind of her own and is always looking out for what is best for her family. I loved a lot of the conversations between her and Blake. The debates on the differences between the rich and the poor were fascinating. Lana said one quote that I thought was so wise and beyond her nineteen years of age.

"I learned that a successful parasite is one that is not recognized by its host, one that can make its host work for it without appearing as a burden. As such it must be the ruling class in every capitalist society that is the real parasite." pgs. 139-140

I loved that. I also really loved Blake. I wasn't sure about him at first, but I started slowly falling for him too. He definitely is hiding a lot of things and it is mainly about his family. We meet a couple of them along with the people they run with, they are atrocious to say the least. The last couple of chapters had me screaming at my ereader, "No no no no no, you bitch, don't you dare!" You will be screaming the same thing too, trust me. But this story was both growth for Lana and Blake. Lana doesn't know much about the world because she focuses everything on her mother. Through Lana, Blake is slowly starting to open his eyes and see how blinded he has been and how wrong his family's way of thinking is. I felt really bad for him especially after meeting his father.

I also loved Lana's friends, Billie and Jack. Billie was a riot. That girl does not have a filter and I love it. She was a great friend to Lana and always there to help her. Same thing for Jack. He is more of a brother to Lana, but Lana's mom definitely thought there would be more between them. I did like the chemistry between them, but they did feel like they were more related even though they are not. But I love how protective he is of her and how he does understand her situation even though he doesn't like it.

The pacing of the story was just perfect and I love how it turns out. Do not go into this thinking it is a sweet and sexy romance. Oh no, there is a lot of dirt and shit these two have to tread through before they get to the sweet part. The ending of this book is a clear indication of that. There is a lot more at play than I first thought and more than the characters realize. Blake and Lana have entered this 3-month agreement in exchange for Lana getting enough money to pay for her mom's treatment. They both know this is temporary and it will lead to nothing. He expects to be bored of Lana like his other conquests, but they both see something more in each other. They come from two completely different worlds. Lana is barely making ends meet and Blake comes from old money. He was born into privilege. But events and certain people get in the way of things really progressing between them. I am dying to see how this plays out. Like I said, they have no idea that there is more going on behind their backs.

Overall, it may be January. But this is easily going on my list for favorite reads of 2014. It was just so good. The characters have such vast personalities and they are quite lovable. The story surpassed my expectations and more. I happily have my copy of Forty 2 Days which I will be cracking open tonight. Thank you Le Carre for not having us sit on that ending. It would have drove me over the edge. It isn't a cliffhanger ending, but more of a "shit just hit the fan" kind of ending. This book will put you at the edge of your seat. I am officially hooked. Do not miss this read, you will regret it. show less

I just read this book this afternoon; I had borrowed it using my Kindle Unlimited subscription. (Yay!) However, be aware that right now it is on a release day/week/??? sale so it's a great time to get it! I was lucky enough to read & review one of Georgia LeCarre's earliest releases, The Billionaire Banker series, and got really sucked into it. I lost track of her in the meantime and didn't keep up with her releases, but now I foresee her back list quickly moving back up on my TBR list. This show more book was so freakin' good, even though the last 45 minutes of reading were spent simultaneously wiping tears as they slipped down my cheeks. The upturn was that one of the Twinagers took one look at me and decided to just go ahead and work on dinner himself.

Please don't jump to any assumptions based on the blurb or the teaser; yes, within the first chapters of the book he DOES spank her. However, this is NOT a build-up to a D/s relationship nor a domestic discipline relationship. Not even sure what purpose it served beyond being a catalyst for a future interaction at an underground fight. This is also not necessarily a Princess vs. Bad Boy story, although the couple does work through issues of wrong impressions of each other and moving beyond them. So.... not BDSM. Not "wrong side of tracks". Not a virgin & man whore story, either (she's actually just come home after finding out she was the "other woman"). Without offering up spoilers, let me just say what this story IS...

SEXY BEAST is ultimately a gut-burning, heart-wrenching, mind-cramping story of LOVE. The love of self and self-convictions... love of spouse and family... and what you're willing to sacrifice for those loves. Like I said - I spent the last 45 minutes of the book crying... and then when I saw the dedication? That about put me under. This book reminded me that even though Georgia LeCarre can leave me feeling like a wrung out rag, the spin cycle is worth it. show less

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#1 Eden I - ★★★★
#2 Eden II - TBR



Reading books by Georgia Le Carre is one of my guilty pleasures. I knew that getting into the Crystal Jake / Eden Trilogy would be a wonderful experience, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Still troubled by her brother’s death, Lily is searching for answers. So she enbarks in a career that introduces her to a dangerous underworld. Surrounded by lust, greed, wealth and handsome and powerful men – show more one man in particular swipes her off her feet.

Jake Eden has everything; money, power, all the women he can ask for… He never needed love. Love is for the weak. Until one woman with the stage name of “Jewel” arrives and grabs his attention…

For the short book that it is, Eden I is packed with steamy action and fast-paced and interesting plotline. I read it in one sitting and devoured it. There is that unsettling presence of lust in the room on every single page. You can feel the tension between Lucy and Jake, and even as a reader, it can get a bit steamy in the room and you might need to open up a window. Aside from the lust though, there is also a romantic aspect of it – which gives a good balance to the book.

I think that this is a great start of the Crystal Jake / Eden Trilogy series, especially after the very unexpected twist at the end of the book. Trust me, that twist will make you want to pick up the second book instantly.

I loved Lily as a character, and was very interested in the story. And I also enjoyed getting to know Jake as well. Slowly getting to know the real person behind his “big strong man with no feelings” attitude.

Honestly, I am very much looking forward to the second book in the series and definitely recommend this one to add to your collection of steamy stories. show less

Entralling

Ooh where do I start absolutely love Disfigured love, the ever so talented Georgia le carre has done it again I don't think she has wrote anything I haven't loved . I was transfixed from the opening lines and couldn't put this story down Loved Lena from the start she tried not to let her circumstances crush her spirit , Hawke /Guy took a bit of warming to him, his actions and attitude towards Lena really pushed my buttons, but I found myself seeing through his eyes later on and show more kind of understanding if not condoning the reasons he behaves in this way, so glad to see the pair reuniting in such a romantic way, in my opinion this seems to be a much darker modern and raunchier retelling of beauty and the beast and I'm a sucker for a fairytale . brilliant book. show less