Robin Covington

I literally didn't want to put this one down. Even though the ordinary-girl-meets-and-dazzles-a-famous-celebrity troupe is definitely one from the fairy tale realm, this version had more than a touch of believability. For one, Piper isn't exactly an ordinary girl--she's an author who's had more than one of her novels adapted for the big screen, so she's not a complete stranger to the Hollywood scene and has had her own share of fame in her own right. Plus, she had dated an actor before show more (which ended up in disaster, and of course sets her up for her main hangups in this novel) and had been friends with yet another one in the past. The reason given for throwing Piper and Mick together is, admittedly, one of the weakest parts of the novel, but the story that followed was so entertaining I was more than willing to put my skepticism aside. Plus, even the characters mock her attempts to "help" him with his acting (Example #1: Ask your [male, best friend since middle school] roommate what being in love feels like. Example #2: Think of the feeling you have for your car when playing that [love] scene.), which made the whole even more entertaining. Sure, there's a touch of insta-love, but really it's more insta-lust, which I am totally behind. The love part develops a bit more gradually. This was a fun, steamy read, and I can't wait to see what the next one in the series brings! show less

Country music is not my thing and that didn't even matter because this book was so good it didn't even bother me. Max and Kit were endearingly flawed and real. I was rooting for them to work out as a couple from the beginning. This book had just enough intrigue to keep me guessing without detracting from the romance aspect of the story. I had never read anything by this author and now I want to read everything.

His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington is a gay romance novel about starting over and learning to love again. The main characters are professional football player, Isaiah Blackwell and ballet dancer, Victor Aleksandrov. From their first meeting the chemistry, sexual and otherwise, sizzles. These two men occupy center stage; their mere presence in a room draws attention.

Isaiah is rather straight-laced and reserved. He doesn't deny who he is, but he's not wearing a placard either. Victor is show more the complete opposite. Victor wears his sexuality out loud and in your face. His sexuality is there for anyone to see. Covington brings these two men to life with all their pain and burning passion. She knows how to tell a story!

Victor's gay rights/human rights activism is what brings the two men together. His speeches against the persecutions at home and the denial of his asylum status in America, compels Isaiah to marry him in a rushed ceremony in Las Vegas. Once that's done the two men must cobble a life together and there hangs the story.

Covington includes some delightful secondary characters in His Convenient Husband. Isaiah's artistic teenage son, Evan, who has his own secrets to reveal; Isaiah’s mother, Esther, who wants to nurture everyone, including Victor, and Ian the best friend and agent to both men. Covington fully-develops each character. Evan is a pivotal character in the story. His relationship with these two powerful men and their feelings for him almost destroys them when Evan confronts Isaiah about an incident at school.

The passion between Isaiah and Victor is fiery, smoky-hot, but fear stands between them. There were times when I wanted to smack Isaiah on the head; tell him to wake up and look around. Isaiah's lost one love, his first husband; a loss that nearly destroyed him. He can't seem to take the next step to move forward. Victor on the other hand recognizes what he and Isaiah could have together, but he’s just thankful he can stay in America and live freely.

Finding out if these two men can come together and make a life for themselves and Evan made for an entertaining read. The sex is steamy and the emotional battles are taut and painful. His Convenient Husband is well worth 4 stars. It’s going to be one of those I read again. show less

Perfection. That's the first thought that entered my mind after finishing Playing the Part. Those of you who have followed me for any length of time know that I'm a greenhorn in the world of romance. However books like this, gorgeous books with strong characters and sizzling chemistry, make me want to dive even deeper.

First off I completely loved Piper. Witty, intelligent, and honest to a fault, she's the perfect female lead for this story. I couldn't get over how real Piper's character was. show more Here is a woman who has just been through a terrible breakup, and worse yet she had to do it complete with glaring Hollywood headlines. Yet Piper is still strong. She second guesses herself, sure, but she's a fighter and I totally adored that about her.

Then of course there's Mick and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love him. What's not to love? Total playboy on the outside (and oh does he know it) and yet he has a heart too. Everything about Mick screams "Perfect Man!" even when he manages to screw things up. Okay I'm sugarcoating things. Let's leave it at this: Mick isn't just hot, he's MOLTEN LAVA hot. He's sinfully delicious, and I couldn't get enough of him.

Which of course means that these two very sexy, very stubborn characters have massive heat between them! I'm going to be very tame and say that the sex scenes in this story were perfection. However if had witnessed my reading this book you likely would have noticed me fanning myself quite a few times. Does that perhaps give you a better insight into how spicy things get between these two?

Loved it! That's the long and short of it. I could go on and on, but it boils down to the fact that I utterly loved Playing the Part. Thank you to Robin Covington for further proving to me that romance is my kind of genre! I'm eager for so much more. show less