Review/Giveaway: The Valentine Challenge

Title: The Valentine Challenge
Author: Marisa Cleveland
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Flirt)
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Pages: 45
Buy Links: Amazon

Blurb:

Stacey Bradford believes in love, but when her hot boss, Marshall Royce, decides to close her best friend's flower shop - days before Valentine's Day! - Stacey declares war.

Intrigued by Stacey's devotion to her friend, the hearts and flowers holiday, and belief in true love, Marsh issues a challenge - prove love exists or deliver the closing documents to her friend herself.

Stacey never could resist a challenge, but when Marsh makes Valentine's Day the deadline for their deal, Stacey must decide how far she's willing to go for love.

Review

Such a cute short story!

First of all, that man in the cover is hot. The story itself was so cute and refreshing to read. I wouldn't say this was an erotica book. It was just romantic with a little hint of sex, but not steamy enough for erotica.

Stacey was a sassy assistant that threw Marsh off his pedestal. I didn't quite like how Marsh kept assuming that Stacey wanted to date him. That's just plain arrogant. Stacey, on the other hand, proved to be very loyal to her best friend. There's not enough people like that in the world anymore.

I LOVE how Marsh had a complete 360 towards the end of the book. I think that was just so romantic. Check out two of my favorite scenes!

"Would you like me to refill your coffee?" He was momentarily stunned at her change in attitude, but as their gazes locked, he felt a shock of electricity run through him. He smiled and quipped, "You don't know how I like it."

He heard her quick intake of breath before she astonished him by reaching for his mug and swirling the contents. "Black." She brought the rim to her nose and inhaled. "No sugar." His body tightened as he watched her long, bare legs walk away from him, and he realized it'd been far too long since a woman left him speechless.

"Old people." When he scoffed, she continued, "If seducing you didn't work, I thought I'd prove love exists by showing you a lot of old people in love." He tucked his finger under her chin, shot a quick glance over her head, and dipped down to claim their first kiss. With his lips a millimeter away from hers, he whispered, "We need to get out of here."

What did that mean? Was he telling her to move on to plan B? That he wasn't interested in her? It was late on a Saturday night. Where on earth would she find elderly couples in love?

He shot her a diabolical grin. "If you're going to seduce me, I'd like a place with a little more privacy."

Giveaway

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