Friday, January 24, 2014

BLOG TOUR w/REVIEW and GIVEAWAY - LAYERS (Stark #1) by Sigal Ehrlich:



 Title: Layers
Series: Stark
Series Placement: #1
Author: Sigal Ehrlich
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 2013
Published by: Telemachus Press
Format: eBook and Paperback
Pages: Approx. 299

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Copy Provided by: Author
My Goodreads Review Link

Book Blurb:
According to Hayley love is a subject of ridicule, a myth created by hopeless romantics.

When Hayley makes a resolution to declare her loose lifestyle era R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…

That is until she meets Daniel Stark, a well-respected, mid-thirties business man who is known for his short temper, lack of steady relationships as well as his strict preserve of his private life.

Opinionated, sharp tongued Hayley accidently steps into his office leaving Daniel resolved to put Hayley in her place and have her in his bed.

Both Hayley and Daniel can’t avoid the immediate instigation of the attraction between them.

In a unanimously agreed upon verdict by Hayley and her two best friends, Ian the gay self-absorb, aspiring model and Natasha the witty, borderline neurotic soul mate, Daniel Stark is to be Hayley’s pure physical attraction, emotions aside era closure.

Will it indeed be a closure, or a beginning to something neither Hayley nor Daniel ever bargained for…

Reviewers Note: Layers is book one in the Stark series and is an Adult, Contemporary Romance written by Sigal Ehrlich. I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review through Xpresso Book Tours.


3.5 Sexy, Layered Stars!
Not Too Dark, Not Too Angsty But Definitely Fun and Romantic!

The Review:
I both enjoyed this read as well as wished for more. This is the author's debut novel and I found the story less dramatic that I like them, but for the most part, this sweet romance was just right for a bit of light reading.

Story...
This read opens up with two BFF’s, Hayley and Tasha, getting ready to interview for an internship at the prestigious Stark Software Technologies. Tasha really wants to impress in her interview with the hope of getting hired but Hayley is just tagging along for moral support. She has no real interest in interning at the company so she separates from the tour group to make herself coffee in Mr. Starks private kitchen when she’s approached by a tall, strikingly handsome man who introduces himself as Daniel.

Mistaking Daniel as just another employee, Hayley casually disrespects Mr. Stark and his need for a “private” kitchen which instantly intrigues Daniel setting off an interest that explodes into a laughable scenario! And what follows is a sweet “get to know you” story with comical “girl time”, lots of “alpha out of control” domineering goodness and a wonderful romance that had me grinning like a loon until the disastrous, emotional ending.

Characters...
Daniel Stark is thirty-four and is a very private billionaire who has a string of broken trust issues littering his past. I loved his “take charge with a bit of shy” personality. He was a total alpha when it came to what he wanted but definitely a shy teenager when it came to emotions and feelings. 

Hayley is a bright, intelligent, wonderful character. She was grounded and her openness to love was a great asset to her character. I did expect more resistance on her part before the “I Love You’s” but once I realized there wouldn’t be any major conflict, it was easier to go with the flow of the read. Hayley was fun and charismatic with goals and a joy for life and that shined through in the author's writing.

There were some fantastic moments between the friends with real yet fun and hilarious dialogue. I loved the “girl time” between Hayley, Tasha and their gay BFF, Ian. I found myself laughing or smiling on more than one occasion at their antics.

And Here’s The Wish For More Part...
While I enjoyed the story and thought it was well written for a debut novel, I did find the story a bit lacking. Daniel was an interesting character but he wasn’t as “layered” as I wanted. In the beginning, you get the sense he’s this dark, brooding alpha and though he is impulsive and domineering, his darkness doesn’t extend much past a bad temper with a short fuse. I kept expecting some dark tragedy, something traumatic, some kind of curveball or some gigantic wrench to be thrown into the story, but it plays out like a sweet romance with a slight conflict towards the end. Which is great, just not what I was expecting given all the innuendos we are given about his temper, and how “psycho” he is or how private he is.

I also wish the sex scenes were more in depth and emotional. They were glossed over or cut short, letting the readers imagination work out the feelings. 

The Wrap Up:
Though I did want “more” from this read, the last sixty pages made up for any slow portions of the book with plenty of angst and emotion as well as a cliffy to encourage the reader to move on to book two, Inner Core, to see what  happens next, which I will be doing because I enjoyed it enough to want to know where Daniel and Hayley's journey takes them.

Buy the Book!
  

About the Author...

By teen age, Sigal already lived in three different continents where she had the luck to experience and visit varied places, meet unique people, which only helped fuel her overly developed imagination. Currently, Sigal calls Estonia home where she lives with her husband and three kids. 

Not exactly sure where they will end up next… 

When she is not hiding in her office, writing, she enjoys music, reading and taking care of her little clan. 

With a great believe in "don’t wait for things to happen - make them happen," she enjoys anything exciting life has to offer.


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6 comments:

  1. Glad you liked it, Hazel! It sounds like a fun read despite it not being perfect. I do like the characters' description so far though I think I would easily like them! :) Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Giselle! Yes, the characters were definitely fun and snarky. I love great dialogue and this book had some fun and interesting moments, especially between the BFF's. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting :)

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  3. Replies
    1. You're very welcome Sigal! Thanks for the opportunity to read and review and thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Thanks for the giveaway!!! *fingers crossed*

    ReplyDelete

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