Sandy M’s review of Exposed to You (One Night of Passion, Book 2) by Beth Kery
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Berkley Trade 6 Nov 12

As much as I enjoyed the first book in Beth Kery’s One Night of Passion series, she’s outdone herself with this latest addition. This is a wonderfully emotional story of life and the eagerness to live it when the threat of death is very real. Then just when our heroine finds the happiness she never thought she’d have, that threat becomes even more real and scary and heartbreaking.

One of the best erotic scenes in the book is early on when Joy meets our hero, Everett. They’re on a movie set and Joy’s job is to finish up the body paint on one of the actors in the film. During this process she’s so very drawn to him – and he to her when his growing reaction to her is finally noticed. Knowing she”ll never see the man again – she wouldn’t recognize him if she does, he’s covered in paint from head to toe – she takes a bold step and acts on their mutual attraction, to the surprise and delight of both of them. What she doesn’t know is this stranger with the incredible body is none her than the star of the film, Everett Hughes. Plans are made for them to meet after the day’s work, but when her mystery man doesn’t show up, Joy has to move on and take care of herself. You see, Joy has been diagnosed with cancer, the same dreaded disease that ravaged her mother, and Joy wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Especially her only relative, Uncle Seth, who also lived her mother’s death with Joy, after her father bailed on them, not being able to handle the situation at all. Thus, her recent move to Chicago where she can face all the fear alone.

Everett is beside himself when Joy doesn’t show for their after-hours meeting. The woman is embedded in his consciousness and won’t be leaving any time soon, he knows. Then unexpectedly she reappears in his life fourteen months later when he’s in Chicago for his latest movie premiere. He’s just as enchanted and enthralled with her as he was after the most incredible blowjob he’s ever had, and he delves to discover why she didn’t keep their pre-arranged meeting. Joy is embarrassed to learn Everett is the man who was under all that body paint. But it’s obvious he’s not going to let her go so soon this time, coercing her to attend the premiere with him. Though he’s a Hollywood star and could have any woman on the planet, Joy agrees to one evening with him, thinking the physical attraction will wear off and Everett will then move on.

She couldn’t be more wrong. Everett likes how Joy sees him as the man, not the movie star. He wants the simple things life like a lot of men do – a wife, a home, children, happiness. He knows he can have this with Joy. But commitment isn’t in her future, as far as she’s concerned. There’s every reason to believe the cancer can return, and she’d never subject Everett to the same thing she went through with her mother. Even after Everett acknowledges his love, it’s so difficult for Joy to open up to that extent. It takes more doing on his part to show her she doesn’t have to be alone, now that he’s found the one woman who can and does love him for who he is, without pretense.

Of course, the sex between them is some of the hottest ever written. Joy is fairly uninhibited sexually, but Everett exposes a part of her no one, including Joy herself, has ever seen or experienced. Besides being an explosive and dominant lover, Everett is just as kind and considerate, giving Joy everything she needs physically and emotionally, even when her secret is revealed and he finally learns all. A man who loves you into near unconsciousness and who will stand by your side no matter what may come? Yes, indeed, a dream like no other. And though I understand her hesitation, I wanted to sit her down and give her a good talking to when she keeps pushing Everett away.

If you’ve not read Beth Kery, make this your first book. You don’t need to read Addicted to You first, even though those characters are part of this book. Though for the full experience of the series, pick them both up because they’re both that good. Ms. Kery is fast becoming a fan favorite when it comes to emotional investment in characters, and when you add the raw, intense physicality of lovemaking, you get the complete package when reading her books, and these two are perfect examples.

Grade:  B+

Summary:

It’s not often you’re hired to paint a body tattoo—and what a body—on a total stranger at a Hollywood film set. A reserved and careful art teacher, Joy would never forget it. In a rare fit of raw desire she gave herself completely, knowing she’d never see him again, or ever repeat such a shameless, naked impulse.

Little did she know, the man with whom she shared that lightning bolt of lust was star Everett Hughes. For Everett, women and sex came as easily as fame. But how could he hope to convince the guarded Joy that beneath the hard body and sexy façade of celebrity was a real man who wanted only one, real woman?

In the heat of an intoxicating affair, Everett endeavors to break down her barriers, gain her trust, and expose himself as the real deal. But can Joy do the same, and reveal to him the vulnerable woman who longs to be loved, wanted, and desired forever?

Read an excerpt.

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