Author submission in exchange for an honest review.
Title:
Maid For The Billionaire
Author:
Ruth Cardello
Release Date:
April 21, 2011
Word Count:
approx. 52,000
Purchase Links:
Author's Website:
Description:
Dominic Corisi knew instantly that Abigail Dartley was just the distraction he was looking for, especially since having her took a bit more persuading than he was used to. So when business forces him to fly to China, he decides to take her with him, but on his terms. No promises. No complications. Just sex.
Abby has always been the responsible one. She doesn’t believe in taking risks; especially when it comes to men - until she meets Dominic. He’s both infuriating and intoxicating, a heady combination. Their trip to China revives a long forgotten side of Abby, but also reveals a threat to bring down Dominic’s company. With no time to explain her actions, Abby must either influence the outcome of his latest venture and save his company or accept her role as his mistress and leave his fate to chance. Does she love him enough to risk losing him for good?
Joey's Review:
Okay, I admit it. I read the title and thought this was going to be one of those fomulaic stories. Destitute blue-collar worker meets rich man and they live happily ever after, after one or two convoluted but flimsy roadblocks. I suck. Because I devoured this story. I LOVE Dominic. He's just the perfect jackass of a leading man. Yes, I adore cocky, arrogant alpha males. But he's endearing underneath the powerful, take-no-prisoners front. And I love Abby. She doesn't take his crap, and she isn't really impressed with his fortune and his power.
There's a simple reason why this story ISN'T formulaic: The characters are so well-crafted. They read as real, vibrant people. The author just nailed these characters. As I was reading Abby and Dom's interactions, I realized there was this big goofy grin on my face because I was so caught up in the moment, forgetting it was just a story. Abby was heartfelt without being totally cheesy, and Dom was intense without being inhuman. The sparks between the two were instantaneous and believable.
This story is an excellent example of why characterization is everything. There are many ways this kind of plot could go hideously awry, but it didn't. As a writer, I covet Abby and Dom's personalities. As a reader, I'm very sorry to see the story end. Luckily for me, there will be more stories from this little universe the author created, and I can't wait to read them!
This is a fun, escapist story. Download it, kick up your heels, and just enjoy the ride!
Joey's Rating:
Joey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the 5 star review. I just started this self-publishing adventure at the end of April, 2011. My original goal was to write for Presents or Desire but I was told that although my writing was good, my characters weren't exactly what they were looking for.
I fell in love with Dominic when I wrote the book and Abby was the kind of woman I enjoyed pretending to be as I wrote...I couldn't change them. I didn't want to.
After two months, Maid for the Billionaire is still sitting in the top 20 on the Amazon Contemporary FREE bestseller list and the reviews have been positive.
This is a dream come true for me. Characters who I thought would forever sit in a file on my desktop are out there being read and I'm connecting with readers from around the world.
FOR LOVE OR LEGACY comes out in a few weeks. It's the story of Dominic's sister and his rival getting together.
I'm excited and scared and furiously working on revisions in preparation. Your review is a nice confidence boost when I most need one. Nicole and Stephan are very different than Dom and Abby -- but they are just as real to me. I hope they will be as well received by readers.
Maybe every new writer feels like this when they send their first book off into the great big world, but I am so grateful for every bit of this journey.
So, thank you -- from the bottom of my cheesy-romance loving heart.
Ruth Cardello
What a great review! Going to buy my copy now!
ReplyDeleteAmber Skyze
So happy this got a 5-star review! I've already downloaded it and can't wait to start reading it.
ReplyDeleteso I guess you. can't judge a book by its title either.
ReplyDeleteIf there is one book that I could say changed my life, this would be it. Not that the story made me turn my life around or anything, but the first time I read this book, I just thought, "I like her writing and I think she could be going places." I friended Ruth's Facebook page, we connected, and through the years we have become really good friends. Every time I reread Dominic and Abby's beginning, I just smile at the comfort it brings me, like visiting an old friend and sharing wonderful memories. The series even gets better, so if you haven't read all of them, get busy! Stephan, Jake, Rachid, and Jeremy are almost as good as Dominic and Nicole, Lil, Zhang, and Jaisa are all as lucky in love as Abby!
ReplyDeleteSo, I bought this book a while ago...it has been on my TBR list since I bought it, but it keeps getting bumped down. After all the great comments, I think I need to bump it back up!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this series. Great review and I would recommend this series to everyone!!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved this book! Now this whole series is one of my favourites!
ReplyDeleteI love this book. It's a great start to an AWESOME series
ReplyDelete