Blog Tour / Giveaway: A Princess In His Bed by L. DiPasqua

Title: The Princess in His Bed 

{Fiery Tales # 2}

Author: Lila DiPasqua

Published: November 2, 2010 by Berkley Trade

ISBN-10:  0425237001

Pages: 336 pgs, Mass Market Paperback

Reason for reading: Participating in Blog Tour/Giveaway courtesy of Berkley Trade and Lila DiPasqua.

The Marquis’ New Clothes {Story # 1}
To save her cousin, Aimee must retrieve a jeweled ring from the most sinfully seductive man at court, the Marquis de Nattes. But to search his considerable wardrobe she’ll have to get very close to the notorious rake…and soon she finds herself very close to him indeed, with his clothes—and hers—utterly forgotten…

Adam, the Marquis of Nattes has fantasized and lusted after Aimee for six long years, but she was off-limits because she was the wife of his late friend.  Now her period of mourning is over and Adam is determined to have Aimee once and for all.  

Aimee knows that Adam is as notorious a rake as her late husband and he is not to be trusted.  However, after finding herself in some awkward and very sexy situations (while attempting to retrieve a ring that Adam unknowingly possesses), she learns that he is impossible to resist and she relishes the opportunity to explore a new side of her sexuality.  Before either of them realize it, what started off as bedroom games has turned into a love neither expected to find.

This short story was complete with drama, ultra steamy love scenes, tender moments and even a dash of humor.  I especially love that it was the hero who wanted to pursue and conquer the elusive heroine.  Adam's initial interest in Aimee may have been shallow but it was enjoyable to watch him fall victim to that 4-letter word, "love" while Aimee's previously broken heart is slowly and unexpectedly mended.  {I'm such a sucker for this stuff, lol}. 

This was definitely a great start Lila's latest trilogy!

The Lovely Duckling {Story # 2}
Reputed for his carnal skills, Joseph d’Alumbert prefers amorous encounters without emotional entanglement—until a quick-witted lady stirs tender feelings as well as hot desire. Emilie suffered burns to her body as an infant, and keeps her scars—and her heart—well hidden. But Joseph is determined to peel away her inhibitions, one slow steamy kiss at a time, to reveal the beautiful swan inside…  

This emotionally charged story stars two very strong characters.  As a child, Emilie survived a fire that left her skin badly scarred.  During her coming out party, she was taunted and humiliated with some very hurtful names that left her emotionally scarred as well.

Joseph, the eldest son of one of the most powerful dukes in France, simply stood by while his "friends" made fun of her.  Now years later, he is haunted by the memory of that cruel night.  Posing as his twin brother Vincent, he begins corresponding with her and comes to know and care for Emilie.  

Ashamed of her scars, Emilie has never experienced any form of intimacy.  Determined to indulge in carnal pleasure, Emilie attends her aunt's masquerade party.  Joseph and his brothers also attend and Joseph, still pretending to be Vincent is determined to stop Emilie from losing her virginity to a stranger. Sadly, he cannot bring himself to be honest with her and quickly finds himself tangled in a web of lies that could cause him to lose the only girl he's ever loved.

This was without a doubt my favorite of the stories!  Although the heroine struggled with a lack of self-confidence, her resentment and anger toward being treated so cruelly gave her an inner strength and spunk that were admirable. She turned her lemons into lemonade :) 

Joseph may have been dishonest, but his feelings for her were not.  I feel that DiPasqua did a fantastic job creating a character that broke the mold.  He wasn't interested in adding a notch to his bedpost, but rather to prove that he was a changed man.  His deeply rooted guilt, inner turmoil and fear of losing Emilie was so touching and it made him equally lovable.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but I feel that it still played out well. Emilie and Joseph's story will tug at those heartstrings and is a nice reminder that love doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be real! 

My only wish is that their story would have been longer :)

The Princess and the Diamonds {Story # 3}
Princess Gabrielle can’t sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome marquis on it….whose carnal talents she can’t resist. But he threatens her secret mission, and worse, she stands to lose far more than the diamonds---her heart is at stake…

Mathias, Marques of Montfort lost a very good friend to suicide caused by a very serious gambling problem.  He is now determined to help bring down one of the most dangerous and illegal gaming rooms in France.  When he pledges to help unveil the leaders and players that are breaking the King's law, he's forced back to the tables of a game that he detests.  One evening, the tables welcome a "youth" that bets not with money but with diamonds.  His interest gets the better of him when he learns that this young man is actually a beautiful woman.

Princess Gabrielle has taken to playing Basset not for money or the thrill of it, but in the hopes of earning enough money to help her half-brother.  However, her plans and concentration are thrown off when she is discovered by the most delectable man she's ever met.  While "off her game" she loses two of the King's diamonds to Mathias.  She must get them back, and quickly, so she offers herself to Mathias in exchange for the diamonds.

Mathias was the sexiest of the heroes and very likable!  However, Gabrielle was the least emotionally invested of the heroines.  She manages to keep Mathias at arm's length even when she realizes that he's fallen in love with her.  

One of the consequences of writing short stories, is that the endings tend to feel a bit rushed.  However, I was happy with the finale of this story and liked the little twist at the end. 

RATING: 4 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ of 5

HEAT LEVEL: 6 - Erotic {Who like 'em hott?}

I am a genuine fan of Lila's work and am so thankful that she's offered me the opportunities to read her books and help with her tours!  I've been frequently impressed with her consistency in creating likable character, brow-wiping sex scenes, fresh takes on classic tales and complete storylines.  I've read other short stories that really fell short for me (no pun intended).  Lila has managed to always create sincere emotional connections with her character that make her stories feel complete!

I'm so excited to read her full-length novel, "A Midnight Dance" scheduled to release August 2011 {so mark those calendars}.

Visit LilaDiPasqua.com
Lila DiPasqua on Goodreads
Follow Lila's Blog
Become a Fan of Lila's Facebook Page
 Lila on Twitter

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY
THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED with Cinderella’s Slipper Ornament

5 WINNERS!
{Books courtesy of Penguin/Berkley; Ornament autographed by author, Lila DiPasqua}

Giveaway open to US and Canada *only* (No P.O Boxes)
and will end Dec. 13th, 2010 at midnight

FILL OUT THIS FORM TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

{Important: Please leave a comment on this post stating you filled out the form! Thank you!}

Rules:

• To enter the giveaway you must complete the form (linked above) and leave a comment indicating that you've completed the form.

• Prizes will be delivered directly from the publishers so the giveaways are only available for U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes please.

Note: It may take several weeks to receive your prize so please be patient!

• Winners will be drawn soon after the contest ends and posted thereafter.

• Winners will be chosen using random.org!

♥ Feel free to contact us via email at booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com if you have any questions ♥

Good luck!