The Stars in Her Eyes
C.M. Albert
(Love in LA Quartet, #1)
Publication date: March 26th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Reverse Harem, Romance
Blurb:Love in LA just got a whole lot hotter!
One woman. Three men. Some things are best kept secret.
“Hands down the best reverse harem I’ve ever read!” Goodreads Reviewer M. Simmons
When Creslyn Knight auditions for the role of a life time, she never expects three things:
1. To know the casting director—intimately.
2. To be insanely attracted to the three stand-in actors at the audition.
3. That she’d soon be putting her morals to the test when her resolve weakens.
Acting is in Creslyn’s blood, and she’s focused her sights on one thing: landing the role of a lifetime. But she’s always been told that everything comes at a cost. The casting director names his when he tells her she must make him believe she can surrender to a harem of men, or he can’t justify giving her the lead role.
Determined to prove him wrong and show him she can tap into a passion that deep, Creslyn throws herself into rehearsals. But the fine line between script and reality soon starts to blur, leading her and three men into unchartered territory. The only problem? She has a jealous roommate, a disgruntled mother, and a string of paparazzi hot on her trail, making Creslyn question the cost of everything.
In a world where some things are best kept secret, is the price of fame too high when it comes to the heart?
The Stars in Her Eyes is book one of the Love in LA Quartet and is a new adult, steamy contemporary romance reverse harem LOVE STORY that can be read as a stand-alone or as an introduction to the series. All the heat you’ve come to expect with a reverse harem, AND a storyline worthy of a contemporary romance love story. Finally, the best of both worlds!
On sale for $2.99 for a limited time!
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today! Since my new book, The Stars in Her Eyes, is quite a deliciously naughty book, I thought I’d compile a list of my top ten favorite HAWT books of all times. As a steamy contemporary romance author with lots of reading under her belt, let’s just say this will be a hard list to curate. But I’m up for a challenge. (These are in no particular order.)
1) Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small (or anything by Bertrice Small, let’s be honest). This was my first experience with explicit romance in fiction—and hoo-boy! She BROUGHT IT! She was the QUEEN of spicy romance, and even though she’s passed, her collection is timeless. Even if you’re not a historical romance reader, give just one of her books a chance if you like naughty. She also has a more futuristic kink series and some straight erotica. But her historical romance is dark, compelling, and sensual, and she always has sexy AF alpha males and strong, kick-ass female heroines despite the time period—which is what I think makes me swoon most of all.
2) The Story of O by Pauline Reage, translated by Sabine d’Estree. This book was originally published in 1954, and I found this naughty little paperback at a garage sale when I was in high school (which probably explains a lot). It was the first BDSM novel I had ever experienced, and probably set the tone for my proclivity for writing a little kink from time to time. As expected, it was immediately an outrage—which only heightened the allure. The blog Story of O has one of the best summaries about it: “The Story of O is a small literary gem. It is also a dangerous book. It is a romance of violence written by a gentle French woman who for over forty years hid behind the name Pauline Reage. It is a book which should come with a health warning. . . Story of O might seduce your heart. It might claim your soul. It could even change your life.”
As we’ve seen a significant rise in the acceptance of BDSM stories in mainstream romance, I think it’s telling that when The Story of O was rereleased in 2013 the introduction was written by another widely popular erotica author, Sylvia Day.
1) Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small (or anything by Bertrice Small, let’s be honest). This was my first experience with explicit romance in fiction—and hoo-boy! She BROUGHT IT! She was the QUEEN of spicy romance, and even though she’s passed, her collection is timeless. Even if you’re not a historical romance reader, give just one of her books a chance if you like naughty. She also has a more futuristic kink series and some straight erotica. But her historical romance is dark, compelling, and sensual, and she always has sexy AF alpha males and strong, kick-ass female heroines despite the time period—which is what I think makes me swoon most of all.
2) The Story of O by Pauline Reage, translated by Sabine d’Estree. This book was originally published in 1954, and I found this naughty little paperback at a garage sale when I was in high school (which probably explains a lot). It was the first BDSM novel I had ever experienced, and probably set the tone for my proclivity for writing a little kink from time to time. As expected, it was immediately an outrage—which only heightened the allure. The blog Story of O has one of the best summaries about it: “The Story of O is a small literary gem. It is also a dangerous book. It is a romance of violence written by a gentle French woman who for over forty years hid behind the name Pauline Reage. It is a book which should come with a health warning. . . Story of O might seduce your heart. It might claim your soul. It could even change your life.”
As we’ve seen a significant rise in the acceptance of BDSM stories in mainstream romance, I think it’s telling that when The Story of O was rereleased in 2013 the introduction was written by another widely popular erotica author, Sylvia Day.
3) Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. Which leads me into this controversial beauty. People seem to either love it or hate it. I happen to love it. One of the things I appreciated the most about this author was the way she was able to take such taboo content and make it completely mainstream. I’m not going to get into all the fucked up shades of grey that Christian is or into some of the heavier debates this book inflamed. Strictly speaking, this was the cotton candy series of BDSM that most women read behind closed doors, rarely admitted to at first, but then devoured voraciously because it was contemporary and oh so very naughty! It’s a bestseller and was made into a very successful movie trilogy for a reason. The readers are there. And they are hungry for more!
4) Enthrall by Vanessa Fewings. This was a new-to-me author and a new-to-me series last year that was like hitting the jackpot with a brand new alpha (or two) and sub to love. What I loved about this series is the first few books were written from the female’s POV, then switched to the men’s POV later on. Each had their own merits. But the stories are hot, suspenseful, and full of interesting characters you will not soon forget. If you loved 50 Shades and enjoy hot billionaire alphas, this is a must-add series.
5) Brie’s Submission by Red Phoenix. I have to be honest – this series is long. There’s around 17 books currently. I haven’t even begun to touch on all of them, so I can’t speak for the entire series. But it starts with Brie going to an exclusive submissive training center and learning how to submit in every way under the tutelage of experienced doms in order to graduate and become collared by just one. Insert hot dom instructor, dozens of tests to pass, auctions, and fellow students and teachers with very different proclivities and holy crow! You get the point. Plus…the first 3 eBooks in the series are free right now as a boxset. You’re welcome.
6) Triple Daddies by Madison Faye. Let’s be honest about what this is. This was actually my first dip into reverse harems (thanks!). And it was all about the sex. I think this was one of the first times I read an open-door sex scene between one woman and three men at the same time—and it actually kinda made sense how they got there. If it’s not your thing—just skip her books. They are pretty raunchy. But if you just want to escape into something ridiculously straight-forward and sexy, it’s a great bubble gum “taboo” read.
7) The Power of Five by Alex Lidell. This was my first fantasy/paranormal reverse harem love story and I want more! I have to say, it’s actually heavier on the fantasy side, which I really enjoyed (especially as I’m tearing through the series). The story, world building, and plot are all amazing. If you’re looking for mostly the steamier scenes, this is not going to deliver. But if you can enjoy a slow unraveling burn, amazing soul connections, and steamy as heck love scenes when they do arise, then you’ll love this series. The writing itself is top-notch, too—which is a huge deal breaker for me if it’s not. You won’t be disappointed!
8) Scandalous by LJ Shen. L.J. Shen popped my bad boy, anti-hero alpha male cherry. I never really liked many “bad boy” romances I’d read in the past. The main characters were just asshole dirt bags and I have too much self-respect for that shit. I could never seem to get into the characters enough to invest my heart (and loins!) to them. But, oh sweet momma . . . Trent Roxreth. I don’t know . . . I admit to being swayed by the eye candy on the cover. Then L.J. Shen won me over with her amazing writing and realistic portrayal of the damaged but still sexy AF alpha male, who you just want to drop trou for and let him have his dirty way with you. Don’t be fooled though. This is heavy on plot, and you’ll fall in love with every character. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but when an alpha falls, he falls so freakin’ hard and hot. Damn. Just damn.
9 The Escort by Skye Warren. This was my second or third book by Skye Warren, quickly making her a go-to author whose books I always purchase the minute they’re available now because I know I am going to fall in love. Hard. #1 NYT Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely said it best about this book: “A sensual feast! Escort is extraordinary—delicious, passionate, dreamily sexy, and utterly romantic!” This. All this. Let’s just drop the premise here: a deliciously confident, charming, sexy AF escort + a wealthy reclusive virgin = OMG! A sensual, well-written, panty-melting, romantic love story that you will never want to end. I absolutely adored Bea just as much as I did Hugo and I promise this one will sit with you for a long while afterwards. Unforgettable.
10) Kneel Mr. President, Lauren Gallagher. Normally, the cover for this book might’ve made me take a pass. However, I am glad I didn’t. It is a deceptively amazingly well-written, smart book combined with the dilemma of a bisexual president under a ton of stress, his best friend and ex-Seal body guard who still has the hots for him, and a first lady who would do anything, and I mean anything, to help her husband—the president of the united states—stay sane in one of the toughest jobs in the country. I’ve written MMF love scenes before, but none where the men interact. So I guess this is technically my first gay male erotica I’ve read. And . . . she did it in a way that was somehow tasteful, compelling, romantic, and, eh-hem, really hot. Despite the simplicity of what this book is about, the reader takes away so much more than anticipated with strong, believable characters. Yes, most readers are coming for the sex. But I think many will be surprised at the quality writing and well-developed, memorable characters.
So that’s my Top Ten Must Read Hot List. That said, I think it’s important to note that there are many other amazing and popular authors who write devastatingly hot romance. Just a few to check out are: Helen Hardt, Sylvia Day, Willow Winters, Penelope Sky, Nana Malone, Taryn Quinn, Mimi Strong, Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland, Addison Moore, E.L. Todd, Christina Ross, Kendall Ryan, Penny Wylder, Meredith Wild, Jasinda Wilder, Ivy Smoak, Meghan March, Lauren Landish, Melissa Foster, Ainsley Booth, Sadie Haller, Laurelin Paige, Alexa Riley, Lauren Blakely, and Maya Banks.
Remember, romance novels serve so many purposes are often much more than just an elicit, voyeuristic peek at someone else’s sex life. When romance is written well, it devastates you, leaves you wrecked and wanting more, makes you breathless as you hold the characters close for days after you finish the book, and utterly tears your heart apart with the romance.
Let me know what your favorite sexy romance book of all time was, or what authors I’ve missed! I always love a new-to-me romance writer.
Mwah!
Author Bio:
USA Today Best Selling Author C.M. Albert writes heartwarming romances that are both “sexy and flirty, sweet and dirty!” Her writing infuses a healthy blend of humor, inspiration, and high-heat romance. She’s a sucker for a good villain but is a die-hard believer in everlasting love. In her spare time, she and her husband wrangle their two kids and enjoy spending time outdoors. When not writing or kid wrangling, C.M. Albert is also a Certified Medical Reiki Master, chocolate chip cookie aficionado, kindness ambassador, and seeker of naps.
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