What would constitute an offer you can't refuse?
Is it money, glory and fame, mercy for a loved one, promises of everlasting passion...
For Lauren (whose gone by Lola since she was little) it's the first and she has to give up the last to get it. Mrs. Tennant, her boyfriend's mother, corners her at work and offers an outrageous sum of money for Lola to break up with her son. Naturally, Lola is hurt, furious, and promptly refuses. She loves Dougie with all her heart! They've made plans to be together forever! Mrs. Tennant, cool as a cucumber, sits patiently while Lola rants and raves and promises to tell Dougie everything. It becomes clear she's not getting through to Dougie's mum, and so Lola hops out of the car and takes the bus home.
Rattled and in need of comfort she calls her friend, who offers some practical advice for a teen. This is advice Lola doesn't want to hear and tries to call Dougie up at his hotel where he's staying while sorting out his housing for university that year. The woman behind the desk says he's gone out with a guy and two girls confirming the friend's words from before. Still Lola is determined to wait until she sees Dougie again to do anything rash. She loves him, they can get through this... but then Lola runs into her Dad upstairs and everything changes in an instant. Lola must do the impossible and give up the love of her young life to accomplish it.
Ten years later, Lola runs into Doug and his family again through some bizarre happenstance. Doug is shocked and angry; immediately distancing himself from Lola. When he finds out about the money shortly thereafter he's beyond angry. Lola in his eyes is scum. All Lola wants is to win him back... if only she could tell him why, but her sense of honor refuses to allow her this easy escape. She made a promise and she's going to keep it, even if it means losing Doug all over again.
I found Lola at 27 to still retain most of the naive 17 year old girl she'd been. She should have been more grownup I felt. I know it wouldn't be the same book if she'd come right out and told Doug why she took the money, but this was a point of contention for me. She stalks him too, not in the 'I'm outside your window watching you shower type' of stalking, but in the 'whenever I found out where you are or will be going I try to be there too' way. The older Doug showed no signs of weakening his resolve to ignore/hate Lola until the very end of the book, making the reunion a bit too hasty for me. It wasn't as satisfying as I had hoped.
There were times in the beginning of the book I was hoping Lola would fall in love with the second love of her life... the next door neighbor Gabe. He showed signs of knowing how she thought, what motivated her, did things for her (like sit and watch awful chick flick movies) and keep her in the front of his thoughts. Lola was also devastated with the idea of never seeing him again when he after a girl in Australia (it ended poorly, he came right home). In the end he's just a great male friend for Lola.
Overall I'd give it 3.5 to 4 stars.
Originally posted 2009-03-27 05:47:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
Keira: Hi Jennifer! I'm so excited to have you with us today. Loved A Hint of Wicked; what was your inspiration?
Jennifer: My husband came up with the first idea for A Hint of Wicked.
We were on a long drive and stuck in traffic, and we and started tossing around book ideas. He suggested an irate husband walking in on his mourning wife with another man. The core concept has evolved since then, but I took that idea and ran with it!
Keira: Oh yes, two men! Sophie is in for a tough decision. Tell me a little about the men - what are their hero qualities?
Jennifer: Oooh! That’s a great question. You’re right—it’s an incredibly tough—and almost impossible—decision for Sophie.
Tristan is tall, dark, and handsome. He’s loyal to a fault, analytical, and completely devoted to Sophie and the family they’ve built together. He’s gone through years of grief and growth with her, so he understands how her mind works and what makes her tick. He “clicks” with Sophie—spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Garrett is blond, blue-eyed, and powerfully built. He’s intense, emotional, and possesses a deeply ingrained sense of honor. He has suffered tremendously in the past years, and that gives him a very dark edge that comes through in his actions. He and Sophie have loved each other unconditionally since they were children.
Keira: Could she just have both? Would Garrett and Tristan do that for her? No?
Jennifer: Hehe, well, let’s just say that, as an author who feels a strong connection to all three characters, it was a strong temptation to try to push the three of them together like that.
Unfortunately, though, Garrett and Tristan would have none of it!
Keira: In one sentence how would you describe their marriages to her?
Jennifer: Her marriage to Garrett, before he left for war, was the epitome of the blush of first love—romantic, exciting, and full of discovery.
Her marriage to Tristan is a comfortable partnership during the day and fireworks-passionate at night.
Keira: Would you make the same decision Sophie did in A Hint of Wicked?
Jennifer: If I were Sophie, I would! As much as I love both heroes, however, I know they’re destined only for the heroines they end up with in their books. I couldn’t barge in and separate either couple! That would be so wrong!
Keira: What is your favorite type of hero to read/write?
Jennifer: Oh my, that’s tough. I like all kinds of heroes, but I guess my favorites are those who truly love their heroines beyond anything in the world, and will go to hell and back at hundred times to win them. The heroes with that pure, focused, unwavering love for their heroines always give me shivers.
Keira: You said both men are passionate, and we readers love that in our heroes! What makes a great (written) bedroom scene?
Jennifer: As a reader, bedroom scenes resonate for me when there is emotion involved, and when the scenes are crucial to the development of the plot of the story and the relationship between the characters. Mix that emotion and character development with big fireworks, and I’m a happy, happy reader!
Keira: What was the hardest part of writing a Hint of Wicked? The easiest?
Jennifer: I think the hardest part was straightening out the legal confusion while keeping my characters morally in the right and their children legitimate. I bought two books on the history of marriage and divorce in the UK, and wow, what a mire of legalities! The legal system in the UK at the time was extremely complicated, and this particular situation had very little precedent. The similar cases I could find were all associated with commoners, but with the aristocracy (especially dukes), things tended to be handled considerably differently. I finally consulted a legal expert who helped me straighten it out a bit. At times in the book, I found the characters beginning to talk in legal circles. In the end, I tried to keep it all as simple and clear as possible so as not to confuse the reader (or myself!).
The easiest part of A Hint of Wicked....hmmm. Well, it was probably finding the motivation to get it done! Not only was it my first contracted novel, it’s a story that’s very close to my heart. I finished it in record time!
Keira: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Jennifer: The second book, A TOUCH OF SCANDAL, will be released in April, 2010.
My website is www.jenniferhaymore.com
Thanks!!
Keira: Thanks so much Jennifer! It's been a real pleasure to talk with you! For more information on Jennifer Haymore and her books visit her website and check out her blog.
Buy: A Hint of Wicked
Online Stores
