#Review ~ At Your Beck & Call by Jane Harvey-Berrick

Hallen Jansen has it all. At 28, he has a flashy car, a great apartment, and a job he’s good at and that he loves – as an escort – working at your beck and call.

His life is easy, with no emotions or attachments slowing him down – choosing to keep moving, always running from the past.

But when a new client awakens unfamiliar feelings, all bets are off. Can he convince a recently divorced woman twenty years older to trust men again – to trust him? Can Hallen trust himself not to screw things up?

Surrounded by people who choose to judge them, will they make their relationship a reality, or is it heartbreak for both?

Not all services are professional.

3.75 Stars

**Possible spoilers below**

Rough. Urgent. Taking. Giving. Blaming. Forgiving. Hands. Voices. Tongues. Lips. Fingers. Flesh. Biting. Biting. Licking. Touching. Tasting. Sucking. Kissing. Kissing. Breathing. Writing. Pleasure. Pain. Punish. Feeling. Tears. Eyes. Eyelids. Fluttering. Closing. Faster. Faster. Building. Rushing. Pushing. Craving. Needing. Release. Lights. Burning. Slowing. Sighing. Lips. Eyes. Words. Kissing. Kissing. Touching. Hope.

When I heard this book was coming out, it was a no brainer – it was a must-read. First off, this written by Jane Harvey-Berrick and if you don’t know already, this author is a freaking phenomenal storyteller. Plus if you’ve read the synopsis, you also know that the H/h are not your typical characters. A young sexy male escort falling for an older client – yea, you knew I’d be all over this.

I tried to remember when I stopped selling sex and started selling myself.

Hallen has been through a lot. After leaving Newfoundland for the city of Angels to attend UCLA, he found himself struggling to keep his head above water. His hockey scholarship wasn’t enough and he needed to find a way to make money, even dabbling in porn; he was that desperate. After that didn’t pan out so well, he ended up bartending. It was here where he met Eloise and his life drastically changes.

Because she sees me. She cares about what I think, she cares that I have an opinion. She inspires me – to paint, to live, to be a better man, a whole man. We laugh a lot and when we’re together, I don’t feel alone anymore.”

First and foremost, Hallen is an artist, but his passion took a backseat while he immersed himself as an escort. Though he graduated, it was hard to find a well paying job in the industry. As an escort, each job he took, each woman he escorted, the more he lost a bit of himself. It wasn’t until he met Laura, a friend of Eloise, that he began to see more of who he wanted to be.

If she could really accept me for who I was and, more importantly, what I was, what I had been … it was a big risk – I knew that. I was damaged goods, but being with her, talking to her I felt like I could be more than the sum of my past. I prayed she’d take a chance with me.

Laura was forty-eight to Hallen’s twenty-eight. After a failed marriage of twenty-six years, she is recently divorced and her self-esteem is pretty low. She doesn’t understand her draw to Hallen, or better yet, she doesn’t understand why a young sexy man like him would want someone like her. Hallen, however, knew there was something different about Laura. He wanted to become a better; someone who he, himself, can be proud of. But can Laura get over his past and truly see him for the man he is?

Love doesn’t come in neat little boxes – it’s messy and disorganized and a pain in the ass.

I enjoyed this book for the most part, but I have to be honest -- the beginning was a little slow and I almost gave up. I didn’t mind reading all about Hallen’s escapades, but after a while, I wondered when and where the heroine actually showed up. By the time she did, that started out a little slow moving, too. Plus add in Laura’s reluctance, my patience was wearing thin. I’m thankful that the author included her POV because it helped explained a lot -- otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have liked her as much.

As much as my patience was wearing thin, I invested too much already and I wanted to know if Hallen and Laura will ever find their HEA. I’m glad I didn’t give up because the overall story did make me smile. Hallen’s story was heartbreaking, but I was so happy with the overall outcome.

Lifers by Jane Harvey-Berrick

After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate.

Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn't changed since he was carted off to juvie all those years ago. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn't even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.

Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?

Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn't behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.

As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey's walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?

Is love a life sentence?

Due to scenes of a sexual nature, not recommended for under 18.

3.75-4 Stars

“I think,” I said slowly, “that meeting you has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” ~ Jordan 

As soon as Ms. Harvey-Berrick asked me to read her upcoming release, there was no way I was going to turn her down. I love this author’s writing. Her stories are amazing and the synopsis for this book immediately had me intrigued. 

I’m a big fan of second chances, especially if those characters deserve it. In this story, Jordan Kane definitely deserves it. He’s been incarcerated for the past eight years. His crime: The accidental killing of his brother Michael. Forced to serve his parole in his hometown, Jordan has no choice but to endure the harsh treatment the townsfolk is bestowing on him – even calling him a murderer without any hesitation. The only persons speaking to him without curses were the Reverend Meredith Williams and her daughter Torrey Delaney. 

…a woman like that got me imagining all kinds of things. 

Along Jordan, Torrey was the other talk of the town. She’s known as the Rev’s wild daughter; promiscuous and unapologetic. When she first meets Jordan, she doesn’t understand why people are treating him so cruelly. She ignores their actions and decides to show him kindness. When she finds out about his past, she has a tough time believing that this shy, polite and handsome man could be a murderer. She knew there was more to it than that.

I couldn’t do the math. The sweet, shy guy I’d met on two occasions just didn’t fit with the image of a violent criminal that mom was painting. Something was off, but I had no clue what it was. I mean, I could see he was a big, strong guy with abs like a washboard, but he just didn’t seem the aggressive type. The only vibe I’d got from him was that he was lonely. 

Torrey & Jordan start to form a friendship, though very reluctantly on Jordan’s part; he doesn’t want to bring Torrey into his already fucked up life. However Torrey is pretty persistent in her perusal of getting to know more about Jordan. Their friendship is constantly scrutinized by their community and especially from Torrey’s pastor mother. But nothing gets in their way and soon they find themselves falling for one another. 

“You know what your problem is? You’ve turned Mikey’s death into a life sentence – for all of you – for Paul, for Jordan. You turned them into lifers. That’s what you’re doing here – and that’s what you want for Jordan. But I’m not going to let it happen. I’m not going to let him suffer anymore. What you do with your lives is up to you, but Jordan deserves better than that. And I’ll spend the rest of my life with him, making sure he knows he’s loved – and that’s he’s forgiven.” 

Jordan’s character made me unbelievably sad at times. His belief that his brother’s death was completely his fault, lead him to believe that any punishment is justifiable: His alienation from his parents, the cruelty of community and a lifetime of loneliness. It wasn’t until Torrey started to break through his walls that he started to imagine a more different life. 

This was such a moving story. I loved the relationship between Torrey and Jordan – they just seem to get one another. It was a bit slow moving at times, but once Jordan started to open up a little more, it moved at a better pace. There wasn’t a lot of steam, but that was okay. I just wanted Jordan happy again. 

**ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review**

Dangerous to Know & Love by Jane Harvey-Berrick

Silence is only skin deep.

Nineteen year old Daniel Colton is the guy all the girls want to date, and the man all the guys want to be. Moody, with an explosive temper, closed off and sullen, he’s also beautiful, tatted in delicious ways, with a pierced eyebrow and spiky black hair. It’s rumoured he has piercings in other places, too. Is he really mad, bad and dangerous to know?

Daniel lives with his older brother, Zef, and their home is party central. You want drugs, a good time, liquor, no questions asked? Colton’s is the place to go.

When Daniel and good girl Lisanne Maclaine have to work together on an assignment, Lisanne finds there’s a lot more to the college’s bad boy than his reputation. He’s intelligent and funny and good company. And then she discovers his secret, why he’s so closed off to everyone, and determined to keep people at arms’ length. But being his secret-keeper is harder than she ever dreamed.

Recommended for readers 18+ due to sexual references and sex scenes, some coarse language, drug references and drug use.

4.75-5 Stars

♥♥♥ Daniel ♥♥♥ Le Sigh… 

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Dear Jane,

You are one talented writer. Much like your Education of…series, I fell in love. I fell in love with the characters and I especially fell in love with the story. Don’t ever stop sharing your stories because the world, and me, would seriously be sad. 

Your devoted reader for life,

Tessamari

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“I heard you. Oh, God, I heard you.” His head dropped to his chest and he blew out a shaky breath. “I love you, baby doll. So much.” 

I LOVE THIS AUTHOR. I am a HUGE fan of her Education of…series and when I saw that this was out, I was all over it. I did not hesitate, I passed go and just immersed myself in the story. If it wasn’t for work holding me back, I would’ve read this in one sitting. Yes, I kid you not. I didn’t want this to end. As soon as I finished, I just wanted to go back to page one and start it all over again. Such a wonderful and emotional ride. 

“Told you I was irresistible, baby doll,” he said, immodestly. “But I only want you.” 

Lisanne (a.k.a. Lis) thought Daniel was a prick when she first meets him. Sexy, yes, but a total jerk. From her perspective, he seemed rude and completely standoffish. Daniel has got one heck of a bad reputation at the University: Womanizer, troublemaker, full of himself, and there’s even a rumor that he’s a drug dealer. He was definitely not the type of person she should be involved with. However, when they are paired up for a class project, she learns that Daniel is keeping quite a secret. A secret that sheds a whole new light to the mystery surrounding him. 

“What does it make you feel, Lis? Because it’s all bullshit. You… me… it’s just different… 

There was nothing extraordinary about Lis that immediately caught Daniel’s eye. She’s pretty, but she probably thinks she’s too good for a guy like him. He’s got too much baggage for anyone to carry. His life and his problems are his business alone and isn’t compelled to let anyone in. But when Lis figures out his secret, he has no choice but to trust her. Slowly, Lis becomes a figure of hope to Daniel. Even after learning his secret, she doesn’t run. She’s fearless in wanting to get to know him better. She’s a game changer. 

“I won’t hurt you, baby doll. I just want to make you feel good.” 

Can I just say, right here, right now, that I absolutely LOVE it when Daniel calls Lis baby doll… total SWOON!!!! To me, this term of endearment works for this couple; it makes me love Daniel so much more. There’s just something about this story that I couldn’t get enough of. There was just the right amount of drama, angst and steam. It was a little hard to get into in the beginning, but I’m glad I stuck through it, because the rest was absolutely amazing. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. I will definitely be looking out for more from this fantastic author. 

The Education of Caroline (Education of #2) by Jane Harvey-Berrick

Ten years after their broken affair, Sebastian and Caroline meet again: this time in very different circumstances, against the background of the war in Afghanistan.

Now a successful journalist, Caroline meets Chief Sebastian Hunter, US Marine. Will this chance encounter rekindle the erotic madness of her passionate affair with a younger man?

4.75 Stars

**If you have not read The Education of Sebastian, there are a few spoilers below**

Life is what happens with you least expect it. 

I was so freaking ecstatic when I heard this book finally came out because so eager to start this fantastic series. As soon as I finished The Education of Sebastian, I immediately jumped to this book. Book one ended so abruptly and on such a sad note, that I wanted more. I craved it! It’s been ten years since Sebastian and Caroline were forced apart. They haven’t seen each other since that heartbreaking day. What happens when fate intervenes and they are thrust into each other’s lives once more?

I saw Sebastian’s eyes flicker across to me, then widen with shock as recognition set in, and for the briefest of moments, he looked like the 17 year old I had known. 

After all these years, Caroline never thought he would ever see the love of her life come back into her life. Her life has changed so much since she upped and left her husband, her life and Sebastian. After struggling the first few years, she has now built a new life as a journalist. Her next assignment took her abroad as a war correspondent. It is during one of these training courses is where she runs into Sebastian again. Gone is the sweet and innocent 17 year old and in his place is a 27-year-old, tough and sexy tattooed Marine. He’s multi lingual and his talents are often used on the field, but he’s also built quite a reputation as a womanizer. When she attempts to speak with him, he gives her nothing but a cold reception. What has happened to her beloved Sebastian?

“Why didn’t you come back?” he sobbed. “I waited and waited for you, like I said I would, but you never came back! Why? Why didn’t you come back? I love you I love you I love you.” 

For three years, Sebastian waited for Caroline to come back. He waited until the statute of limitations was over; when it would be safe for Caroline to come back to him, but she never came back. He was devastated. From then on is when he started with the womanizing, but no one ever came close to replacing his beloved Caroline. Seeing her again, after all these years, is more than he can handle. He doesn’t know what to do. He still loves her, but he’s so pissed off that she never came back. Now that she’s back, he knows he can’t stay away from her. Is this the second chance they’ve been waiting for?

“That’s how you make me feel, Caro, like the world just goes away and its just you and me. I… I didn’t thinking I’d ever feel like that again. All those other women, I know it bothers you, but it was just sex. It wasn’t… this.” 

Sebastian and Caroline have their second chance and, boy, did they make the most out of it. They have a limited time together before she leaves for her assignment and he for duty. Not only did they re-kindle their physical relationship, which by the way, was off the fucking charts HOT, but they also wanted a chance to a chance to get to know each other again. They’re in Europe; Geneva to be exact, close enough to Italy. Their plan of touring Italy is about to become reality. 

I love this plan! They mentioned it quite a bit in the first book, while their relationship was just a dream. I loved how their relationship blossomed again. It happened pretty fast, but I didn’t care. These two deserved every ounce of happiness that comes their way. I LOVED partaking in their journey and I’m sad that’s it’s over. I will definitely add this to my must re-read shelf. Just LOVED it!

He frowned. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you, Caro?”

I shook my head. “No, Sebastian, I’m not. But you have to admit, it’s all been pretty fast.”

“It’s been ten years, Caro,” he said, seriously. “I’ve waited long enough.”

The Education of Sebastian (Education of #1) by Jane Harvey-Berrick

A friendship between the lost and lonely Caroline, and the unhappy Sebastian, leads to an illicit love that threatens them both.

Caroline Wilson is trapped in a cold and loveless marriage with an older man. When her husband finally wins a long sought-after promotion, Caroline feels she has little choice but to follow him to a new home in San Diego. There she meets Sebastian, a young man of 17. 

For an all too brief summer, their happiness blooms. 

But external pressures begin to bear down, not least from the overbearing David, and Sebastian’s parents begin to suspect that their son has a secret. Even Caroline’s new friend, Donna, realises that dark passions exist below the serene surface.

4.5-4.75 Stars

He kissed me with sudden ferocity, covering my face and throat with hard, burning kisses. His weight pinned me down as I ran my hands across the taut muscles of his back and shoulders.

“I love you,” he growled. “That’s all that matters.” 

When I came across this book, I wanted to read it like ASAP. The only thing that stopped me was that I knew it ended in a cliffhanger, so I waited for the release of the second book. As soon as book two was released, I was all over it like white on rice. I knew the premise of the story involved a thirty-year-old woman and her 17-year-old lover. Yes, that’s right: Seventeen! Did it bother me? Nope. I LOVED it just the way it is. 

“You want honesty? Well, I don’t know what will happen… but neither do you. Maybe we’ll make it… maybe we won’t. But you’re giving up before we’ve even tried. I don’t understand. Why won’t you take a chance?” ~Sebastian 

Caroline is thirty and stuck in a loveless marriage. She married David when she was only nineteen years old. Eleven years after, she’s utterly miserable. He constantly mistreats her and takes her for granted. He’s a navel officer and traveling comes second nature. When they return to San Diego for the second time around, this is when her life begins to change. 

She’s known Sebastian since he was eight years old. Now, don’t judge just yet, hear me out. When Caroline first lived in San Diego, he would constantly go over to her house and visit with her and her father. He’s never had a happy home life and going over there was like a refuge for him. He was truly saddened when she moved away. Fast forward ten years later, she returns and finds Sebastian all grown up. She’s also starting to realize that he’s constantly flirting with her. But she’s married, albeit not happily, and he’s only seventeen. So what if he’s only four months shy of eighteen: It’s not right, right? However, Sebastian is relentless. He’s always finding ways to hang out with her. It’s only a matter of time when both succumb to their attraction. 

“Can you feel yourself inside me?”

His face was filled with amazement.

“Yes,” he whispered. “I can.” 

Sebastian couldn’t believe she’d come back. He’s loved Caroline for a very long time. Crushing on her when he was only eight was just the starting point. Now that she’s here, he’s going to do everything he can to be with her. It’s always been Caroline. Always. They start an affair. Their first time was pretty memorable. Not only was Caroline Sebastian’s first, but this was also the time where she learns of his age. Heck yea, she freaked. She swore that she would wait til he turned eighteen before doing it again, but unfortunately, that plan blows up in her face. They seriously cannot resist each other. They enjoy being around each other, not only on a physical level, but also a very deep emotional level as well. Caroline starts to wake up. Sebastian makes her want things that she didn’t think were attainable. They set up a plan that when he turns 18, she will not only divorce David, but they plan on running away together. They have dreams of roaming Italy and starting a life together in New York. But how long can they keep their affair a secret?

“I love you, Caroline. I always have. My whole life.” 

The times when they were together were raw, beautiful and sensual. Sebastian is just the sweetest man in the world. He absolutely is 100%, head over heels, in love with Caroline. However, Caroline couldn’t help but constantly question their relationship. Sebastian is gorgeous. Why does he even want me? Could they make their dream work? Her fears were valid, but Sebastian kept reassuring her that they will try to do the best they can to be together. This book had me on pins and needles the whole time. I was waiting for the shoe to drop. I was emotionally invested in their relationship. When this story ended, I was a hot mess. I was glad I read this when I knew book two was out because as soon as I closed this book, I opened book two immediately. I LOVED THIS STORY!