RED CARPET KISS
by Melissa Brown
After penning a series of bestselling novels, Eleanor Riley vowed to leave her past—and the man who broke her heart—far behind. As the creator of one of television’s most beloved dramas, Elle couldn’t have written a better comeback for herself. But her success doesn’t leave much room in her life for romance…until Luke Kingston enters the scene.
Luke, a stunningly handsome star, is set to play the latest love interest in Elle’s show…but he’s got his eye on Elle, and she can’t deny their sizzling chemistry. Then Elle has a chance encounter with Troy Saladino—the man who had been the love of her life—and suddenly a million old feelings are rushing back.
With two gorgeous men pursuing her, Elle can’t decide who holds the key to her heart: her new love or her old flame. Will her choice bring her happiness—or more heartbreak?
5 Star Review by Allison East
I am never disappointed when I read a book by Melissa Brown. There is always the perfect amounts of enough. There is just enough insta-love, just enough sexy time, just enough love and emotion. I love that it is just the right amount. Too much insta-love and it makes me cringe, too much sexy time and I want to roll my eyes, and too much love and emotion and it makes it seem unrealistic- and vice versa with not enough. That makes a perfect author to me- where it’s not over the top and unbelievable. I want to believe that this world exists, and Melissa did a great job!
Eleanor Riley is on top of the world, she has written a series of bestselling books- that have been made into a drama series on television. And it should seem like enough, television and work family- she has in spades, but what she really wants is her own family. She just doesn’t have the time, when is she ever going to just sit down and relax?? I sound like her best friend Whit- who I loved by the way!
Luke Kingston is the debonair new actor on the scene that is vying for a role in Elle’s television series, and when he sees Elle- he starts to really fall hard. He is such a fantastic character in this story- Melissa really does some great characterization with him. At first you feel like he may just be into Elle because he wants the role- or he would do anything to get his way to the top. But over the course of the chapters, you really do fall in love with Elle and Luke’s relationship.
And then there is Troy Salidino- who represents all of Elle’s past. They were friends, first and foremost, and then they tried the lover’s thing- only to leave one another heartbroken by everything. He was the love of her life and vice versa- or so she thought. But after a chance meeting when they see each other again- sparks fly and Elle wonders why things didn’t work out, and she starts to think he deserves a second chance. And there goes Melissa again, making me fall in love with Troy too.
I couldn’t decide at first who I loved more. And that is the power of writing, you get so wrapped up in the story you forget that one of the guys is her past, one is her present- and both could be her future. So who does Elle choose- guess you will have to read and find out. I love all of Melissa’s books. They never make me freak out, or wonder where she is going with it- because I ultimately figure it out, and swoon the whole way through. I am in love- and awe- of her writing. And I am truly lucky and grateful for her in my life. Becoming her beta reader was and is such a privilege, she never lets me down. And very often my critique is “keep doing what you’re doing.” She’s that good. I received a copy in exchange for my honest review, and I hope everyone picks up a copy of this book!
“I wish I
could read your mind right now.”
Troy
leaned in across the table, his eyes boring into hers. “I don’t think you’re
ready for that.”
Elle felt
bold, as if she had nothing to lose. Her breath was quickening as her eyes
remained fixed on Troy’s. “Try me.”
Troy
lowered his voice to a whisper. “Right now, I’m thinking about how good your
lips would taste. I’m thinking about how much I want to pay the check, walk out
of here, and press you up against the bricks of the building.” He paused for a
minute. “Should I go on?”
Elle had
a sudden awareness of her own heartbeat; her fingers tingled with the need to
touch and be touched by the gorgeous man on the other side of the table. Those
eyes, those soulful brown eyes, focused on hers as if she were the most
beautiful creature on the planet.
“Yes,”
she whispered.
He
glanced around briefly before continuing. “I’m thinking about pressing you
against that brick wall, and unbuttoning your blouse. I’d take my time, savoring
the look and feel of you as I opened each one.”
Elle
swallowed hard, her palms began to sweat, and her nerve endings stirred beneath
her skin. Their hands were still enmeshed on the table, and she realized
Troy was
now stroking her palm with his fingertips. That simple touch left her craving
him, as much of him as she could possibly obtain. She wanted to make the table
vanish, to push it all aside, eliminating all distance between her and the man
who was making her heart pound out of control.
“What
else?” She parted her legs slightly, feeling completely enveloped in her need
for Troy.
“I’ll pay
the check and then I’ll tell you. How does that sound?”
“Good.”
Troy
released her hand and rose from the table. He walked to the other side of the
restaurant, where their waiter happened to be standing. He pulled him aside,
opened his wallet, and handed him a bundle of cash. Then, with a cocky grin, he
joined Elle, who managed to stand despite her wobbly and weakened knees.
When he
took her hand and led her outside, Troy did exactly what he had described
inside. The brick felt harsh against her back, but it didn’t matter. All she
wanted was to touch and explore every inch of Troy’s body. His lips crashed
against hers. One hand cupped her ass as the other toyed with the collar of her
blouse.
“God,
I’ve missed you,” she murmured between kisses as Troy unbuttoned the first
button of her blouse. “I’ve missed this.”
“Shhh,”
Troy whispered, popping the next button, exposing the lace of her bra. His
fingertips danced over the exposed fabric, tickling her sensitive skin,
creating a delectable shiver down her spine. His lips pressed again to hers,
and immediately Elle opened her mouth, inviting him in. He deepened the kiss,
stroking her tongue with his own in determined yet gentle strokes. Arousal
built within her as her hands roamed his back, his neck, his hair.
“Should
we go somewhere . . . somewhere more private?” Elle asked, suddenly aware they
were in public when she heard the voices of people walking past the restaurant.
“Your place, maybe?”
“No,”
Troy answered.
“No?”
“I think
we should say good-night.”
“You
can’t be serious.” Elle’s vision became clouded, and her throat ran dry.
“I think
we should take things slow.”
“You call
this slow?” She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears. She planted her feet
in a wide stance, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “What’s going on,
Troy? Are you still pissed off? Is this all a game to you?”
Troy ran
his fingers through his hair. “No, of course not. You know me better than
that.”
“Maybe not.” Her fingers
fumbled to button her blouse. She felt ridiculous, foolish, like Troy was
playing with her emotions. Turning her on only to walk away from her. She’d
felt that
ten years ago; she didn’t want to feel
Melissa Brown was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended the University of Illinois and is the mother of two fantastic kids. She's an avid reader who enjoys making handmade gifts for her family and friends, as well as baking and painting. Melissa has an unhealthy obsession with pop culture. She speaks fluent movie quotes from the 1980s (John Hughes = genius), reads celebrity gossip magazines and never misses an episode of Scandal. She enjoys writing contemporary romance, romantic suspense and young adult novels.All of Melissa's books are currently available exclusively through Amazon.com and are part of the Kindle Unlimited Program.
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