At a society bachelorette auction, a hedge fund king gets more than he bargained for…

When Cassie Harris squeezes herself into a too-small neon designer dress for a bachelorette charity auction, she realizes there’s nothing she won’t do for her landscape design business. Her biggest client is hosting the New York society event solely to show off her own filthy-rich, dead-sexy Australian boyfriend. And she’s using Cassie to make herself look good. Cassie steps on stage, humiliated. But an unexpected bidder spends an enormous sum on her, causing gasps throughout the gala. The winner? Thom King, her biggest client’s boyfriend. Cassie can kiss that account goodbye—and her fledgling business along with it.

Thom King has no interest in society girls with grand designs on his wallet. But he has a huge interest in getting that ridiculous gown off of the hourglass figure of Cassie Harris. And once he gets to know her, his interest only grows. She’s as hardworking as he is, as focused, and as smart. Before he met Cassie, women were mere distractions from his hedge fund. Now, Cassie’s the only thing Thom can think about.

But Cassie doesn’t believe a man like Thom can love at all, let alone love a woman like her. And that means Thom will have to use all of the charm and seduction at his disposal to prove her wrong.

Title: A Tycoon's Bargain
Author: Avery Laval
Series: Sin City Tycoons
Pages: 93
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: /

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I am a huge fan-girl of Avery Laval and the Sin City Tycoon’s - just putting that out there as a disclaimer before I start waxing lyrical about this book. And the book definitely deserves to be fawned over.

But first, the important parts. This is book 3.5 in the Sin City Tycoon’s series. (It’s a novella at only  93 pages so it’s a point five!) but each book in the series stands alone and doesn’t contain those bloody annoying cliffhangers you see everywhere these days. For those of you following the series (and you really should because it’s great), Thom is one of Grant (from A Tycoon’s Jewel)’s buddies from their school days.

The story kicks off straight away with Cassie about to go out on stage “like a sausage in a tutu”, according to her boss, in front of a crowd of the very best of New York society. Of course I’m going to root for the underdog, especially when the target of a mean girl. But Cassie impressed me on her own merits in the way she dealt with the situation and the whole inference that she wasn’t as modelesque as the New York socialites in attendance. It didn’t bother her at all. The predictable way for an author to go, would be to have her character have rousing speeches or monologues about how she didn’t care - she loved herself regardless yada yada yada. Cassie just got on with it. She felt in the situation then dealt with the situation. None of this “Thom’s too hot for me” or “I need a man to show me that my body is beautiful”. And it was more empowering because there was no hullabaloo around the situation. And the fact that Cassie was also sharp, bright, sassy and fun didn’t hinder my love for her either.

Then there was Thom.

Sigh.

I just want a Thom for my very own. He was gorgeous (which obviously doesn’t hurt) but he was dedicated, determined and so sarcastic and funny. So funny. I love a man who can laugh at himself and the situations. It was bloody adorable. If Cassie and Thom weren’t so perfect for each other then I would have wanted him for my very own. The perfect man.

As I said, the pair were funny - there was banter - yay! - and I actually laughed out loud on a number of occasions. The writing was dazzling and the story flowed by so fast that you got completely absorbed in the characters and their story. I could see it, feel it, smell it…

This book was just a joy - and it reminded why I love romance. It had the great couple who you genuinely like and want to root for. It had the humour. It had the banter. And it has the feel good, stomach jumping romance that leaves you feeling just a little bit giddy and in love. 5 well-deserved stars.

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Buy this book now:

* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

The Sin City Tycoons Series:

         

Click to see other books by Avery Laval

Now anyone that reads this blog, or follows me on Insta or Twitter will know how much I’m becoming a fan of Avery Laval and her swoon worthy Sin City Tycoon series.

So it was a little bittersweet that the Sin City Tycoon’s series was wrapped up just this month with the excellent - and my personal sheikh fantasy - A Tycoon’s Secret.

Surely it can’t be the end…

…and I’m delighted to tell you that it’s not!

Ms Laval is releasing a Sin City Tycoon novella!

YAY! YAY! YAY!

And I have the cover reveal for you right here, right now.

MORE YAYS!

Without further ado, here it is…

Holy moly! These guys really know how to craft a hot cover.

And the book sounds equally hot.

At a society bachelorette auction, a hedge fund king gets more than he bargained for…

When Cassie Harris squeezes herself into a too-small neon designer dress for a bachelorette charity auction, she realizes there’s nothing she won’t do for her landscape design business. Her biggest client is hosting the New York society event solely to show off her own filthy-rich, dead-sexy Australian boyfriend. And she’s using Cassie to make herself look good. Cassie steps on stage, humiliated. But an unexpected bidder spends an enormous sum on her, causing gasps throughout the gala. The winner? Thom King, her biggest client’s boyfriend. Cassie can kiss that account goodbye—and her fledgling business along with it.

Thom King has no interest in society girls with grand designs on his wallet. But he has a huge interest in getting that ridiculous gown off of the hourglass figure of Cassie Harris. And once he gets to know her, his interest only grows. She’s as hardworking as he is, as focused, and as smart. Before he met Cassie, women were mere distractions from his hedge fund. Now, Cassie’s the only thing Thom can think about.

But Cassie doesn’t believe a man like Thom can love at all, let alone love a woman like her. And that means Thom will have to use all of the charm and seduction at his disposal to prove her wrong.

I. Cannot. Wait. How good does this sound? Squeee.

The book comes out on the 3rd of September. (It’s nearly July so fear not, that’s not too far away!)

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Even better news - the pre-order links are up on Amazon.

Pre-order your copy here:

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And even better news than that. There are more Sin City Tycoons planned. Not sure my little heart can handle all the excitement. 💗

About Avery

Avery writes romantic fiction for Blue Crow Books. Her SIN CITY TYCOONS series includes A Tycoon’s Jewel, A Tycoon’s Rush, and A Tycoon’s Secret. A Tycoon’s Bargain comes out in fall 2018, and A Tycoon’s Deception in spring of 2019.

Avery lives in the midwest and teaches creative writing when she’s not writing novels. She loves reading big stories and hanging out with small groups of friends.

Subscribe to Avery’s TinyLetter to receive author updates: tinyletter.com/averylaval.

The Sin City Tycoons Series:

      

         

Click to see other books by Avery Laval

When Khalid Abbasi grew up in the Las Vegas foster system, he had no idea he was a member of a family—and a royal one at that. Once he learns the truth, he is immediately summoned to rule a small exclave on the Persian Gulf. That very day, he leaves his fiancée Marissa with a kiss and a promise that he'll come back soon.

But Khalid breaks his promise to return for Marissa—and Marissa’s heart breaks in turn. She never tells him how close they came to starting a family together.

In the spot where Khalid used to hold love for Marissa, only ice remains, until the day he sees her in the Cairo Four Seasons hotel. Their passion comes rushing back, and it’s a passion they can’t resist. Now that Khalid has Marissa in his life again, he's unable to let her slip through his fingers again, no matter what his duty requires. Will they learn to trust each other again? Or will the secrets of their pasts overwhelm their second chance at love?

Title: A Tycoon's Secret
Author: Avery Laval
Series: Sin City Tycoons
Pages: 222
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: Miscarriage

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I am a huge fan of Avery Laval. Her writing is so effortless. It sets a scene and really draws you into the story. And that’s exactly what happens with this story. It’s the third in the Sin City Tycoon’s series but it stands completely alone so you don’t have to worry about reading other books to understand and enjoy this one.

The story focusses on the complicated relationship between Khalid and Marissa. Three years ago, things were going particularly well for the pair in their first throes of new love - until, out of the blue, Khalid learns that he is actually a sheikh from a foreign land and has to leave Marissa just as she’s getting ready to tell him some life-changing news. After losing contact, the pair reunite three years later in Cairo.

And that’s when my daydream of being captured by an enigmatic, taciturn sheikh comes right into play. Oh boy!

I liked Marissa a lot - enjoying especially that she wasn’t afraid to face up to her emotions and admit, at the very least to herself, what she wanted and what her feelings were. Of course I also liked Khalid - who wouldn’t? But I really would have loved to get some evidence of him acting a little more tender and friendly - before he learned of his true parentage and during the ‘ideal’ weeks that he and Marissa spent together. I like an alpha male - I just want the kisses and cuddles, too.

There’s definitely a level of distrust between the pair although you can completely understand the root causes. I wasn’t best pleased with Khalid later in the story when yet another trust issues rears its ugly head. I’m not saying it wasn’t realistic, I just felt inclined to shout at him to stop being such a stupid bugger.

The story races along and even with the false ending (where I found myself chastising Marissa for forgiving Khalid too quickly only to realise she hadn’t because it wasn’t the end at all!) I finished this book in super quick time.

I’m hoping that Ms Laval brings out books for all of Marissa’s brothers. Or just any books. Just write more books, please. This one is a light and fun sheikh fantasy that’s perfect for a lazy weekend or to read on holiday when you can imagine being captured by your own mysterious sheikh. 4 stars.

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Buy this book now:

* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

The Sin City Tycoons Series:

   

         

Click to see other books by Avery Laval

Can a man who came from nothing trust a woman who lost everything?

Six years ago, Jenna McCormick lost it all—her parents, her fortune, and her family's jewelry empire. After the shock wore off, Jenna realized she didn't need her fortune to be happy. Today, she has her brother's love and a small apartment. She doesn’t miss the champagne lifestyle she left behind. But she can never forget the day Grant Blakely stole her family's company, placing himself at the helm. She was half in love with Grant, her father's protege, now the youngest black CEO in Las Vegas history. She never wanted to ask him for help. But now she has no choice.

When Jenna asks Grant for a job, he's certain she must be joking. Even Jenna couldn't have burned through her trust fund that fast. She's persuasive, though, and her appeal hasn’t faded. Grant tests Jenna's resolve: he hires her, but as his assistant. She won't be able to put up with the menial tasks and hard hours of a real job. But Grant fails to predict how the sizzling attraction grows between them as he discovers she's not the playgirl she used to be.

Soon, the spark between them reignites. But can Grant trust her? And can Jenna trust the man who took everything from her?

Title: A Tycoon's Jewel
Author: Avery Laval
Series: Sin City Tycoons
Pages: 224
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: /

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This is the first book in the Sin City Tycoon’s series but fear not, it completely stands alone from the rest of the series and you’re guaranteed a happily ever after.

But, damn, Jenna and Grant make you work hard for that happily ever after. Well, more just Grant - if there’s ever been an alpha male who tries to resist falling in love, it’s Grant Blakely. Luckily, that’s the kind of hero that I just adore and boy does Avery Laval write them well. Watching someone like Grant succumb to Jenna’s charms is so bloody satisfying. Even more so because Jenna isn’t trying to trap him or seduce him - despite what Grant himself might think.

As an ex-party girl (I was envisaging Paris Hilton-esque) I assumed it would be quite hard to like Jenna - even though she had turned her life around and turned over a new leaf. Not so, I’m happy to report. I was rooting for Jenna from the first and wanted her to get her happily ever after and get her man.

Grant was high power, all arrogance and all suspicion. Understandably so, since we learn of his motivations and his back story. But I still took pleasure in all the confusion and angst he felt while trying to first outwit and then keep his emotional distance from Jenna. The fact that Ms Laval could write such potentially polarising romantic leads is another testament to the quality of her storytelling.

And the writing really is very good. All consuming and involving - I couldn’t stop the pages from turning and found myself trying to carve out time at all hours of the day just so I could find out what was happening in the world of Grant and Jenna.

I also have to give massive kudos to Ms Laval for her portrayal of mental health and what it must be like for relatives of sufferers of a severe form. The depiction was so emotive that I was stunned speechless by those particular passages.

I really loved this book and enjoyed every moment of reading it. Having previously read the second book in the series, A Tycoon’s Rush, and loving it just as much as I did this one, Avery Laval is well on her way to becoming an auto-buy author for me.

I cannot wait for the third and final book in this series, A Tycoon’s Secret, which comes out in June. I understand it will tie all three books in the series together and I for one look forward to finding out how Grant and Jenna are getting on.

A fun, delicious and page-turning read with lots to sink your teeth into - this is a book I can whole heartedly recommend. 5 stars.

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Buy this book now:

* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

The Sin City Tycoons Series:

   

         

Click to see other books by Avery Laval