Monday, July 27, 2020

Book Review/Giveaway - Stormed by Paula Quinene





STORMED
by Paula Quinene

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

A medical doctor educated in the United States, passionate and fierce Liz Taimanglo must now fulfill her promise and return to her island home. Liz makes the long flight across the US and the North Pacific Ocean to Guam, uncertain of what her future holds. Heading into the epicenter of her family and prime typhoon season for the Mariana Islands chain, the disquiet of her heart threatens to do more damage than any typhoon might inflict on Guam. Little does Liz know, the man featured in the newspaper would indeed unleash delicious torment rivaling even a Category 5 super typhoon.

Manny Artero is adamant about fighting for his island, his culture, and the rights of Guam’s Chamorro people, after having been fired from his teaching job. That is, until Liz walks up to him with her machete-wielding eyes and her undying respect for the American military. Manny had vowed never to risk his heart again and to become a more vocal activist, but this woman threatens to challenge all his intentions about love and life on Guam. Brushing off the safer choice, he plots a series of surprises to change her mind.

For Liz, becoming a doctor of medicine was supposed to be the right path, but her universe imploded when her training failed to save the life of the most important person in her world. Though a former US Marine, Manny could no longer accept the loss of land, rights, and freedom that Chamorros continue to suffer in their own homeland. Helpless against the strengthening attraction between them, Liz and Manny must face not only their opposing political views, but the storms stirring in their hearts and the very land upon which they stand.

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Excerpt:

Liz stared at his hand as he held it out. His laughter fueled her desire. He was standing close enough that all she needed to do was take one step toward him. I want to kiss you. The ache between her thighs surged. She’d been fighting it off all day. And now that they were alone. What’s wrong with me?

“Elizabeth.”

He had moved even closer. I haven’t had sex in forever, that’s what’s wrong. He was too close. Her forearms rested on his pecs, and the rhythm of his chest rising and falling glued her against him. His arousal grew on her belly. Lips. Lips were so close she could see . . . Ah. He tasted of burnt sugar. Coconut. Smelled of barbecue. The strength of his hands seared through her T-shirt. Reserved yet wanting. His tongue, giving and taking. Manny’s breath was as erratic as her own. Lord help me. The nipping of his teeth on her lips. His arms flexing tighter around her rib cage and shoulder. Just this once. I want this. I need this. No, no. You can’t. He won’t . . . Naughty and nice struggled within her. The dance of their tongues, the heat of their arousals, the tensing of their muscles. He didn’t seem to mind. The memories resurfaced. Of distaste. Confusion. Rejection. Of him. Stop. The disgust in his eyes, even years past, was so visible. She pushed against Manny’s chest and untangled her tongue from his.

“I’m sorry,” Liz said, standing a foot from him, trying to tame that side of her. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. I was overwhelmed with this place.” She gestured with both hands in midair. “It’s beautiful, and romantic. This isn’t like me.” Liar.


My Thoughts: First off that cover is to die for amazing! And Oh I loved Stormed! The setting was described so beautifully I almost could just reach out and experience the culture for myself while the romance was a bit complicated just as I had imagined it would be. I used to would have shied away from historical type romances but now am lured to them. I guess my tastes just keep evolving which is a great thing because I would have hated to of missed out on this gem!

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born and raised on Guam, Paula Quinene continues to take pride in her Chamorro heritage. The Chamorros are the native people of Guam and the Mariana Islands. Paula, like many of her fellow islanders, left home to pursue a higher education. A resident of North Carolina since 2000, Paula’s homesickness has resulted in her Guam cookbooks, A Taste of Guam and Remember Guam, and her Guam romance novels, Conquered and Stormed.

Follow Paula’s Guam food and romance novel antics here:

Website Paulaq.com: https://www.paulaq.com/index.html
Facebook Paula Quinene Guam Author: https://www.facebook.com/pquinene
YouTube Guam Mama Cooks: https://www.youtube.com/user/ceps92/videos



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$15 Amazon/BN GC

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18 comments:

  1. I agree about the cover. It is fabulous.

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  2. I love the cover. The design is amazing.

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    1. Si Yu’us Ma’ȧse (see dzu-ews ma-awe-see) Thank you! My cover artist did such a terrific job!

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  3. Which character was hardest to write for?

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    1. Liz. She had to embody the struggle and the heart of many a Chamorrita (native Guam gal), yet still be relatable to a romance reader across the globe. Great question!!!

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  4. i love the cover too. i'm always curious how much input an author has in the final product
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. I'm sure it depends on the artist/company. I worked with Fiona Jayde Media, directly with "Fiona." This is the second book cover she did for me. I said something like 1/3 romance like, 1/3 stormy, and 1/3 Guamish, sexy but acceptable to Amazon. And, I only had 2 minor changes to the cover.

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  5. Enjoyable excerpt and captivating story. Thanks for your lovely feature and giveaway.

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  6. Many writers describe themselves as “character” or “plot” writers. Which are you?

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    1. MMmm, both. There are elements and events on Guam and the Chamorro culture that I had to include...such as the storms, liberation celebration...so part of the plot was a given. Otherwise, the characters made their own way, embodying much of the ideas and ways of life of Guam in 1992.

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  7. Thank you for sharing about your book! Great cover!

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