Unwrapping: Review of ISLE OF SENSUALITY by Aimée Duffy

Having been very impressed by Aimée Duffy's debut novel, MONSTER OF FAME, when she requested a read and review of her newest release, ISLE OF SENSUALITY, I just couldn't say no and didn't want to. She didn't disappoint and proved to me that including her in my list of Favorite New Authors of 2012 was a smart thing to do. Happy Release Day, Aimée!

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for ISLE OF SENSUALITY:

Who knew being with Mr. Wrong could be so right?

Caitlyn Hart is shooting her first movie, and she doesn't want to screw it up. Still, she's on a deadline and when her co-star, Mr. Hot Shot Campbell, holds filming up, he's immediately on her shit list. But she can't ignore his charms for long or the overpowering want she feels for him. Even though she knows he's her Mr. Wrong, she doesn't mind him being her Mr. Right Now. If only her silly heart would stay immune.

Having been burned once, Jake Campbell doesn't have the capacity to love, but that doesn't mean relationships of a purely sexual nature are off limits. After all, a man has needs. His sexy co-star with fire red hair and a passion to match ignites his own desire and he sets out to convince her a fling is the only way to scratch the proverbial itch. Little did he figure that she'd be the one to penetrate the thick scars on his heart and make him feel.

                                                *                    *                     *                   *                   *                  *

Caitlyn Hart is starring in her first movie role beyond the soap that she's been working on. She's determined to do her best job and finish in time to get to L.A. for her sister's fashion show. Worried that they aren't going to finish on time because her co-star, Jake Campbell, is late arriving on the island off the coast of Rio, Caitlyn storms over to his cottage to give him a piece of her mind. His reaction to her, and hers to his very sexy, very manly, very appealing personality, throws them both into a state where, unless something is done about their mutual attraction, very little work will get done.

Jake Campbell expected his co-star, Caitlyn Hart, to be like every other actress he's ever dealt with on set - spoiled, demanding, and basically, a pain in the butt. What he discovers instead is a woman who puts everyone else's needs first, including his, and only wants to do a good job. His attraction to her is intense, so intense that he finally presents a solution to their mutual attraction - a fling. Little does he know, until the subject of sex arises in the form of her concern over a love scene in the script, this beautiful sexy woman is a virgin. Jake is presented with a quandary - does he back away because she is a virgin or does he go forth and solve their mutual problem? Neither wants a relationship, neither wants complications, but both are so attracted to each other that being in the same room sends off sparks. What ever will they do? *wink*

ISLE OF SENSUALITY by Aimée Duffy is most definitely a once you start reading, you can't put it down story! The characters are exceptional, their reasons for privacy, reluctance toward romantic entanglements, and their loyalty toward family and friends, endearing. Aimée tells us that this was her first manuscript and was written long before MONSTER OF FAME but needed refining which she was able to do through the guidance of friends.  Well, it worked and it shows! ISLE OF SENSUALITY does have the feel of her Scottish roots with slang and colloquialisms that definitely identify it as an early work but aside from that, she excels in her writing as if she is a seasoned author - which she is now.

I think what I enjoyed most about Jake and Caitlyn was their respect for each other's needs outside the work place including their responsibilities to family. Caitlyn helps Jake see that his responsibilities to his brothers isn't really an all or nothing chore, whereas, Jake gives Caitlyn a sense of security, that he has her back, when she's never been able to open herself up to that feeling because she's only ever counted on herself. Their relationship is more open than you'd expect and as a result, draws the reader in more intensely. Thank you, Aimée.

I highly recommend ISLE OF SENSUALITY by Aimée Duffy to anyone who loves a good read with wonderful characters, the delight of watching two people fall in love, sexually charged romance as a background that is rivaled only by the setting - the tropics and Rio de Janiero - and loves contemporary romance with depth and attitude.

I hope you all will join me on Wednesday when Aimée will join me for a Wacky Wednesday author spotlight and giveaway! She's kind enough to join us from Scotland and I guarantee, she's a delightful lady.

Happy Reading Everyone!

ISLE OF SENSUALITY by Aimée Duffy, Beachwalk Press, available now in ebook formats.