Smoldering Desire

This story was awesome. It depicts the sad state of affairs in this country; prejudice. It also deals with a father who raises his daughter (Selena) to almost the caste system. She and her parents are employees and therefore cannot mix with the family (the Graysons) who employs the parents. Selena is fighting her feelings for Rider. She has had a crush on him since they were children and they (all the Grayson's children, her and Kinsey Phillips-from the first book) ran around together. Rider had gone to Dallas and married, breaking Selena's heart and dreams. Plus it re-enforced her father's view of the classes don't belong together as his wife was a blond, blue-eyed socialite.

The book is written in a dual POV format. Which really helped me to understand the underlying issues here. I have never experienced prejudice nor having a father telling me that I can't be with someone because of my social standing. Seeing and understanding the character's thoughts really helped me to fully comprehend the character's actions.

I totally fell in love with Rider. He had been married and divorced from the socialite that was a financially and emotionally draining experience. Seeing Selena, however, helped him to heal and see his childhood friend in a totally "un-sisterly" different light. She was so different from his ex-wife. She was more loving and compassionate towards others. Selena was just the perfect female protagonist for Rider. I just loved seeing these two together. It really shows that love really does not matter to social standings, race or any adversity.

I highly recommend this story to anyone. There is moment behind closed doors (okay the kitchen) but there is a story here not just sex.

I just love this series, and Smoldering Desire was no different. Rider Grayson is just trying to get by after a disastrous marriage to the absolutely wrong woman. Selena, though she’s always wanted Rider, thinks he’s out of her league, so she’s focused on school and avoiding her ex, who she really didn’t stay with long anyway, but who doesn’t want to take no for an answer. I really enjoyed watching them figure their relationship out, not to mention their families figure it all out…..which was a cool take on it also. Elle James really pulls me into her world and I hate when the books end cause I’m never ready for it!

This is book 3 in the Hellfire series and it features Rider and Selena. No matter where you go or what you do while you’re gone, home will always be where your heart is. These two grew up together and it took years of him being away to see what a beautiful “woman” she’d grown into.

This is a sweet and a little bit steamy romance. It deals with a small amount of racism and what the definition of family is. The story line is great with fantastic characters. I could have stayed in the presence of Rider Grayson for much longer. I can’t wait to read the next book from this fantastic author.