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LOVE, LIES AND VIDEOTAPES - Kayla Perrin Harlequin Kimani/Arabesque August 2007 |
SYNOPSIS: Scandal threatens to ruin Jasmine St. Clair's acting career when her boyfriend releases a tape of them making love. Desperate to escape Hollywood, Jasmine heads to the Caribbean, where she meets Darien Lamont, a mysterious American running from demons of his own.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4| Susan Plummer
REVIEW: The glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the
tranquil beauty of St. Lucia; it’s all here in Kayla Perrin’s latest
novel, LOVE, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE. Escape into a world where the
line between love and hate is blurred and where beautiful people and
exotic places make for an intriguing story.
Jasmine St. Clair’s is fast becoming a household name as her career in
Hollywood is skyrocketing. Unfortunately not so for her would be actor
boyfriend Allan. Resenting his steadily growing role as Jasmine’s arm
candy, Allan releases a steamy videotape of them engaged in a very
private act. Jasmine is first floored then furious when she learns of
Allan’s involvement. Needing to get away from him and the fallout
following the release of the tape, she travels to St. Lucia for a much
needed break.
Jasmine wants to be alone and is not pleased when she discovers she has
to share the house with Darien Lamont, who is also at the villa
regrouping from his own personal problems. When neither decides to
leave, they begrudgingly agree to share the space. Eventually they start
opening up to each other and to share their grief. Soon they spend not
just days together but their nights as well. Life in paradise is just
that for the two lovebirds until Allan shows up wanting Jasmine back.
His power of persuasion proves more than Jasmine can handle and she is
faced with making the hard choice between going back dead or alive.
The story moves along well and the plot unfolds with growing interest
from start to finish. There are several subplots that make for equally
interesting reading and readers will be touched by their inclusion in
the novel.
The main character Jasmine is a survivor and she proves this time and
time again throughout the story. Darien is a man who feels deeply and
loves completely and this can be seen in the reaction to his failed
relationship and again with the new one he is forging with Jasmine. A
myriad of other characters, such as Luc and his family, the god awful
Allan, and many more make for a long list of likeable and not so
likeable characters; all equaling to a very likeable story.
The dialogue between Jasmine and Darien starts out acerbic but becomes
mellow as they warm up to each other. The development of their
relationship is carefully crafted into their exchanges. Readers will
enjoy the transition from their first interactions and then later as
they warm to each other’s company and finally sizzle in each other’s
arms.
The attention to detail and the use of colorful and descriptive language
makes for a work that is truly entertaining and a very touching love
story.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 3rd January 2008