High Risk Love by Shannon Mayer
Release date: July 1, 2013 by HiJinks Ink Publishing
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Book Description:Photographs.Images. Snapshots in time.This is how I experience my life. I’ve hidden behind my camera and viewed the world through the lens. I watch other people live their lives. I’ve given up on my dreams, and sheltered my heart from love; because both have given me nothing but pain. Even thinking about opening myself up, sends my fears into overdrive. It’s better to be safe, than to take a risk and have your life shattered into pieces alongside your heart. This is what I believed.Dangerous.Risks. Fear Nothing.I live for the rush of adrenaline I get when I work my stunts. Nothing else matters but the feel of my heart pounding when I challenge the line between life and death. Women are nothing more than a distraction; they use me for my connections, as I use them to escape the pain of my past before moving on to my next adrenaline fix. My life is consumed with excitement, danger and risks—it’s all I needed.Denials.Fear. The complete wrong time.Jasmin and Jet will face off over photos, stunts and the truth hidden in their hearts. The last person Jasmin wants to be with is a man who takes life for granted. Jet wants to give his heart to no one; especially one who might not understand the secrets that haunt him. Despite their protests, Jasmin’s and Jet’s lives tangle; the threads of love and fear bind them. Between their passions and their pasts, they fight to hang onto each other . . . but will the stakes be too high when faced with the ultimate sacrifice?** 18+ for adult situations, sexual situations and language
Silence fell between us and I fought not to squirm in my seat. “So tomorrow. What time would be best for you Mr. Sterling?”
He grimaced. “God, don’t call me that. That was my father. Jet will be fine.”
I cleared my throat, “Sure. Jet. What time?”
“You are tenacious, aren’t you?”
“I make things happen,” I said, lifting my chin ever so slightly. “It’s why I was hired.” Okay, so I was stretching it a little, but he needed to know I was serious. All business.
His eyes widened and he leaned back in his chair, a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. “Damn. And you always get what you want?”
The air all but quivered between us, his words a subtle challenge I couldn’t resist.
With a slight nod of my head, I answered. “Always.”
His smile widened, and my mouth dried up. I was in over my head with this one. I had so little experience with men I barely knew where to start and where to stop. If only Lily were here to whisper suggestions in my ear; she was much better at dealing with guys than me.
I stood up, maybe a tad too fast. “I will be at your set at ten. I believe that is reasonable, and I’d like to get some work done before the hottest part of the day.”
Gathering up my camera, I turned and started to walk away. If he made this difficult, I could always tell Kevin that Jet wasn’t willing to have his picture taken. That he refused to make appointments.
The night was cool, and after a few minutes I slowed my steps and put a hand against the nearest building. Talking to him had been like standing on the edge of cliff, the wind tugging and pushing you closer to the edge until you finally gave up and jumped. But that wasn’t me. I was no high-risk girl; there would be no jumping off silly cliffs in my future.
At the sound of steps behind me, I whirled, letting out a somewhat relieved sigh that it was Jet, and not some mugger after my camera—Lily had assured me I’d be running into at least three potential muggers a day while I was here.
He cleared his throat. “Did I offend you?”
I frowned. “You mean because you came onto me in the stairwell?”
Smiling, he seemed unashamed, which intrigued the hell out of me, a feeling I determinedly squashed.
“I don’t regret that. But I’m sorry if I upset you back there.” He pointed with his thumb back toward the cafe.
“I’m used to people who are willing to work with me, not ones who won’t make reasonable appointments.” I kept my hands on my camera in front of me. No need for him to know he was my first actual assignment.
“I’m willing,” he stepped up beside me. “To work with you.”
I swallowed hard. “Right. That’s good. Because your other option was a pimple-faced geek with a bad attitude and bad hair.”
“I definitely got the better end of the deal then, didn’t I?” He said, his voice softening.
Nope, we were not going there.
He’s drawing you in, Jazzy. Be careful, this one will suck you under. Ryan’s voice echoed through my mind and I agreed with him. Jet was dangerous. He was what was waiting for me at the edge of the cliff. Dangerous for every part of me—mind, body and heart.
I shook my head, a nervous laugh sneaking out of me. “Okay. Well. Goodnight.”
Turning away from him, I called over my shoulder, “I’ll see you tomorrow. At ten.”
He jogged to my side, and then got in front of me and started to walk backward. “I should probably walk you to your hotel, unless it’s too far to walk, in which case I will do the gentlemanly thing—which let me tell you does not come easy to me—and I will call you a cab.” His lips curled up and he gave me a wink. The same kind of wink Hugh had given me, but this time my palms started to sweat, and I had the ridiculous, out-of-control urge to touch the corners of his mouth and feel him smile against my skin. Still bad, a very bad idea.
That wasn’t the worst of it. I don’t know how he knew I was thinking about his mouth, but his eyes suddenly dipped to my mouth and I couldn’t stop the catch in my breathing. He stopped, forcing me to stop or run into him.
“Then again, my hotel is right over there,” he said, though he didn’t take his eyes from me, didn’t even touch me, his words seemed to force my heart into overdrive.
“Very close. I think you’d like it. Bright blinding fiesta colors you can’t even see once the lights are out.”
Then he did reach out and ran one finger along the edge of my jaw, sliding over my slightly parted lips, pinching the bottom one; he pulled lightly on it. I surprised myself by letting him. “Jasmin.” My name on his lips was nearly my undoing. Nearly.
I couldn’t take my eyes off his face, the shape of his jaw, the slight shadow of stubble across his chin and cheeks. I fought against the rush of anticipation and heat pooling between my legs.
“Can I . . .” I managed to get out, my brain unable to put the words I needed together in a full sentence.
“You can have anything you want,” he said, closing the distance between us, his head lowering, hands shifting to my waist, pressing into the curve there as he pulled me against the heat of his body. The feel of his hard planes against me stole what was left of my words. I had to stop this. Now.
Some moments in life should never be remembered, the horror and the pain eradicated from your mind for all time. Yet those are so often the moments that define you, and make you who you are. They make you stronger than you ever would have been otherwise.
Ok someone please, please tell me that what I just read is meant to be a cliffhanger. I'm actually begging at this point. Ms. Mayer please say that you plan on making this a series. Actually, not only do I need more of Jet and Jasmine, but I also need more of Jasper, Lily and Hugh. I loved all of the characters so much.
Jasmine has recently lost her brother to cancer and now has a mountain of debt and no job. In efforts to not lose everything her best friend helps her land a photography/interview job at the magazine company she works for to get a picture of one of the hottest stunt men in business. While on assignment she finds a home in Jet, which is more than what she expected. Jet is fearless and more than charming.
Jet has his owns demons that he's dealing with. Not only does he has his dark past that still cause him grief, but he also has a psychotic one name stand. Despite all of this he still has a soft side that makes him so swoon worthy.
Jet has his owns demons that he's dealing with. Not only does he has his dark past that still cause him grief, but he also has a psychotic one name stand. Despite all of this he still has a soft side that makes him so swoon worthy.
Both Jasmine and Jet are broken and lost due to past events in their lives. On some level I questioned their insta love. Was it truly real or was it something to ease their pain. Only reason I question that was because it was sooooo fast. Not to mention Jasmine's what I like to call "Bruno Mars Grenade Moment". On another level from the moment these two encountered each other there was something that could not be denied. I enjoyed the ride full of agnst that I was taking on. I wanted them to win.
High Risk Love is told with an alternating POV, which I'm really starting to love because I get to know what everyone is thinking. Ms. Mayer writing flows.
I loved how even though they had some much wrong happen in their world there was something there. Something that allowed them to trust each other with not only their pain, but their hearts too. I feel like there is so much more to Jasmine and Jet and I have to know what happens next.
The secondary characters Jasper, Lily, and Hugh. I love them all. I'm sure all of them have a intriguing back story and front story that should be shared.
High Risk Love is my first experience with Ms. Mayer and I have to say that it has been awesome-sauce. Bottom line I loved Jet and Jasmine's story. I really, really hope their is more because I would read it. For sure. I would definitely recommend everyone to add High Risk Love to their TBR list.
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review! *
About the Author
She is the author of the The Nevermore Trilogy, The Rylee Adamson Novels and the Celtic Legacy series. Her first New Adult Romance, High Risk Love, is scheduled for release July 1, 2013.
