I'm in love with these books. TIGER LILY, by Amelie S. Duncan, is romance that touches your heart. For now, I've read parts 1 and 2, and I'm so happy there is a part 3 that I'm shaking with anticipation.
MY OPINION OF PART 1
With a
sensitive and insightful writing style, the author delivers a story that is
easy to delight the senses. It's so engaging I couldn't / didn't want to stop
reading. One day. That's all it took. To read it and to fall in love.
It
immediately appealed to me the premise of a fake encounter between a sweet,
honest, hard working woman and an elusive, striking business man who's about to
publish a book. Lily is insecure because of a very bad relationship that seeps
venom into her present. I appreciated knowing her well before her attempt at
the Waldorf Astoria Hotel to engage Jonas Crane in a conversation that could
land her a contract with the publishing house where she works. She tries and
fails miserably. Or does she?
It really
felt more real and meaningful when they meet in that accidental way that soon
becomes hypnotic thanks to the intense presence of the man. Thankfully, they
have true conversations between magnetic attraction and heart-pumping full of
longing.
Honestly, I
was intrigued and aroused by how the relationship develops. First, both
characters have an interesting background, they exchange beautiful quotes and
their dialogues weave a grabbing sense of belonging between them. Also, the
chemistry is utterly seductive. When Jonas proposes an agreement to ease their
solitude, it feels both as exhilarating and bewildering to Lily as for the
reader.
The words are
able to create a beautiful intimacy that pulses with sensuality, though there
is also a touching sense of understanding and a sweetness that Jonas shows
towards Lily. She's in dire need of affection and he proves he can be a gentle
and passionate lover even though there are no promises of a future together.
It gave me a
pang of sadness that Jonas wouldn't consider having anything serious because
everything that transpired between them felt overwhelmingly intimate, intense
and deep. The talks, the emotions, the need, including how commanding though
irresistibly sensitive and caring Jonas is every moment he spends with Lily,
made me sigh for him to realize Lily is perfect for him and they both need each
other.
Eventually, I
think Jonas becomes overpowering as the relationship progressesm and Lily is
too emotional which I understood better as things from her past traumas get
clearer. I really, really felt sorry for her. She was so helpless against so
much cruelty. She might seem weak and needy but I see her as endearing and then
the pieces of the puzzle come together and you see why she craves touch and
reassurance. She even marathons Star Trek episodes and is a Star Wars fan. You
just have to love her :o)
And the last
scenes were so powerful! So full of pain and despair that my heart went out to
her. When she was suffering from very hard blows and all her insecurities came
crashing down on her, she just denied herself any consolation. It was
heartbreaking. Oh, now I need to read part 2 because I have to know if this
girl gets the happiness she so deserves. And that hot, hot Jonas too!
MY OPINION OF PART 2
I'm still
fascinated by this story. The author's writing style is a subtle and sensitive
combination of feelings and longings, despair and hope, strength and weakness.
It reflects to perfection the fragile yet profound human set of mind of Lily, a
woman lost in her own sense of precarious self-worth.
After a
heart-breaking ending in part one, I was extremely curious as to how Lily's
story would continue. She's defeated, but trying to find inner strength to
become a better version of herself. Though she's not as alone as she feels,
Lily is aware of her unrequited feelings for Jonas. She senses he's as far
removed from her station as humanly possible.
It was so sad
and even tragic to see low she thinks of herself, how ashamed of her weak
behaviour she deems herself to be in regards to her past boyfriend and her
family's legacy of honour.
To me, it was
so plain to see that the abuse she's suffered has turned her judgment of facts
and people to be unreliable. Every time she's rejected or feels alone and
isolated, she becomes smaller and more fragile. It was painful to watch. I so
wanted to hug her and give her the hope she deserves.
Jonas is also
a complex character. Too busy and haunted by commitments and family
expectations that he shies from having his heart tied once more. But you can't
help but understand he man, wanting to offer him some consolation. The words
compel you to feel like Lily and her pull to be what he wants.
I feel this
compelling need to stress that the passionate scenes are also full of
heightened, beautiful eroticism. They blend wonderfully with the psychological
part of the story.
Tiger Lily
continues to be a beautifully sad story of deep emotions, of loss and wounded
hearts, of an abused woman who carries too much shame and is starving for love.
Oh the path of self-destruction, sacrifice and love take on a new, raw meaning.
I loved it because it made me ache, suffer, feel compassion and as much
loneliness and despair as Lily. I loved how protective of others she is, or how
profound her sorrow is over her mistakes. And I loved her complicated
relationship with Jonas, a man who doesn't want to be responsible for anyone's
happiness and, in doing so, is denying his own.
There is so
much in this story, I genuinely want to know how it all ends, and if Lily will
break her cycle of abuse and self-loathing, and find a happy future with Jonas.
Part 3 cannot come soon enough!
Favourite quote:
Just
go, Jonas. You proved I can't resist you. You won.
Tiger Lily (part 2)
Author: Amélie S. Duncan
Genre: erotic romance
Synopsis
For the first time in a long time, things are looking up for Lily Salomé. With the city’s most eligible bachelor on her arm, life with Jonas Crane might finally live up to all its beautiful promise. Lily knows one thing: Jonas is the lover she’s always dreamt of. Smart, powerful and sexy. That is until an altercation with another man leaves her bruised, frightened, and too ashamed to tell the truth. She can run and she can hide but for how long? “Tiger Lily Part Two” is the second in the Tiger Lily series, by author Amélie S. Duncan.
Tiger Lily Book 1
Synopsis
Lily Salomé has encountered more challenges than the average twenty-four year old. After a horrendous crash killed her parents, an abusive relationship was all she needed to calcify her broken heart to stone. So when Lily’s boss comes to her with a challenge most girls would balk at, she knows there isn’t much left in this world to be afraid of.
The target: Jonas Crane, a brooding business mogul who hasn't smiled once since his divorce. Dark, dangerous and mouthwatering, Crane has written a book about life in the fast lane and with the recent publicity, Lily's boss wants the rights. Problem is, Crane won't return a phone call, let alone agree to a meeting. But if a pretty publishing assistant happens to run into him at the Waldorf, with a business card and a smile...what could go wrong?
A lot, it seems. Lily thinks she's going to the Waldorf to meet a rich jerk, or worse, a playboy, but the truth is way more challenging. Jonas Crane is smart, engaging...and devastatingly out of her league.
Amélie S. Duncan writes contemporary, erotic romances with a dark edge. Her inspiration comes from many sources including her life experiences and travels. She lives on the West Coast of the United States with her husband.
