“Tell me you’re mine,” he whispered.
“I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”
What a wonderful read!! This book grabbed my attention from the first paragraph and kept me up all night flipping pages. It took me by surprise several times and I’m still smiling when I think back on it.
Before anything, I know that it says that this is a “Sign of Love” book and it is a part of that series but it is also a complete standalone and you do not have to read the other books in the series first.
The story starts out in Vegas, at a hotel hosting two very different types of conferences — one was the International Law Students Association Conference, and the other was The Adult Entertainment Expo — and this was where straight laced law student Grace Hamilton quite literally ran smack into Carson Stinger, Straight Male Performer. I have to share this hilarious little tidbit from the end of their first meeting:
“Have a good time… er, a nice time, um, enjoy,” I gestured toward his name tag, “the show. Or rather, not the show, but the… well, enjoy the weekend…”
And that’s when he burst out laughing… “I will, Buttercup. And you enjoy your weekend too. Let me guess, law student conference?”…
“Yes, actually. Is there something wrong with that?”
“No, not at all. Looks like we’re both here to learn to be the best at getting people off.”
Teehee!!
These two couldn’t possibly have come from different worlds but when they got stuck in a broken elevator together for a few hours, they were forced to get to know each other a little better and to see past the preconceived notions they’d both formed. And then this happened…
“Lose control, baby. Just for a weekend. Let me take charge. I’ll take good care of you, I promise.”
One elevator chat turned into a passionate, whirlwind weekend where they connected on every possible level. I totally fell in love with the idea of them. But throughout it all was an undercurrent of worry. Time was running out because come Monday, she’d have to return to her high powered, meticulously planned life, and he’d have to head off to a shoot… fate was just not on their side.
As the precious hours of their weekend slipped by, I felt my heart beginning to break. I felt their connection — it sizzled! — and that sizzle made it hurt all the more because with the way their lives were set up, they were caught between a rock and a hard place, and there was no right answer or easy way out.
And then came the twist.
I will admit flat out that I did not see the twist coming. I totally thought I had this book figured out in my mind — law student meets porn star, they connect, can’t be together, separate, get back together — I was so sure that was what was going to happen.
Welp, I should have remembered which author I was reading because she surprised me in her first book, Leo, and she pulled the rug out from under me again here. Have I mentioned how much I love books that can take me by surprise? My heart jumped right into my throat and I just couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. I literally couldn’t. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even blink for the entire second half of the book.
I’m not going to say a word about it though because literally anything I mention about the second half of the book is a spoiler. I’ve tried to think of a million different things I could say but they all give away too much so I’m just going to let you discover it for yourselves 🙂
“Sometimes you don’t even realize anything is wrong until someone comes along and changes you, and makes you want more.”
*Sigh* I loved Carson. Throughout the book, I went from swooning, to fanning myself, to almost crying, to flat-out squeeing, and sometimes to sitting there in utter shock with my jaw dropped at the reveals.
What started out as a fun “porn star meets lawyer” romance (which already had my attention even just at that) turned into a gorgeous heart-felt jouney that took me by surprise again and again. I truly loved it!
4 – 4.5 stars
Fran says
I read all three of Mia Sheridan’s books and they are superbly written. Each story ties in beautifully with the sign of the zodiac selected through its characters, the plots, and the symbolism used through out. Archer was my favorite of the three. It is brilliant with magical qualities to the story that give it a fairytale like feel. Leo was good with a slightly predictable twist but still enjoyable and imaginative. But I feel that I must make a case for Stinger in that the story deserves a better rating than 4-4.5. In the book the main characters’ professions, lawyer and porn star,and the possibility of a romance not only seems improbable but almost comical. But as the story unfolds and emotions come into play things start to change for the hero and the heroine. They are both intelligent people that have been shaped by their birth and circumstances but recognize the humanity and possibilities in each other. The impact of what the share over this one weekend will influence their lives and decisions for years to come. It is important to note that in the beginning of the book, the author gives us important background on the sign of Scorpio, thus the hero’s last name, Stinger. Scorpio is the only sign in the zodiac that is represented by three animals. Each represents a transformation in character. The scorpion is defensive, reactionary, and selfish. Unaware of the damage it does. It then moves on to become an eagle.Still cold but with more perspective because now it can fly.It can control itself and use its power purposefully. Finally it becomes a dove, a symbol of peace and worthy of leadership. The author puts out hero, Stinger, through the paces over the years as he slowly goes through each of these transformations to become the man worthy of our heroine. Women play an important role in out hero’s changes. His mother, a porn actress herself, gives birth to the scorpio. When he meets our heroine, Grace, she inspires him to want more of out life. He moves to become the eagle as he takes stock in what he is and what he wants to be. Then he meets Ara and he becomes the dove. This does not happen overnight but over a span of almost 5 years. He becomes a Navy Seal and hero. When he meets Grace again, you almost feel like the universe had set into motion a plan to reunite what was destined to be. So this to me was more than just a romance. It was a man’s journey to find his purpose and to become the man he needed to be for Grace.
Aestas Cross says
I’m glad to hear you loved the book so much. I too really loved it. However, everyone’s rating is personal and is a reflection of something different that they got out of each book.
I respect your deep love for the book and am so happy to see how much you appreciated it. Personally, I did slightly prefer LEO but that’s the beauty of reading — everyone can get something different out of the books they read and there is no right or wrong when it comes to rating.
Mercia says
I think Stinger is my favourite Mia Sheridan book. Even though I loved Archers Voice, Stinger is the one I re read, and loved it more the second time around:-) I wish I’d seen your version of Carson Stinger before I did the second read. Great choice for a great character.
Vegas is not a place I’ve ever wanted to visit. For Carson Stinger, I would be there in a heartbeat 🙂