Thursday, May 1, 2014

Series Review: "Layers" and "Inner Core" by Sigal Ehrlich







Layers
Stark #1
SYNOPSIS:
According to Hayley love is a subject of ridicule, a myth created by hopeless romantics.

When Hayley makes a resolution to declare her loose lifestyle era R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…

That is until she meets Daniel Stark, a well-respected, mid-thirties business man who is known for his short temper, lack of steady relationships as well as his strict preserve of his private life.

Opinionated, sharp tongued Hayley accidently steps into his office leaving Daniel resolved to put Hayley in her place and have her in his bed.

Both Hayley and Daniel can’t avoid the immediate instigation of the attraction between them.




Inner Core
Stark #2
SYNOPSIS:
When Hayley makes a resolution to take back the control over her life, and declare their relationship R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…

That is until Daniel decides to prove her wrong and get her back.

Together, Hayley and Daniel seem to have it all. But can love ever be enough when two strong personalities collide and while reality takes the lead?

Faced with more obstacles than she could have ever bargain for when it comes to Daniel, struggling to keep her own identity while sharing a life with her man. Buds of doubt start rooting in Hayley’s confidence, making her rethink her decision.

And just when it seems that they might make it together after all, life happens. Bringing a threat that neither Hayley nor Daniel could ever anticipate, a threat that could break them apart forever . . .




SERIES REVIEW:
Book 1: 4.5 Stars
Book 2: 4 Stars

If you are anything like me, you love a LONG series, but wait to get them ALL and THEN read them. No? Ok….I will be alone. But I absolutely LOVE getting the whole series and then sitting down and indulging in an overnight binge of multiple books!!! I love to dive into books and get immersed….that is me.

Having said that, I loved LOVED jumping into this series. This was a deep, heavy series in the love department. It wasn’t dark or anything like that. It was just a man in control and he sees a snarky mouthed girl that he wants to have. Just to have, for one night. Because he doesn’t do relationships….at all. He has arm candy when needed, but he doesn’t need much more than that.

I know this sounds like a few other books we may have already read, but this one took on such a good undertone, and the girl was not weak. I loved that she had a head on her shoulders, a job and her own place to stay, all with good friends by her side. I really enjoyed this story….a lot.

When Hayley and Daniel meet, it’s because Tash, her best friend, drags her along to a job interview. Hayley and her smart mouth run into a guy in the break room and her mouth totally gets her into trouble….in a sinfully sexy and good way. This beginning meeting totally sets up the storyline for me. It allowed me to get to know Hayley and her witty banter, but also see the playful but dominant side to Daniel.  

Standing there is the very picture of hot, tall and sinful. White tee, jeans, and the most alluring bad boy stance. Something in his crooked smile inexplicably leaves me dumbfounded. For the space of a moment, I am lost in him.

I love a man that is all alpha and has a story behind his broodiness. Daniel Stark is a private and very generous man. He is super ridiculously sexy and his presence is titillating. He works hard for his money and lives the life that he is accustomed to, but makes sure he gives of his gains as well. He truly is an honorable man. He just has…..control issues. He knows what he wants….and he gets it.

As Daniel finds that Hayley is a taste of what he wants, he goes after it. But only a taste. He doesn’t need it all….he doesn’t want it all. He wants her in the flesh. Hayley wants him, so it should just work out, right? She pretty  much has the notion that love is wonky and not real, so she uses the men for her ‘needs’ and moves on. So Daniel is perfect for her….a good tryst and an easy goodbye. But that doesn’t happen. Nope….they both feel something that they aren’t exactly sure about. And seeing it play out? Magical probably isn’t the word…..but it was just really neat what the power of love can do to someone.

Who is fighting who in the feelings department? Love never has clear lines drawn out, so when you get sucked in, who decides where one heart starts and the other ends?

The end of book one broke me….it broke me. The pain and the heartache that poured off the pages? The massive misunderstanding that caused a substantial upheaval of the story? Yeah. That happened. I was left there with my mouth open and shaking my head. No!! No!! That couldn’t happen to them….no!! I wasn’t going to accept it.

Thankfully book two was just around the corner for me.  I do not like to give away too much in books and feel telling too much of the second book gives away a lot, but I will say that the first book was such an epic buildup of sexual tension and feelings, that the second book gave us more of the ups and downs as the relationship progressed.  I saw more of a fight from Hayley in this book and I personally feel it’s because the relationship got more off kilter and more serious than she had ever anticipated.

As much as I want him—with an almost irrational need—I also clearly know that I couldn’t possibly let myself be vulnerable again, as I unquestionably am when it comes to Daniel.

This book also showed us serious internal struggles coming from Hayley. She is so strong willed and to see her battle as much as she did, that made this book the hardest one to get through.  Daniel was uber swoony still and seriously wanted to up the ante in the relationship, one that Hayley fought constantly.

This debacle gives new meaning to the word clusterfuck.

Book one was such an enveloping story that I JUST HAD TO READ it all. I had to. I wanted to and loved being immersed in it. The alpha in Daniel and the snarky Hayley made for very easy banter, love and friendship. I loved it!!. Book one was a 4.5 star read for me because it kept me engaged, there wasn’t any unnecessary drama and it made me yearn for more.

Book two was a really good finish to the entire storyline. I LOVED the ending….and the epilogue ranks right up there as one of my absolute favorite ones. A good book and a fantastic epilogue? Yes!! I thought about it for a few days after.  The book as a whole was a 4 star read for me because there was a tad bit more drama than I wanted to read, but it did NOT take away from the storyline; it was still an excellent finishing book for the series. It just isn’t my favorite kind of drama. I will say this….the ‘threat’ that threatened to tear them apart literally had tears in my eyes and panic in my heart. Because, knowing the love that I share with my husband….it made ME put myself in Hayley’s shoes and it tore me up.  Well done…..well done. 

I am anxious to read more from Sigal as she has a way with her words, but she did a spectacular job with Daniel. He was perfect to me. Swoony, brooding, over-bearing and controlling perfection wrapped up in the body of a god. Yummy. <3

Love,
Bethany


PURCHASE LINKS:
LAYERS: Amazon | Paperback
INNER CORE: Amazon | Paperback

TEASERS:







ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sigal Ehrlich

By teen age, Sigal already lived in three different continents where she was lucky enough to experience and visit varied places, meet unique people, which only helped fuel her overly developed imagination. Currently, Sigal calls Estonia home where she lives with her husband and three kids. 

Not exactly sure where they will end up next… 

When she is not hiding in her office, writing, she enjoys music, reading and taking care of her little clan. 

With a great believe in "don’t wait for things to happen - make them happen," she enjoys anything exciting life has to offer.

Social media links:







No comments:

Post a Comment