Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: The Forbidden
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk/
CITY: Northampton, England
STATE:
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
NATIONALITY: British
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2013117528
Descriptive conventions:
rda
LC classification: PR6113.A47
Personal name heading:
Malpas, Jodi Ellen
Place of birth: Northampton (England)
Profession or occupation:
Novelists
Found in: Malpas, Jodi Ellen. This man, 2013: title page (Jodi Ellen
Malpas) page 3 of cover (b. and raised in the Midlands
town of Northampton, England; woking for the family
construction business full time; in October 2012 she
self-pubished This man as an ebook. Two moths later,
Jodi made the decision to give up her day job to
concentrate on...writing.)
Associated language:
eng
================================================================================
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITIES
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540
Questions? Contact: ils@loc.gov
PERSONAL
Born in Northampton, England; divorced.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Erotic romance writer. Worked for family construction business until 2012; fulltime writer, 2012–.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Jodi Ellen Malpas is an erotic romance writer. After achieving great success with her first, initially-self-published novel, she turned her attention to writing fulltime. In an interview in Huffington Post, Malpas talked about her whirlwind entrance into the publishing world. “The success of This Man was very unexpected and very fast. I was thrust into a world that I knew very little about, and it was quite daunting. It was incredibly hard to balance my old life with my new life.”
This Man and Beneath This Man
Malpas initiated the “This Man” series in 2013 with This Man. Interior designer Ava O’Shea works on Jesse Ward’s posh apartment. Although she is trying to avoid attachments after a recent break-up, she is both intrigued and put off by his domineering ways. Reviewing the novel in RT Book Reviews, Cyndy Aleo said that “this book feels almost as if the author was working from a checklist.”
Beneath This Man is the second novel in the series. Ava attempts to negotiate a relationship with Jesse, still uneasy about his business and controlling manner. Again writing in RT Book Reviews, Aleo lamented: “Without any real plot arc, this novel feels like filler.”
This Man Confessed and All I Am
This Man Confessed is the third novel in the series. As Ava and Jesse prepare for marriage, she is determined to find out all of his secrets first. In a review in RT Book Reviews, Aleo found that this novel “offers more of the same as the previous two books.” Aleo conceded, however, that the “sex scenes improve here.”
Malpas published All I Am, a side novella to her “This Man” trilogy. Single father Drew Davis works for the Hux millionaire’s sex club. When he is paired up with client Raya Rivers, both are surprised at their immediate connection. A contributor reviewing the novel in the Smexy Books Website claimed that “All I Am will seduce and delight fans of Malpas’ ‘This Man’ series.” The same reviewer observed that “plenty of humor comes in the form of Sam and Jessie.” The reviewer reasoned that “my only issues with this story were I do wish the ending hadn’t been so rushed or Georgia used so obviously as a plot device. Regardless, All I Am was an enjoyable visit back into Malpas’ ‘This Man’ series.”
Promised and Denied
Promised is the first novel in the “One Night” trilogy. Barista Livy is shocked that a handsome man, Miller, wants twenty-four hours of no-strings-attached fun with her. She accepts and finds him to be full of intriguing contradictions. Writing in RT Book Reviews, Donna M. Brown noted that initially, “it’s difficult to become invested in” Livy and Miller.
Denied is the sequel to Promised. Miller begins to abandon his seedy life as he grows closer to Livy. But Livy still finds him completely trustworthy. Writing in RT Book Reviews, Brown called this novel “a stunner,” adding that “there’s alternately hope and despair as Miller and Livy fight both internal and external obstacles.”
The Protector
In 2016 Malpas published The Protector. Security professional Jake Sharp is assigned to supermodel Camille Logan after she receives threats. As they develop feelings for each other, her father tries to separate them at the expense of Camille’s safety.
A contributor to the Smart Bitches Trashy Books Website admitted: “I liked that Camille starts off as a stereotypical spoiled rich girl but is revealed to have actual depth…. I love heroines who have friends, and who don’t live in a vacuum.” The same reviewer, however, criticized that “as much as I liked Camille, I couldn’t deal with Jake’s voice taking up half of the book. I wanted Emma Peel to show up and punch him in the head every time he thought the word ‘pussy.’ I wanted someone to sit him down and explain what “feelings” are and how human beings process them. I wanted him to stop being a jerkwad to the random women he picked up. Basically he’s a walking embodiment of Axe Bodyspray and I hated him.” Writing in RT Book Reviews, Jennifer Wilson opined that “Malpas’ writing is also spot-on with emotions. Readers will be cheering for a happy ending.”
The Forbidden
Malpas published The Forbidden in 2017. Successful businesswoman Annie hooks up with Jack for what she thought would be a wonderful one-night-stand. However, Jack starts to overlap with her social circles, meaning she will have to deal with her feelings for him while sorting out his secrets.
In a review in Library Journal, Kristin Ramsdell found the novel to be “suffused with angst” and “introspective.” Ramsdell reasoned that, “while not for everyone, this is a worthwhile read.” A contributor to Publishers Weekly said that “a few elements don’t ring true.” However, the same reviewer conceded that “redhot sex scenes and believable angst will carry readers through to the end.” A contributor to the Harlequin Junkie Website pointed out that Malpas “has a few twists up her sleeve that will keep everyone off balance. Not everything can be put into a right or wrong or black or white category and this author proves it. The Forbidden is a gut-wrenching tale full of passion, angst, and heart.” A Smexy Books Website reviewer commented that “the ending is quite the dramatic affair with Malpas ramping up the tension as everything comes crashing down. Jack is forced to face everything head on and inadvertently places Annie … directly in the line of fire. I do wish the wife had not been characterized as a stereotypical villain. It’s a painfully obvious plot device to grant this couple absolution. I did like Malpas’ take on spousal abuse as she addresses domestic violence.” The same reviewer concluded: “Though not one of my favorites of Malpas, there were some aspects that just didn’t work for me, The Forbidden is a well-written and entertaining story that drags you into the complicated romance between two people with surprising ease.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Daily Mirror (London England), November 24, 2014, Alistair McGeorge, “Erotic Fiction Writer Jodi Ellen Malpas Says Her Husband Failed to Measure Up to Fantasy Man.”
Evening Standard (London England), July 25, 2013, Rosamund Urwin, “Try a Quick Stroke and See What You Get,” p. 15.
Guardian (London, England), September 28, 2014, Corinne Jones, “Jodi Ellen Malpas.”
International Business Times, July 14, 2013, “UK School Dropout Feted as Writer of ‘Next Fifty Shades of Grey’.”
Library Journal, August 1, 2017, Kristin Ramsdell, review of The Forbidden, p. 70.
Publishers Weekly, May 15, 2017, review of The Forbidden, p. 43.
ONLINE
BBC News Website, http://www.bbc.com/news/ (July 26, 2013), Nic Rigby, “Jodi Ellen Malpas ‘Overwhelmed’ at Erotic Novel’s US Success.”
Happy Ever After, http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/ (July 14, 2017), Joyce Lamb, author interview.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (July 25, 2017), review of Forbidden.
Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ (February 7, 2018), Mara White, author interview.
Hypable, https://www.hypable.com/ (February 7, 2018), “More Great Adaptations by Passionflix Are Coming Your Way.”
Jodi Ellen Malpas Website, http://www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk (February 7, 2018).
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (February 7, 2018), Jennifer Wilson, reviews of The Forbidden and The Protector; Donna M. Brown, reviews of Promised and Denied; Cyndy Aleo, reviews of This Man, Beneath This Man, and This Man Confessed.
Smart Bitches Trashy Books, http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/ (September 6, 2016), review of Protector.
Smexy Books, http://smexybooks.com/ (June 16, 2017), review of All I Am; (August 11, 2017), review of Forbidden.
Jodi Ellen Malpas wrote her debut series, The This Man Trilogy, in secret, worried about what people might think if they knew what her imagination was capable of. She was shocked herself. But she finally found the courage to unleash her creative streak and self-published THIS MAN – the first book of the This Man Trilogy – in October 2012. She took a chance on the story with a hero who soon became one of modern day fictions most prolific alpha male characters. Jesse Ward – also affectionately known as The Lord of The Manor, sparked incredible reactions from women across the globe and catapulted Jodi into the world of women’s fiction.
Jodi went on to self-publish the second book in the trilogy, Beneath This Man in Jan 2013, just before Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group, picked up the popular trilogy and the unknown Jodi. The third book of the trilogy, This Man Confessed, took Jodi to the top of the bestsellers lists, earning her the proud title of #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. This Man has since been voted one of the top romance novels of all time.
With so much love, enthusiasm and a thirst for her words from her readers, Jodi suddenly wasn’t afraid of her imagination anymore. She went on to write The One Night Trilogy with the delectable and mysterious Miller Hart, and stole the hearts of her readers once again. Her first stand-alone novel, THE PROTECTOR, released in September 2016 and has since been nominated for a Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. All I Am, a This Man Novella featuring Drew from the THIS MAN trilogy, released June 18th, and Jodi’s new stand-alone novel, THE FORBIDDEN, hailed to be Jodi’s bravest and most controversial novel to-date and nominated for an RT Award, released August 8, 2017. Fans are now awaiting the forth book in the This Man series, WITH THIS MAN, a continuation of the worldwide bestselling series written from Jesse’s point of view.
With This Man FAQ's.
Whose POV is it written in?
All Jesse, though there are a few of Ava’s thoughts tossed in sporadically. There are times in the story when the reader needs to know what she’s thinking & how she’s feeling. But it’s 95% Jesse.
When does With This Man release?
March 20, 2018 in the US. March 22nd in the UK.
How big is the book? Pages? Words? Chapters?
Slightly bigger than This Man, slightly smaller than Beneath This Man. 56 chapters in total. Around 500 pages.
Is With This Man a rewrite of the original trilogy?
No, it is an all-new part of the story. Every sentence, paragraph, page and chapter is pure new Jesse gold.
How old is Jesse in With This Man?
Approaching 50. And he ain’t too pleased about it. 😳
How old are the twins in With This Man?
They are 11 (nearly twelve). And giving Jesse the run around.
Will With This Man be an audio book?
Yes, and Jodi is currently on the hunt to find the voice of The Lord. She will update everyone as soon as the narrator is confirmed.
Is this part of another trilogy?
No. This is one book and an addition to the previous trilogy.
Will With This Man be in paperback?
Yes! And you can pre-order on the Book Page
Will With This Man be translated?
Details on translations will be shared as soon as they are known.
Will With This Man be adapted for TV by PassionFlix, too?
Right now, PassionFlix are focused on the main trilogy. All details on This Man and TV can be found on the Movies & TV Page.
Will JEM be doing giveaways for ARCs before the release?
Yes she will, but they will be very limited. Keep your eyes peeled and make sure you follow Jodi on social media.
Where can I read the blurb?
You can read the blurb in the With This Man Page.
Can I pre-order With This Man?
Yes, you can pre-order here.
The Controversial Princess FAQ's.
When is The Controversial Princess releasing?
It releases May 22, 2018 across all platforms.
Can I pre-order The Controversial Princess?
At this time, pre-order is only available on iBooks. Links for other retailers will be available at the end of February. You can pre-order on iBooks here, or sign-up to be notified when other retailers pre-orders are available here.
Is The Controversial Princess a standalone novel?
No, it is the first book in The Smoke & Mirrors Series. You can find out more here.
How can I get an ARC of The Controversial Princess?
If you a reviewer or blogger, you can apply for an ARC through Nina Grinstead at Social Butterfly PR. Email: nina@socialbutterflypr.net
The This Man Series FAQ's.
What is the reading order of This Man Series?
This Man
Beneath This Man
This Man Confessed
All I Am – Drew’s Story (A This Man Novella)
With This Man (Coming March 20, 2018)
What languages is the This Man Series translated into?
All of the available translations, as well as covers and publication details, are listed on the Translations Page.
Who will be cast as Jesse in This Man in the TV adaptation on PassionFlix?
Casting for This Man is anticipated to start late 2018. JEM will keep everyone updated on the TV & Movies Page, as well as on her social media.
When is the This Man TV Series coming?
At this time, filming is predicted to start in July 2018. Keep up-to-date on the Movie and TV Page.
Where can I watch the This Man Series?
Once released, it will be available to stream through PassionFlix.
How do I subscribe to PassionFlix?
Right here.
When does With This Man release?
March 20th in the US, and March 22nd in the UK. You can find out more on the With This Man Page.
Has JEM written any bonus scenes for This Man?
Yes, there are a number of bonus scenes available on the Blog.
Where can I find the Jesse POV bonus scenes?
They are available on the Blog
Will JEM ever write a Jesse POV book?
Recently, Jodi announced the release of With This Man, the forth book in the series. It is written from Jesse’s POV, and will be available on March, 20, 2018. You can find out more here.
The One Night Series FAQ's.
What is the reading order of the One Night Series?
One Night Promised
One Night Denied
One Night Unveiled
Will there be a book from Miller’s POV?
At this time, JEM has no plans to write more about Miller and Olivia.
What languages is the One Night Series translated into?
All of the available translations, as well as covers and publication details, are listed on the Translations Page.
The Forbidden FAQ's.
Is there a second book to The Forbidden?
No, The Forbidden is a standalone novel.
Is The Forbidden available in Spanish?
At this time, there is no translation available. If this changes, JEM will let her Spanish readers know.
I’ve heard there’s an exclusive edition of The Forbidden. What makes it exclusive, and where can I find it?
JEM wrote a bonus scene from Jack’s POV for The Forbidden, which is included in the Target paperback edition. It is available at Target stores across the US.
Is The Forbidden available in my language?
Check out the Translations Page to find out if The Forbidden is translated into your language.
The Protector FAQ's.
Is there a second book to The Protector?
No, The Protector is a standalone novel.
Who will be cast as Jake in The Protector Movie and Jesse in This Man?
Casting for The Protector starts very soon, with This Man following soon after. JEM will keep everyone updated on the TV & Movies Page, as well as on her social media.
Is The Protector available in my language?
Check out the Translations Page to find out if The Protector is translated into your language.
When is The Protector Movie coming?
Filming is anticipated to start in July 2018. JEM will keep all of her readers up-to-date on casting and progress through her social media channels, and on the Movie Blog.
Where can I watch The Protector Movie?
Once released, it will be available to stream through PassionFlix.
How do I subscribe to PassionFlix?
Right here.
All I Am FAQ's.
What is All I Am about?
It is a novella about Drew Davies, Jesse’s friend from This Man. You can find out more about All I Am here.
Is All I Am available in paperback?
All I Am is a novella and only available in digital format at this time. You can find out more here.
Is All I Am available in my language?
Check out the Translations Page to find out if All I Am is translated into your language.
General Questions.
Does JEM have an official fan group?
Yes, she does, and it’s a great group of women chatting daily about all things JEM. You can find it on Facebook here – Jodi Ellen Malpas – Love, Lace & Everything ish.
How can I find the books that are translated into my language?
Many of JEM’s titles have been translated into various languages. Check out the Translations page to find out which ones are available in your language, and where you can purchase.
Can I buy signed paperbacks.
Unfortunately, JEM does not sell signed paperbacks at this time. Be sure to check out her Diary to see where she’s signing.
Can I buy merchandise related to JEM and her books?
Yes. JEM has an online store that stocks many pretty things. You can find it here.
Does JEM have a newsletter?
Yes, and you can sign up here.
Does JEM do signings?
Yes. You can find out more on The Diary Page.
Does JEM release ARC copies of her titles, and if so how do I get one?
If you a reviewer or blogger, you can apply for an ARC through Social Butterfly PR. nina@socialbutterflypr.net
Is there an address where I can send something to JEM?
Yes, you will find it on the Contact Page.
Are any of JEM’s books available on audio?
Yes, and you can find them on the Audio Page.
Interview: Jodi Ellen Malpas chats with us about her upcoming PassionFlix movies
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By: Joyce Lamb | July 14, 2017 9:01 am
Jodi Ellen Malpas, whose This Man Series and The Protector have been optioned for film to air on upcoming subscription streaming service PassionFlix, joins us to answer some burning questions about the news. PassionFlix, featuring romance movies and series, launches in the U.S. in September.
Jodi Ellen Malpas (Photo: Kerry Ann Duff)
Joyce: Congratulations on the awesome news, Jodi! Please tell us about when you found out your This Man series and The Protector were being optioned by PassionFlix.
Jodi: Thank you soooo much! I actually can’t tell you the words that came out of my mouth. It’ll crash your site 🙂 Obviously, I was beyond excited when they asked to meet me in Atlanta. And then they told me they wanted Jake and Jesse. And then I may have had a few flutters of my heart. Actually, it was more like a heart attack. And then I had to keep my mouth shut for a few months, which has been ridiculously hard. But along with the excitement came a little panic. Because, Jesse and Jake will kinda be real! I still can’t quite believe that. Two figments of my imagination will be gracing the screen. Quite crazy, really.
Joyce: What can you tell us about when to expect the movies to be available for us to watch? (We’re not impatient or anything.)
Jodi: So without giving specific dates, we’re working toward starting filming The Protector first, possibly as soon as early 2018. Yikes! I’m searching for Jake on Google as we speak. This Man will come after, possibly as soon as 2019. I’ll have more details in the coming weeks, but for anyone who wants to keep up-to-date, they should click on over to the movie page on my website where it’s all happening.
Joyce: Since you’re at the “optioned” phase, we’re guessing there are no actors lined up, but if there were, who would you love to see?
Jodi: Haha! I was dreading this question. It’s so scary. I’m notorious for playing my cards quite close to my chest when it comes to the faces of my men. I never divulge any names of actors etc. as my inspiration, as I’ve always thought it quite important for my readers to imagine their perfect man. That’s gonna change now, and I’m seriously freaking out about it! But, my readers are going to have to trust me. I can’t please everyone, and I’ve always told my confidants that the intensity of the acting is as important as the face of the actor. Jesse is a very intense man, and there has to be a certain fire in the acting to be able to pull off such a prolific alpha male. Both Jesse and Jake are in their late 30, so really quite on the mature side as far as book boyfriends go. It’ll be interesting to see the auditions, for sure.
Joyce: How involved do you think you’ll be in the making of the movies? Will you work on the screenplays?
Jodi: I will be as involved as PassionFlix will allow before I do their heads in and they put me on the first flight back home #SadJEM LOL! No, in all seriousness, what I love most about PassionFlix is their eagerness to involve the author and listen to them. I’ve always wanted to have a pop at screenwriting, so this may be an opportunity to venture there. If I was ever going to go down the movie/TV road, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone other than the PassionFlix team. I trust them wholeheartedly with my boys, and they seem super keen to have me around. So happy days.
Joyce: What’s coming next from you in book publishing?
Jodi: Something extra juicy. The Forbidden releases Aug. 8, and it’s probably the most nerve-racking release for me to date. For many reasons, but mainly because the subject matter is taboo, and I just know it’s going to cause some conflict with my readers. But, as I’ve always said, I write what my heart tells me to write.
Joyce: Do you have anything to add?
Jodi: Know any super hot British actors? Send pictures to … jodiellenmalps@…
Joyce: Ha! I’m sure your fans can hook you up. Congrats again!
Jodi Ellen Malpas: The Protector
By Mara White
Jodi Ellen Malpas is the number one, New York Times best-selling author of the This Man and One Night trilogies. Her character, Jesse Ward, from the This Man series became an instant alpha-male archetype in the erotic-romance genre and catapulted her into the public eye. Her latest novel, The Protector, is her first standalone and releases this week.
MW: What was your life like before you started writing romance? Was it difficult to be thrust into the spotlight with the incredible success of the This Man series?
JEM: Before This Man went crazy, I worked for my father doing an office role within his construction business. It wasn't really me, though it was a natural progression in my life and my father offered me flexibility around my young family, which was invaluable as a working mother of two boys. The success of This Man was very unexpected and very fast. I was thrust into a world that I knew very little about, and it was quite daunting. It was incredibly hard to balance my old life with my new life, especially since I was in an unhappy marriage and I knew my success would be blamed if I were to find the courage to break away from it. Which, of course, it was, but I've fast learned to grow a thick skin and not keep others happy, at the expense of my own happiness. Life is too short.
2016-09-07-1473251955-2748650-JodiEllenMalpasKerryAnnDuffyPhotography041.jpg
MW: Jesse Ward became an instant book boyfriend for many readers, an archetypical alpha-male in the romance-erotica genre. What was it like for you to have readers respond so intensely to your character?
JEM: Honestly, I was quite stunned. I wrote This Man in secret, mainly because I was worried about what people might think if they knew what my imagination was capable of. I didn't think anyone would ever read about him, so I didn't hold back at all. He's controlling, dominant, unreasonable...but sexy as sin. The fact that so many women fell in love with him spoke volumes about women's desire and fantasies, and it made me realize that I'm not alone. It was a huge confidence boost for me.
MW: I remember reading you joke about your grandmother reading This Man. Do your friends and family read your books?
JEM: My grandmother (Nan) is a little sassy, to say the least. She'll stand in the book aisle just so she can tell someone that her granddaughter wrote 'that' book. My mother, however, won't go near them. She maintains that I'm her little girl and she'd like it to stay that way. She's more of a biography type, anyway, and my father doesn't really read at all.
MW: Can you tell us about your writing process? Do you have any rituals? What does starting a new story look like for you? Outlines? Inspiration boards?
JEM: I make notes in a journal. Lots and lots of notes. My journals are a mess of scribbled words, but it all makes sense to me. I tend to write the skeleton of the story from beginning to end, and then go back through to enhance the scenes, build chapters etc. Every author has 'their' way, and this is what works best for me.
MW: This is your first standalone novel, how is the process different from doing a series? Will we see any more of this couple?
JEM: It was very different in the sense that I didn't have to forward think as much as I did when writing the trilogies. Remembering specific details that I wrote in book number one of a series when making reference to it a few hundred thousand words later was sometimes a brain burner! The continuity was much harder to keep stable when I wrote This Man and One Night. With The Protector, I found that my writing process flowed much better as I wasn't interrupted as much by going back to cross-reference things. I never thought I would be able to start and finish a story in one book, but it happened so naturally with Jake and Cami.
2016-09-07-1473252043-5764539-TheProtectorcoverFINAL.jpg
MW: What inspired you to write Camille and Jake's story? Did writing Jake's difficult past take a lot of research?
JEM: My inspiration was spiked by one single photograph in a glossy magazine. The picture was of a famous celebrity being tailed by her 'hot' bodyguard, and the press were trying to analyze their body language. It fascinated me so much, because I found myself wondering if there was anything other than a professional relationship going on. This in turn triggered the story of The Protector. The hardest thing for me was researching post-traumatic stress disorder and doing it justice in Jake's character. It definitely made me appreciate on a deeper level what so many ex-soldiers face daily after returning from war.
MW: Jake is a complex character with a dark and dangerous past (he's an ex SAS sniper) can you tell us how he's different from your other much beloved alphas, like Jesse Ward and Miller Hart?
What about Camille? She seems like she'd be the typical spoiled heiress, but there's a lot more to her.
JEM: Jake's different from Jesse and Miller on so many levels, yet also similar. For one, they are all alpha men, but Jake carries more of a roughness with it. He's an ex sniper, for a start, so he was hands-on in his job and he also has a very unhealthy attitude towards women. He survives on Jack Daniels, sex and work to keep him distracted from his demons. And whereas Jesse and Miller actively pursued their women, Jake tries his hardest not to go there. He's his own worst enemy, really.
MW: If you weren't writing novels, what do you imagine you'd be doing?
JEM: I've no doubt, in reality I'd still be sitting behind a desk in my dad's office.
MW: What's coming next from you? Anything you can share or maybe give us hint about?
JEM: The next book to release after The Protector is another standalone, though I can't share the title just yet...as it doesn't have one! There's quite a funny story behind how I came to write it, though. So I was really poorly last year after a routine operation on a hernia went wrong. Just my luck! I was bleeding internally after I was sent home, to the point I lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital. It was all very traumatic apparently. I don't remember much of it! I ended up in hospital for a week, having numerous blood transfusions as I'd lost so much, and was put on strict bedrest for weeks after I was discharged. I mean strict. I literally couldn't move because they needed the blood to clot to stop the bleeding, and movement could dislodge the clot, which would result in me having to be cut open. Nice! So my mum being all motherly rang my agent to let her know, and they plotted together to make sure I did what the doctor said, because they know that I'm not very good at doing nothing. My laptop was confiscated. I was gutted. What they didn't know about was my travel laptop, which came swiftly out from under my bed. And I wrote a story. When I sent it to my agent, she went mad at me... and then she forgave me, because it's her favourite of everything I've written so far. Happy days!
#1 New York Times-Bestselling Author Jodi Ellen Malpas Signs Global Three-Book Deal Including a New Installment in the Phenomenal Hit This Man Trilogy
With This Man To Be Published in March 2018
New York, NY—September 13, 2017
Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing (GCP), has announced that they have acquired the World English language rights for three new novels by #1 New York Times bestseller Jodi Ellen Malpas, author of the THIS MAN and ONE NIGHT romance trilogies.
WITH THIS MAN will be published as a trade paperback original in March 2018, with simultaneous e-book and audio editions. The following as-yet-untitled standalone novels will release in 2019. Orion Books, a division of Hachette UK, will publish the UK editions.
“A new novel from Jodi is always exciting news for readers, but a new This Man novel is an event,” said Beth de Guzman, VP, Digital and Paperback Publisher. “GCP is proud to be her publisher and ecstatic to be continuing our relationship with Jodi.”
WITH THIS MAN picks up the story of fan-favorite character Jesse Ward, the strong-willed, dominant, seductive alpha man first introduced in This Man (Forever, 2013). Set years after the original trilogy, the incorrigible Jesse is married to Ava, the love of his life; father to 12-year-old twins; and approaching his fiftieth birthday. Jesse has achieved exactly what he always wanted. Then a terrible accident lands Ava in the hospital with a head injury that causes her to lose her memory of the last 15 years. Now Jesse must do whatever it takes to support his beloved wife and help her find her memories—their memories—and fall madly, passionately in love all over again. But he has no idea that someone is plotting to destroy their family.
“This Man was my very first novel, and Jesse Ward holds a very special place in my heart. After all, he was the start of my writing career. I never anticipated anyone could love him like I do, and I’ve been so blown away by the response he’s received from readers over the years. I just love that they, like me, can’t get enough of him,” said Jodi Ellen Malpas. “I can’t wait to share this new chapter in Jesse’s life with everyone.”
Beth De Guzman, VP, Digital and Paperback Publisher, acquired World English language rights, and Leah Hultenschmidt, Editorial Director for Forever, will edit. Ms. Malpas was represented by Andrea Barzvi of Empire Literary and attorney Matthew Savare of Lowenstein Sandler.
About Jodi Ellen Malpas
British talent Jodi Ellen Malpas sold hundreds of thousands of ebooks of the first two THIS MAN novels before landing a major US publishing deal and sailing straight to the top of the New York Times bestseller list in a few short months. Success quickly followed in the UK, with thousands of readers falling head-over-heels for the devastatingly handsome Lord of the Manor Jesse Ward and his feisty counterpart Ava O’Shea, as all three books became major Sunday Times bestsellers. This was followed by further success with her second series ONE NIGHT, which introduced the irresistibly enigmatic M, and two stand-alone novels, The Protector and The Forbidden.
Jodi was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her two boys and a beagle. She is a self-professed daydreamer, a Converse & mojito addict, and has a terrible weak spot for Alpha Males. Follower her online at jodiellenmalpas.co.uk; twitter.com/JodiEllenMalpas; or facebook.com/JodiEllenMalpas
About Forever
Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, publishes romantic fiction ranging from light-hearted and contemporary to dramatic and historical, as well as erotic, romantic suspense, and enthralling paranormal. Authors include #1 New York Times bestsellers Jodi Ellen Malpas and Rachel Van Dyken; New York Times bestsellers Kristen Ashley, Elizabeth Hoyt, Rebecca Zanetti, Grace Burrowes, J. Daniels, Mia Sheridan, and Denise Grover Swank; and USA Today bestsellers Debbie Mason, and Carolyn Brown. For more information about Forever, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/ForeverRomance.
Biography
Jodi Ellen Malpas is the bestselling author of the This Man Trilogy, which made its debut on Amazon in October 2012, unleashing the character Mr. Jesse Ward onto the romance scene in This Man. Jodi is happy to say that she has been writing nonstop ever since from her home in the sleepy Midlands town of Northampton, where she lives with her family.
Jodi Ellen Malpas 'overwhelmed' at erotic novel's US success
By Nic Rigby BBC News
26 July 2013
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Erotic novelist Jodi Ellen Malpas was "overwhelmed" when sales of her book outstripped best-selling authors including Dan Brown and James Patterson.
For a former health and safety officer who had self-published, it was a huge achievement.
She released the first of her trilogy in October and since then the work has taken off in the US, selling more than 250,000 copies and leading to a deal with US firm Grand Central Publishing.
Her success culminated earlier this month when she topped the New York Times eBook bestseller list.
Her erotic fiction follows in the footsteps of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.
The works, by previously unknown British author EL James, became a publishing sensation and have sold more than 70 million copies around the world.
'Odds against me'
Now Mrs Malpas's novel - based on a love story between a lord of the manor and an interior designer - is set to be published in book form in October in the US and the UK.
Yet the mother of two from Northampton was unsure of her abilities as a writer and initially penned her works in "secret" while working at her father's block paving firm.
It's essentially a passionate love story, with an erotic edge
Jodi Ellen Malpas
Mrs Malpas, 33, who also worked as a waitress and for an amusement machine firm, admits she did not show any particular literary talent at school and did not "excel in English".
She says her desire to become a writer developed very slowly.
"The story was in my head for a long time before I set it down and I wrote in secret for a long time. I did not know if I would be any good at writing," she says.
She wrote the books in the evenings, persevering well into the small hours.
"Eventually my friend read it and pushed me to do something with it."
She sent it to a number of literary agents in the UK without success.
"I know hundreds of novels are sent to them, so I knew the odds were against me," she says.
So in the end she decided to self-publish as an eBook as she "had nothing to lose".
The first This Man novel was published in October last year.
"In the beginning of November I sold my first in the US. Next I saw 50, then 100 sold and by the middle of November I was selling 1,000 a day," she says.
"I honestly had no idea what was happening and before I knew it, I was being approached by agents in New York and had to get a lawyer. I am quite overwhelmed."
'Passionate love story'
Mrs Malpas has now signed a deal with Grand Central Publishing. She says she cannot say how much it was worth, but admitted it was a "major deal".
Beth DeGuzman, vice president at Grand Central Publishing, says: "We're over the moon with the trilogy. The eBook reading community has already taken Jodi very much to their hearts, and we're delighted to have the opportunity to bring these wonderful stories to a wider readership.
"Jodi is a very special talent and we're looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for her."
Excerpt from This Man
Big Guy, or John as I now know him, moves to the side, giving me my first glimpse of Mr Jesse Ward.
Oh good God. My heart crashes against my breastbone and my nervous breathing rockets to dangerous levels. I suddenly feel light-headed, and my mouth is ignoring my brain's instruction to say something.
I just stand there staring at this man, while he stares back at me. His husky voice halted me in my tracks, but the sight of him...the sight of him has just turned me into a non-responsive, quivering wreck.
He rises from his chair and my gaze travels up with him. He's very tall. His white shirt is casually rolled at the sleeves, but he still wears a black tie, loosely knotted and hanging down the front of a broad chest.
Foreign rights have already been sold to her books in Hungary, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany.
Mrs Malpas says she was amazed when she saw her third book, This Man Confessed, at the top of New York Times eBook list, ahead of Inferno by The Da Vinci Code novelist Dan Brown.
"I read every one of Dan Brown's books, he is one of my all-time favourites," she says.
Her trilogy follows the exploits of a handsome lord of the manor Jesse Ward and a young interior designer Ava O'Shea brought in to work on the property.
"It's essentially a passionate love story, with an erotic edge," she says.
"Jesse is a playboy and lord of the manor. He is troubled. He is very controlling, but also very sexy."
Mrs Malpas believes the success of the erotic fiction genre is partly down to the need to escape into fantasy.
"Like many women, we have normal lives, keep a house and home, but we escape into fiction," she says.
She says her husband has not read her work but is "very happy for me, proud and very supportive".
"The whole family has been left a bit stunned," she says.
And Mrs Malpas has a straightforward tip for would-be novelists, which is to "write from the heart".
"If you write for what you think people want to read, you won't get the authenticity."
More great adaptations by Passionflix are coming your way, as This Man and The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas get optioned!
Awesome news for romance fans, those excited for Passionflix, and Jodi Ellen Malpas fans!
This Man and The Protector have been optioned by Passionflix for adapations! Passionflix will be turning This Man into a TV series, and The Protector will be adapted into a movie.
About ‘This Man’ by Jodi Ellen Malpas:
Young interior designer Ava O’Shea has an appointment for a first consultation at The Manor with the owner, Mr Jesse Ward. She is expecting nothing more than an overweight, cravat wearing, well-to-do countryman, and on arrival, nothing would suggest otherwise. How wrong could she be? This Man is devastatingly handsome, charming and confident. He is also a conceited, hedonistic playboy, who knows no boundaries. Ava desperately does not want to be attracted to him, but she can’t control the overwhelming effect he has on her. Every instinct is telling her to run, so she does, but Jesse Ward is not so willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her. She knows she is heading for heartbreak, but how can she run when he won’t let her?
About ‘The Protector’ by Jodi Ellen Malpas:
People think they have Camille Logan nailed: daddy’s girl; beautiful, spoiled young woman with her father’s bank balance to fund her lifestyle. But Camille is determined to have a life free from his strings. Out on her own, she’s made mistakes, including one that found her clawing her way back after a stint in rehab and plenty of bad press. Now, after fighting so hard to be independent and happy, she finds her life threatened as a result of her father’s ruthless business dealings. Caught between resentment and fear, Camille prepares herself for the measures her father will take to protect her. But nothing could prepare her for the ex-SAS sniper who crashes into her life.
Jake Sharp resides in his own personal hell. He was distracted from duty once before, and the consequences were devastating–both personally and professionally. He vowed never to let that happen again. Accepting the job of bodyguard to Camille Logan isn’t the kind of distraction from his demons he should take. Women and Jake don’t mix well, yet protecting the heiress seems the lesser of two evils. But Jake soon discovers that she isn’t the woman she’s perceived to be. She’s warm, compassionate, her presence settling, and his duty to protect her soon goes deeper than a well-paid job, no matter how hard he fights it. He needs absolution. He comes to need Camille. But he knows he can’t have both.
About Passionflix:
Passionflix is turning romance novels into movies and series! Launching in September with Alessandra Torre’s Hollywood Dirt, passionflix.com is an online streaming platform, (like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu,) where you’ll be able to see your favorite romance novels brought to life.
Jodi Ellen Malpas: 'Since Fifty Shades women have become addicted. They like to read about sex'
Bestselling erotic fiction author Jodi Ellen Malpas talks about how British accents are a turn-on for American women
• Observer sex survey 2014 results in full: Britain loses its sexual swagger
• Tim Adams on why Britain is having less sex
• How the British changed their minds about sex
Corinne Jones
Sun 28 Sep 2014 07.00 EDT
First published on Sun 28 Sep 2014 07.00 EDT
Jodi Ellen Malpas
When you're planning your books, what do you think about first: the plot, or the erotic scenes?
It's a happy medium. If a book is just sex, then it could be classed as porn, so it needs to have a story behind it. Whether it's love-making or sex with a bit of dirty thrown in there, there's always a scenario. They're never just bonking.
How do you think of the sex scenes – do you ask friends for advice?
Everything I write, I write for me. I don't get mixed up in what I think people want to read. When I wrote This Man I was putting my soul, my fantasies, my ideal love story on paper – the thought of someone reading it and getting into my mind made me very nervous.
Do you hope these fantasies will resonate with other women?
Yes, absolutely. Everyone has different tastes and I'm not going to please everyone, so I can only go by what feedback I get from my readers, and it's mostly positive.
Music, from Massive Attack to John Legend, features in many of your sex scenes.
I think certain tracks can really build on a scene, so if there's a scene with thrust and flow, there's powerful music that can really make a reader feel exactly how you want them to feel. If there's more of a frantic sex scene, more hard and unforgiving, then there's music that's going to show that in a better light, too.
What have you learned about writing about sex?
One of the first sex scenes in This Man was anal, which was very risqué, but I went all out because I didn't think anyone would read it. Now I'm more mindful that you've got to break the reader in a bit before you hit them with such a harsh sex scene.
You'd started writing before Fifty Shades of Grey came out. Obviously that was a big moment for erotic fiction.
It definitely opened my eyes a bit, because before it was published I was thinking: "God, I can't let anyone read this." But then with the explosion of Fifty Shades I thought: "Well, maybe I can!" The number of women who've said that book was their first experience with erotic fiction, and the amount of erotica they've read since that, they're almost addicted. There's no denying that women like to read about sex.
Erotica is more popular with women, while porn is more popular with men. Why do you think that is?
Well, men are visual creatures, aren't they? They like to see, whereas women like emotion and imagine more. I think a woman desires a man's desire. Jesse [the male protagonist in This Man] fiercely loves Ava and it makes his behaviour erratic and crazy. To know you have that impact on a man, that he wants you that much, is a feelgood thing for a woman.
What is the cliche to be avoided when writing erotica?
There are certain words that I just don't find attractive. I can't bear the c-word – I can't even say it, it makes my skin crawl. There are far more attractive words for a woman's parts than that. If I read a book, and it's referred to as that, then straight away, I think: this is porn.
One of the scenes in This Man involves Jesse and Ava having sex on a rowing machine. Has anyone ever tried to recreate one of your sex scenes?
I've certainly had women tell me they can't look at a rowing machine the same way any more, but no one's ever told me they've tried to recreate any of the sex scenes. A few of my American readers have got their husbands to talk to them in a British accent, which cracks me up. American women are a sucker for a British man.
You were a success in America before you were here ...
Yes, because they like the Britishness: knickers rather than panties, tights rather than pantyhose, and the amount of emails I get asking me what a jumper is… it's ridiculous! Jesse is the epitome of the ideal British man in the way he speaks and has a manor in the English countryside, so it's all very quintessentially English – except it's not, because it's a sex manor.
Do your fans ever open up to you about their sex lives?
I've had emails and seen women at signings who have said that reading erotic literature has opened their minds and massively improved their sex lives. When you're in a marriage for a long time you get regimented sex – you go to bed, he does this, you do that – and it gets boring. Reading erotica can certainly give women inspiration, and many of them have come back to me very pleased. A lot of men are thanking the explosion of erotic literature. I get loads of emails from happy husbands.
Jodi Ellen Malpas
First time British author Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, where she lives with her family. Working for her fathers construction business fulltime, she tried to ignore the lingering idea of This Man until it became impossible. She made time and found the courage to release her creative streak, unleashing the character Mr Jesse Ward, Lord of The Manor.
Jodi took a chance on a story with some intense characters and exploded onto the self-published author scene at the end of October 2012, sparking some incredible reactions from women all over the world. Within two months of self-publishing This Man, Jodi made the decision to leave her day job to concentrate on her new and very unexpected career in writing.
The second instalment of the This Man Trilogy, Beneath This Man was published in January 2013 and fast became an Amazon Bestseller, holding #1 position in the chart of its genre for many weeks in both the US and UK. Now the anticipation for the third and final part of the trilogy, This Man Confessed, is rife and will be published July 2nd 2013 by Grand Central Publishing.
Series
This Man Trilogy
1. This Man (2013)
2. Beneath This Man (2013)
3. This Man Confessed (2013)
All I Am (2017)
This Man Box Set, Books 1-3 (2018)
thumbthumbthumbthumb
One Night
1. Promised (2014)
2. Denied (2014)
3. Unveiled (2015)
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Novels
The Protector (2016)
The Forbidden (2017)
Romance
Kristin Ramsdell
142.13 (Aug. 1, 2017): p70+.
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UNCOMMON PAIRINGS While romance heroes and heroines often come from the same backgrounds, ensuring that the conflicts between them have other causes, many do not. And most often these disparities are economics- or class-based, especially in historical novels, in which social position is a birthright and of vast importance. Yet contemporary romances have their share of rich-girl/poor-boy, boy/girl-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks/old-money-scion plots, as well. Feuding families have long been popular, and, more recently, age, race/ethnicity, and physical/intellectual concerns--and on rare occasions adultery--have successfully added to the mix. Granted, these couples are not classically star-crossed (e.g., Romeo and Juliet) because they do find their happy endings, but getting there is just a little bit harder.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
A TOUCH STAR-CROSSED
Dare, Tessa. The Duchess Deal. Avon. (Girl Meets Duke, Bk. 1). Sept. 2017.384p. ISBN 9780062349064. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062349071. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The last thing seamstress Emma Gladstone expects when she confronts the battle-scarred Duke of Ashbury to demand payment for the wedding dress she made for his former fiancee--even though the wedding had already been called off--is an offer of marriage. Disbelieving, Emma resists, but Ashbury needs an heir, and Emma appears to be the one person who sees through his physical injuries to the caring, honorable man beneath. A marriage of convenience allows these appealing protagonists to learn to love and let go of the past. The story is enriched by a cast of exceptional secondary characters (a young street urchin is delightful) and a "Monster of Mayfair" hero who finds ways to make the most of his flaws. VERDICT Sexy, tender, and wickedly funny, Dare's newest offering is a spirited tale with a Beauty-and-the-Beast theme and the perfect launch for her latest series. Dare (Do You Want To Start a Scandal) lives in Southern California.
Jordan, Sophie. The Scandal of It All. Avon. (Rogue Files, Bk. 2). Aug. 2017. 384p. ISBN 9780062463623. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062463630. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Widowed for ten years but still in her thirties, Graciela, Duchess of Autenberry, is jarred into reassessing her future when a good friend is killed in a riding accident. Life is short, and she needs to discover what she can't live without--so she's going to begin by taking a lover. Things go awry when her first foray into a notorious pleasure club ends up in a searing kiss with a man who is totally off-limits. Colin, Earl of Strickland, is her stepson's best friend and someone she has known since his boyhood. Colin persists, and Ela stands firm, until fate steps in and turns their worlds upside down. VERDICT Sexy, racy, and simmering with heart-pounding sensuality and pent-up passion, Jordan's latest romp is just plain fun; a delightful addition to her rogue-rich series. Jordan (While the Duke Was Sleeping) lives in Houston.
Long, Julie Anne. Dirty Dancing at Devil's Leap. Avon. (Hellcat Canyon, Bk. 3). Sept. 2017.384p. ISBN 9780062672889. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062672896. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Returning to California's Hellcat Canyon to reevaluate her situation after she catches her lover--slash--business partner in bed with their intern, tech company CEO Avalon Harwood takes a proactive step and outbids her competition for the old Coltrane mansion at Devil's Leap. But Mac Coltrane, owner of the adjoining property and the mansion's current groundskeeper (as well as Ava's first love), wants his family's home back. And so the battle lines are drawn, with a troop of pint-sized, chattering girls, bleating goats, fragrant cow manure, and ear-splitting music only a few of the creative annoyances they lob at each other as they both play to win. Snappy dialog, spirited rivalry, and laugh-out-loud humor keep the pace swift and the plot on track as this stubborn pair finally come to terms with their pasts. VERDICT An entertaining romance that adds new dimension to this engaging series. Long (Wild at Whiskey Creek) lives in Northern California.
Malpas, Jodi Ellen. The Forbidden. Forever: Grand Central. Aug. 2017. 368p. ISBN 9781455568215. pap. $15.99; ebk. ISBN 9781455568222. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Appalled to realize that she just spent the night--a glorious night to be sure--with a stranger, Annie quietly leaves, determined to forget it ever happened. But when he turns out to be Jack Joseph, the contractor working with Annie's newest client on a building she designed, she can't let go of the memory. Jack, who is married, can't forget either, and when the temptation proves too great, they give in, though they both know there's only one way this can end--or is there? VERDICT Introspective and suffused with angst, this very British, very modern story with a New Age slant takes on the taboo topic of infidelity in a brave, cutting-edge romance. While not for everyone, this is a worthwhile read. Malpas (The Protector) lives in Northampton, England.
Rai, Alisha. Hate To Want You. Avon. (Forbidden Hearts, Bk. 1). Aug. 2017.384p. ISBN 9780062566737. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062566713. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Ten years ago, a devastating tragedy shattered the business and personal relationships between Olivia Kane's and Nicholas Chandler's families, making it impossible for the two to be together. Their solution is that Livvy would text Nicholas every year on her birthday, wherever she was in the world, and he would meet her for one ardent night, giving them the chance to be who they once were. But Livvy has come back to town, if only temporarily, and her presence not only dredges up the past, it zeroes in on their relationship--if only Livvy and Nico can get on the same page and figure out how to make things right. Jealousy, resentment, and betrayal are at the core of the conflict in this story, a pattern card for dysfunctional families. VERDICT Emotional anguish; page-singeing, explicit sex; relatable, sympathetic protagonists; and a realistic, well-crafted plot add up to an irresistible read that erotic romance fans will be sure to savor. Rai (Serving Pleasure) lives in Washington, DC.
MADE FOR EACH OTHER
Burrowes, Grace. Too Scot To Handle. Forever: Grand Central. (Windham Brides, Bk. 2). Jul. 2017. 346p. ISBN 9781455569991. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781455569984. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
All former army captain Colin MacHugh wants is to go home to Scotland and his flourishing whiskey business. However, with his brother a newly minted duke, Colin is now a courtesy lord and expected to take his place in the ton. If only he'd known how tedious simpering, marriageable misses and their predatory mothers and the heedless, unproductive lives of the younger bachelor set could be. Yet Anwen Windham, his new sister-in-law, is anything but boring. She asks for his help in keeping the House of Urchins, an orphanage for disadvantaged boys, from closing, and he agrees--and ends up as intrigued by the savvy, streetwise youngsters as he is by the surprisingly fierce Anwen. Danger from an unexpected source adds an edge of mystery to a romance that pokes fun at the stilted, often frivolous values of society and highlights social issues of the time. VERDICT A take-charge hero and a flame-haired heroine with the gumption to match see that justice is done in this well-plotted, beautifully written story made all the more satisfying by its delightful secondary characters (the urchins are marvelous). Burrowes (The Trouble with Dukes) lives in rural Maryland.
Dodd, Christina. The Woman Who Couldn't Scream. St. Martin's. (Virtue Falls, Bk. 4). Sept. 2017.352p. ISBN 9781250028488. $27.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250028495. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
With her future destroyed by an explosion aboard an airplane and her fiance supposedly dead, Merida Falcon (aka Helen Brassard, Merry Bird) reluctantly agrees to a trophy-wife marriage in exchange for the reconstructive surgery that will turn her into a beauty. Nine years later, her cruel, controlling husband is dead, and Merida heads for the solitude and anonymity of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, intent on bringing down those who caused the accident that left her disfigured and unable to speak. Yet the tiny town of Virtue Falls is not the haven for which she'd hoped. When people from her past, including her former fiance Benedict Howard, show up and the whispered phone calls begin, Merida knows she's no longer safe--and then the gruesome killings start. Intriguing characters (including an especially horrifying villain), twin romances (Kateri and Stag's prickly sparring as well as Merida and Benedict's trust-challenged bond), and a complex plot that reveals itself with chilling precision keep the pages turning. VERDICT Tense, taut, and beautifully paced, this latest addition to Dodd's series is another stunner; it will appeal to romance and suspense fans alike. Dodd (Because I'm Watching) lives in Washington State. [See Prepub Alert, 3/27/17.]
Finz, Stacy. Need You. Zebra Shout: Kensington. (Garner Brothers, Bk. 1). Aug. 2017. 320p. ISBN 9781420141900. pap. $4.99; ebk. ISBN 9781420141917. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Determined to regain her life and career after her underhanded ex-husband got their successful fashion business and the brand name (hers!) in their bitter divorce, L.A. high-fashion designer Delaney Scott retreats to her Glory Junction vacation home to heal and work on her new collection. But Delaney's creative juices aren't flowing, her designs are dismal, and, to top it off, she's feuding over a parking spot with her annoying nextdoor neighbor, Police Chief Colt Garner. Verbal barbs fly and sexual tension sizzles as Delaney and "Chief Hottie from Hell" wage a losing battle with an attraction they know has no future but just can't deny. Trust and conflicting career goals keep the emotional storm raging in this heartfelt romance enhanced by a profusion of entertaining townsfolk and relatives, a villain or two, and a breathtaking Sierra Nevada setting. VERDICT Sweet humor, well-defined and appealing characters, and just enough adventure sports and fashion detail make Finz's print debut, and series launch, a delightful read. Finz (Falling Hard) lives in Berkeley, CA.
Mallery, Susan. You Say It First HQN: Harlequin. (Happily, Inc., Bk. 1). Sept. 2017. 336p. ISBN 9780373799336. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781488028441. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Pallas Saunders is determined to make a success of her quirky, theme-based wedding business, Weddings in a Box, if for no other reason than to avoid having to go into the family banking business if she doesn't. She can hardly believe her luck when world-famous sculptor Nick Mitchell is between projects and agrees to restore some carved wood panels for her. But Nick is not only enjoying the whole wedding operation, he's attracted to Pallas, as well. A plentiful cast of supporting characters--Nick's artist brothers are memorable--add depth to the plot, while colorful descriptions of the wildly creative wedding plans and settings are sure to fascinate. VERDICT An inventive heroine who comes into her own and a caring hero who figures out what's important give in to love in this lighthearted romance. Mallery (Secrets of the Tulip Sisters) lives in Seattle.
Morgan, Sarah. Holiday in the Hamptons. HQN: Harlequin. (From Manhattan with Love, Bk. 5). Sept. 2017.384p. ISBN 9780373803996. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781488022715. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Felicity Knight adores New York City and the successful dog-walking business she runs with her twin sister, Harriet, until her ex-husband, veterinarian Seth Carlyle, whom she hasn't seen in ten years, temporarily fills in at the clinic they use. Fliss refuses to run into him, so when her grandmother calls saying she needs help after her surgery, Fliss loads up the car and heads for the Hamptons-and safety. But Seth lives and practices in the Hamptons, not the city. When Fliss almost hits a dog that turns out to be Seth's, she impulsively tells him she's sensible Harriet, setting the stage for a comedy of errors that is as hilarious as it is romantic. VERDICT Sweet, sexy, and funny, this addictive tale exudes seaside charm and canine affection and delightfully keeps its promise of a happy ending. Morgan (New York, Actually) lives near London, England.
Putney, Mary Jo. Once a Rebel. Zebra: Kensington. (Rogues Redeemed, Bk. 2). Sept. 2017.368p. ISBN 9781420140941. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781420140958. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Lord Gordon Audley accepts a mission to America to rescue an English widow and return her to her family during the final days of the War of 1812. He arrives just in time to prevent her from being attacked and is shocked to find that the widow in question is his childhood friend Callista. Viciously torn apart as teenagers, they were sent from England--Callie to marry a Jamaican planter and Gordon to the Australian penal colony--and they hadn't seen each other since. Yet the connection between them hasn't weakened, and as they make their way through the war-torn countryside toward Baltimore and what remains of Callie's stepfamily, they see their childhood friendship slowly growing into something more. With superbly drawn characters (including historical figures such as Francis Scott Key); a setting so vivid one can taste the lemonade and smell the gunpowder; and a gripping plot that addresses the harsh realities of slavery, prejudice, cruelty, and abuse. VERDICT Valiant, resourceful protagonists fight for each other against incredible odds in a story that deftly balances fascinating historical detail, adventure, and menace with a passionate romance. Another "redeemed rogue" gets the future he deserves. Putney (Once a Soldier) lives in Baltimore.
Rose, Karen. The Monster in the Closet. Berkley. (Baltimore, Bk. 5). Sept. 2017. 512p. ISBN 9780399586767. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780399586774. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Ever since 11-year-old Jazzie found her mother's bloody body and knew who had killed her, she hasn't spoken a word. Now, at Healing Hearts with Horses, a ranch-based program that specializes in working with traumatized children, Jazzie connects with summer intern Taylor Dawson, a fledgling therapist who has lived through a terrifying childhood of her own. But Jazzie's progress goads a clever killer into action--and he's not about to leave any loose ends. A swift pace, meticulous detail, and a generous, distinctive cast of both new and familiar characters, including loyal Ford Elkhart, bring this race against time to life. A riveting story that skillfully weaves multiple viewpoints and plot threads into a satisfying whole. VERDICT Touching, warmly loving, and steeped in terrifying fears no child should ever know, this heart-stopping thriller delivers on all counts. Rose (Every Dark Comer) lives in Florida.
HOLIDAY TEASERS
Anderson, Catherine. The Christmas Room Berkley. Oct. 2017.432p. ISBN 9780399586316. $19; ebk. ISBN 9780399586330. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Rancher Sam Conacher is furious when he sees his grown daughter, Kirstin, in an embrace with Cameron McLendon. He storms over to the McLendons' home to give Cam a piece of his mind, but the verbal sparks fly when he encounters instead Cam's mystery-author mom, Maddie. In spite of himself, Sam can't help but admire her Irish sass. Nevertheless, the antagonism continues to simmer between them, and it isn't until a near-fatal accident brings them to their senses that they can begin to understand each other and take the first steps toward friendship--and explore what might lie beyond. Two independent and successful but inwardly lonely souls finally come to terms with their grief and risk love again in this family-centered story graced with laughter, plain-speaking, and majestic descriptions of modern-day Montana. VERDICT Poignant and tender, this earnest romance brings two couples together as they confront the difficult themes of illness and loss with insight and a dusting of holiday charm. Anderson (Mulberry Moon) lives in rural Oregon.
Roberts, Sheila. Christmas in Icicle Falls. Mira: Harlequin. (Icicle Falls, Bk. 11). Nov. 2017. 368p. ISBN 9780778330790. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781488023583. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
When the artificial Christmas tree ordered by Muriel Sterling-Wittman, author of A Guide to Happy Holidays, turns out to be a sorry excuse for a holiday decoration, she decides it deserves a chance to be beautiful--just needing a bit of TLC. It ends up being a gorgeous success, but the idea that all things have potential and can be improved with some affection takes root, sparking a holiday project among Muriel's friends to look for the good in the Ugly Trees (i.e., difficult people) and send love their way. A curmudgeonly neighbor, a thorny ex-husband, a lousy landlord, and a rough-around-the-edges daughter-in-law are only a few of those who feel the effects of extra caring in this playful story that will leave fans hopeful and smiling. Recipes at the end are a plus. VERDICT A lovely blend of romance and women's fiction, this insightful holiday treat hits all the right notes and ties up some loose ends as the "Icicle Falls" series finds its perfect finale. Roberts (Starting Over on Blackberry Lane) lives in the Pacific Northwest.
SECOND TIME AROUND
Jackson, Lisa. Double Exposure. Severn House. Aug. 2017.256p. ISBN 9780727887061. $28.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Torn apart eight years ago by circumstance and a secret, Olympic skier Gavin Doel and newspaper photographer Melanie Brooks are forced to work together when Gavin returns to the small Oregon town where they both grew up to reopen the old ski lodge. Despite mutual distrust, the chemistry is still there. An early series romance from well-known mystery suspense author Jackson, this was first published in 1990 as a Silhouette Special Edition.
Roberts, Nora. Untamed. Severn House. Aug. 2017.244p. ISBN 9780727887153. $28.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
A brilliant lion trainer who's grown up in the circus is unexpectedly attracted to the Chicago lawyer who inherited the show from his father and controls its future in this classic early series romance that bursts with exceptional three-ring detail; originally a 1983 Silhouette Romance.
Sands, Lynsay. Bliss Avon. Aug. 2017. 384p. ISBN 9780062019615. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062013231. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
When King Henry orders Lady Helen Tiernay and Lord Hethe, the fierce Hammer of Holden, to wed, he simply wants to put an end to their constant complaints about each other. Lady Helen has no intention of marrying a man whom she thinks treats his people so cruelly, which sets the stage for a steamy escapade that is all the more hilarious when Lord Hethe sees through her devious plans. This 12th-century historical was first published by Leisure Books in 2001 and is an early title from Sands, currently noted for her popular "Argeneau/Rogue Hunter Vampire" paranormal series.
By Kristin Ramsdell
Kristin Ramsdell is Librarian Emerita, California State University, East Bay. She is the author of the romance section of What Do I Read Next? A Reader's Guide to Current Genre Fiction (Gale, annual) and Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre. 2d ed. (Libraries Unlimited, 2012)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Ramsdell, Kristin. "Romance." Library Journal, 1 Aug. 2017, p. 70+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A500009437/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=b851205a. Accessed 28 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A500009437
The Forbidden
264.20 (May 15, 2017): p43+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
The Forbidden
Jodi Ellen Malpas. Forever, $15.99 trade paper (368p) ISBN 978-1-4555-6821-5
Malpas (The Man) spins a sizzling but not entirely satisfying contemporary tale of adulterous romance. After architect Annie meets contractor Jack in a crowded London bar, they wind up in a hotel bedroom that very night, enjoying their explosive chemistry. But Jack is married, as Annie discovers when he turns up at her housewarming party with his wife, Stephanie, in tow. And to make matters even more complicated. Jack's company is doing the build for Annie's current client. Jack is trying to figure out the best way to extricate himself from a bad marriage; embarking on a months-long affair with Annie doesn't help matters. The two live for torrid, stolen moments away from Annie's disapproving friends and Jack's abusive wife. When Annie learns some thing that could eliminate her rival forever, all bets are off. In her preface, Malpas notes that she expects the tale to be controversial, as most romance readers strongly disapprove of cheating. But Stephanie is such an unsympathetic, ultimately unreformable character that the taboo aspects of Annie and Jack's relationship may be mitigated a bit. A few elements don't ring true, including Jack's reason for marrying Stephanie, but redhot sex scenes and believable angst will carry readers through to the end. Agent: Andrea Barzvi, Empire Literary. (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Forbidden." Publishers Weekly, 15 May 2017, p. 43+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A492435636/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=8457a403. Accessed 28 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A492435636
Erotic fiction writer Jodi Ellen Malpas says her husband failed to measure up to fantasy man; Author Jodi Ellen Malpas admitted her own love life didn't compare to the dream world in her books
(Nov. 24, 2014): Arts and Entertainment:
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 MGN Ltd.
http://mirror.co.uk
Byline: Alistair McGeorge
This Morning: My husband didn't live up to my fantasy man
With the success of Fifty Shades of Grey, there has been a boom in erotica - but it seems Christian Grey might be best left as an unattainable fantasy.
Writer Jodi Ellen Malpas has sold over 500,000 copies of her sexy novels, although even she has admitted her own husband failed to live up to her expecations.
Her marriage broke down after she published her This Man fantasy trilogy, and she suggested on This Morning her ex-partner couldn't match up to the lover she's created in her mind.
Still, Jodi has championed women having a fantasy man to spice up their love life and stop it from becoming stale.
Discussing the breakdown of her marriage on ITV, she said: "It wasn't unicorns and rainbows. I lost myself in writing my own story.
"Unfortunately when it exploded, no-one was prepared for it - me, my husband, my family - and we were suddenly in this world and everyone wanted a piece of me.
"Unfortunately, my marriage wasn't strong enough to sustain the changes that were happening."
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By Alistair McGeorge
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Erotic fiction writer Jodi Ellen Malpas says her husband failed to measure up to fantasy man; Author Jodi Ellen Malpas admitted her own love life didn't compare to the dream world in her books." Daily Mirror [London, England], 24 Nov. 2014. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A398660542/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=c1e94d4a. Accessed 28 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A398660542
UK School Dropout Feted as Writer of 'Next Fifty Shades of Grey'
(July 14, 2013):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 IBT Media, formerly dba International Business Times
http://www.ibtimes.com/
A sixth form dropout from Northamptonshire is being hailed as the next EL James, after her Fifty Shades of Grey-style trilogy of erotic fiction shot to the top of the US bestseller charts.
Jodi Ellen Malpas, 33, worked for her family's building firm and for years wrote in her spare time. She recently gave up her day job when her self-published book, This Man, topped the US ebooks chart.
It is the final part of a trilogy, the tale of an affair between aristocrat Jesse Ward and Ava O'Shea, an interior designer. Its publication last week caused a surge in sales of its two companions, with the books taking all three top spots in the Publishers Weekly iBooks chart.
This Man is also the top seller in the Amazon erotic fiction chart.
Malpas, who lives in the Midlands with her family, is now cutting down the e editions for publication in print and preparing to meet her legions of fans at a writing convention in LA next month.
She told the Sunday Times her parents were initially worried when she would lock herself in her room for hours typing away as a youth.
"My mother, Lorraine, thought I was ill or something. Now she is my PA, dealing with all the fans and stuff, but I am still not letting her read the book - it's too much for her!"
Fifty Shades of Grey and its two successors, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, sold over 70 million copies worldwide after being self-published by London-based EL James. A film version is currently in production.
(http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/490023/20130714/fifty-shades-grey-robert-pattinson-kristen-stewart.htm) Rumour has it that Twilight duo Robert Pattinson and his estranged partner Kristen Stewart could co-star.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"UK School Dropout Feted as Writer of 'Next Fifty Shades of Grey'." International Business Times [U.S. ed.], 14 July 2013. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A336711608/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=c9824d1c. Accessed 28 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A336711608
Try a quick stroke and see what you get
(July 25, 2013): News: p15.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 Evening Standard Limited
http://www.standard.co.uk/
Byline: Rosamund Urwin
DESPAIR for humanity! Yet another novel is being heralded as the new Fifty Shades of Grey. Jodi Ellen Malpas is the author trying to step into EL James's kinky boots and genital clamps, with her This Man ebooks set to be published in paperback in the autumn. So how can Malpas rival such coitus-lit gems as "a Christian Grey-flavoured popsicle" and an orgasm being likened to the "spin cycle on a washing machine"? Apparently by thinking outside the bedroom. One sex scene takes place on a rowing machine.
Now, she's welcome to her fantasies, but -- as a former rower -- I'm not convinced an ergometer is the best equipment on which to kick off the Carnal Olympics. Both participants would need the balance of a ballerina. The chain isn't designed with S&M in mind. Sensitive extremities could get stuck between rail and seat. In short: EL James's red room of pain may have nothing on the erg.
CAPTION(S):
Sexual athlete: Jodi Ellen Malpas's fantasies involve a rowing machine
Rosamund Urwin
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Try a quick stroke and see what you get." London Evening Standard [London, England], 25 July 2013, p. 15. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A337848180/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=fa4b8460. Accessed 28 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A337848180
The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas
by Elyse · Sep 6, 2016 at 3:00 am · View all 31 comments
The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas
The Protector
by Jodi Ellen Malpas
September 6, 2016 · Forever
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Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance
Theme: Opposites Attract, Bodyguard
Archetype: Actor/Actress/Celebrity
I was so, so excited for The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas. I mean, look at that cover! Look at it!
When I was a kid, we watched three movies on rotation at every sleepover: Dirty Dancing, The Cutting Edge and, my favorite, The Bodyguard. That cover is clearly a reference to The Bodyguard and when I saw it I was light-headed with nostalgia.
So I picked up the book and I was prepared to love the hell out of it…but I didn’t. I didn’t at all. I thought the plot was fine. I liked the heroine. The issue was the hero–Jake Sharp. He’s just awful really, and since half the book is told first person from his point of view, that awfulness just hit me right in the face. Jake really, really likes to use the word pussy, and not in a dirty-talking kind of way. No, in a derogatory kind of way. So I enlisted some fellow enraged pussies to help me with this review.
Okay, Jake Sharp is a former solider, all-around tough-guy turned bodyguard. He’s got broken man emotions and as a result he can only feel things with his penis. Jake watched two of his friends die in war and blames himself, and now he’s all broken etc etc. I’m not discounting the trauma of watching two of your friends die; I’m discounting using PTSD as an excuse to be a giant douchecanoe to everyone.
So Jake lives for three things: booze, sex, and protectin’ people. I’m a little alarmed at his pretty obvious alcoholism given the fact that he’s pretty much always armed and, according to the text, able to kill people with his pinky nail or something. Anyway, he’s busy drinking himself blind and smexing strangers when he gets a new job.
Camille Logan is the spoiled socialite daughter of a bajillionaire. Some creepy fucker has made death threats against her, so daddy has called in Logan to protect her. Camille is fresh out of rehab, has a modeling career, and is famous for being attractive and wealthy. She’s legitimately trying to get her shit together though and she does not appreciate Jake following her around being a bossy jerk. Too bad he’s hot and she wants to jump him.
Jake is also not coping well with living in Camille’s “champagne and cocaine” world of fashion and shopping:
“She’s doing this on purpose. I swear, all this girlie shit is turning my brain pink. All in all, I’m feeling pretty fucking pussy-ish right now.”
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I’m not sure what feeling pussy-ish means. Does Jake feel powerful and remarkable? Like he’s capable of delivering human life into the world? Like he’s made of tissue both capable of experiencing sexual gratification AND possessing the materials needed to grow and sustain life?
Or does he just want to nibble on some salmon and catfish entree and rub his face on the corner of a laptop? Does he want to shit in a box? Do tell us, Jake.
Anyway, Jake wants to bang Camille and Camille wants to bang Jake but they both annoy each other. Camille is very feminine and not appreciative of Jake’s awesomeness. Jake orders Camille around and interferes in her life. Still though, they want to smex.
Jake is troubled by this:
I need a drink. And a good screw. Anything to ride my head of these stupid, pussy thoughts.
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In case you’re wondering, “pussy thoughts” are not thoughts of adorably batting around a ball of yarn. “Pussy thoughts” are a yearning for physical and emotional intimacy. So basically all human beings have “pussy thoughts.” You might be having “pussy thoughts” right now.
The More You Know with rainbow star from NBC
Once Jake and Camille inevitably give into their pants feelings, Jake is troubled by this new feeling bubbling up in his chest. It’s not gas. It’s not his liver crying for sweet, sweet release. It’s not even an alien baby trying to bust out his ribs. No, IT’S LOVE. Now, this is a man who isn’t concerned about frequently getting black out drunk and having sex with total strangers. Having affectionate, loving feelings for his sex partner, though, that’s fucking terrifying:
I’m Jake Sharp, for fuck’s sake! Arsehole extraordinaire! I don’t love, I screw!
My thoughts grind to a screeching halt and I physically recoil. Lucinda frowns at my sudden, unprovoked jerk, watching me as I rewind through my thoughts. When I find what I’m looking for, I double over and nearly throw up. Love? Camille Logan has a habit of reducing me to a pussy, and she’s doing it again.
angry-cat-7
I mean, I read a lot of books with emotionally constipated heroes, but I love how the idea of being in love makes Jake almost puke. Based on earlier descriptions of the guy, he’s probably syphilitic with cirrhosis of the liver, but love makes him physically ill. I’m willing to withstand a little bit of the alphahole with his head up his butt, but Jake really takes the cake.
Eventually, however, he gives in to his feels and he and Camille have naked picnic sex in a meadow. Then the threat that’s been hovering in the corner materializes, and Jake has to do his goddamn job and rescue Camille:
I lift my arm and aim for [redacted for spoilers]’s head. “You have ten seconds to tell me what the fuck you’ve been hiding before I blow your brain out.” And he’d better not question my intention. I pull back the slide of my gun.
“What are you talking about?” he asks, backing up in his chair like the pussy I know he is.
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Right. You were her bodyguard, Jake. You shouldn’t have let naked meadow time get in the way of
Show Spoiler
Anyway, there were things I liked about this book. I liked that Camille starts off as a stereotypical spoiled rich girl but is revealed to have actual depth. She feels stifled by her life and does her best to navigate the challenges that come with it (like the paparazzi) gracefully. She loves her best friend, Heather, and even though she’s more famous and could leave Heather behind, she’s determined to make their dream of fashion design happen together. I love heroines who have friends, and who don’t live in a vacuum.
Overall, though, as much as I liked Camille, I couldn’t deal with Jake’s voice taking up half of the book. I wanted Emma Peel to show up and punch him in the head every time he thought the word “pussy.” I wanted someone to sit him down and explain what “feelings” are and how human beings process them. I wanted him to stop being a jerkwad to the random women he picked up.
Basically he’s a walking embodiment of Axe Bodyspray and I hated him.
So my overall take on this book?
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REVIEW: The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Posted July 25th, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, HJ Top Pick!, Review / 3 comments
HJ_TopPick
The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas is a very controversial read yet surprisingly epic. When I read the blurb, I was hesitant to even read this book because I knew someone was cheating, and cheating is a hard limit for me. Well, the hero and the heroine don’t cheat on each other, but it still doesn’t make it right, does it? Is Adultery ever okay? What if there is no love in the marriage or the wife turned into this crazy woman, would it still be okay? Get ready for an emotional journey that will put you on the inside of an affair and make you question everything you thought you believed in.
Annie and Jack meet at a club and their attraction to each other is immediate. There’s this spark between them that is very strong and cannot be ignored. Annie has never experienced feelings like this before so she decides to get a room with Jack for the night. Their night together is unforgettable, but it was only the one night and what are the chances of them seeing each other again?
Annie can’t get over her night with Jack, but don’t worry he shows up where she least expects him too…with his wife. Turns out Jack and Annie will be working together on her new project. Annie is devastated and Jack isn’t doing very well, either, but he’s handling it a lot better than Annie. He’s just happy to be near Annie again. This is the first time he’s done something like this, so don’t think he is a habitual cheater. He’s struggling with everything he’s done just like she’s struggling with being the other woman. She tries to break it off, but since they will be around each other for work, it’s impossible and their feelings for each other only get stronger instead of diminishing, as the days go by. They share the same interests and passions, and that makes for a wonderful friendship, but it’s beyond that for these two. If anyone was destined to be together, it’s Jack and Annie.
Jack was so real to me. His feelings and vulnerabilities was front and center for everyone to see. He’s not this evil man who wants to see if the grass is greener on the other side. He is just a man who fell in love with a woman, who wasn’t his wife. It’s not like their relationship was a love match anyway and to be fair, he does try to get out of the marriage, but of course, nothing is that easy. The author has a few twists up her sleeve that will keep everyone off balance. Not everything can be put into a right or wrong or black or white category and this author proves it. The Forbidden is a gut-wrenching tale full of passion, angst, and heart! Not to be missed!
Review: The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas
August 11, 2017 By Tori Leave a Comment
The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Romance Contemporary
August 8, 2017
Forever
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “The forbidden in too alluring. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism….my sanity will be compromised no matter which road I take. I’m doomed.”
Architect Annie Ryan has never experienced that spark of chemistry that overwhelms you…demanding your full attention. A chance meeting with a charismatic stranger changes everything and Annie has the most explosive and one-night stand of her life. Not expecting to see him again, she is shocked when he and his wife show up at her house warming party and Annie learns he is the contractor on her newest project-Jack Joseph.
Annie finds herself teetering on the edge as she fights between her clawing attraction to Jack and her horror at wanting a married man. Annie tries to keep things strictly professional but Jack refuses to let her back away from their attraction and pursues her relentlessly.
Unable to resist the temptation anymore, Annie falls willingly head first into an illicit affair with Jack and suffers as she tries to deal with the shame, sorrow, pain, and censure that follows.
When Jack’s wife discovers her husband’s infidelity, she decides to teach Annie a lesson on what happens when you take what is forbidden.
The Forbidden is a heavily emotionally driven romance that will appeal to those who enjoy angst, conflict, and some uncomfortable dynamics on the road to their happily ever afters. First off, the blurb isn’t completely forthcoming. Malpas merely informs us this romance is forbidden and the rest is left up to our imagination. Unfortunately, if you aren’t a fan of infidelity, then you might not be happy with the lack of transparency. Infidelity in stories doesn’t bother me. No romance is perfect and we can’t as a unit complain something isn’t being portrayed realistically in stories, then complain when it is. People cheat. People have relationships with other people besides their spouses, partners, and soul mates. It’s an unfortunate part of life.
The story starts out on a strong note; Malpas smoothly sets up the plotline and introduces her protagonists-Annie and Jack-with some humor and intense chemistry. They click instantly and take advantage by enjoying a night of no holds barred wild and explosive sex. The intensity of their attraction scares Annie as she has never felt like this before and she sneaks out, figuring she’ll never see him again. Until she finds out they not only will be working together but he’s married. From that moment, we are caught up in a maelstrom of emotions as Annie flips between her anger at Jack’s duplicity and her shame for still wanting him regardless of his lies and other obligations.
Adulterer. Weak. Immoral. Heartless bitch. My hands meet the edge of the sink and my head drops, unable to face myself. What had I become?
Told completely from Annie’s point of view, readers will instantly commiserate with her. Honest narrative opens Annie up completely to readers with nothing to hide behind. Her horror at being involved in something she considers sordid feels real, as does her attempts and failure to extracte herself from the situation. She tries very hard to resist Jack but he doesn’t make it easy and in the end, it doesn’t matter. The heart wants what the heart wants.
“I’m taking something that doesn’t belong to me.”
I liked Annie overall. She’s a smart, cautious, witty, well adjusted person. She loves her job, her home, and her small, close group of friends. She is content with her life. Malpas takes the time to draw Annie out; making sure we understand that this is not her normal behavior. Jack has caught her up in his web.
I would never have put myself in this situation for anything less than powerful love. The kind that keeps you going. The kind that gives you breath and life. Jack’s my life. He’s my pulse. He’s everything.
I wasn’t that big of a fan of Jack’s. He comes off sexy, intelligent, possessive, and funny with a hint of mystery, just how I like them, but his actions are suspect. We see everything through Annie’s eyes and she is admittedly complicit. His duplicity is made apparent almost right from the start. He is dishonest about his marital state (he doesn’t wear a ring nor are there tans lines to indicate he ever wore one). When Annie calls him out on it, he becomes defensive and indignant. He has an excuse for everything-he’s unhappy in his marriage, he doesn’t wear his ring due to injury, meeting Annie overwhelmed him. I think if we could have heard from his point of view, I might have understood his motivations better but the lack there of definitely hinders our understanding and connection to him.
A considerable amount of time is spent watching the affair evolve. Malpas doesn’t sugar coat it but neither does she dig too deep into it. We see exactly how painful infidelity is for all involved when two people’s wants and desires override everything-their pride, common sense, and integrity. Annie fights her feelings for Jack, then gives in and they have sex. Lather, rinse, repeat. He is her drug and their stolen moments together is her high as they seek to avoid Jack’s wife and Annie’s judgemental friends. When she comes down, which is often, her guilt nearly drowns her and she goes off the deep end, seeking out her friends and alcohol to try and forget. Malpas tries to make the jump from insta lust to love as seamless as possible but doesn’t quite make it. The lust I bought- lock, stock and barrell but I never saw the moment they fall in love so it never really registers. I also never quite shook the feeling that Jack was waiting to cheat on his wife and he made Annie his unknowing partner in crime.
The ending is quite the dramatic affair with Malpas ramping up the tension as everything comes crashing down. Jack is forced to face everything head on and inadvertently places Annie in the directly in the line of fire. I do wish the wife had not been characterized as a stereotypical villain. It’s a painfully obvious plot device to grant this couple absolution. I did like Malpas’ take on spousal abuse as she addresses domestic violence and the reluctance of men to admit to being abused. We see Annie and Jack’s best friend expressing anger towards Jack for not just leaving but how many times have we seen this from an abused wife? Jack shows us what we already know. It’s not easy to just get up and leave an abusive marriage.
Though not one of my favorites of Malpas, there were some aspects that just didn’t work for me, The Forbidden is a well-written and entertaining story that drags you into the complicated romance between two people with surprising ease.
Grade: C+
Review: All I Am by Jodi Ellen Malpas
June 16, 2017 By Tori Leave a Comment
All I Am: Drew’s Story by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Series: This Man, #3.5
Erotic Romance
June 18, 2017
Forever
Reviewed By Tori
Favorite Quote: “This woman could be my downfall. Could make me forget who I am. All I am.”
Raya Rivers came to Hux looking for sex. Hot, filthy, erotic sex with no commitment or emotional involvement. She has recently suffered an emotional blow and just wants to taken high up on the mountain then left alone. And who better than the club’s resident commitment-phobe?
Drew Davis is a forty plus workaholic who is quite content being unattached. As a single dad, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, his friends, and at Hux, an all inclusive sex club. When Drew is notified that someone at Hux has requested his particular skills- he is well known for his chains and cold, detached attitude- he goes in expecting a pleasant interlude and is shocked by the force of his connection to a woman he’s never seen before and probably never will again.
The more time they spend together, the harder they both fall, but neither were looking for love or happily ever after. When Drew’s fears get the best of him, Drew will have to learn to trust again or lose Raya forever.
All I Am will seduce and delight fans of Malpas’ This Man series, especially those who love any mention of Jessie Ward. This short full bodied novella gives readers an emotional and heartfelt erotic romance when cupid’s arrow hits one man when he least expects it. Told entirely from the male perspective, we are given an intimate look into Drew’s life and thoughts. This single dad is very private and selective about who he allows into his life and therefore his daughter’s, Georgia. After the stunt his baby mama pulled, Drew’s trust in women is at an all-time low.
I don’t trust women.
Meeting Raya Rivers is a blow Drew never saw coming. The chemistry between them left this reader’s Kindle smoking as their first club scene sets the stage for more to come. Intense sexual tension and kinky playtime keep you on edge as Drew fights his feelings for Raya and what she represents.
I can’t think past simply getting her naked. Putting my hands on her skin. My lips on hers. […] A need in me, a desperation I’ve never experienced before, robs my mind of rational thought.
Plenty of humor comes in the form of Sam and Jessie, Drews two best friends, and Drew’s little girl. As Drew is the only single one left, he’s had a front-row seat to Sam and Jessie’s relationship dramas for years and now get to benefit from their collective wisdom. And what wisdom it is. *laughs out loud* I love the easy and obviously close friendship they share. These three would do anything for each other and it shows.
“There’s not a chance in hell we’re getting through there.”
“You just need to be creative.” Sam produces two passports, a pair of boarding passes held between the pages.
I balk at him horrified. “Where the hell did you get them?”
“I borrowed them.” He shrugged like he hadn’t just committed a crime. […] “Don’t worry, I’ll give them back.”
Drew’s relationship with his daughter is adorable and I love how he thinks of her first and foremost before committing to anything. He really needs to do something about his baby mama. *nods head knowingly* She makes crazy look sane.
The ending is a dramatic affair that requires Drew to be one hundred percent honest with Raya and lay his heart out on his sleeve without knowing if it will be enough for her.
“You did something to me that’s never happened before, and it scared me. […] I should have had has more faith in you. In us. “
My only issues with this story were I do wish the ending hadn’t been so rushed or Georgia used so obviously as a plot device. Regardless, All I Am was an enjoyable visit back into Malpas’ This Man series.
An interesting tidbit: I believe we meet the heroine of Malpas’ next full length novel-The Forbidden– in here. Malpas has firmly said this is NOT a spin-off of this series so we shall see. I’m excited to read it and will post my review closer to the release date (August 8th)
Grade: B-
THE FORBIDDEN
Author(s):
Jodi Ellen Malpas
2017 – Erotic Romance nominee
Malpas writes a story about two strangers who meet and have an instant physical attraction. Each character has complications in their life and though they try to forget each other, they are drawn to each other by feelings neither can explain. These characters are so sincere that readers will love them and hope that everything works out for them. The Forbidden is a heart-ripping, soul-stealing story that readers will be sucked into.
Annie has almost everything: a thriving business, great friends and a fantastic new home. The only thing missing is someone to share it with. Building a business takes a lot of time and energy, so relationships have fallen to the bottom of her list. One night, while out with her friends, she meets a man named Jack who sets her ablaze. They have a nice chat at the bar and he leaves. Thinking that is the end of their encounter, Annie and her friends get ready to leave when she notices that Jack is across the street. Making a quick decision, she decides to stay. They end up at a hotel and have an incredibly passionate night. Slipping out while he is sleeping, Annie chalks this up to best one-night stand ever. Thinking she will never see Jack again, she is shocked when he shows up at her housewarming party with a client — and a secret. (FOREVER, Aug., 368 pp., $15.99)
Reviewed by:
Jennifer Wilson
THE PROTECTOR
Author(s):
Jodi Ellen Malpas
2016 – Erotic Romance nominee
Readers will love this book from the very beginning! The characters are so real and flawed that fans feel as if they are alongside them. For both characters, the past merges with the present to create problems with the lives that they are trying to create. Malpas’ writing is also spot-on with emotions. Readers will be cheering for a happy ending.
Security professional Jake Sharp is offered the job of protecting Camille Logan, one of the most recognizable faces in the world. Her father wants her protected, as he has received threats against her. Jake is skeptical at first, but once he meets the beauty, he decides he will take the job. Supermodel Camille Logan is summoned to her father’s office. Once there, she is told that she will be followed by a bodyguard 24 hours a day. She is less than thrilled and tries to shake him only to realize that it is impossible. The attraction between Jake and Camille is palpable and finally explodes after a nasty incident with Camille’s volatile drug addict ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile, there is still the threat that keep escalating. As their relationship grows Camille wonders about Jake’s past and to push them apart, her father lies and forces Jake away, leaving Camille vulnerable to the very real threat. (FOREVER, Sep., 384 pp., $15.99)
Reviewed by:
Jennifer Wilson
ONE NIGHT: DENIED
Author(s):
Jodi Ellen Malpas
The second book in the One Night trilogy is a stunner. There’s alternately hope and despair as Miller and Livy fight both internal and external obstacles on their journey. All seems futile as threads break — until each is mended, only to be broken again. The cliffhanger is so unexpected, reading the finale is a must.
Miller is known as London’s most notorious male escort, M, and owns the swanky nightclub ICE. He has all the money he needs, yet refuses to leave the life — until he finds the safety of Livy’s arms. Despite warnings from dear friends, the emotionally crippled couple starts fresh. They build a relationship until Livy discovers there are still parts of M’s life she cannot trust. He continues to vow he will change and makes every attempt to do so. Miller wants Livy to the exclusion of all else in her life. She uncovers the secrets the damaged man’s been hiding. Rather than confront him with her findings, Livy surrounds him with her love and fights those who would interfere. (FOREVER, Nov., 432 pp., $15.00)
Reviewed by:
Donna M. Brown
ONE NIGHT: PROMISED
Author(s):
Jodi Ellen Malpas
This is the first installment in a trilogy and begins the continuing story of Livy and M. She unburdens many of her secrets without reciprocity — much of M’s life remains a mystery until some startling revelations shock Livy. It’s difficult to become invested in the pair initially, as M is so rigid and she seems naïve. The cliffhanger defies any reconciliation, and there’s a long wait for the sequel.
After Olivia fixes a horrible café americano for the most stunning man she’s ever seen, he calls her attention to it via a note simply signed “M.” While working a posh event Livy sees him again — accompanied by a beautiful woman — and is disbelieving when he approaches her and says he wants 24 hours with her, no strings attached. She agrees as she finds herself totally spellbound. When they’re at his luxurious apartment, M doesn’t give her the rough tumble he promised, but tender lovemaking instead. He’s a series of contradictions. M is severely OCD, leaves her alone unexpectedly, yet seems to worship Livy when they’re together. (FOREVER, Aug., 416 pp., $15.00)
Reviewed by:
Donna M. Brown
BENEATH THIS MAN
Author(s):
Jodi Ellen Malpas
The second book in this trilogy picks up immediately where the first left off, and due to pacing, feels as if the first book never actually ended. Without any real plot arc, this novel feels like filler: numerous sex scenes that don't differentiate from each other, more of the same missed communication fights that featured so heavily in the first novel, and more super-alpha-male domineering without any real reason. So little happens in this book plot-wise that one scene actually seems paraphrased from the book before it. Add in another heaping dose of BDSM-shaming (along with masturbation shaming) and no further development of any of the characters, and you'll wonder if you couldn't just skip from the first book right to the last one.
Ava O'Shea is involved with millionaire sex club owner Jesse Ward, who claims to love her so much he needs to control every aspect of her life to protect her. Ava attempts to learn to live with Jesse, from his controlling ways to his business, which makes her extremely uncomfortable. Both Jesse and Ava have pasts that continue to make appearances and undermine any attempt at a problem-free future. (FOREVER, dl., $3.99)
*Web Exclusive Review*
Reviewed by:
Cyndy Aleo
THIS MAN CONFESSED
Author(s):
Jodi Ellen Malpas
The conclusion of this trilogy offers more of the same as the previous two books: a glacially slow pace, convoluted plot devices and lack of a clear story arc. Sex scenes improve here, but they will seem very tame for most readers of erotica, and the BDSM angle is all but missing, unless you consider stalking and obsessive behavior to be BDSM. Secondary characters are never let out of their caricature boxes, leaving the focus on two unlikable characters without much true depth.
Ava O’Shea is marrying Jesse Ward after he’s staked his claim, but there’s still more for Jesse to confess — all the things he’s done since he first met her — as well as what readers have been waiting for: the reveal of his history that will explain his obsessive behavior. Ava also has to introduce Jesse to her family and deal with two overly zealous admirer clients. (FOREVER-ROMANCE.COM, dl $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Cyndy Aleo
THIS MAN
Author(s):
Jodi Ellen Malpas
If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, this may be the most sincere erotica ever written. This book feels almost as if the author was working from a checklist: From the heroine's name (Ava) to the obsessed, stalking, abusive alpha male hero (Jesse), you'll definitely feel like you've read this one before. At over 400 pages, the pacing drags, weighed down by Ava's near-constant navel-gazing and blank-slate discovery of the world. Secondary characters are reduced to mere caricatures, and the cliffhanger ending to entice readers to read the next book in this trilogy is so expected, readers will be waiting for it for over half the story. Add in BDSM shaming and an overkill of repetitive sex scenes, and this story is a miss.
Ava O'Shea is a young interior designer making a name for herself working on a luxury apartment high-rise. This brings her to the attention of the fabulously wealthy Jesse Ward, who comes on strong when they begin their working relationship. Jesse makes it clear he wants Ava for more than her design skills, but she's determined not to get involved after a recent bad break-up. Ava is simultaneously attracted to and repulsed by Jesse's controlling nature. The more she falls for him, the more of his secrets surface. (FOREVER, Jun., dl., $0.99)
*Web Exclusive Review*
Reviewed by:
Cyndy Aleo