Genre: Adult Fiction (Historical/Regency Romance)
Date Published: March 17, 2014
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Lady Ella Harwich is capricious. At least that’s what her older brother thinks. However, when it comes to Jim Ferguson, Lady Ella is quite serious. One long, lingering kiss put Jim at the center of her romantic desires and at the top of her list of suitors. And she plans to keep him there. Unfortunately, Jim wants off her list because of a secret past, a career as a shipbuilder instead of a gentleman, and his own inability to resist her. Proving her love—and his worthiness for her love—is Ella’s only way to rivet his attention.
Riveting His Attention is the second book in the Impressions Trilogy by May Williams. I didn't know this was part of a trilogy until I started writing this review. I assume it doesn't need to be read in order because I didn't feel lost while I read. Everything flowed nicely. Ella was a persistent little thing, let me tell you. She knew what she wanted. Jim was equally stubborn, but more reserved. He knew what he wanted too, but didn't feel worthy of it. The plot kept me completely entertained. I'm anxious to read the other books in the trilogy. I thought Riveting His Attention was a pretty adorable love story.
Riveting His Attention by May Williams was kindly provided to me by Reading Addiction Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.
May loves romance. Big pink roses, chocolate hearts, sunset walks, but, most of all, she loves romance novels. She’s been reading romances since she first discovered the public library where the librarians didn't notice or didn't care what she was checking out even though she hadn't hit puberty yet.
Since then, May has continued to read every genre of romance, but she writes mostly historical. Places and time periods have stories to tell. And she likes to listen. Her most recent novels are Victorian era pieces where she can imagine beautiful gowns and elegant teas.
When May’s not writing, she manages a houseful of children, pets, and flowers grown in her garden.
To learn more about May Williams and her books, visit her website & blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
Riveting His Attention by May Williams was kindly provided to me by Reading Addiction Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.
“Is this about money?” Ella asked. “I have money of my own or will when I come of age.
And I know there’s a decent sum set aside for my dowry. My brother has made that clear.”
“I’m not living on money I don’t earn.” Jim’s yearly wages from Edmund’s company were more than his family made in twenty years of running the inn. Money itself wasn’t the issue. He had more than he needed now and the expectation of increased earnings as the business expanded.
“Stubborn. I like a man who knows his own mind. It’s one of the many things I admire about you. Heroic, too. Giving up the woman you love for noble reasons.”
“I never said I loved you,” he said, exasperated. How did women make everything so complicated?
Her eyes widened. “I’ll correct myself for now. Giving up the woman who loves you.
Better?”
“No,” he spit out, irritated at himself and her. She’d perceived his weakness and gone in for the kill.
“Because it’s true?” Somehow, she’d made the space between them evaporate. When had she put her hand on his chest and tilted her face up? “Kiss me, and then tell me you don’t love me."
A stronger man might have been able to resist her. He imagined himself picking her up to set her aside, but he couldn’t. When his hand encircled her waist and tipped her back as though to lift her, he crushed her closer. His other hand sank into the silkiness of her hair, demanding her lips meet his.
A victorious smile crossed her face before their mouths connected, but he didn’t give a damn if she thought she’d won.
And I know there’s a decent sum set aside for my dowry. My brother has made that clear.”
“I’m not living on money I don’t earn.” Jim’s yearly wages from Edmund’s company were more than his family made in twenty years of running the inn. Money itself wasn’t the issue. He had more than he needed now and the expectation of increased earnings as the business expanded.
“Stubborn. I like a man who knows his own mind. It’s one of the many things I admire about you. Heroic, too. Giving up the woman you love for noble reasons.”
“I never said I loved you,” he said, exasperated. How did women make everything so complicated?
Her eyes widened. “I’ll correct myself for now. Giving up the woman who loves you.
Better?”
“No,” he spit out, irritated at himself and her. She’d perceived his weakness and gone in for the kill.
“Because it’s true?” Somehow, she’d made the space between them evaporate. When had she put her hand on his chest and tilted her face up? “Kiss me, and then tell me you don’t love me."
A stronger man might have been able to resist her. He imagined himself picking her up to set her aside, but he couldn’t. When his hand encircled her waist and tipped her back as though to lift her, he crushed her closer. His other hand sank into the silkiness of her hair, demanding her lips meet his.
A victorious smile crossed her face before their mouths connected, but he didn’t give a damn if she thought she’d won.
How long have you been writing?
My first book was published three years ago. I think I was seriously writing for about two years prior to that.
What inspired you to write Riveting His Attention?
Riveting is the second in a trilogy. The first book, Ruffling Her Skirts, was one of those stories that got stuck in my head and wouldn’t go away until I wrote it. In the process of writing Ruffling, I developed the characters of Ella and Jim and knew they had to be together.
Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
I think I have something in common with all of my female protagonists, but none are really like me. I like to think of characters as good friends and give them qualities I like in friends.
What book have you read too many times to count?
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is one of those books I read every year. It restores my faith in possibilities and gives me a sense of peace.
What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Keep writing. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the truth.
If you could hop into the life of any fictional character, who would it be
and why?
Since I love costumes and dressing up, it would have to be someone who wore amazing clothes. The problem is that none of those characters are ever happy for long. If I’m going just for appearances, I would select a character from Gone with the Wind, The Great Gatsby, or The Age of Innocence. I might be desolate, but I’d have fabulous dresses.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your
books?
Riveting, like the others in the series, required some research. I learned about steam ships and submarines of the 19th century in the process. I found myself talking quite knowledgeably on the topic of propulsion for early steamships to my co-workers one day, which earned me some strange looks.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I read voraciously. I love to sew and run when I have time left over from keeping track of two kids.
Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or
purely all imagination?
Bits and pieces of my life, stories people tell me, and things I observe make it into my books. For instance, one of my husband’s co-workers was recently quite mad at him for only supplying right-directing arrows for a race course they were creating. My husband had to show her that rotating the arrow made it a left-directing one as well. That’s going to make a funny scene in a book someday.
Since then, May has continued to read every genre of romance, but she writes mostly historical. Places and time periods have stories to tell. And she likes to listen. Her most recent novels are Victorian era pieces where she can imagine beautiful gowns and elegant teas.
When May’s not writing, she manages a houseful of children, pets, and flowers grown in her garden.
To learn more about May Williams and her books, visit her website & blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
Thanks for the awesome review and hosting me today. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity! :o)
DeleteThe time period is a favorite.
ReplyDelete