January 20, 2014

BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Layers (Stark #1)


Welcome to my stop on the Layers tour, organized by Xpresso Book Tours. Check out my review, and don't forget to enter the giveaway for signed books and a Kindle! Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour to learn more about Layers and the super talented author behind Daniel Stark, Sigal Ehrlich.

Layers (Stark #1), by Sigal Ehrlich
Published October 10, 2013
Publisher:
Telemachus Press
Format:
e-book, provided by the author and Xpresso Book Tours
Genre: 
adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads)
According to Hayley love is a subject of ridicule, a myth created by hopeless romantics.

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

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

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

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

In a unanimously agreed upon verdict by Hayley and her two best friends, Ian the gay self-absorbed, aspiring model and Natasha the witty, borderline neurotic soul mate, Daniel Stark is to be Hayley’s pure physical attraction, emotions aside era closure.

Will it indeed be a closure, or a beginning to something neither Hayley nor Daniel ever bargained for…


I loves me those alpha male billionaires. Daniel Stark is definitely a card-carrying member of that club, so right there is a check in the plus column for Layers

Hayley is sick of trying to lose herself in faceless guys. A chance meeting with Daniel Stark, CEO of Stark Industries, has her reeling. After a few false starts and stops, they seem to have a good thing going. Neither started out wanting feelings to play into things, but neither can help it when they do. Which will only make things more devastating if it all falls apart. 

I really loved Hayley's and Daniel's initial meeting. It's something we've seen before - the girl badmouths the CEO, not realizing she's actually talking to the... CEO. It's always so hilarious when it comes out. And, somehow the rich, gorgeous CEO always finds the girl endearing. 

Daniel was pretty awesome. I loved his alpha controlling tendencies. I loved his desire to take care of Hayley. I love how that bothered him for awhile. He's been burned in the past when he fell in love with a girl who sold him out to the media. He had a terrible father. So, you can't exactly blame the guy for being slow to trust. But, it seems like, once he made the decision that Hayley was it for him, he was in, balls to the wall, and I loved that. 

So many times in books like this, I have major issues with the girl in the relationship. Not so in Layers, I actually really liked Hayley. She's smart and confident and has a loving family and good friends. She's not afraid to walk away from Daniel early on when she didn't like what she heard and saw. 

My biggest disappointment with Layers is the lack of heat between Daniel and Hayley. Emotionally, it's there, but physically, it felt like a deflated balloon. There was so much potential for some steaminess between these two. What made it worse, is that we were almost there. So many times, I thought, "FINALLY - here we go!" And, we get fade-to-black. Lots of fade-to-black. Grrr.

The ending is filled with sadness and angst and frustration. It's a cliffhangery ending, but thankfully, the sequel, Inner Core, is not too far behind. I'm very much looking forward to the completion of Hayley's and Daniel's story and seeing them get their HEA. 

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

Not exactly sure where they will end up next…

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

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


Learn more about Sigal Ehrlich --> Facebook / Website / Twitter

Giveaway
Enter below for a chance to win one of five signed copies of Layers or a Kindle! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 comments:

Giselle said...

Ooh those fade to black scenes annoy me, too, so I know what you mean. Too bad the chemistry wasn't there physically but it sounds like a pretty good read overall! Great review, Krista!

Filia Oktarina said...

Don't know what must say, look great read. Looking forward to read this one :)

BrittanyUtley said...

Love the cover and am looking forward to reading this, I love a good romance.

Bookworm Brandee said...

Great review, Krista! I agree with you on Daniel being a hot alpha! :) And I liked Hayley's strength and snark. But those fade-to-black scenes were irritating...particularly with the build up.

Unknown said...

I have had this on my TBR on Goodreads for a long time! I really want to read this book!