BLOG TOUR: CRAVE by MONICA MURPHY ~ REVIEW, GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Crave Blog Tour.

This tour was coordinated by InkSlinger PR. My stop includes a review and the tour giveaway. For all the tour stops, visit the homepage.

Series: Billionaire Bachelors Club #1

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Publication Date: 8/6/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 256
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4.5 stars

 Billionaire Archer Bancroft always gets what he wants—and he’s wanted Ivy Emerson, his best friend’s sister, for far too long. Being forbidden and untouchable only makes her more tempting. When a million-dollar bet with his friends throws down a challenge—last bachelor standing takes all—Archer knows he can win. That is, until one enchanted evening with Ivy takes his heart for a ride.
Ivy knows Archer is nothing but bad news: Infuriating, arrogant…and completely intoxicating. But despite her best efforts, she can’t seem to keep away. When a stolen kiss leads to a night of heated passion, Ivy realizes she’s in trouble and in head over heels.

But in the light of day, everything seems clearer and Archer’s not so sure a one-night stand is all he wants. Concocting a plan to keep Ivy by his side, Archer might just be willing to lose this bet…and win the jackpot instead.

 

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Monica Murphy's. So when she announced she would be writing the Billionaire Bachelor's Club for Avon, which also happens to be a favorite publisher of mine, I was more than a little excited. Let me break Crave down for you: Sexy, Fun, Romantic, Damn Sexy. Yes, I know I said sexy twice. Crave earned it.

Here's where I make an admission: I was a teeny bit worried about Crave. Like I said, I love Murphy's books, but there are a ton of "Billionaire" books out there, and I wondered how this one would stand out from the rest. No worries here, because just as she put a unique and beautiful spin on her New Adult series, Drew + Fable, Murphy created a billionaire story that felt fresh to me.

I think what made Crave so enjoyable for me was that Archer and Ivy were so likeable. Yes, Archer is a billionaire, but he's not a rude, bossy man who is defined by it. Yes, he's be known as a womanizer, but he's not mean, and you don't really see that part of him in Crave.

What you do see is a man who has always been above love and romance, but has been hopelessly smitten with his best friend's younger sister for years. When you meet Ivy, you can see why she stands out from the rest. I adored Ivy Emerson. Since Ivy has known Archer for so long and grew up in the same affluence, she  wasn't a intimidated by Archer or his money. I loved that though Ivy finds Archer to be beyond attractive, she isn't willing just to give in to him. She is stubborn and snarky, but also a really passionate woman who knows what she wants. She doesn't shrink away or bow down to Archer, she matches him toe-to-toe. These two are  quite the perfect match.

When I was getting ready to start reading Crave, I miiiiight have warned my guy that I was going to be reading a Monica Murphy book, and I miiiiight have given him the side eye. By might, I mean that I out-and-out warned him that I would be getting steamed up. And by side eye, I mean that I winked a few times and probably made an obscene gesture. (It should be noted that I'm basically as mature as a 15yo) Let's just say that Ms. Monica Murphy knows her way around the sexy scenes and there were several times I needed an ice bath.

Crave was a complete WIN for me. The story was sweet, fun, and sexy. I enjoyed Archer and Ivy and rooted for their happy ending (in more ways than one). Once again, Monica Murphy has delivered a book that I can wholeheartedly recommend. So go read it, I'll just be sitting here waiting on book two, Torn.


Favorite Quotes:

    As I stare up at him, I see how absolutely perfect his lips are. How come I never noticed this before? And when his tongue darts out to lick them, why are my knees suddenly shaking?
  Oh, this is bad. So, so bad.   ~eARC, 15%


  Closing my eyes, I press my forehead to hers, breathing hard, trying to keep my shit together. She feels fucking amazing, surrounding me, all over me until she's the only thing I can see, hear, smell, taste. I turn my head and bite along her neck, soothing the nips with little flicks of my tongue, and she releases a shuddering sigh, my name falling from her lips.  ~eARC, 71%

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10 Things Archer wants you to know about Ivy



Um, a certain woman named Monica Murphy told me I had to tell you all the ten things I want you all to know about Ivy.


Here’s the deal: there’s a hell of a lot I don’t want you to know about Ivy because she’s mine. Mine mine mine and I don’t care how greedy I sound, what goes on between me and Ivy is private. My big mouth has gotten me into trouble before and the last thing I want to do is piss off Ivy because a mad Ivy is a scary Ivy…


But I got Ivy’s permission to share these particular facts so let’s go. In no particular order, here are ten things about Ivy:


1. She’s talented—and I’m not talking sexually, though she’s talented in that area too (winces, I’m really asking for it already, aren’t I?). I mean that she’s talented in her profession, which is interior design. What she came up with for the opening of my new hotel was nothing short of amazing.


2. She’s feisty as hell. We’ve known each other for what feels like forever, since I was a teenager and she was an awkward preteen. We argued all the time. I said the worst things to her and she gave as good as she got. Being the sick twisted soul that I am, as we got older and that mouth of hers got feistier, it sort of turned me on. (Fine it really turned me on)


3. She’s loyal to a fault. We might’ve fought during those early years (okay, up until we finally got together), but she’s always watched out for me. Defended me. Consoled me when I was sad. She has a soft heart and I love that.


4. She makes me want to lose control. Gladly.

5. She makes me forget other women even exist. All I can see is her when I’m with her.



6. Being with Ivy brings a bonus—my best friend, Gage. So when we get married (because come on, I’m so gone over that woman, I’m going to make her mine on a permanent basis), Gage now becomes my brother. Awesome.


7. So Ivy brings her family with her and I love that because I’m not that particularly close with my parents. It feels good to be a part of a loving family.


8. She’s taught me how to love. I’ve never been in love before until her. It’s both scary and exciting.


9. She snores. She’s going to kill me for admitting this one but screw it. She snores and I have to give her a little nudge so she stops and then she starts back up again. It’s not that loud and it’s kind of cute but sometimes, it’s kind of annoying.


10. She’s not perfect and she can admit it. I love that most about her. She has her faults, I have my faults and together, our faults tend to cancel each other out. We’re a perfect couple. Even if she does snore.

GIVEAWAY

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About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Connect with Monica:

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads  |  Amazon


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