*** RELEASE BLITZ *** EXES - A SECOND CHANCE BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE by Aria Hawthorne

Title: EXES - A Second Chance Billionaire Romance Novel

Author: Aria Hawthorne

Genre: Contemporary Romance Standalone

Release Date: January 3, 2017 Publisher: French Kiss Press, LLC

When Chicago real estate tycoon Harvey Zale pings a “friend of a friend” with a flirtatious text, he never expects to start an addictive sexting affair with a complete stranger. He’s a billionaire who can get any woman he wants, but he can’t have her—his mysterious, sultry Contessa, who inspires his nightly confessions and soothes more than just his conscience from the consequences of his own shallow ambitions. He’s determined to build the tallest towers in the world and he needs to sell his Chicago riverfront property to finance it. But when Alma Castillo, the Lara Croft of antique hunters, shows up on his land, claiming the existence of a priceless Tiffany stained glass window and doing everything in her power to muck up his deal, he knows he’s got more than a stray cat to collar and tame. She’s not only on a mission to save long-lost antiques; she’s also on a personal crusade to hate his guts. He would know. She served him divorce papers a year ago, just to prove it. And he’d care a helluva lot more if his ex-wife’s sassy tongue and wicked intelligence didn’t turn him on every time she called him “a**hole” and if she didn’t look so damn cute in those baggy overalls, disguising her affinity for being naughty as much as being nice. Perhaps even as naughty as his Contessa, who unlike Alma, doesn’t know anything about his real identity or flawed, billionaire reputation, which flames his desires to escalate their fantasy relationship into the reality of one scorching night of mindblowing... If he could only get his mind off his ex-wife—the only woman he's ever truly loved. God, woman...if she would just let him pleasure her scornful frown and turn it oh, oh, oooohhhh so upside down, maybe he could convince her to marry him again. But no one ever said it was easy being a greedy opportunistic billionaire bastard, especially one who happens to know there’s nothing better than makeup sex with an ex… Please note that all of Ms. Hawthorne's billionaire romances are stand-alone novels set in Chicago with minor subplots and secondary characters that intersect, but each book can be read and enjoyed in any order. Contemporary Billionaire Romance - Full-length, stand-alone novel with HEA - Suitable for mature readers; 18+ years.

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Exes is an enjoyable book!  I know I say this all the time and I’m saying it again, I love second chance romances.  I read so many it always surprises me when a second chance presents with a new twist. 

Exes is the story of Harvey Zale, hot-shot real estate tycoon and Alma Castillo a walking encyclopedia on antiques.  Alma and Harvey are angry with each other that’s why they are divorced.  Alma and Harvey but heads again when she believes her husband is going to destroy a priceless antique.  Destroying antiques is the equivalent of a mortal sin to Alma. 

Makes me smile while reading:

Harvey Zale is a billionaire who knows how to close the deal.  There are times when he is brutal and not the nicest person, but underneath he is sweet with a good soul.  Harvey is easy on the eyes, and he has outstanding sexting skills.  Add to Harvey’s assets that he is still madly in love with his ex and wants her back.

The hot text exchanges with the mystery woman.  Harvey is a little down even though he is very successful.  The initial text message is unexpected and sexy.  Harvey looks forward to his time with Contessa.  The messages are provocative and intimate.  These are some of the best scenes in the book.  It is a little sad when they find out who is on the other end of the text because something special is lost. 

Alma’s family.  She has a crazy, funny, younger sister, Conchita who lives life to the fullest.  I love this character.  She adds a lot to the story and pushes Alma and Harvey back together.  Conchita loves her sister and wants Alma happy.  Alma’s dad, Enrique, is hard on Alma, in a good way.  He holds her to a strict work ethic that rubs her wrong sometimes.  Enrique admires his daughter’s skills, and his pride is evident.  He also continues to associate with his ex-son-in-law.  Harvey and Enrique’s relationship is touching.

The treasure hunt sub-plot:  Alma is determined to find the Eternal Love stained glass window by Louis Comfort.  The piece has an interesting backstory and adds another level of romance to the story.  This subplot gives the reader a lot of insight into the antiquity business and the level of knowledge that Alma has acquired. 

Turned me off a little:

Alma isn’t my favorite heroine. Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate her; I don’t even dislike her really.   There is something about her actions that I couldn’t understand.  I can relate to Alma’s feelings that Harvey ignored her and spent too much time working to build his business instead of working on their relationship.  I know people in real-life that fall into the same pit.  Alma’s concerns didn’t feel real to me.  It seems that she puts all the relationship issues on Harvey and doesn’t take any of the responsibility.  Many of Alma’s complaints feel like she is looking for excuses to end the marriage instead of communicating with her husband.  There are a couple other instances that made me question her heart.

My turn off is small and not enough to take away from the story.  Aria Hawthorne is a talented storyteller.  Exes is told in third person point of view.  When done right and Ms. Hawthorne did it right, we get the big picture and insight into all the characters including the support characters.  I like that because it makes me want to know more about them, especially Conchita. 

Exes is my first Aria Hawthorne book, but it won’t be my last.  Exes is a good option for anyone, like me, who loves second chances with a treasure hunt thrown in for good measure.  

4.5 STAMPS

Bestselling author Aria Hawthorne loves writing about billionaire men who lavish their women with expensive jewelry and ravish them like queens in bed. CLOSER - A Billionaire Romance was awarded a KDP Select "All-Star" award from Amazon US and UK for being one of the Top 100 "Most-Read" Kindle novels following its launch. EXES - A Second Chance Billionaire Romance novel is her newest stand alone release. Once upon a time, she lived in the grand lakefront city of Chicago; now, like a forlorn lover, she simply yearns for the day when she can return to it. You can find more information about her on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAriaHawthorne/

 

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