SYNOPSIS:
I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.
Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary—perhaps even more so. He’s also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.
One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch . . . and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart. My soul.
My everything.
REVIEW:
I am a HUGE fan of Monica Murphy so I was not surprised that I loved Owning Violet. This book will have you captivated from the very first page until the last. I did not want this story to end, I just loved these characters. Monica takes you on a journey of two completely different people that find love when they both least expected it. We always say opposites attract and Ryder and Violet fit this perfectly.
Violet Fowler was a goal driven woman, who focused on her career with the hopes to run her family business, Fleur Cosmetics one day. Her love life with Zachary took a turn that she least expected when he got a promotion and was leaving her behind. With Zachary heading overseas for a new position, Violet decides that she needs to make some changes in her life, starting with her love life.
Ryder McKay was dark and mysterious. Rumors circulated around the office about him, but we all know how rumors are. There could be some truth to them, however they could all be false. Violet has heard quite a few, but there was something about him that made her feel something... something she has never felt before.
Violet is drawn to Ryder, she knows she shouldn't trust him, she knows she should stay clear of him... but she can't. He is like her favorite drug, and she needs her next fix.
What started off as a bet with a high wager, quickly turned to something way more serious that Ryder McKay ever expected it would. Ryder has noticed Violet on many occasions, he would have to be blind not to. When the opportunity arises for Ryder to get to know Violet on a more personal level, he jumps at the opportunity. Ryder does not allow many people in, he doesn't know how to love. He makes this perfectly clear to Violet that she should stay clear of him. That she deserves better, that he can't give her what she wants or what she needs and deserves.
But as hard as Ryder tries to push Violet away, she always tried to see the good in him. Ryder wore a mask, a mask that rarely revealed the true person beneath it. His attitude was all a facade, and Violet saw that. Despite Ryder's warnings to Violet, and his own fear for "feeling" something for Violet, both of their hearts had its own agenda. Our heads may tell us one things, but sometimes our hearts lead us in the opposite direction.
"I'm falling in love with you. You'll probably tell me I'm not because I don't know how to love, but I'm one hundred percent positive that's what I feel for you." ~ RyderThe chemistry between Ryder and Violet is evident, and as a reader I felt it. I felt the struggle that Ryder was feeling. Ryder needed to be honest with Violet if he wanted to move forward with their relationship. What started out as a challenge to him, turned into something he never imagined. Ryder was a creep, I won't lie. Some of the things that came out of his mouth made me cringe, and I wanted to smack him for Violet. BUT... I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I saw that there was a good person under that cocky, arrogant facade. Ryder deserved to be happy, he just needed to allow himself to be. Violet was the one person that could make him truly happy.
"You're mine." ~ RyderI mean it. For once in my life, I fucking mean it. Something -- someone -- is more valuable to me than any possession. She is my possession. An obsession.
Owning Violet was a great book and I highly recommend it to others. I am excited to get the rest of the Fowler sister's stories.
This review was prepared by Heather. I received an ARC in exchange for an HONEST review. I have also pre-ordered a copy from Amazon as well.
INTERVIEW WITH MONICA MURPHY
Heather: "Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this! We would love to get to know more about Monica Murphy and her new book Owning Violet."
Monica: "Thank you so much for having me here today! Well, I write romance under two names (also as Karen Erickson) and I live in central California with my husband and three children. When I'm not working (which is pretty much all the time), I like to read, travel and spend time with my family."
Heather: "Tell me about Owning Violet. How did you come up with the story?"
Monica: "OWNING VIOLET is the first in three books about the Fowler Sisters, who's family runs a cosmetics company, Fleur. This book is about Violet, the middle sister and her new relationship she starts with a man who works at the company, Ryder McKay. Ryder's intentions aren't true - he's out to use Violet to get a promotion but he doesn't count on falling for her."
Heather: "How would you describe Owning Violet to someone who has not read your previous novels?"
Monica: "This is a very dark, very sexy read with a lot of twists and turns."
Heather: "Can you describe Ryder and Violet’s personalities?"
Monica: "Violet is quiet but strong. She may come across as meek but she becomes stronger throughout the book. And Ryder is a dark, mean, ugly mess when the book first starts, but he starts to feel for Violet...and starts to care about a lot of things as the story progresses."
These two characters are more than anything, real and flawed and raw and mistake-ridden. I wanted them that way. No one is perfect, not even characters in a book but I always make sure they get their happily ever after."
Heather: "Where were you when the idea for this book came to you?"
Monica: "I've wanted to write a book about sisters with flower names for years (since 2007!) and at first, back in the early days, I wanted it to be a paranormal (and I don't even write paranormal). It's evolved over the years."
Heather: "Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing process?"
Monica: "Not a big plotter so when I get stuck, that can present a challenge sometimes. But plotting the entire book takes the fun out of it for me so I just...can't do it."
Heather: "Do you read reviews posted on Amazon and Goodreads?"
Monica: "I'll be honest - I do. And sometimes there are some terrible reviews on there, but that's okay. Everyone's allowed their own opinion and I respect that. What I write isn't for everyone."
Heather: "What are you reading right now? Are there any authors that you would name as influences?"
Monica: "At the moment, I'm not reading anything because I am in full on writing mode. Past influences include Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood and Lavyrle Spencer. Those are the ladies I read in my teens and they inspired me to want to become a romance writer."
Heather: "What advice would you offer to a new author following their dreams of publishing their first book?"
Monica: "First and foremost - finish the book. I said I wanted to write a book for years. I tried to - for YEARS. I wrote bits and pieces and scenes here and there, off and on but never really got serious. Once I got serious, I realized I needed to finish the thing and even though it was a huge heap of crap, I felt like I accomplished something and that was an important step of the process."
Heather: "What is the best thing about being an author?"
Monica: "There are so many things. I meet a lot of great people, I get to create characters and play in their worlds, I work from home, I can be there for my kids and I get to ogle hot men on the internet all in the name of research. You can't beat that." *winks*
Heather: "Do you have any favorite authors that you enjoy reading?"
Monica: "There are too many to mention but my go to, always have to read when she has a new book out, is Jill Shalvis. I love Jill Shalvis. I say it in every interview when I'm asked, I'm sure she thinks I'm some sort of crazed stalker but I don't care. I love her books. She writes the best heroes ever."
Heather: "Once again, thank you so much!"
Monica: "Thank you again for having me!"
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OWNING VIOLET by MONICA MURPHY
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