Elizabeth DeVille doesn't belong at a party like this—one where the
gowns cost more than her Camry and cigars run higher than her grad school
utility bills. Dragged out of seclusion by her best friend Suri, Elizabeth is
merely playing dress-up, rubbing elbows with a crowd that banished her troubled
family years ago.
Hunter West is tired. Tired of parties, tired of pretending, and tired of
trying to right a wrong that haunts him every day. Bourbon heir and
professional poker player by day, by night Hunter is gambling with his life in
a high-stakes game of crime and blackmail.
When Elizabeth stumbles into Hunter's den of vices, she's a light in the
darkness, a flame in the void. And, just like everything he touches, Hunter
mars her in a record time. To rectify the damage done, Elizabeth needs money
she doesn't have, and she's come up with a foolproof way to get it.
Follow Elizabeth—code-named Scarlett—to the lush Nevada brothel where she'll auction
her virginity and risk the only thing that's not for sale: her heart. The
highest bidder is a familiar face, with wicked hands and the devil's mouth. And
a secret so dark that it could cost her life.
Excerpt:
Hunter's
POV
Her
face is blotchy, like she's been stung by a bunch of bees. I can tell she might
cry because her sea blue eyes are glowing brilliantly, and she's got them wide
open, the way girls do when they don't want tears to spill and smear up their
mascara.
Her
wavy, dark brown hair is messy, hanging just above her shoulders, and I want to
run my fingers through it.
Shit.
I
shouldn't even be here.
I
saw the gate open and I threw on my superhero cape. Then I saw the unfamiliar
car with the San Francisco plates and found the door to her mother's home
unlocked. I know nobody's living here. I keep an eye on the place, because I
want to buy it soon; its acreage backs against my bird-hunting lodge, which is
where I was heading when I made this detour.
Batman
or not, I've screwed up. I shouldn’t be in Libby DeVille's childhood home,
standing in this massive, outdated kitchen with her, just like I shouldn't have
crept close enough to hear her talking on the phone with her father.
I
tell myself that I should turn and go—after all, Priscilla's waiting for me at
the lodge—but my feet have other plans. I take a small step closer, my eyes
never leaving hers, even as she looks me over, Lakers cap to boots.
"Asshole
father?" In the tomb-like silence of the house, I'm surprised at how deep
my voice is.
I
can see her shoulders rise and fall; she's trying to control herself. Judging
by the bit I heard, it makes sense that she would be worked up. If his
reputation is anything to go on, Benjamin DeVille didn't do much for his wife
or daughter when he was with them, and does even less now that he’s left town.
Libby
quickly smooths the pained look from her face and crosses her arms. "How
much did you hear?" she asks me with a wary wince.
"Enough
to know you're probably not the one in need of therapy."
She
squeezes her eyes shut, running a hand through that silky hair. "Wow, well
that's embarrassing."
If
only she could be a fly on the wall at the family home in NOLA back when I lived
there with Dad, Rita, and my half-sister, Amber. This wouldn't even register on
our drama-meter. I want to tell her that, but I've got no clue how. Besides,
the best way to keep a secret—that Rita is not my real mother, for instance—is
to avoid mentioning anything to anyone that even comes close to the truth.
Libby
chews her succulent lower lip, and it's my turn to stare her down. I’ve only
seen her once, from a distance, since the night of the party, and I’m surprised
by how much weight she’s lost. I wonder if it’s intentional, or if she’s
stressed, and I’m surprised to find I actually kind of give a damn.
She
plays with the ends of her hair, and I let my gaze linger, from her low-cut
royal blue sweater down her loose jeans to her suede shoes—some kind of
moccasins. She looks cute. Casual. I feel a pleasant tingle just from being
near her.
Finally
her eyes flick up to mine, like she's waiting for me to say something. So I do.
"What do you need money for?"
Her
mouth draws up like she's sucking on a lemon. I like this face on her. The
you-should-be-ashamed-of-yourself face; it's kind of sexy mistress. To top it
off, she arches her eyebrows primly. "That's not really your business,
Hunter West."
Review:
Selling
Scarlett delivers mystery,
intrigue, mayhem, and chemistry in a neat little bundle.
How far would you go to save a
friend? Would you sell an organ on the black market? Sell your
car? How about auction off something so priceless and cherished, like
your virginity? That’s the decision Elizabeth DeVille is left with after
her long time friend is dumped into the public healthcare system, where he’s
left to wither away. Knowing he can recover if he continued at the swanky
place he was before, she comes up with a plan to raise the right funds.
Hunter West is a millionaire
playboy. Haunted by demons in his past, he stays clear of
relationships. Escorts are his preferred go to when he needs to scratch
that particular itch. However, Elizabeth has been on his radar for quite
a while. The feeling is mutual. Elizabeth is this dream he thinks
he’s too tainted to have. Hunter is the one and only man Elizabeth has
ever wanted. Her upcoming auction forces Hunter’s hand. But when
there are other players in the mix intent on maliciousness can these two really
come together and make it work?
I was hooked at the beginning with Hunter's scene. He’s side of the story was
filled with so much intrigue it really could have been a book on its own.
His POV’s read almost like a crime novel and it played out so beautifully in my
mind.
Elizabeth took some warming up to on
my part. I was not feeling her till she makes the plan to head to Vegas
to auction off her virginity. Honestly, after that she grew on me.
I saw a different side of her personality. She’s strong, determined and
protective when it comes to those she cares about.
I ate up and loved every scene with
her and Hunter together. They bring out something in each other that left
me looking forward to and yearning for their next encounter. They both
got served the crap end of the stick when growing up and that’s something they
need to overcome.
I felt the ending was a bit rushed,
but Ms. James did a good job wrapping up the storyline. Overall, this was
a pretty good read.
Ella James is giving away a signed copy
of SELLING SCARLETT.
Enter below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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