Title: Love, Lies and The D.A.
Author: Rebecca Rohman
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publish Date: February 18, 2014
Jada McLean is about to get married in nine days, when she walks in on her fiancé in a little more than a compromising position. Days later, she’s on a trip that she intends to be relaxing and a prelude to her fresh start, when she runs into the rude, obnoxious, but gorgeous Jonathan Kole.
Jonathan Kole is San Francisco’s newest District Attorney. When he finds himself deeply attracted to a stunning beauty, he has no idea that she’s about to get into BIG trouble with the law—and he’ll be the one presiding over her trial. To make matters worse, his father is the lawyer representing her in the high-profile case.
When a series of events force them together over New Year’s weekend, Jonathan’s feelings and ethics will come into question, while Jada comes to terms with the fact that she is falling for the man that will be responsible for attempting to put her behind bars… Little do they know, they’re both about to fall into a whirlwind so deep, it will send both their lives spiraling out of control.
Excerpt: Their First Meeting
The pretty, young host escorts me to a table for two near a window with panoramic water vistas. Within minutes, a server takes my order. As my café latté arrives, I can’t help but overhear a rude exchange between a man and his leggy blonde with the host that escorted me to my seat.
“Look, I reserved that exact seat yesterday,” he says.
“I apologize sir, but that seat is not available,” the host replies.
“Well, if you were doing your job in the first place, it would be available to me, wouldn’t it?”
“Sir, I’m sorry for the error, but it wasn’t written here. If you like, you can wait at the bar where I’ll be happy to serve you a complimentary beverage of your choice while you wait, or I can accommodate you at an available table now.”
I can’t help but look to see who this asshole is.
Everything about him smells of money. From the designer jeans that hug his ass, all the way to the Jaeger Reverso watch that graces his wrist. He’s hot—probably in his mid to late thirties, tall, broad shoulders, piercing grey eyes, and a head of black hair like I’ve never seen.
Ordinarily, I might have found him attractive, if only he would just shut up.
Everything he says to that poor young girl, who has tried so hard to rectify someone else’s mistake, pisses me off. He’s been nothing but rude and condescending. As I look up, my eyes land straight on his. Then I realize they’re all looking my way. I turn around to look behind me, but there is no one. Then it dawns on me that he’s arguing with the host about my seat.
My meal arrives. I mind my business, and I proceed to enjoy it. Before I know it, I see him approaching my table. I pretend not to notice and focus all my attention on my lemon ricotta pancakes before me, but within seconds, he stands beside me.
“Excuse me, my name is Jonathan Kole. Would you mind terribly if you were seated elsewhere?”
My eyes travel across my pancakes to his broad thighs, to his crotch, and to what I suspect is an extremely trimmed stomach beyond his black ribbed sweater. Then I stare into his grey eyes in silence.
“You see, my girlfriend and I met right here at this table a year ago, and I wanted to propose to her.
Here. Today.”
“Actually, Jonathan, I do mind. Seeing that I’m enjoying my meal, surely you wouldn’t mind waiting until I’m done. Or perhaps you can let that polite host, who has done everything possible to accommodate you, have you seated elsewhere.”
“Do you have any idea who I am?” he asks.
Asshole! Your name might sound familiar but who cares…
“No. You could be the king of England and I wouldn’t give a damn.” “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“You really want to know?” I ask quietly.
He lowers his head slightly, as if he’s seriously interested.
“I am a woman who walked in on her fiancé screwing her best friend one week before her wedding, so forgive me if I’m not in a sentimental mood.”
His mouth drops open at my response.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Kole, I’d really like to enjoy my brunch.”
His piercing grey eyes are glaring into mine. I know he’s angry. His temple pulsates as he stares at me. He walks away completely flushed.
I don’t care. Perhaps if he had been nicer to that host I would have considered his request. However, because he comes from money doesn’t give him the right to speak to people any which way he wishes.
I continue to enjoy my meal and notice him walking hand in hand to the bar with Malibu Barbie. Half an hour later, I ask for the check then purposely make him wait an additional five minutes before I leave.
On the way out, the host looks at me bright-eyed. “No one ever speaks to Mr. Kole that way, Miss McLean.”
“Well, it’s time someone taught him some manners,” I reply. I hand her a healthy tip, and I’m on my way.
Karen’s Thoughts
Love, Lies and The D.A. by Rebecca Rohman is a romantic suspense thriller that takes place in San Francisco, the sweeping vistas of Lake Tahoe and the frothy surf of Big Sur. The story centers around beautiful exotic resort owner Jada McLean and the storm that surrounds her break up with wealthy banker Richard Picton. Jada’s life goes to hell quickly and she is thrust into the life of District Attorney Jonathan Kole, the rich entitled arrogant prick that she will come to call Mr. Asshole. If the name fits then it should stick, and stick it does, or does it?
Jada is in trouble in more ways than one. Someone has made a very complicated bed of deceit and she is left to clean up the mess that her life has become. The character Jada, as written by Rohman, is a strong woman and her strength is evident in the very first chapter of the book. She may seem cold at the first, but life has thrown her one hell of a curve ball. She goes about compartmentalizing her emotions until they rip her to shreds. As a reader, I came to care and like Jada and wanted her to come out on top of the disaster her life has become.
Enter the egomaniac, rich, handsome, asshole that is Jonathan Kole. Did I mention he is an asshole? Despite him being a successful defence attorney with his father’s law firm, he gave that all up to join the ranks of public service eventually being elected District Attorney of San Francisco. He is an uber entitled asshole. (Just in case you missed the first few assholes) This happens to be Jada’s first impression of him, and sometimes a first impression can be wrong. Jonathan does seem to suffer from foot in mouth syndrome, but most men do. (Case in point the reviewer’s hubby was afflicted with this disease when he first met the reviewer, so she know of what she speaks. OMG I am talking about myself in the third person. Can the nuthouse be far behind? Back to the review.) So Jada’s and Jonathan’s lives become entangled, both privately and professionally; which causes problems. The result of these predicaments leading to a lot of suspense and drama that will either pull them apart or cement their relationship.
I found the plot of Rohman’s novel refreshing and complex enough to keep me guessing until the end of the story. At some points I did want the actions to move a little more quickly, but I understood that this was more of a character driven story than action adventure. I recommend this book for the plot, and the dynamic characters make this story well worth the price of admission.
Note to reader: It should be noted that I had a very advanced copy of the book. I had a problem with the characters’ dialogue and incorrect use of verbiage at times. . At points the dialogue was not clearly defined, making it confusing to determine who was speaking I also was distracted my the usage of the words “He” and “I”. Yes, the books are written in two alternating points of view but the sentence structures need to be worked on. Also the dialogue needs to have emotional context attached to it, as it comes off more a monologue that a conversation.
Purchase Links
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About the Author
Rebecca Rohman is a wife and designer currently living in the Northeastern United States. She was a Sales Manager for a tourist magazine, and for many years prior, she was involved in marketing for a jewelry company, and later for a fine wine distributor.
About fifteen years ago, she started writing her first romance novel, Uncorked, just to purely entertain herself. It was not until early in 2012 when she decided to complete it and share it with the world. The story was published in February of 2013. Love, Lies & The D.A. is her second novel.
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