The Forbidden (Special preview of the scene everyone's talking about) by Jodi Ellen Malpas Also by this author: The Protector, All I Am
Published by Grand Central Publishing on August 8th 2017
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Women, Urban
Pages: 369
Format: ARC
ISBN: 9781538729366
Goodreads
FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE THIS MAN TRILOGY....
What do you do when you can't control your feelings for someone? When you know you shouldn't go there? Not even in your head.
Annie has never experienced the 'spark' with a guy-the kind of instant chemistry that steals your breath and blindsides you completely. Until a night out with friends brings her face to face with the wickedly sexy and mysterious Jack. It's not just a spark that ignites between them. It's an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.
Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who's had such a powerful impact on her and who could bend her to his will so easily, must be dangerous. But she's already in too deep. And Jack isn't only dangerous. He is forbidden.
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#NewRelease THE FORBIDDEN by @JodiEllenMalpas is NOW available! #mustread #GIVEAWAY @ForeverRomance #blogtour #oneclick
Review
~ My Thoughts ~
In the acknowledgements of The Forbidden Jodi Ellen Malpas states that this was the hardest book she has ever written. I wonder it she was referring to the subject of the storyline or if she was referring to the intense emotional content in the book. I honestly would love to have the opportunity to sit down with her and have her explain the reason behind her statement.
Let me begin by saying The Forbidden is not This Man ~ But, I guarantee within seconds of meeting Jack you will want him to be your man ~
I absolutely refuse to give away one tiny bit of the storyline. It would be an absolute crime to ruin the experience you will have while reading The Forbidden. What I will do, is share with you my feelings about the characters, the plot and everything else that made this such a wonderful story.
~ Annie ~
In an instant I liked this character. Annie is an everyday kind of gal. She surrounds herself with great friends, has a loving family and is on the path to creating a good life for herself. She is career driven, self-assured, loyal, caring and compassionate. It seems the only thing Annie is missing is that one special person who will love her unconditionally. While like most young women, she would love to have that connection but, she doesn’t let that detour her from working hard to achieve success and happiness. Supported by a diverse group of friends, from an outsiders view it would seem that Annie has it all.
~ Jack ~
Jack … where do I start? He spoke and I fell helplessly in love with his entire being. Strong, masculine, confident, oozing sex appeal, funny and charismatic, Jack is the perfect leading man. Jack is also very career driven and has worked to achieve a solid and respected business. While his friend’s circle is somewhat smaller than Annie’s, they are just as loyal and play a pivotal role within the story. While it seems that Jack has a firm grasp on every aspect of his life, sometimes what people project isn’t always the truth.
It was a chance meeting ~ A moment of fate ~ A connection so strong you felt the earth had stopped spinning and you took a breath and realized that life as you know it would never be the same ~
The Forbidden is a fast paced story of life, love friendship and family. The story is a journey that beautifully combines the past, present and dreams of the future. It exposes the dynamics of many relationships. Husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, the fears and confusion of dating and friendship in it’s many forms. It is an intensely emotional story, one I found myself deeply invested in. It showcases the truths of the good times and bad. The self-doubt we place upon ourselves. The confusion and internal struggle of right and wrong. It brings to life various views on situations. Some you may agree with and others might just anger you.
The Forbidden is a roller coaster ride of emotions, that wrap themselves beautifully around a fabulous cast of characters. The ups and downs and the truth and lies. The information we hide, so we don’t have to face the words we don’t want to hear. The secrets will startle, the lies will shock, the hurt will gut you, the love with calm you and the passion, so intense, will make you want with fierce desire. Expect the unexpected and never assume things are as they seem. The Forbidden is a touching story of two people who find themselves together under a unique set of circumstances. It’s these circumstances that make them realize that life has many roads. Some are well traveled, carefree and surrounded by happiness and love. Others are a bit more daunting, filled with manipulation, lies, deceit and unhappiness. The Forbidden takes both paths and merges them together brilliantly.
I think what surprised me the most when reading The Forbidden was my instant and intense connection with Jack. While I was compassionate to Annie, her situation and her emotions it was Jack that touched me so deeply. Perhaps it was seeing such a strong and confident character’s reaction to various situations. With Annie though, there is this one scene where my heart actually shed tears. It was written with such rawness, heartbreak and truth, it just gutted me. With Jack though, there was something that had me hoping his truths were in fact true. His desires were not for his gain only. That the words he spoke held honesty. I don’t think I have ever championed for two characters as strongly as I did for Annie and Jack. But, I will admit many times I wondered if I had fallen for words that perhaps only benefited one of the two characters.
The Forbidden is a beautifully told tale of two people, their friends and what happens when you realize that life has so much more to offer than you could have ever anticipated or hoped for.
Excerpt
“Thank you for your help,” I say quietly, studying him, definitely detecting that he’s deep in thought. Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t ask. I need to get back into my apartment without engaging with him, which could prove tricky when he’s blocking the doorway and looking like he has no intention of shifting to let me in.
“Annie,” he breathes. “I’m struggling so badly.”
“I’m not doing this.” I swallow, pushing my way past him. He grabs me by the top of my arm and holds me in place. “Let me go, Jack.”
“I’ve already told you I can’t do that. Annie, I’m drowning here. I’m going out of my mind, and the more time I spend with you the fucking worse it’s getting. Listening to you, talking to you, sharing a passion with you that goes way beyond the amazing time we had in bed together.”
“You have to forget!” I yell, knowing anger is the only way forward. Be angry with him. Let it dominate me and rule me, because the alternative scares me to fucking death.
He pushes me into the hall and slams the door behind us, forcing me to back up. “No,” he says, straight and even. “No,” he repeats, moving one more step forward, except this time I don’t retreat. Because I can’t. Because he has me locked in place with those grey eyes, and now they’re back to their full glory. Sparkling, even if it’s with anger. He reaches for his shirt and starts unbuttoning it before shrugging it off and throwing it to the floor, revealing the chest that’s haunting me.
I quickly look down at the pile of material, my mind reeling. His chest. His perfect damn chest. “What are you doing?”
“I have no fucking idea.” He reaches for me and slides a hand around my neck, pulling me to him. Our chests meet, and my determination to repel him vanishes under our connection. Wrongs turn into rights. Conflict turns into craving.
“I can’t get you out of my head, Annie.” His forehead meets mine, his palm massaging away the tightness in my neck muscles, softening me up until I relax in his hold. “I want you all over again, and I can’t even find the will to worry about how much more that’ll make me want you.” He breathes down on me. “I’ve played that night on repeat. I’ve dreamed of holding you in my arms again. I’ve craved the sound of your voice, the feel of your touch, the softness of your lips on mine. I know I shouldn’t want you. But I do. Nothing has ever made me feel this insane with need. Nothing has taken up so much space in my head. I can’t fucking help it, Annie.” His grey gaze sinks into me, my heart steadying to an even thrum. His head starts to shake mildly, his splayed hand moving up to the back of my head and fisting my hair. “I don’t want to help it,” he growls. “I want you. I don’t care how wrong it is.” His clenched fist tightens, gripping my hair harshly. “I know I’ve been on your mind since I fucked you every which way in that hotel room. Stop denying it. Don’t insult me and tell me you don’t crave that amazing feeling all over again. I can see it in your eyes every damn time I look into them. You. Want. Me.”
It’s me who moves in first. All me. I lunge forward and smash my lips to his, the magnetic force winning. His words winning. Jack winning. My heart winning. I coax his mouth open with hard, hungry kisses. I’ve lost my mind to a craving too powerful to fight off. And, like Jack, I don’t care how wrong it is.
Lost.
Yet as he walks me backward until my back slams into the wall, I feel found again.
I cry out, and Jack moans. We’re clumsy and desperate. He’s pushing me up the wall with the force of his kiss, then he’s rolling away, taking me with him until it’s his back slamming into the wall. It’s the elevator all over again. The atmosphere is sizzling. I’m on fire. He scoops me up, pinning me to him, and carries me into my bedroom. I focus on him. Only him and the return of feelings that I’ve fantasized about since that unforgettable night. All the guilt is abandoning me, and I let it, unprepared to let anything stop me from taking the forbidden.
Giveaway
Click on the link below to enter for a chance to WIN 1 of 10 copies of THE FORBIDDEN from the publisher
About Jodi Ellen Malpas
Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in the Midlands’ town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her two boys. Working for her father’s construction business full-time, she tried to ignore the lingering idea of writing until it became impossible. She wrote in secret for a long time before finally finding the courage to unleash her creative streak, and in October 2012 she released This Man. She took a chance on a story with some intense characters and sparked incredible reactions from women all over the world. Writing powerful love stories and creating addictive characters have become her passion, a passion she now shares with her devoted readers.
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