{To read my review of Changes, go here}
Read in: January, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Star Rating: 3
Synopsis:
Banovic Siblings – Friends &
Liars
College boy Kevin Banovic’s casual
affair with Savi DaCosta suited him perfectly. Things change when he
finds out that Savi is his mom’s high school bestie. When Kevin
tries to end their affair, Savi blackmails him. After Kevin rescues
Savi’s stepdaughter, L’Wren, from her abusive boyfriend, he can’t
stop thinking about her. He must find a way to handle Savi, protect
L’Wren, and keep his sanity.
Bad girl Adriana Banovic is pleased
with herself for getting her nemesis expelled from Westwood Academy.
As feelings between her and her latest victim Haze Lyndon escalate,
an unexpected rival discovers her secret and threatens to expose her.
With emotions on the line, will her new rival beat her at her own
game or end up another casualty of Adriana’s wrath?
Zax
Banovic has it all. Tall and
handsome, he’s an academic genius, with a killer smile and a heart
of gold. When his best friend gets into trouble, he feels responsible
and covers for him. But his best friend is not as honorable and has
other plans for Zax.
The Banovic Siblings
learn that blackmail is a gift that keeps on giving. This is the
second book in the Family Portrait novel series.
If you like shows like the original
Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210 and Nashville,
where the guys and girls are hot and the schemes are hotter, you will
like The Banovic Siblings.
Prosecution:
The writing style is still a bit off putting. It reads like a Spanish melodrama without the pressure and anxiety that builds up to each "big" twist and turn. Maybe it even reads just a bit too fast, as there isn't hardly any emotion.
Defense:
The storyline definitely delivered and didn't disappoint. I'd venture a guess to say that I enjoyed the sequel better than the first!! While I don't want to give too much away, expect the one-two punch with each chapter. New twists, turns, a sexy new romance, and a whole lot of, well, California drama will lead up to a HUGE ending. (Which, isn't weed legal there, why are they being so secretive about the drugs??)
Verdict:
3 solid stars. I had hoped to see more improvement in the writing and character development, although this one didn't have so much going on it was almost too much. The drama is just as hot and is still a great quickie read on a cold winters night!
Where to Buy & bonus offers!
Barnes & Noble : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Read the first chapter of Changes: http://www.plaintalkbm.com/
EXCERPT:
Chapter 19: Cocktails and Dreams
L’Wren entered Bacchanal Jake’s
with two of her girlfriends. While their intention was to have fun
and enjoy the attention of guys, her mission was to see Kevin Banovic
again. She knew he worked there and, without alerting her friends to
her plan, casually chose Jake’s as the hangout spot for the
evening.
She hated the way they’d left things.
Why did she care what he thought of her? He was just some guy—some
guy who cared enough to stand up for her and got hurt in the process.
She carried around immense guilt, and he’d made her feel worst when
she tried to apologize. She had no idea what she was going to say to
him. She just knew that she had to see him again.
They ordered drinks and found a booth.
L’Wren’s eyes combed the room, her breath unsteady, her palms
sweaty and her stomach in knots. Maybe he had the night off.
L’Wren’s friends noticed her
distraction.
“Hey, what’s going on with you?”
one friend asked.
“Nothing.” She smiled nervously.
A couple of guys came over with drinks
for the girls. They began chatting them up. L’Wren was not
interested. She just smiled and nodded and kept an eye out for Kevin.
Her hopes began to fade after an hour.
L’Wren was about ready to leave when she spotted Kevin. She took a
deep breath. The air in the room was getting tight again. She watched
as he flirted with a woman at the bar. The scene reminded her of Tom
Cruise in the movie Cocktail, minus the bar theatrics.
She felt a twinge in the pit of her
stomach that surprised her. The guy next to her said something, but
she didn’t hear him. Her mind was focused on Kevin. Mentally she
tried to muster courage and find something to say to him.
Her legs felt heavy as she stood and
walked over to the bar. With every step her heart pounded harder and
faster. As she got closer, she straightened her spine, lifted her
head, and steadied her breath. She walked straight towards the end of
the bar where he stood still chatting up the brunette, who looked
like she was ready to ravish him. Kevin said something to her, and
she smiled, then tossed her long mane, retrieved her cell phone, and
touched hers with his.
Kevin stood up and looked at L’Wren.
The brunette shot her a menacing look.
“What can I get you?” he asked as
if she was a complete stranger.
“I just thought I’d come over and
introduce myself,” she heard herself say. New-formed confidence
took over. “Hi, I’m L’Wren.” She extended her arm.
The brunette’s eyes switched between
them. She eventually walked away without saying a word.
“What are you doing?” Kevin asked.
“Starting over.”
Kevin was unsure where she was going
with this but played along. “Kevin, nice to meet you.” He gently
shook her hand.
“I’d like a martini, please. Shaken
not stirred.” She perched herself on the bar stool.
They looked at each other for a moment,
and then started to laugh at the obvious James Bond reference.
It was late when L’Wren’s friends
said their goodbyes and left her at the bar.
Kevin served drinks, and then returned
his attention to her.
It was last call when Kevin walked her
to her car. “You okay to drive, or should I call for a cab?”
“Kevin,” she leaned in close to
him, “when you weren’t looking, I ordered diet Sprite from the
other bartender.”
“What about the martini?”
“I don’t drink martinis. I sent it
to my girlfriend.”
“Oh, I feel so duped, seriously?”
She nodded affirmative.
“Since we’re confessing … I saw
you the minute you walked into Jake’s.”
“Liar! You were nowhere around.”
“I was in the back room … I wanted
to see if you were waiting for someone.”
“I don’t believe you. You can’t
stand to be duped.” She laughed.
Kevin watched her as she got into her
white Prius V and drove away.
L’Wren looked at him in the rearview
mirror and smiled. That turned out better than she’d expected.
As she pulled into her driveway, she
hummed ‘Kokomo’, the theme song from Cocktail. The
house was dark, and she knew no one was home. Leighann had gone to
the game with Zax, and who knew where Savi was. L’Wren smiled as
she thought about Zax and Leighann. Those Banovic boys had charm. If
Zax was anything like his brother, Leighann was a lucky girl. Just
then she heard footsteps and turned around quickly.
“Jeff! You scared me.” She
playfully punched him.
“Hey, baby.” He kissed her. “Here
let me.” He took the keys and opened the door for her.
They began turning on the lights.
“I didn’t realize we were supposed
to get together tonight,” she said, feeling uneasy.
“Do I need an appointment to see my
girl?”
“No … if I knew you were coming
over, I would have gotten here sooner.” She busied herself in the
kitchen.
“Where were you?”
“Traffic on the 405 was a bitch.”
“Where did you say you were again?”
“Out with a couple of friends. No
place special.”
“You could have called me. I would
have gone to no place special with you.”
“Jeff, we talked about this. You
can’t have a cow every time I go out with my friends.”
“You never invite me anywhere with
your friends. Are you ashamed of me?” Jeff towered over her.
“Don’t be silly. It was just us
girls. None of them had their boyfriends with them.”
“Did you have a good time?”
“Yes.” She tried to walk away from
him, but she was trapped between the counter and Jeff.
He boxed her in with his arms. “Did
guys hit on you?”
“What? No.” She tried to move his
arm, but it was firmly planted against the counter. “Why don’t we
go in the living room and talk,” she suggested, trying to sound
calm.
“Why can’t you look me in the eye
and tell me that guys didn’t hit on you?”
“Jeff, I think you should leave.”
“Is he coming over? Is that why you
want me to leave?” Jeff raised his voice.
L’Wren knew what was coming next. She
braced herself for him to either punch her in the gut or pull her
hair. He wouldn’t slap her face; he didn’t like to leave visual
bruises. He couldn’t have his friends know that he beat up on his
girlfriend. He was quarterback of the football team and had a
reputation to uphold. She gripped the counter as he yanked on her
hair, tugging her head back, causing her to bump her head on the
overhead cupboard.
“I have absolutely no qualms about
putting a bullet through your brain right now,” Savi said calmly.
Jeff turned around to face the business
end of Savi’s shiny silver revolver. L’Wren gasped. Something in
her eyes told him that she meant it.
“As far as I’m concerned, you broke
into my daughter’s house. I came home and found you roughing her up
… a plausible story … for the police.”
Jeff held her gaze.
She clicked the gun. “Bounce.”
Jeff did as he was told. Savi walked
out behind him and locked the door. L’Wren was still shivering in
the kitchen.
“Where do you find those losers?”
Savi asked casually. She set the gun down on the counter and poured
herself a glass of wine.
L’Wren stared at the gun. She had
never seen one up close before. “Why do you have a gun?”
“Target practice.” Savi drank the
wine and poured another. This time she also poured a glass for
L’Wren, whose hands were shaking so badly that she could barely
hold the glass.
“I don’t want to be around it.”
“Then move out.” Savi picked up the
offending object and walked out into the living room.
L’Wren followed. “This is my
house. You’re a guest.”
Savi placed the gun in her Dior
handbag.
“What if Leighann finds it?” L’Wren
continued.
“It’s not a dildo, for Christ’s
sake.” Savi headed to her room and shut the door.
Author: Gillian Felix
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