Saturday, September 27, 2014

Review Tour: The Devil's Contract by Claire Contreras





He gave them a choice.

She took it.

He made her promise two years.

She should have known there was a catch.





I am a huge fan of Claire Contreras's books. They have intrigue, spice, depth and awesome plots. She creates characters that are timeless and stories that are intricate. She writes beautiful lines that touch my heart and draw me in every time. She is a master storyteller that gives you more then you expect! Her books have you thinking well beyond the last page. They marinate in your mind... They torture, tempt and excite you!


The Devil's Contract is Brilliant! Clare Contreras can write. It had everything I look for in a book; passion, angst, intrigue, deceit, heartache and heat. Let's not forget it also has a thick and layered plot. It's a story that is woven with family secrets, connections, deceit and wealth that tie many powerful men together. It not only has a hold on them but those near and dear. It's twisty and juicy and it's gonna blow up soon!

The Sex….

And let's not forget THE SEX...Element....  Oh-M-G! In this book, they engage in the most erotic and tasteful sexual encounters. It's safe to say the steam is thick and intoxicating! I am fanning myself!!!

The Story.....

Amara is thrust into a unbelievable situation that is beyond her comfort zone. When she is  faced with a decision that she can't resist, her life alters in ways she never imagined.  She experiences independence, professional experience and a sexual awakening during her time away. This isn't an easy time, she's had to give up a lot and leave part of her heart at home.

"A sleep filled with nightmares over what her life had become because, once you make a deal with the devil, there's no going back. He's always watching and waiting.... waiting to strike and claim you as his own."


 -Amara

She indeed made a deal with the Devil..

Just when she thinks she's got it all figured out. She finds herself dragged in deeper to a man that is controlling her and holding all the cards. Amara must make difficult choices and keep her head straight during this dangerous time.



This book was more than a romance book. It definitely satiated me. I was oo-ing and aw-ing throughout the whole damn book. It had me on the edge of my seat as the plot thickened. It also had my heart shattering .......Have I mentioned I am addicted to being tortured in a book.. It's a requirement for me...HaHaHa!

The men.....

Where do I start!  Clare creates the most amazing male characters. Some you Love and some you Love to Hate!

You got Colin. The love of her life. I loved his character in the story. I think he had the most dynamic evolvement in DC due to unfortunate circumstances.  I felt his pain and I pitied his predicament. (I also found myself a new BBF - move over Dean and Cole)

"He knew that at some point, the pieces of his crumbled heart would be picked up. Even so, he was aware that no matter how many Molly's he slept with, they wouldn't amount to one Amara."

"I'm sick of wanting you and wishing I still had you. I'm sick of thinking about you!"

-Colin

Then there is the dominating, sinful and calculating Philip.  He was alluring in a way and intimidating. He had a touch of sex appeal too. He is a mystery and I want to crack his code!

"Everybody gets their heart torn out at one..or several.., points on their life. "

"The world will never grovel for your love; it will take it and spit it back in your face. It's best you learn it from a young age."

-Philip

There was also Samuel a supporting character. He added a touch of excitement and suspense to the plot.   I'm still figuring him out.

If I'm being vague it's because I refuse to ruin it for you. The less you know when starting The Devil's Contract the better your experience will be.  Just know it’s a phenomenal book that will engage your heart and soul. Let's face it, books are an utter and complete experience that take us on a journey into our heads and affect hearts.

I'm stoked for book 2! I commend Clare for taking a chance and giving us bits of information that will make us yearn for book two. There are a few unanswered questions that most likely will be elaborated in the sequel. I'm the type of reader that doesn't need it all NOW.  I can handle some now and more later.  More readers need to appreciate that layering a story takes time.  That having something to look forward to in the next book adds to the appeal. I'm clicking The Sinner's Bargain ASAP!


Some need to get over the Cliff Hatred in life!





I really enjoyed reading this book! I knew going in that it ended on a
cliffhanger (from word of mouth) and I'm ok with where it left me because I
actually figured it out! Now, I kind of wish that she would of omitted that
little tidbit of info because then it would of been a kick ass shocker at the
end. THAT is the best way to end a book that has another one coming. I would give this book 4.5 stars! Definitely fast-paced and that is what I love. Draws me in and keeps my attention.
 
He gave them a choice.
She took it.
He made her promise two years.
She should have known there was a catch.
 
In The Devil’s Contract you meet a few key characters. Amara, Colin, Philip, Courtney, Noah, and Samuel. Each of them play important parts of the story obviously but are they really who you perceive them to be?
 
Amara is your main character and she has decided to "pay" for her father's debts by giving Philip Batiste her mind, body and soul. She is to be of his services for a period of 2 years and she must cut her ties in New York and move to Paris, France.
 
Colin is her boyfriend and they've known each other for many years and it all
just started as friends, then friends with benefits and then feelings started
developing. She is supposed to end it with him. Having a boyfriend back home is unacceptable in Philip's eyes.
 
---------------------------
 
"Okay, Amir, here is what we'll do, I will pay all of your debt. You can keep
your damn house and your luxurious cars, and in turn you give me your daughter." -Philip
 
 
"Stay with me. We'll work it out. Be with me, really (italics) be with me." -
Colin
 
Now that she knew their time together was so short, she hated herself for taking it all for granted. Every day, every moment, every whisper, every touch they'd shared she wished they could have just one more time. - Amara
 
"Sometimes we see everything, but purposely ignore it because we don't want to make promises we don't know we can keep." -Colin
 
"I love you, Amara Maloof, more than the stars in the sky." -Colin
 
"You're both young, you're both naive, and you think the world is at your feet. You're wrong. The world will never grovel for your love; it will take it and spit it back in your face. It's best you learn that from a young age." - Philip
 
"God punishes us when we throw away love, Amara." - her mother, Anna
 
"The moral of this story is that life may throw a bucket of blessings on your
lap, but she's always a bitch. She's always orchestrating a greater equation
than you can solve." - Philip
 
"Happiness is but a dream. Life has very little to do with the happiness it
hands you, and everything to do with the happiness you choose to create.
Sacrifice is the biggest thing we do during our time here on earth." -her
Mother, Anna
 
"Your heart has no place in a river full of piranhas." - Philip
 
 
"You smile every single day, even though it kills you to be here. You lift your head high and walk out of the house like you're going to conquer the world, knowing you're not. You get dressed every morning, put on make-up, and answer disgusting emails, while simultaneously checking on your mother to see how she's doing. You left the love of your life behind because it was the right thing to do for your family. You're an amazing actress, Amara.
Award winning, even." –Courtney
 
A sleep filled with vivid nightmare over what her life had become because, once you make a deal with the devil, there's no going back. He's always watching and waiting... waiting for the right moment to strike and claim you as his own. –Amara’s thoughts
 
------------------------
 
When she moves to Paris, she meets another woman named Courtney. She is to train her on all aspects. She becomes her friend and a person that she can talk to and trust. Courtney has been through hell and back. She's truly a great person and is definitely taking Amara under her wing.
 
While in Paris one of her 'jobs' is part of an online website for lonely men
called Sinful Services (italics) and this is where she meets this sweet, widowed man named Noah. He isn't like the usual pervs on these type of sites. He's sweet, lonely and just looking for conversation and company and he's willing to pay thousands and thousands of dollars for it too.
 
One of the men that paid for her services named Samuel, starts talking to her
while they are out to dinner but not about her or his wants or   needs. He wants to know about someone that he has been with at the escort services. One he is no longer allowed to be with, but is really digging for information about her and how she is and is she still there. This sends a red flag to Amara and she knows that something else is going on and she must do everything she can to find out.
 
There are 3 people that can get her back home and out of the escort service.
Those three men are Philip, Samuel and.....



The Sinner's Bargain (Contracts & Deceptions, #2)




Claire Contreras graduated with her BA in Psychology from Florida International University. She was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Miami, Fl, where she currently resides with her husband, two boys, and two American Bulldogs. 

Life is short, and it’s more bitter than sweet, so she tries to smile as often as her face allows. She enjoys stories with happy endings, because life is full of way too many unhappy ones.