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pattyfgd's review against another edition
4.0
Every once in a while, I like to pick a book from my older purchases that I have not yet listened to. Sandra Brown is always a favorite listen of mine, and this book was just what I was looking for. Shay and Ian are introduced for the first time when Shay goes home to meet her new stepfather. Ian is her stepbrother, and immediately you can feel that tension between them. When it comes to light that Ian is a minister and Shay is a nude model, the tension becomes thicker, but is it sexual tension or disapproval? These two dance around each other and all you can do is smile as you listen to it. I love how Sandra Brown can take the characters like Shay and Ian, and show growth, maturity and acceptance as the book goes on. With circumstances like these two have, and such different lives, it was interesting how things finally come together. Slightly dated in storyline, it still is entertaining. With a narrator like Renee Raudman at the mic, you know you are in for a pleasurable listen.
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
Tempest in Eden by Sandra Brown
Shea is a nude model and she drives to visit with her mom and her new husband. She also now has a brother via her moms marriage and she likes what she sees as he steps out of the shared bathroom at her moms house.
Over the weekend they become friends and even more than that as the wine flows freely. She goes back to the city and he comes to visit and she attends his service to find out about his job.
Erin is a minister. She can not see the relationship going anywhere, He, on the whole is against her profession and he is a man of God.
lunaseassecondaccount's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book as part of Goodreads giveaways and first reads.
I have previously read two other books by [a:Sandra Brown|6218|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1320425692p2/6218.jpg]: [b:Breakfast in Bed|268278|Breakfast in Bed|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173288076s/268278.jpg|13538281] and [b:Ricochet|30343|Ricochet|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1283517524s/30343.jpg|13538232], both of which I received as part of Goodreads giveaways. My opinion on these books were somewhat split- they were written with some thirty years between them, and Brown's style of writing had definitely evolved and improved. Although both novels could easily be placed under the 'romance' genre, a style I'm not a particular fan of, Ricochet appealed to my tastes more.
When I received [b:Tempest in Eden|30415|Tempest in Eden|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168064450s/30415.jpg|7397102], I also received an audio novel I haven't listened to yet ([b:The Witness|323289|The Witness|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266524389s/323289.jpg|30783]), that also appears to have been written a while after Tempest in Eden. However, by this book alone, I can already tell Brown's style of writing had started to change. There was more character development here than there was in Breakfast in Bed, and the relationship between Shay and Ian, although definitely heated and passionate, was much more restrained initially and they held back- though no doubt due to Ian's profession. I like to think of this book as 'sex stories for the religious'. Shay and Ian don't knock boots until they're well and married- but hey, it shows that ministers get randy under their clothes!
So the character development here is still limited, and everyone is sexy and luscious and randy all the time... and Shay and Ian do get married very, very fast. But Brown had improved on her writing in two years- and that's a good skill and ability to have. I also applaud Brown for releasing some of her earlier work to the public. This shows a certain humbleness that I like.
Another thing I like is that both times I've won Brown's books, I've received an additional bonus- bookmarks, photos, signatures, plus an extra book to enjoy. I understand not all authors do this- money restrictions and what have you- but I like that Brown (or her PR reps or whoever sends them out) adds that little thing to make it special. Also, it allows me, as a reader, reviewer, and, er, reluctant fan, to compare her from 'then' and 'now'. It gives me a chance to make a wider decision on how to digest the book.
OH! And Shay and Ian are step-siblings. Take that as you will!
I have previously read two other books by [a:Sandra Brown|6218|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1320425692p2/6218.jpg]: [b:Breakfast in Bed|268278|Breakfast in Bed|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173288076s/268278.jpg|13538281] and [b:Ricochet|30343|Ricochet|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1283517524s/30343.jpg|13538232], both of which I received as part of Goodreads giveaways. My opinion on these books were somewhat split- they were written with some thirty years between them, and Brown's style of writing had definitely evolved and improved. Although both novels could easily be placed under the 'romance' genre, a style I'm not a particular fan of, Ricochet appealed to my tastes more.
When I received [b:Tempest in Eden|30415|Tempest in Eden|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168064450s/30415.jpg|7397102], I also received an audio novel I haven't listened to yet ([b:The Witness|323289|The Witness|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266524389s/323289.jpg|30783]), that also appears to have been written a while after Tempest in Eden. However, by this book alone, I can already tell Brown's style of writing had started to change. There was more character development here than there was in Breakfast in Bed, and the relationship between Shay and Ian, although definitely heated and passionate, was much more restrained initially and they held back- though no doubt due to Ian's profession. I like to think of this book as 'sex stories for the religious'. Shay and Ian don't knock boots until they're well and married- but hey, it shows that ministers get randy under their clothes!
So the character development here is still limited, and everyone is sexy and luscious and randy all the time... and Shay and Ian do get married very, very fast. But Brown had improved on her writing in two years- and that's a good skill and ability to have. I also applaud Brown for releasing some of her earlier work to the public. This shows a certain humbleness that I like.
Another thing I like is that both times I've won Brown's books, I've received an additional bonus- bookmarks, photos, signatures, plus an extra book to enjoy. I understand not all authors do this- money restrictions and what have you- but I like that Brown (or her PR reps or whoever sends them out) adds that little thing to make it special. Also, it allows me, as a reader, reviewer, and, er, reluctant fan, to compare her from 'then' and 'now'. It gives me a chance to make a wider decision on how to digest the book.
OH! And Shay and Ian are step-siblings. Take that as you will!
faustin2nd's review against another edition
2.0
I think I'm just not crazy about this genre. And since I'm Catholic I found it very unbelievable, especially towards the end. Honestly I skipped all the love scenes coz I felt bad about reading about a minister. Other reviewrs have mentioned how fast the story progressed. I feel that Ian didn't really love Shay for who she was but rather who she could be. And Shay changed drastically towards the end, her sassiness was gone, all the things I loved about her just disappeared. All in all, it was rather well written but the plot grew cold for me half way thru the book. Still love SB though, this just proves how much range she has as a writer.
ncrabb's review against another edition
2.0
This is a short romance that includes plenty of tropes and insta-love predictability, but it has merit just the same. Shay has come to the weekend cabin now used by her mother and her mother’s new husband. Shay is a free thinker by every measure. She poses nude for photographers and artists; she’s proud of her body, and while she’s picky about the men with whom she has sex, she has no problem looking nonjudgmentally at men of all kinds in all states of dress or undress.
Also at the cabin that weekend is her mom’s husband’s son, Ian. He’s roughly Shay’s age, and he’s rather the opposite of her where his perspective on life is concerned. He’s a button-down guy in many respects; indeed, Shay soon learns that he’s a minister, but she doesn’t know that immediately. What she does know upon entering the cabin is that there’s some guy in the shower singing beach Boys songs. Carrying her bags up the stairs, she unthinkingly glances into the bathroom’s open door, and there is the Reverend Douglas in a state of complete undress with water dripping from a body that captures and holds her imagination and interest.
This is the usual romance with its conflicts that nearly doom the relationship. What’s unusual about the conflicts here are that they focus on the perspectives the two have. He’s a minister whose wife had died four years earlier; she’s a model who hasn’t darkened the doorway of a church in a great while. If opposites indeed attract, these two are candidates for something filled with fireworks and whatever else gets worked into such a relationship.
Brown makes the preacher come across as rather judgmental at times, and Shay is determined to be more of a rebel than usual in light of his straight arrow persona. Indeed, she methodically and deliberately sets out to seduce the minister.
There’s a significant amount of sexual description here, as you might expect from a Sandra Brown book. But here’s what’s remarkable: the young minister has the strength of character not to have sex with Shay until they are married.
You’ll suspend disbelief here as you watch Shay and Ian work to meet in the middle where their two lifestyles are concerned, but this is slightly unique in that the minister manages to be true to himself, and Shay manages to not be slutty or trashy. There’s a good bit of profanity here, (mostly Shay’s), and the kiss-and-cuddle stuff is closer to steamy than to merely notable, but it’s short, and the plot is unique.
Also at the cabin that weekend is her mom’s husband’s son, Ian. He’s roughly Shay’s age, and he’s rather the opposite of her where his perspective on life is concerned. He’s a button-down guy in many respects; indeed, Shay soon learns that he’s a minister, but she doesn’t know that immediately. What she does know upon entering the cabin is that there’s some guy in the shower singing beach Boys songs. Carrying her bags up the stairs, she unthinkingly glances into the bathroom’s open door, and there is the Reverend Douglas in a state of complete undress with water dripping from a body that captures and holds her imagination and interest.
This is the usual romance with its conflicts that nearly doom the relationship. What’s unusual about the conflicts here are that they focus on the perspectives the two have. He’s a minister whose wife had died four years earlier; she’s a model who hasn’t darkened the doorway of a church in a great while. If opposites indeed attract, these two are candidates for something filled with fireworks and whatever else gets worked into such a relationship.
Brown makes the preacher come across as rather judgmental at times, and Shay is determined to be more of a rebel than usual in light of his straight arrow persona. Indeed, she methodically and deliberately sets out to seduce the minister.
There’s a significant amount of sexual description here, as you might expect from a Sandra Brown book. But here’s what’s remarkable: the young minister has the strength of character not to have sex with Shay until they are married.
You’ll suspend disbelief here as you watch Shay and Ian work to meet in the middle where their two lifestyles are concerned, but this is slightly unique in that the minister manages to be true to himself, and Shay manages to not be slutty or trashy. There’s a good bit of profanity here, (mostly Shay’s), and the kiss-and-cuddle stuff is closer to steamy than to merely notable, but it’s short, and the plot is unique.
jennahack's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book as part of a Goodreads First-Reads Giveaway.
It was just like any other fluffy romance. This had a cute storyline, though. I never thought I'd ever read a romance where the male lead was a minister! But, it was refreshing to see a romance where the couple was adamant about not having sex until they were married.
It was a sweet and fluffy story. Nothing I'd go out of my way to pursue and find in a bookstore...but cute nonetheless.
I liked it.
It was just like any other fluffy romance. This had a cute storyline, though. I never thought I'd ever read a romance where the male lead was a minister! But, it was refreshing to see a romance where the couple was adamant about not having sex until they were married.
It was a sweet and fluffy story. Nothing I'd go out of my way to pursue and find in a bookstore...but cute nonetheless.
I liked it.
inthelunaseas's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book as part of Goodreads giveaways and first reads.
I have previously read two other books by [a:Sandra Brown|6218|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1320425692p2/6218.jpg]: [b:Breakfast in Bed|268278|Breakfast in Bed|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173288076s/268278.jpg|13538281] and [b:Ricochet|30343|Ricochet|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1283517524s/30343.jpg|13538232], both of which I received as part of Goodreads giveaways. My opinion on these books were somewhat split- they were written with some thirty years between them, and Brown's style of writing had definitely evolved and improved. Although both novels could easily be placed under the 'romance' genre, a style I'm not a particular fan of, Ricochet appealed to my tastes more.
When I received [b:Tempest in Eden|30415|Tempest in Eden|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168064450s/30415.jpg|7397102], I also received an audio novel I haven't listened to yet ([b:The Witness|323289|The Witness|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266524389s/323289.jpg|30783]), that also appears to have been written a while after Tempest in Eden. However, by this book alone, I can already tell Brown's style of writing had started to change. There was more character development here than there was in Breakfast in Bed, and the relationship between Shay and Ian, although definitely heated and passionate, was much more restrained initially and they held back- though no doubt due to Ian's profession. I like to think of this book as 'sex stories for the religious'. Shay and Ian don't knock boots until they're well and married- but hey, it shows that ministers get randy under their clothes!
So the character development here is still limited, and everyone is sexy and luscious and randy all the time... and Shay and Ian do get married very, very fast. But Brown had improved on her writing in two years- and that's a good skill and ability to have. I also applaud Brown for releasing some of her earlier work to the public. This shows a certain humbleness that I like.
Another thing I like is that both times I've won Brown's books, I've received an additional bonus- bookmarks, photos, signatures, plus an extra book to enjoy. I understand not all authors do this- money restrictions and what have you- but I like that Brown (or her PR reps or whoever sends them out) adds that little thing to make it special. Also, it allows me, as a reader, reviewer, and, er, reluctant fan, to compare her from 'then' and 'now'. It gives me a chance to make a wider decision on how to digest the book.
OH! And Shay and Ian are step-siblings. Take that as you will!
I have previously read two other books by [a:Sandra Brown|6218|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1320425692p2/6218.jpg]: [b:Breakfast in Bed|268278|Breakfast in Bed|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173288076s/268278.jpg|13538281] and [b:Ricochet|30343|Ricochet|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1283517524s/30343.jpg|13538232], both of which I received as part of Goodreads giveaways. My opinion on these books were somewhat split- they were written with some thirty years between them, and Brown's style of writing had definitely evolved and improved. Although both novels could easily be placed under the 'romance' genre, a style I'm not a particular fan of, Ricochet appealed to my tastes more.
When I received [b:Tempest in Eden|30415|Tempest in Eden|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168064450s/30415.jpg|7397102], I also received an audio novel I haven't listened to yet ([b:The Witness|323289|The Witness|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266524389s/323289.jpg|30783]), that also appears to have been written a while after Tempest in Eden. However, by this book alone, I can already tell Brown's style of writing had started to change. There was more character development here than there was in Breakfast in Bed, and the relationship between Shay and Ian, although definitely heated and passionate, was much more restrained initially and they held back- though no doubt due to Ian's profession. I like to think of this book as 'sex stories for the religious'. Shay and Ian don't knock boots until they're well and married- but hey, it shows that ministers get randy under their clothes!
So the character development here is still limited, and everyone is sexy and luscious and randy all the time... and Shay and Ian do get married very, very fast. But Brown had improved on her writing in two years- and that's a good skill and ability to have. I also applaud Brown for releasing some of her earlier work to the public. This shows a certain humbleness that I like.
Another thing I like is that both times I've won Brown's books, I've received an additional bonus- bookmarks, photos, signatures, plus an extra book to enjoy. I understand not all authors do this- money restrictions and what have you- but I like that Brown (or her PR reps or whoever sends them out) adds that little thing to make it special. Also, it allows me, as a reader, reviewer, and, er, reluctant fan, to compare her from 'then' and 'now'. It gives me a chance to make a wider decision on how to digest the book.
OH! And Shay and Ian are step-siblings. Take that as you will!
rainnbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Did not finish reading this. Somehow the story line felt a little too cheesy for me, Not sure why I just couldn't read it,just wasn't in the mood maybe. The main character of Shay felt shallow and vain.
thegreatergatsby's review against another edition
3.0
Very cheesy but entertaining nonetheless when you want to read something small.
janels03's review against another edition
5.0
I seem to be one out of a handful of people who really loved this book and it's characters. It's the first book I have read by Sandra Brown but I will definitely be reading more. This was a gooreads giveaways book by the author