Allure: A Spiral of Bliss Novel (Book Two) Paperback – May 13, 2013

I LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! I can't stop thinking about it!!! Just BEAUTIFUL!!Dean and Liv are officially one of my all-time favorite book couples. Their passion, love, heartache and healing hit me right in the heart."Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection."Allure is the sequel to Arouse and follows the same couple, Dean and Liv, in a direct continuation of where the first book left off. If you are new to this series, Arouse should absolutely be read first. Arouse was one of those special books that connected me deeply with the characters and made want to know more of their story. I loved the uniqueness of the plot because, contrary to most romance books, this one tells the story of an already-married couple.This is the story of a marriage - the struggles, the triumphs, the highlights and absolutely rock bottom moments. It's beautifully crafted, deeply thoughtful and perfectly detailed. Sensual, honest, and unpredictable.If there was ever a book that highlighted how a true relationship works - how everything is needed in balance, this is the one. And it takes you through that journey with Dean and Liv as they strive to find their happiness. It took the time to work through each of their issues and to strongly connect you to both of them both individually and as a couple. I just could feel every one of their thoughts, insecurities, fears, delights... everything was projected right out from the page and into my heart.I think one of the reasons that people are loving this story SO much is that the issues that Dean and Liv face are just so REAL. They are heart-wrenching and utterly believable.I loved that the book took the time to acquaint you with all the different little details of their lives. And I also loved that despite it being a deep heart-felt story, it still had these little lines that just made me burst right out laughing.I loved that Dean called her "beauty". Each time he did that, my heart melted just a little bit more. I loved that she called him "Professor". I loved the way they loved each each other. I loved that it was impossible not to FEEL the depths of that love. That sweeping, passionate, bottom-of-your-heart, forever kind of love."He tightens his arm around me and brushes his mouth against my temple. "Right now I want you naked against me. I want to wake up cold because you've hogged all the blankets. I want to feel your leg between mine, your hair in my face, your arm flung across my chest... I want to sleep with you."I loved how protective they were of each other. I loved watching Olivia heal and grow stronger. I loved how Dean cherished her. I loved that, no matter what, they didn't give up on each other. I loved the message they gave out about marriage.I really felt like everything that happened, even the mistakes and misunderstandings was understandable. And most importantly, you could see them both learning from their mistakes even if they still continued to make them. They were just trying to make things work. I really didn't feel anyone was ever specifically at fault, but sometimes while trying to do the right thing, people make the wrong decisions and that's just part of the (sometimes painful) learning curve of life."We both want this so badly. I can feel it resonating between us like the hot pull of our first attraction, tangible and intense."But Dean and Liv were always just one of those couples who no part of you could ever doubt that they were just meant for each others. They were soul mates."He is imprinted in my bones, my soul. He has marked me in ways more permanent than time."I finished the story at 4:30AM and just sat there with tears streaming down my face. Not sad tears, just an overflow of emotion. It is a true tribute to the strength of the story and writing that this ending was as powerful as it was because the only way it could have been this powerful was if you had truly LIVED their story with them - so that each moment from their lives became precious and meaningful to you."The allure, huh?""I've learned a few things about castle architecture over the years." Liv wraps one arm around my waist. "The allure is a passage behind the parapet of a castle wall. Great for defense when the enemy is approaching. You know you're safe on the allure." She tucks her head beneath my chin, twining her hand with mine. "Like we're safe with each other.""No doubt about it, beauty." I press my face against her sweet-smelling hair. "You'll always be my allure."Nina Lane is one hell of an author and tells the story seamlessly from alternating POVs. Her descriptions, writing style and imagery are vivid, powerful and captivating. I could not put this book down even for a moment.The ending took me by surprise and while there isn't a direct cliffhanger, there is a bit of an external one. I'd say it was a similar style to the way to Crossfire books end - so that you feel they'll make it but there still is a lot more of their story to tell. I definitely would say it's safe to start the stories now though and not wait for the 3rd book.Dean and Liv were not perfect people. And they did not have a perfect relationship. But they had true love. It was real. It was believable. It was beautiful.I highly recommend this series. It's one of those stories that I know I will be rereading.If you are looking for an emotionally charged, sensual romance that will touch your heart, this is it!!"Thanks for waiting," I whispered."My beauty," he said. "I'd wait for you forever."5 stars!

Oh my, this book. This. Book.It's erotic. It's emotional. It's beautiful.My heart hurts for what Liv and Dean went through in this book. It broke into little pieces at one point. But words can't express how deeply I fell in love with these two people who desperately love each other and are trying with everything in them to make it work.This is the second book in the series and I love the approach of using a married couple for the main characters. It allows for an opportunity for different kinds of character development and angst. This book also continues the trend of using flashbacks to further explore Liv and Dean's past together. The flashbacks also make it so the reader doesn't feel a sense of loss for not having experienced their relationship firsthand as you normally would in a romance novel. I loved every single word, even the ones that hurt to read! This book made me feel so many different emotions.Liv reflects "Until this moment, I didn't know it was possible to love my husband even more than I have for the past five years. I didn't know this kind of love existed, the kind that can both make you whole and shatter you to pieces."I pretty much felt the same way reading the book that's how much I have grown to love both Dean and Liv. I'm attached to them. I'm invested in them. And I need more of them.The writing and the characters are just so real. I can't think of even one nitpicky thing to say. I'm amazed at Nina Lane's ability to weave a story and draw me into it."The coldness that had lived inside me for so long was dissolving now, spreading warmth through my blood. A little bud seemed to be unfurling in the depths of my soul, something with petals of velvet and a core that contained a thousand unspoken wishes, wants, and desires." ----> See? Word artist.We get a lot more of Dean's POV in this book too. We got his POV in Arouse but not until about 75% in. I love when I read a book with a man who challenges for the top spots on my book boyfriend list and Dean absolutely does that. Oh yes he does. Sigh.---- Then he took my hand and placed it on his chest. Beneath the cotton of his T-shirt, his heart beat rapidly against my palm. "Feel that?" he asked. "You're the first woman who's ever made my heart beat like that. You're the first woman I've ever wanted to spend all my time with, the only one who could convince me to start a new life. You're the first woman who's ever made me genuinely happy. Who makes me glad to be alive, who makes me burn hotter than fire. You're the first woman who's ever made me afraid." I stared at him. "Afraid?" "Afraid of how good this is. Afraid it won't last." He pushed a lock of hair off my forehead. "Scared to death of losing you." "Oh." I was speechless. I swallowed hard. "You're...you don't have to be scared of losing me." Something flickered in his expression that I didn't understand, couldn't decipher. "I don't?" he said. "No. I shook my head. "No." "Good." He pulled me closer. "Because you're the first woman I've never wanted to let go."----It's those kind of exchanges that make me a puddle of goo on the floor.It bears repeating that this is an erotic romance. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea, but I would encourage you not to disregard this series because of that. The sex is definitely erotic and smoking hot but the story itself is amazing. I'm in book love. There's just something about Liv's and Dean's story that really speaks to me.Also, I must say the notes and drawings included in this book were fabulous and had me grinning like a fool with their corniness and adorableness and uniqueness.Everyone who knows me knows how much I hate series books and the trends for trilogies, etc. I don't feel a shred of annoyance about that for this series. I need more. I need the third book yesterday. I need to continue Liv and Dean's journey. Also, both Arouse and Allure are full-length novels. I feel I got more than a bang for my buck.I know there will be more angst ahead but I feel they finally scratched the surface of their issues. Liv describes their love as perfect in its very imperfection, which sums it up nicely.I have no doubts they'll come out of the last book stronger than ever. Or else I'm the one who might need therapy ;)

Allure - Nina Lane4 stars!!I fell more in love with Dean and Liv in this book..Nina Lane's writing style as always is flawless...I felt the emotion pouring out of this book and one particular scene that I have suffered myself numerous times had me bawling my eyes out as I knew what Liv was going through and I thought that the emotion captured in ink was spot on...something that is very very hard to do.This book is the continuation of Dean and Liv's marriage and as usual it never runs smoothly, things are thrown at them at every turn and Nina Lane captures the trials and tribulations perfectly. Dean was perfect in Arouse, he is even more perfect in Allure...you cannot help but fall in love with him. He knows the right things to say and when to say them and he had me awwwwing on more than one occasion."You're the best thing that's happened to me in.........forever Liv. The only person that doesn't expect anything from me. Who doesn't care that I am not perfect"We see a lot more into Dean's past in this book and it does explain a lot especially with regards to his brother whom I think is extremely misunderstood...he also showed another side when he was there for Liv.Liv really comes into her own in this book, she gets a backbone, she goes through a lot but she knows when to stand up and fight and she does this with courage and conviction in this book. She also trusts her husband implicitly which she needs in this book, especially as Dean as always tries to protect her from the truth. As usual Dean soon realises that he needs to be upfront with Liv and tell her exactly what is going on then they put on their united front and it is them against the world.I am still unsure about Dean's ex-wife...the jury is out on that one and I wonder where Nina will take this going forward. Dean's mum and sister really annoyed me in this book and I felt for Liv the whole time.You really do feel that you are an outsider looking in on a normal married couple just going about their daily lives and dealing with whatever comes their way...it's like watching a play and you are just sitting there watching it all play out...it is an effortless read and one that pulls you in from start to finish. I must admit I was not a fan of the first book, I just couldn't connect for some bizarre reason as I felt I was missing out...maybe I was in a book funk or something I just don't know...but this one pulled me in hook, line and sinker and I loved it.I cannot wait for the next one.[...]

I loved the first book but I expected this second book to take up exactly where the first book ended with Liv's announcement. I wanted to read of Dean's reaction but we didn't get that. This is a trilogy. This book in my opinion cannot work as a standalone so I was puzzled as to why the author wrote it as such. I didn't need to be told what had happened in the first book or to read explanations as to who each character was etc. That spoilt it a bit for me and interrupted the flow of the story.Having said that, I still really like this couple and their story. I really felt for Dean in this book. We actually see that he has his own insecurities and again through the excellent flashbacks to the beginning of their relationship, we see that Dean had problems from his childhood and his family. He had learnt to always fix things and people. He thought he could protect Liv. When he feels he can't anymore, he can't handle it. He wants to be her hero and feels like he has failed her. I quite often wanted to give him a hug in this book!Liv is a lot stronger in this book. She's started to realise that Dean does feel he has to protect her from everything and in this book she tries to show him that he doesn't have to and that she's strong and can handle things. Instead of letting him dictate everything, she puts her foot down and insists on them being equal.This book takes place over approx six weeks. We find out what happened to Liv that had her so scared when she was first with Dean. We find out what happened in Dean's family. We meet Dean's dysfunctional family and his ex Helen. I did find some of the storyline predictable and of course you want to shout at Dean and tell him to stop trying to be so protective. The storyline becomes quite emotional at one point. Again, I really like when the book goes back to how they first met and their slow burning relationship. The sex scenes are well written.I'm invested in this couple so I will read the concluding book (released in August) but I really don't like Trilogies. I feel this story could have been told in one book and as they re-connect in this book, I can't see where the third book will go other than cover what is currently happening in Dean's academic life.

This the second in the Spiral Bliss series and it continues where the first novel (Arouse) ended.I became totally absorbed in Dean and Liv's story as they cope with the misunderstanding that rock their marriage. While they are dealing with a family emergency Dean's career is threatened and his insecurities are exposed. Liv supports her husband and starts to make decisions about her life and marriage. It's their love for one another that sees them through this emotional turbulent period.However Dean wants to protect Liv and Liv still wants to be someone's girl.They each make sacrifices for each other.Allure is a thoroughly good read as the author expertly explores the ups and downs of Dean's and Liv's marriage.Excellent read

Blissful...I adored this 2nd chapter of Professor Dean West & his beauty, Liv.We pick up from where Arouse left off..two soul mates conquering issues from their pasts. I loved the dialogue between them..Nina certainly knows how to ensure you are sitting right there, viewing every aspect of each scene, so wonderfully captured. I thought their little notes were endearing, and right in line with the banter that flows between them.I savoured every page of this beautiful book, on quite an emotional journey through the West's highs & lows. Whilst it ends without a cliffy, there are unresolved situations that I can't wait to follow through with them.I have recommended to all my reading buddies, making this series a most definite favourite..

Well I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book! As you will know if you read my review of Arouse I struggled a little with it but not with Allure.. I felt the characters had grown and matured and it was just so much more believable to me. This book had happiness heartbreak family feuds, you name it and it was going on. I find a lot of books now have the whole miscommunication between couples and then they just throw it all in without finding out the truth and I am glad that Nina Lanes books just show you that although you have to work at it, it doesn't mean it broken beyond repair. I will definatly be reading the next book and look forward to the rest of Liv and Deans story!