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Bared to You
It is part of the Crossfire #1 series and is a in Paperback edition on February 4, 2014 and has 352 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
First in the Crossfire erotica romance series revolving around Gideon Cross and Eva Tramell in New York City.
In 2012, Bared to You was nominated for the Goodreads Choice for Romance and won the 2013 All About Romance Annual Reader Poll for Best Erotic Romance AND Most Tortured Hero.
My Take
This is the better-written, adult version of the Fifty Shades series. Gideon is also from a tormented childhood and Day is much more subtle about the BDSM. So subtle that it’s barely there. I suspect Reflected in You will introduce it a bit more (the original title was to have been Deeper in You). We’ll have to see when it’s released in October 2012. Gideon and Eva also observe the formality of addressing each other as Mr. and Ms. throughout the story.
I do like that Eva tries to resist him and insist upon getting to know him, to like him before leaping into bed with him. He’s certainly a pushy bugger! Almost too much. It’s like Day wants an alpha male but hasn’t quite got the knack of it. It’s curious that Gideon is insecure outside of the role he has set for himself. He’s totally confused about Eva and blows hot and cold which drives her nuts. A “love life” has also been too easy for him and he hasn’t a clue about how to treat a woman who isn’t interested in his wallet. Of course, Eva has her own immature reactions.
Yes, it revolves around sex, but Day does create a story with complex, yet shallow characters. I do wish that Day had made it more believable as to why Gideon wants Eva so badly. I’d like to think that he’s so intense in his pursuit because she’s such a challenge, but he’s overpowering from the start.
Gimme a break. The “violently sexual dreams” that Gideon has scares the hell out of her? I could understand worry, but fright? Why does Eva need to know every last detail about the poor guy? She has a point that she laid it all out for him, but can’t he be allowed some space?
The Story
It’s an unexpected encounter with a pair of black oxfords as Eva is helping a lady retrieve the contents of her spilled handbag. A meeting that leads to Mark getting a request to present an RFP for an ad campaign for vodka. To Gideon Cross. He’ll do anything to get Eva into bed.
Her mother, well, her mother will do anything to ensure her safety including spying on her and running her life.
It’s a constant push-me/pull-me as they take it in turns to blow hot and cold. They each have their traumas that make it difficult to be close and together they work on them with all the drama and tension it requires.
The Characters
Eva Tramell has come to New York City with her best friend, Cary Taylor; they met in therapy. She plans to work in advertising while he’s pursuing a career as a model. Eva has her own psychological issues from a part of her childhood. Cary is very responsible in his work and a totally sleazy jerk in his romances. Her stepfather is Richard Stanton and he’ll do anything for her mother, Monica, who is in an almost constant panic about how Eva is coping. Nathan is the stepbrother who abused her. Martin Stanton is Richard’s nephew. Victor Reyes is her cop father who lives in Oceanside, California. No, her parents never did marry. Clancy is her stepfather’s chauffeur. Dr. Petersen is her mother’s shrink.
Mark Garrity is her new boss, a junior account manager, at Waters Field & Leaman, a major advertising agency located in the Crossfire Building. His life partner is Steven Ellison, a contractor. Megumi is the receptionist there. Michael Waters is the CEO and president; Christine Field is the executive chairman; and, Walter Leaman is the vice chairman.
Gideon Cross is a billionaire and the owner of Cross Industries. And the Crossfire Building. Scott is his personal assistant. His mother married Christopher Vidal, a music executive and they have two children, Chris, Junior and Ireland. There’s some intense story involving the half-siblings of which we learn a bit here. Magadalene Perez is an old friend who has her eye on the wedding ring. Corinne Giroux is an ex-fiancée who wants back in.
Trey, working part-time as a photographer’s assistant while pursuing a degree as a veterinarian, is the guy Cary is in love with even as he sabotages the relationship.
Parker Smith is a Krav Maga instructor she meets at the gym. Dr. Terry Lucas is not one of Gideon’s friends.
The Cover and Title
The cover is similar to the Fifty Shades covers with its range of greys creating the background and a single object on the front. In this case, it’s a set of gold, black, and silver cufflinks in a pattern of crosses. Hmmm, is there a theme here??
The title certainly does end with Gideon Bared to You. To we readers and to his love interest, Eva.
