Friday 18 October 2013

Blog Tour and giveaway - The Wager (The Bet #2) by Rachel van Dyken





Lose a bet, lose your heart...

What is it about a junior-high crush that can send an otherwise intelligent woman into a tailspin? TV reporter Char Lynn wishes she knew. Jake Titus is too rich, too handsome, too arrogant: a trifecta that once lured Char into the best night-and worst morning-after-of her life. Now they've been thrown together in a wedding party. It's awkward, but survivable . . . until Jake stops acting like a jerk, and starts acting like the man she'd always hoped he could be.

If watching your brother marry your best friend is weird, being attracted to your best friend's other best friend is downright bizarre. Unfortunately for Jake, Char hasn't forgotten how he once tossed her aside. Worse still, Jake's already-nutty grandma is even crazier about Char. Cue meet-cute shenanigans and all manner of meddling, and somehow, Jake's falling. For Char. Now all he has to do is make her believe it . . .


Review by Janeane - ARC received for honest review

We first met the Titus brothers, Travis and Jake, in The Bet.  The Bet is about the love triangle between Jake, Travis and Jake's best friend Kacey.

Following on from The Bet, The Wager is Jake's story with Kacey's other best friend, Char.

Char had a crush on Jake when they were kids, but he hurt her then. Years down the track he hurts her again after one night and a horrible morning after.

Now she is paired up with Jake at Travis and Kacey's wedding - awkward.

Char tells herself that she can't let Jake sweet talk her again, her heart just couldn't take it.  But the Jake of today seems different - but is he? Always the womaniser - rich, successful and sexy as sin, what woman wouldn't fall for his charms? 

The "wager" in this book is who can be the better matchmaker for Jake.  Travis and Kacey think their friend Jace is just the man to sweep Char off her feet.  Grandma Nadine just know that Jake and Char belong together.
 Gotta say, I love Grandma Nadine.  I want to be just like her when I hit my 80s!!
Nadine is a spitfire of a woman, loves to meddle in everyone's business, still has her booty calls with the neighbour.  Awesome!  She is the heart of the story, and steals every scene she is in.

Excerpt

Dessert was served. Char chose a chocolate soufflé with whipped cream. The minute it was set in front of her, she saw Jakes hungry gaze.

With a wicked smile she dipped her finger into the whipped cream and slowly licked it clean.

His mouth dropped open, just slightly.

She licked her lips and dipped her finger again.

Jake leaned forward, his eyes almost closing as his half-lidded gaze went from teasing to lustful.

Char wondered when was the last time the player had been played, or that hed had to actually wait for something.

Carefully, she slipped out of her wedge heels and relaxed a little further down in her seat. Trying to act nonchalant, she took another bite of her dessert and watched Jake watch her. She knew the exact moment her foot came into contact with his leg. With a jerk, he grabbed the edge of the table and cursed.

Everything all right, Jake? Petunia asked, examining him through her glasses.
Perfect, he said in a strained voice. A bit hot. His hooded eyes blinked a few times before he reached for his water glass and took a long sip.

It is quite humid out. Petunia fanned herself. But you look positively flushed. Are you sure you arent coming down with something?

I wish, Jake said.

Pardon? Her brows furrowed.

Pretty dish. He pointed to the butter dish in the middle of the table.
Char bit her lip to keep from laughing; she took another slow bite of soufflé and licked her fork. Jake groaned across the table.

Her foot came into contact with his skin.

Mother of—”


Jake? Petunia shook her head. You have me worried.

Me too. Char licked her lips and let her foot inch up his leg.

Jake braced both hands on the table, his eyes setting her on fire with how hard he was staring at her. Im sure.

His eyes closed as she rubbed up and down his calf and then braced his one leg with both of hers, jerking him closer to the table.

Shit. He exhaled.

I beg your pardon! Petunia scolded. Jake Titus, you stop your filthy language.
Hes such a dirty, dirty, boy, Grandma agreed with a wink.

Jake groaned, his eyes pleading with Char to either stop or keep going and kill him right then and there.

You know what happens to dirty boys, Char said helpfully.
What? His voice was hoarse.

They get spanked, Petunia spat. Hard!

Jake swore a blue streak.

Wescott! Petunia demanded. Please control your son! It seems he keeps having urges to use foul language at the dinner table! Well, in my day wed send boys to their rooms if they did such a thing.

Fine. Wescott rolled his eyes. Go to your room, Jake, take your punishment like a man.

I, uh…” Jake sputtered. Should probably stay right here.

You heard your father. Petunia shook her head. You need to be punished.

Please. He whimpered and hung his head in his hands.

Jake…” Char pulled her foot away and leaned forward. You should probably listen to your father. Wouldnt want you getting into any trouble go to your room.

I cant, he said through clenched teeth.

Grandma pushed to her, feet knocking an entire pitcher of ice water into Jakes lap. His eyes bulged out of his head as she leaned over so only he and Char could hear. Youre welcome.

I want to die. This from Jake.

You clumsy boy, go change your pants, Grandma ordered. Char, why dont you get us some more water from the kitchen?

She didnt have to be told twice.

Cursing, Jake threw down his napkin and chased after her.

Shoes off, she was able to run across the grass. Once she was in the house she stole a glance behind her. Jake was gaining on her. The look on his face was predatory.
With a squeal she ran up the stairs to the bedroom, just as his strong arms came around her, pushing her farther into the room.

Naughty girl. Ill make you pay for that.

She turned in his arms and licked his chin like she had her soufflé. You promise?

Strip. He released her and walked over to the bed, slowly sinking down into it. Now.

Demanding. Char put her hands on her hips. Arent we? 

Yeah. Jake leaned back on his elbows. The way I see it, you owe me. Not only did I do a naughty dance for you, with chaps might I add, but you made me suffer through dessert, while my great aunt, the virgin one, you know her, told me I needed to be spanked.

Char laughed.

Not funny, Jake groaned. Most awkward moment of my life.

Before or after Grandma cooled you off? Char asked.

If you want me to be able to perform, ever, you wont mention that again. Jake swore.

Char fumbled with the straps of her dress. I remember.

Remember? Jakes eyes were trained on her fingers as she toyed with the straps pulling them further down her body. What do you remember?

Us. Char let the dress fall to the ground and stepped out of it. I remember our night together. I lied. I told Beth I didnt. I told you it wasnt good. I was just trying to make you feel bad.

Hmm. Jake stood and slowly approached her. I deserved it.



Nadine's antics to keep Travis and Kacey from the "marital bed" for the week before the wedding are hilarious. 

Nadine's shenanigans to get Jake and Char together are brilliantly executed - all in the name of the wedding of course.  And what she ends up doing - bravo Grandma Nadine, bravo!
 
 The chemistry between Jake and Char is tangible.  Explosive even.  They go from bouts of lust and tenderness, to fights like you can only have with people you truly care about.  Their's really is a love/hate relationship.  Their shared history adds fuel to the fire for their arguments but also to the passion they feel for each other.  This history also gives a lot of fodder for their witty banter.  Who could not love them (even if occasionally I did want to castrate Jake!)

The mutiple POV's give a great insight to what the characters are thinking and feeling at the time.

Rachel van Dyken has written another of my favourites of the year.  I loved The Bet, but I LOOOOOVE The Wager from the prologue to the epilogue.  Cannot wait for more.


About the Author
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! 

 



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