Lying and Kissing

By: Helena Newbury

Narrated by: Lucy Malone

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

I am out of my depth. Yesterday I was just a CIA languages geek, safe behind a desk. I thought I wanted a taste of the action. Then I met him: Luka, an arms dealer in the Russian Mafia. A man who'll kill to get what he wants. And he wants me. Now I'm on a plane to Moscow with orders to "accidentally" run into Luka again. Seduce him. Sleep with him. I can't control myself when I'm near him. And if he finds out who I really am, I'm dead.

©2015 Helena Newbury (P)2015 Tantor

The cover was HOT!!! The book was "Luca" Warm.

In a market flooded with all types of Russian Mob Boss Romances, you have one chance to impress. The man on the cover—totally believable. Beginning of the story was plausible and believable. The little tidbits Arianna offers to the reader by indicating how the CIA nudges “common man” made me laugh and was smartly written. Getting into the story was not a problem. I was intrigued by the main characters—Arianna & Luca.

Yet, as time wove on, I began to wonder. The story became implausible as the story continued. There were no more little notes to the reader about how the CIA operates. There was only angst (really whining) about how she is a bad person for lying to the admitted Russian Mobster. She was supposed to have a telegraphic memory, yet admitted that she couldn’t remember things--like how to fight with handguns. She decides that it is better to have control over illegal gun movement into the US than some other guy for ethical reasons.

If I am invested, that means I want the story. Don’t dress this story up to be a mobster with a heart of gold. Illegal Activity is immoral and either she is okay with it or she isn’t. Arianna lied to Luca, a who is supposed to be the meanest of people, yet, he takes her back because she was “doing her job”.

In the beginning of the story, I didn’t mind that she was into a mobster. I could go with it and wondered how it turned out. I just have an issue with the author trying to make this story into some kind of feel good HEA story where Arianna is eventually right and still holistic. The constant whining about being a liar got old pretty quickly. Their role-play was trite and ill-conceived. I was not turned on by the CIA Agent/ Mobster boss sex play. If you are going to do this, bring in your “A” Game—the one is this book is trite and cheap--"C" worthy. I actually started laughing when he mentioned he found a “code book” in her clothing as one his arguments for punishing her in the scene.

Helen Newberry can write and I would give her another try. I don’t think this ending is the one she really wanted to tell. The narrator was really good too. I like it hot and good. This was lukewarm and ok. I may try the next in the series, but I am not wasting a credit on a book that I found poorly carried out.

NARRATION

Gah I wanted this book to be good! I couldn't deal with the narration! Good story but I couldn't finish it because of Lucy Malone.

Love mob stories!

This book has depth and strong sexual attraction. You get involved with the struggle and find yourself trying to put it down. Didn't happen for me lol

A lot if kissing indeed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would if she love this book as much as I did. And this book was AMAZING. The audiobook was okay for me and maybe it will be great for one of my friends to love.

What other book might you compare Lying and Kissing to and why?

None, because I'm new to reading Helena Newbury books, but I hope I can compare this book to one other book in the future.

Which scene was your favorite?

My Favorite was the sex scene, always it was so hot very Intense hehe

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All of it did, I wouldn't be reading a boom if it didn't move me.

Any additional comments?

Just take a ride in the wild side. I know you will not be disappointed.

Telling not showing

I read this book in 2016, but didn’t rate or review it.
It’s an okay book in my opinion but not a great one. Story is fine and characters aren’t bad, but I get never engaged. I think it’s mainly because a lot of the book is told and not shown. Like how they feel, what they think.

couldn't go to sleep for listening to story!

edge of your seat good. wanted the heroine to have more guts but loved it

Really steamy

This was a really good book, only down side is the narrator has a whiny voice, and there is a lot of repeating of the same thing. Kept me listening despite

hot hot hot

I'll come right out, the sex is hot! The story starts very strong, but there was a little tapering off. the last quarter of the story could have been expanded to a whole second half. I would not have minded spending more time with these characters at all.

Steamy, sexy, overwhelmingly intense, and Love.

1 order of sexy bad guy, with a side of awesome steam to go! Wow. At first I was hesitant of the type of sex. Domination can go really right; clear onto really wrong. Fortunately, our hero was just right with his restraint. His restraint was with his body, but it was never abusive. The world was just those two when their together, taking the full load of worry off for that time. She was always taking on the world, her career ... Bad guys behind her nerd desk as she would put it @ the CIA.

She dreams of him set night after hearing him on the tapes. When she gets the chance to meet him she takes it. Both yearn for the other. This might not be cakewalk to listen to at times but it's so worth it.

Fantastic!

You just cant put it down! The story is paced well and the narrator made it perfect!