A setting I love

I visited Mykonos four times over the course of twenty years. For a long time, I dreamed of setting a romance novel in the beautiful island I fell in love with.

Mykonos Town(Chora) is a stunningly picturesque town with a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed steps lanes, houses and churches, gathered around its harbour in the middle of a wide bay. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean.

Despite the island’s rapid growth and development, it’s traditional Greek architectural style and character has remained firmly intact, thanks to the island’s strict building regulations.

Although the streets are lined with little shops, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, stylish bars and restaurants, Mykonos Town has not completely lost its identity.

 

SAILING WITH YOU

http://tinyurl.com/7xwp8eo

When Greek billionaire Stefano decides to demolish the dilapidated villa inherited from his grandmother, the American co-owner refuses to sell his shares and sends his attorney—and pretty granddaughter—to contest the demolition. To check out the opposition before he faces her at the hearing, Stefano meets her incognito and convinces her to take a sunset ride on his yacht. Sparks fly and passion sizzles during a memorable night.

In court, Ashley is in for a nasty surprise about her handsome Greek god and Stefano is about to lose the only woman who’s ever touched his heart. Will Stefano be able to convince Ashley he’s not the enemy anymore?

Excerpt:

How had that Greek woman, Elena, managed to inflame Grandpa George with a love that endured a fifty-year separation?

Irritation pinched Ashley’s insides. Her own romances had never lasted more than a year, earning Grandpa’s reproachful looks and his never-wavering advice. Look for a Greek man who can love you unconditionally.

Did Greek men belong to a special brand of lovers whose passion could survive the test of time and distance?

Well, the few locals who had stared—leered at her was more correct—didn’t strike her as the kind of heroes who’d love forever, or even long enough to walk to the altar. But maybe all Greeks were not that bad. A moment ago, Strong-Legs had acted like a gentleman.

Ted navigated his way through the crowded area and waved his hand. “Here’s my friend.”

A hunk sprang to his feet and waved back. Tall, lean, solid, his body matched the legs she’d admired a moment ago. Bulging muscles stretched the beige t-shirt that contrasted with the bronze of his skin. And she thought gods belonged only to mythology.

“Ashley, this is Stefano, my lifelong friend and former roommate. He also spent eight years in Boston, but he studied Architecture and then went on for a Master in Business Administration. Stefano, Ashley Sheppard is another Harvard graduate.”

Ted had forgotten to mention Stefano’s last name. By mistake or on purpose? She flicked a guarded glance from the lawyer to his friend.

“Stefano Alexios,” the hunk specified.

She nodded and extended her hand. He enfolded it in his warm palm and held it a moment too long. “Nice to meet you, Ashley.” His voice drifted velvet-smooth, tinged with a hint of accent. A faint scent of lemon and spice tickled her senses while his heart-stopping smile numbed her mind. He pulled a chair for her into the shade of the white and blue canopy. “You’ll be more comfortable here.” He sat next to her at the small table.

Heavy and dark curls ruffled in the breeze and fluttered over his gold-rimmed, polarized sunglasses. She’d bet her bikini bra he’d have dark chocolate eyes to match that tanned skin. As if reading her thoughts, he took off his glasses.

Lo and behold, his eyes were turquoise blue, similar in color to the sea surrounding his island. She’d eat her tongue before making another bet in her life. The noon temperature suddenly seemed unbearable.

Posted in Contemporary Romance, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Free Promotion

NEIGHBORS and MORE is offered FREE
on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, September, 5-7, 2012

Download your copy at Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/96bjqcm

NEIGHBORS and MORE was published on August 13, 2012, and garnered ten ***** stars reviews.

Reviews:
“A romance wrapped in a mystery.”~S.Hughes
“The hero is an appealing sweetheart, and this book is definitely a page-turner you won’t want to miss.”~Kelsey Tanner
“Neighbors and More is an exciting, fast-paced mystery combined with a romance as hot as the Florida sun. Grab a cold drink, a fan and prepare for a perfect beach read.” ~Linda McLaughlin
“A wonderful romantic suspense set in beautiful, east coastal Florida. A murder mystery, a falsely accused heroine and her handsome lawyer, and a diverse cast of characters, has all the makings for a great romance, intrigue and fast-paced action. Loved it.” ~Seniorcitizen
“Dante really is a sweetheart and the author had me falling for him, along with Alexa. It’s a very enjoyable read and an excellent mixture of mystery and romance.” ~BevPetter.
“A well-written, face-paced romantic suspense of mystery and murder, set at a luxury, high-rise condominium on the beach in South Florida. Love the characters, Dante, the handsome lawyer neighbor with a good heart; the beautiful Alexa who’s been through a lot of pain in her life.” ~DebbieA

Description:
Neighbors and More is a romantic suspense, and the first book of the High Rise Series.

High Rises are like large families where members face love, hate, meddling, and gossiping. When the neighbor who was harassing her is found dead in the Jacuzzi, Alexa is a prime suspect. Can she count on her dear neighbors, including the delectable Italian, Dante, for help? With too many skeletons in their own closets, would they save her or incriminate her?

Dear Reader,
After you read NEIGHBORS and MORE, please leave a review.
I’d love to hear from you. mona@monarisk.com

Posted in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

A review for No More Lies

        Posted: Friday, August 24, 2012, by Toni Sweeney

http://tonivsweeney.com/tvsweeney@tonivsweeney.com/Book_Review/Entries/2012/8/24_No_More_Lies_by_Mona_Risk.html

Ten years ago, Olivia Crane broke Luc George’s heart when they were students at the University of Cincinnati. Now, he’s back in her life again, this time with a title, the Comte de Toulon-Chatel, and a degree in psychiatry, to spend six months at the University Hospital. Olivia doesn’t associate the name with her former lover and is looking forward to co-authoring an article with a man she expects to be elderly. Luc is anything but and he’s still in love with her, and there the problems begin.

Immediately, he’s insinuating himself into her life. Learning she has a teenage daughter and discovering Olivia has hid the child from her friends and colleagues and even himself while they were students, he discovers the reason: Melissa’s father is a borderline psychotic, a lovingperfson while things go his way but violent to the point of homicide when he’s crossed. Having lost his own son, Luc is sensitive to the love Olivia has for her child, and soon meets and enthralls not only Melissa but Olivia’s mother also. And then, he discovers that one of his first patients is to be Jeremy Rutherford, Melissa’s father, who is unaware he has a daughter.

Olivia’s attempts to keep Melissa from learning that the truth about her father is entirely different from the myth she has told the girl as well as keeping Jeremy from finding out about his daughter now through a stumbling block into her slowly dissolving resistence to Luc’s charms. Luc’s determination to convince Olivia to marry him so he can have the family and the woman he desires, make him an easy ally. But what will happen if Melissa can’t forgive Olivia for lying to her…or Jeremy discovers he has a child? And then there’s Jeremy’s grandfather, a dear old man the exact opposite of his grandson. Does he have a right to know of Melissa’s existence?

Questions and answers don’t seem to line up as Olivia tries to do what’s right without losing both Luc and her daughter, but the big question still remains…exactly what is the right thing to do?

MY OPINION: A good book and a very romantic love story. In describing Jeremy Rutherford, Ms. Risk give a chilling portrayal of a man who, right or wrong, has to have his way. Other reviewers have said the portrayal of Olivia’s reactions aren’t realistic. Let me tell you: They are. Having been in this same situation, I reacted the same way Olivia did, though in my case, I ran 1500 miles away from the source of the threat.

Characterizations are spot-in and Luc is a man we might all wish we could meet in real life. Though in the beginning, Olivia comes across as cruel in her treatment of him, once the cause is learned and the reason for her fear, her giving up everything, even the man she loves to protect her child doesn’t seem so cold after all.

It’s a good story, with a good hero and heroine and I recommend it.

RATING: *****

No More Lies is available from Kindle, http://tinyurl.com/79r88wp

NOTE: Pdfs of novels are not given away or loaned after review and after a specific time will be deleted from the website.

Posted in Contemporary Romance | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment