In the Eye of the Storm was a charming and addictive story. This light, adorable, and sexy book kept me hooked from the first page! I thought the characters were lovable and their chemistry was off the charts. The romance was fun and had plenty of angst to keep it interesting. Readers who enjoy a quick and sweet romance novel with lots of steamy moment will love this story!

4 / 5 Fangs

Catering to the CEO was a darker story with A LOT more tension and angst. The tug and pull of the relationship between Adam and Cassie was exhausting! However, when they finally got together, they worked SO WELL! My issue with this story was that I never really liked Adam. I understood that he was a damaged man, but he was so rude, judgmental, and hard to warm up to. I never FULLY fell for him or understood why Cassie liked him as much as she did. That being said, this was still a fun romance novel with plenty of swoons.

3 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

This is a double feature with the first book being about Stephen, a workaholic, and Holly his assistant. When Holly tells him off about him forcing his work ethic on her he is suddenly attracted to the raging woman he actually knows very little about. A storm strands them together for the weekend and they come together as a couple but uncertain where this new turn of events will leave them professionally.
While I enjoyed Holly, I would’ve liked Stephen more had he been attracted to her from the beginning. They’d been working together for three years, every day, fourteen hours a day and he didn’t know the basics of her life. This had the potential to be a really cute, fun and steamy read for me but overall it just felt a bit tepid.
The second book did not include characters from the first. Cassie has been Adam’s caterer for the past two years. When he tries to make a change, again, she’s had enough. Seeing her in a new light, Adam makes plan to seduce her even as he’s planning to never hire her again.
I definitely enjoyed this one more even though Adam had several a-hole moments. Several. I wanted him to really have to grovel when the end came and although there was a tiny bit, it didn’t satisfy me enough. The secondary characters in this one were better developed and I actually liked them unlike the first.
These are both fast paced reads with a touch of humor and some steam. Overall, I wasn’t sold on these heroes. I never felt their driving need for the heroines except perhaps on a sexual level and even that was bit meh.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV although it switches erratically
Safe – no ow/om drama
No apparent triggers

Will appear soon at Romance Reviews Today: http://romrevtoday.com/

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM/CATERING TO THE CEO –Samantha Chase
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 978-1492622710
April 2018
Contemporary Romance

Raleigh, North Carolina – Present Day

In the Eye of the Storm

Holly Abrams is ticked off when her overbearing boss, Stephen Ballinger, calls her late at night asking her to pick him up from a bar after he has a fight with his friend. It’s storming out and driving in the elements is not something she wants to do, but she is his assistant and values her job. But once Holly gets Stephen home, the driving rain forces her to stay with him…where one thing leads to another and they have sex.

Stephen has always been attracted to Holly but held off because she is his employee. But once he’s had a taste of her, he wants more. He can’t offer her more than a few nights of sex because he’s not into commitments. Will Stephen end up breaking Holly’s heart and lose a valued employee, or can they realize that they’re made for each other?

It’s a dark and stormy night as Holly comes to Stephen’s rescue. He’s a bit of a cad and isn’t afraid to admit it, but she knows how to soothe this beast. He relies on her a lot…too much…and she lets him know that she’s had enough. Of course, there’s been this simmering attraction between them and the storm finally has it exploding into a night of passion. Yet, even as Stephen pushes Holly away, he keeps coming back for more. When his best friends point out that he seems to like Holly a lot, will he go cold turkey? Meanwhile, Holly is frustrated by Stephen’s back and forth with her. Maybe it’s time to walk away…

In the Eye of the Storm has many ups and downs for Stephen and Holly as they wrestle with their feelings. He values his bachelorhood, while Holly wants him to be more than a boss with benefits. The passion sizzles between them, but is it enough for them to find love?

Catering to the CEO

Millionaire CEO Adam Lawrence is too demanding. So much so that caterer Cassie Jacobs quits a plum job catering his upcoming meeting rather than dealing with another of his outrageous demands. However, that night they both come face to face again and learn that Adam’s mother is dating Cassie’s father. Will they soon be step-siblings?

During the dinner with the extended family, Adam learns that her family is 100% behind her. He figures if he wants to keep peace with his mother, he better apologize to Cassie, which he does in private and hires her back. As they work together to plan his company events, a few kisses turn to more…and he realizes that he’s attracted to her.

In Catering to the CEO, Adam gets his comeuppance when he discovers he can’t boss around Cassie. She loves to cook and can create miracles, but there are some of his demands that she can’t comply with. Too many battles lead to Cassie quitting, only for Adam to realize how much he relies on her. It’s during a visit to his beach house to lay out the groundwork for his upcoming meeting that their full-fledged attraction has them unable to resist each other.

Cassie is still building her catering business and can’t really afford to lose Adam as a client, but his demands make it nearly impossible for her to be efficient and organized. After realizing they might soon be related, both try to be amenable towards the other, which leads to a better understanding between them. But once they become lovers, will it only end in heartbreak as Adam doesn’t believe in marriage?

There is plenty of back and forth as Adam and Cassie’s relationship goes hot and cold, some due to being afraid of commitments, but also due to a misunderstanding or two. In Catering to the CEO, Cassie and Adam are just going to have to trust what their hearts are telling them.

CATERING TO THE CEO and IN THE EYE OF THE STORM both feature relationships between bosses and employees and makes for some riveting reading. There’s plenty of sizzle in the bedroom, yet there’s romance in the air that will pull in readers.

Patti Fischer

I'm sorry, I could not finish this book. It was boring, there was no chemistry between the two characters, there was no tension like there usually is in a boss-employee relationship. I felt like we didn't get to know these characters at all before we were asked to have an opinion about whether or not they would sleep together. I did not even start the second part of the book. Not sure you want me to post this on Goodreads. I tried, I really did. But I've got too many books to read to waste time on something I'm not interested in.,

I really had trouble getting into the book initially and getting caught up in the emotions of the characters. The storyline was good, but it just didn’t stand out in my mind amongst other books in the genre. The blurb was great, but overall the book just fell flat for me.

3.5☆
3☆ Eye of the Storm
4☆ Catering to the CEO

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading more from Samantha Chase.

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM
Holly Abrams is really annoyed when her boss Stephen Ballinger calls her in the middle of a tropical storm at 2am to come and pick him up. During the drive to his home Holly lets him know just how annoyed she is. Stephen realizes how clueless he has been and knows it's too dangerous for Holly to drive back home. So he insists that she stay with him until the storm passes. The short stay leads to a hot, steamy relationship.

CATERING TO THE CEO
Millionaire CEO Adam Lawrence is used to getting whatever he wants. Caterer Cassie Jacobs gets under his skin when she doesn't give in to his demands. Changes to their family dynamics will lead to the opening feelings that will lead to life changing decisions.

I enjoyed reading this duet of two sexy CEO's and the sassy women who held them in check..

Book Info
Paperback
Expected publication: April 3rd 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492622710 (ISBN13: 9781492622710)
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Dealing with your boss is never easy...falling in love with him is even harder.

In the Eye of the Storm
Holly Abrams can't believe her demanding...and unbelievably sexy...boss, Stephen Ballinger, called her to pick him up at 2 A.M. in the middle of a tropical storm. To make matters worse, the storm is too dangerous for her to make the trek home. Forced to stay at his place to wait it out, their relationship quickly turns passionate...but will it last past the thunder and lightning?

Catering to the CEO
Millionaire CEO Adam Lawrence knows how to get what he wants--in business and in the bedroom. So when caterer Cassie Jacobs dares to best him on a deal, Adam vows revenge. But when they get life-changing news that could bind them together for years to come, Adam may have no choice but to change his ways...and open his heart.

What People Are Saying About Samantha Chase:
"A sweet romance: classic, thoughtful, and as lyrical as the stars." --Kirkus for A Sky Full of Stars
"So much more than just a romance." --Night Owl Reviews for Always My Girl
"A classic love story...a delight for readers." --RT Book Reviews for This Is Our Song

My Thoughts


In first novella In the Eye of the Storm we meet personal assistant Holly Abrams and her boss, President and Founder of Ballinger Security, Stephen Ballinger.

Having worked closely with Stephen for the past three years one would have thought the long hours, dinner meetings, business trips and the other myriad responsibilities that her job entails would be old hat to Holly. Especially since some of the blame is on her shoulders for making herself an indispensable employee. One that Stephen not only relies on to pull her fair share in the work but one he also has come to realize shares his vision for the success of Ballinger Security as well.

However, one fateful night the man crosses the line between business and personal. Holly finally snaps and unloads all the frustration she has built up over the years resulting in some unexpected consequences for them both.

The resulting storm of emotions is twofold for this volatile couple. It rages both in the outside elements that catapult them into each others immediate orbit in a non-professional setting and continues to rage in their hearts for Holly and Stephen long after the weather system disperses.


Novella two Catering to the CEO is about a totally different couple but continues in the same vein as its predecessor.

Adam Lawrence has anger issues, commitment issues and major trust issues. He is so used to people wanting things from him that are to their benefit it is hard to grasp that someone wants his company because they enjoy spending time together.

The man is too quick to judge Cassie and her family using scenarios from his past experiences as his guide. Fortunately the Jacobs clan proves to be above such measures as Adam finds out but his initial error in lumping Cassie and the rest together in that mold causes untold grief before getting straightened out.

Cassie Jacobs is a character who embraces her OCD tendencies. She does not hesitate in using them to not only create and maintain a successful catering business but a profitable one as well if her largest client will continue to retain her services.

This novella did not capture me the way its predecessor did. I enjoyed the read but could not totally connect with Adam as he just kept proving to be an arrogant, overbearing and totally unrealistic character at times. Which in no way endeared him to me as Cassie's love interest.

Catering to the CEO is an apt name for this second offering in that it not only applies to what Cassie Jacobs does for a living but what autocratic CEO Adam Lawrence expects from his business associates as well as people he employs.

When started flew through the first novella and then set it aside a few days to read another digital book while Holly and Stephens story sunk in.

When finished that first set of stories dove back in to finish the second half of the review set. Adam and Cassie's tale went by just as quickly and as easily for me.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

The bigger they are, they harder they fall!

Both stories are very quick reads. While both stories are about "powerful" men, the women are just as powerful and show a great deal of strength in dealing with these stubborn and bull-headed men. They are both stories of just how powerful love can be when two people match each other so well.

Love all of Ms. Chase's books!

I have read and loved so many of Samantha Chase's books. With that said, first of all I don't care for reissues. They never seem to be relevant, having been issued several years before. The first book "In The Eye Of The Storm" was good! The story grabbed me from the beginning and kept me turning pages. The characters were both likeable. I gave this book 3 stars simply because of the second story "Catering To The CEO" This book's characters seemed very 1 dimensional. I couldn't get past my first impression of the main character Adam. I have to say I disliked him intensely. The other characters were better, but not enough to make up for him. The story did not flow, it seemed very jerky! I rarely ever say this but I did not finish the second book in this duo! I wanted to like the story, but I found myself stressing and I don't read to be stressed I read to escape! I will await the next Samantha Chase book that will enthrall me!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Two is better than one and that's what you get in this special edition.

In the Eye of the Storm
Holly Abrams is done catering to get bosses whims. The 2am call in the middle of a horrendous storm is the final straw. It doesn't matter how sexy he is our that maybe he finally sees her as a women.
Stephen Ballinger has one priority, his business. And his assistant Holly makes everything run smoothly. When confronted with the temptation of having more than a working relationship Stephen isn't sure how to keep focused. This story is definitely lots of blurred lines and miscommunications.

Catering to the CEO
Well you don't get to be a CEO by being everyone's pal. At least that's been my take on this particular storyline. Insert cranky, rude but devastatingly handsome man who doesn't get put in his place. Adam certainly didn't expect to be called out by the event planner and caterer they'd been working with for over two years. But Cassie calling him on his horrid treatment may have been the best thing to ever happen to him.

In the first book, In the Eye of the Storm, we meet Holly and Steven. I really liked this story a lot. Holly has been Stephen’s assistant at his company for 3 years. She’s really been his right hand woman and necessary to his success. Stephen is a workaholic and a very successful businessman because of that he thinks. Doesn’t really fee he has been missing anything. Holly has been happily working by his side as many hours as he needs her too not really caring that she doesn’t have much of a life outside of work because she likes what she does.Until one stormy night/weekend when all of that changes. One very hot, sexy, sweet and steamy weekend! Their chemistry in the bedroom or any other room for that matter is as on point as their work chemistry always has been.
Will their weekend tryst ruin their working relationship? Can they really go back to just a boss/assistant relationship after all they shared?
Will they realize before it’s too late that the storm that brought them together finally started a storm brewing in their hearts and is a once in a lifetime love neither should deny?

Then in Catering to the CEO, we meet Adam and Cassie. I enjoyed this story too as it seems to have a lot of different aspects to it than a typical romance. It was entertaining to watch Adam and Cassie butt heads and for her family to be involved in what turns out to be a unique situation for them. Adam is used to everything being a certain way and getting what he wants as the CEO of his security company. He certainly doesn’t expect anyone to ever question him or give him a hard time. That is until Cassie, who runs her own catering company and has been doing work for Adam, calls him out on an unreasonable request. And thus begins an eye opening experience for Adam and some definite frustration for Cassie.
I really liked Cassie from the beginning but it definitely took me time to warm up to Adam. But I did finally get there with him. He becomes more and more human with each interaction with Cassie. I think he just needed someone to shake up his world and open his eyes to what he had been missing.
Cassie is so good for him and he is just very slow on the uptake. Eventually they get to their HEA but is is definitely not a smooth journey but one that was certainly entertaining as a reader to go on.

In the eye of the storm !

Holly has been at Stephen’s beck and call as his assistant for the past three years but when he calls her to come and pick him up at 2 am in the midst of a storm, she lits onto him and tells him exactly how she feels.
With the storm growing in intensity, Holly is forced to stay in Stephens home. And he finally starts noticing her as a woman and not just his assistant. With their relationship changing from professional to passionate. How will this change affect their working relation once the weekend ends ?
In the eye of the storm was a fun and easy read. There was some drama but that just made the HEA that much sweeter. A truly sweet and beautiful romance.


Catering to the CEO

Cassie has been catering for Adams company for the past 2 years, and put up with his arrogant behavior with a smile. But when he changes the menu for the 8th time less than 2 weeks before an event, she quits.
Adam is unable to find another agency at such short notice and that angers him further.
Things change when that evening they realize Adams Mom is marrying Cassie’s dad. Their relationship dynamics change when they are forced to make amends and see each other in a environment other than work.
Catering to the CEO was a sweet read. Cassie is a straightforward and strong heroine who has no problems putting Adam in his place, who was not likable very often. It was nice to see how their romance developed. It is a well written and enjoyable read !

Both of these books have characters who catch your heart. Holly and Stephen have worked together for years, but when Stephen realizes he might lose Holly, he realizes how much she means to him. In Catering to the CEO Adam doesn’t realize what he’s missing in his life until Cassie, his caterer and her family, make him realize what should be important in his life. These are two of Samantha Chase’s best stories!

In the eye of the storm:

Holly is Stephen’s personal assistant. As the owner of the company he is very bossy and demanding. Holly has been holding back her feelings of the long hours and working weekends for 3 years....all until one night when Stephen calls her at 2 am from a bar to come pick him up. Sure why not and during a torrential storm. When the storm confines her to his house for the weekend they begin to learn about each other’s lives outside of the office. This will all lead to what they think is one night of passion. Only to turn into so much more than either would ever believe. All until Stephen’s friend Derek intervenes. Will they be able to over come the meddling?
Samantha has down it again with this short story of literal and emotional storms.


Catering to the CEO:

Cassie is hired to cater a big event for Adam. After a huge agreement that arrangement is put into jeopardy. When a surprise dinner brings them back face to face the air between them because thick but sizzling. Another event will throw them back together and things take a turn. Adam again screws everything up and over reacts.

The only thing that I didn’t like was the story seems to jump ahead without real breaks. The flow was a little off.

Two great contemporary romances rolled into one! I really enjoyed both these stories! Both stories have lots of sexy times and loads of romance!

In The Eye of The Storm
Stephen is Holly's boss and a workaholic until one night when out having drinks with friends he gets into a fight and is abandoned at the bar, in need of a ride home. He call Holly to pick him up during a tropical storm. From there the fun begins! I loved it when Holly stood up for herself and put Stephen in his place! This couple was fun to get to know and the angst at times between them was perfect.

Catering to the CEO
One of my favorite sub-genres is enemies to lovers and this story has all the angst needed along with loads of sexy and romantic times. Adam is stubborn and controlling and has a cynical view of people and trust. Cassie is a fun loving but strong, independent trusting woman who loves her family and believes in the good of people. I smiled all the way through this story! A beautiful HEA that had me sighing with happiness.

Until There Was Us
Montgomery Brothers 7
Samantha Chase
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I have forever love the Montgomery men, their Matchmaker father and of course the women who bring them to their knees. This one is not a Montgomery man, but the cousin of those gorgeous men. I fell in love with Megan and Alex, from that 1st dance, and only feel further 2 years later. Samantha has a way of creating new characters that are 100% themselves, and this series is one of my all time favourite’s. Just when I think I've found a new favourite another family member comes along. The Montgomery’s have a special place in my heart.

Megan Montgomery has Forever lived in the shadows of her brother’s and cousins, being the “woman” her career goals are pushed under the rug. But she may be female but she is also smart and incredibly strong. Pushing aside her arrogant father, she makes herself an IT genius. Now she has the opportunity to move to Portland to work with Zach to install a new system in his company. But along with seeing her cousin’s and her beautiful niece, she is bound to come face to face with her past. That one night has been in her dreams for 2 years and now she is about to relive it.

Alex met Zach Montgomery at his lowest point. After a long therapy period he said now classed as a great friend. He attended his wedding and has been a constant in each other’s lives since, but he hides a secret from Zach, that he spent an incredible 2 days with his cousin, and then like they turned on at the wedding it turned off months later. He is beyond shocked to discover Megan is moving to his town and he will do everything in his power to win her back.

On first glance it was obvious the chemistry that was there years ago is still as much as ever. But family and her inner demons threaten to derail what they gain back... This pair will take of journey or rediscovery in themselves and as a couple. Their lives are vastly different, but the love between each other is phenomenal. Opening up is hard but losing your forever is so much worse.

Two enjoyable reads in one! I wondered if the two books were connected in any way because they had some similarities but I’m pretty sure that they are not part of a series.
I enjoyed the stories even more because I live in North Carolina and that’s where they take place.

loved In the Eye of the Storm but did not care for Catering to the CEO. In catering, the male lead was too annoying with his attitude. In The Eye of the Storm was wonderful.