Shelia M. Goss

Vivacious thirty-year old Mona Johnson has just received a promotion at work; one of her scripts has been chosen to be pitched, putting her closer to her dream of being a professional screenwriter. Now if she could just get over her attraction to her boss, the dashing and successful movie director, Terrance Beckham. Mona wants a commitment-minded man and Terrance is not known for dating a woman more than twice. Terrance wants a woman who wants him for the man he is, not his bank account or his industry connections. He is attracted to Mona but she is his employee!

Using aliases on an online dating site to solve their dating dilemmas both Mona and Terrance create profiles and find the perfect matches for them. Meanwhile, after attending a Hollywood event together Mona and Terrance find their sexual chemistry ignites into a night of sizzling lovemaking. Terrance is convinced Mona is the only woman for him while Mona wants to explore a relationship with her online match. Will Terrance be able to win Mona’s heart before the ghosts of the past and a meddling relative block their happily-ever-after?

Goss delivers a fast, engaging and addictive read with enough angst and passion that grabs from start to finish. She does a great job of getting to the very heart of the couple and what drives and inspires them. Terrance is a good guy with an open heart who did not mind lending a helping hand to others when it is deserved. Once he set his heart and mind are making Mona his woman, his maturity shines through the rocky points in their relationship. Mona learns to let go of her self-doubt and gains her confidence so she can love openly with someone who will accept her for who she is. The chemistry between Mona and Terrance is blistering, but what makes the romance so sweet is the way they challenge and balance each other. This is one couple I was happily rooting for.

The cast of secondary characters and secondary storylines provides for some pulse-pounding intrigue and deceptions. The secondary romance storyline between Terrance’s mother and the Pastor wants a nice touch for those who enjoy the challenges and joys of a mature couple.

SECRET LIAISONS is the second book in the Hollywood Women in Hollywood series. Goss continues her theme of providing the reader with insights into the challenges of women balancing their professional and personal lives with realistic scenarios readers can relate to. Smooth plotting and pacing provides a cinematic quality.

I recommend SECRET LIAISONS to readers who enjoy romances which are sinfully sizzling as well as romantically charming with a dollop of trickery.… (meer)

R&B star Sean “Mr. Naughty” Maxwell is in need of a new manager, and classy Charlotte Richards, one of Hollywood’s top talent managers, fits the bill with her impressive resume and curvaceous figure. Charlotte has worked hard to earn her stellar reputation and knows she is going to have to work even harder to keep her attraction to Sean under wraps. No sooner than the ink is dry on their business contract, a crisis arises where Charlotte innocently comforting Sean leads to a night of sweltering passion between the couple. Charlotte is determined not to repeat a mistake from her past while Sean now sees Charlotte as being much more than his business manager. Can this couple find their happily-ever-after with each other in both their personal and business relationships?

Goss has written a sweet and soulful romance of two strong-minded professionals learning how to come out on top in both life and love. Charlotte is a spitfire heroine whose stubbornness, holding on to her past almost crippled her from the man she desires. There were times when I just wanted to shake Charlotte to see how perfect Sean would be for her and just wanted some of that astuteness she showed in business relationships to apply to her personal life. Sean lives up to his role as a dreamy hero. I enjoyed his romantic wooing to win Charlotte over and often wondered when his patience would run out. Sean’s growing maturity and understanding his respect and love for Charlotte was unfolded in a realistic manner. While the chemistry between the couples at times seems lacking their journey of personal revelations and professional success will hold the hearts and attention of readers.

SECRET RELATIONS is the first book in the Women in Hollywood series and Goss neatly introduced readers to the scenery, politics, and secrets that are as fundamental to the premise of the series as any of the characters. Charlotte and her two girlfriends make up a strong loving support network and I look forward to reading their stories.

I recommend SECRET RELATIONS to readers looking for a romantic and entertaining storyline.… (meer)

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

I was actually anticipating this third volume of THE LIP GLOSS CHRONICLES. In the past, readers got to see inside Jasmine and Britney's minds. Now, Sierra finally gets her turn.

Sierra's step-mom, Maria, has always been on her for her weight. Over the summer, Maria makes Sierra attend various retreats to work on her weight issues. So, it's with a new body and tamed hair that she returns to Plano High as a sophomore. Sierra was always second best when it came to guys, but now she's getting noticed.

Her BFF, Jasmine, is just a little bit jealous of the newfound attention Sierra is getting. Britney, as always, is stuck in the middle of the bickering. The only thing Jasmine doesn't seem to be upset about is Sierra and Cecil (Jasmine's tutor, who suddenly got hot over the summer) hanging out.

As with the previous two volumes in the series, the reader can expect ups and downs. There will be (of course) boy trauma. A family will fall hard financially. But through it all, the friendship that Sierra, Jasmine, and Britney share will bond them together.

I'm not certain this is the final book in THE LIP GLOSS CHRONICLES, but if it ended here, it works. Readers get to see inside all three girls' heads and follow them as they each deal with realistic life issues. I enjoyed the previous two novels a lot, but I think Sierra felt the most real and relatable for me. I think PAPER THIN wraps up the series nicely.… (meer)