Paperback , pages. Published October 6th by Berkley Trade first published September 25th To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Paradise Rules , please sign up. Lists with This Book. May 07, Auntee rated it liked it Recommends it for: Fans of erotic romance. I finally finished this one, and I'm kind of bummed that it was just an okay read. But it seems to me that Beth Kery is becoming a hit or miss for me. There were some good things about it: I just never fell I finally finished this one, and I'm kind of bummed that it was just an okay read.
I just never fell for the characters. To me she came off as way too remote and often bitchy. Maybe, maybe if the author had let the reader in a little sooner about why she acted the way she did, I would have had a chance to like her. But by the time her backstory was finally revealed, it was a little too little, too late.
I understood why she acted the way she did, but to be honest, BK didn't fully convince me that her childhood was that bad. I've read about heroines who had it a lot tougher than Lana and who had better attitudes, so yes, I wasn't really feelin' the love for Lana. Then Lana enters his life and sort of turns it upside down when he decides to pursue her. She doesn't really make it easy for him, and despite the crazy lust she inspires in him, I wondered why he even bothered.
I didn't really care for how he often lost his temper with Lana although who could blame him or how bossy, rough and dominating he could be in his love making shades of Vic in "Wicked Burn". And speaking of lust, there were many, many lust-filled sequences, with sexual acts that were rough, raw, and often mind-boggling. Which could have been really exciting because I'll admit, BK does have a certain way with a sex scene , but I wasn't that excited by them, because I just wasn't all that thrilled with the characters.
If BK had given me a backstory about the characters that made me fall for them, then those sex scenes would have melted the pages!
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As it stands, they were just Another thing that bugged me, was that just as all the info about Lana's past was revealed, and after Jason and Lana had to deal with an embarrassing 'news leak' about their torrid affair, and just when it looked like Lana and Jason turned a corner in their relationship and they might have a future together, the book abruptly ended. I actually flipped through a couple of blank pages at the end of the book, desperately seeking some kind of epilogue! But all I got was a vague, they're "happy for now" feeling. I've learned that for me, what's most important in an erotic romance is the characters.
Well-developed, likable characters can overcome even the most cliched, predictable plot. No amount of inventive, hot on the printed page sex scenes will save a book for me if I'm not feeling the characters. Unfortunately, Jason and Lana just didn't click for me. For other readers--who knows? Beth Kery is a very talented writer, so I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
Not for the faint of heart! View all 15 comments. May 07, Shawna rated it liked it Recommends it for: Fans of erotic romance featuring mild BDSM activity. It had the potential to be an intriguing, scorching hot erotic read, but unfortunately it just fell flat for me. I loved the exotic Waikiki, Oahu island setting and the numerous, beautifully descriptive references to the culture, locale, climate, and wildlife almost made me feel the sun on my skin, the sand beneath my toes, and the tropical breeze on my face.
Jason Koa, the local Hawaiian surf god, sex stud, playboy, wealthy entrepreneur, and ex-Olympic swimmer who loves to dominate in and out of the bedroom is challenged by the icy, bitchy, aloof, controlled, and emotionally detached and distant facade of famous blues singer Lana Rodriguez when she and her friend arrive in Waikiki for vacation. Yes, the sex in this is frequent, potent, raw, kinky, sometimes rough and forceful although consensual , and verrry hot because after all, Kery has some serious talent for depicting wickedly erotic, steamy sex scenes.
They engaged in a constant emotional and sexual power struggle and manipulative tug-of-war throughout the entire story, and all I really felt that they had in common were defensive, irritating personalities, insatiable lust, and equally overactive libidos. I guess he just got off on the fact that she unleashed and defied his sexual dominant streak and inner caveman.
What seriously ramped up my frustration level is the fact that just when I was starting to think that perhaps Jason and Lana might actually have a chance together and to finally have some emotional investment in the story, it ended just like that. View all 18 comments. Oct 11, Katie babs rated it it was ok. Lana Rodriguez and her personal assistant Melanie are vacationing in Hawaii. Lana is a semi-famous blues singer who is trying to keep a low profile.
Both women decide to do a little surfing and end up taking lessons at the Jason Koa Surf School. The school is run by a former Olympic medalist who has quite the reputation on the island because Lana Rodriguez and her personal assistant Melanie are vacationing in Hawaii. The school is run by a former Olympic medalist who has quite the reputation on the island because of his last name and his superstar status.
Lana soon becomes annoyed because Jason is late for their lesson due to some tender loving care he is receiving from one of his students. Lana rips into Jason. He thinks she is cold and uptight and she thinks he is a horny loser. These two go their separate ways even though Lana really connects with Jason. Lana likes to be in control of everything, even in the bedroom.
Lana is in for a big surprise when Jason shows up at her hotel room. He leaves in a huff but not before he tells her that if she wants to get laid again by him, she needs to play by his rules or not at all. She will play by his rules even if it means opening herself up to Jason in ways she has never done with a man before. These two know that forever is not in the cards and the next few days they throw caution to the wind and engage in some kinky sexual acts that are titillating.
Both must decide if they should work together to find out the person responsible or turn away from their island paradise vacation they both want to have with one another. Paradise Rules is a very erotic story with many intense sexual acts that may make you squirm. Jason does things to Lana that are very hot and sexy but also a bit shocking. Every act between them is a test of endurance.
Jason uses his skill as a lover to break down the defenses Lana has placed around her heart, as well as her body. The relationship between Jason and Lana is a difficult one to explain. These two do not care for one another in the beginning. Both seem so cold and a bit cruel.
Card Games/Fool's Paradise
They both seem to dislike each other immensely and the only reason they have sex is because of this deep attraction they have for one another. Lana hurls insults at Jason while he overpowers her because of his sexual gifts. Some readers may not find Paradise Rules to be comfortable reading.
Their personalities were just too off putting for me to believe that these two would have a happily ever after together. Beth Kery can sure write some scintillating stories and Paradise Rules is one of them. I enjoyed the exotic island atmosphere but felt the love story between Jason and Lana was lacking. But if you are in the mood for reading hot sex that stretched the limits with the main characters, Paradise Rules may just be the book for you.
Conquest of Paradise - 2nd Ed.
May 08, Mahlet rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Lovers of erotic romance that pulls on your emotions. Her erotic romance books are first-rate, expertly crafted with the right amount of character development, chemistry and emotion turmoil to make you care and boiling hot sex scenes to make you squirm.
Paradise Rules lived up to every expectation that the book summary promised, especially Jason being a beautiful, exotic dominant lover. The nasty scars Lana has lived with through most of her adult life are tied to the island, and she copes by sweeping her Hawaiian heritage under the rug and putting defenses up when it comes to men. The touristy glitz of Oahu irks Lana. Jason Koa on the other hand, revels in it. And Jason is so ravenous for her, and she for him. Jason has enemies on the island seeking a piece of the Koa estate, and the manner in which they strike caught me off guard.
I laughed, gasped, screamed and squirmed. The extremely sexy scenes coupled with emotion that yanked at my heart strings— Paradise Rules was amazing and without a doubt a re-read for me. View all 5 comments. Nov 19, Shannon Giraffe Days rated it really liked it Shelves: Lana Rodriguez is a popular singer with a smoky voice and a childhood she's done her best to forget.
When her assistant, Melanie, needs a holiday to escape her ex-husband's nasty divorce tactics, she agrees to go with her to Hawaii - the one place she never wanted to return to. As reserved and cold as she seems, Lana's eye is caught by the uber-attractive Jason Koa, a surfing coach and owner of a popular beachside restaurant.
Jason is part of a large family headed by Grandmother Lilly. Once an O Lana Rodriguez is a popular singer with a smoky voice and a childhood she's done her best to forget. Once an Olympic swimmer, he now lives on a boathouse, swims and surfs as much as he can, and manages his grandmother's books. He's also a fan of Lana's music, and when the opportunity arises, he arranges with his cousin Po to be her escort for a night.
One night isn't enough however. Jason wants more of Lana, wants to break down her icy facade and mean more to her than just sex. Luckily for him, Lana wants more too. Getting her to promise to spend an entire night and a day with him on his houseboat is as far ahead as he can think, but just when Lana decides to risk everything to be with Jason longer, their steamy, dreamy, passionate world comes tumbling down. Beth Kery writes great sex. I mean that in both senses of the word: If there's one thing you can always count on, it's steamy, steamy sex. And let's be completely clear here: That is an actual sub-genre of Romance.
A romance novel might have two or three actual sex scenes in it, but focuses mostly on anticipation and the build-up of sexual tension. There's some of that here, but erotic romance doesn't waste time unless it's a boring one. The thing about the sex in these books is that it's used to explore the characters' psyches, their strengths and flaws, their compatibility, their issues, their connection.
This is the third way in which Beth Kery writes great sex. Without it, the whole novel would fall apart. There were aspects of both Lana and Jason that I liked, and little things that bugged me. I don't care for heroines who get too stubborn and difficult, mostly because they're way too common.
Lana had a bit of that here and there, and I'd like to see a different approach to the character-with-troubled-past-she-wants-to-hide-from. Granted, you'd have to find some other way to create conflict and resistance - the whole point of Romance books, anyway, is to find a way for the characters to resist each other, often needlessly. Hence the sexual tension. Hence why I can't read too many Romance novels, too close together. The saving grace here is that Lana and Jason have an edge, and also that they desire each other and it's not the sex that they're resisting, but anything more permanent, more committed, more open and trusting.
Or, at least, she is. I like a man in the Romance novel sense , who isn't afraid to go after the woman he wants. I think this is why I like erotic romance so much: The emotional side builds more gradually. Jason was a little too perfect, though. I know I had that complaint about the hero in Sweet Restraint , and maybe the characters' personalities are a little too similar, but for some reason I liked Jason.
I did have to laugh at the bit about him winning 8 Gold medals at the Sydney Olympics - trying to steal the limelight away from the real golden boy of the pool that year, Ian "Thorpedo" Thorpe? There was a little dig about Aussie surfers towards the end too - have to say, I don't even know the names of any of our surfers, but it still pricks my sense of national pride! And people say we aren't patriotic Maybe not, but we are loyal!
And our sports people are our national heroes The story of Lana's childhood was sad, but handled gently and subtly - no emotion-wringing heavy-handedness here! The setting was beautifully recreated - the closest I've come in real life is a pit stop at Honolulu airport where I had to sign away all my rights to America not a nice feeling I can tell you!
The tropical beauty of the islands - and their dangers - were simply but effectively rendered here, and even though it felt a bit weird reading it while huddled in my warm clothes with the fireplace going and the temperature outside at , it did transport me to Honolulu and make me want to visit the place first time I've ever felt the inclination. And did I mention that Beth Kery writes great sex? My thanks to Beth Kery for a copy of the book.
Jul 29, Juliana Philippa rated it it was ok Shelves: Definitely does not measure up to Kery's other reads that I enjoyed: Wicked Burn and Release. While her standard sizzling chemistry is still there, none of the other things that I've liked in her books were present: Explosive , another Kery book, at least had that last. Surprisingly, if I Wasn't very good.
Surprisingly, if I had to choose something I liked it would be the heroine. Normally Lana is the type of heroine whom I dislike, but I thought Kery did a very good job of showing us her cold, strong exterior while letting us into all of the inner vulnerability and uncertainty she feels. To me as a reader, she never felt like a cold-hearted bitch because her emotions are so clearly shown to us. I liked her verbal interactions with Jason and how he tried to break down her barriers and defenses, and she slowly increasingly let him.
I got a little sick of read: As reviewed for Readourlipsblog. This book has A LOT of sex! I was just so excited. She and her best friend and personal assistant, g As reviewed for Readourlipsblog. She and her best friend and personal assistant, go to Hawaii to help Melanie get over a difficult divorce and custody battle. From the beginning, Lana and Jason have a volatile relationship. Sparks fly in every way imaginable.
Eventually, these two get to release some of that explosive energy between the sheets. Or should I say up against a dresser. Later, when Lana seeks out Jason for another go-round, he agrees with conditions. He gets her for 24 hours. Lana agrees, but she has tried and true defense mechanisms that give Jason a run for his money. Once they get to the boat, we learn that Jason is a true sexual dominant, but not in the traditional sense. This man should teach a workshop on creative sex. It is positively combustible. Which is a recipe for a really sexy, sophisticated read.
I would definitely recommend this book. What I loved about Paradise Rules: The reader reaps the benefit. And he opens them often. The author did the natural beauty justice. I hope the author plans a sequel.
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She did too good a job describing all of these people for me not to care about them. It is decadent and sumptuous. Sex, sex and more sex!
View all 4 comments. Oct 05, Bookaholics rated it really liked it. Lana Rodriguez has issues. When you are popular and famous people try to take advantage of you and she has had to learn the hard and painful way to protect herself and her own. When her friend Melanie is devastated by a nasty divorce Lara decides to drag her with her to Hawaii for a vacation. Once there they both decide to take surfing lesson with Jason Koa. A beautiful if arrogant playboy that annoys Lana.
The Rules of Paradise D. Nurkse Four Way Books
The tension between the 2 is powerful. But when she opens her door she is surprised to find Jason ready to service ALL her needs! Jason is very dominant and protective. He wants to be the one she turns to, the one to comfort her. But her painful past prevents her from being impulsive or spontaneous. Is this new relationship something worth holding onto? Beth Kery excels at hot and sensual scenes. But as the author slowly built the tension and reveals the vulnerability in her characters I could not stop the pull I felt for the 2!
Lana is an intensely private person and she feels comfortable that way. Lana questions her motto to keep men out of her life, but having Jason around makes her feel sooo good. Should she take a chance with Jason? Taking risk with her emotions is difficult for her. She must confront her demons and let a man be there for her when no man has before. They were a well matched pair that were wonderful together. Jan 18, Splage rated it really liked it Recommends it for: The story just took off for me and I loved it!
Melanie chooses Oahu, which has lots of bad memories for Lana, definitely some bad history that has screwed her up. They first run into Jason, the "it man" of the island, when they sign up to take a surf lesson- he is late for their lesson. He is getting a "hands on lesson" in the back The story just took off for me and I loved it! He is getting a "hands on lesson" in the back room from a blonde beach bunny.
Lana full of attitude already, joins them to give Jason a few choice words and the hostility between them is instantly fierce and charged. They want nothing to do with each other and so the story goes. I liked Lana, but she did have a lot of baggage and attitude to over come. Apr 28, Sonya rated it liked it Shelves: Eh is was a good read. I would have given it 5 stars on the heated scences alone! However Lana was such a whack job I mean she was too angry..
The one thing I did like is Beth did no the make them head over hills in love even by the end. Of course I loves Jason! Decen read to pa as a quiet Sunday afternoon. Nov 20, Kathleen rated it really liked it. For an erotic book, I really liked it. The story did not really start until after the half way mark. Was it a fantastic story? I beleive the sex scenes are what made this book for me. Also the location in the book adds to the overal read. In my opinion, do not pick this book up until your in the mood for a HOT read with a small amount of story.
Jun 03, Marion rated it liked it Shelves: I can never warm up to BK's heros. They always come across as total jerks. Jason's dominating attitude became old really fast. I have been wanting to read this book for a long time and the price tag on Amazon always deterred me from buying it. I finally caved and got it last night.
I'm not disappointed that I bought it, because it IS hot and the descriptions of this Hawaiian paradise and what Jason and Lana do in it give "sex on the beach" a whole new meaning. I thought the plot was really fantastic. All of the twists and turns in the plot made this story extremely interesting At least 2 players are required and there is no upper limit, however as more players are playing in the same game, the game becomes less interesting and too slow. Given a dealer one of the players , the dealer will deal out one card to each player face down plus one card to the center face up a total of five times.
All cards dealt to the center will be placed in a horizontal row still face up. Players receiving their cards may look at their cards as soon as they are dealt as they are being dealt. The remainder of the deck is to be place in the center face down, these cards will become the draw pile. Once each player has five cards and there are five cards face up in the center, the game begins. When it is a player's turn, the player may collect cards according to the rules read the next section.
Once the player has collected his cards if the player is able to , the player must draw one card from the draw pile into his or her hand. Upon drawing a card, the player's turn is over and the next player to the left may being his or her turn. Collecting cards is the essence of this game. There are some complexities to collecting cards, so be sure to pay attention. To collect a card or multiple cards, a player must first choose a card from his or her hand, and then find a card or multiple cards that sum up to a multiple of the chosen card's value, where each single card collected is less than or equal to the player's card.
Card suit does not play any role in collecting cards, only in point value discussed later. The first is if the player cannot use any of his or her cards to collect any cards in the center. If this happens, the player must choose one card from his or her hand and lay it down in the center, then subsequently draw a card from the draw pile.
The second is if the player wishes to leave cards that would otherwise be collected in the center to be collected next round when it is the player's turn again.
Description
This can be beneficial since it allows for the player to clear the board. However, the player also opens up the opportunity for another player to steal the cards that he has left. This move is the Fool's Paradise.