Control by Laura Marie Altom Blog Tour

Never again. Fleeing her hometown to escape an abusive marriage, Ella Patton swears she has surrendered to a man for the last time. But while living under a new name, she meets a kind, handsome stranger who seems different—and will be moving on soon, making Ella reckless enough to break her rules. With a kiss, the stranger opens the door to desires Ella believed she would never know. Then he makes an unexpected proposal.

A dot-com billionaire from humble beginnings, Liam Stone is a man whose past has made him compassionate yet guarded—much like the beautiful, secretive woman he stumbles upon in a remote Southern town. Though he intends only a dalliance, when the time comes to return home to San Francisco, Liam cannot bear the thought of leaving her behind. But when he tries to entice her to join him, he finds the tables turning dizzingly fast. Suddenly a little seduction becomes a huge battle for one thing: control.

Laura Marie Altom’s heart-stirring new romance will have you believing in the power of love—and passion—to heal even the most wounded souls.

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I tugged on Liam’s clothes. I hadn’t worn flannel since I was a small child, and the fuzzy warmth made me purr. His cotton T-shirt was soft from many washings and smelled clean, like sunshine and fresh-mown grass. Liam seemed to represent all that was honest and trustworthy and good. And I wanted to be all of those things for him. Only beyond his name, I knew nothing about him. And I wouldn’t allow him to learn anything about me.

After putting on my rarely absent bra, I pulled Liam’s shirt over my head. It hung practically to my knees, but felt so good. I stooped to roll up the pajama bottoms and then took a deep, fortifying breath before slowly opening the door.

I crept into the bedroom to find the only light coming from the TV. I turned on a lamp. The Hangover played with no sound, and Liam had fallen asleep on one of the two queen beds.

He must have cranked up the heat, as the room was warm.

On a small table in front of the only window was an obscene stash of candy, chips and soda. Had he raided the vending machine? My stomach growled, reminding me that it had been hours since I’d last eaten.

I took one of the room’s two chairs, devouring a Snickers and bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, then washing it all down with a Sprite.

I drew my feet onto the chair, hugging my knees, unsure what to do. Knowing what I wanted to do.

Liam had rolled onto his side. His shaggy hair hid his left eye, and my fingertips itched to brush it back so I could see all of him. He wore his jeans and no shirt or socks. Was I wearing his pajamas?

Even in his sleep, he possessed a latent strength. His body was ripped. Stone hard on the outside, with what I suspected was an inner heart of gold. Despite that, I couldn’t lose sight of the fact that he was the kind of guy who wanted fancy mustard and knew how to wield just the right amount of charm to make me not only want to get it for him, but think it had been my idea. How messed up was that? Maybe I wasn’t the only one with issues?

Rising, I yawned.

I had work tomorrow and should try getting some sleep.

The two beds taunted me. Clearly, the right decision would be taking the empty one.

So why did I not only climb in alongside Liam, but spoon him from behind, resting my cheek against his broad back, breathing him in?

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆
This is the first book I have read by Laura Marie Altom. I really got into the book at first, it held my attention and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Then I don’t know what happened, next thing I knew I didn’t connect with any of the characters and the things they did just didn’t make sense to me. The book ended with a cliffhanger and just like a train wreck, you don’t wanna look but you do, I will be reading the next book because for some odd reason I have to see how this ends!

Characters: At first the characters were easy to relate to, especially Ella/Julie. But as the book progressed I lost that connection.
Sex: Yes
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This was a slower burner for me, which had many dips and dives, but I needed to know how it would be resolved. The author writes disquietening story-lines well. Some elements (inevitably) were highly familiar, but some anticipated twists and turns didn't happen. I couldn't make my mind up as to whether I liked the main characters or not, but some of the cameo roles were lovely – Owen and Natalie, Yvonne, even Carol, Mimi and Rocco. I had not however realised it was the first in a series and suddenly found myself bereft of story.

I hope Ms. Altom is busy writing the sequel because I'm looking forward to knowing what happens next!

Laura Marie Altom is the author of more than forty books in three different genres. Now that her kids are in college, Laura spends her days writing and chasing after a menagerie of pets: a mini long-haired dachshund named Cocoa, a Yorkie named Daisy, a mutt named Sweet Pea, and Domino—a black-and-white stealth cat she rarely sees. She’s happily married to her college sweetheart (go Hogs!), and when night falls, Laura steals a few romantic moments for herself with her own hunky cover stud.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Control (Shamed #1) by Laura Marie Altom to read and review for this tour.