Stella's Awakening by R. K. Ryde

     First off, this woman, R. K. Ryde is one of my bestest IG Friends!  She's wonderful, displays an honesty that's felt and her smile is infectious!  When you get to know a person, online or not, prior to reading their work, you almost take on an unfair expectation of them as an author.  You look for absolute perfection that can easily be blighted by their work.  That, thankfully, was not the case with Rhonda's amazing novel, Stella's Awakening!

     The Blurb:
A painful Past.  A forbidden romance.  Will she choose love and make the ultimate sacrifice?
For Stella Welsch, buying a home and starting her own business has already pushed the boundaries of her strict upbringing.  When she meets the sexy and powerful executive, Conrad Adams, Stella knows he's off limits, but can;t help daydreaming about a forbidden romance.  As sparks begin to fly, Stella reveals that the relationship could have her cut off from her family and life she knows...
     I found it symbolic to have the blurb in red, considering this is about a woman taking of the 'Forbidden Fruit'.  The story is as real as sauciness can get when it comes to coveting.  When you see something so often, you feel it's yours - knowing that possession (or the desire of) is like 50% of the crime and still want to go for it... tsk, tsk, tsk...  This story is so much more than romance.  It truly is filled with a naughtiness that you won't find in your contemporary romance reads with a deep storyline behind it all.  Oh, and there's a snake and apple on the cover for a reason.

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     First, there's a bit of taboo when reading this book.  I felt excited for Stella and her new experiences but more than the sexiness of this book, I took on a new understanding for the fear she felt.  I learned a great deal from her background and found a sadness for her that related a bit of my own life, to a degree.  I found myself in tears on one part (I'll share this: It has to do with Alexander).  I found a common ground with Stella that made her my friend during the read but she had a mega decision to make and I dreaded it for her, yet thrilled at the adventure of it all!

     Rhyde's gift of description and storytelling allowed me feel the newness and desires within Stella- I wanted what she wanted too!  At first, I was confused at her holding back and constantly saying, 'it wasn't right'  She 'wasn't allowed' - I was like, "Come on girl- you're grown!"  then I found out and was like "Uh-oh..."  LOL

     Because I've always been one to rebel against what I didn't like or didn't want, I couldn't understand how some things happened to her.  Some her situations with Conrad- had it been me, I'd have taken over and he'd have probably run away!  I've never been one to be commanded, my dad the Marine could attest, but that just leaves things open for her to grow and stand in book two.  I never liked waiting for a follow-up story, but for Stella and her emancipation, I can.  I hope it won't be long because this book was emotional, raunchy, sexy and even spiritual.  
     When I began this book, I had to stop due to a few book tours hitting my schedule, but when I got back into it, I went from 8% to 69% in a day, then finished the following day!  This is a page turner and the newness of Stella's sex life... OMGoodness- it's hot!  "Thank you Ketchup!"  📚
Rating:  👓👓👓👓👓out of 5 specs
*The Bachelor Girls is next.
**Book provided free, by R. K. Ryde for an honest review.