The Red Diary (Warner Forever)

Rating:
Summary: Hot and sexy read
Review: A friend gave me this book to read. I rarely buy/read new-to-me authors without a recommendation by someone whose opinion I trust. So when I got this from my friend with a big thumbs up, I knew it was a must read. I really enjoyed this book and I'm so glad she gave it to me, because I probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise. I would have read the back copy and figured the book was just 'all about sex' and put it back down. But it's so much more than that. The relationship between Lauren and Nick develops so well and naturally. All of the characters ring true - Blake doesn't pull any punches with her characters and shows them warts and all, which is quite refreshing and makes them all the more human. I will definitely buy this author's next book.

Rating:
Summary: Toni Blake at her finest!
Review: As someone who has read and enjoyed each book this Author has written, I must say that Toni Blake's transition from Catagory Romance to Single Title brings the talent that she has shown in previous writing to it's fullest potential. "The Red Diary" is wonderfully written, and combines all the best aspects of a truly good book. Nick has a stormy past and holds Lauren's Father responsible for it all. What starts off as a means of revenge turns into something that keeps you turning pages until the end. The story that weaves around these characters is one that will touch you deeply, and will definately earn a spot on the keeper shelf!

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Sweet and Old Fashioned!
Review: From the beautiful red rose cover to the end of the story, Toni Blake's THE RED DIARY is sexy, sweet and hot! A contemporary romance combines with a good old fashioned love story between two unlikely people. Even the secondary characters have a story you'll want to know more about--BIG HINT, WARNER! Overall, a very satisfying read and a story that will stay with you. Did I mention the sex? It's amazing. Thank you, Toni Blake!

Rating:
Summary: What romance is supposed to be.
Review: It doesn't get any better than this. Nick and Lauren are fabulous characters, the plot is fast-paced, and the sensuality sizzles. What suprised me is the depth of emotion. Just wonderful! Three cheers to Toni Blake.

Rating:
Summary: A LOT OF SEX BUT TOO LITTLE SUBSTANCE
Review: Ms. Blake writes well and the story is never boring. However, I have some issues regarding character and plot development:
(1) Lauren, the heroine, lives in a vaccum. The author makes a point of telling us repeatedly that her best (and apparently only) friend of many years, Carolyn, is promiscuous, empty headed, and so different from Lauren that it is impossible to understand why they are friends in the first place when the only thing they seem to have in common is that they are rich, beautiful, and dress provocatively.
(2) Lauren only has sex when she is in a committed relationship and has only had three sex partners. Nevertheless all the parties she frequents are semi-orgies and she's on the pill even though her last relationship has been over for years.
(3) Despite her determination against having casual sex, she has unprotected sex with the hero after knowing him for a total of three days! Then she insists repeatedly that she is not that kind of girl (like her best friend Carolyn).
(4) The book is 401 pages long, but the action takes place in only three weeks and the ending is rushed. Lauren has accused Nick of trying to get to her father's fortune by deceiving her and she never even apologizes for misjudging him so seriously. The novel really needed an epilogue to tie all the loose ends.
(5) There is a sweet sub-plot involving Davy, Nick's mentally challenged younger brother. Davy is falling in love with a girl and we never find out how this works out. Another issue with Davy: he's 29, physically able and healthy, but everybody treats him like a little boy who occupies his time riding his bike, playing ball, and feeding his fish. I kept thinking, since his brother owns his own house painting business, why doesn't Davy work with Nick? Why does his sister dedicate herself to babysit him to the point where she didn't go to college and does not work? If Davy and his love interest were to fall in love and decide to get married, he wouldn't be able to support her. The girl has spina bifida, but she holds a job, maybe she'll support them both. I think Ms. Blake needs to do more research on the real lives of disabled people, since many are taught to support themselves and be independent.
(6) The fact that Nick had to support his sister and brother seemed to be a contrivance to highlight how different Nick's life was from Lauren's, and how much he had to sacrifice himself while she had it easy, but in the end it did not make a lot of sense.
(7) The fact that Lauren works from her home doesn't make a lot of sense. She is a young woman who doesn't have any responsibilities, so why would she isolate herself from her coworkers and the company that ultimately she will inherit and will have to manage? How real-life is that? What is her academic background? She seems to be a glorified accounts payable clerk on daddy's payroll, and suddenly she discovers the guts and wisdom that will be required to run the operation! Once again this seems to be only a contrivance to make her available to interact with the hero whenever it was convenient.
Finally, even though Ms. Blake's writing style is readable and the story had potential, I can only recommend this book if you are looking for titillating sex scenes and don't care too much about substance, depth, and real emotional impact.

Rating:
Summary: A great read by Toni Blake
Review: Nick and Lauren's story is so powerful and emotional I couldn't put The Red Diary down. I was completely drawn into the book. The sensual scenes are terrific. I liked The Red Diary so much I bought Toni Blake's back list of books. Can't wait to get started on more great stories.

Rating:
Summary: Toni Blake's best book yet!
Review: Thanks, Toni, for a great read! Lauren and Nick were so real to me I felt part of the story and part of their lives. This is a terrific sensual read of Nick and Lauren falling in love against all odds. The characters and motivation are fresh and exciting and kept me turning the pages till the very end. I can't wait to pick up your next book!

Rating:
Summary: Red Diary is Awesome!!
Review: The Red Diary was really entertaining. It kept my attention through-out the whole book, and I couldn't stop reading. Great book!

Rating:
Summary: A Sensual And Emotional Read
Review: This was a wonderfully sensual and emotional read that will draw the reader in until the final page has been read. The relationship between Lauren and Nick is not only hot and sensual, but it is also a relationship that brings change for the better in both characters personal lives.

Lauren is not like her fun loving party hard girlfriend Carolyn. In fact she can't be more opposite. This is not to say she is the "ice princess" everyone calls her. She does have a sensual side that she keeps hidden within the pages of a red diary that only she knows about. Here she feels safe to let her sensual self loose and engage in wonderfully sexy fantasies that always end with a sense of peace and well-being as well with the emotion of love being felt. Her privacy though is about to be invaded by her contracted house painter. She doesn't want to be attracted to Nick but she can't help feel the pull of their mutal attraction.

Nick has long hated Lauren's dad. His life has been hard and he blames whether right or wrong, Lauren's dad. He takes the contract to paint her house as a way of looking into a life that should have been his. He stumbles across her diary and reads a fantasy out of it. He can't believe that the "ice princess" has such a hot imagination, nor can he believe that it speaks to him. He thinks the best way to get his revenge is to act out a few of her fantasies, and then let her know he "knows" her secret. Problem with this plan though is he starts to get to know Lauren, and the searing sensuality of their relationship stays with him long after he has left her. Before he knows it he is sharing himself with her, and learning that Lauren is not all that he thought she was. In fact she is just the opposite, she fun loving, caring, friendly, and loyal. She is everything he thinks he dosen't deserve but wants, even if it means risking it all by telling her the truth. Will Lauren and Nick be able to save a relationship that neither was looking for but on that has become so important to them?

This was an incredible read! Nick and Lauren both grow and change over the course of the story and as a result their love is all the more sensual and sweet. Secondary characters such as Davy and Elaine are wonderful additions to this story and are important for the reader to understand Nick. Nick has a lot of baggage and the fact that he allows his heart to be opened by Lauren is amazing. Ms. Blake has penned a very sensual story but the sensuality is very key to the storyline. It is in no way filler and perhaps is as sensual as it is due to the relationship of Nick and Lauren themselves. This is one read that I highly recommend.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Rating:
Summary: An absolutely wonderful love story!!
Review: Toni Blake's The Red Diaries is wonderfully written with very strong, soul-deep characterization and emotional depth. All of her characters ring true to life and leap off the pages. This book is a powerful read that squeezes your heart, so keep some tissues at hand.

I'd love to see a book for Elaine with Davy included and a book for Carolyn, too. (That's an obvious hint!)

Toni Blake has definitely found her niche!! Buy this book--you'll be reading ALL night!!