Staking His Claim [NOOK Book]

( 151 )

Overview

Twenty-one-year-old Elaina Ruiz has only just begun college when she meets Raul Vega for the first time. Recognizing his ruthless intensity for what it is, she doesn’t correct him when he assumes she is an eighteen-year-old freshman.
Raul Vega has never met a woman he couldn’t do without. Until he meets Elaina Ruiz and knows she has to belong to him--even if it means waiting for her to grow up.
Excerpt:
Elaina...
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Staking His Claim

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More About This Book

Overview

Twenty-one-year-old Elaina Ruiz has only just begun college when she meets Raul Vega for the first time. Recognizing his ruthless intensity for what it is, she doesn’t correct him when he assumes she is an eighteen-year-old freshman.
Raul Vega has never met a woman he couldn’t do without. Until he meets Elaina Ruiz and knows she has to belong to him--even if it means waiting for her to grow up.
Excerpt:
Elaina stood in the circle of young people feeling so emotionally free and happy she was almost delirious with it. She had finally made up her mind to withdraw from nursing school, had gotten over the guilt, and had told her aunt what she planned to do. Much to her surprise, Janie had been one-hundred percent supportive. They had talked for nearly two hours, and Elaina was going to start looking for a job close to the ranch when the hustle and bustle of the holiday season was over.
Janie had well and truly convinced her that she and Brian wanted her to stay with them, and for as long as she wanted.
Elaina now stood, leaning slightly against the wall, feeling completely free and easy and enjoying the conversation around her and the slight buzz that half a glass of champagne had induced.
A small, happy smile on her face, she glanced across the room and her eyes tangled with the dark, intent stare of Raul Vega.
Butterflies hit her stomach, and she actually felt her knees get weak. Her smile slipped a bit, and she felt a full-blown blush spread across her cheeks and warm her face.
His gaze never left hers as he made his way across the room to where she was standing.
She was held enthralled as she watched him approach and briefly acknowledge the people around her, before he simply reached out a hand to her and said, "Come."
Her blush deepening, she didn't think to refuse him and put her hand in his, murmuring, "Excuse me," to her circle of new friends.
Turning back the way he came, he pulled her with him into the privacy of the study. He shut the door, leaned back against it and crossed his arms over his chest.
She turned in a half circle to face him, her heart beating triple time as he stood silently observing her. The beat of the music from the other room bled through the thick wooden door making the enclosed area of the study seem even smaller, shut away from the rest of the party.
She couldn't stop the trembling in her fingers, and the champagne glass wobbled precariously.
His eyes narrowed in on it. "You think you should be drinking that?"
She already had enough alcohol running through her system on an empty stomach, and the effort it was taking to hold the liquid still in the glass suddenly seemed more than her nerves could handle. She reached over and set it down on a side table. "Probably not," she agreed mildly.
As she turned back, it occurred to her that he was suggesting she shouldn't drink because of her youth, and not because of her nervous state.
Once again, she chose not to enlighten him.
He spoke, his voice rough but controlled, "You know sweetheart, I get that you're young. Too young for me. But I think you're old enough to know what you're doing to me." The look he gave her was speculative, thoughtful. "Are you doing it on purpose?"
The question caught her off guard and her breath snarled in her throat. "No."
He continued as if she hadn't answered, his voice turning feral, "I don't think it's escaped your notice that I'm jealous of Trevor. And I think you're using it against me."
She expelled a shallow pant of air. His disclosure sent an intoxicating blend of heady power and beguiling need through her veins. Her denial came quickly, "No, I'm not. I--"
"You need to have mercy on me, baby," his tone turned slightly threatening, "before I snap."
Her heart pounded in her ears and she swallowed with difficulty.
He took one step away from the door and her voice unfroze as she tried to explain. "I've told you before, I'm not interested in him that way. I'm not going to start something with him, he kissed me, yeah, but--"
He came to a jerky halt, his expression changing to lines of fury, steel inundating his spine.
"He kissed you?"
Elaina slammed her eyes closed as she realized what she had inadvertently revealed. Stupid. She kept her eyes closed for a few heartbeats until she felt him move right up next to her.
Her lashes came up slowly to find his eyes blazing down at her and his nostrils flaring.
The blood slammed through her veins and a lick of heat stroked through her body landing in a pool of vicious need between her thighs. What was it about this man?
"He touched your lips?"
"Jesus Christ, Raul--"
He interrupted her, his voice a snarl. "Answer me."
"Yes," she puffed out.
His jaw hardened. "That's not acceptable." His hands came up and gripped her forearms in a hold that restrained her.
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Product Details

  • BN ID: 2940013925472
  • Publisher: Lynda Chance
  • Publication date: 3/7/2012
  • Sold by: Barnes & Noble
  • Format: eBook
  • Sales rank: 3,441
  • File size: 235 KB

Meet the Author

Lynda loves words, whether she's reading them or writing them. Having spent countless hours looking for the exact kind of hero ( in print !) that fuels her fantasies, she decided to create him herself. She writes romance novels, novellas and short-stories, all with a dominating, alpha-male hero and a heroine he can't manage to walk away from. Her stories are sometimes shockingly hot and sensual, but are always monogamous and contain only one hero and one heroine. A happy ending is a must!

Lynda has lived her whole life in Texas and resides in Galveston County where she spends most of her free time gardening and transforming her tiny house on the water into a cottage fit for a queen. (or a romance novelist.)

Lynda has been married for twenty-five years to the man of her dreams and has two kids away at college.
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 151 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(41)

4 Star

(57)

3 Star

(21)

2 Star

(13)

1 Star

(19)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 151 Customer Reviews

  • Posted March 10, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    BRIEF SUMMARY Elaina Ruiz has recently been staying with her aun

    BRIEF SUMMARY
    Elaina Ruiz has recently been staying with her aunt and just started college. While staying with her aunt, she meets her aunt's neighbor, Raul Vega. A thirty year old who thinks she's eighteen.

    THOUGHTS

    This is another nice read by the author and as mention in previous reviews of her wok, it has the same concept that gets the blood boiling. What I liked about this story, it almost borders a taboo subject with age.

    Raul is thirty and sees Elaina and assumes she is eighteen. Feeling an attraction for her, he tries to not cross the line although he finds himself being consumed with her and jealous of anyone who approaches her. Although Elaina is twenty one approaching twenty two, she continues to let Raul think she is eighteen. The concept of the forbidden fruit drove Raul crazy and made for an interesting read. The opening scene with Raul and his attitude, sets the pace for the rest of the story. I have to admit, Elain drove me a little crazy as she did act like an eighteen year at times as she is coming from a place of innocence and vulnerability. Nevertheless, the build up to their climax was worth the wait.

    The story was quick and to the point with other likeable characters. Also the southern feel to it was a plus as I appreciate a different setting from the author. As much as I found myself liking this story, it had simplicity to it and I don't feel it was the author's best, but as always, I do find that I enjoy myself reading her novellas.


    Storyline: FAIRLY GOOD
    Enjoyment: GOOD
    Intimacy Level: GOOD

    18 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 13, 2012

    While I prefer books with a bit more length to them, I'll never

    While I prefer books with a bit more length to them, I'll never turn down a good short read. If only this book was good.

    A lack of substance between the main characters was my biggest issue. Very little communication, just a lot of yelling from Raul's part and awkward stuttering for the "young" Elaina. And bam suddenly they are in love. I understand the author is trying to portray intense chemistry and later makes a redemption attempt to give the relationship more substance than a dominating male figure and a submissive female character, but at this point it was too late for me. The main characters are already saying "I love you" while knowing nothing about one another. (and I love a dominant male in my romance novels but this is one step beyond the line of what is acceptable dominance in a male character)

    However, the absolute worst part of reading this book? The author will not let up on CONSTANTLY mentioning the 8 year age gap between the two characters. And throughout the beginning half of the book Raul thinks Elaina is 18 and therefore "off-limits". He keeps telling himself she is just a child and he can't touch her, yet he does touch her. As a reader I felt dirty reading about this relationship, it felt perverted and pedophile-like. When I was 22 I dated a guy who was 29, I don't mind big age gaps in relationships. What I mind was the way the age gap was made into the absolute focus of their relationship, it was made sinful, and the author keeps saying "young Elaina" or referring to her as "little girl". As a reader I'm now thinking about her as a little girl and Raul as a man and the meshing of the two in a relationship seems wrong. Lynda Chance has the raw talent she just needs to better elaborate on the appropriate details like dialogue and a meaningful communication within a relationship rather than age logistics that end up not mattering in the end.

    9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 17, 2012

    Cute

    I thought it was cute but I can understand why people in other reviews sat what they do. Raul was a bit over the top but I still thought it was sexy. Worth the read in my opinion.. Plus it was only a buck.

    4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 29, 2012

    Highly recommend!

    Wow. This was a really steamy read. I wasn't sure what to expect but found that I had a hard time putting this book down. Raul is definitely an Alpha but Elaina holds her own with him.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 1, 2012

    LOVED IT !

    I loved reading this story. The intensity of the characters feelings just pull you in. This book is well written, a true joy to read. Loved It !

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 14, 2012

    Gmom

    Usually I don't like domineering characters male or female. Loved Raul. This story was great.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 25, 2012

    Amazing!

    This book was delicious! I ate it right up!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 21, 2012

    I liked it

    Good read. Love the age difference

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 20, 2012

    Not Her Best

    I am normally in love with Ms. Chance books. I was so over the bantering and the whole age issue. For a quick read its okay but nothing to blow your socks off or make you want to reread. The book had an endearing ending.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 17, 2012

    3 Star Worthy

    It was okay...3 stars seem about right, but focusing on the fact that Elaina was apparently young made me feel weird about continuing to read.
    Really sweet ending though!

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 11, 2012

    Good book

    Great story. Worth reading.

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 13, 2012

    Unfortunately, not for me.

    This is my first review and I'm sad to say it's not a good one. I felt annoyed by this story. I've read several romance novels that involve controlling men but this one was just odd. Elaina Ruiz's hides her age from Raul Vega. At first, it's to feel him out but after she get's to know him/hates him/loves him you don't see the purpose of why she keeps it a secret. He thinks she's 18 but she's really 21...so not a big difference in my opinion but I understand Raul's concern to start something with Elaina. Raul's character is the possessive-type but it almost teeters on the line if murder-suicide if Elaina pretty much looks/touches/speaks with anyone that isn't him. Maybe that's why this book didn't do it for me. I wouldn't advise anyone to NOT to read this book. Give it a chance and see what you think. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 16, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Alpha, Alpha, and more Alpha

    This book was a good book. I liked Raul and Elaina and how the chemistry worked between them. Raul is a possessive, alpha male who takes what he wants when he wants it. Elaina is this young adult that isn't for sure what she wants. I loved the fact that she kept her age from Raul because she didn't fall into his arms right away. The only thing that annoyed me was the fact that one minute Elaina was this mature adult who knew what she wanted and the next, she was wishy-washy and couldn't decide what to do. It's an original Lynda Chance and I, in my opinion, liked it.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 21, 2013

    Hot

    I he was hot

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 27, 2013

    Good Read

    Not my favorite book by this author but it was good. Would recommend any of her books!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 18, 2013

    Good book

    This story has a marcho male, alpha male which was great. The language was realistic for the setting , mild profanity. I wish the book was more than 230 pages. The story itself is 220 pages followed by some previews of other books. The epilogue gave a gimplse of their furture but could have been longer.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 11, 2013

    Awesome read

    Read all of her books

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 27, 2013

    I Also Recommend:

    Under the Cowboy's Control (Contemporary Western Romance, Texas)

    Not a bad storyline

    I liked the idea and the storyline wasn't so bad but after a while the situation got old. The first half was great with a nice amount of tension between the characters. The second half made it a little hard to bear because I felt the heroine had dragged this misunderstanding out too much. Otherwise, not a bad start, good interaction between characters and good ending.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 14, 2013

    Anonymous

    I loved this book! I just wish it would have had more on them as a couple.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 13, 2013

    Typical

    Typical storyline but entertaining read

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