Padme's Library: Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series by Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series by Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba

TITLE – This Could Have Been Our Song! A coulda woulda shoulda ballad…
SERIES – Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song #1
AUTHOR – Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
GENRE – Women’s fiction, Chicklit
PUBLICATION DATE – January 18th 2013
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 93000 words/ 400 pages
PUBLISHER – Ever After Edition
COVER ARTIST – Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba

Summary:
Love can be such a “coulda, woulda, shoulda” song sometimes…
Lucia Mpobo-Riddell could have been a dancer like the rest of women of her family but instead she chose music. Marcus Grant could have been a doctor like the rest of his family but instead he chose music. She also could have not fallen for Marcus on her birthday but she did. And Marcus, he could have told Lucia the truth about his real reason for being in Toronto that night, but he didn’t. Now they have to deal with big reveals and consequences: Marcus almost stealing her job and being force to work on an album together. Marcus, because he couldn’t swallow his pride, leaves Toronto and goes home to London. Lucia, because she just couldn’t give up on her first amazing opportunity to produce a whole album. And to complicate the situation further, the band they’re working for is not the easiest one. Mary Gillis, Marcus’ on and off flame, still has a hold on him. Greg McMullen, Lucia’s close friend and former dance partner is back in town and has been in love with her for years. Then there’s Marcus and Lucia, in the middle of their own a professional and personal tug-of- war with each over and the rest of the world. But maybe things could still work out… All things considered, this could have been one heck of a love song!
Note: Cliff-hanger, family saga, Happy for now ending

TITLE – This Would Have Been Our Song! Catchy tunes and dancers’ tales
SERIES – Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song #2
AUTHOR – Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
GENRE – Women’s fiction, Chicklit
PUBLICATION DATE – January 18th 2014
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 90000 words/ 350 pages
PUBLISHER – Ever After Edition
COVER ARTIST – Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba

Summary:
Marcus, Greg and Lucia are back in the second part of their journey to their perfect love song... will they finally find it?
This would have been their perfect love song…
It has been two years since Lucia Mpobo-Riddell has made her choice between the two men in her life. She and her beloved would have been perfectly happy if it wasn’t for… the constant distractions from her past, her sister Noor’s complicated life, her own doubts and fears. Maybe there wasn’t such a thing as perfection and this was a lesson that Lucia was going to learn the hard way. Greg McMullen and Marcus Grant’s lives had been affected by Lucia’s choice that day in Glasgow two years ago. Since then one had been fighting to keep her when the other had been relentlessly trying to get her back. It soon became apparent to them that she wasn’t the Lucia they met and fell in love with anymore. Her life and priorities had completely shifted. To even consider keeping her or just getting her back, they would have to accept it or they would have to let her go. But would they ever be able to do either?
Note: Cliff-hanger, family saga, Happy for now ending

I'm ashamed to say that there was a time when I would not have chosen to read these books because when I was younger I often would pick books by the cover and I'll be honest, the cover would not have pulled me in. I'm happy to say that I haven't done that in many years because I would have missed out on a library size list of great stories and even better authors, this series included. I was surprised to find as much humor in this triangle themed stories as I did. You don't often find humor in a "who does she choose? A or B" story. At times I felt like I was watching William Powell and Myrna Loy trade banter or Bogey and Bacall sexual innuendos that made 1940s Hollywood great. The characters are extremely well written and at times are larger than life that you only find in fiction and other times they could easily be your neighbor next door.

Rating:

This Could Have Been Our Song! - book One
MARCUS

     “Do you want to get out of here?” I asked, straight in the eyes. I still can’t believe she said yes. After all that had happened between us in past the six months and all that had happened yesterday at the wedding, she still said yes. She generously gave herself to me without any reserve and I selfishly took what she was offering. And I want more, more of her, more of us.
     I look at her sleeping next to me on her stomach in my bed. She’s facing me but I can’t see her face; her hair is covering it. I move it away to kiss her nose, her cheekbone, her neck. I move the sheet down so I can slowly kiss her naked back, each vertebra at a time. Her smell is just so intoxicating, vanilla and cocoa butter at the same time, strangely matching her light-brown complexion. The then exotic, charming, beautiful and very inviting Lucia has now become the beautifully, passionate, exotically intoxicating, charmingly stubborn, temptress Lucia.
     I hear a small groan as I’m running my hands across her smooth back. She’s finally waking up. Good; I thought I might have to shake her this time.
     “Hi, Marcus.” She’s just smiling, her eyes closed, her voice hoarse.
     I keep kissing her lower back, almost reaching her butt when I’m stopped by a pair of knickers. “Now, how did those get here?” I ask her, laughing and trying to remove them.
     She turns around, now fully awake, giving me an impressive view of her breasts, partially hidden under her long, straightened hair. My mouth goes dry. I bend down to kiss her stomach then lick her navel. She looks down, takes my head and brings it to her eye level.
     “Marcus…” she whispers, staring at me, her eyes so full of love, our mouths so close to one another.
     “Luce…” I respond. That’s the only thing I can say every time I hear my name in that sexy, pleading tone. Temptress Lucia kisses me, softly at first, teasing me with her tongue, then she just goes for it. It’s deep, it’s wet, it’s messy, it’s just earthshattering. I kiss her chin, her neck goes back to her mouth, take her breasts in my hands. I can hardly breathe or think but I just can’t stop myself. But I do while pushing her hair away from her breasts so I can enjoy them fully.
     “Would you be a dear and take those off?” I ask her, pointing to her knickers.
     “No rest for the wicked I see. Where do you find this energy?” she answers, smiling at me.
     “I’m not sure,” I tease, still waiting for those damn knickers to be removed.
     “I can barely move.” She pushes me away. “Are you trying to break a record?”
     “It’s the last time I promise,” I tell her while kissing her neck. I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep this promise but she doesn’t have to know. “Now, please, the knickers.”
     “Baby, I’m so tired. I need a good shower,” she yawns and stretches her body against mine.
     “A shower would be nice,” I gloat. Forget it, I’ll remove them myself.
     She takes my hand and kisses it before pushing it away. “Alone! I’m starving. How about I cook us some breakfast as well?” she adds, sitting up and retrieving a nightgown.
     “Where did you get this?” I ask her.
     “In my bag.” She points it out. “I went downstairs to pick up my things, which included my infamous knickers.”
     “I see. It is mid-Sunday morning after all.” I look down at those damn panties. “So, are you going to do something about this?” I say.
     “Patrick was here and left for Manchester about ninety minutes ago. He said, he’d call… Do you think he’s going to call me, Marcus? Men always say that but most never do,” she tells me.
     “You’re too much, Luce! And he’d better not call you or–” I say, taking her in my arms.
     “Or what, Marcus?” she asks softly.
I caress her soft, sweet cheeks while she’s kissing my hands along the way. How can such simple gestures feel so intimate and so natural between us? It keeps amazing me.
     “Or what, Marcus?” she asks again.
     “Oh…I will deal with him,” I tell her. I reach out for her face, her lovely face. “Come here,” I say before kissing her again. “Luce?”
     “What now?” she asks against my lips.
     “I have to be in Paris next Wednesday…in ten days. I can’t promise you anything but I would really like–”
     “I’ll stay with you.” She kisses the tip of my nose. She doesn’t add anything else but her eyes are doing all the talking, the yearning and the longing.
     I can’t promise you anything, Luce, I keep repeating to myself, but I don’t want you to go away. “Thank you for staying.”
     She removes her panties slowly, without breaking eye contact. She reaches for me, her arms and legs embracing me, placing me on top of her.
     “Last time, right? Then you’ll let me rest,” she asks me. Her hands are caressing my back and the back of my head; her feet are caressing my butt.
     “I really, really doubt it, love,” I groan, completely entering her without breaking eye contact and taking all her sweet, wonderful warmth inside of me.

This Would Have Been Our Song! - book Two
IX. Marcus - As Doddy Grant always says, carry on my wayward sons!

     I slowly take Lucia lips before deepening the kiss… so deep I’m not even sure how we’re breathing. But here we are in my bedroom, always in my bedroom, wrestling each other clothes off. I’ve missed her so much; I haven’t seen her in days. I push her on the bed but she takes me with her in her fall. “Naughty boy! Raising your lovely hand on a defenceless woman…” she whispers in my ear and licks it.
     I’m melting and getting so hard at the same time. I didn’t even know it was possible. “Temptress, you’re a lot of thing but you’re never defenceless. Right now you’re killing me,” I moan back. I hungrily start on her perfect luscious breasts before taking care of the rest of her. Her hands are scratching my back when they’re not pulling my hair. “I love you so much,” I let out against her mouth and she locks her legs around me.
     “You’re all talk, talk, talk… Prove it, Mercutio,” she grins back looking straight into my eyes. She masterfully wiggles and somehow I’m inside her, “That’s better.”
     “Luce, are you for real,” I moan and start moving.
     “You…tell…me,” she groans. We move faster, deeper, in pure ecstasy but Temptress has decided to test my endurance.
     “Luce, please,” I beg, sweat dripping from my forehead.
     “It’s completely up to you,” she laughs back. She softly, tenderly, slowly kisses me and we come together.
     “I’m dreaming again, am I?” I ask her out of breath still in my own daze.
     She straddles me, her long straightened hair covering her breasts, “What do you think?”
     I’m thinking that Lucia is wearing her hair short and curly right now. I’m thinking– “I don’t care!” I lean up and bring her even closer. “As far as I’m concerned you’re here right now with me.”

Author Bio:
I’m over 30.
I was born in Quebec City, Canada.
I grew up in France and in Gabon.
I speak English & French fluently.
Pizza is my favorite dish.
Black Forest Cake is my favorite dessert.
I met Michael Jackson when I was eleven.
I loathe vodka but love gin, wine and tequila.
I'm obsessed with Robbie Williams and Michael Fassbender.
I call Toronto my home.
I love reading.
I love dancing.
I love watching exciting TV shows.
I love my life... most days.
I'm a major goof.
I can't stand intolerance.
I'm curious, cheeky and oh so opinionated!

Author Links:
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Author on Spotify

Coulda #1 on Spotify

Coulda #2 Chapter on Spotify

Coulda #2 on Spotify

Bird of Prey #1 on Spotify

Plot Thickens #2 on Spotify

Polliannah Got Married! #3 on Spotify

Vincent Mallory Edgerton #3 on Spotify

This Could Have Been Our Song!(#1)

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This Could Have Been Our Song!(#2)

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Also by the author:

Summary:
This was supposed to be an easy case...
Sémya Slotin had spent the last three years living in London with her best friend Polliannah Koch staying away from solving cases. After Hawaii, she was taking a break from puzzles, cases and mysteries that could potentially get her killed. Instead, she had been doing her second and third favorite things, drinking and selling expensive vintage wines and having earth-shattering sex with the mysterious, sexy, beautiful but ever so secretive Josh Heinz. Life in London was good....until her funds ran out. Too much wine drinking, not enough wine selling!
When fashion designer and adoptive mother, Annika Slotin, summoned her back to Paris to hire her for what Sémya considered being the easiest case of her amateur sleuth career, all she could think of and see was money signs and a well-deserved Cuban holiday once it was solved.
What Sémya didn't see was her stumbling on the fresh corpse of supermodel Johanna Cartier. She didn't think that male model turned fashion designer Julian Marais-Caldwin, who also happened to be Sémya's ex, would be suspected of brutally murdering her. Johanna was his girlfriend, his muse and he loved her. Sémya didn't see the dead bodies piling up or the conspiracy theories.
Sémya was a little rusty. But then again, it was supposed to be an easy case and she was going to solve it. One vintage wine at a time... Sémya Slotin was officially back in business!

Summary:
What happened while Semya Slotin and Josh Heinz were busy solving Johanna Cartier's murder in Bird Of Prey?
Polliannah's story... When Polliannah Koch Guryev meets John Allen, she thinks that she's finally found her Prince Charming a tall, blond and handsome banker. What could go wrong?
John Allen has a job to do and getting closer to the beautiful Miss Koch Guryev is supposed to be a means to an end. But then they fall in love. He's a hit man on a mission, she's the sister of his targets. What possible future could they have? Now he and his Russian Princess have to leave London for their safety. But it may already be too late for them...
Note: Not a standalone, you need to read Bird of Prey first.

Summary:
The truth this time, and nothing but the truth…
Polliannah Koch Guryev is in trouble and her boyfriend is dead. It's not the first time amateur sleuth Sémya Slotin finds herself on the first plane to rescue her best friend, but nothing's prepared her for what she finds in Toronto. Polliannah is a widow and her late husband John Allen was a hit man for the powerful Dovos family. What did they want from her? Why is this happening? One thing they do know: their carefree life back in London is officially over.
Sémya’s long-time boyfriend Josh Heinz knows more than he lets on, but as usual he’s not telling her anything. In fact, everyone knows more but nobody’s talking. But that never stops Sémya Slotin, Detective Extraordinaire, from finding out the truth beneath the lies…
But at what cost? Old conspiracies and secrets resurface that put them all in peril. Sémya’s worst fears about her relationship with Josh and his past are confirmed, and the rift between them may never heal.
Sémya and Polliannah’s world is falling apart. Will they be able to come out of this stronger?
Oh, and did I mention that Polliannah got married?
Note: This book is part of the series and is not a complete standalone. However, it
could be enjoyed without reading Bird of Prey and The Plot Thickens first.

Summary:
The pursuit of peace is not always pacific.
Vincent Mallory Edgerton had always been an efficient FREGG operative. It was his family legacy and his pride. He had always loved his job, even when he had to leave everything behind for his safety and become Josh Heinz.
Every love story has a beginning.
Sémya Slotin had been coasting through life solving one mystery after another. While in Hawaii, her young protégée disappeared. When Sémya met Josh Heinz, her mind kept telling her to stay away from the handsome stranger with the hypnotic light brown eyes but she found herself inexplicably drawn to him. He awakened something in her and she was unable to resist him. It never happened to her before. Who was that man?
In Hawaii, Vincent had to work covertly with the sexy bold sleuth. Sémya’s beauty and intellect completely enthralled him, but his passion and growing love for her also changed him. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to finally win her trust and keep her safe, causing him to unleash events that would shape the rest of their lives. From the moment their gazes locked, Sémya and Vincent sealed their fate.
Note: This book is part of the series and is not a standalone. You might be able
to enjoy without reading Bird of Prey and The Plot Thickens first BUT I really advise to read Polliannah Got Married! first.