Well, I'm begging for more! A lovely romance.

books:


	• Not Even If You Begged Francis Ray St. Martin's Griffin, 2008 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 26 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

AAMBC Reviews

Francis Ray is a true story teller in this novel. When it first starts out, you are so certian that this women would leave her husband. I dont care if he was sick, because your happiness should be your first priority. But when I saw that this story was original and worth reading, I couldnt put it down. The ending is just as you would want it, but everything leading to the end is a pure mystery. Get your copy today. I am sure you will be very pleased and guessing the whole time.

Well, I'm begging for more! A lovely romance.

The Invincible Sisterhood, widows who lost a great love in their lives have got together to make a pact, and prove that they will not let their loss dominate their lives. Full figured Traci Evans, a reluctant guest, is invited to one of their sacred meetings and suddenly finds herself signing up and swearing to secrecy.

Although, Traci doesn't want to be tied down, when she meets Ryan Gilmore, her best friend's son, she finds him hard to resist. Somehow she always ends up spending time with him, even though an inner voice keeps warning her that's he'll end up cheating on her, just like her late husband did. Yes, unlike the other members of the women's group, her relationship was not one of everlasting love; something she discovered after he died but felt too ashamed to admit. This whole situation made Traci feel like even more of a fraud during the Invincible Sisterhood meetings, but these were strong ladies who would not take no for an answer.

It wasn't long before Ryan had enlisted Traci to help plan his mum, Maureen's birthday party. After a few meetings Traci gets annoyed with the fact that Ryan is using her only to help plan his mother's party, and wants nothing more from her than her mind. Justifying this to herself, Traci feels that at least she will now avoid an awkward and complicated relationship that would no doubt end in heartache and tears. Would Traci ever be able to stop living in the past? All she has to do is open her eyes and arms to love again. But, as in all good stories, there is plenty of conflict to get in the way. One of which appears in the form of Ryan's ex girlfriend.

This is a terrific story, as always, from author Francis Ray. The plot that revolves around the two lovers, Traci and Ryan makes it a page turner in itself, but we also have the added story of Maureen and her new man, Simon Dunlap, and how they take a chance on a shy and insecure boy called Jason, who could be more trouble than he is worth. A delightful tale of complex, believable characters learning to get along with each other despite their differences, and the problems that life can throw at them.

Sassy Brit
Alternative-Read
May 2008

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Not Even If You Begged

Call me a hopeless romantic but every time I pick up a book authored by Francis Ray, I can be assured that I will never be disappointed. Not Even If You Begged tops my latest list of must read books for 2008. Traci Evans a hard nosed attorney has a jaded view of all men. Her belief is confirmed as she stands in the wings watching her latest client; a well known minister; attempt to humble himself and ask forgiveness for cheating on his wife. Although Traci represents him, she has little tolerance for his behavior. Not only for the moral issues; but because prior to becoming a widow; she walked in his wife's shoes.
Maureen Gilmore is Traci's best friend and the unspoken leader of the Invincible Sisterhood. This sisterhood is a group of widow's that have lived life and most importantly loved to the fullest, at least everyone but Traci. Maureen decides to find Traci a true love and in doing so, the women head out to a club where Maureen met a man earlier that she thought might be perfect for Traci.
Simon watches as the women enter and once again, is magnetically drawn to Maureen. When she tries to introduce him to Traci, it is obvious to all that his interest is only in Maureen and as quiet as it's kept, the feeling is mutual.
While Traci identifies the sparks flying between Maureen and Simon, she soon discovers a few of her own as a mishap at Maureen's house causes direct contact with Maureen's devastatingly attractive son Ryan. Ryan and Traci are a definite match because he is fighting a deranged stalker and she; her past, her family and the feelings that she refuses go give into, not even if he begged.

Reviewed by: Eleanor S. Shield, Black Butterfly Review

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***Taking The Plunge A Second Time!!!***

Can Ms. Ray tell a story or what? This was a fantastic novel and I just loved it. Traci Evans and Maureen Gilmore are widows who became friends through Maureen's support group of other widows know as the "Invincible Sisterhood". Throughout the storyline the Invincibles are there to lift each others spirits and be there for one another. Maureen meets super fine but ten years younger Simon Dunlap and Traci gets with Maureen's handsome son Ryan Gilmore. Simon's a police officer and Ryan's an OB-GYN and former frat brothers. I just loved these guys because Maureen's hot flashes and her age meant nothing to Simon and Traci's plus size figure and her inability to trust with her heart made Ryan want her more. The love scenes between the two couples was sexy and erotic, and the secondary characters(Nettie, Donna, Betsy, Ophelia, Elisa , Jason, Henrietta and Ezekiel) were just as good. Is something brewing between Nettie and Ezekiel? The characters from Ms. Ray's other novel "In Another Man's Bed" brought back memories. This novel does not disappoint...not one bit. Okay, of the five Dunlap brothers we've gotten to know Patrick and Simon closely now it's Rafael and Alec's turn..oldest brother John is already married. An excellent read.

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Loves Knows No Age or Dress Size

The voluptuous Traci Evans has an iron gate around her heart. Multiple wounds inflicted by her cheating deceased husband and her nasty mother have almost destroyed Traci's faith in love, her trust in people in general. Despite all this, her attraction to the sexy Ryan Gilmore, her best friend and neighbor's son, will not be denied. Traci is not Ryan's type or at least he did not think so until he met her. Still Traci's lush curves, generous breast, childbearing hips combined with a heart of gold makes Ryan want to know Traci inside and out.

The slim and trim, 59 years old, Maureen Gilmore loved her husband dearly. Now 4 years a widow she is missing the intimacy and the bond she had with her husband. Can the sexy police office, Simon Dunlap, fill the growing void in her heart despite the fact that he is almost 10 years her junior. Will Maureen let her feelings for Simon overcome doubts and fears due to the age difference?

Francis Ray has done it again. Not Even If You Begged is a page-turner from beginning to end. The characters in this book come to life so naturally you almost forget your reading fiction. I felt Traci and Maureen's pain as they dealt with their personal struggles. I wanted them to find the love they both deserved with the hot men Francis Ray created to take my breath away. I fell just a little bit in love with both Simon and Ryan for they had qualities most single women look for when they imagine their life mate. The story itself flowed effortlessly. Francis Ray combined the budding romances with sub-plots that gave this story an essence of realness and gave you insight into the characters you can only see when they interact with people outside of their budding relationships. I closed the book wanting to read more but still satisfied with what I was given.

Reviewed by Dee-Dee
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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Widow Traci Evans happily sits in on meetings with the lovely ladies of the Invincible Sisterhood solely because they reached out to her first. A loner, Traci feels for the first time she belongs. All of the official members are sweet older women who have lost the love of their lives, their husbands. Unknown to them, Traci is more angry than she is grief-stricken because her husband died in the midst of cheating on her with another woman.

Her husband?s deception has hardened Traci?s heart so much that even close friend and next door neighbor Maureen can't convince her to open it again. But when a playful kiss with Maureen's gorgeous son Ryan turns passionate, Traci starts to rethink everything she knows about love.

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