Short synopsis: Alex swears off men after some bad relationships, and decides to become a writer. Phillip just left a terrorist organization as a secret agent.

My thoughts: I didn’t realize this was part of a series, which could be why this one didn’t quite work for me. It felt like there was too much crammed into a shorter story (less than 300 pages). I just couldn’t quite get into this story and feel dedicated to the characters.

This is the first I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be my last. I will definitely give her a try again maybe starting with Rules of Engagement.

Read if you love:
- Romance subplots
- Political thrillers
- Writers and secret agents
- Series

This would make a great action movie. Think Jack Ryan but with a heavy romance plot and a really interesting female lead. I love a good action book that involves foreign politics and that mixed with the romance was perfect for me. I love the way the author writes passion. You can feel the characters sentiments as they get entangled. This was a quick read as I couldn’t put it down!

If you could do the Time Warp back to 2001, you might love Stacey Abrams’ re-release, The Art of Desire. Nowadays Abrams isn’t separating her powerhouse political brilliance behind the romantic suspense pseudonym of Selena Montgomery, but in this re-issue, she’s thrust her literary chops back two decades to a time when she was an emerging author with a scattershot storyline that included ALL the stuff.

...
I wanted to love this book because Stacey Abrams is a super-deluxe-triple-A-plus individual, but this story was just okay. In the forward, Abrams notes that she was writing romantic suspense while working as a “young tax attorney … while pursuing my interests in voting rights and democracy.” And that’s just how the story and structure reads: young, and dated. In the decades since this book was originally published, Abrams’ experiences as an attorney, politician, and community leader have provided the robust landscape to perfect her storytelling chops. Age has been good for Abrams, both on the page and off, because neither her life nor her books are dull any longer.

I am always a have fan of Romantic suspense and Montgomery just does it right every single time! She knocks it out of the park with this one.
Thank you #berkley and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book with all my heart, and would recommend it to anyone seeking a sweet, yet red-hot romance to completely lose themselves in.

3.5/5 rounded up

Thank you Berkely Publishing Group and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!

Phillip Turman is working towards rebuilding his life after being held captive by a terrorist organization for the last few years. He's just looking for some stability. Enter: Alex Walton. Fresh off of a string of heartbreaks, Alex is determined to swear off of men and focus on her writing career. Little do Alex and Phillip know that when their paths cross, chemistry comes with it, leaving them straying from their respective goals and into a series of unexpected dangers. When a mysterious obelisk and Phillip's past comes to haunt them, Phillip and Alex must test their morals and themselves.

This was a really confusing book to get into at the start, but turned into a satisfying romantic suspense/mystery by the end. I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one so I had a hard time connecting with the characters. When I switched to the audio version, I was gripped by the narrator, January LaVoy. Her story-telling and portrayal of the characters brought them to life and turned this into a story I could get behind. The sexual tension between our characters was off the charts and the action was fast-paced and startling. I'm not sure if I liked the romance or the suspense more! There were a few moments, though, where this felt like it was dragging on and, again, I felt a bit confused at a number of points. Overall, this was a great dip into Stacey Abrams' writing and the world of these characters, and I would definitely come back!

DNF’d almost at the start because we opened with a shockingly cliche Muslim terrorist villain. I was so looking forward to reading this, and I understand that the opening villain was not going to be the big bad of the plot, but the flatness of that opener just sent me spiraling out of the story. I’ll try another of Abrams’ books down the road, but this one was not for me.

I listened to this romantic suspense novel, narrated by January LaVoy, and really enjoyed it. I could feel the sparks between the main characters and I liked the development of their relationship. The mystery was intriguing and the resolution very satisfying. I haven't read The Rules of Engagement yet, and I'm excited to listen to that story next.

If it’s true what they say — that true love only finds us when we stop looking — Alex Walton is doomed.

And Phillip Turman is the one who ruined everything.

Actually, he’s the subject of a book she wants to write. With all the money she’ll ever need, why not try something that might make her happy? She never expected Phillip to be that source of happiness, but she’s going to resist him for as long as she can.

Things would be so much easier if she wasn’t unknowingly carrying an object that could get both of them killed.

Selena Montgomery (Stacey Abrams) writes a fast-paced thriller/romance you’ll devour in a weekend (not that this is a bad thing). It’s perfect for anyone who likes their love stories a little steamy, their mysteries quick, and their characters slow to unravel.

This is not usually the type of book I gravitate toward, which is actually the reason I signed on to review it. The “art” of trying books I wouldn’t normally choose for myself has never steered me wrong, and The Art of Desire is no exception. I had so much fun, and I’m sure readers will too.

While, I love Abrams current books her old ones just don’t hit the way I need 😭

What could have been better?
Toxicity and martyrdom is what describes these two main characters and I absolutely couldn’t stand them for a lot of the novel. This may be a personal thing because martyrdom is my biggest pet peeves.

What I liked?
I loved the parts of action and suspense! I wish there was more of this. The action was intense and fun!

The steam and sexual tension was well done.

I also thought it was fast paced and an easy read.

Overall, it was an easy read but the romance, for me, was lacking.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC; all opinions my own.

A rereleased romantic suspense, The Art of Desire by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery is action-packed & full throttle, with intriguing leads who are forced to spend more time together (yay!) as they attend a wedding, try to stay safe from various attacks, & realize that they’re both embroiled in the monarchic affairs of a country on the brink.
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The hardest thing about reviewing this book is that it definitely feels like a romantic suspense book that released in 2002, for better or for worse. I mean no shade whatsoever by that comment. But there are aspects of characters & books that I remember enjoying as a reader in 2002 that I wouldn’t appreciate nearly as much now.

With that being said, the hero Phillip Turman is not always my fave, he also has a mustache (not my preferred facial hair accoutrement ), the shifts in perspective mid-chapter are a bit confusing, & the romantic suspense plot is kinda bonkers in moments.

But there are lots of things to appreciate about this book too. Phillip & Alex are very passionate & while Phillip sometimes frustrates with his temper, his unwillingness to fully appreciate Alex, &/or his strategies in trying to dissuade her from possible harm, I adore how Alex stands up for herself. She doesn’t fade into the background, she knows her worth, & she’s talented in so many different ways.

Though aspects of this book don’t always work for me I’d like to try another Selena Montgomery book in the future. Maybe it will work better for me.

3⭐️. Out now!

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

The Art of Desire by Selena Montgomery (aka Stacey Abrams) is a standalone thriller. I have not read the previous books by Montgomery, but I did enjoy this book, so I will have to look into more of her books.
Phillip Thurman, our hero, is a secret agent, who was held behind bars for three years, by a terrorist organization. Phillip is trying to resume his life, and is attending his best friend’s wedding as best man. He has soured on any relationship, as his previous girlfriend, before he was taken prisoner, dumped him. Phillip is assigned to watch over Alex Walton, especially to pick her up to bring her to the wedding, where she is the maid of honor. Despite his determination to not become involved, Phillip finds himself becoming extremely attracted to Alex.

Alex Walton, our heroine, is a very talented artist, as well as a writer, not to mention she is beautiful. Alex has had her share of men, whom never stays long with. Then she meets Phillip and the attraction between them is sizzling. Alex was a great heroine, very talkative and witty, and she will rival Phillip along the way. We get to see Adam and Raleigh from the previous book, Rules of Engagement; as it is their wedding, and Adam is close to Phillip and Raleigh is best friends with Alex.

All of them will team up, as there is a conspiracy to seize the kingdom of Jafir, and Alex’s friend, Damon turns out to be the true heir. The danger escalates as those determined to rule will stop at nothing to kill Phillip, Damon and Alex. It is Alex who has what the terrorists need, an Obelisk and a Ruby, which is required for the accession. Phillip, who has totally fallen in love with Alex, is determined to keep her away from Jafir, being too dangerous; not to mention he still is threaten by those terrorists.

What follows is an exciting, wild, intense last half of the book, that kept me glued to my kindle. Who will survive? The Art of Desire was very well written by Selena Montgomery. If you enjoy political thrillers, I suggest you read this book. I did enjoy it very much.

Very slow to start and the romance is somewhat…lackluster even though I thought Alex and Phillip had good chemistry on page or at least their banter made it good?….Idk.

The thriller/suspense wasn’t (imo) as exciting as the first book. But it was enough to include as a backdrop to this story.

All and all, this was an okay good read. If you like romance suspense, I’d say give it a go.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read & review.

Wow another thriller that absolutely had me up late trying to gain closure between the push and pull of desire between Alex and Phillip. Will she give in, will he open up? If they both open up will it last. Oh what a web of espionage, romance and danger.

Then amongst the romance and espionage Abrams slides in additional protagonist who carried their part in the story very well. I was trying my best to get to know Raleigh, Adam, and Atlas a bit more as the story progress. At times it felt like I was racing to know more very well written

Great storyline and flow.

This is a plot heavy romance and thriller. It's very much a slow burn. Clunky in parts. Packs a lot into a short amount of pages. No Dull moments.

This was one of those books that reading it did not reconcile to the blurb. It was almost as if the blurb was what it aspired to be, but in reality, it really wasn’t. I kept going back and forth trying to reconcile them for about 50% of the books. At this point, I really couldn’t get into the story and gave up. The book almost felt that it was a draft and needed to be flushed out more. I really wanted to like this one because it sounded so good, but for me it was not the book I thought it would be.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. While I won't be posting reviews of this one, I do look forward to reading more from this author.

"Trouble comes in threes...

One doomed love affair after another has made lovely Alex Walton swear off men. Now, she's determined to try something that maybe she can succeed at: a writing career. Little does she know that a chance meeting with a strikingly handsome stranger, a mysterious obelisk, and a lost kingdom will change her life forever. As Alex is about to discover, truth can be stranger - and far more dangerous - than fiction.

...but true love comes only once.

After three years inside a terrorist organization, Phillip Turman is trying to rebuild his life. His first assignment is to pick up Alex Walton, the maid of honor for his best friend's wedding, at the airport. His second is to deal with his instant attraction to her. But his third may be the toughest: to keep Alex out of danger as his past - and her need to know about it - threaten to destroy their future."

I love Stacey Abrams and I am bemused by the obelisk way more than I should be. I mean, it's a romance book after all!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Art of Desire by Stacey Abrams!

Alex has sworn off men after doomed love affairs. Now her focus is on a writing career. A chance meeting with a handsome stranger proves that truth can be stranger than fiction. Phillip is trying to rebuild his life after three years inside a terrorist organization. His first assignment is to pick up Alex from the airport. The second assignment is unplanned—his instant attraction to her. Which makes the third assignment that more harder as he tries to keep her safe from his dangerous past.

I struggled reading The Art of Desire. The beginning threw me for a loop because it seemed so unlike the description. Did I download the right book? Where is the chemistry between Alex and Phillip? As I read further, I lost interest in how it played out because the desire just wasn't there. The characters were not relatable enough to invest my emotions or to care how it would end. Unfortunately this romance was a miss. I hope other bookhearts will enjoy it more than I did.

Happy Early Pub Day, Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery)! The Art of Desire will be available Tuesday, September 5.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Read if you like:
🖤 Reading Diversely
♥️ Romance
🔎 Spies

This book is being republished after initially published about 11 years ago initially. This one couples spies and romance so well together and it is such an intriguing read.

I didn’t know much about this one since there wasn’t a lot of reviews for it online so I went in pretty much blind.

I loved the ideas of trouble or bad things comes I threes throughout the book as it had me constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what was coming next.

The chemistry between the Mc’s was palpable and I really loved the forbidden vibes as he tried to fight off his attraction!

Thanks so much Berkley for my ARC in exchange for my review!