Rating: 
Summary: Stinkola!
Review: this book teaches me that loves happens in different stages in life and should be appreciated when you have it. Mrs. Ray did a wonderful job of creating characters with varied backgrounds and making us care about each one. Great job girl!
Rating: 
Summary: Ambition, Dreams, Tantalizing....
Review: This is a great read. The story line is never boring and shows so much realism in characters. With each situation and turn of the page, you were in tune with the storyline from beginning to end. This story shows how unplanned, unfortunate, unknown circumstances which at times seems good or at other possible terrible can bring about life altering changes that will have you looking deep within and doing things that you are not in the habit of doing. Your past can teach you lessons that will enhance your future. I would love to visit "Bliss" and this should not be a fictional place. Ms. Ray has totally done an excellent job, never boring. I definitely recommend this book. If you want an enjoyable read, pick this up. It is not a fairytale romance or a disheartening fiction, you actually feel and can visualize each character. Very Well done Ms. Ray
Rating:
Summary: One of the Authors best
Review: This story was very touching and senual the characters all came alive the story was well put together from beginning to end I never found a dull moment in the book in fact, The author's love scenes were so soft yet you could feel the strong eroctic points I loved how she phrased the end of statisfying love making with
"when they came to completion" Go buy this book and read it for yourself I promise you won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Shirley Person
Review: This was a phenomenal novel. As always I am never disappointed with a Francis Ray novel. My heart went out Claire who was forever trying to help everyone; even her brother who did not deserve her help and especially her love. If anyone in the story deserved love and happiness, it was Claire. She was the most profound character in the entire novel. I adored the maturity of the three heroines and the way they banded together to build their business and the strong bond they developed for each other. The children of John's were beautiful and adorable. This was a poignant and compelling novel which I could not put down until I had completed reading it. Excellent novel!!
Rating:
Summary: Very Empowering Read
Review: What an enjoyable read!! You have these two ladies, Claire and Brooke, who just lost their jobs due to downsizing. Then when Brooke notices the sachets and soaps that Claire makes, they along with Lorraine,who is well to do, but has nothing to do, come up with the idea to open a business selling just that. Together, they come up with the strategy, Claire making the items, Brooke doing the marketing, and Lorraine with the money and entreprenueral spirit to make this business work and to make it a success. Add a couple of men to make the romance factor, a couple of monkey wrenches(i.e. a greedy,selfish brother, and cheating scheming fiance, along with a reluctant, nonsupportive husband) and you have yourself an entertaining book. What I really like about this is the fact that these women took a bad situation and made a very good and profitable situation from it. Great book
Rating:
Summary: Great book.
Review: When I read the flap I was not too enthused about reading the book. It's not that it didn't seem to have a good enough plot, but I am not as thrilled with multiple characters compared to single characters as the sole focus of a novel . Ms Ray put my fears to rest with this wonderfully written book. I was caught up in each and every one of the women's lives. What I really enjoyed was that the characters were vastly different, ranging from classy, wealthy, middle aged to the sheek, sophisticated 20's. This book is definitely a winner.
Rating:
Summary: Love And Business 101
Review: With her sizzling romantic writings, prolific novelist Francis Ray has established herself as a powerhouse in the literary world. She continues in this tradition with her latest novel, LIKE THE FIRST TIME. Whether the reader is a romance junkie or simply desires to be captivated and transported to a dreamy romance filled place, where the language of love is the only one spoken, LIKE THE FIRST TIME is the ticket. LIKE THE FIRST TIME is an absolutely unforgettable story which explores the hopes, dreams and desires of three enterprising women, who struggle to become successful in love and in the business world. Brooke is a strong-willed, fiercely confident beauty who becomes strangely vulnerable as she tries to understand the workings of true love. Claire is inexperienced with affairs of the heart, but does not back down when she realizes the hidden feelings she harbors for her childhood crush may indeed be reciprocated. Lorraine has been like the Rock of Gibraltar for her husband throughout their marriage and assumes he would be the same for her, but is in for a rude awakening when she decides to live out her own dream.
The disappointments and successes they experience as they interact with the men in their lives and embark on their new business venture, is the highlight of this scintillating page turner. LIKE THE FIRST TIME is a richly compelling read which is sure to please.
Chockfull of steamy sexual tension, strong willed, intriguing characters and an intricate plot, this incredibly engrossing novel is sure to keep the reader's attention. Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Another stellar piece!!!
Review: Wow - I just couldn't put it down. What a storyline. Ray is exploring twists and turns never before explored (at least in my reading world). :) I thoroughly enjoy Ray as a writer.
She does such a great job giving us just enough (and sometimes on the edge of not just enough) before switching back to the other characters.
I will say the ending, after 33 chapters (or less) came and ended too quickly - leaving me wanting more, more, more. I strongly recommend reading "Like the First Time".
My favorite character/couple was Claire and Gray - what romantics. John makes it extra special though. Brooke's materialistic sound though, comes a dime a dozen. She proved herself later on in the story...and gained some kudos with me when it came to Mark and Amy.
Even though fiction - it sounds very close to the world in which I live. The setting is very real - professional women out there trying to "make it happen"/succeed against the odds and here comes a layoff - if that's not a very familiar occurance in today's times - I don't know what is.
As well, we all have a passion/craft/hobby that we never thought could actually make us big money; Enough to turn into a primary source of income. If it were not for Lorraine's persistence and vision (as well as dear Margaret too) - Bliss would never have evolved and succeeded.
Ahhhhhh - what a refreshing and romantic novel. And, perfect to have read it during the summer. A great summertime read.
Read it for yoruself - to fill in all the blanks I left. :)
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