Review: Holiday Games by Jaci Burton

All Elizabeth and Gavin Riley want for Christmas is a baby. Despite over a year of trying, conception hasn’t been successful. But for a high-achiever like Elizabeth, she must succeed at everything. That means making the very most of every opportunity with her husband. And when it comes to nonstop sex Gavin’s not really complaining. Exhausted, maybe...

Unfortunately, this holiday season they’re not exactly given a lot of private time. Elizabeth is hosting the holiday, Gavin’s sister is getting married, and the house is wall-to-wall with family. For Elizabeth and Gavin the nights may be chilly, but the urge is still hot. And they’re not about to let any distraction get in the way of their necessary pleasures during a holiday game that yields so many unexpected surprises.

Holiday Games is a quick dip back into the world of the Riley family.  The main focus of the novella is Jenna Riley and Ty Anderson's upcoming wedding, but I really wanted more of Elizabeth and Gavin Riley.  Liz is probably my favorite woman in the Riley family, and the fact that she's decided becoming pregnant is taking too long can only lead to interesting situations between she and Gavin.  

Review: Drawn Together by Lauren Dane

Tattoo artist Raven Smith is blunt and hard, broken and jaded, dark and beautiful. While she doesn't hide her painful past, she does keep a wall around her heart. She's free sexually—but no one gets to the real Raven beneath the prickly exterior.

With a voice like smoke, Jonah Warner is a smooth-talking, highly successful attorney, with a body that should never be hidden by a suit. He's the kind of man who never takes no for an answer and always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Raven. She's a survivor, and he finds that incredibly alluring.

Jonah gets under her skin in a way Raven has never experienced. He makes her break all her rules—including her no-monogamy rule.

But when a figure from Raven's past shows up at the tattoo parlor and drops a bomb into her life, their relationship will face the ultimate challenge.

Raven has flitted in and out of the Brown Siblings series.  She is one of my favorite secondary characters, so I was glad she was finally getting her happily ever after.  As with all of Ms. Dane's books in the Brown Siblings and the Delicious series, I just can't seem to put it down, so Drawn Together was finished quicker than I wanted it to be.   

The one aspect I didn't like was the use of BDSM in Drawn Together.  I realize it's a popular trope to add to erotic romances nowadays, but I thought it took away some of the passion I expected Raven to have.  She's so withdrawn and closemouthed about her life -- Erin makes a point of relaying that throughout the series -- that I wasn't expecting her to be into BDSM. 

Drawn Together was a nice way to tie up both series, and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to read it and know the Browns and their extended family will be a-okay. 

Review: Cake by Lauren Dane

She won't be satisfied with just one bite….

Art student-slash-bike messenger Wren Davis pursues what she wants. And what she wants now is Gregori Ivanov, rock star of the Seattle art scene. With his tattoos, piercings and sensual sneer, Gregori is the ultimate bad boy. Wren's gotten to know the man beneath the body art, too—and it only makes her crave him more.

But Gregori loves women like he loves cake and champagne—intensely, but only for the moment. And after Wren experiences just how scorching sex with Gregori is, she's determined to show him that just one taste won't be enough….

Cake has all the elements I typically expect from a Lauren Dane romance:  sexual tension, a heroine with serious confidence, a gritty, prickly hero.   Yet despite knowing this going in, I didn't love Cake as much as I thought I would. 

Wren is an art student with a messenger job, so she gets to flirt with Gregori Ivanov from time to time as she delivers documents to him.  She knows what she wants -- both professionally and personally -- and she's confident enough make her success happen. 

Gregori is an artist with an attitude.  At least that's the persona he projects in public.  Wren, however, gets him; she sees him where he's most comfortable and real.  But Gregori has female issues, specifically his crazy ex-wife, and he doesn't want Wren to be hurt.  

As I read, I thought Cake should have been retitled to Sweet.  Both Wren and Gregori crave sweets, and Gregori always has cookies lying around the kitchen, which he uses to tempt Wren into staying longer on her deliveries.  A trivial matter perhaps, but I only recall them sharing cake once, yet they eat cookies together all the time.  Is cake somehow more significant than cookies?

Wren is certainly the more aggressive of the two.  She tells Gregori like she sees it and deals with whatever fall-out happens from there.  I wanted to get to know Gregori more to understand exactly what makes him so attractive to Wren (besides his physical appearance and artistic skills). 

(A very special thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Cake.)  

Review: One Sweet Ride by Jaci Burton

Gray Preston was born into money, but he’s built his racing empire on hard work and muscle. And now that Gray has millions of fans, his senator father sends one of his aides, Evelyn Hill, to elicit Gray’s help in garnering votes for the upcoming national election. Gray wants nothing to do with his estranged father’s campaign, but Evelyn can be pretty persuasive. She’s willing to learn about racing, and maybe even get a little dirty.

Evelyn’s number-one goal is politics, which makes working with Gray difficult, because his only passion is fast cars. As she and Gray spend time together, he teaches her about the sport he loves, and she learns a lot about the man behind the wheel. The more she learns, the more she wants him. But any desire that threatens to derail the carefully laid plans for her future is a dangerous one.

With the passion Gray and Evelyn share running hotter than either imagined, one of them is going to have to compromise, or else run the risk of losing more than their hearts.

One Sweet Ride continues the Play by Play series Ms. Burton began with The Perfect Play.  This book, however, is the first not to feature a Riley as the hero or heroine.  There's a different feel to the story because of that, but it's still a typical Jaci Burton romance. 

Gray Preston and his father do not get along.  His father had one idea of Gray's future, and Gray had another.  Because of this, the two men don't speak or have a relationship.  Evelyn Hill works for Gray's father in Washington, D.C.  She has been tasked with bringing Gray into his father's campaign for vice president in the hopes Gray's fans will support his choice of political candidate.  Of course, sparks fly between Gray and Evelyn as she learns more about him and tells him how his father has changed. 

I liked One Sweet Ride because it is a Jaci Burton romance, and I know what to expect from those.  I did miss the camaraderie and family involvement as portrayed by the Rileys in the previous installments.  Perhaps that is the reason I couldn't connect with Gray and Evelyn as much as I wanted to.  Gray's sister, Carolina, and Gray's college roommate Drew will be featured in Melting the Ice (February 2014). 

Review: Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton

She thinks she knows this player—but he has a few surprise moves.

For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher, Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch, a man.

Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But both their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.

Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call.

Thrown by a Curve picks up with Alicia Riley, Cole Riley's sister, and pitcher Garrett Scott.  It is also the final Riley book and ushers in new characters who happen to be friends of Garrett's from college, now in various professional sports. 

Garrett has been injured and is slowly working his way back into pitching rotation.  His rehab isn't progressing as he would like it to, so when Alicia is observing his treatment, he asks for her opinion.  Shocking them both, as well as the staff of trainers, he decides to have Alicia oversee his rehab.   Garrett would like to push his relationship with Alicia farther, but she is adamant they maintain professional boundaries. 

What I liked about Alicia and Garrett was their banter.  It's brisk and lively with just a hint of sexual innuendo, especially once Garrett imagines having sex with Alicia.  I didn't like that Garrett stopped supporting Alicia's method of therapy once his shoulder became stronger and improved.  That this happens after they've started sleeping together was bad timing on Garrett's part. 

I am interested to see how the Play by Play series can move forward with no Rileys as one of the main characters, so I look forward to reading One Sweet Ride to see how Ms. Burton handles that issue.   

Review: Playing to Win by Jaci Burton

Someone’s going to have to let down their guard…

Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder, but if he doesn’t clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He’s not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she’s not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she’s determined to give it her best shot.

When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.

Playing to Win deviates from the three previous Play by Play books in that one of the main characters is a distant relative -- cousin -- of Mick, Gavin, and Jenna Riley.  The original Riley family is still seen in Playing to Win, but they aren't the whole focus.   I was skeptical, because to me it seemed like a way to extend the series, and I wasn't convinced I would enjoy it.  I'm so glad I took a leap of faith.  Playing to Win is a good book, and a good addition to this on-going series.  

Cole Riley is selfish with a capital S.  He has a promising career ahead of him, but he regularly does whatever he wants without considering any repercussions.  He blows through life hard and fast and almost refuses to accept any help or advice.  He reluctantly agrees to work with Savannah Brooks, an image consultant.  

Though Savannah is attracted to Cole, and vice versa, she keeps their relationship strictly professional.  That, however, doesn't mean she can stop fantasizing about him at every turn.  

I would have liked to have known more about why Cole acted the way he did at the beginning of the novel, but overall, I enjoyed Playing to Win, and look forward to continuing this series. 

Review: Lush by Lauren Dane

USA Today bestselling author Lauren Dane delivers a second serving of sexy in her new Delicious novel, in which taste and temptation make up a sweet recipe… 

Mary Whaley has her hands full running a successful catering company and overseeing her supper club. She has everything she ever wanted—or so she thought. When she meets ridiculously hot and very dirty rock star Damien Hurley at her friend’s engagement party, the attraction she feels is overpowering—and she isn’t about to deny herself.

Damien is used to a hard and fast life. He and two of his brothers started a band when they were fresh out of high school—then they hit the big time and stayed there. He’s also a legendary madman on the stage and in the bedroom. But when he meets Mary, something clicks, and the bad boy starts thinking he may have finally found something good.

What begins as a series of fleeting trysts soon gets much more complicated. Damien can’t figure out why Mary doesn’t want more from him. And before long, it’s Damien who wants more from Mary. But it turns out Mary is no stranger to celebrity news, and he’s got a very big job ahead of him: proving that he’s worth more than a one-night stand…

Series readers will pick up almost directly at the end of Tart.  That is not to say you cannot follow the progress of Mary and Damien's relationship without having read Tart or any of The Brown Siblings books.  Lush is an erotic romance you really need to read -- it's that good! 

Mary Whaley isn't looking for love or romance despite the fact that her best girlfriends have all found both.  She has several businesses to run; she's ultimately very happy in her life.  She meets rocker Damien Hurley at Gillian's engagement party, and sparks fly.  Mary's attraction isn't one-sided either.  Damien has fallen hard and fast for her.  

One of the main aspects I loved about Lush is the fact that Damien is pursuing Mary.  He's not making grandiose gestures, he's not making false promises to simply get into her pants -- he genuinely wants a relationship with her, and it surprises everyone, including himself.    I stated on Twitter that Damien Hurley might be as awesome as Brody Brown (hero of Ms. Dane's Coming Undone), but it's a close call.

The Big Misunderstanding is a bit predictable, but it didn't overshadow my serious love for Lush.  This has been my favorite of the Delicious series.  Focused strictly on Mary and Damien's oh-so-hot chemistry, Lush is a great way to end the series on a high note.   

(A very special thank you to Penguin, Berkley, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Lush.)

Review: Tart by Lauren Dane

USA Today bestselling author Lauren Dane serves up a sweet, sensual, and hot-to-the-touch novel in which one woman’s most intimate desires are stirred by two very special ingredients…

Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn’t long before the former childhood friends play catch up—in bed.

That’s not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he’s hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.

Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio’s scalding liaisons take them places they’ve never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she’ll have a choice to make when she returns…

I really enjoyed The Brown Siblings series by Ms. Dane, so I was interested to see if I would enjoy the spin-off series as much.  I have not yet read "Delicious," the novella which introduced Gillian Forrester's friends, Daisy, Juliet, and Mary, so my knowledge about the women -- who've nicknamed themselves Delicious -- is limited by what's been mentioned in Never Enough.  

I loved Juliet and Gideon together.  I felt there's was a great chemistry and the beginnings of a wonderful happily-ever-after; then Cal came on the scene.  Juliet, because she's been a friend of Cal's sister, Mary, has lusted after Cal for years.  As soon as she's settled, comfortable, and has the chance at real happiness with Gideon, Cal decides to stake his claim.  Ain't that just like a man?  

Juliet, Gideon, and Cal never achieved the success of Erin, Todd, and Ben in Laid Bare.  I felt Cal acted on his feelings toward Juliet out of jealousy that another man had her.  The fact that Cal was bisexual -- and the fact that Gideon was also -- seemed too convenient for the plot.  I didn't believe in their mutual love for each party within their triad.  It seemed very forced to me.  

When all the members of Delicious plus Raven are on screen to help prep for Gillian's wedding to Adrian, the individual women and their respective personalities blended together.  I wondered about Gillian and her friends being so accepting of Raven.  Raven had been a source of contention within the Brown family -- Erin likes her; Adrian doesn't -- so how was she able to bond with Gillian and her friends so quickly and easily?  

Tart would have been a great read for me had the romance solely focused on Juliet and Gideon, so I am disappointed I didn't like it as much as I had hoped. 
    

Review: Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty... 

Thanks to managing her family's bar and two older brothers, Jenna Riley hates sports -- all sports.  She wants to date someone normal, yet she cannot stop thinking about the chemistry she shares with hockey star Ty Anderson.  At first, his appearances at the bar are nice; he visits with fans and keeps them happy.  When he starts to push Jenna for a date, she denies her attraction and resolves to move on.  But Ty isn't going to take Jenna's wishy-washy "No" for her true answer.

While I liked the set-up for Taking a Shot, Jenna was a difficult heroine to cheer for.  She has her mind set on one thing -- not dating an athlete or someone knowledgeable about sports -- and she sticks to her guns.  After she and Ty have sex in an ill-fated attempt on her part to get him out of her system, Jenna still isn't happy, now because she cannot stop thinking about Ty.  It's only when she realizes that she can achieve the dreams she's put on hold for her family's sake and the guy she's crazy about does she become a smart, likeable heroine.

Review: Never Enough by Lauren Dane

From the national bestselling author of Inside Out--a sizzling story of insatiable passion. 

Gillian Forrester spent her life running...until Miles came along. The moment she held her older sister's unwanted newborn, Gillian stopped running and began building a life for her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, Gillian's sister reveals the father's identity on her deathbed-a revelation that shakes Gillian to her core.

Adrian Brown is the epitome of the successful rock star. It takes a lot to shock him-but the bombshell that he has a son rocks his world. And Adrian is even more surprised when the buttoned-up elegant woman who's raising him ignites his erotic and romantic attention-and engages his heart. 

For a woman with as many trust and privacy issues as Gillian has, she's not shy about her want of Adrian Brown.  I was a little surprised by that.  Typical of this series, we're propelled by Adrian's and Gillian's desire for one another.  Add the Browns' varying degrees of family on top of that, and you've got a pretty good way to spend a couple of days.  I still love the blended families here, though I do wonder if every new addition would be so welcomed in a real-life situation.    

The best part of this book, for me, hands down, was Brody Brown.  It's no secret Coming Undone, the book featuring Brody's romance with Elise, is my favorite of this series.   In Never Enough, Brody proved exactly why he was the best father Erin, Adrian, and his own two children can ever have.  He's the calm voice of reason -- yet sometimes not so calm, like when he pitches a glass of water into Adrian's face -- but his advice is always sound and well thought out. 

I was also disappointed that Never Enough just seemed to end.  I know we'll see Adrian and Gillian again in the spin-off series next year, but I wanted a little more closure here, or certainly a witty Gillian-ism before The End.   I would recommend reading this series from the beginning as I don't think any book completely stands alone, given the sheer number of characters and plot threads involved in each narrative. 

Review: Changing The Game by Jaci Burton

Most people play by the rules. Gavin and Liz aren't most people...

Win at any cost. That's always been the mantra of sports agent Liz Darnell. When she carries things too far and risks losing her number-one client, baseball pro Gavin Riley, Liz realizes that she'll have to work extra innings to win him back. It might not be too much of a stretch. She's had a thing for this player's moves since she first laid eyes on him, and by the looks of it, he wants her just as bad.

Gavin's more than ready—especially when Liz is offering herself as part of the bargain. And as much of her as Gavin wants. For added thrills, he decides to throw a little curve ball Liz's way to see just how far she's truly willing to go to keep him as a client. But when love unexpectedly enters the playing field, neither Liz nor Gavin are ready for the biggest game-changer of them all.

Last year, The Perfect Play was exactly the kind of book I needed to read at exactly the right moment.  When I discovered Changing the Game featured Elizabeth "Liz" Darnell, the antagonist of The Perfect Play, I was very skeptical on how Ms. Burton could redeem Liz.  

Oh ye of little faith. 

Ms. Burton does an excellent job making Liz Darnell human, feminine, and most importantly, apologetic (sometimes beyond the necessary realm of apologies). 

We learn a lot about what makes Liz tick, how she's been in love with Gavin for years, though she hotly denies it when confronted, and how devoted she is to operating a successful agency.  An evening that starts out as sex only quickly escalates into something more between Gavin and Liz, but Gavin's brother and Liz's former client Mick is always around to cast a negative shadow on the situation.

Changing the Game is a book about mistakes and how one makes amends after said mistakes.  Neither Liz nor Gavin are perfect -- we learned Liz's big mistake in The Perfect Play and Gavin makes one here -- but they are most certainly human and completely in love with one another.  Changing the Game is a super sexy addition to the Play-by-Play series  with more at its heart than just a romance.    

Review: What a Goddess Wants by Stephanie Julian

IN HIS ARMS, HER MAGIC POWERS ARE ON THE RISE...


Tessa, Etruscan Goddess of the Dawn, is losing her powers and now there's an Underworld god determined to run her down. She needs a hero and fast, because only sexual energy can give her power. So she seeks out Caligo, whose sexual prowess is legendary...

AND SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN BRING HIM INTO THE LIGHT...

Caligo is a fabled Cimmerian warrior determined to stay away from spoiled goddesses who trample hearts after they've had their fun. But there's something irresistibly hot and inviting about Tessa and he knows he's her only change to escape the encroaching darkness...



I've never read Ms. Julian's work, so I was happy to give this erotic paranormal a try.  And when I say erotic, I mean erotic.  Cal finds an sleeping Tessa in his house, where he proceeds to strip her naked and tie her up...and the sex doesn't slow down.  It wasn't necessarily out of place within Tessa's and Cal's growing relationship -- the pair also uses sex to "recharge" Tessa, so to speak -- but at times I felt it wasn't necessary for the plot and would have almost preferred conversations to the loss of clothing. 

I did enjoy the world Ms. Julian created with the Etruscan goddesses, and I hope to learn more about them and the secondary cast of characters in future books of this trilogy.  What a Goddess Wants is a lighter paranormal where there is the threat of death, but it's an not overwhelming fear, though it is what brings Tessa and Cal together in the first place.  It's a quick read with a lot of sex and a bit of conflict.  Mix them together and you've got a lot of fun. 

(A very special thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca who provided me with an ARC of What a Goddess Wants.)

Review: Taken by Fire by Sydney Croft

HIS MISSION WAS TO DESTROY HER.

BUT DESIRE GOT IN THE WAY.

A product of genetic manipulation, Melanie Milan shares a body with her malevolent sister, Phoebe. A sleek, blond predator with a heart of pure darkness, Phoebe puts their body through the wicked underbelly of sex for thrills—when she’s not igniting her pyrokinetic skills for an evil organization bent on taking over the world. Melanie rarely gets out to play—much less fall in love. But that changes when rival ACRO agent Stryker Wills shows up, with a mission to terminate the woman who torched his partner.

An operative with rare abilities, Stryker soon realizes that the woman he’s about to kill isn’t the murderous fire starter he’s been hunting. But he does want her. Melanie, with the power to ice anything in her path, is heating things up in ways that are setting fire to his blood. As long as Melanie stays in control, she is his best ally to bring down her sister and stop hellish havoc from being unleashed. Walking a tightrope of longing and hate, Stryker and Melanie begin to understand that true power lies in sweet surrender to each other, to the flames between them, to the erotic adventure that’s joined their hearts and abilities to become their salvation—and perhaps the world’s.

What a great ending to a remarkable series!

When I first read Riding the Storm, I was shocked -- in a good way -- about the erotic nature of the story.  It wasn't what I'd expected at all.  But it was so.  Very.  Good.

As this series progressed, we're introduced to more characters within the ACRO world, characters I came to care deeply about.  That Taken by Fire brings them back, at least those connected with the original trilogy, is a nice way to round out the series.

But, boy, were there some tense moments.  Ms. Croft isn't pulling any punches in this finale, and the angst and action is at a fever pitch.  The ending is worth those few fingernail biting instances, though.  A great series from beginning to end.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Review: The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom.  But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game...

For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city.  But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand.  Too bad Tara's not interested in getting to know football's most notorious playboy any better.

As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs in the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley, even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable.  Her life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick's latest girl du jour.  Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his sights to win, nothing will stop him.  And he has the perfect play in mind. 

Notwithstanding the cover, well, it's difficult to look past the cover, isn't it?  Man titty, ahoy!  Actually, my favorite part of the cover may be the "hip divot".  But seriously, open the book and read a really great erotic romance.

Ms. Burton was one of the first erotic romance authors I ever read six years ago.  I remember blushing even now.  (Oh how times have changed.)  While I've dabbled in some of her other series, I've never been hooked by them, so I was very happy when I found out she was writing a contemporary sports-themed series. 

I breezed through The Perfect Play over the course of two days, and I really liked it a lot!  There's sex -- of course, it's an erotic romance -- but it's not overly done.  There's some moments of tension, one which I thought would become the "Big Misunderstanding" that might ultimately break Mick and Tara apart.  It features a secondary character, Liz, who is the heroine of the second book Changing the Game, and I'm interested to see if Ms. Burton can make Liz a likeable heroine because she's a true piece of work in The Perfect Play. 

Regardless, The Perfect Play had exactly what I needed.  It was, in a word, perfect.  

Review: Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning

An ultimatum can break your heart...

Every night lead singer Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy of desire with his voice alone.  But no other man can touch Jessica the way he did...

If you're not willing to break all the rules...

It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement with Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms.  But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed...

Then a chance meeting and torturously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters.  Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they're in danger of truly scandalous public exposure...

There was more story in Rock Hard, rather than all the sex, sex, and more sex of Backstage Pass. That doesn't mean I didn't want to strangle Jessica and Sed because I did. Many, many, many times.

As Sed is introduced in Backstage Pass, well, he's a bit of an ass.  He's stolen every serious girlfriend Brian has ever had -- given that Brian is a hopeless romantic, every girlfriend is a serious girlfriend, but I digress.  Sed has threesomes and foursomes, then routinely kicks those groupies to the curb rather easily.  He genuinely feels no remorse for his actions ever.  But there was the mysterious Jessica, whom we learned had been engaged to Sed but promptly broke his heart when she ended their engagement.  That little piece of hurt made Sed human.  It's easy to see, after learning even the most minute details about Jessica, that Sed's behaviors are defense mechanisms.  He doesn't want to be hurt again, so he'll continue to play the ass.  Fine by him. 

Sed and Jessica are happy at the beginning of Rock Hard, until Jessica announces her desire to go to law school and Sed tells her he'll pay for it.  Furious because she doesn't want to be a kept woman, she wants to make it on her own and Sed cannot see that, she breaks up with him and walks out of his life for two years.  Sed is, you know, doing his thing, so imagine his surprise when the guys go to a strip club and he spies Jessica plying her wares as it were.  Sed jerks her from the stage, then proceeds to start a fight (or defend himself), and this is where the shizz really hits the fan. 

Both Sed and Jessica could use a dose from the communication fairy.  Each has their own agenda (Jessica wants to sleep with Sed; Sed wants to have Jessica permanently in his life again), so it's obvious things are going to blow up in their respective faces.   

Rock Hard was a fast read, but I really wanted both Sed and Jessica to mature as time went on.  I can understand the pull of a "let's fight and let's make up" kind of relationship, but it's really tireless to watch, especially if neither party seems to learn anything from the arguments.  The relationship of the Sinners, however, is so solid and concrete, I'm amazed any women would strive to become attached to one of them.  Brian, Sed, Jace, Eric and Trey have a real friendship, one of the best I've seen in contemporary romance.  Let's hear it for the boys!  More often than not, the secondary characters overshadowed the main plot.  I would like to read the third book of this series, though I'm really holding out for more on Trey. 


(A very special thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an ARC of Rock Hard.)

Review: Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning

Five stunning guys, one hot woman, and a feverish romance...


For him, life is all music and no play...

When Brian Sinclair, lead songwriter and guitarist of the hottest metal band on the scene, loses his creative spark, it will take nights of downright sinful passion to release his pent-up genius...

She's the one to call the tune...

When sexy psychologist Myrna Evans goes on tour with the Sinners, every boy in the band tries to seduce her. But Brian is the only one she wants to get her hands on...

Then the two lovers' wildly shocking behavior sparks the whole band to new heights of glory...and sin...

Whew -- there's a lot of sex in this book. Much more than I expected. I won't say if that's good or bad, but it did lead to some moments on my part where I wondered if Myrna and Brian really needed that much sex. At times, the copious amounts of copulation made it seem like that was all they were doing, despite the fact that their sex led Brian out of his writing funk.

As a character, Myrna was a study in contrasts.  She is attracted to Brian, has no problem showing such affection to him -- often and sometimes in the presence of his bandmates -- then she reacts badly after the fact.  Such as, when Eric "has a moment" in her hair.  She's fine having sex with Brian in Eric's presence, but once the sexy times are over, she's embarrassed.  Then she walks out into the living area stark naked in the next scene.  Or when she objects to having her picture taken.  It's clear there are issues with her ex-husband, but those are glossed over until *boom* her ex-husband arrives at her door. 

Brian wears his heart on his sleeve and, more often than not, any woman who captures it manages to break it by sleeping with Sed, the Sinners' lead singer.  So it's easy to see that he's concerned the same thing will happen with Myrna.  That, however, doesn't stop him from falling head over heels for her.

While I liked Backstage Pass, I did want there to be more romance, more of Myrna and Brian getting to know one another outside the bedroom or bathtub or tour bus.  Their road trip was the start of exactly that, but it was over too soon.

(I should note that I received an ARC of Rock Hard from Sourcebooks Casablanca and liked it more than Backstage Pass. Enjoying the second book of a series more than the first is a rare occurrence for me.)

 

Review: Inside Out by Lauren Dane

The latest "sexy, pulse-pounding adventure"* (Jaci Burton) from the national bestselling author of Coming Undone.


In the wake of an attack that left her nearly dead, Ella Tipton has spent each day putting her life back together. She doesn't have any room for romance, but that doesn't mean she has to stop admiring the scenery.

Sexy security professional Andrew Copeland is no stranger to women, but he knows Ella is something different. Determined to get her to let him in, Andy does the one thing he can think of to get close: he offers her hands-on training in self-defense-and before long, all that skin on skin contact with have them both turning inside out.

While the Brown Sibling series is one of my favorites, Inside Out didn't thrill me like Laid Bare and Coming Undone. 

There's no doubt Ella Tipton and Andrew Copeland (aka Cope, Andy or Andrew, depending on who is speaking) have chemistry and are hot for one another.  I loved that Ella schooled their extended family on Andrew's virtues: his poetry, his art, and his woodworking skills.  I also loved seeing their courtship, the strengthening of their relationship, told via their notes and packages to one another. 

But it was the drama surrounding Erin's pregnancy and subsequent childbirth I kept tuning in for.  Also for Raven, though she affects other characters in such a way, be it positive or negative, I'm not sure why I like her so much. 

I am looking forward to Never Enough (September 2011), the next book in the series featuring the elusive Adrian Brown.

Review: Passion: Erotic Romance for Women, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussell

Love and sex have always been intimately intertwined--and Passion shows just how delicious the possibilities are when they mingle in this sensual collection edited by award-winning author Rachel Kramer Bussel. Be swept away as you travel to Paris and Greece (and Beverly Hills). Get stuck in an elevator, take a bubble bath, and explore nature in some very luscious ways. Indulge in "Big Bed Sex," get geeky with "My Dark Knight," find "An Easy Guy to Fall On," discover why there's "No Risk, No Reward," go to work with "The Efficiency Expert," and "Rekindle" an old flame. Featuring work by talented authors, Passion offers succulent stories sure to quicken heartbeats while appealing to the most romantic of souls.


With contributed stories by Donna George Storey, Jacqueline Applebee, Angela Caperton, Wickham Boyle, Suzanne V. Slate, Isabelle Gray, Lana Fox, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Monica Day, A.M. Hartnett, Annabeth Leong, Justine Elyot, Charlene Teglia, Lizzy Chambers, Saskia Walker, Emerald, Teresa Noelle Roberts, Delilah Devlin, Portia de Costa, and Kathleen Bradean.

 
 
What I loved about this collection was that not only were the short stories of quality, but there was such a selection, such a wide range of diversity in subject matter and pairings, a reader would never be bored.  The possibilities -- and the results -- really are delicious! 
 

 

Review: Second Chances by Lauren Dane

Ten years ago, Rori Simon left town shy, unattractive and with zero self-esteem. Now she’s back, older, stronger and finally loving herself—and it shows. Hot men are soon knocking at her door, including Jude Callahan, the bad boy who starred in her teenage daydreams…and her adult fantasies.

Jude can’t believe the sexy, confident woman before him is actually Rori! She’s gotten under his skin like no other woman has…and brings out secret desires he can’t resist. He wants to dominate Rori with every fiber of his being. Wants to own her and pleasure her. To cherish her as he makes her his.

Rori discovers she likes being controlled. She also knows Jude is not a one-woman man. Everything changes when she meets Zach Helm. Edgy, sensual Zach knows just what she needs, and before long, she’s in love. Jude watches them together and wonders if he’s lost his chance forever…

Given that I absolutely love Laid Bare and Coming Undone, I expected to feel the same way about Second Chances.  (I also wanted an "in-between" to tide me over until Inside Out releases on November 2.)  Unfortunately, I didn't. 

I wanted to though.  Oh, how I wanted to.

Rori and Jude have some smokin' sexual tension (and their sex is uber hot too).  Then boom!  The flames are doused in the first third of the novella.  Granted it's because of Jude's behavior that the non-couple breaks up, but I was surprised to find Rori be attracted to Zach so quickly.  It seemed almost a case of the pot calling the kettle somewhat black. 

Rori jumps headfirst into a relationship with Zach, a decision Zach eagerly agrees to.  Jude is then delegated to the background, moping and complaining about how he loves Rori, but she's with another man so he's lost his chance. 

I think I just wanted more from Rori, Zach and Jude.  More consideration for the other party, more sincere apologies when necessary, more true reactions when wronged or hurt.  Does that mean more drama?  I don't know.  There was just something missing, and my anticipation of learning their story lessened the more I read. 

I will admit that, given how Second Chances ended and the cover copy for Believe, the sequel of sorts, I am anxious to read Believe to revisit these characters.

(A very special thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Second Chances.)

Review: Tempting the Fire by Sydney Croft

EXTREME HEAT. EXTREME HUNGER.


A JUNGLE EDEN ABLAZE WITH TEMPTATION.

Deep in the Brazilian rain forest, a team of Navy SEALs has been nearly wiped out by something sinister and superhuman, sending shock waves through the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO). Now ACRO agents Sela Kahne and Marlena West head to the world’s most unforgiving jungle to find and kill a mythical monstrosity with a taste for human blood. But to succeed in their mission, they will need the help of two men, each hiding his own dark secret.

Sela is an expert on cryptozoology with a sideline skill that could prove invaluable: When she makes love to a man, she engulfs his innermost thoughts. Teamed with Marlena, Sela makes contact with the lone SEAL survivor, Chance McCormack. Meanwhile, Logan Mills, the man who rescued Chance, leads his private company on a hunt that has nothing to do with saving lives. Soon, Sela will put her supernatural charms to work on Logan, determined to extract information about the creature they are seeking. But in this sweat-drenched realm of danger and deception, Logan is more than just a passive target. He has the power to lead a highly trained seducer into a jungle without any rules, without any limits—and with no end to the heat.

And this is a very good story.  Whew.  I was worried after my less than happy thoughts about Taming the Fire.  For whatever reason, I didn't enjoy it, so I was skeptical about Tempting the Fire.  (From a money standpoint, it's hard for me to convince myself to spend $15 on a book when I wasn't gung-ho about the previous book, no matter how much I've enjoyed the author's other offerings.)  Tempting the Fire, however, likens back to the first three books of Ms. Croft's series, and the result is scorching. 

We're introduced to new ACRO agent, Sela.  She's an interesting mix of confident and timid.  When she's paired with Marlena for an operation to the Brazilian rain forest, well, Sela believes Marlena will work sexual magic while she uses her smarts to obtain ACRO's desired result.  The mission, of course, isn't that simple.

As we go back and forth between Sela, Marlena, Chance and Logan, we're reunited with Annika and Creed.  [This may have been what Taming the Fire was missing: a core couple from one of the first three books, characters we already knew and were interested in.]  Their relationship has never been easy, though that's part of their charm.  Add Annika's involvement in Sela's and Marlena's mission, and things get dicey quickly.

If you're a fan of the paranormal (and some mighty sexy romance), I wholeheartedly suggest this author.  It's action from the word Go, whether that be on the battlefield or in the bedroom.