TBR Review: Wicked Intent

Wicked Intent
Lora Leigh
Erotic Romance
Bound Hearts/Book 4
Ellora's Cave/April 2004

Control has meant everything to Tally Raines. Control of the office she ran as Jesse Wyman's secretary, and now control of Lucian Conover's office as well. But Lucian isn't content to be controlled by his fiery secretary. As a matter of fact, Lucian thinks she needs to loosen up and let the sexy, sensual woman hiding beneath her cool exterior free. And he will dare her to do just that. With a little help.

Lora Leigh was one of the first erotic authors I read eons ago when I finally got back into reading romances.  I was use to the historical romances of the 80's so to say I was shocked as how graphic not only the sex scenes were but the dance leading up to them was putting it mildly.  Wicked Intent is classic Leigh in that it's all about the sex and the dominance of the male.  But there is the underlying power the female holds over the male.  He simply thinks he holds all the power when in reality the power struggle is there until they find that balance that allows them to be everything to each other.   

Tally Raines thinks she has the worst boss ever.  He's arrogant, demanding, and as beautiful as an angel.  And that's just in the office!   She's also very attracted to him but in denial about the attraction.  He's far too much an ass for her to want anything to do with him.  Right.  Tally is a strong heroine but like all submissives she eventually crumbles under the pressure that not only Lucian puts on her but his twin brother Devril adds to the mix.  Yep, this is one of those novels.  Two brothers, one woman. Tally was okay as a heroine and she didn't give the brothers an easy time, making the boys work for their woman. 

First there was Lucian, then Devril.  Twin brothers whose looks are night and day but whose sexual tastes are very similar.  They are both members of The Club.  A exclusive club primarily for men, but with a few female exceptions, that caters to very specific taste in sexual adventures. Mainly, sharing women.  Which fits nicely when you have twins.  Their tastes in women and sex are not the only things these brothers share.  They also share a psychic link, allowing each brother to feel any strong emotions the other is feeling.  Yeah, you know where this is going.  Erotic novel plus brothers with psychic link equals steamy scenes that don't require all three participants in the same room.   

The premise is fairly standard and the plot moves in the expected direction with little to no deviation.  I didn't feel the strong sexual tension I would have expected.  From the first, I knew where this was going and how the characters would get there.  The writing is descriptive regarding physical attributes but there wasn't much in the way of emotional depth other than sexual frustration and anger.  All in all, this is merely a standard erotic romance.  If you're into brothers, then read it for the hot sex scenes.  If not, then pass.  

Rating: C

Bound Hearts Series ~ 

Surrender
Submission
Seduction
Wicked Intent
Sacrifice
Embraced
Shameless
Forbidden Pleasure
Wicked Pleasure
Only Pleasure
Guilty Pleasure
Dangerous Pleasure

Quickie Review: The Magical Christmas Cat

Title: The Magical Christmas Cat
Authors: Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Linda Winstead Jones
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Breeds by Lora Leigh & The Psy/Changlings by Nalini Singh

The Magical Christmas Cat is an anthology with four stories by four different authors. I've read Lora Leigh and her Breed series and also Nalini Singh and her Psy/Changling series. I enjoy both series and that's why I wanted to read this book. This was my first read by Linda Winstead Jones and I've read Fallen by Erin McCarthy.

Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh

This first story was about Zach Quinn, a DarkRiver soldier, and Annie Kildaire, a teacher at a school where some of the students are Changlings. Zach is the uncle of one of Annie's students and comes to take his nephew home after the boy gets into a fight. The sparks begin when Annie and Zach meet and continue through the story. This was a beautiful addition to the series. I don't think Singh is capable of writing a bad romance. She is able to pack so much information, so much "story" into the shortened format and still leave you feeling satisfied.

Rating: A

Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy

This is about Bree Murphy who is one of three sisters that are witches. Bree's younger sister Abby predicts Bree will meet a lawyer wearing a pink shirt. Totally not Bree's type. But who shows up at the door? Ian, who is a lawyer and guess what he's wearing. Yep, a pink shirt. Bree and Ian seem an unlikely pair but they soon come to know each other and realize they were meant to be together. These two opposites attracted in a big way. It was a quick, cute read but didn't leave me wanting to read the next Murphy sister's story.

Rating: B

Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones

Ruby attends the annual Christmas party on her street and has the misfortune of being the Secret Santa for Zane Benedict, her new neighbor. Zane is an attractive guy if a bit odd. Ruby and Zane find themselves together due to some scary goings on at Ruby's house. There is a little mystery of who Zane really is and his connection to Ruby. It was an interesting story but I would have like to have it in a longer format. Definitely will be reading more of Ms. Winstead Jones.

Rating: B+

Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh

The last story is about Noble Chavin, a Jaguar breed, and Haley McQuire who is a librarian. If you've read any of Lora Leigh's Breed books you know what to expect. There are some appearances by Breeds from previous books and some new Breed characters are introduced. Overall, Noble and Haley's story was similar to other Breed stories with the initial attraction, the hunt and the taming. A decent addition to the Breed world.

Rating: B+

Just curious ~ did anyone else notice the phallic symbol on the cover?

Current reads

I have the Shifter anthology but still need to read Lora Leigh's Breed books and Alyssa Day's Warriors of Poseidon series before Shifter. Currently reading Tanner's Scheme by Leigh and Atlantis Rising by Day. Day's is the first I've read of hers. The concept is interesting but her writing is a bit choppy at times. The flow could be better. Leigh's is the standard Breed book - good with a lot of hot sex scenes. Sometimes I think they get in the way of the story.