ARC Review: Kiss Across Deserts

Kiss Across Deserts
Tracy Cooper-Posey
Erotic Romance/Time Travel/MMF
Kiss Across Time/Book 4
Self-Published/May 5, 2015

Time travel is not for the weak of heart.

Alexander Karim, long-time friend of Brody, Veris and Taylor, has been questioning everything; his purpose in life and his identity as a vampire and a doctor. Even his long time pursuit of the lovely but reluctant police lieutenant Sydney Stevens is on shaky ground.

Life tosses him a curve ball when Alex learns that Brody’s trial lawyer, Rayner De Leon, the youngest appeal court judge in the state, is attracted to Alex. Rayner is a vampire, Rafael, who has known Brody and Veris since the fifth century. Alex warily allows Rafael to seduce him, and the affair has surprising results for both of them.

But then a deliberate hit and run tosses Sydney back into Alex’s life and this time, her defenses are down and she is vulnerable. But there are unanswered questions surrounding Sydney. Who tried to kill her?  And why is she insisting that Alex was there, when he doesn’t remember it that way?

When a kiss sends Alex and Sydney back to Alex’s beloved desert, and he realizes that Taylor is not the only one who can time travel, the questions pile up like gunpowder. The flint that strikes the spark is Sydney’s past, which is exposed when Rafael reaches through time and uncovers her dangerous secret.

The explosion that follows is both deadly and tragic, reaching out to touch everyone’s lives.

Warning: This time travel menage romance features two super-hot alpha vampire heroes, multiple sex scenes, including anal sex, MM sexual play, and MMF sex. Do not read this book if frank sexual language and sex scenes offend you.

The time-space continuum was restored to order at the end of this book. Promise.

Sexy vampires and time travel. A combination sure to produce steamy, sexy scenes. Not only does Kiss Across Deserts deliver hot sex scenes, there is also an engaging plot to go along with it. The one caveat - if you haven't read the previous books in the series you might find yourself a little lost at times. The heroes and heroine from those books feature heavily in the plot, having a history with the current heroes.

Sydney Stevens is dealing with a demanding job and she seems to be a bit of a loner. Her work is her life. Sydney is a detective although this was not apparent at the beginning. There were clues alluding to what she did but I would have preferred it being stated rather than guessing until it was finally revealed. Syndney has struck up an odd friendship with Alex Karim, who keeps asking her out, she continues to decline. This relationship I found intriguing because it was new for both of them and they were each coming from very different places in their lives.

Alex is working through some serious issues and doesn't seem to know what he wants when it comes to relationships. His confusion leads to a stressful situation with Sydney and Rafael. Alex is also a doctor doing research into time travel and at first it was a little murky as to what he is searching for. Some clarity early on would have been helpful.

Enter Rafael. He is attracted to Alex and makes that attraction known. This is all new to Alex which Rafael takes into consideration as he pursues a relationship between the two of them. But this doesn't last and Alex is again alone. The dynamics between Rafael and Alex were well written with both men showing how their long pasts have affected their present attitude concerning relationships. But that's all about to change as these two men realize what is missing from their lives.

The time travel aspect was interesting but what I really enjoyed was the relationship between Alex, Sydney and Rafael. How they come together, meshing their lives into one. The dynamics are at first difficult to see how they might combine their lives but as the story progresses, we see the three were meant to be together.

This was a solid addition to the Kiss Across Time series. I would recommend reading the previous books since they give the additional background stories needed to make this series feel complete.

Rating: B

Kiss Across Time Series ~

Kiss Across Time
Kiss Across Swords
Kiss Across Chains
Kiss Across Deserts

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

Review: Defying the Odds

Defying the Odds
Kele Moon
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Battered Hearts/Book 1
Loose Id/December 20, 2011

When struggling waitress Melody Dylan gives a handsome, lonely stranger a simple gift she has no clue her life is about to take a drastic turn.

The stranger ends up being Clay Powers, a famous UFC heavyweight fighter. Clay’s large build and dangerous fists have always intimidated. People in his hometown keep their distance and Clay is fine with that. Everything changes when a new waitress at the local diner buys him a piece of pie on thanksgiving. Touched by the gesture when it’s obvious she can barely afford to survive, her warm smile and lush body churn up powerful feelings that leave Clay wanting more from her than pie.

Melody is running from her past and the small, country town of Garnet is the perfect hiding place. With an ex-husband after her and scars from her abusive marriage etched deep, the last thing she expects is to fall for a man who makes a living with his fists, but she can’t resist Clay or the tender connection they share.

Finding love in the most unlikely of places, the passion is undeniable, but Clay and Melody know their haunted pasts and unpredictable futures leave the odds stacked against them.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: violence.

I'm not into any of the fighting sports whether it be wrestling or mixed martial arts but I did enjoy reading the fight scenes and the rivalry as well as the camaraderie.  These guys really get into pummeling each other.  But it's not about anger as much as it is about competition not only against their opponent but against their own abilities.  These guys push themselves very hard!

Clay Powers aka Powerhouse, has come home for what he hopes will be a little break from the spotlight.  He's also there to get ready for a very important match.  He's become disillusioned with his celebrity, tired of everyone wanting something from him.  Clay's burnout comes across well.  He's tired of living in the spotlight but still loves the challenge of the fight.  That shows in the training scenes when Clay and Wyatt spare.  They don't think they've trained hard enough unless someone bleeds!

Melody Dylan is thankful for the kindness of strangers.  The folks in this small town took her in and helped her when she was at her lowest.  Now she's working hard to show them that she's worth taking the chance.  I liked Mel's spunk!  She's sexy in a sweet, almost innocent way.  Almost like she's oblivious to her allure.   She does have moments when she seemed almost too sweet, too trusting after everything she's been through.

The romance happens fairly quickly which really didn't surprise me.  They definitely have steam but Melody did too much apologizing for her issues stemming from her abuse.  Clay was a sweet, gentle giant who was far more accepting of Melody than she was of herself.  He could be overprotective with her but really tried to understand her problems and work with her to overcome them.

There are some light, humorous moments throughout the story as well as darker, emotional moments. The story takes place in a small town known for producing UFC fighters.  There's even a training center owned by Clay and his two best friends, siblings Wyatt and Jules.   I liked the setting and the look into the world of mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

This is the first book of a series that I will absolutely be reading more of.  Looking forward to reading more about the secondary characters.  Bring on more sexy fighters! 

Rating: B 

Battered Hearts Series ~

Defying the Odds
Star Crossed (July 3, 2012)

Changing the Game

Changing the Game
Jaci Burton
Erotic Romance
Play by Play/Book 2
Berkley/August 2, 2011

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.

After Liz's actions in the first book, many a reader didn't care for her and felt she had a lot of redeeming to do before being worthy of heroine status. Personally, I didn't have as much of a problem with Liz. I liked her and understood why she did what she did regarding Mick, Tara and Tara's son Nathan. It was a case of poor judgement based on Mick's previous dating history. If you didn't read The Perfect Play (book 1), let's just say Liz used underhanded tactics to get Tara out of Mick's life. Not cool but she did try to make amends and now the only one who's still pissed off about it is Mick.

Gavin knows his agent has been avoiding him and he's tired of it. He's very much an alpha male and knows how to push Liz's buttons. Right off I liked the chemistry between Gavin and Liz. It's intense with a dash of playfulness that lets both of these high achievers release the stresses their careers bring into their lives. Gavin is highly dominate in the bedroom and that seemed to be exactly what Liz needed.

Liz Darnell suffered not only a professional blow but a personal one when Mick Riley fired her as his agent. She's been trying to recover as well as not lose Mick's brother Gavin as her client. It's not only a professional relationship Liz has with Gavin but person in that she is very much attracted to her star client. Liz's life is her career, with a daddy complex pushing her to excel. Through Liz's actions we see how hard she must work in a male dominated profession. I liked Liz with all her flaws and after getting to know her better, felt sorry for her. Not only for her background but where her life had taken her to this point. I truly wanted her to be happy.

As it was in The Perfect Play, the sex scenes are smoking with Gavin and Liz going wild and leaving their inhibitions at the door. But what I really liked was their friendship. They have known each other for years, Liz is considered family to the Riley clan, and Gavin doesn't want to give her up. Gavin's family does play a large role in the romance since they are a close family and Liz is part of that closeness. One problem I had was Mick's role in Gavin and Liz's romance. Even after everyone has not only forgiven Liz but told Mick it was time to get over it, he still proved to be a blockhead and an ass towards Liz.

While I liked Gavin I found Liz to be the driving force of the story. She's what kept me turning the pages, wanting to know more about her. Gavin captured the physical element and Liz captured the emotional. That's not to say Gavin didn't show emotions, but Liz was written with far deeper emotions that got to me in a way Gavin didn't.

As mentioned, the Riley family plays a big role in the story, maybe a little too big. At times I wanted them to back off and give Gavin and Liz more breathing room to work at their evolving relationship. I did like the close-knit family aspect but my favorite parts were Gavin and Liz playing, laughing and loving.

The next book, Taking a Shot is about sister Jenna Riley and hockey star Tyler Anderson who are both featured in Changing the Game. I'm totally looking forward to their story and thankfully only have a month to wait!

Rating: B+

The Perfect Play
Changing the Game
Taking a Shot (March 6, 2012)
Playing to Win (September 4, 2012)

Serious Love for These Covers!

Review: Sapphire

Sapphire
Jeffe Kennedy
Contemporary Romance/BDSM
Carina Press/October 24, 2011

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht.

Taylor writes off the adventure as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterward, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally.

Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her—and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?

Sapphire is a short, intense story, easily read in one sitting. The intensity is what drew me in and kept me reading late into the night.

Taylor has no time for real pleasure, instead she finds pleasure working her way up the corporate ladder. One of her most recent triumphs included working with Adam Kirliss whom she intends to keep strictly as a business relationship. Taylor's curiosity is aroused by Adam's boldness and his offer. She's in need of a release from the stress of work and Adam is about to give it to her. Taylor is very typical in her focus on her career, believing it's the only way to achieve her career goals.

Adam Kirliss is far more than he seems, hiding an affinity for BDSM behind his cool predatory gaze. He sets his sights on Taylor and this guy doesn't give up! Seeing how determined he is, Taylor she probably just save herself some time and give in to his demands. When she does, he shows her how he can give her what she wants and needs. Adam plans out Taylor's seduction, leaving nothing to chance. So when she does take him by surprise, it's interesting to see him adjust not only his plan but his thinking.

The sex scenes are smoking hot, with bonus points for creativity! It's obvious Adam is no novice at finding pleasure in dominance. One thing that made this more than one bondage scene after another is seeing Adam and Taylor get to know each other away from the intensity of their sexual play. They have quiet, romantic moments, giving each other glimpses of their vulnerable side.

Overall, I did have some issues with the power plays that went on between Taylor and Adam but in the end, Sapphire proved to be a delicious erotic romance.

Rating: B+

TBR Challenge Review: Midnight Man

Midnight Man
Lisa Marie Rice
Erotic Romance
Midnight/Book 1
Ellora's Cave/October 2004

*Some mild spoilers*

From the back cover ~

Interior decorator Suzanne Barron's new tenant is the most dangerously sexy man she's ever met. Navy Commander John Huntington, a former SEAL (aka 'Midnight Man') works best under cover of darkness. Within hours of meeting him, Suzanne has wild, no-holds barred sex with John, then panics at the depth of her passionate response to such a powerful and dangerous warrior. Suzanne doesn't do sex like that. John is definitely someone she needs to avoid for her own peace of mind. But when killers come for her, Suzanne knows she can turn to only one man. John will guard and protect her body. But who will guard and protect her body against John?

When I saw that this month's suggested theme was erotic romance I dug into my hidden stash of "dirty books" and after some tough decisions, settled on Lisa Marie Rice's romantic suspense. The Midnight trilogy has been sitting on my TBR pile for a while now but for some reason I hadn't picked it up. I had read good things about her steamy romantic suspense and have read one of her Elizabeth Jennings novels, I had yet to give her LMR books a go. While I'm not crazy about the cover with the computer generated hero and the heroine's face imprinted with the hands of a clock (WTH), I was willing to over look the cover and discover what was inside. (There is an updated cover that is more appealing. The one above just happens to be the one I own.)

The story starts with John and Suzanne meeting to discuss John renting space in Suzanne's building. John has recently returned from a job which involved killing two men. He's still pumped up on the adrenaline rush and as any man in the spec ops world knows, that means he's horny. At least this is what John thinks. So while they are conducting this interview and Suzanne is showing him around the building, John is thinking about how hot she is and how he will have sex with her. No doubt in his mind. But he decides he needs to take it slow and not scare her off. What a guy. It turns out John's idea of slow and mine are very different. *see blurb*

Suzanne Barron inherited a building that she has since renovated. She set up her living and office space in the building but still has space to rent out. In walks John Huntington and he's just oozing sex and animal attraction. Suzanne is immediately attracted to him but tries to keep her business-like demeanor. Suzanne assures herself that she doesn't date dangerous looking guys and how John could only mean trouble but then BOOM! she has sex with him the same day she meets him. And then she freaks after and slams the door in his face. LOL I think I would have liked her better if she'd held out a little longer. Or maybe not freaked out after.

John is in the business of keeping people safe and he proves this when he rescues Suzanne from an intruder. Which sounds great except for the fact that he kills the intruder. John is able to sneak up on the guy, cut his throat without the guy ever knowing John was there. As a former SEAL you would think he could subdue the intruder so that maybe the police could question him, right? But John goes all caveman and must kill anyone that threats "his woman". It turns out that a good friend of both John and Suzanne is a detective with the Portland police so no real problems for John killing this guy. Reality this is not.

John continues his protection of Suzanne placing them together 24/7. These two have no problem finding something to do, burning up the pages while John turns on his badass alpha charm and Suzanne discovers she likes dangerous men. The ending was wrapped up fairly quickly and lucky for Suzanne she had John on her side to make it all better. In the end I could have done with less of John's overbearing personality. I love alpha heroes but he just rubbed me the wrong way. Suzanne was okay but I would have liked to know what aside from his hotness, drew her to John.

The writing is fine and the steam is pouring off Suzanne and John in waves but the suspense could have used a heavy does of reality. I do have the next two books in the trilogy and will read them eventually. If I didn't, reading Midnight Man would not have made me run out and buy them.

Rating: C

Books in this trilogy ~

Midnight Man
Midnight Run
Midnight Angel

ARC Review: Blood Knot

Blood Knot
Tracy Cooper-Posey
Erotic Urban Fantasy Romance (M/M/F)
Stories Rule Productions/March 7, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Winter, a professional thief who can manipulate others' biologies by touch, accidentally "healed" her former partner-and former vampire-Sebastian, whom she secretly loves. Her healing created a symbiotic pairing between them that neither of them wants.

Nathanial, a sexy thousand-year-old vampire and Sebastian's ex-lover, talks Sebastian and Winter into stealing evidence that will expose all vampires to the world. But Nathanial is a puppet-master who doesn't believe in falling in love with humans, leaving Winter unsure of his real feelings for her once he seduces her, or how he feels about Sebastian, the former vampire-now-human whose life he has turned upside down once more.

But the evidence they steal is hot property. The future of all vampires is on the line and others will stop at nothing to get it, leaving Sebastian, Winter and Nathanial with no allies but each other. They must trust each other to survive. Only...can they?

Blood Knot starts off quickly, from Nathanial (Nial) and Winter's first explosive encounter to their mutual attraction. Their connection to Sebastian is what brings them together and finding him gives them a common goal. Once the three of them are together, old feelings surface taking them in a new direction.

Winter is a retired thief, or so she thought. Then Nial comes into her life and turns it upside down. First off, love Winter's ability. So unique. She's a strong heroine with equally strong opinions about who and what she is. She doesn't want to get pulled back into the dangerous life of a thief but at the same time, the excitement tugs at her. Then there's her love for Sebastian and the possibility to see him again. But Nial and her attraction to him complicates things. She wants them both and doesn't want to choose.

Nial is under a lot of pressure and needs Winter and Sebastian's help. He's an intriguing character who uses his abilities to manipulate people and situations to his liking. I couldn't blame him for using those abilities and he's honest about his abilities when dealing with Winter. He's also honest in his feeling for her and for Sebastian. That worked well in getting Winter and Sebastian to open up about their feelings.

Sebastian has shut himself off from Winter and Nial. He doesn't want to join in with them on the mission. He has a painful history with both of them and doesn't want to suffer a repeat. But with conflicted feelings, he agrees to help. You would think Sebastian was the weak link but I think he was the strongest - he was what pulled and held the three together.

A ménage that is more than just sex, that involves feeling of love from all three participants isn't easy to make believable. This is true with Winter, Nial and Sebastian. Sometimes it felt like Winter should be with Nial since Sebastian acted like he wanted nothing to do with her. Then other times it felt like Winter loved Sebastian but only lusted for Nial. Either separate or together, these three deliver some emotional and erotic scenes. But in the end, I'm not sure I fully believed that all three held equal parts in the the relationship.

The political aspect of the story is focused on the vampires and their ability to remain hidden from humans. Nial is caught in the thick of it and pulls Winter and Sebastian in with him. They are up against some serious enemies and when they do decide to join forces, they make for a formidable team. The action scenes were interesting with the three working out the details of their mission and using each others' assets to get the job done. It did feel

Overall, an appealing story with three very different characters who, with their imperfections and their strengths, overcome past hurts and learn to rely on each other and love each other.

Rating: B

ARC Review: Rock Hard

Rock Hard
Olivia Cunning
Erotic Romance
Sinners on Tour/Book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca/April 1, 2011

From Goodreads ~

An ultimatum can break your heart....

Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica...

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

It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to 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 tortuously 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...

Who doesn't love a rock star? I love music and rock stars, and yeah - they are the basis of many fantasies. In Olivia Cunning's second book in her rock star based series, the readers get a closer look at Sed Lionheart, lead singer and uber sexy groupie magnet. Sed starts off as an ass - I was not impressed. I knew this guy would need to put in some serious redemption time if I was to give a damn about him. Sed got off to a rocky start, but the reality is, bad boys are hot. Jerks, not so much. Good thing for Sed, and me, he went from a jerk to a bad boy and I actually gave a damn about him.

The life a rock star is a hard one. The endless days and nights on the road, the cramped quarters of a tour bus, constant adoration of the fans, the groupies offering up everything from a BJ to multi-partner sex. Yep, definitely a hard lifestyle. It's a lifestyle that Sedric Lionheart has embraced. As the lead singer for the band, Sinners, Sed is the band's sexy front man and extremely popular with the groupies. He can pick and choose who and how many he wants. While Sed was trying to fill his need with empty sexcapades, his ex was trying to fulfill her dream of law school. Both of these characters have some serious flaws, showing up in their very turbulent relationship. Sed's big fault is that he is very protective and has a habit of making decisions for everyone that he cares about, regardless of what they want. While his intentions are good, the execution can leave something to be desired.

Jessica is madly in love with Sed, until he goes too far and she walks. Two years later, things are not going as well as Jessica had hoped. Her problem - her looks. She is a sexy, beautiful woman. Men want her and women are jealous of her, making it hard for anyone to take her seriously in law school. Jessica finds herself working as a stripper in a Vegas club when Sed crashes back into her life. He still has his protective streak as well as his asshatness. A chain reaction is set off and Jessica finds herself back on the road with the band. They continue to clash, both hurt from their previous breakup but both still very attracted to the other. When Jessica decides that only she will be warming Sed's bed, her motives don't come from the heart. I had expected Jessica to act more mature when dealing with Sed. She knew how he was and for her to turn angry and jealous, declaring him off-limits from the groupies, wasn't an example of someone who didn't want Sed back.

Sed and Jessica together are burning up the sheets. Or not, because they get turned on by having sex in public without getting caught. There were times when they seemed like this happy, loving couple, then they would argue and Jessica was back to saying she hated Sed. It's as if she was bi-polar. The sex scenes are sizzling with both Jessica and Sed letting going, not holding back. I don't think they knew how to hold back! And they're not shy around the other band members. The tour bus has one bedroom along with individual bunks so they guys take turns using the bedroom. It's like calling shotgun. LOL It wasn't uncommon for one or more of the band members to be on the tour bus with a groupie(s) or in the case of lead guitarist Brian, his wife. Lots of sexing going on here.

The behind the scenes of the band were fascinating and I loved reading about the choreography of the shows. How each member of the band plays off the others. How they get so juiced from the audience. How they look out for each other, taking up any slack in the playing. It's an alluring world of excess, talent, addiction and temptation with the closeness that make these characters a family. That closeness plays an important role when one of the band members needs the support of his band mates. I really loved seeing the bond these guys had played out on the page.

They really are a family. Cunning does a terrific job showing how the five men who make up the band are as close as brothers - with the arguing, teasing and love they have for each other. I think they are the strongest element of the story. Cunning has written each of them as very unique individuals, all with their own distinct personalities. The romance of Sed and Jessica, while not as strong as I would have liked, was still a compelling look at the complications of having a relationship when one of the members is famous.

Rock Hard proved to be a seductive look at the life of a rock star and the woman who took a chance on loving him. Rock Hard left me wanting more of this world of Rock 'n Roll. I can't wait to get my next Sinners fix. All five band members get their own books and I'm undecided whose I'm looking forward to the most.

Rating: B+

Books in this series ~

Backstage Pass
Rock Hard
Hot Ticket
Snared
Double Time

Review: Coin Operated

Coin Operated
Ginny Glass
Contemporary Erotic/BDSM Romance
Carina Press/June 7, 2010

From the publisher's website ~

Elijah Elliot and Beatrix London's fledgling ad agency is under siege. Not from outside competition but by Eli and Bea's unspoken lust for each other. As their unsatisfied cravings to dominate and submit bloom into vivid daydreams, the office becomes a minefield of frustrated needs and dangerous desires. Now something's gotta give or their partnership is going to self-destruct.

When Bea unveils a racy new light bondage ad campaign for their key client, she pushes Eli to cross the line he's drawn between them—the one that keeps him from doing all the hot, sinful things she imagines he's capable of...

A quick, sexy story about two business partners that finally start to really communicate. Glass was able to put a lot of emotion into this novella. There are also some smoking hot scenes when Eli and Bea start communicating in a different way.

Bea and Eli both want the same things. They want their business to grow and they want each other. It's that last part that they really need to work on. They both fantasize about each other and when they finally succumb to the fantasy they each get more than what they expected. I liked how Bea and Eli tried to keep their relationship professional, fighting the attraction that neither knew the other had for them. It's fighting and need to keep things professional that racked up the sexual tension.

Once Bea and Eli take their relationship beyond the office they find they are an excellent match in both need and want. I liked how they made the progression from business partners to lovers but would have liked to see more depth to that transition. They had a couple of stumbles but worked things out. Eli likes things a little rough in the bedroom and he's concerned that Bea will turn away from him when she finds out. Instead, they discover some things about each other that brings them both pleasure beyond their wildest dreams.

Coin Operated is a short, erotic story filled with passion and some very inventive and steamy scenes. Add in the emotional punch and you have an enjoyable story. I do wish it had been longer, giving more time to develop the characters and their relationship.

Rating: B

Review: Kiss Across Time

Kiss Across Time
Teal Ceagh
Erotic UF/Time Travel/MMF
Time-Crossed Lovers/Book 1
Ellora's Cave/May 2010

From the author's website ~

Taylor Yates just got fired from her university for insisting that the 5th Century British poet and playwright, Inigo Domhnall, existed. When she hears the poet’s lyrics in a death metal song, she engineers a meeting with the dark-eyed, dark-haired lead singer, Brody Gallagher. An unintended kiss sends them spinning back to the poet’s time, when Saxons were pillaging King Arthur’s Britain, and a warrior expects a proper farewell from his woman before he sets off for war.

Brody’s all for kissing her again. More, he’d like her to try kissing his friend and lover, Veris, just to see what will happen. His blond, tall, blue-eyed Saxon friend Veris.

Kiss Across Time is the first book in a unique time travel series. The heroes are centuries old vampires who find their mate in Taylor Yates, a 21st century woman. What makes the relationship even more exceptional is the fact that they can time travel with a kiss. Yes, they kiss and are transported back in time. I love that part!

When Taylor shows up at the concert for the death metal band Noctural Rain, it isn't just to hear the music. She also wants to meet the man who wrote their songs. She needs to get backstage and find this songwriter. Her backstage pass comes in the form of a kiss. Kisses and kissing are obviously important in this series. I liked how a simple kiss becomes so much more within the story line.

Taylor meets not only lead singer Brody Gallagher but his lover Veris and both men know there is something very special about Taylor. She is open minded which is good since she's about to take two vampires as her lovers. The plot moves quickly with both Brody and Veris trying to show Taylor why she's so important to them as they seduce her into going home with them.

The three can hardly keep their hands off each other. There are some wickedly hot sex scenes as all three lovers enjoy exploring the new dimension of having three people in the bed or limo or wherever they may be. *grins* Taylor isn't a prude and she's very attracted to both men and wants to act on that attraction. She also needs Brody and Veris if she wants to find the answers about the poet, Inigo Domhnall, that she's spent so many years researching.

There is a lot of history packed into this novella. We learn some things about Brody and Veris' pasts and how their relationship has evolved over the centuries. We see some parts of the workings of the vampire world, learning how these vamps function among humans. Both of these men are powerful, older vampires but their not evil vamps, merely comfortable with who they are. The links between Veris, Brody and Taylor are far more than what they first seem and as the story continues, we see how connected their lives really are.

Kiss Across Time was a quick read and gave this series a solid start with three interesting main characters. I really enjoyed the time travel aspect of the story and looked forward to seeing more of that in the second book. Kiss Across Swords (book 2) continues the story of Taylor, Brody and Veris, and what happens when two vampires become a threesome with a human while doing some major time travel.

Rating: B+

ARC Review: Blue Knight

Blue Knight
Tracy Cooper-Posey
Erotic Romantic Suspense
Guns 'N Lovers/Book 3
Ellora's Cave/October 1, 2010

From the author's website ~

Held hostage by the Insurrectos for weeks and forgotten by the world, Olivia has watched Daniel bed everyone women but her, who he can’t see. Daniel lives dangerously and is forced to use her window one night to avoid the guards. Naked and faced with a long-legged woman who doesn’t want him, his curiosity is piqued.

Under the hostile, suspicious gazes of the guards, they begin a game of heated seduction where the stakes are so high no one, not even their fellow hostages, must suspect there is a connection between them. As Daniel teaches her how to defy the guards the tension between them, both sexual and personal, spirals until it threatens to shatter.

Olivia learns that Daniel is not quite who she thought he was. Now she is fighting for Daniel’s life too, for if the Insurrectos find out who he really is, then the man she has come to love will be instantly executed…

Blue Knight is the third book in the Guns 'N Lovers series and does feature characters from the first two books. Cooper-Posey does a good job filling in the character relations and politics of the series. I had no problem following the continuing political story arc from the two previous novels and did find myself intrigued by the couples from the first two books. I'm sure I'll be reading those in the future.

Olivia Davenport is a diplomat trained to deal with tense situations. The situation she currently finds herself in is the most extreme. She has been taken hostage, along with other diplomats and staff, in a hotel in the country of Vistaria. A country who's interim government is desperate to keep control since the revolution, desperate enough to take hostages. It is here that Olivia meets Daniel who she finds dangerously attractive but also sees his flaws. She calls him on his bed hopping and points out that he didn't stop by her bed until he was forced to. And she doesn't exactly welcome him there. I loved how the story opened with a naked Daniel making himself at home in Olivia's bed. Daniel is far from shy and Olivia is anything but quiet. She makes it clear to Daniel that he's not her type, no matter how good he looks naked in her bed.

The term sex-on-a-stick could easily be used to describe Daniel. He is seriously smoking hot. In addition to that he's smart and cunning. A man who's good at staying one step ahead of the enemy. He's also a serious horn dog until he literally shows up in Olivia's room wearing nothing but a grin. I found it refreshing that he didn't apologize for his sexcapades, rather than making excuses. He has his reasons for no long term relationships, aside from the fact that he likes sex. Daniel is a complex character who brings a number of secrets into his relationship with Olivia.

The political intrigue and action of the story are surprisingly well done. I say surprisingly because this is an erotic romance. I did like many of the secondary characters but at times found myself wishing for more Olivia and Daniel time. There is violence, lots of gun totting Insurrectos, and while the violence was in line with the plot, it was shocking at times. I do think a balanced was achieved with the overall plot of the Insurrectos and the danger that Olivia and Daniel find themselves in. I certainly found the political angle of Blue Knight interesting.

There is a secondary romance that took a twist I wasn't expecting. Kudos to the author for going that route. I'm curious to see what happens in the fallout of that romance. The central romance of Olivia and Daniel wasn't typical in that they were in a tense situation where nearly every move they made is monitored. They had to get creative to find time alone and when they did they made the most of it. The love scenes were passionate with both Daniel and Olivia having issues to overcome while still enjoying the physical side of their new relationship.

I found Blue Knight to be an entertaining story with spicy and tender love scenes, a well matched hero and heroine and plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader immersed in the story.

Rating: A-

Books in the series~

Red Leopard
Black Heart
Blue Knight

ARC Review: Naked

Naked
Megan Hart
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Harlequin/August 2010
ARC from Harlequin/Netgalley

From the author's website ~

No strings. No regrets. And no going back.

I didn’t think he wanted me. And I wasn’t about to get involved with him, not after what I’d heard. Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I’ve been burned before. Maybe it was stupid of me to offer but he needed a place to crash and I needed to pay the rent, but now he’s my tenant…with benefits. And now that we’ve crossed that line, I can’t seem to find my way back.

But I can’t give my heart to a man who’s so…unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It’s enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I won’t take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex’s touch. I can’t risk it, but I can’t resist it, either.

Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.

And he wants me.

I love Megan Hart's writing. I have to put that out there so you know where I'm coming from. She's an author that writes out of the box. Her characters come from all walks of life, all nationalities, all races, all religions. I'm never sure what I'm going to read when I pick up one of her books, I only know that it will be a well told story filled with characters layered with strong emotions, flaws and insecurities. Characters who want to love and be loved. Most importantly, characters I come to know and care about. That's the case with Naked.

To me, this is Olivia's story. Yes, Alex is there and is the hero, if you want to give him a label. But the story is told from Olivia's POV and it's Olivia that we really get to know, inside and out. She is a complex woman with so many layers that I loved finding out about her. She was adopted as a baby, her adopted parents divorce when she was five. She doesn't come from a close family, they stay in touch but there's still some distance to the relationships.

When Olivia first sees Alex it's at the holiday party hosted by her ex-fiance' Patrick and his lover Teddy. Olivia has stayed close to Patrick and is friends with Teddy. Some might consider it an odd relationship but Olivia loves and cares about Patrick and doesn't want to loose his friendship. They have a long history that Olivia can't simply dismiss even though Patrick hurt her terribly when he broke off their engagement when he came out. She eventually forgave him and they remain friends.

I didn't care for Patrick at all. He was very self-serving and arrogant. He acted like he was concerned for Olivia when he warned her about Alex but I really think it had more to do with Patrick and what he wanted. He couldn't have Alex so he didn't want Olivia to have him. Plus, I don't think he really wanted anyone else to have Olivia. I think it was a case of he didn't want her but he didn't want anyone else to get serious with her either. Almost like he wanted to keep her in reserve, just in case he changed his mind. Bastard.

Alex is a character readers will be familiar with if you read Hart's Tempted. Alex was the best friend of the husband, James and became the third in that marriage's ménage. He has since moved on and now finds himself attracted to Olivia. When he rents Olivia's spare apartment, he starts spending time with her, hanging out and getting to know her. Alex is likable and I thought his heart was in the right place but he's also confused about his feelings regarding Olivia and the feelings he still has for James that go beyond best friends. I do think we see Alex trying to be there for Olivia and not cause her pain but he's still has some doubts about what he wants on a permanent level.

One difference between Olivia and Alex is financial. We often hear that finances are one of the main causes for problems among couples and Olivia and Alex are no different. Alex has made lots of money and while he still works, he can afford to take time off when he wants to. Olivia is a photographer who does print work for her clients. She's very good and hopes to make it a full-time career but she's not there yet and must also work at one of those photo places at the mall. When Alex wants to take off for a day or even a few days and Olivia has to work, it causes problems. Alex offers to help Olivia with money and that causes even more problems. I did like how Olivia didn't let Alex completely take over and continued to pursue her dream of quitting the mall job. She's did slowly let Alex into her life and her apartment but I never felt like he took total control of her.

Olivia has gone through some rough times in the past and everything isn't perfect with Alex. They both have secrets that are not easy to share, even when they fall in love. As we get to know Olivia and Olivia gets to know Alex, we see how past decisions have not only shaped these two people but how they affect the decisions they make now. I think Hart did an amazing job portraying these complex characters that have a tough time trusting and opening up to each other.

The biggest problem Olivia and Alex have hits Olivia right in the face and I could feel her pain and anger. It's a very emotional scene and really got to me. At this point I had come to like Olivia so very much. She's the type of person you hope you get to meet in real life. She's sweet, caring and fun to be with. I was so pissed off by what happened to her and how she's put in this position with no warning of what to expect. The way Hart dealt with the situation and how the characters' reactions played out made for some very emotional reading. The thing about Hart's writing is that it's far more than an erotic romance. There's sex, lots of hot sex, but as I've said in previous reviews, there is so much more to Hart's stories. Lots of character development and getting to know the big and small, the ins and outs of what makes these characters do what they do.

Another beautiful romance that I really felt a connection with the heroine. Loved the fact that she is not a typical cookie-cutter heroine. She's from a non-traditional home - adoption, divorce, religious differences and then there's the fact that Olivia is half white, half-African American. She finds herself straddling two worlds. Both with regards to her race and her religion. It all becomes intertwined with her love for Alex and her need to figure out how she can fit it all into who she is.

Rating: A

Review: Texas Tangle

Texas Tangle
Leah Braemel
Contemporary Erotic Romance (m/f/m)
Carina Press/June 2010
Ebook from Publisher/NetGalley

From the Publisher's Website ~

Thanks to her cheating ex-husband and her thieving brother, all horse breeder Nikki Kimball has left is a bruised heart, an overdrawn bank account and an empty home. When sex-on-legs Dillon Barnett and his brooding foster-brother Brett Anderson start showing more than just neighborly attention, Nikki is intrigued...and a little gun-shy.

Dillon and Brett have a history; back in high school, the two friends fought a bitter battle over Nikki. Now, ten years later, Brett still longs to be the man in Nikki's life, but he's determined to stand back and let Dillon win Nikki's heart.

Society says Nikki must choose between the two men she loves. Is Nikki strong enough to break all the rules in order to find happiness?

Nikki Kimball has been on the receiving end of a heck of a lot of bad luck lately. She finally divorced her loser husband and now her lazy ass brother, Phil, is keeping her couch warm. She's a hard working rancher that's nearing exhaustion. When she comes home to find she's been robbed, she's thankful to have the friendship of Dillon Barnett and Brett Anderson. Until it's safe to go home, Nikki stays at Dillon's house so they can keep an eye on her.

Right off, I liked Nikki. She's open with her feelings and you pretty much know where you stand with her. She has made some poor decisions. The first one was in the form of her ex-husband. She married him when she found herself in circumstances that took over her life and left her with nowhere to turn except to her loser ex. Then she got rid of him and took on her druggie brother. One thing I will say for Nikki is that she's loyal and doesn't like to give up. But she does have a limit to how much she will put up with and she finally reaches that limit.

Dillon has wanted Nikki for years. He's happy that they're friends but he wants more and has a plan to take things to the next level. You can see right off that Dillon genuinely cares for Nikki, that it's not all about the sex. They've been friends for a long time so they have that history to build on. I liked Dillon and even the fact that he used whatever means possible to win Nikki over. He wasn't devious, just relentless.

Brett has had a thing for Nikki for years. They got a little hot and heavy one night 10 years ago in high school, then Nikki married the loser and Brett left for college. Now that Nikki seems to be within reach Brett has been making himself available to her. Nikki sees him as only a good friend. When it becomes obvious that things have gone farther than friendship between Dillon and Nikki, Brett decides to keep his distance and tries to bow out gracefully. He doesn't want to take a chance at loosing his adoptive family. But Dillon has other plans.

I liked how Dillon, Nikki and Brett talked about what would happen if they lived openly in a committed ménage. They talked about not only how it would affect them, their livelihoods and their position in the community but also how their families would react. Since Nikki isn't close to her family it was mainly Dillon and Brett's family they were concerned with. I was a little surprised at how well Dillon and Brett's family, specifically their mom, took the news. It's not always easy to pull off a committed ménage. Often one of the trio tends to feel like an extra - the one that was almost an afterthought. With Dillon, Nikki and Brett, in the end it doesn't feel like that at all. They feel complete, with no one being more important than the other.

Rating: B+

Review: One for the Team

One for the Team
Jet Mykles
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Loose Id/July 2008
Purchased

From the author's website ~

Alex dumped her and Jen's not sure why. Okay, he'd been her first, but she thought she'd done rather well, sexually speaking. Why did he all of a sudden tell her that it wasn't working out? What was wrong with her?

Ken, Bart, Davey and Jason--her best friends--all try to convince her there's nothing wrong with her. In fact they seek to prove it to her... by first-hand example. That's all well and good until Jen starts freaking out. She's sleeping with her best friends. All of them. What's up with that?

[Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Sex with multiple partners.]

Well, I kinda of knew that if I ever got an e-reader I would be downloading some erotica that is either only in e-book format or that I don't feel comfortable having in hard copy. Little eyes might get awfully big if they saw some of those covers or read some of the titles. So off I went, checking my wish lists on Loose Id and Samhain's websites. One for the Team was on my Loose Id wish list and at Barnes and Noble as an e-book - perfect!

Jen is the ideal female friend for a guy or guys in this case. She's a tomboy that loves playing with the boys. She's also suffering from a serious case of questioning her sex appeal when her boyfriend breaks up with her. Her four closest friends happen to be guys. They come up with the plan to show her how much she is wanted. In a way, you could say they court her, quickly but they don't just show up at her home and say "hey, let have sex so I can show you that you're hot". They each use their own approach at letting Jen know they find her very attractive. Isn't that what friends are for?

After Jen sleeps with her friend Bart she gets nervous about the other guys finding out. Bart's the first of the four to make his move and Jen is determined it's a one time thing and that the other friends will not find out. Bart spends the day with Jen shopping. He's what you could call the gentle giant of the group. It's obvious he finds Jen attractive and by the end of the night she's aware of it too.

As the remaining friends spend one on one time with Jen and prove to her that she's sexy and attractive Jen continues to feel guilt for sleeping with each of her best friends and keeping it a secret from the other guys. She also realizes that she's having a heck of a good time! What a great group of friends she has! ;)

The thing about Jen is that she never saw her guy friends as hot, sexy guys. She saw them as her best friends, not as potential lovers. The experiences she had with her male friends are refreshing in that Jen's seeing these guys in a whole new light. I liked the way the relationships were portrayed with each of them evolving from friends to lovers if only for one night. They always maintain the friendship, that never goes away. All five of the characters came across as real and genuine with their own feelings and ideas.

The ending was very hot indeed. Please head the warning above if you only like one on one action. I thought Mykles did a good job making each character unique and the premise while also a stretch of reality was made believable because of the writing. One for the Team was a surprisingly quick read but a full, well written story.

Rating: A-

Review: Cowgirl Up and Ride

Cowgirl Up and Ride
Lorelei James
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Rough Riders/Book 3
Samhain/Purchased

From the author's website ~

Goody-two boots AJ Foster has waited her entire life for her dream cowboy Cord McKay to see her as more than the neighbor girl in pigtails. Now that she’s old enough to stake her claim on him, she’s pulling out all the sexual stops and riding hell-bent for leather—straight for his libido.

Divorced rancher Cord has sworn off all women…until innocent AJ suggests he teach her how to ride bareback—and he realizes she doesn’t mean horses or bulls. Between his responsibilities running his massive ranch, missing his young son and dealing with the sexual shenanigans of his brother and cousins, Cord is more than willing to take AJ up on her offer. On a trial basis.

The fun and games tie them both up in knots. AJ isn’t willing to settle for less than the whole shootin’ match with her western knight. But for Cord, even though the sexy cowgirl sets his blood ablaze, he’s determined to resist her efforts to lasso his battered heart.

Sweet, determined AJ has the power to heal—or heel—the gruff cowboy…unless Cord’s pride keeps him from admitting their relationship is more than a simple roll in the hay.

Warning: This book contains: raunchy sex scenes that'll work you into a lather faster than a winded horse, graphic language, resourceful use of baling twine, ménage à quatage, and yippee! hot nekkid lovin'.

This book had me laughing so much. AJ has a dry, wicked sense of humor. She uses it sparingly, striking when least expected for more impact. God, she was funny! And sad too. My heart broke for her. She loved Cord so much! From the age of five when he "rescued" her, he was AJ's knight in shining armor. Then when she got close to him and got to know him, not just sexually but simply hanging out, that's when she fell in love with the man, not the hero of her memory. This was truly a beautiful love story.

The glimpse of AJ, aka Amy Jo, that we got in Long Hard Ride (book 1) was of a shy, young woman still in her teens with a goody-goody reputation. The AJ we meet now has grown up and is more sure of herself and the new direction her life is taking. She is ready to go for what she wants and what she wants is Cord McKay. She's loved him for years but he's only seen her as a little girl or his younger sister's best friend. Or more recently, his babysitter for his young son. He's never seen her through the eyes of a man looking at an attractive woman. AJ plans to change that and make Cord see the woman she has become. AJ still had this vulnerable side, complete with insecurities, but she went for it even though she was afraid of being hurt. I was surprised at how much I liked AJ. She didn't leave much of an impression on me prior to this book. She wasn't a character I was looking forward to reading about like India or Skylar, but she left a distinct impression on me as I read reading her and Cord's story.

Cord McKay is the oldest of the McKay brood and he has very typical eldest child characteristics. He's responsible and puts family first. His dedication to the ranch and his son are what make him such a great guy. They're what also make him so hard to get close to. He has an ex-wife that left him less than eager to get into anything serious and he has a young son to raise. But right now his son is spending a few months with Cord's ex and Cord is all alone in his big house and missing his son terribly. He's desperate enough to meet his brother Colt at the local bar. While waiting he spies a sexy woman on the dance floor with legs that go on forever. Imagine Cord's shock when he finds out it little Amy Jo Foster!

Cord had such a battle going on inside his poor, confused brain. LOL He still thought of AJ as his little sister's friend while his eyes were telling him she was all grown up and hot as hell! There is an age difference - thirteen years. But AJ is a very mature 22. She knows what she wants and is aware of the consequences of her actions. Cord, he had a hard time letting go of the age difference. AJ is the one that propositioned Cord to teach her about sex. The arrangement was to last only until Cord's son Kyle, got home - 7 weeks. It was also to be kept secret. Too many nosy family members around that might not approve.

AJ was happy to just have Cord and tried to convince herself that if all she got of him was a few weeks, then she'd take it. Cord thought that AJ wouldn't want an old cowboy like him for anything permanent. I loved the way James had these two getting to know each other on a totally different level than they previously had. They had known each other all of AJ's life, had been neighbors but this was very different. They took care of each other after a long day of work and saw to each others needs in and out of the bedroom. You really did get to see them fall in love. They really made a great couple!

There are also a couple of secondary story lines going with Cord's brother Colt and the McKay cousins, Kade and Kane. These cowboys are out of control and it takes a tragedy to get them to see how screwed up their lives are. I like the way the families interact with their joking, teasing and looking out for each other. There is definitely a sense of community running through this series.

There are also a lot of laughs in Cowgirl Up and Ride. I already mentioned AJ's sense of humor. And there is a bachelorette party that AJ attends along with many of the other women in town. I laughed so hard at the bachelorette party scenes. It was girls gone wild - young and old. Lighted penises! Need I say more? :)

James does an amazing job balancing the sexy, the funny and the emotional into a beautiful and entertaining love story. She makes these character, who could end up feeling very similar, all feel very different and unique. Each with their own faults and weaknesses. Each overcoming and dealing with whatever life throws at them while falling in love. Seriously love this series!

Rating: A

Reviw: Rode Hard, Put Up Wet

Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
Lorelei James
Erotic Contemporary Romance/Western
Rough Riders series/Book 2
Samhain/October 2007
Purchased

From the publishers website ~

Workin’ up a hot, sticky sweat is pure pleasure with a hard-ridin’ cowboy…or two.

Struggling stock contractor Gemma Jansen swallows her pride and tracks down circuit rider Cash Big Crow to offer him a job managing her ranch. Cash agrees on one condition: theirs won’t be strictly a working relationship. She’s the boss during the day, but once she’s corralled in the bedroom, Cash calls the shots. Despite concerns about their age difference, Gemma consents.

Cash suspects the sexy widow hides an untapped wild streak. He intends to loosen her tightly held reins of control—even if he has to break out his horsewhip to do it.

But Cash is in for a surprise. Gemma proves a rough and ready participant in any leather-n-lace game Cash dreams up.

Between riding herd on his wayward daughter, Macie, and rowdy cowboy Carter McKay doggin’ Macie’s every boot step, Cash struggles to hide his true feelings for Gemma – except this time, Gemma’s grabbed the bull by the horns and she’s playing for keeps.

Summer’s going to be a hot one at the Bar 9.

And Samhain's Unique Warning:

Warning: this book contains: explicit sex nine ways ‘til Sunday – including ménage a trois, inventive use of ropes, naughty girls getting spanked, stubborn men getting hog-tied, graphic language and whoo-wee! hot nekkid cowboy action.

This time we get two stories for the price of one. A May/December romance with an older woman and younger man. The second romance is with a cowboy turned artist and the daughter of the man in the May/December romance. This was a fun and at times emotional read. All four characters have baggage, lots of baggage. James doesn't downplay the importance of past loves and past experiences.

Gemma Jansen is a cowgirl through and through. She may be 48 years old but ranching is in her blood and she can't imagine doing anything else. The problem is that ever since her husband Steve died she's had to do it alone. Unfortunately it's proved to be too much for her to handle alone. She's also had some problems with the rodeo circuit and the reps not wanting her cattle. All of this had led Gemma to offer Cash Big Crow a job. Cash could use the work but he wants more than just money in payment. He's wanted Gemma for a long time and this is his chance to have her. Sneaky bastard. :)

Cash has been working the rodeo circuit for years. That's were he met Gemma. He's retired from rodeo but not from ranching. He doesn't have a real home, moving around where the jobs take him. You get the feeling he's not certain what he'd do with a permanent place to come home to. He's also trying to reconnect with his adult daughter, Macie. She was raised by her mother and only saw Cash sporadically over the years. They both want this second chance at a relationship so when Cash accepts Gemma's job offer, he brings Macie with to Gemma's.

Macie hasn't had an easy life. She's learned to rely on herself. It's easier that way and less disappointing. She's not afraid of hard work and gets a job right off when she gets to Gemma's. She meets Carter McKay, an artist who also works at Gemma's ranch. Carter comes from a rodeo family but he never had the desire to get thrown off broncs or bulls. Carter is immediately attracted to Macie and Macie appreciates Carter's sexy, good looks. They have to remember to watch out for Macie's dad, Cash. He's not crazy about the two spending so much time together but there's not much he can do since Macie is an adult.

Carter is a brilliant artist but his also self-centered. He uses Macie as his inspiration and can't see what he has in her past what she means to his art. I liked Carter but there certainly were times when I thought he was a real ass. Macie is such a special human being and Carter doesn't cherish what she offers him.

I liked both of these couples but for different reasons. If had to pick a favorite it would, hands down, be Gemma and Cash. There was such love and tenderness in Cash for Gemma. He got past her hang up with their age difference. Cash is ten years younger than Gemma. And Gemma was stubborn enough to get through to Cash and help him realize he did deserve happiness and that happiness was with Gemma. They fit so well together. Maybe it was because they were older and had suffered such deep losses. With Carter and Macie there was definitely immaturity on Carter's part and some on Macie's too. They were a sweet couple but Gemma and Cash's relationship seemed to go much deeper.

And since this is an erotic romance, yes there was very steamy, smoking hot sex scenes. Boy-howdy! Take the warning above to heart. James writes with vivid details and an even more vivid imagination. It's not all wham bam thank you ma'am. There's tenderness, caring, need and desire. These men and women strive to fulfill their lover's fantasies. It's all about the giving and receiving. :)

Ms. James has written 8 full length novels and one novella in the Rough Riders series along with a number of other hot cowboy erotica. She is also the author of the Julie Collins Mysteries and the new Mercy Gunderson Mysteries. Both written under the name of Lori Armstrong.

Rating: A-

Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders series, book 1)

Review: Long Hard Ride

Long Hard Ride
Lorelei James
Erotic Contemporary Romance/Western
Rough Riders series/Book 1
Samhain/May 2007
Purchased

From the author's website ~

One lucky woman…three sexy cowboys…she’s in for the ride of her life!..

Channing Kinkaid itches for a change; a wild western adventure with an untamed man. Determined to shed her inhibitions and embrace the steamier, seamier side of life, she sets her sights on hooking up with a real chaps-and-spurs-wearing cowboy.

Enter Colby McKay—bull rider, saddle bronc buster and calf roper. From the moment he sets lust-filled eyes on the sweet and fiery Channing, he knows he’s found the woman who’s up to the challenge of cutting loose. What rough and rowdy cowboy could resist a no-holds-barred sexual romp with a sassy young thing starring as his personal buckle bunny?

Intrigued by Channing’s bold proposition of horsing around on the road, Colby impulsively sweetens the deal; sexual escapades not only in his bed, but in the bedrolls of his rodeo traveling partners, Trevor and Edgard.

Although Channing’s secretly longed to be the sole focus of more than one man’s passions, Colby’s demand for complete submission behind closed doors will test her willful nature.

Can Channing give up total control? Especially when not all is as it seems with the sexy trio? Or will the cowboys have to break out the bullropes and piggin' string to break in this headstrong filly?

I always get a kick out of the warnings on Samhain books. Here's the one for Long Hard Ride.

Warning: This title contains the following: lots of explicit sex, going strong long after the cows come home, graphic language that’d make your mama blush, light bondage with bullropes, ménage a trois, and – yee-haw! – hot nekkid cowboy man-love.

This is my first ebook purchase for my new nook™. I've been wanting to try Ms. James' Rough Rider series for some time now. So when I won the nook™ from the ladies at The Book Binge and Barnes & Noble, I knew it would be the first ebook I purchased. Believe me, it was a good ride!

Channing Kinkaid has taken a break from her real life and ventured into a completely new world. The world of the rodeo. Cowboys, horses, bulls and spurs are giving Channing the new experiences she's longing for. Not all of her choices are good ones. Choosing to follow the circuit with Jared the loser cowboy turned out to be a bad choice. Channing dumps Jared the loser cowboy and takes Colby McKay up on his offer to ride along with him and his two rodeo travel partners, Trevor and Edgard. Since Channing is wanting new experiences, Colby is willing to give it to her. If she wants to ride along with the three cowboys, she has to agree to be with all three cowboys. Yee-haw!

It may sound like all that is going on is hot, naked sex and believe me, there is a lot of that. But there was also a story about people and how they react when society tries to dictate what they should be, should do, should feel. The characters are fully developed. James shows us their strengths and weaknesses and their beautiful flaws.

Colby McKay comes from a family of cowboys. Family is a big part of Colby's life. He grew up with four brothers and a sister. His parents are still a big part of his life along with his siblings and an assortment of cousins. Colby is a straight shooter. He tells Channing what he wants from her and what he plans to do to her. Colby is very much a dominant male. He's in charge in the bedroom or wherever the mood might carry him and Channing. There were moments when I felt that alpha-ness came on a little too strong but I never felt he would physically hurt Channing with his domination. There were other influences that spurred Colby's protectiveness towards Channing. I liked seeing how Colby worked through his changing feelings towards Channing.

Channing isn't a cowgirl but a city slicker from back east. She has decided to embrace the rodeo lifestyle if only for a little while. I loved how she was so determined to experience this adventure. She wanted to make memories to take with her when she goes back to her "real" life. Some might say Channing is a loose woman for agreeing to sleep with three men and they might be right. I guess it just depends on your definition of loose. I didn't think of her that way. It's like she wanted to take this period in her life to be someone else. Someone who blurred those lines of traditional values and sometimes, just erased them. Whatever the people of the rodeo circuit thought of her, she had a kind heart and a love of life. Channing was an easy woman to like whom I felt such empathy for. She grew up with such structure that it was suffocating her. This was her one rebellion, her one chance to really experience life and I'm so glad she took it!

Colby's two rodeo pals, Trevor and Edgar, give the story another dimension to what could have been a traditional romance. Channing develops relationships with not only Colby but also Trevor and Edgar. All three relationships are different. Different levels, different intensities. The most intense and deepest relationship was of course with Colby. They play the role of the "traditional" hero and heroine. Channing becomes friends fairly quickly with Trevor. Her friendship with Edgar came at a slower, more tentative pace. I enjoyed the friendships of these four people. The men had that closeness that comes from living and working together. That history influenced how they interacted with Channing. Channing, for her part, helped them to unravel their conflicting feelings and make some hard decisions that they might not have made without her as the catalyst.

Lorelei James writes some very hot, very erotic scenes. The balance between playfulness and seriousness is well written. There are some heavy emotions that are dealt with in the story but there is also fun and joy and friendships made. James shows her extensive knowledge of the life of the cowboy and what it's like to follow the rodeo circuit. I loved that western flavor of living on the road, the excitement of the rodeo and the hard work and hard play that's part of that life.

I've already read Rode Hard, Put Up Wet, book 2 in the Rough Riders series and have Cowgirl Up and Ride, book 3, waiting for me on my nook™. Yep, I'm totally hooked on these cowboys and cowgirls and James' Rough Rider series.

Rating: B+