Review: Tied Between Two Lovers by Larissa Lyons & Alyssa Brooks

Tied Between Two Lovers
Larissa Lyons
Alyssa Brooks
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publication Date: March 20, 2009
Kindle {p.275}
Source: Author
Genre: Erotica
Characters: Juliana Reed, Cord Ramsey, Rio Tarin
Challenge: 100+, Ebook

A scarred bodyguard with a secret past. Slave to his guilt, Rio Tarin has spent a decade watching over Juliana from the shadows. Now he must reveal himself-or risk losing her all over again.

An ex-soldier in need of an angel. Cord Ramsey returns from war only to discover his family home sold out from under him. Rio, the current owner, proposes a deal-Cord can keep his property if he can keep one wild woman under protective custody for a few days.

The feisty reporter they both want to save. Tied up? Kidnapped? Dumped at a stranger's dumpy plantation? Rio's back from the dead five minutes and already trying to run Juli's life! But while he's playing the unwanted hero, it's her newly enlisted watchdog who's playing her body-to the tune of his. Cord's rough and ramblin' ways will tangle all three of them in an inescapable web of desire.

Juli has been living the last ten years believing her high school crush, Rio, died in a plane crash with her parents. But one night while leaving an awards ceremony, she is kidnapped by none other than Rio himself.

Rio is trying to protect Juli from drug cartel members who have placed a hit on her. So when Rio takes her to one of his properties to hide out, he is surprised to find Cord living there.

Cord and Juli form an instant friendship and attraction that Rio notices, and feels a little uneasy about. But seeing Cord and Juli together intimately also turns him on. Juli on the other hand, can’t stop thinking about Rio even during sex with Cord.

Once again the sex is smoking and always entertaining. Juli and Cord’s relationship was more fun-loving, like two best friends falling in love. Her relationship with Rio however didn’t feel so carefree. There was years of regret and longing between those two plus Rio’s issues with his appearance.

I did tend to feel bad for Cord about Juli having sex with him while calling out Rio’s name. But Cord didn’t seem to have a problem with it, so I guess I shouldn’t either.

Review: Restrain Me by Alyssa Brooks & Larissa Lyons

Restrain Me
Alyssa Brooks
Larissa Lyons

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publication Date: July 1, 2009
Kindle
Genre: Erotica, Western
Characters: Sommer St. Claire, Boaz McKenzie
Challenge: 50 States, 100+
My Rating:

Submissive urges. Hidden desires. With the help of one rugged West Texas cowboy, Sommer’s about to discover hers.

Fed up with his meddlesome family, mounting responsibilities and meager sex life, Boaz “Bo” McKenzie roars into Rustlers Junction with a single goal in mind—to find the hottest filly in town and ride her senseless. A sound spanking might be in order as well.

Outrageously betting she’ll bed the next man to walk through the door, normally reserved Sommer vows to cap off her stay at a local dude ranch with a ride on a real cowboy. But it’ll be Bo riding her, rough, randy and all through the night.

Neither expects how explosive their encounters will be or where they’ll lead…with Bo branding Sommer as his, flesh and soul.

Sommer is on vacation in West Texas at a dude ranch when she meets Boaz. Sommer has led a dull, boring life that she decides has got to change. Her friend Suzy, whom she met at the Lucky Lady Dude Ranch, takes her out to the Bottoms Up bar, where they engage in a friendly wager. Sommer has to have sex with the next single man to walk int the bar. Just Boaz's luck, it happens to be him.

The two of them hit it off hot and heavy from the start. They engage in some light bondage play and some human branding. Even with the bondage play, it wasn't over the top. Although the branding is something new, but not completely unheard of. During one of their extremely hot encounters, Boaz marks Sommer's bottom with the Bottoms Up brand.

When Boaz's bible-thumping grandmother catches them between the sheets, Sommer pretends that they are engaged to be married. They do this because his grandmother threatened to disown any and all her grandchildren who indulge in premarital relations.

I really loved all the McKenzie clan, except of course Grandmother Dori. I hope these authors continue forward with the Bottoms Up Ranch and provide books for all the grandchildren.

Musical Monday {2}: Sex On Fire

So what's Musical Monday? It's a weekly meme hosted by Tipsy Reader. With this meme, you pick the book you are currently reading, or just finished, and match it with it's musical mate. Think, "if this book had a soundtrack, what would be the theme song?"

The Book:

Restrain Me by Alyssa Brooks & Larissa Lyons

The Song:

Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon

Lay where you're laying, don't make a sound
I know they're watching, they're watching
All the commotion, the kiddie like play
Has people talking, talking

You, your sex is on fire

The dark of the alley, the breaking of day
The head while I'm driving, I'm driving
Soft lips are open, knuckles are pale
Feels like you're dying, you're dying

You, your sex is on fire
Consumed with what's to transpire

Hot as a fever, rattling bones
I could just taste it, taste it
If it's not forever, if it's just tonight
Oh, it's still the greatest, the greatest, the greatest

You, your sex is on fire
And you, your sex is on fire
Consumed with what's to transpire

And you, your sex is on fire
Consumed with what's to transpire

+ show lyrics

The Reason: I chose this song because in the book, the lead female, Sommer, lets her cowboy lover, Boaz, brand her bottom with his ranch's logo. So, Sex On Fire seemed only fitting. My alternative choice would have been Sign Your Name Across My Heart, since that is pretty much what Boaz did, only with her bottom.