Review: Dakota Ranch Crude by Leah Brooke

Dakota Ranch Crude
Leah Brooke
Series: Dakota Heat #2
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Publish Date: March 27, 2009
Kindle {p.108}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Erotica, Menage
Samantha Cross, Jackson & Shayne Montgomery
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

When Samantha Cross goes to her brother's employers to ask for help, she had no idea that it would change her life forever. To repay their debt, they both have to live and work at the Dakota Ranch for one year. Samantha has no option but to accept.

Her brother's employers, Shayne and Jackson Montgomery, are not what she expected. Jackson, the younger brother is too handsome and charming to resist, especially when he sets his sights on her. He wants her to share her life with not only him, but his older brother, Shayne.

She realizes that the only way is to show Shayne he's not the crude animal he's become convinced he is.

Shayne is hard headed and won't believe it, convinced that he would only hurt her. Can Samantha convince this tender giant that he and his brother are perfect for her?

What little character development this story had (too short for a lot) was surprisingly good. I liked Samantha and Shayne a bit more than Jackson though. Jackson just seemed like an unnecessary third to Samantha and Shayne’s relationship. I think the book would have been fine without him.

Shayne has had issues in the past with getting women due to his size, but with Samantha she’s not frightened by it. My only issue other than the unnecessary addition of Jackson, is the near assault of Samantha and the sex she had immediately after said assault. That just didn’t seem all that conceivable to me.

Other than that, I really enjoyed it, and look forward to seeing more from this series.

Review: Unexpected Control by Ann Jacobs

Unexpected Control
Ann Jacobs
Series: Club Rio Brava #3
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publish Date: January 1, 2009
Kindle
Source: Personal Library
Genre: BDSM
Elle Drake, Trace Williams
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Pediatric surgeon Elle Drake may be conventional in her professional life, but she likes her sex kinky and hot-hot enough that she can shed her inhibitions and let go. Though she enjoys playing with the Doms at Club Rio Brava, she's beginning to wish for a Dom of her own. Not a masked partner at the club, but someone she can count on for hot sex as well as friendship. She's fairly sure no such man exists for her.

Rancher Trace Williams is everything she's ever wanted in a man, except his lovemaking's almost pure vanilla. A word from his sister sets him on the path to Dominance-and the key to Elle's heart.

Trace is in love with Elle and wants to make her his wife. The only problem is she doesn’t seem to enjoy having sex with him. Of all their sexual encounters she’s only reached completion once and faked the rest. When he pops the question she needs time to think it over.

Elle seems like a very nice person; although she has a few hang ups about sex. She can only climax from being dominated. Trace on the other hand was what every woman dreams of, but Elle still didn’t want him without being his submissive.

I didn’t really care for the fact that Elle only seemed to love Trace after he started commanding her in the bedroom. It made her love for him seem conditional.

Review: Don't Mess With Texas by Christie Craig

Don't Mess With Texas
Christie Craig
Series: Hotter in Texas #1
Publisher: Forever
Publish Date: September 1, 2011
Kindle {p.297}
Source: Publisher/Net Galley
Genre: Contemporary
Nikki Hunt, Dallas O'Connor
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect.

Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it...

I always get a lot of laughs when I read a Christie Craig novel and this one was no exception. The entire cast of characters was great. There wasn’t any filler or unnecessary characters in this novel.

Dallas and Nikki both have issues when it comes to trust, for very understandable reasons. These two had great chemistry together, both in and out of the bedroom.

The secondary story of Tony, Dallas’ brother, and his wife LeAnn really pulls at your heartstrings. I loved both of these characters and was totally engrossed in the seeing their happily ever after play out. I would have loved to see a lot more of these two.

Nikki’s grandmother and her Ol’ Timers were another great source of entertainment. And I was so happy to see Dallas’ father join up with them. I look forward to continuing this series. I can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Review: Making the Grade by Carol Lynne

Making the Grade
Carol Lynne
Series: Cattle Valley #19
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Published: October 4, 2010
Kindle {p.137}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: LGBT
Kenny Trenton, Eli Sanchez
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Kenny Trenton has had a crush on Cattle Valley English teacher, Eli Sanchez, since the age of seventeen. Although Kenny's no longer a schoolboy, Eli refuses to see his fellow faculty member as anything but a student.

Eli has spent his life hiding from the outside world. When the loneliness gets too much, he decides to make the changes necessary to open himself up to friendships and perhaps a relationship.

When Eli attends a high school football game in a neighbouring community, he's attacked in the parking lot. Although Kenny's the one to rescue him, Eli begins to think he's made a mistake and living in the outside world isn't a good idea.

Kenny's determined to keep Eli from retreating into his shell once again, but will his love be enough?

I didn’t really get into this one like previous books in this series. I didn’t really care all that much for either lead character.

Eli, who was supposedly a former member of the armed services, seemed to be frightened by his own shadow. He was overly sensitive to everything. The smallest thing could cause him to have hurt feelings and to withdraw into himself.

This relationship of the older man, Eli, and the younger man, Kenny, felt in reverse. I felt Kenny was the more mature one in this relationship taking care of Eli. It didn’t feel like Eli was bringing anything into this relationship.

Review: Taming Black Dog Four by Carol Lynne

Taming Black Dog Four
Carol Lynne
Series: Bodyguards in Love #4
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Published: May 10, 2010
Kindle {p.95}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: LGBT, Menage
Jack Drake, Carlo, Lobo, Renaldo
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

The bodyguards of Black Dog Four had been carefully chosen for looks, temperament, battle skills and sexuality. In the tradition of the Spartans, the idea was to see if lovers worked better as a team than merely friends. The experiment had seemed like a complete success until they'd been sent to guard Maria Valdez. After Maria was killed in an explosion, all four men had refused to work together.

Addy Constentine needed around-the-clock security if she hoped to legitimise her father's empire. With her stepbrother now in prison, Addy's goal was to keep the family out of the underworld it had been entrenched in for decades.

With death threats coming from several different sources, Addy needed the best. She needed the men of Black Dog Four.

The Black Dog Four team has just recently reunited after losing the person they were hired to protect. So going in you already know who is with whom because they already have an established relationship. This story was mainly just about them trying to make a relationship of four work for the long haul.

There were also the side stories of Alec and Lon and Abby and Joe. Those two relationships are the ones that actually develop during the span of the book. Both of these relationships developed rather quickly and seemed to only scratch the surface with no real depth to them. Especially Alec and Lon’s relationship. Alec’s whole time spent Taggert seemed to diminish his relationship with Lon.

But as always, Lynne delivers on the hot sex front.

Review: Her Dakota Men by Leah Brooke

Her Dakota Men
Leah Brooke
Series: Dakota Heat #1
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Published: December 29, 2008
Kindle {p.73}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Erotica, Menage
Stacy Daniels, Wolfe, Travis, Cash Dakota
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Stacy Daniels left the ranch she loved so much years ago. Not being able to cope with her abusive father, she'd stayed away as much as possible. Infrequent visits to the ranch to visit those she loved caused her heartache, but she couldn't stay away.

Wolfe, Travis and Cash Dakota, the foreman's three sons, lived and worked on the ranch and she'd loved them forever. Realizing the futility of loving all three, she carefully kept her love for them hidden as guilt consumed her.

She wanted more than anything to stay on the ranch she loves so much with the only real family she's ever known. But if she gives in, loving all three of them the way she does, she'll ruin everything.

Not wanting to cause anyone pain, she has no choice but to flee.

Wolfe, Travis and Cash Dakota have other plans for her and won't let her go. They've waited for years to be Her Dakota Men.

I’m not sure if it’s due to the length of this story or not, but I didn’t feel like any of these characters had any depth. Stacy is torn because she’s in love with all three brothers and has slept with all three on separate occasions. And they’re just suppose to live happily ever after?

By the end of the story, I wasn’t any better off than I was at page one.

Review: Slapping Leather by Desiree Holt

Slapping Leather
Desiree Holt
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: July 29, 2011
Kindle {p.94}
Source: Publisher
Genre: BDSM, Erotica
Liz Gillibrand, Alex Wright
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Liz Gillibrand wants a man she can submit to in the bedroom but still keep her sex life a secret from the conservative ranching community. When she discovers her neighbor owns Rawhide, a private bondage club, she might have found the answer.

But the first Dom she meets is Alex Wright, a man she's already connected with physically and emotionally. Once before she tried to merge her private life with the lifestyle but with disastrous results.

Can Alex be the one to finally free her from the past and give her the life she longs for.

Liz is a female submissive working in a male dominated field where she has to keep a tight hold on being the authority. But in the bedroom she wants to let go of the control and let someone else have the control. Then enters Alex Wright.

Both Alex and Liz have an immediate connection and attraction to one another, but Liz can’t afford to have her employees know about her secret lifestyle. In an effort to keep it just that, she wants nothing to do with Alex outside of Rawhide.

The storyline of these two trying to get their relationship beyond the club was not without its bumps. Some of the problems they faced were due to some events from Liz’s past. The relationship they have inside Rawhide is smoking hot. With their interaction, you can see it’s about more than sex to the both of them.

The absolute trust Liz had with Alex at Rawhide but not outside its doors was a bit questionable. I didn’t understand how she could trust him so thoroughly with her body and safety, but not trust him to let her make her own decisions and live her own life outside the bedroom.

Review: Once and Again by Lauren Dane

Once and Again
Lauren Dane
Series: Petal, Georgia #1
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publish Date: August 30, 2011
Kindle {p.184}
Source: Kindle Loan
Genre: Erotica
Lily Travis, Nathan Murphy
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Seven years ago, Lily Travis was only too glad to see her hometown of Petal, Georgia in her rearview mirror. Thanks to her father running off with a twenty-year-old, though, here she is, trying to pick up the pieces. First order of business: meet with her brother’s teacher in a quest to pull his grades out of a downward spiral.

Nathan Murphy is pretty much resigned to his bachelor status—until he looks up from his desk to see an all-grown-up Lily walking into his classroom. Of all the women who turned out to be totally wrong for him, she’s the only one who felt right. At least until his foolish, immature mistake drove her away.

Lily has to admit that time has been more than kind to gorgeous, sexy Nathan. Except there’s no room on her full plate for another complication. Especially with a man who broke her heart once before.

With a little help from his friends, Nathan has a plan to rekindle the flame. It isn’t long before they’re burning up the sheets. Winning her heart? That’s another matter.

I was truly excited to be revisiting Petal, GA since the completion of the Chase Brothers. I have to say, catching up with the entire Chase family was the only highlight of this book.

Lily and Nathan used to be an item in college until she caught him kissing her cousin. Fast forward to present day, she’s back in Petal to take care of her little brother and alcoholic mother. Upon seeing Lily after all that time, Nathan realizes he wants her back. That didn’t ring all that valid to me.

Nothing about Nathan stood out to me as leading man material. He didn’t really do much throughout the book other than get frustrated with Lily’s need for space.

I wasn’t invested in the outcome of their relationship one way or the other because it didn’t seem to be about anything but sex.

Review: Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr

Bring Me Home for Christmas
Robyn Carr
Series: Virgin River #16
Publisher: Mira
Publish Date: October 25, 2011
Kindle {p.331}
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Genre: Contemporary
Becca Timm, Denny Cutler
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

This year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list—getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago, Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It's time she got over her silly high-school relationship and moved on.

So she takes matters into her own hands and heads up to Virgin River, the rugged little mountain town that Denny calls home, as an uninvited guest on her brother's men-only hunting weekend. But when an accident turns her impromptu visit into an extended stay, Becca finds herself stranded in Virgin River. With Denny. In very close quarters.

As the power of Christmas envelops the little town, Becca discovers that the boy she once loved has become a strong and confident man. And the most delicious Christmas present she can imagine.

Becca has a feeling that her boyfriend is about to propse marriage to her, but she can’t seem to stop thinking about her ex. So she hitches a ride with her brother to crash his all guys weekend with her said ex. Needless to say, Denny is surprised to see her.

The two of them seemed cordial enough with one another, although they did seem to be avoiding the issue at first. But when an accident forces them to spend time together, they admit their feelings for one another. Denny and Becca’s romance was sweet and entertaining, but it was the rest of Virgin River that drew me in.

I enjoyed watching the town pull together to help each other during the snowstorm. Almost all the familiar faces were present in this installment. Jack, Mel, Preacher, the Riordans, and more.

A nice read to get you ready for the holidays.

Review: The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton

The Unidentified Redhead
Alice Clayton
Series: Readhead #1
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publish Date: February 16, 2010
Kindle {p.276}
Source: Kindle Loan
Genre: Contemporary
Grace Sheridan, Jack
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actor, it's a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best friend and agent, that dream could become a reality, but at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? Will an unexpected sizzling romance with the entertainment industry's newest 'it' boy shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life?

Alice Clayton spins a playful and erotic May to December romance in this, her debut novel. Clayton's funny, borderline neurotic heroine is perfect in her imperfections, and the off the charts sexual chemistry between her and her charming, yet blissfully unaware leading man are the true heart of The Unidentified Redhead. With laugh out loud dialogue and a super steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the Paparazzi has never been so fun.

The Unidentified Redhead was just okay for me. Nothing really grabbed me about this book or Jack and Grace. I so wanted to love this book after reading such great reviews about it, but I couldn’t.

The two of them had some steamy sex and funny banter, but that’s about all. I really couldn’t get into this one or connect with any of the characters.
The overall aspect of the May-December relationship was a great idea. But when the story ended, I felt like these two were still complete strangers to me.

Review: Out of Bounds by Ann Jacobs

Out of Bounds
Ann Jacobs
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publish Date: August 30, 2006
Kindle {p.262}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Erotica, BDSM
Dani Murdock, Brand Carendon
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Young love that had to end...
He loved his rag doll, pretty Dani Murdock from the wrong side of the tracks. She filled his heart, his life with the kind of love he'd only ever dreamed could be his. But as college loomed, even their love and a rushed marriage couldn't keep them together when malicious lies and harsh words ripped them apart. The worst day of his life was the day Dani ran away, not only leaving him brokenhearted, but taking with her a secret that would take years to be revealed.

Lust destined to be satisfied...
Twelve years later, all-pro quarterback Brand Carendon rediscovers his first love...and their son. But the years-and time apart-have changed them both. For Dani, the golden boy she loved is gone, replaced by a man hardened by life, with no love for any other but the son he never knew he had. For Brand, the only woman he's ever loved, who can fire his blood with just a look, the lightest touch, Dani is the perfect submissive, his perfect mate, if only he dares trust her after she left him years ago without a word.

Dani and Brand had been apart for 12 years but picked back up like it had only been a day. These two couldn’t seem to get enough of each other.

Brand and Dani were both likeable, relatable characters that could pass as your next door neighbors. Even though there was a heavy amount of sex, the storyline was strong enough to stand on its own without the sex.

The few struggles they did face were within their own family. Most of which were with Brand’s mother and daughter and some from their son. Although I did feel Dani could have stood up for herself a little more, especially where her son was concerned. I just don't think that was realistic of her to stand by and take a lot of that from a child.

Out of Bounds was an enjoyable read with strong, well-written characters.

Review: In Bed With a Highlander by Maya Banks

In Bed With a Highlander
Maya Banks
Series: McCabe Trilogy #1
Publisher Ballantine Books
Publish Date: August 30, 2011
Kindle {p.368}
Source: Public Library
Genre: Historical
Characters: Mairin Stewart, Ewan McCabe
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.

The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land.

Mairin is hiding out with nuns because if anyone finds out who she truly is they’ll use her to gain control of the dowry. The read starts out rather interesting enough with Mairin being kidnapped. Mairin is no meek, mild lady, she puts up a fight throughout the novel.

She manages to get away from her kidnappers and snag her a good and honorable man for her husband. Ewan and his two brothers were great men. I truly enjoyed watching them interact with each other and with Mairin.

I found myself getting a bit bored with some of the storyline. I skipped numerous pages that just seemed to drag on. The only thing that made me finish this one was the fact that I wanted to know who the culprit behind Mairin’s misfortunate events was.

Review: Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James

Chasin' Eight
Lorelei James
Series: Rough Riders #11
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publish Date: June 28, 2011
Kindle {p.288}
Source: Kindle Loan
Genre: Erotica, Western
Characters: Ava Dumond, Chase McKay
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Bull rider Chase McKay has finally landed in a pile too big to charm his way out of. Caught with his pants down, he finds himself bucked right off the PBR tour until he can get his act together.

Hollywood actress Ava Dumond became the tabloids’ favorite target when her longtime boyfriend was outed as gay. Now she wants a place to lay low and a chance to prove to herself that she can satisfy a red-blooded man between the sheets. The sexy, rugged cowboy she finds holed up in her Wyoming hideaway seems like the answer to her every fantasy.

But Chase has sworn off women. Forever. Or at least a month. Whichever comes first.

When they take to the road to get Chase more hands-on bull riding experience, they have every intention of keeping their hands off each other. But the two headstrong stars quickly end up riding a hot and heady rodeo circuit all their own—until the press gets wind of their affair. When the dust clears and the lights of the paparazzi fade, are they ready to give up chasing the dream for a chance of finding forever?

It took me a while to warm up to this one. For me, it started off a bit slow and the characters, Ava and Chase, were just okay. I guess going in I was expecting a little more from Chase. It took me to about half-way through this one before I really started to connect with the characters and their story.

At first it seemed more like a behind the scenes look of the rodeo lifestyle than a budding romance between Chase and Ava. But when it got going, I was drawn in. The unexpected turn with Chase’s parents added a whole new interesting aspect to the overall story. Now that really piqued my interest. And the tragic that Chase and Eva witnessed was truly heart wrenching. I believe that was one of the major turning points in my connecting with the both Ava and Chase.

Review: Cowboy Up by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Cowboy Up
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Series: Sons of Chance #5
Publisher: Harlequin
Publish Date: June 21, 2011
Kindle {p.224}
Source: Public Library
Genre: Western
Characters: Emily Sterling, Clay Whitaker
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

"Never fall in love with a cowboy." These words were drilled into Emily Sterling's head since her parents divorced over twenty years ago. But now Emily has returned to her father's ranch… only to find herself face-to-face with jawdroppingly hot rancher Clay Whitaker.

Clay is the resident stud expert at the Last Chance Ranch and isn't so keen on "spoiled" city slickers…until Emily arrives. Now he's showing Emily just what a ranch—and a cowboy—has to offer. And luckily for him, it's an offer Emily can't refuse...

Cowboy Up was quick and to the point. Emily and Clay had previously met ten years before, but it was more memorable to one of them.

Emily and Clay are attracted to one another and secretly begin an affair that’s not as secret as they’d like to believe. They seem to have a very strong sexual connection and a so-so connection everywhere else.

Emily’s sudden turn-around about ranch life wasn’t all that believable for me. Although she insisted it had nothing to do with her relationship with Clay, I still felt it did. I did however enjoy watching her relationship with her father blossom. I felt bad for her father and how much he had missed of Emily’s life.

This is a quick, fun read with a few sexy encounters. Nice pick for an afternoon of light reading.

Review: Their Taydelaan by Rachel Clark

Their Taydelaan
Rachel Clark
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Publish Date: April 12, 2011
Kindle
Source: Publisher
Genre: Sci-Fi, Menage
Characters: Jade, Mitchell, Zack
Challenge: 100+, Ebook
Buy the Book: Amazon

How did bumping into a man in a hospital corridor develop into dreams of red-hot threesomes? Jade can't understand why she's dreaming of the man she literally bumped into three months ago, but when she actually meets the men from her dreams at her sister's party, things seem to spiral even further out of her control. Unwilling to believe her sister's explanation, Jade still can't deny the telepathic link she now shares with the two men. Zack and Mitchell have finally found their third, the woman who completes them-their Taydelaan-but she seems intent on denying their future together. Can they convince Jade that being loved doesn't mean being dependent?

Jade encounters her mates while at the hospital for the birth of her sister’s child.

Their Taydelaan is an erotic adventure of Jade, Zack, and Mitchell becoming a permenant triad. These three were having amazing sex before ever truly meeting each other.

I really enjoyed the fact that Jade questioned the whole situation and didn’t just accept what was being told to her. She didn’t automatically accept the that these people were aliens and her life partners.

Once again Ms. Clark does a great job in getting across the emotions of all the parties involved.

Review: Surrendering to Summer by Kortny Alexander

Surrendering to Summer
Kortny Alexander
Series: Whispering Mountain #2
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Publish Date: May 18, 2011
Kindle
Source: Publisher
Genre: Erotica, Menage
Characters: Summer Showers, Dalton, Denver, Dillon Durden
Challenge: 100+, Ebook
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summer Showers was excited about moving to Whispering Mountain for a better job and triple the pay. When her living situation changes, she is persuaded to move in with the Durden men temporarily. Staying with the men only makes her undeniable attraction grow stronger. She finds it difficult to suppress the desire growing inside of her.

Dalton, Denver, and Dillon Durden knew they were in trouble the minute they invited Summer to stay with them. While all three men tried to fight their attraction to her, they found it difficult to stay away.

Someone is lurking in Whispering Mountain and they won’t stop until they get what they have come for. Will the stranger rip their world apart or will the Durden men fight to protect everything they love and surrender to Summer?

Summer finds herself attracted to not one man but three, who just so happen to be brothers. Although it seems as if only two of them return her feelings.

The story started out straight to the point. No big build up to the romance between the involved parties because it was already in progress. This to me is a plus. You don't have all the filler pages distracting you from the story. But in this case I didn't really feel that there was more going on between Summer and her men other than the physical attraction.

Denver and Dillion were great guys in the fact that they treated her well, but beyond that I didn't really feel that I knew anything about them. Dalton on the other hand, came across as a jerk until he opened up ad became the wounded hero.

The overall chemistry between the three of them was very well written. Ms. Alexander manages to write some very vivid and descriptive sex scenes that will keep you wanting more.