~REVIEW of Jaci Burton & Lauren Dane's HOLIDAY HEAT~

 

 

Opening Line: Mitch Margruder didn't hear the word "no" very often, especially in business, and usually never from a woman."

"HOLIDAY HEAT contains 2 loosely themed Christmas stories by a pair of my favourite erotica authors who together give us the perfect little bit of escapism during that time of the year when you need to avoid the family and beat the winter blues. Both stories felt complete (at approx 130 pages) and definitely took me away to a sexy, warm place just when I needed it most. On pure “heat” factor alone I preferred Dane’s story (it was kinda kinky) although Burton’s story is equally good as it takes us to sunshine and white sand beaches.

UNRAVELLED by Jaci Burton

Mitch is a former pro surfer turned successful hotel entrepreneur. He’s always on the lookout for the next big wave or next great deal so while home for the holidays he jumps at the chance to build one of his famous hotels right on the Florida beach where he grew up, the only thing standing in his way is Greta. Divorced with 2 children Greta is struggling to make ends meet at the run-down beachfront motel she inherited from her father. The motel means everything to her and no amount of persuasion or money could force her to sell. Knowing that Mitch is trying to coax her into selling Greta agrees to several dates with the sexy tycoon, she figures why not? As long as she goes in eyes open why not enjoy some fancy dinners, limo rides and moonlit walks on the beach? However Mitch no longer considers Greta business. She makes him think about things he’s never considered before like a home and family. Suddenly Mitch finds himself doing the coaxing for entirely different reasons.

SWEET CHARITY by Lauren Dane
8 years ago Charity and Gabriel had a terrible one night stand that both would sooner forget the problem is neither of them can. Charity wonders if it was her fault things went flaccid and wants to try again. Gabe just wants to avoid Charity altogether, because in his mind she’s a decent, respectable girl who’d never be up for the dark, dirty things he wants to do with her. Once the tequila shots and lustful stares start flying though its only a matter of time before this pair lands back in bed and this time its entirely possible Charity’ won’t be the woman Gabe thinks she is. I mean what’s a little candle wax and whips when she’s found the man she wants to marry?

Jaci Burton and Lauren Dane have put together two hot stories that make good reading at any time of the year

~REVIEW of Lauren Dane's COMING UNDONE~

Coming Undone (Brown Siblings, #2)
 

Opening Line: "Even at the close of the day, the sun was enough to make the ride home from work totally perfect."

Ever since I read Laid Bare I’ve been waiting for Lauren Dane to continue with her sexy ‘Brown family’ series and with Erin’s brother Brody as our lead character here she doesn’t disappoint. COMING UNDONE grabs your attention right away with its cast of familiar characters, erotic love scenes, perceptive writing and Brody. Wow, who wouldn’t fall in love with this bad-boy on the outside, tender and sensitive on the inside charmer, sigh. I have to say though not much ever really happens within this story; it’s more a character study which Dane does very well, drawing the reader into the emotional lives of her characters with amazing dialogue and chemistry.

Our story takes place over the period of a year so we also get to watch the entire Brown family grow and change and in chapter 16 Erin/Ben and Todd show us what they’ve been up to in a detailed ménage romp and um yeah...it’s hot. As a whole though I think true erotica fans will be slightly disappointed (with the exception of chapter 16) because of the lack of heat. Don’t get me wrong Dane’s sex scenes are amazing (mirrored ballet studio or tattoo shop desk anyone) and so well written they’re just relatively tame compared to Laid Bare and it’s over the top kink factor. Still this is an amazingly hot and sensitive read that fans will love.

Brody Brown has always been responsible for others giving up a promising art career to raise his younger brother and sister after their parents died. Now that they’ve grown and moved on Brody’s life has finally become his own and with a prosperous tattoo shop, nice house and freedom to do as he pleases life is good. However when Elise Sorenson moves in next door he can’t help but get involved in more ways than one.

Once a world famous ballerina, Elise and her young daughter have moved far away from the horrors of her past hoping to start a new life. The last thing she wants is a relationship especially with a tattooed, Harley riding bad guy but what Brody offers isn’t a relationship instead he offers companionship with no strings attached. A friends with benefits you might say and it’s working for both of them until Elise’s past comes back to haunt her. Now as much as she doesn’t want to admit it Elise might need Brody for more than just a good time in fact he may be what she truly desires.

This could be read as a stand alone but readers would benefit from reading LAID BARE (because it’s awesome) and you get the entire back story on the yummy Brown family and friends. Cheers

~REVIEW of Lauren Dane's LAID BARE~

Laid Bare (Brown Siblings, #1)

Opening Line: " Music,raw and hard like sex, pulsed through the speaker stack, caught the people in front of the stage, as much as it had her in its grip."

Oh I loved this one. LAID BARE it's one of the best erotic books I've ever read; encompassing the perfect mix of raw sexuality along with tenderness, growth and understanding. There is also a beautiful love story here that eventually involves 3 people and Lauren Dane has done a wonderful job of exploring the boundaries and complexities involved in an M/M/F relationship. Bondage and the Dom/sub lifestyle are also explored but always done here with love and respect, which I appreciated.

This story grabbed me from page 1 as we are introduced to wild child Erin. She's beautifully written as the tattooed and dreadlocked singer from an emerging Indie band. Erin makes no apologies for what and who she desires and she desires her neighbour, the straight-laced, country music lovin cop Todd. Todd in turn is attracted to Erin but doesn't foresee a future as they are just so different in fact he doesn't even want his cop buddies to see him with her. She also brings out his darker, kinkier side which scares the hell out of him, enough so that he eventually ends the relationship and marries a `good girl' Erin in the meantime becomes a full blown rock star, popular with the MTV crowd because of her ever-changing appearance and wild antics.

10 years later the now divorced Todd enters a coffee shop only to find Erin behind the counter. She's changed, no longer the carefree rocker chick he once knew (although she does have pink hair) Something's happened to her on the rise to fame, something so terrible it's stolen her spirit and almost killed her. They can't fight the fact that they still have feelings for each other though and with Todd now willing to embrace his alternative needs they fall in love.

Even though Erin is strong willed she still likes to be dominated in the bedroom. And as their relationship grows we get some very intense love scenes as they take things to new and exciting levels. When exhibitionism enters the mix its only a matter of time before Ben, Todd's sexy best friend and new business partner gets involved in the scene and then WOW do things ever heat up.

I'm not usually one for the ménage but this worked for me, the perfect combination of alpha male exploration and sensitivity. Ben is bisexual whereas Todd's never even considered taking a man into his bed until Ben offered. Still Todd loves his best friend and is willing to just see where things go. He's a bit shy so when they share their first kiss, sigh... it's pretty hot. Initially I felt kind of uncomfortable when Ben got it on with Erin, it felt like they were cheating even though Todd was right there with them. I credit this to this to writing because I was so wrapped up in the characters and what they were feeling that I didn`t want anyone to get hurt. As the passion and love the trio shares begins to transform and mend Erin the evil from her past comes back to haunt them. Will they be strong enough to get through it?

If you're a fan of erotica then I highly recommend this. I can honestly say that I've never been quite this turned on by a book and there was the added bonus of a great storyline too. COMING UNDONE is the next book in the series. Cheers!