Review: Hard to Hold

Title: Hard to Hold
Author: Incy Black
Publisher: Entangled: Ignite
Release Date: April 28, 2014
Pages: 177
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

Anna Key Marshall is about to get what she’s always wanted: a baby. Granted, it’s through a sperm donor instead of her ex-husband, but you can’t have everything. She has no idea why someone wants her dead, but she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her unborn child—even if it means turning to her ex, the Black Ops specialist who broke her heart.

Five years ago, British Intelligence agent Nick Marshall slammed the door on the woman who betrayed him. But now Anna’s back in his life with a vengeance, pregnant and full of attitude. He’d like nothing better than to walk away, but with her life on the line, he has no choice but to do what he does best—protect her at all costs.

As old wounds resurface, Nick begins to doubt his version of what went down with Anna so long ago. And he begins to believe they might have a second chance together. But with Anna’s would-be killer on the loose—it will take the full force and fury of his protective instincts, fueled by a powerful love he can’t leave behind, to hold on to the woman he still loves.

Review

Like sunshine and rain, Anna and Nick did not mix well. However, that doesn't mean their bodies didn't mold well together...

From beginning to end, Anna and Nick were taking bites off each other's heads. There was no apparent warmth between them. Only the two of them knew that deep down, they deeply care about each other.

This book was quite serious and heavy in conflict. I liked it, but there wasn't enough romance for me. I liked that they both were willing to protect each other no matter the cost. However, it was a bit predictable. There also wasn't enough humor in the story to lighten it up a bit. Nick was always grumpy and Anna was always hiding behind her wall. Even when they have monkey sex together, they still weren't one. The scene below was one of the only funny scenes I remembered.

Anna: "I've reconsidered. I'll move into any safe house you designate, but alone."
Nick: "Uh-uh. Will's right. We need to conserve resources. Fortress is off the case. The Service has taken over. And you can stop looking so desperate, Anna, it's insulting. I'm moving in, so get used to it."
Anna: "We tried living together once before, Nick, and look what a disaster that turned out to be. The only thing that held us together was..."
Nick: "Were you about to say 'great sex' again? You didn't hold back last time. But just so we're clear, I'm moving in, but not to share your bed. At least, not without an invitation, and you're blushing, Anna."
Anna: "Really? I wonder why? God, of all the presumptuous, insensitive, arrogant -- I was going to say ancient history."
Nick: "Liar. I was bang on target the first time, no pun intended."
Will: "Feeling decidedly uncomfortable here, people. Way too hot for me. Forensics left five minutes ago, and I believe I'll join them. You two obviously have a few ground rules to discuss, and I really don't need to be a party to them."
Anna: "You embarrassed Will."
Nick: "No, I embarrassed you. Will could barely contain his laughter. By the morning he'll be running a bet at the Cube as to which one of us survives this arrangement."

Overall, the story was good. It's worth a read if you have nothing else to do on a weekend. The tension and danger sure wasn't lacking, so that should keep you interested :)

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Review: His To Keep

Title: His to Keep
Series: Out of Uniform, #1.5
Author: Katee Robert
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Release Date: April 28, 2014
Pages: 75
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

He’s always wanted her. Now’s his chance to claim what’s his.

School teacher Marceline Bellini gave up everything—men, sex, anything resembling a social life—to raise her young daughter. To be the perfect parent. But when she attends an engagement party in her standard stick-in-the-mud mode, her friends begin plying Marcy with shots. Just enough to convince her that a little fun doesn't sound like a bad idea... and having some naughty fun is an even better one.

Like finding herself deliciously pressed against a dark alley wall by the very familiar and very hot body of her best friend's older brother.

After years of waiting in painful silence, police officer Aaron Robinson finally has Marcy’s attention. And man, does he have it. But nothing could have prepared either of them for the rush of fiery lust between them. So he’ll just have to convince Marcy he’s for real. And that a rainy, lust-fuelled romp is the first step to a lifetime of completely imperfect happiness…

Review

I'd like to keep Aaron for myself!

From the very beginning of this story, the chemistry between Aaron and Marcy was explosive. They couldn't seem to get their hands off each other, regardless of being in an openly public place. For Marcy, this was like a fairy tale. Who would have know that her high school crush was attracted to her?

Marcy was a single mom and she was so focused on raising her daughter that she seemed to have missed out on her own life. She claimed she was happy just being Claire's mother, but when Aaron came around, doubts started forming in her head.

Aaron was the protector of the town. After doing some time in the army, he decided that the small town cop position was the best for him. He was great at his job, too. He was all around irresistible, especially when he's trying to be noble.

One thing I was a bit disappointed about in this book is the lack of conflict. The conflict was more implied than showed. In my opinion, a great book always has a good conflict, then reaches its climax, and resolves itself towards the end.

Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The giddiness factor totally made up for it. This book had the best epilogue I've ever read. It's totally romantic and most definitely a fantasy, but hey, that's why we read books, right? :)

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Review: His to Possess

Title: His to Possess (#1-6)
Author: Opal Carew
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: March 18, 2014
Pages: 256
Buy Link: Amazon

You can also purchase the stories individually if you prefer.

#1: The Seduction
#2: The Morning After
#3: The Perfect Storm
#4: True Lies
#5: Entangled
#6: Forever


Blurb:

First published as a six-part erotic serial, His to Possess is the intoxicating tale of a woman torn between a dominant billionaire and a tattooed, bad boy rock musician. Now available for the first time as a complete book, this edition features sizzling new bonus material.

Jessica’s life was in ruins…until she met him.

Standing in the rain feeling lost in a new city, with no job and no prospects, she’s about to give up. Until Dane Rainier pulls up in his limo and offers her a ride—and sweeps her into the life of her dreams. Now she has a high-powered job and is having the best sex of her life, exploring her submissive side under the masterful hand of a gorgeous billionaire.
But there’s a part of her that’s still holding back. Because the truth is, she’s never gotten over her ex-boyfriend Storm. A heavily muscled, motorcycle-riding rock musician, Storm couldn’t be any more different from Dane… and she just can’t get him out of her head.

Now Storm is about to reappear and turn her whole world upside down. Both Dane and Storm make her body burn to be possessed, but will her indecisive heart cost her the love of both men?

Review

Hard. Cold. Fast. Slow. Tender. Rough. This book was a roller coaster!

I read the prequel (scroll below) to this book as part of an anthology. I really liked it so I decided to research the author and get in touch. I think I requested the book from NetGalley and here I am. I admit, I didn't want Jessica ending up with another man. Storm was just perfect for her. That said, I was skeptical reading this story. What could Dane possibly have that Storm didn't?

The Seduction

Everyone loves an authoritative and mysterious man, right? Dane embodied those two words, and more. He was strong, handsome, and all male. With Jessica being heartbroken, she was in an emotional roller coaster. Dane was the calm during that storm. He provided a distraction, if you may. Jessica was only too eager to welcome Dane into her arms. He introduced a whole new adventure to Jessica that she didn't know she wanted. Let's just say Dane was too damn male for Jessica to resist.

The Morning After

Whodathunkit? Somehow, I did. Dane wore an expensive suit, and he had an air of power around him. Of course he was a billionaire! I mean, who rides in a limo like it's the most natural public transportation out there? His openness about the situation him and Jessica were in was quite admirable. He went straight to the facts and presented a solution. He was logical and too sinful for his own good.

Perfect Storm

It was interesting how brazen Jessica was. She wasn't afraid to pry into Dane's past. She wasn't afraid to put her heart on her sleeve. She was an open book and Dane was lucky to have her. They were having the time of their lives. That was until Dane found out just exactly who Storm was - the man who broke Jessica's heart.

True Lies

I cannot get over the fact that Jessica was one lucky woman. She had both Dane and Storm's attention, and neither of them seemed to want to back off. I was a bit surprised that she would take on both of them at the same time. I mean, I thought there was more to her than that. Anyway, the scenes were hot and heavy, so I didn't care a whole lot about that little tidbit.

Entangled

The roller coaster drama of this book just kept getting better and better. This story, in my opinion, was the climax of the series, in more ways than one ;) After True Lies ended, I couldn't wait to turn the page to see exactly what was going to happen. I mean, I just can't imagine!!! Regardless, it was exciting to read and the author really did a great job.

Forever

The ups and downs continued, and at this point, I was getting ready to yell at Jessica - just choose already!! I won't give it away, I promise. Overall, the highlight of this book for me was Dane's dominance. It wasn't a BDSM story at all. It was just tasteful enough to keep you on the edge of hot and bothered....

Go on, give it a try. The author will not disappoint.

Would you like to read the prequel to get a better understanding of Jessica and Storm's past?

Blurb:

Jessica doesn't like to take risks, but when she's almost run over by a red hot rock musician named Storm on his motorcycle, she realizes that some risks are worth taking.

Buy here: Taken By Storm

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Cover Reveal: Hard to Hold on To!

Laura Kaye is thrilled to share with you the cover to her next Hard Ink book, Hard to Hold On To which releases on August 19, 2014! Check it out!!!

  Edward "Easy" Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves--which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna's the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago. Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can't describe how he makes her feel--and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her reach far beyond gratitude. As the pair are thrust together while chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: the things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.

Pre-Order at Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes

Hard to Hold On To on Goodreads

And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available:

Hard As It Gets

Hard As You Can

A Note from Laura:

Hey guys! I am so excited about Easy’s book that I can hardly wait for August to get here! Easy’s character was a total surprise to me. When I initially plotted out the series, there were four surviving members of the Army Special Forces team and therefore I planned for and sold four book in the series. But then, when I sat down to write Hard As It Gets, all of a sudden the story demanded there were actually five guys, and Edward “Easy” Cantrell was born. And I’m so glad! Because Easy’s character is a totally tortured hero, which I adore writing! So I’m super happy that we added his story and this novella into the series, and I can’t wait for you to learn about Easy in Hard to Hold On To! Is it August yet??? xo, Laura




Praise for the Hard Ink Series:

For Hard As You Can:

"TOP PICK! There is a sinister and desperate edge to this tale that will keep readers glued to their seats. Kaye has dark romantic suspense nailed!" ~ RT Book Reviews Magazine

"Hard As You Can is another five star read. The characters Ms. Kaye has created are wonderfully broken and the drama is gritty, but the burgeoning romance and the tight-knitted relationship of the team leaves you with a sense of redemption. A must read series!" ~San Francisco Book Review

For Hard As It Gets:

"Edgy, sexy and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!" ~ #1 NYT Bestselling Author J.R. Ward

"Sizzling romance... The intriguing tattoo parlor and military background will appeal to fans of Suzanne Brockmann and Lindsay McKenna." ~Publishers Weekly Review

"Kaye's depiction of sexual tension and her sex scenes are masterful and this will appeal to fans of Maya Banks' KGI and Julia Ann Walker's Black Knight's series." ~Booklist




About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.  

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

     

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Review: Indecent Proposal

Title: Indecent Proposal
Series: Indecent..., #2
Author: Jane O'Reilly
Publisher: Carina
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Pages: 80
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

The perfect wedding night!

Amber is a sexual adventurer. But at the wedding of two of her fuck buddies, she feels a little down. She cheers herself up with a quickie against a wall with one of the ushers, but when she’s caught in the act by her best friend’s handsome but uptight brother Scott – she gets a real taste for mischief.

Amber knows he wants her – and she tempts him into sexual explorations beyond his wildest dreams. But then Scott turns the tables, demanding something of her that’s way beyond her comfort zone. Something that frightens her. Amber likes being tied up… but can she be tied down?

Review

Every page is scorching hot!

What's better than watching a video? Reading a book, duh! The imagination is better than any simulation produced by people who thought they knew what they were doing. 

Amber had 'fuck buddies', but as soon as they got married, she was left by herself like the third wheel that she'd always been. She was lonely and quite depressed, so she turned to sex yet again.

Things changed when Scott finally decided he couldn't take watching Amber screw people around anymore. He wanted to be the man by her side, or in other places ;)

Amber wasn't used to being treated with respect, like a person should be treated. She shied away from Scott because she was afraid that he didn't feel the same way. Scott, on the other hand, was gentle and kinky at the same time. Isn't that just sexy? :)

As hot as this book was, it was also romantic. The marriage of sex and romance definitely made this an enjoyable read. Even though there wasn't enough character development for all the characters, the relationship development made up for it :) I think it's worth the read...

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Review: The Seduction Game

Title: The Seduction Game
Author: Emma Shortt
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Release Date: April 14, 2014
Pages: 174
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

When millionaire bad boy, Will Thornton, tries to buy computer-geek Kate Kelly’s building out from under her, she refuses to sell. Will might be uber rich, and super successful but she won’t be bullied. Trouble is, she didn’t expect Will to look like one of her fantasy heroes, or to make her heart beat a little too fast. She’s prepared to wait him out, but it'll take every ounce of her self-control to win this game.

With millions of dollars on the line, Will is positive he can make Kate sell. He’s played the game better than anybody and charming is his middle name. Problem is, the snarky, geeky, computer-wiz is nothing like he imagined—impossibly cute and a match for him in every way.

The game is on but can two such radically different people come out winners in the game of seduction?

Review

Too Cute!! Towards the end of this book, I realized the characters were named Will and Kate like the royal couple!!

Will was the honorable millionaire who was not prepared for the charming computer geek that was Kate. They were absolutely adorable together!

"Brotherly is far from how I feel about you, Kate. Brotherly is far from how I was going to behave just now. I was going to kiss you. You know that, don't you? Running away won't make a difference. The kiss is coming, Kate. It's just a question of when."

"Will, you're making me uncomfortable."

"Yes, but in a good way, Kate."

Will was hot and that's an understatement. He was aware of his charms and effect on women, but he wasn't the playboy that people thought he was. He had such a big heart. He was good with children and he cared a lot about his family and his employees. He was honest and ethical when it came to his business, and a damn good lover when it comes to his personal life ;)

Kate was the true definition of a geek. She was so cute through Will's eyes. She was as geeky as it could get. She had Meg as her "bestest friend", who was quirky all on her own. How they even became friends was still unbelievable. Meg was out there and dressed in corsets and incredibly short skirts. Kate loved living in geeky graphic tees and jeans. Did I mention she wore such thick geeky glasses? Fortunately, Will loved all of it :)

One thing about this book was it was quite predictable when it was making its way to the climax of the book. I just knew almost everything that would happen, in no certain order. Still, the actual story was so cute and so thoughtful. I love men who performs the big gesture to prove himself :)

Overall, this book was so light and absolutely enjoyable! Go get it!

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Review: Wild About Her Wingman

Title: Wild About Her Wingman
Series: Secret Wishes, #3
Author: Robin Bielman
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Release Date: April 14, 2014
Pages: 268
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

Playing it safe never felt so risky...

Erin Watters is her small town's resident wild child--she doesn't do boring, and after having her heart annihilated, she definitely doesn't do relationships. Her friends have other ideas, though, and when they throw down a matchmaking challenge, impulsive Erin can't ignore it. Even when the annoyingly hot Troy Streiber accepts the matchmaker role...

As a rescue paramedic, Troy's used to watching out for people. Never mind the bet he made with his buddy to play Erin's wingman. But the more time he spends with the sexy, charismatic woman, the more he discovers a side of her she doesn't let many see. Soon what started as an innocent game of matchmaking has them both thinking about the person right under their nose. But Troy's a play-it-safe guy, and he won't let a woman who lives for risk ever steal his heart.

Review

She's irresistible, and he's too safe.

Erin and Troy were so good together. This book was light yet hot. The attraction was undeniable, yet they couldn't do anything about it. They were the opposite of one another. Wait, wasn't there a saying that... I don't know.. opposites attract? ;)

Troy was the hottest man in Cascade from Erin's point of view. The man was practically a sinfully good-looking god. Not only was he hot, he was also family-oriented and he was very sweet. That was definitely unexpected. Most men these days wouldn't be caught being sweet, nor would they be caught attending a tea party hosted by their niece. Have I mentioned adorable?!!

Erin, on the other hand, loved adventure. She didn't use to be like that. When she had her heart broken by a past boyfriend, she figured that she needed a destruction. What better way than to do extreme adventure? First stop: sky diving.

This book was just so darn cute! The tension between the characters and the reaction of people around them were priceless. Especially because they were so oblivious to their own chemistry.

She got to Troy's place a few minutes later and parked on the street behind his car. Good. He was home. She marched up to his front door before she thought better of it and hightailed it home. Because as much as she needed to say this to him, seeing his handsome face always proved to unnerve her.

He didn't answer the doorbell so she knocked. Or rather, pounded.

"I'm coming. I'm coming." she heard through the door.

It opened wide a second later and standing before her was a body unfair to every other male on the planet. She took in Troy, naked, except for a low-slung towel around his waist. Water dripped from his hair onto his shoulder. A bead trickled down and over his smooth, muscled pec. The droplet drifted left along a ridge of abdominal muscle, then right, and disappeared into his belly button. A smattering of hair trailed down from there, disappearing under the towel.
She was stuck on the serious bumps and grooves, the defined V at his hips, until a deep masculine ahem reminded her she was gawking right there in front of him.

Shit.

I also enjoyed the fact that Troy was so down-to-earth and he wasn't comfortable at all about the attention he was getting from the women of Cascade! That would explain his aversion to grocery shopping ;)

Erin: "You do know you're a major topic of conversation with the single girls of Cascade."
Troy: "I did not know that."
Erin: "That bothers you?"
Troy: "It does."
Erin: "I could spread a rumor that your gay."
Troy: "And have all the single guys of Cascade talking about me?"
Erin: "A few of them probably already are."
Troy: "I am pretty likable."
Erin: "I wouldn't know."
Troy: "Aaannd that's my cue. I'll let you know about Friday. Good night."

I was lucky enough to get a short interview with both Erin and Troy. If you haven't read the book, you might to wait before reading the following interview :) If you've read the book, enjoy!!

Character Interview

1. How's the grocery shopping, Troy? Any improvement now that you're engaged?

[laughs] It's a lot better actually. Word travels fast in Cascade, so now that Erin and I are together I haven't had to fend off any unwanted advances. Although the other day there were a couple of older ladies who thought it amusing to follow around behind me and giggle. I'm not really sure what that was about.

[Erin chuckles] I might have mentioned something about your butt recently. 

2. Are you two living together now? If so, where?

Troy: [laces his fingers with Erin's] We're not officially living together yet, but I am at Erin's place more often than not. I still like to be around for my niece and sister, so you can find me at home, too. 

Erin: His family is super great and Amelia's invited me to several tea parties. [she grins]

3. What kind of extreme adventure have you two been in so far, if any?

Troy: We just got back from an awesome trip actually. We spent a few days river rafting down the Colorado River, just the two of us. 

Erin: It was fantastic. [she leans her head on Troy's shoulder] We slept cuddled up under the stars along the banks of the river and fell asleep listening to the sound of rushing water, then watched the sun rise every morning. 

4. We know that Troy's fave is cinnamon crumble cake. What about you, Erin?

I'm all about the muffins, although I do love crumb cake, too.

Troy: Especially off my plate. [his teasing voice has Erin smiling]

5. How's Frito doing? I can't believe you named him after a chip! 

[they both sit up taller] Troy and Erin simultaneously: He's great. 

Erin: He's super smart and such a love bug. 

Troy: He can't get enough of Erin and follows her around everywhere. 

Erin: I especially love when he falls asleep curled up next to me. 

Troy: I love falling asleep next to you, too.


Aren't they just the cutest ever?!!! Go ahead, take a moment, and then click that link at the top and buy this book :)

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Promo: Cooking Up A Seduction

Title: Cooking up a Seduction
Author: Jenna Bayley-Burke
Publisher: Blueberry Eyed Books
Release Date: February 14, 2014
Pages: 200
Buy Links: Amazon   BN    Kobo   ARe

Blurb:

Love never tasted so sweet...

Sexy venture capitalist Cameron Price takes the helm of the Seattle branch of the firm to prove he has what it takes to lead the entire company. Unfortunately, his boss thinks what it takes for a workaholic like Cam is a wife!

 To fend off the matrimonally inclined, Cameron has to think fast. Inspired by the dazzling green eyes of the gorgeous caterer, he proposes the kind of innovative arrangement he's known for. If Lauren Brody will spend a few weeks on his arm networking at events, she'll be able to raise the profile of Come For Dinner catering and book more clients than she ever dreamed.


 But Lauren has a plan of her own and tempts Cameron to play along. She convinces Mr. Buttoned-Up-Tight they can have some serious fun on his piano, in his kitchen, and behind closed doors. But it's dangerous to keep a lid on something so hot. And a relationship was never on Cameron's agenda...

 WARNING : Indulge at your own risk! Cravings for exotic fruit, decadent delights, erotic fashion & steaming hot nights of pleasure have been reported.

About the Author:

Jenna Bayley-Burke is a domestic engineer, freelance writer, award-winning recipe developer, romance novelist, cookbook author and freebie fanatic. Blame it on television, a high-sugar diet or ADD; she finds life too interesting to commit to one thing—except her high-school sweetheart, two blueberry-eyed boys and a perfect baby girl. Her stories, both naughty and nice, are available everywhere.

To learn more about Jenna Bayley-Burke, please visit

www.jennabayleyburke.com

http://jennabayley-burke.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jenna.bayleyburke

http://www.twitter.com/jennabb

http://www.pinterest.com/jbayleyburke/

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Review: Breakaway Hearts

Title: Breakaway Hearts
Series: The Kelly Brothers, #2
Author: Crista McHugh
Self-Published
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Pages: 198
Buy Links: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb:

Hockey star Ben Kelly has retreated to his mountain cabin in the ski town of Cascade, BC, to recuperate from a season-ending knee injury and contemplate his future in the NHL. He never expects to run into the one woman who got away. Nine years may have passed, but nothing has dulled the explosive chemistry between them. Now he wants more than just one night.

Hailey Eriksson had Olympic-sized dreams until an accidental pregnancy from a one-night stand halted her ambitions. Her life was shattered when her son died. Nothing will keep her from fulfilling her promise to him to make the Olympic team, especially not the charming Ben Kelly. Unfortunately, he’s out of sweep her off her feet this time, and she finds him harder and harder to resist with each passionate kiss. But when he learns about the child he never knew, will their rekindled romance be on thin ice?

Review

With undeniable chemistry and a painful secret, Crista McHugh scores yet another masterpiece!

Ben Kelly was one vulnerable man. He was hiding from his injury, but when it came to Hailey, he was willing to come out and face his fears. It took a bit of coaxing, but because he was so determined, Ben was able to impress Hailey and perform baby steps toward a speedy recovery.

Hailey couldn't deny the attraction with Ben. However, something happened in the past that made her feel spite against him. Fortunately for Ben, their stars were aligned and they couldn't stay away from each other. Forget about the past and the heartache and hardship Hailey went through; she needed to relive their first night together!

These two were hot and bothered even when Hailey was trying to keep Ben at arm's length. The misunderstanding caused sad memories. I was surprised Ben kept a level head almost the entire time. Even when he confronted the person who caused all the confusion, he didn't lose his cool. He really was the pacifist among his brothers ;)

I definitely recommend this series. If you are hesitant because the author is indie, I promise you will not be disappointed :)

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