Title: Loving you Easy Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group Publishing 9/6/16 Length: 267 Pages Series: Loving on the Edge #9
Overview
Cora has an amazing sex life. She’s beautiful, daring, and the most popular submissive in Hayven. Too bad none of it’s real…
IT specialist Cora Benning has figured out the key to her formerly disastrous love life—make it virtual. In the online world of Hayven, she’s free of her geek girl image and can indulge her most private fantasies with a sexy, mysterious master without anyone in her life discovering her secrets. Until her information is hacked and she finds herself working to fix the breach under two very powerful men—one who seems all too familiar…
Best friends and business partners Ren Muroya and Hayes Fox were once revered dominants. Then Hayes was wrongfully sent to prison and everything changed. Ren wants to get back to who they were. Hayes can’t risk it. But when they discover the new IT specialist is their online fascination, and that she’s never felt a dominant’s touch, the temptation to turn virtual into reality becomes all too great…
My Thoughts
In this 9th installment of the series, we get an entirely new set of characters to dive into. The only friendly face that i can really think of is Andre who’s more of a peripheral character.
So in this story, we get a bit of ‘girl with the dragon tattoo’ in the sense that Cora is an ace hacker and finds herself in a situation where she needs to put her talents to good use since she’s been targeted by someone from a virtual world that she’s playing in. Where that crosses paths with our two sexy leading men, well, that’s to come in a second.
Ren and Hayes are best friends and business partners, and developers of the Virtual world game that Cora plays in. It’s BDSM in nature so that’s where we get a lot of the tie in to the Ranch and the bigger series – it’s a means to provide a way to explore that side of yourself if it’s what you’re into and not into going to a club or something like that.
So with the security issue in the game, Cora comes to the gentlemen to alert them to the issue and then finds herself with the task of discovering who’s behind it all. Where that takes them is down a quite interesting path. See,the first issue is that Cora’s online identity has been interacting with a guy in the game, and that’s bleeding into her real life since the emotions and conversations are so real. Little does she know though is that the person she talks to online is someone that she’s crossed paths with. It’s only a matter of time that his identity comes through.
In this next installment, it does take us quite a bit of time to get to the point where they are able to explore their own feelings, and like we saw with Andre, Evan and Jace, three is sometimes better than two. In this case, we see how Ren and Hayes interact once they get honest with each other. How ren and Cora act once they open themselves up to the attraction, how Cora and Hayes get on since it’s quite obvious that there’s something there, and then how Ren, Hayes and Cora get on.
It’s true to form with Ms Loren once we get into the heat of things – there’s so much steam and passion, and kink coming off the pages that you know that you’re going to come away satisfied. It’s hot. big time.
The other bit is that there’s a twist in the story as we see Cora getting closer to who this person is who’s behind setting up her stuff as well as potentially who was behind Hayes going to jail, and when that comes to light, it’s fast and aggressive and i think that it keeps you reading all the way through the last page. Definitely a rollercoaster, but all with the best bits needed for this amazing story. so – enjoy all! can’t wait to see what’s next.
Title: Break Me Down Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group Publishing 10/27/15 Length: 157 Pages Series: Loving on the Edge #8.5
Overview
Samantha Dunbar needs to forget Gibson Andrews. When he trained her to be a domme, she experienced just how hot things could get with the sexy executive. She was ready to hand him everything—including her heart. But Gibson backed away, declaring them incompatible. He’s a dominant, and Sam’s no submissive.
But after an attack shakes Sam to her core, Gibson tracks her down at her family’s rundown farmhouse and makes her an offer. He’ll stay the week and be hers in every way—a helping hand for the renovation and a willing lover in her bed. He swore he’d never give up control to anyone again, but he hasn’t been able to touch another woman since Sam. Maybe a week alone with her will cure him of his relentless craving.
But one taste only makes them want more, and Sam and Gibson are drawn in deeper than ever. The man who won’t give in has just met the girl who won’t give up…
My Thoughts
We heard about Gibson in the last installment so it makes perfect sense that he gets his own novella. We also heard about a tease of an unrequited love with him and Sam, so this is what we’re getting involved in.
Gibson, brother (or step brother) to Kade is a successful alpha male and a Dom. Sam in her own right is also quite successful in what she does, and is also a Domme. So two tops don’t often mix right? well a night a few weeks/months ago showed them that there’s a really intense connection and chemistry between them and that makes things all that more complicated. Especially since they are all in the same friend group.
Where we go in this novella is on the journey of seeing that tough Sam has her own issues given her past and where she’s at in life. pining away for Gibson, a man who’s not willing to be what she needs. Then there’s Gibson who knows that he wants her, but is too prideful to admit that maybe he’ll need to be her sub and try that on for size. It’s a tough position to be in i’d imagine.
True to Ms Loren’s style, we get one of the most sexually charged installments to date – where we see all of the control that Gibson lets up during a week of trying to get through to Sam, and the building of trust that has to go on with it. Of course it’s not easy, and it doesn’t end well for either of them, but i think that’s part of what makes this story so great. You see that they are destined to be together, but they have to figure out how to make that happen since they feel deep in their core that they are a certain way.
What i also like about this series and this story in particular, is that we constantly get to see the characters that we’ve grown to love pop up. Kade’s been in the last few, and Pike is back in this one as well. It makes us as readers continue to feel really invested since we get to see how everyone’s relationships are continuing and developing. On that note, i think there’s another book out already for me to pick up, so that’s next on my list. have a great day all!
Title: Call On Me Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: penguin Group Publishing 7/7/15 Length: 337 Pages Series: Loving on the Edge #8
Overview
Oakley Easton wants two things: to be a good mom to her daughter and to ditch her less than ideal night job. Hooking up with bad boy drummer Pike Ryland? Not on the agenda. She needs a promotion. Not sex, tattoos and rock ’n’ roll.
Pike isn’t about to let Ms. Prim and Proper shut him down so easily, especially when he stumbles upon Oakley’s sexy night job. She’s only playing a role on those late night calls with strangers, but when he gets her on the line, all bets are off. He won’t stop until that sultry voice is calling his name for real.
But as they move from anonymous fantasies in the dark to the flesh-on-hot-flesh reality of the bedroom, the risk of falling in love becomes all too high. And the safe, quiet world that Oakley’s worked so hard to create is about to be exposed to the one person who could ruin it all.
My Thoughts
it’s been a long time since i’ve been into this series but i’m glad that i came back into it. There are so many great guys at The Ranch, that it’s about time to get another installment read.
In this story, we meet Pike who’s a drummer in a hard rock band. Of course he’s the typical bad boy but because of his rough childhood, he’s actually a really sweet guy. which is kind of what we typically find in these types of stories.
We also meet Oakley who’s a single mom trying to make ends meet to take care of herself and her daughter Rae who is autistic. She’s got quite the background to her story too, as we learn throughout this one. we get to see that it’s definitely something that’s made her into the hard working woman that she is, but also the closed off woman.
Throughout this story, we see a fight to maintain control while also trying to build trust. Makes things hard of course when emotions begin to develop – all with the help of a few children and a charity project, but it’s definitely not easy and it often crashes and burns.
So as i mentioned The Ranch earlier – the BDSM club in Dallas that all these folks belong to, what’s unique here is that it’s really just in the wings. Most of the other installments shared us the bits of a true D/s relationship but since Pike is a switch, really just into light domination, and Oakley hasn’t been exposed to the lifestyle much at all aside from her moonlighting job, well we don’t get to see much of the naughty action that we usually do.
What we get instead are some incredibly steamy and hot scenes between these 2 around the Ranch, and all around their houses. It’s hot in true Roni Loren form and i think that it’s a nice change to this series. On that note – have a great night all!
Title: Nothing Between Us Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Publishing 1/6/15 Length: 383 pages Series: Loving on the Edge #7
Overview
Unlike the heroine of her popular thriller series, Georgia Delaune can’t afford to take risks or push sexual boundaries—unless you count spying through her neighbor’s bedroom window, and never missing a single move he makes.
Colby Wilkes is more than willing to put on a show for the alluring woman next door. But his dominant side aches to show her the pleasures of submission up close. As a counselor, Colby is sensitive to Georgia’s fears. As a Dom at The Ranch, a private BDSM retreat, he’s the perfect teacher to unleash her passion.
But just as Georgia lowers her emotional barriers, an unexpected complication arrives: a bad boy musician from Colby’s past who adds fuel to her heated imagination. Now, the lonely author has two gorgeous men eager to fulfill every fantasy she’s ever written—and one she’s never dared to dream….
My Thoughts
It’s been a while since i’ve been engrossed in this series and i’m glad that we got to get another spinoff from the Ranch. We meet up with Colby who’s been a trainer for a bit at the club but who’s been looking for more. He’s found himself in a bit of a situation at work where he has more free time than he’d like after a kid that he’s been counseling tries to kill himself, and it’s during this free time that things get interesting for him.
Then there’s Georgia – the author from Chicago who’s in ‘hiding’ in Texas while her ex is awaiting trial for murder of both her sister and sort of ex boyfriend. She’s now afraid of just about everything in life because of what this guy has put her through and it’s no wonder that she’s resorting to watching Colby (her neighbor) in his house with all his various partners and truly getting off.
If that weren’t complicated enough, enter Adam Keats – the boy that caused Colby to lose his first job years ago because he ran away and the kids father thought that there was something going on between Keats and Colby. So it’s no wonder that things are even more racy and interesting once these folks get together.
Where we go in this story though is an interesting path of understanding what attraction is, knowing that there are clear boundaries that can’t be crossed – and then well, making sure that you’re taking care of yourself in front of the others.
This is a nice character growth story – showing that colby is the strong and dominating one that forces Georgia and Keats to step out of their comfort zone, and hopefully open themselves up to something more.
We also get exactly what we’ve come to expect from Ms. Loren – there’s a lot of really really steamy scening, and since there are more than 2 folks involved here, the dynamic is killer. we get those scenes between Colby and Georgia, Colby and Keats, Keats and Georiga and then ALL THREE. i don’t know about you guys – but when i read how she’s written these scenes, i feel like i need to take a cold shower at times!
While it’s completely expected what’s going to happen – since we all know that Georgia’s past is going to haunt her and come back to bite her some how- i think that the progression of things and the details in the sub stories makes it more interesting. I don’t know why it took me so long to read this one to be honest since it’s fairly entertaining and streamlined, but at least i made it through and saw that there’s yet another threesome couple at the Ranch for the time being and hopefully we’ll get to see and hear more of them in the following books. Happy Tuesday All!
Title: Need You Tonight Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group 3/4/14 Length: 400 Pages Series: Loving on the Edge #5
Overview
She’s making a wish list, and he wants to be on top. From foster kid to trophy wife, Tessa McAllen is about to reinvent herself all over again—and defy every insult her cheating ex-husband ever used against her: Selfish? She’s championing a charity. Stupid? She’s getting her degree. Boring in bed? Kade Vandergriff can help her with that one. When they encounter each other at a singles event held at one of his restaurants, Tessa blurts out that kink is for girls who try too hard, and Kade instantly wants to show this sassy stranger how thrilling a night under his command can be but when he learns her name, the game changes for both of them. In high school, Tessa was the popular girl who stuttering, awkward Kade fell for. But she chose another. Now, as she eagerly learns lesson after lesson, he’s going to make sure she never forgets him again.
My Thoughts
I really enjoy this series – if for nothing more than the consistency of what we get. We are introduced to Tessa who’s just walked in on her husband cheating on her with her best friend. very cliche – yes, but still – game changing for her given that she’s been the ‘devoted’ wife in the sense that she doesn’t work, she didn’t go to college really so she’s not able to be overly independent and she’s tried to be what Doug, her TV Church leader should want…so she’s literally left with nothing.
Because of this, Tessa moves back home to Dallas – and tried to rebuild her life and it’s through the help of her friend Sam that she rejoins the living. Its on one night that Sam convinces Tessa to go to a cooking class that’s really a dating event that we get into the story at a faster pace. When Tessa’s name isn’t on the list and she would be forced to pay $200 to attend – a fee that she doesn’t have and doesn’t want to pay – a handsome stranger comes in and offers a solution. Instead of taking that solution, they end up having a private cooking class on the roof that turns out to be soo much more.
From then on, we see that Tessa’s eyes are open to questioning what her ex had said about her being sexually boring given that this stranger – ‘Van’ was able to awaken so much in her. Turns out though that this stranger Van isn’t that at all – he’s Kade from high school and their past was quite complicated back then as well. When i thought that Tessa would run and get angry at the revelation that Kade was someone that she knew – it was really surprised to see that there wasn’t anything at all there. She was pleased in a sense and just went with it, when in most other books like this – a secret like this would have been a disaster.
Where we go on this story is one of a flash back and a fast forward. We continue to see glimpses into what they were like in 1996 in high school, and then it’s layered on to understand why they are what they are today. We see Kade taking it slow on the introduction of his lifestyle to Tessa, knowing that she’s a bit fearful of it and because of her past – she thinks that it’s wrong. What we get as a result is a lot of great scening and good passion and emotion since we’re constantly seeing Kade challenged to make Tessa comfortable and loved and feet hot.
Roni Loren does it again here i think – bringing a good story about a deep character relationship into play while making sure that we get the erotic nature of things. She’s even given us the fearful bit of a fire – someone seemingly wanting to do harm to Kade, and the return of Tessa’s vengeful ex – so that we’re kept on our toes for a bit in that sense as well. It’s all nicely woven together – and still made me feel all hot and bothered. While it took me far longer to read than i had wanted – it’s not due to the book – just my busy week i guess. Now i’ll have to find out what happens in the next one and who it will revolve around since i’m not quite sure – Colby maybe….Enjoy.
Title: Caught Up in You Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group 8/6/13 Length: 352 Pages Series: Loving on the Edge #4
Overview
The girl who has spent her life running is about to be caught . . .by love
After a shaky past, Kelsey LeBreck’s future is looking good. She’s been saving money for culinary school with her earnings from The Ranch, a private BDSM resort. Even better, she’s landed a day job where she can practice bakingand flirt with her favorite customer. However, having secret fantasies about Wyatt Austin is where it has to end. If there’s one thing Kelsey knows can derail her, it’s a relationship. But when a danger from her past threatens to steal her fresh start, the intense executive may be the only one who can help her.
Wyatt doesn’t have room on his agenda for dating, but something about the pretty young waitress stirs desires he thought were long buried. So when he needs someone to pose as his girlfriend at an important business retreat and finds out Kelsey needs to go off the grid for a while, he can’t resist making her an offer. Soon, Kelsey learns that Wyatt’s power in the boardroom is no match for his power in the bedroom, and she wonders if her heart will survive. Because Wyatt Austin is a man who gets what he wants, and now he wants her.
My Thoughts
Thank goodness this story seemed to redeem itself from Falling into You since i was beginning to lose faith. I really enjoyed where Roni Loren too this series and i appreciate the introduction and re-introduction of a few characters.
What’s really interesting here is that for some reason i didn’t put 2 and 2 together in the past few installments to realize that Lady K was Kelsey – but there you go. So in this story, we not only get Wyatt’s story but we get Kelsey’s as well. It’s nice to see where things began to resolve themselves from that first tale where we met Brynn and Reid and somewhat got the introduction to Kelsey.
This installment starts us off at Kelsey’s job as a waitress where she’s got the hots for Wyatt whom she met through Jace but of course feels like he’s out of her league. Since the day that Jace introduced them, Wyatt’s made a point to go to the cafe where Kelsey works for breakfast just to get a glimpse at this beauty that he’s enthralled with. Of course we know that this means that there’s going to be some great pent up sexual frustration going on, and that’s precisely where we go here.
What’s also nice about this story is that we don’t get the clean version of what Kelsey’s been through – we get the sense of what she’s trying to move on from, and how it’s damaged her. I do however think that there may be a slight miss since we don’t see exactly how damaged it’s made her – just that the impact of it has meant that she’s become more of a domme than a sub. Not such a bad thing since she’s got her in at The Ranch but still not quite what the expectation was on my end.
We also get to learn a bit more about Wyatt and what made him into the man that we have come to know. We get to see his damaged past from his relationship gone wrong with Mia and we see that his relationship with his father isn’t exactly as we thought it was either. I love that we see his ‘dark and naughty’ side here – that we learn he’s much more like Jace than we ever saw in the previous books – he’s a dom through and through and a stern one at that. He knows his way around a playroom and knows how to take control. He’s also really quite powerful in a professional setting and that means that we get that bit of heat and passion as well.
So this story takes us on a nice little journey where both Kelsey and Wyatt have to figure out how damaged they are and how that will effect one another. Sex and the emotions that come along with it (either through release or developing feelings) are the forefront of the trip that we’re on, and it’s nice to see that it can add to the tension that makes for a good erotica story.
The one thing that bugs me a little, every time we get into a story like this, there’s this underlying crime/murder aspect to it. in this instance, we know from Brynn/Reid/Kelsey that there’s definitely a bit of this to deal with, however it’s all resolved a bit too nicely for my liking. i guess it’s not overly important, but it did bug me a bit since i kept expecting it to come up throughout the story and we didn’t get the presence that i’ve come to rely on for a means of bringing the main characters back together when they’ve decided they aren’t right for one another.
anyhow, i can’t wait for the next installment since it looks like Kade’s finally going to be a focus – such a shame though that it seems like i’ll have to wait until 2014 for it.
Title: Not Until You Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group 6/13 – 8/13 Length: 60 pages(ish) each Series: Loving on the Edge #3.51 – 3.58
Overview(s)
Not Until You Dare:
On the night of her graduation, innocent veterinary student Cela decides to play a game of Never Have I Ever with the two hot neighbors she’s been quietly crushing on for the last year. Always the prim and proper student, Cela thinks she’s earned a wild night before she has to move back home under the watchful gaze of her family. But what starts out as a simple game is about to take a very sensual turn…
Ian Foster is tired of playing games. With his membership to The Ranch, an exclusive BDSM resort, and a musician roommate named Pike who brings home groupies with a taste for ménage, Foster has a life most guys would kill for. But lately, his need for dominance is no longer satisfied via one-night stands. He craves the full surrender of one woman—a submissive of his own.
But when his quiet, sweet-as-sugar neighbor shows up at their door with a bottle of tequila and an invitation, Foster decides he and Pike may have time for one more fling…
Not Until You Risk
Cela’s sexy game of Never Have I Ever with her neighbors has turned into a night of Truth or Dare, with her revealing her deepest desires and letting go like she’s never done before. After some seductive dancing, the trio decides to move to a more private location: a swanky hotel where Foster is determined to explore Cela’s wildest fantasies.
As the heat between the three begins to sizzle, Cela finds herself drawn to Foster, whose dominance over her is almost too much to handle. But Cela’s got a secret she hasn’t yet shared, something that could bring their passionate encounter to a screeching halt…
Not Until You Crave
As the threesome returns home from their wild night, Foster is still reeling from the truth about Cela and angry at himself for feeling more than he should for a one night stand. So when he’s confronted by Cela’s angry and protective older brother, he agrees to stay away from his alluring neighbor. He knows he’s got no business messing with a vanilla girl—especially one who tests his self-control at every turn.
Cela’s still not ready to give up on Foster or the intense connection they shared. So when a harmless midnight texting session turns into an irresistible invitation, she can’t say no. But later when she runs into Foster dressed in leather pants and heading out for a late night at The Ranch, she begins to grasp that there’s a whole other side to him she never imagined—a darkness that both intrigues and terrifies her…
Not Until You Trust
Despite desperately wanting to satisfy her curiosity, Foster is not about to introduce Cela to his true dominant side. For one thing, she’s far too innocent to participate in that kind of lifestyle; for another, he doesn’t want to get attached when she’ll be leaving town so soon. But when he comes home after a frustrating day and finds Cela hanging out with Pike, all of Foster’s possessive urges rise to the surface.
Cela is left breathless and shaken after getting a glimpse of Foster’s dominance unleashed. Maybe he was right, and she isn’t ready for something so intense. But when she can’t get her mind off their nights together, she comes up with a daring plan to see just how much they’re both willing to risk…
Not Until You Beg
Foster has been pushed past the point of temptation. So even though he fears Cela’s interest in his world is a passing whim, he agrees to teach her the art of submission. But he’s not going to hold anything back—if she wants to see this side of him, he’s going to show her how deep his dominance runs.
Cela’s initial intrigue begins to give way to doubt as she struggles with the submissive role and the desires it stirs within her. Having spent her whole life being controlled by her domineering father, she’s unsure if she’s ready to put herself under the command of another man. But when she breaks Foster’s most important rule, she puts herself in a situation more intense than she bargained for…
Not Until You Surrender
Cela willingly accepts Foster’s difficult penalty for what she’s done and finds herself more vulnerable and more attracted to him than ever. Unfortunately, she’s also more confused. She’s drawn to Foster’s dark desires but scared by the intensity of her surrender and her growing need for him. So as outside pressures mount, how is she supposed to make the hardest decision of her life?
Foster is falling further and further for Cela, but right as he’s tempted to tell her how he feels, she approaches him with a heartbreaking proposition. There isn’t much Foster wouldn’t sacrifice for Cela’s happiness, but this time that may mean watching the girl he could truly love walk away..
Not Until You Believe
Having flirted with forbidden desires, Cela leaves Foster and returns home to her small Texas town to work in her father’s veterinary practice and embrace a “normal” life. Everything is exactly how she left it—everything except her. But Foster made his feelings clear about their relationship, and she’s determined to find a way forward without him…even if her heart refuses to let go.
Foster knows that he made a mistake in letting Cela go before he told her his true feelings. Intending to set things right, he goes to her hometown to lay himself bare. But when he gets there, he sees Cela in a compromising situation that makes him doubt that they had anything special at all…
Not Until You Love
When Cela walked into his life, scared, innocent, and seeking thrills beyond her wildest dreams, Foster never expected she could become the submissive he’s always desired. Cela has changed, has blossomed into something he can’t resist, and she’s ready and willing to surrender to Foster fully.
But when devastating news reminds Foster how tragically he failed to take care of someone he loved in the past, he wonders what right he has to be with a woman as beautiful and vibrant as Cela. She’ll leave eventually anyway—everyone always does.
But Cela isn’t about to let Foster chase her away. Can she convince this dominant playboy that her love for him is here to stay?
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story. i think that it was a reprieve from what i felt yesterday after reading Fall Into You. Anyhow, we are introduced right off the bat to Cela (Marcela) who just happens to be Andre’s little sister. That’s foreboding if I ever heard it myself. We meet her on the night of her graduation from Vet school when we see her coming home after the ceremony alone w/ a bottle of Tequila. She runs into her two sexy neighbors so you know where this has to go. Alcohol and sexy neighbor boys – and an innocent girl. Yup, my mind goes there.
What we get through this series of stories is what i thought was truly going to be another menage situation with interesting dynamic and power struggles across the board, but we don’t get that at all. There are certainly power struggles between Cela and Foster, but Pike turns out to be an all around good guy that’s really just a side character.
The nice thing about this installment of the bigger series is that we get the great D/s dynamic, but it’s similar to what i got from Cerise Sinclair’s Master of the Shadowlands series where the sub isn’t really 100% decided that she wants to be part of the scene or even knows what she’s getting into. Cela gives Foster a bit of a struggle at EVERY turn and that makes for some very steamy scenes when she does submit. We learn a lot about the level of Pain that Foster likes and how much Cela is willing to put out there without compromising her job, freedom, family and everything else.
What’s really nice too is that we get to see Andre interspersed here as well – so you never know what’s going to happen. We know that he’s hiding his relationship situation from his sister and their family so that’s something that I know i kept wondering if i’d see get played out here.
The other great thing about this series of chapters is that Foster has on the surface a charmed life, but it’s not ever that easy – and that’s kind of what makes him the way that he is – controlling, dominating and into pain. He has this haunted past that really makes us wish for the best outcome, but that would be too nice and tidy if that were the case.
In any event i feel much better about this whole ‘Loving on the Edge’ series now and thankfully Caught Up In You comes out very soon so we get the next installment even before i’ve had a chance to cool off from this one. Very steamy, very naughty, and very dynamic.
When Cela walked into his life, scared, innocent, and seeking thrills beyond her wildest dreams, Foster never expected she could become the submissive he’s always desired. Cela has changed, has blossomed into something he can’t resist, and she’s ready and willing to surrender to Foster fully.
But when devastating news reminds Foster how tragically he failed to take care of someone he loved in the past, he wonders what right he has to be with a woman as beautiful and vibrant as Cela. She’ll leave eventually anyway—everyone always does.
But Cela isn’t about to let Foster chase her away. Can she convince this dominant playboy that her love for him is here to stay?
Title: Falling Into You Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group 12/31/12 Length: 336 pages Series: Loving on the Edge #3
Overview
The three beautiful words a man longs to hear from a woman…Teach me tonight.
When tomboy sports reporter Charli Beaumonde loses a dream TV job because she’s not girly enough for primetime, she’s determined to land a big scoop and prove her boss made a mistake. But when she gets too close to a football scandal and finds her life threatened, Charli accepts an offer from family friend Grant Waters to hide out at his place—even if Grant predicts nothing but trouble from his buddy’s hard-headed, uncompromising, irrepressible, younger sister. There’s one more problem…
Grant’s “place” is The Ranch, a BDSM resort in Texas, and he’s used to being in charge —even if that means trying to keep Charli in line. But much to Grant’s surprise, she’s intrigued—even envious—of his trainees. They’re the epitome of what she’s never been: sexy, beguiling, and totally irresistible to a man. Still, Grant doesn’t believe for a minute that the sharp-tongued Charli has it in her to be anyone’s submissive. But Charli’s already on her knees vying for the chance to prove that even the Master can be wrong sometimes.
My Thoughts
I really wanted to like this book as much as the first 2 in the series but i have to admit that i’m just not there with it. I loved what we saw of Grant in the first few installments that i assumed that we’d get a GREAT story with him, but while it was a great effort by Roni Loren, it took a LOT of effort on my part to make it through the book.
We meet Charli in this story – a tomboy of sorts who works for a local version of ESPN and wants to get a promotion for the on-air anchor. It’s not an easy road for her in a male dominated field, and she needs to prove herself she feels. What adds to the challenge is that her ex is her boss and she works with a bunch of guys that want to see her fail. She’s trying to break a huge story to get the promotion and that comes with it’s fair share of danger.
That’s what leads her into the arms of Grant actually when she’s on her way home late at night one evening and she almost gets run off the road by someone that she realizes is out to get her. Grant runs to her rescue since her car accident happens really close to the Ranch and this is where their story begins. Interestingly enough, we learn that Grant has a past with Charli’s brother since they were in the army together and Max (Charli’s brother saved his life) – so there’s an added dynamic there that is always underlying for Charli. Are Grant’s actions because he cares for her or is attracted to her or is it a sense of doing what’s right by Max and paying him back for saving his life back in the military.
So this story takes us on the journey of Grant introducing Charli into the world of BDSM and ‘training her’ as his sub as a means to show her that she’s quite girly and delicate when she’s been told that she’s not and that’s why she’ll never be on camera at the station.
What we get between these 2 is an interesting dynamic. Neither is in a place to have a real relationship nor do they thing that’s what they want – but they soon learn that what’s between them is more than just chemistry. Because of promises that they’ve made to themselves though, it’s not an easy road for them, and most likely not going to lead to a happy ending. We learn about Grant’s demons and why he won’t allow himself to get back into a long term relationship, and we lean about Charli’s drive which pushes romance to the back burner.
There’s a lot of steamy-ness written throughout since we get to see what Grant likes as the owner of The Ranch, and we get to see him introduce Charli quite quickly to the scene. While there is a good balance among the scenes, i have to admit that i wasn’t quite as hot and bothered as i have found myself to be in the past 2 books in the series – so i was wondering where the disconnect was. to be honest, i’m not quite sure – but that won’t stop me from picking up Melt Into You – the next installment of the series.
I’d love to hear if you guys have a difference of opinion though. that’s for sure!
Title: Melt Into You Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group 7/3/12 Length: 366 pages Series: Loving on the Edge #2
Overview
Her first love has returned, and he’s brought a friend…
After running away from home and the boy who broke her heart, Evan Kennedy has kick-started the perfect new life with her celebrity fiancé. So what if said fiancé prefers guys? She knew the deal when they got engaged. And with her ticket to The Ranch, an exclusive resort where any fantasy can be satisfied, she can find someone to fulfill her less-than-traditional desires on the side.
She just never expected that man to be Jace Austin, her old heart-breaker—all grown up, hard-bodied, and holding out a collar. She knows it’s a world-class bad idea—especially since Jace has brought along his buddy Andre, who’s every bit as irresistible. But if they can stick to the no-strings rules, so can she.
Too bad Jace has never been so good with rules. Evan is convinced “forever” is a word used only in greeting cards, but Jace and Andre have one last fantasy of hers left to fulfill. It’s time to go big or go home. And neither man has ever been a fan of going home.
My Thoughts
To be completely honest, i wasn’t sure what i was getting into when i got this 2nd book in the series. I knew that it would be hot because Jace/Jason was the lead male, but that’s really where my expectations stopped. If you remember, we met Jace back in Book 1 (Crash Into You) when Reid needed someone to help him and Brynn out with their case. It was interesting to say the least to see that D/s relationship intertwined with the hint of menage. Meaning, we knew that w’ed be in for quite a bit of menage if the situation allowed for it.
What i didn’t expect though was that there would be two threesomes in this story. One with Evan/Daniel/Marcus and the other with Evan/Jace/Andre. All interesting dynamics to say the least, but only one had the heat, steam, naughtiness and lust that makes stories like these fly by.
As we get to know the history between Jace and Evan, we see that there’s a lot of unresolved ‘stuff’ between them and that’s what makes everything that much more complicated. Not only does Evan not know what to do with those emotions, she’s also got them coming from another direction related to Andre. I mean really, you just throw in a got with a sexy accent and you know that you’re not going to make it out of the scene on your own 2 legs.
This story takes us on a few interesting paths, dealing with the struggle of not wanting to give into family demands, not wanting to reveal your secrets, and really being afraid of acknowledging what’s going on in your heart.
Definitely sets up a lot of tension that you know is going to come out in the bedroom (or a playroom or dungeon or something like that). I loved how Grant kept getting peppered into this story just as he did in book 1, so that means that we’ll HAVE to get a story on him soon.
Regardless, after you read this second book, you’ll need a cold shower just to come back down to the real world, especially given the ending that this book gives us. There’s a decent level of detail that goes into the scening here and while i can’t say that these interactions are the BEST that i’ve read, they certainly did the trick in developing imagery and fantasies for me to go on for a bit.
Title: Crash Into You Author: Roni Loren Publisher/Year: Penguin Group (USA) 1/3/12 Length: 336 pages Series: Loving on the Edge #1
Overview
Brynn LeBreck has dedicated herself to helping women in crisis, but she never imagined how personal her work would get, or where it would take her. Her younger sister is missing, suspected to be hiding from cops and criminals alike at a highly secretive BDSM retreat-a place where the elite escape to play out their most extreme sexual fantasies. To find her, Brynn must go undercover as a sexual submissive. Unfortunately, The Ranch is invitation only. And the one master who can get her in is from the darkest corner of Brynn’s past.
Brynn knows what attorney Reid Jamison is like once stripped of his conservative suit and tie. Years ago she left herself vulnerable only to have him crush her heart. Now she needs him again. Back on top. And he’s all too willing to engage. But as their primal desires and old wounds are exposed, the sexual games escalate-and so does the danger. Their hearts aren’t the only things at risk. Someone else is watching, playing by his own rules. And his game could be murder.
My Thoughts
I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect on this one – especially based on the description of the story, but i’m always open to story lines that cross more than uncertainty in sexual situations. What i’m learning though is that Erotica/BDSM goes really well with murder so that’s what we get here.
The style that this story is written, we get the ‘now and then’ formula which works, especially since it ends about 2/3 of the way through. What we also get is some great insight into the relationships that we’re seeing evolve throughout and that’s a nice twist.
Our leading lady, Brynn comes from a rather colorful past – her family life isn’t the healthiest given that her mother was a hooker and her sister is now a stripper and somewhat ex drug addict. Brynn however always managed to look out for the best for herself, held good jobs and tried her best to keep her family afloat. She meets Reid while she’s working at the campaign office for his uncle – and that’s where her life changes forever .
Reid we learn has a dark past of his own, yet we don’t learn what that really means until more than half way through the book. We just know that he’s afraid of what he’ll become based on his family and his past. that’s what his fear is with Brynn since he considers her to be on a pedestal even though she’s kind of experienced it all through what her mom does. They try their hand at a relationship which is quite taboo and that of course does not end well.
we’re fast forwarded quite a few years when they re-meet one another through professional means and that’s a prescription for a complicated story. There are still feelings and hot chemistry between these 2, yet there’s a bigger story here. Reid was the lawyer defending the man who was jailed for Brynn’s mother’s murder and while Brynn feels that the right outcome came along, Reid is certain that there’s another person responsible. Kelsey, Brynn’s younger sister is the one person that would be able to discover the truth, and she’s now gone missing, gone in hiding at a very private and very exclusive BDSM club where Reid gets Brynn entrance in to look for her.
Being there allows Brynn a chance to get over her fears of past demons (from a rape that happened years earlier) while allowing her a chance to see what’s really going on emotionally with herself and Reid.
I like that we have twists and turns, some that i was quite on top of throughout the story and figured out (which i’m happy that i did) and then a big loop hole at the end that was a complete surprise. (although thinking back, i really should have picked up on it). Anyhow, i think that this was a nicely paced story and it was nicely intertwined with some great heat, passion and steamy scening, and i can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.
My Questions:
1) what’s going to happen now that Brynn knows the truth of her parentage?
