Letting Loose by Mara Fox

Slightly disappointing Blaze romance

3 stars

Tina Henderson is desperate to find a way to forget about her fling with fellow lawyer, Tyler Walden. Things were getting too cosy and Tina’s just not a relationship sort of woman. So a night of hot sex with the stripper from her friend’s hen night seems like the perfect way to chase away the memories of Tyler and the fun they had together.

Tyler isn’t about to let Tina walk out of his life – especially since they had such potent chemistry. Posing as the stripper at the hen night is a calculated risk but it’s one that Tyler is determined to take to win Tina back. But what will happen when she finds out about his deception – and will she be happy to see this particular lawyer again – this time without his briefs?

I’ll admit that this Blaze left me slightly disappointed and I didn’t feel it was up to the standard of other books from this line.

Tina was an exceptionally strong character but I felt that she was a stereotype and really wasn’t developed throughout the story. As well as that, at the beginning of the book she decides she will pay the stripper for sex which really stopped me from identifying with, or even liking her. Tyler was a good enough character but you hardly ever learn anything about him other than the superficial. And again, at the beginning of the story – he decided to use his current date to make Tina jealous – hardly hero behaviour!

The actual plot of the story was okay – basically concentrating on Tina’s changing feelings towards Tyler and relationships in general. It didn’t offer anything new but it wasn’t truly terrible.

My biggest complaint was the sex scenes. There were plenty of them and I’ll admit that they were hot and sexy – however they read like the script of a cheesy 80s porn flick. It wasn’t sensual or romantic and the dialogue during the scenes was so cringe worthy it was embarrassing.

Having said all that, I did manage to finish this book and it was an easy read which is always a plus. It didn’t offer anything particularly exciting or new and it’s not a book that I would keep, however it’s certainly not offensive so if you like this author or are looking for a quick read then this book could be for you.

Coming Soon by Jo Leigh

Fun and sexy with a little bit of murder!

4 stars

A movie is being shot in and around the world famous erotic hotel Hush, so concierge Mia Traverse definitely has her hands full. And that's before she stumbles over a very dead body in the basement club. A murdered, dead body!

Detective Bax Milligan can't wait until he leaves the force in a few months and he needs all the help that he can get solving this most high profile of murders. But he hadn't counted on the sexy, CSI addict, Mia becoming the Watson to his Holmes and reviving that long forgotten thrill of solving a crime and triggering a few new thrills at the same time.

When Mia's life is put in danger it's up to Bax to protect her - and his bed seems like the safest place to do just that. But is it safe for either of their hearts?

I am pleased to see that Blaze's Do Not Disturb series is back again and we get to revisit the wonderful Hush hotel with another sexy and fun story.

Mia is a girl who loves her job and is lively, interesting and determined to solve a crime. Thankfully, she also wasn't a heroine that was ridiculously stupid although she did manage to get herself into a few scrapes that she needed saving from. Bax was slightly jaded without being a stereotype and a deliciously rugged hero. Together the pair were a perfect match and a cute crime fighting duo.

The sex scenes were both hot and sweet although it was maybe the latter that stopped them from scorching the pages. But they still were enjoyable.

The mystery was engaging and engrossing and I certainly didn't immediately guess who was the main culprit of the murder as there were so many pieces to the puzzle in the end. Those more used to reading or watching murder mysteries might disagree, however!

Overall, this is a well-written, welcome return to Hush hotel that is entertaining, sexy and definitely worth a couple of hours of your time. 4 stars.

Just Dare Me by Stephanie Bond

Predictable but enjoyable romance

4 stars

Marketing executive Gabrielle Flannery is tired of being overlooked and undermined at work so when the opportunity arises to manage the account of the biggest outdoor equipment company – she jumps at the chance.

But she didn’t bet on the office heart-throb and all round marketing whiz, Dell Kingston, wanting to handle the account too.

So to win the account – the pair must head off on a wilderness survival weekend and compete against each other. Since he’s in touch with the great outdoors (and she’s anything but) he reckons he’s on to a sure thing. But he doesn’t count on the distraction of Gabby’s sexy legs and she certainly has a few other tricks up her sleeve.

And nothing stimulates a sexual appetite like a campfire, the great outdoors and a healthy bit of lust!

This was a fun romance as an ‘ugly duckling’ goes up against a gorgeous, confident man that she has worked with, and had a crush on, for a long time.

Any woman who has ever felt that she faded into the background will identify with Gabby and cheer her on as she tries to take control of her life. Dell is a good hero – outdoorsy, gorgeous and just a little bit cocky.

The story is very engrossing and keeps you turning the pages although the plot itself is fairly predictable. There is plenty of anticipation and build up toward the sex scenes yet there maybe aren’t as many as I would have liked!

Overall, I was debating between 3 and 4 stars for this particular book. I settled on 4 as despite its slight predictability, it’s a fun, entertaining and well-written book that I very much enjoyed. A good, light read for fans of Blaze romances.