Hard Line by Erin McCarthy (reissue, 2017)
Office meetings were never so hot and sexy...
To Jared Kinkaid, the only way to keep his mind — and his hands — off his luscious co-worker Candy Appleton is to insult or ignore her at every turn. But his efforts at lust control have his boss convinced that the partners need a little help via online couples counseling.
But when they’re mistakenly signed up for sensual couples counseling instead, Jared and Candy’s shock turns to pleasure as they each deliver some hands on therapy of their own…
Hard Line is a re-issue of a story called "Press Any Key". Jared and Candy want each other, but Jared is determined not to get involved with anyone at work. So he avoids her. His boss decides to try something unconventional to get them to be able to get along and work together on an important account.
For me, this was an OK read. The love scenes are pretty intense, however, I didn't feel any chemistry other than lust between the couple. I guess I had a hard time suspending disbelief that ANY boss would sign up two of his employees for couples counseling. I know he mistakenly signs them up for a sensual couples counseling, but still. No boss would do that. Especially in light of today's harassment climate in the work place.
Hook by Lilly Atlas (April 2017)
After ten years away, Marcie finally ventures back to where she grew up. She isn’t in town for twenty-four hours when she crosses paths with Hook and Striker, the two boys who kept her safe and happy as a young girl. Only they aren’t boys anymore. They are fully grown, muscular, alpha men. Members of the No Prisoners Motorcycle Club. All through her teenage years, Marcie’s heart belonged to Hook. Not that he ever seemed to notice. And it appears that as an adult, not much has changed with regard to her feelings toward the sexy biker. But a bossy, alpha man is not what independent Marcie is looking for.
Hook takes place before any of the other books in the No Prisoners series. This is Marcie and Hook's story. They are married later in the series, so this is the story of how they got together. I liked that they had a history, however, the story was too short for me. I needed more of their interaction from their teen years to fully buy into the speed at which the "I Love Yous" come. The story line with the ex-boyfriend drove me crazy. Marcie as a bit TSTL regarding him. Anyway, it's not a bad addition to the series. It's a quick read and worth checking out.
Author: Erin McCarthy
Publisher: Self
Date of publication: October 2017
If there’s one thing Toni Salvatore knows how to do, it’s make people laugh. Having embarked on a life of comedy back in college playing pranks with current Hollywood star Jack Cooper, she’s now a YouTuber with her own passionate following. Too bad her newest joke—a fake on-set kiss with Jack—results in an epic case of mistaken identity…and with Toni getting flattened by Jack’s stunt man and body double. What’s a girl to do but make the best of a bad situation?
Chance Ashton takes everything seriously—he’s had to, because of his past. Then he mistakenly drops the hilarious and hot Toni to the ground in what he thought was an action scene, and he’s so intrigued he lets her kiss him after all. The results? More explosive than anything he’s experienced filming movies. When Toni seems to be interested in more than a fast laugh, he knows better than to believe her…and yet…
For the first time in her life, Toni’s pratfalled herself into what could just be a real romance. But can she convince the sexy stunt man she’s capable of more than just a joke?
This novella is a part of a series of novellas that feature Jack Cooper. He is an actor who is set to play a man who seeks redemption in his next movie. In order to research for the role, his publicist decides he should go on a "redemption tour" and apologize to people he has wronged in the past. Along the way, he helps people find a little love. This is Toni's story.
I thought this was a cute story, A mistaken identity tale is always fun, Toni and Chance were cute together. Their attraction was intense and pretty hot. Really, my only complaint is that it was too short. I would have loved to explore this couple a bit more. It's kind of a HFN ending, so that was a bit unsatisfying. I would have also loved to see how Toni's YouTube schtick was going to change after they were together. I'm not sure I would love to have my significant other running up and kissing random guys. At any rate, it's a quick fun read. I want to seek out the others to see how Jack fairs in his own love life.
Author: Erin McCarthy
Publisher:Self
Date of publication: August 2017
I love women, especially naked, beautiful women. As a bodyguard at the hottest shows in Miami, I’ve scored my fair share.
But there is only one woman I truly want… Miranda.
My brother’s ex.
My brother who faked his own death to escape drug debts and left Miranda grieving and in the dark.
Now Miranda is back in Miami, stepping down as a pop star’s body double, and looking to make a baby. With me.
A better man would say no. But I never claimed to be a saint, only better than my brother.
In Heat, Alejandro has been in love with Miranda since he was fifteen. Unfortunately, she was his brother's girlfriend and 5 years older. Now she is back in Miami and retiring from dancing for a famous Pop star. She has a unusual request for him. She wants him to donate and help her have a baby. Alejandro has other plans.
I'll be honest, I didn't really love this story. I kind of felt like it was all over the place. I did like the chemistry between Alejandro and Miranda, but it wasn't enough to save the rest of the story. I am a fan of second chance stories, but this couple was really messed up. I didn't care for Miranda. She kept acting like Max (her missing ex) was perfect and got mad at anyone who said otherwise. Yet she knew what he was involved in the whole time? That really made me lose respect for her. The scenario with the house next door made no sense to me and what was up with the cat named Max? I kept waiting for there to be more to that, like a bug planted in his tags or something. But nothing ever came of it. So overall, it felt unfinished and had too many plot holes. I guess it just wasn't for me.
