2 in 1 Novellas: Review of Cake & Sugar by Lauren Dane

Author: Lauren Dane
Publisher: Harlequin 
Date of publication: September 2013

Art student-slash-bike messenger Wren Davis pursues what she wants. And what she wants now is Gregori Ivanov, rock star of the Seattle art scene. With his tattoos, piercings and sensual sneer, Gregori is the ultimate bad boy. Wren’s gotten to know the man beneath the body art, too—and it only makes her crave him more.

But Gregori loves women like he loves cake and champagne—intensely, but only for the moment. And after Wren experiences just how scorching sex with Gregori is, she’s determined to show him that just one taste won’t be enough...

Cake came out before the Whiskey Sharp series. However, I read it after I read the first three books in that series.  Wren and Gregori are side characters that show up occasionally in the series, so it was nice to go back and see how they ended up together.  The story was cute.  I loved Wren and her determination not to give up on something that she knew was amazing between them. I really enjoyed this novella.  It's a good stand alone, so give it a shot.

Author: Lauren Dane
Publisher: Carina Press 
Date of publication: September, 2018

Bad-boy artist Gregori Ivanov wants nothing more than to marry Wren Davis. He’s asked her before—more than once—but she insisted on waiting until she’d established her own career. Now that the time is finally right, Gregori has one hell of a celebration in mind. Restaurants, museums and NYC luxury all the way…on top of all the newlywed sex they’ll be having.

The universe, unfortunately, did not get the message. When their plane is grounded in Idaho, they’re forced to improvise a road trip to get back to Seattle instead of the romantic getaway Gregori painstakingly planned. But that they’re together is what’s important, and with giant roadside potato museums, funky galleries in towns with little more than two stoplights and some seriously great diner food—in between all the great sex—Gregori and Wren find a honeymoon as unique and memorable as their love.

Sugar picks up with the couple six years after they finally got together.  Gregori finally gets a yes from Wren when he proposes.  On their way to eloping, weather diverts them and they decide on an impromptu road trip wedding/honeymoon.  While I enjoyed this one, it wasn't my favorite of the two.  The adventure was fun, but it didn't really add much to their story.  It was a nice check-in and still worth checking out.

Blog Tour: Torn (Whiskey Sharp #3) by Lauren Dane

Author: Lauren Dane

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: June 2018

Sometimes what you find isn’t what you were searching for

Beau Petty has been searching his whole life. Searching for a place that fills all the empty spaces in him. Searching for a way to tame the restlessness. Searching for answers to the secret he’s never stopped trying to solve. What he wasn’t searching for was a woman to claim all of him, but when Cora Silvera walks back into his life, he’s ready to search out all the ways he can make her his.

Cora has spent her life as the family nurturer, taking care of others. But now she’s ready to pass that job on to someone else. It’s time to make some changes and live for herself. It’s in that moment that her former teenage crush reappears and the draw and the heat of their instant connection is like nothing either of them has experienced. He craves being around her. She accepts him, dark corners and all.

Beau thinks Cora’s had enough drama in her life. He wants to protect her from the secrets of his past, even if it means holding back the last pieces of himself. But Cora is no pushover and she means to claim all those pieces.

Torn is the third book in the Whiskey Sharp series.  This is Cora and Beau's story.  Picking up about two years after the events of Jagged, Cora is back from an extended business trip with her mother.  Tired of traveling, she is finally ready to settle down and plant some roots.  Running into an old friend may help make part of that plan a reality.  

I liked this one,  just didn't love it.  It wasn't my favorite of the series.  Cora and Beau were cute together, but I kind of wanted more.  It was almost too easy with no real obstacles in the way. They clicked, had sex, and fell in love.   So, their story got a little dull toward the end.  Beau's past and Cora's mother aren't huge issues for them.  I guess I was expecting a deep dark secret, but there really wasn't one. I was a bit unsatisfied with the resolution to Beau's situation.  

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to like about the book.  Beau was adorable and surprisingly well adjusted given his cult family background.  I also loved Cora.  There is the added bonus of the Dolan sisters, Rachel and Maybe showing up in the book.  It was nice to catch up with those characters.  It's a fast read and a nice addition to the series.  It just wasn't as dark as I was expecting it to be based on the synopsis.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Lauren Dane

The story goes like this – While on pregnancy bed rest, Lauren Dane had plenty of down time so her husband took her comments about “giving that writing thing a serious go” to heart and brought home a secondhand laptop. She wrote her first book on it before it gave up the ghost. Even better, she sold that book and never looked back.

Today Lauren is a New York Times bestselling author of over fifty novels and novellas across several genres.

Connect with Lauren

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

INSTAGRAM TOUR:

Monday, June 25th: @laceybooklovers

Tuesday, June 26th: @booknerdingout

Wednesday, June 27th: @utcbookblog

Thursday, June 28th: @novelgrounds

Friday, June 29th: @sarahandherbookshelves

Saturday, June 30th: @novelmombooks

Sunday, July 1st: @remarkablylisa

Monday, July 2nd: @mellys_books

TBD: @_literary_dreamer_

REVIEW TOUR:

Monday, June 18th: The Book Disciple and @thebookdisciple

Wednesday, June 20th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Thursday, June 21st: A Holland Reads – spotlight or excerpt

Monday, June 25th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Thursday, June 28th: Why Girls are Weird

Thursday, June 28th: Books and Spoons – excerpt

Friday, June 29th: Stranded in Chaos

Monday, July 2nd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – excerpt

Monday, July 2nd: Books and Blends

Tuesday, July 3rd: Read Love Blog – excerpt

Monday, July 9th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, July 10th: OMGReads

Wednesday, July 11th: Romantic Reads and Such

Thursday, July 12th: Books & Bindings

Friday, July 13th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, July 16th: What is That Book

TBD: Jathan & Heather

TBD: Books a la Mode – excerpt/giveaway

TBD: Reading Reality

2 in 1: Unraveled & Jagged by Lauren Dane

Unraveled: Whiskey Sharp #1
Publisher: Harlequin 
Date of publication: January 2018

Maybe Dolan has lived independent, free-spirited and unattached since leaving home at sixteen. Whiskey Sharp, Seattle's sexy vintage-styled barbershop and whiskey bar, gave her a job and a reason to put down roots. Cutting hair by day, losing herself drumming in a punk rock band by night, she's got it good.

But a longtime crush that turns into a hot, edgy night with brooding and bearded Alexsei Petrov makes it a hell of a lot better.

Maybe's blunt attitude and carnal smile hooked Alexsei from the start. Protecting people is part of his nature and Maybe is meant to be his even if she doesn't know it. Yet. He can't help himself from wanting to protect and care for her.


Unraveled is the first in the Whiskey Sharp series.  This is Maybe and Alexsei's story.  Maybe (it's a nickname from her sister when they were younger) has had a huge crush on Alexsei for the three years she has worked for him.  Being her boss, Alexsei has been trying to keep his distance for years. When they finally get together, it's explosive.

I enjoyed Maybe and Alexsei's romance.  They were really good together and I was rooting for them.  I loved Alexsei's family and how they embraced Maybe and her sister and made them their own.  They seemed like a fun family to be a part of.  Maybe's relationship with her own parents was so sad, yet over the top.  Her father really needed a reality check.  However, I loved Maybe's relationship with her sister Rachel.  In all, this was an enjoyable first book in a series.

Jagged: Whiskey Sharp #2
Publisher: Harlequin 
Date of publication: March 2018

Vicktor Orlov took one look at the wary gaze and slow-to-trust personality of the deliciously sexy and fascinating Rachel Dolan and knew he wanted more than just a casual friendship. But as a natural protector, he also knew bossiness and overprotective maneuvering would push her away rather than draw her close. He’ll use every tool in his easygoing arsenal to convince her to take a chance on them.

Rachel’s flourishing new career as a tattoo artist has brought color back into a life previously damaged by a series of bad choices and violence. She knows she can trust Vic—it’s herself she’s not sure of. She doesn’t want to be caged or controlled. Doesn’t want to be protected so much she has no ability to make her own choices.

And damn if the man doesn’t know it.

Jagged is the second book and takes place right after the events of the first book. Unraveled.  This is Rachel and Vicktor's story.  Rachel has come a long way from her FBI years and her harrowing captivity by a serial killer.  She is finally starting to explore the possibility of commitment and Vicktor is just the man to be the one she explores it with.

While I enjoyed this one, I didn't like it was much as the first book. It felt like it took me forever to get through.  I found it really repetitive.  I get that Victor and his cousins are hot Russian men.  I just don't need to be reminded every other page. Nor do I need to be reminded that Irene likes to feed people she loves...I could go on.  I think this book could have been shortened because a lot of that felt like filler.  The issue with Rachel and Maybe's father really got old after a while.  Honestly, it was a bit over the top and I'm still not sure why he went off the deep end.  I did enjoy the ending and I look forward to reading Cora's story next.