ARC Review: Three to Tango by Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, Emma Holly, Bethany Kane

Blurb:

Four of erotic fiction’s most talented authors carry readers away with all-new tales of ecstasy that prove that the most delectable things in life come in threes…

In Emma Holly’s FLIPPING FOR CHELSEA, Shay and Liam shared an unforgettable night with their lifelong friend, Chelsea, awakening a rush of forbidden feelings—feelings they have to reckon with when the three reunite, and the unrequited lust between them is too much to bear.

Though Ava left her hard-knock Georgia childhood behind, she never forgot Luca and Angelo. Together they were best friends with a bond that could never be broken. But when she returns, the three must decide whether to face the fires that burn between them, or forgo their desires forever in Lauren Dane’s DIRTY/BAD/WRONG.

In Megan Hart’s JUST ONE NIGHT, fun-loving couple Kerry and Jeremy find themselves in a triangle of trouble when Kerry’s old crush, Brian, returns for a school reunion, and Jeremy gives her his enthusiastic approval to seduce him. But while Jeremy has no trouble sharing Kerry, Brian isn’t sure he can handle what’s coming.

Years ago, Walker walked out on Madeline when she needed him most. Now, the ex-Secret Service agent is back—hired to protect Madeline by her billionaire boss, Tony. Madeline is determined to make him pay for denying her desires—and she’s not above bringing Tony in to sweeten the deal in Beth Kery’s ON THE JOB.

Susi's review:
When I got the chance to review this anthology I actually jumped up and down like a madwoman. I love Ms Dane's and Ms Hart's writing and both in one book was just too good to be true. In retrospect I'm even more happy I read it because I discovered another great author.

Dirty/Bad/Wrong by Lauren Dane - 5 stars

This story has all the reason why I love Lauren's writing. It's sexy as hell- we have some serious dirty talking and the general sexual openness I admire in her work. She isn't afraid to take the unconventional route even in a genre that already is exactly that. We get a menage where the guys are also in love. *swoon* I love that. Why? Because I always doubt these scenarios where the guys just love the woman and still live together happily forever after. I like when the love is more balanced out and for me it's just what I want to read about in a book like this.

Second fact why I love her books- she has a way to create these family bonds- even when the "family" isn't the real blood related one. She threads all the emotions together and you won't be able to stay detached. She just grabs your heart and you will fall in love with her characters. Just wonderful.Her characters are wonderful fleshed out and each one of them has a special feel- it makes them special in their own and give the story itself more vibrancy. One of my favorite stories by Ms Dane.

Just One Night by Megan Hart - 4 stars

Again Ms Hart chose one of the harder ways to approach the threesome topic. I love the way she always does that- she catches your interest with raising one of those "moral" questions (okay that sounds weird but it kind of is like this) and then pushes you through the story on your way to discover how she will solve it

Jeremy is the mysterious boyfriend that likes the idea of letting his girlfriend fuck her teenage crush. At first he really seemed fun and yes some people have kinks like that but a bit into the story I started thinking about what kind of boyfriend that is? Does he actually love her? These are also some questions Kerry asks herself. She is concerned about what her actions will actually mean to the working relationship she lives in. Will she ruin this? Does she care if she does? Because when she really is honest she wants it too. Brian isn't only her teenage crush- he still is one of her fantasies and don't we love it when those are even better in real life?
Brian is a nice guy in contrast to our first 2 protagonists- the guy you would fall in love with in high school and always dream about later in your life. He's not as "dirty" as these two are and he's a bit thrown headfirst into the mix without any real warning. But he learns fast and with the passion he and Kerry have going between each other it's no real surprise.
In the middle of the story the tension rose so much I just couldn't stop reading..- a heart-wrenching sitution that will make you ache. Again a very emotionally intense story I love through and through.

Flipping for Chelsea by Emma Holly - 5 stars

Okay i admit my first thought was WTF seriously? But luckily my misinterpretation of the beginning solved itself really fast and nearly immediately changed into OMFG hawt. Shay and Liam are very different characters. The young Shay we meet in the first chapter really broke my heart. He is a nice guy with a tragic past that was just so cute. He's a teenage boy with a huge crush not only on his best friend, Chelsea, but also on his "brother" (who isn't really his brother *whew*) Liam. He can't help it but he wants them both and he knows that if he ever shows his attraction in front of Liam he will lose the precious friendship they share. This made me so sad- love should never be something you have to hide but unfortunately sometimes it's the only way to keep something you treasure more than anything save. Liam on the other side is more mature and let's say it as it is more built. *swoon* I loved him- the young and the older one. He's demanding but not overbearing. Caring but not to mushy- just the right mix for my taste. When the story progressed into the present time the tension between our characters was even stronger. I loved how everything in this story fit together- the characterization, the story and the sex scenes just fit and made it a whole thing that was wonderfully balanced.
The sex scene in the first chapter really caught me off guard and made me sit around with an open mouth- now I'm not even sure why. It wasn't something I never read about before but Ms Holly wrote it in a way that blew me away- in a really burning hot way. I don't know why I never read her books before but I already order 3 other books- so you can see it was awesome. 

On The Joby by Bethany Kane - 3 stars

This one was sadly my least favorite in this anthology. It seems Ms Kery's writing is a hit or miss for me. For my taste the characterisation was too shallow and the sex to intense in comparism. I couldn't really follow why the attraction between them was burning so hot and even more I didn't get why Madeline submitted so easily to Walker. My connection to the characters didn't grow enough- so I actually felt pretty detached while reading it. I also thought that Walker got away with too much but perhaps that resolutes in my non-understanding of their relationship. The story was still really hot even though it pushed some of my buttons. The plot was nice at first but it resolved too easily. It really took the second row and the sex was too much the focus. Don't get me wrong I like my smut like any girl but I actually would have more depth around it.

Three to Tango is one of the best anthologies I ever read. It kept me glued to the pages and actually prevented me from doing the important stuff for one whole day. A great collection of erotic romance which also delivers the emotional depth I love in my books. Highly recommended read!

and the HEAs are devilishly good. *g*

Author Links:

Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, Emma Holly, Bethany Kane

Book Links:

Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository

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Review: Holiday Heat by Jaci Burton & Lauren Dane

 

Description:

Unraveled by Jaci Burton
Mitch is always on the lookout for the next great spot to build one of his Famous hotels, and he's found it- right on the white, sandy beach where he grew up. The only thing standing in the way is Greta.
The ramshackle beachfront motel her father left her means everything to Greta, and no amount of money- or hot nights of passion- will entice her to sell. No matter how much Mitch's touch shreds her defenses.

For once, Mitch finds himself thinking about settling down with the right woman. Now if only he can convince her he wants more than her body- and her hotel…

Sweet Charity by Lauren Dane

After years of pretending a one-night stand never happened, Charity has finally coaxed Gabriel back into her bed. It's not just good, it's fanfreakingtastic! Except he still insists he's not good enough for her.
Watching charity not just endure but enjoy his darker urges is better than Gabriel ever imagined. She deserves candlelight and roses, though. He'll let go when she finds the right man.
Charity's not having any of it. She knows what she wants, and she's willing to play rough to get him…

(blurb)

 

Review:

I won this one in a twitter contest. I read it first and as you can see I bought the first one the same night. II really enjoy these Xmas themed books and they always help to get in the mood for the holidays! Both stories are connected to the first book but they can be read as standalone. I didn't even notice that they weren't. I only discovered the first book cuz of the mention inside this one.

Unraveled by Jaci Burton

This was a very touching and lovely story. Greta had a horrible past with an asshole husband and still struggles a bit with emotion and sexual interaction. She loves her motel and things her dad gave it to her for a reason. She knows it's not the best but it's her fathers work and her own now too. She just don't want to lose it. 
Mitch is some hot guy and he's really successful in everything he does. He's a former professional surfer and has the body to confirm that! He wants the motel but what he wants even more id Greta. Now he just has to convince her of that fact.

I loved the way the relationship between these two developed. Not only did they learn to trust each other they also involved her kids. That was heartbreakingly sweet to watch. Mitch puts so much time and effort into the kids and all out of his own volition. Great is a skeptic from the start and can't believe that Mitch does all this without a hidden agenda.

These two can also turn the pages on fire and I loved each word of those scenes. Very hawt!
Wonderful love-story with a lovely family and the nicest and most thoughtful kids inside.

Sweet Charity by Lauren Dane

Gabriel is one of these guys you want to slap silly cuz he believes in some things that are just not true and he's too stubborn to change his mind. Reminded me a bit of Todd of Laid Bare but Gabe doesn't want to hurt Charity and thinks she deserves something better. Sometimes guys have some ideas, huh?
Charity can't forget Gabe after her one-nightstand with him. It was nothing good- really not- but he seemed to be holding back and she knows that he still wants her. So why doesn't he do something about that? Time to take that problem in her own hand. She wants him and she will get him. Way to go Girl! I loved her character. She's strong and knows what she wants- a great heroine.

The sex in this book was scorching hot with a little BDSM put in for good measure.
No need to turn the heater on while you read that. Believe me!

I enjoyed all the family ties in this book and how welcoming they were. This one really started my Xmas mood.

I recommended these books(Holiday Heat and Seduction) for everyone who likes to get warm inside before Xmas.
 

To learn more about Jaci Burton visit her website here and you can look at Lauren Dane's website here.

Holiday Series:

1. Holiday Seduction: my review here, reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
1. Holiday Heat: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

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Short Review: Holiday Seduction by Jaci Burton & Lauren Dane

Description:

UNWRAPPED by Jaci Burton
Amy Parkers kind of fantasies wouldn't cut it in the straight-laced law firm where she's fought her way to partnership. And she refuses to let a younger man use her to advance in the firm. Justin Garrett might be brilliant, gorgeous and sexy, but he's firmly implanted in the look-but-don't-touch realm. Until a corporate acquisition in Hawaii over Christmas gives Justin the opportunity to show Amy he's interested in her as a woman, not as a way to advance his career. And he has the ideal plan to help unwrap the perfect Christmas gift for Amy.

TO DO LIST by Lauren Dane
Since she could pick up a pencil, Belle Taylor has used lists to map out her life. But now, just steps away from her highest career goal, she realizes the life she thought she wanted exacts too high a price. Exhausted, she heads home for Christmas to make a new to-do list. She didn't factor in Rafe Bettencourt, her brothers best friend kissing her under the mistletoe! Suddenly, Belle finds herself with a whole new set of goals to balance with what she thought she always wanted. Because Rafe's plan is to seduce Belle back home where she belongs. (blurb)

Review:
Technically this is the first book in this series but with me being me I read Holiday Heat first. That was also the reason I bought this book cuz I really loved it and noticed that it was book 2 after finishing it. So I searched amazon and found this beauty and had to buy it immediately.

And let me tell you this book didn't disappoint.

UNWRAPPED

by Jaci Burton
This story is about a workaholic on forced vacation and with no way to escape the offered R & R. And Amy really struggles with what she finds on the island. She's too focused on work to have a private life. I enjoyed the way Ms. Burton played with the biased view most people have of a business woman. At the beginning Amy is really inhibited and all business but she has this weak moment on the plane(a really naughty weak moment) and that gives Justin the last clue he needs to really pursuit her.
He already accidentally(yeah, sure!!!) discovered her little erotic fantasy and now his plan is to fulfill it! He is focused on work too, but he knows how to sweeten up his free time and plans to do exactly that with Amy.
Okay I will say it the way it is: this story is hot and I mean it. I just say:
"Hawaii, 2 men and a woman." A perfect way to celebrate Xmas.
The characters are very likable and OMG the men are hot! So happy that Mitch(man #2) got his own HEA in Holiday Heat cuz he is a fine specimen, athletic surfer and all.
It's a nice story and very fast read! I so had to buy a Jaci Burton book after finishing that one!

TO DO LIST by Lauren Dane
First thing I noticed in this book is "OMG Brian please go away!". I so hate people ruining a perfect situation. I really wanted to slap him silly. 
That said back to the review: Belle is very focused on her goals and determined to reach them. She realizes that perhaps she pays a too high prize to accomplish that.

She's thinking her whole life over and tries to find out what her real priorities are.
Rafe is such a funny and lovely character. He realizes what a great woman he has in front of him and how much he missed her.  So he plans to win her heart with all means. He stole MY heart at the beginning and with every thing he did he got an even stronger hold on it!
The relationship between these two develops at a nice pace. They get to know each other again and discover how good they really match(every pun intended).  
It's a really hot read but I didn't expect anything else from Lauren. We've got a bit of Dirty Talk in this book and I always notice that I'm not such a fan of it! Strange huh? Give me smexy scene to read and I'm in but let them talk about it and I'm not so happy with that. A little pet peeve of mine, I know!
The wonderful community of the small town it's set in warmed my heart and all the love you can see in these families made this story an even more wonderful Xmas read.
A very good book for the season and I will definitely read it again next year.
 

To learn more about Jaci Burton visit her website here and you can look at Lauren Dane's website here.

Holiday Series:

1. Holiday Seduction: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
1. Holiday Heat: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

Review of Holiday Heat will be up tomorrow!

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Review: Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

Description:
Unexpected Desire…
It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…
Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

Review:
This book was just Wow! Yeah, I know I should have known after reading so many great reviews but seriously I never imagined it to be so good.
Erin is a real hot rocker chick with Dreadlocks and a really open and direct personality.
Todd is really hawt but he’s a little shy concerning his preference in the rack. He’s afraid of other people judging him and thinks what he wants is wrong. Tsk, men!!! They can have issues.

They share a few nights but part ways for nearly ten years. When they meet again nothing is the same.
Todd is more confident with his sexuality. He realized that he will never be happy unless he stands up for his wishes and stops hiding his real self from the world.
Erin is still strong but has a few issues to live with. Her life was more than hard but she tries to stay herself and doesn't want to cower under her past. I totally admired her- strong but not untouchable by her past.
And then we have Ben- he’s a real sweety. He kind of stands at the sideways: In their relationship they are all kind of equal but for the outside he is the FRIEND living with the married couple. It's a hard situation and in the beginning he isn’t sure if his position is really the same one as Todd’s.

The story was great and we don’t have to talk about the sex part because we all know Lauren Dane totally knows how to write these scenes- shockingly good and in great detail. It’s one of the best m/f/m ménage books I ever read. Unlike most other books in this department this book has a real story- a heartbreaking, emotional story(me the crybaby). It’s full of raw emotion and sexual attraction all in a great mix. Just perfect!
Warning for all who don’t know Lauren Dane: This book is full explicit sex and definitely not for the faint of heart.


To learn more about Lauren Dane and here books please visit her website here.

other reviews: - Leontine’s Book Realm
- Pearl’s World of Books

- @Goodreads
buy this book @amazon, or digital @BooksOnBoards

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