Review: Never Enough by Lauren Dane

Never Enough

by Lauren Dane

(Brown Siblings # 4)

Contemporary Erotica

It feels as if I've waited for Adrian's book forever. We've sort of fallen in love with him throughout the series as the reliable and steady presence. Funny, caring, a bit spoiled, but I really never saw him as THE stud of the series. Well, ladies be warned and prepared... Adrian Brown is amazing! He might just be Mr. Perfect for me! LOL With his tats, sexy arms, and more than talented ways, as well as pretty much no inhibitions when it comes to what he wants and what his girl wants.

First of all, I'm actually really happy he gets to have a family. Even though this is really a ready-made family, because he apparently got a girl pregnant 13 years ago, and wasn't aware of it. But to the kid's benefit, the real mother didn't raise him, but his aunt did, and she had actually adopted him.

So Miles, who is now a teenager, has his own little band and is a wonderful kid, finally gets to meet his father, the famous rock star, Adrian Brown, after his real mother confesses to his adopted mother, Gillian, who the father is, right before she dies.

Gillian goes looking for Adrian because she wants to give her son the opportunity to know and spend time with his father. And after an initial shock and setbacks, Adrian falls in love with both Miles and his mum. She pushes all his buttons, and everything she does turns him on.

The whole Brown clan is pretty involved in this story, and even though at times they can be overwhelming, they love Miles and welcome Gillian into their tight knit family.

But Gillian has secrets and issues to work through, as does Adrian, before they can be happy together. Although, this book didn't have a major event tearing them apart, and it's mostly a happy relationship between all involved during the entire book, which is something I usually don't like, it worked well for me this time. I didn't feel the need to all of a sudden have a huge fight break out or anything like that.

Adrian has some ass moments, and in my opinion those were understandable being that he is a big celebrity and there are things they should always watch out for and be careful of, or a certain lifestyle they are accustomed to and they cannot understand why they can't do what they want. But in the end his intentions were always good, he is truly a devoted father, a caring lover and he loves his family completely.

Gillian is the perfect compliment for him. She's prim and proper, with her english background, and she's an amazing mother. She is very grounded and that is exactly what Adrian needs. Like she said, she's not his fan, she's his lover and the mother to his kid. But behind that exterior she is just a WILD and DIRTY woman! And wow did that match Adrian to a tee.

These two steamed up the pages non-stop, in some extremely hot and creative ways. Adrian is very dominating, loves to dirty talk, and loves to please his woman! *fans self* He is definitely my second favorite man in this series now (of course, Brody still has the number one spot!)

Since we've gone through all the Brown Siblings I'm guessing the series is over now, but I can only hope there will be a spin-off since we didn't get to read Raven's story, and the girls needs to have a HEA and someone to fix her head a bit. But we also met some pretty cool girls that are friends with Gillian, Mary and Jules. We'll have to wait and see!

Favorite quote:
"She ruined him for all others, and that was fine since he didn't plan to have any others but her."

And the debate still stands as to who would be the perfect Adrian Brown?  According to Lauren Dane's Facebook Page, it is Ryan Bingham

BUT, this is who I had in mind.... just add the tats a wee bit of muscle.

Purchase from Amazon

Review: Naughty and Nice by Megan Hart, Jaci Burton, Lauren Dane & Shannon Stacey

Naughty and Nice

By Megan Hart, Jaci Burton, Lauren Dane & Shannon Stacey

Anthology/Erotica Romance

Find it on Goodreads!!

Over all about 3.5 feathers

I picked up this book because it had short stories by three of my favorite authors and it's Holiday themed, gotta have at least one of those in December.

I will give this book an overall 3.5 Stars. It was a pretty light read for the most part. 2 stories are stand-alone and 2 stories you really should read the previous books or you won't enjoy where they are going as much as you should.

And I actually ended up finding an author I wouldn't mind reading more of (Shannon Stacey). So onto my individual reviews.

Unwrapped by Megan Hart

I was a bit disappointed after reading this story. You definitely have to read Taking Care of Business and No Reservations in order to understand where this story is coming from. However, even after reading those two stories, and I enjoyed them and liked the characters, I couldn't get into this story.

Brandon and Leah have a bit of a kinky relationship, normally, but she is usually the more dominant in the bedroom, and he is happy to submit to her and her desires. Now, they've been together for a while, and this is their first Christmas together. But being that Leah is not much into mushy family togetherness they go away on a holiday trip, just the two of them, cabin in a sky resort. You know, meant to be romantic.

There's a bit of drama of her fall which seem to take up extra pages and was unnecessary, and then the fact that she didn't want to spend Christmas with family but all of a sudden she did was strange. And I just didn't like how Leah was taking Brandon for granted in general! He is such a good guy and constantly has to put up with her issues.

I guess I had expectations from this story that I didn't see developed here.

Believe by Lauren Dane

You NEED to read Second Chances before you read this story. Only then will you be able to really appreciate it.
This is the perfect ending to the story between Jude and Rori. Definitely the connection I thought was missing at the ending of Second Chances was expressed in this short story. I can almost say it was back to how things were in the beginning of their relationship! Yay!

Very sexy, still manages to be very emotional, and even in just a few pages we get to be inside the heads and hearts of so many people.

Still a bit kinky, and very sexy. You'll like these characters. If you pick it up without reading the first book, maybe not so great.

All She Wants For Christmas by Jaci Burton

Cute stand-alone story. Small town girl who grew up in foster homes runs away at 18 after finding her boyfriend in bed with her best friend. She goes on to becoming a successful country singer. After 10 years she comes back to her hometown as part of a biography video. She comes back to finding her ex-boyfriend had married her best friend, had a kid with her who was now 7 years old and her best friend had died 4 years ago. After the story goes about half way we realize how she found them in bed together was all a setup by her best friend, who had always been jealous of her, and he may or may not have slept with her then, but now they can have a second chance to have a life together. I just couldn't get past the fact her name was Riley Jensen, LOL Just too close to the vampire/werewolf Guardian in Keri Arhur's series.

Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey

Cute story. Stand-alone. Hot electrician, used to be the school's geek back in high school. The cheerleader he used to drool over is back in town to spend Christmas with her parents, and is waiting at their house for them to come home from vacation. While there she discovers their house needs a major electrical upgrade and calls Scott in from the phone book. She can't remember him, because obviously he has changed and is now a hottie. He still drools over her. They decide to have a holiday fling while he's fixing her parents wiring and end up wanting a relationship (after just three weeks).

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

Three to Tango

by Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, Emma Holly and Bethany Kane

Erotica

Find it on GoodReads!

In case you couldn't tell by the name.... this book is basically four short stories that revolved around a menage, or at the very least 3 people in one way or another. Let me give you a quick warning so this doesn't happen to you.

Do not try to read this book while at work! You might not be able to cover up the blushing, sometimes moaning, and other reactions your body won't be able to help!

dirty/bad/wrong by Lauren Dane - 4 Feathers

I wish this would've been a whole book, it was a great story! Ava comes from the wrong side of town, her mother was a hot mess her whole life, her step dad used to beat her, and she was always under the town's scrutiny for her mother's errors. After she graduated she couldn't take the town anymore and left her sweet little town of Petal, GA and moved to LA in search of a better future. Before she left though, she had a hot torrid affair with Luca, and almost by accident, Angelo, Luca's best friend. Angelo had a crush on her since forever so he jumped at the opportunity even though she was his best friends girl, and realized he also had other feelings for his buddy in a totally unexpected way. She left them both without looking back. Now after 10 years, and after she's made something of herself, she has to come back to GA to bury her mother. And the first person she sees is Luca! Sparks fly almost instantly, and when he offers her to stay at his house while she's in town, she can't refuse. They rekindled their relationship almost immediately. And can I just say it was hot and then hotter! Once Angelo comes (being summoned there by Luca) they all realize what they had together (yes all 3) was worth fighting for it now. If you are uncomfortable with m/m, I'll warn you that Luca and Angelo do have some m/m loving in this one, although it's pretty light (and hot!) You just can't help but wish you were her! Excellent story! And on a side note, I have a feeling this might be related, or in the same world as, the Chase Brothers series by Ms. Dane. Is it? I gotta get started reading those!

Just One Night by Megan Hart - 5 Feathers

This story was weird and sexy at the same time. Kerry has been dating Jeremy for a while, they actually live together. They have an ok relationship, if not the best. Then Kerry's high school reunion comes around, and Jeremy won't go with her. Instead he wants her to get something she's always wanted. To have sex with Brian, her high school crush. And then come home and tell him all about it. Sound kinky enough? This is the first time Jeremy has brought up this sort of kink, and she's not sure how to feel about it. But she takes full advantage of the opportunity. After all, she's wanted Brian for too long. They have one really hot, steamy night together. But Brian wants more! Of course he wasn't aware that she was someone else's. Does it make him a total douche if he can't stay away? She's been his dream fantasy girl, and he can't get enough with just one time. They have an affair all the while Jeremy being aware of it, and Brian knowing that after she's with him, she goes home to Jeremy's bed. But after two extremely hot weeks he realizes he can't share her. He wants her too much and it's tearing him apart to know she's not his. But will Kerry let him go so easily?

Flipping for Chelsea by Emma Holly - 3.5 Feathers

This was my first read by this author and I was actually pleasantly surprised. This was an excellent erotica read, but it fell a little short for me in the storyline and character development. HOT? Absolutely, from the beginning. Shay was kind of adopted by Liam's family when he was a little boy, so they've grown up as brothers, Liam being the older one, and Shay being totally in awe of him. Chelsea was the girl next door they both wanted. And all three of them grew up as best friends. Shay wasn't aware that Chelsea and Liam had been fooling around until the night before she has to go away to college, when she comes over and they start making out in front of him. Shay somehow joins in the fun with the two of them, and *fans self* IT'S TOO HOT TO HANDLE! Until he makes the mistake of touching Liam. This is the moment that ruins the chemistry for all 3, Chelsea goes on to college, Shay moves away to Boston and Liam stays in New York. Fast forward to current times, Chelsea is back in NY. She's tried having a relationship with Liam a few times but it never worked out. Now she's hired him for one of her construction jobs. But he wants her back, and forever. But Chelsea can't give him forever because she knows she can't give him all of her, half her heart will always belong to Shay, she just wants them both. So what could happen if Shay comes back from Boston? And how would Liam react now that he's older? The end was a bit unrealistic for me, in regards to Liam's attitude and decisions. Which is in big part what ruined the story for me. But the eroticism stayed SCORCHINGLY HOT until the end. And oh yes, another warning for m/m this one's a bit SEXIER and HOTTER than the first story.

On The Job by Bethany Kane - 3.5 Feathers

Another first time author read for me. I do like her writing style, and this story was also extremely hot, but it was my least favorite of the three. This is almost a romantic suspense. Walker and Madeline used to date years ago, while Tony was in love with Madeline and she only saw him as a friend. But Walker left town, and left Madeline. He wanted to do something with his life, so he could come back and offer Madeline a better future. He joined the military, and is now working with the secret service. This now puts him in direct contact with Madeline and Tony again. Tony is the owner of a huge security company, and is believed to be dealing information with the Russians. He is also supposed to be engaged to Madeline. Walker is assigned to the case and is put in the house as a private security consultant to keep them safe. I did not like the fact that since Walker and Madeline never had sex before, within the first moments of the story he picks her up from her chair while sunbathing, and teasing the hell out of him, drags her to the pool house, handcuffs her to a bar in the ceiling and has sex with her. Really? After all these years, and the "love" you have for her, that how's you treat her??? Not to mention it was hot as hell, but that's besides the point. I did not like Walker much, he was too arrogant, and only saw it his way most of the time. And this story is really the 2 of them as a couple. Tony was really not engaged to Madeline, even though he wanted to. There is a WEIRD moment between the three of them at the end, which I thought was totally unnecessary. But I will check out more books by this author for sure!!! 

Review: Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane

Goddess with a Blade
by Lauren Dane

Urban Fantasy

Find it on GoodReads!

Rowan is a special human, she is the true Vessel of the Celtic triple goddess Brigid, which gives her some in-human powers and strength. She carries a blessed blade, created to kill Vampires. She is the enforcer of the treaty between the Hunters and the Vampire Nation in Las Vegas. Am I seeing a pattern with Ms. Dane's fascination for Vegas? Love it!

While enforcing this treaty she killed the prior Scion (or head of the Vampire Nation) in Las Vegas, and was away for a while in London. Now she returns and finds a new Scion, Clive, has filled in the position.

The book started out really good for me. Rowan is a pretty tough cookie, loves to drive a hot, sleek car, and just generally make vampires lives miserable. Her sense of humor was fun at the beginning but it got on my nerves after a while. I mean, she is almost 30 years old, and I felt that sometimes she had the thought process of a child.

Clive is smooth, sexy, classy, AND has a British accent. And a vampire. He really should stay away from the Hunter, but she is irresistible to him. I actually felt that throughout the book you could tell Clive was falling for her a lot more than the other way around.

And I have to complain about the sex scenes. *gasp* In a not-so-much-Dane-fashion they felt awkward, and rushed through, with a lack of connection. I don't know how to explain it.

I enjoyed the actual storyline! The idea of a vampire killing humans to get a high on their drug habits and all.

I am at a loss for words right now. This is my least favorite Lauren Dane book. And I love her writing style! It didn't pull me in, I didn't feel a connection between the h/h, actually her friendship with Jack felt more intimate. Being a fan of her work, I was a bit disappointed.

Review: Mesmerized by Lauren Dane

Mesmerized (Phantom Corps # 2)

by Lauren Dane

Paranormal Romance

Find it on Goodreads!

Andrei... Andrei... Andrei... YOU SEXY BEAST! There is nothing I like more than a hot, intense, alpha male! And Andrei is all that and then some. Now if we could only get him to admit he has a future with Piper.

I thought Andrei was a sexy as hell in the previous book, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on his story. I enjoyed the beginning where it actually gives us a small glimpse as to how he became a part of the Phantom Corps, and where he came from.

I was not expecting, however, that this would be a story of reunited lovers. Such a contradiction for him. He's been in love with Piper from when they were both poor teenagers without much of a future. He was always the trouble maker, and this leads him to disappear from Piper, and her family's lives, pretty much without a trace.

Except he kept in contact with them throughout the years, helping them by sending them credits. With this help they were able to do something with their lives, and Piper is now a bad ass mercenary!

When the war in the 'Verses is almost upon them, and danger is escalating, Andrei is sent to investigate and gather information through the mercs, and he is put in close contact with Piper again.

Piper was such an enjoyable heroine. After the disaster (for my taste) of the last heroine in this series, I'm so glad I can say I really enjoyed Piper!

"She'd lived her life making choices. Not always the ones she wanted to make, but she'd made them and dealt with the consequences. She'd existed and survived, and on the continuum of joy and sorrow, she'd had much more of the former. Her life was filled with love. Love she'd made the deliberate choice to open her life to."

Even though he fights this all the way, he can't deny his attraction, and even his love, for Piper is still there. He was in love with the girl then, and he's still in love with the woman now. No other woman since could compare, and no woman ever will. He realizes this will always be true. But he doesn't think he has anything to offer. He's a killer, no good for her.

Except Piper has plans for them. But she's changed as well, and she can play with the big boys. In fact she shows him that she can by becoming sort of his partner in this investigation, against his better judgement.

This story is full of action, a lot is happening, attacks that are changing the future, and new information coming in.

On the other hand, Andrei and Piper are HAWT together! He's a bit of a dominant, and she lets him show her his wildest side.

"You know," Andrei spoke low as he moved his chair closer, "it's so dark back here I bet I could make you come without putting my hand in your pants."

This is my favorite book in this series now!! And let me just say the setup for the next book was very well done, and I can't wait to read it!

Review: Insatiable by Lauren Dane

Lauren Dane is one of my favorite authors and I really wanted to LOVE this book, but it didn't quite get there for me. I've enjoyed the other books in this series and I was sooo looking forward to reading this one, specially by just by looking at the cover. This has to be one of the hottest covers ever! *wipes drool off the keyboard*

I enjoyed the story though, it had a really good plot, I think maybe even better than some other books in this series, but my main complaint....there wasn't enough action. The heroine, Carina, was a bit immature and a bit too childish for my liking at times, not enough that I would consider her annoying, but she came across as very needy. One good thing about her was that she knew when to listen and let Daniel do his job, instead of being the "I-can-take-care-of-myself female" that sooo annoys me.

Going back to the lack of action, it seemed that they didn't have to face too many problems getting out of the Imperial 'Verses, which means either Daniel and Andrei were just that good (and they might've been) or the bad people just plain sucked! LOL But that was ok.

I really liked Daniel as a character, his story, where he came from, his relationship with his family, a really sweet guy behind the tough exterior. Carina I didn't really connect with. I kept hoping she would grow on me so I would see her as more deserving of Daniel, but in the end I guess I'm happy with them being together, she'll be good for him and will balance him out. There was just something missing that I can't quite put my finger on.

The secondary characters I'm intrigued by. Andrei, Vincenz, Alex, and I really didn't see the need to kill Marame. I was rooting for her and Vincenz to end up together :(

I am looking forward to the next book to see where the war between the Federation and Imperial 'Verses will end.  If you're looking for something different, a bit of sci-fi romance, this series is great!