Swoon Thursday (#300): Falling for the Marine by Samanthe Beck

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Falling for the Marine by Samanthe Beck!

"I believe I promised you a kiss, and I always keep my-"

He closed the last little distance between and claimed his reward. The sweet, achingly soft touch of her lips against his scorched every last cautionary thought about entertaining bundles of trouble straight out of his mind. He tangled all ten fingers into her hair and dove into the kiss.

- Kindle copy, page 23

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Read my review HERE.

I love this book! Samanthe Beck's Entangled romance novels are amazing. I was rereading this one and had to share a snippet from one of my favorite scenes. =)

Review: Light Her Fire by Samanthe Beck

Light Her Fire by Samanthe Beck

Book Two of the Private Pleasures series

Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: October 20, 2014

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Purchased Kindle copy

Summary (from Goodreads):

He’ll show this good girl the thrill of being bad…

Good girl Melody Merritt is ready to be bad. Fresh out of an unsatisfying ten-year engagement to the town golden boy, she’s determined to make up for lost time. And who better to burn her sterling reputation to the ground than Bluelick’s sinfully sexy new fire chief whose wicked gaze promises complete and utter domination? Yes, please. 

Corrupting the prim and proper Little Miss Bluelick is the most action Josh Bradley’s seen since he transferred from Cincinnati to fast-track his career. He won’t let anything or anyone—not even the delectable Melody Merritt—trap him in this Kentucky-fried Mayberry, but when their searing chemistry yields an unexpected result, he realizes he’s started a blaze that's completely beyond his control…

What I Liked:

I'm on a roll with these backlist reads! I think I'm in some sort of ARC reading slump, and so I've been rereading my favorite books and also knocking out some unread backlist novels that I purchased years ago. Including a slew of Entangled Brazen novels. I love Samanthe Beck's books, and I knew I would enjoy this one. The first book, Private Practice, is one of my all-time favorite Brazen novels.

This novel focuses on Melody, who we meet in book one as a secondary character, and Josh Bradly, the new fire chief of Bluelick. Melody is newly un-engaged thanks to her fiance coming out as gay, and she has her sights set on Josh. Their connection is instant and chemistry is raging hot, but that's not the only fire in town. Someone is starting fires and it isn't random. 

Samanthe Beck's books are always super hot, with great buildup of tension and very sexually compatible characters. Beck proves that it is entirely possible to have an alpha male without him being an alphahole. Fire chief Josh Bradley is a young, tasty alpha male with a commanding air about him, and he is used to giving orders and being obeyed. Melody, on the other hand, is used to being with a kind man who recently came out as gay. She is ready for someone to light her fire (hehe), and take control. See? It works.

Josh is one of my favorite romance heroes. He is alpha and commanding, but neither of those traits are bad traits. He is a natural leader and he's very good at it. He's also very dedicated to his job and excellent at what he does. Have I mentioned how much I love a guy in uniform? Doesn't have to be military. Fire chief works. Josh is a pretty selfless guy, and I have a lot of respect for him. He's commanding in the fire station, commanding in the bedroom, and he's a stand-up, good guy.

Melody is the town's sweetheart, and she deserves the title. She's also a good person, a wholesome small-town girl, and she's a good match for Josh. I liked her steadfastness.

I already talked about how hot this book is, but the romance of the book is also sweet. These two are very good for each other and I could clearly see them falling for each other. Their relationship is somewhat drama-free, even with the gay ex-fiance being a thing. Once Josh found out about that, it wasn't an issue. There is another trope that was introduced late in this book that I usually hate, but I actually liked it in this book. 

The ending was very sweet! I liked the compromise, and realizations. It felt like a very fitting ending for Josh and Melody. I need to read book three to see if Josh and Melody show up in that one!

What I Did Not Like:

I mentioned that there is a particular trope that shows up late in the book that I don't usually like. It's not too bad in this book, but just know that it does create a little bit of drama, but not too much. It isn't so bad. But the trope isn't for everyone (it usually is something I hate).

Would I Recommend It:

If you like steamy adult contemporary romance novels, try this book, or any of Beck's books. Her Compromise Me series is really good, and this series (I loooove book one of this series so much). Beck writes very very hot romance - you are warned!

Rating:

4 stars. Now to read book three, which I don't think I have! Ginny is one of Melody's best friends and I am looking forward to reading her story.

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Review: Falling for the Marine by Samanthe Beck

Falling for the Marine by Samanthe Beck

Book Two of the McCade Brothers series

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Publication Date: October 28, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Purchased copy from Amazon

Summary (from Goodreads):

Pretending to be in love has never felt so sexy.

USMC helicopter pilot Michael McCade has two goals: Get his damn back into alignment and keep his nose clean until his commanding officer clears him to fly again. The doctor-recommended massage therapy seems like a necessary step toward returning to the cockpit, but when his too-hot-to-handle neighbor, Chloe Kincaid, turns out to be his masseuse, he strays from the straight and narrow in a major way.

Chloe Kincaid is looking for a simple, no strings attached, ego-boosting hook up. But when her positively panty-melting neighbor, USMC Major Michael McCade, (aka Major Hottie), shows up on her massage table, she lets desire get the better of professionalism. Now theyre pretending to be engaged to avoid a whole lot of unanticipated consequences of a momentary lapse in judgment. But can a girl who avoids attachments at all costs fake an engagement to a straight-arrow soldier without falling hard?

What I Liked:

I read this book three years ago and really enjoyed it. I love the fake engagement trope, and I love a man in uniform, and I adore Samanthe Beck's books, so this romance novel was bound to be a winner. Recently I recommended it to a friend, and in doing so, I realized that I never reviewed the book and hadn't thought about it in a while. So I took the opportunity to reread it, and liked it even more, the second time around. 

Major Michael McCade is in for the surprise of his life, when he hears a cry for help (literally, "Help!") coming from his neighbor's apartment. What a way to meet his neighbor, to come to rescue her from an embarrassing situation. Chloe Kincaid is everything that appeals to him - and the next day, he finds out that she's going to be his masseuse, for his back injury. In a twist of events, Michael and Chloe must pretend to be engaged so Michael doesn't get in trouble with the Marines, for fooling around in public. But what happens when they both want the engagement to be real, but only Michael is all in?

There are so many great tropes in this book that Samanthe Beck executes really well. The fake engagement trope is one of my favorites; and in this case, towards the end, it is Michael that is committed, and it is Chloe that is the commitment phobe. This book also deals with two neighbors, if you're into that trope. At a certain point, Chloe moves into Michael's apartment, but it started out as a neighbors thing. You could also say that this is an opposites attract romance, with Michael being a straight-laced, tough, control freak Marine, and Chloe being a free-spirited go-with-the-flow type.

Michael is easily one of my favorite romance heroes. I love that he is a Marine and he is the epitome of a true Marine. He is so serious about being in the military, and he loves his job as a pilot. He is in his cammies in several scenes, which was gratifying (nudge nudge wink wink). He has a lot of honor, which is clear in all of his actions. He is loyal, grounded, protective, and very committed. The guy is perfect relationship material - and that scared Chloe!

Chloe is more of a free spirit, especially after her hasty marriage and divorce before moving into the apartment across from Michael. She doesn't like anything to tie her down, and she likes being on the move. She is sweet and funny, and she loves her job. She is definitely afraid of commitment, but after seeing her parents' marriage crumble, it's understandable. She's afraid of making the fake engagement real, because she's already been through one hasty marriage - another one is not in the cards for her.

Still, our hero and heroine have some combustible chemistry, as evidenced in scene one. Samanthe Beck's books are always incredibly hot, and this one is no less. Michael and Chloe are perfect for each other in more ways than one. Want a steamy, steamy read? Look no further.

I liked the ending, even if it involved Michael chasing Chloe (it should have been Chloe chasing Michael, but that's okay). It makes sense, given his upstanding, determined personality. She would have fled and been miserable and not done anything about it; Michael is more proactive and committed, so it had to be up to him to win her over. The ending was quite good!

What I Did Not Liked:

My only real dislike was what I mentioned above - I wish it had been Chloe that realized that she made a mistake and should never have left. But that's okay! It was more true to her personality that she didn't - she's so stubborn, she would have just suffered in her misery rather than go back to Michael and apologize and beg. Which isn't a good trait (not swallowing your stubbornness), but nobody's perfect.

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend any of Beck's books, this one included. It's one of Brazen's older books and quite frankly, their older books are gold. I enjoy all of Beck's books, but her older ones are what lured me in, in the first place. This one is an entertaining, sexy read, and you'll definitely be looking up her other books once you're finished! I recommend her Compromise Me series, and the Private Pleasures series. I haven't read all of them, but I've liked what I've read!

Rating:

4 stars. An excellent read, and clearly, if I've read it several times now. You can't go wrong with Samanthe Beck and Entangled Brazen!

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Review: Dirty Games by Samanthe Beck

Dirty Games by Samanthe Beck

Book Four of the Tropical Temptations series

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: November 13, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

A five figure fee. A private villa at an exclusive tropical paradise. Absolute compliance. 

Top tier celebrity trainer Luke McLean demands all of the above, plus strict adherence to his zero bullshit policy. Especially when faced with six short weeks to whip a spoiled starlet into leading lady shape.

Quinn Sheridan suddenly has half the time she anticipated to turn herself into an action hero for the role of her career. Luckily, her agent calls in a secret weapon, but the demanding, drop dead gorgeous hardass fails to understand SHE’S the client. She has no problem taking direction, but Luke’s definition of cooperation feels more like complete and utter submission. And she’s tempted to give it to him...

What I Liked:

I love Samanthe Beck's books. She always has me coming back, no matter what the book is about. I rarely read the synopses of her books anymore - because I don't need to. She always writes books with interesting professions, complex characters, and steamy, shippy romances. Dirty Games is no exception. On top of the sexy times, the awesome characters, and the riveting plot, this book was really sweet. 

Quinn Sheridan is an actress, and her next role demands a fit, in-shape heroine. Too bad Quinn is only just recovered from an injury, and during that time, she indulged a little too much and lost some of her muscle mass. Her agent calls in the big guns, Luke McLean. Luke is a no-nonsense fitness trainer who lays down the law and takes charge. Quinn may not like the rigorous training, but she doesn't mind being at his mercy. He doesn't mess around with actresses, but will Quinn be the exception?

Luke is the ideal kind of alpha male that I love - aggressive, commanding, and dominant, BUT also considerate, intuitive, and sweet underneath. He cares a lot about his work, and his clients. He owns a fitness company and makes it his goal to help every client become healthier and achieve their own goals. I'd never read a book with a fitness instructor as the protagonist, and so it was neat to read about. I could tell Beck did her research, because there were a lot of specifics in terms of fitness and training that were detailed in the book. Beck always chooses really interesting professions for her characters. In one of her previous books, the female protagonist is a glass blower!

Quinn is an actress; I'm going to be honest - I usually dislike books featuring actors or actresses, and I usually dislike the actor/actress. But I really liked Quinn! She isn't high-maintenance or irritating or privileged or high-strung. She's assertive and independent, and she is very motivated (for various reasons). I liked her determination and her willingness to admit weaknesses and mistakes. She was very open even when she was trying to hide her feelings from Luke.

The pair really worked as a couple! Luke with his brooding, no-nonsense aggressive self, and Quinn, with her teasing, assertive self. Their personalities fit together and their attitudes clicked. I love it when characters fit. In terms of the romance, they really REALLY fit. The chemistry is seriously off the charts! Beck always writes fairly steamy books.

But what I really liked about the romance was how sweet it was. These two don't hit it off at first, so it's kind of an enemies-to-lovers romance. Eventually Quinn starts to trust Luke and it is the sweetest thing to watch! He handles her so gently, a contrast to his rigorous fitness training for her. This book was filled with sweet moments that made my heart happy.

This book didn't have a ton of drama, though of course there was the inevitable drama at the climax of the book. But even that wasn't bad; it was a mild miscommunication, and I LOVE that Quinn knew she messed up and reached out to Luke to apologize. It wasn't him that was groveling and apologizing - it was her. WIN! She messed up and she owned it. 

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't Beck's hottest book, but it was one of her sweetest and most satisfying romances. I haven't read any of the other books in the series but I can safely say that this one is amazing!

What I Did Not Like:

Hmmm, the only thing that I can think of is that I expected a little more heat from a Beck book! Don't get me wrong, there were steamy times in the book. But perhaps I expected a tiny bit more? Especially given the plot setup (fitness instructor... private sessions... gym... you get the idea).

Would I Recommend It:

Honestly I'd recommend any of Beck's books! She has so many great books with Brazen, especially her Compromise Me series. This book (Dirty Games) is fantastic! I definitely recommend it. Adult romance readers, you should stock up on Beck's books! They are quick, steamy, satisfying reads that will make you smile and occasionally giggle. 

Rating:

4 stars. This book was great! I can always count on Beck to deliver a wonderful story. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

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Review: Compromised in Paradise by Samanthe Beck

Compromised in Paradise by Samanthe Beck

Book Three of the Compromise Me series

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Publication Date: August 28, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Stressed out hotel heiress Arden St. Sebastian is in Maui for one thing and one thing only. Work. But when the hottie at the bar buys her a drink to end all frilly umbrella-and-glow stick drinks, she can’t help but accept his unspoken invitation. When they get back to her villa, however, and the sexy moment of truth arrives, she can’t…quite…get there. Again.

ER resident Nick Bancroft can handle a night of fun, anonymous sex, but he draws the line at a fake orgasm. He makes his mystery woman a deal. He’ll take care of her little stress-induced orgasm problem if she’ll spend the next six days exploring the island with him, no questions asked. 

A week of island relaxation on the arm of the sexiest man she’s ever met? Arden’s game. As long as she keeps her identity secret, she’s got nothing to lose…except her heart.

What I Liked:

This book was sexy, humorous, and so fun! Out of all of Beck's books - most of which are sexy, humorous, and fun - this is probably the most fun story she has written. I'm very happy with the love story she gave Arden, who is an amazing young woman. I adored Nick Bancroft, more than I did in the previous books. Together, they made an excellent pair.

Arden St. Sebastian is looking for a little relief. She has been stressed about so many things, including her father nagging her and taking over her personal life after her last relationship went south. Arden works hard and loves her job, but sometimes she is so overwhelmed. A week in Maui at one of her father's hotel properties should do the trick... especially when she meets a sexy stranger who is definitely her type. Nick Bancroft is good at his job, and very good at sex. It's lust at first sight when he sees this mystery woman at a bar one evening, and one thing leads to another. They only have a few days together, but they are going to make it count. But what happens when it stops being just sex, and becomes more? What happens when they find out the truth about each other?

From the start, this book was flirty and fun and sexy. The pair meet at a bar, but they don't give each other their names. They don't know who each other is. What's wild is that Arden has a date in six days with the nephew of the former owners of the property - and Nick has a date in six days with the daughter of the new owner. Wild, right? But Arden and Nick have no idea about each other, because throughout all of their interactions in this book, they don't give each other their names. It's part of the fun, making up a ridiculous identity and having fun with it.

Arden is a hard worker, and constantly stressed. So the arrangement works for her. She's usually a fun person, when she isn't stressed and nagged. She loves the purely physical relationship she has with Nick (she knows him as Rider). 

Nick works hard at the hospital - he is a senior ER resident and he is looking to climb up the ranks. He doesn't do commitments, so meeting Arden is destiny. Nick is a good guy with a big heart. He is also charming, intense, and very sexy. He and Arden are great for each other, and they have a lot of fun together. 

This book is all kinds of hot! Seriously, this has to be one of Beck's hottest books. There are a few kinky scenes, but I liked them just fine. I don't read a ton of erotica (just sexy romance) but I don't think this book crosses into the erotica territory, though it toes the line. Nick and Arden have great chemistry and that leads to some very passionate, sexy scenes. Their dynamic works well, with Arden liking to be handled, and Nick being an alpha male who likes to please.

I liked how involved Beck gets when it comes to writing about the protagonists' jobs. We know the ins and outs of Arden's job, and Nick's job. Their jobs are important to them, and Beck makes it appear so to the readers. Beck doesn't just make Nick an ER resident because hot doctors make great male protagonists - no, she does her research and makes sure that we know he is an ER resident and his job isn't a prop or a simple role. Same with Arden and her job.

The climax isn't as drama-filled as some romance novels, though there is some miscommunication and a tiny bit of drama. But it really isn't bad. The book ends very well for the pair! It's a HEA and the epilogue is so cute. I'm not sure if this is the end of the series, but it fills like it. I would be okay with that! The ending is lovely, for all three couples. 

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything specific! For once, I think this romance novel had the perfect amount of sexy times (usually that is my complaint with romance novels - they don't have enough). 

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend this book - or any of Beck's books - if you're looking for steamy contemporary romance that is also a little on the fun and humorous side! Nothing dark and heavy in her books, no angst and minimal drama. Beck is so creative with the characters, their jobs, their lives, their problems. She is also suuuuuper creative with the sexy times. The books are very, very hot, you are warned!

Rating:

4 stars. I can't wait to read a new Entangled Brazen book by this author - hopefully she has more coming! I've enjoyed her old Entangled Brazen books and her new ones, and I'll definitely be looking out for future ones. She is an auto-read author for me!

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Review: Emergency Attraction by Samanthe Beck

Emergency Attraction by Samanthe Beck

Book Three of the Love Emergency series

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Publication Date: April 17, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

Ten years ago when Shane Maguire chose the Marines as his escape from some trouble of his own making, he only regretted one thing—leaving Sinclair Smith behind. Despite his best intentions, she ended up as the one that got away. Now he’s back, determined to reclaim everything he gave up, including Sinclair.

Sinclair is immune to Shane’s charms. She’s immune to stolen kisses behind the gym. And she’s definitely immune to that maneuver he did in the back seat of his car… Okay, maybe her hormones are susceptible, but she has absolutely no desire to risk anything on the bad boy who broke all his promises.

When a little emergency lands her at his mercy, he offers her a deal she can’t refuse. And this time, she’ll show Shane what it means to be left wanting…

Each book in the Love Emergency series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.

What I Liked:

Samanthe Beck is one of my favorite Entangled Brazen authors - and adult romance authors in general. I haven't read a book of hers that I didn't enjoy, which is saying something! Some books have been better than others, but in general, her books work for me. I read the first book in this particular series (Emergency Engagement), but passed on the second book (Emergency Delivery). I almost passed on this one as well (for reasons I'll talk about!), but I'm glad I didn't. This book was a quick, enjoyable read.

Shane Maguire and Sinclair Smith grew up together in a small town, and when they were teenagers, they shared a powerful connection beyond physical attraction. But circumstances led to Shane joining the Marines and Sinclair staying behind. Ten years later, Shane is back, working as in risk management for emergency planning. It's been ten years but Shane's feelings for Sinclair haven't changed, and even though her left her, Sinclair's feelings haven't changed either. She can deny it all she wants, but their chemistry hasn't cooled and the pair have missed each other. But Sinclair might not be ready to give Shane a second chance, even if Shane is committed to staying with her.

One of the reasons why I almost passed on this book is because it's a second-chance romance, and I really don't enjoy second-chance romance novels. I hate all the drama and angst and hurt - someone is always hurt (usually both of them), and usually it's because of miscommunication. In this book's case, the second-chance aspect was not as dramatic and angst-ridden as I'd expected! Sure, there were painful, heartbreaking parts to Shane and Sinclair's mutual past, but the book was fairly low on drama.

Shane is such a good guy, and clearly very different than at eighteen. Years in the military straightened him out and made him a stronger, better person. For years, he sent Sinclair letters, trying to reach out, but she never responded. But Shane never stopped loving her, thinking about her, wanting her. Ten years later, Shane is persistent, protective, thoughtful, and a little naughty. He's a sweet guy who is incredibly patient with Sinclair.

Sinclair has ten years' worth of pain stored up, and she blames Shane. She lost faith in him when she never heard from him (his letters never reached her), and thought he didn't care about her anymore. Ten years later, she's still incredibly angry with him, and very hurt. Sinclair is a tough lady, but she has been through a lot, and she has walled herself off since Shane left to join the Marines. I didn't totally like her, but I understood her. Her hurt and pain were legitimate, even if she was a little unreasonable with all of that blame she directed at Shane.

As with every second-chance romance, there is a lot of communication between the pair about the past, and mistakes they made. I was happy to see both of them work things out slowly but surely. I was especially happy that Sinclair recognized that she was also in the wrong, and that not only did she have to forgive Shane, but he had to forgive her. The blame went both ways.

Shane and Sinclair have a lot of chemistry between them! Their passion for each other clearly never wore off, even with ten years of time and distance between them. Honestly, that's impressive and I love how the author brought about the chemistry and tension. I love how persistent and patient Shane was, because Sinclair was trying really hard not to budge with him. There are a few pretty hot scenes in this book (and some shorter semi-hot scenes). Beck always does a great job with the sexy times!

The climax involves a certain trope that I hate, but I did not mind it, in this book. It should have bothered me (like it did in a previous book in the series) but in this case, it seemed to work for the story. And the climax in general is relatively drama-free, and I like how Sinclair knows she is in the wrong, as does Shane. 

In general, this was another Beck winner for me. Great characters, good character development, a good balance of emotional and physical growth between the characters' relationship, and a steamy romance, that did not disappoint. I also really liked the epilogue, which featured the three couples of this series (Beau and Savannah, Hunter and Madison, Shane and Sinclair). So much cute!

What I Did Not Like:

More steamy scenes would have been great (or maybe make the abbreviated scenes less brief). Also I mentioned that I didn't totally love Sinclair, though I understood her. I stand by that. She was a little too standoffish and sometimes mean, when it came to Shane. Poor guy! He didn't deserve all of the negativity and blame. 

Would I Recommend It:

I can't speak for Emergency Delivery, but I'd recommend this entire series! This book isn't my new favorite or anything, but it's a great, satisfying novel. If you're looking for a quick, steamy, second-chance romance novel, this is one for you!

Rating:

4 stars. I'm hoping Beck will continue writing books in the Compromise Me series, because those books are awesome! The first book, Compromising Her Position, is one of my favorite Beck books. I recommend it!

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Hard Compromise by Samanthe Beck

Welcome to the blog tour for Hard Compromise by Samanthe Beck! This author is one of my favorites, and I always enjoy her Brazen books. I loved this one, and I hope you will too!

Compromising Her Position | Hard Compromise

About the Book:

Hard Compromise by Samanthe Beck

Book Two of the Compromise Me series

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Publication Date: November 21, 2016

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

Laurie Peterson assumes her impulsive one-night stand with sinfully sexy Sheriff Ethan Booker is the biggest surprise of the year…until her bakery burns down while she’s basking in the afterglow. It looks like her dreams are up in smoke, but then Ethan proposes a deal too tempting to resist. 

Ethan has no intention of settling for a one-night stand with Laurie. Nor does he want anything to do with the women his wealthy family wants him to meet. Not when he’s waited ten years for his chance to make his move. His deal might have strings—and Laurie may not know the stakes—but nothing will stop this sexy cop from staking a real claim on her body and her heart. 

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About the Author:

Wine lover, sleep fanatic, and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy contemporary romance novels, Samanthe Beck lives in Malibu, California, with her long-suffering but extremely adorable husband and their turbo-son, Hud. Throw in a furry ninja named Kitty and Bebe the trash talking Chihuahua and you get the whole, chaotic picture.

When not clinging to sanity by her fingernails or dreaming up fun, fan-your-cheeks sexy ways to get her characters to happily-ever-afters, she searches for the perfect cabernet to pair with Ambien.

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The Excerpt:

She turned on less than steady legs and walked to the other side of the room, feeling the weight of his stare on her the entire time. Once there, she planted her feet hip’s distance apart, bent from the waist, and rested her forearms on the bed. “I trust this is interesting enough for you?”  

His footsteps fueled her adrenaline. She lowered her head to the mattress, and lifted onto her toes.  

“It’s definitely a start. Hand me my belt.”  

She raised her head as a hundred imaginary feathers fluttered down her spine. “Your...what?”  

“My belt,” he repeated. “It’s right beside you.” 

“Why?” 

“Give it to me, and you’ll find out.” 

If she wasn’t in the mood for this, all she had to do was say so. Booker would let it go, without question. Even knowing this, backing down felt too much like surrender. She handed the strap to him, but couldn’t help adding a caustic comment. “Who would have guessed there were fifty shades of Sheriff Booker?”  

His soft laugh stirred invisible molecules in the air around her. “I would never do anything so conventional. Besides”—he folded the belt in half and ran the edge along the back of her thigh—“I think you secretly prefer gentle.”  

“I told you before, you don’t have to be gentle with me.”  

“You’re tough, huh?” The edge of the belt tickled her skin again.  

She faced front and held her position. “That’s right.” Dammit, she was her own worst enemy.  

“Okay, tough girl. Be still.”  

The Giveaway:

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Review: Hard Compromise by Samanthe Beck

Hard Compromise by Samanthe Beck
Book Two of the Compromise Me series
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: November 21, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

Laurie Peterson assumes her impulsive one-night stand with sinfully sexy Sheriff Ethan Booker is the biggest surprise of the year…until her bakery burns down while she’s basking in the afterglow. It looks like her dreams are up in smoke, but then Ethan proposes a deal too tempting to resist. 

Ethan has no intention of settling for a one-night stand with Laurie. Nor does he want anything to do with the women his wealthy family wants him to meet. Not when he’s waited ten years for his chance to make his move. His deal might have strings—and Laurie may not know the stakes—but nothing will stop this sexy cop from staking a real claim on her body and her heart. 

What I Liked:

Okay. I was not disappointed, folks. Brazen's recent novels have been rather lackluster, but I had high hopes for this novel. Samanthe Beck's books are so swoony, sexy, steamy, and sweet, and this one was no exception. I adore her books, and this series especially!

Ethan Booker has waited ten years for a chance to be with wild Laurie Peterson, and he isn't letting the chance go to waste. Sure, he comes from a rich family and she comes from a much more "disgraceful" background. But he knows what - who - he wants, and it's Laurie. Laurie is an impulsive commitment-phobe, and she wants Ethan as badly as he wants her. But she knows she's not good enough for him, especially with their different backgrounds. But Ethan isn't a guy to back down, and his deal that he offers her is temporary at first, but hopefully for life.

You'd think I wouldn't enjoy this book, because Laurie, on paper, is not the type of heroine that I like. She's wild and impulsive, slightly irrational and a total commitment-phobe. She avoids commitments like they are rashes, so she has a lot of hook-ups but no real relationships. She is hot and cold with Ethan Booker, pushing and pulling, throwing herself at him and then running away. Theoretically, *I* shouldn't like her.

But I did. I understood her. Sure, she has a lengthy sexual history, a ridiculous outlook on commitment, and more in common with her tramp mother than she wants to admit. But Laurie is also a hard worker, a tough lady, and someone who doesn't like to ask for help. I felt for her, even if I wanted to push her at Ethan and make her stay there.

Ethan... woah. Holy alpha male. He's an alpha male but not a crazy overprotective one. He's sweet and genuine and alpha all at once - it's hard to describe. This is something that I love about Beck's heroes - they're sexy alphas, but they're also sweet, considerate, and decidedly more real than most alpha males in romance novels. Like, I could see Ethan being an actual guy in real life, and not because he's a hot sheriff.

Ethan is a sweetheart as much as he is a sexy guy. I like how he is patient with Laurie, but he's also firm and goes after what he wants. He waits for her, but then he also goes in for what he wants. It's a good balance of letting Laurie be but also satisfying them both. Ethan looks out for Laurie and wants the best for her, but he doesn't try to solve all of her problems.

Have I mentioned how hot the chemistry between these two is? The romance in the book is well-developed and meaningful, but the chemistry, the chemistry is scorching hot. These two have been waiting to paw at each other for ten years (you'll have to read the book to find out why), and when it happens... *fans self* Samanthe Beck always has steamy romance novels, but this one is really really hot. I'm impressed! 

The pair strike a deal, in which Ethan will loan her money (her bakery burned down) if she attends his sister's wedding as his date, to keep his mother off his back. I wasn't expecting to like Ethan's mother, but I actually did! She's not overbearing and nosy like I would have expected. I like how Ethan's mother takes to Laurie and really likes her, despite Laurie thinking that she isn't good enough for Ethan. Ethan's mother is a smart lady and one of the reasons why Laurie fights for Ethan.

Which brings me to the climax and end of the story! I despise it when the female screws up and for some reason, it's the male that has to beg and grovel. In this book, Laurie is the one that pushes Ethan away, and he walks away, telling her that she needs to decide even though he'll always love her. The best part about the ending is that Laurie picks herself up and goes to Ethan - and not the opposite. Ethan leaves the ball firmly in her court, and Laurie isn't stupid; she goes after him. I LOVE THIS.

Overall, this is a really great addition to the Compromise Me series, and an awesome book by Samanthe Beck! It pulls me out of the small Brazen funk that I've been in.

What I Did Not Like:

Nothing specific from me!

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this one! I feel like it's been a while since I solidly recommended a new Brazen novel - even my regulars Katee Robert and Tessa Bailey have let me down recently. Samanthe Beck hasn't though! I'm excited that this one was really solid. 

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. I hope the next book follows Rafe's sister Arden! (Rafe is the hero of Compromising Her Position, the equally sexy and enjoyable predecessor of this book.)

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Brazen Blast: March 14, 2016

What do a rock star, an actor, and an EMT all have in common? They're ready, willing, and eager to go to bed with you for a night of lip-biting, toe-curling, sheet-wrinkling reading...

Emergency Delivery by Samanthe Beck

Madison Foley is determined to stand on her own two feet, no matter how wobbly her circumstances. Fate, however, keeps throwing her off balance, and then sending heroically hot paramedic Hunter Knox to save her.

She’s put men on the back burner until she gets her life on track.

But Hunter’s got other plans. 

Decisions. Decisions.

Bring home your copy of Emergency Delivery:

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About the author: Samanthe Beck lives in Malibu, California with her husband, their young son, a furry ninja named Kitty, and Bebe the trash talkin’ Chihuahua. When not writing fun, contemporary, melt-your-Kindle sexy romances for Entangled Publishing’s Brazen imprint, she searches for the perfect cabernet to pair with Ambien.

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Best Friends with Benefits by Candy Sloane

Valerie Barkin and Alec Rogers survived bullies, awful parents, and seriously shitty social standing the only way best friends can—together. But with the unexpected sexual tension suddenly flaring between them, surviving their ten-year high school reunion might be a different story…

Val hasn’t changed. She still feels like the stringy-haired band geek the popular kids teased, but Alec has definitely changed. He’s now the front man for the Grammy-winning rock band Chronic Disharmony, with the sexual reputation to match. And he’s more than willing to help Val rock the reunion.

And then it happens—a drunken game of Seven Minutes in Heaven—and their fourteen-years-long foreplay comes crashing to the forefront…changing everything.

Seven minutes turns into a weekend of mind-blowing, no-strings-attached sex. But these best friends won't be able to leave their hearts out of it forever, not when the most meaningful benefit could change their relationship for good.

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About the author: Candy Sloane is a pseudonym for a Young Adult & New Adult author who needed to write some naughty books her mother couldn't read. She lives in Portland, OR and loves Lifetime movies. She would tell you more, but this persona is a secret.

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Tie Me Down Tight by Cathryn Fox

This surprise birthday present is one she’ll never forget…

Actress Angie Stanton is done dating actors. Been there done that and has the “dumped fiancée” T-shirt to prove it. Handsome leading men can’t be trusted. Period. But when a hot cowboy shows up at her twenty-sixth birthday party, she’s all about unwrapping her present and playing with it.

The last thing Hollywood heavyweight Dylan Brooks wants is to dress up like a cowboy and attend a party for some chick he doesn’t know. But when the sweet girl with the angelic face looks at him like she wants to eat him alive, he pulls out his lasso and ties her down tight.

When Dylan asks for one week of fun, Angie can’t resist. But she won’t fall again, no matter how tempting he might be. And she’s not the only one with trust issues…

Bring home your copy of Tie Me Down Tight:

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About the author: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. Cathryn has two teenagers who keep her busy and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. When not writing, Cathryn can be found laughing over lunch with friends, hanging out with her kids, or watching a big action flick with her husband.

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