Tag / Cari Quinn

by mvbookreviewer

Requested Review: Provoke Me by Cari Quinn

Format: E-bookprovokeme
Read with: Kindle for I-Pad
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Unveiled, Book 2
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Hero: Spencer Galvin
Heroine: Kelly Crossman
Sensuality: 4.5
Date of Publication: June 22, 2011
Started On: June 24, 2011
Finished On: June 24, 2011

Provoke Me is a title that lives up to its name. It draws the reader in, refuses to let go and provokes all sorts of emotions from the reader and I absolutely loved it. Cari Quinn can certainly do no wrong with her sensational novels, and yes I say sensational because she pens a novel that is nothing less than perfection and Provoke Me is no exception to this rule.

The second book in the series Unveiled, Provoke Me tells the story of how the utterly controlled and focused Spencer Galvin finds in Kelly Crossman a reason worth letting go of his hard earned control in more ways than one. 35 year old Spencer has already learnt the bitter lesson of mixing business with pleasure and he is determined that he would stay true to his vow no matter how much Kelly tempts him to do otherwise.

A decade younger than Spencer, Kelly is caught between a rock and a hard place when even after 3 years of working for Spencer hasn’t dimmed her desire for him even one teensy bit. If anything, she yearns for him more than ever, and if not for the fact that she loves her job at The Book Nook, she would have given in and jumped his bones a long time back.

When Kelly encounters her hands-off boss at Kink the sex club, all bets are off as Kelly finally manages to get under Spencer’s skin to make him let go even for the few minutes during which he gives her the best orgasm of her life up against the club’s wall before all the shields are back again in full force.

Thinking that a few encounters with the whiskey-eyed Kelly with her killer legs would cure him of his fascination for her was Spencer’s first mistake. All his attempts to push her away with the moments in between that show glimpses into a core of sensitivity that few get to see, Kelly knows that for her its Spencer and him alone until Spencer does the one thing that is guaranteed to drive away the best thing that has ever happened to him in his life.

Filled to the brim with erotic sensual material that just about emptied out my salivary glands, one would think that Provoke Me is all about good sex with nothing much else going for it. But that’s where you are wrong as Provoke Me tells the story of two very real individuals who find themselves in the grip of red-hot passion that undermines everything else, giving them both a reason to hide from what it is that they really feel for the other.

Provoke Me definitely tested my boundaries as an erotic romance reader and though I wouldn’t say that I am a convert into the overly erotic material, Cari’s style in introducing me to the world of kinkier behaviour certainly sat well with me.

The one thing that I loved most about Provoke Me is Spencer whose hard and driven nature along with his superb control and focus made him a total hottie and earns him a very well earned notch in my favorite alpha male list. And I loved Kelly because her quirky, strong and yet vulnerable nature was what Spencer needed though he takes a long time to reach that conclusion himself.

Recommended for fans of Cari Quinn and for those who love emotion and depth in their erotica. The fact that I read this in one sitting whilst sick and in need of much required rest should tell its own story.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo | Ellora’s Cave

outstandingread

by mvbookreviewer

Requested Review: Undercover Lovers

Format: E-bookundercoverlovers
Read with: Amazon Kindle
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Series: Undercover Lovers Anthology
Publisher: Self Published
Date of Publication: May 17, 2010
Started On: May 19, 2010
Finished On: May 20, 2010

Reviewing an anthology for the 1st time ever has certainly being a new and enlightening experience for me as a reader as well as a reviewer. On the plus side it meant that I have discovered two new authors who I would keep an eye on from now on whilst on the challenging side I was wondering how I would best provide a review for all the stories that make up this anthology.

After much deliberation I decided to review each of the 4 novellas that makes up this anthology separately, rating them individually so that my review would provide a much clearer view of how much I enjoyed each of the stories.

The anthology comprises of the novellas Consumed by Dee Carney, Conned by Chloe Cole, Conquered by Cari Quinn and Convicted by Dee Tenorio. I find it kinda cute that all the titles start with the letter “C”. I have reviewed the stories in the order that they appear in the anthology. And before I delve into my review I would like to give a huge shout out of thanks to the wonderful Cari Quinn for giving me the opportunity to read and review this exciting anthology that has been very well worth my time as a reader.

Book 1: Consumed by Dee Carney

Hero: August Jaegar
Heroine: Saffron Burton
Length: Novella
Sensuality: 4.5

August Jaegar is the best chef in Denver and a very hot and extremely sexy one at that. Working fourteen hours a day to make his restaurant the best there is, August is a chef who guards his privacy with a vengeance and hates reporters who poach on his territory. And did I mention that he is HOT??

Our heroine certainly has a unique name; Saffron Burton who is a food critique working at the Denver Daily. Curvaceous and beautiful, Saffron manages to draw the attention of the elusive August right from the first moment he lays his eyes on her on the chance meeting that happens when when Saffron finally manages to move to the top of the restaurant’s reservations list after a wait of 4 whole months. From the first moment they lay eyes on each other, both Saffron and August are smitten with each other to the point that everything else around them fades away into insignificance.

Consumed is a very readable story. Though this is my first Dee Carney, I loved her style of writing which flows easily and her way of bringing the heat between August and Saffron alive right from the very beginning. Even though this quite a short novella, I would say Dee Carney has done a great job in bringing the characters as well as the restaurant to life, certainly landing her in my authors to look for.

Though I would have loved learning more about Saffron and August, there were a lot of things that I loved about Consumed that is worthy of being mentioned. Surprise, surprise! I loved August’s character. Brilliant and hot, the man can do wicked things in a kitchen, and yes I am talking about actual cooking here *winks*. And I definitely can get on board with August’s brand of seduction which definitely had my insides clamoring for his attention throughout!

I would recommend Consumed for anyone who loves a hot novella featuring a sexy as sin hero who can do brilliant things with his hands. And I am not talking about cooking here *wink*.

Memorable Scenes:

The scene in the alley. Definite heart thumping variety material there!

greatread

Book 2: Conned by Chloe Cole

Hero: Professor Tucker Lamb
Heroine: Doctor Eleanor Malloy
Length: Novella
Sensuality: 4.5

Tucker Lamb is a professor teaching Science at Westside for the past 6 months. His childhood had neither being normal nor an easy one. Tucker is a guy who keeps to himself not wanting to blow his cover under the Witness Protection Program.

Cue in Human Sexuality Profesor Dr. Eleanor Malloy whose very subject at Westside and the way she reels in her students into the subject matter makes her a favorite amongst her students. She has been at Westside for 2 years and for the first time in her life is thinking of staying in one place for a long time.

Eleanor and Tucker meets for the first time when Tucker moves to Westside. Though sparks do not fly between the two from the first meet, Tucker is more than aware of the fact that given half the chance, he would end up blowing his cover to hell if it means getting the luscious Dr. Eleanor underneath him or in any of the many positions that his reckless heart wants her in.

Chloe Cole who also writes under the name of Christine Bell is a new author for me. However that didn’t stop me from identifying with the fact that she can pack a well written and steamy romance that even in a short story as this one I enjoyed to the max. What drew me into the story most was the evident attraction that sizzled the circuits off my e-reader and steamed up the room a couple of degrees. And I absolutely loved it!

I loved how Chloe brought about both Tucker and Eleanor’s characters. Tucker is a guy who has turned a new leaf, but that doesn’t hide the fact  that he can totally turn on the bad-boy persona when the need calls for it. Eleanor is a heartwarming character as well whom I would have loved to learn more about. She is funny and sexy as hell, exactly the right match for someone like Tucker who needs to learn that being bad doesn’t necessarily mean getting into trouble. And if you get me started on the heat factor of this novella, I would never ever stop. Let me just say that the need for a cold shower and a new pair of panties is a foregone possibility afterwards. *wink*

I would definitely recommend Conned by Chloe Cole to those who love their erotica to be of the panty-melting kind. This one’s so hot that you would a tall glass of cold water is a definite requirement whilst reading.

Memorable Scenes:

The aphrodisiac tasting scenes. Sizzling HOT!! And I loved, loved, loved the build up that happened in the restaurant. *gulp* I need not say anymore!

awesomeread

Book 3: Conquered by Cari Quinn

Hero: Shane Madison
Heroine: Emma Donegan
Length: Novella
Sensuality: 4.5

29 year old Shane Madison is a Private Investigator trying to make his own firm a successful one. Equipped with a body that rivals that of a Greek God, Shane is determined that he would not walk away from another career and would do whatever it takes to make things work this time around.

Going almost 30 and single yet again, Emma Donegan has a yearning to experience explosive passion for once in her life. Having just broken up with her long-term boyfriend, Emma is determined that she would become the sexy siren that beckons men to their doom, and gets more than she bargains for when she meets the hotter than sin Shane.

Shane is working undercover at Strippendales when he sees Emma and loses himself in her vivid green eyes that tells him so much of her wanton fantasies that heats up his blood making him become reckless enough to give her what she is asking for.

Cari Quinn’s fantastic story telling is always a plus point with her stories regardless of their length. As always her quirky humor when it comes to her characters had me laughing out aloud at several points, Emma being the type of heroine that I could most definitely relate to. And of course, the heat between Emma and the sexy Shane had me definitely racing through the pages fanning myself in the process to try and cool things down.

I loved both Shane and Emma, the attraction that they have for one another which just explodes onto the pages and left me wanting more. The underlying humorous tone in the novel was a definite plus which makes this novella by Cari as always a memorable one.

Having sampled what Cari can do with a full length novel after reading Insatiable, my only gripe is in wishing that this too could have been a full length contemporary novel. That would have definitely made my day!

I would most definitely recommend this to fans of Cari Quinn. Those who love her style would definitely love this one too. And for those who do not know her, its high time ladies! You definitely need to read this if you are into contemporary erotica that has a tinge of comedy in it to make things more enticing.

Memorable Scenes:

Loved each single erotic scene in the novella. All of them definite palpitation inducing kind.

amazingread

Book 4: Convicted by Dee Tenorio

Hero: Cade Evigan
Heroine: Katrina Killian
Length: Novella
Sensuality: 4.5

Former Marine Cade Evigan, now Sheriff of rural California town Marketta is my favorite type of hero. Cade is a soldier who has fought in a war that had started making little or no sense to him, who had returned to his hometown hoping to gain at least a semblance of peace in his life as an ex-Marine.

Katrina Killian is a DEA agent whose job the past 2 years has been to go deep undercover inside a vicious biker gang known as Wheels of Pain. When Katrina meets Cade and all her senses go on high alert clamoring for his attention in more ways than one, Katrina knows that there is no escaping from the most dangerous emotion of all that she has faced to-date; conquering her love for a man who makes her go soft in all the right places.

Katrina and Cade meets up when Cade returns home from serving in Afghanistan and joins the Sheriff Department, disillusioned to the point of being cold and aloof until Katrina manages to kick aside the shield of indifference behind which Cade hides, thawing away at the ice surrounding his heart and emotions until Cade has no choice but to surrender.

I love Dee Tenorio’s writing style which my reviews of a couple of her books are bound to show. It is the way she has with her characters and the build up even within this story that reeled me in that made this my favorite in this anthology.

I loved pretty much everything about this short, hot and action-packed novella. Cade of course who is going to be playing a major role in my dream-induced fantasies from this point forward was my favorite aspect of this story. And Katrina comes off as a heroine who is gutsy and loyal to the max whose love for Cade and all that he stands for is evident in her actions. I loved the role reversal in this novella such that the heroine is the figure who is involved in the danger bit, trying her damnedest to protect the hero. And oh boy, did I love and absolutley revel in the passion that unfolded between Cade and Katrina? These two lights up the pages like a well-lit Christmas tree and gave me shivers of all the good kind right till the very last page. And as anyone who has heard of my love for an epilogue would know by now, I loved the cute little epilogue that served as the conclusion of this very well done novella.

I would recommend this one to all fans of Dee Tenorio. This is one novella that fans should NOT miss! And of course this one’s for those who love a short, hot novella featuring an ex-military hero and a spunky heroine who gives as good as she gets! All good reasons for you to get a copy and indulge!

Memorable Scenes:

Scenes of INTENSE passion between Katrina and Cade. I want a Cade of my own – RIGHT NOW!

outstandingread

Purchase Links: Amazon | Smashwords

by mvbookreviewer

Requested Review: Insatiable by Cari Quinn

Format: E-book
Opens with: Amazon Kindle
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Loose Id
Hero: Shawn Griffin
Heroine: Rachel Cooper
Sensuality: 4.5
Date of Publication: February 15, 2011
Started On: February 15, 2011
Finished On: February 15, 2011

I was so very psyched to wake up this morning to see Cari’s message on Twitter that she was sending over a copy of Insatiable, her debut novel on LooseID for review. Add to this the fact that this one is of my favorite theme/trope where friends turn into lovers coupled with the fact that today is a state holiday over here, I was in book heaven right from the very first moment I loaded this book onto my Kindle and entered Rachel and Shawn’s world where they both made me practically insatiable to learn everything about them and to reach their happily ever after.

30 year old Shawn Griffin is an esteemed architect and the only child of the Griffins who own an architecture firm known throughout the West Coast. Born and bred in Calvin Bay of California, Shawn is blessed with surfer good looks, feline green eyes and golden hair from his mother and a laser-like focus and intensity from his CEO father. Shawn’s only regret in life is the fact that he had turned down his best friend’s proposal that they become intimate when she had been 16 years old and curiosity had taken a hold of her that in turn had driven her into another man’s arms. Shawn is a man who is biding his time for the right moment to woo the love of his life into his arms forever, a man who has been infatuated with his childhood friend and best buddy since forever and been in love with her for at least half a dozen years.

28 year old Rachel Cooper is the youngest child of the Coopers who publish the magazine for tony fashionistas in the West Coast. A middle school music teacher, Rachel had met Shawn minutes after entering into this world, thanks to the lifelong friendship between their families. Shawn had become her best girlfriend, regardless of the fact he is a guy, long before she had even realized that being his best friend was what she wanted. Apart from the one time when she had been 16 years old and had found feelings of an alien kind inhabiting her body whenever she had been around Shawn, Rachel had never considered opening up her heart to Shawn in the forever kind of manner until the connection and attraction that has always simmered between them comes right up against her, with no holds-barred when Shawn decides to focus his laser-like intensity on winning her affections.

It is when Rachel decides to go on a no-holds-barred sex vacation to New York and rekindle the flames with her high school boyfriend that all hell breaks loose and Shawn unleashes all his pent up longing and desire to claim Rachel as his. Rachel is as skittish as commitment phobic heroines come and add to the equation her tendency to ALWAYS go against what her parents gently prod her and urge her to do, when Shawn and her getting married and having a couple of beautiful babies is what both their families have always hinted at all their life.

Shawn has his work cut out for him when he follows Rachel to New York and competing with the Harley riding ex-boyfriend of Rachel’s seems to require his undivided attention. With Rachel as skittish as a wild horse that needs taming when it comes to facing the intense nature of the feelings that sweep them both away on a  journey of sensual awakening that just lights up the reader’s world in a kaleidescope of colors, Shawn is in it to win and make Rachel face what she has always longed for ever since they had both grown up. When tragedy comes calling, it is then that both Rachel and Shawn needs to decide whether theirs is a love that can weather all storms and come out triumphant in the end.

There are so many, many good things about this delectable novel. First of all, I love the fact that this is by far the longest story by Cari Quinn I have had the fortune of reading and that fact alone is enough to make this girl happy. I love Cari’s style of writing, the sense of humor that she injects into her stories and the fact that her characters all come alive and she makes us feel for them in every way; and to go through all this in a longer novel by her was just in that fact alone awesome! I would say that Cari Quinn has outdone herself with this one and I hope she continues to wow me and take my breathe away with stories that are going to follow this one.

When I always pick up an erotic romance, rarely do I expect it to deliver much apart from good smut to send my heart racing and a big goofy grin on my face due to the happily ever after the romance delivers. However, when you pick up a novel by Cari, you definitely know that you will be getting much, much more than just that. Likewise, Shawn and Rachel are both just lovable characters that I fell in love with right away. Their relationship shown through many a conversation and good memories they have of each other shows that they are friends in the truest sense. And oh my ever loving Lord I tell you, the heat between these two is enough to light up the entire Maldives for centuries to come. I found myself holding in my breath, with my heart racing and thudding to keep up with the action between the sheets and many a wicked position these two found themselves in along the way. All in all, very well done, a story that definitely ends up as a favorite of mine in this theme/trope.

And don’t for the love of God get me started on Shawn Griffin or I wouldn’t be able to control myself. The guy just totally made my day, hell he made my whole month by practically lighting up the pages with his very presence and making me swoon damn near every time he comes up with one romantic plan or the other to woo the woman of his dreams into his life always and forever. Shawn definitely knows what good, hot loving is all about and also knows just how to cherish the woman he loves which makes me long for things better left unsaid. *grin*

There is not a single thing that I would change in this story and am so very ecstatic that Cari picked me as one of the reviewers to receive a copy of this beautiful, heartwarming and very sexy story. If you love a good friends to lovers story with plenty of red, hot loving that can leave you breathless and wanting for more with well developed characters and a story that delivers on all fronts, buy yourself a copy and indulge. I dare you not to want a Shawn Griffin of your own halfway through!

Favorite Quotes

Then Rachel walked into the room, her short geisha girl outfit revealing a mile and a half of leg, and his muscles locked as if he were a wolf that had just scented his mate.
She wasn’t the most beautiful woman in the crowd. Wasn’t the most alluring or even the most striking. But to him, she was the only.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Loose Id

outstandingread

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Reveal Me by Cari Quinn

Format: E-book
Read with: Amazon Kindle
Length: Novella
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Unveiled, Book 1
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Hero: Carter Nicholas
Heroine: Alana MacGregor
Sensuality: 4.5
Date of Publication: January 19, 2011
Started On: January 21, 2011
Finished On: January 21, 2011

I first discovered Cari Quinn when I read and reviewed her book Personal Research on September last year. With the release of that novel, Cari Quinn certainly made it to my auto-buy list because her books are seriously way over the hot, hot zone packaged with a ton of emotion that I as a romance reader absolutely revel in. This short erotic quickie released from Ellora’s Cave includes everything that makes an erotica worth your time.

Alana MacGregor has a bit of a wild side to her nature which hides the sensitive and vulnerable woman inside of her. Someone who is always a bit restless and has issues with commitment and settling down in one place, its a miracle in itself that Alana has lasted as the photographer for The Edge, Roanoke Virginia’s leading newspaper for 11 months now though Alana knows photographing dildos is not what she should be doing with her obvious talent for photography.

Alana is a regular visitor of Kink-Aly, Maryland’s hottest sex club and it is there she runs smack-dab into the now hunky and gorgeous Carter Nicholas from high school who Alana had used to make her then boyfriend jealous regardless of the fact that Alana was aware that nerdy Carter had feelings for her. Caught at a vulnerable moment Alana does what she always does best – brazenly offer herself up to Carter who manages to rouse in her feelings which Alana has thought impossible till now. Their journey towards happily ever after is a hot and wild one any erotica fan would absolutely love!

I liked:

  1. The cover!! I will buy this one for the cover alone. I can stare at that back for hours to come, imagining running my hands up and down those muscles, kissing those little curves. So before I get carried away once again, definitely heart the cover on this one! ^_^
  2. Carter Nicholas. I have identified with the fact that Cari Quinn writes the sexiest “nerdy” heroes possible and Carter certainly lived up to all my expectations and then some. He is sexy, dynamite in bed and out of it *winks* and the best quality about him is the fact that he sees Alana for who she is, wants her for who she is and obviously cares for her and cherishes her in a major way. Total hottie!
  3. Alana MacGregor. At first I couldn’t help but be a little taken aback by her less-than-kind nature. But as I read along I understood what was driving her to be what she was before and she fully redeemed herself towards the end which makes her strong in my opinion. And she is a definite match for the much laid back Carter. Alana is the right mix to add a little spice and wickedness to Carter’s life.
  4. Definitely made me notice Alana’s best friend Kelly. Provoke Me is the title where Kelly finds her happily ever after and am eagerly awaiting an announcement for its release date. I know I am going to love her story as much as I did Alana and Carter’s.

I disliked: None.

Recommended for:

1- Fans of erotic romances who love their stories hotter than wildfire.
2- Fans of Cari Quinn. You should definitely read this one!

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo | Ellora’s Cave

outstandingread

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Personal Research by Cari Quinn

Format: E-bookpersonalresearch.jpg
Read with: Amazon Kindle
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Hero: Nunizo McGinty
Heroine: Elena Thomas
Sensuality: 4.5
Date of Publication: September 17, 2010
Started On: September 20, 2010
Finished On: September 20, 2010

I just had to go and buy this book after reading a review posted on Goodreads by Sparklybearsy which made me smile all over and tingle in anticipation about reading this story which seems to have hit every craving spot on when one indulges in a bit of erotica now and then!

Elena Thomas, 25 years of age, works as a secretary at the McGinty, Haylor & Smith law firm. By day, she writes legal briefs, but at night and sometimes at work, she writes down scenes of her heroes and heroines indulging in wall banging, off the charts hot sex, as an erotic romance author. With two parents who are both college professors, Elena had grown up in an environment that had taught her to suppress all her emotions one way or the other. Being someone who suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder, the one place where Elena lets go of the tight rein on her emotions and sensual nature is when her fingers fly over the keyboard, creating situations between her characters hot enough to make a girl salivate.

Nunizo McGinty is the nephew of Mike McGinty, one of Elena’s bosses. Half-Italian and half-Irish with amazing eyes, rock-cut cheekbones a firm jaw and distractingly full lips, I wish there was an IT guy or two around my workplace like him *wink*. Nunizo comes to America to visit his Irish side of the family and to obtain his Masters degree in English language. Dabbling in IT had been a side hobby of his and helping out his uncle at his law firm just gave him the excuse to hang around and salivate over the gorgeous and buttoned up red headed beauty who in his mind he called Bella, because it means beautiful, absolutely magnificent. *Swoons!*

Elena knows that she has a hankering for the new IT guy who seems to be popping around a lot the last two weeks. His smoldering gaze alone was enough to pin her down in her chair and one day, whilst Nunizo is servicing the printer that seems to be in direct sight of Elena’s workstation, her ogling session results in her accidentally sending pages of her newest novel to print.

Nunizo is surprised and more than pleased when he finds out just how wicked an imagination his Bella has and is determined that he would be the one who would make all her wild bottled up fantasies into a reality. Somehow a relationship that starts off based on physical need alone develops into something more, and changes Elena’s views on life and how she sees herself.

As most of the readers of this novella have pointed out, the opening line itself made me smile because it certainly was an attention grabber to say the least. The scenes between Nunizo and Elena are hot, hot, hot and made me want an Italian whispering sweet nothings in my ears (if you know what I mean!) *bawdy wink*

Great read for a novella, with a yummy hero and equally great heroine and enough smexing to last me until the next book? And I totally loved the comedic feel at times, Elena’s thoughts definitely made me laugh out loud a time or two. Elena as the chastised sexy bunny and Nunizo as Mr. Tall, Dark and Sinful! And don’t you just love the expression on the face of the guy on the cover! Sigh!

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo | Jasmine Jade

fantasticread