BOOK REVIEW ~ HER BEST LAID PLANS BY CARA MCKENNA

Title: Her Best Laid Plans
Author: Cara McKenna
Publisher: Cosmo Red Hot Reads
Expected Release Date: April 15, 2014
Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction
eBook format

ARC provided by NetGalley







Book Blurb


Experience Ireland—the dramatic beauty, the warm hospitality...and the smoking-hot local guys!

Imagine nursing a pint in a cozy, authentic country pub, far from Cork City’s busy pulse. Getting here took you a plane, bus, taxi, and...erm, bicycle. But just as you’re resigning yourself to drinking beside gray-haired farmers, you see him—a man with the looks and charm to soothe any heartbroken girl.

He’s your bartender. Your really, really gorgeous bartender.

For American Jamie Webb—recently dumped and housesitting for two weeks—Connor Kelleher is like a six-course feast after a 23-year starvation diet. But it’s gotta be casual. She’s just begun re-routing her life after an extended, man-related detour. Still, a sexy romp (or twenty!) with Sexy McBartender?

But what about when Jamie's best-laid plans for no future plans with any man begin to change?

Book Review


I absolutely loved every minute of Her Best Laid Plans. I wanted to hop on a plane, take off to Ireland in search of my own sexy Irish bartender and drink some Guinness. But McKenna painted such a vivid story, I truly felt like I was in the Emerald Isle.

Jamie Webb had made plans with her friend to vacation together in Ireland. But Jamie finds herself alone, sitting at a local pub, slamming down some Guinness, when Donna has to cancel on her at the last minute. But Jamie is still determined to experience everything Ireland has to offer.

At one point in her life, Jamie had given everything up for her boyfriend. She moved across the US to live with him and helped put him through school. But two years later, she finds herself boyfriend-less. Never again will she give up her dreams, her plans, for a man. And right now, in Ireleand, she was, free, free, free!

But you know what the say about the best laid plans, right?

Connor, a very sexy, very charming, bartender, has Jamie itching to get her flirt on. His good looks, wicked accent and killer smile just about do her in. They chatter it up and Jamie not only likes what she sees, she loves what she hears. He is a reformed bad-boy, working his arse off to earn money to return to college. The chemistry between him and Jamie is thick with sexual tension. And McKenna expertly draws it out with humor, meaningful conversations, and the beautiful sites of Ireland.

I love how strong Jamie is, how determined she was to make it on her own. To not make the same mistakes she had in the past. Despite her growing feelings for Connor, she is very much an independent woman. And Connor, in his own right, is forthright with his feelings, yet understanding of Jamie's feelings. He knocked my kickers off with his sexy Irish charm.

Both would love a chance to see what could have been but are at different points in their own lives, the distance between them too vast. Will she choose to stay, or will she go back home to America?

McKenna has become a go-to author for me when I want to immerse myself in a sexy, romantic, story with memorable characters.

LUSTING FOR COVERS # 65 LAY IT DOWN BY CARA MCKENNA

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.

Once you are ready to join the fun, please fill out Mister Linky over at TBQ's blog with your name/blog name and the direct link to your Lusting for Covers for this week!

Backbreaking days, wild nights, and the hard hum of steel between your thighs...

That’s a life well lived, according to the Desert Dogs—four friends who call Fortuity, Nevada, their badlands home. Vince Grossier is the self-crowned outlaw king around here. But when Fortuity’s slick new mayor invites a shady casino development to town, the invaders’ cutthroat takeover tactics quickly turn deadly. With police turning a suspiciously blind eye, it’s up to the locals to fight back, and Vince is on the front line. The pretty photographer hired by the developers might be the key to infiltrating the enemy. And a temptation too good to pass up.

Finally free of a controlling ex, Kim Paget’s not looking to be taken for a ride—not on the back of some tattooed roughneck’s bike and definitely not in his bed. But when she finds evidence that her bosses are rattlesnake-dangerous, Kim must entrust her safety to the man who threatens danger of a whole different kind.


Why I picked this cover ~

I am a HUGE fan of Cara McKenna's writing. Her books are delish. And when I saw that she had a new series coming out, my blood pressure may have gone a bit wonky. Love a man on a bike!

Now it's your turn to show me what cover you're lusting over...leave me a comment! 

BOOK REVIEW ~ CURIO BY CARA MCKENNA (THE CURIO SERIES)

Title: Curio (The Curio Series)
Author: Cara Mckenna
Release Date: September 28, 2011

Reviewer purchased own eBooks for review




Caroly Evardt never expected to find herself patronizing a male prostitute. Then again, she never expected to be weeks from her thirtieth birthday and still a virgin.

When a friend mentions that a gorgeous male model in Paris sells his body as well as his image, Caroly's intrigued. Finally, a chance to sample the gifts of a beautiful man—no strings, no stakes, no fear of rejection.

But she soon discovers that Didier Pedra amounts to more than a striking face and talented body. He's a kind, charming, damaged man, and after a few evenings of pleasurable education, Caroly's interest blossoms into something far deeper than mere lust. Her simple arrangement is suddenly feeling downright dangerous . . .


Book Review

Thank you, Cara McKenna. You have gotten me out of my current reading slump. Or should I say, Thank you Didier? After all, it was this sexy, yet vulnerable character who made my weekend. 

I devoured McKenna's Curio series over the weekend and am sad to see the end of these very tantalizing vignettes. 

The story starts with Caroly Evardt, an American transplant, who has lived in Paris for the past two years. She has studied art, admiring the boundless beauty in paintings, sculpture, etc. And has always admired beautiful men. But her admiration has always been from a distance--fear keeping her from reaching out, afraid of being rejected.  

So, when her thirtieth birthday draws near--and she is still a virgin--she seeks the help of a professional. 

Didier Pedra, a sexy prostitute she has only seen pictures of. He is utterly beautiful, the kind of man that pulls at her, but has always been afraid to approach. 

Until she finds herself outside his loft, ringing his doorbell, in hopes that he will be the answer to her dreaded virginity. 

What I loved about these stories is the pacing. It was spot on. A slow seduction well worth the wait. 

And of course--there was Didier. 

Didier has always loved women. And has had a desire to please them. His exotic good looks and charm initially led him to modeling, which in turn, led him to his current profession. Prostitution. Whoring himself out to please countless women with his hands, his mouth, his body. 

But when he opens his door to find the very innocent, yet alluring, Caroly Evardt, his small world is turned upside down.

I don't want to give too much away with this review, but Didier is much more than what he seems. He may sell his body for a woman's pleasure, but he has facets that are both sexy as hell and intriguing. He is well educated, coming across as philosophical and more than just a pretty face. I fell for him hard. And the fact that he has his own secrets made me want to peel back his layers until I knew what he was hiding. 

Cara McKenna is an expert when it comes to portraying the not-so-ordinary heroes. And I have become an avid fan of her off-centered tales that are so refreshing after a lot of predictability. 

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ UNBOUND BY CARA MCKENNA

Title: Unbound
Author: Cara McKenna
Release Date: October 15, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley

She set out to find herself, and discovered the darker side of desire.

Merry’s lost a lot recently—first her mother, then close to a hundred pounds. Feeling adrift, she strikes out in search of perspective. A three-week hike through the Scottish Highlands was supposed to challenge her new body and refocus her priorities, but when disaster strikes, she’s forced to seek refuge in the remote home of a brooding, handsome stranger…

Rob exiled himself to the Highlands years ago, desperate to escape his own self-destruction. Haunted by regrets, he avoids human contact at all costs…but when Merry turns up injured, he can’t very well run her off. And as he nurses her back to health, Rob can’t resist his guest’s sweet demeanor—or her flirtatious advances. The igniting passion between them rouses a secret appetite Rob has long struggled to keep hidden. But Merry craves nothing more than to help Rob surrender to his desires, and the journey draws the lovers into an entirely different kind of wilderness.

Book Review

I fell in love with McKenna's writing style with her book, After Hours. And I knew I had to seek more by this very talented woman. 

Unbound is dark, gritty, and highly erotic. Combustible. Smoking hot. And I enjoyed every freaking moment of it. 

Merry has recently lost her mother and takes off to the Highlands to take a journey that over a year ago she could have never attempted, much less, succeed. After losing over one hundred pounds, this trek is deemed to be cathartic--a purging of Merry's old self as she tries to discover her new self. 

Along the way, Merry starts to feel sick, nauseated, and stumbles back to a cabin where she runs into a mysterious man--Rob. This stranger's demeanor comes across as standoffish, but he is attentive to her injuries and agrees to let Merry rest at his cabin--for one night. 

Rob is not much a conversationalist, living alone in the Highlands for the last two years. But there is a reason for his voluntary solitude. Despite his efforts to avoid Merry while she is at his cabin, Merry is just as determined to make the man talk. Merry makes Rob nervous and he starts to feel things that he thought were long buried...dark desires that he is determined to never see the light of day. 

What started out to be only one night turns into several as these two strangers struggle with several emotions--awkwardness, attraction, shame, acceptance, and a slow building trust that leads to a revelation of deeper feelings. 

Cara exposes both Merry's and Rob's fears and secrets over time and with a rawness that left me breathless. And I couldn't help but root for them as they learned some pretty tough lessons of life in order to find the happiness they rightfully deserved. 

SEXY SNIPPETS ~ UNBOUND BY CARA MCKENNA

Tuesdays have never been so sexy!

Sexy Snippets is a weekly feature hosted by Reading Between the Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in just grab the button, post a sexy paragraph or two from your current read and share the author & title so other participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like. Then add your post to the linky over at RBtW's blog so everyone can follow along. Have a sexy good time!

My Sexy Snippet comes from a upcoming release...it is an ARC and therefore, the final book may be different from this snippet that I am posting. Expected release date is October 15, 2013. You can read Cara McKenna's After Hours now....it's a fantastic, dark, gritty read that I also enjoyed. 

She twisted the tails around her wrist until her fist was butted against his chest, the rope digging at both of them. With that hand she told him, Right there, keep that up, and with the other, she touched herself.
His cock was hot and hard and thick, so perfectly male and aggressive. But his eyes were full of surrender, his every breath a plea. So much, all tied up in one man. Under her fingertips, her clit was slick, the rope a dry burn in her fist. The orgasm was pain and pleasure, layer upon layer upon layer. She felt each and every one. 



This book is raw, dark, and honest. Loved it from start to finish. Cannot wait to read more from this talented lady. 

Now it's your turn to show me your sexy! 

BOOK REVIEW ~ AFTER HOURS BY CARA MCKENNA

Title: After Hours

Author: Cara McKenna

Release Date:  April 16, 2013

Reviewer purchased own copy of ebook.

 A dangerous infatuation with a rough and ready man…

Erin Coffey has been a nurse for years, but nothing’s prepared her for the physical and emotional demands of her new position. Needing to move closer to her dysfunctional family, she takes a dangerous job at Larkhaven Psychiatric Hospital, where she quickly learns that she needs protection—and she meets the strong, over-confident coworker who’s more than willing to provide it.

Kelly Robak is the type of guy that Erin has sworn she’d never get involved with. She’s seen firsthand, via her mess of a sister, what chaos guys like him can bring into a woman’s life. But she finds herself drawn to him anyway, even when he shows up at her door, not eager to take no for an answer.

What Erin finds even more shocking than Kelly’s indecent proposal is how much she enjoys submitting to his every command. But he can’t play the tough guy indefinitely. If they want to have more than just an affair, both will have to open up and reveal what they truly need.

Book Review 

As an avid reader of romance, I tend to have a favorite type of hero--the military man, the bad boy rocker, the Dom who oozes such charm and sex appeal your knees knock together and whimper. Just to name a few, lol.

But I love it when the author throws you a curve ball, so to speak. And the hero is something you didn't see coming. 

Kelly Robak is that type of hero. 

If fact, in After Hours, the reader is immersed in a unique setting that you typically don't see in the plethora of romantic fiction. At least I don't. 

Erin Coffee takes a job at Larkhaven--a psychiatric hospital--not really knowing what to expect. But the job pays well, offers housing that is close to her baby sister, Amber. Both women experienced a troubled childhood, with Erin taking the role as "mother", since their own mother didn't do such a hot job. And now, Erin cannot give up her Mama Bear tendencies. Amber is a single mother, raising a three year old son, attracted to a dead-beat dad whose priorities center around his next beer--a total loser. 

Erin refuses to become like her mother and her sister. She has seen first hand the havoc and devastation of what letting a man take over your life can do. She has built walls around her heart and has such a fierce independence, with a need to solve everyone's problems. 

Kelly Robak is one of the orderlies that work at Larkhaven. And at first glance, Erin knows that she should steer clear of him. He has Mr. Wrong written all over him, with his dark looks and tatts. But Erin's body cannot lie--she is totally attracted to Kelly. And she is determined to fight it every step of the way. 

Trouble is, Kelly is persistent, funny, and Erin starts to like him. 

And when Kelly voices their mutual attraction, Erin decides to dive in...with conditions. 

Kelly has his own conditions. He wants to dominate her, own her body, for two full days, and she must obey. 

The sex is mind-bending, explosive, and highly-combustible. But Erin sees a gentler side of Kelly. One that rarely peeks out, but she wants to know him. The real him. 

These two lovers share great sex--but what happens after the orgasms? That is where the meat of the story is and it is written with  just as much passion. I loved watching these two fiercely independent people struggle with theirs pasts and learn to give a little of themselves in the process of losing their hearts. 

Here are a few favorite moments of After Hours: 

"There's four things a real man has to be able to do for a woman."

"Exactly how many man-lists do you have?"

He let my wrist go and ticked the items off on his fingers."Fix her car. Grill her a steak. Kick the ass of any guy who makes her cry. And fuck her so hard she wakes up half-crippled."

I absolutely LURVED the way Cara describes Kelly in this next line. I put it in bold print so you wouldn't miss it, lol. 

His pale irises had grown as dark as his intentions, lids heavy. I felt my lips part in invitation, but the look he gave wasn't one that sought permission. 

He zipped his jeans. "A man needs meat, sleep, and pussy, to keep from going insane. Not always in that order." My jaw dropped. I yanked the covers up to my neck and glared at him. "You spoiled my view."I glared harder, and Kelly sighed. "Don't give me that look, like we ever said this was anything more than exactly what it was.""Don't you flatter yourself into believing that's why I'm annoyed. But you're just going to lump me in with a steak and a nap and expect me not to be insulted?" 

"Don't look at me like that," I warned him, the beer making me bold."Look at you how?""Like I'm wearing edible underwear, and there's a place card name in my panties with your name on it."

My mouth could deny my interest in Kelly all day long, but my pussy didn't lie. He felt like more than a single person. Two hands, a hard body, a mean voice. A one-man orgy. I'd leave here limping, just as he'd promise. 

Last one,swear...I seriously have like yellow highlighter all over my kindle.....

And I was hooked on Kelly, instantly. His smell was as right as his voice, as hot as his body. It hit me like a shot of liquor, and all I wanted was to get wasted.  

 Okay, I lied....LAST one...made me pee myself.

"Jeez, you could've been Kelly Mahoney?" Cue the fiddle music. 
"I know. Man could shit shamrocks with a name like that.

I think you can see why I so thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. If you like your hero with kinky tendencies, and a bit darker around the edges with a gooey center, you'll love After Hours.