Must-read romances: 'Loving Lucas,' 'Take the Fall,' 'Wanted'
Loving Lucas by Violetta Rand
When a fearless knight in shining armor graces the pages of a novel, we most often think of a historical romance, and this is especially true when our heroine is in need of rescuing. However, protective knights (sans armor) do appear in contemporary romances, and the charismatic Lucas Lafontaine proves his mettle when he rescues the sweet and vulnerable Karlie Augustine from the clutches of her verbally and physically abusive boyfriend, Connor.
Karlie is a 21-year-old college student who, due to a tough upbringing, struggles with self-esteem and insecurity issues, and being in a relationship with a cruel and controlling man hasn't helped her confidence. Karlie loves motorcycle road racing and Connor is heavily involved in the sport. They are spending the weekend at the track when he pushes the envelope too far and she decides it's time to leave the creep. Claiming freedom from Connor results in violence, and when Lucas (also a motorcycle enthusiast) steps in and protects her, he opens the door to a new life for Karlie. The chemistry between Lucas and Karlie is electric, and hey, the fact he is a tall, handsome Texan who happens to be a cop enhances his appeal.
Violetta Rand progresses Lucas and Karlie's relationship quickly, but like the title of their story infers, this hero is easy to love, and trust. The author gives us plenty to chew on, Connor keeps turning up like a bad rash, Lucas has a neurotic and manipulative ex-wife and further muddying the waters is a twist involving Karlie's background. My one small quibble is that Lucas owns a beautiful home and expensive motorcycles, amongst other toys, and I questioned how he could manage all these expenditures plus commitments from his first marriage on a cop's salary. He certainly does live very well.
Memorable secondary characters include Karlie's spirited best friend and her boyfriend, and Charles, a college ladies' man who has a thing for our heroine. If it's ever written, I would love to read Charles' story.
Loving Lucas is written in a dual first-person point of view. The lead characters' voices are distinct, and the author gives excellent insight into what makes them tick. This one is a sensitive, endearing and hot erotic romance, and despite a busy reading schedule, I couldn't resist reading it a second time. I did fall in love with Lucas — he deserves his own fan club. ;)
Take the Fall by Marquita Valentine
Fast and furious street racing ends in disaster when a major fight erupts between the lead competitors. A man is shot and teenage Rowan watches helplessly as Seth, her first and only love, and her brother Jase are arrested and end up behind bars. Jase faces a long prison sentence, and Seth is forced to join the Marines to reduce his prison term. Seth is angry and bitter for a variety of reasons, and he rejects Rowan's love and devotion. It's a heart-rending scene when Seth says a final goodbye.
Seven years have passed when the death of his beloved grandmother brings Seth back home. He hopes to reconcile with Rowan, but the tables have turned: She is now the angry and bitter one.
He looks older and harder than in the pictures he'd mailed Miss Myrtle. The man in the pictures smiled and sometimes posed with a dog in his lap, all the while wearing a uniform and a gun strapped to his thigh. Other times, he would be playfully serious, with his battle buddy and brothers as he called them in his letters to her. But the man standing across from me looks ready to destroy anyone in his path.
Including me.
His years in the military have, of course, toughened and matured Seth. He's earned the respect of his colleagues and superiors and is considered an asset to his unit. Seth's love for Rowan has never waned, he wants her back, but he hurt her deeply and has lost her trust. Rowan has erected a fortress around her heart that seems impenetrable, and if groveling were an Olympic sport, Seth would win gold. Take the Fall has hot erotic scenes, but the sex is not gratuitous. The intimacy Rowan and Seth share seems natural due to the amazing chemistry that blazes between them. This hero won my heart, and there were times when I became very frustrated with Rowan. However, the author tells Rowan and Seth's story from a dual first-person POV, and excellent insight is given into why this heroine has such difficulty forgiving Seth and allowing our hero back into her life.
A subplot involving Rowan's sexy bad-boy brother Jase and her best friend, Piper, adds interest and humor to the storyline. If you like "a boy from the wrong side of the tracks falls for an innocent girl from wealth and privilege" theme, then Jase and Piper's story, When We Fall, book two in Marquita Valentine's Take the Fall series. is one to look forward to.
Take the Fall is a sensual, heartwarming lovers-reunited story. I rooted for Seth to win back his girl, and Marquita Valentine delivers a satisfying, emotional HEA for her lead characters.
Wanted by Dee Tenorio
Thanks to the hard work of Deputy Sheriff Rick Trelane and his good friend and newly minted Sheriff Cade Evigan, the violent outlaw motorcycle club Wheels of Pain has been purged from small town Marketta, California. The members of Wheels of Pain terrorized the town's population, and the emotional wounds caused by the club haven't healed. The town remains shrouded in dark secrets, and Whitney Peterson's are darker than most.
Rick and Whitney grew up in Marketta and have been the closest of friends for as long as he can remember. He believes she was in a relationship with Brody, one of the town's more sinister occupants who had been on the Wheels of Pain's payroll. When Brody is found murdered, Rick discovers he couldn't have been more wrong regarding Whitney's involvement with Brody as she is relieved he is dead.
I really liked Whitney. She is a strong-willed, passionate woman who feels deeply and is very private. Rick is sure Brody did something horrific to Whitney, but she refuses to discuss what happened. Unfortunately, Brody's murder is just the beginning. It's as if the lid on Pandora's Box has opened, and as the body count increases, Whitney's shocking secrets come spilling out, rocking Rick to his core. Unfortunately, as the carnage escalates, the evidence leads investigators to Whitney's door, but Rick knows in his bones she is incapable of murder … or is she?
Even though Whitney's life is spinning out of control, romance blooms. Whitney has loved and wanted Rick forever, and what I also liked is that she makes the first move and seduces him. These two blaze a trail to his bedroom. ;)
Dee Tenorio wields words to maximum effect. The plot moves at warp speed with numerous twists and startling revelations. It's not all murder and mayhem. Witty dialogue peppered with Whitney's sarcasm lightens the darkness and violence. Tenorio provides subtle clues as to who the murderer is, which serves to enhance rather than diminish the impact of this raw, gritty and captivating romantic suspense.
Wanted is the second book in Dee Tenorio's Deadly Secrets series, and while directly connected to Convicted (Cade and Katrina's story), it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Lea Franczak cannot remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. She's read and enjoyed multiple genres but is especially partial to contemporary and erotic romance, dark gritty romantic suspense, paranormal romance and has recently become a New Adult junkie. Lea has been blogging and reviewing since 2008 and is also HEA's Tweeter Extraordinaire. Follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).