Book Review – His To Keep

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Beauty and the Brit series, Book Review, His to Keep, Terri Austin

His to Keep

Beauty and the Brit series

by Terri Austin

Iain wasn’t just rough around the edges—he was uncivilized, despite all the elegant trappings and expensive suits. And Brynn wanted more of it. She wanted Iain in full-on barbarian mode.

She wanted to be taken.

Filthy rich British bad boy Iain Chapman made a name for himself as a ruthless businessman, but if he can secure an investment from Vegas powerhouse Trevor Blake, Iain could take his business to the next level. Solution? Hire beautifully timid corporate trainer—and Trevor’s sister-in-law—Brynn Campbell and seduce his way to success.

Brynn’s everything Iain is not: kind, delicate, decent. But she’s also got a taste for something a little beastly, and it doesn’t take long for Iain to break through her every inhibition. Brynn was supposed to be his pawn, but as Iain gets closer to his goal, he begins to realize he’s not ready to let her go, not now, not ever—even if it costs him everything.

Let me start by saying this is definitely a sizzling read.  Iain knows his way around a woman’s body and Austin makes sure you know it too so you need to be OK with that bedroom door being wide open, showcasing his every dominant moment.  It’s hot and sexy but won’t be for everyone.

Outside of the bedroom, the story showcases the growth of Iain and Brynn – both individually and as a couple.  Iain is ruthless and doesn’t really spend a lot of time thinking of others, having no issue using people to get what he needs.  And that includes Brynn.  But it doesn’t take long for her to get under his skin, making him change how he treats people.  As for Brynn, she has issues saying no and domineering, arrogant Iain threatens her safe, comfortable world.  But the more time she spends with him, the more of his take charge attitude rubs off on her and she starts to stand up for herself.   I really like how these two help each other, changing and working their way closer to something in the middle for both of them.

Of course the biggest issue is the fact that Iain started their relationship to get to her brother-in-law and it wouldn’t be a romance if that didn’t get out at the wrong time, causing trouble.  I don’t usually like romances that are based on lies but Austin does a good job of having all of it – the way it happens and the aftermath – fit with their personalities.  It’s not pretty but it definitely works and I appreciate that while Iain put everything in motion he decided pretty early on to not go through with it but he didn’t know how to fix it.  And once it all goes upside down, I have to appreciate his attempt to set it to rights and win Brynn back.  It’s not for everyone – some aren’t going to like the way that Iain uses her (it is kinda old school romance, but that doesn’t stop it from being enjoyable) and others aren’t going to like the steamy sex scenes – but if you give it a go you are going to get a hot, enjoyable read with growth, heartache, and a fun HEA ending.

(This is the 3^rd book in this series and while there were little things that I didn’t totally understand about Brynn’s siblings it didn’t impact anything – this one can definitely stand on its own)

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Guest Post – His to Keep

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Book Review, His to Keep, Katee Robert, Out of Uniform series

Katee Robert’s now shares with us one of her favorite (and mine!) romance novel locales – small towns.  We also get a look at her new book, His to Keep, which is set in a small town (of course) and meet her sexy hero, Aaron … I had the chance to read this book early so I can definitely vouch for his sexiness, make sure you check out my review below too!

*****

The great thing about romance is that it can take place at a variety of locales. You want to read about love on the seven seas? How two people find each other in medieval England? Or even in the future, with the stars as a backdrop? There are romances that encompass all that and more.

But for me, my favorite romance novels take place in small towns. The capacity for shenanigans that all-time high when you’re talking about a small group of people who are in each other’s businesses, and have probably seen the hero and heroine grow from small children to be the adults they are now. You get a certain element of history that you can’t find anywhere else.

When everyone knows everyone, it makes the path to fall in love all that much more interesting.

Maybe this hero and heroines were childhood playmates who grew up in each other’s backyards. Or maybe the heroine is new in town, and this hero has been there all along. Or, like in HIS TO KEEP, maybe the hero has had his eye on heroine for years and was waiting to make a move until now.

Whatever the setup, when you bring in the flavor of small-town life, things are bound to get interesting.

That’s the main reason why I chose to set my Out of Uniform series in the fictional small town of Wellingford. Whether the characters are new, or have been in town entire lives, they’ll frequent the same establishments, run into the same meddling old folks, and find the love they never knew they wanted.

In HIS TO KEEP, Marceline and Aaron have known each other for years, but life has always been in the way of their being together. She wanted him ever since she was 17 years old, and he’s wanted her just as long. The problem was always the timing or the current circumstances. But now they finally have a chance, and the town supports this by the plan wholeheartedly.

What about you? What is your favorite kind of setting when you’re reading romance?

*****

His to Keep

by Katee Robert

Blurb:

He’s always wanted her. Now’s his chance to claim what’s his.

School teacher Marceline Bellini gave up everything—men, sex, anything resembling a social life—to raise her young daughter. To be the perfect parent. But when she attends an engagement party in her standard stick-in-the-mud mode, her friends begin plying Marceline with shots. Just enough to convince her that a little fun doesn’t sound like a bad idea… and having some naughty fun is an even better one.

Like finding herself deliciously pressed against a dark alley wall by the very familiar and über-hot bod of her best friend’s older brother.

After years of waiting in painful silence, cop Aaron Robinson finally has Marceline’s attention. And man, does he have it. But nothing could have prepared either of them for the rush of fiery lust between them. So he’ll just have to convince Marceline he’s for real. And that a rainy, lust-fuelled romp is the first step to a lifetime of completely imperfect happiness…

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*****

Author Info:

Katee Robert learned to tell stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her favorites then were the rather epic adventures of The Three Bears, but at age twelve she discovered romance novels and never looked back.

Though she dabbled in writing, life got in the way—as it often does—and she spent a few years traveling, living in both Philadelphia and Germany. In between traveling and raising her two wee ones, she had the crazy idea that she’d like to write a book and try to get published.

Her first novel was an epic fantasy that, God willing, will never see the light of day. From there, she dabbled in YA and horror, before finally finding speculative romance. Because, really, who wouldn’t want to write entire books about the smoking-hot relationships between two people?

She now spends her time—when not lost in Far Reach worlds—playing imaginary games with her wee ones, writing, ogling men, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

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*****

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554333/

*****

Review:

Once again I was pleased by a novella that managed to give readers a complete story in under a hundred pages.   I didn’t feel like I was missing anything and, even though it is part of a series, I didn’t feel like I was lost at any point (which is always nice).  I always appreciate a story that has realistic characters, with believable story lines, and that doesn’t fill up a lot of pages with too much angst.  Here we get a compact, but well-developed, story with characters that have their issues, work it out and find a way to be happy together.

Marcy is a little burned by her ex and the responsibilities she feels that being a mom carries.   Aaron has that little sister’s friend thing going on but once he lets that go, he is all The Sexy you could want.  I love that he actually put thought and care into his courtship.  And it is obvious from the beginning that he has feelings for her (that, of course, he’s been fighting like any good hero does).  Even with the smaller number of pages, Robert does a fantastic job of creating fleshed out characters with believable wants, needs and motivations.

His To Keep is a fun little read but since it’s a Brazen book it does get steamy so be prepared.  Marcy and Aaron’s path to a HEA is both sweet and hot and will make you smile and sigh and laugh … and turn up your A/C.

*****

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