Lexxie Couper

This review is for Nobody’s Hero , author Laura Trentham’s entry in Rescued : A Collection of Contemporary Romances with Heart, Heat and Dog Treats.

Nobody’s Hero is just what you would expect from talented author Laura Trentham: an intriguing plot populated with sweet, sexy characters (whether they realize it or not) that you can’t help but love, a story that draws you in and makes you feel warm and comfy. And add in a dog? It’s a winner.

Clayton is a good guy. Not just a good guy, show more a capable, considerate, romantic, and oh-so-handsome-it-makes-you-swoon good guy, who has a big soft spot for stray dogs. Some bad choices and bad breaks have him on the fringe of Cottonbloom’s accepted society, trying to ease the suspicion so many have of him. His soft spot suddenly extends to women who are beautiful but shy, introverted, and repeatedly undervalue themselves with self-doubt. Namely Maggie. Turns out Maggie has had a secret thing for Clayton for a while now. Also turns out that Maggie has another secret – she’s a successful romance author. She doesn’t really want either of those secrets to get out, but when she and Clayton come together to care for that stray dog, sparks fly, secrets and feelings are revealed, and we’re well on our way to that HEA we love so much.

Author Trentham packs a lot into this novella. The characters are well-drawn and have depth, and the plot moves along at a brisk, fun pace, filled with humor, sweetness and heat. Trentham’s stories always make you feel warm and satisfied and Nobody’s Hero is no exception. Thanks to the author for an advance copy in exchange for my reading pleasure and honest review. I loved it and look forward to reading the rest of the stories in what promises to be a delightful collection of dog tales. All opinions are my own. show less

Originally reviewed at http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-nix-release-day-review-with...

OK, I’ll admit that whenever Lexxie Couper writes a new book, it goes on the wish list. She writes fabulously smutty books without slacking on the plotlines. This one may be the hottest one yet with the entire thing making me need a cold shower!

Aslin was introduced to us as Nick’s bodyguard in Love’s Rhythm and I’m pretty sure I begged for his book in that review. A hot, show more ex-military man who happens to be a Brit?? I see James Bond immediately J (Daniel Craig of course). He didn’t disappoint in this one but in his book we get to examine the Alpha edge that makes him a mean and sexy bastard. When he sets his sights on Rowan, he pursues her like a predator when it scents a weakness in his prey. He knows she wants him, exploits the fact and manages to charm his way into her knickers.

Once he is there though, he of course realises that the feelings that she elicits in him are much more than lust. I fricking loved that he was attracted to her strength. It made perfect sense to me that he would like the fact that she could take care of herself; that he could take of her because he wanted to and not because she needed him to. I loved that he never shied away from what she could do and that he understood her well enough never to undermine that strength infront of people that she didn’t know well enough (the hot brother didn’t count!). I. Fricking. Adored. Aslin. Even more than Nick and I NEVER thought that was possible. He was just so ....swoon!

“He shifted beneath her, an inch at a time, determined not to wake her. It took patience, stealth and muscle control, but Aslin didn’t care. He not only didn’t want to wake her, he wanted to be certain he didn’t hurt her.”

Rowen was a typical Lexxie Couper heroine. Strong, independent and fiercely loyal to those she called her own, there was a fragile streak a mile long that she kept very well hidden. She had something that I adore in my heroines; complete sexual inhibition. They skipped up a few bases on the back of a motorcycle, had sex against a door, sex in a bed....... I’m not sure there was anywhere they didn’t! She was completely OK with her lust for him and did everything in her power to make it completely pleasurable for the both of them. I adore all aspects of her character but together they were fricking dynamite.

The suspense plot was very well written. I fell for every red herring that was planted and didn’t figure out the culprit until the end....well played Ms Couper! I loved the side characters that were introduced to us... perhaps the next book may be Levi, the sexy backup bodyguard *bats eyelashes*

If you like your romance with a healthy dollop of heat, this is one to try. With characters that made me smile, sex scenes that made me need an ice bath and a twisty plot that kept me hooked, there is no way that I could ever dream of giving it anything less than a full five stars. show less

As with any collection like this, the stories in Banged are a bit of a mixed bag. Standouts include:

Three Nights with a Rock Star - compelling characters and mysterious pasts made this story more than just sex. Definitely interested in reading more in this world.

Dirty - I loved how much backstory this snippet gave, completely whetting my appetite for more. I cannot wait to delve deeper into the Horus group and discover all their secrets.

Less successful would include The Rock Star's Secret show more Baby, which just did not grab my attention. I didn't feel interested in this adventure story at all.

Readers looking for new series' to fall in love with will definitely find it here. A fun and HOT compilation. show less

Journalist extraordinaire McKenzie Wood is excited to be dragging along her best friend to the opening of the plush new Bandicoot Cove Resort. Relaxing with your best mate is always fun, and it’s even better when he happens to be a six foot something hottie like Aidan Rogers. Aidan has been in love with Mac ever since she kicked a soccer ball at his groin in school; everyone else knows, but she seems to be clueless! However, with the gorgeous location and the decadence of the hotel, she show more soon starts noticing that her friend has turned into a very good-looking man. Before she can really start to pick apart her change of feelings for the hunky fireman, she notices notorious rock star Nick Blackthorne is also guest at the resort. The man is sin in jeans and happens to be currently at the centre of media wide speculation about his apparent sex addiction. The journalist in her just won’t let allow her to let him go without a chance of an interview. Nick Blackthorne is recovering from a personal tragedy at the relaxing new resort and the last thing he needs is a pushy journalist invading his space. The music has been absent for a while, but the creative juices start to flow when he sees the gorgeous strawberry blonde with her fabulous looking companion. If he can get notes from just watching them stand in a room together, what will come if he sees them during at their most intimate? Will the three of them end up making sweet music together? (I couldn’t resist...I’m sorry :D) And when everyone’s cards are on the table, will it be everything that Aiden hoped it could be?

Ah,I’m conflicted about this book! Mac was a fab; I really did like her devil may care attitude and fun spirit! Her complete oblivion to the feelings of Aidan was understandable really; who wants to believe something like that and risk screwing up the relationship with your best friend? Aidan is amazing. I mean like swing-tastic amazing. He’s caring, sexy and a FREAKING FIREMAN. He can’t help his feelings, but he’s happy to sit in the shadows and love Mac from afar rather than risk destroying what they have. It takes a shove from the interfering Kylie, and a scare at work, to encourage him to finally spill the beans. He is the perfect man and I would have lost a little bit of good cheer towards her if she turned him down. He encourages her good attributes and tries to stop her self-destructive tendencies. I like the way he looks out for her, he physically stops her from annoying Nick, because he knows that Kylie will never forgive her. I think it was because I loved his character that I have a slight issue with this book. His love for her is so pure that I just couldn’t bear to see Nick involved in their fledgling relationship.

Nick Blackthorne is quite a man...I’m so happy to hear he gets his own book! He is the ultimate tortured rock star. He hears the music when he sees the way that Aidan looks at Mac and he can’t bear the thought of it going away, so he tries his luck and asks for a threesome. My issue is that their first few times should have been those two alone; Nick shouldn’t have been there for round two. Yes, I could choose to look at him as either a sex toy or as the catalyst that leads to them realising their feelings towards each other, and he is both of those things, but I think I just felt a little cheated for Aidan (which is odd, as he certainly doesn’t complain!). I think it’s a testament to how well these characters are written that I could feel so peeved on an imaginary mans behalf  I also felt a little broken after I heard Nick’s story...I wasn’t sure I wanted him to be just a plot device to get these two together as he deserved so much more. I think it’s guaranteed I’m buying his story! I don’t mind that I didn’t agree with the characters decisions; I enjoyed the story all the more for the conflicted emotions :D

The sex scenes, oh wow the sex scenes They are hot...I fell in love with Aiden a little more with just how generous and appreciative a lover he was. I think Nick Blackthorne made Lexxie Couper's job easier as the man certainly liked to vocalise all that was going on in graphic detail...*fans*. There is a scene with a glass dildo that will forever spring to mind when I think of this book :D At no point did I not enjoy the sex scenes; it was clear that all participants wanted to be there. But, when morning comes, will everyone be as happy as they were in the heat of the moment?

A very sexy little tale that drew me in and made me care. With broken musicians and sexy fireman, it was bound to be a winner in my eyes, but that didn’t make me want to slap them any less when they jumped at a chance that could cost them everything. show less