Samanthe Beck

Hard Compromise is a count your blessings story. A reminder that not everyone has it easy materially or emotionally. Ms. Beck told a tale of strength with a sensual vulnerability that is not found in many romances. Sassy and sexy Laurie is a tough girl with an uninhibited personality but her exterior hides painful insecurities that have haunted her since childhood. I don't get angry often but Laurie's mother had me seeing red. Neglectful, hateful, manipulative and mean spirited user are show more polite ways of describing a person like her, but I have a ton of less polite ones. The contrast in upbringing, social class and outside forces may have proved a stumbling block for Laurie but Ethan was made of stronger stock. He saw her worth even if she didn't and that's the greater gift of all. Having someone lift you up in the darkest moments. Keep tissues handy. show less

Clean sheets? Check. Condoms? Check. Five chapters carefully flagged in her fully illustrated copy of The Wild Woman’s Guide to Sex: Tactics Guaranteed to Bring a Man to His Knees? Check.

When an obsessed hopeless romantic and a redeemable bad boy work out a sex deal, it places them in an unexpected position in more ways than one.

Dr. Ellie Swann is back in her hometown of Bluelick, Kentucky, with her own private practice and an obligation to an uncaring and ill father. She doesn’t have show more friends in Bluelick because of her shy awkwardness as a kid, but she’s back with a mission. A mission to seduce the handsome and available Roger Reynolds, a local attorney from a good family. However, rumor has it he’s pretty experimental in bed and her experience is minimal at best. How can she get the experience needed? Enter Tyler Longfoot, local bad boy who has a bullet in his butt and a secret to keep. And so the deal begins…keep quiet about the shooting incident for sex lessons. What could go wrong?

I had so many LOL moments reading this book. Ellie seemingly quiet academic upbringing is a ruse with her dominatrix tendencies while Tyler is blindsided by a smart beautiful woman he wants to get to know, but she only thinks of him as a sex tutor. Tyler’s sexy smiles, patient instructions, and resistance to Ellie’s sex manual lessons are so funny and so delicious. And Ellie’s sole focus on the book’s instructions by being thwarted by the yummy Tyler, is priceless. Tyler’s uncomfortable car ride with Ellie’s reckless driving is hilarious and the whole Slap and Tickle store scene is memorable. As you guessed, the training sessions go very well.

On a serious note, Ellie and Tyler’s vulnerabilities and feelings of unworthiness are ingrained in them. They have both had tough upbringings with unfeeling and physically abusive (in Tyler’s case) fathers. There is a challenge with Ellie’s father, but thanks to Tyler’s well-put ultimatum to her dad, things start to get better. And how did the whole thing with Roger pan out? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. Ultimately, this crazy couple who are made for each other, fall in love, jump into bed, and live HEA…but certainly not in that order.

My favorite supporting characters are Junior, Tyler’s loyal best friend and the one who shot him in the butt (again, read the book), and Melody, Roger’s ex, Ellie’s new office manager and friendly confidant who has a bit of fun on the side herself.

I highly recommend this delightful romantic comedy for those who believe in love, redemption, and the power of research. show less

This night was one super-hot scorcher to remember. Unfortunately, it was not just for the impulsive one nightery of mindless passion with hot as sin Ethan Booker. On top of the internal glow, she was melting at the fact that the one thing in the world she worked so hard for was taken away from her in one night. Burned to the ground. Now Ethan, might I say again, sexy as sin Sheriff has a proposal for her that she may just want to take him up on.

I had a good time reading this one. I was all show more ready for a sexy, sinfully delicious sheriff. Oh yes, I got that. Then I also got Laurie. These two have waited a long time to act on feeling, desires, impulses. Whatever you want to call them. To have someone else want to step in a make a mess of it all. It was sweet, sassy, sexy, and just plain delightful.

There was enough of the read to get enjoyment, not feel confused, have questions answered, and get a good feel for both Ethan and Laurie. What’s next in the Compromise Me series? show less

Light Her Fire is the second book in Beck’s Private Pleasures series. I didn’t think the sequel could top my love for Private Practice, but never have I been so happy to be wrong. Beck brings back the heat hotter than ever, adds in an intriguing arsonist on the lam in Bluelick, and made me fall head over damp panties with one delicious Chief Josh Bradley, a man who doesn’t just put out the fires in the small town of Bluelick. . . he’s the culprit of many, especially the ones starring show more good girl Melody Merrick and her newly found naughty side.

One of my favorite things about Samanthe Beck is that I can tell she has a funny sense of humor. She has so far succeeded in showing that wicked sense of humor in each of her books. I enjoy my sexy romances with a nice sized dollop of laugh out loud moments, and I can always trust Beck to deliver.

Josh Bradley is the new fire Chief in Bluelick, but he doesn’t plan on sticking around for long. His dream is to head a fire department with a little more excitement than hooligans leaving flaming turds on a grouchy old man’s porch. Things get a little more exciting than he plans when he realizes the small time fires that keep cropping up around town are anything but accidents.

From his small, yet memorable part in Private Practice, I knew I would like Josh’s character, and not just because he was naked, okay not only because he was naked, but because I knew he would be a fun, kinky character, so I was excited to read his story. Chief Bradley definitely delivers in Light Her Fire. He’s a foul mouthed city boy who could give a lady an orgasm just by talking dirty to her. He’s not the romantic type, but the way he use his tongue appears to be romance enough for Melody. . . and for me too! If only he weren’t a fictional character. *sigh*

Not only was Bradley’s character fun, I enjoyed Melody’s as well. After her ten year relationship with her ex-fiance goes down the toilet, she’s ready to shed her good girl image and go after what she wants. . . a casual good time with Bluelick’s newest fire chief. She finds a wicked good time, but is casual enough for her? Not if Chief Bradley’s sexy moves have anything to say about it.

It’s interesting to note that even though Melody was the head cheerleader in a small town, she was a nice one. She isn’t the cliché queen bitch that most characters turn out to be in these small town reads. I’m glad the author went a different way for Melody (and the whole small town, really), because I couldn’t see her as anybody but nice girl with a big heart, and dirty fun in the sack. It’s a nice take on an overused cliche, and I loved it! I’m a huge fan of small town romances, and Bluelick has made my list of favorites.

I had a fun time in this town. Once again, Bluelick and its people has made it’s way into my heart. I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes out for more from Samanthe Beck. I recommend this series for all my contemporary romance friends – It will not disappoint!

❤ - I received this book for free from Night Owl Reviews in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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