Reviewed by Buffie Johnson
Release Date:  October 6, 2009
Publisher: Penguin
Rating:   4.75

Trace Coleman has felt the joy of being on top of his sport – competitive bull riding.  Unfortunately, just as like the last bull threw him to the ground, Trace’s career has fallen into the dirt.  Battered and scarred from his last tango with a bull, Trace has left the sport he loves and is currently the manager of the local marina on Pine Hollow Lake.   Content to be out of the spotlight and the prying eyes of the fans, Trace has settled into his quiet country life only to have his world set on its end when Dakota Dunn, the owner of the marina, comes blowing into town.

Teen pop princess Dakota Dunn has outgrown her teen image. With her songs missing the charts entirely, her management team has advised her to “sex up” her image and think about country music.  Leaving the glitz and glamour of Hollywood behind, Dakota heads to her family cabin on Pine Hollow Lake in the hills of Tennessee.  Praying the seclusion of her Southern hometown can help Dakota find her new image and figure out just who Dakota Dunn really is.   Maybe, just maybe one tall, strapping, and scarred cowboy can help her.

From the very first scene in the book, I was hooked.  Dakota finds herself in a dusty, dirty old cabin.  As she walks through the front door, she is greeted by the film of a spider’s web.   Scared to death of creepy crawlers of any kind, Dakota quickly swipes away the web and then just as quickly wonders where the spider is now located.   Totally freaked out to find the big, black spider on her back, Dakota frantically pulls off her shirt and screams at the top of her lungs.  This is how Trace first meets Dakota, and thus the journey to love begins.  What a funny and touching journey it is!

Dakota and Trace are two people who have been the best in their respective fields and who have felt the blow of fate when their careers have coming crashing down around them.   I found it intriguing that both characters lacked a certain amount of self confidence in one aspect of their lives even though both of them had been the best of their fields at one point.   But when you find someone to love you unconditionally and you see their confidence in you, your own self confidence grows by leaps and bounds.   This is what happens with Dakota, but more so with Trace.  Trace is a man who wants to be needed without being asked, as you can tell by this quote from the book.

“When was the last time someone needed him? God, how he wanted to be valued, to be desired, and to be missed when he was gone.  When his bull riding days ended so abruptly, it was as if his personal stock plummeted and he became worthless.  And although Trace loved the sport and missed the glory, he wanted to be respected for more than his ability to ride a bucking bull for the required eight seconds.”

LuAnn McLane is a master at creating sensitive love stories while intertwining humorous threads throughout her novels.  I literally found myself laughing on one page and sighing on the next page.   Ms. McLane is a puppet master who plucks my strings with every chapter and every little detail.  I really enjoyed the chapter titles at the beginning of each chapter – such as Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Slip Slidin’ Away, and In the Still of the Night.  These small, seeming insignificant titles added to my overall pleasure of reading this novel.

I have heard LuAnn McLane’s novels described as Southern fried romance, and I would have to agree.   Her novels bring to mind a yummy, country fair funnel cake.   Sweet, sinful, and utterly satisfying!

I highly recommend this novel for one and all.  It is a great pleasure read that will have you smiling throughout and leave with a satisfied sigh.

Now, let me introduce you to Rhys Uhlich.  Rhys is a native Australian and a surfer dude.  Last year, Rhys won the Australian reality show contest Make Me A Supermodel.  Earlier this year, he named as a finalist in the 22nd Annual Cleo Bachelor of the Year Award.  When asked during an interview to describe himself in just three words, Rhys responded with “relaxed, humble, and good-humored.”   But prior to becoming a reality show contestant and subsequent winner, the now 27 year old Rhys was an elementary physical education school teacher in Australia.   Can you imagine having HIM has your P.E. teacher?   Sheesh, none of my P.E. teachers ever looked like that!!

So this month my question to you is this . . . do you remember a hot teacher from your school days?  If so, tell me about him.

When I learned the reviewers here at Romance Novel TV would be doing a week-long blog series on our favorite heroines, my thoughts immediately turned to the author who lured me into the romance novel world almost 15 years ago.   None other than Julie Garwood.    Now my dilemma was which one of her heroines do I pick?   I was torn between a couple of Ms. Garwood’s heroines, but Christina Bennett from The Lion’s Lady won out.

Christina Bennett was a toddler when her English mother was killed in the wilds of the Black Hills of America while trying to escape her malicious husband.   At the time of Christina’s mother’s death, a Native American Indian woman and her son were living with them.   So it was only nature that Merry, the Native American Indian woman, took Christina to raise as her child.  Merry and her Dakota Indian husband, Black Wolf, raised Christina to be strong, sensible, and a bit stubborn, all of which she needed when she returned to the English shores to avenge her mother’s death.   With white blond hair and clear blue eyes, Christina did not resemble the dark hair and eyes of the Dakota people.   But when the tribe’s shaman revealed to the tribe the vision he received from the Great Spirit, all members of the tribe embrace the little child – the lioness of their community.

Alexander Michael Phillips, the Marquess of Lyonwood, has tried marriage and it failed miserably.   His wife Lettie betrayed him with his own bother, and then died while trying to deliver their love child.   Alexander (Lyon to all of his friends) has become bored with society and all of its activities.  While escorting his younger sister to yet another boring society party, Lyon is blown away by the attraction he feels for the new lady on the scene.  Introduced to English society as Princess Christina, Lyon is intrigued by her gorgeous features.  Upon Lyon’s introduction to Christina, he is amused and curious by her vague answers to his questions.   Lyon cannot believe his feelings for Christina as he vowed he would never marry, let alone love, again.    Christina’s reaction to Lyon is one of disbelief.    Never in her dreams did she think she would find a warrior among the “white men” of England.   Raised to believe in destiny and vowed to find a man who was a warrior as proud and arrogant as her father, Christina realizes that Lyon is her warrior.

At the end of Chapter 1, Julie Garwood tells a few traits Christina has received from her Dakota family:

From her father, Christina was give courage, and determination to finish any task, to conquer any difficulty.  She learned to wield a knife and ride a horse as well as any brave – better, in fact, than most.

From her mother, Christina was given the gift of compassion, understanding, and a sense of justice towards friends and enemies alike.

Christina’s straightforwardness is so refreshing.   At times it actually had me laughing out loud as I pictured the scene.   At one point in the story, Christina and Lyon are saying their goodbyes at the front door, when Christina tells Lyon she has one more question for him.    Lyon smiles down at her, amused by the faint blush that is covering her face, and then is shocked to death when she asks “Will you marry me Lyon?  Just for a little while.”  As he stares at her dumbfounded, Christina tells him to think about it and to let her know and then proceeds to shut the door in his face.   I must have had a grin on my face for five minutes after reading that scene.

Another example of Christina’s straight-to-the-point talking comes after Lyon and her share a passionate evening together.  Christina tells him “And now you must give me the soft words, Lyon.”   Confused by this, Lyon asks what she means and is told he must tell her what is in his heart.  When Lyon admits to loving her, Christina is quick to tell him “But I already know you love me.   Now you must praise me, Lyon.  It’s the way it’s done.  You must tell me I’m as beautiful as a flower in the spring, as soft and delicate as a flower’s petal.  And why is that amusing to you?  A woman must feel as desirable after loving as before, Lyon.”  Lyon finally realizes what Christina needs.  He pulls her into his arms and tells her all the soft words she desires.

There are so many reasons why I chose Christina as one of my favorite heroines.  She is strong.   She is a woman who is not frightened easily.  She demands what she wants.  She tells it like it is.   She shows her affection and attraction to Lyon freely.   She is a woman that I could be friends with.

Even though this novel was written 21 years ago, the characters still ring true today.   A strong, confident heroine.   A sexy, arrogant hero.   A cast of quirky secondary characters.   A murder mystery.  A beautiful love story.   All of these ingredients blend well to create one of Julie Garwood’s master pieces.

If you have not read The Lion’s Lady before or if it has been years since you last read it, I challenge you to read it and enjoy the strong, sensible, and stubborn heroine of Christina.

Reviewed by Buffie Johnson
Rating:  4.25 stars
Publisher:  Grand Central
Release Date:  July 2009

I am a romance reader who loves debut novels.  I think the reason I enjoy debuts so much is because of the possibility of finding a new author to follow.  As you all know, medievals are my first loves in the romance novel world, so when I had the chance to read Margaret Mallory’s debut novel, I grabbed the book with both hands.

On the eve of her wedding to a man she neither likes nor admires, Lady Mary Catherine sneaks into the stables to saddle up her horse and enjoy her last hour as a free woman.  But what Catherine does not expect to find is a shadow lurking in the stables.  Confronted by a stranger, Catherine does what every 16 year old girl in the 1400s would do . .  . pulls a blade on the stranger and threatens his life.  Amused by the young girl’s response to him, the young knight tells Catherine that he will ride along with her to insure her safety.   Catherine reluctantly agrees and the two share a memorable, yet innocent, few hours together.

Five years have passed since her wedding day and Catherine cannot believe she has survived the torturous abuse of her husband, Lord Rayburn.  But if her husband finds out she is the one who alerted the King of her husband’s involvement with the Welsh rebels and the movements of the rebel forces before the King’s men can capture him for treason, Lady Catherine may not face another sunrise.  Summoned to the gate of her castle, Catherine is nervous to find several of the King’s men waiting.  Upon receiving the news that her abusive husband was caught and killed, Catherine drops to her knees and cries her praises to God.   But her jubilant celebration is quickly squashed as she is told the King has given her now dead husband’s title and all his property to the man who defeated her husband in battle that very day, Sir William FitzAlan.  By the King’s edict, Catherine has two choices.  Marry Sir FitzAlan or be taken from her home and her son and placed in the Tower.

Sir William FitzAlan is one of the King’s men.  He is a knight with no home, no family (that he likes anyway), and no land.  He is an honest man among the throngs of dishonest ones.  After dispensing with a traitor to the crown, William is awarded Ross Castle and all of its land.  Being a man who hates to see women punished, William agrees to marry the Lady of Ross Castle without seeing her first.  As Catherine stands at the gate while Father Whitefield explains the King’s messages to her, William is shocked to silence when he discovers Catherine is the young woman he spent an innocent evening with several years ago.  The woman he could never get out of his head or his heart.  And now she is to be his wife.

Catherine and William have a long road ahead of them.   Both must learn to trust the other with their heart and their body.   William yearns to show Catherine the pleasures of the marriage bed, but must do so with a gentle hand as her experience with her mentally and physically abusive spouse has scarred her in more than one way.   Catherine wants William to trust her above anyone else, even though he has burned by women in the past.  Trust is a hard thing to earn as it doesn’t come quickly or easily.

This is a fabulous debut novel.  Margaret Mallory does a masterful job of focusing on the relationship of the hero and heroine while still having an underlying theme of treason, intrigue, and secrets which are woven intricately throughout the novel but yet never overpowering the love story.   Mallory also does a wonderful job of writing the mothering feelings of Catherine.  She is spot on with the descriptions of a mother’s love and the thoughts of a mother.   Several times I found myself shaking my head in agreement with the words on the page.

I am very happy to learn that Margaret Mallory is writing two more books in the All The King’s Men series.  I can’t wait to read about the secondary characters from this book as many of them will make excellent heroes of their own stories.  So if you like medievals and are ready to try a new author, then this is just the book for you!

Reviewed by Buffie Johnson
Publisher:  Pocket
Release Date:  May 26, 2009
Rating:  5 Stars

After years of watching her father battle depression over the loss of her mother, who died while giving birth to her, Princess Arian claims she will never love anyone as deeply as her father loved her mother, thus she will not have to suffer the loss and depression her father has for years. Arian is set to marry Jarl Magnus of Norway. While she is anxiously waiting to say her vows, it is revealed that Magnus has sent a proxy groom, his nephew Sir Dag, to the ceremony as Magnus is dealing with political strife in his region.  Arian is adamant to all involved that she will not recite her vows to any other man, only Magnus.  Being a strong, persuasive woman, Arian convinces everyone that she will travel with Sir Dag and a contingency of men to Yorkshire to greet her groom and say her vows to him.   During the journey to Yorkshire, a fall from her horse leaves Arian caked in mud.  She finds a secluded pond to wash the mud from her body. As she is finishing her bath, Sir Dag arrives alone with nothing but lecherous thoughts in his head and his heart. He roughly handles Arian, who can barely keep herself covered with a piece of cloth, and tries to take the one thing she can give to her soon-to-be husband – her virginity.  But Arian is no milksop gal, she fights back with all her might and gains freedom for a few desperate seconds.  As she runs into the surrounding forest, naked as the day her beloved mother brought her into this world, she never expected to run smack into the broad bare chest of a seasoned warrior.

Stefen de Valrey is the bastard son of the Comte d’Evenaux, heir to the de Lyon holdings, right arm of the Duke, and the richest man in the realm.  But Stefen’s family is not with the Comte d’Evenaux, instead his family rests in the brothers of survival – the Blood Sword brothers.  He is a scarred warrior who loves the sensation of battle.  Even so, Stefen is looking forward to day he can breed horses as he believes horses are more loyal to their master than women.  After losing the battle of Hereford, weary and injured Stefen finds himself alone in the forest, while his brothers have been taken hostage.   He awakens to a siren’s laughter and finds himself fascinated by the sight of a beautiful woman bathing in a clear pond.  Stefen’s enjoyment is short-lived when a scoundrel of a man tries to rape the young woman at hand.  The next thing Stefen knows he is holding a naked woman in his arms while a Viking is bent on attack.  Thrust into battle again, Stefen’s warrior mind immediately takes over, protecting the young woman while quickly dispatching the heathen to hell. When Stefen realizes the young woman at hand is Princess Arian, he kidnaps her for his own use – a bartering tool to gain his brothers’ freedom.  Every warrior should know to expect the unexpected, but somehow Stefen forgets this when it comes to a woman who is battling for his heart.

Here is just a glimpse of Stefen’s reaction to Arian.

“Aye, she was a most exotic bird amongst the simple sparrows of England.  As he dampened fresh linens in the bucket of cool water he brought in with him, Stephen could not help a smile.  If she knew how he looked upon her now, those silver eyes of her would turn molten in outrage.  He liked that part of her.  She was no ninny crying at the first sign of danger.  He wagered if properly trained she would be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.”

And here is one of Arian’s impressions of Stefen.

“She looked up at him, and as physically close as they had been up to this day, she saw him for the first time.  A proud man with nothing but his horse and sword.  If it were not for the ragged scar that was barely healing along his face, he would be most handsome.  His tick blood-bay-colored hair hung just to his shoulders, and the way it softly waved away from his face gave him a predator look.  The shadow of a beard stubbled his jaw line.  His eyes were a brilliant lapis, his nose strong and defined, as were his stubborn chin and cheekbones.  She swallowed hard.  There was nothing soft about this man.

This book is intriguing, enchanting, and utterly enthralling.  I really can’t think of any other superlatives to describe just how much I enjoyed this book.  Karin Tabke does a wonderful job of not only capturing the essence of battle and political strategy in the time of King William, but she masters the slow, intricate building of tension between Arian and Stefen.  As a reader, you actually feel the craving (yes, the book was appropriately named!) of these two individuals wanting to be with one another but because of duty and loyalty they fight to restrain their emotions and desires. This particular scene will show you a tiny glimpse of their yearning.

“You evoke wanton thoughts from the very depths of me, Stefan.  I yearn for something with you I will never have with my husband.  But I will not shame my father, nor myself, nor Magnus.  I cannot give you what we both so desperately want.”

He moved closer, slowly, in long, sure strides.  “I asked you here, in private, to tell you not to show yourself to me again.  Do not come near me, Arian, until it is time to travel to Yorkshire, for I cannot promise you I will not take from you what we both so desperately want you to freely give me.”

Master of Craving is the third installment in the Blood Sword Legacy series.  While it could be read as a stand alone, I would highly recommend reading this series in order.  The back story of the Blood Sword brothers is essential to understanding the workings of the minds of these men.  Once you read the first one, you won’t want to stop.   If you love a story with a strong, strapping man losing himself in the love of a woman, than this one is just for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and Karin Tabke has left me craving for more!

Gabe Kincaid is a man who has been thinking of his death for the last couple of years, ever since his beloved wife and little girl were killed by an automobile accident by a drunk driver.  Besides his drinking binges, the only comfort he finds from his misery is teasing his tenant about her organic, green ways. In fact, he has given Cassandra the nickname “Froot Loop”. Gabe realizes Cassandra has the potential to get under his skin, in a good way, but knows his rotten black heart will never love another person like he loved his wife and little girl. But little by little, just like knitting a sweater, Cassandra weaves her love around the brokenness of Gabe’s lonely heart.

The relationship between Cassandra and Gabe has been slowly building since the first book in this trilogy.  Christie Ridgway does a fabulous job of forming the relationship between these two characters a little at time and I couldn’t wait to read this book to see what would happen between them. These two characters have been dancing around each other for some time and when they finally come together, the magic they create and share is just beautiful. Cassandra’s loving ways slowing penetrate Gabe’s dried up heart and begin to fill it with hope.  Though Gabe tries his best to fight against Cassandra’s love, when he finally realizes his future is with her the sweetness of his love rises from the pages and fills the reader’s heart with joy. It has been a while since a book has brought me to tears, but ending of this one sure did. Here is a quick glance at the scene that was so beautiful to me:

“Will you be my future, Cassandra?  Will you be my friend, my wife, the mother of my children?  Will you be my family?”

Emotion ripped through her.  Did she need to answer?  He knew what it would be because he knew her so well.  Be my family.  The man was always listening.

Dirty Sexy Knitting is the final installment in the Malibu & Ewe trilogy.  I would highly recommend reading the first two books in this series (How to Knit a Wild Bikini and Unravel Me) before reading Dirty Sexy Knitting. The history of relationships revealed in the first two books is valuable while reading this one. So if you are in the mood for a wonderful read, don’t just pick up this book .. . . get the entire series and find yourself immersed in the joys of knitting and love!

Charles, thank you so much for joining us today.  I am sure all the ladies are very excited to learn more about you.  First, I must say that I have truly enjoyed getting to know you over the past couple of weeks.   You are a very sweet man with a great sense of humor.   I think your nickname for me has taken hold – Sweet N Low.  LOL!    Now, on to the interview.
Buffie:   Tell us how you became aware of the Mr. Romance contest.

Charles:  Well, I owe all of this to Annette Batista. None of it would be possible without her. She saw my model portfolio on ModelMayhem.com and always believed I had a look for romance covers. The beginning of this year was very hard for me. I couldn’t get out of bed. Days went by without me eating. It was a very low point of my life. She called me and said “Get up, your coming to Tampa. I need you for a project.” And that is when I came to Tampa and shot the centerfold advertisement for the RT Review Magazine. After the shoot was finished, Annette, Patty (the model in the ad) and myself drove to Orlando to meet with some of the organizers of the show to discuss things. I was sitting there listening to them talking about this event and I liked it. It sounded really cool. They invited me to come and I got sponsored by Betweenyoursheets.com. The rest is history.

Buffie:  How did it feel to win Mr. Romance?

Charles:  It truly is an honor to win. I cannot describe the feeling I had when I heard my name announced not once, but twice in the same night. The cover model is awesome, but I also hold the Readers Choice Award in the same level. Making so many people happy and making such a great impression with all those wonderful people is something that I can’t explain.

Buffie:  Have you been surprised at the response you are already receiving from the romance community?

Charles:  It’s definitely a new world to me. Everybody has been really nice to me and I’m going with the flow. The community is awesome. I’m very happy and proud to be part of the “Family”.

Buffie:  Have you ever read a romance novel?

Charles:  I will be very honest. I read more magazines than novels. I was very ignorant to this book world. I didn’t know the difference between a paranormal thriller and a western romance mystery. HAHAHA, but during the week, I would take the time to ask people (authors and readers) what these categories were and explain them to me. I feel one of the best things I got from this convention was the knowledge about books and the different types that they have to offer.

Buffie:  I assume you have been in the modeling business for a little while. Please tell us how you got your start.

Charles:  Well, I did a body building competition back in November 2007. I had a friend at the gym ask me if I got my pictures taken. She said I was in the best shape of my life and needed to document it. She then introduced me to Model Mayhem. I did another show in July 2008 and after that, I had one shoot, which led to another shoot, which led to, well, you get the picture.

Buffie:  Before you started body building, what was your profession?

Charles:  I never thought I would be a model or body builder. I used to work at a pizza place in high school. I even worked at Wal-Mart in my early 20s. I loved the photo lab when I was there.   After Wally World, I worked a few warehouse jobs and ended up at a machine shop doing plastic and fiberglass fabrication. I moved to Jersey but couldn’t make it out there.   When I came home, the old job couldn’t afford to hire me back due to the economy. I’m doing temp agency work now and struggling, but its building my character and making me stronger.

Buffie:  What is one thing we would be surprised to learn about you?

Charles:  There is only one woman who truly has my heart, and that is my niece “Baby Girl”

Buffie:  Can you tell us what kind of uncle you are to her?

Charles:  Baby Girl is my world.  She looks up to me a lot and listens when I tell her stuff.  Her parents even say that she listens to me more than she does them.  I remember times when she would be crying at night and I would come over and make everything better.  I think that’s what makes me so special.  Whenever anything is wrong, Uncle Charles will make it alright :~)

Buffie:   So I guess that means you are not currently in a relationship?

Charles:  Nope. And I still claim single on my taxes. Hahaha.  A lot of people are surprised when I tell them I don’t have a girlfriend.

Buffie:  What is the most romantic thing someone has done for you?

Charles:  One time, this amazing girl took me to the arts theater in San Francisco. It’s a nice outdoor area. Night time. She pulls out her Ipod and tells me “just listen to this song, it reminds me of you”.  She put it on, grabbed my hand, and we slowly danced under the stars. I’m usually the one who does these sort of things. It was nice having it done to me. I was weak in the knees after that moment

Buffie:  What is the most romantic thing you have done for someone else?

Charles:  Oh man, where do I begin? HAHAHA!  There was this one Christmas. The girl I was with at the time got 12 days of Christmas. Each day I would have something delivered to her job. On the last day, I showed up with a necklace from Tiffany’s. It wasn’t the gifts that mattered, it was the thought and time and actual heart that I put into this which made it romantic.

Buffie:   So when you are not modeling, what do you like to do in your spare time?  What’s your hobby?

Charles:  I’d say working out is my favorite hobby.  I am getting more and more into photography so that is also something I enjoy doing.  I love capturing moments in peoples’ lives, especially the happy ones.

Buffie:   Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

Charles:  5 years? hmmm…… I would like to see myself happy and healthy.  I really can’t be specific, but those two things sound about right.

Now it’s time for the speed quick round. These questions only required short and sweet answers.

Last movie you saw?   Kingdom Of Heaven

Last book you read?   It was a magazine, Mens Health

What couldn’t you survive without – your cell phone or your laptop?   Cell phone. Mine has a built in computer

Favorite snack food?  Peanut M&Ms

Favorite vacation spot?  Marina Dunes in California

Blondes, brunettes, or redheads?  I don’t discriminate. I love all women equally. HAHAHA!  I am a sucker for a Latina though.

Charles, thank you so much for joining us today.  I really appreciate the time you have given to me for this interview.  May your career be long, fruitful, and very satisfying.

From all the research I did on Nathan Fillion, I have come to the conclusion that this man is a genuinely nice guy. He was born in Edmonton Canada in March 1971, and has appeared in many television shows and movies.Not only does he portray an author on the show Castle, but he is the co-founder of the non-profit organization Kids Need to Read.   This organization was created to help inspire imagination in children and to foster a love a reading for kids by providing books to under funded libraries. A man who loves books . . . someone after our own hearts!

So ladies my question for you this month is . . . good looks aside, have you ever fallen for a television or movie character?   If so, who was it?

Shadoe Grayson, a rookie agent with the Department of Justice, just accepted her first undercover assignment, which is to locate the DEA agent who is tipping off a Columbian cartel on when the Department is conducting a sting operation.   Shadoe’s assignment is fairly easy – pose as a headlining stripper at the Wild Rose Club in New Orleans and identify the rogue agent.  Shadoe is a woman who is always proving herself to everyone.  First there was her father, a military man who wanted sons to carry on the tradition, but much to his chagrin had a daughter.  Then it was all the cadets and leaders at the academy who felt since Shadoe was a woman she was somehow inferior to the men.  And now she has to prove herself to the guys in the Wild Riders, the secret government organization she will be working with during her assignment.   When will men learn that she is capable of handling herself and that she is more than capable of handling them too?

Spencer “Spence” King can barely contain his disbelief when his boss General Grange Lee introduces him to Shadoe Grayson, the DOJ agent who will be posing as a headlining stripper for Wild Riders sting operation.  There is no way this slip of a woman can remotely go undercover as a stripper.  She is wearing a dark, baggy pant suit with her hair pulled tightly into a bun.  This chick looks more like a strict school teacher than a stripper!  Spence knows a thing or twenty about strippers.  As a bad boy biker in the Wild Riders, he has dated more than his fair share of women in that particular occupation.  But when Spence questions Shadoe’s moves on the stage, Shadoe proves herself once again by giving Spence one unforgettable private strip show and lap dance, which leaves Spence panting for more.

The relationship between Shadoe and Spence begins with occupational arrogance and competitive nature and quickly leads to physical attraction.  When the relationship blooms into an emotional attraction as well, it becomes difficult for both of them, but especially Spence, to admit to these new feelings.  Even though both Shadoe and Spence grew up in homes where even a glimpse of love was never shown, they are able to feel their way through the emotions of love.

Riding on Instinct is the first book by Jaci Burton I have had the pleasure of reading.  But I must say it will not be my last!  Ms. Burton can definitely write steamy sex scenes.  Holy smokes, this book is scorching hot!  This book is the third installment in Ms. Burton’s Wild Riders series.  I am now searching for the first two books in the series.  I am intrigued by the group of bad boys that comprise the Wild Riders, and am looking forward to reading more about these men.  So if you are looking for a steamy hot book with some suspense elements, I say go full throttle and buy Riding on Instinct.

Spending her entire life on a country farm, Jolie Russell is a total tomboy.  She loves getting down and dirty on the farm, whether it is fishing, working in the barn, or riding in her old pickup truck.  Jolie and her widowed father are use to struggling in a down home country way.  But all that changes the day Cody Dean knocks on their door.  Cody Dean is the oldest son of predominant local family and has recently taken over running daddy’s high end development company.  Cody offers the Russell family an offer they cannot refuse . . . millions of dollars for their farm property and a home in the upscale community Cody Dean plans to build on the farm land.  Cody is not only a man from a rich family, but he is also Jolie’s high school crush.

A year later, Jolie and her father Wyatt find themselves living in a gated, country-club community much to the dismay of the neighbors and the homeowners association.  After an embarrassing incident which involved Jolie in cutoff jeans, her dog, a neighbor’s backyard anniversary celebration, and a large cake, Jolie wonders if she will ever fit in with these rich people.  Jolie finds a worthy ally in Brett Dean, the younger brother of Cody Dean and the son that turned his head on his family’s money and made his own way by becoming a high school teacher and coach.  Brett convinces Jolie to take etiquette classes from another teacher and attend the town’s charity ball.  Jolie is still strongly attracted to Cody and hopes this “make over” will help catch his eye.  In the meantime, Cody becomes jealous of the time Brett is spending with Jolie and decides he can help Jolie too.  Cody can’t help but be attracted to the pretty, down home Jolie.   She is able to slow his life down and help him to enjoy the little pleasures in life.  As the relationship between Cody and Jolie blossoms, Jolie comes to realize that she will never truly fit in with the rich, country-club neighbors.  She wants to stay true to herself and her country roots.  But will Cody choose a girl who would rather wear cowboy boots than designer high heels?

LuAnn McLane has once again created a wonderful story.  She effortlessly throws in a touch of stereotype and reveals to the reader there is so much more.   A redneck girl can be a pretty and classy gal without the prejudice of money.  Classic McLane humor is throughout the book.  In fact, there were several scenes where I was laughing out loud.  One in particular had me crying from laughing so hard.  I could barely get through reading the scene to my husband without laughing every other word. This is one the of things I love most about LuAnn McLane books . . . I am able to escape from my everyday woes and find myself immersed in a world of love and laughter.  I am already looking forward to LuAnn’s next book.  If you are looking for a great feel-good book, I recommend you find Redneck Cinderella quick!