ARC Review: Hold 'Em by Katie Porter

4.5 Feathers
Hold 'Em

by Katie Porter

(Vegas Top Guns # 3)

This is the one series I've been recommending to everyone this year when they want something good and hot to read, or even the one I keep reminding people to hurry up and get on to the next one.  I don't think I can say it enough, both ladies that make up Katie Porter are extremely talented and they have certainly turned up the heat on erotic romance masterfully.  It's classy, not overdone, extremely sensual and never lacking. Blows me away everytime and HOLD 'EM will leave you

Throughout the series we've been reading about Leah "The Princess".  She's a tough chick in a man's world.  A woman pilot and very successful at her job, who has let the pressures of what her life entail take her on a self destructive path.  It was nice to see that in this book she was able to face her alcohol abuse head on and do what's right for herself.  Just one more thing that shows how strong she is.

And speaking of strong, I'll be honest here.  I was not expecting Leah to end up being the dominant in this relationship and where I normally can take or leave these types of scenarios, Leah and Michael blew me away.

Lets not leave Michael "Strap Happy".  He is totally adorable, funny and cute.  He is a take charge, alpha male with a little secret.  And if you thought by Strap Happy that meant he likes to tie women up, then you're wrong.  Nothing turns this guy on more than to submit to a a strong woman.  One that can raise her voice just so to issue a command he can't refuse.

I've come to expect Katie Porter's books to push my comfort limits on what I would normally find that I enjoy reading about.  And not only push them, but make me like them.  They truly submit my likes to their whims.  I enjoyed every single moment of the relationship between Leah and Michael, in and out of the bedroom.  They are both very strong characters and they compliment each other so well.

Their love story was different than the previous ones.  I feel that there was a deeper connection between the characters, more romantic even. There's the second chance at love for these two since they had a short fling when they were still very young.  Love those types of stories.  Still there was plenty of humor and great banter between the hero and heroine, as well as with the rest of the cast who makes an appearance.

I don't think these two were able to top the awesomesauce that is Jon Carlisle for me, because that man is a sex god, but it was a very close attempt!  I can't wait to see what else Katie Porter has to offer.

PS:  Have an extra pair of underwear handy, you will need it ;)

Favorite quotes:

"Give me permission to move so I can fuck you the way you want.  The way your body needs.  Hard and fast."

"Harpy-hood is one of my many talents."

"As long as you’re there, I always know where I am. Safe."

*ARC provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Inside Bet by Katie Porter

Inside Bet

by Katie Porter

(Vegas Top Guns # 2)

If you don't read any further into my review just know this:  If you are not reading Katie Porter you are missing out on some seriously hot books!  I thought after finishing DOUBLE DOWN that this series had started out on a really high note with a lot of originality and that it would be hard to keep up with that note.  Which is why I went into reading INSIDE BET without expecting much of it.  And boy was I wrong!

INSIDE BET had me from page one.  I started this and couldn't put it down, literally.  The story is great, the characters are even better and the sex?  Well...lets just say that this book will leave you reaching for a vibrator or your significant other...at the very least will have you biting down on your knuckles and needing a cigarette afterwards.  And note that I don't even smoke.

I think anytime you can make a hero as delicious as Jon Carlisle you already won half the battle.  If you like the rich and powerful type, he's your guy; if you like military men, he's your type.  If you have a thing for a man in a three piece suit, yep that's him.  But he's also the guy in really nice jeans and a white tshirt with a jacket and sunglasses, or the extremely sexy guy in a military uniform.  In case you need further explanation, Jon Carlisle is panty-melting hot!  And he's not afraid to get a bit rough and dominant.  Where has he been my whole life?

Of course the lucky girl that catches his eye, Heather Morris, is not so bad herself.  She's smart, she's got her issues with her past but that doesn't immediately stop her from being with Jon.  Their dares and extremely hot sex couldn't have happened if she hadn't been there to push the envelope.  Together, these two are explosive!

Then there's also the friendship in Jon's group and the issues with Leah coming to a breaking point.  I really can't wait to read the next book and finally find out what her story is and why she is so self-destructive.

*ARC provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

ARC Review: Double Down by Katie Porter

4.5 Feathers

Double Down

by Katie Porter

(Vegas Top Guns # 1)

Oh.My.God! This is one hot little story.  Of course I have a thing for a man in uniform and an honest to God Air Force pilot can push my buttons.  Add to that that he may have a kinky side and I'm all for it.  But Ryan Haverty (aka "Fang") is not kinky in the way you are thinking.  There's no tie me up and spank me in this book (well, there is but in a completely different context).  This story is about role playing.

Ryan has always had fantasies of being with women and dressing them up.  He's wanted the schoolgirl, the french maid, you get the picture.  He also thinks he is a sick fuck for wanting that everytime he thinks of sex because of a bad experience with his ex.  Now, I don't see the immediate problem with his likes or his way of thinking.  What I did see a problem with and why this isn't a 5 star book was Ryan's disgust for his own wants.  Constantly.  That's all he thought about and talked about.  How sick in the head he was for wanting to have sex with a girl while she was on her knees with pigtails and a sexy skirt.  I say.... whatever floats your boat, get over it already.  He was getting annoying at times with that.

That being said, this is one hot book.  What starts out as a one night stand between Major Ryan Haverty from the Air Force and Cassandra Whitman, a waitress from Las Vegas, slowly turns into something else, something more.  They are truly a perfect fit.  She is just daring and carefree and funny enough to draw Ryan out and make him forget about his rules and live the life he wants.

I loved this quote:

"Fucked in a sex shop? Been there, done that. Bought the naughty Goth costume souvenir."

Even though this book might seem like a fantasy after another (you may want to take notes for future reference, just staying) it also developed the characters and their connection.  They both had issues to overcome although Ryan's issue just made me want to punch his face.

I am so excited to read about the rest of the Vegas Top Guns.  I see from the blurbs that Jon and Leah are not going to end up together.  =( I was rooting for that!  But I can see how their friendship and dynamic could work better with separate love interests.  I'm excited to read about them, so bring on "Tin Tin".

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble