Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Delta Heat #1

Five Ways 'til Sunday

Rate this book
Sometimes a man’s just gotta call for backup…

Delta Heat, Book 1

Marti Kowalski is all wrong for Officer Jackson Teague—he just won’t listen to reason. She didn’t finish high school, runs a bar. Has a tattoo and a blue streak in her hair. Yet he still wants to marry her? She can’t say she’s not tempted, but she’s got a bucket list to complete before she ties the knot.

Not just any bucket—more like a fifty-five-gallon drum of sexual wishes so explicit, there’s no way one man, even Jackson, can fulfill them all.

When Marti turns him down again, Jackson insists on knowing why. That’s when she shows him her list. He takes it, thinks about it—and calls on the only men he can trust: four buddies from his academy graduating class.

Between the five of them, he’s sure they can come up with a plan to check off every item on her list in one wild, wicked weekend. That is, if she has the nerve to follow through—and if he can bear to share her.



Product Warnings
Contains five men on a mission to break down the resistance of one determined woman, using everything in their arsenal from BDSM accoutrements to roleplay of non-consensual situations.

105 pages, ebook

First published November 22, 2011

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Delilah Devlin

367 books1,184 followers
Delilah Devlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive westerns that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” www.DelilahDevlin.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
243 (26%)
4 stars
286 (30%)
3 stars
261 (28%)
2 stars
103 (11%)
1 star
38 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Auntee.
1,281 reviews1,381 followers
November 29, 2011
Welllll...this is certainly a little scorcher! The book blurb spells out the plot (what little of it there is) quite nicely, but I'll summerize and add my two cents.

Marti Kowalski is a bar owner with a bit of a wild, impulsive streak. She has an arm filled with tattoos, a blue streak in her hair, and is prone to picking up and moving wherever her desires and impulses take her. For the past months she's been dating a local cop, superstudly (as are all the cops in this book) Jackson Teague. Jackson and Marti are oh-so-compatible sexually speaking--these two seem to be going at it all the time, even when both are on the job. Nothing is off limits with these two. Jackson wants to marry Marti--she's the one for him, but Marti is hesitant to say yes. She loves Jackson, but is afraid she's not good enough for him (the girl has issues dating back to her childhood, and also has doubts about her wanderlust, her appearance and her lack of education--which btw, the author starts with saying that Marti never finished high school, but later has her as a college grad--huh??). To try to scare Jackson off from his insistence of marriage, she devises a "bucket list" of sexual adventures that she wants to try before she'll ever think about getting married. Jackson reads the list, but knows what Marti's up to. He's not going to let her wild sexual fantasies scare him off, but he's going to need some help making them come true...

Jackson...
Photobucket

Yowza. If you can check your disbelief at the door (really, are all cops that studly, single, and willing to go along with whatever their friend wants them to do?)(and by the same token, how many guys would be willing to share the woman they want to marry with not one, but four other guys?) you may find this story deliciously steamy. Of course, I am one of those readers who likes to escape in my reads, so I tried not to let these pesky thoughts enter my mind.:) This book gave a whole new meaning to the words "dirty cop"--lots of explicit, dirty talk, lots of dirty deeds between the H/h and between Jackson's cop buddies and Marti

Oh yeah, there was also a minor subplot about a guy robbing the local businesses (would Marti's bar be next?) but this was so minor a plot it was almost non-existent. This story was all about how far Jackson would go to prove to Marti that they were meant to be together, and how her fantasies (whether real or bogus) were not going to drive them apart. And I must say, it lived up to its title.:)

Since this is the first in a series, I'm assuming that Jackson's buddies will all eventually get their own stories. The two that intrigued me the most were Mondo (Mr. BDSM) and Gus (Mr. Big, as in overly endowed). I'm curious to see what Ms. Devlin will do with these big bad cops. If you like your heroes on the hot and dirty side, and your heroines lusty and uninhibited, then this is the book for you! 4 1/2 stars

Warning: This book contains explicit sex (both oral and anal); graphic language; m/f/m menage; use of a sex toy; a bit of flogging; and a dp scene. Not for the faint of heart!
Profile Image for Laz the Sailor.
1,478 reviews75 followers
August 7, 2012
Do you have a fantasy wish list? I really enjoy these stories, where fantasies can be explored eagerly and safely. It's a simple plot tool, and this story uses it effectively. The sex is hot, and the dialog is just snarky enough to balance the intensity.
Profile Image for Sandy M.
669 reviews34 followers
February 11, 2012
I haven’t had such a dilemma like this with a book in quite a while. I like the characters. I like the story. Then I didn’t care for the story. Then I’d like it again, but I’d hit another snag several pages later. Mostly, I just don’t see this hero allowing such things to happen, even if his BFFs are involved.

Jackson and Marti have a very active sex life – adventurous, sexy, and fun. In fact, the opening scene is quite fun, role playing behind Marti’s locked office door. I enjoyed that a lot. Jackson is one of those men who can win a woman over every which way, so when Marti keeps rejecting his love for her and his proposals of marriage, he tells her he’ll do anything to make her feel comfortable saying yes.

For Marti, it’s more that she’s not up to his standards – no education, tattoos, blue-streaked hair, piercings, and she manages a bar for heaven’s sake. Officer Jackson Teague deserves more than that. Of course, as far as he’s concerned, it’s all in her mind. He loves all of things about her. But when Marti fudges and tells him she has a bucket list of things to try before she marries, Jackson calls her bluff and demands to see her list.

At first he’s a little taken aback at what he reads, but with the help of his five best friends on the force with him, Jackson is determined to show Marti she has no reason to fear commitment from either one of them. So they set up the situations she wants to experience – a hooker working a street corner, making love in a cop car, and other such scenarios, each a tad more erotic than the last. And while these scenes are very erotic, ménages five ways and then some to help Marti give Jackson the answer he wants, this is where my problem with all of it comes about.

These buddies may be Jackson’s best friends, two of them since high school, but a man who loves a woman as much as Jackson loves Marti (and as much as she loves him but just won’t admit it yet), I just can’t see him letting any man put his hands and mouth on her and his cock inside her. Jackson even at one point says no penetration, but the next thing you know, all kinds of penetration are going on. And when Marti discovers Jackson sees beyond her reason for concocting the list in the first place, all of the shenanigans should have ended, but it’s Jackson himself who insists they’re nowhere near done with her yearnings. Yes, in the end Marti wakes up after her fantasies are realized; the men are still best friends despite their wild and wicked weekend, so all’s well that ends well. The journey getting there just doesn’t work for me as well as it does for them. I do love the depiction of Jackson on this cover, though. Whew-boy, just like he’s described in the book.

Despite all of this, however, I like these characters, including Jackson’s buds. They’re fun and likeable, and since this is the first book in the Delta Heat series, we’re going to see more of them in the future. It will be interesting to see what Ms. Devlin does with them all.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
Profile Image for Elaine.
258 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2012
I REALLY enjoyed this hot book! Between the like-able characters, funny dialogue and observations, and panty melting sex scenes, I'll be reading the 2nd in the series soon!

The story is far-fetched, but Hey, if we all wanted "real life" reads, we wouldn't be reading erotic romance. Marti, who runs a bar, turns down Jackson, her loving and sheet scorching boyfriend cop's offer of marriage. In a defensive move, she creates a sexual "bucket list" of sorts, to dissuade him from marriage. It includes all sorts of naughty fantasy types of action and Jackson calls her bluff, arranging for his cop buddies to help him fulfill her fantasy list.

Marti did not expect this cooperation and is mortified and overwhelmed. I am surprised that my Kindle didn't go up in flames from the yummy and fun loving studs and their delicious moves.

They are cops, so there is a back story of a robber in the 'hood. No bother to me, that they didn't solve the crime at the end of the book, it is a series after all.

I appreciated the thoughtful discussions regarding Marti's insecurities and the impact the loss of her mother had on her present-day. Despite the far-fetched premise of the book, there was a sweet realism to Jackson and I truly loved his character for his unconditional love of Marti. His sweetness even brought a tear to my eye!

One little inconsistency: in the blurb describing the book, it says that Marti never finished high school. Later though, in a conversation between Jackson and Marti, they talk about her college years. Not that it matters much, but that is something that should have been caught in editing.
Profile Image for Heather in FL.
2,022 reviews
March 5, 2013
This one was OK. I thought Jackson and Marti were cute. I wanted to smack Marti though. Seriously? He's been banging you for a while, but you don't think you're good enough to marry? Whatever. But hey, your "bluff" list made for an interesting time. Not sure about the whole "sharing with your brothers" thing, but if it works for Jackson, I guess that's all that matters. Definitely better than strangers!

The secondary story of the neighborhood thief probably could have been left out... it wasn't super compelling, though it gave Jackson a reason to freak out at the end. Just not sure it was needed. Even with it, there wasn't a whole lot of plot to this besides proving to Marti that Jackson is in it for the long haul, regardless of what she tries to throw in his path.

Anyway, it was enjoyable, just not a favorite. And strangely, besides the times it was Marti and Jackson alone, not all that steamy for me either. Shouldn't more participants make it hotter? Maybe it was just how it all came together, so to speak.
Profile Image for Dianne.
1,557 reviews116 followers
July 24, 2013
Romantic? Not so much.

Marti Kowalski has a list of sexual scenarios she want to play out before she gets married. So her boyfriend whores out his buddies to her because he feels he can't fulfill Marti's dreams all by himself.

I suppose this is a good fantasy, but I don't think that it translated very well to the written format. I generally like books that combine more than one male with a female, but this was beyond even my fertile imagination. Too bad since Delilah usually writes such good erotica. This was not erotic, sensual,romantic or even sexy.
Profile Image for Cyn Mistress Kitty.
1,514 reviews164 followers
November 24, 2011
I really liked this start to a new series. Jackson and Marti were good together and the sex scenes were HOT. It also doesn't hurt to have cops as the hero's. Yummy.
Of all the other men, Mondo and Gus intrigue me the most.
Profile Image for Jennifer Lovins.
901 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2019
Steamy

Quick hot read. Martiand Jackson have been in an intense sexual relationship. Jackson proposed to Marti,but she sad no. She tells him she can’t until she does everything on a bucket list. He has her write out for him. Can he let happen everything on that list? Will she change her mind and say yes. Dive in and find out.
Profile Image for Carole-Ann.
2,653 reviews73 followers
November 28, 2022
Silly story about Marti having a bucket-list of things...
Jackson, a Memphis cop wants to marry her, but because she has "things to do" he calls in favours from his friends... Craig, Beau, Gus, and Mondo...
[Although this is an 'old' book, you could likely define it as Reverse Harem stuff]
Not bad; just slightly (!) unbelievable situations... :)
3,451 reviews4 followers
March 29, 2020
Okay read

Short and lots of sex so if that offends you don’t read. Characters. We’re all larger than life, but given the monogamous relationship I struggled when 4 workmates brought in for her bucket list which we never really heard about. Still it was what was said in the blurb.
Profile Image for Rae.
21 reviews2 followers
December 4, 2011
Totally hot and does exactly what it says in the title!

This book is pretty full on from the first page with Marti and Jackson playing out one of their (and mine....TMI?)) favourite role plays, rape fantasy. The fact that they’re in Marti’s office & Jackson is on duty, in uniform, with his partner playing lookout at the office door listening in just makes it all the hotter!!

Despite the full on start to the story, and despite the fact that it stays pretty full on throughout, you really get a good sense of the characters pretty early on. It’s obvious that they love each other and that they’re meant to be together. Jackson accepts Marti for who she is and loves her for it, yet Marti can’t seen to accept herself or that Jackson really feels that way about her. Even though she comes across as a incredibly confident and pretty sassy it’s obvious that her relationship with her father after the death of her mother really affected her. So when Jackson asks her to marry him (again!) she comes up with her bucket list in the hope that it will put him off asking her to marry him again.

Oh boy does that backfire!! While initially not thrilled with the contents of the list, Jackson knows that it’s Marti’s defense mechanism and decides to use it to prove to her just how much he loves her & accepts her for who she is. So in such a situation who else to you rope in to help but your four closest (and hottest) friends who are all too happy to help!

In her rush to write the list, Marti isn’t very big on details, but it’s fair to say that at least one of every woman’s fantasies appear on that list from sex in a car, to menage, to BDSM. It’s hot!! And so well written that even in the middle of the steamiest scenes you still ‘get’ that it’s all about Marti & Jackson, even though she’s enjoying the attention from the other guys.

There is a happy ending ladies! Well several in fact, but i mean that eventually Marti realises that it’s ok to be scared and that no matter what Jackson will be there for her and loves her for who she is.

A really well written, hot, steamy and at times funny book that I have no problems recommending to anyone. A little of everything to suit everyone, no matter what your tastes or fantasies!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
133 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2014
This book reeled me in from go. As different as Jackson and Marti were, I liked them as a couple and found Jackson's attraction and devotion to his woman really sweet and very sexy. I actually found the role-playing games Jackson and Marti were experimenting with in the beginning super hot and was hoping for a lot more of that throughout the book. However, the book goes donwn a completely different path when Jackson asks Marti to marry him and she flat out turns him down. When he questions her refusal, she comes up with this lame excuse involving a sexual bucket list she needs to complete before she can get married. Jackson loves Marti so much that he's willing to do just about anything to keep her - including sharing her with his best friends/brothers on the police force. What happens next is a series of kinky sexual escapades all planned out by Jackson for Marti's benefit. Each one is dirtier than the last and Marti goes along with each and every scenario Jackson can think up. By the end of the book Marti realizes she doesn't want a future without Jackson in it and accepts his second attempt at a marriage proposal. Jackson and Marti get their HEA and the book is wrapped up in a pretty little bow.

This book is only around 100 pages which makes for a quick and easy read but at the same time makes it hard for the author to develop the characters in a deep way. I read through this book in one sitting and found it entertaining but as far as erotic romance novels/novellas I've deffinatley had better. That's not to say I won't read the remaining 3 books in the series. I just wish the author had spent more time developing Jackson and Marti's relationship before bringing in other people into the mix. Not that I didn't enjoy the hell out of the scenes involving Marti and Jackson's friends, but I wanted more with jus the two of them. I think more than anything this book lacked depth and originality. Still, I liked it enough that I plan on reading the other books in this series as well.
Profile Image for Beck.
18 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2013
Hmmmm.... I'm giving 3.5 star to the steamy scenes, having sex with 5 men (well, only 2 at a time) aka menage always make my day. However, I can't buy the story.

Jackson is obviously a caveman, someone who is territorial about his girlfriend and his best buddies know this. Just because Marti made a wish-list before settling down with him, he will automaticall give in to her sexual fantasies without even discussing the list? Had Jackson chose to sit down and talk this over with Marti, they do not have to do everything on it. The biggest grustration is, the list wasn't known to the reader, only when each sexual act is about to happen or just happened.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a menage slut but still, I always look for menage with credible story and with characters who are believable principles.

Also, the crime the group is solving left my mouth hanging open with a WTF question. It was a simple robbery and yet, I need to read the second book just to know if they're going to solve the crime.

Over-all, I will give this book 3 stars just for the steamy sex scenes but still, they are not so many. This will not go to my favorite menage book list.
Profile Image for ✿~Danielle~✿.
4,158 reviews13 followers
September 2, 2018
JACKSON TEAGUE
MARTI KOWALSKI

Read 2/9/13 | 4 stars
Read 7/8/16


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Book synopsis: Delta Heat, Book 1

Sometimes a man’s just gotta call for backup…

Marti Kowalski is all wrong for Officer Jackson Teague—he just won’t listen to reason. She didn’t finish high school, runs a bar. Has a tattoo and a blue streak in her hair. Yet he still wants to marry her? She can’t say she’s not tempted, but she’s got a bucket list to complete before she ties the knot.

Not just any bucket—more like a fifty-five-gallon drum of sexual wishes so explicit, there’s no way one man, even Jackson, can fulfill them all.

When Marti turns him down again, Jackson insists on knowing why. That’s when she shows him her list. He takes it, thinks about it—and calls on the only men he can trust: four buddies from his academy graduating class.

Between the five of them, he’s sure they can come up with a plan to check off every item on her list in one wild, wicked weekend. That is, if she has the nerve to follow through—and if he can bear to share her.
Profile Image for Christine.
1,805 reviews
August 2, 2013
I got "Five Ways.." after reading "A Perfect Trifecta." I wanted to read the first book in the Delta Heat series, thinking it may help round out some of the characters, and it did...somewhat.

Jackson Teague wants to marry Marti Kowalski, but she's refusing. Marti figures she can change his mind by giving him a list of 'things' she wants to do before she marries, but Jackson calls her bluff, and arranges with his friends to give Marti everything on her list.

There's a lot of sex -- between Jackson and Marti, and then between Marti and Jackson's friends -- and it's all pretty hot.

However, you don't really know why Marti is so reluctant to commit. You don't really know why Jackson has fallen in love with her. You don't really know why she changes her mind after the encounters with his friends. The book ends very suddenly -- boom, she's meeting his mother -- The. End.

Left a lot of unanswered questions, but Jackson's friends seem like a fun bunch of guys.



Profile Image for Robin Reynolds.
766 reviews37 followers
February 15, 2017
Hot from the first page! I read this novella in one sitting. What I particularly liked about this story is the characters. They aren't just random people, they're a couple who obviously love each other. The blurb pretty much tells you the whole plot. While Jackson gets his buddies to help him fulfill Marti's fantasies, he's not just gung ho completely comfortable doing so. But he thinks if he gets Marti through her bucket list, then she'll have no more excuses not to marry him. So for him, the ends justify the means. And that hastily scribbled bucket list was just an excuse. As much as Marti loves Jackson, she's scared of marriage, and she feels she will not be the right wife for Jackson. So she's shocked when she finds herself checking off each fantasy, along with some extra surprises that Jackson and his buddies plan along the way. *sigh* Where is MY Jackson?
Profile Image for Wicked Nyx.
118 reviews
March 7, 2013
3 1/2 Stars

If you had told me that a guy trying to fulfill his girl's fantasies with an all-night orgy with him and his four best friends would be sweet I never would have believed you. Jackson is determined to prove to Marti, and himself, that he can give her whatever she needs; even if that means letting her fulfill every dirty fantasy she has ever had.

Short, but very good, with character and relationship development and some good set up for the series - each of Jackson's buddies will have their own book.

Book 2 Fournicopia
Book 3 A Perfect Trifecta
Book 4 TBR in May 2013
Profile Image for Terra Oenning.
2,681 reviews
December 23, 2011
this was a sweet Hot read and wow wish the police in my town were as hot as Jackson lol. Jackson has been dating Marti for awhile now and he is head over hills in love with her and even her blue streak in her hair and her tat doesnt bother him. when he talks to her about long term she freaks out and finally he ask her to marry him but she says she has a sexual list to fill before she can get married so jackson buddies( policemen ) get involved to help her full fill her fantasys, but in thruth she is just afraid of what ppl and his family will think of her. all i can say is wow with the sex in this book it was HOT!!! Loved It!! this book was so good couldnt put it down til it was over and wanting more..... loved it!!!
Profile Image for Tabitha Bishop.
Author 1 book2 followers
September 8, 2014
Jackson Teague is one of those erotic heroes who transcends sexy books. A man who knows what he wants, loves a flawed and human woman, and will do anything he can to keep her.

This isn't a vanilla Prince Charming tale, but a story that will make your toes curl with pleasure. It's not called Five Ways 'til Sunday for nothing, and if you aren't into menage, this book is definitely not your cuppa tea.

Delilah writes her Delta Heat men with delicious detail, and her erotic scenes are blistering hot. This is not your grandma's romance novel, unless granny's very, very openminded. After you read a couple of Devlin's novels, your lover may be at his doctor's office begging for a script of little blue pills...
Profile Image for Lance.
1,425 reviews95 followers
February 22, 2013
This book has all three items I love when reading erotica...hot sex scenes, believable characters and angood romance. Jackson and Marti seem to be perfect for each other. But when Martin first tells Jackson "no" to marriage, it seems puzzling. But when Martin produces a list of sexual adventures she wants to do before settling, Jackson nae his fellow officers are willing to fulfil them so she will say yes. The camaraderie betwwen the guys is realistic and fun...some lines are laugh out loud funny. But at its heart this is a good love story. Five stars.
Profile Image for Stormy.
423 reviews25 followers
July 17, 2013
So I DEVOURED three books in this series in the same number of days. I enjoyed Marti and Jackson. It was fun to see both what was on Marti's list and also how Jack got creative with it all.

Short, but juicy. Not complex. Not really complex characters or a complex story line. There is some story line, but mostly a lot of sex and partners and just raunchiness. Even a little crime aspect (since Jackson is a cop, after all), but nothing to get too worked up over.

Fun. Glad I stumbled on it.
Profile Image for Shh I'm reading!.
629 reviews28 followers
June 2, 2012
There was no point to this beyond sex, which I don't necessarily have a problem with. My issue is when half-hearted plot devices (in this case, a string of robberies) are added to make a story into something that it's not. Then, Delilah added insult to injury by not even solving the mystery of the serial robber. The bar is robbed and then they go to a barbecue. That's it? Why did you bother wasting my time? Ugh, two days after reading it, I'm still sulking about it.
Profile Image for Cindy.
1,149 reviews19 followers
November 4, 2014
While there certainly is some sex with more than two people to classify this as a menage, know that it is not for a long-term commitment. The multi partner grouping is a one-time thing.

One thing that did bug me about this story is that there was no resolution in regards to catching the burglar. Thought it might spill into the next story but it didn't.
Profile Image for zoegrl.
593 reviews4 followers
June 23, 2014
Marti runs the bar, Jackson is a Police Lieutenant with some good friends. They really like each other & Jackson wants it all! But Marti has a Bucket / Sexual Adventure List. She doesn't want to marry before working thru her List. What to do?

I love the Series! I've read them all! So start here & work through them, I promise you they're worth it!!

Enjoy!!!
Profile Image for Denise H..
2,929 reviews209 followers
November 8, 2015
Delilah Devlin can write a great romantic, sexy, fun, interesting tale. I liked Jackson and Marti right away. When his friends decide to help, they are terrific, especially Mondo. Deep feelings, fun romance, it's an interesting story. I love a good romance. Maybe we'll get to read about one of his buddies next !! Enjoy !!
44 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2012
I liked the book although it could use just that little bit more action. It's a rather short story so that probably explains the little action.
It did have some 'interesting' scenes though :)
Overall a good erotic read :)
Profile Image for Paula.
162 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2012
This book was good, bad, and strange. I love the vivid details of all the hot scenes, but found it unbelievable that a guy in love would go through that 'list' she had. My jaw dropped a few times and others I just found it to unbelievable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.