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The Callens #9
Diamonds and Spurs
Erotic Cowboy Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, bondage, spanking, sex toys, HEA
Denver socialite Mandy Duncan is on the run from her ex-husband. She knows about his Ponzi scheme, and only she stands between him and jail. He’s determined to stop her from ever talking.
Mandy escapes to Samantha Callen’s ranch in Intrigue, Wyoming, and hires on as a wilderness guide. Distrustful of men, Mandy doesn’t want to be attracted to Samantha’s cousin, financial guru Vince Callen, or to his sophisticated lawyer roommate, Cameron Longworth, but she is.
Then Cameron and Vince’s ex-fiancée decides she wants them back. When Cameron tells her he’s found someone new, she decides Mandy needs to go.
When Mandy is shot, Cameron and Vince won’t let her out of their sight, and their passion explodes. Then she’s kidnapped. Frantic, Cameron and Vince risk it all to save her. How can they convince her to trust her heart again and want a loving ménage relationship?
Word Count: 51,058
Denver socialite Mandy Duncan is on the run from her ex-husband. She knows about his Ponzi scheme, and only she stands between him and jail. He’s determined to stop her from ever talking.
Mandy escapes to Samantha Callen’s ranch in Intrigue, Wyoming, and hires on as a wilderness guide. Distrustful of men, Mandy doesn’t want to be attracted to Samantha’s cousin, financial guru Vince Callen, or to his sophisticated lawyer roommate, Cameron Longworth, but she is.
Then Cameron and Vince’s ex-fiancée decides she wants them back. When Cameron tells her he’s found someone new, she decides Mandy needs to go.
When Mandy is shot, Cameron and Vince won’t let her out of their sight, and their passion explodes. Then she’s kidnapped. Frantic, Cameron and Vince risk it all to save her. How can they convince her to trust her heart again and want a loving ménage relationship?
Word Count: 51,058
182 pages, ebook
First published April 15, 2013
4 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Melody Snow Monroe
57 books92 followersUnlike most other authors, I started writing late in life. Writing stories in high school and college was not for me. Only after I graduated did I fall in love with romance novels. For the next twenty years, I read voraciously. It got to a point where my book buying habits cost as much as my groceries. At that point, my husband suggested I write a book. Hey, it looked easy, right? All the stories started in the same spot (hero and heroine at odds) and ended the same way (happily ever after). Only it was anything but easy. Eleven years and fifteen completed romantic suspenses later, I finally published. I never would have gotten that far had it not been for two local chapters whose generous members shared their amazing wealth of knowledge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 2, 2014
No. Just…no.
Read the blurb, and you already know everything that happens in this book.
Other than that, I felt no connection to the characters whatsoever. They had no chemistry and their interactions felt forced and without any real emotions. That, in combination with the soap opera storyline ruined the book for me. It had potential, but in the end this book just really wasn't my thing.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
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October 22, 2013DNF @ 37% - No Star Rating
I really wanted to like this story, and I expected that I would given the many raving reviews I read, but sadly, it just didn't work for me. There was a lot of potential, though: Lots of dialog that could have been great, but the words felt like nothing more than words, with little emotion or depth. Lots of what could have been hot sex, but was just sex - again, little emotion to it. And the potential for an intriguing, engaging plot was there, but it read more like a play-by-play than a story I should be interested in, about people I should care about. And predictable. Too much 'I saw that coming' to hold my attention for long.
Yeah, I get this is an erotic read, but I need more than what was delivered to truly enjoy a story. Honestly, this just fell short.
Like I said, there are lots of great reviews so don't let mine keep you from reading this if it sounds like something you'd enjoy. It's entirely possible it's just a 'me' thing.
ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2013
Diamonds and Spurs (The Callens #9) by Melody Snow Monroe
Amanda Clairbourne has discovered her husband Craig’s Ponzi scheme and she wants no part of it. So she sets a plan in motion to escape him. She files for divorce and goes into hiding a few days before the hearing. When the divorce is granted she leaves Denver and heads to Wyoming. Gone are the days of spa treatments, manicures, facials and designer clothes. She has gone to the one place she hopes Craig will never find her.
Amanda now goes by the name of Mandy Duncan. Mandy has found work as a hired hand on a ranch in Wyoming. She will help lead a team of women on horseback as a wilderness guide.
Not trusting men after her marriage to Craig, Mandy is not looking for a relationship. But when Vince Callen “cousin to her boss” and his roommate Cameron Longworth enter the picture they are both interested in Mandy. But their ex-fiancée Sharon might have a say in this budding relationship.
When Mandy is first shot, the men move into protection mode. Soon there is a fire, a bomb, and then Mandy is kidnapped. And the men are trying to get to the bottom of who is behind it. Is it their crazed ex or Mandy’s Ex?
I really enjoyed this book. I have not read the previous books in the series. I thought the author did a pretty good job making this book work as a standalone as well as part of a series. But I did feel like something was missing. Maybe it was just too many accidents etc in a short amount of time. I think I would have liked more interaction between the main characters before the sex scenes. Speaking of sex scenes … Some were scorching hot, especially the Sundae scene. And the first scene … with Cam outside.
4.5/5 Stars
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amanda Clairbourne has discovered her husband Craig’s Ponzi scheme and she wants no part of it. So she sets a plan in motion to escape him. She files for divorce and goes into hiding a few days before the hearing. When the divorce is granted she leaves Denver and heads to Wyoming. Gone are the days of spa treatments, manicures, facials and designer clothes. She has gone to the one place she hopes Craig will never find her.
Amanda now goes by the name of Mandy Duncan. Mandy has found work as a hired hand on a ranch in Wyoming. She will help lead a team of women on horseback as a wilderness guide.
Not trusting men after her marriage to Craig, Mandy is not looking for a relationship. But when Vince Callen “cousin to her boss” and his roommate Cameron Longworth enter the picture they are both interested in Mandy. But their ex-fiancée Sharon might have a say in this budding relationship.
When Mandy is first shot, the men move into protection mode. Soon there is a fire, a bomb, and then Mandy is kidnapped. And the men are trying to get to the bottom of who is behind it. Is it their crazed ex or Mandy’s Ex?
I really enjoyed this book. I have not read the previous books in the series. I thought the author did a pretty good job making this book work as a standalone as well as part of a series. But I did feel like something was missing. Maybe it was just too many accidents etc in a short amount of time. I think I would have liked more interaction between the main characters before the sex scenes. Speaking of sex scenes … Some were scorching hot, especially the Sundae scene. And the first scene … with Cam outside.
4.5/5 Stars
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2013
I just love Ms. Melody Snow Monroe and her Callens series. The men are always hot and sexy and the women are smart and gorgeous. And the sex is out of this world make me scream!! If you have never read any of her books you are missing out!!
August 20, 2013
Ninth in the Callen erotic romance series based in Intrigue, Wyoming and revolving around the Callen family. The threesome focus is on Mandy Duncan, Victor Callen, and Cam Longworth.
My Take
Oh. My. God. This story was an excellent example of tell. It's ALL tell...well, okay, show might'a snuck in somewhere, but I sure didn't notice it.
It reads more like an outline draft that Monroe started to fill in with complete sentences. Unfortunately, it never got any further, especially when it came to logic and ensuring that what was being said made sense. Oh, lord...bad, so very, very bad. It's so bad that you have to laugh at it! I can't believe Monroe has written nine of these!
Why is Mandy still living with her husband if she's served him with divorce papers? Especially if she's afraid of him? Why isn't she heading to the FBI office? She talks about her three best friends but doesn't confide in them? She doesn't trust them? Actually, it does make sense that she doesn't tell anyone at all, but it would'a been nice if we'd had some back history on her friends, on their friendship. Oh, no, wait, she goes to all this trouble to not tell her friends, and then...yup...tells 'em.
Um, I think that's marriages that can be annulled. Not divorces.
If she loves her horse so much, and is fairly sure she's getting a job at a horse ranch, why doesn't she just take him with her?
Typical of the "loquacious" writing:
Yup, in just one short paragraph with four separate topics, we obviously learn all we need to know.
Oooh, Mandy's gonna clean out stalls for a month… When told she'd be starting at the bottom, what did she expect? And a whole whopping month. A frickin' month and she's whining?? Her first encounter with Vince simply reinforces my draft assessment.
Well, I do like the concept: women being scarce in Wyoming so the men share. Wonder if the men in Wyoming know this? I am impressed by how easily Mandy accepts the concept.
Mandy swears up and down (metaphorically) that she wants nothing to do with men, so naturally, she immediately falls into several relationships. When informed of the boys' penchant for sharing, does Mandy lift an eyebrow? Heck no. Not at any time in the story. No wondering. No thinking that it's wrong. Nada.
She says Craig will be livid when he realizes she's gone. Why don't we see this? All we get is a bitty chunk of text when Craig "finally" figures out that Mandy might be a threat to him.
She's wearing a diamond necklace. In the daytime? I thought Monroe was attempting to portray Mandy as a class act? How would a young girl working at a nasty, cheap motel recognize Michael Kors clothing? I'd be wondering more about someone like her with a Mercedes convertible checking in. She's smart enough to get a burn phone, but stupid enough to run around under her maiden name?
"He hopped up on his horse…"? Calling a horse a hag? Maybe Monroe mistook and meant to say nag??
Oh, lord, she has a job as a stablehand, later to help lead trail rides, and she's still wearing her false nails??
"No sooner had she cracked it open than the rain arrived in earnest." And, yep, this is the first we knew there was a chance of rain. There's the bit where Vince pulls Mandy in against him and almost immediately backs off because the brim of the hat he put on Mandy's head is poking him in the eye. And he's hard as she turns around to face him. From "Vince pulls…" to "...face him" is thirty-eight words. It took Monroe thirty words to tell us the same thing. Where...WHERE is the emotion? The thoughts? The pulling in of the reader's interest?? WTF?
Huh? Wyoming has light rain that stings. Dang, guess I ain't gonna move there. I mean, what happens if there's a hard rain? Does it slap you silly?
Oh, oh, crack me up...and catch me 'cause I'm about to fall over with wonder at how lame this next bit is. They're soaking wet from the rain (which we discover later), and Vince is worried about their getting wet as they rush from the bunkhouse to the car. Uh-huh…
Um, I guess I'm not understanding this bit in which Mandy both considers the private school system and rejects it? I am so missing the logic here.
Again, um. If Cam knows the difference between Mandy and Sharon, why is he going off about her? He claims he can tell that Mandy is lying? How? What tips him off? There's the whole bit (well, it's Monroe, so "whole bit" means a few paragraphs) in which Vince and Cam verbally slug it out over Sharon versus Mandy. And it, like the rest of the story, is in desperate need of fleshing out. Of course, Mandy hears some of the conversation including the words "gold digger". An ideal opportunity for some emotion. Oops, dropped that ball too.
Awww, Mandy hits some potholes in the road (no, I am speaking literally) and decides that maybe she isn't cut out for the wilderness. Awwww…my god. Who is this Monroe?? How is she not embarrassed to be writing such claptrap? How does her editor survive reading this, let alone publishing it???
I got hopeful that there might actually be some tension when Vince worries his older brother might cut him out and Mandy appears to want nothing to do with him or Vince, but, gotta give Monroe props for consistency. No tension a'tall, a'tall.
Yup, that's practical. And it is a good idea to know how to use a gun, especially when leading trail rides. And Mandy is interested in learning how to shoot a rifle. After all, ya never know when you'll need a rifle inside your camp to shoot a rattlesnake...oww, ow, my eyeballs are rolling again. They keep this up and they're gonna get detached. I'll need surgery...maybe even have to stop reading crap...
It annoys me that Monroe has Mandy swearing off men and falling insta-sex/love. If she would show us something. At least! Jesus, even the sex is all tell.
The scene between Cam and Sharon? Ripe, absolutely ripe with possibilities. And I know you remember what I said about Monroe's consistency… Oh, then the scene when Mandy learns Vince is gonna bull ride and she's all upset that he "could be crippled for life"? And she "wouldn't miss it". Yup, that'd be my reaction. Guess them bulls aren't so scary, or maybe it's just that there's no show about it when "the men on horseback descended on the wild beast and led him away". Seems kinda easy… How does Vince figure out that Mandy's been shot?
Awww, I'm just feeling the love when Mrs. Callen (their mom) tells the stablehands to grab food when it suits them as there are always leftovers...thanks, mom.
Um, I don't understand this sentence: "...he'll have an easier time finding the bullet, if we don't locate it first." Does that mean if the boys find the bullet, it'll be harder for the sheriff to find it? And why would Mandy think she has to go back to Denver now that she's spilled the beans about her past?
*Laughing at how ridiculous this is...* They know that someone is targeting Mandy, and naturally, someone attacks the camp and sets fire to Mandy's tent. Now, to my mind, the responsible thing to do is to get Mandy out of there. It would be safer for the paying guests, right? As for Vince being so protective?? How can he not imagine checking the trail in both directions? On checking that the horses are okay? I'd be heading back to the ranch. As for Mandy...oh, brother. Someone is sneaking up on the camp, and Vince goes out to check, leaving Mandy in the tent. What would your reaction be to this? I know mine would be to get dressed, be ready for anything. NOT crawl into the sleeping bag naked...
If the Callens are known for being such philanthropists, why is it that Y feels this need to take X up on the offer?
As protective as Vince and Cam are of Mandy, I'm surprised they don't insist on going with Mandy to Denver.
I did appreciate the reality of the sex scenes what with the guys spreading shirts, towels, and blankets on cold or rough surfaces. Even the brownie scene had a dose of reality to it. And I'm of two minds about it. I liked the reality, but I wish Monroe had packed more emotion, more show into them. I gotta confess, if I had two hot guys "heating" me up, I'm not sure I'd be compos mentis enough to be worrying about the crumbs...
Soooo, the boys get proof and do they go to the police? Heck no… Oh, another crack up! "The man tossed Vince on his back. 'You won't get away,' the goon shouted." Um, well, no I guess not. Not if Vince is on his back. I re-read that sentence a few times, trying to figure out if I had missed Vince running down the hall or if it was supposed to be Vince yelling at the goon.
I'm impressed. Vince "kneaded his fingers". I'm wondering if he used both hands. I can't imagine being able (or wanting) to knead one's own fingers, but hey, to each his own. What does one tug on when pressing on someone's rear?
Chapter nineteen's starting paragraph was odd. That statement about Mandy and pregnant felt like it came out of left field. I do wish someone would inform Monroe (and her editors, ahem) that the general rule is one topic per paragraph.
Do wish her editor(s) had had a proofreader do one last go-through: "is that want you want"; "cursed up storm"; "only the senior most women"; "the wide plains afforded them to ride side by side"; "mother nature" (should be capped); "set her tent of fire"; "other looking a bit lost"; "but she yet to visit it"; "think of it like being in a jury"; and, "I know the Clairbourne's are" are the ones that leapt out as I read.
There is a tiny, wee, bitty touch of tension in this, and of course we know how it'll turn out, so technically, there's no tension at all. There sure isn't any drama in this. It's all words. Words that don't evoke emotion, don't make your heart race. Words that tell you what's happening, 'cause you sure ain't gonna feel anything except the need to either find a bucket or try to stop your eyeballs from rolling. As for logic, oh honey, that never made it in the door...
I gotta wonder if Monroe had a word limit since she was so keen to not develop her characters or the story...
The Story
Unhappy in her marriage and shocked by her husband's dealings, Mandy escapes her marriage and hides out on a Wyoming ranch that caters to women.
She soon captures the attention of Vince Callen and his roommate. And it's insta-love for all three.
The Characters
Mandy Duncan Clairbourne was a schoolteacher before she met and married the snaky Craig Clairbourne. Charger is the Arabian she loves more than Craig. Charles Fenwig is Craig's trusted assistant. Whom we hear of once.
Vince Callen is part of the wealthy Callen family located in Intrigue, Wyoming. While most of the family is in ranching, Vince's forté is in finance. Daniel is Vince's older brother; Camille is a sister. Vince's roommate is lawyer Cameron Longworth. Collier is Vince's horse. Samantha Callen Watson is Vince's cousin and owns the ranch, the Circle Bar where Mandy is employed. Heath and Wade Watson are Sam's husbands. Juliette is their three-year-old. Jenny is Sam's sister and a schoolteacher. Jackson is her husband, and he runs a bar in town. For some reason, as Jenny is coming down the drive while Mandy and Sam are talking, it's just not possible for Sam to introduce Mandy to Jenny. It'll have to wait a few days. April is another sister who's in med school; Taylor is one of her husbands. Ian is Sam's younger brother. Cody Callen is another cousin and owns the Intrigue Sun.
Lilly and Trinity are Mandy's bunkmates at the Circle Bar. Crystal will be her immediate boss. Wind Song is the horse Mandy chooses. Will Sutton is the local sheriff. Tara works for Jackson at his bar.
Sharon Lipman is Cam's ex-fiancée. Bill Christopher is one of the investors being bilked. Darby Atkins is a local whose son, Joshua, needs dialysis. Brad Soliman runs a stable in Intrigue. Tamara Brandt is a local who owns a salon. Father Crenshaw has a church in need of help.
Candace Jackson, who works for Craig; Beth Simpson; and, Lisa Brightner are her best friends and incredibly accepting too. Rana is the photography teacher, and Ellen Flowers is one of the group as well as from Mandy's old life. Mitch Henley works for the FBI in Denver. Special Agent Jonathan Abrahams serves his subpoena.
The Cover
The cover is almost G-rated what with the bikini and underwear as Vince and Cam gather 'round Mandy.
The title is from Candy's line as she appreciates Mandy's luck; she's got Diamonds and Spurs.
My Take
Oh. My. God. This story was an excellent example of tell. It's ALL tell...well, okay, show might'a snuck in somewhere, but I sure didn't notice it.
It reads more like an outline draft that Monroe started to fill in with complete sentences. Unfortunately, it never got any further, especially when it came to logic and ensuring that what was being said made sense. Oh, lord...bad, so very, very bad. It's so bad that you have to laugh at it! I can't believe Monroe has written nine of these!
Why is Mandy still living with her husband if she's served him with divorce papers? Especially if she's afraid of him? Why isn't she heading to the FBI office? She talks about her three best friends but doesn't confide in them? She doesn't trust them? Actually, it does make sense that she doesn't tell anyone at all, but it would'a been nice if we'd had some back history on her friends, on their friendship. Oh, no, wait, she goes to all this trouble to not tell her friends, and then...yup...tells 'em.
Um, I think that's marriages that can be annulled. Not divorces.
If she loves her horse so much, and is fairly sure she's getting a job at a horse ranch, why doesn't she just take him with her?
Typical of the "loquacious" writing:
"Only, the job wasn't quite as she'd expected. Sure, the first day was good. Sam introduced her to her bunkmates, Lilly and Trinity, both of whom were cool. The ladies showed her around the ranch and detailed how they handled the expeditions. Being out in the open, free of worry, helped soothed her soul."
Yup, in just one short paragraph with four separate topics, we obviously learn all we need to know.
Oooh, Mandy's gonna clean out stalls for a month… When told she'd be starting at the bottom, what did she expect? And a whole whopping month. A frickin' month and she's whining?? Her first encounter with Vince simply reinforces my draft assessment.
Well, I do like the concept: women being scarce in Wyoming so the men share. Wonder if the men in Wyoming know this? I am impressed by how easily Mandy accepts the concept.
Mandy swears up and down (metaphorically) that she wants nothing to do with men, so naturally, she immediately falls into several relationships. When informed of the boys' penchant for sharing, does Mandy lift an eyebrow? Heck no. Not at any time in the story. No wondering. No thinking that it's wrong. Nada.
She says Craig will be livid when he realizes she's gone. Why don't we see this? All we get is a bitty chunk of text when Craig "finally" figures out that Mandy might be a threat to him.
She's wearing a diamond necklace. In the daytime? I thought Monroe was attempting to portray Mandy as a class act? How would a young girl working at a nasty, cheap motel recognize Michael Kors clothing? I'd be wondering more about someone like her with a Mercedes convertible checking in. She's smart enough to get a burn phone, but stupid enough to run around under her maiden name?
"He hopped up on his horse…"? Calling a horse a hag? Maybe Monroe mistook and meant to say nag??
Oh, lord, she has a job as a stablehand, later to help lead trail rides, and she's still wearing her false nails??
"No sooner had she cracked it open than the rain arrived in earnest." And, yep, this is the first we knew there was a chance of rain. There's the bit where Vince pulls Mandy in against him and almost immediately backs off because the brim of the hat he put on Mandy's head is poking him in the eye. And he's hard as she turns around to face him. From "Vince pulls…" to "...face him" is thirty-eight words. It took Monroe thirty words to tell us the same thing. Where...WHERE is the emotion? The thoughts? The pulling in of the reader's interest?? WTF?
Huh? Wyoming has light rain that stings. Dang, guess I ain't gonna move there. I mean, what happens if there's a hard rain? Does it slap you silly?
Oh, oh, crack me up...and catch me 'cause I'm about to fall over with wonder at how lame this next bit is. They're soaking wet from the rain (which we discover later), and Vince is worried about their getting wet as they rush from the bunkhouse to the car. Uh-huh…
Um, I guess I'm not understanding this bit in which Mandy both considers the private school system and rejects it? I am so missing the logic here.
"'Maybe you should look into private schools.'
She hadn't thought of that. 'I might.' The first place Craig would look for her would be the school system.'"
Again, um. If Cam knows the difference between Mandy and Sharon, why is he going off about her? He claims he can tell that Mandy is lying? How? What tips him off? There's the whole bit (well, it's Monroe, so "whole bit" means a few paragraphs) in which Vince and Cam verbally slug it out over Sharon versus Mandy. And it, like the rest of the story, is in desperate need of fleshing out. Of course, Mandy hears some of the conversation including the words "gold digger". An ideal opportunity for some emotion. Oops, dropped that ball too.
Awww, Mandy hits some potholes in the road (no, I am speaking literally) and decides that maybe she isn't cut out for the wilderness. Awwww…my god. Who is this Monroe?? How is she not embarrassed to be writing such claptrap? How does her editor survive reading this, let alone publishing it???
I got hopeful that there might actually be some tension when Vince worries his older brother might cut him out and Mandy appears to want nothing to do with him or Vince, but, gotta give Monroe props for consistency. No tension a'tall, a'tall.
Yup, that's practical. And it is a good idea to know how to use a gun, especially when leading trail rides. And Mandy is interested in learning how to shoot a rifle. After all, ya never know when you'll need a rifle inside your camp to shoot a rattlesnake...oww, ow, my eyeballs are rolling again. They keep this up and they're gonna get detached. I'll need surgery...maybe even have to stop reading crap...
It annoys me that Monroe has Mandy swearing off men and falling insta-sex/love. If she would show us something. At least! Jesus, even the sex is all tell.
The scene between Cam and Sharon? Ripe, absolutely ripe with possibilities. And I know you remember what I said about Monroe's consistency… Oh, then the scene when Mandy learns Vince is gonna bull ride and she's all upset that he "could be crippled for life"? And she "wouldn't miss it". Yup, that'd be my reaction. Guess them bulls aren't so scary, or maybe it's just that there's no show about it when "the men on horseback descended on the wild beast and led him away". Seems kinda easy… How does Vince figure out that Mandy's been shot?
Awww, I'm just feeling the love when Mrs. Callen (their mom) tells the stablehands to grab food when it suits them as there are always leftovers...thanks, mom.
Um, I don't understand this sentence: "...he'll have an easier time finding the bullet, if we don't locate it first." Does that mean if the boys find the bullet, it'll be harder for the sheriff to find it? And why would Mandy think she has to go back to Denver now that she's spilled the beans about her past?
*Laughing at how ridiculous this is...* They know that someone is targeting Mandy, and naturally, someone attacks the camp and sets fire to Mandy's tent. Now, to my mind, the responsible thing to do is to get Mandy out of there. It would be safer for the paying guests, right? As for Vince being so protective?? How can he not imagine checking the trail in both directions? On checking that the horses are okay? I'd be heading back to the ranch. As for Mandy...oh, brother. Someone is sneaking up on the camp, and Vince goes out to check, leaving Mandy in the tent. What would your reaction be to this? I know mine would be to get dressed, be ready for anything. NOT crawl into the sleeping bag naked...
If the Callens are known for being such philanthropists, why is it that Y feels this need to take X up on the offer?
As protective as Vince and Cam are of Mandy, I'm surprised they don't insist on going with Mandy to Denver.
I did appreciate the reality of the sex scenes what with the guys spreading shirts, towels, and blankets on cold or rough surfaces. Even the brownie scene had a dose of reality to it. And I'm of two minds about it. I liked the reality, but I wish Monroe had packed more emotion, more show into them. I gotta confess, if I had two hot guys "heating" me up, I'm not sure I'd be compos mentis enough to be worrying about the crumbs...
Soooo, the boys get proof and do they go to the police? Heck no… Oh, another crack up! "The man tossed Vince on his back. 'You won't get away,' the goon shouted." Um, well, no I guess not. Not if Vince is on his back. I re-read that sentence a few times, trying to figure out if I had missed Vince running down the hall or if it was supposed to be Vince yelling at the goon.
I'm impressed. Vince "kneaded his fingers". I'm wondering if he used both hands. I can't imagine being able (or wanting) to knead one's own fingers, but hey, to each his own. What does one tug on when pressing on someone's rear?
Chapter nineteen's starting paragraph was odd. That statement about Mandy and pregnant felt like it came out of left field. I do wish someone would inform Monroe (and her editors, ahem) that the general rule is one topic per paragraph.
Do wish her editor(s) had had a proofreader do one last go-through: "is that want you want"; "cursed up storm"; "only the senior most women"; "the wide plains afforded them to ride side by side"; "mother nature" (should be capped); "set her tent of fire"; "other looking a bit lost"; "but she yet to visit it"; "think of it like being in a jury"; and, "I know the Clairbourne's are" are the ones that leapt out as I read.
There is a tiny, wee, bitty touch of tension in this, and of course we know how it'll turn out, so technically, there's no tension at all. There sure isn't any drama in this. It's all words. Words that don't evoke emotion, don't make your heart race. Words that tell you what's happening, 'cause you sure ain't gonna feel anything except the need to either find a bucket or try to stop your eyeballs from rolling. As for logic, oh honey, that never made it in the door...
I gotta wonder if Monroe had a word limit since she was so keen to not develop her characters or the story...
The Story
Unhappy in her marriage and shocked by her husband's dealings, Mandy escapes her marriage and hides out on a Wyoming ranch that caters to women.
She soon captures the attention of Vince Callen and his roommate. And it's insta-love for all three.
The Characters
Mandy Duncan Clairbourne was a schoolteacher before she met and married the snaky Craig Clairbourne. Charger is the Arabian she loves more than Craig. Charles Fenwig is Craig's trusted assistant. Whom we hear of once.
Vince Callen is part of the wealthy Callen family located in Intrigue, Wyoming. While most of the family is in ranching, Vince's forté is in finance. Daniel is Vince's older brother; Camille is a sister. Vince's roommate is lawyer Cameron Longworth. Collier is Vince's horse. Samantha Callen Watson is Vince's cousin and owns the ranch, the Circle Bar where Mandy is employed. Heath and Wade Watson are Sam's husbands. Juliette is their three-year-old. Jenny is Sam's sister and a schoolteacher. Jackson is her husband, and he runs a bar in town. For some reason, as Jenny is coming down the drive while Mandy and Sam are talking, it's just not possible for Sam to introduce Mandy to Jenny. It'll have to wait a few days. April is another sister who's in med school; Taylor is one of her husbands. Ian is Sam's younger brother. Cody Callen is another cousin and owns the Intrigue Sun.
Lilly and Trinity are Mandy's bunkmates at the Circle Bar. Crystal will be her immediate boss. Wind Song is the horse Mandy chooses. Will Sutton is the local sheriff. Tara works for Jackson at his bar.
Sharon Lipman is Cam's ex-fiancée. Bill Christopher is one of the investors being bilked. Darby Atkins is a local whose son, Joshua, needs dialysis. Brad Soliman runs a stable in Intrigue. Tamara Brandt is a local who owns a salon. Father Crenshaw has a church in need of help.
Candace Jackson, who works for Craig; Beth Simpson; and, Lisa Brightner are her best friends and incredibly accepting too. Rana is the photography teacher, and Ellen Flowers is one of the group as well as from Mandy's old life. Mitch Henley works for the FBI in Denver. Special Agent Jonathan Abrahams serves his subpoena.
The Cover
The cover is almost G-rated what with the bikini and underwear as Vince and Cam gather 'round Mandy.
The title is from Candy's line as she appreciates Mandy's luck; she's got Diamonds and Spurs.
June 20, 2013
© ✰ Bianca
Melody Snow Monroe - Diamonds and Spurs
★★★★ 4 of 5 Stars
Book 9 in THE CALLEN SERIES
Diamonds and Spurs
is a very sexy - suspensy Erotic Cowboy ménage Romance (m/f/m).
Blurb:
Denver socialite Mandy Duncan is on the run from her ex-husband. She knows about his Ponzi scheme, and only she stands between him and jail. He’s determined to stop her from ever talking.
Mandy escapes to Samantha Callen’s ranch in Intrigue, Wyoming, and hires on as a wilderness guide. Distrustful of men, Mandy doesn’t want to be attracted to Samantha’s cousin, financial guru Vince Callen, or to his sophisticated lawyer roommate, Cameron Longworth, but she is.
Then Cameron and Vince’s ex-fiancée decides she wants them back. When Cameron tells her he’s found someone new, she decides Mandy needs to go.
When Mandy is shot, Cameron and Vince won’t let her out of their sight, and their passion explodes. Then she’s kidnapped. Frantic, Cameron and Vince risk it all to save her. How can they convince her to trust her heart again and want a loving ménage relationship?
Word Count: 51,058
My Review:
Amanda ('Mandy') needs to get the hell out of Denver asap - after finding out her that her husband ran a Ponzi scheme with his Spa investors. And also because he's an unloving idiot, who even hit her once!
She's leaving everything behind. Her husband's money, mani/pedis, brasilian wax session, tennis lessons, her iphone and most important her beloved horse.
As soon as her divorce is finalized she wants to disappear across the border to Wyoming.
If she divorced him, only she stood between him and jail.
"What are you going to do?" asks her best friend Candy.
"After I divorce him on Monday, I plan to disappear."
She drives into Wyoming where she found a job in a town called Intrigue at Samantha Callen Waton's Ranch. A Ranch that caters especially to women.
She needs to start working as a stable hand if she wants to work her way up to wilderness guide.
At the end of her first week she meets hot cowboy Vince Callen.
He's immediately attracted to her and she is too - but she's been hurt too bad to start dating again so soon - at least that's what she tells herself.
After the two of them took the horses out for a little race - including a hot kiss in the rain - Mandy drives Vince home, where she meets his extremely sexy roommate Cam Longworth.
(From Vince and from her two bunkmates she knows that in Intrigue lots of women are married to two men.
A fact that doesn't scare her off as much as it should.)
That's where it all starts. I don't want to write too much - it's not a really long book - I would just spoil too much for you ☺
Let's just say there will be romance - SEX - the one-on-one kind and of course the three-some kind.
There will be bad people trying to hurt and even kill Mandy - one of whom is Cam's ex-fiancée Sharon.
There will be sexy cowboys at a rodeo.
There will be a wilderness ride with campfires and smores.
Did I mention Sex?? LOTS of outdoor SEX ☺
And we will meet a few of the characters from the earlier books in the series.
My opinion:
I really liked the book - I must admit I had never heard of Melody Snow Monroe before - I just found book her by accident because I was browsing books by Siren publishing.
I really love Ménage romances - but I have to say that there wasn't as much of it in this book as I would've liked.
When I see two guys and a girl on a cover - I want those 3 people to do things with eachother ☻ - there was too much one-on-one sex in this book. (ok, I know there is no such thing as too much sex!)
But it wasn't that bad because there was enough other stuff going on - like the suspense part.
And that's where we come to the part I didn't like - I can't say too much because it would spoil the whole story - but the End was way too predictable. Not the HEA-part - but the part with the FBI guy!
Another thing I didn't like was that there were so many mistakes in the book - too late for the printed version - but please - whoever's in charge of it - go over the ebook again and correct them!!!
All in all it was a very sexy Cowboy Suspense Romance and I really liked it. Maybe a hundred more pages would've made the whole thing perfect.
But at least they get their HEA - with maybe a baby cowboy on the way soon!
http://www.sirenpublishing.com/
September 3, 2013
This review was posted at Tsuki’s Book Blog on August 3, 2013.
Everyone who follows my blog knows I love menages and I love trying new authors. Periodically I find both and am so disappointed I feel I need to rant. It's rare I find a book which frustrates me to the point I have to finish the books simply because I need to see how horribly it all ends.
This book follows Mandy, a recently divorced woman, who heads to Wyoming to hide from her ex. She joins a cattle ranch/outdoorswoman's group to make some money. There she meets Vince and Cam who fall in insta-love with her. Of course there is a pissed-off ex of the men, the crazy ex-husband of Mandy, and random sex way too early in the story.
So now that's squared away and I'd love to just discuss this book into the ground. I'll start with the crazy ex-husband. He wasn't nearly creepy enough for me. He was supposed to come off threatening and irrational and scary but he didn't. In fact the major conflict **kidnapping** was a bit unnecessary. It actually added nothing to the story other than a quick way to get the ex out of the story.
Now onto our lovely, yet useless heroine. Oh Mandy...what was wrong with you? First she was an absolute idiot when it came to almost everything. She tried. She really did. She was just an unlikeable character in silly situations. She had no redeeming qualities nor did she approach her life in any resemblance of reality. While I understand this was a fantasy and can accept some crazy, this whole character was absurd.
The men were just that, men. Their sole purpose was to protect Mandy and satisfy her sexually. They had no individual personalities. They had no differences when it came to Mandy. They were penises with legs who saved damsels. It sounds harsh, but there it was.
My major concern with this book was it being full of what seemed like amateur mistakes. I know Ms. Monroe is not an amateur when it comes to unique works but this particular one was riddled with them. The issues are as follows, horrible pacing, predictable suspense, and lack of interesting characters.
First, was the lack of interesting characters. While this is part of a series and clearly I haven't read the first eight I have to marvel at the fact there is absolutely no backstory given for anyone except Mandy. Even then it is very little. No one has any history to speak of except Vince and Cam's ex and Mandy's ex. There are family members in the Callens but they could have been anybody. They were as flat as cardboard and just as unnecessary. It just irritated me to know end to mention so many completely unnecessary characters.
Secondly, there was a total lack of surprise throughout the entire book. All of the 'suspense' was gone by the time I hit the first attempt on Mandy's life. There were two suspects and two actual problems. After each event it was easy to predict who was behind each case, who was lying, and what the next move would be. When one went down it was obvious the other would be taking up a similar aim. It irritated me there was no surprise. I love surprises in books and this one was sorely lacking.
Finally there was a total lack of pacing. It always amazes me in books when the author moves everything along way too quickly. The romance happened in the matter of about two-three weeks. They were rolling into bed on their second casual meeting. Mandy was perfect at her job in less than a week. Everything happened too quickly for my liking. I would have rather had subtle time movements or blatant time movements to show progression at a natural pace. Some books do it by simply saying 2 months later. It bothers me to no end when everything happens in the matter of a week.
Basically I found it to be a book full of quick fixes, unrealistic events, and too predictable writing. I always want my menage books to be full of real emotions with characters that are believable. In this case there was neither. I was so frustrated by this book, I finished it just to see how far everything would go. I was not disappointed. It was ridiculous. To be fair, it was exactly what I thought it would be, no more no less.
1 Star
Published by Siren Publishing
April 15, 2013
182 Pages
Provided by NetGalley
Everyone who follows my blog knows I love menages and I love trying new authors. Periodically I find both and am so disappointed I feel I need to rant. It's rare I find a book which frustrates me to the point I have to finish the books simply because I need to see how horribly it all ends.
This book follows Mandy, a recently divorced woman, who heads to Wyoming to hide from her ex. She joins a cattle ranch/outdoorswoman's group to make some money. There she meets Vince and Cam who fall in insta-love with her. Of course there is a pissed-off ex of the men, the crazy ex-husband of Mandy, and random sex way too early in the story.
So now that's squared away and I'd love to just discuss this book into the ground. I'll start with the crazy ex-husband. He wasn't nearly creepy enough for me. He was supposed to come off threatening and irrational and scary but he didn't. In fact the major conflict **kidnapping** was a bit unnecessary. It actually added nothing to the story other than a quick way to get the ex out of the story.
Now onto our lovely, yet useless heroine. Oh Mandy...what was wrong with you? First she was an absolute idiot when it came to almost everything. She tried. She really did. She was just an unlikeable character in silly situations. She had no redeeming qualities nor did she approach her life in any resemblance of reality. While I understand this was a fantasy and can accept some crazy, this whole character was absurd.
The men were just that, men. Their sole purpose was to protect Mandy and satisfy her sexually. They had no individual personalities. They had no differences when it came to Mandy. They were penises with legs who saved damsels. It sounds harsh, but there it was.
My major concern with this book was it being full of what seemed like amateur mistakes. I know Ms. Monroe is not an amateur when it comes to unique works but this particular one was riddled with them. The issues are as follows, horrible pacing, predictable suspense, and lack of interesting characters.
First, was the lack of interesting characters. While this is part of a series and clearly I haven't read the first eight I have to marvel at the fact there is absolutely no backstory given for anyone except Mandy. Even then it is very little. No one has any history to speak of except Vince and Cam's ex and Mandy's ex. There are family members in the Callens but they could have been anybody. They were as flat as cardboard and just as unnecessary. It just irritated me to know end to mention so many completely unnecessary characters.
Secondly, there was a total lack of surprise throughout the entire book. All of the 'suspense' was gone by the time I hit the first attempt on Mandy's life. There were two suspects and two actual problems. After each event it was easy to predict who was behind each case, who was lying, and what the next move would be. When one went down it was obvious the other would be taking up a similar aim. It irritated me there was no surprise. I love surprises in books and this one was sorely lacking.
Finally there was a total lack of pacing. It always amazes me in books when the author moves everything along way too quickly. The romance happened in the matter of about two-three weeks. They were rolling into bed on their second casual meeting. Mandy was perfect at her job in less than a week. Everything happened too quickly for my liking. I would have rather had subtle time movements or blatant time movements to show progression at a natural pace. Some books do it by simply saying 2 months later. It bothers me to no end when everything happens in the matter of a week.
Basically I found it to be a book full of quick fixes, unrealistic events, and too predictable writing. I always want my menage books to be full of real emotions with characters that are believable. In this case there was neither. I was so frustrated by this book, I finished it just to see how far everything would go. I was not disappointed. It was ridiculous. To be fair, it was exactly what I thought it would be, no more no less.
1 Star
Published by Siren Publishing
April 15, 2013
182 Pages
Provided by NetGalley
June 17, 2013
In between books I find this rare jewels that make me loosen up and just go along for the fun of it.
This series usually have a small town, sometimes rural setting, and the most wanted alpha men dressed up as a loving cowboy. What's more sexy than a cowboy, or in this case two, wanting to get over hurt and sorrow, and embracing a future with a woman that needs protection ?
(from Goodreads) :
Denver socialite Mandy Duncan is on the run from her ex-husband. She knows about his Ponzi scheme, and only she stands between him and jail. He’s determined to stop her from ever talking.
Mandy escapes to Samantha Callen’s ranch in Intrigue, Wyoming, and hires on as a wilderness guide. Distrustful of men, Mandy doesn’t want to be attracted to Samantha’s cousin, financial guru Vince Callen, or to his sophisticated lawyer roommate, Cameron Longworth, but she is.
Then Cameron and Vince’s ex-fiancée decides she wants them back. When Cameron tells her he’s found someone new, she decides Mandy needs to go.
When Mandy is shot, Cameron and Vince won’t let her out of their sight, and their passion explodes. Then she’s kidnapped. Frantic, Cameron and Vince risk it all to save her. How can they convince her to trust her heart again and want a loving ménage relationship?
So NetGalley made me the very happy reader, on behalf of Season Publishing, of this wonderful romance that I simply devoured and couldn't put down until I got to the last page.
"Diamonds and Spurs"reached my expectations in this type of plot, with two very hot heroes, twists along the way, and a very able and confident heroine.
The author also made a point that the book was not only about their relationship and the menage liaison, but also about the story that runs along with the characters. This factors make me a very happy reader and also the knowledge that I found an author that I want to read more of.
Mandy is the perfect heroine, a woman that as it all but through her honesty throws everything away gaining her integrity back when she decides to divorce her high profile husband.
She's also a woman open to love again and with the ability to not deny what she doesn't know and make ahead opinions of the unusual relationships that are common in Intrigue.
Now, Vince and Cameron couldn't be more perfect, as partners and as lovers.
They "work" in partnership, love Mandy as equals and are not overly authoritative in relation to their woman. They are modern men, living in today's world but enjoying the wilderness and peace that this back country gives them.
Even though this book is pure romance, erotica, falling in the sub category Menage, this book is so well written, it flows without any gaps between the actions and is proportionally perfect for someone that wants to read a romantic suspense book.
M. Monroe writing style is one that I want to catch up on and wait for the next books to come out.
This series usually have a small town, sometimes rural setting, and the most wanted alpha men dressed up as a loving cowboy. What's more sexy than a cowboy, or in this case two, wanting to get over hurt and sorrow, and embracing a future with a woman that needs protection ?
(from Goodreads) :
Denver socialite Mandy Duncan is on the run from her ex-husband. She knows about his Ponzi scheme, and only she stands between him and jail. He’s determined to stop her from ever talking.
Mandy escapes to Samantha Callen’s ranch in Intrigue, Wyoming, and hires on as a wilderness guide. Distrustful of men, Mandy doesn’t want to be attracted to Samantha’s cousin, financial guru Vince Callen, or to his sophisticated lawyer roommate, Cameron Longworth, but she is.
Then Cameron and Vince’s ex-fiancée decides she wants them back. When Cameron tells her he’s found someone new, she decides Mandy needs to go.
When Mandy is shot, Cameron and Vince won’t let her out of their sight, and their passion explodes. Then she’s kidnapped. Frantic, Cameron and Vince risk it all to save her. How can they convince her to trust her heart again and want a loving ménage relationship?
So NetGalley made me the very happy reader, on behalf of Season Publishing, of this wonderful romance that I simply devoured and couldn't put down until I got to the last page.
"Diamonds and Spurs"reached my expectations in this type of plot, with two very hot heroes, twists along the way, and a very able and confident heroine.
The author also made a point that the book was not only about their relationship and the menage liaison, but also about the story that runs along with the characters. This factors make me a very happy reader and also the knowledge that I found an author that I want to read more of.
Mandy is the perfect heroine, a woman that as it all but through her honesty throws everything away gaining her integrity back when she decides to divorce her high profile husband.
She's also a woman open to love again and with the ability to not deny what she doesn't know and make ahead opinions of the unusual relationships that are common in Intrigue.
Now, Vince and Cameron couldn't be more perfect, as partners and as lovers.
They "work" in partnership, love Mandy as equals and are not overly authoritative in relation to their woman. They are modern men, living in today's world but enjoying the wilderness and peace that this back country gives them.
Even though this book is pure romance, erotica, falling in the sub category Menage, this book is so well written, it flows without any gaps between the actions and is proportionally perfect for someone that wants to read a romantic suspense book.
M. Monroe writing style is one that I want to catch up on and wait for the next books to come out.
July 3, 2013
Book provided by NetGalley for an honest review
It started out good. Mandy Duncan is in married to Craig, who only cares about the status of being married and how she looks and acts on his arm. He's from a wealthy family, but still engaged in a ponzi scheme to bilk his friends out of more money. When Mandy realizes this, she does everything she can, and smartly I may add, to get out of the relationship. Basically tricking him into the divorce, she does almost everything right... Almost. With a prenup that's ironclad, she leaves with almost nothing and moves from Denver to Wyoming, but uses her maiden name and is only two hours away from where she lived in Denver.
But, she quickly starts a new relationship with Vince Callen, cousin of her employer, Samantha Callen, and his roommate/best friend Cameron Longworth. It seems that this town is made up of many couples who share. Although it seems a little strange to Mandy, its not overly shocking and she doesn't hesitate to get sexually involved with the two men.
When Mandy is first shot at, then tent caught on fire during a camping trip and finally her car explodes, they have to find out who is doing these things to her. Either her rival for the men's affection or her ex-husband. Once they determine who is behind all of the "accidents," Mandy is kidnapped by her ex in order to keep her from testifying.
Vince and Cam engage in a black-ops type operation to get her back. Then they all decide they belong together and propose.
Firstly the book was poorly written. I also felt like the author missed opportunities to make the story really interesting. Cam's ex-fiance is seen once, then there is no real backstory on who she is, where she came from, and what her relationship really was with Vince. He internalizes that he was led by his penis when it came to the woman, but other than that, I didn't get a real since of their relationship with her. She's a typical gold digger who wants what she wants, but that's it.
Then, when Venice lets the fake FBI agent take Mandy away, I was shocked. Since he had a connection with someone in the FBI that he'd spoken with, why didn't he think that person would contact him to let him know that someone would be coming to get her? Why didn't he call to double check? Why didn't the FBI even get involved when Vince informed them that Mandy had been taken by an impostor? Forcibly taking someone across state lines is a federal offense.
There seemed to be no concern for the "children always running around" at the ranch when all the accidents were occurring with Mandy. The author was so concerned with her being cooped up or bored, but she still went to the ranch to work, where small children were around.
I don't know, I liked the idea, but not the execution. And the sex was a little boring, if you ask me. And I love me some menage. This just didn't work for me, but worked just enough to be okay.
It started out good. Mandy Duncan is in married to Craig, who only cares about the status of being married and how she looks and acts on his arm. He's from a wealthy family, but still engaged in a ponzi scheme to bilk his friends out of more money. When Mandy realizes this, she does everything she can, and smartly I may add, to get out of the relationship. Basically tricking him into the divorce, she does almost everything right... Almost. With a prenup that's ironclad, she leaves with almost nothing and moves from Denver to Wyoming, but uses her maiden name and is only two hours away from where she lived in Denver.
But, she quickly starts a new relationship with Vince Callen, cousin of her employer, Samantha Callen, and his roommate/best friend Cameron Longworth. It seems that this town is made up of many couples who share. Although it seems a little strange to Mandy, its not overly shocking and she doesn't hesitate to get sexually involved with the two men.
When Mandy is first shot at, then tent caught on fire during a camping trip and finally her car explodes, they have to find out who is doing these things to her. Either her rival for the men's affection or her ex-husband. Once they determine who is behind all of the "accidents," Mandy is kidnapped by her ex in order to keep her from testifying.
Vince and Cam engage in a black-ops type operation to get her back. Then they all decide they belong together and propose.
Firstly the book was poorly written. I also felt like the author missed opportunities to make the story really interesting. Cam's ex-fiance is seen once, then there is no real backstory on who she is, where she came from, and what her relationship really was with Vince. He internalizes that he was led by his penis when it came to the woman, but other than that, I didn't get a real since of their relationship with her. She's a typical gold digger who wants what she wants, but that's it.
Then, when Venice lets the fake FBI agent take Mandy away, I was shocked. Since he had a connection with someone in the FBI that he'd spoken with, why didn't he think that person would contact him to let him know that someone would be coming to get her? Why didn't he call to double check? Why didn't the FBI even get involved when Vince informed them that Mandy had been taken by an impostor? Forcibly taking someone across state lines is a federal offense.
There seemed to be no concern for the "children always running around" at the ranch when all the accidents were occurring with Mandy. The author was so concerned with her being cooped up or bored, but she still went to the ranch to work, where small children were around.
I don't know, I liked the idea, but not the execution. And the sex was a little boring, if you ask me. And I love me some menage. This just didn't work for me, but worked just enough to be okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2013
Diamonds and Spurs Melody Snow Monroe
Arc supplied by Netgalley.
I enjoyed this book to a degree,but I expected more from it. It centres around Mandy, who goes very quickly from socialite to ranch hand, from divorce to a relationship with two men. It all seemed just too implausible. There was a sort of danger and yet really I never felt the threat to Mandy to be real. I think most of my problems stem from not really engaging with any of the people. They didn't feel real and thus I couldn't have real feelings for them or even care about what happened. Its a sweet romance but light on actual plot and the relationship between her and the two men didn't really ever spark any sexual tension, it was just – meet Vince, say hello, sleep with him – meet Cam, say hello, sleep with him too. There wasn't any build up to the attraction, or any heartache from her divorce. I just didn't really feel the characters had much personality,and as another reviewer says at one point for a supposedly clever man one of them behaves very stupidly. Although its described as m/f/m, bondage, spanking etc its a sort of menage/BDSM lite – there's nothing very heavy here, its just a few light slaps and a bit of velvet rope :) so don't let that put you off if otherwise its the sort of book you want to read.
For me it was just too “lite”, maybe as it was so short and yet covered a period of several weeks it just didn't get time to expand the people and plots into any depth. If I hadn't had it as a review book I doubt I'd have finished it but then I want darker, deeper books and to get to know my characters. That’s not for everyone so if you want a light romance, with a bit of spice and smidgeon of danger this is your book.
Its well written and edited and everything does add up, its just that I found the plots both on the danger and the romance side to be too thin for my taste.
Its priced at £3.35 for 182 pages so on the upper end of my VFM scale and its a one off read for me so no re read addition to the value scale.
Stars: Thin plots and characters, it was an OK story but not more than that, despite my expectations for something a bit spicier so just three stars.
Arc supplied by Netgalley.
I enjoyed this book to a degree,but I expected more from it. It centres around Mandy, who goes very quickly from socialite to ranch hand, from divorce to a relationship with two men. It all seemed just too implausible. There was a sort of danger and yet really I never felt the threat to Mandy to be real. I think most of my problems stem from not really engaging with any of the people. They didn't feel real and thus I couldn't have real feelings for them or even care about what happened. Its a sweet romance but light on actual plot and the relationship between her and the two men didn't really ever spark any sexual tension, it was just – meet Vince, say hello, sleep with him – meet Cam, say hello, sleep with him too. There wasn't any build up to the attraction, or any heartache from her divorce. I just didn't really feel the characters had much personality,and as another reviewer says at one point for a supposedly clever man one of them behaves very stupidly. Although its described as m/f/m, bondage, spanking etc its a sort of menage/BDSM lite – there's nothing very heavy here, its just a few light slaps and a bit of velvet rope :) so don't let that put you off if otherwise its the sort of book you want to read.
For me it was just too “lite”, maybe as it was so short and yet covered a period of several weeks it just didn't get time to expand the people and plots into any depth. If I hadn't had it as a review book I doubt I'd have finished it but then I want darker, deeper books and to get to know my characters. That’s not for everyone so if you want a light romance, with a bit of spice and smidgeon of danger this is your book.
Its well written and edited and everything does add up, its just that I found the plots both on the danger and the romance side to be too thin for my taste.
Its priced at £3.35 for 182 pages so on the upper end of my VFM scale and its a one off read for me so no re read addition to the value scale.
Stars: Thin plots and characters, it was an OK story but not more than that, despite my expectations for something a bit spicier so just three stars.
June 30, 2013
I received a copy of "Diamonds and Spurs" in exchange for an HONEST review. I'm not familiar with the author, Melody Snow Malone. I was also not aware at the time that this was the 9th in the "Callens Series" of books featuring menage relationships. However, not knowing either of those things didn't affect my reading of this hot novella! It reads well as a standalone book and I'm sure would also be a great addition to those who are invested in the series, because I'm sure that many of the folks mentioned are well-loved characters that everyone would be happy to get an update on!
The premise of "Diamonds and Spurs" is that the female lead, Mandy, has become aware her husband is engaged in illegal activities and she manages to get a divorce from him to escape. She had prepared her plan and had a position waiting for her on a ranch to take women-only expeditions into the mountains. While there, she meets Cameron & Vince, who just ended an engagement a month ago. Accidents start to happen to Mandy, and the question becomes if it is her ex-husband trying to scare her so she doesn't testify against him... or if it's Cameron & Vince's ex-fiancee who is trying to eliminate Mandy as competition to get the men, and their money, back in her clutches.
Remember - this is a menage relationship, so you do get scenes of m/f/m -- but no m/m. There's some spanking, toys, etc... and the sex scenes are really hot & inventive! It's also nice to see Mandy shed her high society ways she had to adopt to fit in with her husband and return to her roots - which are country. (This is where the concept of diamonds to spurs comes from -- one of her friends says at the end that she's gone from diamonds to spurs.)
While I've never read anything from this author or this series before (as I've mentioned) I really did enjoy it. The character development was great; the sex scenes were hot; the descriptiveness of the dialogue was great... and quite frankly, the "mystery" of it all was very good & wasn't predictable! Overall, I'd say this is a great buy for the price. Great for the Kindle so you can "hide" it from the kids... and great to share with your favorite partner!
The premise of "Diamonds and Spurs" is that the female lead, Mandy, has become aware her husband is engaged in illegal activities and she manages to get a divorce from him to escape. She had prepared her plan and had a position waiting for her on a ranch to take women-only expeditions into the mountains. While there, she meets Cameron & Vince, who just ended an engagement a month ago. Accidents start to happen to Mandy, and the question becomes if it is her ex-husband trying to scare her so she doesn't testify against him... or if it's Cameron & Vince's ex-fiancee who is trying to eliminate Mandy as competition to get the men, and their money, back in her clutches.
Remember - this is a menage relationship, so you do get scenes of m/f/m -- but no m/m. There's some spanking, toys, etc... and the sex scenes are really hot & inventive! It's also nice to see Mandy shed her high society ways she had to adopt to fit in with her husband and return to her roots - which are country. (This is where the concept of diamonds to spurs comes from -- one of her friends says at the end that she's gone from diamonds to spurs.)
While I've never read anything from this author or this series before (as I've mentioned) I really did enjoy it. The character development was great; the sex scenes were hot; the descriptiveness of the dialogue was great... and quite frankly, the "mystery" of it all was very good & wasn't predictable! Overall, I'd say this is a great buy for the price. Great for the Kindle so you can "hide" it from the kids... and great to share with your favorite partner!
August 10, 2013
Mandy Duncan arrives in Intrigue Wyoming after divorcing her husband. For the past few years she has lived a very posh lifestyle, so to say that living and working on a ranch is a change is an understatement. After arriving at the ranch Mandy finds that she likes the hard work and the new friends she makes. In Intrigue, Mandy hopes that she can have a new life for herself. Mandy didn’t plan on meeting a new guy (or event two), but fate has a way of changing things.
Vince Callen is a financial adviser for his family and some other individuals in town. He is attracted to Mandy as soon as he sees her on the ranch. He knows he shouldn't pursue her as she is Sam’s employee but he can’t help the attraction he feels towards her. Vince can’t wait to share Mandy with his best friend and roommate Cameron Longworth. Cameron is a lawyer and more reserved then Vince. He recently broke up with his fiance and sees some of her in Mandy. Though Cameron is attracted to Mandy he is hesitant to get to know her because he fears she is like is ex-fiance.
Mandy finds herself attracted to both Vince and Cameron. As Vince and Cameron work on convincing Mandy that a relationship is possible, Mandy is threatened. As Vince and Cameron try and locate the source of the threats they also have to work on their relationship with Mandy.
Vince and Cameron are definite eye candy and I wouldn't mind joining them. I found that Vince and Cameron balance each other out. Vince is more laid back while Cameron is more the go-getter. Mandy is a likable character, she had gone through so much and I felt she came out of her situation stronger for it. She is a pretty tough woman. Together the three of them are pretty hot. I also like that Mandy was able to be alone with each of them! The story moves pretty quickly (it’s considered a Novella). So if you are looking for a sweet, quick story this is it.
I picked this book up without realizing that it was part of a series. It can be read on its own. I’m sure reads of the series will be glad to see previous characters in the book. I am now going to go back and read the first eight books in the series.
Vince Callen is a financial adviser for his family and some other individuals in town. He is attracted to Mandy as soon as he sees her on the ranch. He knows he shouldn't pursue her as she is Sam’s employee but he can’t help the attraction he feels towards her. Vince can’t wait to share Mandy with his best friend and roommate Cameron Longworth. Cameron is a lawyer and more reserved then Vince. He recently broke up with his fiance and sees some of her in Mandy. Though Cameron is attracted to Mandy he is hesitant to get to know her because he fears she is like is ex-fiance.
Mandy finds herself attracted to both Vince and Cameron. As Vince and Cameron work on convincing Mandy that a relationship is possible, Mandy is threatened. As Vince and Cameron try and locate the source of the threats they also have to work on their relationship with Mandy.
Vince and Cameron are definite eye candy and I wouldn't mind joining them. I found that Vince and Cameron balance each other out. Vince is more laid back while Cameron is more the go-getter. Mandy is a likable character, she had gone through so much and I felt she came out of her situation stronger for it. She is a pretty tough woman. Together the three of them are pretty hot. I also like that Mandy was able to be alone with each of them! The story moves pretty quickly (it’s considered a Novella). So if you are looking for a sweet, quick story this is it.
I picked this book up without realizing that it was part of a series. It can be read on its own. I’m sure reads of the series will be glad to see previous characters in the book. I am now going to go back and read the first eight books in the series.
June 18, 2013
3.5 stars
Melody Snow Monroe is a new author to me and I did enjoy this book. This may be the ninth in a series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. There is ménage sex, but also one on one and both are very hot and intense. I had no issue with the editing and felt the story was well written and flowed nicely.
Mandy is a woman on the run from an ex-husband who may do anything to keep her from testifying against him. To be on the safe side she tells no one where is going and is sure to not work as a teacher which Craig would expect. Working on Sam’s ranch as a guide for women Mandy runs into Vance and is immediately attracted to him. On top of worrying about her ex, she has a run in with her guys’ ex-fiancé. Is it a good idea to get involved with your bosses cousin? It worked out for Mandy.
Vance is instantly attracted to Mandy and brings her home to meet Cam. There weren’t any real issues with Vance and I loved him. Cam had issues; his ex-fiancé ran off with his ring and credit card and ran up a lot of charges. This is something Cam deals with and does so quickly.
The mystery is who exactly is trying to run off or kill Mandy. There’s shooting, fires and bombs involved. Is it the boys ex, Sharon or Mandy’s ex Craig? This is one of the things to figure out while you enjoy the interactions and very steamy sex between Mandy and her men. There were times I wished the three of them got intimate more instead of the one on one sex. I did pick this because of the ménage aspect, but overall this was an enjoyably hot read.
I recommend this for anyone who likes cowboys, ménage relationships, action, and mystery.
(I was given a copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.)
Darker Passions
Melody Snow Monroe is a new author to me and I did enjoy this book. This may be the ninth in a series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. There is ménage sex, but also one on one and both are very hot and intense. I had no issue with the editing and felt the story was well written and flowed nicely.
Mandy is a woman on the run from an ex-husband who may do anything to keep her from testifying against him. To be on the safe side she tells no one where is going and is sure to not work as a teacher which Craig would expect. Working on Sam’s ranch as a guide for women Mandy runs into Vance and is immediately attracted to him. On top of worrying about her ex, she has a run in with her guys’ ex-fiancé. Is it a good idea to get involved with your bosses cousin? It worked out for Mandy.
Vance is instantly attracted to Mandy and brings her home to meet Cam. There weren’t any real issues with Vance and I loved him. Cam had issues; his ex-fiancé ran off with his ring and credit card and ran up a lot of charges. This is something Cam deals with and does so quickly.
The mystery is who exactly is trying to run off or kill Mandy. There’s shooting, fires and bombs involved. Is it the boys ex, Sharon or Mandy’s ex Craig? This is one of the things to figure out while you enjoy the interactions and very steamy sex between Mandy and her men. There were times I wished the three of them got intimate more instead of the one on one sex. I did pick this because of the ménage aspect, but overall this was an enjoyably hot read.
I recommend this for anyone who likes cowboys, ménage relationships, action, and mystery.
(I was given a copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.)
Darker Passions
July 29, 2013
This being my first foray into ménage fiction, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Probably my biggest mistake was jumping into a series with book #9 as my first read. It felt flat to me, probably because by this point the author has definitely established a formula and started to become lax due to the ease of writing with it for a guide. To me, this book started out interesting and kind of resembled the type of story Linda Howard (a favorite thriller writer of mine) might write. Then it devolved the second the main character set foot into Wyoming. I just thought it HIGHLY unrealistic that the entire town is made of ménage couples and no one finds it weird - it's the norm. Also, the sex starts too soon for their to be any plot/character development beyond the extreme one-dimensional basics. The sex, while hot, is very vanilla and kind of boring to me. Once you've read Wolf Tales this kind of vanilla just doesn't fly. Which technically I guess Wolf Tales counts as ménage as well, so this wasn't the first...hmmmmm. Anyways, the plot moved at lightning speed, but it didn't do it any favors. All the reasoning was obvious and cookie cutter and by the end both guys were engaged to the girl. Eh, whatever. Not the worst thing I've ever read, but definitely not the best by far.
VERDICT: 2/5 Stars
*I received this copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No favors or money were exchanged. This book was published April 15th, 2013.*
VERDICT: 2/5 Stars
*I received this copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No favors or money were exchanged. This book was published April 15th, 2013.*
June 23, 2013
CALLENS FOREVER!
I am a huge fan of the Callen series by Melody Snow Monroe! I have read all of the previous books in the series and just fell in complete love (and lust) with the Town of Intrigue, Wyoming. The Cowboys are hot alpha men who love the spunky-take-charge kind of gal. The series is full of love, laughs, mystery, family and hot steamy menage sex!! The books can be read in order or as a stand alone.
I really enjoyed Mandy, Cam, and Vince's story. It was full of mystery and intrigue. The story was full of great little twists that kept you guessing right along with the characters I really loved how these three people who had been so previous hurt and betrayed by their past loves, could still find the strength and courage to love again!
Now the love scenes in this book were good and fresh. I really love the scene with Cam, Mandy and the fence post! Wow, wow, wow! It was that hot and steamy! I am Fanning myself just thinking about! Every one of the love scenes in this book made me fall in lust! There was also some of the hottest menage sex ever!
I really enjoyed the cowboy and cowgirl aspect of the story. I liked how Mandy was not afraid to get her hands dirty and enjoyed the challenges that her new job brought her. I love how she did not wallow in all she had lost but embrace her new life as a adventure and look forward to it.
This was a wonderful story and a great quick summer read! I cannot wait for the next one!
I am a huge fan of the Callen series by Melody Snow Monroe! I have read all of the previous books in the series and just fell in complete love (and lust) with the Town of Intrigue, Wyoming. The Cowboys are hot alpha men who love the spunky-take-charge kind of gal. The series is full of love, laughs, mystery, family and hot steamy menage sex!! The books can be read in order or as a stand alone.
I really enjoyed Mandy, Cam, and Vince's story. It was full of mystery and intrigue. The story was full of great little twists that kept you guessing right along with the characters I really loved how these three people who had been so previous hurt and betrayed by their past loves, could still find the strength and courage to love again!
Now the love scenes in this book were good and fresh. I really love the scene with Cam, Mandy and the fence post! Wow, wow, wow! It was that hot and steamy! I am Fanning myself just thinking about! Every one of the love scenes in this book made me fall in lust! There was also some of the hottest menage sex ever!
I really enjoyed the cowboy and cowgirl aspect of the story. I liked how Mandy was not afraid to get her hands dirty and enjoyed the challenges that her new job brought her. I love how she did not wallow in all she had lost but embrace her new life as a adventure and look forward to it.
This was a wonderful story and a great quick summer read! I cannot wait for the next one!
June 22, 2013
After years of being unhappily married, Mandy Duncan has had enough. The final straw was finding out her husband was running a Ponzi Scheme. She sets out to divorce him. He doesn’t want her to divorce him. He needs to keep her on a leash and bring her out when he needs a wife for social events. He’ll do anything to stop her.
Mandy manages to leave her husband and she runs away to Wyoming where she meets Cam and Vince. Cam and Vince aren’t lovers but they plan to share a woman. When they meet Mandy, the realize she’s the one for them.
When Mandy’s life is endangered they move her in with them, so they can protect her. While protecting her they plan to win her over to the Intrigue, Wyoming way of life….ménage relationships!
I enjoyed this story and found the way of life in Intrigue to be interesting. Cam and Vince are total hottie hotties! They do everything in their power to protect Mandy while convincing her of their love and way of life. They were sweet, romantic, protective and understanding. We should all be so lucky to find one man like that, much less two!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
June 21, 2013
Mandy Duncan met the man of her dreams, married him and spent five years as his wife only to find out their life was a lie. Her ex-husband had been stealing money from investors in a Ponzi scheme, Mandy walked away with a ton of evidence hoping he would never find her again. Fleeing to Intrigue, Wyoming Mandy is restarting her life as an adventure guide and is surprised by the common triad relationships that are accepted. Meeting Vince Callen, she is unaware of who he is, but a passionate kiss has both feeling out the attraction between them.
When Vince introduces her to his roommate Cameron Longworth, she is charmed by the handsome lawyer only to overhear a few choice words used in her description causing her to tread backwards and leave. Cameron though is still angry over his ex-fiancee leaving and stealing money from him. He knows he has to apologize to Mandy, but she is gunshy. Fortunately for both Cameron and Vince they are the masters at seduction and plan to win her heart. When she becomes an unwilling victim when the ex-fiancee returns wanting them back, Cameron and Vince decide the best thing for her is to be between them.
Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=12181
When Vince introduces her to his roommate Cameron Longworth, she is charmed by the handsome lawyer only to overhear a few choice words used in her description causing her to tread backwards and leave. Cameron though is still angry over his ex-fiancee leaving and stealing money from him. He knows he has to apologize to Mandy, but she is gunshy. Fortunately for both Cameron and Vince they are the masters at seduction and plan to win her heart. When she becomes an unwilling victim when the ex-fiancee returns wanting them back, Cameron and Vince decide the best thing for her is to be between them.
Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=12181
June 27, 2013
DIAMONDS AND SPURS
This is an enjoyable quick read about Mandy who divorces her manipulative husband, whose financial activities are questionable.
Mandy knows he will come after her. So she has been stashing cash away secretly for a while, and has taken all her jewellery from the bank planning to sell it on a need to basis. Mandy gets in her car and hits the road.
Mandy eventually gets a job on a ranch, in Wyoming, working for Samantha Callen. It here she first meets Vince, tall good looking and sexy. Mandy is attracted to this cowboy, soon after she meets Cameron, Vince's housemate, he's a lawyer. Trouble is she finds Cameron attractive as well. What Mandy doesn't realise is that Vince and Cameron are happy to share a woman. But hold off of telling her that till she gets to know them better.
But there are hidden dangers that threaten Mandy, and not just from her ex-husband.
I thought this was a sweet read, it's not as erotic as others of this genre I have read, but that does not detract from this. I liked the way that both men let Mandy get to know them before they drew her into a relationship with them both. But I did think that the threats against Mandy were a little far fetched. But all in all this was okay.
ARC courtesy of Season Publishing and NetGalley
This is an enjoyable quick read about Mandy who divorces her manipulative husband, whose financial activities are questionable.
Mandy knows he will come after her. So she has been stashing cash away secretly for a while, and has taken all her jewellery from the bank planning to sell it on a need to basis. Mandy gets in her car and hits the road.
Mandy eventually gets a job on a ranch, in Wyoming, working for Samantha Callen. It here she first meets Vince, tall good looking and sexy. Mandy is attracted to this cowboy, soon after she meets Cameron, Vince's housemate, he's a lawyer. Trouble is she finds Cameron attractive as well. What Mandy doesn't realise is that Vince and Cameron are happy to share a woman. But hold off of telling her that till she gets to know them better.
But there are hidden dangers that threaten Mandy, and not just from her ex-husband.
I thought this was a sweet read, it's not as erotic as others of this genre I have read, but that does not detract from this. I liked the way that both men let Mandy get to know them before they drew her into a relationship with them both. But I did think that the threats against Mandy were a little far fetched. But all in all this was okay.
ARC courtesy of Season Publishing and NetGalley
July 8, 2013
I hate to say that this is the first book in the series that I have read. I will be going back to read all the others because I liked this one so much. The Callen's seems like a really great family and there is always something going on. It would never get boring is all I have to say.
When I saw the cover of this book I just knew that I had to read it. Once I started reading about Mandy, I was glad she was getting away from her husband. I couldn't believe she stayed with him so long but at least she gets away from him before the FBI started in on the case.
Vince and Cameron are two men that would be in any woman's fantasies. I can't believe they fell under that evil woman's charms. Well Vince found out more about her before Cameron. The thing that I didn't like was you didn't get to read much about Mandy and Vince.
What I liked about this book was that they slowly came together before they all three started having a relationship together. I know it was hard after being almost shot, burned up in a tent and a car exploding. There were just so much action in this book. I never got bored. The sex was hot especially when they all three got together. I can say this is the first book that I have read by this author. It won't be the last one.
When I saw the cover of this book I just knew that I had to read it. Once I started reading about Mandy, I was glad she was getting away from her husband. I couldn't believe she stayed with him so long but at least she gets away from him before the FBI started in on the case.
Vince and Cameron are two men that would be in any woman's fantasies. I can't believe they fell under that evil woman's charms. Well Vince found out more about her before Cameron. The thing that I didn't like was you didn't get to read much about Mandy and Vince.
What I liked about this book was that they slowly came together before they all three started having a relationship together. I know it was hard after being almost shot, burned up in a tent and a car exploding. There were just so much action in this book. I never got bored. The sex was hot especially when they all three got together. I can say this is the first book that I have read by this author. It won't be the last one.
June 27, 2013
Diamonds and Spurs – Melody Snow Monroe
4 Stars
Mandy, the main character decides that she is ready to leave her marriage and her super wealthy and influential husband after she finds out he is running a ponzi scheme. She is ready to leave behind all the diamonds, glitz and glam to get as far away from him as possible and finds just the place to go. She turns in her diamonds and well manicured nails to work on a ranch as a wilderness guide in Wyoming. While working on the ranch she meets Vince as well as Cam and is instantly attracted to both men and soon finds out that they make a habit out of sharing their women. Before she knows which way is up she finds herself in a relationship with the both of them. Their ex-fiance shows back up onto the scene and all hell breaks loose. She is a woman who will not be told no and threatens to make their life hell. Mandy gets herself shot at, her car blown up along with being caught in a fire and while they try to find out if it is their crazy ex-fiance or her ex-husband a hot and steamy relationship develops between the 3 of them. It was a little on the short side but was a good cowboy romance.
4 Stars
Mandy, the main character decides that she is ready to leave her marriage and her super wealthy and influential husband after she finds out he is running a ponzi scheme. She is ready to leave behind all the diamonds, glitz and glam to get as far away from him as possible and finds just the place to go. She turns in her diamonds and well manicured nails to work on a ranch as a wilderness guide in Wyoming. While working on the ranch she meets Vince as well as Cam and is instantly attracted to both men and soon finds out that they make a habit out of sharing their women. Before she knows which way is up she finds herself in a relationship with the both of them. Their ex-fiance shows back up onto the scene and all hell breaks loose. She is a woman who will not be told no and threatens to make their life hell. Mandy gets herself shot at, her car blown up along with being caught in a fire and while they try to find out if it is their crazy ex-fiance or her ex-husband a hot and steamy relationship develops between the 3 of them. It was a little on the short side but was a good cowboy romance.
June 26, 2013
Overall this was a nicely done menage book. The hard thing for me was that I literally read Colters' Woman 2 days before. For those of you that have read it, you understand...
I really liked the element of suspense but I kind of wished that it was caused by , though that ending made up for it!!
Very odd to say about a menage but... the sex scenes were just okay. Not too eventful. In fact, their whole relationship felt that way. We never got to see the relationship bloom. It was just kind of there.
The end was my favorite! The guys going all he-man! Very sexy.
I really liked the element of suspense but I kind of wished that it was caused by , though that ending made up for it!!
Very odd to say about a menage but... the sex scenes were just okay. Not too eventful. In fact, their whole relationship felt that way. We never got to see the relationship bloom. It was just kind of there.
The end was my favorite! The guys going all he-man! Very sexy.
June 23, 2013
The story opens with Mandy asking her husband for a divorce and him not believing her, she discovered that he has been running a ponzi scheme and that she is the only one standing between him and jail...she gets her divorce and runs as far away as she can, Intrigue Wyoming.
Working as a guide at Samantha Callen's ranch she meets Vince and after giving him a ride home his roommate Cam who is still a bit jaded after their ex finance "took the money and ran" so to speak and she over hears Cam calling her a gold digger and takes off.....Cam feels bad and knows he needs to apologize and it takes off from there....
The ex-fiance shows back up and wants Cam and Vince back, Mandy's ex-husband finds out she knows about the ponzi scheme...now they just have to figure out which of the two of them are behind all the various attacks on Mandy....and of course in between all of that there is some pretty smokin sex.
Book provided by publisher through NetGalley for an honest review
Working as a guide at Samantha Callen's ranch she meets Vince and after giving him a ride home his roommate Cam who is still a bit jaded after their ex finance "took the money and ran" so to speak and she over hears Cam calling her a gold digger and takes off.....Cam feels bad and knows he needs to apologize and it takes off from there....
The ex-fiance shows back up and wants Cam and Vince back, Mandy's ex-husband finds out she knows about the ponzi scheme...now they just have to figure out which of the two of them are behind all the various attacks on Mandy....and of course in between all of that there is some pretty smokin sex.
Book provided by publisher through NetGalley for an honest review
Read
July 7, 2013Mandy is freshly divorced and on the run from her ex when she lands a job in Intrigue, Wyoming. She quickly finds out that the ratio of men to women means that a woman having two husbands is not unusual so when Vince and Cam start courting her she knows they mean to share her. But first they have to keep her safe from her ex and theirs.
I haven’t read the rest of this series but it did pretty well as a stand-alone. The sex scenes while erotic sometimes felt like they were place fillers… so many words bam sex scene more words… you get my drift. The story was good but I felt like sometime there was a sex scene just for the sake of a sex scene and not having anything to do with furthering the story. However it could just be me. If you like smoking hot cowboys and damsels in distress burning up the kitchen, the bedroom and the fields of Intrigue, Wyoming this book is for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review
I haven’t read the rest of this series but it did pretty well as a stand-alone. The sex scenes while erotic sometimes felt like they were place fillers… so many words bam sex scene more words… you get my drift. The story was good but I felt like sometime there was a sex scene just for the sake of a sex scene and not having anything to do with furthering the story. However it could just be me. If you like smoking hot cowboys and damsels in distress burning up the kitchen, the bedroom and the fields of Intrigue, Wyoming this book is for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review
July 3, 2013
There isnt anything bad I can say about this. I loved it thanks Ms Monroe!! The story line, the characters. It was just a fun read. I always wonder about just how happy one would be if they had the money to do anything they wanted. The old saying "money cant buy you love". A male so sure of himself and wrapped up in doing dirt fails on all levels.
The ease that Mandy got along with her new friends and so quickly must be the country hospilality. Two simply awesome men(never thought Id like cowboys) that was smart enough not to push her, also solid enough with themselves to be able give her the time she needed, with each of them separately. There always needs to be a bad guy. *smirks* a wee bit of danger and jealosy thrown in the pot with loads of sexy hot sex stir well and watch it boil. Enjoy.
The ease that Mandy got along with her new friends and so quickly must be the country hospilality. Two simply awesome men(never thought Id like cowboys) that was smart enough not to push her, also solid enough with themselves to be able give her the time she needed, with each of them separately. There always needs to be a bad guy. *smirks* a wee bit of danger and jealosy thrown in the pot with loads of sexy hot sex stir well and watch it boil. Enjoy.
June 26, 2013
Mandy married the man of her drams or so she thought. She played the perfect wife to him for 5 years. She had what most would call a perfect life, weekly trips to the spa, shopping trips, and the social life of a queen. But with a loveless marriage and finding husband had been stealing money from investors in a Ponzi scheme, Mandy had enough and divorced him.
Mandy knew she had to leave the area as she had information about her ex-husband that was very valuable, so she restarted her. She wasn’t looking for a relation but when she met Vince the chemistry they shared was hard to ignore. Then when she meets Cam, The chemistry is scorching hot too.
The story takes a few twists and turns you won’t expect, and with chemistry and sex so hot and danger so close this is a story you can’t put down!
Mandy knew she had to leave the area as she had information about her ex-husband that was very valuable, so she restarted her. She wasn’t looking for a relation but when she met Vince the chemistry they shared was hard to ignore. Then when she meets Cam, The chemistry is scorching hot too.
The story takes a few twists and turns you won’t expect, and with chemistry and sex so hot and danger so close this is a story you can’t put down!
June 21, 2013
Received a copy of this book from netgalley.
I really loved the story and mystery of who was after Mandy. Mandy meets Vince and Cam on a ranch in Wyoming after running away from her ex-husband. Mandy has a thing for both Cam and Vince which is a good thing considering they like to share.
After an attempt at Mandy's life, the guys try to figure out who is after her. There is some bdsm but it was a lot less intense than I was expecting from the book description.
I really enjoyed diamonds and spurs. I read it in one sitting, not an overly long book, and didn't want to put it down. I will definitely read more books by this author.
I really loved the story and mystery of who was after Mandy. Mandy meets Vince and Cam on a ranch in Wyoming after running away from her ex-husband. Mandy has a thing for both Cam and Vince which is a good thing considering they like to share.
After an attempt at Mandy's life, the guys try to figure out who is after her. There is some bdsm but it was a lot less intense than I was expecting from the book description.
I really enjoyed diamonds and spurs. I read it in one sitting, not an overly long book, and didn't want to put it down. I will definitely read more books by this author.
June 26, 2013
I received this book from Net Galley, so I thank them for introducing me to this author. I have not read a Melody Snow Monroe book before so I did not know what to expect, and I have to say I was happy!! I thought the story line was very strong, a newly divorced women who wants to make a fresh start someplace where her embezzaling ex husband cannot find her and little did she know she would find not only one perfect man but two! really two hot cowboys how bad can that be. My only negative was the ending, I would have liked more!! I will definitely go back and read the others from this series!!
September 18, 2020
I usually love a good damsel in distress novel especially if there’s menage involved. Sign me up. Didn’t quite love this one however and I think it was a bit too stereotypical and predictable. Nothing was surprising or shocking and in fact the blurb basically summarizes the whole book. The relationship fell flat and lacked feeling. The heroine runs away from her old life and of course it’s a past she can’t run from and the end was predictable with her getting kidnapped. I dunno it just was kind of a letdown and lacked some originality or suspense.
July 2, 2013
I received this book from Net Galley - thank you!!
I have not read a Melody Snow Monroe book before so I did not know what to expect. I love the story line. It was a quick read as I couldn't put it down. I didn't realize there are several books in front of this. I will need to go back and read those now!!
A newly divorced women who wants to make a fresh start someplace where her embezzling ex husband cannot find her and little did she know she would find not only one perfect man but two really hot cowboys. Read it :-)
May 2, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It took me on several different twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I am excited to read all of Melody's books, but she just keeps getting better and better. I loved the Vince and Cam in this book, the pair worked well with each other and Mandy is perfect these men. Its got sweet and spice, just the way I like a good book!
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