Rough Draft

Big Easy #4

by Mari Carr

Capture, bondage and fantasies fulfilled. It’s all fun and games until someone gets killed.
Bestselling crime novelist Jett Lewis is stumbling over a wicked case of writer’s block, his fast-flowing words having run dry. His publisher’s screaming “deadline”, the fans are ready to riot, and Jett just wants to disappear. His friend Carissa suggests he get away, clear his head…get laid. And she has just the ticket. Literally. Two passes to Eden, an exclusive island paradise.
Recently sans girlfriend, Jett convinces Carissa to go with him, and the resort is more than either of them bargained for—especially when the simple beach trip turns to murder. Thrust into a plot sinister enough to rival Jett’s books, the couple embarks on a search for the killer. The most shocking revelation of all might be their mutual attraction…and how much Jett and Carissa love working undercover.

Genres: Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2014

About the author

Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends.
Mari writes contemporary sexy romance novels. To learn more about her spicy stories, click here.
Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.
Find Mari on the web at
maricarr.com
Email: mari@maricarr.com

Reviews

[April Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Courtesy of April Hollingworth

Rough Draft is the 4th book in the Big Easy series and also part of the Invitation to Eden series. It can be read as a standalone. I found it quite wonderful, with enough mystery and plenty of romance to keep he hooked to the very end. I loved it!

Opening Scene:

“What are you doing here?”

The Review:

Jett Lewis is a famous author with a bad case of writer’s block. Carissa is his best friend and bar owner of the Royal Lunch. Carissa has won a set of all inclusive tickets to the mysterious Island of Eden, and offers them to Jett, to help him get away from his writer’s block and everything and everyone. Jett has only one condition, Carissa must come with him. What starts out as friends without benefits turns into an exploration of BDSM. But paradise turns deadly when a body turns up brutally murdered. Going undercover Jett and Carissa hunt for the killer, but more shockingly for them is their intense attraction to each other. Jett is determined to play for keeps, now all he has to do is convince Carissa he’s serious.

Notable Scene:

“I’ll go on one condition.”
“And what would that be?” Mama didn’t appear concerned. After all, there was pretty much nothing the woman couldn’t accomplish when she put her mind to it. She’d raised four children of her own as well as countless foster kids. She was a force to be reckoned with and most people had learned it was much easier to just say yes from the get-go. Saved then time since Mama Lewis would continue pressing until she got her way.
Jett smiled at Carissa. “Rissa goes with me. She won the trip and I wouldn’t feel right taking the tickets away from her. She’s always wanted to go to Eden. Think she called it a ‘dream trip’ once.” Jett continued to pile it on, making certain to cement Carissa’s fate with his mother. “Besides, she’s never taken a trip or even ventured out of New Orleans. This is an opportunity I can’t deny her.”
Mama turned to Carissa. “I think that’s a wonderful idea” So it’s all-“
“I can’t go, Jett. I told you that. I can’t afford to close the bar for a week and there’s no one to-“
“Hey, Noah. What are you doing next week?” Jett asked his younger foster brother, cutting Carissa off mid-refusal.
Noah shrugged. “Thought I’d bum around as long as Mama Lewis let me, then try to find some work. My next semester at the Culinary Institute doesn’t start until September.”
“How would you like to start that summer work now? Run the Royal Lunch for Rissa next week.”
Noah rose from his stool at the bar and joined them. “Oh my God, man. Seriously? I’d love that!”

FTC Advisory: Fido Publishing through Net Galley provided me with a copy of Rough Draft by Mari Carr. Published through Fido Publishing. Kindle Edition. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[MsRomanticReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Purchased and read as part of THE BAD BOYS OF EDEN: Billionaires, Alphas, Bikers, and Doms Boxed Set.

Rough Draft by Mari Carr
Invitation to Eden #13
Part of a Series: Big Easy #4
Tags: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Friends to Lovers, M/F, BDSM, Suspense
Length: 9 Chapters + Epilogue
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Best friends for seven years, Jett and Carissa have never seen themselves in a sexual or romantic relationship with each other. Jett worked hard to become a famous author, and Carissa felt out of his league, running her father's bar.

While suffering from writer's block and with a deadline hanging over his head, Jett receives an invitation to Eden for two. Since they could both use a vacation, he finally manages to get her to tag along. Once there, they discover that what they needed had been right in front of them all this time.

I loved this story and this couple. Carissa was confident in all aspects of her life, except when the lines of her long time friendship with Jett began to blur. The tug of war between her heart and her head (or her libido) made the blooming romance so much fun to watch as it unfolded. Nothing scared her more than potentially losing her best friend because of uncontrollable urges. Their first night in particular was amusing, especially when she discovered that Jett's secret lifestyle matched her fantasies.

Jett was sexy, honorable and so sweet towards her. I loved how he didn't give up and kept nudging her along to embrace her desires. It wasn't always easy, but he seemed to have a lot of patience and love enough to wait for her to be ready.

The sexual relationship was a slow burn because they did everything but have intercourse for the majority of the story. And the murder mystery, I felt, was a good catalyst to get Jett's creative juices flowing again, and it jolted Carissa into taking a chance on love.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 steamy stars....

This was provided to me by netgalley


This was a fun and enjoyable read and for sure very steamy!!! Some BDSM and a bit of suspense thrown in to make this the kind of book that I find enjoyable. Sometimes I am picky with erotica if its more sex than story I lose interest. This had just enough of sex and romance to keep me satisfied. I see this author has many more books and I for sure will be tracking them down as well as more Invitation to Eden as well. I see there are many and by some authors I like.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally forgot about this book. Only had a chapter left to read.

[Schellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jett has spent his life with Mama Lewis and his foster family honing his writing skills. Rissa has spent her life behind the bar of her dads restaurant, watching her best friend become a wildly popular crime writer. When it seems he can no longer write, she vows to help him, suggesting a paradise trip to Eden, but the only way he will go, is if she goes too. Now they are on a tropical island, with a secret BDSM club in the basement. Rissa would love to explore that side of her fantasies, but she is sharing a room with Jett, how do you sneak out of a shared room? When Jett learns of her secret fantasies, things begin to heat up, until they come across a dead body! Nothing can help a crime writer overcome his writers block like a good old fashion mystery! Solving the mystery helps Rissa slow down her raging libido, but what do you do when you are falling in love with your best friend? This was another great story in this series, check it out today!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers don't always work, but when your friends with a mystery writer and your given the chance to go undercover to expose a murder. Well who's going to say no to that. Sometimes the thing we want most is right under your nose.

[Beachbaby]

In boxed set - "THE BAD BOYS OF EDEN"

[Hillary Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I did really enjoy Jett and Carissa’s chemistry.

[viva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eden: An isolated island with a magical essence about it, it’s said to give you just what you really need.
A tropical paradise with a mystery owner and a BDSM dungeon. Hmmmm…to good to be true??


Rissa Pierre owner operator of the Royal Lunch will do anything to perk up her buddy Jett. Jett happens to be a murder mystery writer, with a severe case of writers block and her long time friend. Thinking a Paradise getaway will be just what the doctor orders to shake loose Jett’s creative juices, calling in reinforcements (Jett’s family) applies just the right amount of pressure to get him to except. There is just one catch she has to go as well. Tropical fun in the sun with your bestie wouldn’t be so bad except there is only one room and Rissa wants to explore the dungeon…how do you sneak out of a shared hotel room and go hit up a private BDSM dungeon? Where there is a will there is a way! Little does Rissa know that more that Jett’s creativity is stirred on this trip. One hot kiss is all it takes for these two to realize just what they have been overlooking all these years.. Each other! With things heating up faster than she expected the Dead body Rissa and Jett stumble upon is the best buffer one can hope for. Nothing cools the jets faster than a dead guy with his cock stuffed in his mouth.

I found this novella a perfect lead into the Eden series. I have not read any of the Invitation to Eden books and if this is just a glimpse….well let’s just say I’m all aboard for that bookcation! With erotic fun and wild D/s moments to ferreting out a crazed killer, this short is well rounded and can’t be overlooked.


I received this for an honest review~

[April Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review***

Woo Hoo. What can I say? Jett is a writer who is fighting writer’s block so his very best female friend Carissa tells him she has won passes to a place called Island of Eden, which is very enigmatic and mystical. Carissa says he can have her tickets to this place to help him combat this writer’s block. Jett told her he would be willing to go but he says if he goes, then she goes too.

They go as friends but it slowly bleeds into more; an exploration into BDSM. The friends turned lovers stumble into a body. Paradise becomes a crime scene and a race against the clock to find the murderer. As they race to find the killer, Jett realized the feelings he has for Clarissa and how he is going to keep her , how he is going to prove how powerful his feelings are ; how what once was a game is now a move into keep Carissa.

This is a great novella in the Invitation to Eden series and is the 4th book in the series. It can be read as a standalone. I found it held my attention from word one and I couldn’t put the story down until the last word. Jett and Carissa were a great couple to read about and I hope the author will write a follow up to their story down the road. I really enjoyed reading their story. This story is fast paced. Full of suspense and has the mystery to keep the reader involved til the end.

My Rating: 5 stars *****

[Pansy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Mama Lewis and her brood! Rough Draft is Jett's story. The mystery writer has writer's block. Oh no! The bane of every writer. But his has been there for six months and nothing seems to be breaking it. Not even all the well meaning advice from his very large and well intentioned family. He just cannot take another family Sunday dinner. So he shows up at his best friend's bar Royal Lunch. How about that for a name of a bar? Well Carissa also has a suggestion on how to break his writer's block. She has an Invitation to Eden. *sigh* Lucky woman. So off these two "friends" go to lovely Eden for well deserved vacations. We all know vacations never go quite as planned on Eden. Unexpected things happen. But interestingly, just the right unexpected things needed to bring about the needed results in each guests lives. In the case of Jett and Carissa - well of course his writer's block gets knocked down, but are they really just friends? And do they really have more in common then they even knew. I LOVE how Eden seems to always know and provide just what is needed for each adventure. In this case, "Capture, bondage and fantasies fulfilled. It’s all fun and games until someone gets killed." Eden always provides.

[Jodie Bivins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carissa is a bar owner who has never been out of New Orleans. She won 2 ticket to Eden
Her friend Jett is a successful writer who happens to be suffering from writers block.
Carissa tries to give him the tickets but Rhett wil only acccept them if she goes with him.
Jett notices Carissa is very nervous on the plane and kisses her to side track her and finds
himself enjoying the kiss a little to much. Upon landing on Eden they both try to put a little
distance between them. Jett goes to the dungeon to work out some of his tensions. As a Dom
he notices submissive traits in Carissa when she shows up and another Dom aproaches her.
After the Dom that approached Carissa has left Carissa finds him dead strapped to a chair
brutally murdered. The Master asks them to investigate the murder. Jett didn't want to do it
but Carissa thought it was a good way to keep her and Jett's minds off the chemistry brewing
between them. Jett is determined to keep Carissa safe but he has plans to make her his sub
perminantly.
This book has it all murder, mystery, and sizzling passion that is hot enough to catch the pages
on fire as these two investigate the murder but will solving this get someone hurt? Will Jett
get to capture him a little sub for keeps?

[Evita · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts out as friendship turns out to be a lot more! Loved the next installment in the Big Easy series by Mari Carr. This is book number 4, but they can all be read as standalone.

Carissa is the bartender at the Royal Lunch and Jett is her best friend and stuck with writers block. Carissa offers him her winning tickets to the Island of Eden to maybe get his mojo back. He accepts but only if she goes with him, reluctantly she agrees.

After a shocking kiss in the airplane, they don’t see each the same way, tension ramps up when they see the bed they will have to share. They also indulge in a bit of BDSM play in the Islands Dungeon, and at the same time try to find out the identity of a killer on the loose at the Island. I love the friends-to-lovers storyline, she doesn’t think it will work, but Jett is very persistent in many various ways, some even have her screaming with desire. Come check out the story and you too can find out about paradise at Island Eden.

*Received ARC by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily (Mrs B's Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Fido Publishing , for an honest review**

I have read a few of the invitation to Eden books, although i have not yet read anything by this author before. This book can also be read as part as a stand alone and i did not feel that i missed out on anything by doing this as it is more or less just set in Eden.

Carissa and Jett have been friends for 7 years when Jett first set foot in Carissa's bar Royal Lunch. However suffering from writers block and having his family trying to help him out Jett decides to forgo family lunch and instead gets an offer from Carissa that changes the game between them.

I loved how the author added an element of mystery and a little bit of thriller into the book and we were never quite sure as to who was the bad guy. There was a person to hate, a bad guy and Jett who showed Carissa a way into the BDSM world on the lighter side.

I enjoyed this story and will be looking into reading more of the Invitation to Eden books.

[Amber Karas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have six words for this book: THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!
The main character, Jett, is a major best selling author who has a bad case of writer's block. When his best friend, Carissa, wins a pair of tickets for a luxury vacation in Eden, she and his family think the best thing for Jett was to go in an attempt to releive his writers block. After a small squabble about who was going to go with him, Jett finally convinces Carissa to go with him. Little do they expect, they are dragged into a real life murder mystery.
I give this book a full 5 stars! Mari Carr is a genius with words who knows how to sculpt a picture in one's mind. The sex scenes were hot. This book left me on the edge of my seat as Jett and Carissa tried to solve the case. I love how they grew closer to each other as the book continued, exploring different sides of each other that helped them solve the mystery. I would definitely recommend it to other readers.

[Nerd Alert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have six words for this book: THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!
The main character, Jett, is a major best selling author who has a bad case of writer's block. When his best friend, Carissa, wins a pair of tickets for a luxury vacation in Eden, she and his family think the best thing for Jett was to go in an attempt to releive his writers block. After a small squabble about who was going to go with him, Jett finally convinces Carissa to go with him. Little do they expect, they are dragged into a real life murder mystery.
I give this book a full 5 stars! Mari Carr is a genius with words who knows how to sculpt a picture in one's mind. The sex scenes were hot. This book left me on the edge of my seat as Jett and Carissa tried to solve the case. I love how they grew closer to each other as the book continued, exploring different sides of each other that helped them solve the mystery. I would definitely recommend it to other readers.

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 3 out of 5]

NetGalley Free Book

Jett is a famous writer of detective novels who has a severe case of writers block. His best friend, who owns a bar, has won tickets to Eden, an exclusive island getaway that has a BDSM club in the basement. When Jett agrees his friend Carissa decides that she will check out the basement when Jett is finally writing again. He need never know about her desire to finally try a bit of BDSM. Little does she know that Jett is a Master in BDSM. She will soon find out though.

This book, although typical, was actually written so well that I could not put the book down. I only gave it 3 stars because it has been written before and it was overly predictable. The only caveat was that the two have to find out who murdered an abusive man before the storm blows over and the cops get wind of it.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! It's short, can easily be read in an afternoon, but it's still a complete story. I never felt that it was limited by its length. It is part of both the multi author series Invitation to Eden and Mari Carr’s Big Easy series but it stands alone just fine. I have not read any of the other stories in either series but now find myself intrigued and will very likely go looking for more of both. I love a friends to lovers storyline so Jett and Carissa’s story was right up my alley. I loved his persistence with her, his absolute surety that they would work beyond the island. And the sex between these two….keep a cold beverage and maybe a BOB around. This was a great read and I will absolutely be looking for more! I received an ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amaranthine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fantasy Island type setting, with hot bdsm, AND a murder mystery? Sign me up! This book, while quite short, is a superb example of the friends-to-lovers theme. And, well, y’know the bdsm/relationship angst is good when you’ve so thoroughly forgotten this is also a murder mystery that the sudden appearance of a dead body makes you exclaim WTF aloud. “Loud” being the keyword there, apparently some books you shouldn’t read in public….oh well.

My only criticism is that the murder plot was not as well fleshed out as the rest of the storyline, and sort of plays like an afterthought in the book.

For the sake of full disclosure it must be stated that I received this book, free of charge, from Netgalley.

[Karinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read from this author before and not realizing it was hooked on the plot. The story unfolded well. Jett has hit a writers block and trying to figure it out and get over it. It has been six months since his last word was written and his best friend is going to help him. She has won some tickets to a week romance vacation to Eden. Jett's family gets involved and the decision is taken from his hands and they are both off to this romantic vacation!! The story gets better as it goes and steamy as well. I did enjoy it. It was a very fast read. I am sure maybe there is more coming with this series. Can't wait. Good start!

I received this ARC from the publisher via Net Galley for my honest review. Thank you, Net Galley!

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, intrigue, suspense, and romance all takes place on an Eden paradise.

Jett is an author with writer block (so to speak). His friend Carissa gives him two passes to an island get-away. He can only thinks to ask her. This leads to more than getting rid of his writers block. They both take an adventure into mystery, suspense, and a an erotic trip that will have their eyes opened to each other in more ways than one.

This is my first read by Carr and I am looking forward to reading another of her works. As for the series Invitation to Eden, this is the second book for me and I want more. A lot more. I was on the edge all the way through. I just could not get enough.

Thanks, NetGalley for a very good read.

[The Smutty Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

As posted on The Smutty Kitty reviewed by KittyKelly

4 out of 5 Licks

I love me some Mari Carr. While this is the 4th book in her Big Easy series it is not necessary to read the others to enjoy this one. It's a nice fast read with enough steam and action to keep you wanting more. It's a little hard to believe that Clarissa is clueless as to who is going all Dom on her in the club, but I suppose that adds a bit of fun to the mix as well. I haven't read all of the books released in the Eden series but the ones I have read make the island sound like an awesome place to be! Some amazingly sexy stuff goes on there and I'd like to know how to get my tickets!

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like I missed out on something. I know that the Eden series is several different authors showcasing their work to one common theme but I feel like I am missing some back story that would have explained the dynamics (and the ending) to the relationships in this novella a bit better. That being said, I enjoy my smut with a bit of mystery to it and liked how Carr developed the relationship between two close friends into something more. I'm not sure if I will pick up more of her books yet but I'm definitely intrigued and have declared her an author to keep an eye on.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Lewis family and had read about Chloe Lewis in Crash Point in riding desire compilation.
Jett is a crime novelist and is soooo sexy in this book and has hit writers block and is so down at the beginning you just want to cuddle him and say there! there! Carissa is a good friend to Jett and he has her to turn too so when she gets him to take the Invitation to Eden to help him he ask her to go too, she goes and she gets more than what she bargins for Jett knows what he wants and its her.
When a simple introduction to Edens dungeon turn into murder all starts to turn into a plot of one of Jetts books he writes

[Chris Bails · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden sounds like fun

Great book and series. Loved this story and its characters.
Carissa and Jetting are best friends. Jett is and author and has some serious writers block. Carissa owns a local bar and loves it. She suggests that she use her radio prize of a vacation to Eden. He decides to use it but only if she goes with. They go and find they have similar likes. Except things happen and find a man murdered. They are asked to try and help solve it, but they have to become part of a BDSM club and be a couple. Jett realizes that he really likes Carissa, he just needs her to return the feelings.
Loved this book. Can't wait for more of this series.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jett he knows how to show how he's feeling, "cupping her hand in his, he forced her fingers around his c***. "Feel that, Rissa. That's yours. From now on, it's only yours." And his threats of punishment are just plain yummy, "he lifted his hips, coming back inside her with a fair amount of force. "You use that damn thing without me ever again and I'll flip you over my knee and spank your a**." Although I'm not sure what the cliffhanger was about. I thought the Eden books were stand alones but I guess some aren't.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jett has a serious case of writer’s block and everyone is anxiously awaiting his next book. Carissa suggests that Jett get away and clear his head to get back on track and lucky for him Carissa has two passes to Eden. They decide to go as just friends but later that all changes and while there, they end up in the middle of a murder mystery. This is a great lunchtime read, lots of action and plenty of hot and sexy steam. Plan on spending lots more time in Eden with this great series. Highly Recommend

[Short Sorceress · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of the book for review through Net Galley, as always, all opinions are my own.

This book is a great blend of who-done-it and romance with just a hint of BDSM and it all takes place on a fantasy island. It has a little bit of something for everyone and honestly, I don’t think I could have asked for more. Jett and Carissa have great chemistry, you can tell they were friends first and I loved seeing their slow transition into lovers. This may be a relatively short book, but it certainly packs a punch. I can’t wait to read more books in this series.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I read the first one with Jett's brother Caliph and really liked it.
I think that Jett & Carissa are different, almost opposite. They are easy friends, but not so easy with a deeper relationship. (at least 1 of them isn't)
They go on vacation together and end up exploring each other and in a dangerous situation. Sometimes it takes a crazy situation for a person to realize their true feelings and what they want.
I love how Jett was patient with her and waited for her to be ready. I am hoping there is more of these 2 in the future.