I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Only Pleasure
by
Lora Leigh
erotic romance, erotica in Paperback edition that was published by St. Martin's Griffin on January 6, 2009 and has 345 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Styx's Storm, Moving Violations, Cops and Cowboys, B.O.B.'s Fall, Manaconda, A Wish a Kiss a Dream, "Dragon Prime", Primal, Live Wire, Navarro's Promise, Forbidden Pleasure, Beyond the Dark, Black Jack, Tempting the Beast, Dangerous Pleasure, Maverick, Man Within, Midnight Sins, Wild Card, Tied with a Bow, Lawe's Justice, Legally Hot, Deadly Sins, Stygian's Honor, Surrender to Fire, Nauti Temptress, Submission & Seduction, Wicked Sacrifice, Secret Sins, Nautier and Wilder, Shameless Embraces, Wicked Pleasure, Guilty Pleasure, Wicked Lies, Twin Passions, Nauti Enchantress, Shattered Legacy, Intense Pleasure, Knight Stalker, Enthralled, Secret Pleasure, Rule Breaker, "The One", Nauti Angel, Nauti Seductress, Wake a Sleeping Tiger, Collision Point, Cross Breed, One Tough Cowboy, Hot for the Holidays, Dawn's Awakening, "Night Hawk"
First read March 3rd, 2010; again on June 25th, 2011.
Tenth in the Bound Hearts erotic romance series based in Alexandria, Virginia. The couple focus is on Kia Rutherford-Stanton and Chase Falladay with Khalid as their third.
My Take
Okay, besides the heavy erotica, it’s a great love story, and I just love this declaration Kia makes:
“Isn’t that what love truly is? Being free even as you’re being held? Knowing you can reach for the stars, and someone’s there to share it with you? Or to give you a boost if you need it? Someone to laugh with, love with, cry and argue with? Someone you know will be there when you’re moody, when you’re dark, or when you just need a hug” Isn’t that love?”
One of the things I like about this series, well, besides the sex…*grin*…is the caring part. Sinclair’s Club may be about sharing a woman, but it has to be consensual and there is no hitting.
It’s rather sad that such things have to be in the rules; doesn’t say much for humanity. On the fun side, Chase’s confusion and frustration over his enthrallment with Kia versus his guilt about Moirah keeps things interesting. It’s not so much fun for Kia, but it is for the reader.
Leigh drove me wild with the mysterious person spying on Kia and Chase. She words it so well that I could have sworn it was one person, but then she’d drop a few words, and I’d be reeling off in another direction. And whoever it is, he/she is sick!
Kia’s hurt made me cry for her loneliness, and yet I do understand her reasoning. You just don’t do this, you don’t betray a friend’s confidence! As for the sharing, her conflict with Chase’s rule and her own attraction is so frustrating. I understand her wanting more, and I applaud her for deciding that she’s worth more and then standing up for herself.
I do love it! The women we’ve met in earlier books in this series are caring, loyal friends, and they take Kia to their hearts. Ian, however, is not so happy as it means that Courtney is plotting again. It’s never good for Ian when Courtney is back in play, LOL.
I do like Khalid. He’s so gentle and his compliments are an absolute treat. Oh, man, then there’s Cam and his ticking off the list of all the horrible things that happen to a man “trapped” in a monogamous relationship…crack me up! I like Kia too. She seems so compliant until she decides what she wants, and then look out!
I am curious when Tally Raines-Conover picked up a new name, Rafferty.
The Story
She’s been warned, and at the same time, she’ll be cared for. Chase Falladay has a soft spot for Kia Rutherford-Stanton, and he’ll do what he can for her. Even if it does take two years…
It happens that night that she flees another tedious charity and discovers Chase and Khalid at the same bar. A night in which Kia learns of the pleasure that can be had.
A pleasure that infuriates Kia’s ex-husband. After all, it was what he had tried to force onto her…
The Characters
Kia Rutherford-Stanton is the “naughty” wife we hear about throughout the series, who spread the rumors about the Sinclair Men’s Club, but it wasn’t her fault! Timothy and Celia Rutherford are Kia’s very understanding parents. He runs Rutherford Logistic Solutions, which Kia will publicly rejoin.
Chase Falladay is Cameron’s twin and still reeling with the guilt of Moirah Brockheim’s death (see Wicked Pleasure, 9). Both men are private investigators for Ian Sinclair and his club. Jaci and Cam Falladay are engaged.
Khalid el Hamid-Mustafa is the bastard son of a little-known Middle Eastern prince who is sucking up to his son big time, sending him all sorts of presents: a Hummer, a free gas card, ahem, six women under the age of 20. Abdul is his driver. Martha is Khalid’s bête noire.
Other male members of Sinclair Men’s Club include:
Ian Sinclair with his wife, Courtney (Shameless, 7); Lucian and Devril Conover are married to Tally Raines/Rafferty (Wicked Sacrifice: Wicked Intent, 4); Cole Andrews, vice-president of Delacourte-Conovers, is married to Tessa, a schoolteacher and daughter of the owner/founder of Delacourte (Ties That Bind: Surrender, 1); Jared and Kimberly Raddington, a security expert, (Wicked Sacrifice: Sacrifice, 5); James and Ella Wyman (Submission, 2); and, Sebastian de Laurents, a friend of Courtney’s from Spain, who likes to dance.
Carl “Drew” Stanton is Kia’s ex-husband. And an idiot who wants his wife back. Harold and Margaret Brockheim refuse to accept the detective’s story of their daughter’s, Moirah‘s, death. Rebecca Harding was the woman Kia had thought was her friend. Her husband, Marion, works at Rutherford and wonders if Kia’s criticisms about his projections are because of his wife. Liza Ison is Kia’s secretary at Rutherford. Detective Allen is a member of the club, and the cop they call on when there’s a problem. Dr. Sanjer is Ian’s personal physician.
The Cover and Title
I’m not buying the guy on this cover. He’s just too young looking…! I’m guessing that the couple are meant to be Kia in the black bra lying on her back as a nude Chase hovers over her, and they’re about to kiss. The top “half” is red with all the text information.
The title is Chase’s mantra. The sex is Only Pleasure; he doesn’t intend it to be anything more.
