BREAK ME DOWN (LOVING ON THE EDGE #8.5)

The New York Times bestselling author of Call on Me invites you to discover the thrill of control as one couple wrestles for power in and out of the bedroom…

Samantha Dunbar needs to forget Gibson Andrews. When he trained her to be a domme, she experienced just how hot things could get with the sexy executive. She was ready to hand him everything—including her heart. But Gibson backed away, declaring them incompatible. He’s a dominant, and Sam’s no submissive.

But after an attack shakes Sam to her core, Gibson tracks her down at her family’s rundown farmhouse and makes her an offer. He’ll stay the week and be hers in every way—a helping hand for the renovation and a willing lover in her bed. He swore he’d never give up control to anyone again, but he hasn’t been able to touch another woman since Sam. Maybe a week alone with her will cure him of his relentless craving.

But one taste only makes them want more, and Sam and Gibson are drawn in deeper than ever. The man who won’t give in has just met the girl who won’t give up…

Loving on the Edge Series #8.5

Penguin Group Intermix

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Nikki’s Review:

Holy crap! I wasn't expecting this. I don't read Femme Domme stuff...ever! It's not my bag, you know? But ummm, I may be changing my mind with that. Roni Loren. The authors name alone incites giddiness and excitement. I know when I open one of her books; I'm going to be going on a deliciously filthy adventure!

Gibson. Hot damn! This character has intrigued me since I met him in previous books. He's totally alpha, but there's something else that lurks under his well-built facade. His fantasy is to kneel before a dominant woman. And not just any woman...Samantha. I went into this book with a sense of trepidation. I love this series, but like I said, the whole Femme Domme genre doesn't flip my switch. But I will eagerly read anything by Ms. Loren. Man, once I started reading, I was hooked! 

Gib is struggling with his submissive needs and ghosts from the past. Sam has her own set of issues lurking in the dark of her mind. But together, they smooth out each other's edges and create a real sense of calm...even with Sam flogging Gib! 

For a novella, this book packed a real punch! So much going and so many emotions to absorb. Seriously, I was utterly captivated. The writing so beautifully put together. This author makes it seem like you're inside the story, a fly on the wall. Ha! I'd love to be a fly on the wall watching Gibson getting worked over!

When I think of a Roni Loren novel, I immediately start picturing all the yummy things the characters will do together. And I don't mean baking! The woman has a wicked, wicked mind. But she totally outdid herself in this one. It was filthy...and I loved every freakin' moment! So much sheet yoga in this one.

I loved the realness of these characters. It can't be easy for a tough guy like Gib to give himself over to a woman, to submit to her. In his mind, he's supposed to be in her role. That's what a "strong" man does, right? What you very quickly learn in this book, is that it takes so much strength to open yourself up and trust another person to make you fly. That's not something to be taken lightly. It's a gift. When Gibson is able to finally get out of his head and open his whole heart to Sam, the results are equally explosive, and so incredibly beautiful. Like I said, they just do it for each other. They connect like puzzle pieces.

You need to read this book. Well, read the whole damn series, but this book can be read as a stand-alone. What else can I say, expect...one click this baby! Thank you Ms. Loren for yet another toe curling, panty wetting Journey...my husband thanks you!

CALL ON ME

The new Loving on the Edge novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Nothing Between Us and Need You Tonight…

Oakley Easton wants two things: to be a good mom to her daughter and to ditch her less than ideal night job. Hooking up with bad boy drummer Pike Ryland? Not on the agenda. She needs a promotion. Not sex, tattoos and rock ’n’ roll.

Pike isn’t about to let Ms. Prim and Proper shut him down so easily, especially when he stumbles upon Oakley’s sexy night job. She’s only playing a role on those late night calls with strangers, but when he gets her on the line, all bets are off. He won’t stop until that sultry voice is calling his name for real.

But as they move from anonymous fantasies in the dark to the flesh-on-hot-flesh reality of the bedroom, the risk of falling in love becomes all too high. And the safe, quiet world that Oakley’s worked so hard to create is about to be exposed to the one person who could ruin it all.

Loving on the Edge series #8

Release Date: July 7, 2015

Review copy purchased

Nikki’s Review:

This series is one of my favourites! I know, I know, I have so many favourites! Call me a junkie, I guess. The moment I finished reading book one, I was hooked. I knew this author was special and that each book would just get better and better. Eight books in and I'm convinced that this one is her absolute best, hands down the best! It takes a lot to turn me inside out with sexual tension, but Roni Loren managed just that!

Oakley Easton is a kick ass heroine. She's so incredibly capable. She's a fierce mama bear when it comes to her equally kick ass daughter. Oakley left behind a promising singing career to have a baby at the tender age of 17. She's built an incredible bond with her daughter, Reagan, who has some special needs. I could immediately relate to Oakley. She put aside everything for her child. It was easy to see myself in her shoes. There isn't anything or anyone more important than my kids. Their happiness and safety always at the forefront of everything. In order to give Reagan the advantages she needs to cope in school, Oakley takes a second job at night. As a phone sex operator. What good mom wouldn't put aside their own pride if it meant that their baby would have what they needed to do well in life? Night after night she listens to men sling obscenities at her, pretends to be into the sexual conversations that are taking place. All the while reminding herself of why she's doing it. She’s convinced herself that she is sexually numb. Immune to wanting real pleasure. She doesn't have time for that anyways. All those crazy thoughts come to a screeching halt when Pike Ryland, drummer god, comes into her life.

Lawd, I love Pike! He is an absolute menace to women everywhere. Hot, tatted up, sexy smirk, all male deliciousness! Seriously, I swooned...over a damn fictional character! Right from the get go, he wants Oakley. He wants her with an intensity that is startling to him. He's use to easy women, he's a freakin' rockstar after all! And the fact that Oakley isn't dropping to her knees and begging for his attention, or to have a peek at a certain appendage, is new for this cocky guy. Like any alpha male, he knows he's going to have her.

When the two are thrusted together to work on a children's charity project, they soon find themselves creating more than music. Normally, sexual tension leaves me feeling impatient. While it's a nice build up, I'm always waiting for the good stuff, you know? But in this book, it was a welcome thing! Pike knows about Oakley's second job, and he thinks it's sexy as hell when they have their own phone sex sessions. Holy filthy dirty mouth! The words that come from Pike are seriously drool worthy, panty melting actually. I loved every second of their conversations. And when they did get to good stuff...woo wee! It was off the charts! Pike is a "I'll try anything once" kinda guy. Totally open and comfortable with his pleasure. I ummm, might have swallowed my tongue a time or ten. Oakley was no wilting flower in the sack either. This woman gave as good as she got! Ms. Loren wrote such incredible sex scenes that it sometimes left me breathless. That doesn't happen all that often.

Neither of these characters was looking for love but of course those pesky emotions came into play. I loved how sweet Pike was with Oakley. I adored the way he was her daughter, Reagan. He wasn't being sweet to the young girl to get into Oakley's pants. He genuinely thought the kid was pretty cool and awesome. Pike comes from a pretty shitty childhood. He doesn't trust easy and he's reluctant to let anyone into his heart. He's not willing to let anyone gain any ammunition to hurt him. It was a privilege to watch him slowly open up. I loved seeing the surprise he felt each time he let Oakley and her daughter nudge their way further into his heart and mind. Oakley has her own set of hesitancies. She's been burned before. So understandably, it takes time for her head to catch up to her heart. It broke my heart to watch her struggle with her emotions. She wanted Pike, but didn't know if she could afford to take a risk on him.

When their fragile relationship is challenged, things start to crumble. I wanted to shake them both and tell them to just freakin' talk about it already! So many of the misunderstandings could have been avoided if they'd been more open and honest with each other. But if that happened, then we wouldn't have been able to join them on their beautiful journey.

There are so many perfect elements to this book. The well-written characters, the delicious sexual tension, and the surrender. Watching Pike and Oakley slowly, but oh so surely surrender to the inevitable, to what's been nipping at their feet all along...love. Roni Loren has written two completely honest, flawed, raw, and beautiful characters. This story is one of learning to live outside your comfort zone, to break down the walls of things that scare you. And most importantly, letting yourself embrace the happiness that is standing right in front of you. It was an absolute privilege to go on this journey, to walk this path with Pike and Oakley. Thank you, Ms. Loren for allowing us to inside these two souls who didn't believe that they'd ever find their happily ever after.