Laura is one tough cookie and it is great seeing her get her own story! Love the dynamic between Rafe and Cam! Another fabulous winner! Bliss is quickly becoming my number one town I wish were real so I could visit!

Funny, sexy and a bit of adventure! ( )

Published on http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot.com on the 2/9/11

Lost in Bliss is book number four in the lost in Bliss series. The Marquis de Sade hasn’t been heard from in 5 years. After the last woman he tried to torture and murder escaped his clutches, he had seemingly gone to ground. His last victim, Laura, was a profiler with the FBI who had seemingly “insulted” him when the profile that she had produced appeared in the press. After surviving her horrific injuries, Laura also had to deal with the fact that the men she loved had hung her out to dry professionally. Traumatised and betrayed, she runs until she reaches the sleepy town of Bliss. The residents of Bliss don’t care that she doesn’t talk about her past and tries to keep herself to herself; in Bliss, once you set up camp, they class you as one of their own. Finally feeling like she finally belongs somewhere, Laura tries to forget the man that haunts her nightmares and the men that haunt her dreams. However, although Bliss is safe, it is completely isolated and she doesn’t realise when the killer starts up again. The sleepy town of Bliss have had to become used to protecting their own, but can they protect Laura from the man who confounded even the FBI?

Since the day that Laura disappeared from the hospital, Cam and Rafe have searched high and low for her, throwing away careers and countless man-hours in the race to find her. In five years, they haven’t had a hint of her whereabouts until she appears in a single photograph used to announce the wedding of two of the locals of Bliss (I’m not putting whose in here...it’s a spoiler for the previous books). Once they realise that they’ve found her they hunt her down to apologise for past wrongs and try to convince her she wants them in her future. They made another mistake in her previous life; they tried to make her choose between them. Separately, she stands a chance of resisting them but when they work as a pack? Not a chance girlie  Can they win her back whilst being complete bossy bastards as they fight to protect her from a killer who doesn’t like lose ends?

This book feels a little darker to the rest of the series, but it made the love story that little sweeter. Although these aren’t my favourite characters in the series, I think this is my favourite book. Laura has always been a side character in Bliss, as are most of the folks until they get their loves stories. I knew about her previous employment due to her involvement in the last book, but I never realised that what she was running from was quite so horrific. The injuries that she suffered were just the tip of the iceberg; she had to deal with the betrayal of the men she loved, the loss of her professional reputation and the realisation that one of her closest friends had sold her out for a story. I didn’t know what else she could do but run, but I knew that that wasn’t the way to solve anything. It was fine when she was isolated in Bliss because no one knew of her past. However, as soon as the bodies started to appear, I knew it wouldn’t be long before the facade she had built up tumbled like house of cards. Did I think she was a strong character? Hell yes, lesser women wouldn’t have survived, but I just didn’t think that the way she dealt was going to hold up in the face of the onslaught from Rafe and Cam.

Rafe and Cam were like any other of Sophie Oaks hero’s. Fan-bloody-tastic. Rafe was a straight down the line kind of guy. You would expect him to be the charmer in the attempt to woo her but you would be very wrong! That man is an alpha down to the ground; he has decided she is his “soul-mate” so won’t take no for an answer *swoon*. Cam is a big, gruff, obsessive guy. Again, you would expect him to be the alpha type character...you would be wrong because that man is plain pussy whipped when it comes to Laura. He has been the one hunting her night and day. He has been the one to create the facial recognition software to search the net for sightings. Rafe funded the operation, but signing a blank check is easy, and I adored Cam for the amount of effort he put into finding her. Together, they make a perfect ménage trio. Unfortunately, the men are too afraid of accidental peen bumping during smex to consider the possibility of it becoming a permanent solution. What does this lead to? Why it leads to “taking turns” *shudder*. The town’s male residents take them to task, and soon they realise that their quest to get her back will be more effective if they come at the “situation” as a team. Their other job is to protect her from the frankly scary Marquis de Sade. The scenes which were written from his POV were terrifying...honestly, they creeped me out. The whole thing was very cleverly done and I had no idea of his true identity until he was unmasked...it was a very tense yet thrilling plot line.

Another fabulous addition to the Bliss series. I loved the main characters and, once Rafe and Cam got their act together, I willed for their HEA. You get a real sense of community in Bliss through the interactions of the characters, and I love reading how everyone is getting on. The cast were all out in entertaining force; from mad Mel to tortured Logan, they made the book an experience that I will want to re-read. A sexy, fast paced and slightly dark addition to the Bliss series with characters that made me laugh, swoon and my heart ache. Pretty please can Logan, Wolf and the Doc get books...I loved them all in this tale

Now for my favourite quote....

“I know that according to Callie, Zane and Nate have seriously stretched out that whole part of her body, but I refuse to believe that Zane Hollister’s cock is as big as a baby’s head.”

NEWS!!! Sophie has just confirmed that the next book will be "Found in Bliss" and will be Holly, Caleb and Alexei's story......SQUEEEE! :)
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2012, January 30

OMG this book is a roller coaster ride. The plot is so well written you are certain how the bad guy is until almost the end. Ms. Oak must have watch a lot of Criminal Minds to get the whole FBI BAU done so well. The plot could have been for that show. All the angst and hurt and time wasted was so sad. I was glad that Rafe finally realized what was important and got with the program. It was nice to see Steph and Jen get married. I laughed at all the married guys giving Cam and Rafe advice on how to handle a menage and Laura. This was a really good story and to say much more would give too much away. I will add that I was glad to finally meet wolf and I think he and his brother are more alike than then either of them know.

2014, August 6

I had to sit and think about this review for a little while. I don't want them to sound the same and since these books are such a quick read that could happen. The first time I read this book I was thrilled to get my hands on it. I love this author. I was a little more apprehensive reading this book this time. Each of these last few stories has gotten a little darker. I thought that the torture of Logan Green was bad but a serial killer is worse in so many ways. Both of these scenarios have the same type of evil characters. Mobsters kill because they don’t want to go to jail and therefore can’t leave any witnesses. Serial killers take lives because they are driven through desire to take the life of their victims. They get pleasure out of the kill. Now a mobster might get some pleasure from killing a rival but it is seldom a sexual pleasure.

This is the career that Laura Niles (Rosen) had wanted. She wanted to be part of the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit). I think that she would have been a very good profiler if she had crossed paths with a serial killer. I understand why she ran. I am not sure I wouldn't have done the same thing. I mean if the psychopath can’t find you then you are safe. I also understand how she would think that Cameron and Rafael had betrayed her when they sided with the senior profiler. No one wants to think that the people they have to trust with their lives is a killer. Bliss has done wonders in helping put Laura on the path to healing those wounds. It is nice to know that she has made friends and has earned the respect of the people that is around every day. I enjoyed learning so much about Laura and what drove her to find Bliss, Colorado.

Cameron “Cam” Briggs and Rafael “Rafe” Kincade have been partners and friends for a long time. They are two very different men, Cam is the all American boy next door and Rafael is the dark brooding stranger that so many woman fall for. Cam was raised in a small town in Arkansas. He is a computer whiz that got the attention of the government at a young age. Hacking government systems will do that. He is rough and tumble and as such doesn't really fit in with the more sophisticated agents of the Bureau. Rafe is a driven individual that envisions himself as a director of the FBI someday. He has work all his life for that goal. He is from money so he has the polish and cultured background that set him up for promotions. I don’t think either of them ever thought that they would fall for the same woman. Rafe fights it the hardest. He clings to keep his job and position so he can move up the ladder. Cam realizes very quickly that he will do whatever it takes to stay close to Laura. He falls in love with Bliss fairly quickly. Some of the fights these two get into are funny in an odd sort of way. I loved the scene where all the married are almost married men corner Rafe and Cam and give them advice on how a menage should work.

While there are some really sad and tragic scenes in this book, however there are a number of very funny scenes as well. There is a nice balance of mystery and drama and really hot and steamy love scenes. There isn't much Domination and submission in this story although there are a few discussions about spankings. There is no bandage or toys in the story either. There are also no m/m sex scenes in this story. I continue to like this series and the other books that have been written by this author. ( )