Fun

Good book. I've seen Havoc appear in later books but hadn't read his story before. I enjoyed going back to the beginning of the fighter franchise. There are several intertwining storylines in the book. The two biggest are Dean and Eve's romance and Dean's relationship with his sisters. When Dean's parents were killed in a car accident, Dean was taken in by his uncle, while his sisters stayed with his aunt. He's always had the feeling he wasn't wanted, so he's shocked when he gets a letter from one of his sisters asking him to come home. Though he considers ignoring it, he takes a break from his fight training to see what's up. I ached for him and his memories of his parents' neglect and the other memories that came flooding back as he drove to his old home. His first meeting with Cam was heartbreaking. She was so happy to see him and he had no idea how to react. All of the things he thought he knew were turned upside down and he's left floundering. I also loved his meeting with his other sister, Jacki. Unlike Cam, Jacki has a wild side and a smart mouth. I loved how that didn't bother Dean at all; instead, he was amused. The real piece of work was their aunt, Lorna. She was a first class witch, and the more I learned about her the less I liked her. It was interesting to see the changes that Dean went through as he got to know Cam and Jacki. He talked a good talk about being a hands-off brother, but in reality, he was very protective of them. For every nice thing he did for them, he would rationalize it to himself, but it was easy to see just how much he had started to care. I loved seeing him finally accept his feelings and make them part of his life.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dean and Eve. The sparks between them were hot from the moment they met. His first evening in Harmony, before he even sees his sisters, he meets Eve, who turns out to be Cam's best friend. He is intrigued and attracted by her, and disgusted by the man who appears to be attempting to intimidate her. The meeting between Dean and Roger was pretty amusing with Roger's attempts to provoke, and Dean's complete disinterest. That made quite an impression on Eve. Their second meeting was also fun, as Dean overheard a conversation between Eve and Cam as he arrived to meet his sisters. His focus is much more on Eve and what he wants to do with the attraction between them than on spending time with his sisters. I loved how Eve is determined to avoid getting between them but also wants to pursue the attraction. Dean's arrival at her house that evening was hilarious, as it didn't start out the way he expected. I liked seeing the connection between Dean and Eve grow. Dean was surprised by his need to just be with her, even when there was no sex involved. The ice cream scene was especially sweet. I loved how Eve saw the caring man under the tough guy exterior and encouraged him to show it. There were times when Dean was a little freaked out by what was happening to him, but it couldn't keep him away. I laughed at the way his feelings were outed and his reaction. I loved his big moment at the end, especially that having an audience didn't bother him.

The relationship between Roger and Cam was a bit strange through most of the book. I didn't like him at all at the beginning. He was creepy and controlling and I really wanted Cam out from under his influence. It surprised me how often she stood up for him, especially given her refusal to commit to an engagement. There was an interesting twist involving him that was revealed at the end of the book. He did redeem himself somewhat, but I'm not entirely convinced that theirs is a lasting relationship.

There was also a slight mystery of missing money, though it was pretty obvious what had happened to it. Someone was also very determined to get Dean to leave town, resulting in some very tense situations. The revelation of who it was and the resolution of the attacks was intense. I liked how Eve had an active part in it.

I also enjoyed meeting Simon and Gregor. Gregor was especially fun from the moment he arrived in Harmony. The scene in the bar with Jacki was hilarious. I loved how it set the stage for their relationship. The banter between them was great, but there was also an unexpected layer of sensitivity in Gregor that I didn't expect. Jacki has a couple of hot-button insecurities and Gregor deals with them beautifully. I loved the friendship between Dean and Gregor. It surprised me a little that Dean didn't freak out over the relationship between Gregor and Jacki, but that said a lot about his respect for Gregor. ( )

Fun

This is the second SBC book I have read and both were just wonderful. Normally I am not a sports kind of gal. I don't watch them. I don't talk about them and I usually tune out those who do. I found myself fascinated by this book despite that Dean is an SBC fighter. Maybe because it isn't necessarily about his fights or the sport but the developement of the relationships between Dean and his long lost sisters.

Strangely enough although both part of the same series, the first one I read (My Man Michael) and this book are so different. Heck, they don't even take place in the same time. For those who don't know, My Man Michael is technically a time travel book. They do have a common theme though. Super alpha men and strong independent women.

I have read a few of Lori Foster's books...many won high marks from me. She writes characters that you might not have anything in common with but somewhere along the line connect with emotionally. She also has a knack for creating mouth watering men. I want my own Dean!

So anyway, this book is the first in the series and although many people just "have" to read series books in order (typically I am one of them) you don't have to worry about that. I read this one second and didn't feel disjointed or lost at all.

I honestly don't know what else to say about this book other then pick one up, try it, you'll like it. I own this one and might keep it to read it again later. You should find a copy where ever you can, even if it means paying cover price.

My rating.....4.5 Stars. ( )

At the age of nine Dean Conor is separated from his very young sisters upon the death of their parents. The aunt who is charged with raising the children immediately kicks him out of the house and their lives and he lives a somewhat more adventurous life with his uncle. Twenty years later he is a popular SBC fighter when he gets a letter from one of his sisters, asking him to come home.

He’d lived with the impression that his sisters were well-to-do and spoiled since their parents had left enough money to take care of the house and all of their needs. So he’s a little surprised to find the house is in serious neglect and his really nice sisters, who just recently discovered his existence, are actually very nice. But there are some things that are seriously wrong.

What I like about this author’s books are the characters and their quirks. I find them both fun and interesting, and this book is no exception. But I can’t claim to have enjoyed this one quite as much as many of the others I’ve read. Dean has a big hang up to overcome with not wanting to be seen as the caring older brother. That was getting kind of old as his attitude doesn’t change until quite a ways into the story.

I did enjoy his relationship with Eve, the best friend of one of his sisters. And I definitely liked her family. What sets this apart somewhat from the other stories is Dean’s desire to spend his nights with Eve even when they can’t have sex for a few days. That to me is more romantic than chapters filled with sex.

The reveals when we finally find out who and why are somewhat surprising.

Read from a library book. ( )