This is
the third contemporary romance novel I’ve read by Lauren Blakely. She knows how
to turn up the heat between the sheets and wherever her characters can find a
place to sneak a kiss or two. So, let’s meet Julia, a sexy bar owner (Cubic Z) and
a bartender who knows how to churn out her signature drink – the Purple Snow Globe.
She has a sharp wit and knows how to deal with customers who try to hit on her.  

She’s also
looking for a no strings relationship until McKenna, her sister plays matchmaker,
and she meets Clay, a sexy Entertainment lawyer. The chemistry between these two
is hot and heavy. However, Julia is trying her best to shield her heart. She’s also
in deep as a poker player in an underground poker ring run by Charlie, a man
she owes a lot of Money all because of an ex-boyfriend. Because of this, she is
also shielding those she loves for fear of Charlie hurting them. 

Overall,
this was a quick read. The sex scenes were well done. I enjoyed the characters,
dialogue, and motivation. I also enjoyed the intrigue of danger lurking in the
shadows because of the debt Julia owes to Charlie. And just when I was looking
to turn the pages to see what happens next (Charlie and Clay come face-to-face),
the book ended and I was prompted to read the other book in the series. Anyway,
two thumbs up for this first book in the series! 

Rating: 4
stars  

Some of my
favorite lines: 

I could
act all prim and demure like I planned to just kiss Clay and send him on his
way. But the thought of getting hot and bothered and then forbidding any
south-of-the-border activity had zero appeal to me. If I was going for him, I
was going for all of him. I didn’t care if that made me look sex-hungry. I was.
I was jonesing for the kind of roll in the hay that would demolish the tension
in my shoulders, let me forget the things I wanted to forget. I had so much trouble
in my life, no thanks to my ex, who’d left town and saddled me with all his
problems. Life had been non-stop pressure and worry since then, and I needed a
break from it for just one night.

Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com

Deliah Lawrence Attorney, Author, Blogger, Workshop Facilitator

Deliah Lawrence is a Maryland-based attorney and award-winning author of two romantic suspense novels (Gotta Let It Go and Gotta Get It Back) set in Baltimore. She’s also a blogger and workshop facilitator who writes poetry and short stories.

When Deliah isn’t writing, you can find her reading a book, indulging in her addiction to investigation discovery shows; or painting her yet-to-be exhibited oil artworks of landscapes, portraits or whatever else comes to her creative mind. Constantly on the go, she is also a member of the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Sisters in Crime.