Category Archives: Kate Pearce

November 23, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Reluctant Cowboy by Kate Pearce

Title: The Reluctant Cowboy by Kate Pearce
Morgan Ranch Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

After a turbulent childhood, the Morgan brothers went their separate ways, leaving the family cattle ranch and their cowboy days far behind. But now, one by one, they’re being called back home to California. Have they been summoned to save the land—or to start a new legacy?

Chase Morgan high-tailed it away from ranching life as soon as possible. But running a successful technology company can’t erase the memories, or secrets, of his youth. Coming home to help his Grandma Ruth may finally put some ghosts to rest—if he can just get a certain smart, beautiful houseguest out of his business. But getting her out of his head is proving even more difficult…

Determined to save the Morgan ranch, historian January Mitchell has pinned her hopes on the surprisingly rugged, surprisingly likable, and exasperatingly stubborn Chase. Surely his love of this breathtaking, mysterious land runs deep enough that he’ll once again embrace his inner cowboy. Or maybe, despite both of their skittish hearts, she’ll have to find a way to get him back in the saddle…any which way she can.

Review:

The first installment in Kate Pearce’s Morgan Ranch series, The Reluctant Cowboy is a sweet yet deliciously steamy novel that takes place on a California ranch that has been in the Morgan family for several generations.

With a host of unpleasant memories stemming from long ago events that tore their family apart, Chase Morgan avoids coming back to the ranch for visits. However, when his beloved Grandma Ruth needs his assistance in getting to the bottom of a puzzling financial problem, he reluctantly returns to help out. Chase is already experiencing a great deal of stress from work disagreements with his business partners who just happen to be his best friends. Unfortunately, his pessimistic attitude and need for control come into play when dealing with the situation with Ruth and they are soon on opposite sides while trying to decide the future of the ranch.  Rediscovering his roots has an unexpected positive effect on him but when forced to confront the events that led to his estrangement from his brothers, will Chase continue to let the past define him and his family?

January Mitchell is dedicated to preserving history and she is rather flummoxed at Chase’s disinterest in keeping the Morgan ranch in the family.  She refuses to back down despite his strenuous objections, but she also knows not to push him too hard as she tries to convince him to help Ruth stay in her home.  Gaining his cooperation in showing her parts of the ranch that only family members know about, January unexpectedly rekindles his love of the land.  With an uncanny ability to see through a problem to the heart of the matter, her insight into the various issues Chase is grappling with is invaluable. 

January and Chase are attracted to one another despite their differences and at first, it seems a romance between them would never work. Chase is very pragmatic and  with a businesslike approach to romance, he completely discounts love when it comes to his relationships.  January is searching for an emotional connection and  she is beyond shocked at his viewpoint.  When Chase proposes a friends with benefit arrangement for the duration of his time at the ranch, she refuses to even consider agreeing to his plan.  However, January soon reconsiders her decision and they are soon heating up the sheets as often as they can.  With mutual affection and genuine respect for each other along with a sizzling hot attraction, will January and Chase be able to keep their no strings fling from evolving into a real relationship?

Reluctant Cowboy is a captivating romance between two flawed but immensely appealing characters. The romance between them unfolds at a leisurely, but believable, pace.  The storyline is engaging and the complicated family history provides depth and substance to the plot.  This first installment in  Kate Pearce’s Morgan Ranch series is a beautifully written love story that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the release of the next book in the series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Kate Pearce, Morgan Ranch Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Reluctant Cowboy, Zebra

December 24, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Mastering a Sinner by Kate Pearce

mastering sinnerTitle: Mastering a Sinner by Kate Pearce
The Sinners Club Series Book Three
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Historical, Romance, Erotica
Length: 289 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Bound by sensual secrets and illicit fantasies, the select members of the Sinners Club are privy to carnal pleasures too shocking to share. . .

Seductive Surrender

Alistair Maclean enjoys his work as secretary at the Sinners Club until the women at the Club demand a secretary of their own. Suddenly Alistair finds himself at the mercy of a wanton beauty who demands Alistair submit to her in ways he’s only ever dreamed about. . .

Deep Submission

Diana, Lady Theale, has secrets from her past she must protect. But that doesn’t stop her from enjoying passion in the present. She needs Alistair’s help to untangle the mystery of her parentage, but she also needs his body to satisfy her darkly erotic desires…

The Review:

Mastering a Sinner is another sumptuously decadent installment in Kate Pearce’s über steamy historical series, The Sinner’s Club. This deliciously erotic romance has a slight element of mystery to the storyline but the overall focus is on the developing D/s relationship between Alistair Maclean and Diana Theale.

Ever since his father was convicted of treason, oldest son Alistair has been the family’s sole supporter. His mother and sisters still live in Scotland, but he and his brother, Harry, now call London home. Alistair works as a secretary for the Sinner’s Club and he has his hands full trying to keep Harry out of trouble.

Left penniless after her husband’s death, Diana is also employed as a secretary at the Sinner’s Club. She is an orphan who knows little about her past but she has a few suspicions about the identity of her father.  Diana is hoping to find answers to her questions at the Sinner’s Club, but she keeps her investigation a closely guarded secret.

Alistair senses Diana has ulterior motives for accepting the position at the club, but no one takes his doubts seriously. He is quickly sidetracked from digging deeper into her background by the latest crisis with Harry which involves a debt he owes at the disreputable Demon Club. However, Alistair’s biggest distraction is his unexpected D/s relationship with Diana.

Alistair is a submissive who finds it difficult to discuss his limits. Diana is a dominant who pushes Alistair to be honest about his needs. Diana puts her needs before Alistair’s and she is more concerned about her satisfying her desires than his. Alistair cannot resist his attraction to her, but he finds it almost impossible to completely surrender to her.

As with the previous novels in The Sinners Club series, the sex scenes in Mastering a Sinner are scorching hot. Diana is in complete control of her encounters with Alistair and she sometimes takes their scenes a little too far. Needing some guidance, she turns to Lord Minshom (from Simply Insatiable) and under his tutelage, Alistair is finally forced to set his sexual boundaries. This becomes a bit of a turning point for Alistair and Diana, but she is still reluctant to completely trust Alistair with her secrets.

Mastering a Sinner by Kate Pearce is a captivating read that is fast paced with a well-developed storyline and engaging characters. The sex scenes are exquisitely detailed and very erotic. All in all, it is a superb addition to The Sinner’s Club that old and new fans of the series are going to love!

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Filed under Erotica, Historical, Kate Pearce, Kensington Books, Mastering a Sinner, Rated B, Review, Romance

November 26, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: Simply Pleasure by Kate Pearce

simply pleasureTitle: Simply Pleasure by Kate Pearce
House of Pleasure Series Book .5 (Prequel)
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Historical, M/M, Erotica
Length: 74 pages/Word Count: 19,500
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Experience the illicit passions of Regency England in Kate Pearce’s House of Pleasure series…

MASTER OF SEDUCTION

Ten years as a sex slave in a Turkish brothel have left Val Sokorvsky a master in the art of erotic seduction. But even as he offered his body, he never offered his heart. Now that he is returning home he wonders what kind of welcome he will find. Only one person understands his pain and Val is helpless to resist the passion he feels for Peter Howard, his English lover…

MASTER OF SUBMISSION

Peter learned to survive his years as a sex slave by coaxing and teasing his lovers to the heights of sexual ecstasy. But there is only one man he’s ever loved, one man he can never take as his own. Returning to England may save him from captivity but it may also take away Val, the one man to whom he’d willingly give his body and soul…

The Review:

Simply Pleasure is a prequel to books one and two in Kate Pearce’s deliciously carnal House of Pleasure series. This novella provides readers with the back story of Valentin “Val” Sokorvsky and Peter Howard who were kidnapped and held as sex slaves in a Turkish brothel until their rescue at age eighteen. The story opens while the men are on their way back to England and it is at times unbearably heartbreaking, poignant and ultimately hopeful as Val and Peter try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.

It is impossible for Val and Peter not to be forever scarred their experiences and the men have very different ways of coping with their ordeal. Val is hardened, resentful and deliberately hurtful to everyone around him. Peter is placating and gentle in the beginning, but eventually turns to unhealthy means of coping with his life. When Peter’s life spirals out of control, will he welcome Val’s attempts to help save him?

Peter has no memories of his life or family before the kidnapping but Val remembers exactly who he is and he wants no part of the life waiting for him. However, Val agrees to remain with his family in exchange for gaining access to his inheritance when he turns twenty-one. His other stipulation is that Peter is to be allowed to stay as well. The story fast forwards to just before Val’s birthday and while he has used the intervening years to his advantage, sadly Peter has fallen into a pit of despair. Val is determined to save the man who unselfishly helped him keep his demons at bay during their captivity, but will Peter accept what Val is willing to offer?

Simply Pleasure is not a romance but it is full of strong emotions. It is a beautiful story of new beginnings for both men as they try to put their past behind them while maintaining the bond that ties them together. Like the other books in Kate Pearce’s House of Pleasure series, there are plenty of scorching hot sex scenes but it is the last one of the story is most meaningful.

3 Comments

Filed under Erotica, Historical, House of Pleasure Series, Kate Pearce, Kensington Books, M/M, Rated B, Review, Simply Pleasure

July 28, 2014 · 11:55 pm

Review: Tempting a Sinner by Kate Pearce

tempting a sinnerTitle: Tempting a Sinner by Kate Pearce
The Sinner’s Club Book Two
Publisher: Kensington Books
Imprint: Aphrodisia
Genre: Historical, Erotic, Romance, Mystery/Suspense, M/M, M/F, F/F, M/M/F, F/F/M
Length: 337 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Known only to a select few, these inscrutable men are bound by dangerous desires and enigmatic pasts. They are the Sinners Club. . .

Cold Calculation

Within the circles of British intelligence, Benedict, Lord Keyes, is known for his cold brilliance and strict military demeanor. Yet this icy exterior masks a man of smoldering passion and scorching sexuality who will do anything to keep his past a secret. . .

Sultry Satisfaction

Miss Malinda Keyes refuses to be intimidated by Lord Keyes. In fact, she enjoys a good battle, especially one of erotic wiles and carnal cunning. Determined to expose his lordship’s past, she will use every wanton weapon in her arsenal to tease and tempt this sinner into the ultimate sensual surrender. . .

The Review:

Tempting a Sinner, the second installment in Kate Pearce’s highly erotic historical series, The Sinner’s Club, is the highly anticipated and long awaited romance starring Lord Benedict Keyes. It is another scorching hot novel that finally provides answers for the intriguing questions about Keyes and his mysterious past.

Benedict’s eighteen year separation from his wife, Malinda, comes to a very unexpected conclusion when Malinda returns to England following the death of her mother. Their reunion is very unorthodox and although a bit rocky in the beginning, Malinda and Keyes are soon in the midst of a very perplexing mystery surrounding the death of Malinda’s father years earlier. With both Malinda and Benedict keeping secrets from one another, will they uncover the truth before it is too late?

Although Benedict has been featured in previous novels, he continues to be a rather mystifying figure. He has an impeccable reputation and he is quite honorable and well respected by his peers. In his private life, Benedict keeps things simple and he is unencumbered by emotional entanglements. But when he is reunited with Malinda, his hard won control is threatened and she definitely shakes up his well-ordered, quiet life.

Malinda is a mature woman, who is feisty and not afraid to do whatever it takes to untangle the web of deception surrounding her father’s death. She is not exactly forthcoming with information, so she and Benedict stumble around a bit in their investigation until she divulges most of the secrets she has been keeping. Their relationship suffers a bit from the lack of honesty between them, but their emotions and feelings always feel genuine.

Benedict and Malinda’s relationship is complicated by lies and betrayals from their long ago past, but nothing can diminish the fiery passion that burns between them.  Outside of the bedroom, secrets continually come between them, but in the bedroom, these two are definitely on the same page. Sexually adventurous, Benedict and Malinda indulge in a ménage or two (with both another woman and another man). Malinda experiments with a little girl on girl action while Benedict continues his occasional encounters with Adam Fisher, a longtime friend and fellow Sinner’s Club member. Their sexual repertoire also includes voyeurism, bondage, light spankings and a little backdoor action.

A deliciously sensual novel that has no shortage of incredibly passionate encounters, Tempting a Sinner is a beautiful blend of mystery and romance. Kate Pearce keeps The Sinner’s Club series fresh with introduction of new characters and innovative, intriguing storylines. Once again, I am very much looking forward to the next installment in this delightfully provocative and alluring series.

Read my reviews of the other books in the series HERE.

3 Comments

Filed under Aphrodisia, Erotic, F/F, F/F/M, Historical, Kate Pearce, Kensington Books, M/F, M/M, M/M/F, Tempting a Sinner, The Sinner's Club Series

December 18, 2013 · 11:56 pm

Review: The Sinner’s Club by Kate Pearce

Title: The Sinner’s Club by Kate Pearce
The Sinner’s Club Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Aphrodisia
Genre: Historical, Erotic, Romance, Light BDSM, M/M, M/M/F, M/F
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

It’s known as the Sinners Club. . .a private gentlemen’s club whose members have mysterious pasts and secret fantasies too hot to reveal. . .

Total Pleasure

Unsure of his reception, Jack Lennox adopts the guise of his own secretary upon returning to his ancestral home to claim his father’s earldom. When he arrives, he’s stunned to discover the previous earl’s lovely young widow, a woman of beguiling curves and sensual smiles, warming the bed. . .

Absolute Surrender

Mary Lennox is determined to remain in Pinchbeck Hall and a mere secretary isn’t going to tell her otherwise. But Jack Smith is a man of many talents and soon she’s succumbing to his erotic games of pleasure. Only Mary may have underestimated the intensity of her wanton longings and the depths of Jack’s dark desires. . .

The Review:

Kate Pearce’s spin off series, The Sinner’s Club, is off to a scorching hot beginning with Jack Lennox’s story, The Sinner’s Club. Intriguing glimpses of Jack in the last book of the House of Pleasure series left me eagerly awaiting his novel and I am thrilled to say that it was well worth the wait!

Jack Lennox is next in line to inherit the family estate and title but a few questions about the previous Earl finds him going undercover to unearth the truth. He is also asked to look into Lord Keyes disappearance (an unresolved storyline from the House of Pleasure series) and coincidentally, Keyes’ trail leads to the same vicinity. Jack visits his ancestral home in disguise and he is shocked to discover his elderly uncle was married to a beautiful young woman, Mary. Jack quickly learns that Mary is prepared to go to any lengths necessary to secure her inheritance and keep a roof over not only her head, but her brother Simon’s as well.

As a child, Jack and his impoverished father led a vagabond life. Growing up, Jack learned to use any means necessary to make enough money to survive. Working as a government agent, he utilized the same tactics in order to obtain information from his enemies. This includes trading sexual favors and when he first arrives at the family estate, Jack is more than happy to continue this practice with both Simon and Mary. When his dream of finally putting down roots remains elusive, Jack returns to London where he continues searching for answers about Mary and Simon’s past.

Mary and Simon share a very complicated history and there is much more to their relationship than meets the eye. They are carrying as much emotional baggage from their pasts as Jack and they are fiercely loyal and protective of one another. Mary and Simon are likable characters but they are difficult to get to know because their secrets are not fully divulged until the very end of the novel.

The overall story is enjoyable but it felt a little disjointed in the beginning and I kept feeling like I was missing something. About a quarter of the way in, the writing is much more cohesive and the information I thought I had originally missed about Mary and Simon is finally revealed. The second half of the novel flows more smoothly and is much easier to follow.

The sex scenes in The Sinner’s Club are explicit, exquisitely detailed and plentiful. Jack and Simon share several steamy romps and while there is not an emotional bond between them, the encounters are quite meaningful for Simon. Jack also has an intense desire for Mary and their sex scenes are passionate and extremely erotic. Jack, Mary and Simon also indulge in steamy ménages that are so sizzling hot I am surprised my eReader did not melt.

The main storyline with Jack and Mary unfolds at a leisurely pace and is fully wrapped up by the novel’s end. The secondary story arc with Lord Keyes remains tantalizingly unresolved (again!). I am also left wondering what the future might just bring for Simon as well.

The Sinner’s Club is a must read for anyone who enjoys erotic historical romances. It is a steaming hot love story that is sure to be a hit with old and new fans of Kate Pearce. This first installment of the The Sinner’s Club series is absolutely brilliant and I am eagerly anticipating the next novel.

4 Comments

Filed under Aphrodisia, Erotic, Historical, Kate Pearce, Kensington, M/F, M/M, M/M/F, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Sinner's Club, The Sinner's Club Series