Category Archives: Long Shots Series

December 12, 2011 · 3:14 am

Pulled Long by Christine d’Abo

Title: Pulled Long by Christine d’Abo
Long Shots Series, Book 3
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: M/M, Erotic, Contemporary, Romance
Length: 30,000 words
Book Rating:

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For months, coffee shop owner Ian Long has fantasized about a customer he knows only as “Blue Eyes.” Until he learns Blue Eyes is in the midst of a divorce—the last thing Ian wants is to be the rebound experiment of a straight guy. Giving in to lust, he invites the man into the café after hours and they indulge in a little exhibitionist play, but Ian is unwilling to get involved.

When he’s forced to see Jeff again to return his briefcase, Ian finally agrees to go out on a date. Dinner quickly becomes an erotic encounter in a special room at the sex club Mavericks, and Ian realizes Jeff satisfies desires he didn’t know he had. The more he gets to know Jeff as a person, the harder it is to resist falling for him.

Jeff makes it clear he’s interested in more than just sex. He wants to go public with their relationship in more ways than one. But can Ian open his heart, when he fears it will be broken?

Book 3 of the Long Shots series.

30,000 words

The Review:

The third installment in the Long Shots series, Pulled Long by Christine d’Abo is a sinfully sexy yet emotionally complex novella. Following his discovery that the man he is attracted to is in the middle of a divorce, Ian Long ends his long time flirtation with coffee shop customer “Blue Eyes” aka Jeff Carson. A few months later, while working late, Ian and Jeff indulge in some very steamy and semi public sex. With baggage from his past and doubts about Jeff’s sexuality plaguing Ian, the outcome of this couple’s future is far from certain.

Behind Ian’s fun loving, happy façade lays a wealth of emotional pain and self-doubt. He has yet to come to terms with his complicated relationship with his father. A past entanglement with a former lover plays a defining role in his budding relationship with Jeff. It is not until he is able to share his secrets with Jeff and his sister Paige that Ian finally frees himself of the guilt and burdens of his past.

Jeff is comfortable with his bisexuality and he is confident in his feelings for Ian. He is eager to explore his sexuality and newfound relationship with Ian. He is reluctant to give up on Ian and although he is persistent, he also knows when to back off to give Ian the time he needs to deal with his issues.

As with the other books in the Long Shots series, family support plays a crucial role in Ian’s relationship with Jeff. Ian and Jeff also pay a visit to Mavericks where they fulfill an extremely erotic sexual fantasy. Ms. d’Abo provides yet another tantalizing glimpse of Mavericks owner Josh.

There is an amazing amount of emotional depth to this engaging novella. The potent chemistry between Ian and Jeff leads to incredibly hot and slightly risqué sexual encounters. With Pulled Long, Christine d’Abo saves the best story for last, and it was well worth the wait for Ian and Jeff’s story.

Read my review of Book One Double Shot HERE and Book Two A Shot in the Dark HERE.

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Filed under Carina Press, Christine d'Abo, Contemporary, Erotic, Long Shots Series, M/M, Pulled Long, Rated B, Romance

November 7, 2011 · 4:00 am

A Shot in the Dark by Christine d’Abo

Title: A Shot in the Dark by Christine d’Abo
Long Shots Series, Book 2
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Erotic, BDSM
Length: 30,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Carter is one of the hottest men ever to walk into Paige Long’s coffee shop. The attraction is mutual, and when Carter reveals himself to be a Dom, the submissive in Paige is aroused. Yet she brushes him off—her last relationship was abusive and she’s unwilling to get involved with another Dom.

But when Carter returns the next day—in his firefighter uniform—Paige’s fantasies really heat up. She can’t resist his offer to get to know him over a drink at Mavericks, a local sex club. Their conversation quickly escalates to a session in one of the private rooms, and Paige is both thoroughly satisfied by Carter’s skills in domination, and impressed with his selflessness as a lover.

Paige is ready to move on with her life. But can she trust in herself and submit to happiness?

The Review:

A Shot in the Dark, Christine d’Abo’s second installment in the Long Shot series, is an intense journey into the world of BDSM. Following her escape from an abusive D/s relationship, Paige Long has dedicated herself to the family owned coffee shop. Her meeting with dominant Carter West sparks her desire to once again explore her submissive side.

The oldest of the Long siblings, Paige’s submission in the bedroom is a sharp contrast to the control she exhibits in other areas of her life. Her first submissive relationship crossed that fine line that exists between pain for pleasure and abuse. Three years later Paige has a better understanding of her sexual desires, and her chance encounter with Carter brings her the submission she craves and incredibly satisfying sex.

Carter is definitely an alpha male, but his need to dominate Paige is underscored by respect and caring. He puts Paige’s satisfaction and needs ahead of his own wants and desires. He is also incredibly protective of her when she is confronted by her past.

The same strong family connection from Double Shot (reviewed here) is also present in A Shot in the Dark. Ian’s advice and support plays a strong role in Paige coming to terms with both her past and present relationships. Intriguing glimpses of Josh, the owner of Mavericks, keeps me hoping Ms. d’Abo will someday tell us his story.

A Shot in the Dark is a highly sensual read and provides readers with valuable insight into the BDSM lifestyle. I enjoyed getting to know Paige and Carter, and I am impatiently awaiting Ian’s story Pulled Long which will be available December 12.

If you are looking for a series that is fresh, unique and incredibly sexy, then you should give the Long Shots series a try.

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Filed under A Shot in the Dark, Carina Press, Christine d'Abo, Contemporary, Erotic, Long Shots Series, Rated B, Romance

October 3, 2011 · 3:00 am

Double Shot by Christine d’Abo

Title: Double Shot by Christine d’Abo
Long Shots Book 1
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Erotic, Ménage, Contemporary, Romance
Length: 29,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Coffee shop owner Sadie Long has been lusting after her good friend Paul Williams for years. So she’s more than a little intrigued when he invites her to a business meeting at Mavericks, the sex club where he works. While catering an event at the club is not quite the proposition she was hoping for, her business could use the boost. And she can’t resist the chance to work closely with Paul in such a sexually charged atmosphere. Enter the club’s hot owner, Josh, and suddenly Sadie’s fantasizing about being part of a threesome.

Paul has always wanted Sadie, but never thought she’d see him as anything more than a friend. On the night of the party, he and Josh tempt Sadie to reveal her deepest desire—a desire both men are eager to help fulfill.
Giving in to her sensual side, Sadie enjoys a night of mind-blowing sex. But in the light of day, will she lose Paul as a friend, or gain him as a lover?

Book 1 of the Long Shots series.

The Review:

Take a walk on the wild side as Sadie Long unleashes her most secret fantasies in Double Shot by Christine d’Abo. Long time friends Sadie Long and Paul Williams push the boundaries of their friendship when Paul hires Sadie to cater an event at Mavericks. His introduction of Sadie to Josh Scott, his close friend and owner of Mavericks, takes this couple into forbidden territory when Sadie confesses her desire for a threesome.

Double Shot is an excellent beginning to Ms. d’Abo’s Long Shots trilogy featuring the Long siblings. Sadie is the middle sister who tends to be overshadowed by her more outgoing siblings Paige and Ian. They own a coffee shop together and their relationship with one another is warm and supportive.

Told in third person from Sadie’s point of view, Double Shot is an engaging novella with appealing protagonists. Sadie and Paul enjoy a close and comfortable relationship with both of them secretly longing for the other. Ms. d’Abo keeps the sexual tension high as Sadie’s fantasies keep popping into her head at inopportune moments.

Josh is an intriguing character. He and Paul are long time friends who share a complicated past. He is very mysterious and über sexy. I am crossing my fingers that Ms. d’Abo has plans to expand on his character in future works.

Double Shot is a fast paced and compelling story. The sex is explosive as Sadie pushes her boundaries and explores her sexuality. The romance between Paul and Sadie is sweet and completely realistic as these friends turned lovers take their relationship to a deeper level.

Christine d’Abo leaves her readers eagerly awaiting A Shot in the Dark, the next installment of the Long Shots trilogy.

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Filed under Carina Press, Christine d'Abo, Contemporary, Double Shot, Erotic, Long Shots Series, Menage, Romance