Thursday, January 16, 2014

Blog Tour and Review: The Expert's Guide to Driving a Man Wild (Three), by Jessica Clare


The Expert’s Guide to Driving a Man Wild  (Three)


Being out of control…

The product of a rigid upbringing, Brenna has grown into a sexy free spirit who does things her way. No possessions, no debt, no man, and no rules to tie her down. And if she has to work, what better way than as assistant in a wilderness expedition team? So many opportunities to go wild.

…can be risky when you’re falling in love.

One person who doesn’t “get” Brenna is her boss, Grant. He prefers order and emotions kept in check, which means Brenna loves to push his boundaries. He’d be impossible to work for if he wasn’t so infuriatingly hot. But when his overbearing, matchmaking mother arrives in town, Brenna volunteers to be Grant’s pretend girlfriend. After all, it’s the perfect opportunity to drive Grant crazy at every turn.

Brenna’s just a little surprised when Grant agrees to her wild, impulsive schemes. And she’s more than a little surprised when their games take them to the bedroom…

Teaser

“So,” Justine said after a long moment. “How are you doing, Grant? How’s the social life? You keeping busy? Getting out?”

He gave Elise’s bag a shove, trying to make it fit into the small trunk. It wasn’t working, so he paused, sighed at the stack of suitcases, and turned back to the others. “What do you mean, Mom?”

Justine exchanged a look with Reggie. “I was just asking, darling. We worry about you and how alone you are.”

The look on Grant’s face became shuttered. “I’m fine.”

Yowch. His tone had gone positively arctic. Dane had been right—he sure was touchy about this sort of thing. Elise gave Brenna a quick, apologetic look.

“But darling, you need to get back on the horse. Get out and see new people again. You’re too young to be spending your life a widower. I know it’s hard but you can’t go through life moping.”
Grant glanced over at Brenna as if chagrined that the conversation was taking place in front of her. “Now is not the time, Mother.”

“I’ve invited Bonnie’s daughter to dinner with us, son. I wanted to let you know before we all got to the restaurant.”

Wow, that was bold of the woman. Brenna had to give her props for being on the ball . . . if it wasn’t such a dick move to pull on Grant. He needed time and space, something his mother clearly didn’t understand. Brenna felt oddly protective of Grant in that moment. It was clear that he was still wounded from his wife’s death.

“You invited her to dinner?”

“It’s just a little hello, son. Nothing to get all worked up about,” Reggie interjected, taking his wife’s side. “We both think it’d be good for you.”

“Mother.” Grant’s tone was a warning.

Justine ignored it. “She’s a lovely girl. I think you’ll like her. And she’s a marketing major, so you’ll have so much to talk about. She’s very pretty and career driven and very understanding.” His mother stressed the last word. “She won’t rush you.”
That was really a low blow. Outraged, Brenna pushed forward. This was rude and cruel and thoughtless of them. And if someone was going to be thoughtless and obnoxious to Grant, it was going to be her, damn it. She was never cruel, at least.

“Don’t,” Elise told her in a soft voice as Brenna pushed forward. “They always do this.”

“Not today,” Brenna said cheerfully.

She stepped between Grant and his parents. “You can’t invite this chick to dinner tonight.”

“Brenna,” Grant said, now turning the warning voice on her.

Justine regarded Brenna for a long moment as if sizing her up, and then smiled. “I’m afraid it’s too late, my dear. She’s already been invited to dinner.”

“Then uninvite her,” Brenna retorted. “Having her there is rude.”

Elise covered her mouth, her gaze flicking to Justine.

“Uninviting her is even ruder,” Grant’s mother replied, the smile on her face still. Her voice had
gone a little brittle, as if remaining polite were testing her patience.
Now Brenna was getting angry. Grant put a hand on her shoulder, trying to pull her backward and separate her from his parents. Why was he defending them when they were harassing him? An idea struck, and she gave Justine a little smile. “I guess this ruins the surprise, then.”

“Surprise?” Reggie asked.

Brenna turned and put her hands on Grant’s collar, tugging him down and kissing him full on the mouth. She turned back to Justine, Reggie, and Elise. “Grant didn’t want to tell you guys until after dinner. He likes to keep people guessing.”

“He does?” Elise asked, clearly shocked as her gaze flipped between Brenna and Grant and then back to Brenna.

She glanced up at Grant, but he was still standing there, his mouth slightly agape, staring down at her. She leaned up and bit his lower lip, tugging on it in a sensual move of ownership. “So shy. It’s adorable.” She looked over at Justine and smiled again, this time a genuine smile since she now had the upper hand. “That’s why you can’t invite this girl. She’s just going to see me and my boo being affectionate all night.”

And just to make her words have punch, Brenna gave Grant a slap on the ass.

Review
4 out of 5 stars

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review…

This was my first Jessica Clare book and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.  To be honest I was a little hesitant to even start the book, which is #3 in the Bluebonnet series, because even though the description said it could be read as a stand alone I just felt if I hadn't read the others I maybe wouldn't feel connected to the characters.  I'm happy to report this was not the case at all, so if you're worried you can put it to rest.  I easily fell into the story and for the two main characters Brenna and Grant.

Brenna is the type of girl who lives each day of her life to the fullest.  She loves the unexpected and seems to thrive on chaos even down to the way she dresses!  In addition, she is a very loyal friend with a huge heart, always wanting to give to others who have less than herself.

Grant on the other hand is the complete opposite.  He thrives on order…in his life, the way he dresses, the way he conducts business.  He takes everything seriously and sometimes comes across as uptight and overbearing.  5 years ago he tragically lost his life and he hasn't been the same since.

Brenna and Grant couldn't be more opposite, but you know what they say about opposites!!!  It drives Grant completely crazy how Brenna lives her life seemingly without any responsibilities and never takes anything serious.  Brenna loves driving Grant completely crazy and is always looking for a way to get a good rise out of him.  However, their relationship is strictly business, he's the boss and she's his assistant.  That is until they decide to pretend to be in a relationship to make Grant's mom happy.  Needless to say this charade forces them to see one another in a much different light and maybe just maybe there is more to the other than meets the eye.

I thought Brenna was completely hilarious and her antics had me constantly cracking up!  I loved watching her push Grants boundaries, especially when she insists on a sex with no strings attached arrangement.  Grant may not like it but he agrees and next thing he knows he's fallen hard for Brenna, if he could only get her to want more.  It's not all rainbows and roses for this couple though because each of them are dealing with demons from their past and if they don't find a way to conquer them they'll never be able to move forward.

I'm really glad I had the opportunity to read this book and get a taste for Jessica Clare's writing style.  It was fun, witty and she can seriously write some good smut, there was a little more than I typically like, but those scenes were very well done and super hot!  I'm recommending you give this story a chance, especially if you enjoy watching two completely opposite people realize they're actually perfect for one another.  In the end it had me wanting to read the previous two stories and looking forward to Elise and Rome's book, The Virgin's Guide to Misbehaving.





Note: Although these books are part of a series, they do not need to be read in order

The Girl’s Guide to (Man) Hunting  (Book One)



Blurb:
Once, Miranda felt a little exposed…
  
Miranda Hill’s cocky ex-boyfriend is back in Bluebonnet, Texas. He ditched her—and their little town—just as some rather shocking photos showed up on the Internet. Miranda wasn’t so lucky. Stuck in Bluebonnet and left to fend for herself, she’s never really shaken the scandal—or his betrayal. After nine long years, he’s back…
 
It’s time she gets even.
  
Former NHL hotshot Dane Croft has returned home to open a survival training school and reinvent himself. When his high-school girlfriend enrolls in the program, he has no idea that Miranda plans to get him in a compromising position. But to carry out her deviously sexy revenge, Miranda will have to get up-close and personal with Dane all over again. She got nowhere being a good girl; it’s time to be a little naughty. But falling in love with the man who broke her heart was never part of the plan…

The Billionaire of Bluebonnet  (Book 1.5)



Blurb:
Risa’s luck was running out…

Risa Moore is content with her work as a live-in assistant to an elderly lady—until her boss passes on. Now, she’s stuck in the tiny town of Bluebonnet, Texas, with no job, nowhere to live, and no prospects. Leaving Bluebonnet means starting her life over from scratch, so when Risa gets the opportunity of a lifetime, it’s hard to turn it down. But does her sexy new boss want something more than just an employee?

Until she met a man worth his weight in gold.

Young, hot, and fabulously wealthy, Travis Jesson has no intention of ever returning to his small Texas hometown. Then his grandmother passes away, leaving him her estate and her pet. His plans involve disposing of her things as expediently as possible…until he meets her gorgeous live-in help. And Travis finds himself proposing an entirely different sort of relationship…

The Care and Feeding of an Alpha Male  (Book Two)


Blurb:
Beth Ann needed a hero…
Beth Ann Williamson has finally had it with her on-and-off fiancé of nine years. The problem? No one in town seems to believe her when she says it’s really over. Now Beth Ann is determined to show the small town of Bluebonnet, Texas, that she can take care of herself. That means opening her own salon and not taking the help that her ex-fiancé seems determined to offer.

Of course, even the best laid plans go awry when she’s stranded in the woods in the middle of a downpour. Some independent woman she is. She can’t even find her way out of the woods without the help of a handsome, but scowling, Marine.

She got more than she bargained for…

A die-hard survivalist, Colt Waggoner’s none too pleased when he’s sent to find the town’s pampered princess. He’s even more annoyed when Beth Ann isn’t grateful for the rescue. Fine, then. He’ll just have to teach the sexy blonde a lesson--a weekend of roughing it out in the wild. Just the two of them, alone, in muddy, wet clothing that needs to come off…

But Beth Ann isn’t the spoiled princess he thought. And when she propositions him for a one night stand, he knows he should turn it down. Because this alpha male might need more than just one night in her bed to satisfy him…

Hot Summer Nights (Bluebonnet, #2.5)



B&N:http://tinyurl.com/ouwxzln       
Blurb:
Passions ignite in these all-new stories from four bestselling masters of contemporary romance…

In Jaci Burton’s “Hope Smolders,” struggling divorcee Jane has put her personal life on hold to raise her kids—until she runs into Luke, her ex’s former best friend, who convinces her it’s time to start having fun again.

Carly Phillips takes you back to the town of Serendipity, where overworked Alexa has an instant connection with a sinfully sexy football star on the dance floor. A one-night stand evolves into multiple nights when Luke decides to teach the good doctor about his own brand of fun. But when it’s time for him to leave town, will these “Perfect Strangers” be able to say goodbye for good?

In Jessica Clare’s “Legend of Jane,” an intrepid Bloggess catches the eye of local law enforcement when she gets caught trespassing. Luckily, Luanne wouldn’t mind getting handcuffed by Officer Hotness…

Single girl Chelsea is tired of feeling like the fifth wheel on her weekend jaunt to Lake Placid, until she gets stuck out in the cold and finds a muscular knight in shining armor to warm her up—in Erin McCarthy’s “Ice Princess.”

The Virgin’s Guide to Misbehaving  (Book 4)
PREORDER for a June 3rd, 2014 Delivery


Blurb:
Playing innocent is easy.

After being the quiet, shy girl her whole life, Elise Markham is ready for a mental makeover. She’s done keeping to herself and staying out of trouble—it’s time to break out of her shell and maybe meet someone intriguing in the process. So, on a photography trip to Bluebonnet, she has a whole lot more on her mind than snapping photos, especially when Rome walks into the picture.

Playing dirty is fun.

The newest instructor at Wilderness Survival Expeditions has a colorful past, to say the least. Having come from a family of notorious con artists that destroyed his credit and reputation, all before his eighteenth birthday, Rome just wants a decent job and a quiet life in a town where no one knows his name. He’s exactly the kind of bad boy that an innocent girl like Elise should stay far away from.

But Elise is tired of doing what’s right. She’s ready to throw caution to the wind—and let Rome show her just how exciting being bad can be…


Author Information: Jessica Claire




This is a pen name for Jill Myles.
Jill Myles has been an incurable romantic since childhood. She reads all the 'naughty parts' of books first, looks for a dirty joke in just about everything, and thinks to this day that the Little House on the Prairie books should have been steamier.

After devouring hundreds of paperback romances, mythology books, and archaeological tomes, she decided to write a few books of her own - stories with a wild adventure, sharp banter, and lots of super-sexy situations. She prefers her heroes alpha and half-dressed, her heroines witty, and she loves nothing more than watching them overcome adversity to fall into bed together.





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