Looking at Vance Jennings now, no one would guess that the tough-as-nails building contractor once suffered a broken heart. Twelve years has blunted the pain of the breakup with his high school sweetheart, but not the memory. Until she shows up on his doorstep asking for a second chance.
One look at the sexy redhead, and Vance adds a foot or two to his rock-solid emotional barriers. No way is he letting her back into his life. But he’ll be happy to let her close enough to sample her delectable body.
Shayla Riggs is no longer the vulnerable teenager who was forced to give up her first and only love. She’s older, wiser, and determined to make things right. Except the changes in Vance throw her for a loop. He’s definitely not the sweet boy she remembers. In fact, the grown-up version lights her up hotter than a firecracker.
It takes only a kiss, a caress, to bring back the explosive passion they once shared. But if Shayla can’t find a way to break through the bitter walls around his heart, it just might destroy them both. Again.
Product Warnings:
This story contains a stubborn woman intent on seduction and an alpha male with some naughty ideas of payback. Let the fireworks begin!
Series: Blackwater #2
Release Date: 05/15/2012
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Source: Manic Readers
Reviewer: Kenna
Rating:
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Reviewer’s Thoughts
I honestly wanted to love this book. I liked the concept. Shayla returns to Ohio after living in Florida. Things ended badly between her and Vance. They were very much in love, and suddenly it was over. Fast forward twelve years. Vance hears a knock at his door to find Shayla on his doorstep. Things progress from there.
That’s exactly what it does too. Progresses. VERY QUICKLY. “Vance’s Rules” went from zero to sixty in half a second. I found myself wanting to just slow down and take a breath, get to know these characters better, and have them find their happy ending after a true courtship. This is a series, though, involving a large family of brothers, so along with Vance’s story, there is some exposition setting up future books. I think that there could have been way less of that and more of what goes on behind closed doors with Vance and Shayla.
The sex scenes are incredibly hot, and very nicely written. I love dirty talkers, and Vance certainly didn’t disappoint in that area. There was also a warm humor, and that is always welcome during an intense smexy scene.
So, I’m giving “Vance’s Rules” a solid three rating. I didn’t LOVE it, but I certainly LIKED it. I’ll be on the lookout for the future additions to the “Blackwater” series to check in on the Jennings brothers and their romantic adventures.
