Loving Lucas: A Lies & Leather Novel

What a ride! Rand took me on an emotional, heartbreaking, at times bone breaking journey through love, loss, redemption, and friendship. I loved the indepth stories for each of the characters. Their pasts are as important to the current events as their present choices. Rand mixes chemistry and sheer sensuality with the hardships of overcoming abuse and missing family. It broke my heart to watch the characters go through these trials, yet the story was so heartfelt and hot that I was hooked. That said, I found that everything was tied up in just a little bit too neat of a bow at the end, after the turmoil throughout the story, and the difficulties that preceded it. This was a fantastic story and a great launch to this new series, but it just seemed to be missing a dash of Rand’s usual flair. Don’t get me wrong, I loved this novel, but it was missing the ‘can’t put it down’ quality that this author usually has. The characters in this novel were quite well developed and fun to get to know. My heart broke for Karlie. Her past would be something very difficult to overcome. I loved the patience and compassion that Lucas has for her, even as he’s trying to work through his own issues. The supporting cast was quite unique as well. Karlie’s best friend definitely made me giggle a time or two, while Craig & Mariesela’s appearance will bring a smile to the faces of all those who enjoyed Rand’s foray into the Devil’s Den. All in all, this was a fantastic, heartfelt, hot & hard hitting novel that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others. I can’t wait to see where Rand goes with this series from here. Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this one was awesome! Definitely steamy with a wonderful romance at the core. Karlie Augustine has had it rough her whole life. Now she's dealing with an abusive boyfriend, but what else can she do. She's homeless and broke without him. Luckily, Lucas Lafontaine witnesses the latest rage and comes to her rescue. Not only that, he offers her a place to live and a job! Soon the spark between them flares but is she ready to trust in him and is he ready to give his heart again??? While there is nothing remotely deep or new to this story, it did keep me entertained and the twists the story took kept me interested. I would recommend this one.

While at a race car track, Karlie has a run in with her abusive boyfriend. But she decides she has had enough. She knows she cannot continue to live like this. So after two years, she decides to leave but doesn’t have a place to stay. In comes Lucas; the sexy cop. He sees what happens and offers to help. He will let Karlie stay with him in exchange for cleaning/cooking services. She agrees. I thought that was a little unrealistic scenario. Who stays in someone’s house the first day you meet and whom you know nothing about. Seems like Karlie was displayed as an obedient, docile woman and Lucas was this big bad Alpha male, or at least he tried to be, there to take care of her. I think that fell a little flat. Having just gotten out of a relationship, she allows Lucas to give her an orgasm that first night. Not a fan of the instant sexual encounters or insta-love. I thought there would be more with Connor but in the end he seemed to back down very quickly. I think this is a little different than previous books (Devil’s Den) I have read but never the less it was ok. The female character was just not as strong as in her other books. It seemed a tad slow at times and I didn’t’ always feel the connection between the two. However that being said, it in no way deters me from reading other books by this author.