Between the Sheets by Genie Davis & Linda Marr

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Description:
Erotic romance writer Jenna Brooks lives an ordinary life in a quiet Oregon town, putting her sensual heart into her fiction rather than her everyday life. Deeply involved in her latest story about glamorous lovers on the run, she laughs off a carnival gypsy’s prediction that she’ll find everything she desires “between the sheets”—apparently those her DeskJet is printing. Because suddenly, Jenna finds herself drawn into her own stories, literally. When the seductive, mysterious Riley Stone rescues her from an attempted hit and run, she’s plunged into a reckless, wild relationship unlike anything she’s ever experienced—except on paper.

Meanwhile, Riley is feeling pretty upended himself. A specialist consultant with the FBI, he’s on a mission to derail a drug king-pin whose wealth and extensive real estate is managed by Jenna’s neighbor, he’d planned to ingratiate himself with Jenna just enough to gain access to her neighbor’s apartment so he can keep a close eye on his comings and goings. Instead, he finds himself not only drawn to Jenna, but falling for her, hard. On the heels of this realization comes the discovery that her new neighbor didn’t move in next door by chance: her father is the last hold-out against a drug-money fueled billion dollar development scheme and her neighbor plans to take and hold Jenna hostage until the necessary papers are signed.

As Riley struggles to keep Jenna safe, the romance they’ve woven could force them to pay the ultimate price: admitting they’ve fallen in love—for real.

Review:
Jenna was being watched by a hooded figure.  When a car comes barreling down upon her, aiming for her, the mysterious figure suddenly becomes Riley Stone, savior!  Undercover P.I. work (in collaboration with the FBI) placed him in the right place at the right time, but the attempt on Jenna’s life has acutely taken center stage.  Between the Sheets by Genie Davis and Linda Marr is a freshly written, suspenseful story that grips you right from the onset and has you prying your fingers off the book, clenched so tightly they were, when it’s done!  *When did Yoda start reviewing this book?*

So when his team noticed Evan’s attractive neighbor, they hatched a plan for Riley to meet her.  All Riley had to do was get invited inside her apartment, and then it would be a relatively simple matter to drill a slender hole in the wall and insert a fiber-optic recording device.  The rest of his team could take it from there.

Now…the fact that Riley is ready to jump Jenna’s bones probably interferes with the code of conduct during an investigation, right?  😀  He barely knows Jenna, but he knows he can’t charm his way into her apartment, plant a listening device, and consider her involvement over and out.  Especially when silencing Jenna seems to be her criminal neighbor, Evan’s goal. Who’s kidding who?  Riley’s interest in Jenna has already surpassed the original plan.  Just like that, Riley cares and the best part is that it’s reciprocated.  I felt their connection and it was potent.

She knew so little about Riley, yet she couldn’t remember a time when her body felt more alive.  There was an indefinable chemistry between them—primal, emotional and kinetic.

You’re wondering what I am, so I might as well say it:  Misrepresenting yourself is…ugh!…this is SO going to bite them in the ass and you know it!  Yes the storyline is a familiar one, don’t get involved with the informant, but that’s not even the case here.  When a book is making me break my own lights out “curfew”, you can be sure the writing, the mood, the pace…all very intriguing!

Did you notice I wrote “them” instead of just pointing a finger at Riley?  It seems our intrepid hero isn’t the only one covering up his true identity (although he’s got the advantage since he thoroughly researched Jenna).  While Jenna works in the family business of all things marine life, she moonlights as an erotic romance writer under the nom de plume of Jade Johnson.  Scandalous though it may be (not to us, of course!), Riley can’t figure out why Jenna’s involved in his case.  What does Evan want with her?!  Well, that includes this reader.

In all this talk (and swooning) over their budding romance (a passionate kiss and grope in a lighthouse!), I’ve been remiss to tell you that Jenna is being stalked for real.  Goons are chasing her and her creepy neighbor, Evan, always seems to pop up during opportune times.  Don’t forget he’s the one under Riley’s surveillance.  The man is trouble.  Hurry up and tell Jenna the truth, Riley; the situation has escalated to lethal consequences.  I can only hope Jenna is so relieved to discover Riley’s a good guy, that forgiveness is happily given?

Jenna was the all-too-disposable pawn in the game Tanner needed to win.  And it had struck him, during the long, damp, chilly night, that she was all but indispensible—to Riley.

There is one minor criticism I must mention:  The blurred line between this story and the story written by Jenna’s alter ego, Jade Johnson.  One minute I’m enjoying a scene between Riley and Jenna and then I’m reading about Jack and Abby, characters from Jade Johnson’s series.  I get that reality is starting to mirror fiction, it’s even gotten Riley into a bit of trouble, but I wish the writers would have used a different font to distinguish the fact from fantasy.

I really enjoyed this book.  Jenna and Riley fell into an immediate infatuation that blossomed into a romance, but omissions of truth do not a solid foundation make.  *Welcome back, Yoda*  Ms. Davis and Ms. Marr reveal details in a quick rhythm to keep the reader interested and there’s a good balance of drama and tension to maintain your attention.  I wanted to throttle Riley a time, or four, but he’s too swoon-worthy for grudges.  I would read more from this collaborative duo!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher