Stepping Up Trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones – a combined review
All three books of Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy were fun, enjoyable, and relaxing reads This series had a fantastic concept, a TV Dance Reality show, with wonderful and sexy couples for each book. Though some scenes in each book were steamy, it was not erotic. If you are looking for romance, great couples, and just pure fun, then Stepping Up is perfect for you. The great thing about this series is that all 3 books came out within 3 months, allowing me to read without waiting long for the next book. Below is my review on each book.
Watch Me – book 1
Watch Me is the first book in Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy. This is a contemporary romance, with a Realty TV Dance show as the premise of the story. Meagan Tippan is the producer of this show, and she is our heroine of the story. The show is called America’s Stepping Up, and Sam Kellar, a former Special Forces soldier, is the head of Security for the studio, as well as our hero.
Meagan is a former dancer, who suffered a serious leg injury to cut short her career in dancing, but she uses her love of the dance, to come up with the idea of this reality tv show. Right from the start, as all the contestants are chosen, they are plagued by unusual mishaps, such as the fire sprinkler going off in the house they were all living in, causing enough damage for them to have to find a new place. Everyone whispered that there was a curse, as this was not the first mishap. Because of this, Meagan is forced by her bosses to allow Sam to be part of the full time team, in charge of security. Meagan knew the management wanted to use the curse as a gimmick to kick start the show.
Meagan wasn’t happy about Sam, as he was everything she didn’t like. a strong tough guy, and gorgeous hunk, as she preferred someone more laid back. Sam, though finding Meagan attractive, called her an ice princess. But it was Sam, who would make the first move to try to win Meagan.
This was a good story, as we watched Meagan and Sam discover each other; open up to their own demons from their pasts, as well as to work together to stop someone who is trying to sabotage the show. The chemistry between Sam and Meagan was hot, and it was fun to watch them try to hide from others their growing attraction.
The reality dance show theme was fun to watch, and see how jealousy, and friction between dancers can cause problems, and what producers have to deal with. There also was the mystery, though for the most part you knew who was behind the sabotage, it still was interesting to see how it would all turn out. Excellent first book in this series, as the next book is Follow My Lead, which I think is season two of the reality dance show.
Follow my Lead – book 2
Follow My Lead is the 2nd book in Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy. The book picks up months after Watch Me ended. As a reminder, this is a contemporary romance, with a Realty TV Dance show as the premise of the story. Preparation is in full swing to start the second season of America’s Stepping Up show, and Meagan, our heroine in the first book, and producer of the show has picked her celebrity judges.
We meet Darla James and Blake Nelson, our wonderful couple on the plane heading for the studio to meet Meagan, the other judges and plan for the auditions. Darla, who has a fear of flying, is not happy to be sitting next to Blake, a tv show competitor whom she blames for an embarrassing mishap a few months ago. Blake is also her competitor from another channel, as they have somewhat similar tv shows that they host. She is downright rude, and antagonistic to Blake. Blake finds humor in Darla’s attitude, as he tries to explain that he truly was not at fault for that mishap. An uneasy truce is reached, as Darla must survive the plane ride and Blake offers his support.
During the early days of preparation and auditions, both Blake and Darla find themselves becoming totally attracted to one another. Both having decided a one night fling will be just the thing they both need to move on, ….only things don’t always work that way. Their chemistry and sexual relationship flies through the roof, and is very hot. Each though has their own issues in regards to commitment and relationships. Something they will both have to work through almost to the end.
Meagan comes up with a gimmick utilizing Darla and Blake’s antagonistic attitude to each other, trying to tempt the audience to follow and see where if their dislike for each other (which is no longer true, something they have to hide) will change as the season moves forward.
This was an excellent second book in this trilogy. It is a fun relaxing read, with a very good theme…Dance Reality show, and what goes on behind the scenes. Follow My Lead is more sexual then the first book, with a lot of steamy hot sex scenes; it is more of a romance, without the mystery of the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as well as Darla and Blake, and watching them find their love. I look forward to the last book in this series.
Winning Moves – book 3
Winning Moves is the 3rd and final book in Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy.
We meet our heroine at the beginning of the story, as Kat Moore arrives home in Las Vegas, after traveling on a dance tour, and swears to herself that she will give up traveling forever. Just when she is ready to leave the airport and head home, she gets a call from her agent about a gig right there in Las Vegas, allowing her to make some good money and stay home. The show is based on the popular America’s Stepping Up Dance Reality show, but this one will be at a Vegas hotel.
Unbeknownst to Kat, as she arrives to meet the people behind this show, she sees our hero, and Kat’s ex husband, Jason Alright. Jason is the director of the Vegas show, and also a judge on the tv show. He still loves Kat, and he wants to win her back, and does everything in his power to ensure that she will take the job as the show’s choreographer.
Winning Moves is above all a wonderful romance between Kat and Jason, and has you rooting hard for them to find a way to make it work this time. There are some good side stories, such as Kat’s retired parents, who are faced with bankruptcy. There is also the Dance show shenanigans that we got used to in the first two books, with the tough dance competition, as well as the sabotage that ensues, and Kat is right in the middle of it to help resolve any issues that threaten the show.
Kat is afraid to let herself commit to Jason again, as they both have their own careers, and each time they tried to get back together, there was always something pulling them apart. Jason is determined to prove to Kat that this time they will make this work, and stay together. The sexual tension between them is hot, and no matter what issues they may have had, they cannot keep their hands off of each other. Make no mistake, their chemistry together is steaming hot. Winning Moves is a fun, enjoyable and very sexy read.
I enjoyed this series very much. If you want something that is fun, to relax and enjoy, with a great story and an awesome sexual couple, look no further then The Stepping Up Trilogy, as it is a perfect read.
Reviewed by Barb
