PURE BLISS / CHASING BLISS (Nights in Bliss, Colorado #6 & 7) by Lexi Blake-a review

PURE BLISS
(Nights in Bliss, Colorado #6)
by Lexi Blake
Genre: contemporary, adult, erotic, MFM romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release March 5, 2019

The town of Bliss, Colorado, offered Hope McLean a second chance at life, a gift she cherishes every day. Her past was dominated by dark secrets and regret, most of which centered on a man named Christian Grady. All of that was behind her now, years of horror distilled down into the occasional nightmare or a random feeling of being watched. Surrounded by new friends, she tried hard to leave the past where it belonged—in the rearview mirror.

Raised together, James Glen and Noah Bennett were the best of friends. They dreamed of growing up in Bliss, finding love, and settling down to share their lives on the Circle G ranch. James would manage the day-to-day operations of the ranch while Noah served the town as the resident veterinarian. Everything was perfectly planned out, until a woman came between them and their future shattered. Noah left Bliss for New York City and James was left to struggle to keep the Circle G alive on his own.

Noah returns to Bliss on a mission to rebuild his life. When he sees Hope, he knows his return home was meant to be. Hope’s kindness shines like a beacon calling him to her. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only man interested in Hope. James is also interested in the beautiful girl with a mysterious past. He can’t be forced to choose between the woman of his dreams and his best friend again.

As romance begins to bloom, a dark specter from Hope’s past returns to claim her. To save Hope, and themselves, James and Noah will have to rebuild the relationship they lost and fight for their future with Hope together.

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REVIEW: PURE BLISS is the sixth instalment in Sophie Oak’s (aka Lexi Blake) contemporary, adult NIGHTS IN BLISS, COLORADO erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women of Bliss, Colorado. This is rancher James Glen, veterinarian Noah Bennett, and Hope McLean’s story line. PURE BLISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information form the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: PURE BLISS was originally released in March 2012 but re-release with additional content.

WARNING: PURE BLISS and the Nights in Bliss, Colorado focuses on ménage relationships with lights scenes of discipline and bondage.

Told from several third person perspectives including James, Noah and Hope PURE BLISS follows the building relationship between estranged step-brothers Noah Bennett and James Glen, and the woman they love Hope McLean. Five years earlier Noah walked away from Bliss, Colorado against his brother’s warnings, to follow the woman he thought he loved. Fast forward to present day wherein Noah will return home, tail tucked between his legs, to discover that James has struggled to keep the family ranch afloat, as he as battled his attraction to the sheriff’s PA Hope McLean. With Noah’s return to Bliss, James has competition as it pertains his need and desire for Hope McLean, a need and desire matched by the ‘brother’ he is unable to forgive. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Hope, and James and Noah, and the potential fall-out as Hope’s past comes seeking revenge.

Hope McLean has been on the run, barely staying one step ahead of a man who is hoping to destroy her life. Witnessing the devastation of murder and fraud, Hope finds solace in Bliss, Colorado only to face rejection at the hands of the man with whom she will fall in love. Not until Noah Bennett, the prodigal son, returns home to the ranch and step-brother he so desperately loves does James face the truth about what was and what will be.

The relationship between Hope, and James and Noah is one of immediate attraction but James’ earlier rejection of Hope pushes our heroine into Noah’s arms. Hope battles her attraction to the warring ‘brothers’ , an attraction that pits brother against brother for her love and attention. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word I find unnecessary in a romance story line.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples.

NIGHTS IN BLISS, COLORADO is a series of plural relationships and marriages in the small town of Bliss, Colorado where multiple partners and ménages are accepted and preferred. PURE BLISS is a story of family, love, loss and betrayal. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is passionate and captivating; the characters are charismatic, sassy and strong.

Copy supplied for review

reviewed by Sandy

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CHASING BLISS
(Nights in Bliss, Colorado # 7)
by Lexi Blake
Genre: contemporary, adult, erotic, MFM romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release April 23, 2019

Gemma Wells came to Bliss, Colorado, after a scandal cost her everything. Utterly lost, the disgraced attorney built walls so high that she thinks no one can get through them. She’s given up on love, friendship, and all matters of the heart.

Jesse McCann and Cade Sinclair have floated through life, enjoying the world around them, but never allowing themselves to become a part of it. One look at the pretty attorney and Jesse realizes he’s finally found a reason to stay put. Cade isn’t so sure. He’s crazy about her, but he also knows he doesn’t deserve her.

As they begin to find their way together, a dark secret from Gemma’s past threatens to wreck their futures. Her ex-fiancé is back, bringing danger with him, and their time is running out. Jesse and Cade have to melt this Ice Queen’s heart, or she might not leave Bliss alive.

•••••••••

REVIEW: CHASING BLISS is the seventh instalment in Lexi Blake’s (aka Sophie Oak) contemporary, adult NIGHTS IN BLISS, COLORADO erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women of Bliss, Colorado. This is mechanics and best friends thirty year old Jesse McCann and Cade Sinclair, and thirty year old attorney Gemma Wells’ story line. CHASING BLISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: CHASING BLISS is a re-release of the author’s 2012 release originally written as Sophie Oak. CHASING BLISS is an M/F/M romance and contains graphic sexual ménage situations that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from three third person perspectives (Jesse, Cade, Gemma) CHASING BLISS follows in the wake of attorney Gemma Wells discovering the to whom she was engaged in bed with someone else. Heading home to Bliss, Colorado following a mental breakdown wherein she lost her job and her self-respect, Gemma’s reputation as a hard-nosed, take no prisoners attitude precedes our heroine arrival to town. Meeting mechanics Jesse McCann and Cade Sinclair stirred something deep within our story line heroine, something she never expected but was hoping to uncover. Several threats against Gemma places our heroine in the direct line of fire, threats that will target the men with whom she is falling in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Gemma, Jesse and Cade, and the potential fall-out as Gemma’s past comes seeking revenge in an effort to destroy and hide any information she may have uncovered.

Jesse and Cade have been best friends since their days in the foster care system but meeting Gemma Wells gave the men thoughts for a future, a future Cade believes he doesn’t deserve. Hoping to prove herself worthy of both men, Gemma struggles with her own attitude and history, and her ability to turn on a moments notice.

The relationship between Gemma, Jesse and Cade is one of immediate attraction but Gemma’s acerbic personality leaves something to be desired. Seeing Gemma as something more than the sum of her attitude and strong-willed emotional outbursts Jesse is determined to prove she is worthy of love but Cade is determined to prove he is unworthy of both. Heart breaking childhoods push Cade to walk away while Jesse struggles to keep everyone together. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with M/F/M sexual situations.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in previous instalments. Bliss, Colorado is a town whose residents tend to find happiness in polygamous relationships, relationships wherein everyone gets his and her and his own happily ever after.

CHASING BLISS is an intriguing story of betrayal and vengeance. The character driven premise is inviting and imaginative; the romance is encouraging, spicy and raw; the characters are energetic, animated and flirty. CHASING BLISS is a spirited, sexy and sassy story of love, drama, and intrigue.

Copy supplied for review

reviewed by Sandy