Title: Seducing Lauren
Series: Love Under the Big Sky #2
Author: Kristen Proby
Release Date: August 19, 2014
In the second book in the Love Under the Big Sky series from this USA TODAY bestselling author of the With Me in Seattle series, life in Montana gets spicy when a woman and her divorce lawyer sign off the papers—and sign on to love.
Now that his best friend, Josh, has happily settled down with his true love on a Montana ranch, small-town lawyer Ty Sullivan starts thinking that maybe single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And when Lauren Cunningham’s no-good ex-husband comes after her for an unexpected trust fund, Ty steps in to protect her. But soon he can’t help but think of her as more than a client. Lauren’s in no mood to jump into another relationship, so how can Ty convince her that her mistake wasn’t getting married, but marrying the wrong guy?
Now that his best friend, Josh, has happily settled down with his true love on a Montana ranch, small-town lawyer Ty Sullivan starts thinking that maybe single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And when Lauren Cunningham’s no-good ex-husband comes after her for an unexpected trust fund, Ty steps in to protect her. But soon he can’t help but think of her as more than a client. Lauren’s in no mood to jump into another relationship, so how can Ty convince her that her mistake wasn’t getting married, but marrying the wrong guy?
ALSO AVAILABLE
Oh Montana. You’ve given me a wealth of hot cowboy types to drool over, and now you’re giving me a bad-boy lawyer that’s not such a bad-boy after all?? Thank you, Big Sky Country. Just...thank you. Tyler Sullivan is hot, tattooed, a little bit dirty....and he cooks and sends flowers? If that’s not book boyfriend material, then my name is not Beth. Damn it, Ty. You’re putting all other fictional boys to shame right about now.
Tyler Sullivan watched on as his best friend, Josh, fell in love and settled down. Suddenly, after years as a single guy in a small town, the idea of devoting himself to one woman isn’t as scary as it once was. Especially if that woman is Lauren Cunningham. Lo was burned in her marriage to Jack. He never truly loved her and the failure of her marriage – and her inability to see the real Jack behind the façade – has left her a little gun-shy when it comes to love. When Jack comes back into Lo’s life demanding more money, she turns to her friend and lawyer, Ty. But Ty can’t look at Lauren without seeing the potential for a future that he has never before dreamed of. Now he has to convince her that what he is offering is real and true – and that love doesn’t have to hurt.
Oh Kristen Proby, you sure know how to write an engaging, sexy story. I loved this from the first chapter – which I initially read and got hooked on at the end of Loving Cara, book one in this series – and I struggled to put it down long enough to grab a cup of tea and something to eat. Which is something Lauren Cunningham could likely relate to.
The connection between Lo and Ty was remarkable and palpable. He cared for her – bringing her food (or having it delivered) when she was too caught up to eat, sending her flowers just because, treating her gently and respecting and repairing her broken heart – and yet, he was still blatantly alpha. He took what he wanted from her and damn, if it wasn’t hotter than hell.
It was fun to see the change in Lauren as she learned more about herself and Ty, about their relationship and what having a functional one could mean. I loved that Lauren was no wilting flower – she was successful in her career and determined to fight for what was rightfully hers – and that she was willing to work at creating a relationship not just with Ty, but with the people that were important to him. And not just because I meant we were able to see a little more from book one’s Josh and Cara, as well as a glimpse of what’s to come for Zach and Jill in book three.
I’ll admit to getting a little tear-eyed as the book reached it climax and that’s just fine by me. It meant that I connected with these characters. Even if I was a little jealous of Lo....because she has my new book boyfriend and I don’t.
Seducing Lauren is the second book in the Love Under The Big Sky series and can be read as a standalone. No cliffhanger.
~ Review by Beth
As I approach his house, I see his Jeep parked in the drive, the hood up, and a tight, jean-clad ass bent over the side.
Okay, he’s definitely home.
I tentatively wander around the other side of the Jeep and lean against the side, looking at the engine. He hasn’t noticed that I’m here yet, and I’m not even sure how he’ll react to seeing me here, but I can’t seem to stay away. His dark head is bent low, his arms buried in the engine, tinkering with something. His arms are bare as he’s pulled off his T-shirt, which is draped over the windshield. A thin sheen of sweat covers his shoulders and back, and his entire sleeve tattoo, which runs from just above his wrist all the way up to the top of his right shoulder, is on full display, making my girlie parts all tingle and come to life.
Holy Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
He’s so fucking toned it’s crazy. Jeez, his muscles bunch and stretch as he pulls on the wrench in his hand.
“Come on, you motherfucker,” he mutters. I have to bite my lips to keep from laughing out loud.
“So, what seems to be the problem?” I finally ask when he doesn’t notice me, keeping my eyes trained on the engine when his head whips up to look at me. I slowly lift my eyes to his and grin.
“I didn’t hear your car,” he murmurs with a smile.
“I walked.” I shrug and look back down into the bowels of his Jeep. “What’s wrong with your car?”
“You walked from your house?” he asks incredulously.
“No.” I shake my head and chuckle. “From Sips. I had coffee with Cara this morning.”
He stands up straight and leans his palms on the side of the Jeep, watching me. My eyes immediately fall to one drop of sweat slowly making its way down his hard chest.
“You had coffee with Cara?” He smiles.
“Yeah.” I shrug shyly. “I’m sorry to just stop by like this. I was out for a walk and just sort of found myself here.” I feel my cheeks heat and I back away, but he shakes his head and smiles widely.
“I’m glad you came by.” He raises his brows as I continue to stare.
I shake my head and raise my eyes to his, then bust out laughing.
“Why are you laughing?” he asks with a wide grin.
“Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a shirt. I didn’t realize the tats went all the way up your arm. Who would have thought that under it all you’re just a bad boy?”
His eyes flash with heat as he narrows them on my face, watching me. He pulls a rag out of his back pocket and begins wiping off his hands, but his gray eyes stay on mine. Did I offend him?
“I’m not such a bad boy. Looks can be deceiving, Lauren.” He smirks as he lowers the hood on his Jeep. “But from the look of you right now, you don’t seem to mind the tats.”
“I don’t mind.” I shrug nonchalantly and try to ignore the way my heart picks up speed as he slowly saunters around the hood of the vehicle.
“Do you have any tats?”
“Yeah.”
His eyes widen in surprise and then rake over me from head to toe.
“Where?”
I grin, enjoying this flirtatious banter. “Here and there.”
“I have ways of making people talk, you know.”
“Bright lights and rubber hoses?” I ask with a raised brow.
He tosses his head back and laughs, an all-out belly laugh. “I’m not a cop,” he smirks.
“You might get to see them. Someday.”
He closes the gap between us and kisses me gently on the forehead, not touching me anywhere else.
“I hope someday comes sooner rather than later,” he whispers before pulling back and smiling softly down at me. “I would hug you, but I’m dirty.”
I wave him off, as if it’s no biggie, although I don’t mind so much that he’s a bit dirty and sweaty. “What were you doing?” I gesture to the car.
“Changing the oil.”
“There are places you can go,” I inform him with a perfectly straight face, “where you pull into this big garage, and then you leave your car and go into this small room with five-year-old magazines and stale coffee, and the people there will change your oil for you.”
“Or, smart-ass, I can do it myself in my own driveway.”
“Suit yourself.” I shrug.
“Did you sleep okay on the couch?” he asks, changing the subject.
“Yeah, actually, I did. But I could always sleep just about anywhere.”
“Hence the chaise in your office.” He chuckles.
I nod and stuff my hands in my pockets. “I’m sorry that I interrupted your morning. I was just out for a walk and found myself here.”
“I’m glad you did.” He scratches his stomach, and my eyes follow the movement. His abs are just delicious. For being so dark haired, he has little hair on his chest and stomach, but a light trail of hair falls from his navel and disappears into his jeans. He’s also sporting a V in the muscles on his hips that the heroes in my novels would covet.
“Lo?” he asks with a wide grin.
“Yeah?” I drag my eyes up to his again.
“I lost you for a second.”
I blink rapidly and feel heat fill my cheeks. Jesus, get a grip! You’ve seen hot men before, Lauren. “Sorry, my mind wandered.”
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.
No comments:
Post a Comment