REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: Play Dirty by Lorie O'Clare

ISBN 978-0312372156
Genre: Romantic Suspense
(c) September 2010, St. Martin's Paperbacks
Lorie O'Clare's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available at Book Depository (print).

Make room everyone for the new edition to the group of men who melt our hearts with their cocky smiles and confident swagger. In her new novel Play Dirty, Lorie O’Clare introduces romance readers to the incredibly sexy world of bounty hunters in a book that holds nothing back.

Sometimes when you read the blurb on the back of a book, you don’t really get a sense of the story you’ll find. I have to say that Play Dirty more than delivered with a fast-paced storyline that had me always wanting to know what came next. The plot didn’t seem stale, it flowed well and as someone who doesn’t read a lot of romantic suspense, I enjoyed reading it. It had a good balance of intrigue which had me wondering what else was in store for Haley and Greg.

Straight away I realized that as a lover of romance I had grossly underestimated the appeal of the more experienced older man. Sexy really doesn’t have an age limit as Greg King firmly establishes and proves the point that younger isn’t always better and that nothing beats the touch of a man who experience has shown just how well to do it. Greg King oozes masculine energy in this book and was immediately appealing because of the deep love that he has for his wife Haley. Despite the way they parted or the time that had passed, Greg continues to feel that close connection that had him moving heaven and earth to keep her safe. He was intense in everything he did and I loved the process he went through to loosen his driving instinct to shelter Haley and allow her to be independent and follow her passions. It takes a great man to put aside his opinions on how things should be and step aside to allow someone else to lead.

I loved being able to read about Haley and see the way she was true to her convictions even though it broke her heart to do so. The time she spent away from her family, she put to good use so when she finally returned, she was stronger, more confident and a lot more independent. Coming back to Greg, she brought a greater balance to their relationship and I loved that she didn’t back down and let Greg hold her back from what she loved. She showed that you are able to be in a relationship without losing yourself or at least holding yourself back and it really was wonderful being able to watch Haley and Greg work through the changes distance had created.

The passion in this book was at times almost palpable and had my heart racing and deep sighing over the intensity of how they felt for each other. You could literally see the sparks flying between them and as I neared their first bedroom reunion, I had high hopes for what I thought would be an incredibly passionate and sensual moment. I think it’s important to warn those who read this book, that at least in my opinion, the bedroom scenes weren’t the sensual experience I have come to expect in the romance books I read and were very graphic in the details of what was happening. There were other moments throughout the book where the sexual content proved to be difficult for me to read, but I really feel that it comes down to how comfortable you are with the sex that you read. Although the scenes may not be to everybody’s liking, a little warning can at least help you be prepared.

Aside from this, I enjoyed the book and found it entertaining. It gave me most of the things I love about reading romance and I feel that it’s a story filled with characters people will fall in love with. As an added bonus, the hunky guy straddling the bike on the cover helps fuel the imagination. Enjoy!

Reviewed by Belinda
The Bookish Snob


Book Summary:

Heartthrob bounty hunter Greg King knows how to work it—and he knows that he can have any woman he wants. But there’s more to Greg than meets the eye...and he’s still haunted by the memory of his beautiful, estranged wife. Much as he’s tried to move on, he’s never been able to stop wondering why Haley left him. Or what he could have done to make their marriage better—and make her stay...

After putting a vicious criminal behind bars, Haley King had no choice but to leave her loved ones behind and enter the witness protection program. Turns out that, in her new life, Haley has once again found herself in serious trouble—and needs help from the only person she can trust: her husband. Now, as old secrets threaten to tear them apart and danger closes in from all sides, it’s up to Greg to keep Haley safe...and convince her that this time, he’s playing for keeps.


Now for the GIVEAWAY!

One lucky commenter will win the anthology The Bodyguard, featuring paranormal stories by Lorie O'Clare, Cherry Adair and Gena Showalter! Lorie's book features her very first bounty hunter story. Her hero is a bounty hunter and her heroine is a werewolf. The best of both worlds collide!

International! Yay! Everyone is eligible!

How to Enter/Rules:

1. The giveaway will run from September 28 to 29, where we'll be posting an interview with Lorie!
2. You must be a follower (GFC, at least).
3. Ask Lorie a question.

Note: Not a follower + no question = no chance to win

Additional Chances to Win:

1. Each time you spread news of this contest (via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc) earns you one point as well. Be sure to come back and give us the link of your tweet or announcement.
2. Follow us! Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Good Reads. Each "follow" earns you one point. (Old followers are automatically entered.)

Contest Duration: September 28 to 29, 1159pm EST

Contest Winner Announcement: September 30

The winner will be selected via Randomizer.org. Please send your name and mailing address to caroletrr(@)gmail.com, so be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If we don't receive the email within twenty-four hours, a new winner will be chosen.