REVIEW: Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

ISBN 978-0425229712
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Ménage, BDSM
(c) August 2009, Berkley Heat
Lauren Dane's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available at Book Depository (print).

Bodies aren't the only things that erotic author Lauren Dane laid bare in her novel by the same name. Souls and hearts are laid bare, worn raw, and loved in spite of all their imperfections in this incredibly human story about the power of love and acceptance. If you are looking for a little sizzle with a lot of heart and passion this is one to check out.

Ten years ago conservative Seattle cop Todd Keenan let loose of his sexual control and discovered his need to dominate during a life changing fling with rocker-chick neighbor Erin Brown. Erin, comfortable with her need to submit and live on the edge, was honest about who and what she was with herself and others. Todd admired the quality in the 'little freak' but shamed at the extreme desires and needs he discovered in himself.

Ten years later the tables turn on the pair when Todd returns to Seattle and his family looking for a new beginning after a failed marriage and near fatal shooting. Having come to terms with who he is and what living a half life has cost him, he eagerly jumps at a second chance with Erin. Although life dealt her mega MTV rock star success, Erin has also experienced life altering tragedy. Unable to trust herself and others, Erin finds comfort in Todd's need to control and care for her. In his arms the healing begins.

The two soon find Ben, Todd's best friend and partner, brings a sense of rightness, completing them both.  Together the three endeavor to find bliss in a conservative cop community and the ability to move beyond the demons of the past into the joy of the future.

I commend Lauren Dane for spending the time needed to unravel the flaws of her characters and reveal their humanity.  The characters, their pain, and their relatable joy are the gold in this story.  At times the pace seemed a little slow and there were events that I had to reflect on to see the value added to the entire piece. It is through many of these innocuous events that bonds are formed and personalities revealed.  It is the small moments that allow the love to blossom and the healing to occur and for myself as a reader to invest in the characters.

If you are on the prowl for a heart-warming story with hawt lovin', great food, a big family, and enough testosterone to power the eastern coast take a look at Laid Bare by Lauren Dane.

Reviewed by Michelle R.

Book Summary: 

Unexpected Desire… 

It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?