Kathy “Redrabbitt” Heare-Watts
WE MAKE QUITE THE PAIR A great addition to this series is a spinoff from The Manor series, where we meet Gabriel Ryan and his BDSM club, The Eros Pit, in Denver, Colorado. The story will begin with 'Singles Night' at The Eros Pit with the Pagan Fling event. Emma Morton needs the release, an escape from work and pressure. Xavier Campbell has just learned that his granddad has passed away. In his will's stipulation, he has placed a burden on Xavier—marry within twelve months and produce an heir in three years, or the family estate will revert to the Scottish Preservation Society. Emma needs this event at The Eros Pit, but what a shock when she draws her marker, and it is for none other than Xavier Campbell. These two have a way of getting on each other's nerves. "Internal warning bells sounded that screamed: Danger imminent. Red alert. Engage offensive maneuvers."—Emma "Out of all the submissives in the club, he had been saddled with the man-eating She-Devil." The story's plot will have Emma and Xavier having a private scene together, which is precisely what each of them needs. It could be said they mesh well together. But Emma senses that Xavier is distracted and asks him about it—and he will tell her that his grandfather died. Emma: I'm sorry. That must be difficult. Is there something I can do to help? Xavier: Appreciate it, lass, truly I do, but unless you can find me a wife in the next twelve months, I don't see how you could. Emma: I'll do it. The story will have Emma saying that she will help—agreeing to marry him and stay married for the three years required to protect the Campbell land and the people's jobs in their town. She asks for a prenup to protect her business, and Xavier will have it drawn up, a marriage before a justice of the peace, and a trip to Scotland for the funeral and burial. The only thing he leaves out is the part about needing an heir by the end of three years—something his mother and brother warn him he needs to disclose. The trip to Scotland allows Emma and Xavier to explore their marriage, and the more they are together, the more they each crave. While each is falling in love, something they swore would never happen, they keep it to themselves. Emma: What are you saying? Xavier: I care, lass, and it's worrisome, given my history. I don't let people in often. But you wormed your way in when I wasn't looking. Emma: I care too. And it's freaking me out too. I don't want to go back to the manor tomorrow. I want to stay here. With you. Xavier: Aye. Me too. We're bound to have fights, lass. We're far too dominant in our daily lives not to. Just know that you can claw and spit and hiss at me all you want, and I'll not walk away from you. I want you in my life, and not because of some will, but because I want you. Emma: I'm glad I drew your marker that night at Eros. Xavier: I am as well. I'd like to think fate had something to do with it. Because I think we've been circling each other for a while now. Emma: I'm all in. This. Us. Even though it scares me. Xavier: Me too, lass. It's you and me, nothing else matters. "Emma was beginning to believe that marrying Xavier and coming with him to Scotland had been the best decision of her life." But like all good things, one little thing leads to misunderstandings, secrets kept, betrayal felt, now two lives are in turmoil—will this be their end? I loved the characters, the angst, the chemistry, secrets, mystery, and the new relationship. The story has dominance and submission, pain with pleasure, and explicit scenes with two people who are perfect for each other. "Joy encompassed her days where sorrow had once reigned. And it all happened because she took a chance on a Highlander."
Kristen Lewendon
Both Xavier and Emma have enough emotional and relationship baggage that it could sink a fleet of ocean liners; neither one is prepared to trust a partner anymore. Will this pair of commitment-phobes be able to get over their previous hurts, or will they only reinforce the lessons of their pasts? This story was a prime example of what happens when porcupines mate. All those sharp pointy defences stabbing outwards to keep everyone away, protecting the soft vulnerable hearts within. Oof! These two. I spent half the book wanting to cuddle them and the other half wishing I could smack some sense into them. I loved Xavier and Emma together, but their desperate need to protect themselves made them kind of frustrating at times. I may have only just finished reading this installment, but I already can’t wait until we can come back for the next dungeon fantasy night. I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
