LauraJ’s review of Sun Stroked by Cathryn Fox
Contemporary Erotic Romance released by Penguin Heat 4 Nov 08

I blame Sandy M. Yep, it’s all her fault. No doubt about it. She just kept raving about how good Cathryn Fox’s books were and, well, after several weeks of picking up The Hot Line and then putting it down and then picking it up only to put it down again, I finally bought it. I was intrigued, but managed to hold off a couple of days before reading it. Then once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I read practically the whole book in one sitting and had to force myself to actually save a little for the next day. Oh, yes! This book was good and it was HOT! Ever since I try to read everything the Cathryn Fox writes (or have gone back to catch up with her previous releases). She is definitely a must read author for me.

In her latest book set on a fictional island, Ms. Fox takes us to the O Spa. A luxury resort that serves a magical elixir that is suppose to make you most ultimate fantasies become reality. Danielle, Lauren and Abby head to the resort prior to Abby’s getting engaged.

Danielle has come to the resort to live out the fantasy of having the man dominate her. She is tired of guys who only care about their pleasure and then leave her wanting more. She’s not looking for any long term commitments, but it would sure be nice to have a guy put her needs first for a change. After a close encounter with a “sea creature,” Ethan wants only to heal and get off this island. He wants to get back to commanding a unit, something he believes is his destiny.

Lauren is tired of men only being with her because she is beautiful. She wants people to see the real her: intelligent, fun, and caring. Her fantasy is to find a man who sees all that. She meets the injured Ryan, on the island recovering from near blindness. His fantasy is to see perfectly again. When Ryan overhears Lauren and Abby talking about their fantasies, he decides that he can give Lauren that fantasy if nothing else.

Abby has her life all planned out and doesn’t really have a fantasy since she thinks she already has everything she’s ever wanted, but goes along the Danielle and Lauren any way. She quickly learns that maybe what she thought she was sure isn’t really the case when she meets Cody. The reclusive military sniper sets her on fire in a way that her soon to be fiancé hasn’t even come close to doing. Abby quickly realizes that sometimes taking a path not planned will lead to greater happiness. Cody is on the island to recover from an unknown injury (if any one caught this let me know, I missed it, but I have an idea what it might have been). He is much happier alone or at least he thinks he is until he meets Abby.

I loved all three stories, but Danielle and Ethan’s was probably my favorite although it was very close with the other two. I love Ms. Fox’s heroes. They are alpha but at the same time they are these wonderful caring and sensitive guys that every girl would like to have. I have to say she probably writes some of the best tortured heroes, at least to me anyway. They are just so darn sexy. The woman of her books are fabulously written. I really hate wimpy, whiney, needy heroines and these three woman are far from any of that although they still have their issues (fear, self doubt, etc.). I love how different each of them are, but how supportive they are of each other.

There is one secondary character to mention, Mr. Malik. He is the owner of the spa and seems to show up just when the hero and heroine need a little help or to be pushed in the direction of their fantasies. He reminded me so much of Mr. Miyagi from “The Karate Kid.”

I really hope Ms. Fox will continue to bring us such wonderfully fun and at the same time very sexy stories.

Grade: A

Summary:
Danielle, Lauren, and Abby have come to this secluded island paradise for a fling, not realizing the spa has a rehabilitation center for injured soldiers—or that their boldest desires are about to be realized…

Interior designer Danielle Carrigan has never told anyone about her desire to be dominated in the bedroom. But after a Sensual Soak with gorgeous weapons’ expert Ethan Sharpe, something tells her that the hardcore military man will be happy to satisfy her yearning…

Used to men fixating on her killer body, Lauren Sampson is thrilled that the stud she encounters by The Pleasure Pool—who’s been visually impaired by an injury—is more interested in what’s beneath the surface. But while Captain Ryan Thomas’s erotic touch fulfills her secret desires, will he also indulge her heart’s desire?

Abby Benton is about to be engaged, but when she is rescued by sniper Cody Lannon and he takes her to The Sunset Sauna, she finds herself tempted by the intensity of his passion. Can the handsome lieutenant teach her about the fiery nature of true love?

Read an excerpt here.