Sandy M’s Duckies Do Series review of The Dalton Gang by Alison Kent
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Berkley Oct 2012 – Aug 2013
Okay, I confess. I picked these books up to read because of the covers. The woman in me just couldn’t resist. Thus, I had a terrific surprise when I started reading. Especially since these are my first Alison Kent reads. Also, I had no idea they were erotic novels. Oh, and they’re cowboys. You can bet I had one hell of a ride with this Dalton Gang!
Undeniable, Book 1
2 Oct 12
The Dalton Gang, Dax Campbell, Casper Jayne, and Boone Mitchell, is back in Crow Hill. All three left town as soon as they could, leaving behind their own demons. Having learned that Tess Dalton has passed away, the three men have come home to take care of the ranch the Daltons left to them. Dave and Tess were like adoptive parents to the boys when they’d get into trouble around town. The ranch was a safe haven to be themselves and work hard, being accepted as is by the older couple.
The ranch is in bad shape, and none of them have the funds for a full-out fix-up, so hard work is the only option, and they’re determined to keep the Daltons’ legacy intact. Dax has been back weeks now and visiting his family hasn’t been on the agenda, though he does finally see his sister, which leads to some terrific scenes between them later. His old man had Dax’s life mapped out, law school and then working in the family law firm. But that’s not what Dax wanted, and the only way around it was to be on his own. Working as a cowboy from ranch to ranch had its moments, but it’s good to be with his boys again.
Arwen Poole is about to get Dax Campbell out of her system. Determined to seduce the man and then move on with her life is the current plan. She’s taken care of herself for a very long time after her father lived in a downward spiral after her mother’s death. Self-sufficient, smart and sassy, Arwen owns the Hellcat Saloon, a popular hot spot in town. So it’s time for some great sex with a man who probably won’t remember her from high school all those years ago.
Both Dax and Arwen go into this relationship with the idea of no-strings pleasure, but with their backgrounds with their families being similar, they have more in common than they think and that will lead them to some intense and much-needed emotion. Dax is the one who goes through the most growth throughout the story. Being forced to finally see his father leads to an emotional breakdown for him, but it’s Arwen who’s there for him in any way he needs. It’s one powerful scene even through a rearview mirror when she complies with what he wants.
Of course, the sex scenes are intense as well as vulnerable at times. We go through stages of emotional turmoil with Dax in each one of the scenes with Arwen, from playful and pleasurable to rough and broken. Arwen is with him every step of the way in bed and out. He does give her food for thought too, which is wonderful to see near the end and she takes a trip to see her father.
I love Dax. The tortured Dax, the playful Dax, the vulnerable Dax. Doesn’t matter. As soon as I finished his story, I was ready for Casper, and I knew I’d get a very emotional ride with him as well.
Grade: A
Summary:
THE DALTON BOYS ARE COMING, ONE BY ONE…
There was a time when Crow Hill, Texas’s notorious Dalton Gang ran wild. Now, as owners of the Dalton Ranch, their partnership in the rundown operation leaves little time for raising hell—except for the right women who can turn on the heat…
It’s been sixteen years since Dax Campbell set foot in Crow Hill—and sixteen years since Arwen Poole had a crush on him in high school. Unfortunately, setting her sights on this irresistible man again has stirred up a lot of unfulfilled desires in Arwen. A few nights in bed with Dax should get him out of her system once and for all. That’s all she wants. And for now, that’s all she needs.
But Dax is looking for something deeper in a woman. So they agree to an unconventional affair: for every no-strings sexual encounter Arwen craves, Dax gets to take her out for a night of romance. While both manage to hold up their end of the bargain, they’re growing closer than either of them can afford. Because Dax has a family secret that could drive him out of Crow Hill for good, and Arwen’s not letting him go without a fight…
Read an excerpt.
Unbre
akable, Book 2
5 Feb 13
Casper is the one in the Dalton Gang who had it really rough as a kid, and that affects him to this day. After being a pro bull rider for nearly twenty years, he’s back in Crow Hill with the boys to make a success of the ranch Dave and Tess left them. Money is scarce, even after he contributed his rodeo winnings, and Faith, Boone Mitchell’s sister, is holding the purse strings. And the woman is keeping a very tight hold on them.
She’s also keeping a tight hold on her attraction to Casper. She’s had a crush on him since she was a kid and he’d have dinner with her family most nights. When she finally decides to give in and go with the flow in getting together with Casper, she learns about the no-sister rule between Casper and Boone – which Casper eventually says to hell with – and she also discovers what it was really like for him growing up.
That’s brought home when Casper finds a kid and his dog living in the old family home. He’s ready to raze the thing and the memories that go along with it. Or maybe not. It doesn’t take much for him to accept Faith’s help in remodeling it – she’d like the place to hold her parents’ upcoming wedding anniversary. Which is part of the reason, but there’s more to it than that. Between the ranch, the renovations, the kid, and wanting to be with Faith more and more, Casper’s plate is more than overflowing.
I really enjoyed watching Casper open up to Faith over time. A lot of it isn’t pretty, especially when he tells her and shows her all that happened in his old room. She can now see why he practically lived in her home when they were younger. There’s also something deep down inside him that wants to help Clay, even though the boy isn’t his own. That Clay remembered him from the time Casper “enjoyed” the kid’s mother while on the rodeo circuit definitely speaks to him. I think this is exactly the responsibility Casper needs, aside from Faith and the ranch too. He’ll eventually see it.
Strawberries and whipped cream, kitchen counters and tables are just a few of sexed-up lovemaking scenes in this book. Wild and rough as well as pleasurable and sizzling, a cigarette and glass of wine would have been welcome after reading this book. If I smoked anyway. Casper loses himself in Faith, just as Dax lost himself in Arwen. These are two strong women who will give their men a lifetime of love and a life worth living. Now it’s Boone’s turn, and I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for him.
Grade: A
Summary:
THE DALTON BOYS ARE RIDING HARD…
The notorious Dalton Gang once ran wild through their home town of Crow Hill, Texas. Now they own the run-down Dalton Ranch—and they work hard to keep it up. But when the right women come along, they still know how to play hard too…
Casper Jayne turned his back on Crow Hill nearly 20 years ago for a career in the professional bull riding circuit. Now he’s back—and Faith Mitchell is having a tough time thinking about anything else. She’s had a crush on him since high school, when he was part of her brother’s gang—and off limits. Since then, Faith has learned not to take risks. And Casper’s reckless, hard-living ways are causing her to think twice about trying to make the fantasies she has for this powerfully physical man come true.
Casper said he’d wait for a sign—but Faith is determined not to give him the satisfaction. Then an unexpected encounter finally penetrates her reserve, and the two of them ignite an intense passion. Faith finds herself holding on for a wild ride that breaks all the rules. But when the hot affair burns out of control, Faith will have to learn to take the reins…
Read an excerpt.
Unforgettable, Book 3
6 Aug 13
Actually this story is a bit more Everly’s than it is Boone’s. He had a loving family life growing up, as compared to Dax and especially Casper. Everly ran from an abusive relationship in Austin, where she was a local news anchor. Living in the safe haven of Crow Hill, she’s now working for the local newspaper and has been given the assignment of the Dalton Gang’s return.
Though she’s not ready for another relationship – her trust in men is still quite low – Everly decides a passionate fling will do her good, and Boone Mitchell is in the right place at the right time. Well, after his drunk foray she witnesses the night of his parents’ anniversary party. Once into the no-strings attached alliance they agree to, it’s Boone who wants more. He’s seen how happy and settled his best friends are with their ladies, and he wants that too. Convincing Everly of that is a different story, however. It’s just more difficult because there’s definitely something she’s still hiding.
Now, all this isn’t to say that Boone doesn’t have things he’d rather not talk about in his past. Aside from being the troublemaking teenager along with Dax and Casper. It’s Everly who draws the story out while she talks to folks around town about the Dalton Gang for her newspaper piece. As she interviews a gal from Boone’s high school days, we see past the seedy-like neighborhood and unkempt house to the happily married mother inside who still has a soft spot in her heart for Boone. It’s also a lovely scene when she talks to Boone herself about what happened all those years ago.
At this point, it goes without saying the sex is something else once again. The shower, his truck, and the boys do like the kitchen when pleasuring their ladies. Boone even has a bit of a kinky side, and Everly is right there with him. This all leads Boone to the realization that as much as he wants Everly forever, he has to go slow with the woman. She’s skittish and pretty sure long-term isn’t for her. I’d love to have the focused attention he gives her time after time to show how good it would be between them forever and ever, amen.
I expected Everly’s ex to be thrown into the equation, but things don’t go quite that direction. A business associate of Boone’s gets a tad out of control, but even that doesn’t go where you think. At first it feels at though Everly takes much too long to make up her mind about life with Boone, but, you know, I’m into this trilogy for the sexy ride, and as long as Boone keeps scorchin’ up the sheets with Everly, I’m happy. She can take all the time she wants.
Grade: A
Summary:
THE DALTON BOYS TAKE THE REINS
The infamous Dalton Gang was once known for riding—and playing—hard. Now, as owners of the Dalton Ranch in Crow Hill, Texas, they’re working from sunup to sundown. But one look from the right woman can tempt them back into the saddle…
When a walk on the wild side turned into a nightmare for Everly Grant, she escaped her abusive ex by taking a job with Crow Hill’s small newspaper. Now assigned to write a human-interest story on the return of the Dalton Gang, she soon discovers that Boone Mitchell could give her plenty more than a good interview. As much as she craves safety, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Boone’s dangerous streak. Before she takes the cowboy to bed, she lays down the law: There are no strings attached, and she’s the one in charge.
That’s fine for Boone. In fact, Everly teaches him things no other woman ever dared. Soon they find themselves wanting more than their simple arrangement will allow. But to get there, Everly will have to open up in ways she thought she never could…
Read an excerpt.
Overall Grade: A
Yes, as you can see, I’m quite happy with these books, from cover to last page. There’s a story to go with all the sex, which is what I want when reading erotica, and Alison Kent does a bang-up job of that. And I think these covers will be featured in any future dreams I have. I’m still salivating over them to this day.
