Laura J’s review of Tasting Candy by Anne Rainey
Contemporary Erotic Romance ebook released by Samhain Publishing 24 Jun 08

My first experience of reading one of Ms. Rainey’s books was when I reviewed Touching Lace. I immediately fell in love with her writing style. Since reading Touching Lace I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel and hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed. I am very happy to say I wasn’t.

Tasting Candy takes place immediately following Nick and Lacey’s story and has Lacey’s big brother Blade looking to find love.

Blade is crazy about Candice, who works for his brother Merrick’s business. He’s not quite sure why he is attracted to the quiet and somewhat shy Candice but he wants to go out with her, but doesn’t know how to approach her. While delivering his sister a message at her gym he witnesses an incident that makes Blade unsure what to do to. He wants to protect her and take away all her fears, but at the same time he needs to know what happened so he can help her without scaring her away.

Candice is embarrassed by what Blade has witnessed. He’s a big guy, but he is the one guy that doesn’t send her into panic attacks. When Blade shows up at Candice’s place and demands to know what happened at the gym to upset her so much, she finds herself wanting to tell him, something that has been very hard to do with many people. Blade tells her that he wants her and that he will be patient and let her lead, but she shocks him when she tells him that she wants him too, but only as far as she remains comfortable with. Blade agrees knowing that Candice is worth the wait.

Ms Rainey has once again created characters that you will fall in love with. While Ben is big physically he is probably one of the most tender of the heroes I have read in a while. His patience and love for Candice is evident every time we see Ben even though he doesn’t immediately say he is in love. His actions speak louder than words.

I expected Candice to be more of a fragile character in this story but I was pleasantly surprised at her strength and her determination to move forward instead of staying stagnant and hiding away from what happened to her. She was still a vulnerable person and a couple of scenes showed that vulnerability.

This book is going on my top ten list this year, along with Touching Lace and Ms Rainey will be a must-read author for me from now on. She is able to put everything I want to read in a book, likable characters, tender moments, great sex, and easy laughs. I’m really looking forward to reading more from her.

Grade: A

Lust was the lure, Candy was the reward.

Walking around with a raging hard-on isn’t Blade Vaughn’s idea of a good time. He’s hungry for sex and there’s only one woman on his menu: Candice Warner. When Blade witnesses the shy beauty go into a panic over a harmless encounter, he’s more determined than ever to prove that sex with him is just the therapy she needs.

Candice is used to being afraid of her own shadow, but when she goes all nutso in front of Blade, she’s beyond mortified. She wants him to see her as an equal, and as a woman. It’s time she got over her past trauma and started living again.

But trust is hard to come by when her only experience with men has left her heart in pieces.

read an excerpt