Sandy M’s review of Sex Machine by Marie Force
Contemporary Romance published by HTJB 26 Sep 16
I, of course, have no idea what the powers that be had in mind when they titled this book Sex Machine. I also had no idea what to really expect, though I did have a preconceived idea or two running around in my head, especially after taking a gander at the cover. What got me over all of that and on to reading this book is the fact Marie Force wrote it. So if you’re leaning toward raunchiness or threesomes or whatever “sex machine” calls up for you, this is one of those cases where appearances can be deceiving or, more appropriately, don’t judge a book by its cover. Or title.
Though sex machine is 100% accurate when you hear about Blake Dempsey.
First, however, Honey Carmichael is finally going to find out what all the hullabaloo about sex is all about. So far, all she’s had has been disappointing. She has no belief in other women’s ringing endorsements about the act. But, with the help of her best friend, she’s about to have her first truly orgasmic experience in bed. At least according to said best friend, because she knows firsthand that Blake Dempsey is a sex machine with equipment size that is unrivaled. I guess size does matter!
Blake and Honey have been friends since they were kids, and he’s had a crush on her forever. That crush dimmed a bit when he met Jordan, his late fiance, in high school and who died years ago in a car accident in which Blake was driving. He’s never forgiven himself, so he doesn’t do relationships, keeping his hookups to one night only. You can imagine his surprise and dumbfoundedness (if that’s a word!) when Honey walks into his usual dive bar and announces she wants – well, I’m not going to tell you exactly, because this one of the best openings of a book I’ve read in a long time. Bottom line, they head to Blake’s when he realizes she’s pretty darned serious.
Knowing she won’t have more than one night with Blake – his reputation precedes him – Honey is curious and now that she’s made the first move and is in his bed, she’s hoping her friend hasn’t steered her wrong. Especially when she gets a good look at Blake in the buff. She thought it was all an exaggeration, but apparently not. The man is hung, and now she’s having doubts he’ll fit. But Blake isn’t about to let her out of his grasp now that he has Honey right where he’s always wanted her. After it’s all over with – after some scintillating sizzling – something amazing happens to Blake. He wants more – more than one night, more than just sex – with Honey. And she’s happy to give it to him, despite warnings she can’t get too caught up in him, because he can’t give her what she – or any woman – truly wants.
I really enjoyed Blake and Honey. They both have issues in their pasts – Honey was abandoned as a baby and raised by the women who took her in, whom she called Gran, but Gran is gone now, so Honey keeps her friends close – and while Honey is able to move forward, it’s Blake who really pulls the heartstrings in being unable to get past his survivor’s guilt, even after twelve years. For someone who doesn’t want a relationship, the way he treats Honey, coaxes her, loves her with soft words, soft hands, and a soft heart, he does all the right things when they’re together. Yes, he gets tripped up now and again, self-doubt and all that, but he’s also a smart man. He won’t find what he has with Honey ever again, and though it takes him a bit to totally realize that, he grabs at the last straw that’s dangled before him when opportunity gives him the chance. All that being said, be prepared to have your fan blowing right at you, a tall glass of whatever iced drink you prefer, and anything else you’ll need to keep the heat down when these two are hot and heavy in their lovin’. They steam, sizzle, and burn.
While I enjoy Marie Force’s many series and read nearly every book she releases, I do so love her standalones. One of her first books I read was Everyone Loves a Hero and absolutely loved it. So I didn’t hesitate when offered the opportunity to review this book, her first standalone in five years. I’m very happy she surprised the heck out of me, moving me along in a direction my preconceived idea didn’t go in. If you’ve not read any of her books and don’t want to start a series right at this time, read this book. You will love it too, I guarantee it. Then move along to Everyone Loves a Hero. By then you’ll be ready to pick up every book in her backlist.
Grade: A
Summary:
He’s good for one thing and one thing only—and she wants it bad.
Honey Carmichael has never had a decent orgasm, and she’s out to change that with the one man in town known for his superior skill between the sheets.
Blake Dempsey is happy to help Honey with her “problem” as long as she knows he’s only interested in sex. His heart was broken when his high school girlfriend was killed in the car he was driving, and he has nothing to offer other than more orgasms than Honey can handle.
Which is just fine with her—until fantastic orgasms aren’t enough anymore for either of them and unexpected feelings turn hot sex into messy entanglement—and that most definitely wasn’t in the plans.
But you know what they say about plans…
A sexy, dirty standalone romance intended for MATURE audiences. If you can’t take the heat in Blake’s bedroom, stay out or you might get burned. You’ve been warned!
Read an excerpt.
