Review: Friction by Sawyer Bennett

Friction (Legal Affairs #8) by Sawyer Bennett

Publication Date: October 27th 2015 by Montlake Romace

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

About the book:

At the powerhouse law firm of Knight & Payne, winning comes first and ethics a distant second. Leary Michaels uses her female charms to daze opponents, and it’s always worked well—until now. On her most personal case yet, she finds herself going up against a defense attorney just as skilled, shameless, and seductive as she is.

Reeve Holloway has never met a woman as sure of her own sexuality, or as ruthless in wielding it, as Leary is. But he won’t be toyed with. What Leary starts, he’ll finish—in the courtroom, the bedroom, or any-damn-place he wants. The sex is uninhibited, electrifying, and absolutely against the rules. Reeve’s job is to ruin Leary’s case…even if it destroys her in the process and costs him the woman he’s come to love.

My Thoughts:

Leary Michaels works for an amazing law firm that allows her to take only the cases she believes in.  From the synopsis, I thought Leary might be sort of an unprincipled person, doing whatever it takes to win a case, but instead Leary is the type of lawyer I’d want to be.  She uses every advantage at her disposal to win, even her sensuality.  Leary’s current case hits personal buttons, and tugs at her heart. She’s representing Jenna a single mother, stripping for a living to provide for her special needs son, who had her breasts mangled by a surgeon. She doesn’t count on finding her opposing counsel, Reeve Holloway, so enticing, and while that does mean complications, she’s still planning on victory.    

Reeve Holloway is working for a cutthroat firm, and he’s lead counsel against the beautiful Leary Michaels.  Mostly Reeve is in it to win, but as facts come to light he’s more and more uneasy.  Plus, winning could mean losing Leary, the women who is much more to him than just an amazingly hot bed partner.  When the case takes a turn and Reeve must decide what to do, listen to his heart or go by the letter of the law.

I loved the relationship between Leary and Reeve. It started out with smoking hot chemistry, but developed into a deeper relationship between two peers who truly got each other.  I was pleased there wasn’t any immature, over-the-top drama, just real life type of characters dealing with life as it comes.  Of course this wouldn’t be a Sawyer Bennett story without some seriously hot spicy encounters, and she did not disappoint here! But Ms. Bennett didn’t just write sex, sex, sex.  She wrote Leary and Reeve’s relationship with emotion and heart, and I couldn’t imagine this couple not being in for the long haul!

Besides the romance, I enjoyed the legal aspects of Friction: the depositions, and courtroom drama and how Jenna’s case played out.  I’ve always been a fan of TV legal dramas, so I was eager to find out the outcome.  The scenario felt real, but that’s not surprising considering Ms. Bennett is an attorney.  Friction will please any reader looking for sizzling romance with depth.

4 Suns

Connect with Sawyer Bennett:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Release Day Review: Uncivilized by Sawyer Bennett

Uncivilized by Sawyer Bennett
Publication Date: September 8th 2014
Purchase Links: Amazon | iTunes

About the book:

**Warning: This book is a wild, sexy beast of a read. 18+**

Putting a woman on her knees before me is what really makes my cock hard. I fuck with dominant force and absolute control. I demand complete surrender from my conquests.

Savage man, loner, warrior… I am dangerous at my core. I have lived amidst the untamed wild of the rainforest, in a society that reveres me and where every woman falls before me in subjugation.

Now I’ve been discovered. Forced to return to a world that I have forgotten about and to a culture that is only vaguely familiar to my senses.

Dr. Moira Reed is an anthropologist who has been hired to help me transition back into modern society. It’s her job to smooth away my rough edges… to teach me how to navigate properly through this new life of mine. She wants to tame me.

She’ll never win.

I am wild, free and raw, and the only thing I want from the beautiful Moira Reed is to fuck her into submission.

She wants it, I am certain.

I will give it to her soon.

Yes, very soon, I will become the teacher and she will become my student. And when I am finished showing her body pleasure like no other, she’ll know what it feels like to be claimed by an uncivilized man.

My Thoughts:

Uncivilized was an intensely HOT read! Wow! If you love alpha males, Zach is definitely your man!

Moira is an anthropologist hired to accompany Zach out of the Amazonian jungle and ease his transition back into civilized society. She’s been sent by his godfather who’s been looking for Zach and his parents for eighteen years after they went missing.  After losing his parents, Zach was adopted by a local tribe in Caraica at the age of seven.  He’s all but forgotten his life in the States, and he has no desire to return. 

Zach is untamed, uncivilized and very much at home in his male dominated tribe, a fact that’s underscored almost immediately after Moira arrives in his village.  Let’s just say Moira probably looked like this: O_O over what she observed.  I think that was the look on my face as well! Zach is one uncivilized, dominant, gorgeous male, and he’s pissed off at her for yanking him out of his home. Moira definitely has her work cut out for her!

Zach fights Moira every step of the way.  He displays no interest leaning about life in the States, and he’s bitter about being here.  Just when Moira thinks she’ll never make any progress, Zach has a proposition for her: Teach him about sex in her world, all about it and he’ll agree learn more about his roots with an open mind.  Zach is all about one on one lessons, very hands on, and Moira struggles to keep things professional, because he’s her student and crossing that line would be wrong, right?  Zach is determined to get his way, though, and Moira really never stood a chance in denying him. 

“Get on your knees,” Zach commands me in a low voice, which rumbles along my skin and causes blood to rage through my veins.

“No,” I whisper, even though I want to scream, “Yes.”

Oh my stars, this story flipping HOT!! Incinerate-your-panties-hot!! Open-a-freezer-and-get-inside-hot!!! I do love me an alpha male and Zach was one of the ultimate ones.  I can’t say I blamed Moira in the least for giving in because it would next to impossible to say no to Zach’s commands and not submit.  He was crafty and determined! The sexual tension was thick and heavy from the moment you crack open the pages!

Giving in physically and spending time together leads to an emotional connection felt by both of them, something foreign to Zach. Back in his tribe sex was about the physical fulfillment without an emotional aspect, just an act.  The women are submissive barely looking the men in the eye, nothing like the feisty and independent Moira.  He got to know her beautiful mind, spirit and body, and fell for the whole package.  The fact that Moira wasn’t judgmental and didn’t devalue or hold one society’s way over another won Zach over even more.  She appreciated the differences and saw the beauty in both worlds and in him as a man.

Even though Zach came off as kind of a jerk first he was a good man which is why he had such struggles about where he belonged.  When memories of his life before Caraica start to surface he’s very torn.  He remembers being happy before his parents dragged him off to the jungle.

“I don’t know who I am anymore.”

“You are a boy who was taken from his home. You are a man who was taken from his life. They are both a part of who you are. But please don’t ever forget, my beautiful man…that you have the opportunity not to be whoever you want to be. That will always be solely in your control.”

Zach wanted to be there for his adoptive father and the tribe, but also didn’t want to leave or hurt Moira or his godfather. 

Sawyer Bennett wrote a FIERY hot romance that had me squirming in my seat at times! It was thrilling and intoxicating, but this story was more than just sex. Uncivilized was a touching romance and connection between two people that built gradually and was believable. 

4 Suns

Happy Release to UNCIVILIZED by USA Today Best-selling Author Sawyer Bennett!

You can find UNCIVILIZED on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Sawyer is offering a Release Grand Prize! Visit her Facebook page to enter to win (1) $50 Amazon Gift Card and (1) Signed copy of UNCIVILIZED

You can also visit the Release Hop stops and enter their giveaways too!!

About the Author

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cover Reveal: ALEX by Sawyer Bennett

COVER REVEAL! ALEX: A Cold Fury Hockey Novel by Sawyer Bennett

 I’m excited to bring you the cover for Sawyer Bennett’s new upcoming series: ALEX because for one it’s as SEXY as sin, and because the story sounds awesome!  HOT bad boy in need of a little love and redemption? Sign me up!!

Loveswept (Random House) is thrilled to debut the cover of ALEX: A Cold Fury Hockey Novel by USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett! ALEX is the first in a sexy and exciting new series that’s hot enough to melt the ice…

ALEX (A Cold Fury Hockey Novel)

Loveswept Contemporary Romance

Written by Sawyer Bennett

On sale: October 14, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-553-39300-2

Purchase links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo | Other retailers

About the book:

USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett scores big-time with the first novel in a sexy new series hot enough to melt the ice.

Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the rink. Pushed into the sport by an alcoholic father, Alex isn’t afraid to give fans the proverbial middle finger, relishing his role as the MVP they love to hate. Management, however, isn’t so amused. Now Alex has a choice: fix his public image through community service or ride the bench. But Alex refuses to be molded into the Carolina Cold Fury poster boy . . . not even by a tempting redhead with killer curves.

As a social worker, Sutton Price is accustomed to difficult people—like Alex, who’s been assigned to help her create a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth as part of the team’s effort to clean up his image. What she doesn’t expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips to stir her most heated fantasies. But Sutton isn’t one to cross professional boundaries—and besides, Alex doesn’t do relationships . . . or does he? The more she sees behind Alex’s bad-boy façade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

 About Sawyer Bennett:

USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett is a snarky Southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Connect with Sawyer:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Street Team

Connect with Loveswept:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Street Team

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Off Chance by Sawyer Bennett

I've enjoyed Sawyer Bennett's writing and so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be on the tour for her newest: Off Chance which is the 5th book in the series.  The tour is hosted by AToMR tours and you can view the complete schedule by clicking HERE. Thanks for allowing us to participate! As part of the tour I'm reviewing Off Chance, and there is an AWESOME giveaway of 1-$50 Amazon Gift Card and 5-Swag Packs (US only) are being given away so don't forget to scroll down and fill out the rafflecopter!

Off Chance (Off #5) by Sawyer Bennett

Publication Date: October 19th 2013

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

He is seeking absolution.

Flynn Caldwell has a hero complex and it’s one of the reasons he joined the New York City Fire Department. He has spent his entire professional career trying to atone for that one person he failed to save. Because, if he can do that, then perhaps he can be worthy of love again.

She is seeking escape.

Rowan Page’s life is nothing short of a disaster. Always immersed in trouble, she has only herself to depend on. She’s determined to pull herself out of this mess and make something of her life, despite the hard years she has lived on the streets of New York.

Together, they have the chance to become complete.

Flynn and Rowan’s worlds exist miles apart, but when a chance meeting brings them together, neither of them can deny the instant pull that connects them to each other. What starts as a tiny spark eventually flares into a fire so hot, it refuses to be extinguished.

For it to work, both of them will need to jump feet first into the flames to see where it takes them, despite the risk of being burned.

My Thoughts:

Off Chance was a sweet romance with a hunky, protective fire fighter and girl down on her luck.  I have a soft spot for a man in uniform and Flynn did not disappoint!

Flynn Caldwell lost his first love while in high school in a house fire.  A death he feels he could’ve prevented.  He’s now a firefighter trying to make amends for his perceived error.  When he saves Rowan Page from burning to death after being left unconscious in a building fire, he can’t help the protective feelings that overwhelm him when he sees she has nothing to her name, and nowhere to go.  Rowan is very distrustful of anyone, and fights any help Flynn tries to offer, but he is determined and persuasive, and so she gives in somewhat, becoming his reluctant roommate.  Little by little Flynn’s patience and care breaks down Rowan’s barriers, and both can’t fight their growing feelings. 

I have to say, Flynn just melted my heart.  He can be my hero any day!  He was so selfless and generous with Rowan, taking care not to demean her in any way for the situation she found herself in. Flynn had the patience of a saint not pushing too much, but still trying to help Rowan improve her lot in life.  Flynn and Rowan have an immediate and intense physical attraction:

“F*ck,” he hisses. “If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be responsible for the way you walk tomorrow.” His sinful words shoot lust through my body as I imagine Flynn f*cking me so hard I can’t walk and my eyes slam back to his. The gaze only lasts a second before his mouth is back on mine and his hands are tangled in my hair.

Did I say SMOKING hot?  Well, I guess you’ve got that now!

Yet, Rowan will not give into her feelings so easily.  I have to say, I really had a hard time with Rowan.  She had a troubled past, and didn’t have any friends she could trust until Flynn came along.  The fear of losing that friendship makes her hesitant to take things to the next level. Even though I didn’t like her reasoning, I could somewhat understand, BUT the thing that tweaked me is the fact that Rowan kept going back and forth, giving in to some lusty moments and then pushing Flynn away!  Not once or twice, but several times and that had me wanting to strangle her!  Like I said, Flynn had the patience of a saint, and I wouldn’t have blamed him if he just moved on.  I would’ve been disappointed because I really wanted this romance to work, but I wouldn’t have been able to fault him.  Fortunately, Rowan does eventually get some sense. 

In spite of my issues with Rowan, I did enjoy this installment, and I recommend this series for anyone who loves a romance with a slow buildup and sparking chemistry. 

Any fan of this series will appreciate the glimpses of the previous couples, and a momentous occasion for one in particular.  The epilogue shoots us several years into the future and it filled my heart with joy to see how everything turned out for this big extended family.  Sawyer Bennett gave me the blissful HEA I’m always craving!

4 Suns

About the Author: USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Connect with Sawyer Bennett:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

As part of this tour there is 1-$50 Amazon Gift Card and 5-Swag Packs (packs are US only) up for grabs.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win!  Good luck!

Cover Reveal: Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett

Waves of Fiction is excited to be participating with AToMR in the cover reveal for Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett!

Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett

Expected release date: June 11, 2013

About the book:

The sparks of dislike burn hot, but the sparks of mutual attraction burn even hotter.

Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away.  These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word.

Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He’s gorgeous and carefree—the ultimate charmer.  Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it.

When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athelete’s fury.  Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution.  Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell.

 And she just might find that she has misjudged him.

About the Author:

Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weakness but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Website| Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour & Review: Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett

Waves of Fiction is excited to participate in the AToMR blog tour for Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett!

Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett

Published April 16th 2013 by Big Dog Books

ARC provided by the author
Purchase: Amazon

About the book:

“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the best way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?

 
My Thoughts:

Emily Burnham is determined to make changes in her life and shed the image from her past - the rich and spoiled daughter of a politician who's controlled by her mother. She's away at college pursuing her dreams and doing things she's never done before - and loving every minute. She's such a strong character that I adored her from the beginning and admired her for the courage to start her own life.

Then an accident will have her literally running into Nix Caldwell. Nix is a former Marine, who's extremely closed off from everyone but his dad and brother. He's suffered some traumatic injuries when serving in Afghanistan and is living with a horrible guilt regarding one of his best friends. Because of this - he refuses to have relationships with anyone and comes off as an asshole.

Making personal connections is easy. Losing them is what's hard. It's easier to avoid.

Until he meets Emily. She just may be that one person who can break down his carefully constructed walls and get him to feel something again. But when she pushes him a little too far - will he be able to get past his issues and finally allow himself to be in love?

This book was a wonderful love story in every sense. You have the tough and sassy heroine. The sexy, baddass hero with issues. I love books where it's the guy who fights his attraction instead of the girl - something about those story lines just does it for me. And the chemistry these two had was awesome. The first time Nix gives into his desire for Emily is an unforgettable scene! But the suspense of whether he'll get his act together kept me wanting more. I ADORED Nix - he was possessive, protective, sweet - everything about him (even his bad attitude) screamed HOT.

An example of how sweet he is...
"I've never brought flowers to a woman before, Emily. I'm having a lot of 'firsts' with you." ahhhh...swoon!

The epilogue was wonderful, and I'm excited that there will be another book about his brother, Linc! I also LOVE the names Nix and Linc. Two of the coolest male names I've read in a book because it was different.

A wonderful steamy romance I really enjoyed!

4.5 Suns

About the author:

Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Check out the giveaway from the author!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett

Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett

Expected release date: April 16, 2013

“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it." Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it. Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the easiest way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down. When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart. Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?

  About the Author
Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Follow this Author

Sawyer Bennett | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads