Member Reviews
M/f/M
Two brothers lusting after the same woman! Love Ms. Leigh's books; they have the perfect amount of heartfelt and lots of hot scenes. Though I enjoyed this story, I had a hard time getting into the story; the first 25% was somehow confusing. I’d love connecting a little more with the characters; something was missing from the beginning. However,
This was a perfect blend of suspense, romance, sweet hotness, and heart. I really enjoyed Summer, Falcon, and Raeg illicit romance. Their smexy times together was so erotic, intense but so tastefully done. The demons driving the brothers from fully claiming Summer was believable, and her heartbreak as she struggled to let them go was well drawn. Ms. Leigh writes with such wonderful intensity and emotions I was unable to put this down and stayed up reading late into the night.
Suspense, action, angst and steam - this was a really good book! I can't wait to read more by this author! Fantastic!
I thoroughly enjoyed the temptation that Summer embodied. The resistance of Raeg and Falcone to that temptation was enthralling, even when you wanted to knock their heads together. And when they finally embraced one another was explosive. I have always enjoyed the dynamic of characters Ms. Leigh creates but these three were scrumptious. The suspense of the story kept you reading. The only part I didn't like was the nonchalant attitude of Summer to the danger.
Oh my do I love a menage book and this one delivers!! I was confused at the beginning of the book, but eventually "got it" and loved it!
Summer has been undercover for the CIA for a while with Falcon and Raeg. Both men are very protective of her and both want a lot more than just working together. They must protect her from her past that knows her secret.
Ok, the book was good, but once the menage part started happening, I couldn't put it down! Lora Leigh has such a way with telling a story and describing every detail so you feel as though you are there!!
When many readers think erotic romance, Lora Leigh's name usually comes to mind. Her Breeds series, is one of my favorites, but I had never read any of the Bound Hearts books before. Intense Pleasure is book fourteen in the series, which means I'm starting kind of late and that likely influenced how I felt about this book. If a menage story just isn't your thing, this ain't the book for you! lol. Readers looking for a book that is both passionate and suspenseful will find this one very satisfying.
What I liked:
I really like this author. I have read a ton of Lora Leigh's books and I have to say there are very few that I didn't like. She knows her stuff. When it comes to erotic romance and what the reader needs from the genre, Leigh just seems to get it. It takes a fine line balance to make this kind of romance work. You have to have those intense sexual experiences, but you also have to have some emotional aspects and even a bit of conflict to make the story move. It's not all about the sex, at least for most readers. Leigh often has the scales balanced perfectly for me and I had great expectations for this read.
There is a lot of great stuff in Intense Pleasure, from the menage, three way relationship to psychopathic killers. Writing a great romance between two characters is hard enough, but adding a third to the mix takes some talent. The brothers, Raeg and Falcon are as alpha male as they come. Dominant, protective and very sexy. That's not what I think of when it comes to someone who is good at sharing anything, especially a woman. Leigh not only makes it work, but she makes it believable. Falcon is the charming, funny brother, while Raeg is the dark and broody one. You can guess which one was my favorite. Raeg has a lot of emotional stuff going on and provides a lot of conflict for the story. Yes, they are trying to protect Summer from a killer, but Raeg and his relationship issues still takes center stage.
Summer was my kind of heroine. She is independent and strong. She does what she has to do. Unfortunately, that involved killing someone she loved and thought was her friend. That would take an emotional toil on anyone. I loved her big southern family and the Georgia setting for this one, but more importantly I loved Summer as a character. She did seem a bit needy here and there and that did not seem true to character, but she had her reasons and they were for the most part believable.
What I didn't like:
Oh, the secrets we keep! This book thrives on secrecy. The brothers have secrets. Summer has secrets. There are underlying currents of things not being said that need to be said. I had a bit of a struggle trying to keep it all straight and then when I thought it going to be revealed I still had to wait. I'm not even sure I still have it all right, lol. It was one of those books that I really felt I would have benefited from reading the entire series. There were characters and situations that I felt completely clueless about. And then all the sudden we get a very convenient ending that pulls it all together. I suppose I wanted more revealed in small doses throughout than all at once.
There was a ton of emotional angst and general heart wrenching, shredding and shattering going on. These poor boys were a mess at times. I felt bad for Raeg. I felt bad for Falcon. I felt bad for Summer. Maybe a little less feeling bad for everyone and more feeling glad they were together. I needed a bit less emotional brouhaha and more understanding and communication. I know that without it the book would have suffered, but I still got too much of it.
Bottom Line:
This is a good book. There are some very good points. Sexy brothers. Menage action. Great heroine. But there were some on the negative side too. Too much drama, not enough explanation. Way too many secrets. It kind of balanced itself out, which doesn't surprise me. This author is a master at balance. The sex was great by the way. I've always wondered if one person got left out in this kind of situation lol. Apparently, not! (wink)...
This is my first time reading Lora Leigh's "Pleasure" series in over 5 years. I had forgotten her unique signature style or phrasing and descriptive sex scenes. 'Intense Pleasure' follows two half brothers, Raeg and Falcon, and the woman they have fallen in love with - Summer. The discovery of a plot against Summer as well as her family, brings the three together to survive the threat. But once the danger is over, can they manage their relationship?
Loved reading the extraordinary, suspenseful, and heart-wrenching romance in the bound heart series written by the phenomenally talented Lora Leigh. I received a copy by St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.
Summer has quit her job as an agent and has come home to stay. Her fellow agents, friends, and the two men she loves, Falcone and Raeg, come to her home to guard and protect her. Who is going to protect and guard Summer's heart after the two brothers leave?
Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written bound heart sequel full of intrigue and excitement, engages the reader from the first page until the last page, and a must read love story of Summer, Falcone, and Raeg.
After a devastating betrayal and a funeral, Summer is done with the CIA, done with DC, and ready to return to her roots in Georgia on her family's farm. Falcon and Raeg, half-brothers who prefer to share women, come after her, learning her life is in danger from a mission gone bad previously. In the heart of the South, both men find themselves unable to resist her...and both men find themselves unable to keep her because of a dark secrets in their past.
This romance is packed with all the usual elements - dark and tortured male leads, a feminine yet stubbornly independent heroine, and dangerous plots that threaten their love and their lives. The plot is evenly spaced and full of angst and passion. Summer's sometimes overbearing family crops up as significant secondary characters and the entire work is embued with the classic Southern style of living. I found the plot intriguing and capturing, the erotic scenes steamy, and the emotional scenes all too real. While perhaps the characters weren't my favorite, they were interesting and believable, enough to engage me in the story.
Overall, it was a contemporary romance that should appeal to all lovers of ménage who like a little covert/intelligence agent spice to their plot. Any readers who are frustrated by the southern belle may not be huge fans of Summer, but she is surprisingly created as a fairly strong and independent woman in addition to being a typical southern Daddy's girl (as independent and strong as romance novel female leads get, anyways).
Thanks to the publishers for a digital copy in exchange for a review!
Emotionally engaging intense read with a few twists and turns..
Intense Pleasure
Bound Hearts series
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Review copy provided by the publisher
Lora Leigh represents book heaven for me. She was my introduction into erotic romance many years ago. The first time I read one of her books, I was flushed and my heart was hammering in my chest. All this time later, nothing has changed.
One thing I can always count on in a, Lora Leigh book is a complex plot line. Sure there's tons of steamy lovin', but there's a solid story filled with details. I love a book that really makes me think and pay attention. Intense Pleasure delivered on those things!
The chemistry between, Summer, Raeg, and Falcone ( yes, it's a delicious ménage story...woot! ) is palpable. There's so much desire and want sparking through the pages. The brothers are in lust and love with Summer, though they won't admit it. Summers heart is all but on her sleeve. The push and pull between the characters was constant throughout the book. There was a lot of internal conflict going on. They all had their baggage.
I found myself getting choked up on and off throughout this book. Lora Leigh writes emotional scenes like a boss! You know they want to be together, but there's so many obstacles standing in their way; at least that's what they believe. I wanted to shake them and tell them to get their shit together and just be with each other. When a book provokes that type of reaction from me, I know I'm reading something that is going to consume me until the very end.
I really liked, Summer's personality. She's fierce. She can take care of herself and kick ass while doing it. Raeg and Falcone would like nothing more than to wrap her in cotton and keep her completely sheltered. Ha! She's having none of that!
Despite the constant internal and out loud struggles between them, the bedroom antics are wickedly seductive, and will leave you breathless!
Like almost all of, Lora Leigh's novels, this one is full of spine tingling suspense that will keep you guessing until the end. And this is where all that detail comes into play. The amount of research regarding government agencies and the life of a spy or Russian mob hit man, must have been ridiculous. I'm no expert on any of these things, but it sure seemed accurate to me!
The one thing that left me feeling a little disappointed, was the fact that characters from previous books didn't make an appearance. I know they've had their story already, but I like a little glimpse of them after their happily ever after.
This book can be read as a stand alone. You wont feel left out of the loop. However, because the series rocks, you should totally read them all! Lora Leigh is an auto buy for me, and I don't anticipate that changing.
This book brings you just the right amount of romance and suspense to keep you reading long into the night. This is a hot story with the added element of emotions. I enjoyed the characters and they were very well written. This book is part of a series but I read it as a stand alone read. I cant wait for more from this author in the future, the more I read from them the better they get.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.
This was a long, drawn out story. I haven't read the books in the series in order, but you don't really need to with this book. Despite the complexity of the story, you never really felt that you didn't know what was going on.
Summer's life is threatened by a Russian boss – Falcone and Raeg search her out to ensure that she remains unharmed. Their relationship with Summer is complex, strange, hidden, and from afar, all wrapped in to one.
Falcone is the more laid back of the two brothers. He has understood Summer and his desire/need for her for a while. What he doesn't know is whether or not he can walk away from her when the time comes. He knows, with his family history, that if he shows any weakness, it poses a threat to Summer – she is his weakness.
Then you have Raeg. He was definitely the more complex of the brothers. Hiding his feelings, suppressing them to the point where all he can do is push people away. He has lost someone in the past and knows that Summer would be in danger from their father, if she were to become a permanent part of their lives. However, he is becoming less and less able to hide his desires.
I thought that Summer was very fierce at the beginning and seeing her personality change when she was finally able to go home – that was somewhat strange, but a good change for her. The parties, I thought, were somewhat frivolous and unnecessary. I think that her family was well equipped to scare Falcone and Raeg off with their own ways.
I thought that Summer and Raeg had more chemistry and that the sex between the three of them was definitely hot. That being said, their relationship was not really developed that well. It was surface only. Even with the big reveal at the end, you never really got to see the relationship between the three of them develop in to a real relationship.
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I fell in love with this series back before it morphed into Bound Hearts. The men and women we read about all have complex natures and none more than Summer.
Summer is tired of living the life of an agent and of being nothing more than an irritant to Raeg and a toy to Falcon. Neither of the men seem to want her enough to bring her to their bed, either individually or together, nor do they seem to want to let her out of their sight. She wants to go home, to become the Summer of old, and to find a place to ease her soul. Doing so is not as easy as it would seem, as both Raeg and Falcon are determined to keep her in DC with them.
Falcon and Raeg both want Summer, but Raeg has been traumatized by an act that has left him damaged and unable to show his love. Falcon doesn't believe that the same thing would happen again, but there is no convincing Raeg of that fact. But now that Summer's life is danger from another faction, Raeg can't deny his feelings for Summer even though being with her could cost her his life. Falcon's feelings are more obvious and less threatening to Summer, while Raeg's intensity both scares and exhilarates her.
Once again, another great story of love and intrigue from Ms. Leigh.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is one sizzling hot read. If you like a lot of tension, and a lot of super hot tension relievers, then this is for you!
It is part of a series, and I do think that it makes a lot more sense if you have the background to this trio's work and the tension between them. The situation is explained, but obviously not all the details. I think that knowing how tough Summer has been would make the difference when she is home, much stronger. So my advice would be to read at least a few books earlier than this one if you can – I promise it is no hardship!
There is so much angst between Summer, Falcon, and Raeg, and then unbelievable heat, followed by danger, and all manner of family complications. I loved the scenes between the men and Summer's father. I spent a lot of the book rather nervous that things were a bit precarious, and I did not see the ending coming at all – which made it even better than I had hoped.
I am looking forward to having the time to reread the series and know this will be a real treat at the end (for now).
All you have to say is Lora Leigh and I am all over the book. Normally, I love everything she writes and I love this series, but with this book I have mixed feelings. Intense Pleasure is about CIA operative Summer, who is basically burned out from her job and walks away for a normal life. The two heroes in this story, Raeg and Falcon, both want her and when they find out that she is in danger - it gives them the opening they need to move in on her.
Now this book had hot sex and suspense which is a trademark for this series. It's also two of the things that make me love it. As far as character development goes I wasn't completely sold on it. I really wanted to see Summer as a real kicka*s heroine, but I feel like she fell short of the mark.
Falcon came across as the weaker of the two men. Normally with a ménage story you have one man that is the stern, brooding type and one man that is the softer, more romantic type. I would have loved to see just a little more strength from Falcon. Now Raeg is the one that rubbed me the wrong way. He came across as a bit of a harda*s to me as far as Summer was concerned and I felt like she just kept taking it instead of putting him in his place at least once.
So I'm basically on the fence with this. Do I wish we had been given a little bit more in this story? Yes. But Lora does give us enough of the hot sex and suspense to draw the story out.
Intense Pleasure could be considered a standalone, but me, personally, I would read previous books the fully understand this story.
~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 4 Stars
A steamy, suspenseful story about sex, romance, and falling in lust.
Again I am going into a Lora Leigh book feeling like I missed something but since that happens with all of her books regardless of my reading them in the correct order or now, I've gotten used to it. Leigh is so big on hidden purposes for her characters that it is really hard to get a read on them. The Summer at the beginning of this book was not the Summer at the end and I wouldn't call it personal growth. Interesting twist at the end. Leigh doesn't usually allow everyone to be a big happy family at the end of her books. If someone says they are going to kill another person, they usually keep going with that. As always the sex was pretty great and Summer's menfolk were pretty standard fare. Not her best but the ending was way better than Khalid and Marty's story.
This story was so sexy! Who wouldn't want two hot guys who were protective? Raeg and Falcon are opposites in a lot of ways, but one thing they do well together is their women. Too bad that Summer can't get on the same page with them. They've all kept their distance from one another as best they can, but circumstances have thrown them together and it's too much to resist. I haven't figured out how she ever did in the first place. I loved everything about this book. It was so much more than sexy times. It had heart and drama and a heroine that I liked very much. Lora Leigh is quickly claiming her spot as one of my go-to authors when I want a book I know I can count on to rock my world.
3.75 stars--INTENSE PLEASURE is the fourteenth installment in Lora Leigh’s contemporary adult BOUND HEART erotic, romantic ménage, suspense series. This is former CIA agents Summer Calhoun, Estaban ‘Falcon’ Falcone, and John Raeg’s story line. INTENSE PLEASURE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information is revealed where necessary. Falcon, Raeg and Summer were first introduced to the reader in the previous installment-SECRET PLEASURE-Summer is Alyssa’s best friend.
NOTE: INTENSE PLEASURE is a M/F/M storyline with graphic sexual situations and language.
Told from three third person perspectives (Summer, Falcon, Raeg) INTENSE PLEASURE is a friends to lovers story line that focuses on the struggling professional and personal relationship between former CIA operatives and one-time partners Summer Cahoun, and half-brothers Falcon Falcone and John Raeg.
Summer was tired; the threat of death always a step behind and our heroine is willing to walk away from the men that she loved to face a quiet future at home, and alone. But an old enemy has come out of hiding, and Summer and her family have been targeted in a game of revenge. Enter Falcon and Raeg, the two men who are willing to walk way from the woman they love in order to protect their hearts and her soul. What ensues is the struggle to remain professional in the face of danger; and the battle between family and the path your heart has chosen.
The professional relationship between Summer, Falcon and Raeg has already been established prior to the story line premise. It is Summer’s decision to walk away that forces half-brothers Falcon and Raeg to go after the woman that calls to their heart-a woman they know they do not deserve. Raeg’s backstory is heartbreaking, and his love for Summer struggles with demons from his past. Falcon is a man determined to hold onto the woman they love for as long as possible even if is means walking away when their latest assignment is done. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. There is plenty of palpable sexual energy between the leading characters, and some heartbreaking moments as Summer comes to terms with losing the men that she loves.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Summer, Falcon, and Raeg’s extended families-all members or former members of the CIA, Special Ops or various covert government agencies.
INTENSE PLEASURE is a seductive story of three people who have fallen in love but refuse to admit their deepest desires. The premise is moving and stirring ; the romance is passionate, intimate and captivating; the characters are colorful and inspiring. INTENSE PLEASURE is a sexy and engaging tale from the pen of Lora Leigh.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
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I've been a fan of Ms Leigh since the Breed series. I had high expectations going into this book and they were more than lived up to. Raeg and Falcon are two of the hottest, most dominant, alpha males I've read in a while. They melt off the page. Together with Summer aka Belle they are one of the steamiest triad couples... Oh! So good! Definitely worth reading and then reading again. Fantastic storyline and side characters you can't help but love and want to know more of. Worth every star.
* I am voluntarily reviewing a Advanced Copy through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.