review || LET IT RIDE { blog tour } by Melanie Jayne

Big Dog Publishing | April 14, 2016 | Contemporary Romance
Casino Nights, book 1
★★★1/2

SOURCE: ROCKSTAR LIT

The first time he met her, he couldn't have her. In their world there are rules against that kind of interaction. So Remington Cooper watched, waited, and planned.

Now his luck has turned and he five days to win the woman of his dream's heart.

Francesca Luchetti knows that Remy is interested, he's made that clear. She likes the idea of a fling. Conventions can be dull, so the promise of sex with a hot man will make things more exciting.

When there is a threat to Francesca's safety, she learns that Remy is the man to keep her safe, but is she ready to gamble with her heart?

amazon | itunes

{ add to goodreads } .

{ about melanie jayne } .

I live on a grain farm southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana with my very patient husband of twenty-five years and our two English Mastiffs, Buster Brown and Ginger. I graduated from Indiana University when it was the #1 party school in the country and I took great pride in helping the school achieve that ranking.

I haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I change careers every decade. I have worked in retail, a federal courtroom, travelled across the state closing loans, and behind the scenes in a casino.

I've always had an active imagination so when a good friend suggested that I try writing a book, I thought why not, it should be fun. It has, but I have had to work very hard to learn how to do it. I am so lucky for the outpouring of advice and education from so many in the industry, plus the hand-holding and cheerleading from My Gurls. I also have an incredible Ad-man-istrative Assistant, who tries to keep me under control. He rolls his eyes so much that I worry about a permanent condition.

When I ‘m not working or writing type stuff, I sleep, watch courtroom TV shows, and sports. I was a competitive pro-am ballroom dancer for ten years and I read as many books as I can.

I love to attend Author-Reader Conventions and look forward to meeting you.

Website | Mailing List | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

{ excerpt } .

"I don't like that a self-proclaimed enemy of Jimmy's might be attending this event. He's mentioned you by name in several of his rants." Blade's soft voice radiated concern.

"His career is over. His company has been through Chapter 11 and now they have nothing. He's a pariah in this industry, so what does he have to lose if he harasses you?" Rico rested his hands on the table in front of him.

"Casino life is hard and the business is cut-throat. Jimmy ingrained that into me from the day he adopted me. I'll be careful. I promise." She gave Rico a reassuring smile. "I don't want anything to happen to me, either if that makes you feel any better."

"Plus it will be hard to get to know that Hoosier Hottie if you have a detail following you around." Hadley added helpfully.

"Hadley!" She felt her cheeks burn. God she wasn't a prude, how could she be after living and working in Sin City? Her body's response frustrated her.

Blade ran his fingers over his tablet and a photo of Remington Cooper flashed up on the flat screen hanging on the wall behind her chair. "I've done some research. This guy can take care of Frankie. I'm not worried. If he's around her, she'll be fine." He flashed what could only be described as a shit-eating grin. "He's had training, very specialized training, in the military. Plus he's not too bad looking is he?"

"I suppose that he could protect her, but the question is, would he?" Rico looked straight at Frankie.

"Oh, I think he'd like to get next to Frankie any way he could." Hadley winked and gave a salacious smile. "The man has been very busy pursuing our Francesca."

"Enough." She gave her friends an evil look. "I only talk to Remy because he is chairing the panel that I'm a part of." She prayed that her hands weren't shaking. Her attraction to Remy was becoming a problem. No matter what she told her body, it throbbed whenever she thought about him. "I think you all are exaggerating this just a little." She displayed a half inch of space between her thumb and index finger.

She watched them exchange looks. This was the problem with spending so much time together. There were no secrets.

{ review } .

This is the beginning of a mini-series dealing with Frankie and Remy, and it serves as a good opener. I found the writing to be a bit loose in parts and the dialogue didn't necessarily feel 'real' at all times. Frankie's relationship with her Team 2 members often felt lax, too... It was much more 'friendship' than 'head of a group'. Then there was the suspense line. I didn't really have a feeling for it one way or another, to be perfectly honest.

Those items aside...

The beginning and growing romance between divorced Frankie and the man she has a meeting with, Remy, was fun to read. Frankie is very business driven and business minded -- something that got in the way of her previous marriage. Now, with her impending romantic relationship with Remy looking to go that next step, she has decisions to make -- is it time to put work aside, or can she find someone who is willing to juggle all the responsibilities with her?

Definitely an easy read that's not going to take too much energy to read. The next installment is due to come out in early June; I'm curious to see how it will continue to play out..!