Tuesday, September 16, 2008

LuAnn McLane's DRIVEN BY DESIRE


I was very lucky in getting DRIVEN BY DESIRE by LuAnn McLane (releasing on October 7) for Romance Junkies review and am excited to share a little info about it - be sure to read to the end because there's a great giveaway!

A blurb:
Only one man could make her heart race… Daredevil stunts and dangerous accidents are par for the course in the world of motocross racing. Just ask Alexia Spencer, who almost lost her high school sweetheart in a near-fatal accident. But when she asked him to give up racing, Jayden Michaels rode off without even a goodbye, leaving Alexia heartbroken.
Ten years later, Jayden’s back—determined to prove he’s over Alexia. But it’s impossible to ignore the irresistible woman she’s become. And it isn’t long before Jayden finds himself on Alexia’s doorstep, driven by his insatiable desire, hoping he can tempt the woman he still loves into letting herself feel the heat—and taking a risk with her heart.


My review (4.5 blue ribbons):
In DRIVEN BY DESIRE, LuAnn McLane gives readers the story of a couple with a painful past who discover after being reunited several years later, that the attraction between them continues to smolder. But old wounds are often the deepest and they're uncertain as to whether they can put past heartaches behind and allow themselves a future together.

When Jayden Michaels runs into Alexia Spencer, literally, while riding his dirt bike through the woods, it's impossible to say which of them is more surprised. Alexia was crushed ten years prior when Jayden chose Supercross motorcycle racing over his relationship with her. When she eventually married someone else, it was Jayden who felt the pain. Alexia eventually realized that she had made a big mistake, divorced her husband and returned home to find herself. She never expected that Jayden would once again be part of her life, and given the secret that she's been keeping for ten years, she fears that he won't understand her reason for secrecy. Alexia decides it's time to tell Jayden the truth, hoping that he cares enough for her and the future they could have together, to understand.
Jayden has come home to nurse a shoulder injury and to help a friend with a new business venture. Spending time with Alexia is an unexpected bonus. He never dreamed that a second chance with her would ever be in the cards for him. Jayden quickly discovers that a white-hot passion still exists between them and they aren't together long before old passions begin to burn. When he discovers the secret that Alexia has been hiding, past pains return and he pushes her away. He isn't certain he has the strength to get beyond his pain to help Alexia deal with her own suffering.
I adore LuAnn McLane and have enjoyed reading each and every one of her books. DRIVEN BY DESIRE is no exception, although it has a totally different flavor than any of her previous books. Her trademark humor has been toned down, the eroticism has been turned (way) up, and the emotions come from much deeper in the heart. Alexia's pain is excellently written, and as readers are taken into her relationship with Jayden a decade before, her dejection when he left, and the events that followed, it almost feels tangible. Jayden suffered as well, and Ms. McLane very clearly understands the workings of a guy's mind as his thoughts, feelings and actions are described with clarity. An equally passionate side romance between Alexia's sister and Jayden's best friend is definitely a reader bonus. The relationships between all of these characters are well-written and comfortable and it doesn't take imagination to bring them to life. I highly recommend DRIVEN BY DESIRE to all romance readers who enjoy stories with reunited lovers, passionately sensual romance, and the undeniable healing power of true love.

Okay, now for the giveaway: I have a copy of A LITTLE LESS TALK AND A LOT MORE ACTION up for grabs. You know how it works - leave a comment, chat about LuAnn's books you've read or want to read, or maybe tell us which of her heroes you think is yummiest - and you're entered! Doesn't get any easier than that.
I'll plan to draw a name on Saturday the 20th.
As always, thanks for stopping - I hope everyone has a great week!
Laurie
xo

21 comments:

Cheryl said...

Ooh . . . yes, I love LuAnn's writing. I've read her anthology, Hot Summer Nights and also Dancing Shoes and Honky Tonk Blues. They were both page-turners and I couldn't put them down till I read the last page. I would love to be in the running for A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action.

Cheryl S.

Laura J. said...

I'll second your review of Driven. Awesome book and I can't wait for more of her "hotter" books (although I do love her southern romances as well).

Patty L. said...

I love Luann's books. I have this book on my Amazon list to pick up, so this review makes me want to press the buy button even more. LOL

Caffey said...

Oh DRIVEN BY DESIRE sounds fab! Love your review on it!
My first book I read of LuAnn's I enjoyed a bunch. HOT SUMMER NIGHTS! And it had 3 stories in it, which I enjoyed all three! But the one hero I remember well was the pitcher, Reese, just couldn't resist a baseball player and I was picturing him in this story! All three tho, they so fit and sizzled together!

ArkieRN said...

Driven sounds great! I love second chance at romance stories.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of LuAnn's books... they look good though.

Wendy said...

I haven't read any of LuAnn books yet but I can't wait, they sound like very fun reads. :)

tetewa said...

I've read and enjoyed Love, Lust and Pixie Dust by her! Thanks for the opportunity at one of her books.

Wolfy said...

Great review Laurie on a wonderful book. All of LuAnn's are so worth reading and for those on here that have not read her you are missing out. Anyone of her books are great reads, but I really loved this one as I was fortunate enough to get an Arc as well to read and review.

lamclane said...

Thanks so much for the lovely review, Laurie. I really enjoyed writing this book about love lost. Everybody deserves a second chance especially when it stems from decisions made in our youth.

Thanks for all of the nice comments too!

Laurie G said...

I have Dark Roots & Trick my Truck on my TBR! I'm moving them to the top after all of these wonderful comments and your great review!

Laura J. said...

Oh LuAnn!!! I'm so excited to hear there are going to be more Southern Romances!!

and can I ask:

Is it March yet?

limecello said...

Oh gosh - I think I totally forgot to comment yesterday :X. I haven't read any of LuAnn's books - but they sound really interesting and I'm definitely adding them to my list!

Pamela Clare said...

Hi, Laurie,

I just wanted to pop over and say hi. Thanks for stopping and chatting with Denise on my blog. :-)

DRIVEN BY DESIRE sounds verrry sexy! You are going to make someone very happy with that copy of A LITTLE LESS TALK...

Hi, Limecello! How are you these days?

Pamela

Laurie D. said...

Great comments, gals! I'm always interested in which books are everyone's favorites! Thanks so much for stopping!

LuAnn, I'm looking forward to next year's releases too - can't wait to hear more about them! I'm not certain I can name just one of your heroes as my fave, but I loved Max the roller coaster designer!

Pamela, thanks so much for stopping by! I literally begged the powers that be at Romance Junkies for Unlawful Contact for review - I'm prepared to do the same for Naked Edge - I can't wait! Your romantic suspense takes my breath away!

Fedora said...

Thanks for the review, Laurie! I really enjoyed Trick My Truck, and actually have an ARC of Driven on my TBR--can't wait to pick it up now! I also really loved Wild Ride, Hot Summer Nights, and LuAnn's story in Wildest Dreams. (Just a real sucker for anthologies, I guess ;)) Her heroes are all really likeable, but I think Tommy Tucker's truly yummy!

robynl said...

I'd love to read one of LuAnn's books after hearing/reading good things about them. I love some of the titles such as A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action. That conjures up many images, lol.

Karin said...

I love your review, Laurie. It definitely has me looking forward to Driven by Desire. I've enjoyed what I've read by LuAnn in the past and am sure I will enjoy this one as well. My favorite so far has been Trick My Truck.

Anonymous said...

"Driven by Desire" sounds like a great read and what a great review.

I also haven't read any of LuAnn's books but I have read great reviews though.

Thanks,

Terri W.

acdaisy95 said...

It sounds like a great read. I haven't read any of LuAnn's books, but I would like to try them.

Anonymous said...

I love LuAnne's books too. Her latest books look really good and have added them to my to buy, and birthday requests.

I have a few others on my tbr and have really enjoyed Hot Summer Nights, Wild Ride and her novella in Wildest Dreams which was my first read of hers.