Behind Closed Doors (The McCloud Brothers, Book 1)

If you've graduated from run-of-the-mill romance and suspense novels, and are looking for something a lot hotter-this book is for you. Good plot, larger than life characters, and sex scenes that will make your face flame (my husband thought I had a fever!). For those of us females whose ideal man is tough, scarred, a little mean, and definitely in charge, Seth is too good to be true. The female lead seems a little ditzy at first, but in the end she finds herself, and is more than a match for Seth. I like the way McKenna keeps the plot and characters believable without being cliched-obviously she did her research and knows men very well. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes Robin Schone, Susan Johnson, etc. A terrific modern erotic thriller.

I've read hundreds of romances, and this makes it into my top ten list. I loved this book!!! It was not only erotic, so hot I thought the book would go up in flames, but it was tender and funny too. The banter between the characters was so real and amusing, especially between Seth and the McCloud brothers. The sex scenes burned, yet they seemed natural, not forced or contrived as in some erotic romances. Even though the hero was a very strong Alpha male, he never went too far. I loved hearing his "self-talk". Crude, perhaps, but it seemed so real. I laughed a lot while reading this book. Hot, tender, funny, what more can you ask from a romance? It was really great, I loved the characters and didn't want it to end. I look forward to her next book, which I hope will feature a McCloud. I've read her short stories and liked them, so I hope she writes quickly!

This book was the perfect mix of mystery and romance - which is usually a hard combination to get right. Many times authors try too hard to make a mystery plot twist and turn, but this one was great - it kepy your interest without being overworked. There was great character development of all characters individually and also good development of relationships and interactions. The romance between Raine and Seth was also well done - sometimes in a mystery the development of feelings is minimized, but not in this case. Lots and lots of hot, sizzling scenes!! OK, so that's an understatement.Some might think the language in the book is a bit crude, but I find it realistic. How accurate is it when a tough guy says "Gosh darn it, what in the heck are you doing?" Nah-uh, it's not!It's been a long time since I've considered a book to be 5 stars, especially for a romantic suspense/mysters. So BRAVO to McKenna for her amazing and perfect debut! I am definitely a fan. I wonder if we will see future books about the McCloud boys?? Either way, I can't wait to get more from McKenna.

I first read Shannon McKenna when she wrote a novella for the anthology ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT. I was thrilled to learn she was going to have a full-length book and it was going to be in the Brava line. Brava is a new line of books that promise the reader erotic romance stories and currently not only has Shannon McKenna signed up, but others like Lori Foster.BEHIND CLOSED DOORS opens with the hero, Seth Mackey, spying on the heroine, Raine Cameron. He is after the killer of his brother and spying on Raine is one way he believes he is going to achieve this. Unfortunately to his job at hand, he grows attracted to her while watching her and it somewhat gets in his way. It does not take them long to meet and the sparks just electrify between the two. And not much longer for Seth and Raine to get in bed and begin a rather interesting, intense love affair. He doesn't trust her and Raine is secretive to him. But boy, he doesn't let his niggling distrust to stop him from pursuing her into bed. Raine has a secret agenda of her own. She wants to learn about her father's death and the only way she can is to go undercover in her uncle's business. Seth is hired to do security for her uncle, and when she meets Seth, she is caught between the attraction she feels for him and finishing up her task. Even almost to the end, Seth is not sure if he can trust Raine, but love wins his heart. A man who thought he could not love finds that he can.The relationship between the hero and heroine is very intense, sometimes like a love hate relationship. But they agree in bed very well. ;) Seth is very much a macho man and an Alpha Hero similar to that of the best selling author Linda Howard's male heroes. No woman can stand a chance, but then, who can resist one as sensual and tough as Seth Mackey. He is very sexual and there is lots of action in bed, but also out. It is not a gory type book, but it fits the bill as a romantic suspense for me, with much emphasis on the romance part. Just to warn you though: there is several uses of the f work and other sexual slang terms in the book. It did not bother me, but some readers may not like the use of the words. To me, the usage was necessary and realistically moved the story along.The story flies to a fast and explosive ending that left me satisfied with the end, but wishing the story had not ended. It was that good to me. Ms McKenna created some characters that not only were realistic, but with great sexual tension that throbbed within the pages of the book. I wish I could give it more than five stars, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book by Shannon McKenna. If you enjoy a good contemporary romance/supsense story that is very hot and sensual, then you will enjoy BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by Shannon McKenna.