Taking Care of Business (Black Lace)

I really enjoyed this story, although that's not very surprising for me. There's just something about Lauren Dane that always sucks me in. I haven't had the chance to read anything from Megan Hart yet, but after this, I'm thinking I'm going to enjoy her work as much as I do Danes. Taking Care of Business seemed to be exactly what I needed right now.Taking Care of Business comes out March 31st, so make sure you head to a bookstore on that Tuesday and pick it up. For my full review, check out Literary Escapism.

Overall I think that the book was kind of wordy, but overall it was a good reads. The sex scenes were really hot, but the in between scene were wordy and some how lost some of the story. I liked the book overall and will likely read other books by these authors. I love these authors individually, and really appreciated their combined efforts.

I can only say how much I loved this book. I love both of these authors and I started to read this book and tried to figure out who wrote what section. I couldn't tell, because this book just flowed so well. It was truly seamless. The two stories were intertwined so nicely, and I really wanted more. Leah's breakup with her creepy dom boyfriend was such a turning point for her. Brandon came into her life at the perfect time. He showed her that she can be in control and still 'be in control'. Katherine's ability to compartmentalize her feelings for Dix was really amazing. Having the courage to let go and deal with her emotions, was her turning point. I enjoyed the interaction between the two friends, and the sex scenes were smokin' hot. Add in a little corporate drama, and a psychotic assistant, this makes for a wonderful book that you won't want to put down.

I've read a number of Lauren Dane's novels and have always liked her voice, both in her paranormal, and contemporary work. Megan Hart is new to me, although I do have "Stranger", in my TBR. I found their combined voices in this novel to be wonderful. I got to know these characters easily and despite the strong personalities of the men and women I could sense their vulnerabilities and angst in taking tentative first steps in new relationships. I have to say the dry wit and clever verbal sparring, particularly between "Kate and Dix", and certainly some of the sarcasm, had me laughing out loud. taking care of business The setting for this story is in a hotel in Philadelphia where Human Resources Director Leah Griffin has organized a conference for her company's managers. Leah's closest friend, Kate Edwards, a successful, driven attorney, is attending providing legal advice for the company. Leah and Kate are lifelong best friends who share their most intimate and naughty secrets without fear of reproach. They also instinctively know when it's time to back off and allow time for painful experiences to be internalized before they are spoken aloud. I really like books that have a theme involving friendship between women. I think it gives more reader insight into their personalities and depth to the characters. Leah has just ended an 18-month relationship with a rather immature, unpleasant and demanding man, Mike. She has been unhappy and dissatisfied with her personal life for a long time, unable to achieve sexual satisfaction during the majority of the intimate relationships of her life. I could feel her frustration welling up from the pages. Kate knows what her friend needs in a relationship, however Leah is unable to admit it to herself. Kate has been enjoying an exciting sporadic sexual liaison with Charles "Dix" Dixon, the head of the legal team for Leah's employer. Kate or "Katherine" as she is known in professional circles is brilliant, has a razor sharp tongue and is ruthless, a top-notch attorney. I loved this character; basically she takes no prisoners in the "boardroom". However, "Kate", has a vulnerable side with respect to her personal life having been burned at the stake early on in her career related to an intimate relationship with a colleague. Needless to say she is very reluctant with respect to entering into a more committed relationship with Dix. Leah, meets Conference Services Manager, Brandon Long, a mature younger man originally from Iowa, for whom she instantly feels an attraction. While she initially dismisses him, because of his youth she soon learns she was sorely mistaken and finds he has a strength of personality, integrity, and is sexually experienced. At the beginning of the book Leah is somewhat unpleasant with Brandon because of her relationship history and emotional conflicts, making it difficult for a reader to like her. However, as Brandon responds to Leah as a female dominant and her insecurities are laid