Stone, At Your Service (Carolina Bad Boys #1) by Rie Warren

Stone, At Your Service (Carolina Bad Boys #1)
By: Rie Warren
Publisher: Rie Warren
Published: September 25, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: December 13, 2014

 

Rie Warren delivers a steamy, humorous romance with one hell of an alpha male bad boy.

Hell on wheels meets Hell in high heels.

Bad boy mechanic Josh Stone likes to get his hands dirty any way he can—the filthier, the better. Ever since his wife walked out on him and their young son, he’s only had room in his heart for two loves: the kid and cars.

Roped into playing his best buddy’s gay boyfriend during a romance writers convention, the player meets the girl who’s gonna rock his world. Leelee Songchild. Shy, bashful, beautiful Leelee who blushes at the drop of a hat yet writes hardcore smut to rival Josh’s backlist of Penthouse Forum.

The only problem is his hands are tied. Josh can’t stab his old friend/fake lover in the back even though all he wants to do is take luscious Leelee to bed, and maybe, love her. When the truth comes out, all hell breaks loose.

Too bad romance is just for books

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was not disappointed. The story is original, the characters feel real and the chemistry between Josh and Leelee is scorching!

Josh Stone is a garage owner/mechanic raising his son with the support of his mom and best friend Nicky, after his wife abandoned them. He’s not looking for love but certainly is not lacking in female companionship thanks to his rugged good looks and charm. He makes no promises to the women he beds and doesn't linger once the sex is over, so as not to give them the wrong idea.
His best friend Nicky is a paranormal romance writer. He’s sick of getting hit on and fixed up so he and Josh are posing as a homosexual couple for a few days at a writers conference Nicky needs to attend. They have the plan in place and everything is going along fine. The one thing neither of them see coming is Leelee Songchild. Josh finds himself insanely attracted to her and he is certain she feels the attraction as well. The only problem is he has committed to posing as Nicky’s lover for the net few days and Leelee has every reason to believe he is gay. He doesn’t want to let his best friend down but his feelings for Leelee are more than just physical.

I loved Josh! He is loyal, charming, and sexy. As if that isn't enough, he is an amazing dad and every interaction between him and his son in the story can just melt the hardest heart. He’s trying so hard to do the right thing for everyone in his life and his turmoil is obvious. Leelee has been burned badly in the past and makes it clear there are certain things she will not stand for and dishonesty is a deal breaker for her. Josh is torn between his promise to help his best friend and his desire to make Leelee his woman.

Every character we meet in this story is interesting and engaging. There were parts where I laughed out loud (most of the interactions between Josh and Nicky and all of them between Josh and the guys at the garage) and other parts where I was so frustrated I wanted to scream. It drew me in and made me feel as though I was right there with the characters.

I cannot wait to read the second book in the series - Nicky's story. I sincerely hope Rie Warren is able to work the same magic in book 2 and provide another phenomenal story. After reading the preview, I doubt she will disappoint!