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Rugged & Risqué #1
Devil in Texas
New Yorker Liza is in desperate need of a fresh start—and libido CPR wouldn’t hurt either. Taking Fate into her own hands, she relocates to Wilder, Texas, on a whim. Her first night in town, she meets a devil in blue jeans named Jack. A sinner who willingly hands over a ticket for the most erotic ride of her life.Jack doesn’t date Wilder women and he certainly doesn’t need another complication in his life. He’s running for City Council and trying to keep the morality crusaders in town from shutting down the last-standing public watering hole in Wilder. But when the sexy New Yorker sways her shapely hips through his door, Jack’s convictions instantly go up in flames, along with his body. Jack antes up and goes after everything he wants, including Liza. But is he the only one playing for keeps?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2010
23 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Calista Fox
69 books228 followers"Combines pulse-pounding danger and passionate love...tantalizing." – Publishers Weekly (Burned Deep trilogy)
Calista is a former PR professional, now writing fast-paced, steamy books to set your pulse racing! Her publishing houses include St. Martin’s Press, Grand Central Publishing and Harlequin. She is an Amazon bestseller and has won many Reviewer’s and Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as Best Book Awards.
Calista is a college graduate and teaches online writing classes. She is also a Past President/Advisor of the Phoenix chapter of the Romance Writers of America national organization.
www.calistafox.com www.facebook.com/calistafox www.twitter.com/calistafoxbooks
Calista is a former PR professional, now writing fast-paced, steamy books to set your pulse racing! Her publishing houses include St. Martin’s Press, Grand Central Publishing and Harlequin. She is an Amazon bestseller and has won many Reviewer’s and Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as Best Book Awards.
Calista is a college graduate and teaches online writing classes. She is also a Past President/Advisor of the Phoenix chapter of the Romance Writers of America national organization.
www.calistafox.com www.facebook.com/calistafox www.twitter.com/calistafoxbooks
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 30, 2013
Yeah...the synopsis sounded promising until I got to about the third page and the heroine was thinking to herself that her cunt was throbbing and her clit twitching.
Call me a prude, but I STILL don't like that word. And I like it even less when it's a woman referring to her own ladybits that way. Blech.
Not my cuppa, as they say. Onwards and upwards!
Call me a prude, but I STILL don't like that word. And I like it even less when it's a woman referring to her own ladybits that way. Blech.
Not my cuppa, as they say. Onwards and upwards!
September 14, 2014
3-3.5 stars
This was a good story. I liked Liza and Jack and their story was enjoyable. This is the first story I've read by this author and I liked it well enough I'd be willing to try more of her work in the future.
Liza moved from New York to Texas on a whim but for good reasons. Her father was from Texas but died and her mother is a horrible woman who tries to run Liza's life for her. Liza had been dating a surgeon, Peter, for years until she found him cheating on her with a man. She soon found out that he'd been cheating all over town with both men and women. Peter then asked her to marry him but just to be his fake wife while he went off and slept with anyone he wanted. Liza said no but her mother tried to force her in to accepting the proposal just because of Peter's position and status in society, not because he'd make a good husband. Disgusted with everything, Liza decided to move to Texas and start a new life with a new her.
Jack is a good guy that owns a bar in a small town in Texas. His business isn't doing well though because his town is the home of a bunch of bible thumpers that have used the town regulations to put business selling alcohol out of business (along with other "unsavory" businesses). All the other bars in town have been put out of business and Jack's struggling to hold on. The reverend and his congregation also make things tough on anyone that might be having pre-marital relations in town so Jack usually goes out of town to date and never dates the women in town.
When Liza gets to town she unpacks and decides she want to experience a hot night with someone...something she never got from her ex. She goes to the one bar in town and almost immediately sees Jack when she walks in. She goes to the bar (which he's behind) and orders a drink and the flirting between them commences. Jack usually doesn't bother with local women but since he owns the rental Liza rented through a management company, he knows that she has only rented a place for a month. She says it's possible she might decide to stay but Jack decides it might be worth the risk. Liza is rather new to the whole idea of picking a guy up so things don't go smoothly but Jack does end up giving her a ride home. He quickly realizes that Liza isn't a one-night stand kind of woman and doesn't want to sleep with her while she's somewhat drunk and would regret it in the morning. Things get a little hot and heavy but he stops before things go too far and makes a date with her for breakfast the next morning. Liza realizes that maybe her idea to pick up a one-night stand might not have been a good one so she agrees to the breakfast date the next day, hoping maybe they can still get together for a causal relationship.
Jack is leery about starting something with Liza because he fears it'll put her on the outs with the "saints" (what he calls the fanatically religious people in town that try to outlaw anything they don't agree with and if they can't outlaw it they run it out of town) which might cause her trouble getting settled in to town. Regardless of his fears, Jack can't seem to keep himself from wanting to see her and make sure everyone knows she's his when they go out. Liza is rather confused by the vibe of the town and soon realizes the issue with the "saints". She's not about to be looked down by these idiots so she does what she has to and is able to make some friends along the way. There is some issues with the reverend's wife being very mean to Liza and trying push her enough to make her leave town. Jack doesn't want to see it because they used to be friends as kids and this leaves Liza at a disadvantage and causes some problems between Jack and Liza. There's some big drama caused by the "saints" (specifically the reverend's wife) and this ends up putting Liza and another in danger. Thankfully, Jack is able to come to the rescue and save the day. All the drama brings about the possibility of changes in town (like maybe they'll be able to beat the "saints" and take back their town) which is great but I do wish that part of the storyline had been completed instead of just making things look hopeful. The romance between Jack and Liza is concluded satisfactorily though and they end the story deciding to be together and starting their HEA.
This was an enjoyable story. I liked Jack and Liza and didn't have any real complaints about either character (the secondary ones were pretty good as well). To be honest, I almost gave the story 4 stars, it was close but there just seemed to be a little something that was missing that kept it at 3 stars for me. Overall, story was good and engaging and I liked reading it. :)
This was a good story. I liked Liza and Jack and their story was enjoyable. This is the first story I've read by this author and I liked it well enough I'd be willing to try more of her work in the future.
Liza moved from New York to Texas on a whim but for good reasons. Her father was from Texas but died and her mother is a horrible woman who tries to run Liza's life for her. Liza had been dating a surgeon, Peter, for years until she found him cheating on her with a man. She soon found out that he'd been cheating all over town with both men and women. Peter then asked her to marry him but just to be his fake wife while he went off and slept with anyone he wanted. Liza said no but her mother tried to force her in to accepting the proposal just because of Peter's position and status in society, not because he'd make a good husband. Disgusted with everything, Liza decided to move to Texas and start a new life with a new her.
Jack is a good guy that owns a bar in a small town in Texas. His business isn't doing well though because his town is the home of a bunch of bible thumpers that have used the town regulations to put business selling alcohol out of business (along with other "unsavory" businesses). All the other bars in town have been put out of business and Jack's struggling to hold on. The reverend and his congregation also make things tough on anyone that might be having pre-marital relations in town so Jack usually goes out of town to date and never dates the women in town.
When Liza gets to town she unpacks and decides she want to experience a hot night with someone...something she never got from her ex. She goes to the one bar in town and almost immediately sees Jack when she walks in. She goes to the bar (which he's behind) and orders a drink and the flirting between them commences. Jack usually doesn't bother with local women but since he owns the rental Liza rented through a management company, he knows that she has only rented a place for a month. She says it's possible she might decide to stay but Jack decides it might be worth the risk. Liza is rather new to the whole idea of picking a guy up so things don't go smoothly but Jack does end up giving her a ride home. He quickly realizes that Liza isn't a one-night stand kind of woman and doesn't want to sleep with her while she's somewhat drunk and would regret it in the morning. Things get a little hot and heavy but he stops before things go too far and makes a date with her for breakfast the next morning. Liza realizes that maybe her idea to pick up a one-night stand might not have been a good one so she agrees to the breakfast date the next day, hoping maybe they can still get together for a causal relationship.
Jack is leery about starting something with Liza because he fears it'll put her on the outs with the "saints" (what he calls the fanatically religious people in town that try to outlaw anything they don't agree with and if they can't outlaw it they run it out of town) which might cause her trouble getting settled in to town. Regardless of his fears, Jack can't seem to keep himself from wanting to see her and make sure everyone knows she's his when they go out. Liza is rather confused by the vibe of the town and soon realizes the issue with the "saints". She's not about to be looked down by these idiots so she does what she has to and is able to make some friends along the way. There is some issues with the reverend's wife being very mean to Liza and trying push her enough to make her leave town. Jack doesn't want to see it because they used to be friends as kids and this leaves Liza at a disadvantage and causes some problems between Jack and Liza. There's some big drama caused by the "saints" (specifically the reverend's wife) and this ends up putting Liza and another in danger. Thankfully, Jack is able to come to the rescue and save the day. All the drama brings about the possibility of changes in town (like maybe they'll be able to beat the "saints" and take back their town) which is great but I do wish that part of the storyline had been completed instead of just making things look hopeful. The romance between Jack and Liza is concluded satisfactorily though and they end the story deciding to be together and starting their HEA.
This was an enjoyable story. I liked Jack and Liza and didn't have any real complaints about either character (the secondary ones were pretty good as well). To be honest, I almost gave the story 4 stars, it was close but there just seemed to be a little something that was missing that kept it at 3 stars for me. Overall, story was good and engaging and I liked reading it. :)
June 9, 2013
Contemporary romance with a big city gal moving to a small town in Texas and falls for a hunky cowboy.
There is a little too much internal dialogue about the heroine, New Yorker Liza's private parts in the first chapter as she makes it loud and clear how her body is reacting to the sexy cowboy, Jack. This is a small town where everyone seems to know each other which is made even more clear when the taxi (the only one in town) knows who is driving home Liza and doesn't worry about her getting there safe.
I miss small towns sometimes, but big city anonymity is pretty great too!
Small town, Wilder, Texas is just a random place that Liza is looking for to think over her situation and her life choices. There are lots of hints that she comes from a rich family, but no details other then she had a very bad philandering boyfriend that she is trying to get over. There are a lot of politics, tension and past events coming to a head in this story when Liza shows up looking for a new life. She is hiding out from her New York mother and ex-boyfriend.
The past is going to come knocking on her cute cottage door sooner, rather then later. But Liza doesn't know that it is Jack's past who will be doing the knocking. So Liza makes some cute new girlfriends and a new life in Wilder. There is a lot of sexy scenes in this story, which I mostly just skipped so I'm not sure if they are well written, but there is a cute story about small town politics.
272 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
There is a little too much internal dialogue about the heroine, New Yorker Liza's private parts in the first chapter as she makes it loud and clear how her body is reacting to the sexy cowboy, Jack. This is a small town where everyone seems to know each other which is made even more clear when the taxi (the only one in town) knows who is driving home Liza and doesn't worry about her getting there safe.
I miss small towns sometimes, but big city anonymity is pretty great too!
Small town, Wilder, Texas is just a random place that Liza is looking for to think over her situation and her life choices. There are lots of hints that she comes from a rich family, but no details other then she had a very bad philandering boyfriend that she is trying to get over. There are a lot of politics, tension and past events coming to a head in this story when Liza shows up looking for a new life. She is hiding out from her New York mother and ex-boyfriend.
The past is going to come knocking on her cute cottage door sooner, rather then later. But Liza doesn't know that it is Jack's past who will be doing the knocking. So Liza makes some cute new girlfriends and a new life in Wilder. There is a lot of sexy scenes in this story, which I mostly just skipped so I'm not sure if they are well written, but there is a cute story about small town politics.
272 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
May 23, 2013
story was cute, romance was hot. i was a little shocked by how blunt the dirty talk was (so be warned if this bothers you) but i enjoyed it :D
August 21, 2024
I tried to read this book, I really did. I don't like to think of myself as a prude. I mean I enjoy a well written sex scene just like any other woman with words like cock and slits and whatever, but this was just filth.
Deleted from Kindle, Do Not Request, Do Not Buy
Deleted from Kindle, Do Not Request, Do Not Buy
November 10, 2013
I struggled with this book at first and only continued on since so many of the reviews were so good, thought I must be missing something. The first chapter read like it was going to be a quick hook-up book but yet there was so much left. Elizabeth Brooks has been cheated on by her boyfriend, not just once and not just with women, her mother is cold and controlling and she's just quit her job after being set up to take the fall for a mess that wasn't hers. She throws a dart into a map of Texas and finds herself in the small town of Wilder, deciding a complete change is in order she's now Liza and dressed to the nines walks into the only bar in town. There she locks eyes with the Devil in blue jeans bartender Jack, the attraction is hot and instant. Now this could have been in my opinion a much better book, there's the makings of a good story, the reverend and his wife are applying religious pressure on anything they don't like hence why there's now only one bar in town and that's not doing too well. It had some interesting characters that we discover as Liza finds her way around and starts to make friends and whats the deal with Jack and Lydia the reverends wife, this I must admit is the main reason I kept reading. Now what I didn't like, I felt we should have had a bit more history, what made Jack in particular the man he is today, he doesn't date anyone in Wilder and never has but what about school he must have dated someone and just how did the reverend and his wife get such a hold on the town, with businesses closing and struggling its hard to imagine it would have gotten so far without more fuss, was there a catalyst that started the ball rolling. To be fair I didn't pay for this book it was free on allromance I didn't know the price until I went to review I just assumed it would have been round the two or three pound mark so I shocked that it's over five and in my opinion not worth the money.
July 17, 2014
I enjoyed this so much, probably 3 1/2 but rounding up to four because it was enjoyable.
Liza left behind her New York life and landed in a cottage on a lake in Wilder, Texas. She's hoping to start over after both personal and professional disappointments. First up on her list, find a sexy cowboy to help her take a walk on the wild side and leave her good girl image behind. She walks into the only bar in town and is immediately attracted to the bar owner Jack (who also happens to be her landlord).
Liza and Jack have great chemistry but what I liked about the story is the town and people. There are factions in the town and some small-minded people want to be the moral authority over it's inhabitants. Still, there is a lot to like about Wilder, for every judgemental town father or mother, there are some lovely, welcoming and genuinely nice folks.
I can't say how much I like Liza, sincere, caring and likable. I liked Jack too. The only thing is, you don't really see Liza and Jack fall in love and I missed those tender moments I love so much in romance novels.
Still, nothing can diminish my enjoyment in this story, it was free when I downloaded it but I'd happily pay for it. Recommended.
Liza left behind her New York life and landed in a cottage on a lake in Wilder, Texas. She's hoping to start over after both personal and professional disappointments. First up on her list, find a sexy cowboy to help her take a walk on the wild side and leave her good girl image behind. She walks into the only bar in town and is immediately attracted to the bar owner Jack (who also happens to be her landlord).
Liza and Jack have great chemistry but what I liked about the story is the town and people. There are factions in the town and some small-minded people want to be the moral authority over it's inhabitants. Still, there is a lot to like about Wilder, for every judgemental town father or mother, there are some lovely, welcoming and genuinely nice folks.
I can't say how much I like Liza, sincere, caring and likable. I liked Jack too. The only thing is, you don't really see Liza and Jack fall in love and I missed those tender moments I love so much in romance novels.
Still, nothing can diminish my enjoyment in this story, it was free when I downloaded it but I'd happily pay for it. Recommended.
February 6, 2011
Devil in Texas by Calista Fox was a great way to relax and read. Liza is my type of girl, she thinks of others more than herself and isn’t afraid to rock the boat. I think it was fate that brought her to Wilder and into Jack’s life. If anyone needed a new way of thinking, or the answer to issues in his town, it was Jack. Stuck with an overzealous religious few, his town is dying quickly.
I loved the byplay with Liza and the townie’s and how she spoke her mind and thought outside of the box to give the people of Wilder back their lives. The passion she felt for Jack scared her, more than she probably wanted to admit but when faced with the option of staying or leaving, she chose the right one! This one is a top read of mine, a nice story to make me laugh, and sexy enough to make me drool.
I loved the byplay with Liza and the townie’s and how she spoke her mind and thought outside of the box to give the people of Wilder back their lives. The passion she felt for Jack scared her, more than she probably wanted to admit but when faced with the option of staying or leaving, she chose the right one! This one is a top read of mine, a nice story to make me laugh, and sexy enough to make me drool.
August 12, 2013
This was a pretty good book. I liked the characters and the story line. There was some smiling, some temper, friendships, love, self-discovery, and some good steamy scenes. I liked pretty much all of the book but the sweaty parts were a little crude sounding to me and the terms a little repetitive. Everything else was good. I really liked the plot and the ending was great and the perfect HEA for the characters. I wouldn't mind reading this again for something to read or just for relaxing. Overall, pretty good. Enjoy
June 8, 2013
So the likes: Hot sex. Great dialogue. Warm fuzzy relationships. Hot sex. Good friends. Interesting interactions. Hot sex.
The dislikes: Lack of any depth. Everything learned was pretty superficial. The way the "church folk" were typecasted. Corny lines (tall drink of water). The abrupt ending. We don't know if he wins or not. Is this a series?
Still I gave it 3 stars for the sex scenes, the interactions between characters and for the overall cuteness of the story.
The dislikes: Lack of any depth. Everything learned was pretty superficial. The way the "church folk" were typecasted. Corny lines (tall drink of water). The abrupt ending. We don't know if he wins or not. Is this a series?
Still I gave it 3 stars for the sex scenes, the interactions between characters and for the overall cuteness of the story.
May 24, 2013
I was so pleasantly surprised by Devil in Texas! I LOVED IT! It was a great, hot, sexy love story. I loved all of the secondary characters as well. I actually felt like I was in Wilder when I was reading the book. I adored Liza and ESPECIALLY Jack! He is HOTTTT! You have to read this book - you won't be sorry!. I look forward to reading more from Calista!
June 6, 2013
Is it just me or are bisexuals always getting a bad rep? They are always cheating. They can never be faithful because they are so goddamn greedy. They can't choose between gay or straight. Even though I no longer label myself as bisexual (I prefer pansexual now), this crap still offended me.
Plus the writing is just so over the top and obnoxious to me.
DNF.
Plus the writing is just so over the top and obnoxious to me.
DNF.
September 8, 2014
What a sexy story!!! It was a nice easy read ! And my god can I have a sexy cowboy please ? Lol okay so the only problem I had with story was that it was too short. I felt the plot and the ending should have been way longer! She should have told him about her past .... And I really wanted to know how the campaign went ! Lol but other then that very sexy read !
July 4, 2016
I really liked it, but I felt it ended a little abruptly, especially with how much time was spent building up the atmosphere and troubles of the town, nor did we really see her completely confront the troubles of her past. I would have liked to see a little more action, and I don't mean the sexual kind.
June 17, 2013
I can't make an honest review of this book because I couldn't finish it. If I had to read the word "cunt" one more time, I was going to be sick. I'm not offended by the word but I also don't find it sexy.
August 10, 2013
This was one HOTT read. The writing was clean and the story wrapped up nicely. I think this is one of those books you wrap with on a Friday or Saturday night with a glass of wine.
I will be looking at Ms. Fox's other books as am sure they won't disappoint.
I will be looking at Ms. Fox's other books as am sure they won't disappoint.
June 10, 2015
DNF.
"He’d never invested this much mental contemplation into his course of action. There was something about this woman that made him want to make the right choice from the get-go. Because he sensed she wasn’t one to grant a second chance if he blew it."
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May 24, 2013
I loved this book. Jack and Liza were the perfect couple and the storyline was great. Would highly recommend.
July 13, 2013
Great book but didn't feel like it was finished.
November 25, 2015
Nice shorter novel set in modern-day Texas. I liked the development of the characters and their connection.
June 8, 2013
The relationships were warm, strong and meaningful. I do adore my hunky cowboy.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews