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Braddock Boys #3
The Braddock Boys: Travis
He's dying to taste her...Lean, mean Travis Braddock is not your typical cowboy--he's a brooding vampire searching for the killer who cost him his family, his future, his life. The last thing he needs is a woman he can't resist. Then he met her...
Wedding planner Holly Simms is the perfect girl for a vampire on the move. Especially since she's trying to ditch her "good-girl-lookin'-to-get-hitched" image. So Holly and Travis strike up a bargain-- wickedly hot sex...with no strings attached! But nothing prepared Travis for the possibility that there's room for a love life in the afterlife...
Wedding planner Holly Simms is the perfect girl for a vampire on the move. Especially since she's trying to ditch her "good-girl-lookin'-to-get-hitched" image. So Holly and Travis strike up a bargain-- wickedly hot sex...with no strings attached! But nothing prepared Travis for the possibility that there's room for a love life in the afterlife...
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 19, 2011
8 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Raye
138 books460 followersI've always been an incurable romantic. While I enjoy reading all types of fiction, my favorites, the books that touch my soul, are romance novels. From sexy to thrilling, sweet to humorous, I like them all. But what I really love is writing romance--the hotter the better!
I started my first novel back in high school and have been writing ever since. To date, I've published over thirty novels, one of them a prestigious RITA Award nominee, Romance Writers of America's highest award of excellence. I have also been nominated by Romantic Times magazine for several Reviewer's Choice awards, as well as a career achievement award.
I've written for several different publishers, including Harlequin Books, Leisure Books, Berkley/Jove, St. Martin's Press and Warner Books. Born and bred in the Lone Start State, I still live deep in the heart with my real-life hero, Curt, and our young children.
Like any over-worked, under-appreciated wife and mother, I have very little free time. But when I find a few precious moments, I LOVE to read. Some of my favorite authors include Janet Evanovich, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Charlaine Harris (see my Favorite Reads page for more) and the exceptionally talented Nina Bangs. Give me a bag of Sugar Babies, a Toby Keith or Kevin Fowler CD (I love Texas music), and a great book, and I'm in heaven!
I started my first novel back in high school and have been writing ever since. To date, I've published over thirty novels, one of them a prestigious RITA Award nominee, Romance Writers of America's highest award of excellence. I have also been nominated by Romantic Times magazine for several Reviewer's Choice awards, as well as a career achievement award.
I've written for several different publishers, including Harlequin Books, Leisure Books, Berkley/Jove, St. Martin's Press and Warner Books. Born and bred in the Lone Start State, I still live deep in the heart with my real-life hero, Curt, and our young children.
Like any over-worked, under-appreciated wife and mother, I have very little free time. But when I find a few precious moments, I LOVE to read. Some of my favorite authors include Janet Evanovich, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Charlaine Harris (see my Favorite Reads page for more) and the exceptionally talented Nina Bangs. Give me a bag of Sugar Babies, a Toby Keith or Kevin Fowler CD (I love Texas music), and a great book, and I'm in heaven!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 30, 2011
Gggrrrrr......another book that has left me hanging without an answer and for the life of me I cannot find out when the next one is due out - have checked the Harlequin website and it is not listed for December or January and Ms Raye's website is years out of date and nothing has been added to her blog since July.
I love this series and have right from the beginning. These vampires are super sexy alpha cowboys and are certainly drool worthy!. All Ms Raye's books are easy to read and flow really well and before you know it you have reached the end and feel like you want to read more.
I love this series and have right from the beginning. These vampires are super sexy alpha cowboys and are certainly drool worthy!. All Ms Raye's books are easy to read and flow really well and before you know it you have reached the end and feel like you want to read more.
August 5, 2011
As I mentioned in my contest post, I was amazed at how much I liked this book, not because I doubted the author or anything, but because I have never thought myself a fan of cowboys and the country scene. Vampires are yummy, and a favorite of mine, but cowboys have never really blipped on my radar...until now. Both the Braddock Boys and the Love at First Bite series lines were new to me, so I was reading this book without previous knowledge of the characters or the world. It wasn't a problem at all and I quickly caught on to what seems to be the underlying storyline that ties the books together. Someone named Rose betrayed the entire Braddock clan and the brothers want revenge, only along the way they fall in love with some really amazing women.
After reading about Travis and Holly it is a sure bet that I need to get my hands on all the previous titles and that I am now totally hooked on the vampire cowboy combination. Travis is a smokin' hot, horse training vampire that feeds off not only blood but sexual energy. He's a definite love 'em and leave 'em type of guy. Holly is a genius wedding planner that because of a few crappy relationships has resigned herself to planning the big day for everyone else in town, and being darn good at it too. Only deep down, she wants more. Holly is dying to let her inner sex kitten free which is exactly what she does the minute she meets Travis. And it just gets better and better.
As in any fast paced romance you have to suspend disbelief a bit so that the hurried timeline can be more easily accepted. Quickly falling in love is fine by me, if the writer takes the time to make you care about the characters and that the budding relationship is based off more than sex. And in a paranormal the mythology must be pretty solid because not only does the reader have to buy into the relationship, they also have to learn the lore. Kimberly Raye does an excellent job of creating a unique vampiric lore with believable characters, both human and vampire. I could easily see this fictional Texas town and I could easily see vampires being there as well. For example, horses are usually spooked by vampires, which might make the idea of Travis being a horse trainer unrealistic, right? Not so, because it is explained that Travis had an affinity for animals before he was turned and that ability carried over, only magnified, once he became a vampire. I appreciate when an author pays attention to all those types of details.
Another highpoint was the characters themselves. Travis may have been a wham bam kinda guy that jumps Holly's bones in a broom closet but he realized that was changing once he started to really get to know her. Yep, this couple actually grew to like each other, and respect each other, albeit hurriedly, and were friends before that L-word got tossed around. Holly is a nice girl that takes care of everyone else in her life first, including her elderly (and kooky) Aunt Tootie and she views Travis as a way to change her image. They both viewed sex as a no-strings business type arrangement, until it became more than that, and I loved how the story evolved. And let's just put this out there...the sex was hot, incredibly hot. Dare I say Blazin' hotHow could it not be with that gorgeous cowboy on the cover. Did you see that chest?
So if you haven't guessed by now, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading all the other books that belong in the series. And apparently I have a small thing for cowboys. Hmm, who knew?
After reading about Travis and Holly it is a sure bet that I need to get my hands on all the previous titles and that I am now totally hooked on the vampire cowboy combination. Travis is a smokin' hot, horse training vampire that feeds off not only blood but sexual energy. He's a definite love 'em and leave 'em type of guy. Holly is a genius wedding planner that because of a few crappy relationships has resigned herself to planning the big day for everyone else in town, and being darn good at it too. Only deep down, she wants more. Holly is dying to let her inner sex kitten free which is exactly what she does the minute she meets Travis. And it just gets better and better.
As in any fast paced romance you have to suspend disbelief a bit so that the hurried timeline can be more easily accepted. Quickly falling in love is fine by me, if the writer takes the time to make you care about the characters and that the budding relationship is based off more than sex. And in a paranormal the mythology must be pretty solid because not only does the reader have to buy into the relationship, they also have to learn the lore. Kimberly Raye does an excellent job of creating a unique vampiric lore with believable characters, both human and vampire. I could easily see this fictional Texas town and I could easily see vampires being there as well. For example, horses are usually spooked by vampires, which might make the idea of Travis being a horse trainer unrealistic, right? Not so, because it is explained that Travis had an affinity for animals before he was turned and that ability carried over, only magnified, once he became a vampire. I appreciate when an author pays attention to all those types of details.
Another highpoint was the characters themselves. Travis may have been a wham bam kinda guy that jumps Holly's bones in a broom closet but he realized that was changing once he started to really get to know her. Yep, this couple actually grew to like each other, and respect each other, albeit hurriedly, and were friends before that L-word got tossed around. Holly is a nice girl that takes care of everyone else in her life first, including her elderly (and kooky) Aunt Tootie and she views Travis as a way to change her image. They both viewed sex as a no-strings business type arrangement, until it became more than that, and I loved how the story evolved. And let's just put this out there...the sex was hot, incredibly hot. Dare I say Blazin' hotHow could it not be with that gorgeous cowboy on the cover. Did you see that chest?
So if you haven't guessed by now, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading all the other books that belong in the series. And apparently I have a small thing for cowboys. Hmm, who knew?
September 1, 2011
I didn't realize when I bought this book that it not only contained the new vampire cowboy book , The Braddock Boys: Travis, (yeah, that got my attention) but also The Pleasure Principle which was first released years ago (it's a Blaze anniversary book) which I had luckily never read.
Both books featured female protagonists who were wary which I always like. I enjoyed the second story but I really loved the first one. It was really neat that the male lead was a vampire cowboy (with cowboy vamp bros who are not in this book much but now I need to read theirs). Plus the female lead was a wedding planner (I'm into weddings).
The second story is one of those 'they meet again after high school stories' and are from 'opposite sides of the tracks'. The male is a likable ex yuppie and the female owns her own bar.
A definite buy.
Both books featured female protagonists who were wary which I always like. I enjoyed the second story but I really loved the first one. It was really neat that the male lead was a vampire cowboy (with cowboy vamp bros who are not in this book much but now I need to read theirs). Plus the female lead was a wedding planner (I'm into weddings).
The second story is one of those 'they meet again after high school stories' and are from 'opposite sides of the tracks'. The male is a likable ex yuppie and the female owns her own bar.
A definite buy.
March 21, 2019
Fresh take on the Blaze line with vampires. Very hot romance between Travis and Holly. The bonus story was great too.
September 1, 2019
Good read
Good read and continues the series of vampire brothers from the Wild West in an up to date romance. Similar comments to previous ones that it ends abruptly.
Good read and continues the series of vampire brothers from the Wild West in an up to date romance. Similar comments to previous ones that it ends abruptly.
September 14, 2024
Another good story but I half wish the collection had all been in one book
September 6, 2011
If you love cowboys and vampires, then Kimberly Raye's 'Love at First Bite' series is for you. This is also a 10th Anniversary collector's edition with a bonus story (which I did not include in this review) The Pleasure Principle.
Travis is one of the sexy Braddock Boys, Civil War era soldiers/cowboys brothers.The boys became vampires after one fateful and tragic night one hundred and fifty years ago. By the time Travis and his three brothers rode into the ranch, it was aflame, killing their nephew, mother and six ranch hands. They also thought Rose, older brother Colton's wife perished in the fire. Evidence now points that Rose was behind this carnage. The brothers are attacked and left for dead, but a vampire comes across them, turning them all into vampires, along with Rose apparently, who promptly disappears.
The brothers have carried a grunge against each other all these years, each blaming the other for the tragedy. When Travis hears there might be a lead on Rose's whereabouts, he show up to brother Cody's wedding in Skull Creek.Travis' life is filled with the thoughts of revenge.
Enter the sassy wedding planner, Holly Simms. This occupation seems to be the current one for heroines in Blaze books lately. Regardless, Holly has her hands full with various problems at Cody's wedding, like missing champagne. But nothing prepares her for the tall dark, handsome and brooding Travis Braddock.
Travis is a 'take you against the wall' kind of guy, and his attraction to Holly (and vice-versa) is immediate and potent. A sexy encounter in a storage closet at the wedding just fuels the fire. By his own description, Travis is a hard-ass. And he pretty much remains one to the end of the book. Whether he is dealing with his brothers, or his attraction for Holly.
Travis is only in town for a brief stop, and Holly doesn't want any long term relationship. Or so she tells herself. The rest of the book is these two fighting the pull between them. Holly's sassy, elder, gum snapping bingo playing Aunt Tootie was amusing.
Travis seems to be some vampire horse-whisperer, so it helps bridge some of those divides with his cowboy/vampire brothers to an extent. And Holly seemed to accept the purple glowing eyes and fangs aspect of Travis fairly easily. Maybe too easily.
There is no resolution to the past tragedy, no doubt being carried over further in the series. Also I found the ending abrupt.
However, if you are looking for any deep, emotional depth, you won't find much here. This is a Blaze after all, enjoy it for what it is, a sexy entertaining read.
Travis is one of the sexy Braddock Boys, Civil War era soldiers/cowboys brothers.The boys became vampires after one fateful and tragic night one hundred and fifty years ago. By the time Travis and his three brothers rode into the ranch, it was aflame, killing their nephew, mother and six ranch hands. They also thought Rose, older brother Colton's wife perished in the fire. Evidence now points that Rose was behind this carnage. The brothers are attacked and left for dead, but a vampire comes across them, turning them all into vampires, along with Rose apparently, who promptly disappears.
The brothers have carried a grunge against each other all these years, each blaming the other for the tragedy. When Travis hears there might be a lead on Rose's whereabouts, he show up to brother Cody's wedding in Skull Creek.Travis' life is filled with the thoughts of revenge.
Enter the sassy wedding planner, Holly Simms. This occupation seems to be the current one for heroines in Blaze books lately. Regardless, Holly has her hands full with various problems at Cody's wedding, like missing champagne. But nothing prepares her for the tall dark, handsome and brooding Travis Braddock.
Travis is a 'take you against the wall' kind of guy, and his attraction to Holly (and vice-versa) is immediate and potent. A sexy encounter in a storage closet at the wedding just fuels the fire. By his own description, Travis is a hard-ass. And he pretty much remains one to the end of the book. Whether he is dealing with his brothers, or his attraction for Holly.
Travis is only in town for a brief stop, and Holly doesn't want any long term relationship. Or so she tells herself. The rest of the book is these two fighting the pull between them. Holly's sassy, elder, gum snapping bingo playing Aunt Tootie was amusing.
Travis seems to be some vampire horse-whisperer, so it helps bridge some of those divides with his cowboy/vampire brothers to an extent. And Holly seemed to accept the purple glowing eyes and fangs aspect of Travis fairly easily. Maybe too easily.
There is no resolution to the past tragedy, no doubt being carried over further in the series. Also I found the ending abrupt.
However, if you are looking for any deep, emotional depth, you won't find much here. This is a Blaze after all, enjoy it for what it is, a sexy entertaining read.
February 6, 2014
A Twofer - the new installment plus a bonus reprint of an older book.
Sadly, they both had the same sort of woman - hasn't been in many relationships and thus is a bit desperate. Even if one is supposed to be the town bad girl (insert eye roll here)
The issue I'm having with these vampires though is that they all seem to be manhos and proud of it (not to mention, fighting the attraction for all it's worth). And they all seem to get paired with a woman who has issues with cowboys. Between their near-cheating experiences (several have picked up some girl with every intention of feeding via sex or blood *after* getting involved with the h), and their hypocritical jealousy when they see the h with someone else (usually while they're trolling for chicks themselves)…
Yeah; there's one more book in the series and I may dance with joy after finishing it.
Ah… the other H was not a vampire; rather he was the prodigal son…er…grandson. The h picked him up after his car broke down. Therein lies a problem because he stated it had a cracked block. He told the mechanic it had a cracked block, and the discussion indicated this was a quick fix. Uhmmm.. No. I've been in two vehicles that had catastrophic engine failure. One resulted in a cracked block. That's a $$$$ fix even for a domestic - this was a porsche. In the middle of nowhereville? That's not something that's repaired overnight. That's something you order a new engine for. Strange thing is, the mechanic never really said what he fixed; just that it was working fine.
Sadly, they both had the same sort of woman - hasn't been in many relationships and thus is a bit desperate. Even if one is supposed to be the town bad girl (insert eye roll here)
The issue I'm having with these vampires though is that they all seem to be manhos and proud of it (not to mention, fighting the attraction for all it's worth). And they all seem to get paired with a woman who has issues with cowboys. Between their near-cheating experiences (several have picked up some girl with every intention of feeding via sex or blood *after* getting involved with the h), and their hypocritical jealousy when they see the h with someone else (usually while they're trolling for chicks themselves)…
Yeah; there's one more book in the series and I may dance with joy after finishing it.
Ah… the other H was not a vampire; rather he was the prodigal son…er…grandson. The h picked him up after his car broke down. Therein lies a problem because he stated it had a cracked block. He told the mechanic it had a cracked block, and the discussion indicated this was a quick fix. Uhmmm.. No. I've been in two vehicles that had catastrophic engine failure. One resulted in a cracked block. That's a $$$$ fix even for a domestic - this was a porsche. In the middle of nowhereville? That's not something that's repaired overnight. That's something you order a new engine for. Strange thing is, the mechanic never really said what he fixed; just that it was working fine.
September 22, 2014
Why am I struggling with this book. Maybe because this chick acts like someone other than herself. Not in a good way. But more of I am a wedding planner, I have had no luck with men and they think all I want is to get married. So whats a girl to do? I know dress in a daisy dukes costume and act like a slut. Oh mean bad girl . Um yeah ok.... Sorry but this got on my nerves. Why oh why ?? Seriously this just wasn't good for me. I just wanted it to be over. Travis was a hot cowboy who wants some revenge. Gotcha. Oh and he needs sex like vamps need blood. Um ok... so hooking up with random chicks um ok sure. Fight how you are really feeling about this random chick ok. What the hell ever.
The thing is that everyone has different opinions on books and thankfully I can say that I did not enjoy it where as more people seem too. Thats ok... Thats what makes coming on here so great, right? Sighs.... What a bummer. The cover was so Hot! Oh well on to something else. lol
The thing is that everyone has different opinions on books and thankfully I can say that I did not enjoy it where as more people seem too. Thats ok... Thats what makes coming on here so great, right? Sighs.... What a bummer. The cover was so Hot! Oh well on to something else. lol
August 26, 2011
This was the first Braddock Boys story that I had read, though I think his two brothers may have already had their stories. I loved this book. It's the first Blaze book I've read in a long time. Once you start reading erotic romance it's hard to back to contemporary romance, though Blaze is somewhere between the two. Now I feel the need to go back and find the other two books in the series. And I can't wait for Cole's story to come out so we can find out what happens with their revenge.
The Pleasure Principal was also a very good read. I actually at one time had that book in the first printing through Blaze but ended up not reading it. I'm glad I took the time to read it this time around, as it was worth it.
I would recommend both stories to anyone who enjoys the Blaze books.
The Pleasure Principal was also a very good read. I actually at one time had that book in the first printing through Blaze but ended up not reading it. I'm glad I took the time to read it this time around, as it was worth it.
I would recommend both stories to anyone who enjoys the Blaze books.
June 9, 2015
B627 Aug11 Skull Creek, Texas is a small town. Travis Braddick is visiting his brothers, waiting for his older brother Colton to arrive. In the week he is waiting he discovers Holly, the towns wedding planner. Travis feels the link between them, and realizes that Holly is denying there is anything between them. The wedding, Holly is planning, has a bride that is changing plans everyday. Travis is good at taking some of her stress away while he is waiting for Colton 's information about Rose. Rose was on their farm when everyone was killed and the buildings burnt, just as the four brothers were returning from the Civil War. They have all been searching since they were turned into vampires by Garret Sawyer.
July 27, 2011
I was really surprised by this book. I admit that I don't normally read Harlequin Blaze books, nor do I read many books with a cowboy theme, but who can resist a vampire? So I went into this a little unsure. I was drawn into this world Kimberly created right away and I wasn't able to put it down until I was finished. I loved Travis... he was oh so yummy. I must say that I really enjoyed The Braddock Boys and I'm glad that I gave it a chance. I won't be so quick to pass judgement next time.
April 27, 2012
Read just for the Travis story as I realized I'd read The Pleasure Principle before.
Fast read, cute story, and an easy bedtime read (I normally curl up in bed for about an hour before calling it a night).
Fast read, cute story, and an easy bedtime read (I normally curl up in bed for about an hour before calling it a night).
Read
August 14, 2017Miniseries: Love at First Bite
August 24, 2011
Another great story of one of the brothes and the one woman that he can not love and leave. I am looking forward the the next instalment to see if they get closer to the betrayer.
February 27, 2012
awesome book. loved the first story. will read the second one later. love kimberly raye books. vampire+comboy=so very yummy. i am gonna read all the braddock boys stories. (love at first bite.)
June 10, 2012
a must read..
October 15, 2013
Main story was good but lacked something think I liked the classic better was the type of book that turned me onto the Blaze books.
June 3, 2014
I love this book.Travis Braddock is a fabulously sexy vampire.This is a deliciously sexy book and I couldn't put it down.Kimberly Raye is an awesome author.I love her books.
November 11, 2015
Loved it! I love all the "Braddock Brothers!" Great books!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews