Maya's Triple Dare

Divine Creek Ranch #6

by Heather Rainier

Kendall has adored Maya from afar for years, but he is done being her “go-to guy.” He’s always been her confidant and her husband’s best friend. Now widowed, Maya is through with living life in half-measures and regrets never asking both men for what she wanted.

A posthumous letter reveals Maya's husband knew she loved Kendall and challenges her to follow her heart. During a visit to Kendall and his brothers' ranch in Divine, Maya finds that her heart still longs for a ménage. Attraction blooms between Maya and his brothers: intuitive, dominant Boone and quiet, somber Richard.

Maya is determined to not repeat the mistakes of the past, even if it costs her the censure of the Divine Community. Does she dare to build a life with all three handsome cowboys? Can Kendall, Boone and Richard protect her when danger from her hometown knocks on their door?

Genres: Menage, Romance, Erotica, Westerns, BDSM, Erotic Romance, M F M

ebook

First published July 8, 2011

About the author

Heather Rainier lives and writes in South Central Texas. Her stories offer up the content of her fantasies, with humor, tragedy, and triumph mixed in.

Heather's love of romance fiction began as a teenager when her mom gave her copies of Kathleen Woodiwiss's "The Flame and the Flower" and Bertrice Small's "Skye O'Malley". To this day she's pretty sure that was her mom's version of the "birds and the bees" talk.

Heather writes the type of novel she loves to read: More erotic and edgy than the mainstream, with plenty of sweet romance mixed in and a happily ever after guaranteed. Heather's favorite type of hero is the gentle, lovable giant but readers will discover a wide variety of heroes and alphas on the pages of her novels.

When not at her keyboard, Heather is usually busy corralling her teenagers, or loving on her smokin' hot husband, who thankfully loves to cook.

Heather invites readers to e-mail her at heather.rainier@yahoo.com and also to visit her website at www.heatherrainier.com

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

One year after her husbands death, Maya recieves a letter from him telling her to capture the fantasy she always wanted with their best friend Kendall and make it a reality. Kendall has been her anchor and go to person for advice, but he wants more, he wants Maya.

When Maya agrees to spend time with him for a week to see how they suit, she is pleasantly surprised it includes his brothers Boone and Richard. She has feelings for all three and Kendall has no quams with making it a menage.

Each brother has something different to offer Maya, Richard with his soft heart, Boone with his passion for living, and Kendall her rock. When trouble lurks for Maya, the men unite to protect her pulling the four of them even closer together.

Another fantastic read of the Divine Creek Ranch series, Richard is my favorite he is a heartbreaker. 4.5 stars.

[Book Binge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The death of a spouse can be just about the worst happening in a person's life--and like all losses of those closest to us, is really like an emotional amputation. When the marriage is a happy one, the grieving process can be quite protracted and unwieldy. The heroine in this sixth book in the "Divine Creek Ranch" series was aided greatly by a husband who took death seriously and even though his death was never anticipated--he died in a hit-and-run accident--he made preparations in many ways, not the least of which was writing letters that were to be delivered to his wife throughout the first year after he died. Thus, he was able to help her deal with the need to move on with her life, handle the financial issues, and now, he is revealing that he always knew about her love for Kendall Warner, a man who was his best friend since college and one who he knew would have asked Maya to marry him. Morgan just asked her first. Maya's life-changing "ah-ha" moment came during the reading of this letter, a moment when she realized that she had always wanted to live in a menage configuration but was unwilling to butt up against society's censure. She also now knows that she still wants that kind of love relationship for the future, and when Kendall reveals that he has received a similar letter posthumously from Morgan, Maya realizes that she has a new opportunity to "dare to live" not only with Kendall but possibly with his brothers Boone and Richard.

Perhaps my best response to this book is that it is another fine story from an author who has stated that she believes that love can be generous enough to embrace relationships that are outside society's norms but which are positive, life-giving, and productive. All of these characters are able to find the answer to their life's needs in this relationship. For Kendall, this is the culmination of a dream he has held close for many years and a sense that all he has wanted in life is now become real. For Boone, this new relationship has opened up possibilities for ways of expressing love that were just now present. He is a very dominant man and even though he is not "hardcore" BDSM practitioner, he definitely has his kinky side. Few if any of his past relationships fulfilled this need in him--he was declared a pervert by a majority of the women who found out this was his bent. Now Maya brings her own past experience with a husband who was also a dominant player in the bedroom, and Boone has begun to believe that there really is "his kind of woman" who is in his life. Richard, a sad and lonely man who believes his one great love is now dead, begins to believe once again that he can live--truly be alive and have a love relationship with a person who cares as deeply for him as he does for her.

Those who have read the previous novels in this series will be happy to know that the characters who were featured in those previous novels have their stories continued and updated, and they all form this fantastic friendship circle that embraces Maya when she comes to Divine to explore this new relationship with the Warner brothers. Readers have met Kendall, Boone, and Richard briefly in previous books when they have come to Divine to explore the possibilities of buying property for their own ranch and to be close to their cousins, Jack Warner, Ethan Grant, and Adam Davis--the husbands of Grace Warner and owners of the Divine Creek Ranch. This book is chock full of great people, kind-hearted citizens of Divine who recognize the legitimate love and caring that is a part of these avant garde marriages and who are delighted to have good people living in their town. But as is always the case, there are judgmental folk--some who are even willing to engage in criminal acts in order to enforce their ideas of how people should live. Maya is yet another woman who knows her own mind, is comfortable with her life and in her hopes for the future, and who cares little about the opinions of those who want to control her. There are some issues with these detractors which are yet to be resolved, but there are still two more novels in this series.

This is a very erotic novel and the love encounters between Maya and her men are well-written, yet they do not take over the story. If you like Alpha males who put in a lot of time and effort for caring and protecting their women, you will love Kendall, Boone and Richard. And if you are a reader who enjoys reading books that celebrate the power of love, the healing power of friendship and the power of caring and community to overcome prejudice, then you will like this book a lot. This is Ms Rainier's first series and yet she demonstrates a writing skill that is right up there with the best of them. It is a more than worth while use of time and one that I know is already on my favorites list.

I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 because I just can't find anything about it that I don't like.

This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Judith.

[Jillyan Wymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, there are three unbelievably hot and caring men in this book. I had so many heart-melting moments while reading. Heather Rainier writes such compassionate male characters. But I admit, I have a favorite and his name is Richard. He is almost over the top sensitive to her needs without being a pansy and I ate it up. It was a great change from so many alpha “you’re gonna do it my way” type of characters that are all over the place right now. (Not that I don’t love those alphas but change can be a good thing.)

This is the second time that I have read “Maya’s Triple Dare”. (I’ve been reading this series out of order and did a re-read to help re-familiarize myself with the story.) I loved it the first time and I loved it this time also. The characters are emotionally open with each other and in some places downright sappy. And even though that isn’t something that I enjoy in some of the books that I read Rainier makes it work for her characters. She takes the unconventional and makes it seem so entirely believable.

I’d recommend this book to any reader who loves ménage and love laid out there for all to see.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya's story was great!! And her men were super hot!! Lots of steam!! Not where I was expecting the series to go next as the author was teasing us with bits of other characters stories in previous books. But I loved it and can not wait for those other books to be out!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I couldnt put it down. This series is so wonderful.. Heather sure does know how to tell a great story.

[Cyn Mistress Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in this series.
Who wouldn't love 3 men who are totally devoted to your every wish and pleasure?
Another plus sized heroine? hmmmmmmm

[Doris]

very good

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one!!!

[latebrarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the wildest books i have ever read. I read this because it's a fictional story, not reality, which expands my fantasy in romance fiction.

—my review:
overall: ⭐ 4/5
plot: ★★★★☆
female lead: ★★★★★
male lead(s): ★★★★★
side characters: ★★★★☆

surprisingly, i loved this book. the female lead (Maya) and the male leads (Kendal, Boone, Richard) are all likable characters. I'm grateful that in this book there is a community that has the same perspective on relationships as them, so it's not them against the world.

the only regret in this book is that because it's not long enough, there's still a lot that hasn't been told, even though I know it will be included in the next book, but for a reader like me who only wants to read a few books in this series, it feels lacking.

other than that I am quite satisfied with this book, so for readers who really like stories with a wild genre like this, I highly recommend it!

[Jamoz23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad but at the same time sweetly loveable how this plays out with the dead husband.
Didn’t really fall in love with the characters but did like how they managed to lookout for each other.
So sad what happened to Morgan but if he had doubts, why didn’t he do something?
Read years ago but rereading in the box sets.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Maya receives a letter from him telling her to live her fantasy with Kendall. As she goes along that path, his brothers Boone and Richard are captivated with her as well. But when her husband's business partner start making waves, will the brothers be able to keep Maya safe from her husband's business partner?

[Glenda Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...

Hallelujah! Finally, a book that tears down the rollar coaster of mental contortionist and lets the characters just be honest with each other! Take a deep breath and get ready to enjoy that bit of fresh air from talented author Heather Rainier.

Trust, honesty, communication…when you read as much as I do you begin to wonder if those are foreign words to some writers. If there’s a formula that works for a marriage, even a plural marriage, it’s obvious Ms. Rainier knows the right elements. In Maya’s Triple Dare our heroes and heroine seem to all understand that relationships take effort and understanding from everyone involved. Jealousy among Maya and the brothers isn’t an option, it's poison.

Without giving too much away, two of the characters in this story deal with the grief of loss. The reader doesn’t have to go through the loss with them but the writing is so real, you can’t help but know there was true love lost. Never despair though; this is a romance story through and through. If lightning can strike twice (or more) anywhere, that place is Divine Creek.

While you won’t have to deal with emotional ping-pong from our heroine (This is what I want. I shouldn’t want this. I can do this. I can’t do this.), do be prepared to run the gambit of personal emotions. Thanks to some amazingly poignant moments in the beginning of the story you will tear up…count on it! Ms. Rainier also writes some seriously funny dialogue that will have you laughing out loud (literally) so keep that in mind if you are reading in a public place. People may stare! There are also the sweet “Awww” moments, the wipe your brow sexy moments and just when you think you’ve felt it all, you belatedly realize that the villain is truly evil and very determined!

A friend recently wrote on her Facebook page: “What” and “If" are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: What if? In Maya’s Triple Dare both Maya and Kendall dare to answer this question head on and not let “What if?” rule their lives. The results will keep you glued to your e-reader until the last breathtaking moment plays out. By the way, if you love “toys” this book is going to thrill your senses! Ms. Rainier makes use of some devices that were new to me (wax use, violet wand…) as well as perverting some household items in the most delicious way.

I had the pleasure of reviewing the first book Ms. Rainier had published, Divine Grace, which coincidentally was the first in the Divine Creek series. That first book was good but I just knew her writing was going to get better and better with each book. Boy! Was I spot on! If you follow Ms. Rainier on the social networks you can see her fresh, positive, bubbly personality come through in her writing. Her characters are easy to relate to, cheer for and live on in the ever expanding and vivid world of Divine Creek.

If this is your first trip to Divine Creek get ready for a fantastic adventure. You won’t have to have read the other books to enjoy Maya, Kendall, Boone and Richard’s story but you’ll soon realize that there are several reoccurring characters who’s stories have already been told as well as others waiting in the wings. Do yourself a favor and become a part of this unconventional community steeped in true love and happily ever afters!

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stellar creation of author Heather Rainier, an up and coming writer who has given us some wonderful novels her first time out of the literary shoot. This novel involves a widow who is now about a year into her grieving process and who has gone to Kendall Warner for advice and support frequently. She knew him during her college years and together with her now deceased hubby Morgan, were best buddies. It is now coming out that Morgan knew all along that Maya was in love with Kendall but didn't act on that attraction. Now a letter sent to Maya posthumously reveals this fact to her as does a letter Morgan's attorney sends to Kendall as well. So begins a new chapter in Maya's life, one she is challenged to make real by her husband in his letter to her--"dare to live." Maya is also challenged when she meets Kendall's brothers, Boone and Richard, two men to whom she has been attracted and who are beginning to feel, like Kendall, that she is the one with whom they want to make a future together. This is a very erotic novel but the loving never overtakes the story. It is about the need to move forward, to accept challenges that fulfill long unanswered needs, about the willingness to "dare to live" in a configuration that expresses a generosity of love that may be outside the social norm but which feeds the hearts and souls of the participants. Especially poignant is the budding friendship and love between Maya and Richard, Kendall's youngest brother, who has been devastated by the loss of his great love three years previously. Maya's understanding and empathy because of her own loss is able to move past Richard's defenses and help him to understand that he is not "replacing" his lost love but rather enlarging his heart to embrace a new love. Love can heal, and a generous love reaches out in ways that people often misunderstand. This novel is chock full of wonderful friendships, a circle of support that "stands in the gap" when bad things happen, and also continues the stories of characters who were featured in previous novels. Kendall, Boone, and Richard are the cousins of Jack, Ethan, and Adam--husbands of Grace Warner who is featured in the first novel "Divine Grace." There are still some issues unresolved at the end of the novel, and readers who love this series are excitedly anticipating the next two novels. Some of those characters are introduced in this book. It is just a really wonderful read!

[Joie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay this is a sweet series. The thing is it is in sore need of editing the writing is great and the characters are well developed and interesting even if not always likeable. However there is so much fluff in this book it's not funny. Most of the middle of the book could have been cut out. I felt like I had to force myself to get through it and eventually just gave up and started skimming until I got back to parts of relevance. Which sure is a shame cause this really was a decent story line. As far as the heat factor goes in my opinion she falls back on the security of the fact that this being a polyamorus relationship therefore the ménage sex should automatically make it hot. There is never any variety, nor pushing of boundaries and even their so called 'kinky' play was beyond vanilla in my opinion. But with that said this still makes for an okay read it's not a waste of time, Maya is likable despite being dumber than a sack of nails and the men well Richard and Boone were my favs. We can all hope they might be some real men out there like this lol.

[Mspink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this recent addition to the series. It was a long one, kind of like Grace's first story. But great how the author constantly has us connected to the earlier characters. I also appreciate how we are creatively introduced to new characters that will undoubtedly have their own stories. She does a great job of building the story up and teasing us with just enough to get us eager for the next one!

Maya's story with the Warner men was, as usual, a fun-loving ride. Many intriguing layers to all of them. There were things they fulfilled uniquely in each other, both together and separately. Never disappointed in the stories of this series. The men of Divine Creek are nothing but wonderful, devoted, sexy men! Loved it!!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how this one opened, with Maya's letters from her husband, asking her to live again and to do it without reservation. I thought it was a brave decision for him and for her and Kendall to do what the letters asked. I liked how the brothers waited for Maya to make the choice. I especially loved how Maya proceeded with Richard. Both of them were still hurting from their loses, yet not ready to give up living. I think that Kendall and Boone loved seeing their brother come back to life by loving and being loved by Maya.

The antics with the Divine girls had me laughing. I do hate the hate blog, have my guesses on how is behind things. It will be interesting to see who it is, but I'm hoping it won't be dragged out for very long.

[Missy Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, a perfect continuation of this wonderful series. It has an intriguing plot, danger, romance, comedy and lots of red hot menage sex. You get the bonus of having the characters you've grown to love from the previous books, as well as the new addition of an extroidnary heroiine. I can promise that one you start reading, you won't be albe to stop until the end! And I promise you, you'll never brush your teeth with a straight face again!

Missy Martine
www.missymartine.com

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story maya has been in love with Kendall for as long as she was in love and married to her husband Morgan but never had the courage to as for both men. Morgan dies and slowing encourage her to go after Kendall through letter he wrote before he died. Really good story but what makes it is the guys are all different. Boone is Dom, Kendall is flirty kinky and Richard is quite loving. Love the girl posy and dancing pony night outs. Great HEA.

[Cheryl (Gwyneiira's Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow, Heather makes this whole "finding love again after your loved one passed away" work. Maya's story was great. It had 3 amazing and caring men, a whole lot of romance and steam, and a good dash of action. I'm a sucker for Richard. He is able to relate to Maya and I love how sensitive he is towards Maya but he doesn't come off as weak or a pushover. They are amazing for each other and Richard slowly came to life again after losing his loved one. This is one fluffy romance that I enjoyed!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya Daire really needs to start living up to her name and after receiving a final love letter from her dead husband she's ready to go for it with a couple of sexy cowboys, but with gossip and danger is it really worth it....Kendall Warner and his brothers Boone and Richard hope to prove to her that lightning can strike 3 times.... I absolutely loved this story and how strong Maya is....onto the next

[Kimberlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya is newly widowed and after a year of going to her go-to guy for advice she finds she attracted Kendall her and her husbands best friend. Thanks to a letter from her deceased husband she start a relationship with Kendall that has been a long time in coming and falls for both of his brothers Boone and Richard. Fun to read about all those folks from Divine TX.

[Dominus~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read not continuously and usually this means to me that it isn't that good cause I was able to stop. Anyway I love the transition of Richard but I felt it kinda lacked at the end. There wasn't really too much of a problem with Kendall and with Boone, he didn't seem to change. Now for the climax, it was a good one too. I love adventure and struggle.

[Lyndac · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! How refreshing to have everyone talk to each other with feeling and honesty. No misunderstandings where you just want to scream "TALK TO EACH OTHER". I fell in love with all the characters and now will go back to read the rest of the series.

[Toi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Kendall meet Maya in college - she's now a widow and falls in love with Boone and Richard also, who happen to be Kendall's brothers and business partners - can they figure out what James is after before he does something that's life threatening.

[Francie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Chele]

thanks Melanie:)

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her books just get better and better.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am liking this series. I like all the glimpses of previous couples and all the mentions of possibilities for the future.
I laughed over the electric toothbrushes. :)

[Ruth Hambley · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book really enjoyed this one. Well written and extremely good. If you enjoy reading menage then you will love this book.