Big Bead Energy

by Layne Daniels

Brax ‘the ax’ Fuller has been my best friend since we were eight, and he was slugging bullies to protect my scrawny ass. He doesn’t care that I came from a family of lowlife criminals and outcasts. I sure don’t care that he’s on the spectrum and sees the world through a different lens.

He’s my brother in every way that matters. Him and me against the world. Specifically, the world of New Orleans Bareknuckle Brawl. The organization wants to ban Brax from fighting this season because they say he’s too untamed. Too dangerously brutal, even for this bloodthirsty crowd.

They want me, as his manager, to bring him to heel. Tame him enough that he’s less of a risk to his competitors. I don’t know if it’s possible. Brax is single-minded and vicious in the cage, but I gotta try.

The gorgeous waitress who catches his eye might be the answer to all our woes. Trouble is, she’s got my eye, too. When I find out she’s waitressing to avoid eviction while trying to finish college, I can’t resist the idea that maybe we can all help one another.

Women have never factored into Brax’s equation. And I mean never. But maybe, just maybe, a little sweetness in his life can soften his edges just enough to keep our livelihood and his fighting career safe.

Then we can make sure Ruby has everything she needs, too. Saving his fighting career saves my job as his manager. Loving Ruby could save us all.

Everything hinges on showing Brax how a man, or in our case, men, show a woman love. Bring on the Big Bead Energy, because this Mardi Gras season, I’m gonna need all the gris gris I can get.

Big Bead Energy is a MFM story with a bit of sword crossing.


This year Mardi Gras is about more than indulging in good food before the fast, it’s about these heroines finding pleasure and love with more than one man. Join some of your favorite romance authors for the Mardi Gras Menage series! Laissez les bon temps rouler, indeed.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2023

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was utterly enchanted with this book from the very start. Without even realizing time had passed, suddenly it was finished! I love all of them - Brax, Kit and Ruby. Brax and Kit have a special and complex relationship. Finding Ruby was sheer luck and the way that they all just fit together so naturally and right felt so good. This book is short, sweet and oh so very steamy. I absolutely loved it! Very different.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TravelKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Sweet and sexy! Loved this ménage romance. Only complaint, it was over too quick. Great short story that I enjoyed reading.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends since childhood, bare knuckle fighter Brax (H) and his manager Kit (H) live together and have a special connection with one another. Lately Brax has been overly brutal in his fights and Kit needs to figure out how to help temper his friend. The pair go in search of food at a local tavern and end up with a feisty, funny waitress, Ruby (h), who may be just what they both need to bring a completeness to their lives they never knew they needed. Kit is so lovely as he guides his friend through life, helping him navigate emotional situations that he’d otherwise struggle with. Ruby is open, kind and understanding of what both men need. And Brax is just wow. Loved how Ruby coming into their lives helped Kit and Brax explore they love they felt for one another. Hot and steamy MMF with crossed swords.

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Fussy Fists



I just want to start by saying that Layne Daniels is awesome! Her message to readers at the beginning of the book is spot on. 👌 👏

As for the book... I love Brax's childlike innocence when it comes to life outside the ring. Sure, he's abrasive and quick tempered, but he's also sweet and caring, in his own way. And he's immediately taken with "my Ruby." No prior experience required.

While Braxton "Brax the Ax" Fuller has zero - and I do mean absolutely NO - experience of the sexual variety, Kit's is negligible. I like the dynamics and the purity of why things are the way they are. It makes me love both men more. 🤗🩷🤗 I also love how they balance each other.

Who needs experience when capturing lightning is as simple as the three of us together?
– Kit Halliday

I do agree that adding Ruby Anders to the mix really is perfection. I love her spirit and attitude about things. It's unfortunate what's brought her to where she is when she meets the guys, but it's better than many are dealt.

There needs to be a follow up book to this trio. Another chapter or epilogue just won't do - not that I'd say no to either, but you see where I'm going. 😘

Laissez les bons temps rouler.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a part of the Mardi Gras Menage series and focuses on Brax, Kit, and Ruby. Brax and Kit have been best friends since they were kids. They had been each other's protectors and anchors in the world in different capacities. It was always them against the world. They had an unbreakable bond from the get go. They had always had a platonic love for each other but when they both saw Ruby, things changed for everyone. They both knew that Ruby was the one for them and knew that they would do whatever it took to make her happy but they also discovered that their bond was so much deeper than just the basic platonic love they had always had for each other. This was a great, steamy read and a great addition to the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap that was a steamy read. I feel so charged with tension right now from reading these three's story. However, it wasn't just the sex that made this story great for me. Watching the caring relationship between Kit and Brax and how they both rely so heavily on one another was heart-warming. Then when Ruby enters their world and how quickly she understands their dynamic and give and take friendship it's the perfect blend. The scene when they leave the club and get into the car and Brax is sandwiched was one of the most erotic scenes I've read in a long time. I might just need that cold shower that Brax had to take.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! I actually would have loved for this one to be a bit longer because I was enjoying the dynamic of this group. Brax and Kit have been friends for so long, with Kit taking care of Brax. He manages Brax's career as a MMA fighter but Brax is losing control. Kit takes him out for dinner and they meet Ruby, who is a waitress down on her luck. Brax is instantly enthralled but so it Kit. They issue an offer to Ruby they did not expect her to take but she does and becomes a part of their family. LOTS of heat in this one, loved reading!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brax is a bare knuckle fighter and Kit is his manager but they are more than that they are best friends. Ruby is a waitress down on her luck but meeting Kit and Brax changes everything for all three of them. This is a steamy menage with likable characters that have intense chemistry together. I loved how adding Ruby calmed Brax and gave all three of them just what they needed. Big Bad Energy is a great addition to the multi-author Mardi Gras Menage series. I look forward to reading the rest of the books. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. This story is a good addition to the Mardi Gras Menage series. It is short but it has a good storyline with plenty of emotions and steam. Kit and Brax have a special relationship that goes beyond friendship into devotion. Ruby is the missing piece that will make them a family. I enjoyed their story. There were plenty of sparks between the three, but the sweet side of their story was unique and touching. My only complaint was that it felt rushed at the end which made it seem like it jumped from one thing into their future

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layne Daniels joins the sultry multi-author Mardi Gras Ménage series with the sexy and steamy ménage romance, Big Bead Energy. Brax and Kit have been life-long best friends, and Kit manages Brax' MMA fighting career. At a crossroads of sorts with Brax' behaviour threatening to get him kicked off the circuit, down-on-her-luck waitress Ruby enters their life - and changes everything. A steamy ménage romance to heat up your Mardi Gras!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good ménage romance. The story had a nice flow and each character had their own unique voice that made it easy to distinguish between each viewpoint. They had a lot of chemistry between them and I really liked all three. I wish the story had been just a bit longer but apart from that I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Trio The Completes Each Other

Brax is a MMA fighter and Kit is his manager, but they’ve also been friends and brothers on all the ways that count since they were eight. One night when out, they meet Ruby, who’s their waitress. The connection between the three is instantaneous, raw, and real. These three were such unique characters in this short novella, I really liked them and their story, and I would have loved to read more about how the meshed as a couple. A great read.

[Aliama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit and Brax have been friends since they were eight and Kit helping Brax with social emotional situations. Now the two find Ruby and the plan that Kit started with is suddenly turned upside down. Kit, Brax and Ruby fit together seamlessly. Ruby finds her life suddenly turned around with people who show her love and want to take care of her. I quick steamy read. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Book

Loved the energy that Layne gave these characters. Braxton was my favorite out of the three honestly. I loved his innocence and how that innocence gave him the free will to be free and open. The relationship he had with Kit was also an amazing one. Most people who look at it and look down on both of them but they didnt care and that made me love them more. Ruby was just icing on the cake. Her basic go with the flow energy is life honesty.

[Geeky Girl Review Cafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brax The Ax

I'm just gonna say it, I want a Brax of my own. I LOVED how well Layne wrote a neurodivergent character...and just how loveable he was. Loved the mix of strong fighter and tender-hearted man...who wouldn't want one for their own?!?

This was a quick, sweet, and steamy menage story. Perfect afternoon snack!

I only wish it was longer, I wasn't ready for it to end.

[Lisa Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby

Ruby has found her way into the home of Brax and Kit. Brax is a fighter that needs to calm down, when they both see Ruby they know that she's the one that'll be able to do that for him. Together the three of them have some great times and this works to help Brax out for the win.

[Kanani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was blazing hot and wildly romantic! I was rooting for Brax, Kit and Ruby from the beginning. I loved seeing their story unfold! This was a really great story with a perfect ending! I'll be recommending this to everyone!

[Alicia Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

I loved having a Neurodivergent hero. Great story premise, loved the three characters and their story. Really great short story. I would love to read something longer like this. Definitely recommend. Borrowed with kindle unlimited.

[Abigail Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read!

A great fast read. Good writing and fun characters, definitely recommend for anyone interested in something super spicey and steamy!