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Dume Ranch #1
Deacon's Touch
After her own engagement goes to hell, workaholic Jessica Talbot dreads her friend’s bachelorette party at a dude ranch in Nowheresville, Texas. But the outlook for the weekend brightens when Deacon Dumen picks her up at the airport. The sexy cowboy awakens every dormant sexual fantasy with nothing more than a friendly smile and a handshake.Ex-Air Force Pararescueman Deke Dumen doesn’t know what to make of the sexy yet reserved brunette who breaks through the walls he built after an injury ended his career and a divorce soured him on relationships. As a guest at his family's ranch Jessie is off limits, but the Dom in him rebels at the restriction, even as he realizes his penchant for control in the bedroom would likely scare the holy hell out of her.When Jessie shocks Deke by asking for exactly what he's been craving, he's ready to break the rules and introduce her to his own brand of dominance. Her willing surrender rocks them both to the core. But once the weekend's over, they must decide if it was just a wild fling or the start of something more.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2011
29 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 27, 2011
3.5 stars Hot, steamy short. While it certainly did not lack in the passion department, I felt that the author could have added more depth to the storyline. I wish we had gotten to know Deke and Jessica a little bit better. We got plenty of what they felt, but not who they really were. Still an enjoyable way to pass a few hours and it did have a sweet HEA!
July 15, 2013
.."You keep eating me up with those eyes and I'll forget my manners."...
A Hot, sexy read for sure! Very well written and I found myself wanting more of Deke's background. He's mouth watering sexy, an ex Special Ops Pararescue Jumper and the kind of hero I enjoy reading.
A Hot, sexy read for sure! Very well written and I found myself wanting more of Deke's background. He's mouth watering sexy, an ex Special Ops Pararescue Jumper and the kind of hero I enjoy reading.
March 9, 2013
What a hot, sexy read! Deke an ex military special ops man, certainly knows how to treat a woman in the bedroom. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, It's a definite toe curler ;)
October 3, 2016
Reread October 2016 Total erotica. Sex was delicious, but not much in the way of a story.
Yee ha cowboy! This was fucking HOT! If you can stand the girlie bits, Deke is the mouth watering Alpha Male Ex-Military Cowboy of your dreams. Smoking hot sex. This is the first in a series of the Dume brothers, who own a dude ranch in Texas. I ALL OVER the remaining three books in the series.
Yee ha cowboy! This was fucking HOT! If you can stand the girlie bits, Deke is the mouth watering Alpha Male Ex-Military Cowboy of your dreams. Smoking hot sex. This is the first in a series of the Dume brothers, who own a dude ranch in Texas. I ALL OVER the remaining three books in the series.
October 18, 2011
Read all about it – Kaylea Cross has turned to the dark side!!!
I have only read one other book by Callie Croix (aka Kaylea Cross) and it was a majorly intense romantic suspense that gave me heart palpitations – it was fantastic. So when this extremely talented author stepped over the line from romantic suspense to delve into the naughty waters of erotic romance, I KNEW I needed to get my hands on it.
Deacon’s Touch is a sinfully sexy short story that started out all tummy tingling with its romantic flirting then took a freight train straight to naughty girl central. This book was HOT.....and not vanilla hot either. The lights were on baby and there was no hiding all the naughty places Deacon put his fingers, tongue & gear stick (metaphorically speaking – definitely not literal) and he also included a bit of toy action.
Was this book hot? Hell yeah.
Was Deacon a totally macho, sexy, dominating alpha type? Bloody oath
Did Callie Croix stumble and show her insecurities when writing a sex scene? Pfft – gawd no. Callie is one naughty lady with a knack for the sizzle, sizzle.
This lady has definitely found her calling in erotic romance and I can’t wait to read more from her.
I have only read one other book by Callie Croix (aka Kaylea Cross) and it was a majorly intense romantic suspense that gave me heart palpitations – it was fantastic. So when this extremely talented author stepped over the line from romantic suspense to delve into the naughty waters of erotic romance, I KNEW I needed to get my hands on it.
Deacon’s Touch is a sinfully sexy short story that started out all tummy tingling with its romantic flirting then took a freight train straight to naughty girl central. This book was HOT.....and not vanilla hot either. The lights were on baby and there was no hiding all the naughty places Deacon put his fingers, tongue & gear stick (metaphorically speaking – definitely not literal) and he also included a bit of toy action.
Was this book hot? Hell yeah.
Was Deacon a totally macho, sexy, dominating alpha type? Bloody oath
Did Callie Croix stumble and show her insecurities when writing a sex scene? Pfft – gawd no. Callie is one naughty lady with a knack for the sizzle, sizzle.
This lady has definitely found her calling in erotic romance and I can’t wait to read more from her.
August 26, 2011
This is so much more than your typical erotica novella. Deacon and Jessica meet when Jessica attends a bridal weekend at Deacon's family's dude ranch. Sparks fly between them from the start. Given the natural parameter limits of the novella, there is good character development. I liked both Deke and Jessica, and liked them even better together. Both had trust and commitment issues, but their attraction for each other was very believable.
What I liked most about the story was the obvious affection the characters displayed for one another. So often in the erotica genre, this reader isn't able to fully believe the emotional connection between the primary characters. No problems with that here. Deke was considerate and caring, though he did push Jessica to expand her sexual boundaries. I could feel their bond deepening as they explored each other's limits. Deke was never cruel, never ignored Jessica's signals of distress and gave her time to adapt to what he was doing. I also liked that we didn't get to "the main event" immediately. There was a lot of sexy, melt in a puddle on the floor, erotic play before hand, because sex isn't (or at least, shouldn't be) limited to insert Tab A into Slot B.
What sets Deacon's Touch apart is the amount of emotion exhibited by the Hero and heroine, and how well that emotion is conveyed by the author. There is attention to detail here most authors do not achieve. His hand on the small of her back, her discomfort at being among a group of near strangers. I got a feel for what made these characters tick, which enhanced my reading experience.
Can't wait for the rest of the brothers' stories. There is foreshadowing here, giving just a hint of what is to come.
I would classify this as sexy romantica/erotica rather than more hard core. Though there is a definite BDSM slant, Deacon's Touch is much more about two people finding the perfect partner for them. The BDSM is limited to mild bondage and obedience.
What I liked most about the story was the obvious affection the characters displayed for one another. So often in the erotica genre, this reader isn't able to fully believe the emotional connection between the primary characters. No problems with that here. Deke was considerate and caring, though he did push Jessica to expand her sexual boundaries. I could feel their bond deepening as they explored each other's limits. Deke was never cruel, never ignored Jessica's signals of distress and gave her time to adapt to what he was doing. I also liked that we didn't get to "the main event" immediately. There was a lot of sexy, melt in a puddle on the floor, erotic play before hand, because sex isn't (or at least, shouldn't be) limited to insert Tab A into Slot B.
What sets Deacon's Touch apart is the amount of emotion exhibited by the Hero and heroine, and how well that emotion is conveyed by the author. There is attention to detail here most authors do not achieve. His hand on the small of her back, her discomfort at being among a group of near strangers. I got a feel for what made these characters tick, which enhanced my reading experience.
Can't wait for the rest of the brothers' stories. There is foreshadowing here, giving just a hint of what is to come.
I would classify this as sexy romantica/erotica rather than more hard core. Though there is a definite BDSM slant, Deacon's Touch is much more about two people finding the perfect partner for them. The BDSM is limited to mild bondage and obedience.
October 1, 2011
Great little sexy and steamy short story from the alter ego of Kaylea Cross. I recently discovered Ms. Cross and have read 2 of her military romantic suspense titles and really enjoyed them, so when I discovered she had an erotic alter ego I knew I had to give Deacon's Touch a try.
I really enjoyed Deacon's Touch and look forward to getting caught up on Kaylea Cross's backlist and any new titles under all her author names.
I really enjoyed Deacon's Touch and look forward to getting caught up on Kaylea Cross's backlist and any new titles under all her author names.
October 29, 2011
4 stars.
Hot hot hot but way too short. It had the perfect shades of Kaylea Cross' awesome writing with the welcome addition of spicy erotica. I really felt it would have made more sense being a full length novel as there were parts of the plot that didn't have the time to develop; but it was a great read either way.
Perfect as a palate cleanser or for someone wanting a sweet and sexy quick read.
Hot hot hot but way too short. It had the perfect shades of Kaylea Cross' awesome writing with the welcome addition of spicy erotica. I really felt it would have made more sense being a full length novel as there were parts of the plot that didn't have the time to develop; but it was a great read either way.
Perfect as a palate cleanser or for someone wanting a sweet and sexy quick read.
February 2, 2013
My first story by this author, a steamy novella, very well written, especially the love scenes :) Will read more from her.
SCENES/CONTENT: few/erotic
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 102 pages
SCENES/CONTENT: few/erotic
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 102 pages
January 20, 2012
Jessica has dropped everything to be part of the bachelorette party at the dude ranch. Not looking forward to leaving her world behind, she comes armed with mobile phone and laptop, ready to continue her work in-between the revelry. When a hunky cowboy turns up as her ride from the airport to the ranch, she can’t quite believe her luck. Immediately, attraction flares between the two of them and soon the car journey is starting to get them both a little hot under the collar. But Jess is off limits to Deke as a guest at the ranch and Deke is a complication that Jess doesn’t need after her broken relationship. Both have their doubts, but when they keep finding themselves alone together, soon the attraction is too strong to deny. Once they succumb to the inevitable heat that is between them, they head on a sensual and emotional journey together. But the bachelorette party is a short term holiday and soon Jess will be returning home. Will they be content to part ways after such a short, hot fling? Or will they find another outcome to find out if they are a more than just sex?
I was given this novella as a review copy but I will be quite happy to part with my money for the next two. I didn’t expect such as emotional core to such a short little smutty book, but that is what I found. Jessica was a woman that needed a break. As a person who is often too busy to leave work at work, I understood the stress that she was under not to take a break at a crucial point. She needed a break and by golly did Deacon give her one. He was a tall, dark mysterious cowboy with a painful military background. Injured during a jump landing, he has been living with the pain since his return and he just isn’t the same. He hasn’t been excited in a long time, but Jess certainly excites him. When she starts to show interest in him too, he can’t resist trying to coax her to succumb to his charms.
Once they begin to explore their kinkier side, the feelings that have been developing since their initial meeting, start to explode. I enjoyed the build-up to the sex scenes; the flirtatious looks, the coy smiles and the hot and steamy kisses were enough to whet my appetite for a romance. It was obvious that these two were heading for the bedroom, that what would happen would be satisfying for both them and me. What I didn’t expect was the depth of feeling that started to develop between these two. Neither of them knew what to expect from the other, but what they find are people who are happy to accept and soothe all aspects of their characters.
A fabulous steamy Cowboy novella with a lovely little plot and a believable love story. There are another two brothers on the dude ranch and I will be reading both of their books.
I was given this novella as a review copy but I will be quite happy to part with my money for the next two. I didn’t expect such as emotional core to such a short little smutty book, but that is what I found. Jessica was a woman that needed a break. As a person who is often too busy to leave work at work, I understood the stress that she was under not to take a break at a crucial point. She needed a break and by golly did Deacon give her one. He was a tall, dark mysterious cowboy with a painful military background. Injured during a jump landing, he has been living with the pain since his return and he just isn’t the same. He hasn’t been excited in a long time, but Jess certainly excites him. When she starts to show interest in him too, he can’t resist trying to coax her to succumb to his charms.
Once they begin to explore their kinkier side, the feelings that have been developing since their initial meeting, start to explode. I enjoyed the build-up to the sex scenes; the flirtatious looks, the coy smiles and the hot and steamy kisses were enough to whet my appetite for a romance. It was obvious that these two were heading for the bedroom, that what would happen would be satisfying for both them and me. What I didn’t expect was the depth of feeling that started to develop between these two. Neither of them knew what to expect from the other, but what they find are people who are happy to accept and soothe all aspects of their characters.
A fabulous steamy Cowboy novella with a lovely little plot and a believable love story. There are another two brothers on the dude ranch and I will be reading both of their books.
November 1, 2012
Callie Croix has a gift for writing short novels. Not many authors can do this. There is always something missing or it needs to be longer. Not in Deacon’s Touch, it is perfect and a keeper for me.
Deacon (AKA as Deke) is a sexy hero you want to bring home to meet the parents. He is a gentleman and sweet. He thinks of himself as a Dom and even though he likes to have control in the bedroom, it is light and not kinky. He does know how to talk dirty, but he also knows how to treat a woman in and out of the bedroom. Oh My Goodness that man knows how to kiss. The first kissing scene in the truck had me hot and bothered, I could not wait to see how he was in the bedroom. Let me tell you he did not disappoint me there.
Jessica is a control freak and work alcoholic I love how Deke was the one to help her relax and let loose.
Deke and Jessica are one of my favorite couples. Their chemistry is steamy and Callie Croix did a amazing job at a perfect length getting them together. She was even able to throw in secondary characters that did not take away from Deke and Jessica. The secondary characters are part of the plot. Love those Sexy Dumen Brothers.
This is Callie Croix first read for me and will not be the last. She has a beautiful writing voice that sucks you in and will be wanting more when the story ends.
Originally posted at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
Deacon (AKA as Deke) is a sexy hero you want to bring home to meet the parents. He is a gentleman and sweet. He thinks of himself as a Dom and even though he likes to have control in the bedroom, it is light and not kinky. He does know how to talk dirty, but he also knows how to treat a woman in and out of the bedroom. Oh My Goodness that man knows how to kiss. The first kissing scene in the truck had me hot and bothered, I could not wait to see how he was in the bedroom. Let me tell you he did not disappoint me there.
Jessica is a control freak and work alcoholic I love how Deke was the one to help her relax and let loose.
Deke and Jessica are one of my favorite couples. Their chemistry is steamy and Callie Croix did a amazing job at a perfect length getting them together. She was even able to throw in secondary characters that did not take away from Deke and Jessica. The secondary characters are part of the plot. Love those Sexy Dumen Brothers.
This is Callie Croix first read for me and will not be the last. She has a beautiful writing voice that sucks you in and will be wanting more when the story ends.
Originally posted at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
September 5, 2011
First book in a series about brothers who run a dude ranch.. Deacon Dumen is at the ranch recovering from an injury he received while an Air Force Pararescueman.. Jessica Talbot flies in from Seattle for her friends bachelorette party the ranch. Deacon describes himself perfectly in the book
He might not be fully into the BDSM scene and want submission outside of the sexual relationship like some Doms did but he had a dominant streak a mile wide and it defiantly translated into the bedroom. This was this authors first erotic romance and she nailed it.. I am looking forward to reading the other 3 brothers books in the series..
May 24, 2015
2.5 Stars -rounded up.
Wounded ex-military cowboy Deacon (shame they call him Deke) meets introverted work-a-holic stockbroker Jessica, whom Deke spends most of the book calling Sugar.
This is not a long story. I think it took me 90 minutes, start to epilogue. I'll sum it up with this. Deke likes "Control", Jessica aka Sugar discovers she has a heretofore undiscovered yen to be mastered, and they lived HEA. The End.
Wounded ex-military cowboy Deacon (shame they call him Deke) meets introverted work-a-holic stockbroker Jessica, whom Deke spends most of the book calling Sugar.
This is not a long story. I think it took me 90 minutes, start to epilogue. I'll sum it up with this. Deke likes "Control", Jessica aka Sugar discovers she has a heretofore undiscovered yen to be mastered, and they lived HEA. The End.
November 15, 2011
I absolutely love Kaylea Cross and when I found out she had an alternate ego, I had to give Callie Croix's book a try. It was my first foray into erotic romance and boy did she hook me! I cannot wait for her next book... and the waiting can certainly be painful... but I know Callie will deliver! :)
November 12, 2011
I liked this very much, it's sexy and interesting and pretty hot all over, with a gorgeous hero and a very nice heroine. I shelved it BDSM, but it's VERY soft, just some minor domination involved, nothing to be squeamish about. And: there's a nice HEA! Absolute recommendation!
September 28, 2011
A scorcher...
October 23, 2011
This book was hotter than hell. A 4 alarm fire at my house. cought my panty hose on fire. lol
June 12, 2015
Short, but loved it.
November 21, 2011
Short little cowboy naughtie..predictable, but fun.
July 3, 2022
3.5 stars
March 29, 2012
Jessica really doesn't want to be at her friend's fiancée’s bachelorette party, she's swamped with work ( just like she likes it ) and squeezing this in last minute is giving her a headache. She misses her plane and has to be picked up late by one of the Dumen boys, one of the seriously hot brothers who run Ranch where the bachelorette weekend is taking place.
Deacon, an Ex-Air Force Pararescueman, has a hard time keeping up his walls around Jessica, the girl's reserved and bit snappish, but when he catches her off guard she's warm and kind - and lights up all kind of fires inside him that he hasn't paid attention to since his divorce and injury.
Deacon begins to warm up to Jessica, but that also means his other dormant desires surface, his desire for control in the bedroom, and he knows it would send a good girl like Jessica running the other way - but Jessica has few fantasies of her own and one of them just might include a cowboy tying her to bed.
Deacon's Touch is a keeper, I sure am going to read it again! Nothing was missing, it had it all, romance, emotions, danger and little bit of kink! It started off as a sweet romance city girl meets hot and injured ( both emotionally and physically ) cowboy, they dance around attraction, finally give in, meet danger and then we get on the kinky side of the romance with some light bondage and bossy Dom attitude, yummy! For a novella it wasn't at all too short, and even managed to get me teary eyed at the end - after all you really really want Deke and Jessie to make it.
I loved Jessie and Deke's chemistry, it was real and believable instead of the insta-love ( which works well in paranormal romance mind you ;) ) that makes me cringe at contemporary romance genre. They had that dancing around each other feel where they both wanted more but didn't think their attention would be necessarily returned and keeping emotional distance was the way to go - but like always one kiss changes it all. Bossy Deke was delicious to read, he had the whole ex-special ops way about him and when spiced with a little Dom and whole lot of cowboy he was irresistible!
This book definitely wet my appetite to read more Dumen brother books, getting to know the brothers a little during the novella gave a great sneak peak at things to come, and I was hooked. Callie Croix has a way of writing sexy, determined and yummy ex-soldiers ( like in Touch Me ) and she gets to the details of things without it harming the story. She can write delicious romance and very hot erotic romance with a light bdsm twist. Having read only two novellas by Callie Croix, I think I can still call myself a fan!
I highly recommend this to cowboy lovers who aren't shy around a little light bondage and erotic play. This is so worth reading!
Deacon, an Ex-Air Force Pararescueman, has a hard time keeping up his walls around Jessica, the girl's reserved and bit snappish, but when he catches her off guard she's warm and kind - and lights up all kind of fires inside him that he hasn't paid attention to since his divorce and injury.
Deacon begins to warm up to Jessica, but that also means his other dormant desires surface, his desire for control in the bedroom, and he knows it would send a good girl like Jessica running the other way - but Jessica has few fantasies of her own and one of them just might include a cowboy tying her to bed.
Deacon's Touch is a keeper, I sure am going to read it again! Nothing was missing, it had it all, romance, emotions, danger and little bit of kink! It started off as a sweet romance city girl meets hot and injured ( both emotionally and physically ) cowboy, they dance around attraction, finally give in, meet danger and then we get on the kinky side of the romance with some light bondage and bossy Dom attitude, yummy! For a novella it wasn't at all too short, and even managed to get me teary eyed at the end - after all you really really want Deke and Jessie to make it.
I loved Jessie and Deke's chemistry, it was real and believable instead of the insta-love ( which works well in paranormal romance mind you ;) ) that makes me cringe at contemporary romance genre. They had that dancing around each other feel where they both wanted more but didn't think their attention would be necessarily returned and keeping emotional distance was the way to go - but like always one kiss changes it all. Bossy Deke was delicious to read, he had the whole ex-special ops way about him and when spiced with a little Dom and whole lot of cowboy he was irresistible!
This book definitely wet my appetite to read more Dumen brother books, getting to know the brothers a little during the novella gave a great sneak peak at things to come, and I was hooked. Callie Croix has a way of writing sexy, determined and yummy ex-soldiers ( like in Touch Me ) and she gets to the details of things without it harming the story. She can write delicious romance and very hot erotic romance with a light bdsm twist. Having read only two novellas by Callie Croix, I think I can still call myself a fan!
I highly recommend this to cowboy lovers who aren't shy around a little light bondage and erotic play. This is so worth reading!
April 16, 2012
Guilty Pleasures
I thoroughly enjoyed my first look at Dumen Ranch. I accidentally read Dillon’s Claim first... and I was all out of sorts, because my good buddy Rhayne reviewed it, and I kept thinking this seems familiar but not. Well, I am glad I went back and read book 1! I love how this is series is written from each couple's perspective of the same weekend. Conquering that sequence of events from all angles is fascinating to me!
Jessica is a regular workaholic that gets guilted into a trip to Texas for a Bachelorette Party. (Everyone should take a trip to Texas, it is beautiful here!) She’s determined to continue to work through her weekend on a rural TX ranch. Until Deke stops her in her tracks...several times. Oh that and shotty cell signals!
Deke is displaced from his military discharge due to an injury, and holed up at the family ranch. He seems to have lost part himself when he was sent home. He’s a little grumpy and mad at the cards he’s been dealt; but he doesn’t whine, or moan or otherwise throw a pity party.
Deke is the first to meet Jessica and they are kind of polarized initially, but they can’t fight the steam in their gazes. They're challenged to find common ground, but once they do it’s so much fun. The mild D/s elements between Deke and Jessica work for the story and I was very comfortable reading those scenes. The sex was rockin’, and the emotions were pure and on the mark. Jessica and Deke are perfectly matched.
Deacon’s Touch is a short read, and it packs a punch in just few chapters. I’m looking for the other books as we speak, cause I wanna see just how sweet all these Dumen boys can be. If you can’t find me, I’m at Dumen Ranch. :o)
I thoroughly enjoyed my first look at Dumen Ranch. I accidentally read Dillon’s Claim first... and I was all out of sorts, because my good buddy Rhayne reviewed it, and I kept thinking this seems familiar but not. Well, I am glad I went back and read book 1! I love how this is series is written from each couple's perspective of the same weekend. Conquering that sequence of events from all angles is fascinating to me!
Jessica is a regular workaholic that gets guilted into a trip to Texas for a Bachelorette Party. (Everyone should take a trip to Texas, it is beautiful here!) She’s determined to continue to work through her weekend on a rural TX ranch. Until Deke stops her in her tracks...several times. Oh that and shotty cell signals!
Deke is displaced from his military discharge due to an injury, and holed up at the family ranch. He seems to have lost part himself when he was sent home. He’s a little grumpy and mad at the cards he’s been dealt; but he doesn’t whine, or moan or otherwise throw a pity party.
Deke is the first to meet Jessica and they are kind of polarized initially, but they can’t fight the steam in their gazes. They're challenged to find common ground, but once they do it’s so much fun. The mild D/s elements between Deke and Jessica work for the story and I was very comfortable reading those scenes. The sex was rockin’, and the emotions were pure and on the mark. Jessica and Deke are perfectly matched.
Deacon’s Touch is a short read, and it packs a punch in just few chapters. I’m looking for the other books as we speak, cause I wanna see just how sweet all these Dumen boys can be. If you can’t find me, I’m at Dumen Ranch. :o)
January 12, 2012
Reviewed By: Aubrey
Review Copy Provided By: Publisher
As a reader one of my favorite theses is that of strong alpha cowboys. Callie Croix nailed the ultimate bad boy cowboy with her hero Deke Dumen. As a forced into retirement pararescueman Deke is everything I love about cowboys: quiet, strong, intelligent and hot. Jessica is a strong independent woman who loves her job which leaves her no room for a man. Neither one is looking for a partner or for love which makes their connection that much sweeter!
I really enjoyed how the relationship between Jessica and Deke evolved. Sometimes with erotica the storyline is not well developed but with Deacon's Touch the relationship is very natural andd believable. They aren't just falling into bed together after five minutes of meeting. I prefer to read erotica that is more true to life than something that is too far fetched. The sex scenes between Deke and Jessica were very sensual while pushing the boundaries. Their lovemaking does deal with slight bondage as well as a dominant/submissive theme.
As the first book of the series Croix does an excellent job at setting up the characters for the subsequent books. All the characters are at the dude ranch as a getaway for a couple that is getting married. I read this book vey quickly because I was so anxious to see the outcome of Deke and jessica's relationship. I wanted to know if they would open their hearts to love. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series. Croix's characters are endearing and true to life.
Review Copy Provided By: Publisher
As a reader one of my favorite theses is that of strong alpha cowboys. Callie Croix nailed the ultimate bad boy cowboy with her hero Deke Dumen. As a forced into retirement pararescueman Deke is everything I love about cowboys: quiet, strong, intelligent and hot. Jessica is a strong independent woman who loves her job which leaves her no room for a man. Neither one is looking for a partner or for love which makes their connection that much sweeter!
I really enjoyed how the relationship between Jessica and Deke evolved. Sometimes with erotica the storyline is not well developed but with Deacon's Touch the relationship is very natural andd believable. They aren't just falling into bed together after five minutes of meeting. I prefer to read erotica that is more true to life than something that is too far fetched. The sex scenes between Deke and Jessica were very sensual while pushing the boundaries. Their lovemaking does deal with slight bondage as well as a dominant/submissive theme.
As the first book of the series Croix does an excellent job at setting up the characters for the subsequent books. All the characters are at the dude ranch as a getaway for a couple that is getting married. I read this book vey quickly because I was so anxious to see the outcome of Deke and jessica's relationship. I wanted to know if they would open their hearts to love. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series. Croix's characters are endearing and true to life.
August 27, 2011
This novella was a quick but compelling read, and HOT! Loved it.
Deke's a retired pararescue jumper with medic training. Injured in the line of duty he's returned to help his brothers on the family ranch. Jessica is a stock broker and she's come to the ranch to celebrate a friend's bachelorette party.
Without giving away too many spoilers, Deke is asked to meet and pick up Jessica at the airport and their relationship starts there. Neither are looking for a relationship, both have pasts that interfere but there's an attraction neither can deny. The developing relationship gets hot (I loved how the author has built on each sex scene, adding layers and emotional depth) and the ending (which I won't reveal) is very satisfying. In fact, I could see this as a full blown novel and being very happy spending a few more hours reading it.
Despite the shorter length of the novel, I was pleasantly satisfied with the depth in the characters, Deke and Jessica, the hero and heroine. For anyone who enjoys a western, the military and a touch of BDSM/erotica, this is a novella for you.
Deacon's Touch is one of four planned in this series and is available from The Wild Rose Press.
Deke's a retired pararescue jumper with medic training. Injured in the line of duty he's returned to help his brothers on the family ranch. Jessica is a stock broker and she's come to the ranch to celebrate a friend's bachelorette party.
Without giving away too many spoilers, Deke is asked to meet and pick up Jessica at the airport and their relationship starts there. Neither are looking for a relationship, both have pasts that interfere but there's an attraction neither can deny. The developing relationship gets hot (I loved how the author has built on each sex scene, adding layers and emotional depth) and the ending (which I won't reveal) is very satisfying. In fact, I could see this as a full blown novel and being very happy spending a few more hours reading it.
Despite the shorter length of the novel, I was pleasantly satisfied with the depth in the characters, Deke and Jessica, the hero and heroine. For anyone who enjoys a western, the military and a touch of BDSM/erotica, this is a novella for you.
Deacon's Touch is one of four planned in this series and is available from The Wild Rose Press.
January 4, 2012
Deacon is hurting -- a lot! But then again, Jessica is hurting, too. Both have encountered some overwhelming difficulties in their personal and professional lives, and now will meet each other as Jessica comes to a bachelorette gathering under duress. Deacon, along with his brothers, are doing everything needed to make the gathering fun for the women involved. The last thing he expected was to find a woman who "lit his fire" and whose unique personality and sexiness challenged him to look beyond his worries for the future. This is a very emotional, erotic, sexy story and is the first of several which take place at the Dumen Ranch and highlight the experience of the individual brothers. It is filled with fun characters, women who know how to party, a bride who is really excited about being married but doesn't hesitate to live it up one last time, and background characters that give the entire novel the color and intensity that is felt throughout the book. It is a terrific read and the ending is incredibly emotional. It was a surprise in one sense and I finished the book with a deep feeling of satisfaction. Only the really good ones give me that.
August 7, 2021
DEACON'S TOUCH was a quick and sexy read about two people who have just met but they have a sizzling chemistry they can't deny, no matter how hard they try. I liked both Jessie and Deke but their story was very surface level since the page count was on the shorter side. I completely got their sexual chemistry but I'm not so sure I believed that they fell in love so quickly. That said, it was a good read with lots of fire and likable characters. There's some mild D/s components as Jessie explores giving up control in the bedroom but I do wish that Deke and Jessie had discussed a little more about what they wanted. They pretty much just go for it and Deke definitely surprises Jessie with some *cough* backdoor play *cough* in the moment instead of discussing what they might enjoy in a D/s relationship ahead of time.
Outside the romance, there was a bit of a mystery side story that was never resolved and I assume it will weave throughout the series. Not a bad read but not necessarily one that will stick with me forever.
Outside the romance, there was a bit of a mystery side story that was never resolved and I assume it will weave throughout the series. Not a bad read but not necessarily one that will stick with me forever.
October 22, 2011
I liked the build up between Deacon and Jessica. It was a little bit hot when they finally got together. Well, OK, I guess a lot hot. A couple of things that seemed completely out of place, though, confused me. I didn't quite get what the deal was with the BMW that passed their truck and Jessica didn't like the look the guy gave her. First it was dark, how did she see him? Second, there was no real resolution to that whole scene. Then, there was Deke's five-hour absence when he went with his brother to patrol the perimeter. Other than taking him away from Jess, what was the point of that? There was no further talk about the bullets, the kids, the cut fence, stolen cattle. Maybe that'll come up in future books since this is #1 of a series? It just seemed incongruent to the story at this point.
July 20, 2012
Loved this story by Callie Croix. As a control freak myself, I loved how Jess was finally able to let go. Deacon is one hot cowboy with a side of kink to him, Yum! Jessie has to attend a bachelorette party for the weekend but desperately trying to avoid it. She is pickup by one of the sexy owners, Deacon, at the airport. She tries to control her situation but her life starts to unravel and she finally loses all control while with Deacon - no need for the safe word! The chemistry between Deacon and Jessie was fantastic. Their sex scenes were hot and didn’t want them to end. This Dom had a soft side to him which a thoroughly enjoyed. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series. Great job!
September 8, 2011
I think this is a good start for author Callie Croix in the erotic romance genre and truly feel she will only get better with each release *hahaha that sounds bad but you know what I mean geesh* It is a shorter book but has a good storyline and the characters interact well together. I will say Deacon had Dom tendencies but I would in no way say he's a Dominant...yet ;) Can't wait for this author's next go at this genre, I'll definitly be picking that up.
April 10, 2012
I really enjoyed what there was of this book. Again, I almost felt as if I came in at the middle of a series. (Maybe I did, but I thought this was the first book.) I would've liked more background on the brothers and just when I thought an element of suspense was going to be added, it just stopped with no conclusion to the car accident. When Deke & Jessica got together the scenes were really hot, emotional and believable. As with all good stories, I just wanted more.
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