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Blackwater #2
Vance's Rules
His tools, his rules…
Blackwater, Book 2
Looking at Vance Jennings now, no one would guess that the tough-as-nails building contractor once suffered a broken heart. Twelve years has blunted the pain of the breakup with his high school sweetheart, but not the memory. Until she shows up on his doorstep asking for a second chance.
One look at the sexy redhead, and Vance adds a foot or two to his rock-solid emotional barriers. No way is he letting her back into his life. But he’ll be happy to let her close enough to sample her delectable body.
Shayla Riggs is no longer the vulnerable teenager who was forced to give up her first and only love. She’s older, wiser, and determined to make things right. Except the changes in Vance throw her for a loop. He’s definitely not the sweet boy she remembers. In fact, the grown-up version lights her up hotter than a firecracker.
It takes only a kiss, a caress, to bring back the explosive passion they once shared. But if Shayla can’t find a way to break through the bitter walls around his heart, it just might destroy them both. Again.
Product Warnings
This story contains a stubborn woman intent on seduction and an alpha male with some naughty ideas of payback. Let the fireworks begin!
Blackwater, Book 2
Looking at Vance Jennings now, no one would guess that the tough-as-nails building contractor once suffered a broken heart. Twelve years has blunted the pain of the breakup with his high school sweetheart, but not the memory. Until she shows up on his doorstep asking for a second chance.
One look at the sexy redhead, and Vance adds a foot or two to his rock-solid emotional barriers. No way is he letting her back into his life. But he’ll be happy to let her close enough to sample her delectable body.
Shayla Riggs is no longer the vulnerable teenager who was forced to give up her first and only love. She’s older, wiser, and determined to make things right. Except the changes in Vance throw her for a loop. He’s definitely not the sweet boy she remembers. In fact, the grown-up version lights her up hotter than a firecracker.
It takes only a kiss, a caress, to bring back the explosive passion they once shared. But if Shayla can’t find a way to break through the bitter walls around his heart, it just might destroy them both. Again.
Product Warnings
This story contains a stubborn woman intent on seduction and an alpha male with some naughty ideas of payback. Let the fireworks begin!
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2012
7 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Anne Rainey
91 books491 followers“Rainey is an erotic storytelling virtuoso!” — Romantic Times Magazine
Anne Rainey creates steamy romance stories with just the right amount of heat. Her books frequent best seller and top pick review lists. Anne is an accomplished author of over thirty titles. Her books can be found in Target stores and other popular online retailers. Canada’s largest newspaper, The Toronto Star, recommends Anne’s books as an alternative read to Fifty Shades of Grey. Anne actively markets her work and sells an average of 133,000+ print and digital copies per year.
Anne grew up in a small town in central Ohio the only girl with three rowdy, older brothers. When she wasn’t playing tackle football with them she could be found tucked away in her mother’s book room getting lost in mysterious worlds created by authors such as Martha Grimes and Andrew M. Greeley. She’s had a variety of odd jobs including Chiropractic Assistant, Frame Stylist, Restaurant Hostess, and Nail Technician. Anne now lives with her fabulous husband, two gorgeous teenage daughters, two ornery dogs and three snooty cats.
Anne Rainey creates steamy romance stories with just the right amount of heat. Her books frequent best seller and top pick review lists. Anne is an accomplished author of over thirty titles. Her books can be found in Target stores and other popular online retailers. Canada’s largest newspaper, The Toronto Star, recommends Anne’s books as an alternative read to Fifty Shades of Grey. Anne actively markets her work and sells an average of 133,000+ print and digital copies per year.
Anne grew up in a small town in central Ohio the only girl with three rowdy, older brothers. When she wasn’t playing tackle football with them she could be found tucked away in her mother’s book room getting lost in mysterious worlds created by authors such as Martha Grimes and Andrew M. Greeley. She’s had a variety of odd jobs including Chiropractic Assistant, Frame Stylist, Restaurant Hostess, and Nail Technician. Anne now lives with her fabulous husband, two gorgeous teenage daughters, two ornery dogs and three snooty cats.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 15, 2012
God... i LOVE reunion stories... the misunderstanding and then the dirty, hot smexing that follows.... i LOVED this story and CAN'T WAIT to read about the other Jennings brothers!!! Definitely looking forward to their stories!!
PS. THANK YOU to my beautiful friend Glam... you know why darling! xoxoxo
PS. THANK YOU to my beautiful friend Glam... you know why darling! xoxoxo
May 24, 2012
Good edition to the Blackwater series, but it didn't exactly knock my socks off. Maybe I was expecting a little more because Anne Rainey has written some of my favorite erotic romances. Maybe if it was a little longer or had a subplot going on I would've bumped it up a notch. Or maybe I'm just being hard to please... Anyway, hunky dark-haired, hazel-eyed construction company owner Vance is the second oldest (I think?) of the 5 Jennings brothers, and this is his story.
The story begins with Vance's old high school flame (Shayla, who dumped him 12 years ago) coming back to Blackwater, Ohio. Shayla wants to make amends and explain why she cruelly dumped him with no explanation and then headed off to Florida with her family. Vance has never really gotten over his first love and feels nothing but bitterness for her--wasn't he good enough for rich girl Shayla? Shayla is finally out from under the domineering thumb of her father and wants to live her life the way she sees fit, and that includes moving back to Ohio and seeing if her first love Vance will give her another chance. After hearing Shayla's explanation, can Vance find it in himself to understand and trust Shayla not to break his heart again?
Yeah, this was a pretty simple story, with not a whole lot going on. You know of course Vance will let the curvy, readheaded beauty back into his bed, because the chemistry and lust is still there. Vance and Shay have a couple of steamy hot bedroom scenes (complete with the "I want all of you..." anal scene), but Shay wants more than just sex from Vance. The only question is if Vance wants the same thing? So not a whole lot of suspense or obstacles in their way; the family all loves Shay, and only older brother Sam, who remembers how hurt Vance was, expresses any doubt about her.
Despite being a little underwhelmed by this story, I will keep reading this series. Something tells me that twins River and Reilly might have a more interesting story to tell... 3 1/2 stars
The story begins with Vance's old high school flame (Shayla, who dumped him 12 years ago) coming back to Blackwater, Ohio. Shayla wants to make amends and explain why she cruelly dumped him with no explanation and then headed off to Florida with her family. Vance has never really gotten over his first love and feels nothing but bitterness for her--wasn't he good enough for rich girl Shayla? Shayla is finally out from under the domineering thumb of her father and wants to live her life the way she sees fit, and that includes moving back to Ohio and seeing if her first love Vance will give her another chance. After hearing Shayla's explanation, can Vance find it in himself to understand and trust Shayla not to break his heart again?
Yeah, this was a pretty simple story, with not a whole lot going on. You know of course Vance will let the curvy, readheaded beauty back into his bed, because the chemistry and lust is still there. Vance and Shay have a couple of steamy hot bedroom scenes (complete with the "I want all of you..." anal scene), but Shay wants more than just sex from Vance. The only question is if Vance wants the same thing? So not a whole lot of suspense or obstacles in their way; the family all loves Shay, and only older brother Sam, who remembers how hurt Vance was, expresses any doubt about her.
Despite being a little underwhelmed by this story, I will keep reading this series. Something tells me that twins River and Reilly might have a more interesting story to tell... 3 1/2 stars
December 28, 2015
Second chance romance with strong believable characters. The h chases the H. Safe romance.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
May 14, 2012
Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
When Shayla turns up on Vance's doorstep after 12 years of being away nothing good could happen – according to Vance. He had it all figured out in his mind and had a very bitter taste in his mouth about the beautiful red-head that he opened the door to. What he didn't know is the real reason why Shay left him in the first place, what her father had threatened or the hell that she went through.
Finally, Vance relents and allows Shayla to explain all that happened in the past. What happens from there is nothing but explosive and hot. But, Shayla feels that all Vance wants is the sex when she is after so much more. He was all she dreamed about, all she thought about during her 12 years away, no other man would do. It was up to her to get Vance Jennings to admit his true feelings for her. And, she has to win the Jennings brothers over as well. They put up with him when Shayla walked out on him with nothing but a letter 12 years ago.
What a wonderful book. My heart broke for both Vance and Shayla while reading this book; Vance because of the heart-break that he suffered and Shayla because of the abuse that she suffered. Ms. Rainey really brought the story together and made you feel what both Vance and Shayla were feeling throughout the book. The sex scenes were very well written and explicit. I guess HOT would be the word for them. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. The boys of Blackwater, OH are scorching and I can't wait to see what happens with the rest of the boys in the Jennings family!
When Shayla turns up on Vance's doorstep after 12 years of being away nothing good could happen – according to Vance. He had it all figured out in his mind and had a very bitter taste in his mouth about the beautiful red-head that he opened the door to. What he didn't know is the real reason why Shay left him in the first place, what her father had threatened or the hell that she went through.
Finally, Vance relents and allows Shayla to explain all that happened in the past. What happens from there is nothing but explosive and hot. But, Shayla feels that all Vance wants is the sex when she is after so much more. He was all she dreamed about, all she thought about during her 12 years away, no other man would do. It was up to her to get Vance Jennings to admit his true feelings for her. And, she has to win the Jennings brothers over as well. They put up with him when Shayla walked out on him with nothing but a letter 12 years ago.
What a wonderful book. My heart broke for both Vance and Shayla while reading this book; Vance because of the heart-break that he suffered and Shayla because of the abuse that she suffered. Ms. Rainey really brought the story together and made you feel what both Vance and Shayla were feeling throughout the book. The sex scenes were very well written and explicit. I guess HOT would be the word for them. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. The boys of Blackwater, OH are scorching and I can't wait to see what happens with the rest of the boys in the Jennings family!
September 9, 2012
Posted on http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot.com
When the girl who broke Vance Jennings’s heart twelve years ago shows up on her doorstep looking for a second chance, he can’t think of doing anything other than running in the other direction. He thought he had finally managed to fill the hole she left when she ran, but upon seeing her again he realises that all he had really done was disguise it. But she broke his heart all those years ago; why in the hell would he give her a second chance?
Shayla had no choice but to leave Vance all those years ago, but her circumstances have definitely changed. She is now in a position to start living the live she wants and the first thing she does he return to the man she gave her heart to. She knows that it won’t be easy to win him back but the stakes are too high not to try.
This is the second book in the Blackwater series and I will be reading the rest of the series. This one covers a trope that I really like; that of long-lost loves returning to throw a spanner in the world of the Hero. It didn’t have that much tension as there were no real obstacles in the way of these two getting back together. The family liked her and there were no significant others to get out of the way. In fact, the only thing that was in the way of these two getting it on was Vance’s hurt feelings. It made this one a very quick read but it wasn't as meaty as Rainey's other books.
Vance was a good hero to read about. He is a strong, slightly gruff man who is complete family orientated. The fact that he is rebuilding his adopted families’ diner with his brothers as “repayment” made both my heart ache and swoon. The fact that he thought they warranted that level of thanks was alien to me, but I have never been in the position all five Jennings boys are in. I loved him as a Hero; he was everything I wanted him to be. He was strong, compassionate, sensual and reach-for-the-ice-bucket sexy.
Shayla had all of my respect. She was a strong heroine; the reason that she left would have been massive to a teenage girl and she honestly thought she was protecting him. When she arrives back, it is with the sole intention of winning back Vance. She is prepared to fail but thinks the risk is worth it; this woman was pretty kickass. Of course the only way she can convince him to give her another shot is to tell him it’s all just sex. I really felt for her when I listened to the stories of her childhood. They both had experienced the kind of emotions that children really shouldn’t have to feel and I wanted them to get their HEA.
The sex is awesome but I expect nothing less from Anne Rainey. There was a whole lot of bossiness going down and Vance is a pretty intense kinda lover. It is a smoking sexy book and that is the thing I went away from this book. Just look at the cover....that tells you everything you need to know *fans*
Overall, this is a smoking hot book about two lovers reconnecting and second chances. I really liked it....I would love to read Vance’s twin brothers tales immediately....I think Rivers will be a very emotional book!
When the girl who broke Vance Jennings’s heart twelve years ago shows up on her doorstep looking for a second chance, he can’t think of doing anything other than running in the other direction. He thought he had finally managed to fill the hole she left when she ran, but upon seeing her again he realises that all he had really done was disguise it. But she broke his heart all those years ago; why in the hell would he give her a second chance?
Shayla had no choice but to leave Vance all those years ago, but her circumstances have definitely changed. She is now in a position to start living the live she wants and the first thing she does he return to the man she gave her heart to. She knows that it won’t be easy to win him back but the stakes are too high not to try.
This is the second book in the Blackwater series and I will be reading the rest of the series. This one covers a trope that I really like; that of long-lost loves returning to throw a spanner in the world of the Hero. It didn’t have that much tension as there were no real obstacles in the way of these two getting back together. The family liked her and there were no significant others to get out of the way. In fact, the only thing that was in the way of these two getting it on was Vance’s hurt feelings. It made this one a very quick read but it wasn't as meaty as Rainey's other books.
Vance was a good hero to read about. He is a strong, slightly gruff man who is complete family orientated. The fact that he is rebuilding his adopted families’ diner with his brothers as “repayment” made both my heart ache and swoon. The fact that he thought they warranted that level of thanks was alien to me, but I have never been in the position all five Jennings boys are in. I loved him as a Hero; he was everything I wanted him to be. He was strong, compassionate, sensual and reach-for-the-ice-bucket sexy.
Shayla had all of my respect. She was a strong heroine; the reason that she left would have been massive to a teenage girl and she honestly thought she was protecting him. When she arrives back, it is with the sole intention of winning back Vance. She is prepared to fail but thinks the risk is worth it; this woman was pretty kickass. Of course the only way she can convince him to give her another shot is to tell him it’s all just sex. I really felt for her when I listened to the stories of her childhood. They both had experienced the kind of emotions that children really shouldn’t have to feel and I wanted them to get their HEA.
The sex is awesome but I expect nothing less from Anne Rainey. There was a whole lot of bossiness going down and Vance is a pretty intense kinda lover. It is a smoking sexy book and that is the thing I went away from this book. Just look at the cover....that tells you everything you need to know *fans*
Overall, this is a smoking hot book about two lovers reconnecting and second chances. I really liked it....I would love to read Vance’s twin brothers tales immediately....I think Rivers will be a very emotional book!
May 20, 2012
And...Ms. Rainey has done it again with Vance's Rules -- Blackwater and the Jennings brothers are proving to be one of my favorite series. Full of not just steamy sexy scenes, but also emotions and full character depth. I love reunion type romance stories, and this one did not disappoint. I'm hooked! I loved Vance's resistance and Shay's persistence. Now, when is book three coming out? I'm seriously hoping River is the star of the next one. He intrigues me.
August 23, 2012
Characters get back together after a really long separation and pick up where they left off. It worked for me.
April 15, 2018
Vance’s Rules by Anne Rainey is the second book in the Blackwater series. This series just keeps getting better and better as it goes along.
Shayla has not seen Vance in 12 years. Her father had done everything in his power to keep her away from him. Now those days are over, and she has a lot of wrongs to set right.
Vance not happy to see Shayla. But when she has a panic attack right in front of him he must help. She was his high school sweetheart and those feelings are all coming back. He was the bad boy she was the good girl. He owns his own construction company now. He was given love for the first time when he was taken by his mom from foster care with his brothers.
He is the kind of man who pays for a date. Picks you up at your door. He would even hold your hair while you threw up.
Loved this book it is full of romance. Hot steamy sex and love in its purest form. Highly recommend it to any truly romantic soul.
Five Shooting Stars
Shayla has not seen Vance in 12 years. Her father had done everything in his power to keep her away from him. Now those days are over, and she has a lot of wrongs to set right.
Vance not happy to see Shayla. But when she has a panic attack right in front of him he must help. She was his high school sweetheart and those feelings are all coming back. He was the bad boy she was the good girl. He owns his own construction company now. He was given love for the first time when he was taken by his mom from foster care with his brothers.
He is the kind of man who pays for a date. Picks you up at your door. He would even hold your hair while you threw up.
Loved this book it is full of romance. Hot steamy sex and love in its purest form. Highly recommend it to any truly romantic soul.
Five Shooting Stars
October 20, 2019
nice second chance romance but waayy too short. I would have loved to have had more time with this couple. after twelve years apart, I would have liked to have seen them develop their relationship a bit more.
February 24, 2020
I love stories about reuniting old lovers. Vance and Shayla have a sweet story and I love how supportive and amazing Vance is about Shayla's abuse and PTSD.
November 6, 2017
This one was really good. It was short as well only 11 chapters but it was good. Vance's one love that broke his heart 12 yrs ago is back. Shayla is a great character in the fact that she went from a scared young, abused woman to a strong, take what you want woman. She wants Vance back. There was a lot of angst on Vance's part & the way it ended I'm still not sure what's going to happen. Hopefully we will see them in the next book.
August 22, 2012
Please stop by and read my review at Coffee Beans & Love Scenes Reviews.
May 24, 2012
Cute read and quick!
May 23, 2012
3.5 Stars for this little hottie. It was well written and the characters had depth and personality.I would definitely read others in this series by this author. A great in-between book.
May 16, 2012
Review to come....
May 19, 2012
i like the book it was a good read.. i can't wait for the next one :)
May 19, 2012
I went by a little fast, but I liked it. I want to read about the rest of the brothers now!
February 8, 2014
Love this series... Can easily read these when I don't have much time to read! Hot alpha brothers and Vance and shay were super hot and sweet!
May 7, 2013
This was the second in the Jennings boys series. It was a nice story between Vance and Shayla. It was also a good read
July 7, 2013
I am giving this a three but it was more like 2.9
September 1, 2013
I thought this was a pretty good read for a short story
April 24, 2016
HOT AS HELL! After Sam's book, Vance is coming. With who? His highschool sweetheart. How sweet is that? Very. I loved the story, but for now Sam's is my favorite. Worth reading it.
January 17, 2014
Another sweet romance. I liked it well enough until Shayla starts pushing for an emotional commitment from Vance when I felt she had absolutely no right to. It made me not like her very much.
March 5, 2014
Blah. Story is to short to really develop any characters. It's they meet have sex and I Love You!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews