Screwdriver

Cocktales #2

by Mari Carr

Cocktales, Book TwoWhen Jordan Lance isn’t poring over spreadsheets for Books and Brew, she’s fantasizing about the store’s landlord. Too bad she’s squarely in Gabriel’s “just friends” column. Jordan’s prepared to pine forever—until she meets Casey. The handyman is hot, handsome, charming…and Gabriel’s best friend. Suddenly her wicked fantasies are porntastic times two.Casey has suspected his friend’s interest in Jordan. If he can push them together, he might get Gabriel off the bimbo train he’s been riding. The plan? Jealousy. And it’s working. It’s not long before Gabriel’s deeper feelings for Jordan emerge. Problem is…so do Casey’s. What happens when two friends want the same woman? Red-hot ménage, baby.Two gorgeous men exploring every inch of her body? Um, yes please! Jordan doesn’t know if threesomes are considered acceptable, but she’s sure of one thing—being this bad feels far too good.

Genres: Menage, Romance, Erotica, M F M, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2012

About the author

Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends.
Mari writes contemporary sexy romance novels. To learn more about her spicy stories, click here.
Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.
Find Mari on the web at
maricarr.com
Email: mari@maricarr.com

Reviews

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice ménage story from MC. The attraction between the 2 guys and the heroine was very well done and seemed realistic and quite hot. I especially liked how Casey treated Jordan. He was very charming. Gabriel was not as well drawn but still was distinct from Casey. I liked the was that the two were not guys who had a history of sharing women but made the choice to share rather than leave one of them out cold and maybe ruin their friendship. There was some attention paid to how others would respond to the situation but I would really have liked to see the scenes where they told the other girls at the bookstore and their own families. That would be an interesting bunch of stuff to see play out and it is usually glossed over in ménage books. So no trauma and angst but some good relationship stuff and several very hot smexy scenes. Worth the read.

[Phuong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Screwdriver is book 2 in Mari Carr's Cocktales series and it's awesome! I could not get enough of the characters or the story. The characters of Gabe, Jordan, and Casey were down-to-earth people which made them endearing to me and I enjoyed the friendship portrayed between these three as well as with the rest of the gang. Jordan is the bookkeeper of the bookstore she and her girl friends own and has had a secret crush on building owner, Gabe, who has a starring role in her fantasies. Her friends encourage her to act on her feelings for Gabe or let him go and pursue someone else. Enter Casey, sexy handyman and Gabe's best friend and things begin to change. Jordan and Casey have instant chemistry that's sizzling hot and he treats her like the most beautiful woman in the world. Gabe witnesses their closeness and he can no longer deny his feelings for Jordan as jealousy rears its head. Casey senses this and sets out to prove it while trying not to act on his own desires. Readers learn Gabe has been hurt before by a woman in his past so he's built a wall around his heart for the past 2 years and Casey wants him to start living again. In the end, the three of them embark in a ménage relationship that's a new experience for all. The story was well written, friendships nicely developed, and the sex scenes were totally hot. I became emotionally invested in these characters and whether they could make this new relationship work. I look forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ½ stars – Contemporary Erotic/Ménage Romance

[Auntee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story reminds us to look up. To stop being so consumed by work that we forget to live or forget to realise the feelings in our heart. A beautiful story about looking up and seeing what's around us.

[Melinda Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Screwdriver

What a fun, dirty story! A bookkeeper with a crush, and best friends who each like her. The romance is sweet, but it’s not just the climate that is having a heat wave! It’s a great story!

[hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT!!HOT!!HOT!!!
phew!
Good thing I reading this in the middle of the night when kids and hubby went to bed.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot

Though I have a question. In book one of the series Stephanie's boyfriend was Jerod and in this book its Jared. Just saying .

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Nice short sexy read from a good author who knows what she’s doing. Liked all three characters and they worked well together.

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's a girl to do when not one but two gorgeous men fulfill her fantasies? Go with it, of course and to heck with what everyone else thinks.

[Suzanne Kohlmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is good. It's fun and a quick read. It went places I didn't expect and that I don't think are for me, but still enjoyable and I'll read the remaining books.

[Bonnie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy !

This author really got this book down ! It's hot,full of feels , sexy , loving, and definitely 3 people can love each other🔥💕Great book to read !

[Charliegirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun romance

This was another fun, quick read in this series.

Spoiler alert:

This story involves a m/f/m menage, but had what for me was a fun twist. In most menages that I've read, the two guys are long time friends who have at least occasionally shared women in the past. In this case, although the guys have been friends since college, they've never done this before, so it's a new experience for everyone involved.

This was an enjoyable, easy romance with little real angst or drama. Everything worked out a lot easier than it probably would have in real life, but that's why it's called fiction.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

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


Jordan never imagined jumping back into the dating scene would lead to not one, but two men vying for her attention!

Secret lustful fantasies about her hot landlord have gotten Jordan exactly nowhere except sexually frustrated. Well, that and ganged up on by her well meaning girlfriends. A hasty promise, an A/C on the blitz and a really handy, handyman soon force Jordan and Gabriel to admit to their feelings and take the plunge that pushes them straight out of the friends arena forever.

The second book of the Cocktail series shines its spotlight on the insecure, introverted bookkeeper for Books & Brews, Jordan Lance. Let me tell you, this girl knows how to create a daytime fantasy! If only she had the courage to act on those desires. It was fun to watch her “pull up her big girl panties” and decide to give Casey a chance. I had no trouble buying into the premise of best friends (Jordan and Gabe) without the benefits scenario. Casey is the perfect catalyst to force Gabe to see what he would lose by not taking a chance with Jordon. But what if Casey isn’t just playing at being interested in Jordon? If two’s company, threes a guaranteed everybody gets naked party! (Insert Party Rock Anthem here.)

Ms. Carr does a fine job of packing plenty of detail and tension into this novella to give me time to get to know all three protagonists. If you read Party Naked, Stephanie and Jared’s story, you met them all briefly but it was merely a tease to see how and when they would get together.

There are glimpses into both the past and the present for all three characters to give them a solid foundation. In fact, Gabriel’s “past” manages to throw a minor ripple into their otherwise comfortable, if not unconventional, threesome. I liked how Ms. Carr handles a situation that could have been blown completely out sorts. Communication is an amazing solution to all sorts of problems.

The relationship between Casey and Gabe goes back quite a few years and is completely platonic. It was easy to see they care about one anothers happiness. Though almost complete opposites they totally compliment each other.

The writing is smooth and flawless without a lot of crazy timeline jumps I often see in short stories. When I pick up an erotic short I know that the sexual attraction is going to be pretty much instant and the action is going to be fast and furious. I expect it. Ms. Carr still manages to build the anticipation and tension before rewarding her readers with a chemical explosion hot enough to scorch your e-reader. The use of daytime fantasies kept the heat building steadily without overwhelming the real action.

There are two more single ladies at Books & Brews (what a clever concept, BTW) who are ripe for their own spicy HEA. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the Sophie and Jayne to meet their matches, hopefully, in the near future.

For now, pick up the second book in Mari Carr’s new Cocktail series. A little bit of vodka, a splash of OJ and a whole lot fun.

[Simply Love Book Reviews]

This review posted on Guilty Pleasures

I’m a huge Mari Carr fan, and once again her story has caught me and held me hostage. I read these two books in a matter of hours. The second book in the Cocktales series is Screwdriver. This book centers around Books and Brew’s self described plain Jane, Jordan. She has been on a dating dry spell since just before the opening of the business. Her friends have told her it is time for this to come to an end. They have given her month to find someone to date, or to act on the attraction she has been fighting for Gabriel, the sexy as sin owner of the building they are renting. She can’t believe that he would even go for her. So she has been content to let him star in her HOT fantasies.

Screwdriver begins with a crazy heat wave and broken air conditioner. This brings Casey, the second part of Jane's fantasy, to the book store. Casey is not only Gabe’s best friend, but he is also a mister fix, artist, and architect all in one. Casey has noticed Gabe’s feeling for Jordan and her attraction to him in return. He has decided to use jealousy to get Gabe to act on those feelings. What he didn’t plan on was his own attraction to her. How do two guys that have been the best of friends since their first year in college decide to do about this little problem??? Well of course we just share her.. LOL.. Now to convince her to do this…. How could any girl resist two sexy as sin men wanting her?? I know it would be hard for me to say no.. This book is filled with not only hot and steamy sex scenes but also some very HOT fantasies, including one very great way to break in a brand new office.

The things I loved most about this book are the different relationships between the characters, not only between the threesome but between these four girls. You get a better sense of their relationship in this book then you did in the first. These girls all complement and challenge each other. They have been friends for so long that they know each other inside and out, also calling each other on their bullshit. Then there is the way this threesome works together. It all comes together quickly, but in a way that you don’t feel like it was to rushed. This is one of the things I love most about the way Mari writes.

This book is going in my selection of books that I will reread time and time again. The hard part will be waiting on Mari to write books three and four.. hehehe .. Hope y’all enjoy it as much as I have!!

[Heather in FL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this one was a little different. We have Jordan, who has been pining for Gabriel for over a year. He's kind of a dog, though... he's been dating/having sex with many women since Jordan has known him. She jokes with him about it, but she still carries a torch for him. The book opens with their bookshop's air conditioning broken. Since Gabriel is the building owner, he sends over his good friend Casey to deal with the A/C. And Casey is good looking and friendly. Casey starts to play around with Jordan just as Gabriel comes to check on the progress. And jealousy stirs. Casey can tell Gabriel has a think for Jordan and vice versa, but now Casey is attracted to her as well. And Gabriel recognizes that Casey is attracted and the attraction seems mutual, so rather than making Jordan choose, even though neither man has ever had a threesome, they decide to maybe try to make a go of it as a threesome. And Jordan is floored, but decides what the hell... it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, she thinks.

So anyway, there is some conflict, but not a whole lot, and there is a HEA with the three of them. I really enjoyed how Casey understood Gabriel, probably better than Gabriel understood himself. He sort of pushed Gabriel to the jealousy in an effort to make Gabriel stop being the person he had become -- not the person Casey had first become friends with. And I liked how the guys approached Jordan. And how Jordan was able to sort of bring Gabriel out of his funk without either of them really knowing it -- Casey recognized that. I also thought it was funny how the guys acted during the threesome... it seemed kind of a natural reaction for two hetero men who'd never had a threesome.

As usual, Ms. Carr has written a great set of characters. I look forward to the next in this series.

[AnnaBanana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one hot read! I’ve said it before but I’m gonna say it again…Mari Carr can write a damn steamy story. I was once again up way too late reading this one. I just could not put it down until I read every word of it. As I said with the first book in this series this story has everything you could want in a good erotic romance plus a fantastic story with believable characters. I could totally picture myself as one of the women who own Books and Brew, which I have to say is an awesome idea. What better than to have a glass of wine and pick out a new romance novel all at the same place.

The characters in this one are probably some of my favorites. I just loved Jordan, she kinda made me think of myself a little. Quite, a little shy but once you get to know her she opens right up. And Casey…*sigh*…I want a Casey! What a sweet heart to do that for his friend even when he thinks he is going to lose the one girl he wants for himself. Gabriel wasn’t so bad either, talk about intense. I so love intense men, everything with them is done with so much emotion, which is definitely the case with Gabriel. I loved the chemistry between the three of them, talk about HOTT!!!!

I can not wait for the next addition to this series. It’s sure to be a good one judging from these first two. I highly recommend this book to any lover of erotica! 

[Schellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Forever With Them

Jordan has harbored a crush on Gabe for yrs, but he only dates model types. Her friends point out hard truths to her about getting back in the dating game. Enter the surfer handsome Casey, best friend of Gabe. She is suddenly interested in someone other than Gabe, so why has he finally noticed her when she is ready to move on? She knows that she wont be able to choose one over the other & not ruin a very dear friendship, so now what? Can they make a go of a threesome, or will the pressure be too much for Jordan? This was a great second book in this series hot, sexy & panty melting to boot!

[Smut Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series, my only complaint is that they are such a fast read - I'm finished before I want to be! I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this one and appreciated the inexperience of the guys with the menage logistics....they were more than willing to 'learn' the ropes as they tried something they had never once considered before meeting the lovely heroin, which earns them even more points in my book! I look forward to the next in the series - I sure hope it's Sofie!

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, disappointing. Ménage without explicit or at least a little bit? Yup. It's possible.
Disappointing. How can a menage book feature so few sex scenes? How they find each other was sweet, so overall ok.

[Dahlia (yadkny)]

WCR 3.28

[Casey (KcLu)]

Reviewed as KcLu on http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews... .....

[Kim O · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Night · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heroine isn't a kickass girl like Stephanie from this series' first book, but still get my cheer. The guys are lovely enough.

[MountainKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Maybe 3+ Stars*

I enjoyed this, but felt like I needed more - that the story just wasn't fleshed out enough for me to be satisfied. Still it was short, fun, hot and worth the time.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the short stories. They kept my interest. The scenes were good too.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot story about a shy bookkeeper and two take charge men. Satisfying read, short, sweet and no-nonsense.

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprise

Interesting story not what I had expected but Mari Carr pulled off a surprise. Great introduction and a twist in the story well done.

[Fiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[LindaneedsHEA · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.