What do you think?
Rate this book
Vegas Top Guns #1
Double Down
As part of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, Major Ryan “Fang” Haverty flies like the enemy to teach Allied pilots how not to die. The glittering excess of the Strip can’t compare to the glowing jet engines of his F-16. But a sexy, redheaded waitress in seamed stockings? Now she gets his blood pumping.
Cassandra Whitman’s good-girl ways haven’t earned any slack from her manager ex-boyfriend, or prevented a bad case of frazzle from holding down two and a half jobs. She sure wouldn’t mind letting the handsome Southern charmer shake up her routine.
Their wild weekend lives up to Sin City’s reputation. Especially when they discover a matched passion for roleplaying. For Cass, it’s an exciting departure from her normal, shy persona. But for Ryan, it triggers memories of a time when his fetish drove away the woman he loved—leaving him reluctant to risk a repeat performance.
Except Cass refuses to settle for ordinary ever again. She’s about to show the man with hair-trigger hands that she’s got a few surprise moves of her own.
Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings.
Cassandra Whitman’s good-girl ways haven’t earned any slack from her manager ex-boyfriend, or prevented a bad case of frazzle from holding down two and a half jobs. She sure wouldn’t mind letting the handsome Southern charmer shake up her routine.
Their wild weekend lives up to Sin City’s reputation. Especially when they discover a matched passion for roleplaying. For Cass, it’s an exciting departure from her normal, shy persona. But for Ryan, it triggers memories of a time when his fetish drove away the woman he loved—leaving him reluctant to risk a repeat performance.
Except Cass refuses to settle for ordinary ever again. She’s about to show the man with hair-trigger hands that she’s got a few surprise moves of her own.
Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2012
33 people are currently reading
1466 people want to read
About the author
Katie Porter
30 books208 followersKatie Porter is the award-winning writing team of longtime friends
Lorelie Brown
and
Carrie Lofty
. Both are multi-published in several romance genres, and both are RITA-nominated. Carrie holds an MA in history, loves movies, and has no fear of gross things like formaldehyde sharks. Her daughters aren't appreciative. Lorelie is a US Army veteran and true-crime devotee, whose three boys love when she screams like a little girl around spiders. After years of wishing and planning, they finally share an office in the Chicago area.
All five of Katie Porter’s "Vegas Top Guns" erotic romances received 4½ Stars from RT BookReviews. These books are "impressive and incredibly well done," and will "move Fifty Shades of Grey to the children’s section." The third title, HOLD 'EM , won a Reviewers' Choice award for Best Erotic Romance, and the m/m Christmas-themed CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was the first LGBTQ romance nominated for RT's Book of the Year.
All five of Katie Porter's " Vegas Top Guns " contemporary erotic romances received 4½ Stars from RT BookReviews. These books are "impressive and incredibly well done," and will "move Fifty Shades of Grey to the children’s section." The third title, HOLD 'EM , won a Reviewers' Choice award for Best Erotic Romance, and the m/m Christmas-themed CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was the first LGBTQ romance nominated for RT's Book of the Year.
All five of Katie Porter’s "Vegas Top Guns" erotic romances received 4½ Stars from RT BookReviews. These books are "impressive and incredibly well done," and will "move Fifty Shades of Grey to the children’s section." The third title, HOLD 'EM , won a Reviewers' Choice award for Best Erotic Romance, and the m/m Christmas-themed CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was the first LGBTQ romance nominated for RT's Book of the Year.
All five of Katie Porter's " Vegas Top Guns " contemporary erotic romances received 4½ Stars from RT BookReviews. These books are "impressive and incredibly well done," and will "move Fifty Shades of Grey to the children’s section." The third title, HOLD 'EM , won a Reviewers' Choice award for Best Erotic Romance, and the m/m Christmas-themed CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was the first LGBTQ romance nominated for RT's Book of the Year.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 1, 2012
Katie Porter is the pen name for authors Carrie Lofty and Lorelei Brown. Because of that, and because the series name is Vegas Top Guns, featuring some hottie air force pilots, I wanted to read this one. Unfortunately, I was kind of disappointed.
Major Ryan Haverty is a pilot and instructor at a base in Las Vegas. One night out with some fellow pilots, he sets his eyes on a waitress named Cassandra. He sees her with her skirt and pantyhose with the seams up the back, and can barely drag his eyes away. Ryan grew up in a trailer park surrounded by people who openly talked about sex. Because of that (maybe?) he has convinced himself that he likes really dirty things in the bedroom (role play especially) and his previous fiancé left him because of this. He would never let this desire be known to the public because he is too shamed. As a reader, this annoyed me because I feel like we truly never dive into this issue/insecurity he has. So he likes his sex partners to dress up as a french maid. I don’t think this is too out of line kinky. But for whatever reason, this shames him.
Cassandra works part-time in an art gallery, and is just waitressing until she has enough money, or a position available to move to the gallery full-time. She notices Ryan watching her in the restaurant, and after some big-time flirting, they head out on the town together. As Cass says:
After half a year of polite and frankly inadequate lovemaking, Cass wanted to go for it. She wanted to have sex with the man who’d hit on an eighteen (blackjack). Something hot and daring. A memory in the making.
“Tonight I like fast,” she whispered.
They plan to have a weekend full of fun, adventurous, carefree sex, which turns into much more.
There is a lot of sex in this book, and it is dirty. I don’t have a problem with the actual sex scenes. And I didn’t necessarily mind how fast they start having a physical relationship. As I mentioned, there is a lot of role playing - french maid, high class hooker, that type of stuff. Ryan gets off on Cassandra wearing pigtails and telling him what a naughty man he is. Cassandra gets off on it too, although they don’t really communicate that well with each other.
Ryan is very screwed up over his big confession to his previous fiancé that he likes things a little more spicy in the bedroom. Very shamed, always thinking Cassandra is going to come to her senses and treat him the same way once she realizes ‘who’ he really is. He brings this up to himself several times:
“Yes, sir,” she breathed.
Oh shit, did he like that or what? He was turning out to be more of a sicko than he’d though.
Or
Regular people shut the doors and turned down the lights. Good, regular men didn’t ask women to dress up and play stupid sex games. He wanted to at least make the attempt, no matter what turned him on.
After this one risky night, he’d go back to being sane. Normal.
Or
He was rapidly starting to suspect Cassandra was a woman worth knowing. That meant treating her with the respect she deserved.
No more weird stuff.
Besides, sex had been fantastic no matter what they did. He didn’t need seamed stockings and French accents. Wouldn’t let himself need them.
Dude – get a grip. First of all, from night one, they start with role play and never once does Cassandra object to it. It is actually her idea to go to an adult sex store and go into the dressing room to try things on. So why Ryan would think she isn’t into this type of sexual play, I have no idea. Plus, the extent of their role play is dressing up and maybe talking in an accent. Nothing kinky. Or maybe I’ve read too many erotic books lately, but this is all pretty vanilla stuff. I didn’t understand Ryan’s mind frame at all and got so tired of his constant worrying over it because he never stopped doing it. And Cassandra never complained once.
Outside of the sex scenes, I got bored and annoyed with the storyline. Nothing to keep me interested in reading. While Ryan obsessed over being such a dirty, sicko of a man, Cassandra fell kind of flat (although I did like her forwardness in the bedroom) and the story kind of fell apart for me.
Rating: C-
Major Ryan Haverty is a pilot and instructor at a base in Las Vegas. One night out with some fellow pilots, he sets his eyes on a waitress named Cassandra. He sees her with her skirt and pantyhose with the seams up the back, and can barely drag his eyes away. Ryan grew up in a trailer park surrounded by people who openly talked about sex. Because of that (maybe?) he has convinced himself that he likes really dirty things in the bedroom (role play especially) and his previous fiancé left him because of this. He would never let this desire be known to the public because he is too shamed. As a reader, this annoyed me because I feel like we truly never dive into this issue/insecurity he has. So he likes his sex partners to dress up as a french maid. I don’t think this is too out of line kinky. But for whatever reason, this shames him.
Cassandra works part-time in an art gallery, and is just waitressing until she has enough money, or a position available to move to the gallery full-time. She notices Ryan watching her in the restaurant, and after some big-time flirting, they head out on the town together. As Cass says:
After half a year of polite and frankly inadequate lovemaking, Cass wanted to go for it. She wanted to have sex with the man who’d hit on an eighteen (blackjack). Something hot and daring. A memory in the making.
“Tonight I like fast,” she whispered.
They plan to have a weekend full of fun, adventurous, carefree sex, which turns into much more.
There is a lot of sex in this book, and it is dirty. I don’t have a problem with the actual sex scenes. And I didn’t necessarily mind how fast they start having a physical relationship. As I mentioned, there is a lot of role playing - french maid, high class hooker, that type of stuff. Ryan gets off on Cassandra wearing pigtails and telling him what a naughty man he is. Cassandra gets off on it too, although they don’t really communicate that well with each other.
Ryan is very screwed up over his big confession to his previous fiancé that he likes things a little more spicy in the bedroom. Very shamed, always thinking Cassandra is going to come to her senses and treat him the same way once she realizes ‘who’ he really is. He brings this up to himself several times:
“Yes, sir,” she breathed.
Oh shit, did he like that or what? He was turning out to be more of a sicko than he’d though.
Or
Regular people shut the doors and turned down the lights. Good, regular men didn’t ask women to dress up and play stupid sex games. He wanted to at least make the attempt, no matter what turned him on.
After this one risky night, he’d go back to being sane. Normal.
Or
He was rapidly starting to suspect Cassandra was a woman worth knowing. That meant treating her with the respect she deserved.
No more weird stuff.
Besides, sex had been fantastic no matter what they did. He didn’t need seamed stockings and French accents. Wouldn’t let himself need them.
Dude – get a grip. First of all, from night one, they start with role play and never once does Cassandra object to it. It is actually her idea to go to an adult sex store and go into the dressing room to try things on. So why Ryan would think she isn’t into this type of sexual play, I have no idea. Plus, the extent of their role play is dressing up and maybe talking in an accent. Nothing kinky. Or maybe I’ve read too many erotic books lately, but this is all pretty vanilla stuff. I didn’t understand Ryan’s mind frame at all and got so tired of his constant worrying over it because he never stopped doing it. And Cassandra never complained once.
Outside of the sex scenes, I got bored and annoyed with the storyline. Nothing to keep me interested in reading. While Ryan obsessed over being such a dirty, sicko of a man, Cassandra fell kind of flat (although I did like her forwardness in the bedroom) and the story kind of fell apart for me.
Rating: C-
March 23, 2013
So, I don't read m/f romance very often, but this book had a couple of things going for it: it was free and it's about a fighter pilot. As it turns out, the heroine didn't make me throw things, I wanted to climb the hero like a tree, and the sex scenes were really excellent. I'm definitely reading more from these authors. Like, immediately.
January 19, 2014
**3.5 stars**
I ended up liking Double Down more than I thought. The premise was very interesting: a man likes some kink in the bedroom but was ashamed of it. If only the author would have build the background story more to make me believe a guy like him would have so many issues accepting that part of himself, I would have enjoyed it more.
To be fair, Ryan had some reasons for his misgivings. His ex-fiancee broke up with him because of his penchant for roleplaying so I understood why he wouldn't be so open to bring it up with a woman he really liked. However, I don't know why he thought it was a 'perversion'. He didn't grow up in a very religious or conservative household and c'mon! Roleplaying is not that a big a deal these days even if he was seriously into it. If he had been a minister or a high school principal, I would have understood why he might think his tastes unseemly but he was a fighter pilot! I can only imagine the groupies he must have and the crazy offers of sex he must receive on a regular basis.
Cassandra was portrayed as 'shy' but I didn't see it. Her problems weren't that big a deal - I really didn't understand why she hadn't pursued her career before when she seemed to love it soo much - but at least she really gave Ryan a magnificent set down when she realized his issues.
I may continue the series but not right away.
I ended up liking Double Down more than I thought. The premise was very interesting: a man likes some kink in the bedroom but was ashamed of it. If only the author would have build the background story more to make me believe a guy like him would have so many issues accepting that part of himself, I would have enjoyed it more.
To be fair, Ryan had some reasons for his misgivings. His ex-fiancee broke up with him because of his penchant for roleplaying so I understood why he wouldn't be so open to bring it up with a woman he really liked. However, I don't know why he thought it was a 'perversion'. He didn't grow up in a very religious or conservative household and c'mon! Roleplaying is not that a big a deal these days even if he was seriously into it. If he had been a minister or a high school principal, I would have understood why he might think his tastes unseemly but he was a fighter pilot! I can only imagine the groupies he must have and the crazy offers of sex he must receive on a regular basis.
Cassandra was portrayed as 'shy' but I didn't see it. Her problems weren't that big a deal - I really didn't understand why she hadn't pursued her career before when she seemed to love it soo much - but at least she really gave Ryan a magnificent set down when she realized his issues.
I may continue the series but not right away.
August 17, 2012
Kimber's
4.5 Stars
WOW! This is definitely one of the HOTTEST books I’ve read this year. Who knew role playing would be so darn steamy? I’ve never been one to like dressing up and pretend to be someone else, but I’m rethinking that after reading Double Down by Katie Porter. Have you ever heard of Katie Porter? Well, maybe not, but take notice of this writing team, Carrie Lofty and Lorelie Brown, because they have the writing skills down to an art and the sex is so hot my Kinky Kindle almost melted. The character building of the H/h was multi-layered and once those layers were peeled away a chapter at a time, we were left with one amazing couple.
Ryan, our hero, falls into lust from the moment he first sets eyes on the cute waitress with those f*ck-me seamed stockings. He goes for it, she accepts, and for the next few hours they use the Vegas strip as foreplay. That was my guy version of what happened. Very few details, huh? But, take my word for it, I could not do it justice. You must read for yourself. Now, Ryan is a complex guy who knows what he wants out of his professional life, but personally, we find out he’s a bit of a mess. Due to a past relationship he has good reason to think Cassandra would not be on board on a regular basis for his “needs.” He’s afraid to open up and talk about it, and it almost costs him the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
Cassandra is even more complex than Ryan. Sexually, she’s got it together. Though Ryan helps bring out her naughty side, she doesn’t try to hide it. She is ready and willing to explore, and has no problems showing or voicing her feelings. But, professionally, she’s at a standstill. Her fear of taking a chance with what she really wants keeps her at a job she hates. Then, she has to deal with letting her family take advantage of her at every turn. When does she get to do what makes her happy? Ryan challenges her to do something bold regarding her job, she accepts and it pays off big time. Now, if she can just get everything else in her life to go as easily as that did.
As masterfully hot as this book is, it was also an emotional ride that ended with me in love with these characters and this story. The next installment in the series cannot release soon enough for me. I truly loved it. In fact, I’ve read it twice already. Yeah, it’s that good.
4.5 Stars
WOW! This is definitely one of the HOTTEST books I’ve read this year. Who knew role playing would be so darn steamy? I’ve never been one to like dressing up and pretend to be someone else, but I’m rethinking that after reading Double Down by Katie Porter. Have you ever heard of Katie Porter? Well, maybe not, but take notice of this writing team, Carrie Lofty and Lorelie Brown, because they have the writing skills down to an art and the sex is so hot my Kinky Kindle almost melted. The character building of the H/h was multi-layered and once those layers were peeled away a chapter at a time, we were left with one amazing couple.
Ryan, our hero, falls into lust from the moment he first sets eyes on the cute waitress with those f*ck-me seamed stockings. He goes for it, she accepts, and for the next few hours they use the Vegas strip as foreplay. That was my guy version of what happened. Very few details, huh? But, take my word for it, I could not do it justice. You must read for yourself. Now, Ryan is a complex guy who knows what he wants out of his professional life, but personally, we find out he’s a bit of a mess. Due to a past relationship he has good reason to think Cassandra would not be on board on a regular basis for his “needs.” He’s afraid to open up and talk about it, and it almost costs him the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
Cassandra is even more complex than Ryan. Sexually, she’s got it together. Though Ryan helps bring out her naughty side, she doesn’t try to hide it. She is ready and willing to explore, and has no problems showing or voicing her feelings. But, professionally, she’s at a standstill. Her fear of taking a chance with what she really wants keeps her at a job she hates. Then, she has to deal with letting her family take advantage of her at every turn. When does she get to do what makes her happy? Ryan challenges her to do something bold regarding her job, she accepts and it pays off big time. Now, if she can just get everything else in her life to go as easily as that did.
As masterfully hot as this book is, it was also an emotional ride that ended with me in love with these characters and this story. The next installment in the series cannot release soon enough for me. I truly loved it. In fact, I’ve read it twice already. Yeah, it’s that good.
own-need-to-read
November 22, 2015This has been a pretty popular read!
Double Down is free at Amazon today. Thanks, Lindsey, for letting me know! Amazon: www.amazon.com/Double-Down-Vegas-Guns...
Cover blurb: Desire as reckless as a fighter jet in freefall...and just as dangerous.
As part of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, Major Ryan "Fang" Haverty flies like the enemy to teach Allied pilots how not to die. The glittering excess of the Strip can't compare to the glowing jet engines of his F-16. But a sexy, redheaded waitress in seamed stockings? Now "she" gets his blood pumping.
Cassandra Whitman's good-girl ways haven't earned any slack from her manager ex-boyfriend, or prevented a bad case of frazzle from holding down two and a half jobs. She sure wouldn't mind letting the handsome Southern charmer shake up her routine.
Their wild weekend lives up to Sin City's reputation. Especially when they discover a matched passion for roleplaying. For Cass, it's an exciting departure from her normal, shy persona. But for Ryan, it triggers memories of a time when his fetish drove away the woman he loved-leaving him reluctant to risk a repeat performance.
Except Cass refuses to settle for ordinary ever again. She's about to show the man with hair-trigger hands that she's got a few surprise moves of her own.
Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings.
November 4, 2017
Katie Porter is the writing duo of Carrie Lofty and Lorelie Brown--this is the first in their new series, Vegas Top Guns.
Ryan "Fang" Haverty is a fighter pilot. Cassandra Whitman is the waitress at the steakhouse where he and his friends and fellow pilots have dinner. Deciding to cut loose for once, she accepts his offer to take her away from the drudgery of her life, if only for an evening. Or a weekend...
They enjoy several scorching hot days, and find that they both have an appetite for roleplaying. While Cass finds it a fun and exciting departure from her usual reserved ways, Ryan recalls how his penchant for "kink" ruined a past relationship. He doesn't want to repeat that demoralizing time, ever.
Ryan's quite the tormented hero, and Cass is a good, bold foil to him. They are both smart, straight shooting people, and it was easy to see how they'd be so well matched. It does take a heroine as strong as Cass to bring Ryan out of the mire of his past.
I really enjoyed Double Down, and am eagerly looking forward to Inside Bet and Hold 'Em--the stories of Ryan's best friends, Jon and Leah.
05/06/12
Ryan "Fang" Haverty is a fighter pilot. Cassandra Whitman is the waitress at the steakhouse where he and his friends and fellow pilots have dinner. Deciding to cut loose for once, she accepts his offer to take her away from the drudgery of her life, if only for an evening. Or a weekend...
They enjoy several scorching hot days, and find that they both have an appetite for roleplaying. While Cass finds it a fun and exciting departure from her usual reserved ways, Ryan recalls how his penchant for "kink" ruined a past relationship. He doesn't want to repeat that demoralizing time, ever.
Ryan's quite the tormented hero, and Cass is a good, bold foil to him. They are both smart, straight shooting people, and it was easy to see how they'd be so well matched. It does take a heroine as strong as Cass to bring Ryan out of the mire of his past.
I really enjoyed Double Down, and am eagerly looking forward to Inside Bet and Hold 'Em--the stories of Ryan's best friends, Jon and Leah.
05/06/12
June 10, 2022
Quick(ish) Review
For the person who just watched Top Gun and wanted more sex? Have I got a series for you. This erotic romance is a five alarm🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and it’s got an actual plot line to boot. Their Firsts are chef’s kiss, And my main quibble is that the resolution to years of feeling trashy for his desires is resolved fairly easily but in the end, I’m ok with it because did I mention the hot fire sex? Yeah that made up for a lot. If you’re into erotic romance centered around role playing, I’d definitely recommend this.
For the person who just watched Top Gun and wanted more sex? Have I got a series for you. This erotic romance is a five alarm🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and it’s got an actual plot line to boot. Their Firsts are chef’s kiss, And my main quibble is that the resolution to years of feeling trashy for his desires is resolved fairly easily but in the end, I’m ok with it because did I mention the hot fire sex? Yeah that made up for a lot. If you’re into erotic romance centered around role playing, I’d definitely recommend this.
December 14, 2022
Double Down is book one in the Vegas Top Guns series. It's a military romance with a touch of ..roleplaying thrown in.
We meet our male MC Major Ryan "Fang" Haverty. Ryan is an alpha fighter pilot military man. He meets our FMC Cass while she's waitressing at her job at a diner. Cass is normally a shy person, but Ryan has brought out the ... spice in her life. The two explore their shared kink for roleplaying among other spicy scenes. Cass helps Ryan accept and explore his kinks without shaming him as his past partners have.
In terms of kink and spice factor, I'd consider it to be a little more on the "tame" side considering the amount of dark romance type of books I read, haha. . There are plenty of spicy scenes in this book though, so if that's your jam, you'll enjoy this book.
We meet our male MC Major Ryan "Fang" Haverty. Ryan is an alpha fighter pilot military man. He meets our FMC Cass while she's waitressing at her job at a diner. Cass is normally a shy person, but Ryan has brought out the ... spice in her life. The two explore their shared kink for roleplaying among other spicy scenes. Cass helps Ryan accept and explore his kinks without shaming him as his past partners have.
In terms of kink and spice factor, I'd consider it to be a little more on the "tame" side considering the amount of dark romance type of books I read, haha. . There are plenty of spicy scenes in this book though, so if that's your jam, you'll enjoy this book.
Read
August 28, 2012Two edits below - I DID FINISH IT!
This sounded pretty good. I got about 20% into it before I realized just how messed up in the head Ryan is. Yes, sex games make you a trashy, tasteless sicko that should be locked away with the pedophiles and rapists! Please note the sarcasm dripping from my previous statement.
I can't get into a character that is so ashamed of wanting his lover to wear a costume. A FUCKING COSTUME. It's not like he was fighting himself over his desire to see her whipped and caned while wearing a latex gimp suit and gas mask. He wanted her to wear stockings. STOCKINGS.
I feel like his 'personal obstacle' is something thought up by two 12 year olds that caught a little bit of softcore porn on Cinemax and decided to write a book about it.
Edit: God damn. Convince me to give it a second chance, why don't you? Fine. I'm giving it a second chance. And Ryan is still acting like the desire to see Cass in a school girl outfit is depraved and immoral. But he has referred to 'flight groupies', that apparently like it hard and fast, choking to death on a pilot's cock. Why is that 'totally normal', but dressing up is 'depraved and sick'? This doesn't make sense.
And the editing doesn't make sense. Who the fuck edited this:
“I dangerous, and there’s the chance I’ll be redeployed one day. But what I do is important.” With a tenderness that left her breathless, he kissed her forehead. “I’ve been trusted with a responsibility that I never take lightly.”am good. The best. I take every precaution.” Her words, echoed in his voice, began to ease her tension. “Cassandra, I’m not going to lie. What I do is
That's an entire paragraph copied straight from the Kindle, no editing on my part except to put it all in italics. If any of you can make sense of that shit, I'll give you a dollar.
Second Edit: Okay, I finished it. I gotta say, I loved Cassandra. She was fierce and stood up for herself in a way I rarely see in these contemporary romance novels. But I still didn't like Ryan's self-hatred. Not only did it come across as naivete, but stupidity as well. How can you be 29 yrs old and think that role play in the privacy of your own bedroom is disgusting and depraved? Even if he didn't have lovers that were into it, the fact that role play is a WIDELY KNOWN and COMMON fetish shouldn't have been lost on somebody that's seen the world and is obviously quite experienced in sex.
Gah, I'm repeating myself at this point. It's just so... OMG WTF R U SIRIUS? Anyway. I loved Cassandra - she's probably the reason I continued to read through Ryan's self-loathing - and the dirty talk. Ryan's one redeeming value was his smexxxy dirty talk. I rarely get to read such aggressive dirty talk and I liked it. Whore, bitch, dirty slut, etc. It was hot. *fans self*
So yeah... my attempt to read this book was a cluftersuck of frustration with Ryan, but I know for a fact that most of you horny bitches will love it. I think my personal experience got in the way of my "understanding" Ryan's problem.
This sounded pretty good. I got about 20% into it before I realized just how messed up in the head Ryan is. Yes, sex games make you a trashy, tasteless sicko that should be locked away with the pedophiles and rapists! Please note the sarcasm dripping from my previous statement.
I can't get into a character that is so ashamed of wanting his lover to wear a costume. A FUCKING COSTUME. It's not like he was fighting himself over his desire to see her whipped and caned while wearing a latex gimp suit and gas mask. He wanted her to wear stockings. STOCKINGS.
I feel like his 'personal obstacle' is something thought up by two 12 year olds that caught a little bit of softcore porn on Cinemax and decided to write a book about it.
Edit: God damn. Convince me to give it a second chance, why don't you? Fine. I'm giving it a second chance. And Ryan is still acting like the desire to see Cass in a school girl outfit is depraved and immoral. But he has referred to 'flight groupies', that apparently like it hard and fast, choking to death on a pilot's cock. Why is that 'totally normal', but dressing up is 'depraved and sick'? This doesn't make sense.
And the editing doesn't make sense. Who the fuck edited this:
“I dangerous, and there’s the chance I’ll be redeployed one day. But what I do is important.” With a tenderness that left her breathless, he kissed her forehead. “I’ve been trusted with a responsibility that I never take lightly.”am good. The best. I take every precaution.” Her words, echoed in his voice, began to ease her tension. “Cassandra, I’m not going to lie. What I do is
That's an entire paragraph copied straight from the Kindle, no editing on my part except to put it all in italics. If any of you can make sense of that shit, I'll give you a dollar.
Second Edit: Okay, I finished it. I gotta say, I loved Cassandra. She was fierce and stood up for herself in a way I rarely see in these contemporary romance novels. But I still didn't like Ryan's self-hatred. Not only did it come across as naivete, but stupidity as well. How can you be 29 yrs old and think that role play in the privacy of your own bedroom is disgusting and depraved? Even if he didn't have lovers that were into it, the fact that role play is a WIDELY KNOWN and COMMON fetish shouldn't have been lost on somebody that's seen the world and is obviously quite experienced in sex.
Gah, I'm repeating myself at this point. It's just so... OMG WTF R U SIRIUS? Anyway. I loved Cassandra - she's probably the reason I continued to read through Ryan's self-loathing - and the dirty talk. Ryan's one redeeming value was his smexxxy dirty talk. I rarely get to read such aggressive dirty talk and I liked it. Whore, bitch, dirty slut, etc. It was hot. *fans self*
So yeah... my attempt to read this book was a cluftersuck of frustration with Ryan, but I know for a fact that most of you horny bitches will love it. I think my personal experience got in the way of my "understanding" Ryan's problem.
March 4, 2013
Book Blurb
Desire as reckless as a fighter jet in freefall...and just as dangerous.
As part of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, Major Ryan "Fang" Haverty flies like the enemy to teach Allied pilots how not to die. The glittering excess of the Strip can't compare to the glowing jet engines of his F-16. But a sexy, redheaded waitress in seamed stockings? Now "she" gets his blood pumping.
Cassandra Whitman's good-girl ways haven't earned any slack from her manager ex-boyfriend, or prevented a bad case of frazzle from holding down two and a half jobs. She sure wouldn't mind letting the handsome Southern charmer shake up her routine.
Their wild weekend lives up to Sin City's reputation. Especially when they discover a matched passion for roleplaying. For Cass, it's an exciting departure from her normal, shy persona. But for Ryan, it triggers memories of a time when his fetish drove away the woman he loved-leaving him reluctant to risk a repeat performance.
Except Cass refuses to settle for ordinary ever again. She's about to show the man with hair-trigger hands that she's got a few surprise moves of her own.
Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings
Review
Two wounded people find love during a restaurant meal. One a patron one the server but in the end they have common ground, they both like to live out their fantasy. This was a hot one night stand with role playing the turns into so much more.
I found Double Down to be a fun and enjoyable read with smoking hot sexual encounters, character growth and a wonderfully romantic storyline. Definitely a great erotic romance and worth checking out.
Currently free on Amazon Kindle 3/4/2013
Amazon Link
Desire as reckless as a fighter jet in freefall...and just as dangerous.
As part of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, Major Ryan "Fang" Haverty flies like the enemy to teach Allied pilots how not to die. The glittering excess of the Strip can't compare to the glowing jet engines of his F-16. But a sexy, redheaded waitress in seamed stockings? Now "she" gets his blood pumping.
Cassandra Whitman's good-girl ways haven't earned any slack from her manager ex-boyfriend, or prevented a bad case of frazzle from holding down two and a half jobs. She sure wouldn't mind letting the handsome Southern charmer shake up her routine.
Their wild weekend lives up to Sin City's reputation. Especially when they discover a matched passion for roleplaying. For Cass, it's an exciting departure from her normal, shy persona. But for Ryan, it triggers memories of a time when his fetish drove away the woman he loved-leaving him reluctant to risk a repeat performance.
Except Cass refuses to settle for ordinary ever again. She's about to show the man with hair-trigger hands that she's got a few surprise moves of her own.
Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings
Review
Two wounded people find love during a restaurant meal. One a patron one the server but in the end they have common ground, they both like to live out their fantasy. This was a hot one night stand with role playing the turns into so much more.
I found Double Down to be a fun and enjoyable read with smoking hot sexual encounters, character growth and a wonderfully romantic storyline. Definitely a great erotic romance and worth checking out.
Currently free on Amazon Kindle 3/4/2013
Amazon Link
December 25, 2012
I thought this was going to be your typical get down and dirty sexy story without much plot and I am happy to say that I am wrong. It actually was a really good story and I liked the characters. I hope to read more about them in the next story in the series.
This was a nice surprise.
This was a nice surprise.
Want to read
March 1, 2013Amazon (ebook) freebie 3/1/13
January 6, 2014
So awkward moment when you realize there is no story to your sexy-fic. Well, sorta no story.
October 25, 2017
This was cute and hot with all the roleplaying. Wish the Hero grovelled more and showed more remorse.. heroine forgave him too easily methinks..
September 19, 2015
4.5 Stars
This review was posted at Under the Covers
Oh.My.God! This is one hot little story. Of course I have a thing for a man in uniform and an honest to God Air Force pilot can push my buttons. Add to that that he may have a kinky side and I'm all for it. But Ryan Haverty (aka "Fang") is not kinky in the way you are thinking. There's no tie me up and spank me in this book (well, there is but in a completely different context). This story is about role playing.
Ryan has always had fantasies of being with women and dressing them up. He's wanted the schoolgirl, the french maid, you get the picture. He also thinks he is a sick fuck for wanting that everytime he thinks of sex because of a bad experience with his ex. Now, I don't see the immediate problem with his likes or his way of thinking. What I did see a problem with and why this isn't a 5 star book was Ryan's disgust for his own wants. Constantly. That's all he thought about and talked about. How sick in the head he was for wanting to have sex with a girl while she was on her knees with pigtails and a sexy skirt. I say.... whatever floats your boat, get over it already. He was getting annoying at times with that.
That being said, this is one hot book. What starts out as a one night stand between Major Ryan Haverty from the Air Force and Cassandra Whitman, a waitress from Las Vegas, slowly turns into something else, something more. They are truly a perfect fit. She is just daring and carefree and funny enough to draw Ryan out and make him forget about his rules and live the life he wants.
I loved this quote:
"Fucked in a sex shop? Been there, done that. Bought the naughty Goth costume souvenir."
Even though this book might seem like a fantasy after another (you may want to take notes for future reference, just staying) it also developed the characters and their connection. They both had issues to overcome although Ryan's issue just made me want to punch his face.
I am so excited to read about the rest of the Vegas Top Guns. I see from the blurbs that Jon and Leah are not going to end up together. =( I was rooting for that! But I can see how their friendship and dynamic could work better with separate love interests. I'm excited to read about them, so bring on "Tin Tin".
*ARC provided by publisher
This review was posted at Under the Covers
Oh.My.God! This is one hot little story. Of course I have a thing for a man in uniform and an honest to God Air Force pilot can push my buttons. Add to that that he may have a kinky side and I'm all for it. But Ryan Haverty (aka "Fang") is not kinky in the way you are thinking. There's no tie me up and spank me in this book (well, there is but in a completely different context). This story is about role playing.
Ryan has always had fantasies of being with women and dressing them up. He's wanted the schoolgirl, the french maid, you get the picture. He also thinks he is a sick fuck for wanting that everytime he thinks of sex because of a bad experience with his ex. Now, I don't see the immediate problem with his likes or his way of thinking. What I did see a problem with and why this isn't a 5 star book was Ryan's disgust for his own wants. Constantly. That's all he thought about and talked about. How sick in the head he was for wanting to have sex with a girl while she was on her knees with pigtails and a sexy skirt. I say.... whatever floats your boat, get over it already. He was getting annoying at times with that.
That being said, this is one hot book. What starts out as a one night stand between Major Ryan Haverty from the Air Force and Cassandra Whitman, a waitress from Las Vegas, slowly turns into something else, something more. They are truly a perfect fit. She is just daring and carefree and funny enough to draw Ryan out and make him forget about his rules and live the life he wants.
I loved this quote:
"Fucked in a sex shop? Been there, done that. Bought the naughty Goth costume souvenir."
Even though this book might seem like a fantasy after another (you may want to take notes for future reference, just staying) it also developed the characters and their connection. They both had issues to overcome although Ryan's issue just made me want to punch his face.
I am so excited to read about the rest of the Vegas Top Guns. I see from the blurbs that Jon and Leah are not going to end up together. =( I was rooting for that! But I can see how their friendship and dynamic could work better with separate love interests. I'm excited to read about them, so bring on "Tin Tin".
*ARC provided by publisher
October 1, 2012
BOOK: Double Down
AUTHOR: Katie Porter
LENGTH: 324 PAGES
RATING: 5 STARS
REVIEW:
Ryan is a fighter jet pilot whom had a rough start in life, and now his work to be better than the place he used to live is paying off. He's a war hero Major at 29, and a legend among other pilots. However his past, and his desires seems to be so together that he can't seem to have one without the other.
Cassandra is a woman afraid of moving on in life. She's okay with the 'good-enough's, and at the same time wistful of bigger things for her. She's stuck between 3 jobs, and she can't seem to go with what she loves most, Art.
When Ryan enters her life, he changes her and her routine. Ryan is changed too, he's finally free to step on the fantasies he's had for a long time. They are so good as a couple. Their sex are hot enough to burn, but they want-NEED more. Ryan, though has his past again caughting up on him, which makes him afraid of losing Cassandra, and himself to his fear. Cassandra is no Barbie Doll, however, and she won't let him run and hide, from her or him.
Wowza, did I totally LOVE this book! Katie Porter is a new author for me, I read a couple days ago their interviews at a book blog and got totally hooked on their books. First in the Vegas Top Guns series, Double Down has it all. It's erotica and romance with a great plot to hold it all together.
P.S.: I laughed out loud at Ryan's nickname true meaning!
AUTHOR: Katie Porter
LENGTH: 324 PAGES
RATING: 5 STARS
REVIEW:
Ryan is a fighter jet pilot whom had a rough start in life, and now his work to be better than the place he used to live is paying off. He's a war hero Major at 29, and a legend among other pilots. However his past, and his desires seems to be so together that he can't seem to have one without the other.
Cassandra is a woman afraid of moving on in life. She's okay with the 'good-enough's, and at the same time wistful of bigger things for her. She's stuck between 3 jobs, and she can't seem to go with what she loves most, Art.
When Ryan enters her life, he changes her and her routine. Ryan is changed too, he's finally free to step on the fantasies he's had for a long time. They are so good as a couple. Their sex are hot enough to burn, but they want-NEED more. Ryan, though has his past again caughting up on him, which makes him afraid of losing Cassandra, and himself to his fear. Cassandra is no Barbie Doll, however, and she won't let him run and hide, from her or him.
Wowza, did I totally LOVE this book! Katie Porter is a new author for me, I read a couple days ago their interviews at a book blog and got totally hooked on their books. First in the Vegas Top Guns series, Double Down has it all. It's erotica and romance with a great plot to hold it all together.
P.S.: I laughed out loud at Ryan's nickname true meaning!
May 28, 2012
I really liked this overall. The smooth writing, fast pace, and smokin hot sex scenes made it a fun read.
We're introduced to Ryan and his two Air Force buddies at a diner/restaurant. He can't stop staring at the waitress-heroine and her seamed stockings. His attraction is based solely on looks, which isn't unusual, but it came across as sort of oversexualized and shallow. She argues with her ex-boyfriend/boss right in front of the customers. That didn't endear me to her.
Cass goes on a date with Ryan and they have great chemistry. The story started working for me because the heroine is unabashedly sexual and the hero is a nice guy. They have an explosive quickie in a dressing room, where she tries on lingerie for him. Then he buys her a French Maid outfit and they meet in a hotel room for more dress-up games.
I liked the roleplaying angle and wish it had been explored more. I wanted to know why they were drawn to it. Was it about freedom or control or escape? The sex is erotic and unique and extremely well done. Unlike Cass, Ryan feels ashamed of his desires. He cares about her and thinks vanilla should be enough. When she plays naughty schoolgirl to his stern professor, the game goes too far.
The conflict and character development in this story didn't stand out to me, but the sex did. It was a pleasure to read a turbo-charged erotic romance without menage, heavy bdsm or a bad boy hero.
We're introduced to Ryan and his two Air Force buddies at a diner/restaurant. He can't stop staring at the waitress-heroine and her seamed stockings. His attraction is based solely on looks, which isn't unusual, but it came across as sort of oversexualized and shallow. She argues with her ex-boyfriend/boss right in front of the customers. That didn't endear me to her.
Cass goes on a date with Ryan and they have great chemistry. The story started working for me because the heroine is unabashedly sexual and the hero is a nice guy. They have an explosive quickie in a dressing room, where she tries on lingerie for him. Then he buys her a French Maid outfit and they meet in a hotel room for more dress-up games.
I liked the roleplaying angle and wish it had been explored more. I wanted to know why they were drawn to it. Was it about freedom or control or escape? The sex is erotic and unique and extremely well done. Unlike Cass, Ryan feels ashamed of his desires. He cares about her and thinks vanilla should be enough. When she plays naughty schoolgirl to his stern professor, the game goes too far.
The conflict and character development in this story didn't stand out to me, but the sex did. It was a pleasure to read a turbo-charged erotic romance without menage, heavy bdsm or a bad boy hero.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2012
I am so pleasantly surprised with this book! I'll admit, I had no idea what I was in for. I had a feeling this would be some sort of action-packed war romance novel. (I don't read summaries, ever. It's a thing.) Turns out, I was very wrong. So, you know... if that's what you're looking for, you're not going to find it here.
What you WILL find is a hot little story about instant sexual chemistry and a little tap-dancing skeleton in our hero's closet. There is tons of really well-written and cute roll-play throughout the entire book. Very steamy, but very fun as well.
The problem that Ryan has with himself is a little silly, I will admit. Maybe not to everyone, but at least to the people that this book caters to. I don't believe that many who will read this will gasp at a sexy outfit and a few smacks on the rear. But Ryan thinks himself so-very-wrong for loving it. A little glimpse into why, and you can kind of feel for the dude.
I would have liked to go a little deeper with his character. I feel like, instead of really getting inside of his head and figuring him out, he ends up coming off as a bit arrogant by the end. Not a bad thing - per say - but we're not led to fall for him in that way. I don't know, the end was a little weird. But I really enjoyed the read. It's a sexy book, go ahead and try it on.
What you WILL find is a hot little story about instant sexual chemistry and a little tap-dancing skeleton in our hero's closet. There is tons of really well-written and cute roll-play throughout the entire book. Very steamy, but very fun as well.
The problem that Ryan has with himself is a little silly, I will admit. Maybe not to everyone, but at least to the people that this book caters to. I don't believe that many who will read this will gasp at a sexy outfit and a few smacks on the rear. But Ryan thinks himself so-very-wrong for loving it. A little glimpse into why, and you can kind of feel for the dude.
I would have liked to go a little deeper with his character. I feel like, instead of really getting inside of his head and figuring him out, he ends up coming off as a bit arrogant by the end. Not a bad thing - per say - but we're not led to fall for him in that way. I don't know, the end was a little weird. But I really enjoyed the read. It's a sexy book, go ahead and try it on.
August 2, 2012
3.5 stars So I'll admit, I wasn't sure how I would like a book surrounding the idea of role playing. I mean those skimpy little outfits are cute and all, but I always felt like the 'acting' would make it awkward and silly. Turns out it was fun and silly in a way I never expected. I loved Cassandra. She didn't take herself too seriously and could just let lose with a character and have a great and intense time, then giggle about it afterwards. Pretty much the perfect combo, then of course Ryan has to go and ruin it all. Granted I ended up understanding where his coming from, especially with their last scene where things got more intense . Once things went past simple dress up I could understand his reticence more. But for a lot off the book he was berating himself for these perverse fantasies and wanting Cass to dress up and why isn't she enough for me. Are people really that prude? But of course he realized he could have it all, cute and playful ending. Really fun read overall that had me smiling a lot, even though it's basically one sex scene after another!
May 2, 2013
Phew that was very steamy. I didn't realize when I bought it that this is actually considered erotic romance. I haven't delved into much in the erotic subgenre, but I'm glad I did and that this was the one I chose. The erotic elements - role playing - were fairly tame but super sexy. Actually, I was sort of chuckling to myself about how embarrassed Ryan was by his fetish. I mean I can think of some seriously more disturbing hang-ups than wanting a girl to wear a nursing outfit and play in character. But by the time that the author team was through, I actually empathized with his behavior. Family experiences and comments from people you are dating and trust can have a very negative impact on your comfort with sexuality in all its elements. The romance really worked for me in this one and I empathized with and liked both of our main characters. Also enjoyed seeing Las Vegas from the non-tourist side. Looking forward to more in this series.
June 4, 2014
This was fun and fast. The perfect post-trip read. (And I have to admit that I've been missing romance after my binge-read at the beginning of the year.)
I enjoyed both main characters, and the book is plenty steamy. The only thing that keeps me from bumping it up to four stars is that the major conflict skirted a little too close to a Big Misunderstanding for my taste. It wasn't a Big Misunderstanding, but it was close. The authors (writing duo, not a typo) definitely set up a backstory that made Ryan's reluctance to talk understandable and a for-real barrier. But in the end, I'll always prefer more substantial conflict. Still, really recommend the series to those looking for a steamy read that's just slightly kinky without being weird about it.
Sorry, guys. I'm off my reviewing game. It'll come back.
I hope.
I enjoyed both main characters, and the book is plenty steamy. The only thing that keeps me from bumping it up to four stars is that the major conflict skirted a little too close to a Big Misunderstanding for my taste. It wasn't a Big Misunderstanding, but it was close. The authors (writing duo, not a typo) definitely set up a backstory that made Ryan's reluctance to talk understandable and a for-real barrier. But in the end, I'll always prefer more substantial conflict. Still, really recommend the series to those looking for a steamy read that's just slightly kinky without being weird about it.
Sorry, guys. I'm off my reviewing game. It'll come back.
I hope.
March 9, 2013
Ryan is a hot Air Force pilot. Got it all together you would think. No. He has some major hang ups. He is insecure about his family and his past. And he is really insecure about his kink. Which is NOT THAT kinky. He meets up with Cassandra, a cute waitress in need of some loving. They hit it off but his insecurities keep coming between them. The story is steamy but his self doubt gets old fast.
Want to read
October 10, 2012Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings.
Read
October 29, 2023The Smut Report team is participating in Wendy the Super Librarian's #TBRChallenge 2023. Our goal: to dust off our TBRs once a month and talk about the book we read.
Read our full TBR Challenge update at The Smut Report
It’s kind of weird reading this book after reading so many other kinky books. This book was published in 2012, and I think that the degree of kink-positivity we have been seeing in romance in the past few years is on a whole other level from what it used to be. My point is that Ryan has serious hangups about his kinks because the last woman he got serious about told him they were gross, and that (combined with his lifelong desire to run away from his “trailer trash” upbringing) messed up his head real good. I’m accustomed to characters who own their kinks and are looking for partners who share them; in this case, Cass totally shares Ryan’s kinks, but he just can’t imagine anything but that she’s humoring him and eventually his desires will just be too much.
I’d say also that this is an erotic romance, and honestly I think Porter does a pretty good job of tapping into our protagonists’ emotional growth arc by using their sexual encounters to unlock new facets, desires, and fears. But, as with a lot of erotic romance, you kind of need to be in the right headspace, or it can feel like every moment without sex is just there to tie together the sex scenes. They are numerous and detailed. But fun. I don’t think I’ve ever read another romance with a couple so committed to role playing.
Finally, I liked that the story centered on kind of a natural dating experience. This means that most of the conflict was due to the characters not a) owning their own feelings or b) communicating openly with their partner, but that’s kind of how relationships go at the start. And the conflict has to come from somewhere or it’s just boring. That said, given the lack of external conflict or “I will NEVER fall in love” feelings, readers might not get quite enough tension to feel like there’s significantly more to the story than a thread tying the sex scenes together. BUT, Cass is also one of those protagonists who is like, “I see what you’re doing, and I’m not going to let you get away with it,” when Ryan is being an asshat. (WRT when he pushes away, specifically. Normally the heroine is like, “Fiiiiine, I guess he doesn’t love me after alllllll.”)
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Read our full TBR Challenge update at The Smut Report
It’s kind of weird reading this book after reading so many other kinky books. This book was published in 2012, and I think that the degree of kink-positivity we have been seeing in romance in the past few years is on a whole other level from what it used to be. My point is that Ryan has serious hangups about his kinks because the last woman he got serious about told him they were gross, and that (combined with his lifelong desire to run away from his “trailer trash” upbringing) messed up his head real good. I’m accustomed to characters who own their kinks and are looking for partners who share them; in this case, Cass totally shares Ryan’s kinks, but he just can’t imagine anything but that she’s humoring him and eventually his desires will just be too much.
I’d say also that this is an erotic romance, and honestly I think Porter does a pretty good job of tapping into our protagonists’ emotional growth arc by using their sexual encounters to unlock new facets, desires, and fears. But, as with a lot of erotic romance, you kind of need to be in the right headspace, or it can feel like every moment without sex is just there to tie together the sex scenes. They are numerous and detailed. But fun. I don’t think I’ve ever read another romance with a couple so committed to role playing.
Finally, I liked that the story centered on kind of a natural dating experience. This means that most of the conflict was due to the characters not a) owning their own feelings or b) communicating openly with their partner, but that’s kind of how relationships go at the start. And the conflict has to come from somewhere or it’s just boring. That said, given the lack of external conflict or “I will NEVER fall in love” feelings, readers might not get quite enough tension to feel like there’s significantly more to the story than a thread tying the sex scenes together. BUT, Cass is also one of those protagonists who is like, “I see what you’re doing, and I’m not going to let you get away with it,” when Ryan is being an asshat. (WRT when he pushes away, specifically. Normally the heroine is like, “Fiiiiine, I guess he doesn’t love me after alllllll.”)
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
March 6, 2019
I normally cringe my way through romances set in Vegas, because they seem as if they were written by a)someone who has never been to Vegas, or b)someone who has been to Vegas, but spent the whole time hammered and never left the Strip. Having lived in Vegas for 14 years, I can't tolerate the stereotypical, condescending, small-minded picture that authors often paint of Vegas, where actual people live and work and raise families. Very few other cities have to put up with people simultaneously scorning and looking down on them, while still going there to be housed and served and waited on and shown a great time. It's gross.
(Also, side note, getting married and waking up drunk with no memory of it is incredibly far-fetched. You have to go to the marriage bureau, stand in line, fill out paperwork, show proper IDs, AND THEN get yourself to the chapel - and choose and pay for your wedding package, pick out your complimentary bouquet and photo options, wait your turn for your ceremony - for the officiant to perform the ceremony to make it legal.)
But I digress. To my delight, this was written as if the authors actually spent some time in Vegas off the Strip and had a fairly accurate grasp on at least a little more of the city. Even the descriptions of Nellis hold water (my brother was in the Air Force, so I can attest). They didn't go to the farthest reaches and name-drop every neighborhood, but it's an improvement on the usual.
I'm interested to see if the rest of the books in the series continue to do well portraying the city.
I liked the characters and the love story a lot, too, but the halfway-decent portrayal of my city alone is enough for me to like this one.
(Also, side note, getting married and waking up drunk with no memory of it is incredibly far-fetched. You have to go to the marriage bureau, stand in line, fill out paperwork, show proper IDs, AND THEN get yourself to the chapel - and choose and pay for your wedding package, pick out your complimentary bouquet and photo options, wait your turn for your ceremony - for the officiant to perform the ceremony to make it legal.)
But I digress. To my delight, this was written as if the authors actually spent some time in Vegas off the Strip and had a fairly accurate grasp on at least a little more of the city. Even the descriptions of Nellis hold water (my brother was in the Air Force, so I can attest). They didn't go to the farthest reaches and name-drop every neighborhood, but it's an improvement on the usual.
I'm interested to see if the rest of the books in the series continue to do well portraying the city.
I liked the characters and the love story a lot, too, but the halfway-decent portrayal of my city alone is enough for me to like this one.
February 14, 2017
Joint review with one of my fellow bookpushers originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/07/31/...
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the author
As part of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, Major Ryan “Fang” Haverty flies like the enemy to teach Allied pilots how not to die. The glittering excess of the Strip can’t compare to the glowing jet engines of his F-16. But a sexy, redheaded waitress in seamed stockings? Now she gets his blood pumping.
Cassandra Whitman’s good-girl ways haven’t earned any slack from her manager ex-boyfriend, or prevented a bad case of frazzle from holding down two and a half jobs. She sure wouldn’t mind letting the handsome Southern charmer shake up her routine.
Their wild weekend lives up to Sin City’s reputation. Especially when they discover a matched passion for roleplaying. For Cass, it’s an exciting departure from her normal, shy persona. But for Ryan, it triggers memories of a time when his fetish drove away the woman he loved—leaving him reluctant to risk a repeat performance.
Except Cass refuses to settle for ordinary ever again. She’s about to show the man with hair-trigger hands that she’s got a few surprise moves of her own.
Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings.
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
E: During the Tucson Festival of Books I had a chance to ask Lorelie Brown what she had next for her writing projects. She told me about her new series written with Carrie Lofty under the name of Katie Porter and I was very interested. As she continued talking I found out that the series, Vegas Top Guns, combined men and women in uniform, Vegas, and their different kinks. Sign me up! I have read both authors separately and enjoyed how they were able to build an image in my mind so I was sure Porter would provide me with some engaging, steamy reads.
MinnChica: I am always game for a good dirty book, and when I heard that Brown and Lofty were teaming up to write a book series about Alpha males in the military who all get all get a little down-and-dirty with different kinks, I was SOLD! Who doesn’t love mixing up their smut with a little kink? I really liked this book, while Ryan and Cass don’t waste any time getting to know each other before getting right to it, it didn’t feel cheap or anything like that. I loved the role-playing aspect and can’t wait for more from the Porter writing duo!
E: I was pretty captivated from the first kiss. I loved how Cass used Ryan to get back at her jerk of an ex and how Ryan instigated their initial meeting outside of work. I also enjoyed the exchanges between Ryan and his friends throughout the book. Reminded me of conversations I “might” have overheard… The role-playing was very intense. I was not expecting Cass or Ryan to play their roles with as much fidelity as they did but I think that really added to their story.
MinnChica: I loved the interaction between the fly-boys as well. It really added a light-hearted and fun vibe to the otherwise somewhat intense relationship between Ryan and Cass. Overall, it gave the book a lighter feeling and broke up the insanity that was the main relationship. It’s not often that an erotic romance book can make me blush, as I sometimes feel like I’ve read it all. However, there were a couple times that Ryan and Cass were so into their roles, so into each other, so passionate that I could feel the heat in my own cheeks. For that alone, this book is a definite must read for all erotic romance fans out there looking for something a little different!
E: On my yes, their scenes together were certainly intense and smoking. I was so caught up in them while I was reading if anyone had come up behind me I probably would have jumped, screamed, and flailed. Some of that tension came from their smexytimes but there was an equal amount of relationship uncertainty. Ryan’s mental anguish and total uncertainty that what he enjoyed was healthy and acceptable just tugged at my heart. I think one of the most personal things anyone can share with another person is what their particular kink is and when that is rejected it certainly leaves a mark. I also felt for Cass as she was a lot more accepting about what she enjoyed so it was hard for her to deal with Ryan’s inner shame. I liked how they were able to work things out, it made the transition from just physical to full emotional involvement that much more believable.
MinnChica: You are totally right, the relationship uncertainty and angst definitely added to the intensity of their journey. I felt so bad for Ryan, and how much he really beat himself up over his own kinks. The poor man was tortured more than I could have ever imagined. At the same time, I also felt for Cass, because she seemed so torn at times – whether she should stick it out for Ryan, or cut her losses. I might have done a little happy dance for them once they worked out all their issues in the end…
E: Porter certainly started off their Vegas Top Guns series with a bang. Between the emotional intensity not to mention the well written smex this is certainly one to enjoy if you are looking for a slightly different erotic romance. While I wished Ryan had accepted himself earlier it was refreshing to see a romance where the heroine was the one who really brought the hero into a new lifestyle. Cass enjoyed life to the fullest and was able to show Ryan that it was ok to embrace your differences. I am looking forward to Inside Bet not just to see what Porter has in store next but to catch a glimpse (hopefully) of Cass and Ryan comfortable in their relationship.
I give Double Down a B+
MinnChica: All in all I really liked this debut from Porter. I loved the introduction of the role playing kink, and loved watching Ryan and Cass explore it together. I enjoyed both the main characters immensely, and although Ryan’s inability to deal with the kink started to wear on me, I loved that he eventually came together and was able to make things right with Cass. I can’t wait to see where Porter takes this series, especially since each book will focus on a new and different kink with each couple.
I give Double Down a B+
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the author
As part of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, Major Ryan “Fang” Haverty flies like the enemy to teach Allied pilots how not to die. The glittering excess of the Strip can’t compare to the glowing jet engines of his F-16. But a sexy, redheaded waitress in seamed stockings? Now she gets his blood pumping.
Cassandra Whitman’s good-girl ways haven’t earned any slack from her manager ex-boyfriend, or prevented a bad case of frazzle from holding down two and a half jobs. She sure wouldn’t mind letting the handsome Southern charmer shake up her routine.
Their wild weekend lives up to Sin City’s reputation. Especially when they discover a matched passion for roleplaying. For Cass, it’s an exciting departure from her normal, shy persona. But for Ryan, it triggers memories of a time when his fetish drove away the woman he loved—leaving him reluctant to risk a repeat performance.
Except Cass refuses to settle for ordinary ever again. She’s about to show the man with hair-trigger hands that she’s got a few surprise moves of her own.
Warning: This book contains dirty-hot roleplaying, featuring an all-alpha fighter pilot and an ambitious waitress with a fabulous imagination. Also: dressing-room sex, a plaid schoolgirl skirt, and a sprinkling of spankings.
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
E: During the Tucson Festival of Books I had a chance to ask Lorelie Brown what she had next for her writing projects. She told me about her new series written with Carrie Lofty under the name of Katie Porter and I was very interested. As she continued talking I found out that the series, Vegas Top Guns, combined men and women in uniform, Vegas, and their different kinks. Sign me up! I have read both authors separately and enjoyed how they were able to build an image in my mind so I was sure Porter would provide me with some engaging, steamy reads.
MinnChica: I am always game for a good dirty book, and when I heard that Brown and Lofty were teaming up to write a book series about Alpha males in the military who all get all get a little down-and-dirty with different kinks, I was SOLD! Who doesn’t love mixing up their smut with a little kink? I really liked this book, while Ryan and Cass don’t waste any time getting to know each other before getting right to it, it didn’t feel cheap or anything like that. I loved the role-playing aspect and can’t wait for more from the Porter writing duo!
E: I was pretty captivated from the first kiss. I loved how Cass used Ryan to get back at her jerk of an ex and how Ryan instigated their initial meeting outside of work. I also enjoyed the exchanges between Ryan and his friends throughout the book. Reminded me of conversations I “might” have overheard… The role-playing was very intense. I was not expecting Cass or Ryan to play their roles with as much fidelity as they did but I think that really added to their story.
MinnChica: I loved the interaction between the fly-boys as well. It really added a light-hearted and fun vibe to the otherwise somewhat intense relationship between Ryan and Cass. Overall, it gave the book a lighter feeling and broke up the insanity that was the main relationship. It’s not often that an erotic romance book can make me blush, as I sometimes feel like I’ve read it all. However, there were a couple times that Ryan and Cass were so into their roles, so into each other, so passionate that I could feel the heat in my own cheeks. For that alone, this book is a definite must read for all erotic romance fans out there looking for something a little different!
E: On my yes, their scenes together were certainly intense and smoking. I was so caught up in them while I was reading if anyone had come up behind me I probably would have jumped, screamed, and flailed. Some of that tension came from their smexytimes but there was an equal amount of relationship uncertainty. Ryan’s mental anguish and total uncertainty that what he enjoyed was healthy and acceptable just tugged at my heart. I think one of the most personal things anyone can share with another person is what their particular kink is and when that is rejected it certainly leaves a mark. I also felt for Cass as she was a lot more accepting about what she enjoyed so it was hard for her to deal with Ryan’s inner shame. I liked how they were able to work things out, it made the transition from just physical to full emotional involvement that much more believable.
MinnChica: You are totally right, the relationship uncertainty and angst definitely added to the intensity of their journey. I felt so bad for Ryan, and how much he really beat himself up over his own kinks. The poor man was tortured more than I could have ever imagined. At the same time, I also felt for Cass, because she seemed so torn at times – whether she should stick it out for Ryan, or cut her losses. I might have done a little happy dance for them once they worked out all their issues in the end…
E: Porter certainly started off their Vegas Top Guns series with a bang. Between the emotional intensity not to mention the well written smex this is certainly one to enjoy if you are looking for a slightly different erotic romance. While I wished Ryan had accepted himself earlier it was refreshing to see a romance where the heroine was the one who really brought the hero into a new lifestyle. Cass enjoyed life to the fullest and was able to show Ryan that it was ok to embrace your differences. I am looking forward to Inside Bet not just to see what Porter has in store next but to catch a glimpse (hopefully) of Cass and Ryan comfortable in their relationship.
I give Double Down a B+
MinnChica: All in all I really liked this debut from Porter. I loved the introduction of the role playing kink, and loved watching Ryan and Cass explore it together. I enjoyed both the main characters immensely, and although Ryan’s inability to deal with the kink started to wear on me, I loved that he eventually came together and was able to make things right with Cass. I can’t wait to see where Porter takes this series, especially since each book will focus on a new and different kink with each couple.
I give Double Down a B+
April 7, 2018
Super sexy with a lot of insight and heart.
I very much enjoyed this book. I’m not gonna lie. I’m a girl who loves a costume and this book has plenty of them. I loved how honest the characters felt. I enjoyed the banter and joy that permeated most of the book. It felt like reading about real people, nothing forced.
Also, it was super hot.
I very much enjoyed this book. I’m not gonna lie. I’m a girl who loves a costume and this book has plenty of them. I loved how honest the characters felt. I enjoyed the banter and joy that permeated most of the book. It felt like reading about real people, nothing forced.
Also, it was super hot.
September 16, 2019
dnf halfway through. The hero holds a lot of shame about his expression of sexuality through roleplaying that just felt exhausting, because it feels like he is trying to protect the heroine from his terrible sexual desires (which she shares). It's just not the book I need right now at all. I can't tell if it's bad or not, but I know it's not for me.
October 15, 2025
Ryan and Cassandra were so hot together. Ryan was also kind of messed up because of his kink and another woman's reaction to it. I would have loved a 5+ years after epilogue, but it's still a great audiobook. While I prefer dual narration for dual POV stories, Maya Starling did a great job of bringing the story to my ears.
March 30, 2020
Sexy Role Playing
Ryan's focus and control got him where he is today. Playing "silly" sex games does not fit with his current station in life. Or so he thinks. Cassandra is willing to show him that he doesn't have to ignore that creative, naughty side of himself.
Ryan's focus and control got him where he is today. Playing "silly" sex games does not fit with his current station in life. Or so he thinks. Cassandra is willing to show him that he doesn't have to ignore that creative, naughty side of himself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews