"Riding on Instinct" is a hot, quick, easy to follow read, and sometimes you need to read a little brain candy--it's good for what ails you. There isn't an overabundance of characters to keep track of, the plot is pretty simple and straight forward--nothing to really tax the mind--and the H/H were one lusty but likable couple. The combination of bikers, strippers, federal agents, and drug smuggling bad guys made for one enjoyable, fast paced, sexy read!
Department of Justice rookie agent Shadoe Grayson is ready for her first real assignment, and it's a doozy. She's to go undercover and work as a stripper at a New Orleans nightclub, with the hopes of exposing a corrupt rogue DEA agent who is involved with drug traffickers from Columbia. The Wild Rose Club in the French Quarter is the place where the drug transactions take place, but the DEA is unable to nab the traffickers or place any insiders in the club because the rogue can always identify the agents and seems to be one step ahead of them. The DEA needs someone unrecognizable to the rogue, and that's why Shadoe draws this assignment. Shadoe's got a photographic memory, and has studied the roster of agents, so she should be able to recognize his face as soon as he appears in the club. Assisting Shadoe will be some members of a secret government organization called the Wild Riders, whose members all grew up on the wrong side of the law. But under the guidence of their leader, Army General Lee, the Wild Riders are now working on the right side of the law--but under the radar, in less than legal ways.
Shadoe's partner in the sting is sexy bad boy Spencer King, who will pose as her bodyguard/lover. Shadoe and Spence don't exactly start off on the right foot. Spence's first impression of Shadoe is not very positive. Although he can see that she's pretty, with her 'regulation' baggy pantsuit, hair pulled in a bun, and the pinched expression on her face, he declares that there's no way she could pass for a stripper, and lets all the Wild Riders know it. Shadoe thinks he's an arrogant ass, and there's nothing she likes better than a challenge. She's used to men like him, men like her military father who think she can't be successful in law enforcement because she's a woman. She'll show this fool what she can do--she's going to be the best darn stripper he's ever seen!
To say that Spence is thunderstruck by the transformation of Shadoe from Little Miss Prim and Proper to sexy siren is an understatement. And after watching her dance, Spence is forced to eat his words. Not only is she sexy as all get out, but she's a tough cookie too. Spence wants her and he lets her know it. And although Shadoe's not too sure that mixing business with pleasure is a good idea, it's hard for her to resist Spence's sexy roughness. Spence doesn't 'do' relationships, and lets her know it. Which is okay with Shadoe, because her career is number one with her. This affair will just be fun and games, no strings attached. And while on the surface their backgrounds are wildly dissimilar--Shadoe comes from money and privilege, Spence practically grew up on the streets--after a while they both come to realize that they have many things in common. What starts out as an affair turns into a need that neither one can deny. But what will happen when the case is over? Will either one be able to walk away and go on as if nothing happened?
To say this book was hot is an understatement. Once Shadoe and Spence got over their preconceived notions about the other, they really connected and set the pages on fire! Wow, did they have their bedroom moments! I also loved how loner Spence was able to open up to Shadoe about his horrible past and his neglectful parents, and to reveal the beautiful sacrifices he made for his brother. And when Shadoe was finally able to tell Spence about her own less than stellar and loveless upbringing, and Spence was so sweet and understanding to her, it actually brought a few tears to my eyes. These two were perfect together, but each was like a wounded animal, wary of admitting (even to themselves) their true feelings to the other. Each was so in need of love and having someone to care for them, I wanted to shout out to both "Open your eyes, it's more than just the sex--you two belong together!"
The suspense was about what you'd expect in an erotic romance. The author identifies the main suspect pretty soon, but the reader is left to figure out who else may be involved. A few possible suspects were dangled for the reader, but I had my own suspicions about a certain character, and I was proven correct. But that didn't bother me, because there was a rather exciting showdown with this character near the end, where Shadoe had a borderline TSTL moment...
All in all a pretty hot, fast-paced read. This book is the third book of the series but I think you may be able to read this one as a stand alone. There's a couple of possible spoilers revealed if you do that (which Wild Riders are married, etc.), but if you don't mind that, you should be able to follow along--the author provides enough background info so you won't be lost. A couple of interesting Wild Riders are featured in a minor role, and I sure wouldn't mind reading about their story too. The heat factor is very high, so be warned--there's outdoor lovin', bathroom lovin', backstage lovin'--lots and lots of steamy moments between Shadoe and Spence. If you like 'em hot, with a decent amount of plot and some mild suspense, give "Riding on Instinct" a try. I found it to be a very enjoyable read--4 1/2 stars.
Warning: This book contains explicit language, explicit sex (including oral and anal) and mild violence. Not for the faint of heart.