Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books!
Today I’m going to have a quick look at three books by Liz Crowe. Liz is touring as part of a BLB eBook Tour. For more stops on this tour, and for the chance to win a copy of one of her books, click HERE. I’ve read all three books in this series and loved all three! Tomorrow, I’ll be posting a guest post by Liz. Drop back by and see what she has to say about inspiration!
Jockey Box by Liz Crowe
Published by Breathless Press
Successful business owner, Erin Brady is holding her own and then some in the male-dominated beer brewing industry. But her twenty-year marriage is crumbling as a result. She makes a last ditch attempt over one summer weekend to reconcile with her husband, only to finally accept the truth: It was over. When duty calls in the form of a last minute beer festival she must attend, Erin recognizes the futility of her efforts and leaves, knowing when she returns, her husband will be gone for good.
Vulnerable and emotionally raw, she arrives at the event with more issues than she can handle and finds herself distracted by the hot young brewer she wants to hire. Dedicated and loyal to her business, she tries to ignore the inevitable, but Jeff’s many skills serve as a balm to Erin’s battered psyche, as he helps with the beer booth and somehow works his way into her fantasies.
Jockey Box is 35 pages of steamy heat! This short story is about Erin, who’s high maintenance husband has just left as she has to work a festival. The marriage started crumbling several years before when Erin took a position with a growing brewery. With her her failure to appear for a last-ditch effort of a weekend, her husband texts her that he has left. While this is going on, she has equipment that isn’t working and a potential new employee show up to help her. The potential new employee is Jeff and he’s young and super hot!
This story has well developed characters that shoot sparks off one another from the start! Erin is afraid of looking like a cougar, but Jeff doesn’t seem to have any concerns about her being older than him. The details about the brewing industry that the author brings into the story add fullness to it. Certainly a well written, short little erotic story. Well worth picking up for a quick read.
XXXmas Ale by Liz Crowe
Published by Breathless Press
It’s Holiday Party time, and the employees of Winter Street Brewing Co. are doing it up right, with a special ale brewed just for them by one of the owners. High in spice and alcohol, XXXMas Ale gives Blake, the handsome and shy warehouse manager, the liquid courage he needs when he encounters Danielle, the new female brewer. Dani’s determination to see what Blake has to offer after their first introduction brings him out of his shell—long enough for him to appreciate not only her expertise with rare Belgian beers, but what passion she offers that may threaten his heart.
XXXmas Ale is set at Winter Street Brewing’s annual Holiday Party. Blake, the brewing company’s warehouse manager is normally a pretty shy guy, and parties aren’t his thing. Suzanne, the new sales director tries hitting on him, but it is Dani, the new female brewer that catches his eye. A little liquid courage in the form of the company’s newest brew and he finds the confidence to say hi to her. Luckily, Dani is more confident and takes Blake into the Brew House for a private party.
I like the writing of this little gem. It may only be 22 pages, but it packs a wallop! Again, the author does an excellent job of forming well developed characters in a short period of time. The larger than life, pushy Suzanne is well done. The character of Blake is the shy silent type, and Dani seems to be somewhere in between. The action between them is hot, hot, hot and literally blows up from the chemistry that burns between them. Again, a great little story!
The Rookie By Liz Crowe
Published by Breathless Press
Lisa loves her job in the male-dominated beer sales industry and has built a reputation as one of the best. But she dreads the “ride along” days when beer companies sends their least experienced representatives to see how she operates—until her one bad day turns into something more with The Rookie.
Undercover for his own brewery, Trent has heard of Lisa’s prestigious sales prominence and sets out to see for himself—to show Lisa what he is capable of—in business and pleasure. Their attraction leads them to an amazing encounter in the most unlikely place, but will Lisa accept Trent’s true identity once it’s revealed? Or will she finally surrender and reach out for the unexpected?
The Rookie is a great little vignette. Lisa is having a bad day! Not only has her day started badly with a broken heel and a barfing dog. Now she has to take a newbie along on sales calls. Desperately needing some caffeine, Lisa comes face to face with Trent, the hunk she’ll be spending the day with. The surge of chemistry between them has her blithering like an idiot and stumbling around while Trent comes off as a seasoned pro. By lunchtime she feels like she’s coming unglued; something has to give!
Like the other two short little stories, this one is also impeccably created. The characters sizzle and the action builds towards the explosion at the end. It’s a wonderful little happily-ever after that warms your heart while steaming your glasses!
All-in-all, three great, steamy reads. Pick them up and enjoy some quick little reads!
Come back tomorrow and we’ll be talking to the author of these great books – Liz Crowe!
