Review: Pushing Her Boundaries by Julia Rachel Barrett

Julia Rachel Barrett
Pushing Her Boundaries
Siren Publishing, 2011
Goodreads | Author's website | Twitter | Buy link

Backblurb:
Maggie is done with men. Flying to Minneapolis, she’s seated beside the type of man she always falls for. A sexy, arrogant alpha jerk.
Mace Williams irritates the woman next to him. She's so damn sexy, he doesn't care. When their seatmate suffers a cardiac arrest, Maggie and Mace team up to save his life, but it's too late.
In Minneapolis, Maggie heads to a restaurant with her sister, only to find Mace waiting. Worse, she learns he's the brother of her sister's fiancé.
Stuck in her sister’s apartment with Mace, Maggie offers him one night of sex, anything goes. No obligations, no recriminations. Mace agrees...he wants more than Maggie's body, he wants her heart.
Thrown into a disastrous canoe trip, they must work together to survive. Maggie must face her demons and trust Mace with her life. Mace is determined to save her, regardless of what the future brings

Genre & Keywords:
M/F, Contemporary Romance, wildlife experience, survival, canoe trip

~~~~~
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2.5 out of 3 flames
~~~~~

Why I read it:
The author sent me a copy for review and I read (and enjoyed) one of her books, Captured, before, which I reviewed here.

When I received Pushing Her Boundaries in my mailbox the author piqued my curiosity by telling me that this story was inspired by her own real life experience, that I remembered as a 'canoe trip from hell' from her blog posts last year. It made me open the attached PDF-file for, what I thought would be, a quick look. But once I started reading the first page I got drawn into the story by the compelling way of writing. Before I knew it I was on the plane with main characters Mace and Maggie, two total strangers thrown together into action when the passenger sitting next to them suddenly goes into cardiac arrest. Mace, being a doctor, and Maggie, a nurse, do everything they can to help the man but without avail.

After this unusual meeting they part ways only to meet again shortly after when it turns out that Mace's brother and Maggie's sister are getting married. Maggie is annoyed and Mace delighted about their unexpected reunion. Despite feeling attracted to Mace Maggie doesn't like him because he reminds her too much of the type of men that hurt her in the past. Mace is oblivious of this but does sense her dislike of him which he finds rather amusing. He can't stop teasing Maggie. And when they end up alone in Maggie's sister's apartment sparks fly and passion ignites between the two of them. But Maggie has one condition: it'll be for one night only.

So far, I still couldn't stop reading, although I hadn't planned to read this much at all, due to other obligations. But I was that engrossed in the story, even though there wasn't a canoe trip in sight yet. So, I kept reading and continued enjoying the hot chemistry between the hero and heroine. Their sexy romp of one night is very, very amazing and I fell piece by piece in love with Mace. He's such a wonderful and giving lover and man, and I was a bit annoyed that Maggie couldn't see that. I think Julia Barrett did a fabulous job with the characterization of her protagonists. Alternating between both their perspectives, she shows their insecurities, their thoughts, their behavior and their feelings. We learn to understand Maggie and her reluctance to fall in love again. And we learn to admire Mace and his perseverance. They feel real.

Finally, the canoe trip is about to take place. Maggie is unaware that Mace will be part of the trip as well; somehow her sister Lynn kept this a secret from her. Earlier Lynn also played a dubious role that caused Maggie and Mace to end up alone in her apartment. And now it's strange again that she’s keeping Maggie in the dark about her canoe partner. Initially Lynn and her fiancé Jeff would come on the trip as well, but Lynn broke her foot and now she and Jeff are staying at the cabin of their friends who will be the guides for the canoe trip (honestly, I can't fathom how they can call these people friends). Lynn insists that Maggie will follow through with the original plan for the canoe trip. Even when Maggie has a bad feeling about their guides and tells her she wants to go home, Lynn convinces her that she should go. And this is where I started to find the set-up unbelievable. Lynn's reasons for her behavior stayed obscure (not even an explanation after everything was over) and therefore it felt as if it was just for the plot's sake. To throw Mace and Maggie together in a life threatening situation in which love can bloom.

Admittedly, this idea worked out fine and the adventures in and around the canoe are breathtaking and very well-written. The descriptions are vividly and precise, so that I could imagine every move of a paddle, nearly experience the motion of every wave and almost feel the wind and icy rain. And I also could enjoy every sweet touch and loving gesture between the protags as if I were there myself. It all is quite an adrenaline rush. And the HEA for this love couple is well deserved, although perhaps based on not the most solid basis one can start a relation on. Adrenaline is fickle like that.
Nevertheless, or the more, I regretted the lack of confrontation after the ordeal was over. I would've liked to see Maggie and Mace confront the guides of the trip for what they've put them through. And I was also expecting a serious get-together for Maggie and her sister and a realistic explanation from Lynn for her behavior. But, unfortunately, none of that.

The relational conflict in Pushing Her Boundaries is all about Maggie’s bad judgment of the men in her life and her unwillingness to lose her heart again. Therefore the plot is focused mainly on proving her wrong, on showing her that Mace is the exception and that he is fabulous. Unfortunately this makes Mace nearly unrealistically perfect and a bit of an ‘easy catch’. Almost from the beginning he wants Maggie and he knows that she’s the one for him. He rarely has doubts about her, he’s all set on winning her heart. But we never learn much about his history with women, why he’s still single, why he’s ready for a relationship now, why it should be Maggie he wants to spend the rest of his life with... Okay, in the end we can see why. And true, they made a good team in the canoe, so they do match, outside as well as inside the bedroom. But as the title already tells us, the story is more about Maggie and her development, than about Mace, even though we do get his point of view occasionally. The relational conflict is embedded wonderfully in an exciting, adventurous survival story, which is a big plus for adrenaline junkies who like their romances to be plot driven and action packed.

Altogether Pushing Her Boundaries is a sexy, adventurous and entertaining novel. Apart from a few plot turns that felt forced, a couple of unanswered questions, and some issues I had with the guides' unlikely personalities, I enjoyed reading this book a lot. Especially its humor, the characterization and the engaging writing style make this a recommended read.

Monday’s Hot Couple & Sexy, Smutty Scene from Daughters of Persephone by Julia Barrett

~~~~~
Make sure you enter the giveaway to win one of Keta Diablo’s Gay Fiction Books before July 28th!
~~~~~

[image]

Today’s sexy scene is from Julia Rachel Barrett’s newest book Daughters of Persephone: Exile & Return. I was so lucky to receive a copy from Julia when this book was released recently, because she’s just that wonderful!
And guess what? She also offered to send an ecopy of this erotic sci-fi book to one lucky commenter of my Vacay Giveaway that starts next week! She joined two other authors with her generous gesture – Mia Watts and Bronwyn Green – who also offered one of their books as a prize in this giveaway. So together with the prizes I’m going to give away there will be 5 prizes so far! I’m really happy about that! :)
Here’s a little taste of the hotness that Daughters of Persephone: Exile & Return has to offer. Enjoy!


“
     Kyr slid Aja down the length of his body, keeping her close, forcing her to feel how aroused he was. He heard her sharp intake of breath and he lifted her chin. Her eyes were halfclosed, lids heavy. In the back of his mind, he thought, but there’s a dead man in the corner, and then he shut himself up and lowered his lips to hers. Fierce now, he took her mouth with his so hard their teeth scraped together. She whimpered in response. He swallowed the sound.
     This woman could kill him, Kyr knew that for certain, yet with one kiss, he could bring her to her knees. Heady stuff. With rough hands, he pulled the sweater over Aja’s head and her braid tore loose, her long, thick hair cascading to her waist. Gods, her breasts were glorious mounds, high and round and pert with taut little nipples that begged for his mouth and his tongue and his teeth.
     He nibbled his way down her neck and across her throat. With a moan, Aja threw her head back, thrusting her breasts into his hands. He held them, pinching her peaked nipples, holding them tight. He dipped his head and took one hard, round bud into his mouth and sucked her, pressing her nipple against his palate, biting, listening to her cry of pleasure. Her hands reached for his trousers and she began to tug on the leather of his belt with weak hands, unable to release the clasp. When he heard her make a sound of frustration, Kyr pulled his mouth away from her nipple. He stared into her face as he released the clasp on his belt and freed himself. Without hesitation, Aja wrapped both her hands around his thick cock and stroked him, moving her palms up and down his steely length.
     “Hard as an El-Sardai Sword,” Aja said, her voice low, and she dropped to her knees before him. She slowly licked the swollen head of his cock, her tongue brushing over him as if savoring the taste, before she took him in her mouth. Kyr thrust deep, aware of his size, but aroused almost beyond caring. Aja sucked him like a ripe plum-fruit. He placed his hands against the cold rock wall to brace himself, groaning with both pleasure and pain when she nibbled on him with her teeth.
”

Julia Rachel Barrett’s website | on Goodreads
Buy Daughters of Persephone here

Backblurb Daughters of Persephone: Exile & Return:

Aja Bokinan, of noble blood, is the Thousand Year Empress who has grown to adulthood in exile. Throughout the Empire, women are banned from public life, have no legal rights, and have become little better than property.
In an attempt to kill off the royal line and end all resistance, Aja is kidnapped by a General who intends to inject her with a lethal virus, hoping she will infect her family and Women of the Blood everywhere.
Kyr Aram, is a smuggler and secret resistance fighter. He must find a way to protect Aja from both the General and a traitor on his own ship who wishes to see her dead. With the Thousand Year Empress, he gets more than he bargained for.

Happy Monday!

Review of Captured by Julia Rachel Barrett

Julia Rachel Barrett
Captured
Sirene Publishing, 2010

Backblurb:
Mari never expects to find herself in a cage in a cargo hold on a spaceship. She quickly learns from her captors she's headed to the meat market. When they try to return her to hypersleep, she resists. After allowing her to stay awake, Mari realizes her survival depends on connecting with the male in charge, Ekkatt. She must make him see her as a sentient being or she will end up as dinner.
Ekkatt has never spoken to any human. They are valued for one thing, the money they bring at auction. The Attun race is vegetarian, but other species prize human flesh and bring in good money. Then the female with red hair speaks to him and forces him to admit she has a name. Mari throws Ekkatt's entire life into question, the biggest question...can he watch her sold to the highest bidder?

Genre & Keywords:
SciFi Romance, violence, kidnapping of humans, survival

Why I read it:
The author sent me the book as a present to cheer me up

Storyline:
A woman bonds with one of her male kidnappers who’s from another planet and never knew much about her race before. Mari shows Ekkatt that humans are sentient beings like him. She surprises him in more than one way and she on the other hand learns to see his softer, kind side. Together they run from the authorities of Ekkatt’s planet while they fall softly for each other.

My opinion in short:
I’ve hardly read any SciFi romances, but the ones I read I liked. Captured included. Mari’s and Ekkatt’s story drew me in like a moth to a candle. I was eager to learn more about this other world and Ekkatt’s and Mari’s romance was very addictive. I enjoyed switching from her to his perspective and thoughts from time to time so I could equally sympathize with both protags. All in all, Captured was a surprisingly believable, sweet love story that I adored. When all SciFi romances are written as well and convincingly as Julia Barrett's Captured, I might have discovered a new love.

~~~~~
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2 out of 3 flames
~~~~~

What’s more to know about this book:
• Characters
Mari is a feisty, smart and witty woman. I like how her survival mode kicks in and brings out her good qualities. She seems delicate and breakable to Ekkatt but she is very strong in fact. On top of that she has a good sense of humor and never complains. No wonder Ekkatt is at first intrigued and later totally smitten with her. She’s almost too perfect, but I loved her. Ekkatt is something else, he’s not human, does look a bit cat-like with his yellow eyes, and is huge. At first he doesn’t seem to be nice at all, but from the moment he risks his own life to save Mari he stole my heart. He’s a fun character because he doesn’t react as expected in a lot of situations and in the conversations with Mari. They make a sweet love couple that I would love to read more about.
I think Ms. Barrett is working on a sequel, but that'll tell Ekkatt's brother's story. I'm hoping we'll get a glimpse of Mari and Ekkatt as well.
• POV
The story is told in third person, alternated from Mari’s and Ekkatt’s point of view. This suits this story well. It makes both characters three dimensional and easy to empathize with, which is not unimportant when you’re dealing with an alien. ;)
• Plot
The plot is well developed and takes us from a dangerous situation, via some suspenseful moments to a happy ending, in the right pace. There are no annoying time gaps or huge jumps and all is told in chronological order. The world building is done gradually, nothing too overwhelming, but very convincing. And although a few questions remain unanswered, everything is totally credible, within the frame of the story. New developments and little twists and turns keep you reading until you’ve finished the book. The ending was maybe a bit abrupt, but that probably has more to do with the fact that I didn't want to say goodbye to this couple yet.
• Smexing
M/F. Human female and alien male, with a different but comparable anatomy. I was curious as hell how that would work out. But I had to wait, their attraction wasn't rushed and anticipation was built. Eventually they had really steamy sex and although Ekkatt turned out to be huge in every department, it did fit! Thank heavens that this difference in anatomy didn’t become cheap or putrid at all, because it easily could have. The smexy scenes were hot as well as tender and showed the H/h growing love.
• Writing style
It’s vivid and a nice variation of descriptions, thoughts and dialogues. It shows a good sense of humor and renders the characters feelings in all depth. Ms. Barrett’s writing kept me cleverly invested in her hero and heroine and produced an enjoyable suspense which kept me reading and reading. Her dialogues are witty and made me laugh out loud more than once.

Favorite scene/quote:
I enjoyed Ekkatt’s process of realizing that the leaders of his planet are not necessarily to be trusted. Their laws mean nothing to him anymore when he discovers they are based on false assumptions of the human kind. The next quote says it all:

“He’d come to enjoy the sensation of her beneath his fingers. He’d found pleasure in the silk of her hair, and he’d taken comfort in the smoothness of her skin. Ekkatt knew his own religious leaders would call such feelings a sin against nature. Their opinion on the subject had come to matter nothing to him. The little human, on the other hand, had come to matter a great deal.”

Linking:
Julia Barrett’s website | on Goodreads
Buy Captured here

Other books by Julia Rachel Barrett:
- Beauty and the Feast
- My Everything

PS: Julia posted about her new SciFi series, Daughters of Persephone, at her blog yesterday. The first two books will be released in July and I look forward to them. You can read an excerpt at Julia's place here.