Romance Series Lists discussion

This Men of August series by Lora Leigh, is a series about 3 brothers, who have suffered horrible abuse, and now feel that they must share everything, including their women.

1. Marly's Choice
2. Sarah's Seduction
3. Heather's Gift
4. August Heat (from The Twelve
Quickies of Christmas)

Ok Auntee so there's not a book called MEN OF AUGUST? It's the name of the series? Does this series have a story or is it mostly sex for sex?

No East, there's not an actual book called MEN OF AUGUST, that's just the series name. Their last name is August.
Now how do I put this...of course there is a story, but it does sort of center around sex! :) These three brothers were all sexually abused in their late teens, and it messed them up pretty badly, so now they feel that they have to share everything they do, including sharing their women. If you don't want to read about menages, stay far, far, away from this series! However, if that doesn't bother you, you may enjoy this series. I just was amazed that they were able to find three women willing to go through with this. It helps a lot if you can suspend disbelief while reading this series (that goes for most erotica)!

Lora Leigh seems to write a lot of menage stories. I've been reading ebooks if her Bound Hearts series (I think that's what it's called), which also involve threesomes.

Menage stories don't bother me it's the crappy writing and story-development that sends me over the edge! Did either of you read Colters' Woman? That was just so bad for me and you had to do more than suspend disbelief for this book (!)

I didn't like Lora Leigh's DANGEROUS GAMES.Thought the story was dumb, the hero was a neanderthal and the heroine was too much "in yer face". Is the August series along the same lines? So many people like her books.

Hmmn, I'm not sure if you'll like the August series or not. Most of the times when I read her books I'm thinking 'This is so unbelievable' or 'yeah, right', but I still manage to enjoy them. There must be something more than just her hot sex scenes, I never really stopped to think about it; maybe she does write a pretty good story. I know a lot of times with her Breeds series though, I get really frustrated, because it seems the H/H of those books spend an awful lot of time fighting with each other, and that really irks me.

I agree with you about "Dangerous Games" though. That was my least favorite of that SEALS series.
I read "Colters' Woman" and was able to enjoy it--that's not to say I didn't think it was totally unbelievable and sometimes dumb, I just tried not to over think it. I love to read for escape. I can usually find something to like about most books. That probably makes me a terrible critic! A book has got to be pretty rotten for me not to like something about it. If it makes you feel any better I'm reading a book right now that is so bad and totally ridiculous, but I pushed myself to finish it anyway.
I wouldn't buy the whole August series if I were you, East. You might just want to start with the first one. I'm sure you'll be able to tell after that first one whether you'll like them or not. :)

Thanks there Auntee. I think I'll give book 1 a shot and take it from there. It's reassuring that they're not all like Dangerous Games! I'm like you it seems re finishing even bad books. It's rare that I'll stop and put it aside even mid-way and hating it which is dumb but I have to know what happens :p

Auntee - I'm a lot like you when it comes to books. I can generally find something to like about them - which is probably why I have a lot of books rated 3. It takes a lot for me to truly dislike a book.

...I just realized I have this series on ebook. LOL, I totally forgot about them.

Okay. I must be one of the few people in this forum who actually liked DANGEROUS GAMES besides Colleen (who recommended it to me). I really like the alpha females and uber alpha males, altho the BDSM was definitely overkill and I admit the book was unbelievable in parts. My attraction to the book was the little-girl-grows-up-to-fall-in-love-with-big-brother's-best-friend theme.

I am going to give the Men of August series a shot someday soon provided I ever make a dent in my TBR pile!

Auntee: The Twelve Quickies of Christmas? Seriously!? That title gave me my first good giggle of the day!!

Yeah Tammy, obviously you could take that title a couple of ways... :D

Okay girls, y'all KNOW how I feel about the August Men...yes they are sexy, but I still think the reason they "share" was well stupid...ugh! What's funny is I didnt read this series in order. (thanks for the loaners Auntee and Marion;)) I have read it all except Marley's Choice, and I am about to start it. I agree with Auntee...It ended well, so they are forgiven of their stupidity...lol

Honestly, I like almost all of Lora's books. I agree that sometimes her heroines are way over the top and too in your face! My least favorite book written by her is Harmony's Way...I didn't like Harmony at all...

Remind me why I like hangin' out with you guys? LOL :-D Sometimes it seems we are at polar opposites on some of these controversial books/series.

I have Lora Leigh's entire Tempting SEALs series on my keeper shelf, though the anthologized stories (Reno's Chance and For Maggie's Sake) weren't worth the effort of hunting them down. DANGEROUS GAMES is one of my favorites. The only thing I didn't care for was the heroine's name (Morganna?).

As for The MEN OF AUGUST series, I really enjoyed it. I got the sense that the brothers were a) trying to recall a time they enjoyed together, before the abuse; b) were afraid of showing any affection for one another after being forced to commit homosexual acts on one another; and c) wanted to demonstrate their trust by trusting their brothers with that which most precious to them. It's a sad series about twisted psychological damage.

I think the saddest of all is HEATHER'S GIFT. The conclusion of that story is a shocker and if that doesn't send all six of them to the funny farm, I don't know what could.

The good news is that in AUGUST HEAT, the closing story included in the TWELVE QUICKIES OF CHRISTMAS anthology is a healing balm for all who agonize over the brothers' behavior.

As for Lora Leigh stories, I will be forever in debt to DAISIEMAE for persuading me to pick up the BREEDS series. My sister has the first few books but didn't think much of them and didn't encourage me to read them (she, who sings praises for Kate Douglas' Wolf Tales). Once I read about Callan Lyons (Tempting the Beast), I was hooked, skewered, ready for the deep-fryer.

As for the alpha females... I think they're wonderful! The men who are attracted to them are not just strong men, they're over-the-top uber-alphas themselves. These men would be bored to tears with wimpy/wussy/whiny women! In every story, the women are overwhelmed by their superhero counterparts. The strength of the women only serves to prove how uber-alpha these guys really are!

BTW, DAISIEMAE... You mentioned Marly's Choice. Did you get a copy? 'Cause I've got it and 12 Quickies in your box. Guess I better put together a list before I ship...

Colleen

Awwwww Colleen...You know you love us!
Harmony is really the only breed book I didn't care for much. I just didn't like her very much. You know I LOVE Lora's books;) Sometimes I think that BOTH the hero and Heroine are so stubborn I just want to either punch them in the nose, scream with frusteration, or keep reading...usually I keep reading...AFTER I scream...hee hee.
But, conflict keeps it interesting, you know? I love the Nauti Boys and Loving Lies, but many people don't...I guess it is just a matter of taste...
I am so glad you are back Colleen! You were missed around here!

Eastofoz,

I hope you're following this--this will give you a good idea about this series! lol
Lots of different opinions... :D

Hey, what about those Nauti cousins? Like they even offered up an excuse for sharing?

Of course I love you. You're the only ones who know about my lust for Luke, Simon, Clint, Violanti, Christian, Ezra, Rowdy, Jack, Deke, and on and on and on...

And only I know the real reason you're screaming.

Thanks, Daisie. Glad to be back. Not getting much done, but having a great time!

Colleen

*sigh*

I will never get through my To-Read list because I keep adding more and more books on the READ-SOON! list.

I've bumped up this series after reading all these comments that have got me curious.

Yup I'm-a-followin' Auntee! I'm going to try book 1 in Men of August and retry Maya Banks' SWEET SURRENDER because Daisiemae said it was really good--could it be any worse than Colters' (lol!)

Anyone ever read Jess Michael's EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN? That sounds good as does SIN by Sharon Page and I'm still iffy about SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN by Lacey Alexander.

I have these on TBR --anyone read them (please tell me I did not waste my money buying them!)

*Pleasures of the Night Sylvia Day
*Private Party Jami Alden
*The Price of Desire Leda Swann
*Against the Wall Rhyannon Byrd (Daisie said this was good so it's moved up in the pile some :)

East,
I loved both Sweet Surrender and of course anything by Rhyannon Byrd is great. Colleen just read Private Party...she posted it on the Once upon a time forum...and it certainly looked great:) You'll have to tell us what you think of Sylvia Day's book. I am really interested in reading her work:)
Have you read the Lover yet?????

EASTOFOZ: Private Party by Jami Alden is very good. I'll get a review up soon. I was pleasantly surprised because it's published by Aphrodisia. I've all but come to the conclusion that their editors wouldn't know a plot if it jumped off the page and bit them on the nose. They certainly don't seem to work too hard trying to find one.

As for Private Party, I borrowed this off my sister's shelf. I'd never heard of the author but the tanned torso on the front and the description on the back both looked good.

Move it toward the top of the pile. It's a quick read and Chris Dennison has been added to the harem.

Colleen

Ditto on "Private Party", East. Pretty good book although I got greedy and sold mine on Amazon but I remember enjoying it!

Really liked "Sweet Surrender", too!

Rhyannon Byrd's "Asking For It", and "Against the Wall"--read them both, liked one more than the other, but stupid me can't remember which one is which! I need to check the synopsis--I'll get back to you.

Auntee,
You are so right! I liked Asking for it better than Against the wall, but both are great;) I just bought For her Pleasure by Maya Banks...have any of you read it?????

Thanks ladies, so far no duds in the lot :D So no one's read The Price of Desire I see--and that's the one that looked the best to me right now (lol). Anyone read HELL'S BELLES by Jackie Kessler? Got my "risqué" books altogher now it seems ;)

Daisiemae THE LOVER'S in transit, actually it hasn't even been shipped yet because it's with some other out of stock book I ordered so it's all been held up :( Believe me though, once I get it it'll be on the top of the pile! Everybody and their cousin has told me to read this with Gabriel's Woman!

I'm part way through MARLY'S CHOICE (been sitting here reading for like 2 hours). So far I'm liking it and have no major complaints.

I was a little surprised at the vibe of the book...it's rather different than the other 2 Leigh books I've read. They were pretty much PWP (porn without plot). But there's an actual story in MARLY'S CHOICE. I like that.

Well, back to reading...

DAISIE: Darling, do stop buying books! Or at least post a note in the "Could I have your copy" thread on a'zon. I've got Maya Banks' FOR HER PLEASURE and it would have been yours for the asking.

It's an anthology of 2 related stories and enjoyable enough. Good, worth an afternoon or evening, but not 'rush it to the top of the TBR mountain' good. Definitely more plot/character substance than many of her other books. Perhaps she's getting better (I found Brazen to be far more book than I've come to expect from this author).

Read it. Enjoy it. It won't change your life or haunt you. The guys aren't as memorable as Simon or Luke, but what the heck?

Colleen

I gotta ask, this has been driving me crazy--what books are Simon and Luke in? I can't keep up with your harem! :)

LOL Auntee! Simon is Simon Thackeray from Daring in the Dark, and Luke is Luke Rutledge from Barely Mistaken. Both books are by Jennifer LaBrecque and faves of DaisieMae and mine.

If you'd like to read Barely Mistaken, I've got a lending copy...

Colleen

Oh man I'm such a ditz! Of course I know Simon, I just read "Daring in the Dark" about a week ago--loved him! As for Luke, I may have that book in my TBR Mt., I'm going to do some digging--I know there's at least one more LaBrecque in there! I can't keep up with all these authors!

Thanks for the offer, I'll let you know! Now where did I put my shovel... :D

You're not a ditz, Auntee. We do have a few hunky Simons floating around...

Simon Andrews of Seducing Simon (Maya Banks)
Simon Hunt of Secrets of a Summer Night (Lisa Kleypas)
Simon Roarke of Roarke's Wife (Beverly Barton)

And lots, lots more Simons out there.

Colleen

Oooo I've got Barely Mistaken on TBR somewhere--looks like it'll have to be bumped up ;)

EAST: You definitely gotta move that to the top of the mountain. It's a HQN Temptation (poor thing) so it's a quick read.

Contains the most erotic non-sex scenes ever!

Colleen

Psssst. Colleen. BARELY MISTAKEN is another book I have been searching for (along with ALPHA ROMEOS). Do you have a copy for sale?

Hey!! Somebody get a box to gether for me!!!

Just finished reading this series. It hooked me in pretty quickly and I got a crick in my neck from sitting here reading for so long, LOL.

**MINOR SPOILER**

Anyway, I liked the series. Very interesting dynamics. I'm probably the only one who thinks this way, but I didn't like what Leigh did with the "August Heat" novella. It wasn't a matter of sharing versus not sharing, but I just didn't buy into the complete about face that occurred between books 3 and 4.

But that's just my feeling on it.

****SPOILER***

Yeah Isis, I know what you're referring to. But she (Lora Leigh) probably didn't want to bring children into the family with all that 'sharing' going on. So...they did seem to get over it all of a sudden, huh?

****SPOILER****

It just bugged me. Ignoring the right or wrong of what they were doing, or the demons they had to get over...at the end of the 3rd book, they're all happy, accepting of the life they'd chosen. There's just this vibe of complete acceptance and willingness to continue on. Then suddenly in book 4, no ones happy with the situation, they're cutting each other off, the women are plotting...and I'm like, WTF? It just didn't work for me.

I'm glad they worked out their issues and ended up happy and healing. And I agree, Auntee, that the author had a viable reason for doing it, I just didn't agree with the process. I would rather there have not been a 4th book, than have read it the way she did it.

ISIS: Maybe Leigh got letters after Sarah's Seduction, like Brockmann did after Into the Night.

My sis was one of Brockmann's angry fans and she rec'd a letter back saying all would be made better in the next book (appropriately titled Gone Too Far).

Colleen

Colleen - I wondered about that too...if maybe August Heat was a band-aid fix for what too many people saw as an inappropriate ending to the 3rd book. Who knows, though, right?

Colleen and the girls,
I can't help it! I am so impatient! When I see something I want to read I have to get it NOW...even though it will sit on my TBR mountain later...lol..What can I say...I am addicted!
I agree that the Nauti Boys had an asinine reason to share too...I think my problem with the sharing issue with the Men of August and Colters' Woman (although the heroine was awful in that one) is maybe because it is BROTHERS doing the sharing, whereas other books written with menage scenes where they are just friends don't bother me as much...I am not sure though to be honest.

I think you may be on to something there, Daisiemae. It's almost incestuous...

What's the scoop on the Nauti series? Everyone's got me all interested in them with the mentions here.

Well in the Nauti series they do not share!! Period!! I did not like the first one though but I loved Nauti Nites with Dawg!! WOO HOO

ISIS: In the interest of full disclosure and without spoiling the plot...

In the Nauti trilogy, the cousins had shared women in the past and intended to continue sharing... Problem was they discovered they were possessive and jealous when it came to women they really cared about.

Can't wait for Nauti Dreams!

Colleen

Hmm, sounds like an interesting series. I was considering ordering it off Amazon as a birthday present to myself, but because they are trade paperbacks (and therefore more $$) they are a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Oh well. I'll have to keep my eyes open in case I see them used anywhere.

Me too Colleen! I can't wait until Nauti Dreams comes out...sigh...don't we love Lora's heroes???

I am awaiting Nauti Dreams also. Woo!!

Lora Leigh

My favorite August Men was Sarah's Seduction. I loved Brock and Sarah, however I had a real hard time with the sharing. You guys are probably correct in thinking that it is the "brothers thing" that is icky.
Oh yeah, Marley made me sick. Couldn't stand her in Sarah's Seduction.

After reading some of the comments here, though, I do feel that I understand more of what Lora Leigh was trying to convey in the August series.

Nauti is a great series. Loved them all. They shared, but stopped when it came to a woman they cared about. Loved Dawg and Natchez.

Loving Lies was great (lots of angst). Can't wait for Zac and Jazz's books.