Tart
by Lauren Dane
(Delicious # 1)
Ms. Dane has done it again.  TART is everything I was anxiously awaiting!  There’s a wonderful new set of people in this series and women that have a close friendship and now it’s their turns to find love. You’ll feel right at home in their lives just as we did with the Brown Siblings.
Starting with Juliet.  We read about her in the CHERISHED anthology.  She owns a pastry shop and is a very independent woman, always used to doing things for herself and succeeding at them.  She doesn’t have the love and support of her own family either.  But she’s also the type of woman that will do anything to help others and sometimes that can get in the way of her own happiness.
She’s had a crush on her buddy Cal for years, but then she thought Cal was gay, and then we he started dating both men and women she kind of gave up on the hopes that he would ever look her way.  So when hunky cowboy Gideon comes into town and she’s doing business with his grandfather’s farm, she acts on the sizzling chemistry she feels with Gideon.  Of course that’s just what Cal needed to kick start him into action because Juliet should’ve always been his.
I like how Ms. Dane starts this series off in sort of the same way as her Brown Siblings, with a permanent menage.  And it works.  They all care about each but their individual connection with Juliet was cemented perfectly.  She’s the anchor that makes the relationship work and when permanent menages can be hard to imagine working, Ms. Dane has a talent for making me believe that they can.
And just as the relationships and love were perfectly and independently developed, the sex was as well.  I can’t say there’s one thing she didn’t explore and I loved every minute of it.  There’s Gideon and Juliet, Cal and Juliet, Cal and Gideon and all three together with different roles.  It was hot and had me bothered! 😉
Then there’s the familiar faces we love to read about.  I love the Brown siblings and I’m happy to report there’s a lot of them in this book.  Erin, Todd and Ben are around and offer support for their menage relationship.  Erin and Juliet develop a close friendship which was nice to see.  Gillian and Adam are also getting married so they are going through the stress of that as well as the excitement.
I have to admit I might’ve gotten almost teary eyed at some parts and while this book is hot as hell and perfectly written as far as the relationship goes, it’s also a bit emotional and sweet.  I can’t wait to read more from this series!!  Wonder who will be next?
*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon
 

Excerpt
Delicious: TART by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2012, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, The Berkley Publishing Group
Releasing in digital formats and trade paper, November 6!

“What’s going on?” Gillian walked in to Tart four days later with a look on her face that made Jules suck in a breath and steel herself.

“Um. A clue perhaps? What do you mean?”

Gillian put a hand on her hip and glared. “You won’t return my calls. Your texts are boring and lack even a basic amount of snark. Cal is moping around. Mary says you’re not here when she arrives in the afternoon and Gideon called my house looking for you. What in God’s name is going on?”

Jules sat in a nearby chair and told Gillian everything.

“Well, I can see why you needed the space to think. But why you wouldn’t come to me to let me help, I can’t imagine.”

“You have enough going on in your life. This is just . . . it’s . . . I don’t even know.”

“Don’t be daft. Enough going on. Sure, a wedding and a bossy fiancé and a teenaged son who is at turns sweet as pudding and then surly. But you’re my best friend, it’s my job to listen to you. Also, really to deny me the story of how two ridiculously gorgeous men offered to share you? Mean.” She fanned herself. “Well, are you interested? You know in both?”

“The thing is—and I’ve been thinking on this nonstop since that damned kiss—I’m with Gideon. I chose him when I went to his place to tell him about the kiss. But then he was all, hey, take us both and now I’m torn.”

“Torn because you’d rather have just one than both? And if that’s true, that’s okay too, you know. I’m not sure I could manage two men at once. Adrian gives me more than enough to do.”

Jules wiped a counter down to keep moving. “Do I want them? Individually? Sure. Look at them! It’s more than their looks, of course. I’m falling in love with Gideon in a big way and I’d be a liar, liar, pants on fire if I denied how long I’ve loved Cal. But together? At the same time? I don’t know.”

“Is it the overabundance of penis? Or worry that they’re not interested in your parts best?”

Jules laughed and then hugged Gillian tight. “Thank God for you.”

“I say this about you all the time.”

Jules was so glad Gillian had come in. She needed this so badly. Needed the support and honesty she got from her best friend.

“Gideon loves you. I admit that I’ve got a natural bias toward Cal. I’ve known him longest. He’s like family. But since I’ve met Gideon he’s been nothing but good to you. And you do deserve to be happy. If you can’t imagine being with them both, then don’t do it. Cal will get over it. He’ll have to.”

“What kind of flesh-and-blood woman with a pulse wouldn’t imagine being with them both? I’m only human, Gillian. I’ve imagined it all right.” So much her wrists hurt from masturbating so often.

Gillian grinned and cocked her head. “Have you thought about talking to Erin? I know she can be sort of bold and wild, but she’s a wonderful listener. She puts a lot of work into her relationship with Todd and Ben. It can work if you do it right and you have the right combo of people.”

“Honestly if you were telling me this story, I’d yell at you to get out of here and jump both men. You’re very patient.”

“You love them both. I know this about you. You’re thinking this over because it would change everything. No matter what decision you make, everything will be different. There’s no way around it, I’m sorry to say. Once Cal kissed you, things were thrown onto a wholly different path.”

“I know.” She paused and then blurted it out because she needed to say it. “It was a really, really good kiss. If he’d kissed me like that six months ago, we’d be happily together right now. He’s quite a dumbass for a man who looks as good as he does.” Jules chewed her lip a moment and then just said it. “I’m afraid Gideon will think the same thing about his kisses and they’ll get sick of me. It’s stupid and petty and I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Gillian made one of her polite little growls of annoyance. “He’s a fool for waiting so long. As for the kiss? I’m glad. I mean, I figured it was. You two, well, there’s years and years of built-up stuff between you. But back to the threesome thing. I don’t think this is about them both secretly being totally gay and then they’ll find out and dump you. I can understand why you’d worry. But they both want you. I’m telling you the total truth when I say I’ve watched Cal watch you for years. He’s in love with you, Jules. Not with anyone else. Same with Gideon.”

Berkley Heat is giving away a copy of TART to one lucky US maiden!

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I'm a sun-loving Floridian in my forties, but my favorite season is Fall—perfect for reading under a blanket in a comfy sweater on a rainy day. I run Inkspire (https://www.goinkspire.com), a blogger support business where I teach web design, SEO, organization and how to turn blogging into a business. I have a special fondness for elephants. My favorite genres are historical and paranormal romance, plus urban fantasy, though I often find myself reading a lot of contemporary romance. To keep my reading fresh, I switch genres to avoid book slumps and love authors who can rip my heart out and make me ugly cry.

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63 Comments

  9. I’ve only read one or two books with permanent menages, but I do like them. I’m a firm believer that you don’t have to settle with just one person, so if you find 2+ and it works, then go for it!

    Reply

  11. I do love to read about committed menages. I think Lauren Dane does them very well. I’ve loved Erin, Todd and Ben since their first book and enjoy how we’ve seen their relationship grow in the Brown sibling books. I’m really looking forward to Tart.

    Reply

  13. I think reading about different relationships, no matter how they are composed, is very interesting. I like the idea of this book, and find it intriguing to see the nuances that make this relationship work. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  14. I do love reading about perm menages. They fascinate me. I dont see how they could possibly really work. But apparently, they do. haha For some. And I am just voyeuristic enough to want to read!! haha Bet this is a good one.
    lisakhutson *@* cox. net

    Reply

  19. I love reading about permanent menages. They’re very intriguing. As long as everyone’s on the same page so no one gets hurt, it’s all good.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

    Reply

  20. I’ve only read one, so I can’t say that I am an expert..lol..BUT, I think it is an interesting premise…and if it works, and everyone going into it knows where they stand, then why not? I read about many many many things that I would never do personally…so it’s nice to step into that world a wee bit as well 🙂

    Reply

  22. I like reading about permanent menages better than non-perm ones. To me, permanent means actual feelings, not just a haphazard love triangle thrown into the story as filler.

    Thanks for the giveaway, this book is on my Christmas list 😀

    Reply

  23. Thanks for sharing… this book has been on my TBR for a couple weeks since Lauren Dane posted about it…
    My personal reason for liking permanent mange is simply because the three can make a better balance and bring more to the relationship than a traditional…
    Think of the trinty symbol its a balance of three things into one…

    Reply

  25. I do like reading them. I guess it’s that this would not work for me in life, but then that’s why we read, to escape from reality for a bit.

    Reply

  31. I do like the idea of permanent menage relationships.
    Lauren is one of my favorite authors. I love the Brown siblings and can’t wait to read more about them.

    Reply

  32. I do enjoy reading about permanent menages,I have read many by Maya Banks & Lora Leigh. I have not ready any of Lauren’s books but this one sounds great.

    Reply

  33. I love to read series books. The Brown siblings is a great series, I cant wait to read this book. I like reading permanent menages relationships. It shows how much understanding,trust and love everyone has for the relationship to make it work. What girl wouldnt want to lovers.
    [email protected]

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  38. I guess it’s hard for me to read permanent menages as I wonder how they work…won’t one get jealous or one want more or what if you have kids? I know it’s just fiction but it still makes me wonder…

    Reply

  39. I guess it’s hard for me to read permanent menages as I wonder how they work…won’t one get jealous or one want more or what if you have kids? I know it’s just fiction but it still makes me wonder…

    Reply

  41. I’ve read several books with permanent menages and it just confirms what I already believe that just because it is not what works for me doesn’t mean it is not right for others. Everyone has a right to live the way they want to and they way that makes them happy. Whether that be in a book or in real life!

    Reply

  42. I love Lauren Dane & will definitely be adding this to my TBR list. I think what works for me in a menage story is when the relationship as a whole has a strong bond & is functional between all of the characters.

    Reply

  45. I have to add this one to my TBR list! YAY! I am in the process of reading the Brown sibling series now and loving it! I prefer books that tackle the idea of a permanent menage because I think they have more at stake emotionally than those who use menage as a gimmick. It’s a delicate balance and Lauren Dane does a great job with laying out the physical and the emotional aspects of this kind of relationship.

    Reply

  46. Lauren writes a believable permanent menage relationship, things aren’t always rainbows and sunshine and a relationship with two people is hard enough, when you’re bouncing off three points the challenge increases exponentially. Her characters deal with these problems head on, they have conversations, like adults, and no it isn’t easy for everyone around them, but in the end they *own* who they are and it makes the stories all the better.

    I can’t wait to read Tart, I’m trying to convince myself a post-work nap to wake-up and read at midnight is a bad thing… it is, isn’t it?

    Reply

  47. I like reading about them, but I can’t see them working in the real world on a long term basis. I can’t help but think someone has to feel slightly left out. Maybe if both guys were bi, every one would get the same amount of action, but still. In the real world wouldn’t Ben feel just a bit lower on the totem pole being the one not married to Erin?

    acm05atjuno.com

    Reply

  49. I do like to read about permanent menage relationships – I think it’s because it’s nice to think the dream can last and be real – if the author does a good job developing the characters I can totally see it working in the real world – if not…well it’s a fantasy:)

    Reply

  53. I do love to read about permanent menages. I think that if the author writes them well, they can be a great love story. And a wonderful fantasy 😉

    Reply

  54. I think in real life a permanent menage would be very difficult to maintain. It’s part of the reason that I enjoy them in books because there is a HEA. I find that I don’t enjoy all of the menage stories out there. They have to be well written. Lauren Dane has the right touch to make a menage story work. jepebATverizonDOTnet

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  63. I love permanent menages as it give me hope in the power of love. The reality of an extra parent being able to be there when needed and to give love to the children is awesome. The feeling of support…then of course is the loving, yum.

    Reply