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Tumble Creek #1
Talk Me Down
Molly Jennings has one naughty little secret: her job as a bestselling erotic fiction author. Until her inspiration runs dry—thanks to a creepy ex—and it's time to skip town and move back to tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado.
One look at former high school hunk chief of police Ben Lawson and Molly is back in business. The town gossip is buzzing at her door and, worse still, a stalker seems to be watching her every move. Thankfully, her very own lawman has taken to coming over, often. The only problem now is that Molly may have to let the cat out of the bag about her chosen profession, and straitlaced Ben will definitely not approve.…
347 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 25, 2008
About the author
Victoria Dahl
62 books2,003 followersI have my mother to thank for my passion for writing. My mom is an avid reader of popular fiction, and I began reading highly inappropriate books around the age of eleven, I think. (Thanks, Mom, for always leaving those delicious books strewn about!)
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 669 reviews
June 25, 2009
DNF. I got halfway and called it quits. I wanted to like this one, but it read too much like a run-of-the-mill HQN Blaze(ish) with very little story and whole lot of sex starting in the first few chapters. Now typically I love a romances with a lot of good sex, but for me I need to get to know the characters and care about them. I also need a compelling story to glue it all together, not some shallow mystery with an obvious ending. I didn't get any of that in this story.
In all fairness I believe this story was meant to be a light, frothy and sexy contemporary romance -- which it is. If you are into those kind of romance stories than I have no doubt you will enjoy this book.
In all fairness I believe this story was meant to be a light, frothy and sexy contemporary romance -- which it is. If you are into those kind of romance stories than I have no doubt you will enjoy this book.
January 18, 2009
Add me to the list of fans of Victoria Dahl's extremely sexy, and often hilarious romance, Talk Me Down. This book was packed with sexual tension, was blessed with witty dialogue, had some laugh out loud moments, and even had an element of suspense thrown it. I was totally captivated by it, so much so that I had a hard time putting it down.
Molly Jennings writes erotic romance, is quite successful at it, but no one knows about it. Not her family or friends. No one but her editor. It's her little secret, and she'd like to keep it that way. When her writing inspiration runs dry, she decides to leave Denver and her manipulative ex and move back to her tiny hometown of Tumble Creek, Colorado (where everybody knows their neighbor's business), and into the house that her late aunt left her. And if she happens to find her muse there...
When Molly spots former high school hunk and now Chief of Police hunk Ben Lawson at the grocery store--hello--all of a sudden Molly's inspiration is back on track. Ben looks even better than he did ten years ago, and looking at him reminds her of the last time she saw him, when she inadvertantly walked in on him and his girlfriend...
Ben has always liked Molly, even though she is his best friend's little sister. And even though it's clear that Molly is very interested (flirting and teasing him), he's not sure it would be wise to pursue a relationship with her. After a sex scandal involving his father nearly destroyed his family when Ben was a teen, Ben has been sensitive to gossip and worries a lot about what other people think. He has a reputation to uphold as the Chief of Police, and doesn't even date women from the same town. But man, Molly sure is tempting, and he's no saint. Just how long can he be expected to hold out?
Well, not long, as it turns out. At first, Molly is interested in just using him for sex, while Ben is looking for a more meaningful relationship. Molly's got issues with her family, feeling she never 'measured up' in her parents eyes and can't compare to her more successful brother. She has trouble opening up and often hides behind jokes and outrageous behavior. But Ben knows and understands the real Molly, and that's a dangerous thing. If she falls for him, what will happen when he finds out her big secret?
When a stalker threatens Molly, the romance between Ben and Molly heats up. All Ben's naturally protective instincts kick in, and it makes Molly very aware of her growing feelings for Ben. She realizes their relationship will hit a dead end though if she doesn't reveal her secret profession to Ben, and also tell the truth about why her ex stills thinks he's her boyfriend. Can she risk rejection and tell Ben the truth?
This was one hot, yet funny read. Molly was adorable, although at times a little flighty and immature, but boy, she had some very witty dialogue. There were a few good laughs in every chapter of the book. And Ben--what a guy. I loved how he blushed over some of Molly's comments, and he was just an all around good guy. He may have been quiet and reserved in public, but when Molly got him in the bedroom, he certainly wasn't! They had some pretty racey bedroom (and pick-up truck) scenes! They made a terrific couple, even though I wished Molly would trust him enough to reveal her profession. It was often very funny whenever Ben was thinking to himself, trying to figure out what line of work Molly was in. That girl drove the poor guy crazy! I thought the suspense aspect of the book played out very well--I mean, I thought I knew who the stalker was, but then the author threw in a nice little twist. Well done, and I didn't see it coming.
If you're in the mood for a sexy, romantic, and very funny read, with an adorable H/H,and a hint of suspense, give this book a try. This has to be one of the best contemporary romances I've read in a while, and I look forward to more books by this talented author. 5 well-earned stars!
Molly Jennings writes erotic romance, is quite successful at it, but no one knows about it. Not her family or friends. No one but her editor. It's her little secret, and she'd like to keep it that way. When her writing inspiration runs dry, she decides to leave Denver and her manipulative ex and move back to her tiny hometown of Tumble Creek, Colorado (where everybody knows their neighbor's business), and into the house that her late aunt left her. And if she happens to find her muse there...
When Molly spots former high school hunk and now Chief of Police hunk Ben Lawson at the grocery store--hello--all of a sudden Molly's inspiration is back on track. Ben looks even better than he did ten years ago, and looking at him reminds her of the last time she saw him, when she inadvertantly walked in on him and his girlfriend...
Ben has always liked Molly, even though she is his best friend's little sister. And even though it's clear that Molly is very interested (flirting and teasing him), he's not sure it would be wise to pursue a relationship with her. After a sex scandal involving his father nearly destroyed his family when Ben was a teen, Ben has been sensitive to gossip and worries a lot about what other people think. He has a reputation to uphold as the Chief of Police, and doesn't even date women from the same town. But man, Molly sure is tempting, and he's no saint. Just how long can he be expected to hold out?
Well, not long, as it turns out. At first, Molly is interested in just using him for sex, while Ben is looking for a more meaningful relationship. Molly's got issues with her family, feeling she never 'measured up' in her parents eyes and can't compare to her more successful brother. She has trouble opening up and often hides behind jokes and outrageous behavior. But Ben knows and understands the real Molly, and that's a dangerous thing. If she falls for him, what will happen when he finds out her big secret?
When a stalker threatens Molly, the romance between Ben and Molly heats up. All Ben's naturally protective instincts kick in, and it makes Molly very aware of her growing feelings for Ben. She realizes their relationship will hit a dead end though if she doesn't reveal her secret profession to Ben, and also tell the truth about why her ex stills thinks he's her boyfriend. Can she risk rejection and tell Ben the truth?
This was one hot, yet funny read. Molly was adorable, although at times a little flighty and immature, but boy, she had some very witty dialogue. There were a few good laughs in every chapter of the book. And Ben--what a guy. I loved how he blushed over some of Molly's comments, and he was just an all around good guy. He may have been quiet and reserved in public, but when Molly got him in the bedroom, he certainly wasn't! They had some pretty racey bedroom (and pick-up truck) scenes! They made a terrific couple, even though I wished Molly would trust him enough to reveal her profession. It was often very funny whenever Ben was thinking to himself, trying to figure out what line of work Molly was in. That girl drove the poor guy crazy! I thought the suspense aspect of the book played out very well--I mean, I thought I knew who the stalker was, but then the author threw in a nice little twist. Well done, and I didn't see it coming.
If you're in the mood for a sexy, romantic, and very funny read, with an adorable H/H,and a hint of suspense, give this book a try. This has to be one of the best contemporary romances I've read in a while, and I look forward to more books by this talented author. 5 well-earned stars!
August 3, 2016
“I’ve had a rough six months, okay?” she cried. “Little Blue was my last friend, and frankly the last time his batteries ran out I had a fleeting moment of panic that he’d been compromised!”
First time reading this author and I must say I enjoyed it. Witty, sassy heroine. Tough, brooding hero. Will be checking out more by this author.
July 1, 2023
When he put his hands on his hips, she could see his big gun, and not the big gun she was interested in, either.
With a quote like this you know what you're gonna get out of this book.
June 22, 2011
I decided to read this after discovering several shining reviews from goodreads friends. It seems that for about a month I've struggled to read anything serious; I'm getting really into chick-lit and humour books at the moment, anyone who's seen my Julie James marathon will already know this. Talk Me Down is about 90% extremely light-hearted, funny and sexy, whilst the other 10% is creepy stalker-ish but I also enjoyed this as a kind of background subplot.
The story is about Molly, a writer of erotic fiction for women, who moves back to her quiet, scandal-is-the-8th-deadly-sin home town. There she is confronted with Ben Lawson, the police chief and the very man who has been the fuel for her erotic fantasies over the past ten years. Ben quickly becomes a welcome distraction from the weird things that keep happening to Molly... like doors that she was so sure she locked being found open and strange male-shaped shadows lurking on hilltops outside her bedroom window. But she's determined to keep her career a secret from Ben, who's sure to be put off by the kinky fantasies she has penned down.
The novel was really enjoyable and I liked both Molly and Ben very much. Ben Lawson is both the shy cute guy and the one who turns into a super stud in the bedroom, his character is simply adorable. There's a lot more graphic sex than a Julie James book, including scenes with vibrator use - Molly calls it Little Blue - and some hot dirty talk. But there's also a great deal of respect between the two main characters that makes me love their relationship so much more.
The stalker subplot is actually pretty scary. Imagine seeing a dark shape outside your window and thinking "no worries, the door's locked" only to discover that it isn't! But don't worry, there's a sexy chief of police only a phone call away and he's not afraid to use that big gun of his (I apologise for the innuendo but it appears to be the author's favourite - I have it on the brain now, hehe).
I've heard the rest of the series is also just as impressive so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Victoria Dahl.
The story is about Molly, a writer of erotic fiction for women, who moves back to her quiet, scandal-is-the-8th-deadly-sin home town. There she is confronted with Ben Lawson, the police chief and the very man who has been the fuel for her erotic fantasies over the past ten years. Ben quickly becomes a welcome distraction from the weird things that keep happening to Molly... like doors that she was so sure she locked being found open and strange male-shaped shadows lurking on hilltops outside her bedroom window. But she's determined to keep her career a secret from Ben, who's sure to be put off by the kinky fantasies she has penned down.
The novel was really enjoyable and I liked both Molly and Ben very much. Ben Lawson is both the shy cute guy and the one who turns into a super stud in the bedroom, his character is simply adorable. There's a lot more graphic sex than a Julie James book, including scenes with vibrator use - Molly calls it Little Blue - and some hot dirty talk. But there's also a great deal of respect between the two main characters that makes me love their relationship so much more.
The stalker subplot is actually pretty scary. Imagine seeing a dark shape outside your window and thinking "no worries, the door's locked" only to discover that it isn't! But don't worry, there's a sexy chief of police only a phone call away and he's not afraid to use that big gun of his (I apologise for the innuendo but it appears to be the author's favourite - I have it on the brain now, hehe).
I've heard the rest of the series is also just as impressive so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Victoria Dahl.
February 8, 2015
5 stars – Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
After reading so many positive reviews by several GR friends, I had high expectations for "Talk Me Down" and I'm thrilled to say that it did not disappoint. It’s a highly entertaining contemporary romance romp with sexy, funny dialogue, a quirky, albeit often frustrating heroine, a sexy-as-sin, sweet hero, and even a stalker subplot with lots of twists thrown in for some added intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed the clever writing, laugh-out-loud humor, and steamy hot romance.
Erotic romance novelist Molly Jennings returns to her small, isolated hometown of Tumble Creek, Colorado after inheriting her aunt’s house to escape an ex-boyfriend who just can’t seem to get the hint that it's over and with the hope of finding inspiration for her next book in longtime crush, chief of police Ben Lawson, who’s been the subject of her fantasies for the past ten years. Ben’s harbored some fantasies of his own where Molly’s concerned, and now that she’s back and no longer just his best friend’s kid sister, he’s finding her harder to resist than ever before, especially when she pulls out all the stops in the seduction department. The romance in "Talk Me Down" is smokin’ hot, but what I really enjoyed is the fun, lighthearted teasing, and humor between Molly and Ben in the bedroom scenes.
Molly’s job is a big mystery to everyone, and complications arise when she insists on keeping her career and past relationship a secret from Ben, who hates secrets ever since his family was involved in a seedy scandal in the small town when he was a teenager. Ben falls hard and fast for Molly and wants a serious relationship, but her secretive ways and selfish behavior cause trust issues and distance between them. Ben was waaay more patient and understanding with Molly than she deserved, and there were times that I really thought she needed a good reality smack upside the head.
Which brings me to what I loved most about this book...Ben Lawson, Ben Lawson, and oh yeah, Ben Lawson!! He's a seemingly quiet, serious, conservative sheriff and a tender, caring, patient, sweet, all around good guy...but then get him in the bedroom and YOWZA! Let's just say he knows how to use his Stetson hat and sexy drawl for a good time!
If I were to make me the ultimate contemporary romance hero/hunk sandwich, it would have a slice of Flat-Out Sexy’s Elec Monroe, a slice of Smooth Talking Stranger’s Jack Travis, a slice of Sugar Daddy’s Gage Travis, and a big-ole slice of Talk Me Down’s Ben Lawson...yummy!
"Talk Me Down" is a delightful contemporary romance that’s sexy and witty with a hero that this reader went totally gaga over! It's a very quick, fun, and saucy read! 5 stars!
After reading so many positive reviews by several GR friends, I had high expectations for "Talk Me Down" and I'm thrilled to say that it did not disappoint. It’s a highly entertaining contemporary romance romp with sexy, funny dialogue, a quirky, albeit often frustrating heroine, a sexy-as-sin, sweet hero, and even a stalker subplot with lots of twists thrown in for some added intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed the clever writing, laugh-out-loud humor, and steamy hot romance.
Erotic romance novelist Molly Jennings returns to her small, isolated hometown of Tumble Creek, Colorado after inheriting her aunt’s house to escape an ex-boyfriend who just can’t seem to get the hint that it's over and with the hope of finding inspiration for her next book in longtime crush, chief of police Ben Lawson, who’s been the subject of her fantasies for the past ten years. Ben’s harbored some fantasies of his own where Molly’s concerned, and now that she’s back and no longer just his best friend’s kid sister, he’s finding her harder to resist than ever before, especially when she pulls out all the stops in the seduction department. The romance in "Talk Me Down" is smokin’ hot, but what I really enjoyed is the fun, lighthearted teasing, and humor between Molly and Ben in the bedroom scenes.
Molly’s job is a big mystery to everyone, and complications arise when she insists on keeping her career and past relationship a secret from Ben, who hates secrets ever since his family was involved in a seedy scandal in the small town when he was a teenager. Ben falls hard and fast for Molly and wants a serious relationship, but her secretive ways and selfish behavior cause trust issues and distance between them. Ben was waaay more patient and understanding with Molly than she deserved, and there were times that I really thought she needed a good reality smack upside the head.
Which brings me to what I loved most about this book...Ben Lawson, Ben Lawson, and oh yeah, Ben Lawson!! He's a seemingly quiet, serious, conservative sheriff and a tender, caring, patient, sweet, all around good guy...but then get him in the bedroom and YOWZA! Let's just say he knows how to use his Stetson hat and sexy drawl for a good time!
If I were to make me the ultimate contemporary romance hero/hunk sandwich, it would have a slice of Flat-Out Sexy’s Elec Monroe, a slice of Smooth Talking Stranger’s Jack Travis, a slice of Sugar Daddy’s Gage Travis, and a big-ole slice of Talk Me Down’s Ben Lawson...yummy!
"Talk Me Down" is a delightful contemporary romance that’s sexy and witty with a hero that this reader went totally gaga over! It's a very quick, fun, and saucy read! 5 stars!
June 20, 2010
Damn entertaining! One of the best laugh-out-loud funny books I’ve ever read. I loved Ben and his unfunny yet adorable jokes. And Molly was such a flirt! Who knew girls could be so good at dirty talking? After reading about numerous shy and inhibited heroines, I really enjoyed Molly’s boldness. Actually, all characters in this book were quite awesome except Cameron, who was the most annoying person EVER.
It wasn’t just a funny book, though; it was hot too. Sizzling hot! One of my favorite scenes:
<-------------------SPOILERS
Finally, she took him in her hand, freed him from his jeans, and he was heavy and hot in her grasp.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to do this?" she whispered.
He swallowed so hard she heard him even over her pulse.
"When I walked in and saw that girl..." She dragged an open mouthed kiss down his shaft in a quick, light caress. She let her breath touch him with every word. "I saw her kissing you, sucking you..."
His deep sigh cracked in half.
"And I watched, and I wanted to be her. I wanted you to send her away and tell me to make it up to you, teach me how to please you."
She licked the tiny drop of fluid away from the head, tasting salt and sex, circled her tongue around the flared edge once, twice, before pressing a few tiny kisses to the moisture she'd created.
"I would've given anything to be the one on her knees for you, Ben. I wanted to take you into my mouth, wanted to make you come."
"Molly"
SPOILERS------------------->
Hot, right?
Ooh, and how could I forget to mention Little Blue? I lol-ed hard every time they mentioned it LOL.
I was so tired of historical novels and pretty sick of vampires but now, I feel refreshed. Thank you so much LethalLovely(Again!) and Alycia, for recommending this to me.
It wasn’t just a funny book, though; it was hot too. Sizzling hot! One of my favorite scenes:
<-------------------SPOILERS
Finally, she took him in her hand, freed him from his jeans, and he was heavy and hot in her grasp.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to do this?" she whispered.
He swallowed so hard she heard him even over her pulse.
"When I walked in and saw that girl..." She dragged an open mouthed kiss down his shaft in a quick, light caress. She let her breath touch him with every word. "I saw her kissing you, sucking you..."
His deep sigh cracked in half.
"And I watched, and I wanted to be her. I wanted you to send her away and tell me to make it up to you, teach me how to please you."
She licked the tiny drop of fluid away from the head, tasting salt and sex, circled her tongue around the flared edge once, twice, before pressing a few tiny kisses to the moisture she'd created.
"I would've given anything to be the one on her knees for you, Ben. I wanted to take you into my mouth, wanted to make you come."
"Molly"
SPOILERS------------------->
Hot, right?
Ooh, and how could I forget to mention Little Blue? I lol-ed hard every time they mentioned it LOL.
I was so tired of historical novels and pretty sick of vampires but now, I feel refreshed. Thank you so much LethalLovely(Again!) and Alycia, for recommending this to me.
March 14, 2012
Say it out loud : FUHHHH...FUHHHH...FUUUUHHNNNNN...UHHNNNNNN...FUN.
Warning : This book may cause smiles, giggling, laughing, and/or snorting.
Talk Me Down was a good time. The story was basic, the mystery was easily solved, and I doubt I'll remember much else about the book other than the fact that it was cute, funny, and sexy.
Sometimes that's all I need, especially after reading one extremely emotional book, one lengthy high fantasy, and a book with characters who made me want to sit in a corner and rock back and forth with horror (okay, so it wasn't quite that bad, but still...).
Ben and Molly may not have been high-brow and I loved that about them. The small-town setting and quirky characters made everything that much more endearing. Some have said this book was a bit more steamy than the usual mainstream but I wasn't complaining.
The story itself revolved around an erotica writer (trying to keep her job a secret from the gossips) who moved back to the small town she grew up in, and the police chief who had always had a fascination with the now-grown woman he'd known as a teen. Ben's fascination turned to suspicion as he tried to find out the secret his new flame was keeping from him, which of course lead to a few capers along the way (yes, I actually used the word capers). Molly's gung-ho approach to roping the man she had her eyes on was downright amusing to watch. She was determined to get her way and she made no apologies for it.
Whether she was accidentally setting off sirens during a steamy make-out session, or haphazardly almost choking on water in the shower, Molly had a flair for the dramatic, intentional or not. I watched it all unfold with great amusement.
Warning : This book may cause smiles, giggling, laughing, and/or snorting.
Talk Me Down was a good time. The story was basic, the mystery was easily solved, and I doubt I'll remember much else about the book other than the fact that it was cute, funny, and sexy.
Sometimes that's all I need, especially after reading one extremely emotional book, one lengthy high fantasy, and a book with characters who made me want to sit in a corner and rock back and forth with horror (okay, so it wasn't quite that bad, but still...).
Ben and Molly may not have been high-brow and I loved that about them. The small-town setting and quirky characters made everything that much more endearing. Some have said this book was a bit more steamy than the usual mainstream but I wasn't complaining.
The story itself revolved around an erotica writer (trying to keep her job a secret from the gossips) who moved back to the small town she grew up in, and the police chief who had always had a fascination with the now-grown woman he'd known as a teen. Ben's fascination turned to suspicion as he tried to find out the secret his new flame was keeping from him, which of course lead to a few capers along the way (yes, I actually used the word capers). Molly's gung-ho approach to roping the man she had her eyes on was downright amusing to watch. She was determined to get her way and she made no apologies for it.
Whether she was accidentally setting off sirens during a steamy make-out session, or haphazardly almost choking on water in the shower, Molly had a flair for the dramatic, intentional or not. I watched it all unfold with great amusement.
"Oh. My. God." She thought she'd electrocuted herself with a defective sex toy.
Encouraged, she started to move seductively toward him, but her bunny slippers slapped the floor and he blinked from his trance.
"I can see your panties," Ben hissed in a voice he thought was soft.
"Oh, sorry, Chief," Wilhelm called from the back. The truck shook when he bounced up and down to hitch up his jeans.
Molly blinked, leaning forward. "Did you really just say, 'get down to business'?"
"Fuck, I think I just did."
"Wow, I mean...Jeez."
His chest began to shake with suppressed laughter.
"We could do that, I suppose, but I was really hoping we might 'do the nasty.' Or maybe 'hit a home run.' Or even...do you think we could play 'hide the sausage?' It's my favorite."
"Yeah, after one and a half minutes in heaven, he rolled off me and told me I had a whole lot to learn about pleasing a man."
Ben ran his hand down her hair and twirled a strand around his finger. "He comes home every year for Thanksgiving. I'll set up a drunk-driving checkpoint just for him."
"Aw, you're so sweet."
March 8, 2009
The only reason I bought this book was because I was wandering around Borders, saw it, and remembered that a bunch of my GR friends had rated it highly. So I thought I'd give it a try. And it was a good pick-up - a surprisingly steamy, funny contemporary romance.
Talk Me Down is about Molly Jennings, an erotic romance writer, who moves back to her small hometown of Tumble Creek after a bad break-up with an boyfriend who has possibly turned into a delusional stalker. The experience left her unable to write and she hopes moving back home, and seeing sexy Ben Lawson - her crush from her teenage years - will inspire her to write again. And she's right. One look at Ben and her juices are flowing - metaphorically and literally. Ben resists her flirtatious advances at first. He has no intention of getting involved in a steamy affair that would most likely end in uncomfortable times after and make him the focus of local gossip (something he detests after his father's exploits). But the heat between them is too much for Ben to resist. The ensuing problem though is that Ben wants more from Molly and she keeps treating him like a fling. Because Molly has secrets. No one knows what she does for a living and she's afraid to tell Ben, the object of her first novella. Things get dicey when someone starts stalking Molly. Still, Molly is too scared to tell Ben, and Ben is tired of being lied to.
This was almost a 5-star read for me. The one thing that kept me from absolutely loving it was that I didn't entirely like Molly. Not that I disliked her, but the way she treated Ben annoyed me. It was like he was just a sex object to her. She would purposely seduce him any time he got determined to try and talk to her and the way she refused to tell him anything about herself at times just ruined the whole bond that developed between them. Plus, I wished they'd had a big talk at the end to resolve the issues between them. Their HEA felt a little superficial for me. So those things kept this book from reaching 5-star status.
But it was a fun book to read. It's light-hearted and funny at times, but not so much that it's a fluff read. The sex was super hot, which I wasn't expecting. And I just loved the character of Ben. He was one of those genuine good guys that's enjoyable to read about. I just wished Molly had treated him a little better.
The plot had some nice surprises to it. I was semi-surprised when a certain thing happened. It was a nice twist. The stalker thing isn't all that original, but Dahl made the story interesting and readable.
I'll definitely be looking for the follow-up to this book, Start Me Up which will feature Molly's brother Quinn and her friend Lori.
WARNING, this books contains: mildly explicit sex and some explicit language
Talk Me Down is about Molly Jennings, an erotic romance writer, who moves back to her small hometown of Tumble Creek after a bad break-up with an boyfriend who has possibly turned into a delusional stalker. The experience left her unable to write and she hopes moving back home, and seeing sexy Ben Lawson - her crush from her teenage years - will inspire her to write again. And she's right. One look at Ben and her juices are flowing - metaphorically and literally. Ben resists her flirtatious advances at first. He has no intention of getting involved in a steamy affair that would most likely end in uncomfortable times after and make him the focus of local gossip (something he detests after his father's exploits). But the heat between them is too much for Ben to resist. The ensuing problem though is that Ben wants more from Molly and she keeps treating him like a fling. Because Molly has secrets. No one knows what she does for a living and she's afraid to tell Ben, the object of her first novella. Things get dicey when someone starts stalking Molly. Still, Molly is too scared to tell Ben, and Ben is tired of being lied to.
This was almost a 5-star read for me. The one thing that kept me from absolutely loving it was that I didn't entirely like Molly. Not that I disliked her, but the way she treated Ben annoyed me. It was like he was just a sex object to her. She would purposely seduce him any time he got determined to try and talk to her and the way she refused to tell him anything about herself at times just ruined the whole bond that developed between them. Plus, I wished they'd had a big talk at the end to resolve the issues between them. Their HEA felt a little superficial for me. So those things kept this book from reaching 5-star status.
But it was a fun book to read. It's light-hearted and funny at times, but not so much that it's a fluff read. The sex was super hot, which I wasn't expecting. And I just loved the character of Ben. He was one of those genuine good guys that's enjoyable to read about. I just wished Molly had treated him a little better.
The plot had some nice surprises to it. I was semi-surprised when a certain thing happened. It was a nice twist. The stalker thing isn't all that original, but Dahl made the story interesting and readable.
I'll definitely be looking for the follow-up to this book, Start Me Up which will feature Molly's brother Quinn and her friend Lori.
WARNING, this books contains: mildly explicit sex and some explicit language
January 24, 2019
A fun small town romance full of witty banter, great characters, just a touch of suspense, and lots of steam.
I’ve been on the search for other authors that are similar to Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I think that Victoria Dahl fits the bill. Very similar styles of writing, but Victoria Dahl writes with a little more steam.
The story is about a young romance novelists who returns to her small hometown in the Colorado Rockies after inheriting her aunts house. With a desire to leave behind the big city of Denver and a stalker ex-boyfriend, she finds a muse in the hunky deputy who is also the man she’s been fantasizing about for the past 10 years.
While getting her groove back, (writing and sexual) a series of creepy events threaten to burst her newfound happiness and the anonymity of her professional career.
I’ve been on the search for other authors that are similar to Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I think that Victoria Dahl fits the bill. Very similar styles of writing, but Victoria Dahl writes with a little more steam.
The story is about a young romance novelists who returns to her small hometown in the Colorado Rockies after inheriting her aunts house. With a desire to leave behind the big city of Denver and a stalker ex-boyfriend, she finds a muse in the hunky deputy who is also the man she’s been fantasizing about for the past 10 years.
While getting her groove back, (writing and sexual) a series of creepy events threaten to burst her newfound happiness and the anonymity of her professional career.
January 14, 2009
What a nice feel-good, funny, very hot, romantic-suspense set in a rural town about 4 hours north of Denver, Colorado. The two main characters, Molly and Ben, were a delight to read about. As I was reading, felt a tad of Robyn Carr's style as other members of the small rural town were introduced. A series could easily come from the other characters, i.e., Quinn (Molly's brother), Lori, Helen, etc. I'd sure run out and buy more in this series by this author!
Molly is a popular erotic romance novelist, but she kept her occupation a secrete. Her main character in her first book and then with reappearances in later books, was Ben, the hunky sheriff. She had known Ben all her life and had a crush on him for most. When she moved back to her hometown, Ben was the Chief of Police. It was instant attraction and Molly put the moves on Ben right away. The book almost hit the erotic marker, but after the heat was established (and boy was it), the bedroom scenes were only mentioned and no longer descriptive.
Nice twist, a lot of humor, excellent skill at crafting and writing with poetic style.
"...attempt to hold this sand castle together...the tide was coming in..."
"I wouldn't yell 'fire' at that slimeball if his ass was in flames."
"...had the nerve to smile at Molly as if she'd just shit a pot of gold, complete with a rainbow."
Big thumbs up from This Reader. Thank you!
Molly is a popular erotic romance novelist, but she kept her occupation a secrete. Her main character in her first book and then with reappearances in later books, was Ben, the hunky sheriff. She had known Ben all her life and had a crush on him for most. When she moved back to her hometown, Ben was the Chief of Police. It was instant attraction and Molly put the moves on Ben right away. The book almost hit the erotic marker, but after the heat was established (and boy was it), the bedroom scenes were only mentioned and no longer descriptive.
Nice twist, a lot of humor, excellent skill at crafting and writing with poetic style.
"...attempt to hold this sand castle together...the tide was coming in..."
"I wouldn't yell 'fire' at that slimeball if his ass was in flames."
"...had the nerve to smile at Molly as if she'd just shit a pot of gold, complete with a rainbow."
Big thumbs up from This Reader. Thank you!
May 11, 2016
Talk Me Down was a rather cute story about a young woman named Molly, moving back to the small town she grew up in after living in the city. Tumble Creek is an extremely small town near Aspen, CO where during the winter the entire city is literally closed off from the world. Molly has enjoyed living in Denver for many years and her career as an erotic fiction writer has given her stability and freedom from having to rely on anyone. However, after her aunt dies she's willed to own the house and decides to pack up and move back home. But moving back also means moving back to her childhood crush Ben Lawson who's now become chief of police. They both realize soon after meeting again that their mutual attraction has not gone away over the years. But living in a small town has it's own troubles and with winter coming there's no escape.
I though this book was really cute. I'm a sucker for those childhood crush/reunion type story lines and I thought the characters were written well. I thought it could be longer and towards the end it felt rushed to me, but overall for a contemporary romance I really liked it. The part where Ben took those pictures of her I thought I was going to cry it was so sweet. I'd definitely try and get a hold of the next one.
I though this book was really cute. I'm a sucker for those childhood crush/reunion type story lines and I thought the characters were written well. I thought it could be longer and towards the end it felt rushed to me, but overall for a contemporary romance I really liked it. The part where Ben took those pictures of her I thought I was going to cry it was so sweet. I'd definitely try and get a hold of the next one.
July 23, 2015
3.25/5
The story started off very well but it failed to deliver! The first half was great, thoroughly hilarious that it kept me giggling and snorting so hard. But the rest of it wasn't what I expected.
Ben was a sexy police chief who sometimes very shy (So cute!), but in the bedroom, he turned into a super hot hero who knew very well how to use his 'gun'! (hahaaaa)
And Molly, at first, I thought she had an appealing character. She was very funny, flirty, and sexy. But the more I got to know her, I found myself liking her less and less. Oh, she really got on my nerves! Molly thought her secret was so important but for me, it wasn't!
Though the story had a nice twist, it was a little predictable at times.
By the way, this book was my OK read. I was a bit disappointed, but not with the whole story and it wasn't boring. This one was a compelling blend of romance, humor, and a little bit of suspense.
The story started off very well but it failed to deliver! The first half was great, thoroughly hilarious that it kept me giggling and snorting so hard. But the rest of it wasn't what I expected.
Ben was a sexy police chief who sometimes very shy (So cute!), but in the bedroom, he turned into a super hot hero who knew very well how to use his 'gun'! (hahaaaa)
And Molly, at first, I thought she had an appealing character. She was very funny, flirty, and sexy. But the more I got to know her, I found myself liking her less and less. Oh, she really got on my nerves! Molly thought her secret was so important but for me, it wasn't!
Though the story had a nice twist, it was a little predictable at times.
By the way, this book was my OK read. I was a bit disappointed, but not with the whole story and it wasn't boring. This one was a compelling blend of romance, humor, and a little bit of suspense.
October 18, 2010
Loved it!
What a fun book to read! If you enjoy reading contemporary romance, Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl is a treat. It was sweet, humorous, and sexy. I was actually sad that the book ended; I wanted to stay in Tumble Creek just a little bit longer.
Why was this book such an enjoyable read? I would have to say it has to be the characters. Ben Lawson and Molly Jennings are a really interesting couple. Ben is the police chief of Tumble Creek. He is well respected, well liked, and a really nice guy. And he really looks good in a cowboy hat. Molly is sexy, flirty, and very independent. She also has a secret that she keeps from her friends and family. Molly has made successful living writing erotic romance novels.
I love how Molly and Ben’s relationship progresses. Molly has had a crush on Ben ever since she was in high school. Both Molly and Ben are clearly attracted to each other. Ben is perplexed by Molly’s secrecy, and each chapter begins with him speculating what Molly’s profession is. His guesses include vocations like online sex performer, phone sex operator, and surrogate mother for hire. There are some hot and steamy moments, and they are well written. Of course, the relationship hits a few bumps along the way. Molly’s reaction to those bumps was to try to make Ben jealous. I did get tired of some of the relationship games after a while, but they did not get in the way of my enjoyment of the book.
I also enjoyed the small town feel of this book. Tumble Creek seemed like the perfect small town – a place where everyone knows each other.
I am looking forward to reading the next installment of the Tumble Creek books – Start Me Up.
What a fun book to read! If you enjoy reading contemporary romance, Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl is a treat. It was sweet, humorous, and sexy. I was actually sad that the book ended; I wanted to stay in Tumble Creek just a little bit longer.
Why was this book such an enjoyable read? I would have to say it has to be the characters. Ben Lawson and Molly Jennings are a really interesting couple. Ben is the police chief of Tumble Creek. He is well respected, well liked, and a really nice guy. And he really looks good in a cowboy hat. Molly is sexy, flirty, and very independent. She also has a secret that she keeps from her friends and family. Molly has made successful living writing erotic romance novels.
I love how Molly and Ben’s relationship progresses. Molly has had a crush on Ben ever since she was in high school. Both Molly and Ben are clearly attracted to each other. Ben is perplexed by Molly’s secrecy, and each chapter begins with him speculating what Molly’s profession is. His guesses include vocations like online sex performer, phone sex operator, and surrogate mother for hire. There are some hot and steamy moments, and they are well written. Of course, the relationship hits a few bumps along the way. Molly’s reaction to those bumps was to try to make Ben jealous. I did get tired of some of the relationship games after a while, but they did not get in the way of my enjoyment of the book.
I also enjoyed the small town feel of this book. Tumble Creek seemed like the perfect small town – a place where everyone knows each other.
I am looking forward to reading the next installment of the Tumble Creek books – Start Me Up.
January 19, 2009
I was annoyed with the heroine for not telling the COP hero about the guy stalking her and about keeping her occupation secret when she supposedly was not ashamed of it. She seemed very selfish about those things and I didn't like how she tried so hard to make everything only about the physical because I didn't get the sense that she had real reason for that except for the author to further the plotlines. The star rating got bumped up from a three because the ending was pretty good and because Ben was hot. I did think the physical side of the romance was very nicely written, I just wish Molly would have wised up sooner.
March 30, 2011
Joint review with Sophia originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
Book Chat with Catherine and Sophia – Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl
Today Catherine and I are chatting about Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl. Since this is a book chat the following may be considered slightly spoilery. We’ve tried not to reveal anything key that would ruin the book for anybody, but everyone has a different opinion about what a spoiler is so keep that in mind if you decide to read any further.
Molly Jennings is a best selling erotic romance author. The problem is no one in her life knows. She writes under a pen name and because her first sale was based on an encounter she had as a teenager with her brother’s best friend Ben Lawson, and because she feels her family wouldn’t approve of what she does, she has kept her career a secret. When her aunt dies and leaves her home in Colorado to Molly she decides it’s time to head back to her roots and try to get her head clear after breaking up with a controlling boyfriend and maybe get her writing mojo back in the process.
Molly has every intention of reconnecting with her teenager crush Ben Lawson and possibly making that years-ago “almost” encounter a reality. But the minute she arrived in town the rumors and gossip start flying and conservative Police Chief Lawson is right in the thick of it. He’ll do anything to avoid scandal and since Molly won’t even tell him what she does for a living he is hesitant to take the plunge into a more serious relationship with her.
Then there’s the ex-boyfriend Cameron who just doesn’t seem to realize he is the EX-boyfriend. He just won’t get a clue! Cameron has made it his mission to integrate himself into Molly’s life even though she’s made it clear they are over. But when strange things start happening Molly can’t help but suspect that he could have something to do with it.
Let’s Discuss:
Sophia: Okay Catherine, let’s start by talking about Molly. What were your impressions and over all feelings about her?
Catherine: Ah, Molly… She’s definitely my kind of girl. She’s in touch with her sexuality and knows what she wants. I loved that she was the aggressor and Ben was the shy guy trying to resist her. It was adorable. I also loved Dahl for giving Molly a friend like Lori. Their interactions together were hilarious. The only real problem with her I had was her attitude toward her job and toward her ex-boyfriend. One I thought she was taking too seriously and the other I didn’t think she took seriously enough.
Sophia: I agree, I really liked that Molly was so comfortable in her sexuality without being over the top and in your face. I found it very refreshing and fun. I think the scene where she’d had too much to drink and was getting frisky with Ben in the squad car was hilarious. (sirens were involved people) I also thought that at first she was being a little ridiculous about hiding her profession from her friends and family. But as the story went on I realized it was more about keeping up with the lie and not as much about what people would think. Sure she was worried about how it could affect Ben, and what her family would say etc, but once the mystery of her profession became a really big deal she seemed more determined than ever to hold on to that little piece of herself that was just hers. I’m not sure what this says about me but I enjoyed watching as her stubbornness battled with the snowball effect of the lie.
You mentioned Ben and his shy guy persona. I really liked that Molly had the advantage when they reconnected after all those years apart. We see so many alpha males spewing tons of arrogance around in the romance genre and I loved that he was a little embarrassed and humbled by what transpired between them years ago. He’s still a sexy stud but he pulled it off without all the posturing. What did you think of Ben?
Catherine: I loved that scene! How mortifying for them both! I laughed when she reflected on it later and concluded that she had used him to masturbate herself. LOL. I never thought that her sexuality was over the top–indeed, it was quite refreshingly upfront–but I did get a little irritated later when she kept distracting him with sex to keep from having to talk and potentially reveal her secret.
I think you’re right about her reasons for hiding her job, but it still wore a little thin for me. I can see why she would hide it from her parents, but from her friends? I guess once she started hiding it she had a hard time being open about it. Speaking of her parents, that scene where she talked to her mom and her mom admitted to being friendly with the ex-boyfriend after they had broken up shocked me. That, added to their reverence for the golden boy, Quinn, left me with a less than positive view of them.
I really liked that Molly had the advantage too. I love darker heroes, but there’s something about the awkward, adorably straight-laced boys that tug at my heart. I loved watching Molly blow into his world and shake it up and laughed at his response to the schoolgirl outfit when she was out playing pool. It was so adorable.
The scene in Molly’s kitchen where she brings up their past was absolutely hilarious. I wish I could quote it so everyone could see the humor, but it’s way too long for this. Regardless, it was an excellent scene and really illustrated their relationship well.
I loved Ben and cracked up at all the jobs he came up with when trying to figure out Molly’s occupation. They were out there, but I can see why he was getting crazy with it. Who is that determined to keep their job a secret if it’s not shameful or illegal? Although I loved him in the beginning, I was less impressed with him toward the end. His first instinct was always to blame the situation on Molly and that did not endear him to me at all. Did that bother you too?
Sophia: I’m glad you brought up the parents and I completely agree with you. I find it frustrating how authors vilify parents in romance so often. It seems the heroine must have either horrible or no parents and it gets old. I want decent parents in romance darn it!
I did get annoyed with Ben for blaming Molly but then again she didn’t give him a lot to cling to in the trust department. I probably would have had less respect for him for trusting her blindly when she was so secretive. I’m all for trusting the one you love but you’ve got the throw a guy a bone here and there.
We can’t really get too into it here without revealing big spoilers, but there was a little plot twist near the end that I sort of saw coming, but not completely, involving Cameron. What I will say is I was surprised at how quickly and easily it all wrapped up. Cameron was a very clever man so this little twist didn’t seem likely to me. It was just too easy. Do you agree?
Catherine: I’ve gotten a little tired of the villainized parents as well. I know it’s an easy way to provide depth, but can we get a little grey to it? I’m tired of them being all bad. I’d like to see issues born of a more complex relationship. Like I’m sure Quinn, the golden boy brother, has with the parents. They were good to him, but resentment must have been there when he saw the sister he loved getting shafted.
You’re right about Ben, I know. It was just hard to read him blaming Molly multiple times for things that weren’t her fault. It’s like he knew he couldn’t trust her in one respect so he refused to trust her in any situation. I got tired of it. But I got really tired of Molly lying as well… So I guess you could say I got tired of them both for being so ridiculous. :)
I was really surprised by how easily it was solved too. I knew that one of the people involved would go down easily (and wow, Ben was completely blind about this situation) but I expected more from Cameron. It almost made it seem a little silly with how easily it wrapped up.
Speaking of Cameron, I’m very glad you brought him up. His character really made me think. Regular stalkers are scary as is, but I think his brand of it is even more horrifying. I can’t imagine anything worse than someone taking over your life. He took her friends, her family, her potential lovers and won them all over. They all turned against her and tried to convince her to get back together with him. *shudder* Horrifying.
Sophia: Yes! Molly said Cameron seduced her boyfriends, family and friends and that is so true. He made her look totally crazy and the more she protested the crazier she looked. I think Cameron was a very effective villain.
Catherine: Before we wrap this up I wanted to touch on one more thing. We’ve both talked about the hilarious situations and Molly being upfront with her sexuality, but I wanted to go a bit more into that. Specifically on how much they added to the story. I think the effortless humor in Dahl’s writing is one of the things that makes me like her so much. Her contemporary books are always so funny without being over the top. And her sex scenes are hot! Those are two things that were particularly well done here. What do you think?
Sophia: Effortless humor, that is exactly it, you nailed it. Sometimes characters seem like they are trying to be funny but Dahl creates characters that just are funny, period. Although her heroes and heroines are not perfect, I feel like I’d like to be friends and hang out with them. I’m just starting the next book in the Tumble Creek Series and I think I like Molly even more in that book. Her friendship with Lori is great and they have such good “friendship” chemistry between them.
Overall I really enjoyed this light, sexy contemporary romance. Molly and Ben were great, the sexy scenes were smoking hot and the mystery and suspense played out well except for a little disappointment in the conclusion. As I said, I’m already starting the next book and I can’t wait to see what happens with Quinn and Lori. I give Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl 4 hearts.
Catherine: I really enjoyed this one as well. The writing, humor, and characters all combined into a very fun book. I got a little frustrated with the characters toward the end and I wish the suspense wouldn’t have resolved so easily, but overall it was a great start to the Tumble Creek trilogy. I give Talk Me Down 3.5 hearts.
Sophia’s Favorite Quote:
Catherine’s Favorite Quote:
Book Chat with Catherine and Sophia – Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl
Today Catherine and I are chatting about Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl. Since this is a book chat the following may be considered slightly spoilery. We’ve tried not to reveal anything key that would ruin the book for anybody, but everyone has a different opinion about what a spoiler is so keep that in mind if you decide to read any further.
Molly Jennings is a best selling erotic romance author. The problem is no one in her life knows. She writes under a pen name and because her first sale was based on an encounter she had as a teenager with her brother’s best friend Ben Lawson, and because she feels her family wouldn’t approve of what she does, she has kept her career a secret. When her aunt dies and leaves her home in Colorado to Molly she decides it’s time to head back to her roots and try to get her head clear after breaking up with a controlling boyfriend and maybe get her writing mojo back in the process.
Molly has every intention of reconnecting with her teenager crush Ben Lawson and possibly making that years-ago “almost” encounter a reality. But the minute she arrived in town the rumors and gossip start flying and conservative Police Chief Lawson is right in the thick of it. He’ll do anything to avoid scandal and since Molly won’t even tell him what she does for a living he is hesitant to take the plunge into a more serious relationship with her.
Then there’s the ex-boyfriend Cameron who just doesn’t seem to realize he is the EX-boyfriend. He just won’t get a clue! Cameron has made it his mission to integrate himself into Molly’s life even though she’s made it clear they are over. But when strange things start happening Molly can’t help but suspect that he could have something to do with it.
Let’s Discuss:
Sophia: Okay Catherine, let’s start by talking about Molly. What were your impressions and over all feelings about her?
Catherine: Ah, Molly… She’s definitely my kind of girl. She’s in touch with her sexuality and knows what she wants. I loved that she was the aggressor and Ben was the shy guy trying to resist her. It was adorable. I also loved Dahl for giving Molly a friend like Lori. Their interactions together were hilarious. The only real problem with her I had was her attitude toward her job and toward her ex-boyfriend. One I thought she was taking too seriously and the other I didn’t think she took seriously enough.
Sophia: I agree, I really liked that Molly was so comfortable in her sexuality without being over the top and in your face. I found it very refreshing and fun. I think the scene where she’d had too much to drink and was getting frisky with Ben in the squad car was hilarious. (sirens were involved people) I also thought that at first she was being a little ridiculous about hiding her profession from her friends and family. But as the story went on I realized it was more about keeping up with the lie and not as much about what people would think. Sure she was worried about how it could affect Ben, and what her family would say etc, but once the mystery of her profession became a really big deal she seemed more determined than ever to hold on to that little piece of herself that was just hers. I’m not sure what this says about me but I enjoyed watching as her stubbornness battled with the snowball effect of the lie.
You mentioned Ben and his shy guy persona. I really liked that Molly had the advantage when they reconnected after all those years apart. We see so many alpha males spewing tons of arrogance around in the romance genre and I loved that he was a little embarrassed and humbled by what transpired between them years ago. He’s still a sexy stud but he pulled it off without all the posturing. What did you think of Ben?
Catherine: I loved that scene! How mortifying for them both! I laughed when she reflected on it later and concluded that she had used him to masturbate herself. LOL. I never thought that her sexuality was over the top–indeed, it was quite refreshingly upfront–but I did get a little irritated later when she kept distracting him with sex to keep from having to talk and potentially reveal her secret.
I think you’re right about her reasons for hiding her job, but it still wore a little thin for me. I can see why she would hide it from her parents, but from her friends? I guess once she started hiding it she had a hard time being open about it. Speaking of her parents, that scene where she talked to her mom and her mom admitted to being friendly with the ex-boyfriend after they had broken up shocked me. That, added to their reverence for the golden boy, Quinn, left me with a less than positive view of them.
I really liked that Molly had the advantage too. I love darker heroes, but there’s something about the awkward, adorably straight-laced boys that tug at my heart. I loved watching Molly blow into his world and shake it up and laughed at his response to the schoolgirl outfit when she was out playing pool. It was so adorable.
The scene in Molly’s kitchen where she brings up their past was absolutely hilarious. I wish I could quote it so everyone could see the humor, but it’s way too long for this. Regardless, it was an excellent scene and really illustrated their relationship well.
I loved Ben and cracked up at all the jobs he came up with when trying to figure out Molly’s occupation. They were out there, but I can see why he was getting crazy with it. Who is that determined to keep their job a secret if it’s not shameful or illegal? Although I loved him in the beginning, I was less impressed with him toward the end. His first instinct was always to blame the situation on Molly and that did not endear him to me at all. Did that bother you too?
Sophia: I’m glad you brought up the parents and I completely agree with you. I find it frustrating how authors vilify parents in romance so often. It seems the heroine must have either horrible or no parents and it gets old. I want decent parents in romance darn it!
I did get annoyed with Ben for blaming Molly but then again she didn’t give him a lot to cling to in the trust department. I probably would have had less respect for him for trusting her blindly when she was so secretive. I’m all for trusting the one you love but you’ve got the throw a guy a bone here and there.
We can’t really get too into it here without revealing big spoilers, but there was a little plot twist near the end that I sort of saw coming, but not completely, involving Cameron. What I will say is I was surprised at how quickly and easily it all wrapped up. Cameron was a very clever man so this little twist didn’t seem likely to me. It was just too easy. Do you agree?
Catherine: I’ve gotten a little tired of the villainized parents as well. I know it’s an easy way to provide depth, but can we get a little grey to it? I’m tired of them being all bad. I’d like to see issues born of a more complex relationship. Like I’m sure Quinn, the golden boy brother, has with the parents. They were good to him, but resentment must have been there when he saw the sister he loved getting shafted.
You’re right about Ben, I know. It was just hard to read him blaming Molly multiple times for things that weren’t her fault. It’s like he knew he couldn’t trust her in one respect so he refused to trust her in any situation. I got tired of it. But I got really tired of Molly lying as well… So I guess you could say I got tired of them both for being so ridiculous. :)
I was really surprised by how easily it was solved too. I knew that one of the people involved would go down easily (and wow, Ben was completely blind about this situation) but I expected more from Cameron. It almost made it seem a little silly with how easily it wrapped up.
Speaking of Cameron, I’m very glad you brought him up. His character really made me think. Regular stalkers are scary as is, but I think his brand of it is even more horrifying. I can’t imagine anything worse than someone taking over your life. He took her friends, her family, her potential lovers and won them all over. They all turned against her and tried to convince her to get back together with him. *shudder* Horrifying.
Sophia: Yes! Molly said Cameron seduced her boyfriends, family and friends and that is so true. He made her look totally crazy and the more she protested the crazier she looked. I think Cameron was a very effective villain.
Catherine: Before we wrap this up I wanted to touch on one more thing. We’ve both talked about the hilarious situations and Molly being upfront with her sexuality, but I wanted to go a bit more into that. Specifically on how much they added to the story. I think the effortless humor in Dahl’s writing is one of the things that makes me like her so much. Her contemporary books are always so funny without being over the top. And her sex scenes are hot! Those are two things that were particularly well done here. What do you think?
Sophia: Effortless humor, that is exactly it, you nailed it. Sometimes characters seem like they are trying to be funny but Dahl creates characters that just are funny, period. Although her heroes and heroines are not perfect, I feel like I’d like to be friends and hang out with them. I’m just starting the next book in the Tumble Creek Series and I think I like Molly even more in that book. Her friendship with Lori is great and they have such good “friendship” chemistry between them.
Overall I really enjoyed this light, sexy contemporary romance. Molly and Ben were great, the sexy scenes were smoking hot and the mystery and suspense played out well except for a little disappointment in the conclusion. As I said, I’m already starting the next book and I can’t wait to see what happens with Quinn and Lori. I give Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl 4 hearts.
Catherine: I really enjoyed this one as well. The writing, humor, and characters all combined into a very fun book. I got a little frustrated with the characters toward the end and I wish the suspense wouldn’t have resolved so easily, but overall it was a great start to the Tumble Creek trilogy. I give Talk Me Down 3.5 hearts.
Sophia’s Favorite Quote:
“I wouldn’t yell fire at that slime ball if his ass was in flames.”
Catherine’s Favorite Quote:
Lori sat way back in her chair and gave him the once-over. “What in the world’s gotten into Ben Lawson? Jokes? Flirting? Maybe I should sleep with Molly. I think she’s got a magic hooha.”
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July 12, 2019
A nice fun read.
The ending could've been handled better, though.
The ending could've been handled better, though.
January 13, 2009
Trying to escape her ex boyfriend and his band of Merry Men, Molly Jennings returns to her hometown of Tumble Creek, Colorado and immediately runs into her naughty muse, Chief of Police, Ben Lawson. Ever since their last encounter ten years ago, Ben has been her secret inspiration in her career as an erotic fiction author and seeing him again has caused her imagination to go into overdrive. And that's not the only thing that is in overdrive. The town's gossips are in an uproar, dogging her every move and worse still, there's a stalker who keeps breaking into her home. Luckily for Molly, she's got her own personal lawman who is watching her back. That is, until he finds out what exactly she does for a living and who she's been basing the hero of her fantasies on. You'd think a man would be flattered, huh? Well, not all men are ruled by the little guy. Some are straitlaced, modest, stick-in-the-muds named Ben and he most definitely does not approve.
This was a lot of fun. I had laughed out loud several times by the first hundred pages. Even though this is about an erotic romance author and her sexy muse, this wasn't an overly sexual book, though there are a few naughty things discussed and the c & p words are tossed about. This book definitely had it's share of fun times. This was my first story by this author and I really enjoyed it.
Ben was like a bulldog after a bone when it came to wanting to know Molly's secrets. He plainly does not believe in leaving a woman her mystery and rather than send flowers, he does background checks, Google searches and calls her family for character references. It's an odd double standard for someone who zealously guards his own privacy, but he has his reasons. Despite his fear of scandal and his habit of ordering background checks before a first date, he was a genuinely nice guy. A nice, normal guy who just thinks about hot wax and starts wheezing. Ha! With the help of Little Blue, whose not so damn little, Molly soon loosens him up.
I liked Molly. She kind of reminded me of Linda Howard's Blair Mallory, everyone was out to get her. She's not very deep or bright but she was a lot of fun. She was a goodtime girl, someone you would want to hang out with at a bar. Though whenever she kept in contact with her ex and his band of Merry Men she made me want to scream. Why does she keep in contact with them? How To Successfully Prosecute A Stalker 101, everyone knows you are not supposed to encourage your stalker by calling him and/or taking his calls. Kind of defeats the purpose of telling him to stay away from you. And get that stupid restraining order filed! I can't stand chicks who say they are going to get a restraining order and then never get it done.
The dynamics are completely switched in this book. Though Molly may be the damsel in distress, Ben was definitely the emotional basketcase. He wanted a relationship with no secrets while Molly was just in it for the sex. "That was a nice conversation, sweetie. Now take off your pants." That sounds like some jerk male, huh? Whenever things got too heavy for her she was the one who was bailing. An interesting change. This was my first book by Victoria Dahl and I liked it. She was a little corny. There was one too many Yowzas! And Hoo Doggies! Please, have some pride. All in all, this was nice, highly entertaining book. Enjoy!
This was a lot of fun. I had laughed out loud several times by the first hundred pages. Even though this is about an erotic romance author and her sexy muse, this wasn't an overly sexual book, though there are a few naughty things discussed and the c & p words are tossed about. This book definitely had it's share of fun times. This was my first story by this author and I really enjoyed it.
Ben was like a bulldog after a bone when it came to wanting to know Molly's secrets. He plainly does not believe in leaving a woman her mystery and rather than send flowers, he does background checks, Google searches and calls her family for character references. It's an odd double standard for someone who zealously guards his own privacy, but he has his reasons. Despite his fear of scandal and his habit of ordering background checks before a first date, he was a genuinely nice guy. A nice, normal guy who just thinks about hot wax and starts wheezing. Ha! With the help of Little Blue, whose not so damn little, Molly soon loosens him up.
I liked Molly. She kind of reminded me of Linda Howard's Blair Mallory, everyone was out to get her. She's not very deep or bright but she was a lot of fun. She was a goodtime girl, someone you would want to hang out with at a bar. Though whenever she kept in contact with her ex and his band of Merry Men she made me want to scream. Why does she keep in contact with them? How To Successfully Prosecute A Stalker 101, everyone knows you are not supposed to encourage your stalker by calling him and/or taking his calls. Kind of defeats the purpose of telling him to stay away from you. And get that stupid restraining order filed! I can't stand chicks who say they are going to get a restraining order and then never get it done.
The dynamics are completely switched in this book. Though Molly may be the damsel in distress, Ben was definitely the emotional basketcase. He wanted a relationship with no secrets while Molly was just in it for the sex. "That was a nice conversation, sweetie. Now take off your pants." That sounds like some jerk male, huh? Whenever things got too heavy for her she was the one who was bailing. An interesting change. This was my first book by Victoria Dahl and I liked it. She was a little corny. There was one too many Yowzas! And Hoo Doggies! Please, have some pride. All in all, this was nice, highly entertaining book. Enjoy!
June 25, 2013
Hooo boy. This book was quite a ride. The story was good, with solid characters and an okay plot. I don't think the “thriller” parts worked very well, but I wasn't reading for those, so it didn't really matter.
I rather liked Molly, though I lost some charity for her towards the end. She's a good mixture of vulnerable and courageous and just trying to work things through and I liked that Ben seemed to fit very well into that mix. And while you can see the crash coming for most of the book, it plays out better than expected except for... Okay, spoiler alert, then.
Dahl cheats a bit on the thriller side of this story, so if you're reading for that element, be aware that it's a touch weak. The couple of sections (and there aren't many) from the psycho-stalker's viewpoint are deliberately obscure so that they can apply to more than one of the few people it could reasonably be. This is cheating because those who are out to “get” Molly have fundamentally different motivations and avoiding anything that would nail down the motivation of the stalker while giving their viewpoint is completely unnatural and feels forced. Dahl would have been better off simply identifying the viewpoint strongly and leaving us to sense the dread as they come closer and closer to the breaking point. There were enough twisty bits that knowing the identity of that one viewpoint might actually have enhanced other elements of the story, not to mention the emotional build-up and dread of the reader.
Other than that minor quibble near the end and the viewpoint cheating that didn't really hurt anything, this was a great read. It's miles beyond my normal steam tolerance, and that'll drag my personal score from a solid four to three stars. That's not the fault of the book, though, so much as me picking it up even knowing it'd be steamier than my usual fare.
A note about Steamy: Yeah, it's steamy—five or six explicit sex scenes, two of which go on for pages and pages. They're well-done, and very appropriate to both the characters and the expectations of the book, but they're way past my normal intake and left me gasping just a little bit. Yeah, I'm a wuss. Dahl's talent is that there's a cracking good story that isn't lost or overwhelmed by all that steam.
I rather liked Molly, though I lost some charity for her towards the end. She's a good mixture of vulnerable and courageous and just trying to work things through and I liked that Ben seemed to fit very well into that mix. And while you can see the crash coming for most of the book, it plays out better than expected except for... Okay, spoiler alert, then.
Dahl cheats a bit on the thriller side of this story, so if you're reading for that element, be aware that it's a touch weak. The couple of sections (and there aren't many) from the psycho-stalker's viewpoint are deliberately obscure so that they can apply to more than one of the few people it could reasonably be. This is cheating because those who are out to “get” Molly have fundamentally different motivations and avoiding anything that would nail down the motivation of the stalker while giving their viewpoint is completely unnatural and feels forced. Dahl would have been better off simply identifying the viewpoint strongly and leaving us to sense the dread as they come closer and closer to the breaking point. There were enough twisty bits that knowing the identity of that one viewpoint might actually have enhanced other elements of the story, not to mention the emotional build-up and dread of the reader.
Other than that minor quibble near the end and the viewpoint cheating that didn't really hurt anything, this was a great read. It's miles beyond my normal steam tolerance, and that'll drag my personal score from a solid four to three stars. That's not the fault of the book, though, so much as me picking it up even knowing it'd be steamier than my usual fare.
A note about Steamy: Yeah, it's steamy—five or six explicit sex scenes, two of which go on for pages and pages. They're well-done, and very appropriate to both the characters and the expectations of the book, but they're way past my normal intake and left me gasping just a little bit. Yeah, I'm a wuss. Dahl's talent is that there's a cracking good story that isn't lost or overwhelmed by all that steam.
May 5, 2017
I really liked this book and I'm really glad that I bookswapped with D.G. for it. I've been meaning to read this series for a while now, ever since I saw the third book of the series in the store, and I'm glad that I finally started it. Now I really want the second book!
I totally knew who thestalker stalkers were, I just want to say that, first thing. At first, I was second guessing myself, thinking, "No, there can only be one! Not two!" Low and behold...I was right! MWHAHAHAHAHA!
Now, I really liked Ben and I really liked Molly. They were cute, funny, and sexy, and they certainly added to the intrigue of the story, most of the time. But there were times that they were just so irrational that I wanted to bitch-slap them both!
One thing I really liked was that Molly was a writer--an erotica writer at that! I don't know about you guys, but I haven't read a lot of books about women, or men for that matter, who are authors, and I always kinda like to see how an author portrays the author-character in their book.
One thing I didn't like was how cavalier Molly was about the relationship. I definitely know it's a double standard, but I always hate when the girl is all "whatever" and the guy is trying to get serious. So. Frustrating!
I really liked the character of Lori, Molly's friend, and I'm glad that her book is the next one as I want her to find love, the woman that the whole town assumes is a lesbian! Poor thing. And I'll look forward to seeing how she is gonna snatch up Quinn Jennings.
Oh, oh! And I really, really like the shoes on the front cover! They are so cute!
Now, this is an aside that probably only Sam will understand and think is pretty funny. But see, I have this power, it's the power to travel into fictional worlds. Pretty cool right? I think so! I had to stop myself from jumping into this world and telling them what's what! See, I also have the super ability of 99.9% figuring out who the killer/stalker/etc. is way before anyone actually in the story. I just...it was just so painfully obvious who the people were in this time that I couldn't believe they weren't getting it sooner!
All in all, a really good book and I look forward to continuing the series.
Favorite Quote:
So she was horny? It wasn't a crime even if she was thinking about molesting a policeman.
(Page 60)
Hey, Frank, could you run by my ex-girlfriend's place and see if she's willingly entertaining a gentleman caller?
(Page 323)
I totally knew who the
Now, I really liked Ben and I really liked Molly. They were cute, funny, and sexy, and they certainly added to the intrigue of the story, most of the time. But there were times that they were just so irrational that I wanted to bitch-slap them both!
One thing I really liked was that Molly was a writer--an erotica writer at that! I don't know about you guys, but I haven't read a lot of books about women, or men for that matter, who are authors, and I always kinda like to see how an author portrays the author-character in their book.
One thing I didn't like was how cavalier Molly was about the relationship. I definitely know it's a double standard, but I always hate when the girl is all "whatever" and the guy is trying to get serious. So. Frustrating!
I really liked the character of Lori, Molly's friend, and I'm glad that her book is the next one as I want her to find love, the woman that the whole town assumes is a lesbian! Poor thing. And I'll look forward to seeing how she is gonna snatch up Quinn Jennings.
Oh, oh! And I really, really like the shoes on the front cover! They are so cute!
Now, this is an aside that probably only Sam will understand and think is pretty funny. But see, I have this power, it's the power to travel into fictional worlds. Pretty cool right? I think so! I had to stop myself from jumping into this world and telling them what's what! See, I also have the super ability of 99.9% figuring out who the killer/stalker/etc. is way before anyone actually in the story. I just...it was just so painfully obvious who the people were in this time that I couldn't believe they weren't getting it sooner!
All in all, a really good book and I look forward to continuing the series.
Favorite Quote:
So she was horny? It wasn't a crime even if she was thinking about molesting a policeman.
(Page 60)
Hey, Frank, could you run by my ex-girlfriend's place and see if she's willingly entertaining a gentleman caller?
(Page 323)
January 21, 2010
I wavered between a 3 and a 4 for this book. I'd say it suffered from Mary Jo Putney disease - an excellent emotional story derailed a bit by a poorly executed suspense plot.
Before I read this, I had seen people disparage the heroine as behaving like a "dog in heat." Apparently I am a shameless hussy, because this is one of the few contemporary heroines I've read who took her sexuality by the horns and I thought it was wonderful to see.
Molly Jennings is an erotic romance writer who's moved back to her small hometown nestled in the Rockies. She's moved into the house her aunt willed to her to get a fresh start away from a creepy stalker ex and hopefully rediscover her muse. When she bumps into Ben Lawson - police chief, her older brother's friend, and her serious crush from way back when - she also wonders if she can't make a couple dreams come true.
I was reading this while en route to a vacation and my fellow fliers must have thought me insane from all the giggling I was doing. The interplay between the characters is hilarious. Molly and Ben are always joking with each other and laughter is a big part of their relationship, both in bed and out. I really felt the connection between the two and loved watching them feel each other out.
As wonderful as Molly and Ben were, I did not care for the suspense plot. I found the stalker ex drawn cartoonishly and found the twist ending bizarre and unnecessary. While I understood her reasons for keeping her job secret, I couldn't buy her reasoning for not mentioning the stalker ex. Even if she was sure it wasn't him bothering her in Tumble Creek, I could see no reason to justify keeping a juicy secret like that.
As for her job, that made sense. Her first novel was too personal - she based it off the time she walked in on Ben getting a blowjob from a girlfriend - and she didn't want her fantasy made public or Ben dragged into the gossip circuit. Ben's school principal father had created scandal with his affair with an 18 year old student. Understandably, Ben doesn't want to be associated with sex or scandal ever again.
I loved both Molly and Ben and can't wait to continue the series. Molly was wonderfully in charge of her own happiness and orgasms and Ben was a refreshing blend of responsible, take-charge alpha and understanding, insecure beta. Dahl's a much better contemporary voice than a historical one.
Before I read this, I had seen people disparage the heroine as behaving like a "dog in heat." Apparently I am a shameless hussy, because this is one of the few contemporary heroines I've read who took her sexuality by the horns and I thought it was wonderful to see.
Molly Jennings is an erotic romance writer who's moved back to her small hometown nestled in the Rockies. She's moved into the house her aunt willed to her to get a fresh start away from a creepy stalker ex and hopefully rediscover her muse. When she bumps into Ben Lawson - police chief, her older brother's friend, and her serious crush from way back when - she also wonders if she can't make a couple dreams come true.
I was reading this while en route to a vacation and my fellow fliers must have thought me insane from all the giggling I was doing. The interplay between the characters is hilarious. Molly and Ben are always joking with each other and laughter is a big part of their relationship, both in bed and out. I really felt the connection between the two and loved watching them feel each other out.
As wonderful as Molly and Ben were, I did not care for the suspense plot. I found the stalker ex drawn cartoonishly and found the twist ending bizarre and unnecessary. While I understood her reasons for keeping her job secret, I couldn't buy her reasoning for not mentioning the stalker ex. Even if she was sure it wasn't him bothering her in Tumble Creek, I could see no reason to justify keeping a juicy secret like that.
As for her job, that made sense. Her first novel was too personal - she based it off the time she walked in on Ben getting a blowjob from a girlfriend - and she didn't want her fantasy made public or Ben dragged into the gossip circuit. Ben's school principal father had created scandal with his affair with an 18 year old student. Understandably, Ben doesn't want to be associated with sex or scandal ever again.
I loved both Molly and Ben and can't wait to continue the series. Molly was wonderfully in charge of her own happiness and orgasms and Ben was a refreshing blend of responsible, take-charge alpha and understanding, insecure beta. Dahl's a much better contemporary voice than a historical one.
June 28, 2011
3.5 STARS
I liked this book a lot. Definitely something different. It was great to read a book with a main character who was an erotic author,LOL. I always wanted to know how they were in their normal lives and this was a great insight. I never thought about all the things that could come with being an author of this genre. Now I have some major respect for all those authors who get in similar kind of complications this character did.
This book was fun to read, I can't remember the last time I laugh so much with a book in this genre. The heroine was clever and amusing, just hilarious, I swear most of the times I just couldn't believe the things she said. I loved that most of the times she was the one behaving as the 'guy' of the relationship,LOL. It was so funny for once seeing the one who was way too horny all of the time was the girl and not the guy. Nothing kinky or twisted, just plain hormones entering the game,LOL, the girl knew what she wanted and made it happen. With most of the books I just feel like the girl should be feeling way different in some kind of situations, and most of the heroines are sometimes really naive and plain. Well, this time I had a great time reading about a woman who was comfortable with her thoughts.
If you guys are looking for a fun, quick and HAWT read, this is it.
I didn't rate it any higher because I prefer reads where the characters establish a real relationship. This book was about the beginning of one, which was great but not what I'm really into. It was an amazing change though, I had a great time reading it and I definitely recommend this book. I can't wait to read more form this author, I just have a feeling next books will be even better.
I liked this book a lot. Definitely something different. It was great to read a book with a main character who was an erotic author,LOL. I always wanted to know how they were in their normal lives and this was a great insight. I never thought about all the things that could come with being an author of this genre. Now I have some major respect for all those authors who get in similar kind of complications this character did.
This book was fun to read, I can't remember the last time I laugh so much with a book in this genre. The heroine was clever and amusing, just hilarious, I swear most of the times I just couldn't believe the things she said. I loved that most of the times she was the one behaving as the 'guy' of the relationship,LOL. It was so funny for once seeing the one who was way too horny all of the time was the girl and not the guy. Nothing kinky or twisted, just plain hormones entering the game,LOL, the girl knew what she wanted and made it happen. With most of the books I just feel like the girl should be feeling way different in some kind of situations, and most of the heroines are sometimes really naive and plain. Well, this time I had a great time reading about a woman who was comfortable with her thoughts.
If you guys are looking for a fun, quick and HAWT read, this is it.
I didn't rate it any higher because I prefer reads where the characters establish a real relationship. This book was about the beginning of one, which was great but not what I'm really into. It was an amazing change though, I had a great time reading it and I definitely recommend this book. I can't wait to read more form this author, I just have a feeling next books will be even better.
April 9, 2009
4 ½ stars
Talk Me Down should be titled Talk Dirty to Me, and that’s not just because I’m a big Poison fan, either. Whew! Hot, hot hot! I really enjoyed this story about a cop—my favorite hero—and an erotic romance writer. He was her brother’s best friend while growing up, and she was too young for him. She’s had a crush on him for years, and has even written one of her novels with him as the hero. She’s come back to town permanently, and has pretty much blew his socks off. However, she conveniently doesn’t mention that she has a stalker! to her cop boyfriend. This fact continually irritated me along with her immaturity in relationships. She keeps trying to hold him off, saying she wants only sex. Towards the end we learn a little more about her and why she is the way she is, and I felt she may have redeemed herself. It’s a little different for the man to be one in love and has to do the convincing.
Talk Me Down should be titled Talk Dirty to Me, and that’s not just because I’m a big Poison fan, either. Whew! Hot, hot hot! I really enjoyed this story about a cop—my favorite hero—and an erotic romance writer. He was her brother’s best friend while growing up, and she was too young for him. She’s had a crush on him for years, and has even written one of her novels with him as the hero. She’s come back to town permanently, and has pretty much blew his socks off. However, she conveniently doesn’t mention that she has a stalker! to her cop boyfriend. This fact continually irritated me along with her immaturity in relationships. She keeps trying to hold him off, saying she wants only sex. Towards the end we learn a little more about her and why she is the way she is, and I felt she may have redeemed herself. It’s a little different for the man to be one in love and has to do the convincing.
October 29, 2018
My interest for this book was piqued when I read that Molly Jennings was an author who wrote erotica. She didn't really want to tell others what she did for a living, especially her man. She isn't ashamed of what she does, but it's her secret pleasure and she intends not to let her secret out of the bag. Molly decides to leave her hometown and move to Tumble Creek, Colorado, hopefully to be inspired to write more/better. And God forbid that she tell her parents what she does because her mother and father are pretty disappointed in her anyway.
There she comes across Ben Lawson who is the Chief of Police who she's known since her high school days and, might she add, he's quite a piece of eye candy. How can he look even more tasty after ten years? God only knows, but she can't help but to think of the last time she saw him when she accidentally walked in on him and another girl when Molly was very young and that image is still in her head. She was always off limits because she was Ben's best friend's little sister.
The story is full of humor and mystery too. Molly has a stalker, but she doesn't know if he is her ex-boyfriend or just some kids or some total pervert who might want to harm her. She definitely thinks she might need to tell Ben what she does but she doesn't want to.
Molly and Ben have something pretty hot going on and it's just hilarious. The mixture of hot steamy romance and humor at the same time is just too fun to read.
Recommendation: If you like mystery, romance and some steamy scenes, and humorous stories, this just might be for you.
There she comes across Ben Lawson who is the Chief of Police who she's known since her high school days and, might she add, he's quite a piece of eye candy. How can he look even more tasty after ten years? God only knows, but she can't help but to think of the last time she saw him when she accidentally walked in on him and another girl when Molly was very young and that image is still in her head. She was always off limits because she was Ben's best friend's little sister.
The story is full of humor and mystery too. Molly has a stalker, but she doesn't know if he is her ex-boyfriend or just some kids or some total pervert who might want to harm her. She definitely thinks she might need to tell Ben what she does but she doesn't want to.
Molly and Ben have something pretty hot going on and it's just hilarious. The mixture of hot steamy romance and humor at the same time is just too fun to read.
Recommendation: If you like mystery, romance and some steamy scenes, and humorous stories, this just might be for you.
August 29, 2010
I think it's great when you can enjoy a book's characters as much as any other element (the plotting, setting, etc.). This book excelled in that area. Main characters Ben and Molly were amusing and interesting, both separately and together. And well fleshed out, too...I found myself thinking on more than one occasion that I'd love to know them. :o)
I also liked the litle taste we got of the supporting characters. If they become mains in future books, I'll look forward to reading them. (edit: just checked and it looks like Molly's brother Quinn and her best friend Lori are the protags for book 2, Start Me Up. Yippee!!!)
There was a bit of mystery and intrigue...a light sheen, if you will ^_^. It broke up the romance thread a bit and provided for some exciting intrigue. I especially liked how the "multiple perspective" device was put to good use here. Yes, we do get to "be in a culprit's head" at certain points--something that in the past I think can be equally hit or miss--but in this case it did keep me guessing about certain plots points. Which is what you want when any degree of mystery is involved, right?
So, yeah. This book was just so much fun. A fun and easy read. I gobbled it up and wouldn't mind seconds. Book two now!
I also liked the litle taste we got of the supporting characters. If they become mains in future books, I'll look forward to reading them. (edit: just checked and it looks like Molly's brother Quinn and her best friend Lori are the protags for book 2, Start Me Up. Yippee!!!)
There was a bit of mystery and intrigue...a light sheen, if you will ^_^. It broke up the romance thread a bit and provided for some exciting intrigue. I especially liked how the "multiple perspective" device was put to good use here. Yes, we do get to "be in a culprit's head" at certain points--something that in the past I think can be equally hit or miss--but in this case it did keep me guessing about certain plots points. Which is what you want when any degree of mystery is involved, right?
So, yeah. This book was just so much fun. A fun and easy read. I gobbled it up and wouldn't mind seconds. Book two now!
May 14, 2012
I've had a copy of this book for awhile, and have put off reading it because I haven't read anything from this Author before. Well....I wish I would have picked this book up sooner!
The story is about Molly Jennings, a girl returning to her hometown after being away for 10 years, and Ben Lawson, the local Police Chief.
This story had a little bit of everything. There was an AMAZING love story, friggn AWESOME/HOT sex scenes, a creepy ex-boyfriend (who was also stalking Molly), a BIG secret that could cause Molly to lose everything, a great mystery,
...and the best of all... Molly has had a 'crush' on her brother's best friend Ben forever.. in fact He's the star in most if not all of her sexual fantasies.
I really, really liked Ben. He has know Molly since she was a little kid. He started 'noticing' Molly when she was a teenager, but she was too young, and also his best friends sister (so NO Touchy).
As soon as Molly moves back into town, Ben once again notices her, and is attracted to her, but is too afraid to do anything about it.
The writing, and the characters were fantastic! Molly has a wonderful sense of humor, and I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times with her ploys to seduce Ben.
I starting the next book in the series.. like right now!
The story is about Molly Jennings, a girl returning to her hometown after being away for 10 years, and Ben Lawson, the local Police Chief.
This story had a little bit of everything. There was an AMAZING love story, friggn AWESOME/HOT sex scenes, a creepy ex-boyfriend (who was also stalking Molly), a BIG secret that could cause Molly to lose everything, a great mystery,
...and the best of all... Molly has had a 'crush' on her brother's best friend Ben forever.. in fact He's the star in most if not all of her sexual fantasies.
I really, really liked Ben. He has know Molly since she was a little kid. He started 'noticing' Molly when she was a teenager, but she was too young, and also his best friends sister (so NO Touchy).
As soon as Molly moves back into town, Ben once again notices her, and is attracted to her, but is too afraid to do anything about it.
The writing, and the characters were fantastic! Molly has a wonderful sense of humor, and I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times with her ploys to seduce Ben.
I starting the next book in the series.. like right now!
June 13, 2012
This is a sweet and surprisingly sexy contemporary. I had read her Brewery series and liked it, as Ms. Dahl writes really likeable characters. I always get the feeling that they could be the couple living next door instead of fictional people. Ben and Molly are easily relate-able. No one makes any spectacularly idiotic decisions, though Molly's decision to hide her career choice didn't necessarily make a lot of sense. She's an erotic romance writer. She hides what she does from everyone in her life, including her parents. Ben, as the chief of police in the tiny mountain town of Tumble Creek, is very suspicious of his best friend's little sister. He doesn't believe in secrets and scandal. And Molly means both. Their relationship, or lack thereof, soon becomes fodder for town gossip. Molly's good with a fling. She's lusted after Ben since she was a teen. But Ben is responsible, quiet, and somewhat shy. Don't let that fool you into thinking he's not also big and tough and strong! Oh, goodness can Victoria Dahl turn up the heat!!! She writes about normal people, but her sex scenes are definitely on the steamy side. Overall, a solid four stars from me.
January 10, 2009
A lot hot, a lot humorous, and just a whole lot of fun! "Talk Me Down" by Victoria Dahl is the story of a woman who moves back to her tiny hometown to escape from a determined, but fairly harmless stalker; only to run into the boy-turned-man who fueled the fantasies that turned her into a best-selling erotica author.
She keeps her secrets to avoid disappointment. He hates secrets and scandal. She's a hot-selling erotica author. He's a small-town sheriff. They're both having a hard time keeping their hands off each other. And when her stalker turns dangerous, her sheriff can't keep her close enough...or touch her enough...or, well, you get it. But what will the sheriff do when her scandalous secret is uncovered?
Don't read this book looking for a serious love story. There's definitely a love story, but it's wrapped in some of the snappiest dialogue and memorable characters I've read in a while. And there's really, really hot sex! And quite a bit of it too, just like I like it! If you're looking for a smile and a quiver or two, look no further!
She keeps her secrets to avoid disappointment. He hates secrets and scandal. She's a hot-selling erotica author. He's a small-town sheriff. They're both having a hard time keeping their hands off each other. And when her stalker turns dangerous, her sheriff can't keep her close enough...or touch her enough...or, well, you get it. But what will the sheriff do when her scandalous secret is uncovered?
Don't read this book looking for a serious love story. There's definitely a love story, but it's wrapped in some of the snappiest dialogue and memorable characters I've read in a while. And there's really, really hot sex! And quite a bit of it too, just like I like it! If you're looking for a smile and a quiver or two, look no further!
February 24, 2018
This was fun and adorable (minus the stalker part).
First of all, nobody is going to read this expecting it to be deep (I hope, at least). I mean, this is a humorous small town contemporary romance with a bit of a suspense thrown in. That's it. So, yes, definitely suspend your disbelief at least for the suspense part and you'll get a light love story with many ridiculous moments.
And what makes it so is the heroine. Molly is one of the most positive characters I've come across in this type of stories. I mean, even when something bad happens she puts the smile on her face and either moves on from the toxicity (in her case, literally) or fights for what she wants.
I liked Ben too, but he was just what I expected him to be and what she deserves, so no surprises there. A wonderful character.
This is not a story that will stay with you, I think it's the type of story that you remember for simply making you feel good. If you need a fun, undemanding, quick love story, Talk Me Down could just be it. I know I had fun.
First of all, nobody is going to read this expecting it to be deep (I hope, at least). I mean, this is a humorous small town contemporary romance with a bit of a suspense thrown in. That's it. So, yes, definitely suspend your disbelief at least for the suspense part and you'll get a light love story with many ridiculous moments.
And what makes it so is the heroine. Molly is one of the most positive characters I've come across in this type of stories. I mean, even when something bad happens she puts the smile on her face and either moves on from the toxicity (in her case, literally) or fights for what she wants.
I liked Ben too, but he was just what I expected him to be and what she deserves, so no surprises there. A wonderful character.
This is not a story that will stay with you, I think it's the type of story that you remember for simply making you feel good. If you need a fun, undemanding, quick love story, Talk Me Down could just be it. I know I had fun.
January 19, 2009
I keep going back and forth with my star rating. I loved this book but got tired of Molly about half way through. She was hilarious but her secrecy and stubborness got old fast. Other than that, I loved it! It was a fast, funny read and Ben was awesome!
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