Double Trouble
Author: Sierra Cartwright
Publisher: Totally Bound
Published: November 14, 2018
Source: Publisher
Buy Links: Amazon - B&N - Publisher
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One love. One obsession. Double the trouble.
This time, he won’t take no for an answer.
For three years, Daniel Armstrong has wanted the beautiful, fiery Bridget Kelly. But when he sees her at Houston’s premier BDSM club and realizes she has an interest in submission, his determination reignites. A charity auction provides a means for him to possess her and do good at the same time. Who could resist? Focused solely on Bridget and the decadent delights he intends for her, he outbids everyone to claim her.
Helpless, trapped by the glare of a spotlight at an auction she never agreed to participate in, Bridget is stunned when bidding for a weekend with her goes higher and higher.
She’s frantic when she realizes the gorgeous, successful Daniel Armstrong has won her. For years, she’s been attracted to the renowned heartbreaker, but she’s kept him at a distance to protect herself.
Then one night, she sees him at a BDSM club, and there’s no doubt he recognizes her submissive tendencies. Now that the devastating Dom knows her naughty desires, she’s doubly determined to avoid him.
When he claims her, she believes things can’t get worse. Then he introduces her to his identical twin, Jacob. Suddenly, she’s faced with not one, but two men determined to make her every fantasy come true and take her to the heights of submission.
I adore Sierra Cartwright. When I am in the mood for a well-written, sexy AF erotic romance, Sierra is one of the few authors I go to. I know that I will usually love her characters and her sex scenes will be hot as hell. Her books "go there" and usually hit the spot. Double Trouble, however, left me a little unsatisfied. Since there were several elements of the book I did enjoy, we're going bullet style for this review...
What I loved...
- Characters - All of the characters were well developed. I loved the different personalities and what they contributed to the trio. Bridget's brassiness was flipping hysterical at times. I loved Daniel's broodiness and the great lengths he went to "win" Bridget. I loved that while Jacob could be seen as the outsider, he's actually the peacekeeper and calming force in the relationship. None of them really step on each other's toes. Instead they play to each other's weaknesses and bring their own strengths to the relationship.
- Bridget's Introduction to BDSM - I loved how much effort Sierra took to fully immerse her characters into the BDSM element of their relationship, especially Bridget. She's new to the lifestyle and rather than throwing Bridget into the deep end, Sierra takes her time allowing Bridget to get comfortable with everything.
- Sex Scenes - Sierra writes sex scenes that'll make your e-reader combust and Double Trouble has no shortage of sexy AF scenes.
What I didn't like...
- Lust vs. Love - It felt like there was more lust in the relationship than love. You definitely feel the attraction between Bridget, Daniel, and Jacob. I didn't feel the emotion that I've come to love in Sierra's books.
- First Book vs. Complete Story - If it was the first book in a series rather than the complete book, I would have loved the hell out of it and wouldn't be able to wait for the next book. I thought it wrapped up a bit too quickly and would have felt better if it left off as a cliffhanger so the relationship could been explored more in a second book.
I love Sierra's writing, but Double Trouble wasn't one of my favorites. While there were elements that left me unsatisfied and wanting more, there were still things that I did enjoy. It had the sexiness and chemistry that I've come to love with Sierra's writing, but I felt like it would have been better as the first book in a series so we could explore other facets of their relationship.
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“No. No. No, no, no.” Bridget glared at her younger sister. “And in case that wasn’t clear, hell, no.”
“But—”
“If you think I’m strutting out there”—she glanced out from behind the heavy velvet drapes toward the stage that had been artfully decorated and prepared for the upcoming fundraiser—“to be auctioned off like a lamb, you’ve lost your mind.” Before Mary could rush on with a million reasons why her suggestion was a brilliant one, Bridget took away the argument by saying, “I know it’s a worthy cause and all the money will support children’s education, the answer remains hell, no.” Besides, she had donated her services as a bartender for the evening, leaving her own pub shorthanded on a Saturday night. By any measure, she’d done her part.
“How long has it been since you’ve been out? With a man, I mean.”
“That’s not fair.” Bridget flinched. “I work a lot.” Even she heard the defensive high note in her voice.
“If you actually had a date, you wouldn’t need to spend all your money on batteries for your toys,” Mary pointed out, pressing her advantage.
Bridget glanced around then sighed in relief when she noticed that the other lambs were occupied talking amongst themselves. And none of them seemed as disturbed by the idea of being presented for public consumption as she was. “I’ll have you know my battery purchases are a much-needed part of the economy,” Bridget defended. “Without me, hundreds of people would be out of work. Besides, I can find my own dates, thank you very much.” She just didn’t have time for one. Or so she kept telling herself.
Mary raised one of her sculpted eyebrows.
Bridget shuddered. That look had dragged her into more misadventures than she could count. Because she’d had many years to recognize the tactic, and Bridget had mastered the art of the dodge.
“Look, how could I know Carmen was going to get the flu?”
Carmen Ortiz was not only a TV news weather reporter, she was hot, as famous for her short, tight skirts as she was her personality and meteorological skills. She was used to being in front of people, accustomed to the limelight. And people wanted to date her, which meant they would bid big bucks when she stepped onto the stage.
Bridget, on the other hand, was famous for pouring a Guinness with a great head and fending off randy customers who wanted to pinch the butt she’d wiggled into a pair of tight jeans.
“I’m in a bind. Unless you help out…” Mary paused for dramatic effect while her blue eyes filled with tears. “The entire event will be a failure.”
Bridget couldn’t help herself. She laughed. “Nice try. Tonight will be a great success. You’ve done an excellent job, like you always do.”
The venue’s ballroom was filled with Houston’s elite, seated around banquet tables, dressed in clothing no doubt purchased just for the occasion. A four-piece band was playing a Frank Sinatra tune, and a couple—a man in a tuxedo and a woman in a long black gown—glided across the dance floor.
In honor of the event’s theme, Puttin’ on the Ritz, pictures of the New York City nighttime cityscape were projected on the walls. And now that the dessert dishes had been cleared, energy buzzed in the air.
A Houston news crew was positioned near the stage, in the long shadow of Lady Liberty herself. A society reporter scribbled notes and smiled like a politician angling for office. Half a dozen servers moved through the area with champagne, and the bars, where hard liquor and cocktails were offered, had people lined up in front of them.
“Someone needs to fill in for Carmen,” Mary insisted.
“I agree.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
“Oh, no.” Bridget held up her hand as a physical barrier to keep Mary’s enthusiasm from sweeping her away. “That person will not be me.” Uncomfortable because her absence was causing a burden on the other bartenders, Bridget said, “Look, I’ll write you a check. Including all my tips for a month.”
“No offense, but I can sell you off for a whole lot more than what you make in tips.”
Bridget scowled, debating whether or not her feelings were hurt. “I doubt it. For the love of God, no one wants to be with a bartender.”
Mary had the good grace to wince as she no doubt remembered that Bridget had been dumped by an ex who couldn’t put up with her profession. “Plenty of men are attracted to you. You’ll see.” Her voice contained reassurance and belief. Then she smiled and the whole damn room lit up. “Please, Bridget. This isn’t about you, but rather the good you can do in the world.”
Bridget was torn between sighing and rolling her eyes. As a child, Mary had brought home every stray dog and cat she’d found. She would cry at the store if she saw a stuffed animal that was missing a foot or an ear. The tears would only stop if their parents relented and bought it for her. All of them still indulged her tender heart and cause du jour, but enough was enough.
Unlike her sister, Bridget hated to be the center of attention. She wanted her private life kept private. Besides, she wasn’t sure she could stand the humiliation of knowing she’d fetched less money than anyone else. How could she compare to the beauty queens and cheerleaders? “The answer’s a definite, positive no.”
“But the charity…”
The lines in front of the bars grew longer.
“For the last time, I am not getting on that stage to be auctioned off.”
“How bad could it be? A guy makes a huge donation to Children First. You get a night out, he gets your company, and some deserving kid who is short on opportunity has a shot to go to college. Just think of it. A couple hours of your time and you can do so much good.”
“Find someone else.” Someone who wasn’t dressed as a service worker.
Mary pouted, an authentic, childlike pout, complete with turned-down lower lip. “If that’s your final answer…”
“You’re going to raise thousands.” Bridget squeezed Mary’s hands. “Tens of thousands. And you don’t need me to do it.”
“Fine.” Mary nodded.
Bridget danced a small jig on the way back to her position behind one of the bars. All in all, she’d gotten away unscathed. She’d expected it to cost her at least two months’ tips. Maybe Mary was softening.
Sierra Cartwright was born in Manchester, England and raised in Colorado. Moving to the United States was nothing like her young imagination had concocted. She expected to see cowboys everywhere, and a covered wagon or two would have been really nice!
Now she writes novels as untamed as the Rockies, while spending a fair amount of time in Texas…where, it turns out, the Texas Rangers law officers don't ride horses to roundup the bad guys, or have six-shooters strapped to their sexy thighs as she expected. And she's yet to see a poster that says Wanted: Dead or Alive. (Can you tell she has a vivid imagination?)
Sierra wrote her first book at age nine, a fanfic episode of Star Trek when she was fifteen, and she completed her first romance novel at nineteen. She actually kissed William Shatner (Captain Kirk) on the cheek once, and she says that's her biggest claim to fame. Her adventure through the turmoil of trust has taught her that love is the greatest gift. Like her image of the Old West, her writing is untamed, and nothing is off-limits.
She invites you to take a walk on the wild side…but only if you dare.
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