Originally posted in October of 2012 on Fiction Vixen by Angela.

The Care and Feeding of an Alpha Male by Jessica Clare
Bluebonnet #2
Contemporary Romance
October 2, 2012- Berkley

Beth Ann Williamson has had enough of her cheating, long time boyfriend Allen. She’s also had enough of being the perfect girlfriend, perfect daughter, perfect everything, it’s time she figured out what she wants to do with her life. After finally breaking off her relationship she finishes beauty school and opens a salon in her small hometown of Bluebonnet, Texas. Keeping the actual reasons for why she ended her longtime relationship with the town’s favorite son to herself, she can’t seem to make everyone else believe that they’re over, not her parents, not the townsfolk and especially not Allen. One evening her mother sends her to retrieve her younger, rebellious sister from an outing in the woods. While fumbling around and getting turned in circles over and over by her sister’s friends she realizes she’s lost and to make matters worse it’s now raining so hard she’s soaking wet and covered in mud. Enter Colt Waggoner to the rescue.

Colt Waggoner grew up in Bluebonnet as the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Once he joined the Marines he had no intention of ever coming back, but fate steps in and after an injury ends his military career he retreats to Alaska learns to live off the land. Now he’s back in town and is part owner in a survivalist camp with his two best friends. As part of the rescue team sent to guide a group of role-playing QuestMasters out of the woods, he’s a little surprised to see that Beth Ann, in a dress and heels no less, is one of those people. At first he tries to help her, but when she brushes him off saying she doesn’t need his help he decides to teach her a lesson. He lies to her, telling her that the river is flooded and they are stuck out in the wilderness for the night. Together.

I’m a big fan of this author, in all her many forms, Jessica Clare, Jill Myles and Jessica Sims. Whether it’s paranormal or contemporary romance, I just like her voice and find myself looking forward to whatever she puts out. Colt and Beth Ann at first seem to have some rancor between them, mainly due to preconceived notions from back in their high school years, Colt is one of those “white-trash, no-good Waggoners” and Beth Ann is the daughter of the town Mayor and perfect girlfriend. Colt soon realizes Beth Ann is has changed, she doesn’t complain about being wet and muddy, even seeming to be up for their adventure and looking forward to some naked time with him. They spend a steamy, sexy weekend exploring each other and find that they enjoy each others company. When they get home they make the decision to carry on with their affair. Everyone seems to be against them and no one can understand why Beth Ann would want Colt when she could so easily take back Allen and live the carefree, pampered life. Beth Ann’s business is going down the tubes, she can’t find a place to live and her ex won’t leave her alone and take no for an answer. Right as things are starting to go good with Colt, everything else in her life is falling apart. She won’t accept help because she’s determined to do everything on her own, but Colt is there to lend support and help her in any way he can.

I really liked this couple and loved seeing their character development over the course of their relationship. They have just has many sweet, tender love scenes as wicked and naughty ones. I think the author did a fabulous job of creating a very erotic story while still letting the relationship unfold very believably. The main conflict in this story comes from secrets Colt is keeping to himself and Beth Ann’s problems with her ex and struggling to keep her business afloat. Everything comes to a head and is resolved pretty quickly, but to be honest I would have really liked to see Colt kick Allen’s ass for his involvement in Beth Ann’s troubles. In fact I think this might have made me enjoy the ending so much more. Other than that, I had a lot of fun reading this couple’s love story and am looking forward to the next release in the series, which I think will be about Grant and Brenna. They have a love/hate relationship that is sure to be sexy in the extreme when they finally figure out how much they want each other. Final Grade: B

Favorite Quote:

“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Beth Ann.”

She gave him a saucy smile. “You always say the sweetest things when I have my hand on your cock, Colt Waggoner.