Great review for CROSS-CHECKED

I just woke up to a fabulous Forbidden Bookshelf review for the second in my HOT ICE series, Cross-Checked.

Here is what the reviewer Stella said -


I enjoyed Hired, the first book in the Hot Ice series by Lily Harlem and was looking forward to the next books to discover more about the other Orlando Vipers hockey players and how they would find love. Cross-Checked is Brick’s story. We already got a glimpse of Brick in Hired and despite him being kind of an arrogant jerk there I suspected he had more to him and I had a soft spot for the young but warm-hearted and funny charmer even back then, so I was curious and excited to finally read his story.


Cross-Checked is narrated by the heroine, a respective athlete: Olympic medalist cyclist Carly. Carly has had a crush on Brick for a long time, she is obsessed with him and has an elaborate plan on how to seduce him and keep his interest hooked for longer than a quick tumble into bed. She wants Brick for more than the simple rink bunnies do. But when nothing goes according to her plan and Brick acts nothing like she expected she feels her control on the plan and his seduction slipping.

I dare every warm blooded woman not to melt when reading about Brick’s courting of Carly:

“I’ll take you home.” He grinned. “I’m going that way.”

“But you don’t even know where I live.” I tugged my wrist from his grip even though having him touch me sent waves of delight over my skin.

He shrugged. “Wherever you live, I was going that way.”

Despite being a huge and muscle solid man Brick has a very open and generous heart. He is playful and flirty, but underneath that easygoing charmer is a man who has depth and hidden vulnerabilities. When he spoke of his deceased father and how much he still misses him even though he hasn’t lost him recently, it made me tear up and squeezed my heart. It was surprising and sobering to see the flirty playboy become instantly intense and one could not mistake his seriousness as to his relationship with Carly.

“You’re not a game to me,” he said quietly. “When I said you were all I could think about, that you were the star of all my fantasies, I was being honest. When I thought I was coming to the hospital to identify a body and help your parents organize a funeral my world ended.” His lips squeezed together and he dragged in a deep breath. “I have never, ever in all my life wanted anything as much as I wanted you to be all right, not even last year, when I really wanted to lift the Stanley Cup.”

“If I hand myself over to you, Carly,” he said, softening his voice, “then you need to be there for me, don’t you get it, you’ve become my weakness. I’m a big, strong guy but if anything happened to you it would destroy me.”

I found Carly’s internal monologues a bit too sappy and her self-doubt and lack of confidence in herself and in Brick irritating, I often would have liked to shake Carly a few times to finally realize what a good man Brick was and not to miss out on her chance to be happy with him. It was nice to have a story where it was the hero who was sure of his feelings and set on the course to take their relationship further.

Just like Hired, Crossh-Checked is rather a sensual romance than erotica due to the well developed storyline, characters and emotional journey of the characters taking the main stage instead of the physical scenes.

I have to say I liked Cross-Checked even better than Hired, it was wonderfully hot and heartwarming. I love how 3D Lily Harlem makes her characters, they feel like real people and not just cardboard props in a story. A great story and series I would recommend!




Story: 4.5 out of 5

This reviewer really pulled up all the points I wanted to make about my characters and it was a joy to read. I'm off to celebrate - oh, not yet, I have a sexy scene in my next HOT ICE book to write first!!

Lily x

OUT TODAY!!!

New release from Ellora's Cave - CROSS-CHECKED. 

CROSS-CHECKED is the second in my HOT ICE series following on from HIRED and features sexy hockey star Brick and Olympic gold medallist Carly. Be warned its hot, hot, hot!

BLURB

Okay, I’ll admit it, I have a crazy, lust-infused crush. Brick, the sexy right-winger of the Orlando Vipers, is the star of all my erotic fantasies. Just a glimpse of him has me panting. So when the chance to actually work with this hot hockey player comes along, of course I say yes!

Being a world-class athlete myself, I have a strategic plan to have him all tied up with lust and desperate for me too. The thing is, plans never go smoothly. Especially when my heart pedals right into the vulnerable game of love again—completely unprotected.

Luckily this sinfully delicious superstar is just as hooked on me—phone sex, bondage, anal sex and rude piercings abound. Despite my tactical errors, Brick catches me when I fall, holds me when I cry and pleases me when I need it most. He’s hard on the outside, soft on the inside and plays one hell of determined game when it comes to finding the ultimate satisfaction.

EXCERPT

BUY LINK

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Also out today from Xcite Books is ENCHANTED SUBMISSION. This is a very dirty fairytale featuring all your favorite childhood characters, but I promise you, you'll never look at them the same way again!

BLURB

It’s the night before Cinderella’s wedding and the girls are out on the town looking for some serious fun - especially Rapunzel. Tired of being a dominatrix to her wall skimming prince she’s hoping to surrender control to the broodingly gorgeous, newly divorced Beast, but she mustn’t forget about her naive friend Cinderella who’s in desperate need of an eye opener before she gets hitched to the fast and furious Prince Charming – just as well Cinderella’s eye is caught by a dashing Woodcutter more than willing to fill the gaps in her education which leaves Rapunzel to enjoy her own, more exotic kind of kink in Beast's private Turret Club room.

EXCERPT

TWILIGHT STRETCHED over Belle’s forest cottage blackening the whispers of smoke dancing from the chimney and gilding the thatch golden. Resident woodland creatures scampered to burrows, dens and nests and the lush carpet of wild flowers folded in petals against the ensuing darkness. But inside the kitchen, the heart of Belle’s new home, the wildness, the fun, the debauchery was just revving up, getting ready to unleash in glorious, hedonistic style.

Rapunzel splashed burning clear liquid into three heavy shot-glasses and one teeny, tiny thimble, raised her drink to the beamed ceiling and grinned at her three friends. ‘This,’ she said, ‘is to Cinder’s last night of freedom.’ She licked salt from her knuckle, threw back her drink and sucked furiously on a segment of lemon. ‘Go for it girl, because – jeez ...’ She rasped her tongue against the roof of her mouth. ‘That hits the spot.’

Cinderella brushed invisible crumbs from the pale blue silk of her voluminous gown and clutched her overflowing glass of tequila like it was crab apple poison. She made no move to drink.

Tinkerbell, standing on the kitchen work surface had no such qualms. She was tiny – the size of a pencil – but, undaunted by her thimble of burning liquid, knocked it back in one mouthful. ‘Bloody brilliant,’ she said gesturing for Rapunzel to top her up.

‘I don’t think Tink should have any more,’ Cinderella said, worried.

‘She’ll be fine,’ Rapunzel said.

‘Yeah, I’ve seen her drink twice her own weight.’ Belle grinned as she shoved up the cream puffed sleeves of her best gown and shook salt onto her thumb. She looked steadily at her three companions with a glint in her eye that showed she meant business, then downed her shot, smacked her lips and ignored the lemon slice.

‘We’re here to help you have fun,’ Tinkerbell said as she fluttered her wings to life and flew face level with Cinderella. ‘Come on, you know you want to.’

‘I do, really I do, it’s just, well, I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.’

Rapunzel threw her head back and laughed. ‘Some people like a bit of pain, you know.’ Her river of blonde locks rippled down her spine, the tips touching the dusty stone floor like thin fingers. ‘Let your hair down, Cinders ... like me.’

Belle and Tinkerbell downed another shot, giggled and then they all looked at Cinderella.

‘Come on, drink up.’ Rapunzel gave a nonchalant shrug. ‘Prince Charming and his stags will be up to all sorts, so why shouldn’t you? Whatever happened to equality?’

Cinderella set her jaw determinedly then threw back the clear drink in one go. She gasped as the burn hit her throat and spluttered into her hand. 


Rapunzel slapped her on the shoulders with a jovial laugh. ‘Excellent, another two of those and we’ll hit The Turret Club.’ She winked at Belle. ‘You’re going to love it there, Cinders.’

BUY LINK

I hope you will check out my new releases, be sure to say hi if you drop by.

Lily x

Cross-Checked

On the 25th of May the 2nd book in my HOT ICE series, Cross-Checked will be released at Ellora's Cave.

Blurb

Okay, I’ll admit it, I have a crazy, lust-infused crush! Brick, the sexy right-winger of the Orlando Vipers, is the star of all my erotic fantasies. Just a glimpse of him has me panting. So when the chance to actually work with this hot hockey player comes along, of course I say yes!

Being a world-class athlete myself, I have a strategic plan to have him all tied up with lust and desperate for me too. The thing is, plans never go smoothly. Especially when my heart pedals right into the vulnerable game of love again—completely unprotected.

Luckily this sinfully delicious superstar is as hooked on me as I am on him—phone sex, bondage, anal sex and rude piercings abound. Despite my tactical errors he catches me when I fall, holds me when I cry and pleases me when I need it most. He’s hard on the outside, soft on the inside and plays one hell of determined game when it comes to finding the ultimate satisfaction.

Excerpt

I handed the cab driver a twenty and alighted outside the Waldorf. The doorman tipped his top hat as we pushed through the rotating doors into the creamy light of the foyer.

I didn’t pause to admire the opulent decor.

Instead my heels rapped on the marble floor as we strutted past reception. We paced by several deep lounging chairs and a table overflowing with pink orchids. Brick placed his hand in the small of my back and guided me toward the elevators. “Your room or mine?” he asked.

“Yours.” I had what I needed in my purse.

He gave me the most indecent smile I’d ever received. Triumph, lust and cheekiness mixed with softness, patience and desire. My heart fluttered and my skin pricked. He thought he was in control. That he had me where he wanted me. Well, I was just about to show him he’d met his match. Or rather, I was going to do my best to show him he’d met his match.

He pressed number eight.

We stood in silence and waited for the elevator to reach ground level.

The doors pinged open. An elderly gentleman with a newspaper under his arm wandered out.

We stepped in.

The second the door whooshed shut, his body slammed into mine. I staggered backward and found myself pinned against the smoky mirrored walls. I gasped in surprise but it was lost in his frantic kiss. My purse fell to the floor. Unbalanced, I reached up for his shoulders and hung on to solid muscles as I teetered on my heels.

His hands roamed my hips and waist. “You’re driving me crazy,” he murmured as he stooped to spread kisses down my neck. “Like, really, actually crazy. You’re all I can think about, you’re all I want.”

I let out a whimper of lust and curled my fingers into him. I didn’t know how I was going to stay standing, I was so dizzy with desire.

His mouth was at the hollow of my throat, licking and kissing and sucking. His hands smoothed under my top, up over my stomach. My flesh trembled. What plan? He carried on determinedly over my ribs until he cupped my softly curved flesh.

I moaned in delight at feeling his hands on my breasts for the first time. So big and strong and hot. So hot.

Trapped between the wall and his huge body, I arched for more. I wanted him to touch me all over.

“God, you feel amazing.” He nipped and kissed my collarbone. Then my top was up, up around my neck, the material bunched and shoved out of his way in one deft flick of his wrists.

I was vaguely aware of the elevator pinging up the floors. But the noise was muffled beneath our desperate breaths.

He pulled back to gaze at my chest. “Ah, you look so pretty too, even better than you described. Small but so utterly perfect.”

“Brick…” I murmured and caught his face in my palms. “We have to stop…”

“Yeah,” he said, looking at my breasts the way a poor man would look at a winning lottery ticket. “In just a min—”

He leaned forward and, quick as a flash, suckled my right nipple into his mouth. I gasped. Oh god, it felt so good. Just like he’d promised, he was taking in my nipple and the small, swollen portion of flesh surrounding it. Suckling and teasing with his tongue as the soft bristles from his five-o’clock shadow scratched against my flesh.

My knees weakened; I didn’t know how I’d stay standing if he carried on for more than another few seconds.

He switched to the other breast. With my palms on his cheeks, I felt them hollow and dip as he kissed and sucked. His mouth was the hottest, sweetest, sexiest thing I’d ever known.

My knees started to sink. I was going down. I scrabbled my hands over his body and fisted his shirt to support myself.

The elevator door slid open.

Still he kept on. His tongue laved at my taut nipple, his hand massaged my other breast. His breaths were hard and fast, heating my skin further. He moaned and the noise swirled like a rumbling echo.

White light from the corridor spilled around us and I peered over his wide shoulder.

I gasped.

Standing stock still and staring, with his hand curled around the silver pole of a luggage cart, was a young bellboy.

“Brick, stop,” I hissed, pushing at his shoulders. “Stop.”

“Mmm.”

I grabbed for my top and yanked it down, forcing it past his nose and mouth. He had no choice but to stop suckling my breast.

“What?” Brick asked in a hoarse voice, looking distinctly put out at being interrupted.

“We’re here.” I pulled my top to my waist and grabbed my purse from the floor. “Look.”

He snapped his rumpled shirt and turned, paused for the briefest of seconds as he registered the slack-mouthed bellboy, then reached backward for my hand. He cleared his throat. “Evening,” he said, stepping forward and tugging me with him.

“Good evening, sir,” the bellboy replied, shifting the luggage rack so Brick and I could step past.

I braved another quick glance at the bellboy’s face. His eyes were wide but I didn’t know if it was because he idolized Brick or because he’d seen my breasts.

I didn’t have time to dwell on it because Brick stopped at the second door we came to and shoved in the key. The light turned green and he pushed it open.

“Get in,” he ordered in a low, firm voice.

If you want to get your hands on the first book in the HOT ICE series, click on the cover below.

Blurb for HIRED

One hundred grand to babysit bad boy Logan “Phoenix” Taylor on a paradise island—seriously, how bad could he be?


Frankly, it didn’t matter. Not when it would make my dreams of going to nursing school possible. I wasn’t even expected to talk to him, just hang out in a luxurious villa on a private beach and study. Simple, right?


But I hadn’t counted on Logan being so deliciously bad that he was oh so good. And when the temperature cranked to boiling point, he knew just how to satisfy the deepest, darkest part of my soul and give my body exactly what it needed. Amongst the sand and waves, we transported each other to an exquisite world of pleasure where only we existed, only we mattered.


But the heady mix of emotions and lust couldn’t keep things from spiraling out of control back in reality, where I had to keep the secret that I’d been hired to entertain him…even if it shattered my delicate heart. Even if it cost my destiny.

Coming soon - Cross-Checked

I've just written the blurb for the second in my HOT ICE series, Cross-Checked and I'm on the final set of edits so it shouldn't be long now until its release. 

Here is a sneaky preview of the blurb. The whole book is written from Carly's point of view as she sets out on a mission to bag the object of her affections.

Okay, I’ll admit it, I have a crazy, lust-infused crush! Brick, the sexy right-winger of the Orlando Vipers, is the star of all my erotic fantasies. Just a glimpse of him has me panting. So when the chance to actually work with this hot hockey player comes along, of course I said yes! 

Being a world-class athlete myself, I had a strategic plan to have him all tied up with lust and desperate for me too. The thing is, plans never go smoothly. Especially when my heart pedaled right into the vulnerable game of love again—completely unprotected.

Luckily this sinfully delicious superstar is as hooked on me as I am on him, and phone sex, bondage, anal sex, and rude piercings abound. Despite my tactical errors he catches me when I fall, holds me when I cry and pleases me when I need it most. He’s hard on the outside, soft on the inside and plays one hell of determined game when it comes to finding the ultimate satisfaction.