Untamed (Unihibited #1), by Lauren Hawkeye
Publish Date: July 3, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4 STARS
(Synopsis) Celebrity archaeologist Cari Dunn is so over the Georgia heat, the red tape at her dig site, and the threatening messages left on her motel door. She just wants to dig, and the network just wants to keep her safe—with a bodyguard. She can’t complain. Jasper Benjamin radiates raw masculinity that penetrates her to the core and ignites passion she’s never felt. Too bad for him, she's not going to be easy to handle.
Lusting after the bodyguard shouldn’t be so tempting, especially when her life is on the line.
Unbound (Unihibited #2), by Lauren Hawkeye
Publish Date: July 10, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4 STARS
(Synopsis) Celebrity archaeologist Cari Dunn knew an affair with Jasper Benjamin was dangerous. Especially after the sound of shattering glass interrupts what was supposed to be a pleasure-filled night. When the threats against Cari start to stack up and the list of suspects seems higher than ever, Jasper calls for backup. Some very hot and exciting backup. For one night, Cari feels more protected than ever. But if they’re lost in passion, can they see the danger before it’s too late?
Undone (Unihibited #3), by Lauren Hawkeye
Publish Date: July 17, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4 STARS
(Synopsis) Celebrity archaeologist Cari Dunn may have only had a couple of days with bodyguard Jasper Benjamin, but it was enough to completely lose her heart to him. When one suspect after another proves their innocence, the duo find their time running out. After a violent showing from her stalker, Cari is ready for it all to be over, safe in Jasper’s arms. If she makes it out alive, will he feel the same way about her?
The Unihibited serial by Lauren Hawkeye was a story right up my alley. It included a heroine with an interesting job, a dangerous mystery and a big, dominant bodyguard sent to keep her safe.
It seems like each of the three installments in this serial actually equate to a complete novella, not a full-length novel. I read all three of these, back-to-back, in one afternoon. Each installment is pretty short, but definitely packed with lots of action and steam. When they're all put together, you have an exciting and sexy story with a brave heroine and a no-nonsense bodyguard who definitely knows what he likes.
In the beginning of the story, we learn that Cari Dunn is an archaeologist with a reality show that has taken her into the deep south. Her dig site has been contested by local Native American groups and a local business man. When threatening messages start showing up at Cari's hotel, her producer hires her a bodyguard until the culprit is found.
You can tell that Cari is feeling a little disenfranchised with her job. I got the impression that she loves archaeology and history first - the TV show is just a means to an end. She's very independent and is a little tired of being ruled by her network. When her bodyguard turns out to be a big, handsome man who she has an incredible, instantaneous connection with, Cari thinks that maybe she can blow off some steam with him.
Jasper is a bit of an enigma. At first he seems unaffected by Cari. He's all business - all about her safety. But then things change pretty suddenly between them, and we see what Jasper is like underneath his serious exterior. What he likes in the bedroom seems to complement Cari's personality, so their chemistry is super hot, and their times together are even hotter. Especially when you add in a colleague of Jasper's sent in for backup.
While Jasper and Cari's chemistry can't be denied, it was a little harder for me to grasp true affection for each other. There was absolutely lust and then trust and respect for each other's abilities. But, I didn't *quite* believe that there was romantic feelings there. Perhaps if there were more pages to establish affection and depth, it would feel better to me. Because I believe they could get there - there just wasn't quite enough time for it here.
All together, the Uninhibited serial was a great way to spend an afternoon.
