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Tumble Creek #2
Start Me Up
Lori had always planned to get out of tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado, but when her late dad left her his beloved auto body shop, she'd stayed. Now, according to her crazy best friend, Molly, what Lori needs is some excitement, in the form of hot, no-strings-attached sex…and lots of it.
Quinn Jennings has buildings on the brain--not love and romance. A serious architect, he's delighted to discover that Lori is willing to skip dating protocols and head straight for the sheets. And aided by the steamy books on Lori's bedside table, he's busy indulging both of their wildest fantasies. But when life in Tumble Creek takes a dangerous turn for Lori, Quinn's protective instincts kick in.
Suddenly he cares. More than either of them ever expected�.
367 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
111 people are currently reading
2,860 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Dahl
60books1,996followersI 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 379 reviews
January 7, 2015
4 ½ stars � Contemporary Romance
Top Ten Things I Loved About Start Me Up:
1. A deliciously sexy beta hero � Nerdy architect (and ultimate fantasy giver with a wild bedside manner) Quinn Jennings
2. A sassy, feisty heroine � Girl mechanic Lori Love
3. Heroine’s obsession with erotic books and hero’s willingness to please and serve in the bedroom that leads to lots of hot sex, steamy role play, and wickedly fun fantasy reenactments
4. Quinn’s sultry Spanish bedroom talk...YOWZA!!
5. Witty dialogue and saucy banter
6. Lots of lighthearted humor
7. Sweet, spicy romance
8. Funny, clever writing and great characters
9. A dose of mystery and suspense thrown in for good measure
10. Small, Colorado mountain town Tumble Creek and its quirky residents
My only complaints are that the heroine Lori got on my nerves on several occasions and that the ending was a little bit too abrupt, but it was still a highly enjoyable and fun, sexy read. 4 ½ stars!
Top Ten Things I Loved About Start Me Up:
1. A deliciously sexy beta hero � Nerdy architect (and ultimate fantasy giver with a wild bedside manner) Quinn Jennings
2. A sassy, feisty heroine � Girl mechanic Lori Love
3. Heroine’s obsession with erotic books and hero’s willingness to please and serve in the bedroom that leads to lots of hot sex, steamy role play, and wickedly fun fantasy reenactments
4. Quinn’s sultry Spanish bedroom talk...YOWZA!!
5. Witty dialogue and saucy banter
6. Lots of lighthearted humor
7. Sweet, spicy romance
8. Funny, clever writing and great characters
9. A dose of mystery and suspense thrown in for good measure
10. Small, Colorado mountain town Tumble Creek and its quirky residents
My only complaints are that the heroine Lori got on my nerves on several occasions and that the ending was a little bit too abrupt, but it was still a highly enjoyable and fun, sexy read. 4 ½ stars!
June 27, 2009
Ahhh...I loved this book. It had everything I like in a contemporary romance--lots of humor, snappy dialogue, hot sex, quirky but lovable heroine, adorably sexy and romantic hero, a little bit of suspense, and a HEA that had me tearing up. And it's so fast-paced, I just breezed through it. After reading Victoria Dahl's first contemporary, , I had high hopes for this one, and I'm happy to say that she didn't let me down! And there will be another one coming out in early 2010--Yea!
This was the story of tomboy auto mechanic/tow truck driver Lori Love, best friend of Molly Jennings ("Talk Me Down"), and architect Quinn Jennings (Molly's nerdy but sexy brother). I loved their relationship! Lori's 29, had her college life and her future plans interrupted 10 years ago when her father had an accident and she then became his caregiver. Her dreams of traveling the world were cut short when she had to take over her father's auto mechanic business so she could pay the medical bills. Her father has recently passed away but Lori's stuck behind a mountain of bills and her life in general is in a rut. Her friend Molly writes erotica, and lately Lori's been gobbling up the romance books and spinning some fantasies of her own. She wants to feel like a woman again, and figures a fling may be just what the doctor ordered. But a fling with who?
Quinn Jennings is a successful architect living and working in Aspen, but from the same smalll town (Tumble Creek, CO) as Lori. Quinn is a bit of a nerd, living and breathing architectire, but a sexy nerd. His relationships don't last long, because according to him he's a 'bad boyfriend'--forgetting important dates and not showing up on time since he's always absorbed in his work. But when Lori Love comes to fix his backhoe and they get to talking, he's a little intrigued by her, even though he's known her all his life. And he's dying to see what her coveralls are hiding. When Quinn finds out, in a comical, round-about way, that Lori is looking for a no strings summer fling, he volunteers for the job.
After much hesitation, Lori agrees to take him on. And oh, what fun they have! Quinn takes some of Lori's erotic romances to read for 'research', and they later act out Lori's dirtiest and kinkiest secret fantasies! Hot, hot, hot! What a fun and sexy time they have, and Quinn is just a perfect lover, giving Lori everything she ever desired, but was to afraid to ask for. There was a scene in an alleyway outside of a restaurant, where Quinn has his way with Lori, and she asks him to speak Spanish to her...*sigh* "Es esto lo que deseas? Deseas la prueba de mi lujuria? Eres mia. Siempre que deseo. Ven para mi, querida. Tomalo. Tomalo todo." Wickedly hot stuff there!
I could go on and on about all the sexy fun that Lori and Quinn have, but sooner or later you know they have to make a decision about where all this is leading. Quinn finds himself falling for Lori, but Lori is afraid to really admit her feelings, afraid to love, just afraid of life in general. She's stubborn, has an inferiority complex, and is far too complacent in her life. There's a bit of a mystery and some tense moments when Lori's business is vandalized and it looks like someone is trying to scare her into selling some property that her dad owned. Will she really let Quinn become a part of her life (like he wants to), or will she keep him on the fringes like she has been? Will she take the steps needed to get on with her life or is she content with the status quo? Is she finally ready to let go of the past and gamble on her future?
This book was scorchin' hot of course (loved Quinn and Lori together), had some real funny and tender moments as Lori and Quinn act out her fantasies, but darn if I didn't get frustrated with Lori a time or two. I wanted her to reclaim that life she missed out on when she ended up having to take care of her disabled father. I wanted her to grab onto Quinn and never let him go! I wanted her to be a participant in life and not just an observer. Thankfully by the end of the book (after a little mystery gets cleared up which leaves Lori a bit shell-shocked) Lori starts to come around and she and Quinn come to an understanding that brought tears to my eyes. Yea, Lori!:)
If you enjoyed "Talk Me Down", and if you're looking for a smokin' hot contemporary that's laced with plenty of humor and has characters that you'll be rooting for--this is the one you've been waiting for! I think I may have found another author whose books 'click' with me. 5 big stars.
This was the story of tomboy auto mechanic/tow truck driver Lori Love, best friend of Molly Jennings ("Talk Me Down"), and architect Quinn Jennings (Molly's nerdy but sexy brother). I loved their relationship! Lori's 29, had her college life and her future plans interrupted 10 years ago when her father had an accident and she then became his caregiver. Her dreams of traveling the world were cut short when she had to take over her father's auto mechanic business so she could pay the medical bills. Her father has recently passed away but Lori's stuck behind a mountain of bills and her life in general is in a rut. Her friend Molly writes erotica, and lately Lori's been gobbling up the romance books and spinning some fantasies of her own. She wants to feel like a woman again, and figures a fling may be just what the doctor ordered. But a fling with who?
Quinn Jennings is a successful architect living and working in Aspen, but from the same smalll town (Tumble Creek, CO) as Lori. Quinn is a bit of a nerd, living and breathing architectire, but a sexy nerd. His relationships don't last long, because according to him he's a 'bad boyfriend'--forgetting important dates and not showing up on time since he's always absorbed in his work. But when Lori Love comes to fix his backhoe and they get to talking, he's a little intrigued by her, even though he's known her all his life. And he's dying to see what her coveralls are hiding. When Quinn finds out, in a comical, round-about way, that Lori is looking for a no strings summer fling, he volunteers for the job.
After much hesitation, Lori agrees to take him on. And oh, what fun they have! Quinn takes some of Lori's erotic romances to read for 'research', and they later act out Lori's dirtiest and kinkiest secret fantasies! Hot, hot, hot! What a fun and sexy time they have, and Quinn is just a perfect lover, giving Lori everything she ever desired, but was to afraid to ask for. There was a scene in an alleyway outside of a restaurant, where Quinn has his way with Lori, and she asks him to speak Spanish to her...*sigh* "Es esto lo que deseas? Deseas la prueba de mi lujuria? Eres mia. Siempre que deseo. Ven para mi, querida. Tomalo. Tomalo todo." Wickedly hot stuff there!
I could go on and on about all the sexy fun that Lori and Quinn have, but sooner or later you know they have to make a decision about where all this is leading. Quinn finds himself falling for Lori, but Lori is afraid to really admit her feelings, afraid to love, just afraid of life in general. She's stubborn, has an inferiority complex, and is far too complacent in her life. There's a bit of a mystery and some tense moments when Lori's business is vandalized and it looks like someone is trying to scare her into selling some property that her dad owned. Will she really let Quinn become a part of her life (like he wants to), or will she keep him on the fringes like she has been? Will she take the steps needed to get on with her life or is she content with the status quo? Is she finally ready to let go of the past and gamble on her future?
This book was scorchin' hot of course (loved Quinn and Lori together), had some real funny and tender moments as Lori and Quinn act out her fantasies, but darn if I didn't get frustrated with Lori a time or two. I wanted her to reclaim that life she missed out on when she ended up having to take care of her disabled father. I wanted her to grab onto Quinn and never let him go! I wanted her to be a participant in life and not just an observer. Thankfully by the end of the book (after a little mystery gets cleared up which leaves Lori a bit shell-shocked) Lori starts to come around and she and Quinn come to an understanding that brought tears to my eyes. Yea, Lori!:)
If you enjoyed "Talk Me Down", and if you're looking for a smokin' hot contemporary that's laced with plenty of humor and has characters that you'll be rooting for--this is the one you've been waiting for! I think I may have found another author whose books 'click' with me. 5 big stars.
December 16, 2015
“Don't even try to make this into something weird, Lori. We grew up in the same place, so get over your complex. Unless, of course, this is part of your fantasy. The asshole rich boy and the noble girl from the poor family."
"Fuck off," she growled.�
In this book we meet Quinn, Molly’s brother and we meet Lori, mechanic, who had to return home to look after her Dad when he had an accident. She always had dreams to travel the world. Quinn and Lori decide to hook up for sex, just sex, no relationship, thank you and it will be over by the end of the summer. But will it?
A bit of a mystery thrown in � I had guessed who it was early in the book.
“I think he could handle being used. It would be good for him. He's having trouble sleeping.�
April 9, 2010
I hate green peas. Here I am, nearly thirty, and I pick green peas out of my food.
I love Indian food. The hotter the better. Nothing hits the spot quite like it.
So, what this book is, is a delicious plate of Indian food, spiced so hot I'm sweating, with a ton of friggin peas in it.
The relationship is the superbly spiced vindaloo.
Lori Love is stuck in a rut and feeling restless. Ten years ago she left Boston College (Eagles REPRESENT!) and her hard won scholarship to rush back to care for her father after a terrible incident leaves him brain damaged. He died a year ago, but she's still working in the family auto garage, still single and still not college educated. It's all left her in a funk, so she's decided to get girlified (I've decided that's a word) and find herself some no strings attached sex.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, her bff Molly Jennings' brother is down with some Lori loving. Quinn is an ideas man, an architect who gets so absorbed in his work he forgets about people. Missing dates, birthdays and anniversaries makes him a relationship failure, so he figures friends with benefits status just might be the key to keeping a woman around a bit longer than a month or two.
The chemistry between the two is off the charts. Since this is just "meaningless" sex for them, Quinn makes a show of grabbing her erotic romance novels as research. Their subsequent reenactmentments of the sex scenes are hot, and a little funny. When she starts smiling while he has her tied up one night, he whispers, "You're ruining the mood."
Outside the bedroom, he's attentive and suspiciously thoughtful for a supposed scatterbrain. After seeing she's got posters of far flung destinations lining the walls of her old bedroom, and realizing she wants to see the world, he takes her to an Andalusian restaurant in Aspen. Wanting to give her a taste of Spain, he speaks to the owner in flawless Spanish, orders for her to introduce her to the exotic food and dances with her in the courtyard. I sighed, I'll admit it.
But the peas! The terrible green peas that comprised the suspense plot.
Dahl has full-on Putney-itis. Here's this great relationship drama, but OH NO, we have to have excitement too. Ugh. It's just weakly developed and even more lamely resolved. It depended on Lori being especially dull and unobservant for it to stretch the length of the book, and since she wasn't dull or unobservant in any other aspect of her life in the book, it just didn't wash. Every point in the book where it was time to check back in with the mystery of her father's accident and the parcel of land, it was almost invariably a forehead slapper. That's just not fun.
I really wanted to give it four stars, but hating a subplot like that takes its toll. I'd still call it an enjoyable book, though. Totally still want to read the next one.
I love Indian food. The hotter the better. Nothing hits the spot quite like it.
So, what this book is, is a delicious plate of Indian food, spiced so hot I'm sweating, with a ton of friggin peas in it.
The relationship is the superbly spiced vindaloo.
Lori Love is stuck in a rut and feeling restless. Ten years ago she left Boston College (Eagles REPRESENT!) and her hard won scholarship to rush back to care for her father after a terrible incident leaves him brain damaged. He died a year ago, but she's still working in the family auto garage, still single and still not college educated. It's all left her in a funk, so she's decided to get girlified (I've decided that's a word) and find herself some no strings attached sex.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, her bff Molly Jennings' brother is down with some Lori loving. Quinn is an ideas man, an architect who gets so absorbed in his work he forgets about people. Missing dates, birthdays and anniversaries makes him a relationship failure, so he figures friends with benefits status just might be the key to keeping a woman around a bit longer than a month or two.
The chemistry between the two is off the charts. Since this is just "meaningless" sex for them, Quinn makes a show of grabbing her erotic romance novels as research. Their subsequent reenactmentments of the sex scenes are hot, and a little funny. When she starts smiling while he has her tied up one night, he whispers, "You're ruining the mood."
Outside the bedroom, he's attentive and suspiciously thoughtful for a supposed scatterbrain. After seeing she's got posters of far flung destinations lining the walls of her old bedroom, and realizing she wants to see the world, he takes her to an Andalusian restaurant in Aspen. Wanting to give her a taste of Spain, he speaks to the owner in flawless Spanish, orders for her to introduce her to the exotic food and dances with her in the courtyard. I sighed, I'll admit it.
But the peas! The terrible green peas that comprised the suspense plot.
Dahl has full-on Putney-itis. Here's this great relationship drama, but OH NO, we have to have excitement too. Ugh. It's just weakly developed and even more lamely resolved. It depended on Lori being especially dull and unobservant for it to stretch the length of the book, and since she wasn't dull or unobservant in any other aspect of her life in the book, it just didn't wash. Every point in the book where it was time to check back in with the mystery of her father's accident and the parcel of land, it was almost invariably a forehead slapper. That's just not fun.
I really wanted to give it four stars, but hating a subplot like that takes its toll. I'd still call it an enjoyable book, though. Totally still want to read the next one.
February 5, 2019
I'm happy to say I think I've found a new author that I can go to when I need a lighthearted romance with smart writing, witty dialogue, great characters, and a plot that keeps me turning the pages. The writing had elements of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and the small town setting, characters, and romance suspense plot had elements of old Kristen Ashley.
Overall, a very enjoyable read that I definitely recommend.
Overall, a very enjoyable read that I definitely recommend.
May 15, 2012
HOLY HELL... Quinn is my new favorite fictional stud!
Loved this story!
'Lori Love'...wow I can just imagine how Quinn purrs when He says her name ... *sigh*
Is an amazing character! I love her strength and Sass!
.. and Quinn.. well lets just say that Quinn has made it to my top 10 fictional stud list.
Favorite part:
Quinn has done some 'research' and read a few of Lori's favorite erotic books, and has discovered that Lori reads about bondage, and Quinn is willing to try and satisfy her fantasy.
.. after they've experimented, Quinn is concerned that Lori didn't enjoy it as much as He did. Lori tells Quinn it was the "best moment ever in her life", and He says, "Ya I kinda felt like a Sex Ninja".... Laughed my ass off!
Starting the last book in the trilogy NOW!
Loved this story!
'Lori Love'...wow I can just imagine how Quinn purrs when He says her name ... *sigh*
Is an amazing character! I love her strength and Sass!
.. and Quinn.. well lets just say that Quinn has made it to my top 10 fictional stud list.
Favorite part:
Quinn has done some 'research' and read a few of Lori's favorite erotic books, and has discovered that Lori reads about bondage, and Quinn is willing to try and satisfy her fantasy.
.. after they've experimented, Quinn is concerned that Lori didn't enjoy it as much as He did. Lori tells Quinn it was the "best moment ever in her life", and He says, "Ya I kinda felt like a Sex Ninja".... Laughed my ass off!
Starting the last book in the trilogy NOW!
September 8, 2009
No I love you? *grrr*. What the heck is going on here? I read these books for my “I love yous� and HEAs. This one had a ‘nice� ending, but there was no professing of love and marriage.
We met Lori in Talk Me Down, the first in the Tumble Creek Series. She’s ran her father’s mechanic shop and tow truck business for the past ten years. He received a closed head injury after a bar fight and has been in need of constant care until his death a few months back She had to give up college to come home and take care of dad. She still dreams of travel but that’s about the extent of it. She’s not really happy with her life, but feels this is what she is meant to do and “whah whah whah�.
Quinn is her best friend’s brother that she’s known for years, but only recently noticed how hot he is. He’s a whork-o-holic architect. He’s supposed to be a hot nerd. Nerds are at the bottom of my hero list.
After reconnecting, they make a deal for a sex only, no strings relationship. Both think this is a no-brainer, but of course they start to develop feelings for each other right away. Quinn actually takes Lori’s erotica books and does research on what she likes. His toes curl and some of the stories, but he is game. I found this totally refreshing that the nerd becomes a major alpha in bed. I think this was very hot and original.
There is some suspense which features sheriff Ben Lawson from Talk Me down investigating the death of Lori’s father. It may not have been an accident after all.
Overall, I liked the book. It wasn’t as funny as Talk Me down , but the suspense story was better in this one. Quinn is really great, and he’s officially become my first nerd love. However, I don’t think Lori appreciated him, and she griped at him too much.
One final annoyance: There is a comedienne named Loni Love, and throughout the whole book I kept reading Lori as “Loni� and it bugged the crap out of me.
This book contains mildy erotic love scenes with some D/S.
We met Lori in Talk Me Down, the first in the Tumble Creek Series. She’s ran her father’s mechanic shop and tow truck business for the past ten years. He received a closed head injury after a bar fight and has been in need of constant care until his death a few months back She had to give up college to come home and take care of dad. She still dreams of travel but that’s about the extent of it. She’s not really happy with her life, but feels this is what she is meant to do and “whah whah whah�.
Quinn is her best friend’s brother that she’s known for years, but only recently noticed how hot he is. He’s a whork-o-holic architect. He’s supposed to be a hot nerd. Nerds are at the bottom of my hero list.
After reconnecting, they make a deal for a sex only, no strings relationship. Both think this is a no-brainer, but of course they start to develop feelings for each other right away. Quinn actually takes Lori’s erotica books and does research on what she likes. His toes curl and some of the stories, but he is game. I found this totally refreshing that the nerd becomes a major alpha in bed. I think this was very hot and original.
There is some suspense which features sheriff Ben Lawson from Talk Me down investigating the death of Lori’s father. It may not have been an accident after all.
Overall, I liked the book. It wasn’t as funny as Talk Me down , but the suspense story was better in this one. Quinn is really great, and he’s officially become my first nerd love. However, I don’t think Lori appreciated him, and she griped at him too much.
One final annoyance: There is a comedienne named Loni Love, and throughout the whole book I kept reading Lori as “Loni� and it bugged the crap out of me.
This book contains mildy erotic love scenes with some D/S.
July 14, 2009
Rating: 3.5 / 5
A fun, sexy, easy to read book. It's got some interesting characters and situations. But I had the same problem with this book that I did with the first in the series: that the heroine isn't entirely likable. Which takes away some of the enjoyability of the book.
Start Me Up is the second book in Victoria Dahl's Tumble Creek series, which borders between contemporary and erotic romance. Though this book can pretty much stand on its own, I'd personally recommend reading them in order.
Lori Love runs and owns her father's garage in the small town of Tumble Creek. Though she enjoys working on cars, being a mechanic isn't what she'd planned to do with her life. She'd wanted to get out of Tumble Creek, go to college, get a great job and do some traveling. And she'd been on her way to doing that when her father was seriously injured. So she returned home to take care of him and take over the garage. Years later, she's still there, with a mountain a debt behind her and no hope of ever leaving. Lori has mostly accepted that, but lately she's been restless...and wondering if a hot, sex-only affair is just what she needs.
Enter Quinn Jennings, her best friend's brother. Lori's known Quinn for a long time, but it's just recently that she's started seeing him as someone very sexy. Quinn's a bit of a geek, though, very absorbed in his work, but once Lori catches his attention, he's game for a hot fling. But Quinn breaks the rules when he starts to think there could be more between them. Lori doesn't want that; she won't even tell him about the recent troubles in her life (vandalism at her garage, and police suspicion that her father's accident years ago may not have been an accident at all). Lori will have to face some truths about her life if there's any hope for her and Quinn.
This book has a very similar tone to the previous book in the series. An atypical heroine, a straight-laced hero, some steaming hot sex, and a smidge of suspense thrown in. The two books just have a very similar feel...which means that if you liked the first book you'll probably like this one (and vice versa if you didn't).
The sex is pretty scorching hot...if you're not a fan of mildly explicit sex, then this is a book to avoid. It's definitely more graphic than the typical contemporary romance. I thought Dahl's inclusion of some erotic romance scenes from "books" Lori was reading, and the use of those "books" in the relationship between her and Quinn was a nice touch. Quinn "researching" by reading the books was amusing.
There's also a small suspense angle to the story regarding Lori's father's accident, vandalism to her garage, and why everyone seems to want the piece of land her father bought years ago. I liked that part of the story while it was going on, but I thought the resolution was too quick and not thorough enough.
Where this book fell apart a little for me, though, was in the same place the first book lacked. Which was the likability of the heroine. Lori annoyed me. She's dissatisfied with everything in her life, but refuses to try to make it better. And she was very self-absorbed when it came to her relationship with Quinn. Everything was about her...what she wanted, when she wanted. He's pretty sweet to her and she just brushes it off, and she refuses to talk to him about anything in her life. It just made me not see her in a very favorable light. I thought Quinn deserved better.
I also didn't like the ending that felt more like HFN (happy-for-now) than HEA (happily-every-after). Nothing felt solid about the way things ended between Lori and Quinn. There's even a line a few pages from the end where the two are working things out and Lori thinks about how she's not ready for a permanent relationship. And really all the two resolve is that they'll do some dating along with the scorching hot sex. There's no honest commitment, no expression of serious feelings. And it left the ending of this ROMANCE feeling rather flat.
So in the end, this book had its good points and it's bad points...at least for me. It's sexy and an easy read, but not particularly satisfying on the romance front. But if you enjoyed the first book in the series then you'll most likely like this one. I liked it enough that I'll read the next one in the series, featuring Jane, Quinn's secretary.
WARNING, this book contains: mildly explicit sex and language, and some rougher than normal sex
A fun, sexy, easy to read book. It's got some interesting characters and situations. But I had the same problem with this book that I did with the first in the series: that the heroine isn't entirely likable. Which takes away some of the enjoyability of the book.
Start Me Up is the second book in Victoria Dahl's Tumble Creek series, which borders between contemporary and erotic romance. Though this book can pretty much stand on its own, I'd personally recommend reading them in order.
Lori Love runs and owns her father's garage in the small town of Tumble Creek. Though she enjoys working on cars, being a mechanic isn't what she'd planned to do with her life. She'd wanted to get out of Tumble Creek, go to college, get a great job and do some traveling. And she'd been on her way to doing that when her father was seriously injured. So she returned home to take care of him and take over the garage. Years later, she's still there, with a mountain a debt behind her and no hope of ever leaving. Lori has mostly accepted that, but lately she's been restless...and wondering if a hot, sex-only affair is just what she needs.
Enter Quinn Jennings, her best friend's brother. Lori's known Quinn for a long time, but it's just recently that she's started seeing him as someone very sexy. Quinn's a bit of a geek, though, very absorbed in his work, but once Lori catches his attention, he's game for a hot fling. But Quinn breaks the rules when he starts to think there could be more between them. Lori doesn't want that; she won't even tell him about the recent troubles in her life (vandalism at her garage, and police suspicion that her father's accident years ago may not have been an accident at all). Lori will have to face some truths about her life if there's any hope for her and Quinn.
This book has a very similar tone to the previous book in the series. An atypical heroine, a straight-laced hero, some steaming hot sex, and a smidge of suspense thrown in. The two books just have a very similar feel...which means that if you liked the first book you'll probably like this one (and vice versa if you didn't).
The sex is pretty scorching hot...if you're not a fan of mildly explicit sex, then this is a book to avoid. It's definitely more graphic than the typical contemporary romance. I thought Dahl's inclusion of some erotic romance scenes from "books" Lori was reading, and the use of those "books" in the relationship between her and Quinn was a nice touch. Quinn "researching" by reading the books was amusing.
There's also a small suspense angle to the story regarding Lori's father's accident, vandalism to her garage, and why everyone seems to want the piece of land her father bought years ago. I liked that part of the story while it was going on, but I thought the resolution was too quick and not thorough enough.
Where this book fell apart a little for me, though, was in the same place the first book lacked. Which was the likability of the heroine. Lori annoyed me. She's dissatisfied with everything in her life, but refuses to try to make it better. And she was very self-absorbed when it came to her relationship with Quinn. Everything was about her...what she wanted, when she wanted. He's pretty sweet to her and she just brushes it off, and she refuses to talk to him about anything in her life. It just made me not see her in a very favorable light. I thought Quinn deserved better.
I also didn't like the ending that felt more like HFN (happy-for-now) than HEA (happily-every-after). Nothing felt solid about the way things ended between Lori and Quinn. There's even a line a few pages from the end where the two are working things out and Lori thinks about how she's not ready for a permanent relationship. And really all the two resolve is that they'll do some dating along with the scorching hot sex. There's no honest commitment, no expression of serious feelings. And it left the ending of this ROMANCE feeling rather flat.
So in the end, this book had its good points and it's bad points...at least for me. It's sexy and an easy read, but not particularly satisfying on the romance front. But if you enjoyed the first book in the series then you'll most likely like this one. I liked it enough that I'll read the next one in the series, featuring Jane, Quinn's secretary.
WARNING, this book contains: mildly explicit sex and language, and some rougher than normal sex
September 10, 2010
In a nutshell:Oh, this was a breeze to read. Finished it with a smile in my heart. Again, the characters were great.
Ms. Dahl, you're two-for-two. :o) This book was a delight to read from beginning to end. The two characters highlighted in this book are supporting/minor characters from : Vivacious mechanic Lori Love, and the very work-focused architect Quinn Jennings. Lori catches up with her best friend's brother when she is hired to repair some equipment for an upcoming building project. She's feeling like she's dead-ended in her life, and decides she needs a sizzle (read: hot fling) to distract her from her worries. Lucky for Quinn, he happens to be at the right place at the right time, and doesn't mind being her boy toy. ...at first. :o)
As with the previous novels, the most enjoyable component of the book is the characters. Lori in particular was my fave. She's got a fun and outgoing personality that belies a hardworking, responsible-to-a-fault woman with a lot of regret and guilt. I love that she's a sucker for smexy romance novels! And likewise I found it (bitter)sweet that she basically "gave up" her original plans and dreams to care for her parent. It seemed like a sizable majority of the story was spent following her "perspective," so I suppose it's no surprise she comes out as my fave. But Lori and Quinn together...wahoo! It's actually together--even through simple interactions like chatting--that they really shine. And the romantic get-togethers, well...they were more than sufficiently hot.
I also loved the gradual addition of a layer of mystery and thrill on top of the main romance. It's nothing outrageous--this is lil' ole Tumble Creek, after all--but it was exciting and very well integrated with the love story thread.
Another fun little addition was the occasional snippet from (fictional) romance novels that Lori reads. At first I sort of didn't get why such a device was used, showing the actual "book" excerpt rather than simply making reference--though there was a story or two that was weaved into certain scenes with either Lori or Quinn, to hilarious effect--but after a while I didn't care; they were fun and cute cutaways.
By the end, I think I'd decided that I liked this book more than the fantastic first installment. Dahl really knows how to create a read that is both effortless and immensely satisfying on several levels.
Ms. Dahl, you're two-for-two. :o) This book was a delight to read from beginning to end. The two characters highlighted in this book are supporting/minor characters from : Vivacious mechanic Lori Love, and the very work-focused architect Quinn Jennings. Lori catches up with her best friend's brother when she is hired to repair some equipment for an upcoming building project. She's feeling like she's dead-ended in her life, and decides she needs a sizzle (read: hot fling) to distract her from her worries. Lucky for Quinn, he happens to be at the right place at the right time, and doesn't mind being her boy toy. ...at first. :o)
As with the previous novels, the most enjoyable component of the book is the characters. Lori in particular was my fave. She's got a fun and outgoing personality that belies a hardworking, responsible-to-a-fault woman with a lot of regret and guilt. I love that she's a sucker for smexy romance novels! And likewise I found it (bitter)sweet that she basically "gave up" her original plans and dreams to care for her parent. It seemed like a sizable majority of the story was spent following her "perspective," so I suppose it's no surprise she comes out as my fave. But Lori and Quinn together...wahoo! It's actually together--even through simple interactions like chatting--that they really shine. And the romantic get-togethers, well...they were more than sufficiently hot.
I also loved the gradual addition of a layer of mystery and thrill on top of the main romance. It's nothing outrageous--this is lil' ole Tumble Creek, after all--but it was exciting and very well integrated with the love story thread.
Another fun little addition was the occasional snippet from (fictional) romance novels that Lori reads. At first I sort of didn't get why such a device was used, showing the actual "book" excerpt rather than simply making reference--though there was a story or two that was weaved into certain scenes with either Lori or Quinn, to hilarious effect--but after a while I didn't care; they were fun and cute cutaways.
By the end, I think I'd decided that I liked this book more than the fantastic first installment. Dahl really knows how to create a read that is both effortless and immensely satisfying on several levels.
October 30, 2020
Well written enough, but forgettable. Quinn and Lori have a steamy romance, but they basically do not interact with each other outside of the bedroom except for when they are arguing over each other's jealousy. Quinn is only characterized by his inability to keep track of time or anything else when he's working or thinking, his interest in architecture, his anger, and his interest in Lori, which does not make for an interesting MC. Neither is Lori, who while being a female mechanic (interesting) she is stereotypically described as not dressing up much, not asking for help when she needs it, and pushing people away when they offer it as some kind of anti-feminist trope (not interesting). I won't pick up the next book.
July 4, 2009
This one was almost as frustrating and not nearly as fun as the first book in this series . The entire time it was like two separate stories going on and no cohesion between them.
Lori Love gave up everything to come home and care for her dad and his business after a brutal accident. She's spent the last ten years of her life in limbo, most of the town thinks she's a lesbian, she's buried under a pile of debt, and she's still dealing with her father's death after a year. For some reason, the one thing she fixates on the most is her lack of a love life, and she starts to believe that if she can just revive that part of her life, then the rest will be bearable. But she doesn't want anything long term, she just wants a summer fling, something hot and wild where she can act out her fantasies.
The unlikely partner in her plan in Quinn, Lori's best friend's brother, an sexy architect nerd who's more often than not distracted by thoughts of work. Quinn is starting to see a new side to tomboyish Lori, and he's liking it. When Lori accidentally reveals her plan to him, he's more than... ahem, up for it. But when his feelings start interfering with Lori's no-strings plan and someone starts pressuring Lori to sell a piece of valuable land, everything starts to unravel.
Lori was so frustrating, and on a completely different level than Molly was in TMD. She's stuck in the past, scared to move forward with her life and unwilling to change. She's not happy being a mechanic or living in Tumble Creek or being alone, but she's not willing to do anything to change it.
Quinn was a great beta hero - for most of the book. He took a back seat to Lori's needs and tried his hardest to fulfil her every fantasy. But in the end I was so disappointed by his grand statement of saying "I like you more than buildings". Blech. Between the tepid ending and the lack of any real connection between the story of Lori's life and her sexual relationship with Quinn (beyond Quinn unkindly telling her that her life is basically stagnant - which was true but he was very cruel about it) - I was let down by this one. C
Lori Love gave up everything to come home and care for her dad and his business after a brutal accident. She's spent the last ten years of her life in limbo, most of the town thinks she's a lesbian, she's buried under a pile of debt, and she's still dealing with her father's death after a year. For some reason, the one thing she fixates on the most is her lack of a love life, and she starts to believe that if she can just revive that part of her life, then the rest will be bearable. But she doesn't want anything long term, she just wants a summer fling, something hot and wild where she can act out her fantasies.
The unlikely partner in her plan in Quinn, Lori's best friend's brother, an sexy architect nerd who's more often than not distracted by thoughts of work. Quinn is starting to see a new side to tomboyish Lori, and he's liking it. When Lori accidentally reveals her plan to him, he's more than... ahem, up for it. But when his feelings start interfering with Lori's no-strings plan and someone starts pressuring Lori to sell a piece of valuable land, everything starts to unravel.
Lori was so frustrating, and on a completely different level than Molly was in TMD. She's stuck in the past, scared to move forward with her life and unwilling to change. She's not happy being a mechanic or living in Tumble Creek or being alone, but she's not willing to do anything to change it.
Quinn was a great beta hero - for most of the book. He took a back seat to Lori's needs and tried his hardest to fulfil her every fantasy. But in the end I was so disappointed by his grand statement of saying "I like you more than buildings". Blech. Between the tepid ending and the lack of any real connection between the story of Lori's life and her sexual relationship with Quinn (beyond Quinn unkindly telling her that her life is basically stagnant - which was true but he was very cruel about it) - I was let down by this one. C
June 9, 2010
My Thoughts:
I've only read one other book by Dahl,, & I must say that Lori is not nearly as much of a biatch as Jane was. Although she does have sometimes overwhelming insecurities. She refuses to see that Quinn wants her for herself & is not simply "slumming" with the town mechanic. The sex scenes were hot, the h/h were hot & I enjoyed the chemistry between them. I never thought geeks were something to drool over until I met Quinn & he has definitely changed my stance. I also enjoyed the supporting characters & I knew that when Molly & Ben (the h/h from the previous novel in this series, ) stepped into scenes, that I was in for a laugh. The only reason I am giving this novel 4 stars instead of 5 is because I never really bought into the "love", at least on Quinn's part. It was clear that Lori had feelings for Quinn, even as teenagers but he never looked twice at her until she put on a dress. His detachment & analytical way of looking at life made it very hard for me to believe he cared for Lori as more than a booty call. He did indeed prove his love at the end which satisfied me. I know a lot of readers didn't like how the story ended with no true HEA although its far from HFN. I personally liked that. This isn't a historical romance where it wraps up with marriage & possibly a baby. It's a novel set in modern times with modern women & they don't feel the need to get married or have plans to get married by the end of the novel. They just want to enjoy being with the man they love & marriage can wait until they're ready. Another winner from Victoria Dahl �.
I've only read one other book by Dahl,, & I must say that Lori is not nearly as much of a biatch as Jane was. Although she does have sometimes overwhelming insecurities. She refuses to see that Quinn wants her for herself & is not simply "slumming" with the town mechanic. The sex scenes were hot, the h/h were hot & I enjoyed the chemistry between them. I never thought geeks were something to drool over until I met Quinn & he has definitely changed my stance. I also enjoyed the supporting characters & I knew that when Molly & Ben (the h/h from the previous novel in this series, ) stepped into scenes, that I was in for a laugh. The only reason I am giving this novel 4 stars instead of 5 is because I never really bought into the "love", at least on Quinn's part. It was clear that Lori had feelings for Quinn, even as teenagers but he never looked twice at her until she put on a dress. His detachment & analytical way of looking at life made it very hard for me to believe he cared for Lori as more than a booty call. He did indeed prove his love at the end which satisfied me. I know a lot of readers didn't like how the story ended with no true HEA although its far from HFN. I personally liked that. This isn't a historical romance where it wraps up with marriage & possibly a baby. It's a novel set in modern times with modern women & they don't feel the need to get married or have plans to get married by the end of the novel. They just want to enjoy being with the man they love & marriage can wait until they're ready. Another winner from Victoria Dahl �.
March 2, 2018
3.5
This book is lovely and wonderful. I was in the mood for a small town contemporary romance with a bit of suspense, but this exceeded my expectations. You do get romance, but it has a couple of extra layers added to it. I mean, who wouldn't like a hero 'researching' romances to get ideas (“You’d better tell me, Lori. Or I might read the wrong story and show up at your house with a turkey baster and a giant pink bunny suit.� ... “A turkey baster?� she squeaked. “What, the bunny suit’s okay with you?� “Stop it,� Lori gasped.). And applying them.
Their conversations are entertaining.
The less I say about the suspense part of the book, the better. It doesn't play that much of a role in general. Two things are happening at the same time: Ben is reopening the case of Lori's father's death and someone is trying to make her leave the town.
Overall, I really enjoyed the whole story.
This book is lovely and wonderful. I was in the mood for a small town contemporary romance with a bit of suspense, but this exceeded my expectations. You do get romance, but it has a couple of extra layers added to it. I mean, who wouldn't like a hero 'researching' romances to get ideas (“You’d better tell me, Lori. Or I might read the wrong story and show up at your house with a turkey baster and a giant pink bunny suit.� ... “A turkey baster?� she squeaked. “What, the bunny suit’s okay with you?� “Stop it,� Lori gasped.). And applying them.
Their conversations are entertaining.
'“In fact, I think you’re a genius, Quinn. And I think I’m a genius for picking you.� “Revisionist history. You didn’t pick me. I inserted myself into your sordid plan.� Lori grinned. “Right again. You are a genius at inserting yourself, Quinn Jennings.�
You get to see Quinn's view on his and Molly's childhood and the way their parents treated her achievements; how they managed to make their genius son hate his every successful moment in school. 'His habit of getting lost in work had started way back in elementary school, when report cards meant it was time for their dad to say something cruelly dismissive about Molly.' How can you not love him.The less I say about the suspense part of the book, the better. It doesn't play that much of a role in general. Two things are happening at the same time: Ben is reopening the case of Lori's father's death and someone is trying to make her leave the town.
Overall, I really enjoyed the whole story.
September 26, 2010
2 ½ stars. Some good sex scenes, but the story could have been better. Heroine’s actions were not reasonable.
STORY BRIEF:
Lori’s father died after a head injury. Lori left college to care for him and run his towing and auto repair business. She’s a good auto mechanic, but her dream was to travel the world. She can’t follow her dream since she is working his business to pay off his medical bills. She can’t afford to sell the garage due to costly EPA clean up issues concerning oil on the property. She tells her best friend Molly that she wants to find someone for a sexual fling. Molly’s brother Quinn accidentally hears this and offers himself to Lori. Quinn is an architect who is frequently distracted and inattentive due to his work. He forgets dates and times with girlfriends. Lori has been friends with him for years, so she understands. She’s not bothered by it. Quinn discovers that Lori reads erotic romance novels. He borrows one of her books so he can study what she likes. On their first night together he acts out one of the scenes, and it’s the best sex ever for both of them. He borrows other books as well. Lori has self esteem issues. Two of Quinn’s former girlfriends are tall, gorgeous, and sophisticated. She doesn’t believe Quinn would ever like her � other than for their temporary fling. Some side stories include the police chief reopening Lori’s father’s case. He believes her dad was hit in the head by someone instead of an accidental fall. There is an unusual amount of interest by developers wanting to buy land Lori owns. Vandals cause damage to Lori’s property.
REVIEWER’S OPINION WITH SPOILERS:
I selected this book because I wanted to read about a guy who reads romance novels as research and then acts out scenes with his girl. This part of the story and some of the sex scenes were good. But the rest of the story was lacking. The last 70 or so pages bothered me. Lori fell in love with Quinn but she broke up with him and told him to stay away for no good reason. She claimed she had troubles and needed to be alone. He wanted to help. The couple separating (which is typical for romance novels) was not well done. I need to be able to buy it, believe it, or understand it, but I didn’t. I was also annoyed with Lori’s reaction to the vandalism. She quickly claimed it was probably nothing more than teenage pranks. However, the reader could easily see other motives for the vandalism. When the reader sees a link, I am annoyed when the heroine doesn’t. I don’t require a smart heroine. I just want believability or reasonableness. The ending was not a typical HEA, but I thought it was happy enough for this genre.
DATA:
Story length: 359 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 11. Total number of sex scene pages: 45. Setting: current day Aspen and Tumble Creek, Colorado. Copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other books by this author, see my 4 star review of “Lead Me On� posted 3-23-10.
STORY BRIEF:
Lori’s father died after a head injury. Lori left college to care for him and run his towing and auto repair business. She’s a good auto mechanic, but her dream was to travel the world. She can’t follow her dream since she is working his business to pay off his medical bills. She can’t afford to sell the garage due to costly EPA clean up issues concerning oil on the property. She tells her best friend Molly that she wants to find someone for a sexual fling. Molly’s brother Quinn accidentally hears this and offers himself to Lori. Quinn is an architect who is frequently distracted and inattentive due to his work. He forgets dates and times with girlfriends. Lori has been friends with him for years, so she understands. She’s not bothered by it. Quinn discovers that Lori reads erotic romance novels. He borrows one of her books so he can study what she likes. On their first night together he acts out one of the scenes, and it’s the best sex ever for both of them. He borrows other books as well. Lori has self esteem issues. Two of Quinn’s former girlfriends are tall, gorgeous, and sophisticated. She doesn’t believe Quinn would ever like her � other than for their temporary fling. Some side stories include the police chief reopening Lori’s father’s case. He believes her dad was hit in the head by someone instead of an accidental fall. There is an unusual amount of interest by developers wanting to buy land Lori owns. Vandals cause damage to Lori’s property.
REVIEWER’S OPINION WITH SPOILERS:
I selected this book because I wanted to read about a guy who reads romance novels as research and then acts out scenes with his girl. This part of the story and some of the sex scenes were good. But the rest of the story was lacking. The last 70 or so pages bothered me. Lori fell in love with Quinn but she broke up with him and told him to stay away for no good reason. She claimed she had troubles and needed to be alone. He wanted to help. The couple separating (which is typical for romance novels) was not well done. I need to be able to buy it, believe it, or understand it, but I didn’t. I was also annoyed with Lori’s reaction to the vandalism. She quickly claimed it was probably nothing more than teenage pranks. However, the reader could easily see other motives for the vandalism. When the reader sees a link, I am annoyed when the heroine doesn’t. I don’t require a smart heroine. I just want believability or reasonableness. The ending was not a typical HEA, but I thought it was happy enough for this genre.
DATA:
Story length: 359 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 11. Total number of sex scene pages: 45. Setting: current day Aspen and Tumble Creek, Colorado. Copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other books by this author, see my 4 star review of “Lead Me On� posted 3-23-10.
March 28, 2015
Start Me Up
4 Stars
Small town mechanic, Lori Love, has always longed for adventure away from Tumble Creek, but the responsibilities of family and business have kept her at home. According to her best friend, Molly, all that Lori really needs is hot sex and lots of it, and she has just the candidate - her nerdy brother, Quinn Jennings. Uninterested in the angst of romance, Quinn is ready and eager to oblige, but the no-strings attached relationship soon gets old when someone starts targeting Lori, and Quinn’s protective instincts and his heart are kicked into overdrive.
As with the first book in this series, the story begins well as Lori and Quinn become reacquainted and realize that they have more in common than his sister. Quinn is sexy and sweet, and his chemistry with Lori is off the charts - their banter and forays into sexual fantasy makes for some seriously steamy reading.
Unfortunately, similar to book #1, the last few chapters are a letdown as the mystery fizzles and Lori’s irrational behavior puts a damper on the romance. Nevertheless, Start Me Up is an entertaining read with engaging characters and I’m looking forward to the final installment in the series.
4 Stars
Small town mechanic, Lori Love, has always longed for adventure away from Tumble Creek, but the responsibilities of family and business have kept her at home. According to her best friend, Molly, all that Lori really needs is hot sex and lots of it, and she has just the candidate - her nerdy brother, Quinn Jennings. Uninterested in the angst of romance, Quinn is ready and eager to oblige, but the no-strings attached relationship soon gets old when someone starts targeting Lori, and Quinn’s protective instincts and his heart are kicked into overdrive.
As with the first book in this series, the story begins well as Lori and Quinn become reacquainted and realize that they have more in common than his sister. Quinn is sexy and sweet, and his chemistry with Lori is off the charts - their banter and forays into sexual fantasy makes for some seriously steamy reading.
Unfortunately, similar to book #1, the last few chapters are a letdown as the mystery fizzles and Lori’s irrational behavior puts a damper on the romance. Nevertheless, Start Me Up is an entertaining read with engaging characters and I’m looking forward to the final installment in the series.
April 14, 2011
Joint review with originally posted on .
Catherine and I are talking about Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl today. 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.
Lori had always planned to get out of tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado, but when her late dad left her his beloved auto body shop, she’d stayed. Now, according to her crazy best friend, Molly, what Lori needs is some excitement, in the form of hot, no-strings-attached sex…and lots of it.
Quinn Jennings has buildings on the brain—not love and romance. A serious architect, he’s delighted to discover that Lori is willing to skip dating protocols and head straight for the sheets. And aided by the steamy books on Lori’s bedside table, he’s busy indulging both of their wildest fantasies. But when life in Tumble Creek takes a dangerous turn for Lori, Quinn’s protective instincts kick in.
Suddenly he cares. More than either of them ever expected�.
Sophia: Start Me Up is the second book in Tumble Creek series by Victoria Dahl. We’ll start this time by talking about the hero, Quinn. I’m not going tip-toe around this. I LOVED QUINN! I have a real fondness for nerdy types in romance. They are always sex gods in disguise. I love that! *ahem* Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, how did you feel about Quinn as the lead in this book?
Catherine: I am right there with you. Quinn was fabulous! He was so sweet and nerdy and then he would morph into the “sex ninja.� It never felt out of place with his characterization either, which I definitely appreciated. I liked how normal he seemed. That’s one of the things I appreciate most about Dahl’s characters. The friends hang out and banter back and forth without seeming like they’re trying to be friends. Know what I mean? They just are friends.
I also really liked that Quinn was Molly’s brother. The falls-for-the-best-friend’s-sibling is a favorite trope of mine anyway, but it also added a nice bit of tension and secrecy in the beginning. Watching Molly bust Lori out was hilarious! Even though Quinn was my favorite character of the two I still enjoyed Lori–although she did grate a tad at the end. What did you think of her?
Sophia: The friends-to-lovers or falls-for-the-best-friend’s-sibling troupe are also a favorites of mine. Mostly because the couple already have a history, they know each other and then we get the excitement of the hero and heroine realizing there is a new layer to their relationship. In Lori and Quinn’s case they went straight for the sexy times and the rest followed but it was believable because they had a friendship first.
I liked Lori for the most part. I liked that she was ready to spread her wings, and fulfill a few fantasies and I thought it was great that she chose her long time friend Quinn to take a walk on the wild side with. Their chemistry was great and since they had a history she trusted him. Lori was fun because she was wanting to be adventurous and live out some romance novel fantasies but her discomfort in letting loose and inner dialogue was quite comical at times. Good thing she had that ‘sex-ninja� to help her out. *wink*
What bothered me about Lori–and what put a pock mark on this romance for me–was Lori’s treatment of Quinn when it came to their friendship. As I’ve said they had history and it seemed once they took things to the bedroom she dismissed the friendship. At one point she suffers a pretty serious injury and completely shuts him out knowing it would hurt him. I know at that point she was nervous about the romantic feelings that were seeping into their relationship but they were friends before all else and I thought Lori treated Quinn poorly and it bothered me.
Catherine: I, unfortunately, noticed the same thing. That’s what made her grate on me toward the end. I could understand her position about not wanting to start a relationship, but she seemed to forget their friendship at times in her rush to make it clear they weren’t a couple. I knew where she was coming from, but it was like she couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I ended up feeling sorry for Quinn because he was so eager to help her and so hurt by her refusal to let him.
But I can’t say that he was perfect either. There at the end when he tried to decide her future he really took a misstep with me. I was glad she didn’t just roll with it. Because even though some of the stuff he said was true, it really wasn’t his place to say it. She was absolutely right, it’s her life. Who is he to think that he knows best? What do you think?
Sophia: I had the feeling that Quinn went into panic mode with Lori at that point. He realized his feelings for her were the real deal and he felt he had to do something or she was going to slip right through his fingers. Unfortunately what he did was wrong, wrong, wrong. LOL. But I have to say, Lori’s reaction made me feel better about her as a character. Her likability factor went way up when she stood up to him. That was a pivotal point in their relationship where lines were drawn and they would either sink or float. Fortunately the author did not take the easy way out and resolve this stand-off in a few paragraphs, and I found the relationship to be very believable.
I want to switch gears here and talk about the mystery in this book. Although the story was mainly focused around the relationship between Quinn and Lori, there was a bit of a mystery and a villain. I was actually quite sympathetic toward the so-called bad guy and although I suspected him early on, I held out hope for him throughout the story. I have to say I was a little sad in how the mystery played out. What are your thoughts?
Catherine: It made me sad too. I saw it coming as well, but not the why of it all. When I found out the whole story I felt bad for the “bad guy� but I also totally understood Lori’s reaction and ended up being proud that she reacted the way she did. It was so smart and not like the standard Romance heroine’s usually react. Often they’re a bit too sympathetic and forgiving (to the point of stupidity) for my taste. Lori reacted like a rational person would and booked it. I really liked that she struggled with her feelings about the bad guy after all was resolved.
How did you feel about the HFN (Happy For Now) end instead of the standard I-love-you-let’s-get-married HEA (Happily Ever After) ending? I’m really glad that Dahl left it like that. It felt more realistic and hopeful than it would have been would have been otherwise. I noticed that Ben and Molly are still only dating as well. I like the slower, measured pace of the relationships in this trilogy. Do you like that as well or would you prefer a more concrete relationship?
Sophia: Since I read romance almost exclusively I’ve come to expect the full-on HEA ending. I admit at first it felt like a little something was missing not having the whole relationship tied up and a neat little bow. But again, Dahl’s stories have a nice realistic feel to them and it is quite refreshing that she holds true to that even in the end. Plus, who knows, maybe there’s more stories that need to be told in the romantic relationships in Tumble Creek? *crosses fingers*
Catherine: I tend to prefer a concrete HEA in most books, myself. But I actually appreciated the HFN in this trilogy (so far) because they just didn’t feel ready for the HEA yet. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m glad Dahl didn’t just tack one on because it was supposed to be there.
Before we wrap this up I have to mention the sexy factor in this book. Quinn really got into his “research� and was perfectly willing to experiment and see what turned Lori’s crank. That scene behind the restaurant�. *fans self* I also love that we saw them have sex without any games or role-playing. It really helped show me that it wasn’t just the thrill of the experience that was making it so good for them both. I enjoyed the little snips of the erotica we got to see, too. I thought it was a fun touch.
Sophia: The restaurant alley scene was one of the best sex scenes I have read in while. WOW! The heat and passion between Quinn and Lori was so intense. I really liked that not only was Quinn into Lori’s fantasies but he seemed genuinely surprised at his own response to some of the bedroom games they played. It wasn’t overdone, just fun and sexy.
So to wrap up, I really enjoyed this second installment of the Tumble Creek series. Lori and Quinn had great chemistry, I loved their easy humor and I was invested in the romance. The sex was smoking hot and Quinn’s title as ‘sex ninja� stands. Lori’s dismissal of her friendship with Quinn and her treatment of him at times threw me out of the romance groove and frustrated me but all in all Start Me Up was an enjoyable, entertaining read. 4 hearts.
Catherine: Despite the few minor irritations mentioned, I really enjoyed this book as well. I can’t wait to get to Jane’s story! 4 hearts from me.
Sophia’s Favorite Quote:
Catherine’s Favorite Quote:
Catherine and I are talking about Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl today. 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.
Lori had always planned to get out of tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado, but when her late dad left her his beloved auto body shop, she’d stayed. Now, according to her crazy best friend, Molly, what Lori needs is some excitement, in the form of hot, no-strings-attached sex…and lots of it.
Quinn Jennings has buildings on the brain—not love and romance. A serious architect, he’s delighted to discover that Lori is willing to skip dating protocols and head straight for the sheets. And aided by the steamy books on Lori’s bedside table, he’s busy indulging both of their wildest fantasies. But when life in Tumble Creek takes a dangerous turn for Lori, Quinn’s protective instincts kick in.
Suddenly he cares. More than either of them ever expected�.
Sophia: Start Me Up is the second book in Tumble Creek series by Victoria Dahl. We’ll start this time by talking about the hero, Quinn. I’m not going tip-toe around this. I LOVED QUINN! I have a real fondness for nerdy types in romance. They are always sex gods in disguise. I love that! *ahem* Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, how did you feel about Quinn as the lead in this book?
Catherine: I am right there with you. Quinn was fabulous! He was so sweet and nerdy and then he would morph into the “sex ninja.� It never felt out of place with his characterization either, which I definitely appreciated. I liked how normal he seemed. That’s one of the things I appreciate most about Dahl’s characters. The friends hang out and banter back and forth without seeming like they’re trying to be friends. Know what I mean? They just are friends.
I also really liked that Quinn was Molly’s brother. The falls-for-the-best-friend’s-sibling is a favorite trope of mine anyway, but it also added a nice bit of tension and secrecy in the beginning. Watching Molly bust Lori out was hilarious! Even though Quinn was my favorite character of the two I still enjoyed Lori–although she did grate a tad at the end. What did you think of her?
Sophia: The friends-to-lovers or falls-for-the-best-friend’s-sibling troupe are also a favorites of mine. Mostly because the couple already have a history, they know each other and then we get the excitement of the hero and heroine realizing there is a new layer to their relationship. In Lori and Quinn’s case they went straight for the sexy times and the rest followed but it was believable because they had a friendship first.
I liked Lori for the most part. I liked that she was ready to spread her wings, and fulfill a few fantasies and I thought it was great that she chose her long time friend Quinn to take a walk on the wild side with. Their chemistry was great and since they had a history she trusted him. Lori was fun because she was wanting to be adventurous and live out some romance novel fantasies but her discomfort in letting loose and inner dialogue was quite comical at times. Good thing she had that ‘sex-ninja� to help her out. *wink*
What bothered me about Lori–and what put a pock mark on this romance for me–was Lori’s treatment of Quinn when it came to their friendship. As I’ve said they had history and it seemed once they took things to the bedroom she dismissed the friendship. At one point she suffers a pretty serious injury and completely shuts him out knowing it would hurt him. I know at that point she was nervous about the romantic feelings that were seeping into their relationship but they were friends before all else and I thought Lori treated Quinn poorly and it bothered me.
Catherine: I, unfortunately, noticed the same thing. That’s what made her grate on me toward the end. I could understand her position about not wanting to start a relationship, but she seemed to forget their friendship at times in her rush to make it clear they weren’t a couple. I knew where she was coming from, but it was like she couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I ended up feeling sorry for Quinn because he was so eager to help her and so hurt by her refusal to let him.
But I can’t say that he was perfect either. There at the end when he tried to decide her future he really took a misstep with me. I was glad she didn’t just roll with it. Because even though some of the stuff he said was true, it really wasn’t his place to say it. She was absolutely right, it’s her life. Who is he to think that he knows best? What do you think?
Sophia: I had the feeling that Quinn went into panic mode with Lori at that point. He realized his feelings for her were the real deal and he felt he had to do something or she was going to slip right through his fingers. Unfortunately what he did was wrong, wrong, wrong. LOL. But I have to say, Lori’s reaction made me feel better about her as a character. Her likability factor went way up when she stood up to him. That was a pivotal point in their relationship where lines were drawn and they would either sink or float. Fortunately the author did not take the easy way out and resolve this stand-off in a few paragraphs, and I found the relationship to be very believable.
I want to switch gears here and talk about the mystery in this book. Although the story was mainly focused around the relationship between Quinn and Lori, there was a bit of a mystery and a villain. I was actually quite sympathetic toward the so-called bad guy and although I suspected him early on, I held out hope for him throughout the story. I have to say I was a little sad in how the mystery played out. What are your thoughts?
Catherine: It made me sad too. I saw it coming as well, but not the why of it all. When I found out the whole story I felt bad for the “bad guy� but I also totally understood Lori’s reaction and ended up being proud that she reacted the way she did. It was so smart and not like the standard Romance heroine’s usually react. Often they’re a bit too sympathetic and forgiving (to the point of stupidity) for my taste. Lori reacted like a rational person would and booked it. I really liked that she struggled with her feelings about the bad guy after all was resolved.
How did you feel about the HFN (Happy For Now) end instead of the standard I-love-you-let’s-get-married HEA (Happily Ever After) ending? I’m really glad that Dahl left it like that. It felt more realistic and hopeful than it would have been would have been otherwise. I noticed that Ben and Molly are still only dating as well. I like the slower, measured pace of the relationships in this trilogy. Do you like that as well or would you prefer a more concrete relationship?
Sophia: Since I read romance almost exclusively I’ve come to expect the full-on HEA ending. I admit at first it felt like a little something was missing not having the whole relationship tied up and a neat little bow. But again, Dahl’s stories have a nice realistic feel to them and it is quite refreshing that she holds true to that even in the end. Plus, who knows, maybe there’s more stories that need to be told in the romantic relationships in Tumble Creek? *crosses fingers*
Catherine: I tend to prefer a concrete HEA in most books, myself. But I actually appreciated the HFN in this trilogy (so far) because they just didn’t feel ready for the HEA yet. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m glad Dahl didn’t just tack one on because it was supposed to be there.
Before we wrap this up I have to mention the sexy factor in this book. Quinn really got into his “research� and was perfectly willing to experiment and see what turned Lori’s crank. That scene behind the restaurant�. *fans self* I also love that we saw them have sex without any games or role-playing. It really helped show me that it wasn’t just the thrill of the experience that was making it so good for them both. I enjoyed the little snips of the erotica we got to see, too. I thought it was a fun touch.
Sophia: The restaurant alley scene was one of the best sex scenes I have read in while. WOW! The heat and passion between Quinn and Lori was so intense. I really liked that not only was Quinn into Lori’s fantasies but he seemed genuinely surprised at his own response to some of the bedroom games they played. It wasn’t overdone, just fun and sexy.
So to wrap up, I really enjoyed this second installment of the Tumble Creek series. Lori and Quinn had great chemistry, I loved their easy humor and I was invested in the romance. The sex was smoking hot and Quinn’s title as ‘sex ninja� stands. Lori’s dismissal of her friendship with Quinn and her treatment of him at times threw me out of the romance groove and frustrated me but all in all Start Me Up was an enjoyable, entertaining read. 4 hearts.
Catherine: Despite the few minor irritations mentioned, I really enjoyed this book as well. I can’t wait to get to Jane’s story! 4 hearts from me.
Sophia’s Favorite Quote:
“I do feel sort of like a harem girl being called up for the sultan’s latest pleasure.�
Catherine’s Favorite Quote:
“Aaron, listen. Please. I will never sleep with you. And I will never sleep with anyone else in front of you. Nor,� she interrupted when he opened his mouth to speak, “will I sleep with someone you know and then tell you about it. Is that clear enough? Just drop it, all right?�
"But…� He looked confused, not believing even a gay woman wouldn’t want to sleep with Aaron, god of the hot river guides. A deep crease of thought appeared between his eyebrows. “But I thought we were friends.�
”Oh, for God’s sake. I don’t even know what to say to that.�
March 27, 2010
Had high hopes that Start Me Up would be as funny as Talk Me Down, but there wasn't much humor to be found. Instead, I found the story depressing.
Set in Tumble Creek, Colorado, a fictitious town, just outside of Aspen. There was frequent traveling between the two places. The main characters, Lori Love and Quinn Jennings, first appeared in Talk Me Down. Lori's life was depressing. She was living her life by going through the motions--existing--when she decided a summer fling would help her out of her funky mood. Quinn, a lifelong friend and brother to her best friend, appeared at the right time and they decided to have a summer affair. It was pretty hot. Lori had some erotic romance novels that Quinn decided to read as "homework" and they reanacted a few love scenes.
Running along the side, was the mystery surrounding a piece of land, some acts of vandalism, suspicious events about Lori's father's death some ten years earlier, etc.
I liked Quinn, but sometimes, Lori got on my nerves. She needed to get out of her rut, but was in so deep it took some quality time with herself. I became frustrated with how she handled Quinn, the land suspense, how she stole something important, how she refused to admit she had feelings for Quinn, how she shut him down. More than once. I felt the book dragged in places and Lori almost made my TSTL shelf.
3 1/2 Stars
Set in Tumble Creek, Colorado, a fictitious town, just outside of Aspen. There was frequent traveling between the two places. The main characters, Lori Love and Quinn Jennings, first appeared in Talk Me Down. Lori's life was depressing. She was living her life by going through the motions--existing--when she decided a summer fling would help her out of her funky mood. Quinn, a lifelong friend and brother to her best friend, appeared at the right time and they decided to have a summer affair. It was pretty hot. Lori had some erotic romance novels that Quinn decided to read as "homework" and they reanacted a few love scenes.
Running along the side, was the mystery surrounding a piece of land, some acts of vandalism, suspicious events about Lori's father's death some ten years earlier, etc.
I liked Quinn, but sometimes, Lori got on my nerves. She needed to get out of her rut, but was in so deep it took some quality time with herself. I became frustrated with how she handled Quinn, the land suspense, how she stole something important, how she refused to admit she had feelings for Quinn, how she shut him down. More than once. I felt the book dragged in places and Lori almost made my TSTL shelf.
3 1/2 Stars
November 13, 2011
This book was a 4-star until the last quarter of the book showed that the heroine wasn't in love with the hero. :( I'm sorry but I read romance to see people fall in love not imagine that it happens when the book is over.
During the whole book, Lori only thinks of Quinn in terms of sex. Now, that makes sense at the beginning because they were supposed to having a 'torrid affair' but you would expect that later on she'd wake up to his good qualities. That never happens and even at the end, she only missed him for the sex.
One of the disturbing trends I see in contemporary romance is that the heroines act like they have to solve world hunger on their own. It’s a knee-jerk reaction to the old romance where the heroine was waiting for the hero to save her…well now women save themselves! But I believe that’s been taken too far. Modern heroines act like accepting help or guidance from the men in their life shows they’re weak or less than them and this is not true. I think a strong woman knows when to ask for help and continuing to believe you can take care of everything when the evidence shows differently is just childish. It doesn’t make me any less of a woman when I ask my husband to lift something from me. Obviously he’s stronger that I am…why should I get a hernia lifting something that’s easy for him to carry?
So read this book if you want a hot and funny read but don’t expect anything deep out of it.
During the whole book, Lori only thinks of Quinn in terms of sex. Now, that makes sense at the beginning because they were supposed to having a 'torrid affair' but you would expect that later on she'd wake up to his good qualities. That never happens and even at the end, she only missed him for the sex.
One of the disturbing trends I see in contemporary romance is that the heroines act like they have to solve world hunger on their own. It’s a knee-jerk reaction to the old romance where the heroine was waiting for the hero to save her…well now women save themselves! But I believe that’s been taken too far. Modern heroines act like accepting help or guidance from the men in their life shows they’re weak or less than them and this is not true. I think a strong woman knows when to ask for help and continuing to believe you can take care of everything when the evidence shows differently is just childish. It doesn’t make me any less of a woman when I ask my husband to lift something from me. Obviously he’s stronger that I am…why should I get a hernia lifting something that’s easy for him to carry?
So read this book if you want a hot and funny read but don’t expect anything deep out of it.
September 19, 2015
4.5 Stars
I loved this book. It was so much better than the first one. Lori Love still sees herself as the town's mechanic, who can't get a date because everyone thinks she's gay, and she'll never get out of Tumble Creek and realize her dreams, so at least she can turn all her sexual fantasies into reality by having a summer fling.
And it just so happens that her best friends brother, Quinn, wants to volunteer for the job. And he not only volunteers but puts in a good hard effort in making sure she is completely satisfied, even if it involves reading the erotica books she likes to figure out what she wants.
Their connection is amazing, their sexual chemistry is HOTTTT. Lori has a lot of confidence issues which in a way he helps her work through. And Quinn has his own issues with women, but Lori understands him, and not only that, he wants to be better with her.
Funny, drama, intrigue, and a lot of hot sex, including a very hot but maybe a bit unexpected scene in the back alley behind a restaurant. The issues seem that were easily fixed, and I was not expecting the solution to her fathers murder to end up the way it did. However I think the ending between Quinn and Holly could've been a bit better which is why I'm not giving this 5 stars.
Excellent series, can't wait to read Jane's story next.
I loved this book. It was so much better than the first one. Lori Love still sees herself as the town's mechanic, who can't get a date because everyone thinks she's gay, and she'll never get out of Tumble Creek and realize her dreams, so at least she can turn all her sexual fantasies into reality by having a summer fling.
And it just so happens that her best friends brother, Quinn, wants to volunteer for the job. And he not only volunteers but puts in a good hard effort in making sure she is completely satisfied, even if it involves reading the erotica books she likes to figure out what she wants.
Their connection is amazing, their sexual chemistry is HOTTTT. Lori has a lot of confidence issues which in a way he helps her work through. And Quinn has his own issues with women, but Lori understands him, and not only that, he wants to be better with her.
Funny, drama, intrigue, and a lot of hot sex, including a very hot but maybe a bit unexpected scene in the back alley behind a restaurant. The issues seem that were easily fixed, and I was not expecting the solution to her fathers murder to end up the way it did. However I think the ending between Quinn and Holly could've been a bit better which is why I'm not giving this 5 stars.
Excellent series, can't wait to read Jane's story next.
June 23, 2009
This was a fun book but not as good as the first for me. The story mostly revolved around a lot of sex, the suspense was pretty thin. I figured out the culprit early on which was sort of a let down. New characters would be mentioned and then show up a few chapters later. I'm not sure if it was to add to the whodunit aspect of the book but it felt kind of random. Overall, it was a fun read.
February 19, 2011
Oh! How delightful was to go back and visit Tumble Creek series! I have been pacing myself because i enjoy them soo much!
This book was no disappointment. IMOP Start me up,was even steamier that its first installment .
This series are very fun to read because they have such fresh outlook.From the characters to the premises, and even the reader`s expectations. When i saw this books i thought they were more in the erotica side,and they are to some degree due to the graphic steamy scenes. However, Dhal makes such a good job at keeping the story line in a good balanced pace of humor,central theme,and ofc the fun sexy issues.
Its now Lori`s turn to get her freak on and why not? her HEA!.Her character`s development was delightful. Our Heroine is on the brink of her 30`s,and life crisis comes around! she needs to overcome her own fears and break free from the many burdens she has been shouldering from very early on for far too long in her life. This is where i became extremely sympathetic to her situation,because how often we ask ourselves... How to break free when the biggest fear is to fail one more time?, When you have your life planed out and it takes a twisted turn of fate? How to break away, and take those risks when disillusionment hurts just as much? and so there we get stuck in the limbo; the scariest places of all. Because after you have been in that place long enough, dreams and the confidence to achieve them starts to chip away.. Well thats Lori`s predicament.And so she tries to snatch back and steal some pieces of her youth on a "safe path"; getting sexually satisfied with no strings attached.
Now, is where our Geeky, steamy,adorable Quinn "inserts himself" in this affair. Quinn worked his charm around me..because i fell for him page by page.He is one of the most passionate Heroes i have read.He is so absorbed by the moment and the things he loves to a degree of total forgetfulness on existence but where his mind is.ofc this trait backfires at times,but I personally found him irresistible because of the passion that pours from his very being. **hint 362-364** a wowza for me!!
they start their liaison..(a freaking hot one let me tell you!!) and a new journey of self-discovery. They both grow as individuals making intimacy possible,hence a very deserved HEA.
I cant wait to read the last book.. but im also so sad there is no more sexy Tumble Creek! it was very worth my while!!
April 8, 2011
4.5 stars
What a FANTASTIC series, I'm lovin' it!
Lori is Molly's (from ) best friend. She had plans growing up. International business major in Boston, travel all over the world & take it by storm...but life had a different idea for her. When her father got injured while she was in college, she quit everything to come home & take care of him. Then when he passed, she took over his business, his house, his life. At the cost of everything she ever wanted for herself...until she decides to do something about it, something she can control. She wants to have a summer fling. Enter Quinn, Molly's brother, and her lifetime friend. Not only does Quinn have nice hands, but he is the perfect candidate - too busy to get too involved, but male so definitely interested in a physical relationship. But, of course, that plan doesn't go the way it was supposed to either! Between the reopened investigation of her father's injury that lead to death, a stalker trying to close Lori's garage, & the feelings Lori & Quinn awaken within each other - this book is a fast-paced, sexy, suspenseful romance that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read them!
I loved the interactions between Quinn & Lori, the development of not only their relationship but their characters. Dahl writes combustible characters that are a blast to read about, mixes in a plot twist or two, a stalker here or there, & some sexy romance that I just can't get enough of. Can't wait to read the third book, about Jane, Quinn's uptight but pretty secretary.
What a FANTASTIC series, I'm lovin' it!
Lori is Molly's (from ) best friend. She had plans growing up. International business major in Boston, travel all over the world & take it by storm...but life had a different idea for her. When her father got injured while she was in college, she quit everything to come home & take care of him. Then when he passed, she took over his business, his house, his life. At the cost of everything she ever wanted for herself...until she decides to do something about it, something she can control. She wants to have a summer fling. Enter Quinn, Molly's brother, and her lifetime friend. Not only does Quinn have nice hands, but he is the perfect candidate - too busy to get too involved, but male so definitely interested in a physical relationship. But, of course, that plan doesn't go the way it was supposed to either! Between the reopened investigation of her father's injury that lead to death, a stalker trying to close Lori's garage, & the feelings Lori & Quinn awaken within each other - this book is a fast-paced, sexy, suspenseful romance that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read them!
I loved the interactions between Quinn & Lori, the development of not only their relationship but their characters. Dahl writes combustible characters that are a blast to read about, mixes in a plot twist or two, a stalker here or there, & some sexy romance that I just can't get enough of. Can't wait to read the third book, about Jane, Quinn's uptight but pretty secretary.
June 26, 2016
This is book two in the Tumble Creek Series, and even thought it didn't outshine the first book it was still amazing, I loved the real raw emotion you got from the characters and I LOVED that it was tied up in a pretty bow at the end. Yes you did get the happy ending but not the unrealistic happy ending you usually do. Lori was an amazing character and Quinn was a perfect fit for her. They just rocked and god were they steamy and HOTT... I also loved how the the Jane who is the Heroine of book 3 was effortlessly molded into the book like you had known her this whole time... Victoria Dahl has become one of my Favorite Authors literally over night.
January 28, 2010
Lori Love had to return to Tumble Creek to take care of her father, leaving her dreams in the dust. Now, ten years still working at her father's trucking company, she decides she is missing something in her life. Sex. And when she accidentally outs her secret plans to a Mr. Quinn Jennings, the table turns and now the secret fantasies are about to come to life.
This book was hot, I mean wow, I am speechless. The role-playing of the scenes from erotic books was just hot. But, again even with all the dirty sex they were having, it was still true to Victoria Dahl standards of being tastefully done. Who knew that a nerd, could be so freaking sexy when the lights go out.
This book was hot, I mean wow, I am speechless. The role-playing of the scenes from erotic books was just hot. But, again even with all the dirty sex they were having, it was still true to Victoria Dahl standards of being tastefully done. Who knew that a nerd, could be so freaking sexy when the lights go out.
November 14, 2015
This book was so good *sigh happily* I have a big grin on my face and I am in total bliss. It was amazing amazing amazing. Ratings are not everything. This goes straight to favs. I am actually beginning to tire in my checks from smiling so much.
There are so many great reviews out there but I will say that this was the hottest, funniest romance I've read in a long time. I blushed and laughed so much! I love this series and you should definitely read them in order - Molly and Ben play a big role in this one.
Quinn. Oh I fell in love with him. I wouldn't mind moving to a small town in Colorado and be isolated with him during the winter *big grin*.
There are so many great reviews out there but I will say that this was the hottest, funniest romance I've read in a long time. I blushed and laughed so much! I love this series and you should definitely read them in order - Molly and Ben play a big role in this one.
Quinn. Oh I fell in love with him. I wouldn't mind moving to a small town in Colorado and be isolated with him during the winter *big grin*.
December 1, 2010
Wow, I loved Talk Me Down, but if possible I loved Start Me Up even more! Quinn and Lori's story was very sweet, and I felt more connected to Lori's conflict than I did to Molly's. And the way Quinn proved to Lori that he 'liked' her more than buildings was touching and hot and worth 4 stars alone! I haven't read Ms. Dahl's historicals yet, but I sure hope they're as good as her contemporaries! And as spicy...wow this one was a spicy read!
August 18, 2009
I enjoyed Ms. Dahl's TALK ME DOWN so much that I couldn't wait to pick this one up... and I was not disappointed! START ME UP is a terrific contemp romance with a smart plot, believable mystery, hot sex, and characters that I really cared about. Now I can't wait for the next one, LEAD ME ON!
June 29, 2010
I'd heard that this was the weakest of the Tumble Creek series. Well, if this was weak, I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the books! Rawr! I felt good and dirty after reading it. GOOD and dirty.
July 1, 2015
¡Hermosa! Más romántica, más dulce y más divertida que “Convénceme� (el primer libro de la Serie Tumble Creek). Lori y Quinn son un amor. ¡Me encantó!
August 10, 2009
After reading "Talk me Down" I wasn't sure how any other contemporary romance could win my heart. But, after reading Start Me Up, I've learned that my heart can be an incredibly fickle bitch! Start Me Up is more funny, more sexy, and more romantic than Talk Me Down. Of course, I'm a sucker for the "old friends" vehicle so I was already pre-disposed to like this book. (I'm also a sucker for exes getting back together if anyone is keeping score!)
Because I didn't talk a lot about the sex in Talk Me Down, let me make up for that here. Wait....can I do that without giving anything away? There is one sex scene in here that made my book catch on fire. Seriously. I burned my fingers turning the pages. It is spoilerific to tell you what it is, but, trust me when I saw you'll know it when you see it! Hot. Now that sex is all the rage in romance books, the scenes can range from ho hum, to pretty damn ridiculous. It is the rare writer who can write sex in a way that isn't just believable, but incredibly exciting. Worth re-reading. Again. If it sounds simple to you, that's because you haven't read enough bad examples. Quinn and Lori weren't exceptionally hot separately, but they were combustible when together. It just reinforced my already widely held beliefs: Nerds (and Geeks) are hot. But please, don't take my word for it. That means more for me!
The characters, alreeady introduced in Talk Me Down, were developed nicely here. Although, I have to admit, I had a hard time picturing Lori in my head. The description was there, but that isn't what I wanted her to look like so I could never get a focus on her physical appearance. Her personality, though, was crystal clear. Dahl gets a bad rap on her heroines, but I happened to love Lori Love. I don't think she was unsympathetic at all. I thought she was a bit hard headed at times, but never in a way that seemed uncharacteristic. It always seemed to be in the way of someone who was used to fending for herself and not relying on the kindness of strangers, or even friends. She wasn't whiny about the things she'd given up, just matter of fact. She wasn't asking anyone to feel sorry for her, and she didn't waste time feeling sorry for herself either. If anything, that made her more sympathetic because who wants to read 300+ pages of someone feeling sorry for themselves? And who doesn't have a longing for something more? Something else? You can be happy with what you have and still wish you had something different. Travel? College? Or whatever it may have been you feel you've missed out on. That is a universally human characteristic (even if you don't want to admit it) which made Lori seem all the more likeable.
Quinn surprised me. The impression I had of him from Talk Me Down didn't go away -- he lived up to my geeky expectations -- but there was an entirely different side to him that I was surprised to meet. His interactions with Ben were especially entertaining. And just thinking about him speaking Spanish is taking....away....the chill....of the air conditioner..... ahem. Right. Geeks (and nerds) = sexy. All I'm saying....
The only "complaint" I might have about this book is that the ending and resolution seemed a bit rushed. You got an explanation about "who did it" and why. And, you know, it solves the mystery, but didn't seem particularly satisfying as endings go. I almost wish it had been an ongoing thing, continued into the next book, so it could be more exciting. But, it certainly wasn't disappointing enough to move this off the five star mark. All in all, it was a fantastic book. Run, don't walk, to pick it up.
Because I didn't talk a lot about the sex in Talk Me Down, let me make up for that here. Wait....can I do that without giving anything away? There is one sex scene in here that made my book catch on fire. Seriously. I burned my fingers turning the pages. It is spoilerific to tell you what it is, but, trust me when I saw you'll know it when you see it! Hot. Now that sex is all the rage in romance books, the scenes can range from ho hum, to pretty damn ridiculous. It is the rare writer who can write sex in a way that isn't just believable, but incredibly exciting. Worth re-reading. Again. If it sounds simple to you, that's because you haven't read enough bad examples. Quinn and Lori weren't exceptionally hot separately, but they were combustible when together. It just reinforced my already widely held beliefs: Nerds (and Geeks) are hot. But please, don't take my word for it. That means more for me!
The characters, alreeady introduced in Talk Me Down, were developed nicely here. Although, I have to admit, I had a hard time picturing Lori in my head. The description was there, but that isn't what I wanted her to look like so I could never get a focus on her physical appearance. Her personality, though, was crystal clear. Dahl gets a bad rap on her heroines, but I happened to love Lori Love. I don't think she was unsympathetic at all. I thought she was a bit hard headed at times, but never in a way that seemed uncharacteristic. It always seemed to be in the way of someone who was used to fending for herself and not relying on the kindness of strangers, or even friends. She wasn't whiny about the things she'd given up, just matter of fact. She wasn't asking anyone to feel sorry for her, and she didn't waste time feeling sorry for herself either. If anything, that made her more sympathetic because who wants to read 300+ pages of someone feeling sorry for themselves? And who doesn't have a longing for something more? Something else? You can be happy with what you have and still wish you had something different. Travel? College? Or whatever it may have been you feel you've missed out on. That is a universally human characteristic (even if you don't want to admit it) which made Lori seem all the more likeable.
Quinn surprised me. The impression I had of him from Talk Me Down didn't go away -- he lived up to my geeky expectations -- but there was an entirely different side to him that I was surprised to meet. His interactions with Ben were especially entertaining. And just thinking about him speaking Spanish is taking....away....the chill....of the air conditioner..... ahem. Right. Geeks (and nerds) = sexy. All I'm saying....
The only "complaint" I might have about this book is that the ending and resolution seemed a bit rushed. You got an explanation about "who did it" and why. And, you know, it solves the mystery, but didn't seem particularly satisfying as endings go. I almost wish it had been an ongoing thing, continued into the next book, so it could be more exciting. But, it certainly wasn't disappointing enough to move this off the five star mark. All in all, it was a fantastic book. Run, don't walk, to pick it up.
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