Pure Bliss by Lexi Blake Release Blitz

The town of Bliss, Colorado, offered Hope McLean a second chance at life, a gift she cherishes every day. Her past was dominated by dark secrets and regret, most of which centered on a man named Christian Grady. All of that was behind her now, years of horror distilled down into the occasional nightmare or a random feeling of being watched. Surrounded by new friends, she tried hard to leave the past where it belonged—in the rearview mirror.

Raised together, James Glen and Noah Bennett were the best of friends. They dreamed of growing up in Bliss, finding love, and settling down to share their lives on the Circle G ranch. James would manage the day-to-day operations of the ranch while Noah served the town as the resident veterinarian. Everything was perfectly planned out, until a woman came between them and their future shattered. Noah left Bliss for New York City and James was left to struggle to keep the Circle G alive on his own.

Noah returns to Bliss on a mission to rebuild his life. When he sees Hope, he knows his return home was meant to be. Hope’s kindness shines like a beacon calling him to her. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only man interested in Hope. James is also interested in the beautiful girl with a mysterious past. He can’t be forced to choose between the woman of his dreams and his best friend again.

As romance begins to bloom, a dark specter from Hope’s past returns to claim her. To save Hope, and themselves, James and Noah will have to rebuild the relationship they lost and fight for their future with Hope together.

Re-released in a second edition with new content.

Book 6
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

James and Noah were always brothers until a woman was able to squeeze between them and divide their loyalty. Despite wanting what was best for his family, James was not able to convince Noah that Ally just wanted them for what they could buy her, not because she loved them.

Years later, when James has made it with his ranch and Noah still hasn't returned, the last thing that James expects is that Noah return with James' long time crush, Hope, being carried in Noah's arms.

Hope found a place in Bliss and with her friends, despite being somewhat lonely, she loves living there. She loves her job and her self-made family. Her past continues to haunt her, and she really only told one person about it. But when glimpses of her past come back to taunt and stalk her, it will take all of her strength not to run. Her family will have to convince her that they are worth staying.

James and Noah's issues were the majority of this story. And while I can understand that they had a lot to work out, it seemed like their fight was drawn out to the point of being petty. I wanted more of the relationship between James, Noah, and Hope, but with all of the bickering and putting each other against the other, it was very juvenile feeling.

I loved all of the characters in this book and thought that they helped to move the story along. Despite me wanting more between the trio for the romance, I did like that they each had chemistry individually and when they came together, it was explosive.

I loved this book in the series and can't wait for the next one. I love all of the Bliss couples.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in the series, and a reader would most definitely benefit from reading the previous books to get a proper understanding of the dynamics of Bliss and its residents. They are all great stories, so you wouldn't regret it! Also, you would see just how lost James has been since Noah left... mostly lost in women!

Hope is a fairly new resident of Bliss, but she is keeping a low profile. She has run from her past and is now hoping to be able to set down some roots. She then thinks she sees a ghost from her past, and her calm exterior is severely stretched. When her friend, Logan, moves away, he tasks James with keeping an eye on her. He already realises that this is going to be a challenge, as he has been hiding his feelings for her for a while, but little does he know just how complicated things will become. Add in prodigal brother Noah returning, and he really does have to deal with a whole load of emotions he has been suppressing for years.

We then get to witness the men coming to terms with their past, and their mutual desire to have Hope in their future. It was moving at times, and Hope's strength of character is an effective foil to their damaged feelings for each other. And once they come to terms with their new relationship, in Lexi Blake signature style, they certainly know how to bring her a great deal of pleasure. Of course. then the ghost makes himself known, and the whole of Bliss is needed to save the day.

I loved the catch up with all the previous trios, and how they all played a significant role in the drama and the romance as it unfolds. There is also some fabulous humour, especially thanks to the pipes that lead down to Stella's kitchen!


Sarah – ☆☆☆
This is the story of two estranged brothers and the woman who brings them back together. Rancher James has fancied Hope since she arrived in Bliss. It takes his brother’s return and immediate interest in Hope before James is willing to do anything about his own attraction to Hope. This is the story of James, Noah, and Hope and the barriers they have to overcome to make a life together.

There is a strange morality in this book that I’m still trying to unpick. The relationships between the men in each triad are slightly disturbing. I really didn’t get on with the whole ‘I love you and can’t live without you’ but ‘no homo’ thing. The firm boundary that the men in each triad don’t touch each other sexually is reinforced a few times in this story. James and Noah can be emotionally intimate but never physically intimate – which is slightly ridiculous given they spend a good part of the book naked together. There’s a whiff of homophobia to this approach to a ménage that I really don’t like.

I’m also still trying to get my head around the controlling and possessive approach the men in Bliss all seem to have to the women in their lives. Both good guys and bad guys mention innocence, virginity, and purity far too many times for my liking. Poor Hope runs from one controlling relationship into another that sometimes doesn’t seem much better. The women are supposed to be strong in this series, but they all seem to unquestioningly accept the need of the men in their lives to protect them and to be responsible for them. Ultimately, there is an uncomfortable tension between traditional Bible Belt alpha men and their little ladies and the few grittier moments when the women are afforded some power and autonomy.

This story was originally released in 2012 under a pen name. I can really appreciate the way Lexi Blake’s writing has developed over the past seven years. Blake’s more recent writing is free from conservative moralising and her women are powerful and autonomous. Her men are allowed to fancy each other. But this isn’t a million miles from the Thieves and Hunter books. It’s not hard to see how the women in this series have the potential to become fantastic characters like Zoey and Kelsey – the characters here just lack some complexity and subtlety.

This was a really slow read for me. I struggled to get into the story and I found James and Noah’s patronising and controlling approach to Hope pretty off-putting. I’m not a big BDSM fan and I didn’t find the controlling bedroom scenes very sexy. There isn’t much romance in this book – it’s an insta-love story that kinda skips the whole courtship thing. The suspense storyline builds a little too slowly and unfolds a little bit too predictably for me.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Pure Bliss (Nights in Bliss, Colorado #6) by Lexi Blake to read and review for this tour.

Three to Ride by Lexi Blake Blog Tour

Rachel Swift is a woman on the run.

A stalker sent Rachel's world reeling. Now she's running for her life, and Bliss, CO, seems like the perfect place to hide. Bliss is a strange little town, filled with artists, nudists, and the occasional conspiracy nut. It's a good place to start over.

Max and Rye are just the men to catch her.

Horse trainer Max and Sheriff Rye gave up on their dream of finding one perfect woman to share long ago. Rachel walks in, and they're both in love and fighting their true natures.

A town like no other…

When Rachel's past catches up with her, all of Bliss is in danger. Rachel knows she should run, but how can she leave behind the love she's found with Max and Rye and the home she's built in Bliss? With her whole town behind her, Rachel is ready to make her stand. It's time for her to get back in the saddle and ride.

Author Note: Re-released in a second edition with two new chapters and additional new content.

Book 1
Buy Links

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Smashwords

Max’s hands slid down to cup his girlfriend’s perfect cheeks. He pulled her close and didn’t try to disguise the erection he was sporting. It had been days since he’d gotten inside her. It was starting to make him crazy.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he breathed as he leaned down to slant his mouth across hers.

Rachel softened against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn’t protest as his tongue swept in to play with hers. He hauled her up so her feet were dangling. It was the only way to get her pussy where he wanted it. He rubbed himself against her. He knew it made him a caveman, but he wanted to mark her as his. He wanted her to get a tattoo on that perfect ass of hers that read Property of the Harper Brothers.

Max set her down. His brain went there all the time now. He couldn’t stop thinking about Rachel between him and Rye. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Pancakes and sausage,” she replied with a suspicious gleam in her eyes.

He kissed her forehead gently and went to sit down at the kitchen table. He was very careful since she was studying him like she was trying to guess what he would do next. He didn’t want her to figure out what he was thinking. He had more than one thing he needed to hide from her today. He schooled his features to express nothing but innocence.

“Oh, God, what are you thinking?” Rachel looked utterly horrified. “Who are you going to kill?”

“What?” Max asked, holding his hands up in confusion.

She rounded the table and leaned over. He couldn’t help but notice she wasn’t wearing a bra. If he leaned in a bit, he could see the curve of her breasts and the faintest hint of nipple.

“Eyes up, mister,” she ordered in what he’d come to think of as her “drill sergeant” voice. His eyes obediently came up. He’d learned when it was in his best interests to obey her immediately. His baby was one tough cookie, and he was man enough to admit he needed her to be that way. He would walk all over her otherwise. That would make for one boring relationship. Rachel kept him on his toes.

“Sorry, baby.” He would try to distract her with charm. He had some of that. He smiled and pulled her hand into his. He tugged her down onto his lap. “I can’t help it. I get distracted by your breasts. They’re pretty. And I’m really, really horny. We haven’t had sex in days. It’s killing me.”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. Her arms went around his neck. “You just had surgery. You haven’t even had the stitches out yet. The doctor said we should wait a few days.”

“It’s been almost a week.” He put a little whine in his voice. Maybe if she thought he was simply horny, she would forget her suspicions. It was imperative that she not figure out what he had done after she’d gone to sleep. “I promise I could be super still. I would lie perfectly still, and you could do all the work.”

She grinned. It did strange things to his heart. “That sounds tempting. I’ll call the doctor today, and I’ll see if we can get him to let you off the leash.”

She kissed his cheek. She got up and went to the stove, where she poured out pancake batter. Max relaxed.

She rounded on him suddenly. “You’re sure you’re not planning something terrible?”

She knew him far too well. He grimaced inwardly. This was where Rye would come in handy. Rye could distract her. Rachel was far too much woman for one man. He needed his brother because Max had figured out that a tag team approach was required when Rachel got saucy. But he was all on his own now. He didn’t like the feeling.

“Baby, I’m planning on doing some light work around the barn. I’m going to spend some time with Sunflower, and then I’ll have Rye drive me into Del Norte for my checkup. That’s my plan.” It was true. It was part of his plan. He didn’t mention the stop he intended to make.

Her eyes narrowed, and he wondered briefly if she could make that spatula into a weapon. He thought she probably could. Max sighed. He could make it into one, too. He could pull her over his lap and shove those boxers off her hips, then spank that pert rear. He wouldn’t hurt her. He’d simply get her bottom all pink and pretty. He’d rather use his hand, though.

“You have crazy eyes today, Max. What did you just think?” she asked breathlessly.

Rye stood in the doorway. He had on jeans and a T-shirt. His hair was still wet from his shower. “He was wondering how you would handle it if he pulled you across his lap and spanked you with your spatula. You should use your hand, Max. It would be better.”

Rachel’s mouth fell open. She looked between the two of them like she was trying to figure out what to say.

Max pointed at Rye. “He said it.”

Rye shrugged. “He was thinking it.”

“So were you.”

Rye’s face fell. Max saw him look down at the crotch of his jeans. “Damn it.”

Rye turned and walked back down the hall. Max knew exactly where he was going.

“What’s wrong with him?” She looked concerned as his brother marched off.

Max smiled broadly. Rye had done his job. She wasn’t thinking about his potential plans anymore. She set a plate in front of him.

“I guess he’s not hungry,” Max lied.

His brother was hungry, all right. He’d been hungry since the minute he laid eyes on Rachel.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I fell in love with this series years ago and I'm glad to have had another chance to read it again and review it for Wicked Reads.

Rachel is a woman on the run from an abusive man she had one date with. One date. Utterly alone and with the cops not being able to help her, she gets help from an unlikely source and leaves everything behind.

When her car breaks down just outside of Bliss, she knows she can't stay, as much as she wants to. People in little towns ask lots of questions and she can't risk becoming attached to anyone. He will find her again, and this time she's afraid he will do more than hurt her.

Max Harper is tired. Tired of the women his brother, Rye, brings home. He knows that the women are not right for the life he, they, want. They want a woman they can share, be husbands to, to have kids with. He's not willing to settle for a woman who's not the one.

When Max sees Rachel at the diner, he's all in. There's something about Rachel that calls to him, that soothes his rough edges. He's even willing to go solo if that's what it takes to make Rachel his. He knows that without Rye being part of his relationship with Rachel, he can't possibly give her everything she needs but he will try.

Rye knows there's something going on with Max and when he meets Rachel, he begins to fall in love with her as well. He steps back, giving Max and Rachel time to themselves, all the while longing for the peace that comes over Max when he's with Rachel.

After Max's accident, Rachel learns that she can't live without either Max or Rye and thankfully, she's in a town where all things are possible.

I love reading about Bliss, CO where everyone and love in all shapes and combinations are not only accepted but celebrated. I love spending afternoons in Bliss where the off-beat and unconventional are the norm and beets are the menu.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is the first time I've read this series, despite it being out for a while. I have to say that it didn't disappoint.

You kind of begin in the middle of Rachel's crisis. However, it's not in a jarring way – it gives great context to the story. She is strong but knows when she needs to be ahead of the trouble. When she finds herself at the end of her money and somewhere she doesn't really know where – Rachel ends up in the middle of a blizzard and hungry. Despite her reservations of being on the run, she likes the quirky feel to Bliss. Rachel knows that small towns offer little protection, but she's desperate and thinks maybe staying a little while will be fine.

Max and Rye have been sharing women since they were young. Being brothers, it was just a natural reaction for them. But with Max being tired of not finding the right woman to love and marry between him and his brother, both decide that maybe it's time they try their luck separately.

Max is the town sheriff and because of that, he travels for a conference right as the storm hits. With Rye left behind, Rye is the first to come across Rachel and when she puts him in his place, he is more than intrigued. Despite being known around town as the rougher of the two twins, for some reason, he allows Rachel to get the better of him.

When Max returns and sees how happy his brother is with Rachel, he's jealous and also wants his brother to be happy. It's difficult for him to rectify the emotions, but he also knows that if Rye has found someone, he can't stand in the way.

Rachel fears that her stalker will find her and despite having the strong arms of Rye around her, things begin to creep in to her fears and when push comes to shove, Rachel has to decide to stay and fight or run again.

I really enjoyed the banter between all three main characters and it was fun to see how the town integrated into the story. I can't wait to see what happens next! Especially given the twins' friends and their devious ways to get the brothers to see that they could both love Rachel.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a series – and I would recommend that you read the author's note at the beginning as it was fascinating understanding where the ideas came from, and why finally Bliss is allowed to live again! There is a degree of world building in the book, but I loved the wackiness of the community, even if it did feel a little dated – and I think that is because we are all so much more political than it even seemed to acknowledge, but that is an observation rather than a criticism.

I am a huge fan of ménage stories, so the fact that this grows slowly due to a change in the twins’ modus operandi had me waiting for how it was going to work out. But I liked that Rachel had a chance to restore her confidence with Max, and fantasise about Rye. Whilst she couldn't deny the chemistry, she had a lot of trust to rebuild. Max also had major trust issues, so they were the perfect starting point for the potential romance.

Although the story happens over a fairly short space of time, it never felt rushed. I loved that we already have the set up for the next story and am looking forward to its release.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Three to Ride (Nights in Bliss, Colorado #1) by Lexi Blake to read and review for this tour.