| Title | : | Taming the Storm (The Storm, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 335 |
| Publication | : | First published July 1, 2014 |
Her father has let her down her whole life. Her brother betrayed her in the worst way possible. And her past relationship experiences with men have been less than great.
Lyla is focussing all her energy into her band, Vintage, so when they receive an offer to sign with TMS Records, it seems that things are finally turning around for her. The last thing she wants is a man getting in the way.
Tom Carter loves women. Okay, love might be pushing it … Tom enjoys screwing lots of women.
When tragedy befalls his best friend, Tom finds himself making a promise to the big man upstairs – he’ll change his ways, if he saves the woman his best friend loves.
Tom’s prayer is answered. Now he has to change. Which means no sleeping around.
After Vintage’s manager breaks her leg skiing, Tom steps in as tour manager, and Lyla finds herself on tour with the man whore of rock.
Put one perpetually horny Tom and one sex resistant Lyla together, equals a recipe for disaster. Or so you’d think…
But an unexpected friendship is formed. A closeness neither of them expected. Putting one chastity belt and one lamp that is in desperate need of rubbing, to the test.
Will the sex storm that is Tom Carter, finally find himself tamed by the rock chick with a hardened heart, or will he go back to his womanizing ways…?
Taming the Storm (The Storm, #3) Reviews
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Taming the Storm teaser...!
Wearing only a shirt of Tom’s, which I retrieved from his bedroom closet, I tread down the stairs, my toes sinking into the soft carpet.
Looking around as I walk, I take his house in. Not something I got the chance to do last night. I had other things on my mind then … mainly, Tom.
In the light of day, this house is surprising me. It’s all soft furnishings, beautiful paintings hanging on walls, plush carpets and hardwood floors, kind of surprising.
Not what I would expect a rock stars house to look like … well, not Tom’s house anyway.
I had his place imagined as a fuck pad, pictures of naked women hanging on the walls, empty pizza boxes and beer bottles lying everywhere. And a few actual naked groupies littered around the place for extra decoration and personal usage.
But some serious thought and care has gone into making this house look beautiful and warm. Actually, I wouldn’t even call it a house, because it’s more than that… it’s a home.
Tom’s home.
A warm, gooey feeling fills my chest.
Pushing the feeling aside, I keep moving.
Reaching the hall, my feet move over warm, hardwood flooring, heading toward the sound and smell of food being fried.
I push open the kitchen door and the sight awaiting me is … well, it’s outstanding.
Tom Carter standing at the stove, barefoot, shirtless, wearing nothing but a pair of running shorts.
And he’s frying bacon.
It’s like all my Christmases have come at once.
“Isn’t that a little risky?” I lean against the door frame.
Tom turns, spatula in hand, questioning eyebrow raised.
“Hot fat. Very little clothing.” I point to his bare chest.
He grins that sexy grin of his. “I’m hardcore, Firecracker. You know that.” Then he winks.
And I puddle to the floor.
He’s so dreamy.
And I’m such a fucking girl. -
5 Firecracker stars!
Tom ‘Rub the Lamp’ Carter. I’ve been waiting for his book for a while now. And I’m so happy to say that it didn’t disappoint! I love a good man whore and Tom is just that. A rockstar, a slut, an easy going and lovable guy. He’s a man who would do anything for the few people in this world he cares for. And that includes Jake and Tru. So he makes a deal to turn over a new leaf…
Lyla ‘Firecracker’ Summers is the lead singer of the band Vintage and her band just signed with TMS records. After some hard times, she’s done with men. She’s focusing on herself and the music. That’s whats important. When Lyla finds out Tom Carter is going to be the tour manager, she’s not excited. Thats the last thing she needs. A mut (Lyla’s term for Man Slut) hanging around her band, trying to hit on her and not taking anything seriously. She thinks she has Tom all pegged, but she doesn’t realize he’s made some changes in his life. That doesn’t stop him from hitting on Lyla… And his reaction to her rejection is hilarious!
“Jesus, you think I’m a lesbian because I wouldn’t sleep with you?”
“Well, yeah. What other reason could there be?”
“God you’re an egotistical asshole. You ever consider that I wouldn’t sleep with you because you’re not my type?”
“Not possible, darlin’. I’m everyone’s type.”
Even if Lyla hadn’t sworn off guys, she still wouldn’t go for Tom. She doesn’t do casual and he’s not the type to commit.
As the tour goes on, Lyla and Tom do something so unexpected… they form a friendship. There is a ton of sexual tension in the mix, but they become friends. Lyla needs someone to talk to and she shares things with Tom she never speaks of. Tom opens up to her as well. The more time passes, the harder it gets to keep things platonic. Their attraction is intense and their chemistry is explosive.
I'm attracted to him and turned on pretty much twenty-four/ seven because I have to live on the same tour bus as him. For a woman who is on a sex ban, that's like sticking a dieter in the middle of a chocolate factory.
Lyla comes to the conclusion that she does want Tom. She’s just afraid to be with him. She knows the type of damage a man like him could do. But he is persistent.
“You’re running because you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared of anything- least of all you.”
“Yeah, you are. But there’s nothing to be scared of. I’m gonna show you that. You can keep running, but I will catch you soon. I’m not giving up, Lyla.”
Does sex between friends ever work out? Lyla and Tom might just put that to the test. Tom is about to find out if he can be tamed, or will forever be the manwhore he’s known best as.
I adored Tom. He was such a character. A majority of the book, he kept a huge grin plastered to my face. Was he an asshole once or twice. Yes. But he made up for it in the end. I loved how possessive he was with Lyla. You wouldn’t think the goofball Tom would be a dominate passionate man, but Lyla brought that out in him.
Lyla was a lovable character. I liked her a lot. She went through a lot, and I admired her strength. Tom and Lyla were such opposites, but when you looked deeper- they had much more in common than anyone would expect.
Taming the Storm has dual pov so we get lots from Lyla and Tom’s perspective. I needed that. Samantha Towle is a fantastic author. I’m always captivated by her writing. I loved that this story not only had romance, but also focused on friendship. We meet some wonderful secondary characters. I’m dying for a Cale book here!
Love, family, friendship, rock and roll, steam, and lots of humor. Thats what you have in store for you when you pick up Taming the Storm. It was easy to read, and once I started I didn’t want to stop. Would I recommend this? Hell yes. I love rockstar books and this one gets a full 5 stars from me!!!
“You’re my heaven, Firecracker.”
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4 Stars!
Taming the Storm was such a sexy, smokin' hot, mischievous friends with benefits book. I enjoyed the delicious banters and the light angst and drama that accompanied this story.
We've met the panty-dropping, sexy as sin Tom Carter in the previous books of this series. The bassist of the famous rock band The Mighty Storm, he is definitely trouble. He's a manwhore at its finest and he doesn't believe in relationships. Then there's this lovely and talented vocalist Lyla Summers of the Vintage band who has been on numerous heartbreaks which led her to become a man-hater. Little does she know that she's about to break her rules when Tom becomes her band's tour manager. Since the sexual tension is palpable between them, their hook-up turned into sex. Lots and lots of pure, unadulterated lusty raw sex everywhere. Lol.
Now how can she continue to play her never-trust-a-man card when Tom is so irresistible and their connection is just too strong?
I can say that this book is lighter compared to
The Mighty Storm and
Wethering the Storm. The characters were fun and there was a rich cast of secondary characters. Despite Tom and Lyla's family dramas, the story didn't surprisingly go all that deep in terms of angst, and I loved it. What I just didn't quite like was Lyla's inconsistent attitude and decisions. She reminds me of Tru in so many ways. However, I loved Tom's character and how he developed all throughout the book. He's one of those characters that really make me swoon from cover to cover! Although this book can be read as standalone, I suggest you read the previous books of the series first. That is if you do not want to be spoiled with Jake and Tru's story of
The Mighty Storm.
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*5 Firecracker stars*
I really loved this book. If you liked previous two books in this series then you'll probably love this one too. It was as good as the first one, if not better, still not sure about it.....
What can I say? Sexual chemistry, funny banter, nervous anticipation, hot sex, dirty talking, friendship, romance, tenderness, heartbreak and finally happy ending. It's all there.
When you add great main charachters and interesting second ones to it, you have a wonderful book, for me anyway. And besides, those rockers! how can you not love them? You simply can't.
The main female character, Lyla, is talented, smart, sexy, very very funny, friendly and generally a good girl. She has hard time trusting men and opening her heart, but when she finally does, she's 100% in."My virginia is closed for business. Virginia is my nickname for my vajayjay."
"Tom might have temporarily broken the straps on my chastity belt, but I padlocked that fucker buck up, and I'm not ready to take it off for anyone else."
"So, I guess, bang goes my sex ban...with an actual bang."
"Then he smiles his polite smile at me. He doesn't even look at my boobs. Well, he might as well have just kicked me in my virginia."
"And I say session because sex with Tom is not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am affair. No, siree. He's the kind of guy who believes in oral and more oral and sex and more sex, until I think I might die from orgasming too much."
When it comes to Tom...well, I might just have a new crush. Musician, well build, tattooed, handsome, with overblown ego, cocky bastard and very confident. But except being totally awesome on the outside, he is just as good on the inside. He is warm, caring, supportive, protective and posessive. Ok, he might have done one dick move, but told Lyla the truth, apologized, she forgave him, I did too. And the things that come out of him mouth.......oh my
"And just so you know, I might have gone through a lot of women in my time, but when I fuck - I fuck long and slow...real fucking slow."
" - Dick.
- Dick? Yes, I have one. And it's fucking huge."
" - I know you want me, so there's no way I'm backing off.
- I really don't want you.
- Don't fucking lie. I can smell your aruosal from here. And it's making me hard, Ly. Rock. Fucking. Hard."
"You're mine, no one gets to touch you but me, you got that?"
"I would give up everything, including myself, for you...because I would rather have a moment of everything with you than a lifetime of nothing."
So, to cut a long story short, very good read, 5 well deserved stars from me.
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Super hot, tasty, romantic and HOT!! Did I mention it was hot?!
I LOVE this story and I ADORE Tom!
Samantha Towle cleverly seduced me back into the 'Mighty Storm' world with the prologue. She took me right back to the story of Jake and Tru, made me shed a tear, warmed me towards Lyla, and reminded me about the gorgeous Tom.
Tom is the wild man, whore bassist from The Might Storm. "He’s pure primal male,” a good time boy who's always willing, able and ready for anything with his "rub the lamp" tattoo. That makes me smile every time! His persona is jovial, adventurous, masterful and charismatic in a cheeky chappy way. He’s a lot of fun and thinks how I imagine a guy like him would think. There's also another side to Tom, a vulnerable, I've-been-badly-hurt Tom. A darker, deeper side. A side he hides from most people. There's a reason for his womanizing ways and it's this side of Tom that touched my heart. He made a promise to change but that doesn't mean he wants a relationship?
Lyla Summers doesn't have a great track record with the male population, including friends, family and lovers. For her own protection she’s anti relationships; she's in protection mode and only interested in the success of her band, Vintage.
Tom and Lyla are thrown together on a tour bus. He's tried his luck with her before, and failed….. She’s certainly no intention of hooking up with Tom..... ever?
They both struggle with their feelings, what exactly are they to each other? She has her pride and he has his lifestyle…. He can’t afford to care about anyone. Perhaps they can get each other out of their system?
I love their banter and adored watching their relationship grow and develop; fighting their attraction and inner feelings, giving us, the reader, some delicious sexual tension and heart flutter moments. The will they won't they, the almost and then....
FIREWORKS
Samantha Towle writes epic sexy love scenes. So wonderfully hot!
Lyla experiences Tom full on, all of him.
“…my body will always want him.”
But can she tame him?
Taming the Storm gave me the best undressing scene I've ever experienced. It's just.... LOVELY! The way this author writes intimate scenes is just divine.... Samantha Towle paints that heady feeling of sex and eroticism so perfectly.... the out of body, intense feeling that sex can give you. “…hot and perfect.”
I simply LOVE everything about the Storm series by Samantha Towle... The story the characters, the emotion and the feeling. Samantha Towle writes with wit, ease and irony which gives an enormous amount of personality to the characters and the story. For me, Taming the Storm completely lives up to the previous two books. This author writes people falling in love with magic perfection. It made me see rainbows and stars and everything beautiful and then placed them in the center of my heart. If you love a beautifully written, SMOKING hot romance than grab this book and enjoy the experience!
*Note* Taming The Storm is told from the dual perspective of Tom and Lyla. It can be read as a standalone but, if you’re yet to experience this series, I’d highly recommend the first two books. -
This story is about Tom, the bass player in The Mighty Storm, Jake's best friend and well known manwhore or "mut" as Lyla calls them. Lyla is the lead singer of a new group called Vintage that signs with Jake's record company. Lyla's been screwed over in more ways than one and she is not at all interested in Tom.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I only read this book because I love Jake and I read it just to get more of him and Tru. From the prior books, Tom was a bit sleazy and didn't interest me at all. Well, this book blew that out of the water!! Tom is HOT and not only that, he seriously gives Jake a run for the money...maybe not in the romance department but Tom is the one with the tough shell and it's all that softness underneath that I really loved!! I especially loved his nickname for Lyla, Firecracker.
I really liked Lyla too and my heart really went out to her especially after what happened at the beginning...how could it not? That was awful...ugh!! But she's stronger than she gives herself credit for and I liked that she was honest with her feelings.
The sexual tension is intense and it really helps getting both their POVs but...the emotional drama is a bit too much at times. They both want each other but there's all kinds of baggage so they play games with each other and I hated that. But I did love how they were able to confide in each other and I loved how they both associated certain songs with people.
Thankfully, they get past that and WOW, they are HOT HOT HOT!! Tom wore me out just reading about it...LOL!
Unfortunately, they have an agreement and all good things must come to an end. Lyla steps up to the plate though...too bad I can't say the same for Tom. And that's the one thing I didn't like about him...he can be sooo cruel! Granted, we get to find out why but I thought he was too much.
Both Cale and Shannon were really great secondary characters and I would love a Cale book, heck, even a Dex book would be interesting!
I did love the ending and how things come together with Wethering the Storm. I'm sad that this is the last book but hey, what a way to go!
Favorite quotes
♥ “What the hell?” Sonny whines. “I thought that room was going to be our pussy palace.”
♥ “Firecracker, I meant to tell you that I fucking love the T-shirt.”
♥ You’ve been a happy man for a long time now. What will you do if you run out of women? You might have to turn to men.”
♥ “You promised this wouldn’t happen again! After the last time, when I caught crabs from you, I had to go to the doctor and have all that smelly medicine spread all over my vagina! I trusted you when you said it wouldn’t happen again! But here we are—again—with another groupie!”
♥ "I can still taste you."
♥ “You scare the motherfucking shit out of me, Lyla Summers.”
♥ "Tom ‘Cat’‘Rub the Lamp’ Carter.”
♥ "I would give up everything, including myself, for you…because I would rather have a moment of everything with you than a lifetime of nothing.”
♥ “That this is it…you and me…we’re forever. You’re my heaven, Firecracker.”
*BR w/Melissa, Patty & Denisse!* -
SQUEEE!!! I can't wait for this book!!!!! This is the next book in The Storm series and tells Tom & Lyla's story!
Lyla Summers hates men. Okay, maybe hate is a strong word … Lyla intensely dislikes men.
Her father has let her down her whole life. Her brother betrayed her in the worst way possible. And her past relationship experiences with men have been less than great.
Lyla is focussing all her energy into her band, Vintage, so when they receive an offer to sign with TMS Records, it seems that things are finally turning around for her. The last thing she wants is a man getting in the way.
Tom Carter loves women. Okay, love might be pushing it … Tom enjoys screwing lots of women.
When tragedy befalls his best friend, Tom finds himself making a promise to the big man upstairs – he’ll change his ways, if he saves the woman his best friend loves.
Tom’s prayer is answered. Now he has to change. Which means no sleeping around.
After Vintage’s manager breaks her leg skiing, Tom steps in as tour manager, and Lyla finds herself on tour with the man whore of rock.
Put one perpetually horny Tom and one sex resistant Lyla together, equals a recipe for disaster. Or so you’d think…
But an unexpected friendship is formed. A closeness neither of them expected. Putting one chastity belt and one lamp that is in desperate need of rubbing, to the test.
Will the sex storm that is Tom Carter, finally find himself tamed by the rock chick with a hardened heart, or will he go back to his womanizing ways…?
NO RELEASE DATE YET. -
3 stars
This wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't great either.
Samantha Towle's writing has greatly improved with this installment of the Storm series. I'll give her that. I was weary about reading this story because Tom was such a manwhore in previous books. And in this one we get to read recollections of the numerous things he's done with the ladies. But I was really warming up to him. Lyla was a kickass heroine. She was feisty and didn't give in easily (well up until the end, and that disappointed me).
However, something happens about 80% in that I found stupid and unnecessary. And because of that and the way things were so easily resolved in the last 5% of the book I just didn't care anymore. It was a pretty good book, but my connection with the characters was broken and didn't get repaired with their HEA. -
5 My Body Loves Tom Carter Stars!
(BR with Sharon, Patty & Denisse)
Lyla Summers aka Firecracker is a 22 yr. old singer for the band Vintage. She lives in an apartment in LA with her band. She loves her job. After years of struggling to make it big, she is finally living her dream.
Her band wins a radio contest to open for the band The Mighty Storm. Shortly after they sign on with TMS Records that is owned by The Mighty Storms lead singer Jake Wethers.
They are about to head out on tour when they lose their tour manager. They are in need of a new one fast, and Jake has Tom Carter his bass player for The Mighty Storm take over as their new tour manager.
Lyla isn't happy about Tom filling in as their new manager. In the past he has always hit on her, and she just wants this tour to go well. She hopes he can be professional, and that she can hide how attracted she is to him. Even though she has always turned down his advances in the past, she can't deny the way her body reacts in his presence. He is gorgeous, and she is extremely nervous & uncomfortable around him.
Tom Carter is a 29 yr. old rock star trying to make changes in his life. When his best friend Jakes girlfriend is touch and go in the hospital, Tom makes a deal with God that if he saves Tru's life, he will change his own life completely. He will stop living the fast life, and stop having meaningless sex. He is working toward being a better person, and changing his party boy/man whore image.
Tom is excited to tour for 6 weeks with Vintage, and is immediately drawn to the beautiful Lyla. He can tell right away she is different from the women he is usually with. Lyla has never had much success with men. She has always been the relationship type, but they never last. She has recently been cheated on, and taken a vow of celibacy.
The only problem is Lyla didn't count on having the temptation that is Tom Carter so close. They begin to visit a lot. They confide in each other, and become real friends. Lyla starts to see a whole new side to Tom.
I really loved this book & just couldn't get enough of my sexy Tomcat! ;)) I liked getting to know his past, and seeing a different side of Tom. He was just delicious!!! :D
-I'm not a good guy- well, I wasn't, but I'm working toward becoming one."
-Something tells me Tom is very thorough in all he does.
-"You're guy is out there. One who won't be a mut. There's a guy who deserves an awesome girl like you."
-My body flushes from the top of my head down to my toes. Every part of me is turned on by his dirty words.
-No matter what's happening between Tom and me, my body will always want him.
-What do you want, baby? Tell me, and I'll give it to you.
-"I want this...I want you. More than I've ever wanted any man before.
-I've never felt like this about a woman before.
-"You're seriously fucking hot, Firecracker."
-I feel alive. I haven't felt alive in a really long time. And now, I do...because of him. -
5 “Firecracker” Stars
I loved the Mighty Storm series and somehow I missed this one in the series. I was shooketh when I discovered my error of not having read. But I jumped in and I was immediately taken back to Mighty Storm land. I can’t tell you how happy that made me.
Tom “Rub the Lamp” Carter......The arrogant, cocky, sweet bassist of The Mighty Storm. He’s a man whore and has never shyed away from who he is. He’s 29 and made a deal with God that he would behave if God listened to his prayer. Enter the new and improved Tom....but when he must help out a group who needs a temporary band manager, his resolve to be good is tested. Lyla Summers is the lead singer of her band. She is 22, smart, talented and one of the only girls on the planet that has turned down, not once but twice, advances by the infamous Tom Carter.
The sexual tension, the quick and saucy banter, and the fast pace of the story is perfect. Tom and Lyla’s push and pull of acting on their sexual attraction is full of sass. And when it finally happens, it’s like nothing either has ever felt. But each have baggage and have been hurt in the past. But feelings are hard to reign in when spending day after day on tour with one another and getting to know the other’s past.
This story was angsty, emotional, witty, and heartfelt. I loved that Jake and Denny and Tru made appearances in the story. Lyla’s bandmates were great secondary characters and helped complete the story. I loved this story and whether or not you are a Mighty Storm groupie, this story hits all contemporary romance buttons!! -
5 Tame Me Tom Carter Stars!
I have had a bit of girl crush on Samantha Towle since she brought Jake Wethers into my literary world. Then she went and dropped Tom Carter and his magic lamp into the mix and I was full time loving her!
Lyla Summers is a little "firecracker."
She is full of passion for her band and her music, but she has sworn off any kind of man relationship after being crushed by those closest to her. Now, she is at the peak of her career as her band Vintage is about to embark on its first tour. There is nothing better than the lights, the crowd, the energy!
well, that is unless you are suddenly managed by the one and only Tom Carter from TMS. Remember...big hot guy with sexy biceps and tattoos?
Known to all for his man-whoring ways, Lyla is less than thrilled to have him anywhere near her. Who is she kidding?...she can't stand the fact that his very presence makes her need a panty change! Good thing for her Tom is a professional, especially when it comes to the female species!
Samantha Towle does some amazing sexual chemistry with the cat and mouse games Tom and Lyla play. I love a good "i hate you" moment that ends with two people crashing into a sexy frenzy!
Tom Carter is sex on stick with an ego to match...as much as Lyla protests that he is a "mut," her libido disagrees! Its a long tour so why not? No emotions...No relationship...Just Sex...really good sex! We all know how that always turns out...
As much as I loved the sexy banter and the sexual activity to back that shit up...I loved the inner conflict of Tom Carter even more. What a great job at making a world re-known slut go through the conflict of falling in love and the emotions of losing it!
“I would rather have a moment of everything with you than a lifetime of nothing”
Lyla was definitely not my fave heroine with her immature insecurity but honestly, I let it go...nothing could ruin the high I was on with Mr. "rub the lamp!" -
5 Rocking Stars!!
If you’ve read the previous books you know that Tom (Mighty Storm’s bassist and Jake’s best-friend) does not do relationships. He whores around trough life never wanting to attach to anyone. Yeah, there’s a reason and a past that determines why he does that, but he doesn’t let anyone get close enough to find out.
Until Lyla happens. Lead singer of a growing band they have the opportunity of touring with TMS and having a break from men after being betrayed not only by her boyfriend but also for her brother the last thing she needs is being close to Tom, the sexiest and biggest rocker-whore in the planet. Even if he’s in some kind of promise and is trying to be a better man not screwing around. Somehow along the way feelings both of them don’t want to have start to appear.
And how two broken souls that don’t want to feel, deal with feelings that can be so dangerous and yet so irresistible?
Rating: 5 Stars.
Storyline: After loving the previous books on the series I thought that this book would never top them. Well, I was wrong. I loved Jake and his story… but this? This was so much better!! If you’re into sexy rock stars that do a lot of growing up during the story, this is the book for you.
Writing Style: First person, dual POV. Sexy, raw and completely addictive.
Character Development: I loved Tom. Completely and utterly loved him. Yeah, he was a jerk in some moments, but he had reasons for that and luckily he ends up completely redeeming himself. Lyla was also pretty great. Strong, loyal and sweet she was everything Tru wasn’t. (And that was the reason I liked this book better. I loved Jake but Tru was hard for me to swallow!)
As always, as nice to see more of the rest of the cast. Especially Stuart. I love Stuart!
Steam: HOT.
HEA: -
The Mighty Storm's bassist FINALLY meets his match! I didn't read the blurb for this book and I'm glad it's about Tom Carter. He's sexy, hot, crass, wild and hilarious. In the band, he's the joker and the chick magnet. He's a freaking hot mess and he's not interested in settling down. After one incident, he vows to God he'll be a better man and diminish his wild side. That doesn't mean he's going to settle down but he was attracted to Lyla Summers, the Vintage's lead vocalist.
Lyla has an awful experience in relationships. Especially when the person she trusted the most betrayed her. Since then, she despise men and just like Tom, she's not ready to have a relationship. When she found out Tom filled in the position as their band manager temporarily, she thought it's a bad idea. They'll be together for weeks for the band tour. Tom sees Lyla as his challenge because she's the only woman who isn't swayed by his charms. Later on, they hooked up and as Lyla starts falling for him, he begins to hold back due to his secrets.
These two have an amazing chemistry. I love their witty exchange of banters, the push-and-pull and blazing sexual tension between them. It's amusing, funny and romantic. Behind Tom's smiles and laughs, he has a lot of personal issues which is related to his past. I love his backstory and I didn't expect it to be brutal and dark. I only wished it's revealed a little earlier. Also, there are moments Lyla is whiny and petty. It annoyed me but she's tolerable.
Despite of my issues, it's great to see the other side of Tom. Like Jake, he's a sweet, thoughtful and protective guy. His simple gestures are so endearing. Tom is swoon-worthy in his own way. Such an intense guy. Overall, I enjoyed Tom and Lyla's story and I'm satisfied by its ending.
Full review posted. -
4 Fun & Sexy Stars!
Fun, light and seriously entertaining! I just love this series and this book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the story and had so much fun reading it. Taming the Storm is about Lyla Summers and Tom Carter- two people who are talented, quite different and stubborn but also right for each other.
“…I would rather have a moment of everything with you than a lifetime of nothing.”
Tom is a total player (some may say a total asshole as well). He is confident, funny, cocky, charming and seriously stubborn. He is totally against any kind of relationship and doesn’t sleep with the same girl twice…ever! But when his best friend (Jake) and his wife are going through a crisis…Tom makes ‘a deal’ with God. Basically he promises to become a better person and to stop sleeping around.
Lyla has made a decision- she hates men. Okay…maybe she just really dislikes them and doesn’t want to deal with them anymore. She is still struggling with the pain from how her last relationship has ended. She doesn’t want to ever feel that again. Lyla is coping pretty well with her decision until…Tom Carter. She knows all about him and his bad rep. When he becomes her band’s new tour manager, Lyla is definitely not happy. The last thing she needs is to be in on bus with the hot and charming Tom Carter.
They sexual attraction unbelievable and will become too much for them to stand so they come to an understanding- friends with benefits until the tour finishes. But will it be enough?
It was seriously fun reading Tom and Lyla’s story. They are both stubborn and very interesting characters. Their banter is hilarious:
“Psycho!”
“Drama queen.”
“Argh!” I scream again. “I hate you!”
“Yeah, so I keep hearing. Now, shut the hell up because you’re making a scene.”
Lyla is trying to convince herself she hates him and soon sees there is much more to Tom than just his good looks and the endless number of women he had slept with. He listens, understands and supports her.
“You’re my heaven, Firecracker.”
I definitely recommend this story!!! :) -
5 STARS!
Review written back in summer 2014
I love this woman. Samantha Towle, I bow at your feet. I want to be you when I grow up. This is one of my favouritest series! I can't believe it's over! *sob*
When I was in mourning for Jake and Tru, I was consoled by the fact I still had Tom and Lyla to come... And now it's over. And I'm sad.
But I'm so happy, because TMS guys totally rock my world!!“I would rather have a moment of everything with you than a lifetime of nothing”
Having had a little look at some of the other reviews, I'm quite surprised that this book hasn't been getting the love I expected it to get. I don't know whether I was just clinging onto any little TMS bone Samantha was willing to throw me, or what, but I really enjoyed this. I was totally in the mood for a bit of rock-star romance and this really hit the spot.
It was full to the brim of delicious sexual tension, diva tantrums, insecurities, emotional whiplash and rockstar drama. I love it when two characters are put in a situation where they just can't avoid/ignore one another and the building tension and explosion is inevitable. Perfect!I roll my eyes. “You’re such a guy.”
“I fucking hope so, Firecracker. With the size of my junk, I’d worry if I wasn’t.”
I loved Tom!! I wasn't sure I would. I thought he was a bit of a douche in Jake and Tru's books. But I did. His back story was great and totally reeled me in.
I really liked Lyla, too. She was a ball-busting, strong, independent woman with a dream and a past. And she resisted Tom for the longest time, which, personally, I thought was pretty admirable.“I wouldn’t stick your tongue out at me unless you intend to use it in the right way.”
Pausing, I turn back to him. “You’re disgusting.”
“Just the way you like me.”
I have to admit, Tom and Lyla didn't have a cat in hell's chance of knocking my Jake and Tru off their pedestal, because they are one of my all-time top book couples, but credit where it's due, they did a damn good job! And I couldn't put their book down. So, check it out, if you're brave enough to bring the TMS series to an end!!
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Title:Taming the Storm
Series:The Storm #3
Author: Samantha Towle
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Rating:5 stars
Cliffhanger:No
HEA:
I have been waiting for this book for ages and let me tell you, I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. There's something about this author's writing that has the ability to give me the thrills, chills, and tingles. Not to mention, she can write the hell out of those hot and steamy scenes. WOW! This book was no exception. I was transported into the rockstar lifestyle: touring, the love of music, and groupies. This book has a lot of song mentions and their meanings go along with a lot of the events in the book. I loved that songs were incorporated into the plot-that's always fun and a good way to find new songs to love. What I most looked forward to however, was finally seeing one of the ultimate man-whores fall...in love that is. Tom is one of those characters that you love to hate. He's a major slut, egotistical, and has no use for women other than scratching an itch. You really want to hate him.
Somehow, he has a way about him that prevents that completely. He is who he is. Absolutely no shame, embarrassment, or regret. I found myself shaking my head at his crass mouth and unapologetic dirty comments. Yet, at the same time laughing out loud. It's inescapable. He's got a charm, confidence, and hot as hell persona that's not to be denied. The same way I felt about Drew in Tangled or Blake in Fighting to Forgive.
Tom is the bass player for the Mighty Storm. The hottest rock band in America. Lyla is the singer in a band that's just signed with their label and is starting out on their first album and tour. Tom is needed to fill in as manager for Lyla's band at the last minute on tour and she is not a happy woman about that. He's hit on her in the past and unlike every other woman before and after her...she turned him down flat. She has no room in her life for men. She has a list as long as her arm of ex-boyfriends who've done her wrong-with one ultimate betrayal from the one person who she trusted more than any other person in her life. It's left her bruised-the last thing she would ever want would be to get involved in a mutt (man slut) like Tom. Too bad they have this incredibly intoxicating attraction that won't let her ignore him. In the beginning, maybe it's hurt ego, or just plain lust, but Tom decides to flirt with disaster with Lyla. Maybe just one little taste will satisfy him and he can move on. But something is telling him that nothing will ever be that easy with this sexy, talented, ball busting woman with a love of cartoon tee-shirts who lives and breathes music just like him.
They both fought their attraction. Hard. It added just the right amount of angst and I can't even tell you how this book incinerated me when they finally gave into temptation and snapped. It. was. HOT!
Moving quickly, he closes the gap between us. Suddenly, everything narrows to this moment. To him and me. Desire exploding between us like a dirty bomb. There's nothing but blazing heat and sexual tension. The likes of nothing I've ever felt before.
Tom was so freaking insanely dominant, powerful, and one determined man. Once he and Lyla get together, he won't admit it, but the time limit they've put on their exclusive sexual arrangement isn't enough-it was never going to be.
He's jealous, irrational, and territorial. That's something he doesn't know how to handle and he's rather just live in denial. He's also scared as hell because the easy, no strings lifestyle he's created to protect himself is slipping away from him. It feels like Lyla's becoming as necessary to him as breathing and he's unable to put his emotions on the line. I knew from the beginning that he was going to screw up. He's not a relationship kind of guy. And when it finally happened, I really felt like kicking him in his junk. His misstep is epically effed up.
This book may have been a bit predictable, but I can honestly say I loved every minute of it. There were no twists, surprises, and not a cliffhanger in sight. What I got was exactly what I wanted: An extremely sexy rockstar book with two talented musicians who made me laugh and kept me turning the pages with excitement. I didn't always like some of the characters' actions, but my overall feelings were overwhelmingly positive. I got that elusive book giddiness when you're really fully escaped into the story and I didn't want it to end. That was my deciding factor in my decision to give this 5 stars. If you've read the other books in this series and enjoyed them, this book is not to be missed.
Samantha Towle's Official Playlist for Taming the Storm:
Bryan Adams/Thought I’d Died and Gone to Heaven
Britney Spears /Womanizer
KT Tunstall/Suddenly I See
Justin Timberlake/Cry me a River
Jimmy Eat World/Hear You Me
Lady Gaga/Poker Face
Chaka Khan/Aint Nobody
Britney Spears/Toxic
Bruno Mars/Gorilla
INXS/Mystify
Demi Lovato/Heart Attack
Fall Out Boy/Sugar, We’re Going Down
Beyonce/Drunk in Love
Duran Duran/Ordinary World
Fall Out Boy/Thanks for the memories
Usher /Scream
Paolo Nutini /Last Request
Coldplay/Clocks
Miley Cyrus/Wrecking Ball
Green Day/Boulevard of Broken Dreams
The Killers/Smile Like You Mean It
Whitesnake/Is this Love
Bananarama/Cruel Summer
The Fray/How to Save a Life
Drake/Hold On, We’re Going Home
P!nk/F**kin’ Perfect
Ellie Goulding/How Long Will I Love You
Calvin Harris/I Need Your Love
FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:
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*****4 RUB THE LAMP STARS*****
(BR with Dee, Melissa, and Sharon)
"Taming the Storm", is about The Mighty Storm's bass guitarist, Tom Carter, and a little "Firecracker" called Lyla Summers.
While Tru is in the hospital in critical condition after being in a car accident, Tom is fearful for Jake. He's seen his friend hit rock bottom before, and in a desperate attempt to help his friend out, he makes a deal with God.
No more whoring around.
He will try to change his sinful ways and will only have sex with a woman if she means something to him.
Lyla Summers is the lead singer to a band called Vintage.
They are the newly signed artists to TMS, which is owned by Jake.
Lyla's sworn off men for almost ten months now, after having been betrayed by her ex boyfriend and someone whom she loved more than anyone else in her life.
Vintage is about to go on tour to promote their new album, and they've just found out that their manager won't be traveling with them due to a skiing accident.
Tom Carter steps in as their temporary manager.
This, does not make Lyla happy.
She's had run-ins before with man whore/mut, Tom Carter, and has turned him down both times. She's not looking forward to him being in close proximity, because he could seriously mess with her plans on remaining celibate.
I hate the way my body reacts to Tom Carter. Every single time I see him, my virginia lights up like gasoline on a spark.
There's a lot of sexual tension between the two in the beginning and it's obvious that they feel things for each other that they've never felt with anyone else.
Lyla was not a very likable character to me.
Her constant push/pull attitude started to really grate on my nerves.
I get that she was hurt pretty badly in the past and had a messed up relationship with her Dad, but after a while, I got tired of her surliness.
I loved Tom to pieces and the man DOES NOT DISAPPOINT in the sexy times department!!! Or should I say, Samantha Towle, sure knows how to write some panty soaking material??!! WOOOO, fanning myself here!!!
Tom and Lyla end up giving in to their mutual attraction by striking up a deal. An exclusive "friends with benefits" relationship till the tour ends, and then they go their separate ways.
The sex is EXTREMELY HOT!! These two will find the most creative places to get it on!
As time goes on, both of them realize that they are starting to have deeper feelings and it scares them both for very different reasons.
I thought this was a very enjoyable story and Tom was super sexy and delicious.
There were a couple moments with him and Denny that had me in stitches!! Loved Denny and I think it would be awesome if he and Simone had their own book!
You will get this "Forrest Gump" reference when you read the book!! LOL -
5 'RUB THE LAMP' STARS
OMG, this book was an awesome surprise for me! I loved
The Mighty Storm and
Wethering the Storm -- Jake fucking Wethers was IT for me -- and I had no clue that Ms. Towle was going to bestow on us one final story in the TMS series.
I'm ashamed to admit that I vaguely recall Tom Carter from those books, I remember his banter and bickering with Tru but apart from that not much else. I was glued to Jake. Shame on Me!!!
Tom Carter ROCKS!! He's the bass player for the Mighty Storm with major commitment issues. He's emotionally detached and a self-professed man-whore. But that's not all, he's a hot, tattooed, domineering dirty talker, sexy as fuck rock star.
Tom,...
Lyla Summers was so easy to like and connect with; an up and coming singer with a sad past filled with famous parents, love, loss and betrayal.
I really, really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. Ms. Towle is a great writer and she does the relationship build so well. There was an obvious path that she could have taken with this but she didn't and I was thrilled for that!!
Lyla and Tom are wonderful characters who have this intense attraction, which they both fight for their own reasons. Their chemistry was evident and the sex was scorching!! My dear Tom is a commanding, dirty talker in the bedroom...'nuff said!!
Overall, this story was HOT, steamy, romantic and at times, sweet. A truly wonderful read and an awesome way to end the series. -
4.75 "Firecracker tamed the 'Rub-the-lamp' man-whore Tom Carter" stars
And i am so fuckin glad i went on reading this book even though i wasnt as thrilled as i hoped to be after reading The Mighty Storm but i wanted to see...if there would be MORE for me in there and there was...after all.
Tom Carter is the bass player in The Mighty Storm band and he s a total man-whore prick douchebag...but at least he s straight forward and very direct about it...all you get with him and from him is a good FUCK.
And as in every man-whore story out there the mentiond man loses the whore in his acting ways when he meets the right...pussy...*cough* woman
And for our player everything changes when he meets Lyla Summers, the lead singer in the band Vintage signed by the TMS label...
Carter the bad boy is entering the space with the starting role as her band's tour manager...He will meet his match in Lyla as she s the only woman ever to turn his advances...twice!!!
The lines are definitely blurred and very thin...as they progress from sexy feisty banter, battling off the undeniable chemistry...things turn serious when emotions start to come along underneath the sheets...and then those emotions NEVER appear without the extra baggage!
I loved this book and i have truly enjoyed on this journey with the main characters...there was hurt, pain, angst, anticipation, and great sex...lol, but there was also a lot of reference to an AWESOME music...
And since the relationship between Tom and Lyla could be described by this sentence alone"When it comes to you, Firecracker, I’ll never stop. Never."
The only lyrics that come to my mind that i could relate to the sentence above and their push and pull of a constant chase are these.....I'll never stop
I don't know, will you believe me
After all is said and done
All the lies, how I regret them baby
Now, I am the loser
And you're shining like the sun
Tell me why can't I still be the one, alright
I will never stop
Until you're mine
I can wait forever, till the end of time
Cause my heart is in your hands
Don't you understand
I'll never stop
I'll never stop
How could I ever
When my heart is in your hands
And I know, baby there is no turning back
They say that I'm crazy
And I kind of understand
How I wish for this nightmare to end...
I'll never stop...
"I'll never stop" by 'NSYNC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhwj_...
For more info and reviews visit
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Fucking Hell this book was awesome 😍😘😍😘
I love the whole thing from cover to cover
Just try to think of me as your new manager, not as the hot guy who hit on you an eon ago. And I’ll try not to think of you as the ball-busting lesbian—”
“I’m not a lesbian!” I splutter. There’s not anything wrong with being a lesbian. I’m just not one.
“You’re not?” He actually looks genuinely confused.
Oh my God! He thinks I’m a lesbian because I turned him down all those times. The guy is an egomaniac!
“Jesus, you think I’m a lesbian because I wouldn’t sleep with you?”
“Well, yeah. What other reason could there be?”
I laugh loudly. I can’t help it. This is a real belly-aching laugh. I have to bend over and rest my hands against my thighs just to try to catch my breath.
I wipe the tears from my eyes. “God, you’re an egotistical asshole. You ever consider that I wouldn’t sleep with you because you’re not my type?”
He scoffs. “Not possible, darlin’. I’m everyone’s type.”
Like I said, asshole.
I place my hands on my hips. “Sorry, but arrogant muts don’t do it for me.”
He stares at me, stunned. “Did you just call me a…mut?”
“Sounded like it.”
“So, you’re calling me a dog?”
I stare daggers at him. “No, asshat. Mut actually stands for man slut.” I make sure to punctuate the words to drive my point home.
“I definitely like your tight, little body, that flat stomach just begging me to lick it, and your rack—fuck, Firecracker,” he says, his voice gruff, and so completely hot.
I can practically feel his words on my body, like he’s touching me with each one.
He steps closer. He’s a breath away from me, and now, I’m finding that I can’t seem to catch my own.
“And your face…gorgeous, really gorgeous.” His minty hot breath blows over my face. “I can honestly say, the only thing I don’t like about you…is your no-filter, ball-busting mouth!”
“Ugh!” I shove him hard in the chest. “Screw you!”
“Please do. It would make my fucking year to see you riding my cock,” -
****4 Firecracker Stars****
(BR with Melissa, Sharon and Patty)
Ready to Rock and Roll??? Well, you better be ready. Taming The Storm is a musical love story of a restored man-whore who found his firecracker soul mate on a tour bus...
After Tru almost died in a accident, Tom Carter made God the promise that he would change his playboy ways, if he saved the life of his best friend's love. Five weeks later Tom finds himself back on the road but this time as the manager of the band Vintage. Lead singer Lyla Summers has put men off from her life after being betrayed by every single man she's ever loved, now her only focus is her music and going on tour with her band. Everything is going according to plan until she learns that Tom Carter, playboy extraordinaire and bassist of The Mighty Storm is her new tour manager. She's only met the sexy rocker twice before, and and in both occasions he's hit on her, proving how much of a pig he is. As expected they start the tour on the wrong foot, but quickly become friends , until the sexual tension will make them strike a sexy deal with expiration date included. But will they both be able to walk away with their hearts in one piece, after the deal is over?
Tom is one sexy rocker, that fact can't be denied. Layla on the other hand got on my nerves more than once with her wishy washy personality. This book was very entertaining but a bit predictable in my opinion. Im such a huge fan of TMS that nothing can come close to it in my heart. I still would recommend this book to anyone looking for a hot rock star read... -
I'm definitely in the minority on this one. Did not really enjoy this book bc the characters were just so unlikable. The h was whiny and made everything about herself. She was such a drama queen, I had no sympathy for the things that happened to her. I was hoping after her heartbreak she would be smarter about falling for another rocker. But she falls pretty quickly into lust with the H. There were no actual feelings involved other than being horny. The way she panted after the H was pathetic. Everywhere the H goes women throw themselves at him and he has slept with many many women. This made it difficult for me to like the H or see his attraction to the h as anything different than a casual hookup. His man whore ways were disgusting and made him repulsive. He just seemed so dirty. It would have been better if the h played it cool and was not bothered by the women or lusting after him. This would have made her stand out from all the rest and would have driven the H crazy for her attention. I still don't understand why the H was attracted to the h. It seemed more like a result of there not being any other women on tour and she was the only female on the bus. Plus, the h would get jealous when other women were seen with the H, become angry, then think how hot he was. The stylist on tour was a woman who had slept with the H and upon seeing him threw herself on him and talked about all the dirty things he did to her. This stylist is all over the story and becomes friends with the h. I really did not like that. In addition, the mean things the H said to the h when she declared her feelings made me so angry. Then 2 weeks later he says "sorry" and tells a sob story about his childhood that I skimmed through bc it was long and boring. Let's not forget that after the h made her declaration of love and gets rejected by the H, he goes and gets oral from a random woman at a bar. Didn't I mention that he was disgusting? He confesses this to the h and she yells at him for always being a man whore. He says "sorry, I love you" and she immediately forgives him. How does she know that he won't do that again the next time he is upset? He admitted that he sleeps around bc it is the way he copes with stuff. There was no connection btw the couple. Of course, all the guys in the band want nothing but to sleep with easy women. It was all they cared about and all the women hanging around have huge fake boobs. Even the H tells his friends in crude language what he did with the h. Going so far as to say that he was planning to bang her. This is after the H had an emotional heart to heart with the h. I expected better from this author. I feel like I need a shower after reading this story. The men were all so slutty, it was gross.
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Going to apply the KISS (keep it simple stupid) method for this one. Meh...
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For the most part I really like this book. The sex was SMOKING hot. Tom the manwhore knew how to work it. My main issue was he was a bit too dickish for me. Some of the stuff that came out of his mouth made me want to slap the shit out of him.
The reason I took away a star was something that happened at around 80%. If you want to know I'm spoiler tagging it below:
So over all an enjoyable read that most will prob love. Y'all know I'm a picky bitch though ;) -
4.5 Firecracker stars!!
I loved this addition to
The Mighty Storm series! Lyla and Tom are an amazing couple with sizzling chemistry and a highly entertaining relationship. With lots of hotness, some laughs and a bit of angst and drama, this is an exciting, passionate love story that had me hooked from the very beginning.
Tom is the man whoring member of one of the biggest rock bands in the world, The Mighty Storm (TMS), and the best friend of its lead singer, Jake Wethers. When Jake is facing potential devastation, Tom makes a deal with God to change his ways if Jake can have his happy ever after.“I swear, I will only have sex with a woman if she really means something to me.”
Did I actually just say that – out loud?
Christ.
Lyla is the lead singer of an up and coming band who has recently signed on with TMS records. Her life hasn’t been an easy one, and she has known nothing but betrayal from the men in her life so she is currently very anti-man and is particularly wary of “muts” (man-sluts). She is concentrating on her music, recording an album with her band and preparing for their very first tour. But their tour is put in jeopardy after their tour manager is injured, until Jake brings Tom in to manage the tour – which includes him living on the bus with the band for six weeks.
It’s a fantastic set up, as Lyla has rejected Tom’s amorous advances when they have run into each other in the past, and his reputation as a “mut” infuriates Lyla while making the boys of the band delirious with excitement.“Hoy shit!” Van yells. “Tom Carter! On tour with us! Man, it’s gonna be wild! Chicks, parties…chicks! It’s gonna be so fucking wild! The man is a fucking legend!”
Sonny looks shell-shocked. Then, he springs to life. “Damn straight, he’s a legend! He’s a pussy legend! We are touring with the best there is! Just think of the stuff he can teach us.” He gets this dreamy look in his eyes.
Honestly, he’s starting to freak me out.
The attraction between Lyla and Tom is electric from the very beginning. You can tell they want each other badly but Lyla is determined to keep away, and Tom is totally sexually frustrated so all of that pent-up passion gets funnelled into arguments, which eventually becomes friendship as they start to open up to each other, until they can’t deny what is brewing between them and then begins the fantastic banter and epic flirting which is both hot as hell and absolutely hilarious.“You’re such a mut!”
He laughs. “I’m a mut? Jesus, what you? Twelve? And don’t throw insults at me. I wasn’t the one perving on my hot body.”
“I was not perving!” I cry with indignation.
“So, you admit I’m hot.”
“I, what? No, I don’t admit anything!”
He’s laughing at me now.
I roll my eyes. “You’re such a guy.”
“I fucking hope so, Firecracker. With the size of my junk, I’d worry if I wasn’t.”
“I wouldn’t stick your tongue out at me unless you intend to use it in the right way.”
Pausing, I turn back to him. “You’re disgusting.”
“Just the way you like me.”
The ‘girl pushing the boy away’ storyline is a tricky one, and can get annoying, but I thought Samantha Towle did a great job with Lyla. I could understand how her background hurt her, and even though her continuous rejection of Tom is maddening, it creates a brilliant tension. And I love the way she doesn’t even try to justify her actions. She accepts that she’s being ridiculous about it, and she totally owns it, and it makes her refusal to act on her attraction to him that much more intense because you’re just waiting for her to crack. And though it all her inner monologue is fantastic.I’m feeling all these confusing things bout Tom. The more time I spend with him, the more I like him.
But I don’t want to like him. I can’t like him.
And it really pisses me off when I have to see other women all over him.
I know it’s irrational, and it’s my shit to deal with, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
And adding to the intensity is Tom’s determination to have her. He makes no secret of how he feels, and his constant pushing and teasing is wildly entertaining! The book is told mainly from Lyla’s POV, but we do get some chapters from Tom’s perspective too, which I loved. He may be a mut, but he’s such a great guy, with a big heart, and I fell in mad love with him!“You’re running because you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared of anything – least of all, you.”
I let a smile slide onto my lips even though smiling is the last thing I feel like doing right now. “Yeah, you are. But there’s nothing to be scared of. I’m gonna show you that. You can keep running, but I will catch you and soon. I’m not giving up, Lyla.”
I loved the development of this relationship! Their friendship is gorgeous, and you can see the genuine affection that they have for each other as they open up and share about their painful pasts. And you can see that there is more between them than just lust, they actually care for each other. But the book is still absolutely steaming! Even before anything actually happens between them there’s the banter, the teasing, the sexting… holy hell, it’s HOT! Each encounter between them is brimming with sexual tension, and the anticipation builds brilliantly until they can’t avoid it any longer, and then things REALLY get steamy! Tom is a dirty talker, and an absolute machine in the bedroom (and out of it!). He knows how to treat his girl, and there is some pretty epic sexy time. Have a fan handy while reading this book – you’re gonna need it!“You’re mine,” he growls, making a sound filled with the sweetest agony. Then, he’s kissing me, hot and hard. “No one gets to touch you but me,” he breathes hotly into my mouth. “You got that?”
The intensity of him, the feel of him kissing me, has fried all my brain cells. I couldn’t argue if I wanted to.
And I don’t.
They initially decide to hook up in secret for the duration of the tour, and it suits them both perfectly, but as their connection deepens, and the end of the tour is in sight, they discover that letting go may not be as simple as they originally thought. And it’s not an easy ride as issues from their pasts continue to haunt them, and they both need to figure out what it is that they want, but we eventually get some swoony time, and an absolutely beautiful romance that had me clutching my heart and grinning like a fool.“This is it…you and me…we’re forever. You’re my heaven, Firecracker.”
I loved this book! It’s well paced, it’s exciting, I was completely invested in Lyla and Tom’s story, and struggled to put it down. Samantha Towle’s writing style totally sucks you in, and you can’t help but fall in love with her characters – Lyla and Tom are both fantastic, and the rest of the boys in the band bring so much to the story as well. I laughed so much reading about their antics, and the sweet and tender moments were absolutely beautiful. And, of course, the romance was fantastic!
The book ties in really nicely with the rest of the series, with the events of this book taking place at the same time as the ending of
Wethering the Storm, and there’s an epilogue which includes Jake and Tru, as well as the other boys in TMS. Although this book could technically be read as a standalone, it’s a great way to finish out the series for those who have read and enjoyed the whole story.
4.5 stars. -
Tom Carter. He was my kind of guy while reading TMS. I hated him and Loved him. So when his book was announced I danced like LOON. Being a big TMS fan, I had to read Tom's story. I HAD TO KNOW MORE about Tom. I had HIGH expectations.
Unfortunately I didn't connect with the story.
I didn't feel the love between Tom and Lyla.
It felt like there were a lot drama with unanswered questions. So why the drama?
The Sex scenes were HOT and some situations made me laugh, but the story needed more.
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Opening for The Mighty Storm should have been the best night of her life, but what she found backstage tore her apart and almost her band... ten months later Lyla and the boys of Vintage are gearing up for their first tour, newly signed to TMS Records. For those ten months, Lyla has avoided men and sex - not willing to allow that kind of hurt and betrayal to touch her again, but when Tom Carter, man whore bass player of TMS, is announced as their fill in tour manager, avoiding one particular man might something that even the strong willed Lyla isn't capable of.
Tom has spent most of his life getting lost in women, staying in the background harboring his own pain and coping in the only way he knew how. But when he sees his friend Jake ready to tumble down that same rabbit hole when Tru and their baby lives are at risk, Tom makes a promise to give up the women if God will spare their lives and in turn save not only them but Jake in the process.
Tom had failed to land the beautiful Lyla twice before, sure there was always someone else close by to fill her spot, but Tom wasn't used to being turned down, that just did not happen... EVER. Being stuck on a tour bus with her and the worst case of blue balls ever, they tip toe around their attraction and form an unlikely friendship. As they grow closer as friends, keeping their hands of each other becomes too much to bare and a deal is struck. After all, his promise to God was to end his streak of one-night stands with women he didn't care about... and for some reason he cares about Lyla.
But as the tour comes to a close, Lyla has exposed every bit she's kept hidden to him and as for Tom, well not many really ever got to see the real Tom Carter - his secrets were his to hid and letting Lyla in is something he wasn't planning on. Letting her in is only going to lead to the past repeating itself and he saw the destruction of love can cause. One agreement, terms laid out, agreed upon led these two down a road that neither of them expected.
Samantha Towle accomplished something huge with this book. Not just amazing writing and a fantastic story line that had enough twists to it to keep it feeling original, but something much larger than that. She took Tom, the whore of a bassist, and elevated him to a status of pure book boyfriend land that sort of left Jake in the dust. Yes, ladies - you heard that correctly. Jake who? Tom ended up being so much more than I expected him to be and between that eye-opener and the sexual tension that poured from these pages - I was a goner.
Tension and angst... the lead up to this affair was pure torture of the best kind. Little moments of oh-so-close kept me on the edge of my seat while chanting in my head for them to just do it. Then when they do? Poof, panties gone. Tom is a hellcat in bed - a machine of epic proportions. Then the tears, oh yeah... you can't get the tension, angst and that kind of explosive sex without shedding a few tears along the way. My heart plummeted and was left slowly beating on that sidewalk, even expecting that the pain wouldn't last forever - it was still all consuming. Throw in that this is our goodbye to the boys of The Mighty Storm, and yeah getting emotional is pretty easy.
TMS was one of my early reads when I picked up the romance genre back in 2012. I was picking books at random to read without having much in the way of recommendations or connections built with fellow readers. This was also one of my first (if not the first) rock star romance reads ever and sort of kick started a little obsession with bad-boys with an affliction to groupies and poor decisions. Saying goodbye to this series is hard as a reader, but Samantha Towle gave us such great book to do it with.
If you have not yet read this series you should question your sanity. In the first two books you get Jake & Tru's story. A second chance at love, childhood friends... reconnecting and a whole lot of a broken (hot) lead singer finding his way. Then in the final installment you get the guy that uses sex to escape his past until it all catches up to him once he meets his match. Check out this series, you will not be sorry. -
3 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was an enjoyable read up until the end for me. I thought that the H messed up too big and was forgiven way too easily for my liking. I also was super frustrated with how the h ran hot and cold constantly for the first half of the book. Otherwise, it hit the spot for a rockstar romance with the little bit of angst that I was looking for...and I got it for free, so no skin off my back!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Lyla and Tom’s story. Lyla is the lead singer in an up and coming band and Tom is who has to fill in as a road manager for their first tour. Lyla knows Tom is famous for his manwhore ways and she has rejected him twice on their previous encounters when he has hit on her, so she is less than thrilled that she will be stuck in close quarters with him for weeks. Neither of them can deny the strong attraction they feel towards one another and eventually decide to be f-buddies for the length of the tour. There are some hot sexy times, some sad scenes, and some stronger feelings get developed...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Lyla (mainly) and Tom’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Tom. He was a mess. He messed up majorly and said some horrible, hurtful things because he was scared...but I somehow still liked him more than the h 🤷🏻♀️
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Lyla. I got really frustrated with her push/pull, hot/cold feelings for the H for most of the book.
Sadness level: Moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes
Cheating: Yes IMO
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had alright closure but what I would call a HFN ending. There was closure for the couple in the first two books, but not anything major for this couple.
Safety: This one is probably Not Safe for most safety gang readers -
It's been such a long time since I read The Mighty Storm so I was a little fuzzy on everything about Tom. But that kind of worked in my favor because I didn't have any expectations for how he should act. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a character has an established personality in early books and then changes in their own. So without having read TMS recently, I didn't have those expectations.
I loved this book so much that I just devoured it. I had forgotten how much I loved Samantha Towle's writing. The connection the characters have to music is by far one of my favorite aspects. It's almost like a living and breathing character itself. One thing I regret is not making a list of the songs talked about in the book. I did that with TMS and wish I'd done that this time.
Tom was a surprise alpha hero to me. I totally wasn't expecting it from him but it worked. I loved the banter between Lyla and Tom. The name calling (Firecracker for him, Mut for her)...when they weren't steaming up the screen of my kindle, they were making me laugh. And don't even get me started on the chemistry between them, it was off the charts.
There were a few times that I wanted to smack Tom. He had a mouth on him and he knew how to use it (get your mind out of the gutter! I mean he could cut you to the quick with his words!). Tom was running scared and fighting his feelings at every turn. My one wish with this was seeing more of him coming to terms with his feelings. We saw the turning point but not how he goes about making changes. The next time we see him it's in Lyla's POV and we just get told what happened.
One other issue I had was how quickly Lyla forgave Dex. I mean, I get it. The situation was dire and he needed some hope. But I guess I wish there had been more info to show how bad off he was before that happened. But, I also hold grudges and seeing as how you get the betrayal scene as the first scene in the book...I wasn't about to forgive him.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's definitely a must read for all Samantha Towle fans and anyone that loves rock star romances. :) -
First let me get this out of the way, because I saw a few people trying to compare Tom and Jake.
They are NOTHING alike.
That wasn't the point of giving Tom a book. If you have read the other books in this series, you know that Tom is a bit of a man whore (or Mut like Lyla calls him) He wasn't suppose to be like Jake, and I didn't find him better than Jake. Personally I liked him in his own group. His own Mut man group.
Lyla annoyed me a bit in this book, but I understood her reasons for trying to stay away from men. I found her at times to be a bit too strong in some area's Like her anger should have been let go, but I understood why she couldn't in ways.
The connection with Tom is pretty great.
Their sex was obviously hot!!
But it doesn't fill up the book, which is nice.
There is no shortage of angst towards the end, which is typical Samantha Towle fashion and I love her for that. You are left clawing your way through the remainder of the book to find out what is going to happen next.
I loved this book. I still love Jake more of course!
