Wild Man (The Dream Man Series Book 2)

So good! I’m all in… I love a strong Male character! Plus, there’s suspense, mystery, and lots of swoon worthy sex!

As the second book in the Dream Man series, I thought Wild Man was even better than the first book though I have to say color me surprised to be stating that. The hero of this one, Brock 'Slim' Lucas was a deeply undercover DEA agent in the first story and he went about his case ruthlessly so I didn't have high hope for liking let alone loving him in his own book. However, the author managed to change my mind- sort of. Let's just say the Brock of the first book is not the same guy in this one and that is partly because he's changed now that he's found his woman and also because knowing his past made his behavior start to make better sense. Okay, well he's still the hard, bad-mouthed, hot tempered guy, but he doesn't let it fly unless its deserved. It didn't hurt to pair him with an adorable, sweet, but tough heroine.The story is told almost completely from Tess, the heroine's point of view with just the last few pages switching to Brock's thoughts. Tess was a great narrator and I didn't mind being in her head at all following her thoughts and encounters with others, but it was cool to get Brock's thoughts too.It opens with Tess enjoying a passionate encounter with the man she is starting to fall in love with. He gets a call and has to leave. Shortly after that her safe, happy existence falls apart when police bust into her home with search warrants for the house and her bakery business looking for evidence that she's connected to her ex-husband's shady business dealings. That's upsetting to be sure, but what devastates her is to run into 'Jake' after being questioned at the station and learning he's a cop and had hooked up with her these last several months as part of the case against her husband. He protests that it was all real, but lets her go when she runs from him.Three months later, Brock Lucas walks back into her life when he sees that she's put her home up for sale. He gave her her space to get sorted after what went down, but he's not prepared to let her run from him. After a few false starts mostly do to well meaning interfering friends, they give their relationship a second chance. Tess learns that Brock's life is a hot mess with ex troubles of his own, family issues with his deadbeat and very sick dad coming back into his life, and now the added stress of Tess' ex still making waves.From the get go, even with the drama of Tess discovering that her Jake was Brock an undercover DEA agent and all the business with his family and their exes, this book is (thank you Lord) a lot less angsty than the first one. The trade-off was that it was a lot less suspenseful too. There are a few moments of excitement, but happily Brock and Tess are a calmer more even-tempered couple. They communicate and talk out their doubts and fears (soooo refreshing). Just when I started to tense up like 'uh oh, she learned something from his past or he's going to close her out because he's dealing with stuff', they'd actually talk it through and not run off in snits. Can't praise the author enough for refraining from use of unnecessary angst (sorry, had an overdose of that stuff lately).I also loved that the story felt pretty real with scenes involving Tess' work at the bakery, their visits with family, their time together, their time learning to blend a family with his kids, and their time apart when with friends. The romance is still hot and awesome, but its layered with real-life touches too so its not a romance in isolation. Loved that blend even if others might feel the pace was slow and the tone of the story mellow. It's not like there weren't spikes of danger and excitement at all; it just wasn't the focus.So all in all, this was a very satisfying read that I'm glad I pressed forward with after my irritations with the first heroine in the first book of the series. Let me tack on one more thought. For those who like to get more page for your buck, you can't miss with this book clocking in over 500+ pages for the price.

My audio books aren’t lasting as long as they should be. I was buying them to keep me amused on the way to and from work and when I bake or exercise. It seems that I’m struggling to just keep it to those times. I mean, it’s hard to just limit myself. I’m invested in the story. I’ve been sucked in. There’s a crucial stage I’m reaching and the last thing I want to do is press stop and wait. This means I’m listening to nearly one a week and putting off book reading to listen instead.Well, this is what happened when I started Wild Man. I just couldn't stop. It’s a re-read, so the story isn’t new to me, but it is a KA which means it's very hard to put down. When Brock steps into a room he’s got my full attention. Tess going through a crisis because Damien (her ex-husband) is stalking her, well, of course, I need to listen to it now before I hit stop. Olivia and her bony ass making a nuisance, well, it’s got to be sorted out. This is the struggle I face. It’s tough, but someone’s got to do it.The beginning of Wild Man is a little hard to take we meet Tess and Brock after they had been in a relationship for 4 months. Tess really likes Brock and while Brock seems to like Tess, he also seems to be holding himself back a bit. This is because Brock is an undercover DEA agent, and he’s investigating Tess because of her douchewaffle ex-husband and the bugger's drug business. When Tess finds out that Brock had only approached her because of his job she’s devastated. She puts it behind her and tries to move on with her life. Brock lets her have a little time to get over it and then comes after her.Well, this is a KA book and of course when you have one of her heroes chasing you, you walk away…very, very slowly, in the hopes he’ll catch you, chuck you over his shoulder and claim you. Yes, Tess put up a token resistance, but Brock is way too much temptation to refuse.Their relationship is not all plain sailing. Brock has an ex-wife and two sons. The ex is a skank who treats her kids pretty shabby. Up till now, Brock hasn’t been in a position to contest custody. With the change in his job (leaving DEA to be a detective) and finally having a good woman in his life, it’s now time to try. The ex, Olivia, does not make things easy and she tries to manipulate the boys for her own gain. With Tess on the scene, Olivia has a new target to aim for.So, between Brock’s ex, Tess’s ex and her bakery, and his job they definitely have their hands full. It doesn’t take her long to realise that all the stress is worth it. Brock and his two boys have brought a lot of happiness to her life. Tess is the woman Brock has been waiting for...and it also helps that she bakes a mean cake or cookie.Now, in regards to the audio, it was pretty good. The narrator's voice is easy to listen to and understand. I did have a bit of a problem when she changed from a female character to a male character as she doesn’t change her voice much. This does make it a little hard. It was more like someone just reading the story to me instead of acting it out. That probably sounds weird, acting it out, but some of the best audio’s, the narrator is able to manipulate their voice so it’s easy to hear the emotions, and tell the changes in characters.Wild Man is one of my favourite Kristen Ashley stories. For one thing, Tess mentioning Snickerdoodles, which I had never heard of before this book, made me go searching for a recipe. In my boys' circle of friends, I’m known for 1 - The biscuits that taste like cinnamon doughnuts. AND 2 - (whispers) Snickerdoodle has the word doodle in them. The smirks on their faces when they ask for a snickerdoodle is priceless. Boys and their doodles. ;)I’ve already got my next audio lined up and I’m hoping it will last more than a few day.

I have had this book for a very long time but never read it. Now I have and as always Kristen knocks it outta the park. Love her rock chick series her chaos series and I am enjoying the dream man series. I really love how characters from other series show up in other series.

I like Kristen Ashley’s books. They are a form of fantasy...up there with vampires and faeries, that are so much fun. The people she writes about would never truly exist but the thought of them are usually awesome. This book was one I just couldn’t convince myself had merit from the female perspective. I like the protagonist until she started swooning for the male...after he lied and betrayed her...nope. Struggle with this...which will probably color my review?.this is one Kristen Ashley book I felt really demonstrated her hatred for women. No one one who respected women would have written something where the woman so horribly lied to would forgive him and be his slut so quickly. I wonder if this character represents someone the author isn’t fond of.

I love a good Kristen Ashley book. I love her growly alphas and sweet but strong females. They always tend to make me smile. Wild Man was no different.Both Brock and Tess have been dealt a bad hand in previous relationships. Both of which are threatening their new one. How they both deal with these issues is pure Kristen Ashley Gold!The usual mix of drama, comedy and hotness is all there in abundance.Characters from the Rock Chick series make appearances, which I loved.Tess, her friend Martha and their ever increasing posse, take the edge off the serious issues within the storyline. This storyline has a number of issues surrounding the various types of abuse. These are all handled well, not just thrown in without any further thought.The only reason I am giving this a four star rating, is because I thought it was rather slow to pick up pace. I also felt that some things were described in so much detail, I ended out skimming over these parts.

Tess O'Hara owns her own bakery, when a gorgeous guy walks in and within minutes she has agred to go out with him. For four months they see each other getting closer, or so Tess thought. Until she discovers that the guy she has started to fall for is a DEA agent, and she does nt even know his real name. Thinking he has only been using her to see if she is involved in her ex-husbands drug empire. she decides not to see him again. But Brock Lucas has other ideas.Once again this author gives us another fast moving story filled with a hot leading man and a loveable heroine who also has a core of steel. Many obstructions are placed in their path including Brock's ex-wife who is a real bitch, and Tess's ex-husband.I loved the relationship between Brock and Tess it was hot but romantic. All of the characters are very well developed and believeable. If you like stories with real alpha heroes and sweet loving but strong heroines then this is for you. This is the second book in the series the first which is just as good is  Mystery Man (Daydream Series) . Mystery Man (Daydream Series)

Most KA books I have read out of sequence. I had read all the others in the Dream Man series and would say this is the weakest.Whilst I loved Tess and Brock, it reminded me too much of other KA storylines what with the bitch ex-wife. What I usually love about KA's H&H is how they argue and make up a few times throughout the book but Tess and Brock were just nice and happy for most of the time. Brock is the usual alpha male who loves his woman and will do anything to protect her. Tess is the usual great heroine who can be sweet but can also turn kick-ass when she's protecting what is hers.No surprise that there is the usual plotline of the heroine getting kidnapped!As usual in a KA novel featuring kids, KA writes them superbly. I liked all the other characters and loved the epilogue.I will continue to read this authors novels though as I do love her way of writing. Her next book is out on 28 Feb '13 and I can't wait!

I enjoyed this book. Interesting read about a forty something romance between Tess and Brock.Initially Brock is an under cover agent and Tess the subject of his investigation (not a spoiler as you find this out very quickly).Both are divorced and Brock has two sons.Characters from the first book in this series appear.Sometimes I found the dialogue somewhat staccato and I think this was meant to indicate strong emotion but I found it odd. The same was true of the earlier book.I have just read this story for the second time, after some months, which is indicative of just how much I enjoyed it.