Review: Claimed

CLAIMED
Outlaws #1
Elle Kennedy
Adult Romance/Post-Apocalyptic
368 pages
Signet
Available October 6th
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
After a devastating war decimated most of the world, Hudson Lane has only known the oppressive life under her own father’s tyranny. She finally escapes, branding herself an outlaw and hunted by the Enforcers. Her best chance at survival is Connor Mackenzie, an aggressively sensual fugitive who opens her eyes to the wicked possibilities of a world without rules.

As the leader of a band of outlaw fighters, Connor can’t resist the beautiful stranger who asks for his protection. Despite his reservations, he agrees to introduce her to a whole new way of life. But when Connor discovers Hudson’s connection to the enemies of liberty, he wonders how far he can trust the woman who has abandoned all inhibitions to challenge every forbidden desire.

MY THOUGHTS
Claimed is a strong, sensual start to a new series by Ms. Kennedy, introducing us to a post-apocalyptic world we can only hope never comes to pass, as well as a group of men who have us wishing we could somehow grant Ms. Kennedy the ability to write at superhuman speed in order to have their stories as soon as possible. We're given just enough history as to how this war-ravaged world came to be so that we easily get our bearings in the first few chapters, settling in quickly and then gluing ourselves to the story until we reach the last page far before we're ready to temporarily part ways with Connor, Hudson and company.

Hudson is a little tricky in the beginning, instantly drawing us in with her need to find safety outside the walls of the compound she called home, but when that understandable need begins to bleed into the romance in the first third of the book, we can't help but want her to find the spine of steel that led her to flee her home in the first place. Because she instinctively knows that Connor and his team can provide safety, she tries hard to make herself useful without disrupting the routine they've established, and when things heat up with Connor physically, that desire for safety leads her to accept what feels like the crumbs from Connor's sexual table. That's not to say she's not an active and willing participant in anything and everything they do–she absolutely is–but she allows him to call the shots inside the bedroom and out of it in a way that has us wishing she'd make him work a little harder for it.

Before too long however, Hudson gains confidence sexually and otherwise, and when she does, she goes toe to toe with Connor in the best possible way. She pushes when he needs to be pushed and then allows him to take back control before pushing too far, becoming a woman who isn't afraid to ask for what she wants and demand that her voice be heard (in a non-irritating way). Those, like myself, who are typically uncomfortable with anything other than absolute monogamy in romances should know that Hudson and Connor play with one of Connor's men a number of times, but in the context of this world it works to intensify things between the two of them. There's no hint of a triangle–Rylan is sure to get his book at some point in the near future (yay!)–and the understanding from the beginning is that what's shared between them is physical only within the bounds of friendship.

Overall, Claimed is blistering hot with just enough grit to the world to have us delighting in the characters' rough edges, and we're left with the satisfied smile any romance-lover lusts for firmly in place by the time we reach the last page.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Elle:

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Amazon 

This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Cover Critique: The From Behind Romantic Tackle

Let me preface this post by saying that my critiques of these covers are in no way, shape or form a reflection on the author, the content or the publisher. I know the authors have very little, if any, control over the design. These are strictly my thoughts meant simply to be humorous and not insulting.

I know it's been a little while on the critique guys I'm so sorry! Blogger fail. I did 3 covers this week though, so hopefully that makes up for it a little bit.

In my scouring of the internet for the most entertaining of book covers, I began to notice a trend in the poses for historical romance novels and thought I would share my findings with you. I have dubbed it "The From Behind Romantic Tackle". Brilliance, thy name is Jenny. Try not to be intimidated by my way with words, I'm just really on my game today. Enjoy!



So. What exactly do you think he's doing to her? I'm assuming this is supposed to be a passionate embrace given that his hand is all up in her business, but it almost looks as though he's hit some sort of pressure point and just doubled her over doesn't it? The bare skin of her upper thighs must be super sensitive for her to have this incredibly dramatic response to the brush of his fingers, or perhaps we just need to give our kudos to him for having such orgasmic digits. Bravo you master manipulator of the metacarpals!

I've seen cover after cover with this pose (though not so many with this level of enthusiasm, well done cover models, well done!) and it just makes me giggle at the idea that being pounced on from behind, essentially bent in half, and then heavily breathed on is an adequate method of seduction. Maybe I'm just a prude who's not thinking outside the box though. Maybe I'm underestimating the sexiness that is my ear being panted on while the fabric of my dress is getting far more action as my sexy shirtless hero bunches it up than I myself am getting.

Let's see another example shall we?



Ah, look at this clever fellow. He's making this pose his own by switching up the ear/neck breathing and focusing his smoldering exhalations on her eye. Good on you my friend. Way to be a leader and not a follower you magnificent male specimen, show those other romance heroes what you're made of!

While his creative liberty is nothing short of admirable, looking at her face makes me think perhaps it's not really having the desired effect. The woman on the cover of Wild at least seems to be awake and somewhat actively participating in the tackle-de-amor, but this woman appears to have passed out. She also seems to have some sort of problem breathing through her nose given her mouth is gaping open, though it might be entirely possible that our fair-haired romeo could benefit from a mint and the only way she can get into things is to breathe through her mouth. Poor girl.

I would like to be present for some of these photo shoots and see the before and after images wouldn't you? Before I just picture this woman standing there in his embrace, looking bored and wondering how much longer she has to wear 20lbs of red plaid fabric while feigning arousal. Then, as soon as they say action, her knees buckle, her back arches, and her jaw drops open on a dreamy sigh as he does absolutely nothing but press his goods into her backside and blow hot air on her eye. Sexy time has commenced people.

This last one is not a historical romance cover, but it still fits my theme for today's post and is extraordinarily entertaining, so be ready.



Well then. This couple is taking the tackle to a whole new level aren't they? Before we get sidetracked with the fact that he's copping a feel of her breast in order to provide her just a touch of modesty on this cover (so thoughtful isn't he?), I'd like to discuss the spatial relationship of his appendages. Can you just look at where his right elbow is in relation to where his right shoulder should be behind her? He has a stump of an upper right arm apparently because those proportions just don't make sense. The musculature of that same forearm also doesn't seem to match that of his left biceps, so I have no idea who is actually feeling this young woman up. We have a mystery arm with a nipple fetish here. Creepy.

And where has her right arm gone? This is quite the conundrum isn't it? I'm actually beginning to wonder if these two people were actually ever in this picture together or if they were photoshopped into this position. Not only do we have the missing limb/stunted arm situation, but his face seems to have gotten stuck inside her face, as though she has somehow absorbed him. What!? I'm so thoroughly confused and it just makes me happy. Who loves this cover? *raises both hands*

Happy Friday Everyone!