Proving His Worth

Deuces Wild, Book 3

By: Cari Quinn

Narrated by: Joe Arden

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

He's used to coming out on top...until desire brings him to his knees.

Sterling Vance is focused on two things: building his bodyguard agency and finding a nice, commitment-minded woman to date. The first one is easy - winning in business comes naturally. The second? Tricky, especially in the online dating world. At least when it comes to his friend's pregnant daughter, he's sure of himself. She got into trouble, so it makes perfect sense to move her into his place. Until unexpected attraction shoots them straight from platonic to "pass the lube".

Proving she can take care of her baby on her own is Angelina McFee's top priority. At least it was until Sterling gives her what he thinks she needs - then retreats behind his in-control façade. Curious to discover if he ever lets loose, she sets up a fake online profile...and gets an eyeful that ties her up in orgasmic knots. Yet one thing still scares the hell out of her: falling for him. But as the secret she's hiding pushes closer to the surface, and her determined ex closes in, it could already be too late....

Warning: Watch out for dirty talk, dirtier pictures, and the occasional tie used as restraint. Handle with care - objects in the mirror are hotter than they look.

©2014 Samhain Publishing (P)2016 Insatiable Press

100% Joe Arden for the win

Any book automatically goes up a few notches with Joe Arden narrating, if it's all Joe, even better! These were two very different people, but they had a history of family friendship which had bound them together for many years. Even tho she was younger and wilder, he was older and a bit more uptight. It was a different story than the man showing the woman the ropes. You felt like she was taking the lead and opening him up to new experiences he wouldn't have otherwise had. So that was a nice change from the normal storylines. I also like a story where a man steps up, and just loves - everyone.

Witty banter, sex, nothing else

The witty banter between Sterling Vance (age 31, friend of Ang's father) and Angelina/Ang (age 22, 23 in 1 month, pregnant by Pete Lamont) was glue that held this story together. But there wasn't much else. Well, that's not true. After they got started, there was plenty of sex, only sex, it seems.
Sterling and his unusual nature as a hero and love-interest in a romance was great, but I didn't like his match with Ang. He seemed to bring so, so much more to the table that his joining with Ang just didn't work for me. He was a successful nerdy kind of guy who wasn't into casual sex, so he wasn't the type of guy to need or want a much younger (8-9 year age difference) woman & one particularly like Ang to bolster his ego or anything else.

Angelina initiated the sexual part of their relationship, which Sterling liked to some degree. Then he really liked how she was different from other women he was romantic with. Ang had tattoos, multi-colored hair, a funky dressing style, had casual sex and was a straight-A engineering student. She wasn't unlikable; she just didn’t' seem to be a good match for Sterling. And, unfortunately, their falling in love seemed to be entirely based on good sex. It was a let-down.

Sterling & Angelina

*****Spoiler Alert *****

Audible review. Dual POV. Deuces Wild book 3. This is my favorite of the 3 stories. Joe Arden did an excellent job; I listened at speed 1.50. Trigger warnings: car accident/attempted murder; 3 small fights; @n@l; and one character is shot.

Sterling (31) is working with Jax & Chase at Deuces Wild, their bodyguard agency. Chase proposes to Summer at bingo. Angelina (22) is one of the employees at the bingo company and sees Sterling. Sterling realizes she's pregnant. Sterling moves Angelina in to his home for her safety. Angelina's baby's father wanted her to get an abortion. Sterling and Angelina eventually admit their feelings for each other, Angelina's family finds out she's with Sterling and pregnant, Angelina decides to sign the paperwork releasing her ex from his parental responsibility, Chase and Summer elope, Angelina and Sterling marry and have their first baby, Jax and Cassidy are planning a Christmas wedding and Angelina just found out she's pregnant for her second baby. JP