Laid Bare (A Brown Family Novel) [Paperback]

Lauren Dane (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 4, 2009 | Series: A Brown Family Novel (Book 1)

It's been 10 years since sexy police officer Todd Keenan's fling with Erin Brown, the provocative rocker chick next door. Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tougher than they expected.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Laid Bare

“[Laid Bare] moves and surprises you in all the best ways. I loved this book!” —Sylvia Day, New York Times bestselling author of Reflected in You

“The hottest thing since Prometheus gave us fire. Don’t miss this book.”—Ann Aguirre, national bestselling author of Agave Kiss

“Each and every love scene pushes the boundaries.” —Joyfully Reviewed

“Laid Bare lives up to its title.”—The Best Reviews

“A highly erotic read.”—Fiction Vixen

“Laid Bare is proof that it’s sometimes worth reading outside your comfort zone. This book is a gem and I can highly recommend it.”—Monkey Bear Reviews

“This book was just Wow! Yeah, I know I should have known after reading so many great reviews, but seriously I never imagined it to be so good.”—Geeky Bookworm

“Amazing! This is the best book I have read this year.”—The Book Girl

“Laid Bare is a fantastic read on many different levels but it’s the way the story speaks to your heart that cements it as a must-read title.”—Romance Junkies, 5 Blue Ribbons

“Lauren Dane is always a sure bet for an entertaining story, but this one plays the heartstrings like a violin. Laid Bare puts the emotions of the characters right out in the open, nothing hidden...The characters are strong and funny, which makes the book even better, even as the subject matter breaks your heart. I always look forward to Ms. Dane’s books and this one is definitely hitting the keeper shelf.”—Manic Readers

“I absolutely loved Laid Bare. Lauren Dane blew my socks off…If you like steamy sex scenes featuring dirty men and their dominating ways, you will not want to miss Laid Bare.”—GeekVixen.com

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Unexpected Desire...

It's been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn't in the cards just yet...

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin's past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd's best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed--and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425229718
• ISBN-13: 978-0425229712
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The story goes like this - While on pregnancy bed rest, Lauren Dane had plenty of down time so her husband took her comments about "giving that writing thing a serious go" to heart and brought home a secondhand laptop. She wrote her first book on it before it gave up the ghost. Even better, she sold that book and never looked back.

Today Lauren is a New York Times bestselling author of over fifty novels and novellas across several genres.

Visit Lauren on the web at www.laurendane.com
E-mail [e-mail]
Blog www.laurendane.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurendane
You can write to her at: PO BOX 45175, Seattle, WA 98145

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreakingly Beautiful Story August 27, 2009

By Sarah Free

Format:Paperback

I loved this book for its brutal honesty. This story confronts many stereotypes from peoples prejudice against pierced and tattooed rock stars to "deviant sexuality". Dane captured the struggle many people feel about their interest in BDSM, the shame and confusion it can bring as well as showing the wonderful possibilities that can occur when it's overcome, as well as the pain of trying to stifle that side of yourself. She comprehends the difference between an abusive relationship and the love and trust that can come from a true partnership.
This story also tackles a m/m/f menage in a situation where none of the players intended. In most m/m/f stories the men have a history of sharing, or have already determined they are looking for a female to complete them. The hesitancy and growing feelings, as well as fears and doubts of all three involved is insightful and touching.
Dane also shows an amazing ability to understand the fear that can live on in someones life after a tragic life altering event. Many people do not understand true Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and how it can affect every facet of someones life. Often people expect you to move on and don't understand how fears can live on and never be truly vanquished.

I fell in love with artsy-fartsy little freak Erin, stoic and tough Todd, and arrogant and sensitive Ben. Lauren Dane did not write a story where every thing was perfect, while there is the happy ending we all love it wasn't perfect. Which is what the best writers do, because life is not perfect. There is joy and laughter as well as pain and tears.

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing story September 3, 2009

By Liz

Format:Paperback

This was a very long story. But wonderful, nonetheless. It spanned over a length of time and many events. It touched on so many subjects, I have to give author credit for her creativity and her commitment to the overall message in the book.

It seems the first half of the book was basically the love story between Erin and Todd. Then very eloquently, Ben was brought in to the relationship and it became a love story between all three of them. Through it all Erin was finding her way again after such a horrible time in her life. Lots of secondary characters. Lauren Dane is brilliant at bringing friends and family characters together to get us emotionally invested in all of them. I thought it was both realistic and unfortunate how things played out when their respective families found out about their triad relationship. It makes sense that not all of them would be okay with it. Its just sad that they lost some close relationships along the way because of their inability to accept it. And these men, wowza! They were fabulous. A perfect mix of alpha male potency and gentle tenderness and understanding. Side note: when it says "explicit sex scenes", it really means that! Hot hot hot!!!

I absolutely love LD's books. All of them. But I can honestly say I haven't loved the male characters this much since the Chase brothers. Fantastic men!! (no criticism to the other males in her books)....I just haven't felt the warm and fuzzies to this degree for the males since that other amazing series. Well done. Can't wait for Brody's story next!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars New perspective May 23, 2010

By Avid Reading in NV VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Erin is a tough, confident woman in all aspects of her life. Todd is confident except for his sexuality. Raw passionate connection develops between the two, scaring Todd and sending him running for the hills. Ten years later, a little growing up and soul deep scars later and they reconnect. This time fully committing to the relationship that feels all too right. Ben is Todds best friend and bisexual. Once Todd fully accepts his need for a D/s relationship and feels comfortable with trying new things and not feeling embarrassed or wrong for doing so. Ben admits to Todd that he use to be in a triad relationship and offers to be a third if they ever wanted it. I never understood how a man, a protective/possessive man, could allow another man to share with his female. This book made me understand it showed a triad relationship in a whole new light. Ben is Todds best friend since second grade he loves Todd and respects his love with Erin. Things develop from there, accepting eachother, everyone in love with eachother equally sharin one another. It was sexy, romantic and a sweet romance. Very touching romance, all the while settling into their new lives and dealing with past scars.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply awesome January 13, 2010

By M. Kelly

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lauren Dane did it again! Laid Bare just was released Aug 4th and I was sure to order it right away because I just love her writing and the characters she creates.

Okay enough pimpage on Lauren Dane the author and let me talk about her book Laid Bare. I love Rock Music and in this book the main female character, Erin Brown, is a rock star. This book features a lot of music and you really get the musician vibe. The book starts out when she is just young (24) and just beginning. The book jumps forward 10 years after solidifying the essence of the plot. She is uber cool, confident, has gorgeous tattoos and is an amazing bass guitarist. We are also introduced to the main male character, Todd Keenan at the beginning of the book. They are neighbours and they are crazy about each other. On the outside they appear very different. Her rock star image to his clean cut police officer. They break up as Todd can't admit to who he really is inside and she refuses to allow herself to apologize for who she is.

Todd has this image in his head of a good cop, pretty wife, 2.5 kids and the white picket fence thing.

10 years later, she has left the public view of the music industry and Todd is divorced from the woman that matched his criteria. They meet back up and are immediately drawn to each other. Now Todd is confident with who he is but Erin has changed. Something incredibly awful has happened to Erin and the main reason she left the public eye.

What I really liked about this story is that the couple got together almost right away and the involvement of the book was their growing together to overcome the nightmare that happened to Erin.

The book took a surprising twist as a third male came into the story.... Ben Copeland is Todd's best friend and is a long time childhood buddy. He is now Todd's business partner in their security firm because Todd left the police force. Slowly but surely Ben becomes involved with them as a triage and the love that the three share is heart warming. I swear! It's not like sex sex sex and a there, we have a threesome.

I love how Lauren uses sex to enhance the story. If you looking for a dripping wet sex book on ménage, then this is not the book. Yes there are hot ménages, but they are meaningful, loving and even there is some fun. I love that Lauren even inserts arguements.

The book deals with alot of issues. Relationships, dominance/submissive, self esteem, family, sexuality, death, grief, fame, communication, sex...the list goes on because it is all here.

Warning: light BDSM, sex, ménage between M/F/M but it does have some light M/M Read more ›