Reviews

Nauti Enchantress by Lora Leigh

kathydavie's review against another edition

2.0

Second in the Nauti Girls subseries and eighth in the overall Nauti usually erotic romantic suspense series revolving around the original Nauti Boys. The couple focus is on Lyrica Mackay and Graham Brock. It's been a year since Nauti Temptress (Nauti Girls #1), 7, and some twelve years since, I think, Nauti Dreams, 3.

My Take
It goes on and on and on and on and on and… Yep, I'm trying to get the atmosphere of Nauti Enchantress across. How incredibly annoying Leigh is in having her characters drone on and on and on an… God help me.

Then Leigh compounds it with the whole "woe is me, I can't be trusted" thing, you know, the trope about how she/he deserves better. *eye roll* *ow, owww, owwwww, my head's spinning from all the eyeball rolling* This is blended in with the whole "oh, no, I'll get XX killed if I hang around" trope. The final nail(s) in the coffin were all the misinterpretations Lyrica kept placing on everything she heard. And if I have to read "flavor" ever again, I'll choke. As for Graham's conclusion that Lyrica will only be another "flavor", *I think I'm getting a concussion from all the eye rolling* Nor did it help that the sex was so formulaic…

Well, now I know why Dawg's sisters are all virgins into their 20s. I would be so pissed at him.

For all the bitching the Mackays and company do about Doogan, it's nothing to what Doogan says about them, lol:

"…working with [the Mackays] was like facing demented zombies whose main aim was the destruction of a person's sanity rather than his life."

I got a kick out of Leigh's, er, Graham's recounting of all the ways Doogan could have done better, lol. I do like that Lyrica is a jill-of-all-trades and works smoothly between all the Mackay businesses. I also like the sound of Dawg's and Natches' houses.

Hmmm, sounds like Kye is much naughtier than Lyrica realized. Of course, Graham is a much more easygoing brother too.

The cliffhanger ending was a pip with Doogan's charges. Seems he and Zoey had a deal until Doogan lied to her.

The Story
Lyrica Mackay has wanted tall, handsome Marine Graham Brock for as long as she can remember. Unfortunately, Graham only sees her as his friend Dawg Mackay's "baby sister". Or so she believes.

The truth is, the fiery party girl stirs something in Graham no female ever has. But Graham, like everyone in Somerset County, knows that every eye in the county (and surrounding counties) is on those Mackay girls, and when a Mackay runs as hot as Lyrica does, someone's bound to get burned.

Then Graham discovers that Lyrica's wild side is just a cover for a frightened and vulnerable woman who needs something only Graham can offer. But surrendering his heart to Lyrica will expose his shocking secret.

The Characters
Lyrica Mackay, one of Dawg's four sisters, is another virginal female Mackay who loves to write. Yeah, hard to believe "virginal" after the antics of the Nauti Boys all over the county. Eve is her older sister, married to Brogan Campbell, an FPS agent (Nauti Temptress (Nauti Girls #1), 7). Mercedes Mackay, the girls' mother still runs her B&B, and Timothy Cranston (former Homeland Security) are still lovers. Chandler Mackay had been the girls' father. Jed Booker, a contractor, is engaged to Piper Mackay (Nautier and Wilder: "Nauti Siren" (Nauti Girls, 1.5), 7.5). Zoey Mackay is the youngest and a passionate fighter.

Kyleene Brock is Lyrica's best friend, who happens to have a brother, Graham, with whom Lyrica is passionately, hopelessly in love. Graham had been an intelligence officer with the Marines. Garrett and Mary Brock had been their parents, the ones who died.

The rest of the Mackays
Dawg, a former Marine, is still absolutely in love with Christa (Nauti Nights, 2). Natches and Chaya Mackay (Nauti Dreams, 3) have adopted Declan. Bliss is their twelve-year-old daughter who confided a dream to Lyrica that Natches will faint over. Trudy is Natches' beloved sniper rifle. Rowdy and Kelly are just as happy (Nauti Boy, 1). I think Laken and Erica are more daughters.

Homeland Security
Elijah Grant is Graham's second-in-command. That wildcard, Chatham Doogan, the new assistant director of Homeland Security, is Graham's boss. John Walker, Jr., is Rogue's brother and one of Timothy's unofficial agents.

Law enforcement in Somerset
Alex Jansen is still chief of police in Somerset; Janey Mackay is his wife (Nauti Intentions, 4). Detective Sam Bryce is the new criminal investigator for Somerset. Shane Mayes is the new sheriff and Zeke Mayes' son; Zeke is still married to Rogue (Nauti Deceptions, 5), and they run an electronic security firm.

Tracker is an assassin who has accepted the contract on Lyrica Mackay. Angel is his second-in-command and trailing Lyrica.

Chloe and DeeDee had been flavors-of-the-month. Carmina Lucient is a guest at the B&B. She's waiting for her fiancé soldier, Kevin Davis, to come home. Collier parties are sexual free-for-alls. Jim Bailey is a private detective hired to follow Lyrica; he spends more time playing with his cell phone. Harley Perdue left town after a beating Natches arranged. Kenny and Lucy Tannley had been the foster parents Chandler forced the girls over to. Doctors Caine Branson and Giana Worth are the surgeons working on Graham. Salyer and Jeffers are the nurses.

Betts Laren had been an army intelligence officer. Commander Jimmy Dorne had been Laren's lover. Whit Chaney is an explosives expert. Bradley Connor has some computer hacking experience.

Catching up…
The Mackays have been busy business-wise as well. Not only the four main businesses that are now encompassed by Mackay Enterprises, they've added two apartment buildings, a pawn shop, and a convenience store.

The Cover and Title
The cover is white and blue. A white background with a hazy blue-gray "floor", and Lyrica in a sequin-and-blue fitted shirt over a very, very short jean skirt and matching blue high-heeled, platform boots with slouchy shafts. The font for most of the text is thin with Enchantress in a spiky script.

The title is how Graham feels about Lyrica; she's a Nauti Enchantress.

ibens's review

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

labraden's review against another edition

4.0

I love the "Nauti" books. This one was no exception. Danger seems to follow Dawg's family, and in this story, yet another of his sister's is in trouble. A past love that has come back into her life spells trouble when she is threatened as a way to get back at the man who reluctantly loves her.

bookloverchelle's review against another edition

4.0

I love all of the Nauti books from Lora Leigh, they are the right kind of naughtiness. With the introduction of four Mackay half sisters, you just know the protective Mackay cousins will do anything and everything to protect them. Dawg Mackay has instilled loyalty to family in his sister’s lives. They may have formed a family late in life but they know that they can count on one another. Which is evident from how much Lyrica Mackay does for her family. But when she becomes the target of a killer she knows there’s only a few people she can turn to, including Graham Brock. Lyrica has had feelings for Graham for years but knows she couldn’t act on those feelings. Six years after their initial meeting Graham is ready to finally make his move. But with Lyrica’s life in danger he knows he has to put her safety above anything else. This book could possibly be read as a stand-alone but I really would recommend reading the earlier books for a better understanding of the characters. I enjoyed all of the secondary characters, the Mackay’s are a funny bunch. I do with that Lyrica and Graham got down to the smexy times sooner. Other than that, fun read!

jeannethinks's review against another edition

4.0

I have to admit I am addicted to the Nauti series. It's been an interesting road into the family of the Mackay's. I had my suspicions with how the "spin offs" for the sisters would work. But I must say I am pleasantly surprised with the second installment of the Nauti Girls storyline. We get to know Lyrica and Graham in Nauti Enchantress and of course there is life threatening peril involved. Wouldn't be a Nauti book without it. If you haven't read the other books, start there. I've seen too many reviews complaining about the interactions of the characters, well Lora Leigh does series books like a champ, so if you aren't looking for characters that are well developed and stories that have more than steam, you need to keep looking.

theybedax's review

4.0

Lora Leigh you are my weakness. I absolutely love everything you have written. Even when I am conflicted by this fact. I do find it amazing just how cursed one family can be at having bad guys always trying to kill them. I applaud you on the ability to create more monsters in the shadows.

bookwormlala's review

2.0

Lora Leigh and I are going to have to take a break

That first scene had me like, oh hell no. My first impression of Graham is that he is a douche if the highest order. And that pretty much set the whole tone of the book for me. I hate when the men in some sense of misplace honor screws anything that moves to forget the one he really wants. And I hate females that let the guy run over her. Lyrica's friend kind of just pimped her out to Graham saying it would keep her safe. But I just don't understand how Graham and Lyrica sleeping together will protect her more than her just staying at their house...in fact it seems more like a distraction. I hated the constant references to Graham's extremely active sex life. In reference to the women he slept with: Bimbo was said 17 times, some variation of flavor of the month 25, love bunny 6. I hated the men in this book. I love a good alpha male, but these men are controlling, manipulating men. I have read a lot of Lora Leigh books, and usually love them. But the last few have made me angry. I'm tired of the commitment-phobe men that whore around. I'm tired of the maniplation of people's lives, especially the women, as if they can't make their own decisions. The Mackay clan in the first nauti books are nowhere to be found. And instead this book is filled with characters I can't stand. Lora Leigh knows how to do heat, and do it well. But that's not all that's not all I want in a book. And unfortunately, this has all of the things I dislike in books. I felt the same way about the last breed bok I DNF. Maybe my tastes have changed, maybe her writing is tired and the same story like as all her other tens of books, but I can't do it anmymore. I may just be done with this author, or we at least need to spend some time apart.

autismreading_mom's review

5.0

This is the second installment in the Naughty Girls and the 8th in the McKay saga. You need to read the 6 books in the Naughty Boys Series to understand the rivalry, military ties and the family's connection. This book has mystery, suspense, killing and obnoxious men. I recommend this book to all you readers who love a good romance with a lot of action. You won't regret reading this book!

ladylore's review

4.0

Once again, Lora Leigh does NOT disappoint!

I loved her Nauti Boy series and this spin-off is just as good!

The characters are so lovable and the action is so intense. There's always a sense of "Who Dunnit?" mixed with sex appeal in her books. I love it!

Graham and Lyrica's relationship was so intense, I was rooting for them the entire time!

Love this series!

sarah1984's review

4.0

3/9 - I've gotta say, there's a lot of sex in this book. Graham (not a fan of that name, it doesn't match the heroine's name or go with any of the previous heroes' names - Natches, Rowdy, Dawg, etc.) and Lyrica (not a fan of that name either, she sounds like she should be a fae from a supernatural romance) are at it by page 16 and, other than a short break in the middle of the book for a bit of not sex related plot, they're rarely in each other's company without something steamy happening.

I thought it was strange that one of the reasons Graham used for having to stay away from Lyrica was his preference for kinky, dirty sex and that Lyrica shouldn't be subjected to that (he didn't even know Lyrica was a virgin at that point), that his tastes might shock and terrify her. Other than a much higher than normal percentage of sex to plot, there was nothing particularly kinky in this book, and considering some of the other Leigh books I've read I was expecting that 'kinky' to be kinky (wonder where that word came from, I'll have to look up the etymology of the word 'kinky' now).

I was surprised that the older guys admitted to their Machiavellian machinations of their younger relatives love lives. Sure, the ones who've already been manipulated into falling in love with their perfect match can't complain too much, but if the guys' plans get out to the younger generations they could have a mutiny on their hands - children, nieces/nephews, brothers/sisters leaving Somerset in droves before their relatives can meddle in their lives. Rowdy, Natches, and Dawg need to be careful or they could have all-out chaos that tears the family apart. I know I would be more than a little annoyed with a brother, uncle or other male relative telling me (forcefully) what I could do and who I could see, at the age of 24.

Despite all that I really enjoyed the book and had it read well within 12 hours. I've put another of Leigh's books from the series on hold and made a request for the first in the series to be purchased for the catalogue (it really annoys me when they've got most, if not all, of a series, except the first book).