Former FBI Agent Mac McCoy gave up a lot to marry Keiley Hardin. Knowing that she wasn't ready to accept the sexual lifestyle that he reveled in, he willingly gave it up in order to have Keiley. All he's doing is waiting for the day that she embraces the need that he can so plainly see in her. Mac is content to be patient with Keiley, until her curiosity starts getting the better of her.

Keiley Hardin is just starting to realize that Mac has been holding a part of himself back from her. Though she desperately wants all of her husband, she is not sure if she can do what he so obviously needs from her. After living for years in the shadow of her parents mistakes, Keiley abhors gossip and does everything she can not to draw attention to herself.

Jethro Riggs has been waiting for three years for Mac's call to tell him that Keiley is ready. When it finally comes, Jethro wonders how he will hide the feels he has for Keiley from Mac. Although Jethro and Mac have shared many women, Jethro knows this is different because of how much Mac loves Keiley.

This was an unusual book for me. In previous m/f/m books that I've read (specifically Lora Leigh's), the men only share their women until they are married. As a married woman myself, I had a hard time understanding how Mac could want to share and how Keiley could be in love with two men at the same time. On the other hand, Keiley's struggle with exactly that came across loud and clear. When you throw in a little suspense from one of Mac's old cases and a harpy witch that wants to bring Keiley down, you have a good read. All in all, it was a good book though unusual.

For fans of Lora Leigh's Bound Hearts series through Ellora's Cave Publishing, Forbidden Pleasure is the 8th installment and the first mainstream, full length novel in the series.

Forbidden Pleasure takes us away from D.C. and The Club and centers around a couple who are already together, already madly in love and working through their marriage like any other couple might. The difference is John "Mac" McCoy IS a former member of "The Club" and has been fighting his darker needs since he came together with his wife Keiley. He has believed her too innocent, too fragile, to share this side with her and it is starting to errode their relationship.

Keiley, despite her youth, is starting to crave what she has only heard hints and rumors about. She has battled her own demons and for the most part, won. She now wants to explore her husbands darker side and that means bringing in Jethro, her husbands former FBI partner and "third." The Third being the man that will join another couple in their bed (or out of it) to give the woman the ultimate pleasure.

Throw in Jethro's own dark past, a stalker, and a small town rival with a vindictive streak a mile wide and you have quite a story and a very non-traditional romance. Those familiar with Leigh's work and similar works available through Ellora's Cave, Samhain & Aphrodisia will find the sensuality no less hot for the mainstream publishing, though the verbage is a bit more refined. Also enjoyable to one who has read earlier works in the Bound Hearts series is the evolution of Leigh's writing. While I have no complaints with her earlier works, there is a depth in her newer work that was not so evident before. Bravo!

My complaints? Like one previous reviewer stated, the editing was very poor. Did they rush to get this to print and on the shelves? I too read several scenes over trying to make sense of it.

I also found the ruminating that both Mac and Keiley participated in to be exhausting. They thought this situation to death and I found myself skimming at times. While I also very much enjoy the eroticism of these stories, and all consuming passion makes for fantastic romance, Keiley's inability to think or hold her ground the moment she is simply kissed or caressed is annoying at times. This theme isn't limited to Leigh's work though, as it is very common in historical romances as well. I just wish sometimes the heroine would not lose her wits the moment the hero launches into his seduction. But maybe thats just me.

Overall, a great read, would definitely recommend it, and am not at all sorry I purchased this retail. Lora Leigh never fails to entertain, and for me, that's really what it's all about.

The line between the two is tauntly drawn to the point of breaking in this
sensual and exciting novel. Alhough well written with plenty of spice and just the right amount of threat/tension through a secondary plot--the characters don't seem to have believable emotional reactions. Requiring both male leads to be equally "Alpha" in their personalities does not also permit sharing of as much as a steak sandwich. Yet we are to believe they willing share physically and emotionally--yet are completely devoid of any homoeroticism? We can't have it all ways. Jealousy and possessive behaviors are ways our hearts and emotions protect themselves.
Demonstrating loving behaviors in romanctic situations doesn't lessen anyone. Worth the investment if suspension of belief and lack of knowledge about humans "being" is your cup 'a tea.

Let me start by saying I would give this book 5 stars for content. Without a doubt this was the hottest book I have ever read.
I was in the Romance section at Borders looking for something to kill time while I waited for my daughter to get out of the movie theater. I love Romance but I had no idea what I was getting into when I pulled it off the top shelf. It totally grabbed me from the start and I was RIVETED. It was all I could do not to squirm in my chair as I got into the good parts. And believe me there are plenty of those. I had no idea this kind of fiction was out there and in a mainstream bookstore no less. My husband will be thanking Lora for a long time, since this certainly fired me up. :D
I almost exclusively get my books from the library because I can't afford to feed my voracious reading appetite. As soon as I found that I could not get any of Lora Leigh's books from the library I went right back to buy the book and another of her titles. I cannot recommend this book too highly if you like erotic romance.
Now for the bad news.
This edition must have been edited by SpellCheck. There are way too many instances in the book where I got totally thrown off the pacing because of some stupid typo, or bizarre wording, or inconsistency in the action. For instance at one point in the book (and I'm trying not to give too much away), Keiley has someone in front and behind her. But then she pushes backward onto both. How is that possible? I have to stop and try to figure out how that is physically possible. I haven't ever done this myself but how can that be?
Another thing, I finished the book last night and I was literally panting. Jethro is in the shower with Keiley and I read "...he caressed her washrag." OK, either there is some secret meaning to the term washrag or there is a word missing. Did her caress her with the washrag?
This kind of thing is totally distracting and it made me nuts. These were just two of many such instances in the book.
All of that being said, I loved the book, I plan to buy all of her books, and I will look for more erotic romance now that I know it exists
Now if I could only get a job as her editor.......

John "Mac" McCoy is a former Trojan and member of The Club; a specialty club that that caters to men with specific wants and desires. In the past, Mac and his best friend Jethro experienced everything the secret club had to offer, even the risqué sharing of their women. After meeting and falling in love with one special lady, Keiley Hardin, Mac resigned his membership with the idea that his intrinsic sexual tendencies and cravings will stay on the back burner. Three years later, Mac knows he was only fooling himself. No longer able to keep his wants at bay, Mac realizes that his sexual needs have started working their way into his psyche and his marriage.

Keiley Hardin McCoy loves her husband Mac with her whole heart and soul. It's not surprising that she has heard the rumors surrounding her husband and his best friend, Jethro Riggs. However, Keiley has a secret of her own. Buried inside of her, and now making itself known, is a sensual curiosity that wants to know and experience the type of relationship that has, up until now, only been speculation.

Jethro Riggs brings new meaning to the title of "bad boy". He loves women and they love him - at least in a physical sense. Life has taught Jethro the hard lesson that loving someone will only lead to loss, and for this reason he avoids any emotional ties until one phone call from Mac turns his world and emotions upside down. When Mac states his request, Jethro can't suppress his raging desire. With one kiss from Keiley McCoy, too late, Jethro recognizes his error. Though his position is only temporary, he realizes that if there is one woman who could touch his heart, it's the wife of his best friend.

When a sinister presence sets his sights on Keiley, the two men vow to keep her safe at all costs. While racing to identify Keiley's stalker, the three explore their sensual cravings causing passions to explode and lives to alter. But can such a relationship survive when the smoke clears? Or will one remain on the outside, always craving what he never knew he wanted?

Before reading FORBIDDEN PLEASURE, I never attributed the adjective `sexy' to the name Jethro. Now, however, I'll be unable to say the name without thinking of sensual blue eyes, a strong body, and a naughty smile. Jethro Riggs was sin personified and I loved watching his emerging feelings for Keiley, who turned out to be one lucky woman. Her unconditional devotion to Mac was readily apparent and it was not compromised with her rising attraction to Jethro; rather, it was made stronger and more intense. I felt the genuineness of Mac's anguish at the effects his sexual needs could have on his relationship with Keiley. While he desired nothing but his wife's pleasure, I could feel his turmoil over wanting to make Jethro a part of his and Keiley's marriage bed.

Highly intense, poignantly emotional, and wonderfully delicious, FORBIDDEN PLEASURE was a truly decadent read. As with all Lora Leigh novels, I read this cover to cover in one sitting. There is nothing more forbidden than a Trojan, and I can't help but adore them.

***Natasha Smith for Romance Junkies***