"Makes you laugh, cry, and reach for the vibrator all at the same time."

Dakota Cassidy can make you laugh, cry and reach for your vibrator all at the same time (and that means you need three hands to deal with her books: one to hold the e-book reader, one to hold the hanky, and a third for the Magic Wand). This book is no exception. Maxie Rodriguez is another member of the Ex-Files, four divorced women who met at a divorcees support group and became fast friends. Her ex-husband Juan beat the hell out of her and put her in the hospital with brain trauma when she confronted him about his affair. She'd been beaten before, but she'd been afraid to be alone and she loved the worthless jerk. Now she's single again, in great shape and looking hot, teaching self defense to other women, and having incredibly hot sex with an Invisible Man. Problem is, she can't help wondering if her non-corporeal partner is the result of brain injury, or merely an overactive imagination coupled with a libido dying to cut loose. It sure seems real — especially the wet spot in the bed she wakes up to. Her counselor votes for brain trauma, even though she's the only case in history with a scorchingly hot invisible sex partner.

But Kellen, who is that invisible guy with the talented hands, the well-trained tongue, and the extraordinary cock, is very real. He's a Celtic warrior cursed by a jealous woman to avenge other women raped and abused by men. Usually this revenge takes the form of a beating in a dark alley. It is not supposed to lead to wild sex with the lady he's avenging. But seeing Maxie lying helpless in her hospital bed tore his heart, and he found himself giving in to the longing to touch her. Touching led to fabulous sex — and then one night, Maxie, doubting her own sanity, turns out the lights and sees him. Her first reaction is hardly what he expects: she orders him to get off her or she'll scream so loud the neighbors will call the police.

But Maxie can't follow through on her threats — the guy is gorgeous and he has a lilting Irish brogue. And Kellen is shocked to find that his gentle Spanish beauty is a Puerto Rican spitfire who considers him a sexy but arrogant barbarian (I'm surprised Dakota missed the obvious pun "Gonad the Barbarian" but then maybe she prefers her humor slightly less broad). He tells her his wretched story, and she asks him some hard questions before she accepts it as truth. They strike a deal, and Kellen begins his transformation - he learns to cook like Emeril and he takes care of her as if she was a fragile porcelain doll -- except, of course, between the sheets. But can Kellen and Maxie overcome his curse? Or will Kellen be pulled away from this woman he has fallen in love with, once he avenges her battering at the hands of Juan?

Maxie is an adorable heroine, vulnerable, feisty, strong, warm-hearted and smart-mouthed. Dakota manages to create an accurate portrait of a survivor who walked away from abuse and rebuilt her life with her sense of humor intact. Kellen's transformation from Celtic warrior unable to keep his braies up to househusband and faithful lover is both hilarious and sweet - imagine Conan learning to use a dishwasher and cook chicken cordon bleu while still retaining his martial talents, and you've got it. This is both a hilarious romp and a strong statement against domestic violence, but Dakota never allows her message to get in the way of the hot sex, screamingly funny dialogue, and two lonely people stumbling into a love that heals them both. I love so many of Cassidy's books that it's hard to pick a favorite, but this is right at the top of the list. Another keeper from Ms. Cassidy. Now go buy this book. Now.

Senusality Rating: Steamy monogamous sex, including oral.

Reviewed by Gillian Fitzgerald
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted December 29, 2004

Summary

Maxie Rodriguez is healing. Healing from the wounds of a battered wife and the fear all that encompasses. She's recovered from her near bout with death and growing stronger by the second. Maxie teaches self-defense courses and she's in the best shape of her life.She has her friends from Divorcee's Anonymous and her Karaoke. So, what's wrong with her? Her therapist says it's brain trauma. She just thinks she's nuts. Because every night she dreams of a man who entices her body to scream in ecstasy. And this is a problem? Well, it is if you can't see or speak to the guy who's doing you twelve ways 'til Sunday! Who is this man? Is it someone she's created in her mind, a delusion of the craziest of proportions? Or, has Maxie finally found a outlet for all of her pent up sexual frustration through an entity she's created in her mind? And what this about witches and curses and Celtic's? It's the second installment of the girls from the Ex-Files and Maxie's gonna get a man, trouble is...is he real?