This is a captivating, steamy romance. Tom is a nice guy from the mid West, he's polite, charming and engaging, and a bit manipulative. He has recently discovered that he is bi and he wants his teammate/ roommate Danny. Danny believes that his one night of wild sex with a woman and other men was a one time thing. But being around Tom is confusing him. Carmina is a wounded vet who's best friend is their teammate. She has a personal problem that she thinks a man can solve. And while she's attracted to Danny, she chooses Tom to help her. Tom fails, but Danny doesn't. Now she wants both of them. So while Danny convinces himself he doesn't want to be in a relationship, Tom and Carmina start one. And try to draw Danny in. I loved the storyline and the characters. Outside of their relationship the drama amongst the team members is dramatic and suspenseful.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion of it.

I loved this book! Samantha Kane is a favorite author of mine, and I love her Birmingham Rebels series. MMF reads are one of my most beloved genres, and I really, really enjoyed this book. Carmina is a pretty strong woman who is healing mentally and physically after getting hurt in action while she was in the army. Tom has a crush on her, and I adored how caring and patient he was with her. Danny is a slightly rougher, darker character, who isn’t completely comfortable with his feelings and needs. Their chemistry is electric and the “love scenes” as so hot they give off sparks! Can’t wait for more of this series! (And the author!)

Misconduct by Samantha Kane
Birmingham Rebels

Another good book in the Birmingham Rebels series!

Carmina de la Cruz lives near her friend, Sam Taylor who is the only other survivor of the IED explosion in Afghanistan when they both served in the military but now Sam plays for the Birmingham Rebels football team. She wants to be able to talk to other people without searching for words or getting frustrated talking as a result of the traumatic brain injury from the accident. Through Sam she meets and becomes interested in Tom Kelly, another football player. But Tom is also interested in Danny Smith who also plays for the Rebels.

Samantha Kane writes a very good romance story showing the results of the injuries suffered by some of the military with great care and how the veteran works through the issues. Reading the earlier books in the series helps the reader understand why some of the players reacted as they did.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really like how Samantha Kane kept the secret going throughout the last 4 books. The one ingredient that ties the stories of the last 3 books to the first is so raw. We've seen how it's affected those not directly involved & now in Misconduct we see how it's affected Danny who was intimately involved in the secret from the beginning. We also see the story behind Carmina's difficulties with Traumatic Brain Injury & how Tom who's been in love with 2 people for a while brings them all together. Really enjoyed this book

4 STARS FOR MISCONDUCT!!! The story was entertaining, hot, sexy and a page turner. The characters are likeable, entertaining and who doesn't like football. Samantha Kane definitely knows how to make a story sizzle. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

Hot as fire!!

In book 4 of the Birmingham Rebels series Samantha Kane has set the hotness bar to a new level! All of the books in this series are seriously HOT but just when I think Ms. Kane can't come up with anything hotter she proves me wrong.

I've wanted to learn more about Danny Smith ever since book one, Broken Play. Each of the books in this series can be read as standalones but for this one I'd recommend reading book one first so that you get more of Danny's backstory.

Danny has been running from his desires for a long time. Tom Kelly, rookie running back for the Rebels, has been having a great time discovering what he likes and playing the field with both men and women. Carmina de la Cruz suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Afghanistan serving her country. Her recovery is going well but there's one area that's still causing her a big problem. No matter what she's tried she can't orgasm; it's been over 3 years.

Danny doesn't want a relationship with Tom but he does want Carmina. Can Tom convince Danny that the three of them are better together than alone?

Misconduct is full of all kind of things that made me laugh and cry. Samantha Kane's stories have always had the ability to get my emotions fully engaged but in this book, she has outdone herself. I'm not a football fan but that doesn't matter when it comes to reading this series. The stories are about so much more than football; they are about people and the unconventional lives they choose to live.

I'm not sure if there will be more stories in this series or not but whatever Samantha Kane writes next, I'm reading it!

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

Samantha Kanes’ “Misconduct” forwards the Birmingham Rebels saga, advancing the triads readers have already met, while telling Carmine, Tom and Danny’s story. You’d miss a lot buying this as a standalone. But as a continuing edition, it’s thoroughly satisfying.
 
Carmina de la Cruz, whose Army tour ended with an ambush and traumatic brain injury, suffers inattentiveness, speech difficulties and anorgasmia. Her best friend, Sam, who was also in the ambush, plays for the Rebels. Carmina is tired of trying to get her life under control; she wants it back to normal. Her normal. Deciding she’s ready to overcome her sexual issues, she looks towards Sam’s teammates to find a suitable candidate.
 
Tom Kelly, once a wholesome Midwestern, one-woman man, lost the gal, who didn’t want the bright lights of an NBA girlfriend. To compensate, he’s become a party animal, enjoying men and women. But he’s been attracted to Carmine, who he sees as tough, independent, sexy and loyal. He gladly steps up to help her achieve her desires.
 
Tom’s Rebel roommate, Danny Smith, has been furious since college when he broke up an attempted gang rape on his famous college coach’s daughter, Marion, Unfortunately, the coach defended his players, at Marion and Danny’s expense. Marion, is now a Rebels assistant coach, while the almost-rapist plays on a team the Rebels face in the finals.
 
Danny is also attracted to Carmina, but defers to Tom, because he’s too confused to be ready for a relationship. After all, Tom’s good-hearted, optimistic trustworthiness has helped him do well with the Rebels. And it is just Carmina he’s attracted to, not Tom. Or is he?
 
Polyandry isn’t socially acceptable. In each book, Kane’s characters deal with the cost of their atypical desires – not just to their reputations, but also with each other. 
 
“‘That’s a huge responsibility taking care of someone’s love,’” Carmina tells Tom. And how much more responsibility is two people’s love?
 
Readers will respect Carmina, who refuses to let her disability define her, pushes past her speech impediment, and seeks employment.  Kane’s women may be vulnerable and insecure, like most people, but they are self-sufficient. And they sure enough of their own desirability to enjoy men who love one another. As Carmina thinks, “Two men…exploring their own boundaries- it was exhilarating, mind-blowing.”
 
Tom is wholesome and may prefer action to analysis, but he’s honest, caring and sticks to his values. Even Danny, in some ways portrayed as the most fragile member of the trio, has the self-respect to mature, to accept his defects and to try not to inflict them on others. 
 
Again, with care and skill Kane pens full, mature personalities, allowing Carmina, Tom and Danny to merge from individuals into an intuitive whole.
 
Triads allow Kane to explore the true nature of love:
 
-“It isn’t something to be scared of. There are no expectations or responsibilities…It just is. … Ultimately, it’s about me, and not you. I love you whether you love me back or not.”
 
-“It is selfish. It makes me feel good.”
 
-“You couldn’t have room for love when bitterness filled your heart.”
 
Research shows two men are women’s number one fantasy. But the realities of dealing with two personalities would require a great deal of maturity. As always, Kane’s relationships seem intuitive and three-dimensional, despite the individuals’ unique difficulties and quirks.
 
Kudos to Samantha Kane for consistently creating credible polyandrous relationships, ones that demand growth, ones even a psychologist (which I am in my other life) can believe in. “Misconduct” is another well-done book!

I really liked this steamy read. Sam is pro-football player and is also looking for a poly relationship. Carmina is one of Sam’s best friends and the woman he wants. She is going through a lot and recovering from a brain injury in she received while in Afghanistan while in the military. Danny is Sam’s best friend and trying come to terms with the attraction he has for Sam. Carmina, Sam and Danny share an attraction but have a lot of baggage, can they find a way to make it work? Lots of drama and emotion with steamy sex. A good read.

Absolute Brilliant book! Highly recommend to read it!

Samantha Kane's Misconduct, Birmingham Rebels book 4, continues to bring fabulous trios to this on fire series! Birmingham Rebels and best friends Tom Kelly and Danny Smith have been crushing on Carmina de la Cruz for months and the feeling is mutual. Each of these characters comes with past baggage and is at a different point in their lives regarding relationships. Tom craves more than a fling with Carmina despite his reputation as fast and loose. Carmina wants to embrace life again but fears the changes she has suffered from a traumatic brain injury, she obtained while on tour in Afghanistan, may make this impossible. Danny is trying to come to terms with his sexuality.

Ms. Kane does a great job of introducing her characters personal histories into her work without taking away from the story at hand. This author excels at handling the complexity of a three-way connection vs. a casual encounter and did so admirably in Misconduct. All the portrayals in this book felt genuine in their struggles and interest in each other. Tom, Carmina and Danny brought heat and caring to the pages in equal force. A great read, Samantha Kane's Birmingham Rebels will quickly disabuse readers of the notion that threes a crowd!

Misconduct
By: Samantha Kane
📚💕⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💕📚

How is it opposites attract?

He's the Nice Guy, she's Sexy and Damaged, and he's Grumpy and Angry.

Tom, Carmina and Danny omg Hot Hot Hot!!! Being a huge fan of anything written by author Samantha Kane I knew I'd love this book. She writes relatable people but also takes you to hidden fantasies with descriptions that make you swoon.

I have read every book in the Birmingham Rebels series. Misconduct is the fourth book in the series and I was excited to finally get Danny's story. If you've read the series you know we meet Danny in book one. He is Marian's best friend and was there when some nasty crap went down with her. He has some guilt from what happened years ago and is trying to get past it, but it's left some major scars. When he came to Birmingham he never thought it was going to change his life the way it has. One night he let his guard down to help Marian, but he finally has to face some truths about himself that he's not ready for. Will he truly let go and be who he is?

Tom is Danny's roommate and best guy friend. Tom is funny, laid back and a bit of a manwhore. He loves both men and women....he's a guy whose embracing sex for what he feels it is...sex. He leaves feelings out of it except he has some deep feelings for Danny. He knows he can't push him, but he wants Danny to be honest. Then there is Carmina the girl who flips the switch inside of him. She's a fantasy, but she has some serious baggage. He doesn't see it as that, but she does. Will Tom get his way? Will he break down Danny and Carmina's walls?

Carmina is Sam's best friend and former Army buddy. She has been through hell the last three years. She leaves home to move close to Sam in Birmingham since her family is suffocating her. She's had to learn how to do things over in her life and still has problems with her thoughts. She's fine physically, but mentally her thoughts and words can't always be expressed easily. When she is overwhelmed or nervous, her mind shuts down a bit. However, she is ready to live again. She wants a job, wants to date and just wants some fun. She has her eyes set on Tom and Danny, but could they want some like her? Someone who is a bit different?

The chemistry between them is hot and it's sweet. I found myself adoring Tom right from the start. He's so open and loves easily. He wants things to be about them, not him. But will Carmina and Danny let go? Can they both move past their pasts? Will Tom be the key to unlocking the chains for them?

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks you Netgally for letting me read and review.

Good storyline with likeable characters kept my interest from page one until the very last page!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

FINAL DECISION: This was an enjoyable story and one that was well balanced in the relationship between the three characters. Both the connection between them in pairs and as a menage worked here.

THE STORY: Running back Tom Kelly wants a committed three way relationship (and there are several in the Birmingham Rebels organization). Carmina de la Cruz is the woman Tom would like to have as part of the relationship. Carmina is an Army vet trying to recover from a tour in Afghanistan that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Tom's interest helps Carmina feel desired again, but she also has an interest in Tom's teammate and friend Danny Smith. Danny knows that the Rebels have a certain reputation, but he has no interest in pursuing a threesome relationship after being burned before. But Tom and Carmina are awfully tempting.

OPINION: This was an interesting story and not just an erotic sex fest. Tom, Carmina and Danny are three different people -- each with a different issue to work out. Of the three, Tom is the one who is the most well adjusted and is the hinge that makes the relationship work. He is the youngest of the three and has just discovered his bisexuality and has been enjoying exploring his sexuality.

Danny is a man who has been haunted by his actions in relation to his friend and allowing his own career to take precedence over an attempted sexual assault upon her. He believes himself unworthy of happiness and thinks about revenge instead. He is also a man who is struggling against his potential bisexuality. He has a darker past and struggles more against the menage relationship.

Carmina is a strong woman who is struggling against both her physical and emotional injuries. Her inability to find sexual satisfaction after her accident is part of the catalyst for the relationship.

I liked how these three work through their issues and also need to figure out if and how a relationship can work between them. It's nice that they don't take it for granted that things will work out between them. There are also issues of jealousy and uncertainty that are raised which seem natural.

I also really enjoyed that this book came full circle from the first in the series by resolving the lingering issues and helping close Danny's issues surrounding the events. I'm not sure whether there will be other books in the series, but this book could be a nice concluding story.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a menage story featuring three people working toward a long term relationship.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MISCONDUCT is the fourth book in the Birmingham Rebels series. This book can be read as a standalone but it is connected with BROKEN PLAY and tells a connecting story to the heroine's past there.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a review or write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4 Steamy stars.

I haven't read Samantha Kane for the better part of a decade, only having read the first in the Brothers in Arms series. I decided to read this on a whim, even knowing it's the fourth in a series. While I did struggle during the first few chapters, due to name-dropping and rehashing previous plot points, once I got a feel for the characters, I was able to read Misconduct as a standalone. However, I will be going back to the first of the series and reading onward, and I suggest doing the same. While it wasn't difficult as a standalone, I do believe the emotional punch would be stronger if read as a series instead.

Carmina, I related with the woman. She is a very deep character, suffering from trauma via IED, with only Sam and her surviving the attack. She's grieving the loss of her fellow soldiers, making strides during therapy, all the while silently mourning the loss of a potential partner. The insecurity, the feeling of her body not functioning as it should, leaves her feeling less than sexy, to the point it's impossible to climax. Carmina is sweet, strong, and caring, a good friend and a giving lover/partner.

Tom is the boy-next-door, who I assume in previous books looks a bit like a player/cad/tomcat. The bisexual man from the Midwest is exploring his newfound nature with great zeal. He's a sweetie, caring and giving, exactly the softer nature Carmina needs at first. But he's young, just now coming into his confidence.

Danny has issues, which I assume were explored in previous titles in the series. This book hits on the highlights, so it was without confusion, however it made for less of an emotional punch. More of a retelling vs an in-the-now emotional response. He's a strong character, just like Carmina, but he gets in his own way.

Without giving away plot points, the three of them come together, while unconventional, it works for all of them, drawing out what was always beneath the surface. Tom gains a rush of confidence, finally developing into the strong man he was always meant to become. He's the rock, the connector of the triad. The solid, stable one whose worth is tied to giving, taking care of those he loves, and being in control. Tom is the partner, best friend, and lover both Danny and Carmina need.

Misconduct was the perfect escape from everyday life, giving a few stolen hours of steaminess, while opening the eyes of the reader to new experiences and ways of life. Nothing felt forced or instantaneous (other than lust), the evolution fluid, humorous, and sensual. While this is most certainly erotic material, there is definitely a lot of emotions and character development on the pages.

After struggling in the beginning, I'm glad I continued on, and I look forward to starting the series from the beginning, seeing the evolution and journey of these characters and those who were name-dropped.

Highly recommend for fans of ménage.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This book takes Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its associated issues and puts it front and center of this story. Don’t get me wrong, the romance is to die for, but the story within the story is what sets this book apart.

Carmina just wants to be normal, or as normal as she can be. Her TBI affects her speech as well as emotions. Luckily, she has a service dog that senses when she becomes overwhelmed. What she wants more than anything is have someone, someone to lean on, to be a part of something larger than herself.

Carmina likes Tom, he’s sweet and kind. Danny, on the other hand, is strong and a bit aloof. Tom wants Carmina, she sees him for him not just the football player and current man about town. Tom also wants Danny but he knows that with Danny’s issues, that is one man he may never have.

Danny is conflicted. How can he want something so much yet be repulsed at the same time? He wants the domination, the feeling of helplessness that being restrained would give him, but all he sees is the image of his best friend being assaulted.

Carmina, Tom, and Danny must trust each other to build a life that their issues can’t overcome.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

Carmina’s story was everything I’d hoped for. After surviving a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan, the Army vet is struggling with PTSD and slowly regaining her speech. In book three, she was Sam’s Army friend but here she makes a fabulous leading lady. As with all the lucky ladies in this series, Carmina has two professional football players eager to help her get her confidence back.

Danny and Tom aren’t quite as interesting as Carmina. This series has a formula and by the fourth book it is pretty set. Danny and Tom are teammates and best friends but both would secretly like more. Danny is bi-curious but a bit nervous, Tom is more adventurous but afraid of scaring off his best friend. It may be a formula but it works and the chemistry between these three is very hot.

This isn’t a complicated story but it is very sexy and the characters are engaging and likeable. These three add a little bit of kink into their play, which is also fun. This story is probably more erotica than romance but it is well written and I did enjoy watching Carmina regain her confidence and Danny become comfortable with his sexuality.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of sinful sexiness!

This is the fourth book in the series, and I would highly recommend that you read them in order. This installment has a number of references to previous events which have an impact on the storyline. That said, this is a cracking read in its own right.

The Rebels are a team where non-standard relationships are the norm. This makes for some loosening of the usual boundaries, but doesn't mean that normal is frowned upon either. Danny is a man who kept quiet about something and has felt guilty ever since. He is also a man who discovered that he liked being held down by another man whilst with a woman. Neither of these things sit right with him, and for me, the resolution of these issues was a huge part of the story. Sure, Carmen is fighting to regain herself after her brain injury, but she is much more attuned with herself and her desires than Danny is. Tom, on the other hand, is very clear about what he wants and will do anything to achieve it...

I loved every bit of this book – it had a really good element of sport in it and the issues that the players face in one game in particular. It reminds us of previous relationships and how they continue to thrive, and it gives us three individuals who together can be more for each other than apart.

Thank you, Ms. Kane.

Misconduct is book four in the Birmingham Rebels saga by Samantha Kane.  I have read this series from the beginning and loved every book! These guys are a wild bunch of football madness and their sexcapades are just as crazy!

Danny was first introduced in book one as Coach Marion's best friends. Deep scars run from something that happened in his youth. Now he is rooming with Tom, who's also a fellow Rebel football player, and best friend. He knows Tom would like more than friendship but he keeps his guard up. Plus he's sweet on Carmina, but he chooses to leave that alone too. Carmina has her own problems to conquer and she doesn't need to deal with his baggage as well as her own.

Carmina suffered a head injury while serving in Afghanistan.  She moved to Birmingham to be close to her best friend, Sam, who served with her and plays ball for the Rebels. Though no real physical wounds to see, she suffers from PTSD, gets overwhelmed easily, and frequently mixes up her words.  She noticed Danny and Tom and she sees an attraction.  Can she really be attracted to both men?

Tom is bisexual and is having a bit of a hard time.  He really just wants to settle down in a relationship.  He's fallen for Danny, but doesn't broach the subject with him. He's also drawn to Carmina, He's also seen Danny looking at her too?  Maybe he could somehow bring them all together??

I really liked Tom.  Both Danny and Carmina have some serious issues to work through.  It seems Tom was the one that could help heal them.  He truly cares for them and just somehow is the right one there to help. He's a super guy, and seems to be very patient too.

This book is one that is much more in depth than others in terms of working through tough issues. They are real and palatable.  I felt so bad that these two had endured the kinds of pain they did. Then they are still carrying around their version of it ever since. Plus we get the pressure of playing football and some drama that could have serious impact on what they have started.

Above all, Tom ended up being the beacon that both Danny and Carmina needs to move on.  They needed to confront their guilt and anger and allow themselves to actually live. Tom guides them through the fog.  Plus the threesomes are sizzling!!  Talk about melt your kindle! Woo hoo!

Have fun with this one! Let's see which Rebel Samantha Kane writes about next!!

reviewed by Deb

WWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?????????

Why can I not find a MMF that makes me dance a Cajun rhythm? It seems like I used to be able to but lately it's been one dud after another. Maybe MM has ruined MMF for me? I wish I knew what the deal was but I don't like it.



I really didn't hate this book but I can't condone some of the sentiments perpetuated by it, thus the 1 heart rating. So let's get those out of the way first.

I've heard about Samantha Kane and her MMF books for years but this was my first experience reading one. I thought for sure it'd be good and was SO excited to read it. I mean, I knew I was going to have to suspend reality since approximately a fourth of this NFL team in the deep South is bisexual and in polyamorous relationships and they all work together, but I was prepared with my goggles and glitter. Because girl scout. However, what I wasn't prepared for was the misrepresentation of bisexuality, or more specifically, erasing the line between bisexuality and polyamory and making them synonymous.

Tom stopped halfway to the table with his plate in hand. "I didn't think about that," he said slowly. "She knows I like guys, too." [...]
"Knowing you like guys and letting you screw them while you're supposed to be with her is another thing entirely," Danny told him. "Be careful, man. You're entering dangerous territory."
Tom sat back with a disgruntled sigh and ran his hands through his hair. "I don't want to give up guys or girls," he said. "What am I supposed to do?"


I know it's supposed to be a ménage romance but is it necessary to depict bisexuals as greedy? There were some things that Carmina said and did that were in this same vein or in the vein of being lesbian phobic that rubbed me the wrong way too.

As if that wasn't shocking enough from an experienced MMF writer, I was ill prepared for the sanctioning of rape.

"...You were into it. I wasn't holding you down that hard, Danny. You could have gotten away. If you had said no and meant it, I would have stopped. Hell, you were begging for it."

"His mouth said no, his dick said yes," Tom said with a shrug. "I listened to his dick."



In 2017? Seriously? I literally cannot believe this is still a thing. If Danny had been Daniela in this scenario this would never have happened. Then Tom took it one step further and brought out the big manipulative guns and Danny eventually tows the I was into it line. Again, I get that this is a ménage storyline but this could've been handled waaaaaaaaayyyy differently.

My last major grievance was Danny's depiction as an angry black man when his actions didn't match that depiction. He's distant and maybe not warm and fuzzy but angry? I didn't see that. I *think* the objective was to contrast "the angry player" in and out of the locker room whose submissive in the bedroom. The idea though trite is solid but the carpet needs to match the drapes otherwise it looks hella racist.

As far as these characters are concerned, I just couldn't with them. I have a tendency to look at behaviors as a conduit for connecting with characters. If I can understand or identify with their actions, things sync up like they're supposed to but this conduit felt more like shock treatment.

Things started off well enough with Carmina. She's ex-military with a TBI and can't orgasm. For 3 yrs! She's kind of frantic at this point and grasping at straws, willing to try anything. Makes sense, right? She's been crushing on Tom and Danny who are best friends, but Danny's got it in his head that he's not ready to make a commitment so Tom it is. They have sex, she doesn't come so he decides to up the ante which equates to public sex? You don't maybe want to try different positions first?



Guess what happens. Fail 2.0

Then... *smh* I... alright, hypothetical situation, say you're casually dating someone, your shower breaks, said person says come on over and use mine. You do. Said person says use my roommate's shower because they're asleep and I'm going back to bed. While in the shower said roommate comes into the bathroom, you lock eyes and go directly to Pound Town without passing 'go' or collecting $200? Show of hands for this being a thing.

Call me judgey. But that shit is weird to me.

Carmina finds The Big O in that short trip to Pound Town and this THIS is what garners all the attention. Not the fact that Tom's best friend and his sort of girlfriend went to Pound Town while he was taking a disco nap!



The next rabbit to get pulled out of the hat are some kinky D/s games that don't even merit mentioning. Tom has no clue what he's doing and no business calling himself a dom period. Case in point, Carmina immediately gets a safe word whereas Danny well... see above quotes if you have any doubts. I need more than someone bossing someone else around and bossed person using the word "owned" often to be interested in or titillated by some quasi kinky shenanigans. To add insult to injury, the sex wasn't even that hot!

Overall the relationship between these three wasn't all that satisfying not just because of the above reasons, but Danny's reluctance to get involved dragged on and on and, honestly, he came across as being willfully obtuse by comparing his desires to what happened to Marian; that just read like a lazy plot device. There was very little page time with them as a throuple which I found frustrating. If more time had been focused on them working through their issues and developing as a functioning unit I probably would've invested in them but as it stands the resolution seemed rushed and their commitment disingenuous.

The story is easy to read and the football stuff was good, though that game with the Rough Riders was a bit OTT. It'd be an understatement to say that I'm disappointed by this read. I may try something else of Kane's in the future because her writing style is pleasant and maybe this was just a fluke. Nevertheless, I can't recommend this but I'd encourage anyone considering it to read the other reviews before making a final decision.





An ARC was provided by NetGalley.

3.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

*heavy sigh*  So, I enjoyed this book.  I enjoyed it more than the previous book in the series (and I've only read books 3 and 4, not the first 2).  I came out at the end of it entertained, I thought the character development was pretty good, and I thought the steamy scenes were deliciously...well...steamy.  I even initially pegged this one as a 4 star for me.  And I'm going to round up, b/c I'm trying to keep true to *my* personal feelings at the end of it.

I thought all the characters had something to offer, and I particularly liked the goofiness and just, well, like-ability of Tom.  Like seriously, I really loved him, and his humour, and he was just so adorable.  And I loved the way he pushed both Danny and Carmina, recognizing what he wanted was a relationship with both of them (all three of them together), and after recognizing interest from both of them, I enjoyed how he pushed them out of their comfort zones to get them to that place together.

I thought Carmina's storyline was interesting, particularly since I didn't see her past with Richie coming.  I had been looking forward to learning more about her brain injury, b/c she fascinated me in the previous book, and I was a bit bummed that besides putting herself down about it, we didn't really get as much out of that as I'd wanted.  But I did like seeing her grow more confident, and I appreciated a glimpse into some of the challenges that she faces (particularly in trying to reenter the workforce, and dealing with well-meaning friends/family).

I thought Danny was probably the one I learned the least about, and probably had a few reservations about.  He came across kind of homophobic (even though he ended up being bisexual), and while I understood his hangups about his sexual preferences in light of his past with Marian, I still had a hard time with it...I always have a hard time reading about characters that feel ashamed of what they like, even though I think it's a valid storyline b/c I'm sure many people go through this.  I'm not sure how much I liked the scene between Tom and Danny in the hotel room, particularly consent-wise, but I let it pass...and I'm not sure what that says about me.

And here's where the sigh comes in.  I decided to glance at other reviews of the book.  And I realized that, as a white woman, I didn't see a lot of things surrounding the race of Danny and Carmina that others might.  I subscribe to the philosophy that everyone's a little bit racist, and I was bummed that I had yet again failed to see the far reaching consequences of some of the elements in the story.  Also, while I am trying to be more conscious of slut-shaming, consent, and all the other little sexual tidbits that crop up in books, I tend to forget about them in eroticas sometimes...is it suspension of disbelief?  I don't know.  So I guess what I'm trying to say is that while reading other critical reviews, I could see some of the points that they were making, but they hadn't bothered me while reading, and so I'm going to maintain my rating, b/c it's how I felt and I'm reviewing my personal experience.  But if you are sensitive to these issues, then you might want to read some other reviews to help you make a better decision.  And hopefully you won't judge me too much.

Anyways, I do want to say that I did enjoy how the football game against the Rough Riders went at the end there.  I was proud of all the boys for growing and learning and eventually helping each other to do the right thing in such a hard situation.

So yeah.  There you go.  I enjoyed the book.  *shrugs*  I guess I just don't think as hard as other readers, especially when it comes to eroticas.  And here I was excited that we got so much diversity in this story.  Whatcha gonna do?  Learn and grow I suppose.

Was a good book and I enjoyed it however felt like it needed something more.

"You couldn't have room for love when bitterness filled your heart."

Misconduct was my first read by author Samantha Kane. I was intrigued by the synopsis, and the cover, and decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed the author's writing style. The story pulled me in and I found myself drawn to the characters. I can't resist a broken character, and this story has two. It's always inspiring to read about situations where life kicks you in the ass and you find your way back to happiness in spite of it.

Carmina is struggling to work her way back to health and happiness after a traumatic experience in Afghanistan. She's finally feeling more comfortable with her progress and decides to venture outside again. She'd been closing herself off, trying to heal and feel comfortable talking again. Nobody knows about her secret fantasies featuring a couple of the players on her best friend's football team. She sees them when she goes to the stadium to see her friend, but she tends to keep quiet. Not wanting to risk getting tongue tied in front of them. But she can't help drooling over them.

Tom noticed Carmina immediately. She's got everything that he finds attractive in a woman, and he wants to get to know her. But he can tell she's shy. And, he doesn't want to push since she's like his team mate's sister. She and Sam were in Afghanistan together and they have a special connection that makes him very protective of her. He might not have ever reached out to her if he hadn't seen her heading for another man on the team. Nope, if she was ready for that, then it should be him. His jealousy surprised him because he had been playing both sides of the field and had never felt a desire for more than fun. Well, at least not that he admitted to. There was someone he had feelings for, but that was a dead end. At least he thought so. Until he saw that Danny was interested in Carmina too. Tom and Danny were best friends and roommates. When they realized they were both interested in Carmina, things got interesting. Would they both fight for her, or would they both let her go? Was there a way for them all to get what they wanted?

Danny is running from his past. He's got anger issues and has no interest in a relationship with anyone. Tom is his best friend and he doesn't want to do anything to risk that. If he had ever thought of him in a sexual way, he doesn't admit it to himself or anyone else. And when he thinks of Carmina, he wants her. But he knows that he's not relationship material. He encourages Tom to pursue her. Again, he denies what he wants. He wants both of them.

I read Misconduct as a standalone, but I don't feel like it detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I did meet lots of other characters and team members that I'm sure had very interesting stories too. I wouldn't mind going back to read those to get some further detail about how they ended up where they are now. I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series or not, but if not, I'd for sure be up for more. The line forms here...