Rachel Hill is a fiercely independent woman who has left the severely restrictive confines of the religious commune she grew up in. She's working at a farm near Galveston, Texas, and hoping to train as a veterinary technician. Rachel is determined to live life to the fullest. The one thing she wants is to find a man to have uncomplicated, easy sex with. At a charity bachelor auction she sees sexy SWAT officer Ben Harris, and decides he's just the man to see to her needs. All she has to do is muster up the nerve to reach out and grab what she wants.

Ben Harris is a damaged soul. He's had a bad childhood, and currently estranged from his family except for his twin brother. He's an adrenaline junky, careless on the job, and lives for danger and easy sex. As the head of security for a popular local night club, he has his pick of females available for a succession of one-night-stands. When Rachel buys a date with him at the auction, he promises her whatever she wants, all with a cheeky grin and a careless air. After a night of wild sex, Rachel goes on her way; and Ben belatedly discovers that she was a virgin. Intrigued with Rachel, he offers her the chance for a no-strings sexual education.

Ben and Rachel begin a sexual relationship that is basically a series of sexual hook-ups. Ben has done it all and seen it all. He plans to teach Rachel all about sexual satisfaction and his jaded lifestyle, and then send her on to the next man. As the weekly meetings stretch out over time, Rachel comes to realize that she needs more from Ben; things that Ben's soul is far too damaged to give to her. Rachel wants his love, but Ben holds her at arm's length emotionally. Soon Rachel has to decide whether she can accept what little he has to offer, or walk out on the best sex of her life to look for love elsewhere. Rachel is a strong woman, one who knows what she wants; but doesn't know if she can reach Ben emotionally in time to turn their relationship into more than just sex.

UNCOMMON PASSION is an excellent story; sexy, scorching hot, and with a fulfilling romance. Anne Calhoun is one of the best writers today at capturing the male-female dynamics and romance in a relationship. The sexy times are erotically charged, and the emotional dance between Ben and Rachel is breath-taking. The reader lives for the moment when the pieces begin to fall together. This is a richly layered story, an incredibly satisfying romance, and a fantastic read.

Book Summary

After leaving a restrictive religious community, Rachel Hill is on a mission to divest herself of her virginity. Newly independent and struggling to establish herself, she's not looking for anything complicated. She bids on sexy SWAT officer Ben Harris at a bachelor auction, confident he'll give her the night of her life and nothing more.

But Ben is jaded and detached, living his life in an endless cycle of danger–fueled adrenaline jags, drinking, and sex. When he misses the fact that his bachelor auction hookup is a virgin, he's shocked by his obliviousness, and by the risk she took. To make amends, Ben offers Rachel all he can: a no–strings–attached sexual education.

Ben's lessons introduce Rachel to down and dirty passion, but she's searching for something more profound than sex, and she's willing to walk away to find it. Ben can't get Rachel out of his head, but will he come to terms with his troubled past and learn to love?