Wednesday 26 February 2014

SEDUCING DANIEL

TITLE: SEDUCING DANIEL
AUTHOR: HELEN LOUISE CAROLL
Novella
Date: 26/02/2014
Grade: 3.5
Details: Received from Amber Allure
            Through Love Romances and More
Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“For two years, James Hunt has been lusting and longing for his co-worker Daniel Dumaw. But the older, more sophisticated Daniel doesn't seem to have a clue as to how James feels.

He will this weekend, though, since James is going to do what he's been dreaming about for ages--he's going to seduce Daniel.

But James is going to find out that things aren't always what they seem. And that he might not be the only one with seduction on his mind...”

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This was a rather sweet seduction story. James has been working with Daniel for two years and for all that time he’s been lusting after him, never believing that the older and so very sophisticated man could possibly be interested in him, a younger small town ‘boy’. When Daniel rather unexpectedly invites him to spend some time together on a drag race track, James escapes the family wedding he’s attending as quickly as he politely can, determined that this is his opportunity. He’s going to take this weekend to make the dreams he’s been harbouring for two years come true.

Daniel, at the race track, is a revelation. Not only would James never have imagined Daniel being involved in drag racing, he can’t believe how incredibly sexy the man is in jeans and a tight T-shirt. James may have been planning on seducing his handsome co-worker; in reality it is nowhere near as easy as in his fantasies. Every window of opportunity is closed by James’ nerves. With the racing already over for the day when James arrives, it seems that he’s too late anyway. Until, that is, Daniel invites him to diner and the seduction plans are back on.

But is James really the only one with seduction on his mind or does Daniel have some fantasies of his own he’d like to fulfil?

Like I said, ‘Seducing Daniel’ is a rather sweet story. James’ nervousness and the way he gets tongue-tied every time he sees an opportunity to make a move were adorable. Daniel on the other hand seems far more suave and relaxed, taking every opportunity to touch James or flirt with him, even if James is blissfully unaware of it.

“I’ll admit I usually get what I want.” – Daniel

The story reaches the heights of sweetness when the two men are back in Daniel’s travel trailer after their dinner. While it has been clear to the reader that both men are seducing each other from the start of the story, it comes as a complete but very welcome surprise to James. The fact that Daniel is as insecure as James when it comes to seduction takes the story to a new level of cuteness.

This is not a very explicit story. As the title suggests this is a story about seduction more than what happens afterwards. And in a story this short that was just about perfect. If the sex between the two men had been described in more detail it would have been to the detriment of the charming seduction taking place earlier. While I like my (M/M) sex scenes graphic and detailed, I didn’t feel short changed when I finished this story. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have enjoyed more detail, but I didn’t feel as if I had been robbed by the time the story ended either. There are times when imagining the scene works just as well as reading a detail description of it. Especially when you’ve developed a bit of a liking for the two characters involved.


Charming, well written and fun to read, this story was a delightful way to kill an hour.

Monday 24 February 2014

LOVER ENSLAVED - 24 Hours in Mumbai

TITLE: LOVER ENSLAVED
          24 Hours in Mumbai
AUTHOR: EVA LEFOY
Pages: 44
Date: 24/02/2014
Grade: 3.5
Details: A 1 Night Stand Story
            Received from Decadent Publishing
            Through Love Romances and More
Own/ Kindle

The blurb:

“Stranded for twenty-four hours in Mumbai, India, contract negotiator, Thomas Barkley searches for a man who can make him forget his pain. When a trip through the red light district leaves him cold, he turns to Madame Eve’s service and finds a shot at redemption—but first, he has to survive it.

Indian male prostitute, Arjun Mukesh, begged Madame Eve to set him up for one night of real pleasure. He knows better than to expect anything but a brief hiatus from his miserable life. When Thomas showers Arjun with tender and very real affection, his heart begins to ache for more than a taste of the life he cannot have. Unfortunately, his boss Ranjeet won’t to let him go without a fight.

Amidst a spray of bullets, Thomas must convince Arjun to take a chance on a new life in America before it’s too late for both of them.”

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My thoughts:

“His moans sounded like sobs from a long-forgotten, sad story.”

This was my third 1 Night Stand novella in a month and I have to admit I’m quickly turning into a fan of this series. I love the premise of these stories; two people desperately looking for that elusive love connection turn to Madame Eve to set them up with a perfect partner for one night. If all goes to plan that one night will be the basis for a happily ever after, but not without some obstacles to overcome first. I mean, what’s not to like?

In this book American contract negotiator Thomas Barkley finds himself stranded in Mumbai having just been made redundant. Thomas has lost the man he loved under tragic circumstances 18 months earlier and hasn’t been able to be intimate with anyone else since. He’s almost forgotten the request he sent to Madame Eve months ago when he’s notified that his one night stand will take place in his hotel that night.

Arjun Mukesh has been a rent boy all his life. Since it is the caste he was born into he never expected to be anything else and can’t imagine a life that wouldn’t involve giving himself to men for money or the violence his pimp, Ranjeet inflicts upon him. All he’s asked Madame Eve for is one night of real pleasure since love is a dream he can’t afford to indulge himself in.

When Thomas reaches the room where Arjun is waiting for him he walks into a violent scene. He manages to scare Ranjeet off, but is heartbroken to discover that this is what Arjun’s life is and always will be. The night the two men share is a revelation for both. While Thomas discovers that he can develop feelings for somebody other than the lover he lost, Arjun experience real pleasure and intimacy for the very first time. Arjun has never been with a man who is as anxious to make sure Arjun gets his pleasure as he is for his own.

More violence follows the two men while they explore each other’s bodies as well as life-stories. When Arjun disappears the following morning Thomas knows that he has to find the man he’s begun to fall for as well as a way of bringing him back to America with him.

This was a charming little story even if there seemed to be a bit too much happening for such a short tale. Personally I would have liked to see a bit more of the two men discovering each other and a little bit less of the violence. Having said that, everything we were shown about the two men was well written and clearly painted. I especially appreciated Arjun’s story and his inability to believe that somebody might want to give him pleasure for no other reason than to make him happy, and his reluctance to believe that it might be something he could hang on to.

Some of the writing in this story – like the sentence I quoted at the top of this review – was so beautiful it took my breath away. I also liked that the book came with an epilogue, giving us a small glimpse of the future and the happy ending Madame Eve had once again managed to create for two of her clients.


Now that I’ve found these ‘1 Night Stand’ stories I find myself rather addicted to them, so it’s just as well there seem to be a lot of them and new ones are being published quite regularly. Sometimes a hot quick read is exactly what this reader needs; at moments like that I could do a lot worse than turn to this series.

Sunday 23 February 2014

HIS SECRETS

TITLE: HIS SECRETS
AUTHOR: LISA RENEE JONES
Pages: 62
Date: 23/02/2014
Grade: 4+
Details: No. 3.1 Inside Out
            Received from Gallery, Threshold
            Pocket Books through NetGalley
Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“In a world where my only escape has been my art, Sara has been the light in my darkness. And there is darkness, the kind of inky black that can bleed from my life to hers.

She doesn't see it. She doesn't understand what I've shown her. And my biggest fear is that soon...she will.

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My thoughts:

““The painting isn’t about you getting covered in tats. I lower my voice. “It’s about you being covered in me.””

I don’t know what it is about Lisa Renee Jones but she always manages to touch me. This woman has a way with words that reaches some place inside me and evokes emotions. And that’s the reason this review will probably end up being more about the quotes than the story-line or my thoughts on it.

Unlike the main books in the ‘Inside Out’ series, in which we follow the story from Sara’s perspective, this novella is told in Chris’ voice.

Sara and Chris are still in France but getting ready to travel back to America and the trail for Rebecca’s murder. It seems that they have dealt with everything Chris felt he had to share with Sara better than he feared they would and have found a balance. Chris needs to be in control of his life and those who share it with him. Just as Sara needs somebody to hand control over to.

“I need this control. She needs a safe place to give it away.”

And now that Chris has asked Sara to marry him, and she has accepted his proposal, it seems that they may be able to look forward to a less turbulent future together once the deal with the issues still waiting for them back in America.

“I told you once that if you stayed with me, I’d own your body. Every last inch of it. Marriage seals that deal.”

Sara has seen all the damage pain can cause. She’s witnessed the need it can create in people and the turmoil resulting from that. And yet, she can’t resist the lure of sensual pain when Chris introduces her to it. She trusts her man, and while Chris isn’t sure how he earned that trust or that he deserves it, he can’t resist using it to enhance their relationship.

“There are two kinds of pain, Sara. Pain meant to create pleasure, and pain meant to be just pain. You’ll never know that kind with me. Never.”

As far as Sara is concerned Chris has shared his dark secrets with her and she’s discovered she can deal with them and still love him. Chris knows better though; there are still levels to his darkness that she isn’t fully aware of and while he’s ready to leave France behind without sharing them, his past isn’t ready to leave them alone. When Chris’ past intrudes on their happiness yet again, Chris wants to confront it on his own but Sara won’t let him. Chris is sure that once this last secret has been revealed to the woman he loves, she’ll leave him.

“But if you run, run fast. Because I’m going to come after you. That’s just the kind of bastard I can’t seem to help being.”

The scenes Sara is forced to witness are dark and disturbing and yet she doesn’t run. The real problem, as far as Sara is concerned, is not that Chris has darkness in his past or even that life can still trigger a reaction and need in him. What bothers her is that he doesn’t trust her to use her own judgement and doesn’t believe in her strength when it comes to dealing with everything he and his past can throw at her

“You told me to see you once before, Chris. I’m begging you to see me now. I love us and you. And I love where you take me, and what you make me feel.”


If I’m perfectly honest I have to say that this book didn’t add a lot to the story so far. There are no new revelations about Chris’ past, and I was expecting something along those lines. Having said that, I did enjoy this story and loved the opportunity to hear Chris’ voice. In fact, I’m enjoying these views from other character’s perspective so much that I’m sorry we don’t get more of them, or longer versions. Still I’m completely invested in this story and can’t wait until I can read more of it. Regardless of whose perspective it will be told from I know I’ll find myself engrossed in the story and collecting another set of quotes.

NO SUCH THING

TITLE: NO SUCH THING
AUTHOR: A.M ARTHUR
Pages: 221
Date: 23/02/2014
Grade: 4+
Details: No. 1 Belonging
            Received from Carina Press
            through Love Romances and More
Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“Twenty-two-year-old Alessandro Silva knows that returning to tiny Perch Creek to help his foster mother was the right thing to do. With no degree and a delinquent's reputation, he's lucky to have landed a job waiting tables. But not everyone is happy he's back, and the only thing keeping his move home from being a total bust is his boss's hot brother.

Jaime Winters spent most of his life watching the world go by, first from a series of hospitals and then from behind big stacks of textbooks. Studying is easier than facing the fact that years of heart failure means he's still a virgin at twenty-three. 
Until the new waiter in his sister's diner awakens desires he'd long ago given up on.

The last thing Alessandro wants is to fall for someone as fragile as Jaime. And Jaime may have a new heart, but he's scared of what giving it to another person would mean. Their no-strings-attached, instructional approach to sex keeps emotion safely at bay, until a secret from Alessandro's past forces them to confront their feelings in the present…”

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My thoughts:

No Such Thing’ was a very pleasant surprise. Having never read the author before I had no idea what to expect other than what the interesting sounding blurb told me. I was hoping for an gripping love story and that was exactly what I found, as well as a whole lot more.

Alessandro Silva (Alè) has grown up in the foster-care system and spent most of his youth being an angry young man. The last family he was placed with saved him from ruining his life, and now that is foster-father has died he has returned to the small town where he spent his teenage years to help his foster-mother and the two children she’s caring for. Luck seems to be on his side when he immediately finds a job in a local bakery and that is before he sets eyes on the owner’s younger brother.

Jaime Winters hasn’t really experienced his teenage years. Years of heart failure have kept him in bed and in hospital. Although it has been two years since he had a life-saving heart transplant, Jaime is still keeping a low profile. Pretending that he’s too busy with his studies to date is easier than having to admit that aged 23 not only is he still a virgin, he hasn’t properly kissed anyone yet either.

The attraction between Jaime and Alè is instant and Alè is more than open to introducing the inexperienced but very sexy Jaime to the delights of intimacy and sex. It is to be a no ties, no emotions involved affair between two men who like each other but both have good reasons for not looking for anything more permanent.

When Jaime and Alè start to get closer despite their attempts to keep things casual, small town bigotry and bad decisions Alè made in the past intrude, putting both their budding relationship and their lives at risk.

This book had it all. There is, of course the charming romance between the experienced Alessandro with his bad reputation and golden heart, and the outwardly fragile but very determined Jaime. But there is so much more. From the start there’s the mystery of what exactly happened in Alè’s past, as well as the building tension as that past seems to catch up with him.

Alè is a good man with a dodgy past. The care he takes of his foster mother after she’s widowed and the two young foster children living with her was heart-warming. In the hands of a lesser author the way this character wants to blame himself for everything that happens to others would have been irritating. In this book it completely worked, as did the way it was dealt with.

“Do you think you can change what a jerk you were as a kid by saving Tony from doing the same things?” Jaime to Alè

And the same was true for Jaime and his hang-ups about his medical past and the scar he wears as a result of it. It could have been frustrating but was beautiful instead.

“Do you know why this scar is beautiful? Because it’s proof you’re alive, that the doctors could fix you. Without the scar you wouldn’t be here.”

I loved Jaime and Alè’s relationship. The sexy scenes between them from the very first kiss to the exhibitionistic scene later on were beautifully written and very hot. I loved that Alessandro, despite his growing feelings for Jaime, still wants to make sure the novice gets his chance at experimenting, even if it means letting him go. And the fact that Jaime, despite his attraction to Alessandro, has doubts about diving headlong into a steady relationship with his very first partner only made the book more realistic.

“What do you want, Jaime?” Alessandro whispered, his breath hot on his lips. “Tell me.”

This book dealt with a lot of heavy topics – foster care, health issues, gay-bashing and violence – without ever getting too heavy or taking anything away from the love story.

“I lived in fear of dying for same many years Alè. I don’t want to be afraid all the time anymore. I got a second chance at life, so I want to live.”

And some of the scenes in this book were so hot I had to put the book down to catch my breath before reading on. For those who are sensitive about such things I should probably add that those scenes are rather explicit, although for me that only added to the beauty of them.

“Dancing was an amazing kind of foreplay. Bodies rubbed together, pressing close, moving to a beat that pulsed in your spine, dick and balls.”

I discovered a sequel to this book will be released in July and I will be keeping an eager eye out for that one. I’ve fallen in love with Jaime and Alè and can’t wait to spend more time with them.


“I promise to take care of your heart, if you promise to take care of mine.”

Saturday 22 February 2014

STRAIN

TITLE: STRAIN
AUTHOR: AMELIA C. GORMLEY
Pages: 318
Date: 21/02/2014
Grade: 5
Details: Received from Riptide Publishing
            Through Love Romances and More
Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“In a world with little hope and no rules, the only thing they have to lose is themselves.

Rhys Cooper is a dead man. Cut off from the world since childhood, he’s finally exposed to the lethal virus that wiped out most of the human race. Now his only hope for survival is infection by another strain that might provide immunity. But it’s sexually transmitted, and the degradation he feels at submitting to the entire squad of soldiers that rescued him eclipses any potential for pleasure—except with Darius, the squadron’s respected, capable leader.
Sergeant Darius Murrell has seen too much death and too little humanity. He’s spent a decade putting plague victims out of their misery and escorting survivors to a safe haven he can never enjoy. He’d rather help Rhys live than put him down, so when Rhys can’t reconcile himself to doing what’s necessary to survive, Darius is forced to save Rhys in spite of himself.
But with each passing day, it looks less and less likely that Rhys can be saved. And that means that Darius might soon have to put a bullet in the head of the one person in years who reminds him of what it means to be human.”

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My thoughts:

Occasionally I read a book and I find myself having to take a time out after I finish it because I just can’t get my head around everything I’ve just read and images and thoughts won’t stop spinning through my head. ‘Strain’ is one of those books. Although there was some time between finishing the story and going to bed last night, I found myself dreaming about this book; the characters and the world they inhabit were the first thing on my mind the one or two times I woke up. And one question wouldn’t and still hasn’t left my mind; how far would I be willing to go to save my own life, or to try saving someone else’s.

I should probably begin this book with a warning. This is not an easy or light read, quite the opposite in fact. This is also a book that could easily offend and/or shock a lot of readers. Ultimately though this is a very powerful and memorable story; one I’m very glad to have read and one that will probably continue to play in my mind for a few more nights at least.

The world ‘Strain’ is set in is a horrible place. A lethal and very contagious virus has killed most humans and is still being spread by ‘Revenants’; infected humans who have turned into monsters driven to kill the remaining uninfected population. Contact with a Revenant is a death sentence; if they don’t kill you on the spot they will infect you and seal your fate.

When 19 year old Rhys Cooper sacrifices himself in the hope of protecting others he survives his encounter with the Revenants only because a troupe of ‘super-human’ soldiers arrives in time to kill them. Survival isn’t necessarily a blessing though; those Rhys was trying to protect have died anyway, his arch-enemy and bane of his young life, Jacob, is the only other survivor and both of them have almost certainly been infected with the virus that will turn them into Revenants before killing them.

The soldiers offer both Rhys and Jacob a slim hope of survival. It is possible that the virus can be counteracted if they manage to get infected with another strain; a strain the soldiers carry. The only sure way to get infected though is through frequent sexual contact with as many of the soldiers as possible.

Darius Murrell is the 43 old leader of the squadron of soldiers who rescued the two men and is determined to save them. He’s spent his life fighting and killing to protect the remaining uninfected humans and would do anything to ensure he won’t have to put a bullet in Rhys’ head once the plague sets in.

It is difficult for Rhys though. While he doesn’t want to die and is interested in men, he has huge issues dealing with the multiple partners he needs to have in order to optimise his chances of immunity. Sex with Darius is something he, reluctantly, enjoys. With anybody else he can barely make himself endure it, putting Darius in a position where he has to force the young man to have sex if he wants to save him.


 “Look, far as I’m concerned, only thing evil about sex is rape. Now, that puts us in a real gray area but I’m trying to avoid it.”

Darius and Rhys may be discovering feelings for each other; it is an impossible situation for both. Darius can’t afford that get attached to a man he may have to kill and Rhys is at best a reluctant participant in his own rescue.

I have to admit this was, at times, a very difficult read for me. Reading about Rhys, his insecurities, fears and shame at having to be intimate with all these men who, as far as he can tell, are only with him out of a sense of duty, was heartbreaking. In fact, the only thing that prevented this book from turning into a very dark story about institutionalised rape was the fact that the soldiers volunteering their services to Rhys grow ever more reluctant to do so as his distaste for the act becomes more obvious.

“I fought it for a long time because I didn’t want the only sex I ever had before I died to not mean anything, especially when it was already something I didn’t have a choice in. Then it didn’t feel meaningless anymore, and it was okay. Better than okay.” – Rhys

Despite appearances earlier on in this story, this isn’t ‘just’ a book about sex. Nor is the story-line an excuse to introduce as many sex-scenes as possible. Ultimately this is a story about love, finding it under the most unlikely of circumstances and the things we are willing to do and endure for those we love. It is also a book about what it means to be human and how to hang on to that humanity even when the world around you doesn’t appear to have room for ‘luxuries’ like that.

“Knowing people like you exist, people who won’t lie or kill or whore themselves out for another day of pointless breathing, people who actually believe in something – even if it’s just yourself and what you know is right – it makes it worth it, boy.”

This story broke my heart, forced me to look away in horror but ultimately made me rejoice because of the sheer beauty of it. It was a joy to watch Rhys as he tried to hang on the things he valued. I lost myself in his journey from scared boy to sensible young man. And I may just have fallen in love with Darius, the tough soldier who turns out to have very deep feelings despite his job and the things it forces him to do.

I have to applaud the author for releasing a book with a story-line that was likely to find as many detractors as fans. I’m in awe that Amelia C. Gormley managed to put this much beauty in what was for all intends and purposes a horrific story, and find myself deeply grateful for having found a tale that will linger for a long time to come.

“None of us have much worth holding on to, which makes us hold on even tighter to what we can.”


“Strain” on Riptide Publishing’s website.

Sunday 16 February 2014

ROOM SERVICE

TITLE: ROOM SERVICE
AUTHOR: NIKKA MICHAELS
Pages: 11 (PDF)
Date: 16/02/2014
Grade: 5
Details: Cobblestone Blue Story
            Received from the author
Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“When Dr. Seth Coleman catches the gaze of handsome conference speaker, Carson Randall, he’s intrigued.  After the speech, Carson introduces himself and hands him his business card then leaves. Seth discovers the card holds more than Carson Randall’s information; on it Carson has written his room number.

For as long as Seth can remember, he has focused his attention on being a doctor. But now he has the chance to focus on his own needs. Will Seth take the safe route and socialize with his co-workers at the conference or will he accept the handsome speaker’s invitation?”


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My thoughts:

This story is part of the Cobblestone Blue Series which is described as follows:

The Blue short story line is erotica. For us, erotica is about the fulfillment of a sexual fantasy.  These stories are sexy, very graphic, and are by no means a “traditional romance”.

And as descriptions go this one is very accurate. Room Service is indeed sexy and very graphic. In fact, if this story sets the standard I would call this series ‘Red Hot’ rather than ‘Blue’.

This story describes one very sexy encounter between two men during a medical conference. Dr. Seth Coleman doesn’t know what to think when the eyes of Carson Randall meet his. Carson Randall is sexiness personified whereas Seth doesn’t see himself as anything special. But, when the two men meet after Carson’s presentation is over, it becomes clear that he has taken an interest in the young doctor. Randall’s business card with his room number on the back is a clear invitation; one Seth doesn’t need to think about for very long.

“The sexiest man in the whole building, hell the whole conference, had just invited me to his room.”

Seth has only just entered Carson’s room when he finds himself slammed into the door and instructed about safewords. Blindfolded and with his hands tied, Seth has no choice but to surrender. And surrender is exactly what he wants and needs.

“I wanted him to use me. Consume me. Fuck me. Ruin me.”

Helpless and restrained, Seth allows himself to be used and discovers the satisfaction that comes from complete submission.


“My entire existence was focused on how he took what he wanted, needed, desired.”

And just when you thought this story couldn’t get any better there’s a nice little surprise at the end to put a huge smile on your face.

I wouldn’t call myself a fan of short stories. Usually they leave me frustrated and wanting more. Room Service proved to be a delightful exception to that rule. I wouldn’t complain if anybody forced me to spend more time with Carson and Seth, but this story was perfect just the way it was; hot, exciting and extremely satisfying, both for the characters and for this reader. And, to give not only this story but also my review a happy ending; I've just discovered that there will be a sequel to this story called "Lip Service".

It is hard to believe that only six months have passed since I read ‘Chasing Matt’ the novella Nikka Michaels co-wrote with Eileen Griffin. I loved that story and have enjoyed every single word I’ve read by this author since then. To say I’m waiting with baited breath for whatever she might produce next would be a dreadful understatement. It is safe to say I found myself yet another ‘must-read’ author.

Nikka Michaels lives in the always rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family (of the human and four legged variety).  She graduated with an anthropology degree; something that makes most people scratch their heads and ask, “What you can do with it in the real world?”  Answer:  “Real world, schmeal world.”

When not writing snarky and sometimes dirty words, she can be found chasing around the human and canine members of her family.

For more information about the author visit her website 


Friday 14 February 2014

ROBIN

TITLE: ROBIN
AUTHOR: SEAN MICHAEL
Pages: 56
Date: 13/02/2014
Grade: 3+
Details: No. 6 Shibari Auction House
            Received from New Changeling Press
            Through Love Romance and More
Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“Best friends and high school sweethearts, Robin and Sam are looking for a Dom who can give them both what they want. They've done a lot of reading and some experimenting, but nothing has worked. Neither of them has what it takes to top the other, and the online hookups and club visits have been a total disaster. Putting themselves up for auction at the Shibari Auction House is their last attempt at finding something that even comes close to matching the things they've read about.

When Master Renard sees Robin and Sam on the night's auction block, he decides he must have them and makes a pre-emptive bid, wanting them in his playroom sooner than later. He's intrigued by the two boys who look so different and by the idea of having two boys at once to dominate.

Can all three men find exactly what they need in each other? Or is it all just a lovely fantasy?”

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My thoughts:

I don’t like starting reviews like this but it has to be said: reading this story almost broke my heart. Not because of the content, it is in fact a fun and rather sweet story, but because it could have been so much more.

I loved Robin and Sam. The two young men were so sweet together and constantly looking out for each other; putting the other’s comfort and pleasure before their own. Their curiosity was cute as was their innocence and willingness to learn. I had to laugh at Sam’s chattiness and Robin’s silence and liked the way their Master for a week dealt with that difference. In fact, I loved Renard too. He really tries to get to know Robin and Sam in order to find out what they want and need from their week long introduction into the world of BDSM.

The interactions between the three men were hot and exciting as well as sweet and funny. In fact, this novella contained everything I’m looking for in an erotic story. But...

The story was too rushed. Time and again I would find myself really getting into a scene only for it to be over. Everything happened too fast. The various scenes came and went too quickly, issues were solved almost before they were recognised and the switch from Robin and Sam not knowing Master Renard to the moment they had accepted him as their master also happened too fast. In fact, all we get is one night with the three men and I would have loved to witness the whole week.

This is of course the sixth title in a series and it is quite possible that if I had read the previous instalments I would have known what to expect and wouldn’t have been surprised or disappointed by the speed at which this story unfolded.

I can’t help feeling that this novella was a missed opportunity. It is obvious that Sean Michael has it in him to write a great story about wonderful characters. It is also clear that this story has all the elements it needs to be really good. I just feel it needed more; more character development, more insight into the thought processes, more detail in the description of the scenes and less haste when it came to feelings developing. I was thoroughly disappointed when the story ended and could happily have read on about Sam, Robin and Master Renard for another few hours without getting bored.

Mind you, having said all of the above I do have to admit that I will more than likely go back and read the previous five titles in this series. I like the idea behind this story and enjoyed the smooth writing and interesting characters.

If you are looking for a short but hot and sweet erotic romance, ‘Robin’ may be exactly what you need. 

Thursday 13 February 2014

MISBEHAVING



TITLE: MISBEHAVING
AUTHOR: TIFFANY REISZ
Pages: 108
Date: 09/02/2014
Grade: 5+
Details: A Cosmo Red Hot Read
            Received from Harlequin
            Through NetGalley
Own / Kindle

The blurb:

“Wanted: Adventurous, open-minded man willing to try anything…

As a popular sex blogger, Beatriz gets paid to have orgasms. So being on deadline the week of her sister’s wedding isn’t as rough as it sounds. There’s just one hitch: Bea’s assignment is to write a review of a sex position manual, but she doesn’t have a plus one to play with.

The good news: Ben, the one who got away back in college, is also attending stag--and he's as temptingly gorgeous as ever.

The bad news: Ben turned down Bea’s offer of graduation night sex five years ago.

The best news: He’s not planning on making the same mistake twice.”

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My thoughts:

I guess I should start this review by owning up to the fact that Tiffany Reisz put a spell on me when I read ‘The Siren’ and has since then managed to turn what appeared to be a wonderful embrace into something resembling a stranglehold. I don’t think this author is capable of writing a book or story that will fail to impress me. By the same token I know with 100% certainty that I will never be able to resist any of her words.

Misbehaving is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. Since my knowledge of and familiarity with the Bard’s work is negligible, I decided to at least read a summary of the play before starting this novella. I wouldn’t say it is necessary to be aux fait with ‘Much Ado’ in order to enjoy this story, but I do think it adds to the pleasure you derive from this book.

Both the play and the book are a comedy of errors centred around two couples. In the modern version Claudia and Henry are about to get married and appear to be a match made in heaven until an unfortunate misunderstanding almost puts an end to the nuptials.

Ben and Beatriz were attracted to each other when they met in college but circumstances and Henry prevented anything from happening between them. When Ben, on his last day in college, flat out refused Beatriz’s offer of sex he broke her heart. It is a decision he still regrets five years later and not a mistake he intends to make again.

When Beatriz finds herself having to review a book on sex positions but without a partner to do the necessary research with, she has a bit of a dilemma on her hands.

“‘Fuck’ she breathed. ‘Fuck what?’ the cabdriver repeated, a smile on her face. ‘No’, Beatriz said. ‘Fuck who’. That was the question.”

When Ben is made aware of Beatriz’s conundrum he does think about it for a moment.

“‘To do Bea...or not to do Bea...?’ Ben asked himself.”

But it doesn’t take him long to realise that it really isn’t a question.

What starts out as very entertaining fun soon turns into something more, until Henry and Claudia’s problems flow into Ben and Beatriz’s reunion and it appears that not only a wedding but also the start of something beautiful has been rudely disrupted.

Misbehaving’ is by far the funniest book I’ve read this year. I knew Tiffany Reisz has a wicked sense of humour from her previous books, but I don’t think I’ve laughed this much over the course of 108 pages in forever.

Sometimes I think I’m kinky because I fantasize about slapping you. And then I realize I really just want to slap you.

The idea behind the story is ingenious. Beatriz as a reviewer of sex toys is the ultimate character (well, maybe after Nora Sutherlin of ‘Original Sinners’ fame) to be the star of an erotic story. Teaming her with Ben, who appreciates sex in all its multiple forms as much as Beatriz results in a tale that is both shamelessly sexy and laugh out loud funny – both of which are of course trademark qualities in a story by Tiffany Reisz.

“If you masturbated while reading about me masturbating I might have to masturbate while imagining you masturbating about my masturbating.”

Her characters love sex and have the most glorious sexual encounters. While some of these are off the page steamy, humour is never far away here either.

I can’t read while you’re doing that. Your vagina has rendered me illiterate.”

Or:

“‘We can have doggie style while I’m in the doghouse, right?’ Henry asked. ‘Of course.’ ‘I might just stay in it then.’”

And for anybody who is, like me, a hardcore ‘Sinners’ fan there is a nice reference to someone who happens to be one of my favourite characters in this book; a reference that managed to put a big smile on my face.

Before the story starts we read the following words: “With apologies to the Bard.” Like I said before, I’m anything but an expert when it comes to Shakespeare. I would like to think though that the man would tell Tiffany Reisz that she has nothing to apologise for. This is a very clever, very funny, very sexy and highly entertaining retelling of a famous play. It is a well told story that works on every level.

Misbehaving’ is a pure delight to read and the most fun I’ve had with a book so far this year.



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About Tiffany Reisz:

Tiffany Reisz lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her boyfriend (a reformed book reviewer) and two cats (one good, one evil). She graduated with a B.A. in English from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and is making both her parents and her professors proud by writing BDSM erotica under her real name. She has five piercings, one tattoo, and has been arrested twice.

When not under arrest, Tiffany enjoys Latin Dance, Latin Men, and Latin Verbs. She dropped out of a conservative southern seminary in order to pursue her dream of becoming a smut peddler. Johnny Depp’s aunt was her fourth grade teacher. Her first full-length novel THE SIREN was inspired by a desire to tie up actor Jason Isaacs (on paper). She hopes someday life will imitate art (in bed).

If she couldn’t write, she would die.