THE FLAMBOYANT FLAMINGO by Theo Fenraven: Release Day Review with Buy Links

THE FLAMBOYANT FLAMINGO by Theo Fenraven

Pages: 117

Date: August 18, 2015

Details: ARC review

E-book

The blurb:

“Benched for a minor knee injury, pro baseball player Devin Carter recuperates on beautiful Islamorada in the Keys, where he meets Jim Dellwood, half-owner of a run-down resort. The attraction is immediate, the chemistry is good, but it’s not love yet. They agree to stay in touch but keep things casual.

Back in Sarasota, Devin hooks up with another player for no-strings sex but quickly realizes Jorge Rodriguez, newest teammate for the Suns, has a different take on their relationship. With things heating up between him and Jim, Devin tries to break it off, but Jorge won’t take no for an answer.

Set in Florida, the sun-drenched land of eternal summer, and played out against the backdrop of high-stakes baseball, this tale of love and obsession will keep you awake long into the night.”

Note: This story was originally published as The Blue Paradise but has since been revised and new scenes have been added.

My thoughts:

It is a well known fact I’m a huge fan of Theo Fenraven’s writing. He can do things with words other people, myself included, can only aspire to. In one sentence he’ll give you a description others would need a full paragraph for. He consistently draws me into the world he’s created and by the time I’m ready to leave again his characters and the issues they’ve faced have become a part of me as if I was there, experiencing the whole thing with them.

The Flamboyant Flamingo was no exception to that rule. We’re introduced to Devin and Jim, two young men who stand out because at first glance there’s nothing too remarkable about them. They’re nice, considerate and tolerant. And before you think that makes them or the story boring, let me put you straight. For me it was a wonderful change of pace to read a book in which neither of the main characters had huge personal issues or past ordeals to overcome. Not that there’s anything wrong with books in which that is the case, but it is nice to occasionally read about characters who just get on with life, like I do myself most of the time. J

Of course it’s not quite that simple or this would indeed be a boring story. For starters Devin is a baseball player getting very close to beating the existing record for homeruns. As a result he’s become something of a minor celebrity, a distinction he wears reluctantly.

Jim is a student getting ready for his master’s when the grandfather who’s been raising him since his parents died, gets ill and Jim’s plans get thrown into disarray.

When the two men meet, the attraction is more or less instant but it isn’t long before Devin’s career and Jim’s obligations in the resort, which he runs with his grandfather, force the two men to separate. They agree to stay in contact but no strings attached. As a result the situation gets dicey and what would have been a gentle and easy going romance turns into a toe-curling thriller. I read the second half of this book with my heart in my throat and may have muttered ‘don’t you dare’ a few times while turning the pages.

Most of the sex scenes in this book manage to be very enticing while fading to black; which makes the one on page scene all the hotter. And while I never miss the sex when I read books by this author, that particular scene suddenly made me wish he’d indulge a bit more often. A well written sex thing in the right hands is indeed a thing of beauty.

A funny thing happened after I finished the book. It’s not unusual for the characters in a book I’ve loved to linger in my head and continue their story in my imagination. It is far less common for them to become more rather than less vibrant in my mind. At the time of writing this review two days have gone by since I finished the book and Devin and Jim not only still occupy my thoughts, they are getting stronger and louder as well. This is a new and rather fascinating experience.

I still bless the day I first discovered Theo Fenraven’s books. He is one of the few authors I know who can successfully switch from (sub)genre to (sub)genre and make each of them his own while never losing his unique voice. It really doesn’t matter what this author is writing about, what genre he’s visiting or where the story’s set; each work is original and one-of-a-kind and yet quintessential  Fenraven. A rare gift indeed.

Buy links:

Amazon                 ARe

SUMMER HOUSE WITH SWIMMING POOL by Herman Koch

SUMMER HOUSE WITH SWIMMING POOL by Herman Koch

Pages: 380

Date: August 24, 2015

Details: Read in the original Dutch

            version

            Reading Group Read for August

Own / Paperback

The blurb:

When a medical procedure goes horribly wrong and famous actor Ralph Meier winds up dead, Dr. Marc Schlosser needs to come up with some answers. After all, reputation is everything in this business. Personally, he’s not exactly upset Ralph is gone, but as a high profile doctor to the stars, Marc can't hide from the truth forever. 

It all started the previous summer. Marc, his wife, and their two teenage daughters spend a week at the Meier’s summer home on the Mediterranean with Ralph, his wife and mother-in-law, and film director Stanley Forbes and his girlfriend. They quickly settle in for days of sunshine, wine tasting, and trips to the beach, but when a violent incident disrupts the idyll, darker motivations are revealed, and suddenly no one can be trusted. As the ultimate holiday soon turns into a nightmare, the circumstances surrounding Ralph’s later death begin to reveal the disturbing reality behind that summer’s tragedy. 

My thoughts:

Okay, I’m very, let me stress that, very ambivalent about this book. There is no doubt Herman Koch knows how to write and how to tell a compelling story. However, now that I’ve read two of his books I’m fairly certain I won’t be picking up another book by him. Because what he writes so very well are despicable characters in nasty situations. This book, more than The Dinner, made me feel dirty and had me yearning for the end long before I reached the halfway point. And, I’m not sure I would have kept on reading if it hadn’t been for the fact that both books by Koch will be discussed in my book club next Thursday and I happen to be in charge of that group.

Dr. Marc Schlosser is one of the least sympathetic characters I’ve ever encountered in a book. He’s a careless doctor, indifferent to his patients; he judges people based on standing and appearance and doesn’t appear to know the meaning of the word compassion, while double standards seem to be his trademark. And every time you think you may have found a redeeming quality he almost instantly ruins that impression. Just when you think he may actually care for his children you discover he’d rather have his oldest daughter eat dangerously little than risk her gaining weight. And that is after he’s told us that having two daughters is a huge disappointment because every parent prefers to have at least one son. Furthermore, these are probably the least of his faults. Naming others would probably give too much of the story away, so I’ll stop myself here.

I do not look for perfect characters in my books. In fact, I like it when they are flawed and do things that make me raise my eyebrows, frown and shake my head. But I don’t want them to be horrible either. Characters should be recognisable and show a realistic balance of good and bad, nice and nasty, loveable and hateful. Dr. Marc Schlosser was about 90% nasty. He’s small minded, full of himself, judgmental and utterly selfish. In fact, I’d be hard pushed to name even one redeeming quality. And since the whole story is told in his voice and from his perspective we get all his nastiness in all its horrifying glory.

It is possible the book was meant to be read as a cynical joke; an indictment of humanity in general or men specifically. If that’s the case it failed to convince me. If the main character had been mirrored by a more humane secondary, male, character I would have been able to accept that the author might be trying to convey a message. As it is, every single man in this book comes across as a pig, a predator always trying to restrain his baser urges and failing more often than not. Even if that is in fact true (which I do not believe) I still wouldn’t want to read about it.

If this book had been written by a woman the author would have been accused of being a man-hater except that the women in this book aren’t shown in a much better light than the men. The only difference, as far as I could tell, was that while the men were described as vile, the women were portrait as almost vacuous. This book was nothing more and nothing less than an almost gloating portrayal of the worst men has to offer. It is possible some readers enjoy that, I do not. By the time I finished reading my predominant thought was that if this is how Dutch men think and behave (which I don’t believe) I’m glad I don’t live there anymore.

So, if I had to summarize the rant I just wrote I’d say this is a well written but horrible story. This is the sort of book you want to read with your eyes and mind closed. A little bit of mind bleach afterwards wouldn’t go amiss either.

COVER REVEAL: THE FLAMBOYANT FLAMINGO by Theo Fenraven

Isn't it a thing of beauty?

The Flamboyant Flamingo will be released late August, 2015. And while I'm not allowed to say anything else about the book I can't resist adding that I loved this story.

SOULMATE FOR SIN by Izzy van Swelm

SOULMATE FOR SIN by Izzy van Swelm

 

Pages: 182

Date: August 14, 2015

E-book

The blurb:

The effects of an attack on SIN, a twenty-nine year old University lecturer, reach out further into his future than SIN could ever imagine.

In a story, which seems doomed to start with an end, SIN learns about the forever kind of love, and how family is not just biological. 

‘Soul-Mate for SIN’ shows how twists of fate can take a loving, but ordinary family, from a small market town in England, and turn them into something extraordinary. 

My thoughts:

In my further quest to read books unlike anything I’ve read before, I stumbled on Soulmate for Sin. I didn’t know this was going to be a read filled with unexpected twists, surprising appearances and totally unforeseen outcomes but that’s exactly what I got. It caught me off guard as well because the author’s writing style is rather matter of fact even while describing the most astounding or shocking of scenes. As a result I’m not entirely sure how to review this book, but I’ll try. J

Let me start by saying that I loved the characters in this story. Sin, Gabe, Charlie, Snowy and Sally all captured my heart. I hurt for Sin and his parents after the attacks he endured at the hands of his brother Win and his friends. I admired the way the author dealt with the pressure this puts on a family and the tough battle they had on their hands not to have their unit completely torn apart.

I was also very impressed with the way Izzy van Swelm dealt with everything Sin has to deal with. His whole life is turned on its head as a result of the second assault. He finds himself without a job, unable to concentrate and with weakened limbs, facing an uphill battle to get his life back on track.

I really enjoyed the supernatural/futuristic twist in the middle and at the end of the story as well. It was a nice and completely unexpected turn of events and I’m delighted that the author made sure to extend her happy ending to that aspect of the story as well.

But, and I’ve got a feeling you saw this coming, I can’t help feeling this story could have been more. On one or two occasions I felt a bit short changed when we were only told about a character going through certain emotions rather than feeling them from that person’s perspective. I would have loved to have been inside Sally and Snowy’s heads as they try to keep the love they feel for both their sons balanced without short-changing or alienating either. I wanted to be inside Sin’s head as he struggles with his body’s apparent inability to act on his attraction for Gabe and I wanted to spend far more time looking at Gabe’s feelings as he’s faced with the mixed signals he’s getting from Sin. As it was we were told about these thoughts and feelings almost in passing and for me that was a shame. A slightly different approach might have turned a good read into a brilliant book.

Having said all that, I should add that the author’s imagination and her ability to introduce a supernatural twist to an otherwise contemporary story had me amazed. Should Izzy van Swelm ever decide to tell Charlie’s story I will most definitely read it, even if I do think I have his big secret figured out J

THE MAGPIE LORD by K.J. Charles

The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles

 

Pages: 200

Date: August 10, 2015

Details: No. 1 A Charm of Magpies

E-book

The blurb:

“Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry.

Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die.” 

My thoughts:

Okay, I admit it, this has been a real case of ‘rather late to the party’ but, to stick to the clichés, also of ‘better late than never’. J

                                                    

I don’t have a good answer to the question why it took me so long to read this book except that I have an almost endless amount of highly recommended unread books in my Kindle library and am working my way through them in the most random of fashions. I’m very glad I decided to read books by new to me authors I’m going to meet in Bristol next month. Goodness only knows how much longer it would have taken me to open this book if I hadn’t formed that plan, and that would have been a dreadful shame because I loved this story.

I mean what’s not to love? There is the historical setting, a curse upon Lucien Vaudray and magic, all blended together in such a masterful way it doesn’t really read like fantasy or magical realism or whatever you may want to call it. Nothing in this story made me sit back because I’d reached the limits of my credulity. In fact the world in which this story is set, everything that happens and the explanations given about magic and its practitioners, was so plausible I was almost inclined to believed it was all a matter of historical fact instead of the rather wonderful imaginings of a very accomplished author and storyteller.  

I liked both protagonists in this story. Lucien Vaudray is as atypical an aristocrat as it is possible to imagine. He lives his life by his own rules, has learned to survive in the most impossible of circumstances and doesn’t tolerate fools or nonsensical social etiquette.

Stephen Day intrigued me from the moment he was introduced. Torn between righteous anger and a strong sense of duty I couldn’t help but fall for his determination to do the right rather than the selfish thing.

The tug of attraction between these two men kept me on tenterhooks as much as their struggle to get to the bottom of the danger Lucien faced did, and the conclusion to both issues left me satisfied and with a huge grin on my face.

The Magpie Lord was a thrilling, exciting, compelling, sexy and very addictive read. While I’m determined to continue on my quest to read more ‘Bristol authors’, I’ve got a feeling it won’t be long before I purchase and read the rest of the titles in this series. Lucien and Stephen have wielded their magic and captured me in their spell.

JUGGERNAUT by Amelia C. Gormley

JUGGERNAUT by Amelia C. Gormley

 

Pages: 378

Date: August 9, 2015

Details: No. 0.5 Strain

            Copy received from Riptide

            Publishing through NetGalley

E-book

The blurb:

They helped destroy the world. Now they have to survive the new one.

For rentboy Nico Fernández, it’s a simple job: seduce a presidential advisor to help cement approval to launch Project Juggernaut. He’s done similar work for General Logan McClosky before, and manipulating people for his favorite client beats the hell out of being trafficked for slave wages in some corporate brothel.

Zach Houtman feels called to work with the most vulnerable outcasts of society. But his father, the Reverend Maurice Houtman, insists that Zach work for him instead as he runs for Senate. Zach reluctantly agrees, but is horrified to see his father leave behind Christ’s mandate of love and mercy to preach malicious zealotry and violence instead. Zach even starts to suspect his father is working with fundamentalist terrorists.

When Project Juggernaut accidentally unleashes a deadly plague that claims billions of lives, Nico and Zach are thrown together, each bearing a burden of guilt. With only each other for safety and solace, they must make their way through a new world, one where the handful of people left alive are willing to do anything—and kill anyone—to survive. 

My thoughts:

When I read Strain, almost eighteen months ago, the book took my breath away. It shocked me, enthralled me and left me thinking about the subjects it broached for days after I’d finished it. In fact, there are still days when the story-line or a detail from it jump into my mind and bring me back to the events in that book. With the amount of books I read it is safe to say this is not something that happens very often.

So when I discovered that both a prequel and a sequel to Strain were to be released in quick succession this summer I was a very happy bunny. Juggernaut tells the story of how the virus that wiped out most of the human race came to be unleashed upon the world through eyes of two young men who unwittingly find themselves caught up right in the middle of the disaster.

Nico Fernández is a celebrated rentboy who doesn’t think twice about doing his favourite client, General Logan McClosky, a favour. The night with the presidential advisor leaves Nico traumatized and injured but that is nothing compared the devastation he experiences when he realises his compliance was instrumental in setting of a global disaster of unimaginable proportions. My heart broke for this charming young man on many occasions during this story. The guilt he carries with him everywhere is overwhelming. Add to that the fact that he is a highly tactile person and suddenly finds himself afraid of intimacy and it’s difficult not to be touched by the turmoil he’s going through.

Zach Houtman is the quintessential  good guy. Very religious he firmly believes that God’s message is one of love and tolerance. When his preacher father veers off to a political career, Zach doesn’t like the changes this brings and he fears his father may be in cohorts with religious terrorists. By the time he is faced with the choice between saving a stranger and staying with his father and younger brother, Jacob, it isn’t a dilemma anymore and he leaves. From that moment forward Zach tries to define faith as a personal rather than a universal truth. His journey as he comes close to losing his faith altogether is a thing of beauty.

The young men are attracted to each other and Zach has remarkable little problems embracing his feelings for Nico (or Nico himself for that matter). The fact that Nico has infected himself with the Alpha strain of the virus puts serious limits on how close they can get though.

Zach and Nice travel towards what they hope will be safety together only to be separated. Individually they have to find the courage to live in a world where all the rules have changed and the love they’ve developed for each other may never have a chance.

I loved this book almost as much as I loved Strain but reading it was somewhat of a strange experience for me. It was wonderful to read about the events that led to the story as described in Strain and Nico and Zach were wonderful characters and very easy to fall for. In fact, I think it’s impossible to read about these two men and not have your heart break for them while you wish a solution will be found somewhere, somehow. The dilemmas they face and the constant choice between selfish desires and what is best for all involved made this a heart wrenching and captivating book.

However, despite the book being a prequel it felt at times like an ‘in between’ story, a bridge between what we’ve read before and what may happen in the next book, Bane. Juggernaut , as far as I can tell, gives the reader all the information they need for a climatic conclusion. I’m not sure which book I’d advice readers who haven’t read either Strain or Juggernaut yet, to read first. What I can say is that this book can easily be read before Strain and that I didn’t miss the information provided in this prequel while reading Strain. And, more than that, now that I have all the necessary information and all characters are in place, I can’t wait to read Bane (coming September 21^st).

The world as created by this author in these books is fascinating because the premise of a military super-weapon creating  a devastation as described is, to me, all to plausible. Watching these characters as they try to hold on to common decency and their morality in a world that doesn’t invite or accommodate either is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking and I have no doubt Bane will tear me apart as the characters I’ve come to love face what will without a doubt be unimaginable decisions and sacrifices.

I’m very impressed with everything Amelia C. Gormley has achieved in these books. Her writing is masterful, her characters multi-dimensional and her devastating story-line draws you in and holds you captive long after you’ve finished reading the last chapter.

All Man by Jay Northcote: All the Info, Excerpt and Review

All Man

Book Info:

Title: All Man

Author: Jay Northcote

Publisher: Jaybird Press (self published)

Length: 13,000 words

Genre: Contemporary gay romance/erotica

Cover Artist: Jay Northcote

Release Date: Saturday 8th August

Buy links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Goodreads link

Blurb:

“You’re the sleek little sports car to my Land Rover.”

From the moment Gareth walks through the door of the salon to fit some new sinks, Jules can’t take his eyes off him. Jules has always been attracted to men who are his polar opposite, so burly Gareth is Jules’s fantasy man.

At the weekend, Jules gets into a tough situation with another bloke in a gay club and Gareth comes to his aid. Gareth rejects Jules’s subsequent advances but leaves him with the hope that his attraction isn’t completely one-sided. Fantasy could become reality.

With Gareth’s work at the salon nearly done, he’ll soon disappear from Jules’s life for good. Time is running out. Jules needs to prove to Gareth that he’s tougher than he looks and that his feelings run deeper than gratitude.

Excerpt:

“Hi.” Jules grinned down at the bloke lying on his back under the basins, taking a moment to admire the very respectable looking bulge in his jeans. “Gareth isn’t it? Fancy another cup of tea?”

Jules knew full well the man’s name was Gareth. It had been imprinted in his memory since Gareth, in all his bear-like glory, had stepped through the front door of the hairdressing salon that morning. He’d introduced himself, and Julian had been smitten on sight.

“Oh, yeah. That’d be great, thanks, Julian.”

“You can call me Jules.” Jules tried not to flutter his eyelashes, but he thought they probably did it without his permission. Big, butch blokes like Gareth always brought out the femme in him—it was how he reacted when he was nervous and excited. The more masculine they were, the more camp he got, even when he tried to tone it down.

Gareth didn’t seem to mind, though.

“Okay, Jules.” He gave Jules another one of his surprisingly sweet smiles before getting back to whatever he was doing with the pipes under the new sink he was installing.

Jules hummed happily to himself as he pottered around the cramped little kitchen in the back of the salon, waiting for the kettle to boil. He lined up four mugs and put in instant coffee for Shelley and Tyler and tea bags for Gareth and himself. He added a sweetener for Shelley—who was on a diet again—one sugar to his mug, and two for Gareth, remembering that was how Gareth took his tea.

Jules had carefully stored away every little detail about Gareth so they’d be there to mull over later. He grinned as a surge of excitement made his heart lift. It was always fun having a crush. Gareth was probably straight so it was bound to be unrequited, but a bit of eye candy made the day so much brighter.

He took Shelley and Tyler their drinks first and then went back for his and Gareth’s so he had the excuse to linger for a moment after delivering it.

“I’ll put it up here on the shelf,” he told Gareth. “Don’t let it get cold.”

Gareth was still on his back under the sinks, rattling around with a spanner or a wrench or something. Jules had no idea. His expertise was more with a different type of tool.

Gareth’s T-shirt had ridden up where his body was twisted, but his face was out of sight, so Jules took the opportunity to blatantly admire his hairy stomach. He was solid, not gym ripped lean, but not chubby either. He was all muscle and man. Jules tilted his head and sighed appreciatively. He really was the perfect bear.

“Jules, stop daydreaming and come sweep up for me, you slacker.” Tyler’s voice was light and teasing.

Jules glared at him, ignoring the flush that swept up his neck to his cheeks. “Yeah, yeah.”

Tyler grinned. He clearly knew exactly what Jules was daydreaming about. But the lucky bastard had Duncan—his own personal bear—at home, so he could sod off. Jules had to take his kicks where he could get them, and if that meant ogling Gareth, then so be it. He’d definitely be starring in Jules’s wank fantasies tonight.

Jules took one last peek at Gareth’s package and wondered what his cock looked like. Shame he’d never get a chance to find out.

Author Bio:

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.

She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

www.jaynorthcote.com

Twitter

Facebook profile

Facebook Author Page

Jay’s books

My thoughts:

What can I say apart from: Jay Northcote did it again? Because she did; she delivered a short story that reads like a full novel. All too often shorter stories leave me yearning for more, unsatisfied because I’m left with unanswered questions. All Man didn’t leave me wondering about anything. I had a very good idea who Jules was and understood exactly what he saw in Gareth. I mean who wouldn’t fall for a gentle bear of a man like him? I was rooting for Jules all the way.

These thirteen-thousand words give you everything. You will smile, your heart will skip a few beats when Jules finds himself in trouble and a few pages later you’ll be laughing out loud at his cheeky remarks. Not to mention that Gareth’s gentleness and caring nature will leave you sighing and possibly slightly jealous. In fact, if I wasn’t happily married I’d be looking for a Gareth of my own. J

This author’s writing style is smooth. Reading her books is almost like listening to a professional story-teller as you’re drawn into the setting and the character’s lives. There are enough descriptions to give you a clear idea of setting and appearance but not enough to make you want to skim. The story is fast paced, but never rushed and the sexy times are as realistic as they are hot. Yes, it is fair to say I thoroughly enjoyed the time I got to spend with Jules and Gareth, and even now, some time after reading the last paragraph, I’ve got a huge smile on my face.

All Man is a spin off to Top Me Maybe? But both stories work as standalones so there is no need to read both of them, or to read them in order. Having said that, I quite liked that I already had some idea who Jules was and enjoyed the opportunity to find out how Tyler and Duncan from Top me Maybe were getting on.

Long story short: I highly recommend All Man, just as I’ve recommended every other book I’ve read by this author and more than likely will end up recommending whatever she releases next. Jay Northcote has more than earned her place on my ‘can’t-go-wrong’ list of authors.

A RANGER FOR ROSE by Molly Ann Wishlade: Book Spotlight, Teasers and Excerpt

BOOK INFORMATION:

Author: Molly Ann Wishlade

Title: A Rancher for Rosie

Series: The Duggans of Montana

Number in series: #2

Publisher: Totally Bound - https://www.totallybound.com

BUY LINKS:

Totally Bound         Amazon UK            Amazon US            Paperback

EXCERPT 18+

He finished unbuttoning Rosie’s housedress and gently pushed the material apart. His heart thundered at what he saw. His cock hardened and his mouth dried up. A thin cotton chemise covered her breasts and her dark nipples showed through the thin material.

“Oh Rosie.”

“Joshua. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong sweetheart. It’s just…you’re so beautiful. I want you so much.”

“I want you too, my love.”

She sat up and he smiled at the hay caught in her hair. Her eyes shone, her lips were red and slightly parted. She didn’t appear innocent right now with her dress gaping and her come-to-bed gaze.

She shrugged her arms out of her dress and pushed it to her waist then knelt and took his hands in hers. “Do you want to continue?”

“Yes.”

“Then do.”

She placed his fingers on the lacing of her corset and helped him to undo the bow.

His fingers shook as he loosened the laces until he could free her from the restrictive undergarment. She lifted her arms and he slipped it over her head. If she was nervous then she wasn’t letting it show. Her sudden confidence aroused him further because it convinced him that she wanted him, that it was acceptable to do this here and now.

Joshua dropped the corset on the hay then returned his gaze to her. Through the white cotton, he could make out the perfect orbs of her breasts. He had fondled them before, shyly, over her clothing but never seen them naked. Now he would.

He reached trembling hands towards the woman he loved but stopped before he actually touched her.

“This is what I want, Joshua.”

“It is?”

Rosie leaned forward so that her breasts pushed into his hands. Full. Round. Warm. Soft.

“Stand up. I need to get this dress off you.” His voice was husky, so low that it was barely audible.

She did as he commanded and he tugged the dress down. She stood before him in just her chemise and stockings. He helped her out of her boots then rested his hands on the hot smooth skin of her thighs. As if reading his thoughts, Rosie slid down to her knees which meant that his hands pushed the flimsy material of her chemise up. He gasped as her upper thighs were revealed to him. No bloomers. The blood rushed through his head and he took deep gulps of air for a moment to steady himself.

When the spots had stopped dancing before his eyes, he eased Rosie onto her back again and nudged her legs apart. At the edge of the white undergarment, he could make out the shadow of dark hair which covered her sex. It took all of his strength not to whip out his cock and thrust into her instantly. But he wouldn’t do that to her. This was Rosie. The woman he adored. The woman he wanted to love and protect all his days. The fact that she had such an effect on him could only be a good thing. Not only did he love her, but desire her too. He would be gentle, tender, take things slowly.

Savor this precious moment. Their first time.

***

AUTHOR BIO:

Molly Ann Wishlade has always been an avid reader and writer of stories. She regularly indulges her love of romance and passion by getting lost in the delicious worlds created by romantic novelists. When not reading, she's busy with her current WIP, usually her next highly erotic tale about sexy and saucy cowboys and their lady loves - and sometimes their gorgeous male lovers too.

She wants to take readers on the rollercoaster that is life through the creation of vivid characters, relationships and worlds.
She loves to hear from readers.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Blog: Hot Sensual Romance - http://misswishlade.wordpress.com

Twitter: @misswishlade

Totally Bound Page: https://www.totallybound.com/author/molly-ann-wishlade