Monthly Archives: March 2015

After Dark (Night Owl #3) by M. Pierce-a review

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AFTER DARK (Night Owl 3) by M. Pierce-a review

After Dark

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: March 24, 2015

At twenty-nine, Matt Sky is trying to return to normal, having faked his death and come back to life. He and Hannah move to a simple house in the suburbs, and strive to grow their relationship into something durable and honest. They become more and more entangled, in the best ways possible.

At twenty-eight, Hannah finally has the life she’s always wanted: she’s pursuing her career as a literary agent at Granite Wing Agency, she is writing her first solo novel, and she is living with her hot, passionate lover. For the first time, Matt and Hannah are able to explore intimacy without inhibitions—without lies, secrets, or jealousy—and the results are explosive.

Still life together is not as easy as it seems. Matt is estranged from his brothers in the wake of his cruel stunt; Seth Sky, embittered by his failed pursuit of Hannah, makes a play for Hannah’s sister; and the topic of Hannah’s novel—her relationship with Matt and the Sky family—is driving a wedge between her and Matt. The lovers are devoted to one another, having come through many ordeals, but is their bond strong enough to last a lifetime?

••••••••••

REVIEW: AFTER DARK is the third and final installment in M. Pierce’s adult, contemporary NIGHT OWL erotic romance trilogy focusing on reclusive and troubled author Matt Sky, and literary agent Hannah Catalano. Their continuing story finds our couple at odds about marriage, children, writing and the future. To complicate matters Matt’s brother Seth is spiraling out of control and his actions begin to affect Hannah’s life with Matt. AFTER DARK should not be read as a stand alone; there is too much backstory and history revealed in the previous two novels.

Told from alternating first person points of view (Hannah and Matt) the storyline commences immediately after the events of LAST LIGHT (book 2) where Hannah had proposed marriage to Matt. Seemingly shocked but happy, Matt announces to the world that the couple are getting married whereupon everything begins to collapse and degrade. Matt’s ‘fake death’ has alienated him from his family and his need for Hannah becomes all encompassing. Matt believes he and Hannah know nothing about one another and in this he goes about proving everything is wrong. Marriage is currently not in his plans

Matt is a troubled soul with issues of abandonment, anger management, manic depressive tendencies, masochistic tendencies…..and, well you get the picture that our hero or ‘anti hero’ is a psychiatric nightmare. He is prone to anger; he is more childlike in maturity and behavior with bouts of depression, jealousy, doubt and fear; he is a man who is unable to control his reactions to the woman with whom he has fallen in love. Everyday problems are amplified when the heart is unable to understand what the mind sees. Matt struggles with the outside world; his need for privacy; and his anger towards his brother Seth.

AFTER DARK is an emotional, heartbreaking and oft times frustrating storyline where the hero’s bipolar intensity is disturbing, frightening and graphic. There is an almost co-dependency between Hannah and Matt-a dysfunctional relationship-one where Hannah refuses to give up on the man with whom she has fallen in love regardless of the number of situations and issues that continue to arise. Matt is a man possessed by his need for control; his actions are intense; his obsession with Hannah an addiction and dramatic.

M. Pierce will captivate your imagination and pull you into a storyline that is discerning, complex and complicated. I have many concerns about the building of a romance hero with so many emotional and psychological issues-but it is a fictional story where almost everyone will get their happily ever after; and in the end, a happily ever after is what ever romance reader is looking for but reality is another matter –all together.

Reading Order and Reviews
Night Owl
Light Light
After Dark

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Protecting Fate (Serve #6) by Katee Robert-a review

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PROTECTING FATE (Serve #6) by Katee Robert-a review

Protecting Fate

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 17, 2015

He’ll keep her safe…but who will protect her from him?
Fixer Sara Reaver is in serious trouble. She’s stepped on the wrong toes, and now her uncle is sending her out of the city in an effort to keep her safe—and he’s assigning her a glorified babysitter. The last person she expects to show up is the gorgeous Z, or for him to tempt her and then reject her in the space of a single night. Twice. Now she’s out to prove to him just how good they’d fit up together in every way imaginable.

Mercenary Z Loreto hates protection jobs, but he’s willing to make an exception for his best friend’s little sister. The only problem is she calls up things he’s been doing his damnedest to keep under wraps for the last seven years. But when she pushes him too far, it all comes rushing to the fore, and the fact she’s willing to submit to his every desire only makes the loss of control sweeter.

Sara and Z have a boatload of issues between them, but they’re sure they can make things work if they take it one day at a time… Right up until things spiral beyond their control. Now Z’s playing for keeps in a big way, and Sara’s got to decide if a chance at true happiness is worth the risk of repeating history.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: PROTECTING FATE by Katee Robert is the sixth installment in the adult, contemporary SERVE erotic romance series, written by Tessa Baily and Katee Robert, focusing on a group of friends and family who frequent the BDSM club SERVE. This is security expert, former soldier, and mercenary Zebadiah ‘Z’ Loreto, and ‘fixer’ Sara Reaver’s storyline. Although PROTECTING FATE is the sixth in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storylines is imparted where necessary.

Told from third person point of view, the storyline focuses on protecting Sara from a threat. As a fixer, she tends to make a few people angry and in this, her life has been threatened for raising the ire of the wrong people. Sara’s Uncle Rodger and her brother Garrett have some connections and have hired a ‘babysitter’ to protect their niece and sister. Enter Z Loreto-a former soldier and a man who is all business but finds himself attracted to his latest charge.

Sara is a submissive in the bedroom and she wants to spend her last night of freedom at SERVE-the local BDSM club where she and her brothers are members. Sara had not expected to come face to face with the man in charge of her protection-a sexy, hardened warrior who knows a thing or two about domination. When Sara’s apartment is trashed, Z moves Sara out of town for her own protection.

Z is a man with a past; a history in the BDSM scene that has left him raw, damaged and vulnerable. Secluded in a safe house with Sara, their relationship becomes more personal as Sara pushes Z in more ways than one. As the days and weeks pass, Z’s need to protect Sara is more than professional; it becomes a need; a part of his heart as he begins to fall for the woman in his care and his bed. The $ex scenes are intimate, compelling and with a little bit of kink on the side.

The secondary and supporting characters include a few of the previous storyline couples including Sara’s brothers Garrett and Will, and Garrett’s fiancé Ridley, as well as Uncle Rodger who is all about protecting his family and friends.

The world building continues to follow the BDSM lifestyle at SERVE. There are no hard-core scenarios; most of the bondage and discipline scenes are light and meted with affection and love, and take place off the premise of the club. Z’s mercenary lifestyle comes into play when he is called away on another mission but we know very little about what goes on behind the scenes-I would have liked to learned more about what happened while he was away but the storyline focused more on Sara (back home). There is also an issue (for me) with the quick resolution to the threats against Sara; very little is mentioned after the first couple of chapters and then everything is back to normal with a phone call and a promise. In this, the suspense was lacking and the threats were barely an issue.

The SERVE series is co-written (three books each) by Katee Robert and Tessa Baily with each storyline focusing on a different couple who are members of the BDSM scene and club SERVE. Although the story lines are connected, they are NOT interconnected in such a way that cohesion and understanding are a problem. Each story ends with a happily ever after and a look towards the future. Katee Robert adds a little bit of romance, suspense and angst to the series with Z and Sara’s storyline.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Death Wish by Megan Tayte – a Review

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Death Wish by Megan Tayte – a Review

 

Death WishAmazon

Description:
IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. But suicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to the isolated cove of Twycombe, Devon, with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible.


Review:

Death Wish is the first book in The Ceruleans series by Megan Tayte. Seventeen year old Scarlett Blake has taken the summer to find out exactly what has transpired leading up to the death of her older sister Sienna. This book takes us to the quiet oceanside community of Twycombe.

Here Scarlett will be staying at her grandparents old house, just off of a quaint little beach cove. The same place Sienna was staying when she died. Her first day there she decides to tryout surfing, as that is exactly what Sienna was doing when she committed suicide. At least that is what she has been told. When the waves overtake her she is saved by a rugged stranger named Luke. This chance meeting sets the pace for a whirlwind summer and the quest for the answers Scarlett needs.

One fateful night while traveling home, a deer runs in front of her and in a panic she hits it. Out of the car and confronted with the death of the deer – she lays her hands on it and slowly, curiously, a blue glow sets in around her hands. The deer miraculously lives. What exactly does this light mean? And as the mystery unfolds, memories creep in. Ones in which she remembers her grandfather, of him teaching her to calm dying animals, to bring them peace in their time of need. These memories are all coming together to not only explain her sister’s death but to shed some light on exactly who and what Scarlett is herself.

The answers she gets are confusing and at times chaotic – but as she sets out to find the truth – the answers may not exactly be what she wants to hear. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Scarlett, vulnerable in the death of her sister, coming of age without the family she needs, strong and determined to find answers. She is strong willed, caring, awkward and vulnerable. Yet she marches on – as she knows her sister did not take her own life. Her relationship with Luke, is exactly the right pace – leading to answers she not sure she wants to hear.

Luke is the strong, matriarch of his family. Raising his younger sister after the death of his parents. He falls quickly for Scarlett, and she reciprocates. But does Luke hold some of the answers she seeks. And will those secrets pull apart the only relationship she is sure of at the moment? Scarlett finds out that everything her parents told her regarding her sister’s death is a lie. But why? Why did they feel the need to lie? Her quest brings her face to face with a mysterious stranger, Jude.

Jude always seems to be around when she needs him and amazingly as the story unfolds, we find out that he seems to have known Sienna quite well also. Towards the end of the book Jude comes to Scarlett. Revealing to her that he is Cerulean and that he can heal or help those who are dying pass on. He also lets Scarlett know that she herself is Cerulean also, and that soon he will need to take her with him. But to where? And what exactly is a Cerulean? Jude brings the exact right amount of the unknown. Leaving you wanting for the same answers that Scarlett seeks. His character brings quite a new and eccentric twist to the story.

This story is extremely well written with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue. The characters are realistic and the relationships prove to be profound for everyone. Romantic and sad all at the same time! This book left me wanting more and I cannot wait to read book two. Highly recommend if you like romance, mystery, intrigue and a touch of the paranormal. Devoured it!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Author

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Clarity (The Seductors 3.5) by B.L.Wilde-Review and Guest Post

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Clarity (The Seductors 3.5) by B.L.Wilde-Review and Guest Post

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

When you find a love worth fighting for, nothing can stand in your way.
Jade Phillips is that love for me, and I’d follow her to the end. I’ll stop at nothing to make her happy, including doing everything in my power to make her mine for eternity.

She is my clarity.

You’ve read Jade’s side of the story, now Oliver gets his turn…

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

SMOKIN’ HOT! Yup these two words sum up this fabo series by B.L. Wilde. I am extremely in love with the leads of this series and it was absolutely wonderful to get a recap/continuation of this story, but from the other side. Clarity by B.L. Wilde (book 3.5) is a continuation of the story but with familiar scenes that we get in books one to three, but this time it’s from Oliver’s perspective as opposed to Jade’s.

I am not going to recap the entire series but just give a brief over view. Jade is a member of The Seductor’s which is a spy agency that specializes in seduction and Jade is the top agent. She is hot, intelligent, amazing at her job and known for getting said job completed without getting emotionally involved with her targets. Jade has been assigned to seduce Oliver, who is a hot nerd that has created some top spy science stuff that involves world domination .. yada yada (with all the yummy coming off Oliver I don’t think I paid much attention to the other stuff .. I know you’ll forgive me for that Bee … LOL). Jade must steal blue prints of this science stuff and in order to do this, she must seduce Oliver. Little problem with this though … she falls for her target. She gets the job done however, and in the process rips out Oliver’s heart (and her own), disappears and then has to reappear when more is required of her assignment. She is stuck between a rock and literally a hard place (TEEHEE) and has to decide if she is willing to break the contract and place herself and Oliver in danger all for the sake of love.

I love that we experience how Oliver felt when Jade left and understand all that he went through to discover what became of her. We experience how he helps Jade free herself from The Seductor’s and the dangers that are involved. The bond these two feel for one another is for certain despite who’s POV this story comes from, but I have to say, Oliver’s view gave this series so much more depth and this novella is a welcomed addition to this amazing series.

I adore these two characters and their ultimate fight they are enduring to get to their HEA. Many questions still are left unanswered but I have no doubt that B.L. Wilde will deliver in her next book!

You absolutely need to read the first three books of this series before devouring this one .. and you will devour it. If you like a hot couple, a little mystery, danger, hot smexy scenes, nerdy science and writing that flows from page to page then you should check this series out for sure!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Rachel T.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Desire
Hunger
Devotion
Clarity

Desire
The Seductors #1
by B.L.Wilde

ebook only .99cents at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca:

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

About the Book: Release Date December 2013

Click HERE for Rachel’s  review of DESIRE (Book 1)

Jade has worked as a Seductor in a secret organization for five years now. Her main job? To earn the trust of her targets and secure the object or information her company was hired to steal—by any means necessary. She’s damn good at it, too.

With five years left on her contract, she is handed an assignment that turns her world upside down.

Oliver Kirkham is the attractive, young CEO of Kirkham Industries, a weapons manufacturing company, and is currently in possession of some very important blueprints—blueprints that could change the way war, as we know it, works. He’s extremely focused and doesn’t have time to date, at least until he comes to the rescue of a shy but very alluring Jade Gibbs.

What happens when one night of passion turns into more? Will Jade allow her feelings for Oliver to get in the way of her mission? Or will she do what she was hired to do and secure the steal?

_____________________________

Hunger
The Seductors #2
by B.L Wilde
Cover Design: Jo Matthews
Genre: Romance/Erotica/Suspense
Expected Release Date: June 6, 2014

Click HERE for Rachel’s review of Hunger

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

About the Book: Release Date June 6, 2014

When Jade walked out on Oliver six months ago, she left her heart behind. Little did she know her mission was far from over. Given a new mission—to secure a secret nuclear power core—she’s thrown back into his world and has to earn his trust once more. The only problem is that she’s competing directly with another Seductor that she despises, who has already been on the mission for two months.

Oliver was devastated when he discovered Jade had left him, so he closed himself off to the world, focusing solely on his job. Everything is thrown into chaos when she resurfaces, working for an old friend of his.

Will Jade be able to win Oliver back while fighting her jealously that another Seductor might steal the mission from her? Consumed with love, controlled by a hunger she has never known, can she protect her heart a second time around if Oliver takes her back?

__________________

Devotion
The Seductors #3
by BL Wilde
Release Date: September 12, 2014

Click HERE for Rachel’s review of DEVOTION

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

About the Book: Release Date September 12,2014

Falling in love is never easy, but when you’re a Seductor who has fallen for your target, it’s impossible.

Now that Jade has learned the whereabouts of the powercore made by Oliver’s company, her mission is almost over. The chances of being able to stay with him at the end of her contract are slim and she knows that. Would her organization really keep their word? When has a Seductor ever been able to stay with their mark?

When disaster strikes near the end of her assignment, Jade is faced with the biggest decision of her life—she must choose between her heart’s desire and doing the right thing for the sake of the world. Her choice may just be the catalyst that sets her free.

What happens when the truth comes out? Will Oliver be able to let her go this time? Or will their love for each other be enough to finally bring The Seductors down?
One thing is for certain—devotion will seal their fate.

Erotic vs Romance Storylines-The Fine Line

Having written both erotic and romance stories it can get tricky mixing these two genres. For me, it’s my characters that define what I write, though.

The Seductors Series wouldn’t have worked as a romance series with Jade and Oliver being as sexy as they are. However, if I’d gone down my original route of having each book as a different seductor, romance may have worked, but Oliver took on a bigger role in this series as he developed, and four books later, here we are.

When I write romance, I find that my storylines tend to be softer, and my characters are usually a little younger, giving the story a more innocent approach.

However, when I write erotica, its more fast paced. My leads are a little more edgier, and in tune with their desires. I can also get deeper sexual emotion with this genre, which is sometimes needed.

Of course my erotic stories have romance too. I can’t have a book with no plot, and romance is the key for me, but it’s more difficult knowing how far sexual encounters should go in a romance book. I always play it safe and leave them as the bedroom door closes.
I know if anyone wants more spice they’ll read my erotic romance anyway. 😉

 

B.L. Wilde is a British author obsessed with many things, including heated love stories. Supported fully by her husband, she can often be found at her desk working on her next project.

Her journey into the world of erotica began when she started writing online stories over three years ago, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Blog | Website

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925 by AEmilius-a review

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925 by AEmilius-a review

925

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 6, 2015

Delve deep into the minds of a CIA agent avenging the death of his MI6 partner, the serial killer that did it, and the serial killer’s son, who’s out to make a killing of his own to set his father up for failure. Highly suspenseful and thrilling, 9•2•5 resonates as an at times psychotic tale of revenge. Gregory Belittled breaks from his nine-to-five life by making a fortune coming up with an anti-skimming mechanism for the Bank of Las Vegas and uses it to buy everything he needs to take his father down.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: 925 is a murder mystery storyline written by AEmilius focusing on a serial killer (the door to door killer) in Las Vegas, Nevada. When a number of people are found in their homes with a bullet between the eyes, the Las Vegas police are culled by the CIA when the bullet ballistics hit too close to home. Getting no where fast, law enforcement call in the FBI hoping that they will have better luck getting the CIA to release important information and documentation.

Meanwhile 9 to 5 (925) banker and inventor Gregory Belittled sets into motion a plan to hunt for the serial killer on his own, not realizing that his father and the serial killer are one, and the same. Following years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Gregory is prepared to do everything it takes to end his father’s reign of terror in the hopes of locating his mother who has been missing for over twenty five years and stopping the door-to-door killer.

Told from several third person points of view, the storyline premise follows present day events with flashbacks and memories from the past. We follow Gregory from the age of four as he endures physical abuse and torment at the hands of his father –an ex CIA and special ops agent-to present where Gregory will assume the role of judge, jury and executioner-everything he learned from his father. The content and text contains some course language and graphic images of violence and murder but then again, it is a murder mystery storyline focusing on a serial killer so some the graphic content is to be expected.

The are a number of secondary and supporting characters who control a portion of the storyline: from law enforcement, the media, co workers and friends, we get a look into the investigation and take down of man who is sociopathic and insane.

I had some concerns with grammar, sentence structure, and past/present/future tense but saying that the storyline has been translated into English (from Dutch?) and the issues are most likely a result of improper conversion. As to the believability of the plot, again, there are some questionable situations of plausibility and conception but 925 is a story of fiction-a fantasy for the mind.

925 is an interesting read; a suspense filled story of intrigue, murder and revenge.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

About the Author

AemiliusÆmilius is a Fencing Master, a Master of Science in Computer Science, with a special interest in AI & Consciousness, and he learned to write with the help of a proper Script Consultant. He’s also a Creative Director when you check his actual interests. And yes, his family is, shall we say, interesting? He’s a man of rules, that likes to break with the rules. He doesn’t like established frameworks. He does like the law and justice being done. He writes to inspire and entertain. He writes because he writes. He doesn’t know what else to do. That’s Æmilius.

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Katie in Love by Chloe Thurlow-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Katie in Love by Chloe Thurlow-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Katie in Love Banner

Katie in Love
by Chloe Thurlow
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance
Release Date: March 21, 2015

Katie in Love

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk/ The Book Depository/ B&N

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 21, 2015

Katie Boyd has nothing in common with Tom Bridge, the volunteer doctor she meets at a party – except in bed she finds a passion to match her own. Tom is intense, puzzling, a man who cares about others and compels Katie to question her own life drifting through the hip clubs and London party scene.

When Tom returns to his post in a Sri Lanka orphanage, Katie isn’t sure if their passion was lit by its brevity, or if love, unexpected and not entirely wanted, has edged its way into her life. Should she go back to being who she always was? Or follow Tom into the unknown?

Katie in Love is a compelling erotic-romance that will grip readers as they follow Katie’s journey to an ending they may have expected – but not in the way they expected it.

••••••••

REVIEW: KATIE IN LOVE is a contemporary, adult storyline, written by Chloe Thurlow, focusing on erotic fiction author Katie Boyd and doctor Tom Bridge-a passionate and remarkable man who would turn Katie’s world upside down.

Told from first person point of view (Katie) the storyline journeys between the past and the present; memories and recollections; and flights into the fantastic. KATIE IN LOVE follows our heroine as she struggles in the here and now. We hear her thoughts and her worries as she searches for something or someone; an acknowledgement of who she is and what she has become. And in the end, it is Katie who must recognize and accede to the demands of her heart and her mind. Meeting Dr. Tom Bridge sets Katie onto a different path of self-actualization where comfort and hope are found in the arms of the man with whom she will fall in love. As Tom prepares to return to Sri Lanka where he works at an orphanage for lost and displaced children, Katie must look deep within her heart to make the choice that is right for her.

KATIE IN LOVE is awash in descriptive narration, colorful text and thought provoking ideas and concepts. The reader becomes one with the heroine; we are in her mind as she reflects on, and reminisces about past decisions, choices and opportunities that have shaped the woman, the writer and the person she has become. Discretion and opportunity do not always go hand in hand but have formed the building blocks of Katie’s lifestyle and personality. Katie’s ‘Bohemian’ friends and family wax philosophically about life, love, passion and war, but in the end, it is Katie’s acceptance of who she is, that sets into motion a journey of love.

The intensity with which Chloe Thurlow writes resonates with the reader as the heroine’s thoughts read like a poem. There are many references to authors, poets, novels and the psychology of the written word wherein our heroine makes comparisons to her own life; and yet I can’t help but wonder if some of the comparisons can be found with the author’s experiences as well.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

Guest Post beige

Love, Porn, Erotica & What It Means To Be Human
Guest Post by Chloe Thurlow

Love enters us like a vague ailment. Your head spins. Your underarms tingle. Love hurts and love has consequences: marriage, babies, separation, longing, human complications.

Porn is dull. Repetitive. Porn is simulated sex removed from the human condition. Porn is addictive because, ultimately, it is unsatisfying. Like good art, good sex never repeats itself. Girls dream of romance, love, tenderness. Sex is like a clear pane of glass. Pornography is that pane of glass shattered into a million pieces.

Erotica is a journey to self-knowledge and sexual pleasure. A rubber doll with a microchip can imitate human flesh without human feeling. Porn leaves an emptiness inside. Erotica sets up a vibration in the mind that sends pulsing waves through the body. Porn is about orgasm. Erotica is about suspending orgasm.

In photography, images of girls with pert butts and melon breasts, the type that figure on calendars in auto-shops, are pornographic, poses that make the guys go oorah like Marines before battle.

An erotic photograph is like a still from an unfolding story that makes you wonder what has already happened and what is about to happen next. Porn shots expose genitalia, male and female. Erotica prefers costume, veils, shadows, masks. Nudity is selective, subtle, understated.

Porn is pulp, endless descriptions of naked entanglements peppered with obscenities and short on story. A lot of porn is composed from the male point of view: alpha cowboys and truckers trapping the bunny and bludgeoning the whimpering creature with its throbbing weapon.

Porn TELLS. Erotica SHOWS.

Erotic fiction is literate, a search for meaning and self; a psychological exploration into the hidden parts of our nature.

An experiment at Cambridge University showed that when numerous metronomes were placed on a stage and set off at different times, they quickly began to beat together. They are not individuals, but herd creatures connected by the rhythms and thoughts of those around them.

We all have a dark side, mysterious places hidden even from ourselves. Once you allow the erotic to sweep away the conditioning, you stop ticking along with all the other metronomes.

In Katie in Love, my new novel, Katie takes Tom to her bed the night they meet. They discover a connection, a frisson. The last thing Katie is looking for is love and, when she feels this curious affliction coming on, Tom has to leave to return to his job overseas. Should she follow him? Or go back to her old life? I won’t give away more, except to say that romance can be erotic and love is the antithesis of porn.

Katie in Love is available at (amazon universal link):

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00S1SMMIG

About The Author beige

Chloe ThurlowAfter uni, I started working in PR and got bored to tears. It was more fun being a waitress and writing in the dark silent hours from 2am to 6. I managed to complete a novel I called “Being A Girl” and fell over in the street after Nexus published it and the editor gave me a bottle of champagne I drank too quickly. Now, here we are, penning away night and day, five novels and three naughty-shorties on the shelf with a study of EL James called “The Fifty Shades of Grey Phenomena” just out.

My blog is about love, life, sex and me. Blogs are short, dynamic, controversial essays designed to make you angry, happy and eager to leave your views in the comments box. When I’m not writing blogs, I write erotic romance novels. Click on BOOKS and take a peep.

Follow Chloe: Goodreads /Website /Twitter /Facebook

Giveaway beige

Chloe is graciously offering a paper copy of KATIE IN LOVE to THREE (3) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe-and the giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please Follow Chloe Thurlow on Facebook.

4. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

5. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

9. Giveaway runs from March 21-25, 2015

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Unblocked #1 by Marni Mann – a Review

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Unblocked by Marni Mann – a Review

 

UnblockedAmazon / Barnes & Noble

DESCRIPTION:
Derek Block seeks revenge. Frankie Jordan seeks professional dominance. He wants her, she wants him. Lines that can’t cross begin to blur. Things start heating up as real estate gets real…

This is the first episode of a five-episode novella series.


REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

I have been on a serial novella kick lately and I am pleased to add Unblocked by Marni Mann to this list. Unblocked is the first novella and basically the establishment for the plot line. It is typical to Marni’s writing (if you haven’t read her previous books, do yourself a favour and check them because she will blow your socks off) as it sucks you right in and before you know it the read if over. She writes hot, intelligent characters that compliment and push each other. There is always a layer of intrigue and I know her as the writer that drops a “WTF just happened” (in a awesome way) moment in her stories.

Derek Block is in the process of building Timber Towers and is looking to hire on a professional real estate agent. Frankie Jordan just so happens to be rated the top real estate agent and also the heir to her father’s company. Both are seriously good at what they do and take it seriously. Lines are not to crossed during business … well until they are that is …..

Frankie is about to land the contract for Timber Towers which will serve her well as she is coming off a bad break up and feeling a little lackluster. She also has to prove to daddy dearest that she can handle being the CEO is his company. Derek is dominant, unapologetic, animalistic, and makes a lady want to … yah well … you know! 😉 LOL He is also plotting some kind of revenge. These two cannot seen to resist the strong pull they have towards each other, but will business rules sway their decisions???

This story is long from over and I cannot wait for the next serial to see where Marni is going to take us!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy provided by Author

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Shaken, Not Stirred (Last Call 5) by Sawyer Bennett-Review and Book Tour

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Shaken, Not Stirred (Last Call 5) by Sawyer Bennett-Review and Book Tour

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Shaken, Not Stirred
Last Call #5
by Sawyer Bennett
Release Date:
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Sensual couple

Amazon.com / B&N /

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED (Last Call #5) by Sawyer Bennett

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 17, 2015

Casey Markham is a man-eater in a rut. Swearing off relationships may keep her heart safe, but she’s beginning to question if her casual flings will ever leave her satisfied. She’s wondering if it’s finally time to let go of the past and stop letting history control her future.

Bad boy biker, Tenn Jennings can’t get Casey off his mind. A chance encounter with the beautiful blond has left its mark, and now he’s determined to prove her wrong about everything she thought she knew about men.

It’s safe to say… Casey Markham has met her match.

••••••••••

REVIEW: SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED is the fifth installment in Sawyer Bennett’s breathtaking, adult, contemporary Last Call erotic romance series focusing on a tight knit group of family and friends from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This is former Marine, motorcycle mechanic and cowboy Tenn Jennings, and bartender/real estate agent Casey Markham’s storyline-Casey is Hunter’s (On The Rocks) and Brody’s (Make it a Double) younger sister. SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED can be read as a stand alone storyline although all of the previous storyline couples play a secondary and supporting role throughout the novel. I would suggest reading the series from the beginning for the pleasure and enjoyment.

The focus of the storyline follows Tenn (a divorced father of one) as he considers a permanent move to North Carolina to be closer to his teenaged daughter Zoey. Agreeing to a road trip with his buddy Kyle Somerville, while Kyle visits his sister Andrea (With A Twist #4), Tenn will come face to face with his future-Casey Markham-a woman whose past has hardened her heart to relationships, rich men and love. What ensues is Tenn’s pursuit of Casey as Casey tries desperately not to fall in love. Our couple will encounter a few anxious moments when Casey’s past returns for a visit, and Tenn’s emergency call home will leave Casey wondering if her heart will be broken-once again.

The relationship between Casey and Tenn is one of immediate attraction. They first met along the road when Casey’s tire got a flat, and Tenn had no idea that this woman would call to his heart and soul. Casey’s experience with men has left her jaded; and with a reputation amongst her family and friends. Casey doesn’t do love; doesn’t do relationships; and especially doesn’t date the man with a bad boy reputation. Finding herself in a relationship is nothing short of scary. The $ex scenes are intimate, emotional and intense. There is something to say about a man with a goatee and the sensitive side of a woman’s flesh.

The secondary and supporting characters include all of the previous storyline couples including Butch and Lillian Markham-Hunter, Brody and Casey’s parents.. We get up close and personal with family, friends and what it means to have the support of the people you love. Tenn’s daughter Zoey is an amazing young woman whose desire to live with her father may see a change in direction for Tenn and Casey. The reader is introduced to Andrea’s brother Kyle Somerville, as well as Tenn’s younger brother Woolf Jennings. I suspect we will see a storyline for each of these smexy men.

There is a slight cross over with Sawyer Bennett’s OFF series with the inclusion of Nix Caldwell and the love of his life Emily Burnham (Off Limits #2). Nix is a former Marine buddy of Tenn’s and Tenn is considering opening a motorcycle shop in North Carolina with the help of Nix and his ability to weld metal and build bikes.

The world building continues to focus on the THE LAST CALL-Hunter Caldwell’s bar-where family and friends gather after a hard day’s work. Brody and Hunter are very protective of their baby sister and in this there is some back and forth between the brothers and Tenn Jennings.

Sawyer Bennett writes characters about whom we can relate; their storylines are believable, imaginative and provocative. You can feel the heartbreak and the emotional struggles; the love and the promise of a happily ever after. Congratulations to Sawyer on another fantastic addition to her LAST CALL series.

Copy supplied by the tour promoter.

Reviewed by Sandy

Series Spotlight Black and Gold

ON THE ROCKS (The Last Call #1) by Sawyer Bennett

On the Rocks

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 17, 2014

He left to travel the world for fame and glory, but only after spurning Gabby Ward and crushing her young heart. Now Hunter Markham has come back home to the sand and salty breeze of the North Carolina Outer Banks so he can open up Last Call, a beach bar nestled among the dunes of the Atlantic.

Gabby Ward is not happy that Hunter has returned. Bitter over his rebuff years before, she’s content to stay far away from him and his dangerously charming ways.

Gabby’s well-schemed plans to ignore Hunter go up in flames when he presents an offer to her that she simply can’t refuse, throwing them together in a common quest to each reach their goals. Working together day in and day out proves to be problematic for Gabby, who soon realizes that the feelings she had for him are still very much alive. Hunter struggles to reach through to Gabby’s cold heart, all while starting a new career away from his life as a top ranked, professional surfer.

What starts out as a mutual business arrangement soon turns into a passion that neither of them can continue to deny.

Hard choices lay ahead for both of them when Hunter is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to the pro surfing tour.

Choices that could destroy what they have built or take them further than they ever had dared to hope.

_____________________________

Make It A Double
Last Call #2
by Sawyer Bennett
Genre: contemporary, romance,erotic, new adult
Release Date: April 21, 2014

FREE for a limited time:
Make It A Double  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble

Brody Markham has endured a nightmare, spending the last five years in prison and losing everything that was dear to him. Now he’s back home, trying to survive in a world he doesn’t recognize anymore. While his family and friends desperately try to reach through to him, he shelters himself further and further away from their love.

Alyssa Myers has worked her entire life to distance herself from the luxurious and privileged lifestyle in which she was raised. Running her non-profit agency, The Haven, she is content to spend her days helping abused animals find sanctuary, which fulfills her in a way that money just can’t buy.

Maybe it’s that she recognizes in Brody some of the same characteristics she sees in her homeless wards, but Alyssa is powerless to stop her personal quest to make Brody whole again.

While Brody struggles to surface from the darkness, Alyssa tries to protect her heart in case he’s not willing to accept the light that she offers him.

____________________

Sugar on the Edge
Last Call #3
by Sawyer Bennett
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance
Release: July 28, 2014

 

Sugar on the EdgeAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 28, 2014

He’s utterly alone…

Tortured and existing in a dark spiral of despair, bestselling British author, Gavin Cooke, has come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to escape the seedy lifestyle he had been living in London and in a desperate attempt to regain his writing focus. He’s twisted, bitter and angry at the world. He’s a loner… needing not a single thing other than his Scotch and a laptop upon which he can bang out his next erotic, dark thriller.

She’s running in place and getting nowhere…

Savannah Shepherd’s life is falling apart. Her dream of being a wildlife photographer seems a distant memory and she’s barely able to make ends meet. Driving herself forward with no clear goals apparent, she’s about ready to pack up her bags and head home with her tail between her legs.

Two unlikely lovers…

He’s raw, forceful and a dirty talker. She’s a flowers and romance type of girl. Yet within each other, they find a mutual craving that can only be satisfied by giving in to their desires for one another.
Lust turns into something more… something they were not looking for but tentatively accept. Will it be enough to push them past the obstacles of Gavin’s bitter past?

___________________

With A Twist
Last Call #4
by Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

With a TwistAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 6, 2015

Wyatt Banks is ready to give one woman the world. Unfortunately, his job as a cop tends to interfere with other goals. When Wyatt is sent deep undercover to investigate a sex slave ring, he doesn’t have time to do anything but focus on staying alive in a dark and dangerous underworld.

Wyatt isn’t alone though in his quest to save the women that are being sold into sexual slavery.

His partner, FBI Agent Andrea Somerville, is immersed just as deeply as he is, and she’s the bait to lure the sex slavers out into the open, as she poses as an erotic dancer in an attempt to snare the enemy. But danger runs as high as the sparks between them, and now Wyatt is caught between the job he loves and the woman he wants.

About the Author

Sawyer BennettNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series, the Last Call Series and the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey Series.

 

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Blog Tour Schedule Black and Gold

Click HERE for the complete SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED tour schedule

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