REVIEW: Book Lovers: Sexy Stories from Under the Covers by Shawna Kenney

Source: Netgalley
Publish Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Seal Press
ASIN/ISBN: 9781580055291
Format: ebook
Genre: Adult, Anthology
Pages: 256
Date Read: January 2, 2014

Description
Forget poorly written prose and clichéd love scenes: Book Lovers answers the call for sexy literature with substance. This collection of toe-curling tales written by and for word-worshippers offers well-crafted fiction and creative nonfiction that connects literature to libido. From a Vonnegut-inspired tryst to an imaginary ménage à trois with Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the book encompasses a veritable buffet of literary fantasies.

Whether they’re conjuring Junot Díaz between the sheets or dreaming of a modern-day enactment of Wuthering Heights —this time refusing Edgar in favor of lusty, bodice-ripping nights with Heathcliff—the stories in Book Lovers are designed for readers’ brains and bodies.

Includes contributions from Izabella St. James, Slash Coleman, Trina Calderón, Cara Bruce, and Stephanie Auteri.

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Review
This is an interesting anthology. There are about 23 short stories but only 4 really stick out in my mind.

All are well-written. Some are hot [ A to Z by Kristina Wright , some are disturbing [An Ode to Ass-Lick Park by Assia Fengari ], a few left me confused [The Wolf by Amy Halloran and Marcoby Laurie Stone], and the rest just didn't do anything for me.

There's love, lust, long lost love, reminiscing, longing, fantasies, cheating. There's bittersweet stories, surprising stories, weird stories and hot stories. The thing that all the stories have in common is books.

I skimmed over a few because I couldn't get into it and some I reread.

Most of it isn't explicit which is good in my opinion.

My favourites are Ana Maria by Michelle Cruz Gonales, Whom by Jeremy Edwards and Smut by Jay Xuret.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read

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Like the title suggests, those one is for book lovers especially if you like a little bit (or a lot of smut)

3 Stars

Goodreads

REVIEW: Sapphire Blue by Gene Doucette

Source: Netgalley
Publish Date: February 27th 2014
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop
ASIN/ISBN: 9781612132167
Format: ebook
Genre: Adult, Erotica
Pages: 268
Date Read: December 20, 2013

Description
Mara Cantor’s life is boring and uncomplicated, and she likes it that way. She has her internship at the museum—a job she shares with her roommate, Davis —and while it is low-paying and occasionally mind-numbing, it gives her all the free time she needs to finish her thesis. And that is just fine.

But when Argent Leeds, the internationally famous playboy and raconteur, visits Mara’s museum, he brings with him the most exciting archeological discovery in decades: the Pazuzu gemstones. Long assumed to be nothing more than a myth by most scholars, the gemstones are rumored to possess mystical powers.

Between Argent, his gemstones, and Davis, Mara’s boring life has suddenly gotten very complicated. Now she is caught up in a sexual adventure that is either the most exciting time of her life . . . or the most terrifying.

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Review
This book will make you uncomfortable especially towards the end. I was on edge for the last couple of chapters.
The story is quite disturbing, but it's also entertaining, funny, hot, mystical, suspenseful and interesting.
The archeology parts of the book could have sent me to sleep but the author didn't drag out unnecessary details.

It reads kind of like Fifty Shades. Poor girl, rich intriguing guy etc etc but it's also different from it. There's a stronger plot and better characters.

Argent is creepy. Very very creepy. I didn't like him from the beginning. Mara is adorable but annoying sometimes.
It is well written and properly thought out.

There's a lot of interesting twists especially at the end.

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Book Links
Goodreads

Author Link
Facebook || Goodreads || Website || Twitter(@GeneDoucette)

Rating
3 stars

Recommend
It's a great read and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes erotica.

REVIEW: The Wicked Confessions of Lady Cecelia Stanton by Viveka Portman

Source: Netgalley
Publish Date: December 1st 2013
Publisher: Escape Publishing
ASIN/ISBN: 9780857991096
Format: ebook
Genre: Erotica, Humor
Pages: 72
Date Read: December 21, 2013

Description
When faced with a rakish, lusty husband, what is a proper English wife to do but educate herself in the art of bedplay?
"Marriages are strange things, none stranger perhaps than this betwixt me and my lord husband.”
Lady Cecelia is married to the dashing and philandering Lord William Stanton, a situation that would distress even the most composed and refined gently-born lady. However, Cecelia has a secret balm to her dissatisfaction: her maid, Bess Miller.

Cecelia’s inexperience and William’s insatiable appetites fuel her desire to learn, and Bess is a willing teacher. Then, when Cecelia blossoms into pregnancy and can no longer accommodate William’s needs, he distances himself, and Bess becomes her only solace and comfort — and the channel for her most intimate desires.
As Cecelia struggles to understand her own feelings, gossip begins to spread. William starts asking questions, and wicked confessions must be made...

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Review
I loved this book. It's funny. It's hot. It's entertaining. And have I mentioned hot?
This is not a glamorous regency/historical romance of elegant London town houses or high society debutante ball.

The author did a really good job of conveying the tone and feel of the time period in which the book is set considering how short it is.
It's a very well developed story with interesting characters.

I was ready to not like William by the way the way he was described in the sypnosis, but he was endearing and charming. A man-whore nonetheless.
I'd definitely like to read more from this author

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Book Links
Amazon || Escape Publishing || Goodreads || iTunes || Kobo

Author Links
Goodreads || Twitter(@VivekaPortman) || Website

Rating
4 stars

Recommended
It's a great quick and interesting read. If you like erotica, humor and historical/recency "romance", go for it.

REVIEW: Etoile by Olivia Besse

The Book

Source: free copy courtesy of author

Publish Date: July 25, 2013

Publisher: Wunderland Press

ASIN/ISBN: B00E4OH7PO

Format: ebook (mobi)

Pages: 244

Date Read: September 17, 2013

Note: Alternate/new cover edition (re issue under different name).

Description

From afar, Elodie Marais is just a typical 19-year old girl roughing it in Manhattan. She hates her job, her love life sucks and she's totally getting ripped off by her landlord. Like most of her starry-eyed peers, she'll do anything for the Triple P's—Prada, a Promotion and the elusive Perfect Boyfriend. But Elodie and her friends aren't your average new adults who are bored to tears by their uninspiring lives—they're fashion models.

So what's a girl to do when her life is turned upside down as two irresistible bachelors vie for her doe-eyed attention, just as she's starting to make waves in the modelling world? Will she go with charming and sensitive James, a handsome financier, or reckless and unpredictable Tyler, the stunning male model du jour?

Follow Elodie's adventures from Manhattan to Paris as she navigates the terrifying worlds that are the modeling industry and her love life, one effortlessly chic outfit at a time

Book 1 in the Mannequin Series

The Mannequin series is an exciting erotic romance journey that gives readers an intimate look into the not-so-glamorous sides of the fashion and modelling industries

My Review

The Cover

4 stars for the cover. I love it.

It's really simple and nice. And I love the pop of colour with the red font.

The Characters

There are a lot of characters. The major ones are Elodie, Tyler & James [Love triangle]

I like Elodie. She's brutally honest. Tyler is hoooot. I love his character. He's cocky but not in a get-over-yourself-you-d*ck way. He has a smart mouth and is funny. And James. Oh sweet, loveable, charming James.

Other character's are Tatiana, a funny, party loving girl from Belarus; Heddi, a more reserved beauty from Denmark and Jelena, whom we don't know much about other than she's Russian. These 3 girls are her friends and roommates

It's so hard to pick who I want Elodie to be with. I love both James & Tyler and they do different things for her.

I think we didn't really get to meet James. His character isn't really developed.

The dynamic of Elodie & James' relationship reminds me of Joshua & Melina's in Won't Last Long

The Story

I love the story. I love how it starts. It was like watching a movie.

I love that there are no billionaires or BDSM dungeons or tatted rock stars like we see in a lot of NA books lately.

I didn't like the unnecessary constant descriptions, a lot of modelling references that didn't need to be there, too much alcohol, too little food. Too much talk about food(or lack of it).

Cliffhanger. When I got to the end, I couldn't believe it. I thought I didn't download the book fully. It definitely left me wanting more. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

I love the writing style. Olivia Besse is amazing. She writes almost effortlessly. Her writing is edgy and gritty. This is a great debut by the author

The dialogue was snappy and funny and brought the characters to life

Generally

Sometimes, I forgot I was reading about a 19 year old. I loved a lot about the book. The author's writing style reminds me of Jackie Collins.

This book contains explicit content and is not intended for younger readers!

Find The Author

Amazon || Facebook || Goodreads

Find The Book

Amazon || BN.com || Goodreads

Recommended To

If you love Jackie Collins, fashion, modelling and romance, this book is for you!

Rating

3.5 stars

In The News: Fifty Shades of Grey Cast

Except you live under a rock, you'll know that there's an FSOG movie in the works and everyone has been giving predictions on who would play Ana and Christian.

I personally don't believe that Fifty Shades of Grey is movie worthy but if they are going to do a movie, the should do it right.

At this point, we know that Fifty Shades Of Grey movie will be released in theaters on August 1, 2014 and will be directed by British director, Sam Taylor-Johnson.And that Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam have been cast as Ana & Christian.

I was shocked about the casting to be honest. When I first heard that there was going to be a movie, the first two people who popped into my head were Henry Cavalli and Mila Kunis. Then Rachel Bilson, Emma Watson or Emma Stone for Ana Ian Somerhalder or Matt Bomer for Christian.

Trivia

Emma Watson, Lauren Watson, Shailene Woodley, Elizabeth Olsen, Imogen Poots, Alicia Vikander and Felicity Jones were considered to play Anastasia Steele before Dakota Johnson was finally cast.

Garrett Hedlund, Ryan Gosling and Chris Hemsworth turned down the role of Christian Grey, while Christian Cooke and Dominic Cooper auditioned. Charlie Hunnam was cast.

Sources

IMDB

The Wrap

REVIEW: Hussy by Selena Kitt

The Book
Source: free copy courtesy of author
Published: August 29, 2013
Publisher: Excessica Publishing
ASIN/ISBN: B00EVD3ZPE
Format: ebook (mobi)
Pages: 138
Other information: previously released as “Falling Down.”

Description
The Eskimos may have over a hundred words for snow, but that doesn’t even come close to how many words the English language has for “slut”—and Lindsey has been called them all. “Hussy” is Lindsey’s personal favorite, given to her by her own grandmother, who likes to pat her on the hand and whisper, “Don’t worry, dear—a hussy is just a woman with the morals of a man.”
But Lindsey’s not ashamed of her reputation. She knows she’s earned it—and she’s proud of it. After all, you only live once, right? In fact, she goes out of her way to make it known to every guy she comes in contact with, she’s available for the taking—the rougher, the better.
That is until Lindsey meets Lieutenant Zachary Davis, a man who refuses to treat her like the trash she believes she really is.
But can Lindsey change her impulsive ways and learn to value herself the way the Zach does?

My Review
The Cover
The cover is basic. It's very suggestive and bright.

The Characters
There are a few characters. Lindsay and Zach being the major ones.
Other characters that add to the story are Billy, Lindsay's mum and her stepfather.

In the beginning, we don't know much about Lindsay except that she likes sex and has a bad rep. Zach is the nice, kind guy who patiently helps Lindsay with her problems.

I'm indifferent to the characters. I don't like them and I don't dislike them.

The Story
It didn't grab me. I was actually bored for like the first 30 pages of the book. I had to flip through.
I didn't find it hot or steamy. It was annoying even.

I liked the romance between Zach and Lindsay. It was sweet. The proposals were my best scenes.

Generally
I've heard good things about the author so I had high expectations. The book was a bit disappointing.
It's a short read. Nothing fascinating.

This book contains sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive

Find The Author
SelenaKitt.com
Facebook
Goodreads

Find The Book
Amazon
BN.com
Goodreads

Recommended To
I'll recommend this book to people who already read dark, heavy stuff or who can handle it.

Rating
3 stars

By the way, what do you think about my new review format.

REVIEW: The Domino Effect by Jill Elaine Hughes

Received free courtesy of the author

Finished: September 10, 2013
Rating: 3.5 stars

The Book
336 pages
ebook (mobi)

21-year-old Nancy Delaney is finishing up her third year of college when her magazine-editor roommate asks her to go review an art opening in downtown Cleveland. The artist is mysterious international playboy and eccentric Peter Rostovich, and the art is like nothing innocent, virginal Nancy has ever encountered before. Multimedia artist Rostovich has created an erotic art installation all about S&M bondage — complete with a live sculpture that’s so realistic, it gets the whole exhibit shut down by the Cleveland police.
Aspiring journalist Nancy’s nose for news smells a hot story idea, which she sells to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. But as she works to get her story, she soon becomes intimately entangled with Rostovich, who finds her irresistible. Rostovich becomes Nancy’s ticket to sexual awakening, and she soon discovers she has an appetite for bondage, too.
And there’s far more to Rostovich than just his art — he’s involved in a strange, violent criminal underworld that kidnaps Nancy and spirits her halfway around the world, where she’s held prisoner and made to serve as private Dominant-for-hire somewhere in the former Soviet Union. Will the sexual powers Rostovich helped awaken in her be Nancy’s only hope for escape?

My Opinion
Okay so I'm conflicted. I'm not sure that I really liked it but I didn't hate it.

On the plus side:
It is well written and edited. It's not just erotica - although I have to say: errmaggherd - there's a lot of suspense and mystery in the story that raises curiosity. I would love to finish the series.
There is a plot, although it becomes a bit shaky from time to time, it's mostly strong. There's consistency and it's easy to follow.

The characters are great. Nancy is a very interesting character. I like her. She's relatable in a sense. She's rediscovering who she is and the reader is making that journey with her.

On the other hand:
* I was confused about the whole Bluschencko thing but that was resolved (a little) towards the end.
* When Nancy was examining the pictures Rostovich gave her after the "interview", she said the woman in the picture was dead but she's also the same woman who was live at the exhibit.
How is this possible. Maybe I missed something.
* Nancy keeps saying that Rostovich got her into the mess she was in, even when Bluschencko said he had been watching her friend then her for months

Also I saw a lot of similarities with Fifty Shades of Grey.
- Naïve <poor> college student (woman)
- Super rich <secretive> guy with dark/shady past
- Meet by chance thanks to girl's best friend
- Studying English or something related
- Woman in early 20s

All in all I enjoyed the book.

I couldn't find any links as to where you can get the book but if you want to get a copy, you could contact the author on goodreads

**image and book summary from goodreads

REVIEW: Buchanan's Redemption by Alexx Andria

I was given a free copy of this book courtesy of the author.

This book contains strong language and sex


Read 
July 24th 2013

Rating: 3.5 stars

Because I see the way you look at Vince and the way he looks at you I’ve never seen Vince look at a woman like that. Not even me. But there might’ve been once, before my time…her name was Isabel. If you want to crack that wall around Vince’s heart, ask him to tell you about her. I think it’ll change your perspective. But here’s the thing, I love that man and I won’t let anyone hurt him. So if you’re planning to hurt him with the information, don’t go there. He’s been hurt enough. Okay?”
Emma swallowed, shocked by the protectiveness in the woman’s tired, raspy voice.
Penny settled the baby in her arms before adding “I’m not saying what he did was right but deep down, in a place where he doesn’t want to admit, he had the best of intentions

The Book
This is the last book in the 8 book Buchanan Brothers series.
This one follows Vince, co-owner of a private sex club where members can participate in whatever fantasies they like with willing partners. And Emma, who wants revenge for what happened to her sister there.
Emma gets into trouble and is physically and sexually abused (little detail, thank God) by someone in the club. Vince finds her and wants to find who did it and later realizes it's not for his 'reputation' or that of the club but because of Emma.

My Thoughts
I haven't read any of the other ones but this one was still easy to understand.
It's your usual romance. Two people who are thrown together by fate.
They are not their types and would rather eat nails than be involved with each other. Something happens to change their perspective and the rest is history.

The story line is common but never gets old. I enjoyed the book.

I didn't like that it was too short and the conflict was resolved too quickly and easily.

Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on iTunes