Erotica Review: More Than Tolerable by C.J. Ellison

 More Than Tolerable

by C.J. Ellison

Contemporary Erotica Novella (Light BDSM)
ebook
Published February 25th 2011 by Red Hot Publishing
RATING: ★★★★ 1/2 

Candy thinks ordering her lovers to do what she wants will keep her heart safe and leave her in charge of her own destiny. Not surprisingly, her sexual experiences fall flat and she continues to search for more. Tommy, one of her co-workers, has been hot for the sexy blond for months. He's bound and determined to convince her he's the one she's been searching for - even if she believes a fellow accountant would make a boring bedmate. Can the two come together to unlock Candy's sexual awareness or will her own fears push Tom away?

Review: 

Hot. There really isn't another word describe this book. The characters are wonderful and work extremely well together. Candy is a woman who knows what she wants...or at least she thinks she does. However, she keeps winding up in bed with the wrong men, extremely frustrating for any woman. She is also a bit of a control freak and swears up and down that she could never be/want to be with an accountant, least of all her co-worker Tommy.

Tommy has wanted Candy ever since they met. After one drunken, "tolerable" night, he fears he has blown his chance. But Tommy is not about to give up and he knows exactly what Candy needs.

I really enjoyed this book, though I wanted...more, but every short story I read leaves me wanting more. I hate when books end. Candy was a refreshing take on the modern woman and Tommy was anything but drab. This story really shows you how everything you could possibly want can be right in front of you, but you would never know. My only issue was how adamant Candy was about not dating a guy like Tommy, even though she liked him and the things they did together. She seemed a little...shallow for me.

All in all, this was a wonderfully sexy, short story, and I recommend this book to anyone that likes erotica with a touch of romance.

 More Than Tolerable is available at:

Amazon

B&N

BDSM REVIEW: Becoming sage by Kasi Alexander

Becoming sage 
by Kasi Alexander
(The Keyhole #1)
Alternative Romance, Strong Polyamorous, BDSM Themes
Published April 19th 2011 by Omnific Publishing
RATING: DNF

With a failed marriage behind her, Jill Marten was looking to start a new chapter in her life. She had no idea that running into her old friend, Jessie, would unlock a whole new world. When she accepts Jessie's invitation to a party, in order to "try something completely different," it awakens a need to discover her place in a new community. Jessie, also known as sunni, is a submissive slave who is in a loving relationship with her Master, Sir Rune. When Rune and sunni ask Jill to be a part of their family, Jill begins her journey into submission, bondage, and polyamory, even as she questions everything that she has been taught about love and relationships. She begins to face her own desires and fears as she struggles with feelings of jealousy, inadequacy, and self-worth. Once she opens the door to a life she never imagined, a peek through the keyhole is no longer enough, and she must learn what it means to become sage.

Kasi Alexander's debut novel, Becoming sage, is the first installment in The Keyhole Series. An active member of the BDSM community, Kasi brings a true-to-life realism to her writing. This is not traditional erotica, but the series offers an intimate look into the lives of the men and women who live the BDSM lifestyle, in particular, the Master/slave dynamic.


REVIEW:

It’s hard for me to say that Becoming sage is a DNF for me. I just could not get into the story and relationship between the characters. It’s not a reflection on the author’s writing. I did read about half of the book and the part I read was well written.

I received Alexander's Becoming sage as a review request and judging by the cover and snippet I thought that it would be a good match for my erotica month. And although I’ve read other BDSM and polyamory type books, Becoming sage is not like any that I’ve read.

All of the other books in the genre have had a romance between the characters and yes, hot sex scenes. There is no real romance in story (at least the part I read) and there is mention of sex between the characters but the book had a “real” feel to it. Almost like a real person's account, not really a journal but it didn’t have a fantasy feel to me.

The POV is written through Jill’s accounts of entering the world of M/s (Master/slave) and while some of it was interesting; I kept sympathizing with Jill’s logical side. She would think at different moments why am I doing this, it is crazy to let a stranger do these things to me. And I was agreeing with her and I think that’s why I could not get into the book more to finish it.

Simply put I could DNF because it was too realistic to me if that makes sense. I could not loose myself in the fantasy of the story. But don’t let that stop you from reading it yourself if you are interested. Becoming sage has received quite a few 4 and 5 star reviews on Goodreads, it just wasn’t for me.

Becoming sage is available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

I received my copy for a honest review.

BDSM REVIEW: Petals and Thorns by Jennifer Paris

Petals and Thorns
by Jennifer Paris
ebook
Published July 13th 2010 by Loose Id, LLC
RWI More Than Magic Finalist
Genre: BDSM Fantasy
EXCERPT
RATING:★★★★

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play, BDSM theme and elements, dubious consent. 


REVIEW:

OH MY! Petals and Thorns is definitely not Disney’s version of Beauty and the Beast. Imagine if you will, that the Beast ties up Belle and shows her the pain and pleasure of the BDSM world. WOW.

Much like Disney’s story of the couple, the Beast is a cursed man than must find love into order to break the curse. And Amarantha (Belle like character) takes her father’s place with the Beast. She agrees to marry him to save her father and sisters from debt. If she can keep her virginity during the week they spend together then the Beast will give his fortune over to her and annulled the marriage giving her, her freedom. Amarantha believes this will be an easy task considering her husband is a beast and how could she possibly want to sleep with him.

After the Beast shows Amarantha the pleasures through the punishments that she earns by not obeying him, she starts to crave a physical relationship with the Beast. But she cannot bring herself to answer yes to his nightly question, if she will beg him to collar her and chain her to his bed. But as Amarantha starts seeing the man within the Beast she is finding saying no to him is getting harder and harder.

Like Beauty and the Beast? Like BDSM? Read Petals and Thorns by Jennifer Paris aka Jeffe Kennedy.

Petals and Thorns is available at:

B&N │ Loose-Id │ Amazon

I received my copy from Bewitching Book Tours for a honest review.

REVIEW: Holding the Cards by Joey W. Hill

Holding the Cards
by Joey W. Hill
Nature of Desire #1
(can be read as standalone)
Erotic/BDSM Contemporary Romance
M/F, M/M/F
Ellora's Cave Publishing 2003
RATING: ★★★


Lauren just wants to find Mr. Right. That's not an easy goal for a woman who wants a man willing to be chained to her in more ways than just matrimony.

A successful doctor with a healthy attitude toward sex, unashamed of her proclivities as a sexual dominant, she wants love and a family. But she's beginning to believe that there is no Mr. Right willing to stand by her in sickness and health, and be cuffed, stripped, and smacked with a riding crop.

Then Lauren's friend Lisette invites her to spend a long weekend on a private island. It turns out Lisette can't come with her, but Lauren opts to go anyway, with no one for company but Joshua, the island caretaker and his visiting friend, Marcus. Though both men are beautiful, it is Joshua that catches Lauren's attention, and not just because Marcus prefers men. Something in Josh's stormy eyes calls to her. When Marcus facilitates a game of submission and control between the three of them that will last throughout the weekend, Lauren embraces the opportunity. Josh overwhelms her with his willingness to submit to her body's desires, but her heart wants to get to the secrets behind those eyes. She is going to have to tear down his defenses and make him give her everything. And this is one Mistress who doesn't take no for an answer.


REVIEW:

I am a huge fan of Hill’s Vampire Queen Series and I’ve been meaning to check out one of her other series so after finding Holding the Cards as a FREE download (until 2/19/12) for my Nook I jumped at the chance to read it.

Ok, so Holding the Cards does not have hot vampires in it but it’s still a good read. The BDSM elements is not as hard core as the ones in the VQS so if you want to dip your toe into the BDSM genre this a good one to start with. The relationship between three characters slowly develops over the span of the book so it easies you into the harder aspect of the D/s relationship.

Lauren, Josh and Marcus are all on the beautiful deserted island for different reasons. Lauren is trying to get over a bad break up with her last submissive. Josh is the caretaker of the rich homes on the island that are owned by the rich and famous. Marcus is Josh’s friend and a rich and successful art dealer, who just happens to be a Dom like Lauren.

Lauren find herself locked out of her friend’s house that she is borrowing for the weekend. That’s not really the embarrassing part of her and Josh meeting. Lauren had decided to use the hot tub out on the deck of the house to relax but when she tries to go back in she realizes she is locked out and the only way to get down from the high two story deck is to climb down the tree next to the deck, with only a towel wrapped around her waist. Half way down she notices these Tarzan looking guy down on the ground staring at her. (Hello Josh, I’ll be your Jane to your Tarzan anytime) Then comes along Marcus and Lauren’s embarrassment is complete.

The three spend the night together talking and eating dinner together. Then Marcus brings up the idea to play and hand of cards that when things start getting interesting. Game: High Card. Rules: Holder of the high card gets to be Dom for the night. Winner: Lauren. Now the handsome and quite Josh must play by Mistress, Lauren’s rules.

Holding the Cards is a hot, sexy and emotional ride. I liked that fact that the book didn’t end with a nice neat HEA like most books do. Josh and Lauren really care for each other and want to get to a HEA but they realize that they still need to get to know each other better. But they see the potent for love in their future.

I must admit, I lean more toward instant gratification so some of the more drawn out scenes tormented me just as much as did Josh so I skimmed a few spots and that’s the reason for the 3 star rating instead of a 4 star rating. But it was still a very much enjoyable read.

Holding the Card is available at:

Amazon
B&N
Ellora's Cave

FREE download until Feb 19


Check out my interview with the author.

REVIEW: Vampire Mistress by Joey W. Hill

Vampire Mistress 

by Joey W. Hill
Vampire Queen #5
Erotic/BDSM Paranormal Romance
Paperback, 389 pages
Published May 4th 2010 by Berkley Heat
EXCERPT
RATING: ★★★★

Joey W. Hill returns to the dark and seductive landscape of her Vampire Queen novels as a desperate woman named Anwyn finds herself trapped between the desires of two men, each with his own mission of the night: vampire hunter Gideon Green and vampire Daegan Rei. But when Anwyn is attacked by a rogue bloodsucker, Gideon and Daegan must become allies in order to save the woman they both love.

REVIEW:

I love the Vampire Queen series and I'm OCD when it comes to reading a series in order but you could start with Vampire Mistress and you would be ok. There are a few mentions of previous characters in the other books but nothing that will have you lost.

IMO this book has the most emotional tug of war going on between the characters in the series so far. You've got three strong willed characters that is looking for something that's missing in their lives.

Gideon is a loner and hates vampires so he has devoted his life to being the best vampire hunter.

Anwyn is the beautiful owner and operator of Atlantis, a BDSM club.

Deagan is a dark, mysterious and sexy vampire.

Gideon finds himself being drawn to Atlantis and after he doesn't find what he is looking for during 1st and 2nd visit; he gets a visit from the beautiful owner. He knows that she is want he has been needing. But when he finds out that she is in some kind of relationship with vampire and he pulls away from her.

The vampire in question is the mysterious Daegan. He and Anwyn have been in a relationship for 5 years. Deagan is the only person that Anwyn will submit to but she can't allow herself to totally submit to Deagan and become his servant. So the two's relationship is on an edge of either failing or becoming what they both need. That's where Gideon comes in. He could be the missing piece to the puzzle they need to make all three happy.

The threesome goes through hell together and are trying to make their way back. All three needs to learn how to submit to one another. But with three dominant characters it won't be easy.

They do not get their HEA in Vampire Mistress, their story continues in Vampire Trinity. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how they overcome their personal hang ups and learn to be a part of the harsh vampire world and it rules.

Vampire Mistress is not for the fate at heart. It has violence and emotional rollercoaster mixed with strong BDSM elements. But if you are looking for a sexy and intense read pick it up today.

I recommend starting at the beginning of the series just so you learn the rules of the vampire/servant roles and get a little background on some of the other characters. But like I said if you wanted to start with this one you won't be lost.

Vampire Mistress is available at:

B&N 

Amazon

Berkley

Don't miss my interview with 
Joey W. Hill and giveaway on Feb 15th.

REVIEW: Blushing Violet by Ann Mayburn

Blushing Violet
by Ann Mayburn
ebook, 110 pages
Heat Level: Erotic M/F, M/F/M
Contemporary Romance with BDSM elements

Published November 16th 2011 by Ellora's Cave

RATING: ★★★★

Shy and quirky Violet Bishop has finally found the perfect way to meet a man who could fulfill her hidden submissive desires, something that she has never dared to ask her conservative and uptight ex-boyfriends to do. She joins an on-line matchmaking site that puts couples together based on the books that they love, in this case the BDSM erotica that lines her bookshelves.


REVIEW:


Ann Mayburn never fails to make me reach for my B.O.B. (Battery Operated Boyfriend) while I'm reading her books. Blushing Violet had me blushing in some places and if I where single it would have me running to my computer to sign up for an online dating service. Especially if I would be as lucky as Violet and end up with not one but two hot doms like Carlos and Morgan.

This hot novella is not just about the slap and tickle. I found myself caring about the characters and hoping for them to have their HEA. Before I started reading BDSM I thought that people that lived that lifestyle were freaks but the way that Mayburn shapes her characters and worlds it makes me think differently. Not that I'm running out to get my own things to setup a playroom but I can see how the D/S relationship is really built on trust that can lead to love like Violet's story with Carlos and Morgan.

If you have never read anything in the BDSM genre and want to try it out, Blushing Violet is a safe, lite BDSM read with funny and lovable characters. Visit Ann's website to read chapter one.

Blushing Violet is available at:

B&N  │ Amazon │ Ellora's Cave │ All Romance eBooks

I received my copy for a honest review.

REVIEW: Caught by Cassandra Carr

Caught
By Cassandra Carr
ebook
Publication: December 13th 2011 by Loose Id
RATING: 
When Callie returns to her hometown for the holidays, she comes face to face with her old lover and Dominant Jack. Jack still wants her, and she finds herself wanting to submit to him from the first time Jack touches her. But as he draws her deeper and deeper into his world once again, will she lose her heart too?

REVIEW:

Caught is a nice holiday themed slap and tickle read, HEAVY on the slap. Callie goes to a holiday party to see some old college buddies and is surprised to see her old flame, Jack. Jack is just as surprised to see her at the party as well. One thing leads to another and they find themselves falling back into their old route of dom and sub.

Caught is not just another BDSM read with only hot sex. There is a real connection between Callie and Jack outside his playroom. They are just afraid that the other doesn’t feel the same way about them.

If you enjoy your BDSM reads with nice does of heart, read Caught by Cassandra Carr. I know it put me in the mood.... for the holidays.

Caught is available at:

 Losse Id

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011.

To find out more about Cassandra visit her at:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Blog Tour REVIEW: Sapphire by Jeffe Kennedy

Sapphire
By Jeffe Kennedy
Publisher: Carina Press
Date Published: October 24, 2011
RATING:
A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht. Taylor writes the adventure off as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterwards, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally. Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her – and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?



REVIEW:

Sapphire is a BDSM themed Novella about a workaholic business woman named M. Taylor Hamilton and one of her clients, Adam Kerliss.

Adam flirted with Taylor during their business relationship but Taylor turned him down. Adam makes his play for Taylor at her boss’s party. After a kinky scene between the two on her boss’s yacht they make plans to have lunch together to talk about what kind of relationship they can have now that the business deal is over.

Taylor is very closed off to the idea of having a personal life; her work is everything to her. Adam has made it his mission to break her down and help her lose control.

Sapphire is a very hot story and liked the characters but there was a little something missing. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the story was a little longer. I would have liked to see more of the two before the party. See how they interacted during the months they worked together. I felted like I started a book on chapter 10. I think will a little more info on the characters I would have given the Novella a 4 star rating instead of 3 stars.

I enjoyed Sapphire just wished there was a little more. I recommend this Novella to anyone that likes a hot, quick read and doesn’t mind a little BDSM.

Sapphire is available at:

Amazon | B&N  | All Romance

Excerpt

Kirliss captured her other wrist and held them close in front of her, his warm fingers massaging her skin, while he studied her face. The boat surged over a wave, disturbing her balance. Kirliss’s unusual eyes caught the light, boring into her.

“This is silly,” she tried.

“Do you want me to make you stay?”

“What?” Taylor choked. She couldn’t let him treat her this way. “No! You’ll do no such—”

She lost her breath entirely when he pressed up against her. Thinking he was trying to embrace her, she pulled away and found herself backed against the brass railing.

By the time she gathered her flustered thoughts, her wrists were handcuffed to the rail behind her. Mortified, a bit afraid and—worse—suddenly and wildly aroused…

About the Author:

Jeffe (pronounced Jeff- ee) took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. She has been a Ucross Foundation Fellow (2001), was a Wyoming Arts Council roster artist, when she lived in Wyoming, and received the state’s 2005 Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award for a woman writer of exceptional talent in any creative writing genre and the 2007 Fellowship for Poetry. Jeffe has contributed to several anthologies, Drive: Women’s True Stories of the Open Road. (2002), Hard Ground (2003), Bombshells (2007) and Going Green (2009). Her first book, Wyoming Trucks, True Love and the Weather Channel was published by University of New Mexico Press in 2004. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet another branch of her path, into erotica and romantic fantasy fiction. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training.

Who Is Jennifer Paris?

I was doing the “Jeffe Kennedy writing as Jennifer Paris” thing, but Angela James, my editor at Carina, said no, no, no. Since I really don’t want to “flesh out” Jennifer Paris and tweet or blog as her (she was only a cardboard cut-out anyway), I decided to retire her. However, I have one book “Petals and Thorns” that is by Jennifer Paris.

To find out more about Jeffe visit her at:

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Blog

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