Review: A Taste of You by Sorcha Grace

A Taste of You

By Sorcha Grace

The Epicurean #1

 

 

 

The promotion for this book compares it to Fifty Shades of Gray and Bared to You, which had me reluctant to read it. In fact, I agreed to do so before I knew about the comparison.

While there are certainly some common themes, the story has a very different vibe that sets it apart in my opinion.


Similarities to 50 Shades and Bared
William Lambourne is über wealthy, is somewhat secretive and is gorgeous. That's about it as he's has none of Christian's cruelty or Gideon's stalker-like behaviors. He's pretty normal in most aspects and any over the top behaviors would fit someone in his lifestyle. Catherine Kelly is about the same age of Ana and Eva but has a successful career independent of William's life.


The Set Up
Catherine and William meet when she shows up as the replacement for another injured photographer at a food shoot for a new restaurant scheduled for opening in Chicago. Their connection and attraction is immediate and he seeks her out.  She's fairly new to the city, escaping the heartache of a tragic past in Santa Cruz. She's not sure she's ready to be in a relationship, especially with someone as complicated and puzzling as William.

The Issues
William runs hot and cold, keeping Catherine off balance at a time when it's the last thing she needs. Catherine has a tendency to bail whenever his commitment to her appears questionable. They have an amazing sexual attraction and it gets in the way of their communication.

What Works Well
Both Catherine's best friend, Beckett, and William are amazing cooks and some really

delectable dishes are served up regularly, stimulating your appetite often. I had never heard of an Aga stove and now I want one!!! The difference, though, is William incorporates his epicurean talents into his bedroom (or kitchen floor!) romps and it is erotic!  William has some really creative moves and it was definitely a highlight. Catherine's young and her reactions sometimes are fitting for her level of experience. She's not naive and brings out better behavior from William. You get that he cares deeply for her but can be insensitive to how he comes across. The story is interesting and so is Catherine. She's the one with a complicated past. And, this book has the best, most sexy cover!


What Doesn't Work Quite as Well
Catherine has a really great best friend that is interesting in his own right but is really made to be a sidekick for the story. Beckett certainly could have shown up with more of a life while being the dutiful best friend. He's pretty amazing and the relationship wasn't balanced. Catherine's frequent pronouncements that she and William were over got a little old after awhile.


The Bottom Line
I enjoyed the story, Catherine's interesting backstory and William's talent in combining food and sex.  They've done most of the hard work in creating relationship and the shocker at the end seems to pivot the story in a different (and intriguing) direction. The characters are really likeable and both are on equal footing in the relationship, even though William's used to getting his way but Catherine holds her own capably. I like where the series seems to be heading and am along for the ride.

 

 

 


About the Author

Sorcha Grace is an adventurous eater, beach lover and author of scorching contemporary erotic romance. She is also the nom de plume of a nationally bestselling author who publishes in another romance genre. Visit her website or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

www.sorchagrace.com
www.facebook.com/SorchaGrace
Twitter: @SorchaGrace

Review: Claim Me by J. Kenner

Claim Me By J. Kenner

Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Stark Trilogy #2

I had some serious issues with the first book in this series, Release Me, primarily that it was tough to distinguish it from the Fifty Shades and Crossfire series. And, when I read it, there was no mention that it was part of a trilogy…very frustrating when you reach the end of a book and it doesn’t end. Lastly, the erotic elements of that story weren’t all that inventive.

Because of the incomplete ending, I was committed to giving the series at least one more book for redemption and it was a really good decision. It didn’t take long for the story to start moving down its own path, creating an identity all its own. 

 

It starts where the last story ended, with Nikki continuing her arrangement with Damien, although by this time, the two of them are completely aware of the depth of their emotional connection. As much as Dom Damien makes claim on Nikki, she’s got just as much of a command of him. He’s still not opening up as fully with her as she’s been with him, but Damien makes it absolutely clear about what holds him back and what he’s doing to overcome it. I liked that there was balance in the relationship, both putting themselves at risk.

The storyline wasn’t predictable, meandering down its original path building intrigue and introducing new characters in the mix that begin to explain the enigma called Damien. Not everyone who’s supposedly close to these two is necessarily committed to their well being, which kept me engaged. I loved that I wasn’t certain where the clues would lead and the climax was startling but made sense, as much as it can without more details. The ending left me in a really good place and I’m excited to get to the final chapter.

Oh, and if the sexual encounters in the first story felt ho-hum or redundant, Kenner turned the heat up and created an inferno in this one. I will NEVER be able to look at or think of chocolate fondue the same way again. Damien didn’t lack creativity here and it was….you’re just going to have to read it for yourself.

Bravo for a really good turnaround in this series! I liked the story, the developing Damien, the bright, intelligent and interesting Nikki and loved their intimate moments that challenged my imagination. It’s worth the time. You won’t be bored and, if you’re like me, you just might learn something.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review)

Review: Damaged Goods by Lainey Reese

Damaged Goods

By Lainey Reese

Romantic Suspense, Erotica

New York #2

The second story in this series involves Brice Marshall, cousin of Cade Marshall who was introduced in the first book. Brice is a New York police detective and is also a Dom. He meets Terryn Keller at Cade’s BDSM club but soon figures out that she’s new to the scene and is just beginning her exploration. Meanwhile, Brice and his partner, Brandon Kent, are investigating the brutal murders of two young women by what appears to be a serial killer. As Brice becomes more deeply involved with Terryn, he also has to deal with the realization that she might be in the path of the killer.

The suspense aspect of the story was high, equally balanced with the erotica and adding to the sexual tension, as if that needed any help. While the whodunit wasn’t too hard to figure out, it wasn’t so clear cut either as I went through three suspects until I circled back to my original way of thinking. The erotica was excellent, enhanced somewhat because of Terryn’s inexperience, which kept the sexual scenes fresh and interesting. It allowed me to explore the BDSM world through her perspective as Brice helped her understand the roles and behaviors. There’s also a ménage scene that was just crazy!




I really liked that Trevor, Cade and Riley, the ménage relationship from the first book, A Table for Three, have substantive (and steamy) roles in this story. And, the main character for the next book, Gage Hollister, makes an appearance here that left me breathless. I’m not sure I can handle his story!






Reese does a really good job of weaving mystery, suspense, romance and erotica into a solid and interesting story. I liked the characters, even though Doms are not necessarily my favorite hero choices. You can’t help but like Brice and Terryn was refreshing. I enjoyed the book and am anxiously waiting for the next one in the series.

  

(I received an ARC from the author for an honest review)





Review: Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart

Heavy Issues 

by Elle Aycart 

Book #2 in the Bowen series 

Steering clear of relationships has never been difficult for demolitions expert Cole Bowen, but now, with his brother's engagement sending the female population into full-blown hysterics and the town of Alden's month-long festivities helping along, he finds himself in hell. When he discovers Alden's new resident and the object of all his wet dreams, Christine Sheridan, has sworn off relationships and is going to hire a gigolo to get professionally laid, he decides to kill two birds with one stone.

Christy is so not drinking again. Thanks to José Cuervo she has her friends signing her up for stud conventions and Cole frigging Bowen offering sex in exchange for fake dates, which is so out of the question it isn't even funny. She knows the domineering man will push her boundaries, and after battling all her life with self-esteem issues, she isn't ready for that. Too bad he won't take no for an answer.

Cole is determined to strip away all of her defenses but refuses to lower his ever-present walls, so when Christy realizes she wants more, she's left with only two options; walk away or crack his shield and risk her heart in the process.

Christy Sheridan had too much to drink one night while sitting on her deck with friends. As they were discussing their pitiful sexual experiences, Christy stands and loudly proclaims into the night that she just wants a gigolo for sex, no relationship required, as she tosses her engagement ring (from her ex-fiance) into her yard. Cole Bowen happened to be walking by when the ring hit him and caught a bit of Christy’s declaration when he came to return it to her. Little did she know that he had been watching her for weeks, trying to figure out a way to approach her without others getting the wrong idea…he wanted to go out with her but he’s not one for commitment.

This story was pretty extraordinary. Both Cole and Christy are commitment shy and the proposition that they have only a sexual relationship worked for both of them. Christy was his fake date as the women of the town were descending on him like flies after his brother got engaged. It was open season on the rest of the Bowen men and Cole needed a decoy. They both were two damaged people, crippled by mothers from hell. While Christy was healing, Cole was still in denial about his issues. By being in a relationship with no strings attached, Cole finds himself bonding with the very grounded Christy and she with him. Neither of them intended for the arrangement to ever be more than what they signed on for but when feelings started to shift, their emotional baggage came front and center.

As with the first book in this series, the sex is pretty explicit and supports the story and the characters in ways that become clearer as it progresses. Cole isn’t the most likeable of characters initially but Christy, who is now one of my most favorite heroines, brings the best out of him.

There are a lot of funny moments in the story but it’s what happens between Cole and Christy that keeps you riveted. I loved their story and am looking forward to whatever is next in this series. This turned out to be one of the best erotic romances I’ve ever read.

Review: More Than Meets the Ink by Elle Aycart

More Than Meets the Ink 

By Elle Aycart 

Book #1 in the Bowen series 

Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate’s not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she’s on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once. She hadn’t counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't prepared to permit her not to.

REVIEW:

James Bowen is visiting his Dad who lives in a Florida retirement community. Tate Cooper is spending time with her mother who lives next door to James’ Dad. Both James and Tate live in Boston and their meeting is pure coincidence. Tate is pretty stressed after having lost her father and brother in a car accident a year ago and is now trying to keep the family restaurant afloat. Her mother and sister have bailed on her and she’s determined to keep this together. To complete this sad picture, her boyfriend dumped her in the middle of all of this. When she meets James, she’s attracted to him until she sees his tattoos. Tate’s got a whole conversation about what kind of men wear ink and she decides that he’s worth a fling but no way is he going to get the chance to break her heart.

James and Tate begin their relationship with a complete focus on sex, and there is a lot of it. James knows that Tate has him stereotyped and he’s okay with that because he’s that confident in himself. He’s one of those alphas that doesn’t come on strong but gets his way by charm and affability. When it’s time for Tate to return to Boston, James has feelings beyond a fling and while Tate misses him, bad boys are too risky.

What makes this erotic romance work is the wonderfully developed characters. James is utterly charming, even when his alpha nature takes over. Tate never set out to be the family savior and she’s going under until James intervenes in her life. She’s vulnerable but at the same time she’s terrified of losing anyone else she cares about and is resistant to letting James become too important to her.

There is quite a bit of sex, really explicit and HOT sex, more than I thought was needed until the second half of the story, which focused on some very tough issues that the sex was masking. While the first half was filled with witty dialogue and the dance that goes along with two people focused on a physical relationship, the second half of the story was really compelling. There are also some sinister actions targeted toward Tate that add a serious element as well. I enjoyed the story, where two people who start off a relationship totally based on sex but find common ground and come to love and like each other. I couldn’t resist starting the next one immediately.

After a colorful array of jobs all over Europe ranging from translator to chocolatier to travel agent to sushi chef to flight dispatcher, Elle Aycart is certain of one thing and one thing only: aside from writing romances, she has abso-frigging-lutely no clue what she wants to do when she grows up. Not that it stops her from trying all sorts of crazy stuff. While she is probably now thinking of a new profession, her head never stops churning new plots for her romances. She lives currently in Barcelona, Spain, with her husband and two daughters, although who knows, in no time she could be living at the Arctic Circle in Finland, breeding reindeer. 

Elle loves to hear from readers!

elleaycart@gmail.com

Twitter - @AycartElle
http://elleaycart.blogspot.com.es/
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/83237-bowen-brothers-support-group 
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4994153.Elle_Aycart 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elle-Aycart/380858418611512


Buy her books here:
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Review: Table for Three by Lainey Reese

Table for Three


By Lainey Reese


Book #1 in the New York series


Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance


ebook, 138 pages 

Published April 20th 2010 by Samhain Publishing 

She’s taking two bites out of the Big Apple.



Riley Ramirez knew that moving to New York would change her life. She just didn’t expect it to start on her very first night in town. Her attraction to nightclub owner Kincade Marshall is instant, mind-blowing—and mutual. When she finds he is a Dom who requires her complete surrender, even when it comes to submitting to his best friend, Trevor Wellington, she finds herself willing and eager to embrace the sexual adventure.



From their earliest days, Cade and Trevor have shared everything, including women. Yet it only takes one night with Riley to know she is their forever lady. Convincing her that this is more than a temporary fling, though, will take every tool in their sensual arsenal.



As Cade and Trevor set their sights on Riley, however, they’re unaware—until it’s almost too late—that someone is targeting their fragile relationship. Someone who’s taking deadly aim at Riley. Suddenly their struggle to keep their forever woman is a fight to keep her alive…


REVIEW:



There's a lot that's improbable about this story, making it more of a fantasy, and that is what made it pure pleasure for me. It's also what I think of as BDSM lite (I am SO not an expert) because Riley, the heroine in this story, was submissive when it suited her needs. 



Cade and Trevor both come from wealthy families and grew up together. They both created their own career paths outside of their families' money and have been sharing women (openly to their families) since they became sexually active. Both are doms who have been on the lookout for the perfect submissive and Cade knew Riley was the one the moment he laid eyes on her. 



The sex is certainly erotic and there is only one short scene that I even considered to be in the BDSM domain. Otherwise, it was more of a ménage romp, and lots of it. 



There is a suspense element (you know from the start who's behind the scheme) that adds a bit of spice and excitement. The erotic elements stand on their own without any need for enhancement but it was more interesting.



This is a fun fantasy with characters you like and find appealing, with enough wealth to make it all work nicely. I enjoyed it and will read the next books in this series.




(I received at ARC from the author)

Review: Release Me by J. Kenner

Release Me 

By J. Kenner 

Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance 

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally charged romance between a powerful man who’s never heard “no” and a fiery woman who says “yes” on her own terms.

He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist.

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past—and risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him—and us—forever.

Review:

Nikki Fairchild is a recent business school graduate from Texas, now living in L. A. and working as an assistant for a successful businessman who is a rainmaker for technology innovators and he's a bit of a sleaze. Damien Stark is the head of a powerful business empire and educational foundation. When Nikki and Damien meet at a party, which is a business function for her, their first contact was emotionally charged and bizarre.

The comparisons to the 50 Shades and Crossfire trilogies by E. L. James and Sylvia Day, respectively, are unfortunately true. I deliberately didn't read any of the reviews so I could form my own, unbiased opinion and still ended up with the same conclusion. At times, I thought of the main character as Eva, the heroine in Bared to You, since the first-person narrative was almost dead on to her. If I hadn't read these two series, I might have enjoyed this book more but there was nothing new or fresh here to keep me engaged or invested in Nikki and Damien.

Putting aside the likeness to the other trilogies (and that's difficult to do), I at first found Nikki to be a potentially interesting character. She's a former participant in the beauty pageant circuit who escaped her mother's insensitive clutches to pursue her educational goals and is pretty smart in her own right. Nikki has lofty goals and is right thinking in her approach to achieving them. This all seems to fall apart when she meets Damien at the party and from there on out she seems to be in a lust-filled haze anytime she's around him. Damien was a former tennis star who was also (surprise) damaged as a young child and has transformed into a brilliant, mega-rich, beautiful, controlling business mogul. Nikki is now his focus and the story becomes a tale of both, especially Nikki, trying to unmask each other to discover their dark secrets.

There's a lot of erotica and, while well written, not particularly inventive (there is one exception involving pearls on a thong...). It does define and advance Nikki and Damien's relationship so it works in that respect. Nikki's two best friends are an important part of the story, one a big Team Damien supporter and the other not.

Nikki does quite a bit of "I can't be with him, I must be with him" angst throughout the story, especially in the first half as she struggles to not sleep with him. Damien is pretty stalker-ish and while Nikki rightly calls him out on it, she caves every time. Each time she discovers something freakish in his background, she runs and hides or runs to him and confronts and then succumbs to him. This is a repetitive theme throughout the book.

The story ends rather abruptly, which leads me to believe this book is part of a series, though I couldn't find any information to substantiate it. If you haven't read either of the two trilogies mentioned here, this will be an interesting and appealing story as it's well written and edited. I might have rated it at least 3.5 stars if I hadn't but I felt like I was reading the same stories with only the names changed and the circumstances of the characters' past slightly altered.

Simliar Books:


 

Review: Talk to Me by Cassandra Carr

Talk to Me

by Cassandra Carr

BUY  

★★★★

Radio producer Jamie MacMahon is in over her head with ex-hockey player-turned host Drew Milan. She’s attracted to the man who earned the nickname “the Beast” during his playing days from the moment they meet, but he’s her boss and she loves her new job. She’s made plenty of mistakes with men and loathes the thought of being yet another plaything for Drew, a man who sleeps with women but doesn’t date them.

Drew doesn’t want to lose a great producer and knows Jamie deserves a real relationship, but can’t stay away from the sizzling chemistry they create every time they’re together. Jamie’s insecurities and the very real prospect of having to leave a great job if this thing doesn’t work out clash hard with Drew’s fears about opening his heart and the possibility of losing his first competent producer.

REVIEW:
 
Drew is a leg man and Jamie has a great pair of legs. Jamie is blown away by Drew's good looks and his voice that can melt a woman's panties. Mmmm...... 

It was lust at first site for the two but since they have a working relationship they both try their best to fight their attraction.

After Drew was cheated on by his finance years ago, he decided to never be in another relationship. So he is gun shy about letting anyone get to close to hm. On the other hand Jamie is too fast to get close to people and has been engaged twice only to have it not work out. .

But as the two work together on the late talk show they get to know a little about each other and one night after the show their control breaks' leaving Jamie wondering if she is just another notch on Drew headboard.
 
Talk to Me is full of hot sex and an emotional romance that had me routing for a HEA for Drew and Jamie.

If you are looking for a quick and steamy read with a solid plot and an ex-hockey player with a shoe fetish then you can't loose by read Talk to Me.

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:

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