Tag Archives: erotica

Review of “Fever” – Maya Banks

 
Jace Crestwell, Ash McIntyre, and Gabe Hamilton have been best friends and successful business partners for years. They’re powerful, they’re imposing, they’re irresistibly sexy, and Jace and Ash share everything—including their women.
When they meet Bethany, Jace begins to feel things he’s never experienced before: jealousy, and a powerful obsession that threatens him, overwhelms him—and excites him beyond control.
 
Jace isn’t sharing Bethany—with anyone. He’s determined to be the only man in her life, and it’s jeopardizing a lifelong friendship with Ash. Bethany will be his and his alone. Even if it means turning his back on his best friend.
 
 
For those who read my review of “Rush” on January 21st, I am pleased to say I did find BOOK TWO of the Breathless trilogy more “original”. (If this statement confuses you, please take a moment to read the “Rush” critique – Click here to be redirected)
 
As I write this review, I recently came inside from below zero temperatures. I was out in the frigid air for only a few minutes and was miserable. I can’t fathom how anyone, such as Bethany and Jack, can survive living out there in this dreadful weather 24-7. I know MANY people do of various ages. That is a very sad thought. Heartbreaking…….
 
Speaking of heartbreaking, the hospital scene had me gasping for a breath. Maya absolutely wrote it in a way where you felt you were there with Gabe, Ash, Mia, Jace, and Bethany. That is what I call fine ass writing. 
 
 
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Rush by Maya Banks (Book Review)

 
When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.
Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.
 
As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.
 
 
Review with spoilers!
 
I wanted to state, before I posted this, I checked the publishing history for both stories I’m mentioning in this critique. Also, I want to apologize if my review upsets any readers or fans of her work but I must say what’s on my mind. With that said, I will make sure and list some positive aspects of the story because I am NOT a heartless bitch. I understand writing is time consuming and handwork so praise should be given as well. 
 
“Rush” – Berkley trade paperback edition/ February 2013
“Fifty Shades of Grey” by E L James – First published by The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House. Australia. 2011.
“Rush” is the first and only book I’ve read by Maya Banks. I went into it with high hopes because the author was suggested to me based on my taste of erotic romances. 
 
I’m sorry to say I was more than a little disappointed with it. (No offense to those who liked it.) But, it is way too similar to book one of 50 Shades of Grey.
 
 
Let me list a few of those similarities to you.
 
1.) A billionaire guy, Gabe, asks a woman, Mia,  to read and sign a contract before they engage in a BDSM relationship. (contract not present. Mia, the lead role, only mentions what passages say.) The two people meet to negotiate sections she has issues with before she signs it. (Must state that unlike 50 Shades, the Dom role is a friend of the family. In fact, it’s her brother’s best friend and business partner.)
 
2.) Gabe’s persistent Mia eats. 
 
3.) There is a scene where she overindulges in alcohol and he’s there taking care of her. She can’t hold her liquor either.
 
4.) He drops to his knees and asks her not to leave him – ever. 
 
5.) There is a male villain who uses personal information about the couple to meet his own agenda. He (the nutso) doesn’t win either.
 
6.) A friend discovers their relationship and is pissed at first. But then accepts it because it makes her happy. 
 
7.) Gabe discovered he couldn’t sleep without her in his bed. 
 
That’s all I can think of right now. 
 
 
Positive remarks! 
1.) I did discover Maya can write one helluva erotic scenes. Sorry E L James, but you can’t hold a candle to Maya on this one. 
 
2.) I loved how Gabe showed Mia he loved her. Electronic billboard message was a brilliant idea – totally different. The marriage proposal was very romantic. Having a billion dollars at your disposal does have its perks. 
 
3.) Ash intrigues me enough to stick with the series and find out what his future holds. Plus, I want to know his backstory. 
 
 
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)  
Score: ❤❤ 

 

Purchase links

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Review of the Fifty Shades trilogy – E L James

 
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

 
 
 
Since the buzz of the movie has showing up on every entertainment network/magazine, I decided to dive back into the trilogy and refresh my memory on things I might’ve skimmed over or forgotten about the first go around. Also, I wanted to see if my opinion of the series had changed at all. 
 
After the second read thru, my thoughts hadn’t budged at all. I still find Ana a tad bit whiny. Plus, I thought she apologized to Grey way too many times. She constantly wondered if he was mad at her. Maybe it was her lack of experience which made her seem immature or maybe it was her age. With that said, I’ve known a few people freshly out of college who had more confidence than her. Again, I fall back on her “lack of experience”.
 
I did like book II and III had more of a plot than book I. Of course, the first book was all about setting up for the rest of the trilogy so in all fairness, E L did a good job laying it all out for her readers. The contract papers — yeah, I could never be a lawyer because I found it dry rather than entertaining. 
 
Favorite scene occurred in book II, Fifty Shades Darker. Grey dropping to his knees in the submissive pose was a powerful moment (for me, at least). 
 
I also like the bonus scene where we got to see their first encounter (interview scene) through his eyes. Very nice idea E L or her editors had there. 
 
I’m still debating watching the big screen take of the series because I’m usually disappointed with the outcomes. However, my curiosity is peaked how they will portray some of the BDSM scenes. 
 
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the trilogy and upcoming movie. Please leave  a comment below! 
 
 
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase links
Book I – US | UK
Book II – US | UK
Book III – US | UK

4 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Interview with Cleo Taurus

Welcome, Cleo Taurus!

 

1.  For those who might not be
familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about
yourself? How did you get your start in the writing business?
 
(CT) Actually,
I got my real start as a role player in a couple of Facebook groups. I honed my
writing skills there, but I have been writing stories and poems since I was a
child. I love to write, and having been so blessed to be given a chance by a
wonderful group of people, I am now happier than I ever was.

 

2. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.
 
(CT) I walk away. I have to otherwise
all I do is sit there and stare at the computer, which only makes it worse. I
try to clear my mind, take a walk or something like that. Sometimes it helps;
sometimes I just have to wait till the story starts talking to me again.

 

 
3. Contrary to what some people envision about a romance
writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us.
With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how do you spend
your time?
 
(CT) I read a lot, every day as a matter of fact. I have three
wonderful grandkids I spend a lot of time with. I like to be outside when I
can. I love to take pictures and I watch a lot of History channel!

 

 
4. I know many writers keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are
their thoughts?
 
(CT) Very few know the real me, for the simple fact of the kind
of books I write. I have already had to deal with one judgmental fool; I don’t
want to have to do it again. However, having said that, those that do know what
I write are one hundred percent supportive!

 

 
5. Will you share with us your all-time favorite authors? If
you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.
 
(CT) Lol ok, let’s see if I can narrow it down. Well, Shayla
Black is my all time favorite author, and then Lora Leigh comes in a close
second. After that its Cherise Sinclair, Angel Payne, J.R. Ward, Laurell K.
Hamilton, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Maya Banks, and Lexi Blake.  Also, I do have to mention a couple of new
authors who will be doing big things in the future, Ava Snow, Harper Jewell and
Oliver Lixx.

 

  
6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen,
yours or otherwise,
which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?
 
 
(CT) If I were totally honest, I would like to see my series
Michael: the black room series made into a movie. There is an actor, Colin
Cunningham who I always imagined would be my Michael, and for Elizabeth it would
have to be Scarlett Johannsen, and for Michael’s true love, Kathleen, it would
be Amy Adams. 

 

 
7. Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now?
That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I
swear it’ll go no further.
 
(CT) The wonderful Ava Snow and I are working on a two part story
called Governmental affairs, about two men who find love, and I’m currently
working on a new series called the Spanking Bench Confessionals which I
guarantee will be hot! But the one I am most looking forward to is one story
called “The Arrangement. It is so completely different from anything I’ve ever
written or read, I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

 

  
8. Where can we find your stories, and is there a particular
reading order?
 
(CT) With the Black Room series, there is a reading order,
Michael one, Michael two and Michael 3. The rest of my stories are in no
particular order, and you can find them on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and All
romance.
 
 

 

9. Would you please share how your present and future fans
can contact you?
 
(CT) Of course!

cleotaurus.blogspot.com

 
 
10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you
have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.
 
(CT) I want to thank all the fans who have spent their hard
earned dollars on my stories. I write what I feel; some of my stories are from
my real life somehow. I have some wonderful friends who have helped me every
step of the way, given me guidance and held my hand when I was down. I write
what I would like to read, if I were the customer. I would love to hear from
fans, to let me know what they think! Thank you for allowing me a voice, I
can’t tell you how much that means to me.
 
 
Check out this hot number! 
 
 
Assistant extraordinaire, Gracie, is the perfect aide to two of the best lawyers in the state. 
 
Matthew and Malcom have everything money can buy, except that one special woman to share it with. 
 
When a surprising opportunity presents itself, will Gracie be brave enough to step fully into the world of kink and become the kind of woman the brothers could grow to love or will her own inadequacies squash any chance of happiness for all three involved?
 

www.hornydevilpublishing.com

 

Purchase Links

 Amazon Link

Barnes and Noble Link

 

 

Wrap-up

Ladies
and Gents, I hope you enjoyed our interview with Cleo Taurus. If you have
any questions or comments for Cleo by all means, leave her a message
below. Thank you in advance for your visit
 
 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Ours to Love by Shayla Black (Book Review)

Between two brothers… 

Xander Santiago spent years living it up as a billionaire playboy. Never given a chance to lead his family business in the boardroom, he became a master in the bedroom instead. His older brother, Javier, inherited the company and worked tirelessly to make it an empire. But while cutthroat corporate espionage took its toll on Javier, nothing was as devastating as the seemingly senseless murder of his wife. It propelled him into a year of punishing rage and guilt…until Xander came to his rescue. 

Comes an irresistible woman… 

Eager to rejuvenate Javier’s life, Xander shanghais him to Louisiana, where they meet beautiful London McLane. After a decade of tragedy and struggle, London is determined to make a fresh start—and these sexy billionaire brothers are more than willing to help. In every way. London is stunned to find herself open to every heated suggestion…and desperately hoping that her love will heal them. 

And inescapable danger. 

But a killer is watching, on a single-minded mission to destroy everything the Santiago brothers hold dear, especially London. As fear and desire collide, every passionate beat of her heart could be her last. 

 


When I purchased this story, I knew this was going to be about two brothers falling in love with the same woman and having sex with her. However, since I am a fan of Shayla’s and I wanted to read the continuation of the series, I cracked opened the book anyways. 

With that said, I can’t understand how a brother can get aroused watching his sibling have sex with someone. For me to enjoy the scenes, I actually pretended they were only friends and not brothers. 

What I did like about this story was the tenderness, the patience, and understanding they shown London when she unveiled her back to them. Their reaction was absolutely perfect! 

One final note: If you were waiting for the conclusion of “Who killed Javier’s wife and why”, the wait is finally over. 🙂

 

Heart rating system:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)

Score: ❤❤❤❤

 

BUY THE EBOOK
BUY THE PAPERBACK
 
 

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized