Review: The First Time Is The Sweetest by Erin M. Leaf

The First Time Is The Sweetest by Erin M. Leaf

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Menage Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Two men.

One woman.

A mystery shooter.

Who is trying to kill Sabrina and why? Will Jimmy be able to protect her, or will he need the help of sexy FBI agent Gabriel? And how can Sabrina resist falling in love when she experiences passion for the first time?

Despite the danger, she can’t help how she feels, especially not when Gabriel and Jimmy begin to rekindle the romance they had to abandon years ago. When she realizes that both men desire her just as much as they want each other, she falls head over heels for the first time.

When violence strikes, the only way out of disaster is for the three of them to trust in each other and in love.



Desmond’s Review

Mix a virginal heroine with a bi-sexual family friend and a bi-sexual FBI Special Agent, throw in some mayhem with possible gang repercussions, and you have an explosive mix. This story, as they say on the streets, ‘rocks.’

Sabrina Birch is the damsel in distress, a never dated, never been kissed virgin, ready to start graduate school. She’s being left at home by her lawyer father, someone who regularly provides pro bono services for those in need. He leaves his daughter in the care of family friend, Jimmy, five years her senior and recently back from overseas as a journalist.

In the first part of the story, Sabrina and Jimmy start to ignite their passions, but are interrupted by gunshots. Enter the FBI. Gabriel, an old friend of Jimmy’s, who once shared a passionate kiss, becomes the third spoke.

Erin Leaf’s story is really about Sabrina’s sexual blossoming and her acceptance of an alternative lifestyle. She starts as a repressed woman-girl and arcs to a woman comfortable in her own skin, sharing lovers with her two bi-sexual men. In the first half, the sexual tensions mounts, not unlike sex itself, and is not fully consummated until later.

The story is really the sexual tension and encounters between three people who love each other and there are scenes of both homosexual and heterosexual couplings, which, in this reader’s estimation, are well written and show the attraction between the three. The story of Sabrina’s peril becomes a thread woven through the narrative of these people as they express their affections.

Their real peril does not come from gang activity, but something, which I will not describe, so you may enjoy this book. I found Sabrina’s character unusual, in that she, at twenty-one, has never been kissed or dated, much less still a virgin. I believe Erin Leaf writes her younger than her twenty-one years; her characteristics seem immature for the age she is supposed to be. However, I do realize I could be wrong here. Certainly there are virgins and socially naive twenty-somethings.

This is an entertaining book, easily read and with enough sex, well written scenes of Male/Female, Male/Male and a ménage à trois to warrant my heat rating of four.

Desmond’s Quote: “An easy to read, titillating story of love, expressed many ways, makes this erotic romance (with a happily for now ending) burn the pages. The story of their peril, punctuated by physical expressions of love make you turn the pages, but not always without re-reading some of the eroticism.”

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: The Gladiators by Kaitlyn O'Connor

The Gladiators by Kaitlyn O’Connor

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Genre: Futuristic Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

The only thing worse than finding herself in the harem of the hideous fish-man that had bought her, Loren found out, was discovering what he really had in mind. His gladiators, to his mind, needed incentive to fight more savagely and dangling her under their noses, he was certain, was just the thing to inspire them.
What luck to arrive just as the Hirachi—his best and fiercest warriors—went into spawning! And what a terrifying thrill for her to find herself the object of the affections of three seven foot, yellow skinned aliens built like tanks—Kael, Dakaar, and Balen—all at the same time!



Desmond’s Review

Update a classic, Roman gladiator theme with science fiction and add a plucky heroine and Ms. O’Connor stirs the pot with an enthralling story, which moves from page to page, keeping your interest until the end.
A modern day top secret engineering analyst, Loren Hess, working with supposed alien technology becomes too inquisitive and her employer hands her over to the aliens. Loren finds herself dropped into an alien world as sexual bait for arousing gladiators to fight for her ‘services.’ Ms. O’Connor creates a character in Loren, which pops off the page. Along with her companions, Kael and Dakaar, who are from a different alien race and are top gladiators, we travel their journey, understand their motivations, fears and, at times, their desperation.

The combination of the gladiator and inter-galactic, sex trader themes weaves two compelling, visceral images into a story of survival. The sex starts slowly, allowing tension to mount, starting with descriptions of near nakedness for both Loren and her two Hirachi aliens, Kael and Dakaar, through foreplay (interesting sexual encounters through the bars of their prison) to polyamory. As with most of Ms. O’Connor’s characters in the two books I’ve read, the characters accept consensual sexual encounters without reservation and perceive sex as being both recreational, at times, and for procreation.

Using the sex trade and gladiator themes, which are not really that far apart from each other, and creating an escape and survival story keeps you turning the pages. The characters are wonderfully drawn and, once again, Ms. O’Connor has taken an earth female and mated her with overly large aliens, which seems to be the norm in romance novels (romance authors tend to display the male interest with a magnificent fit body, six-pack abdominal muscles and large thick organs. Kael and Dakaar are personifications of these qualities, taken to an extreme).

As I said previously, The Gladiators by Kaitlyn O’Connor is a page turner and, in PDF format, 154 pages, an easy read. The characters are fun, the adventure idealized and with enough spice to make you perspire.

Desmond’s Quote: “Kaitlyn O’Connor has done it again in creating a story, rich in adventure with sexual overtones and robust characters. She has taken the classic escape and survival story and enlivened it with enough spice and flavor to make a delicious meal for your mind and, of course, a damn good read.”

4 Tea Cups!

   

Triad (Anthology) edited by Selena Kitt

Triad (Anthology) edited by Selena Kitt

Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: Erotica

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Welcome to a MENAGErie of sex in this steamy offering from the authors at eXcessica! The characters in these stories have all learned their kindergarten lessons—they share very well with others! From two men sharing her, to two women sharing him, and even all three men sharing each other, there’s a plethora of sex in this hot anthology with a dozen stories to make your flesh-sandwich dreams come true! Stories included by: Elliott Mabeuse, Emma Hillman, Giselle Renarde, Jack Osprey, Saskia Walker, Bekki Lynn, Selena Kitt, Darcy Sweet, Will Belegon, Dakota Trace, J.M. Snyder and Willson Rowe.

Warnings: This title contains graphic language, sex, menage, and some m/m, f/f content and one m/m/m story.



Desmond’s Review

Leave it to Selena Kitt to put together an anthology of juicy short stories, all with a threesome theme. She has gathered an even dozen, all by different authors, including one by her into a fascinating series of tales where every combination of threesome sex, between men and women, is deliciously woven into a feast of story telling.

Some tales have humor, some pathos and some strike to the heart, such as I’ll Be Your Superman by Ms. Kitt. Not to take anything away from the other eleven stories, but hers was the one which resonated the most with me.

All of these stories are worth reading; there is not a dud in the collection. As a PDF file, the twelve stories equal 347 pages, a nice sized tome for many hours of reading. One nice element of anthologies, they are perfect for picking up and putting down the book, between titles.

While some of the stories may have some disturbing elements, none were so severe as to dissuade this reader from enjoying the competent writing and story telling. At the end of each title, Ms. Kitt has included a short bio of each author, which, if you’re as inclined as I am, will use to seek additional material by your favorites.

Desmond’s quote: “It’s easy to like this anthology, as each story is well written and delivers its denouement competently. This is a perfect book to pick up when you have a short time to read, but want to feast on a complete tale. The characters are well realized, the story telling admirable and Ms. Kitt’s stewardship in bringing Triad to life, as skillful as always.”

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Elementum by Toni L. Meilleur

Elementum by Toni L. Meilleur

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Silver Ainsley was determined to be the first linguist to decipher the Elementum. The ancient tome seemed to call to her, and she could not resist its temptation. Removing the book from its protected state proved to be a disastrous mistake. For now the magic called to nightmarish dark forces, intent on wiping out humankind.

Her only hope is the handsome and powerful Sidhe Warrior Quaede who comes to her aid. They are the only hope man has of surviving. But Silver does not know what she should fear more: the end of the world as she knows it, or losing her heart to a being unable to love.


Desmond’s Review

Elementum is a paranormal romantic fantasy novel about a young woman, Silver, who is something other than what she believes she is and Quaede, a warrior protecting a realm. Within this book, as in others of its type, these two follow an epic journey, procuring artifacts necessary to save, in this case, humanity. A pretty tall order for a linguist, such as Silver.

The characters, Ms. Meilleur creates are rich in their diversity and, as novels of this type are wont, possess flaws and magic. They’re fun to follow and the dialog, while stilted at times, moves the adventure forward and, from time to time, provide wanted humor.

Ms. Meilleur has created some interesting and inventive sex scenes, both between the protagonists and between Silver and two women. With the exception of the attraction between Silver and Quaede, this quest reads like a video game plays, capturing items to thwart devastation.

Elementum is a good read with Ms. Meilleur providing a rich world of characters, magic and adventure, providing the entertainment you need in a book of this type. This is an ambitious work and delivers on many levels.

Desmond’s Quote: “A fun adventurous epic journey, full of magic, fantasy and fun. The sex is inventive, the characters rich and the humor is well placed.”

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Irrepressible Force by Michele Zurlo

Irrepressible Force by Michele Zurlo

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Emmaline Force talks to ghosts. When a desperate plea for help comes from Maria Sanchez, Emmaline and her best friend, Matt, head halfway across the country to help. Upon arrival, Emmaline is immediately attracted to the skeptical and temperamental Blade, Maria’s brother. Fresh from a failed engagement, Emmaline wants a no-strings affair and nothing more. Blade has other ideas.

As things heat up between Emmaline and Blade, she finds herself the target of a jealous and malevolent spirit. Her rocky and volatile relationship with Blade shatters the same night Emmaline incites the ghost to violence.
Eighteen months later, Emmaline finds herself back at the ranch to visit Maria and Matt, who fell in love and married during their first visit. The wounds in Emmaline’s heart have healed and she has finally admitted to herself that she is in love with Blade. Can she repair their relationship and finally defeat the ghost who has claimed Blade for her own?


Desmond’s Review

Many writers create books in the erotic romance genre, but fail to deliver the full gamut of a story. Besides the erotic element, there has to be character arcs, a beginning, middle and end and vivid characters. Michele Zurlo’s Irrepressible Force is a textbook example of a book meeting all the beats.

Irrepressible Force takes us to a resort, inhabited by Rosalie, a recalcitrant and meddlesome ghost, Emmaline Force, friend to the owners, Maria and Matt (Matt used to be Emmaline’s partner in the ghost business) and Blade, a dark and troubled man and Emmaline’s love interest. Ms. Zurlo’s characters are complex, requiring us to stay engaged and look through their superficial attributes to the underlying layers. This complexity, including Rosalie, is the driving force of the book.

Called in to remove Rosalie, Emmaline has to confront not only this ghost, but also herself, as she deals with a recent abandonment in her life. She also faces off with Blade, with whom she has some history, but their ‘romance’ is a battle of wills.

This is the second book by Michele Zurlo with disturbing elements, which makes you an additional character as you confront your feelings regarding sex. Chapter two has an extremely well written sex scene that, besides the eroticism, really defines the characters of Emmaline and Blade. Also, for students of this genre, it can be a lesson on hitting all the nodes in writing erotic scenes: Tension, Foreplay, Explicitness and Afterglow.

Irrepressible Force is the type of book that commands your attention. You can’t skim the surface here and hope to understand the many layers at work, you need to remain engaged. There are plots and subplots at work, from the obvious Blade and Emmaline, to the Rosalie element, Matt and Maria’s relationship, and Matt and Emmaline’s relationship, now that they are no longer partners.

It is a balancing act to keep all these elements in motion and still move forward towards resolution. Ms. Zurlo, as she did in her book, Hanging On, creates a complex story, still easy to read, but nonetheless one compelling enough to keep you turning pages, as you follow each of the plots to their resolution.

Desmond’s Quote: “A rare find in the erotic romance genre, Irrepressible Force is a compelling story about core desires and confronting personal demons. Emmaline’s confrontation with Rosalie is not much different than confronting her demons within. A genuine ‘must read’ for those of us requiring more than a superficial story and one to keep your mind occupied, long after you put the book down.”

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Victoria's Secret Life by Laura Ashton

Victoria’s Secret Life by Laura Ashton

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Victoria’s life is crap, working in a grubby men’s club, prancing around naked in front of a bunch of howling, hard core roosters. Even worse, she is the plaything of a man she doesn’t even like. She wants out bad, but she’s stuck.

Seven years ago she made the mistake of her life, running away from Tawny Hills Ranch to find her mother when she turned sixteen. My how the mighty have fallen, from Texas Junior Miss to a men’s club nude dancer in seven debauched years. She misses her older brother Gabe, and her uncle Ted, but most of all, she misses her grandaunt Mum.



Desmond’s Review

Imagine a world where ménage is the norm and you have the basis for Laura Ashton’s Victoria’s Secret Life. Camilla, who raised her, rescue’s Victoria from a nude dancing establishment, where Vickie had gone to escape her ex-boyfriend, a mafia-type gangster. Joey B has found her and comes to see her about once per month. To get her out of the ‘business,’ and provide security, in the likely event Joey B comes looking for her, Camilla hires a security agency staffed by three ex Navy Seals.

Ms. Ashton paints delicious characters, not only Victoria and her seals, but also Camilla, Jasmine and a few others. Victoria, who has had a bad life, comes across originally as weak, someone putting up with her lot to get through the day. Her three seals give her the confidence to become stronger and manage her life better, especially as their girlfriend.

The sex scenes, as you may imagine, are over the top, starting with a lap dance and progressing into a couple of ménages with her three seals. The details here are unimportant, but the scenes are well written and convey the characters’ feelings.

Ms. Ashton’s Victoria’s Secret Life is a fun read and the exploits of the characters are nicely done and show the warmth they have for one another. The dialog is, at times, humorous and fits the cast.

Desmond’s Quote: “Victoria’s Secret Life is the type of book you can take to the beach and, at 131 pages, easily digest it in a couple of days. The sex is hot, and there are instances of anal play, which can be disconcerting for a few, but Ms. Ashton handled it well and it fits the characters’ world.”

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: The Chosen: A Tale of the Blood Breed by Jenika Snow

The Chosen: A Tale of the Blood Breed by Jenika Snow

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Aleksei is feared by all who cross paths with him. He is the great ruler of a race of immortal vampires known as the Blood Breed. Setting eyes on Lana for the first time sets off unquenchable desires that Aleksei has never experienced in his existence.

One night out leads to a destiny that will forever change Lana's life. It was an immediate attraction to Aleskei, feelings so strong they left her body on fire, so intense she didn’t know if it was real.

When an age old prophecy brings Lana and Aleksei together, nothing can stop the unbreakable bond that weaves itself into their lives, and when an unseen predator threatens to take away Lana, Aleksei will stop at nothing to destroy all who stand in his way from making Lana his.


Desmond’s Review

Jenika Snow’s The Chosen: A Tale of the Blood Breed is an ingenious story with many attractive characters, set in the, now ubiquitous, world of vampires. You don’t have to look very far to find a vampire romance novel these days, what with the Twight series, by Stephanie Meyers and the hundreds of other titles available, so standing out in this crowd is difficult. Ms. Snow’s able craftsmanship, story telling ability and developing a world where the non-human are the focus, bring pleasurable nuances to what could have been a me-too tome.

In her world, we have the Blood Breeds linking themselves with the Lykens to fight the Bloodless, while at the top of the pyramid is a love story between Aleksei Draukowski, a vampire prince and Lana Alexander, the virginal damsel in distress. Here, though, the fair damsel holds the future of the unworldly, depending on which side breeds her.

Ms. Snow’s characters leap off the page, their personalities so defined, you can see them. This one attribute of The Chosen, makes the novel and, when her characters do something or something is done to them, you are able to get the full impact. Aleksei and Lana are two of a cast of characters, all easily understood by the reader, due to their unique personalities.

The sex scene in Chapter six should be a model to erotic romance (even erotica) authors. Here, Ms. Snow builds the tension slowly and we feel it from both Aleksei's and Lana's point of view. That, when they met, both felt an immediate attraction, propels the following paragraphs to a conclusion where Ms. Snow holds us in her hands and leaves us wanting more… much more.

The Chosen is a well written story, melded with an historical shading that only serves to define this present-day world vividly. The quotes sound like people and not mechanical, each character speaking in his or her own manner. Ms. Snow’s delightful re-working of vampire mythos is unique and well worth reading.

Desmond’s quote: “The Chosen: A Tale of the Blood Breed is a wonderful way to fall into Ms. Snow’s world, where she takes us on a voyage from two star-crossed people meeting for the first time to their eventual prophecy fulfillment. I highly recommend this book and assure you, it’s well worth your time and money.”

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Hunters by Lindsey Bayer and Michelle Marquis

Hunters by Lindsey Bayer and Michelle Marquis

Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Kirillian Harmony Knox was one of the most successful bounty hunters in the galaxy—until a brain-eater named Prime became her only failure and escaped, landing her in jail. Now free, she'll stop at nothing to catch him and stop his murderous rampage.

Unfortunately for Harmony, fellow hunter Bart Tanner has the only available transport. Arrogant and ruthless, Tanner is known for killing most of his bounties. Harmony can't stand him—yet she can't deny the deep sexual desire sparking between them.

Once enslaved as a cage fighter by a cruel Kirillian, Tanner harbors a deep hatred for the alien race—though he's drawn to Harmony's luscious sensuality, and they soon indulge in erotic encounters.
When Prime puts out a hit on Harmony, things intensify, and Tanner realizes their lust has turned into something deeper—but if he and Harmony aren't careful, more than just their lives will be at stake...



Desmond’s Review

At its heart, Hunters is about two embittered people having no time or inclination for love, but internally battling their need for intimacy. This is what makes a good story, the character arcs, written by Ms. Marquis and Ms. Bayer, allow us to peek into both Harmony Knox and Bart Tanner and follow their journey.

Initially, these two people with a history of not being able to stand each other, are thrown together in a ship, forced to confront one another. As dissimilar metals mixed in a caldron, Harmony and Bart combative relationship serves to define these two strong characters and cause them to address their similarities and differences.

The main characters, as described above, carry most of the story, but there are secondary characters, who are the catalyst for the arcs of the two protagonists. Prime, an alien criminal and the source of Harmony’s obsession, is a intelligent cockroach like being and a brain eater. His skip from harmony’s clutches ruins her 100% record and this, above all, defines her reason to reject intimacy with Bart.

Harmony is a Kirillan and Bart despises Kirillians because he was once held captive and forced to cage fight for them. Hence, his tool for rejecting Harmony. Both of these spheres collide during the story.
Ms. Marquis and Ms. Bayer handle the sex scenes quite well, especially one where they are ‘performing’ to try and locate a skip they need to bring back. In all cases, whether feverish or sweet, you get the idea these two people like each other for more than the sex.

Hunters is a well written story about two people, who obviously need each other, but have yet to realize it. Their adventure carries them through their arcs until they both determine what’s really important--each other.

Desmond’s quote:  “Hunters is a well done space opera, a love story couched within an adventure. The characterizations are masterful, fully realizing both the virtues and flaws of Harmony Knox and Bart Tanner. I recommend this as a good, summertime read and a lot of fun.”

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Deep Penetration by Kaitlyn O'Connor

Deep Penetration (Alien Breeders, #2) by Kaitlyn O’Connor

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Genre: Futuristic Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

There’d been a time when her people had looked upon theirs as gods and they’d expected nothing less than complete adoration and subservience. What began as a determination to bend her to their will, however, became a desperation to protect the woman who’d enthralled them from the consequences of her refusal to behave in a manner acceptable as a slave of the Anunnaki.

The will to survive, Emerald discovered, wasn’t enough in itself to help her comply with the Anunnaki’s expectations of a slave/breeder, but she discovered they had methods of training that could buckle the strongest will and teach submission. In learning to submit to her new masters, though, Tariq and Koryn discovered that Emerald had taught them that it was a double edged sword that could enslave them just as completely.



Desmond’s Review

Any science fiction story has to create a believable premise to keep the reader engaged. Kaitlyn O’Connor has woven a masterful story with contemporary metaphors in Deep Penetration. Her heroine, Emerald wakes with little memory and meets the two protagonists: Tariq and Koryn. Immediately, she is taken and the men initiate training to make her sexually submissive, as are the women from Anunnaki, their world. In Ms. O’Connor’s story, the Anunnaki planted earth’s humans as a genetic control for their Anunnaki population. Therefore, Emerald is being conditioned to become a breeder to help restore the genetic balance on Anunnaki.

This intricate story is lush with symbolism, characters and, as I said previously, metaphors for our contemporary world. Not only does Ms. O’Connor tell a great story, she populates it with philosophy, a strong character arc (all three main characters), psychology and more. As we read, we see Toriq, from the military, his friend Koryn, from the sciences, as so well-rounded, they seem real. They fight and make up, feel threatened by the other, lean on each other and change, from hardened men to supportive husbands. The three aforementioned characters carry the story from beginning to end and do so masterfully. There are other characters, Anunnaki, androids and human, but non are fleshed out as well as these three.

I don’t want to give away the pertinent aspects of Ms. O’Connor’s sex scenes, but they are, at times, disturbing, as well as erotic. Some were difficult for me to read, but justified within the story. Emerald’s subjugation is a metaphor for the way women are treated in many contemporary countries and, also in abusive relationships (not necessarily the physical, but definitely the emotional).

I have a science fiction book collection and have read this genre for decades. Rarely does and author write such sexually explicit scenes in this genre, but this story couldn’t have been written without it. The methods used in Emerald’s conditioning affect all three characters, not just her and it changes these people for the better. Ms. O’Connor uses the characters dialog to discuss philosophical differences, using Toriq and Koryn to deliver the message. It’s not in-your-face, but delivered as real dialog between two intelligent people.
There are elements of the Stockholm Syndrome as well as Lysistrata and the themes play with each other, like jazz artists, weaving the story of three people, which is really the universal in the particular.

Desmond’s quote: “This is a must read, highly recommended book, but some parts may be difficult to digest. Hang in there, though, it’s well worth the ride. Kaitlyn O’Connor’s Deep Penetration is not only a keeper, it’s an important book and her themes are even more so. There are many women, in our contemporary world, subjugated, as Emerald was in the main part of the story, who should be as free as Emerald became at the end.”

5 Tea Cups!