Awakening by Kitty Thomas

(isn't that a beautiful cover?)

http://www.kittythomas.com

I love Thomas's work, plain and simple. Thomas really writes such stunning novellas, and this one is no exception. Awakening is told from the first person point-of-view of a mermaid named Nerina. Nerina, an essentially curious mermaid, swims too close to the shore of the island on which the humans live and gets caught in their nets. After avoiding becoming supper, she instead becomes a pet as Master Kyros refuses to throw her back to the sea. Instead, he becomes intent on changing her from mermaid to human – which myth says can only be done if the mermaid experiences real desire for a human. Nerina doesn’t believe the myth, but Kyros does and she has to stay until he gives her up. Can she truly enjoy Kyros’s touch and become human or will Kyros kill her when he discovers she’ll never be able to give him what he desires?

Again, Thomas gets right inside the head of her characters, delving as much into the psychological as the physical part of desire. The psychological change, the change in Nerina’s attitude towards humans, desire, and Kyros, is really the most intriguing portion of the book (though Kyros is, of course, masterful in his ability to bring about physical desire in Nerina as well). The contrast between hardness and kindness, between forced and wanted, are blurred in this piece. Fans of Thomas’s more hard-core BDSM works won’t find this one as stimulating as far as BDSM elements go, though Thomas still writes a non-consensual sex and kidnapping piece. There is little other plot to this novella, which is good. Thomas focuses all her verbiage and power into Nerina’s transformation and what that means for her life – and the dynamics of her relationship with Kyros. I loved how Nerina still retained her mermaid mind throughout the story and her submersion into human culture.

I’d like to touch upon one more thing Thomas did fabulously – world building. The mythology, the mermaid culture, and Kyros’s castle were all built with incredible class and detail. I could see the hallways and rooms, understand the myths and their tellers, and got a pretty good handle on the fabulous mermaid culture that Thomas builds (far different than the Disney-princess version, I assure you). It was just one more phenomenally written part of Awakening that I really enjoyed. Well-researched, well-developed, and well-written, this is another Thomas must-have for any fan.

Favorite Quotes:

He swam toward me like a shark, his eyes filled with purpose. I was faster, so I kept eluding him. Finally he stopped swimming, realizing the futility of the chase. “Nerina, if you don’t come to me right now, I’ll order the pool drained. Then we’ll see who is the fastest.”

Salty. Primal. It was like the sea. Somewhere deep in my mind, I knew he could be my new ocean.

“Sexy”ness rating: Sexy

Overall Rating: A-

Bottom Line: If you like Thomas’s work, which includes unclear or completely non-consensual sex, kidnapping, etc (not for the faint of heart) you’ll love this new one from her. Awakening is another fantastic stunner, and I loved the mythical edge to this story.

Pages: 21,500 words

Published: August 25, 2011

Genre: Dark Erotica

Decadent Dreams by Ty Langston

Book 1 in a possible series about Foreign Affairs?

author's blog: http://shellmusings.blogspot.com

So this review is of an ARC provided, generously, by Langston for my review. This erotica, as most are, features a lot of sex. Just warning ya’ll, alright? With erotica there is a very delicate balance to be obtained. One can focus solely on the sex, which is fine. One can tone down on the sex and focus a bit more on the real life components, making it more like a really smutty romance. Unfortunately, I felt that Langston was trying to go for the real life components, and failed. Here’s a quick summary: Beth Mason and Yuri (no last name) met online at a multicultural dating site called ‘Foreign Affairs’. After e-chating and messaging for six months, Beth decides it’s time to take the next step – she invites Yuri (who lives in Belarus) to Stamford, NY for a visit. Yuri agrees, arrives, and the two enjoy a … ah… very good time. Right from the beginning. They continue to build their relationship, mostly through sex, until Yuri has to go home.

First – even in erotica (which is not to imply that erotica is less valuable or well written than romance - please do not flay me alive) - there are character standards to uphold. Langston’s characters are not at all who they say they are - which made what she was telling and what she was showing different. Thus the characters act inconsistently throughout the book. Take, for example, Beth Mason, our female protagonist. She claims to be always worried about her business, yet she doesn’t even check in or call once while she’s taking her vacation – even though she talks to friends and goes clubbing. My mother owns a small business, and even when we’re on vacation she checks in via phone every day and checks emails. Real people can’t let their businesses fall by the wayside for any reason, and that aspect of reality was missing from Beth’s personality. Also, Beth claims to be the cautious sort who doesn’t fall into bed with anyone upon first meeting them. While I understand that she’s known Yuri for months (over e-chats and stuff) the first meeting is still a first, and one of the first things they do is get him naked. Literally, they've said like 5 sentences to one another and then he's naked. It’s rushed, forced, and not consistent with what she claims is her character. I also wish we’d seen more of Yuri’s perspective. I lacked a true voice for him, even after finishing the book.

Second – Langston tries to infuse real world stuff into this erotica with discussions of jobs, marriage, a long-term relationship, etc. All of that reeks of a HEA which is more romance-y than erotica-y. That’s all well and good as well, as long as there is a relationship and discernible love under all the sex and lust - which there was not in this story. This left me concerned that this couple wasn’t going to make it (in life) after they, you know, finished 'making it'. Compatibility in bed does NOT equal compatibility in life. In most erotica, they don’t include plans for marriage for that reason – we don’t want to have to worry about the couple’s future compatibility and thus can focus solely on the sex and the here and now. Langston tries to write in a romantic HEA and future, and frankly that just didn’t work. She would’ve needed to write a lot more talking, compassion, and love into her story if that was going to work out. Other problems that should be mentioned include telling rather than showing and awkward phrasing which occasionally made me stumble as I was reading. The secondary characters were rather useless, I thought, as they didn't add much value and took away valuable time our protagonists could've been using to further their relationship. I didn't particularly like the external conflicts.

Now, who wants some positives? This erotica was refreshingly modern – a true contemporary. Langston uses terminology and technology that is totally ‘in’ right now. She talks about romance in life this very minute. Internet dating, the freedom of two mutual, consenting adults in a hotel room doing whatever they want… it was all very real and current which I found I really liked. I also liked that Yuri was unemployed (for the moment) and Beth is a competent businesswoman who owns her own bakery. That role reversal (and the idea that a woman can be the breadwinner in a relationship without the man getting all sulky and pouty) was also very modern. I liked that Beth got to pay for things and tip the room service. I thought it was a remarkable, subtle way for Langston to show women’s new and ever-growing independence in society and how men are becoming okay with that. Women and men in Langston’s erotica are closer to being equals than most any book I’ve read. Yuri isn’t a slacker, either, or a leech so I felt confident Beth wasn’t being taken advantage of. Finally, this book was a very fast-paced read, so it’s good if you’re on a short plane ride or need something to fill an hour or two.

Favorite quotes:

Beth loved his hardened cock against her thigh. She pulled away from him for a minute to marvel at what she only had seen glimpses of during their late night echats. It’s everything that she had thought it would be and more. (my note: This one just made me laugh. Hysterically. She sounds like she’s talking about a new toy. I suppose she is, in a way.)

“How about that ‘other’ thing you and I discussed?” Kelly wondered.

Beth scrunched her eyebrows, “Other thing? What other thing?”

“The bulge.” Kelly smirked. “Inquiring minds want to know.”

“Beth, the two of you email and chat all the time. If you had waited any longer, your vay jay jay would have started to grow cobwebs.” (Kelly)

“Sexy”ness rating: Hot – with kink included (anal)

Overall Rating: D

Bottom Line: This book is good, but not fantastic. I would recommend it if you’re looking for something fresh, unique, and current because it fits all three of those. Unfortunately, the poor writing and character development really ruined this book’s chances of getting more than a C, and other issues pushed this book down to a D.

Pages: 119

Published: July 26, 2011

Genre: Erotica

A shorter version of this review is posted on Siren's Song Reviews here:  Decadent Dreams by Ty Langston

Barbary Coast – The Love Genie by Pepper Goodrich

So I got the idea to read this erotica from my blogging buddies at Siren's Song Reviews but since I didn't receive the e-book from them for free for the purpose of reviewing this is a wholly-my-own-can-publish-it-when-I-want review. K'thanks.

  

http://whispershome.com/erotic/barbary-coast-the-love-genie/

If I make this review longer than two paragraphs it will be waaay too long compared to the story. This was a fuck book, otherwise known as erotica without any substance. That’s good – if it’s what you’re looking for. This book revolves around Meaghan who caught her ‘virgin’ boyfriend cheating and Chris, who just got dumped by his girlfriend because he doesn’t like commitment. The two of them, each with an ‘itch to scratch’ decide to book ahead and check in at the Love Genie’s hotel-motel because they want some hot sex.

Hot sex then ensues. Lots of it. With light bondage (wrists only) and red silk dresses. In a pirate-ship room. Orgasms AHOY! What an impressive PLANK you have there, Cap'n! That's a fine bit o' BOOTY! Anyone, anyone? What? Pirate jokes are dumb and out-dated? And those weren't even good ones? Damn. I'll stop. I just really like pirate jokes I guess... and there are oh so many of them...

Anyways, It’s an erotica that revolves around a place for two people to fufill their fantasies. For an erotica, it was good but not great. I’ve seen erotica where the characters had a tad more substance and there was a little more development of the plot – and the sex was a little better. This one got a C- for being slightly below average for erotica.

Quotes:

Unfortunately, there was no way to get it on with a stranger. You had to go through all the dating ritual, foreplay bullshit. All he wanted was a whole lot of bootie. Nothing lasting. Just a good lay.

(from the front) Will this relationship walk the plank or will they sail off into the sunset? 

“Sexy”ness rating: Its erotica. They have pirate sex. What do you think the sexyness rating is going to be???

Overall Rating (graded on an erotica scale – not comparable to full length romance novels in any way): C-

Bottom Line: It was amusing, really fast-paced, and a good erotica. Due to the length, there was no real plot-building, suspense, or character-depth. It was a fuck and run – but not a fun one. ;)

Pages: 51
Published: June 20, 2011
Genre: Erotica

The Heat is On by Elle Kennedy

Book 6 in the Out of Uniform Series

www.ellekennedy.com

KINKS: Threesomes (two guys and a gal), Anal

As usual (though I wouldn’t say always) with short, sexy novellas they could use those extra twenty pages. This book had all the sexy flavor it needed: sugar and spice and everything naughty galore. Unfortunately the romance between our hero, Matt O’Connor, and our heroine, Savannah Harte, was sorely lacking.

First, I was disappointed with Matt in this one. In novella five he was a real charmer with a delectable southern drawl. He was an unrepentant man whore. As such, I was really excited to see his story. Unfortunately, it seemed that Kennedy didn’t quite know what to do with Matt – he was too charming, too sexually indiscriminate, for her to handle. So instead she used a very saucy Savannah to disarm him and instead of having him rise to the challenge she supplied, he got to stutter his way through being stunned by her… I don’t know, by her beauty or something. I was sorely disappointed as he went from being suave and cool to an amateur.

Savannah had issues, but I liked the way she dealt with them. Her insecurities, hiding behind her blasé exterior, seemed very real and I was glad her character rang true. Some might call her easy, or sleazy, but I would call her refreshingly contemporary. Kennedy throws the stereotype of “a woman who gets laid a lot is a whore, a man who gets laid a lot is a hero” in our faces. Savannah can be hated or loved for her ‘easiness’, but I found her total sexual freedom electrifying. 

 Matt’s determination to hold on to her was cute and fun even if a little unrealistic for the aforementioned reasons. I was able to enjoy the story even if it was an average run-of-the-mill Samhain novella. I gave a less-than-average grade because I was so disappointed with Matt’s weak and nervous character and the lack of romance. I was really looking forward to this one and it was, in the end, a disappointment.

Favorite quotes: 

“Sounds like you think you’re attractive.” (Savannah to Matt)

“I don’t like games, Superman.” (Savannah)

“Neither do I.” He paused. “Except Scrabble. I’m pretty good at that one.” (Matt)

“So?” she cut in. “I get along with my dentist – that doesn’t mean we love each other.” (Savannah)

“Sexy”ness rating: Hot aplenty!

Overall Rating: C-

Bottom Line: As usual in the Out of Uniform series, it’s all about the sex and not nearly enough about the romance. This book wasn’t bad – it just was a little lacking in the ‘love’ arena.

Pages: around 100 to 110 pages (hard to tell on the Kindle)

Published: April 5, 2011

Genre: Contemporary

Anticipation by Patrice Michelle

http://www.patricemichelle.net/novels/anticipation.htm

I give Ms. Michelle the award for the most-overused title-cliché in the history of romantic writing. The word 'anticipation' appears so many times in the book, I couldn’t decide if I should laugh, cry, or gag. Also, what was with the goat noises partway through their first sexy scene? The beginning, sure; the end, why not? But right in the middle? I don’t know about you, but goats ruin my mood.

Onto the story itself. Jonas Mendez and Diedre Nelson have loved each other since she left town ten years ago. Diedre moved to the city and hasn’t returned once. However, she has now returned to Ventura to run the small Bed and Breakfast her parents own while they go on vacation. Acts of vandalism against her B+B force her and Sheriff Mendez together – which leads almost immediately to some oh-la-la-bang with a side of cookies (really, I’m serious!). Where the emotional stuff falls a little (a lot) weak in times, the lusty, sexy, unrequited passion mostly makes up for it. Just saying, the scene on the horse - well, there's really nothing to say. It was... mmmmm.... 

The plot falls by the wayside and is sorely underdeveloped, but it serves its purpose of reuniting the characters. It’s a little sad that we don’t get to see them grow to like each other at all, we just get to see them sex each other up. I think it had all the trappings to become a great story but it was lacking a lot of excitement and emotion and it felt a little dull and lackluster to me. Unfortunately, this was a story where it seemed the events reacted to and revolved around the characters, instead of the characters reacting to life's events. Its just that little tilt that makes this story seem a tad off-kilter.

Favorite quotes:

“Sheriff Mendez, I know you just got off, but we need you down at the station ASAP!” (Radio)

“Tell him you haven’t gotten off yet, but when you’re done, you’ll get right back to him.” (Deidre)

“I was sure the moment you said, ‘In another life’.” Jonas froze at her statement. After all these years, she remembered his last words to her. What did that say about her? It says she’s one helluva woman, you jackass, and if you keep her waiting any longer she may just tell you she’d rather wait for you in another life.

“Sexy”ness rating: Hot!

Overall Rating: C+

Bottom Line: If you like sexy cowboys taking their long-lost sweetheart for a ride, grab your saddle and YEE-HAW! Looking for emotion beyond delicious, sexy passion? Seek elsewhere.

Pages: around 100

Published: October 23, 2007

Genre: Western

Four Play by Shelli Stevens

http://www.shellistevens.com/my-books/four-play/

(In my mind it goes Brett, Cedric, Kyle from left to right. How about for you?)

Kinks included: Guy on Guy (anal and oral), Guy on Guy on Girl on Guy (anal, oral, and straight up, and yes I mean all at the same time)

This, my dear friends, is a fuck-book, plain and simple. Oh, sure, the author tries to include some emotional depth through insecurities and fears… but she fails. Epically. The characters are mostly flat, with little distinguishable differences between the guys (Kyle, Brett and Cedric) which is unfortunate. I really wish the author had spent some more time with her characters to familiarize herself with them because I felt as if they were could have been unique but couldn’t quite manage to work their differences onto the paper. It was sad, because I think each of the male characters, including the quasi-villain Alberts, had potential to be dynamic. But none of them quite made it to the finish line. Actually, I’m pretty sure they keeled over before they were halfway there.

It’s also weird that the ‘planet’ and ‘time’ are both completely undefined in all ways. I felt like I was plopped into the middle of someone’s life with no bearings as to when, where, or who. We heard no stories (other than those of an apparently sexual hunting experience between the boys, and naked swims as children) of Mikayla’s past friendship with the three men. Which is odd because she grew up with them so their shared past should be mentioned a few times (in a non-sexual). I felt rather lost and bumbling, like I was wandering around the pages with no direction – no clear beginning or purpose. And the entire emotional change (a pathetic, insecure one, I might add) in Mikayla takes place within a day – most women need a little more time than that. It was unrealistic.

“Is there even enough room on the bed?” I thought during one of the scenes. The descriptions made me feel like the encounter was crowded. Another thing was the impossibility of some of the positions described being at all comfortable. And the top two things that should be assured in every unconventional more-than-two-people romance are that there’s enough space for everyone (no one feels crowded in or out), and that everyone is comfortable. In this regard, Stevens failed miserably.

Um… least favorite thing? Kyle’s use of the pet name ‘kitten’. I mean, really? It’s just sounds weird and sketchy and utterly creepy. I really dislike the use of this name, for anyone, anytime. There are certain pet names that are okay – baby, sweetheart, honey. They can even be endearing. But kitten, cuddlekins, or sweetcheeks… those are all big on the NO NO NO list. Find something that doesn’t sound so stupid next time, Stevens.

Favorite Quote: (or in this case, least favorite)

 “It’s time.” - Yeah, time for the most cliché line of all time.

“Sexy”ness rating: If this is what you like: Hot. If you don’t go for Gay/Bi then this is a Turn OFF book for you – don’t read it.

Overall Rating:  F (as far as characters, plot, etc. No personal preference for the kind of kinkiness has been factored in)

Bottom Line: If you don’t like guy on guy, don’t read this book. It’s got some well-written m/m scenes, but for many of us that isn’t a turn on. If that IS your thing, by all means, snatch this book up.

Pages: about 85

Published: January 13, 2010

Genre: Futuristic/SciFi

The Boys Next Door by Sierra Dafoe

http://store.samhainpublishing.com/boys-next-door-p-6199.html?osCsid=3a8ddc57d8d84ba0e28dfaaba7798209

Kinks include: Sex with two brothers at the same time (no anal, but there is oral)

If you like double trouble, this book is it – you’ve got one familiar, comfortable, boyish younger brother (Tommy Ambinder) in competition with his dark, equally handsome, brooding older brother (Judah Ambinder) for their teenage sweetheart and childhood best friend Annie Parson. Dafoe combines Tommy’s sweet, fun loving with Judah’s darker lust for a ‘supreme blend’ of light and dark. Judah with Tommy is like coffee with creamer.

The characters are fleshed out well by trips down memory lane that give this novella more dynamic, real characters than most accomplish. Dafoe also manages to keep the jealousy between the brothers at believable levels – the brothers begin the book as opponents, fighting over her, and even when they decide to share some of the jealousy  still remains. This is, indeed, a positive thing because it’s consistent with the characters. There’s little I hate more than characters that change completely to fit the situation based on the outcome the author wants. For instance, a pyromaniac who suddenly is scared by fire just so she can be rescued by the oh-so-scrumptious firefighter (that does NOT happen in this book). Dafoe relieved me of my worries and kept her characters consistently human throughout the book.

The bad? Annie Parson waits twenty years to come back to town after she runs away at seventeen. Making her thirty-seven, Judah closing in on forty-one, and Tommy thirty-seven – a little too old for this kind of teenage-reminiscent romance. The time frame of this book really is ridiculous. Nobody comes back after twenty years just to ‘check things out’. It’s not realistic – she might’ve come back after five, maybe, or ten. But twenty… that’s more than half her lifetime. If you were too scared to go back for twenty entire years, doubtless it hasn’t changed now. Also, if you’ve been away from someone for twenty years, you don’t fall quite so easily back into the same routine – you aren’t the same people. You don’t look the same, or have the same habits. Again, maybe after five or even ten years, but not after twenty. It didn’t make sense and it nagged at me how easily Annie fell back into the boys’ arms – or they into hers.

Also, if you’re a fan of witty dialogue and humor, this book is not, I repeat NOT for you. This novella is intensely focused on the feelings reawakened within Annie, Tommy, and Judah, and there’s no time for humor with the passion they’re feeling. That was a bit of a let down. Finally… ‘mons’? The dreaded ‘m’ word? Why, Dafoe? Why must you torture me so?

Favorite Quote:

Oh jeepers.

“Sexy”ness rating: Hot

Overall Rating: C

Bottom Line: If you like brothers doubling up for a girl, the innocent romance of teenage years, or novellas with dynamic characters, here’s one little 90 page number for you!

Pages: Around 90

Published: October 24, 2010

Genre: Western