Review: Forbidden Fantasies by Jodie Griffin

Title: Forbidden Fantasies
Author: Jodie Griffin
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: March 5, 2012
ISBN: 9781426893339
Received via NetGalley
Genre: Erotic Romance


The Blurb:

After fifteen years of marriage, Jessica Meyers's sex life is, well, a little predictable. Her handsome husband turns her on, but missionary style once or twice a week? It just can't compare to the hot new world she discovers in the pages of erotic romances. Her fantasies fuel the fire of her desire, adding a new spark to her and Alex's lovemaking. But Jess is afraid to tell her husband what shereally wants in bed-and her secrets start coming between them.

State trooper Alex Meyers is a master at uncovering the truth-except when it comes to his sweet, shy wife. She's clearly keeping something from him. An affair? She wants out? When he finally confronts Jess, he's shocked to learn she wants to turn her forbidden fantasies into nightly realities. But when he takes her to a unique B and B-Bondage and Breakfast-catering to couples and multiples, Alex is about to find out just how far he'll go.


My Take:


Jess has been living her sexual fantasies. In her head that is. She's afraid to tell her husband about the erotic books she's been reading and even more afraid to tell him that she wants to try some of the things in those books. It's a very believable fear, especially because the unknown often is scary. Alex believes the worst, thinking his wife is having an affair. She's been distant lately even after they're together and it bothers him. Until he finally confronts her and all is finally revealed.


This novella is hot, hot hot. It worked well for being so short and as such I didn't have a problem with the plot feeling too rushed etc. It was enjoyable to read and had parts that even had me blushing (and it takes a lot to make me blush.) Mostly, this type of story was right up my alley heat wise.


The one thing that I found I had a problem with was the dialogue. I had a hard time "listening" to the characters as thought the dialogue felt forced and stilted. Not believable. At least not to me. I find this to be a shame, as there is so much potential here to convey so much emotion and it fell flat in this area. I, unfortunately, found myself wanting to skim over the dialogue and get to the internalizations and "action" because it was all conveyed much better than the dialogue. I wish I could have connected to it more as I really enjoyed the story, but problems with dialogue are hard for me to overlook when reading and as such my rating reflects this problem.


My Rating: 3/5 Lattes







All My Best,


Kayla

Review: House of Saints by a.c. Mason

Title: House of Saints
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publication Date: February 24, 2012
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Historical Romance with multiple partners, interracial/multicultural and including m/m/f, f/f/m, m/f, and discipline
Received for Review from Author


The Blurb:

In 1890"s London, young Simone Baden is left with responsibility of her two brothers. Being a woman of color with very little experience, she cannot provide for them through honest means and is soon desperate. From the women at the boarding house, she hears of a brothel that caters to the unusual- supernaturals. WIth the ache of hunger growing in her brothers' bellies and the threat of eviction looming, she has no choice but to barter her body and freedom.

Eravas Lilu is an ancient spirit of desire who excels at what he does- teaching the arts of pleasure to women- but Simone is different. With a male and female helper, decadent instruction follows to mold his charge into Magdalene. Enthralled by her inner beauty, he finds himself at a crossroads.

Shall he let her new profession take her soul, or give up his own in exchange for hers...?

My Take:

I loved this. It's as simple as that. It's a very quick read and I couldn't put it down. Many people may have issues with the heroine simply for the reason of her choice of profession to save her family, however despite her profession she never ends up giving herself away for money and for me, this is why I didn't have a problem with the heroine. She was put into a predicament that many people can sympathize with and living in different times, she does what she has to to make sure her little brothers are cared for.

I love how right from the start Eravas is enthralled with her though he won't admit it to her, flat out telling her that he will undoubtedly grow tired of her after a while as he does with each of his new charges, but Simone refuses to believe him. She brings out a side of him that Eravas didn't know he had and shows her the ultimate pleasure that one can experience.

I love how Simone brings out the good in Eravas that he never thought he had and I loved the ending very much.

The only problem I really had was how easily she accepted her new calling in life, yes she was shy with different things at first, but I would have liked to see a little bit more of an inner struggle with her and her new occupation and with what she is now meant to experience.

I recommend this story to anyone looking for a quick and sexy as all hell read and look forward to more of a.c. Mason's works.

My Rating: 4/5 Lattes




All My Best,

Kayla