Review ~ Long Shots: Books 1-3 Buy Christine d'Abo

Long Shots: Books 1-3

By Christine d'Abo

4 out of 5 Stars

Welcome to Pulled Long café, where the coffee is hot, and the sex is hotter! Meet your hosts:

Sadie Long has been lusting after her friend Paul for years, and when she visits him at Mavericks, the sex club where he works, she's suddenly fantasizing about being with Paul and his sexy boss Josh—at the same time.

Paige Long can't help but be attracted to gorgeous firefighter Carter, especially once she learns he's a Dom. But can she trust in her own desires and submit to happiness?

Ian Long doesn't want to be the rebound guy for a brokenhearted man—even after a little exhibitionist play with Jeff satisfies desires he didn't even know he had...

ARC provided by Carina Press via Netgalley

What a hot collection of short stories!

Double Shot features Sadie Long.  She's the middle child of the Long siblings and the cook of their coffee shop/catering business.  She's known her friend Paul for 10 years, having first met him when he was dating her best friend.  Ten years is a long time to lust after someone always out of reach.  All that changes when he hires her to cater a special party over at the sex club Maverick's.  She agrees soon after hearing his proposal and meeting the owner of Maverick's, Josh.  With Paul's parting question asking her what her fantasies are, she gets busy getting everything ready and fantasizing about not only Paul, but Josh too.

This is a hot little M/F/M number that involves self discovery and not limiting ones inhibitions.  It was steamy yet had a great plot at the same time.  It had everything I like in an erotica short.  This one rates a B.

A Shot in the Dark features the eldest of the Long siblings Paige.  Jaded from a bad relationship years prior, she's been out of the game and losing herself more and more each day.  She's runs the business end of Long Pulled and feels the strain of long hours and no social life.  While working late one night, a group comes in that is clearly dressed for an evening of fun and excitement at Maverick's.  Towering over the other group is Carter.  Oh, he's smooth.  Seriously smooth.  He's a quiet and intimidating Dom but once he sees her hesitancy, he backs off.  

Soon they meet up and their story unravels.  I liked Paige.  She has had it rough and it's not easy for her to trust.  But she's willing to try in order to heal herself.  Carter is dominant, yes, but sweet and gentle.  The D/s sex scenes were well done and highly creative. ;)  Paige's ex returns on the scene taking this new relationship with Carter to a whole new level.  This one rates an A.

Pulled Long features the youngest sibling, Ian, the coffee connoisseur for Pulled Long.  Having come out of the closet as a teen. he's had nothing but trouble in relationships.  Enter "blue eyes" who has been coming in almost daily for coffee now for about 8 months or so.  They have a definite connection but have kept their flirting to just that, flirting for fun.  But all of that stops when Ian learns that Jeff was married.   It's hard for Ian to get passed that.  He's had his experiences before with men questioning their own sexuality and wants no part of it.  But at midnight one night, Ian sees Jeff across the street in the rain and lets him in.

Things move at a great pace from there.  Jeff and Ian are hot together.  They have great chemistry and a voyeuristic side that comes out when they visit Maverick's one night.  Soon we find it's not Jeff that has issues that he needs to get passed.  He wants to be out in the open.  He's not trying to hide anything anymore and really likes Ian.  It's Ian that has personal demons that he has to get passed.  This was a great story of self discovery and letting love prevail.

Overall:  This short story bundle is great!  As far as erotica goes, it covers many different areas of kink.  We have M/F/M, D/s, M/M, sex clubs, whips and paddles...  But also happy ending without being to sappy.  This was a great find!  Up next in the Long Shots series is Calling the Shots finally featuring more of the sexy owner of Maverick's, Josh and I can't wait to start reading it! 

Long Shots bundle available at Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble 

Review ~ The Angel by Tiffany Reisz

The Angel

(Original Sinners #2)

By Tiffany Reisz

5 out of 5 STARS

No safe word can protect the heart.  Infamous erotica author and accomplished dominatrix Nora Sutherlin is doing something utterly out of character: hiding. While her longtime lover, Søren—whose fetishes, if exposed, would be his ruin—is under scrutiny pending a major promotion, Nora's lying low and away from temptation in the lap of luxury.

Her host, the wealthy and uninhibited Griffin Fiske, is thrilled to have Nora stay at his country estate, especially once he meets her traveling companion. Young, inexperienced and angelically beautiful, Michael has become Nora's protégé, and this summer with Griffin is going to be his training, where the hazing never ends.

But while her flesh is willing, Nora's mind is wandering. To thoughts of Søren, her master, under investigation by a journalist with an ax to grind. And to another man from Nora's past, whose hold on her is less bruising, but whose secrets are no less painful. It's a summer that will prove the old adage: love hurts.

ARC provided by Harlequin

Release date: September 25th, 2012.

Yowsa.  This was a fanfreakingtastic follow up to The Siren.  The Angel definitely did not suffer from any sequel syndrome and for that I am very happy.

The Angel picks up about a year from where The Siren ended.  Nora has gone back to Søren and tried to move on from any lingering vanilla fantasies she may have. She's still writing with the help of her editor though that is secondary.  A journalist is snooping about so Nora takes a summer break to Griffin's house with an accompanied guest to keep the nosy questions at bay.

What a summer.  So much happens.  SO MUCH!  The characters continue to grow right before my very eyes making this quite an emotional ride.

Nora did not want to leave but is given a task, albeit a pleasurable one, while she is away.  But it's not that simple, no.  She's still mourns the loss of a friend and also worries about the privacy of her loved one.

Griffin is drawn to the new guest.  He's dominant and unapologetically open.  This trust fund baby has a different side then we first catch a glimpse of in The Siren.

Michael.  Beautiful, quiet, submissive Michael.  I was really pleased with the secondary character developments in this story.  Sure, I love to hear about Nora and Søren but the other story being told is just as beautiful and emotionally charged as the primary.

I really don't know what to say about this book.  I had feelings of doubt where the journalist was involved but it was great to find out so much more about the enigmatic man of the cloth, Søren.  As we learn some of his deep dark secrets,  we get a closer look at this compassionate, intelligent, yet dominant man and what makes him tick.

This was an amazing book and I can't wait for The Prince, due out this November, to see what happens next in the crazy life of Nora Sutherlin.

This book contains extremely erotic situations:  BDSM, M/M, M/F/M.  This one gets a "wet panty" alert from me. ;)

Favorite quotes:

"How are you, little one?" came Søren's voice over the line.
"Lonely for a certain six-foot-four blonde Scandinavian guy I know."
"Anyone I know?"
"Alexander Skasgard."

"Oh...  see.  Also, now I'm wondering if they make butt plugs with built-in thermometers.  You know, for when you might have a slight fever, and the urge for anal penetration."
"Your mind is both fascinating and repulsive," Zach said.

Pre-order The Angel at: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Review ~ Seven Day Loan by Tiffany Reisz

Seven Day Loan

(The Original Sinners #0.5)

By Tiffany Reisz

4 out of 5 STARS

A trained submissive, Eleanor will do whatever her master commands...even spend a week with a stranger. Daniel has been a recluse since his wife's death, and Eleanor's lover thinks spending time with her will be therapeutic--especially since Daniel is also a Dom.

Despite her defiant streak, Eleanor can't resist giving in to Daniel's erotic demands. But while she'll let him have her body, she's determined to keep a guard around her heart. Even if Daniel wants to make Eleanor his permanently....

ARC provided by Netgalley

Currently available on Amazon 

At just about 40 pages, this short story packs one hell of an erotic punch.  And fists are involved. ;)

We are introduced to a 23 year old  submissive Eleanor.  As a huge fan of the Original Sinners series, I was happy to read this to gain a new perspective of Nora.  

And boy did I.  Conflicted emotions are noticeable for the unconventional relationship she finds herself in.  Out on loan for the week, she gets a glimpse of what having a normal relationship could be like.  Having the freedom to make love whenever they want, do normal household things, etc...

This is quite an erotic little number but the plot was great too.  When it comes down to it, he who must not be named is wicked perceptive and helps out in a rather fucked up way.

I'm glad I read this, it makes me so happy when authors write shorts to fill in the blanks or even keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Review ~ The Siren by Tiffany Reisz

The Siren

(The Original Sinners #1)

By Tiffany Reisz

5 out of 5 STARS

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different—more serious, more personal—and she's sure it'll be her breakout book...if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora's fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: he wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards—in six weeks—or it's no deal.

Nora's grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous—staying away from him...or returning to his bed?

Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

ARC provided by Harlequin MIRA via Netgalley.
The Siren available now at: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Harlequin.com

What a beautifully written story!  This has sooo much going for it.  Nora is a captivating character with many layers.  She's strong, independent and doesn't hide her true self for anyone.  I love it.

Nora has found a new publisher to release her next book.  She has requested an editor that may be hard to work with, but in the end it will give her story that much more credence as an erotica writer.  Zach truly is an arrogant ass but knows his craft.

This book switches back and forth between Nora and Zach in a 3rd person POV.  Those may seem like the two most important characters but there are a few more who I find equally important.

Wesley lives with Nora and is a young college student.  I adore Wesley.  He's young, innocent, religious and saving himself for that special somebody.  I really loved the interaction between these two.  Nora: sex goddess and Wesley: virgin.  Nora can be pretty scandalous with Wesley but it's funny to see his reactions.  I really grew fond of his character and can't wait to see what this series has in store for him.

We also have Soren.  Hmmm... What can I say about Soren?  Not much without spoiling anything but wow.  I really need to know more about his character.  What little we find out about him has left me hot and bothered.  Feeling just a little bit naughty, I like him way too much to be considered healthy.  His very presence commands attention.

Overall this story has so many aspects to it that I found highly entertaining.  The plot is fantastic.  Great character developments.  HOT sex!  BDSM.  D/s relationships that are controlling but caring all the same.  Some things might not be for the faint of heart in regards to D/s relationships but it really is beautifully written and comes across as very authentic.  Again, I am very surprised with how much I LOVED this book.  Seriously.  Go read it.  It is now in my favorites and I highly recommend it.  The plot is a tangled web that has caught me unaware but left me completely riveted.


Favorite quotes:

"I've got a crisp new Benjamin for the first person who can give me a good synonym for thrust, noun form.  Go."  she said, her voice both honeyed and sardonic.
Although irritated by her cavalier attitude and her unfortunate attractiveness, Zach couldn't help but scroll though his substantial mental thesaurus.
"Push, lunge, shove, attack, force, jab," he rattled off the words.
"His slow, relentless jabs sent her reeling..." she said.  "Sounds like commentary on a boxing match.  Goddammit, why are there no good synonyms for thrust?  Bane of my existence.  Although..." She set her keyboard aside and turned to face him for the first time.  "I do love a man with a big vocabulary."

... She picked up the whiskey, poured it and downed him and the shot in one swallow.
She looked at him.
"I love a whiskey chaser."

Review ~ The Theory of Attraction

The Theory of Attraction

By Delphine Dryden

4 of 5 STARS

Camilla can set her watch by her hunky rocket-scientist neighbor who jogs past her window each day. She relishes each glimpse of his shirtless abs, and is dying to see more. But it’s hard to connect with a man who doesn’t seem to know she exists…

Ivan feels at home in the lab, not in social situations. When he finally approaches his attractive neighbor, it’s not for a date—he wants tutoring in how to behave at an important fundraiser. Ivan doesn’t expect the chemistry between them to be quite so explosive, and is surprised when Cami actually accepts his proposal to embark on a series of “lessons”.

Cami soon discovers Ivan’s schedule isn’t the only thing he likes to be strict about—he needs to be charge in the bedroom as well. She’s shocked at how much she comes to enjoy her submissive side, but wonders if a real relationship is in the equation…

This 47,000 word story has a publish date of July 9th through Carina Press.  I was lucky enough to get and ARC through Netgalley and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

For being a shorter story, we get just enough background information so we are not thrown into the middle of the plot.  The above synopsis gives a great preview of what to expect.  Camilla has her lesson plans figured out but somehow the Evil Genius is not what she expects, and soon we don't know whom is teaching whom a lesson.

"You're already pretending to be my date.  So focus on that part.  Are you going to be a boyfriend?  Or are you going to be some guy who is hoping to get... um, get me to go out a second time?" 

The Friday evening traffic occupied his attention for a few minutes before he finally answered.  "Were you going to say 'laid' and then changed your mind?" 

Crap, so much for subtle.  "Yep." 

"That one.  I'll be that one."

We watch while the introverted Professor learns social skills while seeing a completely different side of him in the bedroom.  He's dominant, demanding yet rewarding and surprisingly tender at times.  He's not so awkward and doesn't have such a rigid scholarly approach to situations.  Soon they are interacting more than just through lesson plans or in the bedroom.

Sense memories of you persist and do not seem to abate as the day progresses.  It's disconcerting, Camilla. I don't like it when my mind plays tricks on me.  I would much rather have you here in the flesh, to feel and taste and smell with my actual senses.  Instead my mind keeps conjuring this false perception of your presence.  I think it means I miss you.

While the plot is captivating, the intimate moments are scorching!  The D/s relationship is done well though I wonder if it progressed too fast.  Nah, it was hot to read. ;)

Evil.  Pure, unadulterated evil, this man was.  His voice and hands were clearly agents of some dark, seductive force that caused me to do things I would normally never have considered.  Because when he said all that, it sounded like the best idea in the world.  Really, I could hardly wait.  

This was a quick read and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a naughty but nice afternoon read.

Delicate petals
Flow open to receive me
Sweetest kiss of all