Saturday, March 18, 2006

The Devil's Concubine

By Jaide Fox
New Concept Publishing
ISBN: 1586088203
Erotica, fantasy, romance
$5.50 (eBook)
$11.99 (Print)

(**+)
2 1/2 stars

The cover of this book is what drew me to purchase it. Since I am a fan of IR (interracial/multicultural) stories, I immediately picked this one up for my reading pleasure. Well, for the most part, it was pleasurable, but it lacked the fire needed to send me blazing.

The story takes place in an ancient time of fantasy. Talin is a man-beast who is enraptured by the tales of a splendidly stunning princess, whom he is drawn to by shear curiosity. When he meets Aliya, Talin is immediately enthralled by her beauty. He must have her, so he does what a true Alpha male always does, takes what he wants without asking permission. YUM! Unfortunately, this is where the story loses its spunk. I expected a great deal of sexual tension and heat from these two people during their interactions, but the problem lies in the fact that there isn’t much interaction to truly tell THEIR story.

Several times throughout the story, Aliya and Talin have heated discussions that are raw and downright HOT, but then it ends without a payoff. For me, the story lacked a true story between the two main characters. Talin is a complicated man-beast who wants human woman that fears him. Aliya was raised as a good girl, but finds herself tempted by the devil himself. There were many opportunities to see these two build something real and hot and saucy; however, I was left with interaction that lead nowhere until later in the story…much later. Of course, there is tons of dialogue and story when the two main characters are apart. Who cares about that??

I think too much time was spent telling their separate stories instead of them as a union. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy it, but the sex left me dry instead of wet. I’m a freak, I know that. So when I read erotica, I like to not only read about their thoughts as their bodies come together but I want to hear them express their innermost desires out loud to one another, not just a description.

Aliya and Talin had instant chemistry but the writer didn’t delve into it enough to make them believable. There is a moment in the story near the end where they are flirty and playful with one another and it was fantastic to see them communicating in such a way, but once again, it was too little to late.

In all, The Devil’s Concubine is a nice read; just don’t expect a lot of passion, intrigue and damn good sex.

The Fifth Favor

By Shelby Reed
Ellora's Cave Romantica Publishing
ISBN: 1419951130
Erotica, contemporary
$16.99

(****)
4 stars

This is 365 pages of compelling drama and some of the hottest, most alluring, “make you quiver and shake” steamy, raw sex I’ve read in a while. WOW, it blew me away.

Adrian is a well toned, incredibly handsome, refined prostitute who lives in the cold and calculated world of pleasure for money. He works at Avalon, the most prestigious, high-class whorehouse in all of Washington, DC. He is paid big money to give unadulterated pleasure to women from all over the world who can afford to pay his fee. These women are CEO’s, royalty, politicians, and wives of the most influential men in the world, who seek out what only Adrian and his friends can offer.

One day a reporter named Billie Cort comes to visit Avalon, so she can see first hand what really goes on behind the walls of the closely held secret getaway. She encounters Adrian, who is more than willing to provide her with details about his work. Soon, both of their lives begin to unravel as their attraction takes them beyond anything they had ever imagined.

There is great drama and emotion parlayed throughout the story. Adrian is torn between a life he has kept secret from everyone around him, and the woman that threatens to make him FEEL. Billie, who has been hurt badly by love, fights her undeniable attraction to a man who gets paid to have sex. Their lives are so opposite, yet they can’t stop wanting and needing one another.

I read this book on my subway rides to and from work every morning and I swear, I wanted to really KNOW these people. This book is a MUST READ for anyone who loves a hot and sexy story, with real people and real emotions.

Wolf Tales

By Kate Douglas
Kensington Publishing Corporation
ISBN: 0758213867
Erotica, werewolves, interracial, m/m
$12.95

(****)
4 stars

I read this book a few months back and it still makes me smile with glee when thinking about it. I had never read any other Kate Douglas book before, so this was my first time out and I must say...Kate does not disappoint.

This book is a compilation of four separate stories (about each main character) that were released prior to them being combined in Wolf Tales. However, I don't believe they were ever sold in print, so combining the stories in this magnificent book was a damn good move.

The journey begins with Xandi a human, and Stefan a wolf. Without giving away much of the story, these two meet during a treacherous snowstorm and immediately feel the connection between them. As the story progresses, we learn of Stefan's internal struggle between the man and beast within him, and of his relationship with his closest friend and mentor Anton. It’s thoughts of Anton that wreak havoc on Stefan’s emotional well-being.

There is such great storytelling in this book; I could not put it down for a second. The romance between two unlikely people coming together while dealing with their own personal dilemmas is lovely, but then there is m/m action that is raw and freaking hot, along with Anton and Keisha's hot saucy attraction, oh my....it doesn't get any hotter than that.

I recommend this book to anyone who truly appreciates the intensity of erotica and loves to read about wolves and their lineage. This is a great read so run out and get it QUICK!

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Naked Pictures of Famous People

By Jon Stewart
Harper Paperbacks
ISBN: 0688171621
Comedy
$10.78
*
(1 star)

So, I've been sitting around trying to figure out which book that I loved that I should review and just couldn't make up my mind. Then it finally hit me........I should do one on a book I couldn't stand(much shorter list there). Here we go.................

I went into this book thinking I'd love it, I mean I love The Daily Show and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction also so how could I not like this one. Very easily it appears. Cause not only didn't I love it, or even like it, I had to force myself to finish reading it. And I only finished it because I just kept thinking it had to get better, somewhere, along the line, please dear god, let it get better. It didn't. I did give it one star because there are a few funny lines here and there through out the book. FEW. Very few. And, hey, Jon does look cute on the cover.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy & Childbirth


by Jenny McCarthy
Perseus Books Group
ISBN: 0738210072
pregnancy, childbirth, parenting
$9.97

*****
(5 Stars)

I never thought I would like this book, in fact, I don't even really care for Jenny McCarthy, but the book was filled with a somewhat realistic view of the changes your body goes through.. all those little things you wonder about pregnancy but are far too polite to ask your friends, such as pooping on the table... yes, that is actually discussed in this book. It was a rather charming book, and it wasn't negative by any means, she tells how beautiful - but rough, pregnancy can be.. I really loved reading this book and I was really disappointed to see it end. This book isn't boring or drab like many other of the pregnancy books I have found, its a realistic view told to you by what seems like one friend talking to another. I would have read this book in a couple of hours, but I kept putting it down because I hated to see it end. She tells her story of how her pregnancy went, how she felt during it, the changes her body made, and her fears.. it is really refreshing to see someone explain their thoughts on pregnancy and reassure millions of other women, that they are going through the same things and it is normal. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or even those who have already had a child. If you don't care for Jenny McCarthy, you just might find this book enjoyable.. click the price to read some of the book at amazon before you buy, and if you find you don't like her sense of humor, she does appologize for that also. I was very impressed.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Emily: A Victorian Novel

by James Jennings (Anonymous)
Grove Pr Publishing
ISBN: 0394620690
erotica-fiction
$1.49 - $20.00 US

**+
(2 1/2 Stars)

The book starts off with an English proper family in the Victorian era.. a young girl (Emily) is set to have an arranged marriage to a young man she isn't in love with... The book begins to go down hill from there... This book has a lot of Victorian reference and there is actually a story under all the erotica, there is only one thing about this book that really bothers me.. the scenes are extremely graphic which definitely get the blood pumping, there is even fetish references (spanking, bondage) but because the scenes are so graphic... I was extremely unprepared for a few father/daughter scenes this book held. I give the book 2 1/2 stars for the fact that the scenes are well written, sexy, and definitely explicit.. but this book seems more like cheap lit porn than an erotica novel. If you can stomach the incest, then this book might be worth while.. but I would have rated the book higher without it. Incest is not my bag of tricks.

What's on your reading list for this weekend?

I just found out that DH works both sat & Sun. from 8-7, which means more reading time for me.

So here's what I have planned to read this weekend, Caity willing.. :)

Behind the Enchanted Door Arianna Hart
Talking With the Dead Shiloh Walker
Rescue Me Jaci Burton
And finishing Wolf Tales by Kate Douglas ( The one DH bought me!)


After that, who knows.

What are you reading?

Thursday, March 09, 2006

eBook Hooker

Yes ladies, I'm finally here. I take great pride in opening the eyes of many HOish friends of mine and showing the light that is ebooks and erotica.

I've become a total hooker for erotica. My library of course isn't as insanely huge as Kris and Jen's, but it continues to grow. My preference is interracial stories, especially werewolf ones.

I'm happy to be here on the HO team, so I may continue to twist and bend the minds of all those that cross my path.

ROCK on my sisters!

P.S. I just purchased "The Devils's Concubine" among a bunch from Eve Vaughn, Marilyn Lee, Lea Rashard, Shiree McCarver and the list goes on and on. I'm giving online dating a rest and heading back to my books.

Atlantis: Insights From A Lost Civilization

by Shirley Andrews
Llewellyn Publishing
ISBN: 156718023X
atlantis/parapsychology/ufos
$12.95 US
* * *
(3 Stars)

When I first saw this book, I was so excited because I have never read any books on Atlantis.. I found the book really interesting but there are quite a few chapters that bore me to tears. I read this book while my husband was on vacation in Russia and quite honestly, its a book I will probably never read again (or wouldn't have under different circumstances). Andrews gives excellent references as far back as Plato, she has drawn maps, time lines, and even given you the point where she believes Atlantis once stood. She gives examples of music, dress, government, and life style that the people of Atlantis (through 3 periods of destruction).. Also giving information about those whom fled Atlantis.. it was an interesting read but since no one can prove or disprove Atlantis actually existed, there are little facts that this book can hold. She gives great visualizations and you can almost picture yourself there.. if your looking for something scientific to prove or disprove Atlantis actually existed, this book isn't for you, but if your looking for some interesting reading with little facts but good reading experiences.. this book can easily be worth your time. I'd recommend checking it out at the library or your local bookstore before purchasing. I found the reviews of this book to be quite high and I was a little disappointed.

Is there a 12 step program?

Cause I seriously don't need one. I am fine. FINE. F.I.N.E!!!!!!!

I can live without my books, it's just that no one would want to live with me. LOL

I mostly read paranormal, mystery, action/adventure romance erotica books. Almost all of what I read is in ebook format.

So, I finally got in!

I read dozens of books... Everything from metaphysical to non-fiction... But Kris has me hopelessly addicted to ebooks now... wait? did this post work? lol

Yay!

A place to discuss all our reads!

Nina is more of a mixture of books! Ebook and Print and several varieties.

Jen and I have the ebook and some print books covered. :)

And hopefully we can get Nay in here too.