The impulse came like a flash of lightening-hot and searing-all the way to the bone. An idea born of a need she hadn't felt in a long, long time . . . and inspired by one red-hot handyman in butt hugging jeans and a t-shirt.

When Shari discovers that her fiancé has been cheating on her, she lets the wedding go on according to plan. Except while everyone else is at the church, Shari is heading to the airport to fly off on her honeymoon with her best friend, Jon.
Jon is only too happy to help Shari escape what he knew would have been an awful marriage. Plus he’s thrilled by the prospect of time alone with her in a tropical paradise. He’s always loved her, and desired her as a lot more than a friend.

tangled past

“Care to dance, my lady?”

The murmured words tickled the skin on her nape, sending chills down her spine.

Nadia Aiden
ISBN #: 978-1-419-93158-1
Publisher Name: Ellora’s Cave – Taboo Line
Date Released: February 2011
Genre: Erotic Romance/BDSM
Book Format: eBook
Web Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9095-play-by-play.aspx

BACK COVER BLURB:

Katherine Higgins is the no-nonsense owner of trendy Las Vegas casino Taboo, and she has a secret. Every night her fantasies are filled with visions of her bodyguard dominating her. Seth Kyoto is Katherine’s no-nonsense bodyguard, and he too has a secret—every night his fantasies are filled with visions of his boss submitting to him.

From the moment Katherine hired Seth, their strong personalities clashed. Underneath their mutual animosity is a simmering attraction neither wants to acknowledge, but they can no longer ignore. And when someone threatens Katherine’s life, Seth is forced to stay close to her, closer than either is comfortable with. While they’re stuck together, two secrets will be revealed and every one of their fantasies fulfilled.

But they each hold one last secret that, if it comes to light, could ultimately tear them apart.

COVER SNARK:

I normally hate Ellora’s Cave covers. I love this one. I think it is because I am so excited to see a sexy non-white on the cover an erotic romance novel, although the heroine from the book description is supposed to be bi-racial (half black). It could just be me, but for this cover, I got a middle eastern, Asian feel.

FIRST LINES:

Katherine took her private elevator down three floors to Joshua’s office, where the hotel security department was located. She figured Seth would be on the ground level talking to the security personnel before he headed home for the day.

However, no matter how much I enjoyed PLAY BY PLAY, it was too simple for me. I wished for more character development and for more angst in their boss/subordinate relationship both in the workplace and in the bedroom (Katherine owns a casino and Seth is her head of security. So she’s the boss at work and he’s the boss in the bedroom). While I enjoyed that Katherine wasn’t the doormat that you usually see in submissive relationships, my happiness was curtailed by wishing for more emotional context in exploring Katherine entering into a submissive relationship with a man who works for her. The emotional turmoil of that was not touched on and it disappointed me.

I also wished for more heat in the bedroom. I’ve read several BDSM novels and I have to say that this is BDSM light. If you’re interested in reading a BDSM novel but was too scared, PLAY BY PLAY would be the perfect novel to get your feet wet. Actually, I find it kind a hard labeling this a BDSM novel except for the hero claiming that he’s a Dom.

Plot wise, I loved that Katherine owned a casino and that she was a take charge type of woman. However, I expected a little more with the stalker plot line. It’s one of my pet peeves when the heroine does something stupid (e.g., running off by themselves when they know someone is stalking them) just for the author to advance the plot. I didn’t see a strong, intelligent woman like Katherine being so stupid. I was also disappointed at how that plot line was resolved. I expected a little more depth.

Overall, PLAY BY PLAY was a light breezy read. If you want something quick and light this would be it.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Received copy from Publisher for review.

RATING:



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Olivia Cunning
Publisher Name: Sourcebooks/Casablanca
Date Released: April 2011
Genre: Erotica Contemporary Romance
Price: $14.99 U.S. Retail
Book Format: Print
Pages: 448

BACK COVER BLURB:

An ultimatum can break your heart . . .

Every night lead singer Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy of desire with his voice alone. But no other man can touch Jessica the way he did . . .

If you’re not willing to break all the rules . . .

It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement with Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed . . .

Then a chance meeting and torturously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure . . .

COVER SNARK:

The cover is sexy. Though it's not the cover on the copy I have. I liked that cover better. Love that it has a couple on it instead of used the classic man titty cover.

FIRST LINES:

Jessica was the happiest woman on the planet. Life could not have been more perfect. She snuck up behind Sed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his ear. “Hey, baby, guess what?”

LYNETTE'S TWO CENTS:

I first became interested in Ms. Cunning from the buzz on Twitter. I finally caved in and purchased her first release with my hard earned money. If you happen to be a follower of my blog, you know that this is something that I try to avoid as much as possible. I was surprised with how much I liked the first release, especially considering that Backstage Pass didn’t have the hero/heroine character development I typically require in my erotic romance. Even so, I quickly became hooked on the premise. An intimate look inside the going on of a famous rock band, I was captivated and eagerly looking forward to the next release.

I managed to beg, borrow, and steal and got my hands on a copy of ROCK HARD and eagerly began reading. And I didn’t like it. Well to clarify, I couldn’t get into the first two-thirds of ROCK HARD but I loved the ending. I’ll try to explain my feelings in an articulate manner, but forgive me if I fail miserably.

I had a hard time connecting with Jessica and Sed as a couple. Imagine reading a romance about two immature people. It wasn't fun. I didn't like them as a couple or individually. Even with all the smexing going on, I just didn’t care. Sed went back and forth between being a controlling jerk and a doormat. A weird combinition I know. To explain, he wanted to control Jessica's entire life (which is why she left him to begin with). Then once they are back together, he knows Jessica is using him, but he just lets himself be used. Then when he tries to fix situations (when things blow up for them) though no fault of his own, he takes Jessica's crap. Did I confuse you? I know, try reading ROCK HARD and you'll know what I mean.

I can't explain Sed without explaining some of the plot, but this isn't spoilers. Jessica wanted to go to law school. Sed refused to let her. He tells her if she goes to law school, he's leaving her. So Jessica leaves him. Sed finds her two years later working at a strip club (her scholarship has run out and she's dancing to earn money for her tuition). He throws a hissy fit, causes a fight, and she gets fired. They get thrown together and Sed is determined to win her back, but not once does he acknowledge that he was wrong for not backing her dreams when she backed his. Not once. Let me say that again. Not once does he apologize for not respecting her and her dreams.



Maybe he couldn't respect her, because Jessica didn't inspire respect? At least not for me. I just didn’t connect with her. I didn’t understand her motivation. She was determined to make it on her own, without Sed. But the moment she sees Sed she falls into his arms and has sex with him (while he's wearing a condom another woman put on him). She's so busy spouting out that she's a strong, independent woman who doesn't need him, yet she's letting herself be used as a sex toy.

I’m confusing you again aren’t I? I know I am. After Sed gave Jessica an ultimatum and she left, Sed told the band a lie about why Jessica walked away and as a result Brian (the hero from the first book) can’t stand her. Not once does Jessica put on her big girl panties and cuss him and Sed out and stand up for herself. She feels guilty for leaving. I'll say that again. She feels guilty for leaving Sed when Sed didn't support her dreams, while she was traveling around supporting his. Of course, this gave me several are you freaking kidding me moments. I was very, very, very angry while reading a good majority of the book.

Normally, this is the point of the book where I put the book down and read something else. However, I kept reading. The reason I kept reading was because of the strong secondary charecters (i.e., the other band members). I was invested in their stories. And their stories and side plots were compelling and I can't wait to read their books. However, I don't think I'd be compelled enough to spend my money on their books when they are released. I'm scared that the main story thread (the romance between the hero and heroine) will take a back burner like it did in ROCK HARD. As you might be aware, I get annoyed when I care more about the side characters of a novel than I do about the hero and heroine.

I've spent a lot of time complaining about ROCK HARD and I apologize. Once, Jessica finally stood up for herself and Sed grew some balls and some humanity (after over two hundred pages)  I found myself really enjoying the rest of ROCK HARD. In the end Jessica and Sed really redeemed themselves. Their motivations and conflict became clearer and I was able to relax and enjoy the story.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Borrowed from one of my Twitter buddies.

RATING:

Olivia Cunning
ISBN #: 978-1402244421
Publisher Name: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date Released: October 2010
Page Count: 384
Price: $4.76 (Kindle Price)
Genre: Erotica/Contemporary; Erotica/Ménage
Book Format: Print

BACK COVER BLURB:


When Brian Sinclair, lead songwriter and guitarist of the hottest metal band on the scene, loses his creative spark, it will take nights of downright sinful passion to release his pent-up genius . . .


When sexy psychologist Myrna Evans goes on tour with the Sinners, every boy in the band tries to seduce her. But Brian is the only one she wants to get her hands on . . .

Then the two lovers' wildly shocking behavior sparks the whole band to new heights of glory . . . and sin . . .

COVER SNARK:
Kinda boring. The book is way better than the cover. Wish it was more imaginative.


FIRST LINES:

A stack of handouts tumbled from Myrna's laptop case to the floral-patterned carpet. Un-freakin'- believable. She'd forgotten to zip the compartment in her haste to flee the seminar room.

FAVORITE LINES:

Brian held up the three centermost fingers of his right hand. "Read between the lines, asshole."

(SIDENOTE: I AM SO GOING TO USE THAT ONE)

He grinned. "It's more of a personal challenge. Do you have any interest in getting to know me at all? Personally, I mean."

"Can't I just Google you? Isn't your entire life somewhere online?"

He scowled. "Probably."

BACKSTAGE PASS pulled me in right away. And that surprised me. Confession time: I've been kinda lukewarm to Sourcebooks novels that weren't Pride and Prejudice adaptations or reprints of other romances. I totally have to eat crow for having that belief, because BACKSTAGE PASS sucked me in from the first page.

Heroine:
Myrna was an interesting character. A PhD who teaches Human Sexuality, she is at a conference when she spies the Sinners, her favorite rock band in the hotel lobby. They stand out from the staid college professors at the conference (even herself). Since she speaks about music and sensuality in her courses and uses the band's music as teaching points, she is intrigued to meet the band in person. And later she decides to go on the road with them to do a study on the psychology of the Groupies who follow the band around.

I liked and didn't like Myrna. I understood she wanted the chance to explore something different and have a one-night stand with Brian. I totally got that given her job and her interest in the band. I understood why all she wanted was a one-night stand. What I didn't get was how she felt no qualms about allowing herself to be used as an object that first morning (for those who read the book, I am not discussing how Brian wrote out the music for the song but another matters that occurred in the band's hotel room). I lost respect for her, for not respecting herself and not demanding that Brian respect her as well.

However once Myrna began her "relationship" with Brian I began to like her more although I did wish that more emphasis was put on their developing feelings for each other beyond having sex 24/7, no matter how hot the sex was. And it was hot. Very, very hot.

Hero:
Brian was an interesting character. I'm not one of those who follow celebrities and their lives, but he seemed realistic, while not being your typical rocker hero. Ms. Cunning did a great job rounding out his character, more so him than Myrna in my humble opinion. Brian is the son of a famous guitarist, who was able to make the very rare transition to fame in his own right. He's your typical tattooed, pierced, crazy-haired rocker, yet he's a musical genius and he has a sensitive, romantic side that his fellow band members tend to mock.

Brain has spent months in a creative drought that increases once he discovered his girlfriend smexing one of the other band members. That didn't cause animosity, which I though showed the strength of the band members' relationship, especially as the other member did it in an attempt to show Brian that his girlfriend didn't give a damn about him. Anyhoo, he's in the lobby plastered when he encounters Myrna. Everyone is hitting on her, but he is humbled when it appears that he is the only one that has captured Myrna's interest. So he goes back to her room and the next morning they have sex and smexing with Myrna is not only amazing but magical as he hears music inside his head when he has his pee-pee in her vajayjay.

BTW. Yes, I know that sounds totally corny, but it works for the book and I totally bought into that. However, I didn't buy into him dragging her around half-clothed so that he can try to play the music he composed. I mean really. I know this is the technology age, but pen and paper hasn't become extinct. And she's a professor; I know she had some lying around to transfer it before taking her anywhere. Really.

While I enjoyed Brian much better than Myrna, I still had some issues. He was so wishy-washy. He's all, He-Man. Myrna is mine, do not look at her, do not touch her, or I will destroy you; yet, he puts her in situations where she has to deal with his other band mates on that level. Despite my like of Brian, his immaturity (for lack of a better word) annoyed the crap out of me.

Secondary Characters:

I will say that Ms. Cunning did an awesome job on the rest of the band. She made them distinct individuals who I felt I could pick out who was who blindfolded; even though they were complete individuals in their own right I never felt that they overshadowed Myrna and Brian and their relationship, which you know is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Overall:
I'm really glad that the publisher decided to lower the price on this. And I hope that when Sed's book comes out that it's set at a reasonable price as well, because I'm intrigued to hear his story. This was a solid read that I highly recommend.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Brought with my own money.


RATING:

Jane Austen and Michelle Pillow
ISBN #: 9781440506604
Publisher Name: Adams Media
Date Released: January 14th, 2011
Page Count: 480
Genre: Erotic, Historical Romance
Book Format: Print

BACK COVER BLURB:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife . . . in bed. Unfortunately, we've never been able to see Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam in flagrante delicto—until now.

In this deliciously naughty updating of the beloved classic, you can peek behind the closed doors of Pemberley's sexiest master bedroom—and revel in the sexual delights of your favorite couple.

From first kiss to orgasmic finish, this book is every Austen fan's dream come true—the story you love, with the heat turned up to high. It will come as no surprise that the dashing Mr. Darcy is as passionate and intense with his knickers off as he is with them on. And admit it, we've all wanted to see him sans knickers!


COVER SNARK:

I actually like the cover. That and the premise is what enticed me to actually buy this book.


FIRST LINES:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

As you can see I am very passionate about this subject.

Anyhoo. When Robin was on Twitter posting her books covers, she posted this one. I immediately saved her tweet and when this book was released I downloaded it to the Kindle and started reading.

I should have paid more attention to the Amazon reviews first. Really, I should have. I could not finish this book no matter how anxious I was to read it. I simply could not.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: THE WILD AND WANTON EDITION basically takes Jane Austen's version and adds a paragraph of two of some heated thoughts and behaviors. However, those heated thoughts and behaviors (which is mostly of Darcy jacking off and Lydia humping anything that moves) does not fit in with Jane Austen's style and instead of being a pleasure are a big distraction that pulled me out of the story.

As you know, I am not a prude in my reading and my favorite Pride and Prejudice adaptations includes smexing, but I just could not get into this novel. I just could not. It did flow right, it seemed out of place, it just didn't do a thing for me.

I just didn't like it. I've been trying to finish reading this since I bought in January 14th and finally decided to stop. I made it up to where Mr. Collins arrives.

WHERE PURCHASED:

I actually bought this book with my own money on the day it was released. SIGH! However, if this intrigues you, Amazon has just offered it as a free read. You can look on Amazon and get this title for free until they take it down.

RATING:

Charlotte Stein
ISBN #: 9781419931437
Publisher Name: Ellora's Cave Publishing/Morderne/Quickie
Date Released: December 2010
Genre: Erotica/Bdsm; Erotica/Contemporary
Book Format: eBook

BACK COVER BLURB:
Clarissa Levinson’s boyfriend has asked for a very unusual birthday present this year. He wants her to fulfill three wishes, and all of them require Clarissa to push her own personal boundaries and become the boss not just at work, but in the bedroom as well.

His kinky demands initially make her nervous, but the more she gives him what he wants, the weaker her inhibitions become. In fact, she’s starting to really like being the one in charge. Who knew domination could be so much fun?

COVER SNARK:
Boring man titty that has nothing to do with the story.

FIRST LINES:

Of course, Clarissa Levinson knew what her boyfriend had put in the envelope. And it wasn't exactly a gift card, or a fistful of notes, or a silly picture of them together. Oh no. Technically speaking, it wasn't even a gift for her.

LYNETTE'S TWO CENTS:

I read several BDSM novels, but I've only read two other novels where the man was the submissive, well really one because the other was a GLBT novel. While I thought they were sexy reads, I didn't get either of them. I got this one. Despite the short space, Ms. Stein did an excellent job of illustrating Oliver's need for submission and Clarissa's reluctance and then ultimate attraction to giving into Oliver's needs. I don't really have much to say on this quickie. I liked it. The smexing was hot, and in addition to the smexing I was impressed with how Ms. Stein didn't make it just about sex. I felt the emotions and the love between Clarissa and Oliver.

This is an author that I would read again.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Received copy from Publisher for review.


Rating:

Mari Carr
ISBN #: 978-1419932724
Ellora’s Cave Publishing Company
January 2011
Erotica/Bdsm/Contemporary/Ménage
eBook
http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-8988-464-any-given-sunday.aspx

BACK COVER BLURB:

Wild Irish, Book Seven

The child who is born on the Sabbath day, is bonny and blithe and good and gay.

Sean Collins is happy working at the family pub and sharing a house with the woman of his dreams. He and Lauren are equals in every way, including in bed, where they burn the sheets. Life is good. Even if he must hide a couple of secrets to keep it that way.

Lauren is madly in love with Sean. They share everything—almost. She can’t deny sensing…something. A certain feeling when she, Sean and their friend Chad are all together. But she doesn’t press. How can she when she’s not being completely forthright herself?

Chad is feeling pretty miserable, and renting a room in Sean and Lauren’s home has only made it worse. In a house filled with secrets, Chad’s are doozies.

When an opportunity arises to explore their deep desires, the trio plunges into a sex-filled, emotionally charged ménage. Long-buried feelings are revealed, changing their lives irrevocably. Whether for better or worse, only Sean, Chad and Lauren can decide

COVER SNARK:
I’m shocked. This isn’t bad. I don’t usually like Ellora’s Cave covers.

FIRST LINES:

“Where’s Chad?” Lauren asked breathlessly as they entered Sean’s apartment.

Sean rested his forehead against hers for an extra second or two before pulling away from the kiss they’d just shared.

LYNETTE'S TWO CENTS:

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY was a short, steamy read that captured my attention early on and held it. I really enjoyed the push/pull between what their heads was telling them to do and their hearts. Ms. Carr did an awesome job of showing that conflict. And to be honest the smexing was pretty hot. Very hot.

Despite my enjoyment, I did have a couple quibbles with ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. The first being that ANY GIVEN SUNDAY was overrun with characters from the other books in this series. I wish that these encounters could’ve been toned down to only be included if it effected the relationship between Lauren, Chad, and Sean, because as it was written it was a major distraction at times. I was also bothered that the catalyst that has them deciding that they wanted to explore a ménage/bdsm relationship came from an outside source instead of within themselves, especially as Ms. Carr did an awesome job of setting up the conflict, angst, fears, and pitfalls if they decided to just let go and pursue the relationship.

As I said, those were minor quibbles. ANY GIVEN SUNDAY was a solid read and I’ll definitely read more of this author.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Received copy from publisher for review.

RATING:

Author Name: Maya Banks
ISBN #: 978-1-60928-025-3
Publisher Name: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Date Released: February 2011
Genre: Erotica/BDSM
Book Format: eBook

BACK COVER BLURB:

He let her go once. This time he’s playing for keeps.

Colters’ Legacy, Book 3

Callie Colter once chased sunsets all over the world. Until Max. Together they were a perfect storm of desire, and she reveled in the beautiful power. Then he disappeared without a word, and the betrayal drove her home to lick her wounds.

Who knew he’d have the gall to show his face in her brother’s bar.

Max Wilder figures he deserves Callie’s right hook to the jaw, but it changes nothing. He had his reasons for pursuing her across Europe, for making her fall in love with him. But when she took everything he gave and offered more, she changed all the rules. He had no choice leaving her, but he’s back. This time for the right reasons.

Callie is angry and hurt, yet powerless against Max’s relentless onslaught. He’ll settle for nothing less than her complete surrender—and her love. Only when she’s back in his arms will he be truly happy. And the damning truth can stay safely tucked away.

Except the truth has a way of creeping to the surface, and Max may just be out of second chances.

Product Warnings

This title contains adult language, explicit sex, rough sex, anal sex. In other words...sex! Also contains themes of D/s which might offend some readers. Lots of angst, emotion and betrayal. Second chances and lots of warm fuzzies.

COVER SNARK:

Meh. And the guy looks nothing, nothing like how I pictured Max.

FIRST LINES:

The Mountain Pass Bar and Grill was hopping like frogs during mating season. It was early summer and past ski season, but the little town of Clyde still managed to pull tourists from the larger neighboring towns.

FAVORITE LINES:

“How do you maybe hit someone?” Michael drawled.

“Okay, so I decked him. At the time he deserved it.”

“I’ll have your fathers make something special,” Holly said serenely. “If it turns out we don’t like him, I’ll cook the next meal for him.”

LYNETTE'S TWO CENTS:

Hello, my name is Lynette and I have a problem. I am a Maya Banks fan girl. Even though I have serious issues with a lot of her novels (as you will soon see), those issues don’t stop me from running out to get her latest release, or not reading her books as quick as I can. If you can please provide any assistance to let me know why I have this addiction, and what it is about Ms. Banks and her writing that pulls me in despite myself I would be extremely grateful.

COLTERS’ DAUGHTER is the third book in the Colter’s Legacy series if you don’t count that short, free novella. The first deals with Holly meeting the three brothers and starting a relationship with them, the next deals with their three sons meeting a woman and starting a relationship with her, and COLTERS DAUGHTER deals with Callie meeting Max and their relationship.

My first problem with COLTER’S DAUGHTER is Callie. I loved her in the previous release and I was disappointed that she turned into such a doormat when she meets Max. Callie and Max’s relationship in COLTER’S DAUGHTER is about submission and dominance, so I’m not talking about Callie being a doormat because she’s a submissive in the bedroom. I’m talking about how she just allows Max to run all over her outside the bedroom when he hasn’t done anything to prove that he is a person who has her trust. It seems that type of relationship requires a lot of trust and how could you do that when the person your with has proved to be untrustworthy? I also find it hard to believe just because you want a man to be dominant in the bedroom that you would put up with him trying to control your life outside of it or not really care that you know anything about the guy your smexing besides his first and last name.

While Callie’s passiveness bothered me, I was really bothered by Max. Revenge stories don’t work well for me, especially when the person who is enacting that revenge is doing it on someone other than the person they feel they need to get back at (e.g., the daughter or ex-wife). That bothered me. It also bothered me that when Max came back to Callie at the beginning of COLTER’S DAUGHTER he was very contrite but wasn’t truthful with her for why he had approached her in the first place. I kept waiting for him to be honest with him and the longer I waited the angry I got until I just didn’t like him or buy into his reasoning when it finally did come.

As always with Ms. Banks the smexing was scorching and really enhanced the story and helped me to understand the dynamics of Cassie and Max’s relationship. Although I spent a lot of time discussing what bothered my with COLTERS’ DAUGHTER I still enjoyed the novel and Ms. Banks is still an author that I can’t help running out and buying. I don’t know why but I think it’s the way she manages to craft the words on the pages that really pulls me and I always have a strong emotionally connection to her characters and the situations that they find themselves in.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Bought with my own money.

RATING:

Ria Candro
ISBN #: 978419931741
Publisher Name: Ellora's Cave Publishing/Aeon
Date Released: December 2010
Price: $5.20 Retail
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance
Book Format: eBook

BACK COVER BLURB:

When Natalie awakens on a spaceship manned by three gorgeous and adoring hunks, she’s convinced she’s dreaming. It’s up to Andros, Leikos and Zafron to prove to her she’s not. And that she’s the perfect mate for all three of them.

Spygian alpha males travel far and wide in search of their perfect partner. And then share their mate in the most delicious, pleasurable ways they can imagine. But for Natalie, loving these red-hot aliens means leaving Earth. Is she willing to take a chance on a love that’s out of this world?

COVER SNARK:
Once again, I just don't like Ellora's Cave's covers. The woman looks like a fifty year old plastic surgery barbie doll.


FIRST LINES:

The front panel of the ship's control room slid open, exposing a view of space through the clear, impenetrable shield.

"We are approaching Earth now," said Leikos, Andros' second-in-command.

Okay, are you satisfied with my sucky plot review? I'm trying, but you know I totally suck at giving plot reviews. So let me tell you what I liked and didn't like.

Overall, I really liked MATED as a story and I'm on a sci-fi kick now too. I've liked the sci-fi stories that I've been reading. MATED isn't an exception. Although it's a quick, simple, steamy read, it captured me and I liked how she set up the world. Although this is a ménage relationship, because of the men's culture and their planets history, I totally bought into their relationship and I believed in it.

There were a few things that I wish were fleshed out. For one, I didn't get in the beginning why Natalie didn't go to college. She was griping that she didn't get a promotion because she didn't have a degree and that the reason she didn't have a degree is because her parents died and so they couldn't pay for college? Umm, WTF? Hello, ma'am, this is the 21st century here, do what everyone else does, go to college part-time, or go to college on-line. I totally didn't get that reasoning, and I rolled my eyes when reading that in the beginning. But maybe that's me because everyone in my family who went to college paid for it themselves. (BTW, does anyone want to pay back my student loans, they're killing a sister – note of advice from Aunty Lynette, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GO TO A PRIVATE WOMEN'S COLLEGE – NEVER, THE EXPENSE IS NOT WORTH IT).

Anyhoo, back to my review.

I also wish that Ms. Candro went a little deeper into the world building. She has a great set-up, intriguing premise, solid writing, but I wanted to know more about the world that the men come from. I also didn't understand how the men knew Natalie was their mate? It infers that theirs a way for them to just know, but it wasn't explained.

Besides that, this was a solid sci-fi read and I'd definitely check out her next release.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Received copy from publisher for review.

RATING: