MARIANNE! ~ A JOURNEY ROUND A GOLDEN SUN by Simon Lowri

Publisher: eXcessica Publications
Date published: March 2010
ISBN: 978-1449521479
Erotica/BDSM
Paperback
Reviewed by T. Barringer
Obtained via: publisher




Simon Lowrie’s MARIANNE! ~ A JOURNEY ROUND A GOLDEN SUN is a twisted yet erotic journey into the world of dominance & submission.

Marianne and Simon have had an unusually friendly relationship for years, but when Marianne meets Mark, everything changes. Marianne is spoiled, head strong and very self-centered. Simon accepts Marianne just the way she is and if she likes to take her flirtations with him perhaps a bit too far, he knows she is just being Marianne. But now Marianne has met Mark. Simon and Mark may never be friends, but the one thing they agree on is that Marianne needs some taming.

This was an interesting story for this reader, as my knowledge of D/S comes entirely from books. Simon’s relationship with Marianne is platonic and yet they really do enjoy testing the boundaries of that relationship. Mark is just as dominant as Simon and is uncomfortable with Marianne & Simon’s relationship, even though he does end up benefiting from it. It is Simon that gives the difficult truths to Marianne about herself and shows her the peace and enjoyment she can get from a D/S relationship, which she then takes to her relationship with Mark. When Mark puts an end to Marianne and Simon’s fun, Simon is forced to find his own submissive and from there the dynamics drastically change. How these four individuals cope and adjust is surprising and somewhat off-putting, and yet still incredibly erotic.

Simon is an odd character. He comes across cold and even a bit creepy. His attitude toward women is somewhat disturbing, and yet both women in his life truly love him. Mark is what one might expect a dominant male to be, though it is obvious that he is new to the D/S scene and is learning along with Marianne. The four main characters are so very different from each other that it keeps the story from being “just like every other BDSM book out there”.

This reader found MARIANNE! to be an interesting and darkly erotic dip into dominance and submission that while somewhat unbelievable and even distasteful for someone unfamiliar with the lifestyle, still really held reader interest from first page to last. Author Simon Lowrie has a way of making the oddest of characters likable and believable. MARIANNE! definitely goes on this reader’s recommended reading list for being extremely original and one of a kind.



THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

MAGIC TOUCH The Wizards of Venus Series book 1 by Dakota Trace

Publisher: Excessica Publishing
Date published: January 2010
ISBN: 978-1449504014 (paperback)
No ISBN # for E-book
Fantasy Erotic Romance
E-book/Paperback
Obtained by Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn




CLICK TO PURCHASE! In the world of Venus, magic rules and this is where High prince Randall deCartwright & his two best friends, Jonathon and Grace Anne grew up. Now years later, a prophesy has thrown all three lives into chaos as the lives they thought they wanted become something so much more. Now Rand has to woo the one woman chosen to be his mate, Grace Anne, and try to get her to accept their marriage because dark forces are swirling around them and are threatening everything they hold dear. Can these three find a way to let their fears out and listen to their hearts before the darkness consumes them?

I have to mention one thing about MAGIC TOUCH- it rocks! From start to finish, this author delivers a wild, fast paced ride that leaves you screaming for more once the last page is read. Captivating and intriguing characters, mystery and hot, passionate sex scenes that leave you squirming helps keep MAGIC TOUCH on simmer until it boils over and your either jumping your significant other or shoving yourself in the freezer to cool off. Ms. Trace is a masterful storyteller, who weaves a spell around her readers and leaves them wanting more. Get ready for the MAGIC TOUCH.

Meet Randall, Jonathon and Grace Anne. Three best friends who are about to find their lives forever changed when a long ago prophesy awakens. Now ten years have past and Rand is about to find out that the mate of his soul is all grown up and stubborn beyond belief. Grace Anne found the love she hungered for slowly dying in the last ten years and now that fate-and parental authority-are forcing her to wed her best friend, Rand, she struggles not to scream in anger or fear. Her control threatened by the feelings Rand invokes inside her rallies against her desire to choose her own destiny is a kick to Rand though he is determined to make Grace succumb to his charms and seduction regardless of what she wants. Two very stubborn people determined to do the opposite and a sizzling passion that flares between them. Add in a dose of magical sentient beings and stir. You have got the makings of one wild, pulse pounding ride. I have to admit I was rooting for Grace Anne to give Rand a comeuppance from the get-go. The arrogant, alpha male who thinks he knows everything about Grace and her desires got to me and not in a good way either in the begining. More than once I wanted to slap him silly for being a pig-headed idiot especially when he got his “caveman” routine on. Eventually, he grew on me as he finally figured out Grace Anne and her heart but it definitely was a work in progress. Grace was a strong, spirited heroine who had one fear- losing control and giving into her desires with the one man she has loved for so long. Denying her feelings and trying to get out of something she knew, deep down, she could never have. This was a woman who fought against the curve ball life threw at her with everything she had and I cheered her whole-heartedly. I loved that she was no weak heroine who needed a man to rescue her. She was strong, fearless and determined…except when her desires came out in her dreams. She was feisty to Rand’s arrogance and these two were perfect for each other. Ms. Trace definitely created the perfect main couple in this wonderful first book. Add in some wonderful secondary characters that kept the story moving smoothly, hot sex and mystery…you have the makings of a perfect book.

MAGIC TOUCH is one of those stories that stay with you even as you close the last page. With each page, Ms. Trace draws the reader in and keeps them flipping the pages to see what would happen next for these two and the magic that flew between the pages sizzled. I am hoping this author doesn’t keep us waiting for the next book in this wonderful new series. I am eager to see what will happen next on the world of Venus. If you enjoy feisty heroines, strong alpha males and sizzling passion, then grab MAGIC TOUCH. Just make sure to have an ice bucket or your significant other nearby to take the edge off the heat while reading it.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

HOOKER, WIFE, FOR LIFE by D. B. Story

Publisher: eXcessica publishing
Date published: June 2009
ISBN: N/A
Erotic romance
Ebook
Reviewed by Penny


CLICK TO PURCHASE! Anything can happen in Vegas. When a man overhears another man talking about a fabulous girl in an upscale brothel in the next county over where prostitution is legal, he thought he would make an appointment and see for himself. Never in his wildest dreams did he think the stories would not be an exaggeration. This woman is truly amazing. And he just can’t get enough! He finds himself back again before his trip to Las Vegas ends. But when he returns home, will he ever be able to get her out of his mind, not to mention his heart?

HOOKER, WIFE, FOR LIFE takes me back to the Julia Roberts movie “Pretty Woman”. While not the same storyline, they have their similarities. Both tell the story of a prostitute whose john falls in love with them. And the reader just cannot help but hope that they will get their happily ever after.

Author D.B. Story has penned a wonderful tale in HOOKER, WIFE, FOR LIFE. I enjoyed it immensely. While expecting graphic detail of intercourse, I was pleasantly surprised with details of sensual seduction. The act of sex of course happened numerous times, but Mr. Story did not dwell on it. There is something to be said for good foreplay! HOOKER, WIFE, FOR LIFE is a story that is very realistic and the reader can it see really happening, not just unbelievable fiction. Kudos to this author for writing a story that the reader can really sink their teeth into. I hope to read future works from Mr. Story.

COWBOY by J.M. Synder

Publishee: eXcessica Publishing
Date issued: July 2009
ASIN: B001VLXN3S
Genre: Contempoary, GLBT, M/M
E-book


Kent and Marcus have been together for two years, Kent is a good looking cowboy who makes Marcus’s blood boil just by looking at him. Kent is the owner of Kent’s Market and Marcus works for him and he is also Kent’s lover. Marcus is a young man who just wants to be loved by his very own cowboy, Kent. Marcus is a lovey dovey type guy, while Kent is a man who wants to run his business and have a little nip tuck every now and them but lately he’s been nipping a little too much. Marcus doesn’t feel like he’s being loved like he should, he’s tired of fast sex with no meaning, no cuddling, no kisses. One day a stranger is noticed in the barn, the stranger has a name, his name is Luke and Marcus is not letting this man get away!

What a great story, the sexual tension between Marcus and Luke alone had me panting like I was in labor. I was screaming for ice chips! I could see the fire in Marcus’ eyes and as he looked at Luke, these two wanted to touch, kiss, and make love every time they were in reach of each other. Like a moth to a flame they burned so good for each other. Kent has some good days but not enough, with his drinking and not really wanting Marcus. Talking about torn between two lovers, Marcus loved Kent in his own way because he had given him a place to stay, food on the table, basically Kent did what he was supposed to do without the love mixed in. I’m sure Kent loved him in his own way but it wasn’t enough for Marcus. Luke on the other hand had the kisses, the touches, the conversation, the hot tantalizing, liquid fire lovemaking for him and he just couldn’t give that up, could he? NO! Ms. Snyder gets you all hot and bothered and then gives you the goods to back this story up to make you want to read this story over and over again. You get your love, drama, stolen kisses and a whole lot more to keep you reading until it says. The end!

ALLISON’S TRAINING by Jennifer Campbell

Publisher eXcessica
Date published October 2008
ISBN: None listed
Erotic/BDSM
E-book
Reviewed by Tammy


CLICK TO PURCHASE!

Jennifer Campbell’s ALLISON’S TRAINING is a deeply erotic tale of a woman’s surprise initiation into the world of bondage and submission through pony play.

Allison and Nick have been together for quite some time when Nick decides that his self-absorbed girlfriend and their relationship needs a change. Towards that end, he invites Allison to spend some time at his family’s horse farm. On the drive there, they play a game of dominance that has Allison wondering about both her and Nick. When they arrive at the farm, Allison is pulled from the car and disrobed by a couple of farm hands while Nick stands by and watches as if he expected this treatment of his girlfriend. Allison has no idea what Nick has planned for her and only hopes she has the inner strength to accept what is to come.

Jennifer Campbell’s ALLISON’S TRAINING is a story of the surprise introduction into bondage and submission training foisted on an unsuspecting but somewhat intrigued woman. This reader has read and reviewed some BDSM books before picking up ALLISON’S TRAINING. None of them prepared this reader for this book. This is the first time this reader has ever heard of “pony play” and after reading what this woman goes through on her journey to discovery, this reader was quite frankly shocked. Perhaps that was the intent.

How Nick manages to hide this side of his nature from his girlfriend, no matter how self absorbed she is, is anyone’s guess. But hide it he did. Until he decides he doesn’t want to hide it anymore. Unfortunately, training his girlfriend is something he feels is beyond him. So he sends her off to his family’s farm for training. If she accepts her training and does well, she gets to go home to Nick at the end of the month. If not, her stay will be extended or she will be sold to the highest bidder. Nice boyfriend. The training is extremely degrading as she is forced to play the part of a pony, including taking drugs so she can be milked daily.

At the end of the book, she is given the choice of going back to Nick or staying on the farm. What a choice.

Quite obviously, this was not this reader’s idea of a good time. That said, Jennifer Campbell is a very talented writer. The story moves along at a very nice clip and is quite illustrative of the lifestyle she portrays. Her descriptions of Allison’s inner thoughts as she goes through the process are very well done and believable. If this extreme form of BDSM is to your liking, then you will undoubtedly enjoy Jennifer Campbell’s ALLISON’S TRAINING. The story may have been a bit beyond the imagination for this reader, but it was well written, erotic and quite informative.

BANANAZ by Dee Dawning

Publisher eXcessica
Date published May 2008
ISBN N/A
Short, erotic menage
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie





CLICK TO PURCHASE! Joe wakes up from a nap on the couch to hear giggling in the kitchen. He’s had a hard day at work but more than curious, he goes to see what’s going on. There he spies his beautiful girlfriend with three equally beautiful friends practicing blow jobs on bananas. Joe can hardly believe his eyes and he starts to stand to attention. Then one of the girls suggests that Joe’s girlfriend show how to do it for real on Joe...well, things get heated up and soon there’s a romp on the bed and Joe is in heaven. He’s got all four girls practically fighting over him. Until the police show up, because a neighbour has complained about all the grunting, moaning, wailing and screaming.

Ok, guess I’d better warn readers first that this is an erotic romp, which in my humble opinion borders on pure porn. Having said that however, it’s also funny and somewhat entertaining. Dee Dawning does a great job in describing the characters in this story and the girls are all very different in looks and the way they act. There’s the sexy, sassy...the shy one...the one that goes along with everyone else. And Joe? Well, he’s the lucky puppy. This story is not really my kind of reading, but I know that there are many readers of erotic stories that will really get a kick out of it. The ending is quite a page turner too and Dee Dawning gives the reader a nice twist at the end.