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March 14th, 2013
 A Clockwork Butterfly by Tabitha Rayne
Publisher: Beachwalk Press
Genre: Futuristic, Erotic Romance, BDSM, M/F, F/F, F/F/M
Length: 40,731 words
  
Summary:
Lovers torn apart by duty…will Angelo and Lena be reunited?
Mankind is close to extinction. Toxins have all but wiped out the male population. The remaining fertile men are housed in manors where their seed is collected.
Lena Lee is a new collector with a rare pheromone believed to reignite human fertility. She’s assigned a male who’s predicted to be her perfect match.
Angelo, a clockwork butterfly maker, is held captive, his essence harvested daily by Lena. Over time, the couple begins to fall in love, something which is strictly prohibited. When their forbidden love is discovered, Lena is banished from the manor.
Torn apart by the duty that brought them together, Lena and Angelo must find a way back to each other. But even if Angelo manages to escape, he doesn’t know where to find Lena. Will following the path of the clockwork butterfly lead him to his true love?
Content Warning: strong language, BDSM, and graphic sexual content, including m/f, f/f, and f/f/m sexual interaction
Blackraven’s Review:
A Clockwork Butterfly is a compilation of genres that include fantasy, sci-fi romance, and BDSM to name a few. Ms. Rayne has penned a riveting story that revolves around a forbidden love triangle and the extinction of mankind. The reader is quickly immersed into the captivating world of Lena, Mae and Angelo.
The sexual chemistry between Lena, Mae and Angelo is intense, sensual, and at times explosive. It was intriguing to watch each relationship blossom into something more than just saving mankind. The forbidden love trope is always a favorite of mine and helped increase the intensity and complexity of the plot. The dialogue is fresh, the sex is explicit, and the emotions are raw and uninhibited. Lena, Mae and Angelo will captivate your heart and senses while heating up your body in all of the right places. My only niggle with A Clockwork Butterfly is that I would have liked a bit more world building on the front end of the story. Don’t get me wrong, Ms. Rayne did an excellent job of explaining about the toxins and why men were almost extinct, but I think it would have been more effective in a prologue that provided some background information and history of how this came to be. In addition, there were a few minor editing problems, but nothing that would deter the reader from the story.
 Tabitha Rayne has crafted a compelling, entertaining, creative story with engaging characters who are fighting against the odds to find their Happily Ever After. Lena and Angelo’s naivete in regards to sex balanced Mae’s sensual knowledge to make for some smoking hot love scenes. I loved how Ms. Rayne allowed each of the characters to explore their sexuality. But what I enjoyed the most was the fact that Mae, one of the females, was responsible for teaching Angelo and Lena about domination. While Mae is a character that takes a bit of getting used to, she eventually grew on me as the story progressed. Ms. Rayne’s symbolism of the butterfly was an intricate component of the story that not only held meaning for each character on a personal level, but also added depth to the development of each character. Moreover, the conclusion of A Clockwork Butterfly leads the reader to believe that there will be a sequel, which piques my curiosity even more. 
A Clockwork Butterfly by Tabitha Rayne is sexy, yet sensual with explicit love scenes, raw emotions, and engaging characters that will keep you coming back for me. So, if you haven’t checked out A Clockwork Butterfly, then do so today. You won’t be sorry.
Rated 4.5 Ravens by Blackraven!
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Posted in 4 1/2 Ravens, A Clockwork Butterfly, Author Review, BDSM, Beachwalk Press, Erotic Romance, F/F, f/f/m, Furturistic, Futuristic, Futuristic Romance, m/f, Raven Divas, Tabitha Rayne, The Blackraven | 2 Comments »
June 7th, 2012
 Naughty Hot Shots: Orally Fixated by Cassandre Dayne
Publisher: Naughty Nights Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, M/M, M/F, F/F
Lenght: 41 pages
Summary:
Michael Jordan adored his friends – enough to drag them into a contest he needed to win in order to save his career – and perhaps kick up his love life. While working at the hottest gay magazine in town had its perks, his boss thought of him as far too conservative to write the kinky sex pieces he’d been hired to do. It was too bad his boss had no idea just how dark his cravings really were.
Michael was determined to come up with an entirely new angle and give his sexy gal pal, Autumn, a birthday she’d never forget. After all, she had the hots for a woman and fantasized every night about tasting the vivacious vixen. What better way than have Autumn be the center of attention for a series of articles?
His idea? Host a hot party to study and depict all forms of oral sex and other sinful acts in vivid color. And just when he thought he had everything set in motion – a series of events brings out his inner wild child.
Would his boss see the real man inside and the one who had set his sights on seduction?
Naunet’s Review:
You have to feel completely comfortable, trusting, in order to share your innermost thoughts and experiences without shame, or worry that your secrets will be revealed at a later time. Some things are never revealed because they should not be; however, those are usually the situations that are a heavy burden to carry alone so… Ms. Dayne illustrates how dear friends can be real and make each other happy and open to discussing anything about their sexuality, their oral fixations and techniques that can easily be used to perfect their repertoire . Oh Baby, oh Baby will someone do that for me tonight?
Cassandre Dayne penned a fun and sexy story about secrets and fantasies with twists that incorporate the darker side of people who have a deep connection and will do almost anything for each other when help is needed.
In Naughty Hot Shots Orally Fixated, Ms. Dayne makes you lick and smack your lips as you delve deeper into her erotic story about career advancement, true friendships and spicy intimacies to accelerate the reader’s heart rate. You don’t have to wonder when the hot action with the oral obsessions will manifest in the story because Ms. Dayne brings it to you straight, so throw your head back and take your hot shots. I like it that Ms. Dayne brings the heat early in the story.
Michael Jordan has the career he has always dreamed of in the publishing industry and he has to maintain extraordinary standards to convince his boss that he is the best man for the job. Michael works for one of “the absolute go to gay magazine” in the country and wants to take the magazine to a higher level that he believes will increase readership. If he can pull off this awesome undertaking, Michael’s “worth” to the company will be almost priceless. Trying to advance in corporations often require going far beyond your comfort zone and can even compromise your principles.
Michael is a hot, with the incredible sense of style and just as delicious as chocolate truffles that melt so easily in your mouth and capable of making panties wet from 100 feet awa y. However, Michael is gay and therefore you and I as women don’t stand a chance of getting next to all that sexiness. Only James Richards is getting up close and personal, who is a former lover and still a friend with benefits.
Ms. Dayne’s development of Autumn coined as Michael’s gal pal as attractive and easy on the eyes is realistic and I can think of several of my friends that mirror her personality. Autumn enjoys having Michael as a friend and by her side when they are out and about. Her birthday is quickly approaching and Michael has the ultimate party planned for her, which will encompass fantasies on both sides of the birthday cake. Everyone is aware of Michael’s deviousness except Autumn.
Who knew that Michael and James’ plans for this celebration would ignite fires hidden behind thick, dark curtains as hot as an inferno? Things are revealed about everyone that create lip smacking indulgences. Will this event stimulate his love life and push his career to the next level with his boss attached?
Naughty Hot Shots Orally Fixated is short and pure sensuality with hot, fun games of hide and go seek. Ms. Dayne gets the reader so involved to the point that they’re all hot and bothered and then throws gasoline on the fire she’s started. I love the way she describes the spicy acts that includes all the five senses leaving the reader with outrageously vivid images that are colorful and naughty. Cassandre Dayne has an easy to relate to style of writing and I find that I come away from her stories with a new prospective as she sprinkles real life lessons and leaves you feeling more open and free.
Rated 3.5 Ravens by Naunet!
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Posted in 3 1/2 Ravens, Author Review, Cassandre Dayne, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, F/F, m/f, m/m, Naughty Hot Shots Orally Fixated, Naughty Nights Press, Naunet, Raven Divas | No Comments »
October 27th, 2011
 French Quarter by Lacey Alexander
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, M/F, F/F, Voyeurism
Length: Novel
Summary:
The decadence of Bourbon Street is beckoning…
Hot in the City, Book 1
When prim, proper Liz Marsh suspects her fiancé is cheating on her, she’s almost too embarrassed to hire a P.I. to prove it. And when she gathers her courage and walks into Jack Wade’s office, she has no idea he’ll be the sexiest man she’s ever encountered, nor that his light Cajun accent will make her tingle in all the wrong—or is that right?—places.
After Jack brings her questionable yet undeniably arousing evidence, the only solution is for Liz to get a closer look with her own eyes. And Jack is more than happy to show her everything she’s been missing. One night in the French Quarter’s entrancing red light district, and Liz finds herself caught up in the provocative allure of an erotic new atmosphere and the sudden, urgent need to experience it for herself—with Jack.
Jack’s normally a keep-it-casual guy, but as nights with Liz get hotter, so do Jack’s feelings for the seductive woman in his arms. Bourbon Street decadence beckons and Liz embarks on a sizzling journey of sexual awakening that has her more willing to shed her inhibitions minute by carnal minute. But someone else has noticed her insatiable appetite for sensual adventure, someone who’s just beginning to realize what he’s lost—and who’s determined to tear Jack and Liz apart…
This book has been previously published.
Trixie’s Review:
 French Quarter had me captivated from the first page!
The great chemistry between Liz Marsh and the sexy private investigator she has hired to determine if her fiance is cheating on her had me putting everything else on hold. While the storyline of a cheating fiance may not be unique, the setting combined with the character’s fascination with unleashing the woman she has kept under wraps definitely is. French Quarter is erotic writing that is sensuous, believable, and refreshing.
The only area that prevented this novel from being a 5 was that there was a bit of a letdown with the writing near the end prior to the resolution. However, for 98 % of the story, fresh, captivating scenes kept the reader drawn into the drama. Readers: there are several scenes of F/F erotic play.
Lacey Alexander is definitely one author that I will be looking for more often!
Rated 4.5 Ravens by Trixie!
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Posted in 4 1/2 Ravens, Author Review, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, F/F, French Quarter, Lacey Alexander, m/f, Raven Divas, Samhain Publishing, Trixie, voyeruism, voyeurism | No Comments »
October 26th, 2011
 Mirror Image by Cherie Crystal
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: F/F, LGBT, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Length: 41 pages
Summary:
Jaylyn Dayley, professional stuntwoman, isn’t afraid of anything. Except commitment. She can tuck and roll, crash and burn, and walk away unscathed, but can she survive the searing heat of her attraction for the lovely Monika Morning during her stint as the actress’ stunt double?
Tarsilla’s Review:
Mirror Image is not only an exciting read, but it is also one of the most unique stories I’ve read. I lost myself in its authentic British setting, and I thought Ms. Crystal did a wonderful job in creating idiosyncratic characters through a realistic and dynamic dialogue.
The plot is exceptional in its own way, and I was primarily drawn by the story surrounding Jaylyn. I had some reservations about Jaylyn being attracted to Monika because, in order for the mechanics of the story to work, they have to be almost identical physically. The idea of someone getting romantically involved with another who looks almost exactly like them was bothering me. However, Ms. Crystal did a good job differentiating the two women, even on a physical level. Furthermore, I really liked that she kept subtly accentuating their differences and bringing their clashing personalities (and nationalities) to the forefront.
 Jaylyn, the main character, is very captivating. I love that this story is in first-person since it allowed me to be really attuned with this character. Mirror Image is very complex and emotional, and because of that I truly felt connected to Jaylyn and engaged with her emotions. Monika’s character was a little harder to get a sense of. She was sort of unapproachable in the beginning, and the reader keenly feels that distance since Jaylyn herself emphasizes that point. Then, all of a sudden, there’s this unexplained camaraderie between the two women. While the idea that they have an instant and effortless connection is the point of the story, I still would have appreciated a little more build-up in their relationship. Also, Monika’s behavior is a bit erratic, and while that’s not necessarily a problem, I would have liked to see a clearer reason behind her inconsistency.
Basically, I wanted a deeper connection with Monika’s character. Her romance with Jaylyn was lively and their antics really brought the story to life. But, I wasn’t quite convinced of Monika’s feelings. It was much easier to trust Jaylyn’s feelings instead. The resolution also happened too fast, which heavily contrasted with the slow pace of the beginning. Issues like the conflict with Josh, the director, were too easily resolved. I wasn’t too emotionally invested towards the end because, before I could grasp the meaning of what had happened, the story was already coming to an end.
Still, Mirror Image is truly an entertaining one-of-a-kind read. The international setting, combined with this unconventional couple and this fascinating narrator, all work together to create a real, sexy romantic story. I was sad to see it end so quickly. I’ll definitely keep my eye open and hope for a sequel.
Rated 4 Ravens by Tarsilla!
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Posted in 4 Ravens, Author Review, Cherie Crystal, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, F/F, Gay, GLBT, LGBT, Mirror Image, Raven Divas, Tarsilla, torquere, Torquere Press | No Comments »
September 20th, 2011
 I Kissed a Girl II: More Virgin Lesbian Stories by Lucy Felthouse
Publisher: Ravenous Romance
Genre: F/F, Anthology, Erotic, Romance
Length: 130 pages
Summary:
Our readers asked for it, and now we’re pleased to present Volume II of first-time lesbian encounters inspired by Katy Perry’s hit song! Seven returning authors continue to arouse, plus six new authors will not disappoint.
This diverse collection travels the globe and the ages. No two settings or circumstances are alike, proving that women from every walk of life and culture are curious and eager to explore their full sexuality…with each other. You will be titillated, tantalized and swept away as you:
* Journey to Australia, where two long-time friends discover more than friendship
* Fly to Hawaii, for a language lesson interrupted
* Stop in Costa Rica, for a massage in a tree house
* Travel north to Alaska, where strangers connect
* Across Canada, to discover how co-workers release tension
* Over the Atlantic to the United Kingdom, where a concert is more than guitars strumming
* Close your eyes to wander into a mythical kingdom, where women take charge
* Voyage to historical Italy, to discover things are not always what they seem
* Jet back to the heat of Miami, and be entranced by a goddess, before exploring the rest of the USA to discover a host of erotic lesbian encounters!
Join us as we trot the globe and enjoy out-of-this-world experiences!
Tarsilla’s Review:
I don’t think I’ve ever been more intrigued or more excited about a book before. Just the blurb of this anthology makes my imagination run wild, and I was more than eager to see if the actual content delivered everything the description promised. And I have to say that for the most part, it really did.
My experience reading anthologies has showed me that they often start with stories that are neither good nor bad, but just right to set the mood for the stories to come. And they often end with a bang, with the longer, sexier story reserved for the end. I Kissed a Girl: Volume II actually started with a bang and ended with an explosion. The first short story, Queen of Swords by Inara Lavey, was amazing. It’s much more than just a simple story about two women discovering what it is to love each other for the first time, which is the case for some of the following stories. It has magic, conflict, fright, romance, and the essential girl-on-girl sensuality characteristic of this collection. The setting, the characters, the plot; everything was so heartfelt and intense I had to take a breather before reading on. To say I was surprised and pleased with such a powerful beginning is an understatement.
From then on, the range of the short stories offered varies from some excellent tales to some common and predictable plotlines. For instance, I very much loved reading the innovative storyline of Things that Go Hump in the Night by Elizabeth Black and the dynamic narration and point-of-view changing in Jack’s Ex by Lara Zielinsky. They were a true treat, sexy and witty, and both kept me hooked from beginning to end. Another surprising story was Buried Desire by Jen Bluekissed. It’s so simple and short, and yet the writing flows almost flawlessly with an elegance that truly drew me in. Whenever Darla would breeze into the dressing room, I could feel Lucy’s anxiety and anticipation as if they were my own. I particularly enjoyed Tight Lacing by K. Ann Karlsson, and how strange and novel the story was while maintaining an uncanny accuracy to its historical time period. This was probably the most loving and well-rounded story of the entire collection.
On the other hand, there were stories that fell flat for me. To be honest, I liked every single character introduced in this anthology, but I disliked how some didn’t seem to evolve at all by the end. There were characters that would deny and almost ridicule their attraction to other women, and that behavior just ruined their amorous interactions for me. I just didn’t believe the intimacy in those cases was genuine. Some themes were used a lot throughout the anthology as well, like the idea of a divorce/break-up being the catalyst to the lesbian interactions in the stories, and though I greatly appreciate that each story approached this idea in unique ways and evolved to different places, the repetition did distract me from my enjoyment of the overall collection.
Still, the great diversity this anthology offers is astounding. I loved starting a story not knowing what the setting would be, or what situation had led there, and I emphasize that to me, it was the power of the first story that made that pleasurable expectation possible. While there are less than perfect moments throughout the entire collection, there is remarkable story-telling tucked away in these pages. Overall, I Kissed a Girl: Volume II is an anthology to read, and rejoice over the commemoration to F/F relationships it portrays.
Rated 4.5 Ravens by Tarsilla!
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Posted in 4 1/2 Ravens, Author Review, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, F/F, I Kissed a Girl II: More Virgin Lesbian Stories, Lucy Felthouse, Raven Divas, Ravenous Romance, Tarsilla | 3 Comments »
July 27th, 2011
 Burn the Brightest by Emily Moreton
Publisher: Storm Moon Press
Genre: F/F, Contemporary
Length: 17 pages
Summary:
For over 250 years, the use of the tarot for divination has been a mainstay of mystical and occult practices. The themes and forces represented by the cards are said to govern our lives and our destinies. Whether you believe that or not, the story of the cards is nevertheless the story of our lives — the accomplishments and the pitfalls, the path from soaring joy to crushing defeat and back again.
Edith is a woman who has been burned too many times to play the Fool again. That is, until she meets Jo, a naval communications officer, and finds herself questioning all of her assumptions about life and love. Edith’s rule to never again date someone in the military first bends, and then breaks under the weight of her attraction to easy-going, confident Jo. But when duty and desire collide, Edith fears being left behind once again.
Tarsilla’s Review:
Full of heartbreak and angst, Burn the Brightest is truly a remarkable short story. Edith is a woman who keeps herself apart from people from the very beginning, and the mystery surrounding her self-isolation is subtle and enthralling. I loved seeing her struggle through the relationships in her life, especially the one with Jo. She was very easy to relate to, and her personality breathed life into this story. Jo is also a wonderful addition to the plot, though it was a little hard to pin down her emotions and motivations. I really enjoyed the plot and the smoothness and simplicity of how the story is told.
However, I had several issues with this story as well. First of all, the writing was a little confusing in some places. Some sentences were too long and complicated, which disturbed the flow of the story. Second of all, the constant breaks in the story gave off this feeling of incompleteness, which led me to believe the story was not as well developed as it could have been. For instance, the pacing of the story is practically flawless, and therefore, the amount of time Edith’s and Jo’s relationship take to blossom into more than just friendship is believable. But, from that point forward, the story moved too fast, and with it being fragmented the way it was, I had a hard time believing the characters and their feelings towards the end. Finally, I had a problem with how little Jo’s and the secondary characters’ involvements are, because the plot suggests that their roles are much more important to Edith’s lives than what the story actually portrays.
Still, the ending blew my mind, it was so unexpected. I loved how the story comes full circle, making this one of the most humane and realistic romantic tales I’ve ever read. Burn the Brightest is indeed a short read, and some parts actually feel like they move faster than they are supposed to. Yet, this refreshing plot and complex and heartsick main character make reading this short story absolutely worthy.
Rated 4 Ravens by Tarsilla!
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Posted in 4 Ravens, Author Review, Burn the Brightest, Contemporary Romance, Emily Moreton, Erotic Romance, F/F, Raven Divas, Storm Moon Press, Tarsilla | No Comments »
June 24th, 2011
 Marked (The Recruits: Book One) by Emma Hillman
Publisher: eXcessica
Genre: BDSM, f/f and ménage elements, toy play and anal play/sex, Contemporary
Word Count: 38,806
Summary:
When Faye wakes up after a lust-filled night and finds herself tied to a man she thought belonged to someone else, she realizes there’s a lot more to her friends than she could have ever imagined.
Being Mated to an Immortal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be however. Of course, the sex is hot and just plain amazing, but she needs more from Jake. She just hopes he’ll come to realize this before it’s too late…
Warnings: This title contains graphic language, BDSM, f/f and ménage elements, toy play and anal play/sex.
Olivia’s Review:
Marked by Emma Hillman was a hot, sensual story about sex, trust, and immortality. Ms. Hillman is able to beautifully balance the erotic sensuality found in Jake, the Immortal King who takes Faye as his mate with a sweet innocence that blossoms into full awareness in Faye.
I really liked Jake. He’s abrupt, arrogant, bossy, and sexy as hell. He doesn’t hide his sexuality. He doesn’t sugarcoat it for Faye, even at the beginning of their relationship. He’s a king— well technical First Man, but practically the same thing— and he exhibits all of the characteristics every king has ever had. A perfect foil for him is Faye. She is a sweet, innocent human that Jake takes as his mate— a human woman to bear the next king. I’m very glad that Ms. Hillman didn’t make Faye a more aggressive woman. It wouldn’t have worked, having such a strong and domineering Jake. Faye is just an absolute perfect counterpart to Jake; she mellows him, softens him, and he pushes her at every turn.
This wouldn’t be an erotic novel without the sex and Ms. Hillman delivers 100%. From page one the chemistry between Jake and Faye burns practically off the page and it only got hotter the further along into the book I got. Ms. Hillman’s Marked was truly a delightful book to read.
Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by Olivia!
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Posted in 5 Ravens, Author Review, BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Emma Hillman, Erotic Romance, eXcessica, F/F, Marked (The Recruits: Book One), menage, Olivia, Raven Divas, Recommended Read | 1 Comment »
April 16th, 2011
 SteamPowered, Lesbian Steampunk Stories edited by JoSelle Vanderhooft
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: F/F, Erotic Romance, Anthology, Steampunk
Length: 379 pages
Summary:
The fifteen tantalizing, thrilling, and ingenious tales in Steam-Powered put a new spin on steampunk by putting women where they belong — in the captain’s chair, the laboratory, and one another’s arms. Here you’ll meet inventors, diamond thieves, lonely pawn brokers, clockwork empresses, brilliant asylum inmates, and privateers in the service of San Francisco’s eccentric empire. Though they hail from across the globe and universes far away, each character is driven to follow her own path to independence and to romance. The women of Steam-Powered push steampunk to its limits and beyond.
“From colonial India to New Orleans in slavery times, from a rogue San Francisco to the Lower East Side of old New York, these stories are thoughtful, wide-ranging, exciting, and often very, very sexy. Anybody who thinks that “steampunk” and “lesbian” are niche interests should read Steam-Powered and get their horizons seriously expanded.”
—Delia Sherman, Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner and author of Through a Brazen Mirror.
Tarsilla’s Review:
Before reading this anthology, I went online to research what “SteamPowered” or “Steampunk” meant exactly. I found out a “steampunk” story means a piece of fiction set in an alternate world or history that “involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used – usually the 19th century – that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy” (Wikipedia).
The downside of doing research on a book before reading is that I had some expectation of what was coming, therefore I kept in the back of my mind that I might not be surprised by some stories, or even disappointed in some cases. However, that was not the case at all. This anthology features such a wild and wide variety of storylines, that I was even overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge and innovation I found. I learned so much about craft, narration, different genres, characterization, and so forth, all from this one book.
One of the things I liked most about this anthology is that, even though all the main characters are lesbians, not all of them enter lesbian relationships. In fact, some that do don’t necessarily get a happy ending. I really enjoyed that, because now a days it seems like a book featuring a gay or lesbian main character demands that character to justify his/her sexuality by entering some sort of romance, which isn’t bad at all. But it does make me wonder, what about the equality literature is supposed to be representing today? Why can’t there be stories that treat homosexuality off-handedly almost, featuring homosexual main characters where that character is defined by his/her person rather than by his/her sexuality? And that’s what some of these stories managed to do, maybe because they had to be defined as “steampunk” first. But there are stories in this anthology featuring women where the focus is in their bravery as spies or in their intelligence as scientists, not in the fact that they are lesbians. In my opinion, that’s groundbreaking work.
The truly amazing thing about this collection, however, is how contrary each story is. There are stories, like “Where the Ocean Meets the Sky” by Sara M. Harvey and “Under the Dome” by Teresa Wymore, that sound really grounded and realistic. Yet, as I was reading them, I couldn’t help but be sucked into the story and think how magical and inventive it all felt. Just like there are stories, like “Copper for a Trickster” by Mikki Kendall, that are obviously fantasy, but as I was reading them, I would shudder at how incredibly real they sounded and even wonder for a moment if it couldn’t happen somehow, though I knew it was impossible. Those contradictions between the actual, physical writing and the tone of the story were the hook for me; they didn’t let me put this book down before finishing it. And to me, that’s what makes this anthology one of a kind, a piece of literature unlike anything else I’ve encountered.
It wasn’t all perfect, though. There were some stories that left me very lost and confused, mostly because of lack of development in the characters or in the plot. Some stories were too fast paced, trying to cram too much information, too much plot, in a short amount of pages, which in turn led again to lack of development somewhere. Still, they didn’t harm the overall work in any way, for I found myself enjoying the anthology as a whole just as much. In other words, if you think you might enjoy a collection of short stories containing romance, suspense, danger, science fiction, humor, all featuring strong and powerful women as the main characters, this is definitely the book for you.
Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by Tarsilla!
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Posted in 5 Ravens, Antho, Author Review, Erotic Romance, F/F, GLBT, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Lesbian Steampunk Stories, Raven Divas, Recommended Read, Steampunk, Tarsilla, Torquere Press | No Comments »
April 16th, 2011
 The Age of Aquarius by Sofia Antonia Milone
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: Erotica, F/F, Historical
Length: 83 pages
Summary:
Young and often political English artist Charlotte Hope clashes with
renowned New York Times art critic Rachel Stein, whose praise is hard to
earn. Set in the late sixties in New York City during the infamous Summer of
Love, and with a backdrop of national and international conflict, tension
builds between two women, who find themselves working together toward a
common goal. Charlotte learns she doesn’t have to like everyone she sleeps
with, while Rachel discovers quite the reverse. Eventually they learn that
tragedy can bring people to their senses, and bring them together.
Tarsilla’s Review:
I enjoyed this story very much. It was very real and passionate and it was a treat to see an age so important to American history through the art world and the eyes of two remarkable women. The writing and prose of the story are very good, though some grammatical mistakes were there. Though the pace of the story was somewhat monotonous, the tone was urgent and heartbreaking, and I really enjoyed the contradiction.
The main characters, Charlotte and Rachel, though fascinating in their complex personalities and emotions, are somewhat flat. I think that’s due to the fact that the plot itself, while very interesting and unique, is not well-developed. It’s too fragmented due to the constant breaks, giving it an overall superficial feeling; I felt like there was no real depth to the plot, like I was just skimming through events and “scenes.” For instance, the March section is only a little more than a page, and the conversation transcribed in that section is completely unnecessary, and would have been more effective if put into actual contest, rather than just leave it hanging as a loose piece. There’s no balance to each section, some being big and small, and no sense of flow to the story except that it is moving ahead through time.
The numerous breaks, overall, are very disrupting and seem to have no clear or constant reason for them – it’s not time because some show some time passed and others don’t, and it’s not POV because POV changes even when there’s no break. And most of the time, they are just plain not necessary. In many occasions the story would flow much better without them. The story does have a clear clock and sense of time, however, and that was very helpful to understand the progression on Charlotte’s and Rachel’s relationship.
Finally, even though the plot and main characters don’t have much depth in the beginning, I was convinced and very satisfied by the ending and by Charlotte and Rachel’s romance. It was very well thought out and very real. The secondary characters too, were dynamic and proved to be healthy and meaningful additions to the story as a whole. This book is good, and with a better thought out style of narration and more details, it has the potential to be amazing.
Rated 3 Ravens by Tarsilla!
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Posted in 3 Ravens, Author Review, Erotic Romance, F/F, GLBT, Historical Romance, Raven Divas, Sofia Antonia Milone, Tarsilla, The Age of Aquarius, Torquere Press | No Comments »
April 16th, 2011
 If Only in Cranbury Park by Charlotte Dare
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: Erotica, F/F, Contemporary
Length: 62 pages
Summary:
Courtney and Joanna have been on the rocks for awhile, thanks to Courtney’s club-going lifestyle and Joanna’s need to settle down. When Joanna finally decides to move on, though, it’s devastating to both of them, leaving the ladies at a loss as to how to live without each other.
While they try to go it solo, both Courtney and Joanna realize they each had their part to play in their break-up, and that they might just have to learn how to be alone so they can be together. Will their love be enough to overcome their differences, or will they have to learn to let go?
Tarsilla’s Review:
This book is remarkably enjoyable. It’s a real and down-to-earth story about a real heart-breaking situation between two very real people.
I loved Joanna and Courtney. I was a bit skeptical about their age difference at first, but then I realized that it only added to the authenticity of the story. The uncertainty that such a relationship would work is exactly what makes it work for this story. Furthermore, these two women are such complete opposites it’s bizarre, and yet the tone of melancholy and urgency in the story made it clear that those two belonged together.
The approach to the plot was very unique, and it was impressive to gather so much about the two main characters just from knowing them during a time of grieving because of their break-up. All the characters in the story are very well developed and dynamic, and I was particularly impressed by the usage of the secondary characters, for they were essential to adding depth and feeling and grounding to both the plot’s and the main characters’ developments.
One tiny thing that bothered me was not being able to see Joanna and Courtney as they were as a happy couple. Even though I loved the ingenuity of the narration and how this story was approached, I would still have liked at least a glimpse of what their life was when they were happy together, or at least an epilogue showing them in the future; anything showing them in a happier light. Though the story did not feel suffocating with sadness and grieving, it was bordering on too much misery, since even the few flashbacks were about their problems. I think adding a few up-lifting scenes would only boost this story.
However, this story is pretty close to perfect as it is. I thoroughly enjoyed reading something so real and human, and I look forward to other works by this author.
Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by Tarsilla!
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Posted in 5 Ravens, Author Review, Charlotte Dare, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, F/F, GLBT, If Only in Cranbury Park, Raven Divas, Recommended Read, Tarsilla, Torquere Press | No Comments »
April 6th, 2011
 Higher Learning by Kris Starr
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Exotica, F/F, M/F, Contemporary
Length: Short Novel
Summary:
Work on Anne’s master’s thesis is going well until her world is spun off its axis by the stunningly beautiful and very sexy Leslie. Interviewing this woman about her sexual history is turning into an exquisite form of sensual torture, but somehow Anne can’t find it in herself to stay away. On top of that, Leslie’s scorching kisses and electrifying caresses bring long-buried feelings and painful memories to the surface. And it doesn’t help that Anne’s boyfriend Michael is willing to let Anne do a little experimentation.
Anne’s obsession with Leslie begins to spiral out of control, affecting both her work and her relationship with Michael, until all that remains is a possibility that Anne both craves and fears. But not everything is as it seems and it turns out Anne’s not the only one keeping secrets.
Reader Advisory: Even as her lust for Leslie deepens, Anne still enjoys her boyfriend’s hot bod. And the couple does a little mutual experimentation in one scorching ménage scene.
Cecile Smutty Hussy’s Review:
Past demons are never easy to fight or dissolve; no matter who you are. Anne is given the chance to extradite her demons with her thesis paper or at least that is what she thinks. However, the journey she is about to embark upon may only set her up for another failure. Will she be able to cast away her demons forever?
We all know that high school years can be some of the most traumatic years of our lives. Some memories we want to live on forever and some, we simply want to bury them like a dog does with his bone. Well, for Anne, something happened that she truly wanted to bury. But she is grown up enough to know that you must face what you once feared in order to move on with your life. That part of her, I admired and was even cheering for her. Ms. Starr did a great job at keeping up the suspense as to what happened to Anne.
Michael just wanted to help Anne get over her past. For a man to want to help his partner always makes me go awww. But then I had to stand back for a second and take note that Michael might have other motivates in helping Anne overcoming her past.
This book left me in an awkward position as a reader. Not because it is a f/f for the most part because I can deal with that aspect. My reaction to the way it was brought about, was kind of like being tricked and I did not like it. I understand we have to bring something to the table to make the “ohh!” factor, but the things that were brought to the table were somewhat harsh. And the way they were resolved just did not sit well with me.
Higher Learning is a short story that I was able to read in almost a day. So, I will congratulate Ms. Starr for pulling those emotions out of me. In a true reader stance, she did her job and she did it well. I truly did like her story and if I was honest with myself… I would say that this is how the real world works. My only problem was how fast Anne overcame her fear and just went on with life, but I have never been in that situation, so I do not judge others.
Ms. Starr, you did a great job! Oh and by the way… the f/f sex… yea, it was hot!
Rated 3.5 Ravens by Cecile Smutty Hussy!
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Posted in 3 1/2 Ravens, Author Review, Cecile Smutty Hussy, Contemporary Romance, ellora's cave, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Erotic Romance, Erotica, Exotica, F/F, Higher Learning, Kris Starr, Raven Divas | No Comments »
January 31st, 2011
 The Baumgartners Plus One by Selena Kitt
Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, F/F/M, F/F, Menage a Trois, M/F
Other: Sex Toys, Porn, Strip Club
Length: 192 pages
Summary:
When Danielle Stuart meets the Baumgartners, her life doesn’t need to get any more complicated. Studying Italian on scholarship at the University of Michigan, Dani is haunted by a horrible tragedy that her husband, Mason, simply can’t come to terms with. But when she meets Carrie Baumgartner, and then her handsome husband, Doc, she finds her attraction to the couple irresistible, no matter how complicated things might get. While the two women bond over being childless and yet surrounded by children in the university’s married housing complex, it’s Doc Baumgartner who really brings them together with a game-changing idea that serves to reshape all of their lives.
Blackraven’s Review:
First, I must say that when I saw there was another installment in The Baumgartner series, I simply jumped for joy and grabbed the book before anyone else had a chance to get their grubby little paws on it. *Evil Laugh*
Ms. Kitt continues to amaze me with the depth that she brings to this series. I’m am completely fascinated with Doc and Carrie, but more importantly with the love they have for one another. They are extremely generous, open-minded individuals who seem to bring joy to everyone they come in contact with and Dani is no exception. Moreover, I enjoyed watching Doc’s alpha male come to light when it came to protecting his “girls” and giving them everything their hearts desired. He’s a gentle giant that I just wanted to take home and keep for myself. Carrie is one lucky woman….so is Dani for when I come to think of it.
There were times that I laughed, cried and wanted to scream at the injustice and pain that both Dani, Mason, Carrie and Doc were experiencing. The tragedy that Dani and Mason found themselves faced with at such a young age ripped my heart out. It’s hard enough for more mature adults to deal with such a tragedy, but for young, college students who are still learning about themselves and trying to find their way in this world, it’s even harder as evidence by the events that play out between Dani and Mason.
The Baumgartners Plus One is a captivating story full of heart, laughter, but most importantly love. Now don’t get me wrong, the sex is smoking hot and will singe your e-reader, but the depth of the characters and the level of emotion that Ms. Kitt will bring out of you as you read more about Doc and Carrie’s journey will simply take your breath away, put a smile on your face, and a tear in your eye. I fall in love with both of these characters more and more with each story.
Ms. Kitt manages to handle a difficult tragedy that can happen to anyone with such finesse that you can’t help but want to read more. In fact, I read this story in one sitting. If you’re looking for a captivating story, full of heart, laughter, and joy, with sex scenes that are guaranteed to keep you wet and wanton throughout the story, then The Baumgartners Plus One is definitely the book to read. Bravo Ms. Kitt and I’m sorry for your loss. Many blessings!
Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by the Blackraven!
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Posted in 5 Ravens, Author Review, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, eXcessica, F/F, f/f/m, LGBT, menage, Menage a Trois/Quarte, Raven Divas, Recommended Read, Selena Kitt, sex toys, The Baumgartners Plus One, The Blackraven | 1 Comment »
January 8th, 2011
 Kaydee & the Tramp by Titania Ladley
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: LGBT, F/F, Contemporary Erotic Romance
Length: Novella
Review Copy Received from Publisher
Summary:
“Show me how a woman makes love to a woman.”Hearing that from any hetero female is normally a deal breaker. But when lesbian Kaydee Truman is propositioned with those words by her longtime secret crush—her best friend’s widowed stepmom—temptation takes a front seat to propriety. Savanah Kirtright exudes irresistible sex appeal, and her many past experiences lie solely with men. Savanah’s unexpected enthusiasm to learn how to please a woman proves to be more than Kaydee can resist.
Which turns out to be the worst mistake of her life. But how can such an agonizing slip-up feel so damn right? Neither Kaydee nor Savanah have the answer. All they know is, one sultry summer day by the lake leaves Kaydee and her new lover to make choices that will forever change their lives.
Tarsilla’s Review:
I loved Kaydee & the Tramp! It’s so scorching hot, erotic, and the relationship between Kaydee and Savanah is incredibly beautiful. I loved the plot – it was really well developed, interesting, and very refreshing to see Savanah not only discover, but embrace her sexuality sort of late in life. I loved Kaydee’s complexity. I was very intrigued by her maturity, her vixen personality, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching as she went through her own discovery in finding true love.
Narration-wise, I loved having equal access to point of views from both Kaydee and Savanah. It allowed for great insight into their characters and a much better connection to their steamy romance. I was very connected to the entire story. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Melanie’s story in the background, and how it affected the story as a whole. Her character was very engaging, and it made me wish for a resolution for her as well.
The one aspect of the story I had a little trouble with, however, was how Savanah kept comparing her time with Kaydee to her previous relationships with men. I understand why she would do that, and in the beginning it was very realistic, but she compared the two so often throughout the story that it got a little annoying. However, that doesn’t really detract from how well Kaydee & the Tramp portrays an F/F relationship, and I truly recommend it as a must-read.
Rated 4 Ravens by Tarsilla!
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Posted in 4 Ravens, Author Review, Contemporary Romance, ellora's cave, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Erotic Romance, F/F, Gay, GLBT, LGBT, Raven Divas, Tarsilla, Titania Ladley | No Comments »
November 28th, 2010
 Meet the Baumgartners by Selena Kitt
Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, M/F, F/F, M/F/F, Menage at Trois
Length: 73 pages
Review Copy Received from Publisher
Summary:
Carrie swore off men after a relationship-gone-bad in her freshman year of college and is perfectly happy with her roommate and lover, Maureen – until she discovers Steve Baumgartner (“Call me ‘Doc,’ everybody does”) in a very compromising – and decidedly sexy – position. Meeting Doc complicates things, but when Maureen’s very-religious boyfriend becomes a real threat and the gang goes to Key West for summer break, Carrie finds herself swept away by circumstance into a whirlwind of lust and sexual discovery.
If you’ve read Babysitting the Baumgartners, A Baumgartner Reunion, or Baumgartner Generations: Janie, you’ll love this prequel to the series. If you’ve never read any of them – Meet the Baumgartners! Your life will never be the same again!
Warnings: This title contains f/f sex, a m/f/f threesome, a wicked game of strip poker and the hottest shower masturbation scenes you may ever read.
The Blackraven’s Review:
Meet the Baumgartners is the perfect short story to enlighten readers on how Doc and Carrie came to be as a couple. I must admit that Ms. Kitt didn’t disappoint me with the steamy, erotic tale of love, lust, and self-discovery.
Ms. Kitt will take you on the emotional rollercoaster ride of your life with this short story of drama and intense feelings that suck you into the story with each turn of the page. It was interesting to see the younger Carrie who was somewhat shy and insecure about her place in the world. I enjoyed how Ms. Kitt allowed us to see all of the dimensions of Carrie’s psyche to explain how she became the sexual being we first met in Babysitting the Baumgartners and trust me when I say that it wasn’t an easy road to travel. This new light shed on Carrie only increased the overall depth of not only the character, but also the series as a whole.
I’ve always thought and still do that Doc is one of the sexiest characters that I’ve read in an erotic romance. His patience and kindness, yet raw, insatiable sexuality makes you want to take him home and ravage him. He truly is the perfect fit for Carrie and this story only added to the three-dimensional side of Doc as lover, protector, but more importantly, a friend…because at the end of the day, he does become Carrie’s best friend in the most important ways that count.
There were times that I laughed, cried and of course was all hot and bothered because Ms. Kitt definitely knows how to rouse a girl in her books of explicit and at times raw, yet passionate sex that makes your mouth water. I don’t want to give the story away, but I must admit that Meet the Baumgartners is definitely one book you don’t want to miss.
The characters are loveable with a level a depth that brings them to life on the page and the sex is scorching hot to the point that it’ll set your e-reader on fire. If you haven’t tried Ms. Kitt’s Baumgartner series then you’re in for a real treat. Be sure to pick it up at eXcessica.
Rated 5 Ravens by The Blackraven!
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Posted in 5 Ravens, Author Review, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, eXcessica, F/F, m/f, m/f/f, Meet the Baumgartners, menage, Menage a Trois/Quarte, Raven Divas, Selena Kitt, The Blackraven | 1 Comment »
October 22nd, 2010
 Trust by Roxy Harte
Publisher: Loose Id LLC
Genre: BDSM, Erotica, Contemporary, Ménage, M/F, F/F
Length: Short Novel
Review Copy Received from Publisher
Summary:
Kari is twenty-one, but in many ways she is still a child; having lost her parents as a baby and then her only other living relatives — the grandparents who raised her — as a teen, she has a hard time forming emotional attachments. Believing she can fill the void in her life with music and sex, she dances her evenings away at a Cyber-Goth club and leaves with the man of the day.
That is, until she is introduced to Julian, a man who loves the cyber scene as much as she does and has a British accent to die for. There’s only one problem…he refuses to have sex with her.
Julian is brokenhearted after losing the masochist he groomed for years to meet his every sadistic need. As a fashion buyer for the family business, he travels the world to stay connected to the ever changing trends of the Cyber-Goth community, shopping by day and dancing by night, but left with little time to find a girlfriend. In a moment of desperation agrees to meet a girl who should fit perfectly in his Cyber-Goth world — and that she does. There’s just one big problem: she is completely vanilla and unable to trust.
Is there anyway for Kari and Julian to meet halfway, or will Kari have to learn to surrender her every fear in order to trust Julian enough to become park of his dark, dangerous kinky world?
Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, substantial BDSM theme and content (including/not limited to bondage, domination/submission, flogging, rope play, spanking) daddy/daughter play, menage, same sex interaction (f/f).
Lace’s Review :
Trust by Roxy Harte is truly a spell binding BDSM that pulls you in and keeps you wanting more.
Julian is an amazing and yes a loving Dom even though his character had me feeling a bit unsure at first. He turned my opinion around, as it became obvious that he truly wanted to give Kari everything. However, he had some massive inner demons to deal with in order to give himself freely to Kari. 
In regards to Kari, I just cannot believe how attached I became to this character. She had me feeling so much in a short span of time. Her willingness to keep continuing to see Julian, to want him, to love him had me in awe.
Talk about a frustrating plotline. I didn’t think I was going to make it through Julian and Kari’s on again, off again routine. But be that as it may, this still is a great read. It just takes a bit to sink into the story.
The secondary characters helped this book be fun and lighthearted at times, as Naomi was to funny! She is a nice buffer for Kari and Julian.
This is my first Roxy Harte book, but I cannot wait to try more.
Rated 4 Ravens by Lace!
Posted in 4 Ravens, Author Review, BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, F/F, Loose Id, m/f, menage, Menage a Trois/Quarte, Raven Divas, Roxy Harte, Trust | 1 Comment »
October 22nd, 2010
 Marilyn by D.B. Story
Publisher: Excessica
Genre: Sci Fi, Romance, F/F, LGBT
Length: Story (9,052 words)
Review Copy Received from Publisher
Summary:
Once we start building robots we will be able to build them in any form we wish, and we will do exactly that because it will help sell them. Unfortunately, in the same way that fame has always brought burdens to those it grants its graces to, it will also bring unique challenges to those built in that image.
(Note to buyers: This story is also contained in the anthology: The Fembot Chronicles—Volume 2, available in e-book and print. In the same way that iTunes sells individual tracks off of an album, individual stories are available without the need to buy the entire anthology.)Warnings: This title contains lesbian sex with robots.
Tarsilla’s Review:
Marilyn, by D.B. Story, is a really provocative read. Marilyn is so complex, an utter juxtaposition to the fact that she’s a robot, and I loved seeing her inner conflict throughout the story. I was really drawn to the story, for even though the central plot is actually fairly simple, the whole underlying issue of robot ethics and mentality is very interesting. I was sad by its short length though, for I think if this controversial idea had been explored further, the plot could have had much more depth.
Going along the lines of size, the pacing of this story is sort of off as well. I really loved how it began, very slow and full of details. I got such a nice clear entry into Marilyn’s thoughts that it was almost impossible for me not to love her character. However, from the moment she meets Lynn, the pacing starts getting faster and faster, to a point that I lost that close “relationship” with the story I had in the beginning. On that note, things in the end wrapped up so nicely so quickly that I had a hard time believing it, or even liking it.
I thought Lynn’s character was a bit clichéd. I didn’t see anything in her that was original or even interesting. The only thing about her that I liked was the fact that she still treated Marilyn like a human being even after she discovered that Marilyn was a robot. Other than that, it was hard sympathizing with her character, even though I did sympathize with her situation. Also, I didn’t really believe her actions the first time she slept with Marilyn. I can see why she did what she did, but the way she did it was completely unlike her character – a woman being abused by her boyfriend and who seemed averted by the idea of being intimate with another female. If the build-up towards that had been slower, with some hints here and there that’s where she was headed; I would have believed her actions a lot more.
But, I really really loved the idea behind this story. I just wish I had seen…more.
Rated 3 Ravens by Tarsilla!
Posted in 3 Ravens, Author Review, D.B. Story, Erotic Romance, eXcessica, F/F, GLBT, LGBT, Marilyn, Raven Divas, Sci-Fi, Tarsilla | 1 Comment »
October 4th, 2010
 The Lovers by Eden Bradley
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Spice
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Ménage, F/F, F/F/M, M/F, Voyeurism
Review Copy Received from Publisher through NetGalley
Summary:
It seemed ideal —two months at a charming writers’ retreat, surrounded by kindred souls. But Bettina Boothe wasn’t prepared for just how long eight weeks truly was. Or that in the process, she would have to open up and reveal the most secret places in her body and soul.
Fortunately, her fellow authors do not share Bettina’s self-consciousness and begin to draw her out of her self-imposed shell. One in particular—Audrey LeClaire— seems to ooze confidence and self-assuredness. Dark and petite, Audrey’s potent sensuality draws the men and women in the workshop to her like flies to honey. Bettina is just as vulnerable, finding herself overwhelmed by an unexpected attraction to Audrey who makes Bettina her special project.
But when Jack Curran arrives at the retreat, everything changes. Jack is tall, beautiful, masculine. A writer of dark thrillers, he is as mysterious and alluring as his books. He and Audrey are obviously an item, but they eagerly welcome Bettina into their bed. Suddenly Bettina finds herself swept up in a maelstrom of lust, obsession and jealousy, torn between her need for two very different people in a love triangle where she will either be cherished…or consumed.
AJ’s Review:
The Lovers by Eden Bradley is a story about self-exploration and pushing the boundaries of one’s comfort zone. Ms. Bradley has written a compelling story that addresses difficult everyday topics which only make the words and characters come to life on the page. In addition, she does an excellent job of allowing Bettina Boothe to tell us her story in first person, as the words flowed smoothly over the pages.
Bettina Boothe by some people’s standards and her own would be considered a neurotic, obsessive compulsive writer who is a recluse. She hides behind life through her writing and until she began interacting with a group of online writers, she was comfortable with the status quo she had established for herself. But, things change quickly when she takes the advice of her therapist and decides to come out of her shell (mainly her own head) by spending two months at a writers’ retreat surrounded by her online friends who she considers kindred souls.
What she doesn’t expect is to fall in lust and just maybe love with not only a sexy female by the name of Audrey who seems almost ethereal, but also a sexy alpha male by the name of Jack Curran. Both Audrey and Jack have managed to avoid a real relationship not only with each other but with others. They are content to spend their summers and life being friends with benefits. That is…until they meet Bettina who has a more profound effect on the lives then they could have ever imagined. In between lust, jealousy, self-discovery, and possibly love, can these three find a happily ever after together? 
The Lovers is a powerful, sensual story that will at times make you want to weep for these characters in regards to how the people in their lives who were supposed to love them did more harm than good. The secondary characters were wonderful and added not only depth but provided a different perception of Bettina that she couldn’t see for herself. One that was often insightful, thought provoking and truthful even when it leads to pain and heartache. In addition, Ms. Bradley does an excellent job of providing us with a setting that’s so vivid you can almost smell the salt water on the ocean or feel as though you’re shopping with Bettina and her friends at the market.
The Lovers> is a well-written, captivating story that will keep you guessing in regards to what will ultimately happen at the end of the retreat between Bettina, Audrey and Jack. Moreover, the sex scenes will have you panting and constantly aroused with the turn of every page. Bravo Ms. Bradley for reminding us not only of the importance of trusting oneself as well as others, but also that things in life happen for a reason and sometimes that reason is to bring you together with the love of your life. Moreover, that the past does not have to define who we are because we always have a choice to take a different path.
Rated 4 ½ Ravens by AJ!
Posted in 4 1/2 Ravens, A.J., Author Review, Contemporary Romance, Eden Bradley, Erotic Romance, F/F, f/f/m, Harlequin, Harlequin Spice, m/f, menage, Raven Divas, The Lovers, voyeurism | No Comments »
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Tabitha Rayne has crafted a compelling, entertaining, creative story with engaging characters who are fighting against the odds to find their Happily Ever After. Lena and Angelo’s naivete in regards to sex balanced Mae’s sensual knowledge to make for some smoking hot love scenes. I loved how Ms. Rayne allowed each of the characters to explore their sexuality. But what I enjoyed the most was the fact that Mae, one of the females, was responsible for teaching Angelo and Lena about domination. While Mae is a character that takes a bit of getting used to, she eventually grew on me as the story progressed. Ms. Rayne’s symbolism of the butterfly was an intricate component of the story that not only held meaning for each character on a personal level, but also added depth to the development of each character. Moreover, the conclusion of A Clockwork Butterfly leads the reader to believe that there will be a sequel, which piques my curiosity even more. 
