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Laid Open by Lauren Dane

October 15, 2012 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: My favourite book in this series is Laid Bare – where this threesome got together so it was a no brainer that I was going to pick this one up.

Warning: Series spoilers ahoy.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) All she needed to pack was a few bikinis, a toothbrush and some sunscreen. This is what Ben told Erin when he presented her and Todd with tickets to Fiji and the promise of ten days of nothing but sleeping until whenever they wanted, sex without having to lock the door and lots of alone time.

And that’s what they have. Long days and nights filled with pleasure. Long enough that the stress and exhaustion drops away and the three can simply enjoy each other.

They’ve got heat. More than ever before. Recharging their batteries has also brought new levels of intimacy and connection. But when Erin stumbles over the pain of her past, both men band together to not only help her through, but to help each other as well.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): When I read Laid Bare, I loved how the relationship between Todd and Ben developed – from being best friends to being lovers too. By the end of Laid Bare, they had started making out and I believe there was even a BJ scene. I know from the subsequent books in the series that they were together and happy and had had a baby boy (Alexander) together (deliberately choosing not to identify the biological father). Erin and Todd are legally married and Todd is Alexander’s legal father however. And, one of the things which always struck me about the triad, even though their relationship was developing, was that the centre was Erin. By the end of Laid Bare, I wondered if Ben and Todd would stay together if Erin was out of the picture for some reason and I thought, probably not.

I should probably talk about the novella now…

Laid Open is a novella featuring this threesome and I was hoping to see that the relationship between Todd and Ben had developed further and that their relationship was more “equal” (in terms of emotions). And, I got it. Sort of.

But. The second paragraph of the story is:

“His entire life was right there and it filled him with joy.”

‘Right there’ was Erin and Alexander – Todd wasn’t home yet. It’s possible I put too much emphasis on that as I read the book, but hey, it was on the first page. When Todd does go home, Erin and Ben both get some alone time to greet him “properly” and it is clear that Ben and Todd’s relationship has indeed progressed. They are more physically comfortable with each other and, as becomes apparent later in the book (in delicious detail), their sexual comfort zone has also extended.

The trio go on a lovely holiday to Fiji to have some alone time together, without the pressure of work and without (the delightfuly distraction of) Alexander (who stays with Brody). Then we have lots of lovely sex between Erin and Todd, Erin and Ben, Ben and Todd and all three of them together.

About 2/3 through I was thinking, ‘well this is nice and all but where’s the conflict?’ – and right then, Erin’s demons about the death of her daughter Adele come back to bite her. I had mixed feelings about this. First, I absolutely get that such a tremendous loss can and will surge from time to time and sometimes, with unexpected viciousness. It’s not something Erin will ever “get over” – it’s something she had learned to live with but it doesn’t mean it won’t bite her in the ass from time to time. And I’d never judge the way someone grieves – there is no timetable. I get that. What jarred me was Erin’s over-reaction to not realising the date at first. I say over-reaction because as is clear from the text, she had actually forgotten nothing and had prepared (prior to holidaying) for the date. What she was actually beating herself up for felt like an excuse for conflict in the story rather than real. I’ll say it again – her being upset over the anniversary of her daughter’s death was completely understandable. Absolutely. But, something about the way it was expressed in the story felt manufactured.

Erin needs a little alone time and Todd and Ben try to plan how to help her. It is Ben who urges Todd to hold back a little. He uses as his example, how he feels left out sometimes – he’s not legally married to Erin and he’s not on Alexander’s birth certificate. He doesn’t have an acknowledged place in their relationship according to the wider world. And sometimes, it bothers him. Now this. This was a real conflict. I could happily have read more about this. For me, that was the natural conflict in the story that was left basically unresolved. Todd gives Ben some reassurance but that’s about it.

The chemistry the trio has is off the charts and I like the way they are together. I believe that they are all happy in their relationship together and short of Erin’s death (which I do not wish for), they will all be together for the long haul. But, if something happened to Erin, would Todd and Ben say together and raise Alexander as a couple? I have no doubt that if something happened to either of the men, Erin and whoever survived would grieve, but they’d stay together as a couple. I guess my sense of equality (? balance?) is somehow bothered by this discrepancy – which is ridiculous but there you go. Still, I did feel that the balance had increased in their relationship as compared to the first book, so there’s that.

What else? In many ways for me, this book was a bit of a stroke-fest. The part where Erin loses it seemed a bit obviously hurt/comfort and somewhat forced but I can’t say that it was a hardship to watch these 3 scorch the sheets.

Grade: B-

Fields of Gold by Dev Bentham

October 14, 2012 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I was offered a review copy by the author and I’ve enjoyed her previous books.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Life is full of compromises. That’s what Avi Rosen tells himself. He’s a yeshiva boy turned historian, working on his dissertation and stretching his meager stipend by moonlighting as a closeted politician’s houseboy. Their relationship used to feel like a real affair. Lately it seems more like a job.

It isn’t until he meets someone decent that he realizes how corrupt his life has become. Pete is a tall blond farmer who charms Avi with his dazzling smile and his straightforward life. But even if he can believe this refreshingly honest man doesn’t have his own political agenda, will Avi find the strength to emerge from the dark life he’s chosen and find a future in the sun

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I enjoy Ms. Bentham’s writing style and, as expected I enjoyed this book as well. I liked the imagery of Pete being the bright blond man who helps (inspires?) Avi into the light. Avi doesn’t like to think of himself as a whore, but he starts to as time goes by, when he realises he doesn’t love his assemblyman and the “relationship” is more about having a roof over his head than romance. When he meets Pete, he is attracted and tempted. The picture is of someone who’s afraid to move on, who is hiding. This is reflected in his academic life too – he’s been at college for 7 (?) years working on his dissertation for many of them and he’ll make every excuse possible why he’s not read to defend. I don’t know much about the US academic system so I’m taking it on faith that people actually spend years and years on their PhD at college. But, because of my lack of knowledge, I’m happy enough to go with the flow. (Truth to tell, I don’t know much about that level of education in Australia either).

When he’s pushed, by his attraction to Pete, and academically by his professor, he starts to come out of hiding.

I thought the conflict between Pete and Avi at the end was a little manufactured – Avi had no reason to believe that badly of Pete I thought. But, it did force Avi to spend some time on his own and the advantage to that was that I was sure he wanted to be with Pete and the end (and Pete was too) rather than just jumping from one “relationship” to another for some kind of safety net.

I liked how Pete and Avi were together – the juxtaposition of the kindness and sensitivity (without being wimpy) that Pete showed Avi, how they could be together openly (“in the light”) and the closeted, dark and hidden relationship with Mr. Assemblyman who treated him like a servant, (like a whore, in fact) only served to highlight just what a catch Pete was.

I found there was very little by way of description of Avi physically, so other than from the cover (which could be accurate I guess), I didn’t really get a picture of him. Dark hair, shorter than Pete, skinny and pale was about all I could glean (notice my grain farming reference there? heh) from the text. I would have liked to have had a clearer mental picture of Avi but that’s probably a me thing.

I also liked how Professor Joan was able to pin down what made Avi tick academically and what he would be most comfortable and happy doing, as opposed to what he could potentially be successful financially doing.

What else? There were a number of sympathetic female characters in the book, which is a plus I’m appreciating more and more with m/m romance.

Even though the title of the series is Tarnished Souls and is set around Jewish holidays – this one is about Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, I think the story is only tangentially related to that theme. Not that it matters.

I liked catching up with Isaac and Nathan from Learning from Isaac also.

Given that they were only together for 2 weeks, I thought it was entirely appropriate that the book ended with a hopeful HEA rather than a proposal and exchange of rings (whether symbolic or legal – I don’t know the state of the law in Wisconsin). I did think that the two would make it in the long haul – the fact that there wasn’t over the top emoting at the end, made me more convinced of it actually.

The parts of the book that worked best for me were when Pete and Avi were together and I would have liked more of it. The book is only just over 110 pages long and, like in earlier books from this author, I felt that a bit more fleshing out of the main characters, their issues and their relationship (via more pages), would have really added to my enjoyment of the story. I enjoy Ms. Bentham’s books but, would love to see her take more page time to add some further depth – because her books have the potential to be amazing.

Grade: B-

Deep Desires by Charlotte Stein

October 13, 2012 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: This is another I heard about on Twitter and bought. Thank you Mandi 🙂

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) The Further She Goes, the More She Needs …

Abbie Gough has done her best to escape a violent past. But in the process, she’s avoided life, desire and love. So when she sees her equally closed off neighbour, Ivan, performing for her one night through his window, she can’t stop looking.

Voyeuristic pleasures become Abbie’s lifeline. But as she comes alive and craves more, Ivan backs away. He has his own secrets , the kind that draw her into kinky games and her own shameful desires, while also preventing real intimacy between them. But now she’s found someone so special, she’s not about to give up easily. And she’s willing to do whatever it takes to melt Ivan’s cool exterior. Even if captivating him means pushing through her limits to whatever lies beyond.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This is a short, dark and very sexy book. Abbie lives a solitary life, alone and afraid (the reasons for which become clear as the story progresses). One night she sees, through her window into her neighbour’s window across the courtyard. He’s masturbating. And he knows she’s watching. She’s fascinated and aroused and they start a mutually voyeuristic ‘relationship’ through their windows. In this section of the book there is almost no dialogue. The story is told from Abbie’s first person POV and there is a feeling, particularly in the first section of almost stifling closeness, so deeply are we in Abbie’s head. The way it’s written, the reader is a voyeur too.

After her neighbour (whose name, she discovers is Ivan) starts sending her gifts (in a non stalker-y way), their relationship begins to progress to phone calls and eventually, them being physically in the same room as each other. And, their sexual relationship progresses too. It is apparent that their phone calls are long and wide ranging and they get to know each other fairly well in these calls, even though their conversations aren’t documented all that much in the book.

Ivan has his own problems – he has difficulties with physical intimacy and lives his life in strict order. In Abbie he sees the potential for release or at least relief from both of these things – things which stifle him.

The ending is perhaps a bit formulaic but the development of the relationship between Ivan and Abbie was compelling and oh so sexy.

It is, at heart the story of two broken people finding strength, acceptance and passion in each other and that’s always a story I’m interested in reading. Plus, blindfold sex.

Grade: B

I love this community. I really do.

October 12, 2012 / Kaetrin

Anyone who follows me on Twitter will know that my stepdad had a brain bleed yesterday and he’s currently in the ICU, with a shunt draining the excess fluid from his head to relieve the pressure. He’s hanging in there, can move all his limbs and recognises people. He’s still a bit confused and a bit slurry but the doctors are saying that’s to be expected. He was having another CT scan today to check on the status of the bleed and plan future treatment. So far, so good.

When I first got the call, after a mild meltdown and a phone hug from my husband, one of the things I did was to post a Tweet asking for good thoughts and prayers. And boy, did you guys really come through. I’ve often wondered when I see someone sharing bad news or troubling times on Twitter and I’ve sent a message of encouragement whether I’m intruding or whether it actually has any meaning (this is more a function of me second-guessing myself as opposed to anything else) but I can honestly say, having been on the other end of it yesterday and today, that those messages of encouragement really do mean something. They helped. It’s always good to know there are people on your side.

I don’t know if other book comunities are like this, if it’s just romancelandia or even if it’s just *my* book community; but in any event, I love it. I wanted to say I appreciate you guys so much – from the interesting and smart discussions we have such as here, to the support we as a community give when one of us suffers a tragedy (such as a husband being taken from his family before his time as a result of a crime or a cancer scare, etc) and most especially today, to the support given to me. I couldn’t fit it into 140 characters so I’m posting here. It’s my blog and I can be sappy here if I want to! 🙂

In other news, I have a review up at AudioGals today of Getting Rid of Bradley by Jenny Crusie and I have a number of other reviews lined up. I’m also planning a giveaway to celebrate the release (on October 15) of Tigerland by Sean Kennedy so watch out for that in the next little bit too.

Sometimes I get down about the reviewing/blogging climate and some of the crap that goes on, but really, you guys (and you know who you are) make it fun and worthwhile. So, thank you.

Kaetrin

Wish by Kelly Hunter

October 9, 2012 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: After my less than successful experience with my first try of something from the Destiny imprint, I was keen to read another which I liked. I’ve heard about Australian author Kelly Hunter from various trusted reviewers and I even have another of her Harlequin books on my TBR but I hadn’t read any. When I saw this on NetGalley, I felt like this would be a sure bet. I was right.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) All single mother Billie Temple wants for Christmas is to trade her hectic Sydney lifestyle for simple country living and a place to call home.

All widowed cattleman Adam Kincaid wants is for Billie and her son to go away.

Someone’s got a problem.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I’ve always thought it takes a special talent to write short. To tell a good story in less than 100 pages is a talent I both recognise and envy (if I ever do write a book, I can’t imagine it being short!). And, sure I could happily have read more about Billie and Adam, but, the story was told and very enjoyably too in that less than 100 pages.

Ms. Hunter creates characters using bold strokes but which nevertheles feel complete. She doesn’t use a lot of words to explain the characters, letting them largely speak for themselves, but there was enough that I had a very clear picture of the main players, without any of them feeling like caricatures. I enjoyed the humor too – the way she portrayed Adam’s initial interest in Billie is one example:

Billie was doing the rounds for empties when he walked in and she looked businesslike and efficient in tailored black trousers and a crisp white shirt. Not that he’d been expecting a miniskirt, fishnets, and six-inch heels, no, but a man had his fantasies and that one had been particularly vivid.

I had half expected the book would be on the sweet side of the steam scale, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the heat level was higher than that – no shying away from use of the word clitoris. There wasn’t tons and tons of sex – it’s not an erotic romance and of course, it’s not very long, but there was enough for the story and it was well done too.

Billie is open about her desire for Adam from early on and it is obvious he is struggling with feeling the same way even though after the death of his wife and son in a car accident some years before, he’s not looking for a relationship. The presence of Billie and her son on his property is enough to give him the heebie geebies and it’s bringing all sorts of uncomfortable emotions to the surface. He’s gruff and outright rude but he is at heart, a good man and a protector and he is drawn to Billie.

Eventually they start up a friends with benefits type arrangement, on the quiet and with no strings from either side – Adam can’t bring himself to use Cal’s name referring to him as “the boy” and Billie knows that a relationship with a man who can’t include her son in his life is doomed. But, he’s sexy and she’s lonely so, despite her better judgement she embarks on a fling. When some strange things start happening in town and it looks like Billie is under threat, Adam’s protective instincts outweigh his reticence and he takes Billie and Cal into his home. And he finds, against his will, he likes it.

I enjoyed the Australian setting and farming work peppered throughout the story and I liked how Billie stood up for herself with her new boss at the pub Roly and got her way in getting the pub modernised and bringing in new customers. The “suspense” plot was a little thin I suppose but it all made sense and as I read for the romance I wasn’t bothered by it.

Billie has been through a lot in her life too and I appreciated that she was the sort of person who could take a little time to grieve but then got up and moved on with optimism, without being a Mary Sue. Adam sees that and takes some inspiration I think.

I also enjoyed the scene where Adam went shopping. Very fun. 🙂

The book is nothing earth-shattering – just a sweet sexy and short contemporary but I really enjoyed it. The length is just right to finish in an evening and it left me with a smile on my face.

What else? According to Goodreads, the book was first released last year but it is up at NetGalley now as release for the new Destiny imprint so I guess it is getting a new audience.

I enjoyed Ms. Hunter’s writing voice and will definitely be reading more from her.

Grade: B+

Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha

October 8, 2012 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I saw the Twitter buzz (especially from Angela James, Carina Press editor who said it was super dirty) so I hoofed it over to NetGalley and was happy to be approved for the title. I’ll just say here too that the copyright information at the front was pretty classy I thought (basically that it’s okay to lend, but keep within your peer group and lend like you would a paper book.).

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) All Noelle Cunningham has ever wanted is a life beyond–beyond the walls of Eden, where only the righteous are allowed to remain, and beyond her stiflingly restrictive existence as a councilman’s daughter. But only ruins lie outside the City, remnants of a society destroyed by solar storms decades earlier.

The sectors surrounding Eden house the corrupt, the criminal–men like Jasper McCray, bootlegger and cage fighter. Jas clawed his way up from nothing to stand at the right hand of Sector Four’s ruthless leader, and he’ll defend the O’Kane gang with his life. But no fight ever prepared him for the exiled City girl who falls at his feet.

Her innocence is undeniable, but so is their intense sexual attraction, and soon they’re crossing every boundary Noelle barely knew she had. But if she wants to belong to Jas, first she’ll have to open herself to the gang, to a dangerous world of sex, lust and violence. A world where passion is power, and freedom is found in submission.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Angela James was right. It’s super dirty! 😀 In the wild west environment of Sector 4, anything goes (so, expect some f/f action as well as multiple partners and a little BDSM play). Dallas O’Kane rules the sector and he makes sure the women under his protection are free to choose what that they do and with whom, just like the men. In Eden, woman (I gather) are ornaments for their fathers and later, their husbands; sex is not allowed and certainly not for fun. Noelle does the rubber band thing a little – going from one extreme to the other, until she settles at what is comfortable and happy for her. But, from the first, when she literally falls into Jasper’s arms, she feels a special affinity for him and he for her. It takes a while for both of them to realise that their attraction is based on more than him being her white knight that day.

I *really liked* how there was no slut shaming in this book by the people of Sector 4.

“Do you think I’m a harlot?”

She could not be serious. “No. I think maybe you’re a lady who likes to fuck.”

Noelle’s lips twitched. A laugh bubbled up, and she jerked her hand from his leg to cover her mouth. “You say it so easily, like it’s not the same thing at all.”

“Because it’s not. No one here is going to think you’re a bad person.” Seeing her mouth covered was a travesty, so he pried her fingers away and rubbed his thumb over her lower lip. “I’ll show you tonight, and you’ll see.”

It takes a while for Noelle to understand that along with the power to say “yes” to things, she also has the power to say “no”. Ultimately, I think Jasper’s earlier reticence about Noelle was about this – if she only said “yes” did that make the word meaningless?

Jasper’s insta-love didn’t bother me as much as it usually would have (though generally it’s not a trope I love) and I can’t really put my finger on why. It was just an accepted fact in the story very (very) early on. I did believe he feels for Noelle something he hasn’t felt before. I liked the way he’s clearly fairly alpha but he wasn’t uber possessive of her either. It seems even after their HEA they will still have many sexual adventures.

I liked Noelle’s journey (now she’s free, what’s she going to do with it?) and I liked the glimpses we had into Dallas (rowr!), Lex, Ace (more rowr!), Rachel, Bren ( ro… are you sensing a theme here?) and Six. I think I’m going to like Maddox too as the series progresses.

Dallas in particularly is a very interesting character (absolutely ruthless but with a unassailable sense of honour) and his dynamic with Lex is something which outshone Noelle and Jasper from time to time. For some reason, I didn’t mind though. 🙂

Because of the way the story was set up, with bits of Dallas, Lex and others, there was a sense of the book being somewhat unfinished. This was a satisfying read, but it’s clear there is a LOT more to tell.

I also liked that Noelle didn’t just cave into Jasper at the end, she actually thought about it – valued herself and him enough to sit back and make a decision. I also liked that she took responsibility for her part of the relationship and didn’t expect hearts and flowers and perfection – that she undertook to make it work too.

Jasper had hurt her. Whether through good intentions or carelessness, it didn’t matter. He’d crushed something fragile, and while doing it had damaged her trust. She couldn’t close her eyes and believe that he’d always know what she needed, that he’d always be there, giving it to her, no questions asked.

But maybe it had been the wrong sort of trust. Open, passive trust, the kind that was reckless to give and easy to shatter. The girl who’d been thrown through the gates of Eden had trusted blindly because she hadn’t had any other choice. That kind of trust meant as little as one more yes from someone who never said no.

This time would be harder. She’d have to trust Jasper, knowing he was human. Knowing he could hurt her, even when he didn’t mean to. She’d have to trust that he’d do his best, and make amends when his best wasn’t enough.

What else? I appreciated that the book wasn’t overwhelmed by world building, while at the same time being curious about some aspects which weren’t explained. All in all though, I’d rather the less is more approach I think. I’m curious to know more about the world – I got the sense that the authors know the answers even if they’re not actually in the book (as opposed to some books where I’ve felt that no-one has a clue or “they’re making it up as they go along”), so I’m happy enough to go along for the ride. I’m definitely looking forward to finding more about this world and I can hardly wait to find out more about Lex and Dallas and the other Sector 4 characters.

Grade: B

Kit Rocha (who is the alter ego of Moira Rogers – aka the writing team of Bree and Donna) have a most cool promotion on at present, where you can sign up and join the O’Kane gang – complete with (temporary) tattoos. You can also grab a badge just like this one to show your allegiance. Very fun.