This isn't just erotica fluff with a happy ending. Todd Young's writing reminds me of Ken ...
924979
This isn't just erotica fluff with a happy ending. Todd Young's writing reminds me of Ken Kesey and a little of Joseph Heller's Catch 22, only with more sex. This story made me stop and think a few times about where it was going and what it was trying to say, which can be a little uncomfortable. That isn't a bad thing, just not what people expect from their gay erotica. If you like to think about what you are reading and have it resonate for a while after you have finished, you may enjoy this story. I recommend it.
4468678
This was my first time reading this author, and she has enticed me to come back for more. She handled the large age difference between the 2 main characters incredibly well and made their story believable. I particularly liked when she wrote the chapters showing various points of Kenzi's childhood and Tor's place I'm it. I'm ready to dig into more of these two series of books.
3358199
I am one of those people when I read I depend a lot on Author's descriptions to build a visual picture of the story I am reading. This author did a great job of not only building the visual picture, but also the emotional picture of these characters.

It was one of those books, like the Market Place series, I just couldn't put down and was saddened when it was over. Left me wanting much more, not wanting the story to end.

I recommend this to anyone interested in the BDSM lifestyle who enjoys reading well written tales of Dominance and Submission.
284645
This book is more than just an average erotic romance read, but it does have some terrific eroticism in it! Amelia's experiences and struggles with her past depression and recovery are spot on, which added a level of depth and connection to the character for me. Ryan is soooo good and patient (and sensually hot) that he deserves a special award among romantic heroes. I cannot wait to read the upcoming prequel to their story. If you want a bit of Clayton mixed with Ritchie(s) and/or Martin, this will be a perfect read for you. Great first offering from a new author.
1439374
I enjoyed this for the simple reason that it's a sweet story.  Engaging.  Likable characters.  Falling in love and having great sex with a bdsm element.  I'm a straight guy, and, guys, this isn't just a another sappy romance novel.
330782
Alien erotica is a new genre to me -- I've always been quite happy with regular old human sex, but I gave this story a shot, and was surprised at how into the story I got. The story involves a woman who finds herself in the hands of aliens who want to breed her -- they say for scientific purposes, but Xavier's writing quickly makes it clear that passion and lust are driving the interaction. I don't care what form the participants take -- and the aliens appear in a variety of weird erotic forms -- if the passion is well-written it's a sexy story, it will get me every time. And the passion was very well written. Xavier's aliens take on wild forms and use their unique shapes to do things that no human can dream of -- and even though the physical shapes were new to me, the story and the way the lust is written sucked me in.

I'm still not sure if alien erotica is the genre of stories I've been searching for -- and Alice Xavier wrote the perfect story to introduce me... or if I just love her writing so much that it hooks me even if goes beyond what I think my kink is... Either way, I'd highly recommend this title to readers -- especially if alien erotica is their thing, and even if they never thought it could be, but can't resist a well-written story of lust.
791555
This story was definitely one of the better-written erotica stories I've read.  The characters were nicely developed and likeable (when they were supposed to be, anyway), the storyline was interesting and kind of fun, and the sex was hot, tho more would be better. Listening to Kiryn's internal dialogue and her sense of humor was entertaining and delightful, as well, and I can't help but wonder what Rogan's internal dialogue might sound like... And, almost best of all (for me, being a grammar nerd and composition teacher)there were no painful, distracting, wince-inducing usage or syntax errors!  Yay!  An author who can craft a good story and write it well. The Minotaur's Mate is one story that's staying on my Kindle, not getting relegated to Archived Items or deleted with regret for having wasted the money and time on it. Good job, Elise, and please finish the sequel soon.
39844
No matter what genre, Ms. Kenner never disappoints and her latest foray into Erotica with her new novel, Release Me, is no exception.
Written in the style of "50 Shades" and "Bared to You," Ms. Kenner has set the bar extremely high for all future entrants into this crowded field.
Release Me is true Erotica and the sex is definitely graphic with a smidgeon of BDSM play. The heart wrenching love that blossoms between these two tragically damaged people is rivaled only by their incredibly, addictive sex and compulsions.
This book is NOT for the faint of heart, and I would even go so far as to say, I would not recommend it to anyone who struggles with "triggers" toward self-abuse.
Her characters are so realistically flawed and the unhealthy "coping skills" they've developed (and struggle to resist), due to their past abuse, are written just as realistically.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and must confess, I completed it in a day. Nikki and Damien will stay with me for a long time to come, and I know it's a book I will read again in the future. I can't recommend Release Me enough.
Complaints? The only one I have is the abrupt ending and having to wait for the next installment in this series.
1612724
I am a huge fan of Suzanne Youngs so when I first heard about THE PROGRAM, I couldn't contain my excitement. Another wild adventure to go on that would take me to places and to characters that I wouldn't want to leave. I was delighted to receive an early copy, and I didn't waste any time diving into the book. Upon finishing, I was in utter shock. This book is good. Suzanne will take readers to all new depths that you don't want to go but also secretly crave to be. The subject of suicide is one of those subjects that few writers dare to venture into, but Suzanne exceeds with it in THE PROGRAM. I'm not going to lie-it's heart wrenching and sometimes depressing in certain places. But all of that heartache serves to make readers fall even more in love with Suzanne's words and the flawed yet charming characters she has created.

Sloane had me from page one. This girls life is far from perfect, yet the absolute love and adoration she feels for her boyfriend James is undeniable. These two were made for each other. If soul mates do exist, these two fit the description to a tee. However, love is no match for the deep depression that threatens to consume the teens at all times, especially when tragedy once again strikes close to them. The Program will find those who show any signs of depression; it's just a matter of when they will bite. My heart ached for Sloane and how lost she felt throughout most of the book. Sloane is a fighter though, and she won't let The Program take her down. If anyone is going to best them, it's Sloane.

Readers all over are going to be swooning for James. He is hot, sweet, and his fierce love and devotion to Sloane is so dreamy. His intense personality is all-consuming. And yet behind that perfect persona that Sloane sees is an intensely flawed guy who just wants to love and be loved. He is just as susceptible to the depression as anyone is, no matter what Sloane wants to believe. I have to say that if Sloane wasn't in the picture, I might have to take him for myself.  But not really. Because these two are so madly in love that nothing can stop them, not me, not even The Program.

THE PROGRAM is special in that Sloane and James are already madly in love and together at the start of the novel, but that doesn't mean that we have to miss out on some of their firsts that they had together. Suzanne lets us in on their love story bit by bit as the book progresses, showing us how their younger selves shaped who they have become by the time the book opens. Along with the revelations into their relationship, tidbits on The Program and the dark secrets it holds come to light. I was completely horrified at what I learned about it, just as Sloane was. On a lighter note, Suzanne introduces the light-hearted and hilarious Realm to bring some much-needed relief to the darkest moments. Realm definitely gives James a run for his money in the favorite character department. He's just as complex as James, if not more so. I need more Realm!

If you love Suzanne Young's books, THE PROGRAM may turn out to be your favorite of them all like it is for me. If you are new to Suzanne Young's books though, THE PROGRAM is as good as anywhere to start. You're going to fall completely in love with everything about this book. It's got yummy boys, an intense and disturbing plot, and a protagonist to root for. What more could you ask for?
930400
I love Paul Young's writing and this was no exception.
3892320
*I received an ARC copy from the author for an honest review*
For fans of Julie Kenner's erotic novels, this one doesn't disappoint. However, this isn't your typical erotic novella. Ms. Kenner has thrown in some time travel components, along with some fantasy elements that include furies and Phoenixes. Callie has returned to NY to close up her father's antique store after he has suffered a stroke. When Rainier enters the store late one night Callie is drawn to him like a bee to a flower. She feels this inexplicable connection to this stranger, almost as if they've known each other for centuries. What Callie doesn't know, is that she has the essence of Raine's former wife Livia in her. Raine has been searching for Livia for centuries when they were separated. He has thrown his life in the path of danger time and again, slowly leaching the humanity out of him, because, as a Phoenix, he cannot die. When the pair first meet, Raine realizes that his connection to Callie is not just because she is beautiful, but because her soul calls to him on a deeper level. When Raine explains to Callie why they are so drawn to each other, Callie freaks and runs. She then has to figure out if Raine is really in love with her, or who she used to be, before she loses him forever.
Unfortunately, there were parts of this book that were incredibly confusing to me, and as someone who doesn't care for fantasy, I wasn't as in love with this book as someone who is as into the fantasy genre as others might be. I also felt that this book moved very slowly. For a short story, it felt very long. I love Ms. Kenner's writing, and I love how she can create a romantic story and make you want to switch places with the main character, but for the first time, reading one of her stories, I did not want to switch places.
If you are a true fan of fantasy, you will not be disappointed. If you are a fan of erotic romance, you will not be disappointed. And if you like short stories, then this one is for you.
A word to the reader: Read the blurb at the beginning of the story- it will help to explain some of what this story is based on.
2035714
Zenn Diagram by Wendy Brant is a gem.  I judge the success of a book by how engaged I become with the main characters--do I care about them and what becomes of them, do I want to know more about them.  In this case?  Absolutely I do.  Despite the fact that this book is classified as young adult, I felt a connection to the feelings of these characters who don't quite fit in (and it has been quite a while since I've been a young adult).  Her Eva's inner monologue is, at turns, humorous and heart-breaking.  "I concentrate on the peanut buttery goodness of my Reese's and try not to think about the kisses I've never had or what stomach muscles might feel like under curious fingertips."  "Well.  He wants to paint my van.  And unfortunately that's not a euphemism for anything."  "Maybe those parties only seem lame when you're not invited."  "I don't speak Spanish--I'm a French girl--but I think he called me either pretty or fat.  I'm going to go with pretty."  "As soon as he puts the truck in Park we are on each other like lint on black corduroys."  I found myself grinning and then, just as quickly, teary-eyed.  I don't know if you have a sequel in you, Ms. Brant, but I would read it in a heartbeat.  Very well done.
1697593
I enjoyed this more than almost any other romantic erotica I've read this year. Beth Kery, writing as Bethany Kane did a masterful job portraying the relationship between a man (Rill) who is on a downward spiral as the very basis on which he lived his life is rocked by a revelation about his dead wife, and the woman (Katie) who sets out to save him but in the process saves herself from a shallow and unsatisfying life. One issue I took with this book was their first sexual encounter. I found her acquiescence to be somewhat unconvincing and probably gratuitous meant to pull the reader in and give them hot sex right away. But later, the development of their emotional and physical connection was extremely well paced, and had elements that were very effective to show his dysfunction he struggled to come to terms with his highly sexual nature and to accept her for hers. I also felt that the characters were well-rounded and whole people rather than caricatures. I didn't give the book five stars because I think the let's just call it "action scene" at the end was somewhat silly. I also didn't like the phonetic spelling of some of his dialogue to remind us that he has an accent. Whenever writers do that it's just annoying, honestly. But all in all, it was a fun and arousing read. Highly recommended.
915145
This is a page turner.  If you don't know what the book is about, you can just allow yourself to be swept away to Fire Island before the AIDS virus.  And that statement may be just a bit too misleading.  This is not a "gay" book.  There certainly are gay characters, but it doesn't read like a gay book.
Picano has the innate ability to create a world where the reader is able to become part of the action or at least the landscape.  I really enjoy his writing style.  It's not formal and yet it isn't as hackneyed as, say Stephen King.  Picano's style is such that the message he intends to convey is never overpowered by the writing itself.  Reading a Picano book is like settling down for a long conversation with a good friend.
This is a book about indiscretions relating to a long term relationship, but with a female being the third party.  Working on a now somewhat typical situation of: married couple, man cheats on wife with another man.  This is two men as a couple with one of them cheating on the other with a woman.
I think you'll enjoy the differences and the nuances that Picano brings to the table here.
Take a chance on this book and see if this quick read isn't worth the time.  I know I loved it.
1587868
Rating this book was relatively easy - I loved it. Deciding what to say in a review was much more difficult because I read very little romance, especially books with fairly tame vanilla sex.  Even so, I like this author and pick up her short stories once in a while because I enjoy her attention to detail and the intelligence and sensitivity evident in her creations.

The book opens with Dr. Keith Hoyer reflecting on a gay teenage patient who apparently killed himself. The story is so much more than his struggle to avoid blaming himself that I was initially disappointed when the focus shifted to matters of love, marriage, and safe sex with his partner Dante. By the end, I was in tears and very satisfied.

One of my favorite lines combines sexiness, the emotional connection between the characters, and the author's clever use of details. It was a response to Keith audibly enjoying a delicacy at a fancy restaurant:  "You aren't supposed to make that noise when I'm not involved," Dante muttered. The best line was the next to the last sentence. I'm getting teary again replaying that one in my head.
3576817
I really hate OTHER erotica pieces where the most unlikely of situations happens just so the sex scene can happen with people who might as well be blank slates or automatons.

Selena knows how to write erotica, but most importantly knows how to write a story. Scenes are fleshed out and feel like real places instead of generic "white rooms". You can imagine the wrestling ring as the guys "get together". Good job at internal feelings with the main character.

The story progresses forward in a logical way and all the characters have their own quirks and personalities to make them real which pays off later in the HOT HOT HOT sex scene at the end.

While it is erotica, I do love the "sweetness" sprinkled in the story. Nice break from the meanness with some other erotica.
2945056
Besides admiring the author's ability to tell a great story, I applaud the author for braving not only a unique approach with the "choose your own ending" but also by writing the story as "linked vignettes". Some will like it and  some may not, but I give her credit for risking the departure from the norm. Ms. Kelly's writing voice and descriptions drew me into each scene and WOW can she write a compelling sex scene.