Mysticalsister

This is the story of an erotica writer who is determined to work with a challenging literary editor in an effort to turn her latest work into something more -- something better. Their relationship is the fulcrum of the novel, and it is through the eyes of the editor that we are able to see into her world with an almost unflinching view.

I'll admit that it's taking me a while to process my thoughts on this one. The psychological and emotional dynamics between the characters were fascinating. The author has created a work of fiction that IS something more. By the end you understand the deeper needs of the main character -- and given the subject matter, that is an amazing feat handled deftly and with compassion.

I couldn't stop listening to this story, needing to know what would happen next, but I had to pace myself because it was very visceral and I found myself immersed in the story at odd times during the day, whether listening or not.

(I'll admit that when it came to the more intense scenes of S/M, I felt myself recoil, but those scenes, while powerful, are not frequent.)

My only caveat, and it is a small one, is due to the reader. He was excellent when portraying the voice of the editor, which is a large part of the story. But his interpretation of Nora was unfortunate. He made a sexy, teasing woman sound evil and threatening more often than not, and I found myself wishing for a female voice worthy of Nora's personality. Still, it did not overwhelm my enjoyment of the book.

I know there are sequels to this one, but I'm going to need a little time before I take the next one on. I hope it's as good as the first.

This is a perfect gem of a novel.

I admit that I bought this book on Kindle first because I wasn't sure I'd like the reader, but after reading the reviews, I purchased it. I'm so glad I did. Steven Crossley is amazing, and his voices for both Mick and Win were both fantastic. I ended up enjoying this listen so much more than I thought I would (and I got a great discount on the price!), I'll be looking for more books read by him.

The main characters, and the story, are pygmalion-esque (think "My Fair Lady" only with a man). She's prim and proper while teaches him to speak like a lord, he teaches her how to live, and they fall in love. The ending is predictable, but you won't mind it because the story is lovely, well written, and enchanting.

I highly recommend it. I know I'll relisten over and over again.

This was a true combo of romance and erotica -- or romantica. There was the classic virgin Victorian young lady, an evil, sexually depraved Lord -- to whom she is tragically betrothed, and a young handsome artist who falls in love with her, and who tries to save her from her fate 'worst than death.' The story builds nicely with lots of menace, both sexual and violent. The secondary characters are nicely fitted to their tasks, both good and bad. The story is fabulously Gothic, but never tips over into farce, instead remaining genuinely creepy throughout. (Parts may be offensive depending upon your personal taste, so be warned.)

The reader is perfect. I'll look for more by her.

The ending seemed rushed, but that's what I always say when I enjoy a book.

I had just finished my 2nd reading of "the Host," and was looking for another alien-type book, when I found this on Amazon. I read it and it was promising, but then I read the 2nd book in the series and that was great! In fact, book 2 makes book 1 even better! So when I saw the first one here on Audible, I bought it with the discount.

Unfortunately, the reader is awful - she sounds like she's reading to 3rd graders. And her voice is too old for the main character, so as a listen, it was a disappointment. (It was so much sexier in my mind, and kind of BDSM sinister, which didn't come across in the audio version at all.)

I recommend reading this series instead, especially since book 2 is available at Amazon now, and you can always buy the Audible version at a discount later.

I loved this book the first time I read it, and decided to pick it up again this past week. Once again, after the first few minutes, i couldn't put it down. All week, I found myself reaching for my ipod every chance I got. I really love Wanda and Melanie, Jared, Jamie, Ian, and Doc. Their story is so moving that they become real people that you care about. This is such a great book.



BTW: I didn't see the movie -- but as I'm on my second reading, I'm not sure how they could have possibly made it into a film. Most of the action takes place inside the mind of an alien occupied human, and the way in which the human and alien communicate and change one another, creates the story. It's what makes the story so emotional.

As a proud anglophile, I love PBS and BBC -- so when there isn't anything on TV that feeds this need of mine, I start to search the classics.

Not counting Silas Marner, (which I read in middle school), this was my first George Eliot novel. It is a fascinating glimpse into rural village life in Victorian England, and as performed by Kate Reading, it is a treasure. All the characters are so well written that I had no difficulty seeing them in my minds eye. It's become a once a year re-read.

BTW, the last time this book got the mini series treatment was 1994. Hey BBC, it's time for an update!

I know I'm bucking the consensus with my rating, but I just couldn't buy into this one. The narrator reads the character of Kimber as if she's a precocious 14 year old trying to lose her virginity in a menage with two grown men. Their constant repetition of "baby girl," "little girl" and kitten while encouraging her to give them blow jobs and anal sex just wasn't sexy to me. It was skeezy.

I enjoyed the first book in the series -- it was hot with a plot. It helped that the heroine was an adult, and sounded like one. When the dirty talk started it felt appropriate -- not like child abuse. (Yes, I know Kimber was described as a 23 year old -- too bad she didn't sound like one.) Aside from the voice issue though, this really wasn't a very good book. The guys came across as desperate predators looking to fulfill their fantasies at the expense of a naive young girl.

I appreciate that not everyone will agree with me, but I felt I had to review this especially for for those of you with young daughters -- you might want to take a pause with this particular book. It may not sound all that sexy to you, either.

I really enjoyed the mix of sex and magic in this historical romance that occurs during the Scotish witch burnings. Gregor, our hero, wants the lands stolen from his father, but the cad who did the stealing has a lot of clout. He figures the best way to get information from the brut is to send in a spy. He see's Jessie, the Harlot of Dundee, in a cat fight at the local pub, and gets a good look at what's on offer as the two women roll around on the floor. He likes what he sees and decides she's be the perfect bait to trap his enemy. Until she's caught using magic and ends up in the Toll Booth (Jail).

What happens next is good fun, but unfortunately, it's read in a way that would be more successful if it had been softened just a little in delivery. There are a lot of rolling "Rrrrrrrrs" as Helen Stern, who otherwise has a lovely voice, chews up the Scots accent and delivers dialogue that is a little too strong and menacing from the male lead. Even during the romantic scenes, Gregor, sounds like he's reprimanding Jesse (though she doesn't seem to mind it a bit).

While my ear never really got used to the hardness of the performance, it's a good listen anyway, and as I said, the sex and magic make it a lot of fun.

Be prepared for archaic sounding dirty talk -- it's odd at first, but ultimately adds to the atmosphere.

The story begins as a family of disgraced members of the Ton, a sister and two brothers are dealt a blow. The youngest brother ends up in prison for a notorious serial crime of murder -- crimes he did not commit. But how to prove it?

The older brother is a spendthrift and a drunkard, so he's no help, which leaves it to the sister to find a way to free her younger brother. She is given a name of someone who might be willing to help her, a mysterious Mr. Noble, but when she meets him she's told she can either pay 10,000 pounds for his services, or agree to do three favors in return, no questions asked, at a future date. Well, she has no money, so favors it is.

There is a very good (and sexy) romance in this book, as well as an equally good mystery to be solved. It's a detailed and well written plot with many twists and turns to keep you guessing. The way that Mr. Noble calls in his many favors from those in interesting positions in the government to solve the mystery was clever. He would be an interesting character in a series on PBS, so I was very disappointed to learn this was not a series. Too bad!

The narration was very good. Also, the resolution of the mystery was very well done. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun reading an historical romance, and actually, this one belongs in it's own category. P. B. Ryan writes some very good victorian mysteries with romance available on Kindle. "Still Life With Murder (Nell Sweeney Mystery Series, Book 1)," is the first of her series. Highly recommended if you like this sort of thing.

I looked for other books by this author but was disappointed to learn that this is considered her best book. I would have loved to read more by her in this vein.

While I enjoyed my visit to the Waverley House in Bascome, I usually read more emotionally intense books. In a way, this was a lovely change of pace. The sisters growing affection was believable, the love interest characters charming, and the happy ending was neatly done.

I also thought Susan Erickson's narration was perfect for the pace of this story.

Although I enjoyed the book for what it is, it isn't very deep and it's unlikely I would read it again. Pass it on to someone else? Definitely.

I was going to skip this one since I wasn't really that interested in a storyline about Rock Stars and the women who love them -- but the reviews were pretty awesome, so I let the reviewers pick this one for me. (Thanks!)

A group of randy rock stars meet a Human Sexuality Professor in a hotel lounge and the fun starts! This book is witty, sweet and even romantic, but the sex scenes are in a class all their own. This has to be the hottest erotica series out there right now -- with great characters, an well written plot and a perfect reader. And did I mention the mind-blowing sex scenes?

Justine O. Keef's performance was pitch perfect, and her male characters were believable and sexy. Again, Wow!

Lock the door, turn off the phone, close the curtains and pour a glass of wine. Once you start Backstage Pass, you won't want any distractions!