Arouse: A Spiral of Bliss Novel, Book 1

By: Nina Lane

Narrated by: Eliza Grace, Jay Crow

"Come here, beauty," he says. "You need to be kissed."

He's right. I need to be kissed, and he's the one who needs to kiss me.

He is Professor Dean West, a sexy, brilliant scholar of medieval history and the love of my life. He is my white knight, my rock, and the keeper of my dark secrets. He taught me the meaning of both love and erotic pleasure. He has slayed monsters for me and alongside me. He knows he has all of me.

And then...I discover that I don't have all of him.

This is book one in New York Times best-selling author Nina Lane's sexy, passionate Spiral of Bliss series. This contemporary erotic romance about Professor Dean West, a protective alpha male and his cherished beauty, Olivia, will melt your heart, turn you on, and enchant you with the power of a love to end all loves.

©2013 Nina Lane (P)2015 Nina Lane

Ok, but not what I expected.

Book was alright. Tons of erotica, which at times wasn't plausible. Didn't really care for the narrators. Overall the book was ok.

Just "Eh"... Sadly Predictable

The book's main characters were shallow, predictable and frustratingly uninteresting. The main female character, Olivia West, was self-deprecating, depressed, and, even in her strongest times when she confronted her husband, non-committal in her attempts at contention. The character had a difficult childhood – one in which she had to learn to fend for herself, but she requires her husband, Dean, to fight her battles for her lest she have a panic attack (example: the scene in the bookstore and the three male college students). The husband is overbearing and ridiculously over-protective to the point of expecting her to do as he expects or instructs.

Jay Crow, the voice of Dean West, used appropriate inflection and accurate change of emotion to make the scenarios in which Dean was involved more tolerable, albeit not more pleasurable, which was through no fault of his own. I would very likely listen to other books narrated by Mr. Crow.

Eliza Grace, as the voice of Olivia West, only made the character more pathetic. Her voice was frail and whiney and when the author gave the character the opportunity to show strength, as in standing up to her husband, her conviction was sorely lacking. Her voice got louder, but the emotion required to develop the believability of the scene never manifested.

Finally, the intimate moments between Oliva and Dean were painstakingly identical in each instance (save the first two - somewhat). After about the sixth or seventh bedroom/couch scene, I just fast-forwarded through it. I didn’t see the need in rehashing what I’d already heard. Basically, it was the same scene, different page.

Nevertheless, I believe in giving authors, like Ms. Lane, whose books aren’t familiar to me, second chances. I will purchase and listen to the other two books in the series in the hope that the story will become one on which I would gladly spend credits. I look forward to better staging, diversification of similar, repeated scenarios (reference the intimate moments mentioned in the paragraph above) and more complete development of the characters in the consecutive books in this series.

Most favorite series ever

I was so excited when I learned that my most favorite book had finally been released as an audiobook! Finally I could hear my beloved Professor West as he spoke to his Beauty with so much love. And I was so happy when I heard the narrator's voices- they're perfect! I've read and loved sooo many other books, but this book/series will always be my most favorite.

Hot for teacher

Professor Dean is super hot and sexy, as is this book. Good narration, a story with depth, and hot sex scenes.

Jay Crow's narration excellent

Any additional comments?

I read this book before I listened to the audio book. I really like this book and series but not the audio book. The female narrator was annoying and because of her I don't think I'll spend anymore time listening to the series on audio book. The male narrator did an excellent job bringing the character's personality to life. He always does a great job. Unfortunately the male pov is infrequent in the entire series so he won't have much opportunity to turn the situation around.