Tag Archives: book

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My Featured Author: Stephenie Meyer


Click on Stephenie‘s image to go to her Goodreads blog.

My encounters with Twilight

Back in 2008, I was sitting around with a group of friends, all mothers of daughters, and we were discussing stocking fillers for Xmas.  I wanted books for my daughter and their suggestion was to try out Twilight.  The movie had just been released but it really was pre-hype days.  However, all four of the books were on the market and reasonable prices so they seemed like a sensible idea.

I am not sure why I trusted the recommendation of the mother’s in question.  We’d been drinking.  We drank a lot.  And ate.  And crafted.  Sometimes all at the same time.  I think it is important to note that sequins, hot glue guns and alcohol don’t always mix. However, we did sometimes give each other good advice and they were right about the books.

My, then 12 year old, daughter devoured them.  The first two in two days, the third a week later and I made her wait for the fourth for a month.  When I read them she returned the favor by lending the fourth book to a friend.  I thought I was going to die until that book arrived back in our house.  I devoured them a further 4 or 5 times and spent at least six months pretending my car was an Audi while I drove around with the Twilight soundtrack blaring. Side note: Slug Boy’s ring tone is SuperMassive Black Hole.  Think about it.

According to popular mythology Stephenie had the story come to her in a dream.  I wanted to drink what she was drinking.  For the next couple of years I toyed with some paranormal ideas and read some other paranormal romances – that was how I discovered Felicity Heaton and Cynthia Eden.  Those angels, demons and other-worldly beings  made me want to walk on the wild side.  I’ve never really been a bad boy biker girl but they took me there.

Artist: Zachary Satryb http://completeinsanity.deviantart.com/

Why people don’t like Twilight

Edward, the hero, was criticized  because he was the boyfriend that no parent wanted for their daughter.  However, for all his failings, Edward, stayed true to his core values.  Values that would have been significant to the era in which he had been born.  So, even though he was a stalker, he would protect Bella‘s life and innocence for as long as he could.  The old-fashioned other-worldliness of Edward enabled me to forgive Stephenie for making him sparkly. Oh, hell who am I kidding? I would have happily given him a liberal sprinkling of glitter myself (see previous note about crafting, sequins and hot glue guns).

And Bella was seen as … well …

For some reason Bella was seen as being incredibly weak and one dimensional.  She apparently let Eward make all the decisions and control the relationship.  But I would argue that there are a lot of teenage girls who are exactly like Bella, even when they don’t want to admit it.  Socially awkward, slightly isolated for no reason other than their lack of self-confidence, perhaps making not great choices in boyfriends. And there are a lot of teen boys who are slightly obsessed with their first loves to the point of some slightly unreasonable behaviors. I’m not sure that the people who criticized the relationship really read or understood it.

If they had read all of the books thoroughly – and let’s face it even if they had looked at the things Bella did to protect and save Edward in the first story – then they would have seen her as a young girl on the cusp of adulthood, working out how to be both true to herself and her relationship.   And Bella pretty much kicked ass all the way through the stories.  She just developed and evolved as time went on and her confidence grew.  Something that a Mary Sue character doesn’t get to do very much.

I’m pretty sure that those who have attacked the stories the most have been women who grew up in the age of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the ultimate Mary Sue.  The relationship was termed as being abusive and controlling.

I think they missed the point that she was a human dealing with a vampire, not a vampire slayer with superhuman powers.  She was right to be scared, he was right to set the boundaries until they could work out how they could be together.  She did, however, step into the vampire world, took on a few that seriously wanted to kill her, dealt with a gang of werewolves, rode motorbikes, cliff dived, fought to keep a fetus that was killing her and saved her family from being killed.  I’m fairly sure that is pretty damn proactive on the kickass heroine front.

There were also people who just hated Twilight because it was chick-lit or gay.  There were going to be haters no matter what.

Influence on the cultural landscape

Twilight spawned an entire fan fiction stream that seemed to have a life beyond anything anyone could possibly conceive.  While there have always been fan fictions that have made it to publication, the sheer number and breadth of what came out of and continues to emerge from the fanfiction.net and twcs Twilight communities was/is like none other.  Pulled to Publish seems to be a term that has been attributed to this fanfic community. Some paranormal authors (Anne Rice, JR Ward) have resisted fan fiction.  Stephenie has celebrated it.

Twilight has brought us such books as Fifty Shades of Grey, Wallbanger, Poughkeepsie, Beautiful Bastard and Gabriel’s Inferno among many others.  And of course, the movie brought us…

If you are here on my blog because of a love all things FSOG and you have never read Twilight then you really should check the books out.  I recognised Twilight in FSOG before I knew it was fan fiction or even what fan fiction was.

Stephenie has often courted controversy as an author, but love her or hate her, she has made an extraordinary contribution to the cultural landscape.  Find out more about her at her website.

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

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Sasha’s Celebration Challenge #1


All good celebrations have a kick-ass cake and every piece of fan fiction has an original work to base itself on.  As you all know, my drug of choice is Fifty Shades of Grey. There is every likelihood that it will be the only fan fiction I ever write.  But not everyone who lowers themselves to read this blog has ever, or will ever, read FSOG.

So, to get this party started, tell me, have you actually read the book? Really? If you only skimmed the first few pages and gave up, you can admit it.  I don’t mind admitting to the world that I’ve read the books but I know that I have colleagues who will strip me of my post-structuralist feminist badge and membership if they knew just how much I loved them.  Maybe you didn’t read them but you have indulged in one of the many blogs that have parodied or ‘reviewed’ the books.  They’re great, aren’t they? They are so thorough that you might believe that you have read the books.  There are some really great ones out there but if you’ve never read one I recommend Fifty Shades of Dave (see blog roll).

Have you read ALL of the books? Yes, there are three!  Stop laughing! It’s true!  They’re a continuous story – you know, one follows the other.  No, really! I’m serious!  And they’re quite thick books with lots of words.  After a few false starts, I read them all in three days. I didn’t eat, I didn’t shower, I barely slept.  There is still a bum dent in the couch.  SuperGeek was overseas and my kids were not allowed to speak to me until I finished.  I think they may have chewed their own arms off in desperation.  There may have been pizza’s delivered.  I don’t know.  Now that I write fan fiction, things are not much better, I haven’t seen them in months.

Have you read the books multiple times? Go on, you can tell me.  Okay, I’ll go first.  I’ve read them four times.  Yep, count ’em Jim.  And you know what? There are people out there who have read them more than that. Yes! I may, in fact, not hold the record. I kid you not!  Since we’re confessing, I also read all the Twilight books four times and Little Women 10 times. I don’t know why.  Okay, I do. I’m obsessive when it comes to falling in love with stories and characters.  Now, I’m  thinking of reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood multiple times just to take the taste out of my mouth.  There are 12 books and counting in that series so I might be a while.

Did you try to read FSOG and fail? Or have you never had any desire to pick it up? It’s okay. As I said, I myself had three or four false starts. The ebooks sat for months on my iPad, taunting me. I’d spent all that money and I couldn’t get past the first couple of chapters.  That whole interview scene did nothing for me. Let’s face it, it is dreadful writing but (IMHO) good storytelling.  Finally, it was a radio show that encouraged me to push on and read the whole book.  The words ‘spontaneous orgasms’ might have been used.  It was enough to tempt me. I have no regrets. I might have had spontaneous orgasms – I’ll never tell.

So please. Tell me your story.  Even your stories of resistance and repulsion interest me.  You don’t have to agree with those of us who love it (yes, there are more just like me out there).  And you lot who love it, you don’t have to defend your love to the world.  No judgements, just love and acceptance and sharing the juicy bits.  Now, this is a party for goodness sake!

Grab a drink and mingle!

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Shayla Black: Wicked Lovers Series


About this author edit data Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the national bestselling author of 25+ sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print and electronic publishers. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music. Shayla has won or placed in over a dozen writing contests, including Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. Romantic Times has awarded her Top Picks, a KISS Hero Award and a nomination for Best Erotic Romance of 2007. A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every book.

For a couple of months now, I have been recommending the Wicked Lovers series to anyone who wanted to listen.  So in another push for an author, whose work I adore and never expected to, I offer a round of reviews for Shayla Black.

I never expected to read let alone enjoy reading books with menage in them but Shelley Bradley not only writes the hottest sex scenes, she makes you believe in the relationships over the sex.  The emotional stories are engrossing, the thriller crime plots are engaging and the characters are strong, sensual and likeable.  If you love the genre, do yourself a favor and read these.

Wicked Ties (Wicked Lovers, #1)Wicked Ties by Shayla Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Believe it or not, this was one of the last of the Wicked Lovers series that I read but having done that I didn’t have any problem with falling for Jack as a hero. He agrees to be interviewed by LA talk-show host, Morgan, for a feature on the world of BDSM. Only Morgan is being stalked and Jack being the wonderful southern alpha that he is, takes her under his protection. Through Jack and Morgan we meet a few characters who will come back in later books. There is a delightful tension in the way their relationship develops and a much stronger take on submission. The setting for their hideout adds to the plot, along with some quirky side-characters.

Goodreads Synopsis

She didn’t know what she wanted until he made her beg for it…

Morgan O’Malley has seen a lot of kinky things as the hostess of a cable sex talk show. But she’s never met a man like Jack Cole before. A self-proclaimed dominant, he’s as alpha as a male can get–and good for Morgan to have around when an obsessed stalker ratchets up his attempts to get to her.

Though Jack is a bodyguard, Morgan feels anything but safe in his presence. Because slowly and seductively, Jack is bringing her deepest fantasies to the surface. And when he bends her to his will, what’s more shocking than her surrender is how much she enjoys it–and starts to crave his masterful touch. A willing player in Jack’s games, Morgan knows that his motives aren’t pure, but she has no idea how personal they are.

Decadent (Wicked Lovers, #2)Decadent by Shayla Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kimber is a real tomboy who is trying on her sensuality for size. By rights she should be in a world of trouble when she seeks out Deke and Luc to train her for a relationship with rock star Jesse McCall. But whereas Jesse was only playing at the lifestyle, Deke and Luc live it. Luckily for Kimber her initiation is in the right hands. I loved the relationship between Deke and Luc. Deke might be all alpha but he has some very deep insecurities and it is with the help of Luc and Kimber than he begins to move past these. Kimber is written so well in terms of her coming of age story. She makes mistakes but she is brave and determined when it comes to her men. Luc is an alpha in beta clothing. He cooks, he cleans, he keeps house and he wants the white picket fence and babies but he has a few insecurities of his own. These characters had great depth and the sex was off the charts, hot!

Goodreads Synopsis

Two men are better than one…

How can a virgin seeking happily-ever-after with a hot pop star who has a penchant for threesomes win her fantasy man? Kimber Edgington desperately needs a plan to convince Jesse McCall, who’s been her friend and secret crush since they spent a summer together as teenagers, that they are meant for each other. But all the tabloid stories about his sexual escapades make her feel oh-so inadequate.

Determined to prove she’s woman enough for Jesse, Kimber turns to bodyguard Deke Trenton for sexual education. Bold and brash, Deke warns Kimber that playing with him is playing with fire. But he can’t bear to imagine the innocent beauty in someone else’s arms. So Deke and his super-sexy friend, Luc, take Kimber under their wings and dangerously close to the edge of ecstasy. Though she’s saved herself for Jesse, Kimber soon learns, he’s not the man adept at stoking her aching, endless need. That’s Deke, and he can’t resist when Kimber begs for more–and more.

View all my reviews

Delicious (Wicked Lovers, #3)Delicious by Shayla Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a great story. Alyssa and Luc have prior that he is trying to forgive and she can’t forget. Alyssa also has come from a background that could have seen her confined but she is smart and hard-working and determined not be labelled or pigeon-holed. She recruits Luc to assist her with her latest business venture, a restaurant and that is when things get hot. Luc still wants the perfect life and family but he is also afraid of his wilder side. Alyssa is smart and sexy and the only woman who could handle what he has to give. She is also being pursued by someone else. It is such a great set up with these characters. Luc wants to be a beta male but deep down he is alpha through and through in the bedroom. It makes for a wild ride.

Goodreads Synopsis

He can’t control his desire.

Luc Traverson’s entire future is planned out—but there is one very sexy obstacle in his path: Alyssa Devereaux . She’s a former exotic dancer turned strip club owner and restaurateur. Recently, Alyssa and Luc shared one night of wild abandon that left Luc terrified by his loss of self-control—and Alyssa desperate for more.

And that’s just the way she wants it.

Fulfilling a promise, Luc is the guest chef for Alyssa’s restaurant debut. The sight of her makes Luc wild, so how can he survive a week without letting loose and ravaging her—especially when she’s begging for it? Luc’s desire for her explodes when he realizes he isn’t the only man desperate to have her. But one of the others is deadly. And that’s not the end of Alyssa’s secrets…which are as dark and mysterious and enticing as her fantasies.

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Surrender to Me (Wicked Lovers, #4)Surrender to Me by Shayla Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story. Kata and Hunter end up in a relationship that neither of them wanted but nor can they resist. There is passion and tension and heartache throughout along with a major threat to Kata’s physical well-being. Along the way she learns what it means to submit and he falls in love while learning to forge a future with her that is not dominated by the past. There are beautiful tender moments and a really hot sensual scenes that leave you reeling. We also get to find out more about the back story of the Edgington family and their very troubled past. Overriding everything is a passion that Hunter can’t and won’t deny for this strong tempestuous woman. Every woman should be loved like this.

“Coming deep inside her while staring even deeper into her eyes, he’d known for the first time in his life what it was to feel something beyond desire. No way was he letting her walk out of his life without a fight.”

Goodreads Synopsis

A secret fantasy.

Hunter had everything until a bullet put his career as a Navy SEAL on hold. Restless and uncertain about his future, he accepts an intriguing proposition: share an acquaintance’s girlfriend and fulfill her fantasy of a ménage. It should have been just a night of sexual adventure between three consenting adults. But Kata is like no other girl Hunter has ever met. By turns audacious and sexy, then vulnerable and aloof, she’s a heartbreaker he’s determined to master. But he needs more than one night. And he wants to do it alone.

An uncontrollable obsession.

Kata never expected to leave her comfortable relationship and explore something so dangerously forbidden with a stranger. Hard as she tries to resist, the guilty pleasure overwhelms her, and she surrenders herself, inch by inch, to the hardcore man who wants her for himself. Consumed by blazing desire, they’re soon threatened by the shadows of the past. And now to keep Kata safe, Hunter makes her a bold proposition of his own. Saying yes will destroy her heart. But saying no could cost Kata her life.

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Belong To Me (Wicked Lovers, #5)Belong To Me by Shayla Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my introduction to Shayla Black and what an introduction it was. I had resisted menage up until this point, I really didn’t think it was my thing. Shayla Black had me reconsidering my relationship to it as a reader. She is a really great writer, the plots move along and the characters are sublime. I loved the back stories of Logan and Tara that created such great tension as he tries to prepare her to go undercover in a sex ring. The relationship with Xavier was just enough to give me a taste of what Shayla Black’s writing is all about. Even though this is number 5 in the series, it is still a good entree into the Wicked Lovers series.

Goodreads Synopsis

She’s undercover and in over her head…When FBI analyst Tara Jacobs’ fellow agent and best friend goes missing while investigating a sex ring, Tara goes undercover as a submissive in a Dallas BDSM club called Dominion. But no man can top a woman with Tara’s moxie convincingly enough—until an edgy, dangerous Dom takes control of the scene and sets her heart racing with a single, commanding glance. Too bad he’s also the man who stole her innocence years ago—and the one to whom she will never submit.
He’s got everything under control…until he falls for her again.

Navy SEAL Logan Edgington once left the woman he loved to save her life. He knows Tara will never forgive him, but he has no doubt that he possesses the knowledge to master her fears and the strength to guide her through an unfamiliar world of pleasure and pain. He alone can protect her on a dangerous mission that reveals both wicked depravities and terrible secrets. Logan relishes the exquisite torture of holding her again, feeling her uninhibited response. No matter how much Tara insists their fling will end after this mission, he’s determined that she will be his again—and this time, he’ll never let her go.

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Mine to Hold (Wicked Lovers, # 6)Mine to Hold by Shayla Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After indulging in the Wicked Lovers books and being introduced to Tyler Murphy in the earlier stories I really didn’t expect to like him so much. He even starts this story as the potential target of an intervention for his man whore ways. But when in the midst of all of this Delaney turns up on his doorstep and asks him to look after the child he never knew existed while she fights for her life we immediately get why he has commitment issues. It is what he does next that will rock your world as a reader. It certainly did mine. Once again, the sexual relationship is off the charts but the emotional journey is so amazing, even in the face of a dangerous adversary and a desperate situation. Delaney and Tyler have the fight of their lives to deal with and the way that the emotional relationship is drawn together is breathtakingly good.

Goodreads Synopsis

A friend’s duty.
Tyler Murphy was an LAPD detective, single and happy—until a near-fatal tragedy crippled his friend, fellow detective Eric Catalano. While Tyler supported Eric, he also became a shoulder for Eric’s wife, Delaney, to lean on. But with one naughty suggestion from Eric, a drunken night with Delaney spilled into erotic abandon. Before it was over, Tyler saw his best friend’s wife as a woman and yearned for more. When Eric struggled to deal with the aftermath, Delaney begged Tyler to leave. Crushed, he fled to Louisiana, hoping to escape his longing for the one woman he could never have again…and unaware of what he’d left behind.

A lover’s desire.

After two years of living with regret, Tyler finds Delaney on his doorstep, her husband having abandoned her long ago. She’s protecting a shocking secret and desperately needs refuge from a stalker determined to see her dead. As they fight to stay alive and catch the killer, they struggle to resolve the guilt of their past pleasures. But they can’t deny that what was once a spark is now a flame burning out of control. To possess Delaney—body and soul—Tyler must heal her pain and thwart the evil that’s a mere breath behind her.

 View all my reviews