Review: Falling for Heaven by Anne Conley

Recently, I was delighted to exchange books and interview questions with author Anne Conley.  The questions she sent me were so good, I sent them right back at her. Lazy? Perhaps, but I've never been good at coming up with interview questions, so hey. I work with what I've got. :) 

 

The book: 

Falling for Heaven

by Anne Conley

Blurb:

Uriel is one of God's Four Winds, the Archangel of Destiny. He has helped thousands of people throughout the ages find their destiny according to His will. This time however, what he doesn't realize, is that it's his own destiny he's supposed to fulfill.

Heather is an exotic dancer, who's stage name is Heaven. It's not that that's what she's always wanted to do, it's just that it helps her pay the bills, and she's got a lot of bills, with taking care of her mother and her sister. When the mysterious Uriel comes into the club, she can tell he's different, just how different will rock her world...

My Review:

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Falling for Heaven, and I was hooked from the first word. Ms. Conley's writing style flows very well, and Uri is just... *swoon* Such a sweet, strong, wonderful being. There's really not much I can say without spoilers, but rest assured that there's a HEA and some really steamy bits! It's a short read, but felt like a much longer novel, as far as action, depth, and pacing. That's really hard to do, in my experience. I definitely recommend this book, and can't wait for the rest of the Four Winds stories!

 Interview with Anne Conley:

1.  Describe your writing process. 

My process is a lot like dating…. I fantasize about the perfect story for a long time before I actually sit down to start writing it.  Then I put down an outline.  From there, I type up a rough draft, this is the first date.  Subsequent revisions are like the entire courting process.  Each revision allows me to delve deeper in the characters, the conflict, and what they're up against.

2.  What motivates you to sit down and write?

I'm very goal-oriented.  I set goals for myself, both long-term and short-term, and every morning, I wake up and decide what to do to accomplish those goals.  I know that I can't sell books if I'm not doing everything I need to be doing to sell them, and I need to sell books so that I can justify all the time spent in front of my laptop to my family.

3.  Where does your inspiration come from?

Everywhere.  I get a lot of inspiration while I'm in the car, either listening to music, or being quiet inside my head.  I also enjoy listening to my Aunt and my Mom talk about people in my family that lived years ago.  There are some pretty interesting stories to be told there.  Actually, I enjoy listening to everything.  Right now, I'm sitting in a tiny café, listening to a loud-talker telling stories about living in Austin.  There's probably a story there, too…

4.  Do you have any writers that you consider mentors?

Liliana Hart, without a doubt.  I heard her speak at a RWA meeting in November.  She told about her experiences as an Indie Author versus the traditional routes.  It inspired me to get my butt in gear.  She gave us a written plan to follow, and has been open to email questions.  Liliana's offered me much support in the past several months, that I appreciate greatly.  I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for her.

5.  What do you think your greatest strength is in your writing?

My focus is probably my greatest strength.  I am able to focus on one thing, and get it done in a relatively timely manner.  I may have to go back and fix it, but I get it done.

6.  What is your biggest challenge?

Patience.  I'm not a patient person, and I have trouble sometimes taking a step back and looking at the big picture.  I'll send my stuff out to beta readers, then check my email every hour on the hour for weeks until they reply.  When I publish something, I check my reports daily, trying to figure out what I can reproduce that caused that one person to buy my book.  When I figured out that Smashwords published their reports quarterly, and I had to wait three more whole months to figure out how I was doing, I cried.

7.  Do you ever experience writer's block?  How do you get through it?

The old fashioned way…Pen and paper.  I have discovered that if I close the lap top, and go someplace different, I can usually get through whatever scene or character I'm working on.  I used to teach writing to High school kids, and some of those crazy brainstorming tricks still apply.  Plus, your brain works differently when you write as opposed to typing and I find that that usually does the trick.

8.  Name some authors who have influenced or inspired you?   

JK Rowling, Stephen King,  Liliana Hart, honestly there are too many to name.  Almost every author I've read has influenced me in some way…

9.  Tell a little about your most recent work.  Title, genre, and tag line.

Falling for Heaven is a paranormal romance about the archangel Uriel.  The tag line would probably be…"She was his greatest sin…"

10.  Tell us about your favorite character from the book.

It would have to be Heather, who is an exotic dancer because it earns her enough money to support her sister and her mother.  I know I think I'm sexy when I dance, but the reality is something altogether different, I'm sure.  She's down to earth, and is just trying to make her life the best she knows how.  Like most of us.

11.   Are there specific themes that you would like your reader to grasp while they're reading your novel?

Well, for a novel of it's length (about 45,000 words), I think Falling for Heaven touches on some pretty deep stuff.  There are the obvious religious implications of good vs. evil, but there are also issues of addiction, care of the elderly with dementia, and dealing with death of loved ones.

12.  Do you have any words of advice or encouragement for other writers who are looking to publish?

Make a plan, write it down, and try to stick with it.  Not everybody does it exactly right on the first try.  Most everybody has to go back and re-do something.  Just know what you want, and have a plan to get it.

13.  What makes a good story?

A good story is one that the reader can relate to on some level.  The characters need to be likeable, and their reactions to their experiences need to be realistic.  In my opinion, anyway.

14.  How do you market your work?

How do I not market my work?  If there's anything I haven't done, please let me know, I want to try it!  No really, I try to be everywhere online, although building up a presence is time-consuming.  I will book for people to review, I'll talk to anybody about my work, and I'm not shy, although when the little old ladies in my church group ask about it, I tend to blush a little.

www.conleycorner.blogspot.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/anneconleyauthor

www.anneconley.wix.com/anneconleyauthor

www.anneconley.wix.com/anneconleyauthor

15.  Do you have a current work in progress?  Can you tell a little bit about it?

I'm currently working on Hot Mess, a continuation of my Stories of Serendipity series.  It's about a firefighter named Sam (yes, he's devastatingly gorgeous) and a woman hiding her HIV status from the small community. 

16.  Tell us about yourself, outside of writing.

I'm a wife and a mother, living on a goat farm in east Texas.  When I’m not writing, I'm planning menus that my children will eat, cheering on tee ball games from the sidelines, or pretending to be an awesome dance mom.  I also spend a lot of time reassuring my husband that he doesn't have to look like the heroes in my books for me to love him, although it is funny to watch him preen for me when he's feeling self-conscious.
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If you'd like to read my answers to the above questions, and see what Anne Conley has to say about my book, head over to The Conley Corner and check it out. Leave some love for her there. :)

Review- Restraint by Erica Chilson

Restraint, Erica Chilson
(free at time of review)

3 batteries
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Wow.

That was quite a ride!

Whew. Okay. Catching my breath and soothing my mind. Speaking of minds, this is totally a mind-fuck book.

The people in this story are BROKEN. Understandable, once you find out why, but still... wow.

Not really sure how much I can say without giving it all away, so I'll just say this: HOT, even though there's only one sex scene, which I was surprised about.

I WILL post this as a warning: There is a possibly triggering scene. I'm usually very sensitive to those, but the way Ms. Chilson handled it was... amazing. You'll know what I mean if you read it.

People can be so fucked up. What amazes me every time is how they can overcome and live with their various issues... and find people that need to give them just what they need to heal. I've seen it in real life, and I love reading about it. It gives me hope. :)

Branded (Fall of Angels) by Keary Taylor

Picked this one up for free, but I'm an instant fan of Keary Taylor. Like many other reviewers have said, I've never read anything quite like this, and though there are moments where you can draw correlations to Twilight, it's definitely its own unique story. Definitely planning to read the rest of the series!

I enjoyed this take on angels and the humans that interact with them. It's not often that you find someone scared spitless of them, but Jessica has very good reason for her terror. She doesn't sleep much, she looks horrible, and yet when she meets her new 'boss', the grandson of her previous bosses, there's an instant connection. Though her social skills are a mite rusty, Jessica finds herself wanting to come out of her shell for Alex. She might even consider telling him about the night terrors that have plagued her for most of her life.

But then Cole shows up, and he's just as interested in her as Alex is, and just as compelling...

No heat to this at all... but the romance is sweet and awkward in that cute way. 

4 coffee cups because it kept me up till 4 a.m.... I couldn't put it down.

Naughty Girl book review- 4 batteries

So I picked this one up when it was free yesterday and read it this morning because I had a cat on me and neither one of us wanted me to get out of bed yet. :)

WHEW!
Yeah, have batteries handy. :)
This is DEFINITELY going to the 'afternoon pick-me-up' shelf on my reader! *wink* 

The only reason this didn't get 5 batteries is because there wasn't enough sex in it. When someone writes these scenes as well as Ms. Metal does, I want MORE! Just sayin'.

So here's my review, without spoilers.

I really enjoyed Naughty Girl!

I've read a number of BDSM books where half the story seemed to be explaining the 'life' of those who participate. Not so with this book. There were tidbits here and there, but it read much more like the novella it was supposed to be than a 'get started' guide, and I like that. The writing was smooth and the story flowed very well.

I love Alex but Paul made my heart race! I love an alpha male with a heart and a strong protective streak. Gets my motor running every time. :)

Can't wait for the sequel, if there is one. *Hint hint I'd like one! hint hint*

Thanks, Scarlett Metal, for an enjoyable morning's read. My husband will thank you later... ;)

And here's the link for Naughty Girl. Only $.99. Can't beat that!

A teaser, since I'm having a good day!

In honor of a really good day and a wonderful mood, I'm giving you the opening scene from my second book, the name of which won't settle for me quite yet. But it IS the sequel to Hearts of Ishira. :)

Enjoy!
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This teaser contains SPOILERS for the first book !!!!!

PLEASE don't read this if you haven't read Hearts yet! Don't want to ruin that one for you!!!! :) 

I promise you'll thank me! 
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Chapter One

Ishira Colony

10.7 AC - .5 THIA

-Years Ishira, AC (after colonization)

-Five Months, THIA (Thorsani/Human Integration and Adaptation)

Arianna Hunter-Jace woke to the very pleasant sensation of being made love to, with one of her mates nibbling on her thigh and the other nibbling on her lips to make sure she was awake for the fun. Murmuring approval at their methods, she sighed sleepily, rolled onto her back, and stretched. Muscles lengthened and pulled, aches and bruises reminded her that she was still recovering from an attempt on her life. But that was secondary to the palpable intensity of her mates, waiting patiently for her to finish stretching so they could devour her.

“Good morning, little warrior,” Hunter said, rising to one elbow to look down at her. She gave him a sweet smile and wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered his head to kiss her. Only a thin, soft sheet covered her. It was slowly pulled down her body, the incredibly luxuriant material sliding over her breasts, her belly, and her thighs, as her other mate, Jace, bared her to the pre-dawn light for his delectation.

“Open for me, love,” he urged from his place by her hips, his voice husky with desire. She sensed the need in him, the hunger that he reveled in when he had her in his arms. He loved the taste of her, loved the noises she made, her responsiveness to his caresses. And she loved that he loved it.

Ri willingly allowed her legs to fall open, then sucked in a breath around Hunter’s tongue as Jace’s mouth began worshiping her in the way he most enjoyed. Her body bowed away from the mattress when Jace tongued her clit and tortured it with tiny bites, but Hunter was there to steady her, his big hand on her swollen belly, sliding up to her breast.

She watched him breathlessly as he plumped her flesh in his hand. He stared at her nipple as it gathered and tightened in anticipation of his loving. Ri gasped and wiggled as Jace adjusted himself so that he was lying between her legs, his face buried between them, his tongue, teeth, and fingers doing things that made her want to fly out of her skin. A soft, shuddering cry escaped her as Jace penetrated her with his fingers at the same moment Hunter took her nipple between his teeth.

Ri shivered a gasp, her head arching back into the pillow with Hunter’s delicate bite. Jace’s tongue licked a path down her slit, lodging in her center and diving in to taste her there. He slid his hands down and under her thighs, gripping her rounded bottom and lifting her hips from the bed, giving him better access.

“You are so very sweet in the morning,” Hunter murmured around her nipple, his tongue snaking out to taste the taut, small bud, lapping at it then blowing on it, letting the crisp morning air chill her skin. “So warm and soft from sleep.”

“So good,” Jace agreed, rising up and positioning himself to take her. “I can’t wait. Ri….”

Hunter nodded to his brother, then sheathed his teeth and bit Ri’s nipple with a roughness that she wouldn’t have been able to tolerate at first. She was so very sensitive. At the same moment, Jace slid easily into her warm, slick depths, seating himself fully within her for a breathless minute. She throbbed around his cock, her core eagerly latching onto him, desperate for the pleasure he brought.

They all paused, allowing Jace and Arianna to enjoy the moment of possession before Hunter groaned and went back to ravishing her nipple with his mouth as his hand slipped down to torture her clit. Jace began withdrawing and thrusting in the tempo that he knew would drive Ri out of her mind, his hands still holding her up for the right angle of attack.

When her body arched in helpless reaction, Hunter’s other arm slipped beneath it, bowing her back and effectively raising her breasts higher for his enjoyment. He switched his attention to her other nipple while his fingers danced on her clit, pulling and twisting, tickling and teasing. Using their mental connection, he played her like a master pianist, his fingers pulling every nuance of sensation from her body. Her breathing increased, as did the intensity of her gasps and cries. Jace picked up his pace, taking his cues from her sweet noises.

Feeling the tightening of her body that signaled imminent release, Jace held her hips between his big hands and thrust harder, deeper, drawing low moans, pleas for completion from her throat. Hunter, sensing she was close to her peak, suckled on her nipple, hard, dragging a shivering, gasping cry from her.

“Come, little one,” Jace said through gritted teeth, hunching his body over hers and taking her mouth as his hips ground against her body.

Hunter slid from between them, giving them this precious moment to themselves. Jace fell above her, his hands on either side of her shoulders, his mouth attacking her full breasts. She wrapped her arms around his head, her legs around his waist, and clutched him to her as she plummeted over that peak. Her body shook and shivered with her climax, her hips jerking against Jace, her body nearly bent in half with the power of her orgasm. His body tightened at the feeling of her spasms, and he thrust one last time, falling to her and kissing her ravenously as he came inside her. Her core clenched around him with muscular contractions that milked him almost to the point of pain. He threw back his head and cried out at the exquisite sensations roiling through him, gritting his teeth against the onslaught.

Ri’s body was still shuddering when Jace slid from her, panting, and fell to her side. He slid up enough to kiss her as Hunter immediately took his place between her thighs and, hitching them up around his ribs, lifted her butt in his big hands and thrust powerfully into her slick depths. She was still trembling from her first completion, but with Hunter’s penetration, energy speared through them both, rushing outward from their joined bodies and shimmering with each thrust, building with their passion. Hunter held onto her, pumping into her body with the strength and determination of the warrior that he was… his mind, heart, and soul attuned to her every need.

Jace, knowing what was to come, backed reluctantly away for just a moment.

Arianna was weeping with the need to come again, begging incoherently for her mates to finish her. Hunter angled his hips perfectly, long months of making love to his woman having taught him just where she needed him most, how to attack her ‘g-spot’ for the most devastating effect. His eyes were feral and his face tight with need as he hungrily watched her breasts bounce with his thrusts. The difference between her soft, pale body and his muscular, hard form was intoxicating. She was breathtaking in her passion, and it made him feel like a god. His hard grin widened as he felt the quick spasms in her thighs, the uncontrollable shifting of her body against his, her desire to reach that precious pinnacle with him. Gods, he loved this woman! His eyes locked to her shifting breasts, as though mesmerized by their stiff tips and the tight little puckers that surrounded them.

Jace, calmed a bit from his bout with their mate, took charge of those plump beauties, leaning over to do his share of nipping, suckling, plucking and pulling. Hunter slid one hand up from beneath her, his thumb finding and pressing on her clit with exquisite precision.

Ri’s eyes popped open at the multiple assaults on her senses, her body thrashing beneath her lovers.

“Hunter,” she whimpered, pleading. “Now!”

“Fly, little warrior,” he murmured, dragging her body up against his in one powerful move as he sat back on his heels. She was completely surrounding him, her body fully open to his, her arms around his neck. Her head fell forward, resting on his shoulder, her mouth against the sensitive skin below his ear. He was seated as far inside her as he could go and they both pulsed in breathless splendor at the feeling. Using the peculiar rings of muscle that no human man possessed, he moved his cock deep inside of her as he held still. Contracting the ridges of muscle ringing his shaft, Hunter concentrated on dragging those hard bumps over her G-spot. Ri felt as though her body shimmered with each exquisite spasm, the tightness growing until ecstasy burst within her and she fell apart in his arms with a broken cry of joy, her head back.

Her powerful climax and surge of ecstatic energy fueling his, Hunter shouted his release, dragging her head down so that he could kiss the breath out of her as they came in unison. Their energies swelled and combined between them. As though existing in two bodies at once, Hunter felt her elation, the throbbing of every nerve ending in her body, the deep spasms that gripped his cock rhythmically as her hips shook and jerked. She could feel the same in him: the hardness of his body, the power that moved through him as he gave up his seed to her, the hot grip of her core around him, tautness of his arms as his hands curled over her shoulders from the back and he pressed her down on him. She marveled at the effort he expended not to crush her to him like he wanted to. Each felt their own sensations and the other’s, at the same moment. It was like nothing either had ever experienced until they’d met.

Ri shook and shivered, her arms sliding limply from around his neck, her face buried between his shoulder and neck, as they both came down from their peaks.

Knowing that Jace was behind her, Hunter opened his arms and allowed Ri to slide backwards. Jace caught her and eased her to the bed, brushing her long hair away from her face and fanning it over their pillows. Hunter, spent, collapsed beside her, his arm crossing just under her breasts, his hand resting on the other side of her belly.

As the three caught their collective breath, the men murmured softly to her, kissed her, and caressed her, reminding her of how much they loved and adored her. She panted, trembled, and fought to steady her breathing and heart rate as they soothed her. Gods, she loved her warriors!

“Good morning,” she whispered brightly, kissing them both in turn.

“Aye,” Jace said with feeling, his sexy smile tugging at her heart. “That it is!”

****

On the balcony, only yards away, Sean, eldest son of Aleah-Karl, scowled at the sunrise.

The colors that washed in spectacular streaks across the eastern sky were amazing, the sky itself a study in all the shades of purple one could imagine. Teal foliage, now turning various hues of blue, purple, black, and aqua with autumn’s abrupt arrival, swept across the hills surrounding Ishira Colony. Nothing to frown at in any of that. Had Sean not been so distracted, he would have sworn that this was paradise.

No, the reason for his scowl was currently giggling and sighing her way through her morning love-making session with her mates. His brothers. The team he’d been separated from more than a decade ago and only recently reunited with, thanks to the fierce mental connection he had with Arianna Hunter-Jace. He had been mentally searching for his people when she had found him.

From the moment he’d touched her brilliant, sweet mind, he’d been intrigued. When he’d discovered that the little human woman was mated to his brothers, he’d become hungry. And when he’d seen her in person for the first time, smelled her sweet essence, touched her… the energy that stretched between them became a living spark that sent whips of awareness and desire through both of them. He could feel it in her, even as she tried to deny it. He could feel nearly everything about her.

His body clenched, even now, as he felt her heightening passion in the next room, heard her muffled cries through the thick walls of his brothers’ home.

“Shards of a dantun tree!” Sean muttered, his teeth gritting together. 

He closed his eyes, clenched his hands around the banister of Hunter’s balcony, and shook as his body fought not to give in to Arianna’s release. He breathed heavily, sweat popping out on his brow, on his chest, his back. His muscles spasmed as though he was the focus of the maelstrom of pleasure emanating from his brothers’ bedroom. 

And in a way, he was. 

He could feel a bit of what she was feeling. His skin was hyper-sensitive, his body throbbing in tandem with hers. Though he didn’t feel his brothers’ touches on her, he felt what those caresses did to her. He felt as though he was involved somehow, it just wasn’t his body reaping the rewards of that passion. He fought his reaction, fought the rising storm as long as he could.

But it was no use. Swept along in the flood of Ri’s energy, Sean’s head snapped back and he groaned to the sunrise, his body shuddering with her release… but not his own. Though he experienced the emotional release, his body remained hard, hot, full and throbbing, aching with the need to bury himself in Arianna. The passionate cries and shouts from the bedroom covered his moans before everything became quiet once more.

Shaking with the aftermath, Sean whispered curses and ran a hand through his long, sable hair. His fingers were trembling, his arm shaking with weakness and pent-up desire. Eyes still closed, Sean fought to get his breathing under control. After struggling with it for only a moment, he gave in to Arianna’s rhythm, synchronizing his intakes with hers, slowing his inhalations even as she slowly came down from the emotional and physical high of her passion.

“I can’t do this,” he murmured after a long moment, his eyes opening to stare with bleak acceptance at the sunrise. “Ri…”

With an iron will, Sean forced his mental walls higher, sought for the power to strengthen them, to shut her out, at least some of the time. But she seemed to be a permanent fixture in his head, in his heart. She owned a part of his soul, a part he had willingly given her the day he saved her life. And yet, she held back.

Sean's only solace seemed to be that she was unable to shield herself from him, as well.

With one last muttered curse, he shoved himself away from the banister, only now becoming aware of the burning, stinging ache in his gut. The wound from the laser blast he’d taken in the belly mere days ago, to protect her, pulled painfully. He’d probably opened the edges of the healing crater again. He pressed a trembling hand to the bandage, felt the sticky patch of blood that had seeped through. He'd have to get Jace to patch him up again.

But not right now. Right now, he needed to walk. He wasn’t supposed to climb stairs yet, but he had to get away for awhile, to gain some distance from Ri and her joy.

Joy that didn’t include him.

Yet.

He swore to the rising sun and all the gods of Ishira that he would change that.

His body implored him to make it quick.

A wonderful review, made my day!!

Thank you so much to Smart Girls Love Sci-Fi and Paranormal Romance, for the wonderful review!

Go check it out and look around their page. It's awesome!!!

Review of Hearts of Ishira

I've got about 5 new book reviews I'm working on, so stay tuned. But I wanted to share their site and hopefully get them some new followers as well. LOVE the conversations that happen on their posts!

Review of Captured, 3 hearts

Captured, by Erica Stevens, is a YA dystopian/vampire story.

The war is over, and the humans lost. Now they live in caves and forests, hiding from the vampires and hoping they don't end up as blood slaves. Dying is preferable.

Aria is captured and sold...but there's a twist.

There's not much more I can say about this without giving away a LOT of the story.

Suffice to say that the vampires are NOT fluffy, happy, redeemed souls. That's refreshing, actually. For someone who was raised on the vampire legends of old, it's nice to see one where only a few of them have redeeming qualities.

The tension in this story is well-done. The relationship moves at a pace that makes sense, considering the differences in their worlds and species.

While this is a YA, it is definitely dark. There is very little sex, but a decent amount of sexual tension. And the romance is... complicated, as it should be between a human and a vamp. :)

All in all, I will be reading the next book, mainly because this one ends so abruptly, and on a down-note. I like HEA, or at least the promise of it, so the ending was kind of abrupt for me. If you like cliff-hangers, though, it's not a problem! This is one! :)

Since I can't give it any battery ratings, I'll give it 3 hearts out of five. The story was fairly predictable, there are definite signs of other books that have influenced the writing, but it was a good read and I did finish it. :) I actually stayed up past bedtime to do so. :D

Book Review: Gift of the Goddess, 5 AAs

I might just start doing more reviews, as I read stuff. Just for fun. :)

Today, I wanted to do a review on a book I got during a free download from Amazon... Gift of the Goddess, by Denise Rossetti.

I'm giving this one Five Batteries. (yes, that's my new rating system for erotica/romance books AAs for batteries. *grin*)

I thought about giving it four, for one reason only: there is m/m and m/m/f involved. I'm all for the gay movement... anyone who knows me knows that. But it's not a turn on for me in my reading material. So take that as you will.

However, as that was on the amazon page when I downloaded it, it's only fair to give the story it's due.

All that being said, the way Rossetti presented the m/m relationship made it valid and believable. It wasn't just a case of spur of the moment sexual attraction, but the physical side of a strong friendship and complex relationship between master and pupil.

The heroine, Anje, is a Scout, on a mission from her people to find out where groups of raiders are hiding out, their movements, etc. She is tracking one of these groups when she spots two men camping near a lake. When one of the men stretches out on a rock and 'enjoys' the sunshine and himself, she can't help but watch. He's beautiful and she hasn't been laid in a long time.

Anje is found out, though, when the rock-man's partner sneaks up on her, thinking she's trying to ambush them.

But when Brin carries her back to their camp and sees her, he believes that she is a Gift of the Goddess, Lufra, Goddess of pleasure. Determined that she is the one they have been seeking, the only one that can help save their dying race, Trey and Brin wage a war of seduction. Normally, I'd say any woman would kick them in the balls and be done with it, but when faced with the High Priest of Lufra and his pupil, Anje finds that they are a powerful combination. What Brin promises, he delivers:

"You'll surrender, scout, and you'll glory in it. You'll abandon yourself and adore it. Because you trust—trust absolutely." 

And you can't argue too much with a faith with laws like 'no man shall enter any part of a woman's body unless she has climaxed at least once. Every time'. I'm paraphrasing, but you get the idea. It's not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, but a feast of the senses, and by the time the first seduction is done, you will have used a bit more battery power, if you get my meaning.


And lest you think Anje the victim... she does get some of her own back, I promise. :D


The fantasy story is a good one, and the justification for the characters' motivations are sound. With proper suspension of disbelief, I was able to accept this world at face value. That's a pet peeve of mine, so I wanted to mention it. :)  (There are some books I've read where I was like, "Really? Have you ever even HELD a science book???)

The world-building is rich, and the sex is phenomenal. I have new bookmarks in my e-reader for this one!

If you like menage and don't mind some guy on guy, this is probably the book for you. For me... m/m is usually a flip-through-the-pages jump, but I didn't need to do that with this book, because the sex was secondary to the relationship. That is key. The intimacy of that was only enhanced by the sexual aspect, and that only made the entire 3-way more interesting and deep.

It was good enough for a second read-through. I went back for an afternoon quickie and stayed for the story, even though I already knew what was going to happen. Since that was last week and I'm still thinking about it, I'm guessing that's a really good sign. :) It's a keeper. 

So yeah... 5 AAs for this one. I really enjoyed it, and I will be looking for more of Ms. Rossetti's books in the near future. If this one is her usual fair, I'm a fan already!