Another compilation of two books to review for you. As they were both novellas/short stories and erotica I feel that it kinda goes together. Both are ARCs from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Impossible Desires by Tamsin Baker:
A widow who likes to control. An earl with no time for innocence. A relationship bound by dark needs and subversive desires set in the glittering world of Regency England.
Lord Gareth Osborne is a wealthy earl in need of a wife, but the insipid debutantes he encounters do not fulfil the darkest fantasies of his soul. He fears that it will be impossible to find a woman who will satisfy his needs and make a suitable companion, until he meets the sensual, self-assured Eleanor.
Lady Eleanor Rossette is newly widowed, though not unhappily so. Her marriage put her into the hands of an abusive, controlling man, and Eleanor knows she will never surrender her control again. She yearns for a strong, passionate man who will yield to her in the bedroom, and she wants that man to be Lord Osborne… goodreads.
Gareth is a young earl who is looking for a wife. Obviously an older widow isn't preferable, but something about Eleanor intrigues him, who is coming from a non-loving, abusive relationship, however as many women back in the day they wanted to be married, have security and social standing, so she was out to seek a husband, and definitely not just a lover.
The two meet at one of the royal dances, and flirting commences. When all of a sudden Eleanor leans ofver a chair and says 'you may fuck me now'... ummm... Really? After leanring that she just wants marriage, probably shouldn't be bending over chairs to wanton bachelors.
Eleanor gives Gareth one month to fall in love with her and to decide to marry. If he chooses no, then its a mutual parting of forever. She is interested in the main goal. What Gareth doesn't realize is that Eleanor is a little dominatrix in bed, something that her former husband wouldn't indulge and would punish her (not in the good sexy sense) for thinking such unlady like thoughts. It was refreshing to see the women play the dominant in books. All to often they are portrayed as the submissive, do what ever the man says role, so this is an aspect I liked from this book. That being said, you can tell that Eleanor only likes being the dominant role because she has control. Control that she didn't have in her first marriage. This novella central theme is trust. Trust to give yourself up to your partner and to yourself. This is all and good, but the way its played out kinda irked me.
I'm not really sure what I thought of this book. It was a historical erotic novella. Based on all the other historical fiction books out there, I don't feel like this story needed to be presented in this time period as it didn't really have anything to go with anything. Yes, I get that Gareth is an earl looking for a wife and needs to have one with proper standings, and Eleanor is a widow of proper standing. But other than that... I don't know. I just can't get past the fact that I'm sure Gareth would be freaked the fuck out if an older women was acting this way, especially if they weren't married- just based on the sexual limitations and repercussions placed on women back in the day.
So would I recommend it? Ummm...I guess..... I only gave it 3 stars.
Book Lovers: Stories, edidted by Shawna Kenney
Forget poorly written prose and clichéd love scenes: Book Lovers answers the call for sexy literature with substance. This collection of toe-curling tales written by and for word-worshippers offers well-crafted fiction and creative nonfiction that connects literature to libido. From a Vonnegut-inspired tryst to an imaginary ménage à trois with Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, the book encompasses a veritable buffet of literary fantasies.
Whether they’re conjuring Junot Díaz between the sheets or dreaming of a modern-day enactment of Wuthering Heights—this time refusing Edgar in favor of lusty, bodice-ripping nights with Heathcliff—the stories in Book Lovers are designed for readers’ brains and bodies- goodreads
Book Lovers is a compilation of short stories of erotica based on reading and the written word.
I just finished this book and none of the stories really stick out in my mind. That being said, there were some that were really well written, exciting ones such as "A-Z" and some really really bad ones like Shafted (I think the thing that bothered me the most of this one was the main character saying 'dadio')
A lot just felt rushed or that I completely missed the point. Maybe it is because I read this at work, so I couldn't fully get into the story line, but some stories like "A Little Irish Honey" and "The Descent" was just like...what the point was that?
I liked that this book main feature was books. How books and the written word can turn you on, and satisfy your innermost desires. Plus, unlike this blog, it was written very well and beautifully.
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