Apr 2007
Lisa's Gift by Mackenzie McKade
Tuesday, April24, 2007 In:Book Musings
(Click on the book cover to be directed to Mackenzie McKade's site.)
This was first entered on my Bebo page, but I love this book so much I wanted to enter it here as well. So, as mentioned in my other blog. . . Let me say that while my blogs very well may contain my own ramblings, they will, as the opportunity presents, also contain what I will call my ‘Keepers’. These are stories that I’ve read and have found their place on my Keeper Shelf. They are not good reads. They are not even great reads. They are FABULOUS reads, that I highly recommend. And ones that, like me, you’ll want to keep.
I belong to a Yahoo! group of writers, reviewers and readers. We chat about everything, from a good book we've read or reviewed, someone’s new release, the weather, the wording on the back of Fruit Loops boxes, whatever floats our boat at any given moment.
A couple of days ago, Mackenzie McKade announced that the ebook version of Lisa’s Gift was finally available. Let me first say that I REALLY didn’t have time to read this book! I have over 50 books (haven’t counted, recently, and to be honest, I shudder, just thinking about doing so!) in my TBR pile. I originally placed the email in my TBR mailbox, to tackle it another day. Then, a couple of authors and reviewers posted that they’d read their ARCs and LOVED it. Well, shit.
Out came the debit card, and on to the site I went. I purchased the book, and hit ‘download’, and went about my other business. On my screen, at the time, I had Word open as I was jotting down notes for a review I was doing and Adobe Reader as I was reading the book on the laptop (instead of on my eBookwise). I also had open Yahoo Messenger, (chatting with the ever lovely Jacki Frank), my internet browser, and my email program. Things were pretty busy on the computer.
DING! File’s done downloading, and it automatically opened. I saw the cover of Lisa’s Gift in all its glory. I’d seen the cover before as Mac had given us little snippets along the way. Then, I looked up at the top of the reader. ~blink~ 264 pages?! Ok, there’s NO way I was going read this puppy today. WAYYY too much to do. But. . . just a peak. That’s not, errr, harmful, is it?
Apparently not, because next thing I know, I was starting Chapter 6. And ALL those other projects sitting on my monitor remained there, untouched. As I continued to read the story, time passed without my knowledge. Night fell. I realized that I had been sitting at my table poring over the story, and hadn’t had lunch. I decided I was going to go out to dinner, get out of the house, since I’d been there all day. I stopped reading, took a shower, did my hair, put on my make-up, and went back to the laptop, before I left for dinner, to check my mail and check the hours of operation for the restaurant. BIG mistake.
That damn little Adobe Reader Icon was sitting in my dock, open, beckoning. So I clicked on it. And I read. . .and read. . .and finished the story. I haven’t read a story in one fell swoop like that in a LONG time.
So, what is this book about anyway? Well, it’s the story of two incredibly close Arizona friends, friends that couldn’t be closer if they were sisters. Due to a rough upbringing, the moment that Jana gets the chance to go to school in California, she takes it, even if it means leaving her best friend, Lisa, behind.
After receiving a job offer at graduation, she returns home. . .to see her best friend in a compromising position with Nicolas, the man she’s had a crush on since high school. Even more surprising is Lisa’s full acceptance and even invitation to Jana to join them, as a threesome. Jana can’t quite wrap her mind around the idea at first, but soon begins to open up.
Nicolas is sexy, intelligent, dominant and successful. He cares for Lisa, but is incredibly attracted to Jana. As Lisa and Nicolas begin to include Jana in their lives, and their bed, Nicolas begins to realize that he wants more from Jana than just play. The more he pushes, the more Jana backs away, not wanting to step between him and Lisa. It seems like a no-win situation. Can love conquer all?
When I first heard about this book, I have to say I wasn’t sure what to make of it. It involves some BDSM and an f/f/m ménage. I’m not a stranger of reading either one of those types of stories, don’t get me wrong. But, if you’ve ever read BDSM or ménage subgenres you know what I mean when I say that including those elements is always a risk to not make it read like printed porn.
Now that I’ve read LISA'S GIFT, all I can say is WOW. That book was packed full of emotion. The characters were all so likeable, even with their flaws and baggage. I actually think that’s what made them so endearing, because their past made them REAL. The plot was stimulating, drawing me in on several levels. I looked at all the elements, including the BDSM, the f/f/m ménage and f/f scenes and came to the conclusion that the book could be written in no other way. Leaving out even one scene would have some how altered the story in a way that would leave us, the readers, bereft, and unsure why.
LISA'S GIFT was such a spectacular read. I felt the tension in the growing attraction between Jana and Nicolas. I was overcome by Lisa’s love for her best friend, bringing her out of her shell. I laughed, I got angry, I was aroused, I cried, I felt empty. And when the book was done? I was sad to see it end. I wanted more. Thank you Mackenzie, for the unbelievable read. The rest of you? Sprint, don’t walk to the site, and buy it. You won’t be sorry you did.
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LUSH by Sasha White
Monday, April23, 2007 In:Book Musings
(Please click on the book cover to be redirected to Sasha White’s website.)
3 strong women. 3 Alpha men. Can it get any better?
This anthology by Sasha White is a scorcher, so break out the oven mitts and get to reading! In The Principles of Lust, Teal, overcome by the sensuality presented in a painting, her own passion motivates her to open an erotic art gallery. Nothing and no one will distract her from doing so. Not the pranksters who are trying to keep her from opening the gallery, not the hot carpenter she's hired to help her. . .well, maybe not. After all, Zack IS one hot Dom, and her libido is in overdrive with all the sexual 'reminders' all over her gallery.
This story made me laugh as it seemed the roles were reversed somewhat. She was the randy, ready for sex, skip the foreplay kind of woman and He was the one who wanted her to feel the connection, revel in her emotions. The intensity of their bond, his patience with her as she re-discovers her inner sensual energy is wonderful, making the story fairly hum.
The second story Passion Play is about Mia and Dominick, Teal's brother. Have you ever wished, in your own journey for a heart mate, you were able to just know who he/she was? Perhaps fate would bonk you over the head with him? This is what happens to this couple. Literally. Of course, Mia is not going to allow a man into her life, and she just walks away, even after a sizzling kiss. But don't you love Love at work? They meet again, and as it's said, 'there's no such thing as coincidences.'
There are many readers out there who don't care for stories in first person. However, this story is a bit unique as it weaves a tale of two, alternating between his and her points of view. Almost like a he said, she said and it takes you on an almost voyeuristic ride, peeking into their personal diaries, as they discover each other and themselves. You have to love the scene when Mia takes Dom to a family event. Most of us have family members who are too self-absorbed for their own good. This scene left me cheering. My favorite part of the story was when Mia realized that perhaps she did want to love and be loved. And the way Sasha tied this story into the first? Seamless transition.
The last story, Sexual Healing, I'll admit, is my favorite. While I'm not a massage therapist, Caitlyn and I share a lot of similar traits. I just love how she's so incredibly REAL and comfortable with herself. Caitlyn is Mia's best friend and soul sister. There's another seamless transition in novellas, as she's sent to Jack, a photographer to be the model for some of Mia's jewelry. Caitlyn doesn't need fate to intervene, she's intuitive enough to know that Jack is meant to be with her. Now, she just has to convince HIM, and heal his fragile heart in the process. Can she win him over? Will he realize she's what he needs? Did you REALLY think I'd share the ending with you!?