Limecello’s review of On His Knees (Private Lives, Book 1) by Beth Williamson
Contemporary erotic romance released by Samhain Publishing on 1 May 09

Although I read the blurb for On His Knees, I was still a little surprised at the content. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it very much, and will definitely look into more of Beth Williamson’s books. Also, yes, this cover. *cringe* Sometimes, it’s better to see the book blurb without the cover image; this is one such case. At least, for me, it’s not a selling point.

Renny Johnson (what a name) is a typical romance heroine, yet atypical at the same time. She’s newly divorced and taking back her life, but she’s not overly obsessive about it or annoying. She’s still her own person and the same person, more importantly, just better. She’s also the injured party here, but doesn’t let that cripple her life – at least, not any more. I also liked that Renny was generally sensible, and learned from her experiences. For example, the first time someone breaks in (her husband) she figures out what to do and what not to do the next time someone breaks in. (Not her husband.) Renny also has a lot of personality, so reading about her is entertaining.

Nicholas is an interesting hero, in some ways. In many ways, he’s nondescript – your run of the mill tall, dark, and handsome hero. What makes him different, however, is that he’s a submissive. Also, he’s still madly in love with his ex-wife, even though he’s the one that initiated the divorce proceedings.I felt a lot more warmly toward him because his reasons for breaking into Renny’s home. (It all seems very odd, but Ms. Williamson explains and writes it well, so it’s all quite sweet.) Nicholas also is a really good guy, and you can’t help but like him. (Even though he starts out as being the bad guy.)

There were some elements to the story that I didn’t find very believable, or that were non sequitur. For example, if someone broke into my house, even if it was my ex-husband, I wouldn’t be so mad I’d masturbate in front of him. Even after clubbing him with a baseball bat and tying him up. (Yes, that really happens.) Nevertheless, that’s what the heroine does, and it works for her and the hero. Which, you know, is nice. I have to admit, I really liked the “twist” Ms. Williamson put on her book, with the hero being the submissive in the relationship. And it works – it’s not just a sexual quirk to write a hot story, but something that fits well with the character’s personalities.

I also see that On His Knees is book one of her series Private Lives, which puts a smile on my face. I’m wondering what book(s) will come next, and how Ms. Williamson will top this one. On His Knees is a short, entertaining story that is a bit different from the rest, and packs quite a punch with an emotional story, and lots of hot sex. And I have to admit, the unique story is really what set this novella apart from the rest. But even more than that, the manner in which Ms. Williamson wrote it.

Grade:C+

Summary:
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Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman—with toys.
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Renny Johnson has no idea why her ex-husband broke into her house in the middle of the night. She plans to find out—right after he wakes up from a close encounter with his own baseball bat. As long as she’s got him tied up, she might as well make him answer every unanswered question about their divorce.
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Nicholas sneaked into the house, hoping to retrieve his precious autographed bat without having to face Renny’s wrath. He didn’t expect her to knock him out with it. Then again, who can blame her? He left her to take a walk on the wild side, to search for that missing something he thought he couldn’t find in his marriage.
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Now that he’s completely at her mercy, he’s about to find out how merciless—and how incredibly sexy—his ex can be. The night becomes a wild roller coaster ride of amazing sex, dominance and submission, and maybe the beginning of a brand new chapter in their lives.
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Unless the flames burn out of control…
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Warning: This title contains a dominant woman, a sexy submissive man, and lots of nekkid, smokin’ hot sex.
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Read an excerpt here.

Finn’s review of Beg Me (Teresa Knight, Book 2) by Lisa Lawrence
Erotica released 29 May 07 by Delta

Beg Me is the second book of the adventures of Teresa Knight, a female private detective with a thing for kink. This book takes you from Bangkok, to New York, to Africa, and back to New York after Teresa is hired by Ah Jo Lee to investigate the murder of his sister, Anna. A sister who was in a BDSM cult in Manhattan that Teresa must infiltrate to find the murderer.

It would take some pretty heavy begging to get me to read this book again. Ugh! The first half of the book book is chaotic. It jumps from location to location, with so many place names and history lessons, it’s confusing.  The actual investigation into Anna’s murder doesn’t start until half way through the book, after I already wanted to stop reading it!

When Teresa final gets into the cult, the story takes off and reads well. The ending wraps everything up nicely – we learn who Anna’s killers are and Teresa stops a mass killing.

Overall, I say don’t bother with this unless you want to read the kink in the second half of the book.

Grade: D

Summary:

     It’s the ultimate erotic experience: a handpicked group where every man’s craving can be satisfied. But for Teresa Knight, it’s also a place where sensual adventures can spiral dangerously out of control. Hired to probe a suspicious death, the part-time investigator enters the sizzling New York fetish scene—a seductive, uncertain world that will test the limits of her own sexuality with every potential lover she meets. For gaining entry into this elite BDSM cult means that Teresa must let down her defenses—in more ways than one.

Her search for answers brings her into contact with an enigmatic businessman who takes her to the brink of her own untapped desires even as he enlists her help in solving a crime that dates back forty years and crosses continents. From exotic Bangkok to gleaming Manhattan, Teresa finds herself locked in a sensual power struggle with a shadowy man who has a deadly agenda. What she uncovers is a shocking conspiracy of murder that will imperil her life while giving a whole new meaning to going all the way.

Read an excerpt.