Shannon C.‘s review of Fiddler on the Woof by Blayne Edwards
Paranormal erotic romance ebook released by Ellora’s Cave 10 Jun 08

When this book came up for review, my initial reaction was an undignified snort of laughter and an email to Duckie Central begging someone to review it. I got a response back from Devon that said, rather pointedly, “Well, yes, *someone* should.” And so, since as I write this, I am out of town working a summer job that involves behaving in front of children, I decided I needed smut in my life. So I took the plunge and read this book.

The story premise is pretty simple. Aubrey Upton, 40ish art history professor, spots Joseph Bollinger, new violin prodigy and university professor who is also cute and 24, on the college campus where she teaches. Sparks fly, and they start getting intimate. Joseph likes that Aubrey knows what she wants in a partner. Aubrey thinks Joseph is cute and has a lot of energy. But Joseph also has a secret that could change a lot of things for both of them.

Well, despite the cheesy title, this book isn’t bad. I don’t particularly find it so awesome I’m going to reread it again, but I’ve certainly been less entertained by things I’ve read lately. I like that both characters knew what they wanted, and some of their inner monologues were quite hilarious. The sex scenes are hot, and I didn’t go into this book expecting anything other than lighthearted smut, so I wasn’t disappointed.

Joseph does have some interesting paranormal abilities, and I thought those aspects were well-considered and made sense for the story. But I’ve never really been a fan of the guys-who-can-do-bizarre-things-with-their-penis subgenre of paranormal erotic romance, so there were also, unfortunately, a few eye-rolling moments as well.

All in all, not a bad story. It’s a light, easy read, and probably best appreciated by someone who likes romantic comedies a bit better than I do.

Grade: C+

Summary:

For Aubrey Upton, pushing forty isn’t a problem. She’s pretty much done and seen it all. And though the quirky professor still feels nineteen deep down, she’s well past the age of fairytale romances and puppy love.

Until Professor Joseph Bolinger, the hottest puppy she’s ever seen, walks into her life. Joseph, the twenty-four-year-old musical prodigy and wolf/human hybrid, finds most women his age think and act like he did when he was nine. Perky or not, twenty-year-old females are intellectually flat. Boring. Hardly mature enough to handle dating outside their species.

But Aubrey… It’s about much more than the intellectual “fit”. Her scent, her touch, drive the big bad wolf inside him to want to take her down, permanently, preferably with him on top.

Read an excerpt here.