Midnight Ink & a Giveaway!

MIDNIGHT INK

Box Set Collection with the Smutketeers

Eden Bradley, R.G. Alexander & Robin L. Rotham!

 

Eden (today's spokesperson for the Smutketeers) says:

The MIDNIGHT INK collection is the Smutketeers’ baby, but we couldn’t have done it without the amazing authors who joined us in this very special project! So this is our shout-out to the fab Jayne Rylon, Sidney Bristol, PG Forte, Carrie Ann Ryan and Mari Carr! Eight authors with eight sizzling new stories set in New Orleans! Once R.G. and I had the initial premise and world set and had drafted Robin, then invited our other fellow authors, the brainstorming sessions with all the girls were crazy! Someone has kept track of those discussions, so expect filthy and ridiculous tidbits to leak out in the coming weeks-lol!  

Some of my personal favorite things about us all writing in the same world: 
~The tattoo shop itself, Midnight Ink. I want to go there and get tattooed! 
~Sassy, the shop’s manager and the cupid who manipulates…um…encourages so many of the romances. I used her a lot, since she and my heroine, Rosie, a tattoo artist, are the only women in the shop, so they’re besties. Sassy is a riot—and we all really wrote her the same way! She’s someone you want at your back in hard times, the perfect accomplice no matter what kind of trouble you’re getting into—a tough chick with a heart of gold. Love her! And Carrie Ann Ryan for inventing her. ~A cast of HOT tattoo artists! Caliph, Declan, Shep, Eli…enough to keep this ink-clad girl very happy! 
~Writing about New Orleans, one of my favorite places in the world! 
~Hot, dirty, romantic sex! ‘Nuff said. I know RG and Robin will agree with me on all of this. All for Smut, and Smut for All! We’re not the Smutketeers for nothing. ; ) And we all hope you enjoy the Midnight Ink Box Set collection.

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Eden Bradley Dangerously Inked (novella in the Dangerous Romance series)  

When the submissive he played on New Year's Eve turns out to be his tempting tattoo artist...Finn knows Rosie may soon have him on his knees. 

 

R.G. Alexander ~To The Bone 
(novella in Bone Daddy series)
  
Etta came home to forget her past, Christie came home for good. Can Midnight Ink's irresistible owner convince her to start their new lives together? 
 

  

 

 Robin L. Rotham Not So Over Eli 

(sequel to Not So Tiny Tim)

  

With Rhonda, Bart finally has the life he wants...but tattoo artist and old flame Eli can give them both what they need.

 BUY the MIDNIGHT INK Box Set Now for only .99—our special release week price! 

Amazon B&N ARe

We're giving away a $25.00 gift card to Amazon or B&N-winner's choice-to one lucky winner tomorrow! To enter, talk to us about tattoos-do you like them on a man? On a woman? On yourself? Tell us about your ink. Let's talk ink! We'll be back to announce a winner tomorrow night!

We hope you'll all come visit us on the Smutketeers blog, too, to visit with us and all of our guest authors, enter our contests and stay updated for our HUGE Xmas event!

Author Spotlight & Giveaway: Eden Bradley

 One of my absolute favorite BDSM writers is Eden Bradley. Each story I read of hers puts me in a different state of mind. I can feel each words, each emotion, each character. I love it! I have read just about every book she's put out and enjoyed each one.

I am so excited to have Eden stop by today and give us some fun facts about Breaking Skye!

 

Eight fun facts about BREAKING SKYE:

 

~1: Adam Dunne is loosely based on a combination of a real Dominant I met in San Francisco at a club and a guy I met in at a small resort in the mountains of Mexico…with a little flair added, of course. 

~2: I used to live in San Francisco, and Adam’s house actually exists there-it’s one I drove past on my way to work every day and fell in love with. 

~3: This book was written originally in 2005. I always knew there was more story to tell, but this was early in my career and I wrote in answer to a call for an anthology put out by an e-publisher, and there was a limit regarding length. When I got my rights to the story back a couple of years ago I was dying to dive back into it, but other contracted books kept putting this one on the back burner. Finally, I was able to get my hands in there! It was great to have the opportunity to dive deeper into who Adam and Skye are, deeper into their relationship, and deeper into their sensual kink. The story has nearly doubled in length, and I think it’s much better for it. 

~4: I came up with the title first, which has never happened since. The words came to me and I thought they were beautiful—then I figured out what to do with them.

 ~5: When I first sat down to write this book I intended to make it a much heavier dungeon-centered story, but the characters just led me in a different direction. They get so bossy sometimes! Especially Adam. *G* 

~6: I take my ‘research’ seriously, and have done everything in this book. ‘Nuff said. : )

~7: There will be a spin-off story as soon as I have time in my schedule to write it!

 ~8: The excerpt below is probably my favorite scene in the book—especially the way it ends. But you’ll have to read the book to see what happens…;)

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BREAKING SKYE is available now on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords & Kobo!

When power play becomes more than just a game…

BDSM. Submission. Spanking…These are the things Skye has always craved, the desires she has never allowed herself to explore. Until now. She thought she was looking for a single experience, something to purge these strange yearnings from her system. Instead she finds a man whose absolute authority and stunning good looks leave her breathless, willing to do anything he asks of her. But only for one night…

Adam has other ideas. Skye could be the perfect submissive once he’s done training her—for someone else. For him, that’s always the way it’s been. But Skye is different. Enticing. Intoxicating. Irresistible. Soon all he can think of is breaking Skye—and keeping her for himself.

 Includes tons of bonus content! Excerpts from five of Eden Bradley’s books, plus added excerpts from authors R.G. Alexander and Robin L. Rotham!

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EXCERPT:

When he took her hand and led her into the dining room she followed with her head bowed, her body absolutely on fire already.

The light in the dining room was dim, but she could still see the carved legs of the antique dining table. All of the chairs had been pulled away to ring the edge of the room. No artwork in this room, just enormous, ornately-framed mirrors on every wall. On a heavy, antique sideboard tall silver candelabra held ivory tapers, the flames making the shadows dance.

He turned to her. “Take your clothes off, Skye. And get on the table.”

“Wh—what?” Her legs went weak.

“Shh. Just do it.”

He reached out and slid his hand around the back of her neck, heating her skin instantly. Her body filled with the aching need to please him, the ache that had been left to build all week.

She began to remove her clothing, her hands shaking. Her mind was emptying out, allowing her to do this, to let go. And with the last shred of reason she realized it was Adam’s mere presence which was doing this to her head.

 Soon she was naked and he was smiling down at her, his smoky blue eyes glittering in the candlelight. He moved in closer, until she could feel the heat emanating from him, the faint, male scent of him making her dizzy. She closed her eyes for a moment, inhaled, trying to steady herself.

“Get up on the table now, Skye. Come, I’ll help you.”

He took her hand, steadied her while she climbed onto the cool, wood surface.

 “Lie on your back,” he told her, pushing her down just enough for her to understand completely that he was in control.

The table was hard against her back, hard and silky at the same time. And she felt as naked as she ever had in her life. Naked and strangely beautiful. Even more so when Adam began to run his hands over her body—her stomach, her thighs, her arms. They finally closed around her wrists, where he stroked the tender skin there for a few moments before he lifted one and locked it into a thick leather cuff.

She gasped.

“It’s alright, Skye. Trust me. The binding will only free you more.”

By the time he’d cuffed both wrists and ankles and clipped the cuffs to long black ropes attached to the legs of the table her heart was racing. But the vee between her thighs was soaked and pulsing with need. She pulled on the cuffs, testing them. She couldn’t move, her arms and legs spread wide.

She shivered.

She groaned.

She loved it.

He stood over her, stroking her skin again, his touch lighting tiny fires of desire all over her. When he took her nipples between his fingers and rolled them, she sighed with pleasure. When he pinched them hard, she moaned in pain. But it all felt good. He kept at it, tugging, pinching. Sensation shot through her body, her sex. She wished he would use those clever fingers between her legs. 

Please…

He gathered her breasts in his hands, pushing them together.“Too damn perfect,” he muttered. Then he let her go and turned away.

She had one small moment of panic simply because he was no longer touching her. But soon he was back. He leaned in close to her face and told her, “Stay as still as you can, Skye. This is going to hurt.”

~~~~~~~~

CONTEST! Comment here and tell me a fun fact about you and be entered to win an e-copy of the first book in my San Francisco Doms series, SANCTUARY! I’ll be back to choose and announce the winner tomorrow evening!

...Meanwhile, I hope you'll all visit me on my website: EdenBradley.com and on my group blog Smutketeers.com !

Eden : )

Review: Breaking Skye by Eden Bradley

Breaking Skye is a lovely story about Skye and Adam. Skye has these urges, these submissive urges. She seeks out a Dom to help her purge herself of these urges. She feels like once she tries a little BDSM, she’ll no longer have these urges or desires. It’s all an experiment.

After placing an ad and meeting Adam, Skye heads over to Adam’s house for her session. Skye, of course, follows all safety protocols. She checked his background and let someone know where she was going.

The session between Skye and Adam was hot! I little spanking, a little (big) orgasm (or two or….) and some after care. No sex though, because Adam doesn’t have sex with those he’s training. Cardinal rule for him!

Even though this was a really short story, I got quite a bit out of it. The character development was not as deep as it is in longer books, but I got enough that I was able to connect with Skye and Adam.

Skye is a pretty normal girl. She’s adventurous and wants to explore. Adam is a conundrum. I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to give it away. But it did leave me going “HUH?” He was not quite what I expected and it was a lovely surprise!

The scenes between Skye and Adam were hot and I loved them. Their connection was instant (almost insta-love) and intense. Eden Bradley managed to cover quite a bit of ground in this short story.

I really have a love/hate relationship with this story. I loved it. It was quick, it was hot, and very enjoyable. I hate it because it was so short. I wanted to explore Skye and Adam’s relationship. I wanted a bit more from them in terms of sessions and playing and sex and romance.

Sweet, Sexy, Scorching Giveaway Hop- Eden Bradley

She’s spent her life pleasuring others.

Now it’s her turn…

She lives in a world of silk sheets, imported champagne, and endless erotic delight…

She fulfills the deepest fantasies of the most powerful men in the world. Sensual, seductive, and discreet, Valentine Day is a high class call girl, pampered and adored by her exclusive clientele. But Valentine has a secret. Always in control, she’s never experienced true pleasure outside of her work. But all that is about to change…Now, the woman who’s spent a decade pleasuring others is about to embark on an erotic journey of her own…

It happens one night at the opera. Seated next to her in the dark is a stranger. As the music swells, so does the sexual tension. Gorgeous, sophisticated Joshua Spencer invites her for a drink, and soon she’s fantasizing about taking him home. When they finally come together in a night of the wildest lovemaking Valentine has ever known, she’s hooked. But suddenly Valentine is questioning everything. Joshua has no idea what she does for a living. Can she risk everything—including her hard-earned freedom and one final, shattering secret—for one man? And would he still want her if he knew the truth?

Eden is giving away a pdf of Pleasure’s Edge to one lucky commenter! Be sure to follow the hop to all the stops to try and figure out the 'Guess Who' post. If you would like to be in the drawing for the grand prize, please make sure you fill out the Rafflecopter form. It only needs to be filled out once from one blog each day to be entered. Thank you and good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Sanctuary by Eden Bradley

Oh my....what a sensual and titillating story this is! Sanctuary is dark and seductive; it left me breathless and eager for more. I loved it!

Devin is having a night out with her friend, Kimmie.  They arrive at a club where Devin’s attention is drawn to a ring where one man and two women were helplessly tied and bound to a giant 'x' on the floor.  As their bodies lay at the mercy of two strong and powerful men, a part of Devin seemed to come alive. Watching these women awakened a dormant desire lying within her. Devin wants to experience what these women are feeling, a suppressive need to be under the vice of a stronger, dominate man. 

Shaye is the kind of man dreams are made of: he's strong and solid, confidant, and sexy as hell with his tattoos and piercing. He isn't looking for a woman to take home and collar though. He’s happy the way his life is going. It's exactly how his father lived his life and he planned to follow in step. Yet when he locks eyes with Devin, he can't help but want to play with her....like there is a magnetic field pulling her towards him. Shaye can see the pure need in her eyes so he asks her to play with him….but Devin immediately says no.

From the beginning, I was hooked on this story. I didn’t want to put it down.  A moment, while insignificant to one person, can have a profound effect on another person. A moment of clarity presented itself to Devine.  It was difficult for her to grasp because she felt it would loosen her grip on what kept her grounded. Devin doesn't want to give herself up to Shaye, which is what she thinks will happen if she submits to him. Control is what holds her life together and letting a man take control of her is a sign of weakness she cannot identify with. Surprisingly, Shaye has the same problem. He is content with the way his life is going, but meeting Devin opens these feelings in him, feelings he’s not accustomed to having and they play on his emotions. When he sits and contemplates his life, he realizes it's not what he wanted at first; that a life of solitude and no love is no life at all. As the story progresses, Devin and Shaye both slowly starts to accept these deep desires, but it’s not easy. Devin realizes she won't lose control of herself if she let’s someone else take the reins- because in the end, they’ll both come out on top.

It's no surprise I adore Eden Bradley's work. She gets me every time. Ms. Bradley has a way of making words pour over me slowly and sweetly, sticking to me so I'll never forget them. Sanctuary is another gem by Eden Bradley. I’m normally not a fan of novellas, I rarely read them, however I really enjoyed this one. 

Eden Bradley Fallen Angles Blog Blitz

For those of you who don't know, I am a HUGE Eden Bradley fan. I just love this woman. I love her books, the stories she tells, the realistic nature in them, her writing style, and...well...I just love everything about them. So when I was asked if I wanted to be part of Eden's Blitz tour, I just about fell over. No joke. I was like a little girl screaming on the inside, as if it was my first time at the Cinderella Castle at Disney World. I've read almost all of Eden's books to date. There are a few still left to read- and I will read them but with time. I took a break because I feared I wasn't going to have any books left to read and that would have made me terribly sad. I know, I know, I am a nut. But when you all find an author you love, don't you do the same thing?? I thought so.

Review:

Asmodeus, the demon of all things carnal, has trained Angel in the art of seduction since she was a young woman. She was trained to please men in all ways. She developed a lover’s relationship- but only in her dreams, where they can not touch. Asmodeus trained Angel the best he could, but when she failed to be accepted as The Gift to Satan, she was tossed off the cliffs and left for dead.

Declan is walking along the beach when he finds this ethereal, stunningly beautiful woman left broken and battered on the sand. He knows nothing of her or where she came from only that she is laying unconscious and naked on the beach. Her body is covered in blood and tribal tattoos. Immediately, Declan calls an ambulance to rescue her. He instantly feels compelled to protect her so he follows her to the hospital.

Once Angel awakens in the hospital, she tells Declan she has no name and she has no recollection before the age of five. The only people she remembers are Asmodeus and The Grandmother. She is in a strange place and time- she knows nothing of where she's at. The hospital…the people…everything is abnormal to her. So Declan decides to help her out. He names her Angel. His Angel? He then takes her home where he can teach her what she needs to know in order to survive in the real world.

Just when you think you know what's going to happen, think again. There were some turn of events I didn't see coming which left me in suspense most of the time. This is a completely different book then what I thought it would be. I originally thought it was a paranormal romance, but it's not. This is a story about love, family and the reconciliation of the past to be content with our future.

Declan and Angel both have deep, very deep seeded issues to figure out- and they do, but with time. It's going to be a long and hard haul for both of them. Declan enlists the help of his father. This is difficult for him since he hasn't spoken to his father for many years. They both go to work on how and where Angel came from at the same time restoring their relationship. I was in shock when the story unfolded itself..I didn't see it any of it coming. 

To be honest, I had no idea what Fallen Angel was about. I only knew that I had to read it since it's by a favorite author of mine. I felt like this book was a bit lighter compared to her darker erotic books I adore- still great though. I truly enjoyed this book. One thing I like about Eden's  writing is that she leaves nothing left to question. Every detail is clear to me and I love that. I hate having to guess what an author pictured and I never have to with her books. I also love the fact that Eden Bradley can write sensual romance books to fit everyone's taste.

Once again Ms. Bradley manages to capture the love of two emotionally broken people while telling a beautifully written story. Well done!

BIO:

Award-winning, best-selling author Eden Bradley aka Eve Berlin has published over 30 contemporary, paranormal and futuristic erotic romance novels and novellas for Berkley Heat, Harlequin Spice and HQN, Samhain Publishing and Bantam/Delta in both print and e-books. Her specialty is writing BDSM and other kinks, as well as complicated characters and lush romantic relationships. This year she is also venturing into self-publishing with the re-releases of her stories SANCTUARY and BREAKING SKYE.

Visit her websites: EdenBradley.com,  EveBerlin.com,  or her group blog  Smutketeers.com

Eden has generously offered to giveaway the choice of one ebook to a commenter, Winter Solstice or Tempt me Twice. All you have to do is like my facebook page  and leave a comment telling me which Eden Bradley book is your favorite WITH your email address. If you have not read any books by Eden, That is ok! Just let me know you haven't and you will still be entered in the drawing. PLEASE DO NOT FOR GET TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I WILL BE ABLE TO CONTACT THE WINNER. 


Thanks and good luck!

*This giveaway is open to international winners.*
 

 

BDSMAPALOOZA

The Smutketeers are having a BDSMAPALOOZA May 9th and 10th. The Queen of Kink Eden Bradley is heading it up, along with a HUGE group of some of your favorite authors!

Be sure to check it out! I know I won't be missing it. I'll be there with bells on...or better yet, cuffs. :)

If you love 50 Shades, then you'll love this.....

I think I've actually become addicted to Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin's work. They're provocative and titillating yet passionate and captivating. Her books give me a glorious sensual high that I don't want to come down from. Ahhh, I love her books!

With all the hype the Fifty Shades books are getting, I thought I'd share an author (I absolutely love!) who writes fantastic BDSM books. People are constantly looking for books similar to Fifty....well look no further, I have what you need! 

Eden Bradley writes the most sensual books I have ever read. No joke. She brings me into this tantalizing world making me feel every single word she writes. I want to feel the emotion the characters are feeling. I want to experience their struggles and challenges they're facing and I want to connect with them on a romantic level too. And that's what I love about this author. I can escape reality for a little while and transport into the story she created, making feel everything.That's an amazing author is you ask me.

One thing I really enjoy about Eden's writing is that she makes a smooth entrance for you into the lifestyle of BDSM. There's a huge percentage of readers who like to read it but don't know the true depth of that kind of relationship. Eden does an phenomenal job with it. She makes it understandable and pleasurable while at the same time telling a story. It's why I like her books so much. She doesn't have the readers dive head first into a shallow end. She makes it desirable and sensual and leaves you almost begging to experience it. 

But it's not just the steamy sex scenes Eden writes, which are smoking hot by the way! The descriptions of people and places she writes in her books paint an exact imagine for me. They leave me without having to second guess anything, which is another thing I love about this author. I want to know exactly what she had pictured in her mind when she was writing the book. I don't want to have to guess a place or a person in the story. I want to see what she saw- and I do each and every time.

Here are a few lines that I marked when I was reading her books. I thought I'd share them with you- 

"It is, even now, at the end of winter. I love the driftwood that's washed up on shore. The shapes and the textures are so sinuous, so beautiful. It's like a still life. Like a garden of dead wood, with the sand the dry earth. Yet it's not really dead, is it? It's strangely alive, just...stilled. Serene." -Rowan

And all around them the dark sky hid the stars and the rain fell, washing the earth clean.

Early dawn. The sky glowed with shades of pink and gold as the sun made its way over the horizon, fighting through a thin layer of mist to light the sky in a spectacular blaze of color.

The sky is dark now, inky all over, except for the nearly full moon, And where it touches the water, reflecting, it gives just enough silvery light to see by. I lie back in the sand, which is still warm from the day, allowing my brain to empty, hoping for peace, and finding a little of it in that bottomless arc overhead.


So if you're looking for more books like Fifty's, I really think you should check this author out. You will not be disappointed! Here are the links to her books written under both names.

Written as Eden Bradley-

The Darker Side of Pleasure

The Beauty of Surrender

The Dark Garden

Written under Even Berlin-

Pleasure's Edge

Temptation's Edge

Desire's Edge

 

Eden Bradley doesn't write only BDSM books either. She writes many other books I call my favorites. I hope you try those out too.

Tempt Me Twice by Eden Bradley

4 Stars
Amazon link- Tempt Me Twice

What a quick and sexy read this was! It only took me about two hours to read this little number, but I wished it took me longer.

Jessie and her bisexual friend Paul have been friends for over 10 years. Jessie has had feelings for Paul since they met but has never acted on them. She felt their friendship was too important so she didn't want to chance it. After being convinced into going on a relaxing camping trip with Paul and his boyfriend, Noah, she accepts. Little do the friends know, that this trip is going to be anything but relaxing. This soothing, restful trip turns into a hot and erotic workout that ends with something more than they ever expected.

Overall, I enjoyed this story very much but I would have liked to see what would have happened once they returned home. The end is kind of happens faster than I expected, but it still leaves me satisfied, as do many of Ms. Bradley's books. This is a short story with some hot and steamy outdoor loving and enough character development that will leave you wanting more.

A very reliable source told me this story was loosely based on a true story....so my mind was running wild with what could have happened and couldn't have! ;)

The Seeking Kiss by Eden Bradley

3.5 Stars
Amazon link- The Seeking Kiss by Eden Bradley

This is one hot and steamy paranormal romance! It has vampires and erotic romance rolled into one-my favorite! It's the first book to the Midnight Playground series and a good start at that. I think this book may be a long novella since I was able to read it in a few short hours. I had no idea it had menages in it. Maybe I should have looked at the cover first. Nice little surprise there. :)

Hex and Aleron have been together for ages, until Nissa walks in and captures the attention of both men. They all spend time together enjoying each others company...and boy oh boy was it hot! Ms. Bradley sure knows how to write a sex scene! But in the end, only one man is left standing with Nissa. I did feel sorry for the one male left on his own. It wasn't a sad ending where they parted on bad terms...they clearly want each other to be happy...but I just want him to get his happy ending and hopefully he will. The Seeking Kiss was a quick and fast read that will keep your blood pumping until the very end.

This is my first read by this author. I like her writing style a lot and ordered some books online, waiting impatiently for them to come in the mail.

Forbidden Fruit by Eden Bradley

5 Stars!
Amazon link- Forbidden Fruit by Eden Bradley


Professor Mia Rose teaches an Alternative Sexuality course at a university. She instructs others about the many different ways of exploring sexual fetishes. Little do her students know, she has a fetish herself. Food. Food for Mia Rose is a sensual, erotic, aphrodisiac. She loves watching it be prepared. The tastes...the textures on her palate...she loves everything about it.

Jagger James is a 26 year old student in her class. Even though he is only 26, he is very wise for his age. Jagger charms Mia Rose from the very first day they meet.  When she finds out he was once a chef, she goes weak in the knees.

I really loved Jagger. I was so moved by his love and feelings for Mia Rose. He didn't hide them at all, but instead he accepted his feelings with open arms. He tried to be around her every moment he could. I think it's uncommon to see the male in a romance/erotic novel embrace his feelings. Men usually run towards the opposite direction. But Jagger didn't. He knew of her fetish because he had one as well. I knew from the beginning how he felt and I really enjoyed reading about his emotions and his thoughts. Mia Rose, on the other hand, fought the chemistry between them because of the no-teacher-student-relationship thing. It wasn't easy for her, he made her blood simmer. And when she saw him cook (in a kitchen that I really want!) she nearly turned into a puddle of pudding on the floor.

This is a fascinating eye-opening book. I never knew fetishes were this complex until I read this book. It's much more than you could imagine... more to the "how" and "why" it happens. Ms. Bradley was able to delve deep into the psychology of her fetish and really bring her sexual fantasy to the surface. She was able to really get inside my mind and allow me to relate to it,  while keeping me entertained with an erotic story. I've never read a book where the heroine is older than the hero. This was another first for me. Hmm...I seem to have a lot of firsts with Eden's books.  Ms. Bradley made food sexy...very sexy....and stimulating to read. This is a great book.  Truly a book that I loved.  I recommend it to all as a "must-read" for anyone seeking an erotic romance with a slight change of pace.

A few of my favorite parts-

"You have a little of the raspberry here..."
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, He was bent over her, his face only a few inches from hers, his gray eyes gone dark and hazy. He pulled his hand away, licked the drop of sweet red sauce from his fingertip.
She was shaking. Her gaze went from his mouth to his hand, to his eyes and back again.
He leaned in, a fraction of an inch/ Her sex a sharp squeeze. She bit her lip.
"Jesus, Mia Rose," he muttered before he moved in to hiss her.


"Do you have any idea how real this is for me? Because I'm taking a hell of a chance here, with you. It's like I'm slicing myself open, leaving myself raw. But I have to do it. I've been so damn hurt before. I was never going to chance this again. But I can't not love you. Even if it tears me apart all over again."
"That makes it even worse!" Her heart was hammering, her whole body hurt.
"Worse? He lifted himself up so he was braced on one elbow, looking down at her. He ran a hand through his hair. "What's so bad about loving each other?" -Jagger to Mia Rose


"And I'm not going anywhere. You just need to let it be okay. Be with me. Love me. Let me love you."

Desire's Edge by Eve Berlin

Amazon link- Desire's Edge

3.5 Stars

I love when it rains. The sound of rain drops splashing on the tops of roofs and against the thin glass of cheap windows does something for me.  I swear I could watch and listen to the rain fall for hours.

Kara Crawford and Dante De Matteo (what a great name he has!) are both at a mutual friend's house for a dinner party one night. They haven't seen each other since high school. So when Kara sees Dante across the room, all grown up, looking more handsome than ever, she grabs her wine and takes off in the other direction. She abruptly decides that last thing she needs is another romance. After all, Kara is coming off a bad breakup that seemingly started when she told her now ex-boyfriend about her secret sexual fantasies. He thought she was nuts, calling her a freak after she finally shared one of her long desired sexual fantasies to him.  The last thing she needs is another man telling her she's too much of a freak.

After all those years, Dante now sees Kara from a different perspective. He too has life experiences that have shaped his views.  He decides to sit down right next to her. They strike up an easy flowing conversation ending with a searing kiss... a kiss that reached all the way down deep inside Kara...possibly igniting that certain need she was looking for? What happens next is something I'm normally not a fan of: sex in the beginning of the book. But because Ms. Berlin established the background that formed the relationship between the two leading up to the scene, I felt comfortable with the eventual intimacy she revealed. 

After a fiery ardent weekend, Kara returns to work to meet the new partner at her firm. Dante. She is shocked to the core to see him there. Immediately, Kara wants to put an end to their steamy relationship. But how can she when she's finally getting what she wants in the bedroom...and liking it so much? It's what she craved, what she needed. Being the dominate authoritative man that he is, Dante tells Kara it's not happening; they're not calling off this thing they've started. So their intimacy grows.  Kara is falling for him more and more each time they are together. But long, deep-rooted issues from her childhood, that seem to always loom in the back of Kara's mind, have pushed her to question every move Dante has made.

Did you ever have that feeling?  That feeling where nothing makes sense at all yet you're comfortably where you are supposed to be? That's exactly what Kare and Dante are feeling. Nothing makes sense to them. Those burning desires and deep swirling emotions will leave them in a challenging predicament: one that could bring them closer or tear them apart.

There's something to be said about sex, mixed with rain, that thrusts our desires. The idea of making love in the rain, while drops of water splash against your skin, seems to illuminate the act itself . And the same goes for being inside when it rains. It provides a warm closeness that makes you want to curl up on a cozy sofa or bed and lay there on it all day. Kara and Dante have lots of steamy scenes in the water. Oh boy, were they hot each time!

Is it possible to fall into subspace while reading one of Ms. Bradley's books? Because I think I came close to it. I swear, this book made me feel all the sensations Kara was feeling. Ms. Bradley does not disappoint!

This book was provided by the author in return for an honest review. Thank you!

The Lovers by Eden Bradley

5 Stars!
Amazon link- The Lovers

I never meant to make this such a long review, but here it is. I liked the book so much that I wanted to bring forth the well-done descriptive images Eden painted for us so you know it's not just great sex she writes about.  So here goes!


Oh...My...God. Talk about hot smokin' sex! At times I felt like not even a dive in the Arctic Ocean could cool me down!


I was a little skeptical starting this book. To be honest, I was scared. I've never read a book with two women and a man. Heck, I hardly likde the ones with two males and a female.  But since it's Eden's writing I gave it a chance. And I'm so glad I did! I loved this book so much! When I knew I only had about 20% left, I tried to find anything I could do but read. I didn't want it to end and I wasn't sure how it was going to end. This book has a different feel all together than her other books. I can't quite explain it....I just know that I enjoyed it a lot. I'll be sure to read this baby again very soon!

For a year now, Bettina has been involved in an online group for writers. It's where a bunch of aspiring writers go to seek help with their writing. Every year they all get together at a beach front property in California for eight weeks. This year will be Bettina's first year. They've all gotten to know each other pretty well online so she's looking forward to this time away from home. Bettina is hoping that after a few years of therapy she'll finally be ready to open up....and possibly find out who she is.

Upon arriving, she is greeted by the owner of the house, Viviane. Viviane has been hosting these eight week sessions for years now. She takes Bettina in and gives her the tour of the house. During the tour, she finally meets most of the members from the online writing group, except Jack, who hasn't arrived yet. This is also where she meets Audrey. Audrey is like an ethereal creature that exudes sexuality. Immediately, Bettina is drawn to Audrey. Nearly everyone is drawn to Audrey. She is sensual and beautiful who always has a smile on her face. Since Bettina has never been attracted to another woman before, this feeling is entirely new for her...she's not quite sure why she has these feelings for another woman, but she embraces it with open arms. They become very close in every way imaginable for the next few weeks, until Jack shows up.

Jack has been coming to this getaway for a few years now, so he knows everyone but Bettina. There is clearly some heat between them once they meet, and it's addressed almost instantly. When Jack, Bettina and Audrey get together, they share some very erotic scenes that are sure to leave you all flustered...and panting! They were hot but sensual to read, and truthfully, I got to the point where I couldn't wait for it. I mean, this book is entitled, 'The Lovers', so it was bound to happen sometime soon. Audrey is a free spirit so when Charles shows up (a friend who happens to live next door), she takes off with him, leaving Bettina and Jack in the sand. Jack and Bettina grow close and she finds herself becoming more attracted to him than what she wants to...even though Jack has made it quite clear he is not a relationship sort of man. The heart wants what the heart wants.

There's so much more than the smoking hot sex scenes shared between the characters. Don't get me wrong, they were hot and plentiful! But so was so the well developed characters with their strong emotions and feelings. They all have their own secrets they're struggling with. It wasn't just Bettina, Jack and Audrey, it was all the members of the writing group you get to know. Bettina is a bit of a recluse and hasn't been with a man in a long time, but the therapy has been helping her. Jack idolized his father when he was younger but as he grew into a man, he saw what he didn't want to be. He blames himself for the near death of an ex-girlfriend. He wants no attachments in a relationship- ever. So when he finds himself with these unknown feelings for Bettina, he turns to Audrey, who sweet talks him back to her. Audrey is like a feather in the wind. She comes and goes when she pleases. She was raped when she was younger so she has some emotional issues she's dealing with. I felt like she doesn't ever comes to terms with herself, almost as if she kind hides who she is. They all are on their own path to self discovery, I just think they didn't know it at first.

The way Ms. Bradley describes California is exactly how I remember it. I've been there many times and she manages to capture the essence of it with a simple paragraph-

The beach is a long sweep of pales sand with a rocky outcropping some distance to the south and another to the north. A few houses are scattered on the edge of the dunes, some small cottages, some enormous places made all of glass, taking advantage of the spectacular view. The old cypress tree and eucalyptus trees grow in spots almost to the shore, and the sand is dotted with clumps of ice plant. It's low tide and seaweed lies in the dark, curling strands at the edge of the water, waiting to be carried back out to float on the sea. I can smell the salt, tangy and fresh and energizing. I can feel the power of the waves as they surge in, then out.


I think I'm becoming addicted to Eden Bradley's work. More so than her books written as Eve Berlin. Her books give me a glorious sensual high that I don't want to come down from. They're provocative and titillating yet passionate and captivating. Eden Bradley sure knows how to give a good read!


Here are a few of my favorite parts of this book:

The early-afternoon is high overhead, it's golden rays warming my skin, fighting the damp, misty spray from the ocean.


He is silent again, and I focus waves of heat shimmering over the sand, a water mirage. A gull flies overhead, then another, and I watch them catch a current of air, spiraling upward together, their bodies dark silhouettes against the sun.


I grind my hips into him, and his tongue lashes into my mouth, tasting, pushing deeper. His hands move down and he grabs my butt, his fingers digging in just beneath the crease where the curve of flesh, meets my thighs.
I moan softly, and he moans back, pulling me harder into him. Then he pushes back. I am left dazed.
"Jack...?"
"We can't do this, Bettina."
"Wh-why not?"
Hurt is flooding my body. Rejection. I am weak with it.


His kiss is hot, powerful, his tongue delving into my mouth. I taste him, swallow him up, and he does the same to me. We are on exactly the same sensual page and this time I know I'm not imagining it.
Overwhelming. Beautiful.
The ocean flows and recedes around us and I no longer feel the cold. The sun overhead is not nearly as brilliant as the heat blooming between us. And the entire earth just falls away, leaving nothing but the two of u. No sand, no sea. Just our bodies pressed together, our lips, our hands.


"I get that. You've made me get that. And I want to be different. Because of you. But I'm not going to be any good at this. At believing I deserve this, maybe. Not at first. But if you just hang in there with me...."


The sky is dark now, inky all over, except for the nearly full moon, And where it touches the water, reflecting, it gives just enough silvery light to see by. I lie back in the sand, which is still warm from the day, allowing my brain to empty, hoping for peace, and finding a little of it in that bottomless arc overhead.

The ocean's throaty roar fills my ears, and it's comforting, as though the sound itself is a blanket, holding me on the earth. It helps to make the inside of my quiet. I am soothed by the earth and water, and this is exactly what this place is for me since I've arrived, despite what I'm feeling now, the confusion I've been through.


Warning- this book is first person narrative and contains a lot of sex scenes (f/f, f/f/m, f/m) and adult language. So if you're not comfortable with it, please don't read it. You'll just end up giving it a poor rating when it doesn't deserve that.

The Dark Garden by Eden Bradley

4 Stars!
Amazon link- The Dark Garden

One thing I really enjoy about Eden Bradley's writing is that she makes a smooth entrance for you into the lifestyle of BDSM. There's a huge percentage of readers who like to read it, but don't understand the depth of that kind of relationship.  Ms. Bradley does an exceptional job with it. She makes it understandable and pleasurable, while at the same time telling a story. It's why I like her books so much. She doesn't have the readers dive head first into a shallow end. She makes it desirable and sensual and leaves you almost begging to experience it. I have to say, subspace sounds like an intensely erotic place to be in. This is another winner to add to my Eden Bradley collection.

A past relationship left Rowan unable to trust anyone. She closed off her heart and took control of her life. With the need to be in charge, Rowan is now a mistress at an exclusive club in California. It's where she has power over herself and the people under her. She will never be at the mercy of another man after what happened....until Christian Thorne walks in and changes her life irrevocably.

Christian Throne is an intense dominate, which make him off limits for Rowan. It's to bad too, she's wanted him since the moment she's laid eyes on him. They're both are aware of the electricity between them so Christian makes Rowan a proposition: She must submit to him for 30 days to see if she is a submissive. Christian believes she's not a dominate, that deep down she is a sub. Naturally, Rowan balks at the idea. She knows what she is....How can Christian think she's not a dominate...What nerve he has to question her like this! Rowan is hesitant to this agreement but she can't stop thinking about him so finally she says yes. But there is one stipulation to this agreement- no sex at all.

Rowan's transition isn't easy. It's going to take a lot of work on Christian's part, which he already knows. In one of the first scene they have together, Christian binds Rowan lightly with flowering vines. It was so beautiful and romantic to read and play out! Rowan was completely caught of guard by it. She nearly has a panic attack and flees, leaving Christian to see there is more than meets the eye with Rowan. He wants to help her, get her to open and let go of this monster from her past. Christian wants to show her she has power too underneath him. Rowan is realizing what a challenge this is for her and she's afraid she will walk away less intact than ever before. But the passion they share and the emotions they bring forth of each other will put them in a position neither of them expected. Is Rowan truly a reluctant submissive?

There is a side story with Rowan's friend, April, that takes place in this book as well. I really enjoyed that story as much as I enjoyed Rowan's...maybe even more.

Here are some of my favorite parts of this book:

He wrapped his fist in her glorious cascade of dark hair, pulled her hair back firmly, and spoke softly into her ear.
"You're doing beautifully, Rowan. But I have more in store for you. Are you ready?"
She gasped.
"Are you?" He tugged a little harder on her hair. "Tell me."
"Yes!" she hissed.

"God damn it, Rowan," he muttered.
She blinked. Was he angry with her? Hadn't she pleased him?
Then, "You'll be the death of me, girl."
She smiled. April was right. She still had some power here.

"It is, even now, at the end of winter. I love the driftwood that's washed up on shore. The shapes and the textures are so sinuous, so beautiful. It's like a still life. Like a garden of dead wood, with the sand the dry earth. Yet it's not really dead, is it? It's strangely alive, just...stilled. Serene." -Rowan

Because you're beautiful to me. Because I love the lines of your body, the shape of your face, even your hands. Your bone structure is perfect. And maybe because I never want to forget you." -Christian to Rowan, after Rowan asked why Christian wants to paint her.

And all around them the dark sky hid the stars and the rain fell, washing the earth clean."

Early dawn. The sky glowed with shades of pink and gold as the sun made its way over the horizon, fighting through a thin layer of mist to light the sky in a spectacular blaze of color.