The Master & The Muses

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked up this book at my favourite bookstore, but what I did know was that I was already in love with the cover.

Who can resist a man, an artist, worshipping his subject?  Especially when he looks like this...

Meet Thomas Rodin. A member—if not leader—of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, artist, lover of women, and stunted in love.

Though Thomas lived the free-spirited life of an artist always in search of inspiration, there was one thing that remained constant among the chaos; his passion.  Passion for life, passion for art, passion for pleasure. The man was ravenous, and whoever the lucky woman was at the time, she got to experience the depth of such an extraordinary man.

Unfortunately, Grace had to sit back one too many times and endure Thomas’ infamous passion.

She was his ultimate muse, but he never truly saw Grace clearly.  He could never really understand that she was the one muse he was always in search of; the one person who would match his passion and challenge him like no other.

This book not only told the story of an artist—master—and his muses, but of blinded love.  The kind of love that is staring you in the face, but you never really believe to be true. So instead of embracing that love and nurturing it, you run from it, in search of something more, something real; when in fact, what was real was there all along.

I challenge you to read this book and not be consumed by its depths, its passion, its eroticism.  I challenge you not to shed one tear for the lives that were altered and affected by choices and actions. I challenge your heart not to ache for those that would not take a firm grasp on the love they so rightfully deserved. And I challenge you not to hold the book to your chest when you are finally finished and rejoice when all things finally fall into place.

Amanda McIntyre’s writing has made its way into my heart, and her books will continue to make their way into my collection.

Click here for an excerpt from The Master & The Muses.

BROKEN by Megan Hart

Before I begin, I must warn you, I was in a highly emotional state while writing this book report...from crying all day while reading...

*points up* This book *takes a calming breath* broke me.

I know, it sounds really cheesy, considering the name. However, I cannot possibly give you another adjective to describe how I feel right now.

Sadie’s struggles with being the devoted and loving wife of a quadriplegic...broke me.

Adam’s struggles with being a quadriplegic and having to live with the fact that he couldn’t love his wife the way he had vowed to do, so many years before...broke me.

Joe’s sexcapades in an effort to fuck his way through countless women he could have (and did have) when he always seemed to find his way back to the one woman he couldn’t....BROKE ME.

Need I explain any further?

Well, I could, but if I did, then I’d spoil the book for you.

I will say this, however, and that is: this book will make the most hardened of hearts break in two. There is no possible way you can read “Broken” without shedding at least one tear. If you manage to do so, then you need to get your tear ducts checked. No joke.

Granted I’m an emotional person, but I literally cried my eyes shut. At one point, I had to bury my face in my pillow to muffle the sobs that were ripping from my body. I actually felt physical pain from what I was reading.

So I ask you again, have I scared you yet?

At least take some solace in knowing that Megan Hart does not leave her readers without some form of closure. However, your idea of closure and her idea of closure might differ.  Just sayin'.

I also have to say that you do get some small snippets of information about the characters from the previous book, Dirty. That means that you find out what happens to Elle and Dan. Once again, very clever author. *wink*

On an erotica scale of 1 to 10, I have to give this book an overall 7...and I’m being generous. This book is not meant to turn you on. It’s meant to do what it says...leave you broken. However, when Megan Hart wants to flip your switch, she knows exactly how to do it. So my overall rating comes with exceptions.

Naturally, I had to read the next book, Stranger, since I had to see if we learned anything else about Sadie and Joe. My review for that book will be up soon.

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On a sidenote, if you haven’t grasped this by now, be warned that you will accomplish DICK ALL when you read this woman’s shit. Nuff said.

DIRTY by Megan Hart

As you all know, Megan Hart made her way on my favourite authors list when I discovered her story, “Switch”, a couple of months ago.

Well, “Dirty” is absolutely no exception.

What sets Megan Hart’s books apart from other common erotica is that she does not do sunshine and roses. You will not find blissful porn on the pages of her books. What you will discover is pain, suffering, confusion, passion, anger, and heartache. The emotions evoked from reading her books make you feel as though you are living the lives of these tortured characters.

Have I scared you yet?

She begins “Dirty” with utter complexity wrapped around a character named, Elle. This protagonist, if you can even call her that, has a sordid past, and her depth lies deep within the book’s pages; leaving you with absolutely no other option but to keep reading if you want to learn her secrets.

Her actions and reactions will force your mouth agape asking, “WHY?!”. Of course, you don’t learn the why until Megan Hart is good and ready to give it to you.

Once Elle's truth is finally revealed, the wound that develops on your heart is unavoidable.  That is the depth of this character.

Then there is Dan. Dan the man. It is this character who “tames the shrew” so to speak. He sees something in Elle that no other woman has ever revealed to him, and as a result, he’s always needing more. She is his ghost, someone who cannot possibly be real.  But he knows that if he perseveres, what he does discover will only make him love her more.  To Dan, Elle is worth the pain and risk.

“Dirty” will take you on a rollercoaster that you never really intended to ride, but can’t help throw your hands up in the air and scream during the experience; you won’t want to get off.

On an erotic scale of 1 to 10, I’d have to give this book an overall 8.5. Though these characters do not spend their entire time together between the sheets, or in bathroom stalls *wink*, the fireworks they do create will leave you panting for more.

“Broken” is the next instalment following “Dirty”. A sequel of sorts that tells the tale of another tortured soul in Harrisburg, PA. Although I’m only into the third chapter, I’ve already spilled an undesirable amount of tears, and must continue reading in hopes that there is some solace for these characters.

Stay tuned for my next book report.

BOOK/AUTHOR REC!!!

Alright, anyone that follows me on Twitter knows how I've been literally going bonkers for this author I discovered a couple of weeks ago.

It started when I picked up a book called, "Switch" from my local bookstore.  Just looking at the cover had me intrigued. I mean, the idea of a man at your feet? Yeah, definitely intrigued.

Then I read the synopsis...

Don’t think.

 

Don’t question.

Just do.

The anonymous note wasn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in the habit of reading other people’s mail, but it was just a piece of paper with a few lines scrawled on it, clearly meant for the apartment upstairs. It looked so innocent, but decidedly–deliciously–it was not.

Before replacing the note–and the ones that followed–in its rightful slot, I devoured its contents: suggestions, instructions, summonses, commands. Each was more daring, more intricate and more arousing than the last…and I followed them all to the letter.

Before the notes, if a man had told me what to do, I’d have told him where to go. But submission is an art, and there’s something oddly freeing about doing someone’s bidding…especially when it feels so very, very good.

But I find that the more I surrender, the more powerful I feel–so it’s time to switch up roles.

We play by my rules now.

Yeah, how the hell could I resist?!  This was such an enthralling book. There was no way not to get pulled into the life of the female protagonist.  It was so easy to relate to her that it was impossible not to imagine being her. 

Damn you Megan Hart! *snickers*

I am now officially fucked since I've purchased nearly all of her independent novels.  I worry about starting another one because I know I'll get nothing else done in the meantime. 

This is what happened when I read "Taking Care of Business" and "No Reservations"

These two books were a continued story about two couples that had to face a lot of obstacles in order to get their relationships to where they needed to be.  Naturally, the road was bumpy, but damn was it ever one hell of a ride.

Anyone that was following my tweets could see how much I was enjoying the books from all the different parts I kept sharing; which often ended up being parts involving some hot and steamy scenes.

So, if you're looking for an author/authors who aren't afraid to push the envelope, and who know exactly how to get all your pink girly bits twitching, then Megan Hart (and Lauren Dane) is for you.  Her books are the only thing that have managed to pry me away from my beloved fan fiction, and have completely and utterly distracted me from reality; as if that's a tough feat.