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The Strip
In a city built for sin, where any fantasy is one phone call away, three successful women scheme through a culture where today’s stripper could be tomorrow’s Governor’s wife—and nobody would blink an eye. They are Las Vegas wives, and THE STRIP is their adults-only playground, a neon-splashed boulevard where excitement, seduction, and betrayal never go to sleep.
Kristin Fox is the bestselling writer of controversial sex-in-suburbia novels who hungers for a sensual feast that goes beyond the pages of her money-making fiction. Jennifer Payne is the insightful marriage and family therapist who has an answer for every relationship problem except the one happening in her very own bedroom. Billie Shelton is the casino showroom song-and-dance dazzler who has been saved, remade, and quietly shattered by a dangerously obsessive Svengali husband.
And Cam Lawford is their stud-for-hire who sees a career-ending sports injury lead him from roaring crowds in NFL stadiums to willing and generous women in luxury hotel rooms. And, ultimately, straight to an early grave...
Kristin Fox is the bestselling writer of controversial sex-in-suburbia novels who hungers for a sensual feast that goes beyond the pages of her money-making fiction. Jennifer Payne is the insightful marriage and family therapist who has an answer for every relationship problem except the one happening in her very own bedroom. Billie Shelton is the casino showroom song-and-dance dazzler who has been saved, remade, and quietly shattered by a dangerously obsessive Svengali husband.
And Cam Lawford is their stud-for-hire who sees a career-ending sports injury lead him from roaring crowds in NFL stadiums to willing and generous women in luxury hotel rooms. And, ultimately, straight to an early grave...
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Salem
9 books14 followersJ.J. Salem is a USA TODAY bestselling author whose work has been published in several languages.
As a young teenager, J.J. worked odd jobs to splurge on the hardcover edition of Jackie Collins’ HOLLYWOOD WIVES. At 15, his first attempt at something Jackie-ish, a short story called “Tempt Me,” was banned from a high school creative writing contest. In college, he studied Jacqueline Susann’s VALLEY OF THE DOLLS as the primary subject of his master’s thesis in American Studies. He has
published 22 books in a wide array of genres, including suspense, romance, chick-lit, teen fiction, and celebrity biography.
J.J. currently resides in the American South, where he is at work on a new novel. His hobbies include tennis, interior design, animals, and all facets of popular culture.
As a young teenager, J.J. worked odd jobs to splurge on the hardcover edition of Jackie Collins’ HOLLYWOOD WIVES. At 15, his first attempt at something Jackie-ish, a short story called “Tempt Me,” was banned from a high school creative writing contest. In college, he studied Jacqueline Susann’s VALLEY OF THE DOLLS as the primary subject of his master’s thesis in American Studies. He has
published 22 books in a wide array of genres, including suspense, romance, chick-lit, teen fiction, and celebrity biography.
J.J. currently resides in the American South, where he is at work on a new novel. His hobbies include tennis, interior design, animals, and all facets of popular culture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 21, 2025
The middle part of the book was veryyyyy slow and there were too many characters introduced for me to even try and wrap my head around but good ending😗
August 6, 2019
I did not enjoy reading this book--in fact I gave up after chapter 15. I thought a lot of the story was forced and uninteresting. The three lead female characters did not leave a lasting impression on me. In fact, I constantly got confused as to who was who, and I had to keep referring to the back of the book description to refresh my memory. I agree with another reviewer that it never got quite to where it wanted to get. Just when I thought the book was getting to a plot, it would jump over to a different character doing something completely different. I felt the author was jumping around too much which lead to a lot of confusion on my part. A couple of times different characters were introduced without using their name until several paragraphs later--so while I was reading, I would often find myself saying, who? and then I would have to re-read certain sections again.
It's not that I don't love a good chick lit book or a book with some erotic scenes, but I felt this book was choppy sounding and forced. One minute you are reading about one character, and the next you immediately cut to a chapter with a different character involved in a sex scene with no real story line leading up to it. I also felt the author kept throwing out glamorous or luxurious names too much which made it sound forced. You can portray a rich lifestyle without having to "advertise" the high-end names/products all the time. I've heard and know of some of the things the author mentioned, but others I had not, so I wasn't sure what she was describing sometimes.
This review is also posted on the LibraryThing website.
It's not that I don't love a good chick lit book or a book with some erotic scenes, but I felt this book was choppy sounding and forced. One minute you are reading about one character, and the next you immediately cut to a chapter with a different character involved in a sex scene with no real story line leading up to it. I also felt the author kept throwing out glamorous or luxurious names too much which made it sound forced. You can portray a rich lifestyle without having to "advertise" the high-end names/products all the time. I've heard and know of some of the things the author mentioned, but others I had not, so I wasn't sure what she was describing sometimes.
This review is also posted on the LibraryThing website.
July 21, 2011
Three women are unsatisfied in their marriages, so they seek out the services of Cam Lawford, male escort, and then he's murdered. It's a rather straightforward plot when you say it like that, but the characters secrets and feelings are so compelling, I just couldn't put it down. I just loved the included chapters from Cam's book, Stud Diaries: Confession of the Man Who's Satisfying Your Wife. Every character had such an unique voice, and I was pretty surprised when the murderer was revealed.
The only complaint I have, and it might not even be a complaint, is that all of the pop culture and technology references seem very of-the-moment right now, but in a few years might turn off readers by their datedness.
I would recommend the book as a sexy, splashy beach read, and am looking into obtaining the author's previous work, Tan Lines.
The only complaint I have, and it might not even be a complaint, is that all of the pop culture and technology references seem very of-the-moment right now, but in a few years might turn off readers by their datedness.
I would recommend the book as a sexy, splashy beach read, and am looking into obtaining the author's previous work, Tan Lines.
December 15, 2024
The Strip is about a group of women linked through two loci: their shared therapist, Jennifer Payne, and their shared male prostitute, Cam Lawford. All married, they excise their sexual and personal frustrations in various expensive hotel rooms with Cam, who's well-endowed and expert at his job. Unfortunately for him, his involvement with one of the women, Billie Shelton, a former punk rocker who's reinvented herself as an Elvis-style Vegas headliner, brings an untimely end to his pleasurable and profitable career.
The investigation of Cam's murder frames the book but is mostly incidental to the plot, which revolves instead around the women, their troubles, their afternoon encounters with Cam, and their rather thin moral grapplings with their times with him. This is not great literature by any means; it starts off over-written in dreadful purple prose, though eventually it settles down as the narrative takes over. Annoying to me, anyway, are the endless references to consumer goods--cars, makeup, clothes, and so on; this will date the book pretty soon; I imagine a reader in 10 or 20 years puzzled Zenga trousers and Prada belts.
It's a fast read, in any case, and entertaining, if that's what you're looking for. The Strip seems to be a quasi-sequel to Salem's first book, Tan Lines, which features some of the same characters. I haven't read it.
The investigation of Cam's murder frames the book but is mostly incidental to the plot, which revolves instead around the women, their troubles, their afternoon encounters with Cam, and their rather thin moral grapplings with their times with him. This is not great literature by any means; it starts off over-written in dreadful purple prose, though eventually it settles down as the narrative takes over. Annoying to me, anyway, are the endless references to consumer goods--cars, makeup, clothes, and so on; this will date the book pretty soon; I imagine a reader in 10 or 20 years puzzled Zenga trousers and Prada belts.
It's a fast read, in any case, and entertaining, if that's what you're looking for. The Strip seems to be a quasi-sequel to Salem's first book, Tan Lines, which features some of the same characters. I haven't read it.
August 1, 2020
Not a bad read. Should have read one before to be introduced to the characters but I got the gist of it! The control freak was pretty interesting character but was glad he got what was coming to him - was annoyed about the killing and just felt that the reason for this was because the writer needed a hook but tbh there was already an average plot line that could have been expanded. 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2018
First for a cheesy dollar store brainless summer pool novel it wasn’t bad. It has potential to be a best seller if the author spent time on his characters and developed them more. I think there was a lot more potential for this novel then the editor thought before sending it to press
January 28, 2021
Do you know what this was just perfect for my current mood, the lockdown was getting to me, I just needed something mindless and fun and I got it. Ready to move on now 😂 it’s the same as flicking tv and just watching a bit of bubble gum for a bit of light relief
October 29, 2024
Good for a chilled reading
July 11, 2011
The Strip is J.J. Salem’s second novel coming a couple of years after his first novel Tan Lines. To be honest, his novels don’t really appear to me. I prefer a story to my novels rather than these big blockbuster novels, however I received a proof copy of The Strip so by reading it, I really had nothing to lose. So one afternoon, looking for an escapist read, this one really fit the bill perfectly. I didn’t expect to enjoy it, which is probably a bit silly because why else did I decide to read it? But, actually, I was sucked into the book easily and I was gripped, desperate to know how it was all going to pan out.
The Strip centers on three women: Kristin, Jennifer and Billie. From what I can tell, Billie was in J.J.’s first novel Tan Lines but we get sufficiently caught up on her story for it to not be a major issue. In fact, I wouldn’t have known except that I read the Tan Lines synopsis. Anyway, these three women are all paying a male gigolo for his services, the beautiful Cam who had the potential to be a big NFL star until injury curbed that for him. Each woman has their reasons for seeing Cam, mainly because their husbands are failing them greatly, not only in the bedroom but in their lives in general. To make the story even more interesting, all of the girl’s know each other. Jennifer is both Kristin and Billie’s therapist and Billie works as a singer/dancer at the hotel Kristin’s husband owns so they’re friends.
The Strip is a world away from what I usually read, blockbuster novels not really being my cup of tea, but from time to time I do like a good trashy read and The Strip was that. The book isn’t full of bedroom antics, despite seemingly being so, nor is it explicit in any way, but the whole glitz and glamour is still there in abundance. Which is surprising really because the book is far from a glitzy novel, it’s more gritty, particularly as Cam ends up dead in the opening chapter before spooling back in time, leading up to Cam’s untimely death as we try to figure out who was behind it. The book encompasses a lot of themes, infidelity a high one obviously, but also abusive relationships, what it is to be in a loveless marriage, among other things. Obviously with such an escapist read, all of the issues are put together into the melting pot and are left to see where it will all pan out in the end.
The characters in the novel are definitely larger than life. Billie and Kristin are both glamorous and insanely rich, having everything they desire (apart from the love of their husbands). They exude confidence and are unafraid to pay someone for the love and time they both crave. I found them both to be very appealing characters, and despite being a staunch anti-cheating person, Kristin, Billie and Jennifer’s antics didn’t bother me if only because their husbands were totally useless anyway. Jennifer was the more ‘normal’ of all the characters, and I liked her, too. All three women had interesting stories and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them more. All three girls aren’t people you’d usually assume would know each other under normal circumstances but they all got on well, particularly Billie and Kristin, I really enjoyed their friendship. I must admit that Cam Lawford intrigued me, he’s like a male Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, and we have regular entries from the novel he’s reading which allow us to get to know him better.
Whilst reading The Strip, I wasn’t entirely paying attention to the writing, I was mainly just flipping the pages to carry on getting deeper into the story. But let me tell you this, the writing was addictive, and with the book being told in third-person, it allowed for a lot of scope and I found it very readable. The Strip probably isn’t anything new, but I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the book. I loved the fact it was set in Vegas (where better to set a novel all about sin?) and I just enjoyed the book for what it is, a trashy beach read. It’s the type of book you can take on holiday and can read whilst lying by the pool. It takes you out of yourself for a while and into a world that in undoubtedly something most people dream of (the glitz and glamour of it, anyway). I did wonder how the novel would end and I wasn’t at all disappointed, it was as shocking as I expected it to be, and I found it very satisfying. I knew who had killed Cam, though only when we were pointed in that direction, I have to admit. I’m honestly really surprised at how much I enjoyed the book, and I’m so pleased I decided to give it a read, it was trashy at its best and Billie could definitely have a third novel, definitely pack this in your beach bag this summer.
The Strip centers on three women: Kristin, Jennifer and Billie. From what I can tell, Billie was in J.J.’s first novel Tan Lines but we get sufficiently caught up on her story for it to not be a major issue. In fact, I wouldn’t have known except that I read the Tan Lines synopsis. Anyway, these three women are all paying a male gigolo for his services, the beautiful Cam who had the potential to be a big NFL star until injury curbed that for him. Each woman has their reasons for seeing Cam, mainly because their husbands are failing them greatly, not only in the bedroom but in their lives in general. To make the story even more interesting, all of the girl’s know each other. Jennifer is both Kristin and Billie’s therapist and Billie works as a singer/dancer at the hotel Kristin’s husband owns so they’re friends.
The Strip is a world away from what I usually read, blockbuster novels not really being my cup of tea, but from time to time I do like a good trashy read and The Strip was that. The book isn’t full of bedroom antics, despite seemingly being so, nor is it explicit in any way, but the whole glitz and glamour is still there in abundance. Which is surprising really because the book is far from a glitzy novel, it’s more gritty, particularly as Cam ends up dead in the opening chapter before spooling back in time, leading up to Cam’s untimely death as we try to figure out who was behind it. The book encompasses a lot of themes, infidelity a high one obviously, but also abusive relationships, what it is to be in a loveless marriage, among other things. Obviously with such an escapist read, all of the issues are put together into the melting pot and are left to see where it will all pan out in the end.
The characters in the novel are definitely larger than life. Billie and Kristin are both glamorous and insanely rich, having everything they desire (apart from the love of their husbands). They exude confidence and are unafraid to pay someone for the love and time they both crave. I found them both to be very appealing characters, and despite being a staunch anti-cheating person, Kristin, Billie and Jennifer’s antics didn’t bother me if only because their husbands were totally useless anyway. Jennifer was the more ‘normal’ of all the characters, and I liked her, too. All three women had interesting stories and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them more. All three girls aren’t people you’d usually assume would know each other under normal circumstances but they all got on well, particularly Billie and Kristin, I really enjoyed their friendship. I must admit that Cam Lawford intrigued me, he’s like a male Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, and we have regular entries from the novel he’s reading which allow us to get to know him better.
Whilst reading The Strip, I wasn’t entirely paying attention to the writing, I was mainly just flipping the pages to carry on getting deeper into the story. But let me tell you this, the writing was addictive, and with the book being told in third-person, it allowed for a lot of scope and I found it very readable. The Strip probably isn’t anything new, but I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the book. I loved the fact it was set in Vegas (where better to set a novel all about sin?) and I just enjoyed the book for what it is, a trashy beach read. It’s the type of book you can take on holiday and can read whilst lying by the pool. It takes you out of yourself for a while and into a world that in undoubtedly something most people dream of (the glitz and glamour of it, anyway). I did wonder how the novel would end and I wasn’t at all disappointed, it was as shocking as I expected it to be, and I found it very satisfying. I knew who had killed Cam, though only when we were pointed in that direction, I have to admit. I’m honestly really surprised at how much I enjoyed the book, and I’m so pleased I decided to give it a read, it was trashy at its best and Billie could definitely have a third novel, definitely pack this in your beach bag this summer.
August 27, 2011
Sin City has always had its own rules and morality. So when three wealthy, highly successful women find that the answer to their unfulfilling marriages is to engage the services of a sophisticated male prostitute, there is nothing shocking about it. But when he ends up murdered, the question becomes who did it and who might be next.
The Strip centers on the lives of Kristen (a best-selling author), Billie (Vegas’ quintessential song-and-dance maven) and Jennifer (the marriage counselor) along with their hired hunk Cam Lawford. All four of these characters are compelling and create quite a dynamic between them. Even though Cam is far too perfect to be real, he serves his function in the story in a James Bond manner. However, the rest of the characters are so cliché they could be made of cardboard. Kristen and Billie’s husbands are so simplistically evil as to be caricatures of villains – very nearly comic rather than threatening. Only Jennifer’s transgressions against her misunderstood husband come across as authentic and understandable.
The most troublesome part of The Strip is the plot. It spits and sputters along without ever building towards a conclusion. The murder is foretold in the first chapter along with introducing an interesting detective who is then completely forgotten for the rest of the book. Conflicts are stilted and only seem to fill the gaps between flamboyant sex scenes where Cam always says and does the right thing and never steps over any lines. Finally, the conclusion is haphazard. With so little tension built throughout the story, there is nothing to be released at the end. While The Strip may serve as a fantasy session for women who want to imagine being swept up by that perfect guy (even if you have to pay for it) there is very little story to engage the reader.
The Strip centers on the lives of Kristen (a best-selling author), Billie (Vegas’ quintessential song-and-dance maven) and Jennifer (the marriage counselor) along with their hired hunk Cam Lawford. All four of these characters are compelling and create quite a dynamic between them. Even though Cam is far too perfect to be real, he serves his function in the story in a James Bond manner. However, the rest of the characters are so cliché they could be made of cardboard. Kristen and Billie’s husbands are so simplistically evil as to be caricatures of villains – very nearly comic rather than threatening. Only Jennifer’s transgressions against her misunderstood husband come across as authentic and understandable.
The most troublesome part of The Strip is the plot. It spits and sputters along without ever building towards a conclusion. The murder is foretold in the first chapter along with introducing an interesting detective who is then completely forgotten for the rest of the book. Conflicts are stilted and only seem to fill the gaps between flamboyant sex scenes where Cam always says and does the right thing and never steps over any lines. Finally, the conclusion is haphazard. With so little tension built throughout the story, there is nothing to be released at the end. While The Strip may serve as a fantasy session for women who want to imagine being swept up by that perfect guy (even if you have to pay for it) there is very little story to engage the reader.
September 24, 2014
This ARC was provided for free by the publisher for review through GoodReads FirstReads.
I honestly have to say that I absolutely loved this book. Everything from the cover, to the characters, to the story waiting inside was amazing. And is it just me, or does the woman on the cover look like and adult LeAnn Rimes?
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book when I first saw it on GoodReads. It just didn't seem like my kind of book. But when I received it in the mail and starting reading it, I couldn't put it down! It was so easy to get sucked into The Strip. I seriously read for hours, not wanting to put it down. My husband practically had to pry it out of my fingers when it was time for bed.
Not only is this book really sexy and dangerous, (very sexy and very dangerous), but the characters are so well defined and created that you can't help but to love them, hate them, or want to be with them (Cam anyone?).
Even though there's a lot of sexy situations, yummy characters, and a fantasy-style storyline, there's also a dark, dangerous side to The Strip. The book goes really deep and shows the dark side of fame, success, money, sex, control, marriage, and the very greedy side of love. It draws you in.
In my opinion, the ending didn't stand up as well as the majority of the book. But I'm sure that would be different for different people. Different readers would want it to end different ways. I wasn't too fond of this ending, but it definitely didn't take away from the rest of the novel.
All in all, this was a great read that I will definitely read again in the future, and I have to say, it should be made into a movie!
I honestly have to say that I absolutely loved this book. Everything from the cover, to the characters, to the story waiting inside was amazing. And is it just me, or does the woman on the cover look like and adult LeAnn Rimes?
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book when I first saw it on GoodReads. It just didn't seem like my kind of book. But when I received it in the mail and starting reading it, I couldn't put it down! It was so easy to get sucked into The Strip. I seriously read for hours, not wanting to put it down. My husband practically had to pry it out of my fingers when it was time for bed.
Not only is this book really sexy and dangerous, (very sexy and very dangerous), but the characters are so well defined and created that you can't help but to love them, hate them, or want to be with them (Cam anyone?).
Even though there's a lot of sexy situations, yummy characters, and a fantasy-style storyline, there's also a dark, dangerous side to The Strip. The book goes really deep and shows the dark side of fame, success, money, sex, control, marriage, and the very greedy side of love. It draws you in.
In my opinion, the ending didn't stand up as well as the majority of the book. But I'm sure that would be different for different people. Different readers would want it to end different ways. I wasn't too fond of this ending, but it definitely didn't take away from the rest of the novel.
All in all, this was a great read that I will definitely read again in the future, and I have to say, it should be made into a movie!
August 4, 2011
BOOK RECIEVED FROM PUBLISHER-ST MARTIN'S GRIFFIN
I had a lot of fun reading this very juicy novel. What’s not to like when the temperature outside exceeds 100 and the novel you’re reading makes the indoor temps rise like you were in the pits of Hell! Make sure, when you start this novel that you have a cold shower handy and a box of tissues.
You will meet three very different Las Vegas wives. Each woman is intelligent and unique but they have something in common; a “stud-for-hire. The trio is made up of a bestselling author, a family therapist and a sizzling sexy song and dance artist. What they have in common is sad and sometimes terrifying lives and a penchant for Cam Lawford, the young and very perfect “escort”. The book opens with Cams murder and then back tracks a bit then leads us back up to his murder and a bit beyond. It is the bit beyond that had me reaching for the tissues.
I have never read anything by Mr. Salem before (Tan Lines) but I found his work to be very satisfying, rich in imagination and even gripping which is not something that you often see with a book that most would consider a light “beach read”. His characters are well fleshed out and the issues that they have while maybe not something the average woman will have, are written so clearly that you can put yourself easily into their shoes. These talents for writing made this book a bit spine tingling for me.
Altogether a fun, sexy, and provocative way to pass an afternoon.
I had a lot of fun reading this very juicy novel. What’s not to like when the temperature outside exceeds 100 and the novel you’re reading makes the indoor temps rise like you were in the pits of Hell! Make sure, when you start this novel that you have a cold shower handy and a box of tissues.
You will meet three very different Las Vegas wives. Each woman is intelligent and unique but they have something in common; a “stud-for-hire. The trio is made up of a bestselling author, a family therapist and a sizzling sexy song and dance artist. What they have in common is sad and sometimes terrifying lives and a penchant for Cam Lawford, the young and very perfect “escort”. The book opens with Cams murder and then back tracks a bit then leads us back up to his murder and a bit beyond. It is the bit beyond that had me reaching for the tissues.
I have never read anything by Mr. Salem before (Tan Lines) but I found his work to be very satisfying, rich in imagination and even gripping which is not something that you often see with a book that most would consider a light “beach read”. His characters are well fleshed out and the issues that they have while maybe not something the average woman will have, are written so clearly that you can put yourself easily into their shoes. These talents for writing made this book a bit spine tingling for me.
Altogether a fun, sexy, and provocative way to pass an afternoon.
December 11, 2011
Stud Diaries
Confessions from the Man Who's Satisfying Your Wife
By Cam Lawford
Yep, that's how this scorcher gets started! Cam, Vegas' Hottest, Kindest, Easiest to Fall in Love with Top Male Escort starts out on page 3 with a bang! Literally to his head.
Then the book takes us back 6 weeks earlier. You have Billie the former indie rocker chick who sold out to a cheesy Vegas show after her face was destroyed (from the prequel Tan Lines) by the rapper Domestic Violence. She thought the plastic surgeon, also her new husband, stepped in and saved her life was her savior. Instead he ends up being the devil himself who thinks he created her and controls her every move.
Then there is Kristen, the hottest writer of the moment who has a new HBO show. Of course her husband doesn't support her and can't handle the fact his wife is now more successful than him.
Finally you have Jennifer, the shrink...big surprise, she is also in an unhappy marriage. The three of them find solace in Cam.
Author JJ Salem has done it again. Yes, the is chic-lit smut at it's best, but also the characters have depth.I found myself getting wound up emotionally with them and rooting for them to find better lives. This book burns in your hands.
So who killed the dreamboat who just signed a book deal for Stud Diaries? You gotta read it to find out! Too bad he was taken out on page 3, because he could have had a series of his own! Hot!
Confessions from the Man Who's Satisfying Your Wife
By Cam Lawford
Yep, that's how this scorcher gets started! Cam, Vegas' Hottest, Kindest, Easiest to Fall in Love with Top Male Escort starts out on page 3 with a bang! Literally to his head.
Then the book takes us back 6 weeks earlier. You have Billie the former indie rocker chick who sold out to a cheesy Vegas show after her face was destroyed (from the prequel Tan Lines) by the rapper Domestic Violence. She thought the plastic surgeon, also her new husband, stepped in and saved her life was her savior. Instead he ends up being the devil himself who thinks he created her and controls her every move.
Then there is Kristen, the hottest writer of the moment who has a new HBO show. Of course her husband doesn't support her and can't handle the fact his wife is now more successful than him.
Finally you have Jennifer, the shrink...big surprise, she is also in an unhappy marriage. The three of them find solace in Cam.
Author JJ Salem has done it again. Yes, the is chic-lit smut at it's best, but also the characters have depth.I found myself getting wound up emotionally with them and rooting for them to find better lives. This book burns in your hands.
So who killed the dreamboat who just signed a book deal for Stud Diaries? You gotta read it to find out! Too bad he was taken out on page 3, because he could have had a series of his own! Hot!
July 3, 2013
Cam Lawford used to be a high profile player in the NFL, until he acquired a sports injury that ended his career. Now, he's a stud for hire, but only to those that can afford his steep rates. He's also writing his memoir, Stud Diaries: Confessions from the Man Who's Satisfying Your Wife. When he is found murdered in a hotel room, Homicide Detective Gucci Marlowe is sure the killer is a woman.
There are three Las Vegas wives that Cam visited often. Kristen Fox, a bestselling writer who craves what Cam can give her, even though she can't bring herself to leave her husband. Jennifer Payne, a therapist who has problems at home but doesn't have a problem dispensing advice to others, such as Kristen. Then there is Billie Shelton, who is a dancer-singer in one of the splashy casinos. Her husband is very obsessive, and Billie just wants a bit of freedom.
All three women keep their secret and live dangerously in the fast-paced city of sin, LA. Someone killed Cam, and Gucci will find out who did it and why. But will the wives be able to keep their secret if Cam's book gets published? Will they be able to fix what is wrong in their lives without Cam in it?
With murder, sex, scandal and dirty secrets, THE STRIP will keep you thoroughly entertained. A peek into the details of four lives, the good and the shameful, is riveting and the diverse and complex characters intriguing. The pace is fast and hot! Glitzy, naughty and triumphant, THE STRIP is a great beach read!
There are three Las Vegas wives that Cam visited often. Kristen Fox, a bestselling writer who craves what Cam can give her, even though she can't bring herself to leave her husband. Jennifer Payne, a therapist who has problems at home but doesn't have a problem dispensing advice to others, such as Kristen. Then there is Billie Shelton, who is a dancer-singer in one of the splashy casinos. Her husband is very obsessive, and Billie just wants a bit of freedom.
All three women keep their secret and live dangerously in the fast-paced city of sin, LA. Someone killed Cam, and Gucci will find out who did it and why. But will the wives be able to keep their secret if Cam's book gets published? Will they be able to fix what is wrong in their lives without Cam in it?
With murder, sex, scandal and dirty secrets, THE STRIP will keep you thoroughly entertained. A peek into the details of four lives, the good and the shameful, is riveting and the diverse and complex characters intriguing. The pace is fast and hot! Glitzy, naughty and triumphant, THE STRIP is a great beach read!
August 1, 2011
Via amazon.com "Perfect body...Perfect sex...Perfect murder - Decadence Las Vegas: glittering city of sin, the ultimate adult playground where fantasy fulfilment is one phone call away. Desire Three women hold all the cards. Billie is the town`s hottest act with her casino spectacular `Rebirth`. Kristin is the Vegas answer to Jackie Collins with her scorching blockbuster novel and TV series. Jennifer is the go-to therapist for the city`s highest profile residents, a sympathetic ear, and a keeper of dark secrets. They have everything...except passion in their complicated marriages. Danger When Billie, Kristin, and Jennifer discover sensual fulfilment courtesy of a high-priced stud service, it feels good to get what they want, to leave with no strings. But once is not enough. The erotic escapes become pure addiction. And what begins as sexual adventure ends in deadly obsession as their lives slowly unravel."
Loved this book!! Let me start by saying that this book popped up in my mailbox unexpectedly and I am so glad it did. I highly recommend this book. I usually don't read non-YA books but this was amazing and I was so glad I read it. The characters come to life so vividly you feel like you are right there with them. The story line draws you in and it keeps you! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Loved this book!! Let me start by saying that this book popped up in my mailbox unexpectedly and I am so glad it did. I highly recommend this book. I usually don't read non-YA books but this was amazing and I was so glad I read it. The characters come to life so vividly you feel like you are right there with them. The story line draws you in and it keeps you! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
August 1, 2011
I was thinking: Jackie Collins, sex, drugs and murder, and everything was there.
This book has a very good start. We are faced with a murder, we get to know all the main characters, Billie, Kristin and Jennifer and a little about their background, especially about Billie. We don't actually know what happenned with Kristin and Jennifer's marriages that they are so bad. I am not a big fan of adultery in books but if I had such husbands like any of the three woman, I would be the first in the queue to meet with Cam. He was one of the main characters as well, a real hero and dream - man.
In the big, big part of the book there is actually nothing that explains why Cam must die. Okay, we can guess, jealous men, jealous client etc, but it was not this. The end was surprising for me, I didn't expect that this particular person did committ this murder.
Then in the middle the book start to be like a chewing gum. There is nothing new, no new ideas, no new situations, no new threads, it's just standing in one place and circling around. I have skipped the better part of the last half of the book, it was just too boring for me. Too many words, too less action.
This book has a very good start. We are faced with a murder, we get to know all the main characters, Billie, Kristin and Jennifer and a little about their background, especially about Billie. We don't actually know what happenned with Kristin and Jennifer's marriages that they are so bad. I am not a big fan of adultery in books but if I had such husbands like any of the three woman, I would be the first in the queue to meet with Cam. He was one of the main characters as well, a real hero and dream - man.
In the big, big part of the book there is actually nothing that explains why Cam must die. Okay, we can guess, jealous men, jealous client etc, but it was not this. The end was surprising for me, I didn't expect that this particular person did committ this murder.
Then in the middle the book start to be like a chewing gum. There is nothing new, no new ideas, no new situations, no new threads, it's just standing in one place and circling around. I have skipped the better part of the last half of the book, it was just too boring for me. Too many words, too less action.
August 24, 2011
For three Las Vegas women, the Strip is an adults-only playground, a neon-splashed boulevard where excitement, seduction, and betrayal never go to sleep: Kristin Fox - the bestselling writer of controversial and sexy bestsellers who hungers for passion outside the pages of her money-making fiction. Jennifer Payne - the insightful marriage and family therapist who has an answer for every relationship problem except the one happening in her own bedroom. Billie Shelton - the casino showroom headliner who has been saved, remade, and quietly shattered by a darkly obsessive Svengali husband. And they share one magnificent man: Cam Lawford, the ultimate stud-for-hire who has gone from roaring crowds… more » in sports stadiums to willing and generous women in luxury hotels. But who knew the business of sex and satisfaction could be such a dangerous game? J.J. Salem lays bare the high-octane glamour and gritty reality of a world where lovers and gamblers play to win. "The Strip" is a wild, wicked, and gloriously promiscuous novel that will keep you up all night.
July 21, 2011
The story of a male prostitute in Las Vegas and what lead to his murder. Could also be the story of 3 wives with horrible husbands.
The best part of the book had to be Cam, the male prostitute. The author made him the perfect man for any woman and it was such a shame that he had to be killed off.
I found a good portion of the book a bit disjointed with the different stories, characters and background information going on. There were also some pop culture references that I probably missed. As soon as I got an idea of what was going on with one character and became interested, the author jumped to a different character. I was expecting the wives to be more scandalous than they were because, from the book description, the book should have been centered around the wives. If anything, I found the husbands more interesting and crazy than their spouses. As expected, everything came together in the end and that was when I finally got caught up in the book. An okay read.
The best part of the book had to be Cam, the male prostitute. The author made him the perfect man for any woman and it was such a shame that he had to be killed off.
I found a good portion of the book a bit disjointed with the different stories, characters and background information going on. There were also some pop culture references that I probably missed. As soon as I got an idea of what was going on with one character and became interested, the author jumped to a different character. I was expecting the wives to be more scandalous than they were because, from the book description, the book should have been centered around the wives. If anything, I found the husbands more interesting and crazy than their spouses. As expected, everything came together in the end and that was when I finally got caught up in the book. An okay read.
July 9, 2011
Imagine my surprise- this book actually earned 3.5 stars. When it first showed up in my mailbox as a First-Reads, I could not figure out what I was thinking when I signed up to review it. It was not the sort of book I would normally apply for, but this hooked me, right off the bat. Yes, there is quite a bit of heterosexual sex, but there is also a good deal of digging into what makes strong women tick (in and out of bed, so don't get the wrong idea!) (and all the more so because it is written by a guy!) This is about perceptions: yours, mine, and the rest of the worlds; and how they play out in the drama of lives. So, I went from dreading reading what I misconceived as a smut book to devouring it to see what would happen next, and parts of it kept me guessing to the very end. Now that's a good endorsement for a book read by me.......
July 25, 2011
Billie is married to a insane doctor who tries to controls her every move. Kristin is a writer whose husband belittles her success. Jennifer is a therapist who wants to get through to her depressed husband. The main star of the book is Cam. He is a handsome male prostitute that goes out of this way to make his clients feel special.
The story itself is interesting. I think any Jackie Collins fan will enjoy it. I would of liked more details and background about Kristen and Jennifer. Its starts with them in marriages that aren't working but only gives a superficial gloss over to why they aren't working. I gave the book 3 stars instead of 4 because of the small, random, political comments. The anti conservative comments pulled me out of the story every time. The little digs didn't add anything to to story, only made me wonder why the author felt the need to gratuitously add them.
The story itself is interesting. I think any Jackie Collins fan will enjoy it. I would of liked more details and background about Kristen and Jennifer. Its starts with them in marriages that aren't working but only gives a superficial gloss over to why they aren't working. I gave the book 3 stars instead of 4 because of the small, random, political comments. The anti conservative comments pulled me out of the story every time. The little digs didn't add anything to to story, only made me wonder why the author felt the need to gratuitously add them.
December 30, 2011
This storyline of this book evolved around Las Vegas and it remind me of Jackie Collin's books. Being a fan of Jackie's book, you would have guess what the rating I m gonna give ;) The plot tells the story of three beautiful ladies who deprived of love from their loved one and a link to a person who is able to give them the happiness that they are looking for, Cam. T
With a prologue telling the demise of Cam and there after flashback to six weeks before up to the current situation, the author tells the story each of these lady and their linkage to one another. Reading thru pages by pages, i was looking for clue as to who have killed Cam. And similar to a Jackie's book, the ending is not one would have guess. Am thoroughly enjoying reading this book.
July 31, 2011
Won this book from GoodReads and looks like it's gonna be a fun summer good read!
JUST FINISHED and all I gotta say is, WHERE can I get me a Cam Lawford?
This was a GREAT summer read. "Stud Diaries: Confessions from the Man Who's Satisfying Your Wife" I have to admit I nervously expected it to be too raunchy, but it wasn't. I couldn't put it down! I am so grateful to have won The Strip and now must pick up Tan Lines.
I would normally give this book 4 starts, but it gets the fifth because I won it!
JUST FINISHED and all I gotta say is, WHERE can I get me a Cam Lawford?
This was a GREAT summer read. "Stud Diaries: Confessions from the Man Who's Satisfying Your Wife" I have to admit I nervously expected it to be too raunchy, but it wasn't. I couldn't put it down! I am so grateful to have won The Strip and now must pick up Tan Lines.
I would normally give this book 4 starts, but it gets the fifth because I won it!
March 23, 2012
This was a Did Not Finish for me. From the get-go it was hard for me to swallow some of the characters' names (Gucci, Hart) which made it hard for me to take them too seriously, and from there on out it felt to me as though the book was having an identity crisis. Was it a murder mystery? Chick lit? Erotic novel? It felt as though it was trying too hard to be too many things, and I could not make myself care about the characters enough to stick with it. There seemed to be some potential there for a good, easy read, but instead too many niggling factors just turned me off.
February 13, 2012
This was okay. It kind of reminded me of a CSI episode as it started with a body and then it worked its way from the beginning to the end. You know who the body is from the start. Which made it hard for me as I really ended up liking the character and would have liked to read another book about them. It mentioned some previous characters from the book Tan Lines, but can still be read as a stand alone.
February 15, 2015
This was the audible version. In line with most people, I am heavily influenced by the narrator. They can make a bad book good and a good book bad. Unfortunately, for me, it was the latter experience this time - oh, and for a really superficial reason - the name of the characters. Perhaps, I will come across the printed version at some time but until then, I am unable to recommend to the normal crew.
February 28, 2012
The murder story was predictable but the characters were brought to life with their stories. For those that read this wihtout reading the first book may not understand all the characters mentioned may get overwhelmed as they all have their stories.
Some od the conversation the characters had hit the nail onthe head a made me feel empowered
Billie rocks
Some od the conversation the characters had hit the nail onthe head a made me feel empowered
Billie rocks
April 3, 2013
The opening line of this novel made me doubt the sense of wasting time reading on--but as a friend recommend it I
I persevered and was glad I did. It's a rollicking good read. Superficial and deep all at the same time.It examines excess, control,greed and loyalty against the backdrop of a very tawdry Las Vegas.
I persevered and was glad I did. It's a rollicking good read. Superficial and deep all at the same time.It examines excess, control,greed and loyalty against the backdrop of a very tawdry Las Vegas.
October 19, 2016
This was my first book by J.J. Salem. It started a bit slow for me, but by the middle the story truly began to heat up.
While you understand that the story is about the murder of a main character, because the character is alive throughout most of the book, I was broken hearted when he was killed. The story held my interest, and I enjoyed the writing.
While you understand that the story is about the murder of a main character, because the character is alive throughout most of the book, I was broken hearted when he was killed. The story held my interest, and I enjoyed the writing.
December 11, 2011
received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
July 16, 2011
I RECEIVED THIS ARC FROM GOODREADS.
This is a amazing book.
This is a amazing book.
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