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Versed in Desire
"Tell me what you want and it's yours."When Corryn meets Luke at her new boss's party, their attraction is instant and electric. He's ready to give her any pleasure she desires-but Luke is a company vice president, her boss's best friend and completely off-limits. Refusing his offer is the most difficult choice she's ever had to make, made even harder by his continued seduction at the office and the fact that she hasn't been able to write poetry-her favorite pastime-since denying herself. Corryn is desperate to have Luke but she's all too aware of the risks of giving in to temptation. But after months of denial, she knows she must end their flirtation for good or surrender to the inevitable….
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
9 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Anne Calhoun
52 books656 followersAfter doing time at Fortune 500 companies on both coasts, I found myself living in the suburbs of a small Midwestern city. The glamour of various cube farm jobs had worn off, so I gave up making a decent living to take Joseph Campbell’s advice and follow my bliss: writing romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 27, 2015
ETA June 27, 2015: Downgraded to four stars because of this:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything."
- by Napoleon Hill, American author -
4 1/2 stars. I rounded up to 5 stars because Anne is one of my favorite authors. This star is for you, Anne.
"Tell me what you want and it’s yours." Anne, please, give us more of those hot and sensual stories! And I am really on pins and needles to read your next full-length novel!
Corryn had a change of employment. Now she works at Cooper Bensonhurst (an investment bank) as Tony’s administrative assistant. Tony is throwing a party and that’s where Corryn meets Luke. Their attraction is instant and sparks are flying. Luke is a VP of Special Acquisitions, and he is the best friend of Corryn’s boss, Tony. Luke and Corryn hadn’t met because he’d been in Tokyo for the last two weeks, acquiring something special worth a huge fortune. Yeah, Corryn, this revelation left you rather speechless...Luke is off-limits and she refuses his offer to give her any pleasure she desires. Luke is tenacious and tries to seduce her. The fact that she hasn’t been able to write poetry – her favorite pastime – since she declined Luke’s offer, is bothering her constantly. After months of denial, she has to cave in...
Ahhhh, again and again, I just love Anne’s smooth and sensual writing style! She picks up a thread and is able to spin off a captivating storyline. The storyline is not all that exceptional itself - it’s rather 'normal', but what makes it truly special is her way of telling a story and how she 'plays' with words. Beautiful! Luke and Corryn were heating up the sheets and then some! Versed in Desire is another sizzling hot and sensual short story written by an author I truly admire.
I loved these 'lines':
[...]Luke finished the bottle and deftly replaced the cap. "You were my best time," he said, the words pitched for my ears alone. "Standing up, fully clothed, just talking. I liked the way we breathed together. Made me wonder how you’ll sound just before you come."[...]
[...]It was hot and slow, his tongue sliding over my lower lip then into my mouth, flickering over the sensitive roof of my mouth then rubbing against my tongue in a tempo so seductive and knowing my eyes fluttered shut.
I am all about rhythm. Every poet is. The cadence of words, the thump of a pulse or a palm, the simple ebb and flow of life around us forms the structure and beat of the stories we tell. The slow stroke-stroke-stroke of Luke’s tongue against mine formed a counterpoint to my racing pulse and set off a torrent of images in my brain, all the ways we could fulfil the promise of six months of foreplay.[...]
[...]Tense breathing and my own gasps didn’t keep him from slow. In bed with a woman, so often a man acts as though he’s on a guided tour in a strange city with twenty minutes to see the sights and a list of highlights. Mouth, nipples, clit, penetration, orgasm, back on the bus. Luke explored me as if each individual patch of skin held the possibility of some delightful surprise or unique memory. I lay back and became a tourist in my own body, with his mouth and fingers as my guide.[...]
[...] but when he did, I let out a shuddering little sound far too erotic for foreplay. It sounded like a sex moan, a penetration moan, a perfect-pressure-against-my-clit-don’t-stop-until-I-come moan.[...]
Yes, Anne, your cadence of words is perfect and you’re definitely "Versed in Writing"! Thank you for writing such wonderful stories. I really appreciate and love your work!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything."
- by Napoleon Hill, American author -
4 1/2 stars. I rounded up to 5 stars because Anne is one of my favorite authors. This star is for you, Anne.
"Tell me what you want and it’s yours." Anne, please, give us more of those hot and sensual stories! And I am really on pins and needles to read your next full-length novel!
Corryn had a change of employment. Now she works at Cooper Bensonhurst (an investment bank) as Tony’s administrative assistant. Tony is throwing a party and that’s where Corryn meets Luke. Their attraction is instant and sparks are flying. Luke is a VP of Special Acquisitions, and he is the best friend of Corryn’s boss, Tony. Luke and Corryn hadn’t met because he’d been in Tokyo for the last two weeks, acquiring something special worth a huge fortune. Yeah, Corryn, this revelation left you rather speechless...Luke is off-limits and she refuses his offer to give her any pleasure she desires. Luke is tenacious and tries to seduce her. The fact that she hasn’t been able to write poetry – her favorite pastime – since she declined Luke’s offer, is bothering her constantly. After months of denial, she has to cave in...
Ahhhh, again and again, I just love Anne’s smooth and sensual writing style! She picks up a thread and is able to spin off a captivating storyline. The storyline is not all that exceptional itself - it’s rather 'normal', but what makes it truly special is her way of telling a story and how she 'plays' with words. Beautiful! Luke and Corryn were heating up the sheets and then some! Versed in Desire is another sizzling hot and sensual short story written by an author I truly admire.
I loved these 'lines':
[...]Luke finished the bottle and deftly replaced the cap. "You were my best time," he said, the words pitched for my ears alone. "Standing up, fully clothed, just talking. I liked the way we breathed together. Made me wonder how you’ll sound just before you come."[...]
[...]It was hot and slow, his tongue sliding over my lower lip then into my mouth, flickering over the sensitive roof of my mouth then rubbing against my tongue in a tempo so seductive and knowing my eyes fluttered shut.
I am all about rhythm. Every poet is. The cadence of words, the thump of a pulse or a palm, the simple ebb and flow of life around us forms the structure and beat of the stories we tell. The slow stroke-stroke-stroke of Luke’s tongue against mine formed a counterpoint to my racing pulse and set off a torrent of images in my brain, all the ways we could fulfil the promise of six months of foreplay.[...]
[...]Tense breathing and my own gasps didn’t keep him from slow. In bed with a woman, so often a man acts as though he’s on a guided tour in a strange city with twenty minutes to see the sights and a list of highlights. Mouth, nipples, clit, penetration, orgasm, back on the bus. Luke explored me as if each individual patch of skin held the possibility of some delightful surprise or unique memory. I lay back and became a tourist in my own body, with his mouth and fingers as my guide.[...]
[...] but when he did, I let out a shuddering little sound far too erotic for foreplay. It sounded like a sex moan, a penetration moan, a perfect-pressure-against-my-clit-don’t-stop-until-I-come moan.[...]
Yes, Anne, your cadence of words is perfect and you’re definitely "Versed in Writing"! Thank you for writing such wonderful stories. I really appreciate and love your work!
October 14, 2013
3.5 Versed Stars
Loved this quicky!! It was short, hot and well written! What's not to love?!
I lay back and became a tourist in my own body, with his mouth and fingers as my guide.
Corryn has just started a new job. Her boss invited her to a party he was having where she meets Luke. Sparks fly when these two meet.
"Tell me what you want and it's yours."
But, she finds out that he is her boss's best friend and also works at the same company. As the months go by, he hasn't given up on her. He leaves her cupcakes on her desk and is always sending her hot looks.
The desire becomes too much for her and she finally gives in but will it last longer than a quick one-night stand?
I am really loving Anne Calhoun's books! Definitely a new favorite author of mine.
Loved this quicky!! It was short, hot and well written! What's not to love?!
I lay back and became a tourist in my own body, with his mouth and fingers as my guide.
Corryn has just started a new job. Her boss invited her to a party he was having where she meets Luke. Sparks fly when these two meet.
"Tell me what you want and it's yours."
But, she finds out that he is her boss's best friend and also works at the same company. As the months go by, he hasn't given up on her. He leaves her cupcakes on her desk and is always sending her hot looks.
The desire becomes too much for her and she finally gives in but will it last longer than a quick one-night stand?
I am really loving Anne Calhoun's books! Definitely a new favorite author of mine.
January 30, 2012
4 stars
Versed in Desire is a beautifully written and highly sensual short story. For such a quick read, I was surprised at how emotionally invested I became in the characters of this story. The chemistry and dialogue between hero and heroine was fabulous, and the sex scenes were passionate, alluring, and tastefully erotic. My only complaint was the somewhat abrupt ending. I wish the author would have been given her readers a little more of their HEA. Other than that, I loved this short story. This is my first Anne Calhoun book. It certainly won't be my last.
Versed in Desire is a beautifully written and highly sensual short story. For such a quick read, I was surprised at how emotionally invested I became in the characters of this story. The chemistry and dialogue between hero and heroine was fabulous, and the sex scenes were passionate, alluring, and tastefully erotic. My only complaint was the somewhat abrupt ending. I wish the author would have been given her readers a little more of their HEA. Other than that, I loved this short story. This is my first Anne Calhoun book. It certainly won't be my last.
January 28, 2012
4.5 stars.
Everytime I finish a fabulous novella such as this, I tend to shake my fist at it a little bit because it's unfair that it's too dang short!
Versed In Desire was like Anne Calhoun sharing with us lyrics of a song or words of poetry. I loved every line in this story.
Everytime I finish a fabulous novella such as this, I tend to shake my fist at it a little bit because it's unfair that it's too dang short!
Versed In Desire was like Anne Calhoun sharing with us lyrics of a song or words of poetry. I loved every line in this story.
"Corryn, there isn't a device in the world that can measure the life force you radiate. All I know is how I feel when you're there and how I feel when you're gone."This is short but sexy and the "voice" of the heroine is especially intoxicating. I wish we could have been treated to more of the HEA.
October 9, 2011
It’s very good. I liked the story, the characters, and the hot passionate sex. The only negative is that it’s too short.
VERSED IN DESIRE by Anne Calhoun.
STORY BRIEF:
Corryn has a new job working for Tony as an administrative assistant. She meets Tony’s friend Luke at a company party. She and Luke are drawn to each other like magnets. But when she learns that he works for the same firm (VP of Special Acquisitions), she tells him they cannot proceed. She doesn’t want to jeopardize her new job. For several months, they see each other at the office. They still want each other, but she doesn’t let it happen. Desire builds. This is romance so we know they get together. Corryn’s pastime is writing poetry, thus the title.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
Less than an hour to read. The last half of the book is their night of sex. It’s hot and passionate, no kinkiness. One of the good things about him is his patience and focused desire for her. I enjoy his and her actions and thinking. I like the quality of the writing. The author doesn’t use cheap tricks, contrivances, and illogical communication to create conflicts.
DATA:
Ebook story length: about 53 minutes. Kindle count story length: 646 (173 KB). Swearing language: 1 religious swear word. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: current day Manhattan, NY. Copyright: 2011. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
VERSED IN DESIRE by Anne Calhoun.
STORY BRIEF:
Corryn has a new job working for Tony as an administrative assistant. She meets Tony’s friend Luke at a company party. She and Luke are drawn to each other like magnets. But when she learns that he works for the same firm (VP of Special Acquisitions), she tells him they cannot proceed. She doesn’t want to jeopardize her new job. For several months, they see each other at the office. They still want each other, but she doesn’t let it happen. Desire builds. This is romance so we know they get together. Corryn’s pastime is writing poetry, thus the title.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
Less than an hour to read. The last half of the book is their night of sex. It’s hot and passionate, no kinkiness. One of the good things about him is his patience and focused desire for her. I enjoy his and her actions and thinking. I like the quality of the writing. The author doesn’t use cheap tricks, contrivances, and illogical communication to create conflicts.
DATA:
Ebook story length: about 53 minutes. Kindle count story length: 646 (173 KB). Swearing language: 1 religious swear word. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: current day Manhattan, NY. Copyright: 2011. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
January 27, 2012
4.5 stars or A
This incredibly short story is fabulously sexy. Loved it!
Corryn is an admistrative assistant for a high-rolling executive. She's also a 'slam poet'. When she is asked to perform a poem at her boss' party she loses her rhythm when she makes eye contact with Luke. Sparks fly, but she does not want to risk a fling with her boss' best friend. The tension mounts for six months as she encounters Luke on a near daily basis. Corryn hasn't been able to write poetry since the night of the party. She is filled with longing and frustration. She needs to make a choice.
Well, it's obvious what her choice is. This could have been a raunchy erotic short story, but Anne Calhoun makes it something more. The sexual tension is taut, Corryn's discipline and denial feels genuine, and Luke's actions throughout the story are tiny clues. While the story is wrought with sexual tension Corryn's longing goes beyond sexual attraction. I felt this was fairly classy for an erotic novel. The ending was nice, but I wanted more. (I wish the ebook had been cheaper. Very very short story.) This story ended too soon!
Memorable Scene
This incredibly short story is fabulously sexy. Loved it!
Corryn is an admistrative assistant for a high-rolling executive. She's also a 'slam poet'. When she is asked to perform a poem at her boss' party she loses her rhythm when she makes eye contact with Luke. Sparks fly, but she does not want to risk a fling with her boss' best friend. The tension mounts for six months as she encounters Luke on a near daily basis. Corryn hasn't been able to write poetry since the night of the party. She is filled with longing and frustration. She needs to make a choice.
Well, it's obvious what her choice is. This could have been a raunchy erotic short story, but Anne Calhoun makes it something more. The sexual tension is taut, Corryn's discipline and denial feels genuine, and Luke's actions throughout the story are tiny clues. While the story is wrought with sexual tension Corryn's longing goes beyond sexual attraction. I felt this was fairly classy for an erotic novel. The ending was nice, but I wanted more. (I wish the ebook had been cheaper. Very very short story.) This story ended too soon!
Memorable Scene
In bed with a woman, so often a man acts as though he's on a guded tour in a strange city with twenty minutes to see the sights and a list of highlights. . . . Luke explored me as if each individual patch of skin held the possibilty of some delightful surprise or unique memory. I lay back and became a tourist in my body, with his mouth and fingers as my guide.
June 2, 2012
I have to admit that although I'm a huge Anne Calhoun fan, I had my doubts about Versed in Desire going in. How could a story with a heroine poet and a Hero that wears Birkenstocks (a GR friend revealed this little tid bit in her review) even be remotely interesting? Oh, ye of little faith. Once again Ms. Calhoun delivers a cleverly written, sensuous tale of two people, eventually, coming together. The stand out here for me was the heroine Corryn. I absolutely loved that she was comfortable with her sexuality and was not afraid to ask for what she wanted. Anne avoided cliches by having Corryn choose her livelihood over her libido after discovering that not only is Luke a VP at the company she's just started working for, but also her boss's BFF. However, when these two find their way out of the boardroom into the bedroom - they are hot enough to spontaneously combust.
January 29, 2012
A sweet short treat filled with some juicy deliciousness! I enjoyed the lengthy seduction and the real chemistry between the characters. It was more than sex, it was the start of a relationship…I wish we had gotten more than just a glimpse. I was also hoping for some frosting fun! I’ll just have to use my imagination.
My only issue…Luke's Birkenstocks gotta go, just sayin’. Please don’t be hatin’ on me everyone!
My only issue…Luke's Birkenstocks gotta go, just sayin’. Please don’t be hatin’ on me everyone!
July 11, 2012
Very good novella, love this author’s writing.
SCENES/CONTENT: few/erotic
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 48 pages
SCENES/CONTENT: few/erotic
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 48 pages
tbr-later
November 13, 201513 November 2015: $0.99 on Kindle
September 27, 2013
“The city was gone. I was gone, well and truly gone, floating in some alternate dimension where nothing existed but his body and mine. Him and me.”
I have yet to read a book by Anne Calhoun that wasn't a good read!
April 23, 2021
First read: Sept 2014 (3.5 stars)
Reread: Aug 2017
I love smut
Reread: April 2021
I have to put a disclaimer that I've reread this before Ramadan and only now marking it down on GR lol
Reread: Aug 2017
I love smut
Reread: April 2021
I have to put a disclaimer that I've reread this before Ramadan and only now marking it down on GR lol
October 6, 2011
It's spicy and it's brief! I read this one while waiting at the Dr's office today and it sure made the time pass.
August 26, 2015
http://bookslifewine.com/r-versed-in-...
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
May 18, 2019
3 1/2 to 4 stars
November 6, 2011
"Tell me what you want and it's yours."
I'll tell you what I want! I want Ann Calhoun to write another full length book! Every short story she publishes has me aching for more substance!
Versed In Desire is another incredible story of desire, lust and intensity penned as only Anne Calhoun can master. Ms. Calhoun's fluid yet poignant writing style and descriptive emotion of characters will always keep her on my auto-buy list. I just need another Liberating Lacey. Something more than 50pgs that will truly satisfy my desire for her beautiful voice.
One of many favorite quotes:
"In bed with a woman, so often a man acts as though he's on a guided tour in a strange city with twenty minutes to see the sights and a list of highlights. Mouth, nipples, clit, penetration, orgasm, back on the bus. Luke explored me as if each individual patch of skin held the possibility of some delightful surprise or unique memory. I lay back and became a tourist in my own body, with his mouth and fingers as my guide."
4.5/5 stars
May 3, 2012
Great novella, about a woman who thinks that a man who appears as a "player", isn't worth risking her job. So for several months, he woos her with cupcakes...*grins* and eventually, she takes the chance. It ends up she is what he has wanted all along.
I didn't have words for what this was. It wasn't just sex, it was a union, creating something less than two but more than one, something eternal yet ephemeral."
I didn't have words for what this was. It wasn't just sex, it was a union, creating something less than two but more than one, something eternal yet ephemeral."
September 20, 2016
This is a quick, steamy, well-written, and delightful read! Very erotic story minus the filthy language and alpha-possessive male lead. Despite the length of this story, the build-up was most delicious! Enjoyed!
April 2, 2013
So good. So steamy. Really good and satisfying for a short one!
December 29, 2016
Corryn is slam poet, and new executive assistant. She meets Luke at an office party and instant attraction sparks between them. Unfortunately, Luke is her boss's partner and she feels a sexual encounter would be inappropriate. They spend 6 months slowly courting and seducing each other with cupcakes and flashes of skin. This was short but so good. I felt I understood the characters and they had enough dimension that the sex was compelling an hot.
December 12, 2011
3.75 stars
I love Anne Calhoun's work, but this is my least favorite of her books so far. In the end I didn't feel a whole lot of chemistry between the hero and heroine, and I thought some of Calhoun's trademark emotion was missing. Her writing is gorgeous, though, and this story is still very worthwhile. Boy I wish she wrote faster! I just adore her writing.
I love Anne Calhoun's work, but this is my least favorite of her books so far. In the end I didn't feel a whole lot of chemistry between the hero and heroine, and I thought some of Calhoun's trademark emotion was missing. Her writing is gorgeous, though, and this story is still very worthwhile. Boy I wish she wrote faster! I just adore her writing.
October 15, 2014
there's some beautiful, lyrical writing here. felt a lot like music in my head, strong beats and rhythm that seemed effortless. matched so perfectly with Corryn's poetry, how she saw the world. combined with a strong story (though i frown at guys in birkenstocks) and likable characters, it was a fantastic read for me.
Want to read
May 11, 2012Love this book? Come join our group! Liberating Lacey Lovers and Anne Calhoun Fans Far and Wide
December 31, 2011
The fangirl in me wants to give this novella a higher grade. However, after re-reading this a few times, I still do not understand how Luke became Corryn's muse and why she needed him in her life to produce the poetry she loved.
June 5, 2012
It felt a bit too incomplete - like an erotic short that then had a romance ending slapped on it.
Also the whole rhythm/word thing ... fit because the heroine is a spoken word/beat poet? But it *just* crossed the line for me
Also the whole rhythm/word thing ... fit because the heroine is a spoken word/beat poet? But it *just* crossed the line for me
January 13, 2014
While this is still a very well written story with a lovely romance, the tone it is written with is much different to other books I have read of this author's and for whatever reason, I found I didn't like it as much.
October 19, 2011
Another great read by Anne Calhoun.
January 20, 2012
Great story! Waaaaay to short!
June 10, 2012
clever, fun and very sexy
another great short read
another great short read
July 4, 2012
At about 40+ pages this book was too short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews