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Nia #2
Decadence
New York Times
bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey returns to the life of Nia Simone Bijou (of Pleasure fame) as she embarks on a quest to enhance her artistic gifts through heightened sensory experience, Hollywood-style.
Four years have passed since the events of Pleasure, and Nia’s success as a writer has grown, bringing her from Atlanta to Los Angeles. But she remains on a quest to quiet her inner storm, to draw on her well of emotions and explore them fully before leaving this season of her life and moving on to what could be the next stage: marriage and motherhood.
Drawn to an exclusive pleasure palace, where patrons try on roles as they actively shun their respective realities, Nia’s ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred. What has happened to the compartments she has so carefully created for the different aspects of her life? Will her relationship with the mysterious, often unavailable Prada survive the countless temptations? Will her successful literary career be given over to impulse indulgence? Does decadence know any bounds?
When Nia’s past comes back to mingle with her present, and when her staid public persona clashes with her fantasy life of decadence, readers will be stunned by the outcome. Eric Jerome Dickey’s newest tale of excess—and its sky-high costs—is a thrilling portrait of a glittering world.
Four years have passed since the events of Pleasure, and Nia’s success as a writer has grown, bringing her from Atlanta to Los Angeles. But she remains on a quest to quiet her inner storm, to draw on her well of emotions and explore them fully before leaving this season of her life and moving on to what could be the next stage: marriage and motherhood.
Drawn to an exclusive pleasure palace, where patrons try on roles as they actively shun their respective realities, Nia’s ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred. What has happened to the compartments she has so carefully created for the different aspects of her life? Will her relationship with the mysterious, often unavailable Prada survive the countless temptations? Will her successful literary career be given over to impulse indulgence? Does decadence know any bounds?
When Nia’s past comes back to mingle with her present, and when her staid public persona clashes with her fantasy life of decadence, readers will be stunned by the outcome. Eric Jerome Dickey’s newest tale of excess—and its sky-high costs—is a thrilling portrait of a glittering world.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2013
159 people are currently reading
1954 people want to read
About the author
Eric Jerome Dickey
60 books3,640 followersEric Jerome Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Memphis (the former Memphis State), where he earned his degree in Computer System Technology. In 1983, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in engineering.
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich” appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich” appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
March 7, 2013
I don't consider myself a prude and I have read a certain amount of erotica, but this book--- well what can I say? Sex, sex and mo sex does not a book make.
I read the $1.99 Kindle download, The Education of Nia Simone Bijou. I understand that the authors and publishers are able to make money with these "prequel/prelude" short stories that whet your appetite. I hope I'm not being facetious when I say, the short story was all I needed to know about Nia Simone Bijou; I would have been just fine with the short story. Decadence is one long sexual romp. There are no boundaries, sex with anyone will do. EDJ was the first I heard of sex clubs--- and apparently they are for real. Married folks become swingers, have menage a trois and more at the drop of a hat. Maybe it's my age, but I'm just not down for all that.
Nia is portrayed as a woman who loved to her fullest her high school sweetheart, Eric and he broke her heart and she has been going headling into sexcapades ever since. I enjoyed EDJ's Gideon series, loved it; the action, intrigue, international scenes and characters, but when he writes erotica, it's like he is trying to prove something. What, I don't know. Despite studying Anais Anais and other literary erotica writers, it is still just one long hump party, with no limitation, no boundaries. I would scan for pages 200 or so, and they would be in the same sex scene, with another position. I won't say there wasn't a plot. * Spoilers_ Warped woman comes upon her old flame and loves him into submission in spite of him marrying the white B who they broke up over. Everyone has a first love whether high school or college; you are very young and it was what it was-- in the past. You don't need to rehash that part of your life- let it be. I don't think I will be reading anymore of these kind of stories. Come on EDJ, bring on another Gideon series.
I read the $1.99 Kindle download, The Education of Nia Simone Bijou. I understand that the authors and publishers are able to make money with these "prequel/prelude" short stories that whet your appetite. I hope I'm not being facetious when I say, the short story was all I needed to know about Nia Simone Bijou; I would have been just fine with the short story. Decadence is one long sexual romp. There are no boundaries, sex with anyone will do. EDJ was the first I heard of sex clubs--- and apparently they are for real. Married folks become swingers, have menage a trois and more at the drop of a hat. Maybe it's my age, but I'm just not down for all that.
Nia is portrayed as a woman who loved to her fullest her high school sweetheart, Eric and he broke her heart and she has been going headling into sexcapades ever since. I enjoyed EDJ's Gideon series, loved it; the action, intrigue, international scenes and characters, but when he writes erotica, it's like he is trying to prove something. What, I don't know. Despite studying Anais Anais and other literary erotica writers, it is still just one long hump party, with no limitation, no boundaries. I would scan for pages 200 or so, and they would be in the same sex scene, with another position. I won't say there wasn't a plot. * Spoilers_ Warped woman comes upon her old flame and loves him into submission in spite of him marrying the white B who they broke up over. Everyone has a first love whether high school or college; you are very young and it was what it was-- in the past. You don't need to rehash that part of your life- let it be. I don't think I will be reading anymore of these kind of stories. Come on EDJ, bring on another Gideon series.
May 19, 2013
Watcher
PLEASURE’s Nia Simone Bijou is back. Four years have passed and she has found success with a film she’s written. On the crux of its debut, Nia’s membership to Decadence, an exclusive pleasure palace, has been approved. While exploring a new level of sexual freedom, Nia can’t help but also be consumed with Prada, a businessman with whom she is intimately acquainted; Bret, her workout partner with whom she shared one night of bliss; and her first love, which ended in heartbreak and betrayal that still lingers.
DECADENCE whisks readers headlong into the private adult club. A place where fantasies are fulfilled, voyeurism achieved. Dickey succeeds in capturing Nia’s world and emotions in word. Nia is confident, beautiful and strong, but deep down, she has insecurities. She remains a fascinating character.
DECADENCE is a slow, lazy read, but in a good way. Slow and lazy like a Sunday evening drive. Not a lot happens, yet a whole lot happens. It gives Dickey plenty of opportunity to use his words and that’s exactly what he does.
Some readers may have problems in following Dickey’s plot because there is a lot of sex. A lot of sex. But it’s sex with substance. With a story. With emotions. With history. With purpose.
When people saw I was reading this book I was asked repeatedly if it was good because opinions varied so greatly to both extremes. I’ll say this: Dickey is a beast when it comes to words. Period. Point blank. And in that order! If you are a prude or not into heavy erotica, this is NOT the book for you as his imagery is phenomenal. He has a way of evoking all five of your senses and placing you right in the book along with Nia. This is definitely grown folks reading. If you want a microwavable book, you know, like so many books today. A book that’s quick, fast and in a hurry, this is NOT the book for you. Dickey takes his time, nice and slow. If you want easy and simple prose, this is NOT the book for you. While you won’t need a dictionary to read this book, there’s a lot to digest. Nia’s journey is one narrated by a literary master.
I enjoyed my time with DECADENCE. It is not a book for everyone. I’d recommend it to any old school reader who enjoys grown folks reading and words. You know, like the way it used to be…
Reviewed by: Toni
PLEASURE’s Nia Simone Bijou is back. Four years have passed and she has found success with a film she’s written. On the crux of its debut, Nia’s membership to Decadence, an exclusive pleasure palace, has been approved. While exploring a new level of sexual freedom, Nia can’t help but also be consumed with Prada, a businessman with whom she is intimately acquainted; Bret, her workout partner with whom she shared one night of bliss; and her first love, which ended in heartbreak and betrayal that still lingers.
DECADENCE whisks readers headlong into the private adult club. A place where fantasies are fulfilled, voyeurism achieved. Dickey succeeds in capturing Nia’s world and emotions in word. Nia is confident, beautiful and strong, but deep down, she has insecurities. She remains a fascinating character.
DECADENCE is a slow, lazy read, but in a good way. Slow and lazy like a Sunday evening drive. Not a lot happens, yet a whole lot happens. It gives Dickey plenty of opportunity to use his words and that’s exactly what he does.
Some readers may have problems in following Dickey’s plot because there is a lot of sex. A lot of sex. But it’s sex with substance. With a story. With emotions. With history. With purpose.
When people saw I was reading this book I was asked repeatedly if it was good because opinions varied so greatly to both extremes. I’ll say this: Dickey is a beast when it comes to words. Period. Point blank. And in that order! If you are a prude or not into heavy erotica, this is NOT the book for you as his imagery is phenomenal. He has a way of evoking all five of your senses and placing you right in the book along with Nia. This is definitely grown folks reading. If you want a microwavable book, you know, like so many books today. A book that’s quick, fast and in a hurry, this is NOT the book for you. Dickey takes his time, nice and slow. If you want easy and simple prose, this is NOT the book for you. While you won’t need a dictionary to read this book, there’s a lot to digest. Nia’s journey is one narrated by a literary master.
I enjoyed my time with DECADENCE. It is not a book for everyone. I’d recommend it to any old school reader who enjoys grown folks reading and words. You know, like the way it used to be…
Reviewed by: Toni
July 19, 2014
I can't believe I'm about to say this about an EJD book, but I didn't like it. I give it 2 stars because I always like a sentence that is well written and thought provoking and he delivers several of those throughout the jumbled mess that is this book. I just could not get with this book. For me, it rambled and was incoherent at times. I didn't follow some of the thought process behind parts of it and it confused me. The best 'relationship' Nia has is with Bret and it gets a little bit part and drops you when it gets interesting. All the other relationships are ridiculous and unfulfilling. Actually, that is something they and this book have in common.
May 4, 2013
A couple time per decade, someone publishes an adult novel that becomes the talk of the book lovers world. In 2011, E.L. James published 50 Shades Of Grey, then quickly capitalized on the success by churning out two more books to make it a trilogy.
As successful as these ‘erotic books” turned out to be, they also picked up as much criticism from readers and authors as being badly written. A lot of this criticism was without a doubt jealousy for the success this relatively unknown author received. But, in truth, a lot of this criticism was justified. The characters themselves were beyond belief. They not only asked (begged?) the reader to suspend belief, but were amateurish and one dimensional. The plot is full of holes, and even the sex was over the top…and not in any good way. As one reviewer put it, the entire story seemed drawn from a couple of teenaged girls naughty dreams.
Naturally, readers and authors alike wondered how well they could write this type of story – erotica - if they applied even a modicum of true craft to the subject. A natural to tackle this challenge is New York Times Best Selling author, Eric Jerome Dickey. Dickey is no stranger to writing hot, steamy sex scenes into his novels, but he is also a master craftsman, possessing, as if part of his DNA, an ability to craft a novel in practically any genre. Early in his career he was labeled the king of the relationship novel. Later on attempts were made to tag him as a master of “urban” fiction (whatever that is). He has written successfully in the Noir field (Tempted by Trouble ), Romantic Thriller (Chasing Destiny ), Thrillers (Gideon Series ) and a whole host of other genres.
For what should be the hands down erotic novel of the year, in Decadence and it’s ebook only prequel, The Education of Nia Simone Bijou (E-INITIAL) Dickey has revived the main characters from 2008s Pleasure. Decadence takes place four years after the events of Pleasure. Nia is now a successful author who presents a staid persona to her adoring public, but behind the scenes she is expanding on her quest for sensual pleasure. Nia, a self described book worm, had her sexual awakening in college with her first love, Chris Eidos Alleyne, but when Chris dumped Nia for Nia’s roommate and best friend Nia was heartbroken and embarked on a number of sexual affairs. Now determined to learn more about life, about herself and about her humanness and to broaden and discover her own limits she joins an exclusive adult club, Decadence.
Nia is a flawed character, as most humans are. She is sexually hungry for a former lover, Prada, but Prada wants her exclusively an Nia is not ready for an exclusive relationship. She is also drawn in a more romantic way to a man she had a one night stand with, Bret. Bret and Nia have become very good friends but have not repeated that night of sexual bliss and exploration. And Nia feels that Bret is not an ideal mate. He is divorced, and has custody of his two children and besides Bret is a soldier and wouldn’t fit in to Nia’s upper crust world.
Perhaps more than all of that, Nia is also in search of her muse and her literary identity. She has become a successful writer since she left college but most of that financial success has come as a screenwriter in Hollywood, and Nia is not sure she wishes to live in that plastic world with its manufactured celebrity.
What Dickey brings to the erotic novel is the same artistry he brings to his novels in other genre; his characters are full blooded people, they pop from the pages as real as your neighbor, your lover, your fantasies. He also builds a story that is complete in everyway, at once familiar yet original. He imparts a sense of place that will make the scenes play like film in the readers mind and the pace is just perfect. Even the sex scenes, and there are plenty, are some of the best in literature; modern or classic.
Decadence is a novel of a young, talented and beautiful woman's journey of self-discovery, sexual awakening and artistic genesis. In the hands of one of the best story tellers working today, it’s more than an erotic novel and possesses, as does Nia, the ability to cross many lines and blur the borders of genre.
The Dirty Lowdown
July 6, 2013
My worst experience with EJD ever. The main character, Nia, is slut. I don't mind smut breaks in a novel, but at least give me a plot, a story to get into. Also to make worse, the overuse of the words "yoni" and "lingam"....enuff already, it was almost very page. I found the character's inner monologue very tedious to read.
EJD I don't know what story u were trying to tell but it didn't come across. The Gideon series, Chasing Destiny and Genevieve were excellent reads. Please recapture the magic of those writings again.
EJD I don't know what story u were trying to tell but it didn't come across. The Gideon series, Chasing Destiny and Genevieve were excellent reads. Please recapture the magic of those writings again.
April 9, 2015
Smut + long prosaic passages.
May 16, 2013
If you have not read The Miseducation of Nia Simone, you should begin there first. It will help you put the characters in this book into context. You should also read Pleasure-then you will have a full understanding of the main character Miss Nia Simone Bijou.
Dickey does an excellent job creating intelligent characters. His characters are usually strong willed, well read, well traveled, educated and good looking.
Nia is no exception. The issue is the thing that is supposed to draw the reader into this character and make her interesting sort of falls flat. Nia likes sex. Lots of it. With men. With women. Strangers. She joins an exclusive sex club and acts out on her fantasies.
That's about it folks. I love Dickey's work, but I don't think there was a clear plot. Nia stated at the end of Pleasure that she intended to live her life as a free woman. She said it at least 50 times in Decadence. Where's the struggle? The issue? She calls her fantasies abnormal, but to be honest they didn't seem abnormal to me. She has an intense sex life. Who am I to judge?
I know the scenes at Decadence were supposed to be sexy and turn the reader on-Dickey even states in the afterword that the reader should take a cold shower-I didn't need one. I am not a judgemental person, but those sex scenes were not thrilling or a turn on. I did not feel much for the strangers dressing up in their finest and most expensive shoes to have sex with each other. I was not disgusted, but I certainly was not entertained.
Nia's character is also quite dramatic and she is a over thinker. Dickey captured her personality well. All throughout the book, she claims to want this free life, but agrees to marry Prada and takes it personally when Brett won't sleep with her.
Overall, I still feel like this is a good summer read especially if you don't put a whole lot of thought into trying to understand this group of characters. Even though I did not love this book, I am sticking with Dickey and can't wait for the next Gideon book.
Dickey does an excellent job creating intelligent characters. His characters are usually strong willed, well read, well traveled, educated and good looking.
Nia is no exception. The issue is the thing that is supposed to draw the reader into this character and make her interesting sort of falls flat. Nia likes sex. Lots of it. With men. With women. Strangers. She joins an exclusive sex club and acts out on her fantasies.
That's about it folks. I love Dickey's work, but I don't think there was a clear plot. Nia stated at the end of Pleasure that she intended to live her life as a free woman. She said it at least 50 times in Decadence. Where's the struggle? The issue? She calls her fantasies abnormal, but to be honest they didn't seem abnormal to me. She has an intense sex life. Who am I to judge?
I know the scenes at Decadence were supposed to be sexy and turn the reader on-Dickey even states in the afterword that the reader should take a cold shower-I didn't need one. I am not a judgemental person, but those sex scenes were not thrilling or a turn on. I did not feel much for the strangers dressing up in their finest and most expensive shoes to have sex with each other. I was not disgusted, but I certainly was not entertained.
Nia's character is also quite dramatic and she is a over thinker. Dickey captured her personality well. All throughout the book, she claims to want this free life, but agrees to marry Prada and takes it personally when Brett won't sleep with her.
Overall, I still feel like this is a good summer read especially if you don't put a whole lot of thought into trying to understand this group of characters. Even though I did not love this book, I am sticking with Dickey and can't wait for the next Gideon book.
June 19, 2013
Sorry I just couldn't do it. Way to much explicit sex with a rambling storyline that seems like its on crack. Totally disappointed but I guess I should have read a few reviews before cracking the cover. Best believe this wont happen to me again. I'm sure that those that can read sex scene after sex scene will really like this one. Y'all can have this one.
July 18, 2013
Eric Jerome Dickey is one of my favorite authors! It's to the point where I almost always buy his books the first week that they come out. I have noticed though, that over the years, his books have gone from "sista girl" African American fiction to something much darker and more cerebral. This book goes along the same theme. Decadence is a book about Simone Bijou, a character that he featured in Pleasure and The Education of Nia Simone Bijou. It's different because Nia was the main character in Pleasure, then Dickey wrote the short story The Education of Nia Simone Bijou, to explain why she was the way that she was in Pleasure, then he released Decadence shortly after as kind of a follow-up to Pleasure and a sequel to The Education of Nia Simone Bijou. Nia is a very successful writer who has a darker side. A person reading the story might call it an addiction, but she does not. This story is about her giving in to her vices and the emotional drama that she goes through as a result. The aspect of craft that Dickey utilizes best in my opinion is the art of specificity, person -vs- person conflict, tension and a love of words (I know that this is in the essentials section, but Dickey uses language REALLY well). This is a VERY steamy book, and Dickey does a great job describing the sex scenes in minute detail. As far as tension and conflict goes, he has built up the tension and anticipation of a conflict since Pleasure and it finally comes to a head in this book. There were scenes in the book where I found myself saying "I can't believe that she did that" and then I'd go to "I'm glad that she did that the way that she did." In the beginning of my review, I spoke about his books being cerebral, and this is all because of the language that he uses. I learn at least 10 new words (pulchritudinous being one of them) everytime I read one of his books. I like feeling like I'm balancing out the smut while gaining a lot of vocabulary words. One thing that I did not like about this book was that darn ambiguous ending!!! Certain situations were resolved by the end of the book, but there was no happily ever after. There were many more questions than answers at the end of this book. If I were teaching a writing class, I could have my students describe a mundane every day activity using dramatic, descriptive words.
September 24, 2013
I finally finished this over written novel. This book could of been better had someone( an editor) went through the book and deleted a lot of the sex scenes, main character ranting, and inter monologue.
I get she was into sex and you can say it in a page dont take 5 chapters of being in a sex club describing different sexual positions with faceless characters it just kills the plot.
The plot doesn't really reveal itself until almost the end, which is not much of a plot but it was better than the first half of the book. A few times I wondered if Dickey was on ecstasy and just wrote until his stiff wanker wore off and then said oh yeah I need to add a plot and does it in the last few chapters of the book.
So does this book have a plot? yes IS it worth reading? humm it all depends on your patience and level of tolerance for repeated thoughts, random and meaningless rantings, descriptive sex scenes
( without feeling behind touch just all legs, arms, head) when reading sex scenes i often like to feel the touch, I like scenario to be written: the soft caress of kisses down the side of her neck, strong muscle hands gripping a hold on to her hips dipping around her front. actually one of the best love making descriptions in the book was between Bijou and Prada it had feeling and emotion.
Any who it was aight' and i'm just so proud of myself for completing such a rambling of book with no clear plot until the end.
I get she was into sex and you can say it in a page dont take 5 chapters of being in a sex club describing different sexual positions with faceless characters it just kills the plot.
The plot doesn't really reveal itself until almost the end, which is not much of a plot but it was better than the first half of the book. A few times I wondered if Dickey was on ecstasy and just wrote until his stiff wanker wore off and then said oh yeah I need to add a plot and does it in the last few chapters of the book.
So does this book have a plot? yes IS it worth reading? humm it all depends on your patience and level of tolerance for repeated thoughts, random and meaningless rantings, descriptive sex scenes
( without feeling behind touch just all legs, arms, head) when reading sex scenes i often like to feel the touch, I like scenario to be written: the soft caress of kisses down the side of her neck, strong muscle hands gripping a hold on to her hips dipping around her front. actually one of the best love making descriptions in the book was between Bijou and Prada it had feeling and emotion.
Any who it was aight' and i'm just so proud of myself for completing such a rambling of book with no clear plot until the end.
November 27, 2013
Every time I finish an EJD book I just have to drop the iPad, close my eyes, exhale, and say wow! This was a heavenly erotic, intellectually stimulating tale of Nia Simone's journey. Often times I have to re-read his words to make sure I understood it correctly the first time, take it in, ponder it, and keep going. This place Decadence, every time Nia was there I couldn't help but to think to myself is this place real? If so take me there! It is probably everyone's secret life fantasy coming to life by the glorious keystroke of EJD. This book was an emotional hedonistic roller coaster. It had some of the best eroticism I have ever read, and I felt the internal struggles that Nia was constantly going through. I just wish it never ended!! I could literally continue reading this story forever it was just that good. I've been riding with this author for 15yrs and he has never let me down, and continues to stimulate my mind and senses, but now I'm ready for some killing. Bring on Gideon!!!!
April 19, 2018
Just like with Pleasure, this is a cool read. Also like Pleasure I feel like it dragged on too too long. But EJD has a great way of making Mi enjoy his storylines even when some of the read itself bore Mi. I like the way he wrapped this one up. And I too was glad when it ended😏
October 21, 2018
Well, I usually like all of Dickey's books but this one was not for me. I got 50 pages in and it was all sex. And that's okay but where was the story line??
September 10, 2024
If I have to hear the word "lingam" or "yoni" one more time....
This book is so repetitive.
This book is so repetitive.
May 16, 2013
Let me get this out of the way at the very beginning, there is a TON of S-E-X in Decadence so you have been warned. I mean, geez people, we are talking about the one and only, Miss Nia Simone Bijou here!!! If you have an issue with sex, then I will let you know now that Decadence is not the book for you. But, if you are open to reading about something we all (hopefully) enjoy, then this is the book for you!!!
Decadence takes place a few years after Pleasure (released in 2009) and Nia is now a successful writer but she still doesn’t believe in limiting herself to one man. She has gone as far as to join a sex club and this is where most of the detailed, graphic sexual writing takes place. But, Eric Jerome Dickey writes in such a melodic way that it is not crass or vulgar. Nia is truly enjoying herself one night at the club until she sees the one man that she has truly loved, Chris.
“I was no longer the naïve girl that I had been back then. I was a woman now. But in reality I knew that no matter how old I was, when I saw him, I would regress to being in college again. This was the part of me that had risen from the ashes of our failed relationship. Now I always sought out what wasn’t available.”
And, this is when we get to witness Eric Jerome Dickey at his finest. Sure, the sensuality, sexiness, and eroticism used in his writing makes him one of the best in the game but it is EJD’s ability to tap into a woman’s thoughts and feelings which make him the ABSOLUTE BEST in the game. I have never read a male author (and even some female authors) that can write so accurately from a woman’s point of view and that is why Eric Jerome Dickey is my favorite author. When EJD writes about love’s downside it felt as if with each passing word that I could feel Nia’s turmoil, pain, and agony.
Like I said in the very first sentence, yes there is plenty of sex in Decadence but it is so much deeper. It is a story of a woman finally facing her past, trying to come to terms with her present, and then becoming optimistic about her future. Eric Jerome Dickey proves that you can eroticism and make it full of substance. Decadence is ONLY for the grown and sexy and if you don’t know about steaming washcloths trust me, learning about them are worth the price of the book itself!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Decadence by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Decadence takes place a few years after Pleasure (released in 2009) and Nia is now a successful writer but she still doesn’t believe in limiting herself to one man. She has gone as far as to join a sex club and this is where most of the detailed, graphic sexual writing takes place. But, Eric Jerome Dickey writes in such a melodic way that it is not crass or vulgar. Nia is truly enjoying herself one night at the club until she sees the one man that she has truly loved, Chris.
“I was no longer the naïve girl that I had been back then. I was a woman now. But in reality I knew that no matter how old I was, when I saw him, I would regress to being in college again. This was the part of me that had risen from the ashes of our failed relationship. Now I always sought out what wasn’t available.”
And, this is when we get to witness Eric Jerome Dickey at his finest. Sure, the sensuality, sexiness, and eroticism used in his writing makes him one of the best in the game but it is EJD’s ability to tap into a woman’s thoughts and feelings which make him the ABSOLUTE BEST in the game. I have never read a male author (and even some female authors) that can write so accurately from a woman’s point of view and that is why Eric Jerome Dickey is my favorite author. When EJD writes about love’s downside it felt as if with each passing word that I could feel Nia’s turmoil, pain, and agony.
Like I said in the very first sentence, yes there is plenty of sex in Decadence but it is so much deeper. It is a story of a woman finally facing her past, trying to come to terms with her present, and then becoming optimistic about her future. Eric Jerome Dickey proves that you can eroticism and make it full of substance. Decadence is ONLY for the grown and sexy and if you don’t know about steaming washcloths trust me, learning about them are worth the price of the book itself!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Decadence by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2013
It was an entertaining read. There are things I like and dislike about it. Sexual content aside, it has an interesting theme--the journey of self-discovery, something every person should take the time to discover. The plot itself is pretty thin, but since this is more of a sexual journey of discovery, that can be overlooked to a certain degree. I have a love/hate relationship with EJD's writing style. He loves detail, which is good insofar as giving you an idea of the setting; however, the amount of detail can be quite annoying--like reading a detailed map. It's overkill. He also has a tendency to rant at times, which doesn't bother me too much, as he often gives very interesting insights to think about--but there are times when they start to feel a bit preachy and pretentious. Speaking of pretentious, I often find myself wondering if he just likes naming various cities, countries, designers, philosophers, celebrities and so on because it fits the character, or simply because he likes to display his own personal wealth of knowledge? It's wonderful that his character(s) display such a vast sense of worldly knowledge, but reading it on every other page is a tad bit too much--particularly, because it comes up in so many of his novels. Anyway, Nia Simone is an interesting character--an educated, intelligent woman who fully accepts her independence and enjoys testing her own limits, or lack thereof. I found it to be an entertaining read, worth the time spent.
August 14, 2013
This was one of the toughest reviews that I've done in a while. EJD is an incredible writer. Allow me to first say that. The words were poetic and beautifully written, inspired by one of my favorite authors, Anais Nin. My problem was that there was no plot...just a series of happenings. The ending was also upsetting. My best guess is that the book was actually complete at 50-60,000 words, but the publisher required more and the result was fluff. The fluff was tons of well-written, though pointless sex scenes. I haven't given up on EJD and am still a fan. Loved Pleasure, but it's sequel, Decadence, didn't do it for me.
June 21, 2013
The first half (6 discs) was just too much - overly detailed erotic scenes that seemed to drag on in my opinion. I actually took a little time off before finishing the second half of the book. It got a little better the second half, not as many sex scenes and more of a storyline for the main character Nia Simone Bijou and her supporting cast. The long erotic scenes overpowered the book and turned me off, it just seemed over done and may have come across better if scaled back a bit. Also the overuse of the same sexual terminology annoyed me. Not one of my favorites by Mr. Dickey.
July 30, 2013
I couldn't get past the first chapter!!!! I'm sorry...Eric Jerome Dickey's style of writing has changed so much since he first came out. I can't get with him anymore. Sadly this attempt was probably my last time reading his books.
April 27, 2013
I'm a huge Eric fan, however this book wasn't good. I really hate to say this, the storyline was very boring and nothing o want to keep reading.
May 19, 2013
I was going to labor thru this, then I thought...why? There's other (better) books, many by EJD, to read.
August 21, 2019
This gets 1 star for the steamy scenes only! This book features my most hated trope of all time! It was also all over the place for no reason at all! This whole series was a mess but this book right here just ruined it for me. Ugh! Just no!
July 23, 2013
With olive skin, lengthy locks of love, and a broad grin its no wonder masterful storyteller Eric Jerome Dickey is a fan favorite and my favorite author. He`s easy on the eyes, down to earth, funny, and can make a sister take notes on pleasing her lover in and out of the bedroom.
For more than a decade Dickey has implanted characters in our hearts and minds that linger long after the last page. From his early work in Milk in my coffee of two passionate blurring the lines of love to the heart pounding fast paced thriller Gideon series. Dickey never seems to fail in pleasing his faithful followers in providing tentilating, arousing, authentic, and thought provoking characters that will not only stay with you. But, will have you wanting more and more of the talented writer behind the pen or computer screen.
In his lastest bestseller Dickey serves a hot bowl of uber sexiness in the return of sexually appeasing Nia Simone Bijou of Pleasure. Most fans (myself included) loved the frustrated and sexually uninhibited Trinadian writer from Atlanta. I was excited to see her return and learn of her evolution.
If you thought Pleasure was hot...you will need a towel, a cold rag, and your lover near by. Nia is an successful writer on a climatic high in her not so much relationship with a guy from a one night stand. Nia doesn`t need labels and cute things in boxes. She loves and wants sex and her unapologetic attitude makes her irrestible. Nia takes her inhibtions to another level by joining a high end adult club.
Nope I`m not going to spoil it any further than that. This is flaming hot!! Many have tried to conquer erotica with vulgar tasteless descriptions, lewd acts, and poor development of character and plot. Dickey is in a league of his own. Decadence is sexually and mentally arousing, beautifully crafted and well developed from beginning to end, vivid characters that are interwoven seamlessly, and there enough room for you to fully grasp the journey of the character.
I enjoyed this book. I `ll probably read it two more times. I highly recommend this for the woman looking to be sexually and mentally aroused. This one ladies is for the record books!!
For more than a decade Dickey has implanted characters in our hearts and minds that linger long after the last page. From his early work in Milk in my coffee of two passionate blurring the lines of love to the heart pounding fast paced thriller Gideon series. Dickey never seems to fail in pleasing his faithful followers in providing tentilating, arousing, authentic, and thought provoking characters that will not only stay with you. But, will have you wanting more and more of the talented writer behind the pen or computer screen.
In his lastest bestseller Dickey serves a hot bowl of uber sexiness in the return of sexually appeasing Nia Simone Bijou of Pleasure. Most fans (myself included) loved the frustrated and sexually uninhibited Trinadian writer from Atlanta. I was excited to see her return and learn of her evolution.
If you thought Pleasure was hot...you will need a towel, a cold rag, and your lover near by. Nia is an successful writer on a climatic high in her not so much relationship with a guy from a one night stand. Nia doesn`t need labels and cute things in boxes. She loves and wants sex and her unapologetic attitude makes her irrestible. Nia takes her inhibtions to another level by joining a high end adult club.
Nope I`m not going to spoil it any further than that. This is flaming hot!! Many have tried to conquer erotica with vulgar tasteless descriptions, lewd acts, and poor development of character and plot. Dickey is in a league of his own. Decadence is sexually and mentally arousing, beautifully crafted and well developed from beginning to end, vivid characters that are interwoven seamlessly, and there enough room for you to fully grasp the journey of the character.
I enjoyed this book. I `ll probably read it two more times. I highly recommend this for the woman looking to be sexually and mentally aroused. This one ladies is for the record books!!
March 19, 2013
It's been a few years since Pleasure; Nia Simone Bijou is finally back. Her literary career is successful. Her love life is on hold while she explores and indulges in pleasure. Nia Simone Bijou is a member of Decadence, an adult-themed private club. Yes, THAT type of club. Sowing wild oats before settling down is an understatement. Everyone and everything is game!
Sex clubs are real and finally an author writes about this secluded world of temptation.This book is not for prudes. There is plenty sex. There are no boundaries. This is erotica pushing the limit.
There is no match to Eric Jerome Dickey's signature raw descriptive writing style. Words force you to visualize. Details leave you wanting more. Sex scenes excite you (the reader) as if you're the character. The story itself takes you to a place far from reality. An aphrodisiac of literature. This is grown folks fiction.
It still amazes me how Eric Jerome Dickey can write in female's point of view so well. Nia Simone Bijou is my favorite female character of Dickey's. Like me, it appears that nothing fazes us. Yet everything matters, we just can't afford to let it show. Plus we think too much. Even though majority of the book is erotic, there are moments where the reader can connect with Nia through her emotions. But sub-characters are not as well developed and instead seem like cameos. You may be pleased that old pals make a brief appearance in Decadence, including Driver.
Decadence will be published on April 23. Pre-order or add to your wish list for your heightened reading pleasure. Next up: Gideon and the new Four Horsemen!
Literary Marie of Precision Reviews
Sex clubs are real and finally an author writes about this secluded world of temptation.This book is not for prudes. There is plenty sex. There are no boundaries. This is erotica pushing the limit.
There is no match to Eric Jerome Dickey's signature raw descriptive writing style. Words force you to visualize. Details leave you wanting more. Sex scenes excite you (the reader) as if you're the character. The story itself takes you to a place far from reality. An aphrodisiac of literature. This is grown folks fiction.
It still amazes me how Eric Jerome Dickey can write in female's point of view so well. Nia Simone Bijou is my favorite female character of Dickey's. Like me, it appears that nothing fazes us. Yet everything matters, we just can't afford to let it show. Plus we think too much. Even though majority of the book is erotic, there are moments where the reader can connect with Nia through her emotions. But sub-characters are not as well developed and instead seem like cameos. You may be pleased that old pals make a brief appearance in Decadence, including Driver.
Decadence will be published on April 23. Pre-order or add to your wish list for your heightened reading pleasure. Next up: Gideon and the new Four Horsemen!
Literary Marie of Precision Reviews
June 24, 2013
(FROM JACKET)"New York Times" bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey returns to a character he created in his celebrated novel of erotic daring, "Pleasure". Four years have passed in the life of Nia Simone Bijou, and she is approaching the height of her artistic powers. A film she has written is poised for international success, the studio is eager for a sequel, and the media are fascinated by her work. Yet her imaginative mind is wandering.
Though Nia is much desired-by the mysterious, often unavailable international businessman, Prada, with whom she enjoys unprecedented attraction; by the fit local veteran, Brett, who puts her through her paces, most often during grueling road training sessions-her first love, Chris, is never far from her thoughts. When Nia receives an invitation to the exclusive pleasure palace known as Decadence, her romantic world gives way to an abundance of sensory experience she could never have imagined.
Even as the Hollywood premiere of her potentially career-changing film approaches, she is drawn further into this forbidden lifestyle. Under the influence of glamorous, sensuous new friends, Nia abandons all caution, and her ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred. Will her relationship with Prada survive countless temptations? Will her professional achievements be given over to impulsive indulgence? Does decadence know any bounds?
Eric Jerome Dickey's newest tale of excess-and its sky-high costs-is a thrilling portrait of a glittering world.
Though Nia is much desired-by the mysterious, often unavailable international businessman, Prada, with whom she enjoys unprecedented attraction; by the fit local veteran, Brett, who puts her through her paces, most often during grueling road training sessions-her first love, Chris, is never far from her thoughts. When Nia receives an invitation to the exclusive pleasure palace known as Decadence, her romantic world gives way to an abundance of sensory experience she could never have imagined.
Even as the Hollywood premiere of her potentially career-changing film approaches, she is drawn further into this forbidden lifestyle. Under the influence of glamorous, sensuous new friends, Nia abandons all caution, and her ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred. Will her relationship with Prada survive countless temptations? Will her professional achievements be given over to impulsive indulgence? Does decadence know any bounds?
Eric Jerome Dickey's newest tale of excess-and its sky-high costs-is a thrilling portrait of a glittering world.
October 5, 2014
Estoy un poco decepcionada; principalmente porque esperaba (ansiaba) que aparecieran ciertas personas o al menos ese , cuya historia en Pleasure quedó tan inconclusa... Peeeero, esta novela sigue las aventuras de Nina, de nuevo sola por el mundo y con más hombres de los que puede manejar. Si bien Nina es uno de mis personajes de erótica favoritos y, no puedo dejar de sentir que a esta novela le faltó cerrar aquel tema que sobró de su libro anterior.
3.5
Eric Jerome Dickey sigue siendo, en mi opinión, uno de los mejores escritores (hombres) de romance y erótica de esta época. (Leeré todo lo que escriba)
3.5
Eric Jerome Dickey sigue siendo, en mi opinión, uno de los mejores escritores (hombres) de romance y erótica de esta época. (Leeré todo lo que escriba)
June 2, 2013
This book was very well written, which can always be expected with an EJD book. Being that I read the kindle release The Education of Nia Simon Bijou I wasn't expecting for that particular past to pop up in the story. The sex scenes were entertaining and fulfilling, but the overall plot was very thin. Nia has been on this journey of discovering herself sexually, especially after all the things "The Twins" introduced her to in the book Pleasure. In this book she takes it up another level and drops all inhibitions when she enters the world of Decadence. This was a quick and entertaining read for me, but I feel a little cheated because I was looking forward to an actual conclusion for Nia. It seemed to end abruptly and I wanted more.
August 8, 2013
2 words "DOUBLE FIYAH" Decadence was on fire from beginning to end.
I was a little worried about reading after seeing some 2 star rating...Yes this book was VERY EROTIC (which was a plus for me) however Nia Simone story was so deep.
From "Pleasure" to "Education of Nia Simone Bijou" to Decadence was an amazing journey of her life, attempting to find out who the true Nia Simone is after being heart broken by the man she thought was her KING.... finding out what she wanted & needed out of life; not caring what the world thought; not settling even though her heart sometimes said different.
She was a strong independent smart Trini Woman!
WARNING: This definately a DRIP book (DON'T READ IN PUBLIC) :-)
I was a little worried about reading after seeing some 2 star rating...Yes this book was VERY EROTIC (which was a plus for me) however Nia Simone story was so deep.
From "Pleasure" to "Education of Nia Simone Bijou" to Decadence was an amazing journey of her life, attempting to find out who the true Nia Simone is after being heart broken by the man she thought was her KING.... finding out what she wanted & needed out of life; not caring what the world thought; not settling even though her heart sometimes said different.
She was a strong independent smart Trini Woman!
WARNING: This definately a DRIP book (DON'T READ IN PUBLIC) :-)
September 6, 2014
Is hot here or is it just me?
I'm a long time Eric Jerome Dickey fan; going almost ten years! I have loved and hated many of characters, but Nia Simone Bijou takes the cake! That woman is hot!!! Her style, depth of knowledge and chemistry are incredible. I cried with her, I loved with her, I experimented with her, and changed preconceived thoughts with her. Pleasure did things to me, The Education Of Nia Simone Bijou put things in perspective, but Decadence....mmmm.
This book brought Nia Simone's story to head. Showed the affect that her college heart break really had on her. I loved every steamy, thoughtfully written page. I highly recommend this!!!!!
I'm a long time Eric Jerome Dickey fan; going almost ten years! I have loved and hated many of characters, but Nia Simone Bijou takes the cake! That woman is hot!!! Her style, depth of knowledge and chemistry are incredible. I cried with her, I loved with her, I experimented with her, and changed preconceived thoughts with her. Pleasure did things to me, The Education Of Nia Simone Bijou put things in perspective, but Decadence....mmmm.
This book brought Nia Simone's story to head. Showed the affect that her college heart break really had on her. I loved every steamy, thoughtfully written page. I highly recommend this!!!!!
June 29, 2013
First I have to say that 50 Shades has nothing on this book. This book was pretty x-rated. It was well written as all Eric Jerome Dickey's books are. However, the main character was mean and pretentious and I just did not like her at all.
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