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Carmine Club #1
Forceful Negotiations
Note: Original cover edition for ASIN# B00CHRA0ZE
Why would a former beauty queen and ex-wife of a billionaire become a pimp? Sending the demigod of lust, Eros, to find out why Willa Davis Seachrist is running a secret sex club seems like the solution to Saint Peter’s problems.
Teague Tillis comes to Carmine House in search of a man to make her fantasies come true. When former prosecutor Cam Calloway wins the bid for Teague, her fantasy challenges everything he believes, but if he can't satisfy her, conniving Willa will offer her to his nemesis.
Welcome to Carmine Club. The cost to join is a price you've already paid.
Why would a former beauty queen and ex-wife of a billionaire become a pimp? Sending the demigod of lust, Eros, to find out why Willa Davis Seachrist is running a secret sex club seems like the solution to Saint Peter’s problems.
Teague Tillis comes to Carmine House in search of a man to make her fantasies come true. When former prosecutor Cam Calloway wins the bid for Teague, her fantasy challenges everything he believes, but if he can't satisfy her, conniving Willa will offer her to his nemesis.
Welcome to Carmine Club. The cost to join is a price you've already paid.
Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2013
17 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Eden Connor
26 books572 followersEden Connor graduated from Converse College with a degree in Psychology so long ago, her sheepskin is chiseled in stone. She’s been a graphic artist, a bridal photographer and an antique restorer. Since the death of her true love, she raised two children to adulthood and now has the time to return to writing. She writes primarily contemporary erotic romances, the odd bit of erotica and an occasional paranormal piece. Most of her writing is set where she lives, in South Carolina, so expect the handsome stranger to come equipped with a slow drawl. Addicted to hazelnut creamer, baseball and cranberry glass, she likes the music of Motown and when not writing about adults behaving badly, she takes a stab at the occasional needlepoint canvas.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 4, 2013
**Rape Trigger Warning** (Content warning taken from beginning of book): This book contains graphic scenes depicting consensual rape fantasies and public sex acts.
To elaborate a bit, this book is about one woman's rape fantasy, and her struggle with accepting that's how she likes sex; and the conflict an upstanding do-right guy has with fulfilling it and not losing himself in the process. To be fair the author did offer a warning, but I don't read those things at the beginning. I dive into the books. So I missed this one. I wanted to be sure that other readers knew about it before getting it.
Frankly, that's the least of my problems with this book.
I read this book for two reasons; 1) I was hoping for a interesting take on Eros - god of desire and attraction, and 2) I wanted a sexy, quick story centered around a sex club devoted to women's desires (for a change). And also the third reason of being egged on by my friends (I'm looking at you Anna & Cory!!)
Spoilers ahead!! I'll tag them, but I have to quote sections of the book to show what I'm talking about.
Let us start with the good stuff. Um... There were no grammatical errors. That seems harsh, but it's the best thing I can say about this book. We were just not a match.
So, I guess onto my problems.
1. Writing: It was awkward, full of too many adjectives, repetitiveness and hyperbole. There were also several times I had to read sections over and over to try and make sense of them, and I never succeeded.
No well-dressed businessman loitered at the side entrance to her building, lying in wait to force her into a conversation she didn't want to have. Reaching behind her neck, she clawed at the hood of her track jacket, yanking it over her head. The side street was littered with slow-moving cars and puddles left by a fast-moving rain shower. Pausing on the center line between lanes, Teague cursed and raised a middle finger when a truck sporting oversized tires threw dirty water on her tennis shoes. Cold water sloshing around her toes spurred her dash across the final lane.
Awkward phrasing, no? Some more examples from further in the book.
In the next paragraph her heart stops when someone surprises her, and they have a FIVE sentence conversation before her "heart stuttered back to life." If your heart is stopping for the time it takes to say five sentences between two people, you might have bigger issues than this book is letting on about. By the way - as much of a workout as her heart gets by stuttering, racing, pounding, pulsing...etc - I'm surprised she didn't have a heart-attack.
Well, okay, there was one other thing I liked - especially right when I first read it. This is Willa talking - owner of the sex club that auctions off the women to men that will then fulfill their fantasy.
"From the cradle we're taught our goal should be to please men. ... We learn to do whatever the men in our lives need us to do. ... I wasn't struck as much by what had changed for women in two hundred and fifty-three years as I was by what has not. Rich or poor, women still have to scrimp in one important regard. Sexual satisfaction. Too damn many of us live in sexual poverty, Teague.
"By the time we're ready for a relationship with a man, we're already conditioned to deny the most essential part of ourselves. The sexual part, the inner goddess that wants to be fucked exactly the way we need. We're taught to be ashamed of our needs, even to be ashamed of having any, whereas men can speak freely about their wants an no one thinks twice about it. ...
"One day I had an epiphany. What if I could use my money and this estate to offer women their chance to explore their fantasies in a safe, consensual environment? Sex clubs aren't a new concept, but most cater to men. Why not create a club where our fantasies are the ones being honored?" (emphasis mine)
Yes! Exactly what I was hoping for when I picked up the book! That made me happy, and look back on the previous 19% of the book a little more pleasantly.
Unfortunately for me it didn't continue in this vein. Before I get to the rest of my problems, here are a few more awkward phrases from the rest of the book.
And this last one - is this a curse people actually say? I've never heard it before. Cam's the one saying it and he's from Chicago, which is near me.
"Jesus jumped-up pretty boy Christ."
ETA: Oh! And though the above (emphasised) is the one of the few times "inner goddess" is mentioned in the book (Fifty Shades, I hate you); Cam took to saying "inner man." What?! WTF is that? Inner man? I don't even get it. But then again, I don't get inner goddess either. These people have split personality. I have urges and desires, too, it's not some separate entity inside of me. Just...I give up.
2. The characters. Teague's kind of a bitch. She thinks about one of the women she meets as a "wren," another as a "peacock." And she continues to call the one a "wren" throughout the book. I'll give that she does consider one woman her friend, but we never really see her interacting with her. We're just vaguely told that they're good friends. She lumps men together as greedy, inconsiderate, messy idiots. A particularly lovely quote from Teague's thoughts (about Willa - who is divorced and whom she knows absolutely nothing about.)
How much pain could Willa suffer, when her divorce settlement was rumored to be close to a billion dollars? I'm not even going to bother saying anything to that.
Cam's not much better. He's willing to do whatever to get ahead - and not in a sexy way. For example, he drinks bourbon, which he hates, when he goes to the club (at his boss's behest) because that's 'what they drink in the south.' Heaven forbid his boss realize he likes some other liquor. I couldn't help thinking that he was selling himself out every time he turned around. He even bids $3,500 at this sex auction to impress his boss; knowing that he has that money earmarked for getting a condo. Yeah, that's sexy - prostituting yourself out for something you're not sure you can afford, or want, because your boss is watching. Attractive.
Here's a lovely quote from his POV, after reading Teague's fantasy:
Disgust soured his stomach. What kind of insane asylum are these people running?
3. The misandry of men (yes, instead of misogyny there's the subtle contempt and underlying message that men are idiots and led around by their penises) and the patronization of women. I touched on how men are portrayed a bit above, but here's a direct quotes that just pissed me off. And right after that fabulous speech by Willa about how women deserve to have their fantasies satisfied, too. *sigh*
Patronization of women, you ask?
4. The complete derailment of the idea that women can be sexually free. This is the one that put the nail in the coffin of this book for me.
"What if she's happy without a man? (Eros asked Peter)
"Woman was made for the comfort and companionship of man. She cannot find true contentment without true love." Now that wouldn't be so bad if the book subverted this message, but it seems to reinforce it.
His attention was drawn back to the blonde. Perhaps her soft-colored mask gaver her the improbably air of innocence, even though she was spread and being fondled "Innocent" women (even in appearance only) are apparently the only ones worthy of attention and true love...
...Zach was almost certain Jane was the club's architect. If a virgin was in charge, making decisions based on only what she read in her Human Sexuality textbooks, he wanted to know now, so he could talk Will into stopping the auctions. Yup. Because there have been SO many complaints that she obviously doesn't know what the fuck she's doing. Mind you, immediately after this he starts seducing her (while she says and does nothing - just letting him do it, so she's completely passive in it all - ugh).
Those are the big ones for me. But there's also the weird world-building, and an Eros that acts more like a whiny, irresponsible child. And the sex that wasn't that sexy, but felt incredibly stilted. And finally the way that Cam used sex, and Teague's rape fantasy to get her to negotiate with her about selling her building... So not okay with that.
Then they're all happy-ever-after, and the story abruptly ends.
That ended up a bit longer than I meant, but this really bothered me a lot.
ETA2: The first cover fit this book so much better than the new one. I actually like the first cover. It makes me think there's a story here. The second one makes me think there's pron here.
To elaborate a bit, this book is about one woman's rape fantasy, and her struggle with accepting that's how she likes sex; and the conflict an upstanding do-right guy has with fulfilling it and not losing himself in the process. To be fair the author did offer a warning, but I don't read those things at the beginning. I dive into the books. So I missed this one. I wanted to be sure that other readers knew about it before getting it.
Frankly, that's the least of my problems with this book.
I read this book for two reasons; 1) I was hoping for a interesting take on Eros - god of desire and attraction, and 2) I wanted a sexy, quick story centered around a sex club devoted to women's desires (for a change). And also the third reason of being egged on by my friends (I'm looking at you Anna & Cory!!)
Spoilers ahead!! I'll tag them, but I have to quote sections of the book to show what I'm talking about.
Let us start with the good stuff. Um... There were no grammatical errors. That seems harsh, but it's the best thing I can say about this book. We were just not a match.
So, I guess onto my problems.
1. Writing: It was awkward, full of too many adjectives, repetitiveness and hyperbole. There were also several times I had to read sections over and over to try and make sense of them, and I never succeeded.
No well-dressed businessman loitered at the side entrance to her building, lying in wait to force her into a conversation she didn't want to have. Reaching behind her neck, she clawed at the hood of her track jacket, yanking it over her head. The side street was littered with slow-moving cars and puddles left by a fast-moving rain shower. Pausing on the center line between lanes, Teague cursed and raised a middle finger when a truck sporting oversized tires threw dirty water on her tennis shoes. Cold water sloshing around her toes spurred her dash across the final lane.
Awkward phrasing, no? Some more examples from further in the book.
In the next paragraph her heart stops when someone surprises her, and they have a FIVE sentence conversation before her "heart stuttered back to life." If your heart is stopping for the time it takes to say five sentences between two people, you might have bigger issues than this book is letting on about. By the way - as much of a workout as her heart gets by stuttering, racing, pounding, pulsing...etc - I'm surprised she didn't have a heart-attack.
Well, okay, there was one other thing I liked - especially right when I first read it. This is Willa talking - owner of the sex club that auctions off the women to men that will then fulfill their fantasy.
"From the cradle we're taught our goal should be to please men. ... We learn to do whatever the men in our lives need us to do. ... I wasn't struck as much by what had changed for women in two hundred and fifty-three years as I was by what has not. Rich or poor, women still have to scrimp in one important regard. Sexual satisfaction. Too damn many of us live in sexual poverty, Teague.
"By the time we're ready for a relationship with a man, we're already conditioned to deny the most essential part of ourselves. The sexual part, the inner goddess that wants to be fucked exactly the way we need. We're taught to be ashamed of our needs, even to be ashamed of having any, whereas men can speak freely about their wants an no one thinks twice about it. ...
"One day I had an epiphany. What if I could use my money and this estate to offer women their chance to explore their fantasies in a safe, consensual environment? Sex clubs aren't a new concept, but most cater to men. Why not create a club where our fantasies are the ones being honored?" (emphasis mine)
Yes! Exactly what I was hoping for when I picked up the book! That made me happy, and look back on the previous 19% of the book a little more pleasantly.
Unfortunately for me it didn't continue in this vein. Before I get to the rest of my problems, here are a few more awkward phrases from the rest of the book.
And this last one - is this a curse people actually say? I've never heard it before. Cam's the one saying it and he's from Chicago, which is near me.
"Jesus jumped-up pretty boy Christ."
ETA: Oh! And though the above (emphasised) is the one of the few times "inner goddess" is mentioned in the book (Fifty Shades, I hate you); Cam took to saying "inner man." What?! WTF is that? Inner man? I don't even get it. But then again, I don't get inner goddess either. These people have split personality. I have urges and desires, too, it's not some separate entity inside of me. Just...I give up.
2. The characters. Teague's kind of a bitch. She thinks about one of the women she meets as a "wren," another as a "peacock." And she continues to call the one a "wren" throughout the book. I'll give that she does consider one woman her friend, but we never really see her interacting with her. We're just vaguely told that they're good friends. She lumps men together as greedy, inconsiderate, messy idiots. A particularly lovely quote from Teague's thoughts (about Willa - who is divorced and whom she knows absolutely nothing about.)
How much pain could Willa suffer, when her divorce settlement was rumored to be close to a billion dollars? I'm not even going to bother saying anything to that.
Cam's not much better. He's willing to do whatever to get ahead - and not in a sexy way. For example, he drinks bourbon, which he hates, when he goes to the club (at his boss's behest) because that's 'what they drink in the south.' Heaven forbid his boss realize he likes some other liquor. I couldn't help thinking that he was selling himself out every time he turned around. He even bids $3,500 at this sex auction to impress his boss; knowing that he has that money earmarked for getting a condo. Yeah, that's sexy - prostituting yourself out for something you're not sure you can afford, or want, because your boss is watching. Attractive.
Here's a lovely quote from his POV, after reading Teague's fantasy:
Disgust soured his stomach. What kind of insane asylum are these people running?
3. The misandry of men (yes, instead of misogyny there's the subtle contempt and underlying message that men are idiots and led around by their penises) and the patronization of women. I touched on how men are portrayed a bit above, but here's a direct quotes that just pissed me off. And right after that fabulous speech by Willa about how women deserve to have their fantasies satisfied, too. *sigh*
Patronization of women, you ask?
4. The complete derailment of the idea that women can be sexually free. This is the one that put the nail in the coffin of this book for me.
"What if she's happy without a man? (Eros asked Peter)
"Woman was made for the comfort and companionship of man. She cannot find true contentment without true love." Now that wouldn't be so bad if the book subverted this message, but it seems to reinforce it.
His attention was drawn back to the blonde. Perhaps her soft-colored mask gaver her the improbably air of innocence, even though she was spread and being fondled "Innocent" women (even in appearance only) are apparently the only ones worthy of attention and true love...
...Zach was almost certain Jane was the club's architect. If a virgin was in charge, making decisions based on only what she read in her Human Sexuality textbooks, he wanted to know now, so he could talk Will into stopping the auctions. Yup. Because there have been SO many complaints that she obviously doesn't know what the fuck she's doing. Mind you, immediately after this he starts seducing her (while she says and does nothing - just letting him do it, so she's completely passive in it all - ugh).
Those are the big ones for me. But there's also the weird world-building, and an Eros that acts more like a whiny, irresponsible child. And the sex that wasn't that sexy, but felt incredibly stilted. And finally the way that Cam used sex, and Teague's rape fantasy to get her to negotiate with her about selling her building... So not okay with that.
Then they're all happy-ever-after, and the story abruptly ends.
That ended up a bit longer than I meant, but this really bothered me a lot.
ETA2: The first cover fit this book so much better than the new one. I actually like the first cover. It makes me think there's a story here. The second one makes me think there's pron here.
May 7, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 Stars
**Reviewers note: This book is dedicated to acting out one woman’s fantasy at an exclusive sex club. She has the fantasy of being forced and while the author issues a warning at the beginning of the book about this being a rape fantasy, there is nothing on the buy pages about it so I wanted to be upfront with readers who might have issues with this type of play. I will say that compared to some books I’ve read with this type of a scenario, this one is fairly tame.
Eden Connor hooked me into reading this series with the prequel, Breaking Glass. It’s kind of forcing me out of my comfort zone because it contains a character, Eros, who is the Greek god of love only in his eyes he’s the god of lust. And while others may call him cupid, he prefers the name Eros. I really don’t read a lot of books with these types of characters in them but this one cracks me up and because the stories he’s involved with are contemporary, I find myself enjoying them very much. In this book, we actually get to meet the owner of the Carmine Club, Willa Seachrist and find out a little about her and her background. We also begin to meet her staff, a few of her relatives, and some of the “members” of her exclusive club. What makes the Carmine Club so special? Well, it’s a club devoted to fulfilling the sexual fantasies of women. Men bid for a chance to “win” one of the women “slaves” but it’s up to the men to fulfill their every desire. It’s an interesting premise and if Forceful Negotiations is indicative of what we can expect, I suspect I’ll be lining up to read each story as they are released.
Teague Tillis has come to Carmine Club as a guest of her former college roommate. She’s hoping to find a man who can make her fantasies come true and blow off some much needed steam. While she’s pretty open minded about the club, she has a hard time writing down her fantasy and even feels somewhat guilty about wanting it. Cam Calloway is at the club at the invitation of his boss. He’s certainly not opposed to what goes on at the club, but he’s not quite sure everything is completely legal and so he’s a little uncomfortable. However when he sees Teague (known as Eve), he knows he much bid and hopefully win her.
As you can expect things move quite quickly in a story of this nature and the sex scenes are truly hot. As far as Teague’s fantasy goes, she was satisfied beyond doubt. Cam however had some issues with his part in providing the fantasy but quickly realizes that this is something she not only wants but needs. However when their paths cross in real life, things become truly interesting and they begin negotiations of a different kind.
I was intrigued by Teague in the first book and after reading this story; I admire her for what she’s done and understand her psyche so much better. She’s dealt with a lot in her life and it was fascinating to begin to understand why she needed the fantasy that she chose. It was interesting to watch Cam work through his feelings and issues with Teague’s fantasy request. I also found in somewhat entertaining how protective he felt about her almost immediately. Of course given his past, it’s not hard to understand his line of thinking. I like that despite being on opposite sides of an issue, they manage to find a way to work through it.
This was quite the entertaining story and I enjoyed the characters including the supporting ones we only saw for a few scenes. Eden has managed to write a very fulfilling lust turned to love story yet kept us completely intrigued by what might happen next. Forceful Negotiations will no doubt bring a smile to your face, probably make you laugh out loud, leave you a little breathless as well as satisfied), and keep you coming back for more!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4 Stars
**Reviewers note: This book is dedicated to acting out one woman’s fantasy at an exclusive sex club. She has the fantasy of being forced and while the author issues a warning at the beginning of the book about this being a rape fantasy, there is nothing on the buy pages about it so I wanted to be upfront with readers who might have issues with this type of play. I will say that compared to some books I’ve read with this type of a scenario, this one is fairly tame.
Eden Connor hooked me into reading this series with the prequel, Breaking Glass. It’s kind of forcing me out of my comfort zone because it contains a character, Eros, who is the Greek god of love only in his eyes he’s the god of lust. And while others may call him cupid, he prefers the name Eros. I really don’t read a lot of books with these types of characters in them but this one cracks me up and because the stories he’s involved with are contemporary, I find myself enjoying them very much. In this book, we actually get to meet the owner of the Carmine Club, Willa Seachrist and find out a little about her and her background. We also begin to meet her staff, a few of her relatives, and some of the “members” of her exclusive club. What makes the Carmine Club so special? Well, it’s a club devoted to fulfilling the sexual fantasies of women. Men bid for a chance to “win” one of the women “slaves” but it’s up to the men to fulfill their every desire. It’s an interesting premise and if Forceful Negotiations is indicative of what we can expect, I suspect I’ll be lining up to read each story as they are released.
Teague Tillis has come to Carmine Club as a guest of her former college roommate. She’s hoping to find a man who can make her fantasies come true and blow off some much needed steam. While she’s pretty open minded about the club, she has a hard time writing down her fantasy and even feels somewhat guilty about wanting it. Cam Calloway is at the club at the invitation of his boss. He’s certainly not opposed to what goes on at the club, but he’s not quite sure everything is completely legal and so he’s a little uncomfortable. However when he sees Teague (known as Eve), he knows he much bid and hopefully win her.
As you can expect things move quite quickly in a story of this nature and the sex scenes are truly hot. As far as Teague’s fantasy goes, she was satisfied beyond doubt. Cam however had some issues with his part in providing the fantasy but quickly realizes that this is something she not only wants but needs. However when their paths cross in real life, things become truly interesting and they begin negotiations of a different kind.
I was intrigued by Teague in the first book and after reading this story; I admire her for what she’s done and understand her psyche so much better. She’s dealt with a lot in her life and it was fascinating to begin to understand why she needed the fantasy that she chose. It was interesting to watch Cam work through his feelings and issues with Teague’s fantasy request. I also found in somewhat entertaining how protective he felt about her almost immediately. Of course given his past, it’s not hard to understand his line of thinking. I like that despite being on opposite sides of an issue, they manage to find a way to work through it.
This was quite the entertaining story and I enjoyed the characters including the supporting ones we only saw for a few scenes. Eden has managed to write a very fulfilling lust turned to love story yet kept us completely intrigued by what might happen next. Forceful Negotiations will no doubt bring a smile to your face, probably make you laugh out loud, leave you a little breathless as well as satisfied), and keep you coming back for more!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
May 3, 2013
Forceful Negotiations was a perfectly written erotic love story. Eden Connor gets to the heart of Teague Willis and the reasons for her desires, then provides a legitimate senario for addressing those desires. Teague is finally able to be herself and fall in love with Cam. His issues are entirely different, but they get together and learn to trust. Although this is the first in the Carmine Club Chronicles, I felt I benefited by having read Breaking Glass, the prequel. It gave us some insight into Eros, which was helpful to the storyline. I cannot wait to see what happens next. I hope it's Willa.
March 5, 2015
Let me start by saying I had to skim over a few intense sections of this book due the uncomfortable hard limit for me personally, just so I can finish this book… One word RAPE … for me person that was the hard limit on reading for me.
Yes this is fiction, yes this was fantasy for the character but it made me personally squeamish…
Now the story itself was intensely fast paced and overall interesting, especially the secondary characters in the story. The dialogue between characters was sometimes humorous and the book was written well.
Overall I can honestly say this was a 3.5 star read.
July 13, 2013
Yes this book has a rape fantasy! But it is so much more. Exceptance of our deepest fantasy..our sexuality. To escape the ideas we are brought up to believe a women should please a man and not satisfy our own needs. To escape the fallacy of shame to want whatever turns us on. With Eros thrown into the mix the author has added humor. Great characters and lessons if you look deep enough. I can't wait to read the next book.
June 11, 2013
This has a darker theme than some people will be comfortable with but it is amazingly well written and extremely sensual.
July 7, 2023
Interesting
I liked the story and the main characters. Cupid was a little annoying but he’s got a job to do I guess. Looking forward to more.
I liked the story and the main characters. Cupid was a little annoying but he’s got a job to do I guess. Looking forward to more.
August 1, 2013
**Thankyou to the author for the ARC of this book, given for an honest review**
2.5 Stars!
Okay, Im not really sure how to start with this, I didn't dislike the book, but before reading, you should know this book centers around a womans rape fantasy and trying to come to terms with what she wants from her sex life
I have issues with this book, such as the wording of the sentences, I read it and thought, "Huh? Pardon?"
Even the first few pages of the female perspective, Im reading and happen to read this " Iron urns lined the drive behind the house, cuddling boxwood topiaries coaxed into corkscrew shapes"
I'm pretty sure someone else quoted that bit too, I just looked at it, read it twice and thought, "Why not just tell me what it is?" because even now, I'm not quite sure.
please, PLEASE no more metaphores and similies.
One thing I did like was the prologue (it may have been chapter 1 for all the attention I was paying to the title- it's in Cupids perspective.) This section was probably the most entertaining part of the book for me, I liked reading the authors perspective on the Garden of Eden and accidentally shooting Eve in the tooshe instead of hitting the apple with an arrow.
I didn't like Teagues character, she seemed to be very bitchy, her opinions on her friends were harsh for absolutely no reason, she thinks that money negates suffering and she judges guys before she knows anything about them. This is not the signs of a good heroine. Then there's Cam, he just sells himself short playing to the whims of people who have more money/ power than he does. Bidding $3,500 in an auction that he can't freaking afford ...Hey, we have a choice, a condo, or engaging in prostitution? I'd take the condo or he'd be prostituting himself out at the end of the week to earn that money back!
and a better question I have: If he is so disgusted by Teague (which by the way, is a very strange name, like calling your kid Apple...It makes me want to laugh...At you, not with you.) and her fantasy, then why the fuck did he even go through with it?
The entire book carries on about how men are like animals and only interested in one thing, that they must compete with one another for the "prize" (the woman) much as 2 dogs would chase a stick, fight over it and one would lose. To me, this all had an "I hate men" feel to it, and quite frankly, I enjoy men so it didn't sit quite right with me. Then the whole pushing men to bid on a woman they dont know, to fulfil a fantasy they HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT, for CRAZY amounts of money is just ridiculous to me, the whole concept of that is stupid, and her logic says, "If you don't want to do it, then the next one would be happy to..." My response would've been, "uh, yea, good luck with that!"
The thing that really got to me was the God reference that women are made to be a mans companion...WOMEN ARE NOT DOGS. WOMEN COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT MEN TO CARRY ON THE HUMAN RACE, WHERE AS MEN COULD NOT. ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION IS PROOF. A WOMAN IS NEEDED, A MAN IS NOT. I felt disrespected by this - not personally but on behalf of my gender. This is why I dont read books pertaining to the God squad. (No offense people who are into any religion, I'm not foisting my opinions on you.)
Carrying swiftly onwards, to the end of my review, I found the ending was very abrupt and the sex was less than satisfying, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and at some points I just wanted to give up.
The book was well edited and I like the cover, it's kinda cute - if not a little bit porn-y
2.5 Stars!
Okay, Im not really sure how to start with this, I didn't dislike the book, but before reading, you should know this book centers around a womans rape fantasy and trying to come to terms with what she wants from her sex life
I have issues with this book, such as the wording of the sentences, I read it and thought, "Huh? Pardon?"
Even the first few pages of the female perspective, Im reading and happen to read this " Iron urns lined the drive behind the house, cuddling boxwood topiaries coaxed into corkscrew shapes"
I'm pretty sure someone else quoted that bit too, I just looked at it, read it twice and thought, "Why not just tell me what it is?" because even now, I'm not quite sure.
please, PLEASE no more metaphores and similies.
One thing I did like was the prologue (it may have been chapter 1 for all the attention I was paying to the title- it's in Cupids perspective.) This section was probably the most entertaining part of the book for me, I liked reading the authors perspective on the Garden of Eden and accidentally shooting Eve in the tooshe instead of hitting the apple with an arrow.
I didn't like Teagues character, she seemed to be very bitchy, her opinions on her friends were harsh for absolutely no reason, she thinks that money negates suffering and she judges guys before she knows anything about them. This is not the signs of a good heroine. Then there's Cam, he just sells himself short playing to the whims of people who have more money/ power than he does. Bidding $3,500 in an auction that he can't freaking afford ...Hey, we have a choice, a condo, or engaging in prostitution? I'd take the condo or he'd be prostituting himself out at the end of the week to earn that money back!
and a better question I have: If he is so disgusted by Teague (which by the way, is a very strange name, like calling your kid Apple...It makes me want to laugh...At you, not with you.) and her fantasy, then why the fuck did he even go through with it?
The entire book carries on about how men are like animals and only interested in one thing, that they must compete with one another for the "prize" (the woman) much as 2 dogs would chase a stick, fight over it and one would lose. To me, this all had an "I hate men" feel to it, and quite frankly, I enjoy men so it didn't sit quite right with me. Then the whole pushing men to bid on a woman they dont know, to fulfil a fantasy they HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT, for CRAZY amounts of money is just ridiculous to me, the whole concept of that is stupid, and her logic says, "If you don't want to do it, then the next one would be happy to..." My response would've been, "uh, yea, good luck with that!"
The thing that really got to me was the God reference that women are made to be a mans companion...WOMEN ARE NOT DOGS. WOMEN COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT MEN TO CARRY ON THE HUMAN RACE, WHERE AS MEN COULD NOT. ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION IS PROOF. A WOMAN IS NEEDED, A MAN IS NOT. I felt disrespected by this - not personally but on behalf of my gender. This is why I dont read books pertaining to the God squad. (No offense people who are into any religion, I'm not foisting my opinions on you.)
Carrying swiftly onwards, to the end of my review, I found the ending was very abrupt and the sex was less than satisfying, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and at some points I just wanted to give up.
The book was well edited and I like the cover, it's kinda cute - if not a little bit porn-y
October 10, 2013
Carmine Club Series: No. 1
I have to admit this book had me a little befuddled with the whole Eros, Peter and Ishmael thing at the
beginning. Peter sends Eros off to the human world because he is tormenting Ishmael (If someone would like to shed light on this whole thing that would be fabbo). Anyway, we end up with Eros at the Carmine Club by a woman called Willa Davis Seachrist. The club has been created to give women their ultimate, deepest, darkest fantasy. Teague Tillis wants in on it but her fantasy shames her, she wants to act out being forced into having sex. Willa remarks this is not at all an unusual request from women and thus we begin.
Cam Calloway is introduced to the club through his boss and is a former prosecutor, he goes in naive and on a budget. The bidding scene I must say was a stroke of genius, the women are displayed in a highly erotic manner which I won't go into too much detail here because I think it's best read yourself. Regardless it was a scene that is beautifully written and ramps up the tension between these two strangers. They obviously have an electric connection and Cam chooses to bid on her. However, once he realizes that her fantasy is to be forced he has problems because he prosecuted real life rapists and doesn't understand why someone would fantasize about it.
I was a tad iffy about the fact that he asks to retract his bid and then because he doesn't want another man to have her he decides to just go for it. This leads to a kind of run of the mill scene with all the posturing and hoorah of a man trying to dominate yadda yadda. Afterwards Cam takes it upon himself to question Teague's fantasy to her face making her feel bad which is mean a) because he makes her feel ashamed and b) because it was the ONE RULE in the club not to make the women ashamed of their fantasy! Idiot. They part ways and never see each other again until serendipity steps in. Their story I have to admit wasn't exceptionally interesting, I was distracted by the past of Willa Davis Seachrist and the secretary she has. The auction scene was decadent and as I said I am still confused about the whole Eros, Peter, Ishmael involvement. I felt they could have just been left out... All in all it's a quick read and I would recommend picking it up if only to read the auction. :)
3/5
xxx
George
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Eden Connor for the copy!
I have to admit this book had me a little befuddled with the whole Eros, Peter and Ishmael thing at the
beginning. Peter sends Eros off to the human world because he is tormenting Ishmael (If someone would like to shed light on this whole thing that would be fabbo). Anyway, we end up with Eros at the Carmine Club by a woman called Willa Davis Seachrist. The club has been created to give women their ultimate, deepest, darkest fantasy. Teague Tillis wants in on it but her fantasy shames her, she wants to act out being forced into having sex. Willa remarks this is not at all an unusual request from women and thus we begin.
Cam Calloway is introduced to the club through his boss and is a former prosecutor, he goes in naive and on a budget. The bidding scene I must say was a stroke of genius, the women are displayed in a highly erotic manner which I won't go into too much detail here because I think it's best read yourself. Regardless it was a scene that is beautifully written and ramps up the tension between these two strangers. They obviously have an electric connection and Cam chooses to bid on her. However, once he realizes that her fantasy is to be forced he has problems because he prosecuted real life rapists and doesn't understand why someone would fantasize about it.
I was a tad iffy about the fact that he asks to retract his bid and then because he doesn't want another man to have her he decides to just go for it. This leads to a kind of run of the mill scene with all the posturing and hoorah of a man trying to dominate yadda yadda. Afterwards Cam takes it upon himself to question Teague's fantasy to her face making her feel bad which is mean a) because he makes her feel ashamed and b) because it was the ONE RULE in the club not to make the women ashamed of their fantasy! Idiot. They part ways and never see each other again until serendipity steps in. Their story I have to admit wasn't exceptionally interesting, I was distracted by the past of Willa Davis Seachrist and the secretary she has. The auction scene was decadent and as I said I am still confused about the whole Eros, Peter, Ishmael involvement. I felt they could have just been left out... All in all it's a quick read and I would recommend picking it up if only to read the auction. :)
3/5
xxx
George
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Eden Connor for the copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2014
Originally posted at http://sassafrass.booklikes.com/post/...-
A different kind of story from this author...
*3.5 STARS*
I've read the DeMarco series by this author and have thoroughly enjoyed it. So, when given a chance to win FORCEFUL NEGOTIATIONS as a prize in a contest over on goodreads, I snapped up the chance.
Reading the description of the book, really got me interested. The warning is very clear that the book is based on a rape fantasy. I repeat, this is centered around a rape fantasy. So, if that's a trigger for you, you may want to stay away from it. But, I digress.
Anyway, I was quite the fan of Cara McKenna's WILLING VICTIM which features a rape fantasy and extremely intense sexual situations, and I LOVED it. It's actually a re-read for me. it's my standard for rape fantasy books.
Because of this, I had that book in mind when I read FORCEFUL NEGOTIATIONS. That may have been my downfall for this book. Because while, it was good, it wasn't great. I felt like there could have been more done with the story between Teague and Cam. Their story line which was supposed to be the main story line. This was a short book, and with all of the things the author was trying accomplish, I feel like Teague and Cam suffered.
The rape fantasy in itself gave me issues because the hero judged the heroine for it at first. That felt wrong to me. I didn't feel as though he should have been a part of it from the beginning since he felt that way, but I guess that would have made it a whole different story.
So, what did I like? I liked the basis for the series--the Carmine Club. The club's set up is really intriguing. I liked Teague's and Cam's characters even though I wished their story line was more fleshed out. And I really liked the secondary characters that were introduced and can't wait to see how their books pan out.
A different kind of story from this author...
*3.5 STARS*
I've read the DeMarco series by this author and have thoroughly enjoyed it. So, when given a chance to win FORCEFUL NEGOTIATIONS as a prize in a contest over on goodreads, I snapped up the chance.
Reading the description of the book, really got me interested. The warning is very clear that the book is based on a rape fantasy. I repeat, this is centered around a rape fantasy. So, if that's a trigger for you, you may want to stay away from it. But, I digress.
Anyway, I was quite the fan of Cara McKenna's WILLING VICTIM which features a rape fantasy and extremely intense sexual situations, and I LOVED it. It's actually a re-read for me. it's my standard for rape fantasy books.
Because of this, I had that book in mind when I read FORCEFUL NEGOTIATIONS. That may have been my downfall for this book. Because while, it was good, it wasn't great. I felt like there could have been more done with the story between Teague and Cam. Their story line which was supposed to be the main story line. This was a short book, and with all of the things the author was trying accomplish, I feel like Teague and Cam suffered.
The rape fantasy in itself gave me issues because the hero judged the heroine for it at first. That felt wrong to me. I didn't feel as though he should have been a part of it from the beginning since he felt that way, but I guess that would have made it a whole different story.
So, what did I like? I liked the basis for the series--the Carmine Club. The club's set up is really intriguing. I liked Teague's and Cam's characters even though I wished their story line was more fleshed out. And I really liked the secondary characters that were introduced and can't wait to see how their books pan out.
July 29, 2013
The story starts out with giving you a better description of the greek gods that are involved in this story. The two main mythical creatures are peter and eros. Eros is the greek good of lust. Eros is sent down to earth as punishment for his bad behaviors. Eros is sent to The Carmine Club to find true love and find someone there a lifetime partner.
This story follows to main characters Cameron and Teague. Cameron has been invited to the carmine club by his boss. He is has been given this as an opportunity. Don't get me wrong he is there to have a good time but he is also there to impress his boss. You also meet Teauge. She has been invited to Carmine Club by invitation by her old college friend.
The purpose of this club is to help women get there fantasy met with no questions asked. The men that are part of this club bid with money for the opportunity to full fill the women's fantasy. Teague's has a strong fantasy that no man in her past has been willing to full fill for her.
This story follow the challenges that Cameron and Teague go thru figure each other out and the desires they have. There is even a sub story within this book about the career she has why she is the way she is with people.
I really enjoyed this read. This is my first time reading this author. I didn't know what to expect. I most commonly read contemporary romance books this was more of a sci\fi romance and i liked it. It was a nice book to read for a change of pace. I feel the book was a quick and easy read
I would give this book a four out of five starts
I received this book as ARC form Net Galley in turn i provided a honest review.
This story follows to main characters Cameron and Teague. Cameron has been invited to the carmine club by his boss. He is has been given this as an opportunity. Don't get me wrong he is there to have a good time but he is also there to impress his boss. You also meet Teauge. She has been invited to Carmine Club by invitation by her old college friend.
The purpose of this club is to help women get there fantasy met with no questions asked. The men that are part of this club bid with money for the opportunity to full fill the women's fantasy. Teague's has a strong fantasy that no man in her past has been willing to full fill for her.
This story follow the challenges that Cameron and Teague go thru figure each other out and the desires they have. There is even a sub story within this book about the career she has why she is the way she is with people.
I really enjoyed this read. This is my first time reading this author. I didn't know what to expect. I most commonly read contemporary romance books this was more of a sci\fi romance and i liked it. It was a nice book to read for a change of pace. I feel the book was a quick and easy read
I would give this book a four out of five starts
I received this book as ARC form Net Galley in turn i provided a honest review.
August 13, 2013
*I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars
Warning: This book contains graphic scenes depicting consensual rape fantasies and public sex acts.
Teague Tillis is about to have her fantasy come true. She's always had these desires she's been taught by society to be ashamed of, to hide from the lovers in her life because it's taboo. Taking control she accepts her best friend's offer to be auctioned off as part of her aunt's venture known as Carmichael club. The twist? The man who wins Teague at the auction has to act out her fantasy.
Cam Calloway is fascinated with the blonde in the silver mask. He may not be able to see her face but something about her draws him to her, she's the only one he touches, the only one he's interested in bidding on. Beginner's luck or fate that his number gets chosen out of the winning bidders?
However, once he reads her fantasy can the guy who's always lost the girl due to being the "nice guy" and who used to make a living putting men that do the same thing behind bars, give her what she needs? Add a humorous Eros(cupid) who has been sent to earth to help Willa, Carmichael club's founder and it becomes an interesting start to a series with loads of potential.
In general this book was interesting but parts felt random, the flow of the writing could have improved. The whole Eros (cupid) element felt just there to lead into the rest of the series, causing you to scratch your head. There wasn't a ton of story but the characters were well developed. I will pick up the next book in the series, but it won't be something I can't live without.
3 stars
Warning: This book contains graphic scenes depicting consensual rape fantasies and public sex acts.
Teague Tillis is about to have her fantasy come true. She's always had these desires she's been taught by society to be ashamed of, to hide from the lovers in her life because it's taboo. Taking control she accepts her best friend's offer to be auctioned off as part of her aunt's venture known as Carmichael club. The twist? The man who wins Teague at the auction has to act out her fantasy.
Cam Calloway is fascinated with the blonde in the silver mask. He may not be able to see her face but something about her draws him to her, she's the only one he touches, the only one he's interested in bidding on. Beginner's luck or fate that his number gets chosen out of the winning bidders?
However, once he reads her fantasy can the guy who's always lost the girl due to being the "nice guy" and who used to make a living putting men that do the same thing behind bars, give her what she needs? Add a humorous Eros(cupid) who has been sent to earth to help Willa, Carmichael club's founder and it becomes an interesting start to a series with loads of potential.
In general this book was interesting but parts felt random, the flow of the writing could have improved. The whole Eros (cupid) element felt just there to lead into the rest of the series, causing you to scratch your head. There wasn't a ton of story but the characters were well developed. I will pick up the next book in the series, but it won't be something I can't live without.
September 15, 2013
ARC from Netgalley, publisher, and author for honest review
2.5 stars
I started this book twice. I was initially put off by the content warning. I've never read a book by Eden Connor, so I was not sure what to expect. It was not what I imagined when I read the warning. If you are sensitive to aggressive sexual content, I would skip it.
Eros/Cupid is expelled to earth to spy on Carmine Club in a small town in South Carolina. A twist on the private sex club is that it's ran by a wealthy Southern Heiress who caters to women's fantasies, not men's. Teague is working out the dark fantasies that seem to poison her life. Cam is invited to the club by his boss. He's a reluctant participant in Teague's need for a forced fantasy.
Cam cannot contact Teague and they didn't even get to exchange names. Here's where the book got more interesting...too bad author didn't get to spend more time on Teague's past and the demons that haunted her. A good twist with the jerk that ruined her life.
I think this book seemed forced into a genre. The Cupid element seemed odd. After I read the book, I could justify Teague's need to work out her fantasy. It was all in her control with the club ran by a woman for women. If you've read those "private club" type books, most are men's fantasies.
I would have been happy with a story about Teague and Cam without the club and Cupid. I think the story was worthy of being fleshed out and made into a book. I would still read the next book.
2.5 stars
I started this book twice. I was initially put off by the content warning. I've never read a book by Eden Connor, so I was not sure what to expect. It was not what I imagined when I read the warning. If you are sensitive to aggressive sexual content, I would skip it.
Eros/Cupid is expelled to earth to spy on Carmine Club in a small town in South Carolina. A twist on the private sex club is that it's ran by a wealthy Southern Heiress who caters to women's fantasies, not men's. Teague is working out the dark fantasies that seem to poison her life. Cam is invited to the club by his boss. He's a reluctant participant in Teague's need for a forced fantasy.
Cam cannot contact Teague and they didn't even get to exchange names. Here's where the book got more interesting...too bad author didn't get to spend more time on Teague's past and the demons that haunted her. A good twist with the jerk that ruined her life.
I think this book seemed forced into a genre. The Cupid element seemed odd. After I read the book, I could justify Teague's need to work out her fantasy. It was all in her control with the club ran by a woman for women. If you've read those "private club" type books, most are men's fantasies.
I would have been happy with a story about Teague and Cam without the club and Cupid. I think the story was worthy of being fleshed out and made into a book. I would still read the next book.
August 29, 2013
One star disappeared because Eros annoyed me and I flipped through all of the parts that focused on him. Cam rightfully is upset to learn of the fantasy of the woman he wins in an auction. Her fantasy? Being forced. The sex scenes were written well enough, but I preferred Zach and Jane to the others. I wasn't that curious about Willa and I just couldn't connect to the characters. I started the book a few times and after reading the other reviews, still feel like I'm missing something because I just didn't enjoy it the way I expected.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2013
First off this book is a rape fantasy! I took it as a way to escape from reality story.
Teague goes to Carmine Club hoping to find someone to fulfill her fantasies. She has a hard time coming up with a fantasy, she ends up coming up with one and that was the start of the sexual journey. Cam is at the club with his boss and co-workers, he doesn’t seem completely sure about the club. When he sees Teague he knows he wants to bin on her.
This is a fast paced erotic book, but it does have a storyline in it, it isn’t just all sex. Overall a decent erotic read.
Teague goes to Carmine Club hoping to find someone to fulfill her fantasies. She has a hard time coming up with a fantasy, she ends up coming up with one and that was the start of the sexual journey. Cam is at the club with his boss and co-workers, he doesn’t seem completely sure about the club. When he sees Teague he knows he wants to bin on her.
This is a fast paced erotic book, but it does have a storyline in it, it isn’t just all sex. Overall a decent erotic read.
January 2, 2016
Silly
This story was kinda silly. Cupid is funny .I don't remember why or how I got this book but if interested in it just know God's play dirty tricks.
This story was kinda silly. Cupid is funny .I don't remember why or how I got this book but if interested in it just know God's play dirty tricks.
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