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Blush
Kama Sutra, Tantra, Ménage…are you ready to blush?
Hanna Lane wishes she could shed her inhibitions and unleash her wild side in the bedroom. When she meets J. M.--a Kama Sutra and Tantra master--they embark on a sizzling path of discovery, exploring the ancient sensual arts and discovering new techniques that allow Hanna to unlock her naughtiest fantasies and make them a red-hot reality. But when Hanna's exboyfriend Grey re-enters her life determined to win her back, Hanna longs to share herself with both men. But can she tell J.M. and Grey her most taboo fantasy? And who will win her for keeps?
Hanna Lane wishes she could shed her inhibitions and unleash her wild side in the bedroom. When she meets J. M.--a Kama Sutra and Tantra master--they embark on a sizzling path of discovery, exploring the ancient sensual arts and discovering new techniques that allow Hanna to unlock her naughtiest fantasies and make them a red-hot reality. But when Hanna's exboyfriend Grey re-enters her life determined to win her back, Hanna longs to share herself with both men. But can she tell J.M. and Grey her most taboo fantasy? And who will win her for keeps?
255 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2008
42 people are currently reading
1972 people want to read
About the author
Opal Carew
166 books1,895 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Opal Carew loves cats, Zentangle, and wild nail polish!
http://www.opalcarew.com/
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http://www.opalcarew.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
July 13, 2008
OH MY!! So, now that I've cooled off a bit and smoked 1/2 a pack of cigarettes, I'm able to write this review. If the thought of having sex with a 'sexpert' turns you on, you really need to get this book. There is vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, twosomes, threesomes, hypnotic sex, sex with fruit, sex with toys, and extended intense foreplay! If you're still reading (because you haven't gone away to order this book) and aren't offended, you will definitely enjoy this book!
Hanna just wants to have an orgasm. Is that too much to ask? It's not like her recent lover wasn't willing to do whatever she needed...she just can't let go. And now that she's ended that relationship, she may never have one!! If only she could be brave enough to attend the Kama Sutra class she and her recent ex had enrolled in...but no, she's too worried about what other people might think and too embarrassed to go alone. In a fit of pique, she seduces one of her recent coffee-shop customers...still no orgasm. But he's intrigued, and also knowledgeable. Lucky, lucky Hanna has unknowingly just seduced the teacher of the class, a Kama Sutra and Tantic sexpert!
Poor Hanna, she's caught between her ex (who's back and wooing her again) and the sexpert. It's a dilemma she can't solve until she resolves to let go. And WOW, does she ever let go. I recommend turning your A/C down and your fan on before you sit down with this one. I loved it!!!
Hanna just wants to have an orgasm. Is that too much to ask? It's not like her recent lover wasn't willing to do whatever she needed...she just can't let go. And now that she's ended that relationship, she may never have one!! If only she could be brave enough to attend the Kama Sutra class she and her recent ex had enrolled in...but no, she's too worried about what other people might think and too embarrassed to go alone. In a fit of pique, she seduces one of her recent coffee-shop customers...still no orgasm. But he's intrigued, and also knowledgeable. Lucky, lucky Hanna has unknowingly just seduced the teacher of the class, a Kama Sutra and Tantic sexpert!
Poor Hanna, she's caught between her ex (who's back and wooing her again) and the sexpert. It's a dilemma she can't solve until she resolves to let go. And WOW, does she ever let go. I recommend turning your A/C down and your fan on before you sit down with this one. I loved it!!!
April 17, 2009
This is the third book I've read by erotic romance author Opal Carew and I was a bit wary of reading this one. The last book I read by Carew, Six, I disliked intensely. So I wasn't all that anxious to read another book by her and kept putting off reading this one. But I'm glad I finally read this one. It was really good, close to a 5-star book except for a couple things that bothered me.
In Blush Hanna Lane is a woman who is unable to orgasm. She's never been able to in her entire life. Not even with her ex-boyfriend, and the man she'd thought she'd marry, Grey. She'd loved Grey completely, but he'd never told her he loved her and so she'd given up on him. Now she's determined to have an orgasm. So one night she has a wild fling with a stranger, hoping it would loosen her inhibitions, but it doesn't work. What she doesn't realize is that J.M., the man she slept with, is a Kama Sutra and Tantric sex expert.
J.M. has been attracted to Hanna since he first met her, and now that he knows her intimately, he wants her even more. And he wants to help her with her problem. At the same time, Grey storms back into Hanna's life, determined to win her back. He takes a course at the college about Kama Sutra and Tantric Sex so he can help Hanna orgasm. None of the three realize the situation they are in - Hanna doesn't know J.M. is the professor of the course she almost took with Grey, she just thinks he knows more than the average person about sex. J.M. doesn't know Hanna is the girlfriend Grey is asking advice about. And Grey doesn't know J.M. is the other man Hanna is seeing. When the all find out, just as Hanna is learning to shed her inhibitions, it leaves them with a lot of decisions. But Hanna's desire is clear to her. She wants both men.
The last time I read a book about a woman who couldn't orgasm, it annoyed me to no end because it seemed so repetitive and boring. But I thought the approach took with this book was interesting and unique. The scenes with J.M. and Hanna were really hot and fit in with Hanna learning to loosen up. I did wish she'd explored the various techniques a bit more...the sex scenes veered toward straight-up sex as the book progressed and I wouldn't have minded more of the learning process, so to speak.
The addition of Grey into the story definitely made things interesting. Both J.M. and Grey were great guys. And as confused as Hanna was about who she wanted, I was just as confused because I liked both of them and I thought there was great chemistry between each man and Hanna. It added a unique dimension to the story to be torn between which man should win.
In the end, both men win...sort of. Which is one of the things I didn't like about the book. Not that Hanna ended up with both - I love a good menage HEA - but that the ended felt kinda nebulous to me. I thought J.M.'s status in the relationship could have been better committed. When I finished the book, I was left wondering about J.M.'s future and feeling a little sorry for him because I wasn't quite sure where he'd end up ultimately. I didn't like that.
Also...I hated that he went by J.M. It was just kind of annoying to always refer to one of the heroes by non-rhythmic initials.
One other thing I didn't like was the lack of safe sex. There's a scene early in the book where Hanna has spontaneous sex with J.M (who is a stranger at the time) and there's no use of a condom, no talk about safe sex, etc. Which was kinda gross. And at no other time in the book do condoms come into play or talk about character's sexual health or pregnancy prevention. That's just not cool. I know the book is fantasy and all that, but I like a little reality in my fantasy. So the ignorance of this issue annoyed me.
Mostly, though I enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting, the sex smokin' hot, and the storyline was pretty good. I wouldn't have minded some more development on some things, but it didn't hinder my liking of the book. If you like erotic romances that push the boundaries and have a lot of hot sex, then you may enjoy this one.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex, explicit language, Kama Sutra and Tantric sex exploration, semi-public sex, slow foreplay, food sex, use of hypnosis, group sex fantasies, m/f/m sex, anal sex, light bondage, and a menage hea
In Blush Hanna Lane is a woman who is unable to orgasm. She's never been able to in her entire life. Not even with her ex-boyfriend, and the man she'd thought she'd marry, Grey. She'd loved Grey completely, but he'd never told her he loved her and so she'd given up on him. Now she's determined to have an orgasm. So one night she has a wild fling with a stranger, hoping it would loosen her inhibitions, but it doesn't work. What she doesn't realize is that J.M., the man she slept with, is a Kama Sutra and Tantric sex expert.
J.M. has been attracted to Hanna since he first met her, and now that he knows her intimately, he wants her even more. And he wants to help her with her problem. At the same time, Grey storms back into Hanna's life, determined to win her back. He takes a course at the college about Kama Sutra and Tantric Sex so he can help Hanna orgasm. None of the three realize the situation they are in - Hanna doesn't know J.M. is the professor of the course she almost took with Grey, she just thinks he knows more than the average person about sex. J.M. doesn't know Hanna is the girlfriend Grey is asking advice about. And Grey doesn't know J.M. is the other man Hanna is seeing. When the all find out, just as Hanna is learning to shed her inhibitions, it leaves them with a lot of decisions. But Hanna's desire is clear to her. She wants both men.
The last time I read a book about a woman who couldn't orgasm, it annoyed me to no end because it seemed so repetitive and boring. But I thought the approach took with this book was interesting and unique. The scenes with J.M. and Hanna were really hot and fit in with Hanna learning to loosen up. I did wish she'd explored the various techniques a bit more...the sex scenes veered toward straight-up sex as the book progressed and I wouldn't have minded more of the learning process, so to speak.
The addition of Grey into the story definitely made things interesting. Both J.M. and Grey were great guys. And as confused as Hanna was about who she wanted, I was just as confused because I liked both of them and I thought there was great chemistry between each man and Hanna. It added a unique dimension to the story to be torn between which man should win.
In the end, both men win...sort of. Which is one of the things I didn't like about the book. Not that Hanna ended up with both - I love a good menage HEA - but that the ended felt kinda nebulous to me. I thought J.M.'s status in the relationship could have been better committed. When I finished the book, I was left wondering about J.M.'s future and feeling a little sorry for him because I wasn't quite sure where he'd end up ultimately. I didn't like that.
Also...I hated that he went by J.M. It was just kind of annoying to always refer to one of the heroes by non-rhythmic initials.
One other thing I didn't like was the lack of safe sex. There's a scene early in the book where Hanna has spontaneous sex with J.M (who is a stranger at the time) and there's no use of a condom, no talk about safe sex, etc. Which was kinda gross. And at no other time in the book do condoms come into play or talk about character's sexual health or pregnancy prevention. That's just not cool. I know the book is fantasy and all that, but I like a little reality in my fantasy. So the ignorance of this issue annoyed me.
Mostly, though I enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting, the sex smokin' hot, and the storyline was pretty good. I wouldn't have minded some more development on some things, but it didn't hinder my liking of the book. If you like erotic romances that push the boundaries and have a lot of hot sex, then you may enjoy this one.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex, explicit language, Kama Sutra and Tantric sex exploration, semi-public sex, slow foreplay, food sex, use of hypnosis, group sex fantasies, m/f/m sex, anal sex, light bondage, and a menage hea
July 18, 2008
Give me a fan... cause this book is HOT!! Man oh man! Great story line, hot sexy men (and I liked both of them!), amazing sex... just wonderful! What more can I say!
Read this book if you havent already... take my word for it... please! ;-)
Read this book if you havent already... take my word for it... please! ;-)
November 20, 2024
3.5 Stars for Blush (audiobook) by Opal Carew read by Clarissa Knightly.
A woman’s boyfriend thinks that she needs some professional help with her love life and he recommends a class for her taught by one of his friends. She’s a little nervous about the class but she starts getting private lessons from the teacher. The boyfriend gets jealous but ultimately the three of them come to an understanding.
A woman’s boyfriend thinks that she needs some professional help with her love life and he recommends a class for her taught by one of his friends. She’s a little nervous about the class but she starts getting private lessons from the teacher. The boyfriend gets jealous but ultimately the three of them come to an understanding.
July 15, 2008
Just the memory of this book makes me fan myself~ It completely surpassed my expectations. Considering Tantra was involved, I thought there would be many slow, boring, drawn out loves scenes. I couldn't have been more wrong! The plot was fast paced, the erotica was hot, and the love story was believable and well-written. I especially loved Grey's dedication to Hanna, it just melted my heart! As a reader, you'll find yourself torn, rooting for both male leads. There were also tons of fun, sexy surprises along Hanna's journey of self-discovery....and the ending? There's a moment where you'll literally shoot out of your seat & gasp! Too fun to spoil :)
Although I borrowed this book, I'm now on the lookout for my own copy. Carew is one of my new favorite romantica authors. I wish I would have discovered her sooner!
Although I borrowed this book, I'm now on the lookout for my own copy. Carew is one of my new favorite romantica authors. I wish I would have discovered her sooner!
October 25, 2017
Blush by
Opal Carew
. Again, this was a book suggested to me by another reader.
I’m not a huge fan of the gender inequality where guys satisfy themselves, and not their supposedly female partners. Hannah has an ignorant/selfish loving boyfriend, Grey who is sexually ignorant, can’t bring her to orgasm, and leaves her unsatisfied. Dumb sh..t!
Grey probably can’t read either, since there have been voluminous books and guides for centuries!!
Ok, so I’m a bit more literate, graduating from medical school, and know of all the erotic locations on a female’s anatomy to generate an orgasm without even undressing myself. Obviously, JM knows. Ladies can enjoy up to 10 orgasms/hour if attention is applied to head to toes in a sensitive manner starting with sensual kissing. Planned chaining of attentions can improve a guy’s sexpertoire if they only took the time to learn the more than 22 locations having the ability to release dopamine, oxytonin (love hormone), and vagal stimulation from tender attention to the neck through the trough to the shoulder. And of course, there’s always the complimentary addition of love toys. Oops, sorry for the lecture….now over.
Grey’s inability to generate fertile semen is obviously on his mind, but as most of us know, AI is available.
The adult story was enjoyable and plenty STEAMY and came to a satisfactory conclusion for Hannah.
I’m not a huge fan of the gender inequality where guys satisfy themselves, and not their supposedly female partners. Hannah has an ignorant/selfish loving boyfriend, Grey who is sexually ignorant, can’t bring her to orgasm, and leaves her unsatisfied. Dumb sh..t!
Grey probably can’t read either, since there have been voluminous books and guides for centuries!!
Ok, so I’m a bit more literate, graduating from medical school, and know of all the erotic locations on a female’s anatomy to generate an orgasm without even undressing myself. Obviously, JM knows. Ladies can enjoy up to 10 orgasms/hour if attention is applied to head to toes in a sensitive manner starting with sensual kissing. Planned chaining of attentions can improve a guy’s sexpertoire if they only took the time to learn the more than 22 locations having the ability to release dopamine, oxytonin (love hormone), and vagal stimulation from tender attention to the neck through the trough to the shoulder. And of course, there’s always the complimentary addition of love toys. Oops, sorry for the lecture….now over.
Grey’s inability to generate fertile semen is obviously on his mind, but as most of us know, AI is available.
The adult story was enjoyable and plenty STEAMY and came to a satisfactory conclusion for Hannah.
August 11, 2008
In terms of erotica “Blush” is a 4 seeing as those stories can quickly spiral into the inane, but with respect to the story and writing it’s a 3.5.
The sex is very good especially the ménage scenes. They aren’t yucky-icky which is a nice change. There is something missing from the story though outside of the sex which was what bugged me. Yes it’s a story about a woman who can’t seem to orgasm but it’s too focused on that and it’s as if nothing else ever happens.
The writing itself could’ve used another editing session because there is an overuse of the same vocabulary that gets annoying fast (bliss, intense, lovely all come to mind). It was also strange for a contemporary novel that no mention was made for birth control or condoms so it seemed unlikely that intelligent people would have sex repeatedly with strangers without any kind of protection in this day and age.
What really bothered me about the story was all the hype on the back blurb of the book about the Tantric sex and Kama Sutra techniques —well it's misleading, there isn’t much about that here, it’s still “just another” erotic romance, not as unique as it’s made out to be. JM, One of the main characters gives classes on Tantric Sex and Kama Sutra and he has “staying power” thanks to his knowledge but that’s it. JM was also a bit of a one dimensional character and both he and Grey went a little overboard with wanting to bring Hanna to orgasm, it just didn’t seem likely —they were too nice/sweet etc. They were both patient lovers but something just didn’t sound real about them. Then there's Hanna's weird sister Grace and the sex talks the two have. Another person who didn't seem real and gave me an "oh gawd whatever" feeling.
“Blush” will make you do just that and more than once (what a great title!) what with the scorching sex scenes but it’s a superficial read so no biggie in terms of a story if that’s what you’re looking for ---and if you’re not looking for that then fasten your seatbelts because you’re in for one wild ride ;-)
The sex is very good especially the ménage scenes. They aren’t yucky-icky which is a nice change. There is something missing from the story though outside of the sex which was what bugged me. Yes it’s a story about a woman who can’t seem to orgasm but it’s too focused on that and it’s as if nothing else ever happens.
The writing itself could’ve used another editing session because there is an overuse of the same vocabulary that gets annoying fast (bliss, intense, lovely all come to mind). It was also strange for a contemporary novel that no mention was made for birth control or condoms so it seemed unlikely that intelligent people would have sex repeatedly with strangers without any kind of protection in this day and age.
What really bothered me about the story was all the hype on the back blurb of the book about the Tantric sex and Kama Sutra techniques —well it's misleading, there isn’t much about that here, it’s still “just another” erotic romance, not as unique as it’s made out to be. JM, One of the main characters gives classes on Tantric Sex and Kama Sutra and he has “staying power” thanks to his knowledge but that’s it. JM was also a bit of a one dimensional character and both he and Grey went a little overboard with wanting to bring Hanna to orgasm, it just didn’t seem likely —they were too nice/sweet etc. They were both patient lovers but something just didn’t sound real about them. Then there's Hanna's weird sister Grace and the sex talks the two have. Another person who didn't seem real and gave me an "oh gawd whatever" feeling.
“Blush” will make you do just that and more than once (what a great title!) what with the scorching sex scenes but it’s a superficial read so no biggie in terms of a story if that’s what you’re looking for ---and if you’re not looking for that then fasten your seatbelts because you’re in for one wild ride ;-)
July 10, 2012
Not exactly what I imagined this book would be. I finished this book a few weeks ago and was hoping for just some erotica. It's a very simple and easy read with an extremely basic story line. Some of the sex scenes were intriguing, yet in the end of the book, I must say it was a bit of a turn off. I am not the type who frequently wants to read a book with a detailed menage a trios.
January 7, 2010
Kama Sutra, Tantra, Ménage - are you ready to blush?
Hanna's recently ended a two year relationship with Grey, and she was put off because he never told her he loved her.
Hanna's never been able to shed her inhibitions and she's never had an orgasm. Before the break up, Grey had signed them both up Tantric classes. They both wanted to put some sizzle into their sex life and to get help for Hanna's lack of orgasms. Hanna decides not to go to the classes since she and Grey are no longer a couple and Grey moves to New York for work.
Hanna meets J.M. and he turns out to be the instructor who teaches the classes on Tantric sex and Kama Sutra that Grey had signed them up for. Hanna doesn't know that J.M. is the instructor when she meets him at her coffee shop. Hanna finally lets go of her inhibitions as J.M. helps Hanna live out her most taboo fantasies.
Grey re-enters her life and decides to attend the classes he had signed them up for in order to win Hanna back. He doesn't realize that J.M. and Hanna are involved just as J.M. doesn't know that Grey is Hanna's ex. When everyone realizes who the others are it makes for some very intersting situations.
I really liked the characters Hanna, Grey, and J.M. I found myself rooting for J.M at first then I couldn't help but love Grey. The book is well written and it's hot!
Hanna's recently ended a two year relationship with Grey, and she was put off because he never told her he loved her.
Hanna's never been able to shed her inhibitions and she's never had an orgasm. Before the break up, Grey had signed them both up Tantric classes. They both wanted to put some sizzle into their sex life and to get help for Hanna's lack of orgasms. Hanna decides not to go to the classes since she and Grey are no longer a couple and Grey moves to New York for work.
Hanna meets J.M. and he turns out to be the instructor who teaches the classes on Tantric sex and Kama Sutra that Grey had signed them up for. Hanna doesn't know that J.M. is the instructor when she meets him at her coffee shop. Hanna finally lets go of her inhibitions as J.M. helps Hanna live out her most taboo fantasies.
Grey re-enters her life and decides to attend the classes he had signed them up for in order to win Hanna back. He doesn't realize that J.M. and Hanna are involved just as J.M. doesn't know that Grey is Hanna's ex. When everyone realizes who the others are it makes for some very intersting situations.
I really liked the characters Hanna, Grey, and J.M. I found myself rooting for J.M at first then I couldn't help but love Grey. The book is well written and it's hot!
March 2, 2016
Hanna loves Grey, Grey loves Hanna but he can't make her orgasm. They break up before they can go to the Karma Sutra for beginners class. JM is the teacher and is interested in Hanna. This is a very simple story, I was thinking it was a good plot for porn. There is not much character development or characters interacting outside the bedroom. I wasn't sure what JM saw in Hanna that he wanted her so much, or why Grey loved Hanna or why Hanna loved Grey. JM was too spiritual about sex for me, his sex scenes with Hanna were clinical and not sexy, full of sexual spiritual enlightenment, breathing techniques and sacral chakras. Too weird for me. Grey was easily intimidated and unsure of himself. Hanna was in an interesting dilemma, she loved both men and didn't know what to do, but I felt she was to indecisive and it felt like she was cheating. She was sleeping with JM but thinking about Grey and when she was with Grey she was lusting for JM. This story didn't make me blush, just wish it was over.
October 3, 2009
Coffee shop owner Hanna Lane has never had an orgasm. Nope not even a little one. Having broken up with her boyfriend whom she had been living with for a year because he couldn't tell her he loved her, her prospects of changing the orgasm front weren't looking too good. Then she meets Jeremy Smith (J.M.), a Kama Sutra and Tantra master. Then her ex-boyfriend Grey returns looking to win her back. Well, so much for the orgasm hurdle. Now which one will she end up with?
OK, so the story is not the greatest story ever told. But the story was mostly about sex. And as far as the sex went, there was plenty of it and pretty darn hot. But if the heroine being caught between two men (literally and figuratively) is not your cup of tea, then you should probably skip this one.
OK, so the story is not the greatest story ever told. But the story was mostly about sex. And as far as the sex went, there was plenty of it and pretty darn hot. But if the heroine being caught between two men (literally and figuratively) is not your cup of tea, then you should probably skip this one.
August 10, 2008
Isis, I wish you'd never mentioned eye rolling. That is what came to mind when I read this one. Really I would give it a 3.5. This was a comedown after Swing. I'm still having a hard time getting over that dungeon scene. Wish I'd read Blush first. I pretty much liked the love acts. But that's about it. That wasn't enough. Blush just did not blow my skirt up or knock my wig back. Do you think I'm getting too jaded?
BB
BB
August 15, 2012
2.5 STARS.
Eh. It was good for what it was, but nothing I feel the need to rave about. Mayhaps I'm just a hater? I mean, what does Hanna have? Beer flavored nipples? A vacuum-suctioned p****? I've known a lot of ladies who were all kinds of FAB (to the) ULOUS - myself include **tosses hair over right shoulder** - but I can't see any scenario ever going this perfectly for anyone... ever.
Yep. Definitely a Hanna hater. Haha!
Eh. It was good for what it was, but nothing I feel the need to rave about. Mayhaps I'm just a hater? I mean, what does Hanna have? Beer flavored nipples? A vacuum-suctioned p****? I've known a lot of ladies who were all kinds of FAB (to the) ULOUS - myself include **tosses hair over right shoulder** - but I can't see any scenario ever going this perfectly for anyone... ever.
Yep. Definitely a Hanna hater. Haha!
March 8, 2010
Hot men - check. Interesting scenes - I guess. Quick read, not really that memorable. Probably wouldn't read it again.
February 24, 2025
Uma mulher que nunca conseguiu atingir um orgasmo.
Um homem que que a ama, mas que não o diz e prefere terminar a relação.
Ela acha que é por ela não conseguir chegar lá. Na realidade é porque ele sabe que ela quer filhos e ele é infértil e não lhe quer contar.
Outro homem que é professor de kamasutra e com quem ela se envolve na tentativa de "se for um desconhecido será mais fácil".
Coisas acontecem. Sentimentos evoluem.
Gostei da ideia do livro. As partes do smut também estão boas. Mas depois há atitudes e comentários das personagens que torna a coisa menos real e não consegui propriamente ligar-me a elas.
Um homem que que a ama, mas que não o diz e prefere terminar a relação.
Ela acha que é por ela não conseguir chegar lá. Na realidade é porque ele sabe que ela quer filhos e ele é infértil e não lhe quer contar.
Outro homem que é professor de kamasutra e com quem ela se envolve na tentativa de "se for um desconhecido será mais fácil".
Coisas acontecem. Sentimentos evoluem.
Gostei da ideia do livro. As partes do smut também estão boas. Mas depois há atitudes e comentários das personagens que torna a coisa menos real e não consegui propriamente ligar-me a elas.
March 4, 2018
FIVE PANTY MELTING STARS!
Excuse me while I go take a cold shower.
Excuse me while I go take a cold shower.
February 5, 2023
So badly written. Heavily skimmed after midway. For its content, it sure was boring. I didn’t like either male character.
December 20, 2022
woah! #steamy! short read with minimal plot but quirky characters and loved the like spiritual stuff in it
November 6, 2013
It took me a long time to discover that God made me a feisty, curious, plain Mennonite farm girl for a reason. ~ Shirley Hershey Showalter
If you substituted the word 'Amish' for 'Mennonite', I could have written this statement. It was written by a kindred spirit, Shirley Hershey Showalter, whose first memoir, "Blush: A Mennonite Girls Meets a Glittering World," was launched a month ago. Rich in sensory details, this is a memoir of a happy childhood, with two responsible parents who were farmers in the tradition of their Anabaptist ancestors before them.
Even though hers was a happy childhood, Showalter had aspirations early on of living life beyond the world she knew: she dreamed of becoming a teacher and an academic. I will not go into many details of the book, because you will want to experience Showalter's life story for yourself, from her earliest childhood memories until she left home at eighteen years old.
I believe this is an important book for several reasons.
Showalter's story is authentic. You know all those books called "Amish romance novels" on the market today -- the ones that show a young Amish woman in a pastoral Amish setting on the book covers? These are "happy" stories too, but they often lack authenticity. (Unless you read the books written by the only Amish-born author of this genre, Linda Byler.) Furthermore, the hundreds of books in this genre miss something very important in their pages -- what it's really like when a feisty, curious girl is born into a Plain culture. There is only one way to know what the tension between the community and the self is like and that is to have experienced it.
Showalter lived this struggle. When the young people in her congregation were asked to "rededicate their lives to Christ" several years after she had been saved and became a member of the church, most of the young people complied and did so. Showalter did not follow the other young people who had been asked to come forward. I found myself sitting right beside her on that bench, feeling alone and different, and yet knowing she was doing the right thing. To resist going with the group takes tremendous courage, and I know that lonely place well.
I keep thinking this: After all the Amish romance novels, after all the reality television shows about Amish and Mennonite teenagers going off to big cities, after all the trumped-up stories about what it's like to be lured into the world, aren't people the least bit curious about what life in Plain communities is actually like, and what it really feels like to be torn between two worlds? Blush is just such a story. After reading Blush, I found myself hoping that Showalter will write a sequel. I have a feeling that the tires spinning on the gravel as she leaves home to attend college was a new beginning in Showalter's life. I want to discover that new life with her, as she invited me to do with her childhood in "Blush."
If you substituted the word 'Amish' for 'Mennonite', I could have written this statement. It was written by a kindred spirit, Shirley Hershey Showalter, whose first memoir, "Blush: A Mennonite Girls Meets a Glittering World," was launched a month ago. Rich in sensory details, this is a memoir of a happy childhood, with two responsible parents who were farmers in the tradition of their Anabaptist ancestors before them.
Even though hers was a happy childhood, Showalter had aspirations early on of living life beyond the world she knew: she dreamed of becoming a teacher and an academic. I will not go into many details of the book, because you will want to experience Showalter's life story for yourself, from her earliest childhood memories until she left home at eighteen years old.
I believe this is an important book for several reasons.
Showalter's story is authentic. You know all those books called "Amish romance novels" on the market today -- the ones that show a young Amish woman in a pastoral Amish setting on the book covers? These are "happy" stories too, but they often lack authenticity. (Unless you read the books written by the only Amish-born author of this genre, Linda Byler.) Furthermore, the hundreds of books in this genre miss something very important in their pages -- what it's really like when a feisty, curious girl is born into a Plain culture. There is only one way to know what the tension between the community and the self is like and that is to have experienced it.
Showalter lived this struggle. When the young people in her congregation were asked to "rededicate their lives to Christ" several years after she had been saved and became a member of the church, most of the young people complied and did so. Showalter did not follow the other young people who had been asked to come forward. I found myself sitting right beside her on that bench, feeling alone and different, and yet knowing she was doing the right thing. To resist going with the group takes tremendous courage, and I know that lonely place well.
I keep thinking this: After all the Amish romance novels, after all the reality television shows about Amish and Mennonite teenagers going off to big cities, after all the trumped-up stories about what it's like to be lured into the world, aren't people the least bit curious about what life in Plain communities is actually like, and what it really feels like to be torn between two worlds? Blush is just such a story. After reading Blush, I found myself hoping that Showalter will write a sequel. I have a feeling that the tires spinning on the gravel as she leaves home to attend college was a new beginning in Showalter's life. I want to discover that new life with her, as she invited me to do with her childhood in "Blush."
July 11, 2008
Hanna runs a successful cafe and has a loving boyfriend called Grey - but she has never had an orgasm. She meets J.M. who runs classes on the Kama Sutra and Tantra, and it takes little persuasion for her to let him to break through her inhibitions and release her wild side. She cares for both men but who should she stay with? It's a question the men take out of her hands.
This was my first foray into romantic erotica and it was a really good one to start with. The differences between romance and romantic erotica are pretty obvious, I don't need to point them out.
I liked the story, the set-up, and poor sweet Grey. There's nothing complicated about the plot or the characters, but they're developed enough to carry the story - which is really just lots of sex. It's also very informative and, hell, if you find yourself in need of spicing up your sexlife, this is a great manual!
It was much better edited than most romance books too - the only thing that I really noticed was, on pages 115 and 116 an entire long sentence was repeated:
"His proximity, the heat emanating from his body, the simmering sensuality in his eyes kicked her hormones into high gear."
It's just strange, like they moved it but forgot to delete it from its original position.
This was my first foray into romantic erotica and it was a really good one to start with. The differences between romance and romantic erotica are pretty obvious, I don't need to point them out.
I liked the story, the set-up, and poor sweet Grey. There's nothing complicated about the plot or the characters, but they're developed enough to carry the story - which is really just lots of sex. It's also very informative and, hell, if you find yourself in need of spicing up your sexlife, this is a great manual!
It was much better edited than most romance books too - the only thing that I really noticed was, on pages 115 and 116 an entire long sentence was repeated:
"His proximity, the heat emanating from his body, the simmering sensuality in his eyes kicked her hormones into high gear."
It's just strange, like they moved it but forgot to delete it from its original position.
December 28, 2013
What to say about this? It was in the bargain bin at Books-A-Million's end of the year sale. ($3.97). And I can see why it was that cheap.
The characters were very "bland" and the writing was so monotone. So pissed. I noticed a lot of my friends haven't read this book and I'm glad they avoided it. This book cannot compete with any of the erotica books out there because it is 1) dull and 2) no man speaks like that.
I don't want to be mean about this...
...But how did this book even get published? I just, I don't see it. There is nothing good about it. I felt like the author was bored while writing it. That's the honest truth.
The characters were very "bland" and the writing was so monotone. So pissed. I noticed a lot of my friends haven't read this book and I'm glad they avoided it. This book cannot compete with any of the erotica books out there because it is 1) dull and 2) no man speaks like that.
I don't want to be mean about this...
...But how did this book even get published? I just, I don't see it. There is nothing good about it. I felt like the author was bored while writing it. That's the honest truth.
November 15, 2013
Oy vey.
I understand that with any work of fiction, there needs to be some measure of suspension of disbelief. Ummm, yeah.
I honestly don't know where to begin with this. The HEA had me thinking, WTF? Srsly? So not gonna happen. And let's not even get into the "journey of self-discovery" Hanna undertakes. From Puritan to nympho in the span of 300 pages...
The sex got to be dull and downright awkward towards the end. Please, authors of erotica, I beg of you; stop using the term her "sex" to refer to her vajayjay. And "mound"....ugh. At one point there was a "molten slit" thrown in for good measure. Heads-up Hanna, you can get antibiotics for that.
I was looking for a mindless read after finishing Arsen by Mia Asher earlier in the week, because that one was so emotional. I certainly picked the right book for mindless with this one!
I understand that with any work of fiction, there needs to be some measure of suspension of disbelief. Ummm, yeah.
I honestly don't know where to begin with this. The HEA had me thinking, WTF? Srsly? So not gonna happen. And let's not even get into the "journey of self-discovery" Hanna undertakes. From Puritan to nympho in the span of 300 pages...
The sex got to be dull and downright awkward towards the end. Please, authors of erotica, I beg of you; stop using the term her "sex" to refer to her vajayjay. And "mound"....ugh. At one point there was a "molten slit" thrown in for good measure. Heads-up Hanna, you can get antibiotics for that.
I was looking for a mindless read after finishing Arsen by Mia Asher earlier in the week, because that one was so emotional. I certainly picked the right book for mindless with this one!
June 7, 2011
2.5-3 stars. Not as bad as some of this author's other books, Six and Swing, didn't like or couldn't finish. There was actually a decent story at the beginning and then it turned into sex scene, fantasy sex scene, sex scene, fantasy sex scene, sex scene, menage sex scene...you get the picture and add about 4 orgasms per scene for her and 3 for him--unrealistic, but hot. So if you want a sexy erotica book with shallow emotion and half a story, this isn't a bad choice. I have 1 more to read by Opal Carew, since I ordered 4 of her books on recs. After I am done, I am done- I need more substance.
June 19, 2012
KamaSutra sex? Check Tantric Sex? check Food Sex? check Menage? check Hot Cover? check
Heroine have the first rate world problem, she couldn't achieve an Orgasm. so she broke up with Grey, the guy she love the most and go to a lecture to remove this 'curse'.
The two hero, J.M. and Grey is sensual in their own way, yet they're way too protagonist and no edge, it feels a bit to superficial. Plus the fact that the story evolve around heroine's sex problem and no outside problem make it more 2D erotica than realistic contemporary fiction.
On the bright side, take your BOB or partner to be inspired by the hot lotta sex in this book. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Heroine have the first rate world problem, she couldn't achieve an Orgasm. so she broke up with Grey, the guy she love the most and go to a lecture to remove this 'curse'.
The two hero, J.M. and Grey is sensual in their own way, yet they're way too protagonist and no edge, it feels a bit to superficial. Plus the fact that the story evolve around heroine's sex problem and no outside problem make it more 2D erotica than realistic contemporary fiction.
On the bright side, take your BOB or partner to be inspired by the hot lotta sex in this book. Satisfaction guaranteed.
April 2, 2013
Awful! I think that books should have a good plot and characters that make you want to invest your time in. Seriously ... I just put the book down and walked away. So disappointing, since the beginning of the book was well written and seemed to have all the making of a great erotic romance... But it was not worth wasting my time trying to get why Chloe kept going back and forth. Moving on to my next book and not looking back.Awful! I think that books should have a good plot and characters that make you want to invest your time in. Seriously ... I just put the book down and walked away. It was not worth wasting my time trying to get why Chloe kept going back and forth.
August 10, 2010
I wasn't impressed with this book. While it held hotness, the relationships were weird. Her fantasies were way off for a woman who couldn't achieve and O. I don't know it just wasn't as believable as others I have read.
January 10, 2015
What the heck did I just read!? The whole story was about sex and the ending was just plain awful! I was laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.
November 6, 2024
Hanna, JM, & Grey
This book almost felt educational. There's a lot in here about female orgasm and how to get one.
First comes Grey. Hanna loves him, but something is holding him back from saying the same to Hanna, so she cuts him loose...at least to start.
Next comes JM, who teaches a community college course about the Kama Sutra and is a Tantric master.
Hanna is a smart, talented, businesswoman, but she just can't seem to achieve a climax either on her own or with a partner.
I mostly enjoyed this book, but I wanted JM & Grey to grow their own relationship and for the three of them to have more of a HEA. It sounds like Hanna & Grey will, but JM will only be around until it's no longer fun.
Given Grey's medical issue, I really loved the idea of JM becoming daddy and connecting them together that way.
The ending is open-ended enough to allow readers to chart their own path, but in my head, it was just as likely that he would eventually pair off with his own mate. Meh.
This book almost felt educational. There's a lot in here about female orgasm and how to get one.
First comes Grey. Hanna loves him, but something is holding him back from saying the same to Hanna, so she cuts him loose...at least to start.
Next comes JM, who teaches a community college course about the Kama Sutra and is a Tantric master.
Hanna is a smart, talented, businesswoman, but she just can't seem to achieve a climax either on her own or with a partner.
I mostly enjoyed this book, but I wanted JM & Grey to grow their own relationship and for the three of them to have more of a HEA. It sounds like Hanna & Grey will, but JM will only be around until it's no longer fun.
Given Grey's medical issue, I really loved the idea of JM becoming daddy and connecting them together that way.
The ending is open-ended enough to allow readers to chart their own path, but in my head, it was just as likely that he would eventually pair off with his own mate. Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
Have you ever received an itinerary with the highlights for a road trip but no directions on how to get there? That is this book. It is rushed, to say the least. The characters had a lot of potential however the author chose to focus almost entirely on the physical pursuits of the story, leaving the reader asking how in the heck did they end up at this point. A second installment would have allowed the author to make more sense of the relationship between the main characters. Overall if you are looking for a quick sort of smutty read this is your book. If you are looking for a well-rounded well-written story containing more than the physical aspects of human interaction then please do yourself a favor and give this one a hard pass.
June 29, 2017
Hanna Lane wishes she could shed her inhibitions and unleash her wild side in the bedroom. When she meets J. M.--a Kama Sutra and Tantra master--they embark on a sizzling path of discovery, exploring the ancient sensual arts and discovering new techniques that allow Hanna to unlock her naughtiest fantasies and make them a red-hot reality. But when Hanna's exboyfriend Grey re-enters her life determined to win her back, Hanna longs to share herself with both men. But can she tell J.M. and Grey her most taboo fantasy? And who will win her for keeps
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