Take Me

The Art of Pleasure #1

by Tracy Wolff

New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff kicks off a scorching new trilogy with Take MeSeven days, seven nights…One week of passion.One week of submission.One week where anything (and everything) goes.Hope Stiles needs. She needs inspiration. She needs tuition money. She needs a mentor who will teach her how to turn iron into art.Enter Deacon Vick, world-famous sculptor and recluse extraordinaire.When Hope answers his ad for an artist’s model, she gets more than just a job. She gets the answer to her every fantasy…including the ones she didn’t even know she had.From the minute Hope opens her gorgeous mouth, Deacon knows neither his art nor his life will ever be the same. He plans to use every second of their week together to push Hope to her limits—for art and for pleasure.This book is approximately 30,000 wordsThe Dirty Bits from Carina Press give you what you want, when you want it. Designed to be read in an hour or two, these sex-filled microromances are guaranteed to pack a punch and deliver a happily-ever-after.One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Erotica

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2019

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tracy Wolff is a lover of vampires, dragons, and all things that go bump in the night. A onetime English professor, she now devotes all her time to writing dark and romantic stories with tortured heroes and kick-butt heroines. She has written all her sixty-plus novels from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her family. tracywolffbooks.com

Reviews

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

So hot! Just flipping love this one! And Tracy Wolff!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carina Press has done a great job with these Novellas. The ones I have read are wonderfully written and get to the meat of the story quickly.

I’ve read several of these stories by Tracy Wolff and each one of them is fantastic story. Take Me is just another one to add to the top.

Extremely hot, intense, and just a great pleasure to read. The best thing is there’s not a lot of extraneous development but yet you get a snap shot of a warm, crazy sexy, and intimate relationship. What else do we really want?

If you’re looking for the heat you have to pick up this book. It’s Sizzling Hot!!!!!

* copy received for review consideration

[Dirty Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sculpt me like one of you French girls
Spoiler alert I have never read this author. So you must be wondering why would I pick this book up? Well it is part of the Dirty Bits releases by Carina Press. Which means it’s the down and dirty nasty HEA stuff that makes you need a shower!
This book is scorching from the first page to the last. It takes place over the course of a week which is probably why this book didn’t land in the 5 star area for me.. Now most of the Dirty Bits have the same let down for me ..so don’t shy away from the author for that.
This book is about Hope who has taken a nude modeling job with the infamous Deacon. The book is easy to lose yourself in because it’s a quick read and its quite erotic. Each chapter has a sex scene that is delivered in a different way with the ending being an HEA. I didn’t quite fall for the story because as Hope mentions how do you fall in love in a week. Deacon indicated he fell in love with all the things she never said and mentioned them which were crazy far stretches that I am like HOW DID YOU “SEE” THIS!! .. now I did think Deacon and Hope were a good match so I would love to see them in a longer story maybe. I see that the series will continue so I may pop back to it!

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC received for review

I hate it when an author I absolutely love writes a book I almost can't stand. I didn't like either one of them and we know nothing about their past except for one paragraph each in the last chapter. There's just a whole lot of him sketching her for HOURS on end and then some sex before and more after.

[Carvanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

In need of funds, Hope arrives at the great Deacon Vick’s studio to apply for a job as a model. With a world renowned talent in iron sculpting, Deacon usually uses a model for a day or two and then moves on. But when Hope walks through his doors he knows that’s not going to be the case. This starts off with a pretty hot scene and each one afterwards is just as steamy and more so. Layered throughout their sexual escapades each character’s introspection gives insight into their own struggles and fears.

This is a short, sexy novella that included some great artistic scenes in it. While it is definitely an inst-lust story, it had the emotional impact of being more. Hope is definitely the one that grows the most in this story and I was a bit disappointed that we weren’t given more regarding Deacon. Some of the questions Hope had for him and that he answered cavalierly were just a few things I too wanted to know more about. Nevertheless, this was a very well written story perfect for a little something to read between lengthier reads.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Carina Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama
Triggers no apparent triggers

[SuperWendy]

Quit at 28%. Hero, first chapter: "I don't have to have anything in common with the women I stick my dick in...but it doesn't hurt."

I'm not necessarily thinking "Thank you, next" - more like "Walk out in front of bullet train, next." He's the literal worst and she's not memorable enough to make me put up with reading about a "hero" like this - even if it's only 100 pages long.

[JG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely hot! A quick but erotic romance between an artist and his model. Sounds cliched but Tracy Wolff has managed to give life to a story between two people who spent nearly two weeks together but ends up having an erotic affair that starts out with the baring of bodies but ends up with the baring of souls. Take Me is insanely sexy, with an engaging story and two characters, Deacon and Hope, whose multidimensionality is well written despite the books length. Excellent writing as always by Ms. Wolff

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delicious read! Deacon and Hope were sexy and intense and I loved their connection. What I thought would be a quick novella was a surprisingly swoony and an emotional read! Deacon and Hope were fantastic, fiery and combustible! 4 stars! ~Ratula

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review!

[Becky Rendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This art I can totally get behind! Sexy and downright naughty, Take Me is a fantasy.
Take Me is heart racing need, leg squirming heat, and pentup desires ready to explode.
Tension swirls so thickly it's a fog around these two. Desire rampant. Need. It's an erotic explosion.

[Mary Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
This is the story of Hope and Deacon, both are artist but Deacon is the famous intimidating artist and Hope is the wanna be artist who is going to school and is going to model for Deacon to help pay for school.
On the first day she goes to model for him, they both know that something is different. Deacon knows that she might be the answer to all his unanswered questions. And Hope knows his is the answer to every question she can think of. She wants to learn more about him but he doesn't seem to like sharing about himself, other than what she has already read in articles. She wants more, so much more.
Deacon knew when he first saw her that she was different and he knows now that if he touches her, he will be lost in the pleasure. When she is around he almost feels his life is complete and when she is gone, he can't wait for her to come back.
I love Tracy Wolff and I really liked this story, I wish it would have been longer with more back story and a little more at the end. I went in knowing it was a short read but I want more. I can't wait to read more in this series.

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going with 3 stars for this book because I feel like it's the most appropriate. I would have liked to have read scenes were the two main characters are not working. Deacon hired Hope to pose nude for him, so he could create his next masterpiece and that's pretty much what happens in the book. They spend most of their time posing (for Hope) and sketching (for Deacon). I wanted to see them outside of that room, maybe on a date. I didn't mind that they met and fell in love in a span of a week. The book is too short for anything else or any character development. I also got the impression that Deacon was sleeping or doing something sexual with each model that posed for him and I think that's what bothered me the most when it came to this book. If you want to read this book I would say go for it. It was a nice story, but I was a little disappointed by the way things unraveled since I was expecting more from the author. Still, take me is a short story and a naughty way to spend your day.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads

Steamy fun novella hit hard in a short amount of pages. I fell for both Hope & Deacon from the very first page. These two had chemistry off the charts and Deacon had all the right intensity, jerkiness and longing of a dominant male character I enjoy reading. Hope had the walls up around her heart and somehow this intense amazing artist/sculptor she's looked up to forever found a way in.
I definitely will be looking for the next Art of Pleasure installment!

[Ola Adamska · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read... I'm not sure what to think about it...
I know it has to be insta lust/insta love, but there was nothing that would make this "relationship" more than just sex.
It felt completely like that - steamy sex but the relationship was growing like it was so artificial. I didn't like characters as developing had not met what I had hoped for -some kind of developing in the meantime yet it never happened.
Hopefully next book will have it in itself.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and sizzling read!! Deacon and Hope were so intense that sparks were flying everywhere!

Hope, an art student, takes a nude modeling job solely to pay her school tuition. Plus, it's for the famous Deacon Vick, whose iron sculpting is legendary. What she doesn't expect is the way Deacon just oozes sexiness. She is a puddle of goo around him. This is an erotic journey and each chapter is another lesson of learning. Deacon was quite taken with her and struggled with what he was supposed to do-the art-vs. what he wanted to do-Hope. It was interesting to see how they would sort through what they were feeling.

The Dirty Bits stories are fun, fast, and flirty reads! This one is also so very full of feelings! I really enjoyed it!

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating and review are my opinion.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

I have really enjoyed all of the Carina Dirty Bits books, and this one is no exception ... in fact it is maybe one of the hottest!

Hope is a student artist who is keen to learn from the famous Deacon, so jumps at the chance to model for him, and pay off her tuition fees too. From the very beginning it is clear that they are two very sexual beings and no time is wasted in combining art with more.

Whilst this is a short story, the intensity builds dramatically, so that we are well aware that this is not going to fade anytime soon! It is sensual, fun and gives a peek into the world of a sculptor.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take Me (The Art of Pleasure #1) by Tracy Wolff
3.5 stars
M/F Erotica
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Hope is supposed to model for the great Deacon. She can't believe that she's in his presence. She's attracted to him but wonders if they could really have something real.

Deacon knows immediately when Hope arrives that he has found his muse. He is instantly attracted to her and despite knowing he shouldn't get involved with his model, he can't help himself. He just has to touch.

These two have a hot and heavy few days and realize that underneath their artist side, they have a much deeper connection. While the book is short, it's full of steamy scenes and great chemistry. Wolff leaves the reader wanting so much more and I can't wait to read more in this series.

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

TAKE ME is the first instalment in Tracy Wolff’s contemporary, adult THE ART OF PLEASURE erotic romance trilogy. This is thirty-five year artist and art professor Deacon Vick, and third year art student Hope Stiles’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Deacon and Hope) TAKE ME follows the highly sexual relationship between thirty-five year artist and art professor Deacon Vick, and third year art student Hope Stiles. Having lost her scholarship, Hope Stiles applies for the position as Deacon Vick’s model, a position that places hope in the direct line of fire as it pertains to Deacon’s needs and wants. What ensues is the quick building erotic relationship between Deacon and Hope, and the potential fall-out as unexpected emotions and feelings get caught up in the mix.

TAKE ME is a quick read; a story of erotica; a steamy, sex-filled , carnal look at an artist who finds his muse in a kindred spirit. The character building and back stories are limited; the world building focuses on the sexual relationship.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neem me is een heerlijke roman die zich afspeelt over een intense periode van zeven dagen, waarin elke dag een nieuwe dosis spice is toevoegt aan het verhaal. In deze week zien we hoe de vonk tussen Hope en Deacan langzaam maar zeker verandert in een allesoverheersende passie. De schrijfstijl van Tracy Wolff is vlot en meeslepend, waardoor je als lezer direct meegesleept wordt in de hectiek en opwinding van deze korte, maar intensieve tijdspanne.

De ontwikkeling van de relatie tussen Hope en Deacan is het kloppend hart van het verhaal. Je voelt duidelijk hoe ze geleidelijk aan meer voor elkaar gaan betekenen, terwijl hun interacties zowel teder als gepassioneerd zijn. Hoewel de romantiek soms wat vanille aanvoelt en er momenten zijn die wat onrealistisch lijken – denk bijvoorbeeld aan meerdere vrouwelijke orgasmes binnen tien minuten – draagt dit juist bij aan het vermakelijke karakter van het boek, ook al is het soms wat overdreven.

Al met al is Neem me een vermakelijke en opwindende roman die perfect is voor een snelle, ontspannende leeservaring. Ondanks de onrealistische elementen en de ietwat standaard spice, zorgt de chemie tussen Hope en Deacan ervoor dat je de pagina’s blijft omslaan.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly good and very surprisingly sort of sweet. Moody artists,.. a frustrated and dark and growly guy, meets the frustrated, determined, and very independent girl. One established and famous, the other still in art school trying to make tuition. Both lonely and they fall in love, fast.

This is one of Carina Press' Dirty Bits. They are almost always a fun and short read, perfect for getting me out of my head, or in today's case, keep me occupied when I want nothing more than to go outside and play and have fun, but I'm stuck on the couch taking care of a rolled ankle. What better way to recuperate than to read a dirty book and live vicariously through a couple of artists getting it on?

It was fun, really hot, super sweet, and tender all at the same time.

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to @netgalley for approving me to read this ARC in return for my honest review.
•
Hope is a college student who needs money to pay for school since her loan fell through. Deacon is an iron sculptor. From the moment Hope walked into Deacon’s studio, Deacon knew he was in trouble.
•
This book had so much promise but it fell a bit short for me. The minute Hope walks into the studio it’s all sketches and sex. I was craving more STORY. I wanted more sexual tension. He had hired her for two weeks of modeling but the story is only about week one. I (personally) feel that week one should have been buildup leading to an intense week two of sex. I’m interested in seeing where the next book in this series takes the story though.

[Sue Galuska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Stiles is an art student and is struggling for money for tuition. When the chance comes to model for Deacon Vick, a world-famous metal sculptor and her idol, she jumps at it. Hope also does metal sculpting and is hoping she can learn a thing or two from Deacon. What she did not expect was that she would fall for Deacon....hard!

As soon as Deacon met Hope, he knew he was in trouble....she just stirred something in him that had laid dormant for so long. Throughout their week together things quickly turn from artist and model to something much more.

I enjoyed this fun, sexy novella. The characters were interesting and they did have great sexual chemistry. Overall this was a fun quick read.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I have read all prior books by this author.
And while I did like this one, it wasn’t nearly as good as her other stories. This one didn’t seem to have a story. They are in love with each other, but really don’t know each other. How can he know all her favorite foods just by looking at her??? He can’t. That’s impossible.
BUT, if you are wanting an erotic story, this one hits those points.
I am rating this one with 4 stars since I did enjoy it. I just wish it had more of an actual story. Some substance.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take Me by Tracy Wolff is the First book in The Art of Pleasure Series. This is the story of Hope and Deacon. Deacon is a famous sculptor who is having a inspiration block with his work. When Hope walks in to model for him he quickly knows that she is the answer to his everything. Hope too is finding it hard to not feel more for Deacon then just being money to pay for her college.
Quick Hot Read!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book entices, tantalizes, steams you up in such a short period! Oh so satisfied! Hope needs money, a mentor. When she answers an ad to be a model for an artist recluse, she'll get even more than that! Deacon is entranced. He has a new muse that he'll do more than use her as a model. He'll give her the most sensuous week of her life! Ms. Wolff gave me an hour or two of steamy escape! A great, right before bed read!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope needs inspiration, money and a mentor. She answers an add to model for an artist and meets Deacon. Sparks fly between these two and it is only supposed to be for a week, but will that be enough? Fast-paced read with great chemistry and lots of steam my only issue was I wish it was longer. I really liked it.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deacon can be easily distracted, “didn’t I tell you never to apologize?” I look her up and down, lingering for long seconds on the white shorts that show off her gorgeous legs..." I liked this book, I liked Deacon, this was a quick enjoyable read.

[Dimaris rossy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is short but precise and hot. Deacon reads Hope like a book even when she is trying to hide her emotions. That and the fact that she enhances his creativity and talent is why they are perfect for each other. She is the one to finally mean enough to stay. She is the one that becomes important to him. The one that allows him to create and love like never before. When the original deal is to have uninterrupted time with Hope for a week for his art, Deacon needs to take advantage of those days to the fullest. And that he does. There is no time to waste and so their feelings intensify quickly. You will enjoy scorching chemistry, compatible characters, vulnerability between them and dedication. This is just a delicious read.

[Angelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 4 stars. The storyline between Hope and Deacon was a good read. It was about an artist and a art student. They met when she becomes his model. I recommend this book. I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐⭐⭐ An enjoyable short erotic read. The chemistry between student Hope and artist Deacon spins out of control surprising and scaring them both. I do enjoy these 'dirty bits' reads.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for a copy in return for an honest review.

[Ratula · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars! Blog Review: http://bit.ly/2BcQl2x

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always love Tracy Wolff's work. This book however, felt stilted and rocky. No smooth transitions.