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Enemy Queen
When Stanley Berman, a Jewish New York attorney, is appointed Chief Counsel at a North Carolina University, he opts to share a house with his good friend, Thomas McClellan, a professor in the school’s English Department. The men spend their evenings drinking wine, playing chess, and lamenting their ineptitude with women. Then the Professor, a Southern good old boy, former high school football lineman, and avid hunter, hatches a scheme to bring a young woman into the house, insisting that as a creative writing teacher, such women find him alluringly subversive and artistic. The Counselor is dubious but persuaded nonetheless―much to his detriment.
The articulate but bumbling Counselor and Professor find themselves outwitted at every turn by Victoria, a young woman who is clever, inscrutable, and superb at finishing what she starts. She initiates passionate sexual encounters with the men, but as time goes on, what she demands in return becomes untenable. When she goes missing, John Watson, the county sheriff―and the Professor’s lifelong friend―feels compelled to open a murder investigation.
Full of wicked humor, artful eroticism, scintillating dialogue, and a bit of intrigue, Enemy Queen is an exhilarating romp set in a North Carolina college town.
The articulate but bumbling Counselor and Professor find themselves outwitted at every turn by Victoria, a young woman who is clever, inscrutable, and superb at finishing what she starts. She initiates passionate sexual encounters with the men, but as time goes on, what she demands in return becomes untenable. When she goes missing, John Watson, the county sheriff―and the Professor’s lifelong friend―feels compelled to open a murder investigation.
Full of wicked humor, artful eroticism, scintillating dialogue, and a bit of intrigue, Enemy Queen is an exhilarating romp set in a North Carolina college town.
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2020
11 people are currently reading
1429 people want to read
About the author
Robert Steven Goldstein
5 books52 followersRobert Steven Goldstein learned to read when he was three years old, and began writing stories almost immediately thereafter. At the age of seven he had a poem published in his elementary school newspaper. When he was a senior in high school he took first prize in Scholastic’s national short story contest. And in college Robert Steven Goldstein majored in English Literature and Creative Writing, and had a couple of articles published in trade journals.
His writing career was off to a terrific young start. Sadly, that is precisely where it languished for the next thirty-five years.
Because writing was not a reliable way to make a living, Mr. Goldstein made the decision to become a healthcare information executive instead. But he had a plan: live frugally, invest wisely, and retire early to write novels without worrying about how many copies they sold. Everyone told him it was a bad plan—it would never work.
Mr. Goldstein retired from full-time work at age fifty-six and has been writing novels ever since. His first novel, “The Swami Deheftner,” about the problems that ensue when ancient magic and mysticism manifest in the twenty-first century, has developed a small cult following in India. “Cat’s Whisker,” his second novel, will be published soon; an excerpt from it entitled “An Old Dog” was featured in the fall 2018 edition of the literary journal “Leaping Clear.” Mr. Goldstein’s third novel, “Enemy Queen,” was published by SparkPress in spring of 2020.
Robert Steven Goldstein lives in San Francisco with his wife of thirty years, and two rambunctious dogs.
His writing career was off to a terrific young start. Sadly, that is precisely where it languished for the next thirty-five years.
Because writing was not a reliable way to make a living, Mr. Goldstein made the decision to become a healthcare information executive instead. But he had a plan: live frugally, invest wisely, and retire early to write novels without worrying about how many copies they sold. Everyone told him it was a bad plan—it would never work.
Mr. Goldstein retired from full-time work at age fifty-six and has been writing novels ever since. His first novel, “The Swami Deheftner,” about the problems that ensue when ancient magic and mysticism manifest in the twenty-first century, has developed a small cult following in India. “Cat’s Whisker,” his second novel, will be published soon; an excerpt from it entitled “An Old Dog” was featured in the fall 2018 edition of the literary journal “Leaping Clear.” Mr. Goldstein’s third novel, “Enemy Queen,” was published by SparkPress in spring of 2020.
Robert Steven Goldstein lives in San Francisco with his wife of thirty years, and two rambunctious dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 15, 2020
Stanley, Chief Counsel at a North Carolina University shares a house with his best-friend Tom, Creative Writing Professor at the University.
Both men are quite different from one another; Stanley's life is rather systematic, and he enjoys running in his free time, while Tom likes to go hunting; which repulses Stanley. However, the week-nights playing chess, and drinking wine unites the two roommates. One night they ponder than the one thing they are both missing is having a woman in their lives. Tom playfully suggests finding a women, who they can both have sex with, fulfilling the only missing aspect of their lives.
Little does Stanley know, Tom actually goes looking for a woman, and succeeds. He meets, and later introduces aspiring-writer, Victoria to Stanley. She is looking to save up money to work on her book and agrees to live with the two men, rent-free and in return taking care of the house, and of course, them.
This arrangement starts out perfectly at first, but quickly goes south when Victoria starts complaining that the men are too messy, and moves their stuff around. She starts making demands that anger them both, until one day, Victoria goes missing.
Filled with chess references, Enemy Queen: A Novel definitely has a nice story line, but was unfortunately not my cup of tea, mainly because it is told from an older-Southern American male POV, which I found difficult to relate to.
Both men are quite different from one another; Stanley's life is rather systematic, and he enjoys running in his free time, while Tom likes to go hunting; which repulses Stanley. However, the week-nights playing chess, and drinking wine unites the two roommates. One night they ponder than the one thing they are both missing is having a woman in their lives. Tom playfully suggests finding a women, who they can both have sex with, fulfilling the only missing aspect of their lives.
Little does Stanley know, Tom actually goes looking for a woman, and succeeds. He meets, and later introduces aspiring-writer, Victoria to Stanley. She is looking to save up money to work on her book and agrees to live with the two men, rent-free and in return taking care of the house, and of course, them.
This arrangement starts out perfectly at first, but quickly goes south when Victoria starts complaining that the men are too messy, and moves their stuff around. She starts making demands that anger them both, until one day, Victoria goes missing.
Filled with chess references, Enemy Queen: A Novel definitely has a nice story line, but was unfortunately not my cup of tea, mainly because it is told from an older-Southern American male POV, which I found difficult to relate to.
March 19, 2020
Enemy Queen
by Robert Steven Goldstein is an interesting new novel. I cannot exactly say in which genre category I would put it in... perhaps general fiction, or mystery? It is certainly adult fiction.
Well, well, well... this is quite a unique book. I enjoyed it very much. There were moments when I got a bit bored and wanted to put it down for a moment, however, in general, the book was engaging, fun and interesting.
The story follows two friends: Professor and Counselor. They are both older men (age isn't specified, but I guess around fifty years old). They both have a few failed marriages behind them. So, when the Counselor had moved to their little town a few years ago, it had been natural for them to move in together after quickly becoming good friends. They found many common interests, the most pronounced ones being wine and chess. Throughout the years they had built an enjoyable routine for themselves. After coming back from work they would cook together, drink wine (and sometimes bourbon) and play chess. As they spent so much time together, their love lives had been pushed to the side. Until one evening, while enjoying a bottle of wine, they jokingly started talking about sex. They agreed that after all the women they had, not one of them was truly their friend.
They had discussed it a bit but came to the conclusion that they simply couldn't do it since they were heterosexual. And that was the moment they had an idea that would change their lives forever. The idea was to find a willing young woman that they could share and through her, the two of them would be together. Fast forward, they'd found a woman named Victoria, however, their happiness didn't last. Very quickly the two men found out that Victoria wasn't what they bargained for.
One of the main reasons I enjoyed this book is the peak I got into the relationship between the two men. Since the author of the book is a man I paid better attention to the dynamic they had.
I found the character development great, but exclusively to male characters. The women felt one-dimensional and almost as the encapsulated a singular stereotype about women. The best example is Victoria herself. Her personality is based only on the fact that she is sexually emancipated. We are presented with the fact that she is incredibly intelligent and a writer, but none of that is actually shown. However, the story is told from the Counselor's point of view, so we are only presented with the image of Victoria he has.
The presentation of women does evolve and by this, I actually mean the Counselor's view of women, in this case.
I especially liked the chess metaphors used in this book. They were both educational (for someone who's not that good at playing chess) and well-executed.
The ending of the book was a wild ride... I can't say I'm satisfied with it. It was a bit unbelievable and idyllic to be real. Also, even though I understand it was supposed to represent character development in our two main characters, I dislike how their stories ended.
This author is a nice discovery for me. I sincerely wasn't expecting much, but I am pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something different and new. This book explores the evolution of a platonic relationship between two men and the way it was affected when they brought a third person into it.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well, well, well... this is quite a unique book. I enjoyed it very much. There were moments when I got a bit bored and wanted to put it down for a moment, however, in general, the book was engaging, fun and interesting.
The story follows two friends: Professor and Counselor. They are both older men (age isn't specified, but I guess around fifty years old). They both have a few failed marriages behind them. So, when the Counselor had moved to their little town a few years ago, it had been natural for them to move in together after quickly becoming good friends. They found many common interests, the most pronounced ones being wine and chess. Throughout the years they had built an enjoyable routine for themselves. After coming back from work they would cook together, drink wine (and sometimes bourbon) and play chess. As they spent so much time together, their love lives had been pushed to the side. Until one evening, while enjoying a bottle of wine, they jokingly started talking about sex. They agreed that after all the women they had, not one of them was truly their friend.
„Do you realize, Counselor, that all our sexual problems would be solved if we were gay? Think about it. We'd play chess, drink wine, have dinner, read or whatever, and then we'd have sex before bed. We'd be a self-contained unit. We wouldn't need anybody else.“
They had discussed it a bit but came to the conclusion that they simply couldn't do it since they were heterosexual. And that was the moment they had an idea that would change their lives forever. The idea was to find a willing young woman that they could share and through her, the two of them would be together. Fast forward, they'd found a woman named Victoria, however, their happiness didn't last. Very quickly the two men found out that Victoria wasn't what they bargained for.
„Well, it's time! We have drunk and procrastinated long enough. The moment has come to get naked and engage in debauchery!“
One of the main reasons I enjoyed this book is the peak I got into the relationship between the two men. Since the author of the book is a man I paid better attention to the dynamic they had.
I found the character development great, but exclusively to male characters. The women felt one-dimensional and almost as the encapsulated a singular stereotype about women. The best example is Victoria herself. Her personality is based only on the fact that she is sexually emancipated. We are presented with the fact that she is incredibly intelligent and a writer, but none of that is actually shown. However, the story is told from the Counselor's point of view, so we are only presented with the image of Victoria he has.
The presentation of women does evolve and by this, I actually mean the Counselor's view of women, in this case.
I especially liked the chess metaphors used in this book. They were both educational (for someone who's not that good at playing chess) and well-executed.
The ending of the book was a wild ride... I can't say I'm satisfied with it. It was a bit unbelievable and idyllic to be real. Also, even though I understand it was supposed to represent character development in our two main characters, I dislike how their stories ended.
This author is a nice discovery for me. I sincerely wasn't expecting much, but I am pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something different and new. This book explores the evolution of a platonic relationship between two men and the way it was affected when they brought a third person into it.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2020
I was given this book by netgalley to review. All opinions are my own.
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Spoiler ⚠️Warning ⚠️
The premise of this book is what drew me in and while there were some good parts overall it was disappointing. I never felt a connection the the characters. The professor and the counselor were kind of dull in their daily life and conversations. Vickie was crazy and awful. I just couldn’t get attached to them and so that made it hard for me to enjoy the books.
•
Spoiler ⚠️Warning ⚠️
The premise of this book is what drew me in and while there were some good parts overall it was disappointing. I never felt a connection the the characters. The professor and the counselor were kind of dull in their daily life and conversations. Vickie was crazy and awful. I just couldn’t get attached to them and so that made it hard for me to enjoy the books.
April 28, 2020
The publisher of this smart and sophisticated (but wicked!) book have tried to classify it as an "erotic thriller," but that's not quite right. Sure there's some well-plotted suspense, a key character goes missing, and the law is called in to investigate a strong suspicion of foul play. But the nasty fun of Enemy Queen is how it systematically subverts every conventional expectation along the way. Male vs female, North vs South, sexual master vs servant -- all of these stereotypes get turned on their heads. Enemy Queen belongs to no known genre, though it contains elements of many. The closest description may be a sexual comedy of manners, using the schemes and mishaps of the two lead characters (the Counselor and the Professor -- a kind of updated Odd Couple transplanted to a North Carolina university town) to explore the rituals and dysfunctions of male bonding and gender relations. When these two divorced housemates are joined by Victoria, a sexually adept young woman with a mind of her own, their domestic fantasy would seem to be complete. And that's exactly where the real comedy begins.
May 3, 2020
Plenty of clever twists to this interesting novel! Part of the reason I read this book was because I was intrigued by description and it did not disappoint.
October 3, 2020
ENEMY QUEEN
Enemy Queen is an ironic Pilgrim’s Progress in tantric sex which challenges the paradox of hedonism that those who most avidly pursue pleasure rarely achieve it. Two contemptible old drunks, a gross male chauvinist pig of unaccountable professorial status and a svelte university counsellor with a history of failed marriages, entice a young nympho to share their accommodation and beds in a disreputable menage a twat. The literary device of the counsellor as flawed narrator, coupled with the unattractiveness of his grotesque male accomplice, seriously compromises the sexual aesthetic of the novel, making it over-reliant on indecency for its humour, although the desperate old codgers declare their relentlessly catalogued kinky sex to have been ‘unbelievable’. Quite.
This yawning disconnect is entertainingly all-of-a-piece with their shared hobby of chess, in which the two unlikely ‘friends’ do not so much play as talk repetitively through ‘opening’ theory (read ‘orifices’) and discuss alternative ‘moves’. Understandably, they have a settled preference for ‘Indian’ configurations.
There is a plot of sorts. The nympho disappears and suspicion falls on the gun-toting professor, who asks the counsellor to defend him [indicate the rest of this paragraph as an optional ‘spoiler’]. But matters resolve with little complication, and some progress is eventually made. The grizzled and ostentatiously non-PC professor renounces group sex and hunkers down with the nympho, reassured in his settled myth that aspiring 20-something scribblers of ‘chick lit’ lust after alluringly ‘hot’ creative writing professors. Meanwhile the liberal Jewish counsellor contemplates monogamy, reconnects with the Temple, and switches his quest for enlightenment to religion, with just the occasional nostalgic visit to S and M dungeons to secure narrative continuity.
If that were all, I would not be recommending this novel as the minor triumph I believe it to be. The devil is in the detail. The bulk of the novel takes the form of reflective observations on cultural mores and manners and, once away from the cliches of mechanical sex, Robert Goldstein is exceptionally accomplished at articulate and convincing dialogue, both as a source of ironic comment to the detriment of the speakers, as in the claimed wine connoisseurship which comes straight out of pseud’s corner (‘blackberry, chocolate and just a touch of black pepper’) and as pertinent sly comment on facets of contemporary secular and religious America. The observations range widely from Confederate flags and how to clean up after a hunting kill to domestic Christian iconography (from sentimental portraits of Jesus to His alter ego as the ‘tortured Jew’ on a wooden cross). One persistent theme contrasts the ‘hypocritical Southern hospitality’ of a North Carolina college town with the ‘commie politics’ of Berkeley, California. Eating hunting kill versus vegetarianism is another source of wry amusement as the friends struggle to run the kitchen they share with a demented over-sexed parrot.
Enemy Queen is certainly the richer for its continuous stream of amusing anecdotes, most combining wit with an underlying seriousness. A particularly pleasing digression is the hilarious sequence surrounding the counsellor being persuaded to impersonate a rabbi in conducting for family consumption the fake marriage of a mixed faith couple who happen to be already married following a secret elopement. Another is the genuinely touching short sermon by the liberal woman rabbi who urges a universal tolerance that the novel’s main characters only differentially share. Enjoy.
David Jenkins
Enemy Queen is an ironic Pilgrim’s Progress in tantric sex which challenges the paradox of hedonism that those who most avidly pursue pleasure rarely achieve it. Two contemptible old drunks, a gross male chauvinist pig of unaccountable professorial status and a svelte university counsellor with a history of failed marriages, entice a young nympho to share their accommodation and beds in a disreputable menage a twat. The literary device of the counsellor as flawed narrator, coupled with the unattractiveness of his grotesque male accomplice, seriously compromises the sexual aesthetic of the novel, making it over-reliant on indecency for its humour, although the desperate old codgers declare their relentlessly catalogued kinky sex to have been ‘unbelievable’. Quite.
This yawning disconnect is entertainingly all-of-a-piece with their shared hobby of chess, in which the two unlikely ‘friends’ do not so much play as talk repetitively through ‘opening’ theory (read ‘orifices’) and discuss alternative ‘moves’. Understandably, they have a settled preference for ‘Indian’ configurations.
There is a plot of sorts. The nympho disappears and suspicion falls on the gun-toting professor, who asks the counsellor to defend him [indicate the rest of this paragraph as an optional ‘spoiler’]. But matters resolve with little complication, and some progress is eventually made. The grizzled and ostentatiously non-PC professor renounces group sex and hunkers down with the nympho, reassured in his settled myth that aspiring 20-something scribblers of ‘chick lit’ lust after alluringly ‘hot’ creative writing professors. Meanwhile the liberal Jewish counsellor contemplates monogamy, reconnects with the Temple, and switches his quest for enlightenment to religion, with just the occasional nostalgic visit to S and M dungeons to secure narrative continuity.
If that were all, I would not be recommending this novel as the minor triumph I believe it to be. The devil is in the detail. The bulk of the novel takes the form of reflective observations on cultural mores and manners and, once away from the cliches of mechanical sex, Robert Goldstein is exceptionally accomplished at articulate and convincing dialogue, both as a source of ironic comment to the detriment of the speakers, as in the claimed wine connoisseurship which comes straight out of pseud’s corner (‘blackberry, chocolate and just a touch of black pepper’) and as pertinent sly comment on facets of contemporary secular and religious America. The observations range widely from Confederate flags and how to clean up after a hunting kill to domestic Christian iconography (from sentimental portraits of Jesus to His alter ego as the ‘tortured Jew’ on a wooden cross). One persistent theme contrasts the ‘hypocritical Southern hospitality’ of a North Carolina college town with the ‘commie politics’ of Berkeley, California. Eating hunting kill versus vegetarianism is another source of wry amusement as the friends struggle to run the kitchen they share with a demented over-sexed parrot.
Enemy Queen is certainly the richer for its continuous stream of amusing anecdotes, most combining wit with an underlying seriousness. A particularly pleasing digression is the hilarious sequence surrounding the counsellor being persuaded to impersonate a rabbi in conducting for family consumption the fake marriage of a mixed faith couple who happen to be already married following a secret elopement. Another is the genuinely touching short sermon by the liberal woman rabbi who urges a universal tolerance that the novel’s main characters only differentially share. Enjoy.
David Jenkins
April 7, 2020
Warnings about the book: Consent issues, blackmail for sexual acts, talks about a sexual power imbalance involving a teacher and student, under negotiated kink play, and stereotyping southern whites as mostly being bigots to everyone that isn’t a white and Christian. If you have any problems with these things listed above, this is not the book for you.
This is book is listed under erotic on NetGallery. This is where I got a free copy from for an honest review. This book is different than most erotic novels that I have read. It had elements of mystery and the ending surprised me. I enjoyed the book, but I would never re-read it. I will explain more at the end why.
The story is told by Stanley, a lawyer. He is living with a Creative writing professor named Tom. They are extremely close friends who have spent a large amount of time together. They spend their nights drinking wine while playing chess. They both had trouble with women. Each one had been married at least twice before. The Professor mentioned that their lives would be better if they were gay. Then they could simply be together because they get along so well.
The solution to this problem is getting a go-between. The go-between would be a younger woman that they could control and would simply be there to allow them to have sex together.
Life isn’t smooth sailing as they would like. Victoria isn’t easily controlled. then one day she just disappears. What happened to her is what made the book so interesting. It wasn’t what I was expecting.
I enjoy the plot even if I hated most of the characters. The plot was great and the answer to the mystery was great. It would have been a 5-star read if it had been for the heavy-handed stereotype of Southern white and some women being bigots. I felt like every character (minus the black people, some Jewish women, and the Jewish men) highlighted their bigotry like twice in every scene they were in. This led to it being a 3.5 and why I would not re-read like this, but I round up to 4-star for Goodreads.
This is book is listed under erotic on NetGallery. This is where I got a free copy from for an honest review. This book is different than most erotic novels that I have read. It had elements of mystery and the ending surprised me. I enjoyed the book, but I would never re-read it. I will explain more at the end why.
The story is told by Stanley, a lawyer. He is living with a Creative writing professor named Tom. They are extremely close friends who have spent a large amount of time together. They spend their nights drinking wine while playing chess. They both had trouble with women. Each one had been married at least twice before. The Professor mentioned that their lives would be better if they were gay. Then they could simply be together because they get along so well.
The solution to this problem is getting a go-between. The go-between would be a younger woman that they could control and would simply be there to allow them to have sex together.
Life isn’t smooth sailing as they would like. Victoria isn’t easily controlled. then one day she just disappears. What happened to her is what made the book so interesting. It wasn’t what I was expecting.
I enjoy the plot even if I hated most of the characters. The plot was great and the answer to the mystery was great. It would have been a 5-star read if it had been for the heavy-handed stereotype of Southern white and some women being bigots. I felt like every character (minus the black people, some Jewish women, and the Jewish men) highlighted their bigotry like twice in every scene they were in. This led to it being a 3.5 and why I would not re-read like this, but I round up to 4-star for Goodreads.
July 26, 2020
Warnings about the book: Consent issues, blackmail for sexual acts, talks about a sexual power imbalance involving a teacher and student, under negotiated kink play, and stereotyping southern whites as mostly being bigots to everyone that isn’t a white and Christian. If you have any problems with these things listed above, this is not the book for you.
This is book is listed under erotic on NetGallery. This is where I got a free copy from for an honest review. This book is different than most erotic novels that I have read. It had elements of mystery and the ending surprised me. I enjoyed the book, but I would never re-read it. I will explain more at the end why.
The story is told by Stanley, a lawyer. He is living with a Creative writing professor named Tom. They are extremely close friends who have spent a large amount of time together. They spend their nights drinking wine while playing chess. They both had trouble with women. Each one had been married at least twice before. The Professor mentioned that their lives would be better if they were gay. Then they could simply be together because they get along so well.
The solution to this problem is getting a go-between. The go-between would be a younger woman that they could control and would simply be there to allow them to have sex together. It was later noted that Stanley starts going soft if he touches the other man in the room while having sex. For example, just the weight of the professor on his legs was enough for him to go soft. The professor doesn’t seem to have this issue.
The professor suggests one of his students because creative writing students look up to their professor. They would be easy to control. Stanley turns this down fearing for their jobs. Instead, the professor meets a younger writer named Victoria who writes romance novels. She lives rent and food free if she cleans. She also has sex with them. She is using them for material in her books. They have scheduled nights for being her to with Stanley, for her to be with the professor and for threesomes. Her nights with Stanley introduce him to some kinks. This is farther explored later
Life isn’t smooth sailing as they would like. Victoria isn’t easily controlled. First, the guys are gross, and Victoria spends a lot of time cleaning after them. Then, mostly the professor but also Stanley has several sexist reasons to be annoyed with Victoria. However, there is an understandable reason to be annoyed with her. She keeps moving their things. Last, Victoria blackmails them into cock cages and other sexual acts. The men plan to get rid of Victoria and then one day she just disappears. What happened to her is what made the book so interesting. It wasn’t what I was expecting.
I enjoy the plot even if I hated most of the characters. The plot was great and the answer to the mystery was great. It would have been a 5-star read if it had been for the heavy-handed stereotype of Southern white and some women being bigots. I felt like every character (minus the black people, some Jewish women, and the Jewish men) highlighted their bigotry like twice in every scene they were in. This led to it being a 3.5 and why I would not re-read like this, but I round up to 4-star for Goodreads.
This is book is listed under erotic on NetGallery. This is where I got a free copy from for an honest review. This book is different than most erotic novels that I have read. It had elements of mystery and the ending surprised me. I enjoyed the book, but I would never re-read it. I will explain more at the end why.
The story is told by Stanley, a lawyer. He is living with a Creative writing professor named Tom. They are extremely close friends who have spent a large amount of time together. They spend their nights drinking wine while playing chess. They both had trouble with women. Each one had been married at least twice before. The Professor mentioned that their lives would be better if they were gay. Then they could simply be together because they get along so well.
The solution to this problem is getting a go-between. The go-between would be a younger woman that they could control and would simply be there to allow them to have sex together. It was later noted that Stanley starts going soft if he touches the other man in the room while having sex. For example, just the weight of the professor on his legs was enough for him to go soft. The professor doesn’t seem to have this issue.
The professor suggests one of his students because creative writing students look up to their professor. They would be easy to control. Stanley turns this down fearing for their jobs. Instead, the professor meets a younger writer named Victoria who writes romance novels. She lives rent and food free if she cleans. She also has sex with them. She is using them for material in her books. They have scheduled nights for being her to with Stanley, for her to be with the professor and for threesomes. Her nights with Stanley introduce him to some kinks. This is farther explored later
Life isn’t smooth sailing as they would like. Victoria isn’t easily controlled. First, the guys are gross, and Victoria spends a lot of time cleaning after them. Then, mostly the professor but also Stanley has several sexist reasons to be annoyed with Victoria. However, there is an understandable reason to be annoyed with her. She keeps moving their things. Last, Victoria blackmails them into cock cages and other sexual acts. The men plan to get rid of Victoria and then one day she just disappears. What happened to her is what made the book so interesting. It wasn’t what I was expecting.
I enjoy the plot even if I hated most of the characters. The plot was great and the answer to the mystery was great. It would have been a 5-star read if it had been for the heavy-handed stereotype of Southern white and some women being bigots. I felt like every character (minus the black people, some Jewish women, and the Jewish men) highlighted their bigotry like twice in every scene they were in. This led to it being a 3.5 and why I would not re-read like this, but I round up to 4-star for Goodreads.
May 9, 2020
I want to thank Edelweiss, Booksparks/Booksharks, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to be a part of reading Enemy Queen. This did not disappoint.
Oh Enemy Queen... Where do I even begin with this novel!?
Wow.
Robert Steven Goldstein is a powerful and articulate mind. He ended up bending my mind forward and back and all around again. I seriously have no way to tell you what this book is about, only that it’s incredibly good and you should read it. I tried to explain to my wife the story line.. And it didn’t go well. ??
You’ll follow two friends who are very close. Both men live together, one is a lawyer and one is a professor. They live in subtle harmony, playing chess and drinking an array of wine. The conversation is titillating and so intriguing. The style of writing flows like a cool stream, and you won’t realize the mess you’re in until you try to explain what this novel is about to someone. And that's a compliment.
Our two main characters explore the idea of having sex together, only with a woman as a go-between. The woman they attract is... Different. I actually really loved her. She brought this wild wave of crazy to the novel that managed to pull you in even deeper. As if this couldn’t get any weirder, we throw in a bit of a murder mystery that doesn’t get a resolution until the last few pages. That situation alone will keep you reading in the hopes of finding out whodunit.
Have you ever watched a movie that you were so enthralled by, but also so unsettled by at the same time? You can’t look away, you have to know what’s going to happen next.
I myself loved the explanations of wine. I also loved that BDSM/erotica played a part. Honestly, this is a whole big bowl of crazy, and I fu**ing loved it. I could not put it down, and the last 20 pages or so were like, “oh my god I have to finish this right now WTF is happening!¿”
This is a deviant, intellectual, and talented mind that I am SO glad I got a taste of. Not for the sexually faint of heart. ?? But if you like being unsettled and having your mind blown, grab this read. Please. Out May 12!
Thank you again to those named above for providing me with an ARC of this novel!
Oh Enemy Queen... Where do I even begin with this novel!?
Wow.
Robert Steven Goldstein is a powerful and articulate mind. He ended up bending my mind forward and back and all around again. I seriously have no way to tell you what this book is about, only that it’s incredibly good and you should read it. I tried to explain to my wife the story line.. And it didn’t go well. ??
You’ll follow two friends who are very close. Both men live together, one is a lawyer and one is a professor. They live in subtle harmony, playing chess and drinking an array of wine. The conversation is titillating and so intriguing. The style of writing flows like a cool stream, and you won’t realize the mess you’re in until you try to explain what this novel is about to someone. And that's a compliment.
Our two main characters explore the idea of having sex together, only with a woman as a go-between. The woman they attract is... Different. I actually really loved her. She brought this wild wave of crazy to the novel that managed to pull you in even deeper. As if this couldn’t get any weirder, we throw in a bit of a murder mystery that doesn’t get a resolution until the last few pages. That situation alone will keep you reading in the hopes of finding out whodunit.
Have you ever watched a movie that you were so enthralled by, but also so unsettled by at the same time? You can’t look away, you have to know what’s going to happen next.
I myself loved the explanations of wine. I also loved that BDSM/erotica played a part. Honestly, this is a whole big bowl of crazy, and I fu**ing loved it. I could not put it down, and the last 20 pages or so were like, “oh my god I have to finish this right now WTF is happening!¿”
This is a deviant, intellectual, and talented mind that I am SO glad I got a taste of. Not for the sexually faint of heart. ?? But if you like being unsettled and having your mind blown, grab this read. Please. Out May 12!
Thank you again to those named above for providing me with an ARC of this novel!
May 12, 2020
Two older men live together, as for many years they've given up on the fairer sex. They go about their business in the daytime, one as attorney, another as professor. In the evening, they spend their time on home cooked meals, chess, and fine wine. Their friendship deepens over time, and although they are still heterosexual, they also joke about how their friendship would be perfect if only they were gay. Eventually, they arrive at the idea that they should bring a woman into their lives, and so Victoria, a beautiful younger writer, becomes their new plaything. All seems well for a time, with Victoria fawning over both men and even cleaning up after them, but then Victoria begins to turn against them by day and by night, and if that wasn't enough, one day she disappears. The professor and attorney find themselves locked in a situation that pushes them to their limits, challenges their minds and hearts, and could rip apart their friendship from the inside out. Whatever happened to Victoria, and has she changed these two men forever?
I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but I found it to be thought-provoking and intriguing. It exemplifies the danger of bringing others into our lives, even those who we think we can control. Sometimes we don't realize how good we have it until we push for changes that create a new existence we're unprepared for. This story was a different and somewhat fascinating read that explores the boundaries of friendship, the dangers of adding people to an otherwise stable social environment, and how easy it is to find yourself on the wrong end of a bargain if you don't have a real escape plan. Get ready for checkmate with Enemy Queen, if you dare.
Thank you Booksparks and Spark Press for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but I found it to be thought-provoking and intriguing. It exemplifies the danger of bringing others into our lives, even those who we think we can control. Sometimes we don't realize how good we have it until we push for changes that create a new existence we're unprepared for. This story was a different and somewhat fascinating read that explores the boundaries of friendship, the dangers of adding people to an otherwise stable social environment, and how easy it is to find yourself on the wrong end of a bargain if you don't have a real escape plan. Get ready for checkmate with Enemy Queen, if you dare.
Thank you Booksparks and Spark Press for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2020
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. My feelings for it definitely rollercoaster-ed.
It’s a story of 2 very different men, a NY Jewish lawyer and a southern “good ol boy” professor who live together and end up housing a young woman for free room and board... kind of. Things get steamy and weird. Then the woman goes missing..
I will say this story was definitely entertaining. It is an easy read (although NO chapters - it’s like one continuous story, but I didn’t even mind that).
One of my biggest gripes with it is what I assume is the authors attempt to show the small minded-ness of the South. I felt like I was reading a book about how the South are all shallow people who only talk stupidly and offensively with a horrible drawl.. I see what he was trying to get at.. but I thought it was done poorly. And don’t get me started on his portrayal of women! I had to remind myself a lot that the perspective was a man’s.. but all of the women were one demential.
Thank you @booksparks and Sparkpress for this advanced copy for my honest review. I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a steamy, entertaining story of the sexes and relationships (friendly and romantic).
It’s a story of 2 very different men, a NY Jewish lawyer and a southern “good ol boy” professor who live together and end up housing a young woman for free room and board... kind of. Things get steamy and weird. Then the woman goes missing..
I will say this story was definitely entertaining. It is an easy read (although NO chapters - it’s like one continuous story, but I didn’t even mind that).
One of my biggest gripes with it is what I assume is the authors attempt to show the small minded-ness of the South. I felt like I was reading a book about how the South are all shallow people who only talk stupidly and offensively with a horrible drawl.. I see what he was trying to get at.. but I thought it was done poorly. And don’t get me started on his portrayal of women! I had to remind myself a lot that the perspective was a man’s.. but all of the women were one demential.
Thank you @booksparks and Sparkpress for this advanced copy for my honest review. I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a steamy, entertaining story of the sexes and relationships (friendly and romantic).
June 11, 2020
An interesting combination of topics to make up this, ultimately, missing persons case. It was heavy on the sex, chess and good ol’ boy professor and lawyer friendship-light on the missing person. If there were more in that aspect I would have LOVED it instead of just liking it.
It also seemed like a man’s fantasies come to life in novel form kind of book. Based mainly on the professor and the counselor being best friends and living together while trying to find a girl for both of them to share. She ends up going missing and just when the search starts up the counselor meets a new girl and kind of disappears and the professor just hangs out at home. The story then selves into the new relationship and forgets about the missing girl.
It was definitely interesting, definitely a weird combo of topics, definitely erotic at times as well as just straight uncomfortable. It gets your attention though and won’t let go. Ultimately I had to find out what happens with each of the story lines which are all nicely tied up with a bow.
I imagine this would be a great read for a man who’s fantasy is a three way and is a big guys guy as that’s what this centers around.
It also seemed like a man’s fantasies come to life in novel form kind of book. Based mainly on the professor and the counselor being best friends and living together while trying to find a girl for both of them to share. She ends up going missing and just when the search starts up the counselor meets a new girl and kind of disappears and the professor just hangs out at home. The story then selves into the new relationship and forgets about the missing girl.
It was definitely interesting, definitely a weird combo of topics, definitely erotic at times as well as just straight uncomfortable. It gets your attention though and won’t let go. Ultimately I had to find out what happens with each of the story lines which are all nicely tied up with a bow.
I imagine this would be a great read for a man who’s fantasy is a three way and is a big guys guy as that’s what this centers around.
April 29, 2020
I'm not sure what I'd class this book as. There's a bit of a mystery to it but it doesn't really go anywhere, there are relationships, but not romance. If anything it's perhaps about the friendship between two older men and as they are the only two characters that really have any substance to them, that's probably the best description. I think that I've seen it listed as erotica, but it's about as erotic as a visit from your aunt Violet on a Sunday afternoon when she regales you in detail about the bunion treatment she's been having.
I'm perhaps being a bit harsh. The idea behind the book isn't bad and most of the writing is passable. The dialogue leaves a little to be desired particularly from any female characters, but then every female character is very two dimensional.
This one started well, but as everyone started to annoy me and I really couldn't give a monkey's about what happened to any of them, it just wasn't for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I'm perhaps being a bit harsh. The idea behind the book isn't bad and most of the writing is passable. The dialogue leaves a little to be desired particularly from any female characters, but then every female character is very two dimensional.
This one started well, but as everyone started to annoy me and I really couldn't give a monkey's about what happened to any of them, it just wasn't for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 12, 2020
Unfortunately you guys, while this book sounded really interesting to me, it was not the book for me. I really wanted to love this book, but so much of the plot did not do it for me. For one, this book contains a lot of sex, in particular some BDSM, which isn’t my cup of tea. Also, I so wish the author would of delved more into the disappearance of Victoria; her disappearance plays a much smaller role in the book than you would imagine and it’s underdeveloped. I think the author could of done so much more with this part of the plot. The plot was disjointed and underdeveloped in my opinion, and I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. I did enjoy all the descriptions of wine the author provided though, it really made me want to expand my wine horizons. Although this book didn’t do it for me and wasn’t really my cup of tea, I still encourage people to try it out and form their own opinions!
May 7, 2020
Enemy Queen- A Novel review
This novel is about two men, Nicknamed Professor and Counselor. They couldn’t be more different, but live together have a strong friendship. They spend their evenings drink wine and playing chess. They realize they are both missing a companion in their lives.
The story goes from there and gets REAL interesting. There is a new character that is introduced and lots of adult times ensue. If you are not into that, steer clear of this book.
There is a slight mystery element to this book that I wish was explored more. I did think this book had unique characters. I loved how much wine was talked about in the book. However, the conversation between characters seems off and very formal. I wanted more and it left me a little disappointed.
This book comes out on May 12, 2020. Thank you to @BookSparks for my review copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
August 31, 2023
Friendship put to test like a critical move in Chess
You think you know someone well until a challenge comes from nowhere, placing you in an uncomfortable zone, and testing your own integrity. A great narrative that could be relevant to each one of us at some point. Notably, unexpected wise advice from a spiritual figure may prevent a spontaneous reaction that could turn things upside down. The scene where the narrator asks to ‘come’ and she says, “If you want to come tell me you support the State of Israel,” was hilarious and amusing. Overall, the text is enriched with a fabulous vocabulary that makes the reading joyful.
You think you know someone well until a challenge comes from nowhere, placing you in an uncomfortable zone, and testing your own integrity. A great narrative that could be relevant to each one of us at some point. Notably, unexpected wise advice from a spiritual figure may prevent a spontaneous reaction that could turn things upside down. The scene where the narrator asks to ‘come’ and she says, “If you want to come tell me you support the State of Israel,” was hilarious and amusing. Overall, the text is enriched with a fabulous vocabulary that makes the reading joyful.
July 8, 2020
I could not put Enemy Queen by Robert Goldstein down! The novel is truly genre-busting; a comedic, erotic, mystery. This riveting blend yields such a fun and entertaining read. It first captures your heart as a mature buddy comedy, about an unlikely duo. It is refreshing to see a real, genuine friendship between a liberal and a conservative for a change. The plot thickens and takes many unexpected twists and turns. I even learned a thing or two about chess and wine. If you love drinks, kinks, and hijinks, this is the book for you!
May 3, 2020
Thank you @BookSparks for sending me this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
While I believe this book has a great premise, I found it to be a little boring. The characters were boring and I couldn't connect with them. Lots of chess talk which might make sense to some, but not to me. The girl was nuts and she may have been my favorite part.
Don't let my review steer you away! You may love this book. It just wasn't for me.
While I believe this book has a great premise, I found it to be a little boring. The characters were boring and I couldn't connect with them. Lots of chess talk which might make sense to some, but not to me. The girl was nuts and she may have been my favorite part.
Don't let my review steer you away! You may love this book. It just wasn't for me.
April 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! It is sort of like the "Odd Couple" mixed with "Fifty Shades of Grey" with some mystery, humor, lots of cooking, wine drinking and some pretty good chess games (that you can actually follow) added in to make this book even more interesting. You should definitely give it a read!
May 12, 2020
i was given this book by netgalley and publisher for an honest review and opinion
i found that i did not really care for this book. i did not connect with the characters and was very long in certain places. also...i don't understand chess and it was filled with chess talk and was hard for me to understand.
i found that i did not really care for this book. i did not connect with the characters and was very long in certain places. also...i don't understand chess and it was filled with chess talk and was hard for me to understand.
April 14, 2020
DNF at 33%
I am so bored. I can't connect to these characters and the conversations between the counselor and the professor are just boring, which is like 90% of this story. The "artful eroticism" the blurb promised is just dull.
I am so bored. I can't connect to these characters and the conversations between the counselor and the professor are just boring, which is like 90% of this story. The "artful eroticism" the blurb promised is just dull.
May 12, 2020
Two men living together have given up on finding love and joke if only they were gay. They opt to share a woman and Victoria enters into their lives. When she disappears, will one of them be charged with murder? Fast-paced read with plenty of drama, intrigue and steam. A good read.
Read
May 15, 2020A lawyer and a professor. A likely duo in an unlikely mess. One can only imagine Enemy Queen was as much fun for Goldstein to write as it is for readers to read.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/05/checkmat...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/05/checkmat...
May 28, 2020
Good storyline but in places it lagged for me. The characters are great though. The this is one story that has drama and intrigue with some steamy pages. I would not say this is a must read, but it is worthwhile read.
August 9, 2020
Thank you Spark Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in return for my honest feedback.I am not the target audience for this book. You have been warned before you read ahead and trust my rating. I have decided to use the official description.
When Stanley Berman, a Jewish New York attorney, is appointed Chief Counsel at a North Carolina University, he opts to share a house with his good friend, Thomas McClellan, a professor in the school’s English Department. The men spend their evenings drinking wine, playing chess, and lamenting their ineptitude with women. Then the Professor, a Southern good old boy, former high school football lineman, and avid hunter, hatches a scheme to bring a young woman into the house, insisting that as a creative writing teacher, such women find him alluringly subversive and artistic. The Counselor is dubious but persuaded nonetheless—much to his detriment.
The articulate but bumbling Counselor and Professor find themselves outwitted at every turn by Victoria, a young woman who is clever, inscrutable, and superb at finishing what she starts. She initiates passionate sexual encounters with the men, but as time goes on, what she demands in return becomes untenable. When she goes missing, John Watson, the county sheriff—and the Professor’s lifelong friend—feels compelled to open a murder investigation.
Where shall I begin with? Shall I begin it with witty exchanges or should I begin it with the mindblowing usage of 'Chess' and its aspects that they adopt to explore their lives under its influence? Should I begin with how brilliant the dynamic and their conversations are? Or should I start with how realistically the characters and their thought processes were portrayed that includes their POV on women and just about everything?
There are scenes that equally awestruck and cringy, and no, they were not the sex scenes. One of the aspects that made me cringe was how Victoria was perceived by the professor and sometimes, even the counsellor. It came off as intentional misogyny.
Each scene is its own element that flows into another in such gripping transition. What really stood out for me was how the perception of the characters is clear as that is all they are- a perception of a character. And how it is written in such a clear way that the reader understands that.
I haven't seen such a brilliant piece of writing in a while! It deals over many important themes and takes you into exploring lives as such of the counsellor and the professor. And as someone who has no freakin' clue about chess except for the basics, I loved how easily understandable the writing made it.
I had so many issues with certain aspects of the book that I do not wish to enclose in my review because as I mentioned earlier, I am not the target audience. This is not my usual review and it is all for the right reasons. But I cannot deny that this is brilliantly written as I have mentioned a few numbers of times already. I cannot deny that this is a masterpiece, sadly, something I couldn't enjoy as much as I wanted to. I also cannot deny that this will have you in the edge of your seats with its arresting dialogue and surprisingly unexpected events unfolding as the plot moves on.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes-
a. if you are the target audience,
b. if you are someone who loves great dialogue involving chess,
c. if you looking for a unique type of erotic fiction that has a light touch of mystery and suspense to it,
d. if you are looking for a work that is written with a great amount of brilliance, or
e. if you want to step out of your reading comfort zone
this one is the perfect read for you.
July 28, 2020
Thank you to BookSparks for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book was about two men who met while playing in chess tournaments at a local University in North Carolina who also happen to work there. They couldn't be from more different backgrounds. Stanley is Jewish and from New York. Tommy is a good ole Southern boy who enjoys hunting. Both have been through multiple divorces and clearly have issues keeping women. Their relationship is so good that Tommy jokes that it could all be solved if they were gay. The idea comes up that they use a woman as a go between. Victoria becomes the woman to fulfill all of their deepest desires until she is reported missing. Did Tommy kill her? This is the question that even Stanley is asking himself.
I thought this was a good read, well written book that kept me interested. It was definitely not what I was expecting and different from my normal reads. I liked that the author showed how two people with different backgrounds and beliefs can be the best of friends. Multiple times in the book there were people who couldn't believe Stanley was friends with Tommy. In some ways, this made me think of how divided our country has become because of politics and how some people believe they can never be friends because of their political divide despite other things they have in common.
I was not a fan of the no chapters! While I did binge read this book, I do like Chapters. I also struggled a bit with the Chess references throughout the book because I am not a chess player. I understand why they were there, but they were just not for me.
If you are looking for a book about friendship, with some sexual mischief and a bit of mystery this book is for you!
This book was about two men who met while playing in chess tournaments at a local University in North Carolina who also happen to work there. They couldn't be from more different backgrounds. Stanley is Jewish and from New York. Tommy is a good ole Southern boy who enjoys hunting. Both have been through multiple divorces and clearly have issues keeping women. Their relationship is so good that Tommy jokes that it could all be solved if they were gay. The idea comes up that they use a woman as a go between. Victoria becomes the woman to fulfill all of their deepest desires until she is reported missing. Did Tommy kill her? This is the question that even Stanley is asking himself.
I thought this was a good read, well written book that kept me interested. It was definitely not what I was expecting and different from my normal reads. I liked that the author showed how two people with different backgrounds and beliefs can be the best of friends. Multiple times in the book there were people who couldn't believe Stanley was friends with Tommy. In some ways, this made me think of how divided our country has become because of politics and how some people believe they can never be friends because of their political divide despite other things they have in common.
I was not a fan of the no chapters! While I did binge read this book, I do like Chapters. I also struggled a bit with the Chess references throughout the book because I am not a chess player. I understand why they were there, but they were just not for me.
If you are looking for a book about friendship, with some sexual mischief and a bit of mystery this book is for you!
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