Muse, Marie Martine
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, New Adult.
Well, this was a fun read. an author, writing about an erotic reads author, whose writing a new romance, but in a historical setting....
Its an enjoyable romp, a fun sneak of history and what might have been going on under all those straight laced appearances. Don't expect historical accuracy, though there's a few fun snippets tucked in, just take it in the spirit its written, fun and a little bit frivolous.
There's a sweet love story going on, with Alaric really being in love with the idea of his latest heroine Erica. He can't seem to find a muse though, the person who's just right to play her character out in front of him with his long time best friend and fellow writer Sim. His "research assistants" play a very hands on - and clothes off- role, acting out scenes with sim, while he watches, studies, takes notes and is inspired into the next scenes.
Behind that is part of the reason he writes romances...his cold, philandering father. He's one full sister and a host, an unnamed number, of half brothers and sisters spawned from his dad's days of cheating on his mother.
Finally she had enough and committed suicide and Alaric blames his dad, she was heart broken at his actions and couldn't take any more. Their relationship has been cold ever since and rather than work in the family firm Alaric writes sexy stories. Brings him a very good living too.
Then life takes a very unexpected turn involving his latest find, his Erica, Caterine.
Caterine a cute girl, innocent but not a virgin, alone after her beloved mum died, except for her best freind Zoe. When she meets Alaric after another failed job interview he's entranced. here out of the blue is the woman he's looking for!
He Has to persuade her to work for him, he Needs her. No won't be accepted.
Luckily for him she needs a job, the money's excellent and Zoe is always telling her more sex is good, and she's got the chance to dip out of her comfort zone, in a big way. hot sex with two gorgeous men....
I liked both her and Alaric ( and Sim, unreprentantly sex obsessed).
OK so its an unrealistic novel, (unless erotic authors really do use hands on research!!) but its got enough of a tale to tie together the steamy sex scenes, both in real time and the acted out historical ones, and lets the story flow through.
I can't take books where its all sex and no story, even in an erotic read I need enough story to hold things together and this book does it.
Its not a huge pull at your emotions drama, though in fact it could have been, but a lightish, very sensual and tantalising read.
Its not one I'd reread, but I did enjoy it and I'd be interested in reading the next book, Sim and Zoe. There's a sample of that and the end of this and having got to know both characters it looks another fun read.
Stars: Four, a fun and sensual read.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers