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The Carnal Tower #1
Shades of Lust
“The path to paradise begins in hell.”
― Dante Alighieri
On a small path leading to nowhere sits a looming cathedral, once-abandoned, now hosting the most dangerous of pleasures.
And Stone Brice is the most dangerous of all: Lust. A former acrobat, Stone’s life was changed dramatically after an accident, and now he runs The Carnal Tower, a place where people can go to have their deepest and sometimes darkest fantasies realized.
Stone is a man who is rarely taken by surprise, so when he meets the artist, August Ashley, he doesn’t expect to trip and fall at his feet—literally. But there’s something about the quiet stranger in the park that Stone wants to take apart, and that feeling only gets worse the more Stone gets to know him.
Stone is well aware he can’t mix business and pleasure, but when August comes to him with a proposal for a trade—seven paintings for seven nights with Lust—he can’t say no. Not when it means he’ll be able to have August exactly the way he wants him—even if it’s just for a week.
Stone has every plan to strip August down to his very soul, but the longer the week goes on, the more Stone comes to realize that August might very well be his undoing.
Shades of Lust is the first book in a new series. It features a bi-awakening, high heat, low angst, and the human embodiment of a seven deadly sin whose sole purpose is to make sure his client never forgets their week at The Carnal Tower. Each book in the series can stand on their own, and all contain no cheating, and a happily ever after.
― Dante Alighieri
On a small path leading to nowhere sits a looming cathedral, once-abandoned, now hosting the most dangerous of pleasures.
And Stone Brice is the most dangerous of all: Lust. A former acrobat, Stone’s life was changed dramatically after an accident, and now he runs The Carnal Tower, a place where people can go to have their deepest and sometimes darkest fantasies realized.
Stone is a man who is rarely taken by surprise, so when he meets the artist, August Ashley, he doesn’t expect to trip and fall at his feet—literally. But there’s something about the quiet stranger in the park that Stone wants to take apart, and that feeling only gets worse the more Stone gets to know him.
Stone is well aware he can’t mix business and pleasure, but when August comes to him with a proposal for a trade—seven paintings for seven nights with Lust—he can’t say no. Not when it means he’ll be able to have August exactly the way he wants him—even if it’s just for a week.
Stone has every plan to strip August down to his very soul, but the longer the week goes on, the more Stone comes to realize that August might very well be his undoing.
Shades of Lust is the first book in a new series. It features a bi-awakening, high heat, low angst, and the human embodiment of a seven deadly sin whose sole purpose is to make sure his client never forgets their week at The Carnal Tower. Each book in the series can stand on their own, and all contain no cheating, and a happily ever after.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2022
346 people are currently reading
1160 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
142 books1,405 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
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February 8, 2025OH MY GOD I’M SO BORED OUT OF MY DAMN BRAIN THAT I CAN’T CONTINUE.
I have been trying to read this book for over a week, and I can’t keep trying.
Dnf: 39%
This book has an interesting premise, I think???
But I couldn’t give less fucks about either character if I physically tried.
Stone, a man who lost his legs, owns a brothel based on 7 deadly sins. He is lust.
August, a man who is an overly anxious artist and a 40 year old virgin.
But at 40% and I’m READY FOR A SLEEP 😴😴😴. The inner monologues in this book have bored me to death 💀💀💀
Also let’s be so fucking for real, August saw his dog completely axe someone, and didn’t even run up and apologise, he just kept leaning against a tree… weird but okay. Especially when he says later that he knows who the man is. The one he knocked over…..
OH, so you knew you knocked a man who LITERALLY HAS NO LEGS AND HE’S FALLEN ON THE GROUND and you didn’t even apologise or offer him a hand to his feet?????
BESTIE PLEASE……
Also, the first time August sees Stone in his wheel chair, he goes on this INSANELY weird inner monologue about envisioning the man on a chariot in Rome in the old times with the helmets and blah blah blahhhhhhh….
Wot is this weird inner monologue.
I’m so bored it’s putting me in a slump so I can’t keep trying but maybe it’ll be up your alley 💖
I have been trying to read this book for over a week, and I can’t keep trying.
Dnf: 39%
This book has an interesting premise, I think???
But I couldn’t give less fucks about either character if I physically tried.
Stone, a man who lost his legs, owns a brothel based on 7 deadly sins. He is lust.
August, a man who is an overly anxious artist and a 40 year old virgin.
But at 40% and I’m READY FOR A SLEEP 😴😴😴. The inner monologues in this book have bored me to death 💀💀💀
Also let’s be so fucking for real, August saw his dog completely axe someone, and didn’t even run up and apologise, he just kept leaning against a tree… weird but okay. Especially when he says later that he knows who the man is. The one he knocked over…..
OH, so you knew you knocked a man who LITERALLY HAS NO LEGS AND HE’S FALLEN ON THE GROUND and you didn’t even apologise or offer him a hand to his feet?????
BESTIE PLEASE……
Also, the first time August sees Stone in his wheel chair, he goes on this INSANELY weird inner monologue about envisioning the man on a chariot in Rome in the old times with the helmets and blah blah blahhhhhhh….
Wot is this weird inner monologue.
I’m so bored it’s putting me in a slump so I can’t keep trying but maybe it’ll be up your alley 💖
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January 20, 2022Leaving this with no rating because I DNFed pretty early and that's on me.
It had a hard limit/trigger for me which is
I really think this should be added to TWs or at least mentioned to the reader beforehand.
From what I read, I know that I liked both characters and they had insane chemistry...but I couldn't get myself to keep on reading after I realized it would be a .
Lastly, props for the author for their writing style and research. ❤ I know that this book would have been an easy 5 star if it weren't for my trigger.
I received an ARC and this is my honeat review.
It had a hard limit/trigger for me which is
I really think this should be added to TWs or at least mentioned to the reader beforehand.
From what I read, I know that I liked both characters and they had insane chemistry...but I couldn't get myself to keep on reading after I realized it would be a .
Lastly, props for the author for their writing style and research. ❤ I know that this book would have been an easy 5 star if it weren't for my trigger.
I received an ARC and this is my honeat review.
February 10, 2022
this book is the most boring, the lamest, the tamest, and the most uneventful story with a pleasure house/brothel as its central theme. good lord im not even sure if they did have penetrative sex in the end because i was just skimming in the last 2-3 chapters. a slow burn romance is one thing a but an ultra slow burn sex in a brothel-themed story is just... you cant mix those two things. theyre too opposites with one another for me. like whats cooking down there? nothing. i was so fucking bored. like if you wanna go crazy about something go full blown crazy or dont bother at all. the carnal tower is best legal pleasure house in this state and i barely saw anything that makes it a top dog in its chosen industry. em lindsey nailed the wishy washy hurt/comfort story but i definitely zoned out alot of times while reading this. in the words of my goddess violet chachki, i liked the idea of it but the execution not so much. oh my god books are getting boring these days. hoping everyones having a good reading shebang.
July 26, 2022
Oh WOW! This world that E.M. Lindsey has created in their The Carnal Tower series is amazing. The first book, Shades of Lust sets it all up, so start with this one, and if you're a fan of audiobooks - Kirt Graves delivers a stellar perfomance in this one!
I literally can't wait for the next one to come out in audio!
an audiobook copy of Shades of Lust was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
I literally can't wait for the next one to come out in audio!
an audiobook copy of Shades of Lust was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
March 23, 2022
I had no idea what to expect, here, but I went in with an open mind and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to book 2.
dnf
February 24, 2022I am DNF'ing for the first time with this writer.
I am on yet another page of the non stop inner monologuing which is explaining every little detail about this brothel and I have never been so bored. I mean, we have a person who ran away from his fundamentalist family to join the circus and then lost his legs when they all were in an accident. Luckily for him, he got lots of money to get his PHD and start a brothel. How do we know that this happened? Cause its mentioned over and over again. And every time its mentioned, a little more detail is added.
For example - you find out he has no legs. Then you find out he was in an accident. Then you find out he had joined a circus. Then you find out about the money. Then you find out about the PHD. And it goes on and on.
How can this be boring? Well, page after page of non stop details will do it for ya.
I have been trying to read this for 3 weeks and maybe I will come back to it later.
I am on yet another page of the non stop inner monologuing which is explaining every little detail about this brothel and I have never been so bored. I mean, we have a person who ran away from his fundamentalist family to join the circus and then lost his legs when they all were in an accident. Luckily for him, he got lots of money to get his PHD and start a brothel. How do we know that this happened? Cause its mentioned over and over again. And every time its mentioned, a little more detail is added.
For example - you find out he has no legs. Then you find out he was in an accident. Then you find out he had joined a circus. Then you find out about the money. Then you find out about the PHD. And it goes on and on.
How can this be boring? Well, page after page of non stop details will do it for ya.
I have been trying to read this for 3 weeks and maybe I will come back to it later.
July 24, 2022
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book.
I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again.
E.M. Lindsey is writing some of the best depictions of various disabilities in the genre.
This series had been on my radar for a while and I don’t know why I waited to long to pick it up.
After an accident that cost him his legs, Stone founded the Carnal Tower - a brother where he and six other men embody the seven sins and you can live your every fantasy - if you’ve got enough money.
While out on a run Stone meets August, a socially anxious painter after he very literally trips over August’s dog.
Lindsey handles both Stone’s and August’s personal struggles beautifully, as well as Stone’s job as a sex worker.
This book is intense and emotional, and I can’t wait to read the next one.
My biggest issue with this book is the same as literally every other EML book i’ve read, the ending comes up too quickly. It feels like some big conversations and left for too late in the book for both the characters and the reader to have enough time to digest them.
I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again.
E.M. Lindsey is writing some of the best depictions of various disabilities in the genre.
This series had been on my radar for a while and I don’t know why I waited to long to pick it up.
After an accident that cost him his legs, Stone founded the Carnal Tower - a brother where he and six other men embody the seven sins and you can live your every fantasy - if you’ve got enough money.
While out on a run Stone meets August, a socially anxious painter after he very literally trips over August’s dog.
Lindsey handles both Stone’s and August’s personal struggles beautifully, as well as Stone’s job as a sex worker.
This book is intense and emotional, and I can’t wait to read the next one.
My biggest issue with this book is the same as literally every other EML book i’ve read, the ending comes up too quickly. It feels like some big conversations and left for too late in the book for both the characters and the reader to have enough time to digest them.
February 15, 2022
My thoughts about this book are all over the place. The synopsis definitely grabbed my attention. I mean, a brothel based on the seven deadly sins and an artist willing to trade art for seven nights with Lust? Color me intrigued. But as I got into the story I began to feel like the author bit off more than they could chew. There was a lot going on with these characters, a ton of inner monologue, and it started to seem like the author got lost in the details and couldn't find their way back out unscathed. There were things that worked for me, but the overall impression I was left with wasn't great.
I noticed a lot of reviews mentioning the consensual non-monogamy. I agree with them in terms of what I prefer in my romance novels. I'm not even a fan of poly romances because I love the intensity that I've only felt come off the pages when it's between two people. I keep waiting for an author to change my mind, but it hasn't happened yet. In this book, Stone was a sex worker and The Carnal Tower was his dream. He wanted to find his forever person, but had pretty much written off the possibility because of his job. So it was made fairly clear to me from the very beginning that Stone's perfect person would need to be someone who would accept that part of him. If that kind of thing is a hard limit for you when it comes to your reading pleasure, you might want to pass on this book.
One thing that I really loved about this book was how Stone was represented as a person with a disability, not a disabled person. Obviously his disability changed his life, but he was not encumbered by it and it didn't define him. The author found a really good balance between respecting the added admin required when living with prosthetics and allowing Stone to be a regular guy. I also appreciated the mental health/anxiety rep in August's character. His mind was capable of creating beautiful art, but it also overwhelmed him in ways that made him feel as though a solitary life was all he'd ever have.
My problems with this book were in the details. August signed up for seven nights with Lust (Stone), but we only got to see four of those nights while the other three were flippantly told instead of shown as the book hurdled to its end. And for a book about a brothel, there was a shockingly small amount of steamy scenes and all were relegated to Stone and August's contracted sessions, which was annoying. And if you're a person that likes to make it to the first kiss before taking a break, make sure you carve out a lot of time. There were also inconsistencies in the writing that ripped me out of the story several times. There were instances where the wrong character names were used. There were scenes where information was shared for the first time and then later shared again as if it were the first time (based on the surprised reaction from the person receiving the information...again). And August's sexual history was hard to wrap my head around. Hand jobs from women but never been kissed? How did he get in that situation? I know most books aren't seamless and overlooking typos/mistakes is par for the course, but the seams in this book were a bit too obvious to ignore.
I don't know if I'll continue with this series. The other Sins interested me, but I'm afraid that their books will be more of what didn't work for me in this one.
PS - If someones tongue tastes sour during a first kiss (and it's not because they've been eating sour candy), don't try to convince me that it tastes perfect. It doesn't and now that kiss has been ruined for me.
I noticed a lot of reviews mentioning the consensual non-monogamy. I agree with them in terms of what I prefer in my romance novels. I'm not even a fan of poly romances because I love the intensity that I've only felt come off the pages when it's between two people. I keep waiting for an author to change my mind, but it hasn't happened yet. In this book, Stone was a sex worker and The Carnal Tower was his dream. He wanted to find his forever person, but had pretty much written off the possibility because of his job. So it was made fairly clear to me from the very beginning that Stone's perfect person would need to be someone who would accept that part of him. If that kind of thing is a hard limit for you when it comes to your reading pleasure, you might want to pass on this book.
One thing that I really loved about this book was how Stone was represented as a person with a disability, not a disabled person. Obviously his disability changed his life, but he was not encumbered by it and it didn't define him. The author found a really good balance between respecting the added admin required when living with prosthetics and allowing Stone to be a regular guy. I also appreciated the mental health/anxiety rep in August's character. His mind was capable of creating beautiful art, but it also overwhelmed him in ways that made him feel as though a solitary life was all he'd ever have.
My problems with this book were in the details. August signed up for seven nights with Lust (Stone), but we only got to see four of those nights while the other three were flippantly told instead of shown as the book hurdled to its end. And for a book about a brothel, there was a shockingly small amount of steamy scenes and all were relegated to Stone and August's contracted sessions, which was annoying. And if you're a person that likes to make it to the first kiss before taking a break, make sure you carve out a lot of time. There were also inconsistencies in the writing that ripped me out of the story several times. There were instances where the wrong character names were used. There were scenes where information was shared for the first time and then later shared again as if it were the first time (based on the surprised reaction from the person receiving the information...again). And August's sexual history was hard to wrap my head around. Hand jobs from women but never been kissed? How did he get in that situation? I know most books aren't seamless and overlooking typos/mistakes is par for the course, but the seams in this book were a bit too obvious to ignore.
I don't know if I'll continue with this series. The other Sins interested me, but I'm afraid that their books will be more of what didn't work for me in this one.
PS - If someones tongue tastes sour during a first kiss (and it's not because they've been eating sour candy), don't try to convince me that it tastes perfect. It doesn't and now that kiss has been ruined for me.
September 21, 2022
4-4.5 stars
Well this was an unexpected win for me. It might be due to the fact the Kirt Graves narrated this book, but I was hooked from page one and I couldn’t put it down.
It’s hard to say if there was cheating since Stone was an escort/sex worker…? But fancier? Haha so he still has his clients (and August is one of them, until you know feelings) haha but to me there it didn’t feel like cheating, my brain made the switch from Stone being Lust and Stone being Stone. But I can totally see how people will say this is cheating. There were scenes that Stone did have clients, not August, but no real on page sex happened, I think they were mostly non sexual (if my memory serves me right)
I did pick this book up mainly so I could read book two, since I was more interested in Jet, but I am so glad this book went above my expectations! I am excited to read about all the Sins!
Well this was an unexpected win for me. It might be due to the fact the Kirt Graves narrated this book, but I was hooked from page one and I couldn’t put it down.
It’s hard to say if there was cheating since Stone was an escort/sex worker…? But fancier? Haha so he still has his clients (and August is one of them, until you know feelings) haha but to me there it didn’t feel like cheating, my brain made the switch from Stone being Lust and Stone being Stone. But I can totally see how people will say this is cheating. There were scenes that Stone did have clients, not August, but no real on page sex happened, I think they were mostly non sexual (if my memory serves me right)
I did pick this book up mainly so I could read book two, since I was more interested in Jet, but I am so glad this book went above my expectations! I am excited to read about all the Sins!
February 5, 2022
This first book in EM's new series was just wonderful- steamy, sexy, full of characters whose books I now need, and a lovely romance.
Stone runs a brothel with 6 other men, all who are the human embodiment of the seven deadly sins. Stone is lust. I'm already super interested in the other men and what their stories will be like. As with many of their stories, EM Lindsey does an amazing job with representation of disabilities. Stone is a double amputee from a past accident, one of the sins is slowly going deaf, Jet is blind.
I just loved August. He suffers from very bad anxiety, and I loved how Stone was just so patient and caring, understanding, and also so respectful of being with him during and after anxiety attacks. These two just work SO WELL together, and I also appreciate that August can separate Stone the man he loves, and Lust, the man who runs his brothel.
Steamy, fun, and romantic. I loved it. And I can't wait for the next one.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Stone runs a brothel with 6 other men, all who are the human embodiment of the seven deadly sins. Stone is lust. I'm already super interested in the other men and what their stories will be like. As with many of their stories, EM Lindsey does an amazing job with representation of disabilities. Stone is a double amputee from a past accident, one of the sins is slowly going deaf, Jet is blind.
I just loved August. He suffers from very bad anxiety, and I loved how Stone was just so patient and caring, understanding, and also so respectful of being with him during and after anxiety attacks. These two just work SO WELL together, and I also appreciate that August can separate Stone the man he loves, and Lust, the man who runs his brothel.
Steamy, fun, and romantic. I loved it. And I can't wait for the next one.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2022
This was a funny one for me.
The setup is completely my catnip: man with troubled childhood runs off to join the circus (go on!), loses (part of) both legs in a bus accident, uses his settlement money to get a PhD in classics (as one does), then sets up a hell-themed brothel with seven men doubling as the seven sins (coincidentally, one of the few available career paths for a PhD in classics!). Dr. Lust meet-cutes a 40-something-year-old artist and virgin who lives with a serious anxiety disorder. They strike a deal to exchange sessions for art, while battling their intense attraction to each other -- an attraction and connection that both try to push away, convinced as they are that it is doomed from the start.
Typical of EM Lindsey, this is written with a lot of grace and incisiveness and empathy. But I just found it a bit . . . dull. You would think "hell-themed brothel" would insulate against dullness, but there it is. I can't even put my finger on why, but I just kept putting this down and not feeling super compelled to pick it up again. (Although I did -- it was perfectly fine, hence the three stars. Just not as propulsive or addictive as I was expecting.) And the sex was . . . well, respectful of the fact that August is a 40-something virgin with an anxiety disorder. Which is to say, training wheels. Necessary training wheels! But as my granny would say (and I am quietly cackling at the idea of my granny reading this, although I suspect that behind her WASP-y exterior she was actually a secret horndog): for a book centering on a hell-themed brothel, this was all hat, no cattle.
I don't know, friends. This was definitely not bad, but it wasn't great either. Just kind of a ho-hum read.
The setup is completely my catnip: man with troubled childhood runs off to join the circus (go on!), loses (part of) both legs in a bus accident, uses his settlement money to get a PhD in classics (as one does), then sets up a hell-themed brothel with seven men doubling as the seven sins (coincidentally, one of the few available career paths for a PhD in classics!). Dr. Lust meet-cutes a 40-something-year-old artist and virgin who lives with a serious anxiety disorder. They strike a deal to exchange sessions for art, while battling their intense attraction to each other -- an attraction and connection that both try to push away, convinced as they are that it is doomed from the start.
Typical of EM Lindsey, this is written with a lot of grace and incisiveness and empathy. But I just found it a bit . . . dull. You would think "hell-themed brothel" would insulate against dullness, but there it is. I can't even put my finger on why, but I just kept putting this down and not feeling super compelled to pick it up again. (Although I did -- it was perfectly fine, hence the three stars. Just not as propulsive or addictive as I was expecting.) And the sex was . . . well, respectful of the fact that August is a 40-something virgin with an anxiety disorder. Which is to say, training wheels. Necessary training wheels! But as my granny would say (and I am quietly cackling at the idea of my granny reading this, although I suspect that behind her WASP-y exterior she was actually a secret horndog): for a book centering on a hell-themed brothel, this was all hat, no cattle.
I don't know, friends. This was definitely not bad, but it wasn't great either. Just kind of a ho-hum read.
November 1, 2023
⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️
I might’ve just found my next series to binge.
In love with these characters and the whole idea of a hell and seven deadly sins themed brothel.
Lust, or Stone, was not what I was expecting — the whole book caught me by surprise, really.
Extremely tender and sweet romance, interlaced with hot and steamy first-time explorations, between brothel owner Stone and the anxiety-ridden artist, August.
I love how E.M. Lindsey incorporates various disabilities in her books but doesn’t make it feel trope-y, giving her characters distinct and fully developed personalities. Not only the main characters, but the side characters as well, which really helps to pull you in and get addicted to their lovely found family and leaves you wanting more.
The ending felt a little abrupt, only because I wasn’t ready to let these two go yet.
I was a little disappointed we didn’t get to enjoy all seven sessions, but the last one was so yummy I forgive the author for taking the other ones away.
CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Amputee MC with prosthetic legs
- MC with anxiety and panic attacks
- Dog owners
- Found family
- Virgin MC with a hair-trigger
- light BDSM, bondage and blindfolding
- Intercrural
- Strict top/bottom
I might’ve just found my next series to binge.
In love with these characters and the whole idea of a hell and seven deadly sins themed brothel.
Lust, or Stone, was not what I was expecting — the whole book caught me by surprise, really.
Extremely tender and sweet romance, interlaced with hot and steamy first-time explorations, between brothel owner Stone and the anxiety-ridden artist, August.
I love how E.M. Lindsey incorporates various disabilities in her books but doesn’t make it feel trope-y, giving her characters distinct and fully developed personalities. Not only the main characters, but the side characters as well, which really helps to pull you in and get addicted to their lovely found family and leaves you wanting more.
The ending felt a little abrupt, only because I wasn’t ready to let these two go yet.
I was a little disappointed we didn’t get to enjoy all seven sessions, but the last one was so yummy I forgive the author for taking the other ones away.
CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Amputee MC with prosthetic legs
- MC with anxiety and panic attacks
- Dog owners
- Found family
- Virgin MC with a hair-trigger
- light BDSM, bondage and blindfolding
- Intercrural
- Strict top/bottom
February 3, 2022
Intensely Unique and Beautiful
Shades of Lust is the first book I’ve read by E.M. Lindsey, and I was absolutely blown away. I was entranced by the story, the characters, the language, and the premise. Lindsey created two intensely beautiful characters in Stone and August, placing them in a unique but perfect setting for their story to grow as their understanding of themselves and each other does. By trying to make sense of what they each truly want, they find what they both truly need.
Lindsey’s language is powerful, striking, and expressive, creating characters as intricately woven pictures, much as I suspect one of August's canvases would look. Stone’s backstory plays beautifully into the narrative, and paints him as a complex and compassionate individual, exactly what August needs. The depiction of August’s anxiety is authentic and intense without being exaggerated. It is not what defines him, but what brings him to need what Stone can provide.
Much like the Sins in the book, the storyline itself kept defying expectations. It was profound in its message, but often light and poetic in its language, while still being deep and expressive in its tone and plot. This is a book you should take your time reading; there are so many layers to absorb, and they’re all worth it.
Shades of Lust is the first book I’ve read by E.M. Lindsey, and I was absolutely blown away. I was entranced by the story, the characters, the language, and the premise. Lindsey created two intensely beautiful characters in Stone and August, placing them in a unique but perfect setting for their story to grow as their understanding of themselves and each other does. By trying to make sense of what they each truly want, they find what they both truly need.
Lindsey’s language is powerful, striking, and expressive, creating characters as intricately woven pictures, much as I suspect one of August's canvases would look. Stone’s backstory plays beautifully into the narrative, and paints him as a complex and compassionate individual, exactly what August needs. The depiction of August’s anxiety is authentic and intense without being exaggerated. It is not what defines him, but what brings him to need what Stone can provide.
Much like the Sins in the book, the storyline itself kept defying expectations. It was profound in its message, but often light and poetic in its language, while still being deep and expressive in its tone and plot. This is a book you should take your time reading; there are so many layers to absorb, and they’re all worth it.
January 20, 2022
Shades of Lust by EM Lindsey is the first book in The Carnal Tower eries. I love the entire concept of the brothel and the seven sins.
I absolutely fell in the with August. He has severe anxiety and every time he had an attack it broke my heart. I loved how patient and comforting Stone was with him. I liked the August was understanding of the fact that Stone's work at the brothel was just work and not who he was when he was with him. The intimate scenes were steamy and well written and were a bonus to the characters themselves.
I am definitely invested in this series all ready and can't wait to learn more about each sin.
-Virgin MC, Disabled MC, Severe Anxiety
I absolutely fell in the with August. He has severe anxiety and every time he had an attack it broke my heart. I loved how patient and comforting Stone was with him. I liked the August was understanding of the fact that Stone's work at the brothel was just work and not who he was when he was with him. The intimate scenes were steamy and well written and were a bonus to the characters themselves.
I am definitely invested in this series all ready and can't wait to learn more about each sin.
-Virgin MC, Disabled MC, Severe Anxiety
June 22, 2022
This was a pretty good start to a promising series.
I liked Stone and his "made" family. Each Sin seems to have an interesting story.
August impressed me with the way he dealt with his mental disability as a fact of life. He deals with it and still strives for more. I'm glad Stone was able to help him.
I liked Stone and his "made" family. Each Sin seems to have an interesting story.
August impressed me with the way he dealt with his mental disability as a fact of life. He deals with it and still strives for more. I'm glad Stone was able to help him.
August 21, 2025
I am not sure how I feel about it.
Neither amazing or bad.
Very wordy and descriptive.
It took me a minute to fully get into it and that was around 50-60% or so.
No miscommunication, which was a plus.
An older couple, which is also nice to see as well.
I don't 🤷🏾♀️
Neither amazing or bad.
Very wordy and descriptive.
It took me a minute to fully get into it and that was around 50-60% or so.
No miscommunication, which was a plus.
An older couple, which is also nice to see as well.
I don't 🤷🏾♀️
dnf
March 16, 2023dnf at 35%
monologues, monologues and more monologues
monologues, monologues and more monologues
May 2, 2022
Uh well, this book was quite a read.
Stone was an acrobat until his life changed dramatically due to an accident. As he was not at fault for this accident, he received a settlement of 7 million dollars but has lost both his legs.
He bought an old cathedral and renovated it to become a brothel. Each client gets 7 days of sins, but cannot return after the 7 days have been completed.
August is a gallery owner with severe anxiety. Both characters meet in a park when Augusts' dog runs into Stone. Stone then visits the gallery and falls in love with Augusts' painting. But they are not for sale. They agree for an exchange. 7 of Augusts' paintings for 7 days of sin.
Well, this book fell a little bit flat for me. The characters were not really relatable for me and the whole storyline was also for me not really realistic. I mean a brothel that does not allow its customers to come back after 7 days?
But I was interested in how it all played out, so I finished this book. But yeah it was not my favorite book.
*I received this book as an ARC. I chose to leave an honest review.*
Stone was an acrobat until his life changed dramatically due to an accident. As he was not at fault for this accident, he received a settlement of 7 million dollars but has lost both his legs.
He bought an old cathedral and renovated it to become a brothel. Each client gets 7 days of sins, but cannot return after the 7 days have been completed.
August is a gallery owner with severe anxiety. Both characters meet in a park when Augusts' dog runs into Stone. Stone then visits the gallery and falls in love with Augusts' painting. But they are not for sale. They agree for an exchange. 7 of Augusts' paintings for 7 days of sin.
Well, this book fell a little bit flat for me. The characters were not really relatable for me and the whole storyline was also for me not really realistic. I mean a brothel that does not allow its customers to come back after 7 days?
But I was interested in how it all played out, so I finished this book. But yeah it was not my favorite book.
*I received this book as an ARC. I chose to leave an honest review.*
July 23, 2022
I usually really like this author but I do not think this series is for me. I have no problem reading about characters who are sex workers but I like for them to only be with each other at the end. If I had known that there was consensual non monogamy I definitely would not have read this book. I know that’s not realistic but it’s just my preference. This wasn’t a bad book all around but it left me feeling wanting more. I felt like nothing happened until 80 or 90% and even then it felt very rushed. I don’t know I’m just very dissatisfied with this book and I should have DNFed it. Just sort of irritated I stayed up late to finish up a boom that left me very unsatisfied.
April 21, 2022
Is it so difficult to put a trigger warning regarding non-monogamous couples?
July 19, 2022
I tried reading this in ebook form but dnf'd because it just kept going on and on. While it still has more info dumps than needed, I am so glad that I listened to it, as I absolutely loved August and Stone.
In here we have a proud (heh) sex worker who finds his heart within a very anxious artist. August is in his forties and still a virgin. His mental health plays a huge part of his life and Stone accepts him just how he is, without making him feel worse. Stone lost both of his legs due to an accident but created the brothel to serve those who need one of the seven deadly sins.
This was a very slow burn. There was very little actual sex on page considering this was about a man who is a sex worker. I was very happy that there was no talk about changing the business once Stone and August got together.
The narration was done well, though there were certain places in the story that could have been less dry and monotone.
In here we have a proud (heh) sex worker who finds his heart within a very anxious artist. August is in his forties and still a virgin. His mental health plays a huge part of his life and Stone accepts him just how he is, without making him feel worse. Stone lost both of his legs due to an accident but created the brothel to serve those who need one of the seven deadly sins.
This was a very slow burn. There was very little actual sex on page considering this was about a man who is a sex worker. I was very happy that there was no talk about changing the business once Stone and August got together.
The narration was done well, though there were certain places in the story that could have been less dry and monotone.
February 9, 2025
DNF @ 73%. Started with so much promise, but then it just got boring. For a book based on the carnal sin of Lust, this was the most lust-less thing I've ever read. Are we supposed to believe that clients actually pay for whatever it is Stone was dishing out? That was the tamest stuff I've ever seen. The best part of the book was the attraction between Stone and August, and the deep anxiety August had over his eccentric persona, and wanting to be liked and accepted, but even that started dragging. At 73% I just flat out lost interest. I might try one of the other 'sins' and hope I fare better.
November 24, 2022
I . . . don't even know what to say.
This book was not for me. The writing style, the pretentious characters, the one guy who's "so weird no one wants to be his lover or even his friend" who just isn't especially weird or off putting and who everyone in the book seems to love?
Fantastic audio narration, though.
This book was not for me. The writing style, the pretentious characters, the one guy who's "so weird no one wants to be his lover or even his friend" who just isn't especially weird or off putting and who everyone in the book seems to love?
Fantastic audio narration, though.
Read
May 5, 2022A re-try at another time, I can't get into the book atm.
Okay I was eager to start this one as the authors books are a favorite.
I was hooked as soon as started with Stone's going of for his run and then lands on his butt. I love disabilities themed books with all the feelings included. Stone was in an accident 17 years ago and lost his legs. Now 36 he ran The Cardinal Towers Club having his brother, Flint sharing his house.
Stone finds himself on the ground by a four legged beast and then meets August.
A great first meeting between the characters and Stone is the care taker in this book. This had a lot of details included that it lost me to the story. I want to give this another try and since Ive already downloaded the second book in the series I'm really hoping the second book can grab me again to the series.
Okay I was eager to start this one as the authors books are a favorite.
I was hooked as soon as started with Stone's going of for his run and then lands on his butt. I love disabilities themed books with all the feelings included. Stone was in an accident 17 years ago and lost his legs. Now 36 he ran The Cardinal Towers Club having his brother, Flint sharing his house.
Stone finds himself on the ground by a four legged beast and then meets August.
A great first meeting between the characters and Stone is the care taker in this book. This had a lot of details included that it lost me to the story. I want to give this another try and since Ive already downloaded the second book in the series I'm really hoping the second book can grab me again to the series.
February 6, 2022
Shades of Lust was an unexpected surprise... in so many ways...
Full review:
http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2022...
Full review:
http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2022...
February 14, 2022
Uhnm, no. Nothing works for me here. It's very fast on the feels and veeery slow on everything else. I cannot feel the connection.
Lust is not very good at his job, or at least we are not shown any part that makes him exceptional. He seems a lot self-serving in this, I don't know. And calling a 43-year - old man a "sweet little virgin" is yucky to me.
The brothel part is also very unrealistic. These guys don't seem to have any clients, how do they make so much money?! In a small town in the middle of nowhere? I understand they pay a lot for the dubious services of the seven sins, but... Still.
Lust is not very good at his job, or at least we are not shown any part that makes him exceptional. He seems a lot self-serving in this, I don't know. And calling a 43-year - old man a "sweet little virgin" is yucky to me.
The brothel part is also very unrealistic. These guys don't seem to have any clients, how do they make so much money?! In a small town in the middle of nowhere? I understand they pay a lot for the dubious services of the seven sins, but... Still.
April 12, 2022
I started this book with high hopes, but unfortunately I was disappointed. I found the story a bit boring and August was nice, but his problems were a bit too much.
October 16, 2022
The idea was interesting but the execution not so much. Was more interested in the other sins than the main characters.
January 19, 2022
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Shades of Lust by E.M. Lindsey is the first book in their new Carnal Tower series. Stone Brice has built a non-traditional life for himself and his “sins” after a tragic accident throws his life into a tailspin. Rather than let his disability keep him down he becomes a master in the Classics and uses his knowledge to create a one of a kind fantasy experience with the seven deadly sins in The Carnal Tower. As the embodiment of lust the last thing he expects is to be knocked over by the socially uncomfortable and inexperienced artist, August Ashley. Stone knows he needs art created by August after seeing his work but the agreement they come to is more than either man expected. With lines blurring and boundaries being crossed August and Stone are faced with the challenge of building something together when they live in two different worlds.
Stone Brice has wholeheartedly accepted and embraced that he is lust in his tower of sins. He feels so lonely although he has his fellow sins living on the compound, including his brother Flint. He accepts that he will be alone forever because how can someone accept what he does. When August comes barreling into his life his immediate attraction and connection is undeniable. He knows he needs to get to know this man and their agreement is the easiest way to get to know August without overwhelming him. Their physical connection grows with each experience they have together and the emotional bond that follows is incredibly strong.
No one like August would ever come along again. Even if he lost him, this was it.
August Ashley has lived a solitary life with the understanding that his anxiety would always rule his day-to-day life and relationships. He believes he is too socially awkward to ever be worthy of love on any level. His run in with Stone leads him to a bout of bravery and he finds himself asking to experience Lust in exchange for painting the sins. He allows himself the opportunity to try things he never imagined being able to with Stone, as the sin and the man.
Now, he just wanted to feel. He wanted to feel safe to explore all the things he’d ignored for so long. He wanted to crack himself open and dig deep and … as Stone had said to him… he wanted to indulge.
I didn’t know what I was getting into with Shades of Lust to be completely honest. I was pleasantly surprised to love not only Stone and August but all the sins and I am looking forward to seeing each man open up about their pasts and see how they connect to their sin. This story had steam coming off the pages but was just as sweet watching both August and Stone find out they deserved to be loved for who they are. Both men found a partner who didn’t want to change them, just embrace their differences. I appreciated that the author took the time to explain that people would come to the tower not only for sexual fantasies but also to work through past traumas in platonic and emotional ways. This book touched upon some kinks without truly getting into them but I feel that other stories may delve further into kinks. We shall see…
4 stars for Stone and August embracing each other's differences and celebrating them.
Shades of Lust by E.M. Lindsey is the first book in their new Carnal Tower series. Stone Brice has built a non-traditional life for himself and his “sins” after a tragic accident throws his life into a tailspin. Rather than let his disability keep him down he becomes a master in the Classics and uses his knowledge to create a one of a kind fantasy experience with the seven deadly sins in The Carnal Tower. As the embodiment of lust the last thing he expects is to be knocked over by the socially uncomfortable and inexperienced artist, August Ashley. Stone knows he needs art created by August after seeing his work but the agreement they come to is more than either man expected. With lines blurring and boundaries being crossed August and Stone are faced with the challenge of building something together when they live in two different worlds.
Stone Brice has wholeheartedly accepted and embraced that he is lust in his tower of sins. He feels so lonely although he has his fellow sins living on the compound, including his brother Flint. He accepts that he will be alone forever because how can someone accept what he does. When August comes barreling into his life his immediate attraction and connection is undeniable. He knows he needs to get to know this man and their agreement is the easiest way to get to know August without overwhelming him. Their physical connection grows with each experience they have together and the emotional bond that follows is incredibly strong.
No one like August would ever come along again. Even if he lost him, this was it.
August Ashley has lived a solitary life with the understanding that his anxiety would always rule his day-to-day life and relationships. He believes he is too socially awkward to ever be worthy of love on any level. His run in with Stone leads him to a bout of bravery and he finds himself asking to experience Lust in exchange for painting the sins. He allows himself the opportunity to try things he never imagined being able to with Stone, as the sin and the man.
Now, he just wanted to feel. He wanted to feel safe to explore all the things he’d ignored for so long. He wanted to crack himself open and dig deep and … as Stone had said to him… he wanted to indulge.
I didn’t know what I was getting into with Shades of Lust to be completely honest. I was pleasantly surprised to love not only Stone and August but all the sins and I am looking forward to seeing each man open up about their pasts and see how they connect to their sin. This story had steam coming off the pages but was just as sweet watching both August and Stone find out they deserved to be loved for who they are. Both men found a partner who didn’t want to change them, just embrace their differences. I appreciated that the author took the time to explain that people would come to the tower not only for sexual fantasies but also to work through past traumas in platonic and emotional ways. This book touched upon some kinks without truly getting into them but I feel that other stories may delve further into kinks. We shall see…
4 stars for Stone and August embracing each other's differences and celebrating them.
October 7, 2023
Shades of Lust is the first novel in E.M. Lindsey's The Carnal Tower series. It's high heat and low angst. This book can be read as a standalone, it doesn't contain any cheating, and the couple gets their happily ever after! It also has disability and mental health representation, and takes place at The Carnal Tower, a brothel where clients can book time with the embodiments of the seven deadly sins.
Stone Brice, the embodiment of Lust, had the course of his life changed after a car accident as a teenager. He designed and opened The Carnal Tower, a place where clients can have their deepest and darkest fantasies realized for a price. August Ashley is a talented artist that's used to living in the shadows. He's come to the resignation that he'll live his life alone. After a chance meeting in the park and seeing a sample of August's work, Stone wants seven paintings for The Carnal Tower. When August proposes a trade - seven paintings for seven nights with Lust, Stone finds himself readily agreeing. Mixing business and pleasure is never a good idea, and as their nights progress and the lines get blurred, August and Stone come to the conclusion that they just might be one another's undoing.
And he didn't want August to fall for him because Stone was a kind person, but he was far from good, and August deserved an actual angel, not a fallen one.
Stone Brice, the embodiment of Lust, had the course of his life changed after a car accident as a teenager. He designed and opened The Carnal Tower, a place where clients can have their deepest and darkest fantasies realized for a price. August Ashley is a talented artist that's used to living in the shadows. He's come to the resignation that he'll live his life alone. After a chance meeting in the park and seeing a sample of August's work, Stone wants seven paintings for The Carnal Tower. When August proposes a trade - seven paintings for seven nights with Lust, Stone finds himself readily agreeing. Mixing business and pleasure is never a good idea, and as their nights progress and the lines get blurred, August and Stone come to the conclusion that they just might be one another's undoing.
And he didn't want August to fall for him because Stone was a kind person, but he was far from good, and August deserved an actual angel, not a fallen one.
The concept for this series is so refreshing, and as always, E.M. Lindsey's work is filled with amazing representation. August and Stone were such a fascinating pairing. Stone has two prosthetic legs after an accident as a teenager changed the course of his life. August has severe anxiety and deals with panic attacks on a regular basis. I loved how Stone understood and worked with August's anxiety, and in turn, August understood Stone on a deeper level that he doesn't allow most people. Running and working at a brothel like this doesn't always cultivate an easy dating life, but I'm so pleased that Stone found his match with August!
I also loved their meet-cute in the park with Cannelle, August's adorable dog. It was so sweet and unexpected! As their nights together continue, you can't help but root for them to realize they're more than just a business transaction. The glimpse of the other Sins we get is also great, especially if you love a found family! I'm looking forward to getting to know them a bit better throughout the series and their own books.
"If this is hell," August said, turning his face to run his nose along the shell of Stone's ear, "remind me never to stop sinning."
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