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Dangerous Pleasures
No Names. No Guilt. No Boundaries.
Renee Matthews is starting over. Free of a demanding ex-husband who left her feeling worthless, she's ready for a purely physical connection, on her terms. Sex in the dark with a total stranger--a night of breathless passion without complications. An online ad leads to the first of many anonymous trysts. And when one partner takes her into a darker realm of pleasure, Renee discovers hungers she never knew she possessed.
Renee knows these encounters are risky. Nothing has ever compared to such exhilarating desire--certainly not her ex, or the "perfect" potential boyfriend her parents keep pushing her way. But as the excitement escalates, so does the danger. And walking away from her midnight lover may be more difficult than Renee ever expected. . .
"The sensuality of the narrative style, the intensity of the characters' emotions, and the complexity of the plot are all satisfying." --Eroticarevealed.com on Every Dark Desire
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Zedde
59 books417 followersJamaican-born Fiona Zedde is the author of several novellas and novels of lesBiQueer love and desire, including the Lambda Literary Award finalists, Bliss and Every Dark Desire. She loves French pastries, English cars, Jamaican food, and currently lives in Spain.
Her novel, Dangerous Pleasures, received a Publishers Weekly starred review and won an About.com Readers' Choice Award for Best Lesbian Novel/Memoir. Her latest book, Just Like Her, is out now. Find out more about her catalog of 30+ books at www.FionaZedde.com.
Her novel, Dangerous Pleasures, received a Publishers Weekly starred review and won an About.com Readers' Choice Award for Best Lesbian Novel/Memoir. Her latest book, Just Like Her, is out now. Find out more about her catalog of 30+ books at www.FionaZedde.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 17, 2014
I liked this book until the last thirty-ish pages and then I was left highly annoyed. It started off shaky (the first few chapters had me really confused as to who this story was about and there were a lot of typos), got better, then went off the deep end.
I never warmed up to Renee. I have no patience for wishy-washy characters with a ‘woe is me’ outlook on life, but not doing anything about it. I also felt her reasons for signing up for anonymous sex was such a bad idea. Nothing wrong with having one night stands, but she was doing it to fill a void and to run away from her problems and I really don’t have time for that. I needed Mayson to step in and not be so supportive of Renee’s plan.
But Mayson did go along with Renee’s plan, unfortunately, and involved an innocent bystander, playing on his feelings for Renee. I really can’t forgive either of them for doing that. I was excited to find out who the mystery man was, but felt really hollow about how he was used in this book.
I think if Mayson and Renee were the end game, there needed to be more less-than-friendly scenes with them. Like, near-kisses, touches that meant more. Actually seeing the characters wrestle with their feelings for each other (especially Renee). There wasn’t any need for the side-love interest characters. I think the sexual tension between the two women would’ve/could’ve been enough. No need for a dramatic, over-the-top event to make them realize their feelings.
For most of the book, Mayson and Renee spend a lot of time having sex with other people. As a romance/erotica “purist” it’s hard for me to swallow that. And they don’e really acknowledge their feelings for each other. I was confused as to why Renee and Mayson didn’t have their own books until the last two or three chapters. And therefore, I couldn’t really believe their love was beyond fraternal by the end. Not even the “I dated a girl in college” story could make it believable.
The strongest part of this work is the sex scenes. Lord almighty someone pass me a fan and a cigarette. I can’t describe them any other way than hot and masturbatory. Zedde knows how to write sex and makes you feel like you’re in the room with the characters. Or you wish you were.
All in all, I think Dangerous Pleasures was a good read with a mismatch ending. I just wanted a better suitor for Mayson.
I give this novel 3 stars.
*Dangerous Pleasure was given to me by the author for an honest review.
I never warmed up to Renee. I have no patience for wishy-washy characters with a ‘woe is me’ outlook on life, but not doing anything about it. I also felt her reasons for signing up for anonymous sex was such a bad idea. Nothing wrong with having one night stands, but she was doing it to fill a void and to run away from her problems and I really don’t have time for that. I needed Mayson to step in and not be so supportive of Renee’s plan.
But Mayson did go along with Renee’s plan, unfortunately, and involved an innocent bystander, playing on his feelings for Renee. I really can’t forgive either of them for doing that. I was excited to find out who the mystery man was, but felt really hollow about how he was used in this book.
I think if Mayson and Renee were the end game, there needed to be more less-than-friendly scenes with them. Like, near-kisses, touches that meant more. Actually seeing the characters wrestle with their feelings for each other (especially Renee). There wasn’t any need for the side-love interest characters. I think the sexual tension between the two women would’ve/could’ve been enough. No need for a dramatic, over-the-top event to make them realize their feelings.
For most of the book, Mayson and Renee spend a lot of time having sex with other people. As a romance/erotica “purist” it’s hard for me to swallow that. And they don’e really acknowledge their feelings for each other. I was confused as to why Renee and Mayson didn’t have their own books until the last two or three chapters. And therefore, I couldn’t really believe their love was beyond fraternal by the end. Not even the “I dated a girl in college” story could make it believable.
The strongest part of this work is the sex scenes. Lord almighty someone pass me a fan and a cigarette. I can’t describe them any other way than hot and masturbatory. Zedde knows how to write sex and makes you feel like you’re in the room with the characters. Or you wish you were.
All in all, I think Dangerous Pleasures was a good read with a mismatch ending. I just wanted a better suitor for Mayson.
I give this novel 3 stars.
*Dangerous Pleasure was given to me by the author for an honest review.
July 20, 2024
A nice sexy book to keep the young blood pumping.
December 1, 2014
I was really with this novel for almost all of it - that is, there are great sex scenes (both hetero and lesbian), some almost L Word kind of moments, and a brush across the uniquely trashy appeal of craigslist hookups. What kept me from liking it more was just some trouble connecting to the characters despite all those good things, and in that not being able to take them too seriously outside of their sex scenes. Pretty solid overall, though.
February 2, 2014
2 1/2 stars is more like it. Sometimes I had to reread certain parts to get a better understanding. The writing didn't flow all the time. First time reading this type of genre & it didn't appeal to me.
May 3, 2014
I wish there were more intimate scenes between Mayson and Renee but I glad they got there happy ending.
April 6, 2018
3.5. Took a few turns I definitely wasn’t expecting.
November 29, 2011
Renee and Mayson have been best friends since grade school, they do everything together, talk to each other all the time and are always looking out for each other. Renee's ex-husband was verbally abusive and believed that Renee's relationship with Mayson was the demise of their relationship. Renee is straight and Mayson is gay and they both look out for each other and haven't found the right person to spend their life with. Renee decides that what she needs is uncomplicated sex on her terms and decides to walk a line of danger by placing an ad on the internet. Mayson fearful for her friend makes a dramatic choice to interfere with Renee's choice to make sure she stays safe. I'm not going to say more for fear of spoilers but I'm sure if you read it you can figure it out very quickly.
This book has very vivid descriptions of sensuality, sex and friendship and the fine line that divides it all. I loved that the main characters were both women of color and the descriptions of their bodies wasn't your cookie cutter skinny, no curves. There was a lot of straight sex in this book which made me wonder what I was reading a time or two and I think some of that could have been left to our imagination or not. I loved the two main characters and was left a little disappointed in the end when their union was so abruptly cut short by the end of the book. Since I haven't read any of her other books I have nothing to compare this one to but it seems her other books are much more focused on the lesbian relationship while this book seemed to focus more on the friendship and Renee's heterosexual trysts. I will have to point out that it would have been nice if the cover girl fit the genre of the book - since this is black lesbian fiction why is the girl on the cover so damn light?
This book has very vivid descriptions of sensuality, sex and friendship and the fine line that divides it all. I loved that the main characters were both women of color and the descriptions of their bodies wasn't your cookie cutter skinny, no curves. There was a lot of straight sex in this book which made me wonder what I was reading a time or two and I think some of that could have been left to our imagination or not. I loved the two main characters and was left a little disappointed in the end when their union was so abruptly cut short by the end of the book. Since I haven't read any of her other books I have nothing to compare this one to but it seems her other books are much more focused on the lesbian relationship while this book seemed to focus more on the friendship and Renee's heterosexual trysts. I will have to point out that it would have been nice if the cover girl fit the genre of the book - since this is black lesbian fiction why is the girl on the cover so damn light?
July 18, 2016
This book was amazing until the ending. The sex scenes, even the heterosexual sex scenes were amazing. I loved the friendship between Mayson and Renee and felt it was really great to see them rely on each other.
The plot twist with Kendra was a good bit of drama and I enjoyed all of that and how it would bring them closer together.
The plot twist with Kendra was a good bit of drama and I enjoyed all of that and how it would bring them closer together.
January 30, 2011
That Package May Be Covering Spoiled Goods,
Renee is trying to get on with her life after her divorce from her mentally abusive ex husband. Her parents are trying to set her up with Grant, the safe, boring next door neighbor who has harbored feeling for her for a long time. Needing a completely physical connection with no strings attached, Renee posts a want ad for just that, under the scrutiny of her best friend Mayson. Timid at first, Renee embraces her encounters with a different stranger when the mood hits. Ensuring that the room is dark and their identities remain a secret she is able to walk away each time until she “meets” a stranger who provides her everything she has been yearning for.
I have to give this book a 4 for hotness. Be careful when reading because there are times when the words on the pages seem they should start a fire. As far as the story line, it was good, but some parts became predictable to me and was not solid. I was left feeling a little dejected at the end because the ending did feel a little forced to me. There are some twists that will hold the reader’s attention to the end. I think that fans of erotica with a little story line will enjoy Renee’s story of finding herself.
Reviewed by: Lashonda
3.5
Renee is trying to get on with her life after her divorce from her mentally abusive ex husband. Her parents are trying to set her up with Grant, the safe, boring next door neighbor who has harbored feeling for her for a long time. Needing a completely physical connection with no strings attached, Renee posts a want ad for just that, under the scrutiny of her best friend Mayson. Timid at first, Renee embraces her encounters with a different stranger when the mood hits. Ensuring that the room is dark and their identities remain a secret she is able to walk away each time until she “meets” a stranger who provides her everything she has been yearning for.
I have to give this book a 4 for hotness. Be careful when reading because there are times when the words on the pages seem they should start a fire. As far as the story line, it was good, but some parts became predictable to me and was not solid. I was left feeling a little dejected at the end because the ending did feel a little forced to me. There are some twists that will hold the reader’s attention to the end. I think that fans of erotica with a little story line will enjoy Renee’s story of finding herself.
Reviewed by: Lashonda
3.5
February 5, 2012
Overall a good book and a great read. However, there were a lot of straight sex scenes and only a few lesbian scenes. I would have liked to see more of a balance. I don't mind straight sex scenes, but a balance would have drawn me into the story even more. The Kendra twist was great! And it only got better as the story forged ahead. I was hoping for the ending the way it was and was glad to see what I was hoping for come true. Without spoiling the ending, I would have liked to see more between the two at the end. Or I would have liked to see it happen a bit sooner in the book.
February 9, 2011
Arousing sex scenes (especially the lesbian interactions), but the plot felt shallow and contrived. The first page or two includes the worst example of head-hopping that I've seen in years. I had to reread it five times before I figured out who was who.
November 17, 2011
A very sexual and erotic book, with a nice plot. I enjoyed it a lot!
March 10, 2014
wow!i enjoyed the story...really intense. good read!
December 1, 2014
It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book. Other than that the book was OK.
August 5, 2015
What a delightful treat. Just when you assume an ending Fiona comes and flips the script. Definitely recommend this book.
September 22, 2015
fast paced, slight mystery.
January 19, 2016
The BEST lesbian fiction writer to ever live!
June 7, 2016
I am not generally a fan of erotica or of romance novels but this book is very well written with interesting and believable characters. I enjoyed it thoroughly!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews