Dandelot: Habanera

by DANDELOT

* Manufacturer HL24469

Genres: Menage, Romance, M M F, Contemporary, Erotica, BDSM, M M Romance

Paperback

First published February 18, 2011

Reviews

[Dinjolina]

Ew.
Just ew.

(Why does this book have such a high rating?)

The heroine's husband Alex is bi.
I do not care if he is bi,gay,transx.
The important fact is that he is a JERK!
And he uses the BDSM world to be a bigger jerk!

When he and Colette married he wanted to have sex with who ever he wishes when on tour. And so can his wife. Is he not sweet?
No.
This is not taboo-ish. It's not even the gray area of swinger-ism.
It is plane cheating. He wanted to cheat and has sex with every one of his protegees.
The heroine states that 'It hurt her in the first years of marriage'. Oh come on! An open marriage? Wanna know why you stopped hurting,honey? You got over him! Why? Because he is...a JERK!!!!

His wife meets a nice man. She is kinda, sorta, in love.
But she leaves him and goes home to her husband.
When all three come in contact, the husband has a 'raging hard on and does not know why his wife did not leave him-he would have sure been tempted if the singer wanted him!'
The...the...jerk! He makes me sputter in rage!
He would have left her?
Well what ever!
You jerk!

So he decides to have them all! Or should I say he wants his wife plus her lover.
And so a romance begins.

I have no idea why anybody loved Alek. I am guessing both Colette and David were just people with giving natures and bits of masochism.
The real happy end would have been if they just ditched the sadist in the story. Like he deserved.
Not once did I her him think about love or devotion. But that is fine! He is Master! Arg, arg grrrr, mister manly man!
Die,rat bastard,die!-I say.

[Amara]

It’s been a long while since I've read a ménage, or any book that wasn’t strictly m/m. I got real tired of the whiny heroine mucking everything up. For that reason, I was a bit hesitant when I picked up Entangled Trio. Truth be told, I only read it based on the recommendation of a friend who gave it a big thumbs up. I am so very glad I did, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Well written, with believable characters and relationships, which is usually where a menage book loses me. I don't find them all that believable. Not so with this one. And oh my… what a hot, sexy number it was as well.

I really loved the characters in this one. I found them to be quite complex, and very well written. By the end of the first chapter, I already knew I was going to love Colette. Opera diva, highly regarded, with quite the sexual appetite; submissive to her husband, dominate with David, I loved her. She really did encompass it all, no whiny heroine here. Her husband Aleksandr Petrovsky, had me actually swooning a bit. Orchestra Conductor, strong, cool, in control and devilishly handsome. I absolutely loved everything about these two and their unique relationship as husband and wife. David, small town boy from Wisconsin turned opera star was completely endearing to me and I loved watching him as the relationships between the three of them progressed.

Not being a big opera fan, I was also a bit hesitant on that as well. However, this, I found rather exotic feeling. By the time I was finished, I wanted nothing more than to run out and experience Carmen. Never has a book piqued my interest in opera like this one did. It was written in such a way, that while Colette and David preformed, I had moments I actually felt I was there watching and could feel the chemistry on stage. Romance, opera… and kink… oh my. There's a combination I want more of.

Bottom line… I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading m/m and/or ménage romances. You won’t be disappointed. I will definitely be checking out more of Cat Grant’s books after reading this jewel.

[Shoshanna Evers]

This book was hot and emotional and definitely intriguing. I loved getting a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of an opera diva, her maestro husband, and their tenor lover. Brilliant book, highly recommended!

[Anthea]

This sounded like such a good story but a few pages in, the line 'Even now, blood rushed into her cheeks and inspired a deep, moist itch between her thighs' made me cringe. She needs to get some cream on that if that's the case. A few pages further and it didn't get better so I gave up.

[Sassafrass]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I must admit, I don't know much about the opera world, but the story weaved by Cat Grant seemed very believable. I loved the BDSM component of the story and the development of the menage. Very passionate and sexy, I loved watching the struggle of the characters as a life with two becomes one with three.

the only complaint I have about the story is how unreasonable Colette was when David got the opportunity to advance his career. I understand that she was at a different place in her life, but was it really fair for her to deny him his chance? I'm glad that she came to her senses.

Overall though, I really loved the story and the passion in it. This is my second Cat Grant story and I really like her voice. I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Olivia Waite]

Menage romance with opera singers? Count me in! This was a fun, quick, sexy read, and what's more it's very grounded in the reality of the operatic world. As someone with a newfound fondness for opera, this was a delight!

[Maygirl7]

Wow! I REALLY disliked this book. From the beginning the writing style just rubbed me the wrong way. Other books by Cat Grant I've really liked but this one.... I couldn't connect to any of the characters. It was so Dynasty-style writing. Fancy apartments, servants, jet-setting, ...

[Erotic Horizon]

Every once in a while I delve into a book that I know right from the outset is going to annoy me – because I am finicky about something within the subplot itself.

I love ménage and probably read an unhealthy amount of it my monthly credit card statement is anything to go by – that said there is one little area of ménage that I am uncomfortable with and that is the “the arrangement” within a marriage, or an understanding or just plain looking the other way when the other is getting up to their thing plotline within the boundaries of marriage.

That said two things made me pull up my big girl sock and took a chance on reading this book – firstly this was a Cat Grant book –this author works for me on all kinda levels even where I have major niggles I love her overall style and the misses have been few and very far between over the span everything that I have read from her.

The second reason was that I was convalescing for a few week and I tend to be a sucker for anything different in my reading material when I am in pain – I am weird like that.

Let me say right from the start that ENTANGLE TRIO can be read as a stand alone book, however to really capture the journey of how far the author takes one of the character I would suggest reading Sonata Appassionata before getting into this one.

This story is mezzo-soprano Colette DuPlessis story for the most part and it begins with her away from home doing what she loves – performing - whilst enjoying one of the perks of her job – it’s hot young Tenor, David Lewis. Colette is married but she and her husband has an understanding regarding hook ups outside of their marriage – however right from the beginning it was evident that Collette is deeply attracted to David even though she knows this is and can only be a short term thing.

Colette is cautious about being seen with David while also being overly concern that she projects the right image to her fellows and not bring shame to Aleks her husband or let her dalliance become the latest fodder for the gossip mill. Probably because of these concerns or just the fact that David was unlike anyone else she has ever played with she pushes them both into new territory on their last night together with surprising results.

Collette goes home and tries to resumes her life with Aleks but they have both had a shift in their entire attitude toward their arrangement, she is rethinking what is important to her and how much she misses home and hearth more than usual when she is away on tour. For Aleks his little dalliances of late are not as fulfilling as they usual are for him anymore.

A chain of events brings David onto their turf and almost from the moment the trio meet – it feels like a storm was brewing. While David values the opportunity that he has been given to appear in a premier performance he cannot help his attraction to the couple, but he knows that there is a time and place for everything and he with so much to lose has to get his priorities right, Colette and Alex however has no such restrain and as they are both attracted to David and they make their move.


I liked

Read the read HERE

[Danielle]

Cat Grant brings you a hot, sexy menage that will have you just wanting more and your toes curling to crawl next to these swoon worth males. Without giving anything away this book is hot!!!

Colette is the Diva of the Opera World. Not only is she talented but very sexual. She meets David and starts a fling with him. She doesn't feel bad because well her husband is okay with it all when they are apart and he is off doing the same thing. Colette just so happens to be submissive with her husband but very dominate with David. Colette's husband Alesksandr was not only well written, but swoon worthy for sure! All the characters were well written. The sex scenes were not just hot, but they had a spark to them. I know they lit my fire.

The story actually had a plot. I will say although I wasn't a fan of the opera plot but it all fit together really well. I will say its not that I didn't really like the plot its just that I couldn't connect with it like some other people might. I have never seen an opera but I would be will going if the hubby would take me just to get that experience. Then I could for see this appealing to me much more.

I just wish this Novella had way more pages, but its a novella so I understand. I just thought there were so many more details I would have wanted throughout the book. Overall a super great, hot read! Cat Grant not only brings you some good sex, but she also brings love and friendship into the mix. I am for sure looking forward to reading some more Cat Grant books in the future. Happy Reading.

[Toria ~]

This book was received in giveaway from GoodReads; retitled from the original, “Entangled Trio.” I came to “Habañera” prepared to enjoy it, after all, I like ménage stories, (MMF especially). As an opera fan I felt prepared to understand and follow the references. Thankfully, I enjoyed this one, but must admit I wanted it to go into more depth with the BDSM component. I found the idea of Colette, who is a sub to Aleks, taking a sub for herself (in David) very intriguing.

As it stood, “Habañera” was believable and didn’t require much in the way of “suspending disbelief” for me. In fact, the world of the arts seems most reasonable to the story and the development of the ménage. The conflict and struggle of the characters as life between two becomes one with three also seemed entirely reasonable to me.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and feel comfortable in recommending it for readers of menage fiction, BDSM (light) fiction and even romances because “Habañera” does have a HEA.

[SandyL]

This was an enjoyable, quick read. Colette and Aleksandr are a married couple, she is an opera singer and he is a conductor for the a Paris orchestra. Since Colette travels a lot, they have an agreement that they can have dalliances while they are apart. Colette meets a younger man, David, while doing an opera in San Francisco. She finds it a bit harder to forget him once she gets home, and when an unexpected opening occurs in her upcoming production, she suggests David for the part. Thankfully, Aleks is attracted to David as well. There are some very sexy ménage scenes, as well as professional sour searching. I liked all the characters, although the book was too short to really get to know any of them all that well.

[Brenda Cothern]

Excellent! In depth characters and a story line that carries you along for the ride. Who knew Opera could be so interesting?

[Jane Stewart]

2 ½ stars. Some parts were interesting but I wouldn’t recommend it. Most of the sex is sadistic and submissive.

STORY BRIEF:
Colette is 35, an opera singer, married to Aleks 43, an orchestra conductor. David is 28, a tenor just starting his career. Colette and Aleks permit each other to have affairs when they are apart. Aleks usually has affairs with men. Colette meets David when they perform together in San Francisco. They have an affair with her as a dominatrix and causing pain to leave marks. They are sad to part when the job ends. Colette returns to Paris and we see her sexual relationship with Aleks. He is a sadist. He pulls her hair, bites her and causes pain which she likes. Colette is preparing for a new performance in Paris. David is hired at the last minute and comes to Paris. After meeting David, Aleks tells Colette he would like a threesome. Together Aleks and Colette seduce David, who is surprised but ends up loving it. He submits to both of them. There is a lot of explicit sex which includes pulling hair, biting, spanking, whipping, sex toys, self-pleasuring, rear door activity, and menage a trois.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
Causing pain to a partner is the sexual theme. David being a submissive wasn’t as exciting for me as having a heroine submit. His character was almost childlike. When he desires her he gets on his knees and kisses her feet. The sex scenes were ok if you’re ok with those things. It wasn’t the best for me. The relationships didn’t show enough loving and caring for each other which I would have liked. The story does not surprise or delight (other than the surprise of the sadistic parts).

DATA:
Reading time: about 2 ½ hours. Digital count story length: 2857 (279 KB). Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: about 14. Setting: current day San Francisco, Paris, Switzerland, New York City, and Buenos Aires. Copyright: 2011. Genre: erotic contemporary romance, older woman younger man, older man younger woman, male male, menage.

[Joey Hill]

I'd give this book a solid 3.5. Cat did a great job of giving me a lush, vivid inside look at the world of opera. The characters were compelling and the writing strong. My only complaints were Aleks was not as strong a Dom as I wanted (which may be my little hangup, lol) and I was a bit taken aback by the heroine's selfishness at the key conflict moment in the book. However, she made up for it later mostly and there was a foundation for it in her background and occasional flash of diva personality, which you'd expect from a top opera singer. Enjoyable read and one I'd recommend, particularly if you like lighthanded BDSM and enjoy the independent male sub. David is a VERY nice character!

[Mandi]

Had a hard time getting into this one.review coming

[Jane Harper]

** Free on Amazon 1/10/2015 **

[Suzanna]

Received this book as a giveaway from GoodReads. Book was retitled better and story was engaging. Opera references were interesting.

[Wandering Reader]

Currently free, January 10-14, 2015, on Amazon.com