Control

by Kayla Perrin

Their romance was a modern-day fairy handsome older millionaire falls hard for struggling young waitress. Robert swept Elsie off her feet—and into his bed—put a huge diamond on her finger and spirited her away in his private jet destined for happily-ever-after.

Eight years later, Elsie Kolstadt realizes the clock has finally struck midnight. The five-star restaurants, exclusive address and exotic vacations can no longer make up for Robert's obsessive desire to control everything about their life together. From her hairstyle to her music playlists, Robert has things just the way he wants them. No matter what.

But it's Robert's ultimate, unforgivable manipulation that finally shocks Elsie into action. Though divorce would strip her of everything, she can't live under Robert's roof any longer. Making her decision easier is Dion Carter, a high-school football coach with a heart of gold and a body of sculpted steel. Suddenly Elsie is deep in a steamy affair that could cost her everything—because Robert will stop at nothing to keep Elsie under his thumb.

Genres: Erotica, Romance, African American Romance, Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 24, 2010

Reviews

[D.lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was story of a insecure but beautiful girl who falls in love and marries a man 30 years older than her and how she comes into her own.

Elise was a young waitress who was sweep off her feet by the older, wealthy and manipulative Robert Kolstad. They have an relatively uneventful life for eight years, but as with most women Elsie begins to change. She is coming into her own and beginning to see that Robert just might not be everything she thought he was. Robert is getting older and is beginning to feel insecure about his young beautiful wife. He start off subtle about his attempts to keep Elise dependent on him. Without truly realizing it, Elsie has loss herself and become somewhat of a Stedford wife. She dresses the way Robert wants her to dress, does what he wants her do and acts how he wants her to act. She's feeling un-fullfilled, which all the more reason she is desperate to have a baby.

In walks Dion, Mr. Fantasy and Elsie world is turn upside down. Suddenly she's having erotic fantasies about a man she has never met, which also causes her to question herself. Elise accidentally stumbles across Robert's ultimate betrayal. She is too through and decides to leave him. Dion just happens to walk into her Florist shop again and Elsie gets the nerve to flirt. Suddenly she and Dion are involved in a streamy romance.

Robert is not a man to be denied what he feels belongs to him and begins to ruthlessly destroy Elsie, in an effort to make her come back. Elsie is more determined than ever to end her relationship with Robert, but there seems to be no limit to what he will do to keep her. By the way, Robert's little sidebar information he provides about Dion, seems to be another manipulative lie on Robert to get inside Elsie's head and have her questioning her decisions again.

I have met my fair share of Roberts in my life and I just thank GOD I was able to recognize them for who they were before things went too far. I read about 5 or 6 books a week and many of them are good, but few of them inspire me to take the time to write a review. If I write a positive review it is because I highly recommend reading it. This is one of those books. I truly enjoyed it and refused to put it down until I finished it.

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was so much in this book that I could have loved. I see so much of Megan Hart in this book it isn't funny. When I say this I mean this author has the wonderful ability to draw you into a story but she hasn't perfected the art of keeping the lines blurred enough so people can jump into her characters (like Megan Hart). She kept reminding me that I am not 20 years older than I am and that I am not in a loveless marriage, when I definitely could have felt that way for 352 pages. I will keep an eye on this author because I think she has amazing talent. For now, this book didn't do it for me.

[Janet Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this while I was having a lot to do at work. It was mindless reading and fit that bill, but not very satisfying.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and Not well thought out

I didn’t read the reviews before I got it. I wish I had. I have nothing good to say about it. There were two many unnecessary sex scenes. The first 40% of the book describes how earful her husband is and how wild the FMC imagination is. She didn’t actually meet her young guy until halfway thru the story but she had very vivid sex with him a lot. I don’t understand why the author didn’t just make them meet earlier in the story and build up their romance. They had sex before they met and had more sex after. It took them for ever to actually meet but maybe 10% had them in luv, married and expecting.

Cutting to the quick of it, if you are looking for a lot of I’ll-placed descriptive sex scenes, this story is for you. If you actually want a story don’t waste your time.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Married to Robert, an older man who is more about control, Elsie tries everything to remain true to him. She begins to realize things are not adding up. What is really happening? No spoilers. And who is the mysterious Dion she fantasies about?

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eight years into her fairy-tale marriage, Elsie Kolstadt hears her biological clock ticking and, would like nothing better than to have a child with her husband, Robert. But, Elsie is confused on how selling a customer a get-well floral arrangement has triggered the uncontrollable erotic thoughts that are becoming more and more frequent. At first, Elsie contributes it to not being intimate with Robert for the past several weeks due to her husband’s busy work schedule. But, she begins to notice that the sexual fantasies are becoming more about the mystery man in the fantasy then the sexual act itself. Elsie thinks that some of these fantasies can be used to spice up her sex life with her husband, but begins to see him in a different light as he berates her for being aggressive in their lovemaking. Elsie, once again yields to his wishes, and tries another path to get pregnant which will eventually leads her to understanding the person she has become in her marriage to Robert. Elsie wonders what has gone wrong with her relationship with Robert. Is it her or is it him, and what does this mystery man have to do with any of this?

As Elsie, is the only narrator of the story, I had to experience the story at Elsie’s pace as she goes from learning that all is not healthy in a marriage when one partner controls the other partner. The author did a good job of showing how Elsie becomes aware of her situation, and the moment that their relationship change is apparent to me. It was a realistic approach to a relationship that is mentally abusive. The author did a good job of getting into Elsie’s head and showing me how Elsie realizes that not all acts of thoughtfulness are done as act of kindness. The erotic scenes are tastefully done, and will entertain the reader. I liked the idea of Elsie taking her erotic daydreams and using them to help spice up a marriage. The storyline moved along quickly and there were several suspenseful moments when I was not sure what the outcome would be.

As this is an erotic novel, once Elsie does decides that she wants out of her marriage, and connects with the source of her sexual fantasies, she immediately jumps into another relationship while still living with her husband, and this may offend some readers. I would have liked for Elsie to be independent, receive counseling, or become part of a support group before being seriously involved with someone new. I recommend this book to fans of Kayla Perrin and readers who enjoy storylines of sexual awakenings.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drama, Drama, Drama! This is what I love about erotica's, there's so much dang drama!

In the beginning, I felt bad for Elsie. She was faithful, honest and she put up with her husband and his stupid attitude the best she could (she had far more patience than I will ever have). She is passionate about her floral shop and she didn't care about her husband's money. And I really admired that about her. I shouldn't say "in the beginning" because really I felt bad for her through out but... well, let me explain.

I totally agree that Robert's secret was a total deal breaker. I don't think she was overreacting one bit. She had every right to leave him. Not to mention her realization of the way he really treated her through out their marriage. And especially for the way he was acting at The Melting Pot. I wanted to grab her out of my Nook and take her there my damn self, The Melting Pot is delicious! I think she made the right move to move in with her friend.

However, I think she rushed into her new relationship far too fast. I know she was fantasizing and all that for a really long time about Dion but I think jumping into a new relationship the day after you leave your husband is fast. And even if she didn't think so, she could had at least laid low for awhile. With everyone's warnings about Robert being a powerful man, flaunting Dion was not a good idea! I didn't agree with her friend Treasure's actions at the party, but Elsie had that comin.

I hated Robert. I think hate is an understatement. He just made me sick! I can't stand people who are so control hungry that they set out to ruin other people's lives and can't grasp the fact that SHE DON'T WANT YOU! He sits there and says sorry but we all know he's not cause he turns right around and does something else equally stupid. She should had pushed him off the boat when she had the chance!

I did enjoy reading this book even if it made me mad half the time but it's like watching a movie where you're screaming at the girl to JUST RUN. Except I was screaming at my Nook lol! And it made me glad I didn't marry my control hungry abusive boyfriend. He woulda been pushed off a boat. Or car. Or bus. Whatever!

Even though I did enjoy this read, I don't see myself re-reading it. I also didn't think the steamy scenes were steamy enough and there weren't that many. But man was there drama to take its place!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I thought this was a very well-written and interesting story! Elsie was spunky, and I was extremely proud of her for figuring out how trapped she was under her husband's thumb. The whole relationship between them was very believable, especially because she was so much younger than he was.

Can I please say, thank goodness the more intimate scenes between Robert and Elsie were low key. It's not that I have anything against their relationship, but I was kind of wary about reading about their intimate moments. I fairly despised Robert from the moment that book began. I am so glad Elsie wizened up during the book.

I also very much liked Dion, and I loved that he was so good for Elsie. Unfortunately I had a hard time believing the chemistry between them. Yes, I realize this is an Erotic Novel and therefore chemistry has to be built in somewhere throughout the story, but really? How many times does someone fall so quickly for another person? Still, I was smitten with how much they clearly loved one another above and beyond the physical attraction.

Since this was my first novel of this kind, I don't have much to base it on. However I do know that I was very impressed with the coherent storyline and the multi-dimensional characters. I would have loved this story even without the erotic elements thrown in!

[Amanda Konnik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elsie, what a strong, beautiful, modern woman. Concerned about living a life of meaning and thoughtfulness, she has an intelligent grasp and willingness to incorporate family and career.

Childhood insecurities keep her from realizing her full potential as a woman, allowing her to be controlled by her much older husband. When truth rears its ugly head, I love that Perrin has created a character that steps back, looks at her situation and realizes a change needs to made. The story is fast paced and exciting, but Perrin takes care not to let the Elsie make an unbelievable overnight change. Instead, Elsie stumbles on a couple of old habits, which makes her real. She figures it out, accepts the consequence and moves on.

I like that Elsie is not vindictive, she is courageous. She is afraid yet she finds a way to work through it. It doesn't hurt that the man of her dreams, Dion, faithfully and whole heartily plants his face between her legs throughout the entire novel, driving her to make these life changes. It is an erotic novel after all, and the sex is hot, believable, and with purpose.

It's just to bad the ending was so rushed, and there was no closure in some of the friendships that we were introduced too along the way.

[(Jade) Books N Diamonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read Kayla Perrin romance novels before so I did not hesitate to add this one to read. It has been sitting on my Kindle for a while now. While the book had enough suspense to keep me flipping the pages, I was a little disappointed. I was disappointed because Obsession was so so so much better than Control. I didn’t get what I expected. Obsession was like an intense erotic thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and sex scenes were EXPLOSIVE. Sadly, Control was not as thrilling.

Two thirds of Control was about how Elsie’s nearly seventy year old husband could not satisfy her any more and she masturbates and fantasizes about a complete stranger who she sees in her store. We didn’t really get to know Dion, the hero, until the later half of the story. By that time, I was rooting for Elsie to get out of the marriage with her old cranky husband, but I wasn’t rooting for her to end up with Dion. I didn’t feel the romance there. It was all about “Bam, Bam, Wham, Thank you, Ma’am sex”. If you want to read something wilder, I reccomend reading Obsession.

I give it a C+

[DW · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started with some really great UST (although some of the fantasy scenes were a little too detailed for my liking) and a heroine you could really stand behind. The description of her marriage and its deterioration were very realistic. Elsie was a level headed woman trying to make her marriage work and navigate her feelings of disappointment. The sex scenes were very interchangeable and the main character made several choices in the second half of the story that seemed uncharacteristic.
I recommend this book to people who like quick easy reads with hot scenes and for people who enjoy neatly wrapped up endings.

[Elisa Vangelisti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Giuro che ne ho letto un quarto. Quella che ho letto – sintetizzando – è la storia di una cameriera che sposa un uomo d’affari più grande di lei di 30 anni. L’uomo è l’essere più disgustosamente geloso ed egocentrico del pianeta e lei gli è continuamente grata per la vita che le permette di condurre. E già lì… ma non solo. Lui ha problemi nella funzionalità sessuale e lei si arrangia da sé, con una fantasia così fervida da sembrare una quindicenne fatta e finita (e invece ha quasi quarant’anni). Romanzo erotico, dice la copertina. L’erotismo magari verrà, ma nel frattempo ho letto un paio di scenette del tutto immaginate e di pochissimo conto. Che noia!

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
Elsie is a young woman married to a much older man. They seem to have the perfect life, but Elsie longs to have a child to make her fantasy complete. Unfortunately, sex is the farthest thing from her husband's mind. Time and time again, Elsie is left starved for attention. Sexual fantasies become the only things that warm her side of the bed. Soon there's trouble in paradise because Elsie's fantasies no longer include her husband.


To read entire review:
http://divasbookcase.blogspot.com/201...

[Daniela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book had potential but it's poorly written and simplistic when the plot should have been exciting. Even Fifty Shades of Grey is better written than this one. Kayla Perrin rushes through all of the drama at the end. I have no idea how this could be a "USA Today" bestseller - maybe just because of the erotica?

I'd prefer it if the word "pussy" were used only in the characters' dialogue rather than in narration. I actually read the whole book, so that means I couldn't give it a 1 out of 5 (I would have if I couldn't finish the book).

[CraftyBirdies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay. Story line was okay, but I didn't love it. The sex scenes were more mechanics and less emotion than I prefer, which made them seem lacking. I also thought the ending was too quick and didn't match the pace of the rest of the book. The heroine was a bit too naive and not truly likable to me. I was still interested enough in the story line to finish, but certainly didn't love it.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The only problem that I had was that I feel like the ending was rushed. Some questions were left unanswered. Also she spent a lot of time with her best friend in the beginning of the book and then the friend wasn't mentioned much in the end even though they never had a falling out.

[Dedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Control was overall a good book. I didnt expect the book to turn out so good, but it became one of my favorite books. The book let me know that age does make a difference in a relationship and that it can keep you from living a happy life sometimes.

[Tasneem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this really interesting story. It was dreadful to read about her controlling husband and how hard she had to fight to finally leave him and make a life for herself. I think it was a nice ending that he died of a heart acttack and she got to be with Dion.

[Gabri.13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ho trovato questo libro davvero molto carino .. e soprattutto molto realistico ... Mi dispiace aver dato 4 stelline anziché 5, ma l'ho fatto perché dopo una così bella storia sono rimasta un po' "insoddisfatta" per il finale ... Ma comunque continuo a definirlo un gran bel libro ! ;)

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Obsessed, but a good read. Found myself skipping over all the fantasy scenes.

[SweetestHoney86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way exceeded my expectations. Engaging story line, solid characters, a little thrill, and a lot of steamy.

[Jessica Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy.

[A. Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely erotic, but the story was too unbelievable.

[Audrey02 · Rating 1 out of 5]

bad!

[Coldcase hertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

full review soon

[Expresso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little romance. Some erotica. However the narrator killed it for me! I'm from the South and the narrator's accent suck bricks!!!