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The Channel #2
Forbidden Pleasures
Replacing a social life with a career, bestselling romance novelist Emily Shann has gotten by on a vivid imagination, hiding a shocking secret that not even her publisher suspects—until she’s asked to write something that’s hotter, sexier, more explicit, and true to life. Emily has nowhere to turn for advice except to her new editor—tall, dark, and handsome Michael Devlin—who’s already stirring her fantasies. So is The Channel—a secret network designed to tutor women in the art of sensual delight. Now more willing than ever before, she must convince Devlin to teach her everything he knows...if her literary fantasies are finally to become unedited flesh-and-blood reality.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
36 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,128 followersBertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 10, 2012
Story Rating 4 Stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating 4 Stars
I thought the story line was rather cool being about an author who writes sweet romances and told she needed to spice them up or get another publishing house. I LOVED how she went about learning how to write good sexual scene's. As always' with this series the channel comes in handy with helping her a bit. The channel is an after hours channel on T. V that brings woman's fantasies to life. I wish that there really was such a channel, LOL. The hero of course was a VERY sexy bachelor who always' chose the woman he wanted to spend time with and left them just as easily. The two of them had very good chemistry right from the start and the love scenes were very HOT. At the end we did get the HEA and the woman got her man and a new contract. All and all a good read and I do plan on getting to book 3 soon.
So far book's one and two have been written as stand alone's so you don't have to read them in order.
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating 4 Stars
I thought the story line was rather cool being about an author who writes sweet romances and told she needed to spice them up or get another publishing house. I LOVED how she went about learning how to write good sexual scene's. As always' with this series the channel comes in handy with helping her a bit. The channel is an after hours channel on T. V that brings woman's fantasies to life. I wish that there really was such a channel, LOL. The hero of course was a VERY sexy bachelor who always' chose the woman he wanted to spend time with and left them just as easily. The two of them had very good chemistry right from the start and the love scenes were very HOT. At the end we did get the HEA and the woman got her man and a new contract. All and all a good read and I do plan on getting to book 3 soon.
So far book's one and two have been written as stand alone's so you don't have to read them in order.
September 28, 2010
I did not enjoy this and wanted it to be over.
Following are some of the problems with the book.
(1) The writing style was almost like a log book or diary. She sleeps, wakes up, eats this, calls someone, discusses that, plans what and where she will eat dinner, etc. There is a lot of description as to what she is wearing, exactly what she is eating, what decorations are in the lobby at work, etc. I'm not sure, but maybe the story is lacking emotional descriptions. Somehow, it was tedious reading about these common, everyday activites. I was never emotionally drawn to anything about the book.
(2) The main conflict or concern in the story was Emily and Dev loving each other but afraid to tell each other. Too much time was spent in the heads of these two, wondering how the other felt. Conflict due to lack of communication is not a favorite of mine.
(3) Emily is writing a novel. She describes the plot to Dev. Then she acts much of it out using the interactive tv method called the Channel. I think some of it was repeated a third time as she was writing. This meant I had to read parts of the story at least twice, which was boring.
(4) There were many sex scenes, but something was missing about the way they were written. It might have been the writing style or lack of emotional draw, I'm not sure.
Sexual language: erotic. Number of sex scenes: 21. Setting: current day Egret Pointe, a small town not far from New York City. Copyright: 2006. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
Following are some of the problems with the book.
(1) The writing style was almost like a log book or diary. She sleeps, wakes up, eats this, calls someone, discusses that, plans what and where she will eat dinner, etc. There is a lot of description as to what she is wearing, exactly what she is eating, what decorations are in the lobby at work, etc. I'm not sure, but maybe the story is lacking emotional descriptions. Somehow, it was tedious reading about these common, everyday activites. I was never emotionally drawn to anything about the book.
(2) The main conflict or concern in the story was Emily and Dev loving each other but afraid to tell each other. Too much time was spent in the heads of these two, wondering how the other felt. Conflict due to lack of communication is not a favorite of mine.
(3) Emily is writing a novel. She describes the plot to Dev. Then she acts much of it out using the interactive tv method called the Channel. I think some of it was repeated a third time as she was writing. This meant I had to read parts of the story at least twice, which was boring.
(4) There were many sex scenes, but something was missing about the way they were written. It might have been the writing style or lack of emotional draw, I'm not sure.
Sexual language: erotic. Number of sex scenes: 21. Setting: current day Egret Pointe, a small town not far from New York City. Copyright: 2006. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
December 29, 2015
Ok..not her best. The plot was poor and I did not care about the characters. Ms. Smalls romance books were sexiet.etrs
This was not one of Ms. Small's better books. I didn't care about the characters and her regular romance books were sexier.
This was not one of Ms. Small's better books. I didn't care about the characters and her regular romance books were sexier.
July 3, 2017
2.75 stars
I'm taking a break from Small's books for now.
I'm taking a break from Small's books for now.
April 11, 2018
Ok, I read this when if first came out and now I am weeding my book stash because I have no more room. And as I read this for the second time ten years later, I wonder why I thought this was good enough to keep.
The characters are decent and the sex is hot but the writing and the plot is B-A-D. A cute irish/polish (just like me) 31 year old woman (writes smut for a living and still a virgin? not likely) uses her hot Irish accented editor for 'research' for her next book which needs to be sexier and they fall in love. Ok. But the dialogue is really over contrived and the back and forth between reality, 'the channel' and her historical book she is writing is just unnecessary. I did not understand the need for the channel story line, what for? just so she could include EVERY sexual situation into one book? Ugh. If there was not 'the channel' or the interplay of the historical book she was writing with reality it may have been decent.
Also, I rolled my eyes every time I read the use of the phrase "lover's lance," for real?
The characters are decent and the sex is hot but the writing and the plot is B-A-D. A cute irish/polish (just like me) 31 year old woman (writes smut for a living and still a virgin? not likely) uses her hot Irish accented editor for 'research' for her next book which needs to be sexier and they fall in love. Ok. But the dialogue is really over contrived and the back and forth between reality, 'the channel' and her historical book she is writing is just unnecessary. I did not understand the need for the channel story line, what for? just so she could include EVERY sexual situation into one book? Ugh. If there was not 'the channel' or the interplay of the historical book she was writing with reality it may have been decent.
Also, I rolled my eyes every time I read the use of the phrase "lover's lance," for real?
May 27, 2024
Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
My Review: This is a good erotic romance, the main characters were interesting and I was rooting for their future together. This is my first book by this author but it won't be the last.
My Review: This is a good erotic romance, the main characters were interesting and I was rooting for their future together. This is my first book by this author but it won't be the last.
July 2, 2018
Absolutely incredible!! I REALLY love the story and the amazing characters! I also love the sexiness!! 😍🤩😏
April 9, 2020
A delightful romance with very steamy encounters.
May 11, 2020
Fun
It's a quick, fun read. A little dated, but the premise is fun. There's a heavier emphasis on western "old-fashioned" morals, which is kinda weird.
It's a quick, fun read. A little dated, but the premise is fun. There's a heavier emphasis on western "old-fashioned" morals, which is kinda weird.
February 11, 2022
I definitely prefer Ms. Small's historical fiction - this series hasn't aged well!
November 9, 2024
audio
April 25, 2025
So good! Loved the slow burn/ insta love and the scenes were so spicy!
July 3, 2016
Emily Shann is a romance novelist who is asked to make her novels sexier. The problem is she has no experience only what the channel provides as all her ideas are formed in the channel. There's a catch the channel won't work for virgin, they must have hid that in the small print. Ha! Ha! Emily has a loyal following but now the publishing company is changing upper management and she is asked for more. Enter Michael Devlin who is HOT! HOT! HOT! He drives to Egret Pointe to meet with Emily to discuss business and then there's that spark between the two that you wait for and your in awe after.
Michael agrees to come back on weekends and go over Emily's book with her. You know whats coming but it's still so much fun to continue on. Michael and Emily connect through food as Michael comes from an Irish background and one of Emily's grandmas was Irish as well. The pairing of the two happens the next morning over breakfast the sexual tension has been built and Emily finds her voice. Michael doesn't know everything but adjusts fast. He is very sexy to me in his lists of demands: no bras or panties! His reason being I might want access at anytime and I don't want any hindrances. It might not be for everyone but if you know the idea behind the book and still choose to buy than I think you'd have a blast keeping up with our two H&h. There have also been some changes to the channel and well you'll have to read for yourself to see what you think on that. I liked how Michael finally made it home to Emily to set her clear on some things and to take care of her. The sundae he gets her is definitely one of a kind.
Michael agrees to come back on weekends and go over Emily's book with her. You know whats coming but it's still so much fun to continue on. Michael and Emily connect through food as Michael comes from an Irish background and one of Emily's grandmas was Irish as well. The pairing of the two happens the next morning over breakfast the sexual tension has been built and Emily finds her voice. Michael doesn't know everything but adjusts fast. He is very sexy to me in his lists of demands: no bras or panties! His reason being I might want access at anytime and I don't want any hindrances. It might not be for everyone but if you know the idea behind the book and still choose to buy than I think you'd have a blast keeping up with our two H&h. There have also been some changes to the channel and well you'll have to read for yourself to see what you think on that. I liked how Michael finally made it home to Emily to set her clear on some things and to take care of her. The sundae he gets her is definitely one of a kind.
October 10, 2023
I rated this just by what I feel after I finish read. Of course I already forget the story, it's been 13 years :'). Also back then, I don't have a habit to review books I'd read and only rated them (by based on what I feel). Anyway, I did remember that this title is one of the few erotica titles that I read based on curiosity. I can tested that the erotic scenes were pretty bonkers, though. And I also didn't know who Bertrice Small then, not realize she is one of big name in bodice ripper era
May 8, 2011
Meh. Small's Pleasure books are really inconsistent. Sometimes moralizing, sometimes romance, not always well-written/edited, but usually fun for the erotica. This one was not well-written/edited (lots of repeating of non-essential or interesting information) and the erotic scenes just felt like they were randomly inserted (make own joke here) and didn't really impact the characters.
July 16, 2010
A very hot romance. I wasn't expecting it to be as steamy as it was but I was intriqued by the "channel" idea. I wish I could have read book 1 first to explain it but I wasn't that lost by not reading it. Good book, I'll read more of this series.
June 5, 2015
I feel like the sex scenes in this book were disjointed, rushed, & forced. I felt it was in neither character's personality to move to "dirty" & "naughty" as quickly as they did. Not to say they couldn't get there. I'm also not a fan of the 1800's, let alone the 1800's in England.
February 15, 2025
I never wrote a review on this book but I think it genuinely deserved one, the “channel” is such an original idea that really coveys the mind of a women and I think that’s such a beautiful concept, this book started my reading journey and I have the creator, rest in peace, to thank for that.
July 9, 2007
Not as good as the first one but still good.
October 23, 2008
I love these books I recommend them to everyone they will keep you interested and are very very good!!
December 6, 2009
Meh. Small has a few standard tableaus that she recycles. More of the same, nothing interesting here.
November 26, 2009
HOT HOT HOT!!
March 7, 2012
it was really good parts of it to be honest was a bit unrealistic but the story had great flow and it was a great HEA
June 17, 2012
Picked it up at the library... a quick read but the dialogue reads funny and the steamy stuff was not that impressive... another failed attempt at finding a good follow up to Fifty Shades of Grey
Read
August 7, 2012awesome, a must read if you like more than a bit of romance!!!
September 7, 2012
My first book this author, and my favorite.
April 9, 2013
Good relaxing read - actually pretty tame for Bertrice Small!
May 2, 2013
It started a little bit slow, but as it progressed and the main character became more sexually adventurous it did get better. Sometimes it is fun to read something a little be trashy and rude. :-)
September 17, 2013
really good book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews