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More than a Man
Manporium. It's where women of The Future go to buy the men of their dreams...and where twice-widowed Noelle Lytton is going to buy the third man of her dreams. Like a child crafting a Christmas wish list and checking it twice, Noelle has poured every last measure of hope into the traits she's selected to make up her third husband. She's checked her list more than twice, weighed it against past mistakes and future anticipations, and as she uploads her life's savings to pay the balance, she knows it's this man or nothing.
Sometimes things don't go quite as expected at Manporium, however, and a bride's wish list is, er...subject to interpretation. A man might, for example, come out smelling like gingerbread cookies and possessing extra appendages. All of which Noelle discovers as she comes to terms with the husband who, despite mistakes, is everything she wanted and much, much more.
Word Count: 41,097
Sometimes things don't go quite as expected at Manporium, however, and a bride's wish list is, er...subject to interpretation. A man might, for example, come out smelling like gingerbread cookies and possessing extra appendages. All of which Noelle discovers as she comes to terms with the husband who, despite mistakes, is everything she wanted and much, much more.
Word Count: 41,097
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2010
18 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Emily Ryan-Davis
51 books178 followersEmily Ryan-Davis is a lifelong East Coaster whose passion for the written word saw her through jobs writing obituaries, press releases and grants before she decided “I’m going to do this” and sat down to write a book. She made that decision in 2005 and has since published several short stories and novellas with digital publishers including Ellora’s Cave. On May 24, 2012, Emily left supervisors and payrolls behind in order to focus her efforts on writing and raising her son.
Emily has been a member of the Writer’s Digest-recognized writing community Romance Divas, where she volunteers as a moderator and organizes the annual “Not Going to Conference” Virtual Conference, since 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 2, 2015
Two words: Tentacle. Sex.
Now, either that piqued your interest or you've gone screaming the opposite direction. If those words squicked you out, but you're still reading...and you haven't delved into the dark abyss of hentai (if you don't know what it is...for all that is holy don't Google it! you're not ready) consider this tentacle sex 101 or vanilla tentacle sex or sweet tentacle sex. (Yes, I can't believe I wrote vanilla or sweet with tentacle sex. I'm still laughing.) In fact, I'm going to say two more words: Tentacle Stu. Yes, I went there. Our tentacled 'monster' is really hot, ubber tasty, totally understanding and sweet and loving and a bit of bore really. I think this is really kinda cute and kinky if you're not so jadedly twisted like me.
Now, either that piqued your interest or you've gone screaming the opposite direction. If those words squicked you out, but you're still reading...and you haven't delved into the dark abyss of hentai (if you don't know what it is...for all that is holy don't Google it! you're not ready) consider this tentacle sex 101 or vanilla tentacle sex or sweet tentacle sex. (Yes, I can't believe I wrote vanilla or sweet with tentacle sex. I'm still laughing.) In fact, I'm going to say two more words: Tentacle Stu. Yes, I went there. Our tentacled 'monster' is really hot, ubber tasty, totally understanding and sweet and loving and a bit of bore really. I think this is really kinda cute and kinky if you're not so jadedly twisted like me.
September 2, 2015
SFR romance.
Loved the hot loving and amazing dominant H, who just adored the h.
But can I just say most irritating h ever!! She's like a chronically anxious ostrich.
Seriously there's a cloud of steam on my head now.
Took off a star for that. She could have been written in a more sympathetic way.
Also a bit of tentacle loving which I always thought was a bit erotic:)
I guess you can read the book once, just for the H.
Loved the hot loving and amazing dominant H, who just adored the h.
But can I just say most irritating h ever!! She's like a chronically anxious ostrich.
Seriously there's a cloud of steam on my head now.
Took off a star for that. She could have been written in a more sympathetic way.
Also a bit of tentacle loving which I always thought was a bit erotic:)
I guess you can read the book once, just for the H.
February 21, 2015
At first with the mix-up on the download I thought this is going to a very weird "bready" kind of guy and things will fall apart. But actually he was super hot and the story was really good. Loved the romance and the vulnerability between the couple. Very good book.
August 31, 2022
didn't like the hero or heroine or the plot
December 15, 2014
I'm not a huge fan of Christmas romance in general. So it's really not surprising that my Christmas posts for the next few weeks will feature a couple historicals and, well, this. I guess it's sort of futuristic? I'd called it speculative fiction rather than sci fi though because there's no real science going on in this book. After all, I don't think anyone is necessarily working on technology to make fully formed husbands to order at all the mall: the matrimonial equivalent of Build-A-Bear. But that's just what happens at the Manporium in Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis' More than a Man.
When Noelle goes to the mall to order her third husband, it's a bit of a scandal. Typically Manporium relationships are for life, but the particular traits Noelle had built into her first two husbands led to their early demises. Her trip is just one stop during a busy day of Christmas shopping though and the mall is packed with shoppers and husband-builders. So it's not that surprising when an overwrought buyer collides with Noelle, causing her to almost drop her communication device, getting her shopping list a little muddled with with her list of desirable husbandly traits. When a few weeks later Aya shows up at her door a little earlier thna expected, Noelle is thrown off balance and not just by his slightly untimely arrival.
As for Aya, well, he's just been built. He comes implanted with certain made up memories and experiences and habits, some of which Noelle requested, some of which seem unique to him. And then there are the unintentional consequences of Noelle's collision at the Manporium. Like the fact that he smells like gingerbread and has a Red Hot tongue, for starters, But it's clear from the beginning that Aya isn't some kind of pre-programmed robot who is just going to do exactly what Noelle expects and exactly what she has envisioned. Her previous Manporium experiences haven't prepared her for Aya's take-charge attitude or ability to grow and change and adapt independent of her wishes (almost like a real husband--ha!).
Though on the face of it More Than A Man is a silly romp through some kind of alternate reality where women buy self-designed husbands, It actually does have a broader point to make about how people go about selecting spouses. The Jerry Maguire ideal of "you complete me" is completely subverted here as Aya demonstrates not only what Noelle thought she wanted, but what she needs. Noelle wishes she were more of a risk-taker, for example, and she tried to build that trait into her previous husbands with disastrous results. But sex in unconventional places proves to rev her motor, not to mention the...um...tentacles. Yes, there are tentacles. This betrays an adventurous streak that she should simply have claimed for her own rather than trying to invent a man to fulfill that need vicariously.
This is an erotic romance and it's definitely on the hotter end of the erotic romance spectrum. Readers will also have to be okay with Aya's, well, unconventional appendages. They're not just there for show, after all. But in a Christmas romance marketplace that sometimes seems overrun with puppies and children and sappy scenes in front of a roaring fire (if you like that, so sorry--it just isn't my thing), the gingerbread tentacle man does put a new spin on things.
For a recipe inspired by More Than A Man, visit Cooking Up Romance: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201...
When Noelle goes to the mall to order her third husband, it's a bit of a scandal. Typically Manporium relationships are for life, but the particular traits Noelle had built into her first two husbands led to their early demises. Her trip is just one stop during a busy day of Christmas shopping though and the mall is packed with shoppers and husband-builders. So it's not that surprising when an overwrought buyer collides with Noelle, causing her to almost drop her communication device, getting her shopping list a little muddled with with her list of desirable husbandly traits. When a few weeks later Aya shows up at her door a little earlier thna expected, Noelle is thrown off balance and not just by his slightly untimely arrival.
As for Aya, well, he's just been built. He comes implanted with certain made up memories and experiences and habits, some of which Noelle requested, some of which seem unique to him. And then there are the unintentional consequences of Noelle's collision at the Manporium. Like the fact that he smells like gingerbread and has a Red Hot tongue, for starters, But it's clear from the beginning that Aya isn't some kind of pre-programmed robot who is just going to do exactly what Noelle expects and exactly what she has envisioned. Her previous Manporium experiences haven't prepared her for Aya's take-charge attitude or ability to grow and change and adapt independent of her wishes (almost like a real husband--ha!).
Though on the face of it More Than A Man is a silly romp through some kind of alternate reality where women buy self-designed husbands, It actually does have a broader point to make about how people go about selecting spouses. The Jerry Maguire ideal of "you complete me" is completely subverted here as Aya demonstrates not only what Noelle thought she wanted, but what she needs. Noelle wishes she were more of a risk-taker, for example, and she tried to build that trait into her previous husbands with disastrous results. But sex in unconventional places proves to rev her motor, not to mention the...um...tentacles. Yes, there are tentacles. This betrays an adventurous streak that she should simply have claimed for her own rather than trying to invent a man to fulfill that need vicariously.
This is an erotic romance and it's definitely on the hotter end of the erotic romance spectrum. Readers will also have to be okay with Aya's, well, unconventional appendages. They're not just there for show, after all. But in a Christmas romance marketplace that sometimes seems overrun with puppies and children and sappy scenes in front of a roaring fire (if you like that, so sorry--it just isn't my thing), the gingerbread tentacle man does put a new spin on things.
For a recipe inspired by More Than A Man, visit Cooking Up Romance: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201...
April 2, 2016
I never thought there'd be a day where a futuristic sci-fi erotic romance would be my choice for a Christmas day read, but there is a first time for everything! This was such a fun and interesting (and super sexy!) story! Noelle lives in a world where you can create your mate - and so she's gone to the wedding emporium for her third try at a husband, having learned from her mistakes of the first two men she created. She's got the perfect list now - only she's also been writing up a Christmas shopping list with ingredients for gingerbread men, and a note to buy her friend some tentacle porn. Naturally, there is a mixup at the 'store' and she gets her perfect man - with the additions from her Christmas list! Hmm, a man who smells like gingerbread, with a tongue that leaves trails of red hot candy in it's wake, and some tentacles that can serve as binding options for a little bondage play, or extra 'appendages' to replace multiple men. So many possibilities! But along with all the interesting sex is a really good romance too, as Aya, her created mate, wants her to realize that while he may have the traits she wanted, he is growing in his own opinions and wants too, and that he wants her equally, in bed and out. She's not only got a lover, she's got a companion and a friend too. 4.5 stars for this unique holiday story.
June 30, 2011
It takes a lot for me to say that a book has too much sex, but in this case I feel that it's warranted. The idea behind the book is a good one. What would it be like if you could create your own perfect man? But, the society feels under developed and we are left with a lot of questions, like how does the society cope with supporting all of these extra "invented" people? Are there make-your-own bride stores too or does the privilege only apply to women who want men? If an invented person and a natural born person have a child (we know they are only allowed to have one legally) does that baby count as a natural born baby or an invented baby? There was a lot here to work with in terms of a conflicted and complex advanced society, but the book misses the mark by focusing only on the potentials of the sexual relationship and passing on the culture study. The sex is good though. If you ever had an octopus fantasy, this is the one for you.
July 16, 2013
Good SciFi erotic romance. Set far in the future where you can custom order a husband. Just be careful you don't get your husband list mixed up with your grocery list. Just imagine how licorice whips and ginger are interpreted by the Manporium. I liked this book. Kind of campy and silly at times but entertaining.
January 17, 2014
Wow!!!!!! Yes, yes, yes, this book deserves to be an erotica bestseller as it is so much more than just a book about hot, kinky smex. It has tenderness and insight into how people relate to their family and their lover, their hopes, dreams and fears. From the post script it didn't sound as if there was plans to make this a series, but it would be great to read about manporium again in the future.
September 17, 2012
I admit it. I bought this book with fiendish glee and a bit of morbid curiosity.
Then I loaned it to a friend with a maniacal cackle.
Then I loaned it to a friend with a maniacal cackle.
September 18, 2017
Manporioum. I think we need one of those.
Otherwise it was just ok. I was not really comfortable with the Hero's dominance. I would have appreciated a BDSM warning.
Otherwise it was just ok. I was not really comfortable with the Hero's dominance. I would have appreciated a BDSM warning.
July 13, 2020
This story is launched out of the box! Just more! If you like it hot and pushing the boundaries, read this. Yum.❤️
October 16, 2011
I gotta admit that the premise of this book was hilarious. You could order an al a carte man from the Manporium. Noelle mixed her "perfect man" list with her shopping list and got Aya. He tasted like gingerbread, had a tongue like hot cinnamon, and tentacles that could be dispatched at will. Unique story with interesting charcters. I would have liked to see the authors bring some type of closure between her and her mother. They brought the story line in but left it as a dangling thread. Overall a fairly short and decent read.
December 15, 2010
A really creative & imaginative story. What if you could just make a shopping list of attributes you'd want in a husband and have him custom made at the "manporium"? I like the fact that the Hero was not a 'stepford husband' that was just a simple slave to his wife. He had feelings, hopes & dreams just like any other man.
June 8, 2011
This book had no plot,just lot of sex
June 8, 2011
Woo-hoo! What a fun read! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to more of the "Manporium".
December 24, 2012
This book is pretty cheesey. IT's alright for a short story.
July 18, 2013
well written and overall decent, but needed more plot and character development. I just wish there was more plot instead of the focus being on so much sex.
March 2, 2016
I don't know what I was expecting but tentacles weren't it. I just wasn't a fan of the main female lead. She kind of got on my nerves.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews