Revenge!: A Natalie McMasters Mystery““Revenge! (Natalie McMasters Mysteries #2)” is an intense mystery/thriller. And when I use the word “intense” here, I mean “OMG the despicable evils that people are capable are the center of Natalie’s life”.
If you like thrillers with graphic descriptions of rape, torture, animal cruelty, arson and murder, you’re going to love this book. I considered book 1 intense, but the intensity was dialed up from 10 to 10,000 here, and it was for me, frankly, too intense. I enjoy graphic violence occasionally, but in sci-fi or paranormal contexts, where it rarely feels “real”. As the blurb for this book says, though, book 2 is “ripped from today’s headlines”, and the violence feels very very real.
Ok, trigger warnings etc are now done. The story is very realistic, and very well written. The narrator did an excellent job, once again.
MC Natalie is very likable, as is her girlfriend, later wife, Lupe, and many of the other characters, including her mom, uncle, the two PI’s working at 3M (Danny and former Detective Kidd), and her wonderful counselor, Rebecca. Even the street gang leader is presented as a surprisingly likable, and realistic, character who is capable of loyalty and something close to friendship, as well as unspeakable cruelty. Just by knowing Natalie, everyone she knows becomes targeted.
The evil characters aren’t as complex as Natalie’s friends and family. They’re evil.
Throughout the story, the pressures put on many people to do unthinkable things by people in positions of authority are heartbreakingly realistic. As I write this, thinking of police corruption in this book, the all-too-real story of a retired detective and his son being arrested months after they killed a black man…months during which police and the DA did nothing until a video became available...makes it clear that so many of the violent things in this book truly are drawn from today’s headlines.
“Revenge!” will make you uncomfortable, as does the news, but it’s like driving by an accident or walking near a crime scene….you just have to listen to Natalie’s story. The book ends on a minor cliffhanger - read the blurb for book 3 and you’ll understand. Also, while Natalie realized in book 1 that she loved Lupe far more than any man she’d dated, or even been engaged to, in book 2 we get several hints that she may be more fluid than lesbian. I was curious, and read the blurb for book 4. So for reviewers who are angry that a lesbian is expressing attraction to a man; in Natalie’s case this is not a lesbian being “fixed”, this is a woman who is passionate for people she loves and body parts aren’t a critical issue for her love.
I listen to very few thrillers because of the dark realism, but every now and then I like to try something different. While I’m glad I did, I realize that dark realism isn’t something I’ll listen to lots of, but for those who enjoy it - this is a terrific book with, as I said, excellent narration. 4* for “Revenge!”.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.”
Dominated by My Blind Date Lesbian BDSM Spanking Erotica““Dominated by My Blind Date Lesbian BDSM Spanking Erotica” is a very enjoyable lesbian PWP story, narrated by a woman with a great voice.
As good as the narrator’s voice was, she sounded like surprise BDSM and spankings happen all the time; well, perhaps it does for her, but I wish she’d conveyed just a bit more surprise, doubt and excitement at the turn of events.
MC Cheryl is a lawyer who moved to a new job, and a new city and state, to help get over a relationship that ended badly. Having trouble meeting women, she signs up for a dating app, and after a month of chatting is ready to meet MC Bethany, a successful chef. So, technically, this isn’t really a blind date, but the rest of the title is accurate 😉
So, Cheryl drives to Bethany’s apartment. Uh oh….just a reminder ladies; first meetings should be in public!!
Bethany prepares a wonderful seafood pasta, and the description of pan-seared scallops got me wet (hey! my mouth was watering!)
After the meal, Bethany offers to show Bethany a surprise, which includes a blindfold, then bound hands, then…well, let’s just say Bethany shows Cheryl her “playroom”. I was happy that Bethany asked for consent, and since it’s a short story, Cheryl didn’t struggle with any lawyerly over-thinking, she just agrees and looks forward to being playful.
Fun times are had by both women, and the ending is sweet.
Ahhh….the stories we turn to during this stay-at-home situation!
“Dominated by My Blind Date” is recommended with 4*.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.”
The Two Lesbians of Edwin: Threesome Erotica““The Two Lesbians of Edwin: Threesome Erotica” was, of course, a very unrealistic first day at a new college in a new town for MC Jenna…which is why I picked the book!
The narrator has the perfect voice for Jenna - a shy, sweet, insecure and submissive coed. She also voiced the two other MCs, Jane and Hailey very well. What she didn’t do particularly well was differentiate her cadence for different scenes; Jenna’s description of being in the history classroom had the same level of energy as when Jenna was being attended to with a strap-on, and learning to please another woman at the same time.
While I didn’t really expect much character development in this short PWP story, I was still disappointed at the complete emphasis on sex instead of sex with new friendships included.
Jane and Hailey would be fun to play with, but Jenna was too submissive for my taste, even smoking a first cigarette because she was handed one.
The funniest moment was when asked to pleasure Jane, Jenna uttered the obligatory “But Jane, I’ve never done this before”. Perhaps her shy hesitancy would have been more believable if Jenna wasn’t at that moment filled with Hailey’s strap-on!!
It’s lesbian PWP, the narration was pretty good, but I’m still left with a “meh” sense, not a wow. 3*
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.”
Coming Out at the Strip Club: Lesbian First Time Sex““Coming Out at the Strip Club: Lesbian First Time Sex” was surprisingly terrific for the, errr….diversionary, piece of literature I was in the mood for! The narrator has a very sexy voice, and she’s terrific with the many erotic descriptions of our MCs interactions.
I nearly peed myself laughing listening to club routine choreographer Diana walking MC Lisa through her first time sucking a nipple! MC Bonna tells Lisa that she prefers sex with girls, and Lisa, eager to perfect their new routine before showtime, asks if they might practice more. There is no fade-to-black here, ladies….this is explicit and very hot!
Interestingly, most stories introduce us to the characters, a relationship develops, and they then fall in lust and/or love. This story reverses things. A meaningful conversation and insight into Bonna’s character happens near the end of the book. Not at the very end….that’s saved for more sex!! How can you not love a book that includes the phrase “paroxysm of pleasure” to describe lovemaking?
5* for “Coming Out at the Strip Club”! It’s on my listen-to-again list!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.”
