Marguerite Duras – The Lover

This is the highly acclaimed short novel by French author Marguerite Duras. It is deeply sensual as opposed to erotic and contains plenty direct and indirect socio-political comment. However I felt a sheer lack of empathy for the characters. I suspect I would not have persevered reading the book if it had been longer.
The young girl-woman allows herself to be seduced by the Chinese lover. Perhaps she is only interested in the financial support he offers. Perhaps genuine love does grow, it's difficult to tell. The love which does develop is certainly a destructive force.
I am sure this novel was a very worthy winner of the Prix Goncourt and has significant literary merit. Unfortunately, for me, it lacks that something to draw me in.

Portia Da Costa - Continuum

Joanna Darrell has just told a difficult client to “Get a life!” in no uncertain terms and is now waiting outside her boss’ office wondering whether this will mean the end of her successful career at Perry McAffee. Instead of being sacked Joanna is sent on a journey of sexual adventure. This starts with a trip out of the city, ostensibly to relax at a health spa. However her hosts introduce Joanna to the erotic pleasures of spanking and the opportunity to join a circle of like-minded individuals. This leads Joanna to meet a ‘Mistress’, an attractive redhead and receive an invite to a very special party. These encounters bring Joanna to realise her fluid sexuality and also how closely her work colleagues are associated with the group she terms the Continuum. Despite all she has discovered Joanna is still puzzled as to who is behind all this and is determined to find out. Once she is whisked away to France and taken to Le Manoir Mystere the identity of her Master is revealed and Joanna ultimately submits in a heart-racing climax.
Continuum is heavily erotic and definitely one of my favourite Portia Da Costa titles. Fantasy to make your cheeks tingle!!

Soothing Music for Stray Cats - Jayne Joso

Jayne Joso has written an amazingly quirky and moving novel. I completely empathised with the main character, Mark, through the chaos which descends on his life after his friend from school jumps from the 20th floor of a building. Mark tries to make sense of the situation with the help of various intriguing characters such as the Japanese student Kazu. The resultant changes in all their lives makes for a fascinating story. Completely offbeat and wonderful.

Book Reviews

New year, new challenge! As a fresh incentive to get me writing again I intend to review every book I read this year and post the details here on this blog.
If you have read the same books let me know if you agree/disagree or have any comments to add. I'd love to hear your views too.

Love

Chloe x

Portia Da Costa - Kiss It Better

Portia Da Costa - Kiss It Better


Set around Portia's infamous Waverley Grange Hotel 'Kiss It Better' is a wonderful erotic romance. Sandy Jackson goes along to a business drinks reception at the Waverley and meets the mysterious, enigmatic Jay Bentley, a man with a fast Aston Martin and a raging hard-on. Jay turns out to have been someone important from Sandy's past and will become someone important in her future. I loved the fact that characters from previous books, 'Suite Seventeen' and 'In Too Deep' appear briefly in a couple of scenes. The sex is hot and exciting with the perfect sprinkling of kinkiness. Portia gives her characters passion and sexiness that keep readers turned on! Overall this is not my favourite from Portia Da Costa but definitely worth a read.

Portia Da Cost - In Too Deep

Portia Da Costa - In Too Deep

Quietly sexy librarian Gwendolyne Price has a huge crush on Professor Daniel Brewster, the hot History academic temporarily visiting the library where she works. When Gwendolyne’s flirting with the Professor heats up she also starts to receive erotic letters through the library’s suggestions box from an admirer who calls himself Nemesis. The letters lead to online chats and sexily assertive forfeits and Gwendolyne begins to wonder if her kinky correspondent and the gorgeous Professor are the same person. However she decides she is enjoying the games far too much to agonise over the question for too long. Daniel and Nemesis challenge her boundaries opening her eyes to a sexual freedom she has never experienced before. Could Gwendolyne be falling in love with them both?

This is another brilliant erotic romance from Portia Da Costa. The scenes between Gwendolyne and Daniel spark with sexual chemistry as they play out very believable fantasies. This is definitely a book where you might want to suggest trying one or two of the ideas to your partner! You’d certainly feel like a sex goddess - just like Gwendolyne does. Watch out for cameos from characters from Portia’s other books based around the Waverley Grange Hotel.