After having read, and loved, the first book in this series (Two-Man Advantage) I was eagerly anticipating reading more. In the Penalty Box doesn't diAfter having read, and loved, the first book in this series (Two-Man Advantage) I was eagerly anticipating reading more. In the Penalty Box doesn't disappoint.
Landon became one of my all-time favorite characters from the very beginning. He hooked me in with his open, giving personality. I loved how he was willing to take a chance, even if it meant he might get hurt worse than he ever had before. His understanding and willingness to work with Samson on his own issues just strengthened the love I had for Landon.
Samson took me a little longer to warm up to. Mostly because I was pissed at him for what he did to Landon in the prologue. And what a gut-wrenching scene that was. Samson doesn't say a single word until the very end of it. And then it's the one thing that would hurt above all others. But Samson definitely grew on me and it didn't take me long to love him too. His reasons for staying in the closet were not only understandable, but heartbreaking. It added layers to him that I wasn't expecting at first. Plus the way that he absolutely adored Landon endeared him to me. When he decides that he can't live without Landon, I'm hooked into their HEA and have no doubts they'll make it. And the scene where Samson 'comes out' to his best friend - one of my absolute favorites, it was so well written.
There are some dark moments for the characters and, I admit, I wondered how this was going to end happily, but Riley Shane not only pulled it off, she had me grinning with joy by the end. I also really liked how Landon's family and the rest of the team were important parts of the story. They added so much, and rounded out the relationships. Neither man was an island and that made their coming together that much more believable.
Riley Shane is one of those few writers that can create characters that not only can I root for, but that feel real - who make mistakes and great accomplishments. Her writing has a depth that pulls you into the story and makes you lose time while devouring it. I've enjoyed each book I've read by her, and am definitely eagerly anticipating more. Highly recommended!!
Merged review:
After having read, and loved, the first book in this series (Two-Man Advantage) I was eagerly anticipating reading more. In the Penalty Box doesn't disappoint.
Landon became one of my all-time favorite characters from the very beginning. He hooked me in with his open, giving personality. I loved how he was willing to take a chance, even if it meant he might get hurt worse than he ever had before. His understanding and willingness to work with Samson on his own issues just strengthened the love I had for Landon.
Samson took me a little longer to warm up to. Mostly because I was pissed at him for what he did to Landon in the prologue. And what a gut-wrenching scene that was. Samson doesn't say a single word until the very end of it. And then it's the one thing that would hurt above all others. But Samson definitely grew on me and it didn't take me long to love him too. His reasons for staying in the closet were not only understandable, but heartbreaking. It added layers to him that I wasn't expecting at first. Plus the way that he absolutely adored Landon endeared him to me. When he decides that he can't live without Landon, I'm hooked into their HEA and have no doubts they'll make it. And the scene where Samson 'comes out' to his best friend - one of my absolute favorites, it was so well written.
There are some dark moments for the characters and, I admit, I wondered how this was going to end happily, but Riley Shane not only pulled it off, she had me grinning with joy by the end. I also really liked how Landon's family and the rest of the team were important parts of the story. They added so much, and rounded out the relationships. Neither man was an island and that made their coming together that much more believable.
Riley Shane is one of those few writers that can create characters that not only can I root for, but that feel real - who make mistakes and great accomplishments. Her writing has a depth that pulls you into the story and makes you lose time while devouring it. I've enjoyed each book I've read by her, and am definitely eagerly anticipating more. Highly recommended!!...more
Look, it's 96 pages, and it's mostly sex. Go into it with that expectation. The sex is SCORCHING HOT. Damn. I've read this book a dozen or so times, bLook, it's 96 pages, and it's mostly sex. Go into it with that expectation. The sex is SCORCHING HOT. Damn. I've read this book a dozen or so times, because it's a damn good erotic romance. And there is a romance amid all the sex. And I can very easily see it with a HFN finish.
It's also an interracial romance, which was a very pleasant plus.
Quick, sexy read. Characters that I was rooting for, and a romance amid all the sex ;)
One of my favorite erotic romances.
Merged review:
Look, it's 96 pages, and it's mostly sex. Go into it with that expectation. The sex is SCORCHING HOT. Damn. I've read this book a dozen or so times, because it's a damn good erotic romance. And there is a romance amid all the sex. And I can very easily see it with a HFN finish.
It's also an interracial romance, which was a very pleasant plus.
Think about what you want more than anything in the world. It isn’t out of reach.Originally reviewed for Risqué Reviews
Excerpt: (Oasis' Advertisement)
Think about what you want more than anything in the world. It isn’t out of reach. Oasis is an adult fantasy fulfillment service that specializes in making your dreams come true. Anything from a weekend getaway with someone you love to an erotic encounter with a stranger—or strangers—can happen. Call us today and make your fantasy a reality.
*Oasis reserves the right to reject any application for any reason. Oasis is not an escort service. We match people on the basis of their fantasies and arrange for those fantasies to be fulfilled. Fantasies are fulfilled at the discretion of management.
Review:
After finishing the first book in the Safe Word: Oasis series, Yes, Justin, I was looking forward to seeing what new fantasy Ms. Zurlo had the Oasis Company fulfill in By My Side. Like the first book, this is also a novella, but it felt slightly longer. What I got was a book that I enjoyed. However, it had a few issues for me. The plot was interesting--two people that want each other but are afraid to risk their friendship and working relationship to try for more. Yet, the story's BDSM aspect seemed like a plot device as I couldn’t really believe how he’s a prominent actor/director and does a BDSM show to raise money for a charity. Really? I quickly shrugged that off and continued on because Marcella and Sean definitely have a lot of chemistry.
Sean is a very nice guy, except for one small moment near the middle of the book which he quickly corrects – which is extremely refreshing to see. He cares about Marcella and that’s quite obvious. I had a harder time getting to know and like Marcella. She’s incredibly efficient at her job, seems very confident, but also seems to think little of herself and her attractiveness. There is some reference made to Sean sending signals that he preferred distance between them. She does worry that he’s only doing this to keep the Benefit going, but her insecurities seemed excessive.
Otherwise, there are also some minor misunderstandings and jumping to conclusions. Although I have little tolerance for misunderstandings, they were handled well. I especially liked how each character owned up to his/her actions and accepted responsibility for the consequences caused by those actions or worked to make them right. That endeared both characters to me.
Ms. Zurlo gives us a sexy sweet tale about the beginning of a relationship that’s sure to last in By My Side.
Think about what you want more than anything in the world. It isn’t out of reach. Oasis is an adult fantasy fulfillment service that specializes in making your dreams come true. Anything from a weekend getaway with someone you love to an erotic encounter with a stranger—or strangers—can happen. Call us today and make your fantasy a reality.
*Oasis reserves the right to reject any application for any reason. Oasis is not an escort service. We match people on the basis of their fantasies and arrange for those fantasies to be fulfilled. Fantasies are fulfilled at the discretion of management.
Review:
After finishing the first book in the Safe Word: Oasis series, Yes, Justin, I was looking forward to seeing what new fantasy Ms. Zurlo had the Oasis Company fulfill in By My Side. Like the first book, this is also a novella, but it felt slightly longer. What I got was a book that I enjoyed. However, it had a few issues for me. The plot was interesting--two people that want each other but are afraid to risk their friendship and working relationship to try for more. Yet, the story's BDSM aspect seemed like a plot device as I couldn’t really believe how he’s a prominent actor/director and does a BDSM show to raise money for a charity. Really? I quickly shrugged that off and continued on because Marcella and Sean definitely have a lot of chemistry.
Sean is a very nice guy, except for one small moment near the middle of the book which he quickly corrects – which is extremely refreshing to see. He cares about Marcella and that’s quite obvious. I had a harder time getting to know and like Marcella. She’s incredibly efficient at her job, seems very confident, but also seems to think little of herself and her attractiveness. There is some reference made to Sean sending signals that he preferred distance between them. She does worry that he’s only doing this to keep the Benefit going, but her insecurities seemed excessive.
Otherwise, there are also some minor misunderstandings and jumping to conclusions. Although I have little tolerance for misunderstandings, they were handled well. I especially liked how each character owned up to his/her actions and accepted responsibility for the consequences caused by those actions or worked to make them right. That endeared both characters to me.
Ms. Zurlo gives us a sexy sweet tale about the beginning of a relationship that’s sure to last in By My Side....more
I liked the premise of this story better than the execution. The pacing left me fairly off step with the book, but mostly it was how incredibly naive I liked the premise of this story better than the execution. The pacing left me fairly off step with the book, but mostly it was how incredibly naive these women in their 30's and 40's were about sex. It just showed through often enough to be irritating. Especially considering at least two of the three we meet consider themselves 'erotic' writers...
Merged review:
I liked the premise of this story better than the execution. The pacing left me fairly off step with the book, but mostly it was how incredibly naive these women in their 30's and 40's were about sex. It just showed through often enough to be irritating. Especially considering at least two of the three we meet consider themselves 'erotic' writers......more
I think what kept this from being a higher star rating was that I would have liked more between the main characters. Nearly the enQuick, erotic read.
I think what kept this from being a higher star rating was that I would have liked more between the main characters. Nearly the entirety of the book was about Eve - and her fantasies. Which is good, I was just hoping for more.
There's a bit of a "mystery" (and I use that term incredibly loosely) about who Tell_Me is, and if Eve will end up with him, or the hot IT guy at her work, Lane. We spend the majority of the book hearing about her interactions with both of these guys, and seeing very little of either.
However, even with those complaints I enjoyed it. I'd just have liked to have a bit more.
Merged review:
Quick, erotic read.
I think what kept this from being a higher star rating was that I would have liked more between the main characters. Nearly the entirety of the book was about Eve - and her fantasies. Which is good, I was just hoping for more.
There's a bit of a "mystery" (and I use that term incredibly loosely) about who Tell_Me is, and if Eve will end up with him, or the hot IT guy at her work, Lane. We spend the majority of the book hearing about her interactions with both of these guys, and seeing very little of either.
However, even with those complaints I enjoyed it. I'd just have liked to have a bit more....more
Nate and Kyle both end up at the Tahoe resort running from something. Past pain, hurt and heartache. But regardless of what they’rOriginal review here
Nate and Kyle both end up at the Tahoe resort running from something. Past pain, hurt and heartache. But regardless of what they’re trying to escape these two wonderful heroes are fighters. When something good comes along, no matter how improbable it seems, they’re both willing to take a chance. To grab life and see where it leads. That endeared me greatly to both of them.
Nate’s just out of a relationship that had really died a slow death quite a while ago. More than pain and loss there’s embarrassment and resignation, which are still two difficult things to get over. Kyle’s loss is deeper. His entire life-dream has been shattered. When Kyle gets to the cabin he’s floundering, trying to find his place again.
Watching them come together made me smile. These are two heroes that I rooted for getting their happily-ever-after. Added to the way they complemented each other, filling in missing needs, I would be remiss if I didn’t add that they are sexy-as-hell together.
Two-Man Advantage is a hot, sinful, and incredibly romantic love story. I kept sneaking glimpses while at work, as I just couldn’t put it down! Riley Shane gave us two heroes to fall in love with, to cheer for, and that left me begging for more. Highly recommended!
Nate and Kyle both end up at the Tahoe resort running from something. Past pain, hurt and heartache. But regardless of what they’re trying to escape these two wonderful heroes are fighters. When something good comes along, no matter how improbable it seems, they’re both willing to take a chance. To grab life and see where it leads. That endeared me greatly to both of them.
Nate’s just out of a relationship that had really died a slow death quite a while ago. More than pain and loss there’s embarrassment and resignation, which are still two difficult things to get over. Kyle’s loss is deeper. His entire life-dream has been shattered. When Kyle gets to the cabin he’s floundering, trying to find his place again.
Watching them come together made me smile. These are two heroes that I rooted for getting their happily-ever-after. Added to the way they complemented each other, filling in missing needs, I would be remiss if I didn’t add that they are sexy-as-hell together.
Two-Man Advantage is a hot, sinful, and incredibly romantic love story. I kept sneaking glimpses while at work, as I just couldn’t put it down! Riley Shane gave us two heroes to fall in love with, to cheer for, and that left me begging for more. Highly recommended!...more
I first read this book years ago. I re-read it in the following years as the second and third books were released, but have5 May 2020: $2.99 on Kindle
I first read this book years ago. I re-read it in the following years as the second and third books were released, but haven't had the chance to do so again since. I never wrote a review for it, partly because I don't think that anything I say can do justice to the feelings and beauty of this series. Partly because I'm not sure I can capture the wonder I felt when I first read it. But I'm going to try here anyway.
There aren't many authors where the very first thing that I'll mention is the lyrical prose that they write with. I can think of a handful off the top of my head, and I love a great many books, for many reasons. But there are some books where the beauty of the language, the way the words are strung together, jump out and slap me (in a good way). Make me sit and take notice, re-read for the lushness of them. Laini Taylor is one of those authors. Now, I will qualify this with the fact that it went a little off the rails in the third book, and where I said many times that she could re-write a phone book and I'd love to read it, I'm a little more cautious now. But here? In this book? It's beautiful and captivating. Just as much this time as it ever was before.
And then there were the characters. Not just the main characters, though the gods know I loved them, but there were many characters that were so well developed, so real that I felt they surely existed just outside my knowledge. Karou is amazing. As I was saying to a friend of mine, she's so much muchier than other characters in other books. Then there's Akiva, Brimstone, Issa, ZUZANNA, and so many others. I love them. I want to know them, and my heart breaks for them - especially knowing what's coming.
So that's a warning I'll issue. This isn't light. It's a dark fairy-tale, and there's pain and torture before we get through to the end. A lot of it. Be prepared. (I feel like I'm quoting a lot of Disney today....)
The world. Oh, the world. How I want to visit. Prague sounds fabulous, and it draws me to it. I'll visit you one day soon, my lovely. I felt like I've been there already based on the lush descriptions in this novel, in fact. Laini Taylor effortlessly, it seems, weaves in every mythology to this story, making it plausible, and realistic, and seemingly the grain of truth that every story holds. True Story never seemed so accurate as while absorbed in this novel. As you meet more and more characters, learn more of the world, you begin to see where the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths got their angels. Where the ancient Greeks, and Hindu peoples found their Naja and Minotaurs. Among so many others. And in the hands of Karou, there are the hamsas. I know the first time I read this book I was fascinated and curious - incredibly so - by the world and how everything fit together. How did the wishes work? I wondered. What were the teeth for? Where is Elsewhere? The answers do not disappoint.
This book captured me so completely. It had the quadfecta going for it: prose, plot, world, and characters. In this world, in Eretz, everything combined to entrance and entice, urging me along, dreading the pain and still willing to pay the tithe.
8 June 2015: $2.99 on Kindle 7 October 2014: $2.99 on Kindle
WHAT? I never wrote a review for this?
Man. It's fantastic. Laini Taylor writes with a beauty that I can't even hope to do justice to. I'll try to come back review this later when my feels aren't all gushing fangirl.
8/10/2013: $2.99 on Kindle - this is a fabulous deal. Well worth it at this price. I absolutely loved this book. There is some insta-attraction, but Karou's so awesome that it makes up for it. And the world/idea is SO interesting.
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