Rumors Ring True (Maxi’s Place) by Literary Stud

Publisher/Date:  Amazon Digital Services, Inc., Aug. 2012
Genre: Romance
Pages:  47
Website:  http://twitter.com/literarystud

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

The Plot: RUMORS RING TRUE, the first in the Maxi’s Place series, promises “drama, deceit, and maybe a little love.” Maxi’s Place electrifies with great food, ambiance, and music. Behind the scenes, a romance steams between hostess Ava Russell and saxophonist Bailey Thompson. Because restaurant owner Cole Washington frowns against workplace romances, Ava and Bailey hide their budding attraction. Yet it’s unmistakable. The question is: what they are going to do about it?

The Good: A quick read, Rumors sets up a good story you could see yourself reading more of. Ava and Bailey play a cat-and-mouse game that some may find appealing.

The Not-So-Good: The cat-and-mouse game. Will they or won’t they? That’s mostly what this first installment was about. It would have been nice had Rumors incorporated other characters a little more.

The Bottom Line:Rumors Ring True is one of those Kindle stories to read on a lazy afternoon. I’m just curious enough to see what happens next.

Reviewed December 2012

The Beautiful People: New Orleans by Cheril N. Clarke

Publisher/Date:  Dodi Press, Feb. 2011
Genre:  Gay & Lesbian
Pages:  24
Website:  http://www.cherilnclarke.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Four friends and a vacation is the premise of THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE: NEW ORLEANS, the first in an e-book series from Cheril N. Clarke.

Good friends Colin, Donovan, Vanessa and Yen jet-set to a different city every month, where they behold the sights — both of the city and the people.

Donovan is the type-a, men’s fashion designer, accountant Colin is entranced by beautiful faces — male and female; photographer Yen can’t seem to get her vices under control; and Vanessa’s attraction to Yen surprisingly reemerges itself for the business consultant.

Clarke packs a lot of energy into a short read. I enjoyed the friends’ interaction, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for them in the next installment.

You know what they say: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Reviewed January 2012

Erotic Escapes: Two Erotic Vignettes featuring Kenya from Intimate Chaos by Cheril N. Clarke

Publisher/Date:  Dodi Press, Feb. 2010
Genre:  Erotica
Website:  http://www.cherilnclarke.com 

Illusions of Love –

Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Ecstasy –

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Quickies have become Cheril N. Clarke’s forte as of late, with two-part e-book series for your pleasure, EROTIC ESCAPES: TWO EROTIC VIGNETTES FEATURING KENYA. The e-book includes Illusions of Love and Ecstasy, both starring the sexual debaucheries of the infamous homewrecker who stirred up things between Sadira and Jessie. She’s still up to her old tricks, this time manipulating unsuspecting women with her sensual charms and cunning.

In the first installment, Illusions of Love, readers are treated to Kenya seducing Angela, an older woman with money and a body that rivals young girls. Kenya has told the Ivy League professor what she wants to hear to be taken care of in her usual spoiled fashion and lands on a Caribbean cruise. Yet, vacations aren’t enough for the lesbian vixen, and while on the way home, she’s already searching for her next score. She finds it with, Deb, but will it give her what she truly needs?

Ecstasy, the second round of Kenya’s games, continues where Illusions left off and is only a little naughtier than the first. Deb is sexually adventurous and introduces her to a new kind of high. The pair is wrapped up in their sensual cocktail – beginning with a swinging escapade in Illusions – and Kenya almost forgets what she came here for. Has she finally met her match?

Clarke’s down-and-dirty mission was accomplished with these e-books. There’s few flowery phrases, no professions of love — just romps with a woman who’s hedonism rivals that of Karrine Steffans (well, not that bad). Take it for what it is: a one-night stand you might want more of.

Reviewed August 2010

How to Love a Black Lesbian by Velvet Knight and Joy A’Che

Publisher/Date:  Sexy Black Rainbows Entertainment, Feb. 2010
Genre:  Relationship Guide
Pages:  26
Website:  http://www.sexyblackrainbows.com

Rating: ★★★★★ 

If you’ve ever been in love, want to be in love or are in love right now, HOW TO LOVE A BLACK LESBIAN is the e-book you must read. Within the pages lie the simple truths about loving a black female.

Velvet Knight and Joy A’Che break down what it takes to deeply care for a woman — from her head to her toes. Yet it goes further than just loving the physical aspects of your mate. Getting to know her mind, soul and spirit is vital according to the authors, who preach that “starting from the outside and going in” is the best way to enjoy the qualities your other half possesses.

First, the relationship manual stresses discovering what makes your lover tick. For example, knowing exactly why she became a lesbian is a key to whom she is as a person. So ask her. The authors say “to love a lesbian you should know why one is a lesbian.” Her attitude and response to the question should reveal more her character and her heart.

But don’t think that loving a woman’s body is not important. Knight and A’Che emphasize adoring every single part of your lover, her touch, and even her imperfections. I like how the authors play up the importance of swagger – whether she’s femme, stud or in the middle – as another facet to enjoy about your partner’s confidence in being female.

For right in time for Valentine’s Day, How to Love a Black Lesbian is definitely required reading. Knight and A’Che provide a sensual guidebook for beautiful African-American women who love women. Anyone in or out of a relationship should read this how-to because it’s an excellent blueprint to building a solid foundation with your lover.

Reviewed February 2010

Love and Marriage: The Gay and Lesbian Guide to Dating and Romance by Cheril N. Clarke

Publisher/Date:  Dodi Press, Jan. 2010
Genre:  Relationship Guide
Pages:  24
Website:  http://www.cherilnclarke.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Want hundreds of tips to kick start, rekindle or preserve your relationship? Then get your hands on LOVE AND MARRIAGE: THE GAY AND LESBIAN GUIDE TO DATING AND ROMANCE by beloved novelist Cheril N. Clarke.

Not only is Clarke the author of lesbian contemporary romance novels, she’s also a happily wedded woman of three years. That helps when perusing these helpful suggestions that list everything from scrapbooking to playing hide-and-go-seek to lap-dancing – all in an effort to keep the romance brewing.

The e-book is broken up conveniently into three sections: Getting to Know Each Other, Commitment and Marriage. Each pointer is marked with a symbol indicating the cost and activity type. As a word of advice, she states that you should make this book your own and not try to do everything at once.

If you’re on a first date or starting a new relationship, Clarke offers out-of-the-box plans for first dates. Things like taking a hot air balloon, having dinner in a castle, or walking under the stars on moonlight night will surely set a very good first impression.

For those in monogamous relationships, she doesn’t forget about you. To strengthen your bond, why don’t you take your girlfriend to a bed and breakfast or write her an old fashioned love letter?

And to cherish your union and combat the long-term itch of marriage, among Clarke’s hints are commissioning an artist to paint a couple’s portrait, having personalized china made, and attending a hedonism retreat.

By reading Love and Marriage, all couples should find something to fit their fancy – from the simplest declaration to the most elaborate arrangement. Clarke has your relationship in mind.

Reviewed February 2010

The Menage Menagerie by J.L. Dillard

Publisher/Date:  eXcessica Publishing, Dec. 2009
Genre(s):  Bisexual, Romance, Erotica
Pages:  59
Website:  http://www.jldillard1.webs.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

“Nothing is simple about this arrangement,” Jonathan Rutherford replies to his wife as they contemplate a threesome in THE MENAGE MENAGERIE. In her e-book, author J.L. Dillard creates the perfect sexual situation between a man, his wife and another woman.

Dana Rutherford knows her husband’s been craving to see her be pleasured by another woman. And even though their sex is as good as it gets, she indulges him this one fantasy. Dana, as beautiful and voluptuous as she is, recognizes that a little spice in their love life will keep him satisfied and looking no further.

So Dana concedes and offers Jonathan this proposition: engage in a ménage à trois with Crystina, an extremely sexy lesbian at his workplace.

Because Jonathan sings Crystina’s praises to his wife at home, Dana deduces that he finds her attractive, as well, so she sets up a meeting between the three. She just hopes it doesn’t blow up in her face – considering the fact Jonathan is Crystina’s boss.  Also causing distress is the fact that the usually demure Dana is a lot more excited about being seduced by a woman than she ever thought she would be.

What goes down tonight could be anyone’s guess.

Dillard is sensual in her portrayal of the heat between both the husband and wife, but most especially between the two women. Dana and Crystina’s obvious connection is honestly the best part of the story; I could have used more of that. But if you want a book that gets it down and dirty, Dillard’s Menagerie worth checking out.

Reviewed February 2010

The Wrong Valentine by Dana Littlejohn

Publisher/Date:  Phaze Books, Feb. 2009
Genre(s):  Erotica, Romance
Pages:  17
Website:  http://www.danalittlejohn.com

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

When you’re faced with spending Valentine’s Day alone, what’s a girl to do? If you’re Shaunte in THE WRONG VALENTINE, you’ll cook a nice dinner, take a long shower and pamper your body in an effort to feel special.

That’s Shaunte’s plan in this diminutive e-book written by romance author Dana Littlejohn portraying a woman’s night alone on lover’s day. But Shante isn’t too pressed about it. She’s had her share of heartache, and a recent relocation to New York helped her get through the hurt.

However, in the midst of Shaunte’s date with herself, she receives a womanly surprise that changes the course of her night and allows her to truly enjoy the holiday.

As a character, Shaunte’s past could have been fleshed out a more, but Littlejohn, who has about 20 erotic titles under her skirt, err belt, creates a short-but-sweet novelette that’s appetizing all the same.

Reviewed February 2010