Book Review - Off the Shelf by Lucy Felthouse

At 35, travel writer Annalise is fed up with insensitive comments about being left “on the shelf”. It’s not as if she doesn’t want a man, but her busy career doesn’t leave her much time for relationships. Sexy liaisons with passing acquaintances give Annalise physical satisfaction but she needs more than that. She wants a man who will satisfy her mind as well as her body. But where will she find someone like that?

It seems Annalise may be in luck when a new member of staff starts working in the bookshop at the airport she regularly travels through. Damien appears to tick all the boxes – he’s gorgeous, funny and intelligent, and he shares Annalise’s love of books and travel.

The trouble is, Damien’s shy and Annalise is terrified of rejection. Can they overcome their fears and admit their feelings, or are they doomed to remain on the shelf?

I haven't reviewed a book on my blog in a while, but I had to give this one the thumbs up. I have read Lucy before and really enjoyed her shorties, so when she asked me to review this novella, I jumped at the chance. In fact, she jumped straight to the top of my reading pile.

I went into this expecting to like it, but you know what, I loved it. Right from the first page I loved the heroine. She is just so likeable with her no nonsense approach to sex and relationships and the phone call from mum, berating her that she was never going to find a husband, lol.

Annalise is a travel writer. She flits around the world, writing about her destinations. A job she loves, but not one conducive to finding a husband, opportunities for hot, casual sex notwithstanding. I really liked that about Annalise. She owns her sexuality. Of course she wants to settle down and have kids one day, but in the meantime she is not afraid to enjoy herself, be that with hot men or her toys. There are quite a few masturbation scenes in this novella, beautifully written, I must add.

I think any woman who has been single for a while will really get those, lol.

Annalise is heading out to Portugal on business and even though she is an experienced traveller, the whole security check out palaver puts her on edge. To calm down she visits the book shop and there she encounters new employee Damien.  Despite him not being her usual type, she is instantly drawn to the quiet, bookish, shy young man and they hit it off over coffee and muffins.

They talk so much that she almost misses  the call for he gate. Once in Portugal she cannot get Damien out of he mind. So much so that despite opportunities to indulge in some light relief of the sexual kind, she can't go through with it. She tracks Damien down on Facebook and her inner turmoil at sending the friend request and then waiting for his answer is both heart warming and hysterical.

Damien is no alpha hero, but he is so damn sexy and adorable seen through her eyes, you cannot help but love him.

I laughed so much reading this book and nodded away in agreement. I even read hubby bits of it, much to his bemusement. The humour throughout this novella is simply fantastic, and something that is always present in Lucy's writing but she really outdid herself in this one.

If there is one criticism I have it's that at times the author gets lost in the small details. We all know how to make a coffee, for instance so all the minute details of 'she put the kettle on the way" etc. had me rolling my eyes in a good natured way, but it's no biggie really. And maybe I just wanted her to hurry up and get back to Damien and the good bits!

The sexual tension is portrayed beautifully and the actual sex scenes are hot, hot, hot. And humorous, perfect combo, really.

I shall leave you with one of my favourite lines from the book...

"It was incredibly cheesy, but she figured that if they were meant to be together, it wouldn't matter whether they went to bed on the first date or the hundredth. Except perhaps he'd end up with blue balls, and she with whatever the female equivalent was..."

See, what did I tell you, laugh out loud stuff! Read it, you won't be disappointed!

Guest Blog - Toni Sands - Orchid Pink

Sensual, sassy, sexy … three words to make your heart leap … three words that belong together in erotic romance. Finding myself here on Leap Year’s Day is a privilege. It’s not something that can happen for another four years! So I’ll try my best to entertain you on this special day. If it’s the first time for four years that you’re celebrating your birthday or anniversary on the actual date, then I send extra warm wishes and congratulations.

I like to read about heroines who fit the three ‘S’ words. Most of my own heroines, hopefully, fit the bill too. Until recently, all my published stories were contemporary though there’s a novella, Taming the Wild Man (Xcite Books) which is set in a futuristic world. You could call in on my website later and check out the extract. I’d love to know what you think, especially if you haven’t come across my work before.

So how does my latest heroine, a Victorian lady, whose story begins in the year 1900, measure up to the three ‘S’ words? For starters, Adelaide, outwardly demure and fulfilling the dutiful daughter image, loves sensual things. This is a gift for me because I feel precisely the same. And these are the words that lend themselves so well to erotic writing. A little touch is often all you need to create that special mood.

There are certainly dark secrets, spicy scents and intense and disturbing emotions rippling throughout Orchid Pink.

The following extract comes from the latter part of the novel when Adelaide and her friend, Ruth, are enjoying a little art appreciation.

Two young ladies disported themselves beneath a willow tree in a breathtaking mosaic of legs, arms, breasts and buttocks. We were both transfixed by the fine lines and sweetness of the subjects and the fragile pastel shades of wild flowers dotting the lush grass. The willow fronds seemed to sway in the breeze while the bold young ladies frolicked.

The next picture was a pencil sketch depicting a pretty girl seated beside a bath tub, one leg propped on its edge as one hand stroked between her thighs. Her eyes were closed and her stance and dreamy expression brought back memories, heightening my senses and quickening my breath. I took another sip of the sweet, powerful liquid and felt the first trail of desire, as muscular as whatever I was drinking. Ruth linked her arm in mine and I became acutely conscious of her knuckles brushing my breast.

No one was more surprised than me when I found myself writing a novel with a bi-sexual heroine. She’s also my second heroine from a time gone by but Orchid Pink has beaten my new novella as regards time of publication. What these two books have in common is a sensual, sassy and sexy heroine though of course each is clothed to suit her era. I enjoy writing about women who push boundaries and Adelaide Beauchamp certainly does that.

It’s been great to talk to you. I hope you’ll enjoy meeting every one of my heroines. I couldn’t give Adelaide a delectable, handsome hero but you’ll find plenty of those elsewhere in my writing. Enjoy!

*****

Demure Adelaide hides a passionate nature beneath her elegant gowns. After hiring a delicious new maid, Daisy, she can’t wait to initiate her into the delights of the orchid house. Though resenting paternal pressure to marry businessman Thomas, Adelaide finds excitement in his touch and his erotic whisperings. Yet, when he reveals his sinister side, she seeks solace elsewhere. Christmas brings snowflakes, also a vivid reminder of a heart-wrenching past. Intrigue and obsession rock this Victorian household as Adelaide’s poignant search for love leads her into storms. Will she ever bask in the sunshine?

Orchid Pink is available from Amazon UK, Amazon US and All Romance eBooks, as well as other good eBook retailers.

*****

Toni Sands lives near the Black Mountains in Wales. Many of her ideas arrive while she’s walking by the river or travelling by train and she also finds inspiration when visiting London. This is where she enjoys roaming galleries and gazing at colourful window displays. She drinks too much coffee and often talks to strangers. Her erotic romances feature in collections by Virgin Black Lace and Accent Xcite, both paperbacks and e-books. She writes to entertain, sometimes finding, as in the case of her new heroine, a character will pop into her head, demanding to have her story told. Toni enjoys networking and belongs to the Romantic Novelists’ Association. She’d like to keep on writing as long as her readers keep on reading.

Website: http://www.tonisands.co.uk 

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