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Blurb:

Who said “sexy” isn’t a science?

When wealthy scientist Vetta St. Claire begins a news experiment polling the male libido, she unexpectedly locks horns with long-time scientific rival Travis Carmichael. She never meant to test Travis’s libido…but sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

Down on his luck and on the verge of giving up his dream to make a real contribution to cancer research, the last thing Travis wants—or needs—is a fling with the prickly Vetta. Travis doesn’t like her. In fact, he hates her. But when the sex is this good…

“Hard science” doesn’t begin to cover it.

I have to say, the blurb doesn't really do the book justice. So far so good.

You can read an excerpt here, and buy the book here.

By the way, there's no twincest, incest or Daddy/Daughter fantasies in this book, so whoever found the blog by googling "brother sister cum on face" will prolly be very disappointed.

Do You Want To Read A Book That Gives The POV Of The Villain?

Someone's book got rejected by Samhain and she wasn't pleased about it. And I mean, REALLY not pleased about it. *g*

Apparently an editor at Samhain rejected Edita A Petrick's suspense story because it began with the villain's point of view.

Petrick writes:

"I've submitted to them one of my suspense thrillers with romantic/paranormal elements and it does open up in killer's pov since it's essential to the story and for the reader to understand where the paranormal thread/element comes from.


The premise is quite simple. The killer assassinates his 'mark' but because of paranormal elements (an ancient heirloom locket the victim wears) the victim survives what for all intents and purposes is a sure-kill.


Samhain, however, feels that it is very bad to start in killer's pov or to show glimpses of what drives the killer throughout the story. This was number one 'flaw' of the story's presentation according to the editor.


Number two was that there were more than one point-of-view presentation. Basically, the editor said it's not possible for the reader to follow 'threads' of the story as these are far apart by definition of what the story is but they come together as the events impact on them and force them to come together (as they must) for the story to have a resolution."

As a reader, I really don't have a problem with starting a book from the villain's point of view. It's all in the execution, as far as I'm concerned. Does the author give away key clues as to the identity of the villain? Does she give away who the next victim will be? Does she actually give away the whys and wherefores of the villains actions? If not, what's the problem? And even if she did, there are ways to keep the reader still glued to the book. Yes, to me, execution is definitely key.

Now it could be that the book actually sucked donkeys, and the POVs were just one aspect of the story that didn't work for the editor, but as far as rejecting the book just because she doesn't think multiple POVs work, well.... you gotta question the editor, seeing as many best selling authors use multiple POVs, including that of the villain.

So, waddaya think? Do you prefer POVs to be restricted to the good guys, or do you want to know what the bad guys are thinking too?

If you do want to know what the bad guys are thinking, do you think it's appropriate to start a book with the villain's point of view?

Also, what do you think of multiple POVs and authors who head-hop, in general? For? Against? Couldn't give a flying fuck?

Via The Great Scott's blog.

By the way, did Charlotte Boyett Compo of the 'Wind' books, and Samhain have a falling out of sorts?

"Antiquated thinking? You betcha. I completely agree that it is insulting to the reader. Samhain needs to take another look at what's going on in the real world of publishing."

I almost got whiplash when I read that comment from CBC. Just call me Curious George...

Karen Does Dionne Galace's, Skin To Skin...

So I read Dionne Galace’s (AKA Bam), first published book, Skin To Skin, a couple of days ago.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s the blurb from Samhain:

"What Leilani wants, Leilani gets…and she always gets her man.


A Midsummer Night’s Steam story


What Leilani wants, Leilani gets. That is, until she meets the enigmatic Oliver Clayton, her new neighbor. For some reason, Oliver seems to be intent on avoiding her even though he’s obviously interested.


Leilani has tried to everything to get his attention, from wearing skimpy little outfits to walking a neighbor’s dog six times in front of his yard. Leilani wants Oliver…and she always gets her man.


In the heat of the summer, the temperature’s not only thing rising. Luckily, Oliver has that pool in his backyard and Leilani knows just how to cool off…"

My Verdict

It. Was. Too. Effing. Short.

But I loved it. It was hot, and sexy, and great for a good bout of mid-week horizontal Lambada with TTG.

I fully expected Skin To Skin to be a good read, because half the reason why I think Bam rocks like a threesome with David Beckham and Will Smith, is because she’s so damned funny. I just couldn’t see how her natural humour wouldn’t manifest itself in her first book.

Leilani was exactly the way that I often wish romance heroines would be. She was a girl who wanted a man, and wasn’t afraid to go after him. She was a girl who wanted to get laid, and wasn’t beyond wearing skirts so short that you could see her thongs. (I too am all about those pink thongs, great for hiding wet patches apparently *g*) She was a girl who didn’t have insecurities about herself, and liked who she was. She was the way that most romance writers tend to portray their heroes. Sexy, and confident. I loved that.

I have to say though, she was also a girl who named her dog Fifi. Man, that shit’s just wrong.



Ms Galace’s hero was hot too. For some reason, I kept channelling The Green Arrow, from Smallville. Man he’s hot, and I did find myself wondering if that was who Ms Galace had in mind when she was creating Oliver’s character.

Oliver Clayton was a cop who was recuperating from a shot-up thigh, and was trying to keep a low profile, if only the brazen hussy next door would let him go a minute without making his little head throb painfully, by continuously flouncing past in her skimpy, sexy excuse for clothes. Unfortunately for him, the brazen hussy next door was all his big head, and his little head could think about.

I liked Galace’s writing style, her voice totally appealed to me, and had I not known that this was her first book I would have assumed that she was an old pro had been doing this writing gig for a while.

I think the main weakness in the book came with the dialogue (mainly Leilani’s actually). Leilani’s slightly ‘street’ vernacular was on the verge of annoying the hell outta me, but luckily the book ended before I could get to that point.

Overall, it was a quick (too quick), fun, sexy read, which although didn’t test my mental capabilitie, showed great promise in terms of the future potential of the author.

It’s a shame Skin To Skin didn’t suck GBHDB, it would have been interesting to see how Ms Galace would have dealt with one of my slice and dice reviews. May be next time eh? *Evil Grin*.

Is it evil of me to want to compare this book with the mess that was Ben’s Wildflower? Probably. So I’ll refrain. *g*

By the way, this is who I Leilani reminded me of:



Feisty isn't she? *g*

Skin to Skin will be on sale at Samhain Publishing from 17th August, so make sure you check it out!