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Jul
10 2009 | ||
So I don’t have any paper ARCs of Laid Bare – but I do have a PDF electronic ARC – anyone wanna read it? To go along with the electronic ARC, I’ve got a nifty bracelet.
EXCERPT FROM LAID BARE by LAUREN DANE
Copyright, Lauren Dane 2009
All Rights Reserved, Penguin Publishing Group
Releasing August 4 from Berkley Heat
Ben came home, glad it was after five and the construction people had gone. The quiet was welcome after a day in which he’d dealt with one client issue after another.
The condo was slowly beginning to feel like home. He’d moved in right after they’d all returned from Las Vegas, and aside from a few struggles between him and Todd for time with Erin, things had been smooth. Just then it was a matter of finding his place in their relationship. He’d known Todd pretty much all his life, but with Erin, it was new. He wanted more of her, needed more, and had to work to not be greedy or hurt when he saw the easy way she and Todd had. Although, she gave Todd a rasher of shit on a regular basis. She might fall to her knees for sex, but everywhere else, no one pushed her around. That part was amusing, he had to admit.
He heard her singing as he moved down the hall. Not wanting to disturb her while she worked, he kept on to the master bedroom and changed from his work clothes into a T-shirt and some ratty jeans. He had a room that was his. He often worked there in the evenings or in the early part of the day instead of going straight to their office, but he slept in the master bedroom with Erin curled into his side and Todd bracketing her other side.
As he looked out the windows over the city, he thought about how happy he was. In truth, even when he’d been in his relationship with Caroline and Greg, he’d always felt lonely. Funny, he’d often thought it would alleviate the loneliness, that extra person. It wasn’t as if he’d been ignored or felt left out by the other two, but looking back, he realized he’d never truly invested himself with either of them. He went through the motions, had had some great sex, learned a lot about his desires and how to express them, but he hadn’t really learned about himself and what he needed emotionally.
But something about Erin was different. He connected to her in a way he never had with anyone before. He felt steady, stable and, for want of a better word, understood. Together with her and Todd, he felt like a whole person.
“Hi there.”
He turned to see her in the doorway, looking soft and relaxed in a tank top and yoga pants. He loved those pants of hers. They clung to her ass like they loved it nearly as much as he did.
He opened his arms and she was in them in just a few steps. The weather had gotten cooler and fall was waning, but the condo was nice and warm from a day of afternoon sun, so her body was warm and she smelled of sunshine.
Once he’d touched her, he felt better, wrapping his arms around her and breathing her in.
“Mmm, you feel good. Did I bother you? I heard you working.”
She tiptoed up to kiss him, setting his hormones on fire. “I’m good. I finished a song I’ve been working on for two days. I just e-mailed the sound file to Adrian. You have a message on the machine, by the way.”
So the question for today is: Do you like menage romance? Why or why not? What are the things you think should be in them or NOT in them?
Winner announced tomorrow at noon pacific. Remember – this is a PDF digital ARC and a bracelet! Winners have three days to claim the prize or I’ll re-draw!
July 10th, 2009 at 1:05 pm · Link
I do sometimes enjoy menage–as some others have mentioned, it adds a spicy fantasy bit to the mix for me. I prefer them consensual and ones where it all works out in the end for all parties involved, with no one left out or with hurt feelings. It isn’t critical that they all end up together forever, but I want them to have gotten what they want, whether it’s an HEA together or with other partner(s).
July 10th, 2009 at 2:19 pm · Link
I like them because in so many books there is a love triangle or a third wheel, and you can’t help but feel sorry for or that ruins the flow of the story. I don’t think that the menage should be with just anyone, I think it should be between three people who love each other or two people who love each other and close friend who can be trusted. I also think that anyone in a menage should do it because they want to and not because of pressure.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:22 pm · Link
I do like menage if it’s done well. I’ve read so many that haven’t worked. I want there to be commitment between the partners, not just an on-again/off-again thing when the mood strikes. My favorites are Lisa Marie Rice’s August brothers series.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:52 pm · Link
I like menage romance, it adds fantasy. There is a love triangle an good romance. Really nice.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:08 pm · Link
I love committed menage stories. I don’t mind one time deal menage but i prefer to read about a committed relationship. However, I usually end up dissatisfied with the book if the menage serves no purpose to the story and a committed relationship is not the end result. I could tell you why I love them but I love the idea of getting your needs (both emotionally and physically) met by two.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:17 pm · Link
I like to read menage. I prefer an emotional connection between the characters.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:48 pm · Link
I personally don’t like menage. I’m more tradiotional, one on one.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:54 pm · Link
I am a big reading fan of menage. Your Undercover is one of the best. I also adore your Triad with Lee, Aidan, and Alex.
What I really like it m/f/m. I find it super hot when the men have an attraction to each other as well.
There is just something so amazing having two men love a woman and want to protect her and be with her. (even if she doesn’t need protecting) I love reading about them getting over their jealousy or even if there was no jealousy to begin with it’s really hot too. It’s the total commitment between the three is what I love. I also find it hot when a bit of bondage is added.
Okay what I don’t like…a menage where the woman is owned by a man but then passed around for his pleasure or when it is against her will.
I also really hate it when an author goes a bit crazy at the end where the female becomes pregnant…with twins…and each child somehow magically belongs to each man. When it starts to get ridiculous, I annoyed. I’m all for happy endings but geez. 🙂
July 10th, 2009 at 3:57 pm · Link
Truthfully, I don’t like or dislike menage. For me, it’s more about the actually story rather than the type.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:36 pm · Link
I enjoy reading menage stories but only if they are in a commited relationship. Love the dynamics and emotional aspect it brings to the story. 🙂
July 10th, 2009 at 6:10 pm · Link
I like menage romance if there’s a connection between the characters. I have to feel for them and believe they have feelings for each other, otherwise I won’t enjoy the story. Oh, and it has to have a story, not just playtime. lol
July 10th, 2009 at 6:25 pm · Link
I love menages! Anything goes with them. lol.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:26 pm · Link
I read all kinds of books. Menage doesn’t bother me. I pick and choose what I read based on my mood. I absolutely love Lora Leigh’s Bound Hearts series and they are all about menage. I am not always in the mood to read them so, if not I will pick something else to read.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:32 pm · Link
I’m undecided when it comes to menages. I’ve enjoyed the ones that I’ve read and the authors have done really good with balancing the relationships. However, I still prefer a relationship with only two people.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:37 pm · Link
I usually just like the traditional m/f romances, but will read a menage for a change of pace. In general I enjoy the ones that are about committed relationships, rather than 3 people just “having fun” for a night. I’m not really into m/m, so when that’s a part of the menage I don’t enjoy it as much.
So far, I have really enjoyed your menage books – and I’m looking forward to Laid Bare.
Thanks! 😎
July 10th, 2009 at 6:56 pm · Link
Some of my fave authors have written different genres so I have expanded my reading this way. I love them by Maya Bansk & Lora Leigh. Now I keep an open mind. If I like the author & the premise it does not matter what the combo is.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:58 pm · Link
Some of my fave authors have written different genres so I have expanded my reading this way. I love them by Maya Banks & Lora Leigh. Now I keep an open mind. If I like the author & the premise it does not matter what the combo is.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:39 pm · Link
I’ve never read an entire menage book, I’ve
only read a couple of excerpts. So I really
can’t give much of an opinion. I wasn’t that
greatly taken with the excerpts! This book would be a great way for me to find out for
sure!
Pat Cochran
July 10th, 2009 at 8:53 pm · Link
😀 I LOVE them…they are really hot & I love to see how the interaction between the various members of the menage leads to a loving, steamy, life partnership despite all the intricacies involved in such a relationship. I don’t have a problem with anything in such books although I’m not in to heavy duty bdsm type of genres. Any combo of characters is fine with me…
Michelle B.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:06 pm · Link
If its written properly, I don’t mind a menage, but if its poorly written, it just turns me off.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:28 pm · Link
I’m with the “sometimes” crowd. I wasn’t really into them and then I read Very Much Alive by Dana Marie Bell and I loved it. I reread it all the time. If the story is well done I can enjoy it.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:31 pm · Link
l love a good menage when it it is used to advance the plot, and not just for the physical gratification of the characters and ultimately as gratuatous sex. Ms. Dane’s Undercover is a really good example of a satisfying triad, with enjoyable characters and a great storyline. I also like Maya Bank’s books for the same reason. I am sure there are other great authors out there, but those are two of my current favorites.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:33 pm · Link
It all depends. It has to have some meaning to it, passion, especially. I wouldn’t mind it.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:44 pm · Link
This contest has been wonderful so far!
l must say, I love a good menage when it it is used to advance the plot, and not just for the physical gratification of the characters and ultimately as gratuatous sex. Ms. Dane’s Undercover is a really good example of a satisfying triad, with enjoyable characters and a great storyline. I also like Maya Bank’s books for the same reason. I am sure there are other great authors out there, but those are two of my current favorites.
July 11th, 2009 at 9:27 am · Link
I love a menage story. It must be difficult to write a love story between two men and a woman and when it is done well, it really makes a fantastic story. So I guess the plot must be good with believable heros and heroine.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:18 pm · Link
I have no idea about menage storylines. I too have never one in its entirety; I’ve just read excerpts. I found it difficult to keep track of who was who, what with all the going back and forth and all. If I win one, though, I’ll definitely read it so I can give an informed decision.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm · Link
I’ll go for menage sometimes, but straight up m/f is certainly my usual fare.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:16 am · Link
Books are my fantasy world, so yes I do enjoy it.