Book Review – Stinger by Mia Sheridan

Stinger (Sign of Love, Scorpio)

“Why do you call me Buttercup?”

<— So good!! And I loved that sweet line that kept bringing me back to “them“, no matter where they were in their journey. In anger, in sweetness, in silliness… he always had an answer, and each time I fell in love with him a little more.

I had heard how great the first two novels in this series were, but when “Stinger” was released, many of you made sure to let me know it was a must-read (and a standalone- I was “good to go”, even if I hadn’t read the others yet). It sounded great, and I believed y’all…

Renate: Now if I could just get you to read Stinger by Mia Sheridan….. Not saying Stinger was all consuming like Travis (there is only one Travis!) but it really did give me the “sweet thing” vibe of Will….it was a mix of all sorts of emotions and a good pallet cleanser…i’m looking forward to reading what you have to say….enjoy (i did).

Julie: I am reading “Stinger” now and about 50% and am loving it.

Courtnee: Just finished Stinger in one sitting!

Kristina: Holy moly….1/2 way through Stinger and I’m loving it!!!

… but it’s when someone mentioned what he did for a living, that I pounced on it.

Melissa: Oh Maryse do I have a book for you. Stinger by Mia Sheridan. Oh my my Carson Stinger is a porn star and Grace is a law student.  This one was so good. This book definitely doesn’t’t go where you think it will. 4.5 stars for me!!

Maryse: Ahhh magic word. Something unconventional like a porn star hero!! YES and thank you!!

Yep, Melissa. You said some magic words.

Hey!!  No… waaaaiittttt! Wait wait!  Not that I was all “ooooh male pornstar! YAY ME!!” (well okay, I was a little that.) tee hee!!!

But It was my fascination in how a relationship like this could work. A “normal” not-in-the-industry girl, possibly falling for someone that did THAT for a living?? How? I was imagining all sorts of scenarios. Their time together in Vegas (’cause that’s where they both were – attending conferences for their respective… “businesses”). What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and all of that. I was imagining a fun-filled romp weekend of pure pleasure where she could “overlook” his job, and just take from it… his experience.

And I knew. Come on… I knew they would begin really liking each other. Right? That’s what I was especially intrigued by. What happens AFTER the weekend?

I’m gonna say it did a total surprise-switch on me. Serves me right for expecting a certain storyline, and getting that… but  in a different way. I wasn’t expecting AT ALL for it to take me where it took me. I’ll admit… I was even, at first, a bit disappointed that we were… switching “feels”. It was fun and quirky and sexy and getting angsty… it was giving me crushing butterflies, and worrying me too. I knew I was headed for a heartbreak. And then I was all… Wait. Whaaaaaa? I expected it… to a certain point. Just not that much. But the writing was too good, and I was much too invested in the characters to let “surprised-me” pout my way out of a good book, so I “went with it”.

And you know what?

It rounded out… wonderfully. So heartwarming and it had such personal growth that I forgave it for taking away my cheap thrill. My guilty pleasure. And, instead, taking me on a more enlightened journey.

So what’s it about?

Carson Stinger is a porn star. Well, he’s fairly “new” to the adult entertainment industry, but his gorgeous looks and body have him already rising to the industry top. So he’s at a “meet and greet’ industry convention in Vegas. And so is Grace, although she’s there as a law student for a more “formal” education convention.

And they run into each other haphazardly in the hotel. She notices he’s hot, OH YES, but once she sees his name badge and realizes he’s with the “others” her disgust is written all over her face. And his face takes on a mask of it’s own when he plows her with his innuendos and obnoxiously flirty bad-boy behavior. There! That’ll teach the haughty brat!

Uptight, little brat. Hot, uptight, little brat, but a brat nonetheless. I know her type. She could get all indignant, stick that haughty little chin in the air, tell me why she was better than me, and walk away, but I saw the way her body reacted to me. She wanted me.

Except… they keep re-running into each other, and keep driving each other crazy.

I have a feeling your life goals are somewhat different than mine. And by ‘somewhat” I mean, utterly and completely. Does that explain why it would be a waste of time for both of us to continue being in each other’s presence?

All the way into an elevator. Where they get stuck together for TWO hours!! YAY US!!! I mean… them!! LOL! ‘Cause in those two hours, they get to know each other.

At first it’s panic-city, and Carson does what he has to do to take Grace’s mind off of it.

Better, better. More air, better. Okay, okay. I’m okay. Why is he singing while I’m almost dying here?

*love* him!!

Soon, they settle into their long wait, and kind of… become friends. “Who” they are to the public, is not necessarily who they are in reality. Past hurts, resentments and expectations play deeply into both of these character’s personalities. Loneliness, and fear of disappointment and disappointing stifle them both. What they learn about each other… what they learn from each other, was heartfelt and inspiring. I loved it!!

Once they escape their tiny prison, they’re not ready to say goodbye, just yet. And what an AWESOME weekend they have. They get closer, and closer. But Monday is looming. He’s got a shoot… and she’s gotta go back to school. Reality starts setting in. They are states away. But worse yet… worlds away.

Not that I could have a normal relationship anyway – even if I wanted one. Girls who weren’t in the business tended to have a big problem dating a guy who made porn films. I didn’t blame them.

So where does it go from there? Ah ah ahhhhhhh. I’ll let you ride that one on your own. 😉 But I will tell you, it’s so much bigger than I thought it would be.

Was this thing with Carson morphing into something dangerous for both of us? If feelings got involved, even on a basic level, where did that leave us when all was said and done?

Well worth the journey! It had me pining, stressing, and sighing in it’s sweet delight! Don’t let me calling it a “sweet delight” fool you, though. This one is H-O-T (but done just right, in it’s steaminess). A non-stop read for me.

“Why do you call me Buttercup?”

#heartwarming #hehasdimples 😉

4 stars!