Letting Go [Awakenings 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)
Thanks for the suggestion, guys! Overall, I enjoyed it well enough. Definitely my “genre”, and the writing was good. Unfortunately, it took me awhile to connect. I think I hit the 50-something percent mark when I finally felt a bit of that “reading excitement”. You know… that feeling when you realize you’re not going to put the book down any more? After a few starts and stops (it took me a couple of days to read it) once I hit the second half I read straight through. Considering the reader-enthusiasm when it was first suggested, I knew *something* was coming, so I didn’t necessarily mind the buildup.
Alternative
Book Review – Judgment by Denise Hall
Judgment
Okay so, I’m backtracking to a book I read quite a few months ago. It was so rough on me, that I… put my head in the sand and pretended I didn’t spend a day devouring it. You know. Out of sight, out of mind and all that. 
But… it’s come hopping back into my life when someone asked for another dark read. This one popped into my head and said.. “Hey there girlie who loves pink sparkly things. Remember meeeee?” 
*gulp*
Ummm. Yes. *clears throat* Yes I do remember you. And lemme just say that after this review, I’m gonna need sweet, fluffy love. Oh yes. Just barely re-living this one makes me wanna cuddle and be cuddled.
Tiffany Reisz – The Original Sinners Reading Order Guide
A darker… sort of romance/erotica read about a famous author with an alternative lifestyle. She fits into both the dom/sub roles perfectly, but her own Dom is as dark, intense and dare I say as brutal as any I’ve ever seen in this genre. Obsession, fear, emotional and physical addiction, undeniable need and pain are often front row and center. Luckily for me… book #1 (The Siren) was also enhanced with a touch of romantic downtime every once in awhile, when she interacted with a few of the “other men” in her life. Made the “harder stuff” go down easier 😉 hehe!
Kelly Favor – For His Pleasure Series Reading Order
Another “short story” erotica/bdsm series that I’ve been hearing about, that seems to follow one specific couple. The reviews are… all over the place, but it would appear the reviews get better as the story progresses. Many mentioning/comparing this series to Fifty Shades and the Crossfire (Bared to You) series. A “what to read” if you’re looking for more like that (and then again, some of the more negative reviews also comparing, but on a less enthusiastic note). I am curious… after all, I LOVE Fifty and Gideon. I’d love to find another similar (and worthy) indulgence!
Book Review – Hear Me by Skye Warren
Hear Me (Dark Erotica)
For those of you into “dark” erotica reads, I can certainly recommend this one! “Hear Me” is a bit more a long the lines of one of those books. You know… those we’ve enjoyed but with a fair amount of trepidation due to the lack of a “safety net” (Comfort Food, Tender Mercies, Captive In The Dark…). Those without the “safe” BDSM club environment, no safe words, maybe not even a willing submissive, for that matter. This book has a definite danger zone.