Darker, E.L. James

Darker, E.L. James - 546 pages

Their scorching, sensual affair ended in heartbreak and recrimination, but Christian Grey cannot get Anastasia Steele out of his mind, or his blood. Determined to win her back, he tries to suppress his darkest desires and his need for complete control, and to love Ana on her own terms.

But the horrors of his childhood still haunt him, and Ana’s scheming boss, Jack Hyde, clearly wants her for himself.  Can Christian’s confidant and therapist, Dr. Flynn, help him face down his demons? Or will the possessiveness of Elena, his seducer, and the deranged devotion of Leila, his former submissive, drag Christian down into the past?

And if Christian does win Ana back, can a man so dark and damaged ever hope to keep her?

Grey - E.L. James

Grey - E.L. James - 559 pages

Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.  Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him? 

Unwound by Lorelei James

 Unwound by Lorelei James -  374 pages


When sensei Ronin Black first encounters Amery Hardwick, the fire in her eyes ignites a sexual spark a thousand times better than the primal rush he used to get from mixed martial arts matches. She accepts his darker edges and admits to him that her desires aren’t as wholesome as he believed. And before long Ronin is grappling with emotions he’s never felt before...

Yet despite demanding Amery bare her body and soul to him, Ronin holds a part of himself back. When she learns Ronin’s secret and walks out, his life begins to unravel. To regain her trust he must let go of his pride and prove to her that it’s more than passion binding them together. But after their private pleasures are made public, Ronin is unsure if he’s the right man for Amery. Can they face the consequences together? Or will their differences rip them apart...

When I'm With You - Beth Kery

When I'm With You - Beth Kery
386 Pages

Elise Martin moves to Chicago to start a new life and encounters a man from her past, Lucien Lenault, who has assumed a new name and new identity, as they embark on an intense affair where they both try to protect their secrets.

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren, 308 pages

If you read Fifty Shades of Grey, don't bother reading this book, unless you did not get enough of the Fifty Shades of Grey Triology.  I felt this book was the biggest waste of time.  I am not really a fan of erotic fiction, so maybe that is why I did not care for this book.  I thought it was poorly written and just plain repetitive.  Chloe works for Bennett Ryan and his family's business.  She starts a romance with her boss that appears to be pure sex.  He has a fetish for lingerie and tearing it.  The story is typical.  They can't get enough of each other.  They fight and then they make up. Finally, they end up happily ever after.  This was too gooey for my taste.

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James, 532 pages
(2nd book in Fifty Shades trilogy)

Wow. I seriously don't know what possessed me to read the second book after the first "eye rolling, lip biting, smoldering look, etc." Fifty Shades irritated me so much. Okay, so I was hoping that Anastasia would finally learn some self respect and Christian would learn how to treat her -- and I was challenged to read the whole series before making a judgement call. Nope. Once again we are led through a flimsy storyline that is very disappointing. I can sum the book up pretty shortly -  Anastasia and Christian resume their "romance". Christian buys the company where Anastasia works and fires her boss (who seriously got what he deserved and was a redeeming quality in the book). One of Christian's old "flames" is actually quite crazy and stalks Anastasia. Elena (aka Mrs. Robinson) gets her just desserts. And, yep, Christian declares his love for Anastasia and asks her to be his wife. The only part of the book that was interesting was Christian's background -- why he is the way he is. Granted your past, no matter how troubling, does not negate/excuse how badly you treat people in the future ... but there you go. All in all, I'm glad I'm done with the second and flat out refuse to read the third.

Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James - 532 pages

secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

Fifty Shades of Grey - E.L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James - 514 pages

goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Fifty Shades Freed - E.L. James

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James - 579 Pages

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey is sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian's singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her Christian agrees.
Now Christian and Ana have it all - love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control; as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.
Just when it seems their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana's deepest fear turn to reality.

Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James - 532 Pages

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. But desires for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposed a new arrangement, Ana cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Ana learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades. While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.