Orchid and Peach Cocktails

So I’m trying to downsize my life. Which means getting rid of any books that I don’t need a physical copy of. So any that aren’t signed or rare and are available in e-book form. I recently asked friends to consider buying ebooks from my wish list for my birthday because god damn it they can be so freaking expensive. 

It is absolutely ridicules.

Some examples to illustrate my point:

The Devil’s Knight by Lucy Blue:

Hardcover from $1.25

paperback $29.99, $20.47 and $0.01

Kindle Version $25.40  (With a 15% discount and all)

WHAT THE ?

My Demon’s Kiss, another book in the series on the other hand $6.34

Sherrilyn Kenyon kindle e books are around $12.69 while the physical copies are significantly cheaper. 

J R Ward’s latest Lover at Last is $17.66 for the e version, slightly more expensive then the physical copies and her older releases are $12.69.

Why? why are the e versions more expensive? sometimes close to double, sometimes more. 

This is fucked. seriously. Ages ago (a few years) one of these authors was venting about piracy, people selling cd’s of her books on ebay. Now I’m almost certain authors have no say in the price of their e books unless they self publish.

Surely it makes sense that when e books are this expensive people will look for alternatives and that alternative may not be to buy the physical copy.  Surely publishers have thought of this?

Also while I’m venting why are publishers so hit and miss with what they make available in e form? Victoria Dahl is amazing and it’s only recently that the Australian publisher of her work has started making e books available. Last year one particular series only had one book in e form and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the first book in the series. 

Anyway. hopefully that makes sense… in a ranty way. 

-Sarah

Reviewer: Sam

Grade: A+ for plot and bondage

This is the second book in Dahl’s Tumble Creek series. This time, it features Lori Love (town mechanic) and Quinn (architect and brother of Molly, Lori’s best friend and main character from the previous book). 

I really enjoyed Lori’s character because she’s a tough, hard-working woman who isn’t out to find the one - she just wants pleasure for pleasure’s sake. And that is okay. She is petite (and as a short woman I love petite characters) with a tomboy style and desires she has barely begun to admit she has. 

Quinn is intelligent and so focused on his work that he forgets what is around him. But when Lori accidentally admits that she wants a sexual relationship with him, he is quite willing to act on his latent desire for her. Quinn is the one who wants to take this to the next level, relationship wise.

What I loved about this book is the very natural development of their relationship - both sexually and emotionally. Quinn and Lori work out what pleases them both the most, with Lori eventually admitting that she enjoys bondage. She’s embarrassed about this, but Quinn is really supportive. They even go through deciding on a safe word (and there was not a single contract in sight). I think it’s one of the best romances with a BDSM element that I’ve read. 

Also, it was incredibly hot! 

Aside from that, there mystery plot is engaging and the twist at the end was interesting. It didn’t come out of nowhere, nor did it feel tacked on. I really enjoyed all the elements of the book and recommend it to anyone, whether you are into BDSM or not (not all the sex is BDSM, by the way). 

Reviewer: Sam
Swoon Factor: Read this one reclining on a chaise while someone fans you

Recently I’ve been trying to spread my wings in regards to contemporary romance. For a long, long time I really only read historical, with a few paranormal romances thrown in. Fellow OAPC reviewer Sarah suggested I read Talk Me Down. It ticked all the initial boxes for me: contemporary, with a mystery subplot (in this case, a stalker ex) and some interesting characters, not to mention the hunky hero (a police Chief of a small town). 

Read More

So recently Smartbitches retweeted a sex fact….. Women who read romance have twice as much sex as those who don’t. My response was…….. sure maybe how would I know I’m not partaking in a sexual relationship at the moment and then I went into a Victoria Dahl marathon and I was like wow more like three times the sex.  So over the next few days I’ll be reviewing some of Victoria Dahl’s hot as hell historical romances.  I’ve read Dahl’s work before (mostly contemporaries ) and after  the continual praise from friends and tweeps alike I decided to request her entire catalogue for Christmas. But my parents living in the country (and my brother being lazy) meant they could only find ‘It’s Always been you’. So here I shall start. AND ONCE AGAIN I READ OUT OF ORDER *boo hiss*.

Title: It’s Always Been You.

Author: Victoria Dahl

Genre: Historical Romance

Publication Date: 2011

Swoon Factor: I spent quite a bit of time on the chaise lounge

Reviewer: Sarah (totessubversive)

So our Hero Aiden York was in love with Katie (our heroine), until not long after a falling out she dies. Upon her death Aiden becomes a cold heartless man. Fast forward ten years and Katie’s back (but not from the dead). Katie has set up shop as a coffee merchant, supposedly waiting for her husband to join her. Aiden and Katie can’t deny their passion, an illicit affair ensues, Aiden still so deeply in love with Katie tries to convince her to divorce her husband, even seeking advice from his brother in law, Katie is not willing to divorce her husband because in fact she is really a widow who has fled after seriously injuring her stepson upon his accusations that she murdered his father. Soon her past catches up with her and Aiden steps up to save the day.

I did feel the reasons for their separation a bit weak, he loved so deep but didn’t do enough (in my opinion) to fight for her.  But over all I loved this story!

The cover is pretty awesome, Gabby and I have talked about having romance cover wallpaper and this would totally be on my wall!