It’s my stop on the blog tour – yippee! I’ve got lots of goodies for you today. First up is my review of the completely scandalicious Entice by Ella Frank. Next up we have a wonderful guest post where Ella will give us the scoop on how she writes a sex scene. Finally, I’ve got a giveaway for you. Our gracious author Ella Frank has agreed to give away a matched set of e-books Exquisite and Entice. So, if you’ve not started this series…here’s your chance! Sit back, get your scrolling finger ready and enjoy!
Title: Entice
Author: Ella Frank
Series: Exquisite #2
Genre: Adult/Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Source: author supplied copy for review
from Goodreads…
What if everything you think you want isn’t what you actually need…
Dr. Shelly Monroe is a woman who doesn’t shy away from going after what she wants, but lately good sex has been hard to find. Shelly’s become increasingly frustrated with the men she’s been dating and the men she believes are the right choice.
Joshua Daniels is certainly not even close to the right choice. In fact he is exactly the wrong choice. For one thing, he’s Mason Langley’s best friend and best man. Second he’s too much of a risky complication for Shelly to even consider.
Then why can’t she stop thinking about how delicious he looked that first night she met him at Exquisite? Why is it so imperative to keep her lusty desire for a man that doesn’t meet her preconceived mold hidden from Lena and Mason, her trusted friends?
It seems unreasonable that being with a man completely wrong in theory could somehow feel so right. Then why is it the more she sees him the more enticing he becomes?
So my girl Ella did it again. There is no “second in the series slump” with this one. No fucking way…in fact, I don’t want to fight but Mason has completely taken a back seat to Josh. Goddamn woman, are you kidding me with the perfection that is Josh Daniels? Go, go right now and see where he landed…click right here, I’ll wait. That’s right bitches, Josh Daniels is no fucking joke. Not only is he beyond handsome on the outside, he’s even better on the inside. He’s a good guy, a really good guy with a bad boy edge that screams badass alpha, totally protective, gonna take care of what’s mine forever from every sexy pore on his body. Poor Shelly, all the snark in the world couldn’t hold Josh at bay. Frankly, she didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell when her eyes landed on this one!
“Shelly turned to watch Josh stand, and then he pulled out his biggest weapon of all. Across his face slid a smile so slow and so sexy, it could’ve dropped a woman’s panties in five seconds.”
You should remember Shelly, Dr. Shelly Monroe from Exquisite, she’s Lena’s best friend, the sexually uninhibited one full of smart ass remarks. Josh actually refers to her as a man-eater at the beginning and wants nothing to do with her because Shelly is the type of women who will burn him to a crisp. Good thing he listens to his downstairs head and not the one on his shoulders…‘cause when these two get together, it’s so scandaliciously hot your panties explode from your body, land shaking in the corner and melt into a big ass puddle. And that’s just in a parking lot…not even actual sex. Fuck me, I need a cigarette. Wait for the coat closet wall sex…that right, WALL SEX in a closet, no less. But I’m getting ahead of myself a little, let me tell you about Shelly. She’s used to using sex to get what she wants. She’s quite adept at turning on the sex to avoid doing things she doesn’t want to do, like talk about her feelings, or deal with big things in her life that totally need to be dealt with. While Josh is burning up to have her, he won’t let her manipulate him…or use him to run away from her problems. And bless her heart, boy does she have some problems. Seriously, parents can really fuck a kid up, even if they have the best of intentions sometimes. But Shelly is strong, once she rubs up against someone who’s not a total push over, she starts to realize what she really needs in her life. And let me tell you, rubbing up against Josh Daniels is a mighty fine pastime! When we see the softer, less man-eater side of Shelly, Josh calls her Georgia. It’s sexy as hell the way he calls her that.
“Okay, I’m originally from Georgia, and while I love a lot of things about that place, I took speech lessons during school to disguise my accent”
Scandal honesty alert time. Get the hell out of my head Ella Frank! As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up on a farm in the rural South. Seriously, go to the middle of nowhere and hang a right – I’m from about 10 miles down that road. A tobacco farm no less. My dad is the oldest of six kids, they all built houses on the land so I grew up with nothing but family and farm for as far as the eye could see. Remember back in the day when Dominos would deliver in 30 minutes or less or it was free? Yeah, that didn’t apply to us. We had to drive a good 20 minutes to a gas station to meet the Dominos guy because we were so far out in the country. Seriously, we didn’t even have cable tv growing up…not because my parents thought it was bad for your brain, it just didn’t come out that far! My parents finally broke down and got a satellite dish, one of those old school big fuckers, when I LEFT FOR COLLEGE!! I know country, folks. I did exactly what Shelly did while I was in college – well, I didn’t take speech lessons per say but I sat in front of a mirror for hours at a time and practiced saying words my roommate pointed out as “hillbilly”. I get Shelly. No one will take you seriously if they can’t understand what the fuck you’re saying…been there, done that, cried my tears and fixed that shit. The funny thing is, the first boy I dated in college was from Long Island, NY – his accent was just as thick as mine, neither one of us could understand what the other one was saying half the time. While I solved my communication problem, he never really saw his as an issue…I wonder why that is and what that says on a deeper level? But I digress…
So Josh falls hard for Shelly, and even though she doesn’t want to, she fall for him, too. The thing is, Shelly is easily spooked and quick to run, mostly because she’s so broken on the inside, she doesn’t know what else to do…it’s a protective mechanism kicking in. She’s conditioned herself not to let a man in her heart. Josh wants in and knows they’ll be great together but he’s determined to make her work for it. He’s not going to make anything easy for her, he wants her to realize the love they have is real, and not just lust.
“It’s stripping you bare, and I’m falling for you so hard that I can feel the scrapes on my knees as I’m brought to them…”
and…
“I’m so lost in you, Georgia. I don’t even know where you end, and I begin. You feel so fucking amazing. I want to stay here forever,” he professed softly.
See, when Josh says shit like that and Shelly still can let him in…not gonna lie, I want to shake her and shake her hard. You’re gonna want to throttle her on more than one occasion. Goddamn woman, he’s Josh fucking Daniels…get on that shit. For the love of all that’s holy, sort your shit out and get to the good stuff girl! Josh is a smart man, he has a plan – sassy Shel has a lot of growing to do and he’s going to gently show her the way.
We also get to see Lena and Mason get married in Entice. It’s beautiful and will make you misty…seriously, the wedding vows might just make you ugly cry a little so be ready for that. And Rachel, Mason’s sister, the pastry chef with the crazy hair…we learn quite a bit about Rachel, she’s up next with Edible. Holy shit, if the little teasers and snippets of Rachel’s story are any indication, her tale is going to gut me. Bring it on Ella Frank…bring it on.
Exquisite Series Reading Order
#1 – Exquisite
#2 – Entice
#3 – Edible – coming soon
Entice Purchase Links
Connect with Ella Frank
twitter | facebook | website | goodreads
The Anatomy of Writing a Good Sex Scene
When Scandal first approached me about writing this post for her blog I knew it would be so much fun for several reasons.
First, I love talking about sex. Second, I love writing and reading about sex, and third…well, I am very happily married.
Where to start, where to start… I suppose we should start as we would in reality, at the beginning right?
That initial attraction in life and in a book is so important in my opinion, you want your lead female to feel the heat when your leading man so much as glances at her. This is a must for me, if there is no connection then anything after that is going to feel very blah blah and I don’t want blah blah sex…do you? I want hot, seat squirming, sweat inducing, grab my husband sex.
So, eyes connect – check! Pulses flutter – check! Nerves are tingly – along with other things – check! Ok we are ready to go.
Once the connection is established I always try to decide, is this going to be a slow build to the bang or a firework display from the get go. If you read Exquisite then you will know that for Mason – sigh – (sorry had to take a moment) for Mason and Lena it was a very slow build. I really wanted to explore the foreplay before getting to the hot steamy penetration, oh yeah I said the word penetration.
Often I find myself looking around my house and wondering, hmmm now that would be interesting, he could be bending her this way while she is doing this. Or in some cases I could be eating a really good fruit salad that includes peaches. Either way, if you are going to have a long build up to sex than please, please have good dirty talk and even sexier foreplay.
Now for the making love, sex (or my favorite), down and dirty F*&cking scene, I always try to be as original as I can be.
To me if you are going to go there, in this day and age of writing, then you better go there. In other words, do not tease me by building me up and not delivering, there is nothing worse! Okay, maybe the reality of being interrupted during foreplay or hot sweaty sex is worse, but being jipped in a contemporary or erotic novel these days, well I cry foul!
I want details, I want to feel like I am there and can see, hear and feel all the action. No matter how inappropriate it would be.
There is so much you can incorporate in a great sex scene to make it believable and seat squirm worthy. You know those scenes that you lower the kindle, or look over your shoulder to make sure no one sees what you are reading? From the clothing, to the dirty talk, to the description of his body and what it is doing to hers (or yours because you are IN the book), the tastes, the smells and the location of the scene. Everything should mesh to make you want to find the closest man and just jump him. Well that’s how I like to rate my scenes.
I work with four women who critique my work for, story and plot loop holes and some of the discussions we have regarding my sexual scenes are the funniest and most creative. If by the end of them reading a scene they tell me they need a cigarette or a drink, I know I have succeeded. Yes ladies, they actually tell me I need to take them for a drink before I give them something like that to read!
So that’s my advice to any writer out there. If you are going to initiate hot sex in your book, then go for it! Go for it and don’t be shy! There are lines between contemporary and erotica that you should definitely research but in the end do not be afraid to leave it (or have it) all on the table.
Make me hold my breath for several pages so by the end of the scene my face is hot and red, that is how I will know I have read or written a smoking hot love scene.
****How awesome it that?!!? I’ve had this guest post document on my computer for a while now and I’ve been dying to share it with you! Love it and thanks Ella for sharing the details and how tos with us. Just a little more scrolling to do. Keep going for the giveaway – one lucky winner will receive an e-copy set of Exquisite and Entice! Good luck guys!!
Hey, Scandal! My bestie (I think you know her as Linnik–she thinks you’re awesome, BTW) told me to stop by and take a gander of your Entice review because–in her words–”her ass sounds as country as you.” I loved Josh, he is effing awesome and I decided he gets to be an Honorary Georgia Boy–you know, because I have the power to do that and all. Work boots, t-shirt, blue jeans, tool belt, big truck….check, check….. Yup. He qualifies. We’ll work with him on the accent.
Great review! I can’t wait to see Cole in action.
Hi Neece and welcome! I love your bestie, Linnik!! She has such a way with words, she always entertains me! Josh is totally a man’s man – he’s a getting shit done, card carrying member of the not fucking around club – and he’s wicked hot, too! Ahhhhh. And Edible is going to be awesome too.
Don’t be a stranger, ya’ hear!
Neece is making sweeping proclamations, I see. She’s such a truck whore.
I love you, Neecey, but Josh is fucking awesome, babe. Use your words. Who says effing?
Love you, too, Scandal! And Josh is shit-hot. He makes Mason look like a little pansy-ass.
she’s new around here Linnik, she doesn’t realize how much I drop the f-bomb! She’ll get used to me. And seriously, “truck whore” oh my god, adding another one to my Linnik list of awesome phrases!
She doesn’t cuss with “parlor company.”
Seriously, put a truck in front of her and she gets all fan girl and shit.
haha!! gotta love a country girl – we’re the best!
This is so AWESOME! I had to skim through the review so that I didn’t read any spoilers because I haven’t started reading the book yet…hehe!. I also love Ella’s incite to how she writes her sex scenes and all I can say is HOT DAMN! Like her, I like talking about sex, reading about sex, listening about sex…damn it everything about sex is FANTASTIC in my books. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I listen to an entertaining podcast that is part of the Nerdist family called ” Sex Nerd Sandra”. I thought I was quite vast on the subject until I started listening to her and boy are my eyes “more open”. I think I embarrass my friends when I talk about the things I’ve learnt. Oh well, I guess it is the nerd in me. So Ella, I am looking forward to more great sex scenes that make me want to drop my ereader, from going weak in the hands…lol!
Crap – I have that podcast written down, I really need to check it out…you’ve probably noticed, I’m a big fan of talking about sex, too. Oh and Josh will deliver on the hot sex, I promise! Enjoy
Scandal get on downloading this podcast@ There is one especially for you titled “Booty Basics”. Lol! I just couldn’t resist
leave my ass out of it Lola! Booty Basics – I’m totally rolling my eyes at you right now!!
Stop raining on parade of spreading sex positivity around the world (frowny face…then chuckling)
I’m all for spreading sex positivity…as long as it stays out of my ass, sweets! But since you insist…carry on – you’re doing an excellent job!!
Lola!
It’s true – if there’s sex (but has to be done right) count me in
Embarrassment flew out the window for me when my grandma and mother read these books. They have however, been forbidden to read the erotica book until we reach the deal I put in place with them 
if you end up reading these, I hope you enjoy !
Xx Ella
Of don’t you worry Ella this book has been bumped up to the top of my reading list. Why would I avoid the opportunity to rock in a corner reading a book about one of my favourite subjects
.
I like when there is lots of sexual tension throughout the first half of the book and then the characters just can’t take it anymore and wham, bam, thank you mam!
the build up is great Sara…I love the line in Ella’s post about making you hold your breath for a few pages…I totally do that and when I finally exhale – it’s awesome!
Delicioius Daniels. That pretty much says it all!!!
Can not *WAIT* for Rachel and Cole’s story. OMG!
DD baby…DD! I’m so excited for Edible Charms…I want it now!!
Umm…I like the sex early, slow build and throughout the book! Just give it to me anyhow, anyway.
I cannot believe I haven’t YET read Ella Frank. What is fucking wrong with me?
I love the guest post. I laugh to myself because I’ve seen Ella picture…she looks so sweet and innocent. I cannot believe she writes closet wall sex that impresses Scandal! LOL
Get these books NOW Hope. I promise. You will not be disappointed!!!
I’m a gonna!
HOPE!!! What the hell is wrong with you?!!? Get on this – rectify this situation, immediately. And for the record, I think that innocent look is why I like Ella so much – she fits in nicely with my blog, sweet on the outside – not afraid to fly her freak flag on the inside. And yes, there is some coat closet sex that made me hold my breath and then go find my guy to reenact. True story.
When you figure out what the hell is wrong with me, please share… I ask myself that question daily. lol These books are DEF on my TBR pile. In fact, I may move them up and read them next…
move them up Hope…move them up!!
I look sweet and innocent? LOL – That’s awesome! I am always telling people that’s exactly what I am
TOTALLY! I look sweet and innocent too. I often shock people when I start talking because I look so sweet and I SOUND so sweet (I really do, I sound like an 11 year old!), but I’m a straight shooter and that is NOT sweet and innocent! HA! Can’t wait to read your books!!
yep, and quiet, too Ella and I know from experience, it’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for!
I heard the catholic/nerdy/quite types are kinky too. Oops did I just describe myself?!!
Damn it I meant quiet!
Lola…you? quiet? Hummm, I’m not sure I’m buying that!
OK, OK!! My goodness, I think I”m finally getting it…..the it being that you girls just can’t get enough of the books by these amazing authors. The authors who all are so nice and fun and silly and amazing! I get it! Wow!
Welcome to our world Anne! Take your shoes off, stay awhile – we laugh a lot, are verbose, and silly and lovers of all things sexy, oh and our filters are totally broken…but you already know that about me, right?!?! It’s fun, right…the readers and the authors, they crack me up on a regular basis.
Filters are overrated. At least that is what I told my boss to quit acting like a dick in front of the entire office. *ooops*
well done!
The build up is great! I loved – sigh (heart pitter patter) scenes in Exquisite!
oh, there is a lot of beautiful build up in Exquisite…the build up really lives up to the title, don’t you think?!!?
A slow build with angst.
always good to switch it up with a slow build…
Love making…I’m a romantic.
Thanks for the giveaway!
well, it is almost Valentine’s Day so there’s no shame in romantic – I love romantic!
*hangs head in shame*
I haven’t read Exquisite and Entice and I know I seriously should cause I’m missing out! Read amazing reviews and both books are high up my TBR list! Really can’t wait to read them and hope to win! If not, thankfully Feb has only 28 days and my paycheck is coming!
To answer your question, my fav type of sex scene is wham bam, totally unexpected, spontaneous, urgent and hard! Oh what a rush just thinking about it… *blush*
Love your review and the insight into writing a good sex scene! Thanks for the giveaway!
tess_halim(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tess! Good luck on the contest – I made it a short one so you guys wouldn’t have to wait too long and the winner can get right to reading!
Oh, and I love your sex scene answer and that it made you blush a bit!
Awesome as ever Scandal….. Hell, I’ve got to get to Entice SOON!!!! I thought Exquisite was hot as but sounds like this is way hotter!!! Ella’s books are fab and I’m fast becoming a big fan of hers…..
When it comes to sex scenes, it all depends on the book and characters for me – sometimes the slow burn is good as is the wham-bam totally out of the blue sex…. but lets face it, who isn’t gonna want some (a lot a lot a lot of) hot and sweaty, up against the wall, over the side of the sofa (hell wherever!!) down and dirty dirty sex…..
thanks love and seriously awesome answer! You are going to love Entice…Josh is amazing.
Wow great question!! I guess for me it depends!! Slow can be good as well as fast!! The sexual tension between the characters and how it builds would determine if its wham, bam or if its deliciously slow!! I’d take either one!!
I kinda’ felt bad asking that question Lariza, it’s almost like making you pick a favorite child!
Awesome question!! *blushing* … I like slow build up
I love how this question has you guys blushing! That’s awesome just like a nice slow build up!
Wham Bam!!
love your honesty Amber!
Oh I like the slow build! But I like the wall sex also!!! I just love reading about the build more than anything!!! It’s soo hot and sexy!
that anticipation is what I love…especially the breath holding part – I totally do that!
I think I like immediate combustion…up against a wall or window…and then they can get to the slow loving.
These books have been on my wish list since Exquisite came out. Gotta get to them ASAP! Thanks for the smoking review and for having Ella explain the *ahem* anatomy of a sex scene.
you had me at wall sex BookwormBrandee…did you type anything after that? my mind turned to jelly!
I like both wham bam and slow build — especially in that order!! Thanks for the giveaway, review, and post!
can’t go wrong with that Arely! Good luck with the giveaway!
I think my favorite type of sex scene is all of the above:) I like variety! AWESOME review and guest post… can’t wait to read this series myself!
Scandal; Thank you thank you thank you for swooping me out of my slump with these two!! Ella, thanks darln’ for writing such smokin’ scenes with women who are smart and funny as well as gorg. Great pace, great character deveopment… sending much respect your way lady author!
smooches…
K
Kyle, Glad to help. Reading slumps are the WORST!!! Ella is awesome and she has something a little more erotic coming out soon…can you imagine, more erotic than these two!!??!!