I'm starting off this chilly week with a steamy read courtesy of Amber's Fantasy by Pepper Anthony, a ménage-fueled story that gifts a woman with all her secret fantasies. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this book, along with my impressions of it, and learn even more about this read by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form below for your chance to win a $25 bookstore GC and a copy of this book!
Ray Ferris is the first person to discover Amber Jackson’s naughty secret desires. While helping her move some boxes, he stumbles on her stash of erotic romances featuring ménages. Despite a strict company policy prohibiting co-workers from dating, Amber finds herself inexorably drawn to Ray. She’s never been attracted to a white man before, but his intriguing invitation to actually have sex with two men at one time captivates her imagination. When the barriers to their relationship are swept away, will Amber have the courage to finally act out her forbidden fantasy? And if she does, will the experience open doors to a whole new world, or cost her a chance at true love?
EXCERPT:
Ray didn’t dare let go of Amber’s hand. He knew the modest, uptight Amber still had a death grip on the sexy, more confident woman he’d made love to earlier that evening. At any moment she might get cold feet and run back to the safety of the bathroom. Once they got started though, he hoped she’d get caught up in the sensual game. By the end of the evening she’d know for sure if this is what she really wanted.
But could he count on Cal to follow through? His cousin had been initially shocked, but it hadn’t taken much to talk him into playing his part, especially when Ray assured him that Amber would be directing things.
To tell the truth, he was relieved about that as well. The only kind of threesome he’d ever imagined himself being involved in featured two women, not two men. He didn’t have a clear idea of how this all should go. Since it was Amber’s favorite fantasy, he was counting on her knowing exactly how to choreograph the whole thing.
They came around the corner to find Cal standing like a deer in the headlights in the center of the living room. God, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. His cousin’s expression was strained at the least, his fists clenched, eyes darting anywhere but at the two of them. Ray felt Amber’s resistant tug on his hand and knew if they all stood around and thought about this any longer, it wasn’t going to happen.
He quickly pulled Amber into his arms and kissed her, using his tongue to plunder her mouth in a way that was meant to reawaken the sensual woman who had just shared his bed. For a moment she was stiff and self-conscious in his arms, but gradually she softened and began to kiss him back. He dared to put his hand on her ass and drag her shirt up just a little, knowing Cal would be able to see the rounded globes of her lovely brown skin. He also knew that Amber would realize Cal could see.
She froze again.
“You’re so beautiful. So sexy,” he whispered in her ear. “I can’t keep my hands off you.”
She stared up at him, and he smiled at her and kissed her again. A small moan broke from her throat as she responded, quivering in his arms. They all heard the sound. Cal was watching them now, his expression avid. Ray moved his hands up her back, dragging the shirt higher.
“Tell us what you want, Amber.”
She glanced over at Cal for the first time, and then closed her eyes. Her cheeks were highly colored.
“Um, no shirts.” He could barely hear her.
Cal stripped out of his dress shirt in record time and flung it on the floor.
“What else, baby?” He rained small kisses along her hairline as he massaged her back and let the tips of his fingers brush across her naked ass. “Do you want Cal to touch you too? Or just watch us?”
“Oh God. I don’t know about this.” She started to pull away.
“I do. I know you want it. We want it for you, baby. Come on. Relax and enjoy yourself.”
She nodded, but then she dropped her gaze and just stood there motionless. Ray held his breath and watched a storm of expressions cross her lovely face. Things were not looking very promising. Suddenly she turned back to Cal.
“Come stand behind me, okay?”
Cal circled around them and took his place.
“Up closer,” she prompted. “Now take hold of my upper arms.” She let out a gasp when his fingers touched her arms. She glanced over her shoulder toward him. “Tighter. So I can’t—escape.”
Cal’s hands firmly banded her upper arms and pulled back so that her breasts made saucy points against the fabric of the shirt. Ray licked his lips as Amber gave another broken moan and closed her eyes.
“Oh God,” she gasped. “Ray. Please. Touch me. Everywhere.”
BUY LINKS: AMAZON | BN
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Amber's Fantasy reveals a woman's journey of discovering the value of reality versus fantasy. Amber's life is one of unpleasantness and disappointment from an indifferent brother and a sister on a destructive path. She's desperate to succeed to make a better life for her sister which leaves little time for play or finding her own happiness. The romance novels she reads promises something carefree, offering time for fun without the need to be in control. The books represent the woman she'd love to be for a little way, a woman opposite to the one wearing nondescript clothing and working lots of overtime. I admired Amber and her devotion to her family though they don't deserve it. I could see myself in her in that all of us long for an escape with books being the perfect form of travel.
Ray too is devoted to his family and willing to give up lots of spare time to care for them. He's drawn to Amber and her secretive side and finds the idea of a ménage intriguing and just wants to give Amber whatever she wants. Their relationship evolves as a slow burn that builds the sexual tension until it explodes in a super steamy interlude that seems perfect with just the two of them. Ray exudes sexuality in a surprising way for a geeky tech guy and I enjoyed seeing his sexy confident side away from work.
The ménage plays out differently than either expected and as other romance stories make it appear. It felt clunky and the third person seemed like an afterthought. The incident also brought out issues of jealousy that neither counted on. Discovering that reality is better than fantasy, and the importance of their being together, has them rethinking their future and doing what must be done to reach their HEA in a satisfying conclusion. From beginning to end this was a well-written story that flowed at a nice pace. The characters are likable with issues dealt with realistically. This was my first time reading Ms. Anthony but won't be my last.
My rating for this is a B-
My rating for this is a B-
*I received this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Like most writers, I've worn quite a collection of hats over the years ~ voice actor, artist, bookkeeper, retail sales ~ but I've always wanted to be a writer. My biggest dream was to see my name on a book cover. Now, with the advent of e-publishing, the covers may be virtual, but the thrill of seeing my name on them is real. I am so humbled by the idea that my stories might draw in a reader and provide her an hour or two of entertainment.
I've been married to my best friend Tom for thirty years. Together we've raised two amazing sons, and recently welcomed our first grand daughter, Leona Mae. Most days you can find me at our family's computer repair shop in a small town outside Portland, Oregon. At night I go home to my rambling fixer-upper in the woods and toil at my writing, assisted by a small menagerie of furry assistants.
I love it when a reader takes a moment to reach out and let me know what she thinks of my stories. I hope you'll feel free to email me or leave a comment on my website.......
WEBSITE: http://www.pepperanthony.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/
AUTHOR PAGE: http://beachwalkpress.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/
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Hi Jody. Thank you so much for hosting me today and for your honest review of my book. I hope your readers will enjoy the story as well.
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