Tag: Elizabeth Lister

A Numinous Light by Elizabeth Lister

81EBBXFhz2L._SL1425_Title: A Numinous Light
Series: The James Lucas Trilogy, #3
Author: Elizabeth Lister
Genre: BDSM
Length: Novel (273 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (27 March 2015)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: It’s been five years since James, Tate and Sebastian moved in together to enjoy a three-way BDSM relationship and James is turning fifty. After enjoying a surprise party and thoughtful gift, the health crisis of a close friend necessitates a trip to Montreal, followed by a snowy Christmas getaway in Mont Tremblant.

Soon, an unexpected event challenges the dynamics of the relationship. Will the sudden appearance of family members, old friends, and new acquaintances cause insurmountable problems or present an opportunity to demonstrate the real meaning of togetherness?

ISBN: 978-1-60820-982-8

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ELANMCRS

Reviewer: Prime

Review: To repeat from my review of book 2: I’ve binged read this series and it was totally awesome, so excuse me while I blurt out my adoration! This series really and truly needs to be read in order, so quick, go back to Beyond the Edge before picking up this one.

Book 1: Beyond the Edge was reviewed on MM Good Book Reviews when it was first released back in 2012 and although I rate the book higher than the other reviewer, as a quick side note I’m just going to say that you’ll get more satisfaction out of it going in with the knowledge that this is hot BDSM and it is not a ménage romance.

However, in a sort of evolution as we see the characters develop along the three books, there’s a bit of romance in book 2 and now that we are up to book 3 it is almost primarily a romance between three men: James, Tate and Sebastian. In fact, there is not nearly as much BDSM in this third book as there were in the previous. Though if you’re me this doesn’t matter so much as the actual storyline since the BDSM has always been an intrinsic part of the story line it goes back to the development of the actual story and characters.

Also, what BDSM there is in this book it is there for a reason it hasn’t just been thrown in and the author has hoped for the best. In short, it makes total sense in my mind how Elizabeth Lister structured this and makes the characters more relatable because they feel more real and more “human”. Ok, enough with my philosophical talk.

Clearly it is no secret that this series has blown me away. I have enjoyed it more than I honestly thought that I would. We meet up with James, Sebastian and Tate five years into their ménage relationship and they just feel right together as they had previously.

All three men are wonderful and the various minor characters (some of which pop up in all the books) are just as wonderful. I especially like James: he may be a big, strong, Dom, but he is also somewhat of a gentle giant with a massive heart. I also love Tate and Sebastian in their own right. Tate is a cross between a mother hen and trying to be Superman, while Sebastian is just so adorable I want to hug him and squeeze the stuffing out of him.

The minor characters take more of a role in A Numinous Light. They are the primary source of drama, although James does his own fair share, too. Again, this is something that enriches this series and made things feel more real.

We also deal with more emotion and real life situations in this book, which adds to the realism where it is clear that we are just having a peek into the lives of three ordinary, yet extraordinary, men who love each other and have developed a strong bond.

This was an excellent ending to an excellent series. Enjoy the kink and enjoy the romance and enjoy three guys just living their lives. 
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Beyond the Edge by Elizabeth Lister

Title: Beyond the Edge

Author: Elizabeth Lister

Genre: Contemporary, BDSM, Erotica

Length: Novel (290 pages)

Publisher: MLR Press (September 21, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Tate Mackenzie has signed on for a weekend of kinky fun at the hands of respected Dom, James Lucas. However, James has invited another man, twenty-four year-old Sebastian Doucette, to join in. Thrown together under James’ expert tutelage, the two men experience an instant attraction and begin a tentative relationship on their own time. But James hasn’t been entirely honest with the boys and soon Tate finds himself the focus of two infatuated men. How will he choose the man he wants or the lifestyle he desires to pursue?

Product link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ELBTEDGE

Reviewer:  Heart

Review:  I’ve had a nice experience with one of Elisabeth Lister’s books and while that sounds kinky it’s nothing compared to the sexual tension and chemistry this author can create.

That said, I will get into this review with a warning – this is not a ménage, but rather a triangle which eventually ends with just two men together. It is mentioned in the blurb, but if you’re just skimming it like I did, and reading what you want to see you will miss it. So it happened that my whole experience of the book was clouded with my expectations and I analyzed the relationships according to them.

The whole story is told from Tate’s point of view and I read about his enthusiasm about finally having another session with this famous Dom. As the day approached his happiness was almost contagious, but then he found out that the session would involve another man, Sebastian. Tate wanted to meet Sebastian before actually getting naked with him and the sparks flying there were otherworldly. After their weekend with James, the Dom, they decide to explore their relationship a bit more despite having another scheduled session with James.

At first I was disappointed at first by the difference in the chemistry between Tate and James as opposed to the emotions between Tate and Sebastian. They were all supposed to be interested in each other, weren’t they? Instead James was all clipped and scene centered while Sebastian truly enjoyed every moment he and Tate had together. But then as I read on I realized it was actually a strong point of this story because it showed the difference between just a sexual meet, what the three of them experienced that first weekend and something deeper which was the case later on between Tate and Sebastian. Boy was I wrong.

The clipped and almost mechanical scenes continued throughout the story and for some reason I just couldn’t see Tate and Sebastian working out together long-term. When it comes to the professionalism of the sessions, I was pretty satisfied, but the negotiations were glazed over and that dimmed the experience for me some more.

By the end I was really struggling with the rating because the dynamics between the three was so wrong and didn’t work for me at all, but at the end, when I finally realized the book would end with just two men, I hated Tate’s final choice. Both Sebastian and James had their good points as well as bad, but I guess I’m more into the personality of the ‘loser’ in this story and that sealed the deal.

Since I’ve liked this author’s work before, I was surprised at the completely different flow of the story. It wasn’t really my thing even when I wanted to be amazed by it, so for the rest of you – pay attention to the blurb and jump in with your eyes open, tastes are different, and ours might be worlds apart.

 

Exposure by Elizabeth Lister

Title:  Exposure

Author:  Elizabeth Lister

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  MLR Press

Genre:  Erotic Romance

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Reviewer:  Portia

Blurb:  When 23 year-old Jeremy Trask wanders into Martin Lewis’ photography studio one bleak October day and requests photos for a modeling portfolio, neither man is prepared for the immediate and intense attraction between them. What follows is a series of progressively intimate encounters that leads them on a scintillating erotic journey together. But Jeremy has a secret. Will his revelation destroy the burgeoning intimacy between them? Or will Martin rise to the challenge of loving a ‘less than perfect’ man?

Review:  Exposure is the debut offering of Elizabeth Lister.  I’m not going to lie…this book surprised the hell out of me.  I was expecting to find many of the mistakes that new writers make.  I was surprised with the maturity that Ms. Lister brought to the party.   The sexual chemistry between Martin and Jeremy burn hard and fast from the beginning.  There is no lengthy “get to know your mind” period for these two.  What I expected was more of the steamy porn on paper where this book begins.

But, this book was so much more than just exquisitely written sex scenes.  I don’t want to give away the meat of the book, but I loved the way Ms. Lister developed both of her main characters.  The crisis that drops into their budding relationship, had the power to destroy it, before it had a chance develop fully.  As a former healthcare worker, I assure you the medical aspects this book, especially the emotional reactions were spot on.

Ms. Lister is definitely one to watch.  There are portions of this book that qualify as literary orgasms.  Hot. Hot. Hawt.  But, there is enough angst to make you want to go back and reread it, the moment you are done.

 

Cravings

The slide and push of man on man,

Cock on cock.

Muscles straining and sweat streaking.

Rough stubble and smooth skin.

Delicious dirty and daring.

He licks me,

Tastes and teases

His big hand holds me,

Hard and swollen.

Deep grunts and throaty groans.

He makes fun of my sounds because he

Loves them.

After, wet with our joy,

We lie together and don’t speak.

We touch and kiss,

Delighting in companionable silence.

Elizabeth Lister

(Ms. Lister’s debut novel. Exposure, was released to excellent reviews this past June through MLRpress.)