Decadent

Kimber Edgington is a virgin in need of knowledge and experience. Her long distance romance with international pop star Jesse McCall has reached the time of serious decisions. She knows herself to be in love with him and is willing to do what it takes to convince him that she can fit into his life. That his life includes ménage à trois does not deter her.

She comes up with a plan which includes Deke Trenton who had worked in security and as a bodyguard under her father many years ago. He has a reputation for the same style of encounters for which she needs to be prepared. Better yet, his cousin Luc Traverson, well known chef and cookbook author is happy to make up the third.

Nothing goes as hoped. There is a certain road for those with good intentions and things get awfully hot in a hurry.

Kim’s insistence on retaining that portion of her innocence which she has saved for her love is at complete odds with the expectations to acquire experience in being part of a threesome. Nevertheless, training to accept and provide pleasure with two partners commences.

The manner of Kim and Jesse’s relationship developing over several years through correspondence and phone calls strikes one as a mockery. It was easy to see why Kim proceeded to question her choice of partner when she and her pop star spent time together again. Unfortunately, we are not convinced about where her feelings turn. Likewise, we are not shown what it is about her that has the men believing that they love her.

The heroes’ size and prowess move well past improbable to farther into the impossible than readers may have heretofore read. Couple this, pun intended, with the belligerence and antagonistic treatment Deke flings at the heroine with little provocation and due to his own desire for her. There is also a long drawn out build up about a dark secret that haunts him, effects of which make it impossible for him to perform without another man present. Even then, he tends towards the rear guard rather than the forward position though there is an alleged explanation for this. When the revelation is finally made, the reasoning for his angsty behavior is preposterous to the point of severe vexation.

Cousin Luc is the more demonstrative and understanding man. Of the three main characters, he is also the most genuinely likeable and seemingly levelheaded. He and Deke are commonly partners in ménage à trois though there is no erotic contact between the two at any time.

A mystery element is included and while it does further the story it does not improve it.

Scenes of sex are spread thickly, one on top of the other, and many readers will reach saturation point before the end of the book is in sight. One feels deeply uncomfortable in saying so, but DECADENT it may be, however, the untenable storyline is not up to our expectations of the author’s writing. Ms Black is better known for her captivating characters, generous but better placed combustive erotic scenes and a swirl of romance.

Readers who can find the humor in a bit of camp and want a book with enough sex scenes to fill them to the hairline will not be disappointed.

May 2008