Customer Reviews

Lisa's Gift

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was my Recommended Read for April 2007!

Jana has avoided returning to her home for years. Now the only person in the world she trusts, Lisa, has convinced her to come home and face the memories of her childhood abuse. Believing herself finally ready to overcome her fears with the help of her best friend, Jana accepts a new job back home and the offer of a place to stay in Lisa's home.

Jana is totally unprepared to find her teen-age crush, Nicolas Marchetti, in Lisa's bedroom the very night she arrives. Not normally a voyeur, Jana still can't help but watch the scene she stumbles upon. She is even more unprepared when both Nicolas and Lisa invite her to join them! Although shocked, Jana can't stop thinking about it, and finds it harder and harder to resist the methodical seduction staged by Lisa and Nicolas...

Let me say this up front - forget that this is a F/F/M book. Yes, it has erotic content that involves two women, but that is totally not what Lisa's Gift is about. Anyone who skips this book based on preconceived notions of what it might contain will miss the most touching and beautiful story I have read in a very long time, a fact which cements its place as my Recommended Read for April 2007. Mackenzie McKade is already in my list of favorite authors, and this is not the first time she has convinced me to read a book with subject matter outside of the norm for me. Each time, I am more than pleasantly surprised both by what I have read from her and my own reactions to it.

You could remove the explicit scenes from Lisa's Gift and still have a wonderful love story that stands on its own without the sexy bits. Of course, why would we want to do that when they are so well done?? LOL That is, essentially, what this tale is about - love. It is about love that transcends societal boundaries, a selfless love that gives without thought of taking back, a love that fosters trust.

The story had some breathtaking twists. I confess that I figured most of them out earlier in the story, but it did not lessen the impact of the ending when all was revealed. McKade effortlessly peppers the story with clues to the surprise ending, giving readers every chance to anticipate what is coming.

As prepared as I thought I was, I could not help the water works when the ending came. Even now, writing this review several days after finishing the story, I still tear up just thinking about it.

Lisa's Gift is a story that will stay with me for years, and people will talk about it for some time. I would be very surprised if this book does not escalate Mackenzie McKade's writing career to the next level soon.

The victim of domestic abuse growing up, Jana learned the hard way to depend on and trust no one. Breaking free years ago, Jana has decided to move back home with the help and encouragement of her best friend, Lisa, the only person Jana has ever relied on in the past. However, Jana's trust will be tested more than once, especially where Nicolas Marchetti, Lisa's Dom and Jana's secret high school crush, is concerned. Overwhelmingly attracted to Nicolas, Jana is horrified by her renewed fascination; that is, until Lisa convinces her otherwise. Still wary of betraying the closest and most cherished friend she has ever had, Jana fights her desire for Nicolas. Fate doesn't seem to care because the more Jana fights, the harder she falls.

Nicolas doesn't know or understand why Lisa is so adamant that he like her friend Jana. That is, until he sees her and experiences complete arousal just by breathing the same air as she. He and Lisa have the perfect D/s relationship - no commitment and great sex - but with Jana's arrival, Nicolas finds himself enraptured. It isn't until weeks later that Nicolas realizes what has been going on right under his nose.

Sitting down to read LISA'S GIFT by Mackenzie McKade, I knew that I was in for a good story. I had no idea the plethora of emotions this book would wring from me. Elation, sadness and ultimately joy - LISA'S GIFT pretty much took me full circle. I loved being a witness to Jana's blossoming and tutorage under Nicolas and Lisa. An unwitting hero, Nicolas was the epitome of manhood; good looking, forceful and respectful. His ability to love and care for Jana, as well as Lisa, increased my curiosity about this sort of lifestyle. Nicolas' true love for Jana came through and I sat in wonder watching in satisfaction from the sidelines.

While LISA'S GIFT does have some female sexual interaction, I can not imagine it being portrayed any other way. Beautifully characterized and skillfully written, this story put me in awe of Mackenzie McKade's ability as an author. Ms. McKade never fails to captivate me with her storylines, her characters, and her capacity to make me feel emotions as if I was part of the story. This is one book that I am going to read over and over.

This book was a bit of a surprise. A woman involved in a BDSM relationship(Lisa) sets her female friend(Jana) up for a seduction into a threesome with her and her partner. The friend has baggage from having never had a family and suffering abuse even in high school. She trusts no one but her friend Lisa, especially not trusting men. As she goes through the seduction and into the world of BDSM learning about trust and shifts of power the reader can also learn (unless he/she already knows this stuff!)about it as well. There were some pretty hot scenes and the whole first 1/4 is probably one long seduction scene. I found the storyline good and of course shed some tears. The BDSM in this sorta pushed my limits but I know from some other BDSM books that these scenes are probably on the milder/gentler side..no gags or whips..just spanking and bondage and 'yes milord' type stuff along with a foursome scene...The first book of hers I read (the only other one actually!) was 'a tall dark cowboy' from ellora's cave..I kept thinking while reading that one that it would've been so much better with more of a story to it and I could tell from what little there was that she would be a really good author and this book proved it. It was the right mix of sex, story, affection. I'll definitely read more of her stuff, esp from this publisher.

I've read so much bad erotica lately, that this book wins points simply for being well written and coherent. That being said, it was so well written that I actually started to have expectations of it, and the last few pages let me down so badly, that it left a bad residue.

This is an unusual romance in that it starts with a deep friendship between 2 women, Lisa and Jane. Lisa then introduces Jane to a male dom, Nicolas, with whom she already has a sexual relationship. Then the three of them start having fun and games. But it introduces the human problem of what to do when Jane and Nicolas fall in love - what happens to Lisa, to the threesome, to the dynamics. This was a genuinely riveting dilemma but the author's solution was so awful that I couldn't forgive her, and will not revisit this book. So kudos for trying to go to new places, but don't cop out at the end...

I really got into this book. I normally do not care for threesomes but it worked with this story and I could not put it down. It's a keeper for me.

I just finished this book and the tears are stilling flowing. I have never read an erotica romance book with so much emotion, romance and just amazing characters. first the book is filled with hot sex, bsmd, threesomes, foursomes, f/f, m/f/f, m/f/m/f, & m/f but its not like any other erotica books I have read. Second right off the bat you fall in love with the three characters Lisa, Jana, & Nicholas and watch their friendship, love and romance truly come to life. This is one of those books that keeps you thinking about it weeks later and defiantly on the read again list. I was hesitant at first to read this because of the f/f/m but it was beautifully written and extremely hot. I don't know weather to put this book under romance, erotica, or drama. It would make a great movie. I would highly recommend everyone to read this book. It's been a long time since I have read an erotica book with so much romance, love and emotion. A MUST READ!!!!

Love, pain, friendship, and heartache. These aren't things that I normally associate with an erotica novel. When I sat down to read this book I was expecting a light story filled with lots of sex. That was not the case at all with Lisa's Gift. This book was just so much more than sex. It had greatly developed characters that were experiencing real problems and hardships. Don't get me wrong, there was still plenty of hot sex but there was a great story to go with all of it. I honestly couldn't put this book down. I just kept turning the page wondering what was going to happen with Jana, Lisa, and Nicolas. I loved that we were able to watch Jana grow from a someone who is distrustful of others especially men, to someone who is able to open her heart and truly trust Nicolas. Can I just say that I loved Nicolas. He is both sexy and caring, always putting Jana and Lisa's needs above his own. I just loved him.

not only is this story sexy but it touches on the meaning of friendship. i actually cried at the end of this book. i will be reading this many times.

This is a quick read. I liked the story lines of the 3 characters. Would recommend if you are into D & S. It also will make you cry.

This book was awesome.....the third one I've read by this author and by far my favorite! The story was excellent...kept me wanting more. I would have to say I prefer reading threesome between between two men and one woman would be my choice, but the author did a great job with these three characters. The emotions between these three characters were overpowering. I had a hard time reading the book at the end because I was crying so much. I read in another view that the BDSM was a bit too much and my thoughts were the complete opposite, they were much milder than other books. I have to say this book is not like the other two books I've read by this author. You will not be sorry you read this.