Passionate Pleasures (Pleasures Series) [Paperback]

Bertrice Small (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2010 | Series: Pleasures Series (Book 5)

New York Times bestselling author Beatrice Small is turning on her fans again-by tuning them into their sexiest fantasies in The Channel.

Some think librarians are stuffy, narrow-minded prudes-but that's not true of Kathryn St. John. She runs Egret Point's library and is very involved in her community, even down to keeping them up with the latest trends. One major trend she turned the local ladies on to is the interactive network The Channel. It's there that Kathryn extends her occupational passions into the bedroom by playing out her favorite pieces of medieval English literature. Kathryn is quite satisfied with the princes, musketeers, and highwaymen her personas seduce in The Channel. But her seductions spill out into the real world and reach Timothy Blair, new to Egret Point. He wants to satiate both of their desires, but how can he possibly compete with fantasy lovers? That is unless he can create a wicked plot twist that even Kathryn couldn't think up in her wildest dreams...

Watch the trailer for Passionate Pleasures here.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bertrice Smallhas written thirty novels of historical romance and two erotic novellas. She is a New York Times bestselling author and the recipient of numerous awards. In keeping with her profession, Bertrice Small lives in the oldest English-speaking town in the state of New York, founded in 1640. Her light-filled studio includes the paintings of her favorite cover artist, Elaine Duillo, and a large library—but no computer as she works on an IBM Quietwriter 7. Her longtime assistant, Judy Walker, types the final draft. Because she believes in happy endings, Bertrice Small has been married to the same man, her hero, George, for thirty-eight years. They have a son, Thomas, a daughter-in-law, Megan, and two adorable grandchildren, Chandler David and Cora Alexandra. Longtime readers will be happy to know that Nicki the Cockatiel flourishes along with his fellow housemates, Pookie, the long-haired greige and white, Honeybun, the petite orange lady cat with the cream-colored paws, and Finnegan, the black long-haired baby of the family, who is almost two.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade; 1 edition (August 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 045122700X
• ISBN-13: 978-0451227003
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bertrice Small is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 34 novels in print. She lives in the oldest English-speaking town in New York state. Her website is bertricesmall.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kathryn's erotic fantasies were sexy but also extremely entertaining to read. She didn't take them seriously & I laughed a lot!, August 3, 2010

By 

Bookaholics Reviewer (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Passionate Pleasures (Pleasures Series) (Paperback)

Passionate Pleasures (Pleasures Series) by Bertrice Small

Contemporary Romance- Aug. 3, 2010

4 ½ stars

If you aren't already a fan of Bertrice Small you will soon be once you read this humorous and smoldering romp of a romance!

Passion burns behind the proper and prestigious facade Kathryn St John shows to the world. Her life is comfortable and she values her independence. A content woman in her forties, she has no other needs. All her secret fantasies are played out on the erotic and role playing Channel cable network only for woman. Because of this, she doesn't need a man. They could never match her dreams anyway.

Kathryn isn't looking for a man and has nothing against them but feels they might try to control her and she had enough of that while living in a household of strong men. Plus she likes the danger and excitement she gets in her fantasies from the Channel network.

But her life is challenged when a younger and handsome new principal named Tim Blair takes over the town school. And to her dismay Kathryn is surprised at how much she likes him and starts to think about him! And when the men in her fantasies resemble Tim, she knows she is in trouble. But Kathy is soon surprised when she finds that sometimes reality can surpass fantasy...

Tim Blair isn't afraid to play out his fantasies with Kathy. All he has to do is seduce her. But Kathryn is a tough sell and Tim must use all his powers of `persuasion' to make her see that a real man is so much better...

At first I didn't know what to expect. Although the author has written erotic romances. I had only read her historical romances and this was definitely a switch. And one that I really enjoyed! Kathryn's erotic fantasies were sexy but also extremely entertaining to read. She didn't take them seriously and a couple of them were hot but also ridiculous and outrageously fun. Kathryn was a wonderful character. I liked how she had her own individual and really didn't need a man in the beginning of the story. She has a lot of self- confidence but isn't arrogant. I have never read a heroine who was so sure of herself. It was a nice change from the needy, doubting or wimpy heroines that are often in romances.

I also enjoyed reading the developing relationship between the 2 main characters. Although the couples 1st meeting is rocky it seemed very real. And when Tim decides he wants to `win' Kathryn over that is when the fun really begins. I felt that the main characters actually got to know each other and have hot sex!! The 2 really complimented each in and out of bed. I could actually see them in my mind as a real couple.

Lighthearted, sexy and really fun to read I loved this story and the 2 charming main characters!

Reviewed by Steph from Bookaholics Romance Book Club

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 blue ribbons from Romance Junkies, August 3, 2010

By 

C. Dionne "Chrissy Dionne" (Cloverdale, OREGON USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Passionate Pleasures (Pleasures Series) (Paperback)

Kathryn St. John is a prime example of a prim and proper librarian. As a member of one of the town's founding families she takes her duties to Egret Pointe's community seriously and is very careful not to besmirch the St. John name. Of course, like any red-blooded woman, Miss Kathy has private fantasies and desires and thanks to the Channel, a secret interactive cable network known only to women, she's able to maintain her public persona and still live out every fantasy her heart desires.

Miss Kathy is quite content with her life. She maintains all the professionalism and propriety expected of her in public but when the library is closed and she returns home she's able to tune into whatever fantasy she craves - and as a faithful erotic romance reader her imagination is very vivid. The Channel fulfills her needs perfectly! There's no messy relationship issues, no dirty underwear on the floor and no demands - you just tune into the fantasy you desire and when you're done simply close the program and go about your business. Thus far The Channel has been a delight to Miss Kathy but when the new middle school principal arrives in town her fantasies suddenly begin featuring him as the hero and that has left her completely disconcerted.

New middle school principal Tim Blair is thrilled with the opportunities presented to him in Egret Pointe. The close knit community and their easy acceptance of him prove that he made the right decision in relocating here. What he hadn't anticipated is the attraction or frustration he experiences all due to the uppity town librarian. Their initial meeting takes place in a grocery store where she rants at him because of his `negligent' care of his dog who's howling his discontent at being left behind in Tim's vehicle. There's no doubt Tim and Miss Kathy rub each other the wrong way but with a little time, understanding and acceptance they could definitely burn up the sheets.

Erotica at its best! Bertrice Small's books have long been a staple of my keeper shelf and PASSIONATE PLEASURES is a prime example of exactly why she's earned the loyalty of so many readers. Like all Mrs. Small's storylines, PASSIONATE PLEASURES incorporates believable characters, captivating situations and plenty of passion as well as a bit of the unexpected. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this novel - from Tim's dog Rowdy to Miss Kathy's snobby and controlling brother Hallock there's a host of characters who keep this story hopping. Throw in the temptation of The Channel and its CEO Mr. Nicholas and PASSIONATE PLEASURES is sure to tantalize all your senses. Tim and Miss Kathy's relationship evolves at an interesting pace and holds your attention throughout every facet of its development. If you haven't read Mrs. Small's other PLEASURE novels yet don't worry, this story can easily be enjoyed all by itself.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

3.0 out of 5 stars passionate pleasures, January 26, 2012

By 

jlovek247 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Passionate Pleasures (Channel) (Kindle Edition)

Ok... I love a good romance novel,but really. Sex in your imagination. Please. Spend some time with your own spouse and make your own story. I still can't grasp the idea of a television show bringing a woman that much pleasure and how she can be satisified. I loved the plot and even enjoyed some of the sex scenes but the extra dirty seemed to be an unnecessary part of the story.