Customer Reviews

Pleasure Prolonged (Avon Red)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"I'm into simple, casual, uncomplicated sex." Erin Shay should have known that pronouncement would come back to haunt her, but who could have ever expected it to happen immediately? Erin might not be into relationships and commitment anymore, but she's not exactly built for casual sex, either. What's a girl to do? Do without, of course, and talk a big game to your friends. That's always served to keep men at arm's length - until she meets Kale Alexander.

Kale has had more than his share of casual, uncomplicated sex, although no one would use the word simple to describe it. With a long history as a Casanova, Kale is ready for something more, and realizes it the moment he meets the enigmatic Erin. His temporary assignment working with her on the Pleasure Prolonged project gives him the perfect opportunity to get to know her better - much better - and when he does, he realizes she just may be the perfect reason for leaving Los Angeles moving back to his Iowa hometown permanently...

I first discovered Cathryn Fox's work in the recently released anthology from Avon Red, Alluring Tales - Awaken the Fantasy, and went looking for more of her work immediately. When I found her Pleasure Games trilogy, the two books she has currently released for that series were first on my list.

Pleasure Prolonged is the second book of that series, and picks up where the first books leaves off. Our heroine, Erin Shay, had a supporting role in Pleasure Control, and Fox sets up this character's image quite deftly, convincing readers that Erin is footloose and fancy free, flitting from one man to another. We soon learn in Pleasure Prolonged that this is a façade she hides behind after some tragic experience in her romantic past. As the story begins, we find Erin determined to finally live up to the image she has carefully constructed, convinced that Kale Alexander is the perfect man for an uncomplicated fling. How perfectly ironic that the first man she attempts to have casual sex with turns out to be so much more than that!

While Kale is a new character for us in the second book, he is no less interesting. Fox does a wonderful job of engaging the reader with Kale's charm and personality in the very first few pages, and his history unfolds easily as we read further. Honestly, if Kale Alexander were the stuff most scientists were made of, I'd be applying for work in every laboratory I could find until I secured a job next to a hunky Alpha Male scientist type! Who can resist the magnetism of a man who combines wit and hunky good looks with intelligence?

Of course, we have the added bonus of a suspense plot in the story as Kale and Erin attempt to complete work on the Pleasure Prolonged product their lab has invented with a mysterious saboteur attempting to derail the project and steal the formula at every turn. And even while the author includes some tension filled moments of danger, she infuses them with doses of humor that had me laughing out loud!

Pleasure Prolonged is a fun romantic tale that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat with a careful blend of romantic heat and suspenseful plot. I personally can't wait for the next book in the series to be released!

Series Order:
Pleasure Control (Pleasure Games)
Pleasure Prolonged (Avon Red)
Pleasure Exchange (Avon Red)

Cathryn Fox turns crisp white lab coats inside out to reveal two sexy research scientists in her new release, PLEASURE PROLONGED. Erin and Kale are both thirty-something professionals who risk their hearts and reputations when libidos burst out of their experiment and into their lives. Erin is a nose-to-the-grindstone scientist eager to forget her failed engagement and desperate to stop her mother's match-making efforts. When ladies' man Kale returns to town to team up with her at the lab, Erin decides a little saucy fun will work wonders to soften her buttoned-down demeanor. What she doesn't suspect is Kale's recent retirement of his playboy persona. Would Erin welcome the fun if she knew it wasn't a game for Kale any longer?

Cathryn Fox brings readers along for a sassy ride as Erin and Kale indulge in their playful fantasy. Their lusty abandon is contagious, a refreshing depiction of the science crowd. If the brain is the sexiest organ, then these two researchers heat up the sheets to the one hundredth percentile. Twining emotion between the seduction and the story, Ms. Fox always satisfies, leaving readers sighing for more.

Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a place for these types of stories - Ellora's Cave ebooks, Red Sage's Secrets anthologies, Harlequin Blaze. But a trade paperback? I don't think so.

Erin Shay is thrilled to have just gotten a promotion at the lab at which she works. She's also acquired a new partner, hunky Kale Alexander, a temporary transfer from the California office. While she's determined to throw herself into her new job, Kale poses a huge distraction. Having been burned by an unfaithful former boyfriend, she's gun shy of relationships. But what's wrong with a little harmless, casual sex for once in her life? Surely a player like Kale would be the last one to want anything more.

Kale Alexander is on probation after an incident at his own lab and is being given a chance to prove himself at the lab in his Iowa hometown. He hasn't been back in years but lately has been missing his mom and sisters. He's been feeling restless with his empty personal life and the rather shallow women he sees in Cali. But when he meets Erin, he falls hard. Could he be ready to settle down - with a woman who claims to only want casual sex?

Okay, from here we get almost non-stop mental lusting and several encounters that fall short of actual intercourse - many of which happen in the workplace. Call me crazy, but isn't he on probation and isn't she also, in a way, with her new job? Perhaps I'm too logical, but this all seemed too far fetched, too "Cinemax After Dark" for me. There is a minor subplot about a jealous co-worker who tapes them "going at it" (at work, of course) and threatens the couple with exposure, but it's secondary to all the lusting going on. And if that's what you're looking for this is for you.

If this were a short story in an anthology or an ebook I'd feel less ripped-off. But, contrary to the page count listed above (224) the actual story is a paltry 194 pages long. Luckily I bought this with a gift card, so I didn't shell out the trade paperback price. If others choose to, so be it, but for my part I say shame on Avon for publishing a short story and charging $14.00 for it - $17.50 Canadian!

Cathryn Fox does it again with her sequel to Pleasure Control (which is worth re-reading!) in Pleasure Prolonged. She is a truly great erotic romance author because she combines fantastic erotica with heartfelt romance. Her characters are funny, believable and have great chemistry -- in and outside of the lab. And the sex scenes are as good as they get.
Thank goodness Cathryn Fox's books have come out in the dead of winter, because they certainly warmed me up!

"I'm into simple, casual, uncomplicated sex." Erin Shay should have known that pronouncement would come back to haunt her, but who could have ever expected it to happen immediately? Erin might not be into relationships and commitment anymore, but she's not exactly built for casual sex, either. What's a girl to do? Do without, of course, and talk a big game to your friends. That's always served to keep men at arm's length - until she meets Kale Alexander.

Kale has had more than his share of casual, uncomplicated sex, although no one would use the word simple to describe it. With a long history as a Casanova, Kale is ready for something more, and realizes it the moment he meets the enigmatic Erin. His temporary assignment working with her on the Pleasure Prolonged project gives him the perfect opportunity to get to know her better - much better - and when he does, he realizes she just may be the perfect reason for leaving Los Angeles moving back to his Iowa hometown permanently...

I first discovered Cathryn Fox's work in the recently released anthology from Avon Red, Alluring Tales - Awaken the Fantasy, and went looking for more of her work immediately. When I found her Pleasure Games trilogy, the two books she has currently released for that series were first on my list.

Pleasure Prolonged is the second book of that series, and picks up where the first books leaves off. Our heroine, Erin Shay, had a supporting role in Pleasure Control, and Fox sets up this character's image quite deftly, convincing readers that Erin is footloose and fancy free, flitting from one man to another. We soon learn in Pleasure Prolonged that this is a façade she hides behind after some tragic experience in her romantic past. As the story begins, we find Erin determined to finally live up to the image she has carefully constructed, convinced that Kale Alexander is the perfect man for an uncomplicated fling. How perfectly ironic that the first man she attempts to have casual sex with turns out to be so much more than that!

While Kale is a new character for us in the second book, he is no less interesting. Fox does a wonderful job of engaging the reader with Kale's charm and personality in the very first few pages, and his history unfolds easily as we read further. Honestly, if Kale Alexander were the stuff most scientists were made of, I'd be applying for work in every laboratory I could find until I secured a job next to a hunky Alpha Male scientist type! Who can resist the magnetism of a man who combines wit and hunky good looks with intelligence?

Of course, we have the added bonus of a suspense plot in the story as Kale and Erin attempt to complete work on the Pleasure Prolonged product their lab has invented with a mysterious saboteur attempting to derail the project and steal the formula at every turn. And even while the author includes some tension filled moments of danger, she infuses them with doses of humor that had me laughing out loud!

Pleasure Prolonged is a fun romantic tale that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat with a careful blend of romantic heat and suspenseful plot. I personally can't wait for the next book in the series to be released!

Series Order:
Pleasure Control (Pleasure Games) (Book 1)
Pleasure Prolonged (Avon Red) (Book 2)
Pleasure Exchange (Avon Red) (Book 3)

With Laura Manning (from Pleasure Control) on her honeymoon, Erin Shays has been promoted to head the research on a new drug designed to prolong a couple's pleasure. She's thrilled to be given the assignment, but isn't sure about working with Kale Alexander, best friend of Jay Cutler (also from Pleasure Control). This man is super sexy and has a reputation as a ladies man. To keep her heart intact, Erin has given everyone the impression that she's a wild girl but in fact, she's had her heart broken in the past. Can she convince Kale that she's a wanton bad-girl wanting a fun fling, but nothing serious?

Kale is glad to be back in his hometown of Iowa. He's missed his family and the playboy life he led in California has started to make him feel empty. Coming home has made him realize what's been missing from his life - he's ready to find that special someone. And after meeting Erin, he knows that he wants her in his life for the long term. Can he convince Erin without making her run away?

Although this novel is shorter than Pleasure Control (only 194 pages here), the characters seemed more fleshed out and interesting. Like her other novel, this is another easy read - don't expect any big mystery or heavy duty plot. Although characters from her first novel, Pleasure Control are mentioned here, you don't need to read that book to enjoy this one. You can easily finish reading this book in an afternoon. It's a fun read - just don't expect much of a plot.

Could you imagine a company designing a drug that would take sex to a whole other level, one that would give your man the ability to have one orgasm after another and an erection for hours to boot? Would that excite you, interest you?

Erin Shay has gotten a promotion at her job from a research assistant to heading an important trial testing of a sexual prolonging drug. What is wrong with this picture you ask? Her new assistant in this search is Mr. Sex on a stick and way too distracting for a woman to function without sexual meltdown occurring every time she is around him.

PLEASURE PROLONGED is by author Cathryn Fox. Ms. Fox is truly becoming a leading contender in the field of erotic romance. Penning one sizzling salacious sexed up tale after another. She knows how to make the pages sing, with vivid characters, lively dialogues and HOT sexual scenes that will have you fanning yourself with the book. Yeah baby! }

Erin is so not interested in men right now after a very nasty breakup with her last man. She is into her job and succeeding. But all that will be thrown to the wind when Kale Alexander enters the picture and create the type of erotic furor that sends Erin straight into his arms and bed. Will she be another notch in his bedpost? Will she be setting herself up for another heartbreak?

For those that like it hot and how, PLEASURE PROLONGED by Cathryn Fox is a do not miss contemporary erotic romance that has a unique premise and truly likable characters that are sexual intense from the first chapter. So picked up a copy today!

Reviewed by Janalee Ruschhaupt, 2007
Courtesy of Love Romances and More

When Erin Shay gets a promotion at work from lab assistant to the lead researcher on a new project, she's both nervous and excited. Erin and her new assistant, Kale Alexander are working on a new serum. The serum they are working on is designed to prolong a couple's lovemaking.

Everyone at work thinks Erin is a wild child and bad girl with a love 'em and leave 'em attitude. But it's all a front because Erin's never even had a one night stand. But working in a sexually charged atmosphere with the hot and handsome Kale Alexander makes Erin want to live out all her bad girl fantasies.

I loved Pleasure Control and have been eagerly awaiting the next book in this trilogy, Pleasure Prolonged. Erin and Kale's romance is hot hot HOT! I love Erin's bravado. I especially love the way Kale sees through that to the woman she really is and wants her even more. That insight and Kale's romantic nature made me fall in love with him. He's perfect! A very romantic and erotic love story, Pleasure Prolonged is delicious!

Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

If I were to rate the elements in this story separately, the descriptions of sexual anticipation and love scenes would get five stars plus but the plot itself barely gets two stars. I know plenty of readers really love this author, but I just couldn't bring myself to like this story, let alone be interested enough to read the rest of the novels in the trilogy (although reading the books in order isn't at all necessary). The lab scenes and family situations were completely laughable, although I'm sure these scenes were intended for the reader to better relate to the main characters, Erin and Kale. Much of the dialogue was limited to the repetition of lines like "I'm into casual sex. Just sex." Kind of annoying and overkill in my opinion, but that's just me. I would only recommend this story to someone who wanted a quick escape in their reading material. Otherwise, move on to something with more substance.

Erin Shay is thrilled to have been given the chance to head the team of researchers testing a new serum that is made to prolong a couple's sexual pleasure. With her best friends, Laura and Jay, on their honeymoon, Erin is now in charge. Add in the fact that her new assistant, Kale Alexander, is devastatingly handsome and sinfulness personified, and Erin can't wait to get started.

Kale Alexander is happy to be home for a while. Having lived in a large city for the past few years, Kale finds himself longing for more. Seeing Erin at his friend's wedding, he can't help but be intrigued. Though Erin is perceived as a wild wanton, her eyes tell a very different story. While Erin lets Kale know in no uncertain terms that she is the one calling the shots, he sets out to show her exactly what she is missing.

I quickly fell under the spell that was Kale Alexander. His charm and charisma captured my heart from his first interaction with Erin. He more than backed up all those non-verbal promises he made with his sensual, heated stares. Erin epitomized a real woman with realistic thoughts and genuine vulnerabilities. Still feeling the effects of a broken heart, she was cautious, but thankfully not cautious enough. I relished the time when she gave herself to the moment and succumbed to the pleasure.

PLEASURE PROLONGED is book two of the Pleasure Games Series by Cathryn Fox. Having read other stories by Ms. Fox, I jumped at the chance to read PLEASURE PROLONGED. I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. Full of sexual tension and heated exchanges, this delightful book promised and delivered a great story. While I anxiously await the third book in this series, I plan to go back and re-read Pleasure Control. Hopefully, this will fulfill my need for a Fox "fix" until the next book releases.