Customer Reviews

Taboo : A Novel of Forbidden Sensual Delights.

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

 

 

Fallon Gilchrist, a young Boston widow residing in the country, receives a note from a dear friend, Anna, who is a sophisticated woman of the world: "Darling - You've been cooped up alone in the middle of nowhere for far too long. I am arriving to relieve your tedium. And bringing along a very big surprise. Love and kisses."

Fallon is an artist, a painter, who is sexually repressed. Her dearly departed was as cold in life as he is in death. Poor man! Anna's surprise is Montague Bridgeman, "handsome," "brooding," "haunted," "worldly-wise," "jaded"....these are Ms. Lawless' adjectives, not mine. Anyway, back to the Gilchrist country home where we discover that Anna bid on Montague at the Boston Women's Auxiliary fund raising auction and won. Why does it seem strange that the 19th century Boston Women's Auxiliary would be auctioning off a potential love slave - publicly?? She is donating him to Fallon for one week for anything and everything. Fallon decides to paint him, on canvas. I don't think they had edible paint in those days. He decides to awaken her. Both succeed. If it matters, I am not clear on the period in which the novella is set. I would place it at the turn of the 20th century.

As erotica, "Taboo: A Novel of Forbidden Sensual Delights" may contain delights, but as far as taboo goes, I am a 21st century lady...or woman. There's minimal storyline and the erotica is typical - or same old, same old. If and when I pick up an erotic novel or short stories, I want something special. Otherwise, I'd rather read a spicy romance, and there are plenty on the market. As authors of erotica, I prefer Emma Holly (Black Lace Series), Susannah Indigo ("Oysters Among Us"), Susie Bright, Laura Reese, Robin Schone, Beatrice Small, or check-out www.ellorascave.com/ for excellent women's erotica selections. You can purchase their books in paper from Amazon. Enjoy browsing.
JANA

This book is steaming from the first chapter until the last page. I couldn't put it down. I have read Ms. Lawless' "Unmasked" and loved it. This book is just as good if not better. If you enjoy good erotica, you'll want to add this book to your collection.

I read this book in a matter of hours! The premise of a master lover at a the disposal of a young, sexually repressed, unfulfilled widow for seven days and seven nights provides an excellent context for this fantasy. This is less of a love story, and more a story of lovemaking, and how the experience of it can lead to more.
This story has a basic element to it that is simply sexual. It was, at times, surprisingly graphic. I would have liked to read more about the main characters beyond where they were at the end of the book.

This book had great potential but I feel that it fell a little short. This may be due to the fact that this book only totals 192 pages and most of these are filled with sexual activity. I have no problem with erotic stories but I do like to have a "storyline" between the two characters that are supposed to be "finding" love.

Bridge and Fallon have great potential but the storyline is very thin and not well fleshed out so their romantic encounters although HOT left we at times feeling rather cold. If there was any emotional growth between the two I missed it.

There are plenty of good erotic reads out there that offer not only steamy love scenes between the characters but storylines as well. If you are in the market for love scene after love scene with little emotional depth of storyline than this is the story for you. If on the other hand you need more than this look elsewhere.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Kathleen Lawless effectively blends steamy erotica with historical romance in Taboo.

A wealthy widowed painter, Fallon Gilchrist, is living an uninspired and artistically dead life until a close friend gives her a very special birthday present: Montague Bridgeman. Bridge has been paid to spend a week with the voluptuous Fallon, posing for her to paint while awakening her to previously unimagined sensual delights. Fallon is grateful when Bridge's inspiration helps her to produce her best art ever and also awakens her sexually-starved body. But she is alarmed when she falls in love with the rogue.

Lawless develops well-drawn characters and often amusing dialogue in a story that sizzles with constant sensuality and passion. A satisfying resolution completes this superior sexual novel.

Her best friend Anna worries about young widow Fallon Gilchrist as the latter has become a recluse since her much older husband Powell died. Not that Fallon can claim Powell was her great passion, but at least to Anna's disconcerting eyes her friend seems in a depressing funk. To get her out of her despondency, Anna provides Fallon a special gift of hunk Montague Bridgeman for one week to do whatever she wants with him.

Reticent Fallon is shocked by Anna's proposal. Sexually repressed, Fallon is unable to play the role of mistress though she finds her toy quite attractive. Still he belongs to her for seven days so Fallon decides to use him as her model while she paints. However, his haunted eyes hook her into believing there is more to him than just stud fee. Unable to resist his lure on several levels, Fallon falls in love with Bridge. Even more shocking he reciprocates. However, she cannot believe he would settle for one woman especially a sexual rookie like her and he refuses to accept that one week of avoiding the tediousness of his life in Boston could so profoundly change how he feels.

TABOO is an engaging erotic romance in which the plot will remind older XXX aficionados of the movie The Devil and Ms. Jones though Bridge is more like an imp than someone truly evil. The key to this tale is the intelligent evolution of the relationship between the lead couple. Though Bridge in some ways is too perfect (except down there where too perfect is okay silly), sub-genre fans will appreciate this entertaining tale of a "Still Man in Motion" whenever his beloved is at his side.

Harriet Klausner

I loved this book! It had heart, heat and and a provocative story line. I can't wait to read Ms.Lawless's latest "Unmasked."

I really loved this book! I did not like Bridge in the beginning due to the fact he was an arrogant S.O.B.! However, I believe that's how it was meant to offend. I grew to adore him and the way he slowly fell in love. This was a very passionate story. I re-sell alot of my books but I don't think I will sell this one. I think it will stay in my collection. Five Stars!!!!! Hope this helps!

Nothing wrong with fantasing.....Would definetely be "my dream come true"!!!

Taboo is a book well worth reading. The blend of romance and erotica is perfect and the writing is seamless. The story which serves as framework is delightful. I'll certainly buy any book this author writes.