Judith‘s review of Pleasure Me in Petra by Allie Standifer.
Aden Song grew up watching her uncle destroy her aunt’s life. She vowed to bend to no man, to make her own way in the world and remain true to herself. So what if the cost is a lonely and empty bed?
Everything changes in the magical city of Petra. Nareem El Djinn is a demon. He is not looking for love when he sets eyes on Aden, but something about the mouthy American captivates his attention. The desert nights become much hotter when these two meet and steamy passion binds their souls. But their differences still lie between them, and their hopes for a future together.
Allie Standifer is an author that has become familiar to erotic romance fans and she writes a delightful fantasy love story in this novella. Pairing a demon with an American tourist, one would think that such a story was way too “far out” to be believable, but Ms Standifer has great talent and she brings these two together in a very believable way.
Nareem dreams often of the erotic encounters with his mate–a woman he hasn’t yet met. He is essentially ruined for any other being, and although he is a warrior and best friend to his king, he is never free of the desire as well as the driving need to find her. As in the first book in this series, the main characters are connected through the 501 Travel Agency which is run by three older women and who may or may not have unusual powers. They want to help Nareem in their search, and in doing so they send Aden Song right into his territory–the mythical city of Petra. Ms Song is a woman who has determined that, based on her uncle’s example, she just needs to get on with her life without men. She may be lonely and she may need to hug her battery operated lover more often, but she has determined that having a lover isn’t worth the hassle. The ladies of the 501 Agency are more than anxious to meet the challenge of Nareem’s search and they love nothing better than to “open up” a woman who has closed herself off from life and love. Aden is a challenge and they’re up to it. Nareem presents a challenge of sorts as well. He is a Djinn, a kind of magical being that has been sought all over the world for centuries and he is less than enthusiastic when leaving his native territory. The ladies are now going to work to solving the problem.
This is a cute, funny, lively, romping story that has not only two very interesting main characters but a cast of assisting characters that are fascinating as well. The dialogue is zippy and sassy, the action surprising, and the research about the area is very well done. Ms Standifer has demonstrated once again that she loves to write and really knows how to do it. This is not one of your “plus” novels, but a really nice all-in-one-sitting kind of book. Fantasy/erotic/paranormal fans will like this story–it is just so much fun. I have to admit that I like Aden’s aunt, a woman who had been abused and oppressed but who is now the “merry widow.” You go girl!! And I think this book will be one of those that everyone will enjoy. I give this novella a rating of 3.75.
This book is available from Ellora’s Cave. You can buy it here in e-format.
You can read more from Judith at Dr. J’s Book Place.
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