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review 2014-03-04 20:59
A Wonderful Conclusion
Surrender Yourself (The Desires Unlocked Trilogy Part Three) - Evie Blake
“We start at the beginning. I want to take you back inside your body, so that you are aware of yourself, you love yourself, for that is the best way to give and receive love from another.”
 
This is the third and final title in a trilogy and best read in order. The first two books, ‘Liberate Yourself’ and ‘Lose Yourself’ were previously published (and reviewed by me) as Valentina and Valentina on the Edge
 
A year has passed since Valentina lost Theo, the love of her life. He drowned while trying to safe her from Glen, his rival and enemy. The passing of twelve months has done little to lessen Valentina’s grief but she knows she has to try and embrace life again. 
 
The opportunity to work in New York for a while seems to be just what Valentina needs and it isn’t long before her new surroundings awaken her sexual desires as well as a renewed interest in life and photography. When Leonardo also arrives in New York he is, once again, her rock in the storm. When he introduces her to Tantric sex she discovers things about herself, her body and about sharing that she never knew existed.
 
 “You have been making love with your mind, and that’s why you are hurting so much at the moment. I want to return you to your body, Valentina, for that is the way to healing your heart.”
 
But New York also brings danger back to Valentina’s life. While in a gallery she sees a man who strongly reminds her of Glen, the criminal who has killed Theo, who was supposed to have died at the same time. Torn between a growing sense of danger and the need to get revenge Valentina makes a shocking discovery and puts her life in danger.
 
This is also the story of Valentina’s mother, Tina. We learn about the two big loves in her life and the tragedy that made it impossible for her to be with either of them. We discover why Valentina and her mother have such a strained relationship and are witnesses as the past is slowly but carefully revealed and past hurts healed.
 
I’m a bit surprised at how much I loved this book and this series. If I’m completely honest, I have to admit that I really don’t like Valentina, or her mother, very much. I most books not liking the main character would be enough to put me off reading or finishing the story. Clearly that wasn’t the case with this trilogy and I can think of at least two reasons why.
 
First of all there’s the fact that while Valentina may not be the most sympathetic of characters she is definitely intriguing and fascinating. I felt like slapping this young woman on too many occasions to count while reading this trilogy and yet had a hard time putting the books down. Valentina managed to get under my skin. I needed to know what she’d get up to next, how her story would end and, most of all, if she would, eventually, redeem herself (in my eyes).
 
The second reason I love this book and trilogy is so much can be found in the wonderful way with words this author has. Evie Blake writes with almost poetic precisions, her descriptions sparkle and she manages to create an almost tangible atmosphere on the page. Whether it is the doom and gloom of East Berlin during the 1980’s or present day New York, the place comes alive before the reader’s eyes.
 
This book is not so much sexy as sultry and seductive. The reader is drawn into to the intimacy rather than confronted with it, allowed to share the sensuous pleasures at a leisurely but also pleasurable pace. In fact, I think the way the sex scenes in this story are written is completely in tune with Tantric sex as described in this book; focussed on sharing joy, giving rather than receiving and opening your heart to beauty. And if this trilogy can be captured in just one word, that word would be ‘beautiful’.
 
For the (sexually) curious among us this book comes with a few wonderful extras. We are given ‘Leonardo’s Tantric Sex Keys’ as well as the opportunity to learn ‘How to give a Lingam Massage’. The joys this book brings to its readers continue long after the story has finished.
 
“Tears begin to load her eyes. He sees them and recognises how rare and precious they are, like fragments of their love, lost and refound.”
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review 2013-11-13 10:08
A wonderful Introduction to the Desires Unlocked Series
Unlock Yourself - Evie Blake
Blurb taken from the author’s website:

 

 

 

This sensuous short story is the prequel to Liberate Yourself (previously published as Valentina), the first novel in the Desires Unlocked Trilogy.

In Unlock Yourself let me draw you into the seductive world of Belle when she meets the iconic silent movie star Louise Brooks while wandering in the glittering wintry streets of Berlin in 1929 on a quest to unlock the deepest, most secret part of herself. Louise takes Belle to a place where she can explore her erotic dreams and fantasies while also experience the most intensely romantic liaison she has ever known.

 

 

 

========================================================

 

 

 

This novella is a wonderful introduction to the Desires Unlocked series.

 

 

 

The story is set in Berlin in 1928 and Ludwika has slipped away from her controlling husband. She is roaming the streets looking for something although she doesn’t know what.

 

 

 

“She needs some inspiration to keep her heart in motion, to stop herself from withering and fading away beneath her husband’s touch.”

 

 

 

Seen by her husband as the instrument necessary to provide him with the offspring he wants, Ludwika wants to feel passion:

 

 

 

“…a communion with a fellow soul.”

 

 

 

When she meets a beautiful young woman called Louise, Ludwika allows herself to be brought to a party which will open her eyes to passion and cause her to lose her long hair in favour of a haircut that makes a statement:

 

 

 

“I am no longer encumbered by the wants of men. What I want is what I want for myself.”

 

 

 

Ludwika may have to return to her cold husband before the night is over, she won’t be the same woman. With her newly acquired name, Belle, and an understanding of passion, the woman has discovered that freedom is achievable, even within the confines of an unhappy marriage, if only she has the courage to go look for it.

 

 

 

This free novella is a wonderful introduction to Evie Blake’s writing and her “Desires Unlocked” titles. Even with only 48 pages to work with Evie Blake gives her readers a wonderful sample of her exquisite writing, her wonderful way with words and impressive storytelling powers. At the same time, readers who have already read the first book in the trilogy, are given a wonderful opportunity to spend a little more time with Bella and find out how this wonderful character discovered her passion.

 

 

 

This is a lot more than just another erotic short; this is a sexy story told in a literary style. You’ll read this book for the beautiful writing as much as for the tantalizing subject.

 

 

 

Do yourself a huge favour and pick this free novella up from Amazon (UK or USA) and allow it to lead you on to the full Desires Unlocked Trilogy.

 

 

 

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The Desires Unlocked Trilogy: 

 

 

 

 

LIBERATE YOURSELF (currently available)

 

 

 

Blurb, taken from the author’s website:

 

 

 

 

 

Previously published under the title Valentina, the first book in the Desires Unlocked Trilogy is now available in e-book edition under the title Liberate Yourself 12th November 2013
 

 

AN EROTIC STORY OF LOVE, MYSTERY AND THE DARK SIDE OF DESIRE

 

 

Milan, 2012. Photographer Valentina Rosselli is living with her lover of one year, Theo Steen, but refuses to commit to anything more. When she is offered an intriguing photography assignment, to take pictures of those engaged in the darker side of desire, she gets drawn into a shadowy world that reveals a part of her she never knew existed….

Venice, 1929. Belle is the alter ego of a well-to-do socialite, trapped in an unhappy marriage and constrained by society. As Belle she plays out her fantasies by leading a secret life as a courtesan – but she will only truly be set free by finding the man who will love her.

Though decades separate them, Belle and Valentina’s lives are intertwined. Both will experience an awakening of their latent desires, but will they discover the connection between physical passion and true love?

'Both a heartbreaking love story and a romance raunchy enough to keep you warm at night'Independent

 

 

 

For my review of “Valentina” click here.

 

 

 

 

LOSE YOURSELF (Currently available)

 

 

 

The blurb, taken from the author’s website:

 

 

 

Previously published in print and ebook as VALENTINA ON THE EDGE, the second book in the Desires Unlocked Trilogy is now available in e-book edition under the title Lose Yourself from 12th November 2013.

2012. Photographer Valentina Rosselli has been invited to participate in a show of erotic photography in London, an opportunity she finds impossible to turn down. Yet London is where her ex-lover Theo Steen now lives. Deep down Valentina knows that Theo is the only man she’s ever loved. Is it possible that they might be able to rekindle their passion, or has she lost him forever?



1948. Maria leaves Italy to study contemporary dance in London, where she falls passionately in love for the first time – but when she follows her lover to post-war Paris, with its hidden underworld of latent desire, she finds that love induces her to behave in ways she never thought possible.

As Valentina uncovers Maria’s story, and its ties to her own, she begins to question how much one should change for love. Is she brave enough to risk her heart and step over the edge?

 

 

 

For my review of "Valentina on the Edge" click here.

 

 

 

 

SURRENDER YOURSELF (to be published January 30th, 2014)

 

 

New York, 2013. Valentina Rosselli is recovering her lust for life after the tragic death of her fiancé, Theo Steen, one year before. With her old friend Leonardo, she unlocks her inner sexuality, reaching a level of passion she’d never thought possible. Yet as she settles into her new life, a shock from the past threatens to ruin everything. Valentina must make a choice: but will she follow her heart?

Berlin, 1984. Tina Rosselli, the famous fashion photographer is permitted to cross the border into East Berlin for a single day. There, she meets a charismatic young cellist who arouses her as she hasn’t been in years. A passionate affair follows; one which will affect Tina for the rest of her life.

As the stories of the two women finally converge, both must embrace their inner desires and follow the path to true love

Source: meen-readingjournal.blogspot.ie/2013/11/unlock-yourself-introduction-to-desires.html
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review 2012-10-12 00:00
Valentina - Evie Blake I received a copy of this book from Headline through Book Geeks.

The year is 2012 and Valentina, a photographer, is living in Milan with her lover Theo. Although she and Theo have been together for a year now, Valentina can’t commit to the relationship. While Theo clearly wants to take things with Valentina further and would like to introduce her to his parents, she retreats into herself, behind carefully constructed walls as soon as he suggests it. Valentina doesn’t believe in relationships. Having never known her father, who left her mother when she was still small and having witnessed her mother work her way through one affair after another, she has no faith in love and can’t imagine spending her life with anyone. When Theo, shortly after making his shocking suggestion, has to leave on one of his mystery trips he is clearly frustrated with the woman he would like to be able to call his girlfriend. He does leave her with a present though; an album and a collection of old negatives. He doesn’t give her an explanation about this gift, just tells her to have fun and leaves.

In Venice in 1924 Louise Brzezinska is deeply unhappy in her marriage to a cruel and violent husband. When she accidentally discovers that she has the power to charm men she creates a new and secret life for herself. As Bella she sets out on a path that will make her a celebrated courtesan. A path that will also lead her to the love of her life and the delights of passion.

Soon after Theo has left, Valentina is offered an intriguing photographic opportunity. She will be taking erotic pictures in a club catering for people who enjoy the less conventional side of sex. And as she starts her assignment Valentina slowly discovers new needs and feelings in herself. Slowly the photographer is opening herself up to the possibility that maybe a relationship with Theo is possible. If only she knew where he is, what the meaning behind the album and the old negatives is and why a policeman is looking for him. And will these newly emerging emotions come in time to save her relationship with this wonderful man, or will she find a way to alienate him forever? And what exactly is the connection between Valentina and Bella, apart from photography and their hairstyle?

I’ve been reading a lot of erotic fiction lately and I have to say this book came as a very pleasant surprise. Yes, it is definitely another erotic work, but it is so much more. The writing in this book is excellent, the characters are well developed and their story-lines are fascinating. This story is unrushed. Often in erotic fiction I have the feeling that the author feels obliged to put in a sex scene at regular intervals and ends up manipulating the story in order to fit them in. Not in this book. The more explicit scenes all make sense in the context of the story and Valentina’s development. There are no sudden and drastic revelations for Valentina; lead by opportunity and curiosity she is discovering a world and feelings she wasn’t aware off. But this takes time and, thankfully, the author takes all the necessary time.

That is not to say that there weren’t one or two things I was less crazy about. For starters, I can’t help feeling that the story didn’t need the added story-line about the stolen art. I won’t go so far as to say that it interfered with the rest of the story, but at the same time, I don’t think the story would have lacked anything if it had been left out either.

I also found Valentina a hard character to warm to. She is very self-contained and reluctant to admit to emotions, never mind give in to them. At times she seemed so determined to undermine herself and her chance at happiness that I felt like slapping her. I found Bella much easier to like. She has as many reasons to distrust relationships as Valentina has and yet she is more than happy to give her heart to a man who loves her. I can’t help wondering if that may because Valentina was an established character when the author agreed to write this trilogy, whereas Bella is (as far as I know) a completely original creation?

The character Valentina Rosselli was originally created by Italian Guido Crepax in an iconic graphic novel in the 1960 and has cult status in Italy to this day. Evie Blake is the pen name of author Noelle Harrison (Beatrice, A Small Part of Me, I Remember and The Adulteress) who was invited to write this trilogy about Valentina. From her earlier books it is clear that Noelle enjoys writing erotic scenes and I can’t help feeling that she was more than happy to embrace this opportunity to indulge in that aspect of her writing.

Overall I have to say that I was very impressed with this book and happily surprised when I discovered it was actually written by one of my favourite authors. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book, if only to discover if Valentina will ever come to her senses.
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