Review of The Hostage Bargain by Annika Martin
There are some books that have a premise that is so ridiculous, you just can't resist. (At least I can't). As soon as I saw the blurb for this book--a sheep farmer who is abducted by three bad-ass bank robbers and subjected to super pleasurable sexcapades, I thought--"I have to read this one!"
So, even though I normally don't read a lot of ARCs, I actually begged Annika Martin to read hers. And I must say that I was more or less blown out of the water.
There are not many erotic romances that can weave together ridiculous humor, a complex and suspenseful story line, intriguing characters, and sex so smoky and hot you're sweating as you read it. (I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit that I was, literally, sweating. Holy Old Spice Deodorant!) And.....the other really cool thing about this book is that the sexiest part of it was not the actual physical scenes of intimacy (although, don't get me wrong, those were also super sweat-worthy), but it was the anticipation of the sex that was so thoroughly, unbelievably, smoky hot. Martin is a master at building anticipation.
This book is not really kinky. I have read erotica that is much crazier as far as sex acts and bondage. The wickedness of this story is the scenario itself....that a young woman desperate for excitement has it unexpectedly dropped into her lap in the form of three wild bank robbers. Because this story is told in first person POV, we are living the experience with Melinda. Annika Martin takes us on a very bumpy ride, creates nervous tension and anticipation, throws in some scary suspenseful moments, and manages, somehow, to end on a positive note. I really liked the fact that this book is not what you normally expect with an erotica. The only thing I can compare it to is Skin Game by Ava Gray. That was a wild, sexy ride, with truly unique characters. The Hostage Bargain takes you on the same sort of journey. I was totally mesmerized by this book.
After finishing it, I realized that the author is planning more books in this series. Yippee! (Note to self: stock up on Old Spice deodorant).
If you're looking for something outside-of-the-box of regular erotic fiction, then this one's for you. The Hostage Bargain is a delicious mix of snappy humor, wicked sexcapades and on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense. I've never read anything like it. Debut author Annika Martin has a new #1 fan.
Grade: A
Available at Smashwords
Waiting for my own bank robber to fall out of the sky (preferably with a nice bushy beard),
Penelope
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