Review: A JOURNEY WORTHWHILE TAKING- WAITING FOR BOOK 2
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 1, 2011
Let me first say, that if Amazon allowed 4 1/2 ratings, I would give it to this novella.  It just missed being a 5 in my book.Summer's Journey, Volume 1: Losing Control is the story of a fortyish woman coming to grips with a divorce after nearly 20 years of marriage.  Summer initially mourns the death of the life she's known then decides to embrace her circumstances.  This is her opportunity for sexual rebirth through sexual exploration; and her journey begins by finding the right man to journey with.The author markets "Losing Control" as the first in "A True Romance/Erotica Series."  I don't know if this is a true story retold as fiction or a true story in the manner of "The Story of O."  You know what I mean.  If this is the author's retelling of actual events, I have to say, "I'm scared of her"  and applaud her courage to put her experience out there.  Now to the second part; is this erotica?  You better believe it is.There's a difference between erotic romance and eroticism. Erotic romances are stories that really focus on the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction.  At least that's the Romance Writers of America's definition of it and most other definitions I've read echo that sentiment.  In an erotic romance you know the sexual interaction between the characters is coming sooner rather than later; and there's going to be a lot of it.  Erotica/eroticism is all about the sexual desire, arousal and anticipation of the sexual union.  The story line in "Losing Control" is pure eroticism.  The author does an excellent job drawing the reader into the story and building the tension and anticipation of her first non-marital sexual consummation as she searches for that special man.  Losing Control is the beginning of Summer's journey as she searches for the right man and finds Mark.  There's a lot of mental and emotional foreplay in "LC" as the reader witnesses the dance between Summer and Mark; but it's exciting to read.  The dialogue of the characters is wonderful and the events surrounding their unconventional `courtship' are believable.The ending of the story, left me wanting.  Ms. Daniels' baited the hooked, caught me and I wanted her to reel me in. But she didn't.  Instead, I was left standing on an emotional diving board, unable to jump in and submerse myself in a sexual scenario she had so craftily set up.  When I read the last sentence, I was annoyed at first -- greatly annoyed.  Then I harnessed my disappointment and thought about the story and Ms. Daniel's promise of  "A True Romance/Erotica Series."  Well, she certainly delivered in Volume One and I'm anxiously waiting for Volume Two in this "Erotic" series.