Sweet Seduction

Short of lying down and begging, Julie Stanford has done her best to let Nathan Tucker know that she is interested in him. She is at her wits end and finally decides that enough is enough. If Nathan doesn't realize that she is attracted to him as more than his massage therapist, then there is nothing else she can do in order to get his attention. Deciding to give him one last massage to remember before she gives up her position as his masseuse, Julie is ready to carry on with her life - even if it means Nathan will not be a part of it. She has already contacted Damon Roche, her friend's Serena's fiancé, and her fantasy is about to begin. Or so she thinks. Nathan Tucker is angry and frustrated. After one of the best sexual interludes of his life, Julie Stanford has the guts, the GUTS to FIRE him as her client. Then, to make matters worse, he finds out that she has gone to Damon Roche of all people with plans to carry out a personal fantasy of hers. Well, Nathan has had it with her attitude and her stubbornness. No other man is going to give Julie her fantasy if he has anything to say about it. And he has plenty to say. At first I was scared to death that I would hate Sweet Seduction. After reading the first two installments of this wonderful series, I just didn't see how Ms. Banks would be able to change my mind about Julie. I found her to be stubborn, hateful at times, and almost unlikeable. Then I read Sweet Seduction. That was all it took and I finally could see that underneath Julie's bluster and blunder was a woman fighting to keep her independence and succeed when people thought she would fail. I saw a woman who was definitely not a shrinking violet, but instead one of the strongest female characters I have ever read about. I also saw Julie's hesitancy to grab what she wanted until it was too late all the while fighting to remain strong and self sufficient. Nathan Tucker is just as sexy as in the first two novels of this series but with a bit more "umph". He is also fighting a battle with himself. He wants Julie but doubts plague him as well. No two characters have needed each other more. Erotic fantasies and seduction with a measure of anticipation are the name of the game in Sweet Seduction. Maya Banks has definitely poured her heart and soul into this seductive novel. Sweet Seduction is indisputably not a book to miss - fans of her Sweet series will be ecstatic at the turn of events in this amazing installment. New fans will be frantically searching to read the first two books. And then to top it off, readers are treated to a look into Micah's world - his book releases next spring. Don't miss Sweet Seduction - I joyfully recommend it! Talia Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I have never really considered a massage that erotic, but I haven't given one to a guy like Nathan, either. Having said that, let me just say this was one of the best erotic reads I have read in some time. There was also romance involved, too, and that made it all the "sweeter." I liked the cat and mouse vibe, too, which added to the sensual suspence that this novel offers. It was a great read and I'd say anyone interested in erotic reading will like this as well. Additionally, I recommend Breaking the Girl and Eager to Please: Two Erotic Novels of Submission.

Salon owner Julie Stanford is tired of waiting for Nathan Tucker to finally realize that she is interested in him. So when after months Nathan still hasn't asked her out on a date or shown his interest she decides that it's time to move on. After one hot massage that leaves Nathan lusting for more she tells him that he had his chance and that now she is not longer interested in him. And what could be better to forget him than a anonymous threesome in Damons (from "Sweet Persuasion) club. But when Nathan finds out about her fantasy he knows that he has to be one of the men pleasuring Julie. He wants her for himself but now has to play after Julies rules. To win her back he has to get over being flustered around Julie and show her that he is just the perfect man for her. Maya Banks is one of my favourite authors when it comes to erotic romances and "Sweet Seduction" is another great book by her. The book is funny, sexy as hell (if you don't get hot during some scenes something has to be wrong with you) and very entertaining. I really enjoy heroines like Julie. She is a bit loud and very outspoken but also a great, loyal friend. Like Faith and Serena before she is a bit afraid of her relationship with Nathan because she fears to loose his love some day. Nathan is all man but around Julie he couldn't be sweeter and more caring. I love the contrasts in him and even if he was a bit slow about going after Julie when he finally does it's so sexy and good. What I also love about "Sweet Seduction" is that not only are Nathan and Julie a great and very sexy pair but that the reader learns more about the relationships of Gray and Faith (from "Sweet Surrender") and Damon and Serena (from "Sweet Persuasion"). It's wonderful to see how the two pairs are getting even closer and move on to the next step of their relationships. I also enjoyed all the new info about Micah and Connor. Both guys are very interesting and I can't wait to read their stories (Micahs story is next, "Sweet Temptation" is coming April 2010).

I have been lucky to have had an ARC of this book in my hot little hands since the beginning of September, and I can honestly say that this book is the best of this series so far. I have heard that some were a bit put off by the first two books, mostly Sweet Persusion, since they were a bit to BDSM for tastes. This book is not a BDSM book; ( Ok, there is one chapter, but it is in regards to the set up for Micah's book at the end, that is a bit on the BDSM, but that is it.) This is a wonderful book about two ordinary, stubborn people who know what they want, each other, but are at a lost to make the one one give it up. Julie is so funny in this one!! She is so wild over Nathan, but he is so togue tied around here so she decided to seduce him; dumb him and then move one to someone who will fullfill all her fanaties. Nathan goes nuts! He wants her so bad, but he just doesn't know how to act around her. He gets so nervous, but when he finds out, via Micah, that she is going to Damon for her hook up he just about has a heart attack. He enlisted Micah's help for a bit of payback, it works, but Julie finds out and she gets back at him, again. Back and forth; back and forth, and it is so much fun. They both go through the ringer on this one and in the end they stop chasing each other and admit what they have always known. They do love each other and when it is so good. In the middle of this, Miss Banks had woven small sub plots giving us updates on both Faith and Gray, who have are having problems of their own, and Damon and Serena, who are still trying to figure out how they are going to handle each other and their intense relationship. However, Mr. Hudson stole this book!! After Julie and Nathan, you see more of him then anyone else. He and Nathan really have a great friendship, but you see Micah push it to its limits in this one. He just will not let up on Nathan, but based on the set up for Micah's book that we see, I think that Nathan will be getting a bit of payback in the next book. Much more Conner, Faith's brother, in this book as well, and that was great to so. Overall, Miss Banks knocked this one out of the park. If you have not already, I recommend that you read the first two books first, Sweet Surrender and Sweet Persusion. Then dig into this one; it is so worth it. Best book I have read so far this year; 5 stars!!! (Oh, and yes, the lovin' in this book; smokin!!!)

Julie wants Nathan and has ever since their first meeting. Nathan wants Julie, too. Unfortunately, he reverts into a tongue-tied teenager whenever she's around. After dropping countless clues of her attraction, Julie decides she's had enough. She'll show Nathan exactly what he is missing, then move on. The problem is, Nathan will do anything to stop that "moving on" from happening. This is not the story of a dark, dangerous hero nor a heroine with a traumatic past that she must overcome. This is the story of a strong woman who knows who she is and what she wants, and the average (but extremely hot) man that loves her. And the lengths he'll go to for that love. A simple but truly beautiful romance with Maya Banks' trademark steaminess, this is one of my favorite books of the year.