The Price of Pleasure

Price of Pleasure by JoAnna Wylde, is the first book in her Price series Price of Freedom (Price of Freedom, being the second book) and easily one of the best books I've read in recent memory. It debut in 2003 and remains one of the best around. In Price of Pleasure, JoAnna Wylde, begins with two characters from that are at the polar opposite of each other and it takes a great war to bring them together. All the while capturing the reader in a novel that few have managed to emulate. Ms. Wylde literally captured the reading world with this first book. This, of course, should be no surprise when you consider her huge fan base. For the few who have not yet read POP, I will not detail the plot and ruin this book for you -- a bad practice by some reviewers -- but I enjoyed this book too much to do that. With the enormous amount of books on the market it is difficult to decide which one to read -- but POP is one I would highly recommend. I know there are people who choose to avoid a product that has become overwhelmingly popular, but this book is a rare treat and you don't want to be one of the few that haven't read it.

By TT reviewer Amy L. TurpinThe first time Calla comes into his presence, Seth has to have her. He can't explain it, but he has to have her and they both take their pleasure in one another. Then she tells him she is married. His first thought is to kill the unknown husband and take the lovely Calla for himself, but that is insane. Wasn't it? Oh well. He'll simply prove to himself that she is only a passing thrill. Isn't she? Born into slavery, Calla knows that if her mistress finds out about the romp with her guest, she will sell her to one of the whorehouses that serve the mining camps. Not a pleasant way to die. When Seth tries to argue against her leaving him, she takes the only out she can think of; she tells him she has a husband. If she known how that one little lie would come back to haunt her, she probably would simply tried to run away from him, but then again, no one cares about a slave. Circumstances change and Calla finds herself entering into a contract with the fierce warrior, but not as Calla the slave girl. She is now Devora, trained pleasure worker. In reality, Calla is simply a runaway slave and she is using the only means at her disposal to get away before she is caught. Their contract sealed, "Devora" and Seth make their way across the quadrant, Calla in search of the man she knows as brother, Seth for a band of rebels that threaten Saurellian controlled space. During the long months aboard Seth's ship, the two grow increasingly fond of one another, but each holds back an essential part of themselves for their own reasons. Picking up the pilgrim/rebel, Calvin and his family, the rift between Calla and Seth grows. Calla is appalled at the way Calvin treats his wife and children and she can't understand why Seth seems to enjoy the man's company. Seth, on the other hand, detests Calvin but knows he holds the key to chasing down the pilgrims and ending the threat to his people. He knows Calla doesn't understand, but he can't bring himself to confide in her because of the chance that she could even inadvertently betray him and his people. When the inevitable happens and Seth finds out the Devora is the slave girl he bedded at the hostel so many months ago, Calla is terrified he will sell her into slavery again. Afraid to trust him, not so much with her fate as that of Calvin's wife, Sarai, and her two children, Calla steals Seth's ship and leaves him stranded with the promise she'll send help. With so many lies and so much deceit on both their parts, there seems to be no way for them to put the past aside and try to build a future together. That is, until Seth receives some astounding news . . . Suddenly, he sees his lovely Calla in a whole new light and he knows that he will do what ever it takes to get her back. This book has non-stop action from beginning to end. If not on the battlefield, then certainly in the bedroom . . . or where ever the lovers in question happen to be at the time! Each character comes to life in vivid deta

This is the first book in the Price of Pleasure series. There are two short stories out as well, one is in the anthology Taken. The title to it is Dragon's Mistress and it is actually the second part of the sereies. The other short story is Serendity and it picks up were The Price of Pleasure leaves off. Serendity is part of the Wicked Wishes anthology, which has not been published in paperback yet. Ms Wylde writes with flair and passion. I have read all her stories and have loved each one. Seth and Calla are made for each other even though neither of them are willing to admit it.Seth can only marry another of his race, so the attraction that he feels for Calla can never be. He is torn between what he feels as his duty and his feeings for this women. After Calla escapes he finds out there are a few women that have the genetic makeup to be mates for his race. When he learns this he is determined to find Calla.Calla is afraid of becoming a slave again. She hides who she really is, but finds that she cannot forget Seth. Even after she leaves him she realizes that she will never love another man but Seth.This is the beginning of a wonderful series. Definitely worth reading.

Joanna Wylde absolutely blew me away with her very first book. She writes like a pro and will please fans of Dara Joy. Joanna Wylde is truly one of the best in Science Fiction Erotic Romance.Calla is a slave, desperate to escape the life that she has no choice in living.Seth is a Saurellian who has given up on the hope of finding a lifemate, so he has dedicated his life to serving his people as a warlord and fighter.Calla and Seth's first meeting is explosive, but Calla realizes that her owner could kill her for sleeping with Seth, so she hides from Seth and begs him not to tell. When circumstances force her to escape and masquerade as a "companion", Seth buys her and takes her off planet. She is going by a different name, and although Seth at first thinks she may be Calla, he is convinced by others that she is truly a pleasure worker.There time together is hot and sexual but both of them have hidden agendas. Will they be able to work through their secrets and share a life together?I truly cannot say enough good things about this book. Currently there are two other stories that take place in this futuristic world that are available from Ellora's Cave, and more are planned. I've read the other two and they are just as good, and now I'm desperately looking forward to more in the series. Keep them coming Ms. Wylde!

The galaxy war between the Saurellians and the empire continues. The Saurellians have placed some of their troops at the gritty Discovery Station; a remote outpost that no one wants to be stationed at. Saurellian Seth is working when slave-maid Calla arrives to clean the room. Since he ordered the hostel's owner to keep everyone away from his area, he is ready to kill her. Seth learns it is a mistake her being here, but neither can resist making love together. Seth cannot forget the encounter, which is a surprise as Saurellians will have sex with other species, but only become satiated if they are fortunate to find their own species' soul mate.When Calla learns her "brother" Jess has been sold off-planet, she arranges with a pleasure provider Dani to obtain a new identity Devora the sex slave to Seth just as he leaves the station on an assignment. Seth feels that Devora might take the edge off of his two heads that keep projecting an image of Calla. As their adventures begin, their attraction and passion for one another grows into something neither expected, but can a Saurellian male truly fall in love with a human?Readers who enjoy an erotic science fiction romance will gain much pleasure from Joanna Wylde's entertaining tale. The Saurellian race seems real and just believably different enough from humans. The exciting story line is loaded with adventures and romance between Seth and Calla that make for a fine tale in which fans of Star Trek will enjoy and want more stories starring secondary characters.Harriet Klausner