REVIEW - Dark Desire (Touched By You #1) by Emily Jane Trent:

Title - Dark Desire
Series - Touched by You
Series Placement - #1
Genre - Adult/Erotic/Contemp. Romance
Author - Emily Jane Trent
Release Date - Feburary 6, 2013
Review Copy Provided by Author
My Goodreads Review Link

Goodreads Book Blurb:
Natalie Baker, a girl from rural America, has an unforgettable sexual encounter with billionaire, Tanner Clarke. The passion between them ignites a flame that can’t be put out. She discovers her dark desire – her life will never be the same.

“There was something in his face. She couldn't think the thought she grasped for. His skin was pale, and she got the impression he wasn't out in the sun much. His baby blue eyes were so bright, they appeared luminous. And his dark brown hair shimmered with auburn highlights, here under the blaring brightness of the lobby. He was just beautiful. She'd never known a man could be beautiful, but he definitely was.”

Dark Desire, 1st novella in the Touched By You series, is a romantic tale that takes place in New York. The sex scenes are graphic - includes light bdsm. The author was inspired by the endearing romance in the Twilight series. And the sexual enlightenment, and sweet romance, in the Fifty Shades Of Grey series. Touched By You is a unique love story, with full character development, and added intrigue from the billionaire’s life, that will make each book in the series hard to put down.

Reviewers Note - Dark Desire (about 125 pgs.) is book one of eight in the serial short, Touched By You series, an Erotic Romance written by Emily Jane Trent. I read this as a R2R with Fifty Shades Support Group at Goodreads. As always, a special thank you to the mods and author for allowing me to participate.

2 Disheartening Stars!
Fantastic Beginning But Left Me Bewildered!

The Review:
I was a bit disappointed with this read. The writing was well done and flowed beautifully, the sexual encounters were hot and very steamy but the similarities between this and the Fifty’s books was just TOO closely related. I love the Fifty’s books and I loved the Twilight Saga, so I was anxious to read this one. Being inspired by those two phenomenal series is commendable but at the same time the story needs to have its own originality instead of just replacing names and scenery.

Natalie is an awkward, sometimes clumsy twenty two year old virgin whose naive and innocence attracts Tanner, the over protective, brooding and mysterious billionaire whose proclivities lean towards the darker side. Tanner likes to keep his personal life a secret and knowing he’s a troubled soul, he warns her to stay away. But she’s enthralled with him, so they both give into their desires and spend one beautiful night having “vanilla” sex. Natalie soon finds out her scholarship and the events in her life are all at the hands of Tanner’s controlling nature, but she just can’t stay away. Sound familiar? Even the sub-characters run similarly close to the Fifty’s books.

The Wrap Up:
I like this read for its well written qualities. I wanted to like the characters and the story and I did to an extent. I also think this has the beginnings of a great series but it needs some originality and riding the coattails of another book just doesn’t sit well with me. I see a lot of potential and hopefully in the next book and the others there after, the author slides away from the same theme and develops her own voice and story.

This is a serial read. Click to get the Reading Order.

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