A LITTLE HARMLESS PLEASURE - Melissa Schroeder
Harmless, Book 2
Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com
ISBN: 1-59998-540-3
February 2008
Erotic Contemporary Romance
Rating: Red Hot

Georgia and Hawaii - Present Day

Cynthia Myers had done what was expected of her most of her life; right up until she decided the arranged marriage to her lifelong friend Max was not what she wanted.  Since Max is in love with Anna, he didn’t mind too much, but her family was less than pleased.  Her decision to attend Max and Anna’s wedding pushes her father to the limit, and he not only kicks Cynthia out of the house, but also disinherits her.  So, it’s not exactly surprising that she overindulges with the champagne at the reception.

From the moment Cynthia bursts in on him and Max, Chris Dupree knows that she’s the one for him.  He doesn’t usually go for repressed, delicate blondes, but something about Cynthia calls to him.  While she blushes and shies away from him at the wedding, at the reception a slightly inebriated Cynthia is a different woman, and afterwards she makes it clear that she wants to spend more time with him.  Chris worries about taking advantage of Cynthia, but she won’t take no for an answer, and Chris is aroused by her forceful personality.

Though they have only the one night together, it’s the beginning of something much more.  For Cynthia, it’s the starting point for turning her life around and becoming her own person.  The chance to spend some time in Hawaii, where Chris lives, is another chance for her to explore her independence and budding dominant side.  Chris enjoys their time together, and understands Cynthia’s need for control.  But will she understand that, as a switch, there will be times he needs to take control?

With her wealthy Southern family, Cynthia was raised with the purpose of becoming another rich man’s wife, but in A LITTLE HARMLESS PLEASURE, she finally rebels against her upbringing and decides to do what she wants.  Chris is surprised to find himself attracted to someone so different from his usual type, but he can tell that there is a sensual woman underneath the reserve.  Their first night together – which Cynthia assumes will be a one-night stand – she shocks herself not just with the things she is willing to try, but that she enjoys the sex at all.  As hot as the sex between them is, Chris’s departure the next day leads to a long-distance relationship, making what’s between them more than just sex.  It’s interesting to watch Cynthia change from the obedient unhappy daughter into a self-confident, sexy woman, and the support and understanding that Chris offers is touching.

A follow-up to Ms. Schroeder’s previous release, A LITTLE HARMLESS SEX, some of the background and the friendship between Cynthia and Max and Anna is better understood if you’ve read it first.  However, as the story revolves mostly around Cynthia and Chris, it does stand alone.  An engaging and entertaining tale, I highly recommend A LITTLE HARMLESS PLEASURE.

Jennifer Bishop