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Star-Taken #1
First Take
When Rachel Harrington meets action star Stephen Raymond while treating herself to a movie, she seizes the chance to fulfill a birthday wish—a date with the handsome hero. After an amazing night, unsurprisingly, she wakes alone. A phone call from her mom that her dad is in the hospital has her filing the fantasy date away to face reality.
Upon arriving in her hometown, she finds an ex looking to make her his future wife, her dad facing open-heart surgery, and her brother suffering from personal woes he won’t share. But there’s a haven in Stephen’s unexpected call, and then in his sometimes very naughty texts, emails, and video chats. A surprise visit tumbles her head over heels into love.
But the cameras in her face every time she steps outside her door could be a show stopper. Is everyone she meets only out for a story?
Will a confession from Stephen convince her to take the fall, or will Rachel let her fears ground her?
Upon arriving in her hometown, she finds an ex looking to make her his future wife, her dad facing open-heart surgery, and her brother suffering from personal woes he won’t share. But there’s a haven in Stephen’s unexpected call, and then in his sometimes very naughty texts, emails, and video chats. A surprise visit tumbles her head over heels into love.
But the cameras in her face every time she steps outside her door could be a show stopper. Is everyone she meets only out for a story?
Will a confession from Stephen convince her to take the fall, or will Rachel let her fears ground her?
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Emma Lai
25 books39 followersEmma likes nothing more than a challenge. First, she tackled the male-dominated field of engineering. Next, she expanded her understanding of the world by studying international relations. Finally, her husband dared her to use her experience and knowledge and devote herself to writing. She accepted his challenge and has been writing ever since.
Writing keeps Emma sane. Her characters demand their stories be told and nag her incessantly until she complies. The characters are very insistent about her remaining faithful to their individual adventures. As a result, Emma writes a range of genres and levels of heat. She never knows what the next set of characters will demand!
Writing keeps Emma sane. Her characters demand their stories be told and nag her incessantly until she complies. The characters are very insistent about her remaining faithful to their individual adventures. As a result, Emma writes a range of genres and levels of heat. She never knows what the next set of characters will demand!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 9, 2014
(for transparency's sake, I talk frequently with Emma about non-book things and I badger her about her writing.)
Right off the bat I knew I was going to like Rach because she's celebrating her 30th birthday by doing what she wants to do. My 30th is coming up in half a year and I'm planning to celebrate it how I want. Like Rach I don't udnerstand the hubbub about it and rather just sit back and enjoy.
Certainly the chemistry is hot and the two of them are very compatible in this. Also their interests seem to be aligned and at first things seem fine and dandy. But Rach, like any sane person, has her doubts. Its a societal thing as much as anything else really. Stephen is a Big Name. Regardless of what he's known for, he's well known and people want to know more about him. He's a celebrity and as a society we treat our celebrities as much like Pop Cultural Gods as we do that scandalous neighbor we have to know EVERYTHING about.
For Rach, who enjoys the fact that in a big city like New York she is just one in a group of many, this is a big shift in thought. Plus there are scandal sheets, newspapers, online blogs, her family--everyone is talking about Stephen. That's a lot to handle on top of the family problems.
Which isn't to say she's blameless--her own insecurities get the better of her and thus lead to her not expressing to Stephen what exactly is the problem.
Stephen for his part doesn't seem oblivious to Rach's struggle so much as so...happy to find someone who wants to know his true self that he doesn't see the problems Rach could face. He sees it as 'part of the package' while saying 'just treat me like an average guy'. That's not exactly how it works in real world non-celebrity dating.
The expectations the both have in the relationship don't work together and until they have a conversation about it, things are rocky at best.
Its unfair of me, but I hate waiting. Lai warns right up front that the "Star Taken" books will feature 'HFN' (happy for now) endings and feed into each other to tell a longer, more complex story. Its kind of like what she did with her "Mates of the Guardians" books (though those tended to be 'HEA' that then wove into a larger story). I'm looking forward to seeing more of Rach and Stephen (and I already have the anthology collection "Romancing the Stars" which has a novella set after this) and I'll be patient enough. I guess.
Right off the bat I knew I was going to like Rach because she's celebrating her 30th birthday by doing what she wants to do. My 30th is coming up in half a year and I'm planning to celebrate it how I want. Like Rach I don't udnerstand the hubbub about it and rather just sit back and enjoy.
Certainly the chemistry is hot and the two of them are very compatible in this. Also their interests seem to be aligned and at first things seem fine and dandy. But Rach, like any sane person, has her doubts. Its a societal thing as much as anything else really. Stephen is a Big Name. Regardless of what he's known for, he's well known and people want to know more about him. He's a celebrity and as a society we treat our celebrities as much like Pop Cultural Gods as we do that scandalous neighbor we have to know EVERYTHING about.
For Rach, who enjoys the fact that in a big city like New York she is just one in a group of many, this is a big shift in thought. Plus there are scandal sheets, newspapers, online blogs, her family--everyone is talking about Stephen. That's a lot to handle on top of the family problems.
Which isn't to say she's blameless--her own insecurities get the better of her and thus lead to her not expressing to Stephen what exactly is the problem.
Stephen for his part doesn't seem oblivious to Rach's struggle so much as so...happy to find someone who wants to know his true self that he doesn't see the problems Rach could face. He sees it as 'part of the package' while saying 'just treat me like an average guy'. That's not exactly how it works in real world non-celebrity dating.
The expectations the both have in the relationship don't work together and until they have a conversation about it, things are rocky at best.
Its unfair of me, but I hate waiting. Lai warns right up front that the "Star Taken" books will feature 'HFN' (happy for now) endings and feed into each other to tell a longer, more complex story. Its kind of like what she did with her "Mates of the Guardians" books (though those tended to be 'HEA' that then wove into a larger story). I'm looking forward to seeing more of Rach and Stephen (and I already have the anthology collection "Romancing the Stars" which has a novella set after this) and I'll be patient enough. I guess.
March 7, 2013
This is a different kind of story for me. I tend to stay away from the BDSM genre because I don't really enjoy reading them. I read this one because it was a short story. It took me about 15 minutes to read this one, so know in advance that it is short.
What I enjoyed most about it was seeing both POVs.
What I enjoyed most about it was seeing both POVs.
February 3, 2013
Mmmmm fun, another Cassandra Carr collaborative book! As I quickly learned from other books of hers, she works quite well with others! A Spanking Good Time was a very short and quick read, but the format of it was a lot of fun and I definitely love the take on it. Like the blurb says, A Spanking Good Time, written by Cassandra Carr, is from Leslie’s POV. And A Spanking Good Time – At Her Mercy, written by Emma Lai, is from Tom’s POV.
Leslie and Tom are married. She’s a sales rep and he is a big bad FBI agent. But when the work ends, things are a bit different for these two. Leslie is every bit the Domme and Tom is the sub. What a fascinating combination! I don’t usually pick up Domme stories, I don’t like to see my men put in place. But this was written very well by both authors, that it was exciting and definitely hot.
Leslie is obviously madly in love with her husband Tom. She doesn’t top him because he’s some stranger paying for a service at a club or something, she does it because she is a natural Domme, and his work life is so demanding and stressful that she knows this helps him let off some steam. The two of them are such a complimentary pair that you can’t help but give a wistful sigh.
Tom is the tough FBI agent. But he has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to receiving punishment from Leslie. I really loved seeing this story from both of their POVs, and I loved that each story was a different scene. Tom struck me as playful and loving, and completely devoted to his strong wife.
I definitely recommend this story to lovers of D/s, spanking, and healthy couples in love! It was short and hot, and definitely packed a punch… or a spank, rather. It was great because even though each author ultimately wrote about a spanking scene, they didn’t lose the characters in the sex. There was still plenty of emotion, history and plot to make this a very enjoyable read!
Leslie and Tom are married. She’s a sales rep and he is a big bad FBI agent. But when the work ends, things are a bit different for these two. Leslie is every bit the Domme and Tom is the sub. What a fascinating combination! I don’t usually pick up Domme stories, I don’t like to see my men put in place. But this was written very well by both authors, that it was exciting and definitely hot.
Leslie is obviously madly in love with her husband Tom. She doesn’t top him because he’s some stranger paying for a service at a club or something, she does it because she is a natural Domme, and his work life is so demanding and stressful that she knows this helps him let off some steam. The two of them are such a complimentary pair that you can’t help but give a wistful sigh.
Tom is the tough FBI agent. But he has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to receiving punishment from Leslie. I really loved seeing this story from both of their POVs, and I loved that each story was a different scene. Tom struck me as playful and loving, and completely devoted to his strong wife.
I definitely recommend this story to lovers of D/s, spanking, and healthy couples in love! It was short and hot, and definitely packed a punch… or a spank, rather. It was great because even though each author ultimately wrote about a spanking scene, they didn’t lose the characters in the sex. There was still plenty of emotion, history and plot to make this a very enjoyable read!
July 5, 2014
What I enjoyed most about First Take by Emma Lai is that the story did not focus on the glamorous Hollywood life of the hero, actor Stephen Raymond. Instead, we get to see the "real" man trying to have a relationship with Rachel Harrington, whom he meets at his movie screening and who happens to be a big fan of his. These two were likable characters and I liked that they were able to talk to each other about personal stuff and show their insecurities. I loved how Stephen wanted to take care of Rachel and make her feel better when her family was going through a medical crisis. Stephen and Rachel had lots of chemistry and the author sure knew how to write sexy, hot sex scenes that left me needing to cool down. I thought the author portrayed their newfound relationship in a realistic way by having Rachel struggle and question how her life would be with the paparazzi around and whether Stephen would take over her life. I also liked that she cared how this would affect her family as well. I also enjoyed seeing her with her family and their interaction with one another. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and getting to know Stephen's close friends better and how they affect their blossoming relationship.
March 4, 2014
A Spanking Good Time - I was not impressed with this book at all. I've read other books by this author and liked/loved them.
The book is about a husband, submissive, and a wife, dom. While on vacation she decides that he needs to be punished publicly. So she does just that and enjoys it, plus she gave him more punishment/reward for being good during his punishment.
I would not recommend this book to others to read.
A Spanking Good Time At Her Mercy - This is the first book I have read by this author. It was not all that. I really didn't like the story. I know that it is a continuation from a previous book that I didn't like either. The only reason I read it was because I did read the first one.
This is the husband's, Tom side of the story with his wife, Leslie. He let's you know what he feels about all of this.
I do not recommend this book to others. I would not read this book again.
The book is about a husband, submissive, and a wife, dom. While on vacation she decides that he needs to be punished publicly. So she does just that and enjoys it, plus she gave him more punishment/reward for being good during his punishment.
I would not recommend this book to others to read.
A Spanking Good Time At Her Mercy - This is the first book I have read by this author. It was not all that. I really didn't like the story. I know that it is a continuation from a previous book that I didn't like either. The only reason I read it was because I did read the first one.
This is the husband's, Tom side of the story with his wife, Leslie. He let's you know what he feels about all of this.
I do not recommend this book to others. I would not read this book again.
February 6, 2013
While I'm not a huge fan of female Domme stories, I actually enjoyed these two quickie stories written by Cassandra Carr and Emma Lai. These two authors did a great job writing the stories from each character's POV which was fun and refreshing and the sex scene portrayed in each one was totally hot. It was unexpected and a total turn-on to see Tom, a tough FBI agent, wiling to submit and be dominated by his wife, Leslie, and wickedly scheming to receive more punishment. It was good to see that Leslie's Domme tendencies were not too over-the-top; she helped give him balance after a stressful day at work. He liked coming home and not having to be the one in charge. Readers can see the love they have for each other and this type of relationship actually enhanced their marriage. I would recommend this antho to readers who like a little non-traditional D/s mixed in with their romance.
January 7, 2014
This was my first Domme book and though it was short I enjoyed the switch. The power that Tom radiates in letting go and accepting his role fascinated me :)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews