Lush (Aphrodisia) [Paperback]

THE PRINCIPLES OF LUST
When Teal Jamison decides to open an erotic art gallery, she hires handyman Zach Dillon to remodel it; however, she is not expecting to find herself up against an incredibly strong desire for him. She is even more baffled when her seduction attempts are initially rejected. Teal is a very determined woman and when she decides that Zach is the one she wants, nothing will stop her pursuit. Fortunately, it doesn't take long to convince Zach to enter into a short-term sexual affair with her.*****
Zach wants Teal as he's wanted no other woman. He wants to show her that it is not necessary for her to always be in control and he wants to be the one who this strong-willed woman relinquishes her control to. He is troubled by the feelings that he's developing for Teal and soon wants more than just a sexual affair.*****Despite their agreement to keep their relationship purely sexual, Teal and Zach each struggle against their increasing emotions. Witnessing their discovery of newfound feelings and the uncertainty of weakening to the point of giving in to those feelings is a great pleasure.

PASSION PLAY
When Mia is inadvertently shoved into Dominick Jamison in the park, landing flat on top of him, she later regrets having walked away from him, when it is obvious that there is a very base sexual attraction between them. When the two meet up again and that attraction is still present, they agree to a sex-only relationship. The tender affection that Dominick shows Mia is very confusing to her, since she has always been somewhat of an outcast in her family.*****Dominick Jamison was recently a newspaper columnist, writing a highly popular men's column. He quits the paper when his editor insists upon taking control of the articles Dominick has written and he directs his professional focus to writing freelance articles, while dreaming of writing the novel that has been tooling around in his head. When Mia runs into him, quite literally, he can't stop thinking about her and when he sees her in a bar a few days later, he makes a move to meet her. Disbelieving the feelings that Mia evokes in him, Dominick finds himself wanting more than the arrangement they've agreed upon. Mia accepts him unconditionally and effortlessly gives him the confidence to begin his book.*****Mia and Zach are written in first person with chapters alternating between their points of view. Sasha White has the art of writing first person down pat and the clever way she uses the viewpoints of both characters is an excellent touch.

SEXUAL HEALING
Caitlin Ellis is a talented, successful masseuse, gifted with the ability to read people's auras. She agrees to pose nude to model erotic jewelry for her friend, Mia, when she meets photographer Jack Lowell. She is immediately drawn to him, wanting to take away the emotional pain that is practically rolling off of him. After a beautiful, passion-filled night with Jack, Caitlyn feels that she might actually be reaching him; but then, he rejects her.*****Jack Lowell gives off a darkness when Caitlyn first meets him. He is a hugely talented photojournalist, yet keeps himself holed up in his apartment, working as a simple photographer. Jack refuses to talk to Caitlyn about his past and what took place to make him a near recluse; he is more than willing to join in the sex she selflessly offers. Caitlyn is like a balm for his troubled soul and spirit; but, Jack isn't willing to fully accept her healing touch.***** This is the shortest of the three stories in this anthology; Ms. White doesn't skimp on emotion. Jack is deeply tortured and Caitlyn's natural instinct is to heal him. Excellently written and satisfyingly sensual, this story and its characters are a wonderful addition to this anthology.

It is easy to give this single-author anthology a very high recommendation. Sasha White's readers are always guaranteed biting edge and fiercely strong characters that are unashamedly brazen in their sensuality and LUSH is no exception. Ms. White writes emotional conflict and angst as few authors can.
COURTESY LAURIE/ROMANCE JUNKIES

This is a three story anthology of erotic romances and as always, I was drawn in by Sasha's voice immediately. Sasha has some indefinable quality that shines through and I always connect with it, no matter what it is she's writing about.

But in Lush, she exceeded my expectations. I often complain about BDSM in writing and how so many writers fail to get into the heads of the characters. Sasha kicks booty with this in Principles of Lust, the first story in the anthology and my personal favorite. We've got a strong woman who isn't afraid of or ashamed of her sexuality and a strong man who knows what he wants but isn't afraid to admit he's been presented with something he didn't even realize he needed.

I think her writing with Principles of Lust in particular although all three stories are smart and sexy, is deft and clever. Novellas are hard to do well. You've got a lot to communicate in a short span of words but she does it and she does it well. We get into Zack's head as he's attracted to a woman but knows she's way too aggressive for his appetites. The scenes where he's topping her are sexy and not overdone. He's not a stereotype and neither is Teal. I appreciated the strong woman who gives up control aspect of the story and also the struggle of what it means to give up power and what submission truly given is. This novella will forever be one that I'll point to when people ask about what kind of BDSM writing I like.

Passion Play - the second story is told in alternating first person between the hero and heroine. Again I think the power behind this story (and all of them in the antho) is how White takes unlikely romance characters and makes them into wonderful romance heroine and heroes. First person can be risky but I think she gave us a great glimpse with the alternating chapters and POV.

The last story, Sexual Healing has a fantastic wounded hero and another woman unshamed of her sexuality. I think that's what I enjoyed the most - I'm pretty bored with the "oh I hated sex until he came along" heroines in romance. I loved that each woman in Lush loved her sexuality even as she learned more about herself through her interaction with the hero. All three women are interesting and quirky and I enjoyed each one of them and well, I can't complain in White's use of dominant alpha males as heroes, they're my favorite and she writes them in vivid strokes (heh) instead of making them cardboard jerks who claim to be alpha.

Lush is a captivating collection of fabulously sexy stories.

I originally posted this review in a discussion and thought it'd be best to move it out to the general review section. . .

This anthology by Sasha White is a scorcher, so break out the oven mitts and get to reading!

In The Principles of Lust, Teal, overcome by the sensuality presented in a painting, her own passion motivates her to open an erotic art gallery. Nothing and no one will distract her from doing so. Not the pranksters who are trying to keep her from opening the gallery, not the hot carpenter she's hired to help her. . .well, maybe not. After all, Zack IS one hot Dom, and her libido is in overdrive with all the sexual 'reminders' all over her gallery.

This story made me laugh as it seemed the roles were reversed somewhat. She was the randy, ready for sex, skip the foreplay kind of woman and He was the one who wanted her to feel the connection, revel in her emotions. The intensity of their bond, his patience with her as she re-discovers her inner sensual energy is wonderful, making the story fairly hum.

The second story Passion Play is about Mia and Dominick, Teal's brother. Have you ever wished, in your own journey for a heart mate, you were able to just know who he/she was? Perhaps fate would bonk you over the head with him? This is what happens to this couple. Literally. Of course, Mia is not going to allow a man into her life, and she just walks away, even after a sizzling kiss. But don't you love Love at work? They meet again, and as it's said, 'there's no such thing as coincidences.'

There are many readers out there who don't care for stories in first person. However, this story is a bit unique as it weaves a tale of two, alternating between his and her points of view. Almost like a he said, she said and it takes you on an almost voyeuristic ride, peeking into their personal diaries, as they discover each other and themselves. You have to love the scene when Mia takes Dom to a family event. Most of us have family members who are too self-absorbed for their own good. This scene left me cheering. My favorite part of the story was when Mia realized that perhaps she did want to love and be loved. And the way Sasha tied this story into the first? Seamless transition.

The last story, Sexual Healing, I'll admit, is my favorite. While I'm not a massage therapist, Caitlyn and I share a lot of similar traits. I just love how she's so incredibly REAL and comfortable with herself. Caitlyn is Mia's best friend and soul sister. There's another seamless transition in novellas, as she's sent to Jack, a photographer to be the model for some of Mia's jewelry. Caitlyn doesn't need fate to intervene, she's intuitive enough to know that Jack is meant to be with her. Now, she just has to convince HIM, and heal his fragile heart in the process. Can she win him over? Will he realize she's what he needs? Did you REALLY think I'd share the ending with you!?