Title: Through the Red Door (The Book Nirvana Series 1)
Author: Sadira Stone
Genre: Erotic Romance
Book Blurb:
Clara Martelli clings to Book Nirvana, the Oregon bookshop she and her late husband Jared built together. When rising rents and corporate competition threaten its survival, her best hope is their extensive erotica collection, locked behind a red door. In dreams and signs, her dead husband tells her it’s time to open that door and move on. When a dark and handsome stranger’s powerful magnetism jolts her back to life and he wants a look at the treasures of that secret room, she can’t help but want to show him more.
Professor Nick Papadopoulos is looking for historical erotica. Book Nirvana’s collection surpasses his wildest dreams, and so does its lovely owner. A widower, he understands Clara’s battle with guilt, but their searing chemistry is too strong to resist. Besides, he will only be in town for two weeks, not long enough for her to see beyond the scandal that haunts his past.
My Review:
This book takes the reader on a journey through the life of Clara, a recently widowed attractive woman, who owns a bookshop with an erotic book section kept behind a red door. Clara offers the reader a chance to put themselves into the tough position of someone who recently lost their soulmate to tragedy and then has to decide how or if they move forward in life and love.
I believe that if a person does not sow their wild oats when they are young before they marry then there can be issues that come later. There is that feeling of regret that could cloud a marriage and lead to the 'mid life crisis' issue. What we have here is Clara who never did anything then married and was widowed and needs to sow.
The author seems to not clearly know what kind of a book they are attempting to convey. If it is a fluffy hot erotic romance that is fine and fun. If it is a romantic story with deep emotions that is fine. Here it tries to be both. It is done so with Nick saying he loves Clara with deep emotion. Clara showing her love by grabbing his private parts.
The book has so many conflicts that the reader almost has trouble keeping track of them. There is an epilogue that ties up all but one loose end with a bow but that is troublesome. If the reader has to wade hip deep through deep conflicts of every possible kind, it would only be right to have a couple of full chapters that let a reader enjoy the closure.
The book could have used the last 20% for closure instead of three more huge conflicts. Just too conflicted in both structure and plot to really appeal to a wide audience.
My Rating: 4 stars
Buy it Now:
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sadira_Stone_Through_the_Red_Door?id=AWJ2DwAAQBAJ
Author Biography:
Sometimes true love surprises us late in life. Sadira met her fated mate at forty-eight. In 2014, she left her teaching career in Germany to marry him and start a new chapter in Washington State. Shortly thereafter, she met her true literary love—spicy contemporary romance. Inspired by real-life tales of reinvention and second chances (or third!), her stories reflect her philosophy: It’s never to late for an H.E.A.
When not writing, Sadira enjoys belly dancing, listening to blues, playing guitar with her husband and friends, gobbling all the books, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Social Media Links:
Website http://sadirastone.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/SadiraStone
Reviewed by: Mr. N