Book review, character interview, author post. 31 Flavors by Leia Shaw and Cari Silverwood.

There are some things in life you have to try before you know how they will affect you.
After 5 years of awful sex, I was ready. Bondage and spanking had always featured in my fantasies, and one day, I convinced my husband to try them. This was a turning point.

Ice cream comes in many flavors and that’s us too -- not vanilla, maybe not Rocky Road either. We can be a combination or make up our own and no one has the right to judge us. But there will always be one question that tears at my soul: Will my husband, Nick, ever be happy with what I crave?
My Review:

I was a little surprised and immensely curious about 31 flavors when I learned it is an erotic novella based on a true story.

I was even more intrigued to learn that Nick and Sidney are a couple who are in their 30's and have been married for 5 years. Due to circumstances surrounding Sidney's past, she is not able to enjoy making love to her husband. As a matter of fact, I'd say it was barely tolerable.

But there is something that does interest Sidney....right to her core ;) But she's afraid that if she tells Nick what she wants he might think she's a freak! After all, Is it really normal to want to be spanked or to want to lay tied up and helpless to another persons wants and needs?

We watch Nick and Sidney try to relate to each other and try to find that spark in their sex life. It's not easy!! There are a LOT of ups and downs. Leia Shaw and Cari Silverwood have done a fantastic job with bringing us on the ride!!

Honestly, I could feel the love, the angst, the excitement and the turbulence that both Sidney and Nick were feeling. It was a roller coaster of emotions and I was really routing for them to find their happy medium. This is NOT just a novella with incredibly hot, super steamy, intense sex!! *With just the right amount of naughty fun added* This is a look into a loving relationship where a couple learns how to communicate their needs to each other. It shows that love and understanding can overcome some very difficult obstacles. And that we are all different and we all have different needs. If you don't like vanilla but are not completely into rocky road, their are several other flavors out there to try. You just have to find your own personal taste and give it a go!

I do not very often recommend erotic novels to my friends. But I truly loved this little book so much, I will be telling everybody about it! Please, don't miss out on this one. Especially if you might just be a little bit curious about what your flavor might be. ;)

Character Interview

An character interview with Sidney (not her real name). 31 Flavors is based on her life.

Q:
There's been some debate recently about romance novels and how they may destroy a marriage. What do you think of that?

Sid: I think it depends on the person. If you’re insecure in yourself and your relationship, or if you buy into the image of the perfect man then I can see how it might be harmful. Look. Fiction is fiction. It’s not reality. There’s no perfect man. Or perfect Dom. If you don’t know that by now you have more problems than whether to read romance novels. For me it opened my eyes and my mind. It made me get in touch with my femininity and sensual nature. Reading about BDSM specifically made me feel more normal. Like I’m not the only person who craves kinky.

I’m not a freak. It’s okay to want these things. It’s okay even to need them. After that I was far more confident in communicating it to my husband. Quite honestly, romance novels saved my marriage.

-- what did you think of sex and talking about it with Nick especially, before reading these novels?

I thought it was shameful. Something to be kept secret.

-- would you ever have discussed BDSM with Nick if you'd not read about it in novels?

Hard to know for sure. Maybe I would have exploded with pent up sexual frustration. Lol. But I don’t think I would’ve ever told him.

-- do you think the unreality and hype in such novels could be a bad thing?

Yes, as I said, when women don’t recognize it for what it is – fantasy. Yes you can experience similar things in real life – good sex, true love – but it will never look exactly the same as in the books. When you start comparing, that’s when you run into trouble. Be grateful for what you have while leaving room for improvement. That’s my advice.

-- what are some of the important things in those novels that may have helped you.

Don’t be embarrassed about my sexuality. It’s okay to want things, need things, that go beyond vanilla sex. And in order for me to be fulfilled, I have to talk. Talk, talk, talk. Even read books or scenes you like out loud for your partner. If you can talk face to face, email. Or text. We did a lot of texting.

Q: Would you say you're unusual in finding the answers to your problems with sexuality from the pages of a fiction book?

Sid: I have no idea but I doubt it. Romance is a popular genre. Women are reading it for a reason.

-- has traditional psychotherapy helped you?

Oh sure. But some things you need to figure out for yourself. Sometimes your greatest epiphanies happen outside of the box.

Q: Do you foresee the rise in eBooks as continuing to open up women to the idea of sex being something that should be discussed openly and not thrust under the carpet?

I sure hope so.

Authors Post

You know you’re a book addict when…

Your kids have ripped jeans and their shoes are too small but you have plenty of books on your e-reader.

It’s not unusual to find drool on your kindle in the morning.

If you totaled the amount you’ve spent on books in the last year, it’d be equal to or more than your mortgage payment.

Clicking the “buy now” button gives you a rush like a druggie getting their next fix.

Your e-reader gets more action than your partner.

Your kid’s first word was “kindle.”

You have a panic attack when your TBR pile gets low (by low I mean less than 20 books).

You catch yourself saying, “Oh that same thing happened to my friend Julie,” then freeze when you remember Julie is a fictional character in a book.

Your kids know if they touch mommy’s Nook her forehead gets all veiny.

You ask for gift cards (to Amazon, B&N, etc) for every holiday including your kid’s birthdays.

The countdown to a new release is more exciting than the countdown to the New Year.

You start reading a book then look up and realize it’s been hours and you’ve forgotten to cook dinner for your family. Oh and you’re still wearing your pajamas and haven’t peed all day.

Your e-reader is like your Mastercard – it’s everywhere you want to be.

You justify a new book purchase with excuses like “It’s on sale!” “I had a bad day!” and “It’s Tuesday.”

You can stop anytime. No really, you can.

Links for the book and the authors

31 Flavors releases Valentine’s Day February 14th.

Available from Smashwords, Amazon and on other eBook retail sites.

31 Flavors site – http://thirtyoneflavors.weebly.com/
Leia’s site – http://www.leiashaw.com/
Leia’s blog – http://www.leiashaw.blogspot.com/
Leia’s facebook – http://www.facebook.com/leiashaw
Leia’s twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/search/%40LeiaShaw
Cari’s website http://www.carisilverwood.net/
Cari’s blog - http://www.carisilverwood.net/keyboard-fandango---blog.html
Cari on facebook http://www.facebook.com/cari.silverwood
Cari on twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/CariSilverwood