"Will a romance begun in Paradise work in the outside world?"

Erotic crime writer Michael Donovan is at Paradise Resort to relax and plan out his next novel. He had intended to indulge in some mind-blowing sex, until his soon-to-be-ex fashion model girlfriend backed out. So Michael plans on just doing research and staying away from the sex-starved women who've traveled to the resort. And then he meets Serena.

College literature professor Serena Graham doesn't dare show her wild side in the small university town where she lives. She's saved up for the vacation of her lifetime at Paradise Resort. A fun-filled week of not-so-vanilla sex, coming right up! When her room is double-booked, Serena is resigned to leaving without having her fun. Michael suggests they share the suite since there are two bedrooms.

Serena is determined that this week will be memorable. Boldly, she propositions Michael to spend the week together. They agree to a sexual exploration, with no emotions or strings involved. Michael discovers that Serena's mind is just as appealing as her delectable body. Her literature background makes her a good partner to debate ideas and storylines. For the first time, he's found the woman of his dreams. Too bad he swore off love after his first marriage ended.

Michael and Serena each explore their sexuality while at the resort. Serena may not have experienced as much as Michael, but she's an eager student and fast learner. Despite her small-town upbringing, Serena is refreshingly open to many forms of sensuality. Can they separate the physical from the mental, especially when they fit together so well? What will happen when the week is over -- will Serena and Michael go their separate ways? Or does true love have a chance to bloom in such a short time frame?

Ms. Burton has written a temptingly erotic debut novel. She has several other stories in the works to take place at Paradise Resort. I would love to revisit the resort and learn more about the workings of it. Be sure to have your significant other close by after reading PARADISE AWAKENING. You'll be tempted to try out some of the activities for yourself.

Sensuality: Rated NC-17 by the publisher. Explicit sex, mutual masturbation, public sex, anal sex; sexually explicit scenes: 10.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted September 17, 2003

Summary

Serena Graham is looking forward to the vacation of a lifetime—a week at Paradise Resort, a Caribbean hideaway where she'll be able to indulge her every sexual fantasy with complete abandon and total anonymity. For the next week, she's Sexy Siren Serena and she'll do whatever she wants—with whomever she wants.

Michael Donovan planned a week at Paradise Resort to research his next erotic crime novel, as well as indulge in some hot sex with his fashion model girlfriend. But when he finds his now ex-girlfriend has other plans, he's resigned to research without recreation. That is, until Serena shows up at his door claiming he's occupying her room!

After a little negotiating, Michael and Serena become roommates, and Serena boldly asks Michael to be her lover for the week. How can he pass up the opportunity to mix a little pleasure with business? But despite their vow to keep their relationship strictly physical, they find much more than passion in paradise.

Sexual Content: NC-17. Genre: Contemporary.