I needed something to read on the honeymoon and hadn't packed any books before leaving Los Angeles. So in the airport on the first leg of the honeymoon trip, we stopped in Borders so I could browse and find something interesting. Half an hour later, M had three books picked out and I was still dithering. I wanted something light and amusing, but not so light that I would devour the entire thing before landing in St. Lucia.
Finally, at Mark's insistence, I settled on The Other Boleyn Girl and The Little Lady Agency.
Oh, and this book:
Oh.
My.
God.
I had no idea what I was buying. I had some vague notion that it was coming out as a movie and I saw someone reading it at the place I go to get waxed. But I didn't know it was about vampires and love and desire. Didn't know that it has a screaming teenage girl fan base. Didn't know that said movie would gross over $70 million in the first weekend.
I didn't know it was so ridiculously hot.
I was panting with desire at parts of the book, so unbearably turned on that I wanted to close the book and tackle M, but so hooked in that I couldn't stand to be separated from the story.
I finished the entire damn thing on the plane and in the hotel in Miami (our layover). The next day, I told M that we weren't flying anywhere until I got the other books in the series. This is no small commitment, since there are four books in the series. Each is about three inches thick. The last two only come in hardcover. And I didn't care: I had to finish them.
Now, I've never been a vampire lit fan. I've never read any of Anne Rice's stuff, never really found vampires sexy or alluring. But this little series has converted me. The funny thing is that there's almost nothing overtly sexual about the romance between Bella and Edward. For the first three books it's almost platonic: he won't kiss her and he flat out refuses to have sex with her. She pines and lusts for him (in subtle language that skirts the issue), but nothing happens. From all the reviews I've read, this point makes the series especially popular with mothers of teenagers, who want the abstinence message to come across loud and clear.
Yet even with all the innuendo and subtlety and non-action, these books are HOT. Edward is solicitous of Bella, but glowers when she is unsafe and scolds her soundly when she puts herself in danger. Delicious. There are scenes in all four books that just beg to be extended, for Edward to put Bella over his knee and spank her soundly. She is feisty, but also submissive. Delicious.
If you're wondering, yes, it was the perfect reading material for our honeymoon. The fires burned long and bright and hot.
And I don't care if I have the same taste in literature as a 13-year-old.
12 comments:
You know, I had pretty much dismissed the possibility of reading these books, but you have me reconsidering! I think I must check them out!
Iris--nor should you care about your literary taste level. Look how many adults are absolutely devoted to the Harry Potter books, and when that series started it was definitely aimed at a younger audience.
You might also consider checking out the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter books written by Laurell K. Hamilton....
Hugs and spanks,
Dr. Ken
Thanks for the recommendation, Ken!
And Rose, I feel obligated to warn you that if you like lots of overt sexual content, you'll be very disappointed. It's subtle but definitely present. (Edward is always quietly seething over some dangerous thing or other that Bella has done.) I think part of the reason I love the series so much is that I didn't expect to find any kind of sexuality or sensuality there. I still highly recommend them, but just want to be fair. :-)
My daughter's been reading them as;now I awnt to borrow them
Jean
Ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto ditto!!
My son had them recommended to him by a female friend, enjoyed them, and then suggested I read the series, also.
I couldn't put my feelings any better than you did, Iris :)
I thought Edward was H*O*T ... never mind what his skin temperature was! Regardless of his apparent age, he's a "man" in love with and taking care of a young, headstrong, troublesome woman. C'mon ... this is what some of our early fantasies were all about, right?
The story line may not be the most complicated, but the character development (all of them) kept me riveted. I'm only disappointed that he never swatted her. Not once. And god knows there were enough situations that screamed for such a response.
Ah well.
Red
Yes, I read all four in a weekend last month prior to the movie release. They read like candy!
And yes, actively seeking Edward fanfiction as we speak.
Enjoy the rest!
Melissa
I read the whole series in a matter of a week. It just sucked me in and would not let go...I cannot wait for Midnight sun to come out!
I don't think Midnight Sun is coming out. I heard that she canned the whole fifth book when the first 12 chapters got leaked onto the internet. Which is too bad, really, on both accounts.
I'm impressed that you still managed to have anything resembling a honeymoon with these books around. I literally could not do anything else while I was reading them.
A fact which unfortunately got me the spanking Bella so richly deserved. Hmpph. It was worth it though :)
I read on her website that it is indeed going to come out. And if you really want a teaser to midnight sun that will leave you most defiantly wanting more read those 12 chapters. She has them posted on her website
Em, the books got me so hot and bothered that the honeymoon part was no trouble at all. Grin. Though I'm sorry to hear about your spanking (sort of). ;-)
And Jackie, thank you for the tip! I'm headed over there right now to read...
LOL. I think you picked up on the same undercurrents that I did. It wasn't so much about explicit sex, it was about the subtle domination and submission in the book. And I swear, I could absolutely see Edward giving Bella a good old-fashioned, over-the-knee spanking. Damn, I wish he would have. And the fantasies I have had about Robert Pattinson :-) He would probably be shocked, haha.
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