Sexual Healing

Hobbs (Power Couple) and Cairo (The Pleasure Zone) collaborate on a salacious, raunchy tale as two damaged characters journey from their darker inner impulses to the hopeful promise of redemptive love. Polished diva Arabia Knight, an advertising agency owner, loves being in control; it helps her ignore painful childhood memories. The urge for hot, naughty, raw sex drives Arabia to a Philadelphia club, where she prowls for a one-time adventure. Cruze Fontaine, dashingly handsome and rough around the edges, normally avoids public venues; it’s been a long time since he left New York, but the drug dealers who despise him have long memories. Like Arabia, Cruze thrives on control and is always looking for new sex partners, as trust and intimacy are not part of his repertoire. Cruze locks eyes with Arabia when she’s performing suggestive dance moves; they quickly proceed to a mutually exhilarating sexual encounter on the dance floor and an equally quick departure by Arabia. A chance business meeting reignites their sexual attraction, but both are hesitant to reveal their inner secrets. As the buds of a relationship start to bloom, an unexpected violent event may throw everything off track. Drama and scorching sex abound, and there’s more than a nod to romance, but readers may be dismayed by the abrupt ending, which leaves many issues unresolved. (Aug.)