The Auction

Reisz (Immersed in Pleasure) spins a kinky story with a fairy tale ending in this distinctive erotic romance. Sexual dominant Daniel, who’s still mourning his late wife and missing the weeklong fling who took his mind off of her, returns to New York after a long stretch away—and is pulled back into the underground sex club he’s tried to distance himself from. It proves hard to stay away after meeting Anya, a newcomer whose virginity is soon to be the grand prize in the club’s annual auction. Daniel takes an immediate interest in feisty Anya, questioning whether she’s really prepared to sell herself to the highest bidder. When Anya asks Daniel to school her in what to expect as a submissive, they discover an intense sexual—and emotional—connection. Daniel, who’s largely defined by his sexual preferences, hero complex, and lingering grief, is a curiously bland protagonist among the more colorful cast, many of whom Reisz’s fans will recognize from earlier books. Reisz knows her way around a steamy sex scene, but outside of the BDSM trappings, the romance is surprisingly traditional: a lonely widower eager to remarry, matchmaking friends, and a series of grand romantic gestures combine to make this feel almost wholesome. The result is erotica that’s equal parts heat and heart. [em]Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary. (July) [/em]