'Til Death

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:49:00 +0000

In 'Til Death, the third and final installment for bestselling series Secret Society, Miasha takes us on a whirlwind adventure of sex, drugs, fame, and money. 'Til Death picks up where its predecessor Never Enough left off, and now fans can follow Celess and Sienna (better know as Si-Si) as they travel the world trying to avoid police who have accused them of murder and the psychopathic murderer who wants Si-Si dead. This fast-paced story takes you to places such as Rome, Italy; Cape Town, South Africa; and Dubai as our two leading ladies live off of rich men while building up an extremely successful escort agency.

I wanted to read the other books in this series so I would have a better sense of the current plot and background. While I love the storyline for its realism and energy and how it gives women power, I can't say I enjoyed the book as much as I would have liked to. Using the style of slang commonly found in R-rated gangster movies, 'Til Death is crudely written, making it difficult for a person not completely familiar with it to read the book without having to re-read, as much of it feels as if it hasn't been edited very well.

Along with this, the descriptions could use some cutting as they drag on needlessly, such as in Rome when Celess and Si-Si have multiple outfit changes. Miasha sees fit to take us from head to toe of everything the girls change into. While I understand that Celless is a shallow, money-obsessed woman who defines a person's wealth by what they wear, descriptions of all things Gucci that are a bit much for those of us who buy Levi's jeans. A simple and quick description would do just fine. The dialog also needs to be trimmed, such as when Si-Si, Celess, and Andrew go to a Roman night club to make a business deal and when Andrew finds the girls in Dubai. The reader is subjected to needless and sloppy segments of dialog that review what the reader already knows or can be pieced together from contextual clues.

All in all, the story itself was enjoyable but the way it was laid out left much to be desired. I wouldn't recommend 'Til Death to someone who isn't familiar with the author.

Written by: Nina Lopez-Ortiz, August 6th 2010

The Internet Escort's Handbook Book 1: The Foundation

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:05:00 +0000

By Amanda Brooks

Golden Girl Press

Admit it, you’ve thought about it. After a long day at a desk job, struggling under a mountain of student loans and credit card debt, becoming an escort doesn’t seem like a bad idea. It is actually far more appealing than being a stripper. You can use your excellent interpersonal skills and table manners. You can make delightful cocktail party conversation. You have what they call “personality.” More importantly, you can avoid the pasties and cheesy music of the strip club.

Then you remember that the modus operandi of being an escort is having sex with clients. Technically, this isn’t a requirement, but a “choice,” so escorts can avoid prostitution charges. However, an escort who never sleeps with the clientele is probably not a very popular escort. If there are gals (or guys) out there who won’t mind the whole sex-with-strangers part of escorting, you may want to pick up a copy of Amanda Brooks' The Internet Escort’s Handbook. This is Book 1 of the handbook and deals with the “foundation” of becoming a self-employed escort who advertises on the internet.

Brooks has a light, pithy voice and is very informative about subjects ranging from the pros and cons of client reviews on your website to safe oral sex. Along the way, she advocates some expert sexual practices like wrapping yourself in saran wrap to avoid stubble irritation “down there.” She also recommends that all escorts learn how to fake it. This book is published by Golden Girl Press, which was founded by Brooks. Maybe with self-publishing she is continuing to be self-managed: no big publishing house Madame for Brooks. The companion website, www.theinternetescortshandbook.com, has some interesting resources for the curious. Brooks attempts to be as comprehensive as she can in the references and resources offered, which is commendable.

One wonders, however, how long Brooks intends to make a living in the industry. After working as a cocktail waitress, then a stripper, then an internet escort, Brooks is officially retired. But she is still raking in the cash writing about and publishing her sexual escapades. What will she be doing in 10, 15 or 20 years? How many books will she include in The Internet Escort’s Handbook? As one escort asked another, “How hard can it be?”

Written by: Rachel McCrystal, April 18th 2007