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THREE STAGES OF LOVE: LUST by T.C. Anthony

THREE STAGES OF LOVE: LUST

by T.C. Anthony

Pub Date: Nov. 28th, 2012
ISBN: 978-1479383115
Publisher: CreateSpace

In Anthony’s debut, a dashing, dominant businessman sweeps a lonely girl off her feet, and they quickly fall into a submissive/dominant relationship.

This first installment of a planned trilogy chronicles the love affair between the razor-tongued Eva Chase and the super suave, slightly mysterious Mr. Alexander Mason and has many parallels to the smash-hit Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy; indeed, that series’ fans may have difficulty putting it down. Eva is an ambitious, driven businesswoman who has worked her way up to the top at Prime House Investments and plans to stay there. However, the sweet-smelling, muscular Alexander throws a wrench in those plans. From the moment of their first meeting, when Eva literally tumbles into his arms during a drunken bar dance on her birthday, she is powerless against him. She soon finds herself divulging to Alexander her deepest secrets and desires. The two embark upon a stormy, push-and-pull relationship, each struggling for power. All the while, Eva tries to keep her life together personally and professionally; luckily, the brazen brunette has her two best friends, Sam and Chrissy, to help. While the overall dom/sub theme is clear, it becomes a bit unclear as to who exactly is dominant and who is submissive as the novel progresses; will Anthony put Eva in charge, as she is in every other aspect of her life? The answer is still vague at the novel’s conclusion, which may frustrate some readers. Although Eva may strike readers as a bit grating at times—who is really that perfect or that driven?—her cat-and-mouse relationship with Alexander is consistently believable. That said, readers may want to know more about the relatively one-dimensional Alexander—more descriptions of him, more dialogue from him, and perhaps a peek into his storied and steamy past.

Fans of E.L. James will likely find this novel worth a look.