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Pleasure to Purpose: Based on the True Story of Sex Worker Scarlett Pereira
Pleasure to Purpose by Elizabeth B. Splaine, narrates the compelling, gritty, and deeply personal story of Scarlett Pereira, a sex worker whose journey intertwines struggles, empowerment, and a complex exploration of identity and humanity. Drawing from Scarlett’s real-life experiences, the book delves into her professional and personal life, including her nuanced relationships, encounters with clients, and moments of introspection. The narrative also includes Scarlett’s connection to her “heart horse,” Franco, symbolizing healing and transformation amid chaos.
Splaine’s writing is engaging, and the vivid portrayal of Scarlett’s experiences struck a chord with me. One striking scene involves Scarlett managing a client’s health crisis during a session. Her quick thinking juxtaposed with her colleague Steph’s indifference highlights Scarlett’s deep sense of humanity and professionalism, even in precarious circumstances. The storytelling effectively balances raw, unflinching honesty with moments of vulnerability, making Scarlett a relatable and multifaceted protagonist. Some chapters delve into explicit details that, while integral to the narrative, might not resonate with all readers.
What I appreciated most was the blend of resilience and self-reflection throughout Scarlett’s story. Her decision to rescue Franco, despite her challenging financial and personal circumstances, was both heartwarming and symbolic. The connection between Scarlett and Franco serves as a metaphor for rediscovering purpose and hope. The descriptions of Franco’s initial wariness and eventual trust mirrored Scarlett’s own journey, forging a poignant parallel between human and animal recovery.
It is worth noting that the transitions between Scarlett’s professional encounters and personal life are sometimes sudden, particularly when the emotional depth of her introspection shifts abruptly into transactional interactions. I believe these contrasts, while reflective of Scarlett’s dual existence, occasionally disrupted the story’s flow. Nonetheless, the depth of her character and her eventual pivot toward advocacy and self-reliance redeemed any narrative inconsistencies.
Pleasure to Purpose is a gripping and courageous exploration of an often-stigmatized profession, offering insights into resilience, empathy, and personal growth. It’s a perfect read for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a mix of realism and redemption. I would recommend it to readers looking for a raw, thought-provoking tale that doesn’t shy away from life’s complexities. Potential readers should be aware of its explicit content and heavy themes.
Pages: 287 | ASIN : B0DHLFXRMF
A Forbidden Relationship
Demon’s Choice follows a demon in human form who finds himself intensely attracted to a human waitress despite the idea of a human/demon romance being ill-advised. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My husband and I were rewatching Supernatural for possibly the fifth time, and the season where Dean becomes a demon, however short-lived that was, made me wonder how a demon would react if their loved one was threatened. Dean as a character is very protective of his family, and the thought occurred to me that as a demon this characteristic could be magnified. This went on to consider how a demon would react if their loved one ending up being the sacrifice used to summon them.
But I didn’t want to just repeat stories I had read where the sacrifice was merely sent to the demon and they end up sparing the sacrifice’s life with a new deal. I wanted it to be something that stood out, that pulled on heartstrings from the beginning. The only way I could see that being done was to turn the sacrifice into a blood ritual, meaning the sacrifice would already be dead on the demon’s arrival. Obviously, with this being the love interest that would bring the story to a very abrupt end before it even begun. That in turn birthed the creation of boundlings, sacrificed souls that agree to live on to serve Hell. From that, I delved into creating a full world with intricate lore for how Hell functioned, and how each demon served a purpose.
The relationship between a demon and a human developed naturally from that. Demons are immortal and serve a very specific purpose in the expansion of Hell. If humans knew about them, that would greatly hinder their work, so logically demons that operated on Earth had to be secretive. And everyone loves a forbidden relationship.
Your characters are richly developed, making readers want to get to know them. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Ambrose was my favourite character to write in Demon’s Choice. He is a character that has lived in my head for I’m honestly not sure how long anymore, but he never really fit into a story until now. When the concept for Demon’s Choice came to me, I knew instantly he was made to fill the shoes of the main male character and love interest. The story itself focuses on Lena’s journey, but it is through the patience, support and love that Ambrose provides her that makes that journey possible.
However, one character that gave me the greatest challenge was Cyrus. Not because he was difficult to write, or that I didn’t enjoy developing his character, but because he wanted to be the focus of any scene he was a part of. I am a firm believer that our characters are real to us and Cyrus absolutely proved that to me. I frequently had to have conversations with him to tone his attitude down, to the point where I promised him the second book in the series so he would get his time to shine. And boy, did he.
In fantasy novels it’s easy to get carried away with the magical powers characters have. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
Before delving into the power systems of Hell, in a rare moment of actual planning, I wrote out how each power manifested. The different kinds of elemental power I wanted to introduced and how they interacted, or counteracted, with each other. Self-healing was a necessary for some demons, but much like with sports, some are better at it than others, and some cannot harness this ability at all. This was helped by introducing demonic rankings, creating lower and higher-level demons, all with varying ranging of abilities and powers. The key was simply to be consistent, and to refer back to my lore as and when needed.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The purpose of the series is to build to the actual Apocalypse. Book 2, Demon’s Faith, focuses on Cyrus and Marcus, characters introduced in Book 1, and their developing relationship as they support and serve Lena in her new role. Likewise, the following books will focus on different couplings, but all driving towards the same goal. Bringing about the Apocalypse.
The final book in the series will be told from four perspectives or one character from each of the preceding books. It will be the ultimate end and culmination of all previous narratives. All will be tested more than they ever have been, and not all will survive. It’s the end of days after all.
I also plan to have a number of spin-off novellas, features characters we have met along the way, but that have no real bearing on the main storyline. Giving me the opportunity to continue living in my world of demons.
Sacrificed to a demon she finds herself thrown into a world where she is the centre of attention, completely dependent on the man she longs for. Others now covet her and her growing power, seeking to tear her apart from the only person who has truly cared for her. The one she chose to be with.
Can she find the strength to save both her and her heart?
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Demon’s Choice is a supernatural romance with some dark topics. It contains content and situations that could be triggering for some readers.
Demon’s Choice
In a world where the supernatural and mortal realms intertwine, the line between love and danger is perilously thin. In Demon’s Choice, by Jasmine Wallace, Ambrose, a demon in human form, catches sight of Lena, a small-town waitress, and feels an unshakeable and intense attraction that’s entirely new to him. As Ambrose grapples with his dual nature, a critical question looms: Can he control the darkness within, or will it lead them both to ruin?
Welcome to a tale of fantasy romance where the forbidden becomes irresistible, and the rules of the natural order are bent. Despite centuries of wisdom and caution from his immortal existence, Ambrose cannot suppress the feelings Lena awakens within him. Their union defies the natural order, and his demonic essence threatens the very fabric of their bond. Yet, the allure of Lena’s warmth and grace proves too powerful to resist, stirring emotions he had long believed dormant. Ambrose and Lena’s journey will test the limits of love, trust, and the fragile balance between two worlds destined to collide. Wallace masterfully weaves vivid, intricate details that transport readers into the tense atmosphere surrounding the main characters. She brilliantly captures intense moments, inviting readers to dive in and explore the emotional complexities of romantic relationships.
From the moment I picked up Jasmine Wallace’s story, I found myself instantly immersed in the captivating narrative and empathetic characters. For fans of the supernatural genre, Demon’s Choice is a perfect blend of supernatural romance with themes of tension, conflict, and more. You’ll be hooked from the first page, eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Pages: 434 | ASIN : B0CFR7KWQ9
LITERARY TITAN 