Giveaway, Double Review & Tour: Arouse (Spiral of Bliss #1) by Nina Lane

"One day I'm going to touch you in a thousand different ways and show you how to touch me," he said. 
And he did.
Struggling with a tormented past, undergraduate Olivia Winter once led a practical but isolated life. Then she met Professor Dean West, a brilliant scholar of medieval history who melted Liv's inhibitions and taught her the meaning of both love and erotic pleasure. But after three years of a blissful, lusty marriage, Liv and Dean now face a crisis that threatens everything they believe about each other...and sex might not be enough to save them.

*Copy of book provided by author for honest review*
4.5 Hearts
First, I have to say that I loved the fact that this book is about a married couple. It is truly rare to find one these days that focuses on a couple at that stage in their relationship. It made the story more relatable for me. And I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of it.
This book gives you a raw look at how a break down in communication can drive a wedge between even the happiest of couples. How deeply betrayals can cut and how hard it is to forget the doubt that seeps in because of them. Dean and Olivia lay it all out there for us to bear witness to and it isn't pretty. In fact, you will be so sucked into their world, that you will feel their pain and resentment towards each other. You will long for them to reach that turning point where things will be okay again. And you will know even if they do, things will never be the same.
There were so many mistakes made by both Dean and Olivia. Of course, me being a woman, I believed Dean's was the biggest. Honesty in any relationship is a MUST and without it you don't have the foundation to build on. So, when he broke that trust, Olivia reacted. And it is just snowballed out of control from there. You could tell the love they had for each other was powerful, they were just to hurt and angry to see it. 
So, if you are looking for some huge plot twist or a deep dark secret to be revealed, this is not that book. Instead, what you get is a glimpse of what happens to a relationship between two people who love each other, but have lost sight of one another. 
And you will also get lots and lots of steamy, smexy scenes! If there was one area they were more than compatible, it was in the bedroom (or the shower, or the sofa, or the floor!!). 
There is a bit of a cliff hanger ending, but it is not a huge one. I truly believe even if you are not a fan of them, you can read this one and be okay with the wait. 

SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.Genre: Adult Romance Erotica
My first 5 HEARTS RATING in 2013!!!!!!!


My Casting






‘We look at each other for a long moment. Something is off. I don’t know what it is.’ -Olivia's inner monologue
Not even sure I have the words adequate enough for a review. There is no big intricate plot. No suspenseful revenge driven characters. You meet two people in love and fighting to stay afloat after a secret from the past surfaces and changes everything.

Omission – to leave out, to neglect, to exclude, to disregard…
When was the last time you omitted information from the one you love? And how do you think they would feel once they knew the truth hidden in the omission?

‘There was a time when I never thought I’d have the life I do now. Never thought I’d be safe or have a home. I certainly never thought I’d fall in love. But all of that happened because I met Dean. He’s the one who turned my whole world right side up, who transformed all my warped ideas about relationships. Who proved that white knights really do exist. Who discovered alongside me that we are so much better together than alone.’







Olivia Winter was living a solitary life as an undergrad student; trying to get her degree when she crosses paths with professor Dean West. Her attraction to him is immediate as is his attraction to her. As fate would have it Dean is not her professor. And because of this they are able to explore their attraction to its fullest.
Nina Lane definitely has a style of writing that agreed with my taste buds. She slowly pulled me in and at around 36% I knew these characters would forever stick with me. The emotional anguish was heavy. I was a teary eyed mess…. She has this way with words.
The book starts in the present then occasionally goes back to the past to show us how Liv and Dean met and fell in love. We also learn why Liv has led an isolated life and how Dean pulled her out from the dark past she couldn’t seem to escape.
‘He is the one who once rescued me from bitter isolation.’



There is one of many pivotal moment when she tells him it won’t be easy for them to be together. Basically handing him his walking papers before things progress between them.“I don’t want you to walk away,” I said. “Good.” The lines between his eyes eased with relief. I gripped his wrists, a knot of fear binding my throat. “But you… you might want to go,” I warned. Darkness flashed in his expression. “Why?” My eyes stung. I swallowed hard. “Here be monsters,” I whispered.
And his response
“Liv,” he said, his voice rough with tenderness, “you don’t have to be afraid.”“Why not?”“Because I’ll slay monsters for you.”

After five years their happy union is put to the test when Liv makes a life altering decision. One Dean is not in agreement with. Weeks go by without them discussing the issue that has totally interrupted their happy life. Not to mention it effects their steamy love making sessions.
When they finally talk and flush out their feelings the truth emerges. Dean has been withholding vital information from his wife and she is none to pleased about it.
“You didn’t think I could handle it.”“No. I wanted to protect you.”“So you lied.”“I didn’t lie.” “By omission, yes, you did.” For God’s sake. Our marriage is not supposed to have lies. My stomach roils with a surge of nausea.
…‘Now I know my instincts were right. I haven’t known my husband completely.’

I love how we get glimpse from Dean’s pov towards the end of the book. This took my feelings to a whole new level. He was intense, both his thoughts and emotions jumped off the pages.
I completely connected with Liv and Dean; more so Liv because I’m a woman. I've had her thoughts and felt her emotions at one point or another in my life. I have questioned my decisions and wondered if I did things for me or my husband.
The story lines carried an authentic tone thus creating a sense of familiarity within me. Again this is a nod to Lane’s excellent story telling skills..

My ThoughtsEXCELLENT! All married women should read this book! Why did I give this 5 Stars? Because I simply loved it! I strongly felt the depth of this couples love for one another. I could feel the intensity in their thoughts, actions and just about every word they spoke to each other.  We get great secondary characters were the author offers up just enough to make you want more. As a matter of fact she offers two secondary characters I would love to get to know better. Tyler and Kelsey.

My RatingsCharacters- LovableWriting Style- ExcellentPlot/Storyline- Gut-Wrenching, Soul Searching and Emotionally ChargedSteam Factor- High/Very SteamyOverall- I LOVED IT!!! READ IT!!!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it!*ARC copy kindly provided by author for an honest review*

Nina Lane is a multi-published author of elegant, romantic and often raunchy erotica. Her recent release AROUSE is the first book in the Spiral of Bliss series, and her novel THE EROTIC DARK is a #1 Amazon erotica bestseller.
Nina used to write novels under the name Natasha Rostova and has published stories in anthologies such as “Best Women’s Erotica” and “Erotic Travel Tales.” Her work has been translated into both German and Japanese. In addition to writing, she's an avid reader who loves popcorn and has recently joined a workout boot-camp that is kicking her rear end.

Website: http://ninalane.com/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NinaLaneAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NinaLaneAuthorGoodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5785925.Nina_Lane

Purchase Links:  AMAZON    http://www.amazon.com/Arouse-Spiral-Bliss-Novel-Series/dp/0988715821/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365613713&sr=8-1&keywords=arouse
BARNES AND NOBLE after May 1st
GOODREADS:    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17204350-arouse

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday 4/29/13 Scandalicious Book Reviews Kricket's Chirps Cruising Susan Reviews Novel Grounds The Risque Redhead Reads Reading DelightZ Book Reader Chronicles

Tuesday 4/30/13 Island Lovelies Pezz Rambles Novel Seduction Bridger Bitches Book Blog Mistress of Thickness Martini Times Falling in Fall Tiffany Talks Books

Wednesday 5/1/13

Sugar and Spice Book Reviews The Little Black Book Blog Book Boyfriend Reviews Martini Times Romance Book Reviews Rude Girl Book Blog A Bookish Escape Jessy's Book Club
Thursday 5/2/13 Toot's Book Reviews Shh Moms Reading If These Boobs Could Talk Book Sojourner CSI: Creative Scene Investigations As the Pages Turn Brittany and Bianca Blab Books

Friday 5/3/13

Angie's Dreamy Reads Wolfel's World of Books Mary Elizabeth's Crazy Book Obsession ToBeThode Book Bitches Blog Reviews by Tammy & Kim

Saturday 5/4/13

Book Crush Book Fanatic Vilma's Book Blog Book Bitches Blog A Novel Affair [book blog] A Love Affair With Books Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!!

Sunday 5/5/13

Cocktails and Books My Secret Romance So Many Books So Little Time The Book Bellas Love Between the Sheets