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[In Too Deep] (By: Portia Da Costa) [published: April, 2010]
It's all in the mind...
Librarian Gwendolynne Price starts finding indecent proposals and sexy stories in her suggestion box every morning. Shocked that they seem to be tailored specifically to her own deepest sexual fantasies, she begins a tantalising relationship with a man she's never met.
At the same time, she's fast getting involved with a man she has met. Superstar historian Professor Daniel Brewster is on sabbatical, researching in the library. The glamorous academic sets women's hearts thudding all over the country, but Gwendolynne is the one he quickly shows an interest in...
Pretty soon however, a relationship of erotic letters and toe-curlingly sensual emails collides with kinky games played in the all too real flesh.
Can Gwendolynne decipher the identity of her mysterious correspondent Nemesis, and will he still be as exciting when unmasked? Can she survive the pain of loving then losing Daniel when his research is over and leaves and moves on?
Or is she tangled in too deep with both men?
Librarian Gwendolynne Price starts finding indecent proposals and sexy stories in her suggestion box every morning. Shocked that they seem to be tailored specifically to her own deepest sexual fantasies, she begins a tantalising relationship with a man she's never met.
At the same time, she's fast getting involved with a man she has met. Superstar historian Professor Daniel Brewster is on sabbatical, researching in the library. The glamorous academic sets women's hearts thudding all over the country, but Gwendolynne is the one he quickly shows an interest in...
Pretty soon however, a relationship of erotic letters and toe-curlingly sensual emails collides with kinky games played in the all too real flesh.
Can Gwendolynne decipher the identity of her mysterious correspondent Nemesis, and will he still be as exciting when unmasked? Can she survive the pain of loving then losing Daniel when his research is over and leaves and moves on?
Or is she tangled in too deep with both men?
Paperback
First published September 4, 2008
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1584 people want to read
About the author
Portia Da Costa
172 books512 followersI'm a Sunday Times, New York Times and USA Today bestselling British author of romance, erotic romance and romantic fiction. My novels have been published by a variety of different houses, both in the US and the UK, and translated into many languages including German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian and Japanese. I'm best known for my many novels for the pioneering British erotica publisher Black Lace and I writing books with contemporary, paranormal and occasionally futuristic settings. I'm now venturing into historical erotic romance too, with a new novel for Harlequin Spice set in London in the year 1890.
I also write as Dorothy Starr and Megan Paul
I've been writing for publication since 1990, and have had over twenty novels published and around 100 short stories. I've contributed to many different short story anthologies and women’s magazines. I've also written a number Spice Briefs for Harlequin.
I'm a member of Romance Writers of America, the Passionate Ink RWA Chapter, the Romantic Novelists Association [UK] and the Society of Authors [UK].
I live in the heart of West Yorkshire, UK, with my husband and my cats. When I'm not writing I enjoy reading, watching TV and movies, hanging out on Twitter and Facebook, and online life in general. I was formerly a librarian and have also worked in local government.
I also write as Dorothy Starr and Megan Paul
I've been writing for publication since 1990, and have had over twenty novels published and around 100 short stories. I've contributed to many different short story anthologies and women’s magazines. I've also written a number Spice Briefs for Harlequin.
I'm a member of Romance Writers of America, the Passionate Ink RWA Chapter, the Romantic Novelists Association [UK] and the Society of Authors [UK].
I live in the heart of West Yorkshire, UK, with my husband and my cats. When I'm not writing I enjoy reading, watching TV and movies, hanging out on Twitter and Facebook, and online life in general. I was formerly a librarian and have also worked in local government.
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November 7, 2012
Is an allegedly erotic novel written by a local government worker from the North of England who goes by the pornoriffic name Portia da Costa.
I read this when someone sent me a piece in the Daily Mail having seen my derision of "Fifty Shades of Grey" on Everything2 about other so-called "mommy porn" of note. Alarmingly, the first on the list was the immortal "Histoire d'O" which made me very angry, as that is a literary classic and invented so much BDSM tropery that it's a massive disservice to call it fucking "mommy porn" but I got over that. Next on the list was this number. Which I found laying around somewhere and commenced to reading.
Executive Summary
How to pull librarians with sexual harassment.
A bit more detail, if you wouldn't mind, please?
Well now. Gwendolynne (with three N's) Price (why do erotica protagonists have to have such syllable-happy names? What's wrong with a normal name like Jane, Alice, or Marie? Why do they have to be Gwendolynnes and Anastasias and Zenobias and Myfanwys?) is a librarian in some sort of academic setting somewhere. And, like all librarians, she's conservatively dressed, a bit mousy, bespectacled, and bookish. Anyhow. One fine day, she opens her e-mail to find a message from someone who calls himself "Nemesis" and goes on for several pages about what he'd like to do to her, how, where, and with whom, asking her if under her blouse and skirt she's got frilly undercrackers on, explaining how he'd like to "suck on {her} delicious clitoris" and then waxing lyrical about her breasts and so forth and displaying a rather alarming knowledge of her workplace and habits and suchlike that, in all honesty, is rather creepy.
Her initial reaction is to sneer at his sobriquet as being a sweaty-palmed teenage online gamer - Nemesis and all that.
Her second reaction, in the immediately next paragraph is to get all hot under the collar about it and then sneak off for a crafty wank.
Let's try an experiment here. Go to your local library and e-mail whichever staff member tickles your fancy, at her work address, a long and excruciatingly detailed rundown of what you'd want to do to her and suchlike. Do you think she'll be all inflamed by this conduct, and set to filming herself after hours splittin' the kitten under her desk while pretending to read "The Elfstones of Shannara" just for you and all your gittish internet pals? Or, do you reckon that you'll find yourself on some sort of register and with your mugshot on the front page of the Sun?
Well quite.
On to chapter two, where she meets up with a Professor Daniel Brewster, or Professor Hottie as she refers to him. She finds him quite tasty and before you know it, she's off for another crafty wank. This time under her desk. Blimey. If this is normal practice for librarians no wonder they all wear glasses. And at the rate that Gwendolynne is going, I see dogs and white canes in her future.
Now then. You may be under the impression that this is all sexy. After all, Gwendolynne, the allegedly repressed librarian, turns out to be a total sex rocket (as we all suspected) and has fantasies about "kissing his boots, then his cock." You probably think I'm on my way to Boner City right now, don't you. Well, you're wrong. To be perfectly frank with you, the whole opening of the novel is not exactly erotic so much as really rather creepy. Think about it. Some bloke who she's never met who gives himself the same sort of pseudonym as those godawful fifteen year olds who scream swearwords at you on internet gaming sessions when you beat them and then swear racist abuse at you when they beat you (protip: shun online gaming) proceeds to explain how he's thinking of her genitals and explaining to her very personal details of her life which imply she's being slightly stalked in an e-mail... and this causes her to crack a moistie? Seriously. Who thought this was a good idea. For Christ's sake, woman, your wank fantasies are about a stalker! You just want to grab her, slap her, and explain this to her in words of one syllable. Bloody hell.
Further attempts at sexiness are then squashed when, while she's having one of the above mentioned crafty wanks under her desk, she mentions how her genitals say "hello" when she touches them. Metaphorically of course, but when I read this I thought, of all things, of the 1990s artillery game "Worms" and how if you took too long to make your move, the worm in question would look out at you and go, "Hello!" in a falsetto voice. Thanks, Portia. I'll never be able to look a quim in the face again. You monster.
Well, you know this isn't going to end well, right? Right. Many interminably unsexy (by dint of the fact that she's having an assignation with a stalker) scenes later, she meets him and finds she's in too deep. I can't help but think that it's slightly her fault. Sorry, but no. See, let's try another thought experiment. Suppose I was to receive e-mails like the above from a mystery admirer who knows a bit too much about my personal circumstances and habits. If I was to meet that person, which is more likely - I'd have a torrid and passionate affair with them with lots of kinky sex which I find way more emotionally and sensually fulfilling than any other such assignation before or since, or, I'd probably end up being posted to my mother in packing crates of increasing size.
Oh no! I went to meet my stalker for sex and something unpleasant happened to me herp derp!
Right. Enough of trashing the premise and onto the reason why you might want to read it. The sex. Like many an erotic novel, it's in the present tense. There's lots of breathless description of both Daniel "Professor Hottie" Brewster and this Nemesis character. Needless to say, both of them are preternaturally handsome, sophisticated, and good looking. There's one bit where Gwendolynne spies on the former of these while he's having a wank in the shower (and is just about to have one herself when she's slightly rumbled.) The language used is, quite frankly, laughable. "His body is like a perfect engine and he's pumping it, priming it. I send up a silent prayer of thanks when he adjusts his position, widening his stance for stability, and presents me an even better view of his erection and his hand upon it." This manages to be both beige and purple prose in one - and considering that her initial reaction to Nemesis's e-mails to her was to snark at his purple prose, clearly she knows of what she speaks. Needless to say, he's conventionally good looking, all corded thighs and lantern jawed and artistic stubbled and every other last arsing cliché for tasty men in the world. Oh come on Portia. At least have your protagonist's lust object not be totally perfect, because as it is, he's completely unbelievable.
Actually, here's an idea - I like to think I can write. I think I could make an erotic novel work where the fairly tasty but unfulfilled female protagonist gets the best ploughing of her life off a chap who she initially describes as rather unprepossessing. The sort that makes her squeak like a well oiled hinge, if you'll pardon the crudity. And this is despite the fact that he's two stone overweight, covered in body hair, has an absolutely horrific scar on his chest somewhere, and has acne scars, a greasy nose, and hard-looking eyes that are in no stretch of the imagination melt-worthy. And in terms of knob size, is distinctly average. Come to think of it, that's not a bad idea. I'll give myself a female pseudonym (how about Jeanette de Chatain) and have a go. It'd certainly be better than this tripe.
Also completely unbelievable is the idea that a professor of history is some sort of sex god. Hands up who's ever seen an academic who sends your blood reeling away from your head and into your nethers? No? Me neither. When I was at university my professors were, in no particular order, a Scottish old-school socialist who wishes it was still the 1970s, a greasy-haired Belgian with a boring voice, a Australian rugby player type with no neck, an old French guy who got way too excited about administrative law, and a chain-smoking woman who resembled her pet (an Alsatian). Hardly memetic sex gods, n'est-ce pas? Come on. Certainly I can't think of any academics who inspire lust letters, that's for damn sure.
I can't really remember what happened in the end. I think I blocked it out. It was just too painful and every single page made me increasingly enraged with its hilarity and fail. I couldn't get the mental image of her genitals saying hello out my head. Nor could I get out my head the fact that at the end of the day, a supposedly practical and sensible woman gets involved with a stalker. It just didn't sit well with me.
Yes, I know I'm not supposed to pick up on these things, I'm supposed to just re-read the juicy bits until the pages are stuck together, but I can't do that. For me, the most erotic stuff imaginable is that which is believable and in which you can understand why the characters have such a bone-on for each other. This I could not. Gwendolynne came over as little more than a vehicle for the stringing together of sloppily written sex scenes rather than a person in her own right.
There was one plus point though - at least she didn't have an inner goddess. For this at least we can be thankful. Though compared to a clitoris that says hello, this isn't much.
(originally written for Everything2.com)
I read this when someone sent me a piece in the Daily Mail having seen my derision of "Fifty Shades of Grey" on Everything2 about other so-called "mommy porn" of note. Alarmingly, the first on the list was the immortal "Histoire d'O" which made me very angry, as that is a literary classic and invented so much BDSM tropery that it's a massive disservice to call it fucking "mommy porn" but I got over that. Next on the list was this number. Which I found laying around somewhere and commenced to reading.
Executive Summary
How to pull librarians with sexual harassment.
A bit more detail, if you wouldn't mind, please?
Well now. Gwendolynne (with three N's) Price (why do erotica protagonists have to have such syllable-happy names? What's wrong with a normal name like Jane, Alice, or Marie? Why do they have to be Gwendolynnes and Anastasias and Zenobias and Myfanwys?) is a librarian in some sort of academic setting somewhere. And, like all librarians, she's conservatively dressed, a bit mousy, bespectacled, and bookish. Anyhow. One fine day, she opens her e-mail to find a message from someone who calls himself "Nemesis" and goes on for several pages about what he'd like to do to her, how, where, and with whom, asking her if under her blouse and skirt she's got frilly undercrackers on, explaining how he'd like to "suck on {her} delicious clitoris" and then waxing lyrical about her breasts and so forth and displaying a rather alarming knowledge of her workplace and habits and suchlike that, in all honesty, is rather creepy.
Her initial reaction is to sneer at his sobriquet as being a sweaty-palmed teenage online gamer - Nemesis and all that.
Her second reaction, in the immediately next paragraph is to get all hot under the collar about it and then sneak off for a crafty wank.
Let's try an experiment here. Go to your local library and e-mail whichever staff member tickles your fancy, at her work address, a long and excruciatingly detailed rundown of what you'd want to do to her and suchlike. Do you think she'll be all inflamed by this conduct, and set to filming herself after hours splittin' the kitten under her desk while pretending to read "The Elfstones of Shannara" just for you and all your gittish internet pals? Or, do you reckon that you'll find yourself on some sort of register and with your mugshot on the front page of the Sun?
Well quite.
On to chapter two, where she meets up with a Professor Daniel Brewster, or Professor Hottie as she refers to him. She finds him quite tasty and before you know it, she's off for another crafty wank. This time under her desk. Blimey. If this is normal practice for librarians no wonder they all wear glasses. And at the rate that Gwendolynne is going, I see dogs and white canes in her future.
Now then. You may be under the impression that this is all sexy. After all, Gwendolynne, the allegedly repressed librarian, turns out to be a total sex rocket (as we all suspected) and has fantasies about "kissing his boots, then his cock." You probably think I'm on my way to Boner City right now, don't you. Well, you're wrong. To be perfectly frank with you, the whole opening of the novel is not exactly erotic so much as really rather creepy. Think about it. Some bloke who she's never met who gives himself the same sort of pseudonym as those godawful fifteen year olds who scream swearwords at you on internet gaming sessions when you beat them and then swear racist abuse at you when they beat you (protip: shun online gaming) proceeds to explain how he's thinking of her genitals and explaining to her very personal details of her life which imply she's being slightly stalked in an e-mail... and this causes her to crack a moistie? Seriously. Who thought this was a good idea. For Christ's sake, woman, your wank fantasies are about a stalker! You just want to grab her, slap her, and explain this to her in words of one syllable. Bloody hell.
Further attempts at sexiness are then squashed when, while she's having one of the above mentioned crafty wanks under her desk, she mentions how her genitals say "hello" when she touches them. Metaphorically of course, but when I read this I thought, of all things, of the 1990s artillery game "Worms" and how if you took too long to make your move, the worm in question would look out at you and go, "Hello!" in a falsetto voice. Thanks, Portia. I'll never be able to look a quim in the face again. You monster.
Well, you know this isn't going to end well, right? Right. Many interminably unsexy (by dint of the fact that she's having an assignation with a stalker) scenes later, she meets him and finds she's in too deep. I can't help but think that it's slightly her fault. Sorry, but no. See, let's try another thought experiment. Suppose I was to receive e-mails like the above from a mystery admirer who knows a bit too much about my personal circumstances and habits. If I was to meet that person, which is more likely - I'd have a torrid and passionate affair with them with lots of kinky sex which I find way more emotionally and sensually fulfilling than any other such assignation before or since, or, I'd probably end up being posted to my mother in packing crates of increasing size.
Oh no! I went to meet my stalker for sex and something unpleasant happened to me herp derp!
Right. Enough of trashing the premise and onto the reason why you might want to read it. The sex. Like many an erotic novel, it's in the present tense. There's lots of breathless description of both Daniel "Professor Hottie" Brewster and this Nemesis character. Needless to say, both of them are preternaturally handsome, sophisticated, and good looking. There's one bit where Gwendolynne spies on the former of these while he's having a wank in the shower (and is just about to have one herself when she's slightly rumbled.) The language used is, quite frankly, laughable. "His body is like a perfect engine and he's pumping it, priming it. I send up a silent prayer of thanks when he adjusts his position, widening his stance for stability, and presents me an even better view of his erection and his hand upon it." This manages to be both beige and purple prose in one - and considering that her initial reaction to Nemesis's e-mails to her was to snark at his purple prose, clearly she knows of what she speaks. Needless to say, he's conventionally good looking, all corded thighs and lantern jawed and artistic stubbled and every other last arsing cliché for tasty men in the world. Oh come on Portia. At least have your protagonist's lust object not be totally perfect, because as it is, he's completely unbelievable.
Actually, here's an idea - I like to think I can write. I think I could make an erotic novel work where the fairly tasty but unfulfilled female protagonist gets the best ploughing of her life off a chap who she initially describes as rather unprepossessing. The sort that makes her squeak like a well oiled hinge, if you'll pardon the crudity. And this is despite the fact that he's two stone overweight, covered in body hair, has an absolutely horrific scar on his chest somewhere, and has acne scars, a greasy nose, and hard-looking eyes that are in no stretch of the imagination melt-worthy. And in terms of knob size, is distinctly average. Come to think of it, that's not a bad idea. I'll give myself a female pseudonym (how about Jeanette de Chatain) and have a go. It'd certainly be better than this tripe.
Also completely unbelievable is the idea that a professor of history is some sort of sex god. Hands up who's ever seen an academic who sends your blood reeling away from your head and into your nethers? No? Me neither. When I was at university my professors were, in no particular order, a Scottish old-school socialist who wishes it was still the 1970s, a greasy-haired Belgian with a boring voice, a Australian rugby player type with no neck, an old French guy who got way too excited about administrative law, and a chain-smoking woman who resembled her pet (an Alsatian). Hardly memetic sex gods, n'est-ce pas? Come on. Certainly I can't think of any academics who inspire lust letters, that's for damn sure.
I can't really remember what happened in the end. I think I blocked it out. It was just too painful and every single page made me increasingly enraged with its hilarity and fail. I couldn't get the mental image of her genitals saying hello out my head. Nor could I get out my head the fact that at the end of the day, a supposedly practical and sensible woman gets involved with a stalker. It just didn't sit well with me.
Yes, I know I'm not supposed to pick up on these things, I'm supposed to just re-read the juicy bits until the pages are stuck together, but I can't do that. For me, the most erotic stuff imaginable is that which is believable and in which you can understand why the characters have such a bone-on for each other. This I could not. Gwendolynne came over as little more than a vehicle for the stringing together of sloppily written sex scenes rather than a person in her own right.
There was one plus point though - at least she didn't have an inner goddess. For this at least we can be thankful. Though compared to a clitoris that says hello, this isn't much.
(originally written for Everything2.com)
March 10, 2012
A friend of mine said that I HAD to read this book so I did ;0)
Uhm...WOW...how naughty did I feel reading this book??!!
It's hard for me to rate a book like this but for pure fantasy indulgence and how REAL the characters came across, I have decided to give this book 4 stars!!!
Lets just call it "An ultimate fantasy resulting in a total romp fest!!" (LOL)
Gwendolyne Price is a normal average sized girlie who you could call kind of prim and proper. She is recently divorced from her hubby and is looking for a bit of excitement. I really liked Gwendolyne, she was REAL, an ordinary woman, she wasn't annoying or frustrating and she had curves!!
One of her regular tasks is to empty the suggestion box in the library and make sure the suggestions are read and actioned, if necessary. Excitement enters her slightly boring life one day when Gwendolyne finds a letter to her in the box.
The letter is handwritten and contains a sexual confession of an explicit, raunchy, naughty and VERY kinky nature from a secret admirer: Nemesis. It's almost like an indecent proposal and Gwendolyne is immediately hooked as Nemesis seems to know exactly what her fantasies are.
Alongside the naughty notes, Gwendolyne is also seriously crushing on Professor "Hottie" who is a bit of a celebrity and is currently researching at the library. Daniel (YUM!!!) and Gwendolyne accidentally "bump" into each other and start a "friendship" that sees her confiding in him about Nemesis.
Daniel seems very uhm...excited about Nemesis' suggestions and responds accordingly to Gwendolyne and they start to flirt and uhm other stuff (LOL), and after a while, Gwendolyne is thinking Daniel might be Nemesis. He's got easy access to the suggestion box, he sees her every day, and he is scrumptious!!!
The characters develop and the personal side to each is explored which only adds to the story and completes it.
Not wanting to spoil anything, all I'll say is that there are so many twists in this story.....it'll keep you guessing....
If you are a fan of this type of book then I don't think you'll want to miss out on this one!!!
Uhm...WOW...how naughty did I feel reading this book??!!
It's hard for me to rate a book like this but for pure fantasy indulgence and how REAL the characters came across, I have decided to give this book 4 stars!!!
Lets just call it "An ultimate fantasy resulting in a total romp fest!!" (LOL)
Gwendolyne Price is a normal average sized girlie who you could call kind of prim and proper. She is recently divorced from her hubby and is looking for a bit of excitement. I really liked Gwendolyne, she was REAL, an ordinary woman, she wasn't annoying or frustrating and she had curves!!
One of her regular tasks is to empty the suggestion box in the library and make sure the suggestions are read and actioned, if necessary. Excitement enters her slightly boring life one day when Gwendolyne finds a letter to her in the box.
The letter is handwritten and contains a sexual confession of an explicit, raunchy, naughty and VERY kinky nature from a secret admirer: Nemesis. It's almost like an indecent proposal and Gwendolyne is immediately hooked as Nemesis seems to know exactly what her fantasies are.
Alongside the naughty notes, Gwendolyne is also seriously crushing on Professor "Hottie" who is a bit of a celebrity and is currently researching at the library. Daniel (YUM!!!) and Gwendolyne accidentally "bump" into each other and start a "friendship" that sees her confiding in him about Nemesis.
Daniel seems very uhm...excited about Nemesis' suggestions and responds accordingly to Gwendolyne and they start to flirt and uhm other stuff (LOL), and after a while, Gwendolyne is thinking Daniel might be Nemesis. He's got easy access to the suggestion box, he sees her every day, and he is scrumptious!!!
The characters develop and the personal side to each is explored which only adds to the story and completes it.
Not wanting to spoil anything, all I'll say is that there are so many twists in this story.....it'll keep you guessing....
If you are a fan of this type of book then I don't think you'll want to miss out on this one!!!
October 7, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com book release November '08.
Mystery letters left in the suggestion box that are more than suggestive, anonymous erotic messages sent to her e-mail address from someone named NEMESIS… In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa is an erotic literary adventure with just a touch of whodunit thrown in…
Gwendolyn Price is a librarian that leads a fairly normal, uneventful life. With the exception of a crush that she has on a fellow employee that she playfully nicknames Professor “Hottie”, very little happens around the library to shake things up. Until one day, Gwen starts getting very sexy letters deposited in the library suggestion box. These letters aren’t fluffy words of love, no; these letters are pure sex wrapped up in blue paper!
One day when she is at lunch and she is taking her time reading one of the letters, Professor Hottie a.k.a. Daniel Brewster joins her. On a whim, she lets him read the letter and watches as he becomes aroused just reading it. At that moment, Gwen starts to wonder who this secret admirer may actually be. While Gwen and Daniel begin a very casual yet intense sexual relationship, she continues to receive messages from NEMESIS. Things begin to happen that confirm as well as refute Daniel as the culprit. When he begins to behave strangely and secretly, Gwen is determined to figure out the truth. She has feelings for Daniel, but can she love someone who is so clearly torn between two lives…
This book has a really interesting plot and it’s very unique. There is a definite mystery going on, both with NEMESIS and with Daniel and his mysterious behavior. The relationship that develops between Gwen and Daniel is both sweet and strange, but very sexy. I also enjoyed that Gwen is a fuller figured woman and that doesn’t diminish Daniels attraction to her. If you like a little mystery with your erotica along with a sweet and slightly different love story, I would highly recommend picking up In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa.
Mystery letters left in the suggestion box that are more than suggestive, anonymous erotic messages sent to her e-mail address from someone named NEMESIS… In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa is an erotic literary adventure with just a touch of whodunit thrown in…
Gwendolyn Price is a librarian that leads a fairly normal, uneventful life. With the exception of a crush that she has on a fellow employee that she playfully nicknames Professor “Hottie”, very little happens around the library to shake things up. Until one day, Gwen starts getting very sexy letters deposited in the library suggestion box. These letters aren’t fluffy words of love, no; these letters are pure sex wrapped up in blue paper!
One day when she is at lunch and she is taking her time reading one of the letters, Professor Hottie a.k.a. Daniel Brewster joins her. On a whim, she lets him read the letter and watches as he becomes aroused just reading it. At that moment, Gwen starts to wonder who this secret admirer may actually be. While Gwen and Daniel begin a very casual yet intense sexual relationship, she continues to receive messages from NEMESIS. Things begin to happen that confirm as well as refute Daniel as the culprit. When he begins to behave strangely and secretly, Gwen is determined to figure out the truth. She has feelings for Daniel, but can she love someone who is so clearly torn between two lives…
This book has a really interesting plot and it’s very unique. There is a definite mystery going on, both with NEMESIS and with Daniel and his mysterious behavior. The relationship that develops between Gwen and Daniel is both sweet and strange, but very sexy. I also enjoyed that Gwen is a fuller figured woman and that doesn’t diminish Daniels attraction to her. If you like a little mystery with your erotica along with a sweet and slightly different love story, I would highly recommend picking up In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa.
April 18, 2010
YOU'VE GOT MAIL AND IT'LL MAKE YOUR HAIR CURL!
I adored this story! Portia’s novels always have a a locked-in kind of romantic eroticism that seduces the reader, and IN TOO DEEP is a particularly good example of this. The story maintains a really tight focus on a developing relationship, which makes it a totally compelling read. Once you start a novel that has that quality, it gets very hard to put it down.
What impresses me whenever I read Portia’s work is that her work is highly erotic throughout the story and at the very same time it’s charting the growth in the relationship. With IN TOO DEEP, this means exploring the relationship from a very raunchy, almost dangerous set up, through desire, need, passion, emotional enrichment to the deep dark point and beyond. It’s her talent of binding it all up together whilst also remaining erotic through out that is (for me) the key to Portia’s talent.
IN TOO DEEP is a first person story and it works well for the storyline, with the mystery male protag expressing himself in letters and online chat. Only a few writers can do 1st person well over a full-length erotic novel, and this one is a great example. IN TOO DEEP is also full of witty descriptions and humorous, often laugh-out-loud moments. Portia has got a great sense of humour and I love that she’s letting it rip! :) Another of her skills is portraying the well-rounded, down to earth and realistic character. Her characters are totally engaging. Treat yourself to this lusty librarians love story and you won’t be disappointed!
I adored this story! Portia’s novels always have a a locked-in kind of romantic eroticism that seduces the reader, and IN TOO DEEP is a particularly good example of this. The story maintains a really tight focus on a developing relationship, which makes it a totally compelling read. Once you start a novel that has that quality, it gets very hard to put it down.
What impresses me whenever I read Portia’s work is that her work is highly erotic throughout the story and at the very same time it’s charting the growth in the relationship. With IN TOO DEEP, this means exploring the relationship from a very raunchy, almost dangerous set up, through desire, need, passion, emotional enrichment to the deep dark point and beyond. It’s her talent of binding it all up together whilst also remaining erotic through out that is (for me) the key to Portia’s talent.
IN TOO DEEP is a first person story and it works well for the storyline, with the mystery male protag expressing himself in letters and online chat. Only a few writers can do 1st person well over a full-length erotic novel, and this one is a great example. IN TOO DEEP is also full of witty descriptions and humorous, often laugh-out-loud moments. Portia has got a great sense of humour and I love that she’s letting it rip! :) Another of her skills is portraying the well-rounded, down to earth and realistic character. Her characters are totally engaging. Treat yourself to this lusty librarians love story and you won’t be disappointed!
December 22, 2012
I really really really wanted to love that book but unfortunately this one wasn't for me.
Though the blurb sounded promising I didn't find the mysterious letters erotic, nor the hero sexy. I also had trouble with the heroine, so I never really got into the story. That said the book is a really quick read.
Though the blurb sounded promising I didn't find the mysterious letters erotic, nor the hero sexy. I also had trouble with the heroine, so I never really got into the story. That said the book is a really quick read.
December 22, 2012
Wasn't really my cup of... coffee :P Some scenes were there, but there was no real plot to it and I didn't much like the hero nor heroine.
February 21, 2023
"He looks strong and animal and dominant, a beat of sex."
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book- Gwendolyn works in a library and one day starts receiving forwarding letters from an admirer, detailing everything he wants to do to her. With only one male mentioned in the book, you can guess who it is.
The storyline was predictable, I needed more sexual tension, more suspense. I felt there was too much sex and not enough storyline. It was just lacking, It was a quick read. But I won't be rereading, it is already in the pile to be donated.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book- Gwendolyn works in a library and one day starts receiving forwarding letters from an admirer, detailing everything he wants to do to her. With only one male mentioned in the book, you can guess who it is.
The storyline was predictable, I needed more sexual tension, more suspense. I felt there was too much sex and not enough storyline. It was just lacking, It was a quick read. But I won't be rereading, it is already in the pile to be donated.
July 12, 2021
This was... very sexy.
The story has a big usage of computers, especially at the the start when our lead starts to have "talks" with a mysterious man.
I didn't like the story that much though as I think it wasn't the main area of consideration for the author and it is the reason that I'll only recommend it for the sexy times but otherwise, it's a 2.5, so, a no no.
The story has a big usage of computers, especially at the the start when our lead starts to have "talks" with a mysterious man.
I didn't like the story that much though as I think it wasn't the main area of consideration for the author and it is the reason that I'll only recommend it for the sexy times but otherwise, it's a 2.5, so, a no no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2012
I don't mind some steamy reading every so often, though I don't review a lot of erotica. That's why I was quite surprised when I received this novel from Black Lace for review. I liked the summary, and the cover (call me shallow). That said, the story didn't impress me at all.
The plot was very predictable, and to guess who might be our mysterious letter-writer was no brainer (because he's, ehm, the only guy who appears in the novel). His erotic letters were rather blunt, leaving little to imagination, and honestly, not at all exciting to me. I wish I could say better things for the rest of the novel, and that it gets more exciting when the two finally meet, but I've read regular romance and chick-lit that was hotter than this novel(Rachel Gibson comes to mind). From In Too Deep I expected more. More feeling, more excitement, more erotic tingles. The kink factor remains low, and quite naive and funny.
Gwendolynne Price, the main character who starts receiving erotic letters from a mysterious Nemesis seems to have no friends and no life outside the library and Nemesis' little games. Most of the time she is either thinking abut sex, or having sex. Everything gets pretty repetitive, until the twist. Which was also predictive, and results in predictive happy ending.
To sum up, the novel was rather bleak and uninteresting, though not completely unreadable. I didn't have to force myself to finish it, but at the end, I felt nothing for it. It was just...okay.
The plot was very predictable, and to guess who might be our mysterious letter-writer was no brainer (because he's, ehm, the only guy who appears in the novel). His erotic letters were rather blunt, leaving little to imagination, and honestly, not at all exciting to me. I wish I could say better things for the rest of the novel, and that it gets more exciting when the two finally meet, but I've read regular romance and chick-lit that was hotter than this novel(Rachel Gibson comes to mind). From In Too Deep I expected more. More feeling, more excitement, more erotic tingles. The kink factor remains low, and quite naive and funny.
Gwendolynne Price, the main character who starts receiving erotic letters from a mysterious Nemesis seems to have no friends and no life outside the library and Nemesis' little games. Most of the time she is either thinking abut sex, or having sex. Everything gets pretty repetitive, until the twist. Which was also predictive, and results in predictive happy ending.
To sum up, the novel was rather bleak and uninteresting, though not completely unreadable. I didn't have to force myself to finish it, but at the end, I felt nothing for it. It was just...okay.
December 22, 2012
Honestly this was not one of my favorite from Portia.
I have read some of her other books and enjoyed them
I think the best way to explain why I feel this way and I know it will shock you but there was just TOO MUCH sex in it. The story line could of been great but the sex over took the whole book.
I have read some of her other books and enjoyed them
I think the best way to explain why I feel this way and I know it will shock you but there was just TOO MUCH sex in it. The story line could of been great but the sex over took the whole book.
March 16, 2018
Well...
The beginning of this book was hot, interesting even. Then it all went downhill and I struggled to even want to pick it up.
The beginning of this book was hot, interesting even. Then it all went downhill and I struggled to even want to pick it up.
September 16, 2012
Being a huge fan of erotic fiction, it came as no surprise to me that I gobbled this book up in under 48 hours. An easy flowing read with wickedly spicy hot sex scenes, literally from the first page to the last. An intimate cast of characters, only really consisting of a lonely librarian and a tortured professor. Gwendolyne is not your stereotypical mousy librarian though – so banish all pictured thoughts of a prissy, tight-lipped, bun-wearing spinster and in its place picture a young, vibrant, sexually frustrated but incredibly confident woman, who is plump in size and personality. She befriends a visiting professor, to whom she unburdens a dark and thrilling secret. This time let yourself indulge in stereotype and if you come up with a handsome, floppy haired, spectacle wearing professor then you will be picturing “Professor Hottie”, as he is affectionately known in the book. He is kindhearted, articulate and the ultimate gentleman, although wracked by his own demons.
This book is compared to “Fifty Shades of Grey”, which I can understand being in the Black Lace collection, but don’t expect the tender heart-wrenching love story that accompanied FSOG. In its place expect all the raw, no holds barred, sexually explicit written sex scenes that you can handle!
Reviewed by Abby White on behalf of BestChickLit.com
This book is compared to “Fifty Shades of Grey”, which I can understand being in the Black Lace collection, but don’t expect the tender heart-wrenching love story that accompanied FSOG. In its place expect all the raw, no holds barred, sexually explicit written sex scenes that you can handle!
Reviewed by Abby White on behalf of BestChickLit.com
October 22, 2015
I picked this book out from a Top Erotica Reads list and boy was that good money wasted. I was intrigued by the premise of a secret admirer who communicates through erotic letters. But those letters didn't go past the first chapter, so I'm feeling quite cheated by the author and the blurb.
The entire book is written in the style of the breathless, immature, fairytale worshipping preteen. The characters are completely one-dimensional. There is a bad ex-husband who is just that. There's no explanation of who he was, how long they were married, why they divorced etc. Given the author shrugs off something as nuanced as a marital relationship with such superficiality, what do you expect she's going to do with something as complex as sex? Nada. The sex scenes are boring and labored.
Never mind a side-character, how about the two main characters? The story lives entirely in the protagonist's head and she isn't average, she's colourless (read lazily written and unidimensional). And how about 'Professor Hottie/Nemesis'? Nothing particularly creative about those names, let alone the characters themselves.
I gave up this book midway completely disheartened by the quality of erotica writing that's passing for Top these days. Do people not have good sex that they have to write so badly about it? Don't waste your money, time or passion on this piece of rubbish.
The entire book is written in the style of the breathless, immature, fairytale worshipping preteen. The characters are completely one-dimensional. There is a bad ex-husband who is just that. There's no explanation of who he was, how long they were married, why they divorced etc. Given the author shrugs off something as nuanced as a marital relationship with such superficiality, what do you expect she's going to do with something as complex as sex? Nada. The sex scenes are boring and labored.
Never mind a side-character, how about the two main characters? The story lives entirely in the protagonist's head and she isn't average, she's colourless (read lazily written and unidimensional). And how about 'Professor Hottie/Nemesis'? Nothing particularly creative about those names, let alone the characters themselves.
I gave up this book midway completely disheartened by the quality of erotica writing that's passing for Top these days. Do people not have good sex that they have to write so badly about it? Don't waste your money, time or passion on this piece of rubbish.
October 5, 2008
Gwendolyne Price is a librarian. They most action she has gotten in a long time has been from reading books. Recently Gwen has started receiving explicit, naughty notes and the only clue Gwen has is that they are signed by someone named Nemesis. The information in these notes are so raunchy that they make Gwen blush, it’s as if Nemesis knows all of Gwen’s desires. Will this game of cat and mouse get to be too much for Gwen or can she work up the nerves to meet Nemesis face to face?
Nemesis knows how to make even the quietest of women become a bad girl like Gwen. Gwen was one lucky lady to receive sex notes from Nemesis. Any guy who can make a woman blush from reading a note has got to be good looking and talented. Every time I start a Portia Da Costa book I finish it in a matter of hours. The stories are that good. As usual In Too Deep oozes so much sex appeal that it will have you yearning for more. I never have to look any farther then a Portia Da Costa book to get me in the mood. Portia Da Costa in my opinion is the queen of erotica. This is one author you will find yourself coming back to her books over and over again for a very long time.
Nemesis knows how to make even the quietest of women become a bad girl like Gwen. Gwen was one lucky lady to receive sex notes from Nemesis. Any guy who can make a woman blush from reading a note has got to be good looking and talented. Every time I start a Portia Da Costa book I finish it in a matter of hours. The stories are that good. As usual In Too Deep oozes so much sex appeal that it will have you yearning for more. I never have to look any farther then a Portia Da Costa book to get me in the mood. Portia Da Costa in my opinion is the queen of erotica. This is one author you will find yourself coming back to her books over and over again for a very long time.
August 15, 2012
I had my eyes on this book about 2 years ago (before the Fifty Shades hype) but somehow I always kinda forgot to pick it up whenever I wanted to read a new book.. But when I saw this GORGOUS new cover I just had to buy this copy also.. So result now I have 2 copies of this book.. lol But i'm sure i'm gonna be able to make someone very happy with a copy (not this one!! Because this one is a KEEPER)
The minute this book was delivered I started reading it! And Oooohh Weeee what a great story! IT even made me cry a little when Professor Hottie told us what was going on :'( ...
And let me tell you.. i'm a total idiot for waiting so long to read it, especially because a copy was standing on my bookshelf for 2 years.. *slaps forehead*
First book I read by Portia Da Costa and it will not be the last one!!!
ps: I just LOVED the fact that Gwendolyne isn't a super skinny stick and bones kind of woman! She has meat on her bones AND it shows us that Daniel is a REAL man for loving that! :) Also shows us that not being super skinny can also be very sexy and erotic!
The minute this book was delivered I started reading it! And Oooohh Weeee what a great story! IT even made me cry a little when Professor Hottie told us what was going on :'( ...
And let me tell you.. i'm a total idiot for waiting so long to read it, especially because a copy was standing on my bookshelf for 2 years.. *slaps forehead*
First book I read by Portia Da Costa and it will not be the last one!!!
ps: I just LOVED the fact that Gwendolyne isn't a super skinny stick and bones kind of woman! She has meat on her bones AND it shows us that Daniel is a REAL man for loving that! :) Also shows us that not being super skinny can also be very sexy and erotic!
May 26, 2009
Major spoiler: can you believe it, Da Costa actually wrote a novel where the heroine doesn't get sucked into a world of totally promiscuous, totally public sex?!? Yet still keeps it unbelievably hot and tense?
Well, Da Costa's reputation works for her here, because you never know just what kind of shenanigans are going to happen. Plus it takes place in the 'world' of "Entertaining Mr. Stone", so who knows if sexy Gwendolyn might not pop up in god knows what kind of tableau in another novel!
And really, it's a sweet erotic romance love story too, so you can actually revel in the fact that she's not turned into a total nympho by the book's experiences.
Only let-down really is that brain tumors are such an innately unsexy topic!
Well, Da Costa's reputation works for her here, because you never know just what kind of shenanigans are going to happen. Plus it takes place in the 'world' of "Entertaining Mr. Stone", so who knows if sexy Gwendolyn might not pop up in god knows what kind of tableau in another novel!
And really, it's a sweet erotic romance love story too, so you can actually revel in the fact that she's not turned into a total nympho by the book's experiences.
Only let-down really is that brain tumors are such an innately unsexy topic!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2012
Ok, I hated this. I borrowed this off a friend at work who couldn't get past the first few pages. I immediately understood why- it starts with one of Nemesis' notes, which I found very creepy.
As there are few other male characters in the novel, it means that it is impossible to keep guessing who Nemesis is as the author may have intended.
I can appreciate that writing erotic novels is difficult, as the wrong word somewhere can throw the reader off straightaway. I hated some of the author's word choices e.g. 'pussy'. She also for some reason focuses a lot on Gwen's 'juices', which makes me want to gag slightly.
So overall, I hated the plot, the sex/masturbation scenes turned me off and the writing left a lot to be desired.
As there are few other male characters in the novel, it means that it is impossible to keep guessing who Nemesis is as the author may have intended.
I can appreciate that writing erotic novels is difficult, as the wrong word somewhere can throw the reader off straightaway. I hated some of the author's word choices e.g. 'pussy'. She also for some reason focuses a lot on Gwen's 'juices', which makes me want to gag slightly.
So overall, I hated the plot, the sex/masturbation scenes turned me off and the writing left a lot to be desired.
November 2, 2014
OH GOOD LORD
I read the book without knowing the synopsis, so everything was a surprise...
It was AMAZING! From the minute I read the first page I couldn't put it down.
I feel great now. I'm in love, everything is perfect, I love you, goodreads friends. This is the kind of story I live for (?
I don't want to say anything because I'm afraid to spoil it but girls, it's a wonderful steamy story.
I read the book without knowing the synopsis, so everything was a surprise...
It was AMAZING! From the minute I read the first page I couldn't put it down.
I feel great now. I'm in love, everything is perfect, I love you, goodreads friends. This is the kind of story I live for (?
I don't want to say anything because I'm afraid to spoil it but girls, it's a wonderful steamy story.
January 6, 2011
The Characters, Librarian Gwendolyne Price and Academic Professor Daniel Brewster were fun.
Gwendolyne starts receiveing erotic mail in the suggestion box at the library from Nemises. He tells her to do all sorts of things and she does but in the meantime she gets to act them out with Professor Hottie (Daniel).
It was quick easy read, not too much plot but there was a bit of a story there.
Gwendolyne starts receiveing erotic mail in the suggestion box at the library from Nemises. He tells her to do all sorts of things and she does but in the meantime she gets to act them out with Professor Hottie (Daniel).
It was quick easy read, not too much plot but there was a bit of a story there.
February 4, 2013
Black Lace... Da Costa is, in my opinion, one of the better Black Lace authors, although not every book of hers has been a winner. Although it took me longer than expected to read this, it was related to issues in my life and not the book. The characters are quite credible - or at least the Library Queen is... Professor Hottie is a bit too good to be true, but it's fun anyway.
September 5, 2012
A very slow start but started to grab me half way through! Hated the fact they called each other love all the time and also used the word honey (when you've read the book youll know what i mean!), ewww!
September 11, 2021
Librarian Gwendolyne is receiving anonymous pervy messages through the suggestion box. She's also lusting after sexy historian Daniel who's undertaking research in the archives housed in the basement. The secret admirer notes give her the confidence to go after the man staff have dubbed Professor Hottie. A quick and fun easy read, especially if you work in either a library or archive.
September 28, 2012
Book received from Black Lace through BookGeeks.
Gwendolynne Price is thirty years old, not at all skinny, recently divorced and working as a librarian. She loves her job but wouldn’t call it exciting until, one day, she opens the suggestions box in work and finds a letter addressed to her. The letter is explicit and sexy. Somebody, calling themselves Nemesis, has taken a shine to her and is telling Gwendolynne, in detail, exactly what it is he loves about her, what he imagines she gets up to when she is alone at night in her bed and what he would like to do with and to her. The letter is as enticing as it is disturbing and Gwendolynne knows she should hand it over to her superiors so that the author may be found and dealt with. But, there is little enough excitement in her life and the idea that a man finds her as exciting and attractive as the author of the letter seems to do makes her feel good. And this is not the only exciting thing or man in the librarian’s life right now. There is also Professor “Hottie” Daniel Brewster. Historian, television celebrity and all-round gorgeous man he is using the library’s cellar and resources for his research. And on the same day Gwendolynne receives her first letter from Nemesis he joins her during her lunch break. Over the following days Gwendolynne’s life gets a lot more exciting, but also more complicated and confusing. While messages from Nemesis continue to entice her, her interactions with Professor Hottie get ever more intimate. Is this just a crazy coincidence or could Brewster possibly be “Nemesis”? Gwendolynne’s life has gone from boring and predictable to an emotional and erotic roller-coaster. She knows she is in too deep but decides that she’d rather take the risks than go back to what her life was before. A happy ending may seem unlikely, but her present is definitely more than she could have hoped for.
There is a lot I liked about this book. I loved that the main character is a librarian – well, since I’m one myself I would, wouldn’t I? I also appreciate that Gwendolynne is not described as a gorgeous girl with a supermodel sort of body. In fact her description makes her rather voluptuous and therefore easier to relate to for most readers. And I loved the idea of the naughty letters and emails she receives and subsequently acts out.
I was less charmed by the way in which the story was told. I’m not a huge fan of stories told in the present tense in the voice of the main character, and this one is. It tends to lead to a lot of internal dialogue and second guessing on the part of that character and I found myself getting a bit tired of that after a while. I also wasn’t convinced by the, apparently, sudden shift in attitude of Gwendolynne. She seems to go from rather straight-laced to completely wanton over the time it takes her to read one letter. The story would have been more realistic for me if there had been a bit more reluctance on her part. Having said all that, this story did charm me in a fairy-tale sort of way; it works very well as long as you don’t take it too seriously. Also, despite my reservations in relation to the way in which the story is told I have to admit that this book was very easy to read and obviously written by an author who knows her graft.
As far as the sexual relations in this book are concerned I would have to say that although there are plenty of them and they are graphic enough I didn’t find them shocking or embarrassing. In fact, they didn’t seem to greatly affect me in any way, shape or form. I would call them interesting rather than enticing and I guess that defeats the purpose of erotic fiction a bit. Of course, this could be due to personal taste. It is quite possible that another reader would get a lot more out of this book.
This book comes with a bonus short story by the same author called “A Lavish Affair” and if I’m honest I think I enjoyed this short piece more than I did the longer novel.
Overall I thought this was a charming work of romantic erotica, an easy read and a nice fantasy.
Gwendolynne Price is thirty years old, not at all skinny, recently divorced and working as a librarian. She loves her job but wouldn’t call it exciting until, one day, she opens the suggestions box in work and finds a letter addressed to her. The letter is explicit and sexy. Somebody, calling themselves Nemesis, has taken a shine to her and is telling Gwendolynne, in detail, exactly what it is he loves about her, what he imagines she gets up to when she is alone at night in her bed and what he would like to do with and to her. The letter is as enticing as it is disturbing and Gwendolynne knows she should hand it over to her superiors so that the author may be found and dealt with. But, there is little enough excitement in her life and the idea that a man finds her as exciting and attractive as the author of the letter seems to do makes her feel good. And this is not the only exciting thing or man in the librarian’s life right now. There is also Professor “Hottie” Daniel Brewster. Historian, television celebrity and all-round gorgeous man he is using the library’s cellar and resources for his research. And on the same day Gwendolynne receives her first letter from Nemesis he joins her during her lunch break. Over the following days Gwendolynne’s life gets a lot more exciting, but also more complicated and confusing. While messages from Nemesis continue to entice her, her interactions with Professor Hottie get ever more intimate. Is this just a crazy coincidence or could Brewster possibly be “Nemesis”? Gwendolynne’s life has gone from boring and predictable to an emotional and erotic roller-coaster. She knows she is in too deep but decides that she’d rather take the risks than go back to what her life was before. A happy ending may seem unlikely, but her present is definitely more than she could have hoped for.
There is a lot I liked about this book. I loved that the main character is a librarian – well, since I’m one myself I would, wouldn’t I? I also appreciate that Gwendolynne is not described as a gorgeous girl with a supermodel sort of body. In fact her description makes her rather voluptuous and therefore easier to relate to for most readers. And I loved the idea of the naughty letters and emails she receives and subsequently acts out.
I was less charmed by the way in which the story was told. I’m not a huge fan of stories told in the present tense in the voice of the main character, and this one is. It tends to lead to a lot of internal dialogue and second guessing on the part of that character and I found myself getting a bit tired of that after a while. I also wasn’t convinced by the, apparently, sudden shift in attitude of Gwendolynne. She seems to go from rather straight-laced to completely wanton over the time it takes her to read one letter. The story would have been more realistic for me if there had been a bit more reluctance on her part. Having said all that, this story did charm me in a fairy-tale sort of way; it works very well as long as you don’t take it too seriously. Also, despite my reservations in relation to the way in which the story is told I have to admit that this book was very easy to read and obviously written by an author who knows her graft.
As far as the sexual relations in this book are concerned I would have to say that although there are plenty of them and they are graphic enough I didn’t find them shocking or embarrassing. In fact, they didn’t seem to greatly affect me in any way, shape or form. I would call them interesting rather than enticing and I guess that defeats the purpose of erotic fiction a bit. Of course, this could be due to personal taste. It is quite possible that another reader would get a lot more out of this book.
This book comes with a bonus short story by the same author called “A Lavish Affair” and if I’m honest I think I enjoyed this short piece more than I did the longer novel.
Overall I thought this was a charming work of romantic erotica, an easy read and a nice fantasy.
November 4, 2012
In Too Deep is an exquisite sexy piece of delightful heaven, in just 269 pages it is a novel that will stay with you for ever!
I'm going to get straight to the point, I bought this novel because of the sticker, "If you likes 50 Shades of Grey then you'll love this" but honestly I thought it would be another author with a novel copying 50 shades! Although I shouldn't have judged as I found out In Too Deep was originally published in 2008......
You know when your reading an erotica novel and the sex is perfect? Maybe even too perfect? And your thinking to yourself it's never like that in real life! Well... Portia Da Costs writes none of that crap! It's real, emotional and the pull you feel between her two main characters Gwendolynne and Daniel is beautiful and darn hot!
I loved it! I absolutely loved it, from the very first page I was engrossed in reading more and more! Portia Da Costa has wrote an unforgettable novel which will leave you often wondering afterwards what her characters are up to.
Gwendolynne Price is a librarian, recently divorced and never really takes any ricks in her life. So when ordinary Gwendolynne starts showing of her curvy figure in clothes that would make any man hard it's no wonder a man could be behind this burst of confidence and Gwendolynne proves she's not so ordinary after all.
Receiving a naughty letter in the libraries suggestion box from the anonymous though explicit *Nemesis* Gwendolynne can't seem to anticipate the bubble of excitement in her. So when she receives three sexy letters in total all with nemesis publishing his email address at the bottom she takes the plunge and emails.
From the instant messaging to the classic cyber sex Gwendolynne discovers her own body and her own mind with her own fingers and hands.
Although Nemesis isn't the only man in her life, she has a giant crush on Daniel, historian who is currently working in the library. The two start a *Fling* relationship but what turns out to be ana amazing working relationship especially downstairs in the Library basement. But with Nemesis in the middle.... what will happen?
Daniel is a hot, sexy, and perfect in that geeky smart way! ;) The kind of man we can have a conversation with but just wanna jump his bones! He is Gwendolynes perfect fit!
This novel has twists and turns throughout and an ending you could only dream off! In Too Deep will keep you up all night so best to have your partner near or leave a hand free. As it's arousing and anticipation will leave you panting for more. Even take a lead out of Gwendolynne life and have your good old faithful vibe handy eh? ;)
Portia Da Costa has opened my eyes from this delicious novel that not all skinny girls get the best sex and that book lovers are a forced to be reckoned with! It's an amazing novel by and even more amazing author! I will defo be reading more of her work!
I'm going to get straight to the point, I bought this novel because of the sticker, "If you likes 50 Shades of Grey then you'll love this" but honestly I thought it would be another author with a novel copying 50 shades! Although I shouldn't have judged as I found out In Too Deep was originally published in 2008......
You know when your reading an erotica novel and the sex is perfect? Maybe even too perfect? And your thinking to yourself it's never like that in real life! Well... Portia Da Costs writes none of that crap! It's real, emotional and the pull you feel between her two main characters Gwendolynne and Daniel is beautiful and darn hot!
I loved it! I absolutely loved it, from the very first page I was engrossed in reading more and more! Portia Da Costa has wrote an unforgettable novel which will leave you often wondering afterwards what her characters are up to.
Gwendolynne Price is a librarian, recently divorced and never really takes any ricks in her life. So when ordinary Gwendolynne starts showing of her curvy figure in clothes that would make any man hard it's no wonder a man could be behind this burst of confidence and Gwendolynne proves she's not so ordinary after all.
Receiving a naughty letter in the libraries suggestion box from the anonymous though explicit *Nemesis* Gwendolynne can't seem to anticipate the bubble of excitement in her. So when she receives three sexy letters in total all with nemesis publishing his email address at the bottom she takes the plunge and emails.
From the instant messaging to the classic cyber sex Gwendolynne discovers her own body and her own mind with her own fingers and hands.
Although Nemesis isn't the only man in her life, she has a giant crush on Daniel, historian who is currently working in the library. The two start a *Fling* relationship but what turns out to be ana amazing working relationship especially downstairs in the Library basement. But with Nemesis in the middle.... what will happen?
Daniel is a hot, sexy, and perfect in that geeky smart way! ;) The kind of man we can have a conversation with but just wanna jump his bones! He is Gwendolynes perfect fit!
This novel has twists and turns throughout and an ending you could only dream off! In Too Deep will keep you up all night so best to have your partner near or leave a hand free. As it's arousing and anticipation will leave you panting for more. Even take a lead out of Gwendolynne life and have your good old faithful vibe handy eh? ;)
Portia Da Costa has opened my eyes from this delicious novel that not all skinny girls get the best sex and that book lovers are a forced to be reckoned with! It's an amazing novel by and even more amazing author! I will defo be reading more of her work!
June 10, 2010
Gwendolyn Price is a librarian in England. She lives a pretty normal, uneventful life, that is until she receives an erotic letter from an anonymous fan. She knows she should be freaked out by this pervert, but the truth is she's turned on. He seems completely harmless. They enter into a little exchange through letters and chat over the internet. Meanwhile, back in Gwendolyn's real life, professor Daniel Brewster, aka Professor Hottie McHotstuff, is doing his research at the library. Gwendolyn suspects he might be her secret admirer and sets about to find out.
This is my first Portia da Casta novel. I don't know if all her books are written this way, but I really struggled with the first few chapters. At first, I couldn't figure out what it was that was bothering me. Then it dawned on me that the book is written in present tense. It totally through me for a loop. I eventually got over it and started enjoying the book.
In Too Deep is a very sensual read, but it's also funny and sweet too. Gwen and Daniel come across as real people, sometimes a little kinky, but for the most part just normal. Both have some insecurities, but nothing that is annoyingly reiterated again and again. I enjoyed the little twist revealed with Daniel towards the end of the story. It grounded the book so it didn't entirely feel like just a fantasy. And the ending was super sweet - just the way I like them.
This is my first Portia da Casta novel. I don't know if all her books are written this way, but I really struggled with the first few chapters. At first, I couldn't figure out what it was that was bothering me. Then it dawned on me that the book is written in present tense. It totally through me for a loop. I eventually got over it and started enjoying the book.
In Too Deep is a very sensual read, but it's also funny and sweet too. Gwen and Daniel come across as real people, sometimes a little kinky, but for the most part just normal. Both have some insecurities, but nothing that is annoyingly reiterated again and again. I enjoyed the little twist revealed with Daniel towards the end of the story. It grounded the book so it didn't entirely feel like just a fantasy. And the ending was super sweet - just the way I like them.
October 3, 2011
I couldn't decide which of Portia's many novels to start with until someone on Goodreads nudged me in this direction.
I am so grateful for the nudge!
This book had me in its thrall from the very first sentence. The author's imagination is delightfully erotic and she can build suspense better than Hitchcock, if you'll pardon the reference. (Just a name that popped into my head.)
The descriptions and situations gave me intense pleasure many times over.
Intense pleasure is an end in itself but I would like to add a serious tip for anyone who, like me, seeks to improve her English.
I like to read beautiful British English whenever I can, as it rubs in... or rubs off... or something. Now, one of the best ways to learn anything is to make sure your experience with it is intense. Portia writes beautiful British English. Her sentences are among the most lucid, concise and well-judged of any I have read. So for me, this is one of the best books in the world for improving your written English and I recommend it to foreigners everywhere. Practise with it intensely every day and you will soon be writing and speaking pure, elegant, flawless sentences with interesting vocabulary that arise naturally and fully-formed from your impure and imperfect thoughts.
(For American English I recommend Gore Vidal's books but that's another review entirely! Gay men are so good at style.)
I am so grateful for the nudge!
This book had me in its thrall from the very first sentence. The author's imagination is delightfully erotic and she can build suspense better than Hitchcock, if you'll pardon the reference. (Just a name that popped into my head.)
The descriptions and situations gave me intense pleasure many times over.
Intense pleasure is an end in itself but I would like to add a serious tip for anyone who, like me, seeks to improve her English.
I like to read beautiful British English whenever I can, as it rubs in... or rubs off... or something. Now, one of the best ways to learn anything is to make sure your experience with it is intense. Portia writes beautiful British English. Her sentences are among the most lucid, concise and well-judged of any I have read. So for me, this is one of the best books in the world for improving your written English and I recommend it to foreigners everywhere. Practise with it intensely every day and you will soon be writing and speaking pure, elegant, flawless sentences with interesting vocabulary that arise naturally and fully-formed from your impure and imperfect thoughts.
(For American English I recommend Gore Vidal's books but that's another review entirely! Gay men are so good at style.)
September 28, 2012
This is only the second erotic novel that I have read (after Fifty Shades) and it did not disappoint. The plot revolves around librarian Gwendolyne Price who starts receiving erotic letters in the suggestion box at work. The mysterious sender only refers to himself as Nemesis. Over the course of the book, Nemesis instructs Gwendolyne to act out her most private, darkest, erotic fantasies. She carries these out with the sexy Professor Daniel Brewster.
I initially decided to read In Too Deep because I work in a library and the premise was quite amusing. The author mentioned familar parts of my working day: the enquiry desk (sadly deceased in my library :(), inter-library loans etc. However, I soon became absorbed in the story itself and before I knew it I was invested in Gwendolyne's emotional and sexual journey. Daniel is an intellectual who wears glasses but beneath this surface is "strong and animal and dominant, a beast of sex" (*fans self furiously*). The book has lots of hot and erotic scenes in almost every chapter. I will never look at my library's basement and stack in the same way again!
I will definitely read more of Portia Da Costa's work in the future. Very erotic and recommended.
I initially decided to read In Too Deep because I work in a library and the premise was quite amusing. The author mentioned familar parts of my working day: the enquiry desk (sadly deceased in my library :(), inter-library loans etc. However, I soon became absorbed in the story itself and before I knew it I was invested in Gwendolyne's emotional and sexual journey. Daniel is an intellectual who wears glasses but beneath this surface is "strong and animal and dominant, a beast of sex" (*fans self furiously*). The book has lots of hot and erotic scenes in almost every chapter. I will never look at my library's basement and stack in the same way again!
I will definitely read more of Portia Da Costa's work in the future. Very erotic and recommended.
January 8, 2013
Well I suppose we can't like every book, and I'm afraid this is one of those books that I just could not get into.
I had such high expectations when I started, especially having read the blurb about a mysterious admirer leaving erotic notes for Gwendolyn, the librarian. I thought it was going to be full of suspense and sexual tension, but for me the storyline was too predicatable and although there was certainly plenty of sex, dare I say it, there was almost too much sex and not enough storyline. It just seemed at times like there was sex, for sex sake.
I did like the two main characters, and at times i liked the chemistry they had together but Gwendolyn's ability to fall fall in love within a few pages just wasnt believable.
If your after a book that's full of sex, sex, sex, amd even more sex, then this will be one for you, I'm afraid I just need a bit more of a story to go with it.
I had such high expectations when I started, especially having read the blurb about a mysterious admirer leaving erotic notes for Gwendolyn, the librarian. I thought it was going to be full of suspense and sexual tension, but for me the storyline was too predicatable and although there was certainly plenty of sex, dare I say it, there was almost too much sex and not enough storyline. It just seemed at times like there was sex, for sex sake.
I did like the two main characters, and at times i liked the chemistry they had together but Gwendolyn's ability to fall fall in love within a few pages just wasnt believable.
If your after a book that's full of sex, sex, sex, amd even more sex, then this will be one for you, I'm afraid I just need a bit more of a story to go with it.
May 23, 2010
This is the second time ive read this book. Love your work Portia.
I can remember the first time i read it, When Daniel became very ill, i cried through most of the time till he became better. Ive never read a romance when theres a worry of someone dying. The romance novels ive read before this only ever had non stop happy moments, This was a great change. I also like how the main character spoke through the whole book, instead of the author. The ending was one of the best endings ive ever read in a romance, totally unexpected, Brillient.
This is one clever read that is very hard to put down.
Very reccomended.
I can remember the first time i read it, When Daniel became very ill, i cried through most of the time till he became better. Ive never read a romance when theres a worry of someone dying. The romance novels ive read before this only ever had non stop happy moments, This was a great change. I also like how the main character spoke through the whole book, instead of the author. The ending was one of the best endings ive ever read in a romance, totally unexpected, Brillient.
This is one clever read that is very hard to put down.
Very reccomended.
February 19, 2013
As far as the sexual relations in this book are concerned I would have to say that although there are plenty of them and they are graphic enough I didn’t find them shocking or embarrassing. In fact, they didn’t seem to greatly affect me in any way, shape or form. I would call them interesting rather than enticing and I guess that defeats the purpose of erotic fiction a bit. Of course, this could be due to own perception. It is quite possible that another reader would get a lot more out of this book.
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