Review: The Devil Made Me Do It by Alysha Ellis

From Total-e-Bound
Erotic Rating: Total-e-burning
Genre: Contemporary
Book Length: Short Story
ISBN# 978-1-906811-09-9
Release Date: Sept 29

MorganO: Since Jmo doesn't do erotica, shy boy that he is, I called in Carlee again, since she'll read anything or almost anything. I do recall her throwing the Wheel of Time series back at me with a big old YUCK.

Carlee: I think I've thrown a few such types back at you over the years, but yeah, I'll give just about anything the good ole' college try.

MorganO: Fair enough, I can live with that, but the point being, Carlee likes her books sizzling hot, wet, and sexy, so I have to ask, does TDMMDI fit in that picture?

Carlee: Those are good adjectives. I think adding delicious, salivacious (okay, I know that's not a word, but…) and luscious to the list would be a good idea.

You know, I do love erotica, but to be truthful I haven't read one in a long time that brought the reader up to speed so quickly and kept them on edge for so long. So yes, I guess you could say I liked TDMMDI!! I really have no idea where she could have taken the story but I was disappointed to see it end.

MorganO: Yeah, short always bums me out. If it's good I want more, more, more. Then again, if the story isn't so good, I feel as if the words there were a waste of time.

Carlee: The story was light, airy and humorous. Alysha took an old theme and gave it a great new twist. Had me laughing and smiling when I wasn't panting!

MorganO: Whew! High praise indeed! And I have to agree, it was fun to see an entirely new slant on the Devil on his home turf. And since I’m sure my friends will save me a seat down there, I really like Alysha's view on the dimension. Or will I be saving seats for my friends?? Have to think about that one.

Carlee: Must be the romance writer in you.

MorganO: Imagine that!

Carlee: Not to give anything away, but the one part I'll take away with absolute mirth was the bit of calling out another man's name right at that moment of pure ecstasy! I mean really, what is the one thing any participant dreads more but calling out another partner’s name?

MorganO: Oh, yes! Very clever, only a properly twisted mind could pull that one out

Carlee: And hers is VERY properly twisted! Has she written anything else? I’ve gotta get my hands, um, libido, on something else of hers!

MorganO: Oh yes, she's written other books. Has another one coming out soon, I'm sure we can hook you up.

Carlee: Now that would be a pleasure ALL mine.

MorganO: Hear that Alysha?????

Carlee: I guess we should cover some of the other aspects of Alysha's writing... structure is good and keeps flowing. The scenes don't overtake one another at all. She has the mechanics down very well.

MorganO: Agreed. She writes nice and clean and keeps the tone fun and playful. So, down to the nitty gritty. As a policy of mine, novellas never get a 5, because, as you stated before, I always want more

Carlee: And you know, I just can't do ale on erotica (sorry Jmo) so, what do you say to a nice cosmopolitan?

MorganO: Never had one.

Carlee: Well neither have, I but they're frilly and girly and…

MorganO: I can dig up some champy. Had a lovely one for dinner Monday night but didn't get the name of it.

Carlee: Champagne is good if it’s filled with fresh cut strawberries or mandarin oranges...

MorganO: Oy, now we're critiquing alcohol LOL

Carlee: Sorry, there's so little to say about this story because it’s so awesome! Gotta give the reader something to feast on...

MorganO: So, I’m saying a 4, good and solid.

Carlee: Seriously, if we have to be, yes a solid 4 of whatever drinks you choose. I wouldn't mind a shot of Chambord to go with champagne…

MorganO: Champagne and Chambord. I can deal with that.

Carlee: And if we were rating novella's in a category all their own, I think this would be a 5 there.

MorganO: Yes, yes, but you can’t go changing our entire scoring scale. I’ll let you get away with the tequila, and the champagne with Chambord, but we’re not changing the actual rating. So 4 glasses of Champy and a shot of Chambord.

Thanks for pinch hitting again, Carlee. We can let Jmo fan away his scorching blush this week and next week he’s on to do the review for Melanie Atkins’ book, Emily’s Nightmare. I’ll still get him to blush over that one, but since he can focus on the suspense part of the story, it won’t last too long.

Interview: Alysha Ellis

Our world tour continues! This week, The Morgans boarded a jet. Well, Morgan O boarded, Jmo was forced into a pet carrier and shoved into the hold. After Jmo cleared quarantine, we found ourselves in the land down under to meet the exquisite Alysha Ellis, that lovely tart.

The fiery Aussie is well known for melting e-readers all over the world with her sizzling erotica. After promising to meet us at the airport, we found her three days later in a seedy bar on the outskirts of Sydney. We won’t divulge what we found her doing, but needless to say, it is illegal in all fifty states and some parts of Argentina. We later found out, it was illegal in Australia as well, but she just didn’t care. Which is why the remainder of this interview was conducted under the watchful eye of a bailiff and a representative of the American consulate

TMD: Alysha, thank you for allowing us to be here with you in your lovely country, well what we can see of it through the bars.

AE: Welcome to Australia! And just in case anyone is wondering, the bars don't mean they are in jail or anything. It's just a personal little kink of mine Their cage is very tasteful. Once I’ve assembled all my toys, I'll let them out to play...but I don't guarantee to play nice.

TMD: Now that we’ve got your motor running, we know our readers would love to hear a little about your newest book.

AE: My latest book is The Devil made Me Do It. (Total-e-bound September 27th). The Devil you know...is not the Devil I'll introduce you to.

TMD: Oh, and just who IS the devil?

AE: A horny devil, I promise you. His name is Satan, but there's a story to how he came by that name...and I love to give away other people's secrets.

TMD: Your books are known for their sizzling love scenes. Most authors find it hard to balance story and heat effectively but you excel at it. When you’re writing, what comes easier the heat or the story?

AE: Easiest? The story. But the heat is an integral part of the story and the character development. I try to push it as far as I can. Sort of like the cherry on the cake. No, forget cherry, it just doesn't seem like the right image for me or my books. The ice cream and the cream on the cake. The bubbles in the champagne.

TMD: The olive in your martini?

AE: I am strictly a champagne girl. Champagne and chocolate. And men. And boots, and…

TMD: We’re dying to know, if you and Satan from your book were to spend a weekend together, would he need to bring Viagra to survive til Monday? We know all about your reputation.

AE: The Devil didn't need Viagra! Doesn't need. Can we edit that first bit out? I give other people's secrets away. Not mine!

MorganO: Oh my * fans face* so, just how devilish is he? And who's on top?

AE: I think you'll find in my story Jess ends up on top...but only when she wants to. On top. On the bottom, side on…She has a hell of a good time.

MorganO: Ride 'em cowgirl!

TMD: As long as we’re talking about devilish good fun, can you tell us about Passions Wings? How did the idea for this one come about and what made you decide to give this one away to your loyal fans?

AE: The idea for Passion’s Wings came from a prologue I intended to put in Send Me an Angel, (total-e-bound). In the final version of the book, I dumped the prologue because it wasn’t relevant to that particular story, but the idea of showing a chance meeting between a rebellious angel and a very alpha male stayed with me. I turned it into a short, erotic story and had so much fun writing it. I wanted to give back something to people who had read my other books and let’s be honest...I just love people reading my work. My motto really ought to be… "Sit down, let me tell you a story."

TMD: This is not a well publicized fact, but this isn’t the first time you and Jmo have been locked in a room with one of you in handcuffs. Care to tell us exactly what happened during that Tijuana episode that Jmo denies ever took place?

AE: Deny it all you want, baby! The only thing that saved your bacon that day was that at the time, you were still pretending to be a woman. Although in hindsight the beard should have been a dead giveaway. It might explain why the cop who took us in kept ogling you through the bars. What other explanation could there be for him ignoring ME?

TMD: So, Alysha likes the spot light! Aim it on her, Jmo

AE: You don't have to aim it. If necessary I will run all over the stage just to keep it shining on me. I just gotta bask in that lime light.

TMD: This is a well known fact. You and Jmo’s lovely wife Jenna Leigh have a long standing rivalry over a certain Hugh Jackman. If it came down to an all out winner take all brawl, who would win? Remember Jenna fights redneck woman dirty.

AE: Yeah, but I am an Aussie. If there's a stoush we're in it. (Translation...we like a good fight). I would fight dirty...real dirty. Into Hugh's shell like ear I would whisper the words all Aussie women know, and only Aussie women know. Words guaranteed to give us power over any and all Aussie men.

TMD: After heating up the world of erotica, can you ever envision yourself writing a tender sweet romance?

AE: Not really. As I said the erotic scenes are part of the story, an essential step on the path of character delineation. I could turn down the heat, not push the limits, but I couldn’t imagine writing without some degree of sexual tension played out explicitly. I write about sensuality and relationships between adults…there’s always going to be heat.

TMD: We hate to cut his short but it appears you’re going to arraignment and we’ve been sprung on the condition we never set foot on Australian soil again. Before we go our separate ways, let our readers know what they can expect from you in the future besides license plates.

AE: License plates that are all variants on Sexy 1, 2hot4 you? I can do better than that. I have three erotic paranormal novellas out at the moment, have just put the finishing touches on the sequel to Ghostly Ménage and am busy enjoying (and I do mean enjoying) some research for my next one.

TMD: One more thing, Morgan O was wondering if there’s any chance you could fix her up with the Thunder from Down Under before our extradition?

AE: If we can't get them...why worry. ALL Aussie men are like that. Why do you think I live here...and look years older than I should. Exhaustion, sheer exhaustion.

TMD: Thanks again. If they allow you access to the internet in the pokey, where can our readers find you on the web for updates on all your marvelous books.

AE: Below are the best places to look
http://www.alyshaellis.com/
www.myspace.com/alysha_ellis
http://www.total-e-bound.com/
http://www.eternalpress.ca/

Is that it? Are we finished? Good. Strictly off the record, while you’re here in Australia: the secret words that will make any Aussie male follow you anywhere…”Free beer at my place.” I can tell you this ‘cos once you leave the country, the knowledge will be useless to you. So make the best of it. And if you mention a keg of free beer, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting the entire team from Thunder from Down Under.

Excerpt: The Devil Made Me Do It by Alysha Ellis

The Devil Made Me Do It
by Alysha Ellis



Chapter One


“Shame on you for looking at such filth.”

Jess looked from the book in her hand to the pursed lips and disapproving frown of the woman who’d spoken. She looked back at the thin volume again. She still didn’t get the connection.

The woman, clearly irritated by Jess’ confusion, stabbed a rigid finger towards the cover. “Would you want your mother to know you read such vile stuff? That picture alone would make any mother weep.”

Jess couldn’t argue with her. The gorgeous hunk, with the rippling pecs, awesome six pack and his shorts pulled down almost but not quite far enough, damn near made her weep as well. Especially since the only excitement she had in her life at the moment came from books like these and looking at pictures of naked men on the internet.

And now some self-appointed moral crusader wanted to take even that away from her.

Jess fought against the urge to put the book back on the shelf and pretend she hadn’t been really interested in it anyway. Why did people feel obligated to try to make her ashamed of perfectly legitimate choices? Through tight lips she recited her mantra, “This is a book shop, this book is for sale and I am a mature adult who has the means and the time to read what I want.”

Wishing she had the courage to ignore the woman’s disapproval and hold the book with its cover displayed for all to see, Jess turned away and slunk to the checkout.

By the time she stalked down the side street to the car park she was furious, at both herself and the interfering do-gooder. No one was around to hear her, so she gave in to her anger and muttered her list of complaints aloud.

“I am so sick of holier-than-thou types telling me what to do and what to think. I am sick of everyone telling me if it’s enjoyable, it must be evil. All I’m trying to do is to enjoy my life. If that makes me a wicked woman, then I guess I’m going to Hell. Why can’t I read sexy books, eat too much chocolate, drink too much wine and screw my brains out with a man who really appreciates hot, sweaty, raunchy sex, without someone telling me I should feel guilty about it?”

She stopped and thought for a moment. “To do that last one I’d actually need a man, which I don’t happen to have at the moment.” Her shoulders slumped. “I admit it, I’m desperate. I’d be prepared to get down and dirty with the Devil himself if he’d devote a few hours to my personal pleasure and make me come, screaming.”

“Okay. I can do that. Let’s go.”

Jess spun around. Her heart pounded painfully and she cursed her lack of awareness, even though it was broad daylight. The man standing before her was tall and powerfully built, looking like one of the models on the covers of the books she loved. Jess couldn’t believe he’d been able to get so close without her noticing.

“Leave me alone.”

Her voice was a lot shakier than she wanted it to be. It certainly didn’t intimidate the stranger. He didn’t back off an inch.

“Hell, no. You said you’d get down and dirty with the Devil. It sounded good to me. So here I am.”

Jess started to back slowly away. “You’re crazy. Beat it.”

The man stepped closer. “Jess, you’re frustrated, angry and bored. You want hot, sweaty, raunchy, guilt-free sex. You want a real man, not something on the internet, and you are definitely over sex with your vibrator. I can fix all that.”

“How do you know that? How do you know my name?”

“I know everything about you. I can give you everything you want.”

His voice was velvety, deep and seductive. He had the face of a fallen angel. The heavy lidded smoulder of his dark eyes promised all manner of sensuous delights. He didn’t look or sound like a lunatic or a serial killer. He looked like the embodiment of every one of Jess’ wildest desires.

“Who are you?” she whispered.

His eyes never left her face. “The Devil, of course.”


The Devil Made Me Do It
Available now from
http://www.total-e-bound.com/