SERIES REVIEW: SCIENCE OF TEMPTATION by DELPHINE DRYDEN

Series: The Science of Temptation #1
Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Publication Date: 7//9/12
Format: Kindle
Pages: 136
Source: Publicist
Rating: 3.5 stars

Camilla can set her watch by her hunky rocket-scientist neighbor who jogs past her window each day. She relishes each glimpse of his shirtless abs, and is dying to see more. But it's hard to connect with a man who doesn't seem to know she exists...

Ivan feels at home in the lab, not in social situations. When he finally approaches his attractive neighbor, it's not for a date—he wants tutoring in how to behave at an important fundraiser. Ivan doesn't expect the chemistry between them to be quite so explosive, and is surprised when Cami actually accepts his proposal to embark on a series of "lessons."

Cami soon discovers Ivan's schedule isn't the only thing he likes to be strict about—he needs to be charge in the bedroom as well. She's shocked at how much she comes to enjoy her submissive side, but wonders if a real relationship is in the equation...

Series: The Science of Temptation #2

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Publication Date: 5/6/13
Format: Kindle
Pages: 96
Source: Purchase
Rating: 4 stars

(1 Curious Sub + 1 Dom in Denial) – Inhibitions = 4 Naughty Nights

Wildlife biologist Lindsey thought attending a fan convention with her new boyfriend Ben was a great idea—until their relationship fizzled. Lindsey still lusts after her ex—but if he wants her, he’s going to have to prove it.

Ben will do anything to win Lindsey back, and when he sees her in her skimpy black vinyl convention get-up, he realizes what she’s been craving all along. And he is inspired to finally give in to his own dark desire to take complete sexual control…

Lindsey is surprised by her reaction to Ben’s kinky new seduction techniques, and suddenly sees the brilliant but uptight code guru in a different light. After several erotic encounters in hotel rooms and stairwells, she’s falling for Ben all over again. And wondering if the intimate connection will last once they head home…

Series: The Science of Temptation #3

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Publication Date: 12/9/13
Format: eARC
Pages:
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars

 

1 Sexy Switch + 1 Nerdy Newbie = A Master Class in Seduction

After several years as a submissive, psychology lecturer Beth is eager to experience being on the other end of the whip for a change. When she meets sweet but socially awkward Ed at a party, it’s obvious the aerospace engineer is interested—and obvious he’s way too vanilla.

When tracking down a friend lands him in a BDSM club, Ed’s eyes are opened to a whole other world—and a whole other side of Beth. Then Beth’s former Master shows up, and Ed agrees to play along as her sub in exchange for a real date. The biggest surprise of the evening? How much he enjoys letting her take control…

Beth’s ex makes it clear he wants her back, but she needs more from a relationship than he can offer—and not just the freedom to explore her switch side. At first Ed is just an enthusiastic student. But the more she gets to know him, in and out of the bedroom, the more Beth wonders if he’s everything she desires…

I discovered The Science of Temptation series at RT2013, when I received a free download code for a The Theory of Attraction from a publicist. I really appreciate the cleverness in the title, and hoped to read it sooner rather than later. Well, that didn't happen, and before I knew it, book three was up on NetGalley. I was still interested, and decided to give the entire series a go in one shot. I'm glad I made that decision because I thoroughly enjoyed the series.

The Science of Temptation series has often been described as BDSM meets The Big Bang Theory. I think that is a great description, besides the fact I found these characters to be far more appealing. I would also say that the series is more "BDSM-lite". Yes, it does play an important role in the series, but for me, the stories focus more on people who happen to enjoy the lifestyle instead of the lifestyle running them. To put it a little more plainly, the characters enjoy aspects of the D/s life, but it doesn't define them. Outside of the bedroom, or club (the scenes of which were more interesting/entertaining than sexual), you'd hardly know.

In The Theory of Attraction we have Ivan seeking help from neighbor Cami in being less socially awkward. Cami sees Ivan as her gorgeous but serious neighbor. But she soon realizes that Ivan's serious nature translates into a controlling man in the bedroom (or club), a man who becomes the Professor. Cami saves Ivan in the real world; Camille submits to the Professor. I liked seeing this man who is easily frazzled in situations he cannot control, become a dominant man who takes back control in the most pleasing manner. Their relationship was endearing, and I loved seeing them continue to bond and develop a closer relationship throughout the series.

The Seduction Hypothesis was an interesting and very fun little story and my favorite of the series. In this, we have the gang traveling from Houston to Phoenix in an RV, bc what's better than bunch of (kinky) geeks than going to a Con, right? In this one, we have Ivan's friend Ben and his ex Lindsay -who we briefly meet in book one. Ben and Lindsay really liked each other, but broke up after she shared that she craved a D/s relationship. Ben's shame that he would enjoy that type of relationship scared him away. After learning more about Ivan and Cami's relationship, accepting his feelings on the subject, and seeing Lindsay bloom in D/s roleplay at the Con, Ben sets out to win her back. The setting of this one made it so much fun. I loved seeing Ben work to earn Lindsay's heart. This story was very sweet and endearing, but also had many funny moments.

Last in the series was The Principle of Desire. If you'd told me that Ivan and Ben's friend Ed would have a story I would've been a bit skeptical. He's grumpy and gruff and didn't seem like leading man material. His story begins with him becoming very intrigued by Ivan and Cami's friend Beth. A few mysterious words and a lost phone has Ed showing up at a warehouse searching for his friends. What he finds is that all his closest friends, save one, are into BDSM. Instead of being shocked or angry, Ed is intrigued. Beth is there, as is her ex-lover/Dom, who doesn't believe she wants to be a switch. Seeing Beth needs help, Ed offers to act as her sub to help save face, in exchange for a date. This leads them on an interesting path of sexual exploration. What I loved the most about the relationship: Beth and Ed deciding to not concretely definite their roles, but to take it day-by-day, and just have fun. I won't lie, Beth angered me with her decisions regarding her ex a few times, but luckily Ed is a great guy who could see her through the confusion.

I really enjoyed The Science of Temptation series. The characters, despite being geniuses, were accessible. Yes, some - Ivan and Lindsay -might be extremely gorgeous, but then you had Cami and Ben who were attractive, but not drool-inducing to everyone who crossed their paths. Ivan and Ben were every much dominant in the bedroom, but Ed switched it up and was very beta. They were confused and unsure at times, and they admitted it. If you're looking for stories that a sexy and very real, I encourage you to give this series a try.



Favorite Quotes:

  "You're already pretending to be my date. So focus on that part. Are you going to be a boyfriend? Or are you going to be some guy who's hoping to get...um, get me to go out a second time?"
  The Friday evening traffic occupied his attention for a few minutes before he finally answered. "Were you going to say 'laid' and then changed your mind?"
  Crap, so much for being subtle. "Yep."
  "That one. I'll be that one."    ~ The Theory of Attraction


 He called it taking but I felt as though he were giving me these things, these actions, like pieces of himself. Challenging me to receive these odd gifts, because they were all he had to give. His attention, his regard. His respect, which was the strangest thing of all, because I had expected to feel degraded at some point in all this and instead I felt valued beyond measure. Cherished. Strong.    ~The Theory of Attraction


  Ben liked his friends, but he hated geeks so much sometimes.   ~ The Seduction Hypothesis


  His first hypothesis, which he planned to start testing tonight, was that Lindsay got wet when he acted like a cross between Mister Spock and Professor Snape. If he could pull that off and sustain it, he'd be off to a strong start.   ~ The Seduction Hypothesis


  "When we stop," she whispered to Ed, "You should kneel while I'm talking to the others. Don't speak unless I give you permission. Got it?"
  "You have gotta be fucking kidding me, Yeah I think I get it, but I'm also starting to think I was nuts to do this. You are buying me a drink or some dessert afterward, yes?"    ~ The Principle of Desire


  "This is me, with my head straight, as a switch who has a date Tuesday night with this rocket scientist I molested in a parking lot earlier. Wednesday we're going to play Dungeons and Dragons or something with our mutual friends. I'm thinking my character could be an elf. I like elves, and I'm not ashamed to admit that."   ~ The Principle of Desire


  "Wait, we're going to have sex?" He kicked himself mentally even as the words escaped his lips. Yes. That kind of line is what brings all the chicks so consistently to my yard. Fuck me, no wonder I never get laid.
  "Ed?"
  "Yes?"
  "I have a ball gag in that duffel on the back seat. Don't make me regret not using it, m'kay?"  
  ~The Principle of Desire
 

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About the author

After earning two graduate degrees, practicing law awhile, and then working for the public school system for over ten years, I finally got a clue. I tossed all that aside and started doing what I should have been doing all along, writing novels! In hindsight I could see the decision was a no-brainer.

I’m fortunate to have two wonderful, absurdly precocious children and two delightful if occasionally disobedient mutts. My family and I are all Texas natives, and reside in unapologetic suburban bliss near Houston.

 

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