Cobblestone Press
2007
Liana’s ready to shake up her sex life in a huge way – by pretending to be a paid escort for one night!
Mark is not one to hire an escort but one look at Liana and he’s hooked. Only on her of course…
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Read an Excerpt
Reviews
Lisa at Romance Junkies Gives Yours for the Taking Four Stars!
“Karen Erickson has given mistaken identity a modern twist…YOURS FOR THE TAKING sizzles from start to finish and is one of those Pretty Woman/fairy-tale feel good stories.”
Kate at JERR Gives Yours for the Taking Four Stars!
“This is such a witty and funny erotic tale! I found the idea that Liana wants to de-virginize a man and get paid for it so out of the blue, that it was a very original one. Liana is not some sex scarlet, but just an ordinary woman who wants a little bit of excitement in her life regardless of the whole escort scenario. Mark is also an incredibly written character. He doesn’t want a woman who has the perfect face or body because he would feel uncomfortable being around her. He simply wants a normal and fun woman who he can laugh with. When Liana and Mark meet, they sense something deeper between them. And let me tell you, when they go to his hotel room, the sex between them heats up the pages. They do every sexual act they have ever wanted between them and it works. I found their lovemaking to be very respectful and steamy. Nothing was gratuitous or out of place. Liana’s internal thoughts about Mark being a virgin kept me laughing and I found Mark’s loneliness to be a bit heart wrenching. He may seem to have it all but the one thing he wants most in life is to be loved and to find someone to share that with. When Mark finally finds out who Liana really is, well that scene was another chuckle in itself. Karen Erickson has written a near perfect erotic fairy tale about a simple woman who finds her prince charming. Yours For The Taking is a definite winner!”
Rachel at Fallen Angel Reviews Said:
“Yours For The Taking is a good book to pick up when you’ve only got a little while to indulge yourself.”
Lisa at TRS Gave Yours for the Taking Four and a Half Stars!
“This is my first book by Erickson, and I must say her writing style is a refreshing change from the normal. The reader can’t help but understand what motivates Liana and Mark, and that feeling just makes you want to urge them on to be together. While you wouldn’t think being a call girl is a job you would want, when Liana performs, she makes it seem desirable and self-fulfilling. Of course, that’s probably because she was with Mark, and he sounds just adorable enough to make the job super easy. Overall I enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author.”
This Is What Talia at Joyfully Reviewed Had to Say about Yours for the Taking:
“I absolutely loved Yours for the Taking. I thought the plot was perfect and well thought out…if you are in the mood for a good story, then take a chance on Karen Erickson’s latest release. You’ll be glad you did.”
Tara Renee at Two Lips Reviews Gives Yours for the Taking Four and a Half Lips!
“Yours for the Taking is a very sweet and passionate story by Karen Erickson. This is a story that will be on my keeper shelf. ”
Stephanie at Euro-Reviews Gave Yours for the Taking Five Stars!
“Yours For The Taking is a delightfully fun read. Too many erotic romances survive solely on the heat level, but Yours for the Taking also delivers a story that makes you remember the characters long after you finish the last page. The heat level is high without being overdone or cliché. If you like erotic romances definitely give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.”
Excerpt
Liana’s first thought upon seeing the man at the hotel bar that night was that the company must have made a mistake. Wrong client. Or maybe Crystal had gotten the nights mixed up. This man was far too good looking to still be a virgin.
Sprawled in a chair at a small round table in the farthest corner of the bar, he wore an expensive looking black suit and a snow white button up shirt, without a tie and with the first couple of buttons undone. His hair was dark and cropped close to his head, although it was a bit longish on top, with a few errant pieces brushing his forehead. He had angular features—a strong nose, carved cheekbones, and a firm jaw. She couldn’t see the color of his eyes from this distance, but she could tell he had a sensuous mouth. His full lips were slightly pursed as he stared down at the table. They were delicious lips she could imagine kissing, which she wasn’t even allowed to do.
Damn it.
How could this gorgeous hunk of man still be a virgin? It didn’t make sense. Just sitting at a table all by himself, he exuded raw sexuality. She felt it from across the room. Must have been the sprawl of his long legs, the set of his broad shoulders, the way his big hands rested on the table top. Liana just didn’t get it.
She wasn’t about to complain, though. Everyone else’s loss was her gain.
She approached the table slowly, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. Crystal had told her this was the best method. Most hotels knew escorts met clients on the premises, but they discouraged any blatant carryings-on. Liana wanted to lay low, so no one would think she was a hooker. How embarrassing.
The man’s blue eyes caught hers, held there, and a slow smile curved his lips. Definitely delicious, she thought as she stared at his mouth. Pity she couldn’t kiss it.
“Mark?” At least, that was the name Crystal had given her.
He nodded and stood. “Chrissy?”
Oh. She’d forgotten about Crystal’s “whore” name, as she called it. Heaven forbid any of the escorts find out Crystal’s true identity. She’d warned Liana not to give out her real name either, under any circumstances. Weird. Liana smiled politely and wondered how she would like being called something else for the entire night. Not very much.
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” Is that what an escort said upon first meeting a client? She had no idea. She’d just have to wing it.
He pulled out a chair for her.
She sat down, crossed her legs, and pulled her skirt over her knees. Crystal had picked out the dress for her, a little black satin strapless number Liana had worn to a party long ago, when she still had a life.
“Would you care for something to drink?” His voice was deep, almost lyrical, and it caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up. She wondered what it would sound like whispering her name in her ear.
Make that her hooker name. Chrissy. Yuck. Liana wrinkled her nose at the thought.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “You don’t drink? Some water, maybe?”
“Oh, no.” He must’ve thought she’d made the funny face because of his question. Far from it. She could definitely use a drink right now. Maybe it would help her to relax. “I’ll have a screwdriver, please.”
She wanted to sink into the floor the second the words left her lips. How embarrassing. Screwdriver. Could she have made a more sexual reference?
She didn’t think so.