REVIEW: Wild Card by Madeline Moore, Black Lace (Virgin Books)

Title: Wild Card
Author: Madeline Moore
Publisher: Black Lace (Virgin Books)
Genre: Erotica / Contemporary
Publish Date: 2006
ISBN-13: 9780352340382
Length: 272 pages
Format: Print
Reviewer: Angelika Devlyn

Ray Torrington is single, handsome and forty. Victoria is an attention seeking, rich widow and was once Ray's girlfriend. Now he's back and so is she - but this time with a heart condition and playing on his sympathy. She wants to forgive, forget and get away from it all in Cuba, with Ray. And why not? They were meant for each other, weren't they? Shouldn't he realise this by now? But is this just a pathetic attempt to win back his love? Is she telling the truth or not? It is one aspect this reviewer found a little unsettling and at first I wasn't sure if I would like a character like that. Don't be deterred.

Unfortunately, Ray can never stay in one place for too long, and also has doubts about her motives too. He comes to the conclusion that if she's that besotted he sees no reason not to have his cakes (socialist and political chum, Lonnie, the Hong Kong bombshell who needs a different man every night, and old friend, poker player extraordinaire Penny) and 'eat' them. Besides, if Victoria is ill, he has got to be careful and not upset her. If she is not, then chances are her plans of seduction will backfire. Are the girls up to coping with Ray's philandering, or do they have a pair of aces up their sleeves?

This is an erotic, bed hopping read - and for a debut book Ms. Moore has done a great job crafting this sex-driven story, which is essentially about old flames getting back together with a common purpose. Sex and lots of it! It's interesting how Victoria has to prove herself worthy of being able to cope with some of Ray's demands before he will agree to go to Cuba with her. A progressive plot, with characters who know what they want and how to get it. Plain and simple kink for the kinky reader, but with a twist. Once the cards are shuffled and dealt who knows which is bluffing or where the wild card or joker will land. I bet, no, I double that bet that the ending is not what you expect.
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Angelika Devlyn
http://www.alternative-read.com/angelikadevlynbio.htm