"4 Cups!...A story that won my heart. I could feel the tug of Samir's heartstrings as he longs for Laura. It was just a sweet romance that seemed to capture time. They are two characters who make this story almost real. Nina Merrill creates a delightful read that shows emotions, wonderful visualization and passion that speaks softly. She pens a captivating tale that is entertaining and leaves the reader with a wonderful feeling inside."--Coffee Time Romance
"...Delivers well on its promise of an unusual romance between a woman and her genie. As the story opens, readers are immediately drawn into the humor and uniqueness of Samir and Laura's friendship. Their easy camaraderie is engaging and helps readers see how deeply connected these two really are. The history of Samir's curse is interesting and lends credence to his turmoil...Their romance has passion, humor, and the abiding depth of best friends falling in love."--Amanda S., Fallen Angel Reviews
"4 Stars!...Who could resist the blatant sensuality and potent allure of owning a magical being for as long as you can remember...The genie is a delight, thwarting all kinds of male attention that Laura gets. He comes across as that sweet understanding friend who always has a shoulder to lend when you are down, not to mention sexy with his cute belly button jewel. They are the whole world for each other. You can't help shaking your head as Laura comes to Samir for comfort after any disaster, be it work or man related. I love the way they respect and trust each other. Their lovemaking has a very magical quality that helps to make their relationship stronger than it ever was. Using guacamole as an aphrodisiac never crossed my mind and enjoyed every bit of it. The simple storyline is smooth and it will surely soothe your senses as the story unfolds in front of you. The plot and character development is perfect...Ms. Merrill has given her own touch to the classic genie love tale by doing away with the bottle and giving our beloved guy body jewelry. Pick up this fast-paced, sensual adult fairy tale and taste magical spiciness with your reading taste buds."--Mahaira Fatima, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
"4 Hearts!...A sweet, sexy delight. The easy-to-read story had a good flow to it. The plot was well thought out and the climax of the story did not disappoint. The characters had realistic qualities that made them come to life. The love scenes were steamy with a sizzling, romantic edge. I enjoyed how [the] story was told through the point of view of the characters, allowing the reader to get a deeper sense of their thoughts and feelings...Nina Merrill has a lovely way with words and I hope to read more from this talented author. I would recommend this arousing story to anyone wanting a diversion from their everyday lives."--Akasha Logan, The Romance Studio
"...A cute, quick read. I liked the sometimes wise, sometimes petulant Samir. Laura’s annoyance at his meddling in her life was funny...it was a fun story with a sweet ending."--Cassie, Joyfully Reviewed
...At least the sodas had caffeine in them, thought Samir. In her foolish enthusiasm, Laura had forgotten the coffee in the living room. And she had diverted the topic of conversation away from her disastrous date. Now they were on her bed—king size, for she loved to sprawl and watch television with him—eating guacamole and salty tortilla chips. He couldn’t say he was unhappy with the way her evening had concluded. Plus he’d managed a nap, and an erotic fantasy or two.
After the monotonous show ended—an episode he’d seen at least thirty times over the past forty years—Laura resumed her surfing and ran across the one show that never failed to delight her: I Dream of Jeannie.
Samir groaned. “Laura, please. Anything else. Anything! A game of chess. Or I will grant you a wish.”
Laura grinned at him, crunching chips and guacamole. She had a blob on her cheek and it distracted him. She was too attractive in the cocktail dress, with her legs bare and folded like a little girl’s. “Nope. It’s my favorite show. You know it is.”
“It is filled with inaccuracies.”
“That’s why I like it so much! We know everything they’ve got wrong.”
Samir sighed. The show was stupid and pointless. If he weren’t so hungry, he would nap again. Instead he chewed, while Laura laughed.
“Why don’t you have a bottle, Samir?” she asked, when the scantily clothed female genie on the television smoked herself into her bottle and was corked.
It had taken Laura a long time to get around to asking that question. Her mother had asked it immediately, and most designees of the past had wondered why he had no lamp.
Laura turned around on the bed to look at him, dropping a fair-sized splat of guacamole on his belly. “Whoops.” She bent and slurped it into her mouth.
Samir’s entire body went rigid at the touch of her lips on his skin. She was thorough, too—her tongue sweeping every molecule of avocado away. He willed his manhood to remain quiescent and soft, but it had, as always, a one-track mind of its own.
“It’s…uh, not that sort of binding.” He could not speak coherently with her mouth on his skin and her hair brushing his belly and groin. And there was still a smear of guacamole on her cheek. He forced himself to continue speaking. “It is far worse than being imprisoned, to have almost complete free will and yet be so constrained.”
He hadn’t meant to reveal this most bitter thought, the one thing that stained his love for Laura, but his brain was not his own at the moment. His hand lifted, his index finger reached out, and she raised her head and looked at him, licking her lips, a growing understanding—mixed with sympathy and sadness—in her eyes.
It was fated.
He sat up slowly, as did she, and, when his mouth touched her cheek to rid her at last of the guacamole, her eyes closed. Samir felt her turning her head so her mouth brushed over his lips. Brushed past. Halted. And returned, so light a touch he might have imagined it, except for the heat swarming over his skin, and her breath against his mouth. Every impulse was to grab her, press her into the bed, thrust his tongue into her mouth, strip those silky blue panties from her and satisfy the vastness of his hunger this instant. But all those taunts about the feckless, unskilled boys of her youth rang in his head. He could not afford to become one of them.
Samir slammed the lid on the inferno of his desire, and concentrated on giving Laura the best kiss of her life. Drunk or not, rebound or not, here was his chance, and he was taking it.