Lisa's Gift [Paperback]

This book was my Recommended Read for April 2007!

Jana has avoided returning to her home for years. Now the only person in the world she trusts, Lisa, has convinced her to come home and face the memories of her childhood abuse. Believing herself finally ready to overcome her fears with the help of her best friend, Jana accepts a new job back home and the offer of a place to stay in Lisa's home.

Jana is totally unprepared to find her teen-age crush, Nicolas Marchetti, in Lisa's bedroom the very night she arrives. Not normally a voyeur, Jana still can't help but watch the scene she stumbles upon. She is even more unprepared when both Nicolas and Lisa invite her to join them! Although shocked, Jana can't stop thinking about it, and finds it harder and harder to resist the methodical seduction staged by Lisa and Nicolas...

Let me say this up front - forget that this is a F/F/M book. Yes, it has erotic content that involves two women, but that is totally not what Lisa's Gift is about. Anyone who skips this book based on preconceived notions of what it might contain will miss the most touching and beautiful story I have read in a very long time, a fact which cements its place as my Recommended Read for April 2007. Mackenzie McKade is already in my list of favorite authors, and this is not the first time she has convinced me to read a book with subject matter outside of the norm for me. Each time, I am more than pleasantly surprised both by what I have read from her and my own reactions to it.

You could remove the explicit scenes from Lisa's Gift and still have a wonderful love story that stands on its own without the sexy bits. Of course, why would we want to do that when they are so well done?? LOL That is, essentially, what this tale is about - love. It is about love that transcends societal boundaries, a selfless love that gives without thought of taking back, a love that fosters trust.

The story had some breathtaking twists. I confess that I figured most of them out earlier in the story, but it did not lessen the impact of the ending when all was revealed. McKade effortlessly peppers the story with clues to the surprise ending, giving readers every chance to anticipate what is coming.

As prepared as I thought I was, I could not help the water works when the ending came. Even now, writing this review several days after finishing the story, I still tear up just thinking about it.

Lisa's Gift is a story that will stay with me for years, and people will talk about it for some time. I would be very surprised if this book does not escalate Mackenzie McKade's writing career to the next level soon.

The victim of domestic abuse growing up, Jana learned the hard way to depend on and trust no one. Breaking free years ago, Jana has decided to move back home with the help and encouragement of her best friend, Lisa, the only person Jana has ever relied on in the past. However, Jana's trust will be tested more than once, especially where Nicolas Marchetti, Lisa's Dom and Jana's secret high school crush, is concerned. Overwhelmingly attracted to Nicolas, Jana is horrified by her renewed fascination; that is, until Lisa convinces her otherwise. Still wary of betraying the closest and most cherished friend she has ever had, Jana fights her desire for Nicolas. Fate doesn't seem to care because the more Jana fights, the harder she falls.

Nicolas doesn't know or understand why Lisa is so adamant that he like her friend Jana. That is, until he sees her and experiences complete arousal just by breathing the same air as she. He and Lisa have the perfect D/s relationship - no commitment and great sex - but with Jana's arrival, Nicolas finds himself enraptured. It isn't until weeks later that Nicolas realizes what has been going on right under his nose.

Sitting down to read LISA'S GIFT by Mackenzie McKade, I knew that I was in for a good story. I had no idea the plethora of emotions this book would wring from me. Elation, sadness and ultimately joy - LISA'S GIFT pretty much took me full circle. I loved being a witness to Jana's blossoming and tutorage under Nicolas and Lisa. An unwitting hero, Nicolas was the epitome of manhood; good looking, forceful and respectful. His ability to love and care for Jana, as well as Lisa, increased my curiosity about this sort of lifestyle. Nicolas' true love for Jana came through and I sat in wonder watching in satisfaction from the sidelines.

While LISA'S GIFT does have some female sexual interaction, I can not imagine it being portrayed any other way. Beautifully characterized and skillfully written, this story put me in awe of Mackenzie McKade's ability as an author. Ms. McKade never fails to captivate me with her storylines, her characters, and her capacity to make me feel emotions as if I was part of the story. This is one book that I am going to read over and over.

This book was a bit of a surprise. A woman involved in a BDSM relationship(Lisa) sets her female friend(Jana) up for a seduction into a threesome with her and her partner. The friend has baggage from having never had a family and suffering abuse even in high school. She trusts no one but her friend Lisa, especially not trusting men. As she goes through the seduction and into the world of BDSM learning about trust and shifts of power the reader can also learn (unless he/she already knows this stuff!)about it as well. There were some pretty hot scenes and the whole first 1/4 is probably one long seduction scene. I found the storyline good and of course shed some tears. The BDSM in this sorta pushed my limits but I know from some other BDSM books that these scenes are probably on the milder/gentler side..no gags or whips..just spanking and bondage and 'yes milord' type stuff along with a foursome scene...The first book of hers I read (the only other one actually!) was 'a tall dark cowboy' from ellora's cave..I kept thinking while reading that one that it would've been so much better with more of a story to it and I could tell from what little there was that she would be a really good author and this book proved it. It was the right mix of sex, story, affection. I'll definitely read more of her stuff, esp from this publisher.

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