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Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance/Romance
Description: Shannon McBride's life is in upheaval. She's finally made the break from her stuffy academic parents and is eager to start being the wild woman she's always known lay dormant inside of her. Unfortunately, the one man who makes her blood boil like no other is completely off limits. Nick Halloran has been there and done that--he's got the kid, the ex-wife, and the emotional scars to prove it. What's a man to do when the woman he wants to the exclusion of all others wants things he thought he'd left in the past?
eBook Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press, 2005
eBookwise Release Date: January 2006

106 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [233 KB]
Words: 55167
Reading time: 157-220 min.

"It's an unexpected treat that A Walk on the Wild Side is such a good erotic read considering the premise has been used in a variety of genres. Emma Sinclair does her characters justice with her quick dialogue and arousing descriptive thought processes. Shannon and Nick are written as entertaining and interesting from the first page. We know Shannon isn't a stripper by profession but it's not until later that we find out there's more to her than her grade school teacher persona. While Nick is arrogant and sexy and has the take charge mentality of an alpha male he fell short of the whole package in that he didn't seem to respect Shannon. And a man that doesn't respect the woman he claims to love is a character flaw that ruins a potentially 'to die for' man. There's an underlying uncertainty about Nick and Shannon's relationship that keeps the story intriguing. I loved the sex in A Walk on the Wild Side. Emma Sinclair didn't just do stimulating description in her sexual acts she did great sexual thought processes and hot dialogue during sex. I generally find when the main characters have sex too soon it's hard to invest in it because you have two people who you don't know sleeping together. Shannon and Nick are virtually strangers when they sleep together, sleeping together within hours of meeting each other and it works. A Walk on the Wild Side is definitely worth the trip. 4 Stars!"--Sin StLuke, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

"Looking for a story that has heat, passion, and notable characters? A Walk on the Wild Side is sure to hit the spot. Emma Sinclair has created a story that allows readers to focus solely on the romance between the main characters. Nick and Shannon are a combustible couple. The scenes between the main characters highlight the unexpected eroticism and emotion that flares between them while also illustrating the hesitation that holds these lovers back from a relationship. Most notable to this reader is how the author has tempered the erotic with the friendship and respect that develops between Nick and Shannon. The secondary characters are entertaining and will have readers laughing at some of their antics; yet, their importance to the plot is not limited to levity. The author uses them as tools to understand and propel the main characters forward. Ms. Sinclair's ability to weave dialogue and action keeps this plot moving at a good pace and ensures that this is a solid, erotic romance that will be enjoyed by readers. 5 Angels!"--Amanda, Romance Reviews

"A Walk on the Wild Side is an erotically charged story of Nick and Shannon who must come to grips with the tragedies of their past in order to move forward with the most incredible love of their lives. Sam makes the ultimate sacrifice in his quest to have Shannon as his mother when his father realizes that he was in a fight to protect her honor. Blue Ribbon Rating 4.5!+--Briana Burress, Romance Junkies

Chapter 1

Flashing lights pulsed rhythmically along with the beat of the music, alternately illuminating the now empty stage and the rowdy crowd. Shannon McBride stood in the wings, anxiously awaiting her turn on stage.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" she questioned her best friend Kristin for the fifth time in twenty minutes.

"You want to be wild, right?"

More than anything.

"Yeah."

"Then this is a good idea."

The two women peered out from the wings as the stage disappeared into darkness. A single spotlight illuminated a statuesque redhead standing in the middle of the stage. She was wearing a nurse's uniform so skimpy that the top barely buttoned over her more than ample breasts. The skirt was so short it barely covered the garters holding up her white fishnet stockings. Add the white platform boots and the woman was straight out of the pages of a girly magazine.

The hoots and hollers from the crowd increased until the opening chords of Bon Jovi's Bad Medicine poured through the speakers.

"That's a little cliché, isn't it?" Kristin said.

Shannon and Kristin laughed as they watched the woman. A few bars into the song, the woman's dress flew off. She wore the ittiest, bittiest g-string Shannon had ever seen.

How freeing must it be? How freeing to be completely unselfconscious, to know you have hundreds of pairs of eyes on you, interested only in what you do?

Two months ago when Kristin had suggested checking out a cardio strip class at their gym, Shannon had eagerly agreed. It was supposedly the latest craze, and she'd take any opportunity to skip the treadmill. Of course, two months ago, she never would have thought she'd be waiting her turn in the wings on amateur night at Lenny's House of Tail.

"Are you scared?"

Shannon's attention was so riveted on the redhead on stage that she jumped when Kristin spoke. She couldn't take her eyes off of the woman dancing on stage, trying to get her mind around the fact that she'd be doing the same thing in a matter of minutes.

As the song reached the chorus, the woman spun around, leaping in the air. Her breasts defied gravity, barely moving as she pounced around the stage. Those suckers were definitely manmade.

"Am I afraid to go up on stage and take my clothes off in front of a roomful of drunk men while they hoot and holler at me? Damn straight I am."

She was surprised by the breathy quality of her own voice.

"But you're excited, too, aren't you?"

She looked at her best friend. They wore matching grins.

"Damn straight I am."

As the women watched, the song came to an end and the stage once again went pitch black. When the spotlight came back on, the redhead was still there, taking her bows, but she was joined by a straggly looking man.

"Is that Keith Richards?"

Shannon seriously doubted it, but the man shared the same waiflike build and stringy hair as the aging Rolling Stone. He didn't have nearly the accent Keith did, though, and it was easy to understand him when he spoke.

"All right, gentlemen, give it up for the fabulous LaRue."

The catcalls and cheers increased until LaRue ran off the stage.

As the woman ran off stage, she graced Shannon and Kristin with a smile that was almost ... inviting. That was unexpected. She'd never in a million years act on it, but it was nice to know that another woman found her attractive, especially since she had to follow in said woman's footsteps.

When LaRue disappeared down the hall, Shannon's attention turned back to the man onstage. He'd introduced himself as Carl, the general manager of the House of Tail.

"We're going to take a break from our regular entertainment now because as you know, Friday is Amateur Night at the House of Tail, and we've got a few lovely ladies here just itching to take their clothes off for you."

Itching might be taking it a little far, but she couldn't wait to get up on the stage and see what it felt like.

"First up, we have a virgin to amateur night. You know how this works, while the ladies dance, a bucket will be passed around so you can show your appreciation monetarily."

Goosebumps popped up all over her body. Whether it was from nerves or something else, she wasn't entirely sure. Was she really going to be able to do this?

"Gentlemen, please put your hands together for Miss Shannon Mc ... McBoob."

"My name is McBride, not McBoob!"

"You want them to use your real name?" Kristin asked.

True, she hadn't thought of that before.

Hoots and hollers echoed through the room. Kristin gave her a quick hug before pushing her out onto the stage. As difficult as it was, she kept her eyes on Carl the whole time. When she reached his side, he gave her a wink and a pat on the ass before walking off the other side of the stage.

Shannon stood in the darkness fighting the urge to run off the stage.

Before she could make her feet move, the opening cowbell beat of the Rolling Stones Honky Tonk Woman filtered through the club's sound system. She supposed she probably had Kristin to thank for the music choice. She knew how much she loved the Stones.