Book Tour & Review: Naughty Cupid by Deanna Wadsworth

Author: Deanna Wadsworth

Title: Naughty Cupid

Release Date: June 6, 2016

Length: 75,000 words, 178 pages

Categories: Alternate Universe, Erotica, Fantasy, Humor, M/M Romance, Paranromal, Romance

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4264579.Deanna_Wadsworth

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

The name’s Lio, and you may have read the beginning of my story in A Cupid’s Wager. Well, hold on to you hats, because there’s more to tell about your favorite cupid working in the Gay Division of the Inter-Dimensional Association of Cupids.

Remember Ethan? That Aztec god of the winds who busted me shooting a closeted human with a gay lust arrow? Yeah, I haven’t been able to forget him either. Even though I have a rule against getting it on with other supernaturals—especially ones working for the Straight Division—my magic is drawn to Ethan and all his tattoos and piercings in a way I cannot control.

But after that night of mind-numbing sex, now I gotta face my evil ex-boyfriend and a suspension by the IDAC for “misplacing” arrows. They took my quiver, and I have to figure out how to get my arrow privileges back before they’re taken forever.

Ethan seems to think he can help me, but I don’t know how anybody can make this cupid believe in love again.

When I picked this up, I was really excited both because I love cupids and because I love dirty humor. I definitely got what was promised on that front, but ultimately, this one fell so flat for me. It wasn’t the style—the writing was excellent in the sense of technique, and I did really like the main characters as people. But there were so many things that made me want to rage-quit that I almost didn’t finish it. The only reason I ended up reading all the way through was that at about the halfway mark, I got a glimpse of where I thought it was going. Sadly, I turned out to be wrong.

The first thing which bothered me was the element of non-consent. I’m not big on “fated mates” or “soul mates” anyway, but at least when it’s done as a chemical thing, it’s not so bad. This literally had people setting up soul mates and making it impossible for them to be with anyone else…often against their will and against their innate sexuality. It’s pretty much the worst of “gay-for-you.”

Which brings me to that aspect. I always hold out hope that a gay-for-you trope will end with the person discovering their bisexuality, but I’m nearly always let down on that front. I really wish that this trope would go away fast. In this case, the heaping side of biphobia was “love is love.” That’s a pretty sentiment, but I didn’t see any characters becoming “straight for you” as a result of the soul mate thing, so it’s not even true in this fantasy world. I was incredibly put off by the idea that it only worked one direction, despite all the assurances that The Powers That Be had made “gay arrows” less potent.

I’m sure this was supposed to have some message in it about human sexuality, but it was so convoluted and covered over in biphobia that I couldn’t find it. Everything from the weird gaydar to the “gay” human being about a Kinsey 5 (and yet couldn’t stay married to a woman because of the power of GAY) erased the identities of anyone identifying as bisexual or pansexual. The only character who seemed to be bi was a lying, cheating, soul-stealing jerk.

I really did like the parts where we could see why Lio was so jaded, and the sex was good (though I did feel it would have been better as multiple individual scenes rather than a couple of numbingly long ones). But ultimately, I came away from this thinking none of the characters (and by extension the author) really had much of a grasp on the range of human sexual identity. If only the “message” had been communicated in a less biphobic way, I might have really loved this.

For bi-erasure, overly long sex scenes, and some really disappointing messages, this gets 4/10 fountain pens.

Heat Rating: 4/5 ink wells (very explicit extended sex scenes)

DSP: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7796

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Naughty-Cupid-Deanna-Wadsworth-ebook/dp/B01FWLQUZU

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-naughtycupid-2040740-143.html

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/naughty-cupid/id1113120647

Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/naughty-cupid-deanna-wadsworth/1123824279

“You know the lust arrows only work if the person’s mind is open to it. I shot Raymond with a Class 4 gay lust arrow. They only have a little more juice than a few tequila shooters. They can’t make a straight man gay.”

“But that is what you are trying to do,” Ethan shot back.

“You know it doesn’t work that way.”

To prove my point, I materialized one of my long purple arrows.

Without warning, I stabbed Ethan in the heart with it.

“Oww!”

The arrow exploded in a burst of light and glittering purple dust, the blast blowing our hair back.

When the magic cleared, the stunned expression on Ethan’s face cracked me up. “Now, do you spontaneously wanna suck my cock?”

He gaped at me like I’d lost my ever-lovin’ mind. “What did you do that for?”

“Don’t get your panties in a wad. Class 4G lusts can’t make someone gay. You’re born that way. There’s even a Lady Gaga song to prove it.”

His big hand rubbed where I’d hit him. “You should not have done that, Lio. You have no idea what you just did.”

“I already shot an unauthorized arrow tonight, what’s one more? Besides, unless you’re gay, it won’t affect you.” I waggled my brows. “So what are you so worried about? Got sumthin’ you wanna confess?”

He actually growled at me.

“Build a bridge,” I told him. “If anyone has a right to be pissed off here, it’s me. The gaydar says Raymond is gay, yet you asshats over in SD decided to shoot him and a woman with true love arrows. Talk about a douche move. Forcing the man to lie to himself and everyone about who he is. And how is that fair to do to the girl? She’s a victim too!”

“The IDAC does not consider a gaydar to be a reliable source of information,” he said, completely ignoring the more-than-valid complaint.

Humans were born with a variety of sexualities, but there were only a limited variety of arrows to complement the IDAC’s narrow-minded ideas on sexuality. In a nutshell, there were gay arrows and the naturally more powerful straight arrows. Don’t get me started on the complexities of targeting anybody not gay or straight. I was glad not to be assigned to those fledgling subdivisions of GD because they often had to work with the jerks in SD. However, both primary divisions had arrows for love (red) and lust (purple), each with four different strength ratings—one being the most potent. In other words, the Class 1S love Ethan had been using was the highest strength straight love arrow—aka the most powerful of all arrows.

Hence his being so pissed at me.

“I’m not gonna sit here and argue politics with you. We both know I’m already in trouble for an unauthorized arrow launch. Make that two,” I amended, gesturing to his chest. “Why the fuck do you think I don’t have love arrow privileges anymore? Hell, the sparks our collision set off will raise questions too. I’m already busted. Fine! I’m ready to face whatever comes my way. When I set out to do this, I knew there were risks.”

“Set out to do this?” he repeated, looking utterly appalled. “You mean you have done this before?”

I swallowed, feeling like a child being scolded. “Only on unattached people.”

“I cannot believe you would do that to someone! A person’s decision to come out is deeply personal. You have no right, Lio! None!”

Yeah, but the Fates did, I supposed. Who put those bitches in charge, anyway?

I didn’t know what Ethan’s big fat beef might be—besides the one in his pants—but I had to get my ass out of this sling. “Like I said, I’m already busted. If you think Raymond isn’t gay, let’s just follow them”—I pointed to my unauthorized mark and the guy with him, both of them deliberately brushing hips and shoulders as they walked down the street—“and see what happens. If he changes his mind, I’ll admit the gaydar is inaccurate, I’ll turn myself in for interrupting your mark, and you won’t even get in trouble.”

He glared. “And if your arrow works, I suppose you get to walk?”

“If I’m right, and those two dudes get their freak on, you can do what you want with me.” Too bad that wouldn’t be those full lips around my dick. “But you give me back the gaydar and you don’t tell anyone I have it or that I was here.”

Ethan looked at the device in his hand as if it would explode or jump up and bite his cock off. His expression would’ve been funny if this weren’t so serious. He seemed to be weighing something in his mind, and I felt his anger retracting. Still, an aura of incredible danger and masculinity wafted about him. My heart thumped wildly, both from nerves and the exotic spiciness of his skin. Knowing his ferocious appearance was tempered with an innate goodness made me a little hot.

Okay, a lot hot.

Though it went against every rule I made for myself, I couldn’t stop picturing Ethan naked. Sure, I was as horny as any cupid, but something about this Aztec amplified all of my senses far more than usual—especially the ones below the waist.

“I cannot believe I am saying this,” Ethan said slowly. “But I will give you one chance. One. But if you ruin that man’s life, your ass is mine.”

“Talk dirty to me,” I purred.

He lowered dark brows. “You are not funny.”

“I think I’m a really fun guy. Especially when I’m naked.” I couldn’t help myself and gave him a suggestive wink. “And whoever said a little dick up the ass would ruin a man’s life? Ever try it? The orgasms are un-fucking-believable.”

Ethan curled his lip and growled at me like an angry cat.

“Jeesh, sorry I mentioned it.”

He seized my arm in a viselike grip. “Come.”

If I’d known going with Ethan would turn my world upside down, I would’ve grabbed my gaydar and run, taking my chances with my boss, the IDAC, and even the Fates. Because I wasn’t prepared for what was coming my way.

Not at all.

Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. She has served multiple board positions at her local RWA chapter and with Rainbow Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. She loves music and dancing, and can often be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.

Website: http://deannawadsworth.com

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Today I’m chatting with Deanna Wadsworth about writing, life, and their current project. Welcome! Let’s talk a little about NAUGHTY CUPID.

What inspired you to write this story?

I don’t recall the exact inspiration, but I did think it would be cool if there was a real gaydar device and it just seemed natural that a cupid could abuse it

Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?

I adore Lio’s best friend Walter. He’s so silly but he has moments where he is quite profound

What was the hardest part of writing this?

Finishing it! LOL. I wrote a short story for Dreamspinner’s Valentine’s Rainbow anthology, with the full intention of giving Lio and Ethan a whole book, but other story ideas and life kept distracting me

Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?

Because for all the silliness in the book, there is a lot of hurt that needs to be healed so Lio can move on and love again

Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.

Right now I’m reworking a book I wrote several years ago. I’m hoping to have it completed this summer. It’s about two best friends filming one of those motorcycle restoration reality shows.

Word Sprints!

Cats or dogs? Dogs!
Reusable or disposable grocery bags? Disposable, sorry. I should use the reusable ones, but I’d prolyl leave them in the wrong car
Musical theater or rock concert? Rock concert
What’s your favorite movie? The Princess Bride
What’s your favorite of your published works? WRECKED. It is a Key West historical romance with shipwreck, drama, secrets and epic love. When it received an Honorable Mention is the 2015 Rainbow Awards, they called it a gay bodice ripper—LOL I THINK that was a compliment!
What’s the best vacation spot? Key West!
What was the last thing you read? Um, I reread my own book Fun & Games with Rudolph, lol I do that sometimes, both to critique my writing and to revisit old friends