ArouseNina Lane 
 4 1/2 blissful stars! Finally an erotic novel where the marriage IS the story, not just an epilogue 
 "One day I'm going to touch you in a thousand different ways and show you how to touch me," he said. And he did. 
 Struggling with a tormented past, undergraduate Olivia Winter once led a practical but isolated life. Then she met Professor Dean West, a brilliant scholar of medieval history who melted Liv's inhibitions and taught her the meaning of both love and erotic pleasure. But after three years of a blissful, lusty marriage, Liv and Dean now face a crisis that threatens everything they believe about each other. And when dark secrets and temptations rise to the surface, the fallout might break them apart forever. 
 Nina Lane gives us two very relatable characters in Olivia and Dean. Her writing is superb and the story kept me reading furiously until the end. And did I mention that I am in love with Professor Dean West? He is a totally hot alpha male, who is also an intelligent and very well-respected university professor. 
 "Liv," he said, his voice rough with tenderness, " you don't have to be afraid." 
 "Why not?" 
 "Because I'll slay monsters for you." 
 Arouse gives us a candid peek into the inner workings of a once-perfect marriage between two somewhat damaged people. Olivia had a troubled childhood which left her scarred in many ways. Dean is her first love, slightly older and very, very sexy. He literally sweeps her off her feet. Something comes between them and they both must struggle with their own emotions as they deal with how these events will affect their marriage and their very tight bond. 
 "I love him to my bones, but suddenly I'm wondering what I might have been without him." 
 I am not sure why the "married couple" theme has been mentioned as not being everyone's cup of tea. Olivia and Dean have an intense sexual relationship and Ms. Lane knows how to write erotic scenes that will knock your socks off! I also loved reading Dean's POV after the mid-point of the book, it was a refreshing switch and gave me a lot of insight into his behavior during the first part of the book. 
 "I'll be here, beauty. Waiting for you." 
 This was my first book by Nina Lane. I absolutely love her writing style. Arouse is a brilliantly-written look into the inner workings of a real relationship. I LOVE Olivia and Dean and can't wait to dive right into Allure!