This is one of those books that goes from Point A to Point B to Point W(tf). What I thought this book was going to be from the blurbs and what it seemed to be for the first half as compared to what it was in the last half was so different as to be laughable. This story goes from erotica with fantasy elements to BDSM with horror elements.

I really wasn't even sure who I was supposed to like the entire book. Davis is cute but you never see him. Mara is a bit ditzy and the fact that she didn't question some of the things happening around her made her a bit TSTL. And don't get me started on how creaptastic Argent is.

TLDR: Not sure when I slipped down the rabbit hole, but I'm leaving now.

Copy courtesy of The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2014/02/sapphire-blue-blog-tour-book-review....

I want to say first and foremost the synopsis for this book isn't enough. There is soooo much more going on in this book, it is beyond insane. I was expecting a sexy, contemporary romance. I got more than that and I really liked it. I am really at a lost for words because I knew something was up, but man, I didn't see that coming. I am sort of dumbfounded right now. If this is what Doucette's work is like, I want more.

Mara is our leading lady and I really liked her. Her and her best friend/roommate, Davis, were a blast from the first page. I loved the dialogue between them. I wasn't expecting this book to be humorous and that was a really nice surprise. I am in love the erotic genre, but I wish there were more that weren't afraid to crack a joke every now and again. This book gave us that and more. It came off like conversations I would have with friends and I loved them. Mara and Davis have a seemingly boring job, they are archaeologists who work for a museum cataloging the latest findings. Things become a bit more exciting when Mara meets Argent Leeds. He was quite an interesting character. He was the dark, sexy, and rich type. He has eyes for Mara after a rather embarrassing incident takes place with one of his discoveries at the museum. She finds that one of his displays are fake and she pretty much lets the whole museum know it.

Mara and Argent get into it quite quickly in this book. It was sexy, for sure, but something is off. Argent owns this gemstones which are said to be mystical. But both Mara and Argent are scientists, so they immediately dismiss the motion. But not only is something off about the gemstones, specifically the sapphire that Argent has let Mara touch, something is off about Argent too. Then Mara starts changing as well, but she doesn't know the how or the why. Things maybe far worse than Mara imagined. This all was really surprising because, again, the synopsis doesn't clue you in to what you are in for, which is nice. The book has a bit of a paranormal edge to it which you know I love, but it isn't exactly what you would think. The paranormal bit in this book isn't something one would find fun. It is quite terrifying actually. The book can be very dark and disturbing for some and I mean really damn creepy. Hell, the sex scenes will be more than some can handle. Trust me, they don't pan out the way you expect them to, but there is a reason. Don't say I didn't warn you. But I do love that this book goes out of the box a bit though.

There really aren't enough words to describe this. It is really not the average BDSM/Erotic Romance I was expecting and for that, it makes me love it more. This book literally has everything. It goes from funny, suspenseful, mysterious, sexy, adventurous, and then downright creepy. If Stephen King were to ever write an Erotic Romance, I think this is how it would pan out (although, someone would have to die first though). No way he would give you what you are used to and that is amazing. Doucette has quite an imagination and I want to explore it more. He is used to writing science fiction and this is his first erotic romance. I never would have known. He really captured the characters so well and this story kept me at the edge of my seat especially those last few chapters. I am a fan. Highly recommended, but only if you have the heart for it. This will not be for everyone. ( )

Sapphire Blue by G. Doucette
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3/5 stars

**ATTENTION: SPOILERS AHEAD**

Dear Reader,

I am a relatively weird individual which generally results in me liking all manner of weird things. However, there are those inevitable times in life when the weird crosses over to the wrong side of the line and becomes somewhat awkward and/or unconformable. This is, unfortunately where I found myself after finishing G. Doucette’s Sapphire Blue.

What I liked:

*The myth/legend of the Pazuzu gemstones: This part is just flat-out cool and I found myself wanting to know more about this myth/legend. In this instance, I was heartily rewarded. The gemstones, one ruby, sapphire, topaz, emerald and diamond were imbued with powers by an ancient Sumerian deity. According to the legend, when the right/chosen person handles the stones, he or she would be able to channel and wield the power within. That’s some pretty cool mythology right there! As the plot unfolds, more and more about this myth/legend is revealed and tied to the very contemporary characters who are involved with the stones.

*Mara’s outburst: Within the first few pages of the read, Mara Cantor an archaeology graduate student and museum employee commits career suicide when she announces to the large and very prestigious crowd that the Pazuzu gemstones on display are fakes! Even Mara is pretty shocked by her outburst but redeems herself completely by supporting her claim. In this moment, Mara’s strength, intelligence and, connection to the stones are very publically revealed.

What I didn’t like:

*Argent Leeds: This guy may be all kinds of wealthy and smokin’ hot but those two things sure don’t take away from the total creeper vibe he puts off right from the start. You know almost instantly that there is just something off about Leeds and that he is absolutely up to no good. Page after page only confirms your initial feelings about Leeds’ nature and, in fact, reveals just how evil he really is.

*The naughty bits: Having to write this is something that surprises even me as I am a fairly open-minded individual and generally very much enjoy the naughty parts of my reads. Believe it or not, all of the naughty bits are tied to one of the Pazuzu gemstones and in that respect it is pretty cool; and, don’t get me wrong, the naughty bits are varied and all kinds of hot but once you realize how and why all the naughty bits are occurring, all the steam, heat and sexy is wiped completely away. I am not a fan of non-consensual sex and in this way, the weird crosses the line into extremely awkward and uncomfortable and my open-mindedness is gone.
The Bottom Line: This erotic read has a great premise as far as the mythology of the Pazuzu gemstones goes but that is as far as I can reasonably go where the premise and plot are concerned. Additionally, I have left my star count at three only because there is a great deal of information about the mythology that is spread out over the course of the read. On the flip side, there are so many parts of this read that are uncomfortable and weird and illegal (you know, were this the real world) that I found myself having that skin crawling feeling. In fact, the way the plot unfolds left me with the feeling that any part of the characters (Mara alone, really) that I did initially like is wiped away by the ickiness of the naughty bits. Overall, I would find it very difficult to recommend this read.  ( )