Confession (Under Mr. Nolan's Bed)

Book 2 in this series is still strong in continuity of story-line and in character development. Selena did her homework to 'authenticate' (as much as 'fiction' can be) this story. Leah was sent to Magdalene House, the place here in my neck of the woods was called the 'Home for Wayward Girls'. Hmmm see any similarities? This book really pulled me in because theoretically it could very well have happened! Females in the 50s, particularly Catholic [insert your religion here] females were required (yes required!) to follow certain societal rules. You can see how the girls that didn't follow the rules were treated poorly and with disgust by the rest of society. What happened at the Magdalene House was horrific but the consequences of reporting the atrocities was even worse. Remember how hesitant abused people were when reports were made about rapes from priests? Next thing you know there were a dozen more people confirming the situation but it took courage and strength; and those rapes were 60 years after the time period in this book and the people that initially reported them were still looked at with disbelief and disdain! Anyway; I digress... The story-line is very upsetting and dark. Selena's writing and collaboration with certain events were just real enough to make you wonder (in a very scary kind of way) what the world is coming to. But unfortunately I can totally see some of these events actually happening - although maybe not to the corrupt and depraved way indicated in this book. (and yea... I attended private schools and private colleges; I've seen the underground tunnels and corridors as well as the sacristies and private courtyards (the 'wayward' girls were kept totally out of the public eye), I've had to attend mass/chapel each day so to me this story hit close to home. My reprieve was that I attended 20 years later and some of the societal rules had relaxed by then.)

Selena Kitt has created a masterpiece in this series, with Confessions a mixture of romantic suspense, religious intrigue, scandal, and so much more. Set firmly in upper-class 1950s suburbia, the story of Leah, Erica and Rob from Temptation continues, with Leah discovering she's pregnant -- and being forced into a Catholic-run home for unwed mothers. If it sounds a bit too trope-ish, just wait. A mixture of The DaVinci Code, The Help, an X-File episode and some Red Shoe Diaries thrown in for good measure, what Selena Kitt has done here is to create a series that is erotic, fascinating, and driven by a unique historical setting, when "good girls" could hide their transgressions through the Church -- but for the price of a major chunk of their soul. Her depiction of unwed mothers' homes is dead-on, from the doctor's callous treatment of these unwed mothers to the townspeoples' cruelty on a rare outing. The social worker who "helps" the mothers is a manipulative sadist, but what's more shocking is the casual sociopathy of so many people involved in the adoption process, from the nuns (who have flashes of compassion, which Kitt weaves in well, for more realism) who run the home to the girls' parents to Father Michael, Leah's local priest (who has his own set of demons, most of which involve Erica). The scandal comes in the form of a secret Catholic society that takes sexuality and the Bible and turns everything you know on its head, with Leah's best friend Erica front-and-center as a victim, unearthing her own dead mother's involvement in the society and coming to a horrifying revelation about herself through her research into her mother's life. Just when you think someone is unknowing, or naive, Kitt adds a plot twist you don't see coming -- and leaves you breathless as the book ends. I cannot WAIT for the third in the trilogy to come out in April, and it's now on my "absolutely must buy with drooling anticipation" list.

Scandalous need I say anymore.. wow this book was crazy, but crazy good. I think if I was living in the 50s I would have found this book offensive, but no it's 2013 and things are bit more open and we live in a pretty scandalous world, so am not to shock with the things that happened in this book. Let's start off by saying, twist and turns in the book, when you think you have it all figured out bang,Selena Kitt throw you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion and head trips. I have so many question and I hope book three answers them all. If you have an open mind read this book, it's just a book. Oh by the way you need to read book# 1 so you can understand book#2.

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed reading this book. I love the first one and was beyond shocked with the ending... but then I had to keep reading. The first one was free, but I know this is how Kindle authors suck you in. "Here is my first book free, now pay to read the rest." I have no problem paying to read a book, but in my head, I just keep telling myself I paid for the first one and this was the free one so I wouldn't feel so bad. I found this book quite annoying. I am not a Catholic, nor am I any religion. I could've gotten past all of that (even though it was 98% of the book) but what I couldn't get passed is how stupid the two main girls became. Come on, Leah and Erica! You kept talking in the first book about how you are adults, but adults think things through and don't just do what others tell them! *sigh*

I read the first book because it was free, and although I am not an erotica fan, I was quickly drawn into the story. There was just so much emotion and feeling and I was compelled to read the second book. Well, let me just say, I don't remember the last time I was so mesmerized and completely enveloped in a book. While the first book was amazing, this one is far better. The story if full of twists and turns and surprises. It made me at moments feel so overwhelmed with emotions that I didn't know if I should keep reading or put it down and take a break. I can't wait for the next installment and will be checking regularly for its release. Thanks Ms. Kitt for writing a book that, while edgy on some levels, made me remember the reason I so love reading - something that hasn't happened in a long time.

I am a Selena Kitt fan and the original Under Mr Nolans bed is one of my favorites and will remain in my reread file. I am not put off by the stories or taboo subject matter normally. The first book in this new version was OK but this second book was too dark for me. I am 35 yrs old and not catholic, and aparently not in the right place in my life for this story. I do not normally read books set in the 50's as they feel too contemporary but with old fashioned views. I like current or historical. I understand the main character had to go to the unwed mothers home for this book but I found the whole story line very upsetting and the parellel line with the church and the priest was too dark for me. It took me two weeks to read this, when I would normally have read it in an afternoon, because I had to keep putting it down to read something lighter. I ended up skimming the last half of the story just hoping to get a positive end and although the end was OK it lead you into the third book, which I will buy and just hope for the HEA to bring back my love of this story. If you are looking for dark this is your book however if you love the original like I did and have not started the new version just dont start it. This book was a fail for me.

Tedious. Not erotica. Not inspiring. Not remotely entertaining. Just exactly mind numbingly exhausting... With an extra star for the gratuitous crusi-fiction (pun intended) of catholosism. THAT is long over do. Other than but not at all including, a clumsey rape scenario, a WORDY gang rape and some less than soft core girl on girl cuddling this was all about as enticing as mutual masturbation vourism with your cousin. We ALL know our Selena Kitty is MUCH more talented than this. I'm not sure if I want to even try to find out of 'Grace' is an improvement. Candidly Yours; Jim

*******MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS****** Fan-taboo-ulous!! This story goes well out of the realms of what is considered normal or accepted. Love can change people. Live can put people into situations they are ill prepared to handle. Leah finds herself in this very predicament. She is taken away from everything and everyone she loves. She misses Erica terribly. She can't stop thinking about Mr. Nolan and if he knows what had happened to her. Leah is forced to deal with or handle get issue alone. Luckily she isn't completely alone. She does form some close bonds with others like her. Others that are in the family way but without the family. The roller coaster beginnings. I was genuinely shocked when the book took more of a turn towards Erica. I liked this. Erica was dealing with a ton too. Best of all she never gave up on Leah. Erica delves into a taboo world of secret societies, intentional infertility, sex, lies, and the Catholic Church. When Erica and Leah first opened the door to Mr. Nolans secret rooms, they had no idea the doors that would get busted open in the process. Lies and secrets hide behind concessions and habits. No one is who they seem or pretend to be. Erica uncovers major secrets that involve her while simply trying to help and locate Leah. It's a whirlwind of emotions and Selena does a fantastic job keeping you drawn in. I started reading Confession tonight and couldn't put it down till it was finished. Now gleefully on to Grace. Happy reading everyone.