Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review:
Topping From Below was much more interesting. Panic snap has a slow start and not much to keep the pages turning. Somewhat disappointing.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing 2nd effort
Review: After waiting for the 2nd book from author Laura Reese, it was hard to believe the same person penned both books. Her first book Topping From Below was an engrossing read from start to finish with characters you could explore. The characters in this book are flimsy, predictable, and have no depth. All in all, this was book was a complete waste of time and $$.
Rating:
Summary: Another disturbing edition
Review: I am not straightlaced or prudish (why would I read this book if I were?) but the activities represented in this novel as erotic only made me feel ill. Are there really people that find the use of farm animals in sex play exciting? Okay, maybe I am naive to some degree, but that is just plain icky! Reading this book is like looking at road kill, somewhat compelling but still an unhappy experience.
Rating:
Summary: Just A Dull Clone of the first book...
Review: I bought this book because I thought "Topping from Below" was pretty good. More than anything, it's a ... reminder that lightning rarely strikes twice in the same place. This book is no better than the "men's paperbacks" you can buy with brown paper covers at airports (or so I'm told).
In this book, the heroine (Carly), who was found half dead, terribly beaten, and partially buried as a teenager, comes across a picture in a magazine that jogs her fractured memory. She seeks out the man in the picture (James)and becomes involved with his family, and then more inimately with him. Carly is a fascinated observer, then a willing participant in James' sadomasochistic activities. Eventually, she finds out the secret of her past and all of the bad guys are suitably punished.
The main problem I have with this book is that Laura Reese has so clearly missed the point of what makes dominance and submission such an attractive and intriguing subject. Other than Carly's increasingly unconvincing desire to find out the truth, why either James or Carly continue in their relationship is never examined. The interaction between couples who play with sexual power -- bondage, D&S, S&M, whatever you want to call it -- is far more complex and, yes, titilating than the simple nuts-and-bolts of physical activity. If Reese had truly explored her characters and their relationship (as she did to some extent in "Topping from Below"), she might have written a good novel. As it is, she's provided the weak plot and wooden characters of a slightly exotic porno movie. Spend your money on a video if that's what you want.
Rating: 
Summary: Rawr!
Review: I enjoyed this book and thought it was a pretty creative bend on the whole domination/submission s&m type thing. All in all, the "mystery" got a little tedious...Laura Reese has sort of a Dean Koontz writing style wherein you want to reach in and smack the main character for being such a knob about things that are completely obvious to the reader. The erotic bits of this book were absolutely haunting, however...stuff that sticks with you for a long time, be it good or bad! Unfortunately, I read this book prior to reading Ms. Reese's first book (Topping from Below) and ended up sorely disappointed in that book. If you've read Topping from Below, don't bother with this one at all. They're nearly the same book, with the exception being that "M" or "Michael" in Topping From Below is easily, incredibly hate-able. There's a finer line with the male lead character in Panic Snap. He's less hate-able...but still not terrifically like-able.For folks who want to make the argument about the portrayal of the s&m lifestyle in Ms. Reese's books, I have this to say: No one said these were MANUALS. They're works of FICTION and last time I checked, FICTION didn't have to follow any rules because it's, well, MADE UP! At any rate, it's an enjoyable read as an erotic novel. As a mystery novel, well, it really leaves a lot to be desired.
Rating:
Summary: Rawr!
Review: I enjoyed this book and thought it was a pretty creative bend on the whole domination/submission s&m type thing. All in all, the "mystery" got a little tedious...Laura Reese has sort of a Dean Koontz writing style wherein you want to reach in and smack the main character for being such a knob about things that are completely obvious to the reader. The erotic bits of this book were absolutely haunting, however...stuff that sticks with you for a long time, be it good or bad! Unfortunately, I read this book prior to reading Ms. Reese's first book (Topping from Below) and ended up sorely disappointed in that book. If you've read Topping from Below, don't bother with this one at all. They're nearly the same book, with the exception being that "M" or "Michael" in Topping From Below is easily, incredibly hate-able. There's a finer line with the male lead character in Panic Snap. He's less hate-able...but still not terrifically like-able. For folks who want to make the argument about the portrayal of the s&m lifestyle in Ms. Reese's books, I have this to say: No one said these were MANUALS. They're works of FICTION and last time I checked, FICTION didn't have to follow any rules because it's, well, MADE UP! At any rate, it's an enjoyable read as an erotic novel. As a mystery novel, well, it really leaves a lot to be desired.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Rule This Book Out
Review: If I was drawn to Laura Reeses first book, Topping From Below, because I thought it was my usual ilk, a mystery, my eyes were opened to another type of literature. I am glad, that like some, I was not put off by the Erotica classification. I caution others not to rule out a reading of either of her books. Panic has something for everyone: The vintner The mystery reader The romantic The reader of Erotica. As in Topping, the reader is gripped from the start of Panic Snap. In Panic , we are immediately thrust into the palpable physical ache of Carli's tension. Beyond the suspense of the reader and Carli needing to find the answers, is the sensual love story. The reader feels Carli's longing for love so strongly that we can't help but feel that some of Reeses own longings are in the pages. The regular reader of Erotica will also not be displeased. As a succinctly un-erotic person, Panic brought out a sexuality that I keep did not know I had. All of this we have in a beautiful setting brought to life by Reese who obviously has a familiarity and love of the California Wine Country. As other Amazon reviewers have asked; just who is this elusive Reese.
Rating:
Summary: A DARK, SENSUAL JOURNEY INTO THE FORBIDDEN!!!
Review: Laura Reese came upon the scene several years ago with the publication of TOPPING FROM BELOW. Dealing with the intricacies of dominance and submission, it instantly became an underground classic, demonstrating the great skill Ms. Reese has for writing prose that literally drips like hot butter from a person's palate. Now, with her second novel, PANIC SNAP, Ms. Reese continues her legacy of well-written, intricately plotted, suspenseful erotica. PANIC SNAP is the story of Carly Tyler who, as a teenager, was found half buried in a makeshift grave, nearly beaten to death, and suffering from a severe case of amnesia. Now, fifteen years later, she's on trial for her life, branded as a "Madame DeSade" by the local press and accused of murdering two people who may have been responsible for the crimes committed against her. And thus the story begins, moving back a couple of months before the trial and the horrible deaths. While still experiencing total amnesia with regards to the earlier part of her life, Carly one day accidentally sees a picture of James McGuane in a magazine dealing with California wines and wineries. The picture triggers instant recognition on her part, jarring memories long hidden in the deepest regions of her subconscious, slowly rising to the surface, but staying just out of reach. She definitely knows this man from somewhere! What Carly isn't sure of is whether he was a friend or a foe. She decides to find out by securing a job as a cook at McGuane's winery. One thing swiftly leads to another and before you can say the word submission, Carly is having a mad, passionate affair with her new boss. It doesn't take him long to figure out who she really is, even with the plastic surgery she had after the severe beating. He eventually agrees to tell her everything, but the truth will have its price. Carly will have to once again submit to McGuane in whatever way he demands, both ... and psychologically. PANIC SNAP is riveting from beginning to the end, luring the unsuspecting reader into the world of forbidden .... desires, keeping the heat to a scorching intensity that thrills, excites, and surprises. While at times too hot to hold, this novel is also suspenseful in the best kind of way. The characters of Carly and James are richly drawn as human beings who have found themselves on a path of self-destruction, brought about by their obsession with the ... attraction of S&M. The reader will be kept guessing right up till the end of the book with regards to what happened to Carly as a teenager, never suspecting the actual truth. Needless to say, PANIC SNAP is a ... explicit novel and not for the fainthearted. Let's hope it won't be as long before Ms. Reese comes out with another novel of equal quality.
Rating:
Summary: A DARK, SENSUAL JOURNEY INTO THE FORBIDDEN!!!
Review: Laura Reese came upon the scene several years ago with the publication of TOPPING FROM BELOW. Dealing with the intricacies of dominance and submission, it instantly became an underground classic, demonstrating the great skill Ms. Reese has for writing prose that literally drips like hot butter from a person's palate. Now, with her second novel, PANIC SNAP, Ms. Reese continues her legacy of well-written, intricately plotted, suspenseful erotica. PANIC SNAP is the story of Carly Tyler who, as a teenager, was found half buried in a makeshift grave, nearly beaten to death, and suffering from a severe case of amnesia. Now, fifteen years later, she's on trial for her life, branded as a "Madame DeSade" by the local press and accused of murdering two people who may have been responsible for the crimes committed against her. And thus the story begins, moving back a couple of months before the trial and the horrible deaths. While still experiencing total amnesia with regards to the earlier part of her life, Carly one day accidentally sees a picture of James McGuane in a magazine dealing with California wines and wineries. The picture triggers instant recognition on her part, jarring memories long hidden in the deepest regions of her subconscious, slowly rising to the surface, but staying just out of reach. She definitely knows this man from somewhere! What Carly isn't sure of is whether he was a friend or a foe. She decides to find out by securing a job as a cook at McGuane's winery. One thing swiftly leads to another and before you can say the word submission, Carly is having a mad, passionate affair with her new boss. It doesn't take him long to figure out who she really is, even with the plastic surgery she had after the severe beating. He eventually agrees to tell her everything, but the truth will have its price. Carly will have to once again submit to McGuane in whatever way he demands, both ... and psychologically. PANIC SNAP is riveting from beginning to the end, luring the unsuspecting reader into the world of forbidden .... desires, keeping the heat to a scorching intensity that thrills, excites, and surprises. While at times too hot to hold, this novel is also suspenseful in the best kind of way. The characters of Carly and James are richly drawn as human beings who have found themselves on a path of self-destruction, brought about by their obsession with the ... attraction of S&M. The reader will be kept guessing right up till the end of the book with regards to what happened to Carly as a teenager, never suspecting the actual truth. Needless to say, PANIC SNAP is a ... explicit novel and not for the fainthearted. Let's hope it won't be as long before Ms. Reese comes out with another novel of equal quality.
Rating:
Summary: same ol' kinky song and dance. . .
Review: Laura Reese is a truly gifted writer who, unfortunately, may also be a one-trick pony. TOPPING FROM BELOW, her first book, is one of my all time favorite novels. With PANIC SNAP, I see the author trying desperately to recreate the magic of TOPPING FROM BELOW. The plot is almost identical (female gets involved with sadistic lover in order to learn a "secret," then falls in love with him, then exacts her revenge), but the writing isn't nearly as colorful or skillful. James McGuane, PANIC's resident sadist, is quite boring and not nearly as intriguing as TOPPING's antagonist. I hope that Laura Reese abandons the S & M theme in her next novel; otherwise, she'll just be beating a dead horse (pun intended)
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