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Teaching Maya
***The perfect blend of bondage, dominance, submission and tender romance***
Unable to experience arousal or reach orgasm with her first boyfriend, twenty-one year old Maya feels like a freak. In desperation, she hatches a plan to seduce the best-selling author Ryan Clayborn during a two-week vacation, and have him coach her in bed.
Ryan sleeps with many women, but commits to none. He warns Maya that an affair with him would include whips, handcuffs and canes. But Maya is drawn to him as a moth to a flame…
Ryan’s control and dominance takes Maya to new peaks of arousal. But with time ticking on, will this affair end well, or will Maya end up broken all over again?
Unable to experience arousal or reach orgasm with her first boyfriend, twenty-one year old Maya feels like a freak. In desperation, she hatches a plan to seduce the best-selling author Ryan Clayborn during a two-week vacation, and have him coach her in bed.
Ryan sleeps with many women, but commits to none. He warns Maya that an affair with him would include whips, handcuffs and canes. But Maya is drawn to him as a moth to a flame…
Ryan’s control and dominance takes Maya to new peaks of arousal. But with time ticking on, will this affair end well, or will Maya end up broken all over again?
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
24 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Tara Crescent
116 books1,081 followersTara Crescent writes steamy contemporary romances for readers who like hot, dominant heroes and strong, sassy heroines.
When she's not writing, she can be found curled up on a couch with a good book, often with a cat on her lap.
She lives in Toronto.
When she's not writing, she can be found curled up on a couch with a good book, often with a cat on her lap.
She lives in Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 6, 2015
Very enjoyable kinky romance. Tara Crescent is one of my favourite BDSM romance authors.
Teaching Maya was a fun read with lots (and lots) of kinky, sexy time. There's plenty of smut, sweet romance and a very sexy Dom, Ryan.
Teaching Maya was a fun read with lots (and lots) of kinky, sexy time. There's plenty of smut, sweet romance and a very sexy Dom, Ryan.
April 7, 2014
Ryan that boy is a temptation, "drops of water ran down his body, past sculpted abs, and made their way lower. He really did have the perfect amount of chest hair. My gaze followed that strip of hair lower until it settled on that spot where the hair disappeared into his trunks." He's considerate, "then I need to know what you are nervous about, Maya. If we are to play tonight, you need to be honest with me. We can't play safely if I can't trust you to tell me what you are feeling." He can be loving without realizing it, "sh**," Ryan swore. He got up and moved quickly to sit next to me, and gathered me in his arms. "Hus, kitten," he soothed. He held me in his arms as I composed myself." He makes the most tempting promises, "sultry temptress." Ryan shook his head at me. "We'll never make it to the Eiffel Tower if I join you in the shower." I loved Maya and Ryan's story.
August 12, 2016
This is an all-around good read. If you're into BDSM, then you will absolutely love this. It runs the gamut from light to heavy, but always with the gentle sensuality that makes it a truly erotic novel. Unlike many erotic stories, it doesn't drag in the character details nor does it skim over them. Instead, you get enough information early on to really care about the characters without losing interest. The characters are beautiful and well formed. I appreciated the style of them – you can really feel Maya's initial frustration, her eagerness, her fear and her excitement; you can also feel Ryan's conflict – should he give in to this beautiful but innocent woman, or should he stand firm in his resolve to protect himself? Overall, this was a fun, naughty little book with a sexy story and a sweet ending.
April 17, 2014
Pretty good, it felt a bit rushed, though. After awhile, these BDSM books begin to blend into each other. The biggest issue is that the story-lines aren't strong enough to keep the reader interested in-between the sexy-time scenes, so the reader tends to skim ahead from scene to scene which become redundant and therefore yawn-inducing instead of steam-producing. Also, does the woman always have to be a virgin or frigid in bed to be a candidate for bondage or spanking, etc.,? Why can't she just be curious? On the other hand is every successful man a hot-as-hell Dom? Whatever, I'm just as guilty of being drawn to these modern gr/ouchy Cinderella tales. And this one gets 3.50 stars.
June 29, 2016
this book isn't a 3 for BDSM because that was executed as a 4.5 but there really was no story if you removed the sex. I love this author and this one book won't stop me from continuing to love the authors work but this one specifically wasn't for me
July 15, 2015
maya had really bad sexual experience with her first boyfriend and feels she is the freak, but no bring in the experienced hot and her previous crush and watch the story unfold, brilliant read
February 10, 2015
Maya was in a relationship that made her think maybe there is something wrong with her or is it her ex-boyfriend and she wanted to find out. Ryan a family friend and made it to the family gathering this year and she decided to ask for his help without telling him why. She thought she could do the no strings attached but she was sorely mistaken.
January 17, 2015
Teaching Maya is an enjoyable sexy romance. The sex scenes were deliciously hot and on the lighter side of BDSM. If you are looking for a well crafted, sexy, quick read I highly recommend Teaching Maya.
January 28, 2014
A GOOD SYORY, NOT FOR EVERYONE
Well I finished the book, a book I really didn’t want to read. But a deal is a deal; I said I would read it and I did. Sort of. As I worked through the beginning chapters I wasn’t expecting much of a story, just endless repetitions of steamy scenes in the playroom and anywhere else handy. After four chapters, I decided to skip the steamy parts and look for a story, something or somebody I could relate to in some meaningful way.
So as I say I sort of read the book, which thankfully began to grow slowly into a meaningful story. I still found no one to relate to but gradually began to sympathize with the young woman for the pickle she was getting herself into. The story develops slowly, just as any good story and lasting relationship must develop. Ultimately, this turns out to be a fairly conventional love story with many highly unconventional interludes.
As a story this is top notch, worth at least four stars. The writing is good, the story is good and the mechanics are good. All in all a well crafted and well produced book. I expect it to sell well to its target audience.
That summarizes what’s to like about the book; there is much many readers will not like. I am here talking about those readers who value prudence. By that I mean those who are “able to govern themselves by the use of reason, who are cautious and circumspect as to danger and risk.” (Webster’s definition.) I am one of those, having determined some forty years ago to be very careful about the images I store in my computer’s RAM (Random Access Memory), knowing my OS (Operating System) believes what my brain tells it, and tries hard to get me to act accordingly. (Sorry about the computer-geek terminology; I know no better way to describe it.)
My final word to those looking for something to read: If you are among the target audience you will greatly enjoy this book. If you are not, you should spend your time and money on something much more enriching and edifying than anything you will find here.
I rate this book 3 stars, the average of 4 stars for the story and writing and 2 stars for material inappropriate for many audiences. There are some who simply should not read this book, and in my opinion that definitely includes anyone younger than twenty.
Well I finished the book, a book I really didn’t want to read. But a deal is a deal; I said I would read it and I did. Sort of. As I worked through the beginning chapters I wasn’t expecting much of a story, just endless repetitions of steamy scenes in the playroom and anywhere else handy. After four chapters, I decided to skip the steamy parts and look for a story, something or somebody I could relate to in some meaningful way.
So as I say I sort of read the book, which thankfully began to grow slowly into a meaningful story. I still found no one to relate to but gradually began to sympathize with the young woman for the pickle she was getting herself into. The story develops slowly, just as any good story and lasting relationship must develop. Ultimately, this turns out to be a fairly conventional love story with many highly unconventional interludes.
As a story this is top notch, worth at least four stars. The writing is good, the story is good and the mechanics are good. All in all a well crafted and well produced book. I expect it to sell well to its target audience.
That summarizes what’s to like about the book; there is much many readers will not like. I am here talking about those readers who value prudence. By that I mean those who are “able to govern themselves by the use of reason, who are cautious and circumspect as to danger and risk.” (Webster’s definition.) I am one of those, having determined some forty years ago to be very careful about the images I store in my computer’s RAM (Random Access Memory), knowing my OS (Operating System) believes what my brain tells it, and tries hard to get me to act accordingly. (Sorry about the computer-geek terminology; I know no better way to describe it.)
My final word to those looking for something to read: If you are among the target audience you will greatly enjoy this book. If you are not, you should spend your time and money on something much more enriching and edifying than anything you will find here.
I rate this book 3 stars, the average of 4 stars for the story and writing and 2 stars for material inappropriate for many audiences. There are some who simply should not read this book, and in my opinion that definitely includes anyone younger than twenty.
January 17, 2014
Crescent’s novel Teaching Maya is a romance novel with BDSM aspects. Maya is a young woman that has been unable to have satisfying sexual relations. She decides to seduce the oh so hot Ryan Clayborn during a two-week family vacation. Ryan makes it clear that he isn’t into relationships. Maya accepts these terms but will she be able to live with this decision?
Teaching Maya is a quick, easy read that, like the title promises, centers upon the sexual awakening of Maya. Unlike the vast majority of BDSM novels, Teaching Maya was not centered on the BDSM relationship and how it works. As an outspoken women, I find it difficult to read about submissive women. That was definitely not a problem with this novel. The BDSM relationship is limited to the sexual aspect of Maya and Ryan’s relationship. I found this refreshing. The background descriptions are very limited – as if the writer was in a hurry to get to the ‘good’ parts. I was obsessed with learning what the family business was as Crescent never tells the reader. The imageries, however, improved as the novel went along.
I found certain aspects of the story unbelievable. Two examples are that Maya, as a trust fund child, doesn’t go to college before starting at the family business and attends the ‘best’ business school in Paris (and then for only 2 years). These are only small details but often getting these details right makes the story more believable for the reader. It didn’t seem as if Crescent has ever been to Paris. The French, especially the Parisians in the past decade, definitely understand English even if they refuse to speak it to us lowly tourists. Crescent’s continuous use of putting character’s thoughts into quotations – as if the words were spoken instead of thought – was frustrating. Often, I had to re-read passages to check whether a phrase was spoken or merely thought.
I recommend this book to BDSM virgins.
Teaching Maya is a quick, easy read that, like the title promises, centers upon the sexual awakening of Maya. Unlike the vast majority of BDSM novels, Teaching Maya was not centered on the BDSM relationship and how it works. As an outspoken women, I find it difficult to read about submissive women. That was definitely not a problem with this novel. The BDSM relationship is limited to the sexual aspect of Maya and Ryan’s relationship. I found this refreshing. The background descriptions are very limited – as if the writer was in a hurry to get to the ‘good’ parts. I was obsessed with learning what the family business was as Crescent never tells the reader. The imageries, however, improved as the novel went along.
I found certain aspects of the story unbelievable. Two examples are that Maya, as a trust fund child, doesn’t go to college before starting at the family business and attends the ‘best’ business school in Paris (and then for only 2 years). These are only small details but often getting these details right makes the story more believable for the reader. It didn’t seem as if Crescent has ever been to Paris. The French, especially the Parisians in the past decade, definitely understand English even if they refuse to speak it to us lowly tourists. Crescent’s continuous use of putting character’s thoughts into quotations – as if the words were spoken instead of thought – was frustrating. Often, I had to re-read passages to check whether a phrase was spoken or merely thought.
I recommend this book to BDSM virgins.
June 3, 2014
Teaching Maya
Tara Crescent
This story was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
Poor Maya, she is twenty one years old and has yet to find out what all the fuss about orgasms is about. She decides to change her future. She is going to have one and she has chosen sexy Ryan Clayborn to do the honors for her. So she sets out to seduce him.
Ryan is kind of a playboy. He is a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy. But he is very very good at the loving 'em part.
"I like to play hard Maya. Whips. Canes. Handcuffs. If you want to play, you play by my rules."
Her response. "Let's play."
She wanted to experience an orgasm, well that did not take long, and she gets way more than one. Multiple, multiples, she experiences things that she had never even thought of before. Sure there was the stuff he warned about the whips, canes and handcuffs, but there was so much more, they dabbled with bondage and clothes pins. She loves it, so much so that on her next vacation she follows him to Paris where they spend two weeks together. She learns even more and tries nipple clamps and a St. Andrews Cross. The only thing he won't share is his heart. He tells her from day 1, that he doesn't do relationships, only casual sex. The thing is, she thinks she is falling for him, afterall staying with him for two weeks is hardly a casual fling, right?
If a novel with a sexy Dom instructing a new sub interests you than this book will fill that need. It has all the necessary elemants for a hot read. The sex scenes were rocking but still carried that necessary emotional elemant that makes them so much more believable and more hot to read. The characters had depth and the story line easily kept my attention. I would rate this story a 5/5 and will definately read more by this author.
July 6, 2014
Teaching Maya bills itself as “the perfect blend of bondage, dominance, submission and tender romance”. This is a brilliant description of this story.
It centers on Maya who tells the story mainly from her point of view. She is young and has only had a single poor sexual relationship with another male. Worried that the sexual deficit lies with her, she selects Ryan (someone she had had a crush on for years) as the perfect person to teach her the value of her sexuality.
Ryan has been hurt in the past and keeps barriers up between himself and his lovers. He also has a kinky streak and an admitted appreciation of floggers, spanking and multiple other BDSM props. He warns Maya upfront that if they move ahead, she will need to learn to understand and accept his various kinks.
Maya’s blend of eagerness and innocence and growing awareness of her worth and her love for Ryan is both believable and endearing. Ryan initial reluctance and personal growth and his acceptance of his flaws, brings this story together beautifully.
Tara Crescent had crafted a wonderful tale for lovers of BDSM and romance. This book delivers a solid 4 star performance from this Author.
It centers on Maya who tells the story mainly from her point of view. She is young and has only had a single poor sexual relationship with another male. Worried that the sexual deficit lies with her, she selects Ryan (someone she had had a crush on for years) as the perfect person to teach her the value of her sexuality.
Ryan has been hurt in the past and keeps barriers up between himself and his lovers. He also has a kinky streak and an admitted appreciation of floggers, spanking and multiple other BDSM props. He warns Maya upfront that if they move ahead, she will need to learn to understand and accept his various kinks.
Maya’s blend of eagerness and innocence and growing awareness of her worth and her love for Ryan is both believable and endearing. Ryan initial reluctance and personal growth and his acceptance of his flaws, brings this story together beautifully.
Tara Crescent had crafted a wonderful tale for lovers of BDSM and romance. This book delivers a solid 4 star performance from this Author.
February 1, 2016
As much romance as BDSM erotica, Teaching Maya is an engaging story about Maya, a young financial analyst and her long time crush, Ryan. Their affair begins when they finally connect at an extended family gathering. A perfect beach or weekend read, although possibly not good choice for public transportation as the erotica is very well done. Well-paced and well-crafted, the narrative seamlessly incorporates erotic elements that are heated and passionate without being either vulgar or predicable. The secondary characters are clearly depicted and used sparingly to forward the overall story-line, although toward the end, the transitions are a little abrupt. Both a New Year’s party confrontation and the abruptly introduced Derek’s crude approach to Maya have very little build up to what are important plot pivots. In an interesting shift in a genre full of serials, Teaching Maya ends with an Epilogue that neatly ties up hanging plot points when both the characters and writing could easily have sustained a second volume.
I look forward to reading more of Tara Crescent’s work and hope that at least one will feature Maya’s enigmatic Uncle Ivar.
I look forward to reading more of Tara Crescent’s work and hope that at least one will feature Maya’s enigmatic Uncle Ivar.
February 24, 2015
I received this as an ARC For an honest review. I may or may not post spoilers so read on if you dare.
Now this book starts out with Maya as a spoiled rotten "kid" or that is how she came across to me. With high hopes and high dreams that her teen crush could help her with her "problem". This book has her growing and learning about herself and real life as you read it. The writer did a GREAT job of making her appear as adult, showing you her growth in words.
You get to see the struggle from both the older man's point of view and the young woman's. It was a book that while it did not bring me to tears it did make me sad for this young woman as she fell in love with Ryan.
You also see Ryan growing as he struggles with his past, his demons. Which I loved. But the absolutely best part of this book is when they have the hot scenes. Yet another book which shows BDSM as a tool to be used for a sexual high and not for abuse!! You could act out the stuff in this book. It is all possible! I do not think I have ever read anything by Tara before but she is now on my I want to read list! Keep up the great work!
Now this book starts out with Maya as a spoiled rotten "kid" or that is how she came across to me. With high hopes and high dreams that her teen crush could help her with her "problem". This book has her growing and learning about herself and real life as you read it. The writer did a GREAT job of making her appear as adult, showing you her growth in words.
You get to see the struggle from both the older man's point of view and the young woman's. It was a book that while it did not bring me to tears it did make me sad for this young woman as she fell in love with Ryan.
You also see Ryan growing as he struggles with his past, his demons. Which I loved. But the absolutely best part of this book is when they have the hot scenes. Yet another book which shows BDSM as a tool to be used for a sexual high and not for abuse!! You could act out the stuff in this book. It is all possible! I do not think I have ever read anything by Tara before but she is now on my I want to read list! Keep up the great work!
February 6, 2015
Twenty-one year old Maya thinks something is wrong with her since she was never able to reach orgasm with her ex-boyfriend Anthony, so while she is on her family vacation she decides she is going to seduce Thirty-one year old Ryan Clayborn a close friend of her uncle's and someone she had a crush on as a teenager. Do I even have to tell you how hot this book is? If you read any of Tara Crescent's other books you know she is the Queen when it comes to BDSM. The relationship between Maya and Ryan is refreshing, no strings, they both get what they want and everyone is happy....right?!? Guess you're going to read it to find out. ;)
March 3, 2015
I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Maya is determined to prove that she's not frigid in bed. To accomplish that she has come up with a plan to have a one night stand with her family friend Ryan. Having had a crush on him since childhood it is pretty much a dream come true for her.
Ryan finds Maya attractive but he is not a relationship guy. He agrees to tutor her in his kind of domination for one night that quickly turns into more. Refusing to admit his feelings might be involved he lets Maya go. But Maya is convinced that there is more between the two of them.
Can she convince Ryan? Or will she lose the man she loves?
Maya is determined to prove that she's not frigid in bed. To accomplish that she has come up with a plan to have a one night stand with her family friend Ryan. Having had a crush on him since childhood it is pretty much a dream come true for her.
Ryan finds Maya attractive but he is not a relationship guy. He agrees to tutor her in his kind of domination for one night that quickly turns into more. Refusing to admit his feelings might be involved he lets Maya go. But Maya is convinced that there is more between the two of them.
Can she convince Ryan? Or will she lose the man she loves?
January 17, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great erotic novel with fully developed storyline and characters. The characters are relatable and you find yourself endeared to them from the start. The storyline is plausible and the author does a great job with descriptions. I would recommend this to anyone who likes erotica and BDSM. Can't wait to read more from this author.
This is a great erotic novel with fully developed storyline and characters. The characters are relatable and you find yourself endeared to them from the start. The storyline is plausible and the author does a great job with descriptions. I would recommend this to anyone who likes erotica and BDSM. Can't wait to read more from this author.
November 24, 2015
I absolutely loved loved this book. If you are into romance with bdsm in this is the book for you. We meet Maya who has fancied Ryan for years, she finally approaches him and he explains to her that he doesn't do relationships and it's his rules. You actually feel yourself in Maya' s shoes due to the brilliant writing style of Tara Crescent. I loved this book and author.
March 22, 2015
This is a no-no-no-yes plot. Ryan doesn't want a relationship, doesn't want a relationship, doesn't want a relationship, decides to have a relationship. There is no progression, no deciding moment, not even much conflict. Maya doesn't even ask for a relationship.
April 23, 2015
Well Written But Still Hot
I really enjoyed this book. Maya and Ryan are a couple that shouldn't work; difference in age and experience could be stumbling blocks and are sometimes. Was a good story and the sex scenes were well done. Would read more from this author.
I really enjoyed this book. Maya and Ryan are a couple that shouldn't work; difference in age and experience could be stumbling blocks and are sometimes. Was a good story and the sex scenes were well done. Would read more from this author.
June 28, 2015
Super hot story of a young lady exploring her newly found sexual self with a man she's had a crush on for years. Ryan doesn't do relationships and Maya tries to deal with that. I really enjoyed their story and the connection they shared. Sexy, intense scenes. Well worth the read!
August 13, 2016
Cute little love story. Hawt sex.
June 3, 2014
I enjoyed this story. But, it was a tad bit rushed to me.
I enjoyed Maya's character and of course Ryan's.
I enjoyed Maya's character and of course Ryan's.
June 10, 2014
Was a fun quick read with some great steamy parts. Some of the story line was not strong however I have found many books that have weak spots in the story line.
November 22, 2014
3.5 stars
December 29, 2014
First time reading a book by this author. Pretty good. It annoyed me that Ryan said please so often though.
January 29, 2015
This book would have been so much better without all the gushing and dripping. I mean honestly, come on. I didn't feel any emotional connection to either character and the writing was just OK. Meh.
February 21, 2015
I didn't really like this book. I found it had not much of a story line, it wasn't much of a passionate book. I felt like it skimmed over the whole story and had no real depth to it.
March 23, 2015
Sappy and ridiculous, the story didn't seem to develop properly. Like when you take something out of the oven too soon. It's ok, but a little off.
April 23, 2015
DNF. So bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews