The Seduction of Shelley M.

In this post, I wanted to share with you a little something about me. When I was about 15 (or 16 or 14, I can’t remember), I purchased my first forbidden book. I remember it like it was yesterday but is actually about ~cough~ years ago. (A little dusty in here).

Picture it. Myrtle beach 19~cough~ (whew this dust, I tell you). I was meandering around a gift shop trying to get some air conditioned relief from my very painful sunburn. While I was wandering around the Big Johnson T-shirts and the body part shot glasses, I saw it. The book that will set me on the path of guilty pleasures and made me the goddess I am today. It had a medusa face on a white cover and the title was written in blood red type. That book was The Seduction of Peter S. by Lawrence Sanders. The pages were yellowed and it smelled like forever. (which smells a lot like the sea, the air after a storm, purple haze incense, and bahama mamas) I thought that this book was waiting there just for me. I read the back cover and I knew had to have it. The reason this book was so special to me is because it talked about subjects that were only addressed on shows that were on after I went to school or on the cable premium channels late late at night when all the good little boys and girls go to sleep.

Before there was Deuce Bigalow or TJ Hicks, there was Peter Scuro.

Peter S. is a 36 year old actor who is still looking for his big break. He has reached the point in his career where…well…he hasn’t one. Each attempt thwarted by casting directors looking for a younger type. Though he has little cash, opportunity, (and later we find out) morals, he is rich in other ways. He has good friends, an agent, and a woman who loves him.

But love doesn’t pay the rent.  (I know.  And much to my dismay,  the landlord is aware of that little tidbit too and does not find it amusing even if you offer in jest.)

So when temptation comes in a matching mink coat and sombrero (yes, mink sombrero) offering 50 dollars for “special” services, without hesitation Peter accepts. This decision sets him on a path that changes his life and the lives of those that are near and dear to him. Some are affected for the better and some for the worst.

After I read the whole book, I had to read it again. I didn’t want to miss anything. It was written in first person had some graphic detail, a few taboo subjects, a little murder and mayhem, and just enough humor to pull it all together and keep me entertained.  And very the best part was that It was mine all mine (muah ha ha ha ha!!! Muah ha ha ha ha!!!….~ahem~).

Sadly my friends, I found out that I was not the only one who had enjoyed its delights.  I found this book in our catalog and I realize that my secret book wasn’t really a secret. But I am not disappointed.

Maybe one evening, one of you will be strolling down an isle and will discover a book that seems to be made only for you  and it too will smell like forever.

2 comments on “The Seduction of Shelley M.

  1. My first forbidden book was Judy Blume’s Forever. I “borrowed” the paperback copy from my local library and ripped the cover off so my mom wouldn’t know what it was. Tee Hee.
    I was in the fifth grade and my friends all giggled over it. At the time I did not know what a lot of it meant. Mom never did catch me with it.

  2. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have kept that love for the forbidden…without the book cover tearing. You naughty girl.

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