431 Superior
D.M. Pratt, 2013
Dog Ear Publishers
180 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781457523212
Summary
What do you get when you take a dance mom and a nine-to-five IT dad and drop them in the middle of a Vegas vacation—away from their six daughters? You get an idea for a new career that will take this fun-loving couple into a different world...with a whole lot of exposure.
When Nate and Lucy decide to open a sex club in their hometown—complete with performers, mazes, prototype sex machines, naughty baked goods, and theme nights—they have no idea how it will turn their lives upside down, let alone how they’ll explain it to the kids.
Join Nate and Lucy as they discover the ups and downs—and ins and outs—of running one of “those” clubs in suburban Michigan while juggling their own relationship and managing a blended family. 431 Superior is a hilarious romp through the lives of a fortyish couple who take a giant leap of faith, while granting us a peek into the lives of those who share more than their opinions.
Author Bio
• Birth—August 13, 1972
• Where—Toledo, Ohio, USA
• Education—B.A., Adrian College
• Currently—Commerce Twp, Michigan
D.M. Pratt took a break from writing children’s stories in order to write 431 Superior, which she hopes her children never read.
She lives in her favorite state of denial, and also in her favorite setting, Michigan, with her husband, four daughters, and two stepdaughters. While they may be suspiciously similar to the main characters in the book, D.M. is quick to point out that she and her husband can only wish to be as daring and fun as Nate and Lucy. So if you run into them on the street, please don’t give them any funny looks or invite them to one of “those” parties. (From the author.)
Book Reviews
One of the great strengths of the book is how it presents sexual adventures and experimentation in a healthy, loving, and positive light. The sexual scenes were graphic without being pornographic, exciting without being repulsive, and sprinkled with humor and a dose of self-deprecation. Nate and Lucy do not take themselves too seriously. They are human and fallible and they face all the not-so-romantic aspects of marriage with love and laughter. The sexual content could easily tip over into the cheesy or distasteful realm, but in this book, they come across as entertaining and titillating. I have a long history of editing and feel qualified to honestly say “Well done.”
Editor - Dog Ear Publishing
431 Superior is professionally written and fun to read. Period. Your target audience will fall in love with the characters and enjoy their sexual antics. With the humor and lighthearted fun, you’ve got a highly appealing book.
Editor - Dog Ear Publishing
Discussion Questions
1. Nate and Lucy came up with a career idea that was far out of their comfort zone to help pay for their kids’ education. How far would you go to do the same? Would you risk losing friends and alienating neighbors and family if you thought it would be a successful way to help your kids?
2. Nate and Lucy tried to keep their job from their kids as long as possible. Do you agree with this? How do you think they handled the situation when the kids started to find out?
3. What do you think of their club idea? Do you think it would work in your neighborhood?
4. Would you ever go to a club like this? What if you were out of town and no one knew?
5. Some readers think Nate and Lucy’s relationship is too ideal to be real. What do you think? Is a relationship like theirs realistic?
6. Nate and Lucy take a lot of risks just to get alone time together. Does this make them courageous and fun, or do they risk too much?
7. Their plan to use negative publicity to promote their club worked in the book. Would this work in the real world?
8. In the book, the business takes off almost too easily. Only one angry group tries to shut them down by burning them down. What are some other obstacles someone might encounter in the real world?
9. What do you think of Nate and Lucy? Would you want to be friends with them, or would you dislike and avoid them?
(Questions provided courtesy of the author.)