Review: Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy

Title: Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy
Facets of Passion Miniseries
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 39,000 words
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Althea Grant’s Charleston gallery might be suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere, but she’s doing just fine, thank you. When bad-boy sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual–and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.

Steel, fascinated by Althea’s rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr designed for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the cool Southern belle into modeling for him is the second.

As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn’t just fine at all–it’s as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she’s failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?

39,000 words

The Review:

Jeffe Kennedy’s Platinum is an über sexy journey of self-discovery for gallery owner Althea Grant. Althea explores her submissive desires with sculptor Steel and she finds herself shedding her inhibitions in both her personal and professional lives.

Althea Grant is a prim and proper Southern girl who dates the “right” man, wears the “right” clothes and showcases the “right” artists. She is definitely not one to step outside the box and she conforms every aspect of her life to her parents’ and society’s expectations. The calm, sedate, pastel watercolors she shows in her art gallery are an extension of how she thinks she ought to live her life. In many ways, she is a doormat who avoids confrontation and in the process, allows everyone to pretty much walk all over her. Until Steel roars into her life and shakes up her world.

Steel is a tattooed bad boy who is a little rough around the edges. He is comfortable in his own skin, lives life on his own terms and did I mention he is a totally hot Alpha male with dominant tendencies? Steel is instantly transfixed by Althea and he is not shy about going after what he wants. He pushes her out of her comfort zone and in doing so, gives Althea the opportunity to discover who she really is.

Althea and Steel are complete opposites who end up perfectly complimenting one another. While Althea’s first impressions of Steel are superficial, the same is not true for Steel. Steel instantly recognizes the vibrant woman shrouded in pastel and his playfulness perfectly counteracts her seriousness. Althea feels an instant attraction to Steel and she is drawn not only to him but also to the extreme sensuality she sees in his art. But she has a difficult time getting past how other people might react to getting involved with Steel, both professionally and personally.

Platinum is not a typical romance. There are genuine emotions between them, but the story is more erotic than romantic. Althea and Steel’s sex scenes are intense and Steel demands that Althea take ownership of her desires. He does push her further than she is willing to go and when he loses control, it becomes a turning point not only for their relationship but for Althea personally as well.

I am quickly becoming a big fan of Jeffe Kennedy. Her characters are unique and well-developed and they undergo a great deal of growth and transformation. Her sex scenes are exquisitely detailed with just the right amount of kink.

Platinum is a fabulous mix of sweet and dirty that fans of BDSM are sure to enjoy.