Category Archives: BDSM

October 1, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Drawn Together by Lauren Dane

Title: Drawn Together by Lauren Dane
A Brown Family Novel (Book 6)
Publisher: Penguin Publishing
Imprint: Berkley Trade
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Beauty is more than skin-deep…

Tattoo artist Raven Smith is blunt and hard, broken and jaded, dark and beautiful. While she doesn’t hide her painful past, she does keep a wall around her heart. She’s free sexually—but no one gets to the real Raven beneath the prickly exterior.

With a voice like smoke, Jonah Warner is a smooth-talking, highly successful attorney, with a body that should never be hidden by a suit. He’s the kind of man who never takes no for an answer and always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Raven. She’s a survivor, and he finds that incredibly alluring.

Jonah gets under her skin in a way Raven has never experienced. He makes her break all her rules—including her no-monogamy rule.

But when a figure from Raven’s past shows up at the tattoo parlor and drops a bomb into her life, their relationship will face the ultimate challenge…

MATURE AUDIENCE

The Review:

Drawn Together, the sixth installment in Lauren Dane’s Brown Family series, is an emotionally and sexually intense novel between a tough as nails tattoo artist and an über wealthy lawyer.

Right from their first sexy as sin encounter, Jonah Warner challenges Raven Smith. Sexually, he pushes her to embrace her (very surprising) submissiveness. Emotionally, he shoves past all of her carefully built and well-maintained barriers. With Jonah breaking all of her rules, Raven even agrees to a monogamous relationship. But when her past collides with her present and shocking revelations turn her world upside down, will Raven trust Jonah with the secrets of her past and ultimately, her heart?

There is absolutely no doubt that Raven is a strong and well-adjusted woman. She unapologetically embraces her sexuality and she is upfront that she is not into monogamy. She is also loyal and loving and turns into a big old pile of mush when it comes to her friends and their adorably cute kids. Raven is honest to a fault and there is no room for game playing in her life. She has no difficulty speaking her mind and if someone needs to be taken down a notch or two, Raven won’t hesitate to do it.

Jonah comes from a privileged and wealthy background but he is surprisingly down to earth. He is rock solid and amazingly comfortable in his own skin. Jonah knows what he wants and likes, and he goes after it. Does he sometimes push Raven too hard? Absolutely. But he also recognizes when he needs to back off and give her some much needed space. Jonah not only gets her, he accepts her, warts and all.

Raven has some serious issues in her past. By all appearances, she has made peace with her childhood and moved on. But the closer she gets to Jonah and the more he presses her to open up, the more obvious it becomes that she has not really dealt with her problems. Her “rules” are a defense mechanism that Jonah may not understand or like, but he does respect her need for them. Jonah becomes Raven’s catalyst for change over the course of Drawn Together and once she is finally able to fully reveal her secrets, true healing finally takes place.

There is a very strong BDSM element in Drawn Together. Raven and Jonah jump into a sexual relationship very early on with Jonah taking the dominant role. Jonah knows nothing about Raven or her past when he puts her into a submissive role and while the sex is hot, I did have a problem with this one area of the storyline. Unless you know upfront that both partners are into this type of sex, a serious discussion about limits and safe words should take place before restraining and spanking your partner.

Friends and family play a strong role in Drawn Together. Several characters from previous novels in the series make guest appearances. These scenes are quite heartwarming and beautifully showcase Raven’s softer side. Raven’s interactions with Jonah’s family are a mixed bag of well-placed barbs, out and out confrontations and a few aww, sweet moments. Pretty much a good representation of everyday life that make you laugh, seethe and cheer depending on the situation.

A great read with a colorful cast of lovable characters, Drawn Together is a vibrant story of healing that has a great deal of heart and plenty of deliciously naughty sex. Old and new fans of Lauren Dane are sure to enjoy this latest addition to the Brown Family series.

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Filed under BDSM, Berkley Trade, Brown Family Novel, Contemporary, Drawn Together, Erotic, Lauren Dane, Rated B, Review, Romance

September 9, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Forbidden Obsessions by Jodie Griffin

Title: Forbidden Obsessions by Jodie Griffin
Bondage & Breakfast Series Book Four
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Word Count: 55,000
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Book four of Bondage & Breakfast

Bondage & Breakfast was a safe place for couples to explore BDSM–until an arsonist almost destroyed it. While the inn is closed for repairs, owner Gabe McConnell allows injured firefighter Olivia Watterson to stay and recover as a favor to a mutual friend. His attraction to her is unexpected and intense–but there’s no way she’s strong enough for the type of play he demands from a sub.

When she arrives at the inn, Liv is shocked–and intrigued. Her unanticipated obsession with the sexy, skilled Dom makes her all the more impatient with her slow recuperation. Even more frustrating is the way Gabe handles her like fragile glass, and she’s determined to prove she’s anything but by pushing her body to the limit.

Holding back should be easy for Gabe, but the more Liv challenges his limits, the more he craves her, body, mind and heart…

Want more Bondage& Breakfast? Check out Forbidden Fantasies, available now!

55,000 words

The Review:

In Forbidden Obsessions, the fourth book in Jodie Griffin’s sizzling BDSM series Bondage & Breakfast, it is B&B owner Gabe McConnell’s turn to find love. This über sexy and very intense Dom meets his match in Olivia Watterson but their clashes about her recuperation threaten to derail their newfound relationship.

Needing a reprieve from her well-meaning but overbearing mother, Olivia gratefully escapes to Gabe’s B&B to continue her recovery from a very serious accident. With little knowledge of the BDSM lifestyle, she is a slightly uncomfortable but very intrigued by Gabe and the B&B. Olivia is also very surprised by her desire to submit to Gabe’s domination and while she is a little hesitant, she is also eager to explore the passion between them. Their encounters are fraught with sexual tension as Gabe demands Olivia’s submission and trust as he slowly introduces her to BDSM play.

His relationship with Olivia is new territory for Gabe. He prides himself on his ability to tightly control any situation and his emotions but his explorations with Olivia continually challenge his limits. He is naturally caring and quite nurturing, but he is overly cautious where Olivia is concerned and she is often frustrated by his overbearing attitude. Fearing Gabe will never see her as the strong, healthy and capable woman she is, Olivia is quickly at wit’s end and she ends their explorations.

In the beginning of Forbidden Obsessions, Olivia and Gabe share an easygoing friendship that is underscored by mutual attraction. They quickly embark on a sexual journey that is a push/pull of desire and emotion for both Olivia and Gabe. Olivia is a strong woman and she does not meekly submit to Gabe. She is sometimes fighting herself as much as she is Gabe but she always stands her ground with Gabe when she needs to.

Forbidden Obsessions is another outstanding addition to the Bondage & Breakfast series. Jodie Griffin continues to keep the series fresh with innovative and interesting plotlines. The characters are refreshingly unique and easy to relate to as they explore their innermost, naughty desires.

As with previous works in the series, Forbidden Obsessions can be read as a standalone story.

Please click HERE to read my reviews of the first two books in the Bondage & Breakfast series.

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Filed under BDSM, Bondage & Breakfast Series, Carina Press, Contemporary, Forbidden Obsessions, Jodie Griffin, Rated B, Review, Romance

July 23, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Complete Me by J. Kenner

Title: Complete Me by J. Kenner
Stark Trilogy Book Three
Publisher: Random Publishing House Group
Imprint: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, BDSM
Length: 322 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes the third novel in the erotic, fast-paced trilogy including Release Me and Claim Me. This sexy, emotionally charged romance continues the story of Damien Stark, the powerful multimillionaire who’s never had to take “no” for an answer, and Nikki Fairchild, the Southern belle who only says “yes” on her own terms.

Our desire runs deep. But our secrets cut close.

Beautiful, strong, and commanding, Damien Stark fills a void in me that no other man can touch. His fierce cravings push me beyond the brink of bliss—and unleash a wild passion that utterly consumes us both.

Yet beneath his need for dominance, he carries the wounds of a painful past. Haunted by a legacy of dark secrets and broken trust, he seeks release in our shared ecstasy, the heat between us burning stronger each day.

Our attraction is undeniable, our obsession inevitable. Yet not even Damien can run from his ghosts, or shield us from the dangers yet to come.

Complete Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

The Review:

J. Kenner’s Complete Me, the final installment of the Stark Trilogy, ties up all of the loose ends of the various storylines. Overly dramatic and angsty, this final novel has some unexpected twists and turns but the overall story is a rehash of the themes from the previous novels.

Nikki Fairchild started out as a pretty together, independent young woman. But somewhere along the way, (ok, it was in book two) Nikki becomes so overly dependent on Damian Stark that she cannot seem to function without him. Couple that with his inability to open to her and Nikki’s emotional health continues on its downward spiral in Complete Me. With Nikki continually fighting the urge to slip back into her old destructive pattern of easing her pain, I could not help but wonder why she would stay in such an unhealthy relationship.

Lack of communication continues to be the major problem between Nikki and Damian. Damian steadfastly refuses to confide in Nikki and she continues to be devastated by his failure to open up. This becomes a vicious cycle between them and it not only undermines their relationship, but it feeds Nikki’s insecurities. I found this part of the storyline very frustrating as it happens over and over again with both characters reacting exactly the same way each time.

As with the first two novels in the trilogy, there are BDSM elements to Nikki and Damian’s relationship. They use sex to avoid their problems. They use sex to work out their individual issues. They use sex to work through their issues as a couple. This translates into whole lotta sex that literally goes on for pages and pages. Their sex scenes are hot, but in the end, they overwhelm the rest of the storyline.

J. Kenner has an enjoyable writing style and overall Complete Me is a fast paced novel. Although some of the storyline is frustrating, I do like that all of the various story arcs are resolved. While Nikki and Damian get plenty of screen time, there is more interaction between Nikki and her friends Ollie and Jamie. Nikki and Ollie work on patching up their friendship and Jamie begins to make some positive changes to her life. Damian’s secrets contain a few surprises I did not see coming. There are a few “aww, how sweet” moments that are incredibly romantic. All in all, a satisfying conclusion to the Stark trilogy.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the trilogy HERE.

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Filed under Bantam, BDSM, Complete Me, Erotic, J Kenner, Rated C+, Review, Romance

July 11, 2013 · 3:59 am

Blog Tour Stop, Review & Contest: Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones

Title: Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones
Inside Out Trilogy Book Two
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Imprint: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, Mystery, BDSM
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publicist

Summary:

I arch into him, drinking in his passion, instantly, willingly consumed by all that he is and could be to me. . . .

Sara McMillan is still searching for Rebecca, the mysterious woman whose dark, erotic journal entries both enthralled and frightened her. Tormented by a strong desire to indulge the demands of her new boss while also drawn deeper into her passionate bond with the troubled artist, Chris Merit, Sara must face a past as deeply haunting as Rebecca’s written words. In one man’s arms, Sara will find the safe haven to reveal her most intimate secrets and explore her darkest fantasies. But is safety just an illusion, when the truth about Rebecca has yet to be discovered?

The Review:

Being Me is the angst-laden second novel in Lisa Renee Jones’ Inside Out trilogy. Picking up right where If I Were You leaves off, readers are thrust back into Sara McMillan’s dysfunctional relationship with Chris Merit and her investigation into Rebecca Mason’s disappearance.

While If I Were You focused mainly on Sara trying to uncover what happened to Rebecca, Being Me centers on Sara and Chris’s on again/off tumultuous relationship. The confident and independent Sara we encountered in the first book of the trilogy has been replaced by an insecure, dithering, jealous mess whose indecisiveness is beyond frustrating. Chris and Sara are tortured by their respective pasts and neither one of them can trust the other person enough to confide their secrets. Their relationship is full of steaming hot sex but their underlying issues continually tear them apart. The entire book is a rollercoaster of drama that never gets resolved and the ride is exhausting.

I liked Sara in the first book, but I absolutely could not stand her in Being Me. She is overly dramatic, prone to jumping to conclusions and just flat out wishy washy. She cannot stick to a decision to save her life and she constantly gives in to Chris’s demands. Her emotions are all over the place and her tendency to dissolve into hysterical sobs is exasperating. Unless she grows a backbone in Revealing Us, the final book in the trilogy, it appears that Sara is doomed to repeat the mistakes of her past.

Whereas Sara is an open book, Chris remains shrouded in mystery. He is dark, edgy and commanding but in Being Me, he is also vulnerable. While we see more of his compassionate and caring side, his secrets remain carefully hidden. The lack of information about what drives him becomes annoying as he continues to manipulate Sara and their relationship.

The mystery about what happened to Rebecca is what I found most intriguing. The investigation is haphazard and seems to be an afterthought to overall storyline. Fortunately the questions surrounding her disappearance are revealed in a surprising plot twist.

Being Me ends on another cliffhanger as Chris makes a decision that threatens the future of his and Sara’s relationship. There is also the unresolved mystery surrounding Sara’s friend Ella’s whereabouts. Are these two storylines about to converge? It certainly appears they might and it will be interesting to see how Lisa Renee Jones wraps up the Inside Out trilogy.

Title: If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones
Inside Out Trilogy Book One
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Imprint: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, Mystery
Length: 352 pages

Summary:

The steamy first installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones, in the bestselling tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer—until the terrifying final entry.

Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life. Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.

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Filed under BDSM, Being Me, Contemporary, Contest, Erotic, Gallery Books, Inside Out Trilogy, Lisa Renee Jones, Mystery, Rated C, Review, Romance, Simon & Schuster Inc

June 27, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Behind the Scenes by Liz Borino & Michelle Stevens

Title: Behind the Scenes by Liz Borino and Michelle Stevens
Director’s Cut Book One
Publisher: LazyDay Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, BDSM, M/M, Romance
Length: 177 pages (print length)
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

New beginnings are exciting, but we can rarely outrun our pasts. Steve Michaels and Zack Greene pack up their newly extended family and move to New York City with their nanny, Drew, and his two kids. Having recently been hired to write for a BDSM show, Steve and Zack use their loving Dom/sub relationship for some experience with the lifestyle, but they need a consultant to fill in the blanks. Alex a local Dom/club owner, can do just that. Everything is going smoothly until Rich, a ex-producer from Ben’s Life and the man who tried to ruin Zack, tries to get a job on the same show. And that’s only the beginning of it.

Zack and Steve offered Drew an opportunity of a lifetime working for them. When Alex shows up for the first meeting with Zack and Steve, Drew realizes he didn’t leave his past behind after all. This becomes more true when his ex comes back wanting to see the kids.

Can Drew trust Alex to help him get over his past? Can Steve manage to keep Zack safe from the man who has haunted him for so long? Find out what happens Behind the Scenes!

The Review:

Fans of Liz Borino’s Mine/Ben’s Life series will be delighted to find their favorite couple is back in an all new series, Director’s Cut. Co-authored by Michelle Stevens, Behind the Scenes follows Steve Michaels and Zack Greene from L.A. to New York City as they begin new careers consulting on a BDSM series for HBO.

Steve and Zack’s personal life has also undergone a rather dramatic change now they are raising Steve’s teenage sister Sunni. Their new nanny, Drew, has two kids of his own, two year old Laney and teenager Kian and he shares a rather complicated past with Steve and Zack’s BDSM consultant, Alex. As if adjusting to new careers and a houseful of kids is not enough, both Zack and Drew are threatened by men from their pasts.

Steve and Zack are happily married and the transition to family men has been fairly smooth. Their relationship in the bedroom is hotter than ever and their consulting job gives them a few new kinks to explore. Steve is still the dominant partner, but he is still willing to submit to Zack on occasion as they continue to broaden their sexual horizons. Steve is extremely protective of Zack when Rich comes back into their lives and since this part of the storyline is not fully resolved, I am curious to see what the authors have planned next where Rich is concerned.

As much I enjoyed seeing Steve and Zack again, I really enjoyed getting to know Alex and Drew. They had a brief relationship in the past and both men have changed dramatically since it ended. Alex not only runs a BDSM club, he is also a very active participant in the lifestyle. Drew just got out of an abusive relationship and this, along with other issues in his past, make him very hesitant to get involved with Alex. Alex is very patient with Drew and takes the time to listen to his concerns and he slowly eases him into BDSM play.

Behind the Scenes is a deliciously steamy novella starring four very yummy men. It is a fast paced and engrossing read that sets the foundation for the future books in the series. The ending is a rather abrupt cliffhanger that will leave fans impatiently awaiting the next installment in Michelle Stevens and Liz Borino’s Director’s Cut series.

Read my reviews of the Mine/Ben’s Life series HERE.

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Filed under BDSM, Behind the Scenes, Contemporary, Director's Cut Series, Erotic, LazyDay Publishing, Liz Borino, Michelle Stevens, Rated B, Review, Romance

June 6, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Out of the Shadows and into the Darkness by Senta Holland

Title: Out of the Shadows and into the Darkness by Senta Holland
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Mischief
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, BDSM
Length: 200 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publicist

Summary:

A deeply felt and superbly written BDSM love story, Senta Holland’s Out of the Shadows explores the beautiful darkness in seven bedrooms.
Senta, a thirty something Londoner, travels around the planet looking for the man who can match her. The one she finds is her ‘Nai’, a high society American in Asia.
Senta’s story is both complicated and made more exciting by the fact that it unfolds in the dark world of BDSM, a world that can be hostile to single, independent females.
Highly erotic, deeply romantic and insightful this book shows the BDSM experience from the inside out, as reality, not just fantasy.

Links: HarperCollins Mischief * Amazon UK * Amazon US * Feature in Marie Claire Magazine * Review in CoffeeCakeandKink * Review by Netgalley/Goodreads

The Review:

Senta Holland’s Out of the Shadows and into the Darkness has to be one of the most unusual novels I have ever read. Part poetry, part stream of consciousness, it is a fascinating story about Senta and Nai’s BDSM relationship.

Senta is unapologetic about her desires and kinks, and I admire her embracing and exploring her sexuality. On her journey to find a compatible Dom, she learns from her mistakes and moves on when the relationship no longer meets her needs. With Nai, she has found her perfect match and Senta is willing to make any sacrifice to keep him in her life.

Written in diary format in first person, the narrative in Out of the Shadows and into the Darkness is quite unique and it takes some getting used to. The flow of the story is sometimes uneven as Senta’s thoughts veer from present to past without clear scene breaks. The passage of time is elusive and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between reality and fantasy. Personal details such as age, previous relationships and career are glossed over.

The BDSM scenes between Senta and Nai are intense and quite graphic. Senta is very submissive and she embraces the spankings, beatings, whippings and canings she receives from Nai. There are no discussions of hard limits or safe words, and Senta submits to all of Nai’s demands. Their scenes later in the novel are not for the sexually faint of heart as Nai pushes Senta well past her boundaries.

Out of the Shadows and into the Darkness is not a typical romance but it is full of strong emotions. Senta Holland brings readers an intriguing and introspective perspective of what goes on behind the closed doors of a BDSM relationship.

Excerpt

Power exchange

I am looking at him.

No, he is looking at me. And I am taking it in, the way he looks at me.

There is promise and thrill in this exchange. And a lot of love and trust. I am strong, I am free, I am wild. Just as he, in everything.

And I am here by my own choice.

I take in his energy. I let it go down into my very core.

He can see exactly what is happening. I hold the moment. I am in control. He humbly waits for my decision.

I choose to surrender.

Slowly, the balance of power between us shifts.

I give myself to him. He takes my power from me.

This is a complex, sophisticated process.

And it is wonderfully erotic and deeply fulfilling and dizzyingly wild. And it can happen without a word, without touch. Breath by breath.

I submit. I submit to his domination.

That is what I want. That is what he wants.

I am his submissive. Maybe for a lifetime, maybe just for now.

The tension between us is generating its own charge.

Submission to him arouses me. This is my true sexuality. Not my social role, not at all, but my sexuality.

Like many sexual orientations, it needs the right match to thrive.

Looking at each other, we have found it.

I am naked.

He is fully dressed.

He reaches out towards me.

He could do so many things to me, right now.

My submission calls for them. My vagina is opening her soft red mouth.

I want to yield and I want him to meet my softness with ruthless force.

I long to be subjected. In my way.

He touches my hair. Follows the long strands down over my shoulder and to the tip of my breasts. I am still.

My hands are bound behind my back.

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Filed under BDSM, Erotic, HarperCollins, Mischief, Out of the Shadows and into the Darkness, Rated C, Review, Senta Holland