A Russian Bear by CB Conwy

 

A Russian Bear is a fun book that follows along as a BDSM newbie is shown the ropes by a Dom with a lot of experience. Sounds familiar, but it's different than most books that follow along that path.

Mischa has a one scene policy, but he's used to taking home experienced subs. He's got a bit of a reputation as a hard player, so the only subs who go home with him are experienced and ready for hard play. The subs who go home with him know the rules and don't have to be taught anything, they are just in it to see how far they can be taken.

When Mischa starts showing Tom the ropes, Tom doesn't know those rules. He submits once the Dom stuff starts, but the rest of the time he's himself -- no pretenses, no twink stuff. It catches Mischa off guard, but it's a welcome change, and things progress nicely.

Here's the blurb:

To Mischa, life is simple. Doms are Doms and subs are for fucking, flogging, and bossing around. Until he meets Tom, that is. Tom is deeply offended when the stranger in the bar takes him for some kind of slave boy. Well, offended and more than a little excited by the thought of surrendering to Mischa. Mischa being Mischa, their meeting results in Tom losing his virginity in a way that's hotter than even his wildest fantasies.

Mischa is drawn to Tom and makes another appointment. And then another, initiating Tom to every kink Mischa knows. They aren't scenes, of course, because Mischa has a "one boy, one scene" rule. But then again, Tom isn't exactly like his usual boys, and Mischa finds himself falling in love, though nowhere near ready to admit it. Luckily, Tom isn't exactly your stereotypical slave. Life is good -- until Tom gets attacked, and Mischa has to fight harder than ever to make Tom realize that he isn't going anywhere.

At about 80% through the book I was prepared to give A Russian Bear a 10 of 10. But then I got to Chapter 10 and the bottom fell out. Without giving spoilers, it's like the author suddenly realized there was no major conflict, nothing trying to pull her men apart, and that just wouldn't do. So she put it into the story, and it's all in the last 15% of the book. If I had stopped reading at the end of Chapter 9 my rating would have been 10 of 10. But I didn't, so the book gets a 9 of 10. I should drop it farther, but the first part of the book was really good, so I'm only knocking off a point instead of the two or three that should probably be knocked off.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Decent amount of bondage, not much discipline needed, since Tom flows into his submission so nicely. There is some punishment, it's just not a big part of their relationship.  2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. Lots of both.  3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Yep, lots of that as well. And it's pretty well described. 3 of 3 
• Extra Point: I have one more point I can give if the BDSM fits together nicely, works well with the story. It does.  1 of 1

As for the writing elements, the plot is mostly following the relationship from beginning until the couple is well on their way to a HEA, and it works well, right up until the author decides to throw a wrench into the works. The pacing was mostly good with a few minor issues. Prose and dialogue are very well done, and character development is excellent.

• Book Rating: A Russian Bear: 9 of 10
• Intensity Level: 9 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

A Russian Bear is a beautiful story of two people coming together. The BDSM is artfully done, and the relationship flourishes as a result of the intellects of the parties as well as their kinks. The last fifteen to twenty percent of the book is unfortunate, but the first eighty percent or so is a very nice story.