Sins of the Father [Angel and the Assassin 3] by Fyn Alexander

 

Sins of the Father picks up after the first two books in this series. I would not recommend starting with this one, you should begin with Angel and the Assassin.

I've really enjoyed these characters even if we do get the stereotypical huge muscled bad-ass and small skinny twink with longer hair. They are unique enough in their own ways, and the author does a good enough job with character depth, to keep it from feeling quite so stereotypical.

As I warned in my review of the first book, if you've got a problem with the Daddy honorific then you may want to skip this one. While I may prefer Sir or Master, in the right context the Daddy option can work, too.

Fyn Alexander does a good job of showing the boring day-to-day aspects of a twenty-four-seven D/s relationship without it being boring. He also brings up the conflict that can happen when the Top lays down the law and the bottom isn't so happy with the edict. I love that Kael and Angel's relationship has reached this level, it's been nice watching them go from just-met to a long-term relationship. I also appreciate watching both men struggle through figuring things out. Kael has his own demons to face in this book, it isn't just about Angel learning and growing and changing.

Fyn Alexander writes hot sex and great D/s. It is both tender and rough, harsh and sweet. 

Here's the blurb

MI6 assassin, Kael Saunders, is a larger than life, dominant master who finds himself becoming a Daddy to nineteen-year-old Angel Button. Over the last year and a half Kael and Angel have settled into a loving Dom/sub relationship. But no matter how comfortable the highly intelligent and ruthless assassin and his sweet, eager, loving boy become with each other, Kael is still the boss and Angel wants him to remain so, whether in the dungeon, the bedroom, or the kitchen. Naturally submissive, Angel has learned how to be a good Daddy’s boy and a good slave, but his childlike willfulness still makes itself known now and again.

When Angel is kidnapped by an enemy of Kael's, he'll stop at nothing to save his boy, but his boy may have to take what he's learned and help him.

Ummm, that second paragraph is a bit misleading. I won't give spoilers, except to say the title tells you more about the main plot than the blurb.

We don't just get a relationship story from Fyn Alexander, we get a bit of a spy/adventure/assassin story, too. Good stuff.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 1 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: 1 of 3 .
• Extra Point: Yes

As you can see, the BDSM isn't quite as intense as it was in the first two books. It's still there, but it's a bit mellower now -- with a few very nice exceptions. The extra point is there because the D/s theme is a constant throughout the book.

As for the writing elements: there are several plots woven together and I liked them all. Pacing is fine, prose and dialogue are well written, and character development continues to be exceptionally well done.

• Book Rating: Sins of the Father: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 6 of 10
• Heat Level: 4 of 5

Books in this series:

1. Angel and the Assassin
2. Angel and the Assassin 2: Be Brave
3  Angel and the Assassin 3: Sins of the Father

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The Stroke of Twelve by Kim Dare

 

The Stroke of Twelve worked for me. Devon is wondering rather aimlessly through life, and Mr. Templeton helps him find direction.

I loved that we see a bit of both sides, so we know how Mr. Templeton is feeling a bit as well as seeing Devon's side of it.

I had a few issues with the whole structured time thing at first, but as things progressed I understood more of the purpose.

Under normal circumstances, I think a Dom and sub should negotiate, but for a fantasy? It worked for me to have the Dom dictate things and then ask if there was a problem with what was said. He got agreement before they went to the next step.

Here is the blurb:

On the stroke of twelve Devon belongs to him for one hour. One hour that will change the course of his life forever.

Free of responsibility and provided with an independent income, Devon Ashford floats through life thinking only of where the next party might be. When a note orders Devon to present himself at Templeton, Crawford & Associates at noon on Wednesday, he’s curious enough and bored enough to follow the order.

He doesn’t know what to expect when he arrives, but it’s not to be told that on the stroke of twelve, he’ll belong to the stern man on the other side of the desk for exactly one hour. He doesn’t expect anyone to command him to strip for an inspection. Nor does he expect to follow the orders of a stranger. He certainly doesn’t imagine he could like doing that enough to go back for more.

Whatever he expects, Devon’s about to discover that what happens at the stroke of twelve could change the course of his life forever.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: There isn't much bondage, and only a little discipline. But, there is a suspension scene that more than makes up for it.  3 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. Tons of it. 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Some, not much. 1 of 3
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements, it was more of a narrative than a plot, but it was perfect. Pacing was mostly fine, prose and dialogue were well done, character development was perfect.

• Book Rating: The Stroke of Twelve: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5 . 

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The Auction by Kitty Thomas

 

The Auction is set on another planet, far in the future. Humans have seeded this planet, and the species that lives there allows them one city in which to live. If they leave the city, the monsters kill them.

Human females are auctioned off when they turn 18. We are shown that it's not such a different idea than the dowries of old, the main difference being the money goes into the city's coffers. Most girls have someone buy them and set them free, a family member or boyfriend. Some are bought for the purpose of being owned, but society tries to ignore that when it happens. I liked the build up, the thought processes that went into building this society, this world.

Here is the blurb:

Belle Walker lives in a strict society where women are treated as property, sold to the highest bidder soon after their eighteenth birthday. But the auction isn’t the only danger. Though she’s never seen them, she knows monsters live outside the city. These creatures have allowed the humans a small area to inhabit with the promise to leave them in peace as long as they never cross the boundary. On the day Belle is sold, one of the monsters breaks that promise and enters the city, intent on having her as his own.

Kitty Thomas, as a general rule, focuses more on the psychology behind slavery and submission than she focuses on the physical. Tender Mercies was the exception, where she gave us a lot more description of the physical acts. But with The Auction, she gives just enough for our imaginations to take hold and finish the picture in our own way. I appreciate that, I really do, but sometimes I could do with a little more description.


BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 1 of 3
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was predictable but that was okay, I enjoyed the process of getting there.
• Pacing was fine
• Prose and dialogue are always very well done when Kitty Thomas is writing.
• Character development was superb
• World-building went above and beyond for such a short story, describing not only the physical aspects but the general rules of society.

I've gone back and forth on a rating and I'm settling on a 9 of 10.

• Book Rating:The Auction: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 6 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

I recommend The Auction even if you aren't normally a sci-fi fan. Sometimes, taking us to another world allows an author to give us non-consensuality in a way that is hot without pushing our squick buttons. It's far enough from our reality to allow our inner conscience to keep quiet, and close enough to our fantasies to allow our libido to enjoy it. Kitty Thomas has once again done an excellent job of giving us a non-consensual relationship that ends up working for both people, and letting us travel along the thought processes from beginning to end.

The Claiming by Addison Brentley

 
I have a new author to watch for now. Addison Brentley can write a smokin' hot scene.

The Claiming is a very short story, but it packs a wallop. Here's the blurb:

Master Jace is forced to deliver a punishment after his submissive, Evan, loses control in front of their peers during a play party. Master Jace must try to overcome his conflicting emotions of jealousy verses control in order to be the Master that his sub deserves, the Master he needs to be for them both. Can he keep himself in check and claim back what is rightfully his?

The punishment is actually in two parts - physical punishment that night, and then correction the next day. And it is the next day where the point is really made. I was a bit disappointed at the physical punishment given that night. I mean, sure, the punishment given was harsh, but it wasn't really written to show how harsh ten strokes of that particular implement can actually be. Also, the punishment didn't really address the crime.

But then the session they have the next morning was just... wow. It worked for me. And the correction most certainly addressed the crime.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 3 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 1 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements: the plot has to do with the emotions present and was nicely wrapped up; pacing was well done; prose and dialogue were fine; and character development was efficiently done for such a short story.

• Book Rating: The Claiming: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

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Vow of Silence, Chronicles of Surrender series, by Roxy Harte

 

We've met Dr. Psycho / George on many occasions in this series, and we finally see things through his eyes.

With Garrett and Thomas and Celia gone, George is running things now. There are changes, and I'm not sure I like the changes he made, though I understand the need for them. But that's life. Things change, whether you want them to or not.

Meanwhile, his personal life has all kinds of things going on, and we finally learn why he chose to stop being a practicing psychiatrist.

I'm pretty sure Roxy Harte is starting another long series arc with this book, and it's one I look forward to following along. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, though I suppose one part of the story was sort of tied up for the end of the book.

Here's the blurb:

Is love enough to sway destiny?

George Kirkpatrick is reeling from the loss of his friend and boss, Garrett Lawrence, the owner of Lewd Larry’s Fetish Fantasy Nightclub. He finds solace in the arms of a very vanilla woman…until a female from his past returns to further complicate his life.

Lin Kuan, a renowned San Francisco metal sculptor, met George Kirkpatrick under false circumstances. She believes she's dating a psychiatrist, not a sadist. Too late she discovers she's in love…and is determined to change him.

Gigi Marconi seeks penance in pain, but not for the life she ruined. Will the vow she made as a child destroy her before she has a chance to face the truth? Or will the love of the man she once betrayed be her salvation?

There were a few things that didn't exactly work for me, the "very vanilla" woman's reactions to a few things seemed off. But that doesn't mean it couldn't have happened that way, just that it's not how I would have expected it to work out, I guess.

Vow of Silence is a dark book. Much of what happens isn't BDSM between people who happen to have that particular kink. It's BDSM as practiced by people who have been wounded in some way emotionally, and who deal with those wounds by searching for physical and mental pain, or by giving physical and mental pain to others. That's not to say the sex and the scenes aren't hot and inventive and well described, because they are. And most of the scenes are consensual. But there were times I felt guilty for enjoying the submissive's pain, if that makes sense. Which it doesn't, because it's a fictional story and fictional characters. But the author created the story and characters well enough that I felt guilt, so I guess that's saying something.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 3 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes

As I finished the book I would have expected that I would give the intensity level a 10 of 10, because the BDSM is quite intense. But once I started breaking it down, the relationships don't have a strong punishment component. And the D/s, while present, is quite shaky for most of the book. So, while the BDSM is intense, the sum of the parts is only going to be an 8 of 10. It does get the extra point, because the main theme is strongly related to BDSM.

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was different and interesting. It was not nicely tied up at the end, we will have to wait for the next book for that, I assume.
• Pacing was fine
• Prose and dialogue were fine, though I expected the voice to change more than it did between characters.
• Character development was well done.

Vow of Silence is easy for me to rate - it was an entertaining read, and the Heat Level says all that needs to be said about some of the scenes.

• Book Rating: Vow of Silence: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series, though I don't see a mention of a title or when we may see it.

Angel and the Assassin by Fyn Alexander

 

I read Angel and the Assassin in preparation for the second book, Angel and the Assassin 2: Be Brave.

Here is the blurb for the first book in this series:

Kael Saunders loves to dominate handsome, masculine men like himself. Being in charge is his way of life whether it be in his work with the Secret Intelligence service, his personal life, or in the dungeon. The last thing he expects when he is out on a hit is to fall in love with Angel, an eighteen-year-old boy desperate for the love and guidance of a Daddy. Yet Angel also has a passion for being spanked and restrained. Two very different men find love in a world of skilled assassins, Bosnian terrorists, and dungeon play.

I'll get the controversy out of the way first: I have no issues with what grown adults choose to call each other in a consensual power exchange relationship. If they want to call each other Sir, Master, Daddy, pet, slave, sub, boy... I don't care. If you've got a problem with the Daddy honorific then you may want to skip this one. If you can substitute Daddy with Master then you should be fine.

There are a lot of situations where I'd have problems with a thirty plus year old Dom taking on a barely legal young man in any sort of slave relationship - but the set up for this relationship made it okay for me. Angel had been wanting this, had magazines about it, had dreamed of finding his own leather daddy. And Kael was responsible with the power he was given. I didn't agree with everything he did, but that's okay. Overall I thought he was a responsible Dom who was worthy of the trust he was given.

Now for the fun stuff... Fyn Alexander writes hot sex and great D/s. It was tender, it was rough, it was harsh, it was sweet. There was communication. And did I mention the sex was hot?

One of my pet peeves is when conflict involves a lack of communication, and that carried the story for a brief period of time. It didn't annoy as much as it normally does though. For these two particular characters the lack of communication was plausible. Plus, it didn't last too terribly long. Had it stretched out much longer it would have caused a problem.

I want Kael's dungeon. Seriously.  And I wouldn't mind being under his flogger, either. There is a flogging scene in this one that has to be one of the top three or four descriptions of a good flogging that I've ever come across.  Yum.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 3 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 2 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements:

• There were a couple of plots, all of the nicely done, and all of them worked well together.
• Pacing was perfect.
• Prose and dialogue were well done. 
• Character development was exceptional.  

The heat level on this one is easy - it's a five of five hands down. 

• Book Rating: Angel and the Assassin: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 9 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

I'm about to open up Angel and the Assassin 2: Be Brave and I can't wait to see what happens next. Will there be color in the apartment? How much will Angel have grown up? How much farther will things go in the dungeon now that the pair have been together a while?

 

Purple Passion by Sindra van Yssel

 

Purple Passion is the first book I've read by Sindra van Yssel, but it won't be the last. In fact, if my TBR folder weren't so full right now I might just start buying up her back list and reading them all, after finishing Purple Passion.

Darren was pretty close to my definition of the ideal Dom. First and foremost, he's a good guy, next is that he's honest even when it's not easy to be honest. And finally, he's come to terms with his kinks and doesn't apologize for them. Oh, and he's pretty creative with them, too. A nice addition.

Darren McCorvey can’t believe his good luck when sexy violet-haired Lisa Martinez sits across from him at a table in a restaurant. Never mind she’s only at that table by mistake -- she certainly didn’t intend to join a bunch of BDSM aficionados -- he recognizes a submissive streak inside her that she thought was nothing but a weakness. She can’t believe this hunky guy is interested in her, but the things he’s into attract and scare her all at once. She pretends she’s interested to piss off her controlling ex-husband, and doesn’t intend to let it go any further. And Darren has no intention of falling in love, ever again. But after one fierce kiss it doesn’t seem to matter what they intended, what they’ve feared, or what obstacles their pasts can throw in the way.

I actually wasn't thrilled with the way things started, but it worked okay as a way to introduce Lisa to the lifestyle and to let the two characters meet.

The author handled the newbie explanations well, so I didn't feel as if she were talking down to the audience. And I love the way she had Darren introduce some of the new things to Lisa.I especially liked the way he helped her deal with bondage when he saw how scared she was.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 1 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was mostly the relationship, with a few smaller side plots here and there that added some depth.
• Not a thing wrong with pacing. This was a very enjoyable book to read.
• Prose and dialogue were very well done.
• Character development was beautiful

I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by this author. Note the Heat Level? 

• Book Rating: Purple Passion: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 7 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

I highly recommend Purple Passion, it's a very sweet story, and the D/s is smokin' hot.

Huckleberry, Pink: Dolorosa, and Sky Blue Pink by Syd McGinley

 
These three books are part of the Dr. Fell series, and I'm reviewing them all together because they are specifically about Charlie (aka Twink) and Ben.

Huckleberry is the story of how these two met and formed a relationship.

Pink: Dolorosa picks up six months after the events of Attitude Adjustments, and shows us Charlie on is own, living in an apartment.

Sky Blue Pink: Flying Pigs picks up two years after the events of Pink: Dolorosa.

If you've read the Dr. Fell series and are already familiar with Ben and Charlie, then I highly recommend these three stories, read in the correct order.

The BDSM is nicely done, the relationship issues are handled well, the various plots work well together, the pacing is perfect, prose and dialogue flow smoothly, and character development is stellar.

• Book Rating: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

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The Next Step by Mychael Black

 

The Next Step follows six months after the events of Onyx (see my review of Onyx here).

I think it would be okay to read The Next Step if you haven't read Onyx, but both are pretty good books so you may as well read the story from the beginning.

Here's the blurb for The Next Step:

Master Ian Vaughn and his sub Kale Daniels are back for more in this sequel to Onyx! Both men are happy together, playing and living like any other Dom and sub. For Kale, though, it goes much deeper than that. He's fallen in love with his Master, but he has no idea how Ian feels about him. When Ian books them a private playroom at a new club, Kale is thrilled to find out all his Master has in store. And Ian has a few surprises that Kale never expects to receive.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Good bondage, no discipline required during the day that this story covers.  2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes.  3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Yum.  2 of 3. 
• Extra Point: Yes

If you enjoy medical scenes then you will certainly enjoy the play that these two characters engage in. 

As for the writing elements, there isn't much of a plot, the purpose of the story is to show you a day in the life of this couple we met in Onyx. There is plenty of interest though, so it's fine as is. Pacing is well done. Prose and dialogue are fine. Character development is consistent with the previous book and is fine for the parts of their lives that we are privy to.

• Book Rating: The Next Step: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

It was a fun (and hot) little read, and I was pleased to discover more about this couple beyond what we were given in Onyx.

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Christmas Angel (a Hammer story) by Sean Michael

 

Christmas Angel is a touching story of healing and acceptance. But then, I think most of the books and shorts in Sean Michael's Hammer Series can be described that way. Some have more kink than others, and this is one of the more vanilla of the series. Not that it's vanilla, 'cause it's not. Just that it's more vanilla. There will be kink in the relationship, it just doesn't happen right off the bat.

Here's the blurb:

It’s Christmas Charity Auction time again at the Hammer Club, and this year Oliver has convinced Kein to put a couple of hours of time up for bid. Kein, confidence shattered by his Dom leaving him, is worried that no one will want him, even just for a couple hours of service.

Mac is attending the auction for the first time, and he’s drawn to Kein as soon as the beautiful sub walks onto the stage. His is the winning bid, and he and Kein retire to one of the back rooms to have dinner and get to know each other better.

Will sparks fly between them? Could Mac and Kein be each other’s Christmas angels?

All in all, it was a pretty satisfying little Christmas story. I could have used more kink, but the story just didn't call for it. Yet.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: One scene with some bondage, no discipline needed at this point in the relationship. 1 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. 2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: No. 
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements: the plot was a good one, even if I do tire of subs who must be "fixed". Pacing was fine. Prose and dialogue were fine. Character development was very well done for such a short story.

• Book Rating: Christmas Angel: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 3 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

Master of the Abyss by Cherise Sinclair

 

Master of the Abyss is a follow up book to Master of the Mountain, where one of the brothers found his perfect submissive. If you haven't read Master of the Mountain then that's okay - you don't need to have read it to understand what's going on.

In Master of the Abyss, it's Jake's turn. But Jake has this "one night only" rule. He's honest about it up front, making it clear before anything happens. It seems to have worked for him so far. That is, until he has a run in with Kallie, the flannel shirt wearing wilderness guide.  Here's the blurb:

On the mountain, the watcher seeks out evil women. And then they die.

Two years ago, when Jake Hunt uncollared his slave, she committed suicide. Guilt-ridden, he will commit to a woman for one night only, devoting his energy to a mountain lodge that caters to a BDSM crowd.

Kallie Masterson is tough. Unwanted as a child, she worked hard to become a wilderness guide. She’s proud of who she is, and hurt that Jake frowns on her for acting like a man.

After rescuing the macho guide from a bar fight, Jake is stunned that the ugly men’s clothing hides a warm, responsive woman. A submissive woman. When guide business brings her to the lodge on BDSM night, and she is obviously aroused by the play, Jake takes the little sub right into his world of pain and pleasure. He warns her: one-night-only. But she responds so beautifully--so joyously--under his command, that one night soon becomes two, then three…

Then a missing hiker reminds Jake of his past lover, and he realizes he’s become too involved. He pulls back.

Meanwhile, the watcher on the mountain has rendered his verdict: Kallie Masterson is evil. The sentence: Death.

The plot that the blurb speaks to is really more of a background plot. The main plot, to my mind, was the progression of the way Kallie and Jake interact with each other.  I really liked Kallie, and I loved that she was this strong woman capable of handling herself in just about any situation, and that she didn't argue too much with herself over her desire to submit to Jake.

And I loved that Jake showed her respect while he Dominated her. He didn't let her get away with anything, he was quick to give punishments when needed... but he didn't expect her to just be okay with something because he said so. And when in group situations he did everything he could to help her be okay with the things he was doing to her, but without backing off of what he was doing.

Jake works hard to be keyed into Kallie's responses, but he's not a mind reader and I appreciate that he didn't get everything exactly right. I could appreciate it because he was quick to take steps to fix things, and because he took responsibility instead of trying to downplay the situation. 

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Nothing extreme, but there is plenty of both, and both are well executed.  3 of 3.  
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. It's not TPE, he only tops her when sex is involved, but when he goes into Dom mode he doesn't mess around.   3 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: Some, but nothing extreme.  1 of 3.
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements:

• The multiple plots were nicely done and created a lot of interest.
• Pacing had a few minor issues but was mostly well done.
• Prose and dialogue were skillfully woven together.
• Character development was superb. Very well done.

Cherise Sinclair has written a wonderful Dom and a likeable sub, and given them great location and a good plot. The tension is perfect, and the sex is hot. I wouldn't mind seeing more of Kallie and Jake, but I'm guessing that next will be her cousins... especially since she mentioned that one of them likes to bring home two women at a time.

• Book Rating: Master of the Abyss: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

I'd like to point to that heat level again. Five of Five. I really liked Jake, and his approach to BDSM. Yum.

Restraint by Teresa Noelle Roberts

 

Restraint is a very intense short story - seventeen pages that grabbed me, disturbed me, surprised me, sickened me, and made me think.

To say that blood is not my thing would be an understatement. But even at that, the story grabbed me. And then when the twist came, it made what had come before a little easier to deal with. I don't want to spoil, so I'll give the blurb and then talk about it from there:

Luke's a top who loves to dance on the edge of safety with hot men who crave knives and cutting with their kinky sex. Playing such potentially risky games, Luke's control needs to be as steely as his handcuffs, as honed as his blades. Adorable, inexperienced Ethan tests all Luke's self-restraint - but Ethan is more than he appears, and Luke may be the one who's being tested.

If you are into blood play then this is the short story for you. If you are into cutting but not really the blood then it will probably still be okay. If cutting and blood play are a squick for you then unless you get into the psychology of edge play, you'll probably want to skip this one.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Bondage but no discipline. 1 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Some. 1 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Since I can't give a 10 of 3 here, I'll give as high as I can - 3 of 3 
• Extra Point:  Yes

As for the writing elements, the plot sneaks up on you and is a good one, pacing is fine, prose and dialogue are both well done, character development isn't terribly important in this very short story, but we learn more about our character than we realize while reading the story. 

This is a very well written short, and even though I don't enjoy blood play, I appreciated the story and the descriptions of what was going through Luke's head as he worked.

• Book Rating: Restraint: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 6 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

The intensity level is misleading, because this is extreme edge play, where everything is consensual, but safe and sane  aren't part of the equation. The heat level describes how it affected me personally - if you're into cutting and/or blood play then this is probably going to be a 5 of 5 for you.

Restraint is the first piece I've read by Teresa Noelle Roberts, but I will certainly be sure to check out anything else I see written by her to see if I might be interested.


 

Three Wishes by Sean Michael

 

Three Wishes looks to me to be the beginning of a new series, and if the next book is as good as this one? I'm sold.

The three fantasies here are:

1. A man who wants to be forced to accept body mods - tattoos and piercings. He's stipulated a few guidelines, but for the most part he doesn't want to be able to chicken out, so he wants to be forced into it. I loved this fantasy. Great Master, perfect level of D/s... it just flat out worked for me. And I'm not a huge body mod fan.
2. A couple who are looking for more edge play, so they've come to the island where they've requested experts be brought in for cutting, flogging, breath play, etc. One thing each day, the first day is the sub's fantasy, the next day is the dom's fantasy, then the sub's again, the dom's again, and then something that is for both of them. Everything is done to the sub while the Dom sits in a comfy chair and watches. I liked where the author was taking this, but felt that it was cut short and we missed seeing more than half of the fantasy. I loved the ideas, and was disappointed that we didn't get to see more.
3. And finally, someone with a medical fantasy who wants to be forced to submit to enemas, speculums, etc. This one had a twist that worked out great, and I enjoyed this fantasy as well.

There is also some drama going on with the three people who own the island, but I'm not going to say much about that. Well, except that I'm looking forward to the next book.

I think I've told you pretty much what the blurb says, but just to be thorough, here's the blurb:

James, Guard, and Damien run an island where your fantasy, no matter how kinky, how perverse, will come true for you. It's a lot of work, but they're dedicated to making it work for their clients. If only they could make their own three-way relationship run as smoothly.

In Three Wishes, the men bring in three different couples for their special services. Handsome model Benji is tired of being perfect, and he wants to make his body his own. Thor, tattoo artist and piercer, as well as Dom, is just the man to do it. Will Benji find what he's looking for?

Meanwhile, Alan and Roman are a long-time sub/Dom couple looking to have a few outside Masters give Alan all the things that Roman can’t. Will their relationship survive Alan's strong reaction to one of the Masters?

The last couple to visit the island are Quinn and Pierce. Quinn has a medical fetishes he’s embarrassed to tell his lover Pierce about even though Pierce is a doctor. So he’s going to get it out of his system in this safe environment. At least that’s the plan...

Don't miss out on these fantasies come true.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 2 of 3.  Nothing too drastic here. Light punishment and some decent bondage when necessary, but neither of of these elements is really the focus.
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3. Yum.
• Sadism and Masochism:  3 of 3 - though we don't get a blow-by-blow of each thing done, there is a good bit of edge play. And we get Doms who aren't afraid of taking a sub right to the limit of what they are capable of handling.
• Extra Point: Yes.

As for the writing elements: I enjoyed all of the plots, which are really just the three fantasies. The pacing was great. Prose and dialogue were fine. Character development wasn't terribly in-depth but it was okay as we were given enough so we understood what made each person crave their particular fantasy.

• Book Rating: Three Wishes: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 9 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed Three Wishes -- the story idea is a great way to bring in special fantasies and edge play... things that aren't done on a daily basis but that can be done in a safe environment with people who know what they are doing. I'm also intrigued by the drama going on with the island's owners, and while I probably have a good idea of how that's going to end up in the long run, I think I'm going to enjoy seeing it play out.

Finding Sanctuary by DC Juris

 

I am flabbergasted. In a good way. Finding Sanctuary kept me up much later than I'd planned on staying awake. Just when I thought I had an idea of how things were going to go, an extra kink got thrown into the mix, so to speak.


Towards the beginning of the story I had issues with someone making the kinds of decisions that were being made here, seemingly overnight. Or over a couple of nights. But the more character development we were shown, the more it became apparent that this man had been through years of therapy and was having his 'a-ha moment' sort of all at once. All of that work in therapy leading towards this one weekend where everything falls into place. Even at that, it was probably still a little too much for the short period of time the book spans. But it was written well enough, and convincingly enough, that I was fine with it.

Here's the blurb:

Finding Sanctuary is the story of Vincent, a typical, average guy who has begun to unravel. He has a respectable, mainstream life, with a solid job, nice girlfriend, comfortable house—all the material trappings. What, then, is causing this restlessness, these blackouts? The first revelation is that his best friend Eric is also his heart’s desire. But then Eric invites him to a weekend at a BDSM playhouse ... There Vincent will confront his fears and test the limits of his sexual boundaries. Eric has his needs, too—needs that conflict with Vincent’s. Will their fragile new bond survive the weekend? Will Vincent find the sanctuary he so fervently desires?

Another of my pet peeves is the submissive who is "broken", and who must be fixed. But while it seems so for a short period of time, that's not what is going on here. This is a man who has every reason to be broken, but who is not, he's just finally acknowledging his needs. It's not that he needs to be fixed, it's just that he needs to accept what his body has been trying to tell him for some time. He's worked on his issues, worked to fix himself. Sure, he needs a little help from his friend to figure everything out, but it's not his friend, or some Dom, "fixing" him... they are just helping him figure it out. Helping him deal with and understand his feelings.

There weren't that many editing issues, but the few there were just happened to hit on those things that especially annoy me.  For instance: Dominate is the verb, Dominant is the noun. 

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 3 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements:

• The plot was the relationship storyline, and while I had issues with it at first, by the end of the book I was mostly fine with it.  BDSM is such a diverse thing, and everyone has such different things that can turn them on - seeing to it that everyone gets their needs met is a pretty important part of a BDSM relationship, and this one is no different. 
• Pacing was fine.
• Prose and dialogue were well done. 
• Character development was very nice. 

The Intensity Level of 9 of 10 might be a touch misleading, as there are some pretty intense BDSM practices explored in Finding Sanctuary. But these intense experiences aren't treated as "oh, look how extreme we are being". Instead, the author helps us to understand why the submissive wants this done to him, and helps us understand the feelings and sensations. For instance, watersports aren't treated as a way to humiliate, or as something gross.The experience isn't seen as being extreme, just something to experience.

I do take issue with the fact that someone who is flogged until he bleeds can wake up the next morning and have something on his mind besides the part of is body that was flogged. But, again, I'm willing to allow for the fantasy a bit.  I am easily giving Finding Sanctuary a 9 of 10. The character development was well done, the relationship(s) were mostly believable, and the scenes were well written. And Hot. With a capital H.

• Book Rating: Finding Sanctuary: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 9 of 10  (from BDSM Elements above)
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

DC Juris is a new author for me, and one I'll be paying attention to in the future. I would love to be able to check back in on these two characters in a few months, to see how they are doing. To see how they are incorporating the lifestyle into their relationship during the week, and to travel with them to the playhouse a few times on the weekend to check in on that situation, as well.

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Journey To The Dark Side by Marty Rayne

 

Journey To The Dark Side is a fun little short story about a male FBI agent and what I think is likely a city or county female detective, chosen for this role because she has experience with the world of BDSM, and the serial killer is targeting male submissives. The FBI agent who is chosen for the role of submissive is selected because he has the body, the profile, that the serial killer seems to be attracted to. He has no experience with the lifestyle, and is certainly not a submissive.

He's got five hours to learn how to be a submissive before his first public appearance.

Here's the blurb:

Serial killer Dante is targeting submissive males who frequent a fetish club, The Dark Side. Detective Monica Street is determined to end the killer's reign on the community and needs help. Enter sexy FBI Agent Jared Keller, who has the looks and ability Monica is looking for. And what's the best way to catch this killer? Draw him out by playing in the world of domination and submission. Only alpha-male Jared gets more than he bargains for as he is engulfed by Mistress Monica, whippings, and the trappings of a psychotic serial killer.

I liked that the author took the time to make the scenario believable. The reason this particular FBI agent was chosen, the personal connections that allowed for the FBI to be called into the case, the reason Monica was so familiar and had such skill with the lifestyle and yet was not a Domme. Sometimes I feel like an author has the idea for the scenes they want, but they can't figure out how to make the setup work for the scene. I didn't feel that with this story, Marty Rayne made the set up work for the story line.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: We are told that punishment spankings happen when they are in the club, but we aren't given descriptions of them. 0 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: All D/s is done for the purpose of appearing undercover in a BDSM club. 0 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: None. Other than what the Serial Killer does, and that's not BDSM, it's just sick. 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: I'm going to give it the point, because the story happens in a BDSM club, and there is a lot of lifestyle stuff going on around them. And because Jared has to deal with the collar and leash, even if it is only for show.

As for the writing elements -- the plot was interesting and fairly involved for such a short story, pacing was fine, prose and dialogue were fine, character development was well done.

• Book Rating: Journey to the Dark Side: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 1 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

Journey To The Dark Side takes place in the world of BDSM, but it isn't really about BDSM. It's about catching a serial killer who is targeting submissives. It's still a nice romance, was well written, and was an enjoyable read.

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Cruel to be Kind by Stephanie Vaughan

 

Before beginning the review of Cruel To Be Kind, can we all just pause for a moment to admire the cover? I'm not wired as a Domme, but the idea of topping this particular guy does something for me. To have all of that power at your beck and call? Wow.

Here's the blurb:

Steve Eriksson is a regular guy. He likes basketball and beer. He works hard in his family's construction and restoration business. Steve’s normal life is about to change. Because he's about to meet Megan.

Professional chef Megan Mussina returns to her home town looking for some peace and quiet. A place to put her life back in order after the disaster of a relationship gone publicly wrong. A new man in her life is the last thing she wants. Until she meets Steve.

From the first they share an overpowering physical attraction. Steve is just the sort of powerful, successful submissive man Megan never knew she needed. And Megan knows the one thing Steve never knew he craved. Sometimes, you've got to be Cruel to be Kind.

I love the way Megan seduces Steve into it, the way she takes control, and the care she has for him as she pushes his boundaries. She isn't really cruel, she seduces him with her power, but not with cruelty. It's a catchy title, but not the way she really treats him.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 1 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: He's new to this, so it's the very beginnings of D/s for him. 2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: None. 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes. The book is about Steve submitting to a woman for the first time, and realizing that while he's not sure about what Megan is doing, that he needs it.

As for the writing elements -- the plot is a good one, pacing was fine, prose and dialogue were well done, and character development was nicely done and much appreciated. 

• Book Rating: Cruel to be Kind: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 4 of 10
• Heat Level: 4 of 5

My biggest complaint? Cruel To Be Kind ended too soon. I wanted to see how far she was going to take him. I wanted to experience a much more intense scene. That's not to say it was a bad ending, it was a perfectly good ending. I enjoyed the characters and story though, so I greedily wanted more.

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Jesse by Jan Irving

 

Jesse is a touching story of loss and then a start to a new life. I read the story because of the promise of BDSM, but the sex wasn't a very large part of the book.. which was fine, as the story is a good one. Here's the blurb:

When Jesse Coulter roars up on a Harley one dusty afternoon back into ranch foreman Kyle Jacob's life, Kyle is confronted with everything forbidden he has wanted for years. Jesse is twenty years old, with a ruff of dark hair and blue eyes that remind Kyle of the heart of a lit gasoline flame, yet Kyle can’t let himself touch Jesse because not only is he too young, he's the brother of Kyle's lost lover Mac.

That they also share an uncanny telepathic bond hasn’t made things any easier for an ordinary working cowboy; Kyle is drawn into Jesse’s dreams of him as the hot older man Jesse holds captive, pleasuring him every night with Jesse’s raw man-takes-man brand of lovemaking. But Kyle and Jesse face other problems to their unconventional romance. Jesse has custody of his vulnerable younger brother who aches for a stable home, and an enemy from Kyle’s past is threatening not only his beloved draft horses and carriage business but the new life and family he yearns for.

I'm having a hard time saying much more without giving spoilers. I do think that we're being set up for a book with David, the younger brother, as the focus. And I would enjoy reading more about him, once he's grown up and figuring things out.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: No. Well, except in a dream. But the dreams are kind of real. Sort of. 1 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: Yes, but it's not pervasive. It's perfect for the story, but still only a 1 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: No. 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: No, the story is about emotions and life, not so much about sex. The sex is hot, and is all about power exchange when they have it... but it's not the focus of the story. The relationship is the focus of the story.

The sex is most definately all about power exchange when they have it. And there is even the use of a few toys (plug and gag). There is no impact play, it's not that kind of power exchange.

As for the writing elements: The plot was excellent, even though I had a decent idea of what was going on and how it was going to end, the journey getting to the end was a nice one. Pacing was well done. Prose and dialogue were skillfully woven together. Character development was excellent.

• Book Rating: Jesse: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 2 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

This is the first book I've read by Jan Irving, but I will certainly be looking for more books written by this talented author.

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Dom/sub by Roxy Harte & B.D. Dark

 

Dom/sub is two stories, one written from the perspective of the Dom, and the other written from the perspective of the sub.

The first story is one that many long term couples who explore a BDSM lifestyle have to come to terms with. In the beginning it's all about pushing limits, finding boundaries and then going beyond those boundaries. It can be quite a rush. But eventually you reach boundaries that you really shouldn't cross, eventually you can't find that rush anymore because you've crossed every sane boundary you can find. The story does not give us the solution to the problem, it just points out that the problem can exist.

The second story is one of loss, one I personally had a hard time reading. Not because there is anything wrong with the story, but because we're currently dealing with some health issues my husband is having. The idea of losing him is one I've had to deal with, one I probably haven't dealt with as well as I should. There is a good ending for the young lady in the story... or rather, the promise of a new beginning. I guess that's the best one can hope for sometimes.

Here is the blurb:

Domination and submission, yin and yang, two halves that make a perfect whole. This duet of stories walks the razor's edge of the real BDSM scene.

Dominance, by B. D. Dark
A man indulges in his long-held secret desire to exercise power and control over a woman. He meets his perfect match in Kim, another newbie to the scene, who wants to give herself to a master. Together they experiment, pushing sexual boundaries to the limit. What is his role as a Dom? Should he end the torture even if his submissive begs for more?

Submission by Roxy Harte
Julia is the grieving submissive of Master Jasper. After two years, three months, and eighteen days of crying she decides enough is enough and decides to get laid, even if it means nobody is going to get hurt. What she doesn't expect is to be set up by her friends on a blind date with a professional Dominant who goes by the name of Lord Draco. The question is, how far is Julia willing to go for pleasure...and pain?

Publisher's Note: This book contains very explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM, including anal sex, bondage, clamps, domination/submission, exhibitionism, hot wax, ropes, and spanking/flogging.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline:  Yes. 3 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Yes. 3 of 3  
• Extra Point: Yes

I want to state that, even though the book is going to get a 10 of 10 for an intensity level, some of this is based on things that are talked about and not really fully described. 

As for the writing elements, both plots were good. Pacing was good, prose and dialogue were good. Character development in the first is not explored very well, but it's not that kind of story. Character development in the second is much more fully explored. 

• Book Rating:Dom/sub: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 10 of 10
• Heat Level: 4 of 5

There are descriptions of some fairly hard core BDSM practices in Dom/sub, though they are talked about more than described in the first story. The second story has one complete scene that is very hot, if you like that kind of thing. Which I do.

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Handcuffs and Leather (Rawlings Men book One) by Kim Dare

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Logan's Project by Chris Owen

 
Logan's Project is a short that takes place on a construction site, between a "suit" and a rather large demolition expert.

Here's the blurb:

Logan is a man who likes to be involved with his work, and turning a warehouse into trendy housing is no different than reading reports at the office. Except it is different, since even the dirt and grime of his building can turn him on. The other thing that turns him on is the demolition man, who Logan thinks of as Mr. Big.

Mr. Big isn't adverse to a little off the clock adventure, but which one of them is really in charge? Does it even matter? And just how down and dirty can Logan and Mr. Big get, playing games on the job site?

The story is not really a BDSM story. There is a little bit of discussion about which man will top, as both would prefer to top, which means one of the men has to agree to be the bottom... but that's not top/bottom as in Dom/sub, but more as in pitch/catch.

Logan's Project is a fun little short about two men having sex on a construction site after hours. No romance at all, just down and dirty sex.

• Short Story Rating: Logan's Project: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 0 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

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