Burn For You by Annabel Joseph

 

I loved Club Mephisto and was majorly excited when I heard Annabel Joseph was writing a sequel.

Burn For You is the sequel, and while I loved the story, I'm conflicted about it as well. I mean, I'm giving it a perfect ten, but my fantasy Mephisto is a much kinder and gentler Dom in this book, which both makes me happy and blows some of the fantasy.

It's a very emotional book, with lots of ups and downs, and Mephisto really does need to be gentle and loving to help Molly through. Hmmm, let's get the blurb out of the way, so I don't start giving spoilers:

When Molly loses her longtime Master, she feels lost, angry. Confused. She’s unsure of her future, even her calling to the BDSM lifestyle. She knows her Master always intended her to go to his friend Mephisto next, but their emotionally—and sexually—fraught history is still a confusion of desire and fear in her mind. 

Mephisto wants to help Molly, but he doesn’t want to force her into service she’s not sure she wants. He owes it to Clayton to help her find happiness, but how? Molly and Mephisto advance and retreat from one another as they try to untangle their complex feelings for one another. More and more it seems their tense standoff will only end one way… 

This 63K word novel contains consensual BDSM play, Master/slavery, sado-masochism, anal play, objectification, caging, and other consensual activities which some might find offensive.

See? Lots of emotion to deal with.


BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: There are a few intense scenes, but it's not the focus. 2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 3 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: Again, it's not the focus, but with these two it's still intense when it happens. 3 of 3
• Extra Point: No

Burn For You is more about the emotional trip Mephisto and Molly undergo, and not so much about their sex life. I mean, this is Mephisto and Molly, so that part is eventually important, and this is still an intense book as far as BDSM goes. I debated on the extra point, but in the end, Burn for You is about emotions more than kink, though it's all bound up together, as Molly has to figure her life out, and that includes where kink fits into it.

As for the writing elements: the plot picks you up and carries you through the book on a wild rollercoaster, pacing is well done, prose and dialogue were exceptional, as was character development.

• Book Rating: Burn for You: 10 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

See the heat level? I don't want to give the wrong idea, that there isn't any sex or kink in this one, 'cause there is... it's still a scorching book. Could Annabel Joseph write anything else? Let's hope not :)

All three books in this series gets a 10 of 10 from me. The original Mephisto is still my favorite, but in a way, seeing the intense Dom from book one turn caretaker in book three is also a little heartwarming.

Books in the Mephisto series:

• Club Mephisto
• Molly's Lips: Club Mephisto Retold
• Burn For You

 

Cirque du Minuit by Annabel Joseph

 

Annabel Joseph writes complexity in a way you don't often see in BDSM flavored erotica. In Cirque du Minuit there is complexity of emotions, plot, performing arts politics, and basic human nature. There was even a plot I didn't realize was there until it slapped me upside the head about ninety percent of the way through.

Here's the blurb:

It’s no easy feat transitioning from the disciplined arena of competitive gymnastics to the artistic whirl of the Cirque du Monde. Kelsey Martin finds secret inspiration in Theo Zamora, a dark, taciturn trapezist--until his partner dies in a tragic accident and he decides to leave the circus for good.

Theo doesn’t understand why Kelsey reaches out to him, only that she compels him with her unique combination of innocence and recklessness. Before long the two are collaborating on an aerial silks act for a new production, the Cirque du Minuit. Theo’s impatience with Kelsey’s naivete is matched only by his passion for her, and the two soon become embroiled in a tempestuous, consuming romance.

But some still blame Theo for his partner’s accident, and danger wraps up the two performers as inevitably as the scarlet silk of their act. Theo and Kelsey must find a way to connect and trust one another as he leads her deeper and deeper into a dangerous world of control and desire.

Publisher’s Note: This erotic romance novel is approximately 70K words and contains sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, m/f/m menage, BDSM scenes, power exchange themes, and swinging/partner sharing.

See that last little bit? About partner sharing? Part of me didn't want to like that part (though the baser parts of me loved it - LOL). I've been watching the new TV show, Smash, and wasn't surprised when the director chose the girl who slept with him. As my husband noted when I griped about it, if you've got to have a tie breaker, that's as good of one to have as any. My point here being: Like it or not, that sort of thing is often a part of the performing arts. Even though Theo may not have liked it, he wanted it to be her decision, and he didn't want to hold her back from it.  Even at that, he had his limits as to what he was going to be okay with, and he was very clear about them.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: There are a few bondage activities, but it's not a huge part of their play. However, the discipline most certainly is, enough I'll give this category a 3 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: Mmmmm. 3 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: Again, a 3 of 3. It's beautifully written, with the perfect note given to show how painful ecstasy can work when done right. 
• Extra Point: Oh, yes.

As for the writing elements: The plot was woven together beautifully, tying various aspects together in unexpected ways. Pacing was mostly okay, with a few snags (for me) based around the main antagonist. Prose and dialogue were beautiful - no one quite captures the emotions in an intense BDSM scene the way Annabel Joseph can. Character development was exceptionally well done, as was the world-building showing the almost closed system you get in some of the performing arts social structures.

One final note -- submissive does not equal doormat. If you've any doubt about that, read this book.

I can easily give Cirque du Minuit a 10 of 10. Great story, great characters, and off-the-charts sex. 

• Book Rating: Cirque du Minuit: 10 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 10 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

  Click here to see my reviews of other Annabel Joseph works.
 

Caressa’s Knees by Annabel Joseph

 

The first post on this blog is a review of Comfort Object, by Annabel Joseph. I had been thinking of starting a BDSM review blog, and Comfort Object moved me enough to make me finally create it.

Caressa's Knees is the sequel to Comfort Object, and it moved me just as much. The BDSM is no where near as intense, but the emotions and the care and... well, just watching Kyle act and react and decide what to do when he's the one making the decisions. Beautiful.

At first, when I read the blurb, I felt a little sad for Kyle. For him to once again be the support person, the one organizing things and taking care of a famous Diva type personality. I thought I wanted more for him. But you know what? Kyle is a fixer, an organizer. It's what he does. It makes him happy. Caressa is perfect for him.

I was also a little worried that this was going to be one of those cases where the person is "broken" in some way, and the Dom comes along and magically fixes them with BDSM. That's not what happens here. True, Caressa has issues, but she works through them. Kyle doesn't fix her. He spotlights her issues to help her understand what they are... but she fixes them. She stands on her own two feet.

Here's the blurb:

Working for megastar Jeremy Gray has taken an emotional toll on personal assistant Kyle Winchell. In the name of self-preservation, he re-locates to New York City to work at Ironclad Solutions, a service agency catering to the needs of the rich and famous.

He accepts a job as personal assistant to well-respected concert cellist Caressa Gallo, only to find she's not as respectable as she seems. Soon he's involved in a world of lust and dark inspiration, and emotional stakes beyond anything he's encountered before.

So, yeah... Caressa is a Diva, a child prodigy who is now 20 years old. But Kyle doesn't let her steamroll right over him. He learned from his time with Jeremy. He knows what didn't work before, and he's determined to not make the same mistakes twice. I love that he has enough self respect, and self worth, to stand up for himself.

I think that's all I can say about the book without giving spoilers. It's a beautiful story. One that ended with me in tears. Happy tears. Good tears. But I had to blow my nose and clear my eyes up to read the last two or three paragraphs.

Annabel Joseph is a gifted writer, truly skilled in the way she can evoke feelings and emotions with words on a page. Caressa's Knees is one of her better books, and there is nothing wrong with the others.  Also, the BDSM isn't all that intense, so if you are uncomfortable with the more extreme stuff then this would be a good book of hers to read.


BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Light bondage (using a shirt to restrain hands, or a set of cuffs to restrain hands), and some disciplne - 2 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes and no. When in a scene the D/s is nice, not too serious but still there. But outside of scenes it's not really there for the majority of the book. It's perfect for this couple.  2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Just a touch. 1 of 3.
• Extra Point: No, this is a love story with a touch of kink thrown in. Not a BDSM relationship with a love story surrounding it.

As for the writing elements, the plot is beautiful, pacing was perfect, prose and dialogue were skillfully woven together as only a gifted author can manage. Annabel Joseph's character development is always exceptional, but I believe she has outdone herself with Caressa's Knees.

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

Caressa's Knees is the best book I've read in a very long while, which is exactly the way I felt about Comfort Object when I read it. Both books can be read as stand alone books, but I'm glad I already knew Kyle when Caressa's Knees began.

1. Comfort Object
2. Caressa's Knees


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Mercy by Annabel Joseph

 

Mercy is another story of a submissive ballerina, but while I didn't love Firebird, I really enjoyed Mercy.

Lucy is a 29 year old ballerina working for a ballet company, with a very close friend she's partnered with on stage for around ten years. He's gay, so there is no sexual tension between them, it's a good solid friendship... but more than an everyday friendship, because they know each others rhythms and bodies so well, having danced together for so long. There are some rough parts to the story, and Lucy needed a good friend.

When Lucy first sees Matthew she is fascinated by him, but it still takes a while for them to have a conversation. This is not one of those books that goes from just-met to happily-ever-after in a month's time -- and if you've read many of my reviews you'll know I appreciate it when an author creates a more realistic time frame for her characters. 

Here's the blurb

Lucy Merritt has always defined herself by her body, whether dancing in a small avant-garde company or posing for art. But she has always felt as if something is wrong with her, as if something is missing. She has never been in love. Suddenly, in the darkness of the theater wings, a strangely affecting man enters her life. Matthew Norris, rich, handsome patron of the dance company, has decided that he wants Lucy for his own. He makes her an offer that both frightens and compels her, and they soon begin an affair characterized by only two requirements, beauty and truth. But how truthful are Matthew and Lucy? How much of Matthew's strenuous brand of love can Lucy endure? And how long can their rigid Dom/sub relationship stay frozen in time, never growing, never moving forward? 

Publishers Note: This novel contains explicit scenes of dominance and submission, discipline & training, bondage, group sex, oral sex, anal sex & double penetration, menage a trois, dubious consent, and both harsh and loving bdsm scenes.

I didn't like Matthew for portions of the book. Sometimes the difference between stalker and fan can be net worth of said person, and I felt like that came into play here. Also, I'm not entirely sure he deserved to be forgiven for some of the things he did. Even though he didn't have evil intentions when he did those things, they were still things that I'd have had a hard time forgiving him for. I appreciate the way Ms. Joseph had Lucy react though, she may be submissive but she's not a doormat. Or, perhaps it might be more accurate to say she is a doormat in certain situations, but she has her limits to what she'll roll over and accept.

Matthew had his good points too - a lot of them, actually. I had some questions, at times, about whether his good points outweighed some of the poor choices he made, though. I get that he had his own issues he was working through, but a poor choice is still a poor choice.

BDSM elements:

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

As for the writing elements -- the plot had twists and turns and was very engaging and entertaining, pacing had a few issues but nothing major, prose and dialogue flowed smoothly, character development was exceptionally well done.

• Book Rating: Mercy: 10 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 10 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

I've commented before that Annabel Joseph's writing style is similar to Molly Weatherfields, and I had the same feeling as I read Mercy. I'm not saying Annabel is Molly, because now that Pam Rosenthal is out of the closet as Molly Weatherfield I doubt she'd pose under a different pen name. But the writing is certainly of the same caliber, and the conversational style of writing has some similarities.

Mercy was a very moving story, one that I couldn't put down. It's not a comfortable story, nor is it always easy to read, but if you enjoy the more extreme versions of BDSM that also show the emotional stuff around forming this kind of relationship, then this is one you won't want to miss.

Club Mephisto by Annabel Joseph

 

Club Mephisto is a relatively short read of a TPE couple when the Master goes out of town and, because his slave completely fell apart the last time he had to leave her behind for a week, he leaves her in the care of another trusted Master while he is gone.

Here's the blurb:

Molly is a 24/7 slave dedicated to serving her Master. When her Master’s business calls him away on a weeklong trip, he arranges to leave her in the care of Mephisto, the owner of a thriving local BDSM club. Molly is both excited and scared to be given over to Master Mephisto. His power and mysterious intensity have long compelled her from afar.

Molly finds herself immersed in a world of strict commands, pervasive sex, and creative torments. Over the course of a week, Mephisto strips away privileges Molly took for granted, and forces her to understand and acknowledge the depths to which she can be made to submit. But a surprising conversation the last day threatens Molly’s worldview, as does the strange closeness that develops between them. As the time of Master’s return draws near, Molly finds herself deeply and inexorably changed.

Publisher's Note: this BDSM fantasy novel depicts "total power exchange" relationships that some readers may find objectionable. This work contains acts of sadism, objectification, orgasm denial and speech restriction, caging, anal play and double penetration, BDSM punishment and discipline, M/f, M/m/f, M/m, orgy and group sexual encounters, voyeurism, and limited circumstances of dubious consent.

I was actually a tiny bit disappointed that more conversation didn't happen between Molly and her Master at the end. But the door isn't shut on that forever, so it's possible that conversation happens after we are no longer privy to the story. The story was still a very intense one, and was very well written.

I loved seeing Molly, a seasoned slave, struggle with trying to learn the ways of a different Master, and struggle to try to learn the lessons he wanted her to learn while in his care. Especially since it seemed her Master had wanted her to learn these lessons while away from him.

Ms. Joseph has once again delved into the realm of consensual-non-consent, which can be very hot when the Dom or Master is responsible with this much power. That is very much the case here, and it worked for me. Very much so.

BDSM elements:

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

As for the writing elements: There were a few sub plots that worked well even if one of them wasn't tied up as neatly as I'd have liked at the end, pacing was perfect, prose and dialogue were well done, and character development was perfect for the length of the story.

• Book Rating: Club Mephisto: 10 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 10 of 10
• Heat Level: 5 of 5

This is intense BDSM on all levels, so if you're looking for the kindler, gentler stuff, this one's probably not for you. If you are looking for full out TPE though, then you'll enjoy Club Mephisto.

Top BDSM books of 2010

 

On the BookSeriesReviews site I restricted myself to books published in 2010, and I'm going to give myself the same restrictions over here. This list comprises the books published in 2010 that I've read and reviewed. Clicking on the numbered titles will take you to my review of that book. Clicking on the book images will take you to Amazon's page for that book (or the publisher's page if it's not available at Amazon).

1. As She's Told by Anneke Jacob

As She's Told wins hands down. Anneke Jacob managed to create an extreme BDSM tale that was an incredible read. It is the story of how far you can take a 24/7 relationship. One where there are no negotiations, no safewords -- consentual non-consent. Ms. Jacob managed to get the emotions and the mental stuff just right. And the physical stuff was... Wow.

2. Deviations: Safe Words (Deviations book 5) by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne

I fell in love with Noah and Tobias from the first book in this series, and I've enjoyed their journey through the five books in the Deviations series. I'm hoping for a sixth book.

If you are interested in this series then you should start with the first book, Deviations: Submission.

3. Owned And Owner by Anneke Jacob

Anneke Jacob gave us consensual-nonconsent total ownership in As She's Told.  In Owned and Owner she explores the same types of things, but this time with non-consent. It's a fantasy, written on another world so we don't have to deal with the legalities of owning humans on this world. And the world-building on this other world is pretty interesting. But it is the ownership, and the level of BDSM attained, that is the story here.

It's almost a hetero version of What Worse Place Can I Beg In Your Love?, without the twist at the end. The key points are there - caged when your owner doesn't have time for you, no understanding of the language being spoken around you, used as a sexual object, never treated as a person. One of the biggest points in both books is that, because it's a different planet and different life form, the "pet" is not just treated as an animal, but is actually seen as an animal... a lesser life form.

Both of Ms. Jacobs' works made it so high in the ratings in part because of mental explorations. Sure, the physical parts are important (and well written), but it's the mental gymnastics, the thought processes involved in these scenarios that engaged me.

4. Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas

Remaining on the non-consent theme, Kitty Thomas gives us the story of a woman kidnapped and then systematically trained to subservience.  Comfort Food is a deeply disturbing book -- one I couldn't put down, and one I highly recommend if you enjoy the psychology behind being owned by someone -- the psychology of what it takes to get you from independent personality to someone who is completely and totally owned - physically, mentally, emotionally.

This is not a blow-by-blow book. There is very little sex, and very little of the typical BDSM type of activities. There is punishment, but it's not the norm: chicken noodle soup becomes punishment.  Rather than the physical acts being the focus, the psychology of what is happening is the focus.

Comfort Food is a very well written book, enough so that I've wondered if this might be a mainstream author who wanted to stretch her creative wings a bit and chose to do so under a pen name. Wouldn't be the first time it's happened -- Pam Rosenthal gave us Carrie's Story and Safe Word under the pen name Molly Weatherfield. And let us not forget Ann Rice and A.N. Roquelaure.

5. Duck! by Kim Dare

It's no secret that I enjoy a good urban fantasy, and Duck! is in this list because of a mixture of the D/s and the detailed worldbuilding Ms. Dare builds for us.

I loved the descriptions of shifting from human form to bird form and back again. I enjoyed the experience of coming back to human form -- the need to hear words in order for the human part of the brain to come to the forefront again.  Then, later, sex right after coming back from bird form, when the human wasn't entirely in charge just yet, the idea of that hawk brain taking control while in a human body. Yum.

The D/s is pretty complete in the story, and that combined with a retelling of The Ugly Duckling - it's just an all around charming story with a very satisfying ending. I would love for Ms. Dare to explore this world some more, as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

6.  Beyond Eden by Kele Moon

Beyond Eden grabs you on the first page and doesn't let up until you reach the end. The depth of the characters, the knowledge of how BDSM relationships can work, there are many reasons why Beyond Eden worked for me.   The BDSM is both tender and harsh. And we see both extremes - extremely tender, and so harsh that blood flows from a whipping.  The Dom is a caring Dom, I would almost go so far as to call him a Service Dom. He does the cooking - he's the nurturer.  Ms. Moon is working on a sequel, entitled Claiming Eden, and I will grab it as soon as it's available.

7. Deep in the Woods by Annabel Joseph

As a side note, If Annabel Joseph's Comfort Object had been released in 2010 it would be pretty high on this list. But, it was released in 2009.

Deep in the Woods is a charming story of healing, growth, and love, all wrapped up in a nice warm D/s relationship that happens to have a Sadist and a Masochist in it.

I enjoyed the physical parts of the book, but I also enjoyed the mental journey. Parts of the book were hard to read, the emotions that were stirred up weren't always pretty. But that's okay, because the ending was very satisfying. And we get to see the couple again, in the future, in Fortune (look down a few spots, it's on the list, too).

8. Master of the Abyss by Cherise Sinclair

Master of the Mountain was released last year, and was an enjoyable book. Master of the Abyss is a stand-alone sequel, and was a very nice read.

I loved that Kallie 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 be okay with something just because he said so.

The two characters seemed to be opposites at first glance, but they worked great together once it started happening.   

9. Fortune by Annabel Joseph

We first met Ryan in Deep in the Woods, he was a fun guy and a pretty serious dominant. And a great friend. We get to know him a whole lot better in Fortune.

The whole set up worked for me. The "vanilla" woman who is really submissive and a touch masochistic but never realized it. Authors have to be careful with that or it doesn't work. Annabel Joseph made it work. Quite well.

I appreciated the levels of consent in place throughout the book. I also appreciated the way the BDSM was integrated into real life. And the way the relationship progressed. This is a love story, a romance. Sure, it's between a Dom and a sub. But it's also between a doctor and a translator. A man and a woman.

10. Willing Victim by Cara McKenna

Willing Victim isn't really BDSM, it's a couple who enjoy rough sex and fantasy rape play.  There is a safe word, and the Top is very careful about staging things so the fantasy is there but it doesn't go too far.

The couple starts out just a little rough and then work their way up to some pretty rough stuff. Nothing that leaves marks, but still, some of it gets intense. 

The nice thing about this particular story and situation is that Flynn is a boxer. Laurel watches him get punched in the face by people who weigh more than twice her weight, so she doesn't have to hold back when she slaps him or hits him -- she can fight back full force without worrying about hurting him, and without worrying about actually getting away from him. And he's strong enough, and in control of himself enough, that it's safe to do that -- he can control her without actually hurting her.

Firebird by Annabel Joseph

 

I've had major issues with most of the workplace-BDSM-romance/relationship stories I've read this year, so when I realized Firebird is the story of a BDSM relationship between choreographer and ballerina, I was a bit hesitant. It turns out my concerns were unwarranted, as the Dom did not take advantage of the sub at work, and in fact did pretty much everything he could to keep the relationship away from the theater. Also, without giving spoilers, the relationship doesn't actually begin at work, but outside of work, and that helped with the whole professionalism thing as well.

Here's the blurb:

Prosper is thrilled to be plucked from the corps de ballet to dance the lead role in The Firebird. Jackson, the guest choreographer, is as sexy as he is demanding. Prosper soon finds herself flustered by his closeness and his unforgiving gaze. She gets caught up in kinky fantasies that make it difficult for her to concentrate on his steps. She imagines him as her Dominant, turning her over his knee for flubs in rehearsal. Just as sensual tension at work builds to an impossible level, a surprise encounter outside the studio results in Prosper's fantasies being realized. Jackson takes his protégée home and ties her to his bed. Soon Prosper is receiving the discipline and domination she craves -- and much, much more.

The pair maintain a secret off-stage relationship -- scorchingly intimate encounters several evenings a week. But Prosper feels the burden of carrying the Firebird ballet on her back, and Jackson knows that his time in New York will draw to an end all too soon. Will Prosper crack under the pressure of pleasing her lover and bringing his vision to life, or will Jackson find a way to help his Firebird take flight?

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Yes and yes. 3 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: Oh, my. Yes. 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism:  Some, but nothing really out of the ordinary, and no edge play. I've wavered back and forth from a 1 and 2 and I'm going to settle on a 1 of 3.
• Extra Point: Yes.

As for the writing elements:

• The main plot is the journey of the relationship, but there is also some theater drama and politics creating smaller plots. All were good, if predictable.
• Pacing was fine.
• Prose and dialogue were fine.
• Character development was well done for Prosper, but I wanted to know more about Jackson. I liked what we learned of Jackson, but I didn't really feel he was fully developed.

I've debated back and forth on a rating, and I'm going to settle on an 8 of 10. As a one time ballerina myself, and as the mom of two young ballerinas (now in the midst of The Nutcracker performances), I guess I was hoping for more flowery prose about dancing, as well as more realism about how bad your body (and your feet) hurt after days on end of dancing. By definition, all dancers who go that far have to be at least a touch masochistic -- they have a relationship with pain, pain is a cost that must be paid in order to express themselves through dance. They learn which pain can be ignored and which pain they must pay attention to -- in other words, which pain flags injury and damage and which just hurts but doesn't mean serious damage is occurring. They may not enjoy the pain, but they almost certainly have learned how to integrate it into their life.

I was also expecting more dance oriented BDSM - choreographers are artistic and creative and... I feel greedy saying I wanted more, but there it is. Don't get me wrong - it's a good story with a very likable Dom.  I enjoyed Prosper's journey from moderate experience to a lot of experience, and I enjoyed having an eagle eye view to watching Jackson train her.

• Book Rating: Firebird: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 8 of 10
• Heat Level: 4 of 5

This is not BDSM lite -- we see the use of a belt, a crop, a leather paddle, and plugs. And the D/s is serious, with punishments when a rule or order is not followed.  However, I think that those who prefer the "kinder gentler" variety of BDSM will probably be okay with the events of the book. 

Also, Firebird hit on one of my pet peeves. This falls into spoiler territory so select the text to view it.
Why is it always the submissive who has to move? Why can't the Dom be the one to take a hit to his career and move to another city? Everything had settled down at the theater and Prosper's career would have been much better served to stay put instead of moving to another city. I get why she followed him, it just bugs me that it is the submissive who is expected to pick up and follow the Dom, so that his career can continue on without detour.


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