Three More Wishes by Sean Michael

 

Three More Wishes is the sequel to Three Wishes --  (My review of Three Wishes).

I loved Three Wishes, and had high hopes for Three More Wishes. Unfortunately, the intensity just wasn't there for me in this second book. I'll give the blurb and then explain.

James, Guard, and Damien are back, still running their resort, where every fantasy, no matter how perverse, may come true. The three men continue working out the bumps in their threesome, but when it comes to their clients, they’re a well-oiled machine. Which works perfectly for the three new couples arriving in paradise.

Cameron is losing his sight, and he knows that he'll be useless once it goes completely. He's cashed in everything to leave his life behind for one last fling. Xander is on the island for a fantasy, too. He's looking for someone to love on, someone to care for and Cameron seems to be the perfect match, but can they make it work?

As a writer, Ben always writes the script, which is why his fantasy is to give up control. He thinks his fantasy can’t be fulfilled, so he settles in for a relaxing vacation on an island paradise instead. Is he really as safe as he thinks he is?

Finally, Leo is a consummate Top, always wanting better his technique. He wants to know what it's like to be a sub, but it won’t be easy for a Dominant to bottom for five days. Leo will do his dead level best to measure up; his only worry is who the boys chose to be his fantasy Top…

The story of the island's owners was sweet, but not terribly erotic for me. It fell flat, and I'm not sure I can explain why.

Cameron and Xander didn't really do the whole BDSM thing. There was some D/s, and Xander made a great service Top, but I found myself skimming some of the sex scenes.

The kidnapping scene started out great, and then fizzled. I loved the first part of it, but the ending was... well, I found myself skimming the sex scenes again.

I thought the scene with the Top wanting to learn what it was like to sub would be the best, and it started out that way, but then, once again, it just kind of fizzled out for me. I liked both men, enjoyed the way the romance worked out, but David kept promising "do that again and you'll get spanked", over and over and over and over and over again. He never did spank him. I have no respect for Dom's who don't follow through, and I was surprised that Leo could respect that. In fact, he didn't, since he kept doing what he was doing, and never did really fall into the role he'd come there to learn about.



BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 1 of 3 
• Dominance and Submission:  2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 0 of 3
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements plot pacing prose dialogue character development world-building

• Book Rating: Three More Wishes: 6 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 3 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

Hey, Jealousy by BA Tortuga

 

Hey, Jealousy starts with a very uncool bondage scene. One that JW must rescue Rory from. We see that the two are good friends, and we learn that JW has somehow screwed up in the past, relegating them to just friends. But now that JW realizes how Rory likes to play... perhaps he can fix that.

Here's the blurb:

JW thinks he’s missed his chance at a romantic relationship with his best friend Rory forever, all because of a stupid moment when he was much younger. Rory wants JW desperately, but he knows his buddy just isn’t into the kind of games Rory likes to play, let alone into long-term relationship with a guy. When JW comes home from a long haul on the road, though, and finds Rory in a compromising position, he knows he’s found the way to correct his youthful mistake. Will Rory believe JW’s jealous response?

It's a short story, and doesn't really give us enough. It does take us to a likely HEA, but I wanted more of them figuring things out in the bedroom. There are no really big scenes, and nothing really creative in the bedroom. But it's a decent enough story of two guys figuring out that they can make it work.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 0 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 1 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 1 of 3  
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements: there isn't much of a plot to speak of, it's a short so pacing is fine, prose and dialogue are a bit odd but it works for the characters, and character development is okay for the length of the story.

• Book Rating: Hey, Jealousy: 7 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 2 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

.

Faerie Bound by Jenna Castille

 

Faerie Bound gives us the story of an Alpha Werewolf with a bit of a problem. Not only is he gay, but he's a sexual submissive.

He's a good Alpha, strong and caring and protective. He's also enough of a bad ass that he can win challenges. So his pack has accepted that he's gay. But he knows they would never understand him submitting to another.

Here's the blurb:

Garrick has spent the better part of his life making his Las Vegas lupin pack the strongest of all the post-war human-born paranormal groups. Now he wants something for himself—a mate. But how will his pack respond if they discover their Alpha is a closeted sexual submissive?

Not the typical faerie prince, Faolan is disobedient, lives in exile and has more piercings than a punk band. He’s also a sexual dominant longing for someone to call his own.

What are a lovelorn faerie and wolf to do? Turn to a paranormal dating service, of course. When Divine Intervention pairs Garrick and Faolan, it’s a match made in BDSM heaven, the resulting explosion a conflagration of passion the likes of which neither has ever known. Of course, the reactions to a wolf/faerie union are just as heated…

While I think calling it a "conflagration of passion" might be a bit of an overstatement, I was convinced that the pairing worked. I was a bit disappointed that we only saw the very beginnings of the relationship. We saw the beginnings of submission, and I wanted to see the pair get comfortable with their life together.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 0 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 1 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements, the plot is excellent, pacing has a few issues but nothing major, prose and dialogue were fine, character development was very well done, and world-building was well thought out and intriguing.

I enjoyed the story, the characters, and most of the scenes. I liked the way the sub plots were wrapped up, and look forward to reading more stories that take place in this world. However, I wasn't pleased with the way the main plot, the relationship, was wrapped up. There were a few loose strings that I wanted to see taken care of before the end of the book.  The story was closer to a 9 of 10, but I took a point off because we didn't get to see the couple settle into their relationship. I didn't feel they had really worked out the terms of their D/s yet, how things were going to work on a daily basis. We never saw them even living together. I do look forward to future books, but I have a feeling future books in this world will probably involve other characters finding their HEA, so this may be the last we get of things from Garret and Faolan's viewpoints.

• Book Rating: Faerie Bound: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 4 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

All in all, Faerie Bound is an enjoyable story that is well written with a good plot and subplots. I wasn't pleased that it ended too soon, but it won't stop me from reading the next book in this series, Elf Struck, when it is released.

Beautiful C*cksucker by Barbara Sheridan

 

This one has been around a while, but I figured it should read it before reading the followup book.

It was a nice enough story, believable enough for a first encounter, I think. It left me wanting more, as the ending is a bit too vague for my tastes, but it was an enjoyable and mostly believable read.

The club they go to had a few things happen that left me scratching my head, things that I don't think would happen at a mixed sexes BDSM club. However, since I've never been to an all guy BDSM club... I guess I can't say it would never happen that way.

Here's the blurb:

What NYPD patrolman Ray Watts wants to do is finish his shift and take a much needed vacation. If he has to first suffer through playing chauffeur to some pain in the ass foreign cop visiting New York on a special fact-finding detail then so be it.

But what Ray gets is a pleasant and arousing surprise when Inspector Miki Nabeshima from Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department shows up and skillfully escorts him into a world like none he’s ever known, a world Ray never thought much about, but once he’s ushered in, he knows he’ll never be able to turn back.

As the breakdown below shows, most of the BDSM is alluded to, or is watched by the main characters.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 0 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: 1 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements:

• I'm not sure I can tell you what the plot really was. The story is of the couple getting together, but it's not really resolved.
• Pacing was fine.
• Prose and dialogue were well done
• Character development was fairly in depth for this length story

I'm  not sure what to rate this one. It was an enjoyable read but there wasn't much sex, most of the BDSM was talked about or hinted at and not really shown. It was a bit of a tease, actually. But it was a good story with great characters. And it was kind of sweet.

• Book Rating: Beautiful C*cksucker: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 1 of 10
• Heat Level: 1 of 5

 

Where he Belongs by DC Juris

 
Where He Belongs is short. At not quite five thousand words, I'd say it falls under the extremely short heading.

Here's the blurb:

Vance and Raine had the perfect little life, until their shared sassy sub, Andrew, threw a hissy fit and left them. But the big, wide world turned out to be far too lonely, and Andrew is back, wanting to come home. Vance is willing -- he knows he'll always do anything he must to keep Andrew -- but Raine isn't. Raine's heart still hasn't mended, and he's going to need some convincing before he lets Andrew back in. Fortunately for Andrew, Vance has a plan.

For such a short story, we learn a surprising amount about what happened before, so we know why these three characters are where they are in this brief moment in time we are shown. There is one surprise twist thrown in, and just enough of a scene to get us interested. It's a nice short story.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 1 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: This story is primarily about a relationship that has broken up, and whether it's possible for it to get back together. There is some D/s, enough so we know that in a functioning relationship it would be front and center... but what we see is mostly just people talking. 1 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: 0 of 3

As for the writing elements: the plot is simple enough for such a short story and there is even an unexpected twist thrown in, prose and dialogue are both fine, character development gives us more than one would think in such a short story. 

I'm giving Where He Belongs an 8 of 10 for several reasons. One being that I think it was too short. Even just another thousand or two thousand words could have shown us enough to have knocked the enjoyment factor so much higher.  It's a perfectly good plot with perfectly good characters and I want to see more than the 30 or 45 minutes of their lives that we got to see.

• Book Rating: Where He Belongs: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 2 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

I loved Finding Sanctuary by DC Juris, if you haven't read this author before I would recommend Finding Sactuary over Where he Belongs.

 

Making Magic: New Orleans by Jade Falconer

 

Making Magic is a relatively short story at 67 pages, but it has enough length to tell the story with a couple of scenes and some nice details.

The blurb does a good job of explaining the basics, so I'll start there:

When Tommy boasted to his college friends that he could find out their professor's secrets, his only goal was to win a bet. In the sultry heat of New Orleans, the mysterious and eccentric teacher seemed like an easy mark to the precocious young man. But when all Elliott's far-fetched talk of energy and power had an actual physical effect on the college student, his opinion started to change. Was sex magic real? Tommy was about to find out.

This particular brand of sex magic involves the initiate being out of control. In other words - tied up and blindfolded. Which is where the kink comes in.

Making Magic was a fun little story with enough kink to make me happy.

BDSM elements:

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

As for the writing elements, the plot was a bit different and provided interest. Pacing was fine. Prose and dialogue were fine. Character development was sufficient for the story, World-building was nicely done, explaining the way the magic felt and acted.

• Book Rating: Making Magic: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 3 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

Thos who prefer the "kinder gentler" form of BDSM should be comfortable with the sex and power play in Making Magic.


.

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

Naughty: Peppermint Twist by Jeanette Grey

 

Naughty: Peppermint Twist is a fun little short story with a nice little sexual romp and the promise of more to come. Here's the blurb:

Jonas is a straight-laced executive whose only weaknesses are his peppermint mochas and the barista at his favorite coffee shop. After months of being taunted by the man behind the counter, Jonas finally snaps and calls him out for his naughty behavior. When Jonas threatens to take the barista over his knee, he gets a much more enthusiastic response than he ever would have expected.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: No. There is a spanking, but it's fun, not discipline.
• Dominance and Submission: 1 of 3. If I could give a half I would. Is submission given with a smirk really submission?
• Sadism and Masochism: No.
• Extra Point: No

That makes it sound as if it's not BDSM. But there is clearly a Dom and a sub... or at least a Top and a bottom. A spanker and a spankee.

As for the writing elements -- not much of a plot but it's a short story and that's okay. Pacing had a few stumbles but wasn't horrible. Prose and dialogue were fine.  Character development was sufficient for the length of the story.

• Book Rating: Peppermint Twist: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 1 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

All in all it's a fun little read that takes place during the holidays. It's not vanilla, but the BDSM isn't too intense.

Burn (A Hammer Novel) by Sean Michael

 

I have loved some of the books in Sean Michael's Hammer series... and then there have been some I haven't cared for as much.

Unfortunately, Burn fits into the latter category.

As the story opens we are introduced to two men who seem to have been friends for a while. Marshall comes to a bar for an annual get-together amongst friends after a really bad day at work (he's a firefighter) and Dave realizes Marshall is not in a good place at the moment, so he takes him home and pretty much offers sex as a way to get him out of his head.

The problem is that Dave is a Dom, and Marshal is not a submissive. In fact, at first it appears Marshall is a bit of a Top. So we have a Dom trying to slowly introduce the lifestyle to someone without actually explaining much of it to him, and without giving him a safeword. He does eventually give him a safeword, but in my opinion, too much happened without one.

Here's the blurb:

Marshall and Dave grew up in the same neighborhood. They’ve mostly lost touch as they've gotten older, getting together just once a year with a bunch of other old friends for a game of football. This year, firefighter Marshall is late, and when he does show up Dave can tell the man has not had a good day. When Dave suggests they leave the gang and go back to Marshall's place for some decompression time, Marshall jumps at the chance and, later, at Dave.

Things don't all go smoothly for the two men, though. Dave is into BDSM, a member of The Hammer Club, and he thinks he could use his skills to help Marshall relieve the stress and guilt the man carries over not being the perfect hero. Marshall thinks needing that kind of help is sick, though, and when he enjoys what Dave does to him, he's convinced there must be something wrong with him.

Can Dave figure out how to convince Marshall that kink is not sick at all, but a way to keep sane as well, or is their relationship doomed?

What we end up with is a close relationship where they occasionally play around with very light BDSM.  I had no problem with the day to day relationship, these men were great together. It just felt as if the way Dave introduced his kink to Marshall was a bit dishonest. I appreciate that the author didn't make everything work out perfectly in some of the middle parts of the book, because I can see all kinds of problems that can result from springing BDSM on your partner without warning them first. Or without giving them a safeword.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 1 of 3 - no discipline at all; one scene where someone is handcuffed to the bed
• Dominance and Submission: 1 of 3, sort of. When Marshall has a bad day he eventually submits just to see if it will help - but other than that he's pretty adamant about not submitting.
• Sadism and Masochism: 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements -- the plot is the movement of the relationship, pacing had some issues, prose and dialogue were Sean Michael's trademark stilted sentence structure, and character development was fine with Marshall but not so much with Dave.

As for the stilted sentence structure... I enjoyed it at first, several dozen of Sean Michael's books ago. But when almost every character of Sean Michael's talks in the same manner... I don't know, I guess it's starting to not work for me anymore. Or maybe it's just that this story didn't work, and when I read one of his stories that I do like it will be okay again.

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

More often than not I enjoy Sean Michael's books and stories... but Burn just didn't work for me. If you prefer BDSM lite then the story might work for you.

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.

.

Bound by Leather by Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael

 

Bound by Leather is another short story, and once again I find myself disappointed in a book that begins a really good story and then just ends. The character building was going well, the possibilities in the relationship were beginning to come into focus, and there was reason to hope they might have their first real scene soon. And then it was over.

Here's the blurb:

In the world of werewolves, to harbor submissive desires is looked upon with disdain. To be gay and submissive is a double threat. To satisfy his craving, Nathaniel seeks acceptance at a BDSM club...and is quick to receive it.

Master Raphael's interest in the beautiful wolf is quite obvious to the club's clientele, and it isn't long before the two are paired for play. Yet, Raphael isn't known exactly for monogamy. Could Nathaniel turn him into a one-man, or one-wolf, Dominant?

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 0 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: This is a dom and a sub, but the story doesn't show us the actual act of submission. The the wish to submit. 1 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: None. 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: Yes

As for the writing elements, the set up for the plot was there, but the story ended before I felt there was a resolution. Pacing was okay. Prose and dialogue were fine. Character development was coming along nicely, and world building was okay.

I don't know how to rate this one. The writing was good, this is a talented writing team. But the story didn't feel finished. It just didn't feel like a good place to end things.

• Book Rating: Bound by Leather: 6 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 2 of 10
• Heat Level: 1 of 5

I liked these characters, and would be interested in a story that tells us how these men work things out.  

.
 

A Bid For Love by Michelle Houston

 

A Bid For Love is a nice little short that packs a lot of emotion. It does not, however, pack a lot of heat. It bills itself as BDSM, but the majority of BDSM action comes from things remembered, not things that happen in the time frame of the story. 

Here's the blurb:

Erika had thought that Ryan was out of her life, and that she was over him. When they run into each other at an art auction, and he outbids her on a painting of her grandmother's, she's willing to do anything to get it from him - including agree to spend 48 hours with him. Her head says at the end of it she can just walk away. Her heart isn't so sure.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: No. 0 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes, but mostly it's remembered. 1 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Just a touch. 1 of 3 
• Extra Point: No

A Bid For Love does have one nice sex scene in it, and some people might rate it higher on the heat level than I did. That's a pretty subjective thing, so I do want to point out that it's a well written sex scene, even if it didn't do a lot for me.

As for the writing elements -- the story uses miscommunication as a plot device, and that is one of those things that tends to annoy me. If someone sends you a letter you have to sign for, you really should read it.  There were also a few editing issues. Pacing was fine. Prose and dialogue were good, and character development was well done.

• Book Rating:A Bid For Love: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 2 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

A Bid For Love is a sweet story with a nice ending. It's not very heavy on the BDSM, though it is clear that it has been a part of this couple's sex life in the past, and likely will be again in the future.

Handcuffs and Headlocks (Rawlings Men book 3) by Kim Dare

 

Handcuffs and Headlocks is the third book in the Rawlings Men series. These are stand alone books, and I think you can probably read them in any order you wish. I've linked to my reviews of the first two books in the series at the bottom of this review.

With each book in this series it has felt like the beginning of the story, where we're left to fill in the rest of the story as the book ends. Each couple manages to discuss and come to a likely resolution to their biggest issue, but there is so much more the author could have explored within each story. She goes to all of the trouble of creating such interesting characters, and then she doesn't tell the whole story.  Or it doesn't feel like she does, anyway.

Here's the blurb for Handcuffs and Headlocks:

Undercover police officer Ed Rawlings isn’t just good at his job—he’s bloody fantastic at it. But there is such a thing as being too good at playing pretend. When reality refuses to come back, even when he’s off duty, something has to change for the hyperactive submissive. Could a no nonsense master be exactly who he needs to help him make those changes?

Derby FitzGerald doesn’t do pretend. Losing track of reality when you’re teaching martial arts would be bound to get very painful, very quickly. But maybe there’s such a thing as taking life too seriously too. Could a confused cop be precisely the right person to remind him of that?

The story mostly worked for me. I liked both characters and could see where the author was taking things. I was also pretty happy with the resolution we were given at the end. Though, as I said, I would have loved for her to give us more of the story.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Not really. 0 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. Sort of. 2 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: Just a touch. 1 of 3.
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements -- the plot was unique, pacing was fine, prose and dialogue were fine, and character development was well done for the length of the story.

• Book Rating:Handcuffs and Headlocks: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 3 of 10
• Heat Level: 1 of 5

1. Handcuffs and Leather (my review)
2. Handcuffs and Glory Holes (my review)
3. Handcuffs and Headlocks
4. Handcuffs and Trouble (Nov 24)

.

Ellery's Duty (Thrown to the Lions book 3) by Kim Dare

 
Ellery's Duty is the third book in the Thrown to the Lions series. I've read the first two books, but that was before I was reviewing BDSM books over here. I enjoyed both of the earlier books, though I would consider all of the books in this series as BDSM lite.

The first two books of the series involve a submissive human who volunteers to be "thrown to the lions". This basically means they are cuffed and blindfolded and taken to a home with a lot of men wearlions, and then they are "used" for an hour or so (with a safeword) before being returned to the chauffered car and then returned to the office that originally made the arrangements. The purpose of this, we learn, is so that the werelions can learn how to be with a human without damaging the human. The men are paid rather well for this.

We meet Kefir in the first two books. He's a rarity among the lions, not very dominant at all. He never joins in when the other lions are enjoying the "sacrifice".

In the third book, one of the human Doms decides that he wants to see for himself how the submissive men are being treated when they volunteer to be thrown to the lions, so he submits himself.

You can see where this is going... right? Here's the blurb:

As a well-respected dominant, Ellery has been watching the subs from the local leather bars disappear into the lions’ den for far too long, and he’s not convinced that everything is as fine as they all claim it is. He’s determined to find out what really happens in there. If the only way he can do that is to volunteer to be thrown to the lions himself, so be it.

Kefir’s never worked out what the other lions find so interesting about the human sacrifices who visit their den, but this new man is unlike any other human he’s ever met, and Kefir’s captivated. Can the smallest lion in the pride claim a man like Ellery as his pet—is that even the way Kefir wants to think of his human mate?

While all three books are written as stand alone books, I think that you should read at least one of the first two books before reading the third, so you can get an idea of how the Lion/Human relationship is supposed to work, as opposed to the way it works out in Ellery's Duty.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: None. 0 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: No. 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements, the plot fits in with previous plots and gives a nice twist to the series. We also get an idea of who the next book will about, and that also promises to be an interesting plot twist. Pacing is fine, prose and dialogue are fine, character development is well done, and world building continues to be creatively written with this series.

If you enjoy Urban Fantasy and also like M/m erotica then this series might be a good match for you. If you enjoy BDSM lite then that's another plus. If you want your BDSM to be a bit more hardcore then you'll likely be a bit disappointed. 

• Book Rating: Ellery's Duty: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 3 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

Remember, the heat level here is how I personally saw things, and the lighter stuff doesn't really work for me all that much. If you prefer D/s without a lot of the other elements then your heat level will be higher than mine.

1. Ryland's Sacrifice
2. Marrick's Promise
3. Ellery's Duty
4. Cameron's Pride (Dec 8th)

.

Punished by Brynn Paulin

 

Punished is yet another office romance. Another secretary who doesn't have a clue her boss is kinky, and another boss who has no clue his secretary is kinky, until fate intervenes to show them. In this case fate takes the form of said secretary paying at a club to be spanked, and her boss being the one being paid to spank her.

Here's the blurb:

Prim Natalia Cooper lives life on the straight and narrow, never veering into naughty territory. But she wants to. One night, years ago, her boyfriend gave her a few swats on the rear as part of their sex play and she loved it. She wants more. But he’s long gone and she hasn’t been spanked since. When she learns of a club where she can get exactly what she needs—anonymously—she’s so turned on and ready she can hardly bear it.

For Ethan Tavish, The Dungeon has served as a place to exert his dominance without making lasting commitments. He can hardly believe his eyes when he enters the play area to find his secretary, Natalia, bent over the spanking bench in a schoolgirl uniform. They’re both masked, but he’d recognize her anywhere. In an instant, he has a plan to give them what they both want…and perhaps a whole lot more.

My problems with the story:

• Ethan starts things at work, which is unprofessional and disrespectful. He had no way of knowing how she would feel about him, personally. He should have asked her out for dinner, or asked her to have a coffee with him, and talked to her about it that way. Until they communicated things and reached a level of consensuality, some agreed upon power exchange, then he had no right ordering her around. 
• The "conflict" was a bit contrived, and then was extended out longer than it should have been because of miscommunication. Conflict due to miscommunication is a personal pet peeve of mine, especially when it's from snapping shut a cellphone because you don't want to hear the rest of what the person has to say. 
• I've spoken before about people who meet and agree to marry after only a few dates - another pet peeve. 
• Oh, and to start out with a belt at full strength the second time you spank someone, in an office where people will hear if you make a noise with your voice... come on, belts make noise when they strike flesh -- that scene was so wrong for so many reasons. 
• And finally, they never discussed pregnancy or STD's and no condom was used.

What I liked: Natalia didn't try to deny what turned her on. Once she realized what she wanted, she accepted it and didn't fight with herself about it. She was also honest with Ethan when he asked her questions. I liked that Ethan was a nice guy who could be rough when the situation called for it, and that he made sure of her safeword before he got rough with her. 

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Yes, but nothing major. 1 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. 2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: Sort of, but it's all spanking and a bit of rough sex, I'm not sure it was actual S&M as much as a spanking fetish on both parts. Not that there's anything wrong with a spanking fetish, I don't want to give that impression. I'm just pointing out that a spanking fetish doesn't necessarily point to S&M.  1 of 3.
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements, the plot was kind of a tired old plot for me. And very predictable. Punished was a short story so the pacing was mostly fine. Prose and dialogue were okay. Character development was sufficient for a short story.

• Book Rating:Punished:  5 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level:  4 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5

.

Corporate Seduction by Bridget Midway

 

Corporate Seduction is, as the title suggests, an office romance. But this one has a few twists along the way. More than a few twists, actually.

Here's the blurb:

Maybelline "May" Davenport wants a few things in her life: to move up at work after she obtained her college degree, and to find a man who could sweep her off of her feet like the heroes in her erotic romance novels. She's sure she won't find that while working for a man she calls "the totem pole with style" even though she finds him attractive. Winston Biggers thinks he wants a dominant type of woman in his life. And although she doesn't seem the type, Win can't stop thinking about May, his administrative assistant. But he can't let her go. Not just yet. So he hides her newly-acquired degree to keep her as his assistant. But there are other important aspects about his life that he's hiding. When the truth comes out, will it be too much for May to take? Or will staying with this man make her Win Bigg?

The BDSM in Corporate Seduction is pretty tame, so if you don't like pain in your BDSM, this may be a good book for you.  The BDSM action is mostly D/s with no S&M between our main couple. 

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline:A very very very small amount. 1 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Some. 1 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: None. 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: No.

As for the writing elements, the plot was pretty predictable except for one surprise that was thrown into the mix towards the end. Pacing had issues. Prose and dialogue were fine, with a nice voice over all. Character developement was well done.

And the character development  is probably what carried the story for me. I've said it before, but good characters can overcome a lot of other problems with a story. There are two other books in this series and I am very interested in reading them.

• Book Rating: Corporate Seduction: 8 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 2 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 10

The blurbs for the next two books give the appearance that there will be more S&M involved in future stories. We've met both female characters in Corporate Seduction, I look forward to reading their stories.

1. Corporate Seduction
2. Corporate Desires
3. Corporate Needs

.

Forty-Eight Hour Burn (The Service Club) by Tonya Ramagos

 

Forty-Eight Hour Burn is a fun little story with lots of yummy domination and submission, hot menage sex, and mild punishment. 

It's one of those HEA stories that moves too quickly into HEA to be believable, but it's still a hot little story.

Here's the blurb:

Georgia knows what Gavin and Randy expect in return for their touch. She’s primed and willing for the sacrifices to feel the fire these roughened, firefighter cowboys offer. Only one thing prevents her total surrender. When they ignite a burn in her that takes her to the edge of orgasmic insanity, she might change her mind.

All it takes is the right woman to have a cowboy bucking to please. Georgia is that woman for Randy, and he’s aching hard to bring on the pleasure. With only forty-eight hours to convince her to stay, he stands to lose a lifetime of crazed heaven.

Gavin figures himself a reasonable man. Fueled by desires for Georgia, he’s made it clear the erotic pleasures he plans to show her. In return, he demands total submission. Compromise isn't an option, especially when he believes she’s in danger from demons associating with him unleash.

BDSM Elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: Some bondage, not a lot. A few discipline scenes, none of them very rough - mostly orgasm denial and very little physical punishment. 1 of 3
• Dominance and Submission: Yes. Two very dominant and very hot men, and one very willing submissive. 3 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: None. They want to dominate her only where it involves giving her pleasure. 0 of 3

My intensity level is a combination of those three things added together, which gives us a 4 of 10 - I have one more point to give, based on how well the BDSM works with the story, and I'll add that point in for an intensity level of 5 of 10.

The heat level is a 4 of 5, they have really hot sex.

As for the writing elements, Ms. Ramagos does manage to put a bit of a plot into the mix, and if this is part of a series then I see a bit of a story arc being placed as well. The pacing was fine, prose and dialogue were fine, and character development was good.

• Book Rating: Forty-Eight Hour Burn: 8 of 10
• Intensity Level: 5 of 10
• Heat Level: 4 of 5

Not sure if I'll get the second book in the series or not. I'll read the blurb when it comes out, and will likely wait to read some other reviews before I make that decision.