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.

Toy Box: Bondage Mitts by LD Madison, Sean Michael and G.R. Richards

 
There are three stories in this Toy Box, and I've discovered a new author to keep an eye on.

Here's the blurb:

Sometimes a Dom wants more than just cuffs to keep his lover's hands occupied, and the results can be very sexy indeed! In A Tangled Web by LD Madison, Detective Greg Mallory disobeys a direct order, and Lieutenant Jake West decides to teach him a lesson he won't soon forget. But everything is not what it seems, and in the end, it might be Jake who learns a thing or two.

In This is Naughty Puppy Love by G.R. Richards. When Elio gives up teaching, his colleague Henry is heartbroken. Even more so because Elio is leaving the profession to clean houses for a living! Henry invites Elio to clean his home nonetheless, telling Elio to pay special attention to the bedroom. What does Elio find but a set of stunning leather puppy paw fist mitts? Puppy wants to play! 

Finally, Jim and Marcus from Bent are back in Hands Tied, a Hammer Story by Sean Michael. When Jim lets an former co-worker goad him into working himself into a frenzy and leaving his schedule behind, Marcus devises a way to help Jim not only focus on himself and his master, but to keep from working more than he should as well.

I wasn't terribly impressed with the first story, A Tangled Web.  I have issues with workplace romances where a boss or immediate supervisor feels they can spank someone just because they are the boss. My definition of BDSM includes the word consensual, when you get rid of that element then it becomes abuse. True, it becomes consensual in the story, but it doesn't start out that way. Also, the use of mitts isn't really important to the story, I got the feeling the mitts were added to the story later so it could be used in this anthology.

I don't believe I've ever read anything by G.R. Richards before, but This is Naughty Puppy Love certainly got my attention and I will be paying attention when I see this author's name in the future. The blurb gives the basics, but the story is very well written and does not follow the normal puppy play template. And the use of the mitts is hot.

The last story is by Sean Michael, if you've read Bent then you already know Jim and Marcus, and this story will be pretty familiar to you. It's a nice short, but nothing really new for this pair.

I have a problem rating anthologies, especially when there are good stories and not-so-good stories. I loved the second story, like the last story, and didn't care that much for the first.


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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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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.


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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

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.

Toy Box: Pine Switches by Mav Anthony, Lee Benoit and Jay Lygon

 
Toy Box: Pine Switches consists of three stories:

• The Scent of Pine by Mav Anthony
• Hamadryad Essence by Jay Lygon
• Tripod by Lee Benoit

The Scent of Pine takes us back to another time, where clothes are formal, overcoats are a necessity, and there are fireplaces in the bedroom for heat. Pine switches across a bare bottom can also generate some heat, apparently. Halfway through the story I was enjoying it, but the ending wasn't terribly satisfying for me.

I usually adore the writing of Jay Lygon, but Hamadryad Essence appears to be the exception to the rule. It was a good concept, a nice plot, and what could be a fun world to play around in. It just didn't come together for me.

The final story is Tripod, and Lee Benoit came through in shining colors. The characters, the world, and situation, and the sensory information we get... Wow. The blurb explains better than I can what it's about, so I'll put the blurb in for all three while I'm at it.

The pine switch is an old fashioned tool that acts much like a flogger. The men in the three stories in this Toy Box use them to maximum effect! In The Scent of Pine by Mav Anthony, Aaron has been watching his lover Aime at a fine party all evening, hiding and feeling like he doesn't belong. When everyone goes home, Aime proves that Aaron belongs at his side more than anyone.

Jay Lygon brings us Hamadryad Essence. Young agent Hayden Fischer of the Bureau of Alchemy wants to impress his boss, the very macho, handsome Captain Bryer, but when he does get Bryer's notice, it's for screwing up. Bryer believes that discipline is the best cure for a wild young agent who won't obey him. 

And finally, in Tripod by Lee Benoit, a temple whore, a horny slave, and a dungeon's master priest prepare to punish the whore for misbehavior. As the whore faces his ordeal, he must bend or break, like the priest's switches. Whore, slave, priest -- when none prevails, can all three stand strong?

I have trouble rating anthologies. If I were rating the three stories then the first two would get pretty low ratings, and Tripod would get a 9 of 10. So how do I rate the anthology? I think the answer is that I don't try to give it a number rating.

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