Review and Giveaway: What Happens After Dark

What Happens After Dark (DeKnight Trilogy - Book 2) by Jasmine Haynes


Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Genre: Erotic Romance, Submission/Dominance, BDSM
Pages: Paperback, 337pp

ISBN-13: 978-0425244128

ISBN: 0425244121

(Receieved for an honest review from Berkley Heat)


Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound



Jasmine Haynes (Jennifer Skully) on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter


Books in the Series: Past Midnight (2011), What Happens After Dark (2011), The Principal's Office (Coming 2012)

Excerpt from What Happens After Dark (WARNING) This excerpt is not appropriate for readers under 18 years of age. (Click Bookshelf, The Book Title, then the excerpt if half way down the page)


Synopsis:


By day she's a mild-mannered accountant, but after dark she's a willing slave to his wildest fantasies...


Bree Mason longs to be a successful career woman, but secrets keep her chained to the past, afraid to take the next step. At night, her frustrations are released by the domineering Luke Raven, who gives her what she asks for and more in a sensuous game of master and slave...


But to take control of her life, Bree will have to look within and face the demons of her childhood. Luke knows the ins and outs of Bree's body, knows what makes her gasp and sigh and beg. Now hes willing to push their relationship to the limit, to stand by her side in the light of day and take the greatest risk of all... for love.


Thoughts:


Author Jasmine Haynes brings readers the second book in the DeKnight Trilogy, What Happens After Dark. Jasmine's latest novel delves into some deep water with an emotionally crippled main character that has to choose whether or not she can leave her past behind and make a lasting future with a man who truly loves her. Haynes has created a psychological love story that is so intense readers will teeter between shock and satisfaction. The realism of the plot is chillingly believable and the sexual chemistry is scorching. If you're looking for a hot, steamy read, for the colder season, this one definitely fits the bill!


i have to admit there were parts of this novel that made my skin crawl a little bit, in a good way. The intensity of the characters and situation in What Happens After Dark, made it a very emotional read for me. Jasmine Haynes is an author that is able to bridge the gap between erotic romance that is solely based on the sex and erotic romance that pulls at the emotions. There is so much going on in this novel. The passion and love that Luke feels for Bree, the tragic past that Bree has suffered, the melding of the two into a sexual relationship that is at times healthy and other times needy and painful. It was almost too realistic. Abuse is a issue that has to be treated carefully and I think that Haynes does a fantastic job of showing how disturbing it can be to someone who experiences it.


Bree Mason is a character that many readers will be able to identify with, but wish they didn't. She is a very complex character and Haynes gives her a real sense of hopelessness in the beginning of the book. Haynes is able to explore abuse and the results through Bree and BDSM community. Bree has some to equate pleasure with pain and the submissive/dominant relationship she has with Luke, feeds on that desire. She relishes the pain he gives her but she isn't believes she is emotionally unable to commit to a normal relationship. Throughout the book it is amazing to see her start to open up to Luke and start to believe that she can have a happy ending. I thought Haynes did a remarkable job of showing her growth.


Luke Raven is a man on a mission. He obviously cares a lot about Bree to put up with some of the things she does. He wants more than just sex. He wants to be a part of her life outside the club and the bedroom, but he has his work cut out for him. He shows such great devotion to the people in his life. After a failed marriage, he still shows great care with his daughters and especially with Bree. He wavers between thinking he is making her worse with their master/slave sexual relationship and thinking he can help her work through her issues in the same way. It is obvious that he is torn but he can't seem to control how good she makes him feel regardless of what she wants him to do to her. Haynes has created a character that is very real with Luke, he has struggles that an average person does, yet his life after dark is very intense.


I had a bit of a hard time with the language Luke used in regard to Bree, though she seemed to like it and she knew he meant it in a protective and possessive way toward her. I guess I'm just a bit old fashioned and still have trouble thinking those words are bad LOL! With a book like this, you'll have to get over it though, because it so emotionally charged that, that kind of stuff just seems to fall by the wayside. 


This is a very intense novel and I recommend it to erotic romance fans, with a note of caution. What Happens After Dark may be a bit too much for some readers so be prepared. I went through a lot of emotions reading this one and I'm sure other readers will too. The story line was realistic and even hard to read at times, but it was worth it!
 

What Happens After Dark is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

With a bachelor's degree in accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Jasmine Haynes has worked in the high-tech Silicon Valley for the last twenty years and hasn't met a boring accountant yet! Okay, maybe a few. she and her husband live with numerous wild cats (one of whom has now moved into the house on her own accord). Jasmine's pastimes, when not writing, are speed-walking in the Redwoods, watching classic movies, and hanging out with writer friends in coffee shops. 

GIVEAWAY:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of What Happens After Dark by Jasmine Haynes. 


~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate.
~ US and Canadian Addresses only (Publisher Request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST December 7th.

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