Dangerously Bound (Dangerous - Book 1) by Eden Bradley
Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Books
Genre: Erotic Contemporary
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0425269620
ISBN-13: 978-0425269626
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Books)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Eden Bradley on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Excerpt from, Dangerously Bound, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.
Synopsis:
She can whip up something sweet…
Allie LeClair has finally returned to the sultry city of New Orleans. After ten years of studying and working as a pastry chef in San Francisco and all over Europe—and feeding her submissive side at BDSM clubs—Allie is home, and she has something to prove to the man who once fueled her desires. She’s not a child anymore.
But with two in the kitchen…
When security specialist Mick Reid hears that Allie is back in town, he knows he won’t be able to stay away for long. Ever since he discovered his darker side, Mick has tried to protect Allie from the aggressive beast within him—but that power and wildness is exactly what she wants.
Can they take the heat?
Allie has made the first move, but now it’s up to Mick. The game has begun, and playing has never been so rough.
Thoughts:
Eden Bradley brings readers the first book in her new Dangerous series, Dangerously Bound. The New Orleans setting and a BDSM club provide the background for the series. The first book focuses on a second chance love story between a couple with some serious history. He has a hard time curbing his more dominate sexual needs and she isn't the fragile girl she once was. Mick and Allie have a sizzling chemistry together and their play includes ropes and teeth, yep... teeth. Interesting new book, from a respected name in the genre.
What I liked:
Eden Bradley isn't new to erotic romance, but this new series is something new for readers. I loved the New Orleans setting. It's a very vibrant city with a lot of history and I was happy to see that Bradley took the time to make it come alive to readers. Often in erotic romance, the emphasis is on the sexual exploits of the characters, not the scenery. But I like a book with atmosphere and this one really had that. As a reader I felt like I was a part of the city and even the club. Bradley does a fantastic job with giving this book a tone that is hard to describe.
Readers are introduced to two characters who have a past together. Allie was a young girl when Mick broke her heart and left her alone after a night of unprecedented passion. Mick had always treated Allie like a delicate flower until that fateful night, when his emotions got away from him and his dark inner passions took over. Now years later, she isn't a little girl anymore. Allie was an interesting character. She has traveled the world as a pastry chef and as a submissive. She got a taste of the lifestyle with Mick that night, and it changed her. I liked the fact that she didn't give up on what she wanted. She went to clubs, she explored and she became a woman, who understood her own desires. That made her a great heroine for this book. Bradley did a great job with her.
Now Allie has returned to New Orleans for good and for Mick. But a lot has happened in the interim and Mick has some serious demons of his own to face. He is an experienced Dom now, knowing and understanding his own needs, but he has never forgotten the passion he shared with Allie. His dreams have literally gone up in smoke, and he hasn't become the man he wanted to be. He can't follow in the footsteps of his family and motorcycle accident has left him with scars Allie can see and some she can't. I had a little bit of a hard time, seeing Mick as a tortured hero. I understood his desperation at not being the man he wanted to be, but eventually the strong move on. And I felt like he would have been a much more believable hero had he left that in the past. Yes, he was still going to be reminded of it, but it didn't have to rule his life.
These two together were a very hot ticket. Mick has penchant for rope play and for using his teeth. He's a biter not a nipper and some people like to straddle that fine line between pleasure and pain. To some this might seem a bit harsh, but those who like a little sting in their play will find this right up their ally. I loved the ropes and the way that Bradley used them in this book. She's either done her homework or is a fan of this kind of kink because she knew what she was talking about in the way Mick used those ropes and how Allie responded to them. But Mick was more than a one trick pony and I would have liked to see a little more than just rope play. It was good, but got a little repetitive.
What I didn't like:
I felt like the hero could have been so much more. He had the potential but he kind of fell flat in some ways. The chemistry was definitely there between him and the heroine, but he needed to get over himself a little bit and sink or swim. There was a bit too much push and pull, but still an overall good read.
Bottom Line:
This one was good, but could have been a whole lot better. I wanted a hero with more strength and fortitude. He had some demons in his past, but he needed to prove that he could get past them and it took him a little too long to do it. Still a good book!
Dangerously Bound is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Eden Bradley writes dark, edgy erotica and erotic romance for Bantam/Delta, Harlequin Spice and HQN, Berkley Heat (as both Eden Bradley and Eve Berlin), and Samhain Publishing. Two of her books have been Romantic Times Top Picks, and her novel FORBIDDEN FRUIT was profiled in Cosmopolitan Magazine's Red Hot Reads column in 2008. More recently her BDSM book THE DARK GARDEN hit the top paperback fiction charts in the UK.
As someone who has been involved in BDSM practice for much of her adult life, she relates in particular to her BDSM and kink stories, infusing them with her own truth about kink practice from her life experiences.
Eden has appeared regularly on Playboy Radio's 'Night Calls' and the Hollywood In the Flesh readings. She loves art, shoes, tattoos, reading smutty books, chocolate and sex, of course, not necessarily in that order.
You can visit her websites: www.EdenBradley.com or her group blog www.Smutketeers.com .
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Dangerously Bound by Eden Bradley.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 14th.
1. Please leave a comment letting readers know of another good BDSM writer that you would recommend.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
Wicked Games (Mageverse Prequel) by Angela Knight
Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Books
Genre: Erotic Paranormal
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 0425215652
ISBN-13: 978-0425215654
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Books)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Angela Knight on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Mageverse
0.5. Wicked Games
1. Seductions Gift (Hot Blooded Anthology)
2. Master of the Night
3. Galahad (Bite Anthology)
4. Master of the Moon
5. Master of Wolves
6. Moon Dance (Over the Moon Anthology)
7. Master of Swords
8. Master of Dragons
8.5. Vampire's Ball (Hot for the Holidays Anthology)
9. Master of Fire
10. Master of Smoke
11. Master of Shadows
12. Master of Darkness
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, Wicked Games, courtesy of the authors website.
Synopsis:
Angela Knight's reimagining of the Arthurian legend in her Mageverse novels has been praised as "inventive, lively, and sexy as hell" (Heroes and Heartbreakers). Now, in Wicked Games, she delivers in an all-new novella, and a sensual new kick, to her Mageverse world. In a revealing prequel that draws together Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere in an explosive triangle, she sets the stage for the Mageverse magic, for the masterful men, and for the beautiful women who live to serve, outwit, and bewitch them.
Plus Angela Knight at her provocative best in two bonus novellas that have previously appeared in a different form...
In Bondage, Beauty and Beast, lovely Brianne is sold as a bondslave to Lord Ardolf Greycastle. Ardolf needs Brianne to break the spell that turned him into a beast, but to do that he must win her love even as he dominates her without mercy.
when female Confederate spy Rose Carson seduces a handsome Union officer in A Question of Pleasure, it is only to gather secrets. She never expected to fall in love, or to submit to his extreme demands when he discovers her duplicity.
Thoughts:
There is a lot going on in Angela Knight's new Wicked Games anthology. Readers are treated to a prequel from Knight's highly acclaimed Mageverse series, two short stories from Knight's early career and a look into Knight's next anthology featuring Morgana's story, "Oath of Service". Fans of the Mageverse will revel in finally getting Knight's take on the beginning of Arthur and Gwen's story. How they became immortals and even the tale behind Lancelot's betrayal. This is Arthur like you've never seen him before. Territorial, controlling and one fiercest warriors to have ever lived. Readers will also enjoy seeing what's to come with Mageverse series and some of Knight's classic BDSM writing. This book isn't for everyone, but for those love a wicked ride... this is it!
What I liked:
I'm not quite sure how I have missed this series, up until now. Being a major history buff, the legend of Arthur and the Knights of the Round table sates my need for magic as well as legend. Arthur as an immortal vampire? Bring it on! It is my understanding that the series is near it's conclusion and starting with the prequel in this anthology, I can read it all straight through. That makes me happy. But knowing I've missed out this long... eke gads!
Wicked Games is not a book for the faint of heart and it isn't going to suit every taste, even in the erotic realm of reading. Each of the three stories in this anthology has it's own theme and ideas and they are all very different. There are some issues with consensual sex and fidelity and there are a few things that many readers might find shocking. But I often think that is part of why readers choose to read erotica, they want that shock factor, that bit of taboo that gets their heart and blood pumping. Angela Knight certainly took that into account here. This one is smoking hot, in just about every way.
The headliner for this anthology is a the prequel to the Mageverse series, called "The Once and Future Lover". This is the story that begins it all. Having not read any of the other Mageverse books, I was very open minded going into this one. I knew that Knight's take on Camelot featured vampires and witches and I was fine with that. A little poetic license is expected when in comes to the paranormal. Combine that with erotica and I was expecting one hot story and I wasn't disappointed. I have always been a big fan of Arthur's and probably didn't have as much respect or understanding for Guinevere, given her betrayal. But Knight turned my understanding of this classic tale on it's ear with this story. It was intense and fierce and extremely sexual. Arthur is a fierce warrior and an even fiercer man. He isn't a benevolent leader, but his vision for his people is strong and worthy. His treatment of those around him isn't always stellar and I think that really worked with the kind of personality that he needed to make his character work. Knight does a spectacular job of showing the moral question he faces and the sacrifices he makes. To say he is also as very passionate lover is an understatement.
One of the things that I found that I really liked here, was Knight's portrayal of Gwen. Most of the time I don't care much for her in the stories of old. She comes across as simpering and self-serving. Here she is quite the opposite. Her love for Arthur is evident and her need to protect him is strong. I liked her in Knight's universe. She had passion and drive and she isn't afraid of her own sexuality. Though that may have contributed to her downfall in the original stories, it serves her in different ways here.
This was a fantastic story. As I said before the graphic language, issues with consent, fidelity and overall crassness, might not suit everyone's fancy. It will definitely tread on the sensibilities of some, but if you can look over that, the writing is well done, very creative and hotter than a firecracker.
The two short stories in the book are from Knight's early career and that shows a bit in the writing. I can see with the new Mageverse story that her abilities have really improved. That's not to say there was anything wrong with either story. I could just see the growth and the maturity she had gained and I liked that. It gave me a bit of a reference for her work. I read a lot of different kinds of books including different kinds of erotica. Some I like, some I tolerate and some that I just can't wrap my head around. There was some of each of those feelings in the short stories we have in Wicked Games.
"Bondage, Beauty and the Beast" is of course a riff on the fairy tale. The hero of the story has been cursed and he needs a woman to fall in love with him to break it. That's where the similarities end. I liked the premise, loved the enchanted sex toys, ooooh myyyy! But I had a few issues with how the hero went about acquiring the woman's love. He truly was a beast. He violates her boundaries in every way. I know she's a slave, didn't like that either, but understood it. But she was still a person and deserved that respect. Consent isn't negotiable. Overall a real eye-opener. Definitely, not for the faint of heart.
Loved the overall concept of "A Question of Pleasure." Civil War era romance between a Union soldier and a Confederate Spy. It had a lot of potential. But the BDSM content is used as a punishment more than as pleasure. It was a good story. I just prefer the more sensual and pleasurable parts of the BDSM relationship than the domination and control aspects.
The snippet from Knight's new Mageverse story, "Oath of Service" was again, extremely well written. The two stories from this series, made we want to read them all. Sooner rather than later. I want to immerse myself in this series and not come up for air until after the next one comes out.
What I didn't like:
There were good and bad points to all of the stories in this anthology. There were some lines crossed with fidelity and consent that are hard to uncross once you go there. It will not sit well with some readers, others will enjoy that taboo aspect of the stories. It's just one of those books that requires a tougher erotic skin than some possess. I loved parts of, others not so much.
Bottom Line:
This is why it's difficult for me to review anthologies. I ramble on so. I loved the Mageverse stories. I plan to go back and read the entire series. I liked certain parts of the other stories, but disliked others. Overall it was very good. Very well written. But it isn't for everyone. Take that with a grain of salt. Pick up and see what I mean.
Wicked Games is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Angela Knight is a New York Times bestselling author and former newspaper journalist. She lives with her family in South Carolina.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Wicked Games by Angela Knight.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 14th.
1. Please leave a comment about you think of the Megaverse series and the imagining of Arthur's story.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
Torn (Connections - Book 2) by Kim Karr
Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: New American Library
Genre: New Adult
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 0451468287
ISBN-13: 978-0451468284
(Received for an honest review from New American Library)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Kim Karr on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Connections
1. Connected
2. Torn
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, Torn, courtesy of the author's website. (There are several teasers from Torn and an epilogue)
Synopsis:
Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entangled history is about to test the strength of their relationship…
Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her ‘Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.
River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain. But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to stay together or will they be torn apart?
Thoughts:
Kim Karr's second book in the Connections series, Torn will have readers doing everything from crying to throwing tantrums. There is so much passion and emotion in Karr's writing that it is hard for the reader not to become so deeply involved that they lose track of reality a little bit. River and Dahlia are back in Torn, after the cliffhanger ending in Connected. There story continues with unexpected twists, turns and connections that most readers won't see coming. The character development is flawless and Karr's ability to show the deep seeded feelings of her lead characters has only improved. A great addition to the series!
What I liked:
It's no secret that I was a huge fan of the first book in this series, Connected. I hate cliffhanger endings, but Karr made me a believer. There was so much angst and complete surprise at what happened, that I just had to read the second book and I'm sure that's how most readers reacted to it. River and Dahlia made the perfect couple. Rock star meets the girl next door. I'm not often a fan of that kind of theme, but it really worked with this series. At the end of Connected readers were completely shocked with Ben's return. You can't get much further out of the picture than being dead... Yep, Ben is back!
The connection between River and Dahlia was so strong in Connected that I couldn't really understand what could happen that would drive them apart. Karr must have known from the beginning exactly where she wanted to go with this. She knew that no one other than Ben could possibly have a chance. Ben was Dahlia's best friend, her lover, her fiancee. She had a deep connection with him, but it was not the same as her connection to River. Now she is torn about which direction she should go.
I have to give Ben credit. He might have been a class a jerk, but he had a plan. He was determined to get Dahlia back and he never wavered. He didn't give in to self doubt, He just hit the ground running and gave it everything he had. But I'm glad it wasn't enough. The relationship that Dahlia had built with River was beyond just love. River helped her in so many ways that had nothing to do with just him. Dahlia is stronger in this book, more capable. She isn't broken anymore and I loved the fact that River helped her find that within herself. Ben was back, but River was there to stay.
Karr uses snippets from Ben's journal to fill in the blanks about what happened to him and how he was feeling. He comes across as arrogant and boisterous, but you can't help but like him. Readers will be able to see why Dahlia loved him. They will also be able to see a much different side to the River they found in Connected. River is challenged here. He is perhaps being asked to give up the one thing he has fought so desperately for. He is portrayed as a laid back rock star with enough confidence in himself to front a band. But he is feeling the heat a little bit with Ben's return. He gets a little possessive and down right confrontational. He shows his fierceness and the intensity of his love for her in this one. I loved that side of him.
Bottom Line:
I thought Karr's characters were fully developed before. I was wrong. She shows us more of each of them in Torn. She makes me believe for awhile that Ben might come out on top. She makes me wonder if the book will turn out the way it should. She gives me pause, but I never should have worried. A connection like River and Dahlia's might shake with the tremors of this world, but their souls were solid and there love prevails.
I didn't write a section on what I didn't like, because I liked every word.
Torn is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Kim Karr is the author of the popular Connections series, including Connected and its sequel, Torn. She lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She’s always had a love for books and recently decided to embrace one of her biggest passions—writing.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Torn by Kim Karr.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 14th.
1. Please leave a comment about how a secret changed your life or someone you know.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
Teach Me a Lesson (Naughty Corner - Book 2) by Jasmine Haynes
Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Heat
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425266249
ISBN-13: 978-0425266243
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Heat)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Jasmine Haynes on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Naughty Corner
1. The Naughty Corner
2. Teach Me a Lesson
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, Teach Me a Lesson, courtesy of the author's website. (Go to the bookshelf page and choose the title of the book, excerpt is half way down the page)
Synopsis:
Do what you have to do, Principal. I deserve it…
High school guidance counselor by day, sex therapist by night, Charlotte Moore’s passion is people—whether helping students with the realities of life or helping their parents with the fantasies. Enter Principal Lance Hutton, the perfect subject for Charlotte’s method in recharging the sex drive—and it’s going to take some discipline. Considering this hot older man is her boss, it makes sense that he dole out the punishment. Besides, Charlotte’s begging for it.
But when Charlotte’s after-school extracurricular activities are made public, it threatens her job, her reputation, and the career of the man she’s falling head over heels in love with. Now, if this town wants a scandal, Charlotte and Lance are ready to give them one—and a lesson in bad behavior they’ll never forget.
Thoughts:
Jasmine Haynes brings readers the second book in the Naughty Corner series, Teach Me a Lesson. Haynes has once again went back to her tried and true formula of the teacher/student type of relationship. Readers looking for a erotic read involving an older man will love this one, as this high school principal, likes to be in control in and out of the classroom. The heroine is a part time guidance counselor and part time sex therapist and her work ends and her sex life end up getting her in the hot seat.
What I liked:
Jasmine Haynes has a thing writing about the teacher/student fantasy role. She has used it again and again with great success in her books. It must be something about the taboo of the situation that makes it a good fantasy. I didn't have too many hot teachers along the way, but I know there are some and it's probably natural for that kind of thinking to happen. In Teach Me a Lesson it is of course not a teacher and a student, but a principal and a guidance counselor doing a bit of role playing. That in and of itself was completely believable. I thought Haynes gave readers a good couple to make this possible with.
Principal Lance Hutton has been through the wringer, married and divorced a couple of times and just one of those guys that doesn't know how not to be in control. Charlotte has had her bad luck as well and refuses to give up control even in the bedroom. She never dates older men because the young guys seem to be willing to let her take the drivers seat. But her attraction to the principal is sudden and hard to deny. Things get complicated and steamy between them in a hurry and readers are taken right along for the ride. From the classroom, to the car, to the park, the office, you name they explore the possibilities.
I liked the fact that Haynes let an older man be the lead character. Sexual exploration and discovery can occur over thirty-five, just as easily as it can at twenty and I thought she did a great job of showing that. Life doesn't end after forty. Lance is attracted to a younger, vibrant woman, and Charlotte is just as attracted as he is. But she has her issues with control and so does he. It was an interesting relationship and power struggle in more than one way. Trying to figure out who would get the ultimate control in the relationship kept it interesting, but it also gave the reader the chance to explore the ideas of workplace relationships and what happens when things go wrong.
What I didn't like:
The fact that the two participants take things a little further than professionalism allows at the school is a bit disconcerting. When the stuff hits the fan and harassment becomes the talk of the town and what is acceptable behavior for school employees, etc. etc. the book took a turn that I didn't care for. I think Haynes went a little bit off track and didn't give readers the kind of resolution to these issues that they needed. It was too quickly glossed over and not given the kind of attention it needed to fix the problems.
Bottom Line:
So there were good things and bad things with this one. Some of the scenarios worked for me while others didn't. I find it a little hard to read a lot of graphic language and this one was full of it. If the reader gets into that, then this might be a good choice. The sex scenes were hot and spicy and Haynes excels at that, but the resolution to the conflict in this one was not there.
Teach Me a Lesson is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Jasmine Haynes lives in the California mountains with her husband. The author of The Principal's Office and The Naughty Corner, she loves writing hot, sexy romance, the stuff fantasies are made of. Especially her own.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Teach Me a Lesson by Jasmine Haynes.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 13th.
1. Please leave a comment about what you think it is about the teacher/student kind of relationship that is so appealing in the fantasy realm.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
Unwound (Mastered - Book 2) by Lorelei James
Publication Date: 03/25/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: New American Library
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 0451467310
ISBN-13: 978-0451467317
(Received for an honest review from New American Library)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Lorelei James on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Mastered
1. Bound
2. Unwound
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, Unwound, courtesy of
Synopsis:
In this conclusion to the Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a man’s need for control is tested by the one woman he’ll risk everything for…
When sensei Ronin Black first encounters Amery Hardwick, the fire in her eyes ignites a sexual spark a thousand times better than the primal rush he used to get from mixed martial arts matches. She accepts his darker edges and admits to him that her desires aren’t as wholesome as he believed. And before long Ronin is grappling with emotions he’s never felt before….
Yet despite demanding Amery bare her body and soul to him, Ronin holds a part of himself back. When she learns Ronin’s secret and walks out, his life begins to unravel. To regain her trust he must let go of his pride and prove to her that it’s more than passion binding them together.
Thoughts:
Unwound is the second book in Lorelei James' Mastered series, which is a complete departure from the authors normal erotic niche. There are no cowboys to be found in this series as James takes on the urban jungle. James continues the journey of Amery and Ronin that began in the book, Bound. Readers who are looking for an erotic romance that is about more than just BDSM and control, will find this series, sensual and erotic in a different way than they are used to. A fantastic conclusion to the series!
What I liked:
I am a huge fan of Lorelei James, especially after reading her book Bound, which is the first book in the Mastered series. James brought readers a story about a young woman with a religious family, who was dealing with her own desires for something more. She also gave readers a man, who was dominant, yet not controlling. He was an alpha male, but one who actually cared how he used his power. Ronin and Amery's story was emotional and full of sensuality and trust. Ronin, however had a lot of secrets and in the end of the first book, one comes back to haunt him and Amery walks out.
The entire first book was written from Amery's point of view and centered around her journey to become the woman she was meant to be. The second book in the series, Unwound, goes the opposite direction. In this book readers get to see Ronin's point of view. It begins shortly after their breakup and readers are able to see how it affects both of them, but because this book centers on Ronin, it is geared more to his point of view. These two books should not be read separately, as the reader will be left completely in the dark. But I loved the switch up with this one and being able to get inside Ronin's head a little bit.
Ronin still has secrets and he's literally beating himself up about it. He begins doing martial arts competitions again because he wants to not only feel the pain but experience it, see it in the bruises on his body and know what he has done to Amery. It was so completely believable that it was sad. I got very emotional when I realized the depth of Ronin's pain. It played in perfectly into the story when he ended up at Amery's house, injured and unable to take care of himself. It was quite the moment. I loved everything about Ronin, even his secretiveness, that just gave him more personality. He was a very sexy and full of surprises.
As with the first book, I loved the martial arts aspects of this book. It gave an edge to the book that was so different from James' cowboy books. I liked the urban setting and the intense relationship between the characters. Amery was a sweetheart and Ronin was just plain sexy. This book is also not your typical BDSM offering that was the beauty of it. The rope work was so interesting and intriguing. The techniques that Ronin uses showed such creativity and artistry that it was just a beautiful thing and the way James brings that across to reader is also like a fine art. It was a wonderful book and series, you have to read it!
What I didn't like:
No cliffhangers in this one. There are just some stories that require more than one book to tell and that was the case with Ronin and Amery. I appreciated the fact that James divided this tale into two books and gave the reader more time with these characters, so much would have been lost had she done it differently. Yep, that's right I liked everything about it.
Bottom Line:
If you are interested in typical BDSM novels, this probably not for you. James gives readers a book and a couple that don't fit in the BDSM box of tricks. The rope work is amazing and so is the connection between Amery and Ronin. Readers won't know what hit them with this one. One of my favorite books of the year so far.
Unwound is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary erotic romances, including the Blacktop Cowboy novels: Turn and Burn, One Night Rodeo, Wrangled and Tangled, Saddled and Spurred, and Coralled. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Unwound by Lorelei James.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 13th.
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Surrender to Temptation (Complete Series) by Lauren Jameson
Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet Eclipse
Genre: Erotic Contemporary
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 0451466675
ISBN-13: 978-0451466679
(Received for an honest review from Signet Eclipse)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Lauren Jameson on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Excerpt from, Surrender to Temptation, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.
Synopsis:
In this stunning romance, Lauren Jameson presents a story of unexpected desire in which two strangers play a dangerous game in the quest for incredible pleasure. But winning comes with a price....
After walking in on her boyfriend with another woman, Devon Reid decides to seek solace in the small California town she’s often visited on vacation. Instead, she finds herself consumed by a mysterious man who sets her ablaze with one simple look.
Devon has always been the good girl, but Zach’s touch turns her into something primal, especially when he persuades her to give up control to him. But while Zach can make her burn, he seduces Devon one moment and turns her away the next.
When Devon starts her new job at Phyrefly Aviation, she learns that Zach is actually founder and CEO of the massive corporation. And while Devon knows she should keep things between them strictly professional, his overwhelming magnetism makes it impossible to stay away....
Thoughts:
Lauren Jameson's Surrender to Temptation series was originally formatted as a six part novella serial. Now it has been redone and formed into one novel under the original series title. Readers who are familiar with the series will enjoy reading it again all at one time and those who are just being introduced to it don't have to wait to get to the good stuff. The series focuses on Devon, a young woman who is looking for change in her life and Zach, a man who is a true enigma. Jameson has a trademark wit and does a fantastic job with dialogue and romantic banter. Her steamy sex scenes and light BDSM materiel gives this book heat and eroticism that just won't quit.
What I liked:
I loved the way this book was put together. I have read other books by Jameson, including Breathe, which was an excellent book. But I didn't know that she had done the Surrender to temptation in a serialized form. I don't always enjoy novella's because I don't think the author has enough time to truly develop the characters and situations. I like them when they are a part of bigger series or something like that, because I already have the background I need to fill in the blanks that the page constraints leave. Putting all six parts of this series in one book was genius. I think it really allows the reader to get the full scope of what the author was thinking and feeling as she wrote Devon and Zach's story.
Devon was a great lead character. She was sensitive and somewhat naive. She had a sweetness about her, a type of innocence. Readers quickly pick up on her issues. She is self-conscious and shy. But when she finds that her boyfriend has been cheating she isn't afraid to take a stand and find the change that she needs in her life. I loved watching her bloom and become the woman she truly wanted to be. She gave herself a fresh start. I think I wanted a little more for her than what I thought Zach was giving her for much of the book. I realized he had his reasons, but they weren't quite enough for me to warrant his actions.
Zach was a character I wanted to like, but I couldn't quite make it. There were parts of his character that were intriguing and he definitely had it going on in the erotic portions of the book, but it just wasn't enough. I liked the corporate bad boy attitude. The dominance he showed in every area of his life and his passion. But he was wishy-washy when it came to Devon. he would draw her in like a moth to flame and then sabotage his own happy ending. Each section or part of the book was a cycle with Zach. He would bring Devon in close and then step back. One step forward, two steps back. I felt like I was being pulled right along with her and I couldn't help but wish he would just jump in with both feet or run for cover. It was exhausting at times.
That's not to say that I didn't understand what the author was trying to do here. Zach had this ultimate secret that he couldn't share with Devon until the very end and that secret was what kept him putting her at arms length. But the passion inside of him, kept wanting to go back and pull her closer. He was very conflicted and when it all comes out, it just wasn't that extreme. I don't know what I was expecting. It was interesting for sure, but again not enough to make me feel like he treated Devon with respect or with love.
The sex was hot, they don't call it erotica for nothing. Jameson really excels at that part of the book. She knows how to set the scene and pull the reader in. Her language isn't overly graphic nor does it make the reader feel like they are in a smut film, but it gets the motor running and the emotions revving. She uses some light BDSM, from spanking to tying and that sort of thing. Nothing that will shock the reader, though it might enlighten them. Zach's form of control was more of trust than anything else. He wanted Devon to believe he would take her to edge but never let her fall off. That was quite intriguing. Loved the scene on the car. Readers might need a cold drink for that one.
What I didn't like:
I can sum it up by saying I didn't like Zach or the push and pull relationship he created with Devon. I liked them together and I understood why they needed to be apart to provide conflict for the book. Once or twice would have been fine, but there was a bit of overkill with this one. And it came across as self-serving and disrespectful to Devon. She was a sweetheart. She deserved a little better.
Bottom Line:
This is an extremely hard fought HEA. These two characters fight it tooth and nail. I liked Devon, had issues with Zach, but found their bedroom and beyond scenes very sensual and passionate. So there were good parts and bad. Take it with a grain of salt and see what you think.
Surrender to Temptation is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 3 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Lauren Jameson is a writer, yoga newbie, knitting aficionado and animal lover who lives in the shadows of the great Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. The author of the contemporary erotic novels Blush and Breathe, she has also published with Avon and Harlequin as Lauren Hawkeye.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Surrender to Temptation by Lauren Jameson.
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1. Please leave a comment about what you think about having the series altogether in one book. Good or bad? Why?
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