Edge of the Enforcer by Cherise Sinclair

Grade: A-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Mountain Masters/Dark Haven #4

Published: 5/13/14

Reviewed by Kate

304 pages

A while back (during book #3 My Liege of Dark Haven) Zander deVries won a Dom/sub game.  The prize was certain "favors" from Lindsey.  Lindsey is on the run.  She can't afford to fall in love with anyone.  deVries seems perfect, since he only has casual relationships.  But what's a sub who doesn't like pain to do when she falls for a sadist?

Lindsey, as a heroine, was sweet, caring, fiesty, and strong.  deVries, as a hero, was dark, brooding, dominating, and swoon-worthy. The two of them together was like stumbling across a rare jewel in a box of costume jewelry.  I was so immersed in the story that I forgot to take any notes while reading (almost unheard of for me).

This one had it all.  Low self esteem, supreme confidence, confusion, understanding, conclusion jumping, suspense, drama, great secondary characters...the list goes on and on.  And let's not forget chains and cuffs and collars and floggers and paddles and whips. As a bonus, we get to see some of our favorite characters from the past books in this series.

If you read BDSM romances and haven't tried one by Cherise Sinclair, you're truly missing out on a great author.  Cherise Sinclair is one of two authors whose books I pre-order.  I mark the release dates on my calendar.  If you've read Cherise Sinclair before, do you have any other BDSM authors you would recommend?

To the Very Last Inch by Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley

Grade: A

Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: m/m, menage, m/m/m, BDSM
Series: The Professor's Rule #5

Published: 3/03/14

Reviewed by Kate

56 pages

This is the conclusion to the Professor's Rule series, and it is everything that I wanted it to be!  We finally get some of Carson's perspective and everyone finally starts actually talking to each other and...well, it's rather obvious that I'm still really excited about this one (even a week after reading it).  Oh wait, I forgot...the ending.  It left me happy, but wanting more of Carson, James, and Satish.

If you liked the first ones in the series, you'll love this one as well.  If you haven't read the first ones and you like m/m with BDSM mixed in, I highly recommend this series.  They really need to be read in order though.  You could read the second one followed by #1, but the rest really need to be read in order.  I can't wait to go back and re-read them back-to-back rather than having to wait until the next one is released.

I hope that this pair of authors teams up again.  I'm excited to see what they can come up with next!

The Dom Project by Helloise Belleau and Solace Adams

Grade-B+

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-High Kink

Genre-Contemporary/BDSM

Reviewed by Kate

157 pages

 

Robin blogs about her search to find her perfect Dom to help her explore her submissiveness but so far all she's come across is a long line of duds. Her best friend John is a Dom, although neither knows of the other's sexual preferences. When they find out, they make a deal. John will act as Robin's Dom and help her discover what aspects of submission she wants/needs. No sex involved. Surely they can do this experiment and maintain their friendship too.

 

If you want to take this story down to its bare bones, it's a friends-to-lovers story with a heavy dose of BDSM. But it is so much more than just that. The characters were deep and complex. The story was fast paced and gripping, hot and searing. The resolution...*insert contented sigh.* This book has stayed in my head since I finished it a few days ago. In a good way.

 

I do want to mention that there are some scenes involving John and other partners. I mention it because I know that some readers are bothered by their heroes and/or heroines being with other characters. I felt it added more layers to John's character. It made me want to know even more about him.

 

I love a story that sticks with me after I read it. The characters come alive in my head. This one certainly fit the bill. I certainly hope that the authors work together again because I can't wait to see what else they could come up with. What a great read to kick off 2014.

 

Typically, I don't enjoy seeing the hero/heroine in other sexual relationships, but this one worked for me. How about you? Does it bother you? Is it a deal breaker for you?

Inch by Inch by Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley

Grade-A-

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-High Kink

Series-Professor's Rule #3

Genre-Contemporary, m/m, BDSM, multiple partner/non-ménage

Reviewed by Kate

50 pages

 

This book picks up where Giving an Inch left off. James is driving to Professor Carson's house after a dressing room interlude with sales associate Satish. James and Professor Carson haven't seen each other in 2 years, but their relationship starts right back up quickly. This one is all about James setting limits with Professor Carson and trying to explore his feelings for Satish.

 

I loved the first book (Giving an Inch) in this series and the second book (An Inch at a Time) was exactly what I wanted it to be. This third book was a great addition, but definitely left James' relationships with Professor Carson and Satish up in the air-and left me wanting more, more, more. I hope Ms. Belleau has more planned for Professor Carson, James, and Satish.

 

I would recommend reading the first two in this series before picking this one up. Reading them in order will take care of any references to the characters' pasts. Although reading this one first will definitely make you want to buy the first two books.

 

Ms. Belleau has created such unique characters and has a way of quickly pulling you into the story that you don't even realize that the stories are short. She has gotten past my aversion to short story series that feature the same characters. If you read only one m/m BDSM series of short stories, this is the series you have to read.

 

This series has been my introduction to the world of m/m and BDSM together. Do you have any suggestions for more m/m BDSM reads?

If Only by Cherise Sinclair

Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Masters of the Shadowlands#8
Genre-Contemporary BDSM/ménage
Reviewed by Kate
426 pages

Sally left the trainee program at the Shadowlands to persue a relationship with a Dom who turned out to be abusive. Now she's back, but only a shell of her typically perky, fun loving self. FBI agents Vance and Galen have had their eyes on Sally for a while, but become concerned when they see that she's not herself. What's a pair of Doms to do but try to fix the situation?

 

There was so much to love in If Only. The hot, hot, steamy hot sex scenes. Not one, but two protective Doms. A fiesty heroine struggling to rediscover herself. Visits with favorite characters from prior books. Enough suspense to keep you turning pages. And for those who have read the previous books in the series--a satisfying conclusion to the Harvest Association plot that has run through the last books. Everything I needed to close the book with a happy sigh.

 

The only thing I didn't like was that we had seen Sally with other partners in previous books. And there were some small references made to some of those experiences. I don't like to see the heroine with other partners, but that's just my own preference.

 

If you are into BDSM reads, there's not a series that I would recommend more than Cherise Sinclair's Masters of the Shadowlands. Now that the Harvest Association is over, I can't wait to see what she'll bring us next.

 

This book combined two of my favorite sub-genres. BDSM and menage. How about you? Is that a good combination for you or do you prefer just BDSM, just menage, or neither?

Bonds of Hope by Lynda Aicher

       
Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Wicked Play #4
Genre-BDSM
Reviewed by Kate
228 pages

Quinn is an actress researching a role as a submissive for an upcoming tv series. Marcus is a professional Dom at The Den who has agreed to spend a week with Quinn, giving her his first hand experience in the world of BDSM.

Lynda Aicher has taken what could have turned out to be an extremely formulaic read and turned it into something hot and emotional. In the first few chapters, I worried that I wouldn't be able to connect with Quinn, who kept escaping into roles when she was with Marcus, rather than being present. But watching Quinn discover herself turned out to be something special. Marcus was everything you could hope for in a Dom.

My one complaint was that I would have liked to see a glimpse of Quinn and Marcus further into the future than the epilogue gave us. But there's going to be a book 5 in this series, so I remain hopeful.

Bonds of Hope is a wonderful addition to the Wicked Play series. A rare combination of steamy-sexy-hot and emotion. With strong characters and a moving plot that kept me turning the pages, this one leaves me wanting more, more, more.

Because You Are Mine by Beth Kery

Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM

Series: Because You Are Mine #1-8

Published: March 2013
Reviewed by Kate

400 pages 

 

Ian, über-richy rich Dom, is an ass.  He's all about control.  Controlling his business, controlling his employees, controlling every aspect of his life.  He has no time or interest in love.  Francesca, sweet, innocent Francesca is a painter.  She's won a contest to paint a painting for Ian's newest building.  And, being this is a romance, sparks of attraction fly when they first meet.  But despite being in control of his life, Ian can't control the way his thoughts keep returning to Francesca.  So what's a poor controlling Dom to do?  Ian will control everything about their sexual interactions, including when their interludes will end.  He acknowledges that they will both probably get hurt, but he just can't turn away.  In exchange, Francesca will get pleasure and experience.  But just when Ian has reached the pinnacle of asshood, you discover why he is the way he is, and you, along with Francesca, fall in love with him.

 

I don't think I've ever been so enthralled by such an ass of a hero before, but I really just couldn't stop reading.  Francesca manages to walk that fine line between submission and doormat.  The author does a good job of showing us the torment Ian faces in his relationship with Francesca.  How he's trying to protect his heart and trying to not be a complete ass.

 

This was originally written and released in 8 separate parts.  I'm glad that I read the complete novel, because I can't imagine having to wait for the next installment to be released.  I'm not of huge fan of serialization as I tend to get sucked in and end up spending too much time and money on the whole series.

 

Do you have any serializations to recommend?  Are you a fan of the format or not?

Flasher! by Elene Sallinger

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink up to High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, Erotica, Flash Fiction, BDSM, ménageReviewed by Kate

37 pages

This is a collection of flash fiction erotica, or extremely short stories. Most of the time we don't know much about the characters back stories or how they met. There are no beginnings or endings, we are simply there with them at that moment in time. The six stories in this collection range from a hot and sweet after-boot camp reunion to crops and bondage. From strangers to masters and most things in between.

Elene Sallinger's writing seared the pages and left my Kindle smoking. It felt like the stories were excerpts from books rather than just a collection of random scenes. My only complaint is that I now have six stories worth of characters that I want to know more about.

This was my first time reading any flash fiction.  It worked well for me as a quick break between book, although for some of the stories I really wanted to know more about the characters' befores and afters.  Have any of you tried flash fiction? If so, what did you think?

Menage Monday -- Bonds of Desire by Lynda Aicher

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM

Series: Wicked Play #3
Published: 7/15/13
Reviewed by Kate

229 pages 

I have been reading menage and BDSM for a while now. When I run across a book that incorporates both I get a little excited. When I run across one that puts both the BDSM and the menage together like this one does, I walk around with a smile on my face for a week afterwards. Let's see, what can I tell you about this book without sounding too gushy?

First off, the initial chapter is dark and tense and will suck you in and not let you go (it's why I gave this book a high kink level). Tyler, a male escort, has been brought to the Den by a sadistic Dom. And when the scene goes wrong, Seth is the first one to rush to his side. Seth, a co-owner of the Den, has seen Tyler at the Den a few times before and always felt drawn to him. The Den calls Allie, a lawyer, in to council Tyler. Allie feels an immediate pull toward both Tyler and Seth. Allie and Seth take Tyler to the hospital and convince him to recover at Seth's place. Tyler agrees, but he'll only stay if Allie stays as well.

And so we have a set up that places Seth, Allie, and Tyler together in Seth's place. And then the story gets really good. Each of the trio is drawn to the other two. Seth is a Dom, through and through and has never entertained the thought of having 2 subs, until now. Tyler couldn't imagine wanting to be under another Dom after everything he's been through, but there's something so settling about being around Seth and Allie. Allie has been raised to think that anything outside of a vanilla mindset is wrong. So how can she be attracted to not only 2 men, but 2 men who are attracted to each other as well?

I have to say, Allie is the best heroine that I've run across in a long time. The inner turmoil she goes through is soooo realistic. Most of my notes were about agreeing with the feelings she was having. I could completely understand the doubts she had and I appreciated a heroine who was a bit reluctant without being tiresome, or annoying, or whiny.

I also love the relationship that develops during the course of the story. Despite being a co-owner of a BDSM club, Seth is not into pain at all. He doesn't even go for the titles of Master or Sir. Allie is definitely a sub. Tyler falls somewhere in the middle. He's a sub with Seth, but takes on more of a Dom role with Allie.

Perhaps I have been reading too much of the hardcore BDSM books out there right now. But I really enjoyed this more gentle look at a relationship that became more about the connections than the pain. The first two books in this series are more hardcore than this one. But this one could be read completely on it's own with no issues.

I've added an auto-read author to my relatively short list. Lynda Aicher continues to impress me with her characters and storytelling. I'm looking forward to catching up on her backlist and anxiously awaiting book 4 in this series.  I think it's become obvious that I enjoy both ménage and BDSM books.  And when they can be combined?  I'm in heaven  How about you?  Are there any sub-genres that you love to see together?  Cowboy sci-fi?  M/M historical?

Game Misconduct by Bianca Sommerland

Grade: DNF
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, ménage

Series: The Dartmouth Cobras #1
Reviewed by Kate

351 pages 

 

Oriana is the spoiled little rich girl daughter of a hockey team owner.  Now, she's not the only child of said hockey team owner.  She has a sister, Silver, a manipulative bitch who is extremely sexually adventurous.  She also had a brother who died, but apparently his dream was to play pro hockey. His death prompted his father to buy the hockey team.  Now her father is all about appearances.  It's important that his life appears hunky-dory at all times.  His daughter Silver has caused some problems in the past, problems that he's dealt with by caving in.  And in turn Silver has learned that manipulation is the best way to deal with dear old dad.  Oriana, however has done her best to be the perfect daughter.  She's even dating the team coach, Paul, a real douche of a guy.  But when she catches Paul cheating, she decides to walk away.  Daddy-o however has other plans.  He's been helping Paul hide his affair (father-of-the-year award, ladies and gentlemen) and wants Oriana to pretend it never happened as well.  Otherwise he's going to cut her off, and that means she won't be able to finish med-school.

So this is where it starts going all kitty-wompas (is that really a phrase?).  The perfectly logical to solution to Oriana's dilemma is obviously blackmail (I mean it worked for her sister).  The assistant coach Tim helps her come up with the idea (because apparently someone going to med school isn't smart enough to figure this one out on her own).  Oriana is going to go into the bathroom at the arena with 5 of the players and then Oriana is going to leave the bathroom wearing only a jersey.  So the security cameras will show that she got down and dirty with 5 of the team players, when actually, she didn't.  Pretty straight forward, right?

 

Except apparently she has some feelings for one of the players Max, and he likes to watch other people having sex.  And Max has a thing for Oriana, and watching Oriana with all his buddies.  And somehow the security footage just doesn't come out conveying the message that they want it to convey.  So they'll have to do it again.  But this time, it will be at the boys home (all 5 players share a house) and this time they'll actually do it.

So this is what bothers me about this book.

1. The warning in the Kindle store for this book reads "This ebook contains material not suitable for readers under 18.  In also contains scenes that some may find objectionable, including BDSM, ménage sex, bondage, anal sex, sex toys, double penetration, voyeurism, edge play, and hockey equipment being used inappropriately."  I read the warning before downloading the book, so I felt I was fully prepared.  However I was a little shocked to discover that the ménage sex they were talking about was actually with all 5 players (even though there are only 2 guys shown on the cover).
2. I found it extremely hard to figure out who was who.  Each player was know by both their first and last name, although never at the same time.  So I was constantly wondering if Dominik was the same person as Vanek or was he maybe Mason?  And maybe the sex scenes would have worked more had I knew who was where and doing what.  Maybe it would have felt like there was more of a connection between the characters.
3. I really feel like Oriana felt like this was a perfectly viable option.  Crap, Dad's gonna cut me off and I really want to finish med school, so I guess a gang bang is the perfect solution.  Seriously!?  Ever heard of student loans?  Or maybe scholarships?  I'm kind of thinking I wouldn't want her as my doctor because she doesn't actually really seem that smart.
4. I read to the 37% marking (and there are a few previews at the end, so I was actually more than 37% into the story).  And I think there's a huge case of too many Doms in the kitchen, or I guess that should be the dungeon.  All 5 players were Doms?  Well, except maybe TJ, he just seemed to be along for the ride.

The thing is, I'm okay with BDSM, and I'm okay with ménage (I'm actually okay with everything else listed in the warning).  I've even read a fair share of large group ménage (I think 9 people involved is the most I've read though).  But this one just felt off for me. It left me feeling dirty, but not in a good way.  Part of me feels like I need to finish the book.  Maybe it will get better.  It has quite a few good reviews.  But most of me is just glad that I didn't waste any money on this one (it was a freebie).

 

 

Menage Monday - Bodyguards of Pleasure by Melody Snow Monroe

Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, menage
Series: Pleasure, Montana #8
Published:7/1/13

Reviewed by Kate

183 pages

When computer store owner Brooke witnesses a murder, she barely escapes with her life.  And the killer is still after her.  The sheriff pairs her up with Gavin and Riley.  Gavin and Riley are part of a detective agency and will act as Brooke's bodyguards.  Gavin, Riley, and Brooke go to Brooke's house and discover that someone has already broken in.  The only option is to take Brooke home with them.  Brooke has spent her life concentrating on her academics and her business but after her close brush with death, she decides it's time to start living life.  And the fact that she's alone with her two bodyguards and there's bondage equipment and toys in the basement...

 

So here's the thing.  I really, really liked this book.  Probably more than I should.  Like I know that a soap opera is probably not the greatest acting on earth, but I still just love it.  The slightly overweight heroine.  The masculine and assertive heroes.  The killer on the loose.  And all that follows.  I loved it all.

 

Gavin and Riley were hot by themselves, and hotter together.  And Brooke.  For once a heroine that is smart and actually acts like she's smart.  She reacts to things logically instead of emotionally-which appears to be a big help when you're on the run from a killer.  And I loved that she stayed true to her character.  It wasn't "I'm really smart and logical" one minute "and now I'm screaming like a girl" the next. 

 

This is the first book that I read in the Pleasure, Montana book (and I had no problem following along), and now I want to go back and read the rest of them.  I think I'm a closet addict of Siren Publishing.  Especially their Menage Everlasting line.  I smile my way through each of them that I read.

 

How about you?  Do you have a book or series that you just love, but know that you probably shouldn't?  Time to come clean and confess.

Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

Grade-DNF
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
368 pages

Ok, so the blurb on this book sounds so very good.

Scarred MMA fighter, who's also a billionaire meets an almost EMT. He then hires the curvy almost EMT to do first aid at his underground MMA club. She needs the money and thinks he's hot, so she accepts the position, even though she abhors violence. They start to date and are totally into each other, then the book starts to hint at his BDSM tendencies.

I got a text from a friend of mine who was reading the book at the same time I was and she mentioned nipple clamps. My friend, who knows me well was warning me because I now have a "hard limit" with nipple clamps. I decided that I have enough to read without reading about that or any other books delving into BDSM.

This book started out so good. I was super excited but seriously, I have had it up to my eyeballs with this genre and it's flooding of the romance market. If you're into reading about that, then try this book. You may love it. Nice heroine and hot fighter. Even decent secondary characters. Quirky humor also.

Menage Monday - Together in Cyn by Jennifer Kacey

Grade: B-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM, ménage (with some f/f)
Series: Members Only #1

Reviewed by Kate

157 pages

Cyn has been best friends with twins Chris and Jared for 12 years now, and for 12 years now she's also lusted after the pair. Unable to choose between her best friends, she keeps her feelings to herself and shares her wicked fantasies with her diary. Come on, you see where this is going, right?

Jared and Chris have owned a fetish club (that Cyn does not know about) for a while now and have always dreamed of bringing Cyn there as their submissive. They assume that she won't be accepting of the BDSM lifestyle, so they never approach her. And then... Jared stumbles across her diary one day.

I really liked the premise of this book. Friends become lovers...with some whips and chains thrown in for fun. I jumped at the chance to read this one. I have three main gripes about this book though.

1. There is next to no conversation between Jared, Chris, and Cyn about what she's willing to try in this new-to-her world of BDSM. The boys have read her diary and have taken that as her permission to have all those things done to her. I would have liked to see a little conversation before Jared and Chris added other club members into the mix.

2. Safeword. Let's say it together now. Safeword. Jared and Chris are owners of a highly exclusive, members only fetish club. They are hyper aware of the security and safety of their members. Yet it is not until 91% into the book that they ever talk about a safeword with Cyn (and a lot has happened to Cyn by that point). Maybe this ties a bit to my first point, but I really wanted there to be a conversation between the three of them about a safeword before anything went down.

3. There's a villain in this book (it's not actually the villain I have a problem with, more the presentation). We know that Cyn has something hiding in her past. There have been multiple hints dropped throughout the book although we have no clue as to what this secret is. And then all of sudden-BAM! There's a villain. And not just a villain, but a villain that has managed to corner Cyn. It just seemed so sudden and out of place.

The really strange part is that even with these 3 issues, I actually liked the book quite a bit.  It's the friends becoming lovers hook that I enjoyed the most.  Plus, when you add in the BDSM aspect, I'm a goner.  There were plenty of secondary characters for the author to continue the series with and I hope she does.  I think we'll see great things from Jennifer Kacey in the future.

Choose Your Shot by Christine d'Abo

 

Grade: B+/B-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Choose Your Own, BDSM
Reviewed by Kate and Anne

This is a joint review by Kate and Anne, who have very fond memories of reading Choose Your Own Adventure Books as a kid and both jumped all over this one without checking to see if the other had requested it from NetGalley.  

 

Kate:

I think it's safe to say that we have all tried a Choose Your Own Adventure book as kids.  One that put you in charge of which direction the story took.  I devoured them as a kid.  I admit to geeking out a bit when I saw a romance/erotic version of this concept from Christine d'Abo.

Unlike the kids' books where the main character was "you," in this book Tegan is the main character and you are making her choices.  Tegan is excited to be attending the re-opening of the fetish club she belongs to.  She has been feeling like it might be time to settle into a more permanent relationship and is eager to look over her potential partners at the club.  Tegan is a switch so one of the choices you get to make is Domme or sub.  However, her (your) first choice is between the dungeon, the private play rooms, or finding one of her prior partners.  In my head, I heard the line from the musical Annie.  "Right through these doors, all of it's yours."

 

I have decided 4+ (the plus is because I went back a few times toward the end and chose a different path) adventures is enough for me.  Three of the read throughs I did just for enjoyment.  The last adventure I decided to see how long I could make the adventure last.  I read it long enough that I eventually started running across the same scenes.  However, I did get a huge sampling of what's in the books.  Orgies and strap-ons and sex swings, oh my.  And that's just naming a few.

 

Looking back though, it seems like most of the choices boiled down to the same 3 options.

 

1. Do you want to leave your current partner and find another kinky thing to experiece with someone new (you slut-how many partners is that for tonight)? or
   
2. Do you want to stay with the current douchebag you're with simply because you're trying on the whole commitment shoe and you think they might be the one (by the way, I'm pretty sure they're not the one)? or
   
3. Is it finally time to leave the club?  After all each decision you've made has resulted in at least one orgasm so after the six choice path you chose, aren't you spent yet?

One last note.  Worry not.  There are no "whoops you made a wrong turn and fell into a tiger pit and died" endings in this book.  Although I enjoyed those endings a lot as kid, nothing can ruin a HFN ending quite like a pit full of tigers.

Choose Your Shot was new and fresh, yet strangely nostalgic.  I would recommend this read for any BDSM sub-genre fan looking for something new to try.

 

Anne:

Back when I was at RT (just thinking of that week makes me smile!) I remember someone from Carina Press mentioning that they would be publishing a Choose Your Own Adventure style romance and I was really excited. I have good memories of reading through CYOA books as a kid. I can report now that reading through an adult CYOA was just as fun!  Like Kate, I'll admit to reading through it several times to try out the different options. There are many partners and setups for Tegan to choose from. The way the book is written, any storyline you choose ends on a hopeful, HFN note - or at least it did for all the ways I read through it! I think it has more of an erotica feel than erotic romance, and I was fine with that. I thought the (many) sex scenes were well written and hot. This makes me want to read more by d'Abo! I wonder if three read throughs is a magical number?  I stopped at three and was really impressed.  Kate went through a fourth time and I think she overdid it a bit maybe?  I mean, really, if you're reading it through to see how long you can make the story you can't complain about how many orgasms you had!  Really, can you ever complain about that??? Reading it in ebook format was really simple because of the hyperlinks in the text. There was no leafing through the book to find your target page number, but then getting distracted by a picture and forgetting which page you were headed for. Not that that ever happened to me as a kid. (All the time.) I get the feeling that this book is set in a world the author has written other books in, but there was no problem reading it. I'd highly recommend anyone interested in trying a unique reading experience. It was fun and a quick read. I'm imagining other settings, too. You could be at a formal event in a museum. On a pirate ship. Or how about a speed dating event, followed by choices for other dates?? Oh! Or how about a choice set than includes choosing a woman? So much potential here! I'm up for another one! How about you?  Did you enjoy Choose Your Own Adventure stories as a kid?  Are you excited to try one as an adult?

Menage Monday - Training Their Mate by Vella Day

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Pack Wars #1
Genre-Paranormal/Shifter
Reviewed by Kate

When Liz makes a botched attempt to kill Harvey Couch(who raped her mother), Harvey sends some thugs after her. But not just any thugs, werewolf thugs. It's a good thing that Trax overhears Couch's orders and manages to save Liz from the attack, but not before she discovers the existence of werewolves. Trax takes Liz to the home he shares with his brother Dante do they can protect her from other attacks by Couch.

Trax and Dante recognize Liz is their mate(they're werewolves too-but good ones) but are afraid that if they reveal their furry selves, she'll run and be in danger. They decide to wait until she's fallen for them before they tell her the truth. we all see where this is going, don't we?

Liz's character is filled with the need for revenge, But surprisingly, she's smart enough to realize she's out of her league dealing with werewolves. So she leaves Couch to Trax and Dante. Of course, once she's no longer worries about revenge, she has nothing else to focus on except Trax and Dante. Trax and Dante are part of an organization who take out the bad werewolves like Couch. Dante is a bit of a softy as far as Liz is concerned. But Trax has a one track mind and can't pay much attention (or be nice) to Liz until after Couch is caught. Trax is a dominant, so when he does pay attention to Liz, it usually involves tying her up. I honestly pictured the pair doing a good-cop/bad-cop routine throughout the whole book. Trax was unfeeling and Dante was always there to soften the harshness of Trax's character.

My frustration with this book came not from the characters or the plot, but more from the world the author has created. I had so many questions that went unanswered until the very end ( if they were ever answered), even though they had no bearing on the plot. Questions like: How did Dante and Trax know that Liz was their mate? Was it normal for two males to share a mate? Could non-werewolf females be impregnated by werewolves? The list went on for a while. I feel part of the responsibility of a paranormal/shifter author is to make the reader aware of the rules in their world, because let's face it-each author's world is a unique. Not knowing the rules of this world really pulled me out of the story quite a bit.

I am an occasional reader of shifter romance. How about you? A huge fan or not so much?

Menage Monday - Ours To Love by Shayla Black

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Wicked Lovers #7
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
391 pages

Xander Santiago is the ultimate playboy, always looking for his next conquest, and always finding it.
He's good looking, rich and great in bed, what more could a girl want?

Javier Santiago is a successful business man with an alcohol problem and a guilt trip. He's also good looking, rich and in need of an intervention.

London McLane is an innocent twenty-five year old woman who is trying to finally start living her life. She's pretty, full-figured and physically scarred from an accident ten years ago.

These three people come together and its hot like fire. Shayla Black does hot so very well. My problem was I never connected to the characters. I have always liked this series from Jack to Logan. I liked Xander in the last book but I never loved him.  When someone's number is around five thousand? EWWWW! Javier was ridiculous about his late wife and him wanting Xander to have dominated her. London was the only saving grace. Her outlook on life just for the pleasure of being able to live was touching. I totally bought the story of her being a virgin. That worked well for me.

I think my biggest problem is the BDSM stuff. It's not my favorite theme in romance at all. Not to mention the market is currently flooded with it. It's exhausting. Truly. If you read this series, you're gonna want to read this one too. It wasn't bad I just never wanted to invest in the male characters. This book will not change my opinion of Shayla Black's writing and I'm still a HUGE fan of hers.

Touch Me by Olivia Cunning

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-One Night With Sole Regret #4
Reviewed by Kay

Have you ever wanted to prove something to yourself and maybe everyone else while you're at it? Well, Caitlyn Hanson did. She wanted to prove to herself that she was sexy and that a man or men would want her. With that in mind she, through the help of her friend, gets admission into a sex club.
She wants sex with a random stranger for nothing more than sex sake. She's never been very experienced and she married the first man she ever slept with. Turns out he was a cheater and she is now single.

For Owen Mitchell, a bass guitarist for the band Sole Regret, a night at a sex club was pretty normal. He loves sex and will try almost anything. So, when he sees Caitlyn, who's a few years older than him, he thinks his night just got even better. These two talk and decide on what they want from the night. I won't say exactly what but I was impressed.

I am a fan of Olivia Cunning and loved the first two books of her Sinners series but lost interest with Trey's book. I had no interest in finishing that series either. Luckily, I had already started this one. I enjoyed Gabe's and Adam's books. I wasn't crazy about Shade's book or the novella Share Me but this one kind of redeemed this series and Olivia Cunning as an author for me. I hope people will give this novella series a chance and I can't wait for her new series that features Dare Mills!

The Masters of Falcon's Fantasies by Cassidy Browning

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-BDSM Menage Fantasies #2
BDSM/Contemporary
274 pages
Reviewed by Kate

Clifftop Fantasies is a B&B that caters to the BDSM world. It is run by Allie, Karl and Brad who are in a polyamorous relationship. Daphne, a famous rock star known for her wildness, is staying at the B&B with her and and manager Finn while finishing her latest project. Finn has harbored feelings for Daphne for a long time now, but decides he must keep the relationship strictly professional. Daphne has wanted Finn, but when her advances go unreturned she acts out in order to get Finn's attention.

Finn will do anything to curb Daphne's self-destructive ways. So when he sees Decker (another B&B guest) has a calming influence on Daphne, he asks for advice. Decker lost his wife and slave a year ago in a car accident and has ignored his dominant side since then. He has come to the B&B to slowly get back into the lifestyle. When he sees Daphne, he knows she's a submissive and just needs a strong Dom to bring her under control. But he can also see the feelings Finn and Daphne have for each other simmering under the surface. Choosing to ignore his attraction to Daphne, he starts teaching Finn new ways to deal with her.

But Daphne is attracted to Decker as well and after watching Allie with Karl and Brad, she's pretty sure she knows what she wants. But will Decker and Finn be willing to try a poly relationship or will she drive both men away with her request?

Despite not having read the first book in the series, I didn't have any problems understanding this one. I did find myself with lots of questions about Allie, Karl and Brad's relationship though. I have added the first book to my TBR list, because I just have to know more about them.

Cassidy Browning is an author now on my radar. She has probably written some of the most realistic BDSM and polyamorous fiction that I've run across. The BDSM in this book isn't used strictly for fun or sexual satisfaction. It's also used as a means to rein in Daphne's wild side and to help her grow as a person. I struggled with that a bit. Sometimes the problems that Finn, Daphne and Decker were dealing with were just too real for my escapism reading habits.

How about you? Do you read for realism or escapism?

In Flight by R.K. Lilley

Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High
Series-Up In The Air #1
Reviewed by Kay

Out of five stars, I would say this is a 4.5 star book. It missed a five star or A+ because of my discomfort with some of the sex scenes. James Cavendish is a billionaire who has a taste for kink. Hardcore BDSM to be exact. He doesn't date or do relationships. At least, he didn't until he met Bianca Karlsson. Bianca works as a flight attendant and waits on him in first class. She captures his attention and he propositions her. Bianca is a former victim of violence from her youth but strangely enough, she is drawn to James as a submissive.

This novel is about their relationship evolving in ways they both never saw coming. I liked but disliked both characters for different reasons. I liked James' possessiveness and tenderness but disliked the fact he likes to hurt women during sex. I liked Bianca's friendship with Stephan but not her free acceptance of James' dominance. This story had good flow and I enjoyed the author's voice.
I am excited to read the next book in the series.

This is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Masters of the Shadowlands #7

Reviewed by Kate

369 pages

After being kidnapped by a human trafficking association specializing in sex slaves, Linda is determined to lead a "normal" life.  Even if that means ignoring the part of herself that is attracted to the BDSM lifestyle.  Sam, a sadist, had a brief interaction with Linda as he helped the FBI infiltrate the slave auction where Linda was rescued.  He knows she is a masochist and hasn't been able to think of much else since he helped rescue her.  Unfortunately, her quest for normalcy leaves no room for Sam in her life.  But when Linda is threatened, Sam runs to the rescue.  Can he help her accept all the parts of herself, even the one that longs for a little pain?

 

So I know I have been gushing about Cherise Sinclair's Masters of the Shadowlands series for a while now.  But I can't help but continue to gush.  This book was soooooo good. The first thing you need to know is that this is an intense story as far as the BDSM goes.  (Nope, Kay, don't even think about this one.)  Linda needs and likes pain with her sex, and Master Sam is more than willing to deliver.  But I absolutely love Master Sam-in fact my first note in the book is "Ahhh.  I love Master Sam."  He is dealing with a nasty situation with his ex-wife that has left him unable to share his life and feelings with anyone.  But Linda definitely calls to him.  He wants to spend time with her, he can't stop thinking of her, even though he's just not sure how he can fit her in his life. 

 

Linda is an very strong woman.  She fights for every inch she has gained back in her life since her rescue.  She is sure of who she is, even if she wants to deny the masochistic part of herself.  The two of them together are just sigh-worthy.  This is a great conclusion to the Harvest Association plot that started back in book #5 (Make Me, Sir).  And I admit to giggling with glee a bit when the author brought up little things from past books, like the giant inflatable pool swan. Does anyone else remember the pool swan?

 

So all that gushing aside, I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the other books in this series.  While it could be considered a stand alone, I think it is best to read at least books 5, 6, and 7 in order.  If you haven't yet read the first six books in this series, I highly recommend them.  Cherise Sinclair is one of my favorite voices in the BDSM genre.  I can't wait to see what she comes up with for the next installment.