Tech billionaire Simon has an obsession with Kara, a waitress in his mother's restaurant, taking a full course load AND working a full-time job. When Kara suddenly found herself homeless (turns out her roommate had been stealing her portion of the rent, then stole most of her possessions while she's out and they were evicted. When she found her possessions dumped in the street, she just about broke down. But Simon is there to save her. He'll provide for her, give her a place to live, pay her so she doesn't have to work, all for a chance with her. And when she's ready, he'll make love to her... with her tied down and blind-folded... For he's damaged, and he doesn't want anyone, much less her, to see him that way...
NOTE: "Mine for Tonight" is a teaser excerpt from this and frankly it reads creepy as ****. Once you read the whole book, it's less creepy, but it's still weird.
The author doesn't understand how a game is created nowadays. Games are created by TEAMS, esp. triple-AAA titles, not a single person, and if he's a billionaire, he's at best, game designer, not a programmer. And the list of people on a AAA title rivals that of a Hollywood production (credits roll would be about as long, hundreds of people).
AND I thought Kara is too busy working and studying to be playing ANY games? And how can a person game and not know what company made the game?
The romance just doesn't come across that much. Kara basically gave in to the only guy that was nice to her so far in life. Sorry, the whole thing just doesn't add up. 2.5/5
Showing posts with label BDSM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BDSM. Show all posts
GRR Reviews Twisted by Stella Andrews
Sam is a billionaire, and he owed a favor to Ryder... head of the Twisted Reapers MC. Ryder needs Sam to take Katherine aka "Kitty", one of Ryder's former... lovers (okay, "club whore"), and ruin some of the most powerful people in the land... including POTUS, and his pack of senators, all of whom are hypocritical monsters behind their public service personas. But such endeavors never go smoothly... // Katherine once wanted Ryder, and only Ryder, until he married someone even more broken than she was. Now Katherine just wanted to be free of Ryder by doing him one last favor. This would require her to be a chameleon... hide her revulsions of depravity deep, play dominant or submissive as the role requires, and entrap some of the most powerful people in the land, to completely ruin them. Sam is a nice and powerful guy... an ally... and someone had seen her soul. And she can't help but wonder... What would life with Sam be like?
Hmmm... I have a little problem with one woman being able to switch from dom to sub and play both convincingly despite lack of experience in the lifestyle. We're talking about playing a dom to satisfy a guy who frequents dominatrices, and convince a different dom that Sam was her dom, and she's leaking information (fake, of course). But the plot twists are pretty good. 4/5
Hmmm... I have a little problem with one woman being able to switch from dom to sub and play both convincingly despite lack of experience in the lifestyle. We're talking about playing a dom to satisfy a guy who frequents dominatrices, and convince a different dom that Sam was her dom, and she's leaking information (fake, of course). But the plot twists are pretty good. 4/5
GRR Reviews Always Room for Cupcakes by Bethany Lopez
Lila was betrayed by her husband when she found him muff-diving on another woman in parking lot of Starbucks in a car. She took a photo, and plastered it all over town. Now she's divorced and raising three kids alone. That little expose lead to a private investigator, Moose, wanting to hire her for some work, and a group of close friends. Lila's latest assignment seems to be leading her into some drug cartel trying to setup in town headed by someone called Hector... and a sexy guy on a Harley and motorcycle leathers by the name of Cade who rescues her in times of need. But is he a hero... or a hidden villain? And when Hector found her interferring again and again... What will happen to her?
The book is weird, as if it was written by two different authors. The tone was funny and light and happy in the first half, esp. up to the point of Cade showing up and wanted to woo Lila. But the end, when Hector caught up, had a TOTAL tonal shift, with extreme violence (let's just say limbs, death, and destruction) and bondage play first time? Really? 3/5
The book is weird, as if it was written by two different authors. The tone was funny and light and happy in the first half, esp. up to the point of Cade showing up and wanted to woo Lila. But the end, when Hector caught up, had a TOTAL tonal shift, with extreme violence (let's just say limbs, death, and destruction) and bondage play first time? Really? 3/5
GRR Reviews Wild Temptation by Mari Carr
May desperately needs her job, as personal assistant to CEO Lochlan, to succeed. It's the only way to stay ahead of the bills for her mom and "her" kids she had to take in. She may be young and looks inexperienced, but she works hard, and she doesn't take charity... Until Lochlan. // Lochlan built his company with a little family help, but it's successful now. He was devastated when his existing PA left to hug her grandkids, and her replacement appears to be young, inexperienced, willowy blonde... who may be a submissive. When trouble at home forced May to reveal her life, Lochlan is going to make sure May understands that Lochlan wanted to claim her... and he protects what is his... And they will enjoy doing kinky things together.
Okay, we've seen the trope about the female who did too much. Work 12 hour days, still gets home to make the meals, even WALKS home to avoid paying for a cab or bus fare... Because she refused to accept ANY HELP. You say independent woman. I say masochist. May here is one of those. OTOH, Mari Carr has a way to get the dom/sub relationship described nicely without getting into cliche or douchebag stage. Sex doesn't enter the picture until late in the book. 4/5
Okay, we've seen the trope about the female who did too much. Work 12 hour days, still gets home to make the meals, even WALKS home to avoid paying for a cab or bus fare... Because she refused to accept ANY HELP. You say independent woman. I say masochist. May here is one of those. OTOH, Mari Carr has a way to get the dom/sub relationship described nicely without getting into cliche or douchebag stage. Sex doesn't enter the picture until late in the book. 4/5
GRR Reviews Hunted by Aria Adams
NOTE: Spanking and D/s play, violence, quasi-sensual situations
In a dystopic future, the Brotherhood had taken over the cities, and machines produce everything. Ember was one of the roller cheerleader girls of the city's sports team. She thought she was honored to star in "The Chase" in a reality show that lasts an hour. What they didn't tell her was she'd be stripped naked and be hunted by evil men with hunting dogs. But she survived... so far. She even hurt a few with traps. But it's been two days since she had any food or water... Until she stumbled into Hadley... /// Hadley may be the last rancher left alive, but the Brotherhood need some real beef and other real food, so he'd been left to exist in isolation in exchange for provisions. When she came out of the forest, naked, wounded, but determined to fight to the end, he intervened. But when she turned defiant against logical safety rules, he had to discipline her with spankings, for she can't go back to the city... And eventually, Hadley will claim her, and together, they may be able to take down the Brotherhood...
Hmmm... The problem with this future is it makes no sense. it's obviously inspired somewhat by the Hunger Games, where the leaders hold themselves above the law and manipulate everything. But how does such a society really function? Where do the raw materials to feed the machines come from? How about energy? And if you take away the dystopia, what you're left with is a guy grooming an innocent girl to be his sub, and as expected, she will fall for him. Is this dark romance? Not quite. Is it scifi? Sorta. Is it good? Hmmm... Okay, I guess. 3.5/5
In a dystopic future, the Brotherhood had taken over the cities, and machines produce everything. Ember was one of the roller cheerleader girls of the city's sports team. She thought she was honored to star in "The Chase" in a reality show that lasts an hour. What they didn't tell her was she'd be stripped naked and be hunted by evil men with hunting dogs. But she survived... so far. She even hurt a few with traps. But it's been two days since she had any food or water... Until she stumbled into Hadley... /// Hadley may be the last rancher left alive, but the Brotherhood need some real beef and other real food, so he'd been left to exist in isolation in exchange for provisions. When she came out of the forest, naked, wounded, but determined to fight to the end, he intervened. But when she turned defiant against logical safety rules, he had to discipline her with spankings, for she can't go back to the city... And eventually, Hadley will claim her, and together, they may be able to take down the Brotherhood...
Hmmm... The problem with this future is it makes no sense. it's obviously inspired somewhat by the Hunger Games, where the leaders hold themselves above the law and manipulate everything. But how does such a society really function? Where do the raw materials to feed the machines come from? How about energy? And if you take away the dystopia, what you're left with is a guy grooming an innocent girl to be his sub, and as expected, she will fall for him. Is this dark romance? Not quite. Is it scifi? Sorta. Is it good? Hmmm... Okay, I guess. 3.5/5
GRR Reviews Reformed by a Scotsman by Katie Douglas
NOTE: Contains Daddy dom / spank play
Adeline was sent to Edinburgh to live with her father's friend and Scotsman Edward, who was given full responsibility to correct the recalcitrant lady through "any means necessary". Adeline already tried to run away, get off at the wrong station, and so on, but soon Edward found her, and it wasn't long she ended on bent over Edward's knee for a spanking... or worse, as her behavior dictated. But she found his firm-handed dominance arousing... and imagined a life with him as her husband... But will he ever see her as more than a girl he had to reform?
Historical daddy dom / spank novel, but with an actual character arc. it's... an interesting combination. I usually have a problem with the quasi-sensual BDSM play, and spanking, esp. when it was meant as punishment, somehow turns into sex. And it's clear Edward really wanted her (fingering her into her first orgasm). So there's definitely some taboo aspect involved. The darkest hour is kinda trope though... Spank play version (she runs away, feeling inadequate, he caught her, brought her back, punished her for running and doubting herself, then loved her). It's better than I expected. 4/5
Adeline was sent to Edinburgh to live with her father's friend and Scotsman Edward, who was given full responsibility to correct the recalcitrant lady through "any means necessary". Adeline already tried to run away, get off at the wrong station, and so on, but soon Edward found her, and it wasn't long she ended on bent over Edward's knee for a spanking... or worse, as her behavior dictated. But she found his firm-handed dominance arousing... and imagined a life with him as her husband... But will he ever see her as more than a girl he had to reform?
Historical daddy dom / spank novel, but with an actual character arc. it's... an interesting combination. I usually have a problem with the quasi-sensual BDSM play, and spanking, esp. when it was meant as punishment, somehow turns into sex. And it's clear Edward really wanted her (fingering her into her first orgasm). So there's definitely some taboo aspect involved. The darkest hour is kinda trope though... Spank play version (she runs away, feeling inadequate, he caught her, brought her back, punished her for running and doubting herself, then loved her). It's better than I expected. 4/5
GRR Reviews A Little Atonement by Maggie Ryan
NOTE: Contains spank play, daddy dom D/s
Liam wasn't expecting his ex-fiancee Elena to be at his remote mountain cabin. Liam loved Elena, but she ran away. Why is she back? He'll give her a second chance, but she's not going to run away this time from her "daddy" dom...
Basically a steamy version of daddy dom book. Elena is not that much younger, but they'll engage in spanking, D/s, daddy dom play, shaving, age play, and a lot more. There is a theme beyond all the sex and kink, about finding oneself instead of all the self-sabotage "inadequacy" feelings (i.e. "I am not worthy") that a daddy dom can fix with a spanking. It's hot, but also taboo. If you like this sort of thing, it's also quite titillating. 4/5
Liam wasn't expecting his ex-fiancee Elena to be at his remote mountain cabin. Liam loved Elena, but she ran away. Why is she back? He'll give her a second chance, but she's not going to run away this time from her "daddy" dom...
Basically a steamy version of daddy dom book. Elena is not that much younger, but they'll engage in spanking, D/s, daddy dom play, shaving, age play, and a lot more. There is a theme beyond all the sex and kink, about finding oneself instead of all the self-sabotage "inadequacy" feelings (i.e. "I am not worthy") that a daddy dom can fix with a spanking. It's hot, but also taboo. If you like this sort of thing, it's also quite titillating. 4/5
GRR Reviews Daddy Takes Charge by Amelia Smarts
Lydia had always lived on Jackson's ranch, but after the death of her father, she turned into a total brat, ruining every job she'd been given. Yet she's an adult. Jackson was finally pushed too far, and decided what Lydia needs is a good spanking over his knee... and call him "daddy". And while bad girl gets a spanking... good girl gets... orgasms. However, when Lydia realized the ranch is in financial trouble, can Lydia help Jackson put the ranch back into the black?
Hmmm... It's quasi-sensual spanking, and sorta... weird. Lydia is kinda seeking attention. The 'daddy dom' subgenre of BDSM (which usually includes spanking) pushes taboo / embarrassment aspect as its main naughtiness and appeal. It's pretty hot, but the transformation from brat to good girl, IMHO, was a bit too fast. 3.5/5
Hmmm... It's quasi-sensual spanking, and sorta... weird. Lydia is kinda seeking attention. The 'daddy dom' subgenre of BDSM (which usually includes spanking) pushes taboo / embarrassment aspect as its main naughtiness and appeal. It's pretty hot, but the transformation from brat to good girl, IMHO, was a bit too fast. 3.5/5
GRR Reviews Absolving Amy by RJ Gray
NOTE: BDSM "Daddy dom", "Domestic Discipline" aka spanking
Amy managed to survive foster homes, and she's taking classes. But she's currently homeless, working 3 jobs and summer classes, just living out of her car. She had a one-night stand with a wonderful police detective Ben as a bridesmaid for her best friend, but she can never be with anyone, because nobody would want her long-term after they learned what she had done... // Ben was smitten with Amy after that one-night stand, but she disappeared before he woke up, but he can't stalk her... He's a detective, after all. But having her car skid to a stop in front of police station, car riddled with multiple bullet holes, brought out all his protective daddy instincts. She just witnessed a murder by a high-ranker in the Los Diablos gang, and there's a price on her head. He can protect her, and even love her, but he plays by daddy dom rules. And Amy... wasn't quite sure if she wants to play... esp. when she's caught between shame (I don't deserve him) and defiance (how dare he dictate to me).
Hmmm... I like the twist at the end, which I won't spoil. And this "domestic discipline" thing, is a subset of BDSM, a power exchange where the dominant assumes a "daddy" role, that's NOT sugardaddy nor full-time dom. It's pretty hot, if you're into that sort of thing. OTOH, doing that to a witness he's protecting? Hmmm... Bit of a morally gray area, odd for a cop. :) 4/5
Amy managed to survive foster homes, and she's taking classes. But she's currently homeless, working 3 jobs and summer classes, just living out of her car. She had a one-night stand with a wonderful police detective Ben as a bridesmaid for her best friend, but she can never be with anyone, because nobody would want her long-term after they learned what she had done... // Ben was smitten with Amy after that one-night stand, but she disappeared before he woke up, but he can't stalk her... He's a detective, after all. But having her car skid to a stop in front of police station, car riddled with multiple bullet holes, brought out all his protective daddy instincts. She just witnessed a murder by a high-ranker in the Los Diablos gang, and there's a price on her head. He can protect her, and even love her, but he plays by daddy dom rules. And Amy... wasn't quite sure if she wants to play... esp. when she's caught between shame (I don't deserve him) and defiance (how dare he dictate to me).
Hmmm... I like the twist at the end, which I won't spoil. And this "domestic discipline" thing, is a subset of BDSM, a power exchange where the dominant assumes a "daddy" role, that's NOT sugardaddy nor full-time dom. It's pretty hot, if you're into that sort of thing. OTOH, doing that to a witness he's protecting? Hmmm... Bit of a morally gray area, odd for a cop. :) 4/5
GRR Reviews In His Custody by Morganna Williams and Jack Crosby
Erotic author Mona Hyatt enjoys chatting with doms and gettings online orders to discipline herself, which inspires her writing. What she didn't know is one of those chatting with her is a serial killer... // Leo Jackson is an experienced agent but lacks field experience, being mostly a "computer geek". He's also a dom that enjoys a bit of D/s spank play on a willing subject. He's chasing down a serial killer who take the eyes of his female victims (after killing them). When Leo found that Mona seems to be the next target, he has no problem taking her into protective custody. And when her computer was examined and how reckless she had been, Leo had no problem disciplining her. But the killer is out there, and he's closer than anyone ever suspected... and always seems to be one step ahead of Leo...
Eh... I have no problem with erotic spanking, and the serial killer is creepy enough, but Leo disciplining a witness he's supposed to be protecting? That's just all kinds of wrong. Also, why does the perp kill the lead agent? What's Mindy's role in all this? There are a couple plot holes there. 3/5
Eh... I have no problem with erotic spanking, and the serial killer is creepy enough, but Leo disciplining a witness he's supposed to be protecting? That's just all kinds of wrong. Also, why does the perp kill the lead agent? What's Mindy's role in all this? There are a couple plot holes there. 3/5
GRR Reviews The Ranger's Rules by Lily Harlem
Wildlife photographer Casey arrived in South Africa for some important work, but the only ranger available to work with her is the loner Rhett, who's gruff, yet ruggedly sexy. When Casey ignored one of the safety rules to get a photo, she was hauled back and given a spanking, with threats of more severe punishments if she can't bother to behave. While humiliated, Casey can't deny that spanking turned her on, and Rhett is undoubtedly a dom. And she looked forward to a proper session as he "groomed" her. But when a vicious band of poachers invaded his territory, can Rhett keep Casey safe?
Hmmm... While the spanking thing is "hot", it blurs the line between quasi-sensual and non-consensual spanking, and that's very morally ambiguous, and not a way BDSM session should be done. Some parts are quite good, other parts are a bit of meh. 3.5/5
Hmmm... While the spanking thing is "hot", it blurs the line between quasi-sensual and non-consensual spanking, and that's very morally ambiguous, and not a way BDSM session should be done. Some parts are quite good, other parts are a bit of meh. 3.5/5
GRR Reviews Logan by Maggie Carpenter
Brandy runs Rainbow's End Ranch with help of just ONE ranchhand, who just quit because some of Brandy's stuff went missing and Brandy needed to accuse someone. Also, someone seems to want to drive her out of her ranch, and is offering some insane prices (3X the value so far). When Logan showed up wanting to be her next ranch hand, she can't refuse, even though Logan doesn't seem to need the money... His pickup truck may be worth more than her ranch. What's even better, Logan's a cowboy dom, and Brandy is a sub with a hankering for some spanking... When Logan learned of the threat to Brandy, he will protect what's his...
Hmmm... spanking scenes are kinda hot, but the bad guy is kinda lame. Also a bit too stupid to call it quits when he should have cut and run. 3/5
Hmmm... spanking scenes are kinda hot, but the bad guy is kinda lame. Also a bit too stupid to call it quits when he should have cut and run. 3/5
GRR Reviews Grand Slam by Lily Harlem and Lucy Felthouse
Marie is a sports psychiatrist newly hired by the Los Carlos Tennis Academy to help athletes be their best. But she's not sure she can help her most important client: Travis, possibly the number one tennis player in the world, after a car accident that almost broke him. But Travis is hiding an even bigger secret... He's a dom, and he hadn't been playing for a while. And in digging into his performance, Marie will learn that with a little pain, pleasure is even more enjoyable...
Hmmm... I am not sure what to think about this one. It sort of makes sense, and sort of doesn't. Somehow, the BDSM aspects were handled both nicely and poorly. While some psychological aspects of BDSM were handled right, the shift of Marie, who wasn't really in the lifestyle, was introduced into it by Travis, just didn't feel right. And Travis was being a dick trying by failing to respect boundaries between play and life (i.e. want to master Marie at all times, not just in the bedroom). There is also a lack of negotiation and/or aftercare. Basically, this felt like slightly improved "Fifty Shades" level of BDSM, i.e. "wrong enough to be titillating, and little else". 3/5
Hmmm... I am not sure what to think about this one. It sort of makes sense, and sort of doesn't. Somehow, the BDSM aspects were handled both nicely and poorly. While some psychological aspects of BDSM were handled right, the shift of Marie, who wasn't really in the lifestyle, was introduced into it by Travis, just didn't feel right. And Travis was being a dick trying by failing to respect boundaries between play and life (i.e. want to master Marie at all times, not just in the bedroom). There is also a lack of negotiation and/or aftercare. Basically, this felt like slightly improved "Fifty Shades" level of BDSM, i.e. "wrong enough to be titillating, and little else". 3/5
GRR Reviews Maybe Series Collection 1 by Ella Miles
NOTE: This collection is no longer available, in favor of the new collection, which includes 3 more books and a new title. I'll give each of the books separate ratings. The overall rating is 3/5 as an average of all three.
Maybe Yes (book 1) -- Kinsley Felton grew up rich and beautiful. She was a model for Seventeen magazine, and she graduated from Yale... but with a mostly useless degree. She can inherit an empire her family had built for a hundred years, if she accepts what her family asks of her... Such as marrying the chosen heir to the empire. But she wants to learn to love by herself... And she thought she had just found the man... Until her grandfather called her and changed EVERYTHING... Her father is dead, and she needs to be wed ASAP to make sure the line of succession will continue. And she needs to meet him ASAP.
I saw where the plot was going pretty early on but the journey there was enjoyable. 4/5
Maybe Never (book 2) -- Kinsley Felton had fallen for Killian... except he wasn't what she thought he was... but an FBI undercover agent who had been infiltrating her family for years. Convinced of her family's innocence, Kinsley refused to take a plea deal. And Killian found himself crossing the line to save Kinsley from herself. But the truth they discovered will shock them both, and sent them on the run around the globe...
This one, I have trouble to stomach. An FBI agent, OFF the case, went to investigate? Took a witness on the run and went rogue? 3/5
Maybe Always (book 3) -- Kinsley has finally learned the truth about her family, and it was devastating. And she is still in love with Killian. To save his career, she had to leave him. To save her soul, she had to bring down the cartel... From the INSIDE. That means going undercover as herself. // Killian knew why Kinsley ran... she is planning something dangerous. He needs to save her, but he has been arrested by the FBI and dumped in prison. Until fate reunited them once again...
I have trouble stomaching this one too. Turned sadism into sex in the guise of torture? That's pretty sick. The rest of the plot was okay.
3/5
Maybe Yes (book 1) -- Kinsley Felton grew up rich and beautiful. She was a model for Seventeen magazine, and she graduated from Yale... but with a mostly useless degree. She can inherit an empire her family had built for a hundred years, if she accepts what her family asks of her... Such as marrying the chosen heir to the empire. But she wants to learn to love by herself... And she thought she had just found the man... Until her grandfather called her and changed EVERYTHING... Her father is dead, and she needs to be wed ASAP to make sure the line of succession will continue. And she needs to meet him ASAP.
I saw where the plot was going pretty early on but the journey there was enjoyable. 4/5
Maybe Never (book 2) -- Kinsley Felton had fallen for Killian... except he wasn't what she thought he was... but an FBI undercover agent who had been infiltrating her family for years. Convinced of her family's innocence, Kinsley refused to take a plea deal. And Killian found himself crossing the line to save Kinsley from herself. But the truth they discovered will shock them both, and sent them on the run around the globe...
This one, I have trouble to stomach. An FBI agent, OFF the case, went to investigate? Took a witness on the run and went rogue? 3/5
Maybe Always (book 3) -- Kinsley has finally learned the truth about her family, and it was devastating. And she is still in love with Killian. To save his career, she had to leave him. To save her soul, she had to bring down the cartel... From the INSIDE. That means going undercover as herself. // Killian knew why Kinsley ran... she is planning something dangerous. He needs to save her, but he has been arrested by the FBI and dumped in prison. Until fate reunited them once again...
I have trouble stomaching this one too. Turned sadism into sex in the guise of torture? That's pretty sick. The rest of the plot was okay.
3/5
GRR Reviews Victorious by M S Force
Book 3 of the same series (book 1, book 2). Flynn has exposed all his secrets for Natalie to see. He is a dom, and surprisingly, Natalie has expressed some interest in the kink lifestyle. But Natalie's traumatic past holds some triggers that they have to step around carefully. Then came news the lawyer who exposed Natalie's identity had been murdered... And Flynn is one of the suspects because he joked about it during a TV interview. Even as Flynn and Natalie explore the kinkier side of their relationship, and settle into domestic bliss and the HEA, complications seem to be just around the corner...
This one, being the conclusion, basically solved most of the problems, so what you are left with is mostly just kinky sex. It's pretty hot, but the plot suffered as a result. 4/5
Category: Contemporary
Overall Rating: 4/5
NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.
GRR Reviews Holiday Ties by Elizabeth SaFleur
Novelette: Yvette had a high profile divorce and her ex gave her no support. Despite being the best fundraiser in the city, she's forever known as "the one who divorced" with the whispered label of "golddigger". She was surprised when a younger man came to her rescue when she fell in the snow... And Ryan is too much of a dom... and too experienced, to let her go. He had desired her for a long time, and, and he shall claim this submissive as his... if she'll agree to a weekend.
Seems this author knows the BDSM mindset quite well, and there's even a warning about "nobody goes into BDSM lifestyle after one meeting, this is obviously a work of fiction..." etc. etc. Ryan seems a bit too perfect of a mind reader, but D/S lifestyle is often a touch-y subject, and the rapport between dom and a sub is often, almost telepathic, if done right, but that may be the fictionalized ideals again. Hahaha. For a novella, it's actually quite good.
Category: Contemporary
Overall Rating: 4/5
NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.
GRR Reviews Valorous by M S Force
Natalie encountered the gorgeous and famous movie star Flynn (in book 1: Virtuous) and they started their torrid relationship, only to find that her shameful secret was exposed to the world at the end of the book 1. She had been raped at age 15 by her family's best friend... and the state governor... Then her father told her to drop the charges or he will disown her. She couldn't, and she never saw her sisters again. She found a lawyer, had her name legally changed, started wearing a disguise, and moved across the country to start a new life. Flynn knew she had been assaulted, but never the nightmare she had endured. He vowed to treat her like a princess and fix all that's wrong in the world for her.
Book 2 starts when she was fired from her job as an elementary school teacher for "lying on application", and someone leaked her old identity to the media, leading to paparazzi stalking them. He can deal with that, but he's hiding one huge secret from her... He's a sexual dominant. And when Natalie found out from Flynn's spiteful ex, will that be enough to destroy their relationship?
Nice plot, lots of complications, even though the underlying plotline is still boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back, as there are things even he can't fix with money and his connections. So why the 5-star rating? The stakes are much higher, or at least they feel that way.
Book 3 review coming soon.
Category: Contemporary
Overall Rating: 5/5
NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.
GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Bet #1: A Seductive Deal by Clarissa Wild
Julie Valentine needs a muse to write her steamy novels, and breaking up with her loser BF didn't help. Going to a casino didn't help either, but did get her to know billionaire Dominic Fury. And he's dreamily handsome. But when he put up 15000 for one night with her... the catch is there may be some pain involved... And she needed the money... She decided to take it, just to see where it leads...
For this 40 page short, this is basically first few chapters of a whole novel, and the failure to understand BDSM is quite apparent. This reads like someone wants to emulate Fifty Shades, and only managed to emulate the words, with no understanding of what's BDSM. All you get from the novel is she's so turned on she'll let him do anything, no negotiation, total trust with a stranger, and you have NO IDEA what made him OR her that way. The names are practically screaming "lame archetypes". All in all, total disappointment. And there are more volumes of this... (bleep).
Category: Contemporary
Primary Plot: Lame Fifty-Shades Wannabe Teaser Volume, Shallow Characters, No Understanding of Kink
Overall Rating:1/5
NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.
GRR Reviews Saved (Honor Bound) by Angel Payne
Saved left me conflicted. While the kink aspects seem to be properly written, the premise, about human traffickers going after military women didn't make sense.
Garrett, a special forces soldier, no longer care whether he lived or died. The love of his life, Sage Weston, was MIA, presumed dead when her medical unit was ambushed in Africa. But one mission in Thailand, where the unit was tasked with the rescue of American women kidnapped by human traffickers lead him to shock of his life: Sage is still alive and rescued. But Garrett is no longer the same. In the dark hours of his soul, he had taken to a BDSM lifestyle that he cannot possibly spoil Sage with, not after her ordeal. But when the human trafficking boss came after Sage and her fellow rescuees again, intending to get revenge, Garrett will discover a new side of Sage that he must take to full advantage to eliminate the threat once and for all.
The kink was properly written, and the military details have no obvious holes in it. The problem is the setup didn't make sense. How did Sage got from Africa all the way over to Thailand? Who pronounced them dead? Why military women who are at least trained with guns and some martial arts, even if they are not soldiers? And how did Garrett and his buddies got so much time off to run off saving Sage again?
Category: Contemporary / Military
Primary Plot: Military woman kidnapped by human traffickers was rescued by her love, but the trafficker's boss came after her again...
Overall Rating: 3/5
NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.
GRR Reviews Single for the Sheikh by Annabelle Winters
Single for the Sheikh has an improbable plot, impossible characters, and way too much trust, into insta-lust. It's basically a fantasy "let a rich guy sweep you off your feet" sprinkled with kinky sex.
Divorced mom Diane Delacort is raising twin girls alone after a divorce. When her girls' school were invited to attend a soccer match sponsored by a rich royal prince (supposedly of Middle East) she forgot the permission slips at home and had to rush them to the stadium. When she insulted the sheik Nasser by slapping him (he may have touched her somewhat inappropriately), Nasser decided to demonstrate that she needs some discipline in private (which basically involves taking her against the glass). And she enjoyed it very much (instead of screaming bloody murder) As Diane fell for the enigmatic billionaire, Nasser found he had to get married to become the full sheikh. He had always lived a Western life, but responsibility called to him. Can he take this wild American with him and make her queen?
This one basically has the woman say "please treat me badly (I know it's just playing)", without ANY BDSM negotiations. She knew him for two days, but they're playing as if they'd negotiated BDSM scenes for years, including sex n public, bondage and whip play, oral play, rim play, slave play, and she's fully in the scene muttering "make me (submit)" WITHOUT any negotiation! The author is also very wordy, like using three adjectives in a row. The scenario, when you think about it, is really a Cinderella story, albeit with a lot of kinky sex. The palace intrigue was introduced late and really made no sense.
All in all, the plot elements just did not come together, and the characters seem to be only driven by sex and little else. (Sets up a whole junior soccer league in weeks just to get her to his kingdom, huh?) But it's really not that different from novels featuring hunky space aliens abducting women from earth and made them sex slaves. :-P
Category: Contemporary
Primary Plot: Divorcee and single parent falls for the enigmatic Sheikh who turned her on with kinky sex
Tropes: royalty, different worlds, single parent, conspiracy, BDSM
Overall Rating: 2/5
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