BDSM

Awakening by Elene Sallinger

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne


Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Moderate Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Published: 11/5/13Reviewed by Kate

224 pages

Evan, local bookshop owner, lost his wife/submissive to cancer 10 years ago. He was so in love with his wife that he can’t imagine loving anyone else. Claire is slowly entering the land of the living again after 1 year of self-imposed isolation following the breakup of her marriage. Her first adventure is to attend a book club meeting at Evan’s bookshop. Evan’s physical reaction to Claire is strong, but definitely unwanted. Then he overhears a conversation between Claire and a friend. He realizes Claire knows nothing about BDSM, but it may be exactly what she needs. What’s a Dom to do?

Here’s the thing, Evan’s an ass. He really is. The way he deals with his attraction to Claire is avoidance. In fact for the first 1/3 of the book, Evan and Claire barely talk. But he’s written in such a way that I completely got the ass-ishness and was okay with it.

Elene Sallinger has written strong characters with compelling stories. There is a unique tone to this story. A gradual build-up to a relationship here, rather than a ‘first meeting equals first scene’ pace that is usually seen in BDSM novels. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

A special note: References to Yoda and Harry Potter had my inner geek doing a happy dance!

M/M Monday-An Inch at a Time by Heidi Balleau and Amelia C. Gormley

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

       
Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-The Professor’s Rule #2
Genre-BDSM m/m
Reviewed by Kate
60 pages

James is struggling in his college history class. He decides that seducing his professor might get him a better grade. Unfortunately, Professor Carson doesn’t fall for the seduction. But he does offer to tutor James in more that just school work.

For anyone who enjoyed the first Professor’s Rule book, Giving An Inch, this is the book you were waiting for. This is the backstory of James and Professor Carson. If you haven’t read the first one, worry not- you don’t need to read them in order. In fact, this book actually comes first chronologically. So read them in any order, but read them because they’re both great!

The team of Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley have put together a great sequel. I only hope that we can expect even more from them in the future.

I know for some the teacher/student relationship is taboo. But it’s a plot line that I enjoy. Are there any taboo storylines that you enjoy?

Bonds of Hope by Lynda Aicher

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

       
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.