Kate

The Beginning of Us by Sarah Brooks

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne
The Beginning of Us
Grade-A
Hotness Level-Spark
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary/ f/f
Reviewed by Kate
115 pages
When I ran across this book, I got excited for three reasons. A-it’s f/f, a genre I wanted to read more of, B-it’s teacher/student, and C-it seemed that part of it would be written in letter format. I absolutely love a story written in the form of letters or journal entries or anything similar. I am so glad I picked this one up.
Tara is a senior in college who falls and falls hard for her professor, Eliza. When Eliza leaves without a word to Tara, Tara takes to her laptop and pours her heart and story out into a letter to Eliza. The entire story is written in a letter format. Tara’s words were so raw and gritty, stark and honest. The story hooked it’s claws into me and would not let go! I could not stop reading this one.
At first, the angst that Tara is feeling over being abandoned by Eliza reminded me of Bella Swan in New Moon and I worried that we’d soon find Tara curled in on herself and staring at a wall. Instead, Tara uses her words to cope with her loss. The story quickly started to remind me of The Girl in the Box by Ouida Sebestyen, a book I read as a teen that still sticks with me today (girl is kidnapped and left alone with only a typewriter-I would recommend reading if you haven’t already). There is a sense of Tara discovering herself through her own words. Almost a coming-of-age feel. This book, like The Girl in the Box, will stay with me for a long, long time. Sarah Brooks have given us such a different, unique voice with story, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
The Girl in the Box is one of those rare books that has stuck with me for the last 20+ years. Do you have any books that just won’t let you go?

The Dom Project by Helloise Belleau and Solace Adams

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne
The Dom Project
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?

The Bartered Bride by Reece Butler

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne
The Bartered Bride (Climax, Montana #3)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-Climax, Montana #3
Genre-Contemporary/Menage
Reviewed by Kate
 
Jane is trying to escape an abusive father and an arranged marriaged to an even more vile man. She’s stuck at a bar with no way of leaving when Travis and Riley show up. Travis and Riley seem like the only ones at the bar who might not take advantage of her, so she stows away in their truck. While the men are helping Jane get away, can they also help her discover herself?
 
I’m a sucker for cavemen heroes. The kind that can say “You’re going to do what I say because I know what’s best for you.” The kind that are protective and dominant without being abusive. The kind that, quite honestly, can come across as being a huge ass. And Reece Butler does a very good job writing those cavemen heroes I adore.
 
As a heroine, Jane struggles to be independent when she never has had a chance to stand on her own. She’s had a lot of terrible things happen in her past and we get to watch as Travis and Riley support her on her journey. We get to see a lot of character growth for Jane.
 
The only complaint that I had with this book was that there was a section in the middle that started to go down a hero-taking-the-place-of-daddy path and a trying-to-fix-the-heroine path. Those are themes that I don’t typically enjoy reading, but seemed to be rather short lived in this book. I was quickly able to loose myself in the story after getting past that section.
 
This book met all the preferences I have in erotic menage books. Strong heroes and heroines, character growth, a plot that is fast paced, and scenes steamy enough to fog your glasses. If you enjoy erotic menage with a bit of cowboy, I suggest you give this one a try.
 
An additional note: While this one is considered to be the third book in her Climax, Montana series, it can definitely be read by itself. The first 2 books in this series take place back in the 80s and are worth checking out. If you like historical menage, I’d recommend Reece Butler’s earlier Bride Train series.
 
I’m caught up on all of Reece Butler’s books now. Do you have recommendations for any other erotic menage series to try?