Kate

The Masters of Falcon’s Fantasies by Cassidy Browning

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

The Masters of Falcon's Fantasies (BDSM Menage Fantasies #2)
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?

This is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

This Is Who I Am (Masters of the Shadowlands, #7)
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. 

Hope Breaks by Alice Bello

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Hope Breaks
Grade: C
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: 1st book in a same couple trilogy
Reviewed by Kate

Hope is a professional photographer whose specialty is romance book covers. She needs an exciting and new cover or her job is toast. Unfortunately, the only model agency in town is fresh out of models. A trip to the local Wal-Mart produces two potential models (see Wal-Mart really does carry everything, cover models-aisle 23) as well as a broken down car. Luckily Jake, a mechanic in the Tire and Lube Express department is there to save the day. Jake and Hope go on a whirlwind dating adventure. Then Hope makes a mistake that makes Jake walk away.

I liked that Jake and Hope are such normal people, not über-rich. Jake, of the thick and luscious lips, is your everyday grease monkey (but sexy, of course). Hope has worked her way into a rut lately, just the same old, same old. Her main excitement comes from her dreams of Brad Pitt. Jake and Hope together are cute and sweet and they have that urgent excitement of a new relationship. I felt like I could know them in my daily life.

While I found the dialogue well written, at times the rest of the writing wasn’t as smooth. There were also a few things that pulled me out of the story. At different points in the story, Hope is referred to as being both twenty six and thirty-seven. Hope has some relationship issues that are strongly hinted at, but never disclosed. On the other hand, Jake’s history seems to be a blank slate. No issues or problems to speak of. The love scene, while very descriptive, went on way too long for me.

Hope Breaks, the first in a trilogy by new author Alice Bello, does not include an HEA. I would assume that will come in the last book. The characters and dialogue were the strong points of the story. In this debut novella, Ms. Bello shows promise. I look forward to finding out what happens to Jake and Hope next.