In Flight by R.K. Lilley

In Flight (Up In The Air, #1)
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

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. 

Fever by Maya Banks

Fever (Breathless, #2)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High
Series-Breathless #2
Reviewed by Kay

This installment of Maya Banks’ Breathless trilogy is my favorite so far. I really enjoyed it. Great heroine, pretty good hero. Good supporting cast also. I’ll let you know what I liked and disliked in just a moment. Let me summarize first.

Jace Crestwell  sees Bethany Willis across the room at his sister’s engagement party and something happens. The world shifts on it’s axis and he is almost overcome with a sense of possessiveness. He’s never had that kind of reaction to a woman before. And he’s had plenty of women. Plenty. He knows he wants her but he usually has his best friend, Ash along for the ride(pun intended). Bethany is different. She’s special and he can’t understand how she can be since he has just seen her. Ash sees his interest and against Jace’s wishes approaches her and propositions her.

Bethany is taken aback at first but due to the attraction she feels for both of them but Jace especially, she agrees. She does negotiate dinner in the deal though. The reason I bring that up is that Bethany is homeless and works odd jobs when she can find them. She’s part of the wait staff at this engagement party. She feels a little at odds with her decision to go home with them but takes the chance. They spend the night together and she ditches them in the morning.

This encounter has changed everything for Jace, Bethany and Ash. Jace has met the woman for him, Bethany has possibly met someone who will have her back and Ash realizes that his best friend’s priorities have changed. There is a lot of emotions in this book. Relationship evaluation too. What place you play in different people’s lives.

What I did like: Jace’s immediate realization that Bethany was his. His acceptance of this and of her and her past. Bethany as a character. I love the tortured heroine trope. Life was never kind to her but she always came out swinging. Ash’s acceptance of how things should be.

What I didn’t like: Jace’s extreme BDSM stuff but that’s more of a personal preference. His numerous doubts of trust with the people he was supposed to love. Jack pretty much was annoying and useless.

You got a small glimmer of life on the streets and a bad example of the foster care system. I know that not all examples of the foster care system are bad and that needs to be pointed out. This was a solid addition to the series and I eagerly wait Ash’s book. I want it NOW!