If Only by Cherise Sinclair

If Only (Masters of the Shadowlands, #8)
Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Masters of the Shadowlands#8
Genre-Contemporary BDSM/ménage
Reviewed by Kate
426 pages

Sally left the trainee program at the Shadowlands to persue a relationship with a Dom who turned out to be abusive. Now she’s back, but only a shell of her typically perky, fun loving self. FBI agents Vance and Galen have had their eyes on Sally for a while, but become concerned when they see that she’s not herself. What’s a pair of Doms to do but try to fix the situation?
 
There was so much to love in If Only. The hot, hot, steamy hot sex scenes. Not one, but two protective Doms. A fiesty heroine struggling to rediscover herself. Visits with favorite characters from prior books. Enough suspense to keep you turning pages. And for those who have read the previous books in the series–a satisfying conclusion to the Harvest Association plot that has run through the last books. Everything I needed to close the book with a happy sigh.
 
The only thing I didn’t like was that we had seen Sally with other partners in previous books. And there were some small references made to some of those experiences. I don’t like to see the heroine with other partners, but that’s just my own preference.
 
If you are into BDSM reads, there’s not a series that I would recommend more than Cherise Sinclair’s Masters of the Shadowlands. Now that the Harvest Association is over, I can’t wait to see what she’ll bring us next.
 
This book combined two of my favorite sub-genres. BDSM and menage. How about you? Is that a good combination for you or do you prefer just BDSM, just menage, or neither?

Awakening by Elene Sallinger


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

       
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?