Bonds of Courage by Lynda Aicher

20738801
Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Wicked Play #6
Published: 6/16/14
Reviewed by Kate
Vanessa, a rep for athletes and co-owner of the Den, has successfully compartmentalized her life.  A different colored phone for family, work, and the Den.  And things and people from one part never cross into another.  Never ever.  Until Holden walks into the Den one evening.  Holden is a pro-hockey player who longs to submit, but his career would be ruined if anyone ever found out.  He applies for membership at the very exclusive and very private The Den.  When Vanessa walks in to conduct the interview, Holden knows that she’s the one.
I went into this one not really expecting to enjoy it.  A Domme is not my favorite type of heroine to read.  But I had read and enjoyed each of the Wicked Play books so I thought I’d give it a try.  And I’m so glad that I did.  The vulnerability that Vanessa was able to show Holden almost brought me to tears and the strength that Holden was able to provide Vanessa.  Yet they still maintained their Domme/sub identities.  *insert happy, contented sighs here*  This was so much more than a Domme/sub relationship.  It was beautiful, emotional, and caring, with a side of delicious kink.  Everything that I’ve come to expect from Lynda Aicher.

I’d highly recommend Lynda Aicher’s Wicked Play series to any fans of Cherise Sinclair or Kallypso Masters.

Edge of the Enforcer by Cherise Sinclair

17907035

Grade: A-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Mountain Masters/Dark Haven #4
Published: 5/13/14
Reviewed by Kate
304 pages


A while back (during book #3 My Liege of Dark Haven) Zander deVries won a Dom/sub game.  The prize was certain “favors” from Lindsey.  Lindsey is on the run.  She can’t afford to fall in love with anyone.  deVries seems perfect, since he only has casual relationships.  But what’s a sub who doesn’t like pain to do when she falls for a sadist?


Lindsey, as a heroine, was sweet, caring, fiesty, and strong.  deVries, as a hero, was dark, brooding, dominating, and swoon-worthy. The two of them together was like stumbling across a rare jewel in a box of costume jewelry.  I was so immersed in the story that I forgot to take any notes while reading (almost unheard of for me).


This one had it all.  Low self esteem, supreme confidence, confusion, understanding, conclusion jumping, suspense, drama, great secondary characters…the list goes on and on.  And let’s not forget chains and cuffs and collars and floggers and paddles and whips. As a bonus, we get to see some of our favorite characters from the past books in this series.


If you read BDSM romances and haven’t tried one by Cherise Sinclair, you’re truly missing out on a great author.  Cherise Sinclair is one of two authors whose books I pre-order.  I mark the release dates on my calendar.  If you’ve read Cherise Sinclair before, do you have any other BDSM authors you would recommend?

Naughty Bits Part II:The Training Session by Joey W. Hill

20653019
Grade: A
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Moderate Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Naughty Bits #2
Published: 5/20/14
Reviewed by Kate
119  pages

I have been not quite so patiently waiting for this one.  I fell  in love with Madison and Logan in Part I (the Lingerie Shop), and this was just what I wanted from the second installment.  Logan is training a sub for another Dom and asked Madison to help out.  She hesitantly agrees.  Hesitantly because this submission stuff is all new to her and she’s not sure what will be expected of her.  While the book starts off with a steamy training session, it only gets hotter as the pages turn.


This is one that will make you cancel appointments so that you don’t have to stop reading it. I love the relationship that is building between Madison and Logan.  My only complaint is that Part III is not available yet!


If you enjoy strong Doms helping someone explore submission for the first time, this series is for you.  Start with Part I: the Lingerie Shop.  You won’t be able to stop with just Part I.  Soon you’ll be anxiously awaiting the release of Part III with me.


A note:  this book contains a steamy hot scene between Logan, Madison, and another sub, although no intercourse is involved.