Under His Command by Kristine Cayne

Under His Command

Grade – B
Hotness Level – Inferno
Kink Level – moderate kink
Genre – Contemporary, BDSM
Series – Six-Alarm Sexy #1
Reviewed by Kate
 

I admit to having a soft spot for a well written husband and wife reunion story that makes my heart sigh contentedly. Under His Command is just such a story.
 
Five years before our story begins, Jamie and Rickie spend one night together. One hot and steamy night. Jamie releases a bit of his Dom and it’s the best experience Rickie has ever had. That one night stand led to a pregnancy that led to a marriage.

Growing up, Rickie witnessed many of her mother’s relationships turn abusive. Rickie worries that her enjoyment of Jamie’s dominance means means she may be turning into her mother, so she shuts down any of Jamie’s attempts to take charge in the bedroom. Jamie feels guilty for ruining Rickie’s life with the unplanned pregnancy and tries to be the husband he thinks she wants.

After a year long separation, Jamie and Rickie decide to go on a long-delayed honeymoon and try to save their marriage. A week away is just what they need to really start communicating. Once both admit who they are and what they want, the fun can begin.

I really enjoy a couple who can talk to each other instead of pages of internal dialogue and wishing the other was a mind reader. I enjoyed the story of rediscovered and reawakened passion, a nice break from the love at first sight romances I’ve been reading lately.

 

Hot Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice

Hot Secrets: A Dangerous Lover Novella (Dangerous, #1.5)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Dangerous #1.5
Reviewed by Kay

This was a very short read. I first read about these characters four years ago and found this novella about six months ago. I’ve wanted to read it for awhile but my TBR list is very long and I’m about a year behind on some things. Jack and Caroline’s story was just precious. They grew up in the same town. She was the rich, popular girl and Jack was raised by an abusive, drunken father. Caroline showed Jack several acts of kindness, which cemented his adoration of her.

After his stint in the military,  he inherits a great deal of money from his adoptive father. He then returns home to thank Caroline. He finds her still single and from there they fall in love. This story starts a year later, after they’ve married. Jack is always concerned with Caroline’s safety, almost to the point of obsession. He tries to train her in self-defense and to always be aware of her surroundings. She doesn’t really take it too seriously.

Caroline owns a bookstore and reads to the kids from the shelter there on special occasions. On one such occasion a step-parent of one the children comes in high on drugs and a hostage situation happens. The story is your to read for the wrap-up but if you’ve never read Lisa Marie Rice, you’re missing out. I love her books. She’s writing a military-paranormal romance series now.

Big Girls On Top by Mercy Walker

Big Girls on Top
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Big Girls #1
Reviewed by Kay

Bev is a size 18 girl. A woman really but I’m keeping consistent with the title. She’s a registered nurse but works as a bartender at a strip club because she makes more money there. She loves her job and her co-workers for the most part. I don’t think it ever said how tall she was but she has fiery red hair and Irish green eyes. Oh, and she hides her freckles well.

Quinn is Italian, gorgeous and very well muscled. Aren’t they all? He shows up to talk to the manager/owner of the strip club, Terry. Bev sees him and watches for him to come out of the back all shift. As she’s leaving with the other girls, she hears someone running up behind her. The club has had a few problems with patrons harassing the girls in the parking lot, so, Bev grabs her stun gun, turns around and stuns the person rushing up to her. It’s Quinn of course and when he comes to he’s so not happy with her. She tries to apologize but he takes off with a pretty hateful glare on his face.

The next day she walks in to Terry’s office to apologize to Quinn. Terry leaves them in there to talk it out but Quinn grabs Bev and kisses the hell out of her. They then engage in some pretty blistering sex on the desk.  I won’t reveal the rest but suffice it to say, the ending was abrupt but should send the reader into wanting book two.

There were several things I liked about this story. First, I loved that Bev was comfortable in her own skin while being aware of her weight. She totally owned it and flaunted what she thought were her best assets. Second, I loved Quinn being okay with her size. Third, the humor in the story was very good. Fourth, the sex was great.

I did have things that I didn’t care for also. First, the descriptions of her appetite and eating were borderline gross. Second, some of the descriptions of their sexual encounter also border on gross for me. Thirdly, it needed more editing.

I wish there had been a little more story but I knew it was a short read going in. I liked it and appreciate Mercy Walker giving us the opportunity to read and review it.