Kate

Up In Knots by Gillian Archer

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne
Up In Knots (Pleasure Code, #2)
Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-Pleasure Code #2
Genre-BDSM/ Menage
Reviewed by Kate
216 pages
 
Kyla is finally ready to get back into the BDSM scene after her Dom passed away 2 years ago. She’s not looking for a commitment, so she knows just who she wants to top her for her first time. Sawyer is a Dom well known for his rope work. It’s at one of his seminars that Kyla first approaches him. Because neither Sawyer nor Kyla is looking for anything long term, Sawyer agrees to top Kyla and help her ease back into things while at the same time introducing her to other Doms. But, being a romance, we all know that Kyla and Sawyer are destined to be together. The chemistry between the pair is a like a supernova and continues to burn brightly throughout the story.
 
I enjoyed this book. A lot. Usually by the time I am done reading a book, it is filled with tons of highlights and notes, but this one kept me turning pages so quickly that I only managed to make 5 notes. I was that engrossed in the story.
 
I have not read the first book in this series and had no trouble understanding this one. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I have added the first book to my TBR pile, as well as adding Gillian Archer to my list of authors to watch. I look forward to seeing what she comes out with next.

A Convenient Husband by Reece Butler

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

A Convenient Husband (Bride Train, #4)

 

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Bride Train #4
Genre-Historical/Menage
Reviewed by Kate
326 pages

Ben was finishing law school out East. Ben had made a promise to his older twin Ranger though. He promised his gruff brother that he would bring a bride home for Ranger to marry. Leaving things to the last minute, Ben purchases a ticket on the bride train heading to Montana, sure he’ll be able to find a willing bride for Ranger. What he finds instead is Florence, a well educated, out spoken woman with 2 small children in tow. Everything that Ranger doesn’t want in a wife. When one of the children is threatened, Ben marries Florence himself to save the little girl.

So. This book is written by Reece Butler. Right away that’s a point in the plus column. I’ve read every book she’s written and continue to wait anxiously for the next release. And it’s a marriage of convenience, has children, a menage. Plus, plus, plus. At the same time, this book is screwed up in so many ways, I really shouldn’t like it as much as I do (*facepalm* I’ve reread the thing 4 times already).
 
How is it messed up you ask? Well…Ben is moving to Tanner’s Ford Valley, where a menage lifestyle with three men and one woman is quickly becoming the norm. And despite his 3 brothers (book #1) and his sister (book #3) living in menage relationships, Ben knows nothing about it. Next we have the whole thing with Ranger being so grumpy and crotchety and particular that he’d never be able to find his own wife. Then there’s Ben, who feels so obligated to his brother that he decides to let Ranger take Florence’s virginity rather than doing the deed himself. Yep. You heard me right. Ben and Florence haven’t yet consumated their marriage by the time they reach the ranch, so Ben tells Ranger to go ahead and take care of her the first time (he’s apparently much more experienced with women than Ben is). Of course, Florence has 2 children with her (who aren’t hers by the way). These kids are the perfect soap opera children. Present when they are needed to advance the story.
 
 Conveniently absent (read: away staying with relatives) when they would be in the way otherwise. And let’s not forget Patrick. Poor Patrick. Who really seems to be an addition to the story simply to keep the 3:1 ratio of men to women that seems to be required in this series. Patrick is the youngest brother and just feels like an add on throughout the entire read.
 
All that being said, you will notice that I gave the story a B+ rating. Simply because I absolutely am in love with it. Despite all it’s WTFery, I have read this book 5 times (the first time, plus 4 rereads). It is one of my favorites in the series, although numbers 1 and 2 are very close.
If you like your historical menages to be filled with strong heroines, hot cowboys, and even hotter sex, (and can forgive the hot mess that sometimes comes with it), give this one a crack.

Bonds Of Denial by Lynda Aicher

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne
Bonds of Denial (Wicked Play, #5)
Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Wicked Play #5
Genre-Contemporary/m/m
Reviewed by Kate
281 pages
 
Rock is a co-owner of the Den, an exclusive BDSM club. He’s also in the closet. After years of serving during ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ he’s never really even admitted to himself that he’s gay. However, he’s extremely drawn to Carter, an male escort he first sees on the security screens at the Den.
 
I have read the first 4 books in the Wicked Play series, and loved them all. However, this one was written in such a different direction. And I absolutely loved the new direction. The first 4 centered on the BDSM aspect of the relationships. In this one, BDSM is such a small part of their relationship. A very, teeny, tiny part. Despite the lack of BDSM, this was a steaming hot read.
 
The relationship that develops between Rock and Carter was filled with drama and tons of angst. Carter helped Rock discover things about himself, and Rock did the same for Carter. It was truly a joint partnership. Not a story where one character is near perfect and the other has to make all the changes.
 
I appreciate that the author has populated this series with a diverse group of characters. We have had the standard m/f books (#s 1, 2, and 4). But there has also been a menage book (#3-I loved it!) and now a m/m. They can each be read independently of each other but I would recommend the entire series. I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series brings us. Emotionally gripping with steamy scenes, I know this is one that I will be re-reading.