Freedom to Submit by Melody Snow Monroe

       
Grade-C-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-Freedom, Colorado #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
164 pages

Danisa “Dani” witnesses a murder and needs some protection from the killer who has already made an attempt on her life. Enter Sheriff Brady (who went to the same high school as Dani, but the two have been out of touch for years) and his friend and housemate, Lucas. Because who better to protect you than the horny sheriff and his even hornier friend? Not to be out hornied, um…horned? Dani, on the night that she almost dies, remembers to pack her sexy underwear when she’s packing to go stay with Brady (who she just re-met earlier that day) and Lucas (who she’s never met).

Unfortunately, neither hero worked for me. Brady, a jock that has never grown up, has to be one of the worst law enforcement heroes I’ve read about. He goes on a dangerous stakeout by himself and moves things around at the crime scene before it’s been processed. Now I’m not saying I’m an expert, but I’ve seen a few CSI episodes-enough to know that both of those are big no-nos.

Lucas was another creature altogether. I found him to be cold and only concerned with satisfying his libido. His speech was almost robotic at times. But the thing that got me most was that he called his dick “him”. Now, I’m generally okay with guys having a cute nickname for their most important possession, but for some reason calling it “him” was just too much.

I struggled with the heroine, Dani. I just couldn’t connect with her character at all. Her connection to Brady and Lucas was instantaneous and unquestioned. There never seemed to be a time that she asked herself if she was moving too fast.

I really wanted to like this book. I’ve enjoyed other books that I’ve read by Melody Snow Monroe before. However, I just couldn’t get past the characters to get into the plot.

Obviously, calling it “him” didn’t work for me. What nicknames for a guy’s member is your favorite? How about your least favorite?

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?

Bonds of Hope by Lynda Aicher

       
Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Wicked Play #4
Genre-BDSM
Reviewed by Kate
228 pages

Quinn is an actress researching a role as a submissive for an upcoming tv series. Marcus is a professional Dom at The Den who has agreed to spend a week with Quinn, giving her his first hand experience in the world of BDSM.

Lynda Aicher has taken what could have turned out to be an extremely formulaic read and turned it into something hot and emotional. In the first few chapters, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to connect with Quinn, who kept escaping into roles when she was with Marcus, rather than being present. But watching Quinn discover herself turned out to be something special. Marcus was everything you could hope for in a Dom.

My one complaint was that I would have liked to see a glimpse of Quinn and Marcus further into the future than the epilogue gave us. But there’s going to be a book 5 in this series, so I remain hopeful.

Bonds of Hope is a wonderful addition to the Wicked Play series. A rare combination of steamy-sexy-hot and emotion. With strong characters and a moving plot that kept me turning the pages, this one leaves me wanting more, more, more.