Kate

Marooned with the Maverick by Christine Rimmer

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne


 Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
219 pages

When the flood waters rise in the small town of Rust Creek Falls, kindergarten teacher Willa is trapped in her car. Collin, a childhood neighbor and troublemaker, rescues her. The pair takes shelter in a barn for the night. Willa quickly comes to realize that everything she thought she knew about Collin was wrong. Collin has always believed that he was no better than his reputation, but Willa insists he’s so much more. He’s someone she wants.

I enjoyed Christine Rimmer’s pacing in this book. While mostly about Willa and Collin battling his opinions of himself, the backdrop if the flood clean-up keeps the story moving at a quick clip. This was the first book I’ve read by Christine Rimmer, but it definitely won’t be my last.

The Masters of Falcon’s Fantasies by Cassidy Browning

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

The Masters of Falcon's Fantasies (BDSM Menage Fantasies #2)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-BDSM Menage Fantasies #2
BDSM/Contemporary
274 pages
Reviewed by Kate

Clifftop Fantasies is a B&B that caters to the BDSM world. It is run by Allie, Karl and Brad who are in a polyamorous relationship. Daphne, a famous rock star known for her wildness, is staying at the B&B with her and and manager Finn while finishing her latest project. Finn has harbored feelings for Daphne for a long time now, but decides he must keep the relationship strictly professional. Daphne has wanted Finn, but when her advances go unreturned she acts out in order to get Finn’s attention.

Finn will do anything to curb Daphne’s self-destructive ways. So when he sees Decker (another B&B guest) has a calming influence on Daphne, he asks for advice. Decker lost his wife and slave a year ago in a car accident and has ignored his dominant side since then. He has come to the B&B to slowly get back into the lifestyle. When he sees Daphne, he knows she’s a submissive and just needs a strong Dom to bring her under control. But he can also see the feelings Finn and Daphne have for each other simmering under the surface. Choosing to ignore his attraction to Daphne, he starts teaching Finn new ways to deal with her.

But Daphne is attracted to Decker as well and after watching Allie with Karl and Brad, she’s pretty sure she knows what she wants. But will Decker and Finn be willing to try a poly relationship or will she drive both men away with her request?

Despite not having read the first book in the series, I didn’t have any problems understanding this one. I did find myself with lots of questions about Allie, Karl and Brad’s relationship though. I have added the first book to my TBR list, because I just have to know more about them.

Cassidy Browning is an author now on my radar. She has probably written some of the most realistic BDSM and polyamorous fiction that I’ve run across. The BDSM in this book isn’t used strictly for fun or sexual satisfaction. It’s also used as a means to rein in Daphne’s wild side and to help her grow as a person. I struggled with that a bit. Sometimes the problems that Finn, Daphne and Decker were dealing with were just too real for my escapism reading habits.

How about you? Do you read for realism or escapism?

This is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

This Is Who I Am (Masters of the Shadowlands, #7)
Grade: B
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Masters of the Shadowlands #7

Reviewed by Kate
369 pages


After being kidnapped by a human trafficking association specializing in sex slaves, Linda is determined to lead a “normal” life.  Even if that means ignoring the part of herself that is attracted to the BDSM lifestyle.  Sam, a sadist, had a brief interaction with Linda as he helped the FBI infiltrate the slave auction where Linda was rescued.  He knows she is a masochist and hasn’t been able to think of much else since he helped rescue her.  Unfortunately, her quest for normalcy leaves no room for Sam in her life.  But when Linda is threatened, Sam runs to the rescue.  Can he help her accept all the parts of herself, even the one that longs for a little pain?

 
So I know I have been gushing about Cherise Sinclair’s Masters of the Shadowlands series for a while now.  But I can’t help but continue to gush.  This book was soooooo good. The first thing you need to know is that this is an intense story as far as the BDSM goes.  (Nope, Kay, don’t even think about this one.)  Linda needs and likes pain with her sex, and Master Sam is more than willing to deliver.  But I absolutely love Master Sam-in fact my first note in the book is “Ahhh.  I love Master Sam.”  He is dealing with a nasty situation with his ex-wife that has left him unable to share his life and feelings with anyone.  But Linda definitely calls to him.  He wants to spend time with her, he can’t stop thinking of her, even though he’s just not sure how he can fit her in his life. 
 
Linda is an very strong woman.  She fights for every inch she has gained back in her life since her rescue.  She is sure of who she is, even if she wants to deny the masochistic part of herself.  The two of them together are just sigh-worthy.  This is a great conclusion to the Harvest Association plot that started back in book #5 (Make Me, Sir).  And I admit to giggling with glee a bit when the author brought up little things from past books, like the giant inflatable pool swan. Does anyone else remember the pool swan?
 
So all that gushing aside, I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the other books in this series.  While it could be considered a stand alone, I think it is best to read at least books 5, 6, and 7 in order.  If you haven’t yet read the first six books in this series, I highly recommend them.  Cherise Sinclair is one of my favorite voices in the BDSM genre.  I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for the next installment.