Sunday, July 29, 2007
Taking the Job by Cheyenne McCray
Reviewed by Elise Logan
Title: Taking the Job
Author:
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
ISBN: 9791419909870
Genre: BDSM erotic fiction, e-book
Publication Date: June 2007
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
This offering in the Taboo series takes a look at a very common fantasy – office sex. Cheyenne McCray’s version begins with Elsie in an interview with John. The job interview is usurped by the sexual dynamic, and they end up exploring a Dom/sub relationship in this story.
The strongest element of this story is the author’s ability to write a steaming hot scene. This is a good thing, because the vast majority of the story is sexual. There is very little non-sexual interaction between the characters within the scope of the story, so the explosive chemistry is paramount. Elsie and John have an intense attraction, and John is willing to help her fulfill a fantasy about multiple partners, which makes for some hot reading, indeed.
I have some difficulties, however, with a number of the BDSM elements of this story. The Dom’s behavior reads to me like a vanilla alpha male trying to be a Dom, so the scenes lack realism. As an example, they jump into the first scene in his office, without any conception of what each others requirements or limits might be, and with no safe word in place in case one of those undiscussed limits is reached. However, as this is a fictionalization, and a fantasy, overlooking some non-romantic nuts and bolts doesn’t seem too problematic. In another case, however, John lets her get away with blatant and obvious impertinence – her ordering him to do something – with no punishment at all. That sort of allowance really drops me out of a scene, leaving me feeling let down.
This is a good fantasy piece. Unfortunately, the heat can only take the story so far, and the lack of realism and relationship-building hamper what is otherwise a fun read.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Opinions Please!Let me know what you all think of the new blog!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Full Ride by Gail Faulkner
Reviewed by Elise Logan
Title: Full Ride
Authors: Gail Faulkner
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
ISBN: 1-4199-0129-X
Genre: BDSM erotic fiction
Publication Date: 2005
Rating: 5 of 5
Oh, what a beautiful beginning. I can’t tell you how fabulous I found the first scenes of this book. The author jumps right into a scene, and it’s a beauty. I found the tone just right, the Dom just harsh enough to be exciting – very exciting – without becoming a callous jerk. And our sub is right on the money. But, wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Our sub, Prin, is widowed. She had shut down the submissive part of her life at her husband’s death, convinced that part of her sexuality had died with him. Now, four years later, her submissive nature has been aching to get some satisfaction. Her friend Dave sets up a scene with a Dom he knows (Gray, but you don’t find that out until later). The rules are simple. No names, no personal information, no contact after the encounter. The guidelines for the scene are set out in advance in a contract for which Dave acts as go-between. Dave is Prin’s safety net – he knows where she is, who she’s seeing. This is one of the aspects of BDSM play that often gets overlooked, but it is incorporated beautifully and naturally here.
Now, back to the story. Prin has been out of the game for four years, so while she knows the way it’s supposed to go, she’s out of practice. Truth be told, her husband hadn’t really pushed the domination envelope with her. But Gray certainly does. In the first 75 pages of the book (their arranged night together), he puts her through her paces beautifully. Prin finds that moment, that one shining moment of realization where she surrenders to the will of her Dom. That moment is written with clarity and truth in a way that resonates with the reader.
Sadly, that night has to end, and the two of them have to re-enter the real world. In the real world, Prin has some major things going on in her life. Her issues are such that she doesn’t feel it is appropriate or desirable to enter into any kind of relationship right now. But Gray isn’t taking no for an answer. He knows what they have is special, and he doesn’t want to let it go. The rest of the story, from the time they leave the hotel room on that first morning after, through the end, is much more romantic (which is not to say that it isn’t hot and sexy, too).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, I loved the scenes, I enjoyed the intense start followed by the more traditionally romantic relationship building. Overall, an excellent read.
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Name::Miranda Heart
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