BDSM Reviews
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Roped By: Ann Jacobs
Title: Roped
Author: Ann Jacobs
Publisher: Elloras Cave2007
ISBN: 9781419912672
Rating: 4 out of 5
Book 1 in the Heart of the West series
This blurb was not written by BDSM Reviews
Returning from the war, his body wounded, his soul hurting, Jared faces a very different life. A sexual Dominant, doubts about his ability now to satisfy any submissive plague him.
Until Ninia. The face of an angel and the body of a centerfold, she's about as unsubmissive as any woman he's known. A nurse in the Cheyenne VA hospital where Jared is sent, Ninia is tough, in control. Until Jared catches her in an unguarded moment and see a vulnerable, softer side. It fires his blood with a need to find out more.
Accepting an invitation to a local dungeon, the sexual Dominant in Jared rears back to full potency when he sees Ninia, submissively awaiting his pleasure, his dominance. Now he knows what he wants. And he's about to prove to Ninia he's man enough to take it.
This story was a welcome change to what I've been reading lately. A Dominant who has an injury. Not just any injury he's missing the whole bottom half of his leg. It would certainly put a damper on my whip weilding expertise. For that, it gave this story heart. He's not just some perfect know it all trying to fumble his way through a lifestyle he doesn't understand. He's a man who has strong convictions of what he's supposed to be able to do and has to realize he's still the same man despite his handicap.
On more levels than one I sympathize with a story like this. Believe it or not, a vast majority of skilled Dominants have handicaps. Some are almost completely incapable of fulfilling their responsiblity to their submissive any longer. And some like Jared just have to learn how to work around a handicap to get their desired results. For some, something like that could be crippling, in more ways than one. It could have gone just that way for Jared had he not had nurse Ninia by his side.
Ninia is his care taker up until he has to leave the hospital to head home. She's a strong woman, and not just any strength. A submissive doesn't have to be mouthy to show how strong they are. A true submissive possesses an inner strength that mere words can not explain. They know when now is not a good time. They know when Master needs attending. They know and understand and accept that there are times when they have to step up and take control without feeling as through their nature has been compromised. She shows this, when instead of obeying a command she stops everything and tends to his needs first. She didn't do this out of disrespect or she's the boss. She did it to save him. It's this quiet strength that sets one submissive apart from another. In taking care of him, Ninia didn't feel as though her abilities as a submissive had been compromised, if anything she felt pride in the fact that she could offer her Master what he needed most, even during a time when he refused to admit it to himself.
I feel like Ms. Jacobs drew that line very well. She showed a side of BDSM that so many are afraid to explore. This endeared me to her characters. They came alive and danced off the page. It was exciting to watch the growth of both of them. This story I hope lays the foundation for future novelists of BDSM. There is so much more to a relationship to explore than simply bending her over a table and paddling her behind. Don't get me wrong, those stories are fun too. But, seeing a more serious, real side is equally precious. Thank you Ms. Jacobs, I look forward to more stories from you.
Title: A Filly For Doug
Author: Reese Gabriel
Publisher: Elloras Cave 2007"
ISBN: 9781419911804
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
BDSM Reviews did not write this blurb.
This book is the sequel to Roping His Filly.
Having lost his fiancée to Jake, Doug is reluctant to trust him but agrees to a blind date he has arranged. It is lust at first sight when Doug and Helaine meet.
She secretly desires a dominant man to take control in bed and teach her the pleasures of sexual submission. They end up in some hot and heavy bondage and Doug is ready to go to the next level, but Helaine has been burned before and fears turning over too much power to any man. Doug knows she needs just the right mixture of gentleness and domination. Helaine is the perfect filly, but Doug will have to find the cowboy spirit to rope her.
After reading through this book, I have to say that I think Reese Gabriel is an excellent writer of romance. If this book had stayed vanilla she would have had me hog tied and ready for more. As it stood this was supposed to be a book about a BDSM relationship and as hard as I tried, I couldn't relate. I'll get through the good stuff before I get to the bad.
For starters, the title had me salivating. I knew it was a long shot but I had visions of Pony Girls running around a farm. Like I said, a long shot. Either way, the title was quite intriguing. I really like the characters of Jake and Jilly. They were hot, honest and naughty. The way two characters should have been. I felt that Ms Gabrielle had a pretty good handle on the two of them and they behaved exactly as I would have pictured them. And did.... many... many... times. Through these two characters I was able to see that although she might not know the difference between sub and slave, she could certainly weild a story that was both believeable and hot.
Unfortantly, this sequal of the other two I found very hard to understand. I'm sure I'd have to read book one to understand how a man with Dominant fantasies allows a subbie girl to get away in the first place. I can't judge that though, because I don't recall reading book one. Therefore, I'm going back to what I know about book two.
Helaine doesn't seem very much into being a submissive. She might be able to play the role, but something about her character just didn't ring as a true submissive. More like kinky playtime than someone who wanted to do something because the other one enjoyed it. It was just out of character and I found it hard to get into her head because I felt like she was not being herself.
Doug just didn't make any sense to me at all. His need to be a Dominant seemed to come out of nowhere. Kinky sex was never even in the picture for him. I have this image of him sitting around watching CNN and it striking him that he wants to tie up women. Again his Dominance just wasn't there. I felt like he was put into the wrong book. There was a need for another BDSM tale, when in truth Jake and Jilly would have held onto that just fine, leaving him open to explore his more romantic vanilla side. Had that been the case, these two would have been a dynamite couple. It would have even been nice to see that in the BDSM world, lifestylers, do in fact hang out with vanilla couples.
I don't want to write a long review that isn't a good one. Unfortunatly the only wonderful part I found in this book was the continuing relationship between Jake and Jilly. Doug and Helane might have enjoyed playing roles, but neither of them are remotly serious about exploring a Dominant and submissive relationship.
Title: On Your Knees
Author: Brynn Paulin
Publisher: Elloras Cave 2007
ISBN:9781419912450
Rating: 5 out of 5
BDSM Reviews did not write this blurb
When Jessica is invited to a sex toy party at Pleasure Palace, she never dreams she'll receive a one-on-one demonstration from her own personal dungeon master who demands nothing less than her complete submission. Jessica has never submitted to anyone and as aroused as the idea makes her, she can't easily give over her control to this stranger.
The dungeon master isn't exactly a stranger. He's her boss. Ryan is shocked to learn Jessica plans to visit Pleasure Palace and he's not about to let the opportunity pass him by. For years, he's hidden his BDSM lifestyle and his attraction to her. Now wearing the mask of the dungeon master, he will reveal both as he introduces Jessica to the delights of his domination. Before the end of the evening, he plans to have her on her knees.and his forever.
So how do I describe this book? 96 pages of pure sexual fantasy? Well it wasn't exactly 96 pages, there's the title page, author notes... 93 pages? Whatever it was, it was damned hot. These two burned off the pages and need a fire extinguisher to get them off each other. Alright, enough cliche statements for one lifetime. I really, really liked this book.
From the first moment Ryan says "Jessica." in that quiet Dominanting voice, that refuses to except argument he had me quaking in my lacy underwear. By the time he actually punctuates "On. Your. Knees" I was lost. Frankly, I don't remember much after that point, I was up to my boots in naughty behavoir. He was hot, demanding, caring, kind, sweet, romantic, funny, delicious.
As for her??? I loved Jessica, I wanted to be her. Scared to death she follows through with it anyway. I enjoyed her fear because it was real. Two strange guys getting you off and you have no idea what's going to happen next... well it might sound enticing but not knowing what to expect can be a bit daunting in real life. She finally goes through with it and doesn't regret one single second of it. Her limits are pushed, but not in a way that would seem wrong. It's his job to push her limits and it's her job to find out how far she's willing to go. Both of these characters were very well written.
I appreciate Brynn's perspective on things. I always enjoy exploring new characters as long as they are real and the author stays true to them. It shows from page one and if they stay with them, it carries onto the very end of this book. I loved every minute of this and made sure I had time to read it in one sitting. I would have been very disappointed if I had been distracted. Thank you Brynn, this was a pleasure.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Dare to Dominate By: Claire Thompson
Title: Dare To Dominate
Author: Claire Thompson
Publisher: Elloras Cave
ISBN:9781419910586
Rating: 2 out of 5
Jonathan Goldman's sexual fantasies are colored with dominant dreams of enslavement and control. As a liberated man who admires and adores women, his fantasies leave him feeling ashamed.
Laurel Jordan is a free spirit. She joyfully embraces her sexually submissive nature, understanding the road to true liberation lies not in upholding society's rigid mores and expectations but in being true to oneself. Yet Laurel has a secret too. Though ready for adventure, she keeps her heart carefully concealed. No man has ever penetrated the carefree, casual attitude she wears around herself like a shield.
When this unlikely pair meets, the sparks fly. Jonathan is forced to confront and come to terms with his dominant sexual impulses. Laurel finds her careful façade being cracked by the only man ever to get close enough to break her heart. As Jonathan and Laurel move from casual BDSM play to a more serious D/s relationship, each is forced to decide if this is merely a game or a way of life and ultimately, of love.
If I had to sum up how I felt about this book as a whole I'd have to say I'm frustrated to no end. I know it's not a good way to start a book review. But, it can't be helped. An author with such obvious talent, I had hoped to see something better done with it. Through out her book, Claire Thompson constantly tells us the rules of play. Through dialogue she shows that she is a great teacher. Yet, through her characters actions she shows time and time again, that neither of them understand one thing they are doing. So, yes, I'm sorry, this review is going to sound a bit agro to the end.
What I liked about Ms. Thompson's writing is that she has this strange ability to make her characters actually speak. I could see that they would say this or that. Her dialogue is smooth and natural. Any writer would drool to have the opportunity to do what she seems to do so easily. I liked the fact that I couldn't name anything that I"d cut out of the book. It was long, it seemed for the most part real. There was real heart ache, real break ups, real scenes. This is a talent that is something that a person doesn't just obtain, you either have it or you don't. And here, she has it.
What went wrong for me was the contradictions throughout this book. The lack of communication between partners, something so essential to the most vanilla of relationships, yet a relationship built upon a power exchange couldn't have been afforded the same respect. The lack of safeword, because he'll just know when she's had enough, made me grind my teeth in utter frustration. You've signed your own death ticket as far as I'm concerned. Then, when there is an injury, we still don't see the couple sit down and discuss safe words. Worse yet, I don't feel the guy even practiced before he broke out the whip.I could have understood these mess ups IF and only IF two things had happened. One, neither person in the relationship really had any idea of BDSM and two both were growing, learning and improving. Of which I feel as though none of those things occured.
To top off my frustrated state I had to hear how a Domme, who had two full time slaves in her home was at Laurel's BDSM Club and was described as playing the part well and dressing the part to perfection. At that point I threw the book across the room and didn't pick it up again for two more days. I'd like to meet the Domme who appreciates her full time lifestyle being compared to someone just playing the part. This isn't halloween. This is a life for many. Day in and day out, they are who they are and would never appreciate being told they played the part well. And then as if I wasn't annoyed enough I got to read over and over again a sub being called a slave, a slave being called a sub. The two could not be more different than each other.
I'm sure there is more that I could name, but, it's been a long time since I've read a book by an author who frustrated me this much. More so because according to her dialogue in the story, I felt she at least understood what she was writing. So then I have to ask myself, do I blame the author or the editor? Who do you get mad at most? THe person who wrote the story without fully researching or the editor who didn't know it wasn't right in the first place. If for no other reason it forces me to get my bum in gear and update my website. I hope things have changed since this story has been written. I truly believe that growth can happen at any stage, a more researched story could have produced a better ending for all.
Title: Tied and Tempting
Author: Maggie Casper
Publisher: Elloras Cave 2007
ISBN: 9781419913297
Rating: 3 out of 5
Nash Jameson wasn't at all sure Mira Collins would show up and if she did, would it lead anywhere? Dominant by nature, he'd been attracted to Mira's submissiveness since the day they'd met. Would she follow him down a road of desire that could very possibly lead her into a lifestyle most only fantasize about?
Going to a costume party at a local BDSM club in order to seduce the man of her dreams might not be the norm but it was exactly what she had planned. Being tied and spanked however, was not in her plans and yet felt like icing on the cake of a night overwhelmed by new sexual experiences and an awareness of herself unlike any Mira had ever known.
There's a lot to be said for reading short BDSM pieces. For one you can get to the heart of the matter without chapter upon chapter of backstory. On the other hand you can really miss seeing the budding of a new relationship right from the start. It's sorta how I feel about this story. On the one hand I enjoy Boss/subordinate stories. Their hot and a bit naughty. In this case it made it easy not to have to go through long chapters of how it all began. On the other this story seems based on alot of trust. And that trust seems to be spent alot in the bedroom. I'm just not one to believe trust can be built in the bedroom. Not with BDSM anyway.
I enjoyed that Mira wasn't all wet and needy at the sight of the whipping. I loved and still believe the best scene in the whole book was the masterbation scene. Mira has a need that she doesn't really understand, but doesn't mind exploring. I think alot of women can fit into that catagory. She also had a moment where she was completely humiliated and wanted to leave. She'd humiliated herself. Shown her true colors. For that, she needed to get away find a way to hide herself.
Thankfully though, Nash wouldn't allow such drama to affect that only possible night he would get with Mira. He's sexy, demanding, but not a domineering ass like some can come across. He's sure about what he wants and even though he's scared to death of getting it, he isn't one to let a good thing pass. The scenes we see that transpire between him and Mira were on target. They followed protocol, but, it was a bit difficult for me to truly see what was going on. I felt the author spent a good bit of time visualizing and not enough time finding a way to sum it up. In the world of BDSM writing, I'm a firm believer that less is more. The scenes would have been explosive had she followed that rule of thumb.
I liked Nash as a dominant. I felt his heart was truly into it and that Mira was at least at first along for the ride. She soon had a change of heart and whole heartedlly threw herself into her position. It's up in the air if I see the relationship still moving forward or not. It's hard to tell when I feel like we'd just scratched the surface. At the end I truly felt like it was more of a one night stand than forever. But, who knows, maybe that's how all new relationships start.
Either way, I'll say that all in all I enjoyed reading this story. I read it one sitting and didn't put it down even once. She's an author that I'd like to see more from. I feel she has the basic concepts of this lifestyle down and with a little more writing she could have much to offer the BDSM genre.
Title: Speed Dating
Author: Yvette Hines
Publisher: Phaze
ISBN: 1-59426-903-3
Rating: 5 out of 5
Jenna Taylor a legal secretary is in love with her deliveryman, Malcolm Douglas. Apprehensive about how to go about getting him to notice her, she begins to order packages daily in an attempt to force his hand. However, three months into the delivery scheme she discovers Malcolm has not caught on and believes she owns a home business. Dejected, Jenna follows the advice of her friend, a Dominatrix, attends a Valentine’s Day speed-dating event and embarks on a clandestine adventure she’ll never forget. When she meets L’entraîneur (The Trainer) he shows her a completely new side of herself.
What sets ok sex apart from one hell of a good time sex? A masked man that you don't know. Ok so I'm a total sucker for sex with a stranger. Which means I seriously need to update my resume. Especially if L'entraineur is taking applications. Ok, so Yvette almost lost points for making me read french, however, she had me panting before her conversation was over at the speed dating event and I was too hooked to care. He's everything you'd dream of in a masked Dominant. If I had to sum him up in one word, I'd say.... suave. He spoke smoothly, he stayed in control, he moved like a leopard and she had no idea what she was in for, yet loved every second of it. It's what a fantasy should be made of.
I loved how, when Jenna first entered the coffee shop she was totally thrown by what she saw. Then when the event started and she had to look up terms in her book, I couldn't help but laugh. I wouldv'e done the same thing. Then when Mr. Suave showed up and said he just liked "talking", of course Jenna was so engrossed in the activity she had no idea what "talking" meant. I just about fell off the couch laughing. It was just too cute. I love any author who has a sense of humor. Thanks for making me laugh so hard.
And so begins their night together. Not just once, but again two nights later. He doesn't push her too far, which I love. It can be rather daunting to a girl when she gets her first taste of BDSM and the guy is all too eager to try out his new lasso and electrodes. No, he gives her simple commands that she has the choice to be able to follow or not to follow. In this day and age though, when women are taught that submitting to a man is wrong and tasteless, she of course becomes frightened. That and the fact that she loses her mask. It's amazing how far we're willing to go when no one knows who we are.
I'm not sure what happens after the end, but whatever it is I'll be hot for these two for a very long time. Thank you Yvette for entertaining me. I had a wonderful evening thanks to you.
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Name::Miranda Heart
From::United States
THere are several that run various sites, so just ask one of those folks about themselves. :)
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Name::Miranda Heart
From::United States
THere are several that run various sites, so just ask one of those folks about themselves. :)
View my complete profile
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