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July 14th, 2012
 Goddess in the Middle by Stephanie Julian
Series: Forgotten Goddesses, Book 3
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Casablanca
Genre: Paranormal, Erotic Romance, Menage, M/F/M
Lenght: 320 pages
Summary:
TOGETHER. THEY CREATE THE MOST POWERFUL MAGIC OF ALL …
Romulus and Remus are sexy werewolf cousins with an unbreakable bond. When they meet beautiful goddess Amity and save her from an encroaching demon, they discover that the three of them together are way more powerful than any of them could ever have imagined. And they’re going to need that power to overcome the forces that are determined to steal Amity’s magic and destroy the two men. As different as night and day, and each an amazing man in his own right, Rom and Remy make all of Amity’s deepest fantasies come true …
Jae’s Review:
 Goddess in the Middle by Stephanie Julian is a very cute story. The romance between Romulus, Remus, and Amity is tumultuous from the very start. You want to find out how they get to their happily-ever-after. The otherworldly aspects were fascinating and engaging. I liked the balance of old power and new; the interplay of past, present, and future.
I feel as if I’ll give away too many aspects by saying much about this book. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. The copy that I reviewed was a pre-release copy, which had quite a few errors in it, but I’m sure they will have corrected those before the book is sold, so you shouldn’t encounter any of them. Overall, Goddess in the Middle is a solid, enjoyable read. I haven’t read the first two books in the series yet, but I’m certainly interested in seeing what I’ve missed.
Rated 3 1/2 Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 3 1/2 divas, Erotic, Goddess in the Middle, Jae, m/f/m, menage, Paranormal, Sourcebooks, Stephanie Julian | No Comments »
June 19th, 2012
 Cirque du Minuit by Annabel Joseph
Publisher: Scarlet Rose Books
Genre: BDSM, Erotic, Romance
Length: 220 pages
Summary:
It’s no easy feat transitioning from the disciplined arena of competitive gymnastics to the artistic whirl of the Cirque du Monde. Kelsey Martin finds secret inspiration in Theo Zamora, a dark, taciturn trapezist–until his partner dies in a tragic accident and he decides to leave the circus for good.
Theo doesn’t understand why Kelsey reaches out to him, only that she compels him with her unique combination of innocence and recklessness. Before long the two are collaborating on an aerial silks act for a new production, the Cirque du Minuit. Theo’s impatience with Kelsey’s naivete is matched only by his passion for her, and the two soon become embroiled in a tempestuous, consuming romance.
But some still blame Theo for his partner’s accident, and danger wraps up the two performers as inevitably as the scarlet silk of their act. Theo and Kelsey must find a way to connect and trust one another as he leads her deeper and deeper into a dangerous world of control and desire.
Publisher’s Note: This erotic romance novel is approximately 70K words and contains sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, m/f/m menage, BDSM scenes, power exchange themes, and swinging/partner sharing.
Jae’s Review:
Annabel Joseph’s Cirque du Minuit is a must read book. Outstanding writing, tremendously engaging plot, characters that bounce off the page and into reality; it has it all and then some.
Theo is a fascinating hero—most certainly un-hero-like at first. I wasn’t sure what to make of him or Kelsey’s fascination with him. The intensity of interaction, the emotional dynamics of both main characters and the setting make Cirque du Minuit a delight to the senses. One intriguing part to me was that, seemingly with the tiniest brushstrokes to the dialogue and surround scene, Theo actually sounds French. It appears to be without effort that Ms. Joseph has written this character in a way that if feels as if I can hear Theo speak with his accent. These slight touches make the overall effect one of perfection here. The secondary characters play a big role in moving this story forward as well. I would certainly love to revisit this world again with another story.
Cirque du Minuit is incredibly intense at times, but the resolution is so much better for this intensity. Not one single BDSM scene (or any other scene for that matter) feels gratuitous or staged. It’s all necessary to draw this story to its fabulous conclusion.
Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Jae!
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Posted in 5 Divas, Annabel Joseph, BDSM, Cirque du Minuit, Erotic, Jae, Recommended Read, Scarlet Rose Press | No Comments »
May 3rd, 2012
 Taking on Tabytha by Reese Gabriel
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary,BDSM
Length: Novella
Summary:
Book 2 in the Tall, Dark and Dominant series.
Tabytha Quillen is used to having the last word, both in the bedroom and in her sassy column, “Tabytha Takes On”. Self-described sexual dominant and a trainer of submissive females, Harlan Blake is exactly the kind of target she lives for. A quick interview over coffee ought to be all it takes to make mincemeat of the man and his ideas, but when he turns out to be handsome as sin and as quick on his feet as she is, all bets are off.
Tabytha can hardly get a word in or a breath out. Is she a subconscious submissive? Harlan intends to find out by inviting her to his BDSM club for a little innocent entertainment. Tabytha knows she’s playing with fire but surely she can keep the upper hand with Harlan for a single night? It’s the ultimate cat-and-mouse, and fate may have a surprise for both of them in the form of a passion far deeper than mere sex.
Jae’s Review:
Fun and sexy. That’s the best way to describe a Reese Gabriel books, and Taking on Tabytha is no exception. Fun and sexy.
The heroine, Tabytha, is a sassy spit-fire who always has a ready comeback. And, you guessed it, in Harlan she’s met her match. The journey from sassy to submissive is a delight to watch. Each page leaves you smiling as you witness the evolution of their relationship. And I loved how Reese Gabriel took both characters on an emotional journey. This isn’t just a tale of Tabytha’s transformation. Harlan is unwittingly transformed in his own right.
Again, a fun and sexy read that has me checking to see if Reese Gabriel has any additional books available.
Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 1/2 Divas, BDSM, contemporary, ellora's cave, Erotic, Jae, Reese Gabriel, Taking on Tabytha | No Comments »
May 3rd, 2012
 To Command and Collar by Cherise Sinclair
Series: Master of the Shadowlands 6
Publisher: Loose-ID
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Length: 237 pages
Summary:
Determined to find the human traffickers preying on Shadowlands’ submissives, Master Raoul gets himself invited to a small slave auction. Once informed, the FBI orders him to reject the limited choices so the slavers will invite him to the big auction. To Raoul’s shock, one of the slaves is the kidnapped friend of a Shadowlands sub. She has a scarred body…and an unbroken spirit. He can’t leave her behind. Ruining the FBI’s carefully laid plans, he buys her.
Kimberly’s freedom has come at a devastating price: the other women are still slaves. An FBI raid is their only hope for rescue. Desperate to help the Feds locate the big auction, she agrees to pose as Master Raoul’s slave. Wearing a collar again is terrifying, but under the powerful dominant’s care, Kim starts to heal and then to blossom. This is what she’s been drawn to—and fled from—her entire life.
She escaped the slavers who captured her body—can she escape the master who’s captured her heart?
Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play, BDSM theme and elements (including/not limited to: bondage, fire play, flogging), violence.
Jae’s Review:
To Collar and Command by Cherise Sinclair is the sixth book in her Master of the Shadowlands series, and it doesn’t disappoint. The story is engrossing from page one, and keeps the tension ratcheted high throughout.
The characters are so well-written that you feel as if you know them, which I’m not completely sure is a good thing with all the trauma that’s you have to go through with them, because your heart breaks as you witness the events unfold.
As usual, though, the ending is worth the anxiety, and I can’t wait to see where Ms. Sinclair will take her readers in book seven of this series. If you haven’t visited the Shadowlands, it may well be time to start your journey.
Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 Divas, BDSM, Cherise Sinclair, contemporary, Erotic, Jae, Loose Id, To Command and Collar | No Comments »
January 12th, 2012
 Odalisque by Annabel Joseph
Publisher: Scarlet Rose Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary,BDSM
Length: novel
Summary:
Kai Chandler has it all. A thriving tech business, movie star friends, and a mansion in the Malibu hills. But he’s lonely, nursing a broken heart and reeling from a shocking breach of trust. Then a friend tells him about a secret chateau outside Paris where they train women in the erotic traditions of the Code d’Odalisque. For a million a year, Kai can choose a sexual servant to use at will, a woman thoroughly trained in the pleasuring of men.
Kai makes the trip and, in the course of touring the facility, meets Constance, a shy and strangely quiet odalisque. He decides to acquire the beautiful woman and bring her to his home. Constance and Kai delight in their voyage of erotic exploration as he plays undisputed Master to her slave. But soon they find themselves forming an increasingly emotional connection, with the end of Constance’s term of service looming over their heads. Jealousy, fear, regret and longing threaten to tear the lovers apart, and they must choose between the safety of the Code and the risk of true love and trust.
Publisher’s Note: This book contains sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, m/f/m menage, group sex, BDSM scenes, power exchange themes, and swinging/partner swapping.
Jae’s Review:
Wow. And … wow. Odalisque by Annabel Joseph wins my Best Book of 2011 vote hands down and without question.
I’m a huge fan of Annabel Joseph’s writing, as some of you probably already know, but in this book Ms. Joseph has surpassed herself in quality of storyline, character development, character interaction, dialogue, narrative, sex scenes, emotional scenes, psychological development, world building… you name it and it is a stand out marker of a truly fantastic story. I may even have to buy this one in print!
This is the third book in her Comfort series. Each book stands on its own, but there are recurring characters, so you’ll likely be enticed to read books one and two, Comfort Object and Caressa’s Knees. But if you want to read this one first, I highly recommend going for it. I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed in this story on any level.
The passion between the characters builds slowly as we get to know them. The scenes are brilliantly crafted so that I felt as if I were in the room voyeuristically watching all the goings on. When I love an author’s scene setting (world building or whatever else you want to call it), when it feels incredibly lifelike, I have likened it to watching the events in Technicolor… I can’t say that here because it’s better than that; there is no pesky TV screen to get in my way of these scenes. I became a part of this story. I was there with the characters. I wasn’t just watching; I was attending their parties as the proverbial fly on the wall. Thank goodness for a terrifically well-balanced and satisfying ending or I would truly miss interacting Kai and Constance.
I wish there was some way to give this story many more than a five diva rating; and a recommended read seems so inadequate to express the power of the writing I found within the pages of this story. But I’ve given it the best of the best, and I’ll have to know that my review should convey my feelings about Odalisque.
I understand that Mason’s story is next in the Comfort series, and I can’t think of a better way to wrap up the series. I don’t know where Annabel Joseph will take us on that journey, but I know I want to go along for the ride.
Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Jae!
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Posted in 5 Divas, Annabel Joseph, BDSM, contemporary, Erotic, Jae, Odalisque, Recommended Read, Scarlet Rose Press | 1 Comment »
January 11th, 2012
 Blushing Violet by Ann Mayburn
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Length: 117 pages
Summary:
Shy and quirky Violet Bishop has finally found the perfect way to meet a man who can fulfill her hidden submissive desires—an online dating site that matches couples based on books they love. In this case, the BDSM erotica that fuels her fire.
Two Dom best friends and business partners, Carlos Romano and Morgan Kane, are matched with Violet. They both want to date her and, rather than fight, decide to keep the fact they know each other a secret and let her choose. A good idea in theory, but impossible when they both fall in love and wish to make Violet their own.
The men build up Violet’s almost nonexistent self-esteem and help her find strength she never knew she had, along with an almost bottomless craving for their dominant touch. When Violet discovers they’ve been less than truthful, the men realize they’ve helped her become stronger than even they knew—strong enough to leave them. Now Morgan and Carlos must find a way to win their perfect woman back, no matter what.
Jae’s Review:
Blushing Violet is a fun story with an intense storyline. I’m not sure that makes much sense, but it’s true, nevertheless. The characters are enjoyable, they seem like everyday people and, as a reader, you can connect with them almost instantly. The scenes are intense and dramatic, but the characters never lose that enjoyable quality. The drama is there throughout, making you wonder what will happen next between these three. Yes, there were times when I wanted to scream at Carlos and Morgan to reveal their deception already! But at the same time, Ann Mayburn’s character development was so complete, that I could understand why each character, for their very own and valid reasons, didn’t want to do that.
The sexual scenes were varied and diverse. There wasn’t any duplication between the two sets of lovers (Violet/Carlos and Violet/Morgan). They were all very unique. Carlos and Morgan were very different, and the fun part of that was how different Violet acted…how different emotions registered and different attitudes were highlighted…when she was with each of these men. That made Blushing Violet even more enjoyable to read.
Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 Divas, Ann Mayburn, BDSM, Blushing Violet, contemporary, ellora's cave, Erotic, Jae | No Comments »
January 10th, 2012
 Bind Me by Stacey Kennedy
Series: Pact of Seduction Book One
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary,BDSM
Length: Novella
Summary:
Four best friends embrace their fantasies and make a pact of seduction to live out their deepest and darkest desires. The women place their lives in the hands of fate and one short straw declares Marley will be the first to awaken her secret wishes.
Reed, a Dom at sex club Castle Dolce Vita, has lived the BDSM lifestyle for awhile, but has yet to find a submissive that suits him. That is until he meets Marley, a woman seeking to indulge her fantasies.
As Reed guides her through a night of pleasure, Marley brings more to him than a perfect submissive–she stirs emotions in him long ago lost. By binding Marley, he runs up against his own limits, and now he has to choose between his self-protective barriers or surrendering to the wildfire Marley has reignited in his heart.
Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and elements, including spanking.deeper than mere sex.
Jae’s Review:
Bind Me is the first in a new series of books by Stacey Kennedy. The Pact of Seduction series centers around four friends that decide to dare each other to go after their ultimate fantasies. In Bind Me, Marley drew the short straw and has to attempt to live out her biggest sexual fantasy.
The planets align and luck shines on Marley as she finds Reed, the perfect Dom to help her on her way. Darling Reed never knew what hit him. He has his own issues to be sure, but do those stand a chance against this new submissive that could be everything he never understood he wanted in a submissive?
The sexual and sensual scenes are great. The dialog between the characters really keeps the story flowing. And the character development is definitely there. I fell in love with all the characters as the story progressed and I can’t wait to meet up with them again in Book two of Stacey Kennedy’s Pact of Seduction series.
Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 1/2 Divas, BDSM, Bind Me, contemporary, Erotic, Jae, Loose Id, Stacey Kennedy | No Comments »
January 10th, 2012
 Mission Statement by Catherine Gardiene
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, BDSM
Length: Novel Plus
Summary:
Vicki Simpson’s life is crumbling around her, so why not escape to Aruba for a little soul searching? Armed with a personal “Mission Statement” to fill up her life with great sex, she hopes to turn her life in a new direction. She never expected to fall for a man like Michael, a man who pushes her buttons as much as he pushes her limits.
Michael Collins has everything under control, especially the women he chooses to dominate at Club Marquis. But relationships start and end at the club door, which is precisely how he wants it…until he meets Vicki. Drawn by Vicki’s vulnerability, he can’t stay away. Her body responds passionately, but she keeps her heart and mind closed to him. If she can’t embrace the submissive he senses inside her, though, his need to control her will eventually drive them apart.
Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and elements.
Please be aware that our BDSM titles may include scenes of bondage, spanking, and other elements practiced within a BDSM lifestyle.
Jae’s Review:
Catherine Gardiene has started with an interesting premise for a story. For a while during the first part of Mission Statement, I thought the entire bulk of the plot was going to take place while Vicki was on her soul searching expedition in Aruba. That couldn’t be further from the truth. This is not a ‘she went away for holiday, had hot sex, fell in love with Mr Hunky, and they fly off into the sunset living happily ever after’ kind of story… nope, not here. So if that’s what you’re looking for, definitely look somewhere else. This story has depth, personality, true soul searching, life changing events, relationship issues, emotional wounds, and it all comes together to a satisfying, and ultimately very believable, happy ending.
The sexual and sensual scenes are very well done and draw the story forward each step of the way. The emotional events have you wanting to know what will happen next with each character. Even though Michael is very mysterious throughout the first part of the story, his character is quite well developed and you really feel the emotions that go through him in each scene. Vicki’s personality changes dramatically as she works through her emotional responses to various situations. It’s a pleasure to see her growth.
I’ve read quite a few new-to-me authors in the last few weeks, and Catherine Gardiene is definitely one to keep a look out for. I’ll be very interested to see what she releases next.
Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 Divas, BDSM, Catherine Gardiene, contemporary, Erotic, Jae, Loose Id, Mission Statement | 1 Comment »
January 9th, 2012
 Power Play by Eliza Gayle
Publisher: Loose-ID
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Length: 143 pages
Summary:
She wants the escape. He wants control. They both need love.
Jennifer Croft is at the peak of her career. As a bondage model at Altered Ego she’s become the crème de la crème of the fetish world, ensuring herself a top spot in her profession. The world is her oyster. Her personal life, on the other hand… It’s not pretty. Only her fascination with pain play keeps the ghosts of her past at bay.
After tragedy sends Daegan McKenna to the South for a much needed change of pace, the last thing he expects to find is a closet submissive hiding in plain sight. She’s hot-tempered and in denial — a heady combination that brings out the dominant looking for a challenge. He’s already loved and lost more than one man should, but the haunted look in her eyes prompts him to make her an offer: he’ll indulge her darkest fantasies, if she’ll agree to give up control. Then he’ll let her go.
Unfortunately the past never stays in the past and old insecurities cause complications neither of them wanted. Soon temporary power play is not enough.
Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable:anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements (including/not limited to bondage, exhibitionism, flogging, spanking, voyeurism).
Jae’s Review:
Eliza Gayle has done it again. Power Play is an intense, action-packed, emotion-filled, never-know-what’s-going-to-happen-next, fun-filled ride from beginning to end. All the hallmarks of a good Eliza Gayle story are here; great narrative, well-developed characters, fun and sassy BDSM scenes.
The emotional depth of Jennifer and Daegan is magnificent. And I thought the way Ms Gayle drew out the reveal on Jennifer’s core issues really added to the overall depth of character development. We wanted to know what had happened to her to make her act the way she was acting, but at the same time we were getting to know her as she is now… as she interacts with Daegan now… and as Daegan changes how she views herself and relationships as their journey moves forward.
Power Play is a great second story in the Pleasure Playground series. I definitely hope there will be more in this series… and soon.
Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 5 Divas, BDSM, contemporary, Eliza Gayle, Erotic, Jae, Loose Id, Power Play, Recommended Read | No Comments »
January 9th, 2012
 Tied & Twisted by Emily Ryan-Davis
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, BDSM
Length: 81 pages
Summary:
Alarm specialist David has neither room nor desire for complications with his sex. But complication is exactly what he gets when he discovers his newest submissive plaything and his newest client are the same person. And they’re both being threatened by an enemy he can’t identify.
Complications aren’t exactly among Jovanna’s favorite things either. She’s looking for escape, not love, during her visits to a local BDSM club. She didn’t anticipate David Burke would be the man behind the best flogging of her life…or that her past would rear its ugly head and threaten to end her life just as she begins to enjoy it again.
Jae’s Review:
I have never read a book by Emily Ryan-Davis, but I can guarantee this won’t be the last. Tied and Twisted is an excellent story with vivid scenes and loveable characters that kept me interested for the entire 81 pages.
As the blurb hints, complications are the name of the game for these characters. Or more importantly, they both find the promise of the lack of complication important. As you could guess, by the time Ms Ryan-Davis is done with these characters they have encountered their fair share of complications…and come out for the better.
The writing is engaging and the plot feels fresh and new. The characters are likeable and the scenes keep you interested the whole way through. I’ll surely be on the look-out for more by this author in the future.
Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 Divas, BDSM, contemporary, ellora's cave, Emily Ryan-Davis, Erotic, Jae, Tied & Twisted | No Comments »
January 8th, 2012
 Secretary for Two by Sindra van Yssel
Publisher: Loose-Id
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Menage a Trois
Length: Short Novel
Summary:
Executive assistant Nicole Kerrigan has been in love with her boss, idealistic genius Austin Summers, since she first saw him. She has no idea he’s fallen for her just as hard. Or that when Austin needs to be two places at once, his identical twin brother Tony steps into help. Tony’s a hardboiled private eye who doesn’t have qualms about sleeping with his secretary — or his brother’s — and makes the move on Nicole that Austin didn’t dare make. But when a hit man tries to take out Austin, she rushes to his side, and deception gets piled on top of deception.
Now Nicole is torn between two very different men who happen to look exactly the same. Can the three of them unravel the half-truths they’ve told, and can a woman serve two masters? Nicole is about to find out.
Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and content, menage (m/f/m).
Jae’s Review:
What a delightful story of twin’s switching places. Secretary for Two by Sindra van Yssel takes you on a fun-filled ride from start of finish. Austin and Tony are so alike but so very different; both possessing a passion, but only one willing to share it with Nicole to a large degree.
I didn’t expect many of the dramatic elements as they came to light, which left me on the edge of my seat from time to time, wondering what would happen next for our characters; how they would get out of their current predicament. The sexual and sensual scenes are absolutely as powerful as readers would expect from Sindra van Yssel. Definitely smoking hot and intense.
The ending was lovely and rounded out the story perfectly. I would certainly recommend Sindra van Yssel’s Secretary for Two.
Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 Divas, BDSM, contemporary, Erotic, Jae, Loose Id, menage, Secretary for Two, Sindra van Yssel | No Comments »
January 8th, 2012
 Invitation to Ecstasy by Nina Pierce
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Length: 83 pages
Summary:
A woman unwilling to trust… Sara Lancaster isn’t sure accepting her invitation to a BDSM weekend at XTC Resort is a good idea—though she does have something to prove. Years of abuse at the hand of her former Master have taken their toll. Now, two years later, Sara believes she’s ready to embrace her submissive side once again and enjoy the carnal pleasures of a younger Dom.
A man testing his limits… Derek Thomas has lost belief in his abilities as a Master. Accepting an invitation for Dom training could be exactly what he needs to regain his self-confidence. Challenged with an experienced older woman, he soon realizes wielding a flogger isn’t always enough to break down the emotional walls and heal a damaged submissive.
Two people with something to prove… Sara and Derek sizzle with sexual heat the moment they step into the dungeon. The mind-blowing sex and physical pain may satisfy their bodies, but wounded souls and broken spirits just may require something even more intimate—their hearts.
Jae’s Review:
A roller-coaster of emotion and some of the most emotionally dramatic BDSM scenes I’ve read in quite a while are contained within Invitation to Ecstasy by Nina Pierce. Ms. Pierce’s writing is very enjoyable. There’s a terrific balance of down-to-earth narrative, humor, and intensity that draws the reader along from the very first page.
Sara and Derek truly do sizzle as the blurb leads us to believe. Both characters come into the story with tremendous baggage, but through fabulous scenes, intense sexual encounters, and interactions with great secondary characters the journey to their happily ever after is enjoyable and fascinating to watch.
Nina Pierce has done an amazing job with Invitation of Ecstasy, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 1/2 Divas, BDSM, contemporary, ellora's cave, Erotic, Invitation to Ecstasy, Jae, Nina Pierce | 1 Comment »
November 8th, 2011
 Services Rendered by Diana Hunter
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Length: 166 pages
Summary:
This book is loosely tied to characters from Secret Submission and Submission Revealed.
Recently back from Iraq, Lauren Carr is still trying to put her life together. Her best friend sets her up on a date with an incredibly sexy man who promises to tie her down and make love to her all night long. His offer intrigues her, piques her interest in the submissive lifestyle she’s so curious about. This strong, dominant man might be just what she needs.
John McAllen is an ex-Marine who has put his demons to rest. He has a successful career and friends who share his kink. The beautiful Lauren, who was so capable in a crisis, turns out to have PTSD. In spite of his desire, he isn’t sure he wants to deal with her damaged psyche. He needs a woman who can submit to his control, to his passion for ropes and chains and floggers. To his every sexual demand.
Jae’s Review:
Having read both Secret Submission and Submission Revealed, I couldn’t help but be tempted to pick up Diana Hunter’s Services Rendered. It has been a while since I read the other two, so it was nice that this story was loosely tied to the others (it still inspired me to re-read both of the other stories once I finished this one though *grin*).
There is a ton of emotional depth to the characters in Services Rendered. At certain spots, it almost seemed as if Lauren might have recovered too quickly, but that could have just been me. Lauren is certainly a study in how when you meet that perfect balance—that soulmate, if you will—it allows you to find yourself in a different way than that in which you may have seen yourself before.
I love how the characters in Services Rendered were so different from the previous stories, yet it worked with a balance, friendship and understanding. They are all different, but drawn together in friendship and camaraderie by similarities—almost like synchronistic qualities. I, for one, certainly hope that Diana Hunter will gift us with more stories in this world.
Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Jae!
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Posted in 4 1/2 Divas, BDSM, contemporary, Diana Hunter, ellora's cave, Erotic, Jae, Services Rendered | No Comments »
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Goddess in the Middle by Stephanie Julian is a very cute story. The romance between Romulus, Remus, and Amity is tumultuous from the very start. You want to find out how they get to their happily-ever-after. The otherworldly aspects were fascinating and engaging. I liked the balance of old power and new; the interplay of past, present, and future.
