Category: B reviews (Page 60 of 74)

By His Rules by JA Rock

February 23, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: Sarah Frantz recommended this to me during a discussion of BDSM in romance fiction on Twitter. I bought it during the recent Valentine’s Day sale at ARe (50% rebate FTW!).

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Aiden Cole can be anything men want—naughty schoolboy, palace slave, virgin twink, or slutty secretary. He’s a gifted actor with a gorgeous body who gives legendary head. Aiden could have his pick of any Top in the local leather bar, but is drawn to Scott Runge—a cruel, sexy Dom who pushes Aiden to his limits, allowing Aiden to experience the excitement and danger of the BDSM lifestyle to a degree he never has before. But when Scott goes too far, injuring Aiden, Aiden withdraws from the BDSM scene completely. Until he meets Keaton Hughes.Keaton’s looking for something he can’t find in any dungeon: A domestic discipline relationship, in which he can provide his partner with guidance, support, and loving discipline. When Keaton takes Aiden in after Aiden’s traumatic encounter with Scott, he vows not to pursue any sort of relationship with the troubled sub. But as Aiden struggles to overcome the damage Scott has done and get his life back on track, Keaton’s rules might be just what he needs.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I confess I had not read the blurb until I cut and pasted it here just now. I picked that Keaton would be the other hero and was kind of thrown when Aiden takes off with Scott instead. Their interaction made me vaguely uncomfortable – it was only as the ‘relationship’ progressed that it became clear to me that it was abusive and dysfunctional. By the end, Scott was firmly in the BBD (badly behaving Dom) category. (Although, I think, by the end, he was realising that he was screwed up and I wonder if the author will try to redeem him in a future book?).

New Life by Bonnie Dee

February 21, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: Jane from Dear Author reviewed this at Goodreads and I loved the idea of the unusual hero so much that I went an bought it immediately.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Since the car accident that caused traumatic brain injury, Jason has fought to regain his memories and the ability to organize thoughts and control emotions. His promising future shattered, he works as a night janitor in an office building and clings to routine to make it through his days.New lawyer Anna breaks down one evening after fumbling her first court case. Self-doubt brings her to tears in a deserted stairwell where Jason finds her and offers comforting words. From this unexpected meeting an unlikely romance begins.A casual coffee date soon leads to a deeper connection and eventually a steamy affair. But are Jason and Anna’s growing feelings for each other strong enough to overcome the social chasm that divides them and the very real issues of Jason’s disability?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Definite kudos to Bonnie Dee for writing such an unusual hero and for making him a victim of his own stupidity. Jason was the cause of his own accident – while sympathetic he wasn’t a victim and I think this made him more interesting; certainly more flawed. The story is told in alternating first person POV of both Jason and Anna which I like – the more hero the better in my opinion and getting inside his head is a bonus. I was told that Jason’s speech was halting, but I didn’t really see that on the page for the most part and I found myself falling into the trap that he was okay over and over again, only to be brought up short by other difficulties he has. He isn’t stupid; he has memory and organisation problems and sometimes, particularly when tired or stressed, he finds it difficult to control his emotions. His speech is articulate and funny but I’m pretty sure the voice I heard in my head wasn’t accurate. This is actually a book I would love to hear on audio, provided the narrator could voice the halting nature of Jason’s speech faithfully and without making him a caricature – because I think the story would have had even more impact if I didn’t keep forgetting he was brain damaged.

Sacred Hearts by Dev Bentham

February 19, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Life’s a gamble–and lately David Schwartz’s partner has been losing so much that David must close their restaurant, the hippest little place in Portland. He sells everything and moves back home, but at thirty-five, he’s not eager to sleep alone in his childhood bedroom or to be supported by his father for the second time in his adult life.David’s had enough. He needs to start over, maybe with someone like the elusive man he’s been seeing in his dreams. An old friend offers him a job catering a movie set in Puerto Vallarta. It’s been years since David’s alcoholism spun out of control along the highways of Mexico. Determined to experience Mexico sober, he stuffs his few remaining possessions in a backpack and takes the next flight down.As Mexico prepares for Christmas, David lights Hanukkah candles, celebrating the return of the sun and wishing for true love. On the first night of Hanukkah, David meets a tall, dark stranger who rocks his world in a secluded moonlit cove. Is this the mystery man of his dreams–the answer to David’s prayers? And what must David sacrifice to make his dreams come true?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I liked David very much and, over the course of the book, felt I got to know him fairly well. David is a recovering alcoholic and as he deals with his breakup with Rick and the demise of his restaurant because of Rick’s actions, as he travels for work to Mexico and deals with old trauma, I very much admired how he clung to his sobriety. How he found AA meetings and went to them, how he reached out and throught through his actions to keep him from drinking, no matter the significant temptations. There was a clarity to David’s breakup with Rick and even though he lost virtually everything, it came across as freeing rather than a complete failure.

Addicted by Charlotte Stein

February 15, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I pre-ordered this one and snuck it in between review books.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Kit Connor has always led a safe, cautious life. But when her friend points out that her erotic writing lacks something, she decides to attend a Sexual Healing group to improve her knowledge.Kit expects to find the gritty underbelly of sex, and instead finds louche, laidback, sex-loving Dillon Holt.He makes a suggestion to her: that he will tell tales of his sexual excess, and help her book get the realism it needs. She agrees, but hasn’t the least idea of what she’s getting into.

Dillon doesn’t have simple advice in mind … he has lessons to teach her. Lessons on everything she’s never dared to experience, from kink to real passion.

Now Kit is never sure: is Dillon the addict, or is she just addicted to him?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): First off, this book is funny. Kit made me laugh and so, what she felt was pathetic about herself didn’t come across as whiny. She’s self aware and self deprecating but not sad with it.

After all, what do I know about sex? Nothing. Less than nothing. Every sexual encounter I’ve ever had has occurred beneath the sheets, under a double layer of darkness. Once I started kissing some guy’s elbow, thinking I’d found his cock. And as for the pleasure I’ve just described to her, in my twisted tale of kinky delights …

Well, I guess that’s disingenuous of me, at best. I should have written:

Sex for her was sort of like being vaccinated, by a big pink finger.

Screwing the System by Josephine Myles

February 8, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author. (release date is February 12, 2013).

What it’s about (from Goodreads) He’s nobody’s bitch. Until he gets a ride on the bitch seat.Forced to apply for a job he doesn’t want, Cosmo Rawlins has only one aim in mind: fail the interview and get back to making music. Except his attempt to shock the older, sharp-suited Alasdair Grant doesn’t have the desired effect.Instead of getting thrown out of the office by flaunting an interest in BDSM, Cosmo finds himself on his knees, apologizing to the sexy, good-looking Top.

Alasdair has more important things on his mind than training a novice sub, especially a rebellious bad boy like Cosmo. But there’s something beneath the younger man’s defiant attitude that’s too intriguing to ignore.

As Alasdair takes Cosmo in hand—and for a wild ride on his Harley—he becomes obsessed with bending the young rocker to his will, both in and out of bed. Until he goes one demand too far, and Cosmo is gone in a cloud of dust. Forcing Alasdair to admit that earning Cosmo’s loyalty—and love—will involve the toughest challenge he’s ever faced.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): 24 year old Cosmo is what we in Australia call a “dole bludger”. He receives a job seeking allowance from the government but makes every effort NOT to get a job. He wants to pursue his music career with his band. He doesn’t have time for a job and can’t afford to live on busking alone. Growing up where I did, dole bludgers were fairly common place and it isn’t something I’ve ever found particularly heroic or sexy or attractive. Government benefits are there for when you need them but if one is unemployed and in receipt of benefits, one should be actively looking for and willing to work. There are plenty of people who manage to pursue things such as music and work. I found myself not terribly in sympathy with Cosmo. But, even so, I do give credit to the author for writing a very non traditional character.

Fantasy to the (Hyper) Extreme?

February 5, 2013 / Kaetrin

aka a kind of review and a rambling justification for why I like Reaper’s Property by Joanna Wylde.

As I start this post, I’m about halfway through the book but I wanted to start getting my thoughts down before they scattered. Reaper’s Property was recommended to me by DA’s Jane. She said it was “hardcore” and “intense and emotional” and she clearly loved it. Her recommendation was not without caveats however – she noted: “Anyway, warning warning warning. Know that you are getting an over the top sexist parade of MC full of violence and wrongdoing when you read this book”.

There has been comparison with Kristen Ashley’s Motorcycle Club (MC) books – I have 1 or 2 on my TBR but haven’t read any yet – I keep hearing about engaging stories but also poor grammar and sloppy/no editing and I’m kind of torn about taking the plunge in actually reading them because the latter things mean a lot to me. This book, a little shorter than a KA book and better edited, lured me because of the promise of engagement and curiosity did the rest. So I bought it.

I don’t usually like my heroes to be less than heroic. Why then am I enjoying this book, where the hero is named “Horse” (yes, it’s after the size of his dick) and is a violent criminal? It is this question I’m trying to answer and so my rambles begin.