Intriguing view of a bdsm relationship
586993
To pay for her senior year of college, Sasha applies for a job as a submissive for part of her summer.  Its a month long gig which will pay handsomely leaving a bit of pocket money after the bills.  Plus it is located in a resort outside of Big Bear.  While having never actually submitted, she has been curious of the BDSM for a while.  To her, it seems like a win win situation.

Anderson is a grumpy man who has been burned before and now holds resentment and mistrust towards all submissives.  Although already an introvert, he now has become further aloof even at the retreat he started.  As a defense mechanism he withholds himself from enjoying the lifestyle he finds innate.

Andersons closest friends have pushed the issue to hire a submissive for him.  So as a forced situation, he is initially quite resistant to it.  But after a short period of time, he realizes how new she is and feels the urge to protect and mold her.  The bigger question is will she teach him to trust again.

I found this to be intriguing and at times even a bit uncomfortable.  I love a good BDSM book!  In some ways I would love to get on my soapbox about it not being a responsible view of the lifestyle in how much Sasha would do with Anderson that wasn't agreed upon, however, we don't really know what the agreement was other than she accepted to be his submissive for a month.  Their relationship also tends to lean towards a 24/7 D/s or even a M/s liaison.  I, personally, find the M/s relationships to be unnerving but that has more to do with a your kink is fine its just not my kink kind of way.  This story seems to lack romance but not emotion.  It is an erotic display of an arranged relationship with an option to decide to continue.  It reminds me quite a bit of Red Phoenixs Brie series with a bit of the Hotel Bentmoore series by Shelby Cross.

Rating:  4 Stars

To see more reviews like this, go to <a href="http://www.smutandbonbons.com">Smut and Bonbons.</a>
~Complimentary copy received in exchange for honest review.~
948266
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

I chose this title based on enjoying the author's other books and a skim of the description rather than reading closely, so the dominance/submission aspects caught me by surprise when I should have picked up on this line from late in the blurb: "with an intense sexual attraction that combines a heady mix of exquisite pleasure and sublime pain." Some of the store descriptions are the same as the one I had while others are different, and a quick skim of the reviews with the one I had shows the same confusion.

I will state again. This is a highly erotic book with strong dominance and submission scenes. If that's not to your taste, you probably should walk away.

I read 50 Shades of Gray because a friend asked me to analyze it, which I did. It's not my normal reading material, nor something I appreciate. Having said that, though, Avenge Me solved much of what I found problematic in the other, presenting a view of the people drawn to this kind of sexual connection that seems more in line with the community for all Austin hated himself at first. Both Austin and Katy learn to accept this part of themselves while coming to understand the difference between consenting adults engaging in it and dominating someone against their will, a critical lesson to my mind.

With that misunderstanding out of the way, here is my actual review.

This is a fascinating, complicated novel with about every trigger word in the lexicon. It is a crusade against the abuse of women by powerful and rich men who misuse that power. At the same time, it's a bondage/dominance love story exposing the way BD works for people who need that and showing how it is different from abuse at every level.

I have no direct experience with the community, so I'm only guessing, but I think this book would meet their approval over something like Shades of Gray. It shows the path of acceptance of who you are as Austin meets a match for desires he'd always seen as twisted. He hates himself the more for them when he discovers his father is responsible for driving a female friend to suicide, but Katy helps him understand the critical differences between him and his father.

This suicide forms the foundation for this novel and the series. On the anniversary of their friend's death, Austin and two others come together to seek revenge against Austin's father who uses his position to force women in his employ to submit to his will. The two others have little presence in this novel, though, as it focuses tightly on Austin and Katy.

Katy is also seeking revenge when she crosses paths with Austin, but when their instant attraction takes a dominance turn, she finally finds what she's been looking for in a relationship. She understands the difference between how he asks for her consent and how his father glories in making the women he abuses fear him.

This is not a book for the light-hearted. It is graphic and emotionally brutal. This is powerful on so many levels and ultimately gives the right message on all of them as it identifies the key elements of consent and mutual desires in any healthy relationship, sexual or emotional, while condemning those who would use their position to harm others.

I would not have chosen this book with a full understanding, and am unlikely to seek out the others, but I'm not unhappy that I read it as it has much to offer in both a strong love--and acceptance--story and a clear statement against abuse.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
6992
I am going in to this review having not known from the get go that this was not a book of fiction, but more of a memoir. Turns out that this book is about the author and his personal recollections about a very personal aspect of his life.

I generally like sub/dom stories, but this is the first I have read that highlights a submissive man and a Domme. I have to say, it was different and although not my personal cup of tea (I would be more of a white wine kinda girl with a splash of red), I can see that the unique perspective of this male submissive was something that may be of great interest to others. I have to say, that his Domme was quite daring and some of the scenarios that are featured in this book I am amazed by. Mostly because I just cannot picture that some of the escapades and exhibitionism gave the reactions that they did from freinds and others. I was in the military myself and am quite aware of how such actions could have completely ruined a career. If you are looking for a book that features a completely submissive man, this book will do the trick. I wish there was a bit more emphasis on how loving their relationship must have been, it had to be so with the amount of years they have been together and the fact that they married. I suppose that that is left out because the POV is that of the one who is "owned", so he probably feels that he cannot give that impression since he is only "property" to her. I also have a little trouble with the shaming that is done to him, but that comes from the perspective of someone who does not completely understand the needs in that lifestyle.

My recommendation is, if you enjoy reading a male Submissive's POV of what it is like to serve his Domme, you will love this book. Note, this book does have explicit sex scenes.
811900
I received this book as a gift from the author. Which I voluntarily choose to write this review. First I have read a few BDSM short stories. This will be my first one with a darker side. I had a hard time with this part after a time. I liked how it ended though and she found what it was suppose to be like. I won't read the first book because you get a idea of what happened which she summarizes in the book.
  The woman is love with a man where she works. He kidnaps her and holds his loving her for if she will announce she'll be his slave. He is all about him and I feel he's physical and emotionally abusive. She is new to all of this and thinks it's normal. When she is taken to the clubs and he wants to loan her out to his friends who are more abusive. She finally escapes and is caught again before things get worse she is then rescued by this man who is very caring and different He has her read about what BDSM should be like. She has a hard time trusting due to her not having any say in anything then receiving punishment.  I found the last part I enjoyed and the first part I could've not minded less of the dark.
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Butterfly Unpinned was both a disturbing and beautiful read. The good the bad and the ugly side of BDSM, along with a love story that transcends human frailty. Butterfly had very low self-esteem along with self destructive tendencies to cut herself when she met Gary, the person who helped her transfer her self abasement into a 24/7 BDSM lifestyle. Gary was able to convince her that only he could bring order to her life and supply the security and discipline she needed through an extreme BDSM lifestyle with him. What Butterfly failed to realize was that Gary was more a predator than the savior she believed him to be. He discovered her weaknesses and exploited them to force her to give up her will and self-esteem. It wasn't until Butterfly met Bryan that she began to question her 5yr sexual pet/slave relationship with Gary.

Bryan a Navajo woodworker is totally excited to have gotten such a rich and influential client. Gary hired him to do 3 life size statues out of wood, the subjects being the 3 sex slaves currently living in Gary's mansion.  Bryan is drawn to Butterfly, his exposure to  Gary's extreme BDSM lifestyle with Butterfly and the 2 other pets/slave disturbs Bryan because he is aroused by the things he witness even though he is repulsed at the same time. Bryan likes rough play in the bedroom but it must be mutually demanding for both partners, respect and caring also must be present. He considers himself a Dom but is not sure where he fits into the BDSM lifestyle. What I liked about Bryan is that he did not judge Butterfly for the choices she made with her life. He tried to gain a better understanding for something he knew very little about. He wondered how could a person  be content when kept like a pet and physically abused. Or where did one draw the line between pleasure and abuse.  He makes a bet with Gary for Butterfly's release and wins her freedom. Now begins the love story as Bryan introduces Butterfly to his world and slowly breaks the mental bonds she has lived with for the past 5yrs. Most men wouldn't touch Butterfly with a 10 foot pole, she also has agoraphobia and family issues that made her a perfect candidate for Gary's manipulation. Bryan took the time to realize that Butterfly was emotionally damaged and then made the decision to abstain from sex with her until she realized her self worth, she was more than just a sex object to please men. He fell in love with her vulnerability and strengths by looking beneath her surface into her soul and recognizing the woman she was meant to be.  Bryan and Butterfly have to travel back to the Reservation due to a family emergency, the journey back to Bryan's home will also be a journey  of self discovery for both of them.

What a great read, I was not expecting such a deep and emotional love story. There was not a lot of extreme BDSM scenes but there was one involving pins that did make me cringe and explained the title of this book. The majority of the bad stuff was told in flashbacks or implied, which was ok with me. When the H/h finally had sex it was HOT and worth the wait. Every woman should have a Bryan in her life. I applaud Bonnie Dee and Laura Bacchi for giving us such a thought provoking and sensual story.
1142048
This was a first for me and although some of it was disturbing , I must admit there was some parts I found surprisingly intriguing.  I found it very surprising how in tuned to Subs a Dom is.
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I would love to read more on where their relationship takes them next. The story was well written with excellent character development. It was also a very believable story that managed to shed light on the real issue of domestic violence, while drawing the distinction between abuse and light BDSM. At the same time, the author addressed their sex life in a respectable manner.
3973632
I cannot deny that the book was well written from a grammatical standpoint, and that the scenes were realistically done.  However this is not your typical "bdsm romance/erotic fiction" book.  The scenes are quite graphic, and contain many kinks which a lot of readers would find objectionable, bathroom scenes, food depravation, hard-core bondage and punishment and degradation and humiliation.  This book is not for the faint of heart, but for those readers who like their sexual fiction mixed with violence.
17878
Jack and Maddox have a special connection and my kindle sizzled as i read this story.  The story was well written and the plot was kept me engaged.  i would have enjoyed more of Jack and Maddox's thoughts and back story.

This was a short but very intense peak into a the pain and sadistic side of BDSM that worked for these guys.  i am looking forward to reading more about how they find a balance in their relationship, now that there are fewer secrets.

I received an ARC at no cost from the author
2667250
Wow, Im not even sure where to start with this book. First of all, I really like the BDSM genre, so I was excited to get this one. It isn't very often that you run across a male erotica author, so I was interested to see how this was going to play out. It isn't a typical romance novel, it is the story of Jonah Noble, a BDSM Master who is telling his story to a young newspaper intern. Why is this elusive Master giving an intern his story? Because he is taken with her.

  With some women, you can just tell - you know instantly whether they like to be dominated, or not. As for you...? Well Im still not sure.

You quickly get wrapped up, as does Leticia, in the world of Jonah, as he weaves his tales of Dominance and submission. He gives us glimpses into how he entered the world of BDSM and eventually became one of the citys most sought after Masters.

Trust me when I say there is no shortage of crazy hot sex in this book. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Like I mentioned, it isn't a traditional love story, although there are elements there. There is a budding attraction between Jonah and Leticia. This book really is a great glimpse into the BDSM lifestyle from a Doms perspective. There are so many great quotes, I had trouble picking a few to post. This is one of my favorites:

When you strip all the props, the imagery, the erotica and the mystery away, BDSM is about two people, trying to discover what makes them happy in life - what gives them a sense of belonging and completion. The rest is just tinsel on the tree. Its all decoration.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I give it five stars.
1585814
This book might not be for everyone. It talks alot about BDSM as the Author tells how a young woman learns how it is ok to have wants the some people feel are not normal but it is done with good taste.
2610218
Guest Reviewed by Jennifer and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog
I don't know what rock I was living under as an erotic BDSM junkie, but I managed to have my first introduction to Tara Sue Mes Submissive series just a few months ago. The initial trilogy is actually one of the originals in the billionaire Dom subgenre, but I worried a bit that the flood of books in this vein might have hampered my enjoyment of it. I was suprisingly very wrong. Abigail is my type of submissive and Nathaniel is absolutely my type of Dom. I found these three books very refreshing in their psychological exploration of a loving D/s relationship, but I thought it ended there. I was excited to hear that the trilogy was being extended and wed get to explore Abby and Nathaniels relationship as it grows and changes over time. Although it could theoretically stand in its own, I wouldnt read The Enticement as a standalone, as the joy of this one is in seeing how these characters have grown and changed over time.

The Enticement takes place a few years down the road from The Training, when Nathaniel and Abby have settled into their marriage with two children. While D/s is still a scheduled part of their marriage, its become a back focus. Abby has been blogging online anonymously about her life as a submissive wife, catching some media attention, leading to a job offer. Abby and Nathaniel are still deeply in love, but both have started to feel the strain, and a renewed focus on their roles as Dominant and submissive seems like just what they need. Both are sure that a 24/7 relationship is not what they're looking for, but Abby wants to try a week straight when the go away for a conference week together. There are so many fantasies that Abby hasn't fulfilled and Nathaniel wants to give her what shes always craved. But like any change in a relationship, doubts and questions creep in, leading Abby to struggle with her submission.

It goes without saying that the sex between Abby and Nathaniel is flaming hot. I always find their scenes unique and Tara Sue Me throws in some fantasy and role play scenarios that had me panting. They don't shy away from punishment and pain, despite being in a loving relationship. For those that apprehensive, there aren't any needles or knives, but just enough edge to keep seasoned BDSM readers on their toes. Abby and Nathaniel are my type of fantasy D/s couple, which goes a long way for me. Nathaniel is firm and doesnt give in. He demands that Abby work through her feelings and her doubts at each step. He anticipates what she needs before she realizes it herself. Sigh :).

I think what I love most about these characters though, and in this installment especially, is the realness to it all. Abbys self doubt, her discomfort with letting go, and her jealousy of Nathaniels female business associates is only natural in a marriage, and even more pronounced in a D/s one. Abby is a strong woman who won't be cowed when she feels betrayed and I loved seeing her stand up to Nathaniel, reminding the readers that submission is a gift that can easily be taken away. There are lots of good messages and psychological exploration of roles, which is something I love about good D/s erotic romance. I highly recommend this one to lovers of the series and if you haven't started, then I would jump right in.

*ARC provided by publisher
583435
I have never really been into overt Dom and Sub style relationship stories but this surprised me. I'm into it! Looking forward to book 3.
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This was a very enjoyable read about Sam, a Dominatrix and Jason, an extremely compelling Dom. Jason wants Sam and is pretty relentless in his pursuit. Sam has strong reservations about ever submitting to any man given her past so wants to run as far from Jason as possible when he suggests she Switches for him. There was a lot of story in this book and I felt especially bad for Sam and all she endured growing up. Great chemistry between Sam and Jason and I always enjoyed a well written book involving BDSM.
4195085
3 great erotic reads in one book.  Bdsm relationship and encounters are covered in the stories.  Lots of erotic encounters and an introduction into the start of a Dom and sub's relationship
1247228
Kit Cayman, although hardly straddling the middle-age hump, appears to be going through a mid-life crisis. Hes a translator by day in order to pay the rent and a frustrated musician wanna-be whose friendship with his neighbor, LeBron, is a love/hate relationship. On the one hand, LeBron is a musician with whom Kit can converse about his love for music but on the other, LeBron is doing what Kit wishes he had the balls and talent to do. Kit is becoming frustrated and unsatisfied with his life and spends an inordinate amount of time analyzing the various choices hes made, both in terms of his career and in his relationships. While Kits been in a long-term relationship with Alana, a one night stand with the sultry Selita prompts him to seek out the services of a dominatrix and so begins Kits foray into the controversial world of BDSM. The book is very well written and provides an interesting look into a mans psyche  especially when it comes to what drives him sexually. He & She is a satisfying read through and through  kind of a second cousin, twice-removed to 50 Shades!
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Disclosure: E-Galley provided by publisher for review on my blog from which this is excerpted No remuneration exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.

THE TRAINING brought out a wide range of intellectual and emotional responses. At times I thought it was brilliant and other times I thought it was just dumb. There were moments and chapters where it felt as if the relationship were being dissected beautifully. Other moments I felt she made the interactions too artificial.

This is a book about a couple negotiating a BDSM lifestyle as they fall in love and approach making a lifelong commitment. I thought that was really interestingly done, how things would come up from a scene and then how they would discuss it and it would change the way they behaved towards each other and how they felt. Im not sure talking would change the basics of how I react to stimuli.

Im sure most of us do negotiate our relationships to some degree, but in a loving relationship where one person is topping another this process has to be more intense and important. I really liked how the characters complexities and imperfections are shown.

Ive read a lot of books incorporating aspects and degrees of the BDSM lifestyle over the past few years. In THE TRAINING Tara Sue Me delivers it in a low key, more realistic way where the parties aren't all orgies, where Doms screw up and are in their own process, where orgasms aren't explosions rivaling the Big Bang, and where it is recognized that a couple can only have sex so many times a day.

Also, finding a balance in the relationship between the BDSM time and the normal relationship time is thoroughly explored. What a problem having kids must present to a couple in the lifestyle. Theres always going to be a large part of this sexual orientation that I won't understand.

I think the success of a piece of erotic fiction is more about the relationship and how the particular kinks the individual characters are expressed than it is about the kinky action. I don't understand all the kinks, but unless I find them silly or debasing, they are exciting to read.

The characters are carefully constructed and while I found the process of relationship growth to be a little too pat and academic. I did like that the couple grew in and out of their relationship and the playroom, and I recognize that not being thus inclined certain parts of any D/s relationship will not feel right to me.

I recommend THE TRAINING if you're interested in stories about the anatomy of relationships with a lot of intimate details and very spicy action.