Review: The Training of Tess by Tessa Wanton

Tessa had always been fascinated with the Dominant submissive lifestyle, and she was – she felt, a very submissive person. In her real life people knew her as a feisty, headstrong and passionate woman, no one would ever have described her as submissive. But then she had learned over time that being submissive didn’t mean she had to be a doormat, it meant to her that she wanted to hand over her control, her welfare, her safety, to someone else. Throughout her life she had maintained an iron grip on her personal control, organized to the extreme in her work and home life, highly respected in her profession as a Personal Assistant, so used to controlling others to ensure success. But what she truly wanted deep down inside, was a man who could take her to that special place of freedom she had heard and read so much about, to experience true freedom within her mind.

She had signed up to a lifestyle website to learn more about what it was to attain this ‘sub-space’ she had heard about. Peppering her profile with photographs she felt were ‘artistic’, and writing a personal passage about who she was had attracted plenty of admirers, but no one she had particularly connected with. She wasn’t looking to find a soul mate, or even a playmate, just someone to discuss her thoughts and passions and desires with. It was out of the blue that a message had dropped into her inbox.

This intriguingly daring and fiery novella describes three encounters experienced by a young woman, who, whilst fascinated by BDSM throughout her life, had not had the courage or opportunity to experiment in the scene, until now...


Review: The Training of Tess by Tessa Wanton

Buy Links:

Amazon
NOOK

Reviews: The Sheikh's Redemption (Desert Nights #1) by Olivia Gates

Author: Olivia Gates
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Length: 192 Pages
Purchase: Amazon and NOOK

Rating: 5 of 5 Kisses!

Blurb:

He would claim the throne. And her... "For Prince Haidar Aal Shalaan, taking the reins of a kingdom in chaos is a matter of honor. Not that his rivals to the throne would be defeated easily. And then there is Roxanne Gleeson, the one woman whose memory he cannot erase, the lover who once rejected him. Now she pretends a cold disdain for their once-and still-desperate passion. But he will not be denied either the throne of his motherland or Roxanne back in his bed. One is his birthright, the other his heart's desire. And together they are...his redemption.

Kitten's Review:

Hello, Olivia Gates!

Hello, Harlequin Presents series Desire!

I have a great many friends that read these books but the truck load. Always, I have been curious as to what draws them to the quick reads of Harlequin that seem to cookie cutter and perfect. So, I took a chance and requested for review a few books. Let me just say, that with Olivia Gates, I was not disappointed!

The Sheikh’s Redemption is the story about one hell of a sexy Alpha male—well three that we see actually. Gates is so kind as to introduce us to three in this first installment. All I can say is yum and let me count the ways this story sexed me up and made me cry. I was moved, I cried, I laughed, I fell to my knees and nearly begged for Haider to tie up Foxy Roxy. For a woman that has sworn off men and all the intimate details the woman is a boiling over pot of smexy. I loved her as heroine! She was a strong, yet vulnerable female, without being annoyingly vulnerable. Did they need to just talk it out sometimes—yes. But don’t all the H/h relationships in romance books?

Not only was this read well written, but it gave me a satisfying storyline that had me hunting down the next installment, which wasn’t written at the time, to the Desert Nights Series. I would love to read more by Olivia. She gives me the hot Alphas I want, in a vanilla relationship, but it is so totally satisfying! 

Review: Hear Me by Skye Warren

Author: Skye Warren
Genre: BDSM Erotica
Publisher: Self Published
Length: 96 Pages
Purchase: Amazon and NOOK

Rating: 5 of 5 Kisses!

Blurb:

She doesn’t remember her past, only her training. She can’t talk, not that a good slave should speak out of turn. None of that matters when she wakes up in the warm, rustic room. Her new master is distant but kind. There’s only one problem: he doesn’t want her.

Longing for the shackles of safety, she pulls from the last dregs of her will to prove her worth as a slave. It seems to be working. He responds first to her body and next to her submission. The secrets of his past haunt the cabin, fraying the tightening bond between Master and slave, but it is her own memories that may finally unravel it.

This book contains a bonus short story Escape, set in the same dark erotica world.

WARNING:
This book contains explicit scenes of sex, including dubious consent and captivity situations. The BDSM does not conform to literary conventions, making it sometimes more realistic, and other times not. This is a work of fiction not appropriate for anyone uncomfortable with these situations or anyone under the age of eighteen.

Kitten's Review:

Skye Warren is my new go to girl for Dark Erotica.

At this point, I have a few. But this story moved me, pushed me, and made me want more. I think there is something disturbing about the fact I found this book ridiculously romantic. Then again, I also found the last chapter of Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty Erotica series. This story was no different for me, and it was 200 pages less than that. Perhaps that type of situation moves me. My husband thinks I have a romantic idea of the subby being saved from the bad Dom, by the good Dom, yet he is still brutal and unyielding.

This story sucked me in from the moment I opened it up. I had a hard time stopping and even got grumpy every time someone tried to interrupt me. Skye is a writer. A real writer, that can weave a story with such intensity that you are thinking about months from now and find yourself going, “What ever happened with Melody and Sam?” You care, you connect, and you want to know more.

Just like Sam says, her submission was beautiful. This story was beautiful. It was dark, wicked, and sexy as all hell. I’m a woman with a desire for the dubious consent situation. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, Skye hit me with a sledge hammer and I was going, “What the--!”

I highly recommend this story to all lovers of dark, twisted, well written stories! This goes in my reread collection! I would just like to note that this is the second story I have read by Skye. I read her freebie retelling of Beauty and the Beast and loved it! I have her other books, all of them actually, and will be reading them asap.

Review: Submit to Desire (The Original Sinners .7) by Tiffany Reisz

Author: Tiffany Reisz
Genre: BDSM
Publisher: Harlequin Spice
Length: 60 Pages
Purchase: Amazon and NOOK

Rating: 5 of 5 Kisses!

Blurb:

Charlotte Brand is tired of dull boyfriends and boring sex. Kingsley Edge, who owns clubs rumored to supply more than just cocktails, seems just the man to revive her: intense, sophisticated...and looking for a submissive he can train for an elite client.

Charlotte is seduced by the offer...and by Kingsley himself. Soon they are engaged in a series of lessons that test her darkest desires. But when their training is over, will Charlotte be ready to let him go?

Kitten's Reviews:

I bet you are sick of hearing of Tiffany from me? Oh, come on, just admit it, you are going “Enough already!”

Well, too bad. This woman has ruined me right and proper as far as mainstream BDSM romance goes. I would have never thought that a book series would consume me since the Fever Series. Well, it looks like I am wrong.

In this wicked little installment we get more of a taste of Kingsley. Now, I know we pretty much know that Kingsley swings both ways. Which wouldn’t it be hot to see him with a guy? That is, until you see him with Charlotte. By God I don’t think I can see Kingsley with anyone one else. The submission is beautiful, moving, and emotional. They connection that the two have is something that I can’t even begin to explain. I am convinced that these characters are alive and well someone because of how well that Tiffany writes them. If I don’t see Charlotte in any more Original Sinners books, I’m going to be just as upset as if I don’t see Big Brad Wolf in another book. I can’t honestly imagine Kingsley with anyone but Charlotte. I connected with her on multiple levels. It worked, it moved, and it made me WANT MORE, which is the most important thing of all.

If you haven’t dove into Tiffany Reisz, then you aren’t living! 

Review: The Siren by Tiffany Reisz

Author: Tiffany Reisz
Genre: Erotica
Publisher: Harlequin
Length: 400 Pages
Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 5 of 5 Kisses!

Blurb: 

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different—more serious, more personal—and she's sure it'll be her breakout book...if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora's fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: he wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards—in six weeks—or it's no deal.

Nora's grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous—staying away from him...or returning to his bed?

Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

Kitten's Review:

Oh, The Siren.

What can I say about The Siren that hasn’t already been said.

Well, everything!

I think I am in the minority here when I say that the fact that Soren is a Priest doesn’t bother me at all. Perhaps it is because I am an atheist and to me Soren isn’t about human emotions or compacity for love. Most people struggle with this and directly compare it to sacrilege and cheating on spouse. I found it the main entertainment driving point of the book for me. I gotta admit, my review partner figured it out first. When she broke it down for me I read even faster to catch up to where they outed it, not even realizing they had outed it in a previous short story of Tiffany’s.

I’m not going to give you a book report or break down of this book. I honestly think everyone else has already done that. This book deserves the passion of a reader that just loves the whole idea and impact that this book represents. This is writing at its best. A book is supposed to tear you apart and lift you up. Stomp you to the ground then lift you up and tend to your wounds. This book did exactly that. It pulled no punches. Yes, Tiffany does tell instead of show me a lot of her intimate moments. That doesn’t spoil the intensity for me. I can have her tell me how cruel of a Sadist that Soren is all she wants, the more she tells me, the more I want him to come over and dish out on me.

Not since Jericho Z. Barrons has a main male lead corrupted my soul as much as Soren has. He is the cats meow, and it will take another powerhouse like Reisz to move into that spot for me. I recommend this book to everyone that asks me “What should I read?!” 

Review: Fury (New Species #1) by Laurann Dohner

Fury (New Species #1)
Author: Laurann Dohner
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Length: 376 Pages
Buy Links: Amazon, NOOK


5 of 5 Stars!


Blurb: Ellie is horrified to discover that the pharmaceutical company she works for is doing illegal experiments. They have spliced human and animal DNA, creating exotic new species. One male captures her heart and she’ll do anything to save him. Even if he hates her for it. 

Fury never knew compassion or love. He has spent his life in a cell, chained and abused by humans. The one woman he allowed himself to trust betrayed him. Now he is free and set on vengeance. He vows to end her life but when she’s finally in his grasp, harming her is the last thing he wants to do to the sexy little human. 

Fury can’t resist her—the touch of her hands, her mouth on his skin, her body wrapped around his. He is obsessed with the scent of his woman. Ellie wants Fury—always has. She craves his big, powerful body, but she also wants to heal his desolate heart. Ellie just doesn’t know if Fury can be tamed. 

Reader Advisory: This story contains the heartrending aftermath of a rape scene involving a captive male. Another scene involves capture and forced touching by a hurt, vengeful Fury.


Kitten's Review: I have to be honest. When I first stumbled across this book I didn’t want to read it. I saw it recommended with Lora Leigh’s breed series, and a lot of reviews spoke that it was a total copy of the breed series. They are very much wrong, and I find it hard to believe they even read the book. This book is totally unique and the only thing that is ‘similar’ is human and animal DNA being spliced. As far as the rest of the plotline goes, it is unique and in its own class. For a first book in the series I found it very good. The world building is fantastic. I was sucked into the story and was following along each character as if I was part of the story.

It was one of the best books I have read this year (yes I know it’s only January), but besides that fact the sex scenes were super sexy. The only issue I would really have is that the lead male holds back to much sexually. Is too worried about hurting Ellie, I mean human woman are pretty durable, we can take some rough bed play. And the fact that there was light bondage in this book—bring on the yum factor! Ellie liked bondage, give it to her Fury!

I was totally surprised, I was up reading it till 3AM two nights in a row (thank God it was a weekend), and I will be grabbing up book two as soon as I possibly can! 

Review: Sold by Jaymie Holland

Sold
Author: Jaymie Holland
Genre: Erotic BDSM Romance
Publisher: Pink Zebra Publishing
Length: 105 Pages
Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance


3.5 of 5 Stars!


Blurb: Christy Clarkson finds herself at an exclusive charity auction where she's agreed to be one of the participants who will be auctioned off and will share a weekend for two at a resort hotel with the high bidder. There is added intrigue when she learns that members of an elite kink club are participating in the auction. 

Years ago, she broke up with Zach Nikas when she found his pictures of bound women. She was naïve about what his bondage interests meant and she ran from the relationship. Ever since she left him she's explored the kink only to discover that it intrigued her, though she never actually participated.

When Zach show up at the auction as a bidder, Christy is exhilarated to see him. No one else stands a chance of winning her over Zach.

Her curiosity about kink is about to become experience.

He's hot and sexy, intelligent and successful, and just happens to have a well-outfitted dungeon. A dungeon where Christy learns what Zach and "play" are all about.

This is a 30,000-word novella + excerpts, sure to light your world on fire.

Kitten's Review: I sort of have a love/hate relationship with this book. It took me far too long to read it and that was for many reasons. I just didn’t know how to connect to anyone in this book. First, you have a woman that stormed out on a man because she found his bondage gear. Only to be faced with him again, after researching in their time apart and suddenly is game on for all things bondage.

I get that.

I honestly do.

I was that woman.

I reached.

I saw,

I wanted.

I was rearing to go!

However, I didn’t just dive in head first. I had a steady progression. I guess that is where the fantasy came in. Which, in all honesty I would have been able to roll with. I was hot for all things that this book had to offer as far as the BDSM lifestyle was concerned. However, the full story did not deliver for me. The conflict was silly and unbelievable. You can accept ultra kinky bondage but you can’t accept he is a BDSM photographer every not and again? That just didn’t make sense to me. I never connected to the leave female which left the book dry for me. If I don’t connect to the female lead I’m left bored, drifting, and just putting myself in her place. Only this woman made silly choices most of the time. Her inner thoughts I found myself eye rolling at times.

Did I love the male lead?

When he was a Dom, yes.

When he was just a man, no.

There were a lot of inconsistencies. For example she had on a ring gag and managed to start talking without any mention of taking off the ring gag or any pain involved with said ring gag coming off. (He had given her some forced oral, made her wear it while almost reaching peak, and then she could bite her lip and talk. Trust me I double checked no mention of said gag coming off.) Then a scene she had a ball gag on and came ‘bite the inside of her lip’. Now, I have a ball gag. I checked if I could bite the insdie of my cheek with a ball gag on and couldn’t. I normally LOVE Jaymie aka Cheyenne McCray and her BDSM style books.

I was just disappointed and sad this one failed me.