ARC Review: The Master by Tara Sue Me

The Master is part of the erotic Submissive Series, it's the story of Sasha and Cole. Prior to this installment, I read two other books in the series which focuses on a group of play partners. I really liked one of the books, The Collar, but this book reminded me more of the The Exhibitionist which I did not like as much.

Tara Sue Me is an incredibly talented writer in the erotic genre. She really excels at character building and conveying the connection between the main couple.In this book, Sasha (who appears in other books in the series) has suffered a serious trauma during a play session that got out of hand. Sasha's prior incident put her in the hospital and left her with acute PTSD. Despite her history, Sasha still desires sexual domination and wants to veer back into a Dominant/submissive relationship. Enter Cole. Cole is the "bad ass" Dom who knows how to deliver both pain and pleasure on levels that have become the stuff of legends in the play group. Cole is more than just a Dom, he is accustomed to a Master-Slave relationship.

The play group decides that Cole is the perfect person to transition Sasha from the traumatized sub who had a bad experience back into the proud submissive that she was on the road to becoming. I'm not entirely sure why the group thought that Cole was the best match for Sasha but hey, I just kind of went with it. My issue with the book is that because of Sasha's trauma, Cole decides that he can't have sex with her. So a lot of the book is Cole teaching Sasha how to be a submissive and how to trust a Dom. And that's ok but it got to be kind of tedious and went on for just too long. A subtext develops between Sasha and Cole as Sasha gets to know Cole more and their relationship moves past physical training to something more emotional. Sasha decides that she wants to try being Cole's slave and a new training process starts (lucky for us, that one involves sex).

My problem with the whole book is that it is very very mid-tempo. It's not fast or slow, it just kind of goes along somewhere in between. The issue is that there isn't any real extrinsic conflict in the plot. All of the conflict is internal to the characters. It is about their mental struggle to accept their relationship beyond the time boundary they put on it. This is a book that it would be really hard to spoil because not a whole lot happens beyond what you could read in the synopsis. The weird thing is, I'm not saying the book is bad, it wasn't. It just wasn't compelling and I was disappointed because both Cole and Sasha had the capacity to give us so much more. Despite the fact that these books continue to be a little low energy for me, I will keep up with the series just because the writing and erotic content is so good.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Misconduct by Penelope Douglas

This is my first book by Penelope Douglas and apparently I’m late to the party because it seems many of you have already discovered how talented she is. From what I can tell this is one of this author’s first non-YA contemporary romance novels and OMG, it was really good.

Here’s the funny thing, when I first started this book I wasn’t sure I would love it or even like it. Easton is the heroine and at first she comes off as rude and cold. It turns out that being rude and cold is a coping mechanism for Easton that she developed when her life got completely out of her control very early on. On top of her personality issues, she also suffers from a touch of actual OCD which I found to be an interesting twist. I don’t think it was dealt with in a very realistic way but really what fun would that be? Easton meets Tyler at a high class party for the wealthy where Tyler is at the top of the food chain. She experiences an immediate attraction to him and vice versa but nothing happens until after she finds out that she is also Tyler’s 14 year old son’s history teacher. Tyler is a wealthy business man with political aspirations who is used to getting whatever he wants and he definitely wants Easton. Both of them think it’s wrong to start a relationship while Easton is teaching Tyler’s son but of course they can’t resist.

I really enjoyed the main characters in this book, including Tyler’s son Christian. Everybody is a complex mess that you can easily relate to. Easton can’t seem to get her temper under control and keeps saying things that she regrets. Tyler doesn’t know how to prioritize and has spent his whole life trying to achieve success without stopping to think about what will really make him happy. Christian is the son of a workaholic (Tyler) who had him too young and didn’t know how to be there for him. As a result he’s mad as hell and not afraid to let it show. Put all these characters together, add in lots of social media references and some hot desk sex and people we’ve got a story.

I loved seeing all of the characters mature through their relationships with each other. Easton slowly started to let go of her belief that all she could ever have was isolated sexual interludes. Tyler’s maturation was the most fascinating to watch. He was admittedly a dead beat Dad who did nothing but send his kid money because he was rich. It was really intriguing to read about his feelings about his mistakes and his agony over what had become of his relationship (or lack thereof) with his son. I was completely engrossed in the story of Tyler trying so hard to be a Dad to his son while still trying to be the man he thought he needed to be. I was actually warmed in the heart region when he finally got it and things started coming together.

As for the chemistry between Tyler and Easton, it was absolutely off the charts HAWT. It is rare that you get such good story telling wrapped up in a super sexy bow like we got her but boy did this author make it work for us. The plot started a little slow but quickly picks up. There is a mystery woven in to the story as it becomes clear that someone is messing with Easton and she may be in danger. When the truth comes out about that situation, it was really unexpected and I liked the twist. I really could go on about this book but I think the best thing I can tell you is that if you enjoy good writing, strong plot lines and complex characters, get this book and read it.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: The Exhibitionist by Tara Sue Me

The Exhibitionist is the 6th book in the submissive series and the 2nd book I've read in the series. I also read the immediate preceding novel "The Collar." Just by way of background I really enjoyed "The Collar" and recommend that you read it. This author is very talented and knows her way around erotica very well. That being said, there was one very prominent problem with this installment in the series- there was almost no conflict whatsoever. I'll explain.

This book is about Nathaniel and Abigail. Both of these characters have appeared in previous novels in this series. In fact the story of Abigail and Nathaniel meeting and getting together are the first four out of the six novels in this series (I haven't yet read those yet). I assume that the first four books depicting Abigail and Nathaniel getting together read more like a traditional romance with a chase, the couple getting together, some major conflict and the couple reuniting. That's pretty much the romance formula right? Well as much as we see that formula repeated, it's what we love and expect in our romance novels, even the BDSM erotic novels. But there is none of that in this book. The couple is already married with two children. They've already endured all of the initial couple conflicts (four books worth apparently) and they've been married for like 10 years. So this book is really just about the day to day life of a married couple who have a master-slave side to their relationship and are members of a large kink club.

I think what the author was trying to do was build a conflict around the fact that for the first time in their relationship Abby is discovering and exploring her need for public sex play. Even though Nathaniel is on board with giving Abigail what she wants, it makes him insecure that she gets off on other men watching her and he starts to wonder if it might be more than just wanting to be watched. For Abby's part, she is insecure about one of Nathaniel's employees and Nathaniel doesn't handle the insecurity well. Those were interesting sources of conflict but the problem is that they take up almost no pages in the book. The total amount of time spent on those conflicts is probably about 20-30 pages of the entire book and most of those pages don't appear until after the 70% mark of the book. So that means this is an entire novel about the everyday lives of a married couple with some very well depicted, tantalizing kinky sex interspersed in the pages.

I'm not exaggerating about the sex scenes, they are really really well done. The sex scenes basically carry the book because there just isn't much else going on in terms of the romance in the book. The non-sex scenes are about the business aspects of the "play group" that the couple are a part of. The business of the group is depicted in great detail with a lot of information about new security protocols the group is putting in place to increase safety for the players. I found that information to be really mundane and frankly boring. It didn't do anything for me in terms of giving me the romance I was craving from the book and it didn't infuse any excitement in to the story line. There is also a lot of detail given about some of the other club members and their stories. That's ok if you've read some of the other books and are interested in following up on some of the characters. For me, I don't really want that much information about non-main characters.

The question I kept asking myself as I was reading this book was 'what is this book about?' The only answer I could come up with is that it's about Nathaniel and Abigail's marriage and I just don't know if that's an actual plot that can hold a reader's attention. I appreciate Tara's adeptness at erotic writing so much that I still feel like it was worthwhile for me to read this book but I think there's potential for you to be disappointed by the lack of a clear plot. I think I would recommend reading the first 4 books in the series before you read this one. I think I would've gotten more out of this installment if I was already invested in the relationship between Nathaniel and Abigail.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Redemption Road by Katie Ashley

Redemption Road is my second book in the Raiders MC series. This book follows Deacon's (the Hero from book 1) brother Rev and his relationship with Anabelle. You do not need to read the first book in this series to read this one but I recommend you read the first book anyway. The first book was good and this one contains several spoilers that might diminish your enjoyment of the first book if you read them out of order.

Rev is the president of the Raiders MC (Motorcycle Club). At the end of Book 1, Rev is called away to do a favor for one of his MC brother's whose daughter has been kidnapped by traffickers. Rev, for very personal reasons, has a serious issue with anyone suffering abuse and goes on a mission to rescue the kidnapped girl. Anabelle is the daughter of a distant senator who views her with mild contempt and none of the affection you would expect from parents. Anabelle makes one rebellious decision in her life and it cost her everything. When Rev goes in to rescue his brother's daughter he finds a badly injured Anabelle and brings her to safety. From there, the book is pretty much an exploration of both Rev and Ana's emotional growth. It's a revelation of both pain and healing.

I happen to love Rev's character. He is the perfect mix for a reader like me. Rev is a stone cold killer with a conscious, intellect and emotional intelligence. I loved how Rev was the Hero in every sense in this book. He both physically and emotionally rescued Anabelle and despite his proclivity to slit a throat when it was necessary, he always took the high ground when it came to Anabelle. Of course Rev made some serious serious mistakes because of his own past issues but in my view that gave the book authenticity. It would have been a little disingenuous to put two characters together like these and then everything be perfect.

I also like Anabelle as a character. Anabelle has realistic reactions to the very severe trauma she endures but she finds a way to take her life back. I liked that the author didn't just try to gloss over Ana's pain so she could get to the romance. Again, that would not have been authentic. Instead, there is a long exploration of the growth of both Ana and Rev depicted through their interactions and introspection.

The only problem with this book was also one of it's strengths. The majority of the book is just Ana and Rev connecting to each other. There isn't a lot of action or even minor conflicts. There are major conflicts in the story but the rest is just kind of everyday life. And the everyday life, for 80% of the book does not include sex. I can't say that I was bored but there were times in the book where I wanted more from the romance and definitely more in the bedroom. Even taking those things into account, I still enjoyed this book, I highly recommend this book and the whole series. I look forward to finding out what comes next.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig

In the final Pink Carnation novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla, Napoleon has occupied Lisbon, and Jane Wooliston, aka the Pink Carnation, teams up with a rogue agent to protect the escaped Queen of Portugal.

Portugal, December 1807. Jack Reid, the British agent known as the Moonflower (formerly the French agent known as the Moonflower), has been stationed in Portugal and is awaiting his new contact. He does not expect to be paired with a woman—especially not the legendary Pink Carnation.

All of Portugal believes that the royal family departed for Brazil just before the French troops marched into Lisbon. Only the English government knows that mad seventy-three-year-old Queen Maria was spirited away by a group of loyalists determined to rally a resistance. But as the French garrison scours the countryside, it’s only a matter of time before she’s found and taken.

It’s up to Jane to find her first and ensure her safety. But she has no knowledge of Portugal or the language. Though she is loath to admit it, she needs the Moonflower. Operating alone has taught her to respect her own limitations. But she knows better than to show weakness around the Moonflower—an agent with a reputation for brilliance, a tendency toward insubordination, and a history of going rogue.

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Feature and Giveaway: Caged by Lorelei James

In the searing fourth novel in the Mastered Series, following Unraveled, only one woman can set a hardened fighter free from his past.…

In order to survive a life of tragedy, Deacon McConnell embraced his roughest edges and learned to fight on the streets. Then a life-changing jujitsu seminar led by Sensei Ronin Black led Deacon to become a professional fighter. With his muscular physique and his body covered in tattoos and scars, the MMA fighter defines mean, both on and off the mat.

But everything changes when innocent Molly Calloway signs up for his kickboxing class. Molly is Deacon’s opposite in every way: She’s kind, sweet, thoughtful, and educated. After a heated argument between them turns into a passionate encounter, Deacon realizes Molly is eager to experience more, and she looks to him to take her to the darker edge of lust....

The last thing either of them expects is how deeply their lives will be thrown upside down by the passion they find together.

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ARC Review: The Collar by Tara Sue Me

The Collar is my first book in the Submissive Series and my first Tara Sue book. This book is a part of a series but it’s a standalone and can be read out of order. This is Jeff and Dena’s story. Jeff and Dena are a second chance romance deal. They were together for three years before breaking up because neither of them knew how to deal with life’s inevitable bad sh!t. While together Dena wore Jeff’s “collar” and was his exclusive submissive. I’m not really that entrenched in the whole BDSM scene, all I know is being collared involved some feet kissing, candle wax dripping, rope and a whole lot of “yessir.” Even if you’re like me and you’re not a BDSM enthusiast, the depiction of the relationship in this book is much deeper than the trappings of the lifestyle practiced by the characters. When the book begins Dena is being stalked/harassed by some crazy creep and Jeff agrees to protect her despite the fact that they have unresolved issues the size of the Grand Canyon between them. As the book progresses Dena and Jeff travel down the road to understanding themselves and what went wrong in their relationship.

If you have a book called "The Collar" that is about BDSM relationships, there is a tendency to be biased into thinking the book is going to be one long kink fest. That is not the case here at all. I was totally shocked by how genuine and deep the depiction of the connection between Jeff and Dena was. This book is an emotional journey that describes what happens when people shut each other out in a relationship to protect themselves and to protect each other. The sex scenes, instead of being the central focus, serve only to further describe and enhance the connection between Jeff and Dena.

I'm not normally a fan of second chance romance but this is the second book I've read that is making me more of a believer. The history between Jeff and Dena provided a much richer foundation upon which the present day relationship was built. The past relationship is conveyed to the reader in a series of flashbacks that fit well in the context of the story. The book is told in the 3rd person POV but alternates between Jeff and Dena. I have grown to need dual POVs. I’m nosy and I want to know what everybody is thinking.

My only criticism of the book is regarding the mystery/suspense thread that is woven in the book. Throughout the book everyone is trying to figure out who is stalking and harassing Dena. I figured it out pretty easily and when everyone in the book discovered the truth, it was completely anticlimactic. First of all the stalkers intentions and motivations were absurd, and then the handling of the situation also fell really flat. For so much to be made of how serious the threat to Dena was, the resolution of that issue left me feeling very meh. The fact that the rest of the book was so emotionally excruciating made this one part of it seem particularly incongruous.

Beyond my one criticism, this book is well written and brilliantly executed, I highly recommend it.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Caged by Lorelei James

Caged is the fourth book in Lorelei James’ Mastered series. I didn’t know it was a part of a series when I picked it up but it’s a standalone so you don’t need to have read the other books in the series to read this one. I will say, however, that I read some other reviews of this book and a couple suggested reading these books in order to increase your enjoyment level. I’m not going to disagree with that advice because I seem to be a bit less enthusiastic about Caged than other reviewers. In fact, there are references in this book that connect to other books in the series (I know that NOW) that can be confusing if you start reading here.

Caged is Deacon and Molly’s story. Deacon is a Southern boy who teaches kickboxing classes. Molly signs up for one of Deacon’s classes and Deacon is instantly attracted to her, sweat and all. Right away I was little put off by the conflict between Molly and Deacon. Deacon blows his initial shot with Molly for a reason which I still don’t fully get and to the extent that I do get it, I just didn’t like it. When Molly runs into Deacon months later (underneath a stripper!) he is still attracted to her and is instantly on her seeking another chance. Molly gives in pretty easily since she’s been pining away for Deacon ever since their failed first connection. I think the book is supposed to be about the push and pull between Deacon and Molly as he tries to get back into her good graces and she resist only I didn’t really see a whole lot of that in the book.

Deacon is an extreme alpha. He comes complete with grunts, indecipherable facial expressions and a communication void the size of Nevada. Of course, he is also hella bossy. Eventually we see a sweeter side to Deacon but the weird thing is that his sweeter side doesn’t seem to be what drew Molly in. I know that because it doesn’t come out until after Molly has already agreed to give Deacon another chance. So their whole relationship up until that point was giving me a “I’m here for the orgasms” vibe. Again, I think not reading other books in the series may be an issue here because apparently there is some relationship development between Deacon and Molly which occurred in other books in the series. I didn’t benefit from that material so it all seemed very insta-lovey to me.

In terms of the events in the actual book…there was a lot going on emotionally. Because Deacon is brooding and alpha-ey, he holds a lot of things inside. This, of course causes complications in his relationship with Molly because she doesn’t understand or misinterprets some of his actions. Deacon eventually reveals more about himself and the sh!t really is devastating stuff that anybody would probably hide. The thing that finally got me feeling something about Molly’s character is that she really is good at understanding Deacon and supporting him as he finally deals with his past and heals. Post-open up Deacon and Molly’s relationship is compelling and the connection is really well described. The sex scenes were hot and added to the overall chemistry between Deacon and Molly. The BDSM stuff can always go either way. If you read a lot of BDSM books, the stuff in this book wasn’t all that intense but it still made things spicy and interesting.

The one thing that really annoyed me about this book is that in order to build some conflict into the story line, there is a lot of melodrama and angst. I’m actually allergic to melodrama and excessive angst and this book damn near made me break out in a rash. I know things are bad when I start screaming grow the fu!k up at my Kindle. However, because this book was well written, I had a lot of fun with the entire cast of characters and there was some hot sex, I still enjoyed the book overall. My suggestion for you potential readers is that you can read this book out of order in the series but you SHOULD read the other books in the series first.

**ARC copy provided by Publisher**

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