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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I read a small little novella, [b:Masks|7230583|Masks|Evangeline Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1259605783l/7230583._SY75_.jpg|8081458], by this author which had been on my Kindle for ages. I was impressed by it enough (see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2626895945?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1) that I decided to give one of the author’s full length books a try. Since Paranormal Romance and I are on a break these days (don't ask - I am looking at you Ms. Singh and Ms. Briggs).
Knock me down with a feather - this was good. The story revolves around two homicide detectives trying to stop a serial killer. The twist - if it can be called that since it’s in the blurb - is that he is killing erotica author and our heroine is one herself. Cue dramatic music (and my wish that the blurb had kept some of this out of the synopsis. Even though the book makes the connection clear I didn’t like learning about it from the back of the book. Since that has nothing to do with the author I am giving this a pass).
The story has light BDSM elements, mostly around accepting your desires and not shaming yourself and others. This was probably the healthiest representation I’ve read in romance. I am also cognizant that this came out before [b:Fifty Shades of Grey|10818853|Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)|E.L. James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385207843l/10818853._SX50_.jpg|15732562] which made BDSM such a prevalent trope. It was interesting to see some topics explained which have now become pop culture staples (doms/subs etc.). This does date the book a little but again, the concept of a couple, exploring was refreshing. The heroine called the hero out on kink-shaming which I cheered for.
I’ve noticed in recently written romance novels where an experienced hero initiates a naïve heroine into the BDSM scene and she takes to it like a duck to water. This is basically a variant of the rake-virgin stereotype which annoys me. Thankfully, this book avoids this; there is an actual teacher here - imagine that. Who would have thought that magic-romance-dom-mental telepathy powers (because that would be the only thing that would explain how the heroes know their lady loves are into the hard core BDSM which starts on page 2) are not needed.
So the romance worked for me but the real surprise was that the mystery worked as well. It’s a simple enough mystery that it doesn't overwhelm the romance or frankly make all the canoodling inappropriate (there is no “let’s stop for a quick while people are dying” scene here - I’m looking at you [a:Sarah J. Maas|3433047|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1582137198p2/3433047.jpg]). The activities actually spend a decent time in the book working. I’d recently read another ostensible romantic suspense novel, [b:I Thee Wed|367688|I Thee Wed (Vanza, #2)|Amanda Quick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388452689l/367688._SY75_.jpg|922142], where this wasn’t done half as convincingly (see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3011513531) that I couldn't help but be impressed.
In the end, I am giving this 5 stars for the treatment of BDSM adding to the romance and the balancing of the mystery. The writing was tight and kept me reading (to the detriment of work). I now wonder if I should give Paranormal Romance another try - hmmm.
Knock me down with a feather - this was good. The story revolves around two homicide detectives trying to stop a serial killer. The twist - if it can be called that since it’s in the blurb - is that he is killing erotica author and our heroine is one herself. Cue dramatic music (and my wish that the blurb had kept some of this out of the synopsis. Even though the book makes the connection clear I didn’t like learning about it from the back of the book. Since that has nothing to do with the author I am giving this a pass).
The story has light BDSM elements, mostly around accepting your desires and not shaming yourself and others. This was probably the healthiest representation I’ve read in romance. I am also cognizant that this came out before [b:Fifty Shades of Grey|10818853|Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)|E.L. James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385207843l/10818853._SX50_.jpg|15732562] which made BDSM such a prevalent trope. It was interesting to see some topics explained which have now become pop culture staples (doms/subs etc.). This does date the book a little but again, the concept of a couple, exploring was refreshing. The heroine called the hero out on kink-shaming which I cheered for.
I’ve noticed in recently written romance novels where an experienced hero initiates a naïve heroine into the BDSM scene and she takes to it like a duck to water. This is basically a variant of the rake-virgin stereotype which annoys me. Thankfully, this book avoids this; there is an actual teacher here - imagine that. Who would have thought that magic-romance-dom-mental telepathy powers (because that would be the only thing that would explain how the heroes know their lady loves are into the hard core BDSM which starts on page 2) are not needed.
So the romance worked for me but the real surprise was that the mystery worked as well. It’s a simple enough mystery that it doesn't overwhelm the romance or frankly make all the canoodling inappropriate (there is no “let’s stop for a quick while people are dying” scene here - I’m looking at you [a:Sarah J. Maas|3433047|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1582137198p2/3433047.jpg]). The activities actually spend a decent time in the book working. I’d recently read another ostensible romantic suspense novel, [b:I Thee Wed|367688|I Thee Wed (Vanza, #2)|Amanda Quick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388452689l/367688._SY75_.jpg|922142], where this wasn’t done half as convincingly (see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3011513531) that I couldn't help but be impressed.
In the end, I am giving this 5 stars for the treatment of BDSM adding to the romance and the balancing of the mystery. The writing was tight and kept me reading (to the detriment of work). I now wonder if I should give Paranormal Romance another try - hmmm.
This book is kind of a toss up, there were part's that worked for me and then there were part's that just fell short. This book spends a lot of time going over the two lead characters feelings and reactions to BDSM, parts of this was ok but it got old after a while. The characters in this book were divided into two groups, one for 'those people are FREAKS', and another for 'this is a perfectly normal way to live'. Your faced with two extreme's and then low and behold the main characters settle for in between. The parts that did work for me however included the plot. The twists and turns in trying to figure out who the killer is, how all the victims were connected in three different ways. The first being the Plastic Surgeon, the second by visiting the same BDSM club, and then finally each of them having published various erotic works under pen names. I enjoyed the going back and forth between suspects and trying to figure out which one it might have been, they kept on clearing names only to have them come back up. And even though I though I knew who it was, you don't really 'know' until right at the end when the author tells you. If nothing else that will keep you interest. 3 stars.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com
This book OMG it's so good, this was a second re-read through for me, which in my opinion is a sign of an excellent read.
To recap we have Detective Cole Berkley & Detective Alex Reed They are partners and also best buds. and they both work for Tampa's homicide division.
There is a serial killer on the loose and they are targeting individuals from the BDSM community.
This is where our story gets interesting, unbeknown to Cole, Alex is an erotic writer who has desires that she has been repressing for years.She has chased off her last serious relationship by being honest, so now the last thing Alex wants is her partner of five years discovering her secret life,
But with a killer on the loose, well secrets are going to emerge out into the open.
What I loved about Dangerous Cravings is that we have two individuals both complete novices to the scene. Cole struggles with coming to terms with what Alex wants, being totally vanilla in his relationships previously, while Alex is ashamed of her desires trying to hide them thinking herself weird and perverted.
While all this is going on Alex and Cole are both trying to trap a killer.
This has got to be one of my most favourite books in terms of BDSM, two individuals both struggling, but for totally different reasons.
There is no hardcore antics in this book just a journey of discovery and a lovely love story that I enjoyed as much the second time around as I did the first.
Dangerous Cravings is a must read that tugs on your heart strings and where you actually believe in the characters whole hearteningly.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
https://www.beckiebookworm.com
This book OMG it's so good, this was a second re-read through for me, which in my opinion is a sign of an excellent read.
To recap we have Detective Cole Berkley & Detective Alex Reed They are partners and also best buds. and they both work for Tampa's homicide division.
There is a serial killer on the loose and they are targeting individuals from the BDSM community.
This is where our story gets interesting, unbeknown to Cole, Alex is an erotic writer who has desires that she has been repressing for years.She has chased off her last serious relationship by being honest, so now the last thing Alex wants is her partner of five years discovering her secret life,
But with a killer on the loose, well secrets are going to emerge out into the open.
What I loved about Dangerous Cravings is that we have two individuals both complete novices to the scene. Cole struggles with coming to terms with what Alex wants, being totally vanilla in his relationships previously, while Alex is ashamed of her desires trying to hide them thinking herself weird and perverted.
While all this is going on Alex and Cole are both trying to trap a killer.
This has got to be one of my most favourite books in terms of BDSM, two individuals both struggling, but for totally different reasons.
There is no hardcore antics in this book just a journey of discovery and a lovely love story that I enjoyed as much the second time around as I did the first.
Dangerous Cravings is a must read that tugs on your heart strings and where you actually believe in the characters whole hearteningly.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
This was one of the first BDSM books I read and I still revisit it from time to time because the interaction between Cole and Alex is just so potent. A very good read and introduction into the BDSM world.