Scan barcode
A review by lifeinthebooklane
Roulette Redux by Renee Rose, Maren Smith, Alta Hensley, Livia Grant, Jennifer Bene, Measha Stone, Jane Henry, Sue Lyndon, Maggie Ryan
4.0
*** I shall be adding to this review as I read each story in the book ***
I loved the intro to this and would love Livia to write the scene that happened with Chase, Emma and Jaxson following the meeting (hint, hint). I liked that it didn't focus on the games and limits so much this time, but more on those who would be organising and running the event. I love how the couple matching not only ties all the stories together but really whets your appetite for what is to come.
The writing by each author is so well done, that even if/when the kink isn't your thing the story is still engaging, fun and easy to read.
*****
"Unrestrained" by Jennifer Bene
I loved Bianca and her 'make me' attitude, she may be a sub but she isn't a pushover. She more than met her match in Silas, which led to one super hot encounter that definitely pushed the pain limits.
I'm not a masochist and would definitely have called 'red' in Bianca's situation. I more than likely wouldn't have been able to read this had it been written by a less talented and knowledgeable author. However Ms Bene not only gave us several very hot scenes but she cleverly wove SSC/RACK into her story. (I'm thinking of when he made her look up and speak to the watching crowd and DM). This allowed me to feel more 'comfortable' with the story too.
I loved the ending, yes we want them all to fall in love but that isn't realistic even for a book! However IWOULD love to read more about Silas and Bianca, they certainly make one hot and amazing couple.
*****
"Brat" by Livia Grant
Short stories often leave me dissatisfied and needing more of a story. In Brat the author managed to give both background to the characters and include plenty of steamy actions. The book also held a lot of emotional depth too.
It did leave me wanting more of Ella and Connor, I loved this couple, Ella in particular totally drew me into the story. You know you're going to get kink but the plot and where the story went was just so unexpected. Oh and the ending..... ***sigh**** it fitted this story perfectly.
*****
"Forced" by Renee Rose
I need Mariana as my new BFF. I totally loved her and her non-submissiveness and I loved the twist Renee put on this story.
I love kink, I love kinky play but I'm not at heart all that submissive. Yes I want guy to take charge but I personally an not going to find pleasure in humiliation or a TPE. So I just totally got Mariana, the character is totally on my wavelength.
Victor was really well voiced in the story too. He's obviously a very dominant and alpha guy but the dynamics of the scene and how his partner felt and responded were more important to him than the type of scene or play.
I love BDSM stories - I wouldn't be reading this book if I didn't! - but this one is currently my favourite. I could read stories like this until the cows come home. It was much less about the kink (which I normally love) and much more about their connection and understanding one another.
Victor certainly proved that he understood Mariana and her needs became his priority. I'm generally not a fan of insta-love but -wow- Ms Rose you certainly made it work in this story.
Loved the characters, loved the unusual story, loved the ride in the car (again Victor putting Mariana above all else) and love, love, floved the epilogue.
*****
"Doctored" by Sue Lyndon
This was such a sweet and massively hot love story in just 10 chapters. The excellent character building had me really caring about Natalie and Hunter virtually straight away. The depth of feeling imbued in those characters made this quite an emotional read too.
I was totally caught up in their story and really enjoyed it. I flew through this one, even though medical play can push my 'uncomfortable' button. The author handled the scene with quite a gentle and caring touch, making it really fun to read.
*****
"Shameless" by Maren Smith
Wow, this story wasn't easy to read. Not because of poor writing, not at all. I really believed in both Hadlee and Garreth, they are really well written characters. The pace is good, the story was believable and the writing is excellent.
What makes this difficult is Hadlee's not-so-in-the-past, past. I could have sat in that shower and sobbed alongside her. I can guarantee that you will hate one of the characters in this story. For an author to get that under my skin in such a fairly short space of time reflects an amazing ability.
I can't wait to see how this story progresses....
*****
"Edge" by Alta Hensley
This story was much less about the BDSM and much more about the couple. In many ways this story could have been set anywhere, it didn't really have that much of a feel of being in Black Light.
The story is written entirely from Melinda's POV, but I did still get a good feel for Dean. The couple have history and definitely have unfinished business, mainly due to a very foolish decision made by Melinda. The story very much focuses on the couple, their re-connection and Melinda finding herself again.
I did find the majority of the book fairly vanilla, and even the scene didn't feel very kinky. That said the writing is good and I definitely felt drawn into Melinda's story.
*****
"Confession" by Measha Stone
I loved Dani and Gray's story. I did wonder where Gray's head had been at - Dani had all but offered herself on a plate to him. This had some very good BDSM action in it but also really focused on the couple and their feelings for each other.
I really got drawn into their story - my only complaint is that I would have loved this to have been a full length novel as it had all the makings of a such a good one.
*****
"Surrender" by Maggie Ryan
Marty is a wonderful woman but a terrible sub, who tops from the bottom (I've a feeling we have some things in common!) She has had a massive crush on Owen for a long time, but whilst he finds her attractive as a woman he doesn't want to play with such a poor sub.
Circumstances lead him to decide she needs to learn a lesson, which she very quickly, and painfully, did. I loved that Owen still appreciated her sass and didn't want a docile little woman, and he actually enjoyed the task of subduing Marty.
The story was quite fun, really engaging and had a good mix of character development, BDSM action and plot.
I loved the intro to this and would love Livia to write the scene that happened with Chase, Emma and Jaxson following the meeting (hint, hint). I liked that it didn't focus on the games and limits so much this time, but more on those who would be organising and running the event. I love how the couple matching not only ties all the stories together but really whets your appetite for what is to come.
The writing by each author is so well done, that even if/when the kink isn't your thing the story is still engaging, fun and easy to read.
*****
"Unrestrained" by Jennifer Bene
I loved Bianca and her 'make me' attitude, she may be a sub but she isn't a pushover. She more than met her match in Silas, which led to one super hot encounter that definitely pushed the pain limits.
I'm not a masochist and would definitely have called 'red' in Bianca's situation. I more than likely wouldn't have been able to read this had it been written by a less talented and knowledgeable author. However Ms Bene not only gave us several very hot scenes but she cleverly wove SSC/RACK into her story. (I'm thinking of when he made her look up and speak to the watching crowd and DM). This allowed me to feel more 'comfortable' with the story too.
I loved the ending, yes we want them all to fall in love but that isn't realistic even for a book! However IWOULD love to read more about Silas and Bianca, they certainly make one hot and amazing couple.
*****
"Brat" by Livia Grant
Short stories often leave me dissatisfied and needing more of a story. In Brat the author managed to give both background to the characters and include plenty of steamy actions. The book also held a lot of emotional depth too.
It did leave me wanting more of Ella and Connor, I loved this couple, Ella in particular totally drew me into the story. You know you're going to get kink but the plot and where the story went was just so unexpected. Oh and the ending..... ***sigh**** it fitted this story perfectly.
*****
"Forced" by Renee Rose
I need Mariana as my new BFF. I totally loved her and her non-submissiveness and I loved the twist Renee put on this story.
I love kink, I love kinky play but I'm not at heart all that submissive. Yes I want guy to take charge but I personally an not going to find pleasure in humiliation or a TPE. So I just totally got Mariana, the character is totally on my wavelength.
Victor was really well voiced in the story too. He's obviously a very dominant and alpha guy but the dynamics of the scene and how his partner felt and responded were more important to him than the type of scene or play.
I love BDSM stories - I wouldn't be reading this book if I didn't! - but this one is currently my favourite. I could read stories like this until the cows come home. It was much less about the kink (which I normally love) and much more about their connection and understanding one another.
Victor certainly proved that he understood Mariana and her needs became his priority. I'm generally not a fan of insta-love but -wow- Ms Rose you certainly made it work in this story.
Loved the characters, loved the unusual story, loved the ride in the car (again Victor putting Mariana above all else) and love, love, floved the epilogue.
*****
"Doctored" by Sue Lyndon
This was such a sweet and massively hot love story in just 10 chapters. The excellent character building had me really caring about Natalie and Hunter virtually straight away. The depth of feeling imbued in those characters made this quite an emotional read too.
I was totally caught up in their story and really enjoyed it. I flew through this one, even though medical play can push my 'uncomfortable' button. The author handled the scene with quite a gentle and caring touch, making it really fun to read.
*****
"Shameless" by Maren Smith
Wow, this story wasn't easy to read. Not because of poor writing, not at all. I really believed in both Hadlee and Garreth, they are really well written characters. The pace is good, the story was believable and the writing is excellent.
What makes this difficult is Hadlee's not-so-in-the-past, past. I could have sat in that shower and sobbed alongside her. I can guarantee that you will hate one of the characters in this story. For an author to get that under my skin in such a fairly short space of time reflects an amazing ability.
I can't wait to see how this story progresses....
*****
"Edge" by Alta Hensley
This story was much less about the BDSM and much more about the couple. In many ways this story could have been set anywhere, it didn't really have that much of a feel of being in Black Light.
The story is written entirely from Melinda's POV, but I did still get a good feel for Dean. The couple have history and definitely have unfinished business, mainly due to a very foolish decision made by Melinda. The story very much focuses on the couple, their re-connection and Melinda finding herself again.
I did find the majority of the book fairly vanilla, and even the scene didn't feel very kinky. That said the writing is good and I definitely felt drawn into Melinda's story.
*****
"Confession" by Measha Stone
I loved Dani and Gray's story. I did wonder where Gray's head had been at - Dani had all but offered herself on a plate to him. This had some very good BDSM action in it but also really focused on the couple and their feelings for each other.
I really got drawn into their story - my only complaint is that I would have loved this to have been a full length novel as it had all the makings of a such a good one.
*****
"Surrender" by Maggie Ryan
Marty is a wonderful woman but a terrible sub, who tops from the bottom (I've a feeling we have some things in common!) She has had a massive crush on Owen for a long time, but whilst he finds her attractive as a woman he doesn't want to play with such a poor sub.
Circumstances lead him to decide she needs to learn a lesson, which she very quickly, and painfully, did. I loved that Owen still appreciated her sass and didn't want a docile little woman, and he actually enjoyed the task of subduing Marty.
The story was quite fun, really engaging and had a good mix of character development, BDSM action and plot.