REVIEWED BY:
OVERALL SCORE:
Author: Multiple
Publisher: Freya’s Bower
REVIEW:
I found the foreword on this book very interesting. Not being part of the BDSM lifestyle, I was grateful for the explanation to that lifestyle before reading any of the stories. The foreword and understanding of the lifestyle is a must, in my opinion, before tackling BDSM as your reading matter. The reason for this is because without that understanding, the stories may very well have come across as perverted or wrong in some way to those people, like myself, who had no previous knowledge of what some people practise in their lives.
That said, here is my review.
Story 1: On Bended Knees – Canice Brown-Porter
The Dominant Evan has been training the submissive Morgan for four months now. Morgan, along with growing as a submissive and learning all she yearned to know about the BDSM lifestyle, has found that she has developed feelings for Evan. Her training comes to an end and, though she is glad that she’s been a good student, she is also saddened that her time spent with Evan has come to an end. Morgan offers Evan the gift of her submission—but will he accept it and become her Lord?
Evan sends Morgan back to her home and instructs that she records all her feelings and emotions in a diary. She must show him all of her in these writings and obey all the instructions he sets out for her. He will know if she doesn’t. The time spent alone without Evan is hard for Morgan—her longings and emotions are particularly well-drawn by Ms. Brown-Porter.
I enjoyed On Bended Knees for the understanding way Ms. Brown-Porter portrayed the lifestyle. I also enjoyed having a story to read as well as erotic content. On Bended Knees is actually a quite beautiful love story. Don’t let the BDSM theme fool you there. Again, this is where the foreword was appreciated.
Story 2: Little Book of Fantasies – Miranda Heart
Kaitlyn’s boyfriend, Steve, hasn’t quite got the idea of BDSM right. Kaitlyn is the submissive, but Steve isn’t respecting her and abiding by the BDSM rules. He drags her off—basically kidnaps her—in an attempt to give her what he thinks she needs. Aghast, Kaitlyn wonders how the hell to get herself out of the situation when Steve takes her to a train car kitted out with a bed and other things…
Not only does Steve violate BDSM rules, he has also violated Kaitlyn’s privacy. By reading her diary and finding out her deepest fantasies. However, though Steve has gone about things the wrong way, all is not lost. As the tale progresses, I learned that had Steve and Kaitlyn been upfront and open about their wants and desires from the start of their relationship, they wouldn’t have had crossed wires. Okay, so kidnapping your girlfriend is a little more than crossed wires, but that scenario isn’t quite as it first appears. With communication and a new understanding of one another’s desires, Steve and Kaitlyn are able to rise to a new level in their relationship.
I enjoyed the kidnap aspect—what can I say, I love reading thrillers!—but also appreciated the light bulb going on in my head with regards to what Ms. Heart is trying to say. I enjoy tales where reading between the lines says more than those actual lines. Little Book of Fantasies is one such tale. It goes from a frightening episode to learning about the lifestyle and what one couple are prepared to do to be together. Kaitlyn learns to love and trust, and Steve is able to be the person he has always been, except in the past, he’s always had to hide it.
Story 3: A Scandalous Arrangement – Kayleigh Jamison
Anna has been sent to work for a madam. Given the new name of Rose, she is thrust into a whole new way of life. Lily, another girl, has been instructed to get Rose prepared for her first night. An amusing exchange about the removal of pubic hair and the fact that two women could pleasure one another made me smile, for Rose is shocked by Lily’s blasé approach to what she does for a living, and Lily obviously doesn’t see what she does as anything but normal. Hilarious.
Rose is put on display for the gentlemen that visit Madame’s establishment. Uncomfortable and out of her depth, Rose is surprised when one of society’s prominent males, Vere Fane, selects her. He ‘purchases’ her, and Rose is sent to his home, where she is to become his submissive. Though shocked by this turn of events, events out of her control, Rose learns that her predicament isn’t quite as alarming as she first thought. That feelings and emotions that she has kept hidden are encouraged to run free. At last, Rose is able to be the real Rose.
I enjoyed A Scandalous Arrangement because it shows the character arc of Rose very well, that she literally blooms from a bud into a beautiful flower.
Story 4: Unwrapping Amy – Emily Ryan-Davis
Amy’s marriage is on the slippery slope. Her husband, Mac, doesn’t understand her wants. Her friend, Elizabeth, urges her to show Mac what she needs before he walks out of her life for good. Communication has been lost between the married couple, and Mac sleeping on the sofa doesn’t help matters either.
Mac sees Amy as someone to cherish and nourish. He can’t quite get to grips with the fact that though his treatment of her is appreciated, she needs so much more to feel fulfilled wholly.
Amy sets out to show Mac exactly what she wants. She devises a plan and, though it shocks Mac to begin with, he soon realises that to keep Amy, he must learn to accept her for who she is—totally.
A nice tale where a previously rocky marriage gains a second shot at reconciliation. I liked Mac’s character, one of a sensitive man who only wants what is best for his wife and marriage. His indecision on whether to admit that he desires exactly what Amy does is touching, for he didn’t realise that he felt the same as her. Always taught that a man should respect a woman, his assumptions about the BDSM lifestyle as something wrong had been ingrained in his mind by scenarios from his past. To understand that Amy’s desires were absolutely fine, and that he can still nurture Amy while participating in the BDSM lifestyle was something that Mac had to discover for himself. The shroud surrounding BDSM fell, and Mac finally understood.
Story 5: Efflorescence – Katrina Strauss
Hannah is a model. Set in the days where advertisements are painted, she’s done her fair share of Coca-Cola ads. She swaps an assignment with another model and makes her way to the Marxist, Pavel Rukavishnikov’s, studio. Hannah is aware that posing in underwear brings in more money, but it isn’t something that appeals to her. So, imagine her surprise and dilemma when Pavel informs her that his client wishes him to paint a ‘suggestive’ picture.
Pavel brings Hannah out of her shell. She spends much time sitting for him and grows closer to him every time she visits. Their relationship grows, and both character arcs are clearly defined as the tale progresses. Hannah and Pavel both have obstacles to overcome, and the blossoming of their relationship was a joy to read. I became incredibly interested in this couple and rooted for them. Touched by their dilemmas—some because of the time Efflorescence is set in, others because of barriers between a man and a woman—I will not forget this tale in a hurry. The combination of Hannah revisiting her past and recalling the tale of her youth and the mention of a rare blue rose brought me to tears. The elderly are sometimes perceived as just that—elderly. That they didn’t experience life, or have a youth is sometimes forgotten. Efflorescence crushes that misconception fabulously. Ms. Strauss has written such a fine tale that I’m very interested to read any other works she may have.
Efflorescence was my absolute favourite out of a fine set of tales because of the richness of the wording, the way the tale weaved through the character’s emotions, and the setting—no blips in the historical aspect that I could see. Whizzing back in time is always fascinating, but this historical tale has topped any that I have ever read so far. Tremendous!
Story 6: Touching Down – Joe Wilson
Pita received Joe’s collar many years ago, and the couple have enjoyed a special relationship since. Each morning, Joe ensures that Pita is happy—he prefers it that any discontent is dealt with and not allowed to fester. Joe adores Pita—this is highly evident as soon as the tale begins.
Pita often feels ‘out of sorts’. Joe usually lets her work through her own problems—Pita has a private room in which to be alone—but sometimes, Pita needs Joe’s help to smooth out any internal struggles she may be having. This particular day, she is worrying about losing a bracelet and asks Joe to ease her tension.
The love they share, both for the lifestyle and each other, shines from the page and it becomes more evident as Touching Down unravels. Joe looks like your Average Joe—pardon the pun—and he thinks about how other people may react if they knew what lifestyle he practised. Intensely private, he prefers to keep certain things to himself.
Pita shares his desires. She taught him how to love, how to feel, and he would do anything for her. Joe is the man many females desire. Someone who genuinely cares. I enjoyed reading about Joe and Pita’s relationship, how it flourished and grew. I also liked seeing how they both respected one another—how Pita craved to trust Joe, and how Joe craved to show her she could trust him.
Highly enjoyable!
Summary: An excellent set of tales.
