Not Safe For Work by L.A. Witt

Hey everyone,

When I read the blurb Not Safe For Work by L.A. Witt on Netgalley I immediately wanted to read it. It has BDSM of the bondage variety, features two guys who’ve been around the block a few times and revolves around a taboo relationship. Could it be any more my type of book? 

The book:

They’re a match made in the dungeon…until their secret gets out.

Bored senseless in a meeting, architectural modeler Jon McNeill amuses himself with a kinky dating app on his phone. Then the app matches him with another user…who’s six feet away. Suddenly Jon finds himself on the same page as someone way above his pay grade: millionaire property developer Rick Pierce. His firm’s biggest—and hottest—client.

The app isn’t kidding either. They’re a perfect match. Jon’s a Dom, Rick’s a sub, and bondage is their thing. Both guys are well into their forties, know their way around the bedroom, and definitely appreciate a good suit. And the best part? They’re a match outside the bedroom too.

But office relationships aren’t easy to keep a secret. When the truth comes out, Jon is certain he’s about to get fired. Instead, his bosses throw him a curve ball—an ultimatum that puts both his job and his relationship in jeopardy.

My thoughts:

If you didn’t already guess from my mention of Netgalley I was sent Not Safe For Work by the publisher in return for an honest review. Always best to get the legal stuff out of the way first, wouldn’t you agree? Now down to the nitty gritty. I adored the start of Not Safe For Work, particularly the opening few chapters. In these early chapters Jon has just discovered that the super important client is not only a sub but also interested in him. I loved the sexual tension between Jon and Rick, which was heightened by the need for secrecy.

‘I can’t focus. Not at work. Not anywhere.’ I took a breath and reached up to rub a phantom crick out of my neck. ‘I can’t... I can’t think. If he’s there, he’s all I can think about. If he’s not there, I want him to be. I-’  

Top Five BDSM Romance Books

Hey everyone,

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you’re probably aware that I like a little bit of kink in my romances, especially of the BDSM variety. Luckily for me since the phenomena of Fifty Shades these book abound, yet this abundance of BDSM romance books has caused another problem... The blight of the bad, ill-informed and frankly mundane BDSM romance book. So to help out my fellow kink lovers I’ve decided to compile of list of my Top Five BDSM romance books. Enjoy!

Axel’s Pup by Kim Dare

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Hey everyone,

I hang my head in shame for not posting at all over the last 2 weeks, honestly didn’t expect the new course to take up quite so much of my time! Now hopefully though things will be business as usual and the regular schedule will be maintained because I missed blogging. Today I want to talk about Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren (aka the writing duo Christina and Lauren). Now I am aware that this book has a very loyal following and thousands and thousands of reviews, so rather than doing a regular run-down of my thoughts on the book I want to focus on a particular scene from the novel that I found troubling.

The book:

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office. 

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

My thoughts:

As in typical in New Adult or angsty contemporary romances the hero and heroine fight. The bicker, they flirt, they rile each other, they tear each others clothes off, they agonise over there feelings and the cycle repeats itself until the eventual HEA. I have absolutely no issue with books of that nature, when written well they can be extremely enjoyable and provide a lot of entertainment. What I do have issues with is domestic abuse and in my opinion this book contained domestic violence between the hero and heroine.

The Ivy Lessons by SK. Quinn

Hey everyone,

I had absolutely no intention of reviewing this book, but about half-way through reading The Ivy Lessons events in the book started happening that made it impossible for me not to review it. I’m talking about the difference between good BDSM and bad BDSM. In my opinion The Ivy Lessons is bad BDSM and below I want to outline why.

The book:

Teacher, plus student, equals a passion forbidden

When Sophia wins a post-graduate place at Ivy Drama College, she can't believe her luck. The college is owned by one of the most well-respected young actors in London, Marc Blackwell – who not only founded the college, but teaches the students.

Known for his strict classes and belief in discipline, Marc has a reputation for being arrogant and aloof, yet Sophia soon finds herself drawn to this cold, fascinating young man. 

Soon, Sophia is embarking on a journey of sexual discovery that promises to explore all that is forbidden between teacher and student.

My thoughts:

Perhaps I should have known from the premise that this wouldn’t be the book for me. Its the typical older more sexually experienced male with the young naive female, in the style of Fifty Shades of Grey, cause you know, duh! Yet I was drawn in because when written correctly I have no problem with teacher/student or BDSM. However, when I see scenes like this I start to have my doubts:

Axel’s Pup by Kim Dare

Hey everyone,

Lots has happened since we last spoke, firstly I’ve started a Youtube channel... I know I could be insane but after months of searching for a Youtube channel dedicated to romance books and not finding one I decided to start my own. Don’t worry though I will still be blogging just a regularly. The Youtube channel is merely an extension of this blog.

The other exciting thing that has happened is I got my hands on Kim Dare’s latest book Axel’s Pup and became completely obsessed with it. To the point I cancelled seeing a friend yesterday just so I could finish it... Clearly my priority are completely messed up.

The book:

As the landlord of The Dragon’s Lair and leader of The Black Dragons Motorcycle Club, Axel Carmichael has seen it all and done it all. He’s a respected and experienced dom. Nothing shocks him any more, and nobody catches him off guard.

When Bayden rides up to The Dragon’s Lair on a bike worth more than most men earn in a year, and immediately demonstrates that he has far more attitude than sense, it’s easy for Axel to write him off as a silly little rich boy who’s about to get himself killed.

But, there’s more to Bayden than meets the eye. He’s no silly little boy, rich or otherwise, and werewolves aren’t easy to kill.

My thoughts:

Set in an alternative world where wolves and humans have known about each other for centuries Axel’s Pup is a romance about the joining of two different cultures.

Mastering A Sinner by Kate Pearce

Hey everyone,

So I seem to be on a bit of a historical romance kick because I have another regency romance I want to review. Unlike my other ones, however, this is high on sexual content so if that isn't you're thing or you're under eighteen look away now! So this week I'll be reviewing Mastering A Sinner by Kate Pearce, an erotic BDSM historical romance based around the Sinners Club.

The book:

Bound by sensual secrets and illicit fantasies, the select members of the Sinners Club are privy to carnal pleasures too shocking to share...

Alistair Maclean enjoys his work as secretary at the Sinners Club until the women at the Club demand a secretary of their own. Suddenly Alistair finds himself at the mercy of a wanton beauty who demands Alistair submit to her in ways he's only ever dreamed about...

Diana, Lady Theale, has secrets from her past she must protect. But that doesn't stop her from enjoying passion in the present. She needs Alistair's help to untangle the mystery of her parentage, but she also needs his body to satisfy her darkly erotic desires...

My thoughts:

This book will not be everyone. Some people will read it and hate it. Others probably wouldn't even consider reading. The reason for this is simple, despite the fact the romances featuring BDSM have become huge since Fifty Shades, people still feel uncomfortable reading books where the woman is the dominant and the male is the submissive.

"I will expect you to be naked and on your knees.” 

He looked over his shoulder at her. “Go to the devil, Lady Theale.”