Review: Sexuality is always a few flavors from vanilla and with the addition of some humorous narration, a step away from voyeuristic.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 19, 2013
I really don't see how I could have resisted this book - a female dom looking for a male submissive, that happens to be a vampire? Just the premise alone had me giggling.  This is a reworked fanfic piece of the `other vampire story' that had people waiting on line for hours at the theatre. Not a YA read by any stretch of the imagination, this story has both good and bad points.The premise is unique: Cerise is a female dominatrix, not a common protagonist in many stories, and her Mistress Cherry nom de whip is just so utterly ridiculous and pun inspired that you know there will be plenty of humor in the story.  And Mina Vaughn does not disappoint on the humor front.  Yes, there is sex - and plenty of it, but more than that, this story actually is personality driven as we are given more clues into Cerise's difficult nature, and Willam's desire for companionship and love.Cerise was difficult to empathize with at first, until the cracks in her armor started to show up.  And the first of those cracks came early: her need to have everything just `so' in each of her encounters, and her lack of patience with those who do not meet her often ridiculous standards all show a woman grasping for control, afraid to take chances.  Further on in the story, her reasons start to become clear, if it does feel she is overreacting, but give the girl a chance: we've all been scared of change and different at some point in our lives.William is different: a vampire with a need to have someone to call his own and share his life with, and deep down he also has his own feelings of inadequacy and guilt to deal with.  As the two navigate and negotiate their relationship and roles, this quickly turns into a sweetly told story of acceptance and support that comes with love.  From superbly steamy sex scenes, to the lifestyle parties: sexuality is always a few flavors from vanilla and with the addition of some humorous narration, a step away from voyeuristic.  Best of all, both William and Cerise learn, grow and compromise on their way to a happily after forever.I received a galley copy from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.