Review: Difficult review to write
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 08 6, 2013
Please leave comments on Jules' 2 1/2 sweet pea review at mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=13970This was a tough one for me. I wanted to love this book. The cover is GORGEOUS. The premise is really fantastic. It starts out really, really strong...but, then it just takes a bit of a left turn and sort of fizzles.I'll start with what I loved. Again, the premise... we very rarely see a disabled character, and I love that Tempeste O'Riley wrote James for us. He is a sweet, shy artist, who has had more than his share of problems with men. He has been in two extremely abusive relationships, and has basically given up on finding anyone for himself. Enter Seth Burns. Seth is a dashing, strong, and very direct CEO of a firm that hires James to do some designs for their new project - a large bed and breakfast chain that will cater to the GLBT community - another thing about the premise that I loved. Seth is taken with James, and quickly begins to court him.As I said, the story started out strong. I really liked the description of James and his background, his relationship with his best friend, Chase, is wonderful, and the early stuff with James and Seth is good. But, then things just seem to go downhill. One of the major problems, in my opinion, is the introduction of some random BDSM bits, which are thrown in with virtually no explanation. Seth says he isn't a Dom, yet acts at times as if he is, and tells James early on that he is submissive - which if that theme were developed/explored/explained a little more, could have been an interesting part of the story - but, then it's really never touched on again. Seth also mentions, sort of in passing, that it would be ok if James wanted to call him `sir'; but, then it isn't mentioned again until much later, when James all of a sudden starts doing so. The whole middle of the book just seemed to wander. Bits of James and his art ....bits of the BDSM stuff...larger bits of James' past abusive relationships... And, then, really out of nowhere, at almost  of the way through the book, we have a new plotline wherein James is receiving threatening letters, and requires a bodyguard. I just feel like maybe the author tried to take on too many strands, thereby sacrificing the quality of the book overall.I really wish I could just review the beginning and the end of Designs of Desire. The last 20% was so fantastic!!! Seth's parents, who are absolutely fabulous, are introduced, which will make you wish they had been showcased much earlier on in the story. Also, James and Chase have some very powerful, emotional scenes with James' mother, which are very satisfying to read. And, finally, one of the most beautifully written proposals I have ever read!! I swooned so hard at the end of the book.There is a lot of promise, and some really good things here, but unfortunately it just fell a bit flat for me. I will absolutely look for new things from this author, though!