Review: Jeepers...creepers....we're NOT in Kansas anymore!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 16, 2013
I simply loved that Aurélie FINALLY got her sense of `self' back and stood up for what she expected in a committed relationship with Rory.  In the beginning of this book it astounded me how cold Rory is acting toward Aurélie and in fact, he pretty much abuses her.  The running dialogue that Aurélie is silently thinking about as Rory shows her his command and control is wonderfully delicious.  Little does Rory know but it is Aurélie that holds the control and she finally reaches the end of her tether.  The behavior Rory shows toward Aurélie actually pushes Aurélie over the edge.What I honestly come to think about this whole thing with Rory and his show of dominant behavior (while at the same time actually shows Aurélie a lack of respect from Rory) is that Rory has probably gotten so much `feedback' from his brothers about Aurélie and how he lets her run him around....we'll; I think Rory becomes what his family (father and brothers) expects him to be.  All along it'd seem that Rory is expected to be the leader of all things concerning business and personal behaviors.  The personal behaviors meaning BDSM practices and how one treats their `sub'.  Rory's treatment of Aurélie and his big show of putting her into a true `sub' position becomes  his downfall and I love how Aurélie treats that episode.  How she dumps him and his big diamond engagement ring: PERFECT!The ensuing four months become a haven for Aurélie and this reader knew all along that Rory would know where she went and how to find her. Then it is explained that Rory was distraught by Aurélies abandonment.  He drinks, drugs, and finds himself a temporary sub to abuse.  I did appreciate Aurélie's outrage that Rory thought it okay to find a new woman to play with.  Personally I think Rory had to find a new sub or he might have really lost-it.  He is a highly sexual man and four months (let alone four days) would be too long.  Right.Aurélie does confront Rory about his faithlessness and during those uncomfortable discussions we know for certain that Aurélie is back to being herself after having lost her sense of self in light of believing her sister murdered.  When they get back together I'm glad she doesn't just hop back into his bed.  They work on the issues or rather Aurélie brings up the issues that Rory must work on.  There are times however; that I wonder if Rory wasn't just humoring Aurélie by making it look like she was getting him to capitulate and in most cases Rory does actually capitulate.  Then......of course......his two brothers start-up with the teasing about how Aurélie runs Rory around by the nose.I'd have to think that ultimately, Rory loves Aurélie enough to change himself in order to keep her.  She did let him know what she wouldn't tolerate.  Never did I feel that the relationship wasn't equal.  I think they both have to `modify' their natures enough to make the marriage work.  Yes; Rory is a very dominant, spoiled, and ruthless man.  He shows himself to be quite a loving mate for Aurélie.  He harbors what I perceive to be a very quiet and restrained violence.  These are traits that Aurélie is aware of and her love for Rory almost excuses them.Not to say that Aurélie is perfect.  She is not.  Both she and her sister are quite spoiled in their own separate ways.  I very much prefer Aurélie to her sister though.  That Trésor would want Rory back in her bed/playroom,  showed a definite lack of respect for the marriage between Rory and Aurélie .  The thing that really rings-out about the relationship between the three women (Nicole, Aurélie, and Trésor) is that they may love one another but that love borders on hostility and jealousy.  There is a fine line between love and hate and how these characters are written (how they interact) shows that fine line beautifully.This third book had only minor appearances of Severin who is Rory's twin.  He has become rather subdued after his marriage to Trésor and he has now fallen into a funk of married boredom which he and his wife are now planning to expand after interviewing a new sub for their pleasures.Karl, as well, has become only a minor player.  Married to Nicole and anticipating a child.  Karl is quite open about his requirements for other partners and his wife is fine with it.  At one time I thought Karl to be the devil incarnate, after what he expected of his brothers and Aurélie (Book Two).  Even though Rory denied any anticipation of what went on in Karl's house on that night this reader still would have to believe that Rory was okay (in advance) with anything that would happen and drugged Aurélie so that she'd go along with it as well.  Rory is the ultimate hedonist in his drive for pagan delights.  He is also quite the narcissist.In this last book we get a measured amount of non-graphic violence and threat to all that matters in Rory's world.  This being his wife and children.  At times however, Rory admits to himself that if he has to lose his children, that he'll have more and that he must not lose Aurélie.  I thought it rather detached of Rory that he'd even consider anything happening to his twin sons.  One thing that is very clear in this whole series is that Rory is of a wealthy European upbringing and his children will be brought-up as he was; meaning they'll have nannies as primary caregivers.  I like that Aurélie thinks she'll be more attentive to her children but due to Rory's complete control of the situation she has little choice but to visit her children and then leave them to the nannies care.  I'm wondering if Rory would even see his children more than once a day.  I had to keep in mind that the way Rory expects his children to be looked after is due to his upbringing and no doubt, a lot of mind-conditioning he has received his entire life.  I cannot help but hold out the hope that Aurélie would win-out in her effort to be the mother she plans to be and regardless of how her husband expects it to be.  Aurélie has an entire lifetime of work cut out for her in changing some of Rory's very stringent thinking.Ultimately, this reader is left with the sense that the marriage will work for them.  This is if Aurélie can be all things in the bedroom, playroom, and dungeon.  She has to be enough for Rory's drives and she knows it.  Not to say she isn't enjoying herself because she herself has quite the drives in that area.  Can Rory stay faithful?  All it would take is for Aurélie to tell Rory that being faithful isn't a requirement anymore and he'd be at the `club' that very night.  It is instinctive in him, to have variety.  He is also bisexual and that need isn't getting met anymore.  Aurélie knows she has to meet the needs and to this reader it reads as if she is up to the task.  She loves her man.  Now if the family will just mind their own business and let the marriage flourish without their interference.  I'm wondering if the interference isn't because Rory and Aurélie are so much in love and perhaps others haven't become jealous because they don't have that same love and devotion in their lives?The threat to the babies was a tough one in this book.  Thankfully, the threat isn't too dangerous and not one hair is harmed on any infant.  I did find fault with how Aurélie was willing to leave her twins with Rory's mother who in fact, murdered her own baby in his crib.  I know that Rory's father was always in attendance with his wife but why wasn't Aurélie more concerned for her infant boys?  That part didn't sit real well.  I know by the end of this series that Rory's mother (Lorelei) had found enough sanity to help save everyone from the madness of Lilith (perfect name, btw).  Lorelie: most definitely a very complex character.This final book in the trilogy ended things in a satisfying way.  We're left with the hope that Rory will continue to stay true to his vow of being faithful to Aurélie; although this reader would wonder if he can go the distance.  This series is most definitely not my usual romance reading fare.  Turns out this series is gritty, dynamic, and stretching the reader to places they may not be too comfortable visiting.  I felt plenty of discomfort in the reading of THE TIES THAT BIND TRILOGY.  There was so much going on that I wanted to know what was next and what outrageous thing would occur.  Let me say that I was not disappointed in this area and what happened would make me feel plenty of emotions.  I went a full spectrum from happy, elated, upset, sad, angry, and shocked.  Not even once did I get a warm-fuzzy feeling that romance usually gives me.What led me to this series is having read THE HART FAMILY SAGA (volume one), which is written by Elle Chardou, as well.  I'm not into vampires either and I did really enjoy that book.  How is ELLE CHARDOU getting me to read things outside my usual romantic fare?  Must be the writing.Thank you.  I was most assuredly.....entertained!