Review: Fans of Cherise Sinclair or Annabel Joseph
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 28, 2013
I don't normally post my reviews on Amazon ... mostly Goodreads, but I'm not sure this book is getting a fair shake, so here goes.*****************************************************************12/28/2013 --Overall Rating = 4 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 4 / 1 = 2.5 StarsWriter’s Voice = 4 StarsCharacter Development = 4 StarsStory Appreciation = 4 StarsWorth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]442 pagesI read some of the reviews for this on Amazon and it was slammed. I probably wouldn't have read it, but I read the first in the series and thought it a decent read. The rating for this one is really low and all I can say, I don't think this has been marketed well.The GOOD about this read:1 -- It is a continuation of a series, but can be read as a standalone. This being said, we get more of the great characters created in book one. This also have a "not so good" point I'll mention later, but for me, this was the appeal of continuing with this series.2 -- The BDSM outlined by the author was accurate. I think she did a really nice job of telling this part of Tex's tale. She put me in mind of some of the better Cherise Sinclair. However, she lacked balance with the true story components [mentioned again below]. Therefore, it is my opinion, this read bordered on a BDSM clinical manual or checklist.CAUTION: Heed the synopsis warning. If you do not appreciate BDSM elements, this is not the read for you.3 -- I enjoyed Abby and Tex. They were each good characters and together they were even better. I have some "not so good" points about these two too, but I did like them.4 -- There were a few editing items, but not like the first one. I didn't deduct any points for editing this round.5 -- The price point is perfect.The "Not so Good" about this read:1 -- The author told this story without much intimacy; too little really. As much as I liked Tex and Abby and their bedroom escapades, there wasn't a whole lot of intimacy.2 -- The story was secondary to the BDSM elements. It appears the author was so hung up on getting this stuff right or making a point, that she lost focus in her story. The story we did get was good. Too bad we didn't get a bit more.3 -- Although we did have some time with the characters from book one, it was minimal. Too little time for characters that are to be highlighted in subsequent books. My opinion only.4 -- If we had focused on the story more and not the BDSM elements so much, the story length would be good, but because we didn't, this book seemed a bit long for a "BDSM 101" book.4a -- I read one review that indicated the length of relationship and the trust factor on some of the BDSM elements they experienced. I would have to agree. I think this part of their relationship moved pretty quickly. You note this after the fact not while it is occurring in the story, but you do reflect on it a bit. Something to note.5 -- Flow is an issue when reading this author. Sometimes as you are reading along an element will just appear. Like throwing something against a wall. I was able to hang with it, but it did leave me scratching my head and "hmm...ing" a bit. Wonder if she creates an outline before putting her story on paper?5a -- Nothing really MC with this book. The first one had a bit more of the Motorcycle Club element, but just barely. This one, not at all. Just fair warning.6 -- I think the book's marketing has impacted its' rating. Hate when that happens. This book surprised me and I'm sure this is what happened to other readers. I like a BDSM read. I wasn't expecting so much of it here. I wouldn't consider this a dark read, but it does have an extensive BDSM element and not just common elements you normally read about. Quite a bit of anal play, slave elements, and some mention of vaginal fisting. If you're not expecting these things, you may be put off a bit. The author warns you, but I'm not sure it has been heeded. We see the warnings too often as a play on certain readers and the content is actually pretty tame.So, think about it ... all these things I didn't find too helpful and I still give it 4 stars. This book's ratings really don't reflect how good this story is. It is. I think it hasn't been marketed well. If a reader enjoys Cherise Sinclair or Annabel Joseph, they will like this book. Maybe not the first in this series, but this one -- definitely.I thank Mo again for turning me onto this author. So not on my radar. I like how this author tells a story -- her imagination and the community she is stringing together. I wish she'd think and plan a bit more and it would flesh out the details a bit better. Maybe she will, at some point. I can hope.I was Very Happy Reading this one.