Review: Strike Three!  This book is OUT!
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 11 4, 2012
I really hate books where the author has characters constantly yelling at each other instead of speaking in civilized tones, especially in public.  They're in a coffee shop and Seton propositions Marjorie.  She gets up to leave and as she reaches for the door he thunders, "Sit down, Marjorie!"  It's as if the author thinks using words like screamed, bellowed, and shouted sets an intense scene, when all it does is make the characters come across like immature teenagers who don't know how to control themselves.  Strike one!Seton constantly humiliates Marjorie, calling her a whore, and making her use the side door so the neighbors don't see his whore coming & going.  He calls her his pet saying, "I shall train you and teach you obedience, just like I would to an animal. ... You teach a pet tricks, discipline a pet when it's been bad, you own a pet and, in turn your pet is loyal and devoted to you. The word suites you, don't you think?"  In the end he came around somewhat, although he never apologized for treating her that way and seemed to think it was justified.  In addition, there is no way I can respect a woman who allows herself to be treated so nastily.  Strike Two!I understand that Seton is a Dom and ordering Marjorie around is part of the turn on.  I enjoy BDSM novels with strong characters.  However, she tells him "No" repeatedly and he ignores her telling her to quit playing this game of "No means Yes."  When a woman says "No" to a man, only a total loser doesn't understand that "No means No."  They have a safe word, but instead of it being used to let Seton know when Marjorie is uncomfortable, he tells her if she ever says it, their relationship is over so she better be completely sure before she uses it, as there will be no coming back to him.  The safe word is used as a threat, not a caring safety measure.  Strike three, four and I'm done!I finished the book but it never redeemed itself.  If you're looking for mature characters you can respect, treat this book like the plague.