Review: Formulaic? No Way! Another Great Addition to the Connagher Series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 8, 2012
Even if the author does have a Masters degree in mathematics, her stories are anything but formulaic - and YOURS TO TAKE is no exception!!Uniquely bringing the aspects of domination and submission to life, this newest release of Burkhart's, allows readers to dive into the needs of three characters that create the ultimate relationship triangle, each symbolically as different as the three points of a triangle.The alpha male: Elias Reyes: Being a detective that lost his partner, his heart is all hard and very little soft. Despite his reluctant feelings of love towards Vicki, he needs her, wants her. But his dominate ways always seems to edge into volatile when he and Vicki are together. After all, her dominate streak wants this alpha male to prove he's more alpha than her. When Vicki invites the homeless, starving artist into her condo, Elias is given the ultimate reality check. Is he replaceable? Has he been so confident in thinking that Vicki would always be there for him? And if he accepts Jesse as Vicki's, into her life and bed, can he handle it? What will the outside world think?The reluctant Domme: Vicki Connagher: Being a reader that has no interest whats-so-ever in female domination, this book was nothing short of fantastic - and I loved how Vicki, the reluctant Domme, wielded her dominate side towards Jesse! It was hot, it was meaningful, and it was written in a way that was completely unique to the BDSM literature world. Vicki wasn't excessively dominant, in fact, she also needed to submit to her alpha male, Elias. But when it came to Jesse, she found a deep seated desire she never knew existed: to comfort, to take care of, and to dominate Jesse. Vicki Connagher was a dynamic character and obviously multi-faceted! I just loved her!The homeless submissive: Jesse: Ahh ... Jesse. *swoons* I loved this submissive man that had a heart of gold and enough steel in his spine to hold his own in this unique and difficult threesome. Jesse's deepest desire is simply for Vicki to take him - in any way she wants, even if that means non-sexually. He loves her on a fundamental level and will do anything for her. He's also the "pretty boy" of out of the two males which causes even more tension and insecurities in the alpha, Elias.The sex in YOURS TO TAKE is hot without being over-the-top and graphic! Joely has a way of creating some seriously hot sex scenes completely based off the fact that you're emotional invested in these characters. You feel what they feel; written in a way that shows and not tells. It's simply fabulous - and leaves you all sorts of warm!The foundation of this story line is loving someone enough to give them what they want - and need - to be happy. Is that easy? Absolutely not, especially for an alpha male like Elias. But as the days pass, understandings and boundaries are defined and alliances are made. As Jesse so eloquently puts it ... Each person in this compromising and delicate trio cannot thrive and love without the other - in a chain sort of way. Elias needs Vicki, Vicki needs the domination of Elias, but the submission and domination over Jesse is something Vicki also needs, and Jesse just needs Vicki to "take him". Love is inevitable, and its the journey to get there that makes this a great read.This unique story line was engrossing. It was full of dynamic characters battling desires and their submission to them. The back-and-forth give and take created a more realistic (at least in my opinion) of what goes on in everyday relationships. It's just that in relationships such as that of Elias, Vicki, and Jesse, the needs cross boundaries into D/s. You won't find whips in this story, but you will find mild forms of S&M; and, of course, a strong D/s theme.YOURS TO TAKE is the third installment of the Connaghers series; a series following the Connagher siblings as they find their counterpart partners that fulfill their needs of varying BDSM desires.It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Joely's! Her writing style excels at creating dimensional characters that make the reader emotionally invested in the ups-and-downs of each of the story player's lives.The recommendation: For erotic romance readers who especially love D/s themes, mild S&M;, and menage. If you're not sure about embarking down the road of female domination, I would definitely recommend you start with this book!! It's the perfect baby-step introduction! Enjoy!!