Review: Taming Kalinda by Dakota Trace

Taming Kalinda by Dakota Trace

Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: BDSM Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

After seeing her best friend accept her brother’s collar, Kalinda Doherty realized without a doubt she needed what Nisey had - a Dom who was willing to offer her more than a few nights of hot sex, erotic pain, and sensual submission. Unfortunately that left out the man she wanted. So when the offer of an internship in Los Angeles came up, Kalinda jumped at the chance, leaving Chicago, her family and the man of her dreams behind. Now with her internship over, Kalinda’s heading home for the summer with a decision to make - take the permanent job waiting in L.A. or finding happiness with her new Dom in Chicago?

Joshuah Redding was a man of deep needs. The time apart he’d forced upon Kalinda was finally over. Now that she’s returning to Chicago, he knows it’s time to claim her - for good this time. He had everything planned until the plane touched down. That’s when he finds out Kalinda has brought a man home with her…another Dom. Now what the hell is he supposed to do - especially when the new Dom wants him to join them - permanently?
Warnings: This title contains BDSM principles, bondage, flogging/whipping, anal sex and some elements of non-consensual sex and M/F/M theme.



Clare C’s Review

Having read the first book in the series, Nisey’s Awakening, I very much looked forward to reading Taming Kalinda. The first chapter began with the same inviting writing style and likeable portrayal of characters as Nisey’s Awakening. I found the premise to be exceptionally interesting. Two years after Josh throws her out of his life, Kalinda and her new Dom return to Chicago for an extended visit. The new Dom wants her to resolve her issues with Josh, either by exorcising his memory completely or by having him permanently join them.

The writing style devolves rather quickly. Sentences are a bit awkward and sometimes convoluted. As we get to know them, the characters seem more and more immature in their decisions, their reasoning, and their relationship to one another. I knew the author was a fan of jumping from one character’s point of view to another’s, but there were times it changed without warning or context clues. The simplicity of the story means the reader doesn’t get lost, but there didn’t seem to be a reason for us to be in the head of some of the minor characters.

The eroticism of the BDSM scenes was lost in issues of dubious consent and a distinct lack of romanticism and respect between the characters. They didn’t seem to be interested in one another on any level other than the sexual, and that doesn’t make for romance. It also prohibits the reader from truly connecting to the characters. If you’re looking for a kinky story focused on complete and total submission, Taming Kalinda is for you.

2 Tea Cups!

Review: Hot to Trot by Barrie Abalard

Hot to Trot by Barrie Abalard

Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Exes Patti North and Dylan Decker adore each other. Her problem? He cheated. His problem? Her temper. Fixing things will take more than spankings and hot sex, though that’s a good start.

Patti’s afraid to let Dylan back in her life, but, broke and desperate, she takes a job at the company he co-founded. Still lusting for him, she also yearns for some old-fashioned attitude adjustment—that is, a good spanking—over Dylan’s lap. Being childhood friends, they share memories and values, as well as a passion for horses. But Patti feels she can’t trust Dylan, and that pisses her off, which leads her to act rashly—and that pisses him off.

Dylan works at convincing Patti that he’s really changed and ready for monogamy. Hot spanking and sizzling sex erupts between them repeatedly, only for something to break them apart. A climactic scene in “Hot’lanta” that has Dylan spanking Patti for her temper leads to his satisfying both of them with back-door sex.

HOT TO TROT, set in the sometimes funny, sometimes weird world of Boston high-tech, tells the story of two exes who still adore each other—and still annoy each other—more than any other twosome on the planet.
Warnings: This title includes graphic language (including “cunt”), oral sex, masturbation, moderate spanking (marks left), anal sex, male domination, semi-forced spanking (not genuinely against her will)



Wendy's Review

The story that Barrie brought was one that kept you on the edge of your seat.

Patricia North was starting over after her divorce from a man she couldn't trust, too many things came between them. He was unfaithful, she knew it even though she never really caught him. Her jealousy and innuendos caused a rift between her and Dylan Decker. Then to be starting over at her ex-husband's company causes her to have a hot bottom from the beginning.

Dylan wasn't going to put up with Patricia's tantrums or jealousy and he wanted her to tow the line at work. Bringing her to his office to give her the law if she loses her temper or causes any trouble she could lose the job she desperately needs or get a spanking.

Patti remembers her spankings from the past and misses them terribly. Even though she has an interest in Richard, a man she rides horses with, he didn't want her.

This story has a man fed up with the jealousy and temper tantrums and is not afraid to use a brush, ruler or switch. Patti learns through this that trust is the foundation of a true relationship. And she trusts Dylan to give her what she needs to make it work in her work place and at home.

If you like spankings, and great sex scenes this is the book for you. It has you squirming in your seat as you feel the heat of Patti's spankings.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: City of Light by Heidi Michelle

City of Light by Heidi Michelle

Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: BDSM Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Come explore the pleasures to be found in the darker reaches of a city renown for its beauty, artistry and history. Follow Cyn’s story as she follows her Master, for the first time and beyond, into another world – one of perverse pleasure, decadent personalities, and exquisite sensuality. Experience the delicious disparity between common day and the darkest depths of desire in an elite setting of privilege and power, while you submerge your senses in a bacchanalian dance of sheer, wanton delight.

Warnings: This title contains graphic language, BDSM concepts, violence and multi-party sexual conduct.



Lily's Review

This is a gem of a short erotic story. The prose lavish and eloquent, the BDSM element hot and heavy, and I have to say, and I mean this as a very high compliment indeed, there were times my mind linked it to The Story of O.

Of course that classic could never be redone, but Ms Michelle’s heroine, Cyn (fabulous name!) is submitting in Paris, surrendering her pleasure and skimming the line between decadence and depravity at La Maitresse - one of Europe BDSM events.

I read this book twice, the first time drinking up the erotic descriptions and wondering just what Cyn had agreed to, and the second connecting the jumps in time. “City of Light” is written in the style of a conversation and memories, flitting between the two but cleverly thrusting the reader right into the action. For a story written in third person it held a wonderful air of intimacy.

The second read through also revealed to me the affection between Cyn and Raun, her Master. He was sensual, sexy and understood exactly what Cyn wanted and needed even before she did. I liked him much better the second time around.

Verdict:

For a hot little read that jumps straight in at the deep end “City of Light” will not disappoint. Spicy, kinky, artfully wrought I recommend it to anyone who enjoys BDSM fiction. Though be warned, it may leave you planning a trip to Versailles.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Semper Fi by Barrie Abalard

Semper Fi by Barrie Abalard

Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance

Heat Rating:4

Blurb

In this uncertain world full of lies and deceit, who doesn’t long for a mate that embodies solid values? Who doesn’t want a friend you can trust?

Jake Stone is searching for a woman whose values match his, a woman who will be Semper Fi—always faithful. When he walks into a bar one night to propose to his fiancée, he has no idea that he’ll be going home with two women he’s never met before.

Connie Woods has a thing for Marines, so both Jake’s looks and personal code draw her. She and her best friend, Amanda Foster, decide to spend a wild night in a hot ménage with Jake, determined to cheer him up after he is stood up and two-timed by the woman he planned to marry.

But a non-ménage sexual encounter with Amanda, and an upsetting first date with Jake, makes Connie think she’s lost both of them. Meanwhile, Amanda is hurt that her best friend won’t talk to her about what happened between them. And, Jake thinks he’s screwed up his chances with Connie. Can each of them find the love and happiness they are seeking?

Semper Fi, all about finding faithfulness and friendship in our uncertain world, reassures us that values still matter.

Warnings: This title contains graphic language, menage/group (M/F/F) sex, oral sex (F/F and M/F), masturbation, threat of a spanking (one swat).



Rachel’s Review

Abalard creates a world of militant men and the women who love them. Jake, the hero, can’t get over his obsession for a woman who evokes the term “Semper Fi” and the story revolves around his need for a companion of faithfulness and everything else the words exemplify. Hot love scenes, and a quick, if not flat, plot line lead you along on a tale of pop-goes-the-weasel.

This story would have been a better read if the author hadn’t Semper Fi’d it to death. I worry over the state of our Marines if they all walk around beating on their chest chanting Semper Fi, even when they’re not in a militant environment. In my opinion, the hero lost my interest about the 10th time he stated that he wanted a woman who was “Semper Fi”, and then when the women in his life started repeating the phrase, I almost put the book down. If you can over look this annoying repetition, then you’ll enjoy the heat in this story.

2 Tea Cups!

Review: Naked Submission by Alex Jordaine

Naked Submission by Alex Jordaine

Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Genre: BDSM Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Cap de Berg in the South of France is a nudist resort. But it is not just any nudist resort. It is the biggest, sexiest, kinkiest nudist resort in the world. It’s a paradise for persons of a deviant disposition. But there is trouble in paradise.

Paul becomes ever more insanely jealous of his Mistress Caroline’s lesbian relationship with fellow dominatrix Sarah. He is convinced that Sarah is intent on stealing Caroline away from him. It leads the normally dutiful slave to start screwing up badly and ultimately to commit the cardinal sin of disobeying a direct instruction from his Mistress.

As punishment for his wrongdoing the furious Caroline disciplines Paul with increasing savagery. She is aided in this by her fearsomely sadistic friend Yvette, a woman who more than lives up to her reputation for being the cruellest dominatrix in Cap de Berg.

Meanwhile spirited slave Rhoda switches from sub to domme and in the process becomes seriously smitten with a delectable novice sex slave called Laurent. But Rhoda has to leave the country soon, so can there be any real future for her and Laurent? And will Caroline ever let up on poor benighted Paul – and if she does, will it only be to ditch him altogether in favor of the highly seductive Sarah?
Warnings: This title contains graphic language, m/m sex, strap-on anal sex, domination, bondage and sadomasochism.


Rachel’s Review

This BDSM novella was filled with sadist/masochist role-play and several relationships. The main hero and heroine, Paul and Caroline, learn about their love for each other through the torment and tormenting of others. Friends unite to find the exact matches for each other, but during the course of the erotic vacation, subs become doms and the doms will have to relinquish their hard fought control to find their true soul mates.
Well written and fast paced, this story moved from one erotic scene to the next. If you’re looking for a hot-hot read, this is the place. But, this is not for the faint of heart. The role-play is hardcore and laced with pain. Loved that the author wasn’t afraid to push the limits and push her characters out of their comfort zones. A definite bedtime must read!

3 ½ Tea Cups!