The BDSM Book Club Discussion Thread

[FurryFury]

It's time to discuss Surrender to Me by Shayla Black, our May 2012 BOTM.

[ditto79]

I was looking forward to reading this book. I enjoyed the prior ones in the series.

I'm not so sure about the nasty out-of-control Dom attitude through most of the book by Hunter and the on and off emotions by Kata trying to decide if she could handle being a sub could be annoying; but, some of the scenes raised my eyebrows. I'm one who likes an ending to a story -- those books where you are to draw your own conclusions only frustrate me.

While not my favorite Shayla Black book, I did enjoy it.

[FurryFury]

I agree Ditto79.

Thanks for posting.

Here are my thoughts on the book.

Surrender to Me by Shayla Black

Did you like the book overall or not?

I liked it pretty well. I didn't avoid reading it.

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

Some yes, some no, in my world you don't meet to do a Ménage à trois, and decide you are in love, and demand D/s or BDSM, without negotiation and good communication.

OTOH, in my world, two people fit each other's needs sexual and otherwise.

OTOOH, in my world, people are rarely ALL Alpha ALL the time. Whereas she was at work but not in bed is the norm but he, being the fantasy Dom, was ALL ALPHA at work and in every other area. Not usually something I see in my world because it's fantasy fiction.

It kind of pisses me off that the Alpha female is really deep down a sub but the Alpha male is just totally Alpha. Another mix of fantasies that while hot in some ways is not realistic and IMO, kind of runs women down.

I also didn't like how "perfect" their bodies, hair and faces were or the scent thing. Men are, IMO, not turned on by perfumes and body lotions. I know I'm not. Yuck. That is yet another fantasy though I suppose.

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

They were okay. I can't say they made me reach for my husband or my BOB and that's what I look for in a sex scene.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

Yes. I liked the internal struggle of the two characters as well as the thriller / mystery part.

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

Maybe.

What did you like best about this selection?

I liked the internal struggle of the two characters as well as the thriller / mystery part.

What did you like the least?

The cliches. He's a navy seal, might die on any mission but the toughest bitch around and he is going to pound town on your ass and heart. Not that great for me.

Also, that last night together. He was going to do what she wanted. Then she wanted him to do what he wanted. Suddenly there is a third person there. Didn't work for me and I Iike third fantasy persons.

But there was no space of time to set that up and again, that was HER fantasy not his. He was supposed to not want anyone else to touch her. And it was after she had told him she wanted him to do what he wanted. Ugh.

How would you have changed the story?

A little more realism.

[FurryFury]

I have randomly chosen Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey will be our July 2012 BDSM BOTM I hope folks will join me in reading this month!

Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton is our June 2012 BOTM

Surrender to Me by Shayla Black is our May 2012 BOTM, we are discussing it now!

We need votes and noms for our next BOTM.

The nominations so far are:

1.) Obsession : an erotic tale by Vanderbilt, Gloria

Publisher Summary 2 New York social maven Priscilla Bingham discovers a hidden cache of letters that reveal her late husband's affair with a sophisticated dominatrix who has recorded the intimate details of their relationship, a finding with which Priscilla becomes increasingly obsessed. Publisher Summary 3
The marriages of desire . . .

From the multitalented and versatile Gloria Vanderbilt comes a passionate, sensual, witty, and puzzling tale of erotic obsession, beauty, and revenge, told in tandem by two women obsessed with the same man—and, ultimately, with each other.

Talbot Bingham is a renowned architectural genius who, with his formidable wife, Priscilla, creates an architectural community. When he dies unexpectedly in the middle of their tenth wedding anniversary celebration, the devastated Priscilla is left keeper of the flame of Talbot's genius. Going through her husband's archives, she comes unexpectedly upon a pile of neatly tied letters, and the shocking secret of her husband's intimate life—a discovery that shatters the foundation of her soul and spirit.

Obsession explores the mysteries of the human heart and the nature of sexuality and obsession, provoking questions about whom we choose to love, and why. The reader is left to decide if the other woman represents another facet of Priscilla, or if Priscilla her-self has invented the other woman who completed the world her husband so recently inhabited?


5.) Menage by Emma Holly

Bookstore owner Kate comes home from work one day to find her two flatmates in bed...together. Joe - a sensitive composer - is mortified. Sean - an irrepressible bad boy - asks her to join in. Kate's been fantasising about her hunky new houseshares since they moved in, but she was convinced they were both gay.

Realising that pleasure is a multi-faceted thing, she sets her cares aside and embarks on a menage a trois with the wild duo. Kate wants nothing more than to keep both her admirers happy, but inevitably things become complicated, especially at work.

Kate has told her colleagues that Joe and Sean are gay but the gossip begins when she's caught in a clinch with one of them in her lunch hour! To add to this, one of Kate's more conservative suitors is showing interest again, but she's hooked on the different kind of loving that she enjoys with her boys - even though she knows it cannot last. Or can it?


3.) Symphony of C, Vol I and Symphony of C, Vol II by Cara Mitchell ebook format

From author's web site:

Following the ebbs and flows of longing warring with jubilation, Cara relives the fury of the battle between her intrinsic nature and the teachings of modern society in her quest to fulfill her yearning to yield control to another. Trained by the mysteriously exclusive ranks of high protocol dominants, she endeavours to be moulded into a gracefully captivated being.

Will her journey through intense bliss and wrenching turmoil in order to fulfill her need to obey destroy or lead to unparalleled freedom?

4.) Surrender to Fire by Lora Leigh

SurrenderBook 1 in the Bound Hearts seriesCole has wanted Tess for years. And he's warned her of this several times. He's also warned her HOW he wants her. Tied down in his bed, under his domination, surrendering to his desires. . . Fyre Brand She holds the elemental power of fire within her grasp, able to sear, to destroy. But her heart holds the fear of repeating her ancestors' mistakes. Now, amid a world fighting to rebuild, Carmella must learn that she cannot control the power surging through her fragile body alone. She'll need help. But can she accept the future her leader Torren has seen, and the touch of a stranger who is more than he seems? Publisher's Note: Previously available in the Elemental Desires anthology.

By G. Crider "loves to read" I purchased because of Surrender,(#1 of Heart Bounds Series). Not much of a story but the sex is super hot. It's Cole & Tess's story. Fyre Brand is a paranormal, full of good raunchy sex. If you are looking for more from this book don't. Just a good naughty read and a few fun ideas.

5.) The Dom's Dungeon by Cherise Sinclair

Foster child. Teenage whore. Now a veterinarian, MacKensie's turned her life around, but the scars remain. She saves her affection for the animals who never judge or scorn her, but it's time to get out, move on from her past in Iowa. So, she arranges a vacation exchange to job hunt in Seattle.

Although the house is lovely, one room is locked. Her years in foster care have given her two 'gifts': a neurosis about locked doors and the ability to open them. After she gets into the room, she's appalled...and intrigued. Chains and manacles, whips and paddles, odd benches with straps...

When Alex returns home days early and finds MacKensie draped over the spanking bench in his locked dungeon, he's furious. But her wariness arouses his protective nature and curiosity, so he strikes a deal to keep her close--she'll act as his submissive in exchange for a place to stay and help finding a job.

He'd planned to use the veterinarian to deter an ex-girlfriend, not replace her, but with MacKensie's compelling mixture of strength and vulnerability, the little sub slides right into his well-defended heart.

By Fan

I have read all of Cherise Sinclair's books and have to say, as much as I love the Shadowlands series, this is probably my favorite of all of hers....It was all about the mental aspects of BDSM and the learning and communicating and I thought it was a perfect introduction too to some of her other books. If you are interested and want to "try" one out, this is a great book for that, but I also just loved it regardless!


6.) Eager to Please by Kim Corum

Eager to Please, a new BDSM lite novel from Kim Corum. Here I am, take me, use me. Do whatever you like. When Kara, the wife of a wealthy businessman, is kidnapped, the last thing she expects is to feel sympathy for her captor. As her time in confinement extends, she finds herself involved sexually and playing games of submission and dominance. As each day passes, she slowly begins to fall in love and loses the homesickness she initially felt. Oddly enough, the only person she misses is her butler.

By Sydney

I am probably biased towards this book, given the fact that the whole "falling in love with kidnapper" scenario has long been one of my personal favorite sexual fantasies! I was aware that this was the plot line before I purchased the book, so I was extremely excited to start reading it. And it definitely did not disappoint.

It's basically a love story, with some good old fashioned male dominance and female submission thrown in. Super hot. My favorite aspect of the book was how the two characters really cared for each other. The emotional involvement just made the sex all the more hot and intense.

Romantic bdsm has recently become one of my favorite genres, and I would say this one is at the very top of my list...even better than Breaking the Girl. I only hope Kim Corum writes more of this type. My only complaint is that this one isn't longer.

I can only get the first book from my library. I can't afford any others right now so, I'm going to add the the noms with books I've either already read or can get from my library. I would like us to decide ASAP!

7.) At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.

[FurryFury]

Discussion for Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton, our June 2012 BOTM may begin NOW!

Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey will be our July 2012 BDSM BOTM. I hope folks will join me in reading this month!

Also we need to vote on the August 2012 BOTM.

[FurryFury]

Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton BDSM

Did you like the book overall or not?

I did. It had a little less sex in it than most in this series.

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

More than in Bullet. It was used for pleasure rather than torture.

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

No. I can't enjoy those in these books. They are too repetitive now.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

Yes.

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

Yes.

What did you like best about this selection?

I liked that the magic wants Merry to bring it back and to earth rather than beneath it or between worlds.

What did you like the least?

The constant sex with little changed in the effort of describing them.

How would you have changed the story?

I'd have still paid more attention to characters, action and story than sex.

[FurryFury]

Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey

Did you like the book overall or not?

No, I didn't like it. I LOVED it! LOL

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

This wasn't a BDSM book really. There was sex, chains, punishments and so on but it still wasn't BDSM.

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

Most sex scenes bore me these days. They were alright.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

Oh yeah! It was GREAT! I LOVED it.

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

Always!

What did you like best about this selection?

The intricate characters and story lines. The idea that you can love many.

What did you like the least?

I hated the religious zealots and mean people.

How would you have changed the story?

I wouldn't have changed a thing.

[Sharon_]

Originally Posted by sweepthefloor

Murder Game by Christine Feehan

I liked the Murder Game story for the science fiction aspect of mutation, alteration, genetic breeding. It was like being able to finally read about Rogue from X Men fucking.

I thought the lovers ability to talk to each other in their minds hot in a way. I liked the way he was possessive with touching her, and there were a few hot sentences about that. The idea that he would be the only man that could touch her without serious health side effects turned me on. The hotness factor was decreased by the poor transition between mystery and sex scenes, but I am not complaining.

I *adore* all her works, but especially the Ghost Walker series. All the books in that series are good, including this last one, "Samurai Game".

Kindle has made a fortune off me just off this one author.

[FurryFury]

Glad you both enjoy these!

Originally Posted by Sharon_

I *adore* all her works, but especially the Ghost Walker series. All the books in that series are good, including this last one, "Samurai Game".

Kindle has made a fortune off me just off this one author.

[FurryFury]

With no input from anyone I've chosen our next BOTM to be:

At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.

[graceanne]

Shoot! I missed this one!

Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton BDSM

Did you like the book overall or not?

Yes.

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

Positively.

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

Eh. They were okay.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

Yes.

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

Yes.

What did you like best about this selection?

I liked the mystery and that I didn't figure out whodunnit until the end of the book.

What did you like the least?

I have to agree with Fury - I really wish L.K. Hamilton would write her sex scenes better.

How would you have changed the story?

The sex scenes.

[FurryFury]

It's funny how we can still enjoy Hamilton even though her sex scenes suck. LOL I do enjoy her books though.

Originally Posted by graceanne

Shoot! I missed this one!

Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton BDSM

Did you like the book overall or not?

Yes.

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

Positively.

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

Eh. They were okay.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

Yes.

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

Yes.

What did you like best about this selection?

I liked the mystery and that I didn't figure out whodunnit until the end of the book.

What did you like the least?

I have to agree with Fury - I really wish L.K. Hamilton would write her sex scenes better.

How would you have changed the story?

The sex scenes.

[Sharon_]

Originally Posted by FurryFury

With no input from anyone I've chosen our next BOTM to be:

At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost

Hmmm...I seem to recall reading one of her shorts in an anthology...possibly with Lynsay Sands, can't remember.


"Series
This is book 3 of 14 in the Night Huntress series. It is preceeded by One Foot in the Grave, and followed by Destined for an Early Grave.

Show all 14 books in the Night Huntress series"


Damn you! Another series for me to potentially get hooked on.

*sighs and calculates out in my head...14 @ roughly $5.99 per...*


Fine. But I am starting with Book 0 and working my way to At Grave's End.

Cuz I'm anal that way.

[FurryFury]

I hope you like them. We've previously read the first two in this book club or I'd never start with the third one. I can get them from the library local to me too.

*hugs*

FF

Originally Posted by Sharon_

Hmmm...I seem to recall reading one of her shorts in an anthology...possibly with Lynsay Sands, can't remember.


"Series
This is book 3 of 14 in the Night Huntress series. It is preceeded by One Foot in the Grave, and followed by Destined for an Early Grave.

Show all 14 books in the Night Huntress series"


Damn you! Another series for me to potentially get hooked on.

*sighs and calculates out in my head...14 @ roughly $5.99 per...*


Fine. But I am starting with Book 0 and working my way to At Grave's End.

Cuz I'm anal that way.

[graceanne]

Originally Posted by FurryFury

It's funny how we can still enjoy Hamilton even though her sex scenes suck. LOL I do enjoy her books though.

To be fair, we might be biased when it comes to sex scenes. Cause we've read enough to be sex scene concurrences. We are, after all, active members of a porn forum.

That said, all the introspection that Merry and Anita have during the sex scenes can get obnoxious and boring. I find myself thinking 'oh for gosh sakes, shut up, and fuck'.

Have you read any jr rain? I read a book by him recently, cause it was free. Not bad, to be honest. Reminds me of LK Hamilton when she first started to write. Honestly, my first thought was 'OK, you've read too much Anita Blake', but then I got involved enough in the plot line that I wasn't able to do anything else until I read the rest of the story. No BDSM, though, so not good for this thread.

[Sharon_]

Originally Posted by FurryFury

I hope you like them. We've previously read the first two in this book club or I'd never start with the third one. I can get them from the library local to me too.

*hugs*

FF

Ah, my bad; I didn't read the entire thread, just the last couple of pages. Some authors write their series as stand alones so folks can just jump in, but I still always prefer to start at #1; I feel like I miss nuance otherwise.

The problem with my library is they want me to return the books
(or the e-books self destruct)

[FurryFury]

I agree with you about liking to start from the first book in series.

Originally Posted by Sharon_

Ah, my bad; I didn't read the entire thread, just the last couple of pages. Some authors write their series as stand alones so folks can just jump in, but I still always prefer to start at #1; I feel like I miss nuance otherwise.

The problem with my library is they want me to return the books
(or the e-books self destruct)

[FurryFury]

I'm going to have to check Jr. Rain out! Always love finding new authors.

Originally Posted by graceanne

To be fair, we might be biased when it comes to sex scenes. Cause we've read enough to be sex scene concurrences. We are, after all, active members of a porn forum.

That said, all the introspection that Merry and Anita have during the sex scenes can get obnoxious and boring. I find myself thinking 'oh for gosh sakes, shut up, and fuck'.

Have you read any jr rain? I read a book by him recently, cause it was free. Not bad, to be honest. Reminds me of LK Hamilton when she first started to write. Honestly, my first thought was 'OK, you've read too much Anita Blake', but then I got involved enough in the plot line that I wasn't able to do anything else until I read the rest of the story. No BDSM, though, so not good for this thread.

[graceanne]

Originally Posted by Sharon_

Hmmm...I seem to recall reading one of her shorts in an anthology...possibly with Lynsay Sands, can't remember.


"Series
This is book 3 of 14 in the Night Huntress series. It is preceeded by One Foot in the Grave, and followed by Destined for an Early Grave.

Show all 14 books in the Night Huntress series"


Damn you! Another series for me to potentially get hooked on.

*sighs and calculates out in my head...14 @ roughly $5.99 per...*


Fine. But I am starting with Book 0 and working my way to At Grave's End.

Cuz I'm anal that way.

Just remember to come here and do a review of them when you do read them. We've read them all, I think.

Originally Posted by FurryFury

I'm going to have to check Jr. Rain out! Always love finding new authors.

Well the first of his vampire series is free. Just go to his website, and it'll link you.

[Sharon_]

Originally Posted by graceanne

Just remember to come here and do a review of them when you do read them. We've read them all, I think.

Okay

"Reckoning"--the prequel to the series. I hate short stories, they're like casual sex--blegh...beats a smack in the head. Maybe. You're just too aware of the missing depth, it's too shallow.

This one was good for a short, possibly because I knew it was just a prequel. She writes really well.

I very much liked the character, Bones, and hope some of the future books feature his would be assassin, Rahmiel (sp?). Unique slant on a well-established theme. No romance, let alone BDSM stuff in the prequel (unless you count the cannibalism).

While I'm waiting for the next two before "At Grave's End", I figured out how to get the ebook from my local library to my kindle with some of Lora Leigh's. Even step by step instructions aren't easy when dealing with a clueless user who has Murphy as a permanent resident.

Well the first of his vampire series is free. Just go to his website, and it'll link you.

www.kinlib.com is updated hourly, it's specific for freebies on kindle, but amazon has free apps for pc's and such. I got one or two of JR Rains from there, a lot of new authors put up freebies as well as established authors and publishing houses wanting to hook you into their series

There are some gems to be found, but wear hip waders because there is an awful lot of really horrid to banal offerings to wade thru.

[FurryFury]

Glad you are reading with us. I think quite a few here are into ebooks so that's cool.

[Sharon_]

My apologies if this is in the wrong place, it seemed the best fit.

I'm on my library's email list and yesterday they advised they've partnered with zinio and that I can use my library card to subscribe to magazines (read on kindlefire, pc, ipad, etc) for FREE. They email you when the new issues come out.

I'd post a link but it appears you have to access it via your library's portal. The magazines offered are up to your library; I didn't see any smut or romance (or smutty romance) unless you want to count Nat Geo or Cosmo (Men's Health!), but that may be my library--I am in the Bible belt...I think they only reason they carry Lora Leigh is because she's a native daughter.

[FurryFury]

I have randomly decided to make Stacking in Rivertown by Barbara Bell, our October 2012 book.

[FurryFury]

Um, did I forget August 2012 entirely BOTM wise? Seems so. Okay friends and book lovers, pick a book, any book that is your fav erotic, BDSM novel, or BDSM how too and weigh in on it. How about that?

[Sharon_]

Originally Posted by FurryFury

Um, did I forget August 2012 entirely BOTM wise? Seems so. Okay friends and book lovers, pick a book, any book that is your fav erotic, BDSM novel, or BDSM how too and weigh in on it. How about that?

I thought you picked 'At Grave's End'...anyway, I just finished all three books in that series today and have my review:

Great series!

'At Grave's End', especially, was similar in many ways to the Heku series by T.M. Nielson. The first book in the series ("Heku") is free for Kindle (or to read on the pc using the free kindle app).

There weren't as many smut scenes as I was expecting, but what was there was well written albeit sometimes gory It's very disappointing to have to wade thru a poorly written sex scene in an otherwise fabulous storyline--Jayne Ann Krentz does that in her Arcane Society series and I wish she'd just allude to them like Janet Evanovich does.

Very fast paced, lots of action...held my attention throughout, in fact, I have digital holds place at my library for the next ones in the series. I loved the complex intertwining plot line.

If I could make some nominations?

Dark Prince, by Christine Feehan, book one in the Dark series.

Bond With Me, by Anne Marsh, book one in the Fallen series

Burning Up Flint, by Laurann Dohner--book one in the Cyborg Seduction series

Slave, by Cheryl Brooks--book one in the Cat Star Chronicles

Three to Ride, by Sophie Oaks, book one in the Nights in Bliss, Colorado series...not a paranormal or sci-fi, very funny