Review: Mercy

Mercy by Annabel Joseph

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


MERCY is one of those fantastic, but slightly twisted reads that leaves you feeling excited and a little confused about why you enjoyed it so much.

Millionaire Matthew and dancer Lucy begin their relationship as master and slave in a very business like fashion. Matthew explains what her role as his submissive would be like with such clinical detachment that it truly boggled my mind and it was obviously just as confusing to Lucy...but it was also very exciting. Watching their relationship grow was an interesting and erotic journey, but also disturbing at times. I found myself struggling with Matthew's actions and questioning his ability to make rational decisions about all matters relating to Lucy. I had to constantly remind myself that their behavior was just part of and specific to their D/s relationship.

In order to preserve the surprise ending, I won't address specifics, but the path Matthew eventually chose to take their relationship was quite shocking to me and really crossed a line - violating Lucy's trust and rights as a human being. I was disgusted with his choices. Then I had to remind myself that he was like this from the beginning....teetering on the narrow ledge between the obsessive / stalkerish tendencies that he so commonly displayed and the admiration and love he obviously felt for Lucy. As much as Lucy and Matthew's behavior disturbed me, it kind of excited me too and I was ultimately pleased with the story.

If you want an erotically dark read that is sure to leave you struggling with your emotions long after you have finished, then look no further than MERCY.



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Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really must be behind the times, because I had not clue what fan fiction was all about. Honestly, that's probably a good thing because I probably would have never read this book...which, by the way was wonderful and fantastic and not at all what I would have expected from fan fiction. From the descriptions I have read, fanfic is not my kind of read. Actually, I am not certain I am clear on that genre, but I digress, that is a topic for another day...

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY is dark and romantic, but don't expect roses and rainbows, because you will be really disappointed. Christian Grey is beautiful and wealthy and confidently in control, but that is all just a shiny veneer that protects the tortured soul that lives inside. All of Mr. Grey's carefully crafted control slowly begins to unravel once Anastasia Steel stumbles into his world.

The interaction between Christian and Anastasia is lovely and romantic, but also maddening--at times driving me to the point of insanity. Christian brings light and drama to Anastasia's existence. He opens the doors to a world that is so foreign to her that she has a tough time wrapping her mind around the concept of the relationship Christian wants to share with her. In a flash, she finds herself toggling between the life she once knew and the new life she is becoming acquainted with...a world filled with mystery, intrigue and darkness, a lot of darkness.

I was very impressed with how E.L. James painted the picture of the uber dominant, Christian Grey. I could have very easily disliked his character, but there was something in her depiction of Mr. Grey that just hit all the right spots (and I do mean all) perfectly for me. Christian's character kept me a little off kilter. I loved how he could be brooding and scary then, the second I decided to hate him, he flipped the switch to Prince Charming mode and I wanted him to lay me out on the nearest piece of furniture and have his wicked way with me. I can't even imagine what it must be like for the very inexperienced Anastasia. Extremely disarming I am sure.

I am intentionally steering clear of too much discussion about Ana's struggles with their relationship, for fear of revealing too much. Her emotions are a large part of what makes FIFTY SHADES OF GREY unique from all the other D/s stories that are on the shelves.

I highly recommend this book, it is beautifully written. FIFTY SHADES OF GREY has BDSM elements, but don't let that deter you from picking it up, it's mostly about domination and submission with a little spanking and flogging for good measure, but nothing too heavy. I think this book has the potential to appeal to the masses. GET IT. READ IT. You will love it!

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Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas

Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This must start off with a disclaimer. This book is about a kidnap victim imprisoned against their will and caged for a period of 6 months. This book contains kidnap, non-consensual/dubious consent...some of the sexual situations were forced, but more dubious consent because her captor would withhold things she craved if she did not agree to his requests.

I went into this book expecting something horrific after some of the discussions I have seen, but I wasn't so much horrified with it, but I was a bit intrigued and disturbed. I just can't really wrap my mind around this entire scenario...I actually felt really sorry for both the victim and captor. In his mind, he isn't doing anything wrong because he is giving her a choice...although he is forcing her to consent to his requests. In his journal he said something to the effect of: 'I found something strong and beautiful and I want to break it'...ok, that is not normal!!! Obviously he felt powerless in his life and feels that he has to control something in order to feel strong--that makes me sad for him. She gets totally effed in the head because she comes to crave whatever he has to offer her...as long as he is interacting with her. Honestly, if you go into this knowing what to expect, you will enjoy it. Although I never want to be in that situation, I can see how both taking control and relinquishing control would empower someone as it did these two characters. It was definitely thought provoking. I thought it was an intriguing and enjoyable read.



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Guilty Pleasures by Kitty Thomas

Guilty Pleasures by Kitty Thomas 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars





rating:  ★★★★★
recommended for those who love dark erotica and BDSM

review:  ** spoiler alert ** Have you ever seen the movie "The Game" with Michael Douglas and Sean Penn? Well, this is like an erotic, BDSM version of that movie...sort of...

I haven't heard much about this book, probably because everyone couldn't seem to talk enough about K.T.'s Comfort Food...which was also a great read, but this one is FANTASTIC! Oh! I freaking loved this book! Now, you have to go in to this book knowing that is is not light and fluffy. It is on the dark side, but when you look at the story overall once you have finished, there is so much more to it than that, really delving into the psychological aspects of D/s relationships and other relating factors.

I don't really like to spoil the story for those who haven't read the book, even when I have indicated spoilers, so I will do my best here... The story sucked me in right away and quickly progressed to paint a picture of a couple who once loved each other, but have lost the spark...well, Vivian has lost the spark. In the beginning, I really wanted to slap Vivian. She had this wonderfully attentive husband who wanted no one but her but she was repulsed by him and did everything she could to push him away. After a series of "encounters" with people her husband referred her to, she finds herself in a situation where she must make a deal with the devil in order to hold on the the life she has been accustomed to...when, just 5 minutes ago, she wasn't even sure she wanted that life. Of course, it didn't take long for me to begin to feel sorry for her...she was, seemingly, in a no win situation.

Guilty Pleasures was provocative in the sense that this situation could really happen! When I look back at the logistics of Vivi's descent into this world, layer by layer it is a totally plausible situation. I figured out how it was going to end fairly early in the book, but it didn't ruin the story for me at all. Kitty Thomas is to darkness as Selena Kitt is to taboo...crafty at weaving the story and sucking you in - even when you think there must be something wrong with you for loving such a story. I was very pleased with how this story wrapped up and I wouldn't have change a single word of it!

If you like stories that skirt the edge of sanity a bit and touch on taboo topics such as dubious-consent (not non-con, because she has a choice in the matter), kidnap and forced slavery, then read this little gem, I promise, you won't be disappointed.

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Beyond Eden by Kele Moon

rating:  ★★★★★
recommended for those who enjoy the dark side of romance, M/M, menage and BDSM

Review:

I want to start out by saying that I really loved this book. It wasn't your typical smut-tacular read. Now, don't get me wrong, it was packed full of deliciously hot, dirty hot and scary hot smut.

It was really tough for me to categorize this book...it's hard to explain the tone. The relationship between Evie-girl, Danny-boy and Paul-guy was not just a menage--no, it was way more complicated than that. I really hate giving away key plot details in a review, so it makes it more difficult. All I will say is that I can't remember reading a menage book where the characters involved in the menage have such distinctly different relationships--Eve & Paul, Eve & Danny, Paul & Danny and finally Eve, Danny & Paul. It was fascinating and frustrating, but not frustrating in a bad way--it frustrated me in a way that made me get sucked into the story even more! It would also be fair to say that I found it a little bit disturbing--but not in a way that turned me off and I would be hesitant to admit it turned me on.

I shelved this book as "smut not fluffy", because despite the fun looking cover, there was a lot of dark shit going on in this book. There were also a lot of fun and exciting situations the characters experienced. I felt like I was being told a story about the lives of these three very tortured and very interesting individuals. I felt it had a little bit of a Megan Hart kind of vibe to it.

If you are a fan of BDSM and like menage reads, then you should check this out. I will definitely read more by this author. I am looking forward to what she has in store for the future.




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Broken by Megan Hart

rating:  ★★★★★
recommended for those who enjoy romance without the fluff

review:  Megan Hart is a very emotional writer. When I pick up a book she has penned, I know many things before I even read the description. I know it will not be light and fluffy--I know it will probably not have a happy ending--i know there will be one or more tortured souls--I know there will be some smokin' hot sex--and finally, I know I am going to love it.

Broken is a heart wrenching story of a man and woman, very much in love. The man suffers a terrible accident that leaves him paralyzed from the neck down. Hart brought tears to my eyes as she describes the feelings the couple experiences--love-hate-jealousy-remorse-just to name a few. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to have the person you love live with you and talk with you and physically be with you, but not able to really experience the life you live. How hard that must be for both parties involved.

Sadie needs an outlet, she needs someone to talk to and she finds her escape in Joe--a stranger who shares erotic stories of his one night stands with beautiful women. As Joe tells his stories, Sadie imagines herself as the women he speaks of.

Sometimes Hart surprises me with an unexpected ending. I thought Broken's ending was bittersweet. This was another emotional but fantastic book by Megan Hart.

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