Guest Review: Accept My Surrender by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow

Moving on after his wife leaves him, middle-aged John explores a side of himself he'd pushed aside since college, and dates men. It's not working out too well when Logan, a local professor looking to rent the apartment over John's garage, enters his life. John doesn't expect Logan--younger, pierced, tattooed--to be anything more than a monthly rent check, but he accidentally overhears Logan's steamy BDSM session with a casual partner and he's turned on like never before. He can't stop thinking about what it would be like to be the one on his knees.

It doesn't take much to persuade Logan to teach John how to be a sub, but the experiment in submission quickly turns into much more than John ever dreamed of. The sex is sizzling but it's the sense of fulfillment John feels when he yields control to Logan that he craves. Despite Logan's struggle to adjust to being in a relationship and John's inexperience, they're moving toward something good when John's faced with a choice. Two paths lie before him, both offering happiness, but only one calls for his surrender, body and heart, to the one he loves.

Reviewer: Annery

So conflicted about this rating. I really, really liked it, but I felt like I should’ve loved it. It’s made up of many of the things that warm my heart: someone discovering their true nature/desires later in life, a Dom/sub-older/younger relationship with the Dom being younger, BDSM without the dungeons, specialized gear, or overly talked about rules, scenes, safe words etc. and yet … sigh.

We meet Logan (I’m seriously on a mission to meet a Logan in real life but they all seem to live in fiction) while he’s playing with one of his subs, Seth, who’s a real pain slut. The kicker is that he’s doing it in a shabby room he rents from a sweet older lady. The room is mostly decorated in pink, as the previous tenant was his landlady’s granddaughter, and he’s improvising with a hairbrush, because sometimes that’s how you have to roll. Logan is a professor/lecturer at a local college and when his landlady decides to relocate to Florida he needs to find new lodgings pronto. Solution: college bulletin board.

John is a thirty-nine year old man who’s been living in a kind of limbo for a year after his wife left him. He’s a waste-averse, pre-planner, list-maker, and heretofore untapped submissive. John has an apartment above his garage and when he sees Logan’s request on the bulletin board he takes it as a sign and decides to rent to Logan.

I loved the details about the characters, like the fact that Logan doesn’t do bottled water because it’s bad for the environment, he’s an unabashed sadist, and a messy housekeeper. John is a good cook who allows his friends to ply him with casseroles so they can assuage their guilt over his wife leaving him. He’s all about research and can kindly be called frugal.

I loved that Logan isn’t an infallible Dom. Most of the things he gets to try or experience with John are first for him too and the ideas come from his reading and imagination. He’s 27 y.o. and his practical experience is limited to his former boyfriend and the subs he plays with, but none of these have gone beyond a few hours in a club or at his home. Here’s an exchange between the MCs:

“You don’t have to wait on me.”
John gave him a direct look. … “Don’t I? Isn’t that part of it too? Not the sex and the pain, but the service?”
“I never had that,” Logan answered honestly. “Quick sessions where nothing mattered but both of us getting off was about it. This is as new to me as it is to you in some ways.”
“New good or new bad?”
“Good,” Logan assured him.

I loved that once John decides to “kneel” for Logan he does so wholeheartedly and without hesitation. There isn’t a lot of hand-wringing over “am I gay now” or “I’m submissive to this guy” or even the age difference. It turns out John had already experimented with a guy in college and also later, after his wife left him, but it’s not really a case of having hidden his gayness but rather that John hadn’t discovered his kink and when he does so with Logan it’s like a homecoming.

Logan smiled. “How’d the gardening go?”
“Unfinished, but there’s still time. I’ll go back to it. Uh, if that’s okay with you.” John wasn’t sure how this worked. Was he a sub 24-7 now? “Is it? May I finish it, Sir?”
“You’re asking for permission outside a scene?” Logan sucked in a breath. “Okay, one, that’s new for me. Two, I’m so fucking turned on right now, I want to say no and tell you to get naked instead, but that’s an abuse of power, and-”
“Tell me.” Blood pounding in his ears, John raised his hands to the top button on the faded plaid shirt he wore but held back on sliding it free. “No, order me. No more scenes. No more hitting pause. You never stop wanting to dominate me, do you? This is new, and I’m clueless about ninety percent of it, but I think of you and I want to go to my knees every single fucking time, so order me. Please Sir. You want me? I’m yours. Take me here. Use me. Tear the clothes off my back if you want me naked. Use them to tie my hands, or gag me, or whip me. Let me be your sub every second of my day because these last few weeks have been the happiest of my life, and if I know that’s what I am, even when you’re not here, I’ll feel owned. Wanted.”

I love that though John is the sub in the relationship his total commitment to their dynamic, in every situation, brings Logan to his knees (if only figuratively). I loved that John’s *issues* weren’t solved by magic cock. I loved that when we finally meet John’s wife, she’s not an awful harpie. I saw where she was coming from and actually liked her.

I love that both Logan and John are works in progress in their respective roles. I liked the un-drama of it all and yet that was also my stumbling block to falling in love with the story.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a fan of purple prose, but I felt like there was a lack of passion on page between the MCs despite the life changer the relationship represents for both of them. It seemed that important stuff happened off page, particularly about John’s *problem*. There were some intense and hot scenes but otherwise their conversations are so level-headed they felt like listening to NPR: calm, well reasoned, and sedate. Perhaps this is how people in real life should behave but it all had a flavor of “good for you”. It was all kind of like eating broccoli; I don’t hate hate but I’m not necessarily looking forward to having it. I have the sads for what could have been. :(

***Recommended if you’re in the mood for some sensible kinky romance***

Review copy was provided.

Guest Review: Turn Up the Heat by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow

First impressions fool recently dumped Rory into thinking Shannon's a walk on the wild side and the perfect way to get over a failed relationship. Shannon's not about to argue. Not when Rory coaxes him into some of the hottest, roughest sex of his life. But who is Rory falling in love with? A fantasy lover or the real man?

Fighting to keep Rory happy, longing for romance as well as the steamy sessions that leave them bruised and breathless, Shannon's got a lot on his plate even before family and friends complicate matters further.

There's only one solution. Turn up the heat, and hope it doesn't burn their relationship to the ground.

Reviewer: Lost in a Book

Holy kinkfest Batman!! This book was like Wheel of Fortune, kink style. Every spin will land you a prize kink with a…happy ending. *wink wink* Unless you’re into delayed gratification, then this is one for you too. We had spanking, pain, dirty talk, delayed gratification, dirty talk, humiliation, role playing, dirty talk, restraint, thrill of being caught, and being used to name a few of the prizes that were available to Rory and Shannon.

The sex was hot, how could it not be with that much kink to choose from? There wasn’t even a hint of vanilla. Unless you count that one time they cuddled and went to sleep? *shrug* There was a moment when a rubber glove came out that I thought my hard limit was about to approach… False alarm, not an ounce of crisco in sight; they just needed to do a cavity search. The dirty talk. Ohhhh the dirty talk… Shannon was on his A game with them words he speaks.

Shannon meets Rory when he responds to an ad to buy a motorcycle. When Shannon comes back a few days later to test drive it… he ends up test driving more than the motorcycle.

“Promises, promises. I don’t want words, I want action. You drive that bike like you know what you’re doing, but how do you fuck?”

This was supposed to be a one and done type situation. However, Shannon and Rory couldn’t stop thinking about the mind-blowing sex they had and decided a repeat was needed. There wasn’t much outside of sex for most of the book. We know that Rory is a dietitian and Shannon works construction and sometimes a bouncer on weekends. The bulk of the story is built around their sex-life and Rory’s brother, Jude.

Jude has been in a lot of trouble throughout his life and apparently Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100% to blame for why Jude can’t make the right choices and function as an adult. Rory is always the one to bail Jude out; literally. This dynamic between the brothers ruined Rory’s relationships with his previous boyfriends and puts a strain on the relationship with his friends and parents. They all feel that he is enabling Jude’s behavior. This strain continues until Shannon comes along and approaches Jude differently than the others by holding him accountable and setting limits. Shannon’s approach to Jude brings him closer to Rory.

A big issue for the MCs in this book was their sexual compatibility. Rory has a strong desire for kink but neither Rory or Shannon have indulged in anything other than vanilla before.

“Who knew desire this overwhelming existed? Separate from love or any real knowledge of the man about to fuck him, his need for rough handling took him over, free from captivity at last, given full rein for the first time.”

This “full rein” puts a chasm in their relationship. Rory is constantly looking for things to turn up the heat and Shannon indulges but then kicks himself for going along with it. Shannon is insecure throughout on his purpose in their relationship

“Being used for sex sounded great in theory. In practice, it was doing a number on his self-esteem.”
“I get him off, fulfill every jerk-off fantasy he dreams up. Is that making him happy? For now, sure, but long-term?”

A huge issue with both men is their lack of communication skills. Neither are able to do what is necessary to further their relationship. There isn’t a discussion on limits or lines and Rory steps right over it.

“Tell me, Doc, if you knew I was as vanilla as the image you project, if my dick was five inches not nine, would you still be interested in me? Because I don’t know who you think you’re dating, but it isn’t the man I see in the mirror. It isn’t me. And you were too busy getting your rocks off to notice I was uncomfortable.”
“I knew it wouldn’t last, but I wanted as much of you as I could get. Should’ve known it was a mistake. Can’t build on sand and expect it to hold up when the tide comes in.”

The remainder of the book brings us on a journey of discovery and limits for Rory and Shannon. They both have to figure out what they want in a relationship and the kink limits they are comfortable with.

This book was alright. The kink and last 25% moved it to 3 stars. The emotional connection was lacking for 75% of the book. I didn’t understand the point of their relationship outside of sex for most of it. It was almost as if they could walk away, no biggie. The remaining 25% really put a spotlight on the missing pieces. I finally got their relationship at the end and I wish that it was more developed throughout. There were some WTF moments that left me shaking my head. You’ll know when you get there. Especially around 74%. These WTF moments were meant to serve as a catalyst to further their relationship but instead really showed the lack of emotional connection.

Speaking of WTF…Let’s talk about the cover? Seriously? I'm a huge fan of beards and facial hair but this bearded guy makes me think he should be driving a creepy white van with candy in his pocket. I know, I know… Don’t judge a book blah blah blah. I judge and that cover doesn’t make me think Turn up the Heat.

Also speaking of WTF, this book had 2 big jumps in time without indication. These jumps left a lot of questions as to how they ended up where they did. One moment it was a hook up and the next they are having dinner with the friends. *confused* The secondary characters were funny and it seems that the next book has been set up nicely with Dex and Elliott.

I didn’t hate this. It was alright and had some enjoyable moments. If the relationship development improves (maybe expand instead of having a time lapse), this could be a decent read and then I would recommend it. If you like dirty talk, I’d recommend it even if their relationship development stays the same. *hawwwwwt*

Review: O/s by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow

Contains non-con elements and scenes of violence.

Jax has the perfect job on the perfect world, looking after subs while their owners are away. But Brysen’s no ordinary sub and his owner Layne is a threat to the safety of every sub on the planet.

Dealing with the heartbreak of a failed relationship, Jax is slow to realize Brysen’s adoration for his stern owner passes all reason, and breaks every rule. By the time he does, there may be time to save Brysen, but in the process, Jax stands to lose everything from his job to his chance at love. Will the protective instincts that guide his actions hold steady or will the darkness Layne wakes within him prove stronger? 

My feels are mixed on this one. I was expecting an intense slave training story. In spaaaaaaaaceeeeeeeee. Because space makes everything more intense somehow. It's not that sort of story though. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Control by Cordelia Kingsbridge only not as dark and with less mystery/thriller storyline.

Jax is a slavesitter. He is well respected in the community for being able to handle different levels of slaves and whenever their owners have obligations wherein their slaves cannot accompany them he ensures they are cared for in their absence. It becomes clear early on that he's had his heart broken and I also sussed out that he was a pretty hardcore sadist which filled me with glee. I thought for sure I'd be in for some serious PAIN! You know my feels on this. #TeamPain

Alas, there wasn't that much pain either.

Jax gets hired by Layne to slavesit Brysen and it's clear immediately something is amiss. His devotion seems canned, robotic and disproportionate to what's required. All slaves wear a color-coded collar that denotes their level/preferences and also dispenses beneficial nutrients, so it's not difficult to discern that something's wonky with the collar. The reason why the collars dispense this stuff still eludes me. I'm guessing it has something to do with the atmosphere? Aside from that the world building is in the fair to good range. I'm probably biased after reading Lyn Gala's sci-fi stuff. That's hard to match, though, and isn't reflected in my rating.

Make no mistake, Layne is an turdface asshat of an owner and I did wonder if he was always like this or if he just let his insatiable need to inflict pain override all sense and reason. Who knows?

However, Layne's mostly a background figure and only comes into play towards the end. 
Be forewarned that scene is brutal. But, really, it's only one scene in the grand scheme of things and afterwards there is a lot of push/pull between Jax and Brysen regarding their future. I liked both of these characters especially Brysen's evolution. I also thoroughly enjoyed the visual of Jax...

werd.

But neither really got under my skin and made a home. It's well written with good characterizations and a nicely paced plot, but left me wanting. I wanted it to be darker or kinkier or more romantic than it was. There are slivers of all three and maybe that's the problem-it tried to be too many things at once? Maybe my expectations were too high going in? I don't know. I do know that I wound up liking but not loving it.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: The Final Round (The Square Peg #4) by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow

Reeling from the news of his mother's death, Shane heads back to England to face a hostile father. Benedict's with him every step of the way, providing a shoulder to cry on and an escape from sorrow by way of their increasingly powerful and intense scenes.

Grieving and guilty, seeking a reconciliation with his father, Shane makes a hasty decision that brings him peace of mind, but at a heavy cost to his relationship with the man he loves. Is it time to call it quits or time to grow closer still? In the wake of his loss, Shane finds that question doesn’t have a simple answer -- but questions of the heart never do.

Ben, Shane,

The end.





Kidding. You know how I do! C'mon.

I do love them, though. True story. I was so excited to learn these authors were revisiting the original Peggers I believe people the next county over heard me. There isn't a bit of disappoint in me either. They're one of those couples that makes even the most banal events seem sexy and oftentimes a little naughty.

Brace yourselves, people, because this book is HOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT! I was reading this at work and at one point I seriously contemplated "faking an illness" so I could go home for some "me time". Another true story. Which reminds me, as a side note/word of caution: I wouldn't read this in public. Because high probability of embarrassing situation arising.

Every thrust threatened to life Shane off the ground, and he literally couldn't move, not with Benedict's arm around him, Benedict's cock inside him, and his jeans around his calves. He wasn't much more than a sex doll, unable to do anything but be manhandled and fucked as Benedict pleased.

Ben and Shane go across the pond to organize Shane's mother's funeral. Trigger warning:  Shane's father is a bigot. He's provincial, narrow-minded and an alcoholic. He was abusive to Shane as a child and a shitty husband. In other words, he hit the jackpot in the Asshat Lottery. But he's the only father Shane's got. I do think he loves Shane in a twisted way and age has mellowed him some, but he's not a likable character. 

Complex layers of character development are what held my interest in this slice of life book that isn't action packed or full of dramatics. Shane's guilt over his estrangement from his parents, his self-worth issues and struggle to figure out his place in the world are the engine that drives this story. Ben is his North Star. Always. Through this tragedy, though, their relationship is tested and strengthened.

It's a walk down memory lane for Shane and brings forth emotional turmoil that Shane doesn't know how to cope with on his own which is where Ben comes in. I wouldn't go so far to say that he reads Shane like a book but he knows his tells, isn't afraid of his bluster and pushes him to open up which sets off new avenues to explore within their relationship. 

I think for me what makes them so interesting to read about is their relationship is this organic entity that keeps growing and evolving; they're not static even after 2 yrs together. They're still exploring the kinky aspects of their relationship and both are willing to try things, some successful, some less so, but all learning experiences that they can alter to fit their dynamic.

"You're mine. You don't get to hide. I own you, Shane. Mine. Every scream, every smile, every bruise. And I won't settle for the parts of you you're willing to share. Got that?"

I have my suspicions about the direction of their relationship but I shall keep them to myself. 

Most of the book is spent in England with some bizarre food worthy of Andrew Zimmern that's got me thinking Brits have a weird obsession with chicken. I did thoroughly turn green with envy enjoy how Shane was Ben's own personal tour guide. Everyone should have that person who says don't eat there or if you do that you're totally getting ripped off. Someone should invent this, though I believe they'd be receiving some side eyes from me were they to suggest a chicken and sweet corn sandwich. *still gagging*

The characters from the previous books made appearances and a couple of new ones were introduced who, I'm guessing, may get their own book? Soon? And please let them be kinky.

Pew! Pew!

Pulled out the BIG GUNS!  


Highly recommended but cannot be read as a standalone, though you really only need to read The Square Peg to get caught up.

A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: The Empty Box (The Square Peg #3) by Jane Davitt and Alexa Snow

Dave’s taking life day by day after leaving Travis, his emotionally abusive partner of fifteen years. Working as the cook at the Square Peg is all the social life he has and he’s content with that.

When a swerving car leaves him sprawled on the snowy sidewalk with a broken ankle, being rescued by his new neighbor, young, sinfully pretty Jeremy, seems like the start of something good, even if twenty years separate the two men. But Travis isn’t content to let Dave slip away and Dave’s his own worst enemy, holding Jeremy at arms’ length when Jeremy wants to get as close as possible.

With decisions about his future complicated by his tangled past, can Dave accept the second chance Jeremy offers or will his heart stay empty of love?

I was really looking forward to this one when it came through as a review request to the clubhouse. I love the series and the unique personalities. I think the first it still my favorite, the dynamics that Shane and Ben have is tough to go up against. The strength in this series is in the characters and The Empty Box did not disappoint. Shane and Ben were there as well as Vin and Patrick and I loved reading about them all again. I was worried I would be a little lost since I read The Broken Triangle two years ago but I had no trouble picking up where that one left off which says a lot for the strength of all the characters in the series.

Jeremy is the new addition and he appealed to me immediately. He “rescues” Dave one late night and is attracted to him from the beginning. An older man is definitely his thing and Dave pushes all his buttons. Jeremy is no kid though, he’s 29, successful and independent. His experience with men is sparse, but he’s been with plenty of women. You know the saying, “what he lacks in experience he makes up for in enthusiasm”? That’s Jeremy. He gets tongue tied around Dave and his stream of consciousness conversations are really quite charming.

The first half of the book is Jeremy and Dave getting to know one another and Dave struggling with how to fit Jeremy into his life in a realistic way. He’s not convinced that Jeremy could be interested in him long term because he’s so much younger and he’s beautiful and he’s an eternal optimist and all the ridiculous things a dude with a messed up head thinks. Dave doesn’t get his own appeal so he doesn’t understand Jeremy’s attraction. Dave also has the specter of his long term love with Travis hanging over him and it really had made him into a hot mess. I’ve got to admit, I got frustrated with Dave and his attitude. I mean, I got it, his whole frame of reference with relationships is broken, but not giving Jeremy the benefit of deciding for himself what he did or did not want got old and was just plain disrespectful after a while. It was unfair to put his issues on Jeremy.

Half way through the book I hit a wall of what-the-fuckery. Beware, minor spoilers ahead. The evil ex makes his appearance and threatens Jeremy. Frankly, Jeremy’s reaction surprised me. I understood he was scared, and rightfully so, but until the resolution of their relationship a few chapters later I felt like a new character had taken over Jeremy’s body. His speech and actions didn’t connect at all with his character in the first half of the book and I lost the momentum in the story.

From then on out Travis is a major focus of the book even if his character isn’t present. Jeremy took a bit of a backseat and it just made me sad for him. He deserved better. I really couldn’t blame Dave a whole lot, again, his inner relationship guide is broken, but it was just a big old, fat-ass, hairy bummer for me. Things got way worse for the guys before they got better and they didn’t get better until the very end. By then I was so completely over Travis but he’d been front and center for so long that I had trouble reconciling Jeremy and Dave back together. Dave spent a lot of time pushing Jeremy away and Jeremy spent a lot of time being patient. So very fucking patient. I have to say that it read realistically though. If Dave would have miraculously gotten his head straight I would have called BS.

 My wish would be that Travis got less page time and there was more of Dave and Jeremy as a couple at the end. I think I needed that different balance to put them back together as a couple in my head. I’ll be ready for the next one when it’s rolls around. At least I hope there’s going to be a next one, please tell me there will be! I really like how the authors flow from one story to the next. It’s very smooth with well written reminders of prior stories and characters without a complete rehash that takes up a big chunk of the new story. So, that means I would get more Jeremy and Dave. I need to get back to liking Dave and read about him loving Jeremy. I need to get resolution on the balance of their relationship. Not to mention I love Jeremy’s ramblings and anytime I can read more of Shane and his attitude I’m a happy unicorn.

Read more about The Empty Box over on Goodreads.

**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Review: Speak No Evil by Alexa Snow

Jamie Kincade's world is turned upside down when Sebastian, a young man who doesn't speak and who shares the ability to see ghosts that Jamie's had since childhood, enters his life. Jamie finds Sebastian fascinating on multiple levels, and is determined to help him learn to speak again. He can barely keep his thoughts--or hands--off Sebastian, who wants him and makes no attempt to hide it.

The age difference between them--Sebastian is almost 15 years Jamie's junior--is a problem for Jamie, but Jamie's reluctance isn't the only thing keeping them from focusing on the potential they might have as a couple; the collection of ghosts Jamie has been living with in relative harmony for more than a decade has no intention of leaving Sebastian alone now that he's here. Their desperate attempts to get Sebastian's attention are a distraction Jamie would be grateful for if they didn't upset Sebastian so much. Jamie is torn between wanting to send Sebastian away for his own good and wanting to drag him off to bed, and with Sebastian tempting him both deliberately and subconsciously, it can't be long before Jamie's self-control snaps...

I have so many mixed feelings for this story. I loved the beginning; Alexa Snow drew me in with her words, everything flowing and no jarring moments.  The setting and the characters were shown so clearly.  Beautiful.

My only problem? As the story continued, I wasn't connecting with the characters.  I didn't get a good sense of who they were, or how they felt. Jamie's insistence on throwing up roadblocks between him and Sebastian was annoying, especially as he and Sebastian got to know each other better.  Not that I really felt any chemistry between them. I wasn't feeling the tension, need, or want that I expected.

And then, the story itself stumbled for me, with moments of too much telling, and scenes where nothing really happened.  At times, the present tense was too distracting, making the writing feel more mechanical. It wasn't consistent, though. I would be struggling with a part, but then a well written scene would catch my interest and I'd get caught up in the story again.

Things I liked were usually countered by something I didn't care for.  I started to connect with Sebastian but Jamie continued to leave me feeling indifferent.  The elements of hurt/comfort were touching, but sometimes the story was almost too sweet. I liked the paranormal aspect of the story,  but it felt a little random at times.  The introduction of the shadow ghost seemed to come out of the blue...why the wait, and why was time running out?  I had so many questions about that and to have much of it happen off page was disappointing.  I also had questions about Sebastian's on/off muteness, which threw me off.

Overall, I liked the story, but for me, it didn't live up to the potential of the blurb or that wonderful beginning.

Find more information on Goodreads.


Note: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: O Come All Ye Kinky edited by Sarah Frantz

Christmas is a time of love and joy, and the New Year is a time of renewal. But they are also times of stress and strife, family drama, pressure and heartache—a potent mix of high expectations and conflicted emotions. Add in power exchange relationships, kinky gift swaps, and unconventional love in a sometimes unforgiving world, and you have a formula for a sizzling anthology of stories that tug at your heart.

From Ava March’s forbidden Regency love among men, to Katie Porter’s scorching hot contemporary tale of two women discovering holiday happiness, everyone will find a favorite here. Pervertible toys abound: Lambda Literary Award finalist L.A. Witt’s candy cane, Jane Davitt’s wrapping paper and tape, and Alexa Snow’s Christmas candles all please and delight. Newcomer Elyan Smith and fan favorite Kim Dare both celebrate New Year’s Eve with romantic flair and kinky fireworks, while bestselling author Joey W. Hill’s poignant story of love lost and regained will lead you home.

Whatever your desires, we invite you to explore new fantasies and old with these eight kinky tales of holiday happy endings.

This anthology offers lots o' kinky, holiday jizz!

Tree Topper by Jane Devitt  ♥♥♥½

Stan and Martin have been in a D/s relationship for some time now, but it's kind of falling apart. Stan is acting up and Martin isn't giving him the discipline that he needs. Basically, these two need to have a chit-chat about who's who in the relationship. I liked the switcharoo from the norm and the Dom was the less confident one, second guessing himself.

Oh, Martin definitely came up with some creative ways to spice things up and to show who's the Dom! It was some kinky holiday fun.

Twas the Night by Ava March ♥♥♥♥

I'm a huge fan of Ava March. Her historicals never fail me and Percy and Michael were no different. Percy has been seeing Michael for some time. And by seeing, I mean visiting him, being a very good boy and then being on his way. He feels like he doesn't have the right to ask for more from Michael since he thinks his wants are unnatural. 

Throughout the kinky scene I was witness to, they start to reveal their feelings towards each other. Michael gave Percy the confidence to ask for what he wants. Literally. It was delicious. 

Fire Works by Katie Porter ♥♥♥½

Rachel and Emma are having one last session together before Rachel moves away for her job. Emma would willingly follow Rachel anywhere, but Rachel refuses to make that kind of commitment.

Holy shiz these girls were hard core. Emma can take a beating! There were all sorts of toys and Rachel loved to use them on her girl. Really hot F/F story.

Candy Caning by L.A. Witt ♥♥♥♥

Stephen and Nate are out Christmas shopping when they spot a huge candy cane. As soon as he sees Stephen pick it up, Nate instantly knows what Stephen intends to do with it. Heh.

Hot and sexy with some sweetness thrown in, exactly what you'd expect from L.A. Witt. Even though the story was mostly sex, it was easy to tell that they had a solid relationship. They had a great dynamic with obvious love for each other. 

Submissive Angel by Joey W. Hill ♥♥♥

After Robert found Ange beaten in an ally he gave Ange a job at his vintage toy shop. They'd been attracted to each other and Ange finally was able to seduce his Master.

This seems to be a common favorite in this anthology, but I couldn't get into it. I think it may be because it was more serious than the previous stories and I just wasn't in the mood for that. 

Open Return by Elyan Smith ♥♥♥

Zach (who used to be Hannah) has returned to his former lovers Scott and Laura after he up and left fifteen years ago.

I really liked the idea of this story. There was a lot of emotion and themes (reunited lovers, menage, trans) crammed into this novella. Also, there was only one very short sex scene when this is an erotic anthology. I was gypped in the sex department! I think this needed to be longer to really delve into the themes and flesh out the characters. 

Ring out the Old and in the New by Alexa Snow ♥♥♥♥

Ever since Evan was attacked he hasn't been the same. He's ashamed of the scar it's left on his face and has been distant with his Dom, Russell. 

Russell was the perfect Dom. He was so kind and understanding towards Evan. He slowly brought him back to himself and showed him there was nothing to be embarrassed about. This one was lighter on the kink, but made up for it with the sweetness.

His Very Last Chance by Kim Dare ♥♥♥♥½

When Kingsley overhears his sub, Drew, saying that his Dom doesn't do love and romance, he sets out to prove his sub wrong.

Kingsley was very creative in his ways of proving Drew wrong. He used all sort of romantic items to prove just how kinkily (<- is that a word? *shrugs*) romantic he is. They were already in a relationship, but they were in that 'do I love him? does he love me?' point, so this scene solidified what they were to each other. They were able to start out the new year with a clean slate, knowing where they stood together. This was my favorite of the anthology.

Well, there you have it. Nothing says Christmas like collars, floggers and butt plugs!

MERRY JIZZMAS EVERYONE!