Jeff White is a very very closeted man. He's not gay, no sir. Nope. He's a "man's man" (tm) ...hmmm.. that phrase sounds deliciously gay, no4.5 Stars.
Jeff White is a very very closeted man. He's not gay, no sir. Nope. He's a "man's man" (tm) ...hmmm.. that phrase sounds deliciously gay, now that I think about it. Anyway, nope, Jeff is a man. And men shouldn't have to be polite, or courteous, or - heaven forbid - romantic. Nope. A man should be able to walk up to whomever they are interested in (female, of course), and knock her on the head and drag her back to his cave by her hair. Hahahahaha.. and that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Jeff is single at the beginning of this book.
Ok, I exaggerate a little. Jeff spends so much time trying to prove to himself, and those around him, that he's a straight man (using every straight stereotype known to humanity), that he completely overlooks the fact that if you can manage to just be yourself, love might just find you. Of course, Jeff isn't looking for someone to love, he just wants someone to spank.
At the beginning of the story, Jeff is rather an ass. He's rude, and thoughtless, and pretty much miserable. Jeff is also a sexually sadistic Dominant man and he has been looking for the perfect masochistic submissive woman to complete him. The problem is, not many he's encountered (or any, really), want or like pain. He's lived a vanilla life forever and ever since his friend Niall introduced him to BDSM, he's really wanted to let loose. But he's inexperienced and, well, he's managed to chase off every woman he has tried to dominate.
Eddie, a friend of Niall's sub Maddy, has the perfect solution. Eddie is a masochist submissive. He's been looking for the perfect Top and why let a little thing like the fact that Jeff is straight get in the way? He proposes a deal where he will teach Jeff how to be the perfect Top, no sex required (not that he had any intention of not trying to provoke sex). Just five easy lessons so Jeff then has the skills to find his perfect sub.
After initially turning down Eddie's offer, he decides to at least get together to talk. And that leads to a demonstration, which leads to sex and a happy Eddie and a mildly confused Jeff. Jeff really warms to Eddie, though, and he's having the best sex of his life, and so is Eddie.
I loved Jeff and Eddie. And I really liked Jeff, once we get to see his actual soft interior. He's really kind of a sweet guy. It took Jeff a while to get his head out of his own ass and admit his bisexuality, but when he finally did, he made me proud. And Eddie was great, too. The perfect masochist submissive to complete Jeff's sadistic streak. I thought How to Train Your Dom in Five Easy Steps was absolutely delightful and I definitely recommend it.
Merged review:
4.5 Stars.
Jeff White is a very very closeted man. He's not gay, no sir. Nope. He's a "man's man" (tm) ...hmmm.. that phrase sounds deliciously gay, now that I think about it. Anyway, nope, Jeff is a man. And men shouldn't have to be polite, or courteous, or - heaven forbid - romantic. Nope. A man should be able to walk up to whomever they are interested in (female, of course), and knock her on the head and drag her back to his cave by her hair. Hahahahaha.. and that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Jeff is single at the beginning of this book.
Ok, I exaggerate a little. Jeff spends so much time trying to prove to himself, and those around him, that he's a straight man (using every straight stereotype known to humanity), that he completely overlooks the fact that if you can manage to just be yourself, love might just find you. Of course, Jeff isn't looking for someone to love, he just wants someone to spank.
At the beginning of the story, Jeff is rather an ass. He's rude, and thoughtless, and pretty much miserable. Jeff is also a sexually sadistic Dominant man and he has been looking for the perfect masochistic submissive woman to complete him. The problem is, not many he's encountered (or any, really), want or like pain. He's lived a vanilla life forever and ever since his friend Niall introduced him to BDSM, he's really wanted to let loose. But he's inexperienced and, well, he's managed to chase off every woman he has tried to dominate.
Eddie, a friend of Niall's sub Maddy, has the perfect solution. Eddie is a masochist submissive. He's been looking for the perfect Top and why let a little thing like the fact that Jeff is straight get in the way? He proposes a deal where he will teach Jeff how to be the perfect Top, no sex required (not that he had any intention of not trying to provoke sex). Just five easy lessons so Jeff then has the skills to find his perfect sub.
After initially turning down Eddie's offer, he decides to at least get together to talk. And that leads to a demonstration, which leads to sex and a happy Eddie and a mildly confused Jeff. Jeff really warms to Eddie, though, and he's having the best sex of his life, and so is Eddie.
I loved Jeff and Eddie. And I really liked Jeff, once we get to see his actual soft interior. He's really kind of a sweet guy. It took Jeff a while to get his head out of his own ass and admit his bisexuality, but when he finally did, he made me proud. And Eddie was great, too. The perfect masochist submissive to complete Jeff's sadistic streak. I thought How to Train Your Dom in Five Easy Steps was absolutely delightful and I definitely recommend it....more
It's been forever since I originally read this (the original MLR Press release) and it was almost like reading it for the first time. I remembered bitIt's been forever since I originally read this (the original MLR Press release) and it was almost like reading it for the first time. I remembered bits of the story, but not much, really. I've been wanting to read some of the newer books in this series, so I figured I'd just start from the beginning.
I still enjoyed it, though it does feel dated. I'm looking forward to reaquainting myself with this series and universe....more
I first read Power Exchange six years ago and it went right on my favorites list. For my reread, however, I think I'm going to knock it down to 4 starI first read Power Exchange six years ago and it went right on my favorites list. For my reread, however, I think I'm going to knock it down to 4 stars because there are some glaring plot holes in the story. Still, I quite enjoyed it.
Merged review:
I first read Power Exchange six years ago and it went right on my favorites list. For my reread, however, I think I'm going to knock it down to 4 stars because there are some glaring plot holes in the story. Still, I quite enjoyed it....more
Loved it. It sure took these boys an awful long time to get out of their own way. Hurt so good, though.
...bumping to a full 5 stars because after a veLoved it. It sure took these boys an awful long time to get out of their own way. Hurt so good, though.
...bumping to a full 5 stars because after a very spirited discussion with my girls Renee and Ele over on Ele's review I've discovered that I actually would not change one single thing about this story.
---------------- Reading Cara Dee's books always makes me really miss my friends because they're scattered all over the place and Cara writes such a strong found-family connection. *sniff*...more
When I saw in some reviews that this was a slow burn, I was skeptical, but it actually is a bit of a slow burn. Color me impressed. Still alllllllll tWhen I saw in some reviews that this was a slow burn, I was skeptical, but it actually is a bit of a slow burn. Color me impressed. Still alllllllll the cheese you'd expect from this author, though. So much cheese.
I do have pretty much the same niggles with this novel that I have with other novels by this author: ~~Way too much cheese - I knew going in it was going to be there, but I can still wish for less.
~~Any conflict encountered is resolved way too easily/quickly. In the case of this story, the inevitable conflict between Luke and Emmet was pretty much resolved with a single conversation. I really wish they had discussed and decided to go to therapy because one conversation is not enough to heal years of hurt. This part of the story had a definite After School Special kind of feeling to it.
~~No real conflict between the MCs. Now they're both older and have a better grasp of what they want out of life, so I definitely am not looking for manufactured melodrama (like I ever am, tbh). I do think there was good opportunity for some relationship angst and character development that was just passed over, though. I mean, Luke is having feelings for a man for the first time he can recall! But he takes the erm...bull...by the horns and goes with it with nary a blink. And while there was a conversation with his boss where he (view spoiler)[ doesn't correct certain assumptions at first (hide spoiler)], the follow up, again, felt way too After School Special. I'm not saying (view spoiler)[ that I think his boss should have reacted negatively, at all. I'm glad he didn't. But he laid the approval on so thick it felt creepy (hide spoiler)].
Overall, I liked this one, though I did not love it nearly as much as many of my friends. It was a touch morose in the beginning, but it didn't feel angsty at all, really (maybe I'm just jaded). Everything went (way too) smoothly. Also, I wish (view spoiler)[the real world was as accepting as absolutely everyone in this story was (hide spoiler)]. I really really do. ...more
Cute and low angst, which is honestly not often my cuppa.
I loved that Webb didn't have much trouble coming to grips with his new-found bisex3.5 Stars
Cute and low angst, which is honestly not often my cuppa.
I loved that Webb didn't have much trouble coming to grips with his new-found bisexuality, and though I don't always find it believable when a character accepts new information about themselves so easily, I didn't have that issue here. I did want to smack him a few times for being super bone-headed, though. He had loads more trouble admitting he would want a relationship at all, even when it was obvious he was smitten.
Luke was great, but I wish he would have stood up for himself. He had a tendency to let people walk on him (the principal of his school and Katey at the diner, particularly). He was very easy going. Pick your battles, right? I guess I can relate to that. What I really liked about Luke, though, was that he wasn't afraid to dream. And he's pretty brave, too, considering he up and moved - by himself - several states away from everything he knew even though he knew no one where he was going, all for a chance and a dream. And when things turned out to be much less than he hoped, he persevered rather than giving up and going back home. Plus, he's great with kids and loves teaching.
(view spoiler)[Speaking of the principal ... Principal Oliver really should have been fired after the stunt she pulled in the last book bullying Luke into letting Aiden's mother take him knowing she did not have legal custody. That's aiding and abetting kidnapping, which last I checked was a crime. And after the event at the Spring Fling in this book and how she handled it, she definitely should not be in charge of children. Ever. My $0.02 (hide spoiler)]
All in all, I enjoyed this and I am definitely looking forward to Hawk and Jack's story which the author at the end of this book said was "coming soon" ^looks on Amazon^ ... 5 April 2023 . I think we have very different definitions of "coming soon" lol....more
I enjoyed this a lot! More than some of my friends did, but that's ok.
The Job has several things I love in a story:
Moral ambiguity - ✔️ Second chancesI enjoyed this a lot! More than some of my friends did, but that's ok.
The Job has several things I love in a story:
Moral ambiguity - ✔️ Second chances - ✔️ Sexual discovery- ✔️ Adoptive brothers - ✔️ Smexy smex - ✔️ Happy ending - ✔️✔️✔️
I even liked Ace, and I don't often like kids in my stories. She was such a smart ass, though, I couldn't help but like her. I think she's smarter than her dads and the world needs to watch out once she's a bit older. She's much like a tiny adult, which given the lifestyle her dads are raising her in, is not at all surprising. She's a manipulative little imp, too.
The story is told from Case's POV, but we do get a short POV from Boone at the beginning of each chapter. Snippets, really, both flash backs and present. I do wish we would have gotten more of his POV, though, because he's softer and sweeter than Case and I would have loved to be in his head a bit more, to really grasp his coming to terms with having feelings for Case that go beyond brotherly.
For those that are wondering how well The Job stands alone, neither Case nor Boone have appeared in any other Cara Dee book (but they were mentioned in one of her newsletter outtakes that takes place after book 3 of Auctioned). The Job IS a standalone.
I don't think you'll need to read the other Auctioned books, first, even though Darius does show up and a couple other Camassia characters are mentioned and one has a minor role and works behind the scenes (Willow). Darius only has a minor role, here, too.
The plot does tie into the main Auctioned books, but even Case and Boone are not given the specifics. Unless you're staying away from the Auctioned series because of its subject matter or because it's not all out yet, you could definitely pick it up after reading this one and even if you don't ever read Auctioned , you can still read this one completely on its own.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of these guys in the next Auctioned books....more
The Black Prince can be summed up in one word - Redemption.
Up until late in the main series, Akiem was awful. Like his brother, he was abuse4.5 Stars
The Black Prince can be summed up in one word - Redemption.
Up until late in the main series, Akiem was awful. Like his brother, he was abused all his life, but some of that abuse was hidden from view, making Akiem a master at hiding himself. We see glimpses of his true self toward the end of the main series, but we don't know how much of it was an act or just because he wanted vengeance on the Bronze. He was hard to read.
At the end of Blood & Ice, Akiem's fate is unknown. His brother, Lysander, and Lysander's elf lover Eroan suspect Akiem is dead. Apparently not, though. In desperation to run from the pain, Akiem flew across an ocean only to find himself at the whim of yet another dragon king determined to use him.
My heart almost didn't make it through this series, and The Black Prince almost killed me ded. Akiem...oh how did you manage to make me not hate you? Even worse, how did you make me love you?
Akiem discovered that no matter how far you run (or fly) you can't outrun yourself. Also, the path to redemption might very well kill you. But, Akeim does the right thing, even though he knows his chances of living through it all are slim. He sure didn't count on falling for smart-mouthed elf along the way.
Zane, along with other elves on this side of the pond, is very different from the elves where Akiem is from. They're more open and willing to accept a dragon in their midst. They're not at war, though maybe they should be. They're not as ruthless, but they need to be.
Akiem broke my heart into bitty bits, the more I learned about him, but he is so strong, and with Zane he becomes not just strong, but willing to use that strength for something other than his own gain. Love's a funny thing, yeah?
My only disappointment was that never once did Akeim mention his brother or the fact that his brother's lover is also an elf. He barely talks about his old life at all, actually, though he does finally talk about his twisted upbringing and the awful things Mommy Dearest did to punish him. Made me glad for her death all over again. We learn other things, too, that are beyond brutal.
The Black Prince is a fitting end to this series and as dark and brutal as it all was, I could not put it down. Damn. ...more
It's been years since I've read this author. I had forgotten just how goddamn perfect everyone in the Walker sphere is. Sooo many gay and poly relatioIt's been years since I've read this author. I had forgotten just how goddamn perfect everyone in the Walker sphere is. Sooo many gay and poly relationships in a small Texas town strains credulity, too. I want to believe; hell, I'd want to live there if it existed, but damn. The story was kind of interesting, I guess, but nothing particularly special. I'm hoping I'll like the next book a bit better with Brantley & Reese's relationship being more there (well, I hope it is) but we'll see. I'm just feeling a little culture shocked, I guess because too much perfection isn't really my jam these days....more
I've been asked just how well If We Could Go Back stands alone, among th--------Original Review 29 Apr 2019---------
"We met on the way."
I've been asked just how well If We Could Go Back stands alone, among the Camassia Cove series, so I'll address that first. It stands alone very well. Cara Dee is pretty good about keeping her stories self contained, even though there are character crossovers in her books. Camassia Cove isn't that big, so it's no surprise that characters from one book will wander through some of the others. Even still, If We Could Go Back stands alone better than most.
Neither Bennett, nor Kieran appear in the other books (that I can recall), though Bennett works for Ellis and is friends with Casey (both MCs from Uncomplicated Choices , in case you have not read that one). The timeline for the main story is about 2007-2011 and the Epilogue jumps to the summer of 2016. To put this in series timeline perspective, the story starts around the later part of Path of Destruction and the Epilogue is where Uncomplicated Choices begins.
"You can never make up for lost time. All you can control is where the first ends and where the second begins."
Wow. Just wow. Cara Dee does relationship angst like no one else. She writes some uncomfortable situations, for sure, but she's never failed to sell the story. Ever. I loved If We Could Go Back. You've probably read by now that both MC's are married (to women) throughout much of the book and each have children. There is a lot at stake and never did I feel that the author made light of cheating. The path that Bennett and Kieran walk is a difficult one and they do get their HEA, but they suffer for it, as do others.
"Everything was black-and-white until you grew up and saw gray everywhere."
While they certainly didn't deserve infidelity, the wives are not innocent bystanders, either. Through neglect and denial, both marriages were doomed to fail long before Bennett and Kieran met. This is what I love about this author's writing -- her primary and secondary characters all have layers. They feel like real people.
If We Could Go Back is heartbreaking in all the best of ways, and I was drawn into the story from the start. The story is told from Bennett's POV, so we see a lot from his perspective. We see his loneliness, his exhaustion, his bitterness. And we see Kieran through Bennett's eyes, as well. There was an attraction, from the start, but Bennett doesn't recognize it. What he does recognize is someone with whom he can build a friendship, and that's exactly what happens, until they impulsively act on their attraction and start down the path where life has meaning, but also where hurt lives.
I loved If We Could Go Back. I loved the MC's and though I didn't always love their actions, I did understand what took them there. When I encounter cheating in books, where the MC's are concerned, I need to understand what took them there. I don't want it to be easy and I want there to be consequences, but above all, I need to understand. With Bennett and Kieran, I understood.
The Camassia Cove series is one of my favorite all-time series. I've read all of the books multiple times, and I know I will read If We Could Go Back multiple times, as well. I definitely recommend it.
---------------------- ARC of If We Could Go Back was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review....more
![Unacceptable Risk [includes Unsettled Interlude] (Hidden Wolves, #1-1.5)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1612150065l/56887049._SY75_.jpg)
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