Bonds of Trust by Lynda Aicher

Title: Bonds of Trust
Author: Lynda Aicher
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: November 26th, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Pages: 280
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: Netgalley; ARC
Interest: Series
Age Group: Very Adult

**DNF

After ending her passionless marriage, Cali Reynolds is eager to live out her forbidden fantasies. Her first step is attending new members' night at The Den, the most exclusive sex club in town. Perhaps here she can find a man who understands her desire to be dominated…

At first, Jake McCallister thinks Cali has come to his club for the wrong reasons. But when he discovers she is seeking fulfillment after years of denial, he's intrigued—and takes it upon himself to initiate her into the pleasures she's been missing.

Her first encounter with Jake is everything Cali has always craved, and more; she's not prepared for the feelings he inspires in her. And Jake is just as surprised by his overwhelming attraction to Cali. As their play intensifies, so does their bond. Now, Jake doesn't want anyone but Cali—but is he ready to officially claim her? And will she submit to being his forever

Sadly 2013 is ending up to be the year that I don't finish books because they are just that bad. Honestly, I don't want to trash this book too badly, because it wasn't too horrible, but I just couldn't get into it.

I tried, I really did. I figured by this point if I can finish Fifty Shades I might be able to go through it - not so much. I found the two characters were losing chemistry slowly and slowly. There wasn't any real climax in the story and I found that the romance between the two just went too fast...not to mention I'm not a big fan of threesomes so, I find myself turning away from this book the minute it started to turn that way.

I get it - Cali is just a woman who is looking for love after not having it for so long. Or at the very least looking for passion, but I felt she was at a point of desperation. I mean, I guess I'm only saying this because I'm not her age, and I'm still pretty young, but I felt what she was searching for wasn't what she needed. I'm not saying that her age she's not allowed to explore in her sexual fantasizes, because things like that can be explored at any age, but with the way Cali's personality mixed with her actions, I just wasn't feeling it.

There was no connection, I didn't see any steam between the two characters, and I pretty much stopped reading after I realized that things weren't going great. I knew the moment I started this book they would end up together; there was no real mystery in that, but other books at least keep me guessing. This book, I didn't even try to look to see if the characters would be okay with each other.

I'm giving it a rating of one, because like my last DNF book, I at least read enough to give me an idea. Actually, I only had about fifty pages to go before I gave up, so I think I did pretty well.

Forbidden Fantasies by Jodi Griffin

Title: Forbidden Fantasies
Author: Jodi Griffin
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: March 1st, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press 
Pages: 79 Pages
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Age Group: Very Adult

After fifteen years of marriage, Jessica Meyers's sex life is, well, a little predictable. Her handsome husband turns her on, but missionary style once or twice a week? It just can't compare to the hot new world she discovers in the pages of erotic romances. Her fantasies fuel the fire of her desire, adding a new spark to her and Alex's lovemaking. But Jess is afraid to tell her husband what she really wants in bed—and her secrets start coming between them.

State trooper Alex Meyers is a master at uncovering the truth—except when it comes to his sweet, shy wife. She's clearly keeping something from him. An affair? She wants out? When he finally confronts Jess, he's shocked to learn she wants to turn her forbidden fantasies into nightly realities. But when he takes her to a unique B and B—Bondage and Breakfast—catering to couples and multiples, Alex is about to find out just how far he'll go. 

This was very different than what I originally read. While it is about Bondage and the whole lifestyle, what's different is that this isn't a couple who are finding each other, just a couple who are trying rediscover the passion that they had. 

At first I had a difficult time finishing this book just because of the age difference that was throwing me off. The last few novels that I have read are at least somewhat closer to me in age, like within ten years, but this was not so much. 

I thought it was interesting taking a different perspective in this novel and the B and B, Bondage and Breakfast. Jess and Alex were interesting characters and I found myself really liking them.

Like the other two books that were part of the anthology, this story is the last one in the anthology, so if you make it past the first two stories, give this one a try. You'll be losing nothing. It's short and can be read in less than an hour.

A Shot in the Dark by Christine D'Abo

Title: A Shot in the Dark
Author: Christine D'Abo
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: November 1st, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Pages: Roughly 40-50 (30,000 words)
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Negalley
Interest: Series
Age Group: Very Adult

Carter is one of the hottest men ever to walk into Paige Long's coffee shop. The attraction is mutual, and when Carter reveals himself to be a Dom, the submissive in Paige is aroused. Yet she brushes him off—her last relationship was abusive and she's unwilling to get involved with another Dom.

But when Carter returns the next day—in his firefighter uniform—Paige's fantasies really heat up. She can't resist his offer to get to know him over a drink at Mavericks, a local sex club. Their conversation quickly escalates to a session in one of the private rooms, and Paige is both thoroughly satisfied by Carter's skills in domination, and impressed with his selflessness as a lover.

Paige is ready to move on with her life. But can she trust in herself and submit to happiness? 

 
I wasn't sure what to expect from this novella, especially since I didn't even know it was part of a longer series of shorts about Paige and her siblings. 

Since this story is about Paige, I was shocked about how good it really was. Either Paige is a submissive she is very independent and strong female character, who is haunted by her past, and with the help of Carter she starts to realize who she is and what she can do with the right Dom.

I thought her siblings were great supporting characters and now that I know that they have their own stories, I'm curious to see what that's like. I would defiantly read the series.

One reason that I gave it four stars is because it wasn't something exponentially original. I could predict how things could end, easily. And Paige, while independent and strong, was like many of the other female characters that I have read about.

But it is short and sweet, so I would say read it! 

The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden

Title: The Theory of Attraction
Author: Delphine Dryden
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: July 9th, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Pages: 136
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Age Group: Very Adult

Camilla can set her watch by her hunky rocket-scientist neighbor who jogs past her window each day. She relishes each glimpse of his shirtless abs, and is dying to see more. But it's hard to connect with a man who doesn't seem to know she exists...

Ivan feels at home in the lab, not in social situations. When he finally approaches his attractive neighbor, it's not for a date--he wants tutoring in how to behave at an important fundraiser. Ivan doesn't expect the chemistry between them to be quite so explosive, and is surprised when Cami actually accepts his proposal to embark on a series of "lessons."

Cami soon discovers Ivan's schedule isn't the only thing he likes to be strict about--he needs to be charge in the bedroom as well. She's shocked at how much she comes to enjoy her submissive side, but wonders if a real relationship is in the equation...

Why couldn't this be longer?! I absolutely loved this story.

I don't know what separated it from some other erotic literature that I read; maybe it was the fact that the male character wasn't some billionaire hunk who is sexy and dark at the same time. He wasn't a scientist, granted he was hot, but it was all surprising the way things played out.

I found myself really liking Camilla. She wasn't dependent on the scientist, even after things started up between them. I like how the drama was very real and nothing was too out there either.

And I loved Ivan, but only because he was so awkward and it came off clear across the pages. Dryden did a wonderful job with character development and bringing the story to life. I say it again, I wish it were longer! I know that it was meant for a short story and it worked out well as one, BUT I just didn't want it to end. The romance, the passion - it gives me goosebumps!

Since it was a short, there's really not much more I can say about it besides readitreaditreaditreaditreadit!!