It's time to meet your Master...of Restraint!

“Restraint (Mistress & Master of Restraint)”
By Erica Chilson

Date Published: April 23, 2012

Review by Wendy Dawn
Note: This is a series of reviews published in reading order of the series of novels “Mistress & Master of Restraint”. Reviews should be read prior to novel, but after previous novel to maintain a *No SPOILER* point of view.
Mistress & Master of Restraint Order of ReadingRestraint
Unleashed
Dexter
Dalton
Queen Omnibus*
Jaded*
Queened*
Checkmate*
King
Faithless
The Hunter (Fall 2013)
Silenced (Winter 2013/ 2014)
Integrated (2014)*Omnibus edition includes three novels in one

“In Summation”:
     This is where the journey begins into the world of the Mistress and Master of Restraint.
We meet Katya Waters as she moves to a new city for the job of her dreams. Her desire to explore her darker-side leads her to the club, Restraint, where she meets the mysterious “Boss”. The Boss pulls her into a thrilling game of Kat & Mouse.
     Restraint is an exciting journey as Katya connects the mystery of her past with her thrilling present.

“The Reviews are in”:
     WOW! This series is so HOT! Steam was coming out of my kindle. Ms. Chilton just re-released “Restraint”; I don’t know how you could improve on it. However, I understand that as you grow you look back at your characters and say, “I wish….”      I enjoyed the plot twists and entanglements. Two hot guys to choose from, Holy crap! It is a dream come true. Which one is Master Ez? Does it really matter? And what about their friend Aaron? Three guys one girl and a female pet of her own, what a lucky girl, she has it all!

     ‘I’m not ready to admit that I’d be perfectly happy fucking all three of them. My subconscious is calling me a whore. I don’t give a fuck. I have a lot to make up for. It’s freeing. I feel independent in my whoredom.’ ~Katya Waters of the trio of men she is attracted to as her sleeping libido awakens.

     It is extremely odd relationships; born from horrible incidents that occurred while they were young. However, just when you think things will become normal, here comes a plot twist. I wonder how Ms. Chilton keeps it all strait. Even at this point, I already need a flow chart and a family tree.
     I know some people are not comfortable reading about M/M or M/F/M relationships or any variation other than M/F, but this series is not about the gender of any of the characters. At times, I found myself even forgetting one of the characters gender, and just getting wrapped up in their part of story. It was how people interact with each other and the things we inflict on each other; either intentionally on unintentional.
     Seeing actual psychology used to heal wounded characters was truly amazing to read. Even if some of it was misguided at times, it was still some spot on therapy for some of the victims/survivors.
     Each character is to have a book or books from their point of view, in the series. I look forward to seeing things thru each of their eyes, how they feel about the goings on within each family and club. I also wonder what else is going on, this has to be just the tip of the iceberg for a group of kinksters with varying degrees of morals and values. A BDSM club is the perfect setting for their story.
     Deciding to go to a BDSM club, Katya shows no outward fear. She radiates the power she has honed as a survivor. She is a dominate in search of a master. She finds a peace she did not expect before she even enters the doors.

     “Standing in line, in front of a club I’ve never entered, I feel content, at home, as if I’ve finally arrived at the destination I’ve been traveling for thirty years.” ~Katya Waters

     I loved that she could be so at peace with who she was and what she wants. She pushed thru her fears and earned her place. Her inner dialog was priceless. To acknowledge even a dominate person has self-doubt and internalizes issues while outwardly shows the world a calm façade was brilliant.
     Even though, memories of her past trauma would trigger at the most inopportune times, Katya felt at ease with Master Ez. Master Ez aka “the Boss” grabs her and forces his ownership upon her without even asking.

     ‘Emotions fill my thoughts- long dead emotions that I’ve tucked safely away for my protection. My body warms at every point we connect. His body sears through my clothing. I sigh in relief because I’ve felt nothing but cold for so very long. Is The Boss offering me what I crave?’ ~Katya Waters being held by Master Ez for the first time at Restraint after he places her membership bracelet and his ownership padlock on her.

     The mystery of not knowing who Master Ez/the Boss really is and feeling so comfortable with him is strange. It is a strong contradiction for many people to accept especially those of previous violent attacks. It also tells there is more here than meets the eye with these two or three people. I was so excited to see how this game played out.
     Each player had so much to gain or loose. Katya has her secrets and her sexuality on the line. The potential candidates for Master Ez have their own secrets and risk bringing them to light. How will all these secrets affect each other? How are they intertwined? If Katya regains the memories, of her attack how will it affect her and those she has grown close to and begun to rely upon? How will the game end?

The Ratings*:
Heros: 5
Heroine: 5
Story/Plot/HEA: 5
*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.
Hero - The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.

Take a Stage Dive with Lick

“Lick (Stage Dive #1)”
By Kylie Scott

Published by: Momentum
Date Published: July 1, 2013

Review by Wendy Dawn

“In Summation”:
       Evelyn Thomas’ plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. Like everything else in her life, she had carefully laid out plans.
     So, when she wakes up on the bathroom floor with a hangover of the century, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond ring on her finger that rivaled an ice skating rink: all she wants to do is remember how it all happened.
     After deciding annulment is the best plan, she heads home to Portland. As she exits the airplane, she is bombarded with paparazzi. That’s when she discovers her new husband is one of rock and roll’s favorite sons, the lead guitarist for the band Stage Dive, David Ferris.
     From Portland to LA to Monterrey, it’s one crazy wild ride for the girl who is used to control and having a plan. Being a country music fan in a sea of rock and roll insanity is quite a shock for the shy Evelyn.
     Will David and Evelyn annul their marriage? Or will they try to make a go of the Vegas nuptials? What will happen to Evelyn’s plans for her future? Can Evelyn fit into David’s world?

“The Reviews are in”:
     What can I say I am a sucker for a rock star romance; and I love Vegas! The fact that Evelyn woke up on the bathroom floor after being ‘sick’ with no memory of the previous evenings escapades is one of those cautionary tales. However, I felt sorry for David, the whole night of courtship and wedding meant something to him; and he really was hurt that she didn’t remember it.

     “What did we do last night?”
     “We got fucking married,” he growled.
     This time, I didn’t make it to the toilet.

     The ring seemed like it was it’s own character. She kept giving or trying to give it back to him at every bump in the road.

     “You bought me this?” I asked.
     He nodded. “Last night at Cartier.”
     “What is that even? Two, three carats?”
     “Five.”

     His band was a mix of interesting people. His brother, Jimmy, he was horrible to Evelyn. Ben, the bassist, kept his distance. And Mal (Malcolm), the drummer, instantly liked her and befriended her.
     Mal was the most interesting to me. He was funny and full of life. He was a true ladies man that you could never take seriously, but he was a good friend to David and in turn to Evelyn.

     “Face it, child bride. You got married in Vegas by an Elvis impersonator to one of rock ’n’ roll’s favorite sons. It was always bound to cause a shit storm.”

     It was very endearing to read as David attempted to recreate some of their courtship and wedding, to jog Evelyn’s memory. Many of the recreations were hilarious and had me laughing.

     “We were both topless. Topless cuddles are best.” He watched as I absorbed the information, his face close to mine.

     I would have loved David to have more depth; he had issues that were just skimmed over. Maybe in the next books Ms. Scott can flesh out some more of his past. Or even do some kind of back tracking of before Stage Dive made it, some things just need to be glazed over and others need more explanation…David’s insecurity issues got some light shed on them but not the depth they deserved. They made him the man/husband he was to Evelyn.
     I do look forward to more of this series, just to see where the rest of the band ends up. Do they get a happy ever after?

The Ratings*:
Hero: 3.75
Heroine: 4

Story/Plot/HEA: 4.5

*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.

Hero

- The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.

Return to the '80s with Emme Rollins

“Dear Rock Star”
by Emme Rollins
Date Published: July 1, 2013

Review by Wendy Dawn
“In Summation”:
     Sara a 19 year-old student at Iselin Academy is totally obsessed with rock star Tyler Vincent.
     Tucked away in New Jersey, Iselin Academy is a place for “non-traditional students”. Students either attending day or night classes to obtain their high school equivalency while working full-time or taking care of their kids.
     The year is approximately 1987, girls dressed like Madonna and guys looked like they walked off the set of an MTV video. You remember back when we wanted our MTV…when they played actual music videos, not just another network of reality and programmed shows.
Into Sara’s world walks Dale Diamond, a Tyler Vincent look alike. He happens to be from Maine, like Tyler and a musician. But the similarities don’t end there. He causes Sara’s loyalty to worshiping her rock star to waiver. Dale causes the butterflies in her stomach to turn into fire breathing dragons!
     Sara has secrets and so does Dale. As each layer is peeled back they encourage each others dreams. He wants to be a rock star, she wants to leave New Jersey in the dust and become an artist. Two talented people fate put together to heal each other and share all their secrets.
     When Dale’s band makes it to the finals in MTV’s battle of the bands Sara has to choose the future she dreamed about of one with Dale. Can the fantasy be better than the reality, or is the reality the thing fantasies are made of?

“The Reviews are in”:
     I felt like I stepped back in time! I was right back in High School again. I totally got the references. This was one book I could not put down and actually asked to be able to review. Call me crazy but I knew I would like it. Not just because of the ‘80s setting but the fact that I was into Art when I was in High School and followed several local bands. Identifying with the characters was awesome.
     The cast of characters were all flawed people. They were normal, not perfect automatons. They had issues and problems. Everyone could find one they can say, “Hey, I knew someone like that.” or “That was me!” Ms. Rollins did an excellent job of making the characters relatable. Even the horrible step beast (father) of Sara’s, I saw characteristics in him I see in others…not wanting to take responsibility for his actions. I may not have liked him or his actions, but I could see why he acted a certain way. All the characters had this beautiful undercurrent to their depth; it added such dimension to them.

     “Why did you even come back?”
     “Because…You’re mine. I knew it the first time I saw you. I will always come for you, Sara. Always.”

     Dale never wavers in his desire or need for Sara. It takes my breath away to read it. He has his hopes and dreams of his music, but he sees Sara fitting into those dreams. He is willing to fight for her, no matter what the obstacle.


      “Sara, listen to me.” He pressed his forehead to mine, eyes closed. “Once I choose a direction, I don’t stop. I can’t.” I nodded, loving him for it.

     “I’m like a damned freight train. Or the fucking Titanic.” He snorted, opening his eyes and meeting my gaze. “There’s no turning me away, not now. I can’t turn back.”

      I hope Ms. Rollins does a follow-up to this book. I would love to see a “where are they now”. Perhaps set in the 2000s, maybe their kids will be having the issues the next time around. I will definitely read it. I fell in love with these characters, I feel like they are some one I went to school with…should we ask to sign their year book?

The Ratings*:Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Story/Plot/HEA: 5

*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.
Hero - The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.