Bonds of Need
Book two of Wicked PlayLynda Aicher
Carina Press
March 4, 2013
ISBN9781426895142
Ebook 212 pages
E-Galley provided by Publisher via NetGALLEY.com for review purposes. No remuneration was received and all opinions expressed herein are my own
When Kendra Morgan attends a party at an exclusive sex club, she's not driven by mere curiosity. Hoping to prove she's put the past behind her, Kendra must instead face up to needs she's denied for too long. Despite her lingering fears, she can't resist the temptation to play…
Deklan Winters has had his eye on his attractive neighbor for months, but only senses Kendra is no stranger to the BDSM scene when she walks into his club. And he can tell that's not her only secret. What surprises him is his own overwhelming desire to give her what she craves—and to show her a side to the Dom/sub relationship she's never known.
With Deklan's guidance, Kendra begins to accept her forbidden needs and to recognize the fine line between pleasure and pain. But when her former Master returns to reclaim her, it will take all her courage—and all of Deklan's love—to defy her past.
NetGALLEY.com
MY TAKE
It's a rare piece of erotica that can be erotic and have thematic and emotive depth. With BONDS OF NEED Aicher accomplishes that feat. The character of Kendra is complex and conflicted and her journey from shame and abuse to self-actualization and empowerment is moving. And of course The men, Jake, Deklan and Seth are the doms but, they aren't like any male doms I have read yet. They are not perfect they get mad at each other and came from "the wrong side of the tracks). But, they aren't always certain about what to do and help each other handle issues that arise.
And the erotic content is well written and tantalizing too.
Kendra is in a world of hurt, emotional and physical. She's already ashamed of her needs, and her abuser didn't help. That shame has shut her down. She needs to build trust with someone to feel okay about herself again. But the fragility of the trust and recovery are easily shattered until she can shift her thinking. To become who she wants to be she has to face the people she feels have always disapproved of her.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it was pretty well written. It provided me with a better understanding of the BDSM lifestyle and helped define differences between sado-masochism and abuse. There is a world of difference between the two. BDSM is everywhere since Fifty Shades, and it's hard to know the copy cats from the work that matters when you're looking for more. This story is not a copycat of Fifty Shades. It explores the differences in the BDSM world and, like Joey W. Hill's work, helped humanize people in the lifestyle. I was impressed by its honesty. Whether you're looking to understand BDSM to satisfy your erotic or intellectual curiosity or because you have a more personal interest, I highly recommend BONDS OF NEED.
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