Stealing Serenity by Reese Gabriel

Book 4 in the Tall, Dark and Dominant series.

Career-obsessed Serenity is thrilled to discover that the fake date she’s procured for a big company dinner leads an alternative lifestyle. What better way to avoid any possibility of a time-consuming relationship? Unfortunately the ruggedly handsome, sexy Ross Lassiter isn’t gay, as she’d thought—he’s a sexual dominant.

Sparks fly as Serenity insists she could never be submissive, but Ross knows exactly how to tap into her deepest fantasies of whips and chains and a tall, dark Master. Ross seduces her gradually, sending her outrageous lingerie, engaging her in wicked phone games.

As her fantasies explode into reality, Serenity must balance two worlds. Ross is the one in control but what happens when his emotions come into play? Could Serenity be the one—his partner and bedmate for life? Serenity holds the key, assuming she can stay true to her name. But that will prove quite difficult while writhing in Ross’ embrace, her body bound by his will, her heart stolen by games too powerful to ignore.

 What do you do when the date you thought was gay suddenly turns out to be a little bit more than you bargained for?

When Serenity goes on a blind date, she is shocked to find out that Ross isn't gay, but something completely unknown in her vanilla world. A sexual Dominant, he exudes confidence that grates on her nerves and makes her squirm in her seat. What's a girl to do?

The interesting thing about this book was Serenity's complete irritation with Ross and the hot and cold hate/love thing that was going on. She was repulsed by the submissive status of women in the BDSM world that Ross introduces her to, not understanding until the very end what being submissive really means. I found myself a little frustrated with her character on a number of occasions, but I was also empathetic as well. If you are a complete vanilla, being introduced to BDSM can be a shock to many people. Lots of people just see the whips and chains and not the hidden language behind the scenes. 

Ross enters into the eternal question. How do you attain the status of being a Dom without being an overbearing jerk? He walked a fine line for awhile, but his humanity won through and I liked the reasoning behind his feelings in the end.  

As Serenity's fantasies include Ross more and more and she understands what the BDSM lifestyle can hold for her, the story opens up into a realm of possibilities that made for a good page turning tale. I am looking forward to reading more in this series to see what it has to offer.

3.5/5

Legally Binding

Book 3 in the Tall, Dark and Dominant series. Kat Cartwell is a lawyer on vacation. She wants nothing more than to simply lie in the sun and catch up on her law journals, but the handsome and mysterious Julian Morrell has other plans when he introduces himself on the beach. A seasoned sexual dominant, he senses in the coy litigator a true submissive heart. After he manages to invite himself to her dinner table, sparks fly and their strong personalities collide. Kat is intrigued despite her initial resistance. By the end of the night she's agreed to take a chance. He promises her a once-in-a-lifetime experience as his slave, but what happens in the morning when both of them want more? Kat makes a quick getaway but Julian is not about to give up on a chance for a more serious relationship. All bets are off when he shows up at her firm, meeting with her bosses and putting her on a huge retainer. Now he has control of her again. The question is whether or not that will carry over into the bedroom.

Amazon

When Kat encounters a man on the beach that presses all her buttons-sometimes the wrong way, she begins to wonder about her natural tendencies as a dominant woman in the courtroom. Could she be a submissive in the bedroom? Reese Gabriel never fails to cast a seductive scene and this third book in the series has two diametrically opposed characters each vying for control. The difference is, will Kat let Julian take it? 

Julian is looking for someone to connect with. Not just sex and Kat is refreshing to him. Tackling all of her walls, he uses several spicy BDSM techniques to have her panting at his feet. Very nice. There is a lot of undercurrent beneath Kat's lovely face and it is up to Julian to try to find the inner sub and set her free.

Nice story with some sexy BDSM elements.

3/5

Managing Macy

Book 1 in the Tall, Dark and Dominant series. Macy wants sexy Jarit Colson in the worst way. Too bad she has a dating code forbidding across-the-hall hook-ups. But her dating rules are shot after one look at his lean, sexy, athletic body. Jarit is cautious for a different reason. He's a sexual Dominant and he's not sure the sweet, submissive vibes Macy is giving off are the real thing. Jarit decides to test the waters. Kisses quickly turn to talk of ropes and cuffs and spanking. Macy is intrigued and they try a little bondage. She is easily seduced but scared by how much she likes it. She ends up with buyer's remorse and begs off. Jarit isn't satisfied with just a taste. He knows exactly what he wants-a whole lot more of Macy.

Goodreads

This short novel was a lot of fun. When a half naked and very sexy neighbor shows up at Macy's door, she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for. The thing that frustrated me about this book was the "I want him and then I don't" aspect of it. I like a woman who knows her own mind, even if she has a little problem with willpower. (If I had a sexy neighbor like Jarit and I was single, there would be no question about how that would go. Just sayin.)

When the story ramps up from a wet towel to a full on frontal smut attack. Awesome. I love the way the author builds the sexual tension and as Macy ticks down each rule she is breaking by stepping over the boundaries with Jarit, she does not care. Then things really take a turn for the interesting. Jarit is a dominant and Macy is in for the ride of her life. If only she would make up her danged mind so we could get on with enjoying it. *sigh*

After waffling around, Macy and Jarit get together and have a kinky little coming to BDSM meeting and she finally sees that inside her soul is a natural submissive just waiting to come out. The sex scenes were good and the ending kind of reminded me of something you see in an adult film, but overall I liked the story. (I secretly hope she really does start stealing his keys. I would.)

3.5/5 

Taking On Tabytha by Reese Gabriel

Book 2 in the Tall, Dark and Dominant series.

Tabytha Quillen is used to having the last word, both in the bedroom and in her sassy column, “Tabytha Takes On”. Self-described sexual dominant and a trainer of submissive females, Harlan Blake is exactly the kind of target she lives for. A quick interview over coffee ought to be all it takes to make mincemeat of the man and his ideas, but when he turns out to be handsome as sin and as quick on his feet as she is, all bets are off.

Tabytha can hardly get a word in or a breath out. Is she a subconscious submissive? Harlan intends to find out by inviting her to his BDSM club for a little innocent entertainment. Tabytha knows she’s playing with fire but surely she can keep the upper hand with Harlan for a single night? It’s the ultimate cat-and-mouse, and fate may have a surprise for both of them in the form of a passion far deeper than mere sex.

 m/f

BDSM

What I Liked:

I enjoyed the sassy reporter being taken in hand by the oh so seductive Dom. The chemistry between Tabytha and Harlan was oil and water. The sex scenes were great and the interplay between the characters in the club was fun. She is a reporter with a fiery temper and he is a Dom that is used to getting his way. Very hot. 

What I Didn't:

By the end of the book, even I was ready to duct tape Tabytha's mouth shut. She slung curse words like no tomorrow. Whew! He also kept calling her Tabby Cat. I would have bit him in the leg, myself. Just sayin.

Overall:

I enjoyed the tension between Harlan and Tabytha. The reporter being at the BDSM club was fun, especially when she witnessed the show. (no spoilers!!) Harlan was a masterful Dom, but I think I would have gagged her with all the curse words that flowed out of her mouth. Ball gag please! The sexual tension was good and I can't wait to read more from this author!

This book was sent by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4/5