Review: Bonds of Hope - Lynda Aicher

Quinn Andrews has a lot to learn about the world of BDSM. Once America's sweetheart, she has an opportunity to revive her career by playing a sexual submissive in a highly anticipated new series. Quinn is ready to throw herself into the role, and her hometown's premier sex club, The Den, is the ideal place for a crash course.

At first Marcus Reese is reluctant to take on Quinn's erotic education, despite his intense attraction to the stunning starlet. While she fulfills his every command perfectly, she's also a consummate actress—and Marcus is determined to uncover the real woman hidden behind the mask.

Quinn's been taking direction all her life, so submitting to a Dom comes easily. But it's not just the most amazing sex she's ever had—Marcus challenges her to define her own needs and make her own decisions. And when her training is over, Quinn will have to choose between continuing to play a part in her own life, or living by her own rules.

Wicked Play Series:
Bonds of Trust
Bonds of Need
Bonds of Desire
Bonds of Hope

Visit Lynda Aicher's website for more information

Review:
Actress Quinn has lived her whole life in the public spotlight, looking to lose her good girl image she has agreed to star as a submissive in a new TV show but the problem is that she knows nothing of the BDSM lifestyle. In order to make her role believable she has signed up for a week of intensive lessons at her local sex club, The Den. Marcus is the Dom who is in control of teaching Quinn to be the perfect submissive and he is convinced that it is more than just a job to her. He is determined to unlock her inner desires and make her realise what she has been missing out on but with her whole life scrutinised by the public will Quinn be brave enough to admit what she really wants?

Bonds of Hope is the fourth book in the Wicked Play series and although each story works as a stand alone I'd happily recommend reading all of them. I have become a big fan of this series and the author's writing style and I hope we have lots more books to come about these characters in the future. Marcus is one of the newer owners of The Den but he has worked there since it's opening six years ago and is a trusted and popular Dom. He is a very easy character to like, he is comfortable with who and what he is and doesn't feel the need to explain himself or his actions to anyone. At first he isn't keen on the idea of training an actress but from the moment he meets Quinn he can't deny his attraction to her. He senses her submissive side but it is hard for him to tell when she is playing a role and when she is just being herself. She intrigues him though and he wants to get to know the real person she is inside rather than the front that she shows to the world. I loved the fact that Marcus doesn't try to deny his feelings or push her away when he starts to care about her, he knows what he wants and he just has to figure out a way to get Quinn to agree to be his permanent submissive.

I had mixed feelings about Quinn at first, she comes across as quite naive and judgemental at first so I wasn't sure if I was going to like her. She actually started to grow on me quite quickly though, it doesn't take long for you to see that she has a lot of inner strength when you look beyond the surface. She is actually a lot braver than I gave her credit for and it was interesting seeing her start to realise how much power she had. She has spent a long time letting other people run her life for her, from her controlling mother to her publicist and manager she has let other people dictate her actions without really considering why she didn't make her own choices. As she spends more time with Marcus and she learns a lot about herself and does a lot of growing up, she changes a great deal and actually starts to stand up and make her own plans for her future.

If you've read any of the other books in this series you'll know to expect plenty of hot sex in Bonds of Hope, Marcus certainly knows his way around a flogger and he is happy to teach Quinn everything he knows about sexual submission! The scenes in the club aren't the only ones though and I think some of my favourites were when the couple were in the privacy of Marcus's apartment. I enjoyed the character development and the way they were both prepared to make compromises so they could be a couple, they both have to overcome their jealousy over each other's respective jobs but I was pleased this was something they could discuss like adults before making a decision. There was one thing that I wasn't a huge fan of but I can't really talk about that without spoilers so I'm not going to go into details here, I just felt that it forced their issues somewhat and I would have preferred them to have dealt with things without that hanging over their heads. That was a fairly minor problem though and overall I found myself really enjoying their story. This is another solid instalment to the series and one I'm sure fans will enjoy.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Bonds of Desire - Lynda Aicher

Lawyer Allison English never planned to return to The Den—despite her naughty fantasies about being bound by owner Seth Matthews. But when club guest Tyler Wysong is injured in a scene, Seth turns to Allie for help. Aroused by both men, Allie should turn the case down. But she can't… . . .

After his bad experience, Tyler has no interest in being with another Dom. Yet he can't deny his attraction to Master Seth. When Seth offers him a place to stay, Tyler agrees—if Allie will stay too. But what good is a chaperone who adds to his temptation?

Living with two subs brings out Seth's protective instincts, though Allie insists she's not into the lifestyle, and Tyler swears he's done with it. But the chemistry between the trio prompts them to agree to submit to him for one week, and he'll show them both the true pleasure that a Dom can provide.

The intimacy could break them all, or bind them together forever . . .

Wicked Play Series:
Bonds of Trust
Bonds of Need
Bonds of Desire
Bonds of Hope

Visit Lynda Aicher's website for more information

Review:
Bonds of Desire is the third book in Lynda Aicher's Wicked Play series and I have to say it was also my favourite. We have already met both Allie and Seth in previous books, not only are they friends with the previous main characters but Seth is also the third owner of The Den.

Allie has been secretly fantasising about submitting to Seth since she first visited The Den with Kendra and Cali but she has no intention of taking it any further. She is just too focused on her career to take time out for a relationship right now. But when Tyler is injured in the club Seth asks her to step in and help protect Tyler's legal rights and after seeing what happened to him she is unable to refuse. Tyler is wary of being around another Dom but he badly needs a place to stay while he recuperates and agrees to move in with Seth temporarily but only if Allie will stay with them too. All of them are attracted to each other but all have very good reasons to avoid getting involved, especially in something as complicated as a threesome. As their attraction grows Seth helps to show both Allie and Tyler how good life can be with a real Dom but can they find a way to make their relationship work on a more permanent basis?

I have enjoyed Lynda Aicher's realistic portrayals of the BDSM lifestyle throughout the series but I think this book is the one I've had the strongest emotional reaction to. My heart broke for Tyler and the situation he found himself in, as a male prostitute he had incredibly low self esteem and had never really had anyone who cared about him before. He was abused horrifically by a "Dom" who should have known better, the assault and the consequences aren't sugar coated and were at times painful to read about but I was pleased that it was shown how abhorrent the attacker's behaviour was, there is no attempt to make this seem like normal BDSM because of course it isn't. The other Doms from the club stepped in and did what they could to stop things but if I'm honest I wanted them to step in sooner, I understand why they couldn't but that doesn't make me feel any happier about it.

I think what I liked most about Seth was how much he genuinely cared for both Tyler and Allie. He was horrified that Tyler had been so badly injured and wanted to help him press charges against his abuser, not because he was worried about the club's reputation but because he was so disgusted by the other man's actions. You do have to suspend belief a little to accept that Tyler would be ready to even attempt a sexual relationship with Allie and Seth quite as quickly as he does but I can forgive that in fiction, especially when they were all so well suited to each other. They all bring different personality traits to the relationship and I honestly felt they were stronger as a threesome than they were as individuals or split into any form of couple. I believed in the connection between them and lets face it Allie is one lucky lady because Seth and Tyler were both incredibly hot!

I've already said that Bonds of Desire was my favourite book in the series, it works well as a stand alone story but I've enjoyed both previous books too so would happily recommend any of them. This is a great introduction series for anyone who is new to BDSM, it offers a realistic portrayal of the lifestyle without being too full on just for impact and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Bonds of Need - Lynda Aicher

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 neighbour 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 recognise 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.

Wicked Play Series:
Bonds of Trust
Bonds of Need
Bonds of Desire
Bonds of Hope

Visit Lynda Aicher's website for more information

Review:
Kendra is a natural submissive and a masochist but her previous boyfriend twisted her desires and abused her so badly that she has become convinced that there is something shameful about her needs. She is reluctant to even visit a BDSM club but agrees to go to The Den with her friends Cali and Allie as a kind of test, a way of proving to herself that she is no longer interested in that lifestyle. Club owner Deklan has had his eye on Kendra ever since she moved into his apartment complex months ago but he never realised that she was into the BDSM scene until he sees her reactions when she visits his club. He can tell that her past haunts her and he is determined to prove to her how a real Dom/sub relationship should be. Just as Kendra starts to let go of her demons and trust in Deklan her ex appears back on the scene though and he'll do whatever it takes to get Kendra to come back to him.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Bonds of Trust, but I have to say I enjoyed this 2nd instalment even more. I really liked the way the relationship developed between Kendra and Deklan, I felt her reactions to him were realistic considering what she had been through and I respected Deklan for the way he was so sensitive to Kendra's needs. Kendra had been so badly abused in the past and she believed it was her fault because she had initially asked her ex to spank her. Eric had blamed her desires for the way he treated her and it left her feeling like her needs were dirty and something she should be ashamed of. It took time for her to come to terms with the fact that Eric was the one with a problem and that there is a big difference between consensual BDSM and abuse. Deklan opened her eyes to the way a Dom/sub relationship should work and helped her to realise that she had the power to stop their play at any time.

Deklan is the kind of guy who has always looked out for those around him so it was natural that he would want to take care of Kendra. I liked the fact that he let her fight her own battle in the end though, he just made sure she realised that he would always be there as her backup if she needed him. The reappearance of Kendra's ex Eric added a nice element of suspense to the story and I'm so pleased that she didn't go off on her own to do something completely stupid like so many heroines I've read about. She makes a stand but does it without putting herself at risk. If ever there was a character who I wanted to see get his comeuppance it would be Eric, the things he did to Kendra were beyond despicable and I wanted to reach into the book and crush him like a bug! I'm not going to say how things work out in the end but I will say I was happy with the outcome. Bonds of Need is a great instalment to the series and I'm definitely looking forward to getting my hands on Bonds of Desire when it is published in July.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Bonds of Trust - Lynda Aicher

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 fulfilment 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?

Wicked Play Series:
Bonds of Trust
Bonds of Need
Bonds of Desire
Bonds of Hope

Visit Lynda Aicher's website for more information

Review:
Cali spent the 22 years of her marriage feeling sexually unfulfilled, her husband wasn't interested in sex with her and he made her feel that her desires to be dominated in bed were shameful. Now that she is divorced Cali wants to experiment with her sexuality so she decides to join an exclusive BDSM club. Jake is a Dom and one of the joint owners of the club, he is asked to interview Cali before she is allowed to attend a new members night to decide which of their Doms she would be most suited to. Although he worries that Cali isn't really prepared for what being a sub involves he finds himself incredibly drawn to her and decides to introduce her to the delights of Dominance and submission himself. Jake has always been happy to play but has never been interested in taking on a permanent sub before Cali but there is something about her that makes it impossible to let her go.

I really enjoyed reading Bonds of Trust, this is a fairly light introduction to BDSM but that makes perfect sense when it comes to these particular characters and I have a feeling that the books are only going to get more intense as the series continues. Cali is completely new to the scene, she has no idea what she will enjoy she just knows she wants someone else to take control in the bedroom. Her confidence is at an all time low after the way her husband reacted to her and she feels ashamed of her own desires. She desperately needs someone who will be patient with her and take their time helping her discover what she enjoys. Jake is the perfect man for the job he may be a Dom but he is actually a lot less severe than most of the Doms I've come across. He lets Cali get away with a lot but I think that is because he recognised how skittish she was and knew that if he came on too strong he would only scare her away. I would have liked to have seen their relationship a few years down the line just to see how things have changed between them but perhaps we'll get glimpses of them as the series continues.

I loved the scenes in the club, they are sexy and hot without being too overwhelming so I think this would be a good story for anyone who is fairly new to BDSM. If you're used to books that really push your boundaries then this story may not be heavy enough for you but if you want something lighter then this will hit the spot. As a side note I have to mention that I loved the relationship Jake has with his foster brothers (& fellow club owners) Deklan and Seth. I do love seeing close male friendships and I'm looking forward to reading both of their stories. This is the first book I've read by Lynda Aicher but I can't wait to read more in this series.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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