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Just Make Me #1
Make Me Shiver
When Lacey loses control of her vehicle and finds herself trapped by ice and snow, she knows there's only one person to call for help. Unfortunately, Michael may cause more turmoil than relief. She's lusted for the gorgeous Dom ever since she first laid eyes on him. Trouble is, he doesn't do vanilla and she's not a submissive…or is she?
Michael's hungered for Lacey for months,so when he notices her fleeting glimpses and blush-stained cheeks as he rescues her from an altercation with a guardrail, he decides it's time to push the sultry beauty's boundaries…only to discover Lacey's not as reserved as she thinks.
Physical attraction blossoms into something neither anticipates, taking Michael and Lacey beyond kink, dominance, and submission. Their newfound connection is strong until a flame from Michael's past returns, shatters the fragile trust he and Lacey have only just developed, and threatens to destroy something neither wants to surrender.
Michael's hungered for Lacey for months,so when he notices her fleeting glimpses and blush-stained cheeks as he rescues her from an altercation with a guardrail, he decides it's time to push the sultry beauty's boundaries…only to discover Lacey's not as reserved as she thinks.
Physical attraction blossoms into something neither anticipates, taking Michael and Lacey beyond kink, dominance, and submission. Their newfound connection is strong until a flame from Michael's past returns, shatters the fragile trust he and Lacey have only just developed, and threatens to destroy something neither wants to surrender.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2011
40 people are currently reading
2620 people want to read
About the author
Aline Hunter
30 books828 followersAline Hunter is the alias of multi-published author J.A. Saare, who has written stories featured in horror magazines, zombie romance anthologies and flash fiction contests. Her work has a notable dark undertone, which she credits to her love of old eighties horror films, tastes in music and choices in reading, and has been described as "full of sensual promise," "gritty and sexy" and "a breath of fresh air."
Currently she is penning multiple projects within the urban fantasy, erotic and contemporary, and paranormal romance categories. You can visit her online at alinehunter.com and jasaare.com.
Currently she is penning multiple projects within the urban fantasy, erotic and contemporary, and paranormal romance categories. You can visit her online at alinehunter.com and jasaare.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
October 21, 2012
Solid 4 stars
What a pleasant surprise Make Me Shiver turned out to be. I wish I had the time to give this story what it deserves–a well thought out review–but life is a little crazy at the moment (and so is Goodreads!!).
When I started this book I expected a kinky BDSM story that had little to no plot or substance. What I ended up with, however, was a well written book full of soulful characters, and an in-depth storyline that focused more on the relationship building between the hero and heroine than on the BDSM kink, which I loved!
The epilogue gives a tantalizing look into the next book's plot, and leave the reader more than satisfied with this couple's future.
What a pleasant surprise Make Me Shiver turned out to be. I wish I had the time to give this story what it deserves–a well thought out review–but life is a little crazy at the moment (and so is Goodreads!!).
When I started this book I expected a kinky BDSM story that had little to no plot or substance. What I ended up with, however, was a well written book full of soulful characters, and an in-depth storyline that focused more on the relationship building between the hero and heroine than on the BDSM kink, which I loved!
The epilogue gives a tantalizing look into the next book's plot, and leave the reader more than satisfied with this couple's future.
October 14, 2012
Wow, what a surprise ending. This was such a fun, sexy, fast paced read. Michael and Lacey were perfect together.
If you like light BDSM and sweet romance, then this should be a good read for you. The message here is that in order to trust someone, you have to trust yourself first.
I eagerly await the sequel, Make Me Surrender, Candy and Brady's story.
If you like light BDSM and sweet romance, then this should be a good read for you. The message here is that in order to trust someone, you have to trust yourself first.
I eagerly await the sequel, Make Me Surrender, Candy and Brady's story.
June 2, 2013
3,5 Stars - a kink relationship that might be speeded up too fast?
I shouldn't maybe even have started to read this book. The subject with a Dom, a Sub, BDSM and a very kinky sex-club doesn't work for me. I respect that others may choose and benefit from this lifestyle, but I feel distressed by the whole thing. Even to just read about it. My review is therefore maybe not fully objective and reliable for other readers of this genre.
But most of all I might need a friends hand and a sweet voice who is saying. "It will end up nice and loving and nothing really nasty is going to happen on the road. I’m like small children who love a movie or a book best when they feel secure with the story, know about all nasty monsters and dragons, and are safe in that it will be a nice and good end.
Michael has for some time been interested in getting a chance to start a relationship with Lacey, a new girl in town. He is a Dom and can't imagine any other way than to hope that Lacey is a fitting Sub for him. Just not a Sub for sex, he wants moore - a women to share life with, a women to love.
For Lacey is Michael's lifestyle a completely unknown world. Michael's needs and wishes in the playroom and his involvement in the BDSM club (where all his friends are) is both new, alluring and a little frightening for her. Anyway she is attracted to this beautiful man and will take the chance. A relationship and an agreement for the important, and so needed, confidence and trust begins...
My biggest problem is the credibility, everything is going too fast in this story. I find it hard to believe that a grown up woman, a former "vanilla girl", within a few days, make this important decisions and accept so much without even having had time to get to know the man in question. I also find it hard to believe that he, a Dom, would really challenge and require as much of a woman, he actually thinks he can love for life, like the way the male character does in this novel. As in any relationship is hardly - confidence, trust and common goals - built after two or three meetings. In this lifestyle, where these values is the mainstay, it should really be important with a slow start, a lot of time together, deep conversations and a lot of explanations.
My other big BUT is why he decides everything. Why must everything be on his terms? What happened to the "give and take" in a good relationship. Please, explain moore and ask nice for what you wish for God's sake.
... enough about my problems with this lifestyle.
The story is narrated nice although I can’t feel and really care for the hero and most of all I feel kind of sorry for the heroine. The book is a little bit too short, with many side stories, so I didn't get to know the main characters well enough. If I had had a chance to begin to love them both maybe this story had been so much better to read for me. Of course it was a lot of steam, this is erotica, and I'm sure a lot of readers will love this little hot book.
It all ends kind of sweet and lovely. The last pages allowed me to soften and actually start to caring about Michael and Lacey. An added plus for a short epilogue which concludes the book in a good way.
// ... the always so easily scared "Vanilla Girl"...
I Like - the novel is okay but the topic isn't for me.
I shouldn't maybe even have started to read this book. The subject with a Dom, a Sub, BDSM and a very kinky sex-club doesn't work for me. I respect that others may choose and benefit from this lifestyle, but I feel distressed by the whole thing. Even to just read about it. My review is therefore maybe not fully objective and reliable for other readers of this genre.
But most of all I might need a friends hand and a sweet voice who is saying. "It will end up nice and loving and nothing really nasty is going to happen on the road. I’m like small children who love a movie or a book best when they feel secure with the story, know about all nasty monsters and dragons, and are safe in that it will be a nice and good end.
Michael has for some time been interested in getting a chance to start a relationship with Lacey, a new girl in town. He is a Dom and can't imagine any other way than to hope that Lacey is a fitting Sub for him. Just not a Sub for sex, he wants moore - a women to share life with, a women to love.
For Lacey is Michael's lifestyle a completely unknown world. Michael's needs and wishes in the playroom and his involvement in the BDSM club (where all his friends are) is both new, alluring and a little frightening for her. Anyway she is attracted to this beautiful man and will take the chance. A relationship and an agreement for the important, and so needed, confidence and trust begins...
My biggest problem is the credibility, everything is going too fast in this story. I find it hard to believe that a grown up woman, a former "vanilla girl", within a few days, make this important decisions and accept so much without even having had time to get to know the man in question. I also find it hard to believe that he, a Dom, would really challenge and require as much of a woman, he actually thinks he can love for life, like the way the male character does in this novel. As in any relationship is hardly - confidence, trust and common goals - built after two or three meetings. In this lifestyle, where these values is the mainstay, it should really be important with a slow start, a lot of time together, deep conversations and a lot of explanations.
My other big BUT is why he decides everything. Why must everything be on his terms? What happened to the "give and take" in a good relationship. Please, explain moore and ask nice for what you wish for God's sake.
... enough about my problems with this lifestyle.
The story is narrated nice although I can’t feel and really care for the hero and most of all I feel kind of sorry for the heroine. The book is a little bit too short, with many side stories, so I didn't get to know the main characters well enough. If I had had a chance to begin to love them both maybe this story had been so much better to read for me. Of course it was a lot of steam, this is erotica, and I'm sure a lot of readers will love this little hot book.
It all ends kind of sweet and lovely. The last pages allowed me to soften and actually start to caring about Michael and Lacey. An added plus for a short epilogue which concludes the book in a good way.
// ... the always so easily scared "Vanilla Girl"...
I Like - the novel is okay but the topic isn't for me.
October 15, 2012
Well, well well! It certainly made me shiver! Here is another little gem that I've been recommended on my quest for BDSM lite/with love/romantica type reads. And it definitely fits the bill!
Lacey is a sweet girl, a children's book author, who recently moved into town. She met and swooned over Michael, one of the local business owners...but once warned of his sexual appetites, ran pretty quickly the other way. Now face to face with Michael again, and recently single, she is rethinking her previous vanilla ways.
Michael is a Dom through and through.
“This man didn't sweeten his words to get to the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Instead he rode the colorful rays at his own pace, made the sky his bitch and took everything he wanted when he was good and ready.”
He has also lusted after the sweet and sensible Lacey since he met her months ago. He knows why she ran from him, but can't seem to stop thinking about her. When he notices her interest in him, he decides to push her...just a little...to see if there is a little submissive hiding inside her. And lo and behold! Lacey's curiosity and Michael's dominant nature lead to a wonderfully wicked night in which Lacey lets Michael push her further than she ever knew she wanted to go.
One thing that turns me off of BDSM is the public displays at the clubs, and the sharing and/or humiliation that often takes place while at the club. The way this author writes, though, didn't leave me with that bad taste in my mouth. Lacey and Michael DO go to a club, and Lacey DOES act as his sub while there. But the point of the entire story is how the trust level between the D/s must be absolute. Lacey had to trust Michael to never push her farther than she would willingly go, though he DOES continually push her. That's the point...the control is only for the Dom. In turn, Michael has to trust Lacey to never let him take it too far, to know her own boundaries, to allow him to push her across some lines but never so much that she would resent him later. This reasoning struck a chord for me. In the few of this type of book I've ever read, the 'power exchange' is always touted but rarely explained. While Michael explained it to Lacey, he dumbed it down enough for me to really grasp what their relationship is all about.
Theirs is a love story with BDSM being their hookup and the way they break the ice.
I loved the read, and I'm so glad that the series continues with Candy and Brady's story. I've never read a book with a female Domme so that is something to look forward to! My undying devotion to Kelly for the great recommend!
On a side note, this cover is smoking hot! I don't usually tend to go for beefy guys, but this picture is just beautiful! The couple truly looks to be in the heat of the moment, and I love the contrast between Michael's brawny arms and manly tanned, hairy skin and Lacey's pale, delicate body. Love it!!
Lacey is a sweet girl, a children's book author, who recently moved into town. She met and swooned over Michael, one of the local business owners...but once warned of his sexual appetites, ran pretty quickly the other way. Now face to face with Michael again, and recently single, she is rethinking her previous vanilla ways.
Michael is a Dom through and through.
“This man didn't sweeten his words to get to the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Instead he rode the colorful rays at his own pace, made the sky his bitch and took everything he wanted when he was good and ready.”
He has also lusted after the sweet and sensible Lacey since he met her months ago. He knows why she ran from him, but can't seem to stop thinking about her. When he notices her interest in him, he decides to push her...just a little...to see if there is a little submissive hiding inside her. And lo and behold! Lacey's curiosity and Michael's dominant nature lead to a wonderfully wicked night in which Lacey lets Michael push her further than she ever knew she wanted to go.
One thing that turns me off of BDSM is the public displays at the clubs, and the sharing and/or humiliation that often takes place while at the club. The way this author writes, though, didn't leave me with that bad taste in my mouth. Lacey and Michael DO go to a club, and Lacey DOES act as his sub while there. But the point of the entire story is how the trust level between the D/s must be absolute. Lacey had to trust Michael to never push her farther than she would willingly go, though he DOES continually push her. That's the point...the control is only for the Dom. In turn, Michael has to trust Lacey to never let him take it too far, to know her own boundaries, to allow him to push her across some lines but never so much that she would resent him later. This reasoning struck a chord for me. In the few of this type of book I've ever read, the 'power exchange' is always touted but rarely explained. While Michael explained it to Lacey, he dumbed it down enough for me to really grasp what their relationship is all about.
Theirs is a love story with BDSM being their hookup and the way they break the ice.
I loved the read, and I'm so glad that the series continues with Candy and Brady's story. I've never read a book with a female Domme so that is something to look forward to! My undying devotion to Kelly for the great recommend!
On a side note, this cover is smoking hot! I don't usually tend to go for beefy guys, but this picture is just beautiful! The couple truly looks to be in the heat of the moment, and I love the contrast between Michael's brawny arms and manly tanned, hairy skin and Lacey's pale, delicate body. Love it!!
October 16, 2012
Originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-make-m...
"How he loved and hated the elusive phantom known as faith.”
Lacey Walsh is experiencing the day from hell! After walking in on her boyfriend with his head buried in his secretary’s crotch, she then heads home in a brewing Tennessee snowstorm only to loose control of her car on the ice and land against the guard rail. Michael Gilchrist is the owner of Mike’s Wrecker Service and also the eye candy Lacey has lusted after from afar. After one night of flirting with Michael at the local bar, Lacey’s friend Candice informs her that he is into a dominant lifestyle. This information stirs feelings of curiosity and arousal that she does not expect but refuses to pursue so she thanks Michael for the drink and leaves. However, this does not stop her mind from obsessively fantasizing of Michael and what it would be like to be under his control. Lacey calls Mike’s Wrecker Service to get a tow back to town and lo and behold who shows up to help her but her sexy dream man Michael. He picks her up and they head to assist another wreck, then make a quick stop by his house before he takes her home. Once inside, Michael informs her she is free to make herself at home but if she goes to the basement, be sure and leave the door open or she will be locked in. Knowing that the basement must be his “playroom”, Lacey decides to explore the room and in doing so finds toys and devices that ignite feelings of warmth and desire within her body instead of fear. When Michael finds her in the basement he asks her two important questions that will make or break any further pursuit of a relationship:
“I have two questions, Angel.”
“O-Okay,” she stammered, finding it challenging to breathe with him so close.
“Why did you run that night at Haddie’s?”
“Do you want to run now?”
In Make Me Shiver, Aline Hunter aka J.A. Saare creates the groundwork for an incredibly engaging story of sexual awakening and desire as well as establishing trust in a new relationship. Where Ms. Hunter really hits the mark is her mastery of visual stimulation of the character’s emotions and reactions. Witnessing moments of jealousy, uncertainty, lust or fear, the character’s actions are unrefined and authentic which does not always produce the expected outcome. What I enjoyed most about this story is the focus was not the BDSM lifestyle, but the awareness of what it takes as a person to put their faith, hope and complete trust in another.
“She peered into his shimmering ice-blue eyes. She could see the approval in his stare, could feel the pleasure it gave her to please him. If happiness were a drug she’d live on a constant high if he presented that same look to her each and every time she did something he requested.”
Michael embodies a perfect balance of the type of alpha male that I enjoy wrapping my legs…errr arms around! (My own answer to Michael would be, “hell yes, I’m staying!”) He exudes sexiness, confidence without cockiness, and presents a solid exterior persona. But on the inside, he is in knots because of how much control Lacey has of his emotions, thoughts and actions. He craves her like no one else and it scares the hell out of him. Michael ultimately wants Lacey’s honesty, absolute trust and consent and therefore does not overly push her into a submissive/play lifestyle. Lacey struggles with not only her new found feelings of submissive desire, but also her fear of being vulnerable to a self-assured, enticing man who demands her total trust. Michael knows that he cannot move forward with Lacey until she is willing to place her complete trust and loyalty into his care and proves it in a final test that will either solidify or destroy their future as a couple.
What attracts me to Ms. Hunter’s contemporary erotic reads is not only her realistic characters and plots, but also how she covey’s the emotional turmoil and passion that they experience on the journey. Ms. Hunter’s voice is raw, provoking, not sappy or sugary and as the reader you feel as if you are experiencing the relationship unfold with every thought and action she pens. Laced with stirring intimacy, potent sexual chemistry and sizzling desire, she creates a palpable atmosphere that the reader does not want to escape from. Make Me Shiver delivers an alluring and seductively satisfying story that I did not want to end proving to be a fantastic start to what I believe will be an amazing series!
Favorite Quote:
“That’s it, angel. I want you to come on my fingers. I want to feel you spasm all around them. And when you do, I want you to imagine it’s my cock inside you, thick and hard. It is, you know. I’ve been hard as a fucking diamond ever since I picked you up. It’s been torture keeping my hands to myself. Make it worth my while. Show me that you’re worth waiting for.”
December 28, 2011
Updated.. I wrote the previous review on my phone. so Just making corrections...
4.5 out of 5 stars.
First… a disclaimer.
I’m a huge Jaime Saare/Aline Hunter fan. So far, there is not a book I haven’t loved. Also, Jaime is now one of my favorite people and I consider her a friend. So, if I didn’t like the book, rather than give it a lower rating, I’d not review/rate it all. I’m just being honest.
However, even with my fun little disclaimer, I must say… Jaime, wow. That was hot!
Now onto the book
Make Me Shiver made me want my own Michael (and Brady but that is another story). What a great lead male character. Yes, he was Dom, but he was also loving, thoughtful, very manly, and let Lacey set the pace for all their “adventures”, while still being the Dom in the D/s scene. When the situation with Aly occurred (former sub who took the “sub” culture a bit too far), I expected Michael to play the Dom role into real life and push Lacey too much, too soon. Didn’t happen.
Lacey, well, at first I didn’t know about her. It bugged me for some reason that she didn’t give Michael the benefit of the doubt when they initially tried to hook up at the club, but then she spends all her hours “researching” the Dom/sub scene on the internet. When they meet up again (her car goes off the road), she suddenly is willing to spend the night with him and she is willing to go down into the basement (not just a basement). Not only is she willing, but she is willing to experiment in a lifestyle that she only knew from internet videos. So, she goes from over-cautious to careless just because she does a bit of research. Isn’t research supposed to make you smarter?
HOWEVER, Jaime is a serious master of character development and sure enough, I came to love Lacey. While she starts off making foolish decisions, she ends up being a thoroughly enjoyable character.
Overall
Characters- great, story- good (too short- but this is erotica so I didn’t expect a ton of plot development), sex scenes- smoking! Loved it.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
First… a disclaimer.
I’m a huge Jaime Saare/Aline Hunter fan. So far, there is not a book I haven’t loved. Also, Jaime is now one of my favorite people and I consider her a friend. So, if I didn’t like the book, rather than give it a lower rating, I’d not review/rate it all. I’m just being honest.
However, even with my fun little disclaimer, I must say… Jaime, wow. That was hot!
Now onto the book
Make Me Shiver made me want my own Michael (and Brady but that is another story). What a great lead male character. Yes, he was Dom, but he was also loving, thoughtful, very manly, and let Lacey set the pace for all their “adventures”, while still being the Dom in the D/s scene. When the situation with Aly occurred (former sub who took the “sub” culture a bit too far), I expected Michael to play the Dom role into real life and push Lacey too much, too soon. Didn’t happen.
Lacey, well, at first I didn’t know about her. It bugged me for some reason that she didn’t give Michael the benefit of the doubt when they initially tried to hook up at the club, but then she spends all her hours “researching” the Dom/sub scene on the internet. When they meet up again (her car goes off the road), she suddenly is willing to spend the night with him and she is willing to go down into the basement (not just a basement). Not only is she willing, but she is willing to experiment in a lifestyle that she only knew from internet videos. So, she goes from over-cautious to careless just because she does a bit of research. Isn’t research supposed to make you smarter?
HOWEVER, Jaime is a serious master of character development and sure enough, I came to love Lacey. While she starts off making foolish decisions, she ends up being a thoroughly enjoyable character.
Overall
Characters- great, story- good (too short- but this is erotica so I didn’t expect a ton of plot development), sex scenes- smoking! Loved it.
November 22, 2012
This book...
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lmfao.. :)
You guys..
me..
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You guys..
me..
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July 15, 2014
::call it 1-1/2 stars, because it doesn't start off badly....::
I've been having this discussion with a fellow GR reviewer, Steelwhisper, about "consent violations" in D/s romantic fiction. Her contention is too much romance involving bondage and discipline tends to cross over the consent line far too often - the Dom pushing the subbe further than she gave him permission to go, ignoring the subbe's concerns while blowing past her limits and even her safeword, and having sex with her after she's too battered by her experiences to offer informed consent. Her contention is that this gives people reading the books the idea that this kind of behavior is A-OK in a D/s relationship - and while she's not against non-consensual D/s fiction (and in fact writes it herself), she feels this all violates the principle of "Safe Sane Consensual" that these books claim to adhere to. (If I've misstated her opinion in any way, I'm sure Steelwhisper will correct me below.... :) ) Generally, my response is that of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000's:
"Repeat To Yourself, This Is Just a Show
I Should Really Just Relax"
I usually feel in the examples she cites that the consent is narratively granted or implied, even if it's not openly expressed; i.e., Reese Gabriel's TIE ME, TEASE ME, where Zoey the subbe safewords out of Dom Trent's having hogtied her to leave her alone for the night - then they both end up jumping each other a minute later! I'll admit, in the MASTERS OF THE SHADOWLANDS series Steelwhisper is particularly concerned about, the handwave of is, admittedly, a bit too narratively convenient. In the case of MAKE ME SHIVER, the first in Aline Hunter's Just Make Me series, though? I feel Steelwhisper's point - and it makes me really uncomfortable.
At what point do you wonder if an author actually understands the meaning of the Kink-friendly "Safe, Sane, Consensual" mantra? That's my problem here - though the supposed "hero", the Dom Michael, uses the term often to his new-to-D/s, badly-burned by a cheating ex-boyfriend, Nice Christian Girl Children's Writer subbe Lacey, the way he behaves suggests he may as well be saying " Om Shanti Om " or ""Ooga Chuka Wow Wow"!
The Crimson Executioner * - Neither Safe, Sane NOR Consensual!
He forces her into repeated emotional situations she didn't consent to and seriously challenge any trust she's built up for him, and expects her to go along because "Me Dom - You Slavegirl!" Oh, and he's decided, on the basis of a few months of very casual acquaintance (like, a brief flirtatious chat at a bar, and a lot of "Say Hello" on the street), and a night of her willingly submitting to his (admittedly sensually Dominant) whims, that they should be married in a Master/slave relationship, just like his late parents had!
Lola Heatherton of SCTV Fame - "I Wanna Bear Your Childrennn!"
When Lacey points out (quite reasonably, In My Far From Humble Opinion - thank you, ELEMENTARY!), that both times they've been together as a couple it's ended with his former slave, Aly, making a royal hash of things just by being her too-needy too-submissive self, he has the gall to demand her absolute trust - and to beat her as when she doesn't immediately give it to him! (Supposedly, this turns her on....)
I'm Sorry - I'm Awfully Sorry....!
If my Master had ever treated me the way Michael treats Lacey, I would have safeworded out of our relationship years ago. Maybe I would have cried myself to sleep for a month afterwards - but it still would have been better than ending up in what smells to me like the abusive, Non-Scene unequal relationship that's presented to us as a Happily Ever After for these two....
Newsflash for any Dom/mes who go on about "trust" in a D/s relationship:
1) It's a Two-Way Street; and
2) It Has To Be Earned .
"Trust" - I Do Not Think This Means What I Think You Think It Means, Michael...!
I don't think Michael has remotely earned the trust he demands of Lacey in this book - in fact, he brushes aside her worries and abuses her when she refuses to accept that as sufficient, and worse the narrative clearly takes his side on this! It's Lacey who has to do all the changing to fit herself to be Michael's Perfect Subbie Mate - he doesn't do jack shit aside from sending her some flowers, candy, a stuffie, and a fancy choker as a sort-of collar.
Gifts are nice, sure - but do you know what would be nicer ? If Michael had, at any point in the narrative, treated Lacey like an actual, you know, girlfriend rather than as a sex slave who you expect to obey you absolutely. After Lacey's first run-in with Needy Slavegirl Aly, her already fragile trust, which had been hideously abused (she did come to him first the same day she saw her ex banging his secretary in the copy room at his job, after all), didn't need his Pushy Possessive Dom BS at all. Her trust needed a man who would take the trouble to let Lacey know she could trust him, and that his chatter about wanting a wife and family with her wasn't just so much hot air. Failing that, it needed his acknowledgement that before he got onto "new business" (this Forever Thing he claims to want with Lacey), he seriously needs to take care of "old business" (his ex-slavegirl not letting go) first.
There's something wrong with your story when you have your main Dom character saying that he doesn't want a 24/7 lifestyle subbe - but his actions suggest that's exactly what he expects the subbe whose story this is about to be! There's something else wrong with your story if, rather than feeling sympathy for emotionally damaged slavegirl Aly, I'm thinking, "Manipulative Little Marplot, isn't she? Bet she figures she can chase all of Michael's future subbes off by playing 'I'm Slavey-ier Than You' with them!" And moreover - that Michael and Aly deserve each other, and Lacey would be better off attending some munches in Nashville (which is, I think, the nearest major city to where she lives), now that she knows she has submissive tendencies.
If I don't like two of your three main characters (and I wasn't too crazy about Lacey's more than a little bit two-faced BFF Candace, either!), and your heroine acquiesces to their (mis)behavior? Then I am so out of there!
This book left me with a bad taste in my mouth - and the author's idea of a HEA gives me the crawls, honestly. I'm submissive, for the Goddess's sake - but I'm no doormat, which is what this book reads like it expects Lacey to be.
----
* The Crimson Executioner in an Italian S-M/Horror movie of the Sixties, THE BLOODY PIT OF HORROR, is played by Mickey Hargitay - father of Mariska Hargitay of LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. So yeah, Det. Benson's Dad is a sadist - which kind of fits in a sick way....
I've been having this discussion with a fellow GR reviewer, Steelwhisper, about "consent violations" in D/s romantic fiction. Her contention is too much romance involving bondage and discipline tends to cross over the consent line far too often - the Dom pushing the subbe further than she gave him permission to go, ignoring the subbe's concerns while blowing past her limits and even her safeword, and having sex with her after she's too battered by her experiences to offer informed consent. Her contention is that this gives people reading the books the idea that this kind of behavior is A-OK in a D/s relationship - and while she's not against non-consensual D/s fiction (and in fact writes it herself), she feels this all violates the principle of "Safe Sane Consensual" that these books claim to adhere to. (If I've misstated her opinion in any way, I'm sure Steelwhisper will correct me below.... :) ) Generally, my response is that of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000's:
"Repeat To Yourself, This Is Just a Show
I Should Really Just Relax"
I usually feel in the examples she cites that the consent is narratively granted or implied, even if it's not openly expressed; i.e., Reese Gabriel's TIE ME, TEASE ME, where Zoey the subbe safewords out of Dom Trent's having hogtied her to leave her alone for the night - then they both end up jumping each other a minute later! I'll admit, in the MASTERS OF THE SHADOWLANDS series Steelwhisper is particularly concerned about, the handwave of is, admittedly, a bit too narratively convenient. In the case of MAKE ME SHIVER, the first in Aline Hunter's Just Make Me series, though? I feel Steelwhisper's point - and it makes me really uncomfortable.
At what point do you wonder if an author actually understands the meaning of the Kink-friendly "Safe, Sane, Consensual" mantra? That's my problem here - though the supposed "hero", the Dom Michael, uses the term often to his new-to-D/s, badly-burned by a cheating ex-boyfriend, Nice Christian Girl Children's Writer subbe Lacey, the way he behaves suggests he may as well be saying " Om Shanti Om " or ""Ooga Chuka Wow Wow"!
The Crimson Executioner * - Neither Safe, Sane NOR Consensual!
He forces her into repeated emotional situations she didn't consent to and seriously challenge any trust she's built up for him, and expects her to go along because "Me Dom - You Slavegirl!" Oh, and he's decided, on the basis of a few months of very casual acquaintance (like, a brief flirtatious chat at a bar, and a lot of "Say Hello" on the street), and a night of her willingly submitting to his (admittedly sensually Dominant) whims, that they should be married in a Master/slave relationship, just like his late parents had!
Lola Heatherton of SCTV Fame - "I Wanna Bear Your Childrennn!"
When Lacey points out (quite reasonably, In My Far From Humble Opinion - thank you, ELEMENTARY!), that both times they've been together as a couple it's ended with his former slave, Aly, making a royal hash of things just by being her too-needy too-submissive self, he has the gall to demand her absolute trust - and to beat her as when she doesn't immediately give it to him! (Supposedly, this turns her on....)
I'm Sorry - I'm Awfully Sorry....!
If my Master had ever treated me the way Michael treats Lacey, I would have safeworded out of our relationship years ago. Maybe I would have cried myself to sleep for a month afterwards - but it still would have been better than ending up in what smells to me like the abusive, Non-Scene unequal relationship that's presented to us as a Happily Ever After for these two....
Newsflash for any Dom/mes who go on about "trust" in a D/s relationship:
1) It's a Two-Way Street; and
2) It Has To Be Earned .
"Trust" - I Do Not Think This Means What I Think You Think It Means, Michael...!
I don't think Michael has remotely earned the trust he demands of Lacey in this book - in fact, he brushes aside her worries and abuses her when she refuses to accept that as sufficient, and worse the narrative clearly takes his side on this! It's Lacey who has to do all the changing to fit herself to be Michael's Perfect Subbie Mate - he doesn't do jack shit aside from sending her some flowers, candy, a stuffie, and a fancy choker as a sort-of collar.
Gifts are nice, sure - but do you know what would be nicer ? If Michael had, at any point in the narrative, treated Lacey like an actual, you know, girlfriend rather than as a sex slave who you expect to obey you absolutely. After Lacey's first run-in with Needy Slavegirl Aly, her already fragile trust, which had been hideously abused (she did come to him first the same day she saw her ex banging his secretary in the copy room at his job, after all), didn't need his Pushy Possessive Dom BS at all. Her trust needed a man who would take the trouble to let Lacey know she could trust him, and that his chatter about wanting a wife and family with her wasn't just so much hot air. Failing that, it needed his acknowledgement that before he got onto "new business" (this Forever Thing he claims to want with Lacey), he seriously needs to take care of "old business" (his ex-slavegirl not letting go) first.
There's something wrong with your story when you have your main Dom character saying that he doesn't want a 24/7 lifestyle subbe - but his actions suggest that's exactly what he expects the subbe whose story this is about to be! There's something else wrong with your story if, rather than feeling sympathy for emotionally damaged slavegirl Aly, I'm thinking, "Manipulative Little Marplot, isn't she? Bet she figures she can chase all of Michael's future subbes off by playing 'I'm Slavey-ier Than You' with them!" And moreover - that Michael and Aly deserve each other, and Lacey would be better off attending some munches in Nashville (which is, I think, the nearest major city to where she lives), now that she knows she has submissive tendencies.
If I don't like two of your three main characters (and I wasn't too crazy about Lacey's more than a little bit two-faced BFF Candace, either!), and your heroine acquiesces to their (mis)behavior? Then I am so out of there!
This book left me with a bad taste in my mouth - and the author's idea of a HEA gives me the crawls, honestly. I'm submissive, for the Goddess's sake - but I'm no doormat, which is what this book reads like it expects Lacey to be.
----
* The Crimson Executioner in an Italian S-M/Horror movie of the Sixties, THE BLOODY PIT OF HORROR, is played by Mickey Hargitay - father of Mariska Hargitay of LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. So yeah, Det. Benson's Dad is a sadist - which kind of fits in a sick way....
October 4, 2024
I could have sworn I had a review on this one. I read this in July for a Book of the Month for the BDSM group. Rather than write a review for a book I thought was just okay, I'm pasting my discussion points.
October 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this one!! There was some very steamy Light BDSM scenes, but it was more about trust & faith in your relationship and partner. I loved that Michael, even though he was a alpha Dom was also a romantic....flowers, jewelry, stuffed Teddy bear. I found myself really hoping for a HEA for these likable characters.
April 20, 2013
This man didn't sweeten his words to get to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Instead he rode the colorful rays at his own pace, made the sky his bitch and took everything he wanted when he was good and ready.
...that is Aly's personal thoughts on Michael Gilchrist, the hero in this book, and that pretty much sums the man up...he was YUMMY! I was expecting an erotic novella and what i got was so much more! Not once did i EVER feel that the sex was overshadowing the story, in fact i don't remember there being an over abundance of sex at all..what was there was certainly hot, but as a whole this book was just plain old good!! It was actually refreshing to read about a DOM who was so possessive of his sub that he did NOT share with others or care for exhibitionism (he didn't have a problem with others doing it, he just wasn't into performing for others). He enjoyed D/s play in the bedroom, the club scene and the camaraderie with friends in the club but it didn't go beyond that, I loved that! This was def. light BDSM, when you're comparing it to something like Cherise Sinclair's Master's of Shadowlands, but for me it was just as enjoyable!
A multitude of different characters were introduced that i'm really hoping get their own books. A true sign of a good author, is one who can write such a good story that you're caring/interested in the secondary characters just as much as the main characters, especially when they're weaved in as complimentary to the story as opposed to overshadowing it or taking away from the main couple! That is what Aline Hunter is able to pull off with flying colors!
I've only read three of her book so far but i will certainly be reading whatever else she has out there! Whether it's paranormal or contemporary romance, her books are fun, sexy and hot, with a few sweet and sometimes emotional moments thrown into the mix..no matter the length of the book, i've not finished one without feeling completely satisfied! I would most definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a quick, sexy contemporary romance!
October 1, 2012
Michael..There's this saying that goes -
"Trust is like a mirror. Once its BROKEN you can never look at it the same again."
Warning : Major ass ranting ahead. Steer clear if you cannot handle - otherwise have a safe trip. x)
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Give Lacey a break! She's had that trust broken so it's going to take some time to build back up. Giving herself fully to a man who she is NOT well acquainted with yet is hard for anyone, even for someone who has never had their share of untrustworthy men. So how can you honestly expect her to hand over everything to you within the span of a WEEK? Lacey grew up very 'homey' and Michael was just pushing this on her too fast. I entirely comply with Lacey's voice of reasoning telling her to be jealous of a woman that he would drop everything for at the mention of her being hurt. The whole "I went to support Brian and Trevor." is total bullshit. He would not of been so infuriated about Trevor commenting thatAly had partnered with Conner. Before anyone says "Michael knew Conner was irresponsible." again - I call bullshit. Aly could of used the safe-word at any given moment but the bitch (pardon my french) was into cutting herself for relief, Conner was the one who did not know what he was getting himself into. If the Author would of mentioned the girl's name one more time - I would of taken a cane to Aly myself! And I'm a sub for God's-Sake!
I actually loved Michael's character at first but Oh how wrong first impression can be. The K.O. blow -
Michael: "The people you were so angry with this morning are my friends. They are the people I associate with on my own time. I’ve known most of them for years, and I’m not willing to severour ties because I’m with a woman who can’t handle what my life is like because of insecurity.”
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First • She wasn't angry at them dickhead. She was angry at YOU for putting her second when it came to Aly.
Second • It's because of men like YOU that she has insecurities! Maybe if you would've reassured her that you were going to be a ref instead of instantly tossing her off your lap and jumping to Aly's rescue, she wouldn't be.
Third • Don't play the friend card when I know sure as hell that YOU would be pissed if Lacey went to 'help' Scott without even a second thought.
Fourth • Did I mention he is a dickhead?
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..Abruptly towards the end I began loving his character though..Yes I am a walking contradiction. Even after all my ranting and raving, I loved Michael at the end of the day. I have this sick fixation that every Dom in a story has to live up to or I will not read the book - NEVER SHARE WHAT IS HIS. I loved that this Dom and Tow Truck driver was monogamous to the core and not into sharing his woman. And it is because of this lone fact that Michael and I can still have our love affair. (The little twist at the end when Michael puts her to the test in the club made me swoon for him. Who wouldn't want a Dom like him after what he did for her? ❤) I’m not normally for longer hair on guys but Mike’s blonde locks had me panting for more. Or it could of been Aline's VERY descriptive sex scenes. ;)
"Trust is like a mirror. Once its BROKEN you can never look at it the same again."
Warning : Major ass ranting ahead. Steer clear if you cannot handle - otherwise have a safe trip. x)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Give Lacey a break! She's had that trust broken so it's going to take some time to build back up. Giving herself fully to a man who she is NOT well acquainted with yet is hard for anyone, even for someone who has never had their share of untrustworthy men. So how can you honestly expect her to hand over everything to you within the span of a WEEK? Lacey grew up very 'homey' and Michael was just pushing this on her too fast. I entirely comply with Lacey's voice of reasoning telling her to be jealous of a woman that he would drop everything for at the mention of her being hurt. The whole "I went to support Brian and Trevor." is total bullshit. He would not of been so infuriated about Trevor commenting that
I actually loved Michael's character at first but Oh how wrong first impression can be. The K.O. blow -
Michael: "The people you were so angry with this morning are my friends. They are the people I associate with on my own time. I’ve known most of them for years, and I’m not willing to severour ties because I’m with a woman who can’t handle what my life is like because of insecurity.”
---------------------------------------------------------------
First • She wasn't angry at them dickhead. She was angry at YOU for putting her second when it came to Aly.
Second • It's because of men like YOU that she has insecurities! Maybe if you would've reassured her that you were going to be a ref instead of instantly tossing her off your lap and jumping to Aly's rescue, she wouldn't be.
Third • Don't play the friend card when I know sure as hell that YOU would be pissed if Lacey went to 'help' Scott without even a second thought.
Fourth • Did I mention he is a dickhead?
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..Abruptly towards the end I began loving his character though..Yes I am a walking contradiction. Even after all my ranting and raving, I loved Michael at the end of the day. I have this sick fixation that every Dom in a story has to live up to or I will not read the book - NEVER SHARE WHAT IS HIS. I loved that this Dom and Tow Truck driver was monogamous to the core and not into sharing his woman. And it is because of this lone fact that Michael and I can still have our love affair. (The little twist at the end when Michael puts her to the test in the club made me swoon for him. Who wouldn't want a Dom like him after what he did for her? ❤) I’m not normally for longer hair on guys but Mike’s blonde locks had me panting for more. Or it could of been Aline's VERY descriptive sex scenes. ;)
January 9, 2012
Oh my God - the cover is so HOT!
July 20, 2012
You could say this one is about Trust but I think it is more about Faith. Michael really needed Lacey to believe in him and he was pulling out all the stops to make that happen.
“When Lacey loses control of her vehicle and finds herself trapped by ice and snow, she knows there's only one person to call for help.” - which was actually True, because his towing service was the only one programmed into her cell phone. But it also didn’t work out because he was in the wrong direction. Fortunately, his staff intervened.
Lacey really was a natural submissive because 30 seconds in the playroom and she was ready to kneel to her Master. That part was really fun and he did and said all the right things. And things were going so well when...
Note to Would-be Doms: Be very careful when you get involved with the needy submissives. The ones who want to serve you forever. Because you are probably going to be taking on a parenting role for a long time to come.
The only problem I really had was the book was moving in fast forward. We just got to drop in now and then to try and catch up. Even the party scene had the potential to be fun but we only saw a very small part.
The story reaches a peak only a week in when Michael plays a very dangerous game. I understand his motivation but he was really risking everything on a single moment. I think maybe he could have waited another week at least. I also didn’t think his deciding to punish her earlier for the way she felt was fair. She was entitled to her feelings - he needed to work harder to change her mind and quit making excuses.
I thoroughly enjoyed this but I would have liked it more if they had taken a bit more time to build their relationship. I was ready to give this a 5 a few chapters in but it didn’t quite get there. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, though.
“When Lacey loses control of her vehicle and finds herself trapped by ice and snow, she knows there's only one person to call for help.” - which was actually True, because his towing service was the only one programmed into her cell phone. But it also didn’t work out because he was in the wrong direction. Fortunately, his staff intervened.
Lacey really was a natural submissive because 30 seconds in the playroom and she was ready to kneel to her Master. That part was really fun and he did and said all the right things. And things were going so well when...
Note to Would-be Doms: Be very careful when you get involved with the needy submissives. The ones who want to serve you forever. Because you are probably going to be taking on a parenting role for a long time to come.
The only problem I really had was the book was moving in fast forward. We just got to drop in now and then to try and catch up. Even the party scene had the potential to be fun but we only saw a very small part.
The story reaches a peak only a week in when Michael plays a very dangerous game. I understand his motivation but he was really risking everything on a single moment. I think maybe he could have waited another week at least. I also didn’t think his deciding to punish her earlier for the way she felt was fair. She was entitled to her feelings - he needed to work harder to change her mind and quit making excuses.
I thoroughly enjoyed this but I would have liked it more if they had taken a bit more time to build their relationship. I was ready to give this a 5 a few chapters in but it didn’t quite get there. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, though.
January 6, 2012
Lacey has been attracted to Michael for a while and agrees to go on a date with him. But once she finds out that he's into something that she's never experienced before, she runs from him. So when they are face to face again she can't deny that she's still attracted to him. Michael knows why she ran from him and believes that if she doesn't really understand what being dominated is all about. Her curiosity gets the best of her and she gives in and decides to try what Michael has to offer. She surprises herself by not only enjoying it, but also realizing that everything that she previously thought about being dominated was wrong. This is when Aline Hunter's great writing comes into play as we get to see the dynamics of Lacey and Michael's relationship change right before our eyes. They both realize that they want more from each other and there are some intense moments before they are both on the same page regarding their feelings. There are moments when Lacey starts to feel a little insecure because of Michael's past relationships and Michael wants nothing more than Lacey to trust him. At this point Lacey is going to have to realize that the past is the past and if she wants to have a future with Michael, she is going to have trust him fully.
Lots of hot scenes between the two main characters as Michael shows Lacey exactly how pleasurable their relationship can be. *wiggles brows* Their relationship also has emotional moments and I felt like the author did a wonderful job conveying their emotions. I also enjoyed the side stories and other characters such as Candice and Brady. There is tension between the two of them and we get a small explanation as to why. I can't wait to read more about them and the other characters as well.
Lots of hot scenes between the two main characters as Michael shows Lacey exactly how pleasurable their relationship can be. *wiggles brows* Their relationship also has emotional moments and I felt like the author did a wonderful job conveying their emotions. I also enjoyed the side stories and other characters such as Candice and Brady. There is tension between the two of them and we get a small explanation as to why. I can't wait to read more about them and the other characters as well.
May 8, 2018
2 1/2 stars not bad but meh
May 17, 2012
4.5 Stars
I'm going to be honest and say that the cover is what caught my attention. I love the red hair all damp and tangled. This was my first Aline Hunter book, and after reading this, it won't be my last.
Lacey Walsh has just caught her boyfriend doing the secretary. In her anger and sadness, she gets into a minor car accident in the middle of a bad snow storm. The one person who could help her out of this predicament is someone she's trying to avoid – Michael Gilchrist. She's lusted after him for a while, but after a night at the bar, a few drinks and a little flirting, her best friend warns her away from him because he's a Dom, and he doesn't do vanilla at all. Ever since that revelation, she's tried to forget about him, and instead she settled for her white collar boyfriend, a lawyer who works for her publisher. But she's a good Christian girl, and kinky sex is not only taboo, it's just wrong. When Michael rescues her and invites her to his home, he decides to test her.
"If you decide to go down to the basement, make sure you leave the door open behind you. There's a security lock that activates the moment it closes and you won't be able to get out." He swept his thumb along her lower lip and a tendril of excitement created flutters in her belly.
"Understand?"
Her curiosity gets the better of her and she wanders off into his playroom. He invites her to stay and "play" and see where it takes them. She's afraid, but how can she say no? And so it begins.
Up until then she'd never known it was possible to have a sentence-induced hot flash. Leave it to Michael to teach her the flaw in her sexually deprived logic. She couldn't believe what he'd said or how he'd said it, but it didn't change the facts. This man didn't sweeten his words to get to the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Instead he rode the colorful rays at his own pace, made the sky his bitch and took everything he wanted when he was good and ready.
The experience is beyond anything either of them could have imagined. Now that Michael has finally given the woman he's always wanted a taste of his lifestyle, he doesn't want to let her get away. The morning after, Michael has been called away to work, and Lacey wakes up alone in his house. As she's reveling in the bliss of the new experience, a woman walks into the house and says she's looking for her Master. Lacey instantly feels betrayed and flees. When Michael returns to find his former sub in his house, he knows he may have just lost the one chance he'll ever have with Lacey. He has some serious grovelling to do. He explains about his former sub, Aly. She accepts what he's told her but still asks him for some time and space to think. He sends her flowers and notes every day for a week which lead up to him inviting her out to dinner, then a night at a private play party to observe the lifestyle up close. After that night she will either stay with him or leave him forever, but that's a risk he is willing to take. Their night goes well until it is interrupted by a distress call about Aly. Michael and his friends rush to the rescue leaving Lacey feeling betrayed, yet again. But more importantly, she feels cast aside for a former lover. When Michael finally calls her again, her insecurities and her trust issues have reached their boiling point. Can Michael help her get over her trust issues, and will she even listen to reason?
I thought the story was great. I liked the open and honest conversations between the H/H about what they wanted, and their expectations. While I thought Lacey was unnecessarily distrustful, I could see that her most recent betrayal by her boyfriend left a mark, and she simply projected his flaws onto Michael without thinking things through. On the other hand, I felt that Michael may have pushed a little to much too soon. Lacey, as I mentioned earlier was raised to be ... homely. In one week she falls in lust with Michael, gets introduced to BDSM and has to make a (seemingly quick) decision about either joining him or leaving him. The little twist at the end when Michael puts her to the test in the club made me swoon for him. Who wouldn't want a Dom like him after what he did for her? Definitely a favorite for me.
March 11, 2012
I have heard good reviews about this book and I was really looking forward to reading it, but for some reason as I read the book I had mixed feelings about it. I will have to admit some parts were really good but there were a few aspects that irked me the wrong way and I couldn't dispel it even when I tried. I just couldn't let go of somethings.
I always enjoy a really a good Dom/sub story and since this was about an alpha Dom who was attracted to a woman who was unfamiliar with the whole Dom/sub culture I was intrigued.
Lancy is new to the small town where everyone seems to know everyone and when she goes out one night to the local bar she can't help the immediate attraction to Michael. Unknown to her Michael is known by quite a few people in town to be a Dom and once her friend gives her the heads up Lancy flees as fast as she can from Michael afraid of him because of his kink.
As fate would have it it throws them together again and before long Lancy is allowing herself to engage in Micheal's world. This is where I started to have some difficulty with some parts the story and I really wanted to over look them, but my mind wouldn't let me.
First of all, Lancy just found out the her boyfriend was cheating on her yet here is Michael who seems to be pushing her too fast to accept his lifestyle and trust him. I just felt for some reason that it was being forced on Lancy and as result I couldn't feel warmth towards Michael and Lancy and could not develop a connection to them.
The club scene and Michael's test in particular disturbed me on two levels. The Dom/sub relationship is suppose to be based upon mutual respect with subs wanting to please their Doms and Doms satisfying and taking care of their subs' needs. It is based on mutual trust in each other. Lancy has strong trust issues going on and I felt Michael was breaching them to satisfy his own needs, not respecting Lancy's needs.
The incident with Michael and Vaughan's conversation rubbed me the wrong way. They both seemed to objectify the sub (in this case Lancy) and not she was not seen as a mutual partner in satisfaction just meeting the Dom's needs.
The final scene that made me feel that the relationship seemed one sided especially for someone who has never engaged in the lifestyle was the public display one. Now if both are into public display that is fine, but I felt that Lancy was being forced to engage in it and not trying something she wished to do.
As I said earlier I REALLY try to dismiss these thoughts, but my mind just couldn't let me. Overall, it left me intrigued to find out what will happen with her friend regarding her situation in book 2 which I will look forward to reading.
3 Stars
I always enjoy a really a good Dom/sub story and since this was about an alpha Dom who was attracted to a woman who was unfamiliar with the whole Dom/sub culture I was intrigued.
Lancy is new to the small town where everyone seems to know everyone and when she goes out one night to the local bar she can't help the immediate attraction to Michael. Unknown to her Michael is known by quite a few people in town to be a Dom and once her friend gives her the heads up Lancy flees as fast as she can from Michael afraid of him because of his kink.
As fate would have it it throws them together again and before long Lancy is allowing herself to engage in Micheal's world. This is where I started to have some difficulty with some parts the story and I really wanted to over look them, but my mind wouldn't let me.
First of all, Lancy just found out the her boyfriend was cheating on her yet here is Michael who seems to be pushing her too fast to accept his lifestyle and trust him. I just felt for some reason that it was being forced on Lancy and as result I couldn't feel warmth towards Michael and Lancy and could not develop a connection to them.
The club scene and Michael's test in particular disturbed me on two levels. The Dom/sub relationship is suppose to be based upon mutual respect with subs wanting to please their Doms and Doms satisfying and taking care of their subs' needs. It is based on mutual trust in each other. Lancy has strong trust issues going on and I felt Michael was breaching them to satisfy his own needs, not respecting Lancy's needs.
The incident with Michael and Vaughan's conversation rubbed me the wrong way. They both seemed to objectify the sub (in this case Lancy) and not she was not seen as a mutual partner in satisfaction just meeting the Dom's needs.
The final scene that made me feel that the relationship seemed one sided especially for someone who has never engaged in the lifestyle was the public display one. Now if both are into public display that is fine, but I felt that Lancy was being forced to engage in it and not trying something she wished to do.
As I said earlier I REALLY try to dismiss these thoughts, but my mind just couldn't let me. Overall, it left me intrigued to find out what will happen with her friend regarding her situation in book 2 which I will look forward to reading.
3 Stars
July 18, 2012
see the full review and more at www.tattooedbookreview.com
A love story complete with flowers, jewelry, romance, and KINK.
This book was a great, easy read, with a good story and relatable characters. Here's the thing: I loved Michael. Period. Blue collar, strong, undeniably sexy, and honest to a fault are elements I love in a male protagonist. Oh, and kinky. Do not forget kinky. Sweet and ultimately submissive Lacey complemented him well. I enjoyed their journey, especially Lacey's transition and introspection. Michael knew right away that forever with Lacey was what he wanted, but Lacey wasn't so sure.
At it's heart, this story is a love story, a romance. This couple must learn to navigate the tricky waters of trust and kinky sex, and decide if they really can make it work.
"This goes beyond kink. It's essential as breathing. Either you have total faith in the person you are with, or you don't. It's that simple."
A love story complete with flowers, jewelry, romance, and KINK.
This book was a great, easy read, with a good story and relatable characters. Here's the thing: I loved Michael. Period. Blue collar, strong, undeniably sexy, and honest to a fault are elements I love in a male protagonist. Oh, and kinky. Do not forget kinky. Sweet and ultimately submissive Lacey complemented him well. I enjoyed their journey, especially Lacey's transition and introspection. Michael knew right away that forever with Lacey was what he wanted, but Lacey wasn't so sure.
At it's heart, this story is a love story, a romance. This couple must learn to navigate the tricky waters of trust and kinky sex, and decide if they really can make it work.
"This goes beyond kink. It's essential as breathing. Either you have total faith in the person you are with, or you don't. It's that simple."
July 23, 2012
I debated giving this book 3 or 4 stars. Although I did enjoy the story, things moved very quickly to the point I felt it lacked in character development. I liked Michael, the hero, but sometimes what he wanted came across as unreasonable given the small time frame for the relationship. Lacey was likable for the most part, however some of her reactions were over the top as were her friend Candy's. My favorite part of the story involved a punishment Lacey received.
This book is the first in a planned series, and I did like this book enough that I plan to check out the next one.
This book is the first in a planned series, and I did like this book enough that I plan to check out the next one.
April 7, 2013
I have recently read and thoroughly enjoyed Ms Hunter's paranormal books, so thought I would try this one. I am so glad I did. I was in the mood for a quick erotic read, and that was exactly what I got.
Although Lacey was a little wishy-washy for my liking, Michael was the perfect male lead. He was a hot alpha Dom who knew what he wanted and went after it. Lacey didn't really stand a chance.
The secondary character were well rounded and interesting, and I look forward to stories about them.
Aline Hunter is becoming one of my go to authors for quick steamy reads.
Although Lacey was a little wishy-washy for my liking, Michael was the perfect male lead. He was a hot alpha Dom who knew what he wanted and went after it. Lacey didn't really stand a chance.
The secondary character were well rounded and interesting, and I look forward to stories about them.
Aline Hunter is becoming one of my go to authors for quick steamy reads.
December 25, 2011
Great story.
It was obvious that Lacey and Michael belonged together from the beginning, but Lacey had some trust and jealousy issues that kept the relationship from moving beyond sex. Michael has his own way of making her decide to move through her trust issues, but I couldn't see how his "test" would make her suddenly realize that he wouldn't cheat on her. A ≠ B in my book. Still, I'm glad it worked and brought them together.
Now if only her friend Candice could get a little therapy...
It was obvious that Lacey and Michael belonged together from the beginning, but Lacey had some trust and jealousy issues that kept the relationship from moving beyond sex. Michael has his own way of making her decide to move through her trust issues, but I couldn't see how his "test" would make her suddenly realize that he wouldn't cheat on her. A ≠ B in my book. Still, I'm glad it worked and brought them together.
Now if only her friend Candice could get a little therapy...
July 8, 2012
3 Stars. I have read books with more steam but this one hit some high notes for me at least. The scene from the resturant reminded me of Come Monday. It was interesting but could have been more.
Really I am left with nothing much to say. So I think I will leave it at that.
Really I am left with nothing much to say. So I think I will leave it at that.
February 6, 2012
"I thought this was a phenomenal read, Michael is pure alpha male, he puts his heart on the line for Lacey knowing full well that she may reject him because of his lifestyle. "
Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8764
Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=8764
January 9, 2012
Guilty Pleasures Recommended Read
Make Me Shiver, made me shiver! If you like BDSM romances that have plot, realistic emotions, smokin' hot sex and an intriguing secondary cast, you do not want to miss Make Me Shiver.
Full review to post 1/9/12 on
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...
Make Me Shiver, made me shiver! If you like BDSM romances that have plot, realistic emotions, smokin' hot sex and an intriguing secondary cast, you do not want to miss Make Me Shiver.
Full review to post 1/9/12 on
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...
January 11, 2012
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
I've never read anything by this author and will definitely look for more. As a BDSM novella it hit the mark. I thought the characters were interesting and want to see more of them. There were a few things that bothered me but all in all it was a good light, romance.
I've never read anything by this author and will definitely look for more. As a BDSM novella it hit the mark. I thought the characters were interesting and want to see more of them. There were a few things that bothered me but all in all it was a good light, romance.
January 12, 2012
Wholly Hotness!!!!
March 21, 2012
Okay, I don't know if i felt the love between them, but it was a decent story.
February 14, 2012
*****3.5 stars*****
"If I die because of you, so help me God I'll make you regret the say you were born, Scott Barker." Lacey Walsh gripped the steering wheel and leaned forward, trying to see past a windshield obscured by large flakes of falling snow. "I'm so coming back to haunt your no-good, lowdown, dick-dipping ass. Death will look like a walk in the park compared to what I have planned for you, you cheating bastard."
And so this book begins in true Aline Hunter/J.A. Saare fashion. I love the spice she gives her female lead characters.
I need to preface this review by saying that this is the first book of this, um, genre that I've read, so I really don't have anything to compare it to. I almost exclusively read urban fiction and PNR, so this book was very different for me, and honestly, took me out of my comfort zone. Who knew I was such a prude!
Lacey begins this book by finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her. This isn't a real serious and long relationship, but it hurts Lacey badly. After finding his cheating ass, Lacey leaves her boyfriend's office, and crashes her car in a inclement weather. She calls a towing company, knowing the hot two shop operator, Michael, will come and give her a tow. Lacey has had the hots for Michael for a while now, but has avoided him because a friend told her about his sexual lifestyle, which is BDSM.
Michael picks her up, and the two talk, both wanting more from the other. When he brings her back to his place to shower and change, holy hotness follows. This was all very strange to me. I mean, the hotness was HAWT, but Lacey and Michael just basically get it on without much more than a mutual attraction that each has had for the other from a distance. From the backstory, Lacey and Michael had only spoken to each other once at a bar before Lacey left him out of fear of his sexuality. Anyhow, Lacey and Michael share an earth-shattering evening together, where they both decide that this is more than a one-night stand.
In the morning, Michael is called out on a towing job, but assures Lacey he'll return. While he's cone, a girl named Aly enters Michael's house looking for her "Master," and Lacey runs out of jealousy and humiliation. This becomes the core problem in this book. The idea of trust. Lacey's lack of trust fuels this plot, as her trust of Michael is tested again and again. Michael is the type that demands total and complete trust from someone he wants to make his life partner. This book explores the road to gaining that trust.
There are many hot scenes in this book. Seriously. I love the smut. There were two problems I found. One is the "C U Next Tuesday" word. Seriously - it's the one word I can't type it and I could never say;-) I guess that's just my hang up, but it was used a lot. Two - as much as I hate to say this, I didn't really care about the characters in this book. I didn't dislike Lacey and Michael. But I didn't love them, either. I feel like I barely got to know them outside of the BDSM plot line. I wish we could have gotten more from them.
I liked the ending. Again, it was all about trust, and I like how Aline Hunter brought these two characters to the, um, climax of this story (sorry - I couldn't resist). I was happy with how it ended, and I will definitely be interested in the next book which will feature Lacey and Michael's friends, Brady and Candice.
"If I die because of you, so help me God I'll make you regret the say you were born, Scott Barker." Lacey Walsh gripped the steering wheel and leaned forward, trying to see past a windshield obscured by large flakes of falling snow. "I'm so coming back to haunt your no-good, lowdown, dick-dipping ass. Death will look like a walk in the park compared to what I have planned for you, you cheating bastard."
And so this book begins in true Aline Hunter/J.A. Saare fashion. I love the spice she gives her female lead characters.
I need to preface this review by saying that this is the first book of this, um, genre that I've read, so I really don't have anything to compare it to. I almost exclusively read urban fiction and PNR, so this book was very different for me, and honestly, took me out of my comfort zone. Who knew I was such a prude!
Lacey begins this book by finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her. This isn't a real serious and long relationship, but it hurts Lacey badly. After finding his cheating ass, Lacey leaves her boyfriend's office, and crashes her car in a inclement weather. She calls a towing company, knowing the hot two shop operator, Michael, will come and give her a tow. Lacey has had the hots for Michael for a while now, but has avoided him because a friend told her about his sexual lifestyle, which is BDSM.
Michael picks her up, and the two talk, both wanting more from the other. When he brings her back to his place to shower and change, holy hotness follows. This was all very strange to me. I mean, the hotness was HAWT, but Lacey and Michael just basically get it on without much more than a mutual attraction that each has had for the other from a distance. From the backstory, Lacey and Michael had only spoken to each other once at a bar before Lacey left him out of fear of his sexuality. Anyhow, Lacey and Michael share an earth-shattering evening together, where they both decide that this is more than a one-night stand.
In the morning, Michael is called out on a towing job, but assures Lacey he'll return. While he's cone, a girl named Aly enters Michael's house looking for her "Master," and Lacey runs out of jealousy and humiliation. This becomes the core problem in this book. The idea of trust. Lacey's lack of trust fuels this plot, as her trust of Michael is tested again and again. Michael is the type that demands total and complete trust from someone he wants to make his life partner. This book explores the road to gaining that trust.
There are many hot scenes in this book. Seriously. I love the smut. There were two problems I found. One is the "C U Next Tuesday" word. Seriously - it's the one word I can't type it and I could never say;-) I guess that's just my hang up, but it was used a lot. Two - as much as I hate to say this, I didn't really care about the characters in this book. I didn't dislike Lacey and Michael. But I didn't love them, either. I feel like I barely got to know them outside of the BDSM plot line. I wish we could have gotten more from them.
I liked the ending. Again, it was all about trust, and I like how Aline Hunter brought these two characters to the, um, climax of this story (sorry - I couldn't resist). I was happy with how it ended, and I will definitely be interested in the next book which will feature Lacey and Michael's friends, Brady and Candice.
April 10, 2012
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Today just isn’t the day for Lacey Walsh. She walked in on her boyfriend sleeping with his secretary (and they weren’t doing too much sleeping before her interruption). Now she's stranded on the side of the road after she slammed into a guard rail on the way home. The only person who can get her out of this jam is the one person she doesn’t want to call. The man makes her blood stir and soaks her panties far more than she would like to admit. When giving into him is the only option on the table, today and forever, can Lacey make herself see that Michael wants more from her than just her body? Will his past make her run from him before he can open her eyes to the real Michael?
Michael has lusted for Lacey for months, and while he knows she's scared he can tell that she's born to be with him. There's just something about Lacey that sings to him and he can’t help but want to mark her as his in every way possible. Being gentle isn’t something Michael is especially good at but he's willing to give it a chance if it gets him the wonderful Lacey in the end. Will a surprise visit from Michael's sordid past make Lacey run from him or will he be able to make her see everything is different now that she is with him?
Talk about a HOT book! For the majority of the story I wanted to be Lacey and embrace the lifestyle Michael was offering her. Aline Hunter made the characters so realistic they couldn’t have been more real had they jumped off the page and talked to me. The story line was complete and flowed so well that the last page came way too soon and I hated to see it all end. I liked how Ms. Hunter left enough hanging to allow for a second book while still tying up the ending of Make Me Shiver for a decent solo read.
This is definitely a book for someone comfortable in the BDSM area as it's a heavy factor in the majority of this book. For someone new to the genre Ms. Hunter still made an enjoyable read for those who are simply curious. I will definitely be looking for more works by Ms. Hunter in the future!
Today just isn’t the day for Lacey Walsh. She walked in on her boyfriend sleeping with his secretary (and they weren’t doing too much sleeping before her interruption). Now she's stranded on the side of the road after she slammed into a guard rail on the way home. The only person who can get her out of this jam is the one person she doesn’t want to call. The man makes her blood stir and soaks her panties far more than she would like to admit. When giving into him is the only option on the table, today and forever, can Lacey make herself see that Michael wants more from her than just her body? Will his past make her run from him before he can open her eyes to the real Michael?
Michael has lusted for Lacey for months, and while he knows she's scared he can tell that she's born to be with him. There's just something about Lacey that sings to him and he can’t help but want to mark her as his in every way possible. Being gentle isn’t something Michael is especially good at but he's willing to give it a chance if it gets him the wonderful Lacey in the end. Will a surprise visit from Michael's sordid past make Lacey run from him or will he be able to make her see everything is different now that she is with him?
Talk about a HOT book! For the majority of the story I wanted to be Lacey and embrace the lifestyle Michael was offering her. Aline Hunter made the characters so realistic they couldn’t have been more real had they jumped off the page and talked to me. The story line was complete and flowed so well that the last page came way too soon and I hated to see it all end. I liked how Ms. Hunter left enough hanging to allow for a second book while still tying up the ending of Make Me Shiver for a decent solo read.
This is definitely a book for someone comfortable in the BDSM area as it's a heavy factor in the majority of this book. For someone new to the genre Ms. Hunter still made an enjoyable read for those who are simply curious. I will definitely be looking for more works by Ms. Hunter in the future!
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