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Virtual Reality
Mark is a reclusive Dominant who confines his sexual interests strictly to the online world. On his routine afternoon ferry ride, he meets a woman who rouses the Master in him, and the line snaps between the virtual and real worlds. She begs for him to take her over, and bring them both fulfillment and healing. He wants to refuse her but he finds himself agreeing to spend one day with her. It is a mistake, because the anger he holds inside is fully capable of destroying a soul as rare and beautiful as Nicole's. But no Master, not even one as strong and disciplined as Mark, can resist the offer of a submissive who wants only one thing-to be his forever.
242 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2004
16 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Joey W. Hill
117 books3,536 followers"BDSM Romance for the Heart & Soul"
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 1, 2012
"You see nothing but the exquisite, intimate promise, but it's such a propulsion to the imagination that you can feel that dusky skin beneath your mouth, your lips pressing it, teeth giving it a light scrape as you suck with your lips, just enough to bring it to your tongue and hear the whisper of a shuddering breath feather your hair as she lies still, looking down at you with eyes the color of the most delicate, flavorful chocolate."
Love isn't true unless there's trust, and complete acceptance.
After all the life-altering decisions she had made over the past few months, crossing lines she wasn't supposed to cross, she was experiencing nervousness for the very first time now. Nicole was sitting down on the upper deck of the ferry. She is on the ferry for one reason…Mark. Her virtual love. Her Master. He'd forbidden her to contact him but she disobeyed him nevertheless. Mark was THE man she'd needed, wanted and thought about in a million different ways for the past eighteen months. After meeting eighteen months ago and playing online with each other, two nights every week for well over a year, she'd broken the rules of the game. She'd come to find him and had taken her first step over the threshold into a real Wonderland. Nicole revealed herself to Mark.
"So," she said. "If you had someone willing to test your design on reality, Mark, would you take the risk? If she agreed to step into your scenario, and follow your direction faithfully, your every command, could you do it? Would you do it?"
Mark is surprised and shocked all at the same time to meet his Shy Kitten in reality, and he found himself unable at this moment to deny her entry. Shy Kitten had not been an erotic innuendo at all. Nicole IS a shy and self-conscious kitten in truth. Mark helps Nicole to rediscover her self-confidence and what she truly wants.
"You must listen with your heart. Not your mind, your fears or your pride. Pride that is only a shield against your fears has no place with your Master. You must be open to me in all ways, speak with your heart."
And that leaves Nicole very vulnerable.
What I liked
It was a pretty amazing journey to get a glimpse into Mark and Nicole's souls. I loved their interaction! Wow, there was lots of very good dialogue. The build up was very well done too! Sometimes the build up is even better than the actual deed. There was lots of erotism and sensuality woven throughout the plot. Again, this was very well done too.
Mark represented comfort and hope to Nicole. He was her anchor and provided a certain sense of stability in her life. There was a particular scene after Nicole had a nightmare and felt very lonely. Mark comforted her and he made his feelings so incredibly palpable considering they were only online. Loved it! It was very sweet. Mark and Nicole needed each other in every sense of the word. They brought back some color into each other's life. It's always rewarding to see a couple who gets back some vibrancy and sensuality into their lives - open with possibilities. Furthermore, I liked to see that Nicole rediscovered herself or maybe you could also say that she discovered who she became when she wasn't paying attention. She said:
"I don't know why we let fear stop us from figuring out who we are."
The writing. Ms. Hill's prose is beautiful. An example.
He imagined his words were his pen, she his paper, accepting them, giving the ink a canvas to script an image. An image that would swell and become even more of a creation than its original intent by the fusion of the two elements.
"I suspect it's not a spoken message, but something that's like a feeling. A wisdom that transcends words, built on a thousand experiences that made a magic all their own, a spell that took years to weave. And maybe, if your soul is open to it, it's a message you only understand a little bit at a time, as you experience it yourself. A chocolate cake whose richness can only be appreciated one bite at a time."
What I did not like
I did not fall in love with Mark. He could be caring and very sweet but quite often he was not enough emotional. He felt too closed off at times. I understand that time does not heal all wounds, because around some wounds, time just stops. I totally get it that his ex-wife hurt him deeply but his pain came across too strong and melodramatic. Sometimes I wanted to tell him "Just get over it and move on! You miss out on some wonderful things in your life!" I mentioned that the build up was very good. Unfortunately their sexual encounter at the end of the story felt kinda anticlimactic and I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed. It was the opposite of TLC.
About 80 % into the story, Mark and Nicole got pretty aggressive, and I did not feel comfortable with this part of the plot. I thought it felt kinda construed and not really authentic. Again, this is my opinion and maybe you'll feel differently.
There was a HEA. Well, call me an old fashioned sappy romantic. But I want a romantic HEA! Mark and Nicole's HEA was just too crude, and it didn't satisfy me at all (see my remark about TLC). My issues prevented Virtual Reality from being a five-star rating.
Love isn't true unless there's trust, and complete acceptance.
After all the life-altering decisions she had made over the past few months, crossing lines she wasn't supposed to cross, she was experiencing nervousness for the very first time now. Nicole was sitting down on the upper deck of the ferry. She is on the ferry for one reason…Mark. Her virtual love. Her Master. He'd forbidden her to contact him but she disobeyed him nevertheless. Mark was THE man she'd needed, wanted and thought about in a million different ways for the past eighteen months. After meeting eighteen months ago and playing online with each other, two nights every week for well over a year, she'd broken the rules of the game. She'd come to find him and had taken her first step over the threshold into a real Wonderland. Nicole revealed herself to Mark.
"So," she said. "If you had someone willing to test your design on reality, Mark, would you take the risk? If she agreed to step into your scenario, and follow your direction faithfully, your every command, could you do it? Would you do it?"
Mark is surprised and shocked all at the same time to meet his Shy Kitten in reality, and he found himself unable at this moment to deny her entry. Shy Kitten had not been an erotic innuendo at all. Nicole IS a shy and self-conscious kitten in truth. Mark helps Nicole to rediscover her self-confidence and what she truly wants.
"You must listen with your heart. Not your mind, your fears or your pride. Pride that is only a shield against your fears has no place with your Master. You must be open to me in all ways, speak with your heart."
And that leaves Nicole very vulnerable.
What I liked
It was a pretty amazing journey to get a glimpse into Mark and Nicole's souls. I loved their interaction! Wow, there was lots of very good dialogue. The build up was very well done too! Sometimes the build up is even better than the actual deed. There was lots of erotism and sensuality woven throughout the plot. Again, this was very well done too.
Mark represented comfort and hope to Nicole. He was her anchor and provided a certain sense of stability in her life. There was a particular scene after Nicole had a nightmare and felt very lonely. Mark comforted her and he made his feelings so incredibly palpable considering they were only online. Loved it! It was very sweet. Mark and Nicole needed each other in every sense of the word. They brought back some color into each other's life. It's always rewarding to see a couple who gets back some vibrancy and sensuality into their lives - open with possibilities. Furthermore, I liked to see that Nicole rediscovered herself or maybe you could also say that she discovered who she became when she wasn't paying attention. She said:
"I don't know why we let fear stop us from figuring out who we are."
The writing. Ms. Hill's prose is beautiful. An example.
He imagined his words were his pen, she his paper, accepting them, giving the ink a canvas to script an image. An image that would swell and become even more of a creation than its original intent by the fusion of the two elements.
"I suspect it's not a spoken message, but something that's like a feeling. A wisdom that transcends words, built on a thousand experiences that made a magic all their own, a spell that took years to weave. And maybe, if your soul is open to it, it's a message you only understand a little bit at a time, as you experience it yourself. A chocolate cake whose richness can only be appreciated one bite at a time."
What I did not like
I did not fall in love with Mark. He could be caring and very sweet but quite often he was not enough emotional. He felt too closed off at times. I understand that time does not heal all wounds, because around some wounds, time just stops. I totally get it that his ex-wife hurt him deeply but his pain came across too strong and melodramatic. Sometimes I wanted to tell him "Just get over it and move on! You miss out on some wonderful things in your life!" I mentioned that the build up was very good. Unfortunately their sexual encounter at the end of the story felt kinda anticlimactic and I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed. It was the opposite of TLC.
About 80 % into the story, Mark and Nicole got pretty aggressive, and I did not feel comfortable with this part of the plot. I thought it felt kinda construed and not really authentic. Again, this is my opinion and maybe you'll feel differently.
There was a HEA. Well, call me an old fashioned sappy romantic. But I want a romantic HEA! Mark and Nicole's HEA was just too crude, and it didn't satisfy me at all (see my remark about TLC). My issues prevented Virtual Reality from being a five-star rating.
April 5, 2014
Reading this book makes me feel rage. Not so much because the guy is "playing" at being a Master through online cyber sex/bdsm only. Not because he consistently rejects the gift his 18 month online submission gives him in real life when she finally pushes for a meet. Mark tells Nicole he doesn't want her to ever meet him in person because it would be a disappointment.
Why would it be a disappointment? It isn't the BDSM. The BDSM is light. It isn't even the "shocking" actions Mark says he wants to do to Nicole if she stayed with him. It's Mark's emotional scarring from a person who professed to love him. That person ended up dragging him through the mud and hanging him out to dry. He lost his friends over his lifestyle exposed. In my mind, he lost no friends. He just found out who his real friends are.
The legalities of losing rights to see a child because of being in the lifestyle makes me see red. For people to bring in sexual preference as something to destroy another person's reputation is something I don't agree with. When people go on this kind of witch hunt, I'd like to slaughter all the witch hunters. After reading this book, I'm just disgusted and angry. Not a sexy erotic book. Just a cautionary tale of why it is best to remain discrete.
Why would it be a disappointment? It isn't the BDSM. The BDSM is light. It isn't even the "shocking" actions Mark says he wants to do to Nicole if she stayed with him. It's Mark's emotional scarring from a person who professed to love him. That person ended up dragging him through the mud and hanging him out to dry. He lost his friends over his lifestyle exposed. In my mind, he lost no friends. He just found out who his real friends are.
The legalities of losing rights to see a child because of being in the lifestyle makes me see red. For people to bring in sexual preference as something to destroy another person's reputation is something I don't agree with. When people go on this kind of witch hunt, I'd like to slaughter all the witch hunters. After reading this book, I'm just disgusted and angry. Not a sexy erotic book. Just a cautionary tale of why it is best to remain discrete.
December 10, 2010
I absolutely loved this book. This is JWH at her best: lyrical, poignant, erotic, evocative, and alternately sorrowful and joyous. Many of Joey's characters are emotionally vulnerable if not damaged in some way and the characters in Virtual Reality are no exception. However, Joey is able to draw you into their emotional lives to such a level that I felt as if I was eavesdropping into a very real and private relationship.
This is breathtaking erotica at its best. I will, no doubt, read Virtual Reality again and again.
Although individuals who enjoy erotica at a more tame or "vanilla" level may find Joey's erotic/BDSM scenes to be difficult to read, her writing is exceptional. I have read almost all her novels with only the Daughters of Arianne series left to savor.
Check out Joey's Blog for vignettes that augment the story lines in her books. Use vignette as your search term: http://blog.storywitch.com/
For access to some short fiction by Joey, go to her web site at: http://www.storywitch.com/Stories/sto...
This is breathtaking erotica at its best. I will, no doubt, read Virtual Reality again and again.
Although individuals who enjoy erotica at a more tame or "vanilla" level may find Joey's erotic/BDSM scenes to be difficult to read, her writing is exceptional. I have read almost all her novels with only the Daughters of Arianne series left to savor.
Check out Joey's Blog for vignettes that augment the story lines in her books. Use vignette as your search term: http://blog.storywitch.com/
For access to some short fiction by Joey, go to her web site at: http://www.storywitch.com/Stories/sto...
January 16, 2025
It is sad what we do to each other. What happens to Mark I am sure is not an isolated situation. I understand Mark every well. I also know how easy it is to think you want someone and talk yourself into marry that person even though there is a nagging in the recesses of your mind saying it is all wrong. We often get caught up in the dream and don't see the nightmare that is staring us in the face. I have much respect for Mark wanting to not hurt Nicole. However it is his hurt that is holding him back. I applaud Nicole for reaching out to Mark.
These two are so much the same. They have both been hurt, well Nicole not really hurt emotionally because of betrayal but due to death. So they each have things in their last relationships that have caused them to hide from the world. I applaud Nicole for more or less forcing the issue. She is a brave woman. I am not sure I could have been that brave.
I love this story very much. There are few that can tell such wonderful stories. Stories that pull you into the lives being brought to life. Stories of people that have been wound very deeply and need love and understanding that is in such short supply anymore. We have become a race of judgmental and morally superior individuals.
I really feel for Mark. He is so injured from what his wife put him through. His dominance is so much a part of him. Yes is on the extreme end of that spectrum but he is dedicated to the discipline. It is who he is. Just as Nicole is a submissive and she is very determined in her desire to make the relationship between the two of them permanent.
I had wondered what had caused Mark to hide within the safety of an online relationship. Finding out the betrayal of his wife I now know what made things so bad. There is nothing worse that someone breaking your heart. I can't believe his wife didn't know he was a sexual dominant. I am sure that she had to understand what that meant. I can't imagine he wouldn't have told her and shown her. However I am not surprised that she turned out to be such a bitch. So many women have become greedy and vindictive. If things don't go the way they want the get bitchy and cry because they can't have everything that they want, not necessarily need.
I love how Ms. Hill tells a story. She brings so much emotion and caring to each story. Her characters are real and likable. I cheer for each relationship to succeed. She also writes some of the hottest D/s scenes in the current crop of authors doing similar stories. She puts heart and love and makes you want so much more that you begin to panic when you realize that you are close to reading the last book she has written.
These two are so much the same. They have both been hurt, well Nicole not really hurt emotionally because of betrayal but due to death. So they each have things in their last relationships that have caused them to hide from the world. I applaud Nicole for more or less forcing the issue. She is a brave woman. I am not sure I could have been that brave.
I love this story very much. There are few that can tell such wonderful stories. Stories that pull you into the lives being brought to life. Stories of people that have been wound very deeply and need love and understanding that is in such short supply anymore. We have become a race of judgmental and morally superior individuals.
I really feel for Mark. He is so injured from what his wife put him through. His dominance is so much a part of him. Yes is on the extreme end of that spectrum but he is dedicated to the discipline. It is who he is. Just as Nicole is a submissive and she is very determined in her desire to make the relationship between the two of them permanent.
I had wondered what had caused Mark to hide within the safety of an online relationship. Finding out the betrayal of his wife I now know what made things so bad. There is nothing worse that someone breaking your heart. I can't believe his wife didn't know he was a sexual dominant. I am sure that she had to understand what that meant. I can't imagine he wouldn't have told her and shown her. However I am not surprised that she turned out to be such a bitch. So many women have become greedy and vindictive. If things don't go the way they want the get bitchy and cry because they can't have everything that they want, not necessarily need.
I love how Ms. Hill tells a story. She brings so much emotion and caring to each story. Her characters are real and likable. I cheer for each relationship to succeed. She also writes some of the hottest D/s scenes in the current crop of authors doing similar stories. She puts heart and love and makes you want so much more that you begin to panic when you realize that you are close to reading the last book she has written.
March 4, 2022
Virtually to real life
Can a virtual relationship become reality? With one like Mark and Nicole its a journey you'll not want to miss. Nicole is asking Mark for things that he doesn't know if he can give. You'll have to read or listen to their journey to find out how it ends.
Can a virtual relationship become reality? With one like Mark and Nicole its a journey you'll not want to miss. Nicole is asking Mark for things that he doesn't know if he can give. You'll have to read or listen to their journey to find out how it ends.
September 30, 2024
“The wonder of adulthood was finding out that dreams could come true in a way you didn’t expect, marrying reality, and resulting in perfection.”
February 20, 2015
LTR's review posted on www.readread.net
3.5 stars.
This one was a surprise. This is my first Joey W. Hill novel, I have read summaries to some of her books and B.D.S.M seems to be a running theme in her contemporary romance/erotica novels. I thought that this would be some kinky s*** t and in a sense it was but it was also much softer and more romantic than I anticipated.
This is the story of Mark a Dom and Nicole a submissive. They’ve had an on-line relationship for over a year and the story follows a day in their live. This is not just any other day, it’s the first day that they meet face to face.
Most of the story happens in one day and the main or should I say the only focus of the story is on the two main characters. At times the author goes back in time to give the necessary details of the development of their relationship and we also get some background story, from their life before their relationship began.
Even though there’s no subplot or interesting secondary characters in this story, you never get the feeling that there’s something missing. The author draws up a very vivid picture of the surroundings and the characters. They spend the day on a beautiful Island and they keep moving from place to place, so the reader is constantly picturing a new landscape.
The author also makes the bond that Mark and Nicole share credible, despite the fact that they are in a sense meeting for the first time. Their relationship is very sensual and although it is mostly based around sex, that is not what it all boils down to.
Mark is not the typical Dom, he has a sensitive side and he has a way with words, I mean he made pervy men that ogle women sound almost poetic and that is saying something. I like the fact that he seems to have a lot of respect for women.
“I have no problem believing that women are the strongest wielders of magic, because everything about them is connected to the fertility of the earth”
Nicole is someone that is easy to identify with. She might have a different sexual preference then most people, but you still understand her and you want her to get her happy ending.
Throughout the story the author draws up a strong metaphor between the animal kingdom and modern day human society. I can’t say that I agree but it served a purpose for the storyline.
Mark and Nicole’s relationship might not be a typical one, I am not even going to pretend that I understand the appeal or the dynamic of a Master/slave relationship but the author manages to lour you in,
sure there were things that were little bit outside my comfort zone i.e, the salad scene was a bit much for me. However the conclusion is still that with or without the kink Mark and Nicole are looking for the same thing that we all are, a connection to another human being.
This is definitely erotica and it is kinky but this was also a love story.
3.5 stars.
This one was a surprise. This is my first Joey W. Hill novel, I have read summaries to some of her books and B.D.S.M seems to be a running theme in her contemporary romance/erotica novels. I thought that this would be some kinky s*** t and in a sense it was but it was also much softer and more romantic than I anticipated.
This is the story of Mark a Dom and Nicole a submissive. They’ve had an on-line relationship for over a year and the story follows a day in their live. This is not just any other day, it’s the first day that they meet face to face.
Most of the story happens in one day and the main or should I say the only focus of the story is on the two main characters. At times the author goes back in time to give the necessary details of the development of their relationship and we also get some background story, from their life before their relationship began.
Even though there’s no subplot or interesting secondary characters in this story, you never get the feeling that there’s something missing. The author draws up a very vivid picture of the surroundings and the characters. They spend the day on a beautiful Island and they keep moving from place to place, so the reader is constantly picturing a new landscape.
The author also makes the bond that Mark and Nicole share credible, despite the fact that they are in a sense meeting for the first time. Their relationship is very sensual and although it is mostly based around sex, that is not what it all boils down to.
Mark is not the typical Dom, he has a sensitive side and he has a way with words, I mean he made pervy men that ogle women sound almost poetic and that is saying something. I like the fact that he seems to have a lot of respect for women.
“I have no problem believing that women are the strongest wielders of magic, because everything about them is connected to the fertility of the earth”
Nicole is someone that is easy to identify with. She might have a different sexual preference then most people, but you still understand her and you want her to get her happy ending.
Throughout the story the author draws up a strong metaphor between the animal kingdom and modern day human society. I can’t say that I agree but it served a purpose for the storyline.
Mark and Nicole’s relationship might not be a typical one, I am not even going to pretend that I understand the appeal or the dynamic of a Master/slave relationship but the author manages to lour you in,
sure there were things that were little bit outside my comfort zone i.e, the salad scene was a bit much for me. However the conclusion is still that with or without the kink Mark and Nicole are looking for the same thing that we all are, a connection to another human being.
This is definitely erotica and it is kinky but this was also a love story.
April 23, 2015
I feel very conflicted about this book. I really liked Mark and Nicole they had a amazing connection and very good chemistry. Mark is a dominant that meets his on-line sub on a ferry when Nicole seeks him out to meet in person after eighteen months of on-line interaction. I loved Mark he's the kind of man any girl would want as there own. Nicole is the kind of sub any Dom would be lucky to have. Mark uses dressing and vegetables in ways that amaze me and make me blush three kinds of red. I will never see a carrot in the same light again (blushing as I type). Mark is a broken man that Nicole helped to heal when they meet on-line. Once you learn about his past you understand why he never wanted to meet her in real life. The characters were well developed just felt there was more poetic internal monologue than was necessary and not enough plot development. Nicole close to the end was begging for more than one day after Mark said no time after time. Then it takes him about thirty seconds to change his mind after she's almost on the ferry ready to leave. Also for this being a book about a Dom/sub there was only one scence in the end where they had actual intercourse. I got this book in the erotic section in store when other than dirty language, and creative use of vegetables it should be in romance. I have read erotic books and this isn't one. The emotional side of this story was amazing but the book left me wanting more of what not sure. First time to read Joey W. Hill not sure I'll read anymore either.
September 6, 2014
"Virtual Reality" reminded me of Ravel's "Bolero," that orchestral music that many have said is the musical metaphor for sex. It starts quietly, but grows in volume, intensity, and complexity as it builds to a climactic finale.
After an eighteen-month online relationship, Nicole decides she wants, no...needs, to meet Mark, her Master, in person. She's no longer satisfied with their chats and electronic interactions, so she contrives a personal encounter. Mark's surprised, and somewhat unhappy, but agrees to spend one day with her, only to find it increasingly difficult to keep her at a comfortable distance.
The book provides an interesting glimpse into the dynamics of a D/s relationship. Nicole's confident of what she wants and pursues it relentlessly....but she's submissive. Mark, a Dom, is overwhelmed by his reaction to Nicole, and tries valiantly to keep their relationship at arms' length. He's terrified of revealing himself. But as the day progresses their bonds tighten, until finally there's an epic confrontation.
As with so many of Hill's books the sex is very hot, but most of the story happens in the characters' heads, and it's their internal dialogues that illuminate their thoughts and feelings, so it gets pretty cerebral at times....
But it's a very worthwhile read, so 3 stars.
After an eighteen-month online relationship, Nicole decides she wants, no...needs, to meet Mark, her Master, in person. She's no longer satisfied with their chats and electronic interactions, so she contrives a personal encounter. Mark's surprised, and somewhat unhappy, but agrees to spend one day with her, only to find it increasingly difficult to keep her at a comfortable distance.
The book provides an interesting glimpse into the dynamics of a D/s relationship. Nicole's confident of what she wants and pursues it relentlessly....but she's submissive. Mark, a Dom, is overwhelmed by his reaction to Nicole, and tries valiantly to keep their relationship at arms' length. He's terrified of revealing himself. But as the day progresses their bonds tighten, until finally there's an epic confrontation.
As with so many of Hill's books the sex is very hot, but most of the story happens in the characters' heads, and it's their internal dialogues that illuminate their thoughts and feelings, so it gets pretty cerebral at times....
But it's a very worthwhile read, so 3 stars.
March 28, 2011
Okay, I'm admittedly not a practitioner of BDSM, but this short but intense romance made me follow along with the set-up, even with the parts I found a bit too strange (vegetables!), and totally believe in the emotional connection and devastation between the two characters.
I thought Mark was a brilliant man with all his flaws and strengths. I could imagine meeting a guy like him in real life (just not a dom, please). I could totally believe Nicole agreeing to all this with the way the author described her situation and previous life, too, and buy into them being better for being together (although comparing Mark to Vincent is sacrilege! says the rabid Beauty & the Beast-fan)
What this story mostly made me wish for is that Joey Hill write a regular contemporary romance (possibly even with less sex) with characters and family ties and backgrounds that strong and have more time to explore it. Heh.
ETA: I should point out that the blurb is somewhat misleading as hero and heroine actually have met each other months before their meeting in real life. This whole scenario wouldn't have worked otherwise.
I thought Mark was a brilliant man with all his flaws and strengths. I could imagine meeting a guy like him in real life (just not a dom, please). I could totally believe Nicole agreeing to all this with the way the author described her situation and previous life, too, and buy into them being better for being together (although comparing Mark to Vincent is sacrilege! says the rabid Beauty & the Beast-fan)
What this story mostly made me wish for is that Joey Hill write a regular contemporary romance (possibly even with less sex) with characters and family ties and backgrounds that strong and have more time to explore it. Heh.
ETA: I should point out that the blurb is somewhat misleading as hero and heroine actually have met each other months before their meeting in real life. This whole scenario wouldn't have worked otherwise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2011
I really like reading Joey Hill. Her prose is so smooth that I found I wasn't skimming or doing my Evelyn Wood imitation. When Mark is writing on the boat his descriptions and thoughts are so intriguing I just didn't want to miss a word.
I am surprised that I finally got back to reading some of my paperbacks piling up and so happy I grabbed this one. It might help get me started with my plan to clear up the back log. I have a couple of her books, so I think I'll be finishing up my Joey Hill books and moving on to the next author to grab my interest. I have several Emma Holly books I should get to :)
Read this one and enjoy.
I am surprised that I finally got back to reading some of my paperbacks piling up and so happy I grabbed this one. It might help get me started with my plan to clear up the back log. I have a couple of her books, so I think I'll be finishing up my Joey Hill books and moving on to the next author to grab my interest. I have several Emma Holly books I should get to :)
Read this one and enjoy.
January 16, 2016
Mark is a Dom and Nicole is a new submissive. They met online and have been in a virtual relationship for 18 months. Nicole wants something more so she hires a detective to find Mark. They finally meet face to face and spend a sensual and emotional day together. Mark is not ready for a relationship due to a rough divorce. I did like the emotional connection between them. The second to last sex scene made me cringe. Defiled vegetables apparently are a limit for me. It was sweet and sexy up to that point.
December 1, 2013
Lyrically this book is awesome. The writing style impeccable. JWH draws you in from start to finish. Both sides are told and you can really feel the intensity that is within the characters. Emotionally this book is up and down and takes you through a gauntlet of emotions. I liked it. This book was very intimate and they were very isolated. I had a slight issue with that isolation but not enough for me to stop reading.... I would love to know what their day to day life would be like or even to read them in other stories...they were just that interesting....
June 24, 2015
This story is about Mark a "online only" Master and Nicole, his submissive. After an eighteen month long online relationship, Nicole decides she must meet her Master face to face, much to Mark's surprise and dismay. Mark finally agrees to give Nicole one day together, but is finding it increasingly difficult to keep her at a comfortable distance. That's when the fireworks begin.
As always the story is hot and sexy, but the dialogues that illuminate their thoughts and feelings are what makes this story special.
As always the story is hot and sexy, but the dialogues that illuminate their thoughts and feelings are what makes this story special.
February 22, 2012
I am finding I really like Joey Hill's books. The writing is rather good (although he sometimes he gets a bit wordy) and the characters have depth and interest. The is about a couple who have carried on an internet romance for an extended period of time, where Nicole explores her need to be a submissive partner and Mark develops an intense relationship with her, but keeps himself unavailable in person. She decides to locate him and risk a meeting. That is where the fun begins.
November 23, 2014
Loved it!! Another great love story by Joey W. Hill! I'm well on my way to owning all her books on paperback, highly recommended! Not just this story but every Joey W. Hill story is so well written and the characters are so relatable that you fall in love with them. Her Nature of Desire and Vampire Queen series are awesome. If you enjoy a wonderfully written love story with steamy bdsm sex scenes look no further Joey W. Hill is the author for you! Enjoy!
August 12, 2015
Joey never disappoints with her unique stories, BDSM insights & deeply, almost spiritual aspects of connection & communication between the main characters. Again - you make me swoon Ms Hill !! :D
This story of an online D/s relationship that turns into an in person reality, not only had me rooting for our heroine to break thru to our hero, but caused me to think about society & how it reacts & treats those of a different sexual appetite. Kudos !
This story of an online D/s relationship that turns into an in person reality, not only had me rooting for our heroine to break thru to our hero, but caused me to think about society & how it reacts & treats those of a different sexual appetite. Kudos !
January 8, 2014
An enjoyable read, even though parts of it were very formulaic. Mark and Nicole are so sweet in their search for love and having their needs met that you are pulling for their HEA from the beginning. It will be a while before I look at salads the same way!
May 11, 2014
Virtual Reality shines! As a stand alone book by Ms. Hill, Virtual Reality has the right amount of fear of rejection with the right amount of rejoice. Making Virtual life into reality is the point, and Ms. Hill hits the ball out of the park.
November 28, 2016
Mark and Nicole have been virtual Don and sub until one day she seeks him out. She wants to make their relationship real in the world . He does not. This is a tale of longing for true love as only D/s can provide. I loved it.
dnf
May 24, 2014I don't care for the writing style and I find the hero off-putting.
June 14, 2011
Wow! Such a hott book. Love her writing.
December 14, 2017
This is one I have read a number of times, and although the writing is superb as ever, and the characterisations are impeccable, I still come away slightly baffled with Mark and his attitude.
December 3, 2011
just too slow starting, too self-conscious for me.
October 26, 2013
Excellent!! Nothing more to be said. Well there is. Joey W. Hill evokes many emotions in her books. In Virtual Reality; trust, hope, courage, love, self-worth.
July 26, 2012
I will never look at salad the same way ever again.
July 27, 2013
Too formal and I hated Mark
February 18, 2014
Another must read thanks to the Author Mistress herself, Joey W. Hill.
tbr-later
July 10, 201510/11/2013: $1.99 on Kindle
November 16, 2013
This is not Joey Hill at her best. I'm not sure why I didn't really like this one. It just didn't have that usual magic. I found myself skimming which I never do with her books.
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