Safeword Matte

Safeword #5

by Candace Blevins

Matte, pronounced mah-tay, is the word used in some forms of martial arts to stop a fight. It's the Japanese word for stop or wait.

Sam (short for Samantha) has made a hobby out of learning the various fighting disciplines, but she also happens to be a sexual submissive. What better safeword than matte?

Sam wants to find someone to submit to who she can't beat in a fight. She's tried to make it work with men from the scene who know nothing about fighting, but it doesn't feel real -- she needs someone who can truly control her. However, after dating from the fight scene and discovering not all guys like to spank their girlfriends, she's decided to just back away from the whole dating thing for a while... until Fate decides to step in.

Genres: BDSM, Erotica, Romance, Contemporary, Erotic Romance, M F Romance, Mixed Martial Arts

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candace Blevins writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, epic fantasy contemporary BDSM romance, and two kick-ass motorcycle club series. She’s published more than fifty books. Candace lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two teenaged daughters. The family’s beloved, goofy, retired racing greyhounds are usually at her side as she writes, quietly keeping her company. Or sometimes not so quietly.

Her urban fantasy series, Only Human, gives us a world where weredragons, werewolves, werelions, three different species of vampires, and a variety of other mythological beings exist.

Candace's various paranormal romance series are all sister series to the Only Human series, and give some secondary characters their happily ever after.

Her Dark(ish) Faerie Tale series gives us a close-up and personal look at Queen Mab, and her Dark Underbelly series is, as you’d expect, dark and (if you’re a little twisted) oh-so-yummy.

Her contemporary Safeword series gives us characters who happen to have some extreme kinks. Relationships can be difficult enough without throwing power exchange into the mix, and her books show characters who care enough about each other to fight to make the relationship work. Each couple in the Safeword series gives the reader a different take on the lifestyle.

You can visit Candace on the web at candaceblevins.com. Feel free to friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/candacesblevins and Goodreads at goodreads.com/CandaceBlevins. You can also join facebook.com/groups/CandacesKinksters to get sneak peeks into what she's writing now, images that inspire her, and the occasional juicy teaser.

Stay up to date on Candace’s newest releases, and get exclusive excerpts by joining her mailing list at http://bit.ly/cb-new-release.

Only Human series, urban fantasy
• Only Human
• An Unhuman Journey
• Of Humans and Monsters
• Defining Human
• Edge of Humanity
• Infinitely Human
• Unhuman Acts

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club
• Duke
• Brain
• Bash Volume I
• Bash Volume II
• Bash Volume III
• Horse
• Gonzo
• Nix
• Ghost
• Bud
• Razor
• Bubbles
• McGyver

The Birmingham RTMC
• Bobcat
• Dementor
• Frost
• Squatch

Cat out of Hell, series, paranormal romance:
• Cat out of Hell Volume I
• Cat out of Hell Volume II
• Cat out of Hell Volume III

The Dark Underbelly of The Chattanooga Supernaturals
• Pride (A short story featuring The Lion King)
• Indentured Freedom: Owned by the Vampire
• Leashed
• An Elegant Weapon

A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale
• Slave
• Lady
• Consort
• Queen

A Paranormal Halloween, paranormal romance
• Hallowed Destiny – Forged by Darkness
• Unhallowed Murder
• Countdown to Murder
• Unholy Murder

Pleasure Times Four Christmas series, ménage/RH paranormal romance
• Unexpected Gifts
• The Gift
• Present Tense
• Imperfect Gifts

Chattanooga Supernaturals series, paranormal romance:
• The Dragon King
• Riding the Storm
• Acceptable Risk
• Careful What You Ask For
• Uncaged
• Cocky Queen

The Safeword series, intense BDSM contemporary romance
• Safeword Rainbow
• Safeword: Davenport
• Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon
• Safeword: Quinacridone
• Safeword: Matte
• Safeword: Matte – In Training
• No Safeword: Matte – The Honeymoon
• No Safeword: Matte – Happily Ever After
• Safeword: Arabesque
• Safeword: Mayday (TBA)

Reviews

[Annabel Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. Loved the characters, loved the tone, respected the author's treatment of BDSM, particularly sadism and masochism. So often sadists are portrayed as icky and evil or damaged somehow, but Ethan is 100% wonderful AND sadistic. I like that this author shows us the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. The same with Sam, the heroine. She's strong and yet chooses to submit, without shame or doubt. I love that this book avoids pigeonholing and typecasting characters based on their needs and desires. It was very refreshing.

Also, anyone into the whole negotiation and communication part of BDSM will love this book. The author spends a lot of time letting us listen in on lengthy and detailed conversations between these two people trying to play sanely and safely. If you're not into the "romance of negotiation" as I view it, you might not find those sections as appealing, but I found it HOT. And once the negotiations are over...whoa nelly...okay, the sex. Let me just say this. I made the mistake of reading this book out in public and I literally started to have an uncontrollable and embarrassing physical reaction to their sexual encounters. They were really hot and well written. I won't post any spoilers but their second encounter in particular had me squirming, blushing, breathing hard, and really wishing for some privacy!!! So BEWARE, the sex scenes are really...AROUSING. Alpha, alpha, ALPHA male here. If you are into demanding yet sensual alpha males, this book is for you.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants something fresh and different in the BDSM romance genre. Not lite for sure, but very responsibly written and SEXY!

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a story and have a specific song run through your head while reading it? In the latest installment from the talented Ms. Blevins, I had one song running through my head. How does that song by the Judybats go? Here are the lyrics in the song, which summarize this story for me so very well.

"Pain makes you beautiful
I give you what you want, the pain and the pleasure
No sorrow tied
Tied to my hurting you
We delight in every torture I put you through
How did we find this place
This state where we satiate, where pain makes you beautiful"

Ms. Blevins is back with an awesome story, SAFEWORD: MATTE. This is the book I was expecting to follow up SAFEWORD: RAINBOW. In this story, Sam is a hard-assed divorce attorney with several martial arts championship awards under her belt. She's good at analyzing fights to figure out the weakness of her opponent. Basically, she can kick butt verbally and physically. I love Sam. She's a strong, independent woman who knows how to take care of herself. She's also pretty kinky. Too kinky that she's not able to find a man who can handle her kink.

Tired of dating from the Vanilla pool, she's made the hard decision to only date within the lifestyle group. The problem – she's afraid that if she starts attending BDSM socials locally, she may run into another attorney and she'd loose respect and credibility. How is she to find a man if she doesn't date locally? Did I mention Sam's a submissive?

I understand Sam. As a strong professional woman who gives off uber Domme vibes, I command respect and sometimes fear. I can sympathize with Sam's fear with her professional life mixing with her personal life. In her cutthroat world of lawyers, showing no weaknesses is top priority. While one of the cardinal rules of the BDSM lifestyle is to keep it separate from the Vanilla world, people are human. Not to rip on lawyers, they do use every little advantage they can get to win their case. After all, they make more money if they win their case, no?

Fortunately, we never run across this scenario in the book. Instead, we are treated to a very fine Dom specimen – Ethan. Oh, how I drool over Ethan. He is everything Sam needs and wants in a partner. Their dynamic is out of this world for me. Ethan is literally perfect for Sam. He is strong enough to overpower her, which is what she desperately wants. Personally, while I drool over Ethan, Sam can have him. He intimidates me. As I read and play more with impact play, I've learned I'm not into pain. I do enjoy it to a degree, but definitely not to Ethan's sadistic style. I would not be able to satisfy his needs to dole out pain. Fortunately, Sam's threshold for pain is very high and suits Ethan.

There are so many things in this book I liked. The fight for physical dominance is a total turn on for me. The willing submission from Sam with the rule of no speaking was just that little added extra which gave me a happy reading high. Ethan's manner of 24/7 D/s caused me to nearly overload in sexual desire. Speaking of sexual desire, Ms. Blevin delivered blow by blow of the sex. I read the scenes over and over again. They were blazing hot. So hot that just thinking about them again makes me want to re-read the sections and search for my spouse to jump. Make no mistakes; the sex in this book is rough and hard. It's the kind where the woman will walk like a duck afterwards, that is, if she can actually stand up and walk.

I love Ms. Blevin's brand of BDSM. She mixes just the right D/s and SM for me. I need the D/s as that is my preference in a BDSM relationship. The way she writes, it makes me yearn to be able to handle SM from a masochistic side. I just can't handle that much pain and turn it into pleasure. While I would be able to survive the brutal beatings given by Ethan, I wouldn't enjoy it. My endorphins wouldn't be able to start firing into pleasure. I'd just be in a howling mess. Still, the way Ms. Blevin's describes how Sam feels, I can understand and wish it would work for me the same way. Sometimes, living vicariously is better.

Lastly, I have one comment on Ethan's endowment. NO BLOODY WAY. I'm intrigued and honestly wish I could try it out. I do wish Ms. Blevins will write a little one off story about the preparation for the honeymoon and the detailed honeymoon sex because my immediate reaction is – NO BLOODY WAY.

I loved this short story. There is not a single stray scene or a wasted word. I do wish this story was longer or that we receive another "episode" in Ethan and Sam's life. I highly recommend this story to BDSM lovers who want to read a well-developed D/s SM story that includes hot rough sadistic sex. This is a must read.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha is a kick ass martial arts expert at the top of her game and has the physical strength and intelligence to beat most men on the fight scene, she is also a high powered divorce attorney, battling daily in the dog eat dog world of the courtroom where she needs her mental strength to perform and out manoeuvre the opposing council.

In both cases she needs to defeat her opponent.

Sam has tried the dating game but was always left unsatisfied, wanting more. Realising that what her body craves is a man capable of beating her in a fight, someone worthy of her submission and knowing her limits without her having to direct. She vows from now on she will date only within the BDSM scene.

What Sam needs is someone to control her, dominate her both physically and mentally.

Sam goes along to a fight with her friends from the dojo and meets...Ethan Levi. Six foot five inches tall. Weighing, two hundred and seventy one pounds. Muscle on muscle. With a voice that was sexier than his body!!!!!.....Hell yes...I want me some Ethan!!!! Samantha however decides that she is not interested!!!..Is she blind!!!...Due to the fact that she made that vow!!! On a visit to a play party with her friends, who should be there? Yes you guessed....Ethan Levi. Drop dead gorgeous and a Dom to boot!!!

This story is definitely not for the faint hearted...at the end of the day, Ethan is a sadist/Dom and Sam is a masochist/Submissive. This is not dark or non consensual, nor is it fluff and puff!!! They each have wants, needs and desires but they are dealt with so beautifully.

If I were into this lifestyle, I would want to have a Dom like Ethan. He is understanding, compassionate. Caring for Sams every need. Taking his time to learn and discuss everything. To fully assess what is required to give Sam her deepest desires, to know her limits whilst also outlining his own, they were both so open and honest, agreeing and developing the relationship before any sex.

This is a short read and I have rated it a such. I was totally unable to put it down once started...I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe me when I say the sex was hot, and Ethan's voice alone had my stomach flipping and heart pounding.....there is also a nice epilogue which leaves you smiling.

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it! I didn't care as much for the second Safeword book but the first one was also great to me.

Pretty heavy pain (no sugar kink here!) but I found it believable. LOTS of negotiation and communication. It wasn't long but, by the end I really felt like they had earned their HEA and it felt real. Heavy Dom -- but caring and sensitive. This reinforced for me I am FAR more masochist than submissive. I just cannot get into orgasm denial and things like preventing speaking. But again I'm more masochist than sub so my interest is really in the pain/pleasure/sensation dynamic. Creative guy - some new implements here (you'll have to read it to find out!) and a variety of play. Very high on intensity scale!

Footnote: We've had many discussions on the BDSM board about the difference between sadism and domination (and masochism and submission) but it bears repeating here. Ethan is a sadistic Dom and Samantha is a submissive masochist. They are in it not only for the pain but for the power exchange. One does not have to equate with the other. There are masochistic dominants and sadistic submissives and folks that are not dominant or submissive but definitive into S&M. Here is why I mention this: Samantha would NOT have been happy with a Sadist. She had a need to give up control - so she needed a Sadistic Dom or a Dom who was also a sadist. Because the book portrays the pain aspects so well I think folks will focus on that aspect -- but the D/s here is just as strong as the S/M. This is important because this is an excellent book and there are very few that portray BDSM in a more honest light (it's still fiction guys). Yeah yeah they are both hot and gorgeous but it's fiction (in real life you have receding hairlines and rolls...we all just deal with it).

I point this out overall because many reviews are focused on him being a sadist but he is also one helluva dominant. Sometimes people who aer NOT into pain avoid books with more pain (S/M) because it is not their kink. I'm hopeful that will not be the case here as I think the way they negotiate, the honesty and communication between then, and how he is as a dominant will strike a chord with the solely D/s crowd - I'd hate them to miss this one!

P.S. As a masochist with some submissive tendencies he would not work for me even though I would likely love to be on the other side of his pain giving - some aspects I could deal with but the speech restriction would be a No - I'm unwilling to give up my power of verbal communication :-)

[P.A. Lupton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a short story and somewhat enjoyable, the problem I had with it is the lack of emotion. I love when a book can take me on an emotional rollercoaster, I understand it’s more difficult in a novella but I still need some emotion.

The heroine in this book is an attorney and her profession seems to affect her personal life. The couple negotiates everything, which I guess some people like because there is no misunderstanding. I didn’t, because it’s sucks the spontaneity and emotion out of everything. The sex scenes in this book felt like an instructional manual for a BDSM book. And don’t even get me started on the marriage proposal—this book would get the award for most unromantic marriage proposal I’ve ever read. I like romance—I’m a sucker for it actually—but romance in itself is all about emotion. This book didn’t have it. It had a relationship, it had sex, it had love (I think), but it had no romance. It wasn’t for me.

[Heart5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam and Ethan are the focus of this novella. Sam is a divorce attorney, martial arts champion and submissive. She has taken herself out of the dating scene because she has been unable to find anyone physically able to top her, and she is unwilling to submit to someone that cannot physically take the choice away from her. Ethan is a 6’5”, 170 pound extreme fighter, business owner, and dominant sadist. Although physically attracted to Ethan, Sam avoids Ethan’s advances until she runs into him at kink a party. Sam decides to gift Ethan with her submission until he can prove that he is strong enough to take it. The scene where Ethan finally proves that he is strong enough to take what is his is one of the hottest scenes that I have read in a while.

The BDSM in this book is quite heavy, but very well written. At first I found the negotiation scenes a little tedious, but when I read the level of pain that Ethan was looking to inflict it made the lengthy negotiation scenes necessary. Despite the sadist tendencies, Ethan is a very caring guy and Dom and is very careful to not inflict more pain than Sam can handle. This book seems like a very responsible portrayal of a sadist/masochist relationship.

The detailed description of the extreme fighting and martial arts training in the beginning added a lot to the book. It seemed very well research. It was very nice to read about a sub that is both physically and mentally tough.

I thought the dialogue in the book was well written and of considerably longer in length than what is typically found in erotica. There were a few time I got lost in the conversations, but for the most part it worked well. Plus, as a southern girl, I have to give a thumbs up to anyone that can correctly use the term “Y’all”, without over killing it.

My only real critique is the cover. The male model just doesn’t do Ethan justice. I actually put off purchasing the book because the cover was so unappealing. I guess I learned a valuable lesson about not judging a book by the cover.

I received this book from the author through the BDSM group on Goodreads.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/04/19/...

I was super excited to read this book. BDSM romance, LOVE IT! Mixed martial arts hero AND heroine, LOVE IT! However, the execution of this book wasn’t where I had hoped it would be, instead I found myself both loving and hating this book.

Sam is desperate to find someone who can dominate her. She is a world-class fighting champion, and stronger than most men. She wants someone who can prove to be stronger than her, can take her down and force her to submit, unfortunately the only men who can do that are her fellow fighters, and most of them are not into her scene. When she first meets Ethan at a competition, she writes him off as just another fighter.

Sam runs into Ethan later at a BDSM party, and their chemistry heats up once again as the two start to play together. They embark on a relationship that is mutually satisfying for them both, in ways that neither of them expected.

There were some incredible moments in this book, and some not some incredible moments. Let me start with what I really liked: the BDSM relationship between Sam and Ethan. Unlike many other BDSM books I’ve read, the vast majority of the relationship and play between Sam and Ethan takes place behind closed doors. One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard from readers in regards to BDSM romance is that so many of the books out there take place in sex clubs. While Sam and Ethan have one scene they do together at a party with others watching, it doesn’t involve sex and all their intimate moments are with just the two of them. I know that aspect will appeal to many readers.

Also, the BDSM relationship itself was handled beautifully. Sam and Ethan were open and honest with each other. They had very blunt communication about what they both were looking for, how they felt about their scenes, and all other aspects of the BDSM play. In my opinion, Blevins handles that aspect of their relationship with class and grace and in a way that came across genuine and real to me as a reader. Plus, a few of their sexy scenes were pretty damn hot.

Now for the one thing that continually seemed to pull me out of the story and ruin the book for me: the continual references to Ethan cockzilla. The first time Sam seems Ethan in the flesh, she actually refers to his peen being the same girth as her fist. My first reaction: OH HELL NO! I do not find that sexy. To me that sounds painful. I kept trying to read their sexy scene and I kept picturing an arm-like appendage hanging from between his legs. It completely pulled me out of the sexy times and instead had me cringing.

Then, there was some specific word use that continually threw me off guard and pulled me out of the flow of the book. “Pulsing monster” was one that gave me a not-so-great imagine in my mind. During that same scene, Blevins used the verb “tearing” to describe what Sam was feeling and again I was more appalled than anything else. I was so dismayed that I even started the #NotSexy hastag on Twitter. To top it all off, the most unromantic and least sexy quote I’ve ever read almost caused me to stop reading.

“He was like this giant fucking machine, with this huge cock tearing into her, dilating her more than should be possible outside of childbirth.”



It was really hard for me to take this book seriously after all that, and that was 60% in.
All in all this is a hard book for me to rate. There were aspects of it that made it outstanding and incredible, and others that had me wanting to cross my legs and run. I struggled with how to rate this book, especially since the BDSM aspects of the relationship were done superbly. Had the rest of the book lived up to that portion of the book, A all the way. Instead, I had to constantly stop and re-read sections, my eyes bulging from my head, wondering if I really just read what I had read. It pulled me out of the story and gave the book an air of ridiculousness that wasn’t sexy or romantic for me. If you don’t mind the giant peen and overly imaginative prose, and are a fan of the BDSM genre, you should definitely give this book a try. However, for me, it didn’t work.
I finally decided to give Safeword: Matte a D+

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 3 out of 5]

02/23/2013 --

Overall Rating = 3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 3.5 / 3 = 3.25 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 3.5 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 1 Stars [$4.61 Amazon – $4.99 on B&N]

Okay, this is a short story. One of the reasons I gave it such a low score for price [worth the chili]. Seriously, about 70 pages and $5. I didn't realize until the darned thing ended. Very abruptly, I might add.

I did think the author had a good grasp of the whole safeword concept. There are many out there writing who write psuedo-BDSM who don't seem to understand. I liked this story. Liked the characters and thought the author did a pretty good job. I thought about reading some of the others in this "series", but nope. Not going to do it. Gave the author way too much money for this little novella. Not going to go there a again. All about principle for me.

It was a good story. Not worth $5. Wished it were longer for that kind of cake or cheaper for the number of pages. about $0.13/page!

Happy Reading!

[Expresso · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Maybe I'm not experienced enough in the BDSM world, but every encounter seemed practiced or scripted. Each encounter read like " now we will do this, now we will do that". Nothing really happened without extreme instruction. No flow or rhythm.....very textbook in my opinion.

3 stars for male character being well endowed. First book I've ever read with such detail....

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: March 2012
Publisher: Excessica
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.candaceblevins.com/
My Source for This Book: Gift from the author
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, Safeword Series
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Scorching
Romanceaholic Pet Peeves: Public Nudity, Oversized Appendages

Sensitive readers should be aware that this book contains rape fantasy and intense BDSM.

This book was intense, and I found that very refreshing. So many “BDSM” books these day are pretty much light spanking and maybe some nipple clamps and a butt plug or two.

That is not what Safeword: Matte was about. Ethan was truly a sadist, who got off on doling out pain to his partner. Sam, on the other hand, was a very strong woman (both physically and mentally), and desperately needed someone to earn her submission. I really enjoyed how perfectly matched they were, but also how there was still a period of growing pains so to speak as they learned each others limits as well as their own.

While some of the technicalities of a relationship such as theirs were a bit tedious to experience (mainly all of the talking and planning that goes into a scene), I couldn’t deny that their power exchange was truly delicious, and I enjoyed the blossoming romance between them. While a few aspects of the story made me uncomfortable (as was probably intended), I couldn’t deny that many of the scenes were deliciously hot, and that the blossoming romance between Sam and Ethan fit their personalities. Neither one was a hearts and flowers type of person, but even without flowery prose and romantic speeches, it was still apparent that they were ideal together and developed deep feelings for one another.

Overall? I really enjoyed it.

Recommended for fans of strong heroines needing to be dominated, of sadist heroes who excel at delivering pain while still maintaining safe boundaries, and of intense BDSM combined unconventional romance.

4/5 Stars.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler Ahead
This is the second book in the "Safeword Series". Sam wants to submit to someone she can't beat in a fight. Sam is a sexual submissive with various fighting disciplines. Sam meets Ethan Levi when she runs into him backstage at a fight Sam is no longer interested vanilla dating after Tom the owner of the dojo that she goes to beats Ethan they invite him to their dojo as he is new in town Sam decides to ignore him after he gives her a ride and she tells him she is not interested. Sam decides to go to a play party with Viv and Tyler and who does she see Ethan who is a Dom. This book was a short read that I found to be very good Ethan is a sadist and Sam is a masochist and they have a lot of chemistry together. Their first scene is very good although they don't have sex and when they do Sam is not so sure as Ethan has a really big stick and she is not sure it will fit. This book also introduces us to some of the character's in this like Frisco and Cassie. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you get fighting and sex, then this is just delicious. Rough and caring with more than a little pain and then more caring--sweet. Too short. They matched too perfectly and things aligned so smoothly that I wanted to throw a monkeywrench to resolve the perfection of it.

[Cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of pain involved (but nothing too disturbing) since he's a sadist and she's a masochist. Enjoyed that one fight scene they had where he subdues her, almost reminds me of the role play in Willing Victim. Very hot sex scenes.

[Laurie]

When I decide to get out of my comfort zone, I reach for Candace Blevins Safeword series. I liked how this one explores the difficulties someone who is into BDSM would have dating and finding a partner. Still, the S/M part of this one raised my eyes a bit.

[Katya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars!

The author herself was talking about this book and recommended it. Sam, (or Samantha) an attorney, who is in to marshal arts, is actually a masochist...and because of the disappointments in her love life has given up dating. She has dated men who might enjoy a one time spanking for experimentation sake...don't stray from their vanilla sexual tastes and can never fulfill her Kinky side.

She meets Ethan, at a fighting match, they are instantly attracted to one another and he pursues her immediately but she pushes him away. She tells him that it is not him...but that she just doesn't want to date right now. She doesn't tell him the real reason she is off dating right now is that it is just too embarrassing and disappointing when her boyfriends start to get close to her and realize that kinky side to her and do not share her interest. He is left to wonder.

She visits a BDSM club with her friends Vivian and Tyler and runs into Ethan there. Shocked, Surprised and thrilled that he is into this scene, their relationship takes off. They spend the weekend together and soon are spending every spare moment together. She is amazed that this gorgeous, considerate, sweet man is actually, a sadist. They seem to complement each other sexually and genuinely enjoy each others company outside of the bedroom. He is too good to be true, and after a short period of time they begin to fall in love with one another.

Ethan has also had disappointing relationships in the past where he was cheated on, screwed over and taken advantage of. He met Sam and was instantly attracted to her and actually pursued Sam, not knowing her masochist side hoping to slowly edge her towards the type of BDSM activities he enjoyed. He was thrilled to find that she not only enjoyed pain but had a desire for it. Sam is able to fulfill his needs like the "no talking" restriction he often puts on her or the "sex whenever I demand it" requirement and take the pain he dishes out. He also reserves the "stainless steel cane" for special "punishments."

Ethan is sensitive and caring. He also respects her need to put aside the D/s while she is in the public, at work, with family, friends and only insist on it in the bedroom. They both understand that their careers sometimes need to come first and are willing to compromise to make room for that.

What I enjoyed most about this couple is the genuine respect they have for each other. They negotiated everything in their life, not just their sex life and met each other half way. They had real communication and that communication style really helped to build a great relationship of mutual understanding. The author did not forget the little things that go on in a relationship and their care for one another shone through in the writing.

In so many BDSM fiction, Sadists & even Masochists are portrayed as angry, insensitive and on the edge...as if they are something to be avoided. I felt the author presented these two characters and the subject matter without making them outcasts or unusual. Instead they were two human beings who have a drive to deliver and experience physical pain...but that they were still enjoyed their life as we do...they are kind, respectful friends, sons, daughters, co-workers and lovers. In other words, they were not on the edge, they were just like you and I.

This was a nice book about a relationship which happens to include some kinky aspects to it. The way these two interacted and grew to care for each other was enough reason to read this. Even though the "pain" is the central theme of this short novel, the emotional connection these two enjoy is also a pleasure to read and the "physical" aspect of their relationship is an added bonus. Good Read!

[Joletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha, or Sam (never Sammy), is a high powered attorney and one tough cookie. She has a huge problem. She's a submissive with a serious masochist streak. No, that's not the problem. The problem is that she's lethal with her flying feet and fists of fury. How is she supposed to submit when she knows that she can kick her Doms ass at any given moment? Enter Ethan. Six and a half foot, two something hundred pounds of wicked sadistic Dom. Aaaaaand there's the answer to her problem. As these two circle around each other, feeling one another out the sparks fly...actually the cane fly's *wink*.

This book is off the charts HAWT! When these two flow into a scene you're pulled along for the ride, kicking and screaming. I'm not one for reading BDSM books. I have read a few by authors I adore, but usually kinda skip and hop over the uncomfortable (for me) parts, I'm a coward and as far from a pain girl as you can get. The closest thing that I'll ever come to a safe word is: Try that again and I'm getting my gun. I'm the chick who calls 911 when I stub my toe, cuz you never know, it could be broken. Pull my hair and I'm biting what's closets to my mouth, smack my ass and you'd better show me the mosquito carcass. Are you getting that I'm as vanilla as plain sugar cookies? Good, so when I say that this book blew me away, you understand that it has to be one hell of a mind blowing experience right? Right! Having said that, reading is an escape for most of us, and what we'll tolerate (or even beg for) in a book boyfriend is totally different than real life. Sadly, even my innermost sl*t girl shies from the pain aspect, nonetheless, I'd wrestle her into submission for one shot at Ethan. **Umm, if I could have a body double, cuz clothespins belong on the line, NOT on my breasts!**

Ethan is so respectful, careful with Sam's limits, sweet when he isn't making her scream, not always in the good way, and just so absolutely yummilicious! that I wanna rub up on him...(I don't know if this the norm, what I know about the lifestyle can fit in two awkward sentences).

I can totally understand the thought process behind Sam's inability to find the right Dom, how can you let go and be yourself when you're partner needs a partner just to hold you down? (I'm not stupid, I understand the concept *mostly* of the BDSM lifestyle, just not the pain tolerance lol). Ethan becomes her safe place to be...err, as he tortures her...umm, that doesn't sound good on paper so you're just gonna hafta trust me when I say that this is one of the most loving, healthy relationships that I've read about in a long time. I cannot NOT mention that Ethan is sporting a tool of mass destruction *mmmmm*...Sam even makes a comment about a sadist with the perfect equipment to punish. Aaaaaand, there's a scene in Ethan's yard...during a storm...ending in ropes and grrrr rawrrr mine declarations that damn near required me to sit on an ice pack. Controversially there was a scene involving clothespins...I'LL REPEAT...CLOTHESPINS...that had me peeking through my fingers like a horror movie (don't judge me! it helps soften the blow...SWEAR :P).

I thank Candace Blevins for allowing us a peek into her mind, I think that it might just be a scary and...as ridiculous as it may sound...a safe place to be. She's definitely an author that I wanna see more of, but...I need a little bit of time to work up my nerve *grin* before I join her SAFEWORD world again.

[t'irla ~The Bookslayer~ aka Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story outlining the wants and needs of a Submissive/Masochist and what happens when she finally meets her destined Dom.

Description:

Matte, pronounced mah-tay, is the word used in some forms of martial arts to stop a fight. It’s the Japanese word for stop or wait. Sam (short for Samantha) has made a hobby out of learning the various fighting disciplines, but she also happens to be a sexual submissive. What better safeword than matte?

Sam wants to find someone to submit to who she can’t beat in a fight. She’s tried to make it work with men from the scene who know nothing about fighting, but it doesn’t feel real to her – she needs someone who can truly control her. However, after dating from the fight scene and discovering not all guys like to spank their girlfriends, she’s decided to just back away from the whole dating thing for a while… until Fate decides to step in.

Warning: This title contains graphic language, consensual BDSM, bondage, and use of toys including crops, clamps, canes, and floggers

My Thoughts:

It was a good short story that left me a little flat. I think it was the lack of emotion and the technical steps taken to ensure that proper BDSM guidelines were followed. I totally respect Ms Blevins for ensuring these steps were taken in her story so that Vanilla/or curious people could understand that BDSM has a definite structure and behavioral patterns. I also really liked that this book focused on the Sadist/Masochist relationship. I'm just sorry that the feeling and the connection between the two characters suffered because of it. Sam was just a little too distant and didn't really warm up at all in the story however I did feel Ethan a bit more. I think because we had a bit more background on him and that he wasn't as cold as Sam was about his BDSM. Although there were sex scenes in the book I would not call them steamy...more instructional and again the emotion was not there. I think Ms Blevins has some awesome ideas but maybe she needs more than a short story to build the characters into fully dimensional people and make her BDSM points but not to the expense of the emotion of the story.

I gave this book a 3 star rating because I appreciate how she represented the Sado/masochist relationship and yet made it loving and long term.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

MMA meets BDSM

Meet Sam....tough as nails lawyer and MMA fighter to the public, submissive to those in the BDSM community. She's not had much luck dating--hard to find someone that sees what a strong personality she has during the day, but then give her the beating she desires at night. She's sworn off dating vanilla men until she catches the eye of Ethan at an MMA tournament. He's built with a ton of muscle but graceful just the same, and he really wants to get to know Sam.

She's told him know, but when they run into each other at a local BDSM private party, her "no" no longer holds water. Since Ethan is a dom, he might be just what she's been looking for, and she's more than willing now to give him a shot.

I loved how this story was told. I haven't read too many books where the female lead is so strong during her everyday life, but so submissive in the bedroom (but trust me, I find the appeal). It is funny to see how her lawyer brain works while they negotiate their scenes. Such a great read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

**I was given an ARC for an honest review**

[SandyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally got a chance to read one of Candace Blevin's Safeword series books, and I have somewhat mixed feelings about this book. Samantha (Sam) is a attorney by day, martial arts practitioner and submissive by night. She has been looking for a Dom, but she can't respect or submit to anyone who she can whoop their butt in martial arts - and she's very good, so there aren't many options for her! And in comes Ethan Levi, new to town, owner of a moving company and mixed martial arts fighter, and sadistic Dom. Sam and Ethan get together and each is what the other is looking for. There were some very hot, sexy scenes and Sam and Ethan are very likeable. And this is where I have the problem - they are both very nice people, great at communicating and very even keeled. Nothing happens! No angst, no fights, no misunderstandings, nobody gets kidnapped or attacked. I kept waiting for something to happen....maybe in the next book?

[The TBR Pile *Book review site* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full Review: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...

This needed a massive edit, some sentences made no sense and I didn’t have a clue as to what the author was trying to convey. Then there’s name dropping with no explanation as to who those people are. Tom and Zee are mentioned without any explanations or backgrounds. The scenes are bare, meaning no surrounding details and very choppy. There’s also a very rush feeling to every scene or maybe that’s because they’re no details, either way it’s not good for the story. The plot was completely lost to the rushing, lack of details and cardboard characters. I hate to say it but this fell flat. The story needs to be looked over by an editor and re-worked.

The plot is interesting and I think this is a great idea on the authors part. I would not recommend Safeword Matte.

[Sadey Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written novella about a woman finding a partner who understands her need to sexually submit and receive pain.

The characters are nicely developed and I really appreciated the non-cliche aspect of the martial arts theme. This was a very nice idea and Ms Blevins clearly has an understanding of the sport that lent itself to engaging me deeply with the story.

This is a novella where things move very quickly! This was my only qualm with the book, really, but I enjoyed it none-the-less. That said I'm a person who enjoys longer books, and I think in this genre it's sometimes best to get straight to the nitty gritty and Candace Blevins does this well. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Gem Larkspur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candace Blevins never fails to provide a good read. I've read almost all the Rolling Thunder MC books and Chattanooga Supernaturals - I love a good suspense subplot with my steamy romance. Safeword Matte is a straight-up BDSM romance where all the drama comes from the evolving romance and the sizzling erotica. Ethan and Sam(Samantha) are adults in their 30s, comfortable with their kink and looking for something lasting. I loved the way they take time to communicate and negotiate, building to increased emotional intimacy and more intense a play. Like several other of Ms. Blevins' books, the S&M component is a little a intense for me, but that doesn't detract from overall excellent storytelling.

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was intense. Repeat INTENSE. Hot. Sexy. Educational. Left me feeling exhausted and happy. BDSM between trained martial art professionals should be in a special category all by itself. A must read for all BDSM enthusiasts. It was for April cover challenge and I could not wait. I put it in my category 5 for intensity(highest).

[Amber J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exciting and thrilling ride through submission and dominance! Not being a huge fan of TPE and sadism/masochism I found myself surprisingly intrigued and turned on by the staged fighting and rape scene and normally that type of thing I can't wrap my head around. As I mentioned in my review of book 1, Candace is pushing my boundaries!!!

[Lindsey Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think everything I want to say about this book has already been said in the other four and five star reviews. I will say, if you think the phrase "emotional roller coaster" is just a cliche, read this story. It will change your mind.

[Tee Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Sam a lot shes a strong and almost independent woman. Though for some reason she feels the need to be mastered. She meets Ethan and at first doesn't want to have anything to do with him but he finally wears her down and they go out. They decide to try scening and seem to fit well together. Here it gets confusing for me. The scenes are really good but then when it comes to punishment then again consequences that are torture worse than the punishment. The punishment isn't for weaklings. Other than that I liked Ethan. Not sure how they can hurt someone they love so much though. The whipping should be enough to satisfy them one would think. Though saying they have a safeword isn't right because as a sub the masters impress on them he wants them to take what he dishes. So they don't want to safeword wanting to please them. It makes you think they are afraid they will lose their love. So not to sure about the safeword aspect because neither will know until they actually take it to far.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha is champion fighter who keeps her body at the top of the game. A successful divorce attorney, she can’t let the local community find out she is a sexual submissive without losing her credibility. After dating fighters, she realizes she won’t find what she needs in the way of kink, bit still needs a partner who can fight her and win her submission.

Ethan is a cage fighter and most people equate that to him being not so smart. He doesn’t make a big deal that he owns his own business. Expanding into the Chattanooga area, he enters a fight and meets Sam. Instantly attracted, he flirts with Sam, but respects her wishes to stop.

When Sam shows up at a local BDSM play party, Ethan instantly latches onto her. He can give her the fight she needs and she will gift him with her submission and satisfy the sadist lurking in his soul.

This was a refreshing look into BDSM. While it was more painful than I like to see, it was honest and the characters true to their needs and respecting the trust inherent in this type of relationship.

Ethan is a sadist. He explains to Sam that he doesn’t need to use all his power to satisfy that desire. He likes to inflict pain in a consensual way, but the power comes from the sub begging and crying, not from how much pain he can inflict. I loved how he takes Sam somewhere to talk before they ever scene together. Then he explains the scene very clearly to her so she knows what he is expecting. It was a scene clearly geared to learn about her and her pain tolerance, not for sex. In general through the entire book, Ethan does a wonderful job being a Dom. He watches Sam’s reactions, specifically when he denies her the right to speak. Hand motions are given for him to slow down or even stop for a moment and then the safeword to stop the entire scene. What I really loved is how he put a paper in front of Sam with the yellow right side and red on the left side so she would know without having to think which fist to clutch. He seemed aware that when a sub is in a scene, thinking sometimes goes out the window and he didn’t want to leave it to chance.

Sam is a very complex character in how she has a very dominant lifestyle but really craves the need for submission. Her submission is never given freely because if she can feel she can kick the guys ass in a fight, then they can’t take her for what she wants. She is a tough as nails divorce attorney, but comes home needing to be a sexual submissive. Fighting is not just a hobby, it is a part of her life and she embraces that as part of her.

There is a scene where Ethan and Sam fight to Sam can have her feeling of submission. My only point of … well … ouch … was that they fought naked. Sorry, I can’t imagine fighting with my ladies flopping and I can’t imagine a guy doing the same. Other than that, I absolutely loved the entire scene as it was a genuine moment of BDSM between to consensual adults getting what they both need and want.

I don’t want to give away too much of the book, because reading it was such a joy…bad word for a BDSM book, but hey, it was refreshing to see an honest betrayal of BDSM even from a sadist and masochist. Most are betrayed badly, but this book allowed us to see the normal life side and the side that gets what it wants.

An incredibly honest, refreshing and delightfully painful book.

Warning: This title contains graphic language, consensual BDSM, bondage, and use of toys including crops, clamps, canes, and floggers.

[Jaycee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for "Books 'N Cozy Spots Book Reviews" www.Talon-ps.com

(This review encompasses Books 1-3 of the "Safeword: Matte" series)

What do you get when you cross a masochistic divorce attorney with a sadistic cage-fighting businessman? Sounds like either the beginning of a really bad joke, or a teaser to a really good book—or series of books. Fortunately, it’s the latter.

I have never combined multiple books to one review, but since I voraciously read one after the other, I figured I might as well review them that way as well.

Ms. Blevins wastes exactly zero time in detailing just how the “sadist with the perfect tool” gives the un-toppable divorce attorney proof-positive that she can indeed, be topped. And not just topped, but loved in the process; her perfect Dom/life-partner.

Book 1 does use a case that Sam(antha) is working on to amp up the storyline to beyond the D/s angle. But it also serves to quite perfectly outline, in my mind anyway, the difference between a healthy, consensual kink and a pathologic existence with an abusive jerk. It’s all in the Consent, with a capital C.

Book 2. Well, suffice it to say that Ethan’s idea of pre-wedding activities in NO WAY resembles the wedding showers with hats made from bows, and the ubiquitous deviled eggs of my own pre-wedding experiences! And ain’t that just a shame. ‘Nuff said, though there is also enough background life and family drama going on to keep the overall story well fleshed out. You are not getting any spoilers from me! So, ‘Read on, MacDuff’…

Book 3 largely takes place in Hawaii, on, you guessed it: the Honeymoon, though I am willing to bet most of our hubbies did not use UPS to illustrate “What Brown can do for You” on our honeymoons! Again, read for yourself people… If there is a weak spot in the series, I think this may be it. Book 3 struck me more as a primer for “How to Navigate a week of SM” than it did as a continuation of the life and love story of these two very engaging characters. Nothing wrong with that, except for this reviewer, the relationship is always key. It was missing that personal connection; that zing to the heartstrings for me. But it was also wicked-awesome, so I’m torn.

Lest I sound entirely negative about the third book, I believe it also serves as a set-up for the final chapter. I am hoping for an HEA that ties up the court case, the family issues and danger provoked by the professions of both main characters and their families. And who am I kidding?: I’m also hoping for more crushingly hot sex! All from an author with a gift for dosing out fact cloaked in deliciously perfect fiction.

Heartiest of hearty recommendations.

[Thieryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, finally. A BDSM story I can get behind. A D/s relationship I can believe. On one hand, we have Ethan, a self-aware sadist with a conscience. On the other, we have Samantha (she prefers Sam) a strong-willed masochist with self-conscience. Add to that the fact they both have the ability to kick each other's ass, literally, and we have quite the pair, don't you think?

This was a very "real" story for me. Well written, detailed, intriguing in its subtle twists. Captivating. The conversations between the two of them were the quintessence of every responsible S/M couple, their communication was honest, open and most of all, without shame, fear or stubbornness (well, none that wasn't overcome anyway). Respect, trust, and the ability to recognize that even without giving his 100%, a sadist can still gain pleasure from the pain he is causing, all that made me throw my hat into the air and cheer for the author's devotion to the true practices of BDSM.

Additional points go to the believability of the complications of sex with a male who is more than well endowed. There's so much trouble and honest-to-God health dangers when having sex with someone who is really big, and I have always been annoyed by how women seem to accept a large member in them so casually. Well, not in this book. Here we actually get a real glimpse into the sex life with a real size-stud, and though uncomfortable, I have to admit, it was ridiculously hot and absolutely spot on.

And just as I was getting too restless and hawt to stay still in my bed, I turn the page and... no. Noo. NOOO what do you mean "the end"? What about the honeymoon? What about the anal training? What about the potential of this story, the characters, what happens now? Why such an abrupt ending? It really feels like Ms Blevins decided to just stop writing one day, leaving us poor, hungry readers aching for more.

And for that, I have to round down my 4.5 star rating to 4 stars. I know it seems harsh, but if you read the story, become so entwined with the characters, get as thrilled with their practices, and as turned on by their connection and sex, and then have it taken from you so abruptly, I have no doubt you would see my point.

[Liz at Fictional Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely blown away by Sam and Ethan. Seriously, I was not expecting their story to go the way that it did. Safeword: Matte is definitely one to read if you enjoy BDSM stories!

First we meet Samantha. And you know, at first I didn’t really like her. I felt like she had “issues”. To start, she describes her sexual preferences as “warped and twisted” and she seemed to have a thing about people being grown up. It kind of irked me. But then once she starts spending some time around Ethan she softens a bit. She shows this vulnerable side that really made her a more real character for me. And by the end I was in appreciation of her quirks and attention to detail, her strength in general. It just took giving her a chance to show herself.

As for Ethan, well, I liked him right from the start. He was cocky and a bit arrogant. And a 6’5” brick friggin wall. Oh yeah, this man is a cage fighter. Niiiiice. And you know what, he has green eyes!! So many stories I read lately seem to have the male with blue eyes, just the fact that he was green eyed stood out to me. LOL, I don’t know, call it my own quirk, I suppose. Ethan also has some um, ahem, rather impressive attributes. But his attractive qualities don’t end there. The man is a sexy dichotomy. Hard yet tender; demanding yet generous. Honestly, he’s my favorite type of leading man, and I bet you will like him too.

Sam and Ethan both have a secret, and their secrets are about to crash into eachother. And what comes after is sublime. The standout scene in this book that will have everyone talking involves a thunderstorm. Let me say just three words about that scene: OH.MY.GOD. Seriously.

All in all, this story was a magnificent surprise. It was rough and sensual and tender and hot. If you are into this genre, I definitely think you should check it out. As for me, I’m racing to my next Safeword book. I have a couple up on deck, now its just to choose which one is next…