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Because You Are Mine #1.8
Because I Am Yours
Secrets are exposed, love is challenged, and the future is compromised, when Francesca and Ian face an inevitable decision that will change their lives forever as national bestselling author Beth Kery’s Because You Are Mine comes to a spellbinding conclusion…
Because You Are Mine, Part VIII
Because I Am Yours
From the moment Ian and Francesca first met, the attraction was mutual—a purely, exquisitely physical charge that ignited between them. It couldn’t be ignored—only indulged, evolving into a bond of pleasurable subjugation. But Francesca’s open sensuality left her wanting more. Getting it from a man as mysterious and resolute as Ian was a challenge she never anticipated.
Francesca knows there's only one way for them to move forward—to follow Ian to London and show him that she doesn't want him to suffer alone. But when Ian's past and inner torment is revealed, he experiences a nearly unbearable volcanic mix of emotions for the woman who has dared to love him, despite his inner demons. After exposing Francesca to the limits of his anguish, he wonders if he's lost her forever. Can he bend enough to compromise to true intimacy...and something called love?
Includes a bonus excerpt of Beth Kery’s Wicked Burn, now available.
Because You Are Mine, Part VIII
Because I Am Yours
From the moment Ian and Francesca first met, the attraction was mutual—a purely, exquisitely physical charge that ignited between them. It couldn’t be ignored—only indulged, evolving into a bond of pleasurable subjugation. But Francesca’s open sensuality left her wanting more. Getting it from a man as mysterious and resolute as Ian was a challenge she never anticipated.
Francesca knows there's only one way for them to move forward—to follow Ian to London and show him that she doesn't want him to suffer alone. But when Ian's past and inner torment is revealed, he experiences a nearly unbearable volcanic mix of emotions for the woman who has dared to love him, despite his inner demons. After exposing Francesca to the limits of his anguish, he wonders if he's lost her forever. Can he bend enough to compromise to true intimacy...and something called love?
Includes a bonus excerpt of Beth Kery’s Wicked Burn, now available.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2012
33 people are currently reading
1873 people want to read
About the author
Beth Kery
187 books2,694 followersBeth Kery is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of over thirty novels, novellas and serials. She writes contemporary romances as well as erotic contemporary romances, her hallmarks being emotional intensity, leap-off-the-page realistic characters and steamy sexual tension.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
September 22, 2012
I rated and commented on the first two installments, but here are my final thoughts on this "book".
I don't believe you can fairly rate a book by the chapter, so I have modified my ratings on each part to reflect my feelings about the book as a whole now that I have read all 8 parts.
If this book had not been the selection of my book club, I would never have purchased more than the first part.
As mentioned in my previous reviews, the serialized release of a book two chapters at a time is totally off-putting for me. It is frustrating on many levels. I can't connect with characters when I have to read 2 chapters, pause, wait, wait and then read two more. I've lost the ability to be "in" the story by the time the next part is released. I got VERY tired of having to skim the former part when the new one was released. If this was the only book I had been reading during the 8 week time period, it might not have been as bad, but I read quickly and usually read 2 books a week.
As to the actual story, I felt a lack of depth in both characters and the rushed finish was extremely disappointing. Part 8, which could have added so much to the story, was the shortest of all the installments and left me wondering why I bothered to read this at all.
I have enjoyed many of Beth Kery's books in the past. I think she is a very good story teller and that is why I feel so strongly about the lack of quality in this book.
I don't believe you can fairly rate a book by the chapter, so I have modified my ratings on each part to reflect my feelings about the book as a whole now that I have read all 8 parts.
If this book had not been the selection of my book club, I would never have purchased more than the first part.
As mentioned in my previous reviews, the serialized release of a book two chapters at a time is totally off-putting for me. It is frustrating on many levels. I can't connect with characters when I have to read 2 chapters, pause, wait, wait and then read two more. I've lost the ability to be "in" the story by the time the next part is released. I got VERY tired of having to skim the former part when the new one was released. If this was the only book I had been reading during the 8 week time period, it might not have been as bad, but I read quickly and usually read 2 books a week.
As to the actual story, I felt a lack of depth in both characters and the rushed finish was extremely disappointing. Part 8, which could have added so much to the story, was the shortest of all the installments and left me wondering why I bothered to read this at all.
I have enjoyed many of Beth Kery's books in the past. I think she is a very good story teller and that is why I feel so strongly about the lack of quality in this book.
December 27, 2012
I have forced myself to read each installment of this outrageously priced serial. My ratings went down with each successive installment. This was perhaps the most stolid installment in the series.
Francesca goes to London to find out about Ian's alive...but superbly schizophrenic mother... surprising and angering him with her presence. After willingly submitting to him, she allows him to punish her and then brutishly eff her as an additional punishment. Please note that at this point, my Google Nexus was in peril of being thrown across the room because I cannot believe that a modern young woman would accept that behavior. The scenario wasn't sexy at all and no amount of convincing could make me believe it was.
Then after they get back to Chicago, Ian pretty much ignores Francesca while she *tear...tear* suffers from his loss. Seriously?!?!? The man treated her like a trained puppy and she missed that?!? Ok, moving on...the "surprise" party that Ian threw in her honor was a hackneyed attempt to prove that he still cared about her. Again...Ian calling the shots and Francesca followed right along after him. Trained. Puppy. The confession of love and the abrupt ending was probably among the worst that I have ever encountered in my fiction reading...especially after such an extended buildup. The story just ended! Not concluded....ENDED! After making readers wait since July, this was the best ending that Ms. Kery had to offer?!?!?
I am sorry...but I am one completely unhappy and unsatisfied reader. My suggestion is to go back to the drawing board. Rewrite this story into one complete volume and with a suitable ending or at least an epilogue so that readers don't feel cheated and gauged!
Francesca goes to London to find out about Ian's alive...but superbly schizophrenic mother... surprising and angering him with her presence. After willingly submitting to him, she allows him to punish her and then brutishly eff her as an additional punishment. Please note that at this point, my Google Nexus was in peril of being thrown across the room because I cannot believe that a modern young woman would accept that behavior. The scenario wasn't sexy at all and no amount of convincing could make me believe it was.
Then after they get back to Chicago, Ian pretty much ignores Francesca while she *tear...tear* suffers from his loss. Seriously?!?!? The man treated her like a trained puppy and she missed that?!? Ok, moving on...the "surprise" party that Ian threw in her honor was a hackneyed attempt to prove that he still cared about her. Again...Ian calling the shots and Francesca followed right along after him. Trained. Puppy. The confession of love and the abrupt ending was probably among the worst that I have ever encountered in my fiction reading...especially after such an extended buildup. The story just ended! Not concluded....ENDED! After making readers wait since July, this was the best ending that Ms. Kery had to offer?!?!?
I am sorry...but I am one completely unhappy and unsatisfied reader. My suggestion is to go back to the drawing board. Rewrite this story into one complete volume and with a suitable ending or at least an epilogue so that readers don't feel cheated and gauged!
October 7, 2012
This series was the biggest waste of time and money I have ever come across. For the first few weeks I was enjoying this story and was looking forward to Tuesday's to read the latest installment. But by the time I reached the fourth of fifth week I found myself losing interesting and constantly forgetting what I had already written.
I also read from Beth Kery that the last few installments were going to be considerably longer so I began to look forward to them again but that wasn't the case. For £1.50 every week I expected so much more.
The story was near enough the exact same as FSOG only about four times the price.
I highly regret ordering these books and I only wish I had stopped when I first lost interest. I think the way this book was released was a huge mistake.
I also read from Beth Kery that the last few installments were going to be considerably longer so I began to look forward to them again but that wasn't the case. For £1.50 every week I expected so much more.
The story was near enough the exact same as FSOG only about four times the price.
I highly regret ordering these books and I only wish I had stopped when I first lost interest. I think the way this book was released was a huge mistake.
August 15, 2017
★★★★1/2! Because You Are Mine series, book 1-8 of 8. Another whirlwind romance with a dominant & controlling, rich & sexy alpha male hero!
“Because You Are Mine” (Ian’s & Francesca’s story) is an 8-part series, released in the fall of 2012. Combined they make a 368-page read. Please note that the Omnibus will be released in March 2013.
And there will be a sequel to this series, “When I'm With You” (Lucien’s & Elise’s story) to be released in 8 weekly installments starting March 3, 2013 (series complete by April 23, 2013).
Since I am a reader in need of a HEA, I made sure I waited to read this series until all installments had been released. I read it in one sitting, thus I will review as a set.
Hero: Ian Noble/British/30 years old/mogul-playboy/$$$$/dark hair/blue eyes/dom
Heroine: Francesca Arno/American/23 years old/student-artist/red-gold hair/brown eyes/innocent
Francesca is a young artist, who entered her painting in a competition held by the billionaire, Ian Noble. She wins the competition and is commissioned to create the centerpiece painting for the lobby of Ian’s new Chicago Skyscraper. The book opens up at the reception held in her honor. Ian and Francesca are introduced and she feels in instant attraction (recognizing he is out of her league) while he is intrigued, but reserved. He knows she is too innocent for the likes of him. Francesca is a bohemian; she is naïve, sweet and kind. She has a strained relationship with her parents, never quite measuring up. She lives with her three male roommates who are very protective of her. Ian, on the other hand, is the rich and extremely successful business mogul; he is enigmatic, worldly, handsome, sexy and oh so dominant and too “corrupted” for her. But there is much more to it, because Ian is full of secrets. For starters: The reception was not their first encounter. Four years prior Francesca had painted “The Cat That Walks By Himself”. As it turns out Ian had been the inspiration for that painting. She had been sad to have to sell it. And Ian had bought and tracked her down…
Ian tries to fight his attraction to Francesca, but it’s a losing battle and so their whirlwind romance begins, taking us across the ocean while Ian and Francesca get to know each other and have lot of scorching hot sex. But as Ian’s secrets are revealed, his mysterious past continues to cast shadows over their relationship. Their love is challenged and their future threatened.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ian’s & Francesca’s story. And I very much look forward to Lucien’s & Elise’s story in “When I'm With You”.
***
Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4.5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 4.5 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 4.5 stars
******************************
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
“Because You Are Mine” (Ian’s & Francesca’s story) is an 8-part series, released in the fall of 2012. Combined they make a 368-page read. Please note that the Omnibus will be released in March 2013.
And there will be a sequel to this series, “When I'm With You” (Lucien’s & Elise’s story) to be released in 8 weekly installments starting March 3, 2013 (series complete by April 23, 2013).
Since I am a reader in need of a HEA, I made sure I waited to read this series until all installments had been released. I read it in one sitting, thus I will review as a set.
Hero: Ian Noble/British/30 years old/mogul-playboy/$$$$/dark hair/blue eyes/dom
Heroine: Francesca Arno/American/23 years old/student-artist/red-gold hair/brown eyes/innocent
Francesca is a young artist, who entered her painting in a competition held by the billionaire, Ian Noble. She wins the competition and is commissioned to create the centerpiece painting for the lobby of Ian’s new Chicago Skyscraper. The book opens up at the reception held in her honor. Ian and Francesca are introduced and she feels in instant attraction (recognizing he is out of her league) while he is intrigued, but reserved. He knows she is too innocent for the likes of him. Francesca is a bohemian; she is naïve, sweet and kind. She has a strained relationship with her parents, never quite measuring up. She lives with her three male roommates who are very protective of her. Ian, on the other hand, is the rich and extremely successful business mogul; he is enigmatic, worldly, handsome, sexy and oh so dominant and too “corrupted” for her. But there is much more to it, because Ian is full of secrets. For starters: The reception was not their first encounter. Four years prior Francesca had painted “The Cat That Walks By Himself”. As it turns out Ian had been the inspiration for that painting. She had been sad to have to sell it. And Ian had bought and tracked her down…
Ian tries to fight his attraction to Francesca, but it’s a losing battle and so their whirlwind romance begins, taking us across the ocean while Ian and Francesca get to know each other and have lot of scorching hot sex. But as Ian’s secrets are revealed, his mysterious past continues to cast shadows over their relationship. Their love is challenged and their future threatened.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ian’s & Francesca’s story. And I very much look forward to Lucien’s & Elise’s story in “When I'm With You”.
***
Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4.5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 4.5 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 4.5 stars
******************************
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
September 18, 2012
Weak, predictable ending. This "series" should've been a $3.99 book...
September 19, 2012
I really hated the ending. Each book contains 2 chapters. So by the time you buy 16 chapters you've spent $16 for really a half a book. Yep I've been punked for sure! Whoever thought up this marketing scheme needs to be seriously fired. It gets in the way of being able to appreciate the story, frankly, which overall wasn't so bad, though I thought the ending was awful. The bad outweighs the good. I feel I got sucked out of paying $1 a chapter so the story must have been halfway decent because I got hooked in to the hook. So there. I'm too disgusted to say anymore.
I won't buy anymore of this author's work, out of fear I'll get punked again. Other authors beware of this scheme. I'm on to you if you try to pull it on me.
Not sure why we call this series "books". ITS TWO CHAPTERS PEOPLE!!
I won't buy anymore of this author's work, out of fear I'll get punked again. Other authors beware of this scheme. I'm on to you if you try to pull it on me.
Not sure why we call this series "books". ITS TWO CHAPTERS PEOPLE!!
January 29, 2017
WTW???? 8 weeks, 16 bucks lighter and that's it???? Couldn't there have been a firmer ending? Maybe throw us a bone with a one chapter epilogue. Anything to help us feel that our time and money meant something. If I find out that this series continues I can guarantee I won't be bothering with it. Others have told me what a great author Beth Kery is, and that might be true but I can't bring myself to give her another dollar.
Publishers and authors are you taking note that many people dislike the 2 chapter format and being price gouged? I read books that were twice as long and 1/4 the cost that I enjoyed more.
Publishers and authors are you taking note that many people dislike the 2 chapter format and being price gouged? I read books that were twice as long and 1/4 the cost that I enjoyed more.
September 18, 2012
How to start this? I am confused, very confused, to the point that I just went through my whole iBook collection to make sure I was not missing one of the books, out of the 8 and yes, I had them all, most shocking I read them all.
Some time ago a book called Wicked Burn came to my hands and I loved it! I love Beth Kery's style and how passionate the story was, I don't have to tell you how excited I was to see the "Because You Are Mine" Series coming out, to the point that I pre-ordered the 8 books on iBooks right away.
Well, my first problem was exactly that, why 8 books? And well, please consider that we are talking about 35-40 pages each, I mean, really? It was mood killer, by the 5th book I was tired and feeling like I was a victim of a marketing scheme and then we have the story, that is the main issue, I mean, where all these virgin-college educated-modern-professional girls are coming from? where they were hiding all this time? and let's not say virgins, that is fine but so naive, so insecure, so inexperience, I mean, who is this girl? I think is out of reality and I am getting tired of reading about her!
I finished the last book yesterday night and by the last page I just looked around my room waiting for Ashton Kuchter to come out of the bathroom screaming "You've being PUNKED!! That's how I was feeling, I think the story was rushed and there was not a lot of characters developed, not even Francheska and Ian.
I dont even want to keep writing.
:(
Some time ago a book called Wicked Burn came to my hands and I loved it! I love Beth Kery's style and how passionate the story was, I don't have to tell you how excited I was to see the "Because You Are Mine" Series coming out, to the point that I pre-ordered the 8 books on iBooks right away.
Well, my first problem was exactly that, why 8 books? And well, please consider that we are talking about 35-40 pages each, I mean, really? It was mood killer, by the 5th book I was tired and feeling like I was a victim of a marketing scheme and then we have the story, that is the main issue, I mean, where all these virgin-college educated-modern-professional girls are coming from? where they were hiding all this time? and let's not say virgins, that is fine but so naive, so insecure, so inexperience, I mean, who is this girl? I think is out of reality and I am getting tired of reading about her!
I finished the last book yesterday night and by the last page I just looked around my room waiting for Ashton Kuchter to come out of the bathroom screaming "You've being PUNKED!! That's how I was feeling, I think the story was rushed and there was not a lot of characters developed, not even Francheska and Ian.
I dont even want to keep writing.
:(
January 18, 2013
I'll give 4 Stars! for this whole book :))
All 8 short stories from this series are actually one book cut in 8 pieces, so it to be released in different dates to drive fans crazy. At least that is what I think.
Hopefully authors wont do that again in the future. Cause it's frustrating, really.
Do you know the feeling when you can't read the book you're into because you have go to work or other matters to attend too? Basically don't have time for it? And through that time, while you can't read, you constantly living with the characters of that book in your head? Wondering what will happen next.. driving yourself crazy?
Yeah, I'm thinking this reading experience must have been just like this with this book for those who started reading it when it first came up. But it's not because they needed to work or attend to other matters that they couldn't finish at their own choosing time. It was thanks to the author!
Yup, she gives you few chapters, intrigues you and then BAM! No more read for you today! Go and be mad all day, make everyone around you miserable because you need another dose of dat book!
Luckily, I wasn't one of those people who started from when the first peace of the book was released. So my sanity is intact and everyone around me safe, all is well. Have no fear!
I was just wondering, what on earth! ( probably not from earth I think) advised with this frustrating-publishing of one book? I think it was a Devil himself. Cause may I just say BRAVO for the tactics!
I was captured by this series from the chapter one! Although the story looked somewhat similar to 50 Shades of Gray. And I guess it was in some way. All stories like this one will always have something in common with E.L.James books.
Story 'bout wealthy man and a young girl with some dark secrets and kinky fuckery seems very appealing for readers these days. But who am I to judge right? I think I might be one of them LOL :))))
So if You haven't read this series yet, you should definitely start it right away. Cause it's nice story with lots of fun in the erotic sense of the word :))
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September 24, 2012
This series frustrated me. I guess I have gotten spoiled with really good erotic contemporaries lately, but I expected well-rounded characters, a plot that makes sense, and tension that has a climatic moment. The most climactic moment in the book happens in the MANY many sex scenes. So many that I skipped they the last 3 or 4.
Francesca is so weak. And indecisive. And pretty much the child that Ian accuses her of being thought the book. Instead of taking a stand when she is being treated like trash, she sees how beautiful he is and she just can't help but submit to him and let him punish her with his spankings and enormous penis. Nope, she flips when he buys her stuff.
What is up with the romance genre that the girl must always turn into a pissed off harpy when The Billionaire Ex-Playboy Boyfriend/Sex Machine buys her presents? Really? The man has billions and that is how she has to prove she is with him for his a-hole personality and gigantic wiener? She must flip out at the present, make him feel bad, and show that she isn't interested in his money because, obviously, she's an ungrateful brat! How dare he?! Pfft.
I was missing the tension away from the d/s scenes. I wanted more plot line cohesion. I wanted the secondary characters to actually matter if we have to learn about them. I wanted more of a climax (like her finally telling him to eff off with this inappropriate demands during a sensitive moment). I wanted her to have a backbone. Or have a clue (her "detective skills" made her beyond tstl).
I didn't hate the story. I liked it enough to be disappointed in it. I got emotionally invested only to realize that she is not growing to grow and he is not going to finally be likable in the end.
Francesca is so weak. And indecisive. And pretty much the child that Ian accuses her of being thought the book. Instead of taking a stand when she is being treated like trash, she sees how beautiful he is and she just can't help but submit to him and let him punish her with his spankings and enormous penis. Nope, she flips when he buys her stuff.
What is up with the romance genre that the girl must always turn into a pissed off harpy when The Billionaire Ex-Playboy Boyfriend/Sex Machine buys her presents? Really? The man has billions and that is how she has to prove she is with him for his a-hole personality and gigantic wiener? She must flip out at the present, make him feel bad, and show that she isn't interested in his money because, obviously, she's an ungrateful brat! How dare he?! Pfft.
I was missing the tension away from the d/s scenes. I wanted more plot line cohesion. I wanted the secondary characters to actually matter if we have to learn about them. I wanted more of a climax (like her finally telling him to eff off with this inappropriate demands during a sensitive moment). I wanted her to have a backbone. Or have a clue (her "detective skills" made her beyond tstl).
I didn't hate the story. I liked it enough to be disappointed in it. I got emotionally invested only to realize that she is not growing to grow and he is not going to finally be likable in the end.
September 20, 2012
Well written but a very predictable plot. I found Francesca to be a totally unbelievable character, and very annoying. Besides the gorgeous 20 something virgin scenario (yeah right). I mean what woman only ever wears jeans and has only one Boho dress in her wardrobe, and when Ian a multi-millionaire wants to buy her some new clothes so that she can feel comfortable attending fancy dinners etc. she goes ballistic!!??? Though she does let him buy her a leather bikers jacket (hello, hypocrite much!) And why on earth would she rush off overseas to snoop on Ian - I didn't buy her excuse of wanting to support Ian, it was none of her business... I'd be smacking the crap out of her too!
Ok besides that, I found the ending a bit rushed (over in about 20 pages) and oh so predictable. Beth Kery is such a talented writer I just wish she'd been a bit more creative with the ending of this series. A series which stretched on for 2 months in 2 chapter instalments, with such a lead up I was expecting a huge memorable ending or at least a good twist - but as soon as an 'Institute' (a couple of issues ago) was mentioned I just knew "someone" was still alive and Ian was paying for 'secret' treatments (envelope slipped to the brilliant, not to mention attractive, doctor in Paris).
Oh and why oh why do Australians have to pay $2.99 for each instalment of about 30-40 pages, when there are no printing or transport costs. Plus our dollar is about equal, if not slightly higher, than US dollars!!! Would much rather a straight forward book rather than the weekly chapters. I gave it 3 stars because I enjoyed a few of the chapters and the steamy sex scenes where original.
Ok besides that, I found the ending a bit rushed (over in about 20 pages) and oh so predictable. Beth Kery is such a talented writer I just wish she'd been a bit more creative with the ending of this series. A series which stretched on for 2 months in 2 chapter instalments, with such a lead up I was expecting a huge memorable ending or at least a good twist - but as soon as an 'Institute' (a couple of issues ago) was mentioned I just knew "someone" was still alive and Ian was paying for 'secret' treatments (envelope slipped to the brilliant, not to mention attractive, doctor in Paris).
Oh and why oh why do Australians have to pay $2.99 for each instalment of about 30-40 pages, when there are no printing or transport costs. Plus our dollar is about equal, if not slightly higher, than US dollars!!! Would much rather a straight forward book rather than the weekly chapters. I gave it 3 stars because I enjoyed a few of the chapters and the steamy sex scenes where original.
September 23, 2012
Just finished the 8th installment of this series... First of all this review is on the whole series not the 2 chapters per books BS... This series had a lot of potential but toward the 5 & 6 books I just got tired of Ian walking all over Francesca, the poor virgin who gets corrupted by the Dom. This series was truly a knockoff of 50 shades, a really bad one at that!! This series actually came across as a poorly written Fanfic.
September 18, 2012
Ian and Francesca
See all my mini reviews on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
If you have been following my mini-reviews you know that each week I grump a little when the latest installment ends. This week I think I will grump because my weekly visits with Ian and Francesca have finally come to an end with the conclusion of the serial books, Because You Are Mine Part VIII: Because I Am Yours.
Even at the end of the previous novella, Because I Need To, I wasn’t sure how Ian and Francesca were going to come together. Francesca is hopeless in love with Ian but Ian refuses to let her into his darkest place. Ian has been carrying a secret that he is unwilling to share. The secret has him running off to London at all times of the day and night causing Francesca to get fed up with his leaving and finally follow him there.
Once she arrives in London, she has no idea where to go or what to do. She decides to wing it and travel to a place where she thinks Ian might be. It might sound like I am being purposefully vague with Ian’s secret and that is because I am. I feel like the reader should learn the secret as Francesca does. It would take away from most of the story if I told you outright what was happening.
Ian is floored to see Francesca in London. By being there she has witnessed him at his most vulnerable and he cannot stand that. He immediately calls for his plane to take them back to Chicago. On the plane he punishes her for daring to step inside his private world. I wasn’t too happy with the punishment because it was clear his sole goal was to hurt her in response to her seeing him so exposed. This wasn’t a sexual punishment but an emotional punishment.
“I want to possess you, Francesca. Dominate You. See that stubborn streak in you submit to pleasure…to me. That’s what I offered. You insisted upon interfering in my world, so now you can stop deluding yourself with a girl’s fantasies. That’s all I can offer you,” he said, pointing in the direction of the bedroom, “Now go in there, take off all of your clothes, and wait for me.”
After arriving back in Chicago Francesca and Ian do not see each other for a week and a half. The last contact they had was Ian turning away, in disgust, from how he had treated Francesca on the flight back. Francesca’s roommates convince her to go out and take her, without her knowledge, to Ian’s building. Ian has arranged for all of Francesca’s paintings to be framed and hung in his lobby with the main painting displayed for everyone to see.
I believe this was Ian’s way of telling her how much he values her without coming outright and saying the words. Words with feelings attached are hard for Ian so he attempts to show her in the best way he knows possible. After the party they return to Ian’s penthouse where he bares his soul to her.
His mouth twisted into a bitter expression. ”I’m sorry, in general.”
She started in surprise at his harsh declaration. “For which part?”
“For all of it. From the first thing that I said to you that was unappreciative and callous to the last selfish thing I’ve done. I’m sorry, Francesca.”
And my one complaint would come here…it ended to soon!! Waaaaa! I wanted more. Yes, it is so cliché but I wanted an epilogue with babies and picket fences. I am a sucker for those things. Ok, so maybe picket fences don’t match Ian but I really wanted to see further in the future for them. I have to believe they will make it but I really wanted Ms. Kery to TELL me they make it!
So overall this was a fantastic story. I am not sure how I feel about the serial part because it really was torture to wait each week. I am big on instant gratification! But because Beth Kery wrote it and I am big fan of her work, I suffered through! At the end of Ian and Francesca’s story we get a sneak peek of another serial she is writing. It is starting January of 2013 and features one of the characters from this book. Final grade- A
Favorite Quote:
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“I didn’t give myself permission to fall in love with you.”
See all my mini reviews on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
If you have been following my mini-reviews you know that each week I grump a little when the latest installment ends. This week I think I will grump because my weekly visits with Ian and Francesca have finally come to an end with the conclusion of the serial books, Because You Are Mine Part VIII: Because I Am Yours.
Even at the end of the previous novella, Because I Need To, I wasn’t sure how Ian and Francesca were going to come together. Francesca is hopeless in love with Ian but Ian refuses to let her into his darkest place. Ian has been carrying a secret that he is unwilling to share. The secret has him running off to London at all times of the day and night causing Francesca to get fed up with his leaving and finally follow him there.
Once she arrives in London, she has no idea where to go or what to do. She decides to wing it and travel to a place where she thinks Ian might be. It might sound like I am being purposefully vague with Ian’s secret and that is because I am. I feel like the reader should learn the secret as Francesca does. It would take away from most of the story if I told you outright what was happening.
Ian is floored to see Francesca in London. By being there she has witnessed him at his most vulnerable and he cannot stand that. He immediately calls for his plane to take them back to Chicago. On the plane he punishes her for daring to step inside his private world. I wasn’t too happy with the punishment because it was clear his sole goal was to hurt her in response to her seeing him so exposed. This wasn’t a sexual punishment but an emotional punishment.
“I want to possess you, Francesca. Dominate You. See that stubborn streak in you submit to pleasure…to me. That’s what I offered. You insisted upon interfering in my world, so now you can stop deluding yourself with a girl’s fantasies. That’s all I can offer you,” he said, pointing in the direction of the bedroom, “Now go in there, take off all of your clothes, and wait for me.”
After arriving back in Chicago Francesca and Ian do not see each other for a week and a half. The last contact they had was Ian turning away, in disgust, from how he had treated Francesca on the flight back. Francesca’s roommates convince her to go out and take her, without her knowledge, to Ian’s building. Ian has arranged for all of Francesca’s paintings to be framed and hung in his lobby with the main painting displayed for everyone to see.
I believe this was Ian’s way of telling her how much he values her without coming outright and saying the words. Words with feelings attached are hard for Ian so he attempts to show her in the best way he knows possible. After the party they return to Ian’s penthouse where he bares his soul to her.
His mouth twisted into a bitter expression. ”I’m sorry, in general.”
She started in surprise at his harsh declaration. “For which part?”
“For all of it. From the first thing that I said to you that was unappreciative and callous to the last selfish thing I’ve done. I’m sorry, Francesca.”
And my one complaint would come here…it ended to soon!! Waaaaa! I wanted more. Yes, it is so cliché but I wanted an epilogue with babies and picket fences. I am a sucker for those things. Ok, so maybe picket fences don’t match Ian but I really wanted to see further in the future for them. I have to believe they will make it but I really wanted Ms. Kery to TELL me they make it!
So overall this was a fantastic story. I am not sure how I feel about the serial part because it really was torture to wait each week. I am big on instant gratification! But because Beth Kery wrote it and I am big fan of her work, I suffered through! At the end of Ian and Francesca’s story we get a sneak peek of another serial she is writing. It is starting January of 2013 and features one of the characters from this book. Final grade- A
Favorite Quote:
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“I didn’t give myself permission to fall in love with you.”
December 17, 2012
Honestly...????
I dont know who actually came up with the idea of writting a book, which you divided in 8 chapters and baptised each of the chapters a book... Hands up I must say from the Sales department...
However, I will kill the b***h within me, because I have to say I was really pissed every time these so call books came to an end when the best part started.
As the story plot is concerned it wasn't s/th extraordinary..Take a pitch of the 50 shades, a dose of bared into you put them in a blenbder with a quarter of the really bad sex scenes (I mena come on, the sex scenes were put in it just to increase the sales...)and voila, there you have it.
Really disappointed....
I dont know who actually came up with the idea of writting a book, which you divided in 8 chapters and baptised each of the chapters a book... Hands up I must say from the Sales department...
However, I will kill the b***h within me, because I have to say I was really pissed every time these so call books came to an end when the best part started.
As the story plot is concerned it wasn't s/th extraordinary..Take a pitch of the 50 shades, a dose of bared into you put them in a blenbder with a quarter of the really bad sex scenes (I mena come on, the sex scenes were put in it just to increase the sales...)and voila, there you have it.
Really disappointed....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2012
ended to abruptly :(
September 21, 2012
Read more of my reviews and ramblings at Ana's Attic Sexy Tales
This review will be my final review both for Because You Are Mine Part VIII: Because I Am Yours, and the entire series combined. The book ended OK, though I wish there were more, it felt rushed and was over way too quickly. I was given the entire series for review by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for honest reviews.
In this installment we have another step back before moving forward. Francesca takes off on a whim and follows Ian to London where she sees him as his most vulnerable. Of course, we know Ian by now. He’s not gonna be happy! And he punishes her emotionally almost more than physically, especially after she finally declares her love.
“I want to possess you, Francesca. Dominate You. See that stubborn streak in you submit to pleasure…to me. That’s what I offered. You insisted upon interfering in my world, so now you can stop deluding yourself with a girl’s fantasies. That’s all I can offer you,” he said, pointing in the direction of the bedroom, “Now go in there, take off all of your clothes, and wait for me.”
Then her turns away for a week or two, and comes back a changed man. I don’t know, it just all wraps up a little too tidy for me. Mostly because I don’t really see what Francesca sees in Ian to put up with all his crap. He is so stand-off-ish and uptight. He needs to get that cane out of his ass. Though it was nice to see the vulnerable side of him, we never saw a playful or fun side. That special spark that you couldn’t help but fall for.
Maybe it was because I was dragged in and out of the story so much I couldn’t connect. Maybe if I had a busy schedule and only had time to read 50 pages a week this would have worked better for me. But reading 4-5 books between each of these made this way harder to stick with.
I am an instant gratification kind of girl. Plus my memory is shit. Bad combination for a serial. I think I would be OK with a serial that has it’s own story arc weekly but is part of a larger story. But I think the format was part of the reason I failed to connect as well with this as I did Beth Kery’s other books.
Overall, I liked the book. It had a similar story to Fifty Shades and Bared to You. It was totally HOT. But I never fell in love with Ian. I wanted to, but never did. I kept waiting for it to happen, hoping he’d loosen up, but he never did.
Likes:
-Well written
-I liked Francesca and her friends
-The magic emollient
-The sex scenes were hot-hot-hot
Dislikes:
-The serial format
-The price
-Never saw a playful side to Ian
-The end was what brought the rating from a 4 to a 3. It all wrapped up way too quickly. That last book should have been the bonus for those who read all 8. Instead it was shorter than the others I think, and felt rushed.
Series Rating: 3 stars 4.5 for Heat
I have enjoyed Beth Kery’s books in the past, especially Wicked Burn and Holiday Bound. I will read more from her, and I will probably buy the next serial featuring Lucien. But I will wait for them all to come out before I dive right in.
This review will be my final review both for Because You Are Mine Part VIII: Because I Am Yours, and the entire series combined. The book ended OK, though I wish there were more, it felt rushed and was over way too quickly. I was given the entire series for review by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for honest reviews.
In this installment we have another step back before moving forward. Francesca takes off on a whim and follows Ian to London where she sees him as his most vulnerable. Of course, we know Ian by now. He’s not gonna be happy! And he punishes her emotionally almost more than physically, especially after she finally declares her love.
“I want to possess you, Francesca. Dominate You. See that stubborn streak in you submit to pleasure…to me. That’s what I offered. You insisted upon interfering in my world, so now you can stop deluding yourself with a girl’s fantasies. That’s all I can offer you,” he said, pointing in the direction of the bedroom, “Now go in there, take off all of your clothes, and wait for me.”
Then her turns away for a week or two, and comes back a changed man. I don’t know, it just all wraps up a little too tidy for me. Mostly because I don’t really see what Francesca sees in Ian to put up with all his crap. He is so stand-off-ish and uptight. He needs to get that cane out of his ass. Though it was nice to see the vulnerable side of him, we never saw a playful or fun side. That special spark that you couldn’t help but fall for.
Maybe it was because I was dragged in and out of the story so much I couldn’t connect. Maybe if I had a busy schedule and only had time to read 50 pages a week this would have worked better for me. But reading 4-5 books between each of these made this way harder to stick with.
I am an instant gratification kind of girl. Plus my memory is shit. Bad combination for a serial. I think I would be OK with a serial that has it’s own story arc weekly but is part of a larger story. But I think the format was part of the reason I failed to connect as well with this as I did Beth Kery’s other books.
Overall, I liked the book. It had a similar story to Fifty Shades and Bared to You. It was totally HOT. But I never fell in love with Ian. I wanted to, but never did. I kept waiting for it to happen, hoping he’d loosen up, but he never did.
Likes:
-Well written
-I liked Francesca and her friends
-The magic emollient
-The sex scenes were hot-hot-hot
Dislikes:
-The serial format
-The price
-Never saw a playful side to Ian
-The end was what brought the rating from a 4 to a 3. It all wrapped up way too quickly. That last book should have been the bonus for those who read all 8. Instead it was shorter than the others I think, and felt rushed.
Series Rating: 3 stars 4.5 for Heat
I have enjoyed Beth Kery’s books in the past, especially Wicked Burn and Holiday Bound. I will read more from her, and I will probably buy the next serial featuring Lucien. But I will wait for them all to come out before I dive right in.
April 9, 2017
Alright, I'm writing this as a review for all 8 of these "books". I didn't see the point of writing a review for all of them individually.
I am going to go on a rant right now and just vent a little I am sorry if you don't agree but its just my opinion. :)
First off the reason my ratings is so low is because I don't believe there was anything good in it for me to say its worth reading. It was in my opinion one of the worst things I have read in a while.
The story was written like a bad fan-fiction, It was like here is the the 2 main characters, with no back story, now lets get to the kinky sex part. Even with that I decided to go on and read all of them. I was hoping that maybe the story will build up and get better, because it did have potential. But sadly it just got worse. By the end of the last book, I felt like crying, because of how infuriating the whole story was.
I actually had to stop reading for awhile before continuing.
I have never read of someone as stupid as Francesca Arno. The scene in the Airplane, where he is punishing her, I felt like going and hitting her my self. Here is this guy who is pretty much insulting you and making you feel like shit for loving him and caring for him.
AND if that wasn't bad enough, he ignores her after and doesn't talk to her for days. I am sorry, but if it was any other SANE-self-respecting women she wouldn't give him a second of her day unless he apologized properly and made up for making her feel low because of his issues. BUT NOoo what does Francesca do, she talks to him like nothing happened.
On top of alllll the things that were wrong with this book, the ending was the worse, I am all for characters getting their happy endings but common who ends a book so abruptly! I felt like I was missing pages or something. It just didn't make sense to me.
UGGGHHHH
I think I need to stop. I can go on for hours talking about how much I didn't like it. I am just gonna sum it up in a few words to get it over with.
The Character development Shit!!
The Plot was Shit!!
The Ending was Shit!!
I was actually quite excited to read all of them, I thought it was gonna be a good read. I never expected for them to be this disappointing. Oh well!
I am going to go on a rant right now and just vent a little I am sorry if you don't agree but its just my opinion. :)
First off the reason my ratings is so low is because I don't believe there was anything good in it for me to say its worth reading. It was in my opinion one of the worst things I have read in a while.
The story was written like a bad fan-fiction, It was like here is the the 2 main characters, with no back story, now lets get to the kinky sex part. Even with that I decided to go on and read all of them. I was hoping that maybe the story will build up and get better, because it did have potential. But sadly it just got worse. By the end of the last book, I felt like crying, because of how infuriating the whole story was.
I actually had to stop reading for awhile before continuing.
I have never read of someone as stupid as Francesca Arno. The scene in the Airplane, where he is punishing her, I felt like going and hitting her my self. Here is this guy who is pretty much insulting you and making you feel like shit for loving him and caring for him.
AND if that wasn't bad enough, he ignores her after and doesn't talk to her for days. I am sorry, but if it was any other SANE-self-respecting women she wouldn't give him a second of her day unless he apologized properly and made up for making her feel low because of his issues. BUT NOoo what does Francesca do, she talks to him like nothing happened.
On top of alllll the things that were wrong with this book, the ending was the worse, I am all for characters getting their happy endings but common who ends a book so abruptly! I felt like I was missing pages or something. It just didn't make sense to me.
UGGGHHHH
I think I need to stop. I can go on for hours talking about how much I didn't like it. I am just gonna sum it up in a few words to get it over with.
The Character development Shit!!
The Plot was Shit!!
The Ending was Shit!!
I was actually quite excited to read all of them, I thought it was gonna be a good read. I never expected for them to be this disappointing. Oh well!
February 27, 2013
4 STARS
I really don't know how to explain why, but I really didn't "feel" these last two chapters. They felt rushed, and the super-uber-huge revelation didn't really hit me that much. It felt sort of anticlimatic. I was expecting a deep, dark, awful secret, and though Ian's situation isn't an easy one, it's rather serious and vulnerable, I didn't... feel it. I can't explain it any better than that.
We ended the previous chapter with Francesca finding out that Ian is in London. She decides to go after him, and she finds him at his most vulnerable. Ian becomes angry as soon as he finds her, and tries with all his might to push her away, with an erotic, angry punishment.
Obviously, there's a twist to this, and yes, there is a HEA!
OVERALL: 4 STARS
I really don't know how to explain why, but I really didn't "feel" these last two chapters. They felt rushed, and the super-uber-huge revelation didn't really hit me that much. It felt sort of anticlimatic. I was expecting a deep, dark, awful secret, and though Ian's situation isn't an easy one, it's rather serious and vulnerable, I didn't... feel it. I can't explain it any better than that.
We ended the previous chapter with Francesca finding out that Ian is in London. She decides to go after him, and she finds him at his most vulnerable. Ian becomes angry as soon as he finds her, and tries with all his might to push her away, with an erotic, angry punishment.
Obviously, there's a twist to this, and yes, there is a HEA!
“I think I might have loved you even before we met, since I first realized it was you who captured me on canvas . . . you who treated my pain with such a knowing hand. It shamed me, what you saw, but I couldn’t help but want you to see more of me. You’re too good for me,” he declared roughly. “And I’m sure I don’t deserve you. But you’re mine, Francesca. And for what it’s worth . . . I’m yours. For as long as you’ll have me.”
OVERALL: 4 STARS
January 13, 2013
I will give 3.5 to the entire series. It had potential regardless of the silly chapter installments. I am glad that I had all 8 books when I got to read it and aside from having to go to bed last night read them all but the last in a row. I hated the ending. I mean, for the cost of each book there just should have been more then that at the end. That was not an ending. That was the beginning conversation to an ending or at least an Epilogue which there was not. I am glad I read it, I am even more glad I read it with my girlfriend but overall I am very disappointed in it.
September 18, 2012
I read this book this morning and I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed with the ending and also the fact that it ended at 66% on my kindle! Then carried on with an excerpt from another book ... not a happy bunny considering this happened in one of the other books. Although the price was low I feel I have been ripped off ....
September 18, 2012
I soooooooooo want this series combined in a paperback!! Lovely ending to a great story, although I must confess I was a little bit sad that we didn't get a Epilogue..
September 19, 2012
I enjoyed the story overall but the ending was too rushed.
September 18, 2012
A little disappointed in the end.
September 20, 2012
Wasn't enough of a conclusion for me. Felt like the author was suddenly tired of the story and let it abruptly end. Needed a few more chapters to really conclude the story for me.
November 16, 2013
What a waste of money.
September 13, 2016
I just don't have the patience or the inclination or pay the price for these books now. Too slow, too long drawn out. Just give me a complete book!
March 5, 2023
I am proud of myself....proud to say I actually got through this series and finished it like I said. I know reading books you don't like is a waste of time, but I couldn't help myself. It was like a train wreck. The books are short and somewhat helped. How sweet that this ending was so "perfect" and tied with a bow. I could not stand Ian or Francesca. I wanted to punch them both.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2017
To sum this series up in a sentence - billionaire romance with BDSM elements.
This story was serialized in eight books. I will not buy another series like this because each section was between 40-53 pages and not worth the price. This last portion ended very abruptly.
This story was serialized in eight books. I will not buy another series like this because each section was between 40-53 pages and not worth the price. This last portion ended very abruptly.
January 24, 2023
It felt extremely rushed in terms of character development and story. It’s like I’ve seen this story in a million other light novels or mangas. The sex scenes were the focus yet they are pretty standard in these days. Maybe they were more interesting when this came out.
April 22, 2019
Great book !!
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