Under By Duress

Surrender Collection #1

by Kayla Stonor

She caught him, now she has to turn him in.

Tahima has escaped to the Blue Ridge Mountains following a devastating break up from her ex dom. When a Mafia heir wanted for murder crashes into her life, she determines to turn him in.

Her only option is to force him down the mountain. It is a mission fraught with danger. Rossini is a dom who promises to be uncooperative. She will have to switch roles.

Genres: BDSM, Erotica, Romance, Erotic Romance, Adult, M F Romance, Contemporary Romance

ebook

First published August 6, 2012

About the author

Kayla Stonor is the pen name of an author of dark, edgy, erotic romance featuring alpha males who submit to the women they grow to love.

Kayla's writings are not the usual romantic fluff. Her novels often skate the edge of consent, with thrilling violence and dramatic relationships between powerful alpha males and dominant women.

Reviews

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant surprise and ranks a 3.5 star in my books. Ms. Kayla Stonor is a new to me author. She's burst onto the scene with hot femdom stories which show both character development and plot. Best of all, the women aren't cruel psychotic bitches from hell. The men aren't some pushover doormat wanting to be degraded.

This is a non-con story which definitely turned into dub con. Tahima is a submissive who's been burned badly. She's also a switch, which is interesting. While Tahima is doing her best to get over her heartbreak of trust broken, she literally runs into Gian. Gian is a mafia son's boss on the run and an alpha male to boot.

Watching Tahima snap and then kick Gian into submission was pretty funny. They say a cornered animal is the most dangerous. It appears to be true for Tahima. The plot pretty good with a bit of suspense. The answers were easy to deduce yet the ending was a little twist that was not exactly anticipated. It was a good ending. I enjoyed it. I recommend this book to femdom lovers who wants a smart heroine and an alpha male submissive.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tahima Sheldon is busy renovating her grandfather's old lodge in the Blue Mountains for the next three months. She's only really beginning her work on the old lodge and hopes to make all the necessary improvements so that she's able to rent out the place. When she sees a small plane circling the forest near her lodge only to hear it crash a short time later. She goes to see if anyone is hurt. Seeing the lone passenger is relatively unhurt attempts to walk away but is stop short by velvety voice asking to make a radio call. Tahima hasn't heard a voice like this since her last dom Stephan betrayed her. Tahima wants to fall into that voice in a heartbeat but she won't let herself fall into that trap again. Gian Rossini is every inch the alpha male and dom that he presents himself to Tahima. He is trying to stay one step ahead of the law that is until he is confronted with Tahima's stubborn force of will. He tries to put Tahima at ease only find that she gets even more stubborn and trying her dominant tendencies on him. He's intrigued and stunned to find himself responding to Tahima's demands even if some of those are more like torture. They both survived the trip down the mountain where Rossini turned over to the police. Three months later, Tahima's career is taking off in a new direction which pleases her. She still thinks about Rossini sometimes. Rossini is free from the law but his heart isn't so free. Stephan unexpectedly shows up at Tahima's apartment where none of his intentions are good. Can Tahima get free of Stephan? Will Tahima see Rossini again? Can Rossini convince Tahima his feelings are geniune? Your answers await you in Under By Duress.

This is a brand new author for me and great start to a series of books that are definitely fast reads. I found that I could really relate to Tahima on a personal level thru all of her struggles mentally and emotionally. The range of emotion was completely astounding for such fast read book. I was intrigued by Rossini because he really wanted to help Tahima even though she didn't believe him at all or trust him. I felt that the torture elements were appropriate and not overly done either. There was just enough and no more which was fine by me. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series Under By Treaty.

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Tahima has taken a month off of work to restore her grandfather's cabin in the woods. Shortly after settling in a cessna goes down near the cabin so she goes to see if she can lend a hand & runs into Gian Rossini. He’s the pilot & the son of the Rossini crime boss. He looks familiar to her but it doesn't come together for her until she hears on the radio that the crime boss has been murdered & Gian is prime suspect. Then the fun begins! She takes him into custody & they embark on a two day adventure trekking down the mountain so she can turn him over to the authorities.

Tahima had a bad experience with her last Dom (Stephen) & Gian oozes dominance so she has a difficult time resisting him & at the same time hates herself for being drawn to another like Stephen that could hurt her again. This reinforces her resistance & at the same time gives her a sense of control & power. She settles in nicely to her power trip & oh my… she becomes quite skilled at "torturing" him. Gian is caught off guard by his response to her treatment of him & they form a connection that's pretty intense for a 48 hour relationship. She has a hard time when it comes time to turn him in, wondering if she'll ever see him again.

This did not go down how I originally envisioned when I read the blurb. It was a fun read though. The writing's pretty good although the euphemisms were a little annoying.

[Travis Luedke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing tale of love, bondage, abuse, and smokin hot sex.

It started out relatively simple, a woman alone, cleaning up the pieces of her broken life in a cabin in the woods. Gradually, step by step, it delves into the twilight zone of BDSM erotic romance. Nothing is black and white, lots and lots of shades of grey.

She ends up with a mob boss on her hands, his plane wrecked just outside her cabin. She bravely turns the tables on him with a Taser, cuffs him up, and they’re off. Gotta run, bad guys are on their way. Their two day trek through the wilderness is the journey of an Alpha male dom learning to submit to her complete control of his every moment. He resists her guidance, but at the same time works his way under her skin and into her heart.

The girl has some serious emotional baggage, a former submissive who was taken for a ride, utterly abused. But now it’s her turn to become a domme. Role reversal. She has a little too much fun with that Taser, learning where it hurts most.

There are some very hot scenes, some very intense BDSM scenes, and even one of those “deliverance” moments with a good ole boy in the back country. A gripping tale to be sure. I read it all in one sitting, yelling at the kids to leave me alone so I could finish.

If you’re into hot kinky sex and BDSM with a tale of genuine romance in the mix, read this novel.

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one but not as much as the second in the series. It was completely different than Under By Treaty. The mob guy and the architect was a little bit of an odd pairing - but works here. The emotions here on both characters parts were mostly good but every once in a while something would happen and it would feel a bit off. I liked the turnabout of a sub on a Dom. I cannot say I picked up on just what her issue was with Stephen - the reveal is almost at the end. I had a hard time with how she was in the whole first 75% and then how she was in the last 25% - completely at odds. It was explained but didn't quite fit and I didn't feel that got resolved appropriately because she didn't resolve it. That leaves her with more past baggage which is less than ideal. Overall I most definitely liked it - certainly it was interesting and engaging and kept me reading to keep revealing what was going to happen.

[Spynonu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tahima is finally alone in the mountains. After a bad break up with a dom who broke her trust she needs the time to lick her wounds and face life again. She may be alone but at least she has a taser to protect her should she need it.

Witnessing a plane crash Tahima rushes to aid the victim/s and find herself face to face with a dom she knows can again turn her life upside down. Nursing his wounds back at her cabin a secret is revealed - she is alone with a dangerous man.

The sub becomes the dominant as she uses the taser to her advantage to gain control of her captive but as Tahima takes her strong willed captive on a long journey down the mountain she begins to wonder who is really in charge. Can she hold out against him or will she bend to his will?

This story is electrifying (giggle), cold, wet hungry and horny.

Another hit for me by Kayla Stoner.

[Dee Wy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a different plot from what I was expecting and that's a good thing in this case. I really liked the mystery, action and twists and turns, as well as the happy ending. Great read.

[Talltree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am being honest when I say initially I didn't know whether to award 3 or 4 stars...then I thought why 3? It is a good and enjoyable story, but I really had to suspend disbelief to accept the actions and behaviour of Tahima the female protagonist with Gian Rossini within the timescale given. Who in real life would want to jump the bones within 24 hours, of this good looking man who she thinks at that time is a New York mafia bosses son, who has killed his father, and he a well known Dom, whilst she is suffering emotionally from some really bad experiences with a lover Dom whom she had trusted and its hinted has done something awful to her that temporarily destroyed her?
Then I thought you have watched plays where suspension of disbelief made the play brilliant but wouldn't work in real life...so do the same with this story and I have to give it 4 stars for...
The physical and chemical attraction between Tahima and Gian that leads to some erotic scenes and within a very short time, but for Tahima with a difference. Her serious damage from past fiance and boy did I want Kayla Stonor, the author to write a detailed come uppance for that bastard...you failed there Kayla, sorry. We get a what will probably be. Readers enjoy detailed retribution against nasty antagonists, probably because of so much injustice in real life and it's good to redress the balance through creative fiction. I digress... the difference is Tahima finds herself switch role from submissive to taking control, power and Dommes over Gian with some physical discipline, even if it seems to be role play it is good for her self esteem. Gian Rossini, despite his connections and crime, not forgetting his nature as a Dominant male seems to be aware instinctively of this, yet allows her dominance and administration of painful controlling discipline to him, which he finds a turn on... surprise surprise. I know of people in real life this happens with, so it is plausible.
There is some good adventure and close calls on the survival trek. The Hank experience, humiliating, fearful, I kept saying zap the b****** now, now, come on, don't do this to Rossini...so I'm involved with the characters Kayla created, which is good.
The ending I saw coming but was glad. I could have cheerfully read the last scene to it's climactic end and felt a little deprived as I do when I read a HEA and they head off in the distance while nosy voyeur me wants to spy a little longer on their lives and story.
So the good outweighed the disbelief...and it is of a good literary standard and edited, hence I go for 4 stars overall.

[Pearls · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such a role reversal from the usual BDSM book. It expects that you know the lifestyle, the rules, the psychology. So the author focuses on plot and characters. I was drawn to Gian within 5 minutes of meeting him. And the heroine is a feisty character fighting to regain herself, to hold true to her inner core. The psychology behind feeling in control and being in control is a wonderful theme in this book. I liked that both characters were in a position of needing saving, and of providing salvation. I liked that the female was strong, and the male was alpha without casting a shadow over her. I liked that there was a theme running the plot, not the sex: the need to re-invent themselves, not only to the world, but also within their own minds. I liked that the author gave the characters time to grow. While there was an initial attraction, you didn't have them jumping straight into declaring their unending love within the first 24 hours of meeting one another. It felt realistic to see their relationship grow.

I have different criteria for novels and novellas, not expecting as much development from the latter. But this book was very well-rounded in plot and character development. Everything progressed at a natural pace, like in a novel, with no unanswered questions or dropped sub-plots like novellas and shorts can do. I liked both main characters, I felt the constant tension between them. I never saw either as weak.

One of my pet peeves about most erotica is that there is constant repetition. Like the author thought I had forgotten something that had been mentioned 20 pages before. That never happened. So I was able to stay fully engaged with the plot.

I talked earlier about the power theme, and how being in control and giving up control is very well handled by this plot. It is a common theme in most BDSM literature, but you handle it very uniquely. It was a refreshingly new take on a common theme. Gian gives his sub what she needs by letting her top from the bottom. Perception is everything when it comes to control and to power. And by being the Master that he is, he is able to give each of them what they need psychologically. I loved that.

I know that Under by Treaty is next in this series, but I would love to see these characters again. Be sure to let us know if you re-visit them.

[Goge (BARRONS) le Moning Maniac, · Rating 4 out of 5]

3. 4 stars

This was NOT what I was expecting. She attempted Domme-ing (I wanted to see him dom Her too. The ending was unsatisfying.)
I wanted MORE. More could have been had. This was very good though. The heroine was a bit batty. Because someone fucked her up bad and made her twisted and mentally damaged. The hero was a sweetheart. I don't like how all her problems was wiped away with a few comments, a page I think it was. I wanted to see his(Stephen's) suffering first. The image I've been left with is of Dickshit soaking in power and acting smug. I didn't even get to see him die much less tremble from trepidation. That is so not right I'm revolted. He fucked with her, did whatever he wanted to her, damaged her, called her trash, scarred her, made her die inside and weak and helpless, made her batty enough to kidnap someone and make them pay for HIS, the bad guy/fuckprick's, wrongs and I. (or readers) Don't. Get. To. Fucking. See. Him. FALL. Off. His. FUCKING HIGH BITCH PEDESTAL? .... Stars want to die shamefully.

[Yelle Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a woman fight her submissive instinct? That’s what Kayla Stoner’s character Tahima, had to do when she met Dom, Gian Rossini.

They didn’t meet under normal circumstances. Tahima exiled herself in a log cabin in the Blue Mountains, after a disastrous relationship with another Dom broke her self-esteem, while Gian was running from the authorities due to the murder of his father and his ties to the mafia.

On a precarious journey through the mountains, each learned the other’s role as dom and sub. With plenty of action and sex, Kayla takes you on erotic and dangerous journey.

Not for the faint at heart, but definitely for those who love a great story and is curious about the dom/sub culture. This short novella kept me in my seat and drinking plenty of cold glasses of water.

[John Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the author’s short story ‘Horizon’, I was interested to see how Ms Stonor would perform at a novella. I was not disappointed.

Although some readers may be squeamish at a piece whose central theme is the sexual submission of an alpha male, I should like to venture that the central kernel of the story – how a damaged woman turns the tables on a strong man – would survive without the erotic content. The psychological motivations of the novella’s characters are carefully handled to bring credibility to the storyline. Ms Stonor’s writing is tight and polished and authentically ‘American’ (it is set in the USA), despite the author being British.

If you have not previously sampled erotic literature and feel you would like to, ‘Under by Duress’ would be a good place to start.

[evilqueen21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not a fan of novellas (I feel there's not enough time to tell a story w/o rushing) for this being a freebie I randomly came across I was pleasently surprized with how well I liked it. The characters necessary role reversal (Dom/sub switch) and how Tahima handled it (even if a tad bit taser happy ;) cracked me up, and I liked that while their meeting of each other was sudden and crazy that the relationship made sense in what little time that it had especially given that it's only 124 pages long. Although, I didn't care for how the heroine handled a particular bad situation at the end, overall it's a fun little BDSM read. :)

[Wicked Nyx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, normally FemDom is just not my thing, but this book seems to make it work.

Tahima is a submissive who was badly hurt in her last BDSM relationship, and is determined to find her inner Domme to get Gian to the police and also to get a little bit of her own back at the same time. Gian is a Dominant Mafioso with surprising depths who is willing to things to help Tahima even though he knows that she is taking him down the moutain to face the music.

Warning! Use of a stun gun outside of normal purpose, potential M/M non-con, surprisingly hot torture scenes. A great new keeper!

[Lace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the doctor ordered...Rossini and Tahima certainly twist the kink. Loved the deviation from a typical Dom/Sub story. Saucy enough to entertain, light enough to cackle, but intimate enough to make you squeal. Perfect bedtime story!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The role reversal is a nice change and the way Rossini gave Tahima contol over him to fullfill her needs was exactly what she needed to heal.

[Army-mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot too.

[Mii · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read!

[mlady_rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tahima Sheldon & Gian Antonio Rossini.

Dammit. Way too short. I could have at least done with an epilogue.

Tahima was cleaning out her grandfather’s cabin to sell when she witnessed a small plane crash. Without worrying for her own safety, she ran to help any survivors. The lone passenger was a handsome Italian man who looked familiar, but felt even more familiar. He was all Dom and Tahima was just getting over the end of a relationship with an abusive Dom. Leading to a push/pull in Tahima’s sense of self-preservation.

Back at the cabin, Tahima turned on the radio just in time to hear a be-on-the-lookout message about the death of mafia don Carlos Rossini and their lead suspect, his only son (and heir) Gian. Tahima used a stun gun to incapacitate Gian before cuffing him and putting him in leg irons. (Grandpa was a cop.)

Finding the short wave radio damaged, having no cell reception, and a car in need of repairs (not Gian’s doing, existing damage), Tahima determined her best course of action would be to march Gian down the mountain (in shackles) under threat of further electrocutions.

And thus began their harrowing two day journey. The natural submissive prodding the natural Dom. Their roles ever blurring as Tahima in turn cares for, tortures, and comes on to her prisoner.

Includes: bondage, noncon electric play, impact play, consensual sex, attempted m/m rape. (Not to mention a bear and a closeted gay hunter.) A bit of an old fashioned hurt-comfort troupe vibe.

Though the story felt too short, the vibe of the ending: on point.

By the way, the “series” is similar theme only. No related characters.

[Rachel Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I liked reading about the switch between the sub and the Dom, neither of whom was a true switch. They were reacting to their situation, and to each other. By the end of their time together, neither wants to be apart from the other. It was nice.

I found the ending where her ex comes back unnecessary, though. They were getting their happy ever after. He was a not needed distraction.

Smokin' hot sex scenes, by the way. Yummy!

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unusual novel with more than one plot working through our the story. A strong woman up against the mob with very few options without eliminating some of the gunmen. This is an excellent read for the genre.....ER

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a good read. Lots of sexual tension between the two characters. She discovers her dominant side, he must submit to her strong will. I recommend this one.

[Jill Lovelace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this novella. I find the story line and the idea of a BDSM romance between a vulnerable sub taking the son of a dead Mafia leader prisoner to be one of a kind and vastly unique. However, I don't feel as if the author did the idea justice. She lacked necessary detailing in important parts, such as when the plane crashed in front of Tahima. She made it sound like just-one-of-those-average-days-when-planes-crash-right-in-front-of-you. To be honest, it was slightly disappointing.


There were some redeeming qualities throughout the book. For all of the problems with detailing, Ms. Stoner's eloquent writing made it possible for me to enjoy certain aspects of the book. I enjoyed the casual hints and foreshadow mixed into the plot that left me curious as to what's going to happen next.


I did, however, become frustrated with Tahima very often, confused with her actions when she randomly takes out the stun gun intent to torture him but also tells him to come up with a safe word. Like, what the heck? Very contradictory.


All in all I was frustrated with Under by Duress and found it lacking a few key elements, yet it was not the worst story I've read. I did enjoy reading this, even though I had a few complaints.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of 'Under By Duress' from Kayla Stonor, in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just start with a MASSIVE WOW, Kayla starts 'Under by Duress' with a kick! Having read Kayla Stonor's "Qui Treaty Collection" & the other books in her "Surrender Collection" I was pretty excited to read 'Under by Duress' which has absolutely nothing to do with her alien alpha's. 'Under by Duress' is book 1 in Kyla's "Surrender Collection" which can be read as a stand-alone, as none of the books interract in any way. Which is a good thing, because I read this series all over the place. I'm not really sure how Kayla does it... OH.... MY..... GOODNESS....... WOW, what a story this is... it's dark, steamy, suspense filled, EXACTLY what I've come to expect from Kayla. I'm not sure just HOW Kayla comes up with these wickedly delicious storylines, but I FLOVED it!!

Tahima is in hidding after the devastating break up with her ex dom, escaping to a place he wont find her, getting the much quiet & solitude she needs. A hike in the woods & witnessing a plane crash & the survivor walking away from the wreckage changes her days to come dramatically. Upon entering her cottage Tahima has the radio on & learns just who she has allowed into her cottage....

[Michael B · Rating 1 out of 5]

while "under by treaty" by the same author was an enjoyable read, this didnt work for me: mafia boss gets taken hostage by girl who is into SM and makes this alpha male her submissive - oh, and did I say he turns out to be the good guy?

It's a bit strange: I would have accepted the story if it was non consentual, i.e. she makes the bad guy a submissive, and maybe even if he came to like it.

But that she actually fancies a guy who she initially believes might kill her, that she is concerned about his well being, and ultimately falls in love with him, while he loved her all the while and willingly submits...

not sure

it feels a bit like the author did not dare to go into the territory of non consentualy sm...
nothing wrong with that, but than this specific storyline will not work

if it does for you, let me finally say that this book is not badly written (so no intellectual / poetic gem either) and that, for a vacation-read you might actually enjoy it...

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Submissive (Tamika) burned badly from past Dom and decides after break up to go and renovate her diciest grandfathers Lodge. In the process a man (Rossini) wanted for killing his mafia boss father lands at her porch. She recognizes who he is and decides to turn him in by shackling and leading him down the mountain. He produces feelings in her that she so badly wants to reject and in order to do that she become a Domme and controls all decisions, even sexual. When it is time to turn him in she realizes during there time together she has falling in love with him. This is the majority of the story which then jumps ahead to a fast paced contact with Tamika's ex-dom and Rossini finding his way back and claiming what is his. I would have liked the story to focus a little more on the ex and Rossini. In the end it was a cute story.

[Ari Ovalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Facebook group event. A while back, like a long while back. I'm kind of kicking myself in the butt for not having read it sooner. Kayla is one of my favorite female authors!! She showed she can go from Sci-Fi to Contemporary Romance or vice versa, which I'm pretty sure was the latter, I just read her Sci-Fi books first. She did so without a hitch. You go on quite a sexy, adventurous, kinky ride, and you even get it explained. Meaning I got the psychological aspect of it. That's what I look for in books!! Especially dark, twisted stories. Of course, Kayla knows I don't want it dragged out, so it got to the point, our MCs had their struggles, however, they endured and got through together. So in the end, the two main characters left me with a smile on my face and I may or may not have jumped my husband, hehehe. I truly enjoyed this story.

[Morbus Iff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in my "new to erotica/romance" exploration; won as part of an online competition. Not as "good" as Stonor's Locked in Torture, probably due to copious woodsying and a pointless rape and savior-ing at the end. Stonor, an alias, has disappeared from the 'Net and her books are no longer for sale. Curious if this is common amongst homegrown erotica ebooks. Unable to read more of her.

[Jennifer Strand · Rating 1 out of 5]

UGH. BE SURE YOU READ THE AUTHORS NOTE ON THE SUMMARY BEFORE READING THIS BOOK.

I didn't and am regretful.

I am never, ever, ever, ever, ever okay with non-consensual sex in erotica.