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Vala's Story #1
Out of the Night
Restless and world-weary, Mearr isn't about to admit she needs anyone's help, even this gorgeous man who has taken her into his home. Well one of his homes and part of this huge family she's heard about but not met all of. She's young, looks young, and knows it but at least she's legal now so she can pick a new name to go with her new life...
The Queen knows he wants Mearr bad, ever since the first time he saw her in the window of the coffeehouse. He has his plan, but even a Dominant's plans don't always survive the unpredictability of the future. He struggles to figure out this temperamental woman he's brought home, how best to help her. Then he takes her to his mansion...
They wait patiently for The Queen to bring Mearr home. Well to the home they've been redecorating for Him and for the hopes that she'll become part of their family and be trained to please Him. Simon and Tommy have seen her, of course, being The Queen's right and left hands; they say she'll be a perfect addition...
Author's Note: This novel is meant for open-minded adults. Activities described include a wide range of BDSM and sexual activities, some of which are male/male, male/female, consensual slavery, oral/anal/vaginal intercourse, bondage.
The Queen knows he wants Mearr bad, ever since the first time he saw her in the window of the coffeehouse. He has his plan, but even a Dominant's plans don't always survive the unpredictability of the future. He struggles to figure out this temperamental woman he's brought home, how best to help her. Then he takes her to his mansion...
They wait patiently for The Queen to bring Mearr home. Well to the home they've been redecorating for Him and for the hopes that she'll become part of their family and be trained to please Him. Simon and Tommy have seen her, of course, being The Queen's right and left hands; they say she'll be a perfect addition...
Author's Note: This novel is meant for open-minded adults. Activities described include a wide range of BDSM and sexual activities, some of which are male/male, male/female, consensual slavery, oral/anal/vaginal intercourse, bondage.
- GenresErotica
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Joelle Casteel
12 books47 followersI live BDSM, I write BDSM, so announces Joelle Casteel while clinging to the stainless steel, locking collar around her neck. Okay, so not just BDSM, even if that's her main interest. A myriad of descriptive labels to explain his sexual, romantic, and relational ways of being- these and more fit into his writing. Yes, I've used both she and he to describe myself; I'm a non-binary, transmasculine person and only my Master is welcome to call me she. Beyond kink and non-monogamy, words about gender and sexual interest that rest outside the binary of "male/female" are among the things you can expect to read. A rebel with a cause, a distrust of authority outside negotiated BDSM is something you can also expect. While being "other" in many ways himself, he also prizes the inclusion of the "other" in his writing, leaning on the lived experiences of friends and strangers who have experiences not his.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2013
Please Note that this book was obviously not written as anything other than aimed at an adult audience. It holds graphic depictions of sections of the BDSM lifestyle and therefore those who don’t have a full grasp on the complex ties involved in a BDSM relationship may miss out on the finer points that are beautifully illustrated in detail during this book.
The character we are first introduced to is Mearr. With a rough and torrid past we see an abused and lost person searching for their way in life. She is homeless in a sense but she finds a way to live on by cleaning the bathrooms of a café in exchange for a spot to sit and caffeine. She is used and thrown away and almost gives up when we are introduced to the second main character – The Queen. Upon her reach to rock bottom he comes and essentially saves her because he holds an interest in her.
We watch as he takes her in and proceeds to help her to fix herself. He makes sure she eats like she is supposed to, makes her essentially detox under his watch and the help of a doctor, and become the person he first became attracted to. She decides to detach herself from her old life and changes her name to signify that the old life she was living no longer has a hold on her. Mearr has become Vala, and begins to thrive for the first time that we have seen.
After her transformation is complete, she is taken from the Loft they have been staying in and travels with the Queen to the Estate where she begins her new journey.
My personal opinion shall be stated along with an opinion towards the genre and the use of the BDSM lifestyle in this book. The book, which leads me to believe this is simply a beginning to a larger storyline, leaves several relationships that can be grown in later books, a small peek into the physical aspects along with the mental and emotional needs of a relationship of this type, and the natural part of an erotica/romance story.
One of the opening scenes we are given where the Queen and Mearr (as her name is now) first enter the Loft and begin to ready for the evening ahead. The writer delves into the level of care and intimacy that the Queen takes with Mearr while starting to get rid of her old clothes (old life) and helps her to bathe away the dirt and the grime that she is coated in. The level of care that he shows is the same as it would be for any relationship. It shows more than just a physical wanting for her, that he has hope to pursue a further relationship with her by not pushing for answers to the scars that are on her body but rather working on her emotional and mental health as well. He shows this is more than a fling within that scene as well when he calls for the doctor to further discuss any large medical concerns that she may have and takes into consideration her fear for doctors. The level of interest in her is obviously more than just skin deep and he is going to pursue her when she recovers from the place she has allowed herself to be at this point. I loved the detail and the wanting to be more than a physical toy to him, that he cares over her and treats her as something precious shows a side of the BDSM lifestyle that is often glanced over. A true Master/Dom seeks someone of an equal strength to help support them. Most see the BDSM lifestyle and write as a one way view and I appreciate that the time and consideration is put into building this relationship up the way any submissive/slave should want to be seen.
The writers choice to use several points of view is an interesting and daring one. It makes the reader take time to understand the many “voices” being used and to appreciate the buildup. It is also one of the reasons why I believe this is the opening of a storyline, rather than a standalone book. The details that are given during the introductions when Vala is introduced to the Queen’s stable further shows that this is most likely just a jumping point for a series that the writer is planning. It is written more as an introduction to the world the reader will be entering as they progress. The only character we really know much about at this point is Vala but the introductions and level of detail put into the hierarchy show that we should probably be expecting at minimum a sequel.
The punishments and how they are dealt out based on disobedience and breaking of set rules seems accurate and while I can understand some seeing it as harsh, I think it is wonderfully balanced with the care and attention given to the emotional and mental needs of those that serve under the Queen.
Overall I think the book is well thought out as an introduction to a group, a lifestyle, and a series to come. It shows multiple aspects of the lifestyle while also building the story to where it can easily branch off into multiple directions. Showing the beginning of a slaves training is amazing, as it can truly be that intense to build up the person into what they truly desire to be.
The character we are first introduced to is Mearr. With a rough and torrid past we see an abused and lost person searching for their way in life. She is homeless in a sense but she finds a way to live on by cleaning the bathrooms of a café in exchange for a spot to sit and caffeine. She is used and thrown away and almost gives up when we are introduced to the second main character – The Queen. Upon her reach to rock bottom he comes and essentially saves her because he holds an interest in her.
We watch as he takes her in and proceeds to help her to fix herself. He makes sure she eats like she is supposed to, makes her essentially detox under his watch and the help of a doctor, and become the person he first became attracted to. She decides to detach herself from her old life and changes her name to signify that the old life she was living no longer has a hold on her. Mearr has become Vala, and begins to thrive for the first time that we have seen.
After her transformation is complete, she is taken from the Loft they have been staying in and travels with the Queen to the Estate where she begins her new journey.
My personal opinion shall be stated along with an opinion towards the genre and the use of the BDSM lifestyle in this book. The book, which leads me to believe this is simply a beginning to a larger storyline, leaves several relationships that can be grown in later books, a small peek into the physical aspects along with the mental and emotional needs of a relationship of this type, and the natural part of an erotica/romance story.
One of the opening scenes we are given where the Queen and Mearr (as her name is now) first enter the Loft and begin to ready for the evening ahead. The writer delves into the level of care and intimacy that the Queen takes with Mearr while starting to get rid of her old clothes (old life) and helps her to bathe away the dirt and the grime that she is coated in. The level of care that he shows is the same as it would be for any relationship. It shows more than just a physical wanting for her, that he has hope to pursue a further relationship with her by not pushing for answers to the scars that are on her body but rather working on her emotional and mental health as well. He shows this is more than a fling within that scene as well when he calls for the doctor to further discuss any large medical concerns that she may have and takes into consideration her fear for doctors. The level of interest in her is obviously more than just skin deep and he is going to pursue her when she recovers from the place she has allowed herself to be at this point. I loved the detail and the wanting to be more than a physical toy to him, that he cares over her and treats her as something precious shows a side of the BDSM lifestyle that is often glanced over. A true Master/Dom seeks someone of an equal strength to help support them. Most see the BDSM lifestyle and write as a one way view and I appreciate that the time and consideration is put into building this relationship up the way any submissive/slave should want to be seen.
The writers choice to use several points of view is an interesting and daring one. It makes the reader take time to understand the many “voices” being used and to appreciate the buildup. It is also one of the reasons why I believe this is the opening of a storyline, rather than a standalone book. The details that are given during the introductions when Vala is introduced to the Queen’s stable further shows that this is most likely just a jumping point for a series that the writer is planning. It is written more as an introduction to the world the reader will be entering as they progress. The only character we really know much about at this point is Vala but the introductions and level of detail put into the hierarchy show that we should probably be expecting at minimum a sequel.
The punishments and how they are dealt out based on disobedience and breaking of set rules seems accurate and while I can understand some seeing it as harsh, I think it is wonderfully balanced with the care and attention given to the emotional and mental needs of those that serve under the Queen.
Overall I think the book is well thought out as an introduction to a group, a lifestyle, and a series to come. It shows multiple aspects of the lifestyle while also building the story to where it can easily branch off into multiple directions. Showing the beginning of a slaves training is amazing, as it can truly be that intense to build up the person into what they truly desire to be.
January 23, 2015
★★★★★
A Promise Fulfilled
Joelle Casteel warns us straight off that "Out of the Night" describes the full panoply of bondage and BDSM sex including oral, anal and vaginal intercourse between men, mixed couples and consensual slavery. That was enough to attempt me.
We meet Mearr Efa, Celtic for bitter life, a caffeine-addicted, coke-snorting, sullen, sexually alluring girl who likes sex. A lot. She sits in the window at her favorite coffee shop lighting a new fag from the last butt aware in a weird way that something's about to happen. Then it does. She meets the Dom, handsome, hungry, and with all the trappings of wealth a sullen, sex-loving girl could dream of.
Casteel sets up her story with its richly-drawn characters and takes us on a journey of de Sadean debauchery which made me this bitter London night in January personally excited (and sometimes sweaty under the armpits). The BDSM adult literature promised was duly fulfilled, and I fell a little in love with the charismatic Mearr.
"Out of the Night" is Book One in the Vala's Story series. Once read, if you are anything like me, you will click the appropriate button and get your dirty little hands on Book Two – "Gates of the Garden."
A Promise Fulfilled
Joelle Casteel warns us straight off that "Out of the Night" describes the full panoply of bondage and BDSM sex including oral, anal and vaginal intercourse between men, mixed couples and consensual slavery. That was enough to attempt me.
We meet Mearr Efa, Celtic for bitter life, a caffeine-addicted, coke-snorting, sullen, sexually alluring girl who likes sex. A lot. She sits in the window at her favorite coffee shop lighting a new fag from the last butt aware in a weird way that something's about to happen. Then it does. She meets the Dom, handsome, hungry, and with all the trappings of wealth a sullen, sex-loving girl could dream of.
Casteel sets up her story with its richly-drawn characters and takes us on a journey of de Sadean debauchery which made me this bitter London night in January personally excited (and sometimes sweaty under the armpits). The BDSM adult literature promised was duly fulfilled, and I fell a little in love with the charismatic Mearr.
"Out of the Night" is Book One in the Vala's Story series. Once read, if you are anything like me, you will click the appropriate button and get your dirty little hands on Book Two – "Gates of the Garden."
May 11, 2013
Out of the Night starts like a rocket, a slow burn and then blasts off. The action and feel in the first pages is scary and heart pounding. The extreme bad luck of the heroine takes a dramatic turn when she’s rescued from rock bottom existence. Her hero takes her in and helps her to get clean and from there the heart of the story really begins.
The hero is really a BDSM Dom and he takes the heroine to be a slave in his stable. As he introduces each of his slaves and explains how he found them and their place in his stable, you could say the pacing slows. However, each introduction is so interesting that I didn’t care. Character is key and the author has developed a rich group.
The final third of the book gives you a feel for how the stable functions. The author doesn’t shy away from any of the BDSM realities and her characters can be naughty. The punishments may be harsh, but not unrealistic in the BDSM community. The author doesn’t shy away from taking risks either. There is head hopping, but I was never confused as to who’s point of view I was in.
Joelle Casteel is an author to watch.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
The hero is really a BDSM Dom and he takes the heroine to be a slave in his stable. As he introduces each of his slaves and explains how he found them and their place in his stable, you could say the pacing slows. However, each introduction is so interesting that I didn’t care. Character is key and the author has developed a rich group.
The final third of the book gives you a feel for how the stable functions. The author doesn’t shy away from any of the BDSM realities and her characters can be naughty. The punishments may be harsh, but not unrealistic in the BDSM community. The author doesn’t shy away from taking risks either. There is head hopping, but I was never confused as to who’s point of view I was in.
Joelle Casteel is an author to watch.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
March 23, 2013
I am new to the world of BDSM erotica and BDSM literature, though I have always been curious about the BDSM lifestyle. So I read through it with a little bit of trepidation. That trepidation was misplaced.
The characters are engaging. The explanation of the lifestyle is very thorough. Vala learning to accept her new place was well done. I look forward to reading more of Vala's stories.
The characters are engaging. The explanation of the lifestyle is very thorough. Vala learning to accept her new place was well done. I look forward to reading more of Vala's stories.
April 4, 2013
This book started out at a very fast pace, perhaps too fast. I was immediately intrigued by Mearr who sits in the same place drinking some kind of coffee drink in what seems like a coffee bar. Then suddenly she overdoses on drugs and starts having sex with anyone she can get her hands on, all in the space of a few pages. At this point I thought perhaps the book wasn't well written and therefore wasn't going to be interesting. Then suddenly it got very interesting. A bizarre and charismatic man named The Queen came and picked up Mearr in the middle of her self-imposed disaster and carried her off. He proceeded to take care of her, bathe her, pamper her, and threaten to force feed her if she doesn't eat. He takes her to a psychiatrist. He pursues knowledge of her, including her ugly scars from child abuse. He sobers her up and gets her clean. I became highly interested in the story. At this point the pacing was good, and it was certainly a page-turner. I wondered if the story was going to take the direction of what it is like to get a person clean and sober. Good luck with that, I thought, as I read on, expecting to see a detailed account of the frustration and agony you might hear about in an Alanon meeting. Unfortunately all the details of this were skimmed over. We quickly went to the next part of the story, which was also interesting. The Queen had a bunch of slaves. Suddenly I wondered about the spider web/fly trap image of a slutty addict like Mearr getting "sobered up" only to find herself in some kind of medieval prison type atmosphere. Intriguing and disturbing. Well, that is where it went, sort of. Because the turn it took at this point was into the underworld of Sado-Masochism. Interesting to some, disturbing to others. Unfortunately I was one of those others. The sex scenes were way too graphic for me, and way too sinister and ugly. But I was given a free copy of this book to review, and so I trudged on. My assessment at this point was that the writer took too much time on each individual slave in The Queen's "stable" and I just simply lost interest. I think this writer has a tremendous amount of potential, and I think lots of people would enjoy this book if they are interested in bondage, titillation and graphic sex, and enjoy learning about this underground lifestyle. The story was told at times too fast, at times too slow, taking way too much time and detail for what seemed to be rather unrelated side roads to the main story, which should have been something to do with Mearr and The Queen's relationship. I know that this was the main theme, and that the sequel will explore this in more detail. I just think it could have and should have been told with better pacing.
April 29, 2013
This is my first BDSM novel and I’ll admit I went into it with some trepidation, but I am no prude and the author is very forward with the introduction of the book stating that it is very graphic with the acts of BDSM.
I was intrigued at the beginning of the novel with the character of Mear and the café Night which seems to be a heartbreak home for the lost and the lonely of society. If I wasn’t aware from the beginning that this was a story that would unfold into the world of BDSM I would have been disappointed that we weren’t allowed to explore what exactly had brought these people to this point in their lives.
Mear is however rescued, just in the nick of time from this terrible place that seems to be last stop for many people, and is taken home by the Queen, an enigmatic man with money and a soft spot for the lost and broken. He helps Mear clean up and get sober and transform into Vala, who falls in love with The Queen and is curious about his status as the Dom of a stable of Slaves who love him and work to make him proud of them.
Then we are introduced to the stable and the graphic BDSM sex we are warned about, and yes it is graphic and I’ll admit that there were a few parts that did make me wince slightly. However it is not violent or degrading, it is an activity and a lifestyle the participants have willingly chosen to be a part of and are happy with.
If I had any criticisms, the main one would the introduction to the slaves did seem to take an incredibly lone time, however I am also aware that for a person to choose this life style trust is the most important thing, and to have trust in those who you partake in such activities with, you must first know them. So I do understand the importance of the introductions, it just seemed a bit too long.
The reason for 4 stars and not 5 is there were a few typo’s and spelling mistakes, but I think this writer has great potential, and is obviously very knowledgeable about what she is writing about.
I found this an interesting and enjoyable read, and can to a certain extent understand the erotic nature of this lifestyle and why people find this literature fascinating and stimulating.
Although I personally would not wish to take part in this lifestyle, I certainly appreciate why people find the literature and fantasy exciting and enjoyable.
For someone looking for a good BDSM novel, I would suggest and recommend this book.
I was intrigued at the beginning of the novel with the character of Mear and the café Night which seems to be a heartbreak home for the lost and the lonely of society. If I wasn’t aware from the beginning that this was a story that would unfold into the world of BDSM I would have been disappointed that we weren’t allowed to explore what exactly had brought these people to this point in their lives.
Mear is however rescued, just in the nick of time from this terrible place that seems to be last stop for many people, and is taken home by the Queen, an enigmatic man with money and a soft spot for the lost and broken. He helps Mear clean up and get sober and transform into Vala, who falls in love with The Queen and is curious about his status as the Dom of a stable of Slaves who love him and work to make him proud of them.
Then we are introduced to the stable and the graphic BDSM sex we are warned about, and yes it is graphic and I’ll admit that there were a few parts that did make me wince slightly. However it is not violent or degrading, it is an activity and a lifestyle the participants have willingly chosen to be a part of and are happy with.
If I had any criticisms, the main one would the introduction to the slaves did seem to take an incredibly lone time, however I am also aware that for a person to choose this life style trust is the most important thing, and to have trust in those who you partake in such activities with, you must first know them. So I do understand the importance of the introductions, it just seemed a bit too long.
The reason for 4 stars and not 5 is there were a few typo’s and spelling mistakes, but I think this writer has great potential, and is obviously very knowledgeable about what she is writing about.
I found this an interesting and enjoyable read, and can to a certain extent understand the erotic nature of this lifestyle and why people find this literature fascinating and stimulating.
Although I personally would not wish to take part in this lifestyle, I certainly appreciate why people find the literature and fantasy exciting and enjoyable.
For someone looking for a good BDSM novel, I would suggest and recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews