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Collared #3
Temporary Mark
Book three in the Collared Series.
Can a temporary collar ever lead to a permanent relationship? Mark and Mr. Nolan are about to find out.
Mr. Nolan’s last relationship lasted for over two decades. But, since suddenly finding himself single, two years ago, he has struggled to find a submissive who can fill the void in his life. Maybe a temporary arrangement is exactly what he needs to ease him back into the lifestyle he loves so much.
Mark’s never experienced life under the protection of a good dom. He’s merely had a series of abusive partners. He’s used to being treated as a temporary feature in a man’s life, then thrown away when they tire of him.
When mutual friends push them together, the last thing Mr. Nolan, or Mark, expects is to end up hoping a temporary collar will become permanent.
Can a temporary collar ever lead to a permanent relationship? Mark and Mr. Nolan are about to find out.
Mr. Nolan’s last relationship lasted for over two decades. But, since suddenly finding himself single, two years ago, he has struggled to find a submissive who can fill the void in his life. Maybe a temporary arrangement is exactly what he needs to ease him back into the lifestyle he loves so much.
Mark’s never experienced life under the protection of a good dom. He’s merely had a series of abusive partners. He’s used to being treated as a temporary feature in a man’s life, then thrown away when they tire of him.
When mutual friends push them together, the last thing Mr. Nolan, or Mark, expects is to end up hoping a temporary collar will become permanent.
103 pages, ebook
First published March 25, 2013
5 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Kim Dare
160 books1,519 followersKim is a thirty-three year old bisexual submissive from Wales (UK). First published in 2008, she has since released almost 100 BDSM erotic romance titles ranging from short stories to full length novels. Having worked with a host of fantastic e-publishers, she has just moved into self publishing.
While she has occasionally ventured towards other pairings, Kim's first love is still, and probably always will be, Male/Male stories. But, no matter what the pairing, from paranormal to contemporary, and from the sweet to the intense, everything she writes will always feature three things - Kink, Love and a Happy Ending.
While she has occasionally ventured towards other pairings, Kim's first love is still, and probably always will be, Male/Male stories. But, no matter what the pairing, from paranormal to contemporary, and from the sweet to the intense, everything she writes will always feature three things - Kink, Love and a Happy Ending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 14, 2014
My first thought about this book is, 'that bondage scene was cool.' I know. I can see you're shocked face from here.
Kim Dare does hurt/comfort so well and Temporary Mark is just further evidence of that. Here we have a damaged sub, Mark, who has been through a string of fuckwit doms the latest of which uncollared him at the club leaving him with no where to go. His friends, Denton and Jerry, take him to their friend Mr. Nolan primarily for him to have a roof over his head, but I suspect, there was a bit of matchmaking going on as well.
Mr. Nolan has been alone since the death of his sub of 20+ yrs a little over 2 yrs ago. Mr. Nolan provides structure and shows Mark that being able to "take a beating" isn't the sole meaning of D/s relationships.
Mark is confused by Mr. Nolan's lack of guidance and finds himself struggling to anticipate his needs. I liked the whole thing but Mark's fussing in the kitchen and worrying over how to please Mr. Nolan were my favorite parts. I had the biggest grin and actually 'awwwwwwed' out loud over the wallet thing.
Seriously though, that bondage scene…
*growls*
Recommended for those who enjoy age gap or hurt/comfort in their sugarkink.
Kim Dare does hurt/comfort so well and Temporary Mark is just further evidence of that. Here we have a damaged sub, Mark, who has been through a string of fuckwit doms the latest of which uncollared him at the club leaving him with no where to go. His friends, Denton and Jerry, take him to their friend Mr. Nolan primarily for him to have a roof over his head, but I suspect, there was a bit of matchmaking going on as well.
Mr. Nolan has been alone since the death of his sub of 20+ yrs a little over 2 yrs ago. Mr. Nolan provides structure and shows Mark that being able to "take a beating" isn't the sole meaning of D/s relationships.
"Owning a man, if it's for an hour or a lifetime, means taking ownership of everything he does, whether it's taking twenty lashes, or polishing the furniture. Everything."
Mark is confused by Mr. Nolan's lack of guidance and finds himself struggling to anticipate his needs. I liked the whole thing but Mark's fussing in the kitchen and worrying over how to please Mr. Nolan were my favorite parts. I had the biggest grin and actually 'awwwwwwed' out loud over the wallet thing.
Seriously though, that bondage scene…
*growls*
Recommended for those who enjoy age gap or hurt/comfort in their sugarkink.
December 31, 2013
Sweet and heartfelt. I'm a sucker for stories of odd lots finding a pairing. Add in a sub-theme of people figuring out the nuances of what they want instead of what they think they want--Sold.
So easy to get confused in life, and boy is Mark one confused guy. Desperately flailing around in hopes of finding what he needs and attracted to all the wrong things. Luckily, there are people looking out for him and when his need is great they step in.
Edward, frozen in time is marking time. Going through the motions after a huge loss, he's surprised by a request--one he can't refuse. He gets a lot more than he bargained for.
Trademark Dare loving and dedicated D/s; this is a sweet read even with the trauma Mark suffers.
So easy to get confused in life, and boy is Mark one confused guy. Desperately flailing around in hopes of finding what he needs and attracted to all the wrong things. Luckily, there are people looking out for him and when his need is great they step in.
Edward, frozen in time is marking time. Going through the motions after a huge loss, he's surprised by a request--one he can't refuse. He gets a lot more than he bargained for.
Trademark Dare loving and dedicated D/s; this is a sweet read even with the trauma Mark suffers.
March 30, 2013
This was an enjoyable read. Both, Mark and Edward were starving for love and affection and searching for Mr Right. It was as if they only waited for each other. Finally together they are such a perfect match. :)
May 1, 2018
Wonderful hurt/comfort/healing. Fantastic bondage edging scene.
March 1, 2016
There are few things I imagine to be worse than a "temporary" relationship when the only thing you want is a permanent situation. This is true for vanilla affairs just as much as for the kinky, D/s type. And when the man wanting permanent safety, like Mark in this story, has self-esteem issues and a ton of bad experiences with irresponsible so-called Doms, it makes everything even more difficult.
Mark doesn’t think he can trust himself. Since his choice in men thus far has been abysmal, and he's gone from bad to worse to totally abusive, I can certainly see why he is hesitant to try again. It's pretty horrible to see him expect nothing but disappointment from the moment his friends drop him off with Mr. Nolan. When he is given a temporary collar, meant to reassure him, it almost makes things worse because the one thing he wants, and needs, is something permanent. He needs someone to accept him for more than a few hours or days. Mark slowly comes out of his shell, but each step costs him. It was fascinating to see how he began to understand that what he wanted from a D/s relationship wasn't at all what he'd gone out to find so far.
Mr. Nolan is great. A wonderful Dom, who is definitely interested in controlling certain aspects of Mark's life, is nevertheless determine to only take over where mark wants him to. One of the ways of doing this is giving Mark a temporary collar, expecting this to be seen as a sign of respect, giving Mark the opportunity to think through the situation before jumping. Mr. Nolan's way of showing dominance takes a while to register on Mark's radar, but his patience and understanding of what Mark goes through seem limitless. And as their relationship progresses, Mr. Nolan realizes a few things about himself and his past sub as well.
If you like reading about two men who each have to learn new things, ones that they are ideally suited to teach each other, if you enjoy watching love blossom and grow, and if you're looking for a read that is hot and passionate as well as gentle and tender, you will probably like this book. I think it's a great addition to the 'Collared' series.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Mark doesn’t think he can trust himself. Since his choice in men thus far has been abysmal, and he's gone from bad to worse to totally abusive, I can certainly see why he is hesitant to try again. It's pretty horrible to see him expect nothing but disappointment from the moment his friends drop him off with Mr. Nolan. When he is given a temporary collar, meant to reassure him, it almost makes things worse because the one thing he wants, and needs, is something permanent. He needs someone to accept him for more than a few hours or days. Mark slowly comes out of his shell, but each step costs him. It was fascinating to see how he began to understand that what he wanted from a D/s relationship wasn't at all what he'd gone out to find so far.
Mr. Nolan is great. A wonderful Dom, who is definitely interested in controlling certain aspects of Mark's life, is nevertheless determine to only take over where mark wants him to. One of the ways of doing this is giving Mark a temporary collar, expecting this to be seen as a sign of respect, giving Mark the opportunity to think through the situation before jumping. Mr. Nolan's way of showing dominance takes a while to register on Mark's radar, but his patience and understanding of what Mark goes through seem limitless. And as their relationship progresses, Mr. Nolan realizes a few things about himself and his past sub as well.
If you like reading about two men who each have to learn new things, ones that they are ideally suited to teach each other, if you enjoy watching love blossom and grow, and if you're looking for a read that is hot and passionate as well as gentle and tender, you will probably like this book. I think it's a great addition to the 'Collared' series.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 30, 2013
As per new FTC rules, I now have to disclose the entire reason I’m reviewing this book. Short answer, I love Kim Dare books. I bought it with my own money and yes, I do follow her on twitter although I never actually talk to her so I assume we can safely call it stalking from afar. She has participated in events before but has never solicited a review from our site, though I’d bite her hand off if she did.
In this one, the lovely Mr Nolan is still grieving the loss of his long term submissive and his friends are starting to get worried he’s going to grow old alone. Tired of setting him up with cloned replicas of his ex, only to have them shot down in flames, they bring him a “project” in the form of Mark, a truly damaged submissive who picks the worst Dom’s. His confidence in himself and other relationships is at an all time low and he needs a Dom to help him gain back some sort of self-respect. Although Nolan doesn’t really want to be set up, he cannot allow the sub to continue being in so much pain. He allows him into his home, into his play collar and he starts to build him up. I loved Nolan. With a passion. I often love Ms Dare’s books because of her ability to write Dom’s that are both aloof and sensitive, and Nolan is amazing. He never pushes Mark further than he is ready but he keeps him moving forward nicely.
Mark is damaged beyond belief. His taste in men runs to Dom’s that are abusers and users and every single one has created their own hole in his self-worth. One of the reason’s I love Nolan so much is that you can see Mark’s self worth growing throughout the tale. I loved the fact he wasn’t willing to dismiss his submissive side just because others had taken advantage of it. I loved the fact he embraced the chance to be Nolan’s submissive and didn’t close himself off. Basically, I admired his resilience. Oh, and the BDSM isn’t as full on as in some of her other books so this is good for newbie’s to the genre too J
Overall, this is a fantastic short read from an author that I love. You don’t need to read any other in the series, you can just enjoy this for what it is which is a lovely gruff Dom finding that, just because you have loved and lost, doesn’t mean that you can’t love again.
In this one, the lovely Mr Nolan is still grieving the loss of his long term submissive and his friends are starting to get worried he’s going to grow old alone. Tired of setting him up with cloned replicas of his ex, only to have them shot down in flames, they bring him a “project” in the form of Mark, a truly damaged submissive who picks the worst Dom’s. His confidence in himself and other relationships is at an all time low and he needs a Dom to help him gain back some sort of self-respect. Although Nolan doesn’t really want to be set up, he cannot allow the sub to continue being in so much pain. He allows him into his home, into his play collar and he starts to build him up. I loved Nolan. With a passion. I often love Ms Dare’s books because of her ability to write Dom’s that are both aloof and sensitive, and Nolan is amazing. He never pushes Mark further than he is ready but he keeps him moving forward nicely.
Mark is damaged beyond belief. His taste in men runs to Dom’s that are abusers and users and every single one has created their own hole in his self-worth. One of the reason’s I love Nolan so much is that you can see Mark’s self worth growing throughout the tale. I loved the fact he wasn’t willing to dismiss his submissive side just because others had taken advantage of it. I loved the fact he embraced the chance to be Nolan’s submissive and didn’t close himself off. Basically, I admired his resilience. Oh, and the BDSM isn’t as full on as in some of her other books so this is good for newbie’s to the genre too J
Overall, this is a fantastic short read from an author that I love. You don’t need to read any other in the series, you can just enjoy this for what it is which is a lovely gruff Dom finding that, just because you have loved and lost, doesn’t mean that you can’t love again.
May 11, 2013
I can never go wrong with a Kim Dare book. She's just one of those authors whose writing voice / style / subject matter always works for me. This one had a favorite element of mine - an injured sub and a Dom willing to heal him. As always, extremely hot scenes that showed the developing relationship. Highly recommend!
July 9, 2013
This is a 3.5 star for me.
A damaged submissive taken in by a reluctant Dom is a surprisingly uplifting theme.
In TEMPORARY MARK, Mark picks one bad Dom after another. He comes across as an abused puppy who flinches at any sudden movements. This causes the reader to want to protect and reassure Mark. When he's kicked out by his latest wanna-be Dom, his friends intervene and foster him upon Edward Nolan. Edward is a Dom without a sub and not looking to replace his last one.
This story is a sweet one involving two men who need healing. Both of them are missing something that only the other can provide. Ms. Dare does a great job of showing how easy it is to misinterpret another one's intention. She then expands on how a good Dom will require open and honest communication. Neither Dom nor sub is supposed to be a mind reader. It's nice to see a Dom and sub not knowing exactly how to behave. This is a good example of a new relationship starting, for even those who have been in the lifestyle for a while. The way both of them have to adjust to each other and even when a scene is ruined, they are able to discuss and overcome their differences.
This is a romantic story with a white knight saving the damsel in distress. Ms. Dare delivers a tight story with loveable characters. This story is recommended for kinky m/m readers who enjoy a slightly battered white knight to the rescue theme.
A damaged submissive taken in by a reluctant Dom is a surprisingly uplifting theme.
In TEMPORARY MARK, Mark picks one bad Dom after another. He comes across as an abused puppy who flinches at any sudden movements. This causes the reader to want to protect and reassure Mark. When he's kicked out by his latest wanna-be Dom, his friends intervene and foster him upon Edward Nolan. Edward is a Dom without a sub and not looking to replace his last one.
This story is a sweet one involving two men who need healing. Both of them are missing something that only the other can provide. Ms. Dare does a great job of showing how easy it is to misinterpret another one's intention. She then expands on how a good Dom will require open and honest communication. Neither Dom nor sub is supposed to be a mind reader. It's nice to see a Dom and sub not knowing exactly how to behave. This is a good example of a new relationship starting, for even those who have been in the lifestyle for a while. The way both of them have to adjust to each other and even when a scene is ruined, they are able to discuss and overcome their differences.
This is a romantic story with a white knight saving the damsel in distress. Ms. Dare delivers a tight story with loveable characters. This story is recommended for kinky m/m readers who enjoy a slightly battered white knight to the rescue theme.
December 23, 2022
Second read of this and i love Edward and Mark.....But they should have spoken to each other....I felt so sorry for all the thoughts Mark had in his head about how he thought a submissive should be and trying to compete with Edwards husband....I'm glad it finished how it did...and Edward was the first to say those all important words x
April 24, 2013
Lovely story
I was charmed by Mark's willingness to fulfill all his dom's needs, even with all his insecurities and traumas.
Edward(Mr. Nolan) have all that I like to read in a Dom - He demands submission, but never humiliating of hurting his sub.
I was charmed by Mark's willingness to fulfill all his dom's needs, even with all his insecurities and traumas.
Edward(Mr. Nolan) have all that I like to read in a Dom - He demands submission, but never humiliating of hurting his sub.
March 26, 2013
A new favorite. There were a couple POV shifts that threw me at first, and one scene where I think something got left out in the editing, but other than that, a great read.
March 28, 2013
Very enjoyable read. I just wanted to hug Mark throughout the whole book! I think Mr. Nolan was perfect for him.
May 2, 2013
4.25 Stars. http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/05/review...
When Edward Nolan lost his submissive and partner of 20 years in an accident two years ago, he wasn’t sure he’d ever make a connection with another submissive again. And it wasn’t for lack of trying. His friends had introduced him to many men over the months, but he just couldn’t help but compare them to his dead lover, Frank. When much younger Mark, the complete opposite of Frank, is dropped on Edward’s doorstep by his well-meaning friends, Edward is forced to take him in temporarily, since he was abruptly and publicly dumped by his Dom and has nowhere else to go.
Perhaps Edward got more than he bargained for. From the outside, Mark seems like the perfect submissive. But not only does Edward know that he’s been unable to keep a dominant for more than a short period of time, he comes to find out that Mark’s been severely damaged, both physically and psychologically by the sadistic monsters that Mark is drawn to. Edward finds his role of providing temporary housing to be suddenly expanded. He feels the need to help this man get healthy. To teach him what a true Dom looks like. And, along the way, he might find the submissive he’s been reluctant to accept back into his life.
Dear, sweet Mark. I loved him. He was such a perfect, timid submissive who had been led astray by what he thought he wanted and the type of partner he thought he needed. Those increasingly cruel men took advantage of his naivete and showed him that control meant pain and cruelty. He needed Edward Nolan, and it made me so happy that he found a Dom worthy of his determined servitude and love. To someone who doesn’t understand the BDSM lifestyle, it may just look like Mark had no sense of self, but I think the complete opposite was true. Being a submissive was so much an innate part of him, Mark was utterly lost without the ability to express that part of himself. Edward made him the best possible person he could be, and it was nice to see Mark find such happiness and peace in his submission.
I was drawn in by Dare’s choice of setting for this story. The entire book takes place over the span of just a few days. It is set entirely within the home of Edward Nolan. There are some short appearances by a few other characters, but for the most part, it’s just these two men inside the house, working through the first few crucial days between essential strangers. I found this to be incredibly intimate and quite powerful for the purpose of the story.
When Mark arrives and is dropped off at Edward’s door, they know nothing about each other. There is no connection at all between the two people, but instantly Mark moves into his role as a submissive. He’s lost without it. For me, it showed that, for those truly involved in the lifestyle, this isn’t a game. It’s just a state of being. So while the feelings between the two become powerful after such a short amount of time, it felt believable. Dare creates this closed off environment that is charged with possibility and potential. It felt intense. It was the perfect backdrop for the changes that were to occur within each of the characters and for the potent feelings that rise throughout the process.
On the flip side, it was hard for me to fall completely in love with this book because it really was just a small glimpse into the life of these two characters. I was emotionally attached to them, became interested in the way that their Dom/sub dynamic worked, and then the story ended. There wasn’t enough time for the characters or the storyline to develop. I wanted more.
This is about a 24/7 Dom/sub relationship with heavy BDSM elements. It never felt harsh to me because I felt there were true feelings of respect and love to balance out the harshness of the lifestyle. But be warned that the power exchange between these two characters is front and center here. There’s still a lot of emotion and quite a bit of true awww-worthy moments, but it’s not your standard love story.
This is the third book in the Collared series by Kim Dare, though I didn’t read the first two and felt it was definitely successful as a standalone novel. I liked it enough that I’ll look for the other books in this series and read those that are published in the future. Dare’s writing drew me in and her characters kept me there. I was happy to spend a few hours with Mark and Edward.
When Edward Nolan lost his submissive and partner of 20 years in an accident two years ago, he wasn’t sure he’d ever make a connection with another submissive again. And it wasn’t for lack of trying. His friends had introduced him to many men over the months, but he just couldn’t help but compare them to his dead lover, Frank. When much younger Mark, the complete opposite of Frank, is dropped on Edward’s doorstep by his well-meaning friends, Edward is forced to take him in temporarily, since he was abruptly and publicly dumped by his Dom and has nowhere else to go.
Perhaps Edward got more than he bargained for. From the outside, Mark seems like the perfect submissive. But not only does Edward know that he’s been unable to keep a dominant for more than a short period of time, he comes to find out that Mark’s been severely damaged, both physically and psychologically by the sadistic monsters that Mark is drawn to. Edward finds his role of providing temporary housing to be suddenly expanded. He feels the need to help this man get healthy. To teach him what a true Dom looks like. And, along the way, he might find the submissive he’s been reluctant to accept back into his life.
Dear, sweet Mark. I loved him. He was such a perfect, timid submissive who had been led astray by what he thought he wanted and the type of partner he thought he needed. Those increasingly cruel men took advantage of his naivete and showed him that control meant pain and cruelty. He needed Edward Nolan, and it made me so happy that he found a Dom worthy of his determined servitude and love. To someone who doesn’t understand the BDSM lifestyle, it may just look like Mark had no sense of self, but I think the complete opposite was true. Being a submissive was so much an innate part of him, Mark was utterly lost without the ability to express that part of himself. Edward made him the best possible person he could be, and it was nice to see Mark find such happiness and peace in his submission.
I was drawn in by Dare’s choice of setting for this story. The entire book takes place over the span of just a few days. It is set entirely within the home of Edward Nolan. There are some short appearances by a few other characters, but for the most part, it’s just these two men inside the house, working through the first few crucial days between essential strangers. I found this to be incredibly intimate and quite powerful for the purpose of the story.
When Mark arrives and is dropped off at Edward’s door, they know nothing about each other. There is no connection at all between the two people, but instantly Mark moves into his role as a submissive. He’s lost without it. For me, it showed that, for those truly involved in the lifestyle, this isn’t a game. It’s just a state of being. So while the feelings between the two become powerful after such a short amount of time, it felt believable. Dare creates this closed off environment that is charged with possibility and potential. It felt intense. It was the perfect backdrop for the changes that were to occur within each of the characters and for the potent feelings that rise throughout the process.
On the flip side, it was hard for me to fall completely in love with this book because it really was just a small glimpse into the life of these two characters. I was emotionally attached to them, became interested in the way that their Dom/sub dynamic worked, and then the story ended. There wasn’t enough time for the characters or the storyline to develop. I wanted more.
This is about a 24/7 Dom/sub relationship with heavy BDSM elements. It never felt harsh to me because I felt there were true feelings of respect and love to balance out the harshness of the lifestyle. But be warned that the power exchange between these two characters is front and center here. There’s still a lot of emotion and quite a bit of true awww-worthy moments, but it’s not your standard love story.
This is the third book in the Collared series by Kim Dare, though I didn’t read the first two and felt it was definitely successful as a standalone novel. I liked it enough that I’ll look for the other books in this series and read those that are published in the future. Dare’s writing drew me in and her characters kept me there. I was happy to spend a few hours with Mark and Edward.
August 3, 2013
Mark Howell has convinced himself he is a throwaway--someone to be used and then tossed aside, unimportant, incompetent, never enough. Wait---wait---before you say oh boo hoo hoo, go cry me a river, stop, think. How many teens, how many people have you met that feel similarly? How many times have you heard a friend, a sibling, a child remark that they are just not worth anyone's effort. I've heart--often. But himself normally its a passing thing, a momentary funk. Not for Mark Howell. He uses it as a mantra to convince himself that all the beatings and harsh treatment he has received from one Dom after another is justified--he deserves their contempt. He is nothing.
So his friends find him a Dom who is in need of a boy...someone not to replace a lost lover and sub of 20 years but a fresh start, a new love, a reason to continue on. Edward Nolan, you see, is actually cut from the same piece of cloth as Mark--both need a reason to not give up. They find that reason, in each other.
Yes...it is like many others from Kim Dare this little novel, Temporary Mark. And, if you love her, you will eat it up like the best candy in the world, and sigh just a bit when it is ended--until the next fix, the next little goodie she send your way. You have to know what you are getting into being a fan of Kim Dare. There is always an HEA, and there is alway a fast fall in love, keep you forever, wear my color and let me control your orgasm kind of feel to her novels. Consequently, they are not for everyone these little morsels. Some would call them trite, formulaic, not really BDSM, kind of vanilla overall. Those critics, I'm sure would have grounds for saying all those things. And I? I, unashamedly, love them.
I love them because they find that little nugget inside all of us. That little moment when we felt that kind of self-doubt, when we didn't look or feel our best, when we lost someone we loved or we had a relationship go sour. She finds those heartbeats inside us and builds a sweet story around them and then presents it to us and invites us to read...to step into a world where that little heartbeat becomes something better for just a while.
Are they without fault? Heavens no! Temporary Mark was unbelievable in the way that Edward, a widower of two years, a deeply reserved man, suddenly finds himself in love with Mark--a virtual stranger, all in the span of four or five days time. So, of course, there are problems here and there, but who can read about how Mark is so tortured and finds himself, for the first time, safe in the arms of a man who wants to love him, cherish him, care for him and not find themselves saying, "yes, that tis how love should work, exactly like that".
Call me a romantic--perhaps even a bit sappy, I plead guilty as charged. The reality is that Kim Dare has a style that works and she writes a good story--safe and easy perhaps, but nonetheless, good. Her characters are thoughtful and kind, her bad guys despicable and her endings, always happy.
So his friends find him a Dom who is in need of a boy...someone not to replace a lost lover and sub of 20 years but a fresh start, a new love, a reason to continue on. Edward Nolan, you see, is actually cut from the same piece of cloth as Mark--both need a reason to not give up. They find that reason, in each other.
Yes...it is like many others from Kim Dare this little novel, Temporary Mark. And, if you love her, you will eat it up like the best candy in the world, and sigh just a bit when it is ended--until the next fix, the next little goodie she send your way. You have to know what you are getting into being a fan of Kim Dare. There is always an HEA, and there is alway a fast fall in love, keep you forever, wear my color and let me control your orgasm kind of feel to her novels. Consequently, they are not for everyone these little morsels. Some would call them trite, formulaic, not really BDSM, kind of vanilla overall. Those critics, I'm sure would have grounds for saying all those things. And I? I, unashamedly, love them.
I love them because they find that little nugget inside all of us. That little moment when we felt that kind of self-doubt, when we didn't look or feel our best, when we lost someone we loved or we had a relationship go sour. She finds those heartbeats inside us and builds a sweet story around them and then presents it to us and invites us to read...to step into a world where that little heartbeat becomes something better for just a while.
Are they without fault? Heavens no! Temporary Mark was unbelievable in the way that Edward, a widower of two years, a deeply reserved man, suddenly finds himself in love with Mark--a virtual stranger, all in the span of four or five days time. So, of course, there are problems here and there, but who can read about how Mark is so tortured and finds himself, for the first time, safe in the arms of a man who wants to love him, cherish him, care for him and not find themselves saying, "yes, that tis how love should work, exactly like that".
Call me a romantic--perhaps even a bit sappy, I plead guilty as charged. The reality is that Kim Dare has a style that works and she writes a good story--safe and easy perhaps, but nonetheless, good. Her characters are thoughtful and kind, her bad guys despicable and her endings, always happy.
March 27, 2013
Aw, jeez. It’s silly how happy this author makes me. All the emotional pulls are there, all the caring I could wish for. Even the subject of , something that always makes me worry about comparisons, worked out beautifully without diminishing the first man. Oh and there’s always those sparks of pure funny, too, to liven up the occasional angst. Case in point:
With that, let’s get to the problems.
I noticed a bit of a name swap issue. Jerry when it should be Frank, Edward when it should be Mark. Mind you, those are all quite average names, so perhaps that’s how it happened. Sadly such things make for breaks in the reading.
Same with the abrupt viewpoint switches. Maybe it was just a matter of my reader’s formatting, but I’d have appreciated at least an empty space or some kind of mark for each shift in viewpoint. They’re clean enough otherwise and that would have helped a lot.
A tiny voice of reality.
All of these are small things and they did not diminish my enjoyment; they simply took me out of the story for a moment. I still enjoyed the hell out of this sweet story. And I completely love the title; it gave me chills and prompted me to pick up this particular book at this particular time. <3
"‘No, sir,’ Mark ventured.
Mr Nolan didn’t spontaneously combust at hearing a submissive say the ‘n’ word to him. (…)"
With that, let’s get to the problems.
I noticed a bit of a name swap issue. Jerry when it should be Frank, Edward when it should be Mark. Mind you, those are all quite average names, so perhaps that’s how it happened. Sadly such things make for breaks in the reading.
Same with the abrupt viewpoint switches. Maybe it was just a matter of my reader’s formatting, but I’d have appreciated at least an empty space or some kind of mark for each shift in viewpoint. They’re clean enough otherwise and that would have helped a lot.
A tiny voice of reality.
All of these are small things and they did not diminish my enjoyment; they simply took me out of the story for a moment. I still enjoyed the hell out of this sweet story. And I completely love the title; it gave me chills and prompted me to pick up this particular book at this particular time. <3
April 9, 2013
3.5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
I’ve been a fan of Ms. Dare since I started reading her books and although I didn’t always go head over heels with all her works I have to say I did liked this one quite a bit. In book three of the Collared series we meet Mr. Nolan and Mark. Each of these characters is interesting in its own way.
Mr. Nolan is a long times Dom who had lost his submissive of twenty plus years for nearly two years now. In all this time his friends have been introducing him with many subs in an attempt to fill the void his Frank left, without results. Mark on the other hand is a natural sub who’s had one bad relationship after another with several sadistic and abusive men. His idea of self-worth is utterly disordered and in short terms he’s completely screwed inside out. Damaged is perhaps an understatement.
The pair meets when friends they have in common introduce them and ask Mr. Nolan to take Mark in under his care temporarily. It’s all that’s needed for Mark to try to be worthy of a Dom such as Mr. Nolan and the sexual part, while not exactly what Mark expected was definitely what he always dreamed, even if it means that he has to fight a ghost in order to keep it.
I liked this story very much. If it wasn’t for the fact that almost all Ms. Dare’s characters have this common fault of not hearing what’s being said instead making their own conclusions in their head, I would have enjoyed it even more. I suppose the for years abused brain of Mark couldn’t easily accept that a Dom could be kind to him or even considerate, but still it was irritating when he heard one thing and understood another.
Nevertheless this was quite a sweet story as well. This author has a unique ability into making even the shortest of stories and ideas no matter the genre turn into romance. For me that is exactly what this work is about, a romance born out of need and circumstances and perfect timing for both characters. Yet again my dislike for the quickly dropped “I love you” line tampered my enthusiasm, but hey, I’m too cynical to trust that feeling in the spawn of a week.
Bottom end I loved the story and totally recommend it for fans of the genre.
Thommie.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
I’ve been a fan of Ms. Dare since I started reading her books and although I didn’t always go head over heels with all her works I have to say I did liked this one quite a bit. In book three of the Collared series we meet Mr. Nolan and Mark. Each of these characters is interesting in its own way.
Mr. Nolan is a long times Dom who had lost his submissive of twenty plus years for nearly two years now. In all this time his friends have been introducing him with many subs in an attempt to fill the void his Frank left, without results. Mark on the other hand is a natural sub who’s had one bad relationship after another with several sadistic and abusive men. His idea of self-worth is utterly disordered and in short terms he’s completely screwed inside out. Damaged is perhaps an understatement.
The pair meets when friends they have in common introduce them and ask Mr. Nolan to take Mark in under his care temporarily. It’s all that’s needed for Mark to try to be worthy of a Dom such as Mr. Nolan and the sexual part, while not exactly what Mark expected was definitely what he always dreamed, even if it means that he has to fight a ghost in order to keep it.
I liked this story very much. If it wasn’t for the fact that almost all Ms. Dare’s characters have this common fault of not hearing what’s being said instead making their own conclusions in their head, I would have enjoyed it even more. I suppose the for years abused brain of Mark couldn’t easily accept that a Dom could be kind to him or even considerate, but still it was irritating when he heard one thing and understood another.
Nevertheless this was quite a sweet story as well. This author has a unique ability into making even the shortest of stories and ideas no matter the genre turn into romance. For me that is exactly what this work is about, a romance born out of need and circumstances and perfect timing for both characters. Yet again my dislike for the quickly dropped “I love you” line tampered my enthusiasm, but hey, I’m too cynical to trust that feeling in the spawn of a week.
Bottom end I loved the story and totally recommend it for fans of the genre.
Thommie.
April 10, 2014
What always draws me into stories is character development, which is good this time around, because this book didn't have much on plot or other story line. Characterization was interesting, although not necessarily unique, which isn't a good thing or a bad thing as the author did't rely on quirkiness of character development to tell the of one down-on-his-luck sub looking for a lonely dom. Okay for a quick read.
EDITED: 4/10/2013 Raising this from 3 stars to 4 stars b/c I just reread it. Needed a quick read and picked this one. Something in this story is like comfort food to me. I think what appeals to me is the gentle care of a strong broken man for a despairing broken man, so they both find what they need to be whole again. cc
EDITED: 4/10/2013 Raising this from 3 stars to 4 stars b/c I just reread it. Needed a quick read and picked this one. Something in this story is like comfort food to me. I think what appeals to me is the gentle care of a strong broken man for a despairing broken man, so they both find what they need to be whole again. cc
December 19, 2014
What happens when you put a lonely slightly broken-hearted Dom with a sweet sub who has very little self esteem? A very sweet romance. While looking for his happily ever after, Mark has kissed a lot of frogs before finding his prince. When he ends up in Mr. Nolan's care Mark discovers that he has been looking for his prince in the wrong type of man. Now that he has it all figured out he will not let go.
May 10, 2013
Mark is brought to Mr. Nolan because he has been hurt and needs a place to heal. It was all just temporary. But there is strong pull between the men. Now they have to figure out how to make things work and to admit their feelings. Mr. Nolan doesn't want Mark to stay because he has too only if he wants to. He gives him options.
March 29, 2013
You would think that after all the books this author has put out the story lines would start to get repetitive , but wow this author continues to put out new stories that rug at our heartstrings and entice us into the story
February 1, 2015
I'm glad that I confirmed my belief about this author's writing style. The only reason I didn't like the previous book in the series was because of it being m/f.
March 26, 2013
I've waited a long time for this book and it didn't disappoint. Just perfect.
Full review to come
Full review to come
April 14, 2013
See Josie Goodreads' 4 1/2 sweet pea review on April 15, 2013 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
May 3, 2013
Sweet story of 2 broken men healing each other.
April 9, 2014
Really Good
June 29, 2017
A quick light read and it still managed to stir up emotions inside me that longer and more serious novels don't. It was worth buying and worth spending time on. This is the second novel I have read by Kim Dare and I must say she is fast becoming by go-to author.
The clarity that Edward possessed and the vulnerability of Mark, both were so beautifully portrayed that it made me choke up when Edward let Mark know that he loved him.
And the best thing was when without belittling the memory of Frank, Edward made Mark realise that if things were different even then he would have fallen in love with him and might not have loved Frank if he had met him now.
The clarity that Edward possessed and the vulnerability of Mark, both were so beautifully portrayed that it made me choke up when Edward let Mark know that he loved him.
And the best thing was when without belittling the memory of Frank, Edward made Mark realise that if things were different even then he would have fallen in love with him and might not have loved Frank if he had met him now.
March 17, 2023
I really felt sorry for how Mark was brought to Mr. Nolan's doorstep and all the wrong that was done to him physically and mentally. Thank god Mr. Nolan knew how to approach the young man who suffered from plain abuse and mistreatment under the disguise of "kink". It can't have been easy for a submissive to want to serve, but to fear disobedience with every attempt/move.
February 1, 2021
3.5 stars
August 26, 2014
Lovely hurt/comfort read
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- This is one of the sweetest hurt/comfort stories I’ve read. Mark is so beaten down at the start of the story I wondered whether he would ever recover.
- The character of Mr. Nolan is well depicted. I didn’t want to be pals with him. I didn’t even want to be in a relationship with him. But he’s a good man: Dare does well showing him as a confidant Dominant who knows exactly who he is, what he wants, and what he’s doing.
- Mark’s hesitation and his second-guessing are conveyed well, as is the halting, gradual trust he places in Mr. Nolan as they grow to know each other.
CONS:
- At least in the electronic version, there are no breaks between scenes. So you’re reading along quite happily, seeing things from one character’s perspective, and with no warning, suddenly you’re seeing things from the other man’s point of view.
- Blatant typos bother me, particularly when they occur in the misstating of a character’s name (“Marcus” instead of “Mark,” for instance). This sort of thing is unforgivably sloppy to me.
Overall comments: I read this as a loan, but I liked it well enough to put it on my own “to buy” list. Dare creates pitiful characters quite well, and the Dominant here is comforting without being condescending.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- This is one of the sweetest hurt/comfort stories I’ve read. Mark is so beaten down at the start of the story I wondered whether he would ever recover.
- The character of Mr. Nolan is well depicted. I didn’t want to be pals with him. I didn’t even want to be in a relationship with him. But he’s a good man: Dare does well showing him as a confidant Dominant who knows exactly who he is, what he wants, and what he’s doing.
- Mark’s hesitation and his second-guessing are conveyed well, as is the halting, gradual trust he places in Mr. Nolan as they grow to know each other.
CONS:
- At least in the electronic version, there are no breaks between scenes. So you’re reading along quite happily, seeing things from one character’s perspective, and with no warning, suddenly you’re seeing things from the other man’s point of view.
- Blatant typos bother me, particularly when they occur in the misstating of a character’s name (“Marcus” instead of “Mark,” for instance). This sort of thing is unforgivably sloppy to me.
Overall comments: I read this as a loan, but I liked it well enough to put it on my own “to buy” list. Dare creates pitiful characters quite well, and the Dominant here is comforting without being condescending.
June 19, 2016
Beautiful, lovely story. So much emotion and excellent Dom/sub dynamic. Very heart-warming!
I should have listened years ago when people told me I'd enjoy Kim Dare's books!
I should have listened years ago when people told me I'd enjoy Kim Dare's books!
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