What do you think?
Rate this book
Bound To You #2
A Firm Hand
Book two in the Bound to You series.
After a painful past, Brian Donovan can’t afford to get close to anyone, especially a submissive. His growing lust for a certain mouthy bartender has been easy to keep under wraps, at least until he catches her snooping through his files. Spanking her senseless was not one of his better ideas. Even worse, he entices her into a relationship based on power exchange—no sappy sentiments, no messy emotional entanglements, strictly dominance and submission. He doesn’t count on Genevieve being the one submissive who makes him want to feel again.
Gen Hawthorn’s life is a mess. She’s always late for work, can’t keep a boyfriend and has a closetful of family secrets. When her gorgeous boss offers her a kinky no-strings arrangement, she can’t say no. Being dominated by the star of all her dirty fantasies sounds like what she needs. She just has to remember his most important rule—don’t fall in love.
As their affair heats up, lines are crossed, tears are spilled and they discover just how difficult sticking to the rules can be.
After a painful past, Brian Donovan can’t afford to get close to anyone, especially a submissive. His growing lust for a certain mouthy bartender has been easy to keep under wraps, at least until he catches her snooping through his files. Spanking her senseless was not one of his better ideas. Even worse, he entices her into a relationship based on power exchange—no sappy sentiments, no messy emotional entanglements, strictly dominance and submission. He doesn’t count on Genevieve being the one submissive who makes him want to feel again.
Gen Hawthorn’s life is a mess. She’s always late for work, can’t keep a boyfriend and has a closetful of family secrets. When her gorgeous boss offers her a kinky no-strings arrangement, she can’t say no. Being dominated by the star of all her dirty fantasies sounds like what she needs. She just has to remember his most important rule—don’t fall in love.
As their affair heats up, lines are crossed, tears are spilled and they discover just how difficult sticking to the rules can be.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2013
2 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Fallon Blake
5 books84 followers Fallon Blake loves to spin stories that explore the romance of dominance and submission or venture into the realms of the paranormal. When she’s not glued to her netbook writing away, you can usually find her in the kitchen whipping up something yummy or outside playing with her kids. She loves horror movies, gaming, and reads everything she can get her grubby hands on.
Fallon resides in Florida with her family and loves to hear from her fans.
Fallon resides in Florida with her family and loves to hear from her fans.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 7, 2013
When I read BDSM romance, one of the things I look for in an author is whether or not they "get" the BDSM part of the equation. If they do, I tend to glom onto them because I know the BDSM scenes are going to do it for me and that's the kind of author Fallon Blake is. Her characters are always quirky and interesting, the sex is HAWT, but beyond that, the BDSM part of it feels authentic. Her doms are dom, her subs are submissive, yet they have backbone and personalities too. It's a hard balance to get right and she does, at least for me. Aside from that, she has a voice that's effortless to read. Funny, expressive, you can tell she takes a lot of time to make her work as perfect as possible (WHICH IS WHY SHE DOESN'T WRITE FAST ENOUGH FOR ME!! LOL)
In this book, we get a power exchange story that's certainly been done before (Dom is emotionally damaged and not sure he can love) but the backstories and characters are so vividly drawn and creative that the story never feels stale. The author set up some really emotional storylines, and getting that insight into the characters' emotional make-up made the sex and romance that much hotter to me. And there is lots of hot sex. Seriously.
If you are looking for something deeper/emotional, with a sexy, alpha dom and a relate-able sub, give this book a try. And for real, I am waiting for Master Jared's book...
In this book, we get a power exchange story that's certainly been done before (Dom is emotionally damaged and not sure he can love) but the backstories and characters are so vividly drawn and creative that the story never feels stale. The author set up some really emotional storylines, and getting that insight into the characters' emotional make-up made the sex and romance that much hotter to me. And there is lots of hot sex. Seriously.
If you are looking for something deeper/emotional, with a sexy, alpha dom and a relate-able sub, give this book a try. And for real, I am waiting for Master Jared's book...
July 4, 2013
Ever had one of those authors you want to try but just haven't found the time? Yep, Fallon Blake is one of those for me. I kept seeing her name around and wanting to try her out, but just kept running into time issues and a TBR pile that never goes down. So when she requested we review this book for her, I jumped on it literally like an hour after I got the request. Bad of me to push everything aside, but I just couldn't resist. My impatience paid off and I got a wonderful story that left me wrung out in the end.
The story weaved me into characters I didn't want to like, but ended up loving. Gen Hawthorn is a twenty-five year old woman who wants more out of life. She is hemmed in by a mother who turned into a child when Gen's father died. While Gen doesn't take care of her mother day to day, her mother is a noose around her neck, preventing her from growing. Working as bartender at Donovan's is mostly a job to make ends meet, but it is also filled with friends she considers family. Painting and digital is Gen's true passion, which she constantly puts down as not good. After being late for work three times in a week, her boss has enough and lays down the law in some not so ethical ways.
Brian Donovan owns Donovan's Bar. It's is pride and joy, but also a way to get out from under his father's thumb. After a past filled with pain, Brian only takes submissives to fulfill his need to dominate. He isn't into bratty subs, so he is puzzled why he feels an attraction to Gen. There is a sense that she might be submissive, but in reality he doesn't know that until he spanks her for going through his file on her. Basically she has a choice of quitting or taking the spanking and keeping her job. Not quite ethical and they both know it.
Brian offers Gen power exchange relationship with no love, girlfriend/boyfriend, or emotional ties. It is just a power exchange between a Dominant and a submissive. The two then embark on a relationship that changes and grows in ways neither expected and at times wanted. The depth they growth is amazing to watch, but all the scenes after the agreement take place outside of the work place. That part was fine with me, but I also wondered how they got along at work even if their relationship didn't take place there.
The story spans several months in groupings. So this isn't a few days and the bottom drops out. There is time for them to learn about each other, to branch out in ways they never expected and to hurt one another without hardly thinking about it. Most of the spankings, canings, etc. took place as punishment. I don't remember one being for pure erotica. These two are sadist to masochist and at times I cringed with some of the brutality. Be sure there was a safe word. She just didn't use it and at times I understood why.
There were two times in the story that I did feel Brian should have stepped back and thought before he acted. You see is internal thoughts about the same thing in one scene. It felt brutal from the fact you thought he wanted to break her and that just did nothing for me.
Above all, Brian never does anything to truly hurt Gen mentally if that makes sense. He is up front always that this is not a relationship. He owns her and he wants use of her body. He never lies on that front and gives her the gushy gushy love words. He doesn't play around even if he starts to doubt himself.
Gen falls in love. No other way to put it. She bottles it up knowing that is not what he wants from her. But it starts to break her and she has to make a decision for her own good.
The story isn't perfect, but is. Meaning the characters aren't perfect and this is what makes it a good story. You see their journey from lonely separate people with problems of their own. They change for the good and some bad, but they change over the course of the book. The conflict left me crying at one point. The pain left me cringing wanting to break all the canes in the world. And the emotions these two felt were wholly human and heartwarmingly gut wrenching.
There are so many things I wanted to share from this book, but that would be a spoiler. If you love BDSM, this is a book that will leave you breathless and hungering for more of their story. If you aren't into BDSM, you still might like the struggle these two have to fight, but be warned it is a S/M and D/s book, not light BDSM.
This book blew me away. I read it in just a few hours, not putting it down till the very end. That is a rarity lately for me and one I can't wait to do again!
**Review Request for an Honest Review **
The story weaved me into characters I didn't want to like, but ended up loving. Gen Hawthorn is a twenty-five year old woman who wants more out of life. She is hemmed in by a mother who turned into a child when Gen's father died. While Gen doesn't take care of her mother day to day, her mother is a noose around her neck, preventing her from growing. Working as bartender at Donovan's is mostly a job to make ends meet, but it is also filled with friends she considers family. Painting and digital is Gen's true passion, which she constantly puts down as not good. After being late for work three times in a week, her boss has enough and lays down the law in some not so ethical ways.
Brian Donovan owns Donovan's Bar. It's is pride and joy, but also a way to get out from under his father's thumb. After a past filled with pain, Brian only takes submissives to fulfill his need to dominate. He isn't into bratty subs, so he is puzzled why he feels an attraction to Gen. There is a sense that she might be submissive, but in reality he doesn't know that until he spanks her for going through his file on her. Basically she has a choice of quitting or taking the spanking and keeping her job. Not quite ethical and they both know it.
Brian offers Gen power exchange relationship with no love, girlfriend/boyfriend, or emotional ties. It is just a power exchange between a Dominant and a submissive. The two then embark on a relationship that changes and grows in ways neither expected and at times wanted. The depth they growth is amazing to watch, but all the scenes after the agreement take place outside of the work place. That part was fine with me, but I also wondered how they got along at work even if their relationship didn't take place there.
The story spans several months in groupings. So this isn't a few days and the bottom drops out. There is time for them to learn about each other, to branch out in ways they never expected and to hurt one another without hardly thinking about it. Most of the spankings, canings, etc. took place as punishment. I don't remember one being for pure erotica. These two are sadist to masochist and at times I cringed with some of the brutality. Be sure there was a safe word. She just didn't use it and at times I understood why.
There were two times in the story that I did feel Brian should have stepped back and thought before he acted. You see is internal thoughts about the same thing in one scene. It felt brutal from the fact you thought he wanted to break her and that just did nothing for me.
Above all, Brian never does anything to truly hurt Gen mentally if that makes sense. He is up front always that this is not a relationship. He owns her and he wants use of her body. He never lies on that front and gives her the gushy gushy love words. He doesn't play around even if he starts to doubt himself.
Gen falls in love. No other way to put it. She bottles it up knowing that is not what he wants from her. But it starts to break her and she has to make a decision for her own good.
The story isn't perfect, but is. Meaning the characters aren't perfect and this is what makes it a good story. You see their journey from lonely separate people with problems of their own. They change for the good and some bad, but they change over the course of the book. The conflict left me crying at one point. The pain left me cringing wanting to break all the canes in the world. And the emotions these two felt were wholly human and heartwarmingly gut wrenching.
There are so many things I wanted to share from this book, but that would be a spoiler. If you love BDSM, this is a book that will leave you breathless and hungering for more of their story. If you aren't into BDSM, you still might like the struggle these two have to fight, but be warned it is a S/M and D/s book, not light BDSM.
This book blew me away. I read it in just a few hours, not putting it down till the very end. That is a rarity lately for me and one I can't wait to do again!
**Review Request for an Honest Review **
September 24, 2013
This review and more at www.tattooedbookreview.com!
“Her defiance actually turned him on, which was unusual. He’d never had the patience or interest for mouthy, willful women, especially those of the submissive persuasion. Lately though, he’d grown bored an uninspired by the sweet, malleable subs he was usually drawn to. Maybe a change of pace was exactly what they he needed. Maybe Genevieve was exactly what he needed.”
This story easily brings together engaging storytelling and breathtaking erotica. The author deftly takes on sadism, masochism, and a complicated D/s dynamic with a book that is edgy enough for experienced readers of the BDSM genre but could still appeal to the newly converted.
I will admit that the beginning of the book was a little slow for me; certainly not the action, the author jumps right in to the relationship between Gen and Brian. It just seemed a little familiar: Dom looks for sub and a no emotions relationship and it seems pretty clear they will eventually develop some sort of feelings for one another. BUT, a little ways in a realized I was totally taken in by the characters, their chemistry, the burning underly emotion, and the extremely well-written BDSM sex scenes. I was hooked and along for the ride, and rewarded with a fantastic story of an intriguing D/s couple: two characters that I connected with and became emotionally invested in. Most of all, I fought for this couple: laughed with them, cried with them, and felt their emotional pain, and Genevieve’s delicious physical pain.
I highly recommend this book for fans of the genre. Fallon Blake has written a story that is original, heartfelt, emotional, AND has incredibly hot sex scenes. I will absolutely read more from this author in the future.
“The blind trust she had in him amazed him sometimes. She reveled in her submissiveness without shame. There was so much more to her than simple obedience. He had no idea what he’d seen in the mindless subs of his past. They’d obeyed without question but also without heart or soul or passion. Pale imitations of his Genevieve, every last one.”
*I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
“Her defiance actually turned him on, which was unusual. He’d never had the patience or interest for mouthy, willful women, especially those of the submissive persuasion. Lately though, he’d grown bored an uninspired by the sweet, malleable subs he was usually drawn to. Maybe a change of pace was exactly what they he needed. Maybe Genevieve was exactly what he needed.”
This story easily brings together engaging storytelling and breathtaking erotica. The author deftly takes on sadism, masochism, and a complicated D/s dynamic with a book that is edgy enough for experienced readers of the BDSM genre but could still appeal to the newly converted.
I will admit that the beginning of the book was a little slow for me; certainly not the action, the author jumps right in to the relationship between Gen and Brian. It just seemed a little familiar: Dom looks for sub and a no emotions relationship and it seems pretty clear they will eventually develop some sort of feelings for one another. BUT, a little ways in a realized I was totally taken in by the characters, their chemistry, the burning underly emotion, and the extremely well-written BDSM sex scenes. I was hooked and along for the ride, and rewarded with a fantastic story of an intriguing D/s couple: two characters that I connected with and became emotionally invested in. Most of all, I fought for this couple: laughed with them, cried with them, and felt their emotional pain, and Genevieve’s delicious physical pain.
I highly recommend this book for fans of the genre. Fallon Blake has written a story that is original, heartfelt, emotional, AND has incredibly hot sex scenes. I will absolutely read more from this author in the future.
“The blind trust she had in him amazed him sometimes. She reveled in her submissiveness without shame. There was so much more to her than simple obedience. He had no idea what he’d seen in the mindless subs of his past. They’d obeyed without question but also without heart or soul or passion. Pale imitations of his Genevieve, every last one.”
*I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 26, 2013
Wow! That was SO good, it was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! And I would not say that if I did not feel that way. This was a professionally written and edited book that I highly recommend to anyone who likes contemporary BDSM romance. I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how good it was! I am just stunned.
March 16, 2015
An emotional read. There were definitely tears involved.
Although I felt like Brian was a jerk most of the time. Blowing hot and cold.
Although I felt like Brian was a jerk most of the time. Blowing hot and cold.
July 16, 2013
Three words:
Read. This. Book!
Ok, three more words:
Just. Do. It!
Read. This. Book!
Ok, three more words:
Just. Do. It!
November 4, 2013
I don’t give 5 stars out easily, and how I hate when books make me cry. This story just did that for me.
I simply loved both Brian and Gen. Both are a bit damaged and have a personal demon to struggle with. I usually don’t like (tragic Doms or subs) for some reason this story appealed to me, once I started reading I needed to finish. I needed to see how their story unfolded.
Gen is so busy being the parent that she has let go of her own life. Brian’s is living his life in the past, putting up walls that seem unbreachable. But when Gen comes in late for work one to many times, she not only sets her fate in motion but Brian's as well.
There is a fine line between bratty and sassy. Gen pulls off the bratty, pushing the line. Brian exerts his “evil” Dom side and does it well. I don’t know if I could have told on myself though. (smiles) I give Gen props for doing that. (But again she craves the pain in punishment) The play scenes I enjoyed, the one thing that was a small negative for me was the lack of aftercare. Though you can see why he is so cool after the scenes, but yeah aftercare is important. There is a scene that was just a wee bit intense, it will make you think of who actually broke the sub or the Dom?
This was a emotional read with the tragic past that leaves a heavy guilt trip and the young life that was put on hold to take care of a parent, also leaving guilty feeling. Makes you want to reach out to both characters and give them a hug. Because as they both are fighting their demons they also fight their feelings for each other. I think also this story will remind us we cant pick out parents... just sayin :)
Even as rich as Brian is he shows that it hasn’t made him into a snob, he can fit in just about anywhere her goes. He worked hard building up his pub into something he can and is proud of, something that is his alone. Gen is the typical starving artist, but when Chris (Brian's awesome house manager) sees her work then tells Brian that to will set her fate in motion.
So get some coffee and sit back and let Ms Black weave Brian and Gen's story around your heart and mind. Enjoy
Review by Daria
**Free copy provided for an honest review**
For more reviews visit welovekink(dot)com
I simply loved both Brian and Gen. Both are a bit damaged and have a personal demon to struggle with. I usually don’t like (tragic Doms or subs) for some reason this story appealed to me, once I started reading I needed to finish. I needed to see how their story unfolded.
Gen is so busy being the parent that she has let go of her own life. Brian’s is living his life in the past, putting up walls that seem unbreachable. But when Gen comes in late for work one to many times, she not only sets her fate in motion but Brian's as well.
There is a fine line between bratty and sassy. Gen pulls off the bratty, pushing the line. Brian exerts his “evil” Dom side and does it well. I don’t know if I could have told on myself though. (smiles) I give Gen props for doing that. (But again she craves the pain in punishment) The play scenes I enjoyed, the one thing that was a small negative for me was the lack of aftercare. Though you can see why he is so cool after the scenes, but yeah aftercare is important. There is a scene that was just a wee bit intense, it will make you think of who actually broke the sub or the Dom?
This was a emotional read with the tragic past that leaves a heavy guilt trip and the young life that was put on hold to take care of a parent, also leaving guilty feeling. Makes you want to reach out to both characters and give them a hug. Because as they both are fighting their demons they also fight their feelings for each other. I think also this story will remind us we cant pick out parents... just sayin :)
Even as rich as Brian is he shows that it hasn’t made him into a snob, he can fit in just about anywhere her goes. He worked hard building up his pub into something he can and is proud of, something that is his alone. Gen is the typical starving artist, but when Chris (Brian's awesome house manager) sees her work then tells Brian that to will set her fate in motion.
So get some coffee and sit back and let Ms Black weave Brian and Gen's story around your heart and mind. Enjoy
Review by Daria
**Free copy provided for an honest review**
For more reviews visit welovekink(dot)com
November 16, 2013
Night Owl Review
Original Review Published here: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
‘A Firm Hand’ is the second book in the Bound to You series by Fallon Blake. This book can be read as a standalone even though its part of a series. Brian does not want to let anyone in especially a sub, but his growing lust for a certain bartender is hard to ignore especially when she is snooping through his files. Gen Hawthorn life is a mess. She cannot get to work on time, keep a boyfriend, and has to deal with her mother’s problems. The one thing that Brian wants her to do is not fall in love with him. Can she really stick to that rule?
Brian has become his own person in spite of his father’s insistence on learning the family business. He wants his father to respect him for what he has accomplished. Brian while rich does not live off his money but tries to work for a living. He is also a Dom who likes to be in control during his play time as well.
Gen life is a mess. She is a talented artist but has not pursued a career in it. She is very unsure of how talented she is. She seems to use her attitude to protect herself from others around her. She tries almost desperately to keep her personal life away from her family life except for a small few people. All she wants is for someone to protect and love her.
The chemistry between Gen and Brian is blistering hot. The sex is explosive. While the sex can be extreme at times, nothing is done that neither party consent to. However, like life this romance goes on a long rocky road. Neither character is perfect. They have their flaws and that makes them very realistic and the story very realistic as well.
Overall, this is a wonderful and engrossing story. I read this in one sitting. While I have not read anything by this author before I am now going to be looking up what else she has published. I defiantly want to read the other books in this series.
Original Review Published here: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
‘A Firm Hand’ is the second book in the Bound to You series by Fallon Blake. This book can be read as a standalone even though its part of a series. Brian does not want to let anyone in especially a sub, but his growing lust for a certain bartender is hard to ignore especially when she is snooping through his files. Gen Hawthorn life is a mess. She cannot get to work on time, keep a boyfriend, and has to deal with her mother’s problems. The one thing that Brian wants her to do is not fall in love with him. Can she really stick to that rule?
Brian has become his own person in spite of his father’s insistence on learning the family business. He wants his father to respect him for what he has accomplished. Brian while rich does not live off his money but tries to work for a living. He is also a Dom who likes to be in control during his play time as well.
Gen life is a mess. She is a talented artist but has not pursued a career in it. She is very unsure of how talented she is. She seems to use her attitude to protect herself from others around her. She tries almost desperately to keep her personal life away from her family life except for a small few people. All she wants is for someone to protect and love her.
The chemistry between Gen and Brian is blistering hot. The sex is explosive. While the sex can be extreme at times, nothing is done that neither party consent to. However, like life this romance goes on a long rocky road. Neither character is perfect. They have their flaws and that makes them very realistic and the story very realistic as well.
Overall, this is a wonderful and engrossing story. I read this in one sitting. While I have not read anything by this author before I am now going to be looking up what else she has published. I defiantly want to read the other books in this series.
October 5, 2013
I don’t give 5 stars out easily, and how I hate when books make me cry. This story just did that for me. I simply loved both Brian and Gen. Both are a bit damaged and have a personal demon to struggle with. I usually don’t like (tragic Doms or subs) for some reason this story appealed to me, once I started reading I needed to finish. I needed to see how their story unfolded....
review is ready please go check it out!!
http://www.welovekink.com/a-firm-hand...
review is ready please go check it out!!
http://www.welovekink.com/a-firm-hand...
July 25, 2013
Future badass hidden gem
Fallon Blake is an author that needs to write outside erotica. While she writes incredible erotica stories, I want more from her because she is such an incredible writer. Until then, I'll keep enjoying her badass sexy books.
More review coming soon...
Fallon Blake is an author that needs to write outside erotica. While she writes incredible erotica stories, I want more from her because she is such an incredible writer. Until then, I'll keep enjoying her badass sexy books.
More review coming soon...
September 28, 2013
Fans of hardcore D/s and S/M will love this book!
Full review here.
Full review here.
August 10, 2013
Really fun read
November 13, 2013
Unexpected.....very sneaky Ms. Blake. Your other books just appeared on my radar.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews