Mirror of My Soul

Nature of Desire #4

by Joey W. Hill, Maxine Mitchell (Narrator)

This book is a direct sequel to Ice Queen and is not intended to be a stand-alone title.

Some stories can't be contained between the covers of just one book. In Ice Queen, Tyler helped Mistress Marguerite fulfill the mentoring requirement The Zone club imposes on all its Dominant members, to learn about BDSM from the submissive's perspective. Though Marguerite is one of The Zone's most sought-after Mistresses, Tyler is convinced she is a "switch," a closet submissive. But the truth that is revealed is more remarkable than that. As he begins to unravel the complex and terrible layers of her past, Tyler must do what he's never been willing to do before. Open up his own soul, offering Marguerite his own dark places in order to help them both heal. Only then will they be able to surrender to a force stronger even than The Zone's most powerful Master and Mistress - a force that can bind them together forever.


Reader Advisory: This intense book deals with myriad psychological issues including incest and violence toward women and children. Contains a scene of females exploring their sensuality together.

©2006 Joey W. Hill (P)2013 Audible Inc.

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

Audiobook

First published May 3, 2006

About the author

"BDSM Romance for the Heart & Soul"

A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.

"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady

Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!

If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...

You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*****epic stars. Friendly warning, prepare yourself to be gushed upon.



Tyler is determined to battle Marguerite's demons.



Tyler wrote Marguerite the most beautiful love letter. This is a very short extract thereof.
Dearest Marguerite:
You've taught me a great deal about stillness. About the many things that can drift into your mind and heart when you shut down the barricades created by noise. Unexpected gifts of insight, revelation and wisdom. (…)
But you taught me that love is found in stillness. It is the space between objects. It's the star you can't see if you look directly at it in the night sky, but if you look away, look forward, you see it in your peripheral vision, beside you, watching over you. If you lie down on the earth it's there, beneath you, cradling you. (…)
You're my angel, my tormentor, my woman, my love.(…)



Beautiful. Emotional. Evocative. Intense. Gut-wrenching. Erotic. Deliciously hot.

"All I am, I offer to you, I give to you. I'm yours."

I apologize in advance for posting a very long review.



Every time I'm reading Marguerite and Tyler's story I'm amazed anew how strong I feel about Tyler. It's absolutely crazy, I know, because I'm madly and irrevocably in love with a fantastic and unforgettable fictional character. But it's all good because whenever I feel like coming back to him for a visit, he will be there, solid as a rock. It's like the endless sea. When I look out over the water I can see the horizon and it gives me a feeling of infinity. It doesn't stop and it equals the love I feel for Tyler. The waves symbolize the heartbeat, they undulate around me, cradle me. And when they grow stronger, higher and more aggressive, they equal the passion I feel for Tyler. The beginning and the end and everything in between. That's all Tyler.

Mirror of My Soul is hands-down my all-time favorite M/F book and probably the most well-written M/F romance novel I've ever read. I loved the beginning of their mutual journey in Ice Queen. However, the sequel totally rocked my world. Also, Ice Queen simply pales compared to Mirror of My Soul. This book took me on a spiritual roller coaster ride and made me cry without feeling emotionally manipulated by the author. This story pushed all the right buttons, and I was immersed in Tyler and Marguerite's journey that led to their ultimate goal. Unconditional love. Tyler and Marguerite seized my body, mind, heart and soul. Sometimes I felt like time stood still and I just didn't want it to end. Prime and in-depth characterization, great and palpable chemistry, fantastic dialogue and excellent and captivating narrative made for an unforgettable read. Joey's writing skills are beyond words that would come close to do her justice. This may be "only" a romance novel, though I think it comes close to poetry at times. What a truly inspiring and memorable love story!



Tyler and Marguerite are the perfect match for one another. Through their past tragedies they find to each other. As it was, they fed each other strength, comfort, understanding, sympathy and, above and beyond, love. They really got under my skin. And while Marguerite impressed me with her inner and outer strength and became one of my favorite heroines ever, there's no getting around it to point out how much I love and adore Tyler. Seriously, he is the most wonderful hero ever. Mouth-wateringly hawt. Absolutely gorgeous. Perceptive. Giving and caring. An intelligent and mature man in his mid-forties. A true gentleman as well as a gentle man. Granted, he made mistakes and it made him even more human. His persistence and sensitivity, however, should be an example for other heroes because it doesn't get any better. I don't go on my knees for any man, but I would surrender to him. Anything for Tyler. Tyler, I'm yours.





This book is a direct sequel to Ice Queen and is not intended to be a standalone title. While reading Mirror of My Soul you will learn everything about Marguerite's heinous fate.

Mirror of My Soul has touched me in a very special way right to my core. The horrifying events of Marguerite's life and the way they have formed her into this person full of strength and conviction are truly awesome and very intriguing. Marguerite is an extraordinary woman. Despite everything, she made herself a protector of others. She looks out for those she loves and through all her misery, she developed a deep understanding of the world and its ugliness as well as its beauty. Tyler has his own issues to deal with, though his angel is helping him to cope as well.

"Sometimes, I think it's like a fable," he said. "One powerful god released all the evil things on the world. Another god, a god of light, could not undo what the other god had done, but he could give us something to make life worth living. So he gave us love."
"I'm working on it." He met her gaze. "Working on sharing with you. But I've been places where there are too many dead and I helped increase the body count. Each of those lives meant something to someone. And to the person themselves. But whatever lies beyond…You've helped me remember why it's worth fighting. Living. Even when the lines get so confusing you think you're losing your mind."

Tyler's issues allow him to understand Marguerite better. Marguerite's strength humbles him, and he'd do anything for her.





The whole chapter four is dedicated to Marguerite and the horrifying events of her childhood. Tyler isn't sure how to help her and it takes a strong man to admit when he needs help with the woman he loves. Thus Tyler does seek help when he's visiting Marguerite's former therapist, Komal Gupta. Their conversation was very insightful.

"Love is not temporary. It endures everything even if it changes form. Even when it must be put away to handle harsher things, it's always there, ready to be called."

"So hear my words as a counselor and be guided by them. But also be guided by your love for her. For if we can't bring a child out of darkness and save her soul with love, then I'm afraid there's little hope for the world."

“We forget that sometimes there is something greater than our pain. That’s the pain of the person who loves us, who couldn’t protect us from that pain. After meeting Tyler Winterman I firmly believe he would sacrifice the world to go back in time and do just that for you.”

What happened to Marguerite is creepy. It is incredibly evil and gruesome, and I did understand why she wanted to die right away. Besides, her recurring death wishes didn't come as a surprise. Additionally, I really did appreciate the fact that Joey pointed out how dangerous autoerotic asphyxiation is.



Still, Marguerite surrendered to Tyler eventually and she wanted to live for him. She tried hard to lay down all her fears and worries. She wanted to trust him entirely but at the same time she didn't know how to do it.

"I want you to make love to me. I want to go to your room, your bed, be under you, feel you inside me, see your eyes, feel your body and know…we're together. I don't know if that's love or just need, but I know I need you. I need that with you. I need what I've never known and I need it from you. Only you. And it may destroy everything or build something. I really don't know. I just know…Please make love to me."

She looked up at him. "Carry me. I like it when you carry me." Her body trembled beneath him.
"Ask me."
"Please." The words came out without hesitation or thought. "Would you carry me?"
"Anything you ask for, angel."

“Tyler." She looked up at him. "This is blasphemous."
He couldn't resist the heat of his desire, not with her mouth wet with rain and his kiss. Her neck and breasts were beaded with drops while the soft pinkness of her flesh showed through the cotton dress. Lovely, natural.
"This isn't sin." He managed the words in a voice thick with want. "It's sacred. Everything I do with you, every touch, every kiss, every word murmured in reverence against your flesh, is sacred. And you're cold. I want to warm you.”

It made her chest hurt, how much she felt in this moment. She knew she should not say anything impetuously. But under the light of the stained glass window, the flickering candlelight of their shared memories, it felt like simple unexamined honesty. No matter what the darkness brought back to her tomorrow.
"I'm in love with you.”

Marguerite tested Tyler's patience, she challenged and defied him.

"I don't need to be babied. I've taken care of myself for a long time."
"You need all the babying you can get, angel. And something's bothering you. Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"Go to hell." She slammed down the phone.
(…)
She tightened her chin and her resolve. "I didn't expect to see you so soon."
"I was told to go to hell. My connecting flight was delayed so I thought I'd drop in."

I adored their emotional and thoughtful dialogue.

"It's not about fear. It's about never feeling clean, spending years scrubbing your soul raw so you can eat without feeling nauseous, can look in the mirror and meet your own eyes when you put on makeup, brush your hair. To learn to be strong, to run your life and not be a victim of it, knowing in your heart that everything you've built is sitting on a foundation that can sink at any time. And you build it anyway, on faith alone that it won't be shattered, when everything in your life tells you that faith is a fucking joke, but you do it anyway. You do it anyway.(...)"

"Your strength humbles me in every way. I'm a stupid bastard and I was taking out my frustration on you. Your fear tears at my heart. I don't want you to have a moment of pain or worry."

"(…)And while there's so much wisdom that I don't know, I know that evil doesn't happen for a cosmic reason, a 'balance of good' bullshit. Evil happens because it can, because circumstances allow it to take place. And you build your own sanctuary against it to keep yourself sane, to keep yourself fighting it."

Tyler. What a man. Handsome. Strong. Caring. Very protective. Marguerite means the world to him, and he is deeply in love with her.

"I held her in my arms last night," he said quietly. "And when I felt her every response, I thought, 'There's nothing else I could ever want.' Whether there's a Heaven or not, it doesn't matter. This…Those moments when she gave me everything were more than I ever hoped Heaven could be."

"When you jumped from that building, I died," he said simply, his voice a whisper in her ear. "I was so certain that I was going to lose you that I haven't known how to feel or think since, beyond the basic steps of caring for you. There's this rage in me, this anger. Every time I touch you, I want to hold you so tightly that I'll see pain in your face so it matches what's raging inside of me. So I'm afraid to let it show. I don't know what to do with it. I love you so much, Marguerite. There are no words for this kind of love. It's not pretty or romantic, it's as visceral as sex or breathing, something undeniable, necessary to go on living, for anything else to matter."

Tyler promised to never hurt Marguerite and he is not someone who would deliberately "punish" her. When he spanked her he was truly frightened and furious because she almost died when she made use of autoerotic asphyxiation Tyler, you're forgiven.

"Is there anything you do that isn't designed to take you a step closer to the other side?"

"My wife stood on a chair en pointe until she tired and hung herself. That's how she committed suicide."

(…)

Do you want that for Gen and Chloe? If you're going to take yourself out, do it with flame. Burn it all away, so there's nothing left but ashes, so we can still imagine everything we valued and loved…"
He swung before she anticipated him. His fist went through her sheetrock as if it wasn't there, shattering paint and substance.

(…)

"You'll promise me. And you'll never betray that promise, or I swear to God it will kill me. Do you understand that? Do you know how much you mean to me? Even if you don't want me, you have to give me this."
"I promise, I promise." She reached up, gathered him to her. He came inch by resisting inch until his face was against her neck. Suddenly he gave, dropping to his knees, his arms surrounding her so they were pressed against each other thigh to thigh, heart to heart. He pulled her in so tightly against him she couldn't breathe, but that didn't matter. Suddenly the world was about more than herself, more than about her pain and it was easier to let go of it to hold him in her arms, to give him comfort.





Tyler and Marguerite's story is incredibly moving, and I'm sure it won't leave you cold. Even though it was a painful read at times, this story shines so brightly in various intriguing facets and consumed me from the get-go. In fact, it is difficult to find the right words to do it justice. All I can say is I am in awe. This story is an intimate, revering and tender testament that love can heal almost everything. As always, I loved the way Joey combines the erotic and hot sex with a wonderful, evocative and touching love story and plenty of plot. Needless to say that her prose is absolutely powerful and very thoughtful as well as thought-provoking. Tyler and Marguerite truly deserved their HEA. At the end of the story there are a few pages that pushed the sweet tooth a little bit too hard for my taste, but overall it didn't detract from a fantastic and heart-wrenching read. When Marguerite is with Tyler she sees who she really is, the mirror of her soul and vice versa. They are soul mates.

She bowed her head. "I am a Mistress to others; you are the Master of me. Of my heart, mind and soul."

I love Tyler and this book to pieces. Both Tyler and Marguerite have a very special place in my heart. Now and forever.



Highly recommended.

Warning
This book contains explicit sex (including oral and anal), bondage, a blindfold and spanking.
Plus, there is a play scene among Tyler's friends that included toys and voyeurism.

Mirror of My Soul is not a simple romance novel. It's food for your soul. Read it.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★! Mirror of My Soul (book 2 in duet). Tyler Winterman’s relentless attempts at rescuing & owning the Ice Queen!

“By my hand only. By my cock and mouth only, unless I command otherwise.”

Many thanks to my friend and fellow buddy reader, Baba for holding my hand! (Her review!)

Books in the Nature of Desire series are stand -alones, except for Tyler and Marguerite’s story which spans two books and bonus chapters
Book 3: Ice Queen
Book 4: Mirror of My Soul

This is the story about Tyler Winterman, former Government operative, successful businessman and celebrated and respected Dom and Marguerite Perruquet, Mistress M, business woman and coveted Dominatrix known as the Ice Queen. Both are Masters at the exclusive BDSM club, The Zone.

In Ice Queen (book 3) Marguerite was told that she needed mandatory Submissive orientation. She picked Tyler as her “instructor” and agrees to spend a weekend with him at his waterside estate. They have both felt an instant connection and attraction to each other that neither had acted on though Tyler had suspected that Marguerite’s in-control personality hides a Switch. That weekend was an eye-opener that left them both utterly shaken. Marguerite’s instinct was to run, but Tyler, set on exploring their connection further masterminded a way to get her attention… that had dire consequences…

Mirror of My Soul (book 4) opens up to the aftermath of book 3’s shocking ending. What follows can best be described as a roller-coaster of events, revelations and emotions. Marguerite has merely existed for so long; self-discipline and set routines guiding her through her day. And Tyler has demons in his past that he has for most part shoved aside.

As Tyler and Marguerite explore each other, their connection and try to find a balance we are treated to their raw and addictive passion, mind-blowing sex.
Warning! There is a BDSM group sex scene, but nothing too severe, though I personally prefer monogamy!

Even though their connection is captivating and profound and the brewing love inevitable fate. Nothing could have prepared me for the shock of what Marguerite is forced to tackle and the darkness that ensues. I can say no more. Tyler and Marguerite’s journey is best experienced!




Seven words to describe Tyler Winterman: Perceptive, focused, commanding, enigmatic, nurturing, determined and unforgettable.

“Come back to your Master. He’s going to fall apart without you in his life. Don’t leave me, angel.”

Seven words to describe Marguerite Perruquet: strong, determined, compulsive, broken, flawed, mysterious and conflicted.

“It was a humbling thought, to realize the weight of the world could not break him, but the loss of her could have.”

What a journey for Tyler and Marguerite! What an ending! Soul to soul! Here they are:
I look forward to reading some bonus chapters also.

Excellent storytelling! Interesting and captivating plot! Memorable, fascinating and addictive hero, Tyler Winterman! Steaming off the pages! That is the sex, not Marguerite’s teas! I’m highly recommending!

“You’ve taught me a great deal about stillness.”

***
Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4.5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 5 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 5 stars
************************************************
Overall rating: 5 stars

Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

[KristenReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2–I adore Tyler–Stars

An emotionally beautiful conclusion to a well written love story. This couple's follow-up book still took me out of my comfort zone but not as much as their first book Ice Queen did. The ending brought reverent tears to eyes and the hero, Tyler, has become one of my all-time favorite heroes. He's a true gentleman and I adore him.

Full review to come (maybe) when life settles down. School is out for the summer and the kids are home...need I say more.

[Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 Breathtaking Stars***

There is nothing I could write in a review that could possibly come close to explaining the beauty that is the story of Tyler and Marguerite.



To say that I will forever carry this story in my heart doesn't feel accurate enough to encompass what I feel for this story........I will carry it in my soul.

So since my words couldn't do a review justice, I'll continue to give Ms. Hill the stage and share a few of my favorite quotes:


"Something would change forever when the eyes that mattered fell on you."


"For if we can't bring a child out of darkness and save her soul with love, then I'm afraid there's little hope for the world."


"Some wounds could only be healed by the touch of a soul mate, two broken pieces coming together to become a whole being again, so simple the jaded world would call it a cliché. The angels would call it one of God’s miracles, offered off the tips of His fingers like diamond raindrops, driving and cleaning away all that didn’t matter. That love was worth any torment, every disappointment. It couldn’t be explained or described."


"We forget that sometimes there is something greater than our pain. That's the pain of the person who loves us, who couldn't protect us from that pain."


" [Marguerite]...held on as he did the one thing an intensely strong alpha man could do to bind a woman to him forever. Weep in her arms." - - This has become one of my top favorite quotes EVER.


"You’re my angel, my tormentor, my woman, my love. I no longer draw breath without a part of you in the act."

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When I look at you, I can tell you want to give Marguerite happiness. But I want you to consider carefully that she may have found peace and sacrificed happiness for it. As I said, that may be the best she can do..."

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`
That ^^^^^^^^
Wow...that quote right there...read it again! That shows the amazing, awesome, phenomenal talent of Joey W. Hill. That quote encompasses the story of Margeurite and Tyler...the pit of despair that she has placed herself in...just so she can survive life. But she's surviving a life without truly living, a life without the things that really matter...relationships and love and trust and devotion and affection. And yet Tyler's actions that have preceded this moment and then follow it show how much of a mountain he is...his dedication to Margeurite is EPIC. This love story is so haunting. But so beautiful. How do you review this book? Too much to say, and so few words to say it.

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`

"Could she survive reinvention? Redefinition of herself? Did she want Tyler that much? Did she even have a choice?"

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`
Mistress Margeurite:

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`
Margeurite is at a turning point...she's at a juncture that she wants Tyler with every fiber of her being but there is so much holding her back. She sees what a beautiful soul he has, but her past won't let her go. And I know I said that in Ice Queen, we needed more of her backstory. Well, we get it here and it was almost too much to bear. Her story is one of the most tragic and horrific that I've ever read. No wonder she hides herself from the world, using her own form of coping to keep pushing through.

"He felt her fragility, a woman afraid to call herself his. Even more afraid to claim him as her own, because she'd never had anything she'd loved endure, anything she could keep.
In that brief moment of understanding, he grasped why she'd needed to see his vulnerability, a woman's odd way of knowing a man truly needed her.
If she only knew. He couldn't imagine breathing without her."

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`
And oh, TYLER! Tyler, Tyler, Tyler. You big, beautiful wonderful Master of all Masters....I cannot ever gush enough about him. For he felt the attraction, felt the pull, and waited for the right moment, in which Margeurite came to him. And he's methodically broken down her walls, one by one. Sometimes in huge chunks, with her emotions crashing down around them...and sometimes in small, beautiful moments of tenderness that crumble her defenses by increments.

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`

"She's mine." His expression hardened. "And I'll take care of her."

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`
And then he's there to pick up the peices, to hold her together. Over and over and over again, Tyler proves himself to me. He is the kind of man...Master or Mortal (Melodrama? Yes, and he deserves it. I wish I could light fireworks) who goes down in my book history. You can't get a more devoted man than Tyler. It's just not possible.


`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`

"For it is through others that we know ourselves."
Marguerite closed her eyes. "That's what he's done. He held a mirror up in front of me. It's me, but it's not the me I thought it was. He loves me. I know nothing about love except the pain of losing it."

`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`
But don't be fooled by the way he is so supportive and tender. Tyler has his moments of seething temper. Of explosive passion...angry passion that he lets Margeurite see. She needs that from him...she needs his mastery over her, and boy, does he ever show her that he is her Master and she will obey him. He is her rock...immovable and implacable. He is necessary to her well being, both physically and mentally.

When Marguerite comes face to face with her past, she is forced to deal with it once and for all. And it threatens her in a big way. To the point that she very nearly loses herself in her own head. It is the darkest moment of this love story, and one that broke my heart. Tyler has a fantastic support system, but it truly is his love for Margeurite that makes this story.
A bit of a disclaimer: There are a couple of things that the reader should be prepared for, I think. There is a case of autoerotic-asphyxiation, NOT condoned in any way, shape or form, but it is there. And there is a scene in which Margeurite is part of a f/f sexy times that I really could have done without. She actually sticks another woman's "juices" in Tyler's mouth. Gross...I hated that part. I'm way too possessive.

A big thank you to my recommender Baba. I'd never have picked this for myself but I'm fortunate to have pushy GR friends ;P ((hugs))
`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`~*~`

"LOVE IS FOUND IN STILLNESS. IT IS THE SPACE BETWEEN OBJECTS."

[Geri Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Heart-wrenching stars!!

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. --- Kahlil Gibran

Mirror of my Soul picked up right where Ice Queen left off. Tyler had just endured a brutal beating from the hands of Marguerite and the both of them had to deal with the aftermath. Will Marguerite be able to learn to let herself embrace Tyler's love for her? Will Tyler continue to endure in his devotion to the woman who is determined to shut him out?

“I’ll endure anything for you, angel. Anything.”

“You’re idealizing me.” “No. I’m telling you that I want you, light or dark, every shade in between. That’s the formulation of trust, unconditional acceptance.” He locked his gaze with hers. “Remember, I swore it to you. No matter what happens between us, I’ll always be there for you.”



This book is a continuation to Tyler and Marguerite's story, and it delved even deeper into Marguerite's and Tyler's past. The things that happened in this book will just break your heart. It certainly broke mine. I thought Ice Queen was already emotional. Boy, was I wrong. This book took emotions into a whole different level. You will feel love, anger, lust, joy, fear -- you name it, it's here.

“And I look in your eyes and see everything I could ever want. Trust in that, angel.”

Again, Joey Hill has crafted a magnificent tale of love and redemption without resorting to cliches. It could have gone down that route--a tragic heroine with a very dark past and a hero who is willing to save her but has his own darkness to deal with--but it never did. Thank God.



As I've said in this book we finally know the whole story about what happened to Marguerite, and it was even worst than I previously imagined. It.Was.Tragic. It was heartbreaking and it explained so much of why she is the way she is. It really did. OMG! The unspeakable tragedy that she went through would have destroyed a lesser person. Miraculously it didn't destroy her, at least not totally. But the emotional and psychological scars--and the guilt she carried were so enormous that I thought, maybe she was beyond saving. I won't go into the details, you have to read it for yourself.



Tyler's past wasn't so rosy either. He suffered from PTSD after serving as a covert CIA operative. It destroyed his marriage and drove his wife to commit suicide. He couldn't save her and he had blamed himself ever since. There were times in the book where Marguerite inadvertently caused Tyler so much pain by doing things that Tyler feared the most. My stomach was constantly in knots while reading the book and it didn't let up until about 85% in.

“When you jumped from that building, I died,” he said simply, his voice a whisper in her ear. “I was so certain that I was going to lose you that I haven’t known how to feel or think since, beyond the basic steps of caring for you. There’s this rage in me, this anger. Every time I touch you, I want to hold you so tightly that I’ll see pain in your face so it matches what’s raging inside of me. So I’m afraid to let it show. I don’t know what to do with it. I love you so much, Marguerite. There are no words for this kind of love. It’s not pretty or romantic, it’s as visceral as sex or breathing, something undeniable, necessary to go on living, for anything else to matter.”



Some wounds could only be healed by the touch of a soul mate, two broken pieces coming together to become a whole being again, so simple the jaded world would call it a cliché. The angels would call it one of God’s miracles, offered off the tips of His fingers like diamond raindrops, driving and cleaning away all that didn’t matter. That love was worth any torment, every disappointment. It couldn’t be explained or described.



I was finally able to breathe and smile again because after all that happened to them, there is actually an HEA for Tyler and Marguerite. It was magnificent. It was really moving especially the wedding scene and that letter and Marguerite's gift. Ah, it was beautiful. The anxiety that I felt melted away and I was in my happy place again. There was even an epilogue. Yes! Again, it was wonderful. (I know I sound like a broken record but that's truly how I felt, so apologies.)

It was a perfect ending.



Ever After Romance Book Blog

[Silvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

TYLER, TYLER <3... He was just perfect.

Review for both Ice Queen and Mirror Of My Soul
Ratings:

Ice Queen: 4 Stars, I loved getting to know both MCs

Mirror of My Soul : 5++++ Stars, is there anything better than Joey W Hill’s writing, not even coffee and chocolate can compare.

Hero/Tyler: All the stars in the world.

Heroine/ Marguerite: 3 Stars for book 1, I didn’t feel connected to her character.

5 Stars for book 2 Mirror of My Soul, loved her character growth, delving into her back-story broke my heart, made me cry and I totally understood her aloofness and mistrust.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You know when words are not enough to describe a book that totally consumed you while reading, where words you have used before seem so inadequate, Mirror of My Soul was that book. Don’t get me wrong, I loved both books for Tyler and Marguerite but their second book had me enthralled ( again not adequate enough). I mean the chemistry was sizzling, the writing and imagery were beautiful. Joey W Hill covers the sensual, the emotional connection as well as the physical aspects of the romance between the protagonists; as a reader I didn't feel cheated; I loved reading about the BDSM aspect of the story.

I am looking through the dictionary to find a word to describe Tyler, but all I could find was PERFECT, it will have to do for now.

Marguerite was a complex character which I felt disconnected from in Ice Queen, but as I read Mirror of My soul, her character, strength, charisma and heart drew me in, I began to see the woman that Tyler was so in love with.

As with Rough Canvas, the author writes characters that are flawed, broken, complicated and utterly real; A story line that makes you smile, tear up and fall in love alongside the characters, I highlighted whole pages at times

“Because.” He leaned forward, his hand slipping up her back to unerringly trace the scar tissue of the design burned there, now concealed under the robe. “Someone drew you wings a long time ago and you've been trying to decide whether to fly away ever since.” <…> “And because when I look at you, I think you’re a gift from God.”
― Ice Queen

“We forget that sometimes there is something greater than our pain. That’s the pain of the person who loves us, who couldn't protect us from that pain.”

― Mirror of My Soul

I was just looking at the Joey W Hill forum and just found the Vignette for Tyler and Marguerite as well as Marcus and Thomas; Well I’m just gonna have to stop my fangirling/rambling of a review here and go read some more about Tyler and Marcus.

[Rain Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

“People tell their children there are no monsters in the world. They tell them that because they believe it, or they want the child to feel safe. But there are monsters, Luke, all the more frightening because they look like people.” ~ Honest Illusions

This quote has been haunting me for fifteen years already. And every now and again I find another moment where it fits. Unfortunately.

"And while there’s so much wisdom that I don’t know, I know that evil doesn’t happen for a cosmic reason, a ‘balance of good’ bullshit. Evil happens because it can, because circumstances allow it to take place. And you build your own sanctuary against it to keep yourself sane, to keep yourself fighting it."

I guess I'll have to get back to this review once I clear my mind a bit. It's an overwhelming story, that's for sure.

[Mimi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is a sequel to Ice Queen

So, we're back with Marguerite and Tyler. A lot has happened, she finally realized after a serious breakdown, she doesn't want Ty as a sub, but as a Master and things are falling apart for her. Her reality is re-defining and she's not sure what she wants... And he knows what he wants-unconditionally, irrevocably HER.

The Ice Queen

Marguerite has been through some of the worst things life has to offer. She has suffered abuse, watching a loved one die, and she has been feeling halfway gone for years. She has her teahouse, which brings her peace, and her role as a dom, which she needs because it centers her. Now she could have Tyler and she's not sure she's ready for that, especially because it would be a huge change in her life... She never wanted to love again... But...

“And though it makes me hurt so badly, makes me want to hurt him for tearing me apart, tearing me open, I want him there inside me, too. He forced his way in. And every part of me…” She shook her head. “Now I want him so much, I can’t breathe. And I’m so afraid he doesn’t understand what that means. I’m not sure I do and I’ve always had to be so sure of everything.”

So, she goes to him. And trusts him to slay her dragons and keep her safe. But not before a struggle...

Tyler Winterman

Ty has been through some rough things himself. He went to war until he broke and reached his limit. He's lost a wife to suicide, which he believes is a consequence of him not being there for her. Now, another fragile, but strong woman, is in his heart and if anything were to happen to her he would be lost. So he pushes, maybe more than he should, to keep her with him...And sometimes his own demons overwhelm him...

"He was going to win her as often as he needed to do so, even if it was a quest that took forever, that had to be begun every day. Until death do they part. Hell. For eternity. No way was she going to get out of this with a flimsy excuse like mortal lifespan."

“Tell me just once,” he said. “And after that, not heaven or hell or even you will take me from your side. Not ever.” His voice was harsh with tears he wouldn’t, couldn’t apparently shed. She began to cry again for them both, reaching up to touch his face. “I love you, Tyler. I love you.”

"At length, Marguerite stood up, moved to stand before him. For once it was he who was reluctant to meet her eyes. She watched the lashes raise, the golden brown gaze climb to her face. When he got there, she thought there was nothing that could tear at a woman’s heart like fear in a strong man’s eyes. Not fear of violence or danger. Fear of loss. Fear of rejection, fear of not being loved when he didn’t meet expectations."

And he never gives up. Never. Even when it tears him up inside.

I loved Ty so, so much. I felt for Marguerite, but I love Ty.

The happily ever after

After nightmares came back and were relinquished we see them both happy and settled in their roles-and love. For that's all that matters to them. they found each other and they're not letting go. And that's wonderful.

“When I’m with her,” he said quietly, “I see who I really am, the mirror of my soul.”

“And I’ll be your husband. I’ll do my best to keep you whole. To catch you when you fall. You’re the only woman I want. And I knew it the first time I saw you.”

“Believe in fairy tales. In happy ever afters. In the fact that I will never stop loving you, no matter how often you pull away. No matter how many times you get lost in the shadows, I’ll find you. Because you’re my light and salvation, angel. I have to have you to have light in my life.”

“Tyler Winterman, I am going to love you forever, I promise. I will never turn away from you again, not when I’m afraid or even angry. I’m yours and you’re mine.”

“Will you stop loving me if I become so different from the person you knew?” “It has nothing to do with who you are today, tomorrow or yesterday, angel. It’s about who your soul has always been, always will be.”

The only thing that bothered me with their HEA is the issue with her being both Mistress and a Sub. As in she would continue to Master others at the club and so on. I get(not really) that she still needs that part of her life, but it's not ideal for me. I get BDSM is about more than sex, and that people have open relationships, but...I don't know, it just wasn't ideal for me... Although this quote made it better:

“I am a Mistress to others; you are the Master of me. Of my heart, mind and soul.”

A scene that bugged me. Spoiler

So, the big bad from Marguerite's past is back. What bothered me in that whole part:
1. She finds out he was here and has a hostage and she goes to face him ALONE. TSTL moment
2. She supposedly had a parachute on the whole time. How come no one noticed? I'm not an expert, but I'd think you couldn't hide it under your jacket.
3. She jumps of a roof of a high building, activates the chute and falls down directly into Ty's arms. Yeah, right.
4.She does that and is mostly unharmed. Partly, we find out, because of her dead brother, the angel. Hmmm.

That, together with her still being a Dom, were the only things that were problematic for me.

Generic quotes:

"Love is not temporary. It endures everything even if it changes form. Even when it must be put away to handle harsher things, it’s always there, ready to be called.”

"And while there’s so much wisdom that I don’t know, I know that evil doesn’t happen for a cosmic reason, a ‘balance of good’ bullshit. Evil happens because it can, because circumstances allow it to take place. And you build your own sanctuary against it to keep yourself sane, to keep yourself fighting it.”

Warning-this book contains BDSM scenes, sex in public and one f/f scene

[Stephanie* · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 BLOWN AWAY STARS

First, I will start by saying that anything I say in this review would never do this book, Mirror of My Soul (Book 4) or Ice Queen (Book 3) justice. Okay, glad I got that out of the way.

Now where to start with my thoughts? This book is part of a series, but book three, Ice Queen, and book four, Mirror of My Soul, are the same characters. I know what you're thinking, but in all honesty, this couple needed two separate books to really capture the complexity of their demons and essentially, their love. So you must read book three before reading this one. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Marguerite is a Domme, but Tyler, also a Dom, believes that she is a switch. They both have unmistakable chemistry together, but can two sexual dominants really find fulfillment in a relationship with one another?





They both have ghosts from their past, and when I say ghosts, I mean some truly heartbreaking back stories, part of which is the reason that Marguerite needs to be a sexual Domme. But, neither of them were really willing to open up and discuss their daily struggles with the other in the Ice Queen, however, in this book, both Tyler & Marguerite are able to acknowledge those demons while allowing the other to help them through their struggles.

Honestly, Joey Hill is a lyrical genius. I am left utterly speechless and not able to form the appropriate words for what I am truly feeling after reading this book. I will hold this one close to my heart from now until the end of time. The flow of her stories are absolutely flawless and they make you really and truly feel right along with the main characters. This story was...

Beautiful.
Breathtaking.
Heartbreaking.
Gossebump inducing.
Passionate.
Intense.
Ugly.
Unapologetic.
Epic.
A TRUE LOVE STORY.



"I will never stop loving you, no matter how often you pull away. No matter how many times you get lost in the shadows, I'll find you. Because you're my light and salvation, angel. I have to have you to have light in my life"



"Let me go."
"Not now, not ever."

Tyler, Tyler, Tyler. I FUCKING LOVE YOU!! Can we make babies together, please? Tyler was so patient and it was so freaking amazing, heart-stopping, epic-any adjective you can think of that equates to AMAZING can be put here- to see their love for one another take up residence in their hearts and then their minds. Meaning they were actually able to acknowledge their love for one another. Because they were both running from their heartache and demons for so long, it was hard for either of them to believe they could ever love again.

And that beautiful ending...goosebumps!

"Together we found that love heals, it laughs, it cries, it feels. It is where truth begins and ends. It cannot be described or contained and it changes every moment. It has more faces and forms than we can count."



"What are you doing, angel?"..."Looking at who I really am. The mirror of my soul."



Sorry if this review doesn't tell you a whole lot, you really need to experience this epic story for yourself. I am a whirlwind of emotions regarding this book, and that is still 24 hours post finishing this story, if that tells you anything.

What an unbelievably, remarkable journey. I bow down to your brilliance, Miss Hill.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Mirror To My Soul' starts mere sentences after 'Ice Queen' ends. Marguerite has just completed a session as Mistress over Tyler which has ended with Tyler bruised and bloody. Although he acted as Marguerite's submissive and bares the wounds of his decision, not once during the entire time was he not in control. Tyler's eyes continuously proved with every locked stare that he was and always would be Marguerite's Master.

The psychological breakdown that Marguerite experiences and of which was ultimately the catalyst to the physical abuse she inflicted upon Tyler, of course leaves her body, mind, and spirit extremely fragile. The shame of her actions propels her to run and seek solace at the sight of her long dead brother's death.

Meanwhile, Tyler uses his connections to discover the truth of Marguerite's past thinking that if he knew the events that shaped her life than perhaps he can discover the key to opening her heart and soul to his dominance. Thus Ms. Hill reveals the absolute horror of a past that Marguerite endured from eight to fourteen years old in the hands of her mind-broken father. Reader be warned that the author does nothing to sugar-coat or gloss over any of the terrible and gruesome aspects of Marguerite's past. The final deaths of her mother and brother are so heartbreaking that I find no words at all to convey the emotion I felt over reading their demise. After reading how Marguerite survived, my admiration for her grew ten fold as well as my utter awe of her strength and her ability to love even when she feels incapable of the emotion or even deserving.

Tyler is not without his own ghosts and certain triggers set of his post traumatic stress syndrome leaving him vulnerable and scared that if Marguerite doesn't always witness his strength than she will run once again. Yet, in a beautiful scene, Marguerite offers her substantial strength to Tyler and for once he has some one he can truly lean on and unburden his soul to. I believe that this trait is what convinces Marguerite that she is and can be human. Up until this point she has been a bystander in life, a non-being just operating day to day and Tyler is able to crash through this mode and show his need for her and her need for him.

When Marguerite finally acknowledges her submission to Tyler and calls him Master, the sexual scenes are explosive with extreme BDSM and passionate romance. The eroticism was powerful and I enjoyed seeing characters re-appear from her previous novels in the 'Nature of Desire' series. There is an especially sweet moment between Mac and Violet from 'Natural Law' that made me want to pick up the novel and read about how their love came to be all over again.

Yet even after all these subsequent breakthroughs, Tyler and Marguerite suffer more with the return of her father as his sickness threatens to kill once again. Yet when these two finally receive their much deserved happy ending, I closed this book with a contented sigh knowing that while neither may be truly healed yet, they are certainly on the right track with their love for each other guiding their way.

[LMM · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just too purple in it's prose for my liking. Everything Tyler said was all poetic & it made me cringe. It was just too, too much.

Normally, I find, Hill can make even the most outlandish situations have a real life authenticity b'c of her dialog. It will resonate with me in some way so I can find it believable (& often beautiful) in some way. Not this.

I felt like I was watching that sensitive man scene in the movie Bedazzled w/Brendan Fraiser, "I caught sight of that sunset and I had to stop and weep *crying* there I go again. Tissue? No I don't wipe my tears away I'm not ashamed of them I wear them proudly like small wet salty badges of emotional truth"...."Hello, my love. I went to find some seashells to place atop your glorious head like a crown."

That's all I could think of every time Tyler utter some uber philosophical bit of dialog & in actual fact, when he did that Marguerite called it "composing". She wasn't wrong. If Kenny G. had lyrics, Tyler would be his man.

Yes Hill pulled her usual punches...the MC had a horrific abusive childhood (her mains always have some back story which is not only physically disturbing but emotionally as well) & as a result, it's supposed to pull you into the story by invoking a deep sense of compassion. I just didn't work for me. Tyler came across as a parody of a sensitive Alpha male. I didn't understand their relationship which is crazy b'c it took two very long books. Why they were even attracted to one another...I mean I did, I got in in concept but I didn't really feel their chemistry in these books. The constant push & pull & Tyler's whole: "I am your Master & will have you at all costs!" vibe was cheesy to me.

There were some good little twists but overall it was way too schmaltzy romantica. I couldn't get into it. Not my thing.

I just didn't like the characters enough to care either way to their story came across as false to me.

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here we are once again. First, let's get this out of the way; if you're planning on reading this book and haven't read any of the previous books in the series, you need to at least read #3. This book is a direct sequel to Ice Queen and will not make much sense to you at all if you try to jump into it without having the first part of the story.

While this book wasn't terrible, I can't help but give it a lower rating than Ice Queen for the simple fact that it felt a little bit ridiculous. Not the BDSM aspect, but the things the characters went through in other aspects of their lives. The way Tyler's ballerina wife died actually made me snort with laughter. "My wife stood on a chair en pointe until she tired and hung herself. That's how she committed suicide." And this was me:

One should not be incited to laughter when reading about suicide, so...

Then we totally jumped the shark with the ending. Base jumping? Really?

I don't know. It was boring and then it was ridiculous, and then it was boring again. The ending took forfuckingever, and the sex by then was just something to be gotten through. But if you've read Ice Queen, this is a have-to read if you want to know what happens with Tyler and Marguerite.

[ElaineY · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finish to an intense story of two tortured people!

Tyler used to be in the Special Forces or maybe the CIA. It's not stated explicitly but it is mentioned that he used to do undercover work for the government. He retired from that but continued the adult film-making business that was his cover. Ms Hill is careful to make sure I'm not conjuring up images of sleazy perverts preying on young kids when I think of Tyler producing tasteful porn though some people will call it smut. That's what the erotic romances I read are called, anyway.

So, Tyler's really sexy and watching him handle Marguerite was both thrilling and worrying until I realize later that he knew exactly what he was doing and Marguerite was healed as a result of his expertise.

The story climaxes with a suspenseful (non-sexual) scene which only made a wonderful story all the more wonderful. Could I read these two books again? I'm not sure, much as I loved them. They were too intense despite some parts that dragged a bit. So intense that I was impatient for the HEA so that I could go read something mindless and funny.

[Tokies · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes i love this short duet. id reread it.. im even gonna probably read chole's book. i just i really love the way this series is i still have questions but on the whole i felt like wow.... the author went for it.

[*Ja'Mecha* ~Dhevious~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.69203 Stars

This book is a continuation of book #3 in the series. I didn't write a review for the other book because I was sooo invested with Tyler and Marguerite.

I can say that this book touch me deeply. There are things that made me want to grab the characters and hold them and then there were times when I wanted to throw my tablet. I mean come on, how many animal references can there be in one book? That was the only down fall for this series to me.

One might think that the author played homage to the same stereotype of damsel in distress/oh I need your big magical cock to come save me syndrome. And she did, but she took the characters wrapped them in a nice shiny bow and placed them in your heart. These two books have the best character development I've seen in a long time.

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars without a doubt! Absolutely loved the dynamic between Tyler and Marguerite. Thought provoking writing and multi-layered characters.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is not temporary. It endures everything even if it changes form. Even when it must be put away to handle harsher things, it's always there, ready to be called.

HOLY COW! I rarely give out 5-star ratings, but this book... it definitely deserves 5 stars, IMO. I'm still recovering from finishing it. I must've gone through a box of tissues, and I'm still a wreck!

This 4th book in the Nature of Desire series is the continuation of Travis' and Marguerite's story from book 3, Ice Queen. It picks off from the instant that book stopped, which is great, because I had to know exactly what happened next. And how in the world this book could even have a story, based on that last book's ending.

When I mark the shelves as "angel", "demon", and "monsters", I'm not talking about the paranormal kind. I'm talking about good and evil, love and abuse, sacrifice and longing, healing and killing... We learn so much more about Marguerite's life and what really happened between the ages of 7 and 14. We also learn more about Travis' demons and what drives his nightmares.

This story is so terrible and so wonderful, it's impossible to put down and yet, at times, you just have to walk away. To catch your breath again. I can forgive the author for providing us with some "tidying" before the book ends, because like Marguerite and Travis, we the reader NEED some good and beauty to continue.

The scars aren't soul deep. They only become soul deep if you turn your back on someone who loves you, who's willing to guard your dreams, keep the nightmares at bay.

In the midst of all of this turmoil and turbulence, there's still hope, love, and faith. And it's interesting to me how those elements are expressed, such as this thought:

He told me, "The cross is supposed to bear pain and sorrow, betrayal and anger, so that it may help you forgive yourself.

And while there's so much wisdom that I don't know, I know that evil doesn't happen for a cosmic reason, a 'balance of good' bullsh*t. Evil happens because it can, because circumstances allow it to take place. And you build your own sanctuary against it to keep yourself sane, to keep yourself fighting it.

Lest you be concerned that this is a Bible story in disguise, fear not. There are plenty of references to Zen and The Goddess and gods in that same philosophical/faith/spirituality vein. And IMO, they're all necessary to help us to get through this story... to feel the pain and the pleasure... to find the hope and strength to continue until the end of the story. Because it's really rough in places.

And yet, where you find struggle, there is also beauty. And love. This book is the ultimate love story, filled with sacrifice and redemption and learning how to come out of the darkness into the light. And I was pleased that so many of the previous characters that we've come to know in these books make appearances, including Josh and Lauren from book 1.

AMAZING! Now off to read something light and fluffy to counterbalance the toll this book took on me!

[WillowBe · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK. So a few things: Some people will HATE this book. There is serious violence here, pointless revenge violence, too. Children are put at risk and traumatized. And that's not counting the BDSM stuff. There are no whippings, though.

Others will despair bec the prose is extremely purple, as in talk about The Soul, Destiny, God, Good and Evil, Desire, spiritual practices and beliefs. You know, capital letter feelings. And others will be offended/turned off by the subject matter. There is rape/incest, forced incest, and child abuse,catatonia after psychological trauma, etc. Drug dealers are beat with baseball bats, memories of people tortured by the CIA . I usually can't bear to read about incest/rape survivors, but it just didn't bother me. Maybe because so much was going on. It's kind of crazy.

And some will despise it because the main characters are pretty damned damaged. They'll be angry that it doesn't show mentally healthy, normal people engaged in the "lovestyle". But I loved it despite or because of all the aforementioned. because I like the sturm und drang or whatever you call it, If Ms. Hill wasn't so sincere, didn't show such inspired turns of phrases, and insist on honesty in her characters, this could easily be parody. I thought at first it was like Harlequin Blaze w/ BDSM, but it's a lot more than that. It's a novel where the protagonists practice BDSM as a way of life, to handle the damage of the past. And it's the way they show love and respect to each other.

So while I have never done or will ever do this kind of activity, i really enjoyed reading about it. But that didn't matter so much as this was not a story about a lifestyle, but people looking for a way to survive with their hearts and souls intact after devastating loss coupled with emotional and physical injury.

[Mahlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the powerful conclusion to the love story of Tyler and Marguerite, so heed the warning above - you MUST read Ice Queen first. Since I just wrote a more lengthy review for that one, I'll try to be brief and say this was unforgettable and everything I could have hoped for. This is erotic ROMANCE - to say that these characters are soulmates is an understatement. Marguerite's horrifying past is revealed, and truly, she's the most damaged heroine I've ever read. But yet, she's also one of the strongest. Watching Tyler - damaged himself, but healed - coax Marguerite into submission (embracing her feelings for him/trusting him/loving him) and dig into her soul was such an amazing journey over these 2 books. The power of their feelings for one another is so strong, in reality, they're submissive to one another - with the power to hurt with the loss or potential loss of the other. This was just so beautiful and Tyler and Marguerite go down as one of my all-time couples. I'm beginning to run out of room in my Top 5 erotic romance reads because their story is definitely it.

[Victoria Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm exhausted. That's all.
Just kidding. Seriously, I love Tyler so much. The author did a good job of balancing his compassion with his arrogance and dominance. There is no doubt he is one of the best Doms I've ever read in a BDSM book. His singular obsession in his pursuit of Marguerite was admirable as well as foolhardy. For Marguerite was a complex and severely broken woman. There were times when I wouldn't blame him if he gave up. I should be pissed at Marguerite, but after finding out what she had been through I couldn't blame her for some of her tendencies. Despite everything, and I'm deliberately being vague here, Tyler remained steadfast. That's the kind of alpha I want to read about.

I was debating whether to take off half star for the supernatural undertones toward the end, but decided to give it a full five stars.

Marguerite was a hard woman to win over and to convince that she deserved an HEA, but Tyler managed to break through her walls with sheer tenacity of a Master who truly understood his submissive. I wouldn't say I enjoyed reading their journey together because it was a difficult one and hard to read sometimes, but it's the kind of book that remains with you long after you've read the last pages.

[Sassafrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so, so, so, so good! It's hard for me to not think of this and Ice Queen as the same book since they are in essence two parts of the same story. I really don't think I have ever fought harder for a hero/heroine to have a HEA. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I got pissed off. I went through every human emotion possible, and all I can say is wow.

There have been very few books that have affected me like this, and I truly believe that these two books will be ones that I although I can't bring myself to read them again (because of all of the emotions), that will stay with me forever.

For any of those people who have stayed away from the Nature of Desire Series because it's FemDom, you are totally missing out. I stayed away too because of that originally, and now I am kicking myself. You are really missing out on incredible writing and story lines.

Thank you to Joey W. Hill for writing such a fantastic series.

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book at the same time as Ice Queen and I'm glad I did. They probably should have been one book, told in two parts. The first half of this book was kind of boring but the second half was great.
I would give Joey Hill 5 stars for the masterful way she handled the story of healing and rebirth of a person who had been tortured and damaged beyond what most people can bear. But I can't give the story 5 stars because it didn't hit me that way. I had to wade through too much verbiage to get the story.
What I did see is tremendous potential in this author. I will definitely check out some of her other books.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Actually Ice Queen and then this one. Mirror of My Soul was so moving. I had happy tears, sad tears, scared tears and anything and everything in between. It's quite the book that moves me the way this book did.

This will be one of those books that I will think about for a long time.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 2 of Ice Queen. Great book, but not for the faint of heart. BDSM with a lot of mind control. Love the ending.

[Amber Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come!

[ShoSho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goosebumps!!!!

P.S. I'm putting this on fantasy shelf although it's not suppose to be.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 to 4.5 amazing stars!

[Leontine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal note:
I found out that some authors can captivate me no matter what I’m going through in life. Joey W Hill is one of those authors and in December, when I read Ice Queen and Mirror Of My Soul, I was immensely grateful for that! One of the main reasons I was compelled to read these connected books was the fact that Marguerite is the sister of David who is the leading man in A Witch’s Beauty (my all-time favorite read of JWH) His story was also a 5 star read for me.

The story in a nutshell:
Marguerite is an extraordinary Domme, she is always in control of her scene with her chosen submissive and together they create a mesmerizing synergy. She is in control of her emotions and her life…until Tyler, another Dom, gets in to her personal space and stirs things better left dormant. Together they start a dance as intricate and passionate as a Paso Doble.

The man who is Tyler:
Oh yeah, Tyler Winterman is the epitome of an attention-grabbing male. He exudes confidence like it’s his own brand of cologne. He is so in sync with himself you wonder if he’ll ever not get the things he wants and he has patience and compassion to boot. He appeals to me in so many ways, if Marguerite hadn't already claimed him I would be all over him in a heartbeat.

The woman who is Marguerite:
Marguerite Perruquet touched me in so many ways! She is a Domme and takes her submissive’s on such a soul rendering journey in her scenes, I just had to be wow-ed by her. But behind that exterior of control lies a complex and shattered self that I was absolutely fascinated by. One careful step at the time I got more access to Marguerite’s heart and mind and what I found was such a fascinating contradiction. There was strength and weakness, pain and pleasure, joy and sadness and it was all amplified by Joey W Hills powerful storytelling.

The emotional journey:
Joey W Hill gave me an absorbing character driven tale with a scintillating chemistry between the leading lady and man. I’ve been given great insight in the working of the heart and mind of Marguerite and Tyler. Together they display a mesmerizing interplay between a Dom and his sub. I loved the development with Marguerite as a Domme finding her submissive side. Her scenes are poised, almost elevating it to sheer artistry, sweeping along all spectators in the momentum. She combines grace and profound knowledge of what a sub needs to find completion. To see Marguerite opposite Tyler in a different role allows Tyler to take the spotlight as a Dom who is completely going for his sub. He has his own issues to deal with but his feelings for Marguerite are shown in everything he does. The character growth of both of them is believable, it is fraught with trust issues, surrendering one’s true self and a past that still has it’s tentacles in both Tyler and Marguerite’s heart.

The sizzling sexiness:
The way Joey W Hill allows a scene to come alive and gradually reach an erotic pinnacle always completely absorbs me. It’s like she plugs in an emotional power chord to a hot-as-hell erotic scene where then the eroticism is elevated to another kind of awesome! I just have no other words. Tyler + Marguerite = a sensual smorgasbord!

My Synonyms for Ice Queen and Mirror To My Soul:
Intense – layered – emotional – absorbing – toe-curling – dark – soul searching – pain and pleasure.

My Overall reaction:
Everything this author is known for is present in Ice Queen and continues in The Mirror Of My Soul. The compelling blend of excellent – leap of the pages – characters, raw emotions, sensuality, strong dialogues and a journey for both characters kept me riveted to the pages. I keep saying it but the characters this author manages to breathe to life are characters I immediately feel a strong connection to. The strength of Marguerite and Tyler facing adversity, the sensual interaction blooming between them, the well of emotions poured on paper and the message it contains; it’s an almost overwhelming sensation to read. Joey W Hill is a constant supplier of phenomenal erotic romance, she has a class few authors possess!

4.5 stars for Ice Queen – 5 stars for Mirror Of My Soul

Quotes for you to sample:

MOMS: “Tell me what you want.” His mouth whispered it, those lips close to hers. Her own parted, letting out a breath that was a near sob. “I want to be whole. Feel it just once more.” She raised her palms before her face. “I remember lying there with David beneath feeling his heart stop beating. I tried to cup his head in my hands and it was wet…so soft. Softer than a baby’s skull. “And there were these people around. Staring at us. But I felt so alone, because David was gone. His heart was no longer my heart, his voice in my head was gone. And they didn’t know me, didn’t know us. And I wondered, ‘Will anyone ever share my soul again? Get inside me and know my thoughts?’ No. Surely not. And yet, I didn’t die. That’s the most intolerable cruelty, that you can realize that truth and not die. It seems a revelation like that should simply pluck your soul right out of you, cast it into the earth. And I think it did. I am a vampire. Sitting in the shadows, sucking in everyone else’s light and life to feed my own, but it’s false, because there’s only darkness within me.” When Tyler took her hands from her face, he was alarmed to feel her cold skin had gotten even colder. “I don’t believe that. Sshhh…” He soothed her, touching his lips to the juncture of her neck with her shoulder. His hair brushed her jaw line and she tilted her head despite the scream of resistance in her head. Easing one arm around her back, he brought her a step closer. Turned her to face him. “Let me in,” he said softly. “And I’ll light a candle.”

This moment made me cry a river and then some…

[Shannon The Co-Captain · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This book was better than the first but I still didn’t love it as much as Mac & Violet’s story. I think it got a little wordy at times and the characters would go from one feeling one way to the complete opposite in a matter of a couple of paragraphs. Other than those few things, I loved it. I LOVE Tyler and he is probably the hottest of all the hot Dommes. I loved the supernatural aspect of this as well. Also loved we get to see more of Violet and Mac. They are the best couple. I’m debating on whether I should take a break or continue on. Hopefully the next book is a little less wordy at times. I still love Joey W. Hill and how her characters connect on such a deep level… it’s HAWT! 🔥🔥🔥