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Make Me #3
Make Me Blaze
Fresh from catching his lover in bed with another man, Dominic Scotto is grabbed off the street and taken hostage. The identity of his kidnapper is a mystery, what the man wants, though, not so much. Shackled and trapped, Dominic’s resilience is put to the test as his captor carries out a carefully crafted plan to divest him of his secrets.
With the heir to the Scotto empire naked and bound before him, the man known as Smoke will do whatever he must to get the answers he seeks. Amid a firestorm of anger and distrust, between pain and pleasure, two men reach for each other in the darkness, but it’s not over yet. Under the sun’s harsh brightness, Smoke remains elusive, a man without a face or name, and Dominic is still a target mired in secrets.
Be m/m sex, rimming, knife play, BDSM
With the heir to the Scotto empire naked and bound before him, the man known as Smoke will do whatever he must to get the answers he seeks. Amid a firestorm of anger and distrust, between pain and pleasure, two men reach for each other in the darkness, but it’s not over yet. Under the sun’s harsh brightness, Smoke remains elusive, a man without a face or name, and Dominic is still a target mired in secrets.
Be m/m sex, rimming, knife play, BDSM
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2013
24 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Avril Ashton
78 books1,696 followersA Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 15, 2013
If this isn’t one of the most twisted, morally questionable, and yet fascinating books I have ever read, I don't know what is. Stockholm Syndrome, when the kidnappee falls for his abductor, is not what shocked me about this book, since I had almost expected it. What was truly surprising was how the kidnapper fell for his victim – and I kept wondering what was going on, some sort of "reverse Stockholm Syndrome"? Just for the fun of it, I Googled it, and lo and behold, the "phenomenon" exists, and even has a name: Lima Syndrome! Defined as "A phenomenon in which kidnappers become so concerned for their hostages that they free them without using them as bargaining chips" (by Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc.) , that is exactly what happened in this book. Let nobody say reading m/m isn’t educational!
Dominic sort of broke my heart at the end of book two, when it became clear he was a lot more in love with Wes than I had thought, yet Wes chose to return to Jayce. And then in this book, Dominic gets kidnapped, tortured and humiliated, only to have to face some very uncomfortable truths about himself as well. He may be rich, but he certainly doesn’t have an easy life. All he wants is to find someone who loves him, but he's having an extremely difficult time of it.
Smoke is the abductor here, a mercenary paid to "extract information" from Dominic regarding his father's theft of investment money. He starts out all cruel and efficient, but gradually falls under Dominic's spell. Now, while I am not certain that is realistic, it certainly made for a good story. And after all, if Lima Syndrome exists, it looks as if Smoke isn't the first crook with this problem.
If you like your stories with a touch of violence that turns into pleasure, if you enjoy reading about men who come from different worlds yet end up finding common ground, and if you want to find out what happened to Dominic after the end of book two in this series, then this is the story for you. Just be ready for a few very tense, not-so-nice-and-fluffy scenes in the beginning.
NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Dominic sort of broke my heart at the end of book two, when it became clear he was a lot more in love with Wes than I had thought, yet Wes chose to return to Jayce. And then in this book, Dominic gets kidnapped, tortured and humiliated, only to have to face some very uncomfortable truths about himself as well. He may be rich, but he certainly doesn’t have an easy life. All he wants is to find someone who loves him, but he's having an extremely difficult time of it.
Smoke is the abductor here, a mercenary paid to "extract information" from Dominic regarding his father's theft of investment money. He starts out all cruel and efficient, but gradually falls under Dominic's spell. Now, while I am not certain that is realistic, it certainly made for a good story. And after all, if Lima Syndrome exists, it looks as if Smoke isn't the first crook with this problem.
If you like your stories with a touch of violence that turns into pleasure, if you enjoy reading about men who come from different worlds yet end up finding common ground, and if you want to find out what happened to Dominic after the end of book two in this series, then this is the story for you. Just be ready for a few very tense, not-so-nice-and-fluffy scenes in the beginning.
NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 3, 2021
I was really unimpressed with Smoke's supposed skills. The book kept saying he was a professional and was the best at what he does, but he was pretty fucking bad at it tbh. He literally got no helpful info out of torturing Dom, and didn't even really try that hard to question him, or even stick around long enough to ask much. There were several careless issues with the writing, like removing a t-shirt and replacing it with a new one all while Dom's hands were bound together, anatomically impossible positions during sex, and open wounds suddenly just not mentioned anymore or cared about in any way. And then there's the dreaded instalove. It was all quite ridiculous, but at least it was short.
June 27, 2014
This is, perhaps, the finest example of unconscious writing I've ever come across. Obviously, this writer's mind was elsewhere when she wrote certain interactions between her top and her bottom. She wasn't even there on a re-read. She has the top keep the bottom in a pair of handcuffs and while undressing him to take a shower, the top pulls the bottom's T-shirt up and over his head to remove it and toss it on the floor. Over the handcuffs? Wow, tricky stuff, this. Next she has the top order the bottom to walk to a table and choose a knife to be cut with. Having done so he's ordered to walk to a chair and sit in it for some blood play. The top then approaches him with the knife and she writes, "Dominic pulled at his restraints". Without ever being tied to the chair? How did that happen?
Anyway, you get the picture. I could go on but why bother. This is bad writing, plain and simple. BTW, if blood play makes you squeamish don't worry, Ashton forgets all about it after introducing it in that one brief scene.
Anyway, you get the picture. I could go on but why bother. This is bad writing, plain and simple. BTW, if blood play makes you squeamish don't worry, Ashton forgets all about it after introducing it in that one brief scene.
December 13, 2013
Smoke, the consummate professional is suddenly floundering when his target's responses don't align with the background information he's been given.
Dominic, the poor rich boy is snared. His bad night has gone from bad to worse. On the hook for someone else's actions, Dominic finds himself without the answers wanted. Things turn for the worst. When torture has an unforeseen effect both Dom and Smoke are thrown. Being flexible, Smoke changes the game plan after a very unexpected response.
I wouldn't really categorize this book as BDSM since the elements of bondage and bloodplay were unintentional, almost coincidental to the suspense plot. This is a captor and prisoner story with actions that mimic edgeplay.
Would benefit from better proof editing: few instances of homonym switch, word order, and scene consistency (gets a shirt off with zip ties around wrists) would clean this up and cause less distraction from the plot. As far the story itself goes, I liked the characters and the setup. There was some very naive planning on Dom's at the end that in real life would cause HUGE problems, but one has to be wiling to overlook it to enjoy the ending.
Favorite passage:
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
Dominic, the poor rich boy is snared. His bad night has gone from bad to worse. On the hook for someone else's actions, Dominic finds himself without the answers wanted. Things turn for the worst. When torture has an unforeseen effect both Dom and Smoke are thrown. Being flexible, Smoke changes the game plan after a very unexpected response.
I wouldn't really categorize this book as BDSM since the elements of bondage and bloodplay were unintentional, almost coincidental to the suspense plot. This is a captor and prisoner story with actions that mimic edgeplay.
Would benefit from better proof editing: few instances of homonym switch, word order, and scene consistency (gets a shirt off with zip ties around wrists) would clean this up and cause less distraction from the plot. As far the story itself goes, I liked the characters and the setup. There was some very naive planning on Dom's at the end that in real life would cause HUGE problems, but one has to be wiling to overlook it to enjoy the ending.
Favorite passage:
Pain eventually faded. Physical pain at least. He could breathe through it; he could ride it out. He put his mind to it and waited for the next cut.
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
August 11, 2016
3.5
When Smoke started using the scapel and actually torturing Dom I didn't know how they could possibly get together without it being unbelievable, but I should of had more faith in Avril Ashton, she surprised me by adding a twist I didn't see coming. In fact I really enjoyed what she did there (which makes me feel wierd about myself) and I wanted more, but sadely AA never pushes the characters too far.
Then Smoke instead of using his and Dom's attraction to have fun and torture Dom some more seems to shift from what could've been an awesome scene to trying to deny his feelings.
The whole thing with Dom's dad was too easiely resolved, it made the whole kidnap Dom to get information about Dad's whereabouts and money seem unnessary.
Then a character makes a decision only to go back on it later with no explanation. Why did the character change his mind?
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book a lot, but the truth is it was too short and that was what resulted in some of my issues with it. There was just so much potential here, and I discovered a new like I never thought I had.
When Smoke started using the scapel and actually torturing Dom I didn't know how they could possibly get together without it being unbelievable, but I should of had more faith in Avril Ashton, she surprised me by adding a twist I didn't see coming. In fact I really enjoyed what she did there (which makes me feel wierd about myself) and I wanted more, but sadely AA never pushes the characters too far.
Then Smoke instead of using his and Dom's attraction to have fun and torture Dom some more seems to shift from what could've been an awesome scene to trying to deny his feelings.
The whole thing with Dom's dad was too easiely resolved, it made the whole kidnap Dom to get information about Dad's whereabouts and money seem unnessary.
Then a character makes a decision only to go back on it later with no explanation. Why did the character change his mind?
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book a lot, but the truth is it was too short and that was what resulted in some of my issues with it. There was just so much potential here, and I discovered a new like I never thought I had.
October 21, 2013
This is a hard one for me to rate because I really did not like the first half of the book but ended up loving the second half. I almost gave up because of some intense torture scenes, but since it was a fairly short book, I kept going, knowing these two characters were going to get a HEA. I'm glad I did, because it was lovely to witness, but bring your strong stomach for the first half because it's not for the meek.
I'm not going to recommend this one for the fact that I would not re-read it myself and the bad out weighted the good. The torture was gruesome, yes, and I can normally handle that. But at the hands of the love interest? That was a bit too much for me to handle, even with the HEA payoff.
I'm not going to recommend this one for the fact that I would not re-read it myself and the bad out weighted the good. The torture was gruesome, yes, and I can normally handle that. But at the hands of the love interest? That was a bit too much for me to handle, even with the HEA payoff.
October 9, 2024
End: 1403/7/18
I don't know why this book was suggested to me. It was short and easy to read, I like books that are not narrated by a single person, Because I can read what the other characters are feeling.
The idea of the story was cliché, but I liked it. My only problem was that they moved the love between these two very quickly. It would have been better if it had been longer.
I don't know why this book was suggested to me. It was short and easy to read, I like books that are not narrated by a single person, Because I can read what the other characters are feeling.
The idea of the story was cliché, but I liked it. My only problem was that they moved the love between these two very quickly. It would have been better if it had been longer.
December 26, 2022
I don't know why I find kidnapping romantic, but I do XD
It's a good novella. The beginning was quite rough and I almost DNF'd but once it turned from gore to heat, I was onboard.
It's a good novella. The beginning was quite rough and I almost DNF'd but once it turned from gore to heat, I was onboard.
January 23, 2014
2.5 Stars
Hmmm. This one was tough. I wanted Dominic's story. I was aching for it! But I couldn't wrap my head around the premise. This was BDSM/torture crossed with a bad case of Stockholm Syndrome. I wanted to buy it but it was a tough sell. All the way to the end. Smoke was ... a psychopath. A nice psychopath, perhaps to Dominic (eventually), but a psychopath nonetheless!
Bottom line: I wish Smoke was more endearing.
Hmmm. This one was tough. I wanted Dominic's story. I was aching for it! But I couldn't wrap my head around the premise. This was BDSM/torture crossed with a bad case of Stockholm Syndrome. I wanted to buy it but it was a tough sell. All the way to the end. Smoke was ... a psychopath. A nice psychopath, perhaps to Dominic (eventually), but a psychopath nonetheless!
Bottom line: I wish Smoke was more endearing.
October 12, 2021
Third in the series, this book is completely different than the rest. Romance? Nope. Violence, blood play and pain, yup! Did I love it? Sure did! Just don’t go into this one expecting more of the same sweet romance as in the first 2 books. Here we have Dom (from book 2) who finds himself kidnapped and tortured. Stockholm? Maybe…but it feels more genuine. A true connection between two souls meant to find each other. This book is gritty and tough to read at times, between the torture and the horrible parental relationship. I was happy with the ending and with both men finding their peace in each other, what more could you ask for?
August 12, 2019
Love Avril’s work
I liked this story. It was pretty reminiscent of Call the Coroner, which I adored! I wish the story were longer and theses scenes more detailed. Other than that, it was great
I liked this story. It was pretty reminiscent of Call the Coroner, which I adored! I wish the story were longer and theses scenes more detailed. Other than that, it was great
June 4, 2020
So good!
I’ve only recently started reading this author’s books and I just love her writing and descriptions. She’s so good at dark, dirty and mysterious. Loved the many faces of Smoke and how Dominic was just what he needed.
I’ve only recently started reading this author’s books and I just love her writing and descriptions. She’s so good at dark, dirty and mysterious. Loved the many faces of Smoke and how Dominic was just what he needed.
October 18, 2018
I absolutely loved this book, I didn't want it to end, I hated it when it did, but I will be reading again. I never get let down when I read Avril Ashton books, I'm always gripped
January 25, 2022
Like the first and second book in the series ... I will be reading it again, just to make sure it is as good as I thought it was ... so in other words it was amazing
January 30, 2014
Night Owl Review
****4 1/2 stars****
Original Review Published here: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
Dominic Scotto is the heir to the Scotto Empire. He is a complex man who is also hot and sexy. Dominic takes a chance on love only for it to backfire in his face. If his problems were not bad enough he then gets kidnapped by someone seeking answers about his father and their business dealings. I liked Dominic he seemed willing to be honest and not protect anyone.
Smoke is a mystery. I am not sure that anyone outside a couple of people really know him. He is a complex man who is good at his job. He thinks in ways most people would not and wears a mask to cover his identity etc. I loved that shortly after taking Dominic Smoke starts to fall for him. It’s almost like he knew from the start that Dominic was innocent but did not want to be fooled, just in case.
The chemistry between Smoke and Dominic is blistering. While the part of Dominic falling for Smoke still strikes me as unrealistic, I liked how it was handled. With Dominic’s background and family, it was a possibility. The sex scenes were hot and spicy.
Make Me Blaze is the third book in the Bringing the Heat series by Avril Ashton. While this book is part of a series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. It seems that Smoke understood a part of Dominic that even he did not want to face.
I found this story to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting even if it was unrealistic at times. Overall, this was a great story. I can’t wait to read more from this series.
****4 1/2 stars****
Original Review Published here: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
Dominic Scotto is the heir to the Scotto Empire. He is a complex man who is also hot and sexy. Dominic takes a chance on love only for it to backfire in his face. If his problems were not bad enough he then gets kidnapped by someone seeking answers about his father and their business dealings. I liked Dominic he seemed willing to be honest and not protect anyone.
Smoke is a mystery. I am not sure that anyone outside a couple of people really know him. He is a complex man who is good at his job. He thinks in ways most people would not and wears a mask to cover his identity etc. I loved that shortly after taking Dominic Smoke starts to fall for him. It’s almost like he knew from the start that Dominic was innocent but did not want to be fooled, just in case.
The chemistry between Smoke and Dominic is blistering. While the part of Dominic falling for Smoke still strikes me as unrealistic, I liked how it was handled. With Dominic’s background and family, it was a possibility. The sex scenes were hot and spicy.
Make Me Blaze is the third book in the Bringing the Heat series by Avril Ashton. While this book is part of a series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. It seems that Smoke understood a part of Dominic that even he did not want to face.
I found this story to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting even if it was unrealistic at times. Overall, this was a great story. I can’t wait to read more from this series.
November 4, 2013
Review Written for http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This is a book three of the Bringing the Heat series. It does stand along pretty well since it is a different characters story or should I say the continuation of Dom. I most definitely will be going back to read the first two.
Dom just caught his lover in the arms of another man, the man Wes truly loved. He is kidnapped by Smoke a hired assassin to get information on the money Dom’s father has swindled. However, during the torture to extract information both Dom and Smoke discover some highly unusual and shocking information about themselves.
This is yet another provocative, intriguing series by Avril Ashton. I have to warn you it is not for the weak of heart. Her Stories can be gritty and a bit perverse, but boy do I love them. This one has blood play involved so be forewarned.
I love the deep connections these characters find in the most unsuspecting circumstances. The thing I love the most is how the characters are never run of the mill heroes. All are a bit on the shady side or harbour some deep, dark secrets.
If you want something to shock and stir you, if you like stories with unusual kinks, rough BDSM ( not just holding hands above their head)Blood- play, intrigue and some pretty hot mansex, I recommend this one!
This is a book three of the Bringing the Heat series. It does stand along pretty well since it is a different characters story or should I say the continuation of Dom. I most definitely will be going back to read the first two.
Dom just caught his lover in the arms of another man, the man Wes truly loved. He is kidnapped by Smoke a hired assassin to get information on the money Dom’s father has swindled. However, during the torture to extract information both Dom and Smoke discover some highly unusual and shocking information about themselves.
This is yet another provocative, intriguing series by Avril Ashton. I have to warn you it is not for the weak of heart. Her Stories can be gritty and a bit perverse, but boy do I love them. This one has blood play involved so be forewarned.
I love the deep connections these characters find in the most unsuspecting circumstances. The thing I love the most is how the characters are never run of the mill heroes. All are a bit on the shady side or harbour some deep, dark secrets.
If you want something to shock and stir you, if you like stories with unusual kinks, rough BDSM ( not just holding hands above their head)Blood- play, intrigue and some pretty hot mansex, I recommend this one!
November 25, 2018
The way to true loves goes through kidnapping and torture... Really?
March 31, 2017
Better than book 2
This one had a plot, at least. It was pretty hot, except half the orgasms were in their pants. The pants also changed from sweatpants in one sentence to jeans in the next. The guy was also able to remove the other guys t-shirt, throw it on the floor, the later put a clean shirt on him, all while the second guys hands were zip tied together! That part just struck me, sorry. Happy ending for the hit man and the criminal.
This one had a plot, at least. It was pretty hot, except half the orgasms were in their pants. The pants also changed from sweatpants in one sentence to jeans in the next. The guy was also able to remove the other guys t-shirt, throw it on the floor, the later put a clean shirt on him, all while the second guys hands were zip tied together! That part just struck me, sorry. Happy ending for the hit man and the criminal.
January 20, 2023
Eh. It was a fun, hot little read, but it was too short for me to get attached to the characters/relationship or for it to develop believably. I didn't really get invested or find myself pulled into the story or the dynamic. And on a more superficial level... man, why'd Siva have to be bald?
Details: Alternating POVs, third-person, past tense
Favourite character: Dominic
Happy ending?: Yes
Content warnings: Torture, violence, infidelity (not between MCs)
Details: Alternating POVs, third-person, past tense
Favourite character: Dominic
Happy ending?: Yes
Content warnings: Torture, violence, infidelity (not between MCs)
November 4, 2013
3.5 stars
January 18, 2014
One fucked up love story but I couldn't help but like it!!
July 6, 2016
Quite dark - darker than books 1 and 2, more in line w/Ms. Ashton’s Run this Town series. And I liked it a lot.
Bought from All Romance Ebooks
Bought from All Romance Ebooks
September 5, 2016
I like the premises of the story. But the writing was a bit choppy, like a lot of things don't make sense.
January 2, 2017
4.25 'Another quick read but I loved the darker/forbidden tones in this one. Dom and Smoke, oh yeah baby' stars.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews