Work Ethics: Rules

by S.R. Thornton

After her mother’s passing Samantha Connelly finds herself in Las Vegas living with her older sister. Despite her Master’s degree in Advertising, her only option for work is in an Administrative role. Little did she know that accepting a position at Atronics Industries, one of the leading computer development companies, as an Executive Assistant to the CEO and owner Gavin Aldridge, would be both frustrating and exhilarating all in one. Despite his authoritative, demanding, curt ways she still wants to know more about him. Her curious nature has her stealing his keys and entering the locked door in his house. The locked door leads to what he calls his playroom. A room filled with stripper poles, whips, a St. Andrews cross, swinging chairs, chains dangling from the ceiling and every toy a Master would want to use on his submissive. That inquisitive side has her removing her clothes and handing him a flogger telling him she wants to play. Samantha soon finds herself not only following his rules in the office, but also his playtime rules, punishment occurring when she breaks either.

But Gavin Aldridge has many secrets and his playroom is just one of those. He has a whole other side that involves allergies to garlic, avoidance of sun, and a thirst for blood that only those in his circle know about. Can he “play” with a mortal that he could possibly injure with his immortal strength? Can he keep his secret when he hears her heart race and blood pulse with excitement and his natural instinct to bite kicks in?

364 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2013

About the author

S.R. Thornton currently lives in the Baltimore area with her three sons where she works a 9–5 job in the inner harbor of Baltimore.

It was a few years after moving to Baltimore that her eldest son and she were comparing unique dreams they’d had. As he had before, her son insisted she write her dream down and make a book. After insisting that, although great at writing poems and short stories in school, there was no way she could write an entire novel, she finally tried it and completed her first nearly 600-page novel in three weeks. She found the experience so relaxing and enjoyable that she kept going. In the last six years S.R. Thornton has finished over 30 novels in various genres, including vampire, werewolf, witches, contemporary and historical romance that she’s now ready to share with others.

Reviews

[Amanda Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was exciting and daring and subtly seductive, even though the subject matter is overt. The characters are so extremely dynamic and fleshed out that you'd think these were real people the author has met and written about. There was great research into this kind of world and such detail with the story that I felt like I was actually working and playing alongside these characters. A quick, fantastic, and generally effortless read. I can't wait to read the next two books in the trilogy.

However, there was a complete lack of proofreading and an atrocious amount of errors that plagued this book. Disregard for commas led to confusion in how to interpret paragraph-long run-on sentences. Throughout the book I wondered if the author knew what question marks were for, given that mostly periods were used in their place. Improper conjugations, misspellings and extra or missing words reminded me of cut-and-paste editing while in the midst of typing. There was no mention of this being a galley copy but this reads like a first rough draft that no one bothered going back over for corrections.

Abilitiy to self-publish or publishing on a budget is no reason not to hire an editor. That is what kept me from giving this book 5 stars.

I received this book free from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shouldn't like this story. I really shouldn't. But I really really do.

Before the author decides to hunt me down for my first comment, let me explain: I've long held the believe that someone that has no experience with BDSM shouldn't write about it. Ever. At all. (Case in point: that 50 Shades of Grey drivel. I know millions of people like that story ... I have no understanding of that level of mass hysteria. That author is an obvious idiot. Albeit now a rich one.)

Having read Work Ethics, I have to wonder if I've made completely incorrect assumptions about S.R. Thornton, and I should apologize instead. Because this story is really REALLY well done. It's hot enough to send you for a shower after some of the scenes and it captures what so many badly written BDSM books miss: the characters. Samantha very much comes across as strong, intelligent, confident and capable. She's not weak or cringing in any way. She's completely a match for Gavin. Gavin, who is most definitely dominant without being domineering.

This story is a keeper for me, and I'm already panting for the sequels.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed emotions about this one. While I'm not really into Vampire romances and I truly dislike books that are really just 'part' of a story, there was something about Samantha and Gavin's story that pulled me in. I liked that Samantha was a strong female in a genre that usually highlights weak women. Although wishing it had ended in one book, I look forward to the completion of their story.

[Debbie Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a sinful delight with well developed characters and a story that leaves you wanting more. Can't wait for the next one.