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Club Inferno #1
Heat
Style and seduction collide in Jamie K. Schmidt’s Heat—sure to please fans of Fifty Shades of Grey—as the world’s best-dressed men and women shed their clothing . . . and their inhibitions.
On the run from her abusive fiancé, ER doctor Mallory Bryant arrives at her sister’s Connecticut resort desperate for a place to restore balance to her life. But Club Inferno is more than a haven for the rich and fashionable. Beneath its elegant facade is an erotic playground where dominants and submissives play out their fantasies. At first, Mallory is wary of Max Spencer, the martial arts trainer acting as her bodyguard—until he introduces her to passion so intense she wants nothing more than to surrender to his touch.
As one of Club Inferno’s most skilled doms, Max enjoys taking Mallory to the limits of pleasure. It’s a dangerous proposition, and as their sensual games draw them into a relationship beyond the boundaries of pupil and master, Max starts spiraling out of control. But when Mallory’s violent past catches up with her, Max knows what he must do: draw her closer than ever before, even if it means risking a surrender of his own.
Heat is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.
On the run from her abusive fiancé, ER doctor Mallory Bryant arrives at her sister’s Connecticut resort desperate for a place to restore balance to her life. But Club Inferno is more than a haven for the rich and fashionable. Beneath its elegant facade is an erotic playground where dominants and submissives play out their fantasies. At first, Mallory is wary of Max Spencer, the martial arts trainer acting as her bodyguard—until he introduces her to passion so intense she wants nothing more than to surrender to his touch.
As one of Club Inferno’s most skilled doms, Max enjoys taking Mallory to the limits of pleasure. It’s a dangerous proposition, and as their sensual games draw them into a relationship beyond the boundaries of pupil and master, Max starts spiraling out of control. But when Mallory’s violent past catches up with her, Max knows what he must do: draw her closer than ever before, even if it means risking a surrender of his own.
Heat is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.
239 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2014
643 people are currently reading
2156 people want to read
About the author
Jamie K. Schmidt
164 books729 followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Jamie K. Schmidt is a hybrid author who has over thirty short stories published in small press and ezines, and a variety of novellas and books online. Her Club Inferno series from Random House has been in Amazon's top 100 ebooks sold and Barnes and Noble's top 10. She has a dragon paranormal romance series at Entangled Publishing. Book one of the Emerging Queens series is The Queen's Wings.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English, which is a fancy way of saying she went to college to teach high school English. When that didn't pan out, she worked as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major conglomerate company. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA). When not writing, Jamie relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry. You can reach her at Twitter: @jamiekswriter or at her website www.jkschmidt.com
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English, which is a fancy way of saying she went to college to teach high school English. When that didn't pan out, she worked as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major conglomerate company. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA). When not writing, Jamie relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry. You can reach her at Twitter: @jamiekswriter or at her website www.jkschmidt.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
April 4, 2014
3.5 stars
It’s been two months since the night Mallory ran away from her life, licking her wounds; ashamed, scared, alone and broken, she turns to her sister for help. The tables have turned she was always the good daughter and her sister, Colleen was the one who found trouble in very corner. But her safe haven isn’t what it seems; apparently there is more to her sister’s business than what meets the eye...like a kid in a candy store she can look but is she can she bring herself to touch???
Max has been assigned as her own personal bodyguard / tour guide, breaking her into life at Couture. Max can keep her safe, sane and entertained; a martial art instructor by day and a Dom at night, and a designer in his dreams, his abilities touch every aspect of what Couture stand for. Mallory has been all work and no play, tired of licking her wounds she is finally taking the time to put herself back together while taking full advantage of the clubs amenities, especially where Max is involved.
Heat was a sweet sensual book, very mild in my opinion when it comes to the BDSM lifestyle. We read on as Mallory regains her self-confidence and her identity after her traumatic experience, all with the careful hands of Max. Mallory was stuck in her world of wrong and right, but eventually she stepped in and embraced the best of both worlds. Max was a man who made sure to do the right thing and was fully supportive of Mallory’s decisions. It was the kind of book that dealt with some serious issues and perceptions but at the same time the author lightened it up with the playful banter between the characters. I liked the story for what it was, and enjoyed the characters. I am pretty excited at what is coming next, there was some buildup of the other characters and can only hope they get their own book.
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept, in exchange for an honest review.
***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.
“give up control to get control.”
It’s been two months since the night Mallory ran away from her life, licking her wounds; ashamed, scared, alone and broken, she turns to her sister for help. The tables have turned she was always the good daughter and her sister, Colleen was the one who found trouble in very corner. But her safe haven isn’t what it seems; apparently there is more to her sister’s business than what meets the eye...like a kid in a candy store she can look but is she can she bring herself to touch???
“I’m a big ball of stress and regret. I feel like a kid looking in a candy store window. I can see all the goodies, but I can’t reach them.”
Max has been assigned as her own personal bodyguard / tour guide, breaking her into life at Couture. Max can keep her safe, sane and entertained; a martial art instructor by day and a Dom at night, and a designer in his dreams, his abilities touch every aspect of what Couture stand for. Mallory has been all work and no play, tired of licking her wounds she is finally taking the time to put herself back together while taking full advantage of the clubs amenities, especially where Max is involved.
“I like being with you.”
“Why?” she asked. “I’m broken.”
“Nah.” Max took her hand. “You’re just a little cracked. I’ve got some duct tape in my truck.”
“Kinky.” They walked hand in hand, toward the garage.
“Not really – it takes the skin off. I prefer silk rope.”
Heat was a sweet sensual book, very mild in my opinion when it comes to the BDSM lifestyle. We read on as Mallory regains her self-confidence and her identity after her traumatic experience, all with the careful hands of Max. Mallory was stuck in her world of wrong and right, but eventually she stepped in and embraced the best of both worlds. Max was a man who made sure to do the right thing and was fully supportive of Mallory’s decisions. It was the kind of book that dealt with some serious issues and perceptions but at the same time the author lightened it up with the playful banter between the characters. I liked the story for what it was, and enjoyed the characters. I am pretty excited at what is coming next, there was some buildup of the other characters and can only hope they get their own book.
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept, in exchange for an honest review.
***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.
April 5, 2014
ARC via Netgalley.
It started off pretty promising. But I had a really hard time with the character development in this book.
Max is a dom. But he wasn't very... dominant.
Mallory is an ER doctor. But she doesn't make very educated decisions. Her reactions to things were not very realistic.
I became very bored.
I felt no connection to the characters. Nor could I relate to them.
Sex scenes were OK.
Bottom line: meh.
It started off pretty promising. But I had a really hard time with the character development in this book.
Max is a dom. But he wasn't very... dominant.
Mallory is an ER doctor. But she doesn't make very educated decisions. Her reactions to things were not very realistic.
I became very bored.
I felt no connection to the characters. Nor could I relate to them.
Sex scenes were OK.
Bottom line: meh.
April 8, 2019
Overall rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
READABILITY:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
I had troubles finishing this book. The writing style isn’t bad, although there were some parts that were screamed ‘show don’t tell' to me. After about 80% of the book I was so irritated, I skimmed the pages rather than really reading it. I think the book is well edited, I’ve spotted only one mistake (experts might find more, but I didn’t)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STEAMY BITS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rating: 1 star out of 5
From the love scenes and the BDSM scenes, I derive this author isn’t familiar with the lifestyle. I get a distinct feeling she’s read FSOG and wants in on the action. The scenes are lackluster, to say the least. Especially the ‘steamy parts’ were the ones I skipped when getting closer to the end. Max is supposedly ’one of Club Inferno’s most skilled doms’, I’d hate to see the unskilled ones!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FLOW:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 stars out of 5
Like I said in the beginning, the writing is okay. There isn’t any annoying head hopping. The story flows and as long as I can forget Max should be a dominant the scenes are logical.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE WORLD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 stars out of 5
This is contemporary romance so the world is quite clear to me. I like the idea of Couture as a front and Inferno for their kinky guests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DIALOGUE:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 stars out of 5
Some of the dialogue bugged me to no end. Like when Mallory has a confrontation with her ex and Max leaves her alone. (Which a real Dom would never< do and after Max is dealing with his family he wants to be left alone. Her answer is “I’d like to stay, if it’s all right.”
I just can’t see it happening like this!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHARACTERS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 star out of 5
Both Mallory and Max stayed, hmm, faceless to me. I have a general idea about their body types, but for the rest, they don’t materialize.
Mallory hardly seems strong and capable enough to be an ER doctor. Max is as far from a Dom, any man could ever be IMO. Also, I can’t feel the connection between Mallory and Max.
The story stays focused on them, but I can’t somehow.
The author avoided being stereotypical. The Dom is a metro man and the ER doctor caves under stress. It looks to me like she tried a little too hard to avoid it.
I was more interested in Istvahn and Nefertiti than I was in the MCs.
Both Max and Mallory aren’t what I expected from the blurb.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
READABILITY:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
I had troubles finishing this book. The writing style isn’t bad, although there were some parts that were screamed ‘show don’t tell' to me. After about 80% of the book I was so irritated, I skimmed the pages rather than really reading it. I think the book is well edited, I’ve spotted only one mistake (experts might find more, but I didn’t)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STEAMY BITS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rating: 1 star out of 5
From the love scenes and the BDSM scenes, I derive this author isn’t familiar with the lifestyle. I get a distinct feeling she’s read FSOG and wants in on the action. The scenes are lackluster, to say the least. Especially the ‘steamy parts’ were the ones I skipped when getting closer to the end. Max is supposedly ’one of Club Inferno’s most skilled doms’, I’d hate to see the unskilled ones!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FLOW:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 stars out of 5
Like I said in the beginning, the writing is okay. There isn’t any annoying head hopping. The story flows and as long as I can forget Max should be a dominant the scenes are logical.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE WORLD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 stars out of 5
This is contemporary romance so the world is quite clear to me. I like the idea of Couture as a front and Inferno for their kinky guests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DIALOGUE:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 stars out of 5
Some of the dialogue bugged me to no end. Like when Mallory has a confrontation with her ex and Max leaves her alone. (Which a real Dom would never< do and after Max is dealing with his family he wants to be left alone. Her answer is “I’d like to stay, if it’s all right.”
I just can’t see it happening like this!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHARACTERS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 star out of 5
Both Mallory and Max stayed, hmm, faceless to me. I have a general idea about their body types, but for the rest, they don’t materialize.
Mallory hardly seems strong and capable enough to be an ER doctor. Max is as far from a Dom, any man could ever be IMO. Also, I can’t feel the connection between Mallory and Max.
The story stays focused on them, but I can’t somehow.
The author avoided being stereotypical. The Dom is a metro man and the ER doctor caves under stress. It looks to me like she tried a little too hard to avoid it.
I was more interested in Istvahn and Nefertiti than I was in the MCs.
Both Max and Mallory aren’t what I expected from the blurb.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2016
Starting out very promising, I soon was looking for a pack of matches to turn this tiny starter flame into the inferno that was promised. The great expectations built very early on in the story were never met: in fact both characters completely bored me.
Max is the dominant, and while he starts out rather take charge, his dominance seems to piddle down to ‘let me watch you….repeatedly”. Which is boring, after repeated uses of similar lines without feeling a real connection to his backstory of bodyguard and martial arts instructor.
Mallory is an ER doctor, and has recently escaped an abusive relationship. Yet where I would expect reticence and some intelligent and self-protective choices, I got whingy or running away – filled with bad choices that kept her ‘professional smarts’ in question for me, but I am sure when I say that common sense is not one of her traits.
What happened for me was the lack of interest and appeal for the characters kept all of the story at a lukewarm, if not sputtering level; I didn’t buy into their relationship or them as characters, therefore I couldn’t buy into the story. This book is very uneven: it starts well and has some great promise, but falls significantly short of its mark. More character development, a little less whinging from Mallory would have held my interest better, rather than made this a difficult book to finish.
I received an eArc copy from the publisher for purpose of honest review for The Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Max is the dominant, and while he starts out rather take charge, his dominance seems to piddle down to ‘let me watch you….repeatedly”. Which is boring, after repeated uses of similar lines without feeling a real connection to his backstory of bodyguard and martial arts instructor.
Mallory is an ER doctor, and has recently escaped an abusive relationship. Yet where I would expect reticence and some intelligent and self-protective choices, I got whingy or running away – filled with bad choices that kept her ‘professional smarts’ in question for me, but I am sure when I say that common sense is not one of her traits.
What happened for me was the lack of interest and appeal for the characters kept all of the story at a lukewarm, if not sputtering level; I didn’t buy into their relationship or them as characters, therefore I couldn’t buy into the story. This book is very uneven: it starts well and has some great promise, but falls significantly short of its mark. More character development, a little less whinging from Mallory would have held my interest better, rather than made this a difficult book to finish.
I received an eArc copy from the publisher for purpose of honest review for The Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
February 26, 2014
Received an ARC from NetGalley for honest review.
I liked it and then I didn't like. It was good and then I was bored. Max was the weirdest Dom I've ever met. He mainly liked to watch. Really? And for an ER doctor Mallory was whinny. I know she went through a bunch of stuff but just grow a set already. There are a lot of other great characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about.
I liked it and then I didn't like. It was good and then I was bored. Max was the weirdest Dom I've ever met. He mainly liked to watch. Really? And for an ER doctor Mallory was whinny. I know she went through a bunch of stuff but just grow a set already. There are a lot of other great characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about.
Want to read
June 2, 2017
May 19, 2014
I went into this book hoping that it would be a little more engaging than it turned out to be for me. The basic story plot was decent but I didn't really feel connected to the characters. The relationship between Max and Mallory wasn't captivating and did not draw me in. The whole premise of a retreat for the elite of the fashion industry being a cover for an exclusive BDSM retreat and night club just wasn't a win for me either. The writing is sufficient and the story was adequate, yet I failed to feel any real emotion one way or another. I like to either love or hate the main characters or at least feel something for a strong secondary character, but this one fell flat. Unfortunately, this was an unremarkable for me.
I received an ARC via Netgally/Loveswept in exchange for an honest review.
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
I received an ARC via Netgally/Loveswept in exchange for an honest review.
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
May 8, 2019
Mallory needs a place to hide from her abusive ex and ends up staying a place her sister owns which she didn’t know was more than just a fashionable resort. While staying at the members only sex club, Colleen her sister, requests Max be Mallory’s bodyguard. What will happen when sparks begin to fly between them, they both have baggage, but can the heal together. Great start to a new series. The story is fast-paced with plenty of drama and emotion. The chemistry is steamy and I look forward reading more in the series.
May 8, 2019
Heat is the first book in the Club Inferno series. Mallory is in hiding and on the run from her ex-fiancé, but she’s out of money and only has one person to turn to - her sister. With an open mind, she realizes her sister’s fashion spa has a secret side, one she hopes to explore more of with Max. While their connection may have started by babysitting duty, Mallory and Max start to develop something real. But will her past ever leave her alone?
I really enjoyed this story! Mallory and Max had amazing chemistry, I loved their give and take, and this book had plenty of steam while being really sweet! One thing that I absolutely loved was that there was so much exploration between healing, finding that inner courage, reaching for what you wanted, and finding that vixen that maybe hides a little inside. Mallory was so scared at times, but I loved how she was able to be strong, she wanted to fight and live and love with Max, and I loved that she wanted to trust again. I also really enjoyed the differences between Mallory and her sister. Max was patient, kind, and caring, but he was a wickedly creative Dom and I loved his ropes and voyeurism. I thought this book was original, emotional, real, delightful, and decadent at times! I throughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in the series!
I really enjoyed this story! Mallory and Max had amazing chemistry, I loved their give and take, and this book had plenty of steam while being really sweet! One thing that I absolutely loved was that there was so much exploration between healing, finding that inner courage, reaching for what you wanted, and finding that vixen that maybe hides a little inside. Mallory was so scared at times, but I loved how she was able to be strong, she wanted to fight and live and love with Max, and I loved that she wanted to trust again. I also really enjoyed the differences between Mallory and her sister. Max was patient, kind, and caring, but he was a wickedly creative Dom and I loved his ropes and voyeurism. I thought this book was original, emotional, real, delightful, and decadent at times! I throughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in the series!
May 30, 2019
Mallory runs from her ex boyfriend to her sister not knowing what to expect but is really surprised by her sister's club. Her sister offers her a place to hide and recovery while she decides what her next move is going to be. Max works at her sister's place and teaches Mallory self defense. Sparks fly between them but her sister has warned them both against acting on their attraction. Mallory gets some counseling while staying with her sister and is finally feeling like herself when she runs into her ex's sister at her sister's club. She starts back working in the ER and feels like her life is just about normal again when her ex's sister accuses her of causing all of his problems. Can Malloy ever get her ex put behind her? What will become of her relationship with Max?
This is a great story once I started it I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story once I started it I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2019
LOVED Mallory and Max. She has been on the run from her ex who beat her and gave her drugs. Needing help she contacts her sister for a place to stay. Mallory doesn’t realize that she runs a secret club. Colleen asks Max to “babysit” Mallory. They tell her he is going to train her to protect herself. Quickly you can see the connection between the 2 as they spend more and more time together. I love that even though Max’s dad was terrible to him in is youth, he takes the time to care and visit him in the nursing home. This story checks all my boxes...connection, chemistry, steam, a great story-line and an awesome HEA.
May 4, 2019
I thought that this romance offered a lot of sweetness with a little kick of spice. I felt that the story line was appealing and I enjoyed its blend of serious and lighthearted content. I really liked Mallory and Max. It was easy for me to feel their attraction, chemistry and growing emotional attachment. The heat level is steamy and I quickly fell for this cute couple. This is my honest, voluntary review.
December 23, 2019
ABUSE SHOULD NEVER BE EXCUSED
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review
A story of a battered woman doctor and a physically and mentally abused child, turned martial artist as an adult. The woman learns to find her sexuality when she runs to her sister and falls in love. They find themselves and have their HEA.
The narration is almost top-notch. The narrator did a good job on making it distinguishable on what women were talking, but failed on the men.
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review
A story of a battered woman doctor and a physically and mentally abused child, turned martial artist as an adult. The woman learns to find her sexuality when she runs to her sister and falls in love. They find themselves and have their HEA.
The narration is almost top-notch. The narrator did a good job on making it distinguishable on what women were talking, but failed on the men.
June 28, 2022
I was excited at the beginning of the book but the author lost me almost halfway through. The characters and the storyline lacked depth. I would have liked to read more about Malory and Colleen. Also the business with David was flat. I enjoyed the steamy side of the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2019
This book was so hard to put down. Its keeps you wanting to turn the pages and find out what is going to happen next. The story line flows from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2024
3.75 stars - better than ok, but not sure if I put it fully in the “like” category. It bothers me when MCs “fall in love” in days and get engaged in less than a month. But the story was decent. Characters were well-written.
July 21, 2019
overall a good story. However, I felt there something missing. I felt there could have been a bigger blow up with David, Mallory's ex. I was expecting him to go to jail or die. I would loved to see more details about the relationship between Mallory and her sister.
Read
April 18, 2024Needed a break from the heavy. An easy and fun read about a fashion spa as the front for a BDSM club fun storyline will read all 3. Better than fifty shades.
May 10, 2019
An emotional and steamy love story. Really easy to read and understand. It hit close to home on some subjects, so i connected to the story a little. I loved it very well written and just enough of everything to make it come together perfectly perfectly.
April 30, 2014
I really loved the characters in this story...from our leads to the background characters (whom I hope will be in further Club Inferno books).
Club Inferno is a secret club hidden behind a more "presentable" rich man (or woman's) playground resort, our lead character is a Mallory a ER doctor, on the run from a violent drugged up lover. She has been on the run for a couple of months...now she is broke and trapped between going home to her family or run to her sister who happens to be the owner of Club Inferno.
The hero of the story is Max.... Max works at both clubs...he is hot and sexy and a really sweet guy who is into some very interesting sexual situations, he is employed by Colleen (her sister) to keep a watch over Mallory once the story about what she has been going thru comes out. Mallory is turned on by Max but damaged by the events leading up to her fleeing David her lawyer boyfriend who is a violent junkie.
The story unfolds in a good time span...the attraction is instantly acknowledged but the story does allow Max to be the good guy and for Mallory to realize that she needs some help in dealing with what she has been thru and how as a doctor she would not seek help long before it got to the point it did.
I read it non stop, I enjoyed the whole story... the sexiness between the leads even when they were not having sex...Max was a different kind of hero... he was a more metrosexual hero than the usual boneheaded alphas that seem to dominate most romances. He was a alpha... but he was comfortable in all aspects of his personality... he liked to design and sew and with a abusive alcoholic father that could cause a few issues, I found him hot... everything about him was the kind of hero you want to read about.... Mallory was I thought a pretty truthful heroine in that she was not perfect, she did all the wrong things as most of us do....just because she was a doctor did not make her any more willing to seek help when abuse becomes less embarrassing to endure than confess. I look soooo forward to the next Club Inferno book. I appreciate Netgalley and Random House/ Loveswept for letting me read it and thank you Jamie K Schmidt for writing it!
Club Inferno is a secret club hidden behind a more "presentable" rich man (or woman's) playground resort, our lead character is a Mallory a ER doctor, on the run from a violent drugged up lover. She has been on the run for a couple of months...now she is broke and trapped between going home to her family or run to her sister who happens to be the owner of Club Inferno.
The hero of the story is Max.... Max works at both clubs...he is hot and sexy and a really sweet guy who is into some very interesting sexual situations, he is employed by Colleen (her sister) to keep a watch over Mallory once the story about what she has been going thru comes out. Mallory is turned on by Max but damaged by the events leading up to her fleeing David her lawyer boyfriend who is a violent junkie.
The story unfolds in a good time span...the attraction is instantly acknowledged but the story does allow Max to be the good guy and for Mallory to realize that she needs some help in dealing with what she has been thru and how as a doctor she would not seek help long before it got to the point it did.
I read it non stop, I enjoyed the whole story... the sexiness between the leads even when they were not having sex...Max was a different kind of hero... he was a more metrosexual hero than the usual boneheaded alphas that seem to dominate most romances. He was a alpha... but he was comfortable in all aspects of his personality... he liked to design and sew and with a abusive alcoholic father that could cause a few issues, I found him hot... everything about him was the kind of hero you want to read about.... Mallory was I thought a pretty truthful heroine in that she was not perfect, she did all the wrong things as most of us do....just because she was a doctor did not make her any more willing to seek help when abuse becomes less embarrassing to endure than confess. I look soooo forward to the next Club Inferno book. I appreciate Netgalley and Random House/ Loveswept for letting me read it and thank you Jamie K Schmidt for writing it!
October 26, 2014
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Character Development: H-4, h-4
Character Likeability: H-5, h-3
Erotic Tension/Buildup: 5 stars
Sexual Descriptiveness: 5 stars
Erotic Frequency: 5+++ stars (too many to count)
Writing Style: 3.5 stars
Denouement: 3 stars
Mallory is an ER doctor who is engaged to David, a drug-abusing attorney. In the first chapter, she is stunned and in shock, having been beaten and force-fed a dirty drug. She leaves town and escapes to safety with her older sister Colleen, who has always been the bad girl, while Mallory was off being the good girl. Colleen now heads Couture, a fashionable spa/club/rehab/resort which also has a members only side which is a Sex club where anything goes including BDSM. Security is tight at Couture, and Mallory finally begins to feel safe and begins to relax and unwind with Max, who has been assigned to be her bodyguard. Max is also an instructor in Martial Arts on the Fashion side, and a Dom (who primarily watches) on the Sexy side of Couture.
The dialogue is brisk and entertaining with lots of current cultural references and dashes of humor. There is almost too much dialogue. The chemistry between Mallory and Max heats up and the erotic scenes are steamy! Max seems to have a split personality, and he also designs clothing. Mallory begins to get her life together with therapy at Couture and develops a relationship with Max. She begins to trust him, even with some of the Bondage and painful play. There is a ton of interesting and kinky erotic encounters between the two.
This was an ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Plot: 4 stars
Character Development: H-4, h-4
Character Likeability: H-5, h-3
Erotic Tension/Buildup: 5 stars
Sexual Descriptiveness: 5 stars
Erotic Frequency: 5+++ stars (too many to count)
Writing Style: 3.5 stars
Denouement: 3 stars
Mallory is an ER doctor who is engaged to David, a drug-abusing attorney. In the first chapter, she is stunned and in shock, having been beaten and force-fed a dirty drug. She leaves town and escapes to safety with her older sister Colleen, who has always been the bad girl, while Mallory was off being the good girl. Colleen now heads Couture, a fashionable spa/club/rehab/resort which also has a members only side which is a Sex club where anything goes including BDSM. Security is tight at Couture, and Mallory finally begins to feel safe and begins to relax and unwind with Max, who has been assigned to be her bodyguard. Max is also an instructor in Martial Arts on the Fashion side, and a Dom (who primarily watches) on the Sexy side of Couture.
The dialogue is brisk and entertaining with lots of current cultural references and dashes of humor. There is almost too much dialogue. The chemistry between Mallory and Max heats up and the erotic scenes are steamy! Max seems to have a split personality, and he also designs clothing. Mallory begins to get her life together with therapy at Couture and develops a relationship with Max. She begins to trust him, even with some of the Bondage and painful play. There is a ton of interesting and kinky erotic encounters between the two.
This was an ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2014
When your fiance is a drug addict and starts beating on you what do you do? You stay and take the beating of course, since you're a doctor and believes that you can fix him.
When he forces drugs down your throat, do you knock him out and report his ass to the police, nooo. You wait until he passes out, grab what you can and go into hiding.
This seems to be the case for E.R (No not the tv show) Dr. Mallory Bryant. After hiding for two months and her finance completely depleted, Mallory has no other choice than to seek help from the black sheep of the family, her older sister Colleen.
Colleen owns a "special" business called Couture which has a sweet side and a wicked side. Wanting to protect her little sister, Colleen enlisted the help of one of her employees to look after her.
Max, liking the benefits of the job, excepts it and that is how to story of Max and Mallory began. Because of the wicked side of Couture, Colleen has heavy security on her business and this makes Mallory feel safe and secure. It also has it's drawbacks since she no longer feels safe to leave the walls of safety of Couture by herself.
Can Max eliminate her fears and make her stronger? Or would the pain and fear cripple Mallory forever?
Jamie Schmidt tried to write a steamy romance that was just warm. The sex was okay, but Max is a Dom. Dom's don't just like to watch, they like to take part and discipline their subs. Seriously, what kind of Dom does not take part in his own handy work?
I felt sorry for Mallory in the beginning and then I just could not stand her later down to the end. Her "Oh woe is me" act got really old, really fast and when she finally got over it, it was anti-climatic. Their was a lot of dialogue that just seem to go on and on and on and not a lot of body.
I liked the book, but it could have been written better. Read the book and give me your opinion.
When he forces drugs down your throat, do you knock him out and report his ass to the police, nooo. You wait until he passes out, grab what you can and go into hiding.
This seems to be the case for E.R (No not the tv show) Dr. Mallory Bryant. After hiding for two months and her finance completely depleted, Mallory has no other choice than to seek help from the black sheep of the family, her older sister Colleen.
Colleen owns a "special" business called Couture which has a sweet side and a wicked side. Wanting to protect her little sister, Colleen enlisted the help of one of her employees to look after her.
Max, liking the benefits of the job, excepts it and that is how to story of Max and Mallory began. Because of the wicked side of Couture, Colleen has heavy security on her business and this makes Mallory feel safe and secure. It also has it's drawbacks since she no longer feels safe to leave the walls of safety of Couture by herself.
Can Max eliminate her fears and make her stronger? Or would the pain and fear cripple Mallory forever?
Jamie Schmidt tried to write a steamy romance that was just warm. The sex was okay, but Max is a Dom. Dom's don't just like to watch, they like to take part and discipline their subs. Seriously, what kind of Dom does not take part in his own handy work?
I felt sorry for Mallory in the beginning and then I just could not stand her later down to the end. Her "Oh woe is me" act got really old, really fast and when she finally got over it, it was anti-climatic. Their was a lot of dialogue that just seem to go on and on and on and not a lot of body.
I liked the book, but it could have been written better. Read the book and give me your opinion.
June 2, 2014
This is going to be a bit difficult for me to review as it's not something I want to dwell on. I found Heat to be a bit slow and more on the bland side of the scale. It's not what I was expecting. At all.
Max is a dom, yet his character isn't very dominant. In all honesty, I would remove the sure to please fans of Fifty Shades of Grey comment from the blurb. It may give others the same false expectations when diving into this book.
I found some things to be a bit childish, especially when it came from such a hard working ER doctor who is apparently very mature. Thinking OMG (read oh em gee) versus the actual thought oh my god, and naming a vibrator winky ... it just left me rolling my eyes.
I also felt that there wasn't much in the way of character development and that there wasn't really a connection between Max and Mallory. Aside from the sex, of course. But something that led to them falling for one another? I was left a bit stumped myself.
I would have to give Heat 1.5 stars. The story had some promise behind it as did Max, but overall it was something that I had to push through. It may not have been my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean that you won't enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.
Max is a dom, yet his character isn't very dominant. In all honesty, I would remove the sure to please fans of Fifty Shades of Grey comment from the blurb. It may give others the same false expectations when diving into this book.
I found some things to be a bit childish, especially when it came from such a hard working ER doctor who is apparently very mature. Thinking OMG (read oh em gee) versus the actual thought oh my god, and naming a vibrator winky ... it just left me rolling my eyes.
I also felt that there wasn't much in the way of character development and that there wasn't really a connection between Max and Mallory. Aside from the sex, of course. But something that led to them falling for one another? I was left a bit stumped myself.
I would have to give Heat 1.5 stars. The story had some promise behind it as did Max, but overall it was something that I had to push through. It may not have been my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean that you won't enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.
November 24, 2025
Mallory Byrant is on the run and hiding from her abusive fiancé'. When she is out of money and resources, she turns to her older sister for help. Heading to her sister's resort in Connecticut, Mallory finds herself held up in an erotic club instead of the Couture Fashion resort she believes it to be.
Mallory's sister sent Max Spencer to watch over and protect her sister. Max might be assigned as her bodyguard, but the more they get to know each other, the more he fantasizes about making Mallory his submissive. Passions ignite, and erotic pleasures lead to feelings neither of them was prepared for.
Although it does contain BDSM, the plot revolves around Mallory rebuilding her self-confidence after leaving the abusive relationship.
Heat is an erotic trip into the hedonism the likes of few will ever know. It is packed full of erotic and vividly described encounters with multiple partners. I give Heat 3.5 steam-filled stars.
I received this ARC copy of Heat from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on June 3, 2014.
Mallory's sister sent Max Spencer to watch over and protect her sister. Max might be assigned as her bodyguard, but the more they get to know each other, the more he fantasizes about making Mallory his submissive. Passions ignite, and erotic pleasures lead to feelings neither of them was prepared for.
Although it does contain BDSM, the plot revolves around Mallory rebuilding her self-confidence after leaving the abusive relationship.
Heat is an erotic trip into the hedonism the likes of few will ever know. It is packed full of erotic and vividly described encounters with multiple partners. I give Heat 3.5 steam-filled stars.
I received this ARC copy of Heat from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on June 3, 2014.
August 12, 2016
Time to turn up the Heat...
Heat is an erotic contemporary BDSM romance. Max is a Dom, and Mallory an ER doctor dealing with her fiancés abusive behavior and his drug addiction. With nowhere to go and low on funds, Mallory decides to ask her estranged sister, Colleen, if she can stay with her. Her sister is the owner of Couture, a fashion business that has a sex club venture on the side known as Club Inferno.
Max is a martial arts instructor and Dom at Inferno. He’s a caring and sensitive hero who prefers to set up scenes and watch them rather than participate. When Mallory arrives, her sister asks Max to be her bodyguard. He agrees, and very quickly things heat up between the two.
Max decides to switch up his watching of scenes in favor of acting out Mallory’s desires with her. The chemistry is hot, and the BDSM light between them. This is a well written book with fun and interesting characters. I was captivated from the beginning to the end.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks also goes to the author for a wonderful read.
Heat is an erotic contemporary BDSM romance. Max is a Dom, and Mallory an ER doctor dealing with her fiancés abusive behavior and his drug addiction. With nowhere to go and low on funds, Mallory decides to ask her estranged sister, Colleen, if she can stay with her. Her sister is the owner of Couture, a fashion business that has a sex club venture on the side known as Club Inferno.
Max is a martial arts instructor and Dom at Inferno. He’s a caring and sensitive hero who prefers to set up scenes and watch them rather than participate. When Mallory arrives, her sister asks Max to be her bodyguard. He agrees, and very quickly things heat up between the two.
Max decides to switch up his watching of scenes in favor of acting out Mallory’s desires with her. The chemistry is hot, and the BDSM light between them. This is a well written book with fun and interesting characters. I was captivated from the beginning to the end.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks also goes to the author for a wonderful read.
July 20, 2014
Book Summary
Published by - Loveswept a Random House imprint
Release Date - 3rd June 2014
Pages - 230
My Rating - 2 Stars
Review
It pains me to give this book two stars, especially when everything else I've read from this imprint has been so enjoyable! But - and believe me it's a big BUT - when you have a dom that isn't in the slightest dominant then you've lost me.
The whole point of a dom is to be large and in charge, to be nurturing and caring, sure, but they have to have a take charge attitude, otherwise *shrugs* they're just not a dom...right? And to make matters worse Mallory is an ER doctor. No, that's not a bad thing, but after majority of the decisions she makes throughout the story and the way she reacted to things...let me put it this way, I'd sure as hell hope she's not my doctor!!!
The way the story was written made it all but impossible for the reader to connect with the characters and they were so un-relatable!!! All in all the whole thing was brain screaming-ly aggravating and meh.
February 19, 2014
Oh Mallory you are something else, "what!" Mallory said, and then lowered the volume when they both winced. "I mean, I'm not here for the sex. That is, I'm not a prude," she said to Max." She's also persistent, "how much is my sister paying you that you'd rather go shopping for shoes than watch two men screw around with a redhead with big ti*s?" Max he's very blunt, "besides, what you saw back there is commonplace. I'm not missing out on anything I can't get again tonight or the next day. That's not the case with you. I like being with you." Drunk Mallory is something else, "although, with your pecs I'd follow you anywhere." She patted them. Or did she? Hopefully that was all in her head. "This place is wild. The colors, the skin. God, I'm so horny I could short-circuit my room vibrator." Max knows how to give his lady compliments, "there's a mirror on the ceiling," he murmured against her hair. "You have a great a**. Have I mentioned that?"
May 16, 2014
Mallory and Max will rock your world!!!! When Mallory seeks her sister, Coleen, for refuge from her strung out abusive fiancé, she discovers a whole different world in her new sanctuary. Mallory feels broken and damaged when she arrives at Couture, her sister's residence and fashion retreat. Little does she know that Coleen's establishment is also a front for a BDSM sex club. Max is a martial arts instructor that is assigned to be Mallory's protector and watch out for her safety and well being. He also is one hot sexy Dom in his dungeon beneath Couture, Club Inferno. As Mallory learns to trust and love again, she also learns she has a curious appetite for kinky sex and knows just who she wants to be her teacher as she discovers herself way outside her safety net. Will she be able to get over the damage of her past and enter into the exciting world of BDSM or will it be just too much after what she has just been through?
August 25, 2016
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
I really, really wanted to like this book. It had a great premise but it fell flat for me. I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters at all. Max was a Dom but he wasn’t very dominating at all. Mallory was an ER doctor but she didn’t seem that smart at times. Most of the time I was really bored when reading this and I only finished it because I was hoping it would get better.
Characters: I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and didn’t feel they were well written.
Sex: there was lots of it but as a reader I couldn’t “feel” the passion or steaminess
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: since it says #1 in the title I would think there will be more
Genre: Romance/Erotica
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
I really, really wanted to like this book. It had a great premise but it fell flat for me. I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters at all. Max was a Dom but he wasn’t very dominating at all. Mallory was an ER doctor but she didn’t seem that smart at times. Most of the time I was really bored when reading this and I only finished it because I was hoping it would get better.
Characters: I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and didn’t feel they were well written.
Sex: there was lots of it but as a reader I couldn’t “feel” the passion or steaminess
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: since it says #1 in the title I would think there will be more
Genre: Romance/Erotica
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
August 22, 2014
I liked this story. I enjoyed the premise of the story. Mallory is an ER doctor who is on the run from her abusive fiancé. Her now ex fiancé is a lawyer who has become addicted to drugs and has gotten physical violent with Mallory. Mallory has always been the good girl and runs to her sister who was always the problem child. The resort that her sister runs isn't what it seems. When Mallory pulls in she noticed the bushes are shaped like a penis. It made me laugh out loud because who would think. Max is a dom who also works at the resort. He is assigned to keep watch of Mallory and teach her some self defense. Mallory feels broken and afraid. The two of them have an instant connection. Max was great as he wouldn't push Mallory too far and was really careful of the things theta reminded her of the abuse. This a great story of a special dom and his newly discovered sub and the way he makes her feel like herself again. I will be reading the next in this series.
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