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Stealing Serenity
“Serenity,” a photograph worth four million dollars, was sold at auction to an anonymous bidder. Stealing it will represent the largest payday Daniel will have ever had. To make that happen, he poses as a photography curator to attract the attention of Kearin, the auction house owner.
Kearin takes Daniel under his wing to work in the non-profit branch of his business, but it’s a cover for his desire to see Daniel naked, bound, and needy for the camera. Kearin has a client interested in a very specific portfolio—filling the request would put him at the top of his field.
Daniel thinks he can use the modeling to get closer to “Serenity.” What he doesn't expect is to fall for Kearin's brand of intensity instead. So does he go for the photograph or Kearin's heart? He wouldn't call himself a master thief if he couldn't steal both.
Kearin takes Daniel under his wing to work in the non-profit branch of his business, but it’s a cover for his desire to see Daniel naked, bound, and needy for the camera. Kearin has a client interested in a very specific portfolio—filling the request would put him at the top of his field.
Daniel thinks he can use the modeling to get closer to “Serenity.” What he doesn't expect is to fall for Kearin's brand of intensity instead. So does he go for the photograph or Kearin's heart? He wouldn't call himself a master thief if he couldn't steal both.
83 pages, ebook
First published July 3, 2014
1 person is currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Tami Veldura
135 books145 followersTami Veldura is an enby/aro/ace author of queer fiction. Their pronouns are they/them/Mx. They love romance, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal stories that push genre limits. Their work has been nominated for the M/M Goodreads Reader Choice Awards and they have been nominated and placed in the Rainbow Awards.
Website: Failure To Communicate
Twitter handle: tamiveldura
Email: tamiveldura@gmail.com
Website: Failure To Communicate
Twitter handle: tamiveldura
Email: tamiveldura@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 10, 2016
Cross-posted at Outlaw Reviews and at Shelf Inflicted
Daniel Hogan is a thief with big plans to steal a $4.3M dollar photograph titled Serenity, so he insinuates himself into the good graces of Kearin Gerard, owner of Gerard Photography, the company who organized the sale to an anonymous bidder.
What Daniel didn’t anticipate was the intense attraction he felt for Kearin. His strong personality and personal photo collection piqued Daniel’s interest even further. He has no intention of letting his desires get in the way of obtaining information about the person who possesses Serenity, and takes every opportunity he can to look for clues. In the process, he learns more about Kearin, whose computer he now has access to. Kearin’s photographs of bound young men and the peaceful expressions on their faces captivate Daniel. He is surprised when he learns Kearin is looking for a model and doesn’t hesitate to accept.
This story takes place a little over a two-week period and is told from Daniel’s perspective. Each fragment has a date, time, and location, but the story is told in linear fashion. The tension builds up, as Daniel gets closer to learning about the anonymous bidder and getting his hands on the photograph. Meanwhile, the sexual tension between Kearin and Daniel becomes intense as Daniel submits to the restraints while being photographed.
There is no romance or sex here, just desire, slow-burning eroticism and elegant descriptions of Shibari. Kearin is an ambitious man who is looking to enhance his career and Daniel badly wants that photograph. While I enjoyed the details of Daniel’s bold art heist, it was Kearin’s elaborate knotwork and Daniel’s submission in front of the camera that captured my interest.
This was a very well-written and cleanly edited story with two well-developed main characters and a small cast of secondary characters. The conclusion was clever and open-ended, but I was a little dissatisfied at how some details were addressed, like what was so special about this photograph?
Really? This was worth $4.3 million dollars? Since such a large part of the story was focused on the art heist, I need a much better description than that!
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this imaginative and erotic story and definitely plan to read more of this author’s work.
*Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Daniel Hogan is a thief with big plans to steal a $4.3M dollar photograph titled Serenity, so he insinuates himself into the good graces of Kearin Gerard, owner of Gerard Photography, the company who organized the sale to an anonymous bidder.
What Daniel didn’t anticipate was the intense attraction he felt for Kearin. His strong personality and personal photo collection piqued Daniel’s interest even further. He has no intention of letting his desires get in the way of obtaining information about the person who possesses Serenity, and takes every opportunity he can to look for clues. In the process, he learns more about Kearin, whose computer he now has access to. Kearin’s photographs of bound young men and the peaceful expressions on their faces captivate Daniel. He is surprised when he learns Kearin is looking for a model and doesn’t hesitate to accept.
This story takes place a little over a two-week period and is told from Daniel’s perspective. Each fragment has a date, time, and location, but the story is told in linear fashion. The tension builds up, as Daniel gets closer to learning about the anonymous bidder and getting his hands on the photograph. Meanwhile, the sexual tension between Kearin and Daniel becomes intense as Daniel submits to the restraints while being photographed.
There is no romance or sex here, just desire, slow-burning eroticism and elegant descriptions of Shibari. Kearin is an ambitious man who is looking to enhance his career and Daniel badly wants that photograph. While I enjoyed the details of Daniel’s bold art heist, it was Kearin’s elaborate knotwork and Daniel’s submission in front of the camera that captured my interest.
This was a very well-written and cleanly edited story with two well-developed main characters and a small cast of secondary characters. The conclusion was clever and open-ended, but I was a little dissatisfied at how some details were addressed, like what was so special about this photograph?
“Daniel felt his eyes focus on the far wall of the studio as Kearin ducked low, and he saw it. Serenity. Stripes of blue and green. A photograph framed subtly on the wall, so nondescript in performance that it could easily be glanced over. Just another design photo. Just another print."
Really? This was worth $4.3 million dollars? Since such a large part of the story was focused on the art heist, I need a much better description than that!
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this imaginative and erotic story and definitely plan to read more of this author’s work.
*Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2016
Cat and Mouse game with ropes.
Some beautiful rope work and photography discussed, but the uneven rendering of the perspective was disorienting and managed to pull me away from the moments of intimacy with reportage statements. The elements of exhibitionism and shibari are seductive, but the story telling itself was clumsy. I did enjoy the game being played here, that's why I'm rounding up 2.5 stars to 3.
Some beautiful rope work and photography discussed, but the uneven rendering of the perspective was disorienting and managed to pull me away from the moments of intimacy with reportage statements. The elements of exhibitionism and shibari are seductive, but the story telling itself was clumsy. I did enjoy the game being played here, that's why I'm rounding up 2.5 stars to 3.
January 18, 2018
Intenso, potente, sensuale.
Da leggere assolutamente, senza se e senza ma.
Stelle: 5 +++++
Da leggere assolutamente, senza se e senza ma.
Stelle: 5 +++++
August 15, 2014
3.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.
In the back of my mind throughout this entire story was “how could a photograph be worth so much money?” But then the mystery takes over, and Daniel with his thieving skills, takes front and center. He is a master thief. He is basically on a big job, undercover so to speak, working for Kearin’s company as a lowely assistant, all in the guise of obtaining information as to the whereabouts of the overpriced “Serenity” photograph so that he may steal it.
What he didn’t count on was his interest in and attraction to the mysterious Kierin. Kierin is a photographer. He is working on a personal project of which he enlists Daniel’s help. He takes erotic photographs of bound, aroused men but hasn’t found the perfect speciman for the final shots. Daniel is intrigued and agrees to be Kierin’s model for the final pieces of the project.
There is a lot of detail given to Daniel’s thieving and surveillance, but I found the bondage photography sessions stole the show. They are very well done, and you can just about feel the knots and ropes tightening as Daniel gives in and allows himself to submit. Unfortunately, Kierin remains extremely standoffish and professional through most of it. Aside from a few orders and talk of safewords, that is pretty much the extent of the BDSM aspect of this story.
This was a quick, easy read that flowed along nicely. I wish there had been a bit more to the relationship, as I never really felt these guys connected on any level other than their physical attraction with the D/S. However, the ending, while it did confuse me a little bit, it wraps things up but leaves a door open for a possible sequel. I’d definitely be interested in reading more about these guys now that Serenity is out of the way.
July 26, 2014
I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review throught the DBML program of the M/M Romance group at goodreads.
This book had the beginnings of a relationship of a photographer/auction house owner, Kearin, and a masterthief masquerading as a photograph curator, Daniel. Kearin in his private life like to photograph male subjects in bondage situation and is also a Dom. Daniel to his surprise is a submissive and gets off on being tied up. while this book is erotic it is not sexual in that their is no intercourse or oral action going on. Nevertheless it arouses a person and their is beauty in it. Daniel is their to steal a photograph called Serenity which is worth approximately $4 million dollars. I think most people can read this, those with emotional issues related to BDSM OR bondage shouild avoid it but otherwise it is a good entry to reading about BDSM.
This book had the beginnings of a relationship of a photographer/auction house owner, Kearin, and a masterthief masquerading as a photograph curator, Daniel. Kearin in his private life like to photograph male subjects in bondage situation and is also a Dom. Daniel to his surprise is a submissive and gets off on being tied up. while this book is erotic it is not sexual in that their is no intercourse or oral action going on. Nevertheless it arouses a person and their is beauty in it. Daniel is their to steal a photograph called Serenity which is worth approximately $4 million dollars. I think most people can read this, those with emotional issues related to BDSM OR bondage shouild avoid it but otherwise it is a good entry to reading about BDSM.
January 26, 2018
4.5
La prima cosa che mi viene in mente quando penso a questa storia è sensualità allo stato puro.
Le scene di bondage di questo romanzo sono la cosa più sensuale che abbia mai letto, una più intrigante dell'altra, il tutto praticamente senza che i due protagonisti facciano mai sesso.
Il rapporto tra Daniel e Kearin evolve velocemente incontro dopo incontro fino al momento in cui si scoprono le carte e tutto diventa chiaro per entrambi.
Il finale è stato perfetto per la storia, anche se spero che l'autrice prima o poi scriva un sequel e mi faccia leggere ancora di questi due interessanti personaggi su cui c'è ancora molto da scoprire.
La prima cosa che mi viene in mente quando penso a questa storia è sensualità allo stato puro.
Le scene di bondage di questo romanzo sono la cosa più sensuale che abbia mai letto, una più intrigante dell'altra, il tutto praticamente senza che i due protagonisti facciano mai sesso.
Il rapporto tra Daniel e Kearin evolve velocemente incontro dopo incontro fino al momento in cui si scoprono le carte e tutto diventa chiaro per entrambi.
Il finale è stato perfetto per la storia, anche se spero che l'autrice prima o poi scriva un sequel e mi faccia leggere ancora di questi due interessanti personaggi su cui c'è ancora molto da scoprire.
July 7, 2014
I enjoyed this story, more for the intrigue and mystery, than for the romance. If I'm perfectly honest, I didn't really feel a huge passion between the main characters of Daniel and Kearin but certainly got sucked into seeing how their relationship panned out.
The strength of the book is in the attention to detail that gave a sense of realism to Daniel's activity as a master thief. The references to the small things–such as Daniel being aware of the presence of layers of dust showing no-one was likely to find his hidden devices–and the other information given, gave enough insight into Daniel's profession to be interesting.
The book does have mystery and gets you thinking. Why is the painting worth so much? Where is it and who bought it? Will Daniel get caught and if so, what does this mean? There's an interesting element introduced with Daniel's modelling for Kearin's very special photo collection and the suspense of what this means for Daniel's plans to steal the Serenity.
Overall, I was engaged by the story and keen to see the resolution. I would be very interested to see a sequel to this story as I finished the book eager to see where Daniel and Kearin's potential relationship could lead them. It would be good to see a story with more of them as a couple with more interaction between the two characters and definitely a progression to the next level.
3.5 stars
The strength of the book is in the attention to detail that gave a sense of realism to Daniel's activity as a master thief. The references to the small things–such as Daniel being aware of the presence of layers of dust showing no-one was likely to find his hidden devices–and the other information given, gave enough insight into Daniel's profession to be interesting.
The book does have mystery and gets you thinking. Why is the painting worth so much? Where is it and who bought it? Will Daniel get caught and if so, what does this mean? There's an interesting element introduced with Daniel's modelling for Kearin's very special photo collection and the suspense of what this means for Daniel's plans to steal the Serenity.
Overall, I was engaged by the story and keen to see the resolution. I would be very interested to see a sequel to this story as I finished the book eager to see where Daniel and Kearin's potential relationship could lead them. It would be good to see a story with more of them as a couple with more interaction between the two characters and definitely a progression to the next level.
3.5 stars
September 13, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
-
Stealing Serenity was quite a bit off from what I had expected given the cover and description. Fair warning, this isn't a hot and heavy BDSM story. It's hard to explain because despite the content, the encounters between Daniel and Kearin were laid out like a textbook case study. Kearin's determined to stay emotionally detached and capture the photos of Daniel through an artist's eye while Daniel is conflicted between his ultimate goal and giving in to Kearin altogether.
It could just be due to the compact nature of the story, but we're fed pieces of the overarching story in blocky increments. I kind of liked the way the story was written, even if I had to go back and review the summary so I could get a sense of what I was reading again. The character relations in this story were a little different than I had expected. Rather than wanting Kearin, Daniel seems to be more interested in what he represented and the options he opened up to him. And I can't help thinking that the title is a double entendre, referring both to the photo "Serenity" he was meant to steal and the emotional "serenity" he wanted to steal, both of which involves using Kearin. Clever.
A major part of what made Daniel such an engaging narrator for me is how deeply conflicted he is as the main player in driving the plot. I also found not being able to see into Kearin's head somewhat unnerving, but ultimately, it made Daniel's reactions to the man that much more powerful.
Minor detail, but I had some issues getting into the story at the beginning. "It was in a master thief's best interest to appear characterless(…)" Being told something that major as the opening words was a little like being bricked in the face. I would have much rather preferred to be shown that through example of Daniel putting his skills as a master thief in action in the context of the story. But to be fair, I acknowledge that this is a relatively short story so showing rather than telling everything isn't really a possibility. Aside from that though, the book as a whole was consistently well written.
The story was both more than I ever expected and yet, still came up short. The reading process was a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle only to get to the end and realize a few pieces were missing. I wouldn't say there were plot holes so much as there's quite a few questions left unanswered and possibilities left awkwardly unaddressed. I imagine I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if the story was appropriately expanded to resolve some of those points.
-
Stealing Serenity was quite a bit off from what I had expected given the cover and description. Fair warning, this isn't a hot and heavy BDSM story. It's hard to explain because despite the content, the encounters between Daniel and Kearin were laid out like a textbook case study. Kearin's determined to stay emotionally detached and capture the photos of Daniel through an artist's eye while Daniel is conflicted between his ultimate goal and giving in to Kearin altogether.
It could just be due to the compact nature of the story, but we're fed pieces of the overarching story in blocky increments. I kind of liked the way the story was written, even if I had to go back and review the summary so I could get a sense of what I was reading again. The character relations in this story were a little different than I had expected. Rather than wanting Kearin, Daniel seems to be more interested in what he represented and the options he opened up to him. And I can't help thinking that the title is a double entendre, referring both to the photo "Serenity" he was meant to steal and the emotional "serenity" he wanted to steal, both of which involves using Kearin. Clever.
A major part of what made Daniel such an engaging narrator for me is how deeply conflicted he is as the main player in driving the plot. I also found not being able to see into Kearin's head somewhat unnerving, but ultimately, it made Daniel's reactions to the man that much more powerful.
Minor detail, but I had some issues getting into the story at the beginning. "It was in a master thief's best interest to appear characterless(…)" Being told something that major as the opening words was a little like being bricked in the face. I would have much rather preferred to be shown that through example of Daniel putting his skills as a master thief in action in the context of the story. But to be fair, I acknowledge that this is a relatively short story so showing rather than telling everything isn't really a possibility. Aside from that though, the book as a whole was consistently well written.
The story was both more than I ever expected and yet, still came up short. The reading process was a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle only to get to the end and realize a few pieces were missing. I wouldn't say there were plot holes so much as there's quite a few questions left unanswered and possibilities left awkwardly unaddressed. I imagine I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if the story was appropriately expanded to resolve some of those points.
September 18, 2014
Stealing Serenity is the story of Daniel Hogan, an art thief, with plans to steal Serenity, a photograph estimated to be worth 4 million dollars. In order to get more information about the anonymous buyer of the photo, Daniel goes to work for Kearin Gerard, photographer and organizer of the Serenity auction. Daniel becomes intrigued by Kearin’s private photo collection of men bound in various erotic poses, and agrees to be Kearin’s next model. As Daniel gets closer to finding Serenity, he also gets much closer to Kearin.
This is a really good story. The author writes with an incredible attention to detail from Daniel’s surveillance scenes, to the bondage scenes, even down to Daniel picking a suit. I loved the slow building sexual tension between Daniel and Kearin, and the bondage scenes were incredibly hot. The book was well edited and the dialogue between characters was very believable. The only problem I had was the abrupt ending. I felt like there was so much more story to tell. I felt like I had been teased for an hour with all the bondage scenes then there was no real culmination to the relationship. I am hoping this book will have a sequel, because I would really like to see this story continue on.
I received a copy of this book from the author through the BDSM Group on Goodreads.
This is a really good story. The author writes with an incredible attention to detail from Daniel’s surveillance scenes, to the bondage scenes, even down to Daniel picking a suit. I loved the slow building sexual tension between Daniel and Kearin, and the bondage scenes were incredibly hot. The book was well edited and the dialogue between characters was very believable. The only problem I had was the abrupt ending. I felt like there was so much more story to tell. I felt like I had been teased for an hour with all the bondage scenes then there was no real culmination to the relationship. I am hoping this book will have a sequel, because I would really like to see this story continue on.
I received a copy of this book from the author through the BDSM Group on Goodreads.
August 2, 2014
This book was given to me free by the author for an unbiased review.
Daniel, a thief, obtains a job working for Kearin, the owner of the auction house that sold the photograph he wants to steal.
Along the way, he discovers that Kearin is taking a series of photographs involving bondage and is asked to model for some of them. Daniel is also faling for Kearin but he never sleeps with his models.
Eventually, Daniel discovers where the photograph is he wants to steal and Kearin is asked by the owner to do a photo shoot at his home.
This book ends with Daniel stealing the photograph but leaving it for Kearin, who then asks him to spend the night.
This book is short, its under 100 pages and I think it could definitely be expanded or have a sequel written for it.
Daniel, a thief, obtains a job working for Kearin, the owner of the auction house that sold the photograph he wants to steal.
Along the way, he discovers that Kearin is taking a series of photographs involving bondage and is asked to model for some of them. Daniel is also faling for Kearin but he never sleeps with his models.
Eventually, Daniel discovers where the photograph is he wants to steal and Kearin is asked by the owner to do a photo shoot at his home.
This book ends with Daniel stealing the photograph but leaving it for Kearin, who then asks him to spend the night.
This book is short, its under 100 pages and I think it could definitely be expanded or have a sequel written for it.
July 30, 2014
I was given Stealing Serenity from the author through the M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Buy My Love for an honest review. This story is told in third person through the eyes of Daniel a professional thief and Kearin, Daniel’s boss at the current company Daniel works at so he can locate his next heist. We only see Kearin’s pov during the very last chapter, the rest of the time it’s all from Daniel’s pov.
May 24, 2017
Just... *contented sigh* ...lovely.
August 25, 2014
3.5 star review by Vicki
This was a very interesting story for me…. I am not familiar with Tami Veldura’s books, so I was curious to see how I would like this book. For the most part I liked it.
Daniel is an art thief, working on a big scam, to steal a multi-million dollar photograph. The problem is he doesn’t know who owns the photo at the moment. He knows who handled the sale, and gets a job at that company. He’s pretty sneaky, not only knowing how to play different roles as needed to find the art he is planning on stealing, but he also is quite adept at breaking in to houses, offices, and computers. He uses these skills to get close to Kearin, in hopes of finding who he sold Serenity, the photograph to.
Kearin was a bit harder to pin down, the story is from Daniels perspective so we only know what Daniel knows about Kearin. We know he owns a business, a house, and drives a nice car. He is a photographer himself, Daniel eventually finds out he likes to tie men up and take naughty pictures of them.
Daniel gets close to Kearin, both at his business, and he gets an invite to pose for Kearin. Daniel is intrigued by the bondage photos he has seen taken by Kearin, does a little surfing to check out what it’s all about, and decides he might like to try this. Not only as a way to work his potential theft, but as a naughty bit of fun… and off we go.
This is a short story, so it moves pretty quick and doesn’t have much of a background to it. I was basically ok with the plot, I just told myself not to look too deeply and just accept it for what it was. I did question what exactly Kearin’s business was all about and why a photograph would be worth millions of dollars. It was a bit vague in those areas. What I really liked about this book was the building of the sexual tension between Daniel and Kearin. It builds as they work together, but really kicks in when Kearin does some very elaborate Shibari knotwork on Daniel and takes some lovely photos of him. He is just a bit of a Dom, telling Daniel not to touch himself, and giving a few light orders. It really is all about bondage, it’s not much of a BDSM novel.
I’m going to give somewhat of a spoiler here, but it kinda bugged me so I need to mention it. I may not have read it if I had known. So this tension between them builds and builds, toward a big beautiful climax that never happens! They NEVER have sex. The story builds, the tension builds, then bam! It’s over. A fairly easy and uneventful ending, with no freaking sex! It just ended. I was really enjoying it, there is an issue with Daniel and bondage, Kearin seems to be a decent man and possibly a good Dom, I was waiting anxiously for the big payout and it never comes. I liked 95% of the book, but I think it really was not ended well at all. I soooo wanted the sex to happen, I’m quite disappointed actually.
Overall it was a fairly enjoyable book, I liked the characters, I liked the plot (just don’t look too deep), I liked the bondage (you get the “B” of BDSM but not much else), but the lack of sex was a problem for me! I totally would have rated it higher if they had some SEX! I read romance novels for the romance, certainly, and they don’t have to have graphic, erotic sex scenes, but I need to have the characters have sex at some point in the story.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. The book was reviewed for www.lovebytesreviews.com
This was a very interesting story for me…. I am not familiar with Tami Veldura’s books, so I was curious to see how I would like this book. For the most part I liked it.
Daniel is an art thief, working on a big scam, to steal a multi-million dollar photograph. The problem is he doesn’t know who owns the photo at the moment. He knows who handled the sale, and gets a job at that company. He’s pretty sneaky, not only knowing how to play different roles as needed to find the art he is planning on stealing, but he also is quite adept at breaking in to houses, offices, and computers. He uses these skills to get close to Kearin, in hopes of finding who he sold Serenity, the photograph to.
Kearin was a bit harder to pin down, the story is from Daniels perspective so we only know what Daniel knows about Kearin. We know he owns a business, a house, and drives a nice car. He is a photographer himself, Daniel eventually finds out he likes to tie men up and take naughty pictures of them.
Daniel gets close to Kearin, both at his business, and he gets an invite to pose for Kearin. Daniel is intrigued by the bondage photos he has seen taken by Kearin, does a little surfing to check out what it’s all about, and decides he might like to try this. Not only as a way to work his potential theft, but as a naughty bit of fun… and off we go.
This is a short story, so it moves pretty quick and doesn’t have much of a background to it. I was basically ok with the plot, I just told myself not to look too deeply and just accept it for what it was. I did question what exactly Kearin’s business was all about and why a photograph would be worth millions of dollars. It was a bit vague in those areas. What I really liked about this book was the building of the sexual tension between Daniel and Kearin. It builds as they work together, but really kicks in when Kearin does some very elaborate Shibari knotwork on Daniel and takes some lovely photos of him. He is just a bit of a Dom, telling Daniel not to touch himself, and giving a few light orders. It really is all about bondage, it’s not much of a BDSM novel.
I’m going to give somewhat of a spoiler here, but it kinda bugged me so I need to mention it. I may not have read it if I had known. So this tension between them builds and builds, toward a big beautiful climax that never happens! They NEVER have sex. The story builds, the tension builds, then bam! It’s over. A fairly easy and uneventful ending, with no freaking sex! It just ended. I was really enjoying it, there is an issue with Daniel and bondage, Kearin seems to be a decent man and possibly a good Dom, I was waiting anxiously for the big payout and it never comes. I liked 95% of the book, but I think it really was not ended well at all. I soooo wanted the sex to happen, I’m quite disappointed actually.
Overall it was a fairly enjoyable book, I liked the characters, I liked the plot (just don’t look too deep), I liked the bondage (you get the “B” of BDSM but not much else), but the lack of sex was a problem for me! I totally would have rated it higher if they had some SEX! I read romance novels for the romance, certainly, and they don’t have to have graphic, erotic sex scenes, but I need to have the characters have sex at some point in the story.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. The book was reviewed for www.lovebytesreviews.com
August 13, 2014
eARC Review: Stealing Serenity by Tami Veldura
I love a good story.
I particularly love a great story where the mind is made to imagine all the possibilities it is teased with.
I especially love a beautifully written story where there is no need to read the angst of drama within a beautifully developing romance that is not, and most especially one that is truly sweet and calm. This is Stealing Serenity.
Serenity is one of the world's most expensive and sought after piece of photographic art. Sold at an auction, bought anonymously, it is a temptation that beckons. And beckon it did to Daniel. He is a master thief and getting his hands on this piece of art would mean a whole lot of money and a whole lot of risk.
Kearin takes one look at Daniel and does something unexpected: he hires him to be one of his auction house's curators. He did this with a secret intention no one had an inkling of. All Daniel knew was that he was in and closer to his prize. As for Kearin, he knew he had what he wanted. The final piece to his secret creation.
Now all Daniel had to do was strike a pose and be bound.
The unexpectedness of feeling serene while bound in artfully knotted rope steals Daniel's breath away. And Kearin's heart.
For those who are looking for an out and out BDSM story, or a superlicious erotic man on man action, go the other way! This is not the book.
For those of you who are looking for a read that captures the imagination and titilliates the creative mind, this is the right read.
Tami Veldura surprised me. What I read was one of the most erotic teasers I have ever encountered. What grabbed my attention was not so much the lack of erotica as the insinuations of it. That ending was a huge upset and an even bigger tease.
And I. Just. Loved. It!
I love a good story.
I particularly love a great story where the mind is made to imagine all the possibilities it is teased with.
I especially love a beautifully written story where there is no need to read the angst of drama within a beautifully developing romance that is not, and most especially one that is truly sweet and calm. This is Stealing Serenity.
Serenity is one of the world's most expensive and sought after piece of photographic art. Sold at an auction, bought anonymously, it is a temptation that beckons. And beckon it did to Daniel. He is a master thief and getting his hands on this piece of art would mean a whole lot of money and a whole lot of risk.
Kearin takes one look at Daniel and does something unexpected: he hires him to be one of his auction house's curators. He did this with a secret intention no one had an inkling of. All Daniel knew was that he was in and closer to his prize. As for Kearin, he knew he had what he wanted. The final piece to his secret creation.
Now all Daniel had to do was strike a pose and be bound.
The unexpectedness of feeling serene while bound in artfully knotted rope steals Daniel's breath away. And Kearin's heart.
For those who are looking for an out and out BDSM story, or a superlicious erotic man on man action, go the other way! This is not the book.
For those of you who are looking for a read that captures the imagination and titilliates the creative mind, this is the right read.
Tami Veldura surprised me. What I read was one of the most erotic teasers I have ever encountered. What grabbed my attention was not so much the lack of erotica as the insinuations of it. That ending was a huge upset and an even bigger tease.
And I. Just. Loved. It!
July 24, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Daniel is thief who has gained employment at Gerard photography. His main goal for doing so is to obtain a piece of art called "Serenity" valued at 3.5 million dollars that was sold through Gerard photography. Assuming the role of Associate Project Lead, Daniel starts investigating leads of the werabouts of "Serenity" going as far as breaking into his bosses office,home and planting devices on Kearin's computer to copy data. When an opportunity presents itself for Daniel to spend more time helping his boss and ferret out more information. Daniel, can't help himself but accept the invitation.
Some of the bondage scenes made me a bit squirm-ish but at the same time it had me blushing like mad. I've never read a bdsm story that only focused on the erotic play of bondage and the genre is not something I read often. The author did a wonderful job in her description of the bondage play. I didn't feel any ill feelings or discomfiture I usually feel sometimes when I read BDSM stories. Daniels seeking answers and his emotion while doing the shoots with his boss made it a entertaining read.
I also liked that he tried stay focused on his task at Gerard photography but found it so difficult at times. The attraction between Kearin and Daniel was lovely to read, it was enjoyable to see them fight what they both wanted. I was looking forward to the moment they both would give in. The ending was well done. I liked that the author left a little something to the readers imagination. There was a bit of mystery there but at the same time a conclusive answer to where their relationship was heading.
Daniel is thief who has gained employment at Gerard photography. His main goal for doing so is to obtain a piece of art called "Serenity" valued at 3.5 million dollars that was sold through Gerard photography. Assuming the role of Associate Project Lead, Daniel starts investigating leads of the werabouts of "Serenity" going as far as breaking into his bosses office,home and planting devices on Kearin's computer to copy data. When an opportunity presents itself for Daniel to spend more time helping his boss and ferret out more information. Daniel, can't help himself but accept the invitation.
Some of the bondage scenes made me a bit squirm-ish but at the same time it had me blushing like mad. I've never read a bdsm story that only focused on the erotic play of bondage and the genre is not something I read often. The author did a wonderful job in her description of the bondage play. I didn't feel any ill feelings or discomfiture I usually feel sometimes when I read BDSM stories. Daniels seeking answers and his emotion while doing the shoots with his boss made it a entertaining read.
I also liked that he tried stay focused on his task at Gerard photography but found it so difficult at times. The attraction between Kearin and Daniel was lovely to read, it was enjoyable to see them fight what they both wanted. I was looking forward to the moment they both would give in. The ending was well done. I liked that the author left a little something to the readers imagination. There was a bit of mystery there but at the same time a conclusive answer to where their relationship was heading.
August 5, 2014
I received my copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review through the "Don't Buy My Love" event hosted by the M/M Romance Group on Goodreads.
Rating: somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars
Main Characters: Daniel is a thief and Kearin is a photographer/businessman. I'm not sure I really With the story coming from Daniel's POV, I could never get a feel for Kearin. Every once in a while there was a glimpse of something, but he was just too much of a mystery for me to actually connect with. Daniel I had a hard time getting a good feel for. He is so obsessed with that one painting, but I never got a good feel for why.
Side/Secondary Characters: There a few other characters that get slightly more than a passing mention, but all of them felt a bit too much like after thoughts. There was nothing that made them memorable.
Plot/Story: This story needed more. More information and depth with the characters. More interactions with the MCs and secondary characters. Even another several scenes would have made this a better story. The shortness of the story didn't lend itself to quite enough plot to really get me invested in what was happening. I did love the scenes in Kearin's studio, there was a glimpse of the potential for real depth in the story.
All that said, if the author writes a sequel, I would love to see where this story could go.
Rating: somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars
Main Characters: Daniel is a thief and Kearin is a photographer/businessman. I'm not sure I really With the story coming from Daniel's POV, I could never get a feel for Kearin. Every once in a while there was a glimpse of something, but he was just too much of a mystery for me to actually connect with. Daniel I had a hard time getting a good feel for. He is so obsessed with that one painting, but I never got a good feel for why.
Side/Secondary Characters: There a few other characters that get slightly more than a passing mention, but all of them felt a bit too much like after thoughts. There was nothing that made them memorable.
Plot/Story: This story needed more. More information and depth with the characters. More interactions with the MCs and secondary characters. Even another several scenes would have made this a better story. The shortness of the story didn't lend itself to quite enough plot to really get me invested in what was happening. I did love the scenes in Kearin's studio, there was a glimpse of the potential for real depth in the story.
All that said, if the author writes a sequel, I would love to see where this story could go.
July 25, 2014
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads' Don't Buy My Love program in exchange for an honest review.
Daniel is a sneak thief, bent on stealing a $4M photograph, Serenity. He doesn't know who owns the photo, but knows that it was sold through Kearin Gerard's gallery to an anonymous bidder. So, Daniel gets hired at Kearin's gallery with a plan to bug Kearin's computers and learn the buyer's identity.
In the meantime, Kearin approaches Daniel to be a model in a collection of photos featuring nude males tied in Shibari knots. Daniel accepts, thinking being close to Kearin will get him closer to finding his "Mark"--unfortunately Daniel is captivated by Kearin. Not good that the thief becomes enamored!
So, this novella is interesting. There is a killer ton of sexual tension and not an ounce of sex, which was a mite disappointing. I struggled trying to understand how it was that Kearin's business worked. It seems he's a photographer, and does well at it, but also solicits exorbitant funds from wealthy donors to support community outreach programs and employs a staff of people to comb the bushes looking for worthy projects to fund. It was a little convoluted, to me.
I liked Daniel. I really wanted to see how things would pan out between Kearin and him, but alas the end came before I was ready.
Daniel is a sneak thief, bent on stealing a $4M photograph, Serenity. He doesn't know who owns the photo, but knows that it was sold through Kearin Gerard's gallery to an anonymous bidder. So, Daniel gets hired at Kearin's gallery with a plan to bug Kearin's computers and learn the buyer's identity.
In the meantime, Kearin approaches Daniel to be a model in a collection of photos featuring nude males tied in Shibari knots. Daniel accepts, thinking being close to Kearin will get him closer to finding his "Mark"--unfortunately Daniel is captivated by Kearin. Not good that the thief becomes enamored!
So, this novella is interesting. There is a killer ton of sexual tension and not an ounce of sex, which was a mite disappointing. I struggled trying to understand how it was that Kearin's business worked. It seems he's a photographer, and does well at it, but also solicits exorbitant funds from wealthy donors to support community outreach programs and employs a staff of people to comb the bushes looking for worthy projects to fund. It was a little convoluted, to me.
I liked Daniel. I really wanted to see how things would pan out between Kearin and him, but alas the end came before I was ready.
June 2, 2015
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I love photography and have been fascinated by the aesthetics of the few pictures of shibari I have seen. Fortunately, those are the best tackled scenes in this book.
So yes, I liked the shooting scenes. I liked the pace of the story and how the tension between the two main characters builds and simmer, like the rythm of Kearin binding Daniel and how their arousal grows during a scene.
I also felt that the choice of the POV was interesting, allowing us the jump into the story with Daniel.
But despite this, i have a few reserves. It took me some time to get into the story and I didn't really liked being told some pieces of introductory information when the author could have shown it to us.
Also, I needed quite some willing suspension of disbelief at some points in the story that almost got me out of it. I sometime felt that the heist story was a bit rushed because of the romance part, and vice versa, when I'm pretty sure the author could have made a much better work of those two aspects of the story, seing how some parts of it gripped me.
I love photography and have been fascinated by the aesthetics of the few pictures of shibari I have seen. Fortunately, those are the best tackled scenes in this book.
So yes, I liked the shooting scenes. I liked the pace of the story and how the tension between the two main characters builds and simmer, like the rythm of Kearin binding Daniel and how their arousal grows during a scene.
I also felt that the choice of the POV was interesting, allowing us the jump into the story with Daniel.
But despite this, i have a few reserves. It took me some time to get into the story and I didn't really liked being told some pieces of introductory information when the author could have shown it to us.
Also, I needed quite some willing suspension of disbelief at some points in the story that almost got me out of it. I sometime felt that the heist story was a bit rushed because of the romance part, and vice versa, when I'm pretty sure the author could have made a much better work of those two aspects of the story, seing how some parts of it gripped me.
October 8, 2014
Well I'm not totally sure what to write here.
This is a well composed story about an art theif Daniel who gets a job in an art studio, with the purpose of stealing a high class photo.his boss Kerin, has taken to taking his own photographs of an erotic nature, where he ties his model up and takes photographs of these poses. Daniel becomes his model, and loves this procedure and ultimately falls for Kerin.
There is a loose Dom/ Sub relationship, with rope bondage. But there is no sex. There is passion and chemistry in abundance, but I'm not really sure this is classed as erotica, and yet it is in a strange way. I did enjoy this short read, and it's unusual story. I don't normally read mm, yet I did enjoy this relationship. I found it funny and enjoyable, and loved the ending. It was very appropriate, but not sure exactly what it meant.
I received this book as part of the r2r BDSM read, by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a well composed story about an art theif Daniel who gets a job in an art studio, with the purpose of stealing a high class photo.his boss Kerin, has taken to taking his own photographs of an erotic nature, where he ties his model up and takes photographs of these poses. Daniel becomes his model, and loves this procedure and ultimately falls for Kerin.
There is a loose Dom/ Sub relationship, with rope bondage. But there is no sex. There is passion and chemistry in abundance, but I'm not really sure this is classed as erotica, and yet it is in a strange way. I did enjoy this short read, and it's unusual story. I don't normally read mm, yet I did enjoy this relationship. I found it funny and enjoyable, and loved the ending. It was very appropriate, but not sure exactly what it meant.
I received this book as part of the r2r BDSM read, by the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2014
I received this book from the Author through the m/m romance group's Don't Buy Me Love Program in exchange for an honest review.
I'm sadly giving this book a 2 star rating. It is well written, had a couple of good shibari scenes and what I know of most of the characters they were likable. However, I feel as though I got to know the secondary characters more than one of our MCs and there was certainly no romance.
Finally, I'm still sitting here asking... "Why?!" That's what I asked over and over when I read the ending... just why? What was the point of this story? Quite honestly, I feel as though I've read half of a book and am waiting for the other half. Basic, fundamental questions, which I can't ask here without spoiling the book, needed to be answered and yet they weren't. I'm now just wondering if this is intended to be part one of a serial.
I'm sadly giving this book a 2 star rating. It is well written, had a couple of good shibari scenes and what I know of most of the characters they were likable. However, I feel as though I got to know the secondary characters more than one of our MCs and there was certainly no romance.
Finally, I'm still sitting here asking... "Why?!" That's what I asked over and over when I read the ending... just why? What was the point of this story? Quite honestly, I feel as though I've read half of a book and am waiting for the other half. Basic, fundamental questions, which I can't ask here without spoiling the book, needed to be answered and yet they weren't. I'm now just wondering if this is intended to be part one of a serial.
March 26, 2019
Sinceramente mi aspettavo moooolto di più. Sono rimasta parecchio delusa, leggendo la trama pensavo ci fosse una storia ben costruita sotto e anche un po’ più di romanticismo e sviluppo della storia vera e propria tra i due protagonisti: il ladro Daniel e il capo per il quale lavora Kearin, nel frattempo che tenta di avvicinarsi al suo obiettivo e fare il colpo del secolo, se così lo possiamo definire. In molte parti l’ho trovato anche abbastanza confuso e poco chiaro su cosa stia accadendo. In altri punti invece si perde in descrizioni inutili ai fini della storia in se e la coda che mi ha delusa maggiormente è che si conclude in un nulla di fatto, magari per anticipare un seguito che certamente non leggerò. Nonostante la breve lunghezza del libro, solo 107 pagine, sono dell’idea che si sarebbe potuto sviluppare decisamente meglio. In generale non lo consiglierei.
March 4, 2016
I enjoyed this more than I thought it would and I was already expecting to enjoy it. Well, that was my hope and that hope was exceeded. I loved the storyline and the two main characters and their interaction with each other. The sexual tension between the two was fantastic. I love this sort of erotica; an actual story with sexual tension between the two characters and a bit of sex. Not sex for the sake of having sex in a book. To me, the way it was written was perfect. However, despite thinking the story was too short, I really can't think of it as any longer than it was. With this being the first of this author I have read, I have no idea as to her other books, so it would be nice to revisit these two characters in future stories.
July 14, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
I’m going to be honest here, this is a really tough one for me to review. There were parts of this book that worked exceptionally well, and other parts that left me feeling unsatisfied. The writing was really great, and I applaud the author’s attention to detail because it really immersed me in the world. But there were times when I felt removed from the action. Also at times, though not always, it felt like there were two separate stories going on.
Read Kris’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
I’m going to be honest here, this is a really tough one for me to review. There were parts of this book that worked exceptionally well, and other parts that left me feeling unsatisfied. The writing was really great, and I applaud the author’s attention to detail because it really immersed me in the world. But there were times when I felt removed from the action. Also at times, though not always, it felt like there were two separate stories going on.
Read Kris’s review in its entirety here.
August 8, 2014
This book was given to me free for an unbiased review.
Daniel is a thief who is working for Kearin. Daniel is wanting to steal a photograph that Kearin’s auction house sold. Kearin asks Daniel to model for some bondage photos he is taking. They begin to fall for each other the more time they spend together.
This book ends with Daniel stealing the photograph but leaving it for Kearin, who then asks him to spend the night. This story is quite short and I really hope it gets expanded or a sequel written.
Daniel is a thief who is working for Kearin. Daniel is wanting to steal a photograph that Kearin’s auction house sold. Kearin asks Daniel to model for some bondage photos he is taking. They begin to fall for each other the more time they spend together.
This book ends with Daniel stealing the photograph but leaving it for Kearin, who then asks him to spend the night. This story is quite short and I really hope it gets expanded or a sequel written.
May 18, 2017
This charitable thing they're doing isn't explained that well but it sounds cool.
Uh, sexual harassment much? He's brave to risk that.
The technology Daniel is using makes sense and he's thorough which he would have to be. It is more believable than usual for me.
This first rope tying scene is really hot.
How can a photograph be that expensive when prints could always be made?
Excellent. Hot and entertaining. I usually hate BDSM but had to read something for Bingo so saying I loved this is saying something good.
Uh, sexual harassment much? He's brave to risk that.
The technology Daniel is using makes sense and he's thorough which he would have to be. It is more believable than usual for me.
This first rope tying scene is really hot.
How can a photograph be that expensive when prints could always be made?
Excellent. Hot and entertaining. I usually hate BDSM but had to read something for Bingo so saying I loved this is saying something good.
January 26, 2015
I loved this story, except - I need the last scene! I don't want to give anything away so I won't say more, but I feel like there should be another 1-2k words added in order to get satisfaction (and five stars).
September 16, 2016
This was really great and very sexy but I'm totally bummed there's obviously not going to be another story about these two so we could actually get to know them. Boooo!
March 26, 2018
Recensione a cura di Lady Kei per Romanticamente Fantasy Sito
http://www.romanticamentefantasy.it/r...
Daniel è un ladro professionista, con un gran gusto in fatto di moda e la capacità di adattarsi come un camaleonte in ogni situazione. Quando riesce a farsi assumere come Capo Progetto Associato alla Gerard Photography di San Diego, è convinto di aver appena compiuto un passo determinante nella ricerca della Serenity, una fotografia venduta all’asta per quattro milioni di dollari. Invece scopre di essere stato notato e irretito da Kearin, il proprietario dell’azienda no profit per cui lavora, nonché eccellente fotografo e grande esperto di bondage. Kearin sta lavorando ad un progetto personale, in cui sono coinvolti sia il suo talento fotografico che la sua passione per le corde e i nodi con cui lega i suoi modelli, e non fa mistero dell’interesse che lo ha spinto ad avvicinarsi a Daniel.
Dal canto suo, Daniel riconosce subito che ciò che lo lega al suo capo non è un semplice rapporto di lavoro. Per tale motivo, nonostante la sua razionalità gli gridi a gran voce di stare lontano da qualsiasi complicazione, non può fare a meno di cedere all’attrazione che lo spinge inesorabilmente verso Kearin e che farà nascere tra i due, con estrema spontaneità e naturalezza, un rapporto di fiducia e di equilibrio tra potere e sottomissione.
E se Daniel trovasse la serenità che sta cercando proprio tra le corde di Kearin, anziché in una cornice affissa al muro di un ricco collezionista?
Bella la storia che ci racconta Tami Veldura, bella la raffinatezza con cui viene descritta la sottile attrazione tra i due protagonisti. Ho apprezzato enormemente lo stile incisivo ed elegante con cui esprime pensieri e sensazioni, in una narrazione con momenti introspettivi mai vaghi o prolissi, bensì ricchi di sfumature intime e spunti riflessivi.
Molto accattivanti le descrizioni dei nodi e delle corde che Kearing stringe intorno a Daniel, dando vita a forme poetiche molto vicine a opere dal significato artistico, in cui il modello si abbandona galleggiando in un sub space dove la pace diventa la scoperta più naturale.
Unica pecca di un romanzo raffinato e intrigante, che è costata al mio voto mezza stellina, è il finale. Un finale aperto, certo, che è in linea con la storia e lo stile narrativo, ma che mi è apparso addirittura brusco, lasciandomi il sapore di un taglio netto.
VOTO 3,5 STELLE
http://www.romanticamentefantasy.it/r...
Daniel è un ladro professionista, con un gran gusto in fatto di moda e la capacità di adattarsi come un camaleonte in ogni situazione. Quando riesce a farsi assumere come Capo Progetto Associato alla Gerard Photography di San Diego, è convinto di aver appena compiuto un passo determinante nella ricerca della Serenity, una fotografia venduta all’asta per quattro milioni di dollari. Invece scopre di essere stato notato e irretito da Kearin, il proprietario dell’azienda no profit per cui lavora, nonché eccellente fotografo e grande esperto di bondage. Kearin sta lavorando ad un progetto personale, in cui sono coinvolti sia il suo talento fotografico che la sua passione per le corde e i nodi con cui lega i suoi modelli, e non fa mistero dell’interesse che lo ha spinto ad avvicinarsi a Daniel.
Dal canto suo, Daniel riconosce subito che ciò che lo lega al suo capo non è un semplice rapporto di lavoro. Per tale motivo, nonostante la sua razionalità gli gridi a gran voce di stare lontano da qualsiasi complicazione, non può fare a meno di cedere all’attrazione che lo spinge inesorabilmente verso Kearin e che farà nascere tra i due, con estrema spontaneità e naturalezza, un rapporto di fiducia e di equilibrio tra potere e sottomissione.
E se Daniel trovasse la serenità che sta cercando proprio tra le corde di Kearin, anziché in una cornice affissa al muro di un ricco collezionista?
Bella la storia che ci racconta Tami Veldura, bella la raffinatezza con cui viene descritta la sottile attrazione tra i due protagonisti. Ho apprezzato enormemente lo stile incisivo ed elegante con cui esprime pensieri e sensazioni, in una narrazione con momenti introspettivi mai vaghi o prolissi, bensì ricchi di sfumature intime e spunti riflessivi.
Molto accattivanti le descrizioni dei nodi e delle corde che Kearing stringe intorno a Daniel, dando vita a forme poetiche molto vicine a opere dal significato artistico, in cui il modello si abbandona galleggiando in un sub space dove la pace diventa la scoperta più naturale.
Unica pecca di un romanzo raffinato e intrigante, che è costata al mio voto mezza stellina, è il finale. Un finale aperto, certo, che è in linea con la storia e lo stile narrativo, ma che mi è apparso addirittura brusco, lasciandomi il sapore di un taglio netto.
VOTO 3,5 STELLE
September 3, 2025
l love them. I think this was a sensual, erotic story that had me wanting more. The brains of these two men sizzled with each other, eradicating whatever the initial plans had been. And I am always a sucker for Shibari, and Shibari with intense subspace, yes! Daniel as a tied up model giving Kieran what he needed with a stare and Kieran getting Daniel into the studio of Bonnett and then out of it because consent was not honored, HOT! And some reviewers said there was no sex, but I disagree, there was as much as Kieran could handle without his aversion taking control. And the ending? Beautiful.
May 19, 2017
3.5 stars. Shortish, fun, rope bondage, sexual tension.
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