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The Keyholder #3
The Captive
A boring night on third shift becomes infinitely more interesting when Cody runs into Tony, a man he met at Jake’s BDSM club only a couple of weeks before. Jake had said the man was his cousin, but Cody learns Tony had actually been Jake’s sub for over three years. Already jealous over what he thought was Jake's interest in the man, Cody is devastated by the idea his handsome Dom may have lied to him. Or worse yet, that Jake could be cheating on him, seriously jeopardizing the trust so essential to a D/s relationship. Cody runs, driving aimlessly until he finds a motel where he can crash, lick his wounds and try to figure out what to do. Jake goes after him, using a tracking device on Cody’s phone and realizes he has only one chance to save the love between them. He has to make it good or risk losing his lover and his sub forever.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I wondered what would happen if two people who had been best friends discovered they were in love, but one of them was a Dom. What would that journey look like? Would they be able to make it as a couple? This series chronicles that journey, with both Cody and Jake having to find their way. I decided to serialize their story to show the slow progression of a complicated relationship. This relationship happens to be a D/s coupling, but I think any new love story has potential pitfalls and requires a lot of give and take.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I wondered what would happen if two people who had been best friends discovered they were in love, but one of them was a Dom. What would that journey look like? Would they be able to make it as a couple? This series chronicles that journey, with both Cody and Jake having to find their way. I decided to serialize their story to show the slow progression of a complicated relationship. This relationship happens to be a D/s coupling, but I think any new love story has potential pitfalls and requires a lot of give and take.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2014
5 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 26, 2022
Part of the The Keyholder Series and must be read in order:
October 16, 2014
3.5 stars
Best entry so far. The sex fairly burned though I did have a moment of doubt about it being questionable consent until I remembered it's fiction and I'm enjoying it and I have enough pyschobabble chucked at me that I'm going to let this slide by my radar mostly unremarked by my conscious brain. But there were still editing problems. These are short, they come out one a month, they're cheap but building up to a good amount as the series progresses, it would be nice to see some work on those issues.
Best entry so far. The sex fairly burned though I did have a moment of doubt about it being questionable consent until I remembered it's fiction and I'm enjoying it and I have enough pyschobabble chucked at me that I'm going to let this slide by my radar mostly unremarked by my conscious brain. But there were still editing problems. These are short, they come out one a month, they're cheap but building up to a good amount as the series progresses, it would be nice to see some work on those issues.
October 13, 2014
Now...this I liked!!
I don't regret grabbing this.
I don't regret grabbing this.
August 19, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the various twists to it, brilliant
October 19, 2014
I enjoyed this chapter in the story.
We are two weeks on from the last chapter that ended with Cody and Jake addressing the issue of Cody’s insecurities associated with being a good sub for Jake and that neither is perfect, yet perfect for each other. *sigh* (Hey, go reread my profile, I told you I was a sappy romantic).
This chapter’s events have Cody running into Tony Wallace, the blond sub from the last chapter that helped kick Cody’s insecurities into high gear in the dungeon, who shares information that leads Cody to discover that Jake lied about his relationship with Tony. Cody’s anger, hurt and sense of betrayal has him running away from Jake, packing and leaving their shared home. Jake tracks him down, ties him down, apologizes profusely, and offers to give up the lifestyle if Cody would forgive him for the lie of omission and come back home to resume their relationship.
I didn’t notice any editing errors, perhaps there were none or perhaps this short fantasy BDSM story is getting so good that I didn’t notice. In any event, the next installment comes out today and I will be reading it to see what happens next.
We are two weeks on from the last chapter that ended with Cody and Jake addressing the issue of Cody’s insecurities associated with being a good sub for Jake and that neither is perfect, yet perfect for each other. *sigh* (Hey, go reread my profile, I told you I was a sappy romantic).
This chapter’s events have Cody running into Tony Wallace, the blond sub from the last chapter that helped kick Cody’s insecurities into high gear in the dungeon, who shares information that leads Cody to discover that Jake lied about his relationship with Tony. Cody’s anger, hurt and sense of betrayal has him running away from Jake, packing and leaving their shared home. Jake tracks him down, ties him down, apologizes profusely, and offers to give up the lifestyle if Cody would forgive him for the lie of omission and come back home to resume their relationship.
I didn’t notice any editing errors, perhaps there were none or perhaps this short fantasy BDSM story is getting so good that I didn’t notice. In any event, the next installment comes out today and I will be reading it to see what happens next.
December 1, 2014
This is where the fun stops for me. This one should come with a warning. What happens in this part of the series is at the very minimum dub-con in my book. I did not like that.
Oh, and the mixing up of the characters' names I mentioned in my review of the first book continues throughout the series. Example:
"Jake's lips tightened and he stroked a hand down the side of Jake's face."
Seriously? There is not even a complete line of text between the two names here? You don't even have to concentrate on reading that sentence to see there's something wrong with it.
Editing, people. We are paying money for this!
Oh, and the mixing up of the characters' names I mentioned in my review of the first book continues throughout the series. Example:
"Jake's lips tightened and he stroked a hand down the side of Jake's face."
Seriously? There is not even a complete line of text between the two names here? You don't even have to concentrate on reading that sentence to see there's something wrong with it.
Editing, people. We are paying money for this!
January 16, 2015
I love the Key Holder series by author Shannon West. These books should be read in order. But I didn’t and I found I wasn’t lost. The Captive has Cody and Jake finding their footing in their relationship.
When Cody finds out Jake lied to him Cody runs. But Jake will not give up that easily. I will say I thought Cody’s running was a bit childish, when Jake finds him Cody learns he better not just run from his partner ever again.
The powerful connection these two have just pops off the pages. I really think they are learning to trust and love each other. Cody might be bratty but Jake knows how to reign him in.
I cannot wait to see where these two go next. It is always a surprise that is filled with love and a connection that will never break.
Five Shooting Stars
When Cody finds out Jake lied to him Cody runs. But Jake will not give up that easily. I will say I thought Cody’s running was a bit childish, when Jake finds him Cody learns he better not just run from his partner ever again.
The powerful connection these two have just pops off the pages. I really think they are learning to trust and love each other. Cody might be bratty but Jake knows how to reign him in.
I cannot wait to see where these two go next. It is always a surprise that is filled with love and a connection that will never break.
Five Shooting Stars
September 26, 2014
Is an omission still a lie? That's what this boils down to.
Can you trust your Dominant if you find he's not been completely truthful with you? Will you safeword on your relationship? And what about your Dom? Will he accept your decision?
The interplay between these characters is fascinating. There is no easy answer, much as with real life, it's something that has to be thought about, talked about, and ultimately decided on.
Shannon West is doing so much with this series and I can't wait for book four. Five. Six. Seventy-three. ;)
Can you trust your Dominant if you find he's not been completely truthful with you? Will you safeword on your relationship? And what about your Dom? Will he accept your decision?
The interplay between these characters is fascinating. There is no easy answer, much as with real life, it's something that has to be thought about, talked about, and ultimately decided on.
Shannon West is doing so much with this series and I can't wait for book four. Five. Six. Seventy-three. ;)
September 26, 2014
The Captive
I liked this book. I love how Shannon takes Jake and Cody through step by step in a dom and sub relationship and the mistakes that are bound to happen. Their love for each other grows stronger as their relationship progresses. I can not wait for the next book in this series. Erin
I liked this book. I love how Shannon takes Jake and Cody through step by step in a dom and sub relationship and the mistakes that are bound to happen. Their love for each other grows stronger as their relationship progresses. I can not wait for the next book in this series. Erin
September 26, 2014
Cody and Jake's story continue in book 3. Cody finds out that Jake kept a crucial fact from him. Will he be able to deal with the betrayal? And how does Jake react to his sub running away?
Shannon West is the only person who can break my heart and turn me on all in one series! Lol
Can't wait til October!
Shannon West is the only person who can break my heart and turn me on all in one series! Lol
Can't wait til October!
October 13, 2014
Love these two
There is something about Cody and Jake that makes me want to read them over and over. I love how hard Jake is fighting. Cody acts very irrationally and Jake has to keep reeling him in. I really can't wait to see how this ends. What else will they have to go through? I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
There is something about Cody and Jake that makes me want to read them over and over. I love how hard Jake is fighting. Cody acts very irrationally and Jake has to keep reeling him in. I really can't wait to see how this ends. What else will they have to go through? I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
December 21, 2014
These books are super short but the price is cheap.
Book three see's the D/s relationship moved on and drama time!
Liked this but there are some editing errors. Jake and Jake are mentioned in the same sentence, it reads as if he is touching himself instead of Cody It's confusing and I had to read it over to get the jist. Proof reading and Editing is a must.
Book three see's the D/s relationship moved on and drama time!
Liked this but there are some editing errors. Jake and Jake are mentioned in the same sentence, it reads as if he is touching himself instead of Cody It's confusing and I had to read it over to get the jist. Proof reading and Editing is a must.
August 21, 2016
3.5 stars - For a shorty this was really very good with lots of emotion. The Dom/Sub dynamic always intrigues me with how many different aspects affect the relationship. In this case it was a matter of trust, when the sub felt he couldn't trust his dom to tell him the truth. It all worded out in the end. Good story.
December 17, 2015
Okay - I'm done with this series. This is not a romance. This is an abusive relationship disguised as BDSM.
No self respecting Dom would act the way Wes does - especially in this chapter of their story.
Nope - Done.
No self respecting Dom would act the way Wes does - especially in this chapter of their story.
Nope - Done.
October 19, 2014
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews