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Lords of Time #3
The Duke and The Domina : Warrick The Ruination of Grayson Danforth
Grayson Locke Danforth, in his wildest of dreams, would never have expected two things.
The first was to be recalled from India by Queen Victoria where he worked for the quiet purposes of the crown. He must now become the Duke of Warrick after the tragic deaths of his father and brothers. However, tragedy is entirely in the eyes of the beholder and Grayson never wanted the title, or to return to what remains of his family. Grayson wanted to remain invisible, an outcast, a man in exile for the way his body and mind behaved and the secrets he needed to keep.
The second thing he never would have expected was to be forced into marriage with a woman from the 21st century.
Lulu is no mere woman, however, she's a switch who works as professional Dominatrix—at least, she did. When she wakes up in a strange house, a strange world, a strange body, she isn't quite sure what to think and is certain she's dreaming. She has less than a day to gain her bearings a make a decision that will dictate the rest of her life in this world—whether or not to marry this handsome stranger.
As Lulu and Grayson attempt to begin a life together she discovers the true reason why this man is a stranger to his family. She can only hope she can convince Grayson to accept who she is, and who he was born to be, before he forces her out of his life in order to maintain his well-kept secrets.
Trust doesn't come easily to either of them, but it's the only thing they have.
Grayson will have to give in to his need to submit in order to get his wife to open up and allow him to posses her fully in return.
It's a cautious dance between two people who have never known how to trust, or love.
The first was to be recalled from India by Queen Victoria where he worked for the quiet purposes of the crown. He must now become the Duke of Warrick after the tragic deaths of his father and brothers. However, tragedy is entirely in the eyes of the beholder and Grayson never wanted the title, or to return to what remains of his family. Grayson wanted to remain invisible, an outcast, a man in exile for the way his body and mind behaved and the secrets he needed to keep.
The second thing he never would have expected was to be forced into marriage with a woman from the 21st century.
Lulu is no mere woman, however, she's a switch who works as professional Dominatrix—at least, she did. When she wakes up in a strange house, a strange world, a strange body, she isn't quite sure what to think and is certain she's dreaming. She has less than a day to gain her bearings a make a decision that will dictate the rest of her life in this world—whether or not to marry this handsome stranger.
As Lulu and Grayson attempt to begin a life together she discovers the true reason why this man is a stranger to his family. She can only hope she can convince Grayson to accept who she is, and who he was born to be, before he forces her out of his life in order to maintain his well-kept secrets.
Trust doesn't come easily to either of them, but it's the only thing they have.
Grayson will have to give in to his need to submit in order to get his wife to open up and allow him to posses her fully in return.
It's a cautious dance between two people who have never known how to trust, or love.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2015
107 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Jenn LeBlanc
39 books204 followersJenn LeBlanc is a Colorado girl living in a Hollywood world. She writes “wildly original” illustrated Victorian erotic romance.
She wrote, photographed, and published the first ever Illustrated Romance and is Queen Of StudioSmexy.
She loves getting new research books and chatting with readers.
The Rake and The Recluse is the first book in the illustrated Lords of Time erotic romance series.
NEWSLETTER!!! JennLeBlanc.com/Newsletter
Links:
Author Site: http://jennleblanc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illustratedr...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jennleblanc
Ripped Bodice: http://www.therippedbodicela.com/aff/...
Illustrated Romance: http://StudioSmexy.com/
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/studiosmexy
Twitter: http://twitter.com/StudioSmexy
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenn-...
MEDIA LINKS: JennLeBlanc.com/MEDIA-KIT
She wrote, photographed, and published the first ever Illustrated Romance and is Queen Of StudioSmexy.
She loves getting new research books and chatting with readers.
The Rake and The Recluse is the first book in the illustrated Lords of Time erotic romance series.
NEWSLETTER!!! JennLeBlanc.com/Newsletter
Links:
Author Site: http://jennleblanc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illustratedr...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jennleblanc
Ripped Bodice: http://www.therippedbodicela.com/aff/...
Illustrated Romance: http://StudioSmexy.com/
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/studiosmexy
Twitter: http://twitter.com/StudioSmexy
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenn-...
MEDIA LINKS: JennLeBlanc.com/MEDIA-KIT
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 29, 2020
Jenn LeBlanc's books are always a little different. This one involves time travel and sexual submission. a interesting combo. Lulu is a "switch", meaning she can be either a dominatrix or a submissive. She travels back to 1880s London and winds up married to Grayson, the new Duke of Warrick. Gray has some really deep-seated issues. He is a masochistic submissive, but feels great shame. As a result, he is a very repressed virgin. Can these two make a workable match? I cannot relate to this situation personally, but the book was intriguing to read.
August 13, 2025
Grayson is a virgin submissive with a craving for pain, and constantly afraid his secret will be revealed. Lulu is a professional dominatrix, from the future, who travels back in time after hitting her head. They are perfect for each other but are too scared to reveal their sexual preferences. The way they slowly discovered and revealed their sexual kinks was sweet. They were devoted to each other and were never separated, all their issues they worked through together. Their relationship was terrific. I had some issues with the rest of the stuff. Gray easy acceptance of Lulu's strange speech, mannerisms and knowledge that she was from the future. Grayson is estranged from his family but one dinner party later everything is great. Society accepted Lulu with open arms and Lulu knew how to behave in society even though she was from the future and never learned basic social etiquette. Her lack of basic history was irritating.
May 15, 2020
If someone told me I'd want to read a historical romance that involved time travel and BDSM, I'd have had more than a good laugh. Then I read an abbreviated/amended version of this book on a game app, and I bought it as soon as I finished it.
The story itself (once I got beyond the silliness of time travel, even though that's a pertinent plot point in the book) is worthy of five stars because of its innovation, depth of characterization, and structure. I really love both Lulu and Gray and, in spite of the extreme hot-and-cold relationship they have throughout the story, I love them even more together. Gray's characterization doesn't exactly meet the one he's given in the first book in this series, The Rake and the Recluse (which itself suffers from an uneven plot and too many characters' POVs), but I'd argue it's better in this book anyway. Also, I'm usually annoyed by the trope of the dead parent as a catalyst for action, but it isn't a cliche here. And Lulu's difficulty deciding if she really wanted to be locked into an earlier time period (doesn't matter if there is or isn't a choice, really) or back in her own also felt realistic. If you even want to consider this as anything close to realistic.
The black and white photos didn't do anything for me (although it is clear that the author is also a talented photographer); in fact, they got in the way because the images didn't match the characters in my head, so I decidedly ignored them as I read. Sort of wish I had bought the not-illustration version of the book.
The reason I can't give this book five stars, though, is that there are too many grammatical/spelling/punctuation errors. I mean, even in a self-published book, approximately fifty errors in not even five hundred pages isn't something I can ignore. Definitely enough to take at least one star off of the review.
The story itself (once I got beyond the silliness of time travel, even though that's a pertinent plot point in the book) is worthy of five stars because of its innovation, depth of characterization, and structure. I really love both Lulu and Gray and, in spite of the extreme hot-and-cold relationship they have throughout the story, I love them even more together. Gray's characterization doesn't exactly meet the one he's given in the first book in this series, The Rake and the Recluse (which itself suffers from an uneven plot and too many characters' POVs), but I'd argue it's better in this book anyway. Also, I'm usually annoyed by the trope of the dead parent as a catalyst for action, but it isn't a cliche here. And Lulu's difficulty deciding if she really wanted to be locked into an earlier time period (doesn't matter if there is or isn't a choice, really) or back in her own also felt realistic. If you even want to consider this as anything close to realistic.
The black and white photos didn't do anything for me (although it is clear that the author is also a talented photographer); in fact, they got in the way because the images didn't match the characters in my head, so I decidedly ignored them as I read. Sort of wish I had bought the not-illustration version of the book.
The reason I can't give this book five stars, though, is that there are too many grammatical/spelling/punctuation errors. I mean, even in a self-published book, approximately fifty errors in not even five hundred pages isn't something I can ignore. Definitely enough to take at least one star off of the review.
June 7, 2019
This book was a great read, but beware if you’re not up for the long journeys of self-discovery that both the characters take.
May 28, 2015
The Duke and the Domina, Jenn LeBlanc
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, Erotica
This was a fun read, something a bit different for me from my usual genres, and that keeps reading fresh for me. It’s an interesting premise, time travel whether intended or accidental, and throws up so many issues.
Poor Lulu found herself back in a time when women were definitely subjugated to men, and for a strong character like her it was a harsh awakening. Luckily she’s intelligent enough once she realises its not all a dream, to follow Gray’s lead. He’s got a friend, Gideon, who’s married to Francine who claims to have been thrown back in time the same way – he’s always felt maybe she’s a bit touched, lovely lady though she is, as it’s something very hard to believe in. Now though – well, he’s seeing it from a different perspective.
The history side isn’t very strong, really just (IMO) used as a back up as to why Lulu had to follow Gray’s decisions, and to give the need for secrecy and danger to the erotica side of the story. It revolves mostly around Gray and Lulu, with smaller parts from his loyal friend/manservant Rakshan and friends Gideon and Francine. There are occasional forays outside the house, but most of the story seems to take place within it, and it could have been today or a hundred years back....what does feature from the history though is that Lulu could get sent to Bedlam for her time travel claims, and Gray imprisoned for his masochistic needs. He’s learned to hide them, only Rakshan knows of them though there’s indication that another friend also has suspicions, but as he’s keeping secrets himself he says nothing.
As the time is so harsh on those who have needs outside the narrow conventional box, Gray has learned to hide his inclinations, but of course as a Domina Lulu can spot them, even though he’s hiding everything. When she indicated she can help him he’s shocked, scared and draws back. That upsets her, so far he’s been a perfect gentleman, given so much help for her even though her story is unbelievable, he’s married her ( though he also has reasons for that), hidden her til she’s ready, introduced Francine who’s been a huge help and in general given her all the protection he can. Now all the progress they seemed to make has taken a step back – a huge one, with him threatening to send her to one of his isolated country homes. He’s just scared and thankfully his friends and Rakshan persuade him she’s not a danger, she means well and to give her a little trust. He’s learned through painful experience from a very young age to keep secrets and opening up doesn’t come easily. They both need to help and trust each other if they are to be happy together , but its hard , given they’re both risking so much and could lose their liberty.
Its a fun read, learning who they really are, watching the trust develop and seeing how they finally realise how well they complement each other sexually.
Stars: Four, its a fun light read.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers
June 16, 2016
* ARC supplied by NetGalley *
Basé sur un time-travel, ce roman historique fait se rencontrer Grayson, alias "The Warrick", un aristocrate anglais de la fin du 19ème siècle, et Lulu, photographe et personnage bien connu de la scène BDSM de son époque, le 21ème siècle.
Après un prologue qui montre toute l'étendue des talents de Lulu, la voici projetée bien malgré elle en 1883, qui plus est dans le corps d'une autre ! Elle "prend la place" de Lady Cecelia, fille du duc d'Exeter (et ennemi juré du héros !). Elle rencontre immédiatement Gray, qui n'est rien moins que son fiancé, ils sont liés contractuellement et le mariage doit avoir lieu dans les 24 heures !
Inutile de vous dire que pour Lulu, le choc est rude, et double ! Non seulement elle a changé d'époque, mais en plus elle est enfermée dans un corps qui n'est pas le sien, et pour couronner le tout, elle va se retrouver mariée à un inconnu ! Pourtant, elle gère ça plutôt bien (trop bien sans doute, ce qui enlève du piquant, et, il faut bien le dire, de la vraisemblance, si tant est qu'il puisse y en avoir dans ce type d'histoire).
Lulu est une "switch" : elle prend plaisir à être dans le rôle de la soumise tout comme elle aime être dans celui de la dominatrice, avec jeux épicés à la clé.
Grayson est un homme d'une autre époque, une époque où les corps sont entravés et les plaisirs/désirs de la chair sont tabous. Il est Duc bien malgré lui suite à la mort de son père et ses frères et revient d'un exil en Inde. Il va être attiré tout autant que perturbé par cette Cecelia/Lulu qui n'est pas celle qu'il connaissait vaguement.
La romance se met en place lentement. Malgré leur attirance réciproque, les personnages ont du mal de se rapprocher réellement, ils font un pas en avant puis deux pas en arrière. Contrairement à ce que l'on pourrait croire, les scènes érotiques ne sont pas si nombreuses que cela, et finalement pas trop intenses côté BDSM.
Les personnages secondaires sont rares, mais présents à intervalles réguliers : il y a Francine et Roxleigh, les amis de Gray (c'est le couple du tome 1, Francine vient elle aussi du futur, ce qui la rapproche de Lulu) et Rakshan, valet et confident de Gray, un personnage qui a su retenir mon attention.
Le décalage entre Gray et Lulu donne lieu à des scènes amusantes au début, notamment au niveau du langage, elle parle très librement tandis que lui est engoncé dans la bienséance de l'aristocratie. On mesure à quel point les mœurs ont changé au fil des siècles.
J'avoue qu'à un moment donné je me suis un peu lassée de ces aller-retour incessants, et j'avais l'impression qu'au final il ne se passait pas grand chose, Gray et Lulu mettant beaucoup de temps à aller l'un vers l'autre. J'ai globalement préféré le début au reste du livre, mais je serais curieuse de lire le premier tome de cette série pour voir comment les choses se sont passées pour Francine et son anglais.
Basé sur un time-travel, ce roman historique fait se rencontrer Grayson, alias "The Warrick", un aristocrate anglais de la fin du 19ème siècle, et Lulu, photographe et personnage bien connu de la scène BDSM de son époque, le 21ème siècle.
Après un prologue qui montre toute l'étendue des talents de Lulu, la voici projetée bien malgré elle en 1883, qui plus est dans le corps d'une autre ! Elle "prend la place" de Lady Cecelia, fille du duc d'Exeter (et ennemi juré du héros !). Elle rencontre immédiatement Gray, qui n'est rien moins que son fiancé, ils sont liés contractuellement et le mariage doit avoir lieu dans les 24 heures !
Inutile de vous dire que pour Lulu, le choc est rude, et double ! Non seulement elle a changé d'époque, mais en plus elle est enfermée dans un corps qui n'est pas le sien, et pour couronner le tout, elle va se retrouver mariée à un inconnu ! Pourtant, elle gère ça plutôt bien (trop bien sans doute, ce qui enlève du piquant, et, il faut bien le dire, de la vraisemblance, si tant est qu'il puisse y en avoir dans ce type d'histoire).
Lulu est une "switch" : elle prend plaisir à être dans le rôle de la soumise tout comme elle aime être dans celui de la dominatrice, avec jeux épicés à la clé.
Grayson est un homme d'une autre époque, une époque où les corps sont entravés et les plaisirs/désirs de la chair sont tabous. Il est Duc bien malgré lui suite à la mort de son père et ses frères et revient d'un exil en Inde. Il va être attiré tout autant que perturbé par cette Cecelia/Lulu qui n'est pas celle qu'il connaissait vaguement.
La romance se met en place lentement. Malgré leur attirance réciproque, les personnages ont du mal de se rapprocher réellement, ils font un pas en avant puis deux pas en arrière. Contrairement à ce que l'on pourrait croire, les scènes érotiques ne sont pas si nombreuses que cela, et finalement pas trop intenses côté BDSM.
Les personnages secondaires sont rares, mais présents à intervalles réguliers : il y a Francine et Roxleigh, les amis de Gray (c'est le couple du tome 1, Francine vient elle aussi du futur, ce qui la rapproche de Lulu) et Rakshan, valet et confident de Gray, un personnage qui a su retenir mon attention.
Le décalage entre Gray et Lulu donne lieu à des scènes amusantes au début, notamment au niveau du langage, elle parle très librement tandis que lui est engoncé dans la bienséance de l'aristocratie. On mesure à quel point les mœurs ont changé au fil des siècles.
J'avoue qu'à un moment donné je me suis un peu lassée de ces aller-retour incessants, et j'avais l'impression qu'au final il ne se passait pas grand chose, Gray et Lulu mettant beaucoup de temps à aller l'un vers l'autre. J'ai globalement préféré le début au reste du livre, mais je serais curieuse de lire le premier tome de cette série pour voir comment les choses se sont passées pour Francine et son anglais.
October 7, 2015
They were just what the other needed....
Lulu I gotta say frustrated the Hell out of me,while thankfully Grayson has patience for her ? I wanted to smack her... Ok ,I can see that a lot of ppl going into BDSM for many,many reasons and one being a way to fulfill their many needs sexually and mentally and emotionally but also like a lot of things as a way to keep ppl at a distance,but what made me crazy was while Gray has his reasons ( that were clearly stated for us,Lulu's NEVER were....
While he almost seemed to heal himself once she helped him embrace his true self, she seemed to flounder and push him away just as he was learning to be able to want more this frustrating push/pull started between them that with out a "good" reason" as to why for her behavior, left me wanting to smack her muchly....
Deep sigh.. If she'd had a history of abuse or trauma to work thru like Gray that would have been one thing but as is it felt like she was a pain just for the sake of the story, Ok adjusting to life there want easy per say but compared to soo many time travel heroines she had it d a m n good, especially between Gray and their money etc..... I loved the story and I'm thrilled to have found it!!! I loved how well his needs and nature were handled and ( even though the thought of being submissive or submissive women rubs me the wrong way,I might be more into those type of books if the female subs in books were treated with the respect and dignity that Gray and any other male sub seems to be treated in any book like this that's worth reading) ( just needed to say that) ( just that books with male subs,the males are either treated with dignity and respect with a female who puts their needs and cares and treatment 1st treating it kinda like a sexual therapy , where it's always more about the subs needs than just sexual dominance and or control on the subs part or the books have the males being humiliated and abused in ways that make you skin crawl and you'd have put in jail if he was a dog or cat or something) while most books where the female is the sub it feels more about the male "Dom.s needs to dominate and control" with her needs be damned as long as her hormones kick and her panties get damp ....
Thanks for that story...
Ps. I wanted to give 3 stars coz Lulu was soo damn annoying to me at times...
Lulu I gotta say frustrated the Hell out of me,while thankfully Grayson has patience for her ? I wanted to smack her... Ok ,I can see that a lot of ppl going into BDSM for many,many reasons and one being a way to fulfill their many needs sexually and mentally and emotionally but also like a lot of things as a way to keep ppl at a distance,but what made me crazy was while Gray has his reasons ( that were clearly stated for us,Lulu's NEVER were....
While he almost seemed to heal himself once she helped him embrace his true self, she seemed to flounder and push him away just as he was learning to be able to want more this frustrating push/pull started between them that with out a "good" reason" as to why for her behavior, left me wanting to smack her muchly....
Deep sigh.. If she'd had a history of abuse or trauma to work thru like Gray that would have been one thing but as is it felt like she was a pain just for the sake of the story, Ok adjusting to life there want easy per say but compared to soo many time travel heroines she had it d a m n good, especially between Gray and their money etc..... I loved the story and I'm thrilled to have found it!!! I loved how well his needs and nature were handled and ( even though the thought of being submissive or submissive women rubs me the wrong way,I might be more into those type of books if the female subs in books were treated with the respect and dignity that Gray and any other male sub seems to be treated in any book like this that's worth reading) ( just needed to say that) ( just that books with male subs,the males are either treated with dignity and respect with a female who puts their needs and cares and treatment 1st treating it kinda like a sexual therapy , where it's always more about the subs needs than just sexual dominance and or control on the subs part or the books have the males being humiliated and abused in ways that make you skin crawl and you'd have put in jail if he was a dog or cat or something) while most books where the female is the sub it feels more about the male "Dom.s needs to dominate and control" with her needs be damned as long as her hormones kick and her panties get damp ....
Thanks for that story...
Ps. I wanted to give 3 stars coz Lulu was soo damn annoying to me at times...
June 12, 2015
I’m branching out a little in my reading – to me erotica, when done well, is just REALLY steamy romances. The material is a little more graphic but it is still about relationships. I’ve read a few, here and there, with BDSM elements, but it isn’t a sub-genre (or lifestyle) that I’m all that familiar with. I’m slowly getting the feel for the give and take in the D/s relationship, which is very intriguing. And The Duke and the Domina is even more so because up to this point everything I’d read had had a male Dom. This time, though, the roles are reversed … which makes it all the more interesting.
Throw in the fact that it is a historical romance and it becomes even more complicated. There are certain appearances that are expected in society and roles that are to be strictly adhered to. Grayson has certain tendencies, which are out of this norm, making him ashamed and solitary. He has very few people close to him and keeps many, many secrets. But when a mysterious woman falls into his lap, his world is turned upside down.
I’ve always loved the fish out of water idea of a woman traveling back in time. As an avid reader of love stories populated by lords and ladies, I can’t imagine what it would be like to throw a modern woman into that world. What she has to give up and what expectations she would have to meet. Having her be a Domina definitely makes it even more complicated – for those same reasons that Grayson’s preference are so very dangerous.
But when the two are thrown together it could be the answer … if only they can learn to open up their hearts and trust the other with the truth. To that end, I totally get Grayson’s reluctance – especially because of the damage it could do to him, those he calls his and even to his very life. But I’m not totally sure I understand her issues. She isn’t comfortable revealing herself to Grayson but I never got all that good an understanding why. Maybe I missed something but it wasn’t clear to me.
That didn’t stop me from enjoying the book though. I eagerly flipped pages as the two danced around each other … and finally gave love a chance.
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)
Throw in the fact that it is a historical romance and it becomes even more complicated. There are certain appearances that are expected in society and roles that are to be strictly adhered to. Grayson has certain tendencies, which are out of this norm, making him ashamed and solitary. He has very few people close to him and keeps many, many secrets. But when a mysterious woman falls into his lap, his world is turned upside down.
I’ve always loved the fish out of water idea of a woman traveling back in time. As an avid reader of love stories populated by lords and ladies, I can’t imagine what it would be like to throw a modern woman into that world. What she has to give up and what expectations she would have to meet. Having her be a Domina definitely makes it even more complicated – for those same reasons that Grayson’s preference are so very dangerous.
But when the two are thrown together it could be the answer … if only they can learn to open up their hearts and trust the other with the truth. To that end, I totally get Grayson’s reluctance – especially because of the damage it could do to him, those he calls his and even to his very life. But I’m not totally sure I understand her issues. She isn’t comfortable revealing herself to Grayson but I never got all that good an understanding why. Maybe I missed something but it wasn’t clear to me.
That didn’t stop me from enjoying the book though. I eagerly flipped pages as the two danced around each other … and finally gave love a chance.
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)
September 21, 2015
As you can see above there are two full books in this series. Both have illustrated versions and i have to say it is worth reading the illustrated versions but if that's not your think you can buy it without them as well. In The Duke and the Domina we see a few familiar characters from previous books. I find a lot of comfort in that. Grayson was introduced in book one and i loved him but there was a bit of mystery around him. Lulu is his fate and she is a 21st century girl who wakes up with a headache in a new world than the the one she has always known. This is partly a time travel book in that Lulu travels back to the 1800's London from current day in the United States. She wakes up in the arms of Grayson Locke Danforth or The Warrick. What i liked about this book is the chance to see characters from the previous book. There were many i grew to love. Grayson being one of them. He finds himself a solitary person by choice. He lets his friends and cousins in as much as he can but none are really close. He thinks he's different and he is from what is the norm of the time. When Lulu comes into his life there is something about her that calls to him yet scares him. She will either be everything he needs or the end of him. It's kind of a toss up for a while. Each has personal issues they have to deal with if they want to find happiness and love. I really enjoyed their journey getting there. Jenn LeBlanc is a excellent photographer and you can see her work on many book covers including her own. She's gone one step further with her books and has illustrated them through her own pictures. It's just one more personal touch added to a really great story. If you are a fan of Victorian romance and don't mind a erotic twist or two this is a great series. I have found myself deep into these books where it's easy to lose yourself. Time well spent.
June 10, 2015
Not really sure about this one. I have read tons of BDSM before, but the sadomasochistic parts of BDSM don't really push my buttons. I don't really get off on pain and this book is heavy on the SM given the nature of the hero. With that said, this is not a warm and fluffy story, but I knew that by the book's description.
I had a few issues with this book. It was a time travel story, which I typically like, but this one just didn't sit right. At times, when the heroine is narrating I felt like it was really the author talking rather than the character. I can't really put my finger on it, but the heroine seemed to be used as the mouthpiece of the author to make some type of political statements about women's rights, and racial issues in America. While these incidents were rather small and seemingly insignificant, they totally took me out of the storyline, and this didn't seat right with me. Not a huge part of the story, but nevertheless a small detraction for me.
Some parts were also a little weak. Lulu, our heroine, is transported back in time and into the body of someone else. She didn't really have a whole freak out about this that I would have expected. She is in someone else's freaking body and this was portrayed to bit a small thing. Weird.
And can we just talk about how long it took for them to actually get it on? It was like 68%(Kindle marked). I mean they fooled around and all, but still it took forever for that slap and then "let's get it on," to happen.
In the end, it wasn't the worst I've read, but it wasn't my favorite either. If you are really into BDSM (and in particular the SM) you will probably like this book.
I had a few issues with this book. It was a time travel story, which I typically like, but this one just didn't sit right. At times, when the heroine is narrating I felt like it was really the author talking rather than the character. I can't really put my finger on it, but the heroine seemed to be used as the mouthpiece of the author to make some type of political statements about women's rights, and racial issues in America. While these incidents were rather small and seemingly insignificant, they totally took me out of the storyline, and this didn't seat right with me. Not a huge part of the story, but nevertheless a small detraction for me.
Some parts were also a little weak. Lulu, our heroine, is transported back in time and into the body of someone else. She didn't really have a whole freak out about this that I would have expected. She is in someone else's freaking body and this was portrayed to bit a small thing. Weird.
And can we just talk about how long it took for them to actually get it on? It was like 68%(Kindle marked). I mean they fooled around and all, but still it took forever for that slap and then "let's get it on," to happen.
In the end, it wasn't the worst I've read, but it wasn't my favorite either. If you are really into BDSM (and in particular the SM) you will probably like this book.
March 31, 2015
When I got this book I hadn’t read the one before it The Rake and the Recluse : REDUX (Lords of Time #1) because it was initially released as a serial. I believe it made the beginning of this book read a little slower as I scurried to catch up. Once I figured out who the players were in relation to each other the pace picked up. This is an intelligent, well written, erotic historical/time shift that will enthrall you as it did me. The dance between Warwick and Lulu is balanced precariously shifting to and fro as you wait for them to get balanced or get truly hurt. The secondary characters, those introduced in The Rake and the Recluse : REDUX (Lords of Time #1), are fun and provide a lightness that this story needed. I liked them enough that I am now going back to read the first one. If you like your historical romance with a bit of kink this book is for you.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review
February 13, 2016
This is the second book in the "Lords of Time" series by Jenn Leblanc. This is the first book I have read by this author. So to me this is also a stand alone book if you are like me reading them out of order. I must say to that I have never read time travel book and a BDSM type book together. I found that I liked the book a lot even with those two things together. It also had a slight paranormal fell to it. I am not sure I can say enough about this book and the joy I had to be given this chance to read it. Both characters I liked a lot. The heroine, Lulu thought she was dreaming but still went through the experience. The hero, Grayson Locke Danforth "Gray" was a very likeable character and it was something to "watch" how he grew to care for Lulu and her ways. I glad to have read this and hope other enjoy it too!
May 23, 2015
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book. I have not read the first book in this series but I will definitely be reading it soon.
Gray and Lulu are fantastic together. This is one of those great books where the Hero and the Heroine are each broken in their own special way but when they come together they become perfect and magnificent. Being set in the Victorian Age makes things more interesting for a Dominatrix but she fits in better than you'd expect.
A true love story where the man and the woman "complete" each other. You need to read this book.
I loved this book. I have not read the first book in this series but I will definitely be reading it soon.
Gray and Lulu are fantastic together. This is one of those great books where the Hero and the Heroine are each broken in their own special way but when they come together they become perfect and magnificent. Being set in the Victorian Age makes things more interesting for a Dominatrix but she fits in better than you'd expect.
A true love story where the man and the woman "complete" each other. You need to read this book.
May 8, 2015
I've been waiting for this hero's book for what feels like FOREVER and now he has his own story. THE DUKE AND THE DOMINA is the story of #Warrick, the last remaining heir to the Warrick name and he's totally not down with that. Throw in a 21st century Dominatrix who happens to have Freaky Friday'd her way there somehow and you've got one heck of a story. Step aside hymen reconstruction surgery, time traveling into a virgin Lady's body is the new fad. Just kidding.
But seriously, check out THE DUKE AND THE DOMINA.
But seriously, check out THE DUKE AND THE DOMINA.
May 9, 2015
This author just "hits" the right spot for me. She makes a historical romance come to life with fraught emotion, darkness and the most amazing personalities in her characters. She builds, and builds, and builds them until you can do nothing but release the emotion within yourself to accept, live within, and realize that there is a part of them within you.
The Art Of War by Sun Tzu is the ultimate in the strategy of war. There are many types of war, including love. Jenn LeBlanc has taken quotes and made this coming together of two souls a war turned into peace.
The Art Of War by Sun Tzu is the ultimate in the strategy of war. There are many types of war, including love. Jenn LeBlanc has taken quotes and made this coming together of two souls a war turned into peace.
June 16, 2015
Historical, throw in a little time travel and oh yes some BDSM and you have a very interesting read. Lulu wakes up in another time and in a strange body for that matter only to learn she is being married off. Grayson is shocked to learn he must become the Duke of Warrick and marry. Grayson and Lulu have much they can learn from each other, will they trust enough to do so? I really like the stories and the characters. This is my first read in this series and won’t be my last.
April 15, 2015
I really liked this book. First of all it's a historical with a touch of paranormal and BDSM, who wouldn't like that??? Lol. Sometimes reading the same thing over and over with historical romance can get kind of boring and this was far from boring, that's for sure. One of my favorite historicals that I've read lately.
November 9, 2015
This book completely blew me away. A well written historical with BDSM and time traveling themes. It was a riveting read, the characters are well developed and i enjoyed seeing the play by play of their daily living. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
June 17, 2015
Bummed that I can't get the illustrated version until June 22.
Please read my full review of the print, non illustrated version at my blog:
http://letague.blogspot.com/2015/06/t...
Please read my full review of the print, non illustrated version at my blog:
http://letague.blogspot.com/2015/06/t...
Read
March 31, 2015<3
December 28, 2016
Good
Intriguing an riscay. In other words fabulous ! I taboo was turned into a normal and beautiful thing. Job well done
Intriguing an riscay. In other words fabulous ! I taboo was turned into a normal and beautiful thing. Job well done
July 6, 2015
Great read.
July 27, 2021
The concept here is that we've got our Duke, Grayson, who wasn't supposed to inherit, but his male family has all managed to die and so, well, he has. Grayson has been over in India practicing spycraft, and has brought back with him a man who is serving in the capacity of Grayson's valet even though Grayson seems to feel that's beneath him. This character appears to be in the book for the purpose of playing the "wise Indian" at times, and honestly, every time he was "on screen" I was super uncomfortable. I've talked before about the weird trope in historical romance of "I'm friendly with my valet, so I must not be a snob" and that's some of what's going on here, but there's also some very weird racial stuff that's just...unsettling.
Grayson is contracted to marry Cecilia, something left over as a deal between their fathers. Grayson's father was abusive toward him, and Cecilia's father appears to hate Grayson because his friend (the father) did. In any case, I don't think Cecilia is particularly enthusiastic about the marriage, if anything, there is a later suggestion that she is in league with her father to blackmail Grayson, but that's kind of all an aside because about a minute after going to talk with her, Cecilia hits her head and her body is inhabited by Lulu, a woman from Colorado who makes her money as a pro-Domme.
Where does Cecilia go? Who knows? Is she okay? Who knows? Does anyone seem to care? No, not so much. Is that more than a little disturbing? Yes, actually.
I think part of my issue was that I had a hard time letting that go. There are some interesting things going on with Lulu, say, the body dysphoria she's experiencing at being in another woman's body, but overwhelmingly, her reactions don't ring true to me as someone who, as far as we, the reader, are aware, is an adult who has been supporting herself independently in the 21st century. To whit, I'm never certain why she agrees to marry Grayson almost immediately. The text talks about her feeling safe with him, but...that's not a reason to marry someone you've just met? And he's made it clear that there are other options for her?
Nor do I ever end up feeling like I understand Lulu as a character particularly. For example, she has clear resistance to forming committed relationships (it's unclear that she's even left any FRIENDS behind), but we never learn why? That's not something people just come out of the womb like.
Grayson, in comparison, is well-fleshed out, but often feels like he's his need to submit and very little more? As though he has allowed that one "flaw" to overcome his ability to human?
I would also caution anyone going into this as an erotica, because I don't think it reads that way. There's not a particularly significant amount of sex despite much of the main couple's relationship compatibility appearing to be sexual, rather than intellectual or emotional. And it's fairly light on all things BDSM. I will say, I do appreciate that LeBlanc either practices or has actually done some legitimate footwork on understanding certain SM practices that I rarely see in fictional BDSM or kink representation.
This was a book I really wanted to like, because femdom is exceedingly rare in histrom, and SM femdom even moreso, but I just never really hooked in to either of these characters, and due to that, remained distracted by issues in the foreground that were bothering me.
Grayson is contracted to marry Cecilia, something left over as a deal between their fathers. Grayson's father was abusive toward him, and Cecilia's father appears to hate Grayson because his friend (the father) did. In any case, I don't think Cecilia is particularly enthusiastic about the marriage, if anything, there is a later suggestion that she is in league with her father to blackmail Grayson, but that's kind of all an aside because about a minute after going to talk with her, Cecilia hits her head and her body is inhabited by Lulu, a woman from Colorado who makes her money as a pro-Domme.
Where does Cecilia go? Who knows? Is she okay? Who knows? Does anyone seem to care? No, not so much. Is that more than a little disturbing? Yes, actually.
I think part of my issue was that I had a hard time letting that go. There are some interesting things going on with Lulu, say, the body dysphoria she's experiencing at being in another woman's body, but overwhelmingly, her reactions don't ring true to me as someone who, as far as we, the reader, are aware, is an adult who has been supporting herself independently in the 21st century. To whit, I'm never certain why she agrees to marry Grayson almost immediately. The text talks about her feeling safe with him, but...that's not a reason to marry someone you've just met? And he's made it clear that there are other options for her?
Nor do I ever end up feeling like I understand Lulu as a character particularly. For example, she has clear resistance to forming committed relationships (it's unclear that she's even left any FRIENDS behind), but we never learn why? That's not something people just come out of the womb like.
Grayson, in comparison, is well-fleshed out, but often feels like he's his need to submit and very little more? As though he has allowed that one "flaw" to overcome his ability to human?
I would also caution anyone going into this as an erotica, because I don't think it reads that way. There's not a particularly significant amount of sex despite much of the main couple's relationship compatibility appearing to be sexual, rather than intellectual or emotional. And it's fairly light on all things BDSM. I will say, I do appreciate that LeBlanc either practices or has actually done some legitimate footwork on understanding certain SM practices that I rarely see in fictional BDSM or kink representation.
This was a book I really wanted to like, because femdom is exceedingly rare in histrom, and SM femdom even moreso, but I just never really hooked in to either of these characters, and due to that, remained distracted by issues in the foreground that were bothering me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2017
DNF @ 27%
Normally I don't review books I've DNF'd, unless I get to 50%. But for The Duke and The Dominia' I'm going to make an exception.
I brought this book base on the interesting premise: time-travelling, a male submissive in the Victorian period, a female dominatrix from the modern period. I thought this would be a fun kinky historical read. Which it could have been, with a little editing.
The reason I couldn't bring myself to read any further are has followed:
- the heavy levels of description and internal monologue from the two characters made for a really slow pace. By 27% (100+ pages) we had read roughly one day.
- Female heroine is one of those annoying women who feels the need to put other woman down to make herself feel better. She actually used the phrase 'I'm not like other girls'... Yeah
- The hero is any better, constantly going on about how Lulu wouldn't be well-trained and submissive like other Victorian wives. Meaning he couldn't just ignore her...
- Although this is set in Victorian London I didn't find the first 27% historically well researched.
- The final nail in the coffin was Lulu singing 'We Will Rock You' on the carriage ride from her wedding to Buckingham Palace. It just felt completely random and made Lulu seem moronic.
Anyway those are just a few of the reasons I DNF'd this book. 1 stars from me.
Normally I don't review books I've DNF'd, unless I get to 50%. But for The Duke and The Dominia' I'm going to make an exception.
I brought this book base on the interesting premise: time-travelling, a male submissive in the Victorian period, a female dominatrix from the modern period. I thought this would be a fun kinky historical read. Which it could have been, with a little editing.
The reason I couldn't bring myself to read any further are has followed:
- the heavy levels of description and internal monologue from the two characters made for a really slow pace. By 27% (100+ pages) we had read roughly one day.
- Female heroine is one of those annoying women who feels the need to put other woman down to make herself feel better. She actually used the phrase 'I'm not like other girls'... Yeah
- The hero is any better, constantly going on about how Lulu wouldn't be well-trained and submissive like other Victorian wives. Meaning he couldn't just ignore her...
- Although this is set in Victorian London I didn't find the first 27% historically well researched.
- The final nail in the coffin was Lulu singing 'We Will Rock You' on the carriage ride from her wedding to Buckingham Palace. It just felt completely random and made Lulu seem moronic.
Anyway those are just a few of the reasons I DNF'd this book. 1 stars from me.
August 17, 2017
There's no reality wherein I finish this and remain a sane human being. The question of Cecilia cast a pall over the whole thing for me -- I know, I know -- as did the very cavalier way in which our heroine inhabited another woman's body.
And maybe they explain these things in the book. I don't know. And I'm not going to find out. At about halfway through, I'm all set.
What DID happen to Cecilia? Her spirit? Or soul? Or being? Is she in purgatory?! Was she transported into Lulu's body in the year 2015? Is she, like dead? And did she really die from a head wound while Cecilia somehow had the good fortune to sustain a similar wound and live? Why doesn't Grayson really care that this woman's essence -- for lack of a better term -- was ousted from her body and is how more or less inhabited by the ghost of Christmas future?
And, after a certain point, Lulu didn't seem to care much either that her body wasn't her own. Whatever hesitation she felt about acting as though it was hers, however, was neatly swept away by the prospect of a sexual encounter. So is it your body or not? Are you using another woman's body without her permission or aren't you? This sounds absolutely nuts typed out.
That and the fact that Grayson really couldn't be assed to find a Victorian-era sex club. Of which there were many. Go figure.
And maybe they explain these things in the book. I don't know. And I'm not going to find out. At about halfway through, I'm all set.
What DID happen to Cecilia? Her spirit? Or soul? Or being? Is she in purgatory?! Was she transported into Lulu's body in the year 2015? Is she, like dead? And did she really die from a head wound while Cecilia somehow had the good fortune to sustain a similar wound and live? Why doesn't Grayson really care that this woman's essence -- for lack of a better term -- was ousted from her body and is how more or less inhabited by the ghost of Christmas future?
And, after a certain point, Lulu didn't seem to care much either that her body wasn't her own. Whatever hesitation she felt about acting as though it was hers, however, was neatly swept away by the prospect of a sexual encounter. So is it your body or not? Are you using another woman's body without her permission or aren't you? This sounds absolutely nuts typed out.
That and the fact that Grayson really couldn't be assed to find a Victorian-era sex club. Of which there were many. Go figure.
January 29, 2018
This book was recommended to me by, believe it or not, another author, of whom I'm a huge fan. She suggested I start with this book in the series, and I did. Very good book. The book is well written and the characters are wonderfully drawn. It may have a little bit to much narrative in places, but not enough that it detracts from the story. This is the first time-travel, I think someone else called it a time-slip, that I've read, so I have nothing to compare it to, except other romances that I've read. The author understand submission better than 80% of the authors who think to write about it. She understands the power and has written a very strong Domme who also understands because she is a switch. And understanding a switch is something most people have no clue about, so kudos to the author for doing her homework, her research, and coming up with a powerful example of what that is. I fell in love with Gray and Talulah from the beginning (that being one of my favorite names for a woman, how could I not?). I've placed Ms. LeBlanc's other books on my wish list and will be tackling the rest of the series soon. Thank you, Jenn LeBlanc, for a very interesting read, and an anonymous thank you to the author who recommended I read this book.
July 1, 2017
Maybe a 2.5 if I'm being very generous. I got this to tick off a couple of various squares on my Ripped Bodice bingo chart. Not sure it was worth it.
This book was slow. Very slow. After the initial time travel, all the actions are between the main couple. And they are slower than molasses on a cold morning. I thought we might get some action with the scheming father in law, but no, that was never resolved.
The Devil's Submission is a much better option if you're looking for something similar.
This book was slow. Very slow. After the initial time travel, all the actions are between the main couple. And they are slower than molasses on a cold morning. I thought we might get some action with the scheming father in law, but no, that was never resolved.
The Devil's Submission is a much better option if you're looking for something similar.
July 21, 2017
I finished it because I'm a stubborn cuss, but I really didn't want to. I am an absolute sucker for time travel, so I initially was all about this, but there is some serious ridiculousness in the premise that I just can't get around. Our present day domme heroine is finishing up a scene, trips, knocks herself unconscious, and wakes up in a stranger's body in the 1800s. Okay, fine. Apparently she's not the only one to have done so (there's clearly something in the water in Colorado.) Leaving aside the fact that I think the folks in the book are a little too blase about the whole thing, if you follow the logic some poor woman has just been jettisoned two hundred years in the future and is about to wake up dressed in leather to some poor bastard who is tied down to a table and has just had the whipping of his life at "her" hands. That's gonna go over well. While not completely ignored, it's a plot point that gets a heavy layer of gloss with most of the focus on somehow getting her to meet up with another hapless time traveler (who we also don't know the fate of.) And that's what irritates me the most about this. There is a good, twisty plot in here, but it's sacrificed in the name of a somewhat frothy, vaguely angsty, sort of kinky, lightweight historical romance.
Honestly, if someone ever did this up properly with a cast of LGBT+ characters I would read the hell out of it.
Honestly, if someone ever did this up properly with a cast of LGBT+ characters I would read the hell out of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2017
DNF at 14% for utter preposterousness. And I don't mean the time travel or the BDSM.
Honestly, if you woke up ~150 years ago in a different country than your own, but thankfully there was another person there from your normal time/place, what would you do next? Ask them WTF is going on and how to handle it...or ask where the gardens are because you feel like a stroll by yourself?
My eyes are rolling so far back in my head, they may sprain.
Honestly, if you woke up ~150 years ago in a different country than your own, but thankfully there was another person there from your normal time/place, what would you do next? Ask them WTF is going on and how to handle it...or ask where the gardens are because you feel like a stroll by yourself?
My eyes are rolling so far back in my head, they may sprain.
November 24, 2022
Beautiful tale
I thought this would be a very smutty book (which I was ok with!) But I was pleasantly suprised that I loved the emotional bonding between Lulu and Grey. She gave a man who woudbe suffered his whole life, never being free, a safe place to do so and understand himself. Lulu also allowed Grey to help her understand and accept things about herself. It was a beautiful coming together of 2 souls perfectly matched.
I thought this would be a very smutty book (which I was ok with!) But I was pleasantly suprised that I loved the emotional bonding between Lulu and Grey. She gave a man who woudbe suffered his whole life, never being free, a safe place to do so and understand himself. Lulu also allowed Grey to help her understand and accept things about herself. It was a beautiful coming together of 2 souls perfectly matched.
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