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Kiss of Leather #1
Building Bonds
Building Bonds by Morticia Knight
Book one in the Kiss of Leather series
Kyle’s a natural sub who builds dungeon furniture, yet has no interest in BDSM. It takes a hunky Dom to show him just what he’s been missing.
After Kyle’s partner of five years leaves him for another man on the night of their housewarming party, the shy, early-thirties carpenter needs to do a major reassessment of his life in addition to raising some serious cash. With no one to help him pay the lease on his Los Angeles condo, he worries how he’ll survive. His best friend sets up a meeting with one of the Doms and partners at Kiss of Leather, a gay BDSM club being built as a premier destination for those who want the best of the best.
Master Gavin not only wants the best—he demands it. When he meets Kyle, he assumes that part of the builder’s reticence to share anything personal with him must be due to his experiences with an abusive former Master. Not one to back down from a challenge, Gavin determines to break through the walls surrounding the beautiful man he can’t get out of his mind. He’s hopeful that once he convinces Kyle to sign an initial contract, Kyle might be the first sub to open up his heart.
Misunderstandings and accusations almost destroy everything between them before they have a real chance to begin. However, the true obstacle becomes not only whether Kyle will embrace BDSM as a lifestyle, but also whether he can handle a full-time D/s relationship with a big, bad, scary Dom who’s as sexy as hell.
The Kiss of Leather series
Kiss of Leather is the pet project of close friends and Doms, Gavin, Derek and Josh. As business partners, they envision the gay BDSM club to be the premiere destination for both demonstrations and play in not only Los Angeles, but the entire country. Designed to attract the most elite of players, Kiss of Leather is built from the ground up to their exact specifications.
Take a peek behind the gates which guard Kiss of Leather. It’s the club that promises a completely decadent experience to stimulate your senses–and that leads unsuspecting Masters and subs to their Happily Ever Afters.
About Morticia Knight
M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys hot stories of men loving men forever after. They can be men in uniform, Doms and subs, rock stars or bikers - but they're all searching for the one (or two!) who was meant only for them.
When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She is currently working on more installments of Sin City Uniforms, The Hampton Road Club, as well as the follow-up to Bryan and Aubrey's story from Rockin' the Alternative and Dylan and Zero from Biking Bad.
Book one in the Kiss of Leather series
Kyle’s a natural sub who builds dungeon furniture, yet has no interest in BDSM. It takes a hunky Dom to show him just what he’s been missing.
After Kyle’s partner of five years leaves him for another man on the night of their housewarming party, the shy, early-thirties carpenter needs to do a major reassessment of his life in addition to raising some serious cash. With no one to help him pay the lease on his Los Angeles condo, he worries how he’ll survive. His best friend sets up a meeting with one of the Doms and partners at Kiss of Leather, a gay BDSM club being built as a premier destination for those who want the best of the best.
Master Gavin not only wants the best—he demands it. When he meets Kyle, he assumes that part of the builder’s reticence to share anything personal with him must be due to his experiences with an abusive former Master. Not one to back down from a challenge, Gavin determines to break through the walls surrounding the beautiful man he can’t get out of his mind. He’s hopeful that once he convinces Kyle to sign an initial contract, Kyle might be the first sub to open up his heart.
Misunderstandings and accusations almost destroy everything between them before they have a real chance to begin. However, the true obstacle becomes not only whether Kyle will embrace BDSM as a lifestyle, but also whether he can handle a full-time D/s relationship with a big, bad, scary Dom who’s as sexy as hell.
The Kiss of Leather series
Kiss of Leather is the pet project of close friends and Doms, Gavin, Derek and Josh. As business partners, they envision the gay BDSM club to be the premiere destination for both demonstrations and play in not only Los Angeles, but the entire country. Designed to attract the most elite of players, Kiss of Leather is built from the ground up to their exact specifications.
Take a peek behind the gates which guard Kiss of Leather. It’s the club that promises a completely decadent experience to stimulate your senses–and that leads unsuspecting Masters and subs to their Happily Ever Afters.
About Morticia Knight
M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys hot stories of men loving men forever after. They can be men in uniform, Doms and subs, rock stars or bikers - but they're all searching for the one (or two!) who was meant only for them.
When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She is currently working on more installments of Sin City Uniforms, The Hampton Road Club, as well as the follow-up to Bryan and Aubrey's story from Rockin' the Alternative and Dylan and Zero from Biking Bad.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2015
127 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Morticia Knight
118 books646 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Morticia Knight spends most of her nights writing about men loving men who explore the sweeter side of kink. If there happens to be some friendly bondage or floggings involved, she doesn’t begrudge her characters whatever their filthy little hearts desire. Even though she’s been crafting her tales for more years than she’d like to share—her adventures as a published author began in 2011. With over 70 gay/bisexual romance books and stories available, Morticia is bound to have something for your sexy HEA reading pleasure!
Morticia resides on the North Oregon coast where the fierce winter storms, gray skies and ocean views all conspire to spark her endless imagination.
Morticia resides on the North Oregon coast where the fierce winter storms, gray skies and ocean views all conspire to spark her endless imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
October 11, 2015
2.5 HEARTS--The blurb and cover hooked me. I thought I signed up for a sexy treat because good IR MM is hard to find, and good IR BDSM is even harder. This is my second dance with this author. I'm still unfamiliar with her work, style, etc. The first story I've read impressed me.
This...
This was a miss for me. I can say "it's me, not you" (But I don't think it is.) Building Bonds read like a beginner's manual. This was not BDSM 101. It was remedial BDSM. I'm not trying to drag it out like this book dragged out everything. It's 54K but I thought it was 545K, it felt like forever. And it ended at 92%.
Kyle is vanilla. He's a 32 year old carpenter who has no inkling of joining the lifestyle. He makes BDSM furniture and is told repeatedly he's a natural submissive. So he meets Gavin, the Dom. And through a misunderstanding that lasted a little too long (and normally misunderstandings don't bug me but it stuck in my craw), Kyle is sorta of coerced into a relationship.
Consent is a big thing, yes? And Kyle could be argued as curious...but he didn't seem that way to me. He jerked off more to Denzel Washington movies (kept repeating that ad nauseam) than BDSM porn. He thought of it as something dirty. I'm not even delving too deeply into that because I'll be here all day.
Kyle keeps being told to the reader over and over, he's a natural sub. He overacts his submissiveness to the point where I don't know how he made it to 32 years of life unscathed. Kyle was a Goober, TSTL.
An entire pack of Kyles.
Some readers might like him playing into that stereotype. It works for some readers, I'm not one of them. I thought I was going to get to read a novel about a man curious about the lifestyle who gets shown through Gavin and they scene many times. Didn't get that, instead there was an abundance of details and mechanics, so that the relationship, IMO, suffered. We get one long scene at 70% , a summary of the rest of the necessary relationship building, a quick scene where hesitant Kyle is suddenly into heavier things tacked on and then the end.
Because we get too much details about every little thing that when you take a step back adds nothing to the grand scale of the main characters' relationship. I know how a contract works, must I read about each page of a 12 pg contract? I know what safe words are, must I go through the entire system over and over again? I'm not Kyle. He wasn't interesting enough to be in his head. The story gets bogged down by too much minutiae that it made the characters read like caricatures. I cared for neither one of the men. The concept was a good one. The execution is my main concern.
There were things that are most certainly my things. And I was so bored that I could care less about my things (a pity):
CBT - the author gives overly detailed description that it dulls the scene & not even with both main characters which could have helped with the flatness of Kyle. Meh.
Piercings - a nipple and Prince showed up. Did I shout to the sky? Nope, I yawned.
Rough Sex - I couldn't tell you what happened. Bleh. I can ALWAYS tell you what happened.
Cock Cage - Meh eh...Meh. WTF? I had to question my priorities when a penis plug and chastity device mention did nothing to me. I actually wondered about everything else but the story at hand. This is was the final nail in the coffin.
Electrowand - Hot but too late to save the paltry and uneven pacing.
If I look closer at my notes, I could rate this a 1. It's one of those types of books. It said the right things, it used the right items...but I'm not new to the scene. Stereotype fiction Doms don't do it for me like Gavin. I disliked the way he talked, the way he acted. He made my skin crawl. He's not abusive Dom but...there's something about him. Too formal, I felt like he was posturing instead being a real human being. The "big bad Dom" from the blurb should have been my warning. And everyone knew Kyle was a natural submissive. *rolls eyes* Was it on his forehead? Oh, it must have been because Gavin told him. *smh* Or the shyness? Kyle's gooberness was laid on hella thick. It was annoying. And how did Gavin get all this money? The missteps will irk me, so I'm quitting now.
But there is hope. I wouldn't necessarily suggest this to seasoned BDSM reader, enter at your own risk. But if you're new to the genre or hesitant to read kink, this book might work for you.
This the first of the series, it looks like it will feature Gavin's friends. Eh, I'm on the fence with continuing. I'll read a sample, if it's anything like this...you fill in the blank.
I'm looking to drop remedial BDSM, do you have a hall pass?
Because I'm cutting class, if not.
A copy provided for an honest review.
This...
This was a miss for me. I can say "it's me, not you" (But I don't think it is.) Building Bonds read like a beginner's manual. This was not BDSM 101. It was remedial BDSM. I'm not trying to drag it out like this book dragged out everything. It's 54K but I thought it was 545K, it felt like forever. And it ended at 92%.
Kyle is vanilla. He's a 32 year old carpenter who has no inkling of joining the lifestyle. He makes BDSM furniture and is told repeatedly he's a natural submissive. So he meets Gavin, the Dom. And through a misunderstanding that lasted a little too long (and normally misunderstandings don't bug me but it stuck in my craw), Kyle is sorta of coerced into a relationship.
Consent is a big thing, yes? And Kyle could be argued as curious...but he didn't seem that way to me. He jerked off more to Denzel Washington movies (kept repeating that ad nauseam) than BDSM porn. He thought of it as something dirty. I'm not even delving too deeply into that because I'll be here all day.
Kyle keeps being told to the reader over and over, he's a natural sub. He overacts his submissiveness to the point where I don't know how he made it to 32 years of life unscathed. Kyle was a Goober, TSTL.
An entire pack of Kyles.
Some readers might like him playing into that stereotype. It works for some readers, I'm not one of them. I thought I was going to get to read a novel about a man curious about the lifestyle who gets shown through Gavin and they scene many times. Didn't get that, instead there was an abundance of details and mechanics, so that the relationship, IMO, suffered. We get one long scene at 70% , a summary of the rest of the necessary relationship building, a quick scene where hesitant Kyle is suddenly into heavier things tacked on and then the end.
Because we get too much details about every little thing that when you take a step back adds nothing to the grand scale of the main characters' relationship. I know how a contract works, must I read about each page of a 12 pg contract? I know what safe words are, must I go through the entire system over and over again? I'm not Kyle. He wasn't interesting enough to be in his head. The story gets bogged down by too much minutiae that it made the characters read like caricatures. I cared for neither one of the men. The concept was a good one. The execution is my main concern.
There were things that are most certainly my things. And I was so bored that I could care less about my things (a pity):
CBT - the author gives overly detailed description that it dulls the scene & not even with both main characters which could have helped with the flatness of Kyle. Meh.
Piercings - a nipple and Prince showed up. Did I shout to the sky? Nope, I yawned.
Rough Sex - I couldn't tell you what happened. Bleh. I can ALWAYS tell you what happened.
Cock Cage - Meh eh...Meh. WTF? I had to question my priorities when a penis plug and chastity device mention did nothing to me. I actually wondered about everything else but the story at hand. This is was the final nail in the coffin.
Electrowand - Hot but too late to save the paltry and uneven pacing.
If I look closer at my notes, I could rate this a 1. It's one of those types of books. It said the right things, it used the right items...but I'm not new to the scene. Stereotype fiction Doms don't do it for me like Gavin. I disliked the way he talked, the way he acted. He made my skin crawl. He's not abusive Dom but...there's something about him. Too formal, I felt like he was posturing instead being a real human being. The "big bad Dom" from the blurb should have been my warning. And everyone knew Kyle was a natural submissive. *rolls eyes* Was it on his forehead? Oh, it must have been because Gavin told him. *smh* Or the shyness? Kyle's gooberness was laid on hella thick. It was annoying. And how did Gavin get all this money? The missteps will irk me, so I'm quitting now.
But there is hope. I wouldn't necessarily suggest this to seasoned BDSM reader, enter at your own risk. But if you're new to the genre or hesitant to read kink, this book might work for you.
This the first of the series, it looks like it will feature Gavin's friends. Eh, I'm on the fence with continuing. I'll read a sample, if it's anything like this...you fill in the blank.
I'm looking to drop remedial BDSM, do you have a hall pass?
Because I'm cutting class, if not.
A copy provided for an honest review.
April 7, 2023
Kyle is on the shy side, partly by his nature and partly because of his ex. He also has a knack for building exquisite dungeon equipment, even though he himself is not in the lifestyle and doesn't believe his old friend when he tells Kyle he's a natural sub. When Master Gavin, one of the owners of the new club approaches Kyle with an offer to build equipment for "Kiss of Leather", their new club. He just assumes Kyle must be an experienced submissive and takes quite an interest in the young man. Kyle is afraid to tell Gavin the truth, which of course leads to complications. Building Bonds is a sweet and spicy kinky romance, with just enough realistic drama to keep it interesting. There's very little doubt how stories like this will end, so the trick to making them interesting is how believable they are while getting there, and this story definitely is believable making it a very good read. Kyle is a wonderfully drawn character. I found I could easily relate to him and the way he reacted to most situations. He seems to be a very honest and earnest young man. Dom Gavin, on the other hand, is a little too good to be true, but not enough to ruin the story, and you know that he is absolutely the perfect match for Kyle. It's just harder to believe a guy like him exists, but you desperately want him to be "real". This is the start of a recently re-issued series centered around the "Kiss of Leather" BDSM club, making most of the characters that will be featured in the later books having already been met in this one. I like books where my favorite characters reappear and don't just fade away.
August 24, 2015
4.5 Sexy Stars!!
I enjoyed this one! I know BDSM isn't for everyone, but I really liked the interplay here between Kyle--a talented furniture builder and complete BDSM novice with a low self-esteem--and Gavin, a Dom who has one thing on his mind: building Kyle back up. Kyle's never been the object of anyone's affection before. His most recent boyfriend was a self-centered jerk, and Kyle's desire to find a man to love him seems almost too high a goal--for Kyle. Gavin is a sexy, wealthy professional--think a kinky Denzel Washington--and Kyle's shyness and willingness to please is pure catnip.
I loved how sweet Gavin was to Kyle, how patient and how reassuring. It is also Gavin's dream to find a full-time sub with whom to share his life. He's had many opportunities, but no one has quite met his high standards. He had a boy he loved some years back, but that man couldn't stay in the D/s lifestyle. Kyle's spirit is willing, but he's so new to the scene that Gavin is afraid he'll lose him.
They agree on a 6 month full time contract, with Kyle moving in straightaway, and the training begins. As with the scene above, Kyle's naive and unsure, and Gavin works within his limits to mold Kyle into a stronger, more confident man. He sees to Kyle's every need, emotional and physical. Which has unintended consequences when Kyle realizes that he truly loved Gavin.
For all the BDSM action, this really is a sweet story. I liked both Gavin and Kyle a bunch, and the growth they experience together is charming. There are some intense sexytimes, so be prepared!
I enjoyed this one! I know BDSM isn't for everyone, but I really liked the interplay here between Kyle--a talented furniture builder and complete BDSM novice with a low self-esteem--and Gavin, a Dom who has one thing on his mind: building Kyle back up. Kyle's never been the object of anyone's affection before. His most recent boyfriend was a self-centered jerk, and Kyle's desire to find a man to love him seems almost too high a goal--for Kyle. Gavin is a sexy, wealthy professional--think a kinky Denzel Washington--and Kyle's shyness and willingness to please is pure catnip.
I loved how sweet Gavin was to Kyle, how patient and how reassuring. It is also Gavin's dream to find a full-time sub with whom to share his life. He's had many opportunities, but no one has quite met his high standards. He had a boy he loved some years back, but that man couldn't stay in the D/s lifestyle. Kyle's spirit is willing, but he's so new to the scene that Gavin is afraid he'll lose him.
They agree on a 6 month full time contract, with Kyle moving in straightaway, and the training begins. As with the scene above, Kyle's naive and unsure, and Gavin works within his limits to mold Kyle into a stronger, more confident man. He sees to Kyle's every need, emotional and physical. Which has unintended consequences when Kyle realizes that he truly loved Gavin.
For all the BDSM action, this really is a sweet story. I liked both Gavin and Kyle a bunch, and the growth they experience together is charming. There are some intense sexytimes, so be prepared!
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February 29, 2020
Despite the fact that he builds bondage furniture for a living and secretly masturbates to kinky gay porn, Kyle is sure he’s not a submissive. It doesn’t matter how much his slave-boy friend Marshall teases him, Kyle has no interest in finding out more about the BDSM lifestyle. Indeed, the notion terrifies him.
Indeed, after being dumped by his selfish and emotionally abusive partner Roger, Kyle’s pretty reluctant to get involved with anyone, kinky or not. He tells himself he’s content to live a quiet, solitary life, rather than exposing himself to the pain of another relationship. Then he meets Gavin, part-owner of the soon-to-opened BDSM club Kiss of Leather. Kyle’s attraction to the sexy, self-possessed Dom is immediate and intense, but that just increases his shyness and embarrassment in Gavin’s presence.
Gavin’s initial interest in Kyle is strictly professional; the club wants to engage Kyle as their exclusive carpenter, to design and construct all their equipment. However, he soon realizes he wants more, that he wants to dominate the handsome but awkward carpenter. When Kyle mentions Roger, Gavin assumes that the ex was a former Master. Only when Gavin offers Kyle a trial six-month contract as his submissive does Kyle confess to his near-total ignorance of kink.
Kyle wants Gavin so badly he agrees to become his “boy”, even though he has little understanding of what that entails. Gavin is happy to teach him. Gently but firmly, he introduces the younger man to the physical and emotional joys of submission. By the time the contract is half over, both men realize their feelings go way beyond sexual attraction.
I’ve known Morticia Knight as a fellow author and blog contributor for years, but for some reason this is the first book of hers I’ve read. I found it satisfying from an emotional perspective, less so from a logical or literary one.
Building Bonds is pure romance, pure fantasy – the soulmate trope becoming all the more compelling when it involves D/s, which demands the ultimate in devotion and trust. When I turn the light of reason on the plot, however, I find it somewhat implausible. Everything happens too fast. I don’t think a real Dom would push a total novice the way Gavin pushes Kyle (though everything is thoroughly based on consent). Furthermore, given how emotionally damaged Kyle seems to be, I wonder if it’s realistic that he’d be able to open up to Gavin the way he does.
The book also felt too short to me. Gavin and Kyle meet, get together, and fall in love. Nothing much else really happens. I expected some external conflict, perhaps from Roger’s reappearance, but that didn’t happen. I also wondered whether Kyle might not freak out from the emotional demands of his interactions with the Dom and need some space. Instead, they have a very hot scene involving a violet wand, end up confessing their love to one another, and that’s it – the end.
There’s a reasonable amount of kinky sex in the book, with a well-managed escalation of intensity. Still, for some reason the story felt a bit “vanilla” to me. This might be, paradoxically, because of Gavin’s constant emphasis on Safe, Sane and Consensual. Of course in the real world, this is probably what one wants, but in erotic fiction one craves a bit of risk, a bit of danger.
Overall, I enjoyed Building Bonds – but it left me wanting more. More story. More conflict. More character depth. Maybe more extreme and challenging sex.
More.
[I'd really like to give this three and a half stars... indeed, I really hate the requirement to rate books. That sort of decision is too uni-dimensional.]
Indeed, after being dumped by his selfish and emotionally abusive partner Roger, Kyle’s pretty reluctant to get involved with anyone, kinky or not. He tells himself he’s content to live a quiet, solitary life, rather than exposing himself to the pain of another relationship. Then he meets Gavin, part-owner of the soon-to-opened BDSM club Kiss of Leather. Kyle’s attraction to the sexy, self-possessed Dom is immediate and intense, but that just increases his shyness and embarrassment in Gavin’s presence.
Gavin’s initial interest in Kyle is strictly professional; the club wants to engage Kyle as their exclusive carpenter, to design and construct all their equipment. However, he soon realizes he wants more, that he wants to dominate the handsome but awkward carpenter. When Kyle mentions Roger, Gavin assumes that the ex was a former Master. Only when Gavin offers Kyle a trial six-month contract as his submissive does Kyle confess to his near-total ignorance of kink.
Kyle wants Gavin so badly he agrees to become his “boy”, even though he has little understanding of what that entails. Gavin is happy to teach him. Gently but firmly, he introduces the younger man to the physical and emotional joys of submission. By the time the contract is half over, both men realize their feelings go way beyond sexual attraction.
I’ve known Morticia Knight as a fellow author and blog contributor for years, but for some reason this is the first book of hers I’ve read. I found it satisfying from an emotional perspective, less so from a logical or literary one.
Building Bonds is pure romance, pure fantasy – the soulmate trope becoming all the more compelling when it involves D/s, which demands the ultimate in devotion and trust. When I turn the light of reason on the plot, however, I find it somewhat implausible. Everything happens too fast. I don’t think a real Dom would push a total novice the way Gavin pushes Kyle (though everything is thoroughly based on consent). Furthermore, given how emotionally damaged Kyle seems to be, I wonder if it’s realistic that he’d be able to open up to Gavin the way he does.
The book also felt too short to me. Gavin and Kyle meet, get together, and fall in love. Nothing much else really happens. I expected some external conflict, perhaps from Roger’s reappearance, but that didn’t happen. I also wondered whether Kyle might not freak out from the emotional demands of his interactions with the Dom and need some space. Instead, they have a very hot scene involving a violet wand, end up confessing their love to one another, and that’s it – the end.
There’s a reasonable amount of kinky sex in the book, with a well-managed escalation of intensity. Still, for some reason the story felt a bit “vanilla” to me. This might be, paradoxically, because of Gavin’s constant emphasis on Safe, Sane and Consensual. Of course in the real world, this is probably what one wants, but in erotic fiction one craves a bit of risk, a bit of danger.
Overall, I enjoyed Building Bonds – but it left me wanting more. More story. More conflict. More character depth. Maybe more extreme and challenging sex.
More.
[I'd really like to give this three and a half stars... indeed, I really hate the requirement to rate books. That sort of decision is too uni-dimensional.]
August 11, 2015
The blurb more than summarizes what this story is about. Hell, the title pretty much states the main focus of this story--Building Bonds.
And that is what takes place in this story.
Morticia Knight is a new to me author and I have to say that I liked what I read. Kyle and Master Gavin were great characters to get to know. I enjoyed Kyle's journey of self-discovery and the way he allowed himself to explore that side of him regardless of his doubts of the lifestyle.
I admit, I didn't come to 'like' Master Gavin until I got well within the story. I didn't appreciate his assumptions about Kyle when they first met. Then again, he wasn't all that far out of range in regards to Kyle's history, his wants or needs. But that first encounter and his subsequent inner musings really threw me off.
Thankfully, as the story progressed I came to understand where he was coming from. Especially once I realized how much he longed to have a meaningful relationship with his sub. He was an experienced Dom and yearned to have the best of both worlds.
From there everything just fell into place for me. I was glad to see Kyle and Master Gavin on the same page--voicing their needs and desires and talking things through.
I found the writing clear and precise even if at times it made the pace of the story a bit slow in the beginning. But I did come to appreciate the fact that the author took her time bringing these two together. I don't think it would have worked out for me if Kyle and Master Gavin would have jumped into this immediately. They truly came to common ground and laid the path for a lasting relationship.
Of course, the chemistry between these two helped to convince me that they were a pretty good match. Their time spent together showcased their connection and by the time the story came to a close, I wanted to keep on reading about them!
As the first in a series, Building Bonds did a great job of introducing the cast of characters and setting the ground for stories to come. I will definitely be on the lookout for upcoming releases in the series.
All in all, a hot yet sweet romance between two individuals who truly wanted to have a meaningful relationship and worked together to achieve it with one another.
*I received a copy of this title in exchange of my honest opinion.
And that is what takes place in this story.
Morticia Knight is a new to me author and I have to say that I liked what I read. Kyle and Master Gavin were great characters to get to know. I enjoyed Kyle's journey of self-discovery and the way he allowed himself to explore that side of him regardless of his doubts of the lifestyle.
I admit, I didn't come to 'like' Master Gavin until I got well within the story. I didn't appreciate his assumptions about Kyle when they first met. Then again, he wasn't all that far out of range in regards to Kyle's history, his wants or needs. But that first encounter and his subsequent inner musings really threw me off.
Thankfully, as the story progressed I came to understand where he was coming from. Especially once I realized how much he longed to have a meaningful relationship with his sub. He was an experienced Dom and yearned to have the best of both worlds.
From there everything just fell into place for me. I was glad to see Kyle and Master Gavin on the same page--voicing their needs and desires and talking things through.
I found the writing clear and precise even if at times it made the pace of the story a bit slow in the beginning. But I did come to appreciate the fact that the author took her time bringing these two together. I don't think it would have worked out for me if Kyle and Master Gavin would have jumped into this immediately. They truly came to common ground and laid the path for a lasting relationship.
Of course, the chemistry between these two helped to convince me that they were a pretty good match. Their time spent together showcased their connection and by the time the story came to a close, I wanted to keep on reading about them!
As the first in a series, Building Bonds did a great job of introducing the cast of characters and setting the ground for stories to come. I will definitely be on the lookout for upcoming releases in the series.
All in all, a hot yet sweet romance between two individuals who truly wanted to have a meaningful relationship and worked together to achieve it with one another.
*I received a copy of this title in exchange of my honest opinion.
August 12, 2015
My facial expression after reading this:
August 18, 2015
3 Heart Review by Amber
Hmmm…well this was interesting. I don’t really know how I feel in regards to how this story was told. It almost read like a “How to…” guide. It was very mechanical. I wasn’t really able to see or feel any real emotion coming from either character. It’s not that I completely hated this story, I didn’t. It was well written and even though at times it got pretty slow the pace was bearable. It was just overall, “blah” I got bored so many different times and I had to fight with myself just to finish it. I was looking forward to so much with this story so in that sense it was a major let down.
Gavin James is a mega rich entrepreneur, BDSM club owner, and full time Dom. He enjoys working hard, being successful and training a myriad of submissive. His newest venture, Kiss of Leather will be an ultra exclusive BDSM club he is creating with his two best friends. During planning someone suggested a local man to build the furniture that would be in the club. Upon seeing some examples of the things he can create Gavin and his partners jumped at the opportunity to hire Kyle as their employee.
Kyle is just recently out of an emotionally unfulfilling relationship. He gets stuck with a crazy high rent that he has to pay all on his own. The one good thing is the fact that his friend recommended him to the owners of a club to build the furniture. Kyle is very confident when it comes to what he can build with his own hands. It’s just people who he has a hard time connecting with.
When Gavin and Kyle meet, Kyle shifts back into his natural submissive tendencies and that sparks incredible interest in Gavin. Beyond that Gavin is physically attracted to Kyle as well but he sense a need to tread carefully, he just doesn’t know why yet.
They embark on a tentative D/s relationship due to the fact that there was some withholding of information from their initial meeting. It was a little exhausting to go through every scenario with Kyle and Gavin. Like I said things were explained so heavily the sexiness factor was lost a lot of the time. Also, if Kyle was a “natural sub” why did he struggle so much with the concept? There were just so many things that left me scratching my head.
Like I side, good writing but overall just didn’t work for me.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Hmmm…well this was interesting. I don’t really know how I feel in regards to how this story was told. It almost read like a “How to…” guide. It was very mechanical. I wasn’t really able to see or feel any real emotion coming from either character. It’s not that I completely hated this story, I didn’t. It was well written and even though at times it got pretty slow the pace was bearable. It was just overall, “blah” I got bored so many different times and I had to fight with myself just to finish it. I was looking forward to so much with this story so in that sense it was a major let down.
Gavin James is a mega rich entrepreneur, BDSM club owner, and full time Dom. He enjoys working hard, being successful and training a myriad of submissive. His newest venture, Kiss of Leather will be an ultra exclusive BDSM club he is creating with his two best friends. During planning someone suggested a local man to build the furniture that would be in the club. Upon seeing some examples of the things he can create Gavin and his partners jumped at the opportunity to hire Kyle as their employee.
Kyle is just recently out of an emotionally unfulfilling relationship. He gets stuck with a crazy high rent that he has to pay all on his own. The one good thing is the fact that his friend recommended him to the owners of a club to build the furniture. Kyle is very confident when it comes to what he can build with his own hands. It’s just people who he has a hard time connecting with.
When Gavin and Kyle meet, Kyle shifts back into his natural submissive tendencies and that sparks incredible interest in Gavin. Beyond that Gavin is physically attracted to Kyle as well but he sense a need to tread carefully, he just doesn’t know why yet.
They embark on a tentative D/s relationship due to the fact that there was some withholding of information from their initial meeting. It was a little exhausting to go through every scenario with Kyle and Gavin. Like I said things were explained so heavily the sexiness factor was lost a lot of the time. Also, if Kyle was a “natural sub” why did he struggle so much with the concept? There were just so many things that left me scratching my head.
Like I side, good writing but overall just didn’t work for me.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
November 25, 2015
This book was just so good!
With this book you get Kyle who has just got out of a relationship because his partner has left him for another man. He also happens to be super shy which I thought was so funny with what he does for work, you would just never think of someone being shy building BDSM equipment. I have to say I also really loved Kyle's character because besides being super shy he was also so strong and willing to try new things even though they made him very nervous.
Gavin is part owner along with two other men in the BDSM club that Kyle is build the equipment for. The instant he meets Kyle and sees how naturally submissive he is he knows he must have him as his sub.
I have to say I loved the way this author wrote this characters and this story. Also loved the BDSM aspect of this book too. I thought the way the Dom/ Sub relationship between these two men was written was very good. The only real thing I was hoping for was more of this two men together because I honestly did not want to stop reading their story it was just so good!
So I will leave this review with I really loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this book!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
With this book you get Kyle who has just got out of a relationship because his partner has left him for another man. He also happens to be super shy which I thought was so funny with what he does for work, you would just never think of someone being shy building BDSM equipment. I have to say I also really loved Kyle's character because besides being super shy he was also so strong and willing to try new things even though they made him very nervous.
Gavin is part owner along with two other men in the BDSM club that Kyle is build the equipment for. The instant he meets Kyle and sees how naturally submissive he is he knows he must have him as his sub.
I have to say I loved the way this author wrote this characters and this story. Also loved the BDSM aspect of this book too. I thought the way the Dom/ Sub relationship between these two men was written was very good. The only real thing I was hoping for was more of this two men together because I honestly did not want to stop reading their story it was just so good!
So I will leave this review with I really loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this book!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
October 1, 2016
DNF @ 56%. Could not stand both MCs - they were OTT caricatures of a BDSM Dom/sub. Returning this Kindle book along the next one in the series.
Gavin was a bully. He proceeded to continue his non-committed sexual sub relationship with Toby while thinking of Kyle. He publically offered a sub contract to Kyle, with no prior discussion, and then immediately pushed him to behave like a sub, initiated sex and then pressured Kyle to move in with him, all in one afternoon. And, the contract was for a 24/7 D/s lifestyle. He also announced this contract to Kyle in front of Toby with no prior discussion with Toby. Toby got his feelings hurt with Gavin's announcement. Gavin "told" Toby he should have spoken up sooner about his feelings. Well Gavin should have spoken up sooner too. Hell, Gavin should have stopped training Toby at that point. Gavin also "told" Kyle he should have spoken up sooner that he was not in the lifestyle. Well Gavin was at fault for not bringing up the sub contract privately with Kyle.
And Kyle was just plain milk toast. Kyle's whole personae was extremely wimpy and he was afraid of BDSM. He indirectly led Gavin on by not correcting Gavin's assumptions that he was in the lifestyle and Roger had been his Dom because he made BDSM equipment. And a big strike against his character (and which Toby should have not taken advantage of), Kyle said yes to Gavin's sub contract without knowing anything about BDSM and the specifics of the contract.
Merged review:
DNF @ 56%. Could not stand both MCs - they were OTT caricatures of a BDSM Dom/sub. Returning this Kindle book along the next one in the series.
Gavin was a bully. He proceeded to continue his non-committed sexual sub relationship with Toby while thinking of Kyle. He publically offered a sub contract to Kyle, with no prior discussion, and then immediately pushed him to behave like a sub, initiated sex and then pressured Kyle to move in with him, all in one afternoon. And, the contract was for a 24/7 D/s lifestyle. He also announced this contract to Kyle in front of Toby with no prior discussion with Toby. Toby got his feelings hurt with Gavin's announcement. Gavin "told" Toby he should have spoken up sooner about his feelings. Well Gavin should have spoken up sooner too. Hell, Gavin should have stopped training Toby at that point. Gavin also "told" Kyle he should have spoken up sooner that he was not in the lifestyle. Well Gavin was at fault for not bringing up the sub contract privately with Kyle.
And Kyle was just plain milk toast. Kyle's whole personae was extremely wimpy and he was afraid of BDSM. He indirectly led Gavin on by not correcting Gavin's assumptions that he was in the lifestyle because he made BDSM equipment and that Roger had been his Dom. And a big strike against his character (and which Toby should have not taken advantage of), Kyle said yes to Gavin's sub contract without knowing anything about BDSM and the specifics of the contract.
Gavin was a bully. He proceeded to continue his non-committed sexual sub relationship with Toby while thinking of Kyle. He publically offered a sub contract to Kyle, with no prior discussion, and then immediately pushed him to behave like a sub, initiated sex and then pressured Kyle to move in with him, all in one afternoon. And, the contract was for a 24/7 D/s lifestyle. He also announced this contract to Kyle in front of Toby with no prior discussion with Toby. Toby got his feelings hurt with Gavin's announcement. Gavin "told" Toby he should have spoken up sooner about his feelings. Well Gavin should have spoken up sooner too. Hell, Gavin should have stopped training Toby at that point. Gavin also "told" Kyle he should have spoken up sooner that he was not in the lifestyle. Well Gavin was at fault for not bringing up the sub contract privately with Kyle.
And Kyle was just plain milk toast. Kyle's whole personae was extremely wimpy and he was afraid of BDSM. He indirectly led Gavin on by not correcting Gavin's assumptions that he was in the lifestyle and Roger had been his Dom because he made BDSM equipment. And a big strike against his character (and which Toby should have not taken advantage of), Kyle said yes to Gavin's sub contract without knowing anything about BDSM and the specifics of the contract.
Merged review:
DNF @ 56%. Could not stand both MCs - they were OTT caricatures of a BDSM Dom/sub. Returning this Kindle book along the next one in the series.
Gavin was a bully. He proceeded to continue his non-committed sexual sub relationship with Toby while thinking of Kyle. He publically offered a sub contract to Kyle, with no prior discussion, and then immediately pushed him to behave like a sub, initiated sex and then pressured Kyle to move in with him, all in one afternoon. And, the contract was for a 24/7 D/s lifestyle. He also announced this contract to Kyle in front of Toby with no prior discussion with Toby. Toby got his feelings hurt with Gavin's announcement. Gavin "told" Toby he should have spoken up sooner about his feelings. Well Gavin should have spoken up sooner too. Hell, Gavin should have stopped training Toby at that point. Gavin also "told" Kyle he should have spoken up sooner that he was not in the lifestyle. Well Gavin was at fault for not bringing up the sub contract privately with Kyle.
And Kyle was just plain milk toast. Kyle's whole personae was extremely wimpy and he was afraid of BDSM. He indirectly led Gavin on by not correcting Gavin's assumptions that he was in the lifestyle because he made BDSM equipment and that Roger had been his Dom. And a big strike against his character (and which Toby should have not taken advantage of), Kyle said yes to Gavin's sub contract without knowing anything about BDSM and the specifics of the contract.
February 5, 2017
Instant attraction + instant relationship + instant love + instant trust. Just plain silly. There wasn't a period of getting to know the other person or to build trust.
Kyle had been badly burned in a previous relationship. He was tentative about trusting someone. He had been with his ex for five years, and the relationship had battered his self confidence and left him emotionally drained. He meets Gavin and is suddenly ready to "jump off the cliff" and dives into a D/S contract.
We the reader or shortchanged. We are expected to believe that Kyle who has never been a part of any type of BDSM, suddenly moves in with Gavin, calls him Master, hands over his life to a what amounts to a total stranger and falls in love. While Gavin is patient and kind, the author took easy way out. She did great sex scenes but didn't take the time to invest in the trust building getting to know you phase.
Kyle had been badly burned in a previous relationship. He was tentative about trusting someone. He had been with his ex for five years, and the relationship had battered his self confidence and left him emotionally drained. He meets Gavin and is suddenly ready to "jump off the cliff" and dives into a D/S contract.
We the reader or shortchanged. We are expected to believe that Kyle who has never been a part of any type of BDSM, suddenly moves in with Gavin, calls him Master, hands over his life to a what amounts to a total stranger and falls in love. While Gavin is patient and kind, the author took easy way out. She did great sex scenes but didn't take the time to invest in the trust building getting to know you phase.
February 29, 2016
I wasn't terribly impressed with Master Gavin. He acknowledges that Kyle is not familiar with the D/s lifestyle, and then he wants Kyle to sign a contract to be his full-time sub. It seemed that Gavin would say that Kyle could make decisions, and then Gavin would decide himself. It seemed inconsistent.
August 15, 2015
What a a joke! Nope!
February 15, 2016
More sweet than steamy (which is not necessarily a bad thing!), and sometimes ridiculously formal in the language.
August 14, 2021
"It didn’t matter how many times he discussed BDSM with Marshall—which was as little as possible, if he could help it—his cheeks would get even hotter than usual. One of his biggest wishes was that his shyness would leave him the way he’d hoped it would when he’d become an adult. At thirty-two, he despaired of it ever going away."
I can easily admit to a strong fascination with the BDSM lifestyle. It's not one I believe would be suited to me, but I really enjoy the books and stories that center around it. When I found 'Building Bonds', book one in Morticia Knight's new series 'Kiss of Leather', I was jumping for joy at the prospect of reading it. I enjoy this author's work and the description really caught my eye.
I fell, hard and fast, for Kyle. He's so insanely cute and shy that I just wanted to wrap him in a blanket and snuggle him. He has absolutely no clue he's a natural submissive. Yes, his best friend Marshall is a sub, and the few times Marshall has brought up the lifestyle, Kyle just wants the conversation over with, and fast. He's not judging, it's just not something he's interested in. Kyle has absolutely no qualms about building the very best furniture he can for Kiss of Leather, but he couldn’t care less about using any of it.
Gavin is shocked when he meets Kyle face-to-face. He'd mistakenly assumed that someone who could craft such beautiful pieces must be a Dom. When he sees that Kyle is a sub, Gavin makes the assumption that Kyle must've been hurt by a Dom in his past. Oh, the misconceptions thrown around, much to my amusement, made the beginning quite entertaining.
"A disturbing revelation came to him. What if Marshall had been right all along? What if the mysterious element that Marshall insisted he possessed meant that he really was a submissive after all? He’d told Marshall he had no idea what he was talking about. Should he find out? Would Gavin want to show him?"
Oh, I adored this D/s relationship. Kyle is adorable beyond belief, while Gavin is sex on a stick. I loved the way the author wrote all the beginning training for Kyle in such a wonderful and real way. I can hardly contain my excitement to see what's coming next in this series. Thank you, Morticia, your guys are delightful and I enjoyed them immensely.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
I can easily admit to a strong fascination with the BDSM lifestyle. It's not one I believe would be suited to me, but I really enjoy the books and stories that center around it. When I found 'Building Bonds', book one in Morticia Knight's new series 'Kiss of Leather', I was jumping for joy at the prospect of reading it. I enjoy this author's work and the description really caught my eye.
I fell, hard and fast, for Kyle. He's so insanely cute and shy that I just wanted to wrap him in a blanket and snuggle him. He has absolutely no clue he's a natural submissive. Yes, his best friend Marshall is a sub, and the few times Marshall has brought up the lifestyle, Kyle just wants the conversation over with, and fast. He's not judging, it's just not something he's interested in. Kyle has absolutely no qualms about building the very best furniture he can for Kiss of Leather, but he couldn’t care less about using any of it.
Gavin is shocked when he meets Kyle face-to-face. He'd mistakenly assumed that someone who could craft such beautiful pieces must be a Dom. When he sees that Kyle is a sub, Gavin makes the assumption that Kyle must've been hurt by a Dom in his past. Oh, the misconceptions thrown around, much to my amusement, made the beginning quite entertaining.
"A disturbing revelation came to him. What if Marshall had been right all along? What if the mysterious element that Marshall insisted he possessed meant that he really was a submissive after all? He’d told Marshall he had no idea what he was talking about. Should he find out? Would Gavin want to show him?"
Oh, I adored this D/s relationship. Kyle is adorable beyond belief, while Gavin is sex on a stick. I loved the way the author wrote all the beginning training for Kyle in such a wonderful and real way. I can hardly contain my excitement to see what's coming next in this series. Thank you, Morticia, your guys are delightful and I enjoyed them immensely.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
August 17, 2015
Love was in the air when I read the blurb for this book. I couldn’t wait to get it into my grabby little hands, and hallelujah, the real thing more than lived up to my fantasy!
In my opinion, Master Gavin is the ideal type of Dom. He’s strong and controlling (obviously), but even more, he’s caring, honest, fully invested, and has the utmost sincerity in terms of ethics within the lifestyle. It also doesn’t hurt that he has a Denzel face and the body to go with it! As for Kyle, my heart ached for him. He was so painfully shy and had been treated like crap by his former boyfriend. His actions and demeanor screamed natural sub, but he clearly had many misconceptions about what that meant that made him hold back.
These two guys were a perfect pair. They had some key misunderstandings that nearly ended them before they had barely begun, but thankfully, Master Gavin’s determination (to be with Kyle and to communicate) got them through. The pace was a slow build which felt very appropriate give Kyle’s inexperience and initial reticence. The chemistry, however, was immediate and smokin’ hot.
It was so rewarding for me to see Kyle’s progression over time into someone more settled and comfortable in his own skin. Some of his revelations made me very emotional. For example when Kyle realized that no one had ever really cared what he felt before (whether he was happy or satisfied) and no one had ever cherished him before, I had the strongest urge to break his ex’s fingers, among other things, for the crap he piled on Kyle and then I wanted to roll up in a ball and cry.
Gavin and Kyle’s final scene together was definitely enough to do me in. Their connection and love were so apparent. When Kyle came undone, that was it for me. That scene will stick in my memory as a favorite for a long time.
Since this book looks like the start of a new series, I’ll be lining up for all the rest of them. This one imbedded itself in my heart and I highly recommend it!!!
Reviewed for
Hearts On Fire Reviews - 5 hearts
In my opinion, Master Gavin is the ideal type of Dom. He’s strong and controlling (obviously), but even more, he’s caring, honest, fully invested, and has the utmost sincerity in terms of ethics within the lifestyle. It also doesn’t hurt that he has a Denzel face and the body to go with it! As for Kyle, my heart ached for him. He was so painfully shy and had been treated like crap by his former boyfriend. His actions and demeanor screamed natural sub, but he clearly had many misconceptions about what that meant that made him hold back.
These two guys were a perfect pair. They had some key misunderstandings that nearly ended them before they had barely begun, but thankfully, Master Gavin’s determination (to be with Kyle and to communicate) got them through. The pace was a slow build which felt very appropriate give Kyle’s inexperience and initial reticence. The chemistry, however, was immediate and smokin’ hot.
It was so rewarding for me to see Kyle’s progression over time into someone more settled and comfortable in his own skin. Some of his revelations made me very emotional. For example when Kyle realized that no one had ever really cared what he felt before (whether he was happy or satisfied) and no one had ever cherished him before, I had the strongest urge to break his ex’s fingers, among other things, for the crap he piled on Kyle and then I wanted to roll up in a ball and cry.
Gavin and Kyle’s final scene together was definitely enough to do me in. Their connection and love were so apparent. When Kyle came undone, that was it for me. That scene will stick in my memory as a favorite for a long time.
Since this book looks like the start of a new series, I’ll be lining up for all the rest of them. This one imbedded itself in my heart and I highly recommend it!!!
Reviewed for
Hearts On Fire Reviews - 5 hearts
August 23, 2015
This book was special!
I really enjoyed Building Bonds by Morticia Knight and I thank her for the opportunity of receiving and ARC.
I have read my fair share of BDSM books but this really is one of my first in the M/M world. I enjoy the genre and the book had almost all the elements of a fantastic and entertaining read, it had romance, suspense, plenty of hot steamy scenes, great dialogues and an original story line. I would have liked more depth into the story and that is my only observation, it is not a critique but more the fact that I was thoroughly entertained and wanted to keep reading!
Kyle is such a loveable character, unfortunately for him, he has been through a terrible breakup and has been left alone and broke, he is therefore faced with the fact that he has, not only to pick up the pieces of his broken heart, but also to get himself out in the real world and start making some money and pronto!, he gets help from his best friend who sets him up with some of his friends from a BDSM club who need some original "furniture" and Kyle has a fantastic designer and crafty eye, but Kyle has a small issue, he doesn't belong to the lifestyle nor is he interested in trying to be convinced in joining the club; enters Master Gavin, he is the complete opposite of Kyle, he is a true Master and an alpha in every sense of the way, as Dom and partner in the Club Kiss of Leather, he is in charge of overseen the new equipment for the refurbishments and he is looking forward to meeting the person who has a great eye and is designing the latest pieces.
You already see how the story will pan out, Gavin as a true Dom knows a true submissive from a mile away and it is his protective instinct which will fuelled his desire to understand why Kyle is so broken and hurt. From the moment this two unlikely characters met sparks fly, Kyle is resilient to let his guard down, he has been hurt and burnt before, he needs someone who can break his defences and show him who he really is and what he truly needs.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
4 KISSEABLE STARS
I really enjoyed Building Bonds by Morticia Knight and I thank her for the opportunity of receiving and ARC.
I have read my fair share of BDSM books but this really is one of my first in the M/M world. I enjoy the genre and the book had almost all the elements of a fantastic and entertaining read, it had romance, suspense, plenty of hot steamy scenes, great dialogues and an original story line. I would have liked more depth into the story and that is my only observation, it is not a critique but more the fact that I was thoroughly entertained and wanted to keep reading!
Kyle is such a loveable character, unfortunately for him, he has been through a terrible breakup and has been left alone and broke, he is therefore faced with the fact that he has, not only to pick up the pieces of his broken heart, but also to get himself out in the real world and start making some money and pronto!, he gets help from his best friend who sets him up with some of his friends from a BDSM club who need some original "furniture" and Kyle has a fantastic designer and crafty eye, but Kyle has a small issue, he doesn't belong to the lifestyle nor is he interested in trying to be convinced in joining the club; enters Master Gavin, he is the complete opposite of Kyle, he is a true Master and an alpha in every sense of the way, as Dom and partner in the Club Kiss of Leather, he is in charge of overseen the new equipment for the refurbishments and he is looking forward to meeting the person who has a great eye and is designing the latest pieces.
You already see how the story will pan out, Gavin as a true Dom knows a true submissive from a mile away and it is his protective instinct which will fuelled his desire to understand why Kyle is so broken and hurt. From the moment this two unlikely characters met sparks fly, Kyle is resilient to let his guard down, he has been hurt and burnt before, he needs someone who can break his defences and show him who he really is and what he truly needs.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
4 KISSEABLE STARS
November 4, 2015
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
A good start to a new series which is set around three friends, all Doms in the BDSM lifestyle, opening an exclusive BDSM club called Kiss of Leather. The club will want for nothing regardless of expense and they are desperate to hire a young carpenter who makes beautiful equipment to fit out all the private and public areas.
I guess through the series we will get to see all three Doms stories but this first book concentrates on Gavin. Gavin is a firm master but always fair and he is meticulous in everything he does. When he meets Kyle to discuss the clubs requirements he is immediately smitten and makes an assumption about Kyle’s previous lifestyle experience.
Kyle is a very gentle character who you can’t help like. He is nervous in new situations, hates crowds and spends a lot of time on his own berating his life and where he has ended up. His ex was an ass who walked out on him after five years leaving him with an overpriced condo and even less confidence than he started out with, which wasn’t much.
There are misunderstandings galore as these two men get together but Gavin seems perfect for Kyle as he offers patience, understanding and support. Kyle blossoms under Gavin’s gentle guidance and although he will be forever shy and slightly awkward he realises he deserves happiness and he is most definitely worth it!
The BDSM is light and the story is fluffy and easy. I hope we get to see more of Marshall in future books and maybe learn a little more of the men’s backgrounds. Looking forward to the next book.
A good start to a new series which is set around three friends, all Doms in the BDSM lifestyle, opening an exclusive BDSM club called Kiss of Leather. The club will want for nothing regardless of expense and they are desperate to hire a young carpenter who makes beautiful equipment to fit out all the private and public areas.
I guess through the series we will get to see all three Doms stories but this first book concentrates on Gavin. Gavin is a firm master but always fair and he is meticulous in everything he does. When he meets Kyle to discuss the clubs requirements he is immediately smitten and makes an assumption about Kyle’s previous lifestyle experience.
Kyle is a very gentle character who you can’t help like. He is nervous in new situations, hates crowds and spends a lot of time on his own berating his life and where he has ended up. His ex was an ass who walked out on him after five years leaving him with an overpriced condo and even less confidence than he started out with, which wasn’t much.
There are misunderstandings galore as these two men get together but Gavin seems perfect for Kyle as he offers patience, understanding and support. Kyle blossoms under Gavin’s gentle guidance and although he will be forever shy and slightly awkward he realises he deserves happiness and he is most definitely worth it!
The BDSM is light and the story is fluffy and easy. I hope we get to see more of Marshall in future books and maybe learn a little more of the men’s backgrounds. Looking forward to the next book.
August 10, 2015
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads~~
I really loved this book and am looking forward to reading the series as it is issued.
There is just something in the way it is written, in the bond between the two men which works perfectly. I love the diffidence, the shyness and the desire. It is a lovely example of a D/s relationship, with a lot of learning and loving along the way. It is hot, demanding and romantic. I liked the big picture of a new club, which we will get to know better as the series develops, and the club owners clearly all have stories to be told.
I really loved this book and am looking forward to reading the series as it is issued.
There is just something in the way it is written, in the bond between the two men which works perfectly. I love the diffidence, the shyness and the desire. It is a lovely example of a D/s relationship, with a lot of learning and loving along the way. It is hot, demanding and romantic. I liked the big picture of a new club, which we will get to know better as the series develops, and the club owners clearly all have stories to be told.
August 13, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Building Bonds focuses on the emotional relationship between experienced dom Gavin and submissive novice Kyle. I loved watching this couple look after each other, love and protect each other. Gavin introduces Kyle to the BDSM scene with such care I wished I could be Kyle.
Building Bonds isn't a very long story and for me the author could have written several hundred more pages and I would have happily kept reading. I didn't want the story to end. I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the Kiss of Leather series.
Building Bonds focuses on the emotional relationship between experienced dom Gavin and submissive novice Kyle. I loved watching this couple look after each other, love and protect each other. Gavin introduces Kyle to the BDSM scene with such care I wished I could be Kyle.
Building Bonds isn't a very long story and for me the author could have written several hundred more pages and I would have happily kept reading. I didn't want the story to end. I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the Kiss of Leather series.
August 23, 2015
This is book 1 of Morticia Knight’s new series Kiss of Leather. If this first book is anything to go by, we are in for a wonderful treat! Gavin is a perfect Dom. Morticia has written a Dominant who is very well educated in the do’s and don’ts of the lifestyle. ALWAYS a breath of fresh air when I read an author who’s done their homework. Kyle is a “natural sub” as everyone keeps telling him. Never finding love worth his amazingness. Kyle never really knew what he was capable of until Gavin walks into his life. Watching the learning process with Kyle was as wonderful as watching any love affair unfold. He needed TLC and Gavin craves giving it to Kyle.
I loved this books. Terrific flow, wonderful characters. I can see so many avenues Morticia can take with other characters and I’m curious to see who she tackles next! Great book.
I loved this books. Terrific flow, wonderful characters. I can see so many avenues Morticia can take with other characters and I’m curious to see who she tackles next! Great book.
January 1, 2016
Kyle is a great carpenter who designs BDSM furniture. He is very shy and he doesn’t believe he is a sub. When Gavin, a co-owner Dom of the Kiss of Leather BDSM club, sets eyes on him, he immediately sees he is a natural sub. Gavin is really impressed with Kyle’s ability for carpentry, and at the same time, he feels the necessity to have him as his sub. Gavin, being a great Master, reassures Kyle all the time with his patience, honesty, care and love, so he can trust him and embrace the lifestyle without fear.
A beautiful story, well written, with beautiful characters that make me want to read more and more about them.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Morticia Knight, and I hope it won’t be the last one.
A beautiful story, well written, with beautiful characters that make me want to read more and more about them.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Morticia Knight, and I hope it won’t be the last one.
August 15, 2015
Building Bonds was an enjoyable, easy read and a promising start to a series. I don't regret buying it and will most likely buy the next parts as well.
However, there were some parts I didn't like. One of them was the pacing, which was off. The start was reasonably brisk, we met the MCs as well as (I can only deduce) the future MCs. There was a Big Misunderstanding (I shamelessly love those) and then the First Scene which felt like half the book. I honestly got bored, especially as the only real conflict was resolved by then.
The HEA was nice and satisfying and the rest of the cast seemed interesting enough in regards of future books. Three stars.
However, there were some parts I didn't like. One of them was the pacing, which was off. The start was reasonably brisk, we met the MCs as well as (I can only deduce) the future MCs. There was a Big Misunderstanding (I shamelessly love those) and then the First Scene which felt like half the book. I honestly got bored, especially as the only real conflict was resolved by then.
The HEA was nice and satisfying and the rest of the cast seemed interesting enough in regards of future books. Three stars.
December 23, 2015
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads Review Team~
5 stars for this M/M Romance
I loved this book and can’t wait to read each book as they come out. I loved how shy Kyle was and how he was always blushing; it was very endearing to me for some reason. Gavin was so patient with Kyle and you could tell both men truly had feelings and were really forming a bond and not just going through the motions. I wish we would have seen more of Kyle’s friend Marshall after everything was revealed but hopefully he will be in a future book. This was a sweet, loving story and I highly recommend it.
5 stars for this M/M Romance
I loved this book and can’t wait to read each book as they come out. I loved how shy Kyle was and how he was always blushing; it was very endearing to me for some reason. Gavin was so patient with Kyle and you could tell both men truly had feelings and were really forming a bond and not just going through the motions. I wish we would have seen more of Kyle’s friend Marshall after everything was revealed but hopefully he will be in a future book. This was a sweet, loving story and I highly recommend it.
December 15, 2015
I liked this book both for the story and for the way the author has used Kyle's inexperience to highlight the lifestyle. The other reason I liked it was that neither man was a young, gorgeous twink. It made a nice change to have a couple without a twink involved. I do wish that it had been a little less guide book to the life style and more hot, sweaty sex but that is just a personal preference (I'm a randy minx on the quiet). Overall I enjoyed it enough to want to read Kiss Of Leather book two when it comes out later this month.
August 17, 2015
Great start!
I really liked this book. I was happy to see the dynamic between Gavin and Kyle, how patient and caring Gavin was in letting Kyle find his way. To see Kyle come out of his shell and blossom was great. He was able to find his way with Gavin being there to support him, not over rule him. I can't wait to see where the series goes!
I really liked this book. I was happy to see the dynamic between Gavin and Kyle, how patient and caring Gavin was in letting Kyle find his way. To see Kyle come out of his shell and blossom was great. He was able to find his way with Gavin being there to support him, not over rule him. I can't wait to see where the series goes!
June 18, 2017
3.5 stars
Beginning novel in the Kiss of Leather. Kyle is a carpenter who makes BDSM furniture but not in the lifestyle. Gavin is a dominant and part own of Kiss of Leather.
Gavin is immediately attracted to Kyle who he assumes is a sub but Kyle isn't, but the attraction goes both ways. For it to work both have to work through their issues if they want the HEA.
Beginning novel in the Kiss of Leather. Kyle is a carpenter who makes BDSM furniture but not in the lifestyle. Gavin is a dominant and part own of Kiss of Leather.
Gavin is immediately attracted to Kyle who he assumes is a sub but Kyle isn't, but the attraction goes both ways. For it to work both have to work through their issues if they want the HEA.
October 22, 2018
Sweet Romance, Lite BDSM!
Who knew that making BDSM contraptions could lead to romance, not Kyle & Gavin. Good story, good pacing and enjoyable MCs.
I would have liked scenes of Kyle making the furniture, interaction with an employee and at the club.
This is more romantic than BDSM story. I plan to read more....
Who knew that making BDSM contraptions could lead to romance, not Kyle & Gavin. Good story, good pacing and enjoyable MCs.
I would have liked scenes of Kyle making the furniture, interaction with an employee and at the club.
This is more romantic than BDSM story. I plan to read more....
January 6, 2024
I had a really hard time reading thos book. There was no chemestry at all between the characters, Kyle was a stuttering mess barely capable of living on his own and Gavin sounded and talked like a grandfather to a grandchild. The writing was good but the story like a how to manual with a step by step.
I wanted to like it but ended up skimming it just to get it read.
I wanted to like it but ended up skimming it just to get it read.
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