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Phoenix Reborn #1
Broken Wings
Proud to have served his country, Gabriel O'Roarke returned from war unable to recognize the man he had become. While war was hell, it was the aftereffects that were slowly eating away at his soul. Returning to civilian life after surviving events that should have killed him, he struggles to adjust and find himself again. Suffering from PTSD, he is without hope, until a chance encounter with one of the men who saved his life changes things.
Gabriel never imagined Nickolas Tanner would be into the lifestyle, so running into him at a BDSM club is a surprise. The patient and caring Dom is exactly what Gabriel needs, but everything he fears. After suffering captivity, Gabriel struggles to let himself go, to submit to another man. He craves regaining that part of himself, but worries it is forever lost. Nickolas' steady domination gives him something he has thought lost long ago - hope.
Can a broken submissive, damaged by captivity and torture, learn to fly again?
* Note: Originally published under a different pen name ...
Gabriel never imagined Nickolas Tanner would be into the lifestyle, so running into him at a BDSM club is a surprise. The patient and caring Dom is exactly what Gabriel needs, but everything he fears. After suffering captivity, Gabriel struggles to let himself go, to submit to another man. He craves regaining that part of himself, but worries it is forever lost. Nickolas' steady domination gives him something he has thought lost long ago - hope.
Can a broken submissive, damaged by captivity and torture, learn to fly again?
* Note: Originally published under a different pen name ...
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2017
3 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Houston
122 books17 followersBorn to ride on the back of dragons, to journey among the stars in a ship traveling faster than light, or to dance the night away in the arms of a mysterious vampire, Michelle Houston willingly shares the worlds in her mind in an effort to bring them to life.
Writing everything from short and sweet stories, to hot and spicy tales of kink, from contemporary tales of erotic romance to erotica romances featuring Greek gods, vampires and were-creatures, she has crossed sexualities and has gone wherever her mental muse has guided her, a journey she has never regretted.
As for the more mundane details: Michelle is a Sagittarius, born in the Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. She currently resides in the Midwest US with her husband and daughter. Michelle has a love of the natural world around us (except for insects, spiders, snakes, scorpions, and she reserves the right to add more at any time). She's one of those people that actually liked Biology in High School, and enjoys learning about all things science.
In other words, she is an ordinary woman with an imagination that is only held in bounds by how fast she can type.
Writing everything from short and sweet stories, to hot and spicy tales of kink, from contemporary tales of erotic romance to erotica romances featuring Greek gods, vampires and were-creatures, she has crossed sexualities and has gone wherever her mental muse has guided her, a journey she has never regretted.
As for the more mundane details: Michelle is a Sagittarius, born in the Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. She currently resides in the Midwest US with her husband and daughter. Michelle has a love of the natural world around us (except for insects, spiders, snakes, scorpions, and she reserves the right to add more at any time). She's one of those people that actually liked Biology in High School, and enjoys learning about all things science.
In other words, she is an ordinary woman with an imagination that is only held in bounds by how fast she can type.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 17, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Broken Wings was a relatively quick read, with a lot of angst, heart, and some frustrations as well. The plot is strong and the story is straightforward. Gabriel has returned from the war with mental and physical injuries that mark him as a survivor. But the submission he craved prior to his torture now terrifies him, though he still needs to submit. Nick knows Gabriel’s pain all too well and agrees to serve as his Dom, working slowly to give Gabriel what he needs within the confines of his new limits. This was a unique perspective on the D/s relationship. How do you dominate a submissive and sometimes masochist who can no longer tolerate bondage, whips, etc.? I think the reasoning for Gabriel’s fear was made very evident, but that Nick’s handling of the situation could have used a bit more fleshing out and detail. Nick clearly cares for Gabriel and vice versa, but their relationship isn’t based on love. Rather they have a history of shared experience and Nick’s role as Dom grounds Gabriel and pushes him towards recovery. As a result, while these characters mesh, it is hard to call this a love story.
There are a lot of important issues tackled in Broken Wings, not the least of which is the very real pain of PTSD and the need for support when you’re drowning. But the story tends to rush through critical decisions on the part of the characters (i.e. Gabriel’s decision to stay with Nick). I don’t see this as a pacing issue, rather a failure to let the characters develop smoothly. There were several instances of this and it gave the story a somewhat jarring tone, which was frustrating to read.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Broken Wings was a relatively quick read, with a lot of angst, heart, and some frustrations as well. The plot is strong and the story is straightforward. Gabriel has returned from the war with mental and physical injuries that mark him as a survivor. But the submission he craved prior to his torture now terrifies him, though he still needs to submit. Nick knows Gabriel’s pain all too well and agrees to serve as his Dom, working slowly to give Gabriel what he needs within the confines of his new limits. This was a unique perspective on the D/s relationship. How do you dominate a submissive and sometimes masochist who can no longer tolerate bondage, whips, etc.? I think the reasoning for Gabriel’s fear was made very evident, but that Nick’s handling of the situation could have used a bit more fleshing out and detail. Nick clearly cares for Gabriel and vice versa, but their relationship isn’t based on love. Rather they have a history of shared experience and Nick’s role as Dom grounds Gabriel and pushes him towards recovery. As a result, while these characters mesh, it is hard to call this a love story.
There are a lot of important issues tackled in Broken Wings, not the least of which is the very real pain of PTSD and the need for support when you’re drowning. But the story tends to rush through critical decisions on the part of the characters (i.e. Gabriel’s decision to stay with Nick). I don’t see this as a pacing issue, rather a failure to let the characters develop smoothly. There were several instances of this and it gave the story a somewhat jarring tone, which was frustrating to read.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
August 29, 2018
Beautiful...
That's not how I expected to describe this book. Honestly, I'm not sure what I expected from this book at all. I found a pretty great story.
Gabriel is a mess. He's broken and ready to give up. He's a submissive but he can't fathom submitting to anyone despite desperately needing to. Nick is a Dom and is one of the team members who rescued Gabriel. He steps in to help Gabriel.
My heart broke for Gabriel. He endured so much. And Nick was so gentle and loving with him. I loved how in tune he was to Gabriel's needs and how he pushed him just enough. This book is more than a kinky BDSM book. It's a story of healing and acceptance with the promise of love and some gentle kinky loving. Beautiful is the best way I can describe it.
That's not how I expected to describe this book. Honestly, I'm not sure what I expected from this book at all. I found a pretty great story.
Gabriel is a mess. He's broken and ready to give up. He's a submissive but he can't fathom submitting to anyone despite desperately needing to. Nick is a Dom and is one of the team members who rescued Gabriel. He steps in to help Gabriel.
My heart broke for Gabriel. He endured so much. And Nick was so gentle and loving with him. I loved how in tune he was to Gabriel's needs and how he pushed him just enough. This book is more than a kinky BDSM book. It's a story of healing and acceptance with the promise of love and some gentle kinky loving. Beautiful is the best way I can describe it.
May 16, 2017
Gabriel is a guy who is recovering from his time as a POW where he was tortured and the only one of this team to survive. He is trying to put his life back together while dealing with PTSD issues. He lost a lot while in the military, but the one thing that is hurting him the most is his inability to handle any sort of BDSM. He has a deep need to submit, but is unable to endure any activities, such as being bound or hit, without triggering his PTSD. His last attempt to go back to the club he used to love backfires, but also brings him to the attention of Nick.
Nick was the medic who pulled Gabriel out and kept him alive on his return to safety. Although he saved him physically, he now wants to do more and believes he can provide Gabriel with what he needs while also being a Dom he can safely trust. Knowing everything Gabriel has gone through, having seen all his injuries up close, he is fully aware of what Gabriel must have endured and is therefore very cognizant of what might trigger him or how far to go to help him push through.
Gabriel is dealing with a lot of issues. Aside from what is mentioned above, he has a lot of guilt over being the sole survivor and the irony of being the one who begged to be killed doesn’t help. But, Nick didn’t listen to him that day on the helicopter, and he doesn’t shy away from helping Gabriel see things differently. He was extremely supportive and made certain Gabriel only moved forward with the help of actual therapy.
I loved these guys. I loved how Nick found ways to help Gabriel meet his needs and make progress, no matter how big or small. He was so understanding, and in being so, was the perfect fit for Gabriel. The BDSM scenes are pretty light due to Gabriel’s many issues, but I loved watching him find peace and the pieces of himself he thought he had lost forever.
This is a very promising start to a new series that I am really looking forward to continuing. This book was very well written, kept me turning pages and caring about these guys to the very end. Things were not glossed over, but they weren’t dragged out too long either. I definitely recommend this if you love watching a damaged character come back to life, as this one fits that bill perfectly.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
May 18, 2017
I have to say that is truly an incredible short story about finding a reason to live again.
This book was a powerful read about the harsh reality of PTSD and the affects it has on just everyday normal life.
For Gabriel, PTSD was debilitating. After being captured while on a mission for the military and tortured and broken both emotionally and mentally Gabriel is just about to the point of giving up completely. All the things he enjoyed before being held captive, such as being submissive, was taken from him by his captors. Gabriel is having nightmares and flashbacks. Going to places he enjoyed before sets him into a panic attack or worse a flashback. He is having a very hard time controlling his emotions. At this point Gabriel feels like he will never feel normal again, much less with someone else.
On the night that Gabriel has decided that he is just fine, someone steps in his line of sight that he did not think that he would ever see again. This is the person that rescued him from his captors and helped to place him back to civilian life which turned out to be just as bad as captivity was. Nike knows the signs of flashbacks and PTSD and he knows what Gabriel went through from being on of the ones sent in to recover him. So it is no big surprise what all Gabriel is going through.
Nick being a Fom knows how something like what Gabriel went through could truly ruin a submissive. He also knows that their is a way back from why Gabriel went through.
Can thI man that rescued Gabriel from the hell he went through be the man to now save him from the hell he is living in? Will Gabriel be strong enough to accept th help or will he give up and give in?
This read is truly an inspiring read. PTSD is something that a lot of people go through and I believe that any author that writes about the affects of PTSD and does it with love and respect is an amazing individual. I truly enjoyed his read and I cannot wait for he next book in this series to come out because I have a feeling Gideon's story is going to blow the readers away.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
This book was a powerful read about the harsh reality of PTSD and the affects it has on just everyday normal life.
For Gabriel, PTSD was debilitating. After being captured while on a mission for the military and tortured and broken both emotionally and mentally Gabriel is just about to the point of giving up completely. All the things he enjoyed before being held captive, such as being submissive, was taken from him by his captors. Gabriel is having nightmares and flashbacks. Going to places he enjoyed before sets him into a panic attack or worse a flashback. He is having a very hard time controlling his emotions. At this point Gabriel feels like he will never feel normal again, much less with someone else.
On the night that Gabriel has decided that he is just fine, someone steps in his line of sight that he did not think that he would ever see again. This is the person that rescued him from his captors and helped to place him back to civilian life which turned out to be just as bad as captivity was. Nike knows the signs of flashbacks and PTSD and he knows what Gabriel went through from being on of the ones sent in to recover him. So it is no big surprise what all Gabriel is going through.
Nick being a Fom knows how something like what Gabriel went through could truly ruin a submissive. He also knows that their is a way back from why Gabriel went through.
Can thI man that rescued Gabriel from the hell he went through be the man to now save him from the hell he is living in? Will Gabriel be strong enough to accept th help or will he give up and give in?
This read is truly an inspiring read. PTSD is something that a lot of people go through and I believe that any author that writes about the affects of PTSD and does it with love and respect is an amazing individual. I truly enjoyed his read and I cannot wait for he next book in this series to come out because I have a feeling Gideon's story is going to blow the readers away.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
May 16, 2017
I was really looking forward to this one. I hadn't read a BDSM book in a while, and to add the effects of PTSD on top of it, I was very intrigued. I really wanted to see how a relationship with a man that had saved his life would be able to develop.
The relationship between these men, I thought, was very realistic for the situation they were in. Gabriel had unimaginable horrors inflicted on him, and watched his team die around him. To be able to come back and even begin to live again, much less get back into the lifestyle would have been awful. And Nickolas was adamant about the things that Gabriel needed to do, in order to allow their relationship to work, as well as for him to heal.
However, I kept getting thrown out of the story by what to me was a "how-to" on BDSM. There were explanations in the book that, as a reader, I felt were either unnecessary, or "fluff". I may not be in the lifestyle, but you can bet that anyone that picks this book up, knowing it is BDSM, has also likely read a previous BDSM book, and likely knows what a St. Andrews Cross is, and doesn't need an explanation of the alternate name that no one knows it by. It gave the impression that knowledge was trying to be imparted onto the reader, which is not what the reader is necessarily looking for. It drew me out of the story, and made it difficult to focus on the relationship of these men.
It also ended a little faster than I wanted (which I thought was a good thing), because I felt like it was beginning to catch its groove. Maybe there is a second story ahead for these men. I'd consider reading it.
2.5 stars
The relationship between these men, I thought, was very realistic for the situation they were in. Gabriel had unimaginable horrors inflicted on him, and watched his team die around him. To be able to come back and even begin to live again, much less get back into the lifestyle would have been awful. And Nickolas was adamant about the things that Gabriel needed to do, in order to allow their relationship to work, as well as for him to heal.
However, I kept getting thrown out of the story by what to me was a "how-to" on BDSM. There were explanations in the book that, as a reader, I felt were either unnecessary, or "fluff". I may not be in the lifestyle, but you can bet that anyone that picks this book up, knowing it is BDSM, has also likely read a previous BDSM book, and likely knows what a St. Andrews Cross is, and doesn't need an explanation of the alternate name that no one knows it by. It gave the impression that knowledge was trying to be imparted onto the reader, which is not what the reader is necessarily looking for. It drew me out of the story, and made it difficult to focus on the relationship of these men.
It also ended a little faster than I wanted (which I thought was a good thing), because I felt like it was beginning to catch its groove. Maybe there is a second story ahead for these men. I'd consider reading it.
2.5 stars
June 5, 2017
4.5 / 5 Stars
This is a quick read but no less interesting. It shows a new side of BDSM books and characters that are affected by PSTD.
Gabriel is suffering from PTSD after he was held captive for months, he was the only survivor of his team. Once a dedicated sub, now he's unable to enjoy the most simple tasks. His wounds run deeper than he first thought, inside out. Ready to give up his old life, he comes across Nick, the doctor who tended him when they first found him. He's attentive, protective and understanding of his needs, just the perfect Dom to guide him.
The BDSM is pretty light compare to other books I've read but it's understandable after what Gabriel went through and in some aspects, it made the story even enjoyable for me. Nonetheless, the scenes of them together are full of sexiness. The characters are loveable and deeply developed. Nick's gentleness towards Gabriel and his dedication to help him get better were admirable. Gabe's broken soul and suffering felt almost tangible at times, so much that I needed to take a breath before I could carry on reading, all I wanted was to comfort him.
I thought the book was too short, I would have loved to read more about them. Instead, I'm hoping they will make an appearance in book 2, which I'm eagerly waiting for.
*I received a copy for my reading pleasure*
This is a quick read but no less interesting. It shows a new side of BDSM books and characters that are affected by PSTD.
Gabriel is suffering from PTSD after he was held captive for months, he was the only survivor of his team. Once a dedicated sub, now he's unable to enjoy the most simple tasks. His wounds run deeper than he first thought, inside out. Ready to give up his old life, he comes across Nick, the doctor who tended him when they first found him. He's attentive, protective and understanding of his needs, just the perfect Dom to guide him.
The BDSM is pretty light compare to other books I've read but it's understandable after what Gabriel went through and in some aspects, it made the story even enjoyable for me. Nonetheless, the scenes of them together are full of sexiness. The characters are loveable and deeply developed. Nick's gentleness towards Gabriel and his dedication to help him get better were admirable. Gabe's broken soul and suffering felt almost tangible at times, so much that I needed to take a breath before I could carry on reading, all I wanted was to comfort him.
I thought the book was too short, I would have loved to read more about them. Instead, I'm hoping they will make an appearance in book 2, which I'm eagerly waiting for.
*I received a copy for my reading pleasure*
May 31, 2017
A 4.5 Star review by The Blogger Girls
I loved Nick and by extension that love extended to our broken Gabriel. Nick was the perfect medic, friend, and Dom. He was everything Gabriel needed, every time he needed it. I love military themes and strong alpha men, but BDSM is still hit or miss for me, but this one was written so well, and light enough, that I not only tolerated it, I ended up loving it.
Gabriel is a natural sub, but after his two months of being a tortured POW, and the sole survivor of his team, he is left adrift as the idea of being hit or bound freaks him out. What’s a man to do when he can no longer handle the one thing he needs to be grounded. Enter Nick. Nick became the most understanding Dom I’ve ever read about. He never once lost his patience and I was glad the BDSM parts weren’t hardcore as that would have been too unrealistic considering Nick’s many issues.
This is a fast and steamy read, even with the heartbreaking scenes, and a very good start to this new series. I really hope we get to meet up with Gabriel and Nick again, I really did connect with them and look forward to seeing what’s up next.
I loved Nick and by extension that love extended to our broken Gabriel. Nick was the perfect medic, friend, and Dom. He was everything Gabriel needed, every time he needed it. I love military themes and strong alpha men, but BDSM is still hit or miss for me, but this one was written so well, and light enough, that I not only tolerated it, I ended up loving it.
Gabriel is a natural sub, but after his two months of being a tortured POW, and the sole survivor of his team, he is left adrift as the idea of being hit or bound freaks him out. What’s a man to do when he can no longer handle the one thing he needs to be grounded. Enter Nick. Nick became the most understanding Dom I’ve ever read about. He never once lost his patience and I was glad the BDSM parts weren’t hardcore as that would have been too unrealistic considering Nick’s many issues.
This is a fast and steamy read, even with the heartbreaking scenes, and a very good start to this new series. I really hope we get to meet up with Gabriel and Nick again, I really did connect with them and look forward to seeing what’s up next.
June 10, 2017
Gabriel is a broken man, suffering from PTSD and desperately needing hope to keep living.
Nick once saved him physically, now he does everything in his power to save him mentally.
I was grabbed into the story right from the beginning and I couldn’t put the book down. It has everything I love to read in a BDSM novel. The characters are really well-developed and the D/s elements are spot on.
Nick is a Dom, but such a gentle and understanding one. The way he helps Gabriel and guides him to let go and let his submissive side resurface is wonderful. My heart went out to Gabriel. His pain is so palpable I could feel it. Nick is the one Gabriel needs to help him overcome his PTSD.
Nick and Gabriel are just perfect for each other. They complement each other in every way. Their chemistry is sizzling hot but that is not all there is. There is trust and love.
This story was way too short. I so wanted to read more about these two men. They crept their way into my heart. It ends rather abruptly on an HFN/not quite cliffhanger. There is a short preview of the next book and I am hoping this will come very soon.
I was honored with an advanced reader copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this book.
Nick once saved him physically, now he does everything in his power to save him mentally.
I was grabbed into the story right from the beginning and I couldn’t put the book down. It has everything I love to read in a BDSM novel. The characters are really well-developed and the D/s elements are spot on.
Nick is a Dom, but such a gentle and understanding one. The way he helps Gabriel and guides him to let go and let his submissive side resurface is wonderful. My heart went out to Gabriel. His pain is so palpable I could feel it. Nick is the one Gabriel needs to help him overcome his PTSD.
Nick and Gabriel are just perfect for each other. They complement each other in every way. Their chemistry is sizzling hot but that is not all there is. There is trust and love.
This story was way too short. I so wanted to read more about these two men. They crept their way into my heart. It ends rather abruptly on an HFN/not quite cliffhanger. There is a short preview of the next book and I am hoping this will come very soon.
I was honored with an advanced reader copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this book.
March 3, 2018
This was a very realistic look at PTSD and what the men and woman who go to war suffer. Gabriel O'Roarke is a POW when he was rescued he wanted to die. While at a bar drinking in a BDSM club and thinking of offing himself one of his rescuers walks in. Nickolas Tanner walks in and sees Gabriel Nick is a Dom and he knows what Gabriel needs. This was a pretty good read. This was my first time reading this author. These two had very good chemistry Nick was very patient with Gabriel helping him with his panic attacks. I liked that Nick didn't force him to talk even though Gabriel was in therapy. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
May 20, 2017
A word of warning that this story may have triggers for some. It refers to violence, torture and immense suffering. Having said that, it is also a story of a man that would not give up and another who is there to lead the way. I like how the trauma of PTSD wasn’t magically cured and that the main character Gabriel had to work for each success. The BDSM worked for the storyline and Nick was patient and understanding. I enjoyed the story but I do realise it is not for everyone. There were times I wanted to reach through the pages and hug Gabe myself. A good read.
June 21, 2017
I absolutely loved this book....My first by this author but not my last..Gabriel was so broken....after all he'd been through but Nick was absolutely perfect for him....Showed him that he could still have what he wanted...His Submission......Nick treated him just right to get back his life and who he is....Am so looking forward to the next in the series x
June 12, 2019
This one... I'm not into d/s story, not my genre usually.
But this one...
I think I liked it because of the psychic and not only sex times between Gabriel and Nick.
And I have to say I'm little bit disappointed by the length, I wish it was longer...
I felt so sad for Gabriel and hopeful when he met Nick. N8ck is just perfect for him and I wish I had more about those two.
But this one...
I think I liked it because of the psychic and not only sex times between Gabriel and Nick.
And I have to say I'm little bit disappointed by the length, I wish it was longer...
I felt so sad for Gabriel and hopeful when he met Nick. N8ck is just perfect for him and I wish I had more about those two.
May 19, 2017
i adored this book.. i cannot wait to see what happens next.. i loved how much nick was willing to wait and go slow for gabriel to come back to who he is as a person.. i loved the difficulties and the trust.. this was amazing.
December 10, 2017
Great book that was intense to read but worth it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews