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Dominant Cord #2
One Gold Knot
She didn't do relationships. She didn't even do all night.
After years of avoiding her teenage crush, Hildy Klein is shocked to come face to face with Wilson Kennedy.
Her uncle's wake isn't the place to unravel all the ways that Wilson could leave her emotionally vulnerable and exposed, yet his gentle persistence is impossible to ignore.
But Wilson is no longer that boy in her fantasies, and now Hildy must decide if she will give up control and commit to the protective, kinky Dom he's become.
ll titles in the Dominant Cord series can be read as standalone, but are best read in order.
After years of avoiding her teenage crush, Hildy Klein is shocked to come face to face with Wilson Kennedy.
Her uncle's wake isn't the place to unravel all the ways that Wilson could leave her emotionally vulnerable and exposed, yet his gentle persistence is impossible to ignore.
But Wilson is no longer that boy in her fantasies, and now Hildy must decide if she will give up control and commit to the protective, kinky Dom he's become.
ll titles in the Dominant Cord series can be read as standalone, but are best read in order.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2014
132 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Sadie Haller
40 books169 followersUSA Today bestselling author, Sadie Haller, lives in the little blue house by the sea with one husband, two dogs, three cats, and six hens (they actually live in a littler red house out the back). She writes kinky happy ever afters for musicians, politicians, celebrities, and the occasional member of the royal family.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 25, 2016
First off, I have to admit that this is the first book that I have read by this author and geez, I've been missing out.
I loved Wil and Hildy. She took a piece of his heart when they were younger and then she stole this rest in this book. My heart broke for everything that Hildy had to endure during her life, but man, who better to take care of her than Wil. The only complaint that I had about this book was that I wish we could have saw more of them as a couple after she was able to trust.
I will be going back to read the first book and then can't wait to read about Jack and Griff.
ARC received by author for an honest review.
I loved Wil and Hildy. She took a piece of his heart when they were younger and then she stole this rest in this book. My heart broke for everything that Hildy had to endure during her life, but man, who better to take care of her than Wil. The only complaint that I had about this book was that I wish we could have saw more of them as a couple after she was able to trust.
I will be going back to read the first book and then can't wait to read about Jack and Griff.
ARC received by author for an honest review.
February 7, 2015
One Gold Knot by Sadie Haller
Novella #2: Dominant Cord Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 3½/5 stars
My Review:
One Gold Knot, the second installment of the Dominant Cord series quite unfortunately suffers from the dreaded Sophomore Slump.
Hildy Klein is, on the surface a very confident if somewhat standoffish woman. Other than her beloved uncle, Hildy is estranged from her family, doesn’t do relationships at all and, has a few very close friends that she trusts. For years, Hildy has been completely fine with this arrangement as it means that she doesn’t ever have to face her issues and deal with the things that have, for the bulk of her life caused her great distress. With the exception of her few close friends, Hildy maintains her distance from others at all costs and should anyone ever try to get close to her, Hildy simply runs and cuts ties.
Hildy’s mother and father are a nightmare of epic proportions and their treatment of her throughout her life has been nothing short of abuse. The day of her uncle’s wake was meant to be a time to honor the only man who has ever loved her unconditionally but the presence of her parents and their very public attack turned the day from unbearable to disastrous. Adding to her extreme discomfort is the presence of her childhood crush, Wilson Kennedy. Though she has no interest in becoming reacquainted with Wilson she can’t deny the facts, the man is still stunningly handsome, he is kind and caring and, he was more than capable of stepping up and shielding Hildy from her parents.
Wilson Kennedy sees something in Hildy Klein that very few are ever given the opportunity to see. Wilson sees a beautiful, sexy, talented and, intelligent woman who has learned to put up a good front in order to protect herself. Wilson totally appreciates how hard Hildy has worked to insulate and isolate herself and though he doesn’t want to scare her away or cause her any more distress, Wilson does want the chance to get to know Hildy. Wilson is a very strong man who is also quite caring and, very perceptive. In what is perhaps the greatest test of his patience, Wilson takes baby steps with Hildy in an effort to better know her. With each step, Wilson better understands Hildy, her past and, most excitingly, the things that turn her on.
As an experienced Dom and specialist with ropes/bondage Wilson is delighted to discover that Hildy very much enjoys being restrained. Wilson’s greatest concern though is Hildy’s incredible lack of experience in the BDSM world and her reluctance to become involved. Luckily, Wilson is great friends with Finn Taylor and Mac Willis and it doesn’t take long for Hildy to realize that the world of BDSM is about so much more than kinky sex. In short order, Wilson, Finn and, Mac all help Hildy to understand that she is safe with them and no matter what issues she is facing, her friends and lover will be there to help her.
The Bottom Line: I went into this read coming off the high of really enjoying book one in the series, One Gold Heart. By the end of this short read, I found myself far less enamored with the series and frustrated with this particular story. Though this is a novella length read there really should have been more time given over to Hildy’s past and more explanation about the events that have so significantly impacted her life. Clearly whatever happened to Hildy was traumatic and awful and those events/experiences are glossed over in this read. Furthermore, I would have very much liked to have had far, far more information about Wilson. One Gold Knot is the story of two people and Wilson sort of gets lost in the mix with so much of the attention focused on Hildy. In all, I was hoping for a read similar in structure to One Gold Heart and what I got is a read that is still good but not nearly as good as its predecessor. The Sophomore Slump has struck and I am dearly hoping the third installment of the series will overcome the Slump and get, what started off as an excellent series, right back on track.
Novella #2: Dominant Cord Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 3½/5 stars
My Review:
One Gold Knot, the second installment of the Dominant Cord series quite unfortunately suffers from the dreaded Sophomore Slump.
Hildy Klein is, on the surface a very confident if somewhat standoffish woman. Other than her beloved uncle, Hildy is estranged from her family, doesn’t do relationships at all and, has a few very close friends that she trusts. For years, Hildy has been completely fine with this arrangement as it means that she doesn’t ever have to face her issues and deal with the things that have, for the bulk of her life caused her great distress. With the exception of her few close friends, Hildy maintains her distance from others at all costs and should anyone ever try to get close to her, Hildy simply runs and cuts ties.
Hildy’s mother and father are a nightmare of epic proportions and their treatment of her throughout her life has been nothing short of abuse. The day of her uncle’s wake was meant to be a time to honor the only man who has ever loved her unconditionally but the presence of her parents and their very public attack turned the day from unbearable to disastrous. Adding to her extreme discomfort is the presence of her childhood crush, Wilson Kennedy. Though she has no interest in becoming reacquainted with Wilson she can’t deny the facts, the man is still stunningly handsome, he is kind and caring and, he was more than capable of stepping up and shielding Hildy from her parents.
Wilson Kennedy sees something in Hildy Klein that very few are ever given the opportunity to see. Wilson sees a beautiful, sexy, talented and, intelligent woman who has learned to put up a good front in order to protect herself. Wilson totally appreciates how hard Hildy has worked to insulate and isolate herself and though he doesn’t want to scare her away or cause her any more distress, Wilson does want the chance to get to know Hildy. Wilson is a very strong man who is also quite caring and, very perceptive. In what is perhaps the greatest test of his patience, Wilson takes baby steps with Hildy in an effort to better know her. With each step, Wilson better understands Hildy, her past and, most excitingly, the things that turn her on.
As an experienced Dom and specialist with ropes/bondage Wilson is delighted to discover that Hildy very much enjoys being restrained. Wilson’s greatest concern though is Hildy’s incredible lack of experience in the BDSM world and her reluctance to become involved. Luckily, Wilson is great friends with Finn Taylor and Mac Willis and it doesn’t take long for Hildy to realize that the world of BDSM is about so much more than kinky sex. In short order, Wilson, Finn and, Mac all help Hildy to understand that she is safe with them and no matter what issues she is facing, her friends and lover will be there to help her.
The Bottom Line: I went into this read coming off the high of really enjoying book one in the series, One Gold Heart. By the end of this short read, I found myself far less enamored with the series and frustrated with this particular story. Though this is a novella length read there really should have been more time given over to Hildy’s past and more explanation about the events that have so significantly impacted her life. Clearly whatever happened to Hildy was traumatic and awful and those events/experiences are glossed over in this read. Furthermore, I would have very much liked to have had far, far more information about Wilson. One Gold Knot is the story of two people and Wilson sort of gets lost in the mix with so much of the attention focused on Hildy. In all, I was hoping for a read similar in structure to One Gold Heart and what I got is a read that is still good but not nearly as good as its predecessor. The Sophomore Slump has struck and I am dearly hoping the third installment of the series will overcome the Slump and get, what started off as an excellent series, right back on track.
April 4, 2016
This is the story of Hildy and her teenage crush Wilson whom she encounters several years later at her Uncle's Wake. He's a member of The Dominant Cord, a musical group that also shares BDSM tendencies and Hildy is introduced into this world as she falls for Wilson all over again. I thought the world of BDSM and all it entails was explained really well in this novella, and the play scenes in the story were interesting and dynamic. I would have liked to see more character development and to be privy to more of Hildy and Wilson's thoughts as their relationship progressed. The chemistry between Hildy and Wilson felt slow to develop as a result, though I did find it more believable in the second half of the story. Secondary character were important to the plot and I enjoyed their roles in the story. I would rate this a solid 3 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
April 2, 2021
Hildy & Wilson meet during after a funeral she attends of one of the few people who loves her. She ends up becoming interested in learning about kink, & he ends up guiding her a bit, with some help from friends.
I didn’t like how she was told that there would be only women who would be hit while being subs at the club. Doms, just like subs, can be any gender, really.
Despite this, her first visit to the club ended on an interesting note.
There are quite a few pieces to this story... Her thoughts about bondage, her parents... They all seemed to be dealt with, but only somewhat superficially, especially the problems with her parents. What her mother did to her (close to the end of the book) was never dealt with, either.
All in all, this was a good book, but it felt like some elements of the story were missing.
I didn’t like how she was told that there would be only women who would be hit while being subs at the club. Doms, just like subs, can be any gender, really.
Despite this, her first visit to the club ended on an interesting note.
There are quite a few pieces to this story... Her thoughts about bondage, her parents... They all seemed to be dealt with, but only somewhat superficially, especially the problems with her parents. What her mother did to her (close to the end of the book) was never dealt with, either.
All in all, this was a good book, but it felt like some elements of the story were missing.
March 31, 2018
This book felt more like the beginning of something, instead of a full fleshed thought.
Hildy and Wilson met and had an encounter years ago, after which Hildy made herself scarce. Now they meet again at the funeral of Hildy's uncle.
Wilson immediately approaches Hildy and seems to want to be with her, but then balks a bit about being with a newbie sub when he found out she was interested in kink. So I wondered if the idea of her liking kink hadn't come up, was he planning on having a vanilla relationship with her?
I guess, we'll never know.
Anyway, I'm giving this three stars. Mostly be I did respond to this emotionally. If something affects me that way, I feel it deserves some consideration.
Hildy and Wilson met and had an encounter years ago, after which Hildy made herself scarce. Now they meet again at the funeral of Hildy's uncle.
Wilson immediately approaches Hildy and seems to want to be with her, but then balks a bit about being with a newbie sub when he found out she was interested in kink. So I wondered if the idea of her liking kink hadn't come up, was he planning on having a vanilla relationship with her?
I guess, we'll never know.
Anyway, I'm giving this three stars. Mostly be I did respond to this emotionally. If something affects me that way, I feel it deserves some consideration.
August 15, 2017
No more, thanks.
This was an okay read for me. I was inspired to read the first two books in the Dominant Cord series, after first being introduced to Sadie Haller's writing in the Frisky Beaver series, which she penned together with Ainsley Booth. The first book in the Frisky Beaver series, which was also my favorite, was Prime Minister. Unfortunately this series didn't really do it for me, so I am not inspired to read the third book in the Dominant Cord series.
This was an okay read for me. I was inspired to read the first two books in the Dominant Cord series, after first being introduced to Sadie Haller's writing in the Frisky Beaver series, which she penned together with Ainsley Booth. The first book in the Frisky Beaver series, which was also my favorite, was Prime Minister. Unfortunately this series didn't really do it for me, so I am not inspired to read the third book in the Dominant Cord series.
January 29, 2017
Loved it.
Wasn't as good as the first book but I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. Was looking for more back story for the lead characters than was given. Overall, if you liked the first, you'll enjoy this one.
Wasn't as good as the first book but I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. Was looking for more back story for the lead characters than was given. Overall, if you liked the first, you'll enjoy this one.
August 3, 2018
The story seemed disjointed. I was weirded out by the possibility of the main character being naked and sexually intimate with someone while a person she considers family is in the same room. Not my cuppa.
March 23, 2025
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another short and spicy book. The childhood crush to lovers was sweet and (as with all of these books) the helping the FMC recover from trauma was well done. Sadie is doing wonders for the marketing of musical guys.
Another short and spicy book. The childhood crush to lovers was sweet and (as with all of these books) the helping the FMC recover from trauma was well done. Sadie is doing wonders for the marketing of musical guys.
July 30, 2018
More psychology and explaining than action.
Hildy's continued reaction to her parents seemed odd for an adult. Especially with the friends she hung with. Interesting story.
Hildy's continued reaction to her parents seemed odd for an adult. Especially with the friends she hung with. Interesting story.
August 30, 2018
Good story wasn’t much to it but like it
Want to read
March 6, 2023Purch Amazon July 23, 2018
May 8, 2023
terrific BDSM
This book has BDSM, particularly rope play. I liked it a lot, i really liked the characters and the smutty action
This book has BDSM, particularly rope play. I liked it a lot, i really liked the characters and the smutty action
March 15, 2020
Read in e-pub format on my Nook.
September 29, 2016
I couldn’t put this down. I had to go buy the rest of the series after because I couldn’t get enough.
Hildy Klein’s uncle and piano teacher, the one person in her life who loved her, has died. She is at his wake and has to come out of her self-imposed piano retirement to play for his wake. Except Wilson, a boy she had a crush on when she was a teenager has just showed up and so have her abusive, neglectful parents. Somehow, Wilson seems to know exactly what she needs and she finds herself craving his touch even though she should just want to be alone.
Hildy is about as damaged as a person can get. Touch is essential to normal child development and being denied any form of touch as a child really damages you. Add verbal abuse and you have a pretty messed up human. Wilson is a Dom with an uncanny ability to read body language and facial expressions and anticipate the needs of his subs. And he is the only person Hildy feels safe with because of it.
There is some pretty moderate BDSM so be sure you are comfortable with that before reading. If that is OK, you will love this story. So gripping and emotional and also extremely sexy.
Hildy Klein’s uncle and piano teacher, the one person in her life who loved her, has died. She is at his wake and has to come out of her self-imposed piano retirement to play for his wake. Except Wilson, a boy she had a crush on when she was a teenager has just showed up and so have her abusive, neglectful parents. Somehow, Wilson seems to know exactly what she needs and she finds herself craving his touch even though she should just want to be alone.
Hildy is about as damaged as a person can get. Touch is essential to normal child development and being denied any form of touch as a child really damages you. Add verbal abuse and you have a pretty messed up human. Wilson is a Dom with an uncanny ability to read body language and facial expressions and anticipate the needs of his subs. And he is the only person Hildy feels safe with because of it.
There is some pretty moderate BDSM so be sure you are comfortable with that before reading. If that is OK, you will love this story. So gripping and emotional and also extremely sexy.
October 2, 2016
This was another good story in the Dominant Cord series. Sadie Haller does an excellent job working through the ins and outs of a D/s relationship and trust involved in a successful one as well as explaining the intricacies of the scenes. I enjoyed getting to know Wil and Hildy. They had so much to work on in terms of trust, but Wil showed great patience with Hildy. She needed that so very much. She had all this self-loathing and doubt from years of neglect that Hildy couldn't believe Wil would want her or keep her if she struggled too much with learning to be a submissive. I'm glad that she had Mac (book 1) throughout this process to help her open up about fears and address her concerns.
September 25, 2016
These are the type of alpha heroes I like to read the best - a strong, dominant side balanced by love and compassion. And to see him matched with a heroine as strong as he is, even though she may not realize that strength just yet, makes them a perfect pairing to my mind. I have fallen in love with this whole group of people. Their hearts are as big as the entire sky.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2016
Really enjoyed this ARC provided by the author Sadie Haller. It's not just a BDSM book, it's also the tale of one woman's fight to regain her self worth as well as a rekindling of feelings between two people who met briefly years ago. One kiss is what's been holding them both back for years, but now the possibilities are endless. I've enjoyed reading this series so far & look forward to more books.
March 21, 2020
I really liked this book and have enjoyed the others of the series. It was a quick read, but it had some substance to it. I liked the way that Wilson dealt with Hildy's fears and lack of trust. I had read Cadenza before this book and I never really understood the dynamics of Hildy being afraid to safeword, but after reading this it all makes sense. I would like to see Sully get his own story.
I received a copy of the book from the author for a review.
I received a copy of the book from the author for a review.
October 7, 2016
One Gold Knot by Sadie Haller....Wow, this was a great book that I could not put it down. Sadie does a wonderful job creating her characters and I loved them all, this book really holds your attention. I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
January 5, 2017
I liked the way the author made the story personable from the beginning. The characters were real. Also safe sane and consensual was stressed throughout the book. I loved this story that I immediately purchased the first one in the series, can not wait to read it!
January 10, 2017
Not a fan
It was OK. Just, OK. The main character has issues, which creates a good back story but it was too much. Just too sensitive about everything. It was annoying. I was expecting excitement, but I got a little bit of heat with mostly depression.
It was OK. Just, OK. The main character has issues, which creates a good back story but it was too much. Just too sensitive about everything. It was annoying. I was expecting excitement, but I got a little bit of heat with mostly depression.
Want to read
February 29, 2020💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/26/2018)! 💝
December 16, 2016
i can so identify in every way with this sub.
August 22, 2017
This book was absolutely bettter than the first, I already purchased book three so hopefully it keeps up!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews