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After Hours #3
Reclaiming His Wife
Four months ago, Slade Lewis got to fulfill his wildest, long-repressed BDSM fantasies during a one-night stand. Since then, getting more has been the only thing on his mind.
When Slade manages to earn the keys to Reyes Walter’s kinky kingdom, he finds himself face-to-face with none other than Pressly Allwyn, the pearl-bedecked love of his life whom he pushed into divorce six years ago.
Now she’s back, and the fetish he was afraid would drive them apart instead draws them together. They indulge in their common kink together, but past hurts and old insecurities complicate any relationship outside their erotic exploits. Caught between the worlds of hot-button politics and even hotter bedroom games, Pressly and Slade will have to decide how far they’re willing to go for a second chance at happily ever after.
When Slade manages to earn the keys to Reyes Walter’s kinky kingdom, he finds himself face-to-face with none other than Pressly Allwyn, the pearl-bedecked love of his life whom he pushed into divorce six years ago.
Now she’s back, and the fetish he was afraid would drive them apart instead draws them together. They indulge in their common kink together, but past hurts and old insecurities complicate any relationship outside their erotic exploits. Caught between the worlds of hot-button politics and even hotter bedroom games, Pressly and Slade will have to decide how far they’re willing to go for a second chance at happily ever after.
294 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2016
112 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Tamsen Parker
42 books391 followersTamsen Parker is a stay-at-home mom by day, erotic romance writer by naptime. She lives with her family outside of Boston, where she tweets too much, sleeps too little and is always in the middle of a book. Aside from good food, sweet rieslings and gin cocktails, she has a fondness for monograms and subway maps. She should really start drinking coffee.
You can sign up for her newsletter here to find out about her latest release, sales, or other goings on: http://bit.ly/1Bry07O
You can sign up for her newsletter here to find out about her latest release, sales, or other goings on: http://bit.ly/1Bry07O
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 11, 2016
Genre: Erotic Romance
Type: Standalone Book 4 from The Compass series
POV: First Person - Male
Rating:
Slade Lewis was a public figure with a certain proclivity. As a political lobbyist, image was very important to him and his repressed sexual needs resulted in him acting out on his staff and pushed his wife away.
Pressly Allwyn was a political princess. Coming from an influential family, she was groomed to be a political wife. But behind the perfect veneer, she craved for something totally different from what expected of her. She never thought the person who could provide it was the one who pushed her away.
In previous books Slade wasn't exactly a loveable character. So I was interested in seeing how his story is going to be and I was pleasantly surprised that it went to different direction.
Slade was an asshole. He couldn't understand his "unnatural" needs and projected his frustration to the people around him. That was until he met Reyes Walter who helped him explored his desires the right and safe way. I love seeing his vulnerability and how awkward and uncomfortable he was with his newly explored side.
Pressly might always looked put together, but inside she was a churned mess. She felt used and wanted out if the loop. I love how she took matters into her own hands and wasn't afraid to dip her feet into unknown waters. However, I do wish to know more about her "coming out" period.
What I love the most about the story is how it chronicled the journey of a new Master who was struggling to accept his true self. And I find it amusing how Reyes became somewhat if a Yoda to him lol!
True North is a story of two individuals learning to embrace their needs and accommodating each other's wants to make a relationship works. It contains some elements in BDSM that might not be acceptable to everyone.
Books in the series:
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone Book 4 from The Compass series
POV: First Person - Male
Rating:
Slade Lewis was a public figure with a certain proclivity. As a political lobbyist, image was very important to him and his repressed sexual needs resulted in him acting out on his staff and pushed his wife away.
Pressly Allwyn was a political princess. Coming from an influential family, she was groomed to be a political wife. But behind the perfect veneer, she craved for something totally different from what expected of her. She never thought the person who could provide it was the one who pushed her away.
In previous books Slade wasn't exactly a loveable character. So I was interested in seeing how his story is going to be and I was pleasantly surprised that it went to different direction.
What the hell is wrong with me? What the hell kind of sick fuck needs to beat the crap out of a woman or humiliate her to get his rocks off?
Slade was an asshole. He couldn't understand his "unnatural" needs and projected his frustration to the people around him. That was until he met Reyes Walter who helped him explored his desires the right and safe way. I love seeing his vulnerability and how awkward and uncomfortable he was with his newly explored side.
Pressly might always looked put together, but inside she was a churned mess. She felt used and wanted out if the loop. I love how she took matters into her own hands and wasn't afraid to dip her feet into unknown waters. However, I do wish to know more about her "coming out" period.
“I’ve always loved Press. I drove her away because I loved her. I didn’t want to hurt her, and I thought there was no possible way she could love the monster I felt like."
What I love the most about the story is how it chronicled the journey of a new Master who was struggling to accept his true self. And I find it amusing how Reyes became somewhat if a Yoda to him lol!
“Oh, Slade. That feels… it feels…”
“Good? You like having my fingers jammed in your pussy, you horny little fuckslut?”
True North is a story of two individuals learning to embrace their needs and accommodating each other's wants to make a relationship works. It contains some elements in BDSM that might not be acceptable to everyone.
Books in the series:
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
July 25, 2016
We met Slade Lewis in the earlier books in Tamsen Parker's Compass series, and as a man who wasn't particularly painted in a good light, I was interested to see if/how he would be redeemed.
"The first thing a Dominant needs to be in control of is themselves."
This series centralises around D/s characters; in the first book, India and Cris' story contained subject matter I'd not come across before, so I knew going into this that anything was possible. And, whilst it was to the authors usual standard, I have to be honest and say in that the kink involved in True North didn't make easy reading for me. Had I known this going in, there's a strong possibility it may have influenced my decision on reading, so if you want a heads up, it's
As characters I liked Slade and Pressley, but I never formed that much of a connection either which could very well be because of my personal reaction to their story. They have a history, a married and divorced history, and you can't take away from the fact that they are the loves of one another's lives and that does a bring a level of trust with it. But, at the same time, their reacquaintance initially felt a little off because whilst they share the love of the same kink and act on it, neither disclosed it during their marriage.
"I hadn’t wanted to hold her at a distance, but it had been the only way to keep her safe."
In terms of storyline pace, it is slower burn and I did like how Slade was characterised with the story being told from his POV. I like an older hero--at 44 he is that--and there is much more to him that you expect as he has a vulnerable side, one you can empathise with as to why he pushed Pressley away.
"Feeling guilty for the things you said?"
What it boils down to on this occasion is personal preference and self-care; this couple's particular kink isn't one I seek to read and that fact hasn't changed. And it may have an impact on my decision to read Rey's book, I'll have to wait and see. It's not a slight on Tamsen Parker's writing, I've read several from her in the past and she does take her readers on a real journey, this one simply wasn't for me and because of that I don't want to influence one way or the other. I've read erotic romance with subject matter that's taken me well out of my comfort zone, but it's worked for me: we all have different limits. True North is one that I'd say you need to judge for yourself.
Copy generously received courtesy of the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
"The first thing a Dominant needs to be in control of is themselves."
This series centralises around D/s characters; in the first book, India and Cris' story contained subject matter I'd not come across before, so I knew going into this that anything was possible. And, whilst it was to the authors usual standard, I have to be honest and say in that the kink involved in True North didn't make easy reading for me. Had I known this going in, there's a strong possibility it may have influenced my decision on reading, so if you want a heads up, it's
As characters I liked Slade and Pressley, but I never formed that much of a connection either which could very well be because of my personal reaction to their story. They have a history, a married and divorced history, and you can't take away from the fact that they are the loves of one another's lives and that does a bring a level of trust with it. But, at the same time, their reacquaintance initially felt a little off because whilst they share the love of the same kink and act on it, neither disclosed it during their marriage.
"I hadn’t wanted to hold her at a distance, but it had been the only way to keep her safe."
In terms of storyline pace, it is slower burn and I did like how Slade was characterised with the story being told from his POV. I like an older hero--at 44 he is that--and there is much more to him that you expect as he has a vulnerable side, one you can empathise with as to why he pushed Pressley away.
"Feeling guilty for the things you said?"
What it boils down to on this occasion is personal preference and self-care; this couple's particular kink isn't one I seek to read and that fact hasn't changed. And it may have an impact on my decision to read Rey's book, I'll have to wait and see. It's not a slight on Tamsen Parker's writing, I've read several from her in the past and she does take her readers on a real journey, this one simply wasn't for me and because of that I don't want to influence one way or the other. I've read erotic romance with subject matter that's taken me well out of my comfort zone, but it's worked for me: we all have different limits. True North is one that I'd say you need to judge for yourself.
Copy generously received courtesy of the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
July 21, 2016
3.5* happily kinky ever after STARS!
Sorry... but who is Slade Lewis? Yeah, I'm such a bad girl with fish memory. Just spank me, please. Hahaha... I really couldn't remember who is he until the chapter when he met India Burke. Yes, she's the heroine from previous books and now lives happily with her dom-husband. Slade had unforgettable one-night stand with India in their desperate moment. I was surprised Slade has his own book because I didn't see it coming. The story was told from Slade's POV and yeah, it was so rare to read male's mind and I'm quite enjoyed it.
Slade Lewis is a ruthless politician and great with his job. Everything seems perfect. Slade realized his desire to humiliate woman brings something dark inside him and couldn't tell his wife so he let her go when she asked for divorce. A few months later, an intense one-night stand brings out the worst of him to hurt and degrade woman. He confused and still couldn't accept it. Slade asked India's help to sort things out and introduced him to BDSM world. The most surprising thing is he met again with his ex, Pressly Allwyn in kink community.
Okay, I admit that Slade's story was quite hard for me. Mostly because his asshole attitude but it was just the exterior. Inside, he's just a man with too-much-feeling and low confidence. Slade did amazing job and manage his perfect career as a politician but failed in man's department. Moreover, his new kink brings out the worst of him. But with some help, he managed to go through. It wasn't easy for Slade and for me. I think we're so mis-matched. Hahaha... But I LIKED his dirty talk so much.
The only person who could match Slade is the ex, Pressly Allwyn. She looks so perfect, innocent and very sweet. Ever after their divorce and met again in BDSM world, Pressly seems really care for him. She gave him green light and they managed to become 'friend'. Pressly really balanced Slade's asstittude very well.
So basically their problem is communication. Both of them are never open before and keep themselves out each other. Of course, it shocked both Slade and Pressly to met each other in the kink community. I have love-hate relationship with them because they're purely only for kink. Not really into D/s even Slade has dominant streak but he's really softies at heart. Every scenes they did is purely for enjoyment. But I loved the humiliation and a bit degradation part in Slade's play with Pressly. It made me hot and bothered in good way.
I'm confused how Pressly got into BDSM world or what's the trigger. But I liked Slade's progress open up his feeling. Another plus for their 24/7 kinky relationship outside bedroom. Overall, it was a great story mix with kink for a second-chance romance. Both Slade and Pressly has their journey to bring back trust and communication in their relationship. The chemistry is going strong and of course, I could still see Pressly still love him from the start. They're really made for each other.
Sorry... but who is Slade Lewis? Yeah, I'm such a bad girl with fish memory. Just spank me, please. Hahaha... I really couldn't remember who is he until the chapter when he met India Burke. Yes, she's the heroine from previous books and now lives happily with her dom-husband. Slade had unforgettable one-night stand with India in their desperate moment. I was surprised Slade has his own book because I didn't see it coming. The story was told from Slade's POV and yeah, it was so rare to read male's mind and I'm quite enjoyed it.
Slade Lewis is a ruthless politician and great with his job. Everything seems perfect. Slade realized his desire to humiliate woman brings something dark inside him and couldn't tell his wife so he let her go when she asked for divorce. A few months later, an intense one-night stand brings out the worst of him to hurt and degrade woman. He confused and still couldn't accept it. Slade asked India's help to sort things out and introduced him to BDSM world. The most surprising thing is he met again with his ex, Pressly Allwyn in kink community.
“... There are people who are into that shit. Find them and mind-fuck them stupid.’ That’s what I want. I want to berate a woman. Tell her she’s stupid and worthless, embarrass her and make her cry. And when she’s all teary and red-faced, I want to fuck her. Tell her she’s dirty and disgusting. But I want her to like it.”
Okay, I admit that Slade's story was quite hard for me. Mostly because his asshole attitude but it was just the exterior. Inside, he's just a man with too-much-feeling and low confidence. Slade did amazing job and manage his perfect career as a politician but failed in man's department. Moreover, his new kink brings out the worst of him. But with some help, he managed to go through. It wasn't easy for Slade and for me. I think we're so mis-matched. Hahaha... But I LIKED his dirty talk so much.
"Jesus Christ, control yourself, you licentious, cock-hungry slut.”
That’s right, I can still have a vocabulary even when I’m talking dirty to my half-naked and kneeling ex-wife. A bigger moan this time, confirmation I’ve nailed it with the dirty talk. Holy hell, how is this my life?
The only person who could match Slade is the ex, Pressly Allwyn. She looks so perfect, innocent and very sweet. Ever after their divorce and met again in BDSM world, Pressly seems really care for him. She gave him green light and they managed to become 'friend'. Pressly really balanced Slade's asstittude very well.
“Good? You like having my fingers jammed in your pussy, you horny little fuckslut?”
I’d debated whether to go sweet or nasty with my words, but the husky moan they drag from her tell me I made the right call. Press and the dirty talk. Can do.
So basically their problem is communication. Both of them are never open before and keep themselves out each other. Of course, it shocked both Slade and Pressly to met each other in the kink community. I have love-hate relationship with them because they're purely only for kink. Not really into D/s even Slade has dominant streak but he's really softies at heart. Every scenes they did is purely for enjoyment. But I loved the humiliation and a bit degradation part in Slade's play with Pressly. It made me hot and bothered in good way.
“Do you want to come, Sprite?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Of course you do, you little fuckslut. Look at you, your tits hanging out with my come all over you, trussed up like livestock, and all you can think about is your orgasm. You’re an awfully dirty girl. What could I get you to do if I promised you could come after?”
I'm confused how Pressly got into BDSM world or what's the trigger. But I liked Slade's progress open up his feeling. Another plus for their 24/7 kinky relationship outside bedroom. Overall, it was a great story mix with kink for a second-chance romance. Both Slade and Pressly has their journey to bring back trust and communication in their relationship. The chemistry is going strong and of course, I could still see Pressly still love him from the start. They're really made for each other.
“I need the filthy little slut who begs me for my cock, who likes nothing better than to lick my shoes and get fucked seven ways to Sunday. I want you to crawl to me, and I want tears on your face when you do. I want all of you.”
June 13, 2019
My comment for this entire book - "Holy crackers Tamsen! Calm down!".
Yet again, Tamsen Parker proves to me that she is indeed my favourite author by bringing major sexiness and awesome writing into one beautiful yet sensual novel.
This book is an erotica, and man does Tamsen know how to write them. Readers need to keep in mind this book is "part" of a series (meaning the universe of the Compass series) but this book can be a standalone. The other three books were of one character, and this one now involves Slade!
Some BDSM is involved in this story - it's not to crazy by my standard, but not all readers may feel comfortable with this. Keep that in mind before you pick up the book!
Now, into the juicy parts...
Slade has always been a major jerk, so seeing his side of the story is rather interesting. This man who enjoyed taking his frustrations out on people now has his eyes set on a "put together" female who's actually quite the "mess". His one night stand has come back, and somehow they seem to be developing much more than they had before...
This book is juicy! Second chances, hot nights, a pinch of BDSM, hints of romance, strange fetishes, first person male, vulnerable situations, sick desires, D/S...Man. I can't put this book down, and I fully intend to buy myself a print copy when I can find it (I have an electronic copy). I want this book to sit proudly with all the other books I have by Tamsen Parker, because this book is a goldmine!
I enjoyed these characters, and I wasn't sure if I would since I was so attached to India and Cris. I also enjoyed that this book is related to the series, but not fully the next book. Seeing India and Cris again would have been great, but this book changes it up and makes it even hotter! There's only so much we can see with India and Cris before it gets a little repetitive (but Tamsen, if you read this, more India and Cris is still welcomed by this girl!!! ;) )
Overall, I'd give it more than five stars if possible. Tamsen has wow-ed me again, and there is a reason she's my top author (first place!!! Yay Tamsen!!).
Five out of five stars.
Yet again, Tamsen Parker proves to me that she is indeed my favourite author by bringing major sexiness and awesome writing into one beautiful yet sensual novel.
This book is an erotica, and man does Tamsen know how to write them. Readers need to keep in mind this book is "part" of a series (meaning the universe of the Compass series) but this book can be a standalone. The other three books were of one character, and this one now involves Slade!
Some BDSM is involved in this story - it's not to crazy by my standard, but not all readers may feel comfortable with this. Keep that in mind before you pick up the book!
Now, into the juicy parts...
Slade has always been a major jerk, so seeing his side of the story is rather interesting. This man who enjoyed taking his frustrations out on people now has his eyes set on a "put together" female who's actually quite the "mess". His one night stand has come back, and somehow they seem to be developing much more than they had before...
This book is juicy! Second chances, hot nights, a pinch of BDSM, hints of romance, strange fetishes, first person male, vulnerable situations, sick desires, D/S...Man. I can't put this book down, and I fully intend to buy myself a print copy when I can find it (I have an electronic copy). I want this book to sit proudly with all the other books I have by Tamsen Parker, because this book is a goldmine!
I enjoyed these characters, and I wasn't sure if I would since I was so attached to India and Cris. I also enjoyed that this book is related to the series, but not fully the next book. Seeing India and Cris again would have been great, but this book changes it up and makes it even hotter! There's only so much we can see with India and Cris before it gets a little repetitive (but Tamsen, if you read this, more India and Cris is still welcomed by this girl!!! ;) )
Overall, I'd give it more than five stars if possible. Tamsen has wow-ed me again, and there is a reason she's my top author (first place!!! Yay Tamsen!!).
Five out of five stars.
August 3, 2016
Favorite Quote: There's a reason I've been kind of an asshole my whole life, and it's because it's way easier than being a good person.
This Compass series has stretched my boundaries in a good way. Heavy on BDSM, the previous books have focused on India and her now husband Crispin. Overall I enjoyed them and when I heard Slade was getting a book - a man who is not presented in the best light in the previous books, I was very intrigued. And let me tell you - Slade is a big asshole. I'm not kidding. He has a temper. He lashes out at people. He just plain isn't nice - but I fell for him.
The author redeems him - not in some sort of magical way. At the end of the book he still isn't perfect. He still makes mistakes. But he owns them and he wants to do better and he is working on it and I enjoyed him a lot.
Told all in Slade's point of view, he works in DC for the Office of Public and Indian Housing. His job is stressful and he grows very distant from his wife, Pressly. She was raised by southern parents to be the perfect wife and hostess. At this point in their marriage nothing is perfect and she asks for a divorce. Jump forward a number of years and Slade is off the rails. He verbally abuses his staff and everyone around him. He has anger issues - and is frustrated. But then he meets India (previous heroine) and after a night of sex (this is before she is with her future husband) where he horribly tries to be dominant - she tells him, if he wants to pursue BDSM, and hurting people, he needs to learn to do it the right way. She tells him "There are people who are into that shit," and he can't believe it. He knows his fantasies include humiliating women, and to think there are people out there that share these same goals? He is stunned. Luckily, India knows a guy named Reyes. If you've read this series, you've met Reyes - the hot, sexy, man in charge of the BDSM scene. He pairs up people. He helps people through crisis - and he mentors. That is exactly what he does with Slade. He shows him how to be a dominant. How to correctly and properly humiliate someone (obviously with a willing partner). He lays down a lot of rules - first and foremost, stop being an asshole. Slade works on this.
He starts to get his life under control and is introduced to people at a local BDSM club who enjoy his same kinks - and then one night out of the blue, he runs into Pressly. His ex-wife - at the same BDSM club as he. He is shocked. She is shocked. Apparently, Pressly has needs, needs Slade never knew about. She likes to submit. She likes to be humiliated. Slade is still in love with her - and now he wants her back. But he has to prove to her that he is a man under control. He has to woo her.
Slade's specific fantasy is:
I want to berate a woman. Tell her she's stupid and worthless, embarass her and make her cry. And when she's all teary and red-faced, I want to fuck her. Tell her she's dirty and disgusting. But I want her to like it.
With something that challenging, he needs guidance and that is where Reyes comes in. Slade wants to be a better person and knows if he can get his sexual desires fulfilled, it would better his life.
And Reyes' response:
"I'd be happy to help you with that, and you are certaintly not alone in that desire. I swear to you. Humiliation kink is a very real and valid thing. India was right. There are lots of people who enjoy either side of it, sometimes both. We're going to find you someone who's the yin to your yang so you can try it out. You're going to learn how to do it responsibly, without hurting anyone. Including yourself. Promise."
Slade is so appreciative there is someone in the world to guide him. He knows he made mistakes with Pressly and when he sees her at the club, so at peace and happy and - gorgeous and sexy, he wants a second chance with her.
Only having his POV, we don't know what Pressly is thinking, but she allows Slade to interact with her at the club pretty quickly. She trusts him, and divorced him more because she thought he only wanted perfect political wife, rather than really getting to know her. When Slade and Pressly reunite years later, she has been in the scene for some time- she has confidence and beams happiness behind those club doors - where Slade feels completely out of water. I really liked that dynamic.
Reyes not only teaches Slade how to perform things in the bedroom, but also how to take care of his partner afterwards. How to communicate - something Slade lacks.
"Feeling guilty for the things you said? Queasy because of what you made her do? Uncomfortable because you shouldn't want those things?
Since I feel like I could vomit into the toilet beside me...."Yeah."
"Tell her
"Did you tell her?"
"Tell her?" I echo. Why would I tell her?
"Yeah. You know, talk to your partner? Communicate? Have I taught you nothing?"
There are two bigger things that happen at the end of the book that push Slade more in Pressly's direction. Had these two big occurences not happened, would Slade and Pressly truly be together? I think so - but I these events move things along more quickly. I kind of wish they had had more time to talk and work things out without this added pressure.
I love though that at the end, Slade still isn't perfect. Love hasn't magically cured him of his assholeness. He is totally going to screw up in the future - but his communication skills are better and when he does mess up, it will be fixable.
This is book four - book six will be Reyes'. I'm ready!
Grade: B+
This Compass series has stretched my boundaries in a good way. Heavy on BDSM, the previous books have focused on India and her now husband Crispin. Overall I enjoyed them and when I heard Slade was getting a book - a man who is not presented in the best light in the previous books, I was very intrigued. And let me tell you - Slade is a big asshole. I'm not kidding. He has a temper. He lashes out at people. He just plain isn't nice - but I fell for him.
The author redeems him - not in some sort of magical way. At the end of the book he still isn't perfect. He still makes mistakes. But he owns them and he wants to do better and he is working on it and I enjoyed him a lot.
Told all in Slade's point of view, he works in DC for the Office of Public and Indian Housing. His job is stressful and he grows very distant from his wife, Pressly. She was raised by southern parents to be the perfect wife and hostess. At this point in their marriage nothing is perfect and she asks for a divorce. Jump forward a number of years and Slade is off the rails. He verbally abuses his staff and everyone around him. He has anger issues - and is frustrated. But then he meets India (previous heroine) and after a night of sex (this is before she is with her future husband) where he horribly tries to be dominant - she tells him, if he wants to pursue BDSM, and hurting people, he needs to learn to do it the right way. She tells him "There are people who are into that shit," and he can't believe it. He knows his fantasies include humiliating women, and to think there are people out there that share these same goals? He is stunned. Luckily, India knows a guy named Reyes. If you've read this series, you've met Reyes - the hot, sexy, man in charge of the BDSM scene. He pairs up people. He helps people through crisis - and he mentors. That is exactly what he does with Slade. He shows him how to be a dominant. How to correctly and properly humiliate someone (obviously with a willing partner). He lays down a lot of rules - first and foremost, stop being an asshole. Slade works on this.
He starts to get his life under control and is introduced to people at a local BDSM club who enjoy his same kinks - and then one night out of the blue, he runs into Pressly. His ex-wife - at the same BDSM club as he. He is shocked. She is shocked. Apparently, Pressly has needs, needs Slade never knew about. She likes to submit. She likes to be humiliated. Slade is still in love with her - and now he wants her back. But he has to prove to her that he is a man under control. He has to woo her.
Slade's specific fantasy is:
I want to berate a woman. Tell her she's stupid and worthless, embarass her and make her cry. And when she's all teary and red-faced, I want to fuck her. Tell her she's dirty and disgusting. But I want her to like it.
With something that challenging, he needs guidance and that is where Reyes comes in. Slade wants to be a better person and knows if he can get his sexual desires fulfilled, it would better his life.
And Reyes' response:
"I'd be happy to help you with that, and you are certaintly not alone in that desire. I swear to you. Humiliation kink is a very real and valid thing. India was right. There are lots of people who enjoy either side of it, sometimes both. We're going to find you someone who's the yin to your yang so you can try it out. You're going to learn how to do it responsibly, without hurting anyone. Including yourself. Promise."
Slade is so appreciative there is someone in the world to guide him. He knows he made mistakes with Pressly and when he sees her at the club, so at peace and happy and - gorgeous and sexy, he wants a second chance with her.
Only having his POV, we don't know what Pressly is thinking, but she allows Slade to interact with her at the club pretty quickly. She trusts him, and divorced him more because she thought he only wanted perfect political wife, rather than really getting to know her. When Slade and Pressly reunite years later, she has been in the scene for some time- she has confidence and beams happiness behind those club doors - where Slade feels completely out of water. I really liked that dynamic.
Reyes not only teaches Slade how to perform things in the bedroom, but also how to take care of his partner afterwards. How to communicate - something Slade lacks.
"Feeling guilty for the things you said? Queasy because of what you made her do? Uncomfortable because you shouldn't want those things?
Since I feel like I could vomit into the toilet beside me...."Yeah."
"Tell her
"Did you tell her?"
"Tell her?" I echo. Why would I tell her?
"Yeah. You know, talk to your partner? Communicate? Have I taught you nothing?"
There are two bigger things that happen at the end of the book that push Slade more in Pressly's direction. Had these two big occurences not happened, would Slade and Pressly truly be together? I think so - but I these events move things along more quickly. I kind of wish they had had more time to talk and work things out without this added pressure.
I love though that at the end, Slade still isn't perfect. Love hasn't magically cured him of his assholeness. He is totally going to screw up in the future - but his communication skills are better and when he does mess up, it will be fixable.
This is book four - book six will be Reyes'. I'm ready!
Grade: B+
July 24, 2016
Originally posted at Heroes and Heartbreakers-http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com...
4.5 Stars
True North is the fourth book in Tamsen Parker’s The Compass series but can also be read as a standalone. This bewitching, humorous, erotically intense and emotional series introduced us to the hero -Slade Lewis- earlier and left readers with a less than stellar impression of him. Redemption of a character is a tricky trope to pull off. You have to not only convince the reader the character is worth redemption but also give them a reasonable explanation for their previous behavior and a believable reason for the change. Finding the love of their lives isn’t always a good enough reason and when you make it a second chance romance, some readers will inevitably side eye the author and scoff BRING IT!
Slade Lewis is frankly an arse. He is a masochist and a bully. He is rude, obnoxious, loud, angry, and carries a huge chip on his shoulder. Born into poverty, his rise in the political world and marrying the beautiful and rich Pressly Allwyn made him feel like he had won the ultimate lottery. But his low self-esteem issues and the fear of what his Pressly would do if she learned of his dark sexual proclivities led him to push her away.
“I’ve always loved Press. I drove her away because I loved her. I didn’t want to hurt her, and I thought there was no possible way she could love the monster I felt like."
After a self-imposed celibacy, Slade meets India Burke and has the fantasy fueled night of his life but as with any sexual fantasy, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you shouldn't be doing it. India decides to help Slade learn to master his kink by placing him in the stern but capable hands of Reyes Walter.
“It’s possible I can help you find what you’re looking for. No guarantees. But first things first. If we’re to work together, you need to knock that shit off. No more mistreating your staff, no hurling abuse at them, no yelling, or any of your other tricks you use to demean them. If I hear about it—and I guarantee you that I will—we’re done. Are we understood?”
So begins Slade’s education. Slade’s journey is chronicled in the present with flashes into his past; enabling us to see the reasons behind his behavior. His vulnerability, awkwardness, and shame is sweetly humorous yet enlightening to watch play out. It not only humanizes him but also goes far towards his redemption. He begins to see his bad behavior is a manifestation of his unhappiness and that his needs are neither evil nor shameful.
“Everyone’s happy. This is better, right? This is what you want?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I want.”
The moment of truth reveals when Slade runs into Pressly at a private BDSM club and realizes that he wasn't the only hiding secrets. Pressly was raised as the perfect political wife. Intelligent, good looking, politically savvy, and—most importantly—discreet. She was raised to be a help mate not a hindrance. Yet just like Slade, Pressly has a darker side. Her facade was already crumbling while married to Slade and the divorce obliviated it. Pressly decides after that to place her own needs first and takes a walk on the wild side, discovering herself in the process.
“Hale, I’d like you to meet Sprite.”
My gaze migrates to the woman, and at first I see teased blonde hair pulled on top of her head, followed by heavy black-lined eyes with lashes so long and thick they’ve got to be fake, especially on someone as fair as she is. That’s when my heart leaps out of my chest, up through my throat, and out onto the floor where it ceases to beat.
I know the eyes framed with black. I know the pert nose and slightly too-wide mouth underneath. I know the creamy expanse of neck that slides into delicate collarbones and, yeah, the breasts that spill out the top of her corset. Except, fuck me, I’ve never seen them like that.
I know all of them because I’m staring straight into the face—okay, the cleavage—of my ex-wife.
Slade’s meeting back up with his ex-wife is a pivotal moment in his life. His protective instincts roar to the forefront though he is impotent to do anything because she is no longer his. He begins to see that he not only hurt himself with his actions but also sees the extent at which he hurt his ex-wife though he is not even remotely prepared to deal with these feelings. Parker’s use of the club in which to try and repair this relationship is both knowledgeable and eye opening. She doesn’t make it an instant fix just because they have similar interests. Both are still works in progress and their reconnection is not without its bumps and pitfalls though if Slade is willing to do whatever it takes to be what Pressly needs, he can have it all. Of course, it helps to have Reyes Walter in your corner.
“...what I can tell you is to get your head and that giant stick out of your ass. You lost her once. You want to do it again? No one expects you to be perfect, but you’ve got to do better than this.
True North is a sweet, sensual, heartbreaking, and humorous second chance romance that uses BDSM to give two people a chance to learn more about themselves and their places in this world. Parker focuses on communication, acceptability, trust, and forgiveness as she helps Slade find his happily ever after-one kinky lesson at a time. Readers should be forwarded that certain BDSM elements in here might not be comfortable for everyone read about.
4.5 Stars
True North is the fourth book in Tamsen Parker’s The Compass series but can also be read as a standalone. This bewitching, humorous, erotically intense and emotional series introduced us to the hero -Slade Lewis- earlier and left readers with a less than stellar impression of him. Redemption of a character is a tricky trope to pull off. You have to not only convince the reader the character is worth redemption but also give them a reasonable explanation for their previous behavior and a believable reason for the change. Finding the love of their lives isn’t always a good enough reason and when you make it a second chance romance, some readers will inevitably side eye the author and scoff BRING IT!
Slade Lewis is frankly an arse. He is a masochist and a bully. He is rude, obnoxious, loud, angry, and carries a huge chip on his shoulder. Born into poverty, his rise in the political world and marrying the beautiful and rich Pressly Allwyn made him feel like he had won the ultimate lottery. But his low self-esteem issues and the fear of what his Pressly would do if she learned of his dark sexual proclivities led him to push her away.
“I’ve always loved Press. I drove her away because I loved her. I didn’t want to hurt her, and I thought there was no possible way she could love the monster I felt like."
After a self-imposed celibacy, Slade meets India Burke and has the fantasy fueled night of his life but as with any sexual fantasy, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you shouldn't be doing it. India decides to help Slade learn to master his kink by placing him in the stern but capable hands of Reyes Walter.
“It’s possible I can help you find what you’re looking for. No guarantees. But first things first. If we’re to work together, you need to knock that shit off. No more mistreating your staff, no hurling abuse at them, no yelling, or any of your other tricks you use to demean them. If I hear about it—and I guarantee you that I will—we’re done. Are we understood?”
So begins Slade’s education. Slade’s journey is chronicled in the present with flashes into his past; enabling us to see the reasons behind his behavior. His vulnerability, awkwardness, and shame is sweetly humorous yet enlightening to watch play out. It not only humanizes him but also goes far towards his redemption. He begins to see his bad behavior is a manifestation of his unhappiness and that his needs are neither evil nor shameful.
“Everyone’s happy. This is better, right? This is what you want?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I want.”
The moment of truth reveals when Slade runs into Pressly at a private BDSM club and realizes that he wasn't the only hiding secrets. Pressly was raised as the perfect political wife. Intelligent, good looking, politically savvy, and—most importantly—discreet. She was raised to be a help mate not a hindrance. Yet just like Slade, Pressly has a darker side. Her facade was already crumbling while married to Slade and the divorce obliviated it. Pressly decides after that to place her own needs first and takes a walk on the wild side, discovering herself in the process.
“Hale, I’d like you to meet Sprite.”
My gaze migrates to the woman, and at first I see teased blonde hair pulled on top of her head, followed by heavy black-lined eyes with lashes so long and thick they’ve got to be fake, especially on someone as fair as she is. That’s when my heart leaps out of my chest, up through my throat, and out onto the floor where it ceases to beat.
I know the eyes framed with black. I know the pert nose and slightly too-wide mouth underneath. I know the creamy expanse of neck that slides into delicate collarbones and, yeah, the breasts that spill out the top of her corset. Except, fuck me, I’ve never seen them like that.
I know all of them because I’m staring straight into the face—okay, the cleavage—of my ex-wife.
Slade’s meeting back up with his ex-wife is a pivotal moment in his life. His protective instincts roar to the forefront though he is impotent to do anything because she is no longer his. He begins to see that he not only hurt himself with his actions but also sees the extent at which he hurt his ex-wife though he is not even remotely prepared to deal with these feelings. Parker’s use of the club in which to try and repair this relationship is both knowledgeable and eye opening. She doesn’t make it an instant fix just because they have similar interests. Both are still works in progress and their reconnection is not without its bumps and pitfalls though if Slade is willing to do whatever it takes to be what Pressly needs, he can have it all. Of course, it helps to have Reyes Walter in your corner.
“...what I can tell you is to get your head and that giant stick out of your ass. You lost her once. You want to do it again? No one expects you to be perfect, but you’ve got to do better than this.
True North is a sweet, sensual, heartbreaking, and humorous second chance romance that uses BDSM to give two people a chance to learn more about themselves and their places in this world. Parker focuses on communication, acceptability, trust, and forgiveness as she helps Slade find his happily ever after-one kinky lesson at a time. Readers should be forwarded that certain BDSM elements in here might not be comfortable for everyone read about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2016
I had the pleasure of reading an early arc of this book and it's not every author that can take a man like Slade, an admitted jerk and a cad and any other number of rude names, and actually make him an empathetic character and one worthy of redemption and a second chance. But that's what we get here in this kinky story about finding what makes one tick and how to go about it integrating that into one's daily life the right way.
Slade had the perfect wife in Pressly and he adored her, putting her on a pedestal that was bound to crack as his sexual needs and his ideal marriage were incompatible. Breaking Pressly's heart was unforgivable but necessary if he was going to save her from the fact that he gets off on humiliating women. He could never picture explaining it to Pressly or, worse, acting it out with her and so their marriage ended as he slowly cut himself off from her. The problem is that Slade doesn't know how to go about getting his kink in a really functionable way and ends up being the rudest, meanest boss around, demeaning the females he works with to get some sexual satisfaction much to his private shame. And then he meets India, who he knows has the key somehow to understanding his sexual needs and through her, he meets Rey. Rey takes on Slade as a client of sorts and explains to him what it is he is looking for, and the right way to go about getting it. And when Rey takes him to a club, and he finds none other than his ex-wife there, and the willing recipient of the kind of kink he likes, he's shocked and, let's be honest, really turned on. Because he never stopped loving his wife. And if he can find a way back into her heart again, he's going to give her 110% this time, every kinky loving minute.
I loved seeing Slade go from the bad guy to the good guy, all in the frame of this story. And his attitude and behaviour made so much more sense this time, understanding where it was all coming from. It's not as if Slade doesn't know that what he's doing is wrong, getting off on demeaning the women he works with, he just can't seem to control it. Now with the chance to finally let his desires out in a safe place, well, it's like a light at the end of a dark tunnel. And really, once he's reconnected with Pressly, he's willing to do anything to make amends to her. I loved Pressly in this story too, her willingness to slowly give Slade another chance even though he'd hurt her emotionally when he withdrew from their marriage. She doesn't make it easy for him, she makes him work for it and while it might look like he's in control in their sexual encounters, she holds all the cards. The sex is kinky, and super hot. While it might not be to everyone's tastes, it's a great example of how many different kinds of kink there really are out there and how powerful it can be to find a partner who shares your tastes. It was also great to see secondary characters India, her partner Chris and of course Rey, the enigmatic puppeteer who seems to hold all the strings for these people and their kinks. I can't wait to see who he'll end up with! If you like a super sexy emotional second chance romance with some humiliation kink thrown into the mix, you'll love this story.
Slade had the perfect wife in Pressly and he adored her, putting her on a pedestal that was bound to crack as his sexual needs and his ideal marriage were incompatible. Breaking Pressly's heart was unforgivable but necessary if he was going to save her from the fact that he gets off on humiliating women. He could never picture explaining it to Pressly or, worse, acting it out with her and so their marriage ended as he slowly cut himself off from her. The problem is that Slade doesn't know how to go about getting his kink in a really functionable way and ends up being the rudest, meanest boss around, demeaning the females he works with to get some sexual satisfaction much to his private shame. And then he meets India, who he knows has the key somehow to understanding his sexual needs and through her, he meets Rey. Rey takes on Slade as a client of sorts and explains to him what it is he is looking for, and the right way to go about getting it. And when Rey takes him to a club, and he finds none other than his ex-wife there, and the willing recipient of the kind of kink he likes, he's shocked and, let's be honest, really turned on. Because he never stopped loving his wife. And if he can find a way back into her heart again, he's going to give her 110% this time, every kinky loving minute.
I loved seeing Slade go from the bad guy to the good guy, all in the frame of this story. And his attitude and behaviour made so much more sense this time, understanding where it was all coming from. It's not as if Slade doesn't know that what he's doing is wrong, getting off on demeaning the women he works with, he just can't seem to control it. Now with the chance to finally let his desires out in a safe place, well, it's like a light at the end of a dark tunnel. And really, once he's reconnected with Pressly, he's willing to do anything to make amends to her. I loved Pressly in this story too, her willingness to slowly give Slade another chance even though he'd hurt her emotionally when he withdrew from their marriage. She doesn't make it easy for him, she makes him work for it and while it might look like he's in control in their sexual encounters, she holds all the cards. The sex is kinky, and super hot. While it might not be to everyone's tastes, it's a great example of how many different kinds of kink there really are out there and how powerful it can be to find a partner who shares your tastes. It was also great to see secondary characters India, her partner Chris and of course Rey, the enigmatic puppeteer who seems to hold all the strings for these people and their kinks. I can't wait to see who he'll end up with! If you like a super sexy emotional second chance romance with some humiliation kink thrown into the mix, you'll love this story.
August 18, 2023
the divorcees are meeting for an assignation in a hotel and he tells her to wear clothes she doesn't mind getting ruined, and she shows up in a designer trench coat he had bought her during the marriage when they finally had money money, and he is devastated by this, and then she puts her hand on his arm and says, 'not the coat'
love..... is so real
love..... is so real
May 20, 2020
My comment for this entire book - "Holy crackers Tamsen! Calm down!".
Yet again, Tamsen Parker proves to me that she is indeed my favourite author by bringing major sexiness and awesome writing into one beautiful yet sensual novel.
This book is an erotica, and man does Tamsen know how to write them. Readers need to keep in mind this book is "part" of a series (meaning the universe of the Compass series) but this book can be a standalone. The other three books were of one character, and this one now involves Slade!
Some BDSM is involved in this story - it's not to crazy by my standard, but not all readers may feel comfortable with this. Keep that in mind before you pick up the book!
Now, into the juicy parts...
Slade has always been a major jerk, so seeing his side of the story is rather interesting. This man who enjoyed taking his frustrations out on people now has his eyes set on a "put together" female who's actually quite the "mess". His one night stand has come back, and somehow they seem to be developing much more than they had before...
This book is juicy! Second chances, hot nights, a pinch of BDSM, hints of romance, strange fetishes, first person male, vulnerable situations, sick desires, D/S...Man. I can't put this book down, and I fully intend to buy myself a print copy when I can find it (I have an electronic copy). I want this book to sit proudly with all the other books I have by Tamsen Parker, because this book is a goldmine!
I enjoyed these characters, and I wasn't sure if I would since I was so attached to India and Cris. I also enjoyed that this book is related to the series, but not fully the next book. Seeing India and Cris again would have been great, but this book changes it up and makes it even hotter! There's only so much we can see with India and Cris before it gets a little repetitive (but Tamsen, if you read this, more India and Cris is still welcomed by this girl!!! ;) )
Overall, I'd give it more than five stars if possible. Tamsen has wow-ed me again, and there is a reason she's my top author (first place!!! Yay Tamsen!!).
Five out of five stars.
Yet again, Tamsen Parker proves to me that she is indeed my favourite author by bringing major sexiness and awesome writing into one beautiful yet sensual novel.
This book is an erotica, and man does Tamsen know how to write them. Readers need to keep in mind this book is "part" of a series (meaning the universe of the Compass series) but this book can be a standalone. The other three books were of one character, and this one now involves Slade!
Some BDSM is involved in this story - it's not to crazy by my standard, but not all readers may feel comfortable with this. Keep that in mind before you pick up the book!
Now, into the juicy parts...
Slade has always been a major jerk, so seeing his side of the story is rather interesting. This man who enjoyed taking his frustrations out on people now has his eyes set on a "put together" female who's actually quite the "mess". His one night stand has come back, and somehow they seem to be developing much more than they had before...
This book is juicy! Second chances, hot nights, a pinch of BDSM, hints of romance, strange fetishes, first person male, vulnerable situations, sick desires, D/S...Man. I can't put this book down, and I fully intend to buy myself a print copy when I can find it (I have an electronic copy). I want this book to sit proudly with all the other books I have by Tamsen Parker, because this book is a goldmine!
I enjoyed these characters, and I wasn't sure if I would since I was so attached to India and Cris. I also enjoyed that this book is related to the series, but not fully the next book. Seeing India and Cris again would have been great, but this book changes it up and makes it even hotter! There's only so much we can see with India and Cris before it gets a little repetitive (but Tamsen, if you read this, more India and Cris is still welcomed by this girl!!! ;) )
Overall, I'd give it more than five stars if possible. Tamsen has wow-ed me again, and there is a reason she's my top author (first place!!! Yay Tamsen!!).
Five out of five stars.
August 7, 2016
I really enjoy this author's voice. I don't typically read BDSM themed books but I loved the first two in this series so much. Slade was the worst person in the previous books. Angry and mean. It was great to see the human side of him. What made him tick and his insecurities. I love a growly and tortured hero. I thought there were some things in this book that were pretty predictable and would have liked it to not be so convenient. I was not a fan of a plot device used toward the end of the book, I thought it came out of no where and then didn't seem fully formed out. There was a sufficient amount of grovel, but could have used more. I love a good grovel.
All and all it was a good story, I would rate it a solid B. I really enjoyed seeing Slade be redeemed from his previous super asshole self. At his core he was good and kind, just acted out because of his own issues.
All and all it was a good story, I would rate it a solid B. I really enjoyed seeing Slade be redeemed from his previous super asshole self. At his core he was good and kind, just acted out because of his own issues.
dnf
March 15, 2021I have to let this one go. I have too many problems with it that I can’t and won’t overcome. Slade is very unlikeable. He has a secret humiliation kink but because he doesn’t know it or understand it, he expresses it as verbally abusing his staff, non consensually. Sure Rey sets him straight, but there’s no apologies made after he knows better. It would be one thing if he had that fantasy but kept the thoughts to himself. But no, he speaks them. In turn Slade beats himself up for having this kink and also has issues “imposing” this on his ex-wife. He showed more regret and remorse for the consensual humiliation than the non consensual!
July 26, 2016
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Well, I'm still a devout member of the Church of Parker. This was a great book.
A lot of BDSM romance (I think this is more romance than erotica, I'm not sure what category Parker herself would put it into - it seemed to me there was less sex in this book than in India and Cris's books) writing feels passé, worn out by 50 Shades inertia and the desire to make a quick buck. Parker, however, writes the kink into believable stories with actual plot lines, with believable characters at their centre. It feels fresh where so much else simply doesn't.
In addition to feeling fresh Parker is just a great writer and this book is no exception to that rule. Her dialogue is modern and snappy and realistic. She puts you in the head of the hero of the piece and she’s very consistent with her characterization. If you want adjective heavy, metaphor laden writing, she isn’t your woman, her writing is straightforward but loses nothing for that clarity of objective.
True North is the story of Slade, the - to use the technical term – shit - who doesn't have the first idea what he's doing with BDSM other than that it's what he wants sexually. I like a story of a villain redeemed so this was right up my street.
It’s taken entirely from Slade’s perspective, which is fairly unusual in my experience. Often readers experience these things through the eyes of the woman, and thus the submissive, not so this time.
Slade is a great character. He’s pretty unlikeable, and I like the fact that Parker doesn’t try to make him into something he’s not in order to make him the hero. He’s an arrogant hard ass. However, when it comes to Pressly he has a soft spot. She’s the wife he always wanted, she’s perfect and funnily enough it’s because of that, that it all falls apart. There is no way he can reconcile his kink to the perfect, sweet woman he married and so they slowly fall apart.
Lost and taking it out on his colleagues, a now-married India [there is an amazing face off between Cris and Slade in this book, which is a fist pumping moment for all the Cris – fangurls out there] throws him a bone in the shape of Rey’s card.
Rey undertakes to teach Slade about what it really means to be dominant. And, to Slade’s enormous surprise, who does he find at the club Rey takes him to, but his perfect wife Pressly. Dressed up to the nines and apparently ensconced in the BDSM community.
What follows is Slade’s attempt to get his wife back. To reconcile the new image of his wife, the one he thought was never possible, perhaps even the one he never really wanted, to all his old assumptions. It’s not easy. Slade makes some huge missteps (I should just call a spade a spade: he acts like an asshole, after all that’s precisely what he is) but the story is all the more interesting and engaging for those missteps.
Where the story fell down for me was Pressly. It felt like an enormous gap in her story not to know how she’d come to find her way to BDSM and the humiliation kink specifically. Did she feel that way during their marriage? Did she come to it later? How much of it, if any, was driven by Slade? Perhaps that’s the way it’s going to go with a first person book, you’re always going to know the narrator best of all. Nonetheless I think Pressly’s journey could have been woven into the story to a much greater extent than it was. That element, which basically felt like a plot hole, loses this a star.
Cannot wait for the next one and REY’S BOOK GODDAMNIT GIVE IT TO ME NOW.
Well, I'm still a devout member of the Church of Parker. This was a great book.
A lot of BDSM romance (I think this is more romance than erotica, I'm not sure what category Parker herself would put it into - it seemed to me there was less sex in this book than in India and Cris's books) writing feels passé, worn out by 50 Shades inertia and the desire to make a quick buck. Parker, however, writes the kink into believable stories with actual plot lines, with believable characters at their centre. It feels fresh where so much else simply doesn't.
In addition to feeling fresh Parker is just a great writer and this book is no exception to that rule. Her dialogue is modern and snappy and realistic. She puts you in the head of the hero of the piece and she’s very consistent with her characterization. If you want adjective heavy, metaphor laden writing, she isn’t your woman, her writing is straightforward but loses nothing for that clarity of objective.
True North is the story of Slade, the - to use the technical term – shit - who doesn't have the first idea what he's doing with BDSM other than that it's what he wants sexually. I like a story of a villain redeemed so this was right up my street.
It’s taken entirely from Slade’s perspective, which is fairly unusual in my experience. Often readers experience these things through the eyes of the woman, and thus the submissive, not so this time.
Slade is a great character. He’s pretty unlikeable, and I like the fact that Parker doesn’t try to make him into something he’s not in order to make him the hero. He’s an arrogant hard ass. However, when it comes to Pressly he has a soft spot. She’s the wife he always wanted, she’s perfect and funnily enough it’s because of that, that it all falls apart. There is no way he can reconcile his kink to the perfect, sweet woman he married and so they slowly fall apart.
Lost and taking it out on his colleagues, a now-married India [there is an amazing face off between Cris and Slade in this book, which is a fist pumping moment for all the Cris – fangurls out there] throws him a bone in the shape of Rey’s card.
Rey undertakes to teach Slade about what it really means to be dominant. And, to Slade’s enormous surprise, who does he find at the club Rey takes him to, but his perfect wife Pressly. Dressed up to the nines and apparently ensconced in the BDSM community.
What follows is Slade’s attempt to get his wife back. To reconcile the new image of his wife, the one he thought was never possible, perhaps even the one he never really wanted, to all his old assumptions. It’s not easy. Slade makes some huge missteps (I should just call a spade a spade: he acts like an asshole, after all that’s precisely what he is) but the story is all the more interesting and engaging for those missteps.
Where the story fell down for me was Pressly. It felt like an enormous gap in her story not to know how she’d come to find her way to BDSM and the humiliation kink specifically. Did she feel that way during their marriage? Did she come to it later? How much of it, if any, was driven by Slade? Perhaps that’s the way it’s going to go with a first person book, you’re always going to know the narrator best of all. Nonetheless I think Pressly’s journey could have been woven into the story to a much greater extent than it was. That element, which basically felt like a plot hole, loses this a star.
Cannot wait for the next one and REY’S BOOK GODDAMNIT GIVE IT TO ME NOW.
July 26, 2016
How I hated Slade when reading Personal Geography, the 1st Compass installment. What I now know as crass and sloppiness came through as just plain violence and complete disregard to the BDSM base rules, and he wasn't nice to India.
But after reading Uncharted Territory and semi "liking" Hunter, I didn't doubt Tamsen Parker for one second and knew she'd make me fall absolutely and madly in love with Slade.
Communication is the key, guys.Read more...
Slade lost his wife to his stupidity and cowardice (yup, I totally went there) and when she asked him for a divorce, he granted it without even blinking an eye. While he loved her and knew she was the one for him, while he would have done everything in his power to make her happy. Because he believed she will be happier without him.
Men are such idiots.
So after six years of being alone, driven by his career and nothing more, he's getting the chance to live his lifelong dream and beat up a woman, make her feel like trash and degraded. Only this woman is India Burke. Ohhh yeah! Big mistake. Kind of (she does get what she wanted, after all) Because the 2nd time they meet, several months after, she's married, and he's... well, yup - you guessed it. An idiot.
Enters Crispin Ardmore (gah! I lubs him) and with the a wink to his wife, they hook Slade up with Rey. REEEEYYYYY!!!!!!!
Rey, being Rey, is amazing, funny, witty, tough and all around awesome. And he figures Slade out. And helps him. And I know (from before, and if you don't, pick up the previous 3 books now) that when Rey helps someone, it's fun fun fun!
Lo and behold, part of Slade's Dom training is in a men's club. And not just any men's club - one in DC called the Black House. (love ya, Tamsen, you're cheeky). And they do naughty things there. And they get army style initiation. Ok, not really... but Rey is involved, so you know - there is one:
"Did you say something about an initiation?"
"I did indeed, my toppy little acolyte. I did indeed."
*unf* gimme some Rey.
I digress, though, because it's also where Slade first sees Pressly, his ex-wife, after six whole years.
You can guess (no, you really can't) the rest. But in case you can't, here's a little teaser:
That's right, I can still have a vocabulary even when I'm talking dirty to my half-naked and kneeling ex-wife. A bigger moan this time, confirmation I've nailed it with my dirty talk. Holy hell, how is this my life?
Having said all that while saying not much at all... let me just say that the way Parker brings a sense of healing and peace to her characters through play is amazing. Reading her books is like puzzle pieces falling into place while still having so much freakin' fun.
But after reading Uncharted Territory and semi "liking" Hunter, I didn't doubt Tamsen Parker for one second and knew she'd make me fall absolutely and madly in love with Slade.
Communication is the key, guys.Read more...
Slade lost his wife to his stupidity and cowardice (yup, I totally went there) and when she asked him for a divorce, he granted it without even blinking an eye. While he loved her and knew she was the one for him, while he would have done everything in his power to make her happy. Because he believed she will be happier without him.
Men are such idiots.
So after six years of being alone, driven by his career and nothing more, he's getting the chance to live his lifelong dream and beat up a woman, make her feel like trash and degraded. Only this woman is India Burke. Ohhh yeah! Big mistake. Kind of (she does get what she wanted, after all) Because the 2nd time they meet, several months after, she's married, and he's... well, yup - you guessed it. An idiot.
Enters Crispin Ardmore (gah! I lubs him) and with the a wink to his wife, they hook Slade up with Rey. REEEEYYYYY!!!!!!!
Rey, being Rey, is amazing, funny, witty, tough and all around awesome. And he figures Slade out. And helps him. And I know (from before, and if you don't, pick up the previous 3 books now) that when Rey helps someone, it's fun fun fun!
Lo and behold, part of Slade's Dom training is in a men's club. And not just any men's club - one in DC called the Black House. (love ya, Tamsen, you're cheeky). And they do naughty things there. And they get army style initiation. Ok, not really... but Rey is involved, so you know - there is one:
"Did you say something about an initiation?"
"I did indeed, my toppy little acolyte. I did indeed."
*unf* gimme some Rey.
I digress, though, because it's also where Slade first sees Pressly, his ex-wife, after six whole years.
You can guess (no, you really can't) the rest. But in case you can't, here's a little teaser:
That's right, I can still have a vocabulary even when I'm talking dirty to my half-naked and kneeling ex-wife. A bigger moan this time, confirmation I've nailed it with my dirty talk. Holy hell, how is this my life?
Having said all that while saying not much at all... let me just say that the way Parker brings a sense of healing and peace to her characters through play is amazing. Reading her books is like puzzle pieces falling into place while still having so much freakin' fun.
December 20, 2016
I was actually fairly dubious about how a story centered on Slade would even work, given just how unlikable he was in the first book, and unfortunately my misgivings were right on the money. I just don't find Slade sympathetic, because as much as the author tries to give nuance to his behavior, it still shades too close to misogynistic for me. Not so much in his relationship with Pressly, but the casual asides of his abusive behavior to his employees (who don't have the option of using safewords with him) just grossed me out. And, as in the earlier books in this series, there was a shade of "Not All Women" in the way secondary female characters were treated, in that when you do see Slade interacting respectfully with women, we're immediately assured of how COMPETENT these women are, that these women are Special and therefore worthy of Slade treating them with respect. From a plot perspective I understand having it be from his POV only, but all the same I think the book would've really benefited from seeing things from Pressly's perspective, having us see her as an actual character in her own right, rather than the object of Slade's desires.
June 13, 2016
Meh. This book was okay but didn't really hold my interest. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I don't think it really mattered much. The whole book is from the man's POV, which normally I LOVE, but not at all in this case. Slade whines more than anything else. He also has zero confidence which is a total turn off. I actually did like Pressley but all he does is reject her but she just keeps coming back for more!
I wanted to like this, really I did. Didn't quite work out though.
*I received a copy of this book to review from NetGalley.
I wanted to like this, really I did. Didn't quite work out though.
*I received a copy of this book to review from NetGalley.
June 14, 2016
Slade seems like an ass...and a huge one at that. He and Presley had a genuine loving relationship. They love each other, but Slade is missing something! He feels shame about it and pushes her away to protect her. Six years later he has an encounter that he can not believe and decided to take a plunge into an unknown world. This story was eehhhh...so..so. just feel like there could have been more. Slow build and it kind of lingered in limbo for a while...oh well, off to the next!
I received this ARC from the publisher via Net Galley for my honest review.
I received this ARC from the publisher via Net Galley for my honest review.
July 27, 2016
At first I was confused as to who this book was about but as I read more of the story I started remembering who Slade Lewis was. The hardass from the other Compass series novels and the guy I didn’t really high opinion of. Until this novel went and changed my mind! This story blew away all of my preconceived notions about this guy and I’m so happy that I got to read his story!
Slade Lewis is mean. He enjoys cutting people down and watching them shrink to the size of an inch. But at the same time he hates it. What is wrong with him? Why does he like to do this to people? Why does he want nothing more than to call his wife a dirty whore and watch as her face crumbs with tears as she begs for more? But he won’t do that to his perfect wife, whom he loves more than life itself. He will do them both a favor and push her away before she gets hurt. But now six years later he feels like he’s drowning. Nowhere to go and no one to hold on to, he sits adrift. Until an unlikely ally comes out of the darkness and shows him that no matter what type of kink you are into, everyone is welcome. And after he embraces his new way of life, he is flabbergasted to see that his prim and perfect ex-wife is into the same kink that he so desperately tried to hide all those years ago. Can they come together for a second chance at love? Or will old insecurities and pride get in the way of their happily ever after?
Pressly Allwyn is a good girl. Her family raised her with the single purpose of being a political man’s trophy wife. Helping him succeed in all of his endeavors. Making him look good. Never doing anything to bring shame to him or her family. She wasn’t allowed to have wants and if anything, she lucked out with her husband because he treated her like a treasure. Until he turned distant and cold. Six years later she finally has the life she wants…kind of. She still misses her ex-husband but she will be damned if she is ever taken for granted again. So when he shows up in her life again, she is thrown for a loop. Can they navigate their new relationship through discretion and leaving each other alone once the scene is done? Or will their uneasy truce blow up in their faces when past truths come to light?
I adored this plot. It was intertwined with Slade’s work but the main focus was his relationship with Pressly; no ex’s, no crazy drama, just good ol’ relationship challenges! They complimented each other well and I loved that neither of them wanted to hurt each other. I also loved that this novel was also told entirely from Slade’s first person point of view! It would’ve been awesome to get Pressly’s point of view but at the same time, Slade’s point of view made this novel that much more unique!
Ultimately, this was another great novel in the Compass series! I wasn’t anticipating this couple’s story, nor was a completely thrilled to get their story, but I’m so glad I gave them a chance because it is a fantastic tale! All in all, if you are in the mood for a hero who is just as twisted as his heroine then come check out True North!!!
You can find this review and many more here: http://butterfly-o-meter.com/
Slade Lewis is mean. He enjoys cutting people down and watching them shrink to the size of an inch. But at the same time he hates it. What is wrong with him? Why does he like to do this to people? Why does he want nothing more than to call his wife a dirty whore and watch as her face crumbs with tears as she begs for more? But he won’t do that to his perfect wife, whom he loves more than life itself. He will do them both a favor and push her away before she gets hurt. But now six years later he feels like he’s drowning. Nowhere to go and no one to hold on to, he sits adrift. Until an unlikely ally comes out of the darkness and shows him that no matter what type of kink you are into, everyone is welcome. And after he embraces his new way of life, he is flabbergasted to see that his prim and perfect ex-wife is into the same kink that he so desperately tried to hide all those years ago. Can they come together for a second chance at love? Or will old insecurities and pride get in the way of their happily ever after?
Pressly Allwyn is a good girl. Her family raised her with the single purpose of being a political man’s trophy wife. Helping him succeed in all of his endeavors. Making him look good. Never doing anything to bring shame to him or her family. She wasn’t allowed to have wants and if anything, she lucked out with her husband because he treated her like a treasure. Until he turned distant and cold. Six years later she finally has the life she wants…kind of. She still misses her ex-husband but she will be damned if she is ever taken for granted again. So when he shows up in her life again, she is thrown for a loop. Can they navigate their new relationship through discretion and leaving each other alone once the scene is done? Or will their uneasy truce blow up in their faces when past truths come to light?
I adored this plot. It was intertwined with Slade’s work but the main focus was his relationship with Pressly; no ex’s, no crazy drama, just good ol’ relationship challenges! They complimented each other well and I loved that neither of them wanted to hurt each other. I also loved that this novel was also told entirely from Slade’s first person point of view! It would’ve been awesome to get Pressly’s point of view but at the same time, Slade’s point of view made this novel that much more unique!
Ultimately, this was another great novel in the Compass series! I wasn’t anticipating this couple’s story, nor was a completely thrilled to get their story, but I’m so glad I gave them a chance because it is a fantastic tale! All in all, if you are in the mood for a hero who is just as twisted as his heroine then come check out True North!!!
You can find this review and many more here: http://butterfly-o-meter.com/
July 22, 2016
True North, (The Compass 4), Tamsen Parker
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance,
I'm really getting into this series now from a somewhat tentative start, and love Tamsen’s writing style. It’s a story that draws you in, real characters, believable plots and of course lots and lots of hot, erotic sex. The well written kind, not the squirky, twee, mealy mouthed sort . I've been compiling a list of stomach churning sex terms – none here thankfully, but at the weekend I read one novel where, I kid you not, the terms “curls of her divide, her pleasure point, sliding his enormity into her...” were used.... I’ve also found fluttering, quivering openings, and man meat/man muscles, mushroom caps in other reads. I just can’t take a romance seriously when things like that crop up, and thank goodness Tamsen doesn’t do that. Sniggering when you should be rapt with sensuality just isn’t right!
Anyway – enough of that – this book. Well, I recall Slade from ( I think ) book 2. I love the way authors can create a whole story from a character, who’s almost a fleeting thought in an earlier book, and it was great to see more of him, see why he was so obnoxious to people. Boy was he that, and as for poor Pressley, well the wonderful Reyes soon put him right.
India, I’ve had issues with her but she was generous enough, even after how she’d been treated, to tell him he needed professional advice...well, in her own way, she was hurting in more ways than one at the time.
That intrigued Slade. Could there really be more people with his needs, was he really not so weird, different, someone who needed to be avoided?When I realised how he felt about himself it all made sense, and though I hated the way he’d been treating people, once I understood him I had more sympathy. I’m glad he wasn’t my boss though.
Then he meets Reyes, and Rey doesn’t stand for any nonsense from him, lays his conditions on the line while reassuring him he isn’t weird, a pervert, but someone with specific needs, which he has to learn to control. He makes it clear one step out of line and he’s alone again. Then Rey takes him to a club where he gets a huge surprise...massive!
It gives him a second chance, and I loved the way he tried so hard, struggled, loved the way Pressley had changed, had grown more sure of herself, and the struggles when politics got caught in the play. I love the way all this takes place over months, so many books cram huge changes in the characters lives into a few weeks, even just a few days sometimes and for me that just isn’t believable, that you can change habits and inclinations of years in such a short time.
A great read, made richer by the tantalising glimpses of the wonderful Reyes – I am so, so eager to read his story. From the first book I’ve found him so intriguing and I’m so keen to know more about him. And Matthew too of course, that's one relationship that's kind of hung out before the reader, dangled but kept very elusive, nothing is really given away. Are they lovers, emotionally or physically, or is it a D/s relationship only. I need to read more of Rey ASAP Tamsen!
Stars: Five, a cracking read.
ARC supplied by Author
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance,
I'm really getting into this series now from a somewhat tentative start, and love Tamsen’s writing style. It’s a story that draws you in, real characters, believable plots and of course lots and lots of hot, erotic sex. The well written kind, not the squirky, twee, mealy mouthed sort . I've been compiling a list of stomach churning sex terms – none here thankfully, but at the weekend I read one novel where, I kid you not, the terms “curls of her divide, her pleasure point, sliding his enormity into her...” were used.... I’ve also found fluttering, quivering openings, and man meat/man muscles, mushroom caps in other reads. I just can’t take a romance seriously when things like that crop up, and thank goodness Tamsen doesn’t do that. Sniggering when you should be rapt with sensuality just isn’t right!
Anyway – enough of that – this book. Well, I recall Slade from ( I think ) book 2. I love the way authors can create a whole story from a character, who’s almost a fleeting thought in an earlier book, and it was great to see more of him, see why he was so obnoxious to people. Boy was he that, and as for poor Pressley, well the wonderful Reyes soon put him right.
India, I’ve had issues with her but she was generous enough, even after how she’d been treated, to tell him he needed professional advice...well, in her own way, she was hurting in more ways than one at the time.
That intrigued Slade. Could there really be more people with his needs, was he really not so weird, different, someone who needed to be avoided?When I realised how he felt about himself it all made sense, and though I hated the way he’d been treating people, once I understood him I had more sympathy. I’m glad he wasn’t my boss though.
Then he meets Reyes, and Rey doesn’t stand for any nonsense from him, lays his conditions on the line while reassuring him he isn’t weird, a pervert, but someone with specific needs, which he has to learn to control. He makes it clear one step out of line and he’s alone again. Then Rey takes him to a club where he gets a huge surprise...massive!
It gives him a second chance, and I loved the way he tried so hard, struggled, loved the way Pressley had changed, had grown more sure of herself, and the struggles when politics got caught in the play. I love the way all this takes place over months, so many books cram huge changes in the characters lives into a few weeks, even just a few days sometimes and for me that just isn’t believable, that you can change habits and inclinations of years in such a short time.
A great read, made richer by the tantalising glimpses of the wonderful Reyes – I am so, so eager to read his story. From the first book I’ve found him so intriguing and I’m so keen to know more about him. And Matthew too of course, that's one relationship that's kind of hung out before the reader, dangled but kept very elusive, nothing is really given away. Are they lovers, emotionally or physically, or is it a D/s relationship only. I need to read more of Rey ASAP Tamsen!
Stars: Five, a cracking read.
ARC supplied by Author
November 18, 2016
This was the first Tamsen Parker novel I've read, so I didn't have an previous experience with Slade's character or the series and came into this book with a fresh mind and no expectations.
Slade has a high ranking position in D.C., has been divorced from his ex-wife Pressley for 6 years and recently had a one-night stand in which he finally got to be himself in the bedroom. He divorced Pressley for all the right reasons in theory since he wanted to protect her, but he never really gave her a chance to see if she would be up for the things he was interested in. Turns out, she was perfect for him, he just didn't know it until he saw her at Reyes kink club. Now he's trying to win her back.
Slade was an interesting character. He was obviously hot and powerful, but he seemed to lack confidence in himself. He didn't believe he could be what a woman wanted since he had a thing for humiliating women in the bedroom. The last thing he wanted was to really hurt a woman and that's understandable and makes him at least a halfway decent man. Luckily, Reyes was there for him and made him look at things a bit more rationally so that he could get outside of his head. I did think Slade was a total idiot towards the end. He made way too many assumptions, was a coward and went about things the wrong way to win Pressley's love. He redeemed himself, but not before you wanted to punch him in the throat.
Pressley was quite a surprise. I expected her to be meek, but she was surprisingly strong, playful and a bit of a 'freak in the bed' despite her debutante appearance. I think she did overreact at the end of the book when she pushed Slade away, but after all she went through in their marriage, it's understandable why she took a bit longer to trust him again.
Now that I've read this book, I'm going to go back and read the others in the series to get India's story. I would recommend this book if you're into BDSM/kink novels that also have some substance to them.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Slade has a high ranking position in D.C., has been divorced from his ex-wife Pressley for 6 years and recently had a one-night stand in which he finally got to be himself in the bedroom. He divorced Pressley for all the right reasons in theory since he wanted to protect her, but he never really gave her a chance to see if she would be up for the things he was interested in. Turns out, she was perfect for him, he just didn't know it until he saw her at Reyes kink club. Now he's trying to win her back.
Slade was an interesting character. He was obviously hot and powerful, but he seemed to lack confidence in himself. He didn't believe he could be what a woman wanted since he had a thing for humiliating women in the bedroom. The last thing he wanted was to really hurt a woman and that's understandable and makes him at least a halfway decent man. Luckily, Reyes was there for him and made him look at things a bit more rationally so that he could get outside of his head. I did think Slade was a total idiot towards the end. He made way too many assumptions, was a coward and went about things the wrong way to win Pressley's love. He redeemed himself, but not before you wanted to punch him in the throat.
Pressley was quite a surprise. I expected her to be meek, but she was surprisingly strong, playful and a bit of a 'freak in the bed' despite her debutante appearance. I think she did overreact at the end of the book when she pushed Slade away, but after all she went through in their marriage, it's understandable why she took a bit longer to trust him again.
Now that I've read this book, I'm going to go back and read the others in the series to get India's story. I would recommend this book if you're into BDSM/kink novels that also have some substance to them.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
September 2, 2016
Full review at www.bookcrack.com
4.5 STARS
True North is the fourth book in Tamsen Parker’s The Compass series, but I enjoyed it as a standalone on the recommendation of another trusted blogger, and wasn’t disappointed. I tried to make this a quick review, but with Parker making 3 books work into 1 masterful stand alone conclusion, True North demands I do this justice.
Redemption of a character is one of my favorite romance troupes, but damn it’s SOOOO tricky to pull off the right balance of asshat to hero, ESPECIALLY in one book. Tamsen Parker made a fan out of me with the way she masterfully managed to catch me, a complete newbie, up in 1 book, by not only convincing me her hero, Slade Lewis, was an epically brash, blustery, angry, scared Washington DC alpha, but also a man worth sticking with to see if he deserves the love of his life back.
I didn’t like Slade; despite that, I liked the story of his redemption. I especially loved how his ex-wife was portrayed as a strong woman who had already conquered her demons and how she helps him (opposite dynamic of their personal kinks) come to terms with getting in touch w/his emotions and his BDSM needs. His mentor Reyes steals the show.
Sade Lewis is an asshat of epic proportions who has a "come to Jesus" moment realizing that he must "get right" with himself. A blowhard in a difficult Washington DC political world, Slade seeks out the help of a well connected, enigmatic "mentor" and discovers there is a safe, sane and consensual way for him to approach his needs only to find his ex-wife had kinky secrets of her own. Could she possibly want him after everything? Is he worthy of her now, and is he willing to be even more vulnerable than he's already been to win her back?
Highly recommended! Can't wait for Reyes' book!
4.5 STARS
True North is the fourth book in Tamsen Parker’s The Compass series, but I enjoyed it as a standalone on the recommendation of another trusted blogger, and wasn’t disappointed. I tried to make this a quick review, but with Parker making 3 books work into 1 masterful stand alone conclusion, True North demands I do this justice.
Redemption of a character is one of my favorite romance troupes, but damn it’s SOOOO tricky to pull off the right balance of asshat to hero, ESPECIALLY in one book. Tamsen Parker made a fan out of me with the way she masterfully managed to catch me, a complete newbie, up in 1 book, by not only convincing me her hero, Slade Lewis, was an epically brash, blustery, angry, scared Washington DC alpha, but also a man worth sticking with to see if he deserves the love of his life back.
I didn’t like Slade; despite that, I liked the story of his redemption. I especially loved how his ex-wife was portrayed as a strong woman who had already conquered her demons and how she helps him (opposite dynamic of their personal kinks) come to terms with getting in touch w/his emotions and his BDSM needs. His mentor Reyes steals the show.
Sade Lewis is an asshat of epic proportions who has a "come to Jesus" moment realizing that he must "get right" with himself. A blowhard in a difficult Washington DC political world, Slade seeks out the help of a well connected, enigmatic "mentor" and discovers there is a safe, sane and consensual way for him to approach his needs only to find his ex-wife had kinky secrets of her own. Could she possibly want him after everything? Is he worthy of her now, and is he willing to be even more vulnerable than he's already been to win her back?
Highly recommended! Can't wait for Reyes' book!
June 25, 2016
This book was quite the surprise and all in a good way. This author has the unique ability to teach me something new without me realizing I am learning something. Slade Lewis is a politician divorced from the love of his life because he couldn’t bear the thought of treating her the way he treated most others in his life. With derision and humiliation. Unfortunately, his verbal abuse of his staff has become well known and is starting to interfere with his career but Slade knows no other way to cope. Until he discovers that the need to debase someone is a kink that others share and that done correctly, both parties enjoy it. At the club he attends, he discovers Pressly, his ex-wife and he wants her back.
At first, it is really hard to like Slade. He has goals of being a good politician and doing the right thing for voters but he yells at his staff and belittles them to deal with the stress of negotiating votes from other senators. But as he learns to find other ways to let off steam and treat his staff with respect, the reader slowly grows sympathetic to him and his quest to get his ex-wife back. His growth is impressive and admirable. Many challenges are thrown in his path and all things considered, he does a great job of handling things and you want him to succeed.
This was a difficult subject to write about but the fact that as a reader you find yourself rooting for a person who was quite despicable at the beginning, it is done exceptionally well. I found myself not just curious about the characters but the details as well. This was a fascinating story and I highly recommend it.
At first, it is really hard to like Slade. He has goals of being a good politician and doing the right thing for voters but he yells at his staff and belittles them to deal with the stress of negotiating votes from other senators. But as he learns to find other ways to let off steam and treat his staff with respect, the reader slowly grows sympathetic to him and his quest to get his ex-wife back. His growth is impressive and admirable. Many challenges are thrown in his path and all things considered, he does a great job of handling things and you want him to succeed.
This was a difficult subject to write about but the fact that as a reader you find yourself rooting for a person who was quite despicable at the beginning, it is done exceptionally well. I found myself not just curious about the characters but the details as well. This was a fascinating story and I highly recommend it.
June 23, 2016
4 STARS
Received ARC in exchange of an honest review
There are some spoilers ahead
First thing I liked about this book was ity was from male pov entirely which is rare.
Second thing is that the male is not potrayed as SEXY ,HOT, arrogant,women pouncing all over him , and then the lady of the book making an honest man out of him. No.
Slade and Pressly were married for seven years and slade love her with all her life but there was a part of him he could not express before pressly for he was ashamed of it which lead to him driving her to think that she was just a political wife (senators well groomed southern daughter) which eventually leads to a divorce.
Six years of celibate life later he meets a colleague who attracts him and shares the same kink(which won't be mentioned by me). Then he is introduced into the world of bdsm.
Here he meets his ex wife pressly and is sho ked to know she shares the same kink as him.
From here she is his partner she helps him in his training as she still trusts him with herself
What I liked was that slade no matter what always looked for his wife's approval , his wife's words of encouragement. This is the kind of love shown in the book where the man knows and accepts that he is not perfect, he's not full of himself and arrogant and add to it the class differences between him and his wife. Pressly is the one teaching him the cheat codes of political world. He is not afraid to show his nerves to his wife but he can't say his deepest darkest desire to her because he is afraid he will hurt her physically.
Received ARC in exchange of an honest review
There are some spoilers ahead
First thing I liked about this book was ity was from male pov entirely which is rare.
Second thing is that the male is not potrayed as SEXY ,HOT, arrogant,women pouncing all over him , and then the lady of the book making an honest man out of him. No.
Slade and Pressly were married for seven years and slade love her with all her life but there was a part of him he could not express before pressly for he was ashamed of it which lead to him driving her to think that she was just a political wife (senators well groomed southern daughter) which eventually leads to a divorce.
Six years of celibate life later he meets a colleague who attracts him and shares the same kink(which won't be mentioned by me). Then he is introduced into the world of bdsm.
Here he meets his ex wife pressly and is sho ked to know she shares the same kink as him.
From here she is his partner she helps him in his training as she still trusts him with herself
What I liked was that slade no matter what always looked for his wife's approval , his wife's words of encouragement. This is the kind of love shown in the book where the man knows and accepts that he is not perfect, he's not full of himself and arrogant and add to it the class differences between him and his wife. Pressly is the one teaching him the cheat codes of political world. He is not afraid to show his nerves to his wife but he can't say his deepest darkest desire to her because he is afraid he will hurt her physically.
July 27, 2016
Okay. I seriously devoured this book. I really love this series because it not only has very hot men, it also has brilliant career women that embrace their sexuality. For me, that's what makes it the most appealing and steamy!
After a divorce neither of them wanted, Slade and Pressly separately find their pleasure with the help of Reyes, datemaker for his kinky clients and tutor to those new to the world of kink.
It's Slade that has the most difficulty accepting the things he likes to do, and he's pretty clueless about how that contributed to the destruction of his marriage. When he runs into his wife at The Black House, the passion Pressly and Slade had for each other hasn't died out...yet.
I loved that this book was from Slade's point of view. I think that really made it for me. It was lovely to get inside his head and realize how much he still loved his ex-wife. That made for a very sweet love story.
While Pressly is interested, she's also been burned by Slade -- and she's going to protect her heart. Engaging in BDSM scenes is one thing, giving her heart away is something entirely different. My heart hurt for both of them. I just loved the emotional punch of this story.
This is a great addition to The Compass series. The writing is great, the emotions are fine tuned. I would have liked to see some of Slade's training in more detail though, especially since the reader only gets his point of view. (which I loved)
ARC provided for review.
After a divorce neither of them wanted, Slade and Pressly separately find their pleasure with the help of Reyes, datemaker for his kinky clients and tutor to those new to the world of kink.
It's Slade that has the most difficulty accepting the things he likes to do, and he's pretty clueless about how that contributed to the destruction of his marriage. When he runs into his wife at The Black House, the passion Pressly and Slade had for each other hasn't died out...yet.
I loved that this book was from Slade's point of view. I think that really made it for me. It was lovely to get inside his head and realize how much he still loved his ex-wife. That made for a very sweet love story.
While Pressly is interested, she's also been burned by Slade -- and she's going to protect her heart. Engaging in BDSM scenes is one thing, giving her heart away is something entirely different. My heart hurt for both of them. I just loved the emotional punch of this story.
This is a great addition to The Compass series. The writing is great, the emotions are fine tuned. I would have liked to see some of Slade's training in more detail though, especially since the reader only gets his point of view. (which I loved)
ARC provided for review.
October 3, 2016
This is the first book I have read in the series, so for the first 15% or so, I had a hard time catching up on the references to what came before. However, once Slade and Presslyn started their own reconnection in earnest, the plot became much easier to follow (for the most part- more on that later).
Slade is so damaged, and complex, and at his age...powerful, and the combination is incineratingly hot. The story is only told through his POV, and his transformation/growith and challenges are so well-done by the author. He is less a hero, than a main character. And although he finds an outlet for his proclivities, he does not become a different person, which is quite wonderful in the context of the story. Presslyn doesn't get as much airtime, and we don't get into her headspace, and I connected with her, less. However, her particular brand of spice becomes almost the third character, and to be honest, I wanted more of that, although it was at the end, realizing the story was over. There was no lack of steam; I'm just greedy and apparently into what Slade and Presslyn are into, more than I thought. Part of the plot did seem to jump out, out of nowhere- to the point I was almost tempted to go back and reread, to see what I had missed. But I don't think I did miss anything. I was provided with an ecopy of this book; this in no way affected my review.
Slade is so damaged, and complex, and at his age...powerful, and the combination is incineratingly hot. The story is only told through his POV, and his transformation/growith and challenges are so well-done by the author. He is less a hero, than a main character. And although he finds an outlet for his proclivities, he does not become a different person, which is quite wonderful in the context of the story. Presslyn doesn't get as much airtime, and we don't get into her headspace, and I connected with her, less. However, her particular brand of spice becomes almost the third character, and to be honest, I wanted more of that, although it was at the end, realizing the story was over. There was no lack of steam; I'm just greedy and apparently into what Slade and Presslyn are into, more than I thought. Part of the plot did seem to jump out, out of nowhere- to the point I was almost tempted to go back and reread, to see what I had missed. But I don't think I did miss anything. I was provided with an ecopy of this book; this in no way affected my review.
May 14, 2017
You've Slade me!
Slade Lewis! Fucking hell! I was so pissed of at him when he told India off, but now I'm ready to give him anything he wants for just 5 minutes with him in the Black House. Tamsen Parker has done it again. She woven white the tale and made us all hot & bothered as well.
Good gracious are we all wanting to slap Slade upside the head one minute and then swoon like greedy sluts the next! Slade is on a mission to discover the truths of himself in the world of kink and win back his wife Press. She is trying to determine should she risk her heart again and teach her old dog some new tricks. I rooted so hard for them right next Rey Walters. He's here to cheer them on and offer blockhead Slade some guidance. All in all I can't get enough.
This story has me in tears of laughter, gasping, cheering, loving, and even a bit mad as hell. It was even a little angsty that my kindle had to go in the freezer. But Parker wrapped up this stormy and made me so in love with these characters, old and new.
Slade Lewis! Fucking hell! I was so pissed of at him when he told India off, but now I'm ready to give him anything he wants for just 5 minutes with him in the Black House. Tamsen Parker has done it again. She woven white the tale and made us all hot & bothered as well.
Good gracious are we all wanting to slap Slade upside the head one minute and then swoon like greedy sluts the next! Slade is on a mission to discover the truths of himself in the world of kink and win back his wife Press. She is trying to determine should she risk her heart again and teach her old dog some new tricks. I rooted so hard for them right next Rey Walters. He's here to cheer them on and offer blockhead Slade some guidance. All in all I can't get enough.
This story has me in tears of laughter, gasping, cheering, loving, and even a bit mad as hell. It was even a little angsty that my kindle had to go in the freezer. But Parker wrapped up this stormy and made me so in love with these characters, old and new.
June 14, 2016
Slade and Presley are in a position of...'you don't know what you've got till it's gone'...since their divorce, Slade has always thought of Presley as his sweet little innocent wife. But when he sees her again at a BDSM club, it throws him for a loop and his possessive side shines almost as brightly as she does. She is sweetness and light and almost fairy-like at the club, but her kinks match his own in ways he never knew possible. So through training and patience Slade may have the opportunity to play with Presley, but will his demons keep him from thinking he is worthy?
There is so much more to this than just a BDSM story...it's about learning to be honest with yourself and talking things out, instead of running from your fears. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautiful love story of acceptance and healing and understanding. #oneclick #mustread #fivestars #bdsm #kinkisfun #safesaneconsensual
There is so much more to this than just a BDSM story...it's about learning to be honest with yourself and talking things out, instead of running from your fears. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautiful love story of acceptance and healing and understanding. #oneclick #mustread #fivestars #bdsm #kinkisfun #safesaneconsensual
June 24, 2016
I received an ARC of True North. What I love about this book is that the readers feel like he/she is sitting at a table having a conversation with Slade. He is telling you this story because you are someone he can trust with his perceived shortcomings.
Slade and Pressly divorced because he drove her away with his distance in the relationship. What he never told her, and what she never told him were their hidden desires. When they come face to face with each other in a kink setting they both are now embracing and trying to embrace, they begin to learn so much more about the other.
Another thing I love about this book is while Slade might try to come off as an Alpha, he's a real guy who has some real hang ups that are overtaking his life.
The opportunity to explore Slade's mind is both hilarious and heartwarming as he and Pressly explore each other in a way they didn't know was possible.
Slade and Pressly divorced because he drove her away with his distance in the relationship. What he never told her, and what she never told him were their hidden desires. When they come face to face with each other in a kink setting they both are now embracing and trying to embrace, they begin to learn so much more about the other.
Another thing I love about this book is while Slade might try to come off as an Alpha, he's a real guy who has some real hang ups that are overtaking his life.
The opportunity to explore Slade's mind is both hilarious and heartwarming as he and Pressly explore each other in a way they didn't know was possible.
March 21, 2018
One of those rare books I enjoyed reading a second time. This book is all written from the male perspective and highlights the problems he has with his particular brand of kink: humiliating other people. Slade Lewis is a bastard of a politician, although his intentions are good. He had his wife divorce him, because he was scared he might hurt her, as he became aware of his violent tendencies and his need to hurt and humiliate other people. This book describes the hurdles he had to overcome, to allow himself and Pressly to enjoy their kink in safe and consensual manner. Mainly thanks to an all knowing coach and of course the fact that Pressly is one in a million, who keeps hoping he'll do better. Slade knows he's not good enough for her, but he'll die trying to become what she deserves and give her all the opportunities she craves to be a hot little slut underneath her prim and proper southern belle appearances.
July 3, 2016
A steamy story about second-chances and redemption!
Wow, Slade and Pressley melt your panties in True North. Slade is a man who wasn't sure of himself, and was a bit of an a$$h@!e to his wife Pressley back when they were married. What Pressley wasn't privy to was the fact that Slade was just holding himself back from who he really was. Years later, these two cross paths at an exclusive BDSM club, and will they discover that they have more in common than just their shared taboo kink?
True North is sexy and sassy, I loved how they both seemed to grow as people, and are willing to give each other another chance. The story is easy to follow, and while I wasn't a fan of Slade in the beginning, he definitely grew on me. I cannot wait to read more from Ms. Parker, True North will definitely not be the last I read from her.
Wow, Slade and Pressley melt your panties in True North. Slade is a man who wasn't sure of himself, and was a bit of an a$$h@!e to his wife Pressley back when they were married. What Pressley wasn't privy to was the fact that Slade was just holding himself back from who he really was. Years later, these two cross paths at an exclusive BDSM club, and will they discover that they have more in common than just their shared taboo kink?
True North is sexy and sassy, I loved how they both seemed to grow as people, and are willing to give each other another chance. The story is easy to follow, and while I wasn't a fan of Slade in the beginning, he definitely grew on me. I cannot wait to read more from Ms. Parker, True North will definitely not be the last I read from her.
August 17, 2016
I'm going to say that my opinion is clearly against the majority of reviewers with this book which usually isn't the case. I did not finish this book, only getting about 25% of the way through before giving up.
I couldn't relate to Slade at all. Here he is happily in love with his wife, but spends months pushing her away because he feels something is missing from their relationship. I wanted to slap him and say man the F* up! If you're not happy, then ask for a divorce. I thought it was completely wrong for him to spend months pushing her away and hurting her for his own desires. Beyond that, I couldn't relate to his low self confidence coupled with the fact that he wanted to become a dominant.
This book just wasn't for me at all, but I think it had great potential.
** ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
I couldn't relate to Slade at all. Here he is happily in love with his wife, but spends months pushing her away because he feels something is missing from their relationship. I wanted to slap him and say man the F* up! If you're not happy, then ask for a divorce. I thought it was completely wrong for him to spend months pushing her away and hurting her for his own desires. Beyond that, I couldn't relate to his low self confidence coupled with the fact that he wanted to become a dominant.
This book just wasn't for me at all, but I think it had great potential.
** ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
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