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Mitch & Vanessa #1
Into the Fire
Their love is too hot to touch.
MITCH
Former Marine Michelle “Mitch” Cruise has already lived through the most harrowing moments of her life. Between a kidnapping in Iraq and losing her family’s home to wildfires, she’s convinced that there is nothing left to harm her.
But there is also nothing to fill the void in her dissociative life.
It makes her the perfect candidate for a golden opportunity. There is a woman – a rich woman – searching for a month-long girlfriend. Mitch isn’t naïve. She knows what this woman wants. So happens that Mitch is in the position to endure it.
She never, ever counts on falling in love with reclusive heiress Vanessa – to the point she’ll lay down her life for her mistress.
VANESSA
One by one, the members of Vanessa’s family have disappeared into the afterlife. The man calling the hits has driven her into hiding, where her only friends are her cold-shoulder staff and the husband-wife security team who know everything about her life.
Including who she invites into her home.
When Mitch arrives, distant and aloof, Vanessa is instantly intrigued. She’s never met such a strong woman before, and the electric attraction between them brings new meaning to the kind of domineering love Vanessa has been making. In Mitch she finds the other half she’s been searching for. The woman who isn’t afraid to face danger while understanding what trauma does to the heart.
Too bad Vanessa’s oldest threat is so close, it’s bursting from within her own sanctuary.
Too bad she’s dragged the new love of her life into open fire.
MITCH
Former Marine Michelle “Mitch” Cruise has already lived through the most harrowing moments of her life. Between a kidnapping in Iraq and losing her family’s home to wildfires, she’s convinced that there is nothing left to harm her.
But there is also nothing to fill the void in her dissociative life.
It makes her the perfect candidate for a golden opportunity. There is a woman – a rich woman – searching for a month-long girlfriend. Mitch isn’t naïve. She knows what this woman wants. So happens that Mitch is in the position to endure it.
She never, ever counts on falling in love with reclusive heiress Vanessa – to the point she’ll lay down her life for her mistress.
VANESSA
One by one, the members of Vanessa’s family have disappeared into the afterlife. The man calling the hits has driven her into hiding, where her only friends are her cold-shoulder staff and the husband-wife security team who know everything about her life.
Including who she invites into her home.
When Mitch arrives, distant and aloof, Vanessa is instantly intrigued. She’s never met such a strong woman before, and the electric attraction between them brings new meaning to the kind of domineering love Vanessa has been making. In Mitch she finds the other half she’s been searching for. The woman who isn’t afraid to face danger while understanding what trauma does to the heart.
Too bad Vanessa’s oldest threat is so close, it’s bursting from within her own sanctuary.
Too bad she’s dragged the new love of her life into open fire.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2019
303 people are currently reading
766 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 27, 2021
2.5 stars
THE PLOT:
i don’t even know what to call this storyline. it’s ridiculous. a woman is basically trapped in her house because there’s dAnGErOuS tHrEaTs outside, and she can’t say her real name or any of that, or show her face to most people, or have friends. yea, she’s not allowed to have friends. but what she is allowed to do? she’s allowed to have strangers live at her house for more than a month at a time to fulfill her sexual needs. that’s just??? so ridiculous?? and i get that it’s probably not supposed to be realistic or anything, but at this point just make it a full-on fantasy with magic and all of that. also the pacing sucked. it didn’t make any sense, nothing would happen and then a ton of stuff would happen in 2 pages and then nothing would happen for 50 pages again. also it didn’t need to be 400 pages long, it could’ve been fit inside like 200 pages so i’m not really sure what was going on here.
THE CHARACTERS:
i feel like the author was trying too hard to make the characters interesting, so she just told us a billion times about the qualities in each character but it was never actually showed. and maybe it was shown well, but it just sorta fell flat for me.
ᴍɪᴛᴄʜ: i liked her. i felt like she was genuinely a good person, and her actions were understandable and made sense. she wasn’t as interesting as vanessa and the author made her seem, but maybe that’s just because alot of the book was from her pov so we got to hear her thoughts. it was kind of confusing how she contradicted herself in her head constantly but like i do that too so i really can’t complain, and i liked being able to relate to that. my main complaint about her is how quickly she fell in love with vanessa. like it seemed like one moment she was jUsT dOiNG iT fOR tHe mOnEY and then she was suddenly in love. considering she was supposed to be so tOugH and all that, but she really wasn’t at all. she was softer than vanessa lmaooo.
ᴠᴀɴᴇssᴀ: i get that she was paranoid because she was iN dAnGer but she seemed pretty stupid and annoying alot of the time. mitch described her as “smart” multiple times but she couldn’t see what was right in front of her face for like 5 years so i’m not sure we can trust mitch on that one. also it was so weird how she would be super paranoid about random things but then she was fine with everything else that could’ve been just as dangerous. it didn’t make sense. honestly, her whole character didn’t make alot of sense. i feel like i never got to know her as well as i did mitch, even with half of the book being from her pov as well. she’s probably just one of those people who is super closed-off and hard to get to know, which makes me even more surprised that mitch fell in love with her so quickly. also vanessa was the literal definition of hot and cold, she was so mean sometimes and then she would suddenly flip the switch. i mean i’m not mitch but i would definitely not fall in love with this person like she did.
ᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇʟʟᴇ: she was super annoying and i was fine with that, we needed an annoying character. it was too much tho to make her all evil and change her personality in the last 20 pages of the book. and how did nobody know her last name??? not even her husband??? how are these people so stupid? i don’t understand, i thought they were all supposed to be the sMaRTesT hiGhEst sEcuRiTy sYstEm wiTH hUgE bACkGrOunD cHecKs, so how could chantelle sneak in there like that? i’m sorry but it was just so far-fetched and made absolutely no sense.
THE ROMANCE:
it could have been slow-burn and it would have been better if it was slow-burn. but it wasn’t and it still took up like 400 pages for these two to be an actual couple. considering the circumstances i guess that makes sense, but the extra drama was unnecessary and kind of annoying. i ship them, obviously, because how could i not, but are they really a good match for each other? don’t ask me that, because i want them to be but their relationship is not built on the most healthy foundation. which is why i’m glad that they “started over” at the end of the book. good for them. i maybe would’ve liked to see them starting over instead of just hearing about it though. sorry aaah this section is all over the place.
some things i really liked about their relationship though:
❤︎ their feelings for each other were real.
❤︎ they talked about things, they didn’t just dismiss communication altogether and keep all their feelings inside.
❤︎ they both had trauma so they created safe spaces for each other.
THE WRITING:
i don’t think that this book was written particularly well. i don’t really think i want to read other books by this author. i feel like this book could’ve been so much better if the writing was stronger, but it had such a case of telling not showing, and the writing wasn’t pretty or beautiful in any sense. the author spent too much time describing things that weren’t important to the story, like the outfit mitch is wearing to dinner tonight and the wig that makes her look more femme. and then it skipped over and rushed things that i kinda thought were important. like if you’re going to make a book be 400 pages, you can spend more time writing about the important stuff! we don’t need to spend 20 pages on mitch disassociating in her room and then only spend 10 pages on the big battle at the end.
THE ENDING/WRAP-UP:
the ending and epilogue went on for too long. i don’t need to hear about mitch and vanessa flirting on the beach 20 times. i don’t think i would recommend this book, but i wouldn’t tell you not to read it either. it’s fine, it’s nothing special but it’s not unbearably bad. it put me in a reading slump though, so watch out for that.
THE PLOT:
i don’t even know what to call this storyline. it’s ridiculous. a woman is basically trapped in her house because there’s dAnGErOuS tHrEaTs outside, and she can’t say her real name or any of that, or show her face to most people, or have friends. yea, she’s not allowed to have friends. but what she is allowed to do? she’s allowed to have strangers live at her house for more than a month at a time to fulfill her sexual needs. that’s just??? so ridiculous?? and i get that it’s probably not supposed to be realistic or anything, but at this point just make it a full-on fantasy with magic and all of that. also the pacing sucked. it didn’t make any sense, nothing would happen and then a ton of stuff would happen in 2 pages and then nothing would happen for 50 pages again. also it didn’t need to be 400 pages long, it could’ve been fit inside like 200 pages so i’m not really sure what was going on here.
THE CHARACTERS:
i feel like the author was trying too hard to make the characters interesting, so she just told us a billion times about the qualities in each character but it was never actually showed. and maybe it was shown well, but it just sorta fell flat for me.
ᴍɪᴛᴄʜ: i liked her. i felt like she was genuinely a good person, and her actions were understandable and made sense. she wasn’t as interesting as vanessa and the author made her seem, but maybe that’s just because alot of the book was from her pov so we got to hear her thoughts. it was kind of confusing how she contradicted herself in her head constantly but like i do that too so i really can’t complain, and i liked being able to relate to that. my main complaint about her is how quickly she fell in love with vanessa. like it seemed like one moment she was jUsT dOiNG iT fOR tHe mOnEY and then she was suddenly in love. considering she was supposed to be so tOugH and all that, but she really wasn’t at all. she was softer than vanessa lmaooo.
ᴠᴀɴᴇssᴀ: i get that she was paranoid because she was iN dAnGer but she seemed pretty stupid and annoying alot of the time. mitch described her as “smart” multiple times but she couldn’t see what was right in front of her face for like 5 years so i’m not sure we can trust mitch on that one. also it was so weird how she would be super paranoid about random things but then she was fine with everything else that could’ve been just as dangerous. it didn’t make sense. honestly, her whole character didn’t make alot of sense. i feel like i never got to know her as well as i did mitch, even with half of the book being from her pov as well. she’s probably just one of those people who is super closed-off and hard to get to know, which makes me even more surprised that mitch fell in love with her so quickly. also vanessa was the literal definition of hot and cold, she was so mean sometimes and then she would suddenly flip the switch. i mean i’m not mitch but i would definitely not fall in love with this person like she did.
ᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇʟʟᴇ: she was super annoying and i was fine with that, we needed an annoying character. it was too much tho to make her all evil and change her personality in the last 20 pages of the book. and how did nobody know her last name??? not even her husband??? how are these people so stupid? i don’t understand, i thought they were all supposed to be the sMaRTesT hiGhEst sEcuRiTy sYstEm wiTH hUgE bACkGrOunD cHecKs, so how could chantelle sneak in there like that? i’m sorry but it was just so far-fetched and made absolutely no sense.
THE ROMANCE:
it could have been slow-burn and it would have been better if it was slow-burn. but it wasn’t and it still took up like 400 pages for these two to be an actual couple. considering the circumstances i guess that makes sense, but the extra drama was unnecessary and kind of annoying. i ship them, obviously, because how could i not, but are they really a good match for each other? don’t ask me that, because i want them to be but their relationship is not built on the most healthy foundation. which is why i’m glad that they “started over” at the end of the book. good for them. i maybe would’ve liked to see them starting over instead of just hearing about it though. sorry aaah this section is all over the place.
some things i really liked about their relationship though:
❤︎ their feelings for each other were real.
❤︎ they talked about things, they didn’t just dismiss communication altogether and keep all their feelings inside.
❤︎ they both had trauma so they created safe spaces for each other.
THE WRITING:
i don’t think that this book was written particularly well. i don’t really think i want to read other books by this author. i feel like this book could’ve been so much better if the writing was stronger, but it had such a case of telling not showing, and the writing wasn’t pretty or beautiful in any sense. the author spent too much time describing things that weren’t important to the story, like the outfit mitch is wearing to dinner tonight and the wig that makes her look more femme. and then it skipped over and rushed things that i kinda thought were important. like if you’re going to make a book be 400 pages, you can spend more time writing about the important stuff! we don’t need to spend 20 pages on mitch disassociating in her room and then only spend 10 pages on the big battle at the end.
THE ENDING/WRAP-UP:
the ending and epilogue went on for too long. i don’t need to hear about mitch and vanessa flirting on the beach 20 times. i don’t think i would recommend this book, but i wouldn’t tell you not to read it either. it’s fine, it’s nothing special but it’s not unbearably bad. it put me in a reading slump though, so watch out for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2024
How you think you can mess with my spiritually and refuse to show me your face is not something I can comprehend, but we all be different.
I liked the thriller part. Usually, it is the xcrazy erotica, that by the way is crazy intense, but here, we had a psycho. Now that was fun. I was really curious on how they were gonna make Mitch a sub, but sheeesh, that shit hit hard.
Though, I hate that they didn't solve that scene when Vanessa unintentionally went too far and forgot or didn't hear Mitch's safe word.... coz now that was messed up. A LOT. And then she kicked her out, talk about messed up.
I liked the thriller part. Usually, it is the xcrazy erotica, that by the way is crazy intense, but here, we had a psycho. Now that was fun. I was really curious on how they were gonna make Mitch a sub, but sheeesh, that shit hit hard.
Though, I hate that they didn't solve that scene when Vanessa unintentionally went too far and forgot or didn't hear Mitch's safe word.... coz now that was messed up. A LOT. And then she kicked her out, talk about messed up.
September 6, 2019
Best one yet!
One answered ad may be the answers to both Mitch and Vanessa's deepest wants, needs and desires. Mitch answers the ad with the intention to better her family's financial situation, but it becomes so much for her. Vanessa has had several women prior to Mitch, but none have connected with her on all levels like Mitch has. Will the imminent threat to Vanessa's life may break the connection between these two? There are forces close to them working against them. It's up to them to learn to trust what they have it continue living the life they had prior to meeting the other.
One answered ad may be the answers to both Mitch and Vanessa's deepest wants, needs and desires. Mitch answers the ad with the intention to better her family's financial situation, but it becomes so much for her. Vanessa has had several women prior to Mitch, but none have connected with her on all levels like Mitch has. Will the imminent threat to Vanessa's life may break the connection between these two? There are forces close to them working against them. It's up to them to learn to trust what they have it continue living the life they had prior to meeting the other.
July 17, 2019
Overall I think this book in BDSM was done well. The sex scenes were not overly explicit but gave enough. I liked the story line which included mystery and some action towards the end. There were a few typos that I thought should have been caught. I mean if I catch typos then they are obvious. I liked both MC's and I like the idea of a butch woman being submissive. Sometimes the stereotypes that people place on others are just not accurate. Anyway, I overall liked this and thought it was worth reading. 3.5 stars.
November 25, 2022
2.5 stars
I was struggling with the storyline and characters in this book, and then when the safe word situation happened and it didn’t ever truly get talked about or resolved, I was unfortunately turned off.
I was struggling with the storyline and characters in this book, and then when the safe word situation happened and it didn’t ever truly get talked about or resolved, I was unfortunately turned off.
December 29, 2023
4.5
i really enjoyed this, so much so that i stayed up until my eyes were burning so i could read as much as possible. imagine my delight when i realised there was a second book.
i really enjoyed this, so much so that i stayed up until my eyes were burning so i could read as much as possible. imagine my delight when i realised there was a second book.
May 1, 2021
This book has so many interesting things going on.
-Paranoid millionaire MC (Vanessa) who hires women to come be her subs for a month or two at a time. Bc that's the only way she can do relationships while living in hiding from a murderer.
-Veteran MC (Mitch) dealing with PTSD who discovers that BDSM can be a sort of therapy for her (in addition to being a lot of fun).
-Thriller aspect! Secrets and traitors!
-Some fun side characters (Chantelle and Luke especially)
-Mitch is a butch woman who sort of explores various types of gender presentation throughout the book. In her normal life, she's fairly masculine and practical in dress. At first, with her millionaire mistress, she dresses very femme to create a separate persona, not wanting her normal self to be a part of the experience. But as the relationship progresses, she sometimes is more butch around her mistress and sometimes more femme. (I personally would have preferred if she was more butch more of the time around Vanessa, but whatever. It's not the most central aspect of the book.)
-Mitch is also the sub and I love a butch sub <3 Actually, I find I usually prefer the millionaire domme character in most of Dane/Billings' books but in this case I love Mitch way more than Vanessa. She just has a lot going on, and she's very practical but also interested in exploring herself and maybe changing, loosening up more and recovering from trauma. And she's very open to what Vanessa has to offer her.
Overall a great book with complex characters. My only critique would be that the relationship feels far more sexual than romantic, so when Mitch says for example that she's in love with Vanessa, I don't 100% buy it, and I don't completely buy their happily ever after either. But hey, they do seem to have a good time together.
-Paranoid millionaire MC (Vanessa) who hires women to come be her subs for a month or two at a time. Bc that's the only way she can do relationships while living in hiding from a murderer.
-Veteran MC (Mitch) dealing with PTSD who discovers that BDSM can be a sort of therapy for her (in addition to being a lot of fun).
-Thriller aspect! Secrets and traitors!
-Some fun side characters (Chantelle and Luke especially)
-Mitch is a butch woman who sort of explores various types of gender presentation throughout the book. In her normal life, she's fairly masculine and practical in dress. At first, with her millionaire mistress, she dresses very femme to create a separate persona, not wanting her normal self to be a part of the experience. But as the relationship progresses, she sometimes is more butch around her mistress and sometimes more femme. (I personally would have preferred if she was more butch more of the time around Vanessa, but whatever. It's not the most central aspect of the book.)
-Mitch is also the sub and I love a butch sub <3 Actually, I find I usually prefer the millionaire domme character in most of Dane/Billings' books but in this case I love Mitch way more than Vanessa. She just has a lot going on, and she's very practical but also interested in exploring herself and maybe changing, loosening up more and recovering from trauma. And she's very open to what Vanessa has to offer her.
Overall a great book with complex characters. My only critique would be that the relationship feels far more sexual than romantic, so when Mitch says for example that she's in love with Vanessa, I don't 100% buy it, and I don't completely buy their happily ever after either. But hey, they do seem to have a good time together.
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January 14, 2023Into the Fire
Dynamic duo Cynthia Dane and Hildred Billings give us a scorching story with lots of heat. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to more from this pair.
Dynamic duo Cynthia Dane and Hildred Billings give us a scorching story with lots of heat. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to more from this pair.
June 16, 2019
Into the Fire features two characters battling demons both real and imagined.
The theme relies heavily on hardcore BDSM, but most scenes keep details to a minimum. Mitch/Michelle answered an ad on the dark web to provide sexual services to an unknown woman. The billionaire who placed the ad and picked Michelle from the hundreds of serious applicants is Vanessa. Mitch works security at heavy metal concerts after leaving the Marines and suffering from PTSD. She took the month long sex gig because it came with a two million dollar paycheck. Her family lost their home in the California wild fires and her siblings need money for college. Vanessa lives in total seclusion and faces the prospect of assassination on a daily basis.
The book works as both a BDSM lesbian romance and a mystery story. The writing is pretty strong with few exceptions. What didn't work for me was the transformation that Mitch undergoes. In training and identity, Mitch Cruise is a badass butch. Her stress triggers come from her experience as a captive and tortured POW. Vanessa claims to be an experienced top and domme who is willing to respect Michelle's limits even if she doesn't know them herself. Instead, she upends Michelle's identity as she transitions into a prized possession decked out in collar, leash and doll clothes. Mitch Cruise may have signed up to be trafficked into sex work, but a happy slave is still a slave.
The theme relies heavily on hardcore BDSM, but most scenes keep details to a minimum. Mitch/Michelle answered an ad on the dark web to provide sexual services to an unknown woman. The billionaire who placed the ad and picked Michelle from the hundreds of serious applicants is Vanessa. Mitch works security at heavy metal concerts after leaving the Marines and suffering from PTSD. She took the month long sex gig because it came with a two million dollar paycheck. Her family lost their home in the California wild fires and her siblings need money for college. Vanessa lives in total seclusion and faces the prospect of assassination on a daily basis.
The book works as both a BDSM lesbian romance and a mystery story. The writing is pretty strong with few exceptions. What didn't work for me was the transformation that Mitch undergoes. In training and identity, Mitch Cruise is a badass butch. Her stress triggers come from her experience as a captive and tortured POW. Vanessa claims to be an experienced top and domme who is willing to respect Michelle's limits even if she doesn't know them herself. Instead, she upends Michelle's identity as she transitions into a prized possession decked out in collar, leash and doll clothes. Mitch Cruise may have signed up to be trafficked into sex work, but a happy slave is still a slave.
April 28, 2020
This was my third book by these authors, but probably won't be my last.
This story follows Michelle aka Mitch, a former Marine working security at rock concerts. After replying to an ad from a Dom seeking a butch submissive on the dark web, Mitch dove head first at the opportunity of making millions for her family as a temporary sub. Vanessa, a highly successful business woman who raked in millions playing the stock market was also a highly femme Dominant who hid from the world due to bad guys trying to kill her. Vanessa lived off the grid, so to speak, and kept her identity hidden, even from her monthly conquests.
I liked this story, but there was one little thing that irked me. Mitch was butch through and through, Vanessa sought out a butch woman, but then during their time together, Vanessa requested Mitch dress in evening gowns, matching lace panties and bras, high heels, and long wigs. HUH? I didn't get it. Why go looking for one particular thing then turn around and mold them into something they clearly weren't? But then again, both women suffered mentally and emotionally. Mitch had PTSD due to being captured and held hostage during her time. Vanessa had witnessed her own father murdered as a young girl, and had been on the run ever since. So, taking all that in account, both were messed up individuals. Even so, I didn't like turning butch Mitch into a high femme. It ruined the whole eroticism for me.
This story made me shake my head.
This story follows Michelle aka Mitch, a former Marine working security at rock concerts. After replying to an ad from a Dom seeking a butch submissive on the dark web, Mitch dove head first at the opportunity of making millions for her family as a temporary sub. Vanessa, a highly successful business woman who raked in millions playing the stock market was also a highly femme Dominant who hid from the world due to bad guys trying to kill her. Vanessa lived off the grid, so to speak, and kept her identity hidden, even from her monthly conquests.
I liked this story, but there was one little thing that irked me. Mitch was butch through and through, Vanessa sought out a butch woman, but then during their time together, Vanessa requested Mitch dress in evening gowns, matching lace panties and bras, high heels, and long wigs. HUH? I didn't get it. Why go looking for one particular thing then turn around and mold them into something they clearly weren't? But then again, both women suffered mentally and emotionally. Mitch had PTSD due to being captured and held hostage during her time. Vanessa had witnessed her own father murdered as a young girl, and had been on the run ever since. So, taking all that in account, both were messed up individuals. Even so, I didn't like turning butch Mitch into a high femme. It ruined the whole eroticism for me.
This story made me shake my head.
April 26, 2020
3.5⭐
May 26, 2020
Wonderful story
This was a amazing story that was about fear as well as love that Mitch her return from Iraq and Vanessa who fear from her life how they saved each other.
This was a amazing story that was about fear as well as love that Mitch her return from Iraq and Vanessa who fear from her life how they saved each other.
August 15, 2019
Ex-Marine Michelle/Mitch agrees to be the plaything for a rich, reclusive, hiding-from-assassins heiress for a month in exchange for $2M. She finds she likes submission much more than she thought she would.
Good twist towards the end.
High angst. Story line a bit jerky. Enough typos to distract me.
Good twist towards the end.
High angst. Story line a bit jerky. Enough typos to distract me.
December 23, 2024
I did not understand the "feminizing the butch" part. Totally does not make sense. If you are attracted to those qualities, why quash them? Even more unfathomable is how Mitch / Michelle enjoyed it. I was cringing the entire way - finishing the book only because I was hoping for some sort of redemption at the end. But alas there was none. VERY disappointed as books that feature submissive butches are so few and far between, and I feel this opportunity was lost, and the trope bastardized.
August 4, 2019
A fantastical story so unbelievable it all feels real
“What were some showering videos and sex tapes between billionaires when Mitch had already lived the scariest days of her life?”
“Consequences didn’t matter anymore. Not when it came to her body. Not even her soul. Who gave a shit?”
“Vanessa needed more strength. A greater foundation. Someone who could see her sweating and screaming in the middle of the night and not pass judgment.”
“How could she care when there was a moment the night before when she thought she was going to die?”
• ~ • ~ • ~ •
An intriguing book about two women, shaped & scarred by life's unfairness mercilessly since birth, who both are working on building a romantic relationship together, finding, nurturing & sustaining love in/for each other that bestows peace, joy & safety to heal the wounds & override the damages & devastation from their pasts.
An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like real people in your mind & a riveting plot lines that draws you in so effortlessly & subtly without you even noticing.
“What were some showering videos and sex tapes between billionaires when Mitch had already lived the scariest days of her life?”
“Consequences didn’t matter anymore. Not when it came to her body. Not even her soul. Who gave a shit?”
“Vanessa needed more strength. A greater foundation. Someone who could see her sweating and screaming in the middle of the night and not pass judgment.”
“How could she care when there was a moment the night before when she thought she was going to die?”
• ~ • ~ • ~ •
An intriguing book about two women, shaped & scarred by life's unfairness mercilessly since birth, who both are working on building a romantic relationship together, finding, nurturing & sustaining love in/for each other that bestows peace, joy & safety to heal the wounds & override the damages & devastation from their pasts.
An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like real people in your mind & a riveting plot lines that draws you in so effortlessly & subtly without you even noticing.
February 12, 2020
At first I was hooked and enjoyed the primes of the book. Being one that lives in a similar fashion as to how Mitch & Vanessa finish the story, the fast paced 'turn of events' from bad to good are highly unbelievable. Trust takes a while to overcome and even though time may have passed in the story, it reads as if just two months go by and all is forgiven. Yes each person is different, I understand but I didn't enjoy how this played out. If my Domme crossed a line as thick as using a safe word and not listening to it, you bet your pale ass I'd tell her to go climb a cactus no matter how much I'd need the connection/guidance.
Also the intense situational change during a scene almost made me just toss the book away and not want to return and finish. I couldn't get back in to trusting Vanessa at all in the book as I could relate more to Mitch's character.
The mystery was a fun twist, but it was quite rushed and sort of thrown at you while reading. You go from a hard line being crossed, trust being broken in a relationship, and then you find out there's a mole....I am happy to be finished with the story but I feel off on how it turned out.
Also the intense situational change during a scene almost made me just toss the book away and not want to return and finish. I couldn't get back in to trusting Vanessa at all in the book as I could relate more to Mitch's character.
The mystery was a fun twist, but it was quite rushed and sort of thrown at you while reading. You go from a hard line being crossed, trust being broken in a relationship, and then you find out there's a mole....I am happy to be finished with the story but I feel off on how it turned out.
November 20, 2019
So So Hot!
There was so much to love about this story and it all started with Mitch. She grabbed you in from the first words on the page. Then we meet Vanessa and it all makes sense except it doesn’t! Besides the demons that were at play here in body mind and soul a real story was hidden there. I believe that Dommes and Subs are a topic that people do not want to read about. This was done close to perfection. I think the ending was lacking after the fast pace of the story and the heat involved. Still a must read!
There was so much to love about this story and it all started with Mitch. She grabbed you in from the first words on the page. Then we meet Vanessa and it all makes sense except it doesn’t! Besides the demons that were at play here in body mind and soul a real story was hidden there. I believe that Dommes and Subs are a topic that people do not want to read about. This was done close to perfection. I think the ending was lacking after the fast pace of the story and the heat involved. Still a must read!
September 11, 2025
idk actually what to rate this either 1-3 stars but definitely not 4 and 5 im sick of this book basically
there is an incredible disgusting amount of italic text throughout the book and there are just endless paragraphs of explaining absolutely nothing related to the scene its always just something about the persons past and there are the sentences that could been cut out of the book
okay but like if vanessa needed some of her libido helped since she was hiding away why not just like pay someone to go somewhere either vanessas house itself or somewhere else and then have the other girl and herself (vanessa) both be blindfolded and sleep together and dont exchange contact in the first place instead of doing this whole ass month long locking a person in her house thing and paying the person a fuck ton of money
the actual scenes in the book of the characters there isnt enough context of what is happening like a big fat example of this is when vanessa had a disassociated past memory and meanwhile mitch is over here QUITE LITERALLY screaming crying and throwing up like you dont even know as a reader what exactly vanessa was DOING TO HER like how do you expect us as readers to understand and connect to the scene???
the only time when the whole long ass paragraphs and random not needed sentences was a little bit better was towards the end of the book with the charlene being the enemy
i do like the chemistry of vanessa and mitch and both their characters seem well liked and i can see them as a good couple and the writing itself in the book is easy to understand language and words wise
favorite chapters: 2/3/8/11/12/14/15/19/21/22/26/27/30/33
there is an incredible disgusting amount of italic text throughout the book and there are just endless paragraphs of explaining absolutely nothing related to the scene its always just something about the persons past and there are the sentences that could been cut out of the book
okay but like if vanessa needed some of her libido helped since she was hiding away why not just like pay someone to go somewhere either vanessas house itself or somewhere else and then have the other girl and herself (vanessa) both be blindfolded and sleep together and dont exchange contact in the first place instead of doing this whole ass month long locking a person in her house thing and paying the person a fuck ton of money
the actual scenes in the book of the characters there isnt enough context of what is happening like a big fat example of this is when vanessa had a disassociated past memory and meanwhile mitch is over here QUITE LITERALLY screaming crying and throwing up like you dont even know as a reader what exactly vanessa was DOING TO HER like how do you expect us as readers to understand and connect to the scene???
the only time when the whole long ass paragraphs and random not needed sentences was a little bit better was towards the end of the book with the charlene being the enemy
i do like the chemistry of vanessa and mitch and both their characters seem well liked and i can see them as a good couple and the writing itself in the book is easy to understand language and words wise
favorite chapters: 2/3/8/11/12/14/15/19/21/22/26/27/30/33
December 17, 2020
This was my first attempt at reading a Dane/Billings book. I loved the BDSM aspect of this book. It’s edgy...in that it goes a bit farther than a romanticized version of BDSM. Yet, it doesn’t venture into the dark corners of BDSM...which I appreciated. The connection between the two MCs was intense, and I like the way it was tied to PTSD. Knowing how PTSD can effect some individuals, it made it more realistic. Otherwise, it would have been hard for me to believe Mitch could have fallen so fast and so hard...so I applaud them for this consideration. In addition, there is some suspense and mystery to this storyline. So it’s a bit more than just a sexy kink read. As far as the BDSM aspect of this story, I really appreciate aspects which are discussed...as they solidified the affinity each MC had towards each other. As two people who were so in-tune with each other. Such as the aftercare Vanessa does for Mitch, showing us Vanessa was in-tune with Mitch by things like being aware Mitch was in subspace, Mitch’s desire to please her Domme, etc. I felt the suspense part was a bit drawn-out, yet I also appreciate the attention to detail when it came to the unfolding plot. There were just a few parts that could have gone. But overall this is an exciting read. Couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to my next Dane/Billings read.
August 29, 2020
What a brilliant_and Hot Hot 🔥 Read and Story
About a woman called Vanessa who hires playmates for a month, this time she hires a ex Marie Michelle ( Mitch) Cruise but she get's a surprise for h her hair is a crew cut. She makes her wear different wigs and tells her what to wear and what too expect . Mitch has agreed after all she being paid two million dollars if she stays the month. But she doesn't know why she wears a mask. The sex is 🔥and she is surprise as she is enjoying herself. Vanessa also has security and two who give her daily reports Luke ex Green Beret his wife Chantille a expert hacker who protect her as well. Vanessa was a witness to her father's murder and her uncle and cousin were murdered too by Saul a man who blamed her father for losing his fortune and wanted revenge..
This is a story about loss,fear, hope,, BDSM and more.
Cynthia Dane & Hildred Billings did a brilliant job writing this story cannot wait to read more by them.
Recommend -- Definitely 5*****/5***** STARS
About a woman called Vanessa who hires playmates for a month, this time she hires a ex Marie Michelle ( Mitch) Cruise but she get's a surprise for h her hair is a crew cut. She makes her wear different wigs and tells her what to wear and what too expect . Mitch has agreed after all she being paid two million dollars if she stays the month. But she doesn't know why she wears a mask. The sex is 🔥and she is surprise as she is enjoying herself. Vanessa also has security and two who give her daily reports Luke ex Green Beret his wife Chantille a expert hacker who protect her as well. Vanessa was a witness to her father's murder and her uncle and cousin were murdered too by Saul a man who blamed her father for losing his fortune and wanted revenge..
This is a story about loss,fear, hope,, BDSM and more.
Cynthia Dane & Hildred Billings did a brilliant job writing this story cannot wait to read more by them.
Recommend -- Definitely 5*****/5***** STARS
July 6, 2023
How can a book with so much kinky sex in it simultaneously be so very boring? It’s a marvel, really. The pacing was uneven and the relationship time-skipped through several crucial weeks, so the main characters seemed to jump from “getting to know you” to “I think I’m in love” almost instantly. There was a lot of repetitive internal rumination. The book could have used more show, less tell, to demonstrate their growing intimacy. I also thought Vanessa’s overstep as a domme was glossed over far too easily. The suspense aspects only really kicked in during the last 20% of the book, whereas I would have like the build up to be palpable earlier. I only finished this because I was reading it for a challenge and didn’t feel like starting over with a different book for that category.
September 27, 2025
As these stories go, I thought this was great. To me, the first 2/3 was the highlight — the getting to know you, Mitch kind of discovering herself. And in particular what she didn’t previously know about herself and wouldn’t otherwise have found out.
When it later turned into a thriller, that was OK, but I guess I felt like it needed a bit more for that aspect of the story to really land. I get that the turn of events was supposed to be surprising, but some things that were set up weren’t explored and some things that were explored weren’t set up. So in the end it felt more like a romance story and an action story mashed end-to-end, instead of woven together.
I’d read the romance story again. The thriller part, I can take it or leave it. But I’m told that if I liked this book then I’ll like the sequel even more, so I’m going to go on to that.
When it later turned into a thriller, that was OK, but I guess I felt like it needed a bit more for that aspect of the story to really land. I get that the turn of events was supposed to be surprising, but some things that were set up weren’t explored and some things that were explored weren’t set up. So in the end it felt more like a romance story and an action story mashed end-to-end, instead of woven together.
I’d read the romance story again. The thriller part, I can take it or leave it. But I’m told that if I liked this book then I’ll like the sequel even more, so I’m going to go on to that.
April 12, 2023
Another great book
Your description of your two main characters Vanessa and Mitch were perfect. Chantelle and Luke as secondary characters were also great.
The topic chosen by the writers is a controversial subject and was discussed in detail.
The drama surrounding this topic was/is taboo in many circles as was explained thoroughly and in depth.
The use of PTSD was mind boggling and portrayed in such a manner that I sometimes felt Michelle’s pain when she was first with her Domme.
Overall the book was worth more than 5 stars. I will definitely reread this book in the near future and recommend it to everyone else.
Thank you both for a very informative read.
Your description of your two main characters Vanessa and Mitch were perfect. Chantelle and Luke as secondary characters were also great.
The topic chosen by the writers is a controversial subject and was discussed in detail.
The drama surrounding this topic was/is taboo in many circles as was explained thoroughly and in depth.
The use of PTSD was mind boggling and portrayed in such a manner that I sometimes felt Michelle’s pain when she was first with her Domme.
Overall the book was worth more than 5 stars. I will definitely reread this book in the near future and recommend it to everyone else.
Thank you both for a very informative read.
January 26, 2020
Great Experience
I'm not into BDSM so this was a relatively new experience (some small amounts in other books) because this lifestyle is pertinent to the story. But what a story! I had great difficulty pacing myself and not just devouring the book with no breaks. The story is captivating.
I'm not sure I'll go for another book with this much sexual pain/freedom involved, but I do know I may never forget this story. If you can take the BDSM I recommend this in the highest way. It's amazing.
I'm not into BDSM so this was a relatively new experience (some small amounts in other books) because this lifestyle is pertinent to the story. But what a story! I had great difficulty pacing myself and not just devouring the book with no breaks. The story is captivating.
I'm not sure I'll go for another book with this much sexual pain/freedom involved, but I do know I may never forget this story. If you can take the BDSM I recommend this in the highest way. It's amazing.
August 30, 2023
I feel like people take these books too seriously, and a lot of criticism comes before they even finish the book. Look, is it the greatest literary masterpiece I've ever read? Of course not. Was I expecting it to be? Of course not. It's a lesbian bdsm fantasy, and on that it delivers. The narrator does a good enough job, the writing is descriptive, and the author has a healthy imagination. Who cares about the plot, or the lack there of. I care that the characters are ones I want to fantasize about, the narrator is one I can listen to, and the scenes are hot.
July 14, 2024
What a ride!
I didn't know what to expect since I didn't read the description and I got a lot of things.
The story runs deep and it was very emotional. A lot of sensitive issues were tackled such as PTSD, how BDSM is a form of therapy, and what some vets have suffered in war to name a few.
The scenes, while not explicit, we're downright steamy between Vanessa and Mitch. They were perfect for each other and it was written beautifully.
This novel also has a bit of romantic suspense.
I'm glad there's an HEA.
I didn't know what to expect since I didn't read the description and I got a lot of things.
The story runs deep and it was very emotional. A lot of sensitive issues were tackled such as PTSD, how BDSM is a form of therapy, and what some vets have suffered in war to name a few.
The scenes, while not explicit, we're downright steamy between Vanessa and Mitch. They were perfect for each other and it was written beautifully.
This novel also has a bit of romantic suspense.
I'm glad there's an HEA.
June 17, 2019
I love these books
This book was one of the better ones i really enjoyed it. I wish all of them didn't end as soon as the couple finally admit there true feelings and be together... It's like u wait all the time for them to start there relationship and then it's over. I recommend these authors. I've read all of there books the one they collaborated on some was way better than others
This book was one of the better ones i really enjoyed it. I wish all of them didn't end as soon as the couple finally admit there true feelings and be together... It's like u wait all the time for them to start there relationship and then it's over. I recommend these authors. I've read all of there books the one they collaborated on some was way better than others
July 9, 2019
A Marine invades a heiress domain!
The authors have I think have outdone themselves with this book. Not only do you have intrigue, mystery, and what is done in the bedroom remains there. Because of a mishap on the stock market a trusted worker tried to eliminate the heiress and needs a Marine to show that you messed with the wrong person . The lady Marine returns and leaves no one behind. Enjoy!
The authors have I think have outdone themselves with this book. Not only do you have intrigue, mystery, and what is done in the bedroom remains there. Because of a mishap on the stock market a trusted worker tried to eliminate the heiress and needs a Marine to show that you messed with the wrong person . The lady Marine returns and leaves no one behind. Enjoy!
August 4, 2020
Not what I expected
3.5
I have many feels about this book. First off, I expected a more hardcore BDSM element here. It wasn’t present. The hardcore “Scenes” are mostly fade to black and only alluded to in the characters constant inner dialogue. Which to be honest was a let down.
There’s a lot for me to unpack here, but this was something I thought people should know. There’s no “scary” BDSM component, so don’t shy away from a good read.
3.5
I have many feels about this book. First off, I expected a more hardcore BDSM element here. It wasn’t present. The hardcore “Scenes” are mostly fade to black and only alluded to in the characters constant inner dialogue. Which to be honest was a let down.
There’s a lot for me to unpack here, but this was something I thought people should know. There’s no “scary” BDSM component, so don’t shy away from a good read.
January 12, 2025
BDSM with no spice
This book is so close to being good - the plot and intrigue are so well done - unfortunately the spice just fizzles which is so disappointing when the BDSM theme is so integral to the plot. Either it is an illusion reference to kink, a skip to aftercare, or just pleasure denied or delayed - it is so frustrating. The plot and character arc get 2 stars - the rest is just meh.
This book is so close to being good - the plot and intrigue are so well done - unfortunately the spice just fizzles which is so disappointing when the BDSM theme is so integral to the plot. Either it is an illusion reference to kink, a skip to aftercare, or just pleasure denied or delayed - it is so frustrating. The plot and character arc get 2 stars - the rest is just meh.
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