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Chains
The national bestselling author of "blazingly hot" (Sensual Romance Reviews) novels raises the temperature even more with three all-new stories of sizzling suspense Renee was the homecoming queen with the perfect boyfriend and the perfect life. Lacey was the golden girl with the bright future. And Sherra always looked like the princess in a fairy tale. The three girls each seemed charmed-until one tragic night shattered their hopes for normalcy. Now, fifteen years later, the women are returning to their hometown of Madison, Ohio, where three men await them-each dangerous in his own way. And when each of the women succumb to desire, they may also find the safety they've been searching for.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2009
12 people are currently reading
1500 people want to read
About the author
Shiloh Walker
202 books2,436 followersHello... thanks for swinging by. I don't log into Goodreads much, so if you have questions, please visit my website to email me through my site.
Thank you!
My other me.... J.C. Daniels
And an experimental me that I put to sleep. J. Dallas
Bio...
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.
To contact the author, please visit her website!
Thank you!
My other me.... J.C. Daniels
And an experimental me that I put to sleep. J. Dallas
Bio...
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.
To contact the author, please visit her website!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 15, 2009
Rating: 4.5 / 5
This book was exactly the kind of erotic romance that I like. Instead of being a cover-to-cover sex fest, it had a plot, character emotions, along with the steaming hot sex. The perfect combo, in my opinion.
Summary:
This book is actually made up of three novellas that all deal with the same suspense plot (so you have to read all 3, in order). The basis of the story is that fifteen years ago, three teenage girls (Renee, Lacey and Sherra) where all at a party. The girls weren't friends, but also weren't enemies. Then Lacey and Renee stumble across Sherra being held down and nearly raped. The two girls charge in and try to help Sherra, but in the course of the battle, Sherra is forced to kill one of the two boys who was planning to rape her.
It's a night that forever changed there lives. Renee has had to confront her inability to say "no" to her mom and learn to make decisions for herself. Lacey has spent the last fifteen years feeling like something is missing in her life, and now her work is suffering because of it. And Sherra hides herself away, rarely interacting with others, and writing grueseome horror boks.
Now all three women are coming back to Madison. But unfortunately, someone has plans to make them pay for what happened fifteen years ago. Each woman will have to rely on a special man to help her through everything.
Review:
I liked this book a lot. It's definitely erotic and sexy, but there are great characters, some good emotion, and a plot that works for the story. I've read so many erotic romance books that have no point other than to have the characters screw like bunnies for 250 pages. Those kind bore me to death. But this book kept me interested from page one.
The first story is the most erotic of the three, I would say. It delves into the realm of dominance and submission. Not real hardcore, but enough to give the story a more erotic feel. Renee and Deacon were a perfect match for each other and there story was HOT HOT HOT!
The second story has a more romantic feel. It's got a very unrequited love theme to it because Seth has been in love with Lacey for as long as he can remember. They shared one hot night together and neither has been able to forget it. There was just a very romantic feel to there story and it was rather sweet to read (and HOT as well ;)
And the third story is the most emotional of the three. Poor Sherra hasn't been able to get over almost being raped that night and she hides herself away. You can't help but feel bad for her. Then Dalton comes into her life and makes her feel things she never thought she'd feel. This story just had a bit of a darker, more emotional feel.
As for the over-arcing suspense plot...it was pretty well done. It fit the story perfectly and gave the book some substance. Walker surprised me with the identity of the bad guy at the end. I never suspected that character.
My only complaint about this book was that I wished there was more interaction between the three women through the stories. They share a few words together (having become friends after that night) but they never really connect in the story. Like the fact that Renee hooks up with Lacey's ex boyfriend. I wanted there to be some conversation between the two with Lacey saying like "so you and Deacon, huh?" Then Lacey hooks up with Sherra's brother and they don't talk about it. It just made the characters (the three women) feel very disconnected from one another.
But on the whole, I really enjoyed this book and am glad that I picked it up. If you're one who likes erotic romances that have more story than sex, than this is one to give a try.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex and language, oral sex, anal sex/ass play, light-to-moderate dominance/submission, light bondage, slightly public sex, and flashback scenes involving attempted rape and self-defense murder.
This book was exactly the kind of erotic romance that I like. Instead of being a cover-to-cover sex fest, it had a plot, character emotions, along with the steaming hot sex. The perfect combo, in my opinion.
Summary:
This book is actually made up of three novellas that all deal with the same suspense plot (so you have to read all 3, in order). The basis of the story is that fifteen years ago, three teenage girls (Renee, Lacey and Sherra) where all at a party. The girls weren't friends, but also weren't enemies. Then Lacey and Renee stumble across Sherra being held down and nearly raped. The two girls charge in and try to help Sherra, but in the course of the battle, Sherra is forced to kill one of the two boys who was planning to rape her.
It's a night that forever changed there lives. Renee has had to confront her inability to say "no" to her mom and learn to make decisions for herself. Lacey has spent the last fifteen years feeling like something is missing in her life, and now her work is suffering because of it. And Sherra hides herself away, rarely interacting with others, and writing grueseome horror boks.
Now all three women are coming back to Madison. But unfortunately, someone has plans to make them pay for what happened fifteen years ago. Each woman will have to rely on a special man to help her through everything.
Review:
I liked this book a lot. It's definitely erotic and sexy, but there are great characters, some good emotion, and a plot that works for the story. I've read so many erotic romance books that have no point other than to have the characters screw like bunnies for 250 pages. Those kind bore me to death. But this book kept me interested from page one.
The first story is the most erotic of the three, I would say. It delves into the realm of dominance and submission. Not real hardcore, but enough to give the story a more erotic feel. Renee and Deacon were a perfect match for each other and there story was HOT HOT HOT!
The second story has a more romantic feel. It's got a very unrequited love theme to it because Seth has been in love with Lacey for as long as he can remember. They shared one hot night together and neither has been able to forget it. There was just a very romantic feel to there story and it was rather sweet to read (and HOT as well ;)
And the third story is the most emotional of the three. Poor Sherra hasn't been able to get over almost being raped that night and she hides herself away. You can't help but feel bad for her. Then Dalton comes into her life and makes her feel things she never thought she'd feel. This story just had a bit of a darker, more emotional feel.
As for the over-arcing suspense plot...it was pretty well done. It fit the story perfectly and gave the book some substance. Walker surprised me with the identity of the bad guy at the end. I never suspected that character.
My only complaint about this book was that I wished there was more interaction between the three women through the stories. They share a few words together (having become friends after that night) but they never really connect in the story. Like the fact that Renee hooks up with Lacey's ex boyfriend. I wanted there to be some conversation between the two with Lacey saying like "so you and Deacon, huh?" Then Lacey hooks up with Sherra's brother and they don't talk about it. It just made the characters (the three women) feel very disconnected from one another.
But on the whole, I really enjoyed this book and am glad that I picked it up. If you're one who likes erotic romances that have more story than sex, than this is one to give a try.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex and language, oral sex, anal sex/ass play, light-to-moderate dominance/submission, light bondage, slightly public sex, and flashback scenes involving attempted rape and self-defense murder.
April 27, 2009
"Chains" is Shiloh Walker's current release from Penguin. I waffled back and forth on how I should rate this one because, while it's one story...there are three distinctly separate tales inside the one bigger story and each one struck me a little differently and would need a different rating!
In "Chains", Ms. Walker pens a tale of a horrible night where three different women witnessed/were involved in a crime and the impact said event has had on their lives. It's also a tale of finding love and recognizing that love once it comes along. The mystery involved in "Chains" isn't solved until the end of the final story. I hope this doesn't sound confusing, because the book isn't; but it IS a little difficult to explain!
Renee's parents were cold and she was raised to be a society wife. At a party her senior year in high school at her 'perfect' (in her mother's mind) boyfriend's house, she refuses to sleep with him and he hits her. After years of agreeing, this seems to be the catalyst for Renee's change. Before the night is over though, she will come face to face with a crime much more ugly. Now, 20 years later and back for a high school reunion, Renee meets up with the boy she admired even tho she doesn't recognize him. One incredibly erotic night later, her world explodes into violence, confusion, and ultimately love.
Lacey has always been the golden athletic girl. Everyone liked her and her home life was about as perfect as it gets. Her nightmares from that horrible event are not as prevalent as Renee's and involve her being unable to help more than she did. She also got to know the girl Renee's social mask. But Lacey's trip home for the reunion is also an effort to assure herself that her attraction to one man isn't as strong as she's built it up to be. That man is Seth and he's the brother of the last girl involved in that long ago nightmare. He's also the current Sheriff; and before this trip is done Lacey will need every bit of protection and love he has to offer.
Sherra. What happened to her on that night has never left her. When she can't sleep, she mines her nightmares for the best-selling stories she puts on paper. When a long-time stalker's messages begin heating up right before her reunion and new book tour, her manager forces her to take on a bodyguard. Dalton's an ex-cop and it doesn't take him long to begin to hate the fear and terror he sometimes sees in Sherra's eyes. It also doesn't take long for him to realize it's becoming personal. But Sherra's stalker is much closer than anyone knows...and he's been waiting for an opportunity just like this.
By turns disturbing, sweet, hot, frightening, sweaty, sarcastic, erotic, and tension-filled; "Chains" is likely a book you won't forget. Each of the women reacted differently to the event depending on their role; and in some way, that life-changing night still impacts their view of love and sex. There were a couple of plot devices that irritated me, and if you like trying to figure out 'who done it', forget about it in this one. The bad guy comes out of left field with no prior warning. The first story involves some BDSM, but the other two are fairly 'vanilla', but smoking hot, sex. I'll keep this one to read again, but not anytime soon ;)
In "Chains", Ms. Walker pens a tale of a horrible night where three different women witnessed/were involved in a crime and the impact said event has had on their lives. It's also a tale of finding love and recognizing that love once it comes along. The mystery involved in "Chains" isn't solved until the end of the final story. I hope this doesn't sound confusing, because the book isn't; but it IS a little difficult to explain!
Renee's parents were cold and she was raised to be a society wife. At a party her senior year in high school at her 'perfect' (in her mother's mind) boyfriend's house, she refuses to sleep with him and he hits her. After years of agreeing, this seems to be the catalyst for Renee's change. Before the night is over though, she will come face to face with a crime much more ugly. Now, 20 years later and back for a high school reunion, Renee meets up with the boy she admired even tho she doesn't recognize him. One incredibly erotic night later, her world explodes into violence, confusion, and ultimately love.
Lacey has always been the golden athletic girl. Everyone liked her and her home life was about as perfect as it gets. Her nightmares from that horrible event are not as prevalent as Renee's and involve her being unable to help more than she did. She also got to know the girl Renee's social mask. But Lacey's trip home for the reunion is also an effort to assure herself that her attraction to one man isn't as strong as she's built it up to be. That man is Seth and he's the brother of the last girl involved in that long ago nightmare. He's also the current Sheriff; and before this trip is done Lacey will need every bit of protection and love he has to offer.
Sherra. What happened to her on that night has never left her. When she can't sleep, she mines her nightmares for the best-selling stories she puts on paper. When a long-time stalker's messages begin heating up right before her reunion and new book tour, her manager forces her to take on a bodyguard. Dalton's an ex-cop and it doesn't take him long to begin to hate the fear and terror he sometimes sees in Sherra's eyes. It also doesn't take long for him to realize it's becoming personal. But Sherra's stalker is much closer than anyone knows...and he's been waiting for an opportunity just like this.
By turns disturbing, sweet, hot, frightening, sweaty, sarcastic, erotic, and tension-filled; "Chains" is likely a book you won't forget. Each of the women reacted differently to the event depending on their role; and in some way, that life-changing night still impacts their view of love and sex. There were a couple of plot devices that irritated me, and if you like trying to figure out 'who done it', forget about it in this one. The bad guy comes out of left field with no prior warning. The first story involves some BDSM, but the other two are fairly 'vanilla', but smoking hot, sex. I'll keep this one to read again, but not anytime soon ;)
June 14, 2015
Enjoyed this erotic, romantic suspense which consisted of three short--connecting--stories. The book evolves around three ladies, Renee, Lacey, and Sherra. They grew up in the same small Ohio town, but were not friends until later in life. The beginning of each short story is the event that bonds them together--but from each girls' perspective. They are in their senior year of high school when "something" happens at a party that got out of control.
1. Chains of Rebellion--Renee was a good read. Enjoyed both characters, Renee Lincoln and Deacon Cross. Renee came from a well-to-do family and was considered a snob in high school. Her mother was a snob and her childhood was less than stellar. Deacon was a great guy! I felt Renee wallowed in her "poor me" soup too much. This story had the BDSM--albeit mild--in it, but was not over-the-top.
2. Chains of Longing--Lacey was better than Renee's story. Two great characters, Lacey Talbot and Seth Salinger. Lacey was the tall, blond athlete (cheerleader) in high school that moved away and became a photographer. Seth was the "town bad boy" growing up and became the sheriff. Their romance was very sweet. Knuckleheads! Both had strong feelings for each other, but had suppressed it for years!
3. Chains of Memory--Sherra started off neat, but Sherra's character got on my nerves. Sherra Salinger is the twin sister of Seth (sheriff from Lacey's story). She is the one that was justified in having the nightmares of the "ordeal," but for me she dwelled on her past too much. She went on with her life and became a successful author. She has a stalker---for 5 years--and prior to going on a book tour her friend hires a bodyguard, Dalton--former police officer, big, long-haired, bad boy looking hunk. :-)
Thought it was unrealistic to be 32 and a virgin. Sherra let one near rape control her life and she felt she couldn't allow another man to touch her, then she gets the hots for Dalton. Well, it was a fictional story, so I went with it, but I didn't care for Sherra and her stoic attitude.
Overall, the book was very entertaining. I felt the "something" that happened early on should have been slightly more horrifying to justify the girls still having nightmares about it 15 years later. Some writing was repeated too often for my taste and I got the feeling the last story was rushed. Seemed like it needed one more chapter...Well worth the read, though. Easy on the mind, element of suspense carries throughout each story as the "bad guy" tries to kill each girl and the plot thickens when Sherra comes to town.
1. Chains of Rebellion--Renee was a good read. Enjoyed both characters, Renee Lincoln and Deacon Cross. Renee came from a well-to-do family and was considered a snob in high school. Her mother was a snob and her childhood was less than stellar. Deacon was a great guy! I felt Renee wallowed in her "poor me" soup too much. This story had the BDSM--albeit mild--in it, but was not over-the-top.
2. Chains of Longing--Lacey was better than Renee's story. Two great characters, Lacey Talbot and Seth Salinger. Lacey was the tall, blond athlete (cheerleader) in high school that moved away and became a photographer. Seth was the "town bad boy" growing up and became the sheriff. Their romance was very sweet. Knuckleheads! Both had strong feelings for each other, but had suppressed it for years!
3. Chains of Memory--Sherra started off neat, but Sherra's character got on my nerves. Sherra Salinger is the twin sister of Seth (sheriff from Lacey's story). She is the one that was justified in having the nightmares of the "ordeal," but for me she dwelled on her past too much. She went on with her life and became a successful author. She has a stalker---for 5 years--and prior to going on a book tour her friend hires a bodyguard, Dalton--former police officer, big, long-haired, bad boy looking hunk. :-)
Thought it was unrealistic to be 32 and a virgin. Sherra let one near rape control her life and she felt she couldn't allow another man to touch her, then she gets the hots for Dalton. Well, it was a fictional story, so I went with it, but I didn't care for Sherra and her stoic attitude.
Overall, the book was very entertaining. I felt the "something" that happened early on should have been slightly more horrifying to justify the girls still having nightmares about it 15 years later. Some writing was repeated too often for my taste and I got the feeling the last story was rushed. Seemed like it needed one more chapter...Well worth the read, though. Easy on the mind, element of suspense carries throughout each story as the "bad guy" tries to kill each girl and the plot thickens when Sherra comes to town.
March 21, 2011
One thing I love about Shiloh Walker’s writing is that she’s not all about the sex scenes. Her books contain some steamy scenes, of course, but there is always a solid and satisfying actual plot to go with them. It is possibly for that reason, in part, that I seem to enjoy her full length novels more than her novellas.
With this book, the author gives the reader the best of both worlds. Chains contains three connected novellas that combine into what is essentially a full-length novel with three POVs and an overarching suspense plot. She has delivered three steamy and very different relationships effectively with a strong storyline to tie them together.
Renee, Lacey and Sherra weren’t friends, but their lives came together when a party during their final year of high school goes horribly and unimaginably wrong. That tragic night affected all their lives, and when they each return to their home town fifteen years later for their school reunion, the horror of that night returns in far more tangible ways.
In college, finally free from her ‘perfect’ life and controlling mother, Renee, seeing the ultimate act of rebellion, dabbled in the BDSM lifestyle. When she returns home for her fifteen-year school reunion, the last thing she expects is to meet a stranger at a bar – a dom who recognises her subtle signals.
Having not exchanged names during their one night of smoking hot passion, neither expects to see the other again. They could not be more surprised to not only run into each other the next day, but to realise exactly who it is they played with last night. Turns out they are not strangers at all.
Is it possible to make something permanent in a D/s relationship where the sub has control issues? With their growing feelings for each other, Renee and her dom will have to work this out while they also try to discover who is trying to kill Renee, and why. (NB: BDSM is not my thing, but this is very light and the hottest of the three stories)
Lacey’s story takes a very different turn. Unbeknownst to Lacey, Sherra’s twin brother has been in love with her for as long as he can remember. But Lacey is the quintessential golden girl – and despite one crazy night of passion five years ago – he knows a bad-boy like him doesn’t stand a chance.
Now the bad-boy has turned town sheriff, and when Lacey is threatened, he is determined to protect her, both as a man and the law. Thrown into such close proximity, the passions of that one night years ago reignite, and Seth is determined not to let Lacey get away from him this time. And if he can get the good girl to be a little bit bad in the process, so much the better!
Sherra was at the centre of that fateful night fifteen years ago, and she has been living with the consequences every day since. Now a best-selling author, she expels her emotions through the horror stories she writes. But when she returns to town determined to attend the reunion and kick off her book tour, her stalker steps up his game to truly terrifying levels.
Can the bodyguard assigned to her keep her safe, and will the attraction he feels be accepted and reciprocated, or will he be pushed away by this recluse like every man that has come before him. The stakes are high, and the danger even higher.
The suspense plot is strong across all of the stories, rather than just being there to tie the stories together, and the denouement is suitably intense. If you like a good plot and some variety in your erotic romance, then the well-written Chains will definitely fit the bill.
With this book, the author gives the reader the best of both worlds. Chains contains three connected novellas that combine into what is essentially a full-length novel with three POVs and an overarching suspense plot. She has delivered three steamy and very different relationships effectively with a strong storyline to tie them together.
Renee, Lacey and Sherra weren’t friends, but their lives came together when a party during their final year of high school goes horribly and unimaginably wrong. That tragic night affected all their lives, and when they each return to their home town fifteen years later for their school reunion, the horror of that night returns in far more tangible ways.
In college, finally free from her ‘perfect’ life and controlling mother, Renee, seeing the ultimate act of rebellion, dabbled in the BDSM lifestyle. When she returns home for her fifteen-year school reunion, the last thing she expects is to meet a stranger at a bar – a dom who recognises her subtle signals.
Having not exchanged names during their one night of smoking hot passion, neither expects to see the other again. They could not be more surprised to not only run into each other the next day, but to realise exactly who it is they played with last night. Turns out they are not strangers at all.
Is it possible to make something permanent in a D/s relationship where the sub has control issues? With their growing feelings for each other, Renee and her dom will have to work this out while they also try to discover who is trying to kill Renee, and why. (NB: BDSM is not my thing, but this is very light and the hottest of the three stories)
Lacey’s story takes a very different turn. Unbeknownst to Lacey, Sherra’s twin brother has been in love with her for as long as he can remember. But Lacey is the quintessential golden girl – and despite one crazy night of passion five years ago – he knows a bad-boy like him doesn’t stand a chance.
Now the bad-boy has turned town sheriff, and when Lacey is threatened, he is determined to protect her, both as a man and the law. Thrown into such close proximity, the passions of that one night years ago reignite, and Seth is determined not to let Lacey get away from him this time. And if he can get the good girl to be a little bit bad in the process, so much the better!
Sherra was at the centre of that fateful night fifteen years ago, and she has been living with the consequences every day since. Now a best-selling author, she expels her emotions through the horror stories she writes. But when she returns to town determined to attend the reunion and kick off her book tour, her stalker steps up his game to truly terrifying levels.
Can the bodyguard assigned to her keep her safe, and will the attraction he feels be accepted and reciprocated, or will he be pushed away by this recluse like every man that has come before him. The stakes are high, and the danger even higher.
The suspense plot is strong across all of the stories, rather than just being there to tie the stories together, and the denouement is suitably intense. If you like a good plot and some variety in your erotic romance, then the well-written Chains will definitely fit the bill.
February 5, 2010
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was just going to be straight sex with a small story lurking in there somewhere but I was pleasantly surprised. The suspense kept me going and the characters were enjoyable. However I did not enjoy the first story as much. The second story was very sweet and I felt the connection immediately. I also was able to get into the story at this point because you felt that there was some sort of danger surrounding the characters. The last story was good but it felt rushed. I was up and down with the female character. I mean someone has been stalking you for 5 years. You lived in fear for years prior to that because of another incident and you still never thought that you needed protection when the stalking began. Uh what's going on in your head? I wanted the ladies to interact with each other more. Now I'm glad that each of them got their own story but they kept calling each other best friends and yet they never interacted much when they each got to town and danger was chasing them. What type of friends is that? Plus every one was having sex with people that either once dated or was related to their friends. There should have been some conversation going on. Still, the read was enjoyable. I would read another book by this author.
April 24, 2010
Shiloh Walker writes a separate story for each of these three high school girls that relate to one incident occurring during their senior year. Fifteen years later, the same incident and a high school reunion reunite these characters and brings them face-to-face with the truth. Mixed in with some hot, steamy chemistry between old loves and new and you've got yourself a chilling romantic suspense.
June 12, 2022
A really interesting book. One night of their senior year changed their lives forever. Renee, Lacey, and Sherra. Three different girls, seemingly not much in common. But when a party senior year leads to the almost rape of Sherra, the other girls immediately jump in to save her. However, the altercation ends with the death of one of the attackers. Fifteen years later they’re back in their small town. Things have changed since that night and all of them are haunted by the memory. But now that they’re back and they each find love and protection in someone they might not have predicted. Three different stories of suspense and romance, as the girls struggle to come to terms with that night, and are now once again in danger, perused by a new attacker.
Really cool book. It’s actually three books in one. Each girl has their own story which is cool. Really not what I expected, but was very pleasantly surprised. They each end up with really great guys amongst the chaos. Renee and Deacon were great to start the book off. They knew each other in high school, deacon dated her best friend but never considered each other. They run into each other at a hotel bar and hook up not realizing who they other person was. Renee battles with moving on from her once controlled life and abusive partner. I was so upset when their story was coming to an end because I thought how could it get better. And then Lacey and Seth happened and I got so attached to their story. Lacey was a popular girl in highschool, Seth was the low class bad boy. Lacey was taken all of highschool and Seth fell in love with her from a far. Five years ago they had a one night stand that ended in a miscommunication. Now Seth is the police chief, Lacey back in town and they need to settle their unspoken conversation from all those years ago. Sherra and Dalton’s ended up being my favorite part. After that horrible night Sherra becomes a horror writer and is a bestselling author. She’s getting ready to start her book tour, the first stop being her hometown. But her editor makes her get a bodyguard because Sherra has been dealing with an aggressive stalker for the past 5 years. Dalton, an ex cop, is hired as her guard only to discover that Sherra’s dark past has haunted her for too long. The stories intertwine as each girl is perused, and they try to track down Sherra’s stalker. It’s a really cool format for a book. I really liked it a lot. Reminded me a lot of “Close Enough to Kill” which I read recently. It was a great mixture of suspense and love. Usually when a book is focused on erotica it looses the plot, but this book did not sacrifice plot at all. Would recommend.
Really cool book. It’s actually three books in one. Each girl has their own story which is cool. Really not what I expected, but was very pleasantly surprised. They each end up with really great guys amongst the chaos. Renee and Deacon were great to start the book off. They knew each other in high school, deacon dated her best friend but never considered each other. They run into each other at a hotel bar and hook up not realizing who they other person was. Renee battles with moving on from her once controlled life and abusive partner. I was so upset when their story was coming to an end because I thought how could it get better. And then Lacey and Seth happened and I got so attached to their story. Lacey was a popular girl in highschool, Seth was the low class bad boy. Lacey was taken all of highschool and Seth fell in love with her from a far. Five years ago they had a one night stand that ended in a miscommunication. Now Seth is the police chief, Lacey back in town and they need to settle their unspoken conversation from all those years ago. Sherra and Dalton’s ended up being my favorite part. After that horrible night Sherra becomes a horror writer and is a bestselling author. She’s getting ready to start her book tour, the first stop being her hometown. But her editor makes her get a bodyguard because Sherra has been dealing with an aggressive stalker for the past 5 years. Dalton, an ex cop, is hired as her guard only to discover that Sherra’s dark past has haunted her for too long. The stories intertwine as each girl is perused, and they try to track down Sherra’s stalker. It’s a really cool format for a book. I really liked it a lot. Reminded me a lot of “Close Enough to Kill” which I read recently. It was a great mixture of suspense and love. Usually when a book is focused on erotica it looses the plot, but this book did not sacrifice plot at all. Would recommend.
February 28, 2022
Ya'll!!! At first I thought this was three separate stories but it's all one story just separated by the character's lives and how they intertwine to complete the main story. Its the perfect balance of spicy (yasss the spicy parts are very well written), love interest, and mystery. I want to tell more but I don't want to spoil any part of the book.
Side note, we stan a Queen who can articulate and highlight the importance of safe sex and consent while also keeping the scene spicy.
Side note, we stan a Queen who can articulate and highlight the importance of safe sex and consent while also keeping the scene spicy.
March 12, 2011
Fifteen years ago three girls whose only denominator was their high-school witnessed something that changes their lives and their view on life forever.
This book tells their separate stories of how they went on, how they coped, how their lives are still impacted by that long-ago night.
Book One: Chains of Rebellion—Renee was my favorite of the bunch and earned a whopping 5 stars from the very beginning. Granted, it was also the most erotica-styled of them, and Renee and Deacon went right at it, but strangely the abruptness didn't really bother me. It went with the overall style of the book (with each separate story having a dark and gritty prologue of seeing the poignant moment/night from the POV of each woman).
Renee's story, besides being the only one with a light bondage theme, had the best mix of elements - angst, sex, and suspense.
And the fact I loved both Renee and Deacon to bits helped matters a lot. ;)
The two other stories, Book Two: Chains of Longing—Lacey and Book Three: Chains of Memory—Sherra, fell rather short compared to the Renee's. The suspense was only marginally there (except the climax in Sherra) and they concentrated more on the inner-fears and doubts, and character (flaws) of the heroines. And the fact I couldn't bring myself to care much about both Lacey and Sherra was definitely not a plus.
Compared to Renee, who seemed the most aloof of the three fifteen years ago, it was Lacey and Sherra's turn to be distant and rather cold, IMO. While Renee strove to open up, not to let fear and nightmares run her life, the other two embraced those fears and debilitation emotions and let them govern (almost) every aspect of their lives. It took two (right) men to open them up, but the whole ordeal seemed rather forced.
Yes, Renee's story was my favorite and it is her story that will bring me back to re-read this book. Don't get me wrong, I love SW writing, she's an excellent elements-mixer, but I guess for me to really enjoy this one, Renee's story should've been last, so I couldn't enjoy the buildup, not the down-slide.
This book tells their separate stories of how they went on, how they coped, how their lives are still impacted by that long-ago night.
Book One: Chains of Rebellion—Renee was my favorite of the bunch and earned a whopping 5 stars from the very beginning. Granted, it was also the most erotica-styled of them, and Renee and Deacon went right at it, but strangely the abruptness didn't really bother me. It went with the overall style of the book (with each separate story having a dark and gritty prologue of seeing the poignant moment/night from the POV of each woman).
Renee's story, besides being the only one with a light bondage theme, had the best mix of elements - angst, sex, and suspense.
And the fact I loved both Renee and Deacon to bits helped matters a lot. ;)
The two other stories, Book Two: Chains of Longing—Lacey and Book Three: Chains of Memory—Sherra, fell rather short compared to the Renee's. The suspense was only marginally there (except the climax in Sherra) and they concentrated more on the inner-fears and doubts, and character (flaws) of the heroines. And the fact I couldn't bring myself to care much about both Lacey and Sherra was definitely not a plus.
Compared to Renee, who seemed the most aloof of the three fifteen years ago, it was Lacey and Sherra's turn to be distant and rather cold, IMO. While Renee strove to open up, not to let fear and nightmares run her life, the other two embraced those fears and debilitation emotions and let them govern (almost) every aspect of their lives. It took two (right) men to open them up, but the whole ordeal seemed rather forced.
Yes, Renee's story was my favorite and it is her story that will bring me back to re-read this book. Don't get me wrong, I love SW writing, she's an excellent elements-mixer, but I guess for me to really enjoy this one, Renee's story should've been last, so I couldn't enjoy the buildup, not the down-slide.
March 23, 2013
3 sexy short stories with a common theme, steamy sex scenes, and BDSM elements in the first story.
December 10, 2023
4.5 stars
Loved this books. Three short stories of three girls whose lives were changed when one is almost raped at a senior high school party. They come back for 15 year reunion and the issues start up again for them. I didn't know who the villain until the author wanted me to know. Very well written. Shiloh Walker does it again!!
Loved this books. Three short stories of three girls whose lives were changed when one is almost raped at a senior high school party. They come back for 15 year reunion and the issues start up again for them. I didn't know who the villain until the author wanted me to know. Very well written. Shiloh Walker does it again!!
July 28, 2018
I'm not sure which way I want to go with this. I wasn't bad, but I feel like it lacked the right spice. IDK... Somewhere in my mind I feel like it needed more action to go along with all the "threats".
Everything else was so sweet and spicy
Everything else was so sweet and spicy
August 18, 2020
As always shiloh hits her mark.
library
July 30, 20210
July 1, 2011
As some of you know, I’m a huge, huge Shiloh Walker fan, as my review of one of her latest, A Forever Kind of Love, earlier this week attests. I’ve vowed I’m going to read her backlist when I can, and this time I chose Chains. I love everything about this book, of course. I had one teeny tiny issue, but in the end it really didn’t mean all that much, because the story Ms. Walker gives readers hits hard, hits low, and the way these heroines survive the blows is beyond incredible.
These three heroines are brought together by violence in one tragic night, and it’s amazing to see how they triumph over it all. They come from very different areas of life, so while in high school, where their lives take a turn no one could have ever imagined, they don’t interact or run in the same circles. But they all end up at the same party, all for different reasons, and then end up uniting together when things get out of control and one of them is in dire trouble. I like that the other two come to her aid because it’s the right thing to do, as well as they do with what happens afterward. But it’s more that they help because only another woman can understand this type of violence.
Renee is the girl most of us hated in high school. Perfect everything, but not is all as it seems. Lacey is the athlete, everyone loved her and knew she was going places. Sherra is the wrong-side-of-the-tracks girl.
It’s the party girl Sherra who attends a rowdy blowout given by the mayor’s son and it’s her reputation that instigates harassment by some guys, one of whom won’t take no for an answer. Renee and Lacey come to her rescue, even though the culprit is a guy who her parents approve of and who Renee came to the party with. But things get even worse when a gun comes into play during this horrible night. The ensuing nightmares for all three girls send them fleeing, never to return until fifteen years later.
Each of the women has prospered in the intervening years, though still haunted by that one awful night. They get their own new story with their heroes, who eventually bring them peace as well as love, and there’s a lot of sizzling hot sex, which shouldn’t surprise anyone if they’ve read Ms. Walker before this. There’s still danger out there amidst their reunion, and the suspense and mystery of this stalker only gives the book another layer which weaves everything together into one immensely satisfying read.
My one tiny issue? I was a little off balance with the way the book ended. I even asked Sybil to try to get me another e-copy, just in case mine had inadvertently lost a couple of pages. But it hadn’t and I moved on. It really didn’t change anything for me at all and I laughed at myself afterward, asking why I’d been so nitpicky in and among such awesome writing. No idea. Maybe I just wanted the book to go on and on. That, I wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow at.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
These three heroines are brought together by violence in one tragic night, and it’s amazing to see how they triumph over it all. They come from very different areas of life, so while in high school, where their lives take a turn no one could have ever imagined, they don’t interact or run in the same circles. But they all end up at the same party, all for different reasons, and then end up uniting together when things get out of control and one of them is in dire trouble. I like that the other two come to her aid because it’s the right thing to do, as well as they do with what happens afterward. But it’s more that they help because only another woman can understand this type of violence.
Renee is the girl most of us hated in high school. Perfect everything, but not is all as it seems. Lacey is the athlete, everyone loved her and knew she was going places. Sherra is the wrong-side-of-the-tracks girl.
It’s the party girl Sherra who attends a rowdy blowout given by the mayor’s son and it’s her reputation that instigates harassment by some guys, one of whom won’t take no for an answer. Renee and Lacey come to her rescue, even though the culprit is a guy who her parents approve of and who Renee came to the party with. But things get even worse when a gun comes into play during this horrible night. The ensuing nightmares for all three girls send them fleeing, never to return until fifteen years later.
Each of the women has prospered in the intervening years, though still haunted by that one awful night. They get their own new story with their heroes, who eventually bring them peace as well as love, and there’s a lot of sizzling hot sex, which shouldn’t surprise anyone if they’ve read Ms. Walker before this. There’s still danger out there amidst their reunion, and the suspense and mystery of this stalker only gives the book another layer which weaves everything together into one immensely satisfying read.
My one tiny issue? I was a little off balance with the way the book ended. I even asked Sybil to try to get me another e-copy, just in case mine had inadvertently lost a couple of pages. But it hadn’t and I moved on. It really didn’t change anything for me at all and I laughed at myself afterward, asking why I’d been so nitpicky in and among such awesome writing. No idea. Maybe I just wanted the book to go on and on. That, I wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow at.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
February 23, 2012
This was my very first book by Shiloh Walker. After reading the blurb on the back of this book, I was really excited to start reading because I wanted to discover what tragedy brought these three young women together. Three young women have a life changing experience at a party in their final weeks of high school. Renee, Lacey, and Sherra came from very different backgrounds and generally had no interactions until that night when they bonded over tragedy. When the three women return home for their 15 year high school reunion, a shadow from the past is watching each of them.
This was a great collection of interconnected novellas. I only had a few concerns with the stories. Because they were short (since they were novellas) there was a lot of internal monologuing to help illustrate character’s feelings and observations. It seemed like in those times the characters were missing out on the actions/conversations of the other characters around them. Also, the cover led me to believe the stories would be a little sexier than I thought they were. Neither of these two things hurt the stories for me. I thought all three novellas were well written, I enjoyed all of the characters, and the plots were very well threaded together. Great read and I’ll be sure to pick up more from this author!
This was a great collection of interconnected novellas. I only had a few concerns with the stories. Because they were short (since they were novellas) there was a lot of internal monologuing to help illustrate character’s feelings and observations. It seemed like in those times the characters were missing out on the actions/conversations of the other characters around them. Also, the cover led me to believe the stories would be a little sexier than I thought they were. Neither of these two things hurt the stories for me. I thought all three novellas were well written, I enjoyed all of the characters, and the plots were very well threaded together. Great read and I’ll be sure to pick up more from this author!
April 2, 2012
When I go to the library I like to browse a shelf and randomly pick a book...
This was a random pick and WOW ... What a book!!!
Three girls are involved in an incident 15 years where attempted rape, a gun and a death caused their lives to change forever..
Each encounter is unique
and the finale where Sherra is kidnapped was believable and scary..
looking for more by this author!!
This was a random pick and WOW ... What a book!!!
Three girls are involved in an incident 15 years where attempted rape, a gun and a death caused their lives to change forever..
Each encounter is unique
and the finale where Sherra is kidnapped was believable and scary..
looking for more by this author!!
October 13, 2014
This story will make your heart sad from the get go. To relive memories with Tyler, Danny and Alex from their childhood will make you want to do horrible things to their foster father. No child should have to be treated so badly and cruel by an adult who should be taking care of them and sheltering them. Every childhood reflects on how a child will grow up. Tyler had so much anger he turned to fighting, Danny wanting a way to forget everything turned to drugs. Tyler still has hope to make his life better and wants to help Danny feel the same way. You will see these two help each other pick each other up when they both see no light at the end of the road anymore. Everyone needs someone to help them through life and Tyler and Danny were that for each other. A downfall I had with this book was the time Danny had to detox. I felt like it was too short. The book made it seem as if she was on drugs for awhile and the time it took her to be okay with out drugs was too fast. This book is not flowers and butterflies it is dark and sad but worth the read. I give this book 3.5 stars
-Harper
-Harper
August 17, 2014
This is my first review so bear with me...
I bought this book because I love Shiloh's writing. What I got was a great mystery with three romances and the unfolding of a night that changed three lives forever. Nothing ever happens in a small town, or so they say. I love the setting for the story, a small town in Ohio. As the characters are introduced you get to see some of their strong personalities unfold. I sat on the edge of my seat during a good portion of this book and even thought about calling in sick so I could finish it. Instead I stayed up till midnight a few times. It was well worth the lack of sleep. I thought I had the mystery figured out more than a few times, but I never saw the actual twist comming! This heart wrenching tale of three young women and the men who love them is now a favorite and one I will re-read offen. If you like suspence with romance an a kick of extra something, you have to read this book. You will not be disapointed.
I bought this book because I love Shiloh's writing. What I got was a great mystery with three romances and the unfolding of a night that changed three lives forever. Nothing ever happens in a small town, or so they say. I love the setting for the story, a small town in Ohio. As the characters are introduced you get to see some of their strong personalities unfold. I sat on the edge of my seat during a good portion of this book and even thought about calling in sick so I could finish it. Instead I stayed up till midnight a few times. It was well worth the lack of sleep. I thought I had the mystery figured out more than a few times, but I never saw the actual twist comming! This heart wrenching tale of three young women and the men who love them is now a favorite and one I will re-read offen. If you like suspence with romance an a kick of extra something, you have to read this book. You will not be disapointed.
July 25, 2010
Chains is a story about three high school acquaintances who shared a horrifying night and how it causes them to reunite in an effort to solve a series of attacks plaguing each of them. The story is told from three different points of view but merging together nicely for the conclusion. Shiloh Walker is a talented storyteller who has a gift for suspense and intrigue. I truly enjoyed reading the "event" from the past from each of the three main character's perspective. However, I must admit that the S&M sex engaged in by Renee and Deacon made me uncomfortable. If you can get past that you relish in the tales Ms. Walker weaves. As much as I enjoyed this story, I must admit that the ending left me feeling unfulfilled. It just felt as though it was a little too predictable and that something was missing. But don't let that stop you from a good read.
July 24, 2010
I am always leery when I pick up a book and it is split into 3 parts, each with their own story, but still connected. It really depends on the author if the stories are weaved together well, this one was done well.
What I loved was that when each woman's story started we saw the initial bad party incident from each of their perspective, each time getting a little more information. Then with each woman's story we saw how this incident affected their lives, really becoming a turning point in it, each dealing in a different way. The woman were all so different, that had it not been for this event they would not have become friends.
The stories with each couple was great, the each seemed to fit together, the guy bringing just what the woman needed. It was fun to see each of them fall, so fast and hard.
What I loved was that when each woman's story started we saw the initial bad party incident from each of their perspective, each time getting a little more information. Then with each woman's story we saw how this incident affected their lives, really becoming a turning point in it, each dealing in a different way. The woman were all so different, that had it not been for this event they would not have become friends.
The stories with each couple was great, the each seemed to fit together, the guy bringing just what the woman needed. It was fun to see each of them fall, so fast and hard.
July 31, 2011
This book is a good surprise. I have really liked it so far. It is set up in 3 parts, and I have read the first two. I like the strong female charaters so far. But some of the parts are very steamy! So for a single girl like me it has been fun to read.
I am done with this book now and I have to say I enjoyed reading all three parts. Loved the connection between the three women and how each of them found something different (meaning the men whom they fell in love with) to complete their lives. One more example of how one woman's happiness would not fullfill the next woman at all. But the bond of friendship between women is just as important too! This book had a good ending, stalker and would be serial killer who is after all three women due to their past which no one know about. I liked the twist at the end. I will be looking for other books by this author.
I am done with this book now and I have to say I enjoyed reading all three parts. Loved the connection between the three women and how each of them found something different (meaning the men whom they fell in love with) to complete their lives. One more example of how one woman's happiness would not fullfill the next woman at all. But the bond of friendship between women is just as important too! This book had a good ending, stalker and would be serial killer who is after all three women due to their past which no one know about. I liked the twist at the end. I will be looking for other books by this author.
August 4, 2014
This book was recommended to me by a friend for the erotic writing. I thought it started off slow and had a hard time getting into it, but once I reached the first sex scene, there was no turning back. I did enjoy the three different stories, but was much more interested in the relationships than the main point of the story - which was the stalker and who the stalker was, etc. I was disappointed when it ended only because I wanted to know what happened to all three of the women and the men they had just met up with. I also truly dislike books where the stalker is someone that is hardly ever mentioned in the book - you really have no chance of guessing who it is. I think it's better when all the characters (even supporting ones) are well developed so you can try to figure out who is involved.
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June 22, 2015I really liked how Walker uses the three different stories to illustrate what the stalker is doing to each of these girls, all while giving them their own HEA. Chains really kept my attention and it was difficult to put down. By giving us the three HEA spread throughout the book, it developed a pretty good cliffhanger that made me continue reading instead of putting down the novel and getting to the next story after I did a chore or something. It read very much like a full length novel and the three different POVs were unique enough that it gave Chains more of a well-rounded feel more than anything. Chains is definitely a must for any romance reader.
For my full review, click here.
For my full review, click here.
December 2, 2012
I got this book for free from the author through a Goodreads giveaway. As soon as I got it I started reading it and I could not put it down. It is divided into three separate love stories but all the characters are connected through a situation of the past and they all come up in each others stories. I especially enjoyed the first one the most! It was hot and intense and I really wish she had gone more in depth with the story of Rene and Deacon. The other two were good but I wasn't really THAT into it by that point and I just wanted to find out who was after them and what was going to happen with Rene and Deacon. The end was slightly surprising but not too much. Anyways, overall it was a fun and suspenseful read.
November 13, 2010
I liked this book. It was very interesting seeing how things unfold from three different points of view. At first I had trouble with the dom/thing but that's my problem. The book has a great theme and kept me guessing. My only thing that bugged me - living in Ohio I kind of know the geography and this was WAY off. The story is set in Madison OH which is in the north east of the state up by Lake Erie but they keep referring to going to Cincinnati for movies/shopping. Couldn't happen. These two locals are about as far away from each other as you can get.
March 31, 2012
Another Walker book that was overall disappointing. The three stories had were linked by an attempted rape and the death of one of the rapists at a high school party. The three women involved maintained their friendship over the years. When the school reunion is held, they are again brought together, finding romance during this time. Story was a strained trying to have this attempted rape event carry an overwhelming load of continuing effects on the involved parties. Still, an OK read. Just not great.
July 6, 2009
3 different stories by the same author, and all of them sizzling and spectacular. Renee, Lacey, and Sherra went through quite a trauma when they were younger, which bound them together as friends and survivors. This book tells that story as well as what happens when they get back together again, and with the men that love them.
For my future reference: Renee was kink, Lacey was a one-night stand, and Sherra was her bodyguard.
For my future reference: Renee was kink, Lacey was a one-night stand, and Sherra was her bodyguard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2009
Eh.. this one was okay, but it was definitely better than the other book I read by Walker.
I liked the idea that it was 3 separate stories, but that they all seamlessly blended together to form 1 cohesive story. I have to say that I liked the first one the best and the 2rd one was my next favorite. Not too big a fan of the middle one though.
I would read her again.
I liked the idea that it was 3 separate stories, but that they all seamlessly blended together to form 1 cohesive story. I have to say that I liked the first one the best and the 2rd one was my next favorite. Not too big a fan of the middle one though.
I would read her again.
June 13, 2011
The sexuality was more extreme than I'm comfortable with, but the characters and story were enjoyable.
The story was told in three sections, each centralized around a character that was involved with an almost-rape and murder when they were teenagers. I would have preferred a neutral epilogue, that touched on each of the couples, but it was a nice wrap-up all the same.
The story was told in three sections, each centralized around a character that was involved with an almost-rape and murder when they were teenagers. I would have preferred a neutral epilogue, that touched on each of the couples, but it was a nice wrap-up all the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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