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Romance #3
shadowland
In a world on the far edge of desire, two women are drawn together by power, passion, and dark pleasures. When Kyle Kirk embarks on a daring exploration of her most secret fantasies, she finds that Dane, the stranger who guides her on the journey of self-discovery, awakens something far more dangerous than her senses. In the dark hours of the night, when passions rule and the barriers of convention are stripped away, both Dane and Kyle are forced to confront the true nature of what has long lain buried within their hearts.
250 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2004
29 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Radclyffe
142 books1,668 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 4, 2017
Quite a few years ago now, when I got my hands on my first Kindle, I went on a free-book rampage. I'd not long been a member of GR, but I was loving my newly found access to loads of free books and adding them to my (very small at the time!) TBR shelf. Now, I'll own up, a LOT of them were Kindle-smut! I'd discovered that a lot of freebies, ironically, came at a price, being that 80%+ of them were utter rubbish!! But, occasionally, there was a diamond in the rough, and Shadowland by Radclyffe was one of them.
After recently reading many thrillers, horrors, historical fic, etc, etc, I wanted to read something completely different. So I hunted through my Kindle and decided to read this, and it hooked me in, handcuffed my attention to the bed, and promptly impressed the hell out of me!
Shadowland, in a nutshell, is a complex story about a group of gay women who have more baggage, secrets, flaws, and attitude than ANY bunch of characters I've ever read about. Radclyffe has written the most brilliant character-focused story I've come across in a long, long time. I don't read much at all in the LGBT fiction genre, but the character dynamics are first class. Having no men around makes for an absolute knock-out read! Even the women don't understand the women, so I don't think men have much hope, that's for sure!
Now, onto the more gritty side of things.
Trigger warning, a BIG part of this story evolves around, some might say, unconventional lifestyles. In that there's BDSM, total power exchange (TPE), D/s (Domme/sub) relationships and leather, lots of leather ;) There is also mind-games, occasional drug use, edge play and a variety of sex toys that inflict both pleasure and pain. So if you're after a cute lesbian romance, this book isn't for you. However, if you've got an open mind and just fancy reading something a little darker, without that typical 'alpha male' throwing his weight around, choose this, there's 'alpha females' instead. How refreshing!
So, going back to the smut side of things, this one stands right out from the crowd. The author didn't feel the need to use profanity hardly at all. The sex scenes are erotic and loving, with very little essence of titillation for titillations sake, just the right amount of description to set the scene and paint the picture bold enough for the reader to capture the imagery perfectly.
When a plot is this good, when the characters are this strong and when the writing has such flow, I'm completely sold. This is NOT smut. Or pointless, crass sexploits purely written to get the reader 'off'! This is a great character driven story by a brilliant author.
I really can't fault it. My only disappointment is that none of Radclyffes other books are free!!
After recently reading many thrillers, horrors, historical fic, etc, etc, I wanted to read something completely different. So I hunted through my Kindle and decided to read this, and it hooked me in, handcuffed my attention to the bed, and promptly impressed the hell out of me!
Shadowland, in a nutshell, is a complex story about a group of gay women who have more baggage, secrets, flaws, and attitude than ANY bunch of characters I've ever read about. Radclyffe has written the most brilliant character-focused story I've come across in a long, long time. I don't read much at all in the LGBT fiction genre, but the character dynamics are first class. Having no men around makes for an absolute knock-out read! Even the women don't understand the women, so I don't think men have much hope, that's for sure!
Now, onto the more gritty side of things.
Trigger warning, a BIG part of this story evolves around, some might say, unconventional lifestyles. In that there's BDSM, total power exchange (TPE), D/s (Domme/sub) relationships and leather, lots of leather ;) There is also mind-games, occasional drug use, edge play and a variety of sex toys that inflict both pleasure and pain. So if you're after a cute lesbian romance, this book isn't for you. However, if you've got an open mind and just fancy reading something a little darker, without that typical 'alpha male' throwing his weight around, choose this, there's 'alpha females' instead. How refreshing!
So, going back to the smut side of things, this one stands right out from the crowd. The author didn't feel the need to use profanity hardly at all. The sex scenes are erotic and loving, with very little essence of titillation for titillations sake, just the right amount of description to set the scene and paint the picture bold enough for the reader to capture the imagery perfectly.
When a plot is this good, when the characters are this strong and when the writing has such flow, I'm completely sold. This is NOT smut. Or pointless, crass sexploits purely written to get the reader 'off'! This is a great character driven story by a brilliant author.
I really can't fault it. My only disappointment is that none of Radclyffes other books are free!!
April 28, 2020
*Gasps, gulps, clears throat*
Once upon a time, I was an innocent little soul who knew nothing about BDSM, D/s relationships, and the kind of people who sought out these kinds of things. Then Radclyffe came along and popped my proverbial cherry. Thanks, Rad!
Not only was this kind of story new to me, but Radclyffe, herself, was new to me. Yep, Shadowland was my first book by this author.
Shadowland was dark, sexually dark. Now, I'm not talking about rape kind of dark, let me make that clear. Everything was consensual in this story. I absolutely loved that the women in this dark tale were butch, even the evil ex was butch. This story showed how much one person can have so much power over another. It takes great strength not to abuse that power, and unfortunately, we are introduced to one side character who couldn't control themselves. I believe Radclyffe wanted to show us what could happen when you instill trust in someone who loses control very easily. And not only for the Dom in control but the sub as well. I believe it's called "subspace" when a submissive loses all control of their mind and body and can't decipher anymore between pleasurable pain and just full on abuse.
The dog breeding program was, in my opinion, a great metaphor towards the story. It showed dominance and command with a gentle ease that created a safe environment for the dogs; similar to what is supposed to happen in the bedroom between a D/s, or Master/Mistress/slave.
I really enjoyed this story. I don't recommend to anyone who has a tender heart and is looking for fluff and an HEA, though. But if you like sexy butch women making other sexy butch women quiver, scream, moan, and beg, then this story might be for you.
Once upon a time, I was an innocent little soul who knew nothing about BDSM, D/s relationships, and the kind of people who sought out these kinds of things. Then Radclyffe came along and popped my proverbial cherry. Thanks, Rad!
Not only was this kind of story new to me, but Radclyffe, herself, was new to me. Yep, Shadowland was my first book by this author.
Shadowland was dark, sexually dark. Now, I'm not talking about rape kind of dark, let me make that clear. Everything was consensual in this story. I absolutely loved that the women in this dark tale were butch, even the evil ex was butch. This story showed how much one person can have so much power over another. It takes great strength not to abuse that power, and unfortunately, we are introduced to one side character who couldn't control themselves. I believe Radclyffe wanted to show us what could happen when you instill trust in someone who loses control very easily. And not only for the Dom in control but the sub as well. I believe it's called "subspace" when a submissive loses all control of their mind and body and can't decipher anymore between pleasurable pain and just full on abuse.
The dog breeding program was, in my opinion, a great metaphor towards the story. It showed dominance and command with a gentle ease that created a safe environment for the dogs; similar to what is supposed to happen in the bedroom between a D/s, or Master/Mistress/slave.
I really enjoyed this story. I don't recommend to anyone who has a tender heart and is looking for fluff and an HEA, though. But if you like sexy butch women making other sexy butch women quiver, scream, moan, and beg, then this story might be for you.
April 23, 2019
Romance?? I think not!! This is not my scene, I don't understand it, and find it scary. This book worried me, frightened me that there are people like that. I don't judge, I just can't imagine life like that. It actually makes me want to cry. And not in a good way.
May 3, 2016
2.5 stars
Me and this story didn't get along for more reason's than I care to get into. However I will suffice to say the BDSM content and head-hopping did my head in.
Apparently there's an audience for every book, clearly I wasn't the right person to pick this one up. I'm sure others will get more out of it than I did.
Me and this story didn't get along for more reason's than I care to get into. However I will suffice to say the BDSM content and head-hopping did my head in.
Apparently there's an audience for every book, clearly I wasn't the right person to pick this one up. I'm sure others will get more out of it than I did.
December 6, 2013
This is my first book by Radclyffe and I am now officially a HUGE FAN!!! This story was moving and powerful, not only for its intense, edge-of-your-seat moments but for it's thoughtful, tender moments as well. It explores (so many!) physical aspects of bdsm, but the mental and emotional side of what goes on among those in the lifestyle are what made this story so real. So beautifully portrayed! It made me think of bdsm in a whole new light....and I've read my share of bdsm stories!
The erotic scenes were some of the best I've read in lesbian fiction AND they all felt crucial to the story. The characters were angsty and tortured. The plot kept me guessing and turning the pages fast. There was love, hate, friendship, and enemies. It's everything wrapped up in one hot book! Be sure to read this one!!
The erotic scenes were some of the best I've read in lesbian fiction AND they all felt crucial to the story. The characters were angsty and tortured. The plot kept me guessing and turning the pages fast. There was love, hate, friendship, and enemies. It's everything wrapped up in one hot book! Be sure to read this one!!
January 4, 2016
Really torn about this one. Every scene with Kyle and Dane (or including Caroline and Anne) were magic, which is why I'm giving this three stars instead of two. Overall, though, the book was too uneven for me. The villain didn't work for me, Kyle becoming whip-wielding top without any evidence of practice, and the declaration of love after only a handful of encounters (even if they were spaced over a span of months) all took away from it for me. I wanted to love this so much because I usually love Radclyffe's books and I'm also a big fan of BDSM erotic romance, but I kind of wish I'd given this one a pass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2017
From a information perspective it was great but it lacked substance for me!
I'll repost a proper review soon but for now 2.5 stars and I'm left a little disappointed
I'll repost a proper review soon but for now 2.5 stars and I'm left a little disappointed
May 21, 2023
3/5
Um,this was interesting.I think it's positive to say that almost every character (besides Caroline and Anne) was a red flag.I seriously had no idea about what to feel.I have no idea how Kyle was so easily friends with Nancy after her homophobic replies, I have no idea how Kyle pushed so much for Dane,seriously she didn't had almost no self respect,I hated Brad(even tho that was te point),I hated the details about Kyle f-cking another women,Dane was just a red flag,her whole existence is.But I loved the drama😍🙌
Um,this was interesting.I think it's positive to say that almost every character (besides Caroline and Anne) was a red flag.I seriously had no idea about what to feel.I have no idea how Kyle was so easily friends with Nancy after her homophobic replies, I have no idea how Kyle pushed so much for Dane,seriously she didn't had almost no self respect,I hated Brad(even tho that was te point),I hated the details about Kyle f-cking another women,Dane was just a red flag,her whole existence is.But I loved the drama😍🙌
February 1, 2019
This is sick! In a grasping and shocking kind of way. And I am not just talking about the act itself but more especially the psyche of these characters.
Perhaps a lot of my reaction to this has to do with my ignorance (despite reading a number of books related to these kinds of bond) of the bdsm kind of lifestyle. I find it hard to imagine myself being so mind and body controlled as described here and yet in retrospect I do kind of believe I have participated subconsciously in a form of it (though not as glaring as this).
The truth be told courtship, sex, loving... And the whole experience is a give and take of some sort.
Radclyffe did a good job involving readers into the such a lifestyle of these characters and certainly leaving the reader with a reason to imagine further.
Perhaps a lot of my reaction to this has to do with my ignorance (despite reading a number of books related to these kinds of bond) of the bdsm kind of lifestyle. I find it hard to imagine myself being so mind and body controlled as described here and yet in retrospect I do kind of believe I have participated subconsciously in a form of it (though not as glaring as this).
The truth be told courtship, sex, loving... And the whole experience is a give and take of some sort.
Radclyffe did a good job involving readers into the such a lifestyle of these characters and certainly leaving the reader with a reason to imagine further.
July 10, 2013
Motorcyle? Check.
Black leather? Check.
Hot butchess with a sensitive side? Check.Check.Check.Check.Check.
Shadowland is a drool-worthy, exciting page-turner! The characters are lovable & sexy, the scenes took my breath away, & I thought it was interesting that all of the main characters do not have gender-typed names. (I appreciate this because I have a unisex name myself)
Recommended to all readers of BDSM, f/f romance, & a good plot.
Black leather? Check.
Hot butchess with a sensitive side? Check.Check.Check.Check.Check.
Shadowland is a drool-worthy, exciting page-turner! The characters are lovable & sexy, the scenes took my breath away, & I thought it was interesting that all of the main characters do not have gender-typed names. (I appreciate this because I have a unisex name myself)
Recommended to all readers of BDSM, f/f romance, & a good plot.
May 23, 2022
I picked up a stack of books by Radclyffe that aren’t available through the library digitally. This one is from 2005 and was darker than I was expecting. The focus is on Kyle and exploring power dynamics and fantasies. Everything is consensual but it is an unconventional lifestyle that I don’t really understand. The writing is good and the characters are very complex. And it holds up well considering it was written 17 years ago. This is not a light romance and trigger warnings include; alcohol, drug use, and power manipulation.
April 29, 2020
WOW! I couldn’t put this down. The moment Dane and Kyle met each other changed their lives. Neither of them expected what they found. Their relationship was full of sorrow and pain. In the end the were able to free each other of all their pain and love one another as only those two could.
November 29, 2018
I saw this Radclyffe book and thought, great I love Rad! Didn’t really rad the synopsis was I surprised it was erotica! I liked it but didn’t love it. Some of it was super hot and steamy. Some was sweet! And some a little disturbing. Still love Rad and will read it if she writes it.
June 2, 2018
I'm a kinky lesbian who read this book at a point where I was thirsty for representation or just straight-up non-straight porn, and I still didn't like it. The characters seemed like skinny white Barbies in leather pants who only differed in hair color, the sex scenes were pretty mediocre, and the connection between the main two characters seemed tenuous at best. The pacing was off, there was a lot of time spent on unrelated stuff like dog shows where the characters weren't even interacting with each other-- which would be fine in, say, a slice-of-life book, but in what's supposed to be a gripping bdsm romance, it's not great. And the conclusion was just... I don't know, it felt almost fairytale-like in its implausibility and its weird "love can cure all your traumas!" attitude.
One thing that really weirded me out was [spoilers spoilers spoilers] the fact that the climax of the book happens because one of the main characters challenges the villain to a sort of kinky duel, the goal being to stop the villain from continuing to exploit and abuse her best friend. And when that's accomplished, the last chapter ends with a sort of "What happened to the best friend? Oh, she's now addicted to drugs and mentally scarred from a heck ton of intimate abuse, but she'll be fine and let's drop this topic to talk about love instead!"
Just, the whole book was really weird and uncomfortable for me. There are much better f/f bdsm books out there that actually make sense and are also more diverse.
One thing that really weirded me out was [spoilers spoilers spoilers] the fact that the climax of the book happens because one of the main characters challenges the villain to a sort of kinky duel, the goal being to stop the villain from continuing to exploit and abuse her best friend. And when that's accomplished, the last chapter ends with a sort of "What happened to the best friend? Oh, she's now addicted to drugs and mentally scarred from a heck ton of intimate abuse, but she'll be fine and let's drop this topic to talk about love instead!"
Just, the whole book was really weird and uncomfortable for me. There are much better f/f bdsm books out there that actually make sense and are also more diverse.
October 27, 2020
Radclyffe knows how to write a scene. I really enjoyed this book. It can be a little dark and edge at times but still so very good. You get to explore BDSM and D/S play through Dane and Kyle. Kyle is totally new to the scene. She feels draw to to explore her interest after reading an article that aroused her. She meets Dane her first night at a club. The two of them connect from the beginning but Dane has been terribly hurt and used in the past. It’s hard for her to open herself for Kyle. I love them. I love how they finally are laid bared before one another, nothing left to hide, and everything to gain by loving one another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2018
A departure from the author's usual romance, I was captivated by the exploration of the BDSM theme skillfully laced with sex, angst and some romance. Definitely not for the everyday romance reader, Shadowland is not a fluffy read. With tortured leads Dane and Kyle, it is thought provoking at a minimum. At some point it would be interesting to have a follow-up book. Recommend with 4 stars.
December 22, 2021
Sex and humiliation should NOT be combined. Bdsm is cool but there should be limits.
January 5, 2020
Incredibly evocative read!
I have been avoiding this book for some time, although I have enjoyed nearly everything else that Radclyffe has written. The subject matter just hit a little too close to home. I have now, put some distance between myself and the demons of my past and felt it was time to brave this rather telling tale. The story delves into a topic that was once quite taboo but now has become more mainstream, at least in some circles.
In the end, I have to say that the book was fantastic, and now one of my favorites by this author. I almost hate to have finished it, but I know that at some time in the future I will be revisiting this story.
I have been avoiding this book for some time, although I have enjoyed nearly everything else that Radclyffe has written. The subject matter just hit a little too close to home. I have now, put some distance between myself and the demons of my past and felt it was time to brave this rather telling tale. The story delves into a topic that was once quite taboo but now has become more mainstream, at least in some circles.
In the end, I have to say that the book was fantastic, and now one of my favorites by this author. I almost hate to have finished it, but I know that at some time in the future I will be revisiting this story.
January 7, 2021
This is one of the books by this author that I haven't read. I thought I had read all but four of her books but then I found this one.
I thought that this book was a fantastic read. It is darker than I would normally read but when I started reading it the more I read the more into it I was getting. I stayed up til 2am just to finish it.
Kyle and Dane were great characters. Throw in the ex (Brad) and it really cranks up the storyline. This is not for the faint hearted.
I would highly recommend giving this a read. You can never go wrong with a book by Radclyffe.
I thought that this book was a fantastic read. It is darker than I would normally read but when I started reading it the more I read the more into it I was getting. I stayed up til 2am just to finish it.
Kyle and Dane were great characters. Throw in the ex (Brad) and it really cranks up the storyline. This is not for the faint hearted.
I would highly recommend giving this a read. You can never go wrong with a book by Radclyffe.
April 4, 2018
My first Radclyffe book and I am hooked. This is a walk through some darker sides of power in relationships but the characters help temper the story. Dane and Kyle are two souls looking for something “more” in their lives and although they are at different points they manage to navigate the grenades thrown at them. This story may not be for everyone but a read out of your comfort zone is recommended.
May 7, 2020
This was really good. Loved the exploration that Kyle did into this world and Dane being a great teacher even tho she had demons of her own. Wanted to kill Brad and make her suffer and honestly couldn't stand Nancy. Overall the connection between Kyle and Dane was written well, even tho it was complex
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2025
3 stars. A very, very low three stars. The romance between Dane and Kyle did absolutely nothing for me. They had no chemistry and Dane had so many issues and she just didn’t really seem all that interested in Kyle. I’m a big fan of Radclyffe’s writing style and that was a highlight here but yeah I wasn’t that into this one unfortunately. It just seemed so over dramatic and I was really bored.
June 30, 2017
Way heavier than I expected. Picked it up looking for some mindless fiction. There were lots of feels and issues, and not in a bad way. More thoughts later after I've processed.
More fully formed thoughts here: https://kissingbackwards.wordpress.co...
More fully formed thoughts here: https://kissingbackwards.wordpress.co...
January 3, 2025
Una lectura disfrutable y rápida, pero plagada de lugares (muy) comunes. La antagonista es insustancial y la falta de exploración del de los motivos del pasado del interés amoroso del personaje principal hace que sienta la lectura un tanto inverosímil.
June 3, 2019
One of my favorite Radclyffe books and I LOVE RADCLYFFE!! For some reason I cant find this book in my library to read again but I am willing to re buy it
May 1, 2020
This book is amazing ! It captures the nuances of BDSM and ventures into power dynamics as well as the dark side of it. It is a cautionary tale embedded in fiction. Highly recommend
February 6, 2021
Oof this book. I hadn’t read it in well over a decade and I was worried it wouldn’t hold up. It does.
April 1, 2021
Está bien, se nota bastante en que época está escrita pero aún así está bastante bien.
January 31, 2022
Hot and sexy. A little bit too mysterious for me.
June 24, 2020
A rather unromantic Romance DNF at 59%
Kyle is looking or a thrill she has been missing, and Dane, a woman with deamons in her past, might just be the answer. Together they slowly fall for each other while Dane teaches Kyle the intricacies of Dominance and Submission.
Truth be told this wasn't my cup of tea. For the most part this was due to the fact that for a romance novel, it was a rather unpleasant. A 'romance' novel with unhappy people, doing kinky things while dealing with inner 'turmoil' and unhealthy life decisions. I couldn't empathize with most of the characters and felt a disconnect with reality.
The writing itself was good, but the characters were not all that. Oh and perhaps its just me, but romance novels don't really need a super intrusive "Villain" to popel the story forward.
Overall not my thing, and also not all that good.
Kyle is looking or a thrill she has been missing, and Dane, a woman with deamons in her past, might just be the answer. Together they slowly fall for each other while Dane teaches Kyle the intricacies of Dominance and Submission.
Truth be told this wasn't my cup of tea. For the most part this was due to the fact that for a romance novel, it was a rather unpleasant. A 'romance' novel with unhappy people, doing kinky things while dealing with inner 'turmoil' and unhealthy life decisions. I couldn't empathize with most of the characters and felt a disconnect with reality.
The writing itself was good, but the characters were not all that. Oh and perhaps its just me, but romance novels don't really need a super intrusive "Villain" to popel the story forward.
Overall not my thing, and also not all that good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews