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Chronicles of Surrender #1
Sacred Secrets
She sold herself for rough play and career-making story—not murder!
Celia Brentwood, fetish reporter for San Francisco’s Inappropriate Voices, agrees to auction herself off as a BDSM slave for thirty days. She plans to write a first-person exposé, but after she’s purchased by Garrett Lawrence, the most eligible gay bachelor in town, her story becomes an insider peek at the man whose lover was brutally murdered five years before.
Garrett still mourns the loss of his beloved, but the past is hard to let go when it’s stalking him. The killer is obsessed with Garrett, and becomes incensed when his target claims a slave. When Celia’s ruse is discovered, Garrett sends her away. The killer decides she may not be as hated as Garrett claims and will be the perfect route to lure out his prey.
Thomás Stephanopoulos, one of Garrett’s closest friends and confidants, recognizes something special in Celia, a darkness that mirrors his own. After Garrett abandons her, will she accept the lure of self-discovery, he dangles before her? Or will she cling to the man who christened her Kitten?
Author's Note:
150 K words Revised and expanded from previous edition
Celia Brentwood, fetish reporter for San Francisco’s Inappropriate Voices, agrees to auction herself off as a BDSM slave for thirty days. She plans to write a first-person exposé, but after she’s purchased by Garrett Lawrence, the most eligible gay bachelor in town, her story becomes an insider peek at the man whose lover was brutally murdered five years before.
Garrett still mourns the loss of his beloved, but the past is hard to let go when it’s stalking him. The killer is obsessed with Garrett, and becomes incensed when his target claims a slave. When Celia’s ruse is discovered, Garrett sends her away. The killer decides she may not be as hated as Garrett claims and will be the perfect route to lure out his prey.
Thomás Stephanopoulos, one of Garrett’s closest friends and confidants, recognizes something special in Celia, a darkness that mirrors his own. After Garrett abandons her, will she accept the lure of self-discovery, he dangles before her? Or will she cling to the man who christened her Kitten?
Author's Note:
150 K words Revised and expanded from previous edition
404 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
24 people are currently reading
1872 people want to read
About the author
Roxy Harte
44 books134 followersI write erotica, specifically erotica that explores the emotional and psychological elements of relations. DDLG, BDSM, LGBTQI, POLY.
I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world, have three adult children and many grandchildren.
Jazzi, my fur-pup, and five kitties, Roo, Karma, Dharma, Tilak, and Sadie, are very spoiled :)
I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world, have three adult children and many grandchildren.
Jazzi, my fur-pup, and five kitties, Roo, Karma, Dharma, Tilak, and Sadie, are very spoiled :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 17, 2017
What did I think?
That I'm glad it's over and that at 400-plus pages it went on WAY too long.
Sacred Secrets was like a bad B-movie, but not in the good way of "bad". It's everything I hate about BDSM novels, but on steroids:
1) There's a high end bondage/fetish club that caters to high end clientele - check
2) There's a filthy rich and mysterious owner who is impossibly handsome and mysterious - check
3) There's all sorts of wonderful and expensive toys - check
4) Everyone in said club is drop-dead gorgeous - check
5) Everyone is said book has issues, a past, some psychological bent trip that leads them to BDSM - double check
6) Said mysterious and handsome owner falls in love with the one piece of tail who doesn't know she really likes being tied up and flogged for fun - check
Did I leave anything out?
Firstly, I just couldn't get past the lame monikers for the Dom/mes--Lord Ice (aka Garrett Lawrence our erstwhile mysterious and handsome lead), Lord Fyre, Dr. Psycho (really?) and Mistress Morgana. Throw in some feline and canine play with people barking, purring and sniffing just for fun, a sad sack of a heroine who doesn't know she really needs punishment (or something like that), a psycho killer who sends messages once a year after having killed said Lord Ice's lover and the novel equivalent of the Bay Area Reporter and stir well. Oh wait, just for the shits and giggles let's have the kindly black transgender heroine who is basically Oprah in drag, and a Mexican houseboy who speaks broken english just so we can show just how lacking in some cultural sensitivity we are. Even the sex scenes weren't enough to make this book even worth a happy tingle in the happy parts, especially when the fisting scene ends up with the heroine getting a urinary tract infection though her pussy is happily throbbing...seriously, her words.
Okay, the plot as I remember it is that sad sack Celia writes for an underground BDSM paper called Inappropriate Voices. She's tapped to go undercover at the high-end bondage club--Lewd Larry's (yes, but to be fair at least it's not called something typical like Inquisition, though in this case I could make an exception) at their annual slave action for charity as guess what? A slave--how could you ever guess? And surprise, surprise, surprise, she's so compelling that the mysterious and handsome owner of the club, Garrett Lawrence (aka Lord Ice, trying to type this without snark and failing) purchases her for thirty days because in spite of supposedly being gay (or so he thought), this incredibly beautiful woman captures his fancy and all sorts of sex and bondage stuff happens in between too much pity-party thinking and a crazed killer making threats. And an all-guy slumber party.
The only saving grace of this book is that it took place in my old hometown of San Francisco. It was great to see the Steinhardt Aquarium mentioned. Other than that, I'm so moving on. There are more books in the series because having played with Lord Ice, it only makes sense that Celia (aka Kitten) now has to play with Lord Fyre. Sorry, but there's only so much torture I can take.
That I'm glad it's over and that at 400-plus pages it went on WAY too long.
Sacred Secrets was like a bad B-movie, but not in the good way of "bad". It's everything I hate about BDSM novels, but on steroids:
1) There's a high end bondage/fetish club that caters to high end clientele - check
2) There's a filthy rich and mysterious owner who is impossibly handsome and mysterious - check
3) There's all sorts of wonderful and expensive toys - check
4) Everyone in said club is drop-dead gorgeous - check
5) Everyone is said book has issues, a past, some psychological bent trip that leads them to BDSM - double check
6) Said mysterious and handsome owner falls in love with the one piece of tail who doesn't know she really likes being tied up and flogged for fun - check
Did I leave anything out?
Firstly, I just couldn't get past the lame monikers for the Dom/mes--Lord Ice (aka Garrett Lawrence our erstwhile mysterious and handsome lead), Lord Fyre, Dr. Psycho (really?) and Mistress Morgana. Throw in some feline and canine play with people barking, purring and sniffing just for fun, a sad sack of a heroine who doesn't know she really needs punishment (or something like that), a psycho killer who sends messages once a year after having killed said Lord Ice's lover and the novel equivalent of the Bay Area Reporter and stir well. Oh wait, just for the shits and giggles let's have the kindly black transgender heroine who is basically Oprah in drag, and a Mexican houseboy who speaks broken english just so we can show just how lacking in some cultural sensitivity we are. Even the sex scenes weren't enough to make this book even worth a happy tingle in the happy parts, especially when the fisting scene ends up with the heroine getting a urinary tract infection though her pussy is happily throbbing...seriously, her words.
Okay, the plot as I remember it is that sad sack Celia writes for an underground BDSM paper called Inappropriate Voices. She's tapped to go undercover at the high-end bondage club--Lewd Larry's (yes, but to be fair at least it's not called something typical like Inquisition, though in this case I could make an exception) at their annual slave action for charity as guess what? A slave--how could you ever guess? And surprise, surprise, surprise, she's so compelling that the mysterious and handsome owner of the club, Garrett Lawrence (aka Lord Ice, trying to type this without snark and failing) purchases her for thirty days because in spite of supposedly being gay (or so he thought), this incredibly beautiful woman captures his fancy and all sorts of sex and bondage stuff happens in between too much pity-party thinking and a crazed killer making threats. And an all-guy slumber party.
The only saving grace of this book is that it took place in my old hometown of San Francisco. It was great to see the Steinhardt Aquarium mentioned. Other than that, I'm so moving on. There are more books in the series because having played with Lord Ice, it only makes sense that Celia (aka Kitten) now has to play with Lord Fyre. Sorry, but there's only so much torture I can take.
July 3, 2010
This was a very emotional book. It had a unique beginning and an unexpected ending. I am not a fan of 1st person point of view story telling--also not a fan of the Piccoult style narrator switching. I find it confusing as it interrupts the flow of story and found myself flipping back to see who's POV I was reading. I did like this book even considering it shortcomings. It is a story heavily laden with BDSM and a serious D/s culture. As with a lot of bondage novels I have read as of late, this one doesn't have much sex in it...the sex is mostly inferred.
Being that I have no personal knowledge or experience with BDSM or D/s culture, it is difficult for me to understand and sympathize with the players in this arena--especially when extreme pain and punishment is involved. Make no mistake about it, this book is heavy in the lifestyle-IMO. If u have any aversion to pain and humiliation or round the clock role play, then this may not be the book for you. After I finished, I found that I am really looking forward to book 2. I am hoping for more romantic emotion.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
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Being that I have no personal knowledge or experience with BDSM or D/s culture, it is difficult for me to understand and sympathize with the players in this arena--especially when extreme pain and punishment is involved. Make no mistake about it, this book is heavy in the lifestyle-IMO. If u have any aversion to pain and humiliation or round the clock role play, then this may not be the book for you. After I finished, I found that I am really looking forward to book 2. I am hoping for more romantic emotion.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
___________________________________________________
If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!
Menage Readers
Erotic Enchants
Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
July 23, 2012
I always try not to decide on a rating as I read through the book but I don't always succeed. I was thinking this was a solid 4 when I decided to give it a 5 than I decided it didn't deserve that and it was back to 4 but the ending moved it back to 5 and I decided just now to put it on my favorite's list as well.
So 10 years ago Garrett was a medical student, engaged and exactly where he thought he wanted to be. Than he met Tony and realized his life wasn't what he wanted it to be. Then he met Thomas who showed him that there was something inside that he never knew was there. Garrett became Lord Ice and Tony became Beast and together they started the hottest BDSM club in San Francisco. Life was good. Then Tony was horrifically tortured and murdered and Lord Ice died. On the surface, Garrett seemed to recover but it was a lie. Then at the club's annual Charity Slave Auction, he is struck by a young woman who has been entered in the auction. When he sees her abused by her owner, he knows he must claim her for his own. And when he gets her home, he finds his new slave has been so abused that she is unable to trust and that it will be his task to help her.
If this doesn't sound like the book's description, well, I guess you need to read it for yourself and decide. For a long time, I was really wishing this were the only plot, because I thought it would have been a fascinating tale.
I had some real problems with this book early on. The slave auction was just over the top - an auction is one thing, thirty days is just ridiculous. There is no way real people would do something like that. I always spent a good portion of the book afraid that Kitten was going to die from dehydration from the alcohol and the fact he kept forgetting to let her have any water. The glass bubble was just goofy.
I haven't talked about Celia much so far and that is because you don't really get to know her until the latter part of the book. She is so much more of a complex character than you realize at first.
If you feel daring, click the link found here:
One quick confession: I made the mistake of reading the description for Book 2 and I will admit it bothered me. At the end, though, it all makes perfect sense.
So 10 years ago Garrett was a medical student, engaged and exactly where he thought he wanted to be. Than he met Tony and realized his life wasn't what he wanted it to be. Then he met Thomas who showed him that there was something inside that he never knew was there. Garrett became Lord Ice and Tony became Beast and together they started the hottest BDSM club in San Francisco. Life was good. Then Tony was horrifically tortured and murdered and Lord Ice died. On the surface, Garrett seemed to recover but it was a lie. Then at the club's annual Charity Slave Auction, he is struck by a young woman who has been entered in the auction. When he sees her abused by her owner, he knows he must claim her for his own. And when he gets her home, he finds his new slave has been so abused that she is unable to trust and that it will be his task to help her.
If this doesn't sound like the book's description, well, I guess you need to read it for yourself and decide. For a long time, I was really wishing this were the only plot, because I thought it would have been a fascinating tale.
I had some real problems with this book early on. The slave auction was just over the top - an auction is one thing, thirty days is just ridiculous. There is no way real people would do something like that. I always spent a good portion of the book afraid that Kitten was going to die from dehydration from the alcohol and the fact he kept forgetting to let her have any water. The glass bubble was just goofy.
I haven't talked about Celia much so far and that is because you don't really get to know her until the latter part of the book. She is so much more of a complex character than you realize at first.
If you feel daring, click the link found here:
One quick confession: I made the mistake of reading the description for Book 2 and I will admit it bothered me. At the end, though, it all makes perfect sense.
November 6, 2020
DNF @ 45%
I tried, but I just couldn't keep going. Nothing about this is even slightly believable in the context of the real world, how kink actually works in the real world or even in terms of self-consistency with it's own world.
In terms of the characters, none of these people should be anywhere near BDSM or relationships. They aren't in good working order and are objectively bad for each other.
I tried, but I just couldn't keep going. Nothing about this is even slightly believable in the context of the real world, how kink actually works in the real world or even in terms of self-consistency with it's own world.
In terms of the characters, none of these people should be anywhere near BDSM or relationships. They aren't in good working order and are objectively bad for each other.
May 27, 2010
I would really rate this 3.5 stars.
The first 3/4 of the book was pretty good. The only thing that was constantly nagging me is that Kitten cries in every chapter no matter if she is happy,angry,sad or coming. I guess it's to show how weak she is. Also the "love scenes" aren't complete (no money shot). Basically, she gets hers and then the next chapter they are waking up in the afternoon. But because he was formerly with a man it leaves this reader wondering how was it for him to be with a woman again?
The characters were painted very well and I loved Jackie.
Then the downfall..........
After he finds out she is a reporter the book disappoints me so greatly that I had to just vent to a friend about it! Master/Garrett/Lewd/Lord Ice becomes the weakest excuse for a person. For the person that was portraid as the "Dominant" he runs away, goes to Mexico, sleeps with several men and comes back just as weak. What happened to claiming her as his? He is a completly different person than he's been so far in the story. And his supposed archenemy is Lion, but when he has his first and only interaction with him, you only get the aftermath of Garrett telling his secretary that he broke the evangelists nose.
Kitten/Jane/Celia/Kat disturbes me greatly in the last quarter of the book. The whole drama of writing desperate letters to the newspaper begging for her "Master" back gets old after the second one. And the "Kitten sightings" are ridiculous. I thought she was going to commit suicide when she gave her pregnant cat to Garrett. Why would she do that to the cat she loved and the man that didn't want anything to do with her? It is only after her life is threatened that Garrett sees he wants to be with her and then after all this drama and whining from both sides.......she doesn't even choose to be with him yet. She chooses to be with Thomas/Lord Fyre so he could teach her things that her "Master" couldn't. Really?
The first 3/4 of the book was pretty good. The only thing that was constantly nagging me is that Kitten cries in every chapter no matter if she is happy,angry,sad or coming. I guess it's to show how weak she is. Also the "love scenes" aren't complete (no money shot). Basically, she gets hers and then the next chapter they are waking up in the afternoon. But because he was formerly with a man it leaves this reader wondering how was it for him to be with a woman again?
The characters were painted very well and I loved Jackie.
Then the downfall..........
After he finds out she is a reporter the book disappoints me so greatly that I had to just vent to a friend about it! Master/Garrett/Lewd/Lord Ice becomes the weakest excuse for a person. For the person that was portraid as the "Dominant" he runs away, goes to Mexico, sleeps with several men and comes back just as weak. What happened to claiming her as his? He is a completly different person than he's been so far in the story. And his supposed archenemy is Lion, but when he has his first and only interaction with him, you only get the aftermath of Garrett telling his secretary that he broke the evangelists nose.
Kitten/Jane/Celia/Kat disturbes me greatly in the last quarter of the book. The whole drama of writing desperate letters to the newspaper begging for her "Master" back gets old after the second one. And the "Kitten sightings" are ridiculous. I thought she was going to commit suicide when she gave her pregnant cat to Garrett. Why would she do that to the cat she loved and the man that didn't want anything to do with her? It is only after her life is threatened that Garrett sees he wants to be with her and then after all this drama and whining from both sides.......she doesn't even choose to be with him yet. She chooses to be with Thomas/Lord Fyre so he could teach her things that her "Master" couldn't. Really?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2010
Simply speachless.
It isn't the erotica. Not the BDSM. Not the murder mystery.
It's the emotion.
The story flips between Garret and Celia's POV. This is a character study as much as Picoult. It is about their painful individual twisted pasts, their connection in the present and the miasma of joy/pain that engulfs them on their new awakening. It is about daring to take a step towards healing and each other.
There is no HEA for this story. Not in this book. This is the first step. The discovery that they both want to heal, and a choice to do so in order to be together. The only thing you can expect to find tied neatly up at the end of this book is the murder mystery.
I applaud Harte for taking the time to really create the characters. Most romance even eroticromance ends with the HEA in one book. I go to Black Dagger Brotherhood and think of how much more could have been done with Zhadist's book if this had been the format.
There is love. Joy. cheering. Laughing. But in the end I just wanted to kiss all of them to make it better. They all have so far to go to dealing with their pasts, and let's face it, no matter what a romance novel writes, love really doesn't heal it. You can't find that special someone and then be cured. They will help you on your journey, but you've got your own path to beat to get to your own HEA.
It isn't the erotica. Not the BDSM. Not the murder mystery.
It's the emotion.
The story flips between Garret and Celia's POV. This is a character study as much as Picoult. It is about their painful individual twisted pasts, their connection in the present and the miasma of joy/pain that engulfs them on their new awakening. It is about daring to take a step towards healing and each other.
There is no HEA for this story. Not in this book. This is the first step. The discovery that they both want to heal, and a choice to do so in order to be together. The only thing you can expect to find tied neatly up at the end of this book is the murder mystery.
I applaud Harte for taking the time to really create the characters. Most romance even eroticromance ends with the HEA in one book. I go to Black Dagger Brotherhood and think of how much more could have been done with Zhadist's book if this had been the format.
There is love. Joy. cheering. Laughing. But in the end I just wanted to kiss all of them to make it better. They all have so far to go to dealing with their pasts, and let's face it, no matter what a romance novel writes, love really doesn't heal it. You can't find that special someone and then be cured. They will help you on your journey, but you've got your own path to beat to get to your own HEA.
September 20, 2012
This book had me rivited throuout it's entirety and I did not put it down (except to taxi my daughter around). I fell in love with all of the characters and felt really in tune with Kitten. She and I have a lot in common, although, I would have never slaved for a stranger...especially not a month. Yea, yea...I know....this I fiction, but damn I felt like I was living in the story at times. The tension and excitement had my heart racing and at times I felt anxiety perched inside my throat.
Now damnit I can't find the second installment in ebook format anywhere!
Now damnit I can't find the second installment in ebook format anywhere!
January 12, 2012
1/5; 1 star; DNF
I might try to pick up this book again later when I'm in a different reading mood. The 1st person POV came across as really jarring. The deception of the main female character bugged me too as I don't care for lies like this in a story. The meowing and barking thing kind of took me by surprise and thought it might add a different flavor to the story but still, I couldn't be bothered to continue. Maybe later.
I might try to pick up this book again later when I'm in a different reading mood. The 1st person POV came across as really jarring. The deception of the main female character bugged me too as I don't care for lies like this in a story. The meowing and barking thing kind of took me by surprise and thought it might add a different flavor to the story but still, I couldn't be bothered to continue. Maybe later.
June 12, 2013
This book was weird. The BDSM aspects didn't mesh with anything I've been a part of, the conventions were weird, and the auction was pretty unbelievable.
The romance was alright, but I dunno, it seemed pretty unrealistic and stilted. There was a good story in here somewhere, crying to come out.
The romance was alright, but I dunno, it seemed pretty unrealistic and stilted. There was a good story in here somewhere, crying to come out.
June 2, 2010
took a while to get into it and the switching back and forth between POV's made me confused at first, but it got better and by the end I didn't want to put it down.
Want to read
September 19, 2020🎁 Books 1 & 3 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (9/19/2020)! 🎁
November 10, 2015
The blurb sounded really interesting, but unfortunately I definitely didn't enjoy this books as much as I anticipated. This book was not what I expected of it; for me it was just..... weird. It took me a while to get into it and the switching back and forth between POV's confused me. Often I just didn't 'understand' what I was reading? I knew what the words meant but just didn't apprehend what they were saying. Does that make any sense? lol
There probably was a good story in this book somewhere, it just didn't came out for me! I really tried but this book wasn't for me. I was glad it was over... 400-plus pages was way too long for me. I'd say... 3 tiny stars. It's unlikely I'll read the rest of the series.
Boek na 't lezen ook niet bewaard! ;-)
There probably was a good story in this book somewhere, it just didn't came out for me! I really tried but this book wasn't for me. I was glad it was over... 400-plus pages was way too long for me. I'd say... 3 tiny stars. It's unlikely I'll read the rest of the series.
Boek na 't lezen ook niet bewaard! ;-)
October 11, 2011
Tantalizing and emotional. Harte stops at a reasonable point in the story, but there is definitely a Part Two to this tale which I plan on reading. I found the alternating first person POV distracting at times though the author makes it clear by the headings under each chapter.
half-read
December 28, 2015I got to 50% through the book and couldn't continue to read. Even then, I skimmed through a lot of it.
I think it might have been not dark enough, it was too romancey for me lol.
The book did switch characters a lot, between the male and the female.
I think it might have been not dark enough, it was too romancey for me lol.
The book did switch characters a lot, between the male and the female.
September 1, 2018
Amazing
Oml this book goes over do many things I've thought and dreamt about its not funny. Maybe one day I can experience everything Kitten did, so can't wait for the next book!!! Thank you Roxy
Oml this book goes over do many things I've thought and dreamt about its not funny. Maybe one day I can experience everything Kitten did, so can't wait for the next book!!! Thank you Roxy
September 13, 2018
Amazing
Definitely an erotic thriller.
This was my first time reading Roxy's work.
I'm hooked...
I personally would not do the pet play, but I thoughly enjoyed reading about the lifestyle.
Definitely an erotic thriller.
This was my first time reading Roxy's work.
I'm hooked...
I personally would not do the pet play, but I thoughly enjoyed reading about the lifestyle.
September 16, 2018
Kitten
Celia goes as a submissive to a bdsm club only to get purchased at an auction from the owner Garrett himself.
Celia goes as a submissive to a bdsm club only to get purchased at an auction from the owner Garrett himself.
December 4, 2018
My heart is torn
This book pulls emotions from it's readers. Kitten has so much depth to her. It's very easy to get lost in her story. I truly can't wait for the next book.
This book pulls emotions from it's readers. Kitten has so much depth to her. It's very easy to get lost in her story. I truly can't wait for the next book.
February 18, 2019
So good
Well written rollercoaster ride of experiences. This book has it all. I could not put it down. Can't wait to read more.
Well written rollercoaster ride of experiences. This book has it all. I could not put it down. Can't wait to read more.
June 14, 2011
First I’d like to say that I agree this is an emotional book as stated by other posters. I also enjoyed the changing of the POV at each chapter. Although I liked the chars at the start, in the end I just hated them – and found it hard to believe.
This book just really rubbed me the wrong way for a few reasons, but the big one was the Master/Slave relationship. Not that I really think this a Master/Slave books as it more fetish, which I personally don’t think of as BDSM.
Master/Slave:
Celia is repeatedly punished… it’s a daily thing. I get the necessity of it in this type of dynamic, but to be punished due to the complete and utter FAILER of the Master is just hard for me to swallow. Garrett is supposed to be this well known and greatest Master/Dom but he came off as the worse to me. Constantly forgetting his slave/sub for hours at a time – that is just a HARD sell to me for someone that is supposed to be so well known for his role in the “BDSM” community. Not seeing to her needs at all… I just want to scream!
Celia
I have a total love/hate for this person. She could be so strong in one PoV and totally wimp or complete freak in the next. Towards the end, “Kat” comes off as a stalker and I get she’s a slave, but come on… the phone calls and the billboards and the rest – I just find hard to believe. She went without food for hours, but that was never addressed in the book. Also, for someone who drank as much coffee as stated a couple of times, and then to go cold turkey – I’m sorry, but there would be withdrawals and again, never addressed.
Garrett:
This was the worse sell for me. I’m sorry… but my next door neighbor’s dog has more of a commanding presence than Garrett had in this book, and it’s a freaking Chihuahua!
Sex:
This book was littered with vanilla sex between the main chars, and it didn’t come off as steamy and I’ve read more ‘details’ in my straight romance books.
I really wanted to love this book… guess that’s why I found it so frustrating. I want to buy the next book in the series because it left off at what seems to be a very interesting area, but at the same time, I’m worried it might cause me to want to toss my ipad across the room.
This book just really rubbed me the wrong way for a few reasons, but the big one was the Master/Slave relationship. Not that I really think this a Master/Slave books as it more fetish, which I personally don’t think of as BDSM.
Master/Slave:
Celia is repeatedly punished… it’s a daily thing. I get the necessity of it in this type of dynamic, but to be punished due to the complete and utter FAILER of the Master is just hard for me to swallow. Garrett is supposed to be this well known and greatest Master/Dom but he came off as the worse to me. Constantly forgetting his slave/sub for hours at a time – that is just a HARD sell to me for someone that is supposed to be so well known for his role in the “BDSM” community. Not seeing to her needs at all… I just want to scream!
Celia
I have a total love/hate for this person. She could be so strong in one PoV and totally wimp or complete freak in the next. Towards the end, “Kat” comes off as a stalker and I get she’s a slave, but come on… the phone calls and the billboards and the rest – I just find hard to believe. She went without food for hours, but that was never addressed in the book. Also, for someone who drank as much coffee as stated a couple of times, and then to go cold turkey – I’m sorry, but there would be withdrawals and again, never addressed.
Garrett:
This was the worse sell for me. I’m sorry… but my next door neighbor’s dog has more of a commanding presence than Garrett had in this book, and it’s a freaking Chihuahua!
Sex:
This book was littered with vanilla sex between the main chars, and it didn’t come off as steamy and I’ve read more ‘details’ in my straight romance books.
I really wanted to love this book… guess that’s why I found it so frustrating. I want to buy the next book in the series because it left off at what seems to be a very interesting area, but at the same time, I’m worried it might cause me to want to toss my ipad across the room.
August 29, 2013
Reviewed by: Victoria
Book provided by: the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
: Sacred Secrets is the first book in the Chronicles of Surrender by Roxy Harte. I chose this book because the summary peaked my interest. An undercover fetish reporter bought at a auction by a gay Dom. What could go wrong?
This book explores the darker side of the BDSM lifestyle. The subs or slaves dress and act like cats or dogs. They use human litter boxes. This got me. I get the dressing up and acting like either dogs or cats, but the human litter boxes or communal litter boxes? Ewww!
Celia is a undercover reporter wanting to write a story. She is auctioned off for thirty days to a Dom. She is frightened of everything around her. She has never participated in anything like this but yet she jumps head first into the role of Kitten. That seems a bit odd to me.
I did not like that she is repeatedly punished. Garrett does not spend the time to explain her role to her or his expectations. She is to only eat or drink form Garrett’s hand. This seemed to get her in a lot of trouble. The author did not get into her being fed. The only thing the author did go into was Garrett eating and Celia being ignored and not fed.
Garrett is a predominate gay Dom who is captivated by Celia and buys her at the auction. He is struggling to accept that he bought a female slave. He is also still recovering from his partner’s death. He gets death threats and now they are threatening Celia. I did not like that he does not share the threats with her. In addition, if Garrett is such a good Dom why did he keep forgetting Celia for hours at a time. The author does not go into him feeding her only him eating and forgetting her.
I did not like the ending. It was very confusing and Celia acted like a stalker. The sex in the book was vanilla there was no kinky sex. There did not seem to be any chemistry between Celia and Garrett.
I am not sure what would have made this story better other than a more attentive Dom and chemistry between Celia. The book did get my attention and I do want to know what happens next. I hope that the series gets better as it goes along.
Book provided by: the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
: Sacred Secrets is the first book in the Chronicles of Surrender by Roxy Harte. I chose this book because the summary peaked my interest. An undercover fetish reporter bought at a auction by a gay Dom. What could go wrong?
This book explores the darker side of the BDSM lifestyle. The subs or slaves dress and act like cats or dogs. They use human litter boxes. This got me. I get the dressing up and acting like either dogs or cats, but the human litter boxes or communal litter boxes? Ewww!
Celia is a undercover reporter wanting to write a story. She is auctioned off for thirty days to a Dom. She is frightened of everything around her. She has never participated in anything like this but yet she jumps head first into the role of Kitten. That seems a bit odd to me.
I did not like that she is repeatedly punished. Garrett does not spend the time to explain her role to her or his expectations. She is to only eat or drink form Garrett’s hand. This seemed to get her in a lot of trouble. The author did not get into her being fed. The only thing the author did go into was Garrett eating and Celia being ignored and not fed.
Garrett is a predominate gay Dom who is captivated by Celia and buys her at the auction. He is struggling to accept that he bought a female slave. He is also still recovering from his partner’s death. He gets death threats and now they are threatening Celia. I did not like that he does not share the threats with her. In addition, if Garrett is such a good Dom why did he keep forgetting Celia for hours at a time. The author does not go into him feeding her only him eating and forgetting her.
I did not like the ending. It was very confusing and Celia acted like a stalker. The sex in the book was vanilla there was no kinky sex. There did not seem to be any chemistry between Celia and Garrett.
I am not sure what would have made this story better other than a more attentive Dom and chemistry between Celia. The book did get my attention and I do want to know what happens next. I hope that the series gets better as it goes along.
January 13, 2012
Well this certainly wasn't what I was expecting at all! Lol
This BDSM book was different that the ones I've read before - This wasn't a fast erotic BDSM story at all! This was a full strong hearted Erotic BDSM Romance Novel! And I can't WAIT to start the 2nd book to this series!
Wow! Where to begin! The story takes place without skipping a beat- we are inside Celia's head as she is being taken to the Slave auction at the BDSM club - Lewd Larry's - every year they held a charity auction bringing forth the rich and richer who are ready to pay big bucks for a BDSM slave for 30 days.
Celia has doubts, but she talks herself out of it
One thing we learn early on by Celia is that she is afraid - Extremely afraid of pleasure and praise. She doesn't have much experience with BDSM, other than reading up on it. She is afraid of the chains and whips, but she knows her part as a slave.
When the auction bidding begins and she sells for $250,000 to non other, Garrett Lawrence, the club's owner.
Garrett (aka Master) holds a torch for his lover that had died 5 years ago. He didn't know the pull he had towards this woman would change his life forever.
The story has a lot more to do than the BDSM stuff - in face the BDSM stuff is very mild - but it's there. I read it more for the curious sake then anything - and I love the whole idea that goes in this story.
Awesome job! I was crying so much towards the end - I seriously have to keep reading to find out how it plays out - that really wasn't what I was expecting at the end ....
*smiles* Thanks Juls for the recommend :)
This BDSM book was different that the ones I've read before - This wasn't a fast erotic BDSM story at all! This was a full strong hearted Erotic BDSM Romance Novel! And I can't WAIT to start the 2nd book to this series!
Wow! Where to begin! The story takes place without skipping a beat- we are inside Celia's head as she is being taken to the Slave auction at the BDSM club - Lewd Larry's - every year they held a charity auction bringing forth the rich and richer who are ready to pay big bucks for a BDSM slave for 30 days.
Celia has doubts, but she talks herself out of it
One thing we learn early on by Celia is that she is afraid - Extremely afraid of pleasure and praise. She doesn't have much experience with BDSM, other than reading up on it. She is afraid of the chains and whips, but she knows her part as a slave.
When the auction bidding begins and she sells for $250,000 to non other, Garrett Lawrence, the club's owner.
Garrett (aka Master) holds a torch for his lover that had died 5 years ago. He didn't know the pull he had towards this woman would change his life forever.
The story has a lot more to do than the BDSM stuff - in face the BDSM stuff is very mild - but it's there. I read it more for the curious sake then anything - and I love the whole idea that goes in this story.
Awesome job! I was crying so much towards the end - I seriously have to keep reading to find out how it plays out - that really wasn't what I was expecting at the end ....
*smiles* Thanks Juls for the recommend :)
October 13, 2013
The middle half rocked, like the creamy centre of the cookie - unfortunately, the surrounding 1/4s were stale and icky, and that ruined the experience
The whole book is Celia and Garrett and the cast of characters they come into contact with, but totally focused on them. Even when things go awry, it is still all about them, so what the heck was that ending? I can handle when things change, but if the authour was going for twist, that wasn't it, that was a 'why did I waste my reading this book' moment!
So the book started out slow, too much introverted thoughts, and we never do get any answers to what was going on with Doug right before the auction. I actually started the book and got bored, so I set it aside and read three or four other books before coming back to finish it off, I don't like leaving books not finished. So the middle part was really good, a solid three or four read, and I thought things were going pretty good, was sucked into the story and finally got some context to Celia.
Once everything blew up, then things got draggy again, but not too bad, the big bad is revealed and then that really stupid ending, and that is what it is, really, really, stupid. There is no rhyme or reason to it, and it has nothing to do with the story, plus, regardless of the circumstances of Celia, the stupidity of the men is blatant - I mean the whole time they were together and apart, all Celia wanted was Garrett, then, she what, wavers and tumbles. It makes her seem totally flaky, and she doesn't even give Garrett a chance. It really turned me off the characters, so I won't be finding out what happens next, I just don't care about them...
The whole book is Celia and Garrett and the cast of characters they come into contact with, but totally focused on them. Even when things go awry, it is still all about them, so what the heck was that ending? I can handle when things change, but if the authour was going for twist, that wasn't it, that was a 'why did I waste my reading this book' moment!
So the book started out slow, too much introverted thoughts, and we never do get any answers to what was going on with Doug right before the auction. I actually started the book and got bored, so I set it aside and read three or four other books before coming back to finish it off, I don't like leaving books not finished. So the middle part was really good, a solid three or four read, and I thought things were going pretty good, was sucked into the story and finally got some context to Celia.
Once everything blew up, then things got draggy again, but not too bad, the big bad is revealed and then that really stupid ending, and that is what it is, really, really, stupid. There is no rhyme or reason to it, and it has nothing to do with the story, plus, regardless of the circumstances of Celia, the stupidity of the men is blatant - I mean the whole time they were together and apart, all Celia wanted was Garrett, then, she what, wavers and tumbles. It makes her seem totally flaky, and she doesn't even give Garrett a chance. It really turned me off the characters, so I won't be finding out what happens next, I just don't care about them...
October 12, 2011
After re-reading the whole series, well several times. I have a totally different view on this whole series. Parts of this were weird strange and oddly arousing at the same time, especially the human sized litter box. I found the whole Kitten/Puppy aspect of Lewd Larry's to be a little out of my comfort zone, but after rereading and rereading. It all seemed to grow on me. So the more I read, the more I was entranced by this relationship and the supporting characters.
Originally I found, Celia's automatic dive into BDSM and becoming Kitten a little to contrived. She was a little to quick with her acceptance of this lifestyle and that did not sit very well in me. But then I figured out she was meant for this lifestyle, her life she was set up to become Kitten.
Garrett, Kitten and the whole cast of characters have somehow found their way inside of my head. To a degree, I wish such a place existed in San Francisco because I would be on the next plane out of Atlanta on a a one way ticket. Waiting in line for the next slave auction at Lewd Larry's. Or on the couch or floor at Garrett's watching Richard Gere with the rest of the gang.
This series is a definite Meow-Meow, which is a definite yes in Kitten speak!!!!!!
Originally I found, Celia's automatic dive into BDSM and becoming Kitten a little to contrived. She was a little to quick with her acceptance of this lifestyle and that did not sit very well in me. But then I figured out she was meant for this lifestyle, her life she was set up to become Kitten.
Garrett, Kitten and the whole cast of characters have somehow found their way inside of my head. To a degree, I wish such a place existed in San Francisco because I would be on the next plane out of Atlanta on a a one way ticket. Waiting in line for the next slave auction at Lewd Larry's. Or on the couch or floor at Garrett's watching Richard Gere with the rest of the gang.
This series is a definite Meow-Meow, which is a definite yes in Kitten speak!!!!!!
June 14, 2011
After reading this story, I am at a loss for words. I can honestly say I was completely unprepared for the content. It was so far out of my comfort zone, I found myself getting uncomfortable. But, at the same time, I couldn't stop reading. I had no idea this "lifestyle" was so extreme. Several times while reading, I had to stop simply because it sounded so crazy. Do people really meow, bark, and use a litter box? Really? I can honestly say I've never, ever been exposed to anything of this sort, so relating to the characters was impossible. To me, this lifestyle seems dangerous, almost abusive, emotionally draining. But what was more evident to me was how a person drawn to this lifestyle but rejecting it would feel unfulfilled and lonely. I'm not sure which would be harder, giving in to become a slave and submissive or never accepting it as something you needed. It's a very emotional journey.This book is classified as erotic, but, to me, it was more psychological. This was not an easy book to read, especially for a sensitive person, but it was interesting. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 14, 2011
I was somewhat annoyed by this book. The main character goes up for auction - she has never been in the kinky world but one day with her new master and she fully embraces being his kitten. That just seemed silly to me. Why do so many women seem to become brainless when they submit?
I found the story mildly difficult to follow as everyone seemed to have a nickname or an alias. We also have a switching POV which is fine but isn't always clear as to WHO we have switched to.
I think any one of the story lines would have been plenty but we get the grief for the murdered lover, the unrequited love issue, the murderer still chasing his prey, Kitten's difficult past, her past returning, her current secret that she is keeping from her master, another masters desire to have Kitten for himself....aggghhh. Too much, too much...
And I did not like the ending. The whole issue that was tossed in at the end should have been resolved earlier in the story so that the ending could feel complete - instead feelings were left unresolved and unexplored. Meh. Just a lead in for the next book?
I liked the story well enough but just felt like too much was going on.
I found the story mildly difficult to follow as everyone seemed to have a nickname or an alias. We also have a switching POV which is fine but isn't always clear as to WHO we have switched to.
I think any one of the story lines would have been plenty but we get the grief for the murdered lover, the unrequited love issue, the murderer still chasing his prey, Kitten's difficult past, her past returning, her current secret that she is keeping from her master, another masters desire to have Kitten for himself....aggghhh. Too much, too much...
And I did not like the ending. The whole issue that was tossed in at the end should have been resolved earlier in the story so that the ending could feel complete - instead feelings were left unresolved and unexplored. Meh. Just a lead in for the next book?
I liked the story well enough but just felt like too much was going on.
February 28, 2010
3.5
Celia , a reporter for a magazine sells herself as a slave to get the dirt on the fetish club and write an expose. She is bought by Garrett , the owner of the club. Everybody is surprised by this since Garrett is gay and still mourning the death of his lover. I admit that BDSM is my least favorite genre. I don't get this slave mentality. This story is pretty explicit and the bdsm elements are harsh. Now this would have normally made me close the book up and reach for something else to read. What got to me in this book is the emotional aspect. I got sucked into it and was unable to put the book down until I was sure all was well for Celia and Garrett. Both of them had alot of emotional baggage that they had to work through. I enjoyed the secondary character Jackie a male/female transexual and got creeped out by Lord Fyre.
If you don't mind human pets, a giant communal litterbox, humiliation, degradation and S&M then this book is for you.
Celia , a reporter for a magazine sells herself as a slave to get the dirt on the fetish club and write an expose. She is bought by Garrett , the owner of the club. Everybody is surprised by this since Garrett is gay and still mourning the death of his lover. I admit that BDSM is my least favorite genre. I don't get this slave mentality. This story is pretty explicit and the bdsm elements are harsh. Now this would have normally made me close the book up and reach for something else to read. What got to me in this book is the emotional aspect. I got sucked into it and was unable to put the book down until I was sure all was well for Celia and Garrett. Both of them had alot of emotional baggage that they had to work through. I enjoyed the secondary character Jackie a male/female transexual and got creeped out by Lord Fyre.
If you don't mind human pets, a giant communal litterbox, humiliation, degradation and S&M then this book is for you.
June 30, 2016
From page one to the end I was completely in love with this book. Roxy has a style of writing that is simple to follow and has just enough of an edge to keep you asking what may happen on the next page. I like that her characters each have a chapter to add to the flow of the book.
Not to spoil the story, but.... This is not a book for the faint of heart as it dives into some very intense BDSM practices. From being sold to the highest bidder to being locked in a moving isolation chamber. From intense scene play to a profound realization of being in love.
BDSM has recently been in the forefront of many readers minds, but this blows all those books clear out of the water into the farthest reaches of the universe.
This is the first book written by Roxy 20 years ago and I am a true follower. I can not wait to finish this series and continue on with her more recent writings.
Not to spoil the story, but.... This is not a book for the faint of heart as it dives into some very intense BDSM practices. From being sold to the highest bidder to being locked in a moving isolation chamber. From intense scene play to a profound realization of being in love.
BDSM has recently been in the forefront of many readers minds, but this blows all those books clear out of the water into the farthest reaches of the universe.
This is the first book written by Roxy 20 years ago and I am a true follower. I can not wait to finish this series and continue on with her more recent writings.
June 15, 2016
I tried with this one but the present first person voice was the first problem, the second - where do I begin? It felt as if this wasn't a fantasy but an attempt to present a 'this is a real life erotic situation' but lacked the down to earth common sense needed to make that work.
No background checks on the people being auctioned off. No real safety net. Obvious force for the consensual auction - yet someone asking the heroine if she really wanted to go through with this?
Forced consent can work, but not in a situation like this.
I gave it five chapters and gave up as I became increasingly frustrated with the writing style and the jarring moments in the storyline/setting.
No background checks on the people being auctioned off. No real safety net. Obvious force for the consensual auction - yet someone asking the heroine if she really wanted to go through with this?
Forced consent can work, but not in a situation like this.
I gave it five chapters and gave up as I became increasingly frustrated with the writing style and the jarring moments in the storyline/setting.
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