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Nature of Desire #7
Branded Sanctuary
Book 7 in the Nature of Desire series.Chloe has always been a creature of joy and laughter. Since a brutal attack nearly a year ago, the trauma she experienced has gotten worse. She has started hiding from her life, even putting up walls between herself and those she cares about most. During a panic attack one night, she impulsively calls a number that she’s had for many months. Chloe met Brendan at her boss’s wedding. With confidence and seduction, he easily steps into the role of helping her manage her fear. By the end of the long call, they’ve indulged in some serious flirtation and mind-blowing phone sex—and she’s feeling things she’s buried for too long.The problem is that Brendan is the perfect male submissive—and Chloe isn’t wired for the D/s lifestyle. While their attraction is undeniable, Chloe doesn’t know if she can be everything Brendan needs. As a submissive, Brendan would never ask her to be something she’s not—even if it will break both of their hearts to turn away from how they feel about each other. Reader Contains very light female/female sensuality and a brief ménage encounter.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2010
51 people are currently reading
1048 people want to read
About the author
Joey W. Hill
117 books3,537 followers"BDSM Romance for the Heart & Soul"
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 25, 2016
Huge 5 Stars!!!
I LOVED everything about this book! Simply put, it OWNS my heart.
I LOVED everything about this book! Simply put, it OWNS my heart.
October 31, 2013
4.5 strong and gentle stars.****Reread October 2013, review edited October 31, 2013
After a horrible attack about a year ago, Chloe suffers from panic attacks. Her sanctuary was branded. She's always been a woman full of life, joy and laughter. Her friend Gen said over a year ago:
Sadly that's gone now. During a panic attack one night, she called a number that she'd treasured for many months. It's Brendan's. She met him at Tyler and Marguerite's wedding. Listening to Brendan's voice, to the easy honesty in his words, calms her tremendously. They end up having some titillating phone sex but at the same time Chloe enjoys their interesting conversation.
Chloe is feeling things that have been buried for a long time.
Though there's a problem. Brendan is the perfect male submissive and Chloe is not part of his D/s world. Brendan was in uncharted territory, pursuing someone who wasn't accustomed to his submissiveness.
There's one particular aspect of Branded Sanctuary that I LOVED beyond words. Tyler and Marguerite. They're making quite an impact here and it was a great pleasure to see them again. Every time I read about Tyler my knees are getting weak and I want to drool in his wake. Chloe asked Tyler:
Tyler. The Southern GENTLEMAN and a GENTLE man. *swoon*
MORE TYLER! Whew. Handsome, hot as hell, strong, compassionate, perceptive, gentle and intuitive…and he exudes a commanding presence from head to toe. How that man takes care of his loved ones is just amazing. He was really sweet with Chloe, like a loving father figure. Sorry for gushing so much but I'm simply starstruck by him. I spoiler-tagged the quotes to shorten my review but feel free to check them out. Once again I'm sorry but when it comes to Tyler I love to go way overboard. *makes kissy noises*
BTW, the sexy interlude between Tyler, Marguerite and Chloe was sensual and really beautiful. Loved it!
Brendan talks to Marguerite about Chloe.
I truly admire Marguerite because even after having faced and survived unspeakable evil, she's still full of strength and wisdom and she cares deeply about those she loves.
While the beginning didn't sweep me off my feet, I was truly wowed by the second half of the book. I'm glad I did a reread because I loved the first half of Branded Sanctuary as much as I did the second half. I love, love Joey's writing and I'm always mesmerized how she defines BDSM. As a matter of fact, the philosophical and psychological aspects of BDSM go hand in hand and her stories go way beyond the sexual encounter of Dom/sub. I always enjoy her profound and thoughtful dialogue as well as the compelling narrative.
Chloe isn't a natural Domme but she is an extraordinary young woman, someone in emotional pain trying to regain control of herself. And Brendan is the exceptional submissive, someone who will help her to deal with the pain. He will also help her to find the joy and laughter again. Brendan is full of compassion, kindness and strength; but also full of thoughtfulness and blissful quiet. Trust and surrender is what all this is about. Those two elements are at the core of every relationship, and you don't have to practice D/s to understand that. Marguerite said to Chloe:
Brendan is quite unique. While he's a level ten pain threshold, his main focus is all about a woman's willingness to let him care for her; to serve her and cater to her every need. He doesn't need excruciating pain to be happy as a sub. Thus, he needs someone who understands what his submissiveness is truly about. That's exactly the challenge Chloe has to face, not whether or not she's a natural Domme.
Brendan teaches drama at a college but he's also a fabulous swimmer.
Branded Sanctuary is not a book for readers who love to read about whips, chains and lots of physical pain. It was such a nice change for once because the BDSM elements are rather light. There's lots of romance, sensuality and eroticism. Plus, there's so much kindness, gentleness and real depth palpable in this story. It goes without saying that I liked ALL the multilayered characters and the close bond they shared.
And while I'm not a member of the D/s world, I truly enjoyed the Nature of Desire series because the stories give me a feeling of family membership and true values. It's like coming home. There's love, warmth, understanding and care and the people in Joey's stories look out for each other. They're not only friends, they're family.
Brendan is Chloe's sanctuary, the port in the storm, the ship she can trust. While doing my reread I just realized that Brendan is not only Chloe's sanctuary, he is also her branded sanctuary. Once again the title offers plenty of interesting connotations.
Brendan, Tyler, Marguerite and Gen helped Chloe to deal with her pain and fears in order to keep the darkness at bay. The light shone down on her again and Chloe was ready to embrace the joys of life such as laughter, happiness and love. The butterflies in her belly are back and she's ready to share them with someone she loves. Brendan.
Brendan's submissiveness to Chloe is a sacred act of devotion and there's no need at all for chains and whips and lots of physical pain.
We think that subs must be weak but that's not true. There's real strength in Brendan's gentleness and kindness.
Recommended read.
I found the reader advisory a bit odd. Brief ménage encounter? Did I miss anything? There was a brief encounter between Tyler, Marguerite and Chloe. But there was no sex involved. And there was no sex/kissing between two women either.
P.S.
The name Brendan comes from Brendanus, a Latin form of the Irish name Bréanainn (which I think is beyond beautiful). That's Welsh and it means .
http://baba.booklikes.com
After a horrible attack about a year ago, Chloe suffers from panic attacks. Her sanctuary was branded. She's always been a woman full of life, joy and laughter. Her friend Gen said over a year ago:
"If anyone could live on the curve of a rainbow, it would be you."
Sadly that's gone now. During a panic attack one night, she called a number that she'd treasured for many months. It's Brendan's. She met him at Tyler and Marguerite's wedding. Listening to Brendan's voice, to the easy honesty in his words, calms her tremendously. They end up having some titillating phone sex but at the same time Chloe enjoys their interesting conversation.
Chloe is feeling things that have been buried for a long time.
"Chloe."(…)"Tell me again what you want. I need to hear it. What do you want?"
"I want to be me again. I want to feel safe."
Though there's a problem. Brendan is the perfect male submissive and Chloe is not part of his D/s world. Brendan was in uncharted territory, pursuing someone who wasn't accustomed to his submissiveness.
There's one particular aspect of Branded Sanctuary that I LOVED beyond words. Tyler and Marguerite. They're making quite an impact here and it was a great pleasure to see them again. Every time I read about Tyler my knees are getting weak and I want to drool in his wake. Chloe asked Tyler:
"Will you teach me how to use a gun?"
"Chloe." His voice had a rich timbre, flavored with a cultured Georgia drawl. "You take flies out of Tea Leaves in a cup. You apologize when you kill mosquitoes sucking blood out of your skin."(…)
"I know, Tyler. I'm just so afraid…of being afraid, and I don't know how to stop."
(…)
"You're so very dear to us, Chloe. Give yourself time. If you still want to learn how to use a gun in a month or two, I'll teach you. But like most things, it's a decision best made when you're in the right frame of mind for it. Until then, I'll shoot anybody that needs shooting for you."
"Just the kind of friend I need." She stared up into his handsome face, the expression that looked as if it could weather any storm. "Can I use you for the other thing that friends are known for?"
"Sure, little flower," he said gently, his pet name for her. He curved his hand around her neck, caressing her cheek as she laid her head back on his chest and let herself be held some more.
Tyler. The Southern GENTLEMAN and a GENTLE man. *swoon*
MORE TYLER! Whew. Handsome, hot as hell, strong, compassionate, perceptive, gentle and intuitive…and he exudes a commanding presence from head to toe. How that man takes care of his loved ones is just amazing. He was really sweet with Chloe, like a loving father figure. Sorry for gushing so much but I'm simply starstruck by him. I spoiler-tagged the quotes to shorten my review but feel free to check them out. Once again I'm sorry but when it comes to Tyler I love to go way overboard. *makes kissy noises*
BTW, the sexy interlude between Tyler, Marguerite and Chloe was sensual and really beautiful. Loved it!
Brendan talks to Marguerite about Chloe.
"The joyful Chloe still exists, but she's facing that dark side now. No one I know is more prepared than you to guide someone out of darkness, Brendan, because your own demons have never overwhelmed your light. An Arthurian knight in truth. You might best serve Chloe's needs right now by taking the reins. Show her how to drive the horse before handing them over. You understand?"
I truly admire Marguerite because even after having faced and survived unspeakable evil, she's still full of strength and wisdom and she cares deeply about those she loves.
"We place a great deal of emphasis on knowledge, understanding, comprehension," Marguerite continued. "But in a truly tolerant world, things don't always need to make sense to us to be accepted, or to become a vital part of our lives."
"Like the biblical fruit, the knowledge of good and evil. Kind of screwed ourselves there."
"Yes. Because understanding good and evil is intuitive, not scientific. We both know that."
(…)
"You learn to do without the walls, Chloe. The point isn't building them, but building a life that is so much of who you are, nothing can destroy it. If you're lucky, when you figure that out, you find - or discover you've already found - a person who will help you keep the darkness at bay. Someone who gives you the strength to live as who you are, not a prisoner of your own mind."
Chloe isn't a natural Domme but she is an extraordinary young woman, someone in emotional pain trying to regain control of herself. And Brendan is the exceptional submissive, someone who will help her to deal with the pain. He will also help her to find the joy and laughter again. Brendan is full of compassion, kindness and strength; but also full of thoughtfulness and blissful quiet. Trust and surrender is what all this is about. Those two elements are at the core of every relationship, and you don't have to practice D/s to understand that. Marguerite said to Chloe:
"Done the right way, Brendan will respond the same way to a command to give his Mistress a foot massage as he would to being whipped." At that astounding statement, she leaned forward. "Some subs need the restraints and caning to be fulfilled. But not him. How much D/s can or can't adversely affect a relationship has a great deal to do with the two people involved."
Brendan is quite unique. While he's a level ten pain threshold, his main focus is all about a woman's willingness to let him care for her; to serve her and cater to her every need. He doesn't need excruciating pain to be happy as a sub. Thus, he needs someone who understands what his submissiveness is truly about. That's exactly the challenge Chloe has to face, not whether or not she's a natural Domme.
Brendan teaches drama at a college but he's also a fabulous swimmer.
As he came up beside her and she looped her arms around his neck, she pressed her mouth to his underwater, something she'd always wanted to do. She laughed into his mouth at the way his arms curled around her, how she could tangle her legs over the backs of his thighs, and float and spin, and listen to that silence underwater that was somehow so…full.
Branded Sanctuary is not a book for readers who love to read about whips, chains and lots of physical pain. It was such a nice change for once because the BDSM elements are rather light. There's lots of romance, sensuality and eroticism. Plus, there's so much kindness, gentleness and real depth palpable in this story. It goes without saying that I liked ALL the multilayered characters and the close bond they shared.
And while I'm not a member of the D/s world, I truly enjoyed the Nature of Desire series because the stories give me a feeling of family membership and true values. It's like coming home. There's love, warmth, understanding and care and the people in Joey's stories look out for each other. They're not only friends, they're family.
Brendan is Chloe's sanctuary, the port in the storm, the ship she can trust. While doing my reread I just realized that Brendan is not only Chloe's sanctuary, he is also her branded sanctuary. Once again the title offers plenty of interesting connotations.
"Even then. I still want you. Heart, body, soul, everything from your deepest thought to your most casual gesture. I want to see all of it, be a part of all of it."
Brendan, Tyler, Marguerite and Gen helped Chloe to deal with her pain and fears in order to keep the darkness at bay. The light shone down on her again and Chloe was ready to embrace the joys of life such as laughter, happiness and love. The butterflies in her belly are back and she's ready to share them with someone she loves. Brendan.
Brendan's submissiveness to Chloe is a sacred act of devotion and there's no need at all for chains and whips and lots of physical pain.
We think that subs must be weak but that's not true. There's real strength in Brendan's gentleness and kindness.
Recommended read.
I found the reader advisory a bit odd. Brief ménage encounter? Did I miss anything? There was a brief encounter between Tyler, Marguerite and Chloe. But there was no sex involved. And there was no sex/kissing between two women either.
P.S.
The name Brendan comes from Brendanus, a Latin form of the Irish name Bréanainn (which I think is beyond beautiful). That's Welsh and it means .
http://baba.booklikes.com
June 2, 2013
4.5 hot branded stars
What happens when a natural submissive falls in love with someone who is not wired for the D/s lifestyle?
Branded Sanctuary is the story of Brendan and Chloe. We know from Ice Queen that Brendan is a natural submissive. It's part of his nature. It is who he is. He accepts it. He embraces the whole D/s lifestyle.
Chloe was a whole different matter already. After a brutal attack that left her fearful and angry, Brendan became her anchor. The problem is Chloe wasn't into the culture at all. She wasn't a natural domme. In other words, she wasn't what Brendan needs but fortunately, she is what Brendan wants.
I loved this book. I loved the fact this wasn't your usual D/s story where a vanilla girl got seduced into the D/s lifestyle and embracing it without even blinking an eye. For one, the guy here wasn't a Dom. He's a submissive, so that definitely put an interesting twist there already.
I loved the fact that Chloe openly questioned the lifestyle. She wasn't judgmental although there were times when she came off as such, I attributed it more to her fear rather than condemnation to those who embraced such lifestyle. Her questions were genuine. I would imagine, as someone who wasn't used that lifestyle would question the psychology behind it. I liked that. It was believable to me.
I also liked the fact that JH was able to resolve their situation in a realistic manner. In a way, Brendan and Chloe didn't give up their identity just to be with each other. Brendan didn't shed his submissive nature, he even went deeper with and understood that by acknowledging his own wants and needs, he was making Chloe happy.
There were some heart-rending moments in the book. One of them was when Chloe found out Brendan used to be Marguerite's submissive and has in fact branded him as hers. I was a mess reading that. Thankfully, that part of the story didn't drag on and on. It was resolved and the confrontation between Marguerite and Chloe was simply awesome. It was intense.
Another favorite was of course, Tyler and Marguerite, whom we knew from Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul. They figured prominently here both as a foil to Brendan and Chloe and I loved it. Getting a glimpse of Tyler's Southern gentleman charm and wicked sense of humor is always a treat.
Some Memorable Quotes
Tyler...
Marguerite...
Brendan...
"There's this theory, that when two people focus on the rhythm of their hearts, it synchronizes them. Brings the beats together."
What happens when a natural submissive falls in love with someone who is not wired for the D/s lifestyle?
Branded Sanctuary is the story of Brendan and Chloe. We know from Ice Queen that Brendan is a natural submissive. It's part of his nature. It is who he is. He accepts it. He embraces the whole D/s lifestyle.
Chloe was a whole different matter already. After a brutal attack that left her fearful and angry, Brendan became her anchor. The problem is Chloe wasn't into the culture at all. She wasn't a natural domme. In other words, she wasn't what Brendan needs but fortunately, she is what Brendan wants.
I loved this book. I loved the fact this wasn't your usual D/s story where a vanilla girl got seduced into the D/s lifestyle and embracing it without even blinking an eye. For one, the guy here wasn't a Dom. He's a submissive, so that definitely put an interesting twist there already.
I loved the fact that Chloe openly questioned the lifestyle. She wasn't judgmental although there were times when she came off as such, I attributed it more to her fear rather than condemnation to those who embraced such lifestyle. Her questions were genuine. I would imagine, as someone who wasn't used that lifestyle would question the psychology behind it. I liked that. It was believable to me.
I also liked the fact that JH was able to resolve their situation in a realistic manner. In a way, Brendan and Chloe didn't give up their identity just to be with each other. Brendan didn't shed his submissive nature, he even went deeper with and understood that by acknowledging his own wants and needs, he was making Chloe happy.
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."
There were some heart-rending moments in the book. One of them was when Chloe found out Brendan used to be Marguerite's submissive and has in fact branded him as hers. I was a mess reading that. Thankfully, that part of the story didn't drag on and on. It was resolved and the confrontation between Marguerite and Chloe was simply awesome. It was intense.
Another favorite was of course, Tyler and Marguerite, whom we knew from Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul. They figured prominently here both as a foil to Brendan and Chloe and I loved it. Getting a glimpse of Tyler's Southern gentleman charm and wicked sense of humor is always a treat.
Some Memorable Quotes
Tyler...
“There are many things that men don't do any more that they should. Particularly for women.”
Marguerite...
“That's what he wants for you. When two people want each other to be happy so much they're willing to break their own heart to let the other go, it's kismet. Two idiots canceling one another out.”
Brendan...
“I've never wanted something as much as I want you, Chloe. I've never had someone I wasn't prepared to let go. Someone I wanted to keep, more than anything else. I was fine with that, until I met you that night at the wedding. I wanted to call you a hundred times, but I didn't, because I told myself it had to be about what you wanted, not what I wanted.”
January 29, 2011
This was too schmaltzy for me. I think the fact that this was centered around Tyler & Margueriete's immediate little world didn't do it any favors in my book either. Not really a fan of those two together or their books due to the immense Gary-Stu way Tyler was written & Margueriete's Yoda like Dom wisdom yet crazy emotional angst.
Brendan is just a version of Tyler in submissive form. He says & does the perfect things almost 100% of the time, like a knight in shining armor. Every woman's fantasy b'c he seems to be completely observant, non-judgmental, affectionate, great in bed & incredibly emotionally supportive. He doesn't try to "fix" a woman's problems, he just lets them be & let's them work it out in whichever way they want. Sometimes with him as a whipping boy b'c his aim is to please. He lives for it.
So b'c of his overly romantic nature, I found the dialog between the characters kind of overwrought & cheesy a lot of times. Chloe was only OK but I found her a bit immature. It could be due to the fact that Tyler & M treat her like a petulant kid, so she she ended up coming across as a conflicted teenager.
The reemergence of her old fears which she never worked through while understandable, still didn't ring true for me as an excuse for her inner conflict & angst. Maybe b'c I'm just used to Hill's writing M.O. at this point & kind of over it? Maybe not... I can't tell. It might just be these particular characters & their books.
I liked the concept of this book b'c I wondered it myself a a result of reading Hill's works. How does a person who is not a Dom or Sub fall in love with a sub & make it work? How would it work? Hill made them work but the execution just didn't do it for me.
There was a short conversation between Chloe & Marguerite 83% the way through that I thought was a really great bit of dialog, but then they had to go & ruin it all by ending up doing a group hug, supporting Chloe while she cried like a babe. Even down to getting her wubby out (a stuffed dog Brendan gave to her) & having Tyler sweep in solidifying the strength in their support. He then patronizes her (i.e. comforts compassionately) by picking her up like a Daddy, tucking her in bed, calling her his pet name - "Little Flower" & when she mumbles that she doesn't deserve their love, he chastises her (gently of course) by telling her she that absolutely does deserve their love her & she'll get no ice cream if she doesn't repeat after him. He then stays by her bed until she drops off like a dutiful Dad, I mean friend.
Yeah......it icked me out. She's a grown woman. I understood the scene, the motivations behind it & the characters intent but it was just took it completely OTT for me. I still like Hill though - just not any of these characters or how they're portrayed.
Brendan is just a version of Tyler in submissive form. He says & does the perfect things almost 100% of the time, like a knight in shining armor. Every woman's fantasy b'c he seems to be completely observant, non-judgmental, affectionate, great in bed & incredibly emotionally supportive. He doesn't try to "fix" a woman's problems, he just lets them be & let's them work it out in whichever way they want. Sometimes with him as a whipping boy b'c his aim is to please. He lives for it.
So b'c of his overly romantic nature, I found the dialog between the characters kind of overwrought & cheesy a lot of times. Chloe was only OK but I found her a bit immature. It could be due to the fact that Tyler & M treat her like a petulant kid, so she she ended up coming across as a conflicted teenager.
The reemergence of her old fears which she never worked through while understandable, still didn't ring true for me as an excuse for her inner conflict & angst. Maybe b'c I'm just used to Hill's writing M.O. at this point & kind of over it? Maybe not... I can't tell. It might just be these particular characters & their books.
I liked the concept of this book b'c I wondered it myself a a result of reading Hill's works. How does a person who is not a Dom or Sub fall in love with a sub & make it work? How would it work? Hill made them work but the execution just didn't do it for me.
There was a short conversation between Chloe & Marguerite 83% the way through that I thought was a really great bit of dialog, but then they had to go & ruin it all by ending up doing a group hug, supporting Chloe while she cried like a babe. Even down to getting her wubby out (a stuffed dog Brendan gave to her) & having Tyler sweep in solidifying the strength in their support. He then patronizes her (i.e. comforts compassionately) by picking her up like a Daddy, tucking her in bed, calling her his pet name - "Little Flower" & when she mumbles that she doesn't deserve their love, he chastises her (gently of course) by telling her she that absolutely does deserve their love her & she'll get no ice cream if she doesn't repeat after him. He then stays by her bed until she drops off like a dutiful Dad, I mean friend.
Yeah......it icked me out. She's a grown woman. I understood the scene, the motivations behind it & the characters intent but it was just took it completely OTT for me. I still like Hill though - just not any of these characters or how they're portrayed.
May 24, 2016
***3 Disconnected Stars***
Unfortunately, not even Joey Hill's fantastic writing could save this one for me.
I just didn't feel the bond between Brendan and Chloe. A year goes by between their meeting and where this book picks up. They have had no contact in this time, yet their first conversation was as if they were the best of friends......confidants. Just wasn't believable to me.
Also a lot of the prose felt like it was forcing feelings on me rather than allowing me to feel them. Almost as if trying to get me caught up to where the author thought I should be. And because of my disconnect with the characters and emotion, I found my mind wandering and being easily distracted. So unfortunately, this one is not a favorite in this series.
June 4, 2012
First I just wanted to share how I ended up reading this book. I happened to be browsing reviews on Goodreads trying to pick out what to read next when I read a review that said something to the effect of, "This book isn't like a Joey Hill book so if that's what you were hoping for you should probably just read Joey HIll." I took the reviewer's suggestion and browsed on over to Ms. Hill's books. As soon as I saw the titile of this book I knew it was Brendan's book and that it was exactly the book I was looking for.
This review is more a summary of my impressions than a plot summary. If you have never read a book by Joey Hill I would recommend starting with Natural Law.
I think this book could be read as a standalone but reading Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul first really adds to the emotional depth of the characters. There's significant mention of the brand on Brendan's lower back and seeing how he gets it in Ice Queen and understand why he wanted it in Mirror of My Soul really added to my understanding of him as a character in this book.
Likewise, Chloe is in a dark place for much of this book and seeing her in the previous book as a person who brought such light and happiness made me feel that much more invested in her emotional journey.
Confession: I have a weakness for caretaker Heroes so I knew that I was going to be predisposed to like Brendan and Tyler. I saw other reviewers refer to them as Gary Stus but I didn't see them that way. They both had their own demons to battle (in the books mentioned above) and now they are at a point where they are ready to give back to others and I appreciated that we got to see that perspective in both a Dominant and a submissive Hero.
I definitely couldn't pick a favorite quote from this book but I really loved this one: "When two people want each other to be happy so much they’re willing to break their own heart to let the other go, it’s kismet. Two idiots canceling one another out.”
I feel like that summarizes the crux of the book. Chloe and Brendan both want so badly to be what the other person needs that it takes them a while to trust that the other person wants the same thing.
This review is more a summary of my impressions than a plot summary. If you have never read a book by Joey Hill I would recommend starting with Natural Law.
I think this book could be read as a standalone but reading Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul first really adds to the emotional depth of the characters. There's significant mention of the brand on Brendan's lower back and seeing how he gets it in Ice Queen and understand why he wanted it in Mirror of My Soul really added to my understanding of him as a character in this book.
Likewise, Chloe is in a dark place for much of this book and seeing her in the previous book as a person who brought such light and happiness made me feel that much more invested in her emotional journey.
Confession: I have a weakness for caretaker Heroes so I knew that I was going to be predisposed to like Brendan and Tyler. I saw other reviewers refer to them as Gary Stus but I didn't see them that way. They both had their own demons to battle (in the books mentioned above) and now they are at a point where they are ready to give back to others and I appreciated that we got to see that perspective in both a Dominant and a submissive Hero.
I definitely couldn't pick a favorite quote from this book but I really loved this one: "When two people want each other to be happy so much they’re willing to break their own heart to let the other go, it’s kismet. Two idiots canceling one another out.”
I feel like that summarizes the crux of the book. Chloe and Brendan both want so badly to be what the other person needs that it takes them a while to trust that the other person wants the same thing.
October 3, 2012
(October) 2.5* You know, I really wanted to love this book – I’m a huge Joey W. Hill fan. Mirror of My Soul is one of my favorite books, a gorgeous 5* read. Natural Law and Rough Canvas are awesome. JH’s Knights of the Board Room have mostly been fab. But this one…not so much. I found myself so bored while reading it (short book but took me 3 days to finish it – when I put it down I was not inspired to pick it up again) – there was so much psycho-babble that half the time I had no idea what they were really saying. Towards the end, Brendon kept asking Chloe to “say those two words” – I swear I had no idea what words he wanted! Even Marguerite and Tyler bugged me a bit in this book – they were both so all knowing and all seeing and all consuming in their interference in everyone’s lives - it was all so Master-Grasshopper that it just grated on my nerves (and every time Chloe said "Oh Goddess" it drove me nuts – hate that!). The whole carnival scene didn’t really fit – it was a whole lotta nothing, really. And later on, I really wanted to see Chloe say “F You” to Tyler and shove him out of the way on her way to her car, instead of let him convince her to go talk to Marguerite!
Suggestion for anyone considering going to college to become a psychiatrist or psychologist…skip the $$ that it will cost you and instead dive into the BDSM world – because it seems like everyone in that world has amazing insight, can help even the most screwed up person, and always knows the right thing to say and do! But…how did it never occurred to anyone that Chloe needed someone to talk to, some sort of counseling after the attack – they saw for months she was falling apart but other than Marguerite saying “get better soon or you’ll move in w/me and Tyler” no one did anything.
When I read 50 Shades I remember thinking “this is a book I’ve always wanted to read…one where one person is very into the BDSM lifestyle and the other isn’t – how do you make that work?” This book also told that story – but in 50 his giving up that lifestyle made sense to me, while in this book I just don’t see Chloe really making Brendon happy in the long run, as I don’ t think she can truly satisfy his needs. He’s a sub, she’s not a domme – this pairing just did not work for me.
Suggestion for anyone considering going to college to become a psychiatrist or psychologist…skip the $$ that it will cost you and instead dive into the BDSM world – because it seems like everyone in that world has amazing insight, can help even the most screwed up person, and always knows the right thing to say and do! But…how did it never occurred to anyone that Chloe needed someone to talk to, some sort of counseling after the attack – they saw for months she was falling apart but other than Marguerite saying “get better soon or you’ll move in w/me and Tyler” no one did anything.
When I read 50 Shades I remember thinking “this is a book I’ve always wanted to read…one where one person is very into the BDSM lifestyle and the other isn’t – how do you make that work?” This book also told that story – but in 50 his giving up that lifestyle made sense to me, while in this book I just don’t see Chloe really making Brendon happy in the long run, as I don’ t think she can truly satisfy his needs. He’s a sub, she’s not a domme – this pairing just did not work for me.
January 20, 2014
3.5+ stars
This was one of the toughest books in this series for me... and in many ways, it falls outside the series in terms of its resolution. The tough part was watching Chloe try to deal with the fall-out of being attacked and violently beaten by Marguerite's father, when he was trying to lure Marguerite to him. Marguerite's father went to the tea shop looking for M, but instead he found Chloe and Natalie, a 9 yr old girl and favorite. M's father tried to abduct Natalie, but he had to go through Chloe, who fought tooth-and-nail; M's father had to beat Chloe into almost unconsciousness before she'd relinquish Natalie.
Fast forward 1 year + several months after the incident and 1 year past Marguerite's and Tyler's wedding, where Chloe met Brendan . Brendan was the little boy that Marguerite protected in the foster system; they bonded, but he was adopted and got a new home; before he left, Brendan gave Marguerite his favorite teddy bear, to keep her safe. Several years later, Branden met Mistress Marguerite at The Zone, and while she didn't remember him right away, the two developed a deep bond on the Mistress/sub level. Nothing overly sexual and nothing romantic on M's part.
When Brendan and Chloe met at the wedding, both Marguerite and Tyler remarked on how well suited a couple they were. But Brendan left it completely up to Chloe to make the next move to call him... and it's not until over 1 year later and at the beginning of this book that Chloe makes that call. She's gotten over the physical recovery of her attack, but she hasn't been able to fully recover mentally or emotionally. As happens so many times, this attack has resurfaced terrors from her childhood... plaguing her with nightmares and fighting with bouts of unexplained anger, depression, and lashing out. Chloe isn't her usual sunny, joyful self, and she doesn't know how to get back to that Chloe.
So Chloe reaches out to Brendan in the middle of the night, when she's having night terrors. He doesn't bat an eyelash at her late call and manages to calm her down. Then things move into the steamy territory, as B makes his interest in her clear, and Chloe has hot phone sex with him. And so begins a possible relationship between Brendan and Chloe.
Except Brendan doesn't want to frighten Chloe off with his bond with Mistress Marguerite (or her brand that he wears on his back)... he doesn't lie to her, he simply asks to defer the answers to some of her questions. But Chloe wants to push the envelope and finds herself quickly overwhelmed by her own passive-agressive depression and anger fits - she can't figure out the reality and logistics of Brendan's world of submissives and Doms, and she feels incapable of being what he needs.
And then Brendan is so focused on being the perfect submissive, that he refuses to speak up for what HE really wants with Chloe... he allows her to take the point on so much, that Chloe almost pushes the D/s too far in her attempt to be what she thinks he wants.
Can they make it work?
==================
What I really appreciated about this book is that it's not the "usual" in the D/s or BDSM plots. And it's definitely unusual in this Nature of Desire series. I liked that Chloe didn't HAVE to become a Domme to find love and a fulfilling relationship with Brendan. His nature is submissive, but that doesn't mean that Chloe has to be everything to him. This is a step back from the whole 50 Shades thinking that really plunged readers into the BDSM genre... and very badly. It set us up to believe that only someone willing to be part that "scene" could truly fulfill the other's need. And that only damaged people were part of the BDSM scene, working out their daddy and mommy issues in the harsh world of sexual Doms and submissives.
No. Chloe and Brendan are encouraged to be exactly who they are... to find their own love with their own rules. Rules that don't leave us believing that Chloe will be taking Domme lessons from Marguerite in the future. Rules that allow Chloe and Brendan to find their own "scenes", whether at The Zone or in nature... having a healthy sexual relationship beyond bondage and overt dominance and submission. Showing us that Brendan's submission means a focus on Chloe, but the gentler, lighter side of the Dom/sub coin.
We see healing in love. Quiet, kind, gentle caring for one another to help the other be his or her best. It truly touched me. I smiled more than I cried, and I definitely cried!
This was one of the toughest books in this series for me... and in many ways, it falls outside the series in terms of its resolution. The tough part was watching Chloe try to deal with the fall-out of being attacked and violently beaten by Marguerite's father, when he was trying to lure Marguerite to him. Marguerite's father went to the tea shop looking for M, but instead he found Chloe and Natalie, a 9 yr old girl and favorite. M's father tried to abduct Natalie, but he had to go through Chloe, who fought tooth-and-nail; M's father had to beat Chloe into almost unconsciousness before she'd relinquish Natalie.
Fast forward 1 year + several months after the incident and 1 year past Marguerite's and Tyler's wedding, where Chloe met Brendan . Brendan was the little boy that Marguerite protected in the foster system; they bonded, but he was adopted and got a new home; before he left, Brendan gave Marguerite his favorite teddy bear, to keep her safe. Several years later, Branden met Mistress Marguerite at The Zone, and while she didn't remember him right away, the two developed a deep bond on the Mistress/sub level. Nothing overly sexual and nothing romantic on M's part.
When Brendan and Chloe met at the wedding, both Marguerite and Tyler remarked on how well suited a couple they were. But Brendan left it completely up to Chloe to make the next move to call him... and it's not until over 1 year later and at the beginning of this book that Chloe makes that call. She's gotten over the physical recovery of her attack, but she hasn't been able to fully recover mentally or emotionally. As happens so many times, this attack has resurfaced terrors from her childhood... plaguing her with nightmares and fighting with bouts of unexplained anger, depression, and lashing out. Chloe isn't her usual sunny, joyful self, and she doesn't know how to get back to that Chloe.
So Chloe reaches out to Brendan in the middle of the night, when she's having night terrors. He doesn't bat an eyelash at her late call and manages to calm her down. Then things move into the steamy territory, as B makes his interest in her clear, and Chloe has hot phone sex with him. And so begins a possible relationship between Brendan and Chloe.
Except Brendan doesn't want to frighten Chloe off with his bond with Mistress Marguerite (or her brand that he wears on his back)... he doesn't lie to her, he simply asks to defer the answers to some of her questions. But Chloe wants to push the envelope and finds herself quickly overwhelmed by her own passive-agressive depression and anger fits - she can't figure out the reality and logistics of Brendan's world of submissives and Doms, and she feels incapable of being what he needs.
And then Brendan is so focused on being the perfect submissive, that he refuses to speak up for what HE really wants with Chloe... he allows her to take the point on so much, that Chloe almost pushes the D/s too far in her attempt to be what she thinks he wants.
Can they make it work?
==================
What I really appreciated about this book is that it's not the "usual" in the D/s or BDSM plots. And it's definitely unusual in this Nature of Desire series. I liked that Chloe didn't HAVE to become a Domme to find love and a fulfilling relationship with Brendan. His nature is submissive, but that doesn't mean that Chloe has to be everything to him. This is a step back from the whole 50 Shades thinking that really plunged readers into the BDSM genre... and very badly. It set us up to believe that only someone willing to be part that "scene" could truly fulfill the other's need. And that only damaged people were part of the BDSM scene, working out their daddy and mommy issues in the harsh world of sexual Doms and submissives.
No. Chloe and Brendan are encouraged to be exactly who they are... to find their own love with their own rules. Rules that don't leave us believing that Chloe will be taking Domme lessons from Marguerite in the future. Rules that allow Chloe and Brendan to find their own "scenes", whether at The Zone or in nature... having a healthy sexual relationship beyond bondage and overt dominance and submission. Showing us that Brendan's submission means a focus on Chloe, but the gentler, lighter side of the Dom/sub coin.
We see healing in love. Quiet, kind, gentle caring for one another to help the other be his or her best. It truly touched me. I smiled more than I cried, and I definitely cried!
June 15, 2023
Listen I’m in my silly smut novel era please don’t perceive me
August 11, 2013
Hot, but not the hottest, very romantic. Although this wasn't my favorite in the Nature of Desire series (so far, my fav's would be: Natural Law, Mirror of My Soul/Ice Queen, and Rough Canvas), the depth and scope of the writing is leaps and bounds over so much of the erotic romance out there. I'd give it four stars for a Joey W. Hill, but it's a 5+ anywhere else. If you're interested in the psychological aspects of BDSM, if you like many-layered characters and lots of romance with a depth that is (almost?) spiritual, if you want to read about a freakin' dream man, if you understand that erotic romance and erotica are not the same things (although they overlap), then I think you'd enjoy this book.
July 20, 2020
This book annoyed me. It portrayed Tyler and Marguerite as a God & Goddess. They are not. They are human.
Chloe and Brendan would have reached there on their own. And it's okay to want help but it felt like there were ulterior motives. It felt patronising and condescending. And although it was under the guise of friendship, love and trust - it didn't feel right.
This is one of the first books written by the author that I couldn't get behind.
No, that's not right. Even Ice Queen felt that way because Tyler was portrayed as a God in that too.
Verdict: There are no human Gods. Just people who love.
Chloe and Brendan would have reached there on their own. And it's okay to want help but it felt like there were ulterior motives. It felt patronising and condescending. And although it was under the guise of friendship, love and trust - it didn't feel right.
This is one of the first books written by the author that I couldn't get behind.
No, that's not right. Even Ice Queen felt that way because Tyler was portrayed as a God in that too.
Verdict: There are no human Gods. Just people who love.
September 10, 2012
As the seventh and last book in the Nature of Desire series, this is a more psychological than physical portrayal of BDSM, and no one tackles the emotion behind it better than Joey Hill. The story does a brilliant job at expressing the multiple facets and complexity of the lifestyle, as misunderstood as it is. Ms. Hill says it best in this book: A million people mean a million different religions. The H/h romance is sweeter than her usual style, and I especially enjoyed the connection to the characters from previous books in this series. I'm sad to see this series end.
July 6, 2015
This book is ridiculous. All transcendental woo-woo hooey. The descriptions are over-elaborate. There's insta-love, my least favorite trope. And how about the first time they have sex, there's no discussion about safe sex, she just tells him she doesn't want him to use a condom. How f%#king stupid are you, anyway?!
July 7, 2013
Joey Hill is one of my favorite writers of erotica and erotic romance, and this book had some amazingly hot scenes. I will read and re-read the slave auction, in particular. Too bad the whole thing wasn't like that.
It was well-written and well-characterized, but ultimately not quite what I wanted. Hill is fantastic at kinky sex and the psychology of BDSM. This book started out seeming as if it would be about innocent Chloe discovering her dominant (or possibly submissive) tendencies. But it turned out to be a story about Chloe's psychological healing and her discovery that she isn't into BDSM at all. In other words, a journey into vanilla sex. Which is fine, but I don't read Hill for vanilla, and it isn't what she does best.
I enjoyed this but it's not among my favorites of Hill's.
It was well-written and well-characterized, but ultimately not quite what I wanted. Hill is fantastic at kinky sex and the psychology of BDSM. This book started out seeming as if it would be about innocent Chloe discovering her dominant (or possibly submissive) tendencies. But it turned out to be a story about Chloe's psychological healing and her discovery that she isn't into BDSM at all. In other words, a journey into vanilla sex. Which is fine, but I don't read Hill for vanilla, and it isn't what she does best.
I enjoyed this but it's not among my favorites of Hill's.
March 15, 2020
Loved it
I love this series, the characters, emotions, and stories. I've read this book multiple times as well as listened on audio. I find myself crying every time. This book is so raw and real. Exactly what I have come to expect from this author.
Although this can be read as a stand alone you get so much more if you've at least read Ice Queen and Mirror of my Soul prior to reading this.
I love this series, the characters, emotions, and stories. I've read this book multiple times as well as listened on audio. I find myself crying every time. This book is so raw and real. Exactly what I have come to expect from this author.
Although this can be read as a stand alone you get so much more if you've at least read Ice Queen and Mirror of my Soul prior to reading this.
February 15, 2017
There was a sad and unhappy tone throughout without anything to lift the story especially since I didn't buy the insta romance. Claire was infantilized too much by the secondary characters. Brendan's angst about asking for what he wanted seemed forced considering how hard he worked to make the relationship happen. No confidence this relationship will last. Disappointed.
May 30, 2013
It kills me I don't have any more of this series to read! My favorite series of Joey W. Hill. Her voice and characters are amazing!
July 9, 2023
Ok. Loong rant ahead probably with spoilers.
The bad:
- After reading something like 10 books of this writer, I'm convinced she is a one trick pony. Her characters are all martyrs that would make JC jealous.
- I hate this pseudo baby Domme. She was a crybaby, selfish, a brat. More like a Little in need of a Daddy Dom (and a good shrink) than anything. Being in her head was a chore and 60% of the book was about her. I think she had something like 3 melt downs. Too many cathartic moments in the span of a few weeks for a character. Also, going through some shit in life will never excuse you in my eyes if you behave like a bit*h. Don't do to others what you don't want done to you etc. Chloe treated Brendan really like crap. BDSM apart, even as a vanilla girlfriend she would have sucked badly and not in a good way.
- Story structure: it's all backwards. This writer has an allergy to communication and negotiation. A lot of the drama in this book would have been avoided with 2 convos: The good old nego with kinks, limits, triggers, expectations, what's your experience etc. Then we wouldn't have had the embarrassing Domming pegging fiasco. Also if you're a couple of experienced lifestylers (M & Tyler), you wouldn't throw a newbie in the big pool without mentoring her a little before. Intuition is nice & good but that can't replace experience. The second convo that should have happened is about the infamous brand: My poor Brendan has a knack for abusive assholes I swear...I was expecting a civilized convo between Mistress M, Brendan & Chloe so that everyone would know where they standed & no toes would be crushed because really, there was no competition. Hell, I expected a mini ceremony for passation of power, a Mistress gifting her precious slave to another. It could have been tasty, meaningful and poignant, especially with all the Knight/Lady subtext in the story. I guess I'm too romantic.
The good:
- I want an Old London alley playroom now, with rain, mist and fog and street lamps. That Vampirela role playing scene was original and 🔥. Made me up the rating from 2.5 to 3 ⭐.Tbf, this writer always write good sexy scenes, never been the problem.
- The diving trust scene at the end was great but again, something I would have liked earlier in the story, to build their bond. It's almost anticlimactic as an epilogue.
The bad:
- After reading something like 10 books of this writer, I'm convinced she is a one trick pony. Her characters are all martyrs that would make JC jealous.
- I hate this pseudo baby Domme. She was a crybaby, selfish, a brat. More like a Little in need of a Daddy Dom (and a good shrink) than anything. Being in her head was a chore and 60% of the book was about her. I think she had something like 3 melt downs. Too many cathartic moments in the span of a few weeks for a character. Also, going through some shit in life will never excuse you in my eyes if you behave like a bit*h. Don't do to others what you don't want done to you etc. Chloe treated Brendan really like crap. BDSM apart, even as a vanilla girlfriend she would have sucked badly and not in a good way.
- Story structure: it's all backwards. This writer has an allergy to communication and negotiation. A lot of the drama in this book would have been avoided with 2 convos: The good old nego with kinks, limits, triggers, expectations, what's your experience etc. Then we wouldn't have had the embarrassing Domming pegging fiasco. Also if you're a couple of experienced lifestylers (M & Tyler), you wouldn't throw a newbie in the big pool without mentoring her a little before. Intuition is nice & good but that can't replace experience. The second convo that should have happened is about the infamous brand: My poor Brendan has a knack for abusive assholes I swear...I was expecting a civilized convo between Mistress M, Brendan & Chloe so that everyone would know where they standed & no toes would be crushed because really, there was no competition. Hell, I expected a mini ceremony for passation of power, a Mistress gifting her precious slave to another. It could have been tasty, meaningful and poignant, especially with all the Knight/Lady subtext in the story. I guess I'm too romantic.
The good:
- I want an Old London alley playroom now, with rain, mist and fog and street lamps. That Vampirela role playing scene was original and 🔥. Made me up the rating from 2.5 to 3 ⭐.Tbf, this writer always write good sexy scenes, never been the problem.
- The diving trust scene at the end was great but again, something I would have liked earlier in the story, to build their bond. It's almost anticlimactic as an epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2017
Weak and angsty heroine
Love this series but Chloe was too much of a drama queen and caught up to deeply in two MINOR attacks from her past. Compared to Marguerite she's a major wuss. Loved Brendon in the other books but would have liked to see his point of view rather than all Chloe's crazy messed up thinking that was tiresome. Lovemaking and BDSM was weak didn't experience much connection with Chloe at all. Could have explored Brendon's pain from his past more deeply instead of relying on Chloe as immature as she was to fix him. Enjoyed seeing Marguerite and Tyler always a favorite couple.
Love this series but Chloe was too much of a drama queen and caught up to deeply in two MINOR attacks from her past. Compared to Marguerite she's a major wuss. Loved Brendon in the other books but would have liked to see his point of view rather than all Chloe's crazy messed up thinking that was tiresome. Lovemaking and BDSM was weak didn't experience much connection with Chloe at all. Could have explored Brendon's pain from his past more deeply instead of relying on Chloe as immature as she was to fix him. Enjoyed seeing Marguerite and Tyler always a favorite couple.
May 17, 2021
Joey W. Hill is hit or miss, when she hits they are books you can read again and again but when she misses the books can be a complete chore to finish.
Branded Sanctuary had a similar hurdle of a hardcore male submissive and a non-dominant woman trying to force a relationship. Honestly, maybe I'm a it too free in my love but it felt to me like the obvious solution would be to have a vanilla relationship with the understanding that he can play at the club when he needs that specific itch scratched not change your whole sexual identity to fit a man... 2.5⭐
Branded Sanctuary had a similar hurdle of a hardcore male submissive and a non-dominant woman trying to force a relationship. Honestly, maybe I'm a it too free in my love but it felt to me like the obvious solution would be to have a vanilla relationship with the understanding that he can play at the club when he needs that specific itch scratched not change your whole sexual identity to fit a man... 2.5⭐
November 17, 2022
I’m definitely on a roll going through Joey’s entire nature of desire series and the knights of the board room.I love the way she builds her stories and occasionally ties the different series together with brief visits between one and the other. Best of all are her beautifully drawn characters, and the emotional depths between them
This was my second time to read this book in the last few months , and it was impossible to put it down even on a second read! Kudos to Joey for never disappointing her readers
This was my second time to read this book in the last few months , and it was impossible to put it down even on a second read! Kudos to Joey for never disappointing her readers
April 5, 2023
jesus this book. my rating was never fluctuated so much while reading a book. i was very disappointed cause this was not what i thoight it was gonna be. i would have liked it more if the communication that happened after the carnival replaced the boring stuff at the beginning and acter the carnival we got more exploration and that chloe actually wanted to be a dom rather than someone that brendan can make happy. like i know its his thing but cmon he wnated to get BRANDED by his previous mistress but hes chill with chloe basically being vanilla forever. right.
August 5, 2017
Brendan and Chloe's story. I really enjoyed the intuitive insight the characters had regarding relationships. Although there was a lot of sexual scenes in this story, I thought this book was a lot more tame than previous NOD stories.
May 22, 2018
What do you do when you find the guy your hot for is submissive? You don't have a clue about it or tend to run that way and to top it off are trying to recover from an attack… Engaging read and we follow Chloe's journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2023
Interesting premise to this story. Most of the stories I read at the time had very clean lines between Dom and Sub, but story liked to turn them on their head. Brandon and Chloe are both damaged but so willing to help each other out was beautiful.
June 7, 2025
I love it. Everything in this book is perfect. The harmony of the characters is great.I think Brenden and M should have told Chole about their relationship, it was wrong. But I was so happy they finally got it done. I love submissive male characters. This book is one of the best.
June 9, 2020
I gotta say, BRANDED SANCTUARY left me disappointed. I loved Brandon the submissive in ICE QUEEN and MIRROR OF MY SOUL. I just didn't like Chloe for Brandon. Sigh.
August 20, 2023
Another wonderful trip through Joey Hill's world. this story focusing on a recovering Chloe and Brandon from Tyler and Maguerite's orbit.
kind-of-read-skim
September 5, 2024The best thing was Marguerite and Tyler.
October 18, 2024
I am simply amazed by this story, of course I am usually amazed by anything that Ms. Hill writes. I think she is one of the best authors writing today. I was so happy to see Chloe finally find the way to peace that she had looking for. It was wonderful to read the journey that took her from frighten angry woman to loving confident lover. Brendan was also a surprise. Although I had met him in earlier books his personality was muted by Marguerite and the demands that she had of him. Brendan is an extraordinary man that can anticipate a woman's need and still be protective and demanding when he needs to be. I was also glad to see that Marguerite is healing and becoming more loving and involved with those that mean so much to her. I think that she will be one of my favorite female characters for a very, very long time. Finally there was Tyler and like Chloe I want to experience all that intensity all for myself. I love this series of books and I hope that Joey will continue to add to tapestry that she has so far woven.
October 16, 2024
Just read the conversation that Marguerite has with Brendan in the beginning of this story. This conversation shows the true talent of Ms. Hill. It is so real and so meaningful. She understands the whole relationship with these two so well. I would love to have her memory. This interaction is part of why I own all of Ms. Hill's books. I love her characters and story development so much. She can pull you end and turn you inside out.
I don't think that I really appreciated how extraordinary Chloe becoming so involved with D/s carnival really was. I am not sure I would have been able to embrace all the varied activities at the Carnival with how little Chloe knew at the beginning. The richness of the detail and the various emotions that Brandon and Chloe are feeling makes the story more enthralling. I appreciate that Chloe was so willing to try to please Brandan. She has no experience with this lifestyle but she isn't judgmental of what is going on. She tries to understand and embrace what is going on. Proving how extraordinary Chloe and Brandon continues to be.
You know I have loved following Brendan since the first time I read about him. He as always seemed lonely and adrift to me. Chloe is such a free spirit in the earlier books and she was so damaged by what happened to her. So two of the people that I have loved through so many of these stories are finally healed and brought together.
October 16, 2024
Just read the conversation that Marguerite has with Brendan in the beginning of this story. This conversation shows the true talent of Ms. Hill. It is so real and so meaningful. She understands the whole relationship with these two so well. I would love to have her memory. This interaction is part of why I own all of Ms. Hill's books. I love her characters and story development so much. She can pull you end and turn you inside out.
I don't think that I really appreciated how extraordinary Chloe becoming so involved with D/s carnival really was. I am not sure I would have been able to embrace all the varied activities at the Carnival with how little Chloe knew at the beginning. The richness of the detail and the various emotions that Brandon and Chloe are feeling makes the story more enthralling. I appreciate that Chloe was so willing to try to please Brandan. She has no experience with this lifestyle but she isn't judgmental of what is going on. She tries to understand and embrace what is going on. Proving how extraordinary Chloe and Brandon continues to be.
You know I have loved following Brendan since the first time I read about him. He as always seemed lonely and adrift to me. Chloe is such a free spirit in the earlier books and she was so damaged by what happened to her. So two of the people that I have loved through so many of these stories are finally healed and brought together.
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