In His Arms

by Tina Donahue

Owned by one man, loved by another.Abducted and delivered into sexual slavery, Lori has surrendered her will in order to survive. For more than a decade, she’s been known as Summer, her owner’s possession until he gives her to his newest lieutenant, a mysterious man called RJ.Commanding and virile, RJ controls without cruelty and possesses without threat, engendering a mixture of safety and passion. In his strong arms, Summer enjoys carnal pleasure she’s never known and tenderness she’s craved. In his heated gaze, she experiences a sense of recognition she doesn’t immediately understand until it proves dangerous in a way she could never have imagined.Bound by desire, need and growing love, RJ traverses the shadowy world of human trafficking, risking all for Summer’s freedom. But when he learns she harbors a fateful secret that threatens to tear her from him, they stand to lose everything.

Genres: Erotica, BDSM, Dark, Abuse, Romance, Erotic Romance, Adult

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2010

About the author

I'm an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for every taste - 'heat with heart' - for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Romantic Times, and numerous online sites have praised my work. I've won Readers' Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year Award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. I'm featured in the Novel and Short Story Writer's Market. Before penning romances, I worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

On a less serious note: I'm an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brake for Mexican restaurants, and have been known to moan like Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally" while wolfing down tostadas. I've flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house using an 'electricity for dummies' book, and am horribly shy despite the hot romances I write.

You can find me here:

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Reviews

[Sammy Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a dark read this turned out to be. This story follows the events of Lori's life after we witness her abduction at the age of fifteen.



She is raped and stripped of her identity. A once blushing virginal teen, is sold into sexual slavery and purchased by a manipulative sociopath known as Anthony. In his effort to make her his property, Anthony changes her name from Lori to Summer. He even dies her beautiful auburn hair, to a jet black.



Over the years, Summer becomes the perfect submissive, and has no desire of her own until she meets RJ.



RJ is everything Summer has ever dreamed and he's a bull stud between the sheets. The only problem is that he is one of Anthony's men.

I'v struggled with this book rating. It started out as a potential 4.5 star with its masochist villain pitted against the beautiful dark hero and gradually declined to a 3.5 star because the ending became predictable. Predictable, yet still enjoyable. It was very well written and quite steamy.

This book gets a 5 star for eroticism and the longest love scene I've ever read.

[Akanksha❤ Søren♰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

God, this book! Fucking hell, BRILLIANT.

When the book starts, you know what the story is going to be.
If you look deep enough, you can even guess the twists and turns. Even thought I guessed the whole story; the read was brilliant.
It was heart wrenching, amazing, brilliant, and WOW.
The whole second half of the book kept me at the edge of my seat. It was nerve racking. AMAZING.
Its written so well, this book. I lovedddddd the story and the plot.

It felt like a mixture of The Dark Duet and Truth(Consequences) type. Like a hint of those books you could see in this book.
How I wish the ending was longer, but none the less.. IT WAS PERFECT :')
Do read this book, its something else. :))

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 3 out of 5]

02/21/2013 --

Overall Stars = 3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2.5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars [$7.00 Amazon & $7.43 on B&N]


Okay, I feel a bit guilty for giving an average rating to a book that took courage to write. The topic needs to be screamed from the rooftops, my opinion only. Human trafficking, in particular, the kidnapping of a teenage girl from the front of her home and then her story. Eleven long years of captivity. The topic gets 5 HUGE STARS from me, however the execution could have been better.

What I thought worked really well:
1 -- Obviously the topic. I think the author captured the abduction and living situation very well. This is a story that plays out too often with very little known about it. I commend this author for bringing us this story.

2 -- A good third of the book, very beginning, is one very long intimate scene. There were parts I didn't like about it, and you'll see that in a minute, but this one scene of intimacy was some of the best I've ever read.

3 -- I liked the cover and the blurb. Got me to read it almost immediately. Look at my TBR pile -- yep, to be commended.

But, the things that didn't work for me interfered with my enjoyment:
1 -- The intimate scene mentioned above? It has a obnoxious voyeur. This was explained, but I didn't buy this guys presence in everything during their first meeting. Just annoying as hell. The character also wasn't drawn for us well. Beef him up a bit and give him a bit of personality, and maybe it works.

2 -- The author deviated into the mundane and the story got incredibly boring about 2/3's in. Hard to keep going when you really know how it is going to turn out. No surprises.

3 -- As much as I liked RJ, I didn't think his story well told. Not enough depth when he could have been incredible he only turned out so/so.

4 -- Overall, with this stories topic, the story lacked depth. We had the whole Nicky element, but we only had him in two real scenes. Just too much surface, very little depth. Told me how to feel but I didn't feel it.

5 -- Therefore, the story was too long. Probably could have lost about 70 pages and been much better.

I did enjoy the story. I do think this could have been an incredible story that turned out mediocre. Could have been the author, could have been the editing, could have been the publisher's requirements. Whatever the reason, I was a bit sad. It just could have been so much better.

BTW: I've noted this very type of format issue [lack of depth] with this publisher in the past. I rather think Ellora's Cave plays a key role in the mediocrity mentioned above.

Happy Reading!

[Michael Dunellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of this book as well as The Sea of Tranquility. If you read it, you should understand why.

15-year-old girls should be safe. They should be able to step outside on a bright sunny day and have nothing to fear. They should be able to worry about nothing more than their upcoming music recital or maybe the attractive boy shooting baskets in his driveway. But that isn’t the world we live in.

Instead they both die. Or at least essentially do.

Two years have passed for Nastya. At first she didn’t remember what happened. Then she couldn’t speak of it. So she doesn’t speak of anything.

Eleven year have passed for Summer. She does exactly what Anthony tells her to do. After all, she is his property.

Nastya dresses like a whore for her sanity. Summer entertains men who meet Anthony’s price.

Nastya wants revenge on her secret. Summer is protecting hers at all costs.

Nastya runs. Summer does not dare.

Each of them has a way out. But it won’t be easy to get there.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ½ stars. A woman is forced into sex slavery. There was too much stress and fear for me to enjoy the erotic sex scenes.

STORY BRIEF:
Lori is 15. As she is walking down the street, a car stops with the driver asking directions. Lori is helpful but too close and gets pulled into the car and kidnapped. It is now 11 years later. The kidnapper changed her name to Summer. All this time she has been a prostitute, imprisoned by and owned by Anthony. She is handcuffed to her bed when sleeping. The rest of the time guards watch her, even while having sex with clients. Anthony owns many girls like Summer. They are beaten and punished frequently. RJ recently saved Anthony’s life. In return, Anthony offers him a job and one of his girls to be his property. RJ chooses Summer. They spend a lustful first night together. He wants her to be happy. She is. Of course one of Anthony’s thugs must stay in the room with them and watch the sex. That’s the rule. The thug wants to join in but Anthony refuses. Summer and RJ then live together on Anthony’s estate while RJ works for Anthony. There are cameras everywhere. They have no privacy. Plus Anthony beats and rapes Summer in front of RJ and others.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is an ebook so I didn’t count pages, but it seems like more than a fourth of the book is sex scenes. They are explicit, erotic, and include rear door activity. My feelings while reading this book were “I am not enjoying this. I am feeling stress and fear through most of the book.” Summer is powerless, helpless, and must submit to bad things - always in front of others. As Anthony’s new employee, RJ must do Anthony’s bidding and is also beaten. I didn’t get the feeling of anticipation or other positive feelings about a couple getting to know and fall in love with each other. The imprisonment and Anthony’s blackmail control over Summer was too overpowering and stressful. I’ve read other books where someone is tortured, beaten or imprisoned, but those stories didn’t bother me as much because the person would get out and the story would continue about other things. In this book 90% or more of the story takes place during the captivity which was stressful. However, there was a happy ending which gave me a few minutes of positive at the end.

I had some plot problems. (1) I wanted to see a relationship develop between Summer and RJ, but their only interaction was sex which apparently caused them to fall in love at first sight. (2) Summer had at least two chances to get away years earlier, but her actions were not logical to me. See Spoilers below. (3) After Summer realized RJ wanted to help her, she should have told him about Anthony’s blackmail over her. But she didn’t, which bothered me. I saw no reason not to tell him.

CAUTION SPOILERS:

Three problems follow. Two of them are about chances for escape which Summer did not take. The word “blackmail” is not exactly what is going on, but I’m using it because I don’t want to give away any more spoilers than necessary.

First, Summer is kidnapped, beaten and imprisoned for a few weeks. Then she is sold to Anthony, who uses her to start his pimping business. Anthony makes Summer fall in love with him. Then he asks her work as a prostitute out of love for him since he needs money. She could have run away at this point - just before or after she serviced clients. Anthony didn’t have guards on her. She also could have contacted her parents - just before or after she serviced clients.

Later, Summer gets pregnant and escapes from Anthony. She called home and learned her parents no longer lived there. So why didn’t she go to the police, a church, or a social agency for help? She was pregnant and living on the streets with other homeless teens.

Because Anthony had blackmail control over Summer, he didn’t need to handcuff her or have guards on her. But for more than half the book, we see her under guard, which was not necessary. I felt the author was being deceptive, wanting the reader to think she needed to be guarded instead of knowing Anthony controlled her through blackmail.

DATA:
Ebook story length: about 3 ½ hours. Kindle count story length: 4758. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes: about 8. Setting: 1999 Phoenix, AZ and 2010 San Francisco, CA. Copyright: 2010. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved In His Arms. Not a easy read for some, but that will captivate those brave enough to read it.


**Possible Spoiler Ahead**

Lori is kidnapped when she's 15. From this point on, she's abused, beaten, raped, brainwashed and sold in slavery to Anthony.
Anthony is just starting in traffic of humans. Always seductive, he makes Lori fall in love with him, and lures her in helping him by whoring herself. Stimulated by the love she feels for him, and fear of losing him, she does, until she perceives that was just a trick. A way to put her in the "business". And that way she becomes Summer Parrish. One of many in Anthony's forced brothel.

Now, eleven years after her abduction Summer is a new woman. Detached and scared, but still helpless in the hands of Anthony.
And that's when RJ enters the scene.
As one of Anthony's new employer, he chose Summer as his woman.
All the time they are watched, when not by guards, by cameras installed in their house, to register every moment between both of them, including sex. (Which has a lot!)

RJ is an enigma. Never showing his hands, he only want Summer's trust. That he will never harm her in anyway. He enervated me at some points. I just wanted to know what he was up to (even being predictable).

Most of their story, happens inside Anthony's house, and under (many) watchful eyes.


This is the kind of book I just know it will be good, and I wasn't disappointed. A no-brainer 5 Stars. I hope to read more books by Tina Donahue, because this one was great!!

[Lisabet Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Parrish submits to survive. Abducted as a teenager and sold into sexual slavery, she has no choice but to diligently satisfy the perverse desires of the men who pay her owner Anthony to use her body. If she resists, she’ll be savagely beaten and raped. If she tries to escape, she might well be murdered. She has no money, no family, no privacy, no freedom. Her life has no value except for the cash she brings in for her master.

Her future, as she ages and loses her beauty, looks bleak. Then Anthony gives her to RJ, a rough but kind ex-con, as thanks for saving his life. RJ is every bit as dominant as Anthony, but he’s also a gentleman, as well as a skilled and considerate lover. He seems to appreciate her as a person, as well as a sex partner. They share an immediate affinity, on an emotional as well as a physical level. In RJ’s arms, Summer can pretend that love will save her. However, she knows this is just an illusion. Though RJ might be nominally her owner, Anthony holds the ultimate power. If she strays, he can easily destroy the only thing in her life that has any meaning.

In His Arms by Tina Donahue is pure romance dynamite. Summer’s desperation and courage are evident from the first page. The lightning bolt connection between her and RJ is compelling and believable despite being a romance trope. Ms. Donahue immediately pulls the reader into the circle of Summer’s and RJ’s developing relationship. The first third of the book is devoted to their luscious, arousing and moving love scenes. This gives the novel an intimacy that is rare, at least in the romance I read. I felt I was right there with Summer and RJ, sharing their pleasure, their joy, their suspicions and doubts.

Gradually, the book opens up, with more action outside the bedroom, but the emotional intensity remains at top gain. RJ is determined to set Summer free. Much as she longs to be with him, Summer knows this is impossible. Anthony’s hold over her is absolute. This is a genuine and believable conflict, truly difficult to resolve. Ms. Donahue keeps the reader in suspense, almost until the last page. In RJ’s plan to free Summer from her chains, a million things could go wrong.

In addition to being a satisfying romance, In His Arms also paints what seems to be a realistic picture of the sex trafficking industry. Summer’s kidnapping and conditioning, with a combination of deprivation and pleasure, struck me as highly believable. Anthony grooms her for her role as a sex slave, sometimes indulging her, sometimes punishing her. The effect is close to brainwashing. Indeed, even after she escapes, it takes her years to recover from her decade in captivity.

This is not a sunny, feel-good novel where everything is fine once the hero and heroine are together. Summer and RJ both have scars. Tina Donahue makes you believe, though, that with enough time they can help one another heal.

[Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. It's a real shame that the book is now out of print. I've been bugging her to republish it. It deserves a new lease on life.]

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over ten years ago, when Summer Parrish was only fifteen years old, she was kidnapped off the street, practically in front of her house, and sold into sexual slavery. She now works for a thug named Anthony, who will punish her painfully if she doesn't do what he wants. She has no choice but to whore herself out to high profile men who only care for their own pleasure. Summer is truly all alone. She can never go back to being Lori Clayton, the young girl whose biggest concern was the bad crush she once had on her nineteen-year-old neighbor across the street. Her only purpose in life is to be a sex doll and hope that when she grows too old, Anthony won't put a bullet in her head because he thinks she's no longer useful to him.

Summer is waiting anxiously in a penthouse suite for the next man she must spend the night with. She is watched like a hawk by one of Anthony's men, who doesn't even leave the room when she servicing a client. This client was responsible for saving Anthony's life recently. He's RJ, an ex-convict, and Anthony's newest recruit. As a thank you, Anthony has given Summer to RJ to use as he sees fit. Summer has no choice but to now obey RJ, much like she has done with Anthony. But RJ treats her with respect and wants her to trust him and enjoy the sex they have. As soon as RJ pulls Summer into his arms, she's lost by the intense pleasure he gives her without asking for anything in return. But the few hours where she can forget the horrors that surround her is not enough. She still belongs to Anthony and must pretend that she loves only him and treat RJ with polite reserve. RJ doesn't want Summer's willingness to share his bed because she's being forced to. He wants her to rely on him, to put her full trust in him and only him. RJ has big plans concerning Summer, that may get him killed and also kill Summer in the process.

In His Arms is an emotional and masterful story dealing with a wide array of disturbing topics. We have sex trafficking, prostitution, Stockholm Syndrome, child abuse, and the dangerous underworld of crime run by a true psychopath, who with one blink will kill someone just because he doesn’t like them. This was a tough story to read, but Tina Donahue handles the subject matter in such a way that you can't help but be amazed. I've read most of Tina's backlist, and I can say without a doubt, this is her best work yet.

The depth and emotional intensity within these pages regarding Summer and RJ is fierce and moving. Everyone has an agenda. Summer's is to keep alive and safe. RJ's is simpler, but what he plans to do with Summer is the big reveal of the story, as well as something major that Summer is hiding from RJ. He wants to be her knight in shining armor, but Summer refuses. She's been programmed to believe that she has no reason for being other than to be Anthony's property. This is a woman who is near the breaking point, and until RJ enters the picture, she was falling into a life of constant degradation and hopelessness.

RJ and Summer's love scenes are very erotic and emotional. RJ tries to reach the depths of Summer's very soul with hot and overpowering sex. No sexual position is off limits between these two and they are smoldering. Even with the sense of danger and impending doom surrounding them, they still tap into their desire for one another, knowing each time they are together it could possibly be their last.

At one point I had to stop reading and take a few deeps breaths because something happens more than half way through that shook me deeply, much like it did with Summer.

In His Arms is at times dark and raw. Tina has delivered a story that not many authors, especially those who write romance, would think of writing. I applaud her for writing a story like In His Arms that's haunting and heartbreaking. This is one e-book I recommend everyone download.

[Cari Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while for me to warm up to this book but I have to say it's going to be with me for a very long time. Lori/Summer, the heroine, was amazingly strong and one of my favorite heroines for just that reason. She endured something that would break most people, but she found a way to cope. And she didn't give up, even when it seemed like she was giving in. As for RJ, he's definitely the sort of protector hero most women secretly long for. Difficult subject matter led to a nerve-wracking climax and a beautiful love story. By the end, I was completely riveted and even a little teary. It was that good.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice erotica read. Abused heroine saved by hero, one of my favorite themes. The writing was very well done, the sex scenes were great and I never got bored while reading it( big plus). I am giving it four stars because it was short ( I hate short books), short books never have enough character development for me really latch on. Really enjoyed this one.

[☆.。.:*・°☆Love2Read♡HEAs☆.。.:*・°☆ {Anne} · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF = DID NOT FINISH

Nope, I just couldn't do it. This got deeper & sicker than I could deal with. I'm not into these dark books for a reason = I'm into enjoying my stories.

How could I possibly enjoy this book when what happened to this girl was so horrible?

I do know that she gets rescued and has a HEA, and that is truly wonderful. I just couldn't read the price she paid getting there.

This is my opinion only. If others enjoy these books, I'm not knocking them. To each his own.

[Catarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional one . Thank god the heroine got her HEA . she suffered so much

[Kymberly Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, Intense, Highly Sexual...4.5 Stars

I was very undecided about this book from the beginning. While I loved the give and take between the two main characters Lori/Summer and RJ. It was the villain Anthony that made me want to toss the book aside. Thank the good Lord I read on my Tablet...Lol

The darker intensity of the story as a surprise to me. I could see the realism in the plot and I could understand the Authors take on this story line. It was gritty and intense in the fact the whole story revolves around human trafficking. And the fact that it is a very real ongoing crime prevalent in todays society. The Authors portrayal was spot on and showed the dirty underside of this crime.
I did love the romance that was blooming between Summer and RJ. And his insistence that regardless of what she had been forced to do to survive, she was still a lady. The insecurities of Summer were understandable in that she was kidnapped when she was only 15 years old. And never allowed to grow up as an adult. And preyed upon by the low lifes who took control of her. The fact that she was not broken after a decade in captivity was a pleasant surprise. Her ability to bend was her saving grace.
When the character RJ was introduced I had my hunches as to who he really was. And I was happy to see the ending the way it was written.
All in all I would give this book a solid 4.5 Stars and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes darker romances with a bit of intrigue.

[LynnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy’s Review

This book is so intense it had my attention from the very beginning. It’s a book worth reading more than once.

Lori was a typical 15 year old who had her crush on an older boy, going out to try and talk to him cost her. Being kidnapped left Lori, now Summer, forever afraid and nervous. She had been beaten and brainwashed to believe that she couldn't live without Anthony, the man who bought her. He made money from the services that he taught Summer. He was a strict master and he wasn't above seriously hurting her to get what he wanted.

Tav was like any other teenage boy; all he wanted was to play b-ball and enjoy life, not put up with a 15 year old girl crush on him. He was having a bad day—his dad ragged him because he didn't want to be a lawyer and he took out his anger on Lori. He had looked for her for years, feeling guilty for not helping her when she was kidnapped.

This book has everything for anyone who likes mystery, love and adventure. It shows you a world that exists, but you really don't like to think about. Sexual slavery is real and Tina made it into a book where it brings out the awareness of how these women think that they can't live without being abused.



5 Tea Cups!

[Jamie Waring · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but honestly, kinda depressing. This is NOT some abduction fantasy where a girl is taken to a remote island paradise with a sexy hunk who will love her forever...this one is realistic to the point of being frightening. It makes me wonder how many girls are out there trapped in this kind of life-- living in large metropolitan cities, right under our noses, in plain sight and yet still unable to get help. Don't get me wrong--I loved RJ and his love and protectiveness for Summer, and while I normally enjoy a good, hot abduction story, I think the realism of this one put a bit of a damper on it.

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars.

Dark, emotionally charged, and very well-written. Despite the dark subject matter of human trafficking and sexual slavery, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. And as scenes from the book still linger in my mind hours after I've finished it, I know it's something that will stay with me for a long time. This one is well worth the read.

[Aly is so frigging bored · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the creepiest books I have ever read... The writing is pretty good but the idea and the action in general make me close myself in my house and never, ever leave it again...Don't know what made me read it or pick it for that matter besides GR and their recommendation.

[Emily Nalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally could not put this books down. I was up until 3am to read as much as I could before I passed out. I woke up early just to finish it. Very good story.

[Taz-xo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fifty shades of fucked up.

[Dragana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable book.

[Nothing Like A Great Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant surprise; much better than I thought it would be, and I really liked it. A tragic tale of abduction, leading to sexual slavery, physical abuse, prostitution, and finally true love. The whole story was not only well written, but full of 'red herrings', and surprises/shocks along the way.

I loved the main characters and the sexual frisson between them was really hot to the touch. RJ and Lori make a really believable couple; he is a great Alpha, not to be messed with. Lori is soft and sexual but no fool; she has been dealt some terrible cards but through sheer strength of will she battles to overcome the raw deal she has been dealt. The pace is very fast once it gets off the ground. The beginning of the story left me feeling so very sad for Lori, and just praying she can come out on top. RJ is a dream Alpha; want him for my boyfriend. I would definitely recommend it if you like dark, erotic thrillers with a twist, and I will definitely read other books by this author.

I am left feeling so very sad and powerless over the lives of those that go 'missing', only to become 'statistics' that governments do not seem to care about; it is a very scary prospect.

[Taryn Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one on the insistent urging of my favorite girl. LOL
And it was WELL worth the read.

When I heard the topic I have to admit, I was a little wary. Slavery has terrible intonations and there are many stories out there that treat it in various ways. From titillating to terror you really don't know what you'll get out of a book these days.

This was treated so well, with such careful consideration to the subject matter and the trust issues that come up when you've been abused emotionally and physically since the age of 15. Lori was kidnapped less than a block from her own home. In one moment she went from a normal teen-aged girl trying out her feminine charms on a neighborhood boy to an object that had no rights, no choices, and certainly no love in her life.

The emotional turmoil and hope, the unexpected passion, and the chains that won't let her leave her abductor were treated quite well. And in the middle of it all, she has to learn to trust a man when she's only known lies, mistrust, and abuse.

A really great book.

The only thing that didn't sit well with me was the anti-climactic off screen ending . And the only thing that takes away from the story for me.

[The Pen & Muse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit that I was reminded of Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman at several points in this book, so much so that I pictured both of them as Summer and RJ throughout my reading of it. The theme of sexual slavery is not a comfortable one, and is absent from Pretty Woman, but the theme of a woman forced to service men by her circumstances, and being rescued by a good man, is certainly prevalent in both.

That said, the heat between these two, and the explicit sex go way beyond Gere & Roberts. There were a few twists in plot that were well done, although nothing was unexpected. I think to be realistic, the bad guys would have been much more vigilant and, well, just ‘badder’ than they were portrayed here, but the point was the love story, not the underbelly of the beast.

I thought it was a good read, & enjoyed the whole thing. Skilled writing, excellent descriptive powers, & mind blowing sex – who could ask for anything more?

[Anthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have rated much higher because of the unusual and very serious subject of trafficking, I'm not an expert on erotica as a genre but I'm sure that this is not something you usually read about in a romance. Alas the waaay too many sex scenes killed it for me. After the 60th page of hot sex I found my self skipping pages in order to find the plot, which was there thankfully. I believe that people who enjoy erotica as a genre will really like this one, it is well written and with a very interesting, well drawn, believable, strong and brave heroine, well the hero is nice and hot but a little too good to be true! So my problem with the book is it's genre...erotica isn't working for me, I simply need more plot than endless sex scenes.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this book because I don't like terror mixed in with my erotica. I prepared myself to quit the book as soon as I got uncomfortable with it. I never got to that point. Although, this being a suspense story, there were times I was concerned for my hero and heroine, I didn't feel I had to throw in the towel. I really wanted to finish the book and it kept me interested for the whole book.

The plot was a bit predictable. I'm pretty sure most readers will know who the hero is long before the heroine did. And I had to suspend disbelief rather heavily to accept that our heroine could be so sweet, kind, and open after being in this situation for eleven years, but it made for quite a romance!

[Shiloh Saddler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a dark contemporary romance. While it does have a happily ever after ending I wished the heroine Summer would have been able to escape her life of sexual prostitution earlier.

I like redemption stories. I don't mind gritty romance, but I genuinely felt terrified for Summer. Unless I'm reading horror I don't want my heart to be about to pound out of my chest. There were some plot issues for me... Summer could have escaped but didn't take the chance.

It didn't work for me. The story was mostly sex with people watching as Summer was forced to perform. The stress of her situation overrode the romance.

[~ Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me of but this is a more fleshed out story. The sexual violence in this book was in flashbacks for the most part, not actually describing it like in the here and now in KMS. If you liked KMS, you will probably like In His Arms.

I liked this book but it was hard for me to believe RJ was this good and the epilogue reflects what Summer will have to go through to be a whole person again after being abducted at 15 and her growing up was stunted.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer is living a nightmare, being abducted at 15, held as a sexslave and making money for the man who holds her destiny in his hands, she hardly feels surprised when she´s given away to a man as a gift. Just another day in her miserable life.
Little does she know that RJ, the man who now owns her, has a hidden agenda.
Tragedy, human trafficking, smut and angst. Two people who try to make the best of a crappy situation ends up with the dream they always wanted.
Great read - but could have triggers for some. (abuse, dark romance)

[Jenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 while this kept me turning the pages I didn't feel the emotions I would expect to with a book of this nature. Hence the reason I didn't rate it higher.
Summer was kidnapped as a teenager. She's been sold into slavery. RJ enters into the picture and strikes a deal where he gets to keep Summer. He's not your typical captor and Summer feels normal with him. He just wants her trust but how can she trust him after the dealings she's had in her captivity. Some twists and turns with this one. It was worth the read for sure.

['Q' aka CoCo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and dark...

This is such a mix... After being kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery, Summer (Lori) gets rescued by RJ. There are some very dark elements in this book but, for the most part, RJ is in love with Summer and that is what we see. This is a 3.5 star for me. I felt the pace was a little slow. Several times I felt like saying, "Come on!" There's this huge secret, but it's so obvious to the reader that I just got annoyed it was drawn out for so long. RJ was also saccharine sweet to Summer and I prefer my H's with a little more... well, not sweet.