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Knights of the Board Room #4
Afterlife
Part of the Knights of the Board Room series.
Rachel gave up seeking a Master years ago. After a failed marriage and terrible tragedy, she’s walled her soul against going down that dangerous path again. Then Jon joins her yoga class. He’s thirteen years younger than she, but his Dominant nature threatens her shields from the moment she recognizes it. Not only does he understand what her body wants—he knows what her soul craves.
Part of the five-man executive team of Kensington & Associates, Jon uses his calm, philosophical nature to defuse volatile acquisition negotiations. He can compel opponents to willingly surrender when he draws the sword that closes the deal. As a sexual Dominant, he employs that same expertise. A spiritually-driven Master who enjoys connecting with a woman’s soul, he wins her utter submission with his skills. But with Rachel, it goes beyond that. She’s the submissive his own soul has always hungered to have, and he won’t hesitate to use his talents, as well as that of the other four K&A men, to claim her.
Publisher’s Rachel’s sensual journey to healing contains light female/female exploration and group sex.
Word 111,708
Rachel gave up seeking a Master years ago. After a failed marriage and terrible tragedy, she’s walled her soul against going down that dangerous path again. Then Jon joins her yoga class. He’s thirteen years younger than she, but his Dominant nature threatens her shields from the moment she recognizes it. Not only does he understand what her body wants—he knows what her soul craves.
Part of the five-man executive team of Kensington & Associates, Jon uses his calm, philosophical nature to defuse volatile acquisition negotiations. He can compel opponents to willingly surrender when he draws the sword that closes the deal. As a sexual Dominant, he employs that same expertise. A spiritually-driven Master who enjoys connecting with a woman’s soul, he wins her utter submission with his skills. But with Rachel, it goes beyond that. She’s the submissive his own soul has always hungered to have, and he won’t hesitate to use his talents, as well as that of the other four K&A men, to claim her.
Publisher’s Rachel’s sensual journey to healing contains light female/female exploration and group sex.
Word 111,708
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2010
168 people are currently reading
1712 people want to read
About the author
Joey W. Hill
117 books3,536 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 147 reviews
July 10, 2015
1 star. Review edited March 18, 2015
Let me preface my review by saying that Afterlife is down to a one-star rating due to a non-con sex scene. Without that scene, I would have given it 3.5 stars. My review doesn't reflect how well-written the story is; it just reflects my opinion, my feelings as well as my issues.
“You know that place of utter stillness, the one you find in meditation?” When she managed a jerky nod, he continued. “It’s a place where you’ve let everything that burdens your mind free. All those thoughts, good or bad, peaceful or disturbing, can wander in and out of your mind like an open room. You don’t try to hold onto anything or push it out. You release your will and simply be. Take a breath. Slow, even, deep. Let it go.”
Beautiful. That's what I love about Joey's writing.
Afterlife started off innocently enough and I really liked the first third of the story. Needless to say that I was incredibly glad I gave this series another try. Imagine, I even liked Jon. But.
What I got in the end was a sex fest with a hardcore Dom. As far as I can judge (yes, I do judge my fictional characters), Jon doesn’t deserve the title hero, given the fact what he did at 87%. Jon was very harsh and crude and the whole darn "thing" climaxed (pun intended) in a way I wish I will never ever read again. The scene at 87% was non-con, IMO. I felt stunned, speechless and I was incredibly upset. I wanted to hit Jon; I wanted to scratch his eyes out. Yeah, Jon, I wanted to teach you a lesson too. After all, he felt the need to teach Rachel a lesson on a regular basis. Quid pro quo, right? Spanking? My ass! That's not spanking, my sweet boy, that's hitting a woman's ass. Also, I couldn't hear her nickname anymore. I.Just.Can’t. Sweet girl. She's a forty-three-year-old woman who let him call her sweet girl.
Hardcore BDSM stories featuring a slave as a heroine who "enjoys" being humiliated and degraded just don't appeal to me. What actually grabbed me in the first place was the yoga topic. Sadly, the yoga philosophy did not mesh with the hardcore BDSM. I'm sorry to say that I simply don't see the context. Period.
Another issue of mine was the lack of a safe word. Jon took everything for granted; he was so sure she could take everything he dished out.
The infamous scene:
”I don’t need a collar to know I’m your Master, Rachel. And neither do you. You curse at me like that again, and I’ll have my cock down your throat for the entire ride home. I’ll pull your wrists back and tie them to your ankles so only my fist in your hair keeps you on your knees while you’re sucking me.”
The stupid asshole threatened her.
But here comes the real prize. *sarcasm* When Rachel was home and alone she seriously thought she needed to be “treated” like that. Woman, are you out of your goddamn’ mind? See? No self-worth at all.
Non-con can’t be justified. Never. Ever. It is not acceptable. Good gawd, we’re living in the 21th century and we're not talking about bodice rippers. Mine to cherish, mine to protect, mine to punish… oh, what else? Mine to fuck any fucking way I please? Darn, I'm getting all worked up again just thinking about this scene. Jon was never willing to accept a simple 'no'. He pushed and prodded--all the fucking time. It was his will. She was his to convince. He knew that she needed him. Once he said, “We have a long way to go." Considering his statement, I found it more than strange that he thought he could change her within 48 hours. Ridiculous.
Rachel just wore me out eventually. She was constantly weepy and there wasn't an ounce of self-worth to be seen. She had very serious issues to deal with, and starting counseling might have done her a world of good instead of giving herself over to a self-righteous hardcore Dom.
She needed him desperately.
Yeah, she was obviously lacking other options. Sad.
I usually adore Joey's writing. Though I'm honestly clueless as to what she was trying to tell us with Afterlife. The way Joey delves into the psyche of her characters is something I greatly admire, although I believe this time around she didn't pull it off at all. Ben, the hero of Hostile Takeover, was such a mean bastard, a major asshole, and now I met a guy whom I wanted to love and he turned out to be yet another jerk. I feel so bummed.
What I loved
The writing.
Max and Leland.
These two made a very good impression. I know that Joey will write their stories. You all know there’s this saying the third time is the charm. In the heat of the moment I was thinking I'd rather abandon ship. Yet I'm inclined to give Max and Leland a chance.
This is the moment to mention that I want Tyler Winterman back. Tyler is such an exquisite class act who plays in a league of his own. And yes, I want this beautiful place of utter stillness back as well.
You've taught me a great deal about stillness. About the many things that can drift into your mind and heart when you shut down the barricades created by noise. Unexpected gifts of insight, revelation and wisdom. But you taught me that love is found in stillness. It is the space between objects. It's the star you can't see if you look directly at it in the night sky, but if you look away, look forward, you see it in your peripheral vision, beside you, watching over you. If you lie down on the earth it's there, beneath you, cradling you. You're my angel, my tormentor, my woman, my love.
Quote taken from Mirror of My Soul
Warning
Afterlife contains plenty of extremely graphic sex (including oral and anal), some f-f play, toys, some very heavy spanking, a public play scene incl. Rachel and several men and a non-con scene. This book is not for the faint of heart.
Let me preface my review by saying that Afterlife is down to a one-star rating due to a non-con sex scene. Without that scene, I would have given it 3.5 stars. My review doesn't reflect how well-written the story is; it just reflects my opinion, my feelings as well as my issues.
“You know that place of utter stillness, the one you find in meditation?” When she managed a jerky nod, he continued. “It’s a place where you’ve let everything that burdens your mind free. All those thoughts, good or bad, peaceful or disturbing, can wander in and out of your mind like an open room. You don’t try to hold onto anything or push it out. You release your will and simply be. Take a breath. Slow, even, deep. Let it go.”
Beautiful. That's what I love about Joey's writing.
Afterlife started off innocently enough and I really liked the first third of the story. Needless to say that I was incredibly glad I gave this series another try. Imagine, I even liked Jon. But.
What I got in the end was a sex fest with a hardcore Dom. As far as I can judge (yes, I do judge my fictional characters), Jon doesn’t deserve the title hero, given the fact what he did at 87%. Jon was very harsh and crude and the whole darn "thing" climaxed (pun intended) in a way I wish I will never ever read again. The scene at 87% was non-con, IMO. I felt stunned, speechless and I was incredibly upset. I wanted to hit Jon; I wanted to scratch his eyes out. Yeah, Jon, I wanted to teach you a lesson too. After all, he felt the need to teach Rachel a lesson on a regular basis. Quid pro quo, right? Spanking? My ass! That's not spanking, my sweet boy, that's hitting a woman's ass. Also, I couldn't hear her nickname anymore. I.Just.Can’t. Sweet girl. She's a forty-three-year-old woman who let him call her sweet girl.
Hardcore BDSM stories featuring a slave as a heroine who "enjoys" being humiliated and degraded just don't appeal to me. What actually grabbed me in the first place was the yoga topic. Sadly, the yoga philosophy did not mesh with the hardcore BDSM. I'm sorry to say that I simply don't see the context. Period.
Another issue of mine was the lack of a safe word. Jon took everything for granted; he was so sure she could take everything he dished out.
The infamous scene:
”I don’t need a collar to know I’m your Master, Rachel. And neither do you. You curse at me like that again, and I’ll have my cock down your throat for the entire ride home. I’ll pull your wrists back and tie them to your ankles so only my fist in your hair keeps you on your knees while you’re sucking me.”
The stupid asshole threatened her.
But here comes the real prize. *sarcasm* When Rachel was home and alone she seriously thought she needed to be “treated” like that. Woman, are you out of your goddamn’ mind? See? No self-worth at all.
Non-con can’t be justified. Never. Ever. It is not acceptable. Good gawd, we’re living in the 21th century and we're not talking about bodice rippers. Mine to cherish, mine to protect, mine to punish… oh, what else? Mine to fuck any fucking way I please? Darn, I'm getting all worked up again just thinking about this scene. Jon was never willing to accept a simple 'no'. He pushed and prodded--all the fucking time. It was his will. She was his to convince. He knew that she needed him. Once he said, “We have a long way to go." Considering his statement, I found it more than strange that he thought he could change her within 48 hours. Ridiculous.
Rachel just wore me out eventually. She was constantly weepy and there wasn't an ounce of self-worth to be seen. She had very serious issues to deal with, and starting counseling might have done her a world of good instead of giving herself over to a self-righteous hardcore Dom.
She needed him desperately.
Yeah, she was obviously lacking other options. Sad.
I usually adore Joey's writing. Though I'm honestly clueless as to what she was trying to tell us with Afterlife. The way Joey delves into the psyche of her characters is something I greatly admire, although I believe this time around she didn't pull it off at all. Ben, the hero of Hostile Takeover, was such a mean bastard, a major asshole, and now I met a guy whom I wanted to love and he turned out to be yet another jerk. I feel so bummed.
What I loved
The writing.
Max and Leland.
These two made a very good impression. I know that Joey will write their stories. You all know there’s this saying the third time is the charm. In the heat of the moment I was thinking I'd rather abandon ship. Yet I'm inclined to give Max and Leland a chance.
This is the moment to mention that I want Tyler Winterman back. Tyler is such an exquisite class act who plays in a league of his own. And yes, I want this beautiful place of utter stillness back as well.
You've taught me a great deal about stillness. About the many things that can drift into your mind and heart when you shut down the barricades created by noise. Unexpected gifts of insight, revelation and wisdom. But you taught me that love is found in stillness. It is the space between objects. It's the star you can't see if you look directly at it in the night sky, but if you look away, look forward, you see it in your peripheral vision, beside you, watching over you. If you lie down on the earth it's there, beneath you, cradling you. You're my angel, my tormentor, my woman, my love.
Quote taken from Mirror of My Soul
Warning
Afterlife contains plenty of extremely graphic sex (including oral and anal), some f-f play, toys, some very heavy spanking, a public play scene incl. Rachel and several men and a non-con scene. This book is not for the faint of heart.
November 14, 2014
Afterlife is about honesty, trust and sexual pleasure..... Trusting someone with your heart, finding the courage to let go of your fears and believe that you’re completely worthy of adoration. It's about acknowledging that submission is a beautiful and powerful gift.
Once upon a time Rachel had a husband and a child but not anymore. She carries a lot of sadness, she's lonely and unfulfilled. Our heroine is both in awe and denial that a man as caring and charismatic as Jon could be more than her fantasy.
I was instantly drawn to Rachel, I love her voice, her thoughts and her inner strength. This lady has been through it and is surviving, in her own way.
Having been made to feel that her natural desires are perverse, by someone she loved, Rachel will take a lot of healing. She’s guarded, unwilling to risk beyond believing in a fantasy… but Jon is intuitive to her needs and desires.
There were times that my heart broke for her, I wanted to reach her.
There were moments I felt nervous butterflies in my tummy... Could the fairy tale be hers to keep?
Jon Forte attended Rachel’s yoga classes for almost a year and believed her to be unattainable. He’s the inventor genius and most calming member of the Knights. He’s enigmatic, sexy, and fiercely dominant. Equally, he exudes a caring nature that's gentle, tender and sensual….. In a word he's swoony. He’s also, wonderfully 13 years younger than Rachel which offers a different dynamic and conflict to their relationship.
Jon’s history stopped me in my tracks….. I love the way the author subtly delivers information… His past is dramatic and shocking but Joey Hill refrains from sensationalizing in any way.
Jon's gadget inventions are divine...
We experience Rachel on the edge of physical bliss put there by Jon… even though he’s not with her… the way he left her… the design he left on her… delicately stimulated her to distraction. So VERY HOT!
Sensual and decadent love making. This story oozes sensuality and TENDER HOTNESS.... It’s dirty and beautiful and wrapped in erotic kink. This book is lovely naughtiness at its finest.
The knights, as per Joey Hill's style, all have a part to play in this story. They made me smile and swoon so much, the author always gives such a welcome dose of all our much loved characters and their specialty. We see how they can anticipate each others needs, their connection to each other and the way they share a moral code for life. Although I do have favourites, each Knight has a special place in my book heart and Jon may have skyrocketed to the top with his gentle nature, fantastic gadgets and fierce, inherent Dominance. He's simply dreamy.
There’s also a female solidarity of love and friendship. A bond develops as the books progress and as each new lady is drawn into the fold. They became one big family with an unshakable loyalty to each other that grows stronger with each addition.
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. I love how Joey Hill takes someone new to BDSM and then shows us the world through their eyes. In this story it's Rachel. The wonder, the magic and the love... The story is completely character driven, as are all the others I've read, which is why they make me feel so much emotion. In real life I'd run for the hills but in my fiction la la land... OMG, I LOVE it. The women and their emotions, needs and pleasure are always put first. All is focused on them, even though they're submissive, which is the beautiful, enlightening point. So much power lies in the hands of the submissive, that's how it feels to me. I'd even go as far as to say that THEY hold ALL the real power.
The Knights of the Board Room stories define the term SOUL MATE. The characters love fiercely, but only those who are their forever and their fate. It feels like for each one of them it could only be this way with that one special person which adds a special intensity and depth of emotion to the stories.
The narration is so easy on the ear and explains the nuances uniquely pertaining to each individual couple and the dynamic of their kink relationship, needs and desires.
This story touched my heart, made it swell with emotion. The sensitive, caring writing brought tears to my eyes, made me feel so much. Simple things would catch me out, touch my heart and evoke tears. It reached far into my book heart.
I have read all 6 of the published Knights of the Board Room stories and they're ALL stunning. This story is maybe my favourite... Joey W. Hill has created a unique world with this series, a dynasty.... and the wonder of it can only be shared by lovers of the knights. If you have an open mind, love highly erotic reading matter with charismatic, sexually dominant men who love their lady to distraction then join the lovers. You'll adore this series and the wonderful feelings it emotes.
BR with Deanna and Irene
The order I chose to read this series and my love for each book ♥
Hostile Takeover
Willing Sacrifice
Board Resolution
Controlled Response
Honor Bound
Afterlife
November 10, 2014
5 "Things you're afraid to want" Stars
My last Knight of the Board Room to meet is Jon Forte, the "boy genius of the group, the mechanical wiz with an inventor's spirit. He is the calm of the group, the one with soothing insight. He has known Rachel Madison for a year as his yoga instructor and PT to Dana. They have a connection but he is lead to believe she is married by the ring she wears. But Rachel is a 43 yr old divorced woman who lost her only son to war. She is a submissive who has never had a Master until Jon discovers the truth and decides that he is going after Rachel. But Rachel is a broken soul who does not believe in herself. She lives but doesn't really live. Her past is restraining and suffocating her. She believes that her true desires and wants will never happen, that to embrace the life that she has always wished for is just a fantasy that will never happen. In order to protect herself, Rachel has constructed very tall walls around herself but the battle that Jon begins, to break down Rachel's walls, is very emotional and moving.
This story is about trust. To trust someone with your heart and soul, when you don't believe in yourself, is frightening, frustrating, enlightening, conflicting, and suffocating. But when that one person believes in you and will do whatever it takes, it becomes beautiful, loving, revealing, uplifting and soul shattering. Jon believes in Rachel and sets out to prove to her that he will always be there for her and that she can trust him with her heart and soul. His belief in the both of them makes this story absolutely inspiring and magically beautiful.
Rachel runs a lot but Jon is always right behind. He knows that convincing Rachel will be difficult but a Knight always wins in the end. Their chemistry of off the charts and the pages sizzle.
Once again the rest of the Knights are there for Jon. They are so intuitive with one another and they are family. Whatever one needs, he needs not even to ask, as they are there for each other no matter what. With humor, love and strength, their brotherhood is like no other. These men have a special place in my heart and I love that the author always incorporates them all into each story.
They're a pack, a pack that's connected on some visceral male level that's scary as hell to experience, while at the same time you never want that experience to end. You belong to one of them, but in a peripheral way, you belong to all of them. Like a family, only you have a lot of feelings and experiences with this family that would be highly frowned upon if you truly were blood-related."
I will say that reading a Joey W Hill book is always intensely sensual, extremely loving, beautifully visual, and absolutely stunning on every level imaginable. Her way with words is addicting and poetic. Every word makes feel every emotion under the sun. The BDSM life is not for everyone but beautifully scripted words about the lifestyle is nothing short of mesmerizing and magnificent.
I love this series and CAN NOT wait for the next book in the series about Celeste and Leland. Joey W Hill is a phenomenal writer. I have many more books/series of hers to discover. I will forever be indebted to Irene for introducing me to the wonderful world of Joey W. Hill.
BR with my Jxxx and Irene(we can always get her to reread about a Knight)♥♥
My last Knight of the Board Room to meet is Jon Forte, the "boy genius of the group, the mechanical wiz with an inventor's spirit. He is the calm of the group, the one with soothing insight. He has known Rachel Madison for a year as his yoga instructor and PT to Dana. They have a connection but he is lead to believe she is married by the ring she wears. But Rachel is a 43 yr old divorced woman who lost her only son to war. She is a submissive who has never had a Master until Jon discovers the truth and decides that he is going after Rachel. But Rachel is a broken soul who does not believe in herself. She lives but doesn't really live. Her past is restraining and suffocating her. She believes that her true desires and wants will never happen, that to embrace the life that she has always wished for is just a fantasy that will never happen. In order to protect herself, Rachel has constructed very tall walls around herself but the battle that Jon begins, to break down Rachel's walls, is very emotional and moving.
This story is about trust. To trust someone with your heart and soul, when you don't believe in yourself, is frightening, frustrating, enlightening, conflicting, and suffocating. But when that one person believes in you and will do whatever it takes, it becomes beautiful, loving, revealing, uplifting and soul shattering. Jon believes in Rachel and sets out to prove to her that he will always be there for her and that she can trust him with her heart and soul. His belief in the both of them makes this story absolutely inspiring and magically beautiful.
Rachel runs a lot but Jon is always right behind. He knows that convincing Rachel will be difficult but a Knight always wins in the end. Their chemistry of off the charts and the pages sizzle.
Once again the rest of the Knights are there for Jon. They are so intuitive with one another and they are family. Whatever one needs, he needs not even to ask, as they are there for each other no matter what. With humor, love and strength, their brotherhood is like no other. These men have a special place in my heart and I love that the author always incorporates them all into each story.
They're a pack, a pack that's connected on some visceral male level that's scary as hell to experience, while at the same time you never want that experience to end. You belong to one of them, but in a peripheral way, you belong to all of them. Like a family, only you have a lot of feelings and experiences with this family that would be highly frowned upon if you truly were blood-related."
I will say that reading a Joey W Hill book is always intensely sensual, extremely loving, beautifully visual, and absolutely stunning on every level imaginable. Her way with words is addicting and poetic. Every word makes feel every emotion under the sun. The BDSM life is not for everyone but beautifully scripted words about the lifestyle is nothing short of mesmerizing and magnificent.
I love this series and CAN NOT wait for the next book in the series about Celeste and Leland. Joey W Hill is a phenomenal writer. I have many more books/series of hers to discover. I will forever be indebted to Irene for introducing me to the wonderful world of Joey W. Hill.
BR with my Jxxx and Irene(we can always get her to reread about a Knight)♥♥
March 2, 2018
This story focuses on the relationship of Jon & Rachel.
Jon, team member of Kensington & Associates, sets his sights on Rachel, a yoga instructor, who is thirteen years his senior.
Rachel is a broken woman; emotionally damaged by the loss of her son and the rejection of the one man she thought loved her unconditionally.
She`s built a fortress around her heart and soul and Jon is determined to blast his way through,
however, he realizes his approach to claiming her could possibly shatter her beyond repair.
Each member of the K & A team make an appearance and that is one of the things that I adore about this series.
These men are family; there is a bond there like no other and when one is in need of them, they are there in full support no matter what.
Aside from the 2 teasers I made, this is one of my favorite quotes in this story; I had to wipe the tears from my eyes cause I literally laughed out loud:
Jon`s a mechanical and chemical genius. Ben thinks Jon`s contribution to history will be the Pearly Gate Detonator, a vibrator that allows a woman to die from orgasms, no matter her age or physical condition. That way she can have the best possible end when she`s terminal or too ancient to carry on anymore. Ben says it would be like a rocket launcher, shooting her straight up and over Heaven`s gate, no passport needed.
Afterlife, to me, was more on the melancholy side. Does that make sense; well I guess I can only describe it as calming.
I think because of the way the two of them are spiritually and emotionally, calming is the only way I can describe the mood and tone of Afterlife.
If you`ve read any other Knights stories, then I don`t think you`ll be disappointed by this one.
This is probably the only series where I`ve absolutely loved each one.
July 21, 2012
I don’t usually read a lot of BDSM as I don’t like the hardcore stuff and end up abandoning the book. I usually check out reviews first before deciding to go ahead and read. I was a little worried about this one, but I really enjoyed it despite the fact there were a few things that I was uncomfortable with.
Jon was a Dom and was well known at his club. He admitted that he wasn’t usually hardcore but he would be so as and when he thought necessary. He loved Rachel and believed that those methods were the only way to reach her; he felt it necessary to be strict and punish her if she did not respond or follow instruction properly. I will admit and say that I did cringe at some of those punishments, but I kinda understood them and accepted them especially as he did at times have doubts about how he was dealing with her, and that was evident from his conversations with the other Knights.
Rachel was a woman who desperately wanted to live her life with her Master but didn’t believe that she should indulge in those fantasies. She had lost her son in Afghanistan a few years ago and was still very traumatised by that. She was also traumatised because her husband had divorced her, she was fundamentally a submissive and she felt that she had let him down! She had tried to hide her fantasies and desires and be just what her husband wanted but he still left anyway and verbally abused her calling her a whore and a deviant. He convinced her that her fantasies were wrong and that anyone who thought or acted them out was dirty!
There was one particular scene that I struggled with and that was the scene in the car just after they had bumped into the ex-husband. Rachel had finally started to believe that there was nothing wrong in her fantasies and that she was a beautiful person and it was ok to live her life with her Master if that is what she wanted, but when her ex-husband made that nasty comment all her newly found confidence disappeared and she was right back where she started. I did skip most of the scene that followed as I just couldn’t read it, but I did get the impression that Jon acted out of fear because he couldn’t reach Rachel and he was frightened to lose her….I could be totally wrong (as I didn’t read much of that scene) with this assumption and I certainly do not condone his actions because I DON’T!! They were wrong and regardless of whatever reason he should not have acted as such, but I was trying to make sense of why he would behave that way when it was obvious that he wasn’t cruel and that he did love Rachel.
Up until this point my thoughts were steering towards a 4 star rating but because of that scene it has been reduced to 3 stars.
Jon was a Dom and was well known at his club. He admitted that he wasn’t usually hardcore but he would be so as and when he thought necessary. He loved Rachel and believed that those methods were the only way to reach her; he felt it necessary to be strict and punish her if she did not respond or follow instruction properly. I will admit and say that I did cringe at some of those punishments, but I kinda understood them and accepted them especially as he did at times have doubts about how he was dealing with her, and that was evident from his conversations with the other Knights.
Rachel was a woman who desperately wanted to live her life with her Master but didn’t believe that she should indulge in those fantasies. She had lost her son in Afghanistan a few years ago and was still very traumatised by that. She was also traumatised because her husband had divorced her, she was fundamentally a submissive and she felt that she had let him down! She had tried to hide her fantasies and desires and be just what her husband wanted but he still left anyway and verbally abused her calling her a whore and a deviant. He convinced her that her fantasies were wrong and that anyone who thought or acted them out was dirty!
There was one particular scene that I struggled with and that was the scene in the car just after they had bumped into the ex-husband. Rachel had finally started to believe that there was nothing wrong in her fantasies and that she was a beautiful person and it was ok to live her life with her Master if that is what she wanted, but when her ex-husband made that nasty comment all her newly found confidence disappeared and she was right back where she started. I did skip most of the scene that followed as I just couldn’t read it, but I did get the impression that Jon acted out of fear because he couldn’t reach Rachel and he was frightened to lose her….I could be totally wrong (as I didn’t read much of that scene) with this assumption and I certainly do not condone his actions because I DON’T!! They were wrong and regardless of whatever reason he should not have acted as such, but I was trying to make sense of why he would behave that way when it was obvious that he wasn’t cruel and that he did love Rachel.
Up until this point my thoughts were steering towards a 4 star rating but because of that scene it has been reduced to 3 stars.
January 6, 2019
Karma or Mercy?
I need to begun this review with heaping, overflowing draughts off praise. Praise for an author who wonderfully weaves a beautiful moving love story of a women who felt herself past her prime. A beautiful yoga devotee and teacher who found her strength in her work life and yoga practice after a bitterly disappointing first marriage and the soul-shattering grief over loss of her precious young son.
The "Master" who turned his focused attention on her is a younger, devastatingly handsome, "enlightened", wealthy genius who is one powerful sexual force. He also has been her student for a year in the yoga classes she teaches.
Jon is one of the "Knights of the Boardroom" and this book is part of the series of books about these Dominant Masters who once they decide on their chosen woman, they all pitch in so many delightful ways to help their "brother" of the boardroom seal the deal.
The reader is taken on a glorious ride with Rachel who feels insecurities from her own severely critical thoughts about herself. Thoughts that were originally planted by her bitter ex husband who criticized her less than vanilla leanings in her desires. Thoughts about her age and the little belly she had as a result, plagued her even though she was a lithe and toned yogini. More than this, she was a light to all she encountered. Furthermore, she had caught the eye, fascination and heart of a true love. Could she dare to dream, to fantasize and realize her long forgotten needs and desires with so desirable a partner for one night? Even a lifetime?
The plot of this story did not move quickly in terms of "action". Rather it was a deliberate unfolding of an intensely personal sexual exploration using yoga as an interesting literary device to express feelings, ideas and themes.
Having learned all too late the joys of practicing yoga, I truly enjoyed this aspect but could see it giving pause for a select audience.
The BDSM was unapologetically portrayed. I also enjoyed this author's presentation of the Dominant/submissive relationship. The dynamics of the relationship made sense to me, although I am sure it is a real fantasy ride upon which this author takes the reader.
And OMG...the scene at the club...think swoon worthy and times this by a tenfold hotness factor. One woman...four uhm maybe five hot Dominant beautiful men...one man who devilishly arranged the whole thing is the man ready to swear undying love and fidelity to you.
This book actually caused me to dream about a futuristic world of Alpha men and me...well I will leave that for another day. But seriously, I did have the dream.
Lastly, along with all the heat and sensuality of the read, the love story between Rachel and Jon does leave an open question for you as a reader. Hopefully you will find your own answer as you read and enjoy this lovely read. Did fate operate on the law of karma or was it Love's mercy that brought the lovers their "Afterlife" before the appointed time? One click to enjoy determining the answer.
I need to begun this review with heaping, overflowing draughts off praise. Praise for an author who wonderfully weaves a beautiful moving love story of a women who felt herself past her prime. A beautiful yoga devotee and teacher who found her strength in her work life and yoga practice after a bitterly disappointing first marriage and the soul-shattering grief over loss of her precious young son.
The "Master" who turned his focused attention on her is a younger, devastatingly handsome, "enlightened", wealthy genius who is one powerful sexual force. He also has been her student for a year in the yoga classes she teaches.
Jon is one of the "Knights of the Boardroom" and this book is part of the series of books about these Dominant Masters who once they decide on their chosen woman, they all pitch in so many delightful ways to help their "brother" of the boardroom seal the deal.
The reader is taken on a glorious ride with Rachel who feels insecurities from her own severely critical thoughts about herself. Thoughts that were originally planted by her bitter ex husband who criticized her less than vanilla leanings in her desires. Thoughts about her age and the little belly she had as a result, plagued her even though she was a lithe and toned yogini. More than this, she was a light to all she encountered. Furthermore, she had caught the eye, fascination and heart of a true love. Could she dare to dream, to fantasize and realize her long forgotten needs and desires with so desirable a partner for one night? Even a lifetime?
The plot of this story did not move quickly in terms of "action". Rather it was a deliberate unfolding of an intensely personal sexual exploration using yoga as an interesting literary device to express feelings, ideas and themes.
Having learned all too late the joys of practicing yoga, I truly enjoyed this aspect but could see it giving pause for a select audience.
The BDSM was unapologetically portrayed. I also enjoyed this author's presentation of the Dominant/submissive relationship. The dynamics of the relationship made sense to me, although I am sure it is a real fantasy ride upon which this author takes the reader.
And OMG...the scene at the club...think swoon worthy and times this by a tenfold hotness factor. One woman...four uhm maybe five hot Dominant beautiful men...one man who devilishly arranged the whole thing is the man ready to swear undying love and fidelity to you.
This book actually caused me to dream about a futuristic world of Alpha men and me...well I will leave that for another day. But seriously, I did have the dream.
Lastly, along with all the heat and sensuality of the read, the love story between Rachel and Jon does leave an open question for you as a reader. Hopefully you will find your own answer as you read and enjoy this lovely read. Did fate operate on the law of karma or was it Love's mercy that brought the lovers their "Afterlife" before the appointed time? One click to enjoy determining the answer.
June 25, 2022
June, 2022
3 stars
My heart wasn't in this re-read. You need your heart invested when you're reading JWH. Otherwise, it just doesn't work.
Last summer I reread Hostile Takeover, and I loved it so much I wanted to reread the whole series. I started to, but then real life put a stop to it. I went back to the business of rereading this summer, but unfortunately, as I said at the beginning, my heart wasn't in it.
It's me, not the book.
Side note: I can't believe it's been eight years since I read this book the first time. Eight. Years. How?
June, 2014
5 stars
The best book in the series so far!
To be perfectly honest, I was a bit worried before reading Afterlife. All three previous books were much shorter, and as such they were perfectly fine, so I was afraid I might get bored with this one at some point, but since this was the only book between me and Ben's story, I didn't dwell on it much, and I just went for it. As I soon realized, I needn't have worried at all. Rachel's and Jon's story was one I almost immediately fell in love.
Before I get into my enchantment with Rachel & Jon, I'd like to point out a few other things I loved about this book.
It was great to see Dana again. In Honor Bound she was mostly broken-spirited, and seeing her here in a much better physical and psychological state was amazing. I think we finally got to see her true quirky nature. Peter must have his hands full.
Another thing I loved was that we also got a more thorough insight into the relationship between K&A men, something the length of the book allowed. I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed reading those parts. Actually, a lot of that information came from Dana, which, of course, made me like her even more.
“You want to know about the K&A men? They’re a pack, a pack that’s connected on some visceral male level that’s scary as hell to experience, while at the same time you never want that experience to end. You belong to one of them, but in a peripheral way, you belong to all of them. Like a family, only you have a lot of feelings and experiences with this family that would be highly frowned upon if you truly were blood-related.”
Yes, I loved everything Dana said about the Masters in their lives, but if you must know, the things she said about Ben were my favorite. Ever since Honor Bound I've been really eager to read his book.
“I can’t wait to see the woman who will finally catch his attention. Poor girl. You don’t see it at first, because of the slick, charming lawyer thing, but he’s probably the toughest, most hardcore Master of all of them.”
But the most important lesson was:
“I’m here to tell you, when the K&A men decide on something, a woman’s got a snowball’s chance in hell of having any say in it at all. She’s just got to hang on for the ride of her life.”
Which brings me back to Rachel, who really should have listened to this.
Rachel met Jon when he started taking her yoga class. (Of course that's where Jon would find his soul mate.) He was attracted to her from the very beginning, but the ring on her finger said she was married, so he never pursued anything with her. Still, he kept going back to her class, and did so for about a year. He was actually the one who recommended Rachel to be Dana's physical therapist.
Rachel -- I can't tell you enough how much I loved that character. Honestly, I can't. I tried. Didn't work.
Rachel's life was full of sadness. She had lost her son. Her marriage had fallen apart. On top of all that, her ex-husband had made her feel ashamed of who she was and what she needed from a man. So much sadness had been in her life that she had even wanted to end it. After all that she gave up on finding a right Master, gave up on love, gave up on sexual satisfaction, and found her purpose in her work. Her peaceful, mostly empty existence was stirred when Jon Forte joined her class. All that time he was making her fantasize about what in her mind could never happen, and when she realized he was a true Master, her yearning got worse.
At the same time, Jon got the information Rachel in fact wasn't married, so it was time for Jon to go after the woman he had wanted for quite some time.
And go after her he did. The boy genius with all those inventive toys, and skills of his own body managed to wake every single part of Rachel's body, which she thought was a thing of the past. As much as that part was rather easy for Jon, getting Rachel to embrace who she is, and embrace him certainly was not.
Personally, I loved each part of their story, and I loved them. I didn't have any problems with anything Jon did to make Rachel see that they could make it as a couple even though she was convinced a brilliant man, 13 years her junior could never find happiness with a woman like her. However, Rachel is a 24/7 sub, the power exchange was significant, and there were some very intense sessions, one even involving a few other K&A men. Jon may be a something of a zen Master, but he can be tough, very tough if need be. That's just a fair warning. I know those are not things for everyone. I, however, enjoy this genre, even ones with hardcore BDSM (so long as all participants are okay with it). Furthermore, I'm fan of this author's work, and I'm in love with this series. I'm a bit of a fangirl when it comes to Knights of the Board Room,something I'm sure it's quite obvious from my review. But no matter how much I adored this book, it does contain certain elements some readers might find objectionable.
Now, time for book 5... Ben O'Callahan, here I come.
Want to read
April 24, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/24/2020)! 🎁
December 27, 2012
Still persisting with this series. A little better story than the last but I'll stick to 2 1/2 stars because I could see Jon tried hard for the relationship & against some odds it worked.
May 10, 2015
1st read July 2013
2nd read May 2015
Buddy read with Maru
3.5*
2nd read May 2015
Buddy read with Maru
3.5*
May 6, 2013
My
LOVE Jon!!! His wisdom, his calm, his kink, the fact that he is man enough to do Yoga (even being 1/5 of the macho Doms/Knights group, LOL!) and that he fell for Rachel (whom I adore!).
Rachel's story broke my heart. It made me that much happier when she finally got her own HEA!
Nice to see an older h/younger H pairing. Joey has done a wonderful job with both characters!
Easy 4 stars!
May 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Just know you're goin deep w/these. There's a fine line w/ Master/slave for me. This didn't cross it in my mind. I felt like every move Jon made was in her best interest. Like she was relying on him TO read her thoughts and not listen to her words.
Just another joy of reading:)) We all read the same story and interpret it our own way. Enjoy!!
Just another joy of reading:)) We all read the same story and interpret it our own way. Enjoy!!
January 20, 2014
Rachel got on my nerves a little. I get that she's been through a lot in life, but for God's sake, that's supposed to give you some backbone and make you grab for hapiness no matter what.
Jon and his toys were great :)
February 13, 2012
3.75
I have to confess, Jon has never been one of my favourite Knights. Ok, I know, you can gasp and virtual bitch slap all you want, but that was just my opinion.
I always pictured Jon as the soft and cuddly bear, the one who loved to hug trees and could levitate while meditating. And yes I have a mentally skewed perception of guys that do yoga and have their ying and yang firmly balanced – it wasn’t overly masculine in my mind…..however, I got a bit of a knuckle upside the head when I read Afterlife.
Jon was hardcore. In my opinion more hardcore than all the other Knights so far.....to the point that it stepped over my short threshold of dominant enjoyment and dipped a little into unwanted territory.
Yes, he was full on, no holds barred, confident as hell – dominant, but there was one specific scene where he pushed the issue too far with me – that was the emotional time in the limo with Rachel. I understand that it may have been what Rachel needed at the time, but I either wasn’t in tuned enough with the characters to be able to accept it, or I’m just being a little pansy about the whole thing – but either way, it was a scene that I didn’t overly enjoy.
Another thing that I found hard was being able to concentrate on the yoga positions. I don’t do yoga, so I found it hard to visualise the positions while keeping up with the book.
But enough about the bits I didn’t enjoy – what I did enjoy was the writing. Joey has such a great ability to suck you in to every scene. To make you feel each touch, to make you heart pound with emotion and this book did it constantly. I felt for both characters, Rachel with her huge loss and Jon as he tried to convince the woman he loved that she was worthy of his love. It was very emotional, very steamy and very well written.
The Knights of the Boardroom are definitely the hottest dominant books I have ever read. The stories seem real, so descriptive and detailed that it seems more like a documentary on real men, than a fantasy.
Joey Hill is one talented writer and I am eagerly anticipating Ben’s book.
I have to confess, Jon has never been one of my favourite Knights. Ok, I know, you can gasp and virtual bitch slap all you want, but that was just my opinion.
I always pictured Jon as the soft and cuddly bear, the one who loved to hug trees and could levitate while meditating. And yes I have a mentally skewed perception of guys that do yoga and have their ying and yang firmly balanced – it wasn’t overly masculine in my mind…..however, I got a bit of a knuckle upside the head when I read Afterlife.
Jon was hardcore. In my opinion more hardcore than all the other Knights so far.....to the point that it stepped over my short threshold of dominant enjoyment and dipped a little into unwanted territory.
Yes, he was full on, no holds barred, confident as hell – dominant, but there was one specific scene where he pushed the issue too far with me – that was the emotional time in the limo with Rachel. I understand that it may have been what Rachel needed at the time, but I either wasn’t in tuned enough with the characters to be able to accept it, or I’m just being a little pansy about the whole thing – but either way, it was a scene that I didn’t overly enjoy.
Another thing that I found hard was being able to concentrate on the yoga positions. I don’t do yoga, so I found it hard to visualise the positions while keeping up with the book.
But enough about the bits I didn’t enjoy – what I did enjoy was the writing. Joey has such a great ability to suck you in to every scene. To make you feel each touch, to make you heart pound with emotion and this book did it constantly. I felt for both characters, Rachel with her huge loss and Jon as he tried to convince the woman he loved that she was worthy of his love. It was very emotional, very steamy and very well written.
The Knights of the Boardroom are definitely the hottest dominant books I have ever read. The stories seem real, so descriptive and detailed that it seems more like a documentary on real men, than a fantasy.
Joey Hill is one talented writer and I am eagerly anticipating Ben’s book.
August 16, 2011
Hmm, from the previous novella Virtual Reality I had expected another really well developed BDSM story - and I got it, partly. Joey Hill really can develop her characters in a very small place, with believable traumas and heartaches. If she did erotic romance contemporary she should be a knockout...
What I wasn't happy with (although I have no personal experience) - the fact that there was no safe word anywhere in this relationship, and the reader was expected to be believe that the dom and his sub were so much meant for each other that there never would be a need for a safe word because the dom would never ask more than the sub could provide. Sort of a Harlequin Romance BDSM novel idea.
However Jon - who was scrumptious, by the way - made mistakes. He even admitted them occasionally, and as a consequence of the biggest mistake the love of his life was emotionally devastated after physically having been taken to the edge of her endurance (albeit with her consent).
Instead of letting her retreat and lick her wounds, he physically forced himself on her (because of course the dom always knows better) - instead of taking the time and rebuilding the relationship with all the patience he ought to take after fucking it up so badly with his self-assured ego. And she thanks him for it afterwards.
That broke my suspension of disbelief.
In conclusion - give the author another 150 pages for a slow reconnection between the two and this could have been a gem of the genre. As it is, I'm pretty unlikely to try another Joey Hill any time soon.
What I wasn't happy with (although I have no personal experience) - the fact that there was no safe word anywhere in this relationship, and the reader was expected to be believe that the dom and his sub were so much meant for each other that there never would be a need for a safe word because the dom would never ask more than the sub could provide. Sort of a Harlequin Romance BDSM novel idea.
However Jon - who was scrumptious, by the way - made mistakes. He even admitted them occasionally, and as a consequence of the biggest mistake the love of his life was emotionally devastated after physically having been taken to the edge of her endurance (albeit with her consent).
Instead of letting her retreat and lick her wounds, he physically forced himself on her (because of course the dom always knows better) - instead of taking the time and rebuilding the relationship with all the patience he ought to take after fucking it up so badly with his self-assured ego. And she thanks him for it afterwards.
That broke my suspension of disbelief.
In conclusion - give the author another 150 pages for a slow reconnection between the two and this could have been a gem of the genre. As it is, I'm pretty unlikely to try another Joey Hill any time soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2015
Belated buddy read with Aly :)
I really liked it this book, Jon is an amazing character and fell in love with the story 1% in.
One of my favourite quotes;
“You’re more than a dream come true,” she whispered. “I’m not sure if I was ever ambitious enough, even in my dreams, to believe in something like this.” “Well, that makes two of us.”
This series is intense as hell, if you're into D/s you totally give it a shot.
I really liked it this book, Jon is an amazing character and fell in love with the story 1% in.
One of my favourite quotes;
“You’re more than a dream come true,” she whispered. “I’m not sure if I was ever ambitious enough, even in my dreams, to believe in something like this.” “Well, that makes two of us.”
This series is intense as hell, if you're into D/s you totally give it a shot.
April 18, 2012
Book 4 and my favourite Knight so far - he's an old soul in a fit young body and he's extremely spiritual. This is very hot - Jon wants Rachel as his forever sub but she is emotionally scarred from a bad marriage and a tragic loss. Jon has to work hard to get her to believe in her submission and it's very hot, very sexy and very satisfying.
4 star BDSM erotic romance
4 star BDSM erotic romance
April 26, 2020
If you're looking for powerful, emotionally engaging characters then pick up any book by Joey W.Hill - you won't be disappointed.
Her Knights of the Boardroom series is published by Ellora's Cave so this is erotic romance with heavy BDSM elements woven into the storyline and sex scenes, but they are by no means gratuitous. All the elements are essential parts of the story and every scene moves the plot forward or shows character development. Be warned though - the scenes are fan-your-face-hot. Wonderfully JWHill hot!!!
In AFTERLIFE, Jon and Rachel are the lead characters. Jon's a sexual Dominant and Rachel is a submissive (albeit one who's never had the chance to realise her potential thanks to an ex-husband who never understood her and abused her preference).
What I love about any of Ms.Hill's stories is the incredible emotional connections she manages to develop between the characters, and between the characters and me as a reader. While some of the characters backgrounds and experiences are unfamiliar territory for me, it doesn't matter. The depth of conflict, the feelings and thoughts of the characters make them real and I can relate to that. That draws me into their story. And Jon and Rachel are no exception.
I loved Jon's incredible sense of compassion, caring and need to protect Rachel (to the point I was wondering where I could find a Jon of my own - LOL). I cried a couple of times for Rachel and her pain and the hurdles she had to overcome to trust Jon and what he wanted to give her.
I read AFTERLIFE in one sitting (I've only read two books in this series, and both have been out of chronological order, but not knowing the some of the other secondary characters hasn't detract from the storyline - this can be read as a standalone). I stayed up to the early hours of the morning to finish it and went away with that "ahhhh, damn that was another great story" feeling. AFTERLIFE is going on my keeper shelf and will be read many more times.
Joey W.Hill is an auto-buy for my bookshelf and I'm now heading off to order the others in this series!
Her Knights of the Boardroom series is published by Ellora's Cave so this is erotic romance with heavy BDSM elements woven into the storyline and sex scenes, but they are by no means gratuitous. All the elements are essential parts of the story and every scene moves the plot forward or shows character development. Be warned though - the scenes are fan-your-face-hot. Wonderfully JWHill hot!!!
In AFTERLIFE, Jon and Rachel are the lead characters. Jon's a sexual Dominant and Rachel is a submissive (albeit one who's never had the chance to realise her potential thanks to an ex-husband who never understood her and abused her preference).
What I love about any of Ms.Hill's stories is the incredible emotional connections she manages to develop between the characters, and between the characters and me as a reader. While some of the characters backgrounds and experiences are unfamiliar territory for me, it doesn't matter. The depth of conflict, the feelings and thoughts of the characters make them real and I can relate to that. That draws me into their story. And Jon and Rachel are no exception.
I loved Jon's incredible sense of compassion, caring and need to protect Rachel (to the point I was wondering where I could find a Jon of my own - LOL). I cried a couple of times for Rachel and her pain and the hurdles she had to overcome to trust Jon and what he wanted to give her.
I read AFTERLIFE in one sitting (I've only read two books in this series, and both have been out of chronological order, but not knowing the some of the other secondary characters hasn't detract from the storyline - this can be read as a standalone). I stayed up to the early hours of the morning to finish it and went away with that "ahhhh, damn that was another great story" feeling. AFTERLIFE is going on my keeper shelf and will be read many more times.
Joey W.Hill is an auto-buy for my bookshelf and I'm now heading off to order the others in this series!
March 26, 2017
If you are a believer that the characteristics of "relentless" and "calm control" are mutually exclusive, you are about to learn something new.
Jon Forte, Kensington and Associates negotiator and Dominant Inventor-on-the-side, had me squirming, I have to admit. I wanted to see a break that calm; to hear a spike in the cadence of his "oooohhhhmms"; to say, "would you just yell, already?". "Watching" Jon was personally anxiety-inducing, like...being tied to a chair, or blindfolded, and wondering what was coming next without any damned control over what that might be. Go figure! Mission accomplished, Ms. Hill!
Anyway...
Rachel's background life is probably a pretty common story in real life. The whole younger-man-as-a-partner thing has never appealed to me: I prefer them already broken in (LOL). But as these two lives were revealed and explored, Jon's age only entered my mind when it was brought up by Rachel's insecurities...and then it was purely illustrative; an excuse used by Rachel, not a true obstacle.
What isn't likely as common in a Rachel-type-life, is finding that someone like Jon. Someone who understands and accepts your "stuff", is prepared to be a partner for the long-haul during the inevitable ups and downs, and who can be this certain of its rightness and as single-minded of purpose because of his own insight and complete self acceptance. And if that isn't enviable, I don't know what is...my aforementioned reactions to the approach notwithstanding.
Journeys are never easy in a Joey W. Hill story; never a slam-dunk along the way. They ARE always a slam-dunk in the "people" you get to know, and the strength those people find to be themselves, supported by the one they choose as a life partner.
Jon Forte, Kensington and Associates negotiator and Dominant Inventor-on-the-side, had me squirming, I have to admit. I wanted to see a break that calm; to hear a spike in the cadence of his "oooohhhhmms"; to say, "would you just yell, already?". "Watching" Jon was personally anxiety-inducing, like...being tied to a chair, or blindfolded, and wondering what was coming next without any damned control over what that might be. Go figure! Mission accomplished, Ms. Hill!
Anyway...
Rachel's background life is probably a pretty common story in real life. The whole younger-man-as-a-partner thing has never appealed to me: I prefer them already broken in (LOL). But as these two lives were revealed and explored, Jon's age only entered my mind when it was brought up by Rachel's insecurities...and then it was purely illustrative; an excuse used by Rachel, not a true obstacle.
What isn't likely as common in a Rachel-type-life, is finding that someone like Jon. Someone who understands and accepts your "stuff", is prepared to be a partner for the long-haul during the inevitable ups and downs, and who can be this certain of its rightness and as single-minded of purpose because of his own insight and complete self acceptance. And if that isn't enviable, I don't know what is...my aforementioned reactions to the approach notwithstanding.
Journeys are never easy in a Joey W. Hill story; never a slam-dunk along the way. They ARE always a slam-dunk in the "people" you get to know, and the strength those people find to be themselves, supported by the one they choose as a life partner.
October 5, 2013
Jon Forte. Wow…I'm almost speechless. Almost. I must confess I've been drawn to him since Board Resolution. Known as the boy genius of the knights, he's also into Eastern mysticism, yoga, the study of ancient philosophies & spends his spare time inventing sex toys that will make a woman mindless with pleasure. He's the cat's pajamas. He doesn't lose his cool, he's got a powerful tranquility & stillness about him with a steel core & he's 100% Dom all wrapped in a mouthwatering package. He's also been carrying a torch for his yoga instructor, Rachel, for the past year not approaching her because he believes her to be married. He recommends Rachel, who's also a physical therapist, to Dana & Dana being Dana finds out the wedding band is a hoax. It doesn't take Jon long to move in for the kill after he finds that out.
This story won't be for everyone. The D/s in this one may be too intense for some readers so be forewarned; they have a fairly intense power exchange relationship. Also, Rachel is a 43 yr old divorcee with a wealth of insecurities & a fairly tragic past to back them up. She doesn't believe that there's any way brilliant, beautiful, nubile, 30 yr old Jon Forte could possibly be interested in her despite all indications otherwise. Jon has to work for it which makes him doubt himself & lose his cool-something he never does. The other knights are involved & contribute as usual & it becomes clear that the knights & their mates have become a pack, all working together to varying degrees to help Jon get the girl. I became emotionally involved with these two but like I said I've been drawn to Jon from the start so take this review with that caveat in mind.
This story won't be for everyone. The D/s in this one may be too intense for some readers so be forewarned; they have a fairly intense power exchange relationship. Also, Rachel is a 43 yr old divorcee with a wealth of insecurities & a fairly tragic past to back them up. She doesn't believe that there's any way brilliant, beautiful, nubile, 30 yr old Jon Forte could possibly be interested in her despite all indications otherwise. Jon has to work for it which makes him doubt himself & lose his cool-something he never does. The other knights are involved & contribute as usual & it becomes clear that the knights & their mates have become a pack, all working together to varying degrees to help Jon get the girl. I became emotionally involved with these two but like I said I've been drawn to Jon from the start so take this review with that caveat in mind.
January 6, 2022
This was one of my recent reads, like a day or two ago. Jon, the inventor and engineer, who works in K&A enterprise and is one of the Knights of the Boardroom, gets infatuated with his yoga instructor. Jon, himself, is into yoga and it's virtues, and he lives by tranquility. He also has an infatuation with inventing tools which can give a woman pleasure.
Rachel, a yoga instructor, she knows she's a submissive but a failed marriage and losing her only son, made her numb to everything. She's never had a Master or anything, so she thinks her submissiveness is filthy, ugly and disgusting. After being divorced, she also keeps wearing her wedding ring to keep the men away from her.
After a whole year of being infatuated by Rachel and not making a move on her because of his ethics, Jon comes to know that her wedding ring is just ruse to ward off men. But when she gets herself into trouble, that's when Jon's inner Master comes out to claim himself a slave.
He also takes help of his fellow Knights as well. Lucas, Peter and Ben are more than happy help out their brother. Matt is present with his wife Savannah, with Lucas's wife, Cassandra, and Peter's fiancée, Dana (from the previous books)at the bar. They watch from the bar, while Jon, Lucas, Peter, and Ben deal with Rachel. Jon helps her find herself again and it's a little emotional as well.
Rachel is 12 years older than Jon, but that matters to him.
Rachel, a yoga instructor, she knows she's a submissive but a failed marriage and losing her only son, made her numb to everything. She's never had a Master or anything, so she thinks her submissiveness is filthy, ugly and disgusting. After being divorced, she also keeps wearing her wedding ring to keep the men away from her.
After a whole year of being infatuated by Rachel and not making a move on her because of his ethics, Jon comes to know that her wedding ring is just ruse to ward off men. But when she gets herself into trouble, that's when Jon's inner Master comes out to claim himself a slave.
He also takes help of his fellow Knights as well. Lucas, Peter and Ben are more than happy help out their brother. Matt is present with his wife Savannah, with Lucas's wife, Cassandra, and Peter's fiancée, Dana (from the previous books)at the bar. They watch from the bar, while Jon, Lucas, Peter, and Ben deal with Rachel. Jon helps her find herself again and it's a little emotional as well.
Rachel is 12 years older than Jon, but that matters to him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
First, where is her nipple? It's missing from the cover. Second, this started out very promising but fizzled out toward the end. Rachel is tormented, wanting a D/s relationship she can not have, wanting her family back. She is botteling all that desire up and coping with yoga. There was a lot of yoga and new age thinking presented here, and that pulled me out of the story when I had to stop and look up the 'Wild Thing' pose. Also, the philosophy of yoga and the D/s relationship Rachel craved, did not mesh for me. Yoga is about peace and tranquility attained by reflecting inward. The relationship Rachel wanted was anything but peaceful and tranquil. She wants Jon and Jon wants her, but she denies herself. I liked watching her struggle with her need and reality, but it went on too long. The story would have worked better if it was shorter.
In the begining I didn't get the impresion that Jon was a hard core Dom. He was into yoga and seemed laid back. His kink was sex toys, which he used on Rachel and they didn't seem too bad. Then he takes her to a club, they run into her ex-husband and then the limo scene. He was so agressive and primal, so far away from the enlightened male I was lead to believe he was, that I was just stunned. After that point I wante the story to just end.
In the begining I didn't get the impresion that Jon was a hard core Dom. He was into yoga and seemed laid back. His kink was sex toys, which he used on Rachel and they didn't seem too bad. Then he takes her to a club, they run into her ex-husband and then the limo scene. He was so agressive and primal, so far away from the enlightened male I was lead to believe he was, that I was just stunned. After that point I wante the story to just end.
February 3, 2017
My favorite Knight in the series. I loved it.
March 4, 2017
Natural Law was the first book I had read by this author and I enjoyed it so I thought I would try some of her other books. I chose this one out of synch of the series order because I like stories featuring older women, younger men. There is a 13 year age difference between Rachel and Jon.
I quite liked Jon but I wasn't over keen on the scenes between Rachel and Dana (from another book in the series) and the way the other Dom's who are mainly all now in love with their own women get to touch Rachel.
There was also no safe word mentioned and at one point Rachel was telling Jon 'no' but he ignored her.
I also wasn't keen on all the yoga, tantric sex, new age stuff.
I quite liked Jon but I wasn't over keen on the scenes between Rachel and Dana (from another book in the series) and the way the other Dom's who are mainly all now in love with their own women get to touch Rachel.
There was also no safe word mentioned and at one point Rachel was telling Jon 'no' but he ignored her.
I also wasn't keen on all the yoga, tantric sex, new age stuff.
January 18, 2012
4/5 4 stars; A-
This book is in a different class than so many of the erotica books that are out there. I really enjoyed it. I liked that aspect of the book that underlines how important it is for people to know who they are, accept who they are, and fulfill their potential to the best of their ability. I have no idea how our society got so balled up that we can't see all our fundamental drives as just that, fundamental. One is not any more or less important than the other. The drive to eat is no better or worse than the drive for sex. In this book, the underlying cause if Rachel's 'broken' condition is really her fundamental need to be the sexual submissive she was designed to be, her lifelong thwarted attempts to become that person, and the attendant horrible damage from her failed attempts. The beauty of the story is in Jon's recognition of who she is and what she needs and his relentless drive to pull her down the road to healing. I liked the incorporation of the spiritual underpinnings from eastern philosophy.
I would have given it five stars except for the fact that the Kensington and Associates 'team' was too unbelievable and farfetched (IMO).
This book is in a different class than so many of the erotica books that are out there. I really enjoyed it. I liked that aspect of the book that underlines how important it is for people to know who they are, accept who they are, and fulfill their potential to the best of their ability. I have no idea how our society got so balled up that we can't see all our fundamental drives as just that, fundamental. One is not any more or less important than the other. The drive to eat is no better or worse than the drive for sex. In this book, the underlying cause if Rachel's 'broken' condition is really her fundamental need to be the sexual submissive she was designed to be, her lifelong thwarted attempts to become that person, and the attendant horrible damage from her failed attempts. The beauty of the story is in Jon's recognition of who she is and what she needs and his relentless drive to pull her down the road to healing. I liked the incorporation of the spiritual underpinnings from eastern philosophy.
I would have given it five stars except for the fact that the Kensington and Associates 'team' was too unbelievable and farfetched (IMO).
August 21, 2012
I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.
Oh, man! JWH is sensually diabolical. It's okay. I told her as much :) And I LIKE IT!
I recommend Knights of The Boardroom Series by Ms. Hill. It's fantastic to me because there are points in this series where I feel as though I'm the one that has been pushed beyond my comfort zone and much like the pleasure realized by Ms. Hills protagonists I realize it too in the joy of a great read!!!!!!!!! I hope that makes sense.
This series is scorching hot, the perfect amount of hot erotic intense romance. I think if I had a symbol for my grade points - you know like Chili's uses peppers? I'd have to use a symbol that reflects, "panting" (lips maybe?...) anyway I'd give 5 out of five "pants" on this read (series).
I love to read the words Ms. Hill writes. Oh, yes - you've heard me say that before and I am sure you'll hear me say it again. Thank you Ms. Hill as always!
Oh, man! JWH is sensually diabolical. It's okay. I told her as much :) And I LIKE IT!
I recommend Knights of The Boardroom Series by Ms. Hill. It's fantastic to me because there are points in this series where I feel as though I'm the one that has been pushed beyond my comfort zone and much like the pleasure realized by Ms. Hills protagonists I realize it too in the joy of a great read!!!!!!!!! I hope that makes sense.
This series is scorching hot, the perfect amount of hot erotic intense romance. I think if I had a symbol for my grade points - you know like Chili's uses peppers? I'd have to use a symbol that reflects, "panting" (lips maybe?...) anyway I'd give 5 out of five "pants" on this read (series).
I love to read the words Ms. Hill writes. Oh, yes - you've heard me say that before and I am sure you'll hear me say it again. Thank you Ms. Hill as always!
July 26, 2019
Heartbreaker, in the very best possible way
Like any Joey W Hill, this book is steamy with a capital S and strongly tilted into BDSM. Like any Joey W Hill book, this book has all the feels. But Afterlife goes so far beyond all that. I just reread the book for maybe the tenth time, and I’m still sitting here feeling gutted and trying to clean up after a good long ugly cry.
Afterlife is the fourth book in the Knights of the Boardroom series, but you don’t have to read the others to understand this one. It’s the story of Rachel and Jon, the ‘boy genius’ of the Knights. Rachel has lived a lifetime of disappointment and heartache and grief. She’s lost everything including herself, and she’s rebuilt herself, painstakingly, one brick at a time. It’s left her still and calm behind an impenetrable wall....a wall that Jon is determined to breach. If you like books that are super steamy or highly emotional, this is definitely the book for you.
Like any Joey W Hill, this book is steamy with a capital S and strongly tilted into BDSM. Like any Joey W Hill book, this book has all the feels. But Afterlife goes so far beyond all that. I just reread the book for maybe the tenth time, and I’m still sitting here feeling gutted and trying to clean up after a good long ugly cry.
Afterlife is the fourth book in the Knights of the Boardroom series, but you don’t have to read the others to understand this one. It’s the story of Rachel and Jon, the ‘boy genius’ of the Knights. Rachel has lived a lifetime of disappointment and heartache and grief. She’s lost everything including herself, and she’s rebuilt herself, painstakingly, one brick at a time. It’s left her still and calm behind an impenetrable wall....a wall that Jon is determined to breach. If you like books that are super steamy or highly emotional, this is definitely the book for you.
November 21, 2010
Joey Hill's latest installment to the Knight of the Boardroom series does not disappoint. Jon's alphaness is tempered by his spirituality in trying to help Rachel overcome past hurts to become the sub she wants to be but can't. But that doesn't stop him from going into full Dom mode when he needs to. This was a great story on all levels.
August 3, 2024
Afterlife is the fourth installment in Joey W. Hill’s Knights of the Boardroom series. I’m determined to read the whole series, and thanks to the Romanceopoly Challenge, I made time for Afterlife, Jon’s book. Joey W. Hill is one author who writes heavy emotional storylines with lots of spice and characters that you immediately feel for, especially when it comes to the FMC in Afterlife.
The FMC, Rachel, had endured a divorce after a tragedy that left her going down a dangerous path. She tried everything to find herself a Master years ago but had no luck until she met the young executive who works for Kensington & Associates. She knows Jon is a Dom when she first meets him, but he’s much younger than her. The issue is that once Jon realizes she’s a sub and the one he’s been looking for all this time, he’ll never let her go, and he’ll even ask his fellow K&A men for their help with her.
This book was challenging to read. My heart tugged for Rachel once it was revealed what had happened to her and why she was no longer married. (Her ex didn’t deserve her.) I was rooting for her to find her HEA with Jon, especially when it came to the Dom/Sub Relationship. It was apparent how much she craved it, and she even tried to go to a club to find it, but it went horribly. Thankfully, Jon got word of what happened and helped her. I also was rooting for her to find love with someone who would treat her better and give her everything she desired.
I was looking forward to getting to know more about Jon since he had played intricate parts in the previous books in the series. He’s the one who had a specialty with toys/gadgets, and I thought he was a big softy until I read this book. He’s definitely not a softy, and he may very well be more dominant than the others in and out of the bedroom. He did come off as too much at times, especially when it came to the limo scene. It was an emotional scene and he took it too far there. Other than that, I liked his character and how he was trying to prove how much he cared for Rachel and that he wasn’t going to give up on her.
Although this book may not be a favorite in the series, it still was an emotional and spicy read that I enjoyed, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. If you enjoy reading BDSM Romance, which has some of the hottest dominants ever that work in the boardroom, then check out this series from Joey W. Hill.
The FMC, Rachel, had endured a divorce after a tragedy that left her going down a dangerous path. She tried everything to find herself a Master years ago but had no luck until she met the young executive who works for Kensington & Associates. She knows Jon is a Dom when she first meets him, but he’s much younger than her. The issue is that once Jon realizes she’s a sub and the one he’s been looking for all this time, he’ll never let her go, and he’ll even ask his fellow K&A men for their help with her.
This book was challenging to read. My heart tugged for Rachel once it was revealed what had happened to her and why she was no longer married. (Her ex didn’t deserve her.) I was rooting for her to find her HEA with Jon, especially when it came to the Dom/Sub Relationship. It was apparent how much she craved it, and she even tried to go to a club to find it, but it went horribly. Thankfully, Jon got word of what happened and helped her. I also was rooting for her to find love with someone who would treat her better and give her everything she desired.
I was looking forward to getting to know more about Jon since he had played intricate parts in the previous books in the series. He’s the one who had a specialty with toys/gadgets, and I thought he was a big softy until I read this book. He’s definitely not a softy, and he may very well be more dominant than the others in and out of the bedroom. He did come off as too much at times, especially when it came to the limo scene. It was an emotional scene and he took it too far there. Other than that, I liked his character and how he was trying to prove how much he cared for Rachel and that he wasn’t going to give up on her.
Although this book may not be a favorite in the series, it still was an emotional and spicy read that I enjoyed, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. If you enjoy reading BDSM Romance, which has some of the hottest dominants ever that work in the boardroom, then check out this series from Joey W. Hill.
January 16, 2021
Tropes: BDSM romance, age gap (her older), yoga classes?, monogamous but with sub sharing scene, Master/Slave dynamic, hero chasing heroine, just all around brilliant.
Thoughts: Wow. Just wow. What an amazing book. It's was so emotionally intense that I had a tear or two trickle down. The quotes were amazing, I saved so many and it hit me quite hard. It was a beautiful journey of healing and empowerment found through the freedom of submission, with a big spiritual element to it (I think it's Hinduism but I can't be sure as I don't know enough). I connected to Rachel more than I expected to and I'm absolutely in love with Jon. This is the 4th book of the series but the third one I'm reading, (I read Hostile Takeover first, then Controlled Response, and now Afterlife) and I'm surprised at how much I loved this, especially when the tropes aren't my usual style. It was also very hot and the smut was as great as usual, but with the beautiful romance and spiritual side added, it was phenomenal. Oh and the writing? AMAZING. I definitely recommend it.
Rep: Hinduism[?], post-pregnancy body, stretch marks.
[Trigger warnings: past abuse, suicide, trauma, loss]
Rating is 4.7 because of a specific scene that was too ambiguous for my tastes.
Thoughts: Wow. Just wow. What an amazing book. It's was so emotionally intense that I had a tear or two trickle down. The quotes were amazing, I saved so many and it hit me quite hard. It was a beautiful journey of healing and empowerment found through the freedom of submission, with a big spiritual element to it (I think it's Hinduism but I can't be sure as I don't know enough). I connected to Rachel more than I expected to and I'm absolutely in love with Jon. This is the 4th book of the series but the third one I'm reading, (I read Hostile Takeover first, then Controlled Response, and now Afterlife) and I'm surprised at how much I loved this, especially when the tropes aren't my usual style. It was also very hot and the smut was as great as usual, but with the beautiful romance and spiritual side added, it was phenomenal. Oh and the writing? AMAZING. I definitely recommend it.
Rep: Hinduism[?], post-pregnancy body, stretch marks.
[Trigger warnings: past abuse, suicide, trauma, loss]
Rating is 4.7 because of a specific scene that was too ambiguous for my tastes.
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