Title: Bad Slave
Author: Kay Berrisford
Genre: Fantasy, BDSM
Length: Novel (189pgs)
ISNB: 978-1-62300-690-7
Publisher: Loose Id (28th January 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: When the king commands former war hero Captain Jay Ghair to find him the perfect royal sex slave, Jay’s quiet new life, as a librarian is shattered. Jay discovers the boy he’s looking for in Alix, a lowly miner and wannabe court scientist, whom Jay can’t help but secretly adore. However, teaching the rebellious Alix to be a docile slave is difficult. Alix will behave for just one man, and it isn’t the king. It’s Jay.
Standing by while the king’s treatment of Alix becomes cruel is torturous for Jay. He longs to return to his library, yet he can’t bear to leave Alix, or his people, unprotected. To rescue Alix—and save the realm from the increasingly tyrannical king—Jay must confront the demons of his military past and take up the sword again. But his most important battle must be won through returning Alix’s love and learning to master this bad slave who submits only for him.
Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/bad-slave.html
Review: Since the end of the war ten years ago, Captain Jay Ghair has lived the quiet life as a librarian in a quiet town, but his quiet life is shattered when he receives a summons from the king and discovers he is being tasked to find the king a new sex slave. Disgusted, Jay sets out to find the king a new slave and discovers him in a man about to be lynched, but getting Alix trained isn’t easy when the only man he will respond to and obey is Jay. While the despot king’s behavior becomes more erratic Jay has to stand by and watch as Alix is treated like an object and treated cruelly, but when the behavior of the king puts the people and the kingdom at risk Jay has to face his demons and also accept his feelings for Alix, the bad slave.
Hmmmm fantasy, a kingdom at risk, a cheeky bad slave and a reluctant war hero, mix them together, throw in a dash of BDSM and we get a wonderful story that has you hooked. Jay is a man of high principles, after retiring he has settled into a quiet life but when he is dragged back to the capital, he is disgusted by what he finds. Having no choice but do as his king bids Jay does his best, but as he grows closer to Alix, the thoughts running through his head would have him killed. Alix is a miner when one of his experiments goes wrong and he is rescued by Jay, he jumps at the chance to serve the king, Alix sees it as a way to get patronage for his scientific experiments but it isn’t long before he realizes he would much prefer to serve Jay.
Well, I have to tell you that Alix in no way comes across as a submissive of any kind, until he is under the gaze of Jay and then he turns into an eager student but only for Jay. When we first meet Alix he is a wily young man who will risk his life for his experiments, so when he eagerly accepts the role of sex slave to the king you aren’t really surprised, especially with all his thoughts focusing on worming his way into a patronage. But, Alix soon learns that a king who is focused only on his own pleasure will never see him as anything but a plaything. Jay does his best with Alix but a twisted king is far from easy to please. Alix and Jay’s relationship is one of instant attraction on both sides but neither man thinks there could be anything more for them, so don’t be surprised if the gushing of feelings doesn’t happen until near the end of the book.
I have to admit to really liking the action in this story but I was also drawn to the tension between Alix and Jay, them having to hide their feelings from the king so he couldn’t exploit it but them also hiding them from each other as well. This is a very good story where there is also concern about an outcry from the people as the king’s tyrannical behavior pushes them too far, but the kings’ solution places everyone in danger and it is our quite Captain who has to save the kingdom again. Perfectly written, nicely timed, and paced with some angst and danger but with some beautiful D/s moments. And yes, there are some sever punishments from the king that while shrouded by BDSM is actually twisted torture.
I recommend this to those who love medieval type fantasy, delicious D/s, brutal BDSM, a great storyline, a hot hero and an ex-miner finding love… oh and rescuing a kingdom!