Title: Coronation
Series: Golden Collar #1.5 sequel to Choices
Author: Grace R. Duncan
Genre: BDSM / Historical
Length: Novellas (47 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 25th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: When a country crowns a new ruler, the people rejoice. For most, it’s a time to put away old fears and look to a future of peace and prosperity. But for Teman, a pleasure slave in the land of Neyem, the coronation of his love and master Bathasar fills him with new fears.
Assassination rumors roll through the country—and Bathasar is the target. And Teman knows a malik has many duties. Bathasar may not have room in his life for devotion to a slave—a lover he can’t publicly claim. The love they have might shine brighter than the crown’s jewels, but only if they can keep it alive against all odds.
A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.
Product Link: (free read) http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4275&osCsid=uapls9unc7hnsia2td8cml6h86
Review: And this short story comes back with my favorite slave Teman and his Master and Malik of Neyem, Bathasar. If you haven’t read the first book, Choices, then this story might come a bit as a shock or ludicrous to you, especially some of the scenes that have the slaves displayed naked and wanting in court. You might also have a bit of trouble truly understanding Teman’s conditioning – and I must admit that in the first book Teman’s training was perhaps my favorite – and his ability to be available at all times. So if you’re new to this series I strongly recommend you read the novel first.
Now, back to this story, the theme here revolves mostly at Teman’s fears and how his and Bathasar’s life might change after the coronation. We’ve already read in Choices how Bathasar was more than willing to refuse his throne for Teman’s sake, but having the worrisome brain that he has and constantly over thinking things, Teman cannot help but doubt that their life together is truly going to be as easy as it’s promised.
Honestly, I expected a bit more from this read. Knowing Teman, his abilities, his conditioning, his instincts, and the easy way of this author in writing a truly intense sexual scene, I was a bit let down. While the plot made you worry about a possible attempt to murder Bathasar, all that simmering tension was left unexploited. I am assuming it was left like that only to be picked up in the next book, Deception, that is well on its way, still though I had so missed Teman’s incredible acrobatics and was frustrated that I didn’t really get to see them.
Another thing that I loved reading in the first book was the edging scenes and the final “award.” As I said, this author can write some wicked smut, but while the edging took part here, it was lightly described and the best part of it was simply skimmed and left to the imagination. Yes, I suppose the purpose of this story was to highlight how well in love Malik and pleasure slave were with each other. I suppose the real focus had been on making everything about the coronation a pledge from Bathasar’s part to always love Teman, and the sentimental side was more important. Very good and sweet if you’re in to that, but damn it if I didn’t want this to be more on the aggressive side of the things.
I any way, if you’ve read and enjoyed Choices you ought to pick this one up and have yet another glimpse at this romantic couple.