More than Chains to Bind by Stevie Woods

Title: More than Chains to Bind

Author: Stevie Woods

Genre: Historical Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Light BDSM

Length: Novel (212pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (26^th June 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rting: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Prince Liander and his Guardian, Hollis, are captured during a raid while visiting the south coast of Tesla, they find themselves chained in pairs to other captive villagers. Once taken aboard ship, they realize they’re prisoners of their country’s ruthless enemy, and for his protection, it’s vital Liander’s identity is kept secret.

The new slaves are horrified to learn they’re to be trained in the use of swords, other weapons, and unarmed combat so they can fight in an arena for the entertainment of their captors. The situation is made worse because Fortil, to whom Liander is chained, has no respect for his prince and has only one goal—to force the young man to have sex with him. Yet there is only one man Liander is interested in, and it certainly isn’t Fortil.

Hollis worries about his charge, wishes to whisk Liander to safety, but there’s nothing he can do as they are kept separate in different training halls, chained to other slaves, and seeing each other only rarely. Escape seems impossible, and desperation grows when it becomes obvious they may be forced to one day battle each other for their very survival…

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/MoreThanChains.html

Review: Okay, I’ve labeled this Historical Fantasy because even though it is a fantasy world it kinda reminded me of Viking raids where they raided our coastal towns and carried our people away and of Romans training slaves to fight in Arenas. Liander is the youngest Prince of Tesla who is checking some historical research in a coastal town. On his last night there he is captured when the town is raided.  Hollis is a Guardian (bodyguard) to the Prince and the only reason he too is taken is because the leader of the raiders says his ‘spirit is that of a warrior’; he is glad as it means he can stay near his Prince.

This book has an incredible strong story-line and plot, its characters are good and the world building and descriptions are great. Hollis has deep feelings for Liander and although he knows that Liander would be able to take physical abuse he worries about the psychological effects that Liander may suffer. Liander loves Hollis but has never acted on it but now being in danger with no way of escape he takes the plunge and tells Hollis how he feels; Hollis swears that some way they will escape.

These two main characters are brilliant together, they have known each other for years, they have kept their feelings to themselves and even when their passion threatens to overtake them, they can rein it in because they know they have to survive. I really enjoyed this story because even though there are flashes of intense longing and passion there is a lot of focus on the story-line so it’s the story that counts and not the sex. But speaking of sex… oh yeah, it’s hot!   There is some slight rope-play so you receive a dose of kink and its gooooood.

So… if you want a historical feel to your fantasy, some intense longing and passion to your sex, soft touches and glances to your love and a bit of danger and torture to your story then this is the book for you.