Title: Learning from the Master Series: Manse/Bound by Lies, #0.5 Author: Lynn Kelling Genre: BDSM /MMM Ménage Length: Short (37 pages) Publisher: Forbidden Fiction (June 16th, 2015) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Most things in life come easily to eighteen-year-old Jenner Parrish, who’s on track to inherit the family business, and is popular, well-liked and good-looking. He has everything he could want, except when it comes to love, and sex. Closeted, lonely and desperate, he acquires an invitation to an event at a nearby private gay club, Manse. Feeling out of his element and for the first time quite shy, Jenner is unable to play the wallflower when he captures the attention of the suave, seductive owner of Manse, David Davenport.
David is used to getting what he wants, and what he wants is gorgeous young Jenner, who begins to realize every fantasy and wild desire could be his for the taking, if only he dares to ask and obediently serve. (M/M/M)
Review:Learning from the Master by Lynn Kelling is the prequel to Bound by Lies. I love reading these short stories because I feel like I’m being told a secret about the character that I didn’t know prior.
Jenner is used to being in control of his life but the minute he walks through the doors at Manse, a gay nightclub, he knows immediately he is out of his element. When David, the owner of the club, sits down beside Jenner scoping him out, he instantly has a case of butterflies.
Jenner goes to the club mainly looking for sex. What he finds is so much more than he ever expected. David takes control of Jenner immediately and focuses all his attention on giving Jenner every type of pleasure he can imagine.
Manse is a BDSM club so it’s not long until David is mastering Jenner. He wants to show him what being a master and sub are about and train him so that he can one day have his own sub.
Shea is David’s sub and he arranges for the two to meet and form a connection. His goal is to show Jenner how special and precious having a sub is and how to appreciate them to the fullest.
This is a short story so everything happens pretty quickly. Lynn does a great job of putting a lot of detail and information into the story so that you get the full experience of what is happening.
Even though it is short the author doesn’t cut corners on the importance of safety and rules within the BDSM world. David is always very conscientious of what is going on and making sure Jenner is okay with the training.
This is a great introduction into how Jenner gets his start of being a Master. Lynn is a great storyteller and one of the best when it comes to BDSM. Every story I’ve read by her always has my full attention and I quickly become enthralled in the storyline.
Whether it’s a novella or a full novel Lynn tells the story brilliantly. You definitely want to read this if you have read Bound by Lies and if you haven’t I would encourage you to read both.
If you like BDSM in your stories, Lynn Kelling is the author to read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Arctic Absolution Series: N/A Author: Lynn Kelling Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novel (240 pages) Publisher: Fantastic Fiction Publishing (December 16th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: In the frozen expanses of remote Alaska, Dixon Rowe is a good man and a good cop who keeps finding himself in bed with the enemy. After he picks up a young ex-con named Jaye Larson for stealing food,
Dixon gets seduced by the possibility of helping someone truly in need. Though he tells himself he’s assisting young Jaye out of the goodness of his heart, not because of how sexy Jaye is under all of the tattoos and defiance, the temptations of sin entangle them as their hostile environment threatens.
Both of their pasts are filled with malicious ghosts that haunt every step, and while Jaye’s demons are less tangible that Dixon’s, they are all powerful enough to put both of their lives in danger. (M/M)
Review: I get excited every time Lynn Kelling releases a new book. She has teased us with the prospect of Arctic Absolution for quite a while, but the wait is over. Lynn has a natural writer’s ability to take words, form them into sentences, and pull you into whatever world she has created. Arctic Absolution, as with all of her novels, has characters that you quickly form an attachment with. She allows both of her MC’s to have a voice, giving you, the reader, an inside connection to both. The frozen landscape of Alaska will set the scene and become a place that Dixon and Jaye will begin to heal and set their roots.
Living with many secrets, most too humiliating to share, even those closest to Dixon, has finally became too heavy for him to carry. Living with an abusive boyfriend who does nothing but degrade and demean has taken its toll on Dixon. Marcus (long-time boyfriend now ex boyfriend) took great pleasure causing chagrin in Dixon.
Marcus, a fisherman at sea for long periods of time, is gone and Dixon, no longer feeling the need to dignify his position, moves out and in with his sister. He knows when Marcus returns there will be hell to pay for his actions. In the meantime, being an Alaska State Trooper, keeps him occupied and busy.
On a late night call, Dixon responds to a robbery in progress. Arriving just in time to see the culprit flee and make a run for it, Dixon takes chase and tackles him to the ground. He is immediately taken back by the gorgeous, slim, dark-haired beauty with dark eyes staring back at him. Recognizing fear and defeat, he feels guilty for hurting him and quickly tries to analyze the situation and the predicament this kid is in.
Being alone, starving, and extremely cold are things Jaye had hoped were far behind him. He thought the small Alaska community might be the solace he was looking for. So far, it too has failed him and left him to fend on his own.
Just released from a 2-year prison sentence and being the only living relative to his deceased grandfather, he was appointed the old man’s cabin set back in the woods of the desolate Alaskan town. No food, no money, and no prospects of getting either, he steals from the local gas/food mart. More out of desperation than anything else, he runs when he sees the cop coming towards him. Jaye has been around the block a time or two and he sees the reaction the cop is having towards him. Always ready to offer his body for favors he is surprised when this good-looking, well-built cop, who btw Jaye knows is gay, orders him to the car for a ride home. Come morning, Trooper Rowe will see to it he has food, heat, electric and job contacts.
Even though Jaye is adamant he is no one’s charity case, he suffers horribly, night after night, with nightmares. Having light will go a long way in giving him some peace. He and Dixon work out a plan of you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. The town has little to offer as far as finding sexual pleasure so this agreement should benefit them both.
They don’t want to admit what they both know, but they have a strong connection. They both are damaged souls, both suffering abuse from others, both tortured by nightmares and both feeling as though they have nothing worthwhile to offer anyone. Their attraction and sexual chemistry is immediate and the catalyst for some sex-filled nights. Their relationship is tumultuous in the beginning, always on guard, and always expecting the worst.
As guarded secrets begin to unravel the more their relationship begins to grow and strengthen. They both have been through some horrible events but together they are trying to overcome their past and work on building their future, together.
Reaching out, Jaye touched Dixon’s face, brushing the pad of his thumb over his cheekbone, the backs of his knuckles pushing gently back over his ear and hair. Fingers tangling there, Jaye asked, “Take me home? I’m yours, whatever you want, okay? Whatever you need, you can have it. You don’t have to be alone.”
They knew the day would come when Marcus would return. Now, as fear runs amuck in both Dixon and Jaye, they promise to be each other’s protector. Jaye loves when Dix takes on an authoritative, dominant, alpha, badass persona, but secretly, Dix likes to be manhandled. He likes rough and dominating sex with a bit of fear mixed in. He has been brainwashed by Marcus, a sadistic, evil bastard, who takes great pleasure forcing Dixon into humiliating, demeaning positions that make him feel worthless, and a disgusting human being.
As Jaye continues to fight his own inner demons, he has vowed to take on Dixon’s also. With skeletons still lingering in both closets, will they trust each other enough to tell all their secrets? Dixon has considered going back to Marcus in order to keep Jaye safe. How will Jaye react if he leaves him for Marcus? To Dixon, he is protecting Jaye, but to Jaye, it will only confirm his convictions of unworthiness.
This story will keep your guts twisted and in knots. There is a lot of stuff going on in the open and behind the scenes that will have your full attention. Both guys have been wronged, seen more abuse and torture than anyone should have too. Lynn, brilliantly, writes dialogue that flows seamlessly… encompassing you to the storyline. The characters consume your inner thoughts and fears and for the amount of time it takes you to read their story, they are your friends. Your heartstrings are pulled. You shed tears for their pain, but also smile for their joy and happiness.
Lynn Kelling always gives us, the readers, and an all-inclusive story full of originality, mystery and suspense, and toe curling, hair-pulling sex. Dixon and Jaye have a compatibility that works for them. They complement each other well and the 10 yr age difference is of no consequence. It’s so easy to fall in love with them and want the best. They have some rough times ahead, they still have a lot to work through, but the author doesn’t cut corners to finish up a story. She doesn’t add filler for the sake of word count.
Each and every page is relevant to the growth of the story.
The content consists of many twists and turns. The suspense has all the elements of keeping you alert and on edge. I, personally, like that in the stories I read. I like to feel as though I know something is going to happen but just have no clue as to when or what. This ^^ is why I love and connect so easily to her writing. Her style is her own, as it should be, and it’s unique in the sense that it is addicting and captivating. You soak up her words. You sink your teeth into the story, and stay there until the end. These elements keep you invested in the story and Lynn does that effortlessly.
Pick up Arctic Absolution for your very own and when you finish that, I strongly encourage you to read her other stories. They will suck you in and make you a Lynn Kelling fan for life.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Threshold Series: The Society of Masters, #1 Author: Lynn Kelling Genre: BDSM/Erotica Length: Anthology (50K) Publisher: Forbidden Fiction Publishing (September 9th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: Seven stories from one of the masters of M/M erotic romance, Lynn Kelling. These stories give prequels and other insights into two of her most popular series, Deliver Us and Whatever the Cost—both in the world of the Society of Masters. Product Link: http://fantasticfictionpublishing.com/product/threshold-a-lynn-kelling-anthology Reviewer: Tootsie Review: Threshold is an anthology by Lynn Kelling, which corresponds with her Deliver Us Series and Whatever the Cost. She has broken this down into seven short story/novellas giving us a little more insight into the wonderful characters that we love so much.
Since I have already read the Deliver Us series and Whatever The Cost I had previous knowledge of the characters that we read about here. I think if you already know them, as I do, then this was a bonus being able to go back and see where the guys came from and what their life was beforehand. If you haven’t read the series then you are getting first-hand knowledge to their lives and the struggles they have endured giving you more insight as you go into the series. It works fine either way. No matter how you choose the order of your reading, it still is a sweet addition to the storylines. First up is:
EXPECTED LIES – Darrek and Kyle are best friends in high school and it is time for prom. Darrek is excited about going and is trying hard to convince Kyle to go with him. Of course, what Darrek doesn’t know is Kyle already knows he likes boys instead of girls. He can’t find a way to break the news to his best friend so he makes up a few lies to go around the issue. He has someone lined up to spend the evening with. He can’t help it if Darrek assumes it’s a girl.
Back at the prom, however, Darrek realizes he should have stayed with his best friend. These kids will come and go but he will always have his friend. Find out what happens when Darrek shows up early to spend the rest of his evening with Kyle? Misconception about more than one topic comes to the forefront. Will the boys be brave enough to tell their inner most secrets with each other?
DIVINE SURRENDER– Years ahead now, Kyle is looking for a Dom. Someone who is trustworthy, experienced and knows how to give him the things he needs. Things he is unable to give to himself. He sets up a meeting with Ben to see for himself if they have a connection. Ben is intrigued immediately with Kyle and after discussing the do’s and don’ts, what they each expect from the other, they sign a contract. Kyle lives by himself, he doesn’t have any close friends other that Darrek, but he hasn’t even kept in touch with him as much as he should have. He still has nightmares from a childhood experience, something he shares with Darrek, even though Darrek seems to have forgotten or blocked out most of it. Maybe it’s time to get his act together, finally take the plunge for what he needs sexually. He misses Darrek so much, but there are things working on Kyle’s mind that he is unable to share with anyone. Hopefully, now with Ben, those things will change.
Ben is beyond thrilled with having Kyle as his new sub. Gabriel tries to get information from Ben about him but he keeps it close to his chest what he really thinks about him. Kyle is due in for a session and Ben has a plan, with the help of Gabriel, to test his boundaries. Kyle has fallen backwards too many times turning to pills, dangerous sex, or just getting lost in his own head, that he really wants help. He feels certain that Ben is just the man to help him. Will Ben be able to give Kyle what he needs? And if he does, will Ben be able to stay professional about it, or has he fallen too quickly for the beautiful blonde man he now calls his sub?
NEVER HAPPENED– Gabriel has many demons of his own. He was saved close to 10 years ago by Gabriel and Trace. They gave him a home and something to cling to when he wasn’t sure where his next meal would come from. Through the years, Gabriel has worked his way inside Diadem, the BDSM club owned by Trace and up the ladder to where he is now a professional Dom, as well. Ben has always had a part of Gabriel and vice versa. That connection they share will never change. Gabriel can’t help feeling lonely, more so now than ever, since Ben has his own sub, Kyle.
Gabriel knows how to get on Ben’s bad side, something he seems to be doing a lot of lately. He’s not fooling Ben. He knows exactly what he is doing. Ben decides to play his game, but in doing so, he gives Gabriel what he needs. He needs to be dominated by Ben, worked over, and find release. Whether that is sexually or mentally, Ben will make that distinction himself. He has always known what Gabe needs, he knows how to push, how to read his signals. Regardless if Ben has his own sub now, he will not push Gabriel away or leave him to stumble on his own. Unbeknownst to them, Kyle witnesses their session. Struggling with his own feelings and reservations, he tries to do as Ben asks. Will they both be able to get what they need from Ben? Or will there be too many hurt feelings and bad mistakes to get past?
PLEASURE OR PARADISE – Gabriel and Darrek have been together two years now. After experiencing some horrible tragedies, they decide to take a break from the real world and just be together, the two of them. Everyday life has a way of intruding and before you realize you are just going along with the motions. Gabriel and Darrek agree they need time together. They want to re-energize their relationship, go back to how they were when they first came together. Taking a few months off from the real world, Gabriel and Darrek go to a tropical island in the Florida Keys. The resort is for fulltime 24/7 master/slave relationships. Everyone at the island is in the same situation. What makes the island so special, there’s no judgement or incrimination because everyone is in a Dom/Sub relationship.
Gabriel needs to push Darrek, change things up, and help him to remember what it is that makes them so special to each other. Darrek finds that even after 2 years Gabriel can still bring him to his knees, literally, with a look or a simple word. To keep from going stagnant within their relationship Gabriel tries to help Darrek come to terms with some of his hang-ups. Public viewing being one of them, but Gabriel has a plan, one he feels sure will help Darrek step out in front of all the eyes on the island. Of course, what goes around comes around. Darrek will get his time as well when they trade off positions. Will Darrek be able to do what Gabe wants him to do? He is struggling with the scene Gabriel has laid out for him. This will take all of his courage if he goes through with it. It also could strengthen their relationship, something they need desperately. Will Darrek go through with Gabe’s plan, and if he does, how will he get back at Gabriel for putting him in such an embarrassing situation?
ESCAPE– In this story, we have the previous lives of Jacen and Liam who we got to know in Whatever the Cost. Liam convinces Jacen to tell him about his abusive and torturous past. They both go under new names and identity now that they have moved on but to go back into that world, even just in their minds, is a hard thing to do.
Travis, now Jacen, back at home in his mind, tells of the struggles and mind games he had to endure as a teenager. All to the horrible, demeaning actions of his neighbour. Afraid for himself, his brother, and his family, Travis goes along with the abuse thinking he is saving the others. It was hard reading this, as no one wants to experience or be a witness to this type of sickness. However, Travis experienced it, lived it, and was brave enough to do something about it, therefore, making me want to be there for his journey. Liam is there, holding him tightly, as he subjects himself, once again, to that time in his life. He is a very brave, smart, and kind soul who, with the help of his beautiful and wonderful Liam, can now move on with his life and the future they make for themselves, together.
TRICK AND TRUTH– This story follows along with Avery and Timothy and their time in the foster care system. The boys are young and pretty much have to take care of themselves. The foster parents are in it for the money and very seldom see to the care or needs of the boys. Timothy is quite sick and not able to get out of bed often. Avery knows he needs medicine and the only way he can think to get it for him is prostituting himself for money. How hard could it be? His housemate, Jimmy, does it all the time. So with some of Jimmy’s make up and his wardrobe, Avery sets out to do what he feels he has no other choice, and that is to save Timmy, whatever the cost may be to him.
Avery succeeds in getting medicine but Timmy questions him profusely about how he was able to get it. It’s tearing him up thinking Avery may have done something horrible on his behalf. Avery cannot bring himself to tell what he went through, even though it will haunt him, to get the much needed medicine. He knows right now, with Jimmy’s failing health, it is better to lie than to upset him.
Will Avery convince him he didn’t do anything inappropriately to get the medicine? If Timmy doesn’t take the medicine, he will only get worse and that is something Avery cannot deal with. He cannot lose his Timmy, even if he has to lie.
BETWEEN HERE AND THERE – The boys have aged out of the foster care system and are now on their own. Avery and Jimmy struggle to make ends meet but they are in it together, no matter what happens. Avery is having a hard time keeping thoughts at bay as he continually remembers seeing Timmy with other guys. He even allows him to take a picture of him blissed out after incredible sex for his own. Something he can keep and look at. He definitely doesn’t want anyone else to see it, but Timmy thinks differently.
Avery feels it is important for both of them to start using condoms. Timmy has put them in some bad situations so to keep things from getting worse. He hands over a condom for Timmy to use. They both know what the other is thinking but he puts it on anyway. He will do whatever is necessary to protect the person that means more to him than anything.
Lynn Kelling has put together seven stories to further complete her Deliver Us series and Whatever the Cost. She has given us a deeper insight into all the characters’ lives and the struggles they faced getting away and into a better life. I don’t normally read anthologies, mainly because I like longer, stories that are more involved. However, for me, this was a must read.
It is a remarkable gift when an author gives us more history to go along with the stories we already love so much. I have really enjoyed going through each one of these and having some questions answered and basically getting to know each one on a deeper level. Lynn has created many amazing and beautiful characters within her series and to have a chance to only increase what we already know was quite a bonus.
As I mentioned earlier, if you haven’t read the main stories already, having this beforehand will only give you a much better understanding of where they are now. Lynn Kelling is an incredible author who devotes a lot of herself, her time, and research to give us the best she can in her books. You only have to read one to figure that out. So, if you haven’t read any, I would strongly encourage you to go for it. If you have read her books, again I would strongly encourage you to pick up this anthology and savour it, like fine wine, for the gift it is.
Blurb:All Evan Savage wanted was a quiet night at the bar, waiting for his boyfriend to finish his shift; what he gets instead is a nightmare. Things were complex enough when his biggest problem was the tangled sex life he and his brother Brennan share with twin lovers Alek and Luka. When a selfless act ending in terrible violence lands Evan in the hospital, Brennan and Evan’s father returns to loom over their lives, asking questions none of the four want to answer.
The young men’s relationships to each other begin to unravel as carefully drawn boundary lines are blurred and crossed. The four must question the nature of their commitments to each other, what they each want, and what to say to those relentlessly demanding the truth. When the most dangerous thing you can do is admit to who you love, and jealousy is a luxury you can no longer afford, brutal honesty is the only remaining key to salvation…
Review: This story is part two of a series and I recommend reading them in order. Alex, Luka, Brennan and Evan’s lives are complicate to say the least. They are all in love, which is not the complicated part. It’s the fact that Alex and Luka are identical twins as is Brennan and Evan. Each man has had a lot of pain in the paths, pain that they need to heal in order to go forward. They try to keep each other grounded, but it is hard the way people react to them. The look they get because they are gay and having sex with another man is one thing, but when it is found out that, they are in an incestuous relationship it gets harder.
Brennan and Evan’s mother had passed away making it possible for them to finally get to know each other. Having been separated at birth by their parents and not being told has left them with a void in their lives, so when they meet they realize that is not their main problem. Luka and Alex also have their problems growing up but at least they had been together all their lives.
Now that they are basically living together, they realize they truly love one another and it is going great till Evan tries to save a young man. Evan is hurt real bad from the fight and everyone around him is falling apart. Brennan, Luka, and Alex can’t be together without Evan because it seems he is their glue that holds them together. They make several mistakes that almost cost them each other, but their struggles only get worse when their father and a friend find out about them. It slowly drives them apart and now they had to find away to bring what they had back. To make it stronger they need to be honest and communicate.
The story line is great with perhaps an opening for another book to tell how they go forward living together in a new place. I was happy with this book, a bit bewildered at times but really glad to have read it. I like how they all can mix it up a bit with each other, how well they show their love and the reactions they have when the times do get rough. I also love the kinky sex they have as well as the normal sex. I do wish that I could figure out Luka’s reaction a bit more with Alex. It seems that he is a bit angrier than the others are. So I feel that there should be a book three to get more into the aspect of their lives.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves twins, hot and kinky sex, and a great story all together.
Blurb:Brayden Clare never wanted to return to small town life. Blond, athletic, and struggling with his sexual identity, a casual relationship on the beach in Florida suits him much better. When a family emergency calls him home, he is forced to trade his personal freedom for a job as a bartender in a town where everybody thinks they know who he is, and nobody has a clue—including Brayden. Jenner Parrish is the owner and operator of Parrish Pub, the social hub of Robertsville, Pennsylvania. Jenner is charming, dominant, and popular since they were both in high school together. Brayden finds his new boss intimidating, and is daunted to find that turns him on. Jenner finds his new recruit intriguing but mustn’t dare to ask an employee to submit to him. The two men find what they’re seeking at a masked BDSM ball in the next town over, and are startled to discover their desires rest much, much closer to home. Product Link: http://forbidden-fiction.com/library/story/LK1-1.000108
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: An intense, hot, and edgy BDSM story. A coming out story involving the closeted high school football player (Mr. popular) who is a secret Dom, Jenner, known only to his two closest friends. When Brayden comes back, he’s forced not only to face his old high school fears, but the fact that his new boss is the hot Dom he connected with at Manse the area exclusive fetish club. To say Jenner and Brayden are conflicted is a huge understatement, but the guys work their way through the many hurdles of their new Slave/Master relationship. Fears of coming out, not only as gay, but as Dom/Sub are very real when even their closest friends try to prevent their relationship from progressing. This book is full of misunderstanding, learning curves, hot D/s situations, and a couple of bar fights to top it off. The BDSM sexual content was hot, but then I enjoy that kink very much. The book is well written, the only complaint I have is that it’s written in third person, I like the use of first or second person POV in books like this. My advice is to grab this book and settle in for a tantalizing tale!
Title: Learning from the Master
