The Charming by J.A. Jaken

15833870Title: The Charming

Author: J.A. Jaken

Genre: Paranormal, Thriller, Dark Erotica

Length: Novel (151pgs)

Publisher: Forbidden Fiction (4th October 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: The shadow of a past love had blinded Clayton MacAllister until his life was slipping through his fingers. Just as Clay was ready to give up on the idea that he might ever be happy, a charming stranger stepped into his life. Mal was rich, handsome, and persuasive; everything Clay thought he couldn’t have and didn’t deserve. Mal’s sadistic desires made Clay uncomfortable, but it seemed like a price he could pay—until he learned, the price might be his very soul in chains.

Purchase Link: http://www.forbidden-fiction.com/library/story/JAJ-1.000046

Review: Clay is just coasting through life, letting everything pass him by because he doesn’t really want to try to improve his life. When he meets Mal, there is something about the man who Clay just can’t resist, and Clay falls into something he has no control over. Mal’s darkly sensual nature lures Clay in, drawing Clay into an erotic world that he isn’t sure he wants, but the price becomes too much and the help of Clay’s first love may be all that can save him.

This dark erotica is oddly appealing, as well as slightly repellent. Clay is a character who if he applied himself more would have everything he wants, but he just seems to accept things as they come. When Clay first meets Mal he is overwhelmed by Mal’s charismatic nature, he does things he wouldn’t normally do and finds a secret thrill out of those actions. Clay soon begins to let other things slide to meet Mal, he phones in work for time off and he makes excuses not to see his son… all so he can have a few stolen hours with Mal, and because there are no adverse effects he doesn’t question how easy it is.

This story draws you into a world where a man’s pleasure overshadows his unease, where he will endure discomfort and fear for the eventual blissful release of orgasm, and when he eventually does begin to question his reactions, he begins to see the truth, but it could be too late. Mal is a character that changes as Clay begins to realize things are odd, at the beginning, he is suave, sophisticated, and charming, by the end, he is demanding, cruel and mean, showing his true nature as what he wants is slipping through his fingers. Clay does have help from his first love Jimmy, but Clay is the only one who can truly put an end to it.

This story is darkly erotic and extremely well written, you are pulled into the scenes and you can actually feel Clay’s unease even as you feel his pleasure, you feel his neediness even as you feel his questioning of his own actions and you feel his desperation even as you feel his hopelessness. This story isn’t a happily ever after or even a happy for now, this story is a lesson learned and never forgotten.

This story I recommend to those who love dark erotica, reluctant surrender, paranormal forces, hope, and an ending that is happy for Clay.