Sasha White

Wow. What to say about this book? I was expecting steam. Heck, just look at the cover, and you know there aren't going to be fade-to-black or closed-door sex scenes, and you can pretty much gather that said sex scenes won't be same-old, same-old either.

What you might not expect, particularly if, like me, you're new to this author, are realistic characters and emotional depth, but they're there.

Katie Long is a good girl with the soul of a bad girl. She's working in a casino in a small town, show more where everyone knows her, and she feels trapped. Her overriding goal in life is to save up enough money to escape to the city where she can finally be herself.

Meanwhile, she has her eye on the sexy new security guard at the casino: Joe Carson. In a fit of daring, she gives him a show on the security monitor, and starts an intense, exciting, D/s sexual relationship with him.

At least it starts out as just sex, until they both find themselves falling in love, and their emotional goals and their practical goals start to collide.

Bound does a lovely job of portraying Katie, and showing how a person can be sexually submissive without being weak or ineffectual outside the bedroom--or even inside it. It also does a lovely job of showing Katie's character change--the traditional but no less true plot of discovering what you really want.

The ending is very satisfying. No giving up of one's goals for a new sexual relationship, no inexplicable and convenient character changes. I was happy for Katie and the end, and confident that she'd be happy too.

I'll definitely be looking for more books by Sasha White. show less

**Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques**

As a legendary Dominant in the local sex clubs, Karl Dawson never lacks for a willing playmate. But lately, he has begun to feel as if something is missing. He has a successful career, a great house, good friends – everything a man could want, right? So he thinks, until the sassy Lara Fox walks into his life.

The irreverent Lara is the greatest challenge a Master like Karl could hope for – a natural submissive who hasn’t yet discovered that part of show more herself. It will take all of his skill as a Dom to tame this little firecracker, but Karl is more than up to the challenge!

Sasha White knows how to write a mean BDSM romance! OK, not mean as in evil – no, mean as in wickedly naughty in the very best ways! But I need to stress that romance is very much the operative word here. Yes, these stories are heavy in the BDSM department, but they are definitely about two people in loving relationships. They just happen to have Dom/sub tendencies. There is no degradation, no real pain that is present in any of the acts this couple share together, and both the reader and the submissive feel safe at all times in the hands of the author and her Dominant hero.

Fans were first introduced to Karl Dawson in Bound, and met him again in Trouble, but readers who haven’t yet read those books will easily slip into this world without issue. Wicked is a self-contained story that acts perfectly as a standalone novel, but will definitely make you curious about the other stories connected to it.

Throughout the journey we take with Karl and Lara, the readers enjoy an omniscient view, affording them insight as to Karl’s thoughts as he learns how to train his unrealized submissive. I was intrigued to ‘listen’ to his thoughts as he considered the best way to simultaneously train Lara, pleasure her, and break through her considerable defenses regarding relationships and commitment.

Because Lara is most certainly commitment phobic. Having been on her own since her mid-teens, this independent woman learned early to fend for herself and not depend on others. Her very survival demanded it. Forming few attachments, she even keeps her closest friends at arms’ length. Watching as she learns to trust and love without reservation is absolutely heartwarming.

I think this is one of the things that most draws me to BDSM romances – the trust building. It absolutely fascinates me to read about two people who can give themselves to each other so completely. OK, so the sex in Wicked is pretty dang hot, too, truth be told! But it wouldn’t be without the trust and love that Sasha White shows between our couple.

For a touching story that beautifully exhibits the true meaning of the term ‘BDSM Romance’, pick up your own copy of Sasha White’s Wicked. show less

The “BDSM club genre” of books is a market flooded by authors all wanting to be part of this acceptable, trendy erotica movement. The problem is unless you have an exceptional story to go along with the over used clichés, leather cuffs, implements, pieces of equipment, alpha Doms, and submissive females (almost all new to the lifestyle) the book becomes just another re-hash of the same old stuff.

There are several authors who have been in this genre for quite some time now and have some show more fantastic books, authors that I would call my go to favorites. The main reason is their books have substance, good story lines, character development, connection & chemistry between the H/h, and well written situations that do not develop instantly.

Because this arena of BDSM books is so vast I have developed some ideas for what I expect out of a book, as well as prejudices for books that seem like quick, thin plot/no plot, nonexistent character development books held together with sex scenes. I really want a good story line to go along with my sex scenes. I think that connection between the characters should feel real and believable (for the most part), I don’t want instant soup – add water, microwave for 30 seconds and a love connection comes out when the door is opened. If I have to have a naive female following the lead of the alpha male into the club scene, then I want her to know why she’s there, what’s in it for her, and how her life will be improved by participation in this lifestyle.

For me reading Primal (Overwatch #1) by Sasha White fell into the category of: short book (novella length), with little or no character development, some chemistry between the H/h which could have been developed further, and a book with little more than a cliché plot.

We had a cameo appearance of Ian and his new submissive Ronnie, who we meet in Unfettered (Overwatch #.5) having their first club scene together. I can see that the author is trying to build the club family and comfortable atmosphere for both books character’s and the reader. As the story progressed, I never felt a real connection between Adam and Olivia. I think that both characters had the potential to be better. I felt like the whole book was rushed. I really didn't get a BDSM feel from the book, it felt like vanilla sex with alpha male who liked to give commands (at times an animal trainer came to mind).

Overall the book didn't hold my attention, I felt like I’d been down this road before, and there just wasn't enough substance in the story line.

If you’re looking for a quick read, with an alpha male, and a “go along with the program female”, that takes place in a BDSM club then this might be the book for you.

For me it fell short and was a 2 star read

This copy of Primal was provided by NetGalley on behalf of Victory Editing; White Hot Books with an expected publication of Oct 24 2014 show less

Primal by Sasha White
Series: Book #2: Overwatch Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4½/5 stars
My Review:

Adam Kessler is not what the world thinks he is. As far as anyone knows, Adam is an ex-soldier who owns Overwatch and stays mostly to himself. What the world doesn’t see is Adam’s fiercely loyal streak that began when he was young and has only increased in intensity as he has grown older. To those Adam calls his own, there is never any questioning his loyalty and to what lengths he show more will go to in order to protect those he cares for. Adam calls very, very few his own and he is always up front and honest with the women he takes to his bed.

Adam is a decided Dominant, he is not relationship material and yet should he so desire, he would never, ever sleep alone. Adam is very conscientious about his rules and his standards not only in his personal life but also in his club. He looks out for the members of Overwatch, ensures their safety and, ensures each member is properly trained. Adam’s protective nature doesn’t end when he leaves the confines of his club and it is those instincts that kick in and have him stepping in the night he sees a woman being attacked by her car.

Olivia Lang is an attractive, intelligent, psychologist who has built a nice practice and quiet life for herself. She cares for her patients, is very good at her job and though she is lonely from time to time, she just hasn’t met the right man. The night Olivia is attacked, she is justifiably afraid but not willing to go down without a fight. In the midst of her struggle, Olivia is relieved to see a tall, dark, extremely well-built and, phenomenally capable man come to her rescue. After the “Are you OKs?” and “Thank yous” are out of the way, Olivia has a moment to really assess her savior and discovers he is a man she absolutely wants to know more about.

The time in between meeting Adam and going to his place just a few days later are filled with moments of trepidation, nervous energy, excitement and, a tiny bit of anxiety. Adam is wholly different from the man she pictured herself ending up with and the difference is absolutely intoxicating. Olivia feels certain she will end up in Adam’s bed but she has no idea how profound the experience will be. Though he intends to keep the experience as all his experiences are, brief, superficial and completely satisfying, Adam finds himself doing something he never thought he would do, offering Olivia a place in his world as his sub.

The Bottom Line: Adam is just delightful in a large caged animal sort of way. Adam is protective, aggressive, self-assured, successful and, totally devoted to his life. When Olivia comes into Adam’s world, she changes things for Adam on so many levels. For the first time in many, many years Adam has found someone he can open up to, divulge his secrets (and he has secrets!) yet still be the Dominant that is so much a part of his life. Olivia is really one of the few personalities that would ever be able to satisfy Adam for the long term. Though Olivia is willing to explore a submissive role with Adam she is also a strong and independent woman who has a life outside of the bedroom. The dynamic between the two is strong, intensely sexual, cerebral and, perfect. In all, Primal is an excellent second step in the Overwatch world and I am thrilled White dealt with the club’s owner in the first full-length read of this series. Adam and Olivia are a solid foundation for what is sure to be a very strong, very sexy series!! show less