Tempeste O'Riley

To want something that is part of who you are, yet be afraid of it is a horrible situation to be in. That is what James faces – he is a submissive who has been abused for years, and has learned to associate his needs (and BDSM in general) only with pain and a total loss of control. For him to learn to trust any man is a monumental task – and even though Seth, a businessman and a Dom, makes all the right noises, it takes a lot more than a few dates for James to begin to open up. Their show more story is an amazing journey, full of internal conflict and external threat. While the main focus is firmly on both main characters, there are several intriguing secondary characters as well, all of whom have quirky personalities and made me curious to find out more.

James is an artist at heart, but his abusive ex has made him believe he is useless and needs a “real job”. This is what made James go into the design business where he meets Seth, one of is clients. The fact that James as a genetic disorder that makes his joints easily dislocate and never really heal, means that the beatings he took from everyone (his brother and his friends, James’s first and second boyfriends) have left permanent damage and James has to use crutches to walk. His determination to not let anyone see him as a “cripple” is an inspiration, but it has affected his self-image to the point he doesn’t believe he will ever find a lover. Seth goes after him with single-minded determination, and James finds that very difficult to deal with – especially since Seth is clearly a Dom and James swore to never be submissive again. James’s need to be told what to do in the bedroom, to obey Seth’s orders is big enough for him to be willing to take a risk – after getting to know Seth a lot better.

Seth is a rich businessman, always in control, and used to people doing what he wants. He falls for James immediately, but has no idea what effect his “demands” and “orders” have on James. As he gradually begins to understand, he adapts what they do together for James’s needs – like no real bindings and working around James’s fear of anything resembling pain of violence. It is not an easy journey for Seth, and he makes a lot f mistakes, but his determination to get it right is admirable. While he never assumes James isn’t capable to handle himself, some of his actions do look as if he were and a lt of explaining has to happen before true trust can begin.

If you like stories about physically and emotionally damaged men who are determined to be strong and get what they need, if two men who need each other yet struggle to understand how it will work pique your interest, and if you’re looking for a read that is emotionally touching, contains some light but very hot BDSM, and contains a message of hope, then you will probably like this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review. show less

This second book in the ‘Chain of Fate’ series has a lot to offer: lynx shifters trying to live in peace with vampires, newly established alpha Keith and his human mate, Jason, from ‘Whiskers of a Chance’, and two men fated to be mates but unable to be together because one of them has huge issues due to a past filled with domestic abuse. Add some vampire politics spearheaded by a meddling uncle, rival covens with dark intentions, and a developing relationship that desperately needs show more trust to build between the partners, and you get an intense story that is a great mix between a paranormal action/adventure and a romance with more obstacles than should be legal.

Trace puts up a good front: he seems to love going out and having fun, dresses nicely, and works hard for the council. Deep down he is hurt and as scarred as his back is from physical abuse. And when he discovers that a vampire prince, of all people, is his fated mate, he comes close to panicking. The one thing he can never do again is take a mate and be a sub – his fear will stop him from handing over that much power. His lynx has a different view – and that has some interesting consequences – but the man is stronger and that results in Trace refusing to give in.

Sasha is a powerful vampire prince and under all sorts of pressure. There is political subterfuge, his uncle’s insistence he take a mate, or at least a consort, and produce heirs, and his personal hell after meeting Trace five years ago. Sasha knows that Trace is his fated heart, but he also knows Trace does not want him as a mate and refuses to try to coerce him into it. Even when Sasha sacrifices his future by part-bonding with Trace to save his life, nothing is further from Sasha’s mind than making Trace accept the fact their fates are entwined.

Trace and Sasha face some unique obstacles: Sasha needs Trace to survive since only his blood will truly feed him, and Trace feels attracted to Sasha even as a human. Trace’s journey toward the ability to open up and trust another male is long and painful, and I loved how selfless and supportive Sasha was. The external pressure they face increases by the chapter, and I knew there would come a breaking point, but Tempeste O’Riley took her sweet time developing things, keeping me in sweet suspense the whole time.

If you like paranormal with interspecies couples who bring lots of baggage to a union that faces more than one obstacle, if you want to watch two men struggle to develop trust between them, and if you’re looking for a suspenseful read that is entertaining but thought-provoking and a slow build toward romance expressed in emotional as well as physical ways, then you will probably like this novel. It’s different from the first book in the series in both theme and tone, and I found it very worthwhile reading.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

Returning to the world of the ‘Desires Entwined’ series is beginning to feel very comfortable and much like visiting with friends. After stories about James and Seth, Chase and Rhys, and Alex and Dal, I was excited not just to see these guys return in this fourth book of the series, but also to find out more about Simon and Adrian. Both men have had issues with previous lovers, both are great guys, and both are more than ready to meet Mr. Right. The gentle pace of their story added to my show more enjoyment, and while there were some stressful moments, the level of angst was minimal compared to previous books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Simon and Adrian figuring out if and how they’d fit and work together!

Simon writes homoerotic romance and loves giving his couples a happy ending. Unfortunately he has experienced so much disappointment with lovers who only wanted his money, that he has lost faith not just in himself, but in his ability to ever find the right man. And with a super-rich family actively campaigning to “eradicate” anything gay, he would be completely alone if not for his loyal group of friends, led by Chase. In fact it is Chase who gets Simon into “trouble” with his attempt at matchmaking – Chase figures all his single friends deserve to find love too, so he sets up Simon and Adrian (a man he dated once and has since become friends with) – repeatedly. Simon is sure he will never be loved for himself, but he likes Adrian and is curious to find out more about the hot professor.

Adrian is almost as disillusioned about finding a partner as Simon. His attempts to date Hearing men have not led anywhere and his Deaf friends are worried that Simon will be another disappointment. But Adrian is interested enough to keep going, and when Simon begins to learn ASL and makes every attempt to include Adrian in his life, Adrian cannot help but fall for him. But that isn’t their only obstacle. Simon’s hesitancy about getting closer is baffling and frustrating, and more than once Adrian ends up asking Chase for advice. He is one determined professor – which didn’t surprise me since anyone as successful as he is in academia and in life, has got to be just a little bit stubborn.

Simon and Adrian’s relationship isn’t easy. Both men have to adjust to the other’s needs and quirks, and while Adrian being Deaf seems like an obvious barrier that might be difficult for Simon to overcome, it is both men’s internal resistance that is harder to overcome. Learning to sign is comparatively easy – understanding and overcoming years of disappointment and the protective walls around Simon’s emotions turns out to be much harder.

If you like stories about differently abled and emotionally damaged men, if you’re curious what life might be like for a Deaf professor who meets a shy writer, and if you’re looking for a read that is a slow-burn love story as much as it is a fascinating look at two men discovering they can heal each other, then you will probably like this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

This is a fascinating story about a D/s relationship between a man in a wheelchair, who is a sub but believes no Dom can possibly want him, and the demanding Dom who falls for him and sets out to teach him that “formalities” in a D/s relationship are not what it’s all about. What made this story so interesting for me is not just the romance between Kaden and Deacon, but the focus on the D/s aspect without too much of the physical “trappings” present in some BDSM books. This novel show more is about the psychology of both men as much as about the physical relationship, and I really liked that.

Kaden is a dental surgeon who is in a wheelchair and totally in control of his professional life, yet he flounders where his personal life is concerned. His self-image has been severely reduced after the gay bashing that paralyzed his legs, and he fervently believes no Dom will ever be interested in him again. He’s got a few memories about actual rejections, and they totally color his world view. When he first meets Deacon, Kaden can’t believe the man is interested. As time passes and they get to know each other better, Kaden still doesn’t understand, and tells himself not to hope. He is so afraid of his own “shortcomings”, as he sees them, he ends up blind to the facts right in front of him. I was totally pulled into his head and found the insights about his situation fascinating. Tempeste O’Riley has done her research well to portray such a realistic picture of what some men in a wheelchair might think and feel.

Deacon is a demanding Dom, but he is also very clear about the point of a D/s relationship. At least for him, it is more the spirit of the idea than the actual reality. Deacon is also a man who is able to look beyond the physical, and he truly sees Kaden the man, not Kaden “the cripple”. As he sets out to explore his feelings for Kaden, he encounters barrier after barrier, and I have to say, I gave him credit for having the patience of a saint. Or maybe he was just stubborn and determined. Either way, he just keeps chipping away at Kaden’s self-imposed resistance, and I cheered him on all the way.

If you like reading about D/s relationships where the psychology between the two men is as important as the physical aspect, if you want to find out what it can be like to be paralyzed and in a wheelchair while dealing with your needs as a sub, and if you’re looking for a read that is interesting, a sweet romance, and full of hot sexual tension, then you will probably enjoy this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less