Bonds of Trust

To be fair, this is my second time through this series, but I forgot to rate them the first time around. Now I'm reminding myself of the details before diving into book 7.

I think this is a solid first offering in a new series. It sets up the club and the first set of heroes well and is a good intro for those who may not be familiar with BDSM. Cali's experience of life is just so different from mine, but I'm still able to empathise with her and her struggles. Jake is a sweetie who just needs a boot to the butt to break of out his self-pitying rut. They aren't my favourite characters of the series, but I like it well enough to happily read it again.

To be fair, this is my second time through this series, but I forgot to rate them the first time around. Now I'm reminding myself of the details before diving into book 7.

I think this is a solid first offering in a new series. It sets up the club and the first set of heroes well and is a good intro for those who may not be familiar with BDSM. Cali's experience of life is just so different from mine, but I'm still able to empathise with her and her struggles. Jake is a sweetie who just needs a boot to the butt to break of out his self-pitying rut. They aren't my favourite characters of the series, but I like it well enough to happily read it again.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
After ending her passionless marriage, Cali Reynolds is eager to live out her forbidden fantasies. Her first step is attending new members' night at The Den, the most exclusive sex club in town. Perhaps here she can find a man who understands her desire to be dominated…

At first, Jake McCallister thinks Cali has come to his club for the wrong reasons. But when he discovers she is seeking fulfillment after years of denial, he's intrigued—and takes it upon himself to initiate her into the pleasures she's been missing.

Her first encounter with Jake is everything Cali has always craved, and more; she's not prepared for the feelings he inspires in her. And Jake is just as surprised by his overwhelming attraction to Cali. As show more their play intensifies, so does their bond. Now, Jake doesn't want anyone but Cali—but is he ready to officially claim her? And will she submit to being his forever?

REVIEW: I was pleasantly surprised with this piece. It was gripping, held just the right amount of angst, and wasn’t over the top with BDSM. I’ve read a few reviews on this and have seen many mark it down based on the more “vanilla” approach to the BDSM, but I honestly don’t see the author holding back at all. The scenes are typical of other BDSM books I’ve read and yet, the author doesn’t go over board with them. It’s all very smooth and extremely classy.

The growing relationship between Jack and Cali is great. I could have done without the immediate acceptance she seemed to have to the scene and her almost lack of training, but the couple was very sweet together and seemed to bring out the right parts in one another. The only other thing I didn’t really understand was how most of the BDSM scenes were more for a submissive who would have been defiant. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but again, the story was very gripping.

From what I can tell is this looks to be book one in a series and it’s one I’m looking forward to following along. Ms. Aicher has a way with her words that draws you into heart of the characters. She is one to be watched and one who has now been added to my “stalking list.”

Four out of five stars for a great job. show less

Much more direct, blunt and crude in the scenes proposed that the usual S & M romance. The reader will navigate into a libertine club alongside Cali and will discover the different practices together through the heroin's eyes.
A story very focused on the exploration of the desires of submission not to let fall into the hands of everybody.

I enjoyed the story still in the way of discovering the pleasures of S & M with sometimes quite trashy scenes but always about a consensual sex. The author let the reader see the fine line between pleasure and pain. The reader is also a witness of the intimate desires less traditional of a lot of people. This is a good way of opening someone's mind and horizons while avoiding judgments.

On the negative show more side, I might have liked a little more packaging around the story with a deeper dive into the lives of the characters. But the result is very nice even if it is for an informed adult public.

Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr/2012/10/bonds-of-trust-by-lynda-aicher.htm... show less

This has to be one of my favourite BDSM reads lately! There were some awesome steamy scenes, that evolved gradually.. not just throwing you right in the thick of things. Besides the insta-love the story is relatively believable, and I even understood her reasoning for joining the club. I could see myself in Cali's shoes, which made the story a lot better in my opinion. I highly recommend this book if you want an steamy/angsty/BDSM read!

Cali is a recently divorcee who was never satisfied in her relationship. Now she's joining a Dom/Sub Club, so she's try the things that she wanted to with her husband with someone else. She's not really sure that she wants to go through with it. But when she meets Jake, everything changes. Will she give herself freely to him?

Jake is a Dom, who is getting ready to leave the lifestyle. But then he meets Cali, when he interviews her. Now his plans might be taking a little detour. Will he be able to walk away and leave her in this lifestyle without him?

This is my first time reading this author and I loved it. I could not put the book down. I loved the way the story flowed. It was so realistic. I can't wait to read the next book in this show more series. I highly recommend this book to others.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review via NetGalley. show less

I've never understood the appeal of BDSM before, but after reading this book I think I'm starting to get it.