An anthology of four stories with BSDM as the focus.

The first story A IS FOR ASSIGNMENT by Ginny Glass has Lane, a police psychologist, working undercover with Detective Cameron Isley to break a drug ring at the local BDSM club. One night she dominates. The next he does. Things go too far, and they cannot think of the other without remembering the night she dominated him at the club. But will they break the drug ring? I liked this story. I liked Lane and Cameron. He is too used to dominating others that seeing him fall submissive under Lane's hands is good. I liked that both kept thinking of their session. I also liked that both decided to be honest when the time comes to talk.

Second is B IS FOR BONDAGE by Christina Thacher. Rachel goes to Marc to learn how to be a good submissive so she can gift her submissiveness to her boyfriend, Danny. Turns out Rachel and Marc break the rules. Danny is no dominant but an abuser. When Rachel goes to her final lesson, the truth comes out. Will Marc like the truth? I liked Rachel for her shyness. I liked Marc because he tried to follow the rules and not get involved with Rachel. When she comes for her class after Danny finds out, I liked how Marc showed Rachel her bruises did not change his feelings. I also liked that he puts the brakes on but Rachel has a mind of her own.

Next comes C IS FOR CURIOSITY by Emily Cale. Hilary works as the receptionist at a BDSM club where Mistress Rebecca works. Trying to find a private space, Hilary inadvertently walks in on Mistress Rebecca's session. After the session, Mistress Rebecca tells Hilary she must be punished for breaking the rules. Mistress Rebecca gives the punishment to Hilary. Hilary responds beautifully to Mistress Rebecca. What happens when the one time is done? I enjoyed this story. I liked that both were afraid of being fired for their behaviors. Hilary's curiosity was refreshing as was Mistress Rebecca's feeling for Hilary. I liked Hilary's eagerness and her recommendation. It was a twist Mistress Rebecca was not expecting.

Last is D IS FOR DETAINED by Maggie Wells. Sherry has to go back to her hometown to clean out her parents' shop. Not having good memories of the town makes it hard for her. While there, Deputy Tyler comes in thinking she is a criminal. He is also the only boy who said no to her during high school. He now makes up for it. Will Sherry forgive him? I liked this story. Sherry finally finds out why Tyler said no. They explore what they could have had and find out they like it. It was fun watching Sherry goading Tyler. I also liked that Tyler has plans for the future which include her.

Each story had its own special hotness. I will have to see if more volumes were written in this series.

Shay's mother marries Ian's father. They meet in the bathroom as Ian is stepping out of the shower. Shay is a nude model while Ian is a minister. She teases, taunts, and tempts him tenaciously. He keeps showing his ministerial side and proving Shay right. Eventually he acknowledges his feelings for Shay, and they begin seeing each other. When emotions are about to explode one night, Ian asks Shay to marry him. While life is good for a while, Shay takes a job and Ian blows up. Will they make their way back to each other or go their separate ways?

I enjoyed this story. Shay just keeps on getting under Ian's skin as he does hers. It was delightful to watch their differences make them more attracted to each other. Shay had her doubts about the two of them together, but it works until she takes the job. I understood Shay's reaction. They never talked about her job before they married. Ian was judgmental towards her job and, as a result, her. Shay is a good, generous person. She sees needs and finds ways to meet those needs. She does it without Ian telling her this is what a minister's wife does. She is spot on and able to step in when Ian is not there. I liked her a lot. Ian needed his behind kicked once or twice.

This book was written in 1983 when romances were getting hotter. The love scenes did not end at the bedroom door but instead went into the bedroom. The language was getting away from euphemisms. This is a book that goes from the tame stories of the early 1970's and back to the more realistic books of today. This is part of the history of the changes of romance novels. The story is as contemporary as anything today, but it shows the evolution of romance novels. A choice read!

Love You Like That by Scarlett Cole

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Scarlett Cole is the unsung hero of the romance genre. With unique heroines, larger than life heroes and irresistible romance, she quickly seduces the heart. Love You Like That is the equivalent of what makes her stories addictive. From sweet to sultry to funny, Zoe and Alex slowly leave their mark on the senses. He's broody. She's inspiring. Together they are captivating.



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The cover got me on this one as I was at the library volunteering.  I’m not one for romance but the Gotham in the title swayed me and I liked the illustrations.  After reading this graphic novel, I couldn’t believe this was actually, the one and only Mr. Freeze.  I was floored!  No way!  This story was actually about Mr. Freeze and his future wife. I think that there’s a great story inside this book but the way that the story is delivered could have been better. The writing felt choppy and the story felt awkward as the characters cope with what life has given them and they find that perhaps there is more to life.  The illustrations were fantastic and they saved the book for me.

When we meet Victor, he’s visiting his younger brother again, like he does every year, at the cemetery.  Victor is proving to be quite the successful cryogenics cold tech and his work on perfecting his Accela-Freeze compound is coming along. Oh, what that compound could do, if he could just get everything perfect.  Victor is proud of his accomplishments and he conveys everything to his brother as if his brother could actually hear him from beyond.  Nora interrupts Victor’s talk when he spots her in the distance.  She’s also at the cemetery, visiting her mother’s grave, a surprise since Victor normally sees no one. 

Nora.  This girl got on my nerves.  She was a total flake.  Between her words and her actions, I didn’t know what to think of her.  The words that came out of her mouth were all over the place.  “So, come here often?” yep, that’s what you say to someone that you meet at the cemetery.  It doesn’t get better than this for a while and then, she starts to get all romantic with Victor.  What’s wrong with her?  I knew that she had a disease but I doubted that caused her to act like that.  Victor is hesitant at first (and he should be) yet he continues to hang around Nora when he should be running for the hills.  Nora does look amazing with her flowing hair, her spaghetti-strapped shirt, and her spunky attitude but is he really listening to her?  He needs to take off his glasses and really see her. 

The illustrations are great!  With attention to detail, the illustrator has created some wonderful text boxes that showcase the story.  I appreciated his attention to detail and the colors that were used, provided the atmosphere that I expected for this story.  These fantastic illustrations make this a good book for me but I felt that the writing alone didn’t work for me.  3 stars