Brethren, Life In Bondage: Book Two by F.B. Peaches
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hellish sadomasochism play here. Ranges from consensual to non-consensual. Lots of cringe-worthy tortures. I am sorry to say Book Two isn't my cup of tea. I can't stand pain especially when inflicted upon females. More so when it is directed at the private parts. Owwwweee.... vagina burns! Makes me wish I am not a woman.

Basically Book Two is about a Slave Boarding Service run by a couple of cruel dominants. The concept itself is fascinating but the harsh tortures kinda puts me off. I guess I am mainly a bondage kinda girl. That's why Book One rocks my world. Actually there are also lots of bondage scenes here but since it was all aimed at delivering extreme pain, I couldn't get into enjoying it much. Pain that does not followed by pleasure for the sub was a deal breaker for me.

I must confess I am now curious bout Book Three due to the snippet at the end of this book. I am guessing it involves Adult Baby play with forced regression and perhaps bit of body modification. Too bad this series only focus on female subs. Sighhhh

I am giving Book Two a 3 stars in view of the boldness and creativity. Although it didn't strike my fancy I am certain it would be a hit for sadomasochism readers especially if they are also into extreme bondage.





BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Brethren, Life In Bondage: Book Two
Author: F.B. Peaches
Publication Date: October 5th, 2012
Publisher: Self-pub
Genre: Alternate Universe M/F Erotica
Type: Short Story, approximately 13,723 words
Tags/Keywords:

Description:
Old school bondage meets with high Tech fetish, in this, the second book in the Brethren series. With a respectful nod to House of Gord and maybe just a touch of Insex, Fb presents a feast of flesh and fetish, purely for your titillation. Practising submissive and hoarder of all things kinky she knows exactly what buttons to push!

Brethren, book two
The world has moved on. The stuff of fantasy has become reality but most important of all, there is now absolute truth. Advances in technology mean citizens are no longer able to lie to the law givers. Those dispensing justice can do so without fear of punishing the innocent. Society is no longer prepared to keep or tolerate those who choose to do harm.

And so the Brethren have arisen.

They offer the world another way, a natural justice. They keep the criminals contained and restrained whilst indulging their fetishes and desires. Criminals are presented to the Brethren to live out their days owned and degraded . Within the city's and county's given over to the elite of the Brethren, normality is subjective. Segregated from the rest of society they indulge without prejudice or interference.



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* Reviewed on June 4th, 2014

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*
NOTE: This is a review copy extended to me by the author.


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Surprises by Manna Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After six hours of foreplay with an interrupted fuck and minutes of adolescent groping, both Toreth and Warrick has finally moved their relationship from occasional fuck-buddy to something a little more solid. Although the hypocritical bad boy Toreth is still far from settling down with a singular person, at least now with Warrick's careful calculated nudges, they are heading towards a true relationship.

I love how Warrick's casual words could make Toreth all fired up...

Toreth:  "How do you feel about mayonnaise?"

Warrick:  "Absolutely not. I am not spending the rest of the evening smelling of egg."

Toreth:  "You can always have a wash."

Warrick:  "True, but that removes half the attraction of the idea."

Toreth:  "Which is?"

Warrick:  "The prospect of walking around with you afterwards, knowing that you've fucked me. That you've come inside me. Feeling taken." He shrugged, managing to sound almost matter-of-fact.

(...) Toreth swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry.

Also love how Toreth plays with Warrick's kink on being bound while he was roughly taken. That guy knows how to turn up the heat where Warrick's concern. Warrick was an excitable quivering mess whenever Toreth mentally and physically tops him.

This unlikely pair sure have the longest slow burn romance going-on. I am getting anxious to hear the word 'exclusive' by now.




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It is vexing when a Domme in a story is "forced" into seeing she's really a submissive, not a dominant. It is aggravating because it sends an insidious message that females are not really dominant. They are hiding their submission behind a cold disengaged facade. What it implies is the females become a dominatrix because she's either been rejected by a male or some other newfangled first world trumped up psychological disorder. In this story, it's the former. I'm feeling mixed about IN THE DEN.

Catrina Davidson is a much sought after Domme. She's really more of a Top than a Domme when a reader observes her interactions with her male bottoms. She is emotionally detached. She only services their sexual needs. This, to me, generally denotes service Top. She doesn't need or care for the intimacy or erotic power exchange based on trust and understanding. Instead, it's focused on the physical acts which result in mutual satisfaction. There is nothing wrong with this. Many people enjoy this and it can be plenty fun. Catrina's world is shifted when Damien Lowell, alpha Dom of this private BDSM club set his sights on her.

Let's stop for a moment. If this was reversed, and a Domme were to approach a Dom out of the blue, telling them that they are really submissive at heart, how do we think this would go over? Since Catrina didn't initiate the desire to test out the submissive side of the lifestyle, we'll go with the comparison of a Domme aggressively going after a well-known Dom and sticking a finger up his ass to entice him to submission.

Am I the only one that finds this offensive? It's not that I have a problem with people switching. I'm a switch. However, I prefer the dominant person to initiate the submissive contract. The way it's presented here, Damien is the know-it-all dominant who sees who Catrina really is, which is a submissive.

Despite the distaste left in my mouth from this premise, the BDSM is very good. Ms. Cartwright does an excellent job of showing the difference between D/s and Top/bottom. Although she does put Topping/bottoming in negative slant, the actions are still well demonstrated.

Damien is quite good at how to build trust into a relationship. He opens Catrina's eyes to what she's missing in her life. Damien's playfulness and how he keeps Catrina in an erotic haze is exquisite. I can work anywhere just like Catrina. I own a laptop and will travel. Damien creating a workspace for Catrina so he can intermingle BDSM throughout the workday is fabulous. It's a working submissive's fantasy come true. For me, it would be heaven. Just as everything seems to be going so well, Damien makes a faux pas which costs him quite a bit. This is a nice realistic touch. It makes Damien more human than a fantasy-perfect lover.

This D/s romance is recommended to those who want to see intimacy developed in a D/s relationship.

Worthy by Lia Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 Stars for the effort and for being a good diversion to pass the time.

A sweet and caloric slavefic fairytale. Enjoyable at first bite, unfortunately it only makes you hunger for something more sustainable than a sugar fix. (See this? I could write short reviews too)

Dare I stop my review here? I could, couldn't I? I maybe should too. Because what comes after this is a product of my over analyzing.

Nudge me if you wish for my trademark long-ass review.


*Edits 10/12/13 @ 11.03pm:
I have just answered some fun and interesting questionnaires on this book over at the Goodreads BDSM Group . I thought maybe I should share it here as well:

[spoiler]

1. Do you have a favorite character? Why?

Maybe Demetrie. His way of enjoying Sev's body excites me. Just like Sev, I am taken with Demetrie's commanding air and finding him hard to resist. That's something rare for me as I usually see myself from the perspective of the dom rather than the sub.

I wished I could like the protagonist better but to me, Sev is not a well developed character. For someone who has known joy of family even only an adoptive one and used to having his own freedom, Sev does seem to give up on his identity and self worth quite easily. Many times he feels much like a puppet without free will and lacks sense of self preservation. This was observed even at the early stage of Demetrie's ownership of him. He does not even question internally on Demetrie's demanding request of him. He is too naive and trusting to be a street smart boy with a nomadic tribe upbringing. This doll like quality of his is rather disturbing.

2. Does a particular scene stick in your mind? Or a quote? What resonated with you?

I like Demetrie's blindfold punishment for Sev. Very interesting way of training trust. Just like one would apply to an animal like a horse. I just read one femdom story on human pony training that applies such technique too. Fascinating. >:D

3. Homogeneity is important to Athena. What was your reaction?

A place that lacks originality and individuality. No wonder Demetrie is so bored of his life there. In real life homogeneity is also known as racism ;)

In the olden days, aristocrats tends to put very high standards on pure blood marriages. This might also still be true till this age and time.

4. This is a highly stratified society with roles strictly delineated. Do you think our society is similar? Maybe we don't acknowledge it, but it exists?

Yes it does exist in our real world. Look around you. The poor is still dirt poor and the rich is still filthy rich. Who will have the more power? Money makes the political world goes round. What would that means to the lower income class? We feel such oppression daily.

Athena seems to be a place that discourages change in order to maintain firm control over its citizen and resources. Those who refused to conform would be ousted like Demetrie as a safeguard to its system.

This unfortunately leads me to question the plotline whereby Demetrie gave his title and name to Sev when he decided to leave Athena as an outcast. I mean how could this possibly be done when Demetrie himself is to be stripped off his title even to the extend that his assets will be seized just because he wouldn't fulfill his obligation as an aristocrat? There is simply no reason whatsoever for Athena or its aristocratic members to honor Demetrie's transfer of his title and name to Sev a mere dreg with zero rights or even simple recognition as a human being? To me, this plotline is OTT and does not conform with the oppressive and autocratic universe created by the author.

5. What did you think of Demetrie's plan?

Childish and fanciful, borderline idiotic. It shouldn't even be successful or plausible if the plots were tight enough and if the characters are well built. Yes I am saying it IS unrealistic. It is contradictory to the strict caste system of Athena. Think politically... would Demetrie's rebellious, traitorous way of escaping the system be ignored by his autocratic government? Wouldn't it be wiser for them to curb it at its stem before it becomes a precedent?

This quote sums up Athena for us:

Michael nodded. “I heard that Athena cleared out another section of her ghetto last night. What are they calling it these days? Oh yes, ‘progressive beautification’.” He shook his head slowly. Soon there would be no ghettos; the dregs would be buried under swimming pools, shopping centers, and aristolitical complexes. The sign of a thriving society was its lack of a lower caste, and since raising dregs up economically, socially, and politically would create a strain on the wealthy, it made far more sense to eliminate the problem more permanently by eliminating those who suffered it.

6. Do you think the author's story answered the member's photo and prompt?

Firstly, I am excited a photo of the bookcover from one of my favorite M/M Psychological Thriller graphic novel was used In These Words by Kichiku Neko & TogaQ. TogaQ's art is to die-for. And Kichiku Neko writes awesome psychological thrillers of the erotic kind.

Okay back to the prompt. I think it was answered quite well. The author even incorporated the limberness of the slave in the picture into the story and the cards strewed across the floor was also applied to the story. I dig the sex scenes too. It was sensual and erotic.

7. Do you wish something different was done or incorporated into the story?

Not really. The author tried her best to deliver according to the prompt and she has succeeded in that goal alone. I hope that by reading the honest reviews of her readers, she would be able to improve her writings further, especially in terms of character development and making tighter plotlines. I could see that she has lots of potential to excel. All she needs was more experience and constructive feedbacks.

[/spoiler]

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Worthy
Related: Love Has No Boundaries, Don't Read in the Closet Events
Author: Lia Black
Publication Date: June 15th, 2013
Type: Short Story, 47,228 words
Genre: Dystopian, Alternate Universe, M/M, Gay, Romance, Erotica, Consensual, Light BDSM
Tags/Keywords: Master/Slave, One-time Threeseome, Cross-dressing, Bondage, Dominance-Submission, BDSM, Acrobat, Contortionist, Circus Performer, Gypsy, Slave, Pleasure/Sexual Slave, Willing-slave, Chastity device/belt, Orgasm-denial, Whipping/Flogging, corporal Punishment, Rough Sex, Maledom, Interracial, Master/Pet, Menage, Threesomes, Romance, Young Man, Adored Pet/Slave, Age gap, Alpha Dominant Male, Alternate Universe, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Hand-job,Androgyny, Bareback, Collaring & Leash, Cute Adorable Character, Effeminate Male Character, Erotica, HEA, Loving adoring partner, Piercing, Possessive Master, Twink, Restricted Freedom, Rich Wealthy MC, Rimming, Sensual, Slave Market, Slave Training, Submissive protagonist, Voyeurism, Fluffy


Description:
Dear Author,
This is a dystopian class-based society where being a slave boy is a prized position. For those not born into the wealthy class, there are few options for work. A position as a slave boy means security and safety from a life of poverty and the danger of the streets.
Dystopian - set in a world similar to ours but with a few tweaks. Usually a bit darker or a more frightening version of what our society could become.

Photo Description: (Click here to view the photo)
An agile young slave is bent backward over the knees of his doting master; his bindings are loose and their arrangement is “in the cards”.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.



WHERE TO GET THIS BOOK:

This is a FREEBIE in conjunction with the Goodreads M/M Romance group's Love Has No Boundaries event for year 2013.




* Reviewed on December 10th, 2013

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Father Figure by Kichiku Neko & TogaQ
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars for being such a Unique Taboo Read that Scrambles My Senses

Blood relation, just how important is that? How strong could that bond be? Is it possible to love a total stranger? Especially if that stranger shared an unbreakable bond with you?

Gabriel developed an unhealthy obsession with a man, a stranger he had hoped to get to know better and ultimately be loved by. Uriel was the father he had longed for ever since he was a child. He was bitter when he found out Uriel has a happy little family of his own now and a favored son two years his junior upon leaving his mom behind. He hated the other woman who took away what should have been his and his alone. No one should compete with him for Uriel's attention and affection. Uriel owed him that. And he will make sure his father understands it even if he has to hurt him in order for him to learn. Afterall as the saying goes "spare the rod, spoil the child", an ironic phrase for them but it is one Gabriel deemed as the right recourse to steer his Father's affection towards him.

What transpired between this pair of long-lost father and son upon their ill-fated meeting was supremely taboo and disturbing enough to make you feel so wrong and conflicted for even reading it, yet you will find it hard to stop. You just had to know why, why Gabriel did what he did, and to find out what would Uriel do to salvage both of them from any further destruction? Do we really owe that much to our own child? How much are we willing to sacrifice for own flesh and blood?

Love can be the most beautiful thing in this world. Love can also be the ugliest thing when directed by a distorted perception. Love can be hellish. To a man like Gabriel, to love is to possess wholly, to claim full ownership, to be kept close by his side irregardless of consequences. I am still unsure if all those vile acts Gabriel subjected on Uriel is even remotely redeemable.

Since the story is narrated all by the perpetrator himself, we would get to feel his every volatile emotion and his twisted reasoning. At times, the intensity of his insanity makes me shudder with disbelief and horror. Books of such nature fascinates me till no ends. Being in the mind of a delusional, unstable person gives our mind such a great workout. Needless to say, there's never a dull moment in this book. My adrenaline was kept high throughout the reading.

I must say, the angst in this story is just superb. It has precisely the right amount to keep me satisfied and on a constant emotional high.

Okay, to be on the blunt side, this is a taboo book and it is ILLUSTRATED. I repeat, IT IS ILLUSTRATED. The taboo acts are ILLUSTRATED. There, I got it off my chest and feeling much better already. I can assure you that TogaQ's artwork is to die for and the illustrations are aptly applied. It heighten the experience and shake up our emotion. If you wanna know, there are a total of 19 illustrations in this book. I wish I could show some of it here but I had to refrain from spoiling the story and lessening the shock effect. Plus I would hate to be flagged by those well-meaning-GR-police. I must clarify that not all of the illustrations are smutty, there are a couple of those safe-for-work types too.

If you are those who aren't easily disturbed by taboo reads that contains high level of incest with a dose of dark psychological and criminal theme, then this book should be a winner for you. Angst addict would definitely adore it too. As for those looking for sweet romance.. please look elsewhere. The only romance to be found here is an utterly twisted one.

On account of how much this story had lodged itself deep within me, a 5 stars rating is a given thing. In fact, most books that graces my 5 stars shelf are those that had left its indelible mark on me.


Side note to all: For sake of world peace and personal safety; NEVER EVER have unprotected sex, NEVER EVER forsake your own children. OR you might just find yourself reliving Uriel's nightmare.

[ I ran my fingers through his hair; it was soft. There was a kind of excitement that went through me then that felt sexual. This man was my father. He used to belong to someone else and now he belonged to me. ]

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Father Figure
Author: Kichiku Neko (Author), TogaQ (Illustrator)
Publication Date: November 2011
Publisher: Guilt|Pleasure (Doujinshi Circle)
Type: Illustrated Novel - approximately 31,000 words, 19 illustrations
Genre:M/M, Gay, Taboo, Incest, Dominance-Submission, Noncon, Psychological Thriller, Drama
Tags/Keywords: gay, incest, taboo, dominance-submission, non-consensual, thriller, psychological, maledom, domineering male, rape, corporal punishment, caning, bodily harm, injury, murder, restraints, collar, leash, chain, hand-job, blow-job, oral sex, anal sex, rough sex, kidnap, captive, captivity, confinement, unstable mind, psychological disorder, mental disorder, obsession, stalker, stalking, voyeurism

Description:
A deep obsession with his estranged father leads Gabriel down a dangerous, twisted path.

This is an Illustrated Novel NOT a manga or graphic novel. It contains 19 illustration by TogaQ and the story was written by Kichiku Neko.



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