Review: Sapphire

Sapphire
Jeffe Kennedy
Contemporary Romance/BDSM
Carina Press/October 24, 2011

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht.

Taylor writes off the adventure as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterward, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally.

Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her—and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?

Sapphire is a short, intense story, easily read in one sitting. The intensity is what drew me in and kept me reading late into the night.

Taylor has no time for real pleasure, instead she finds pleasure working her way up the corporate ladder. One of her most recent triumphs included working with Adam Kirliss whom she intends to keep strictly as a business relationship. Taylor's curiosity is aroused by Adam's boldness and his offer. She's in need of a release from the stress of work and Adam is about to give it to her. Taylor is very typical in her focus on her career, believing it's the only way to achieve her career goals.

Adam Kirliss is far more than he seems, hiding an affinity for BDSM behind his cool predatory gaze. He sets his sights on Taylor and this guy doesn't give up! Seeing how determined he is, Taylor she probably just save herself some time and give in to his demands. When she does, he shows her how he can give her what she wants and needs. Adam plans out Taylor's seduction, leaving nothing to chance. So when she does take him by surprise, it's interesting to see him adjust not only his plan but his thinking.

The sex scenes are smoking hot, with bonus points for creativity! It's obvious Adam is no novice at finding pleasure in dominance. One thing that made this more than one bondage scene after another is seeing Adam and Taylor get to know each other away from the intensity of their sexual play. They have quiet, romantic moments, giving each other glimpses of their vulnerable side.

Overall, I did have some issues with the power plays that went on between Taylor and Adam but in the end, Sapphire proved to be a delicious erotic romance.

Rating: B+

Review: Coin Operated

Coin Operated
Ginny Glass
Contemporary Erotic/BDSM Romance
Carina Press/June 7, 2010

From the publisher's website ~

Elijah Elliot and Beatrix London's fledgling ad agency is under siege. Not from outside competition but by Eli and Bea's unspoken lust for each other. As their unsatisfied cravings to dominate and submit bloom into vivid daydreams, the office becomes a minefield of frustrated needs and dangerous desires. Now something's gotta give or their partnership is going to self-destruct.

When Bea unveils a racy new light bondage ad campaign for their key client, she pushes Eli to cross the line he's drawn between them—the one that keeps him from doing all the hot, sinful things she imagines he's capable of...

A quick, sexy story about two business partners that finally start to really communicate. Glass was able to put a lot of emotion into this novella. There are also some smoking hot scenes when Eli and Bea start communicating in a different way.

Bea and Eli both want the same things. They want their business to grow and they want each other. It's that last part that they really need to work on. They both fantasize about each other and when they finally succumb to the fantasy they each get more than what they expected. I liked how Bea and Eli tried to keep their relationship professional, fighting the attraction that neither knew the other had for them. It's fighting and need to keep things professional that racked up the sexual tension.

Once Bea and Eli take their relationship beyond the office they find they are an excellent match in both need and want. I liked how they made the progression from business partners to lovers but would have liked to see more depth to that transition. They had a couple of stumbles but worked things out. Eli likes things a little rough in the bedroom and he's concerned that Bea will turn away from him when she finds out. Instead, they discover some things about each other that brings them both pleasure beyond their wildest dreams.

Coin Operated is a short, erotic story filled with passion and some very inventive and steamy scenes. Add in the emotional punch and you have an enjoyable story. I do wish it had been longer, giving more time to develop the characters and their relationship.

Rating: B