I'm very particular when it comes to erotic romances involving BDSM. There is one author against whom I measure all others who write about clubs and scenes, but the one thing I am most drawn to is the psychological aspect. Since becoming a fan of BDSM stories, I've found that I like characters who have trouble expressing themselves verbally, either out of embarrassment or just the lack of communication skills. I'm fascinated that people in general have no problem expressing the wish to "fuck", but when it comes to saying what they like or don't like, they clam up. With that said, after reading Claimed, I will be adding Stacey Kennedy to the very short list of authors whose portrayal of the lifestyle I love. And no, 50SoG is not one of them.

Presley Flynn was a sweet character with the perfect balance of curiosity and trepidation. A sweet girl with a penchant for being a people-pleaser, she's hurt by the discovery that her fiance had cheated. Since the break-up, the ex-boyfriend starts sniffing around her when she tells him that she's moved on. Instead of being more assertive in getting rid of him, she comes across as a doormat. However, I didn't see her that way. Not everyone is wired to establish a very clear and forceful delivery of their wishes, and she just seems to prefer to keep the peace. That just adds to the aura of innocence about her. She's genteel to a fault, not uptight or virginal.

As a Dom, Dmitri Pratt wasn't as enigmatic as say, Cherise Sinclair's Masters, but he was still a character to fall in love with. He may have been the president of a casino business, but he never flashed his wealth around, nor was he arrogant. What differentiates him from all other rich CEO heroes was that he was down to earth. Instead of a fancy restaurant for a first date, it was a sports bar with burgers and fries. It doesn't get better than that. Dmitri had a kind heart that extended beyond the usual obligations as a Dom. What I loved most about him was that he wasn't afraid to acknowledge his jumbled feelings (in his mind) after meeting Presley. He never tried to push her away or discourage her from accepting him as her Dom, but he didn't strong-arm her into it either. It was simple mutual attraction playing itself out over time and conversation. Which brings me to what I loved the most about this story: Communication. And I'm not talking about the usual "talk" during aftercare.

The evolution of their relationship happened more out of the club rather than in it. Since the club was only open on Fridays and Saturdays, they had to discover each other outside of play time. I enjoyed their phone conversations as they attempted to get to know one another through talking rather than just giving and receiving intimate pleasure. They made a perfect couple - Presley was guileless and Dmitri had been lonely long enough to recognize a good thing staring him in the face.

He couldn't remember a time he'd ever allowed into the dungeon a submissive who not only had no experience but couldn't even think of sex without turning crimson.


Another thing that drew me in was the fact that Presley never wavered from her no sex rule. While all the club scenes were incredibly hot, they never involved sex between the main characters. Presley's sexual exploration is the catalyst, but I didn't get the feeling it was the driving force. It was actually very refreshing. If you're itching for the hot sex between these two, you won't be happy to hear that there's only one scene, and when it happens, it's the culmination of everything that has gone on between them since the beginning. I thought that particular ending fit the characters perfectly.

The plot was crisp, clean, concise and not rushed at all. I thought the pacing was just right for both of them to discover what they really wanted. Presley had a believable character development under Dmitri's care which at one particular point was very predictable, but cleverly executed. That was just one of my favorite scenes. I love when characters have an epiphany during a scene, and they each had their own unique experience. I know I expelled the breath I was holding during each of those. The secondary characters didn't take up major parts of the story, but just the few glimpses made them interesting enough that I look forward to reading each of their stories as well. One Master down, four more to go ;)

This was a true kinky and therapeutic romance for both characters. I loved this author's gentler approach to BDSM romance, and I think it will appeal to those who are still a little squeamish or feel overwhelmed when there's too much sex in a book. I for one loved it and can't wait to continue on with this series.

Final rating: 4.5 rounded p to 5 and I consider this a Top Pick for 2013 because I could this book many times over and not get bored.

Favorite Lines:

"You make me do strange things, think odd thoughts, and you force me to break my own rules." [...] "I intend to find out why."


Instead, she shook violently in the restraints, appearing stuck. Her screams of pleasure had faded away, and she sucked in huge deep breaths.
Dmitri studied her a moment longer, then he realized that this submissive had blindsided him.


"You don't need to please or hear approval from everyone, only from me."



Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. ( )

Dawn's staff pick for 8/19/13.

Cat's staff pick for 10/21/13. ( )

I'm not quite sure where to start with this review. On the one hand, I liked the blossoming relationship between Presley & Dmitri. I liked the rules he has for his little house of pain and that she had a strong friend who is already in "the scene." On the other hand, I thought found some of the writing awkward (although to be fair I guess there is only so many ways to describe increased breathing, but sometimes I thought Presley may be asthmatic) and her ex's threats to be ridiculous. Back to the first hand: who doesn't like when an alpha male knocks down a weasel into his proper place?

This book opens with Cora, Presley's roommate, telling her that "he will not be expecting sex" as she leads her down the hall to an office. Actually, she grunts it at her. :-/ Yeah, I didn't like that word choice. It bothered me enough to stick with me throughout my read. Anyway, Presley is a woman who has broken it off with her high school sweetheart, Steven, after discovering he has cheated on her. She moved in abruptly with her friend, Cora, and is getting her life going. Cora discovers that her best friend reads copious amounts of BDSM erotica, seems like the submissive sort, so asks for permission to bring her to the dungeon and that's how Presley starts her journey into BDSM.

I had a problem with this. I don't see someone who has only ever slept with one selfish asswipe of a man suddenly jumping into a sex club because she READS so much about it. Maybe a dominant personality would, but would a submissive? Hmmm. We later discover that she had a few experiences with Steven where he would spank her or tie her up, but that she was "just bored."

The dungeon, Club Sin, sounds comfortable, non-sleazy, and a good safe place for those participating, seeing as how it is invite only and must be a personal connection. And it's like Fight Club...no one talks about it outside of the dungeon. There are no fees, just absolute rules, with five Masters, who check in on every scene to make sure that nothing is going awry.

In her first night, we have the almost-virginal Presley shocked, appalled, and ready to bolt as she observes all the happenings in the dungeon. She can barely say the word sex without blushing, but she's going to dive into this lifestyle. She calms immediately when Dmitri touches her and talks to her and holds her in his compelling stare. Dmitri will discover that she isn't really turned on by the lifestyle so much as turned on to the lifestyle with him. I liked that. While she thought she was diving into a scene, instead she is knocked over by this intensity with Dmitri.

This was a fast read for me. And although I didn't hate it, I didn't love it either. It falls to that "okay" spectrum! The sex scenes were enjoyable and very focused on Presley and her pleasure as opposed to Dmitri, which I thought was great.

Thank you to Random House Loveswept and the author for allowing me to read this advanced copy via Netgalley! ( )

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC received from NetGalley via the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Let me start out by saying that I don't read a lot of BDSM; I've actually only ever read 3. However, Stacey's writing style has captivated me from the first book I ever picked up of hers & has continued to amaze, so I decided to give Claimed a try despite how skittish I was about possibly not liking it... As the last page was turned I was completely surprised by how much I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Claimed was a highly emotional light BDSM read with plenty of those fun quirky moments, snark, and heart that we've come to know and love from Stacey in all of her work.

It had a heroine who was a bit lost but truly and completely finds herself in the most surprising ways with the help of a captivating and enigmatic hero, who in turn finds exactly what HE needs in the surprising heroine.

The story had a beautiful build - no scenes that happen so soon it isn't believable, character growth that is unrealistic, etc - and the entire character cast lent to a beautiful cornucopia of literary goodness.

I truly think that stalwart fans of BDSM and newbies alike will enjoy this book, and I thoroughly look forward to seeing what Stacey has planned for our other Club Sin members in future installments! ( )

Kirstin's Review:

Claimed by Stacey Kennedy is an erotic BDSM romance.
I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Skye is new to the sex club scene and who better to help train her than Master Dimitri, the owner of Club Sin? Through Dmitri's masterful instruction, Skye overcomes her low self-esteem as well as the heartache caused by a cheating ex boyfriend, and Dmitri learns to finally fall in love.

If you like these types of novels, it was steamy without being too disturbing or explicit. I enjoyed the read, but didn't feel an intense connection with the characters and their emotions. As far as BDSM novels go, I wouldn't consider it one of my favorites, but it was worth reading. ( )