Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0446541923
Ruby Scott is a beautiful, quiet event planner who leads an oh-so-respectable life. Yet the things that go on in her secret fantasies are anything but. She has every intention of keeping her hidden desires under wraps-until she meets a gorgeous, hard-muscled man ten years her junior. Mark St. Crow is a gifted, up-and-coming musician who collects erotic art and loves to “play” women as much as his piano. After one night of uninhibited passion, Ruby realizes there’s no turning back. But as she surrenders to her deepest needs and lets Mark control every forbidden thrill, her passion for him builds. Can the wild, intoxicating nights they share lead to a love that will last forever?
I won this book on a blog a while back and I put it on my TBR pile and moved on because frankly, BDSM is not my usual cup of erotica. Floggers, whips and ball gags just don’t spell sexy in my world. However, I needed something to read while waiting for my Kindle and a box load of sexy Lords Of The Underworld to be delivered so I decided to give Bound to Please a whirl and I was pleasantly surprised. Mark and Ruby had me at hello.
Still recovering from a break up with her erotic photographer boyfriend, Ruby Scott meets a sexy rock star on the verge of hitting it big, Mark St. Crow. Mark is instantly attracted to Ruby and he recognizes her tattoo from some erotic art he recently purchased. Ruby feels betrayed because the photos she posed for, for her ex-boyfriend were never meant to be sold and she thinks that Mark is only interested in her because of what he thinks the photos might imply about her. However Ruby is also attracted to Mark and after an impromptu semi-public, scorching hot make out session, Mark invites Ruby to his show later that evening and the fun and games begin.
I especially loved Ruby’s character. In her late thirties, she is beautiful, independent and focused on her career. When presented with an opportunity to realize her most secret fantasies with an attractive younger man, she embraces her sexuality and goes for it without becoming needy and expecting more from what started out to be a casual encounter.
Mark is a super sexy, leather wearing musician who is making the most of his rock star lifestyle. He can have most any woman he wants but soon comes to realize he may have met his match in Ruby. He finds he has feelings for her beyond their sexual relationship even though Ruby tries to keep some emotional distance between them.
While I’m not a usually a fan of the BDSM scene I found the love scenes between Mark and Ruby to be amazingly erotic and irresistible. I looked forward to each and every encounter and I admit I had a hard time reading this book in the company of others as I actually blushed many times throughout. Not only was the lovin’ hot but the romance was sweet and believable and I was pulling for Mark and Ruby to find their way to a happily ever after ending right from the beginning.
On a side note, after reading this book, I may never look at a strawberry as an innocent little berry again. That’s all I’m sayin’, read the book if you want to know.
Check out Leontine’s review here, she has a bit more insight on the D/s relationship.
About FV Sophia
Nice review!
Was this the one that got lost last night with the autosave?
About the strawberry…I have had similar experience with a rasperry (lisa kleypas) and maschino (sp?) cherries (lorelei james) *g*
Now I wanna eat strawberries… LOL. (I read, I eat
)
Hi Pearl, yes this is the review that was lost to the evil autosave. The first one was so much better! >:( I'm still pouting! lol
Hmm, I guess berries and erotica go together? *giggles*
It sounds like a pretty good read-this isn't my normal type of erotica, but a change of pace is needed every now and then.
Buckeye Girl, as I said, not my thing either but the book was written well and the relationship between Mark and Ruby as great. I found myself smiling all the way through the book. You should read it!
Yes that scene with the strawberry was fabulous and hot. I still smile upon the memory. The next book is about the ex-boyfriend, the photographer. If I remember correctly the storyline is regarding a woman who is not his usual type but ends up in front of his camera anyway…that could make for smoking hot scenes!
Leontine, there's a next book? Awesome! I did wonder about the whole scene with Ruby and the ex outside her apartment where he asks her to pose again. It seemed weird and open ended. Do you think his love interest is the neighbor who crashed into him with the door?
LOL! The kleypas book isn't even erotica, is a historical romance
That was my thought too, that it was a bit open ended so I checked it out and I think it is the same neighbour. I have a link here to the blurb:
http://www.lillianfeisty.com/books/dare-to-surrender/
I know I will be buying this novel. I really enjoyed Feisty's easy flowing writing style
Thanks for the review. I'll check this one out. A BDSM romance can be greatness when it's done right.
Great review. I haven't popped my erotica cherry yet. Not sure if I'll dive into the deep end or just stick my feet in first to test the waters.
I love the FV heart rating system!
Roni, I agree with you. I would have not believed you before I read Bound To Please, but I'm a believer now.
BV, you should check this book out. It's contemp. and I think you'll like it.
Ow wow – I've just started reading a bit of erotica and this sounds good, plus I've been looking for a contemporary. (adding to my TBB list)