Thursday, October 23, 2014

Steph Reviews Freed by Stacey Kennedy

Publisher: Loveswept
Series: Club Sin #3.5
Format Read: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | ARe* | Barnes & Noble |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Mary Schmidt knows only too well how thrilling a Master’s touch can be. Her husband, Charles, had been her ultimate fantasy, a seducer in the erotic dance of dominance and submission. She misses the sensual lifestyle they shared, but mourns him so deeply she cannot bear to embrace her submissive needs with another Dom—until a man who exudes temptation reawakens desires she can no longer deny.

Elliott Foster is dazzled by Mary. He instantly knows that she’s the woman he’s been waiting for—a woman who turns games into need. As her Master, he dares to unlock the deepest pleasures of her flesh, releasing her from pain and healing her mind. When Mary’s lithe body comes to life under his, he knows their connection goes beyond sex. Now that he has found the perfect woman, the perfect partner, the perfect submissive, he desires only to give her everything she craves.

NOTE: Freed is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences


Steph's Thoughts:

I just finished Freed and I am trying to put my thoughts in order because this book was amazing. Anybody who has read any of my previous reviews on this series can pretty much guess, I am a fan of Stacey Kennedy but this book took me to a whole new level. I know what you are going to say “How can a book, classified as erotica, move you in any way other than sexually?” Let me explain.

First, Mary is older and this was a first for me. I have NEVER read a romance (of any kind) where the heroine is older than 30. Mary is 50 and widowed. 50? Widowed? Erotica? How can these three things even fit together in a book and appeal to a reader? I also had some of those thoughts but I have learned to trust Ms. Kennedy because she always pulls it off and this time is no different. I remember seeing another author mention that her publisher asked her to change the age of a character because people did not want to read about women in their 30's finding love. This is total BS! I found my soul-mate at 38 and Mary found her second at 50. Why can't a woman in her 50's like sex? or even kinky sex? It was really great to see an older heroine finding love and sex. It is nice to think that the dating world and good sex doesn't end when we hit 30.

Mary is real. She is a mother with stretch marks and that slightly softer figure that those of us older gals tend to have, so I related to her more than some 20-something skinny younger woman. Her thoughts on her husband and the connection they had moved me. The pain she still felt after 4 years brought tears to my eyes. She has forgotten how to really live and when she meets Elliot, he just turns her world upside down. Her struggle to come to terms with her feelings for Elliot and being loyal to her husband moved me to tears. Yes, I cried during some scenes in this book. Mary and Elliot will rip your heart out but keep reading because they put it back again and the next tears will be happy tears.

Now yes, this is a BDSM book and there are definitely some steamy (very steamy) sex scenes but there is an incredible story here. Here are two mature people that know themselves sexually having sex and developing a relationship. This is different than a couple of the other Club Sin books. It is more like Bared with two people who are already part of the lifestyle coming together, rather than an experienced Dom and a newbie to the scene. This is what makes me love the Club Sin books. Nobody has ever been forced into the lifestyle. It is a choice made by mentally healthy adults, who happen to mutually like kink.

Do not be put off by the story of an older couple. Freed is amazing! The chemistry between Elliot and Mary is just as hot as between any of the younger Club Sin couples. I really wish these were released in paperback or hardcover because I would buy copies and put them in a place of honor on my bookshelf.

3 comments:

  1. I still have this series to start. I love that they're older. It's so exciting to find that in romance in general not just erotica. I wish more authors would do so. Have you tried Cherise Sinclair? One of her recent couples was "older" as well. I loved that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that it's an older couple. As you said, that's rare in romance and erotica. I was excited when I read that in Steph's review.

      Delete
  2. I love that the couple is older and you are so right..older women can find love and still have great sex as well ;) great review.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I enjoy hearing from my readers. Let's talk!