This was a short story but it didn’t feel like anything was missing. I enjoyed this second chance story…
Tag: bdsm
Blackwood by Celia Aaron – Chapter Reveal
I dig. It’s what I do. I’ll literally use a shovel to answer a question. Some answers, though, have been buried too deep for too long. But I’ll find those, too. And I know where to dig—the Blackwood Estate on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. Garrett Blackwood is the only thing standing between me and the truth. A broken man—one with desires that dance in the darkest part of my soul—he’s either my savior or my enemy. I’ll dig until I find all his secrets. Then I’ll run so he never finds mine. The only problem? He likes it when I run.
Author’s Note: This is a mystery/suspense romance with violence and explicit sex. Trigger warning.
Author’s Note: This is a mystery/suspense romance with violence and explicit sex. Trigger warning.
CHAPTER ONE
The grand house rose from the ground as if it grew in that one spot, nurtured for years by the sun and rain. Trees encroached from all sides, their branches leaning toward it, as if seeking to gain some of the same sun and air. Despite time and neglect, the building remained strong, the corners sharp and the roofs perfectly angled. Whoever had built the Victorian masterpiece in the woods had done so with painstaking precision. It was meant to last.
The Blackwood Estate was the last stop on my survey, and I intended to get permission to search the extensive grounds and do a few digs. Acres and acres of woods, unused farmland, and various creeks and river branches would provide months—if not years—of interest. But my main focus at that moment was the immense home hidden in the dark forest.
I’d pushed the main gate open, the hinges screeching in disrepair. The driveway was mostly clear, the cracks in the concrete streaking like dark lightning. I’d rolled steadily forward, eyeing the gentle hills and wondering what archaeological treasures lay buried beneath the fertile Mississippi Delta dirt.
The grand house rose from the ground as if it grew in that one spot, nurtured for years by the sun and rain. Trees encroached from all sides, their branches leaning toward it, as if seeking to gain some of the same sun and air. Despite time and neglect, the building remained strong, the corners sharp and the roofs perfectly angled. Whoever had built the Victorian masterpiece in the woods had done so with painstaking precision. It was meant to last.
The Blackwood Estate was the last stop on my survey, and I intended to get permission to search the extensive grounds and do a few digs. Acres and acres of woods, unused farmland, and various creeks and river branches would provide months—if not years—of interest. But my main focus at that moment was the immense home hidden in the dark forest.
I’d pushed the main gate open, the hinges screeching in disrepair. The driveway was mostly clear, the cracks in the concrete streaking like dark lightning. I’d rolled steadily forward, eyeing the gentle hills and wondering what archaeological treasures lay buried beneath the fertile Mississippi Delta dirt.
At the end of the drive, I’d found the faded mansion, vines growing along the sides and a front porch swing rocking in the breeze. Despite its strong bones, time had worn away much of the home’s superficial beauty—the gray and white paint peeled, dark green shutters along the first floor hung askew, and the windows carried a film of dirt, making it hard to tell if someone lurked inside, watching.
A shiver ran through me at the prospect. Slowing, I took in the house’s worn façade and maneuvered around a fallen limb. I eyed the second floor windows, but nothing moved. It was as if the house was holding its breath, waiting for something. For me?
I drove to the side of the structure, the driveway continuing further into the dark property. Gathering my notepad, I climbed out of the car and took the full brunt of the winter wind. Fall had come and gone, leaves littering the ground and crunching beneath my feet. A surprisingly cold winter had followed in its wake, the low temperatures often the first subject of any conversation I’d had with the locals.
The sun flirted with the tops of the trees to my left, throwing dappled shadows against the turret that rose three stories along the side of the house. A weather vane sat atop it, though it seemed frozen, the direction signifying nothing.
Pulling my red pea coat closed, I climbed the front steps and knocked on the dark brown front door with as much authority as I could muster. The wood was too thick and seemed to absorb the sound from my knuckles so that only someone standing right next to it would even hear it.
A shiver ran through me at the prospect. Slowing, I took in the house’s worn façade and maneuvered around a fallen limb. I eyed the second floor windows, but nothing moved. It was as if the house was holding its breath, waiting for something. For me?
I drove to the side of the structure, the driveway continuing further into the dark property. Gathering my notepad, I climbed out of the car and took the full brunt of the winter wind. Fall had come and gone, leaves littering the ground and crunching beneath my feet. A surprisingly cold winter had followed in its wake, the low temperatures often the first subject of any conversation I’d had with the locals.
The sun flirted with the tops of the trees to my left, throwing dappled shadows against the turret that rose three stories along the side of the house. A weather vane sat atop it, though it seemed frozen, the direction signifying nothing.
Pulling my red pea coat closed, I climbed the front steps and knocked on the dark brown front door with as much authority as I could muster. The wood was too thick and seemed to absorb the sound from my knuckles so that only someone standing right next to it would even hear it.
“Hello?” I banged on the door with the side of my fist. A solid thunk of flesh on wood was my only reward.
I glanced around for a doorbell or a knocker. Nothing.
The wind picked up again, whistling along the eaves of the house like an unruly ghost.
I swore under my breath and knocked again. “Is anyone home? I’m Elise Vale from the university. I just have a few questions.”
No luck. The house remained silent, watching me. Turning, I walked along the front porch, past the rusted swing, and to a set of dusty windows. I bent over to peek inside.
The interior was so dark that what little sunlight filtered through the surrounding trees was still too much. The gold reflection blinded more than it illuminated. I dropped my note pad onto the swing and cupped my hands on the chilly glass to peer inside.
When I saw a face only inches away from mine, I shrieked and stumbled backwards, falling on my ass with a thump.
I glanced around for a doorbell or a knocker. Nothing.
The wind picked up again, whistling along the eaves of the house like an unruly ghost.
I swore under my breath and knocked again. “Is anyone home? I’m Elise Vale from the university. I just have a few questions.”
No luck. The house remained silent, watching me. Turning, I walked along the front porch, past the rusted swing, and to a set of dusty windows. I bent over to peek inside.
The interior was so dark that what little sunlight filtered through the surrounding trees was still too much. The gold reflection blinded more than it illuminated. I dropped my note pad onto the swing and cupped my hands on the chilly glass to peer inside.
When I saw a face only inches away from mine, I shrieked and stumbled backwards, falling on my ass with a thump.
Celia Aaron is the self-publishing pseudonym of a published romance and erotica author. She loves to write stories with hot heroes and heroines that are twisty and often dark. Thanks for reading.
Author Links
Review & Release Day Blitz – 4 stars for Blackwood by Celia Aaron
*** ARC kindly provided by Ardent Prose in exchange for an honest review. ***
Elise needs answers! She lost her mother to cancer and now she needs to know what happened to her father. She’s sure he’s dead too and the answer can be found on the Blackwood grounds. The hot, brooding owner didn’t give her permission but that doesn’t stop her. Until she gets attacked by boars and has to depend on that same man to heal her. But there is more that gets healed. Garrett is broken and became a recluse. But when ‘Red’ knocks on his door he wants to be the big bad wolf to ‘hurt’ her but he wants to save her from his proclivities. Will Elise find the answers she needs? Will Garrett be able to keep his hands of her? Will Elise stop him? Will she get devoured by him?
Read this wonderful, dark, erotic romance to get the answers. I loved every second of this suspenseful, well written story. The chemistry between them … H.O.T.!! Both characters are strong and amazing.
What I did miss was an epilogue. I would have loved to have had a look in their future. I also wouldn’t mind a book on Garrett’s brother Hart.
A short warning. There might be some triggers in this story … breath play, consensual non-consent.
Before I forget to mention this… I loved the cover! The perfect Garrett … another reason to read the book 😉
This reminds me I still have to finish the Acquisition series… another great dark book by Celia Aaron.
Amazon http://hyperurl.co/kk73e8
I dig. It’s what I do. I’ll literally use a shovel to answer a question. Some answers, though, have been buried too deep for too long. But I’ll find those, too. And I know where to dig—the Blackwood Estate on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. Garrett Blackwood is the only thing standing between me and the truth. A broken man—one with desires that dance in the darkest part of my soul—he’s either my savior or my enemy. I’ll dig until I find all his secrets. Then I’ll run so he never finds mine. The only problem? He likes it when I run.
Author’s Note: This is a mystery/suspense romance with violence and explicit sex. Trigger warning.
Author’s Note: This is a mystery/suspense romance with violence and explicit sex. Trigger warning.
“You can’t keep me here,” I said with far more bravado than I felt. “I refuse to be held prisoner by a psycho in need of a shower and shave.”
He laughed, this time the sound rich and sultry. It reverberated inside my chest. Something about it reminded me of the forest, the way the sunrise warmed it but couldn’t quite reach its dark heart.
“You don’t like my beard?” He sat next to me, much closer this time.
My pulse ratcheted up, and I took in a quick breath.
“Well?” He grinned and took my wrist.
I tried to pull it away, but his grip was like an iron shackle. He eased the back of my hand down his cheek. “Not so bad, is it?”
It wasn’t. Not exactly soft, it felt thick and masculine. Rich. “What are you doing?” I leaned back until I pressed up against the headboard.
He moved closer, his woodsy scent a mix of smoke and soap. Maybe he didn’t need a shower after all. I didn’t turn away, not even when his lips were only inches from mine.
“I just wanted to see.” His eyes flickered to my lips.
“You’re about to see what a vicious head butt looks like.” My rapid pulse infected my voice, making it quaver.
“Yeah?” He squeezed my wrist harder. “I don’t believe you.”
“Fuck you.” I stared into his eyes, searching the stormy irises for some way to solve the enigma of Garrett Blackwood.
He laughed, this time the sound rich and sultry. It reverberated inside my chest. Something about it reminded me of the forest, the way the sunrise warmed it but couldn’t quite reach its dark heart.
“You don’t like my beard?” He sat next to me, much closer this time.
My pulse ratcheted up, and I took in a quick breath.
“Well?” He grinned and took my wrist.
I tried to pull it away, but his grip was like an iron shackle. He eased the back of my hand down his cheek. “Not so bad, is it?”
It wasn’t. Not exactly soft, it felt thick and masculine. Rich. “What are you doing?” I leaned back until I pressed up against the headboard.
He moved closer, his woodsy scent a mix of smoke and soap. Maybe he didn’t need a shower after all. I didn’t turn away, not even when his lips were only inches from mine.
“I just wanted to see.” His eyes flickered to my lips.
“You’re about to see what a vicious head butt looks like.” My rapid pulse infected my voice, making it quaver.
“Yeah?” He squeezed my wrist harder. “I don’t believe you.”
“Fuck you.” I stared into his eyes, searching the stormy irises for some way to solve the enigma of Garrett Blackwood.
He smirked again, just the slightest quirk of his lips, then leaned back and released my wrist. The air cooled between us, and goose bumps rose along my bare arms.
Celia Aaron is the self-publishing pseudonym of a published romance and erotica author. She loves to write stories with hot heroes and heroines that are twisty and often dark. Thanks for reading.
Author Links
4 stars for “Jericho Brotherhood – 03 – Deny” by Jade Chandler
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher Carina Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
Deny is the third book in the Jericho Brotherhood series by Jade Chandler. I really love MC series and this a good one combining hot sexy bikers and a bit of kink. Well in this book more than a bit 😉 Marr is a Domme who has had enough of men and Jericho is a Dom or at least, he used to be one until he made a mistake in the past. Determined not to love anymore and keep his dominant side hidden he thinks he can have fun with Marr without getting attached but we all know how that goes huh? You can deny as much as you want but what’s meant to be, will happen! Anyway this was a great MC romance with lots of kink and some suspense. I loved reading them and look forward to read more in this series or from this author.
3,5 stars for “Only Pleasure – 10 – Bound Hearts” by Lora Leigh
There are 3 installments for this book and I loved them all.
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher St. Martin’s Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
INSTALLMENT ONE
About 7 months ago I read my first Lora Leigh book. I liked Guilty Pleasure, book 11 in this Bound Hearts series but I loved this book which is book 10 in the series.
Two years ago Kia’s ex-husband tried to force her into a menage. Knowing her marriage had been a lie, the humiliation changed her. Even when she was married she was attracted to Chase but Chase has been hurt himself. He learned that he’s no relationship material. Both think ‘Only Pleasure’ will be enough but is it??
What I loved in this book is that we get more POV’s but unfortunately it isn’t always clear directly whose POV is being told.
I also really loved Khalid and if I hadn’t read it yet I would definitely want to read his book next.
I read this book in 3 installments. This was the first one and I immediately dived into the next one
INSTALLMENT TWO
This was the second installment for book 10 in the Bound Hearts series.
Chase and Kia both thought that just the pleasure would be enough. Kia wants more and so does Chase but he fights his feelings. Chase hasn’t let himself get close to anyone lately. Do you keep on fighting for someone denying his feelings or do you let them go. Going doesn’t go easily. Let’s hope Chase will give into his feelings in time…
This book was H.O.T. There were some very steamy scenes in it and I loved the chemistry between them!
I’m ready for installment three and that HEA they both deserve
INSTALLMENT THREE
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher St. Martin’s Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
With danger lurking they finally both acknowledge their feelings but Chase hasn’t yet expressed his love. Kia however still needs to learn to trust Chase completely.
I loved this final installment but since I’m not a big fan of insta love it kind off went a little bit too fast for me.
But I really did enjoy it, the men are deliciously alpha so I look forward to read more books in this series.
I already read the next book in this series earlier and I loved that one a little bit more. If I hadn’t read it yet I would certainly do so now because the end of this book is a small prologue to book 11 with Khalid’s story.
3,25 stars for “At the Brink – 02 – To the Edge” by Anna Del Mar
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher Carina Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
What would you do if the love of your life left you 15 years ago. You never forgot him. Now you have to write a BDSM article for a blog and you have no experience with it. The man you contacted to initiate you left you cuffed in a dangerous situation. You get saved by the man you never forgot and he seems to have a kinky side. Would you ask him as a replacement??? I would definitely do it if it was Noah!!!
Noah never forgot Clara. They were still young when they met. He had plans and wanted her in it but life doesn’t always go like you want it to. Now he gets another shot. Will it work this time?
I really loved both main characters and the chemistry between them. This was a great second chance romance with a kinky side 😉
What I missed was an epilogue and some more information on the bad guy Noah is tracking online and how that part was handled.
3,5 stars for “Jericho Brotherhood – 02 – Release” by Jade Chandler
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher Carina Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
This is a sweet romance with a kinky side about a hot, tattooing biker with a need for pain and his sweet girl finding it difficult to become his property when she doesn’t have a good history with her abusive father. Will Avery’s love for Rock be strong enough to become a part of the MC. Can she handle his need for pain?
I prefer my MC books a little bit darker and hotter but this still was a wonderful well written read. What I missed was an epilogue. The story ends rather abrupt. What happened to her father? I hope we’ll read more about Rock and his Almita in the next book. Deny, Book 3 of the Jericho Brotherhood is planned for December 2016. Looking forward to this one. Will it be Jericho’s book? Or Marc?
3+ stars for “”WJM – 01 – The Anatomy of Jane by Amelia LeFay”
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher Xpresso Book Tours, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review ***
I really loved this debut for Amelia LeFay. “The Anatomy of Jane” is the first book in the WJM series. I’m already looking forward to book 2 which is expected in the fall/winter 2016.
This book brings us the story of reporter Max and famous cook Wes. Both men have been in a hidden relationship for the last few years. Revealing their relationship is not possible because of Max’s family. When they get a new house maid, Jane, both men are attracted to her. Max is working on revealing a scandal concerning a governor. Who is involved? Will a relationship between the 3 of them work? Will their secret be kept?
If they were both hanging of a cliff, and I could only choose one, I’d join them on the cliff and hope we could go together.
Even though I knew there would be a cliffhanger, I hated that!! Haha. I can’t wait for the next book…
I really loved this steamy, hot book. I haven’t read much MM books yet but I can tell you that it was H.O.T. ! There are also some very hot MMF and MFM scenes. I loved both men and admired Jane’s strength.
3+ stars for “Bought by Nicolette Hugo”
*** ARC kindly provided by The Fifty Shades Support group on GoodReads and the author, in exchange for an honest review. ***
10 months ago Scar was kidnapped by the cartel to force Killian to work with them. This event was tragic for both of them. Both handle it in their way. Killian doesn’t feel worth touching his wife until he finds the kidnapper and makes him suffer. He can’t forgive himself untill he manages that. Scarlet needs to be touched and gets this with Jerricho. Jerricho is on the run and being blackmailed. To get money he sells himself as a dom. He is a sadist and gets Scar’s masochist side to surface. Scar and Killian have had other men of women in their bed but Killian doesn’t know how to feel about Jerricho.
This book had some hot, kinky scenes in it including MM and MMF. I loved this intense, well written story and look forward to read more from this author! A few months ago I read Exhibition and loved it…
What I missed was an epilogue…
4 stars for “Iron Horse MC – 01 – Exquisite Trouble by Ann Mayburn”
*** Copy kindly provided by the publisher Barclay Publicity, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. ***
I have already read the third book in this series ‘Exquisite Redemption’ and loved it. That book is about Beach (the MC’s president) & Sarah (Swan’s sister). I loved that book so when this first book in the series popped up on NetGalley I just had to request it!! And it didn’t disappoint…
It’s the story of Swan. She’s a little bit socially awkward and can’t handle being touched by people she doesn’t trust. She doesn’t know it yet but her life is in danger. When hot, alpha Smoke (Master at Arms of the Iron Horse MC) comes to her rescue she immediately feels safe and doesn’t mind his touch. Because of her thrust and touch issues she’s still a virgin but being near Smoke makes her want to wanton. Her sister is missing. Sarah’s trying to find their mom who is the cause for both Sarah and Swan’s lives being in danger. Swan and Smoke now want to find Sarah.
I loved both Smoke and Swan. Especially Swan … just like her sister Sarah she’s a kicka$$ woman! I loved how strong and smart she is! Mini spoiler : There is even a mini scene where she takes out her father and I loved it.
I totally love Smoke. He can be arrogant and scary but like the author describes him in the book he is a romantic biker in a pornographic way 😀 I loved his patience and his Fortune Cookie worthy quotes!
Besides Smoke and Swan there are so many great characters in this book … Vance, Hustler, Mr Sokolov, her stepmom Mimi. I crave a book about Hustler! I want him ;D
I’m looking forward to read more from this series and give this book 4 stars! This book ends in an HFN and continues in book 2 : Exquisite Danger
Me and my book addiction 