Mini-Review: Desired

Desired (Club Sin #3)

by Stacey Kennedy

Blurb:

Kyler Morgan, Master at the legendary Club Sin in Las Vegas, knows how to give women what they want—too well. He hasn’t had a real challenge in a long time. Then Ella Snow enters his life. Beautiful, inhibited, and innocent in the ways of submission and domination, Ella is the new blood he’s been lusting after. Soon, the thrill of training her to embrace his world brings forth desires Kyler cannot control.

After ending an abusive relationship, Ella makes a promise to herself to start living life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons she seeks out Club Sin. Here, Kyler’s every touch is a lesson in liberation, stirring passions that have no bounds. But as she falls under Kyler’s command, Ella discovers that some secrets are so dark they must come to light. Submission alone may not be enough to save her, leaving her Master with only one question: How can he help Ella heal while unlocking the deep pleasures she craves?

Themes: erotica, BDSM

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Returning to the land of wicked and sensual excitement, Stacey Kennedy brings us back into the elite world of Club Sin, a BDSM club like no other, located in a beautiful mansion in Las Vegas and run by the sexiest Masters that can be found.  I have enjoyed the previous stories in this series for different reasons, but Desired was the first story that has really grabbed and kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end, as well as making me reach for the ice to cool me down.  Kyler and Ella are a perfect match for one another and the traumas that shaped Ella into the perfect submissive are the reasons that Kyler cannot give up on the beautiful relationship he can see for them in the future, if only she will commit to truly overcoming her past. I have read many stories along these lines and have found various reasons that I enjoyed them, but the most important thing to remember is that each novel is going to be shaded by the authors beliefs and experiences and won’t necessarily be a perfect example of what makes this lifestyle so important to so many.  With the mainstream attention on BDSM and those that practice it lately, one should never discount the emotional impact of these experiences and the true reasons that so many live the lifestyle, and for me the sex is only a small part of what makes it great, instead the emotions and connection between the D/s and the way they are expressed is why I love these stories so much.  I am dying to get to read the next book in the series, which I hope will be about Porter and Kenzie and I can see will be fiery and intense. 

Kyler and Ella are both fascinating characters, though I found myself often confused by Ella’s unwillingness to really deal with the issues that were upsetting her, especially when she began to develop deeper feelings for Kyler and he pretty much demanded she do so. Kyler is a true dominant in every sense of the word, determined to give his submissive everything she needs to find her inner strength and her happiness, even as she resist him.  The gentleness he shows her and the way he is determined to protect her show me that he is really a good man and knows Ella better than she does herself.  I was right there with him in his frustration with her, even as he fell in love with her submissive side and her strength.  When she finally faces her past and gives in to the emotional damage she has been hiding, the level of intensity and heat spikes to supernova levels.  I also loved seeing the dynamics between Kyler and the others of Club Sin and seeing him introduce Ella to them and having her experience the lifestyle for the first time.  Very rarely does someone so suited for the lifestyle not find their own way, but having a proper teacher and someone to guide you through makes all the difference.  In the end, I will say that I loved this story even more than previous books in the series and am dying for more.  I haven’t read any other works by the author, but if they are anything like the Cub Sin series, I am willing to give her a spin.  Keep the Sin and satisfaction coming, Stacey!

 *eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.