Saving Micah (Sequel to Conquering Jude) by Dakota Lee Trace

Story: 4
Presentation:8
Total: 12
Publisher: eXcessica
BDSM
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Blurb: Once active in the BDSM lifestyle, Myrna Doherty was betrayed by the very man who’d promised to love her and her submissive obedience forever: her husband and Master. When Grant leaves both her and Caelan behind Myrna vows to never allow herself to depend upon any Dom again. She never expects to go back on her vow, but then again she never expects her home to be invaded by Doms and subs for the holidays in the disguise of her family.

Panicked at the idea of alienating what little family she has left, she comes up with a plan. She turns to the one man left in the lifestyle she trusts: Amery Alastar, Caelan’s former mentor. She prays that he’ll agree to help ease her back into the now unfamiliar world of BDSM. After all it’s only temporary - until Christmas is over and she can return to her normal life. At least it’s what she tells herself, never realizing Amery has a completely different outcome in mind: he wants her submission and not just temporarily.

Review: I liked the beginning of the story. Olivia and Jude went to rescue Micah, after he was badly brutalized by a Domme and her sub. BDSM isn't my thing, but I don't mind reading about it. I don't have it in me to be either a domme or a sub, but a story isn't real life. I thought things were moving along pretty good, Olivia and Jude were getting Micah to trust them again. Then the author through in Jude's 5 year old daughter, and some of the things she'd overheard both from her mother and from Jude. That was a strain on the book right there, for me. Then at the end, Olivia has a collaring ceremony in a BDSM club, to which Jude's daughter was invited. Granted, the author did say that Olivia went to great lengths to make the club 'kid friendly', but that just sealed the deal for me right there. No 5 year old should, in my opinion, be in a club like that at all. So I have reservations about this book. It's half & half for me, about recommending it. I'm trying not to be biased because I don't get into the whole BDSM lifestyle, but it's hard because the author had Jude's daughter there, and participating in the collaring. Granted, only hading the collars to Olivia, but still... I can't help thinking that children shouldn't be exposed to this, and knowing they're exposed to so much worse sometimes. 

A Moment Out of Time by Dakota Trace

Story 7
Presentation 8.5
Total: 15.5
Publisher: Written Expressions
Contemporary Romance
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Blurb: It’s been a year since the floods had decimated Cedar Rapids, an urban city in Eastern Iowa. For Noah Martin, a firefighter and rescue worker during the floods, nothing has been the same. After losing his heart to a petite woman he’d tried to rescue, he’d been devastated when the flood waters had took her from him. He’s haunted by her memory and what could’ve been if he’d only been a little stronger, held onto her a little longer.

Unbeknownst to Noah, Alessandra “George” Georgiadis had survived the floods but the memory of her promise to him, has haunted her. She’d promised him their time together would only be a moment out of time. Even though, she longed to see the sexy firefighter once more, she’d told herself it was best this way. After all they hadn’t even exchanged more than their first names; how deep could their bond possible go?

But what will happen to her best intentions when Noah and she cross paths in the most unexpected of places? Will the love and desire they found for only a brief moment rekindle, or will Alessandra hide behind her disability?

Review: Dakota never fails to deliver a thought provoking story. A Moment Out of Time was no exception. I loved the premise of the story, loved that Fate may have had a hand in bringing together two people who needed each other.

Noah is true hero material, risking his life for others. When Alessandra is in danger, he doesn’t think of his own safety. He has a job to do. But alone, scared, she needs more from him than rescued and Noah is drawn to her. It was a poignant moment that made the rest of a somewhat unbelievable story, believable.

The connection for these two is instant and while, I don’t usually buy into the love at first glance or love after a single encounter, I think in this case, when faced with a life or death situation, two people could forge a connection.

Fifteen Minutes to Live by Dakota Trace

Story: 7.5

Presentation: 9

Total: 16.5

Publisher: eXcessica

Erotic

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Blurb: With her kids grown and gone, erotic author, Dannie Marion is thrilled when her publisher has invited her to participate in a publicity promotion for them. After joking around and telling her agent she'd love to interview Seanlaoch Conner, the Scottish actor who'd fueled many of her adolescent fantasies, she never dreamed they'd come through. Now in his sixties, Seanloach rarely gave interviews and was quite reclusive. She doubted he would lured out of his self imposed exile for a simple interview with her.

When the call came telling her to pack her bags and head to London, she was both shocked and excited. It wasn't every day a girl got to interview the man of her fantasies. After arriving to start her interview with Seanlaoch a horrible accident occurs at Her Majesty's Naval Base and experts say that the citizens of London have no way of escaping the coming tragedy.

Then Seanlaoch makes an offer to live their last minutes to the fullest, Dannie is very tempted. How can she refuse? After all she only has fifteen minutes to live.

Warnings: This title contains graphic language, piercings, sex, and violence.

Review: The story had a nice set up, but the content soon becomes toxic. I think the author brilliantly penned a tale that if anyone were faced with the choice of what to do for their last 15 minutes of life, would agree with Dannie and Sean. Sex. Hard, gritty and deliciously tingly. But I was troubled by some aspects. Attention was brought to some details that didn’t have relevance to the encounter. I won’t spoil the ending but I found it cliché. However the beginning and the middle do hold up the story and make it enjoyable and worth reading.

The Fall of a Legacy: A Christmas Miracle by Dakota Trace

Story: 6.75

Presentation: 8

Total: 14.75

Publisher: eXcessica

Erotic

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Blurb: Christmas has come and Rebekah Archer, the last disciple of Diana, the goddess of the hunt, is expecting her mates’ babies. Twin brothers and disciples of Apollo, Jase and Dustin Rambaudi, are both pushing Rebekah to marry them unaware of the legacy which has been passed mother to daughter for generations in Archer family. Once the babies are born, Rebekah has to return to Diana with her children and leave her mates behind until the mating ritual happens.As the fulfillment of the legacy draws near, Jase and Dustin whisk Rebekah off to Italy as an early Christmas present after learning about Rebekah’s legacy. While in Italy, Rebekah enjoys the time spent with her mates, she’s never aware their plans for her. Apollo has foreseen their sons being born under a sacred cypress tree in Diana’s grove. If Rebekah gives birth there Diana will take her and babies for sure. Only a Christmas miracle will be able to keep their family together.

Review: The Fall of a Legacy is a short little holiday treat. In only a few pages, Ms. Trace brings to life a cast of mythical characters. Rebekah and her mates, Jase and Dustin are awaiting the birth of their daughters. Once born, their triad will end. Only the gods Diana and Apollo have the power to deliver the three a Christmas miracle.

For a short story the sex is good, the characters likable, and the ending cheerful, just like a holiday story should be. The dialog is natural and the action is fast. I know in a short story there isn’t much time for details. I never really “saw” the characters or where they were in my mind, especially the brothers. The little details that paint the mental imagery sadly weren’t there for me. But the story is good and I hoped Rebekah, Jase and Dustin received their Christmas miracle.