Awaken by Nina Lane

Arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review

5 Amazing Stars 

Reading “Awaken” was a bittersweet experience.  It felt as if I waited AN ETERNITY for the conclusion of Professor Dean and Olivia’s love story.  Now that I read it, and consumed each beautifully written word, I am saddened that it is over.  The only consolation I have is that I can revisit their lives at anytime, courtesy of my trusted kindle.  I will definitely put this series on my must “re-read” list.

My husband doesn’t just love me. He knows how to love me. He knows what I need and when I need it, sometimes even better than I do. He knows how to unfold all the tight, rough parts of me and smooth them out with one glide of his hand. He knows how to prove that he—and only he—understands every crevice of my soul. He knows how to remind me that I am forever safe within his heart.

“Awaken” is a passionate romantic tale of two imperfect souls joined together to create the perfect love.  Professor Mc-hottie Pants, Dean West, is sexy as all hell.   His sizzling pillow talk coupled with explosive erotic sex scenes is down right panty melting.  He can be gentle, yet seductive, sensual, dominating and commanding.  Totally yummy.  Each time he calls Olivia “my beauty”, he makes my heart both race and swell.  Dean’s eloquent way with words touched my soul.

“You don’t know that I started believing in impossible things after I met you. Maybe a person could slide down a rainbow or taste the clouds or count to infinity. Why not, if there was Liv in the world? The stars shone brighter, the colors of the world became more vivid, everything was clearer, happier, better. All because of you.”

Facing difficult times, Olivia and Dean are dealing with their emotions from a recent miscarriage. To make matters worse, Dean is facing accusations of sexual harassment from the infamous major bitch face, Maggie Hamilton. With his career in jeopardy and the future unknown, Dean is forced into temporary leave from his professorship. Leaving King’s University behind, taking a position as an advisor on an archeological dig in Italy, he is far from the one person that can give him comfort.  While apart, Liv and Dean agree to relive the early days of their relationship and “court” one another while falling in love again. Dean - a knightly, faithful servant will “woo” Liv, his commanding exalted mistress.  This adds a bit of fun and sweetness into their lives and acts as a distraction to all the outside forces trying to pull them apart.  Dean’s display of affection proves how his love for Liv is all consuming.

"You knocked my heart right out of my chest. Sent it up to the stars. I looked at you and thought. “I could fall in love with her.” I didn’t know that I already had.  I’m going to kiss you for a long time tonight."

Being separated geographically, they manage to get by with loads of hot phone sex, erotic texts and kinky skyping – FUN! 

I feel him in the world, a powerful, unyielding presence who will forever be my shelter of safety and warmth. And because of that, the distance between us doesn’t seem quite so vast, and my aloneness not quite so alone.

Liv, never wanting to be apart from Dean, struggles.  But it is during this separation that she re-invents herself and rises to the challenge of becoming a stronger, more independent woman. She is prepared to stand along side Dean upon his return and together they will conquer all obstacles.

“Beauty, you make me want to stop time so I can look at you forever.”

Although Dean alone is enough to tickle your girly bits, it was Olivia’s character development that had fascinated me.  In the first two books in this series, Olivia was emotionally fragile and broken – evoking Dean’s inner protective alpha side.  Here, Liv’s persona has transformed.  Symbolically, if Dean is the foundation that holds up their relationship, Olivia is a faithful pillar, bearing its fair share of the weight. Olivia’s strength blooms and flourishes under his care.  There is a mutual feeding of the souls – Dean fortitude aids in uplifting Olivia, while Olivia keeps Dean grounded.  Realizing not all things in life can be under his control is a difficult task for him.  His obsession and weakness is Olivia, and he would do anything to assure her wellbeing.  Olivia’s new found mettle and fearlessness carries him through the uncertainties of his job, dealing with fears of parenthood and Liv’s witch of a mother while assuring him that she has the power to overcome any challenges. It was a wonderful watching her take the lead and become the glue that holds their relationship and Dean’s sanity together. 

“Olivia West. My best friend, my wife, my girl, my key to everything good, my beauty…”

I am absolutely in love with Dean and Olivia. Their story touched my heart in so many ways – bringing me laughter, joy and sorrow. They were deliciously sizzling yet heartwarmingly mushy. This series is a MUST READ for true fans of romance. “Awaken” was perfectly written in dual point of views, which gave me the insight to both characters.  Nina Lane is an excellent writer who stirs a various array of emotions from her readers.  Even though I hate to let the Spiral of Bliss series go I look forward to more great stories from this author in the future. 

Olive you berry much

Becoming Sir by Ella Dominguez

My rating: 3.5 - 4 Sizzling Stars

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

“Becoming Sir” is the story of Sawyer’s journey into the world of BDSM, self discovery, the meaning of becoming a true Dom and finding love.  What’s in store for him is a  road paved with several detours coupled with lots of steamy club scenes.

Sawyer “Domly One"

Sawyer, a former CIA badass turned security specialist is experiencing struggles in his life.  He is a recovering alcoholic, still mourning the loss of his wife Serena to cancer, the demons of his past continue to haunt him and he is reeling from a break-up with Sonya (who has jerked him around).  Becoming a Dom seems to help him put his life in order, but he is battling with the concept of “punishments”, which makes his training somewhat challenging.  I would have liked to explore more of Sawyer’s “darkness”, reaching deeper into his soul to discover his pain.

I found that there was a difference in Sawyer’s character that does not fit the norm of the stereotypical dominant alpha-male.  Perhaps this difference is part of his persona and part of his struggle.  At times, Sawyer seemed to be fickle when it comes to desire. He was indecisive. There are three women in his life: Sonya, his ex that which he still has feelings for. Sarah “Snowflake”, a submissive who aids in his Dom training.  And Ciara, a sub in training who is under his care.  His emotions are entwined between these three sexy women. Sawyer seemed more of a “love the one you're with” type of man instead of having the possessive alpha-caveman “MINE” mentality.  Eventually, he realizes only one holds the key to his heart...

My favorite character is Sahara “Snowflake”.  She too is mourning the loss of her husband/Master and her sorrow pulled on my heartstrings.  It is Snowflake’s strength that aides Sawyer work past his struggles.

“Your face was so bright the first time I saw you, and the added color of your eyes and the way your skin shimmered under the lights... you reminded me of a beautiful Snowflake.”
“You taste pure and clean, like freshly fallen snow."

“Becoming Sir” is a fast pace, ultra sizzling read about a heart broken man taking control of his destiny, discovering his dominant ways and the beauty that lies in a lovers submission.