Judith’s review of A Shot in the Dark (Long Shot series #2) by Christine d’Abo
Carter is one of the hottest men ever to walk into Paige Long’s coffee shop. The attraction is mutual, and when Carter reveals himself to be a Dom, the submissive in Paige is aroused. Yet she brushes him off—her last relationship was abusive and she’s unwilling to get involved with another Dom.
But when Carter returns the next day—in his firefighter uniform—Paige’s fantasies really heat up. She can’t resist his offer to get to know him over a drink at Mavericks, a local sex club. Their conversation quickly escalates to a session in one of the private rooms, and Paige is both thoroughly satisfied by Carter’s skills in domination, and impressed with his selflessness as a lover. Paige is ready to move on with her life. But can she trust in herself and submit to happiness?
I am positive that most thinking adults are aware that fear of any kind can grow to paralyzing proportions. That is especially true of victims of abuse of any kind. Finding a way to move on and “unfreeze” is sometimes the most daunting issue. The hurts and bruises of the body can heal. But the wounds to the spirit, the ability to make decisions that are self-protecting, the faith that one can trust one’s own responses to another person are often the most difficult to bring back into place. Thus, when Paige is given a chance for a new relationship with Carter, there is a part of her that recognizes that Carter is very different from her ex. Yet Paige’s distrust of herself will be the critical issue in whether or not she can move forward with a strong and dominating man.
This is a very good sequel to the first story in this series and one that highlights some issues that are common in victims of abuse. That the abuse happened in the BDSM context is irrelevant on some levels, yet it is difficult for Paige to recognize that there are some of the BDSM activities that really do meet some basic needs in her psyche. So those readers who dislike this lifestyle or any of its attendant issues need to be aware that they are present in this story. I found this story to be compelling because of Paige’s struggle to acknowledge her own personhood, her willingness to move forward while still clinging to her distrust of herself. I was fascinated with Carter’s strength, a kind of strength that was willing to put his own needs and urges on hold in order to give Paige what she needed and to build the trust between them that was critical if any future relationship between them ever became possible. Yet he was willing to walk away if Paige couldn’t get beyond herself.
This is a short novel and as such will not require a major time investment. I think, however, that it is worth reading, and if readers liked the introduction to these three siblings in the first story, they will enjoy reading not only Paige’s story but continuing to keep abreast of Sadie’s on-going relationship and their brother’s struggle to find a “significant other” for himself. This book is well written and the story does not lag ever. The intensity continues and while the reader may want the easy solutions, there are none when a person with Paige’s history must work through the old baggage. Thus, there are complications that will keep the reader moving forward through the tale. All in all, I think is is a terrific read.
I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5
You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place
This book is available from Carina Press. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
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