Judith’s review of Forbidden Desires (Bondage & Breakfast, #2) by Jodie Griffin
When it comes to sex, Bella Massey wants a man who’ll get down on his knees and beg. And although she’s got the hots for firefighter Marcus Aiello, she can’t believe an alpha male like him could have a submissive bone in his body.
Marcus isn’t looking for a relationship, but Bella is not like any woman he’s ever met. When he discovers what the sexy librarian is really looking for in a man, he’s even more intrigued. But giving up control is difficult for Marcus—no matter how much he desires it.
Despite their intense attraction, Marcus and Bella’s budding relationship is at an impasse. Until a weekend at a unique B&B offering all manner of naughty nightly activities teaches them both just how good it can feel to lose control
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In this recent series from Carina Press, author Jodie Griffin has given a new definition to the initials B & B — not Bed & Breakfast as it is most often assumed, but Bondage & Breakfast. In both the stories in this series there are aspects of BDSM which come into the tale, mostly as people are discovering their inner and often deeply buried desires, the kind of kinky urges that make all the difference in their sexual relationships. So it is with the main characters in this story. Both Bella and Marcus are discovering lots about themselves as well as discovering that they share lots in common when it comes to behavior in the bedroom. What is the problem then? Well . . . for both Bella and Marcus there is the fact that neither are really comfortable with what they are learning about themselves. Both come from backgrounds that are very traditional and both are caught up in the view of male/female relationships that assign very clear roles as to who is in charge and who isn’t.
We all know, however, that what is often deemed socially acceptable is not how people are built, how they respond to life and live on the inside, what really makes interpersonal relationships come alive. L earning to accept what many would consider aberrant about themselves was the factor that kept Bella and Marcus from realizing how perfect they were for each other and it took a really awful crisis during a fire to make Marcus recognize that he needed what Bella could give him. It was then that Bella also began to wonder how much she was willing to sacrifice all for the sake of what others thought. It also took the wisdom and life experience of three ninety year old ladies in an old folks’ home to remind both Bella and Marcus that life is too short to forego a rich and satisfying love relationship just because of the judgments and criticisms of others.
This is a very intense, emotional story that draws on the heart strings, brings in the wisdom to age into the arena of you love and gives readers a story that also challenges the social “norms” and calls all of us to widen our views about the way people express their love for one another. It is a terrific read. It is a story that will be entertaining to the mind and the libido should like it, too.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
The series:
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. This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Sounds like this one makes you think about yourself besides providing an entertaining story. Thanks for the review and bringing it to my attention.