Review: THE DOMINANT by Tara Sue Me

E-galley provided by Netgalley.

The Dominant (The Submissive Trilogy #2)

by Tara Sue Me

Published by: Penguin Group - Berkley
Pub date: August 6, 2013

The continuation of the tantalizing trilogy by Tara Sue Me that has captivated millions…

Nathaniel West doesn’t lose control.

As the playboy CEO of West Industries, he governs the boardroom during the day; as a strict dominant with exacting rules, he commands the bedroom at night. He never takes on inexperienced submissives, but when Abigail King’s application comes across his desk, he breaks his own restrictions and decides to test her limits.

Abby’s combination of innocence and willingness is intoxicating, and Nathaniel is soon determined to collar her as his own. As long as she follows his orders and surrenders herself fully to him, no one will get hurt.

But when Nathaniel begins falling for Abby on a deeper level, he realizes that the trust must go both ways—and he has secrets which could bring the foundations of their entire relationship crashing down...

Review

So, I totally loved The Submissive from Abby’s POV, but let me tell you, getting inside Nathaniel West’s head is like getting high on some designer drug (or what I imagine that would feel like, since there be no designer drug usage here.) The Dominate is the same story as The Submissive except… NOT. It’s Nathaniel’s side, and while the events are the same the perspective is completely different.

This POV blows the whole story out of the water! We finally, FINALLY get to see what is actually going on in that sexy, domineering head of Nathaniel’s; and oh boy, are you in for a treat. I have a weak spot for damaged fictional men. I just do, and Nathaniel West is damaged. Emotionally at least, and who could blame him.

Nathaniel’s POV is so insightful, that I found myself relating to him very easily. Not empathetically, because I certainly haven’t experienced the tragedy that he has, but there was a whole lot of sympathy going on. All of the times in The Submissive when I was like, What the hell West?, I finally understand where he was coming from and it’s intoxicating.

I really like the way the author played this whole POV thing. It works best to have the whole story from Abby’s POV first. It sets up all the mystery of Nathaniel, and why he is the way he is. I think the story would lose a great deal if it was written from alternating POVs in one book. It’s so much more intense and satisfying getting Nathaniel’s view of things after Abby’s. You will fall in love with Abby and Nathaniel all over again, and now you’ll be dying for The Training! I know I am!

ARC Review: WALKING DISASTER by Jamie McGuire

WALKING DISASTER
By: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster.
Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.



Review:
I have been waiting (very impatiently) for Walking Disaster since I first heard that Jamie was going to write from Travis's POV. And wholly moley does Jamie McGuire deliver! I no longer give "starred" reviews, but if I did, Walking Disaster would be a 6 out of 5 stars in my book! This is not just a simple re-telling, we get to see first hand Travis's beautiful, broken, crazy heart and we finally find out just what was going through his head all that time. We get to uncover a totally brand new aspect of Travis and Abby's relationship, because no two people live the same love. And Travis was a complete and utter mystery to me when I read Beautiful Disaster (all 6 times). Let's face it, what woman doesn't want to get inside a guys head?

Jamie has done a marvelous job of taking a book that we all know, love, and let's face it, have somewhat memorized, and making it new, exciting, and completely revealing. You will recognize most of the scenes, but the new angle from Travis's POV creates a whole new experience for the reader and I found myself up all night just dying to read every last word of Travis's side of the story.

But if this new side of the story is not quite enough, Jamie took Travis and Abby's story one step further. That's right, there's an AMAZING surprise at the end of the book. One that will definitely make you smile and leaving you feeling with that happy, fulfilled feeling. So if you haven't already ordered this fabulous book, or heaven forbid you haven't even read Beautiful Disaster, what are you waiting for!? There is no other book/set that I would recommend more that Beautiful Disaster  and Walking Disaster. 

******

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REVIEW: LAST RITE (PERSONAL DEMONS #3) by Lisa Desrochers

ARC copy reviewed

Goodreads
In this final installment of the thrilling, edgy Personal Demons series, the battle between Heaven and Hell has become critical, and Frannie Cavanaugh is right at the center of it.

With the help of the powerful angel Gabe and demon-turned-mortal Luc, Frannie has been able to stay one step ahead of the forces of Hell. But when the demons killed Frannie's best friend and destroyed her brother, they raised the stakes. If Frannie wants to keep her family and friends safe, she knows she has no choice but to go on the run.

Their best defense is the power Frannie has been struggling to master, but her attempts to hone her skill go horribly awry. If Frannie doesn't learn fast, the consequences could be devastating--even apocalyptic.

What happens when you can't outrun Hell...or trust the ones you love?

My Thoughts:
Well, wow! I didn't exactly see all that coming! I mean, Last Rite was packed with action. Especially a HUGE final battle between Heaven and Hell, which I think we all knew had to happen. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out. I think each character served his/her purpose, and we finally see what Frannie's actual purpose is.

I love that Frannie is anything but perfect. She is fearful, and reckless, and not completely smart at times. However, she is also brave, and loving, and devoted. She has her flaws, and believe me we see them in Last Rite, but she has her strengths as well. And she fights. Hard! She makes mistakes, and screws up, and yes, more people die, but she accepts her purpose and ultimately makes a HUGE difference.

I'm also going to go ahead and say it... I'M SO TEAM LUC! I love me some reformed Demon Boy. And he really shines in Last Rite. Let's face it, things did not go so well for Luc in Original Sin, and things are rocky at the beginning of Last Rite, but he's Luc! So, expect great things from him.

Gabe on the other hand... my heart broke for him. And Matt, well, also not so good. I mean, he's a demon now. But expect surprises from both of these boys. And new characters, and old character, and some very surprising secrets that are revealed. Don't miss the final chapter in the Personal Demons trilogy!