Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new erotic BDSM romance from Christine d’Abo. SUBMISSIVE SEDUCTIONS is a fun book that follows a novice sub as she explores the world of kink with Gareth, a widower who’s not quite sure what he’s in for, I think…

About the book:
Sometimes getting what you want…makes you crave something more

Purchasing a Dom from a charity auction was the wildest thing Liz had ever done. The chance to bring her secret fantasy to life, to be a submissive—even just for one night—was worth any price. And Gareth was everything she wanted in a Master. He touched, he taught, he tantalized. He opened her world to pleasures she’d never imagined. But was it enough?

After one night turned into a blurred-line relationship, Liz’s feelings for Gareth went beyond desire. Yet the kink, no matter how hot, had her wondering if she could ever have a normal relationship. Her Dom was a man with a tragic past and he’d put rules in place from the start.  If Liz chose to break them would she lose the intense passion she’d just discovered—as well as the man she loves?

My Review:
Liz is a young, professional woman who believes she *might* be into kink. Her bestie/apartment mate is a confirmed sub engaged to a Dom. Connie has invited Liz to her regular BDSM club for a charity Dom/sub auction. Connie’s hand-picked a Dom for Liz to bid for, and Liz is stunned to learn that the beautiful man she admired backstage, Gareth, is the same man Connie was hoping she’d win.

Liz does win Gareth, a slightly older man who happens to be a widower, and is having his first foray into the scene since his wife/sub died tragically four years ago. Liz and Gareth bond, and share a scene, but is this the end?

The book is written in three parts, the auction, the chase and the submission. It’s all told from Liz’s POV, which is fine. She’s brash and funny and her internal thoughts made me laugh out loud. She wants to explore a real and true relationship, but must proceed slowly because Gareth is reluctant. He’s still grieving. I really liked how Liz turned the tables on Gareth, how she was assertive in her desires. It’s always refreshing when a sub is a bit bratty, and Liz is definitely that!

I think this book is strong because the relationship develops over the course of several months. It’s thoughtful and considerate. Neither Gareth nor Liz are 100% confident 100% of the time, and that’s refreshing. They acknowledge their shortcomings and their fears, which allows the reader to step inside this dynamic easily. I love how uncertain Liz is, regarding BDSM. I love that she questions her desires, wonders if they are real, wonders if they are appropriate. It felt very genuine. Her reliance on both Connie and Gareth as guides in these new experiences felt natural, as well.

Having read a number of books in this genre, I have to say I liked this one. It’s fun and flirty, and fair-minded.

Interested? You can find SUBMISSIVE SEDUCTIONS on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the Author:
A romance novelist and short story writer, Christine d’Abo has over thirty publications to her name. She loves to exercise and stops writing just long enough to keep her body in motion too. When she’s not pretending to be a ninja in her basement, she’s most likely spending time with her family and two dogs.

You can catch up with Christine online on her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!