Raine Kendall has been in love with her boss, Macen Hammerman, for years. Determined to make the man notice that she’s a grown woman with desires and needs, she pours out her heart and offers her body to him—only to be crushingly rejected. But when his friend, very single, very sexy Liam O’Neill watches the other Dom refuse to act on his obvious feelings for Raine, he resolves to step in and do whatever it takes to help Hammer find happiness again, even rousing his friend’s possessive instincts by making the girl a proposition too tempting to refuse. But he never imagines that he’ll end up falling for her himself.
Hammer has buried his lust for Raine for years. After rescuing the budding runaway from an alley behind his exclusive BDSM Dungeon, he has come to covet the pretty submissive. But tragedy has taught him that he can never be what she needs. So he watches over her while struggling to keep his distance. Liam’s crafty plan blindsides Hammer, especially when he sees how determined his friend is to possess Raine for his own. Hammer isn’t ready to give the lovely submissive over to any other Dom, but can he heal from his past and fight for her? Or will he lose Raine if she truly gives herself—heart, body, and soul—to Liam?
Let me start by saying that the writing of One Dom to Love as well as the storyline and its pacing are very well done. The angst and steam run rampant throughout the book, and they both kept my interest throughout the duration of the text. Another aspect of the story that works well is the amount of emotions that will be drawn from the readers. Whether it’s in the characters’ choices, the learning of their pasts, or the emotional turmoil the characters are experiencing, readers will feel an abundance of feelings towards all three of the main characters, both good and bad.
It’s the likability of the two heroes and heroine that I’m still undecided on…their unadvised actions and the way bitter words flew so freely off their tongues had me cringing numerous times throughout the story. I’m not a huge fan of love triangles, but I didn’t allow that to dissuade me from enjoying the text. It’s just that Raine, Hammer, and Liam make such rash decisions throughout the story that greatly affect all three of them and the repercussions of those actions and words are never acknowledged until it’s too late. It’s a fucked up situation that has no happy ending for at least one of the people involved, and if things continue to go the way that they are with neither of the Doms relenting in their individual missions, they may both end up losing the woman who has grown to mean so much to both of them.
Hammer appears to be a cruel bastard on the surface, taking what he wants from other submissives and never giving Raine, the one he truly wants to be with, the time of day. Six years ago, he took her in and has slowly helped her to grow as both a person and a woman. His past makes him unable to claim Raine, so he pushes her away and denies her his love and body at every turn. As a Dom, he has certain preferences in how he takes his women and the duties they perform for him, and Hammer just doesn’t think Raine is ready for a lifestyle like that, but he wouldn’t really know because he never gives her the chance to see. It’s hard to like anything about Hammer, especially with how he treats Raine and the impulsive things he says and does in the heat of the moment that send a sobbing Raine away from him.
Liam is Hammer’s best friend, and he knows the truth behind Hammer’s actions towards Raine, and he wants to help his friend claim the woman he loves. But in the process of doing what he believes to be an honorable duty, his own feelings for Raine take over and his actions become those of a Dom who wants to claim a submissive, not of a friend who wants to show his best mate what Raine can truly be for him. I see why Liam made the decisions he does, but I also feel like he crosses a line when he claims Raine for himself. I understand that when feelings come into play, there’s no telling what can happen, but his instant reaction to Raine from the beginning of his ruse should have told him to pull back and regroup, but it was already too late for that and now he has to face the repercussions of his actions just like Hammer.
Raine’s character and her actions make the most sense to me, but I still question how she handles things, especially on the night where everything comes to a head. She’s never felt love from someone unconditionally, and she yearns for that like nothing else. She’s had a hellish childhood, which has resulted in extremely low self esteem and an inability to stay when situations get out of her control. She was hoping that Hammer would be the person to help her heal and grow as a woman and a submissive, and while he has helped her evolve, she thinks he still considers her a child, nothing more than someone to nurture not someone who can fulfill his needs and demands both in and out of the bedroom. That fact is forced down Raine’s throat with every bitter word and rash action that Hammer directs towards her shreds her heart and soul until she doesn’t have any other option but to look to another man to give her what she so desperately needs.
At the end of Book 1, Raine’s feelings are still conflicted about the two Doms in her life, and Liam and Hammer both refuse to lose her. It’s still unclear to me how everything is going to play out between these three head strong people, but one thing is for sure, all three will not come out of this situation without scars on their hearts regardless of the outcome.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
4 poison apples
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DOMS OF HER LIFE BOOK 2
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DOMS OF HER LIFE BOOK 3
RELEASING FEBRUARY 10, 2014
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* ONE DOM TO LOVE PAPERBACK SIGNED BY SHAYLA BLACK, JENNA JACOB, & ISABELLA LAPEARL*
*US & INTL GIVEAWAY*
SHAYLA BLACK
You know what they say about curiosity and the cat…but if you still want to know, read below.
Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances produced via traditional, small press, independent, and audio publishing. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
Shayla’s books have been translated in about a dozen languages. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. RT Bookclub has twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award.
A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every new book.
JENNA JACOB
Bestselling Author Jenna Jacob’s erotic romance comes from the heart of submission. With over twenty years experience in the dynamics of the BDSM lifestyle, Jenna strives to portray Dominance and submission with a passionate and comprehensive voice. Her stories will make you laugh, cry, and may leave you with a better understanding of the fulfillment found in the BDSM power exchange.
A married mom of four grown children, Jenna and her husband lives in Kansas. Her passions include her family, reading, camping, cooking, music, and riding Harleys. She loves to make people laugh with her outgoing and warped sense of humor. If you’re looking for hot romance with a kinky twist, pick up one of Jenna’s books
ISABELLA LAPEARL
My name is Isabella and I am a new Author of Erotic Fiction. I have recently published two short stories, one a stand-alone “Connexions” and the other is the first book in a series called The Quickening and is entitled “Scandalous.” The next two in the series, will be coming out in 2013 and are called “Momentum” and “Geminus” respectively.
December 4th 2012 was a WOW day of biblical proportions for me personally. My first novel was published, entitled “One Dom to Love” co-written by Best Selling New York Times Author, Shayla Black and by Author Jenna Jacob. I can’t even begin to express how privileged and thrilled I was to work with both these wonderful, incredible women, and how proud I am to call them friends. “One Dom to Love” is the first book in The Doms of her Life series and for those chomping at the bit already after finishing this book, you’ll be delighted to know that Book 2 is currently being written.
Fairest Of All Book Reviews 
Thank you so much for sharing the kinky love!! ❤
Thank you so much 😉