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The first I have read in this series or by this author, I closed this book and went to grab the first. Wow – what a punch Griffith packs in this story, with two characters that would out-stubborn a mule if they are pushed.

I didn’t feel any great loss of story, even with this as a second book, Griffith takes the time to develop this story with background and information, and the character voices are solid and strong, able to look back on their lives and experiences as they learn to move forward.

Ruthie has been living in Las Vegas, pursuing her art and making a name for herself. Determined, independent and strong willed, blindness does not define her, it simply is another trait. I loved that about her: her refusal to curl up and whinge about what she couldn’t do, and moving forward to just do it differently. Her retreat to Vegas was to distance herself from the temptation that Toby presented: she wanted him, and he was afraid he would hurt her. Being around him and not being with him was too much.

Tobias never wanted to hurt Ruthie, in fact she gives him something that he’s never felt. But he did what he thought best for her, and pushed her away. The book starts with their separation, and gives Toby’s reasoning. Heartbreaking that he didn’t trust in her enough to share his needs and wants with her: it’s not like she was unaware of his dominant side.

When Ruthie reappears in Atlanta to visit her brother Jeremiah, and make some overtures to Toby, he is completely stunned. Harder, colder and more closed off from love and softer feelings, their separation but now with his past reappearing he also worries about danger from others. Trying again to push her away, Ruthie digs in her heels and won’t go. And we are off on a ride that is as exciting emotionally as sensually.

These two are really a wonderful combination: Ruthie trusts in Toby completely. A necessary element to their relationship trajectory. She sees him as a complete and complex being, and he gives her life a richness that is missing when he is not there. While not over-laden with sexual moments, they are steamy and sensual, as much for the action as the emotion: the tenderness and care that Toby takes with Ruthie and her utter willingness to expand her boundaries to be what he craves, even when he isn’t quite believing he can control himself. They are electric, emotional moments that display the heart of their relationship even when they aren’t necessarily talking about their feelings. Kudos to Griffith for presenting the insecurities and trust in ways that put life into the relationship and give readers plenty to swoon over.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

*Complimentary ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review.

I absolutely adored this story! Of the two books, this one was my favorite because of the connection between the hero and heroine. They were both incredibly stubborn individuals, but that stubbornness served them well to overcome their fears and fight for the type of relationship they both wanted. The fact that the heroine in this story did the chasing was what I really enjoyed about her. The BDSM in this series is tamer than Cherise Sinclair’s books, for example. These couples don’t spend all their time and explore their sexual relationship exclusively within club walls.

Ruthie may have been blind, but she was still an independent woman with a flourishing career as a painter. She was a very compassionate soul who loved with everything she had. She was open and honest about her feelings which was refreshing. And obviously, she was willing to go to great lengths to convince Tobias they were better together than apart.

I loved Tobias and all of his faults. Considering the type of people he and Jeremiah had to deal with, the thought that the ugliness of his world could touch her really scared him. Contrary to some reviews, I didn't see him as selfish, but stubborn? Absolutely. Someone mentioned that he bossed her around outside of the bedroom. The only time he did that was in regard to Sol. He didn’t know if Sol had an ulterior motive. Ruthie believed he was harmless, but by that point Tobias had good reason to worry about anyone trying to get to him through her. It didn’t fit his character to try and control her life; he only wanted to control their mutual pleasure. And as for the feeling that she caved to his mood swings too often…at the age of nine, she proclaimed to her brother that she’d marry Tobias one day and that Jeremiah should “get him for her”. She knew what she wanted, and if that meant taking a few hits to her heart, that was what she was prepared to do.

The sex/love scenes were all varying degrees of hot (from sex in the rain to desperation sex). But my favorite parts weren't the acts themselves but rather what he gave her. She was the color in his lacklustre life, and in return, he gave her color where there was only murky darkness. Romantic sap that I am, I swooned at that.

Despite the five scenes and a few other steamy ones, the author still managed to pack in a lot of story. The next book was set up with a few encounters between Dante, the new head of the Dixie Mafia, and Savannah a detective with the Atlanta PD. Their story ought to be interesting. I also hope to see Sol get a HEA with his mystery woman considering she haunted both him and Ruthie.