To Serve is Divine
Publisher Description
***Contains explicit sexual content (including multiple partners and gender pairings) and mature situations which could be trigger-inducing for some readers.***
Catherine O’Chancey is a reserved, demure, and graceful submissive. All traits she trained hard to enhance when she discovered the world of Dominance and submission in college. In an attempt to start fresh after the unexpected death of her last Dom, Catherine moves to Dallas, TX to escape the shroud of darkness he left behind in her life. She has tried to fight the need that resides deep within her to submit, but finally has to admit she can’t for it is not a choice, but part of who she truly is. After months of mental preparation, she ventures back into the lifestyle by attending a coveted open-night event at Dungeons and Dreams, an exclusive BDSM club.
Is it fate or coincidence that Catherine garners the attention of one of the club’s board members who happens to be on the hunt for the perfect sub – a partner who enjoys receiving pain and pleasure as much as he enjoys doling it out?
Jayden Masterson is many things: a firm Dom, a shrewd businessman, and a gentleman. What he isn’t, is someone who partakes in relationships outside of contractual ones with his multiple, un-collared, regular submissives. While he likes rough sex, he is not an animal, and can find pleasure only if it is consensual. What his harem is missing is a pain slut; could there be one in his future?
Upon meeting Catherine, Jayden feels an instantaneous spark inside him that has him wanting to know not just her body, but her mind. He wants to unravel her mysteries and discover her secrets. Through pain can they find the pleasure they seek? Can part-time pain lovers find full-time fulfillment when it’s not in their contract?
Customer Reviews
Addictive page-turner
Overall:
Fun from the start, I was hooked early on between the setting and what was clearly complex character design. The setting is a little dark, a lot fun, and totally plausible, thus hooking me instantly.
This is my first R.E. Hargrave read, and will not be my last.
Cover/Formatting:
Though perhaps not perfectly executed, it is good in concept, fits the content well.
Editing/Proofing:
It’s decent… some mistakes/types/misspellings/misused words noted, but not enough to distract from the reading experience.
Character Design:
I could tell from the very first few paragraphs that it was complex. Hargrave has a masterful way of exposing the character’s inner workings to the reader without breaking for the action, and at some points, without even being in the voice of the character we’re meeting at the time, if that makes sense. There’s rotating POVs and while in the head of one, we can also get to know the other from his observations. I enjoyed this a ton.
Continuity:
Decent… a few questions arose at times but minor.
I’m going to give this 4 stars for addictivity and mostly-professional appearance.
Note: Does end on a cliffhanger but as Book 2 is immediately available, I do not see how anyone can hold this against the author at this time. :)