M

I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-Wicked Ties by Shayla Black

by | May 9, 2022 | Book Reviews | 3 comments

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

About The Book

She didn’t know what she wanted…

Morgan O’Malley has seen a lot of kinky things as the hostess of a cable sex talk show. But she’s never met a man like Jack Cole before. A self-proclaimed dominant, he’s as alpha as a male can get—and good for Morgan to have around when an obsessed stalker ratchets up his attempts to get to her.

Until he made her beg for it.

Though Jack is a bodyguard, Morgan feels anything but safe in his presence because, slowly and seductively, Jack is bringing her deepest fantasies to the surface. And when he bends her to his will, what’s more shocking than her surrender is how much she enjoys it—and starts to crave his masterful touch. A willing player in Jack’s games, Morgan knows that his motives aren’t pure, but she has no idea how personal they are…

I want you to burn for me. I want all your fire and independence and sass underneath me. I want to show you what you secretly yearn for and try not to—and how good it can be.

My Review

First Impressions

Wicked Ties is the first book in the Wicked Lovers series. This has been a book that has been on my shelf for quite some time. I really grabbed this one up based on an impulse because it sounded so good at the time and I am still not sure why it has taken me so long to read it. I do wish that I had read this one much sooner as it was a stellar read and I just couldn’t put this one down. There was so much goodness in this book and I was all for it. I was intrigued by the way that this author wrote this book and the way that she presented the BDSM elements. There is also a mix of chemistry and angst that worked out so well and we got introduced to some side characters whom I am really looking forward to their stories as well. I do think if you are a fan of the more classic erotic romance like Beth Kerry, then this is definitely going to be a book for you, There is such intimate growth in this story and I was overwhelmed by the level of emotion that this author is able to convey here.

His most important goal is to earn his partner’s trust. Trust is important in any relationship, but especially in one involving Dominance/submission. Without that, how can a woman freely put herself in a man’s care and know that her well-being and safety will always be first? How can she know her master will understand her so he can make her every wicked fantasy come true?

Summary

Wicked Ties starts off with our heroine, who is a famous show host, who talks openly about sex and different themes surrounding that. But when she has a dangerous stalker after her, she decides to flee to the south where her half-brother is and where she is provided a safe haven. But when she reaches out to an experience dominant who she wants more research on as she plans on doing a BDSM segment, during their meeting, they are attacked by her stalker who found her. And now she has a sexy dominant bodyguard who is aiming to protect her and make sure she is safe but is also determined to show her personally the advantages to being a submissive and opening herself up to her inner desires. Morgan has always had submissive tendencies, but due to past experience, she has closed herself off from it and doesn’t know where to turn. She is torn in her needs and Jack knows that she is a natural submissive and wants to show her the beauty and discovery in embracing that part of her. But Morgan and Jack will continue on a path of discovery and intimacy while also trying to discover who the stalker is and find their own way to their HEA.

What I Loved

Wicked Ties was such a captivating story and I was stunned by what is conveyed in this book. From the very beginning, I was stunned by the level of intimacy that is built between our characters,. There is something very special about reading a BDSM romance, and this author handled it so well. I loved how alpha our hero is and not just in the bedroom. I also didn’t expect the revenge plot to be introduced. I actually felt like it could have been taken out, but I think it has more relevance for a story later on in the series which is probably why it was implemented here. (although I adore revenge plots). I also found the growth between Jack and Morgan’s relationship to be so intricately beautiful in various aspects. I loved the level of trust that is encouraged in this and the open communication that is focused on primarily. This is true for BDSM relationships, and there is such an intense form of intimacy that you will find in a BDSM romance over the “vanilla” haha I will be honest I don’t read BDSM too much, but when its done well, I will gobble it up. The heat level in this book is pretty steamy, while also there is a major plot and growth of a romantic relationship. I also really enjoyed the menage scene that is placed in. I actually really liked this. I am a big fan of Deke (who is the best form of Jack) and I loved their friendly bantering and I am intrigued by who Deke ends up with later on in the series. I really felt like the scene was well done and it was just a one-time implementation. The only time I am actually okay with these types of scenes is in an erotic romance. I also want to clarify that this isn’t an erotic story (there is a HUGE difference between erotica and erotic romance). This is most definitely a romance, and seeing the deep level of intimacy that is built within this story was superb.

You’re not an idiot. You’re a challenge. You’ve got a saucy mouth that makes me crazy. I can’t decide if I should spank you, laugh, or get you underneath me so all that fire can blister me as I sink deep into you.

What I Struggled With

Honestly, I think if there is anything that I would have made better, is the angst between Jack and Morgan. I felt like the angst was stretched a bit too much in some moments but other than that, the story was just what I was looking for.

Overall View

I found Wicked Ties to be a magnificent story that built well the ties of the BDSM world, the level of trust and openness that is required and delivered a kick ass plot that only intrigued me more into wanting to try out more of this author’s work. OUTSTANDING IN EVERY WAY!

You need someone you can trust with your safety and pleasure, mind, body, and soul. I think that makes you wonderful and perfect.

Title: Wicked Ties

Author: Shayla Black

Genre: Erotic Romance

Format: Trade Paperback

Source: Owned/TBR

Length: 341 Pages

Amazon| Barnes and Noble| Kobo| Goodreads| LibraryThing| StoryGraph| Literal Club

Book Evaluation

Storytelling Quality: 4.5

Story Itself: 4.5

Character Development: 4.25

Writing Style: 5

World Building 5

Feels + The Romantic Heart 4.75

Pacing 5

Plot 4

Cover Art 4

Ending 5

Book Ratings

Overall Rating of the Book

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Steam Level

Simmering—soft warm touches and light intimacy

Warm- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Trigger Warnings

Violence, Stalking, Gun Violence, Infidelity

Series Order

Wicked Ties

Wicked Ties-Pub 2007 #1 in the Series

Decadent-Pub 2007 #2 in the Series

Delicious-Pub 2010 #3 in the Series

Surrender to Me-Pub 2011 #4 in the Series

Belong to Me-Pub 2011 #5 in the Series

Wicked to Love-Pub 2011 #5.5 in the Series

Mine to Hold-Pub 2012 #6 in the Series

Wicked All The Way-Pub 2012 #6.5 in the Series

Ours to Love-Pub 2013 #7 in the Series

Wicked All Night-Pub 2015 #7.5 in the Series

Forever Wicked-Pub 2014 #7.75 in the Series

Theirs to Cherish-Pub 2014 #8 in the Series

His to Take-Pub 2015 #9 in the Series

Pure Wicked-Pub 2015 #9.5 in the Series

Wicked for You-Pub 2015 #10 in the Series

Falling in Deeper-Pub 2016 #11 in the Series

Dirty Wicked-Pub 2016 #11.5 in the Series

A Very Wicked Christmas-Pub 2017 #11.75 in the series

Holding on Tighter-Pub 2017 #12 in the Series

About The Author

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than eighty contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

As an only child, Shayla occupied herself by daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and started pursuing a publishing career. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America, her heart was with her stories and characters, so she left her pantyhose and power suits behind.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, gaming, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Website|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram

You May Also Like…

ARC Book Review-My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long

ARC Book Review-My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long

About The Book In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long’s latest installment in the Palace of Rogues series, a notorious rake meets his match in a doe-eyed girl from the country, changing the course of both of their futures… A London season is the chance of a...

Book Review-Wilde for You by Jennifer Ryan

Book Review-Wilde for You by Jennifer Ryan

About The Book New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s page-turning Dark Horse Dive Bar series continues with this story of love lost...and found…as a widow seeking to heal her heart crosses paths with a rancher/bartender who offers her a taste of...

Book Review-Leopard’s Hunt by Christine Feehan

Book Review-Leopard’s Hunt by Christine Feehan

About The Book The next exhilarating Leopard novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan. In this pulse-pounding novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Leopard series, animal instinct unites two elite shifters whose heads are at war...

3 Comments

  1. JoLee

    Beautiful review. I loved this book.

    Reply
  2. Jen

    I feel like I read this one way back in the day. If not, I definitely own it and maybe I read a novella in the series? I used to really enjoy SB’s stories, but I haven’t read her in forever. Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
  3. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

    I read this one years and years ago (maybe 10 years?) and honestly remember nothing about it. My rating tells me I enjoyed it, it’s just been too long to recall details. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to JoLeeCancel reply