Book Tour for Bonds of Need by Lynda Aicher (Review & GIVEAWAY)

It's getting hot in here, so take......well, take a look at this steamy read that I'm bringing you today.  Bonds In Need by Lynda Aicher is a BDSM read with a bit of emotional baggage surrounding our protagonists.  So keep reading to get my impressions of this book and make sure to answer Lynda's question when you comment to be in the running for a bookstore gift card......

The question you posed to me is: Since the Fifty Shades phenomena, do you think readers have become more welcoming to the topic of BDSM and if so, why?

Answer: Heck, yeah! (lol)
So the why… I would guess it’s primarily because readers are now aware of it. It’s really that simple. I truly believe there was(is) a very large section of our population who 1) didn’t know what the heck BDSM was before those books and 2) were surprised that a story containing that topic could be appealing to them. So in short, that series opened people’s eyes and minds.
As a reader of erotic romance long before those books came out, it was interesting to watch as friends and family read the series with shocked amazement. And by some standards, those books are very tame. Still, that series opened the erotic romance market to a much wider audience than it had before. For that, every author in that genre should be thankful. I know I am.
I wrote and sold the first book in the Wicked Play series before Fifty Shades hit big. You should have seen the shocked looks I got when I told some fellow PTA moms what I was writing. Neither of them knew what BDSM stood for nor had they heard of erotic romance. When I explained the term and the genre, it was truly one of those open-mouthed stares moments. Me, I found it fun. After all, it’s just a made-up story. It’s entertainment. And Fifty Shades has more than proven that fun can come in many different varieties.

Here’s my question to you:  Did you read erotic romance before Fifty Shades or did that series get you into the genre?

When Kendra Morgan attends a party at an exclusive sex club, she's not driven by mere curiosity. Hoping to prove she's put the past behind her, Kendra must instead face up to needs she's denied for too long. Despite her lingering fears, she can't resist the temptation to play…

Deklan Winters has had his eye on his attractive neighbor for months, but only senses Kendra is no stranger to the BDSM scene when she walks into his club. And he can tell that's not her only secret. What surprises him is his own overwhelming desire to give her what she craves—and to show her a side to the Dom/sub relationship she's never known.

With Deklan's guidance, Kendra begins to accept her forbidden needs and to recognize the fine line between pleasure and pain. But when her former Master returns to reclaim her, it will take all her courage—and all of Deklan's love—to defy her past.

EXCERPT:

Deklan was drawn back to the cause of their quarrel. Kendra Morgan. Jake was leading the women through the crowd to a reserved table located in an alcove under the balcony. Kendra brought up the rear, her hips swaying with each step, her head held straight ahead with her eyes downcast. She’d dropped her resting pose to let her arms move naturally at her side, but her shoulders were back, her hands loose in a posture defining obedience.
Christ. Jake looked like he was leading a small harem to his private lair. The parting sea of people seemed to recognize the same thing, making the procession even more noticeable and drawing the attention of half the room. Deklan’s jaw tensed as he caught more than one Dom assessing the women with clear appreciation. Their eyes traveling over the three the same way he’d done earlier. The way they all paused and held on Kendra, a few leaning together, heads nodding in indication, left no question that they were drawing the same conclusion as Seth. The lady in blue was a very experienced sub who knew exactly what she was doing in this world. It smacked of trouble for reasons he couldn’t define but had learned long ago to trust.
She projected a smooth image of confidence. But he caught the quick fist of her hand, the slight shift of her chin as her gaze shot to the side before jerking back to the ground. The facade of assurance was underscored by little signals of doubt and nerves.
She jerked her head around to stare directly at him, as if she’d known he was watching her. His breath stilled as he was consumed by the challenge he saw in her eyes, throwing away every submissive indication she’d been projecting just seconds before.
Kendra didn’t smile. No taunting curl of her lips in flirtation or request. It was like she was daring him to stop her.
Or claim her.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THE BOOK:

Bonds of Need is a fast-paced read that, though part of a series, is an entertaining stand-alone that nicely balanced the intense sexual encounters with a slow and sensual burgeoning relationship.  Both protagonists are strong-willed after dealing with traumatic pasts and through their BDSM sessions are finally letting go of the remainder of the emotional baggage that's been haunting them.  What started out as strictly clinical quickly became more as they both let down their guards in an unexpectedly emotional scene that is the catalyst to their HEA.

Kendra's recently escaped from a man who claimed to be a Dom but quickly perverted the reality of what a Dom is and turned her into a prisoner.  As his slave he controlled every aspect of her life and even after escaping she still bears the physical and mental scars.  He used her desires against her and she's left doubting her own judgements and sexual needs.  Being with Deklan is a journey into accepting herself again though the treatment might seem odd.  Their sessions slowly show Kendra unfurling from her fears, as she's finally able to stand up to those who have beaten her down both emotionally and physically and this moment of strength is empowering.

Deklan has always wanted to be the savior and his rare inability to do so weigh on him.  Being with Kendra arouses those protective instincts again but to keep her he has to accept that she has to be the one to save herself.  I never felt like we got to know him as deeply as Kendra as his moment of empowerment isn't as earth shattering as Kendra's but no less satisfying as it frees them both up to grab their HEA.

The BDSM scenes in this book are intense but not as graphic as I've read in some other books.  It's definitely not BDSM-lite though as there's lots of usage seen of numerous tools of the trade as well as how those who participate in the lifestyle conduct themselves.  The clinical side of the lifestyle is nicely balanced with the emotional.

This was a fast-paced read featuring two likable characters who've been through the emotional wringer.  There's a supportive cast of secondary characters with intriguing backgrounds of their own to keep readers coming back for more.  The writing style is crisp to keep me fully immersed in the story.  My only complaint is the over the top characterization of Kendra's ex.  He was so nasty that I kept waiting for him to twist his mustache and cackle deviously.  Other than that small quibble fans of erotica will find much to satisfy them in Ms. Aicher's latest release.

My rating for this is a B.

*I received his book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN

AUTHOR INFO:

Lynda Aicher has always loved to read. It’s a simple fact that has been true since she discovered the words of Judy Blume at the age of ten. After years of weekly travel as a consultant implementing computer software into global companies, she ended her nomadic lifestyle to raise her two children. Now, her imagination is her only limitation on where she can go and her writing lets her escape from the daily duties of being a mom, wife, chauffer, scheduler, cook, teacher, volunteer, cleaner and mediator. If writing wasn’t a priority, it wouldn’t get done.

Website:  http://lyndaaicher.com

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/lyndaaicherauthor

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/lyndaaicher

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Lynda will be awarding a $50 Gift Card to Amazon, BN or ARe (Winner's Choice).

-To be entered, leave a comment answering Lynda's question, along with your email addy.

-A winner will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.

-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 3/22.