Power Exchange (Power Exchange, #1)

Mar 19, 2013 MsMiz (Tina) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: glbt-all, kindle-mobi

Okay - cannot pass this up - the cover alone is worth the purchase.

3.5 Updated for review.

I rather enjoyed this book. The slow boil between the murder case as well as Gavin's discovery of what he needed in partner as well as in a D/s relationship I felt was done well. This book went into great detail regarding the lifestyle, different relationships and different levels of play inside BDSM and really seemed to be honest and respectful.

What i did not like about this book was: the ending. For suc...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Akansha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, bdsm, mystery, suspense, thriller, law-enforcement, romance, first-person-pov

Exposition, exposition, too much exposition. It's like a manual on BDSM. Not to mention that Gavin, our MC is a very incompetent cop and you can spot the perpetrator a mile off.

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Jan 22, 2013 SheReadsALot rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, contemporary, law-enforcement, m-m-romance, erotic, suspense, possessive-obsessive, steamy, office-romance, doctor-or-nurse, damaged-hero, gfy-or-ofy

Those clueless about BDSM will enjoy A.J. Rose's "Power Exchange". Detective Gavin falls for his BDSM consultant on a serial murder case, Dr. Ben. Ben's a Dom therapist and Gavin's married...to a woman. So you figure them apples. But if you love Law & Order:SVU, like I do, you'll also like this story. Now while I am a huge fan of the show, the first two seasons were a little hokey.

And guess what? This read like a first season episode. There were two central storylines going on: Gavin's comi...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Edina Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, cop-fbi, mm-classic, uber-cute

Oh Sweeeet read! I like when a romantic relationship just blows my mind away like this one! Their D/s relationship is healthy and beautiful.
The mystery is not a "mystery" though. The killer is obvious from the beginning and does not even try to hide but it's like they cannot put two and two. Fortunately, the beautiful relationship between Ben the dom and Gavin the sub totally made up for that.

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Dec 25, 2012 Gwenith rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is Gavin and he is HOT as HELL!

I Really liked Gavin~ he was Adorable without a doubt.

The Book~

>>>Gavin and Ben, Adorable Romance!!!
>>>BDSM 101-A LABORIOUS BDSM LEARNER'S GUIDE
>>>MYSTERY...no surprises, but it was a nice touch.

THE BOOK

>>>WTF & WHY & DUH moments...I wanted a smarter Detective and Psychologist... At 1st I thought, what a let down for me~ Cuz, that crime solving stuff could have been off the charts awesome!

>>>The feel of th...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Anke rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh what a wonderful book! It kept me entertained on my long flight today and left me with the feeling of 'I want more'. And that although I knew the bad guy as soon as he appeared. Normally that kills my will-to-read-on, but not this time. The personal development of Gavin was very captivating, I only would have wished for a more lengthy epilogue - all right, the family situation was resolved, thanks:) but otherwise I felt as if I was told only glimpse, not really satisfying after feeling with G...more

8 likes · like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Virginia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, char-cops-fbi-detectives-agents, char-medical, content-bdsm-lite, fiction-contemporary, genre-mm, content-violence-capture, hot-beautiful-cover

I enjoyed this one. It had a nice mystery to it although easy to figure out toward the end. Was kind of BDSM 101 because Gavin was just starting to explore his submissive side so there was a lot of explaining going on by Ben. However, I enjoyed how Ben eased Gavin in. The MCs connected very well for me. Plus, was nice to see a strong female character in Gavin's partner. The BDSM is overall fairly light although there is some violence as part of the mystery.

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Apr 06, 2013 Beck rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm, contemporary, 2012-bdsm-countdown-challenge, mm, glitter-kink, sugar-kink, 2013-challenges-overall-count, 2013-kinky-kovers-challenge, 2013-rainbow-challenge, crime-drama, fetish, out-for-you, series

This was a great read ... not perfect, but fun. I enjoyed the smex & the BDSM was pretty soft & easy to read. Gavin & Ben were a cute couple & I was satisfied with the HFN but I do hope there is a sequel so I can see a stable, healthy & happy HEA. The murder mystery aspect of the book was a little bit simplistic & naive ... I guessed 'who done it' fairly early in the book. Despite that, the characters were nice enough for me to want to continue reading anyway. This book w...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Simsala*is getting slow* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, contemporary, m-m, suspense-crime, could-see-the-sparks-fly, kinky

4,5 stars

Looks left...looks right...no one is currently reading it?
Do I really have to go first? Unf...friends!

Well written, well thought out mystery-plot (a plot!), touching D/s romance...loved this book and read it almost in one go without skipping a single word.
I`m no expert in police procedure and BDSM, just read about these themes in books but I think there went a huge amount of research into this book - forensics, edge play, D/s dynamics - everything in the story sounded convincing and pla...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Enny rated it 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars rounded up

The romance was really sweet, the bdsm scenes were hot and the writing was just as top-notch as the one in The Yearning but unfortunately the murder mystery wasn't nearly as good. The detective sucked big time in his job (lucky for us not at giving BJs) and I knew who the murderer was right the first time he showed up in the book.

At first I gave it only 4 stars but I've changed my mind now because the MCs were a fantastic couple and this is primarily a romance. Most m/m mys...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Pati rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, cops-fbi, m-m, undercover-cops

This was very hard for me to rate. I loved the characters and the romance. Which based on those I'd say it's a 4. But the first 23% of the book felt like a bdsm for beginners book and drove me bonkers and here and there throughout the story I'd start getting that feeling again. Also, I really wish I hadn't known so early who dunnit since the author took it so far before they solved it. I was actually ranting to my hubby about how stupid they were that they weren't listening to themselves. Yet, I...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Kelster rated it 2 of 5 stars

Okay, although this book is written in first person I really felt no connection to Gavin. Ben seems to always be lecturing and teaching so I didn't feel a connection to him either. The wife's a bitch? I know because I am told but their arguments don't seem that out of line but I am told about her selfishness so I guess she is...whatever.

This seemed like a book where the sole purpose(?) was to teach and educate the reader about BDSM and this power exchange. And maybe because I felt that I was bei...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Eed99 rated it 4 of 5 stars

There was a lot I liked about this book, although some things I didn't.

The Pros:

Main Characters were well developed and interesting. I love the fact that Gavin had a large family and they were very close. I was worried when I realized Gavin had a wife that this was going to turn into a "gay for you" story which generally isn't my favorite. Glad that it wasn't.

Good secondary characters-I really liked Gavin's brother Cole.

Pretty good pacing-the story never got bogged down and kept me interestd unt...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Kate Aaron rated it 5 of 5 stars

From the offset, I couldn't put this book down. (Seriously, someone owes me a night's sleep...)

Gavin's a cop caught in a loveless marriage that's already on the rocks at the opening of the novel. Unlike the usual trope this isn't GFY: Gavin knew he was queer when he got married, but a bad experience the only time he told someone convinced him that he'd never be happy being openly gay. After spending several years not being happy pretending to be straight either, Gavin's ready to try again.

Ben'...more From the offset, I couldn't put this book down. (Seriously, someone owes me a night's sleep...)

Gavin's a cop caught in a loveless marriage that's already on the rocks at the opening of the novel. Unlike the usual trope this isn't GFY: Gavin knew he was queer when he got married, but a bad experience the only time he told someone convinced him that he'd never be happy being openly gay. After spending several years not being happy pretending to be straight either, Gavin's ready to try again.

Ben's a therapist and BDSMer hired as a consultant when Gavin's assigned to a case investigating a murdered Dom. There's a lot of theory in the beginning as Ben explains exactly how BDSM works and how the community functions, initially to assist with the investigation, which can't proceed without some understanding of the lifestyle, but also to satisfy Gavin's growing curiosity about exactly what it would be like to live that life for himself.

I've read a lot of bad BDSM books and this one feels almost like a reaction piece to some of them. The rules are clear, scenes and boundaries are discussed in advance, safewords are always respected and never punished. That should seem like BDSM-for-beginners, but in a lot of books I've read that hasn't been the case. Ben and Gavin's professions ensure that they never lose sight of the line between fantasy and reality; between consensual, mutual playing and breaking the law.

Then the body count starts racking up and the pace shifts as Ben and Gavin's relationship leads them right into the path of the killer. It's like watching a car-crash, you know the ending is inevitable but you can't look away. Maybe the killer was a bit too obvious at the end, but every genre has its tropes (view spoiler).

The Epilogue felt rushed, more like the notes for a sequel than a summary of this book, charting a lot of events in the thirteen months after the close of the novel. I kinda wish it was a sequel, because I'd love to see how Gavin and Ben move on in more detail. As a couple they were a joy to watch develop and grow, and there is so, soooooooo much room for more in this story. What Happens Next usually goes unspoken in both thrillers and romances once the story reaches denouement - that the heroes get their HEA and the bad guy gets punished is taken for granted - but while I never doubted the truth of that in this case, the question of how you move on and rediscover the joy in something that has been used against you in the cruellest possible way is surely a plot-bunny just begging to be explored?(less)

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Nov 19, 2012 SM Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book bound me so tight that I tried to stop my life to keep reading it. I loved the open-mindedness of Gavin the detective, walking into a BDSM club to ask hard questions, yet being smart enough to hold onto sensitivity. I also liked that he was somewhat surprised and nervous to realize the things he saw there made him uncomfortable in an exciting way.

This is a great little tutorial for those interested in learning more about BDSM from the point of view of a newbie. The information was fai...more This book bound me so tight that I tried to stop my life to keep reading it. I loved the open-mindedness of Gavin the detective, walking into a BDSM club to ask hard questions, yet being smart enough to hold onto sensitivity. I also liked that he was somewhat surprised and nervous to realize the things he saw there made him uncomfortable in an exciting way.

This is a great little tutorial for those interested in learning more about BDSM from the point of view of a newbie. The information was fairly complete and accurate, and all within the confines of a budding romance.

This would have been a 5-star read if the "who-dunnit" aspect had been stronger - I figured out fairly early who the killer was, and it was slightly disappointing that Gavin didn't put it together sooner. Although - to give some credit to the story - Gavin was highly preoccupied and submitting himself, literally, to a host of new experiences, all of which perhaps distracted him from the case.

Even though I knew who the perp was, the story climax was incredibly well done. And the epilogue that detailed the aftermath cemented the characters as real people in my head - they didn't just saunter off into the dungeon for kinky sex the moment the bruises healed, and I appreciate the reality check.

It was interesting that about 2/3 of the way through the book, it occurred to me that Gavin never once mentioned carrying a firearm. Most police protagonists mention their gun every other minute. This is a neutral point - didn't change my enjoyment of the book one way or another, just thought I'd mention it because it's an oddity for a serial-killer murder mystery.

Don't expect a constant stream of erotica from this book, either. Except for the gay-BDSM sex, it reads very much like mainstream fiction, meaning there is equal weight between story and erotica - and I love, love, love books like this - with lots of story and lots of character development... with the additional pleasure of the author opening the bedroom door wide to let us in.

I especially enjoyed Gavin's internal struggles, being in his POV as he felt and experienced discomfort both physically and emotionally.

This is a great read!(less)

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Oct 23, 2012 T. Baggins rated it 5 of 5 stars

I started this book with an open mind and minimal knowledge about the Dom-sub relationship. What I found was a well-written story about a police detective, Gavin, who has been closeted for years, even from himself. Married to a family-approved woman and determined to keep his head down and never complain, Gavin's world falls apart when he begins investigating the murder of Dom. The line of inquiry takes Gavin to a leather club, Collared, and introduces him to Ben, an experienced Dom who may or m...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Gaylistbookreviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Who doesn’t want to be tied up and hurt so good, duckies? BDSM plays a central role in this murder mystery and novices like me get to learn quite a lot about the lifestyle while reading it. The author obviously did his research and it shows. Made me want to run right out and buy some sexy black leather. What do you think, red spike heels and black leather bustier? Oh, yes!

This story is beautifully written and the pace is excellent. Once you start, you don’t want to quit. Gavin is a compelling an...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Tami rated it 2 of 5 stars

It was well written, and the beginning was very promising. The first murder and the whole introduction to the MCs family/private situation as well as the scene (BDSM) is very well done. But this is the only really good part in the book imho. It goes downhill from there very fast.
(view spoiler)...more It was well written, and the beginning was very promising. The first murder and the whole introduction to the MCs family/private situation as well as the scene (BDSM) is very well done. But this is the only really good part in the book imho. It goes downhill from there very fast.
(view spoiler)[

The MC is supposed to be a closeted police detective who loves his job and is afraid to come out. Then one look at the consulting psychologist (male) and he is in lust. Without much struggle he also notices that he is a submissive and wants to be dominated. The crime/murder part which started so great becomes only the background to his BDSM adventure.

His wife (who in my opinion has every right to be mad if he changes their life plan without discussing it with her - but since everybody knows that she is a icecold bitch who was never good for him, that is ok from him - and she never fulfilled all his needs - missing some body parts for that - and also not being sensitive enough to feel that he needs to submit and be cared for etc. - of course without him having to say what he wants...) conveniently cheats on him with his homophobic detective partner who gets conveniently transferred to another distinct for this disgression. So with one little act we get rid of the wife and the partner who noticed his lust for the good Doctor. MC is now free to have sex and try out BDSM without cheating.

He also gets a new partner - a woman so otherworldly beautiful that in many years she never found even one male person to work with who didn't hit on her and was an all around asshole about it. Very plausible - NOT. What a strange and unconvincing turn - and totally unnecessary for the whole story.

But then it gets worse: the crime part. It was so obvious who was the culprit that the detective MC comes across as dumb as a rock. Or worse. But even if he, the psychologist, his partner and the whole department were to stupid to see it (the guy lost his gay son to BDSM breath play - strangulation - and the victims in the murder series were all strangulated and ALL had contact with the guy shortly before the were offed and asked him about more dangerous toys). And then the detective and his lover invite the guy home to discuss a body suit for breath play - even though he is at least a person of interest for the investigation. I mean even if he was only a witness, how on earth would this look at court proceedings??? And then leave their coffee cups alone with the guy - because he surely wouldn't spike their drinks as the murder has done with all the victims, right?
Incredibly stupid and so disappointing.

Then the worst part: How they get raped and tortured by the culprit and how they deal with it. I skipped a lot of text here to be honest - I immensly disliked it.

I didn't mind most of the BDSM stuff, found some of it hot. But this whole body suit, this sensory deprevation I simply didn't like. I couldn't imagine it being good or sexy, but that is just personal taste.

(hide spoiler)]

All in all not a good read, but I will try another book of the author because of the strong beginning. (less)

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Oct 13, 2012 Cindi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, m-m, on-blog, series

4.5 stars

A serial killer is targeting gay men in the BDSM community. The murders are graphic, brutal and personal. Gavin DeGrassi is one of the detectives assigned to the case. He has been married to a woman, Victoria, for over five years but he finds himself more interested in the lifestyle and mainly the psychologist called in to consult on the case, Ben, than he should be. This is a book that takes you rather deep into the BDSM lifestyle. The killings are described quite graphically and you m...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Leanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-thriller, bdsm, cops, contemp-romance, favorites, crime, hot, mm

After trying (and putting down to finish later- possibly WNF) some pretty derivative BDSM-themed stories over the last few weeks, this one was a pleasant surprise. I would have to agree with Simsala that the ending was a bit rushed, but great writing and characters kept it a five star read for me. I loved Gavin; his toughness combined with vulnerability and the desperate need to hand over the burdens and stresses caused by his job and loving (but helluva controlling) family.
Gavin and Ben had so...more

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Jan 28, 2013 ❀Ꭱėɳee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: buddy-read, erotic-suspense, lendable

A wonderful and engaging read filled with passion, mystery, and suspense.

I really liked Gavin. He was sweet and sexy, with an innocence I didn’t expect given his profession. His wife was a bitch; his partner was an ass; Ben Haverson was a god. The awareness that passed between them the very first time they met filled me with hope and anticipation, and for the rest of the read, Ms. Rose did not disappoint.

I loved the intimacy of this story as they both set out on a journey of sexual identity, pe...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Jenre rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, bdsm, mystery, romance

I like mysteries. I like BDSM books and I like m/m. Put all three together and you have a book which is bound to be a win as long as the writing is good and the characters realistic. Fortunately, this book managed to combine everything beautifully and was a marvellous read.

The story follows homicide detective, Gavin, who is called to investigate a horrible murder of a man connected to the BDSM community. During his investigations he meets Ben, a psychologist who has been brought in to help with...more I like mysteries. I like BDSM books and I like m/m. Put all three together and you have a book which is bound to be a win as long as the writing is good and the characters realistic. Fortunately, this book managed to combine everything beautifully and was a marvellous read.

The story follows homicide detective, Gavin, who is called to investigate a horrible murder of a man connected to the BDSM community. During his investigations he meets Ben, a psychologist who has been brought in to help with the investigation. Gavin finds the BDSM scene a real eye opener and his feelings for Ben bring out his long suppressed homosexuality.

There was much to like about this story. In particular I enjoyed seeing the development in Gavin, who is the first person narrator. At the beginning of the book he's married and in a job he loves but is being pressured by his wife and family to move on up the career ladder - something he doesn't want to do. He could be described as a 'pleaser'. He finds his cop partner aggressive and rude, but makes excuses for him and tries to get along with him; his wife controls him, but he lets her because he doesn't want to make her unhappy; he puts up with his family criticising his job and deflects them because he doesn't want to rock the boat. However, he doesn't come across as weak or a pushover, just someone who wants to keep the peace and be allowed to get on with his life. I thought the author had managed that balance well, especially because the traits we see in Gavin at the beginning lead naturally into a life as a submissive and so it was realistic to see Gavin begin to inch towards that as the book progresses.

When Gavin meets Ben there's an instant connection and for a while the sexual tension simmers along nicely between the two. I liked them as a couple and enjoyed seeing them develop their relationship and then mesh that with the BDSM scene which Ben is involved in. There was a good balance here too between the relationship side, Ben teaching Gavin about being a submissive and the sex scenes. There was enough in terms of explanation about how to be a submissive without the book feeling like an instruction manual, and enough non-BDSM sex between them to show that they could be partners as well as a Dom and sub. I also felt that the way that their relationship was portrayed at the end of the book - which I don't want to talk too much about here because it's a bit of a spoiler - was fitting for their experiences. There's a HEA, so don't worry there, but I liked that the pair were affected by the things that happen to them in the book.

Another part I liked a great deal was the character of Gavin's new partner, Myah Hayes. At last a strong, intelligent female character in an m/m book! I really enjoyed her sensible and no-nonsense approach to the case and felt sympathy with her over her previous experiences as a cop. I also liked Cole, Gavin's brother, who was a great support for Gavin through the book. It was nice to see such well rounded secondary characters in a first person narrative and it was obvious that Gavin held them in great regard.

I did have a couple of niggles. The first was to do with Gavin's wife, Victoria. I felt that she was just there as an obstacle for Gavin to get through before he could embrace his homosexuality, and as such was a mere cipher, easy discarded despite their marriage of a few years. The manner of her split absolves Gavin of any guilt, but he barely thinks about her once he's got rid of her. She disappears from the book with nary a ripple and I wondered why we bothered with her in the first place. She showed us how deep in the closet Gavin was, but that could have been shown in other ways and I hated that she was one of those women doomed to be a bitch just because she married a closeted man. Another niggle was to do with the mystery. I could see miles ahead who the murderer was. It was pretty obvious, and I thought it reflected poorly on Gavin that he allowed his involvement with the BDSM scene to cloud the investigation.

Despite those niggles this was a truly enjoyable book. The story is paced well with the tension slowly growing to the exciting and nerve-wracking climax. The mystery builds and I liked the fact that police procedure is shown to be laborious and dull at times, but also how each clue builds to paint a picture of whodunnit. Gavin and Ben's relationship was engaging, with a gradual development in both them as partners and them as a D/s couple. It was a very readable book which caught me quickly and didn't let go until it was over. It'll be no surprise then that I highly recommend this book. If you like mysteries, BDSM books and strong character based stories then this book will be for you.(less)

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Jan 27, 2013 RACH ~Queen of Vishous, Blacky and Shelly~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, m-m

THIS IS A BRILLIANTLY WELL WRITTEN BOOK

Buddy read with the lovely ladies Awilk, Em, Laci Rain, Renee,

The only reason for 4 STARS instead of 5 was because I felt the murder plot overtook the story too much at times. However the relationship development between dom Ben and sub Gavin more than made up for it.

I loved it when Ben called Gavin 'Baby' it made my heart crush for Ben

This is a BDSM book, yet there is much more depth to it. The relationship between Ben and Gavin is beautifully written a...more THIS IS A BRILLIANTLY WELL WRITTEN BOOK

Buddy read with the lovely ladies Awilk, Em, Laci Rain, Renee,

The only reason for 4 STARS instead of 5 was because I felt the murder plot overtook the story too much at times. However the relationship development between dom Ben and sub Gavin more than made up for it.

I loved it when Ben called Gavin 'Baby' it made my heart crush for Ben

This is a BDSM book, yet there is much more depth to it. The relationship between Ben and Gavin is beautifully written and is evident through their trust and commitment to each other.

The sex scenes left me in desperate need of this-

Another bonus to this book is if you are a BDSM virgin then the explanations are really thorough as they are explained as part of the crime case. Ben is also training Gavin for his role as a sub so he also explains aspects to him. This however can be a draw back if you are well acquainted with the BDSM terms/lifestyle and can lead you wanting to skim read past them.

'Master Lacey had said: exquisite torture, absolute trust, and the knowledge that new heights could be reached by letting oneself go that far, trust in another that deeply'

"Why Gavin. How would Victoria feel if she saw you looking at our consult like you just crawled out of the desert and he's a big Gulp of ice water?"

'Ben said 'My kink is the emotional subtlety and behavioural nuance of earning someone's submission'

'Ben said 'I've let a piece of myself slip away, and with you I have the chance to regain what I fought so hard to understand and master'

MY FAVOURITE QUOTE

"Ben-'I want to blindfold you, plug your ears, gag you, tie you up. Make it so the only thing you know is my touch. I want you hyper-aware of my fingers on your skin, of my lips and tongue exploring every inch of you. And I want you unable to move, so when I have you that helpless, you surrender to me'

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? yes I would to all loves of BDSM and m/m romance with a crime slant to the story
WHY WOULD I RECOMMEND IT? the relationship is progresses well and is perfectly written about and the sex is unbelievably hot(less)

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Oct 23, 2012 Feliz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, contemporary, cops-detectives, m-m

4.5

A nice and believable love story with light BDSM elements. Ben and Gavin were a good fit,the sex scenes were really beautiful.

There were some convenient shortcuts, particularly in the way Gavin's marriage ended, and Gavin's transition from married man so deep in the closet he couldn't even see the door to 100% gay and "not even remotely interested in women" went a little fast.

The mystery plot was somewhat disappointing with Gavin so preoccupied with his angsting over Ben and their new rela...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Kylie Griffin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-romance, highly-recommended, keeper, m-m-romance

I've read few M/M romances but this one was very satisfying. I am a sucker for cop-based shows like NCIS & Law & Order, so the idea of one of the main characters being a homicide detective really appealed to me, as did the crime scene/suspense component of the story.

What really stood out for me, regardless of the external plot, was the connection I felt with the main character, Gavin Degrassi. I really enjoyed the layers and depth to his character, and that I was able to be absorbed by h...more

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Jan 08, 2013 A rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review Originally Posted Here:

http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/01/review...

Detective Gavin DeGrassi has been called to a murder scene unlike any he has seen before. The victim, George Kaiser, is a Dom, and suddenly DeGrassi is introduced to a world he didn’t know existed before now. In order to solve this case, Gavin is going to have to learn about the intricacies of BDSM, including why his victim was found, raped and bound, on a cross suspended from the ceiling and is covered in slashes, whip marks...more Review Originally Posted Here:

http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/01/review...

Detective Gavin DeGrassi has been called to a murder scene unlike any he has seen before. The victim, George Kaiser, is a Dom, and suddenly DeGrassi is introduced to a world he didn’t know existed before now. In order to solve this case, Gavin is going to have to learn about the intricacies of BDSM, including why his victim was found, raped and bound, on a cross suspended from the ceiling and is covered in slashes, whip marks, and other unidentified markings. This is all new to Gavin. He’s a closeted man, stuck in a loveless marriage, whose nights generally are taken up with the only thing he truly cares about — his job.

As they begin the investigation, Detective DeGrassi is introduced to Ben Haverson, who is a psychologist and Dom himself. His knowledge of the BDSM world will prove invaluable to the detective, if Gavin can keep his mind on the case and not on the overwhelming attraction he feels the instant he meets Ben. The further they get into the investigation, the more Gavin feels a pull to the world of BDSM. As the killings continue and the weeks go by without much progress, Gavin goes through a huge personal transformation. He is blind sided by issues at home, which opens up the opportunity to connect with Ben on a deeper level. But regardless of what is going on in Gavin’s personal life, the case is the most important thing to him, and catching the killer has become his number one priority.

It only takes one look at the cover of Power Exchange to know that you’re not going to be reading your run-of-the-mill romance novel. This book is about the world of BDSM, but I’ll tell you why you shouldn’t let this scare you off. For some of us, myself included, BDSM has always been an intriguing subject. I see those ropes on the cover and I’m instantly hooked. For others, it could be a little bit scary, maybe even a little too kinky. One of the best things about A.J. Rose’s writing is that it is basically BDSM for Dummies. This is not to say that it’s simplistic or dumbed down, just that’s it’s clear and informative and not in the least bit overwhelming. Rose has done his research, which we as readers benefit from.

Before I make this sound too clinical, let me also stress that the emotional dynamics of BDSM are in play here as well, and this is what gives the book it’s heart. While the descriptions of the crime scenes are gruesome and disturbing, showing exactly how the tools of BDSM could be used for maximum harm, it gives equal time to the blossoming relationship between Gavin and Ben and how they negotiate their roles within the world to build a strong and loving bond. While often in books with a BDSM theme, the Dominant is seen as strict and unyielding, Rose shows that compassion and trust are invaluable parts to a healthy Dom/Sub relationship. And while there’s a lot of lovey-dovey stuff going on, rest assured that the BDSM play is hot and the sex even hotter.

Rose’s writing is perfectly polished. There are some books that have a rhythm that never falters and this was one of them. I could see this being made into a movie screenplay without having to change a word of dialogue. So it was all the more disappointing when, in the last quarter of the book, my love for this story took a bit of a dive. Discussing the major problem would be too much of a spoiler, so let me only say that Gavin’s behavior during the last part of the book seemed so out of character, so contrary to the dedication and sharpness that he’d shown up until that point, it left me feeling let down in the end. I was not able to reconcile the astute detective with the unaware fool that seemed to emerge in the final moments of conflict.
Don’t let my opinion of the ending deter you from reading this book. A.J. Rose is an extremely talented author whose writing seems effortless. Power Exchange manages to be not only accessible, but dark and complex and deliciously frightening as well. I highly recommend it and will be putting A.J. Rose on the top of my auto-buy list.(less)

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Oct 18, 2012 Tori smexys_sidekick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm-light, dirty-talk, erotic-romance, e-book, male-pov, m-m, read-in-2012, review-for-smexybooks, violence, mystery

Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2012/10/review-...

Favorite Quote: “It takes more courage to kneel before someone, than to stand beside them.“

Detective Gavin DeGrassi finds himself reluctantly intrigued when a brutal murder of a dom takes him into the world of BDSM. With the help of experienced Dom and psychologist, Ben Haversin, Gavin begins to divulge deeper into the world and is forced to acknowledge his own increasing desires; for the life and Ben. When more victims are discovered,...more Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2012/10/review-...

Favorite Quote: “It takes more courage to kneel before someone, than to stand beside them.“

Detective Gavin DeGrassi finds himself reluctantly intrigued when a brutal murder of a dom takes him into the world of BDSM. With the help of experienced Dom and psychologist, Ben Haversin, Gavin begins to divulge deeper into the world and is forced to acknowledge his own increasing desires; for the life and Ben. When more victims are discovered, Gavin jumps in head first and begins an emotional journey that pits him against his most challenging adversary-himself. However, Gavin and Ben have come under the scrutiny of the killer and if Gavin doesn’t solve this case soon, he and Ben may be the next in line for death.

Power Exchange is a steamy male/male erotic romance that pits our protagonists against a vicious serial killer while delivering a good balance between the romance and the mystery. I enjoyed the unfolding journey of a novice entering into the world of power exchanges and D/S relationships. AJ Rose does a nice job of presenting Gavin and Ben’s evolving relationship-addressing Gavin’s concerns and tentative overtures in a realistic fashion. With a steady pace, we are able to follow along and submerge ourselves in Gavin’s life fully with no uneasiness that sometimes occurs when reading erotic romance.

Gavin DeGrassi immediately inspires trust and affection. A legacy detective, he works homicide and enjoys it. We see that Gavin is a submissive personality right off the bat as his family, partner, and wife attempt to push him into situations he is not comfortable with. Unhappy and confused, it’s inevitable that Gavin will seek someone who can provide the structure and praise he so desperately is seeking.

Ben is a Dom and a shrink. Attractive and soft spoken, he is the grounding that Gavin needs in his life. He is brought onto the case as a consultant and when he and Gavin meet, the sparks fly. Their attraction leaps off the pages and Rose provides a nice subplot that allows Gavin and Ben to eventually act on their attraction without reprisal.

I liked that Gavin isn't portrayed as being broken or suffering from a major trauma and Ben isn't his savior. In fact, Rose repeatedly stresses, through Ben, that those suffering from trauma or abuse need professional counseling and/or therapy and a D/S relationship is not and should not be construed as an alternative. That has always been a sticky point with me concerning other BDSM books. When a traumatized heroine or hero is taken by a Dom who uses sex and bondage to treat them. If the trauma is debilitating, then they need professional treatment, not orgasms.

The romance and sexual scenes are off the charts. Rose doesn't hold back in allowing us to not only see the actual scenes but the emotions our protagonists are feeling. Again, I liked how gentle Ben was with Gavin. While Ben freely admits to wanting Gavin as his sub and wanting to dominate him sexually in many, many ways, Ben doesn’t seek to humiliate or control Gavin beyond the bedroom. He wants to provide Gavin with an escape from his normally frantic life and job. Contracts are fully explained, as is each aspect of his training. I really felt a connection between these two that went beyond a sexual one.

Secondary characters round out the stor, providing a stable base in which to build Gavin’s character and the plot. Gavin’s family is a normal cop family and very much a part of his life. His brother Cole plays heavy in the storyline and I hope Rose decides to write his story. Meeting the various characters that are part of the BDSM scene and mystery investigation and seeing their scenes and reading their thoughts is informative and, admittedly, HOT.

The mystery is quite interesting though easily solved. I found myself identifying the villain early on and a little put out by Gavin’s detecting skills. Or lack of them, as it may be, which definitely lowered my grade. One point of contention is that weeks pass and you don’t realize until is it mentioned in passing. At one point, I thought only a week or so had passed and come to find out it had been over a month. I was also disappointed with a major character who is taken out of the story early on and never brought back in. I expected more from them and the sub plot they were involved in as they have a major impact on Gavin’s life.

The ending wraps up everything neatly though roughly in a climactic finale and we are left with a nice epilogue that deals well with the aftermath.

Overall Rating: C+(less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Libi Krogh rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is hard to summarize this without spoiling it. I liked it...and I can't wait for the sequel.

Yes, it started out as a murder mystery. Yes, the murder fell to the wayside. Yes, the beginning of the book reads like a how to manual on BDSM. Get past that. In fact? It is necessary for the reader to discover how and why of this type of relationship.

It is a great read, not completely a m/m BDSM sex book, not completely a crime story either. The characters are fleshed out and human. Yes the main cha...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Bea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, favorites, abuse-not-by-hero, closeted, cop, goodreads-review, suspense, male-male

How have I not heard of this author before? I could not put this book down; It was as if I were watching a movie. Based on my limited research, the description of the BDSM lifestyle seemed accurate. It was refreshing to find people enjoying the lifestyle without all being damaged by past abuses. The suspense part of the story was well written and there were several options for murderers that kept me on the edge.

Special note: the BDSM activity and scenes can be extremely intense so if you're new...more

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Dec 18, 2012 DarienMoya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, butt-virgins, m-m-crime-mystery-and-dead-people, my-m-m-lovin, piss-off-books-of-2012, release-2012, tie-me-up-and-use-me, pants-off-reviews

Gavin DeGrassi is hiding deep in the closet, so deep there is glimpses of Narnia in there. He is a Detective who loves his job of helping people and catching the bad guys. He has a wife who doesn't exactly want him working the field but would rather see him climb the justice ladder and sit behind a desk. To make matters worse his parents are on board with his wife Victoria, and they make it a weekly habit to get on his case about starting a family and the dangers of his job. Throw in his diarrhe...more Gavin DeGrassi is hiding deep in the closet, so deep there is glimpses of Narnia in there. He is a Detective who loves his job of helping people and catching the bad guys. He has a wife who doesn't exactly want him working the field but would rather see him climb the justice ladder and sit behind a desk. To make matters worse his parents are on board with his wife Victoria, and they make it a weekly habit to get on his case about starting a family and the dangers of his job. Throw in his diarrhea of the mouth partner and Gavin always finds himself the man in the middle, always trying to smooth things over.

Gavin and his partner are called to the scene of a crime, and it’s a crime unlike anything they've seen before. Looks like a BDSM scene gone badly, but there is underlying of something more sinister at play. This investigation leads them to the bdsm community and Gavin is feeling a serious pull. They will need expert help with this one and in comes Ben Haverson a psychologist and a Dom and Gavin is feeling a serious pull to him too. Things go from bad to worse (well not really) when Gavin walks in on his wife and partner in bed. Suddenly, a weight has been lifted off his shoulder and maybe he can live the life he has always wanted. First things first, he has gotta catch a killer.

Without giving too much away, Gavin is submissive which really comes across from the beginning. The way he was with his wife and is easy going and compassionate nature. He blossoms as a sub with Ben (which I kinda feel is conflict of interest) because with his new discoveries I felt like they pushed him away from doing a good job on his investigation.

I enjoyed the writing a lot, and found myself completely hooked from beginning. I am a sucker for a good D/s story and Power Exchange has that but.... I did have a few problems with it.

~Gavin, he had his head in the clouds. I felt like after his hook up with Ben he completely lost his A-game.

~The wife Victoria she just disappeared. She seemed like a stubborn and persevering type of chick, so I cannot understand how she just up and disappeared. Did not work well with her personality.

~The killer, He couldn't have been more obvious if he were wearing neon-flashing lights saying "Killer Here". This irked me and made the ending all lukewarm water. Nothing frustrates me more than an obvious killer *grrrr* and no one sees it.

I did enjoy the slow development of a D/s relationship between Ben and Gavin. It wasn't a rush into the hardcore bondage stuff but a slow grind into them finding what worked for them. On that note, I did not love the characters but did like them. The mystery part was done well up to a point and after it started to feel ridiculous. The excitement I had reading in the beginning slowly started to dwindle and when it was time to catch the killer I could have cared less.

Even with all the things I disliked, I did enjoy a majority of the story and I liked the writing. This publisher seems to be pushing out books I’ve been enjoying a lot.

Should You Read It? Most definitely, if you like BDSM but can't stomach the hardcore kind written in detail. There is something very sweet and captivating about Gavin and Ben's relationship, and if you have no problem with a flaunting killer :D(less)

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