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Above the Dungeon (Dungeon #1)

by SM Johnson (Goodreads Author)

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 191 ratings · 56 reviews

With the ink barely dry on his Ivy League diploma, Dare is expected join the family business, marry his high school sweetheart, and commit to life in conservative suburbia. But in a moment of panic he runs away to NYC, where his cousin gets him a bartending job at a club above the legendary Master Roman's dungeon. When Roman takes an interest in Dare, he’s not sure if he s...more

ebook, 183 pages

Published May 5th 2012 by SM Johnson (first published April 14th 2010)

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Sep 04, 2012 Beck rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm, mm, series, menage, 2012-bdsm-countdown-challenge, adited

This. Book. Was. Fantastic. I read a lot and I have read a lot of BDSM books but rarely do I read a book like this. Johnson was able to describe the feelings the characters felt so very well. I was transported back in time to my youth when my friends & I stood at the top of the cliff; daring each other to leap toward the water 30 feet below. That swooping anxiety & internal dialogue of 'will I or won't I?'. This ability of Johnson's allowed the reader to intimately experience the overwhe...more

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Dec 26, 2011 J.C. Andrijeski rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think this is the first book of m/m BDSM I've ever read, so I can't speak from the standpoint of an experienced reader in the genre...but I really enjoyed it. Like one of the other reviewers said, there's an interesting dynamic between the three main characters in the story (Roman, Dare and Jeff). Interesting that others had Roman pegged as cruel...I didn't really see that, personally, although maybe I'm not familiar enough with that culture to know "good" from "bad" doms. To me, it seemed lik...more I think this is the first book of m/m BDSM I've ever read, so I can't speak from the standpoint of an experienced reader in the genre...but I really enjoyed it. Like one of the other reviewers said, there's an interesting dynamic between the three main characters in the story (Roman, Dare and Jeff). Interesting that others had Roman pegged as cruel...I didn't really see that, personally, although maybe I'm not familiar enough with that culture to know "good" from "bad" doms. To me, it seemed like he was pretty upfront with terms, and yeah, he definitely pushed boundaries with Dare, but that kind of worked for me, because Dare had every opportunity to leave and he never did, so I took that to mean he wanted to be pushed. He even asked to be "forced" a few times, (the piercing scene, etc.). I could see how this kind of relationship might be offensive to some people of course, but I guess I'm cool with anything if there's choice (and adults) involved.

That being said, I agree that the Jeff-Dare dynamic was painful at times. I think part of that for me was that I just couldn't relate to Jeff all that much...I was sympathetic towards him at times, and found him funny, but (maybe like Dare himself), I didn't really "get" his dynamic with Roman. In that sense, maybe Dare really served his purpose for those of us more new to that world, in that I found his perspective the easiest to empathize with. I totally got why he'd go along with Roman (hell, I would!), even if it completely freaked him out at times. I thought Roman had a lot of charisma and power as a character, so Dare's fascination with him made sense to me. The Jeff thing made *less* sense to me because it seemed so out of balance, I guess. Jeff seemed like a big child to me, so it was harder to relate. I know there are a lot of couples that get off on that dynamic, but as it lacks conflict almost entirely (which is sort of the point), it makes for less interesting sex scenes for my tastes. The scenes with Tristan-Jeff-Dare worked for me, though...as did a few times when Dare and Jeff managed to connect. I guess Jeff just came across as needy to me, and that always makes me wince a little, no matter what the gender or age of the person. I found him to be a totally believable character, though. In fact, of the three, probably the most realistic in some ways. I've known more "Jeffs" than I have Romans or Dares.

Overall, I found it to be a very tension-filled (and hot!) story, and one that got me reading through to the end in less than 24 hours...a feat in itself! I almost never do that, and as this was my first exposure to this author, I wasn't sure what to expect. To me that is when a writer has a real gift, when I get so immersed I don't want to come up for air until I'm finished. And if my emotional reactions to the content are up and down as part of that journey, all the better...it just means I'll be thinking about it for awhile after I'm done.(less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Lirajean rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: d-s

Great book! Very sexy, pushes the edges of the d/s theme in careful, loving ways.

How many of you are struck, in many stories, by the male characters' supposed comfort level with the sex-with-anyone-is-cool attitude? It strikes me every time it appears that the human male animal can be so different from the female. Maybe it's just true in these stories. Anyone know? Can men really move between partners, whether m/m or m/f, because the physical sex act is so often just a release? So many of the ch...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Danny Tyran rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, d-s, gay

Fantastic. I read a lot and I have read a lot of BDSM books but rarely do I read a book like this. At the beginning, I was disappointed that the story went from Dare to Jeff and all the way around again and again, because I loved Dare's innocence. But the other characters are great too and the story of Dare and Jeff entertwined at the end. The author was able to describe the feelings the characters felt so very well. I was transported back in time to my youth when my friends and I stood at the t...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Gabriel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm-and-kinks, boss-employer, two-becomes-three

I love BDSM stories, I truly do. They fascinate me and the deep trust there is between a dominant and a submissive is amazing.

When I read the summar for Above the Dungeon I have to say I was a bit stand off-ish about it; I generally have a hard time with threesomes in BDSM stories, but still decided to give it a shot.
Hell, it might even change my mind about these kind of stories.

It didn't - which can clearly be seen by my rating of it.

Whenever I give a 1-star rating, I feel like I have to ex...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Mel Bradley rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Author: SM Johnson
Publisher: Torquere Press
Page Count (pdf): 309
Published: 2011?
Rainbow eBooks: $5.99

When Date, a straight preppy guy runs away from his family and commitments, he goes to his gay cousin to help him explore a new path. Little did he know that included BDSM, bar tending at a gay bar and exploring his own sexuality.

When this book started, it seemed destined that the powerful Dom and owner of the bar and dungeon, was going to be the love interest for Dare – but the story doesn’t rea...more

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May 18, 2010 Mel Spenser rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the buckle on the high-contrast cover, to the end; this books gets your attention and doesn’t let up.

Dare is pure vanilla in his Dockers and Polo shirt. Fresh from escaping a predestined suburban life, he lands in NYC, quickly getting a bartending job. How hard could it be? After all, he’d mixed drinks at the country club most of his life. However, he hadn’t had a Dom take an interest in him before.

This story is absorbing and produces a page turning, engrossing book about fascinating indivi...more From the buckle on the high-contrast cover, to the end; this books gets your attention and doesn’t let up.

Dare is pure vanilla in his Dockers and Polo shirt. Fresh from escaping a predestined suburban life, he lands in NYC, quickly getting a bartending job. How hard could it be? After all, he’d mixed drinks at the country club most of his life. However, he hadn’t had a Dom take an interest in him before.

This story is absorbing and produces a page turning, engrossing book about fascinating individuals. The writing is solid with vivid description and dialogue that rings true. Alternating between Dare’s narrative in third person and Jeff’s in first, the switch is jarring at first. However, then you quickly become aware that you are not reading the normal fare.

When it is Jeff’s turn, there is no doubt what is going on in his head as a submissive. And that in itself is interesting. We’re with him as he runs through his doubts and anxieties; and we understand very clearly his motivations and why he relies on Roman.

Dare, on the other hand, is somewhat of a mystery. He doesn’t even know himself. We get the feeling that Roman understands him better than anyone. Most readers could probably identify with Dare and his ‘normal’ upbringing. To read about his transition is fascinating stuff as his emotions run the gamut.

This book has what I like in an m/m story. The characters are well defined with tangible emotions and believable motives. Of course, this book is also very erotic. The BDSM scenes are highly charged. But the seduction of Dare is akin to a long delicious foreplay. Believe me; it takes a lot to make me go, “Whew!” while reading a sex scene.

There is definitely room, and a need, for a sequel. I want to read about the three main characters as they continue to grow personally and in their relationships. If you enjoy BDSM stories, and the motivations of characters who engage in the lifestyle, then you will want to read this book. I recommend it.

I wonder what else SM Johnson has in store for us? I’ll be waiting.

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Apr 15, 2010 JenMcJ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-books, mm-mmm-a-few-mmf-too

3.5 stars.

hmmm. Sort of a study in how to get the repressed straight guy from acute vanilla to devoted submissive in less than a month.

All while having a long time partner to balance with the new guy. Add another younger D/s curious boy in the mix for a little while as well.

This book also shifts POV from Jeff to Dare and looks at the situations from both perspectives in overlap at times. They both look at their unique dealings with Roman without any overlap when none is necessary. Sometimes I...more 3.5 stars.

hmmm. Sort of a study in how to get the repressed straight guy from acute vanilla to devoted submissive in less than a month.

All while having a long time partner to balance with the new guy. Add another younger D/s curious boy in the mix for a little while as well.

This book also shifts POV from Jeff to Dare and looks at the situations from both perspectives in overlap at times. They both look at their unique dealings with Roman without any overlap when none is necessary. Sometimes I had to stop and figure out what the shift was. Where the shift was picking up and who was thinking. The first POV shift to Jeff threw me for a loop. I was not at all sure what was going on. I appreciated getting both POV's but it took a minute to figure out that was what was going on.

Roman is the alpha male of all alpha males and he oozes that confidence with charisma and personal strength. I admit it was hard for me to like his partner Jeff at times. He was very realistic in his flaws and that was hard to stare at and accept. Tristan was cute but his quick look at D/s is not enough to entice him. Dare has no idea why he responds to Roman so strongly. He is straight vanilla through and through until he isn't.

I enjoyed the book even if it seemed unrealistically fast paced and leapt from one extreme new idea for Dare to the next that he took very well. I was curious to see how the intricate relationships would resolve themselves although I have no doubt Roman will see to it that they turn out just how he wants them too. However, the book ends well before we get a satisfying HEA. I was shocked when the book ended.

On a side note, it was nice that the women in the book were not all crazed, closed minded, vindictive bitches but even I think the ex-fiance was saint like in her realization and acceptance of Dare's sudden choices. It was nice and I hope people would always act like that but Ms. Vanilla Through & Through seemed to take it unrealistically well. Good for her.

*I would have rounded up to 4 stars if the ending hadn't been so abrupt and sudden and unfullfilling. (less)

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Apr 27, 2013 Kathryn rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lovers of Romance, Erotica & M/M stories

Shelves: 2013-goodreads-challenge, erotic-bdsm, contemporary-romance

This is not my typical fare. SM Johnson has just become a favorite author with this riveting story. M/M D/S romance. I could hardly tear my eyes from the pages of this story. Dare is hired as a bartender at a club. Through this he meets Dom Roman, his slave Jeff, and Jeff's interest Tristan. Dares cousin Doc gets into the story also (I'm very interested in meeting more of him). This romance is by far the best I've read this year. There is depth to the characters and there is a writing style that...more

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Jan 08, 2013 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: giveaway-wins, adult, 2013-tbr

Above the Dungeon is another book that I can add to my list of annoying 1st/3rd person narrative flip-floppers. But I think I must be getting use to it since that didn't bother me nearly us much as it has in other books. I actually think it kind of works, since Dare, whose chapters are in 3rd person, is kind of an observer. He's not totally part of the action. Then there's Jeff, who has the 1st person chapters, who is a 24/7 slave to Roman, the club owner and Dare's boss. These two POVs are extr...more Above the Dungeon is another book that I can add to my list of annoying 1st/3rd person narrative flip-floppers. But I think I must be getting use to it since that didn't bother me nearly us much as it has in other books. I actually think it kind of works, since Dare, whose chapters are in 3rd person, is kind of an observer. He's not totally part of the action. Then there's Jeff, who has the 1st person chapters, who is a 24/7 slave to Roman, the club owner and Dare's boss. These two POVs are extremely different from one another, and the narrative style definitely exaggerates that fact.

At first it feels like there are two separate plots happening here. We have Dare, who is quite up tight, and stumbles into a job as a bartender in a gay club. Roman decides to take him under this wing and give a tour of the BDSM lifestyle. While this does interest Dare, he's struggle with what it means for his sexuality. Eventually he learns that sexuality is not set in stone or black and white; there's a whole spectrum of gray. Meanwhile, we also have Roman and Jeff's long term relationship. Jeff longs to fall in love again, and wishes Roman would, too. But there's the issue of jealousy and what bringing a new man would mean for Jeff's position as Roman's slave. Eventually these two plots merge together seamlessly.

I found the glimpse into a 24/7 slave relationship very interesting. I hadn't read about that before, so I felt like I was learning right along with Tristan (another man considered into the Roman/Jeff relationship) and Dare. Even though it's a whole different lifestyle, Roman and Jeff do have some of the same issues as "normal" couples. I enjoyed reading about them. I also loved watching Dare open up. He was very wound up, but Roman knew exactly how to loosen him up.

I ended up really enjoying Above the Dungeon. It was only my second M/M erotic novel, but I found that I didn't even think about the fact that it was only men. I just liked the overall story.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.(less)

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Jan 04, 2013 Lee Anne - Give me a Good Romance rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: eeparty-shelf-tagit, kindle, smashwords, read-2013, bdsm, erotic, m-m, menage, romance

Emotional
Intense

Two words that describe Above the Dungeon to a T. The emotion is not a tear-jerker, emotional roller coaster, but more of a discovery of ones self and all the feelings that go along with that. Everything in this book is intense. Every scene, every conversation, every look is full of promise, discovery, or emotion.

Dare fled his life to start over in the city. He’s staying with his cousin and working in a gay fetish bar. Roman owns the bar and the dungeon below it. Jeff is Roman’s...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Dee Wy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, m-m, m-m-contemporary, menage-polyamory, mmm

4.5 stars rounded to 5. This m/m menage was a fascinating take on the abilities of a Master Dom to add a second sub to his relationship with his long-time slave. The challenge was to first help the new sub understand that he was gay, not straight and that he was a natural submissive as well - quite a challenge.

The complex relationship building, interesting dungeon scenes and a great ending made this a stellar read.

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Sep 21, 2012 Urbanista rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-won-these

How do folks get into the BDSM lifestyle? Do they seek it out? Are they invited? Dare, the fairly innocent main character in Above the Dungeon, doesn't even realize that he is gay, let alone a natural submissive.

Dare takes to the elaborate emotional and social structure of a menage Dom/sub relationship a bit too readily. HIS TRANSITION from straight, vanilla heterosexuality to salted chili caramel 90 % cacao high end, formal gay, menage BDSM was somewhat unconvincing to me.

But what do I know? El...more

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Jun 03, 2010 Kari Gregg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, glbt

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 26, 2013 I ♥ Bookie Nookie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: z-from-the-author-publisher, z-smashwords, tone-erotic, sub-theme-spanking, sub-theme-master-slave, sub-theme-exhibitionism, sub-theme-domination-submission, sub-theme-bondage, sexual-mix-mm, sexual-mix-mmm-plus, setting-sex-or-bdsm-club, genre-bdsm, content-strangers-to-lovers, content-love-triangle, setting-bar-or-restaurant, character-pro-dom-or-domme, body-tattoos, body-pierced, a-series, 2013, a-rrr-in-holiday-party, zz-reviewed, theme-cheating

I loved the complicated dynamics between the characters in ABOVE THE DUNGEON - they have a very unique and non-traditional sexual relationship. For the most part, I liked all the characters, but Jeff's character was really working my nerves with his self-absorbed attitude and selfish persona.

I am looking forward to checking out the second installment - I am under the impression that it is very different from this first book.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

**Reviewe...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Katy Beth Mckee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: freebie, prize, m-m, menage, erotic, bdsm, series-books, 2012-read

I won this book as a prize in the MM Romance birthday party. Wow, this story is so hot. Jeff has been with Roman for a long time but he loves to fall in love but suddenly Roman has noticed someone else. Dare has run away from his life and is being drawn into this new life. I loved how you really got into both Jeff and Dare's head to see the story from the both the perspective of someone who has lived the lifestyle and someone who doesn't have a clue but seems drawn to the lifestyle. Roman is so...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Steelwhisper added it

Shelves: bdsm-sm-novels, abuse, erotic-lit-erotica, not-finished

I decided to DNF this story. Up to where I was (~30%) it would have been around 2.5*

Reasons:

I couldn't really identify with any of the characters, nor much sympathise with them, except that I felt sorry for Dare. The set-up is the usual one: bad-ass, alpha-holey Master/Dom with a dungeon and a harem getting it off with a virgin boy. In this case not only gay for you, but also kinky for you. I ended up just not interested in learning more about these people, and on top of it I was getting exasper...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Michele Montgomery rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Okay, WHOA...I arrived at the 2nd chapter and the story went from 3rd person POV to 1st person...Did I get thrown for a tiny loop and have to back up to see if I missed something? You know I did. All in all the story is moving along rather quickly and I'm looking forward to see this "straight" boy is going to take to this whole new BDSM life.

What caught my attention with this book was the title, Above the Dungeon, and then the belt on the cover. The blurb put this book on my “must have” category...more

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May 22, 2010 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Above the Dungeon is a very interesting, intense book. The story is highly erotic and in fact almost all of the character development, dialogue, and action takes place during BDSM scenes and related events. In some ways the sex offered is hard core with edgy sadomasochism, but there are a lot of relationship dynamics and emotional struggles that happen to balance this out. The end result is still a complicated, lightening fast creation that doesn’t wholly answer all the questions posed and ends...more Above the Dungeon is a very interesting, intense book. The story is highly erotic and in fact almost all of the character development, dialogue, and action takes place during BDSM scenes and related events. In some ways the sex offered is hard core with edgy sadomasochism, but there are a lot of relationship dynamics and emotional struggles that happen to balance this out. The end result is still a complicated, lightening fast creation that doesn’t wholly answer all the questions posed and ends abruptly but will appeal to those fans of edgy, intense BDSM stories.

The narrative follows straight laced Adair who runs away from his family and country club future to experience something different and unexpected in NYC. His cousin sets him up bartending in a gay bar and before he knows it, straight Dare is getting involved with the Dungeon Master and owner, Roman. Roman already has a long time partner and slave of a dozen years, Jeff, but something about Dare appeals and attracts the leather master. Together the three men work and play as they balance the new appearance of Dare and what that means to the relationship.

The story is mostly decent as it follows Dare’s integration into a serious 24/7 master slave couple while viewing the actions from both Dare and Jeff’s perspective. There are however a few holes that aren’t well explained. The first is the character of Dare, who goes from being completely straight, totally uninterested in BDSM to contemplating being Roman’s slave in a little under a month but really only a handful of times with Roman. He agrees to increasingly uncomfortable situations and circumstances with hardly a qualm or question, way too fast given his history of accepting the easy road. Furthermore Dare expresses maybe a thought or two about butting into Jeff and Roman’s relationship but hardly even considers this. In fact he spends the majority of the time loving and accepting what Roman wants for him.

While the lack of concern from Dane’s perspective about almost anything that happens reads false, it does allow the story to focus on the BDSM action. The story revels in the sexuality, trust, sensuality, and pure mechanics of the buildup and sex. It delves into the acceptance of a submissive and why they crave certain actions, but from the viewpoint of very little to no angst about this. This works well with the character of Jeff who is more concerned about what’s going to happen to his relationship with Roman and is happy and confident in his sexual needs and tastes. His flaws and slight selfishness are on display constantly and somewhat hard to like. He likes to fall in love yet gets very jealous when Roman appears to be doing so. This isn’t pure selfishness or spoiled brat behavior but nuanced with a lot of meaning and background, but Jeff never really becomes a completely likable character.

Likewise Roman stays a mystery as the ultimate Dom that never makes a mistake. He owns the ubiquitous popular bar and BDSM club, held in high esteem by everyone and picks only those worthy to give his attention. He chooses of course the shy, introverted Dare and turns him into a willing submissive. He’s the least well developed of all the characters and that’s partly due to the narrative always being from the slave’s point of view who adore Roman and think he can do no wrong, so of course he doesn’t. This leaves Roman as a decent character but somewhat mysterious and a bit too perfect.

The writing itself is decent with some nice lyrical prose but overall it moves too fast and throws the characters into one scene after another with very little reflection beyond the sexual aspects. The story alternates from Dare’s third person point of view to Jeff’s first person perspective and this is a style that I don’t care for. Reader preference will vary but this tactic always pulls me out of the tale and reminds me I’m reading the manipulations of an author, rather than indulging in a story. The shifting view point stumbles each time, jerking out of an intense scene into something mundane or vice versa creating an uneven pace. The ending as well is completely abrupt and leaves the resolution hanging, with only a vague hope that the characters work something out. There is no real ending to how or even if Roman, Dare, and Jeff end up together and in what way. The book just…ends.

Overall this is a good book that will likely appeal to those BDSM fans looking for something intense and complicated. The shifting first to third POV may bother some but not others so if you’re a fan of edgy, hard hitting BDSM and like a ménage to your men, check this out.
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Mar 22, 2013 Syfy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-bdsm, m-m-m

Great story!
I absolutely hated it, but it is a great story and there is no way in hell I can rest until I know what happens next.... Out of the Dungeon

*******************************************************

What makes this such an extraordinary read is the depiction of "the good, the bad, and the ugly".

Morbid fascination is how I would describe Dare's observations as well as being his motivation. He seemed to become mesmerized by Roman almost instantly. Makes for an interesting story, but I felt...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Suze rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Suze by: Won on m/m group birthday party

Won this at the Anniversary Party this year - and I'm glad I did!I wasnt sure I was going to like it, but I did - quite a hot, intense read. The story is of Dare (preppy straight guy), Roman (BDSM master) and Jeff (Roman's lover and 24/7 slave). It was Jeff that probably had me most worried pre read - if he was treated as less than human I would have stopped (dont like to read humiliation). The story is about Jeff and Roman's relationship and Roman's with Dare, pushing him in BDSM (light for him...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Jack Pyke rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, higly-recommended, menage

This has to be 5 stars from me. I’ve read some dark things lately (Herbert/Barker) and this immediately offered something deliciously lighter: something that could pull me back from the dread and compulsion of picking up a dark read. I kept coming back to this novel with just a real easy sigh, and it’s been such a long time since I’ve found a novel that’s made me feel so at ease.

I loved the 1st v 3rd switch in pov between Dare and Jeff. The arrangement not only gave both sides of the relationshi...more This has to be 5 stars from me. I’ve read some dark things lately (Herbert/Barker) and this immediately offered something deliciously lighter: something that could pull me back from the dread and compulsion of picking up a dark read. I kept coming back to this novel with just a real easy sigh, and it’s been such a long time since I’ve found a novel that’s made me feel so at ease.

I loved the 1st v 3rd switch in pov between Dare and Jeff. The arrangement not only gave both sides of the relationship “argument” here, but also characterised Roman beautifully. And it all played havoc with my loyalties. I hated Roman, even though I should have been hating Jeff; then I was growling at the possible ménage scenario that neither of them obviously wanted. Then I was loving the possible manage scenario because some of the BDSM sex scenes were just so damn hot. And then – stage door opens to allow Dare into the mix.

Jeff, he’s your one-hundred percent sub, but with a twist: always looking for something else -- not someone, just the thrill of something else. I actually loved Jeff. All his insecurities, his selfishness, but mostly how his own selfishness, aided by Roman’s pure patience and understanding, was his own undoing: his Dom gave him everything he wanted, and loved him enough to supply Jeff with everything Jeff thought he wanted. That was something really special to see from Roman, and from a Dom. So when Dare comes into the mix, you can see the possibility of a real threat, and all of Jeff’s insecurities come into play again.

Dare. He’s your typical pretty(ish) rich boy running away from marriage. You could bring in “trope” here, but Dare, he was a surprise, and one I’m not quite sure where he leaves me feeling in the end. He gets drawn willingly to Roman -- and into Roman’s world -- but, and this is part that helped define him in his own right away from trope characters, he pulls himself away from Roman’s world in a bid to retain individual identity. And it’s this that left me a little ‘hmmm’ towards the end. I’d seen Dare getting drawn in body and soul, then when Dare saw Jeff in the 24/7 state, all that heat almost flat-lined. It left a very strange state, but one I can understand. Some people don’t take one-hundred percent to the sub life. So it was good to see that play out and see Dare try to find his comfort levels, and then acknowledge his comfort levels, especially when it came to Roman.

Roman… Mmmmm. The more I think about him, the more I’d like to pull him from the pages and do wicked things to him. I loved how he kept showing his pure commitment to Jeff, even through his fascination with Dare. The tables turned on Jeff again, going from thinking he needed more, to learning Roman maybe was all he needed, to seeing someone else catch Roman’s eye. The whole constantly shifting arrangements made for a whole snake-pit for disaster, but Roman kept coming into his pure Dom roll, showing Jeff how much he loves him, bringing out the best in Dare, so that by the end, there’s a strange part-time sub v full-time sub acceptance with the relationship. I expected Dare to go his own way with how cool he became, or at least find someone else and keep coming back to Roman, so the ending did surprise me a little.

But overall, a fantastic read, and I’m damn sure I’ll picking up the next installments to this.
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Jun 09, 2012 Purplegirl rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, 2012, no-longer-lendable

I will give this a 2.5. I did like the parts with Roman and Dare. Things were good when Roman was easing Dare into BDSM. I could see the connection between the two. But the story annoyed me every time we had to hear from Jeff, who was Roman's slave. He was a pain in the butt throughout the story.

Jeff was selfish and just ridiculous with having to fall in love with someone else every few years and then getting upset when Roman found someone. It was also a little weird that his chapters were the o...more

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Dec 09, 2012 ~Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-ebook, a-read-in-2013-ereader, a-length-151-399-pages, a-series, body-piercing-s, body-tattoo-s, character-dom-me, character-rich-boy-or-girl, character-slave, content-pov-shift, from-i-won-it, from-the-author, from-smashwords, genre-contemporary, outcome-unknown-unresolved, character-conflicted-or-confused, sex-good-and-smutty, sexcontent-anal-play-sex, sexcontent-bdsm-elements, sexcontent-masturbation, sexcontent-menage-scene, sexcontent-oral-play-sex, sexcontent-public-sex, sexcontent-sexual-journey, sexcontent-toys, sexcontent-voyeur-exhibitionism, sexual-mix-m-m, sexual-mix-m-m-m, ee-holiday12-read-rate-review-tag, menage-2013-a-z-challenge, ee-2013-a-z-challenge

Dare has run away from his life, he didn't want to marry his long-time girlfriend and have a vanilla life. He moved in with his cousin who worked as a bartender at Above The Dungeon, a gay BDSM bar above a dungeon owned by Roman. Roman and Jeff are in a long-time master/slave relationship and every once in a while, Jeff, wants to step out. Instead of sneaking around, they have agreed both are allowed to as long as all is communicated.

Jeff is enamored of someone else and doesn't like it so much...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Maggie Sims rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, erotica, multiple-partners, open-relationships

WARNING: MIGHT BE SPOILERISH

hmmm between 3 and 3.5

I was really intrigued with the storyline so I bought the book and its sequel prior to reading the first one.

The Smut value in this book is fantastic. I found the author’s writing style is smooth and engaging. So where did it go wrong for me?

I could not connect with Roman, and in a way with Jeff. Roman seemed rather selfish and just driven by his ‘dick’s desire throughout the entire book. I know this is an erotica book but I would have apprecia...more WARNING: MIGHT BE SPOILERISH

hmmm between 3 and 3.5

I was really intrigued with the storyline so I bought the book and its sequel prior to reading the first one.

The Smut value in this book is fantastic. I found the author’s writing style is smooth and engaging. So where did it go wrong for me?

I could not connect with Roman, and in a way with Jeff. Roman seemed rather selfish and just driven by his ‘dick’s desire throughout the entire book. I know this is an erotica book but I would have appreciated some depth to his and Jeff’s characters since supposedly they are each other’s love of his life. Maybe it was all me. I love reading BDSM stories with a dominant/submissive main focus but I am not really comfortable with ‘slave’ stories. The constant berating/humiliating of the slaves and the word ‘slave’ itself gives me the creeps. Giving that I should have read more about it being a ‘slave’ story in the reviews before reading it, I can’t hold it against the author.

One big no-no for me is that Roman would punish Jeff for using his safe word supposedly because they have been together for long enough that Roman would know Jeff's limits. So one is to assume that Roman must be the 'all knowing' dom that a lot of erotica books present these days. I wonder what happened to his 'all knowing self' when Jeff had obviously had enough during the suspension scene at the club but he kept flogging him until he passed out. And then, to add 'tender care' to the aftermath, showing his committed love to Jeff (yeah right) decides to impose Dare on him on the way home.

The hopeless romantic in me likes to see the element of romance in my erotica books but I didn’t find it here. I have read some ménage books that I have enjoyed but between these three it felt almost more like a triangle. It was surely more ‘forced’ by Roman. It sure felt at the end that Jeff was just ‘settling’ with the whole Dare deal to please Roman.

The overall story was ok but I don’t know if I would have bought the sequel if I had read the first book prior to buying it. Oh well, I’m off to reading it now. I hope the story gets better.
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Jan 15, 2013 Barb ~rede-2-read~ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, bingo-challenge, m-m-m, read-2013

While I appreciated the depth of information the author provided on the dungeon scenes, I had difficulty with figuring out just who the MC's were. I guess all three, Roman, Jeff and Dare were the MC's but I kept thinking there would be more romance and I just didn't feel it among any of them.

The addition of the women, specifically Vanessa and Melissa just irritated me. Melissa was a bit too unreal, considering her background and the fact that she was almost Dare's fiance. And Vanessa just plain...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Lyndac rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-challenge-200, backdoor, bdsm, e-books, m-m, menage, multiples, spanking, 2013-bedtime-stories-15

I would rate this a 3.5, but rounded up instead of down. I enjoyed the fact that the story of a rich preppy boy moving into a gay BDSM atmosphere was told from different POVs. It was well written and full of all kinds of emotions. My only negative of the book was that it didn't seem to go anywhere. I was still waiting at the end for some emotional finale which never came. However, I don't think I can blame the author for that. Just because I wanted it didn't mean it had to be written.

Overall, go...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, z-bdsm-bedtime-challenge, z-ee-group-books, m-m, menage, z-bdsm-jan-challenge, previously-loaned, reviewed, z-ee-holiday-books, 2013-freebies, 2013-books

I have to say that this was such an interesting portrayal of a D/s relationship. Having only experienced this through books in the last year, I don't have any benchmark for this story. But I can say that it was an intense read. I really appreciated the contract between the different points of views - the straight man who is new to the not only the gay world but also to D/s, and then the long-term slave who feels comfort in his role of slave but presses against the boundaries of his relationship...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Awilk -will work for books- rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: body-art-tattoos, dom-sub, established-couple, kindle, m-m, more-than-2, read-in-2013

This was very different to any other m/m BDSM books that I have read. The story revolves around three men, two who are a long term couple, and a younger man that catches the eye of one of them and is brought into the relationship of this pair.
The changing point of views was well done. It read like it was written by the two separate characters.
Roman was a well known Dom, who owns a club with a dungeon downstairs where he works with submissive clients. Jeff was his slave, and they had been togethe...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Virginia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Virginia by: Kerry

Shelves: genre-mm, content-bdsm-moderate, fiction-contemporary, 2010

This was a good BDSM read. Story mainly focuses on Dare and his entry into the world of BDSM at the hands of a dom master, Roman. Roman is in a 24/7 relationship with Jeff, although, they are open to adding a third and Jeff is actively pursuing candidates.

Roman and Dare are drawn together. Jeff is insecure of his relationship with Roman and wants their third to be more a dom than a sub. His jealousy and insecurity is an issue throughout the book as Dare and Roman get closer. The BDSM scenes are...more

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About SM Johnson

SM Johnson hibernates in a conservative community of northern Wisconsin, where she writes characters who aren't exactly mainstream. Her novels include DeVante's Children, DeVante's Coven, and Above the Dungeon. Visit her on blogspot to feed your hunger for darkly erotic fiction and things that go "naughty" in the night. http://www.smjbookteasers.blogspot.com

Recent releases: Revised edition of DeVa...more

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