Dark Haven (DarkHavenMaven) (91 books)

Dark Haven is now friends with ♥ lavendar ♥

Dark Haven said "yes" to attending Muscles and Mistletoe Blog Hop

date: September 24, 2012 12:00AM
location: The United States
description: A holiday blog hop to ring in the holidays. What better way then with hot guys. Its as easy as signing up.
Dark Haven said: I have to decide if it would be tacky to have two blog hops on the same day. One blog hop just lasts for one day. November 23rd. I think I'll probably...more

Dark Haven rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Safeword Davenport (Safeword #4)
by Candace Blevins (Goodreads Author)

read in September, 2012

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To the world, Dana Bennett is a confident and successful interior designer. But emotionally, she is still struggling with her husband’s passing a year and a half after his death. Dana is selected by Zachary Irving to renovate his house 3 years after...more To the world, Dana Bennett is a confident and successful interior designer. But emotionally, she is still struggling with her husband’s passing a year and a half after his death. Dana is selected by Zachary Irving to renovate his house 3 years after his wife’s death. Her initial empathy for his loss turns into interested curiosity as it becomes apparent he and his wife practiced a D/s lifestyle. It’s a lifestyle she and her deceased husband practiced as well. Despite her interest in Zach, she never dates clients and doesn’t plan to start now. But after 7 months, their working relationship ends removing the impediments which kept them from getting to know each other on an intimate level. Though Dana will miss Zach’s presence in her life now that the job is over, she doesn’t feel she’s ready for another Dominate/submissive relationship. It’s up to Zach to change her mind.

This is another gritty and realistic portrayal of the Dom/sub dynamic by Ms. Blevins. Dana Bennett is an emotionally vulnerable character still tied to her past marriage, but she’s not a wimp. She’s strong in her convictions and in her negotiations when she decides to take a step toward her future – a D/s relationship with Zach. Their sexual exploration cracks Dana’s emotional barrier and she realizes she cares for Zach. This realization intensifies her internal struggle that a new love is a betrayal to her dead husband. She’s walking an emotional tight rope and Ms. Blevins conveys her ordeal perfectly.

Sometimes it’s just hard to let go of something that was wonderful in or lives; it’s human nature to want to hold on. I could definitely relate to her struggle. This is the emotional battle that Zach much wage with Dana – to move on from her past love. It’s a battle he’s already been through himself. His wife died a few years earlier and it’s because of his plan to alter his home… to let go of his past- that he meets Dana. The characters empathy for the other at the beginning of the story really engaged me in their story line and I was hooked. I desperately wanted to see them happy.

This book isn’t just whips, chains and bondage- though there is a lot of that in this tale. The story is a journey between two people as they deal with their pasts, embrace their present and hope for a future together. It’s a poignant and emotional ride that becomes more intense when the BDSM dynamic is introduced into their relationship. This dynamic is intense, painful, exciting and smacks of realism (no pun intended). Some of the BDSM scenes were shocking and difficult for me to read because I’m not into Dana’s extremely painful masochistic kink. However, Ms. Blevins adroitly uses Dana’s need for extreme pain to add another emotional layer to the story, because Zach must not only accept that Dana needs intense pain, but he must learn to give it to her if their relationship is to make it. Two other facets that made this book a page turner for me were the introduction of two secondary characters- Jacob, a male submissive, and his master, and Dana’s friend, Brent. They added an extra bit of kink to this story and they play a key role in Dana’s journey. I can’t say anymore than that, but it was an eye opener for me.

Though SAFEWORD: Davenport is an emotional roller coaster ride, be forewarned this is a scorching HOT read. There are scenes of dominance and submission that will curl your toes and have you running to take a cold shower (or grab a mechanical aid). This book is a keeper and one I will definitely be reading again. In the meantime I look forward to reading the second part of Dana and Zach’s story. SAFEWORD: Davenport and Chiffon. (Copy supplied by author.)
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Dark Haven rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Chairman of the Whored by Lucy V. Morgan

Chairman of the Whored (Whored, #1)
by Lucy V. Morgan (Goodreads Author)

read in August, 2012

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Rated: 4.5
After years of her parents taking care of her and going into debt to do it, Leila Vaughn feels obligated to take on her parents’ debt when their home and livelihood is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, her income as a fledgling tax attorney isn’t...more Rated: 4.5
          After years of her parents taking care of her and going into debt to do it, Leila Vaughn feels obligated to take on her parents’ debt when their home and livelihood is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, her income as a fledgling tax attorney isn’t enough to pay their monthly bill, so she makes a fateful decision. For her parents’ sake, Leila the lawyer becomes Charlotte the whore. It’s a financially lucrative business, and now with only a few jobs needed to finish paying off the debt, there’s light at the end of this sordid tunnel. However, the unexpected brings her whoring and professional side crashing together when her boss, Joseph Merchant, with her colleague and friend, Matthew Gordon, hire her for a night. A one night ménage tryst opens the door to emotional and sexual ramifications that affect them all. Her boss, may be the choreographer of their ensuing sexual dance, but it’s still up to Leila to choose her partner and decide the life she’ll lead.
          Chairman of the Whored is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Morgan and it won’t be the last. This is a very sensual, sexual and provocative story with characters you’ll question, despise and, eventually, either hate or love. On a scale of 1 – 10 on the erotic romance meter, this is off the chart and in a class by itself. This is a dark erotic tale inhabited by real people I could identify with and in situations that were totally believable to me.
          Leila is funny, fearless, stubborn and very frustrating, as I consider the choice she makes at the end of the story. There’s also more to her than just being sexually adventurous and uninhibited, capable of fulfilling the sexual desires of strange men for the sake of money and saving the ‘family farm’ so to speak. The truth be told, Leila has a sexual bent - a wantonness within her that is set free by her call girl life. After her tryst with Joseph and Gordon, I found it fascinating to watch her struggle with her feelings for both men. Matthew wants her to stop whoring and be his alone. There’d be church bells and rice in their future if he had his way. Joseph is the Chairman of the Whored. He has the power to ruin Matt’s and Leila’s lives. This man has a dark side and it’s all about him – his needs and his desires. He is a decadent user of whores (hence his moniker) and after one night with Leila he wields his knowledge and power to control her. Leila will get the money she needs to fulfill her financial obligation, but her last 3 jobs must be with him. This just intensifies the psychological conflict within Leila. It’s a battle between good and wantonness—Leila vs. Charlotte. The choice - a normal life with Matt or a complicated arrangement with Joseph. It was exciting to read.
          Chairman of the Whored is not a quick read. At least it wasn’t for me. There’s so much sexual, emotional and psychological drama I didn’t want to miss anything. The sex scenes were intense and always character revealing. The plot more than held my interest (though there is coincidental element I felt was a stretch). The characters were three dimensional - very real. My favorite character was Aiden- a friend of Leila and also on occasion a willing and gleeful sexual partner while on the job. He’s compassion and, most importantly and effectively, his humor helped to give this story its realism and needed levity. If you like your erotic romance with an intense, provocative, thought provoking and well developed plot with great characters, this is definitely the story for you. (Copy supplied by author.)(less)

Dark Haven rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Strawberry Kisses (1 Night Stand, #29)
by Dominique Eastwick (Goodreads Author)

read in September, 2012

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Rated: 4.5

Miriam “Mia” Callrous can relate to computers, design and create game images and ‘toons’ to delight the most ardent game playing fan, but relating to the world and having a real and satisfying relationship has always alluded her. If it wasn...more

Dark Haven joined the group Self Publishing (not vanity publishing)

Dark Haven rated a book 2 of 5 stars

Sea Bride (Children of the Waves, #1)
by LaVerne Thompson (Goodreads Author)

read in August, 2012

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Rating 2.5
Tell the Dark Haven Diva (me) that a story is set beneath the ocean waves and I’m there! I’ve been hooked on Gena Showalter’s “Atlantis” and Alyssa Day’s “Warriors of Poseidon” series for years. I was hoping that the Sea Bride would be a s...more

Dark Haven rated a book 4 of 5 stars

An Era Apart
by Chris Lange (Goodreads Author)

read in August, 2012

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I’ve been trying to get to An Era Apart for months and I’m so glad I did. The author gave me a wonderful cast of characters. Tracy’s a spitfire of a modern woman, coming to grips with the danger and reality of existing in another world. This is a wo...more

Dark Haven rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Sealing the Deal (Sex Sells, #1)
by Kim Dare (Goodreads Author)

read in July, 2012

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Rating 3.5
Sealing the Deal is a story about two men, employer and employee, who have been harboring an attraction for the other for the past 3 months. Now that the job is over, this is their opportunity to explore a more intimate relationship. Is tha...more

Dark Haven rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Three-Day Town (Deborah Knott Mysteries, #17)
by Margaret Maron (Goodreads Author)

read in August, 2012

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Rating 3.5
Let me first say, I was hooked on Margaret Maron after reading "A Bootlegger's Daughter" which swept all the mystery awards back in 1993. I've enjoyed every Knott story Ms. Maron has written. On one hand, I was looking forward to reading t...more

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Dark Haven is now friends with ♥ lavendar ♥
Oct 01, 2012 05:17am · like
Dark Haven said "yes" to attending Muscles and Mistletoe Blog Hop date: September 24, 2012 12:00AM location: The United States description: A holiday blog hop to ring in the holidays. What better way then with hot guys. Its as easy as signing up. Dark Haven said: I have to decide if it would be tacky to have two blog hops on the same day. One blog hop just lasts for one day. November 23rd. I think I'll probably...more
Sep 24, 2012 02:40pm · like
Dark Haven rated a book 5 of 5 stars Safeword Davenport (Safeword #4) by Candace Blevins (Goodreads Author) read in September, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
To the world, Dana Bennett is a confident and successful interior designer. But emotionally, she is still struggling with her husband’s passing a year and a half after his death. Dana is selected by Zachary Irving to renovate his house 3 years after...more
Sep 13, 2012 11:51am · see review
Dark Haven rated a book 4 of 5 stars Chairman of the Whored (Whored, #1) by Lucy V. Morgan (Goodreads Author) read in August, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Rated: 4.5 After years of her parents taking care of her and going into debt to do it, Leila Vaughn feels obligated to take on her parents’ debt when their home and livelihood is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, her income as a fledgling tax attorney isn’t...more
Sep 04, 2012 07:08pm · see review
Dark Haven rated a book 4 of 5 stars Strawberry Kisses (1 Night Stand, #29) by Dominique Eastwick (Goodreads Author) read in September, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Rated: 4.5 Miriam “Mia” Callrous can relate to computers, design and create game images and ‘toons’ to delight the most ardent game playing fan, but relating to the world and having a real and satisfying relationship has always alluded her. If it wasn...more
Sep 03, 2012 04:39pm · see review
Dark Haven joined the group Self Publishing (not vanity publishing)
Sep 03, 2012 04:29pm · like
Dark Haven rated a book 2 of 5 stars Sea Bride (Children of the Waves, #1) by LaVerne Thompson (Goodreads Author) read in August, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Rating 2.5 Tell the Dark Haven Diva (me) that a story is set beneath the ocean waves and I’m there! I’ve been hooked on Gena Showalter’s “Atlantis” and Alyssa Day’s “Warriors of Poseidon” series for years. I was hoping that the Sea Bride would be a s...more
Aug 26, 2012 07:34pm · see review
Dark Haven rated a book 4 of 5 stars An Era Apart by Chris Lange (Goodreads Author) read in August, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been trying to get to An Era Apart for months and I’m so glad I did. The author gave me a wonderful cast of characters. Tracy’s a spitfire of a modern woman, coming to grips with the danger and reality of existing in another world. This is a wo...more
Aug 26, 2012 07:18pm · see review
Dark Haven rated a book 3 of 5 stars Sealing the Deal (Sex Sells, #1) by Kim Dare (Goodreads Author) read in July, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Rating 3.5 Sealing the Deal is a story about two men, employer and employee, who have been harboring an attraction for the other for the past 3 months. Now that the job is over, this is their opportunity to explore a more intimate relationship. Is tha...more
Aug 26, 2012 07:08pm · see review
Dark Haven rated a book 3 of 5 stars Three-Day Town (Deborah Knott Mysteries, #17) by Margaret Maron (Goodreads Author) read in August, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Rating 3.5 Let me first say, I was hooked on Margaret Maron after reading "A Bootlegger's Daughter" which swept all the mystery awards back in 1993. I've enjoyed every Knott story Ms. Maron has written. On one hand, I was looking forward to reading t...more
Aug 26, 2012 06:53pm · see review

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