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Tender Mercies
"Grace. That word that finally meant something again. Mercy. Favor. Good will."
Fed up with play kink, Grace Warner moves to an island that embraces erotic slavery to be with a man she met online. Within hours of her arrival, everything is ripped from her, and she quickly learns play is preferable to the realities of actual enslavement.Asher Collins has spent the past year mourning and blaming himself for the death of his slave, Darcy. When Grace catches his eye at a showing, obviously abused, he becomes obsessed with buying her and finding a way to atone for his own past sins.
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction, and the author does not endorse or condone any behavior done to another human being without their consent. This work contains subject matter which is not appropriate for minors including depictions of abuse, slavery, dubious consent, and anal play.
Fed up with play kink, Grace Warner moves to an island that embraces erotic slavery to be with a man she met online. Within hours of her arrival, everything is ripped from her, and she quickly learns play is preferable to the realities of actual enslavement.Asher Collins has spent the past year mourning and blaming himself for the death of his slave, Darcy. When Grace catches his eye at a showing, obviously abused, he becomes obsessed with buying her and finding a way to atone for his own past sins.
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction, and the author does not endorse or condone any behavior done to another human being without their consent. This work contains subject matter which is not appropriate for minors including depictions of abuse, slavery, dubious consent, and anal play.
220 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2011
191 people are currently reading
5699 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Thomas
56 books4,957 followers😈 Author of Comfort Food, published in early 2010: The OG (original gangster/the first) Dark Romance 😈
NEW RELEASE:
RUTHLESS DEVOTION: A dark stalker forced marriage romance:
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"If dark romance with obsession, danger, and just the right touch of chaos is your thing, Ruthless Devotion is a must-read. Aidan is intense, unhinged in the best way, and completely fixated on Maddie—yet somehow, you can’t help falling for him.”-Booksnliftsdiary, Goodreads
"Dark, Twisted, and Addictively Compelling.” – Good Booking Girl, Goodreads
"Maddie is strong, she is smart, and I love her. I’ll be honest I was not sure how Kitty Thomas was gonna get me on team Aiden but she did! I can’t wait to read more from this author!” – Katlyn, Goodreads
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🔥 COMFORT FOOD, the OG Dark Romance: 🔥
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🔥 BOOK OF THE WEEK: 🔥
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Kitty began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling, COMFORT FOOD.
Thank you for reading!
Kitty ^.^
NEW RELEASE:
RUTHLESS DEVOTION: A dark stalker forced marriage romance:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Devot...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/ruthless...
"If dark romance with obsession, danger, and just the right touch of chaos is your thing, Ruthless Devotion is a must-read. Aidan is intense, unhinged in the best way, and completely fixated on Maddie—yet somehow, you can’t help falling for him.”-Booksnliftsdiary, Goodreads
"Dark, Twisted, and Addictively Compelling.” – Good Booking Girl, Goodreads
"Maddie is strong, she is smart, and I love her. I’ll be honest I was not sure how Kitty Thomas was gonna get me on team Aiden but she did! I can’t wait to read more from this author!” – Katlyn, Goodreads
Get a FREE ebook when you subscribe to my newsletter: https://kittythomas.com/free-book/
🔥 COMFORT FOOD, the OG Dark Romance: 🔥
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Food-K...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/comfort-...
🔥 BOOK OF THE WEEK: 🔥
For readers who like to share promotional images on their socials or in groups, you can get those here: https://bookbrush.com/reader-hub/Kitt...
Kitty began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling, COMFORT FOOD.
Thank you for reading!
Kitty ^.^
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 498 reviews
October 11, 2015
KITTY THOMAS MARATHON!
** 3,5-4 STARS **
“(…) You will give me everything. You won’t give it because you’re afraid of me. You’ll give it because you’re grateful and because you trust me. I don’t care how long it takes us to get to that point. BUT WE WILL GET THERE.”
~ ASHER
I've missed being inside this lady's dark and twisted mind. This one was a bit too...cute I believe, but as usual I enjoyed the lingering f*cked-up-ness.
January 7, 2013
Adult review for taboo erotic content.
Moving this review over from my other account because I want to start merging some authors onto the same account instead of having them listed in separate places. There are a couple of mild spoilers ahead discussing character behavior, but there are no big plot reveals.
Original read/review early 2012. I knew what I was getting into when I started this book. I'd read and loved Thomas' book Comfort Food, so the subject matter was not a deterrent.
Believe it or not, this book disturbed me more than Comfort Food did. I'm not really sure how this happened. I think what I realized is that the cruel master scenario made more sense to me than the kind master scenario.
It was almost as if I wanted the second master to either be harder or softer. If he had been harder, I would have accepted that he was wired to be in control. If he had shown a little bit more flexibility in Grace's life outside of the bedroom, I would have accepted that he was a sexy dominant with some give. Unfortunately, I had a hard time growing to like him because I felt like he was trying to prove to himself that he was in control, even when he didn't always need to be. If you're wired to be a hardass, great. If you're not wired that way, don't force it. I felt like he forced himself to do things to Grace that he didn't always want to do.
The situation with Darcy should have taught him that he was okay to ease up on the reigns at times. The lesson he learned from that wasn't much more than thinking he needed to get control earlier on and keep control. But I ask the question - or what? What exactly was Grace going to do? Once she learned to trust Asher, she wasn't going to be rebellious. She wanted to be a submissive. So, him deciding that he would choose to punish her if she accidentally broke something seemed overkill at that point, especially when he didn't like doing it to begin with. Again, I think I would have had an easier time with this if it was in his nature to want to hand out punishments. It just bugged me that he was forcing himself to do this because it fit his pre-conceived notions of what his role was as a dom.
The story would have worked better (in this instance) if he was a dom in the bedroom and a partner in real life. Yes, I know...it works against the whole island concept. But, why couldn't he have been a break from the island norm? This could have been shown through his loss of Darcy and how the healing changed him.
This book has scenes of forced sexual play, hints at animal participation, etc. You will want to know this before picking up the book because this author writes taboo subject matter. I don't feel the need to spoiler tag the above because it's something a person should know if they plan on reading anything from this author.
Moving this review over from my other account because I want to start merging some authors onto the same account instead of having them listed in separate places. There are a couple of mild spoilers ahead discussing character behavior, but there are no big plot reveals.
Original read/review early 2012. I knew what I was getting into when I started this book. I'd read and loved Thomas' book Comfort Food, so the subject matter was not a deterrent.
Believe it or not, this book disturbed me more than Comfort Food did. I'm not really sure how this happened. I think what I realized is that the cruel master scenario made more sense to me than the kind master scenario.
It was almost as if I wanted the second master to either be harder or softer. If he had been harder, I would have accepted that he was wired to be in control. If he had shown a little bit more flexibility in Grace's life outside of the bedroom, I would have accepted that he was a sexy dominant with some give. Unfortunately, I had a hard time growing to like him because I felt like he was trying to prove to himself that he was in control, even when he didn't always need to be. If you're wired to be a hardass, great. If you're not wired that way, don't force it. I felt like he forced himself to do things to Grace that he didn't always want to do.
The situation with Darcy should have taught him that he was okay to ease up on the reigns at times. The lesson he learned from that wasn't much more than thinking he needed to get control earlier on and keep control. But I ask the question - or what? What exactly was Grace going to do? Once she learned to trust Asher, she wasn't going to be rebellious. She wanted to be a submissive. So, him deciding that he would choose to punish her if she accidentally broke something seemed overkill at that point, especially when he didn't like doing it to begin with. Again, I think I would have had an easier time with this if it was in his nature to want to hand out punishments. It just bugged me that he was forcing himself to do this because it fit his pre-conceived notions of what his role was as a dom.
The story would have worked better (in this instance) if he was a dom in the bedroom and a partner in real life. Yes, I know...it works against the whole island concept. But, why couldn't he have been a break from the island norm? This could have been shown through his loss of Darcy and how the healing changed him.
This book has scenes of forced sexual play, hints at animal participation, etc. You will want to know this before picking up the book because this author writes taboo subject matter. I don't feel the need to spoiler tag the above because it's something a person should know if they plan on reading anything from this author.
April 11, 2013
OK, I've heard good things about this book, but recently it was available on Amazon for free.. so I bought it! And, once I started it, I couldn't stop. I read til 2 am, then during work breaks, on my lunch hour... I wanted to know what happened to Grace.
Kitty Thomas does it again... pulls us in, makes everyone of us willingly submissive to inconceivable consequences. At one point I wondered, "Why am I all right with this?" I'm not sure. I just know I was and I loved the ending! Great job, fun, dark, difficult read! (If that isn't contradictory I'm not sure what it... in a nutshell, if you can handle it, do it!)
Kitty Thomas does it again... pulls us in, makes everyone of us willingly submissive to inconceivable consequences. At one point I wondered, "Why am I all right with this?" I'm not sure. I just know I was and I loved the ending! Great job, fun, dark, difficult read! (If that isn't contradictory I'm not sure what it... in a nutshell, if you can handle it, do it!)
January 14, 2014
3.5 stars
This is a short story. I did feel it was Dark but not something that is too dark. Or at least to me it wasn't. I wanted to know more information in between things that I got. I wish that it was longer so I could enjoy it more and suck in as much as I could.
This starts off with Grace. She has been talking to Lucas from a secret island where it is legal to keep a slave 24/7 and do whatever you want with the slave. The only thing is that if, Grace chosses to leave and go to the island she will no longer have any rights of her own. She will be fully owned by her Master. There is no freedom. There is no going back home when you feel you had enough.
Grace decides to go to the island to be with Lucas and live out her fantasy that she feels is best for her and what she wants. But, when she gets to the island, Lucas is anything but what she thought he was. He is an empty dark soul that does not give two shits about, Grace or her well being. He takes her home and rips away everything she thought she would get and breaks her down into a slave that does what ever he says. He doesn't treat her well at all and makes her life a living hell while she is with him.
Then of course Lucas decides that it is time to sale her. He broke her down to nothing and he knows that whoever will buy her will just keep her broken.
Asher he seems like of weak to me at first. He buys Grace and when he gets her he sees how broken she is. He wants to comfort her but doesn't want to be weak with her.
These two have been through some shit but, Grace has been through more I feel. She is so helpless and she is so scared of everything around her. She can't get out of her head.
It takes time and process but everything starts working out with Asher and Grace. I just wish that it was longer so I could read more and get more information about the process.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I do wish it was longer and I felt towards the end it was being rushed. I would have liked it to go into more detail about Asher's past and why he ended up on the island and why he wanted to be there. It was a really great short read and it was dark which I liked. One thing I wish I did have was more details on when Lucas had her instead of jumping 8 months after he got her to now. She did go through some back flashes on how she was treated. But it would have been better if the book was long to get the full ride then it might have seemed darker to me. I love reading Kitty Thomas's books so this one was enjoyable.
This is a short story. I did feel it was Dark but not something that is too dark. Or at least to me it wasn't. I wanted to know more information in between things that I got. I wish that it was longer so I could enjoy it more and suck in as much as I could.
This starts off with Grace. She has been talking to Lucas from a secret island where it is legal to keep a slave 24/7 and do whatever you want with the slave. The only thing is that if, Grace chosses to leave and go to the island she will no longer have any rights of her own. She will be fully owned by her Master. There is no freedom. There is no going back home when you feel you had enough.
Grace decides to go to the island to be with Lucas and live out her fantasy that she feels is best for her and what she wants. But, when she gets to the island, Lucas is anything but what she thought he was. He is an empty dark soul that does not give two shits about, Grace or her well being. He takes her home and rips away everything she thought she would get and breaks her down into a slave that does what ever he says. He doesn't treat her well at all and makes her life a living hell while she is with him.
“She thought she was wrong? He was the one who got a hard-on every time she looked up at him with those desperate, brown eyes. Everything in his brain screamed: Prey. Take. Use. He wasn't exactly proud of it, but there it was.”
Then of course Lucas decides that it is time to sale her. He broke her down to nothing and he knows that whoever will buy her will just keep her broken.
Asher he seems like of weak to me at first. He buys Grace and when he gets her he sees how broken she is. He wants to comfort her but doesn't want to be weak with her.
These two have been through some shit but, Grace has been through more I feel. She is so helpless and she is so scared of everything around her. She can't get out of her head.
It takes time and process but everything starts working out with Asher and Grace. I just wish that it was longer so I could read more and get more information about the process.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I do wish it was longer and I felt towards the end it was being rushed. I would have liked it to go into more detail about Asher's past and why he ended up on the island and why he wanted to be there. It was a really great short read and it was dark which I liked. One thing I wish I did have was more details on when Lucas had her instead of jumping 8 months after he got her to now. She did go through some back flashes on how she was treated. But it would have been better if the book was long to get the full ride then it might have seemed darker to me. I love reading Kitty Thomas's books so this one was enjoyable.
September 4, 2018
4.5* property of asher collins STARS!!
As a re-read, still one of the best Kitty Thomas. And best cover too.
Grace Warner always want to be real slave. No role play. Until one day, she become slave for Lucas Stone, the man she only knows through online for a year. Grace came to the island where the law from outside is null. She blame herself and her kink and of course, because Lucas' sugar coated words and promises. Turned out Lucas is an abusive man with no remorse and affection. Grace's fear fed up his sadism. Slowly but sure, Grace lose her identity and receive permanent marks from Lucas.
The prince who saved her isn't come with white horse but money and contract. Asher Collins still in deep regret and sadness over his slave's death, Darcy. He couldn't move on until he found Grace, in a monster's hand. Asher determined to have Grace for repent Darcy's death. Grace already broken and scared. Yeah, time heals everything also kink. Asher is very patient man and very gentle but still strict as a Master who owned Grace. He wouldn't let her fall into depression and trying to cure her with kink.
This story is like yin and yang. There is evil and goodness. Well balanced. Grace has been through dark times with Lucas and succeeded to let it go because of Asher's affection. She isn't weak even after Lucas destroy some part of herself, and finally she could heal from her nightmare.
Asher battled his demon with Grace. Helping Grace through her emotional moment, make Asher realize how important she is and couldn't be replaced. He wanted her because she is more than a slave for him. Grace is real deal. His penance became love. Their bond becoming strong. Even Grace trust him enough to brand her. *Quite disturbing for vanilla peeps*.
My only issue with the law in the island. And some native who live there that I couldn't process. Overall, Tender Mercies is absolutely not easy read. The story, the MCs, the plot has roller coaster feeling. Deep dark, intense and depressing until we reached the rainbow with Asher and Grace's relationship. *Psst, Asher has kink for kitten play. With the costume, fake tail, food and caging* but it is considered soft core. Honestly, Tender Mercies has the best ending.
As a re-read, still one of the best Kitty Thomas. And best cover too.
Grace Warner always want to be real slave. No role play. Until one day, she become slave for Lucas Stone, the man she only knows through online for a year. Grace came to the island where the law from outside is null. She blame herself and her kink and of course, because Lucas' sugar coated words and promises. Turned out Lucas is an abusive man with no remorse and affection. Grace's fear fed up his sadism. Slowly but sure, Grace lose her identity and receive permanent marks from Lucas.
The prince who saved her isn't come with white horse but money and contract. Asher Collins still in deep regret and sadness over his slave's death, Darcy. He couldn't move on until he found Grace, in a monster's hand. Asher determined to have Grace for repent Darcy's death. Grace already broken and scared. Yeah, time heals everything also kink. Asher is very patient man and very gentle but still strict as a Master who owned Grace. He wouldn't let her fall into depression and trying to cure her with kink.
She'd triggered both his cock and his protective urges in such a dramatic way he would have paid two million for her. More. And he was terrified that, rather than atone, he would somehow become a greater monster because of his lack of self-control with this one. He just wanted her too much.
This story is like yin and yang. There is evil and goodness. Well balanced. Grace has been through dark times with Lucas and succeeded to let it go because of Asher's affection. She isn't weak even after Lucas destroy some part of herself, and finally she could heal from her nightmare.
Asher battled his demon with Grace. Helping Grace through her emotional moment, make Asher realize how important she is and couldn't be replaced. He wanted her because she is more than a slave for him. Grace is real deal. His penance became love. Their bond becoming strong. Even Grace trust him enough to brand her. *Quite disturbing for vanilla peeps*.
My only issue with the law in the island. And some native who live there that I couldn't process. Overall, Tender Mercies is absolutely not easy read. The story, the MCs, the plot has roller coaster feeling. Deep dark, intense and depressing until we reached the rainbow with Asher and Grace's relationship. *Psst, Asher has kink for kitten play. With the costume, fake tail, food and caging* but it is considered soft core. Honestly, Tender Mercies has the best ending.
May 9, 2012
(2011) Sorry - I don't get all the praise. I found this book to be...well, boring, actually (and a quick read - I think it took me about 2.5 hours to finish!). A lot was alluded to but not much happened - the book was short on detail. I would have liked to know more specifics about what Lucas did to Grace. And while I'm not usually a fanatic about detail - I usually like character/dialogue driven books, I wanted to know more about the island - how big? Were there female mistresses? Homosexual couples? If there was psychological testing done before M/s were allowed to live there, then how was it Grace was able to be there w/in a day of agreeing to go? Was Lucas living w/o a slave on the island the entire year he "courted" Grace? Why were there supposedly so many other "bad" masters on the island like Lucas? There just seemed to be so many inconsistencies in the book. I thought the sex was kind of dull as were the dungeon scenes. If all masters are allowed to do anything short of killing their slaves...were they allowed to mutilate? Blind? Partially dismember? Refuse care so wounds festered? Why was there a police force and jail on site (short of murder, what crimes were there, and who ran the place?) - and a hospital? I mean, again, how big was this place? Did the masters really want to live there forever - how did they run their businesses or see their families? There is no out-clause for the slaves - so if you happen to have a good master, you are still doing this when you are in your 60's when you need hip and knee replacement surgery for the abuse done to your body? What happens when Master tires of you and no one wants to buy you - are you shipped back home (and your family/friends back home - are they filing missing persons reports? Are there so many people who are willing to cut off all contact w/family and friends for life?) And finally - the ending was so silly - really, he killed him and they all chopped up the body w/no thought about it and that was that? Island was a cool concept, poor execution (no pun intended!). Was outrageously bored w/Comfort Food as well - too much psycho babble in both, boring sex,and really, nothing much really happens in either - don't think KT is the author for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2011
Want to be a submissive 24/7? How about being a slave, pampered on an island careered to men of wealth who own women as slaves? This isn't the first book I've read with this concept. This is probably the first one where it's so realistically done in a plausible contemporary setting.
Grace is a girl who enjoys being owned. She wanted the reality of slavery. Personally, I think Grace is an idiot. Her only friend, Lainey, tried her best to help Grace go in with her eyes wide up. What does Grace do? She goes in with her eyes wide shut.
Now you may think I'm being harsh, but really, people need to take responsibility of their actions. Grace chose to feel guilt and blame herself when Lucas turned out to be a nightmare. That is one way to deal with it. Did I feel badly that Grace was tortured? No. I felt bad that she suffered at a cruel and sadistic bastard. Did I feel outrage? Not exactly. Grace is one of those people I believe benefit from learning things the hard way. Boy did she have a hard eight month lesson. I think she's better for it.
Asher - I've loved this name since I first saw it in an Anita Blake book. Asher is our anti-hero. He's quite the deviant yet lovely dom. I'm glad he was able to resolve the issues of his past and move on. He's amazingly good for Grace and I'm glad they have met.
This story was intense in some ways. It wasn't as intense for me as Comfort Food, but it was still quite well done. I know I'm reading Ms. Thomas's books out of order. I really should read Guilty Pleasure first. I still have that one on my list to read. I recommend this book for anyone who's contemplated a 24/7 D/s lifestyle. This was a nice balance of the possibilities in BDSM lifestyle. There is good and there is bad. Another winner from the talented Ms. Thomas.
Grace is a girl who enjoys being owned. She wanted the reality of slavery. Personally, I think Grace is an idiot. Her only friend, Lainey, tried her best to help Grace go in with her eyes wide up. What does Grace do? She goes in with her eyes wide shut.
Now you may think I'm being harsh, but really, people need to take responsibility of their actions. Grace chose to feel guilt and blame herself when Lucas turned out to be a nightmare. That is one way to deal with it. Did I feel badly that Grace was tortured? No. I felt bad that she suffered at a cruel and sadistic bastard. Did I feel outrage? Not exactly. Grace is one of those people I believe benefit from learning things the hard way. Boy did she have a hard eight month lesson. I think she's better for it.
Asher - I've loved this name since I first saw it in an Anita Blake book. Asher is our anti-hero. He's quite the deviant yet lovely dom. I'm glad he was able to resolve the issues of his past and move on. He's amazingly good for Grace and I'm glad they have met.
This story was intense in some ways. It wasn't as intense for me as Comfort Food, but it was still quite well done. I know I'm reading Ms. Thomas's books out of order. I really should read Guilty Pleasure first. I still have that one on my list to read. I recommend this book for anyone who's contemplated a 24/7 D/s lifestyle. This was a nice balance of the possibilities in BDSM lifestyle. There is good and there is bad. Another winner from the talented Ms. Thomas.
June 6, 2015
So, who wants to live in a D/s relationship 24/7 raise your hand. Now keep your hand raised if you are willing to give up your life in modern society to live on an island full of rich, dominant men AND give up all your rights as a human being according to modern laws? Are you willing to do that for a man you have only chatted with on the phone, internet and webcam?
Well, that is exactly what Grace Warner thinks she wants. Now, I have to give it to her, it took her a year to make the decision to begin this real life relationship with a man she barely knows. She enters her new life with full knowledgeable of what she was in for...sort of. How well can you really get to know someone over the phone or Internet? You only get what they want u to see, but I guess that is true of getting to know someone in person too.
The second she arrives on the island, she experiences a whirl wind of emotions...and worst of all, she realizes she has been duped. The realization comes after she relinquishes her rights as a person. I felt so sorry for her. She was sold the promise of one life and got something totally different. Having given up her rights, there is nothing she can do about it except settle in for an eternally miserable existence and that is exactly what she does. Then, one glorious day, her monstrous master finally tires of her and sells her to Asher Collins, a master rumored to be a killer...surely he is more sadistic, right? This is the aspect of the sale that is most appealing to Master and he relishes in the possibility of breaking her even further and the cherry on top is that he will make a nice chunk of change from the sale. As is typical, she expects the worst, but again, things don't go exactly how she plans which is when the story really starts to heat up.
When Grace's life on the island began, I wasn't sure I was going to be up for finishing the book because the sadistic asshole of a master she began with turned my stomach. The book ended with a big twist in the story and tied up just perfectly! I thought it was a fantastic read, I really enjoyed it!
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
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Well, that is exactly what Grace Warner thinks she wants. Now, I have to give it to her, it took her a year to make the decision to begin this real life relationship with a man she barely knows. She enters her new life with full knowledgeable of what she was in for...sort of. How well can you really get to know someone over the phone or Internet? You only get what they want u to see, but I guess that is true of getting to know someone in person too.
The second she arrives on the island, she experiences a whirl wind of emotions...and worst of all, she realizes she has been duped. The realization comes after she relinquishes her rights as a person. I felt so sorry for her. She was sold the promise of one life and got something totally different. Having given up her rights, there is nothing she can do about it except settle in for an eternally miserable existence and that is exactly what she does. Then, one glorious day, her monstrous master finally tires of her and sells her to Asher Collins, a master rumored to be a killer...surely he is more sadistic, right? This is the aspect of the sale that is most appealing to Master and he relishes in the possibility of breaking her even further and the cherry on top is that he will make a nice chunk of change from the sale. As is typical, she expects the worst, but again, things don't go exactly how she plans which is when the story really starts to heat up.
When Grace's life on the island began, I wasn't sure I was going to be up for finishing the book because the sadistic asshole of a master she began with turned my stomach. The book ended with a big twist in the story and tied up just perfectly! I thought it was a fantastic read, I really enjoyed it!
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
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August 1, 2018
Highly disturbing, twisted and dark. I've said 'WTF' out loud so many times, I cannot believe I am giving it 4 stars at the end. But I liked the relationship between Grace and Asher a lot even as twisted as it was.
October 13, 2019
Kitty’s Mercies still feel Tender the second time.
I find that re-reading her stories still make me feel the same about them.
Still make me love them all.
Just like dark chocolate,i am addicted to them.
This story is about Grace,who has a deep need to be owned by her very own Master.
And knowing there is an island,where that wish could “legally” be fulfilled,draws her like a moth to the flame.
Talking online with Lucas,who is an actual Master there,for over a year has made her take the last step,and go.
Only Lucas online is a very different man than the one at who’s mercy she finds herself on the island.
Asher is a Master that lost his pet, Darcy.
He’d grown too soft on her,and she used that to her advantage once too often.
So he asked his good friend James to punish her,because it felt safer,because she couldn’t persuade him to stop until it was done.
Only,somehow,that ended up costing her her life........
Now,after finding a little peace in his head,he was ready to move on.
And he was ready for a new chance,a new pet.
Seeing Grace at Lucas’ feet,bruised and hurt,ready to be sold,he couldn’t allow another to buy her and destroy her permanently.
She was his,at least in his mind she already was......
After getting her into his possesssion,and getting her home,he proceded to gently and patiently heal this poor girl.
That proces.....it brought tears to my eyes.....he was só caring,so tender.
The difference between him and that monster couldn’t have been greater......
Giving her the rules she so clearly needed,and giving her the treatment that was just right,he helped restore the Grace that was still in there.
But when they took the final step of branding her,showing the world she was his for life,they encountered Lucas....
He sent the police to arrest Asher for the murder of his first slave,Darcy.
Knowing he had to go with them,he ordered Grace to run to his friend James,to make sure she wasn’t returned to Lucas.
When she reached James,and told him what happened,he decided to do the right thing.
Leaving Grace at the mercy of the locals,who’d already heard about the reward for returning her to Lucas.......
Will Grace survive him a second time?
Can James get the authorities to release Asher in time?
This was a story that grabbed me by my throat,that captured my heart.
And that lingers there........
I find that re-reading her stories still make me feel the same about them.
Still make me love them all.
Just like dark chocolate,i am addicted to them.
This story is about Grace,who has a deep need to be owned by her very own Master.
And knowing there is an island,where that wish could “legally” be fulfilled,draws her like a moth to the flame.
Talking online with Lucas,who is an actual Master there,for over a year has made her take the last step,and go.
Only Lucas online is a very different man than the one at who’s mercy she finds herself on the island.
Asher is a Master that lost his pet, Darcy.
He’d grown too soft on her,and she used that to her advantage once too often.
So he asked his good friend James to punish her,because it felt safer,because she couldn’t persuade him to stop until it was done.
Only,somehow,that ended up costing her her life........
Now,after finding a little peace in his head,he was ready to move on.
And he was ready for a new chance,a new pet.
Seeing Grace at Lucas’ feet,bruised and hurt,ready to be sold,he couldn’t allow another to buy her and destroy her permanently.
She was his,at least in his mind she already was......
After getting her into his possesssion,and getting her home,he proceded to gently and patiently heal this poor girl.
That proces.....it brought tears to my eyes.....he was só caring,so tender.
The difference between him and that monster couldn’t have been greater......
Giving her the rules she so clearly needed,and giving her the treatment that was just right,he helped restore the Grace that was still in there.
But when they took the final step of branding her,showing the world she was his for life,they encountered Lucas....
He sent the police to arrest Asher for the murder of his first slave,Darcy.
Knowing he had to go with them,he ordered Grace to run to his friend James,to make sure she wasn’t returned to Lucas.
When she reached James,and told him what happened,he decided to do the right thing.
Leaving Grace at the mercy of the locals,who’d already heard about the reward for returning her to Lucas.......
Will Grace survive him a second time?
Can James get the authorities to release Asher in time?
This was a story that grabbed me by my throat,that captured my heart.
And that lingers there........
June 16, 2021
Update 14/04/16
I'm not sure how many times I've re-read this now but I'll never stop loving it. Tonight's re-read was done in one sitting. It's one of those books I just can't put down once I've started.
As always, 5 freaking emotional stars!
*****
This is probably my favourite Kitty Thomas book, tying for first place with Comfort food. Kitty Thomas is the queen of dark erotica andTender Mercies didn't disappoint. I've read this a few times now and I'll definitely read it again in the future.
Asher is a wonderful Dom. As a man he's flawed, honest and the best thing that could have happened to Grace. I personally love TPE/Slavery stories where the salve is rescued/ sold to a loving master and Tender Mercies is the best i've read.
I'm not sure how many times I've re-read this now but I'll never stop loving it. Tonight's re-read was done in one sitting. It's one of those books I just can't put down once I've started.
As always, 5 freaking emotional stars!
*****
This is probably my favourite Kitty Thomas book, tying for first place with Comfort food. Kitty Thomas is the queen of dark erotica andTender Mercies didn't disappoint. I've read this a few times now and I'll definitely read it again in the future.
Asher is a wonderful Dom. As a man he's flawed, honest and the best thing that could have happened to Grace. I personally love TPE/Slavery stories where the salve is rescued/ sold to a loving master and Tender Mercies is the best i've read.
January 9, 2013
This book is beyond the “safe, sane and consensual” aspect of BDSM be warned it’s dark, gritty, disturbing and disgusting.
"...So tell me, pet...who am I to you?"
The devil
This is my third book from this Author and I was quite expecting the raw brutally the master was giving to his slave what I didn't expect was there's a good Dom to come out..I was What the.. where did Asher Collins came from? Why is he so sweet, kind and gentle and caring arghhh.
You’ll gonna love Asher!!:) He’s a sweet and caring dom. It’s so unlikely that a Dom like him exist in a Kitty Thomas book. Maybe I was like Grace expecting for the other shoe to fall, waiting for him to turn into a monster but no…he was gentle and all and you just fall in love with him. This might be the tamest book the Author made and I know the word tame is awkward to put on her books.
I hate Lucas, well he was what I really expecting in the story..From angel to demon in one snap everything just turn into darkness and you’ll be trap in it…the rationality that he trained his dog to..I’m sorry I can’t say it..It’s just too disturbing and loathing thinking of it…his sadism to hurt another human being for his exclusive pleasure was unforgivable.
I love Grace, she still have resilience in her to faced what had happened to her..Lucas really did broke her but thank goodness Asher saved a little bit of her humanity and fix some…
I never thought that love would exist in the story…I did cry some because you can’t help how Asher and Grace blanketed the darkness within it with something light and then when everything was thrown off the fence, you’ll gonna say no no no no no please
"...So tell me, pet...who am I to you?"
The devil
This is my third book from this Author and I was quite expecting the raw brutally the master was giving to his slave what I didn't expect was there's a good Dom to come out..I was What the.. where did Asher Collins came from? Why is he so sweet, kind and gentle and caring arghhh.
You’ll gonna love Asher!!:) He’s a sweet and caring dom. It’s so unlikely that a Dom like him exist in a Kitty Thomas book. Maybe I was like Grace expecting for the other shoe to fall, waiting for him to turn into a monster but no…he was gentle and all and you just fall in love with him. This might be the tamest book the Author made and I know the word tame is awkward to put on her books.
I hate Lucas, well he was what I really expecting in the story..From angel to demon in one snap everything just turn into darkness and you’ll be trap in it…the rationality that he trained his dog to..I’m sorry I can’t say it..It’s just too disturbing and loathing thinking of it…his sadism to hurt another human being for his exclusive pleasure was unforgivable.
I love Grace, she still have resilience in her to faced what had happened to her..Lucas really did broke her but thank goodness Asher saved a little bit of her humanity and fix some…
I never thought that love would exist in the story…I did cry some because you can’t help how Asher and Grace blanketed the darkness within it with something light and then when everything was thrown off the fence, you’ll gonna say no no no no no please
August 19, 2020
We can deny what we are, but it won’t go away.
Well damn! This was a tough read.
Another reviewer said they hated it and they loved it and every emotion in between. And that about sums it up.
Grace puts herself in a stupid, dangerous situation and pays the price. This will be too much for some readers.
Well damn! This was a tough read.
Another reviewer said they hated it and they loved it and every emotion in between. And that about sums it up.
Grace puts herself in a stupid, dangerous situation and pays the price. This will be too much for some readers.
May 16, 2011
This is Kitty Thomas’ third novel and probably the most emotional. I cried, worried, felt anger and disgust, worried some more, felt despair then hopefulness and finally I was awestruck at this author’s ingenious story-telling ability.
This is a story which depicts scenes of abuse, slavery, and dubious consent. The prologue is a tear-jerker. If you make it past the disclaimer, sit back & buckle up. You’re about to take a plane ride to Eleu, also known as the Island of Kink.
Grace Warner is a submissive who is bored with safe, sane and consensual play kink. She wants to be truly owned by a man. Ever since her best friend off-handedly mentions Eleu, Grace has been obsessed with thoughts of moving there. Eleu is an island where there are no human rights for the slaves. Once you enter the island you give up your citizenship and all your rights. That’s it. Once you agree to move there you become your master’s property in every sense of the word.
I was so worried for Grace as she was contemplating her decision to move the Island of Kink. Her best friend, Lainey tries to no avail to convince Grace to find a Master in the real world. But after a year-long “courtship” with Lucas Stone, Grace is convinced that moving is the only way she can be happy. But how sure can you be about someone you’ve only known through chat and web-cam?
Fast-forward 8months into Grace’s life on Eleu. I was horrified and disgusted by Grace’s living situation. She was kept nude and chained in Lucas’ dungeon under the most heinous conditions. She had been brutalized both physically and sexually in the vilest ways possible. I felt angry at Lucas’ relentless assaults to strip Grace of her soul.
“Tell me you’re mine, you worthless slut.”
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
“This slut is yours, Master.”
Only because it’s what he wants to hear.
She had to hold onto that thought and repeat it in her mind so she wouldn’t forget. Her body may have submitted to him, but she hadn’t yet lost her mind. ~ Lucas & Grace
Asher Collins lost his slave Darcy during an unfortunate night of punishment. He has mourned her for a year but his need to own another woman has re-emerged and he soon seeks to buy another slave. He sees Grace at a showing and immediately feels a sense of compassion and lust towards her. He seeks atonement for Darcy’s death and feels that he can redeem himself by bringing Grace back to life.
I became hopeful for Grace after Asher brought her home and patiently helps her overcome her nightmares and fears. He was the perfect hero and quite a merciful master. There was nothing that Asher would not do to keep her safe. He would kill for her.
“Grace, listen to me. I know you’re scared. You don’t have to feel any particular thing about any of this. So stop fighting with yourself. All of this is out of your control. I am taking what’s mine, but you can keep your heart. For now. You don’t have to give me everything, just your body. When your body trusts me, your mind will follow. Now open.” ~ Asher
Yes, Tender Mercies is erotica and there are slavery, rape, and disturbing themes but it’s also a compelling story about a woman’s psychological survival and the man who gets her through it and finds atonement along the way. Although Grace toiled in the depths of hell with the devil, she managed to survive it when her angel of mercy swooped down to rescue her.
As I mentioned earlier, I am in awe of Kitty Thomas’ storytelling abilities. I was deeply caught up in the psychological conditioning in her novel Comfort Food and was titillated by the training in Guilty Pleasures. But the plot twists and multi-layered characters in Tender Mercies have made this book another one of my favorites.
This novel absolutely gets 5 out of 5 stars
This is a story which depicts scenes of abuse, slavery, and dubious consent. The prologue is a tear-jerker. If you make it past the disclaimer, sit back & buckle up. You’re about to take a plane ride to Eleu, also known as the Island of Kink.
Grace Warner is a submissive who is bored with safe, sane and consensual play kink. She wants to be truly owned by a man. Ever since her best friend off-handedly mentions Eleu, Grace has been obsessed with thoughts of moving there. Eleu is an island where there are no human rights for the slaves. Once you enter the island you give up your citizenship and all your rights. That’s it. Once you agree to move there you become your master’s property in every sense of the word.
I was so worried for Grace as she was contemplating her decision to move the Island of Kink. Her best friend, Lainey tries to no avail to convince Grace to find a Master in the real world. But after a year-long “courtship” with Lucas Stone, Grace is convinced that moving is the only way she can be happy. But how sure can you be about someone you’ve only known through chat and web-cam?
Fast-forward 8months into Grace’s life on Eleu. I was horrified and disgusted by Grace’s living situation. She was kept nude and chained in Lucas’ dungeon under the most heinous conditions. She had been brutalized both physically and sexually in the vilest ways possible. I felt angry at Lucas’ relentless assaults to strip Grace of her soul.
“Tell me you’re mine, you worthless slut.”
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
“This slut is yours, Master.”
Only because it’s what he wants to hear.
She had to hold onto that thought and repeat it in her mind so she wouldn’t forget. Her body may have submitted to him, but she hadn’t yet lost her mind. ~ Lucas & Grace
Asher Collins lost his slave Darcy during an unfortunate night of punishment. He has mourned her for a year but his need to own another woman has re-emerged and he soon seeks to buy another slave. He sees Grace at a showing and immediately feels a sense of compassion and lust towards her. He seeks atonement for Darcy’s death and feels that he can redeem himself by bringing Grace back to life.
I became hopeful for Grace after Asher brought her home and patiently helps her overcome her nightmares and fears. He was the perfect hero and quite a merciful master. There was nothing that Asher would not do to keep her safe. He would kill for her.
“Grace, listen to me. I know you’re scared. You don’t have to feel any particular thing about any of this. So stop fighting with yourself. All of this is out of your control. I am taking what’s mine, but you can keep your heart. For now. You don’t have to give me everything, just your body. When your body trusts me, your mind will follow. Now open.” ~ Asher
Yes, Tender Mercies is erotica and there are slavery, rape, and disturbing themes but it’s also a compelling story about a woman’s psychological survival and the man who gets her through it and finds atonement along the way. Although Grace toiled in the depths of hell with the devil, she managed to survive it when her angel of mercy swooped down to rescue her.
As I mentioned earlier, I am in awe of Kitty Thomas’ storytelling abilities. I was deeply caught up in the psychological conditioning in her novel Comfort Food and was titillated by the training in Guilty Pleasures. But the plot twists and multi-layered characters in Tender Mercies have made this book another one of my favorites.
This novel absolutely gets 5 out of 5 stars
June 18, 2016
This was my first Kitty Thomas book, and it definitely will not be the last.
I really liked Tender Mercies, but it is difficult to categorize. Elements of the story are certainly dark (Grace's treatment at the hands of Lucas), but Asher is such a good and honest hero (within their agreed upon culture of 24/7 power exchange/slavery) that there is really nothing dark about their relationship.
Some may suggest that Lucas was too evil and Asher too good to be believable, but both characters had vulnerabilities (no spoilers) that made them real to me. Much of the story takes place in Grace's head, as she processes events through the filter of her earlier trauma and her fear. In my opinion, Ms. Thomas did a really good job making the three major characters real. The action that brought about the satisfying HEA also contributes to the feel of a more traditional romance...a very good and enjoyable one that I am recommending to readers of bdsm romance.
I really liked Tender Mercies, but it is difficult to categorize. Elements of the story are certainly dark (Grace's treatment at the hands of Lucas), but Asher is such a good and honest hero (within their agreed upon culture of 24/7 power exchange/slavery) that there is really nothing dark about their relationship.
Some may suggest that Lucas was too evil and Asher too good to be believable, but both characters had vulnerabilities (no spoilers) that made them real to me. Much of the story takes place in Grace's head, as she processes events through the filter of her earlier trauma and her fear. In my opinion, Ms. Thomas did a really good job making the three major characters real. The action that brought about the satisfying HEA also contributes to the feel of a more traditional romance...a very good and enjoyable one that I am recommending to readers of bdsm romance.
July 2, 2012
Oh, my!!! Girls, guess what I'm reading next? My boyfriend is going to be so happy!;)
After reading it...
I love Kitty Thomas - that woman has some twisted mind - but this book was full of hard limits for me. I'm not the biggest fan of 24/7 D/s relationships but I still enjoy reading about it. Tender Mercies has one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen and I have to admit that was the first thing that got my attention. Girl who willingly goes to the place where she'll be stripped of all her rights as normal human being just to fulfill something inside her that told her that was what she needed - wicked and intriguing. But last third of the book was too much for me - especially part with branding. What I liked the most - anime kitty costume!;)
After reading it...
I love Kitty Thomas - that woman has some twisted mind - but this book was full of hard limits for me. I'm not the biggest fan of 24/7 D/s relationships but I still enjoy reading about it. Tender Mercies has one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen and I have to admit that was the first thing that got my attention. Girl who willingly goes to the place where she'll be stripped of all her rights as normal human being just to fulfill something inside her that told her that was what she needed - wicked and intriguing. But last third of the book was too much for me - especially part with branding. What I liked the most - anime kitty costume!;)
November 30, 2014
After reading Guilty Pleasures, also by Kitty Thomas, I only had one thought: I need to read more of her books. After reading Tender Mercies, I'm thinking: I'm afraid of reading more of her books.
This book put me out of my comfort zone so much more than I expected. How much? You can easily tell by my rating. This was too much even for me.
I'm not exactly a fan of Master/slave relationships, nor the 24/7 arrangements. Definitely not a fan of TPE. However, so far I haven't found a book where that disturbed as much as it did in this book. Here they took it to a whole other level.
I understand individuals have their own kinks, and normally I'm perfectly fine with them, but here, I wanted to scream at the heroine. Not because of what her kink was, but where it led her.
Grace was tired of ordinary kink. She wanted a 24/7 relationship. She wanted to be somebody's slave. Apparently, doing that in the normal civilization didn't satisfy her because it didn't seem real. That is why when she learned about the island that was supposed to be utopia for Masters and slaves, she was very tempted. After researching it, and chatting for a year with a Master from that island, she decided to move there.
The island... To be perfectly honest, to me it was like a place from my very own personalized horror movie. Why? Well, when I read books with female protagonists, I tend to identify with them, put myself in their shoes, so when the heroine goes to become someone's slave on an island where slaves have no rights except not to be killed, I want to scream in horror. Especially when her Master turns out to be a Monster.
Of course, she didn't remain with him forever. Another Master bought her: Asher.
Now, Asher... That guy did not sit well with me. Before Grace he had another slave who was apparently a bit of a brat, and he was too lenient towards her, so when things got out of control, he asked his friend to punish her, which ended tragically. So when he purchased Grace, he tried to do things differently with her. In part I understood his reasons, but still I felt like he should have saved his leniency for Grace, who was as he acknowledged himself a much better slave than his previous one. I know he was in fact her savior. I'm well aware of that, but somehow the relationship they had made me feel uncomfortable. He was fine with it, she was fine with it, which would normally mean that I was fine with it, too. Yet I wasn't. Particularly towards the end... Dressing up as a kitten, tale included... uhm -- no. Branding -- hell, no! But that's just how I feel.
I believe this book didn't work for me mostly because at some point it seemed to me Grace just became someone's live doll to with it as they pleased, which is always the point when my enjoyment in reading vanishes.
That said, I'm not giving up on this author's work. I'm sure there are books penned by her still out there that I would enjoy. After all, I did like the previous one.
This book put me out of my comfort zone so much more than I expected. How much? You can easily tell by my rating. This was too much even for me.
I'm not exactly a fan of Master/slave relationships, nor the 24/7 arrangements. Definitely not a fan of TPE. However, so far I haven't found a book where that disturbed as much as it did in this book. Here they took it to a whole other level.
I understand individuals have their own kinks, and normally I'm perfectly fine with them, but here, I wanted to scream at the heroine. Not because of what her kink was, but where it led her.
Grace was tired of ordinary kink. She wanted a 24/7 relationship. She wanted to be somebody's slave. Apparently, doing that in the normal civilization didn't satisfy her because it didn't seem real. That is why when she learned about the island that was supposed to be utopia for Masters and slaves, she was very tempted. After researching it, and chatting for a year with a Master from that island, she decided to move there.
The island... To be perfectly honest, to me it was like a place from my very own personalized horror movie. Why? Well, when I read books with female protagonists, I tend to identify with them, put myself in their shoes, so when the heroine goes to become someone's slave on an island where slaves have no rights except not to be killed, I want to scream in horror. Especially when her Master turns out to be a Monster.
Of course, she didn't remain with him forever. Another Master bought her: Asher.
Now, Asher... That guy did not sit well with me. Before Grace he had another slave who was apparently a bit of a brat, and he was too lenient towards her, so when things got out of control, he asked his friend to punish her, which ended tragically. So when he purchased Grace, he tried to do things differently with her. In part I understood his reasons, but still I felt like he should have saved his leniency for Grace, who was as he acknowledged himself a much better slave than his previous one. I know he was in fact her savior. I'm well aware of that, but somehow the relationship they had made me feel uncomfortable. He was fine with it, she was fine with it, which would normally mean that I was fine with it, too. Yet I wasn't. Particularly towards the end... Dressing up as a kitten, tale included... uhm -- no. Branding -- hell, no! But that's just how I feel.
I believe this book didn't work for me mostly because at some point it seemed to me Grace just became someone's live doll to with it as they pleased, which is always the point when my enjoyment in reading vanishes.
That said, I'm not giving up on this author's work. I'm sure there are books penned by her still out there that I would enjoy. After all, I did like the previous one.
February 14, 2017
I believe that Tender Mercies is suffering from a major identity crisis!
It can't seem to decide whether it's a light, fluffy S&M read, or a super-duper serious read involving Post Traumatic Stress and abuse.
Unfortunately, it ends up being a Jack of all trades and a master of none. (Pun intended)
It's partially my fault, really.
I should have went through my old reviews more thoroughly.
I've read a book by this author before and I didn't really engage with that book either, but for very different reasons.
Tender Mercies is quite a short read to its credit, so no real harm done.
Also the writing itself isn't half bad, so two stars for that alone.
I won't bother getting into all of the plot holes and inconsistencies but the sum of it all is:
TSTL submissive girl goes to slave Island to be a rich man's slave and ends up abused and mistreated by a sadistic asshole.
Luckily, Mr Rich asshole tires of her, and then sells her off to another rich asshole who still abuses her, but is definitely more polite about it. Lol.
There was just so much abuse!
The heroine was either sobbing uncontrollably, or pleading for her life the entire time--that's when she wasn't subject to torture, zooerasty (bestiality) branding, whipping and weird animal fetish garb.
Seriously, I think the ending was supposed read as "happily ever after," with the heroine in the hands of the lesser of the two eligible douchnozzles.
But how happy can one really be, wearing a stupid cat fetish outfit complete with butt plug while tending a rich dudes' garden forever?
Are you horny yet?
Yeah didn't think so.
The literary world of erotica, not to mention the real world, has probably already seen enough sadistic, billionaire assholes to last a lifetime..
Oh and one last footnote:
It shouldn't need to be stated outright really, but there is an awful lot of ignorance already surrounding S&M literature of late.
BDSM does NOT FIX mental health issues, nor PTSD, nor the mental scars left by abuse.
To imply that it does is quite irresponsible to say the least.
Aren't people already misinformed enough?
Oh and I'm so very wary of the heroine being referred to as kitten or any other animal names. It wasn't sexy the first time, so please stop flogging that dead horse. (Again, pun intended.)
It can't seem to decide whether it's a light, fluffy S&M read, or a super-duper serious read involving Post Traumatic Stress and abuse.
Unfortunately, it ends up being a Jack of all trades and a master of none. (Pun intended)
It's partially my fault, really.
I should have went through my old reviews more thoroughly.
I've read a book by this author before and I didn't really engage with that book either, but for very different reasons.
Tender Mercies is quite a short read to its credit, so no real harm done.
Also the writing itself isn't half bad, so two stars for that alone.
I won't bother getting into all of the plot holes and inconsistencies but the sum of it all is:
TSTL submissive girl goes to slave Island to be a rich man's slave and ends up abused and mistreated by a sadistic asshole.
Luckily, Mr Rich asshole tires of her, and then sells her off to another rich asshole who still abuses her, but is definitely more polite about it. Lol.
There was just so much abuse!
The heroine was either sobbing uncontrollably, or pleading for her life the entire time--that's when she wasn't subject to torture, zooerasty (bestiality) branding, whipping and weird animal fetish garb.
Seriously, I think the ending was supposed read as "happily ever after," with the heroine in the hands of the lesser of the two eligible douchnozzles.
But how happy can one really be, wearing a stupid cat fetish outfit complete with butt plug while tending a rich dudes' garden forever?
Are you horny yet?
Yeah didn't think so.
The literary world of erotica, not to mention the real world, has probably already seen enough sadistic, billionaire assholes to last a lifetime..
Oh and one last footnote:
It shouldn't need to be stated outright really, but there is an awful lot of ignorance already surrounding S&M literature of late.
BDSM does NOT FIX mental health issues, nor PTSD, nor the mental scars left by abuse.
To imply that it does is quite irresponsible to say the least.
Aren't people already misinformed enough?
Oh and I'm so very wary of the heroine being referred to as kitten or any other animal names. It wasn't sexy the first time, so please stop flogging that dead horse. (Again, pun intended.)
June 28, 2015
I’ve been on a dark erotica kick recently, so I had to check out Kitty Thomas. This is my first time reading one of her books, and I was thoroughly entertained by this dark and twisted story of domination and submission.
The idea that someone would want to give up all of their rights as a person and go live on an island to become someone’s slave is ridiculous. A girl liking the D/s master/slave lifestyle so much that she’s willing to legally become someone’s personal property to do with as they wish seems completely fucked up, but this book makes the concept plausible.
When Grace goes to the island to become Lucas’ slave, she gets more than she bargained for. She is now at the mercy of one sadistic bastard who wants nothing more than to completely break her.
It was obvious that something bad was going to happen before Grace hopped a flight to the island, but the depravity of Lucas’ actions was just sick.
In comes her knight in shining armor, Asher, to save the day, but all is not unicorns and rainbows.
Tender Mercies was brutal and raw but still enjoyable. I really liked Asher and the salvation he brought to Grace. I loved this book even though it was a bit sick and twisted. I will definitely read more Kitty Thomas.
The idea that someone would want to give up all of their rights as a person and go live on an island to become someone’s slave is ridiculous. A girl liking the D/s master/slave lifestyle so much that she’s willing to legally become someone’s personal property to do with as they wish seems completely fucked up, but this book makes the concept plausible.
When Grace goes to the island to become Lucas’ slave, she gets more than she bargained for. She is now at the mercy of one sadistic bastard who wants nothing more than to completely break her.
It was obvious that something bad was going to happen before Grace hopped a flight to the island, but the depravity of Lucas’ actions was just sick.
In comes her knight in shining armor, Asher, to save the day, but all is not unicorns and rainbows.
Tender Mercies was brutal and raw but still enjoyable. I really liked Asher and the salvation he brought to Grace. I loved this book even though it was a bit sick and twisted. I will definitely read more Kitty Thomas.
August 28, 2016
Another great story from Kitty Thomas, is there really much more to say about it than that?! Of course there is!
This is a story about Grace Warner, a woman that should come with a big sign that says, "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!"
She wants a 24/7 Master/slave relationship, and she is willing to give up everything to have it. And when I say "everything" I do mean *everything*! She is willing to move to a private island full of Dominant men, who live by a strict set of rules. She will become a fulltime slave to her Master. When a submissive joins a Dom on this island, she is giving up all rights of modern society to become an owned slave. Her Master can do anything he wants to her. Anything except kill her. That is the only law.
Grace meets Lucas online when she goes in search of information about this island. She talks to him via chat and webcam. He wants her to join him and be her slave. She takes a year to decide, and when Lucas has had enough of waiting he gives her one final chance to make up her mind or he's going to move on. Grace at this point is "infatuated" with Lucas and the idea of being his slave, and agrees to give up everything for this man who admits that he won't be an easy Master. Which is the understatement of the century in this story!
Grace's best friend Lainey tries every way in the world to talk Grace out of doing this. For a year, she's talked, begged, and pleaded... everything to get Grace to see that she is making a mistake. I felt for Lainey, her best friend, who had Grace's best interest at heart.
But what good would this story be if Grace didn't hop on that plane and fly off into the sunset to be with her dream Dom?
Ahh, her Dream Dom is Lucas Stone and he turns out to be so sadistic and twisted that from the moment Grace steps into his luxurious mansion, she is immediately stripped of her own humanity... and her clothing. She is kept in a dungeon cell and beaten, tormented, starved, and repeat... daily. Everything he told her and made her believe over the last year has been a lie. But she doesn't realize it until it's too late and she's give up all of her rights, all of them.
My heart just broke for Grace. Even though she did all her homework on Lucas, he wasn't what he seemed, or what the internet showed about him.
Time goes by Lucas finally tires of Grace, mainly because there is one part of her that he can't break, so he decides to sell her. And he does. Grace is bought by another Dominant on the island, Asher Collins, who recognizes that she has been severely beaten and almost completely broken. Lucas warns Grace that the Master, Asher Collins, that just bought her is more twisted and sadistic than he is, and rumor has it that he killed his last slave and the authorities just haven't been able to prove it... but everyone knows he did it. Asher Collins is the worst of the worst.
It's Grace's fate, a fate that is out of her control, she has no choice in the matter. No amount of begging or pleading will keep Lucas from selling her to an even worse Dominant.
The story ends with a big twist the just made me want to cry for Grace. It all plays out perfectly and Ms. Thomas wraps everything up nice and neat.
Be warned, the story between Grace and Lucas Stone is hard core. There were times I had to just step away and catch my breath. Lucas is a master manipulator, he was patient waiting for his prey, and he waited for a year for Grace's decision. He made all the right moves, said all the right things, to get her there without making it look like coercion in any way. But, truth be told, that's exactly what it was. The scenes and the things Lucas does to Grace to try and completely break her are descriptive and at times terrifyingly heartbreaking.
This book is dark and twisted... and it was right up my alley!
A solid 5 stars!
This is a story about Grace Warner, a woman that should come with a big sign that says, "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!"
She wants a 24/7 Master/slave relationship, and she is willing to give up everything to have it. And when I say "everything" I do mean *everything*! She is willing to move to a private island full of Dominant men, who live by a strict set of rules. She will become a fulltime slave to her Master. When a submissive joins a Dom on this island, she is giving up all rights of modern society to become an owned slave. Her Master can do anything he wants to her. Anything except kill her. That is the only law.
Grace meets Lucas online when she goes in search of information about this island. She talks to him via chat and webcam. He wants her to join him and be her slave. She takes a year to decide, and when Lucas has had enough of waiting he gives her one final chance to make up her mind or he's going to move on. Grace at this point is "infatuated" with Lucas and the idea of being his slave, and agrees to give up everything for this man who admits that he won't be an easy Master. Which is the understatement of the century in this story!
Grace's best friend Lainey tries every way in the world to talk Grace out of doing this. For a year, she's talked, begged, and pleaded... everything to get Grace to see that she is making a mistake. I felt for Lainey, her best friend, who had Grace's best interest at heart.
But what good would this story be if Grace didn't hop on that plane and fly off into the sunset to be with her dream Dom?
Ahh, her Dream Dom is Lucas Stone and he turns out to be so sadistic and twisted that from the moment Grace steps into his luxurious mansion, she is immediately stripped of her own humanity... and her clothing. She is kept in a dungeon cell and beaten, tormented, starved, and repeat... daily. Everything he told her and made her believe over the last year has been a lie. But she doesn't realize it until it's too late and she's give up all of her rights, all of them.
My heart just broke for Grace. Even though she did all her homework on Lucas, he wasn't what he seemed, or what the internet showed about him.
Time goes by Lucas finally tires of Grace, mainly because there is one part of her that he can't break, so he decides to sell her. And he does. Grace is bought by another Dominant on the island, Asher Collins, who recognizes that she has been severely beaten and almost completely broken. Lucas warns Grace that the Master, Asher Collins, that just bought her is more twisted and sadistic than he is, and rumor has it that he killed his last slave and the authorities just haven't been able to prove it... but everyone knows he did it. Asher Collins is the worst of the worst.
It's Grace's fate, a fate that is out of her control, she has no choice in the matter. No amount of begging or pleading will keep Lucas from selling her to an even worse Dominant.
The story ends with a big twist the just made me want to cry for Grace. It all plays out perfectly and Ms. Thomas wraps everything up nice and neat.
Be warned, the story between Grace and Lucas Stone is hard core. There were times I had to just step away and catch my breath. Lucas is a master manipulator, he was patient waiting for his prey, and he waited for a year for Grace's decision. He made all the right moves, said all the right things, to get her there without making it look like coercion in any way. But, truth be told, that's exactly what it was. The scenes and the things Lucas does to Grace to try and completely break her are descriptive and at times terrifyingly heartbreaking.
This book is dark and twisted... and it was right up my alley!
A solid 5 stars!
May 7, 2014
This is my favorite book, so this is less a "review" and more of an opportunity to gush over a book I come back to, time and again.
I just re-read this for BDSM's May Polyamory Challenge. (The challenge is poly, not the book) I realized I had never reviewed it when I went to reshelf it.
Lets start with the characters.
Grace is my favorite BDSM heroine in any book, and reminds me of a younger me a ton. She really wanted what she wanted, and impulsively went for it, disregarding risks, and common sense, in pursuit of being true to herself. Some of my friends have called her "Too Stupid to Live" but as I did things more reckless than her in some cases, and equally reckless in others, I think she's just desperate to find fulfillment, which for 24/7 slaves is not that easy to find, honestly.
Lucas is awesome. He's a reminder to be careful what you wish for, and to be aware that not all risks are worth pursuing, but I'd go to Lucas willingly, knowing that Asher was 8 months into my future. Call me crazy. Go ahead!
Asher. *Dreamy sigh* I don't even know what to say aside from on a top 3 list of people I'd want to be owned by, Asher tops all 3 spots. He's perfect, but he isn't perfect, if that makes sense.
Lainey, William, James, and others are interesting supporting characters, but not around enough to move the needle for me.
The plot is great. I enjoyed Grace's journey, and loved seeing how Asher and Lucas progressed throughout.
Lastly, the sex. It was hot. The D/s in Kitty Thomas's work is what really makes me hot, a full body shiver went through me 6 times during my reading last night.
This book is not for everyone. Grace submits 24/7, not just in the bedroom. Some may consider her TSTL, some may consider her a doormat. I thought she was awesome, and I loved this book.
I just re-read this for BDSM's May Polyamory Challenge. (The challenge is poly, not the book) I realized I had never reviewed it when I went to reshelf it.
Lets start with the characters.
Grace is my favorite BDSM heroine in any book, and reminds me of a younger me a ton. She really wanted what she wanted, and impulsively went for it, disregarding risks, and common sense, in pursuit of being true to herself. Some of my friends have called her "Too Stupid to Live" but as I did things more reckless than her in some cases, and equally reckless in others, I think she's just desperate to find fulfillment, which for 24/7 slaves is not that easy to find, honestly.
Lucas is awesome. He's a reminder to be careful what you wish for, and to be aware that not all risks are worth pursuing, but I'd go to Lucas willingly, knowing that Asher was 8 months into my future. Call me crazy. Go ahead!
Asher. *Dreamy sigh* I don't even know what to say aside from on a top 3 list of people I'd want to be owned by, Asher tops all 3 spots. He's perfect, but he isn't perfect, if that makes sense.
Lainey, William, James, and others are interesting supporting characters, but not around enough to move the needle for me.
The plot is great. I enjoyed Grace's journey, and loved seeing how Asher and Lucas progressed throughout.
Lastly, the sex. It was hot. The D/s in Kitty Thomas's work is what really makes me hot, a full body shiver went through me 6 times during my reading last night.
This book is not for everyone. Grace submits 24/7, not just in the bedroom. Some may consider her TSTL, some may consider her a doormat. I thought she was awesome, and I loved this book.
August 9, 2012
Grace decided that the regular BDSM clubs and kink wasn't for her. She felt that it was just playacting and wanted to experience the "real thing". She decides to move to an island where master/slave relationships are legal. The slave is treated as property and the only right they have is to not be murdered by their master. What? No takers?
When she arrives, the man who is her master is not the person she had been chatting with online. Shocker, I know. He is evil. I mean E.V.I.L. She is eventually sold to Asher who has a different view of what a slave should be to their master. Asher is still a sadist and enjoys the power he can exercise over his slave but he knows that Grace is almost completely broken when he buys her. I really loved Asher. He is so kind and loving toward Grace while she is healing from her horrific experience. At the same time he is still a dominant master. He doesn't go easy on Grace, she knows her place and the rules she is to live by. Their relationship was able to grow into something... I don't know if healthy is the right word (to each his own, right?) but they were happy. I hated the time she had to spend with the first man but if she hadn't I don't think her and Asher would have had the same deep connection.
I loved this book. Loved the relationship between Asher and Grace. It was so compelling and just wonderfully written. There was no doubt the terror that Grace was in when being sold to Asher or about her confusion to his kindness. Asher was the perfect hero for Grace. He helped to heal her and still let her live in the master/slave world that she had longed to be apart of.
When she arrives, the man who is her master is not the person she had been chatting with online. Shocker, I know. He is evil. I mean E.V.I.L. She is eventually sold to Asher who has a different view of what a slave should be to their master. Asher is still a sadist and enjoys the power he can exercise over his slave but he knows that Grace is almost completely broken when he buys her. I really loved Asher. He is so kind and loving toward Grace while she is healing from her horrific experience. At the same time he is still a dominant master. He doesn't go easy on Grace, she knows her place and the rules she is to live by. Their relationship was able to grow into something... I don't know if healthy is the right word (to each his own, right?) but they were happy. I hated the time she had to spend with the first man but if she hadn't I don't think her and Asher would have had the same deep connection.
I loved this book. Loved the relationship between Asher and Grace. It was so compelling and just wonderfully written. There was no doubt the terror that Grace was in when being sold to Asher or about her confusion to his kindness. Asher was the perfect hero for Grace. He helped to heal her and still let her live in the master/slave world that she had longed to be apart of.
July 22, 2012
Just... not my thing at all.
Recognizing the purpose of this kind of book, I won't go into the various plot holes, logical fallacies, etc.
But since psychology and torture/abuse/rape/etc victim behavior and whatnot *is* addressed in the book in a rather big way (and is as such, fair game for comment), I will say that it's ALL wrong. And that's kind of a big deal to me.
Also, I have to say that the male "protagonist's" (I put that in quotes for a reason) behavior is, frankly, deplorable, regardless of whatever justifications he uses. This has nothing to do with kink or my opinions on consensual BDSM (which is totally fine). This has to do with basic human decency and respect for life. You can put all the pretty window dressing on it that you want, but his aim was always at heart selfish and while he removed the girl from a worse situation, he didn't do it the right way. He took advantage of her. And he LIKED what was done to her. Yes, he said he liked the effect but not how, but ffs, how is that any different? I alternately wanted to junk punch him, throw my kindle, and/or vomit.
Look, I get that everyone has their kink, and I 100% respect that what people read and fantasize about is just that. I really do, and I'm sure there are people who really like this book.
But this shit ain't for me.
Turpentine. (for any who get the reference ;))
Recognizing the purpose of this kind of book, I won't go into the various plot holes, logical fallacies, etc.
But since psychology and torture/abuse/rape/etc victim behavior and whatnot *is* addressed in the book in a rather big way (and is as such, fair game for comment), I will say that it's ALL wrong. And that's kind of a big deal to me.
Also, I have to say that the male "protagonist's" (I put that in quotes for a reason) behavior is, frankly, deplorable, regardless of whatever justifications he uses. This has nothing to do with kink or my opinions on consensual BDSM (which is totally fine). This has to do with basic human decency and respect for life. You can put all the pretty window dressing on it that you want, but his aim was always at heart selfish and while he removed the girl from a worse situation, he didn't do it the right way. He took advantage of her. And he LIKED what was done to her. Yes, he said he liked the effect but not how, but ffs, how is that any different? I alternately wanted to junk punch him, throw my kindle, and/or vomit.
Look, I get that everyone has their kink, and I 100% respect that what people read and fantasize about is just that. I really do, and I'm sure there are people who really like this book.
But this shit ain't for me.
Turpentine. (for any who get the reference ;))
April 11, 2013
Rating: B ... Heat: Sizzling?
First off: you will know by the prologue if this is a book you want to read. Miz Thomas hits you with the darkness from page one and the hits never stop. I think I cried for most of the book. The first half was almost non-stop tears. It horrified me and scared me and kept me turning the page.
Grace has been a part of the BDSM lifestyle for years and has become disenchanted by it because it feels like playing pretend. She doesn't want safe words. She doesn't want safe, sane, and consensual. She wants a true Master/slave relationship.
So when she meets Lucas online, it seems like a dream come true. He lives on a tropical island where slavery is legal. To move there, you revoke your other citizenship. To move there, you give up all your rights. The only law protecting you? Masters are prohibited from killing their slaves.
After a year of IMs and video chats and phone calls, Grace takes the plunge. And she dives face first into a nightmare. If there is a word for something worse, more evil and atrocious than a nightmare, that's what Grace experiences. Lucas is despicable. Sick. A sociopathic sadist. What he does to Grace… there are no words.
Grace is abused by Lucas. Beaten, violated, broken. The only part of her he can't seem to touch is some place deep within her mind. One tiny last reserve of strength that pisses Lucas off and makes him decide to sell her. Thank goodness for that, because Grace was already wishing he’d kill her.
Asher, who is still grieving the loss of his previous slave, wants to atone for Darcy's death by purchasing Grace from Lucas. One look at Grace and he wants to own her. And while he wants utter submission, what he gets from Grace in the beginning is utterly broken.
Asher is not a knight in shining armor. He's also not evil like Lucas. He's firm with Grace but not cruel. He is the Master and she is the slave and that's what both of them want. Their relationship had me mesmerized. It felt… authentic. Twisted. Often disturbing. I can't put Asher or Grace in a neat little hero and heroine box with tidy labels. I liked them even if I didn't understand them or relate to them.
This book is not for everyone. It will offend you, terrify you, make you bawl, make you gasp. There are things in this book you can't un-read. Dark, dark things. These characters don’t play pretend with the Master/slave dynamic. Grace has no rights, no voice. She’s not her own person. And that reality was scary as hell. So, yeah, this book isn’t for everyone. It isn’t a happy, feel-good book. But it is an excellent story and the author’s way with wielding this material is aweing.
Tender Mercies drew me in with the darkness, the horror... the way it rattled my mind. It's so… extreme. I can't even put into words the things it made me feel but, oh, it made me feel a lot. If you’re feeling brave, give it a try.
First off: you will know by the prologue if this is a book you want to read. Miz Thomas hits you with the darkness from page one and the hits never stop. I think I cried for most of the book. The first half was almost non-stop tears. It horrified me and scared me and kept me turning the page.
Grace has been a part of the BDSM lifestyle for years and has become disenchanted by it because it feels like playing pretend. She doesn't want safe words. She doesn't want safe, sane, and consensual. She wants a true Master/slave relationship.
So when she meets Lucas online, it seems like a dream come true. He lives on a tropical island where slavery is legal. To move there, you revoke your other citizenship. To move there, you give up all your rights. The only law protecting you? Masters are prohibited from killing their slaves.
After a year of IMs and video chats and phone calls, Grace takes the plunge. And she dives face first into a nightmare. If there is a word for something worse, more evil and atrocious than a nightmare, that's what Grace experiences. Lucas is despicable. Sick. A sociopathic sadist. What he does to Grace… there are no words.
Grace is abused by Lucas. Beaten, violated, broken. The only part of her he can't seem to touch is some place deep within her mind. One tiny last reserve of strength that pisses Lucas off and makes him decide to sell her. Thank goodness for that, because Grace was already wishing he’d kill her.
Asher, who is still grieving the loss of his previous slave, wants to atone for Darcy's death by purchasing Grace from Lucas. One look at Grace and he wants to own her. And while he wants utter submission, what he gets from Grace in the beginning is utterly broken.
Asher is not a knight in shining armor. He's also not evil like Lucas. He's firm with Grace but not cruel. He is the Master and she is the slave and that's what both of them want. Their relationship had me mesmerized. It felt… authentic. Twisted. Often disturbing. I can't put Asher or Grace in a neat little hero and heroine box with tidy labels. I liked them even if I didn't understand them or relate to them.
This book is not for everyone. It will offend you, terrify you, make you bawl, make you gasp. There are things in this book you can't un-read. Dark, dark things. These characters don’t play pretend with the Master/slave dynamic. Grace has no rights, no voice. She’s not her own person. And that reality was scary as hell. So, yeah, this book isn’t for everyone. It isn’t a happy, feel-good book. But it is an excellent story and the author’s way with wielding this material is aweing.
Tender Mercies drew me in with the darkness, the horror... the way it rattled my mind. It's so… extreme. I can't even put into words the things it made me feel but, oh, it made me feel a lot. If you’re feeling brave, give it a try.
August 17, 2011
I loved this book so much. It really moved me very deeply. If you're looking for some quick and dirty wank fodder (not that there's anything wrong with that!) then this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for an exploration of the psychology of dominance and submission, you'll probably love this book as much as I did.
A few things that really resonated with me:
- Many have scoffed at the main character, Grace, for being an "idiot." And certainly, she made some staggeringly bad choices. But I saw it as an allegory. Anyone who's spent any time in the online or offline BDSM community will know subs (and doms) that wanted domination or submission so badly that they did foolish things or suspended their better judgment to get it. And many, many subs fear that their kinks will get them taken advantage of. This book takes these phenomena and explores them at their most extreme.
- I loved how the author showed the two characters struggling with what they wanted, fearing it made them "wrong" and yet knowing that they needed it on a basic level to be happy. Again, something that anyone who's struggled with their own BDSM or D/s leanings will understand.
- I was so glad that the brutal rape and torture scenes with Grace's first master were kept to a minimum and were not written as sexy and erotic.
- I have to say, Thomas may have written the perfect Dom/Master in Asher. Oh my. I also thought the author did a good job of balancing his desire to protect and take care of her with his need to satisfy his physical desires as well.
A few quibbles:
- I wish we'd gotten to see a bit more of what Grace was like before the island. Once she came to Asher, she was perfectly submissive, etc. but that was because she'd been broken. That did bother me a bit.
- The ending was wrapped up a bit too neatly. I kind of wish we'd gotten to see Grace struggle on her own a bit, because I do feel that submission is more powerful when given totally freely, and I'm not certain that it was here, because she came to Asher so broken.
A few things that really resonated with me:
- Many have scoffed at the main character, Grace, for being an "idiot." And certainly, she made some staggeringly bad choices. But I saw it as an allegory. Anyone who's spent any time in the online or offline BDSM community will know subs (and doms) that wanted domination or submission so badly that they did foolish things or suspended their better judgment to get it. And many, many subs fear that their kinks will get them taken advantage of. This book takes these phenomena and explores them at their most extreme.
- I loved how the author showed the two characters struggling with what they wanted, fearing it made them "wrong" and yet knowing that they needed it on a basic level to be happy. Again, something that anyone who's struggled with their own BDSM or D/s leanings will understand.
- I was so glad that the brutal rape and torture scenes with Grace's first master were kept to a minimum and were not written as sexy and erotic.
- I have to say, Thomas may have written the perfect Dom/Master in Asher. Oh my. I also thought the author did a good job of balancing his desire to protect and take care of her with his need to satisfy his physical desires as well.
A few quibbles:
- I wish we'd gotten to see a bit more of what Grace was like before the island. Once she came to Asher, she was perfectly submissive, etc. but that was because she'd been broken. That did bother me a bit.
- The ending was wrapped up a bit too neatly. I kind of wish we'd gotten to see Grace struggle on her own a bit, because I do feel that submission is more powerful when given totally freely, and I'm not certain that it was here, because she came to Asher so broken.
September 1, 2012
"Take the risk or stay where you are. Make a choice now Grace."
Those words haunt me. Grace was looking for something that she couldn't get in her every day life, something that a secluded island with special rules and lack of boundaries could give her. The choice she makes seals her fate.
"He'd broken her of the habit of seeing herself as a person in the first two weeks."
This was my second book my Kitty Thomas and I fell in love with it. So different from Comfort Food as this is a story and you get that feeling from the start. Oh the start! Can I say I opened this to just get a peek and was in tears from the prologue. I fell in love with Asher Collins right then and there. He does not disappoint. He is not a romantic hero by any means yet he does have his own morals.
"The entire point of owning a slave, as opposed to a piece of furniture, was that they were a human being with thoughts and feelings and wants and needs. At least in his way of thinking."
This book pushes boundaries but I have come to expect that in only two reads from the author. She drags you to the edge, pushes you off then right before you smack into the pavement yanks you back up. The challenge to see things from a different perspective is always there; you may not agree but to "not understand what it meant or why it was okay for a man to treat a woman that way when the whole world said otherwise," is just one reason this story drew me in. This world seems full of violence and hate yet this quote repeats in my head when I think that way; "You could never truly own something that hated you."
Tender Mercies is not a romance novel. It is a book about sexual slavery. Though the slavery is consensual to a point, it is not romantic, pretty or something that is easy to handle. That being said it is again a beautifully written dark tale on a very taboo subject.
Once again, this book comes with a DISCLAIMER and it is there to serve a purpose. Read it and be self aware of the contents.
Those words haunt me. Grace was looking for something that she couldn't get in her every day life, something that a secluded island with special rules and lack of boundaries could give her. The choice she makes seals her fate.
"He'd broken her of the habit of seeing herself as a person in the first two weeks."
This was my second book my Kitty Thomas and I fell in love with it. So different from Comfort Food as this is a story and you get that feeling from the start. Oh the start! Can I say I opened this to just get a peek and was in tears from the prologue. I fell in love with Asher Collins right then and there. He does not disappoint. He is not a romantic hero by any means yet he does have his own morals.
"The entire point of owning a slave, as opposed to a piece of furniture, was that they were a human being with thoughts and feelings and wants and needs. At least in his way of thinking."
This book pushes boundaries but I have come to expect that in only two reads from the author. She drags you to the edge, pushes you off then right before you smack into the pavement yanks you back up. The challenge to see things from a different perspective is always there; you may not agree but to "not understand what it meant or why it was okay for a man to treat a woman that way when the whole world said otherwise," is just one reason this story drew me in. This world seems full of violence and hate yet this quote repeats in my head when I think that way; "You could never truly own something that hated you."
Tender Mercies is not a romance novel. It is a book about sexual slavery. Though the slavery is consensual to a point, it is not romantic, pretty or something that is easy to handle. That being said it is again a beautifully written dark tale on a very taboo subject.
Once again, this book comes with a DISCLAIMER and it is there to serve a purpose. Read it and be self aware of the contents.
March 29, 2020
This book has been sitting on my TBR since 2017 and I'm not sure why I have not read it?
I will first start off that I absolutely, 100%, severely dislike Lucas. Never has a written character created that much anger in me while reading a story.
Now Asher, here is a man with the patience of a saint, but too many demons in his closet, especially with regard to Darcy. My goodness, he carries so much weight regarding his past mistakes, that I felt really sorry for him.
Grace starts out as a cautious and determined young woman. But then Lucas, being who he is, changes Grace drastically. Thankfully she meets Asher.
I had so many mixed emotions reading this book, the anger at Lucas, the compassion for Asher, the despair for Grace, and finally the happiness at the end of the book.
Fabulous story!
I will first start off that I absolutely, 100%, severely dislike Lucas. Never has a written character created that much anger in me while reading a story.
Now Asher, here is a man with the patience of a saint, but too many demons in his closet, especially with regard to Darcy. My goodness, he carries so much weight regarding his past mistakes, that I felt really sorry for him.
Grace starts out as a cautious and determined young woman. But then Lucas, being who he is, changes Grace drastically. Thankfully she meets Asher.
I had so many mixed emotions reading this book, the anger at Lucas, the compassion for Asher, the despair for Grace, and finally the happiness at the end of the book.
Fabulous story!
June 12, 2014
A very lovely read. I would have loved a bit more in relation to the sex side of the story, but it loved the storyline of abuse, sorrow, and salvation. The love between Asher and Grace can clearly be felt. I so felt for Asher and Darcy at the start of the book. The author has put a lot of feeling into this book, which I picked up on and felt throughout. I could loose myself in this story and could clearly see the characters. I just felt the sex was a bit lacking and the end was abrupt yet appropriate.
I toyed between 3 and 4 stars, and since I did enjoy the story and would read it again, I felt it warranted the 4 stars. It left me with a good feeling, which is nice.
I toyed between 3 and 4 stars, and since I did enjoy the story and would read it again, I felt it warranted the 4 stars. It left me with a good feeling, which is nice.
April 27, 2016
An ok read. I just couldn't connect with the characters. You knew Grace would land herself in a really bad situation, so no surprises there, except how much of a psycho Lucas truly was. I mean, a dog really? Ughhh. Then she's sold to Asher, who's the knight in shining armor, but sometimes his thoughts really put me off. Especially when he basically admired how well Lucas' brutal 'training' had worked. WHAT??? I didn't really get into the book until 86% in when some action started happening. And by action, I don't mean sex (because the sex was lacking detail), but some arrests and moments that had you hoping Grace's optimism was warranted.
September 24, 2014
MIND-FUCK!
I like it that even I can feel kitten's (Grace)submission once she become a slave. yeah, that good.
I like it that even I can feel kitten's (Grace)submission once she become a slave. yeah, that good.
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