What do you think?
Rate this book
Slave To Love
Special Investigations Section Officer Caroline Palmer is not into whips and chains…
That is, not until Homicide Detective Michael 'Mick' McGraw—better known as The Iceman—leads her undercover into a secret world she never dreamed existed. He says they are tracking a sexual predator, a sadistic killer who preys on adventurous suburban couples. But Caroline knows Mick is looking for something else.
Something much more dangerous…
That is, not until Homicide Detective Michael 'Mick' McGraw—better known as The Iceman—leads her undercover into a secret world she never dreamed existed. He says they are tracking a sexual predator, a sadistic killer who preys on adventurous suburban couples. But Caroline knows Mick is looking for something else.
Something much more dangerous…
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
52 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
July 31, 2008
Wow! Hang on to your leather pants ladies and gentleman, cause its going to be a wild ride! ;)
This book actually has a really cool plot! Its a murder mystery wrapped up with a big hefty dose of BDSM. This book has lots of sex and its pretty amazing too- but you have to like BDSM. If you dont, this will really turn you off.
The story is about 2 police officers- Mick, a homicide detective and Carolyn, an aspiring homicide detective who is currently working in vice, that team up to work undercover to try and find a serial killer that is targeting couples on the BDSM scene. They decide that to best flush this guy out, they have to pose as a couple that's into BDSM as well.
Well Mick (who they call the Iceman because he is always so calm and cold) has a history with control and power, and he secretly wants to be Carolyn's master in real life- not just for the undercover operation. Carolyn discovers that she actually loves being submissive (especially during sex) but because her mother was abused, she's worried that she will turn out just like her.
There is a cool plot twist at the end that Im still not sure I understand, but this book was FUN! I love the characters and the mystery... and of course the sex!! The sex is very hot! Like I said, however, you have to enjoy BDSM or you wont like this book...
But I LOVED it ;)
This book actually has a really cool plot! Its a murder mystery wrapped up with a big hefty dose of BDSM. This book has lots of sex and its pretty amazing too- but you have to like BDSM. If you dont, this will really turn you off.
The story is about 2 police officers- Mick, a homicide detective and Carolyn, an aspiring homicide detective who is currently working in vice, that team up to work undercover to try and find a serial killer that is targeting couples on the BDSM scene. They decide that to best flush this guy out, they have to pose as a couple that's into BDSM as well.
Well Mick (who they call the Iceman because he is always so calm and cold) has a history with control and power, and he secretly wants to be Carolyn's master in real life- not just for the undercover operation. Carolyn discovers that she actually loves being submissive (especially during sex) but because her mother was abused, she's worried that she will turn out just like her.
There is a cool plot twist at the end that Im still not sure I understand, but this book was FUN! I love the characters and the mystery... and of course the sex!! The sex is very hot! Like I said, however, you have to enjoy BDSM or you wont like this book...
But I LOVED it ;)
July 29, 2008
Whew! If you have always been a bit curious about the whole BDSM scene but didn't really get the Master/Slave relationship (I know I certainly sneered at it unless I were to be the mistress, of course, lol) this might be a good book for you to read.
The story is about a very cold, untouchable, hot male detective (enters the master) that goes undercover with another female detective that secretly lusts after him (enters the slave) to catch a serial killer that is brutally murdering couples that are into BDSM.
I enjoyed this story from many aspects. The chemistry between our master and slave was scorching! The author did a great job of describing her take on the dynamics that go on between a master and a slave and how it's not always who one would expect that is in control of the other.
The descriptions of the costumes or leather gear were great! I could totally picture the guy in his lace up leather jeans that were a bit too tight to the leather straps leading to the ring in the middle of his stomach (like the front cover). Yum!!
Anyway...before I digress too much into lustland I just want to say that I came away with a better picture of BDSM
( don't worry as I probably won't be hitting the leather store anytime soon )and that lifestyle. The sex was super hot although the mystery could have been a bit more mysterious. There was a twist at the end that was a bit confusing but it does let you draw your own conclusions.
The story is about a very cold, untouchable, hot male detective (enters the master) that goes undercover with another female detective that secretly lusts after him (enters the slave) to catch a serial killer that is brutally murdering couples that are into BDSM.
I enjoyed this story from many aspects. The chemistry between our master and slave was scorching! The author did a great job of describing her take on the dynamics that go on between a master and a slave and how it's not always who one would expect that is in control of the other.
The descriptions of the costumes or leather gear were great! I could totally picture the guy in his lace up leather jeans that were a bit too tight to the leather straps leading to the ring in the middle of his stomach (like the front cover). Yum!!
Anyway...before I digress too much into lustland I just want to say that I came away with a better picture of BDSM
( don't worry as I probably won't be hitting the leather store anytime soon )and that lifestyle. The sex was super hot although the mystery could have been a bit more mysterious. There was a twist at the end that was a bit confusing but it does let you draw your own conclusions.
March 24, 2009
I am ruined. Absolutely ruined! Hands down one of the best, hottest well-written thriller eroticas I have ever read. Slave to Love was just incredible!!! If anyone has read this and can recommend something similar, please send a rec my way :)
The heroine Caro went from a cop on the traffic beat, to working the hooker/john rotation, to now a homicide case with the sexy, seemingly unattainable Detective Mick. The fatal attraction feel, the escalating sex, the sexual serial killer who may or may not be Detective Mick....
You will be aroused, you will be on the edge of your seat, you will be guessing left and right...Seriously, top 5 erotica ever! This made the cut :) WARNING: like another Nikita Black book, "Cajun Hot", this book also plays with the rape fantasy...there's also sex with an audience, bondage, etc.
I delayed buying this for damn near 6 months. I kept putting it off, thinking it too pricey. It was never available at my local half price bookstore, so I had to pay retail from Amazon. It was worth every penny. And Nikita Black signed this book, as well as another one I bought. I think she signs all the books sold on Amazon - it's a sweet gesture this new fan appreciates :)
The heroine Caro went from a cop on the traffic beat, to working the hooker/john rotation, to now a homicide case with the sexy, seemingly unattainable Detective Mick. The fatal attraction feel, the escalating sex, the sexual serial killer who may or may not be Detective Mick....
You will be aroused, you will be on the edge of your seat, you will be guessing left and right...Seriously, top 5 erotica ever! This made the cut :) WARNING: like another Nikita Black book, "Cajun Hot", this book also plays with the rape fantasy...there's also sex with an audience, bondage, etc.
I delayed buying this for damn near 6 months. I kept putting it off, thinking it too pricey. It was never available at my local half price bookstore, so I had to pay retail from Amazon. It was worth every penny. And Nikita Black signed this book, as well as another one I bought. I think she signs all the books sold on Amazon - it's a sweet gesture this new fan appreciates :)
November 23, 2011
REVIEW OF REREAD, NOVEMBER 2011: 2 STARS
I was surprised at how bad this was on my reread. I couldn't get past a quarter of it. There were some lines that did lift it a little - but too few to stop me from wondering what I saw in this three years ago.
Even though the plot is trite I didn't mind. After all, this is a romance between two cops so of course the whole we're-going-undercover-as-lovers thing is expected. What I did not expect was to find the writing so dated and the characters so one-dimensional. An author may be new at writing erotica but I don't want to feel that and that's how it came across to me.
REVIEW OF FIRST READING, AUG 2008: 4 STARS
Loved the edgy, dark feel. Not so dark as to drag me down but the sexual grittiness was there in spades, fueled by the prospect of more than just one hero on the scene.
But no, Bobby and Cody, remain colleagues of Caroline and Mick and only get to perve on her since they're all undercover in the BDSM club.
Since the BDSM theme isn't a turn-on for me, I rarely buy those where the couple are in the Lifestyle for real but I love those where they're only doing it as part of their undercover assignment, even if they end up staying in the Lifestyle at the HEA.
Nikita's erotic thriller is a welcome relief after my having been so disappointed with Karin Tabke's latest, Jaded, which was so flat compared to her earlier books. Nikita follows through with the sexual heat the two protagonists generate and Slave to Love is one of my top erotic suspense reads.
I was surprised at how bad this was on my reread. I couldn't get past a quarter of it. There were some lines that did lift it a little - but too few to stop me from wondering what I saw in this three years ago.
Even though the plot is trite I didn't mind. After all, this is a romance between two cops so of course the whole we're-going-undercover-as-lovers thing is expected. What I did not expect was to find the writing so dated and the characters so one-dimensional. An author may be new at writing erotica but I don't want to feel that and that's how it came across to me.
REVIEW OF FIRST READING, AUG 2008: 4 STARS
Loved the edgy, dark feel. Not so dark as to drag me down but the sexual grittiness was there in spades, fueled by the prospect of more than just one hero on the scene.
But no, Bobby and Cody, remain colleagues of Caroline and Mick and only get to perve on her since they're all undercover in the BDSM club.
Since the BDSM theme isn't a turn-on for me, I rarely buy those where the couple are in the Lifestyle for real but I love those where they're only doing it as part of their undercover assignment, even if they end up staying in the Lifestyle at the HEA.
Nikita's erotic thriller is a welcome relief after my having been so disappointed with Karin Tabke's latest, Jaded, which was so flat compared to her earlier books. Nikita follows through with the sexual heat the two protagonists generate and Slave to Love is one of my top erotic suspense reads.
October 27, 2012
Hmm, I thought I would like this better than I did, considering it's one of my favorite genres (BDSM suspense) and the great reviews. It started off really strong and hot and compelling. Went off the rails in the middle, then tried to end with a flourish that, for me, fell flat. After reading it, I'm feeling disappointment.
A lot of the heroes over-the-top antics were explained away as "trying to fool the bad guys" except those actions didn't really get him closer to finding the bad guys (who he knew from the beginning) or stopping them. All he seemed to do was egg them on and put the woman he grew to love in danger (not cool).
Most importantly, there were a few instances where he is shown to feel jealous rage, grab the heroine roughly, and threaten to kill her if she ever leaves him. Her response, from start to finish, was 'but I KNOW he'd never hurt me, just look at how hard I orgasm around him!' There were a few other situations like this, where she assumes he's playing or acting but we see inside his head that he is just angry, which is classic abuser. Even anti-heroes like Anne Stuart or Kitty Thomas live by their own mores; he seems to fly off the handle where she is concerned. I felt he was totally unhinged and so is rough for me to back as a hero.
A lot of the heroes over-the-top antics were explained away as "trying to fool the bad guys" except those actions didn't really get him closer to finding the bad guys (who he knew from the beginning) or stopping them. All he seemed to do was egg them on and put the woman he grew to love in danger (not cool).
Most importantly, there were a few instances where he is shown to feel jealous rage, grab the heroine roughly, and threaten to kill her if she ever leaves him. Her response, from start to finish, was 'but I KNOW he'd never hurt me, just look at how hard I orgasm around him!' There were a few other situations like this, where she assumes he's playing or acting but we see inside his head that he is just angry, which is classic abuser. Even anti-heroes like Anne Stuart or Kitty Thomas live by their own mores; he seems to fly off the handle where she is concerned. I felt he was totally unhinged and so is rough for me to back as a hero.
October 18, 2011
I finally read this book! I know all my BDSM buddies were waiting for me to read it and write what I thought. As they all guessed, I enjoyed it greatly. I liked Mick and his very deviant ways. Like others, I don't believe Ms. Black's claim to who she wrote as the real killers. I think throughout the story, there were multiple killers. For me, Mick is a means justifies the end kind of guy. How this played out, I would say, yup, he definitely got his wish at the end.
Mick as a Dom was pretty hot. The scenes he put Caro through and his predatory manner turned me on. I liked how he took advantage of Caro as her superior. It's a hot fetish I enjoy. Caro never had a chance once Mick decided to own her. I know there were scenes of his inner struggle, but seriously, she looked like his revered murdered mother.
Honestly, this story was kind of a twist on Oedipus Rex for me. Mick wanted his father dead so badly. At one point, during the confrontation I wondered if his father really killed his mother or if Mick did it. Why do I question this? Because the father claims he was wronging put into jail because of his son. Here's another scenario I'd propose. What if Mick was upset that his goddess like mother was having an affair? He would have been pissed as a kid and could have killed her for it and blamed his father for her indiscretion. This would tie into the Teddy Murders quite well for me. At least in my mind. It would explain the Teddies so very well and the poses the women were left in. Because we do know, there is no way Mick's father would have thought of his cheating wife as innocent nor would he want her portrayed or remembered as an innocent.
Anyway, this book was a contradiction in so many ways that I think the author may have even confused herself. I still enjoyed the book despite the negative light on the BDSM lifestyle. I know the author says that she wasn't trying to portray it as negative. All I have to say is, if this is positive for her, I'd hate to see what negative looks like.
I recommend this for other BDSM lovers who enjoy suspense. Just ignore the negative slant of the BDSM world.
Mick as a Dom was pretty hot. The scenes he put Caro through and his predatory manner turned me on. I liked how he took advantage of Caro as her superior. It's a hot fetish I enjoy. Caro never had a chance once Mick decided to own her. I know there were scenes of his inner struggle, but seriously, she looked like his revered murdered mother.
Honestly, this story was kind of a twist on Oedipus Rex for me. Mick wanted his father dead so badly. At one point, during the confrontation I wondered if his father really killed his mother or if Mick did it. Why do I question this? Because the father claims he was wronging put into jail because of his son. Here's another scenario I'd propose. What if Mick was upset that his goddess like mother was having an affair? He would have been pissed as a kid and could have killed her for it and blamed his father for her indiscretion. This would tie into the Teddy Murders quite well for me. At least in my mind. It would explain the Teddies so very well and the poses the women were left in. Because we do know, there is no way Mick's father would have thought of his cheating wife as innocent nor would he want her portrayed or remembered as an innocent.
Anyway, this book was a contradiction in so many ways that I think the author may have even confused herself. I still enjoyed the book despite the negative light on the BDSM lifestyle. I know the author says that she wasn't trying to portray it as negative. All I have to say is, if this is positive for her, I'd hate to see what negative looks like.
I recommend this for other BDSM lovers who enjoy suspense. Just ignore the negative slant of the BDSM world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2012
I originally picked up this book for the BDSM elements and because I have a bit of a literary kink for partners who are unexpectedly thrown into highly charged situations and have to work their way around their sexual attraction in order to get the job done. I have to say that this book definitely hit the nail on the head in those regards.
Mick is complicated. He projects an image of complete control at work but he's a seething mass of emotions underneath. When he drops that ice cold mask with Caro, he overwhelms her and ignites all the hidden desires she's been hiding from herself. They have a complex relationship but one that shows an interesting balance between what Caro thinks she wants and what Mick knows she needs. He pushes her boundaries, she pushes at his control. He asks her to do things that she would never imagine doing and once she submits to him the worry that she's going to follow her mother's footsteps and let every aspect of her life be consumed by a dominating man begins to gnaw at her. In the end, it all comes down to a matter of trust. She has to trust that he's going to know when to draw back and not hurt her - either physically or emotionally - and he has to trust that she'll accept him for who he is.
While I wasn't exactly comfortable with all the things Mick forced Caro to do - having her sexually submit to him in their workplace, while hot, made me think that he didn't care about the repercussions of their actions for her as far as her career went and that bothered me - I did like that Nikita Black touched so heavily on the issue of trust between a Dom and his sub. Caro's revelation that choosing to give her trust to him ultimately gives her power is beautifully done.
One last thing... I loved the ambiguity of the ending. I loved that everything wasn't spelled out in so many words. Nikita Black's letter to her readers at the end of the book (regarding Mick's actions) was thought provoking and gave us a little extra peak at Mick's overall plan.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Mick is complicated. He projects an image of complete control at work but he's a seething mass of emotions underneath. When he drops that ice cold mask with Caro, he overwhelms her and ignites all the hidden desires she's been hiding from herself. They have a complex relationship but one that shows an interesting balance between what Caro thinks she wants and what Mick knows she needs. He pushes her boundaries, she pushes at his control. He asks her to do things that she would never imagine doing and once she submits to him the worry that she's going to follow her mother's footsteps and let every aspect of her life be consumed by a dominating man begins to gnaw at her. In the end, it all comes down to a matter of trust. She has to trust that he's going to know when to draw back and not hurt her - either physically or emotionally - and he has to trust that she'll accept him for who he is.
While I wasn't exactly comfortable with all the things Mick forced Caro to do - having her sexually submit to him in their workplace, while hot, made me think that he didn't care about the repercussions of their actions for her as far as her career went and that bothered me - I did like that Nikita Black touched so heavily on the issue of trust between a Dom and his sub. Caro's revelation that choosing to give her trust to him ultimately gives her power is beautifully done.
One last thing... I loved the ambiguity of the ending. I loved that everything wasn't spelled out in so many words. Nikita Black's letter to her readers at the end of the book (regarding Mick's actions) was thought provoking and gave us a little extra peak at Mick's overall plan.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
July 31, 2013
This is a good book, but it has issues... or at least I had issues with the book, but there are also very strong parts of the book that I loved.
Overall the book is well written, with good character development. I did have an issue with the "brain jumping" at first and there were a couple of times I completely missed the transition. So I was reading the story from Caro's perspective only to discover that the author had jumped into Mick's mind without letting me know. I don't know if I missed the tiny marks that some times meant a scene transition and sometimes a POV change or if I got used to the somewhat awkward handling of point of view. The left me with a sense of the book being slightly schizophrenic and the main story suffered from a similar identity crisis whether it was a detective novel with sex in it or an erotica book with some mystery/suspense baked in. I think I went into the book expecting the first and was soon overwhelmed with the amount of relationship development and sex that was baked into the story.
On a couple occasions I got really bugged out by the authors choice to insert page after page of 'character kneading'. One scene in particular really bothered me, because Caro's reactions and what she said described perfectly well how she felt about it and then the author has her think back over what just happened and how she felt about it. So I get to read an amazingly hot sex scene, where the actions speaks perfectly for the characters... and then the author murders the scene by replaying it in redundant descriptions. Gah!!
Overall it's a great story and the resolution is brilliant and surprising (well at least somewhat) and I loved the part at the Tethering club where the suspense story line and the relationship story merged together into a wonderful blend. I just wish the rest of the book had had these parts equally well blended.
Overall the book is well written, with good character development. I did have an issue with the "brain jumping" at first and there were a couple of times I completely missed the transition. So I was reading the story from Caro's perspective only to discover that the author had jumped into Mick's mind without letting me know. I don't know if I missed the tiny marks that some times meant a scene transition and sometimes a POV change or if I got used to the somewhat awkward handling of point of view. The left me with a sense of the book being slightly schizophrenic and the main story suffered from a similar identity crisis whether it was a detective novel with sex in it or an erotica book with some mystery/suspense baked in. I think I went into the book expecting the first and was soon overwhelmed with the amount of relationship development and sex that was baked into the story.
On a couple occasions I got really bugged out by the authors choice to insert page after page of 'character kneading'. One scene in particular really bothered me, because Caro's reactions and what she said described perfectly well how she felt about it and then the author has her think back over what just happened and how she felt about it. So I get to read an amazingly hot sex scene, where the actions speaks perfectly for the characters... and then the author murders the scene by replaying it in redundant descriptions. Gah!!
Overall it's a great story and the resolution is brilliant and surprising (well at least somewhat) and I loved the part at the Tethering club where the suspense story line and the relationship story merged together into a wonderful blend. I just wish the rest of the book had had these parts equally well blended.
March 13, 2008
I got this book because story line sounded interesting. Two police officers (Caroline and Mick) go undercover into the BDSM scene to find a killer. Caroline never had any interest in this life style but she agrees to go as Mick's slave. The book was ok to this point. I did not care for him treating her like a sex object at work in front of coworkers. Otherwise it was a very hot read.
November 1, 2020
4.5 Stars
A scorching hot, erotic suspense-thriller...
Caroline Palmer is a rookie homicide investigator on a task force to stop a serial killer. The "Teddy Killer" targets couples known to have attended a local BDSM club and to have engaged in Dominant/submissive activities. To snare the killer, Caroline and lead investigator Mick "the iceman" McGraw go undercover as a D/s couple.
Already attracted to one another, Caroline and Mick are immediately sucked into an escalating vortex of questionable activities at the club and sexual behavior that pushes their professional, sexual, and psychological boundaries. As the investigation heats up, events threaten Caroline and Mick's personal relationship and their careers.
Can they avoid disaster while risking everything to catch the killer?
Slave to Love is riveting, sexy, and suspenseful from cover to cover. Sex scenes are explicit (not for under 18). Author Nikita Black creates suspense and drama with additional characters I would like to see again: FBI psychological profiler Tim Woodruff and detectives Jeff Cody and Bobby Staunton. If only Black would consider a sequel using some of these characters. I enthusiastically recommend Slave to Love to readers who enjoy erotica in a suspenseful thriller.
A scorching hot, erotic suspense-thriller...
Caroline Palmer is a rookie homicide investigator on a task force to stop a serial killer. The "Teddy Killer" targets couples known to have attended a local BDSM club and to have engaged in Dominant/submissive activities. To snare the killer, Caroline and lead investigator Mick "the iceman" McGraw go undercover as a D/s couple.
Already attracted to one another, Caroline and Mick are immediately sucked into an escalating vortex of questionable activities at the club and sexual behavior that pushes their professional, sexual, and psychological boundaries. As the investigation heats up, events threaten Caroline and Mick's personal relationship and their careers.
Can they avoid disaster while risking everything to catch the killer?
Slave to Love is riveting, sexy, and suspenseful from cover to cover. Sex scenes are explicit (not for under 18). Author Nikita Black creates suspense and drama with additional characters I would like to see again: FBI psychological profiler Tim Woodruff and detectives Jeff Cody and Bobby Staunton. If only Black would consider a sequel using some of these characters. I enthusiastically recommend Slave to Love to readers who enjoy erotica in a suspenseful thriller.
November 4, 2012
I very much enjoyed this book. As an erotic romance it was a rousing success, and since that is my main reason for reading it - this was good! If, however, you are looking for a great murder mystery, or a police procedural, this book may be less satisfying for you.
I did enjoy the murder mystery part. It did bog down in the middle as pink herrings were being thrown every which way (they weren't quite convincing enough to be called red herrings). There may have been a tiny little surprise at the end, but for the most part the mystery portion was fairly predictable - but enjoyable, if that makes sense.
As to the police procedural, well keep in mind my main experience in this area is many years of watching Law and Order. However, even with limited experience, this aspect of the book was just eyerollingly ridiculous. Since it was the complete and total breakdown of police procedure that lead directly to the erotic bits..., well I can't really complain.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy erotic BDSM romance with strong, likeable heroines, super alpha, angsty heroes (the kind that "just need the right woman"), and lots of hot, heavy action between the two.
I did enjoy the murder mystery part. It did bog down in the middle as pink herrings were being thrown every which way (they weren't quite convincing enough to be called red herrings). There may have been a tiny little surprise at the end, but for the most part the mystery portion was fairly predictable - but enjoyable, if that makes sense.
As to the police procedural, well keep in mind my main experience in this area is many years of watching Law and Order. However, even with limited experience, this aspect of the book was just eyerollingly ridiculous. Since it was the complete and total breakdown of police procedure that lead directly to the erotic bits..., well I can't really complain.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy erotic BDSM romance with strong, likeable heroines, super alpha, angsty heroes (the kind that "just need the right woman"), and lots of hot, heavy action between the two.
July 17, 2011
Wow - This book is HOT.. If your ready for a hefty dose of BDSM mixed in with the hunt for a serial killer by our hero and heroine SIS Officer Caroline Palmer and Homicide Detective Michael 'Mick' McGraw then this is the book for you..
There seemed to be alot of controversy over the ending of this book.. Nina Bruhns aka Nikita Black piped in on this forum to explain the ending.. Scroll down until you see N Bruhns post..
http://www.amazon.com/forum/erotic%20...
I applaud the author for standing by her book and also taking the time to explain to those readers about her ending.
There seemed to be alot of controversy over the ending of this book.. Nina Bruhns aka Nikita Black piped in on this forum to explain the ending.. Scroll down until you see N Bruhns post..
http://www.amazon.com/forum/erotic%20...
I applaud the author for standing by her book and also taking the time to explain to those readers about her ending.
May 27, 2010
I just couldn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted too. The hero was just creepy to me.
September 2, 2013
Wow, an erotic novel that's decently written. Kind of. In terms of language, sentence structure, sure, Black does fairly well but when it comes to plot and realism-- really, all of you saying you enjoyed the crime fiction aspect- I'm inclined to think you wouldn't know a decent murder mystery if it hit you, siren wailing, lights flashing, knocked you down, knocked you dead. No. The supposed crime fiction in this novel is quite lacking, the who dunnit mystery component is not so much compelling as irritating with its illusions (and sometimes much more) to Mick's involvement when it's fairly clear, to an observant reader that this is not the case (the author left some question as to his innocence on the final pages, but revealed in an interview that she considers him innocent and that comes across plain and clear to me throughout the text, despite Mick's best intentions to make it look otherwise).
The plot seems poorly realized though the author says she spent years conceptualizing it. Sure, Mick wants to avenge his mother's death, after his father (the murderer) is released from prison. So he does something or other (manipulates the crime scenes, apparently) to point to his father as the murderer. How far does this puppet master role go? Is he just manipulating evidence to point clearly to his father or is he setting the scene for his father to commit these crimes? This is left very hazy indeed, too hazy, I would have liked to see a few more clues that, taken all together, might lead a discerning reader to piece together what this involvement actually consisted of.
A far bigger problem is that it's just not believable. None of the characters act quite like real law enforcement officers or even real adults.
-Within the first pages we walk in on Caro getting snugly with her gay cop buddy Julio (who, not only has the most unimaginatively latino name ever but makes frequent exclamations in spanish to remind you that he is, in fact, not white! The Asian girl at the bondage clothing store Caro and Mick shop at gets the same treatment and is called "oriental" every time she is mentioned) while having a professional conversation with a lead detective from the department she very much wants to join.
-Not only does she not run screaming, she gets turned on and never seems to doubt her safety when Mick roleplays a murder scene from the case they are working on with her in the role of a victim and leaves her tied up and alone in a strange place over night.
-has next to no qualms performing sexually in front of her fellow cops on her undercover work with Mick (I get that this is erotic fantasy and as such may not comply with reality but with everything else wrong with the novel I found it hard to suspend my disbelief and enjoy these scenes).
-is not concerned to find that Mick has been stalking her, for over a year.
And then there is Mick, who aside from being all shades of fucked up:
-seems to be doing his best to make himself look like the killer (so that his father will be implicated out of association? This doesn't seem like the most well thought plan to get revenge on his father).
-suddenly goes from being incapable of love to moving in with Caro within several weeks.
- generally does not seem psychologically healthy enough to be doing high level police work.
Plus Caro's passé of drooling dogs, apparently every male ever (except Julio) but most notably all the police officers they work with on the case, who watch her undercover "work" with Mick with undisguised lust. And FBI agent Tim Woodruff who pulls Caro aside to ask her "professional" questions about her involvement with Mick all while obviously getting a huge boner (this is not actually stated in the text, but come on). And so much more.
No, beyond the decently constructed sentences (only worth noting because erotic novels are usually so horribly written) this book is just as ridiculous as your average penny dreadful. A few of the sex scenes were pretty good, otherwise meh. And while Caro only gives BDSM a bad name by being stupid, Mick is no better than Mr. Grey in making it seem pathological.
The plot seems poorly realized though the author says she spent years conceptualizing it. Sure, Mick wants to avenge his mother's death, after his father (the murderer) is released from prison. So he does something or other (manipulates the crime scenes, apparently) to point to his father as the murderer. How far does this puppet master role go? Is he just manipulating evidence to point clearly to his father or is he setting the scene for his father to commit these crimes? This is left very hazy indeed, too hazy, I would have liked to see a few more clues that, taken all together, might lead a discerning reader to piece together what this involvement actually consisted of.
A far bigger problem is that it's just not believable. None of the characters act quite like real law enforcement officers or even real adults.
-Within the first pages we walk in on Caro getting snugly with her gay cop buddy Julio (who, not only has the most unimaginatively latino name ever but makes frequent exclamations in spanish to remind you that he is, in fact, not white! The Asian girl at the bondage clothing store Caro and Mick shop at gets the same treatment and is called "oriental" every time she is mentioned) while having a professional conversation with a lead detective from the department she very much wants to join.
-Not only does she not run screaming, she gets turned on and never seems to doubt her safety when Mick roleplays a murder scene from the case they are working on with her in the role of a victim and leaves her tied up and alone in a strange place over night.
-has next to no qualms performing sexually in front of her fellow cops on her undercover work with Mick (I get that this is erotic fantasy and as such may not comply with reality but with everything else wrong with the novel I found it hard to suspend my disbelief and enjoy these scenes).
-is not concerned to find that Mick has been stalking her, for over a year.
And then there is Mick, who aside from being all shades of fucked up:
-seems to be doing his best to make himself look like the killer (so that his father will be implicated out of association? This doesn't seem like the most well thought plan to get revenge on his father).
-suddenly goes from being incapable of love to moving in with Caro within several weeks.
- generally does not seem psychologically healthy enough to be doing high level police work.
Plus Caro's passé of drooling dogs, apparently every male ever (except Julio) but most notably all the police officers they work with on the case, who watch her undercover "work" with Mick with undisguised lust. And FBI agent Tim Woodruff who pulls Caro aside to ask her "professional" questions about her involvement with Mick all while obviously getting a huge boner (this is not actually stated in the text, but come on). And so much more.
No, beyond the decently constructed sentences (only worth noting because erotic novels are usually so horribly written) this book is just as ridiculous as your average penny dreadful. A few of the sex scenes were pretty good, otherwise meh. And while Caro only gives BDSM a bad name by being stupid, Mick is no better than Mr. Grey in making it seem pathological.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2013
3 Stars ~ This erotic thriller is not for the faint of heart --- not only is the sex explicit with BDSM a major play, but the murder scenes are also quite graphic.
The hero, Mick, is a homicide detective with a scary past. As a child he witnessed his mother's brutal murder at the hand of his father. After serving 25 years, his father has recently been released and now there's a series of couples murders that are particularly heinous. Heading up the task force, Mick, needs a woman to work with him undercover. For him it's an obvious choice, Caro works undercover for the Vice squad as a prostitute and he's had his eye on her for over a year. When Caroline first met Mick, she was attracted and flirted with him only to be coldly rejected. While Caro wants to advance into Homicide, she's scared of the feelings Mick stirs in her. They're to play a BDSM couple, Mick as the Master and Caro as his pleasure Slave. And while Caro has a strong independent streak she can't help but recognize that sexually Mick brings out her submissive nature. Role playing their parts at a BDSM club only heats up their attraction and soon they are playing their parts off the clock too. Mick pushes Caro's limits and introduces her to things she'd never considered. And as they get deeper into their roles, the killer heats up and murders again.
Mick is a very dark hero and many readers may find him too controlling. Caro is an intelligent woman and enters their relationship with her eyes open. While she's often off balance with their sex play, she realizes that any fear she has is with herself and that she trusts Mick completely. The murder aspect brings a thriller atmosphere to this story and the secrets Caro uncovers about Mick's past suggest Mick has a personal connection to the murderer. I must say the ending threw me and gave me doubts about Mick as a hero. Other reviewers commented about a letter Ms. Black added to her book after the ending to explain her motivations, unfortunately my ebook version does not have this. I did however find a comment posted in the comments of a review of the book on Dear Author that gave me a better sense of the ending. This is a very good book, great balance between the suspense / thriller aspect and the growing relationship between Mick and Caro. My rating is based mostly on the dark ending that left me with an uneasy feeling.
The hero, Mick, is a homicide detective with a scary past. As a child he witnessed his mother's brutal murder at the hand of his father. After serving 25 years, his father has recently been released and now there's a series of couples murders that are particularly heinous. Heading up the task force, Mick, needs a woman to work with him undercover. For him it's an obvious choice, Caro works undercover for the Vice squad as a prostitute and he's had his eye on her for over a year. When Caroline first met Mick, she was attracted and flirted with him only to be coldly rejected. While Caro wants to advance into Homicide, she's scared of the feelings Mick stirs in her. They're to play a BDSM couple, Mick as the Master and Caro as his pleasure Slave. And while Caro has a strong independent streak she can't help but recognize that sexually Mick brings out her submissive nature. Role playing their parts at a BDSM club only heats up their attraction and soon they are playing their parts off the clock too. Mick pushes Caro's limits and introduces her to things she'd never considered. And as they get deeper into their roles, the killer heats up and murders again.
Mick is a very dark hero and many readers may find him too controlling. Caro is an intelligent woman and enters their relationship with her eyes open. While she's often off balance with their sex play, she realizes that any fear she has is with herself and that she trusts Mick completely. The murder aspect brings a thriller atmosphere to this story and the secrets Caro uncovers about Mick's past suggest Mick has a personal connection to the murderer. I must say the ending threw me and gave me doubts about Mick as a hero. Other reviewers commented about a letter Ms. Black added to her book after the ending to explain her motivations, unfortunately my ebook version does not have this. I did however find a comment posted in the comments of a review of the book on Dear Author that gave me a better sense of the ending. This is a very good book, great balance between the suspense / thriller aspect and the growing relationship between Mick and Caro. My rating is based mostly on the dark ending that left me with an uneasy feeling.
March 7, 2010
This book is not for the faint of heart by any stretch of the imagination. I struggled with what to rate it, because it could have used a stronger editorial hand (something you won't hear me reference often in my reviews because I don't like to make that statement, but this time it did affect my view of the book enough that I almost rated it lower so instead of rating it lower, I'm going to mention the editorial need), to help smooth out some of the rough edges and integrate some scenes a little more seamlessly. But the story and the writing itself drew me in so I'm giving it 4 stars/a B. And I would happily read more from this author again, though it appears her erotic romance career was short-lived, unfortunately. Surprisingly to me, she does also write as author Nina Bruhns and has some newer, more traditional books out that I'll be looking at.
This book is quite dark and edgy and delves heavily into the BDSM scenes. If you're uncomfortable at all with BDSM, this book will push your boundaries. However, the author also weaves a credible story and interesting characters in amongst the exploration of BDSM and sex.
There are some points in this book that I'd like to discuss further, but I feel like anything more I say will constitute spoilers and this is one book that should be read without spoilers, because the spoilers would definitely affect the reading of the book and how you view it. I will say, at one point there's an intriguing "Keyser Soze"* moment that would make for an incredibly fascinating book discussion.
*For those who don't know Keyser Soze, go rent the Usual Suspects or read the Wikipedia entry on Keyser Soze, but beware that if you do so, you'll be ruining an entire (excellent) movie for yourself.
I will say that the author seemed to have a knack for heavily erotic in this book and it's a shame that she seems to not have continued writing any books in this category, because like many authors, I think time would only have given her even further strengths in the category.
This book is quite dark and edgy and delves heavily into the BDSM scenes. If you're uncomfortable at all with BDSM, this book will push your boundaries. However, the author also weaves a credible story and interesting characters in amongst the exploration of BDSM and sex.
There are some points in this book that I'd like to discuss further, but I feel like anything more I say will constitute spoilers and this is one book that should be read without spoilers, because the spoilers would definitely affect the reading of the book and how you view it. I will say, at one point there's an intriguing "Keyser Soze"* moment that would make for an incredibly fascinating book discussion.
*For those who don't know Keyser Soze, go rent the Usual Suspects or read the Wikipedia entry on Keyser Soze, but beware that if you do so, you'll be ruining an entire (excellent) movie for yourself.
I will say that the author seemed to have a knack for heavily erotic in this book and it's a shame that she seems to not have continued writing any books in this category, because like many authors, I think time would only have given her even further strengths in the category.
September 19, 2013
I really loved this book. It took me by surprise. It had all of the elements I enjoy, a plot, a mystery, good characters, hot sex, a bit edgy, gritty, dark….defiantly not like the current run of BDSM themed books; it had something you could sink your teeth in.
The book is a gritty murder mystery, it’s the story of Mick, a seasoned homicide detective, and Caro a vice cop who wants to move into the homicide division. Together they will work undercover to solve the Teddy Murders. Couples involved in the BDSM scene have been turning up murdered in a grizzly fashion, and the cops suspect a serial killer. While on the trail of the killer Mick and Caro develop a taste, a passion, a need for each other. A need so strong, they’re willing to bet their emotions, their past and jobs just to be with each other. Caro comes from a strong religious background, her father the minister not liking her choice of jobs , and Mick witnessed the murder of his mother as a child. Both have strong personalities, and need to solve this case to prove their self worth, and find redemption.
The supporting cast was also well written, maybe a little more back story on a few of the characters, as they all seemed to integrated well into the BDSM scene.
This book may not be for everybody..its a murder mystery, its an edgy BDSM book , its a love story. There are no millionaires, and no naive, helpless females that require a male to define themselves. No romanticism of the BDSM lifestyle. There’s lots of sex, its well written, and it doesn’t take over the books plot, or become the plot. Teaser...there is a plot twist in the end that might make you say WTF. The book does end with an HEA, but its more what I would call “happy and working on it everyday”
The book is a gritty murder mystery, it’s the story of Mick, a seasoned homicide detective, and Caro a vice cop who wants to move into the homicide division. Together they will work undercover to solve the Teddy Murders. Couples involved in the BDSM scene have been turning up murdered in a grizzly fashion, and the cops suspect a serial killer. While on the trail of the killer Mick and Caro develop a taste, a passion, a need for each other. A need so strong, they’re willing to bet their emotions, their past and jobs just to be with each other. Caro comes from a strong religious background, her father the minister not liking her choice of jobs , and Mick witnessed the murder of his mother as a child. Both have strong personalities, and need to solve this case to prove their self worth, and find redemption.
The supporting cast was also well written, maybe a little more back story on a few of the characters, as they all seemed to integrated well into the BDSM scene.
This book may not be for everybody..its a murder mystery, its an edgy BDSM book , its a love story. There are no millionaires, and no naive, helpless females that require a male to define themselves. No romanticism of the BDSM lifestyle. There’s lots of sex, its well written, and it doesn’t take over the books plot, or become the plot. Teaser...there is a plot twist in the end that might make you say WTF. The book does end with an HEA, but its more what I would call “happy and working on it everyday”
October 17, 2013
There are a number of reviews about this book concerning the ending where it turns out that the hero manipulated evidence to frame his father. Personally, I didn't mind that part at all as I believe a scrupulously and clean police force is a nice myth but nothing else. What really disturbed me though was the hero's behaviour and approach towards BDSM. Sooner or later, for me a good D/s story needs to make me believe that the couple trusts each other, that the sub is save under the dom's ministrations, that the submission is cherished and welcomed as an unparalleled gift. Mick is quite a sexy person and I didn't mind his troubled past or the way he turned out. But his behaviour as a dom towards Caroline doesn't make me want to trust him ... at all. And I can't help myself, I can't imagine a woman who inside the span of ten days becomes so self-confident as a slave that she doesn't care being played with and paraded before her work colleagues. Especially not by a dom I would be afraid of (and not in the sexy kind of way) should I meet him in real life. D (because the writing itself was pretty good)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2012
I half read the ratings, and thought, "wow, this should be a good book."
I finished it thinking, "whoa, it certainly was a page turner. But, I hated Mick's character."
Constantly referring to him as the "ice man," was distracting. I couldn't say that brought anything to the book.
Furthermore, I thought he treated Caroline like crap.
I know what it means to be a female cop.
And I know just how far I'm willing to go (for said job).
It was such a turn off, because... No F-in Way.
That stunt Mick pulled in his apartment?
What was that?
He lost himself in her, throwing her trust and life into the wind.
She ended up with a shot-gun pointed at her face.
In the end, he cost her soo much.
He certainly didn't deserve her.
And if she couldn't see that, well then it's just as well.
Caroline was really stupid.
Clearly she wasn't thinking (no birth-control, Oh well. No big).
How could she consider everything she did work?
I hated the ending.
I finished it thinking, "whoa, it certainly was a page turner. But, I hated Mick's character."
Constantly referring to him as the "ice man," was distracting. I couldn't say that brought anything to the book.
Furthermore, I thought he treated Caroline like crap.
I know what it means to be a female cop.
And I know just how far I'm willing to go (for said job).
It was such a turn off, because... No F-in Way.
That stunt Mick pulled in his apartment?
What was that?
He lost himself in her, throwing her trust and life into the wind.
She ended up with a shot-gun pointed at her face.
In the end, he cost her soo much.
He certainly didn't deserve her.
And if she couldn't see that, well then it's just as well.
Caroline was really stupid.
Clearly she wasn't thinking (no birth-control, Oh well. No big).
How could she consider everything she did work?
I hated the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2010
Special Investigations Section Officer Caroline Palmer is not into whips and chains…
That is, not until Homicide Detective Michael ‘Mick’ McGraw—better known as The Iceman—leads her undercover into a secret world she never dreamed existed. He says they are tracking a sexual predator, a sadistic killer who preys on adventurous suburban couples. But Caroline knows Mick is looking for something else.
Something much more dangerous…
That is, not until Homicide Detective Michael ‘Mick’ McGraw—better known as The Iceman—leads her undercover into a secret world she never dreamed existed. He says they are tracking a sexual predator, a sadistic killer who preys on adventurous suburban couples. But Caroline knows Mick is looking for something else.
Something much more dangerous…
June 26, 2011
Special Investigations Section Officer Caroline Palmer is not into whips and chains…
That is, not until Homicide Detective Michael ‘Mick’ McGraw—better known as The Iceman—leads her undercover into a secret world she never dreamed existed. He says they are tracking a sexual predator, a sadistic killer who preys on adventurous suburban couples. But Caroline knows Mick is looking for something else.
Something much more dangerous…
That is, not until Homicide Detective Michael ‘Mick’ McGraw—better known as The Iceman—leads her undercover into a secret world she never dreamed existed. He says they are tracking a sexual predator, a sadistic killer who preys on adventurous suburban couples. But Caroline knows Mick is looking for something else.
Something much more dangerous…
October 14, 2012
This book was HOT!! Even though Mick did some kind of creepy things, I'd bow down to him anytime! This wasn't hardcore BDSM. It was more sexual BDSM. If that makes sense! The suspense was so good I kept wondering "Is it him? No, it's him. Maybe it's him." I wanted to skip to the end so bad to find out who the killer was. But, I was good. I didn't do it. Good recommendation for those who like romantic suspense.
August 10, 2016
I love this story from the first page tll the very last one. Simply awesome! It has everything I enjoy- a plot, a mistery, great characters, hot edgy steamy love scence, good-written dialogs. The chemistry between Mick and Caro ist exciting, disturbing, captivating, magical! It is one of the best BDSM books I have ever read, it is one of the best erotic thrillers I have ever read! I want more from Nikita Black!!!
June 8, 2012
As a first look at erotica and BDSM I quite enjoyed the story and the plot, completely unbelievable but very enjoyable. The plot and lead characters were very good and the storyline went at a nice pace. The sex & BDSM scenes were very well told and I enjoyed these immensely. Any suggestions on books to read will be greatly appreciated.
October 26, 2010
Loved this book, kept me on the edge of my seat the entire ride! I have
been frantically looking for a discussion on this book and found a recent
comment from the author on Amazon, listed under discussion Nikia Black's "Slave to Love."
Thank you so much, Nikita Black!
been frantically looking for a discussion on this book and found a recent
comment from the author on Amazon, listed under discussion Nikia Black's "Slave to Love."
Thank you so much, Nikita Black!
July 20, 2011
Holy...WTF!!! Simply awesome. This is one of the best suspense books I've read. Seriously, I had doubts how well BDSM and suspense would work. Doubt no more. Friggin' amazing. HOT, HOT, HOT D/s that makes your toes curl and a plot that just keeps on twisting. Sweet.
June 12, 2012
This book was disappointing. The story was interesting in the beginning but it became hopelessly unrealistic. Caro and Mick's relationship was strange. The book has its moments, some parts were quite hot but that could not the book from being just mediocre. I am glad I got it for free.
September 28, 2014
Good story and great characters but was a little rough on me since I'm not into the BDSM scene.
March 30, 2011
I read this twice!!! Wow, it’s good. My first book by this author and I want more!!!
November 10, 2013
Horrible book! I have no idea how this book is rated four stars. It could of been great, but it fell way short. Won't even waste my time about what was wrong with it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews