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The Ke'lan #1
Leashed
Dear Author,
I envision a sorta futuristic barbaric society. I love a dark angsty story and am completely ok with dubcon or nocon in the right circumstances. I love me some alpha males and can see Damien having a very possessive nature. Some bdsm would be delightful. I don't expect everything to go smoothly but definitely don't like cheating or ménage. An HEA is a must though! Please bring these modern day gladiators to life for me!!
Photo Description: Man holding another captive in chains set against a dark backdrop.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 5.
I envision a sorta futuristic barbaric society. I love a dark angsty story and am completely ok with dubcon or nocon in the right circumstances. I love me some alpha males and can see Damien having a very possessive nature. Some bdsm would be delightful. I don't expect everything to go smoothly but definitely don't like cheating or ménage. An HEA is a must though! Please bring these modern day gladiators to life for me!!
Photo Description: Man holding another captive in chains set against a dark backdrop.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 5.
60 pages, ebook
First published May 21, 2012
160 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 28, 2015
I enjoyed the gritty, post-apocalyptic setting and the sexual tension between the prisoner who stays strong despite beatings, torture, and an uncertain future, and the soldier assigned to extract information from him.
What I didn't enjoy so much was how this devolved into a too-sweet romance between two men who acted like boys.
“Shh,” he soothed. “It’s okay, sweet one. You’re safe.”
Do grown men really talk that way to each other?
*Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love is Always Write event.
What I didn't enjoy so much was how this devolved into a too-sweet romance between two men who acted like boys.
“Shh,” he soothed. “It’s okay, sweet one. You’re safe.”
Do grown men really talk that way to each other?
*Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love is Always Write event.
November 30, 2015
After reading the prompt and seeing the fabulous picture going with it, I was really looking forward to a dark futuristic setting with strong and powerful alpha soldiers and a lot of sexual tension between the soldier and his prisoner.
True - the story did contain all of these elements, but somehow I wasn't able to really get into it. Considering the length - or should I say the shortness of the story - it surely isn't easy to get a whole lot of world building done nicely, but I have to say that - at least for me - it really wasn't enough. I had problems picturing this futuristic world. This story would have needed more background information.
Drake is definitely an alpha man, I loved his powerful appearance and his way to handle the interrogation of his prisoner. It really built the tension and I would have liked to have more of these scenes between them. Unfortunately, the whole story is moving quite fast and the relationship building felt extremely rushed and thus not credible at all. It somehow became too sweet considering the setting and the circumstances. We didn't get all that much conversation between Drake and Sebastian and I never felt a connection to them.
Finally, I wanted to mention that the story is somehow tagged as BDSM, which it really wasn't at least for me.
I can only rate his story with 2 stars.
True - the story did contain all of these elements, but somehow I wasn't able to really get into it. Considering the length - or should I say the shortness of the story - it surely isn't easy to get a whole lot of world building done nicely, but I have to say that - at least for me - it really wasn't enough. I had problems picturing this futuristic world. This story would have needed more background information.
Drake is definitely an alpha man, I loved his powerful appearance and his way to handle the interrogation of his prisoner. It really built the tension and I would have liked to have more of these scenes between them. Unfortunately, the whole story is moving quite fast and the relationship building felt extremely rushed and thus not credible at all. It somehow became too sweet considering the setting and the circumstances. We didn't get all that much conversation between Drake and Sebastian and I never felt a connection to them.
Finally, I wanted to mention that the story is somehow tagged as BDSM, which it really wasn't at least for me.
I can only rate his story with 2 stars.
June 10, 2012
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume Five.
I liked this one a lot, it would have actually gotten a higher rating except I felt like there was a conversation that was missing. The guys both have strong feelings, and just showing that would be fine, but given some of the circumstances and things that are said I felt like both I and the characters needed to hear how the other felt, given they were both somewhat insecure about their standing with the other.
May 10, 2020
I've read it "the other way round", starting with Caged a few years ago...
And, TBH, I remember book 2 of The Ke'lan series better than this one - which I finished only a few days ago! :(
So, Sebastian and Drake weren't very memorable... The plot was too rushed. Granted, it's a short, but still it felt too superficial - I couldn't see the growing feeling between the MCs as they were in large fragments apart.
The sex scenes were fine, the writing style was good and the plot quite gripping - I've read it in one sitting... I'm simply sure I won't remember it... :|
IMHO, book 2 was much better...
My review of book 2, Caged, you can find here ;)
And, TBH, I remember book 2 of The Ke'lan series better than this one - which I finished only a few days ago! :(
So, Sebastian and Drake weren't very memorable... The plot was too rushed. Granted, it's a short, but still it felt too superficial - I couldn't see the growing feeling between the MCs as they were in large fragments apart.
The sex scenes were fine, the writing style was good and the plot quite gripping - I've read it in one sitting... I'm simply sure I won't remember it... :|
IMHO, book 2 was much better...
My review of book 2, Caged, you can find here ;)
October 1, 2013
I don't know why this is considered BDSM by some. There's abuse, yes, but it's not sexual and it's not consensual. It's abuse. The word "submission" is used twice and "dominate" once. These are used in the context of allowing himself to be loved, not controlled. The other guy uses dominate as a contrast to the latter, that the other man is willing to submit to his love. The sex is equal. The romance itself is sweet.
I liked that this is in a series, although I read them out of order quite a while a part. The stories were so similar I was confused for quite a while not sure if I'd read this one already.
Happy ending?
I liked that this is in a series, although I read them out of order quite a while a part. The stories were so similar I was confused for quite a while not sure if I'd read this one already.
Happy ending?
Read
July 12, 2012The post-apocalyptic setting and initial dub-con-y sexual tension were really promising, but it just couldn't deliver. The minute the characters decided they loved each other, all that gritty harshness the story promised vanished to schmoopiness. I don't mind schmoopiness, but it doesn't fit in here with what the story (and image prompt) were supposed to be selling me. There's an abrupt shift between sexy gritty prisoner/captor and... somewhat generic lightly D/s (but not really) twu wub.
One or the other, please.
One or the other, please.
June 5, 2012
Whoa.Right up my alley. I've enjoyed Skye Warren's other books (and now I need to be sure to go read more!). I liked this story - it was rough, gritty, and that makes it interesting to me. In addition Sebastian and Drake are engaging - that desperation born of desperate times makes the good parts all the more special.
May 28, 2012
This one’s a little darker and more gritty, but well worth it! I would have loved even more background about the world depicted in this story as well as the characters. It was very gripping and I couldn’t help feeling some anxiety as Drake made a decision that could have drastically altered his future. Very, very good all around and it’s free!!
September 30, 2014
For someone like me, who loves the words on the page as much as the characters and the plot of a book, this short story was a treat. Ms. Warren has the ability to turn a phrase that is a pleasure to read!
And the characters and story-line were extremely interesting also!
And the characters and story-line were extremely interesting also!
August 6, 2012
I thought this was pretty great. I wish there had been more tension and more along the lines of Master/slave, but I still enjoyed it and will check out some other work by this author.
April 9, 2019
Far too short to actually tell a story...
December 19, 2014
I'm a Skye Warren fan, and thought I'd give this little story a quick read.
So far Sebastian has been able to resist the torturer's demands that he reveal what he knows about the rebels. Suddenly Drake arrives, and in an instant both he and Sebastian are dazzled by their response to each other. Drake realizes that Sebastian must be released -- he knows nothing -- and decides to rescue his missing father. Sebastian's glad that his father's now safe, but decides to run...he'll only bring more trouble down on all of them...only to find that Drake's along for the ride. He just wants them to be together.
Yes -- I knew this was going to be a very short story, but still....There's just not quite enough here to get connected to the characters. We know Sebastian's unjustly accused, but not why. We know that Drake's a decent human being, but not why he's helping interrogate prisoners, or why he decides to help Sebastian. So, even though the sex is hot -- it's almost happening in a vacuum, since we don't get enough of a feel for the emotional bonds between Sebastian and Drake.
It's frustrating, since with just a little more story, this could have been a much more satisfying read.
So far Sebastian has been able to resist the torturer's demands that he reveal what he knows about the rebels. Suddenly Drake arrives, and in an instant both he and Sebastian are dazzled by their response to each other. Drake realizes that Sebastian must be released -- he knows nothing -- and decides to rescue his missing father. Sebastian's glad that his father's now safe, but decides to run...he'll only bring more trouble down on all of them...only to find that Drake's along for the ride. He just wants them to be together.
Yes -- I knew this was going to be a very short story, but still....There's just not quite enough here to get connected to the characters. We know Sebastian's unjustly accused, but not why. We know that Drake's a decent human being, but not why he's helping interrogate prisoners, or why he decides to help Sebastian. So, even though the sex is hot -- it's almost happening in a vacuum, since we don't get enough of a feel for the emotional bonds between Sebastian and Drake.
It's frustrating, since with just a little more story, this could have been a much more satisfying read.
October 5, 2014
In a dark world two lost men find something good and hopeful. It was not quite a 4 stars read because I think the relationship was a bit too hurried. But I was very intrigued by the story and the background. Plus I think it would have been perfect if it was a novel. This and the fact that I really liked both MCs, justify 4 stars. There is Sebastian a prisoner with an unbroken will and fierciness even while being beaten and threatened. Drake is a man driven by revange, blind for anything else. Saving Sebastian becomes his own rescue from a lonely and loveless life.
January 23, 2013
Didn't care much for this short. Maybe it's just that shorts don't get me involved enough - there isn't enough character development or something. I don't know - I just didn't feel too attached to any of the characters, the book moved so fast and wasn't too descriptive, and as far as erotica goes - it wasn't that erotic. The story was just short and simple - not many frills or perks to reading this one.
May 21, 2012
Great setting in a dark post-apocalyptic/dystopian universe with spicy sexytimes.
Note: This is a freebie short story from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's event "Love is Always Write." The story can be found here on the group's discussion board: "Leashed" by Skye Warren.
Note: This is a freebie short story from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's event "Love is Always Write." The story can be found here on the group's discussion board: "Leashed" by Skye Warren.
August 18, 2013
Story about a prisoner and the man who was his interrogator. They both got more than they bargained for. I like watching how they came about to one another. Sebastian was wary, as he should have been. I liked how it ended. Wouldn't say no to seeing more of them.
May 23, 2012
3.5
The first chapter made me go ewww...but it's just the mysophobic in me speaking.
The first chapter made me go ewww...but it's just the mysophobic in me speaking.
May 23, 2012
3.5 stars.
April 18, 2015
Thank you Skye Warren, for donating your time and talent.
July 14, 2012
A Good short story
August 12, 2012
3 stars – M/M Erotic/Sci-Fi Freebie/Quickie Romance
October 1, 2012
Rather sappy, but nice
to-read-ebook
March 30, 2016Love is Always Write - Volume 5
July 22, 2013
A very good read, draws you into the story with the characters.
November 15, 2013
Meh. Kind of weird. It was written well though
July 8, 2014
3.5 out of 5
A nice apocalyptic short story.
A nice apocalyptic short story.
December 3, 2014
3.5 stars.
January 29, 2015
To short even for a short story.
It's written well and keeps your attention through out . And leaves you hoping for a second issue. Worth the money
It's written well and keeps your attention through out . And leaves you hoping for a second issue. Worth the money
May 25, 2015
Not my usual genre but this is a haunting tale that draws the reader in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews