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The Smutketeers Present...A Kinky Christmas Carol #3
Marley in Chains
Running from the past…
Marley Knight-Williams has avoided the ghosts of her past for seventeen years. Now, after one thoughtless decision and too many margaritas, they’ve found her. Her memories, her heartache…and her men. Just in time for the holidays.
Boxer and gym owner Michael O’Shea is at the end of his rope. When his best friend Carlos comes home from serving his country, he’s a changed man—broken and wounded, inside and out. Michael knows there is only one person who can bring him back, one person who can make this a Christmas they will all remember. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her around.
Even if he has to break out the chains.
Time has changed them all, but it’s only banked the embers of their passion, and when the flames flare to life, they burn hotter than ever. Will the heat be enough to sear away the obstacles that stand between them? Or will it drive them apart before they can finish what they started all those years ago?
Warning: These characters shocked the author...Just sayin’…Menage and explicit sex. Schoolboy fantasies given a kinky adult twist. Voyeurism and exhibitionism. Spin the bottle, spanking, dirty sexting, and chains. Pervertable use of a poor innocent cane. Romance and magic and holiday love. With special guest appearances by Bob, Other Bob and Better Bob.
Series
Blinded to the Present...Avoiding the Future...Running from the Past
The Smutketeers Present: A Kinky Christmas Carol!
The Knight Family is a wealthy, powerful Chicago clan that knows everything there is to know about making money—but they have plenty to learn about love. In this three series novella—Eden Bradley's Getting Scrooged, Robin L Rotham's Not So Tiny Tim and R.G. Alexander's Marley in Chains—you’ll meet Holly Knight, her nephew Tim, and her cousin Marley Knight-Williams as they face their ghosts, fulfill their fantasies and finally discover the magic of Christmas.
Marley Knight-Williams has avoided the ghosts of her past for seventeen years. Now, after one thoughtless decision and too many margaritas, they’ve found her. Her memories, her heartache…and her men. Just in time for the holidays.
Boxer and gym owner Michael O’Shea is at the end of his rope. When his best friend Carlos comes home from serving his country, he’s a changed man—broken and wounded, inside and out. Michael knows there is only one person who can bring him back, one person who can make this a Christmas they will all remember. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her around.
Even if he has to break out the chains.
Time has changed them all, but it’s only banked the embers of their passion, and when the flames flare to life, they burn hotter than ever. Will the heat be enough to sear away the obstacles that stand between them? Or will it drive them apart before they can finish what they started all those years ago?
Warning: These characters shocked the author...Just sayin’…Menage and explicit sex. Schoolboy fantasies given a kinky adult twist. Voyeurism and exhibitionism. Spin the bottle, spanking, dirty sexting, and chains. Pervertable use of a poor innocent cane. Romance and magic and holiday love. With special guest appearances by Bob, Other Bob and Better Bob.
Series
Blinded to the Present...Avoiding the Future...Running from the Past
The Smutketeers Present: A Kinky Christmas Carol!
The Knight Family is a wealthy, powerful Chicago clan that knows everything there is to know about making money—but they have plenty to learn about love. In this three series novella—Eden Bradley's Getting Scrooged, Robin L Rotham's Not So Tiny Tim and R.G. Alexander's Marley in Chains—you’ll meet Holly Knight, her nephew Tim, and her cousin Marley Knight-Williams as they face their ghosts, fulfill their fantasies and finally discover the magic of Christmas.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
24 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
R.G. Alexander
79 books1,671 followersR.G. Alexander is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author who has written over 50 erotic paranormal, contemporary, urban fantasy, sci-fi/fantasy and LGBTQ romance books for multiple e-publishers and Berkley Heat. She’s also self-published several best-selling series.
She has lived all over the United States and worked all sorts of jobs in her life, including nurse and lead vocalist, but for the last seventeen years, she’s been a writer of all things romance. Now she can’t imagine doing anything else.
RG feels lucky every day that she gets to share her stories with her readers, and that she is happily married to a man known affectionately as The Cookie—her best friend, research assistant, and the love of her life.
If you want to find out more, go to: Website: www.rgalexander.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RachelGrace.RGAl...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorrgale...
Book Bub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-g-a...
She has lived all over the United States and worked all sorts of jobs in her life, including nurse and lead vocalist, but for the last seventeen years, she’s been a writer of all things romance. Now she can’t imagine doing anything else.
RG feels lucky every day that she gets to share her stories with her readers, and that she is happily married to a man known affectionately as The Cookie—her best friend, research assistant, and the love of her life.
If you want to find out more, go to: Website: www.rgalexander.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RachelGrace.RGAl...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorrgale...
Book Bub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-g-a...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 3, 2018
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Marley In Chains is the final novella in the A Kinky Christmas Carol series. This holiday-themed trilogy was written by three different authors, but the stories are connected by each being about a different member of the wealthy Knight family who all live in the same building, Dickens Towers, in Chicago. As with the other two novellas, the magical doorman, Frost, who looks suspiciously like Santa Claus plays a role as well, giving it a touch of whimsy. Overall, this was a pretty good wrap-up to the series with a few caveats which I’ll get to shortly.
The heroine of this novella is Marley, cousin and super-assistant to Holly from the first story, Getting Scrooged. She was born into wealth, but her mother lost two husbands (for some reason I can’t recall now whether it was to death or divorce) and remarried a man who was not of her social station. This left Marley suddenly adrift in a public school, when she’d been used to private school, and being teased by the other students. In stepped best friends, Michael and Carlos, who became her defenders. The three were inseparable for the next six years until Marley turned eighteen. They had shared some sexual intimacies and were close to making love when Marley lost her parents to a car accident just before Christmas and later left town. She was gone for several years, but returned to become her cousin’s assistant four years earlier. However, she never contacted the men she’d been in love with and had never forgotten, so she doesn’t reconnect with them until Michael comes looking for her and asking for her help to bring Carlos back to the land of the living. I mostly understood Marley and the issues that sent her running seventeen years ago, but it takes a while for those issues to fully surface. Once they did, I didn’t feel like they were really given the weight they deserved and were overcome a little too quickly. However, I did still like Marley and thought she was a pretty good heroine.
Marley’s heroes, Michael and Carlos, were devastated when she left town. Michael went on to become a champion boxer and now owns his own gym where he trains fighters and tries to keep at-risk youth out of trouble. Michael has always had strong family ties to fall back on, but Carlos didn’t. After Marley ran, Michael watched Carlos pull further and further away until he finally enlisted in the military and left town, too. At the end of his second tour, Carlos was badly injured by an IED blast, nearly losing his leg, but since returning he’s still been distant. Because of a letter Carlos wrote to Michael about Marley (unfortunately the reader is never let in on the details of its contents), Michael thinks the only thing that will revive Carlos is being reunited with the woman they both never stopped loving. This is what sends him to Marley’s doorstep, and he’s right about it being the only medicine Carlos really needed.
I liked Michael, but he’s maybe a little too rough around the edges for my taste. Over the years, he’d watched Carlos connect with Marley on a more tender and intellectual level that he doesn’t share with her, so when he sees that the same connection between the other two still burns brightly, he’s ready to bow out of the threesome gracefully. I generally understood where he was coming from and thought it was an interesting move on his part, but I would have liked to have felt a little more of what he was feeling that drove him to that decision. Others may disagree with me, but I thought that Carlos was the more intriguing of the two male characters, probably because as a writer, he seemed to have a softer, more poetic and intellectual side. I wish the author had dug a little deeper with his characterization, because I feel like he had a lot of layers that were only cursorily explored, if at all. I understood that he’d been hurt by Marley leaving, but his giving up a Harvard scholarship to drive a cab and work menial jobs, later entering the Marines, seemed at odds with the rest of the man being portrayed, who had typically been the beta to Michael's alpha. All that suddenly changes, though, when he surprises both Michael and Marley by taking the reins in their relationship after they reconnect. I also thought that his seeming depression after returning injured was told much more so than shown and was magically overcome simply by seeing Marley again. So while I liked both men, I thought they were similarly underdeveloped as Marley.
I think to some extent the underdevelopment of the characterizations played into the three characters’ relationship as a whole. We learn only enough to see that they had meant a lot to one another years ago and still do. I couldn’t help feeling that they have this rich backstory that’s barely explored. There’s a decent amount of steam fairly early in the story, but at first there isn’t much of an emotional connection given how close they’d all been before. It takes until the end of the story when they finally all come together to make love for this to right itself. Until then their interactions felt lusty but not particularly romantic or emotional. I also wasn’t fond of the author telling about certain events in hindsight, when, IMHO, they would have had a greater impact if shown in the moment. Otherwise, though, it was a good story. Despite my feeling it was lacking in some areas, it was still pretty enjoyable. I might be making some allowances for it being a novella, whereas if these types of issues had persisted in a full-length novel, I might not have been as forgiving. But there was just enough to keep me reading and generally satisfied with the outcome, so I couldn’t really justify marking it down any further. Marley In Chains was my first read by R. G. Alexander, but it has left me open to perhaps trying something else by her in the future.
Note: This book contains explicit language and sexual situations, including a spicy M/F/M menage, a touch of M/M action, use of sex toys, creative use of a cane, one scene of bondage with chains, a little spanking, exhibitionism, and anal sex, which some readers may find offensive.
Marley In Chains is the final novella in the A Kinky Christmas Carol series. This holiday-themed trilogy was written by three different authors, but the stories are connected by each being about a different member of the wealthy Knight family who all live in the same building, Dickens Towers, in Chicago. As with the other two novellas, the magical doorman, Frost, who looks suspiciously like Santa Claus plays a role as well, giving it a touch of whimsy. Overall, this was a pretty good wrap-up to the series with a few caveats which I’ll get to shortly.
The heroine of this novella is Marley, cousin and super-assistant to Holly from the first story, Getting Scrooged. She was born into wealth, but her mother lost two husbands (for some reason I can’t recall now whether it was to death or divorce) and remarried a man who was not of her social station. This left Marley suddenly adrift in a public school, when she’d been used to private school, and being teased by the other students. In stepped best friends, Michael and Carlos, who became her defenders. The three were inseparable for the next six years until Marley turned eighteen. They had shared some sexual intimacies and were close to making love when Marley lost her parents to a car accident just before Christmas and later left town. She was gone for several years, but returned to become her cousin’s assistant four years earlier. However, she never contacted the men she’d been in love with and had never forgotten, so she doesn’t reconnect with them until Michael comes looking for her and asking for her help to bring Carlos back to the land of the living. I mostly understood Marley and the issues that sent her running seventeen years ago, but it takes a while for those issues to fully surface. Once they did, I didn’t feel like they were really given the weight they deserved and were overcome a little too quickly. However, I did still like Marley and thought she was a pretty good heroine.
Marley’s heroes, Michael and Carlos, were devastated when she left town. Michael went on to become a champion boxer and now owns his own gym where he trains fighters and tries to keep at-risk youth out of trouble. Michael has always had strong family ties to fall back on, but Carlos didn’t. After Marley ran, Michael watched Carlos pull further and further away until he finally enlisted in the military and left town, too. At the end of his second tour, Carlos was badly injured by an IED blast, nearly losing his leg, but since returning he’s still been distant. Because of a letter Carlos wrote to Michael about Marley (unfortunately the reader is never let in on the details of its contents), Michael thinks the only thing that will revive Carlos is being reunited with the woman they both never stopped loving. This is what sends him to Marley’s doorstep, and he’s right about it being the only medicine Carlos really needed.
I liked Michael, but he’s maybe a little too rough around the edges for my taste. Over the years, he’d watched Carlos connect with Marley on a more tender and intellectual level that he doesn’t share with her, so when he sees that the same connection between the other two still burns brightly, he’s ready to bow out of the threesome gracefully. I generally understood where he was coming from and thought it was an interesting move on his part, but I would have liked to have felt a little more of what he was feeling that drove him to that decision. Others may disagree with me, but I thought that Carlos was the more intriguing of the two male characters, probably because as a writer, he seemed to have a softer, more poetic and intellectual side. I wish the author had dug a little deeper with his characterization, because I feel like he had a lot of layers that were only cursorily explored, if at all. I understood that he’d been hurt by Marley leaving, but his giving up a Harvard scholarship to drive a cab and work menial jobs, later entering the Marines, seemed at odds with the rest of the man being portrayed, who had typically been the beta to Michael's alpha. All that suddenly changes, though, when he surprises both Michael and Marley by taking the reins in their relationship after they reconnect. I also thought that his seeming depression after returning injured was told much more so than shown and was magically overcome simply by seeing Marley again. So while I liked both men, I thought they were similarly underdeveloped as Marley.
I think to some extent the underdevelopment of the characterizations played into the three characters’ relationship as a whole. We learn only enough to see that they had meant a lot to one another years ago and still do. I couldn’t help feeling that they have this rich backstory that’s barely explored. There’s a decent amount of steam fairly early in the story, but at first there isn’t much of an emotional connection given how close they’d all been before. It takes until the end of the story when they finally all come together to make love for this to right itself. Until then their interactions felt lusty but not particularly romantic or emotional. I also wasn’t fond of the author telling about certain events in hindsight, when, IMHO, they would have had a greater impact if shown in the moment. Otherwise, though, it was a good story. Despite my feeling it was lacking in some areas, it was still pretty enjoyable. I might be making some allowances for it being a novella, whereas if these types of issues had persisted in a full-length novel, I might not have been as forgiving. But there was just enough to keep me reading and generally satisfied with the outcome, so I couldn’t really justify marking it down any further. Marley In Chains was my first read by R. G. Alexander, but it has left me open to perhaps trying something else by her in the future.
Note: This book contains explicit language and sexual situations, including a spicy M/F/M menage, a touch of M/M action, use of sex toys, creative use of a cane, one scene of bondage with chains, a little spanking, exhibitionism, and anal sex, which some readers may find offensive.
December 28, 2012
Marley was a female lead I really enjoyed reading about. She had run from the boys when she got caught in a tryst with the two of them and thought it would shame her family. When Michael turns up on her doorstep, she doesn't quite know what to do. When he calls in his "chips" for her to spend the remaining time until the holidays between the two of them, she jumps at the chance. What results is some dirty, dirty action. Seriously, there is sexting, sexual simulation with inanimate objects, threesomes, MM contact, some BDSM and more....this is my favourite of all three of the novella's as it was palpation-inducing-hot!
The boys were yummy... I felt so much sympathy for the war-broken Carlos and the best-friend who was simply watching him waste away. Also, mental visual I got when we see Michael covered in chains? Oh. My. God. The three of them together was simply delicious to read about and I wanted a HEA for them all.
This one was sexy, smutty and angsty.....a combination of all my favourite erotica aspects :)
The boys were yummy... I felt so much sympathy for the war-broken Carlos and the best-friend who was simply watching him waste away. Also, mental visual I got when we see Michael covered in chains? Oh. My. God. The three of them together was simply delicious to read about and I wanted a HEA for them all.
This one was sexy, smutty and angsty.....a combination of all my favourite erotica aspects :)
December 16, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas story! I love that RG, Eden and Robin have woven the three stories together so seamlessly also. RG did an excellent job of making the characters belivable, likeable and have you rooting for them to be together. And did I say it is Super Hot too? well it is! Highly recommend!!
December 21, 2012
Alyn's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 Stars
OK I admit it, I am a sucker for Christmas stories. This is especially true for ones based on tales such as the Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol”. If you are familiar with the story, you will recognize names such as Tim, Fan, Dickens, Fezziwig, and of course Marley. Yes, R.G. Alexander, one of my favorite Smutketeers is not afraid to dive into the holiday stereotypes and when she does, you will be left breathless with anticipation.
Marley is a strong woman who helps to run her family’s financial empire. After the death of her mother and father, she had to leave her past life behind to live up to the family name and make her father proud. This meant leaving behind the two men she loved most. At seventeen she hardly understood what that meant at the time but she knew she was in love with Carlos and Michael. The three of them were inseparable and did everything together. When they finally decided to consummate that love between the three of them at the Christmas dance, their plans are put to an abrupt halt that changes their lives and rips them apart. Seventeen years later, Marley is shocked to find Michael waiting at her doorstep and even more shocked that her feelings have not changes since the day she last saw him.
Michael knew he had to do something drastic to get Carlos back. Once Carlos returned from the war, he just wasn’t the same. Sitting around the Michael’s boxing gym is not a way to live and Carlos has barely said anything other than what he wrote in his letter. If only he could bring Marley back to them, perhaps his friend would come back too. Sure she is part of the Knight’s wealthy empire, but she was one of them once. If they could find what they had seventeen years ago, maybe, just maybe, the three of them could have it again. Finally determined to help his friend, Michael sets out to Dickens Tower in search of Marley. When she agrees to come see them, hope becomes a possibility once again.
December 21st. That is the date that determined Marley’s fate. After being challenged by Carlos, Marley must now follow their every whim and recreate their fondest memories and a few memories they wished had been created in their youth. If Marley agrees to do as they say, all would come to fruition on December 21st, the very same day that had almost crossed the line seventeen years earlier. Agreeing to their terms, she finds herself falling in love all over again and doing things she never dreamed possible. When the deadline nears, and the trio begins to get comfortable, past fears rise up once again and threaten to tear them apart.
I will never look at “A Christmas Carol” the same way again. While this is not the typical Scrooge version of the story, I love that the character names pop up throughout the book. The nod to the Christmas ghosts can be seen in the form of a door man named Frost, who just happens to be around to give helpful advice and even a ride when he is needed most. The story of the characters themselves is a sweet one.
Marley had a difficult family life due to family conflicts. She also dealt with backlash from rumors that had a serious impact on her relationship with Carlos and Michael. My heart especially breaks for Michael, the misunderstood boxer who wears chains to push his abilities in the ring, but wears emotional chains every day of his life as he wonders what could have been. Carlos, the wounded soldier, realizes his only happiness is when Michael and Marley are with him. When Marley is forced to confront her feelings for them, there is no denying the attraction and the sparks fly. The men push Marley to her limits and enjoy meeting her friends B.O.B. and other B.O.B. (reference to her toys) letting Marley show them how friendly they were. With interesting dares involving windows, canes and a few other inanimate objects, this story is sure to keep you on your toes. While the story is short, it will tug on your heart strings and have you rooting for the trio to find common ground and make things work. With sexy games of truth or dare, and a Christmas present that only kinkster can love, Marley in Chains is a hot holiday treat that will warm you up on the coldest winter day.
4 Stars
OK I admit it, I am a sucker for Christmas stories. This is especially true for ones based on tales such as the Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol”. If you are familiar with the story, you will recognize names such as Tim, Fan, Dickens, Fezziwig, and of course Marley. Yes, R.G. Alexander, one of my favorite Smutketeers is not afraid to dive into the holiday stereotypes and when she does, you will be left breathless with anticipation.
Marley is a strong woman who helps to run her family’s financial empire. After the death of her mother and father, she had to leave her past life behind to live up to the family name and make her father proud. This meant leaving behind the two men she loved most. At seventeen she hardly understood what that meant at the time but she knew she was in love with Carlos and Michael. The three of them were inseparable and did everything together. When they finally decided to consummate that love between the three of them at the Christmas dance, their plans are put to an abrupt halt that changes their lives and rips them apart. Seventeen years later, Marley is shocked to find Michael waiting at her doorstep and even more shocked that her feelings have not changes since the day she last saw him.
Michael knew he had to do something drastic to get Carlos back. Once Carlos returned from the war, he just wasn’t the same. Sitting around the Michael’s boxing gym is not a way to live and Carlos has barely said anything other than what he wrote in his letter. If only he could bring Marley back to them, perhaps his friend would come back too. Sure she is part of the Knight’s wealthy empire, but she was one of them once. If they could find what they had seventeen years ago, maybe, just maybe, the three of them could have it again. Finally determined to help his friend, Michael sets out to Dickens Tower in search of Marley. When she agrees to come see them, hope becomes a possibility once again.
December 21st. That is the date that determined Marley’s fate. After being challenged by Carlos, Marley must now follow their every whim and recreate their fondest memories and a few memories they wished had been created in their youth. If Marley agrees to do as they say, all would come to fruition on December 21st, the very same day that had almost crossed the line seventeen years earlier. Agreeing to their terms, she finds herself falling in love all over again and doing things she never dreamed possible. When the deadline nears, and the trio begins to get comfortable, past fears rise up once again and threaten to tear them apart.
I will never look at “A Christmas Carol” the same way again. While this is not the typical Scrooge version of the story, I love that the character names pop up throughout the book. The nod to the Christmas ghosts can be seen in the form of a door man named Frost, who just happens to be around to give helpful advice and even a ride when he is needed most. The story of the characters themselves is a sweet one.
Marley had a difficult family life due to family conflicts. She also dealt with backlash from rumors that had a serious impact on her relationship with Carlos and Michael. My heart especially breaks for Michael, the misunderstood boxer who wears chains to push his abilities in the ring, but wears emotional chains every day of his life as he wonders what could have been. Carlos, the wounded soldier, realizes his only happiness is when Michael and Marley are with him. When Marley is forced to confront her feelings for them, there is no denying the attraction and the sparks fly. The men push Marley to her limits and enjoy meeting her friends B.O.B. and other B.O.B. (reference to her toys) letting Marley show them how friendly they were. With interesting dares involving windows, canes and a few other inanimate objects, this story is sure to keep you on your toes. While the story is short, it will tug on your heart strings and have you rooting for the trio to find common ground and make things work. With sexy games of truth or dare, and a Christmas present that only kinkster can love, Marley in Chains is a hot holiday treat that will warm you up on the coldest winter day.
January 3, 2013
Marley in Chains by RG Alexander is the third book in the Smutketeers naughty Christmas trilogy. Marley was orphaned right after she graduated from high school, and subsequently ran from her family and two dearest friends, Michael and Carlos, as far and fast as she could. While she did accept a job with her cousin Holly over a decade after that, she's locked herself away from everyone intentionally, and is ready to sprint again at even the possibility of reconnecting. She recognizes that Holly needs something though, and takes her to an old neighborhood haunt to tie one on to celebrate Holly's impending milestone birthday.
Michael is stunned to hear through a friend that Marley's back in town. He was devastated when she disappeared without a word seventeen years ago, and he and Carlos haven't been quite the same since. Especially after Carlos returns from an overseas tour in the Marines a shell of the person he was before.
Marley can't believe her eyes when she opens her door to a Christmas past--Michael is even more appealing to her than he was years ago, and she cannot turn down his request to help Carlos. The feelings they'd shared as teens seem a mere spark compared to the passion that threatens to engulf them all as Michael and Carlos orchestrate a visit to their Christmas past--one that might turn out to transform their Christmas present into a very remarkable Christmas future...
Ms. Alexander pens a story that is both emotional and kinky. Marley, Michael, and Carlos have some pretty deep-seated issues to face, and Ms. Alexander ably deals with those as well as bringing them fulfillment as they reconnect both physically and with their hearts. Look forward to enjoying some holiday healing as you curl up with this read!
Michael is stunned to hear through a friend that Marley's back in town. He was devastated when she disappeared without a word seventeen years ago, and he and Carlos haven't been quite the same since. Especially after Carlos returns from an overseas tour in the Marines a shell of the person he was before.
Marley can't believe her eyes when she opens her door to a Christmas past--Michael is even more appealing to her than he was years ago, and she cannot turn down his request to help Carlos. The feelings they'd shared as teens seem a mere spark compared to the passion that threatens to engulf them all as Michael and Carlos orchestrate a visit to their Christmas past--one that might turn out to transform their Christmas present into a very remarkable Christmas future...
Ms. Alexander pens a story that is both emotional and kinky. Marley, Michael, and Carlos have some pretty deep-seated issues to face, and Ms. Alexander ably deals with those as well as bringing them fulfillment as they reconnect both physically and with their hearts. Look forward to enjoying some holiday healing as you curl up with this read!
December 21, 2012
4 1/2 stars!
"Marley in Chains" by R.G. Alexander is the poignantly erotic tale of Marley Knight-Williams, a woman who lives weighted down by her feelings of guilt. She has returned to the area that she fled from so long ago but fears to reconnect with the two males who she felt such a deep connection with so long ago. They have been through their own trials in life and are ready to reclaim the skittish woman who completes their triad, they just have to convince her to follow her heart...by using whatever means necessary.
This delightful seasonal and emotional novella is a fantastic addition to an imaginative treatment of a seasonal classic presented by three talented authors. The depth of connection between the characters is heartwarming even as the sensual encounters that the guys engineer practically melt the pages. It is intriguing to view the events from the spicy "Getting Scrooged" (by Eden Bradley) from a different viewpoint and fun to compare notes between this tale and subsequent events in "Not So Tiny Tim" (by Robin L. Rotham). A fun read to warm up a cold winter night, I can only hope that this author continues to pen more tales about these charismatic people.
A copy of this title was provided in exchange for an honest review
"Marley in Chains" by R.G. Alexander is the poignantly erotic tale of Marley Knight-Williams, a woman who lives weighted down by her feelings of guilt. She has returned to the area that she fled from so long ago but fears to reconnect with the two males who she felt such a deep connection with so long ago. They have been through their own trials in life and are ready to reclaim the skittish woman who completes their triad, they just have to convince her to follow her heart...by using whatever means necessary.
This delightful seasonal and emotional novella is a fantastic addition to an imaginative treatment of a seasonal classic presented by three talented authors. The depth of connection between the characters is heartwarming even as the sensual encounters that the guys engineer practically melt the pages. It is intriguing to view the events from the spicy "Getting Scrooged" (by Eden Bradley) from a different viewpoint and fun to compare notes between this tale and subsequent events in "Not So Tiny Tim" (by Robin L. Rotham). A fun read to warm up a cold winter night, I can only hope that this author continues to pen more tales about these charismatic people.
A copy of this title was provided in exchange for an honest review
December 21, 2012
*See related reviews for Getting Scrooged and Not So Tiny Tim.*
The Knight cousin, Marley, has her own past that she runs from. She fills her life with nothing much more than taking care of Holly's business. A heroine avoiding a heartbreaking past. Yay! Tormented and emotionally damaged heroes. I do love to read about those damaged men who still go after what they want in the way that only true alpha heroes do. Oh yeah!
Ok, I am not exactly a newbie to Ms. Alexander's brand of hot and kinky. She is the very first Smutketeer I evah read. Of course I eagerly jumped into her offering in this wonderful holiday trilogy.
So confession: She actually made me blush. I about swooned with delight reading this story. Oh R.G., you may have outdone yourself this time.
The perfect ending to this already superb trilogy, I started this one with much anticipation. In the previous two stories we were given teasing details to whet our appetite. This story has it all. It was love at first word. And can I just say that Mr. Frost was one of my favorites! That mischevious little man meddled and stuck his nose in other people's business like it was his job. Hmmm...maybe it was?
I'll never tell.
I am so glad I treated myself to an early holiday present and read these books.
The Knight cousin, Marley, has her own past that she runs from. She fills her life with nothing much more than taking care of Holly's business. A heroine avoiding a heartbreaking past. Yay! Tormented and emotionally damaged heroes. I do love to read about those damaged men who still go after what they want in the way that only true alpha heroes do. Oh yeah!
Ok, I am not exactly a newbie to Ms. Alexander's brand of hot and kinky. She is the very first Smutketeer I evah read. Of course I eagerly jumped into her offering in this wonderful holiday trilogy.
So confession: She actually made me blush. I about swooned with delight reading this story. Oh R.G., you may have outdone yourself this time.
The perfect ending to this already superb trilogy, I started this one with much anticipation. In the previous two stories we were given teasing details to whet our appetite. This story has it all. It was love at first word. And can I just say that Mr. Frost was one of my favorites! That mischevious little man meddled and stuck his nose in other people's business like it was his job. Hmmm...maybe it was?
I'll never tell.
I am so glad I treated myself to an early holiday present and read these books.
December 16, 2012
Just finished Marley in Chains and want to read it again. Best early Christmas present I ever bought myself. Hard and heartbroken, the heroes Michael and Carlos, reconnect with their long-lost high school sweetheart, Marley. R.G. Alexander gets you emotionally invested in her characters from the get-go. I promise, you'll fall in love with the heroes and wish you were Marley. Sexy as hell, the seriously hot sex scenes are great, but they aren't my favorite part of this story. It's the romance!!!
Buy this and the rest of the Smutketeers Kinky Christmas Carol...be a good girl, but read something naughty this Christmas!
Buy this and the rest of the Smutketeers Kinky Christmas Carol...be a good girl, but read something naughty this Christmas!
December 22, 2012
I’m going to start off with I love RG Alexander so when I heard Christmas and RG in the same sentence I was immediately on board. It didn’t disappoint. Marley, Michael and Carlos were so hot I’m surprised my screen didn’t melt. Marley was loveable even with that princess in the tower thing going for her, and Michael and Carlos were just the right bit of damaged that you couldn’t help but love them and root for them to win Marley over. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Kinky Christmas Carols from the other Smutketeers. If you love hot stories with a Christmas theme, you’ll love this book. So don’t hesitate to download this book, you’ll fall in love with Marley and her boys.
December 29, 2012
LOVVVVVVVVVED this story and the sex is exxxxxxxxxxxxxxtremely hot, some of Ms. Alexander's best work to date!!!! I loved the other stories in this book too (by other authors), though I liked this one the best. The story really worked in the emotional angle, and wow, again, the sex was hot! Especially the part in the glass walkway. RG is simply awesome!
January 21, 2013
for me this was the 3rd book in the Kinky Christmas Carol by the Smutketeers. I liked this one the best. The tension between Marley, Carlos and Michael was fantastic. The emotions were raw and called to a part of me buried deep.
December 30, 2012
Rg has done it again OMG so hot and sexy rocked My world to the end
November 1, 2013
R.G. A does it again. This was such a yummy book. Creative in some ways but seriously steamy. My only complaint was the ending felt a little abrupt.
December 15, 2017
I loved this second chance story.
Marley has been in town working for her cousin for several years now. She tries to stay away for her old neighborhood until one night. Michael appears back in her life shortly after that requesting her help with their friend, Carlos. Carlos served his country before being wounded. Michael is hoping that Marley will be able to reach their friend in a way that he hasn't been able to. Carlos and Michael make a bargain with Marley to recreate their last holiday. Marley has missed her boys and decides to do it. Can they work through their past to have a happy future?
Highly recommend this book and series.
Marley has been in town working for her cousin for several years now. She tries to stay away for her old neighborhood until one night. Michael appears back in her life shortly after that requesting her help with their friend, Carlos. Carlos served his country before being wounded. Michael is hoping that Marley will be able to reach their friend in a way that he hasn't been able to. Carlos and Michael make a bargain with Marley to recreate their last holiday. Marley has missed her boys and decides to do it. Can they work through their past to have a happy future?
Highly recommend this book and series.
Want to read
November 27, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/27/2022)! 🎁
October 19, 2013
I read this book not knowing that it was part of a series(written by 3 different authors).
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. I thought that all of the main characters had excellent chemistry and considering it was a menage story, I found it very believable. I believed that these people were in love with one another and that they were meant to be together as a threesome.
It was highly erotic, which I love and also romantic. Every part of it was very well written.
Now, the reason I mentioned that I started the book not knowing it was part of a series is because, once I finished reading it I go to thinking that the story is written as though I should know Marley's cousin Holly. So I sent R.G and email asking if Holly was getting her own story.
Which is when she let me know that Holly already had her own story written by one of her fellow authors.
I loved that she was kind enough to respond. So that alone will have me reading her books from now until....
I am sharing my email and her response below.
My Message:
I was wondering if Holly had her own story? If not, will she? I ask
because in Marley in Chains it felt like we should already know
details about Holly and that we would eventually get more details
about her relationship and trip to Vegas. Although I loved the story,
and will say that when I write my review, it felt incomplete. I am a
fan of closure and I want to know what happened to Holly and how
Marley and her boys faired after making the decision to be together,
i.e. marriage,kids?
Her response:
Thank you for your interest.
Holly Knight's story is the first story told in Getting Scrooged by Eden Bradley (we had a three novella continuity storyline with my author group The Smutketeers-the other book by Robin L Rotham is Not So Tiny Tim) I'm sorry it felt incomplete. We tried to make sure we had information about all 3 books everywhere it was available for purchase.
Thanks again for the email!
Anyway, now I have to go get the other two, which I hope was as good as this one so I get the full story.
This one is definitely worth reading and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. I thought that all of the main characters had excellent chemistry and considering it was a menage story, I found it very believable. I believed that these people were in love with one another and that they were meant to be together as a threesome.
It was highly erotic, which I love and also romantic. Every part of it was very well written.
Now, the reason I mentioned that I started the book not knowing it was part of a series is because, once I finished reading it I go to thinking that the story is written as though I should know Marley's cousin Holly. So I sent R.G and email asking if Holly was getting her own story.
Which is when she let me know that Holly already had her own story written by one of her fellow authors.
I loved that she was kind enough to respond. So that alone will have me reading her books from now until....
I am sharing my email and her response below.
My Message:
I was wondering if Holly had her own story? If not, will she? I ask
because in Marley in Chains it felt like we should already know
details about Holly and that we would eventually get more details
about her relationship and trip to Vegas. Although I loved the story,
and will say that when I write my review, it felt incomplete. I am a
fan of closure and I want to know what happened to Holly and how
Marley and her boys faired after making the decision to be together,
i.e. marriage,kids?
Her response:
Thank you for your interest.
Holly Knight's story is the first story told in Getting Scrooged by Eden Bradley (we had a three novella continuity storyline with my author group The Smutketeers-the other book by Robin L Rotham is Not So Tiny Tim) I'm sorry it felt incomplete. We tried to make sure we had information about all 3 books everywhere it was available for purchase.
Thanks again for the email!
Anyway, now I have to go get the other two, which I hope was as good as this one so I get the full story.
This one is definitely worth reading and I look forward to reading more from this author.
December 17, 2012
As posted on The Smutty Kitty
4 out of 5 Licks
Let me start by saying there is some dirty stuff in this one! lol R.G. always says she's the innocent Smutketeer but I think this book proves that isn't true! :) Aside from a wide variety of toys (you know what kind of toys I'm talking about) there is also a cane involved. *blush*
This is a story of three friends that were almost lovers in the past and their story to becoming lovers now. This isn't just a story about sex. This is a story about healing. Marley and Michael didn't realize they needed healing too but they do. I grew up next to a military base and I have a large place in my heart for the men and women who serve in the military so right away I loved Carlos. I wanted him to have his happy ever after more than anyone else. Michael is an ex boxer running the family gym and that's just sexy so I wanted him mostly to take his clothes off but to have his own HEA as well. lol This story had lots of love and fighting. Although I enjoyed the story I wished the boys would have touched more. Michael and Carlos also swapped back and forth with the Dom aspects and there were times that felt a little off, but overall this story is a wonderful wrap up to the Smutketeers Kinky Christmas Carol. I love how the three tied together with just the light aspect of the main characters being related and making sneak peeks into each of the books. Another fun sexy Christmas read to help keep you warm.
4 out of 5 Licks
Let me start by saying there is some dirty stuff in this one! lol R.G. always says she's the innocent Smutketeer but I think this book proves that isn't true! :) Aside from a wide variety of toys (you know what kind of toys I'm talking about) there is also a cane involved. *blush*
This is a story of three friends that were almost lovers in the past and their story to becoming lovers now. This isn't just a story about sex. This is a story about healing. Marley and Michael didn't realize they needed healing too but they do. I grew up next to a military base and I have a large place in my heart for the men and women who serve in the military so right away I loved Carlos. I wanted him to have his happy ever after more than anyone else. Michael is an ex boxer running the family gym and that's just sexy so I wanted him mostly to take his clothes off but to have his own HEA as well. lol This story had lots of love and fighting. Although I enjoyed the story I wished the boys would have touched more. Michael and Carlos also swapped back and forth with the Dom aspects and there were times that felt a little off, but overall this story is a wonderful wrap up to the Smutketeers Kinky Christmas Carol. I love how the three tied together with just the light aspect of the main characters being related and making sneak peeks into each of the books. Another fun sexy Christmas read to help keep you warm.
December 9, 2015
I have been a fan of Ms. Alexanders' for years but I always resisted buying this book. The title and cover threw me off, I'm just not a fan of hardcore BDSM and that is what the cover put me in mind of. Then I got the boxed set "A Kinky Xmas Carol" and this was one of the books. I am SO glad I did. Marley's story made this boxed set so much more everything. I don't know know how to put into words what Hers, Micheal's & Carlos's story have made me feel but it is good, really, really, really good. At 51 1/2 yrs. old I had stopped believing in HEA a long time ago, even though I am an avid romance reader my heart has been jaded for a while now. I don't know why but this story gave me a little bit of hope again. That the story was set in a Christmas theme was something else that threw me off. Christmas and I have been friends since my Mother died Dec. 1, 2010 and my family just kinda imploded and stopped talking. This story gave me a little bit of hope for a Christmas miracle. I am so, so, SO glad I purchased this boxed set and read Marley, Micheal, & Carlos's story Marley in Chains. Thank you Ms. Alexander.
Read
March 27, 2016Marley in Chains
Marley works for her cousin a Holly as a personal assistant. Michael & Carlos were high school friends, they all were inseparable. That is until the day Marley's parents were killed in a car accident. She is devastated and believes their accident was her fault because her dad found out she was in love with & planning a night with her two men. 17 years later Michael owns a boxing gym & Carlos has been honorably discharged from the Marines due to an injure he suffered in combat. Michael knows Marley is back in town & visits her, telling her he is "cashing in all the chips she owes" & that Carlos needs her, as he is having trouble adapting to life outside the Marines. They embark on a journey of discovery & trust where Marley must give over herself to them. This is an interesting adventure, as Marley learns much needed information about "her men". Can they get her to give up the fight & enjoy the amazing life the three of them could have, or will she run scared like last time? Pick up this series, they are a quick enjoyable read for sure!
Marley works for her cousin a Holly as a personal assistant. Michael & Carlos were high school friends, they all were inseparable. That is until the day Marley's parents were killed in a car accident. She is devastated and believes their accident was her fault because her dad found out she was in love with & planning a night with her two men. 17 years later Michael owns a boxing gym & Carlos has been honorably discharged from the Marines due to an injure he suffered in combat. Michael knows Marley is back in town & visits her, telling her he is "cashing in all the chips she owes" & that Carlos needs her, as he is having trouble adapting to life outside the Marines. They embark on a journey of discovery & trust where Marley must give over herself to them. This is an interesting adventure, as Marley learns much needed information about "her men". Can they get her to give up the fight & enjoy the amazing life the three of them could have, or will she run scared like last time? Pick up this series, they are a quick enjoyable read for sure!
November 18, 2013
I've enjoyed all the other books I've read by R.G. Alexander, so it was a little disappointing when I didn't really connect with what was going on here. I mean, I liked the guys and I thought it was sex-ay when they were getting all handsy with one another but beyond that *shrugs*
While I can understand why Marley was gun-shy and I get that the guys were ... well, they both had issues. I just never really fell into the story. It was enjoyable. The sex was sexy enough. But a lot of the three reconnecting happened off page and I think that was where I feel a bit of disappointment.
Enjoyable but lacking something. Still, it has the sexy threesome sex. That's always nice.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Marley in Chains was a free Kindle book I downloaded on 07/29/13 for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge.
While I can understand why Marley was gun-shy and I get that the guys were ... well, they both had issues. I just never really fell into the story. It was enjoyable. The sex was sexy enough. But a lot of the three reconnecting happened off page and I think that was where I feel a bit of disappointment.
Enjoyable but lacking something. Still, it has the sexy threesome sex. That's always nice.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Marley in Chains was a free Kindle book I downloaded on 07/29/13 for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge.
September 30, 2013
The part with the cane.....
ALMOST, and I did say ALMOST marked this as a DNF because of the cane scene but, what can I say I had to see what would be next after that! This was great except the cane part. I know, I know, I keep going back to it BUT DAMN!!!!!!
I am gonna have nightmares for a week!!!
ALMOST, and I did say ALMOST marked this as a DNF because of the cane scene but, what can I say I had to see what would be next after that! This was great except the cane part. I know, I know, I keep going back to it BUT DAMN!!!!!!
I am gonna have nightmares for a week!!!
August 5, 2016
Amazon lists this as 152 pgs, but the actual story length is much less than that as the story ended at 58% & the rest was promotional material.
I won't recap the blurb. It's fairly self-explanatory. I'm glad I pick this up free because I would have been extremely unhappy if I'd paid full price expecting 152 pgs & then almost half the book was not even actual reading material but promotional excerpts and such.
I found the characters to be ok, rather 2-dimensional. I like the guys much more than I liked Marley. And as far as the book being classified as M/M/F, there is very little sexual interaction between the men. Most of the sexual interaction is between Marley and inanimate objects. It's ok for a free read, but I would not recommend paying full price for it.
I won't recap the blurb. It's fairly self-explanatory. I'm glad I pick this up free because I would have been extremely unhappy if I'd paid full price expecting 152 pgs & then almost half the book was not even actual reading material but promotional excerpts and such.
I found the characters to be ok, rather 2-dimensional. I like the guys much more than I liked Marley. And as far as the book being classified as M/M/F, there is very little sexual interaction between the men. Most of the sexual interaction is between Marley and inanimate objects. It's ok for a free read, but I would not recommend paying full price for it.
January 12, 2013
By reading the summary I thought this book was going to be my favorite because I love a ménage story, but I didn’t connect with Marley and her reasons for “running” were a little weak, plus she could have had a perfect and very fun relationship with two great guys and she was afraid of rumors.
The sex was good, but I have a serious problem with Marley and the way she kept running even while they were having fun. Because Michael is strong and handsome, Carlos is a hero and very intelligent.
What more could a girl want?
The sex was good, but I have a serious problem with Marley and the way she kept running even while they were having fun. Because Michael is strong and handsome, Carlos is a hero and very intelligent.
What more could a girl want?
November 29, 2013
This book is a erotic twist on a Christmas classic and so hot, you need to make sure your drinking something cold not hot as you read. ;-)
Marley is running from her past, when chance brings her up short and she's thrown thrown back into her past and realizes that 'her' men are her future.
This book is one part of a trilogy. "Not so Tiny Tim" by Robin Rotham and "Getting Scrooged" by Eden Bradley. None of these stories should be missed!
Marley is running from her past, when chance brings her up short and she's thrown thrown back into her past and realizes that 'her' men are her future.
This book is one part of a trilogy. "Not so Tiny Tim" by Robin Rotham and "Getting Scrooged" by Eden Bradley. None of these stories should be missed!
December 30, 2013
Who would believe that one night could change a friendship? 3 friends, Marley, Michael and Carlos, formed a beautiful and loving relationship until an incident escalates into pain, hurt feelings and misunderstandings causing them to run from each other. Several years later they meet up again and their feelings for each other haven’t changed and with a little nudge from a kindly elderly doorman, their friendship becomes something more.
March 19, 2013
I bought this one from Amazon.
Good, sweet, hot. Didn't quite buy the reason she ran away all those years ago. All three books in this series from the Smutketeers are fun and festive reads, with lovely little details connecting the three stories. I can only imagine how much fun they had plotting together.
Good, sweet, hot. Didn't quite buy the reason she ran away all those years ago. All three books in this series from the Smutketeers are fun and festive reads, with lovely little details connecting the three stories. I can only imagine how much fun they had plotting together.
June 20, 2013
My only sadness was that they were apart for 17 years! Loved how they all came together to heal each other. All three stories in the series intertwine and work well together.
Stand alone - HEA - Book 3 in A Kinky Christmas Carol series
Ends at 66% on my Kindle
Stand alone - HEA - Book 3 in A Kinky Christmas Carol series
Ends at 66% on my Kindle
November 4, 2014
I enjoyed this holiday story (even reading it in May!) and had some nice menage in it. I would have liked to had a bit more exploration of the MM part of the menage, but even without it was a solid read.
August 8, 2013
A quick, fun read with smutty fluff, a threesome and a *rawr* boxer with chains..
Marley left her best friends and almost lovers when tragedy striked, now Michael is at her door, asking for her help with Carlos.
What happens when they reunite again, will she be able to walk away a second time?
Marley left her best friends and almost lovers when tragedy striked, now Michael is at her door, asking for her help with Carlos.
What happens when they reunite again, will she be able to walk away a second time?
February 21, 2013
Wasn't as impressed with this one as I was with the other two.
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