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Wonderland #1
Taken by Passion
Feb. 2015: the Wonderland series is back, better than ever. The award winning “Taken by Passion: King of Hearts” includes sixty pages of new and expanded, never before published scenes.
After being cheated on yet again, full-figured Alice O'Brien no longer believes she’ll find her Prince Charming. She resolves to enjoy men, but refuses to involve her heart.
When she literally tumbles down a rabbit hole, she finds she has left her familiar home city of San Francisco. She has landed in a strange and beautiful world, where she meets a powerful and dominant shapeshifter, Jarronn, and his equally fierce and irresistible brothers.
By the draw of a card foretelling his kingdom’s future, Jarronn has deliberately lured Alice to his realm in hopes of averting a terrible danger threatening his people. He has every intention of saving his kingdom with his and Alice’s bond of passion, and nothing will stop him from making her his Queen of Hearts.
St. Martin’s Press published the Wonderland series in trade paperback only, with the pseudonym Jaymie Holland. Ellora’s Cave published the series primarily in e-book, under the name Cheyenne McCray. Neither version had the new and expanded scenes.
Taken by Passion/King of Hearts has won numerous awards and accolades, including the “RT Book Reviews Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award!”
After being cheated on yet again, full-figured Alice O'Brien no longer believes she’ll find her Prince Charming. She resolves to enjoy men, but refuses to involve her heart.
When she literally tumbles down a rabbit hole, she finds she has left her familiar home city of San Francisco. She has landed in a strange and beautiful world, where she meets a powerful and dominant shapeshifter, Jarronn, and his equally fierce and irresistible brothers.
By the draw of a card foretelling his kingdom’s future, Jarronn has deliberately lured Alice to his realm in hopes of averting a terrible danger threatening his people. He has every intention of saving his kingdom with his and Alice’s bond of passion, and nothing will stop him from making her his Queen of Hearts.
St. Martin’s Press published the Wonderland series in trade paperback only, with the pseudonym Jaymie Holland. Ellora’s Cave published the series primarily in e-book, under the name Cheyenne McCray. Neither version had the new and expanded scenes.
Taken by Passion/King of Hearts has won numerous awards and accolades, including the “RT Book Reviews Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award!”
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2003
211 people are currently reading
1712 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
July 19, 2008
Whew! I need a cold shower...or a bath of ice cubes after reading this one! It's really HOT!
The summary on the book page is a little inadequate so I'll expand a bit. Alice is a fuller-figured woman living in San Francisco who has had a lot of bad luck in life. Bad bosses, lovers who cheat, etc. One night she comes home to find her fiance getting it on with their landlady AND another man...only the man isn't interested in the landlady, he's dominating and doing her fiance. Horrified, she runs off and ends up in Golden Gate Park.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Tarok, the 4 Kings must find mates from outside their world if they have any hopes of breaking a spell on their kingdom that prevents anyone from reproducing. Jarron goes first, and his card shows him Alice.
Back in the Park, Alice is suddenly falling through a dark hole. She ends up in a mysterious world where sensuality and sexuality assault her from every corner. And where Jarron is determined to show her how beautiful he is, and that he is the perfect Master for her.
Despite the fact that it sounds like this book has an actual plot, it's pretty much ALL about the sex. There is an underlying storyline, but it's very minor. Most of the book is super hot sex.
There is a running theme of Dominance and Submission, but Jarron is a rather kind Dominant. He's not mean to Alice like you sometimes see in other D/S erotica. So Jarron was rather likable.
I also enjoyed the fact that Alice was fuller figured and that she was made to accept herself as beautiful by Jarron. And I like that he enjoyed her body the way it was.
If you're looked for a book with some substance, this probably isn't it, but if you want to read some hot sex, then go for it ;)
Sexual themes in the book: D/S, bondage, group sex (that scene was really, really hot), exhibitionism, voyeurism, body jewelry, some light F/F
The summary on the book page is a little inadequate so I'll expand a bit. Alice is a fuller-figured woman living in San Francisco who has had a lot of bad luck in life. Bad bosses, lovers who cheat, etc. One night she comes home to find her fiance getting it on with their landlady AND another man...only the man isn't interested in the landlady, he's dominating and doing her fiance. Horrified, she runs off and ends up in Golden Gate Park.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Tarok, the 4 Kings must find mates from outside their world if they have any hopes of breaking a spell on their kingdom that prevents anyone from reproducing. Jarron goes first, and his card shows him Alice.
Back in the Park, Alice is suddenly falling through a dark hole. She ends up in a mysterious world where sensuality and sexuality assault her from every corner. And where Jarron is determined to show her how beautiful he is, and that he is the perfect Master for her.
Despite the fact that it sounds like this book has an actual plot, it's pretty much ALL about the sex. There is an underlying storyline, but it's very minor. Most of the book is super hot sex.
There is a running theme of Dominance and Submission, but Jarron is a rather kind Dominant. He's not mean to Alice like you sometimes see in other D/S erotica. So Jarron was rather likable.
I also enjoyed the fact that Alice was fuller figured and that she was made to accept herself as beautiful by Jarron. And I like that he enjoyed her body the way it was.
If you're looked for a book with some substance, this probably isn't it, but if you want to read some hot sex, then go for it ;)
Sexual themes in the book: D/S, bondage, group sex (that scene was really, really hot), exhibitionism, voyeurism, body jewelry, some light F/F
December 5, 2012
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A twist on Alice in Wonderland: only this Wonderland is BDSM themed and the King of Hearts has better uses for Alice other than chopping off her head.
Opening Sentence: King Jarronn scrubbed his hand over his light beard and flexed his powerful muscles as he scowled at the four cards lying facedown on the a’bin.
The Review:
Alice O’Brian’s life is not all roses. She lost her job only to come home early and find her man in a very compromising position with two other people. She may not know it yet, but her life is about to get much more surreal. Falling down the proverbial “rabbit hole” and landing in the land of Tarok, Alice is about to experience pleasures far beyond her wildest fantasies. With potential violence from enemies of the kingdom to the sensual punishments of her new King, Taken by Passion is a buffet of BDSM bounty. It unveils a world of BDSM liberation from the sensual punishments within the walls of dangers awaiting outside.
Alice is the kind of woman that struggles with low self-esteem. Going from a relationship where she is constantly being put down for her looks and sexual wants only compounded the problem. Now in Tarok, she isn’t given an option: Her absolute obedience and trust are demanded. Jarronn won’t allow Alice the luxury of self recrimination. Her reluctance and eventual surrender are as uplifting for her as it is for the reader. Giving into one’s true desires takes courage that many don’t possess. Leaving all she knew behind, can Alice truly be happy to spend the rest of her days in a world so different from what she had before?
Jarronn, King of Hearts and High King of Tarok is the “Alpha Male,” with all the arrogance that comes with it. In order for his people to once again prosper, he must take a wife, a perfect mate. With the use of magic, Jarronn finds his future High Queen in the human world and brings her back to his. He is a Dominant and requires his bride-to-be to become 100% submissive to him. His character never waivers in his purpose or determination like the predator he is. At times he seems almost cold toward Alice during her training but his underlying adoration for her does shine through occasionally. Is Jarronn going to be able to tame this beauty, or will he lose everything by pushing her too far? Will the two of them stand united against the larger threat looming on the horizon, or will they crumble under the onslaught?
The land of Tarok is as amazing as it is tempting in its views of physical pleasures. All of her people take delight a variety of sexual delights available to them. The land itself is divided into four separate kingdoms ruled by four brothers. With a twist on the “Wonderland” theme, each king’s title is known for a card: i.e. Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs. Jarronn is The King of Hearts as well as The High King of all the lands. The acceptance of what is viewed here as “private” or “kinky” is a way of life for everyone in Tarok. I like that the taboo of BDSM is lifted, giving Alice more of an opportunity to embrace her personal desires in an environment that is so open.
Taken by Passion may just be a re-release of an older book by Holland (McCray) but it still is a fantastic read. It is sugar and spice with a bite. If this book is any indication, the rest of the series will be quite the read. Though I may recommend keeping a cool drink on hand just in case it gets too hot for you!
Notable Scene:
Jarronn’s ears pricked toward the rainbow gardens. His three brothers and the sorceress had arrived at the fountain, prepared to treat his future bride to a view of his kingdom’s pleasures.
Lowering his head, the king nudged up the soft material covering her breasts and freed both rosy nipples. With a swipe of his rough tongue, he licked one bud, bringing it to a tight peak. The woman sighed and arched her back, thrusting her chest toward him. He laved her other nipple, determined to awake his future bride in a way that would have her senses on fire.
It is time.
He rumbled his satisfaction as she moaned again. The woman would be perfect.
So long as she obeyed and submitted to his every demand.
And providing she passed the tests that would allow her to become his queen.
FTC Advisory: Macmillan/St. Martin’s Griffin provided me with a copy of Taken by Passion. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. I only get paid in hugs and kisses from my little boys.
Quick & Dirty: A twist on Alice in Wonderland: only this Wonderland is BDSM themed and the King of Hearts has better uses for Alice other than chopping off her head.
Opening Sentence: King Jarronn scrubbed his hand over his light beard and flexed his powerful muscles as he scowled at the four cards lying facedown on the a’bin.
The Review:
Alice O’Brian’s life is not all roses. She lost her job only to come home early and find her man in a very compromising position with two other people. She may not know it yet, but her life is about to get much more surreal. Falling down the proverbial “rabbit hole” and landing in the land of Tarok, Alice is about to experience pleasures far beyond her wildest fantasies. With potential violence from enemies of the kingdom to the sensual punishments of her new King, Taken by Passion is a buffet of BDSM bounty. It unveils a world of BDSM liberation from the sensual punishments within the walls of dangers awaiting outside.
Alice is the kind of woman that struggles with low self-esteem. Going from a relationship where she is constantly being put down for her looks and sexual wants only compounded the problem. Now in Tarok, she isn’t given an option: Her absolute obedience and trust are demanded. Jarronn won’t allow Alice the luxury of self recrimination. Her reluctance and eventual surrender are as uplifting for her as it is for the reader. Giving into one’s true desires takes courage that many don’t possess. Leaving all she knew behind, can Alice truly be happy to spend the rest of her days in a world so different from what she had before?
Jarronn, King of Hearts and High King of Tarok is the “Alpha Male,” with all the arrogance that comes with it. In order for his people to once again prosper, he must take a wife, a perfect mate. With the use of magic, Jarronn finds his future High Queen in the human world and brings her back to his. He is a Dominant and requires his bride-to-be to become 100% submissive to him. His character never waivers in his purpose or determination like the predator he is. At times he seems almost cold toward Alice during her training but his underlying adoration for her does shine through occasionally. Is Jarronn going to be able to tame this beauty, or will he lose everything by pushing her too far? Will the two of them stand united against the larger threat looming on the horizon, or will they crumble under the onslaught?
The land of Tarok is as amazing as it is tempting in its views of physical pleasures. All of her people take delight a variety of sexual delights available to them. The land itself is divided into four separate kingdoms ruled by four brothers. With a twist on the “Wonderland” theme, each king’s title is known for a card: i.e. Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs. Jarronn is The King of Hearts as well as The High King of all the lands. The acceptance of what is viewed here as “private” or “kinky” is a way of life for everyone in Tarok. I like that the taboo of BDSM is lifted, giving Alice more of an opportunity to embrace her personal desires in an environment that is so open.
Taken by Passion may just be a re-release of an older book by Holland (McCray) but it still is a fantastic read. It is sugar and spice with a bite. If this book is any indication, the rest of the series will be quite the read. Though I may recommend keeping a cool drink on hand just in case it gets too hot for you!
Notable Scene:
Jarronn’s ears pricked toward the rainbow gardens. His three brothers and the sorceress had arrived at the fountain, prepared to treat his future bride to a view of his kingdom’s pleasures.
Lowering his head, the king nudged up the soft material covering her breasts and freed both rosy nipples. With a swipe of his rough tongue, he licked one bud, bringing it to a tight peak. The woman sighed and arched her back, thrusting her chest toward him. He laved her other nipple, determined to awake his future bride in a way that would have her senses on fire.
It is time.
He rumbled his satisfaction as she moaned again. The woman would be perfect.
So long as she obeyed and submitted to his every demand.
And providing she passed the tests that would allow her to become his queen.
FTC Advisory: Macmillan/St. Martin’s Griffin provided me with a copy of Taken by Passion. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. I only get paid in hugs and kisses from my little boys.
July 27, 2013
This was supposed to be an erotic Alice in Wonderland spin-off. In theory it sounds yumm, but in execution it is horrible. Damn, I had to shut down my computer and perform a virus scan after reading half of this just to make sure my computer didn't pick up an STD.
There isn't a story line, just fuckery, and of the worst kind. Alice is a chubby girl, that walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her with their neighbor, he calls her fat and she storms off. Gets her ass in the park, winds down a rabbit hole and finds herself in Kinkyland.
Get's a bit confused and depressed, but the wonderful inhabitants of Kinkyland give her 1000 milligrams of Hardcocksinall, and voila she's cured!!
THE END
There isn't a story line, just fuckery, and of the worst kind. Alice is a chubby girl, that walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her with their neighbor, he calls her fat and she storms off. Gets her ass in the park, winds down a rabbit hole and finds herself in Kinkyland.
Get's a bit confused and depressed, but the wonderful inhabitants of Kinkyland give her 1000 milligrams of Hardcocksinall, and voila she's cured!!
THE END
June 10, 2018
Incest is best in Tina Belcher’s erotic friend fiction.
This book has been spread all over the publishing world like herpes. Originally published by Ellora’s Cave, then by St Martin’s, and now it looks like the author got her rights reverted and she’s self-published with all new expanded scenes! Boo nah.
Books like this are the reason why erotica has a bad name. People give FIFTY SHADES OF GREY shit, but at least that had a plot. This was just woman arrives in the Land of Titfuckia, in a kingdom surrounded by the Nipple Ranges, ruled over by Major Boobage as she tittied happily across the land.
You think I’m joking. This book read like it was written by a teenager in heat who doesn’t know how to describe things. Or develop characters. Or a plot. Or knows what substance is. Don’t get me wrong. There’s a place for PWP. But this isn’t that short of a book and it’s literally just a book taking place in a world where people fuck constantly. It’s exhausting. Chafing must not be a thing here.
Alice is a plump woman and we’re reminded of this constantly throughout the book. Look, I get it. I respect representation. But Alice’s fatness seems to be a driving force in this story. It opens on her supposed fiance getting butt plugged by some dom in her bed while he simultaneously fucks their pretty, tiny female landlord. He claims that if Alice weren’t so fat he wouldn’t have to do any of that. Not to mention Alice is constantly comparing herself to her skinny fraternal twin.
She runs out crying, ends up in a park and masturbates to pass the time before she gets sucked into a portal and falls into Fucklandia where she’s held as a sex slave. Except she’s not called a slave. She’s to be King Jarronn’s queen and he’s SO TURNED ON by her but she must submit to him entirely in order for their bonding to work and she must love herself completely in order to ensure success. *eye roll* And the only antagonist is Mikaela, the outcasted for no reason sister of the incest kings who tries to get into Alice’s head by fat-shaming her. Way to mind fuck, Mik.
Alice is made to walk around naked except for a leather collar and some nipple rings. Enter public acts of sex and a dom/sub relationship that extends outside of the bedroom, because that’s about as okay as a sex contract. But Alice justifies all of this to herself by claiming to like being subbed and how turned on she gets when Jarronn rules over her every waking moment. Because that’s healthy. Meanwhile let’s all ignore the fact that she’s literally being held against her will and the story is her falling in love with her kidnapper, shall we?
And this bonding that will protect her from the evil Mikaela who has been mind-fucking Jarronn’s kingdom and has started in on Alice too? It’s Alice getting plugged by four dudes at once. If you’re counting holes and wondering how that’s possible, let me spoil things for you: titty fucking. So 1: if I’m paying more attention to how the logistics of a sex act happen than the act itself, you’re doing it wrong and 2: just no. Someone’s been watching way too much male gaze porn. No woman wants to get dick-punched in the chin and no dude wants to dry hump a set of room temperature fat sacks when there are a number of perfectly good holes to utilize. As if the shitty, infantile writing and ridiculous sex scenes hadn’t turned me off already, the titty fucking really did it for me. Buh bye.
This could have been hot if all the sex scenes weren’t like that swimming pool scene in Showgirls:
Just absolutely ridiculous and written by people who’ve obviously never fucked before. There’s just so much suspension of disbelief having to go on here that I’m overloading. I can’t do it. There’s so much bad here that it’s not even worth it. I should read a book with this much sex in it and be incredibly turned on. Instead I’m laughing and wondering how Alice can literally come on command. And why a cluster of brothers is okay plugging the same woman simultaneously. That’s just not my bag. I don’t care how attractive they are. They’re brothers. Gross. Had I known there was going to be incest going into it I wouldn’t have bought it (free download? maybe, I can’t remember, if I did pay for it it wasn’t much)
Needless to say I’m not reading further in this series. And if you’re smart you’ll find something else to read. Like FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. Coming from me, that’s saying a lot. And if you’re wondering whether the author did much with the whole Alice in Wonderland thing, beyond the protagonist being named Alice, four kingdoms with four suits, and a piece of world-specific cake called eetmi, that’s about all you’re getting there.
1
This book has been spread all over the publishing world like herpes. Originally published by Ellora’s Cave, then by St Martin’s, and now it looks like the author got her rights reverted and she’s self-published with all new expanded scenes! Boo nah.
Books like this are the reason why erotica has a bad name. People give FIFTY SHADES OF GREY shit, but at least that had a plot. This was just woman arrives in the Land of Titfuckia, in a kingdom surrounded by the Nipple Ranges, ruled over by Major Boobage as she tittied happily across the land.
You think I’m joking. This book read like it was written by a teenager in heat who doesn’t know how to describe things. Or develop characters. Or a plot. Or knows what substance is. Don’t get me wrong. There’s a place for PWP. But this isn’t that short of a book and it’s literally just a book taking place in a world where people fuck constantly. It’s exhausting. Chafing must not be a thing here.
Alice is a plump woman and we’re reminded of this constantly throughout the book. Look, I get it. I respect representation. But Alice’s fatness seems to be a driving force in this story. It opens on her supposed fiance getting butt plugged by some dom in her bed while he simultaneously fucks their pretty, tiny female landlord. He claims that if Alice weren’t so fat he wouldn’t have to do any of that. Not to mention Alice is constantly comparing herself to her skinny fraternal twin.
She runs out crying, ends up in a park and masturbates to pass the time before she gets sucked into a portal and falls into Fucklandia where she’s held as a sex slave. Except she’s not called a slave. She’s to be King Jarronn’s queen and he’s SO TURNED ON by her but she must submit to him entirely in order for their bonding to work and she must love herself completely in order to ensure success. *eye roll* And the only antagonist is Mikaela, the outcasted for no reason sister of the incest kings who tries to get into Alice’s head by fat-shaming her. Way to mind fuck, Mik.
Alice is made to walk around naked except for a leather collar and some nipple rings. Enter public acts of sex and a dom/sub relationship that extends outside of the bedroom, because that’s about as okay as a sex contract. But Alice justifies all of this to herself by claiming to like being subbed and how turned on she gets when Jarronn rules over her every waking moment. Because that’s healthy. Meanwhile let’s all ignore the fact that she’s literally being held against her will and the story is her falling in love with her kidnapper, shall we?
And this bonding that will protect her from the evil Mikaela who has been mind-fucking Jarronn’s kingdom and has started in on Alice too? It’s Alice getting plugged by four dudes at once. If you’re counting holes and wondering how that’s possible, let me spoil things for you: titty fucking. So 1: if I’m paying more attention to how the logistics of a sex act happen than the act itself, you’re doing it wrong and 2: just no. Someone’s been watching way too much male gaze porn. No woman wants to get dick-punched in the chin and no dude wants to dry hump a set of room temperature fat sacks when there are a number of perfectly good holes to utilize. As if the shitty, infantile writing and ridiculous sex scenes hadn’t turned me off already, the titty fucking really did it for me. Buh bye.
This could have been hot if all the sex scenes weren’t like that swimming pool scene in Showgirls:
Just absolutely ridiculous and written by people who’ve obviously never fucked before. There’s just so much suspension of disbelief having to go on here that I’m overloading. I can’t do it. There’s so much bad here that it’s not even worth it. I should read a book with this much sex in it and be incredibly turned on. Instead I’m laughing and wondering how Alice can literally come on command. And why a cluster of brothers is okay plugging the same woman simultaneously. That’s just not my bag. I don’t care how attractive they are. They’re brothers. Gross. Had I known there was going to be incest going into it I wouldn’t have bought it (free download? maybe, I can’t remember, if I did pay for it it wasn’t much)
Needless to say I’m not reading further in this series. And if you’re smart you’ll find something else to read. Like FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. Coming from me, that’s saying a lot. And if you’re wondering whether the author did much with the whole Alice in Wonderland thing, beyond the protagonist being named Alice, four kingdoms with four suits, and a piece of world-specific cake called eetmi, that’s about all you’re getting there.
1
November 8, 2010
I love this series of books. This is the first one about Alice (of course) who has a horrible life full of a nasty boss and an even worse man in her life. She falls down a hole and meets her overbearing lover that makes her feel super sexy (full-figured woman here)and loved. The sex is super hot and involves multiple men in one part. Yowza!! Loved that scene! Anyway...a fun, hot little read and well worth picking up a copy.
February 27, 2015
Just finished re-reading this book that the author added more lines this time around. This was the first book I had read about shape shifter and BDSM. It opened up a whole new world of books to read.
The characters of this story is Alice a full figured women. (Which I can relate to) is not having a good day. First gets hit on by her boss and gets fired. Them drops cell in puddle of water, ruined stockings then walks in on her guy in bed with two other people. AND that's all in the first chapter.
Liked the book the first time out. This time loved it with the added lines. Can't wait to read the other books connected to this story again.
The characters of this story is Alice a full figured women. (Which I can relate to) is not having a good day. First gets hit on by her boss and gets fired. Them drops cell in puddle of water, ruined stockings then walks in on her guy in bed with two other people. AND that's all in the first chapter.
Liked the book the first time out. This time loved it with the added lines. Can't wait to read the other books connected to this story again.
January 21, 2012
In author Jaymie Holland's highly sensual take on the on the Alice in Wonderland tale, we are taken into the land of Tarok. Tarok has been divided into the Kingdoms of Hearts, Spades, Diamonds and Clubs and each is ruled by a different king.
In Taken By Passion, Alice O'Brien has just caught her fiance cheating on her. While she's on a walk to clear her head, the ground begins to shake and she falls down a massive hole. When she awakes, Alice finds herself in a strange but beautiful place where she meets the dominate shifter King Jarronn. Jarronn is the King of Hearts and the high king of Tarok. He and his three brothers must find their destined mates and make them their queens in order to break the mindspell that has been placed on the women of Tarok that has left them unable to conceive.
I love the setup to this series and that the story unfolds throughout each book. The first few pages of chapter one introduces you to Tarok and King Jarronn. If you're looking for more story beyond chapter one, you won't really find it. The rest of the book is spent with Jarronn training Alice to be his submissive queen and teaching her to love her plus size body. I expected there to be more sex than actual plot before starting this book so I wasn't disappointed. Sure, it would have been nice to be surprised with more than a lot of naked flesh, nipple clamps, spankings and multiple partner sex scenes but I still enjoyed this book.
-Stephanie G
Alice had probably the worst day ever. She was fired, ripped her favorite expensive nylons, stepped in a puddle, a bird shit on her and only then to come home to her fiancé not only having sex with the landlord but some dude named Stone.
Feeling a walk in the park to clear her head will do her good, Alice goes walking only to fall into a different world, a wonderland of sorts, a place where the King is a drop dead gorgeous tiger shifter and maybe just the right man who can finally dominate her.
Jarronn the oldest son and high king of all of Tarok, was worried for his people it’s been a long time since any female has been with child. His evil sister had plagued his people with thoughts of infertilization, making them believe they could not conceive thus making it so. His only hope lies in the one woman destined to be his queen, the voluptuous Alice O'Brian. But if he can’t get her to trust in him and completely submit to him shell never survive the bonding.
What a sizzling hot ride. There is heat on every page. You become so engrossed in the story you just keep reading and then bam you’re done. It was very interesting I loved the little “Alice in Wonderland” similarities. I think the background story and world building is unique and entertaining. My only issue is that I think the whole dominatrix theme got a little to excessive for me. Jarronn was a bit over the top with his "do not look at me unless I give you permission“ and "you may not climax until I grant you permission or you will suffer punishment.". A little was hot at first, but I think he shouldn't have had to be soo demanding. But then I guess he had to be hard or she wouldn't have learned what she needed to handle the bonding. All in all it was a quick easy read.
-Athenna G
In Taken By Passion, Alice O'Brien has just caught her fiance cheating on her. While she's on a walk to clear her head, the ground begins to shake and she falls down a massive hole. When she awakes, Alice finds herself in a strange but beautiful place where she meets the dominate shifter King Jarronn. Jarronn is the King of Hearts and the high king of Tarok. He and his three brothers must find their destined mates and make them their queens in order to break the mindspell that has been placed on the women of Tarok that has left them unable to conceive.
I love the setup to this series and that the story unfolds throughout each book. The first few pages of chapter one introduces you to Tarok and King Jarronn. If you're looking for more story beyond chapter one, you won't really find it. The rest of the book is spent with Jarronn training Alice to be his submissive queen and teaching her to love her plus size body. I expected there to be more sex than actual plot before starting this book so I wasn't disappointed. Sure, it would have been nice to be surprised with more than a lot of naked flesh, nipple clamps, spankings and multiple partner sex scenes but I still enjoyed this book.
-Stephanie G
Alice had probably the worst day ever. She was fired, ripped her favorite expensive nylons, stepped in a puddle, a bird shit on her and only then to come home to her fiancé not only having sex with the landlord but some dude named Stone.
Feeling a walk in the park to clear her head will do her good, Alice goes walking only to fall into a different world, a wonderland of sorts, a place where the King is a drop dead gorgeous tiger shifter and maybe just the right man who can finally dominate her.
Jarronn the oldest son and high king of all of Tarok, was worried for his people it’s been a long time since any female has been with child. His evil sister had plagued his people with thoughts of infertilization, making them believe they could not conceive thus making it so. His only hope lies in the one woman destined to be his queen, the voluptuous Alice O'Brian. But if he can’t get her to trust in him and completely submit to him shell never survive the bonding.
What a sizzling hot ride. There is heat on every page. You become so engrossed in the story you just keep reading and then bam you’re done. It was very interesting I loved the little “Alice in Wonderland” similarities. I think the background story and world building is unique and entertaining. My only issue is that I think the whole dominatrix theme got a little to excessive for me. Jarronn was a bit over the top with his "do not look at me unless I give you permission“ and "you may not climax until I grant you permission or you will suffer punishment.". A little was hot at first, but I think he shouldn't have had to be soo demanding. But then I guess he had to be hard or she wouldn't have learned what she needed to handle the bonding. All in all it was a quick easy read.
-Athenna G
February 22, 2015
***A gifted copy was provided by the author for an honest review***
This is a re-published book which the author has expanded on and re-done since the original was out several years ago.
Alice is a smart and pretty woman who just lost her job and when she walked into her apartment, she found him cheating on her with their landlady and another Man named Stone. Alice’s sister happened to come into the scene toward the end and Alice walked away devastated.
King Jarron is ready for a mate for his kingdom. He has 4 cards to choose from and when he finally draws making his choice on the card, he knows the woman he finds will be forever mate. As he goes to get her, Alice is sitting on a bench in the Golden Gate Park, wishing she has a man who would love her for who she was and how she looked. Sitting there, she sees a white rabbit so she decided to follow the rabbit when morphed into a white tiger. That is when Alice decided to start back away to go home when the ground disappeared from out under her; that is when Alice descended the rabbit hole.
Alice wakes up in a different land with a whole new set of problems with a hot man who is looking at her as it he could eat her whole. He is telling her things that he is going to do to her that Alice doesn’t understand but the things done to her make her hot and needy. Alice and Jarron immediately have a connection together but because of the traumatic experience Alice just went thru with her EX back home, it colors her immediate future with Jarron. Jarron wants Alice and the heat and passion between them is insanely good but there is a faction in the background wanting to prevent Jarron’s happiness and to prevent Alice from becoming High Queen. There are twists in the story. You have to follow the turns to figure out who the baddie is but when you do their evilness is so bad, you really want them to get what’s coming to them.
I read the original story when it was out several years ago and I enjoyed the revised story a lot. I cant wait to read book two in this series.
My rating: 5 stars *****
This is a re-published book which the author has expanded on and re-done since the original was out several years ago.
Alice is a smart and pretty woman who just lost her job and when she walked into her apartment, she found him cheating on her with their landlady and another Man named Stone. Alice’s sister happened to come into the scene toward the end and Alice walked away devastated.
King Jarron is ready for a mate for his kingdom. He has 4 cards to choose from and when he finally draws making his choice on the card, he knows the woman he finds will be forever mate. As he goes to get her, Alice is sitting on a bench in the Golden Gate Park, wishing she has a man who would love her for who she was and how she looked. Sitting there, she sees a white rabbit so she decided to follow the rabbit when morphed into a white tiger. That is when Alice decided to start back away to go home when the ground disappeared from out under her; that is when Alice descended the rabbit hole.
Alice wakes up in a different land with a whole new set of problems with a hot man who is looking at her as it he could eat her whole. He is telling her things that he is going to do to her that Alice doesn’t understand but the things done to her make her hot and needy. Alice and Jarron immediately have a connection together but because of the traumatic experience Alice just went thru with her EX back home, it colors her immediate future with Jarron. Jarron wants Alice and the heat and passion between them is insanely good but there is a faction in the background wanting to prevent Jarron’s happiness and to prevent Alice from becoming High Queen. There are twists in the story. You have to follow the turns to figure out who the baddie is but when you do their evilness is so bad, you really want them to get what’s coming to them.
I read the original story when it was out several years ago and I enjoyed the revised story a lot. I cant wait to read book two in this series.
My rating: 5 stars *****
February 4, 2017
O F No!!!!
Ok,you've just walked on your D bag of a fiancé cheating on you w/not ion but two ppl a man and a woman,soo what do when you storm out of your nasty lil apt. ? You ride busses for hours , end up in a park w/your new lotion,your fiancée BF was using your old stuff and under the influence of something you start taking your close and feeling yourself up because the F'ed faux BDSM themed world your about to enter wants you that way.... Coz Alice has dreamed of being demeaned,running about naked and having to prover her worthiness w/sex games in Oder to be worthy of her mate... BULL... This isn't about safe words or anything I've started to learn around ppl who really live BDSM this is just weird sex based story,where the story is around the sex...
I don't like BDSM themed BS where woman have to prove their worth w/subservient and sex games always at the mans command ,where its all about what he wants and she's just St some panting wetting fool....
Dear lord I can't wait to delete this... If all you want is sex where the H us about his needs 1st and hers 2nd and she could care less Coz her panties ( if she had them) would be wet then just is the book for you... I'm read smut and this set up turned my stomach... Not as bad as one book where the male lead was always being raped or a book I read the synopsis on where the sick perv wanted to get it on w/his own twin brother but I hated this.. Couldn't finish...
Ok,you've just walked on your D bag of a fiancé cheating on you w/not ion but two ppl a man and a woman,soo what do when you storm out of your nasty lil apt. ? You ride busses for hours , end up in a park w/your new lotion,your fiancée BF was using your old stuff and under the influence of something you start taking your close and feeling yourself up because the F'ed faux BDSM themed world your about to enter wants you that way.... Coz Alice has dreamed of being demeaned,running about naked and having to prover her worthiness w/sex games in Oder to be worthy of her mate... BULL... This isn't about safe words or anything I've started to learn around ppl who really live BDSM this is just weird sex based story,where the story is around the sex...
I don't like BDSM themed BS where woman have to prove their worth w/subservient and sex games always at the mans command ,where its all about what he wants and she's just St some panting wetting fool....
Dear lord I can't wait to delete this... If all you want is sex where the H us about his needs 1st and hers 2nd and she could care less Coz her panties ( if she had them) would be wet then just is the book for you... I'm read smut and this set up turned my stomach... Not as bad as one book where the male lead was always being raped or a book I read the synopsis on where the sick perv wanted to get it on w/his own twin brother but I hated this.. Couldn't finish...
February 10, 2015
This book is amazing!! It has been ages since I've read the original print version which was published before by Cheyenne McCray. This version has been expanded and is so worth the read!!!
Alice O'Brien has had a very bad day, the kind of bad day that can lead you to drink heavily just to forget! I really felt for Alice, it was that bad. Little does she know that her bad day is going to get bizarre! As Alice is walking off the memory of her day, she decides to take a rest in the park. This is where things take a turn, Alice sees a tiger and then she remembers falling!
When Alice wakes up in a foreign land with a some seriously hot men in the forest with her things start to look up! These four kings are trying to save their kingdoms from an evil sorceress. The Kind of Hearts, Jarron is Alice's destined mate, with her, Jarron can start to save his and his brother's kingdoms from extinction.
While the romance between Jarron and Alice unfold, drama in the form of the evil sorceress starts to make her appearance. This woman is seriously twisted and I can't wait to see her defeated!!
WARNING: This book contains BDSM elements that not everyone will find enjoyable. There is NO cliffhanger as each book can be read as a standalone.
Alice O'Brien has had a very bad day, the kind of bad day that can lead you to drink heavily just to forget! I really felt for Alice, it was that bad. Little does she know that her bad day is going to get bizarre! As Alice is walking off the memory of her day, she decides to take a rest in the park. This is where things take a turn, Alice sees a tiger and then she remembers falling!
When Alice wakes up in a foreign land with a some seriously hot men in the forest with her things start to look up! These four kings are trying to save their kingdoms from an evil sorceress. The Kind of Hearts, Jarron is Alice's destined mate, with her, Jarron can start to save his and his brother's kingdoms from extinction.
While the romance between Jarron and Alice unfold, drama in the form of the evil sorceress starts to make her appearance. This woman is seriously twisted and I can't wait to see her defeated!!
WARNING: This book contains BDSM elements that not everyone will find enjoyable. There is NO cliffhanger as each book can be read as a standalone.
December 6, 2012
This was a good read
Interesting characters, fast paced storyline, Hot scenes.
This does have a lot of BDSM but not to the point where it will disgust you.
I loved the idea of the King of Hearts, King of Spades, King of Clubs and King of Diamonds. (all brothers all from the same birth - quads) Anyone whos had a twins fantasy well double that extra Hot!!
This story was the King of Hearts finding his Queen of Hearts (Alice) who is a mortal from Earth (also a Twin) who gets kidnapped to Tarok where the King of Hearts (Jarronn) reigns.
This book makes several references to Alice in Wonderland but only in a funny way even Alice herself is amused a few times.
An enjoyable book so much so that I look forward to the rest of the series.
Interesting characters, fast paced storyline, Hot scenes.
This does have a lot of BDSM but not to the point where it will disgust you.
I loved the idea of the King of Hearts, King of Spades, King of Clubs and King of Diamonds. (all brothers all from the same birth - quads) Anyone whos had a twins fantasy well double that extra Hot!!
This story was the King of Hearts finding his Queen of Hearts (Alice) who is a mortal from Earth (also a Twin) who gets kidnapped to Tarok where the King of Hearts (Jarronn) reigns.
This book makes several references to Alice in Wonderland but only in a funny way even Alice herself is amused a few times.
An enjoyable book so much so that I look forward to the rest of the series.
February 22, 2015
Ok so for those who never read the original(what is wrong with you), Alice is your average woman. She works for an absolute jerk, and her fiancé isn't anything to write home about either. After the worst and craziest day all Alice wants to do is relax in her favorite park and try to forget everything that's happened when she literally turns into the erotic version of Alice and what a beautiful wonderful wonderland she's tumbled to. Alice has to determine within herself if she wants to see herself as she always has or is she something more someone worth loving.... I completely loved the original, and yet this story has me eager and salivating to read more. Ms. McCray has found a way to turn an wonderful read to one that is simply amazing....onto the next.
February 26, 2015
Wonderland is NOT the childhood fairy tale of your youth, it is the titillatingly erotic grown up version of what you may remember...with a few twists.... and oh, those twists are HOT!
I read the Wonderland series many years ago, when it was first published by Ellora's Cave. I was so excited to read Taken by Passion/King of Hearts again now that it had been expanded. It is just as fabulously hot as I remember and even more so now with the additional material!
After reading this super sexy book, you will be smiling like the Cheshire cat and people will be wondering what you have been up too!
I read the Wonderland series many years ago, when it was first published by Ellora's Cave. I was so excited to read Taken by Passion/King of Hearts again now that it had been expanded. It is just as fabulously hot as I remember and even more so now with the additional material!
After reading this super sexy book, you will be smiling like the Cheshire cat and people will be wondering what you have been up too!
December 6, 2008
Not quite to my taste. The idea was cool, but the sex scenes were ....boring? There was no real passion in the scenes as described (least in my opinion). I am not sure I will read the sequels or not as of yet as I had to force myself to read the rest as I kept getting bored. I do like her Magic series, but this one just bored me. And not just because it is more "erotica" (which I knew that so that isn't my complaint), it is just that the sex scenes were so passionless and quick. No real emotion there and the descriptions left me cold. To each their own, right?
February 22, 2015
I will admit that I don't read that much erotic romance anymore. But the ones I do have have make feel more then...oh God, not another sex scene. I like a good story to go along with my sex. I found that in this book. I enjoyed the characters and story idea. A must for me.
February 8, 2015
awesome can't wait for the second book
I could not put this book down. This book is definitely a page turner. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a very steamy romance.
I could not put this book down. This book is definitely a page turner. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a very steamy romance.
January 23, 2017
A seriously sexy and twisted version of Alice in wonderland.
April 26, 2017
Um...wow. The "idea" behind this series is interesting given the Wonderland comparisons but other than that, was way way too smutty for my tastes.
May 17, 2020
(Explícito). Pues estuvo raro. Es como leer Alicia en el país de las maravillas pero erótico (hasta la misma Alice lo dice). Está Alice tiene muchos complejos por su peso y creo que se culpaba por no ser como su gemela Alexei y además de la mala suerte que tuvo con sus novios (los dos la engañaron y con el último se llevó una enorme sorpresa), así que tuvo un poco de problemas cumplir la promesa que le hizo a Jarronn sobre quererse a sí misma pero lo logró. Jarronn es todo un dominante y Alice hace perfectamente su papel de sumo a (casi todo el tiempo). En la historia y puedo apostar, en todo el universo de Tarok habrá un nivel de libertinaje sexual (que nunca me había topado) donde el exhibicionismo es natura, norma y la norma, además de qué hay una enorme cantidad de diversidad en cuanto a los seres vivos, me gusta pensar que no hay prejuicios (así se afirma) en las orgias y demás, hay un BDSM fuerte (y que está presente en los cuatro hermanos reyes de Taro). Hay muchas cosas más pero no sentí nada con la lectura, muy cliché y predecible; hasta el epílogo te habla del siguiente libro que creo y será una versión mala erotica de Alicia a través del espejo, solo que en vez de Alicia será Alexei, hermana gemela de Alice, que a su vez se e,pareja da con Darronn, hermano gemelo de Jarronn. Está narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas. Hasta tiene a un personaje que “odiarás” a simple vista (la hermana malvada de los reyes y que los padres no le dejaron nada del reino, por lo que consiguió ser reina de quien sabe y que lanzó una maldición a los reinos de sus hermanos que causa que no nazcan nuevas generación en unos veinte años y que por eso el gran rey debe buscar a una reina capaz de poner en marcha la profecía...), solo je apenas y aparece; también cuenta con un personajes que simplemente no podrás odiar (la hechicera)...
February 7, 2017
>Book review – Taken by Passion/King of Hearts
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the first in the Wonderland series and ends in a romantic HEA for the main characters. This story is a loose retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Curvy Alice is always put down for her weight in real life, but falls through space and becomes prisoner of Jarronn, a were tiger and the King of Hearts. There is a lot of erotic Dom/Sub training between Jarronn and Alice. Alice is meant to be queen, but must be with all 4 brothers for some kind of magic to happen. I was hoping that Jarronn would fall in love with Alice enough to decide to not share her with his brothers. The scene was erotic, but I felt it cheapened the professed love Jarronn states he has for Alice.
> There is an evil sister trying to hurt Alice, causing Jarronn to show his alpha side even more. The brothers were not really described all that well. This land was very open with sex, almost to make is meaningless. Having his relationship with Alice begin to mean something would have been so sexy, especially if he did not share her with his brothers. This did not happen, however. Alice was taught to lover herself, but with punishment, which took the love right out of the story.
> This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this story 3 stars. The plot was weak. The story was predominately erotic scenes. There needed to be more backstory regarding the brothers and why their sister was left out of any inheritance. Also, some explanation for the witch that seemed way too friendly with Alice and everyone would have been nice. I felt sorry for her. I felt like she was a slave.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the first in the Wonderland series and ends in a romantic HEA for the main characters. This story is a loose retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Curvy Alice is always put down for her weight in real life, but falls through space and becomes prisoner of Jarronn, a were tiger and the King of Hearts. There is a lot of erotic Dom/Sub training between Jarronn and Alice. Alice is meant to be queen, but must be with all 4 brothers for some kind of magic to happen. I was hoping that Jarronn would fall in love with Alice enough to decide to not share her with his brothers. The scene was erotic, but I felt it cheapened the professed love Jarronn states he has for Alice.
> There is an evil sister trying to hurt Alice, causing Jarronn to show his alpha side even more. The brothers were not really described all that well. This land was very open with sex, almost to make is meaningless. Having his relationship with Alice begin to mean something would have been so sexy, especially if he did not share her with his brothers. This did not happen, however. Alice was taught to lover herself, but with punishment, which took the love right out of the story.
> This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this story 3 stars. The plot was weak. The story was predominately erotic scenes. There needed to be more backstory regarding the brothers and why their sister was left out of any inheritance. Also, some explanation for the witch that seemed way too friendly with Alice and everyone would have been nice. I felt sorry for her. I felt like she was a slave.
August 24, 2019
This book started off well. I love Alice in Wonderland smut. That being said, I struggled with this book and came to resent the fact that the main bad guy was the brothers sister, Alice had to be told by Jarron to love herself because she was a big girl.
That fact annoyed me to no end. I hate books where the main character is curvy/big/fat (pick whichever you want that describes that she is above average body weight) and that this becomes a focal point of conflict within the book and she does not learn how to love herself on her own, but instead her guy is the one who has to teach her that she is beautiful and in Alice's case, also punish her for looking down on herself. That shit is annoying. If Jarron died, would Alice have reverted to being "woe is me", I'm a fat bitch???
Then we have the Dom/sub aspect of this book, where it is skewed in such a manner that nothing is discussed, Alice just has to take what Jarron dictates to her, and she will like it all.
Then the queen binding. So, will all the brothers fuck each others wives? With the women liking it, because it's so "hot"?
Then we have descriptive sex scenes and implied/fade to black sex scenes.
Anyway, one and done. Not continuing with this series. Could have been so much better if it was skewed in Alice's needs being fulfilled and not Alice being fulfilled by meeting Jarron's needs.
That fact annoyed me to no end. I hate books where the main character is curvy/big/fat (pick whichever you want that describes that she is above average body weight) and that this becomes a focal point of conflict within the book and she does not learn how to love herself on her own, but instead her guy is the one who has to teach her that she is beautiful and in Alice's case, also punish her for looking down on herself. That shit is annoying. If Jarron died, would Alice have reverted to being "woe is me", I'm a fat bitch???
Then we have the Dom/sub aspect of this book, where it is skewed in such a manner that nothing is discussed, Alice just has to take what Jarron dictates to her, and she will like it all.
Then the queen binding. So, will all the brothers fuck each others wives? With the women liking it, because it's so "hot"?
Then we have descriptive sex scenes and implied/fade to black sex scenes.
Anyway, one and done. Not continuing with this series. Could have been so much better if it was skewed in Alice's needs being fulfilled and not Alice being fulfilled by meeting Jarron's needs.
November 12, 2017
Meh. I like a good steamy story as much as the next person, but this one just didn't do it for me. The characters were flat and superficial at best, and it was just a little too purple for my taste. It was like the author went down through a checklist of "popular tropes" and checked each off in turn. Chubby girl with low self-esteem? Check. Shifter/Alpha male? Check. Set of brothers for a series? Check. D/s dynamics? Check. Kink? Check. Unfortunately, none of those things were really done well. Alice was annoying and Jarronn was more asshole than Alpha. There was minimal character development and only enough plot to hang the sex scenes on. I'm sure this is perfect for a lot of readers, but it just didn't have enough substance for me.
February 3, 2025
The reviews on this book have a lot of hate and I don't really understand why. This is a short fun read. The first in a series of four. These are meant to be fun. They are just the right amount of spicy. Considering when this book came out, it was probably considered really spicy back then. I'd say a solid 3.5 on the spice scale.
This book is especially empowering for plus size women. Sure Alice is "only" a size 18 but the insecurities she faces are things that humans of all sizes face. Owning your own power to know the truth that you are beautiful is the best part of this book.
On to number two!
This book is especially empowering for plus size women. Sure Alice is "only" a size 18 but the insecurities she faces are things that humans of all sizes face. Owning your own power to know the truth that you are beautiful is the best part of this book.
On to number two!
May 21, 2021
I like smut, even so-so smut with questionable storylines. What I can't stand are authors using BDSM to sell a story while maligning members of that community. There's nothing wrong with being submissive, no matter your gender. I'm sure there's plenty more sexist and fat phobic nonsense later in the story so I'll be quitting before I inflict that on myself. Usually don't do a star rating on a DNF but that "men shouldn't be subs" attitude can fuck right off.
October 30, 2017
I don't mind erotica, I don't mind the dom/sub stuff...why I do mind is when the sexy stuff makes no sense in the "story". Alice is basically kidnapped from her world, away from her beloved twin sister...but it's ok because the king ties her up, doesn't let her wear clothes and tells her to have sex with him. Just kinda dumb.
November 20, 2017
It's supposed to be a BDSM novel, it could have been a good one too. Unfortunately, the hero isn't into consent. He's taking advantage if the just cheated on heroine, he had kidnapped and taken to his world. Where he ties her up and brainwashes her. Horny is not consent.
March 12, 2020
If you like the whole Dom and Submissive, this is the one for you. I liked that there wasn't an information overload and gave just enough details for a good plot in between all the steamy scenes. I wish that bonding scene was even longer!
May 7, 2020
I received this book for free for a honest review. I loved the characters and storyline. it flowed very well and held together. The author did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. HOT!!!! reccomend
January 8, 2022
Completely unrelatable. She wants a Dom, gets dom, and within five seconds of seeing him, she's in love. If it was a car, I'd call it a POS, but, since it's a book, it's just a waste of paper. Don't read. It wasn't good in the early 2000s and it only got worse.
October 13, 2025
This is the horniest Alice in Wonderland retelling I've ever read. In the prologue alone there's a detailed description of a guy getting it in the butt during a ménage à trois (hot) and then Alice goes down a wild rabbit hole before something(s) getting stuck in her holes. Slap the cuffs on me and send me to horny jail.
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