Safeword Rainbow

Safeword #1

by Candace Blevins

Tyler and Viv have found each other again after a three day fling three years ago. Ideally suited for each other, they try to make a relationship work. However, they soon realize Tyler was expecting a 24/7 total power exchange and Vivian will never be a 24/7 submissive. As they try to find a compromise, Vivian must deal with what a Total Power Exchange means, even if it’s only a part time power exchange, and Tyler must decide if he can live with a sometimes-Master and sometimes-boyfriend relationship.

Will they find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

This title was published in 2010 with less than half of the current content. The story has been considerably rewritten and contains a great deal of new material for your reading enjoyment. We think it’s a far better story now, but if you read the original, you can be the judge!

231 pages, 87,000 words

Warning: Contains graphic language, consensual BDSM, bondage, and the use of toys including clamps, canes, plugs, paddles, and floggers.

Genres: BDSM, Erotica, Romance, Erotic Romance, M F Romance, Adult, Contemporary

326 pages, Unknown Binding

First published May 3, 2010

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candace Blevins writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, epic fantasy contemporary BDSM romance, and two kick-ass motorcycle club series. She’s published more than fifty books. Candace lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two teenaged daughters. The family’s beloved, goofy, retired racing greyhounds are usually at her side as she writes, quietly keeping her company. Or sometimes not so quietly.

Her urban fantasy series, Only Human, gives us a world where weredragons, werewolves, werelions, three different species of vampires, and a variety of other mythological beings exist.

Candace's various paranormal romance series are all sister series to the Only Human series, and give some secondary characters their happily ever after.

Her Dark(ish) Faerie Tale series gives us a close-up and personal look at Queen Mab, and her Dark Underbelly series is, as you’d expect, dark and (if you’re a little twisted) oh-so-yummy.

Her contemporary Safeword series gives us characters who happen to have some extreme kinks. Relationships can be difficult enough without throwing power exchange into the mix, and her books show characters who care enough about each other to fight to make the relationship work. Each couple in the Safeword series gives the reader a different take on the lifestyle.

You can visit Candace on the web at candaceblevins.com. Feel free to friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/candacesblevins and Goodreads at goodreads.com/CandaceBlevins. You can also join facebook.com/groups/CandacesKinksters to get sneak peeks into what she's writing now, images that inspire her, and the occasional juicy teaser.

Stay up to date on Candace’s newest releases, and get exclusive excerpts by joining her mailing list at http://bit.ly/cb-new-release.

Only Human series, urban fantasy
• Only Human
• An Unhuman Journey
• Of Humans and Monsters
• Defining Human
• Edge of Humanity
• Infinitely Human
• Unhuman Acts

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club
• Duke
• Brain
• Bash Volume I
• Bash Volume II
• Bash Volume III
• Horse
• Gonzo
• Nix
• Ghost
• Bud
• Razor
• Bubbles
• McGyver

The Birmingham RTMC
• Bobcat
• Dementor
• Frost
• Squatch

Cat out of Hell, series, paranormal romance:
• Cat out of Hell Volume I
• Cat out of Hell Volume II
• Cat out of Hell Volume III

The Dark Underbelly of The Chattanooga Supernaturals
• Pride (A short story featuring The Lion King)
• Indentured Freedom: Owned by the Vampire
• Leashed
• An Elegant Weapon

A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale
• Slave
• Lady
• Consort
• Queen

A Paranormal Halloween, paranormal romance
• Hallowed Destiny – Forged by Darkness
• Unhallowed Murder
• Countdown to Murder
• Unholy Murder

Pleasure Times Four Christmas series, ménage/RH paranormal romance
• Unexpected Gifts
• The Gift
• Present Tense
• Imperfect Gifts

Chattanooga Supernaturals series, paranormal romance:
• The Dragon King
• Riding the Storm
• Acceptable Risk
• Careful What You Ask For
• Uncaged
• Cocky Queen

The Safeword series, intense BDSM contemporary romance
• Safeword Rainbow
• Safeword: Davenport
• Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon
• Safeword: Quinacridone
• Safeword: Matte
• Safeword: Matte – In Training
• No Safeword: Matte – The Honeymoon
• No Safeword: Matte – Happily Ever After
• Safeword: Arabesque
• Safeword: Mayday (TBA)

Reviews

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 5 out of 5]

People in the groups I'm in keep talking about this book. Some find it too much; others loved it. I bought it because people kept pushing it at me and I caved into peer pressure. I waited a couple of months before I finally decided to read it. WHY DID NO ONE MENTION THE DOM WORKED FOR THE CIA? If there is anything that will immediately catch my interest, it is a spy. Especially a male spy who is a dom. Seriously, men in positions of law enforcement authority just do something to me.

I was hooked from the beginning. Master James/Tyler frightened yet excited me. He truly can be a sadist. I could understand Vivien's worries and fear. Some of the hang ups she had, I don't have so it didn't cause me confusion when it turned me on. I am glad the two were able to work it out. The amount of pain he put her through was breathtaking. It made me a bit uncomfortable because I found myself wanting to experience each one of the sessions, just to see what it would be like. I imagine the pain would be horrendous, yet I can't help but be curious. The scenes were intense and lovely. I would have love to watch it in person. I'm very impressed with Ms. Blevin's writing voice and her ability to weave a love story. Because make no mistakes, this book is a love story with a beautifully wrapped up ending.

This book gave me shivers and dark desires that I thought I had suppressed or exorcised. Reading this book was like opening a hermetically sealed pandora's box. Damn you Ms. Blevins! Those needs and wants are now raging at the forefront!

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Ms. Blevins I read. Back then, I didn't have as much edgeplay experience and my limits were still quite a plenty. Years later, a bit more experienced with BDSM and into sadistic BDSM, I return to read an extended version. This version is definitely a pleasure to read. To see Ms. Blevins' writing maturity is another pleasure.

In this story, the sadism is a bit too much for me. Even after these past few years, I still cringe at the intense impact play. The things Tyler does to Viv makes me shudder and shiver, sometimes in lust. Sometimes it is in fear. Previously, if I had read about no safeword, I'd have been hopping mad. Now after a bit more experience, I'm fine with the no safeword. I've played without one and it was a mind blowing experience. This is why I can understand both Viv's fear yet excitement.

What is interesting in this one, Ms. Blevins highlights the 24/7 relationship. I liked how she presented the different sides. The struggle between one who wants 24/7 and one who isn't into it. It's nice to see Viv as a strong female who won't just roll over and play doormat. Yet she submits so very nicely.

The honeymoon resort is fabulous. I've been told there are resorts like this around the world, just that they aren't easy to find. Ms. Blevins does a great job of writing realistic scenes into her books. What kind of worries yet excites me more is trying to figure out which of these sadistic scenes Ms. Blevins experienced to write these explicitly.

From a personally perspective, it seems these BDSM scenes have increased in intensity and they make me squicky. I'm mentally not turned on, yet my pussy is wet. Why is this? I feel like Viv in some ways. Her conflicted body responses. Recommended for BDSM enthusiasts who love sadistic alpha Doms.

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tyler and Viv meet and share an amazing time and then Tyler leaves and chance has them meeting again after three years. Tyler is a sadist Dom which means he not only enjoys dominating a submissive but also inflicting pain. Vivian is a submissive who enjoys being dominated but is not interested in a 24/7 TPE (Total Power Exchange). So when they meet again and Tyler assumes Viv wants a 24/7 TPE and to be his full time slave they have a lot of figuring out to do to decide whether this relationship can work.

At the start I will say this book starts off with a bang, a whip, a cane, a tawes - well you get the idea. Those interested only in light bondage and more sensual play may find this goes too deep too quick. Tyler likes to inflict pain and watch Viv absorb that pain. I'm a fairly seasoned BDSM reader and even I was slightly uncomfortable at first. Limits are definitely tested. I will also say I did not like Tyler in the beginning of the book - I felt like he was too much steamroller and a bit too egotistical and harsh. I do need to point out though that I look through the lens of a submissive so it is already harder for me to understand the Dom/Sadist point of view which probably impacts here. I could identify with Viv in many ways - her desire to keep her independence, her conviction of what was off limits/hard limit for her, her level of education (which was very high) and just general intelligence level. I found myself just as hesitant as her and worried with her about where this was going and whether or not it was desirable for her given her life and her career. There is such good communication between the characters though that you really are able to enjoy reading even when the subject matter goes beyond what you might expect (and it did for me in some of the punishment scenes and in one of the last scenes in particular). I thought the compromises they come up with were exemplary and they really gave the book that extra something that propels it from a decent read to an "I liked it" read.

For all that this is a romance, albiet a kinky erotica one, there were parts that were really designed to show the safe, sane, and consensual aspects of BDSM. There are lists and negotiations and a lot of thought going into playing/scening. It is not really a casual thing - but because you are dealing with pain that can leave marks and cause damage I found this part really accurate and fair. It did break up the flow of the book on the rare occasion but it seemed perfectly placed and correct anyway.

The level of communication between Tyler and Viv is really good - and they are staunchly honest even when it could be harmful to do so. This is a great model for all relationships - and is very well done here.

Overall I enjoyed it. It was not always comfortable but it was very true to itself - and nobody was pretending to be something they were not. I'd recommend this to readers who enjoyed such books as Subtext - A modern day tale of female submission (Xcite Novels) and As She's Told since the former deals very nicely with the sadistic/masochistic pain concepts and the latter deals with TPE on a level rarely found.

[Lirajean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I've read another book that was so unemotional, at least not one sold as romance. Yes, it was a hard core bdsm book but isn't that still considered romance?

The characters negotiated and discussed. Dinner together was more like a meeting with an agenda. Their scenes ended when the watch said time was up. The woman calmly states things like, "That hurt." "I hated that." "I was wet." "I love you." Yeah? Coulda fooled me. I don't remember witnessing a single instance of emotion. "I want to see you cry," the man said. Well, watch me read this book if you want to see tears!

I rated it with 2 stars instead of 1 because while the lack of emotion was a problem in the long run, for short bits, the mechanical approach to sex could be sexy: there's something about being an object under someone else's control that can float my boat. There were moments where the scene described was so stark and unexpected that my attention was caught.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler Ahead read at your own risk
This is the first book in the Safeword series and it was a really good book and I think Candace must be a sadist the way she writes them, because Tyler was wickedly good with the whips, canes, and floggers. Vivian and Tyler met three years ago in a BDSM club in New Hampshire each under a different name because of their jobs Katrina and Master James after spending three days together both of them develop feelings, but they both know its not going to work, so Master James gags her to keep her from talking and he tells her that he has to leave. Three years later Vivian or Viv is at home taking care of her father who has had a heart attack and she is finally going to meet her brother David's best friend Tyler who has just retired from the CIA she has never met him because every time he comes to town she is off doing research or at school. When Tyler first meets Viv she hits on him and he knows that he isn't going to risk his friendship with David, because David knows what he likes to do to women. With a psycho out to get back at David for killing his sister, Tyler agrees to protect Viv and her father so he moves them to a safe house where she tells him a story and he realizes that this is the kitten that he has been looking for who he can't forget. Tyler is looking for a 24/7 slave total power exchange (TPE), but he realizes that Vivian is a strong independent woman who is capable of taking care of herself and that if he wants to be with her he has to bend a little to be with her. Viv is afraid that if she stays with Tyler that she would lose herself in him and lose her independence. This book has some very good BDSM scenes in it Tyler is one hell of a Dom and is good at giving Viv what she want's and then some although the soap scene was a bit too much for me he got his point across. This was really good book with no errors in grammar or spelling like all of Candace's books. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[Talltree]

DNF..

The initial long scene with the S/M stuff was a stretch for me but since the h was a masochist and it happened in safe conditions, I was able to make my peace with it.
But the H dumps her, telling her he'll always love her? And then when he's back years later makes no attempt to find her? As far as I've read he's totally moved on - thats not true love to me...and I also hate that its the h chasing him and not the other way around:(

[Serialbookstarter:Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This actually had a little depth in the first quarter but there’s a lot of TPE that gets heavy and a bit depressing. However the dynamic is interesting and you get the hea.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Review copy provided for an honest review

4.5 STARS

I didn’t read Safeword: Rainbow when it was first released in 2010. I think I am happy because I would really hate to have to compare them. The extended version of Rainbow had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see how they would work out their problems with a TPE and how they would manage if they were to compromise.

We pretty much know the premise of the story. What’s not covered in the overview is that Tyler has been a part of Vivian’s family for years. His best friend is Mac, Vivian’s brother. So, not only do they have the obstacle of Vivian not wanting a 24/7 TPE, they have her family to deal with. Her father looks at Tyler as his 2nd son, Mac knows him and about Katrina, the woman he met 3 years prior and what she has meant to Tyler all this time. He’s also aware of Tyler’s proclivities but won’t stand in the way of what may be “meant to be” but he also won’t give them his blessing.

So, with that little additional overview, there are a few things that I would like to say. First off, Candace draws you into her story and doesn’t let go. It was very hard to put the book down and walk away to do anything besides read it. Yes, my family suffered during this time, but, it was well worth it (on my part, at least). I was intrigued with the mindset of Tyler and his want of a 24/7 TPE arrangement with Vivian and how he would come to terms with not being able to have it. I was also curious as to how it is accomplished. Being Vanilla and only reading one other book that had some TPE, it was interesting to see the mind-set of both of them throughout the book. Vivian struggling with her career and the choice of having to give it up to commit to Tyler; Tyler constantly thinking about his Katrina and dreaming of the day that he could possibly find her and have his 24/7 slave relationship.

Their compromise brought all the storylines together and made things right. There were a few times in the book that I couldn’t understand Vivian’s way of thinking and I totally loved that Tyler was not only willing but committed to making things work, even if it wasn’t as he wanted it to be.

Ms. Blevins’ BDSM scenes were so well written that you felt yourself being drawn into the scene. You knew the punishments and the descriptions of such were going to be explicit but they flowed right into the scene. I wasn’t mortified by what he did or let other people do to Vivian, I was actually quite surprised that they weren’t as intense as I expected them to be. In fact, having read all the other “Safeword” books, I would have to say that this one is quite tame. But, I wasn’t disappointed in the least. I love the way Candace Blevins writes, incorporates the real world into the BDSM world and brings an HEA even in situations that may seem helpless.

[Thieryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh la la! What did I just read?! Spank me hard and call me Kitten!

So here we have Master James, an experienced Dom, a true artist of pain, and Katrina, a delightful masochist with a strong head and a stronger will to submit to him. The session we meet them in, deep, dark and more intense than ever, is their last, as Master James is leaving for ever. But as we all know, there is no such thing as "for ever". 3 years later, Tyler returns to Florida and his best friend, Mac, who knows all about "Master James'" extreme practices. And it is in his house Tyler finds that Vivian, his best friend's sister, is no other than his beloved Kitten (though to be fair, she recognizes him first... what difference does a wig make, eh?)

A life-or-death situation pushed them together again, despite their best efforts to keep away from each other. Vivian's father living with the family does make things awkward. Even worse, how would Mac react when he finds out all the pain, toys, fetishes and Honest-to-God hardcore sex have his sister on the receiving end? And since one wants a 24/7 agreement, and the other isn't sure she wants to give up so much of herself, is there any future for this unconventional couple?

My honest rating for this story is 4.5 stars. I wanted to give this book 5 stars so much, because it is right down my alley. BDSM, use of all orifices, impact play, bondage, power exchange, and a guest star Dom to boot... all of it described with the right amount of detail. Truth be told, I am not that out there with my practices, but reading this, I am sure willing to try, so in a way, it has affected me a lot more than I would have guessed.

What really impressed me was how carefully and absolutely 100% realistically the author portrays the honest conversations between a Dom and their sub. Every single exchange James/Tyler and Katrina/Vivian had was exactly how it should have been, a true guide for every and all who wish to practice that kind of BDSM. The feelings, the reactions, the limits and the ability to identify them, everything was described in a way that makes me certain Ms Blevins knows exactly what she's writing about ;) I tip my hat to her for that.

Yet as much as my heart wanted to, my mind just could not give that final, extra star. I can't really explain why. The author's style was a-ok, but not "omg superb". The plot development was very good, yet not "holly hell I didn't see that coming". The characters' interactions were honest and believable, yet again, there was something missing there... so it is with a very heavy heart that I will round down to 4 stars instead of rounding up for a perfect score.

[Maria Dimitrova · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this with apprehension cause the summary mentioned TPE and I really really hate these kind of stories. There's something about it that rubs me the wrong way and every time I read about it I catch myself thinking "I would rather die than give someone that kind of power over me". This story was no exception. I hated Tyler every time he pulled one of those commands. But that's not the reason for the 3 star rating. I mean I can't pretend that I didn't know what to expect. The sex scenes were really hot but some of the power exchange was like a bucket of ice water on my libido. Everything was handled very responsibly so I can't just say "he's a f*cking a-hole that cares only about himself" but it still gave me the creeps. I'm disappointed at how the story progressed. The parts I was most looking forward to, e.g. how the couple handled their very different ideas and needs, was grossed over and sometimes completely skipped. It was something like this: "We have problems but we'll figure them out as it goes" and them bam we've skipped a few months and everything's peachy. Come on! I picked this up for two reasons - hot sex and the psychological part of the relationship. And while it delivered on the former (mostly but it was because of my own hang-ups) the later was a real disappointment. Sure some of it was addressed but not in a complete wrapped up fashion.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book read as a very realistic and brutally honest story of a relationship. I had to continually remind myself that her choices wouldn't have been mine and to forgo my personal judgements of their D/s, S/m love story. Although I have a very hard time understanding that someone would want to see the person they love in extreme pain - let alone be the one to cause it, this is a love story. I'm not sure how successful I was but, letting that judgement go, this was also a very good book.

I enjoyed the honest way Viv and Tyler communicated and found it very funny the one time that communication broke down. After meticulously going over lists of hard and soft limits, Tyler simply assumes that Viv will want a 24/7 Master/slave relationship. I admit that didn't seem like something Tyler would do but the result was quite funny to me. After putting up with - to me - a very painful scene the night before, being tied to the bed, having to wake Tyler up to use the bathroom Viv finally loses it when he tells her she can't brush her teeth until after breakfast. She looks at him and yells, RAINBOW you asshole! Tyler's response was classic clueless male - she safeworded about brushing her teeth? Completely missing the point - I loved it. I found it very gratifying to read about a relationship where the sub didn't role over and accept everything the Dom wanted. I loved that Tyler finally sees his way to a compromise that not only he can accept, but that he prefers.

I had an even harder time with the level of punishment - but I have a hard time with the idea of punishment anyway. After being severly punished for forgetting to thank Tyler for allowing her to use the bathroom (yeah, this is so far over the top for me I can't see that high) he asks her the next day if she is angry about it. Viv, oh so reasonably, says she isn't that after all she agreed to the rules so being punished is expected. She simply didn't think that she would be given such a sever punishment for forgetting to say thank you. She (very appropriately IMO) worries about how he would punish her for breaking a rule on purpose. He shrugs it off by saying she probably shouldn't do that (or something to that effect). That would have been another "asshole" moment for me. I also didn't care for the limits on her using her safeword during punishments. Not for pain, only if she thinks she's at risk of a physical injury. Um, with the level of pain described - excruciating, agony etc. - would she be able to tell if she was being physically injured? I kind of doubt it.

The scene with Master James towards the end is another that was lightyears past my comfort level. After the scene - which was brutal, Master James is a world famous sadist able to give levels of pain unheard of before - Viv says, "I understand you wanted to see my tears, but I guess I'm still a bit confused about why you wanted him to hurt me like that." Good question! Tyler wanted to learn from Master James is his answer - oh how reassuring! This isn't negotiated out? Something like, "don't ever do that to me again ("asshole"- or worse - works for me here)," seems appropriate.

"With friends like that who needs enemies," came to mind reading that scene. Ultimately, though Viv didn't like everything done to her, Tyler did respect her hard limits (when she had them) and they continued to communicate honestly. Hey, he cooks like a dream and cleans house - what a man! No relationship is perfect, I remind myself. Safeword: Raibow was an interesting visit to a world I wouldn't want to live in.

[carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of Candace Blevins books that I've read, and i was looking forward to it having heard lots of good things from other BDSM group members; including regards this not being an easy read and definitely high into S&M, which, I have to concur, it surely is.
We start with Viv alias 'Katrina' and it quickly unfolds she is a professional, academic and career orientated woman and BDSM is her release valve, her pleasure pastime! and as so often happens her role is the opposite of her life and work...from precise and controlled she becomes the masochist needing pain to achieve her highest levels of pleasure and to give up control to her Doms...initially to Master James. Had that been me, wined! dined, sent to hell and ultimate heaven and realising you have fallen for this person and him for you. The way this section of the story ended I was quite devastated, here I thought it was heading for romance. Time collapse and into the future and the story seems to be heading into a CIA thriller but then fizzled out. Probably more true to to a real life situation, but I think I would have been tempted to give the newly introduced Tyler more of a hero's role had I been writing at this point.

Tyler enjoys Total Power Exchange, TPE.
He sees himself as Dom and wants a 24/7 masochist slave or slaves to enjoy sadistically and Be in control of all they do and are.
It is obvious Viv doesn't see or want this.
Much of the story not only deals with how much pain can be administered and taken by Viv, who still mostly finds high levels of pleasure for herself, eventually, but also the strong sadistic streak Tyler has and his pleasure in his administering and seeing pain in what he sees and wants as his property, Viv. Here I find I mostly enjoyed the story, though, reading about punishments administered at times made me uncomfortable...but I know I haven't those more extreme levels of need for masochistic pain and found some scenes difficult, especially the one where a Master James comes in as a specialist sadist. The only thing I felt comfortable with there, were the Maths problems that I shouted out the answers to, correctly I might add, much to the puzzlement of my OH who was napping at the time and the cat who
was snoring and jumped as I shouted aloud.
The ultimate decisions are whether people compatible in their BDSM kinks, can also have satisfactory work v home life v sex balance and if compromises of different needs can be made. I did like this and the end was apt.
I considered this for four and five stars. I'm opting for a good four stars.
The only thing lacking for me was more could have been made of the feelings and emotions as in showing more depth in how they feel and this transfers to the reader who will feel things along with the stories characters and our empathy and understanding is greater as opposed to telling us as is.
However, it is a good story and I look forward to reading more of Candace's books especially as this I understand is one of her earlier novels. I would recommend this to those who are into BDSM more than those who prefer erotica.
Generally good standard of English and edited. 4+ for me.

[Lindsey Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit to being fascinated by the idea of TPE and this book certainly provides an instructive insight into that subject, even though it doesn't quite place the central characters entirely in that situation. In fact that is the central dilemma of their story, because Tyler assumes it is going to happen and Viv doesn't want it. How they come to a workable and satisfactory,for both of them, compromise is what the story is about, and the romance of course.

This is a romance but certainly not a conventional one, and anyone wanting only light BDSM should not be reading it. This story has brutal violence, pain and sado/masochism from the start and the level rises as the plot unfolds. Both characters are interesting, Tyler not least because, to me, he made some mistakes, which made him more human - not the all-seeing, all-knowing, super-intuitive Dom of so many stories. I thought some of those mistakes were never pointed out to him in the narrative and he got away with more than he should have been allowed to, but that's just my opinion. I could empathise with Viv's desire to be independent and not commit to a 24/7 D/s relationship, even though as a man I identified more with Tyler, but it was her resistance to making the commitment, and consequently her resistance to Tyler also, and her self-questioning and doubt that made her the more interesting character to me - and okay, she was female and she was a sub too, and I like both of those things.

The author's handling of the bdsm aspects of the tale is not only intense and wonderfully graphic but also indicative of a wealth of personal experience which she puts to such good use in all of her books, giving an excellent feel of authenticity to her stories.
I understand the need to introduce Master James into the story to increase the dramatic tension in the build up to its climax, (and it certainly did that. PHEW!) but Tyler's (or I should say the author's) reason for introducing him didn't seem convincing to me. He could have learned a few things from Master James, but how to inflict greater pain on Viv would not have been top of my list of priorities in his position. She seemed content not to push the matter, which seeemed rather out of character after much of her previous behaviour. I was left thinking "he wants to hurt her more than he has already? Poor girl!" This and several instances where I felt the author used too much "telling" as opposed to "showing" in the narrative, which I felt left some scenes with less impact emotionally than they should have had, are really all that prevented this being a five-star read for me.
I described the author's "Safeword: Matte" as a roller coaster ride after I read it. Had I read "Rainbow" first I might have considered "Matte" as being closer to a jaunt on a carousel by comparison, and I have a feeling it too may pale next to her latest novel. I would certainly recommend both stories to anyone who likes their BDSM hard, intense, graphic and very exciting.

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

An other extremely dry book. Boring. Totally unsexy (i'm so not into pain and slaves) and so not a romance, and that is not due to sadism. There's simply no story, the love-you were as convincing and quick as the mate bonds of the worst Pnr out there. There really wasn't much outside sex scenes, and that very very thin story was absurd (CIA, sure.. why not?! Best friends and they never met once in 14 years....snort).

The story went went even more downhill when the plot moved to Chattanooga and her "pnr" world. Why?

P.A. Lupton in her review of the second book in this series has said it all:

The couple negotiates everything, which I guess some people like because there is no misunderstanding. I didn’t, because it’s sucks the spontaneity and emotion out of everything. The sex scenes in this book felt like an instructional manual for a BDSM book. And don’t even get me started on the marriage proposal—this book would get the award for most unromantic marriage proposal I’ve ever read. I like romance—I’m a sucker for it actually—but romance in itself is all about emotion. This book didn’t have it. It had a relationship, it had sex, it had love (I think), but it had no romance. It wasn’t for me.

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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a name like rainbow in the title, I had steered clear of this book until I read some other reviews and decided to give it a try. It did not disappoint.

I really enjoyed the scenes in this book and the author's willingness to get into the S/m aspect of the lifestyle. I also appreciated that the relationship allowed for compromise and Vivian did not give into Tyler's need for 24/7 TPE. Too many times I see books where the sub gives into the Dom's need for total power exchange, and often seems as though it's borderline abuse. I felt that both Tyler's and Viv's needs were fulfulled in this relationship and I very much enjoyed the scene towards the end of story. Overall, wonderful story.

[I ♥ Bookie Nookie (bookienookiereviews.blogspot.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some say this is a hard core book.... though I had a tough time wrapping my mind around the tpe I wasn't opposed to to situation in the story. I was totally down with the journey and ultimately pleased with the final destination.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candace Blevins has been on my TBR list for almost a year and I finally decided to pick up her first Safeword book after reading some reviews of her newest release. OMG!! Talk about HOT! The book started out so hot that I was a bit shocked. Most books start out slow and build up to the hot scenes so I expected that. By the end of the book I realized Candace did start it out slow. Lol

This was a great read and I hadn’t seen the dynamic of one partner wanting 24/7 Total Power Exchange (TPE) and one partner not wanting it. She made everything intense but still followed the rule of safe, sane, and consensual. Forewarning this is not a slap and tickle book. If you are a reader who only likes bondage and spanking then this may not be for you. Tyler is a serious sadist i.e. he leaves marks for 2 weeks!! He needs to see Vivian in pain. He enjoys seeing her fully submit to him. The pain level is quite high but they both get off on it. Tyler did assume some stuff early on and it made him seem like total asshat.

Vivian likes the pain and loves submitting to Tyler but she doesn’t want to do it 24/7. She did have some issues with some of the things he ordered and personally I couldn’t blame her. Not everyone has the same kinks and Tyler’s are way more pronounced than Vivian’s. They did struggle with the communication but to me that makes it seem more real because it is a problem that everyone has. Candace didn’t shy away from the unromantic like needing a tissue for a snotty nose but somehow and I have no fucking clue how, it made it endearing. I was hooked from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up past 3:00 a.m. to finish it. I will be reading the rest of the series!!

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for a more in-depth BDSM book and was recommended Safeword: Rainbow. It did not disappoint- it was entertaining and educational.

I have read BDSM novels in the past, as well as dark sadistic novels, but haven't dipped my toes into too many novels that do sadism at this level with safewords, consent, etc (actual BDSM). I am by no means an expert but from my limited knowledge it seemed like this author did it quite well. As other reviews have mentioned, I enjoyed the different views and how they worked out their differences between a 24/7 relationship. It made the relationship real and mature.

This novel makes me want to read about a 24/7 relationship now!

The main issue, and a huge issue, was the authors need to include her political views on gun laws. Now, I understand to each their own and the author has her right to express her own opinions within her novel. Unfortunately, pushing her political view as many times as she could, within an erotica of all things, ruined it for me. Discussions and complaints of state guns laws, drawn out explanations of why carrying a gun is needed, if she was carrying and so on. I tried skipping those parts as much as I could but it was so numerous that I was not successful. Whenever I have to skip large parts of the novel it is usually a 1-2 star or, more commonly, a DNF. If I had known this was in the book I would not have read it. I will not read another book written by this author.

[Susan (susayq ~) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, this wasn't really for me. There was nothing, I mean NOTHING romantic about this at all. It was straight BDSM, heavy on the S and M.

Their one night stand, which really lasted three nights, ended with them feeling a connection and him telling her he felt something and thought he could love her, but there wasn't anything in the town to make him come back since he was only there on business. That got my hackles up right off the bat since I think if he truly felt something for her, shouldn't SHE have been reason enough to travel back to this place? And Master James/Tyler just went downhill from there for me. He wants a 24/7 power exchange and I found him overbearingly bossy. Not to mention he just wanted her tears.

I definitely learned this kind of kink does nothing for me, so thanks for that. I am sure this would be a great read for someone else.

[Spynonu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a masochist but this book got me totally hot under the collar (and other places). Even though there was some extreme punishment taking place in this story it didn't feel way over the top or unbelievable as is often the case when a sadist is involved.

As I read, I winced and then cheered for Viv. I wanted her to stick it out because I wanted her to please Tyler. Hell, I wanted to please Tyler. LOL. Viv used her safe word several times which is another rarely seen features in this type of book, usually the dom magically knows the limits of his sub. How refreshing!

I thought Safeword Rainbow was a nice balance of ouch! and yes!.

[Sassafrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I'm not usually into the heavy pain stuff but it is just so fascinating to get into the psychology of stuff to want to put yourself through that kind of pain to please someone. Just fascinating.

I thought the story was great. As much as Master Tyler scared me, he was uber sexy. And I could totally see where Vivian was coming from as far as her fears about hailvinf the 24/7 TPE. I am definitely going to continue with this series!

[GreenFairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Viv and Tyler meet, but not as Viv and Tyler. They were Katrina and Master James. 3 nights, not even full days and nights. Just 3 nights. And they knew they belonged together. Seriously. The brother is originally dead set against it. Then once the threat is over he's suddenly okay with it? Please. And the rest was too contemporary for me. However, the writing was good. It did flow...just too fast. I can see why so many enjoy it. If I was into contemporary, I would be too.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, even though, from the reviews, I thought I wouldn't. This was more intense both in pain and power exchange than I am used to, particularly in a completely consensual story. But it was so well written. I've read M/m stories like this and longed for something similar in M/f, now I've found it.

Kicking myself for taking so long to give it a try.

[Simplistic · Rating 3 out of 5]

There needed to be romance to explain why Viv was willing to give Tyler a chance to prove he could do with/without a 24/7 slave-master relationship. I need to see why she fell for him because she wasn't a 24/7 kind of slave. But this was all just for sadism for the most part. This kind of relationship just stumps me why anyone wants to be beaten all the time and controlled? I don't like Tyler. He is an egotistical sadist. I think the part that totally turned me off was when she had to wake him to go to the bathroom because he had her strapped to the bed and when she came back he forced her because She told him she wasn't wanting it and he told her tough and took her without any preparation, he did it with her dry and hurting. He does this a lot. not to mention when she safe worded not once but twice and he ignored it. The first time he met Viv he abused her and left her for someone else to do aftercare, though he doesn't do it after they get-together either really. He is as bad as the men who beat their significant other or just any woman who thinks they have to let someone do this to them to feel accepted. At first, it sickened me when I thought it was the same James who was with Kirsten. I almost walked away then but went on and found out at least it wasn't an old man doing it to her that she was supposed to have fallen in love with after a few days of letting him hurt her. Then to find out it was Tyler and he's still the same asshole. Like for real why would she let him take her to that island for her honeymoon? A Place where she couldn't be his equal and enjoy herself? Where she had to watch everything she said or done Then for him to let strangers paw her and choke her with their hands. I mean that is supposed to be couple time, not just his time. Viv is too strong to put up with a 24/7 but she still lets him rule her? He punishes her in public then 5 more times in their room with another sicko watching and touching her, after he told her 4 Then he says as they are leaving the punishment isn't over she either has to go 6-9 mos without orgasms during scenes or 6 wks all at once anytime? I mean when does the punishment end with this man. I would walk away and tell him good riddance. Who wants to hurt someone they love that bad? Way too many scenes we needed more time to feel a connection from them not see him torture her more and wonder why she thought she loved him. And who was Travis? While they are on the plane she is talking to Travis? Is this supposed to be Tyler?

[mlady_rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the other books I've read in this series. Not sure if that is just the plot/characters/kink of this particular book or the fact that this was written earlier and the author's style has just matured. (Prior to this I read books 4, 5, and 6, in that order.)

I enjoyed the initial scene, before Viv and Travis (or rather Kat and Master James) parted ways. The burst of suspense right after they re-connected was interesting, but was resolved a bit too quickly for my tastes. After that I oscillated in how much I enjoyed the story.

Plot wise, I suppose my only complaint were the jumps in time, not counting that initial "prologue" jump. Not sure if my other misgivings were more kink or character.

Because Viv didn't want TPE, I wasn't overly fond of the times Travis pushed her into moving the line in the sand. And, yes, I know that sounds squirrely when that's the point of D/s, to push limits. Part of that was the initial misunderstanding of what they both wanted, but the feeling came back later in the book.

Another thing which is probably an author style issue. But given 4 books, with 4 different couples, I've seen the "no safeword for punishment" come up each and every time. Not sure I like that concept. So while initially I ignored it, the repeated appearance of it was a bit grating by my 4th book (back to back).

The political thread about where you can conceal carry guns also rubbed me wrong. I read another erotica book (by a different author) fairly recently that had a political undertone. Unless the politics connects up to BDSM, that seems ... out of place in erotica.

And now that I reread my review, that seems like a lot of complaints for a 4 star read. *g*

Kinky wise, my highlights were the rope work and some of the impact play. Not quite as out of the ordinary compared to the books I read earlier (but the author wrote later).

Maybe it's time to give the series a break and try another author for awhile. Don't want to burn out on this series. So far, 3 and 4 are my favorites.

[Lorraine Montuori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Safeword Rainbow is definitely not for the faint of heart. There are some extremely intense BDSM scenes. Sounds hot, right? Normally, I’d agree. I read the dirtiest of the dirty (ask Mandy, I’m pretty sure my Kindle archive shocked her), and enjoy every second of it. The scenes in this were not the most intense I’ve ever read, but some left me a little uncomfortable, and that is not something easy to do. The overall story itself was good and the book had potential to be great. My issue is primarily the fact that most of the time Vivian did not seem to be enjoying what Tyler was doing to her, and it seemed to me that he enjoyed the fact that she wasn’t. Most of Vivian’s thoughts revolved around her fighting the urge to safeword out of the scene, and there were a few times I wish she had. To each his own if you like it like that, it just didn’t seem like she did, and he knew it. I’m definitely no expert as I’ve never gone this deep in play, so please know that if you like the more extreme side of BDSM, you will most likely love this one. Read more reviews @ rawbooksonline.com

[Thea™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Duke I was really curious about the side characters in that book. I found out some of those people had their own series; this Safeword series. :-) This first book is about Vivian and Tyler and I loved it!! Woow... this book has really intense BDSM scenes! Although I don’t understand the appeal of it (not the giving-pain-part nor the receiving-extreme-pain-part) I don’t mind reading about it. Beside the BDSM scenes, this book also had a well thought out story. It felt like this could have happened in real life! Well written and the BDSM details were clearly explained; I even learned some new things.
Next in this series I'll be reading #9 Safeword Arabesque as I understand it can be read as a stand-alone. Frisco, Isaac, Cam and Cassie's story.
Candace is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors!

[Aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Safeword Rainbow managed to successfully shatter my first impressions. When I originally came across this book, neither the book description nor the cover caught my attention. I thought this would be another cookie cutter BDSM romance where boy finds girl, there's some spanking and an HEA. However, after reading a few reviews proclaiming that it is more than just a regular romance, I decided to go for it. Let me tell you, there are no regrets here. The scenes are intense (sometimes uncomfortably so), arousing and varied. I couldn't help but squirm a little myself as Viv is delivered her punishments. I also liked that the scenes weren't just about the physical sensations but also about the psychology behind the power exchange. There were a few slow moments but I found the story compelling more often than not. Can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really liked this book. I thought that Tyler and Viv made a very good couple in the bedroom. They both enjoyed the same level of BDSM. Viv liked pain and liked to be dominated, even though sometimes she struggled with some of the demands that Tyler had. I loved that Tyler pushed Viv to the edge of her comfort zone, both physically and mentally, but he never went over because they had such good communication between them and he therefore knew where to stop.

What didn't really work for me was the romance. I just didn't feel it. I thought that they should continue to get together when they wanted to do scenes, but I didn't see them working as a long term couple.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeez, I must have talked so much about this book that I forgot to write a review or it disappeared like one sock in the dryer.

This is one hardcore masochist/sadist romp. I loved that Viv wasn't a weak, sad little creature and when things weren't like she expected she told Tyler straight up--Hell no! Pretty damn HOT interactions with them.

The resulting renegotiation was probably my favorite part of the book, unlike the tacked on suspense element of the story which merely served as a distraction.