Soul Rest

Knights of the Board Room #7

by Joey W. Hill

Celeste has worked hard to establish her freelance blog as a source of accurate crime news for the Baton Rouge area. Being a workaholic, focusing solely on her career, was her choice. Five years ago, she had a life-changing experience in a BDSM club that made it clear she is a submissive, but she believes her past makes embracing that path impossible. Then Sergeant Leland Keller walks into her life. He’s the Dom she’s always feared and hoped she’d meet, and he recognizes her as what he’s been looking for as well. But she fights submission as much as she longs for it.

Leland always thought he was looking for a docile, sweet-natured sub, but the heart wants what it wants. He can tell Celeste is aching for love and surrender. Having served in the military and now as a patrol sergeant in one of Baton Rouge’s most dangerous districts, he doesn’t shy from a challenge.

His job is to protect and serve. He’s not going to let her down.

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

444 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2015

About the author

"BDSM Romance for the Heart & Soul"

A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.

"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady

Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!

If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...

You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Review posted March 19, 2015





Joey W. Hill is usually a hit for me. Granted, there have been some misses as well but I'm really glad that my gut instinct didn't betray me this time around. Leland was one of those rare highlights in Afterlife where I met him for the first time. Despite a few issues, Soul Rest was a great read that made me feel. It brought out quite a vast range of emotions from me which is always a huge pro, at least for me.

PROS
The absolute biggest pro of Soul Rest is Sergeant Leland Keller, sexy beast extraordinaire. He's also incredibly chivalrous. I loved his little gestures. He's always opening the door for his woman, helping her out of the car. Taking her hand, holding it, kissing it, kissing her fingers. The way he looked at her and touched her face made me melt a little bit. The author described his skin as the color of butterscotch. So I thought he was a white guy with a very nice tan. I think I was halfway through the story when she mentioned "black man" for the first time. I'm not going to lie, I was totally pleased that he was black! Leland is smart, calm and patient and is unraveling Celeste's bratty façade relentlessly.

His voice had that gentle, inexorable note again that caressed her agitated nerves, surrounded her like a fleece blanket on a cold night. It wasn't persuasive or coaxing. It was the lack of those elements that made him irresistible to her. There were so many ways he could mess this up. Yet her anticipation of it, building to dark hope, told her how worried she was that he wouldn't mess any of it up. That would be her job.

Her head tilted away from the window. In his peripheral vision he saw her looking down at their clasped hands. She moved her other hand to cover his. Then she lifted it with both hands, pressed her face into his palm. The gesture created an eye in the storm inside him, a still, potent place as she kissed his callused skin, her lashes feathering against his fingers. He felt the precise slope of her nose beneath them.

"Sorry I said that. I wasn't expecting to see you there. And you talking to those guys threw me. If they aren't already, they're only a step or two away from becoming what turned that store owner into a pile of bloody meat. I had my hands on you last night, my mouth, and everything I touched was delicate, beautiful. Something I want to keep safe. That's the way I'm built, and I won't apologize for that, but I will apologize for it making me say something that stupid."

I really liked complicated Celeste very much and I felt the author did a fine job with her characterization and background. Even though she came off as prickly, I didn't have any problems empathizing with her.

But it was all an image.
When you are shit, you have to make up an image different from who you are, and keep at it until the past starts not to matter…

"Yes, Sergeant," she said icily. "I'll file that under 'go fuck yourself'. You don't know anything about me. My psych profile isn't tucked up inside my pussy like the prize inside a Cracker Jack box. Asshole."

Celeste is carrying fear, anger and uncertainty with her since she was a teenager. Though once you're privy to her background story, it's obvious WHY she's always angry and the explanation will probably hit you pretty hard. I really hurt for her.

I guess it's easy to pick a favorite scene when one has so many sex scenes to choose from. The beautiful, intense and emotional Ichinawa session was my favorite part of the entire book. It was intensely sensual and erotic. A big thumbs up from moi. Also, I really loved the carousel scene which provided thoughtful and deep dialogue and the icing on the cake was how Leland got Celeste off during that carousel ride. As expected, the writing was great, even beautiful at times. Soul Rest is definitely highly quotable. Loved their dialogue and banter and it goes without saying that Leland and Celeste made me smile a lot. A little bit of action and suspense gave the story a very nice additional touch and made the storyline more compelling.

"You should have taken the sweatshirt to stay warm this morning. I bet that car of yours doesn't heat worth shit."
(…)
"It does well enough," she said. "Underwear would have helped, but they were stolen. I expect I should report that to local law enforcement."
"Items like that are rarely recovered. The perp has usually taken them for personal reasons, not to fence."
Her brow lifted, then her gaze swept his lower torso. "So he might be wearing them?"



"Most people like me more when they don't."
He grinned. "Not me. The more I know, the more I think I want to keep you."
"You make me sound like a stray cat."
"I'm fond of your claws."



"What are you grinning about?" he mumbled. "It makes me nervous."
"Even superheroes need a nap after sex."
"It's because you women are vampires."


CONS
Due to the excessive amount of orgasms, I was actually glad that I lost count of those. And those nine orgasms he almost "forced" on her while they were driving around Baton Rouge, made me roll my eyes several times. And, to be honest, the two long BDSM sessions didn't do anything for me but that's probably the vanilla girl in me rearing its ugly head. We have once again a BDSM story that did incorporate the healing aspect. Then again, I felt it wasn't a bad thing at all. I really liked where the story headed and the way JWH portrayed the heroine did help getting past my faint jab of irritation. Celeste's journey peaked when her background was finally laid bare. That's why I wouldn't file that healing aspect under "cons".

Another issue (huge spoiler):
The heroine got shot at and beaten up during a dramatic showdown with the bad guy. Surprisingly, the hospital released her within 24 hours which I found very unrealistic.

******************************************************

Leland is a very possessive Dom and he wouldn't share his woman. He's not really into public play either. That's why he hardly ever visits a BDSM club. However, there was a long BDSM scene (it started at 85%) where all of the K&A men, their subs and some of their close friends got a lot of action in Ben's former loft which he converted into a private dungeon. It's the perfect place to host BDSM parties once in a while; it's just too bad that I don't care for that kind of thing at all. But if you are into it then I'd say you have something to look forward to.

Noah, hero of Divine Solace, was pleasuring Celeste with Leland's permission. So, the question remains: what is sharing? Noah didn't penetrate her with his dick, he just got her off with his tongue stud. Where do you draw the line?

Bottom line, Soul Rest is a well-written, engaging and emotionally charged read. Issues and (too) sweet ending aside, I really enjoyed this final installment in the Knights of the Boardroom series very much and Leland was the man to provide me with a more than conciliatory closure. Soul Rest can be read as a standalone. I actually think that you can read every Knights of the Boardroom novella or novel as a standalone.

She'd wondered what was waiting at the bottom of that downhill slide. Since last night, she'd discovered the answer. His arms. Him. Ready to catch her.

When Celeste finally submitted to Leland, she held on to him with both hands.


Recommended read.



My ranking
Willing Sacrifice 5 stars (Max)
Honor Bound 5 stars (Peter)
Soul Rest 4 stars (Leland)
Controlled Response 4 stars (Lucas)
Afterlife 1 star (Jon)
Hostile Takeover 0 stars (Ben)


I haven't read Board Resolution.

[Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 Star LOVE



Soul Rest is the beautiful love story of Celeste and Leland and encompasses all the main characters from the previous Knights of the Board Room series, including one of my forever favourite couples, Marcie and Ben. Joey W. Hill sprinkles her writing magic all over this story, developing it into yet another epic and captivating read, completing my reading journey with the knights in a highly agreeable and pleasing manner.

Ex-military man, Leland is highly charismatic with an aura that exudes control and power; he’s the epitome of a Dom and currently a Sergeant for the extremely dangerous Baton Rouge Area. I love his sense of humour which is showcased during the great banter he shares with his work colleagues. Celeste is not even close to the embodiment of what he considers to be the perfect sub to his Dom but she captures his attention in a way no other person ever has before.



How could any woman avoid falling in love with this man? I couldn't... I fell totally, completely and utterly in book love with Leland ♥

Celeste is a complete workaholic who operates a highly reputable freelance blog reporting accurate crime news in the Baton Rouge area. Integrity and truth are everything to her. She’s feisty and straight talking with a complex history that emerges slowly throughout the prose, delivering with it an understanding of her psyche, her reasons for being the person she is. She carries a lot of fear and anger making her inner heart and mind quite fragile and at times a heady mix of contradictions working together to create the highly developed wonderful character that she is. Celeste needs someone who's able to fulfil her needs, needs she finds difficult to comprehend herself, let alone seek from someone else. The emotion drawn out from the depiction of her complex self is exquisite.

Leland totally embraces her needs.... the way it all unfolds is something for each reader to discover for themselves. Their path to fate isn’t straight forward but as with the entire series, the beauty radiates from the text.



Five years previous Celeste had a life changing experience in a BDSM club with an infamous Dom. Despite this I felt her inner struggle in accepting her proclivities. I love the reflection back to the vignette (a free short story on the authors Fan Forum) showing her experience with the experienced and infamous Dom. The references delicately weave through some of the prose to remind or inform, depending on whether the reader has already experienced the tale. I felt reading the vignette prior to Soul Rest warmed me to Celeste and gave me understanding and patience with regard to her actions.



The author takes her time to deliver the story allowing the reader to settle into the personality of the characters and to earn feelings for them, thereby stimulating a greater emotional response at their happenings. There’s never a rush each layer engaged me with interest and care without being laborious, it’s a fine line and Joey W. Hill walks it perfectly. She fills the necessary gaps regarding the entwining history of Celeste and the Knights and how each couple in the series finally embraced their romantic fate. Soul Rest showcases each leading man's love for their lady so perfectly. Marcie and Ben’s involvement in this story is enchanting. I love the individuality of all the characters and especially the way the women are worshiped by their men, it's adorable.

The WEDDING!!! Oh. My. Goodness. This is the wedding of all book weddings. It's the wedding of a couple from a previous Knights' story. Both the ceremony and the after party..... I welled up with the emotion of it all. Emotional, tear evoking, sexy, HOT, PASSIONATE, SENSUAL and KINKY! It moved my heart, touched my book soul and set my girly parts on fire!!

The entire beautiful, sexy and HIGHLY EROTIC series is for readers with an open mind who’ll listen to the desires and needs of the characters within, characters who share, enjoy and crave intense BDSM experiences. It's not a world I'm familiar with, nor would I seek out in my 'real life' but this matters not because it's a world Joey W. Hill expresses so beautifully. For anyone who’s open to this level of reading pleasure, I highly recommend each and every stunning love story. The emotion captured within each is immense showing love, passion, sensuality, sex, excitement; intense desires... the list is endless. The BDSM element allows for some extremely creative and unique couplings between the protagonists. When written authentically with a sense of truth it’s intense and overwhelming. Joey explains the thought process of her characters so eloquently, showing the beauty of the world and the power of the submissive.

Soul Rest with its engaging prose, dialogue and captivating pictures is a stunning end to the Knights of the Board Room and a must for all fans of the Knights. As with all the books in this series, Soul Rest can be enjoyed as a standalone but the full pleasure is gained from the series as a whole. This is the order I experienced and fell in love with the Knights of the Board Room. The order was a recommendation and worked perfectly.


* Amazon US * Amazon UK *

Note: This story is told in the third person and from the dual perspective of the hero and heroine.

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul Rest is book 7 of the Knights of the Boardroom series but can definitely be read as a standalone. Of course, the characters from the previous books appear but that doesn’t stop your understanding of this particular story.

This time it’s the turn of Leland (the cop we’ve met in previous books in the series) to find his forever submissive and it’s none other than Celeste, the journalist who first coined the phrase ‘Knights of the Boardroom’. After a late night encounter at a convenience store in a dodgy area of Baton Rouge, and despite their initial reservations, Leland, as an experienced dom, can immediately spot the reluctant submissive in Celeste. She, for her part, has had one mind-blowing experience in the BDSM world (at the hands of the one and only Ben O’Callahan) and has shied away from the lifestyle – her one encounter was SO special, she feels sure that anything else could never compare and doesn’t want to tarnish that memory so she’s very much holding back in her submission and running scared every time she finds herself falling too far under Leland’s impressive dominance.

So prepare yourself for two workaholics finding something incredibly special to detract from the horrors of their jobs and an absolutely mesmerising display of D/s. What Joey W Hill does so very well is to take us the readers far beyond just the physical experience of BDSM and really get soul deep and feel every emotion with the central characters and to know just how meaningful this all is for them. There’s plenty of time for this relationship to develop at a natural pace as Soul Rest is one heck of a whopper weighing in at almost 500 pages and this gives plenty of time to explore the growing relationship between Celeste and Leland and also to allow for a starkly realistic suspense story too.

I think JWH really is one of the most imaginative and creative BDSM writers out there. Her sex scenes are meticulously thought out and planned, even though they can be highly complex they live vividly in my imagination and boy are they ever HOT! There’s an almost ethereal quality to it all as I think there’s a ‘reader-space’ rather like subspace that she nearly always seems to generate for me – I seem to lose all track of time, all sense of the real world and slip under her spell. It’s almost hypnotic.

Towards the end of the book, after one of the previous couples get married, there’s a ‘play party’ which will read like a wet dream for fans of the Knights of the Boardroom series. We get to see all the previous characters we’ve come to know and love all play together in a post-wedding celebration which takes on an almost dream like quality. If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep! It’s so, SO hot and so, SO intense. I just couldn’t put the damn thing down. It’s a great way to see all of our Knights and their submissives one last time doing what they all do best. Added to all this, Celeste’s job will put her in danger and will bring out Leland’s fiercely protective side as the plot takes a fairly sinister direction.

So for fans of JWH, Knights of the Boardroom and anyone who enjoys intense and insanely HOT BDSM romance, I can recommend Soul Rest. Its a real shame that this signals the end of the series which started with just short novellas and really developed into something very special with characters to remember, doms to die for and submissives to shudder along with. It’s been an awesome ride and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.

4 intensely erotic stars

[~IreneOust~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now LIVE everywhere!



Purchase Links:

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How does one review a book that leaves you speechless?

This was my most anticipated read of 2015 and boy did it deliver!

This series is really special to me. It was the first series I discovered by this author who then quickly became my favorite. A few years and countless reads and rereads later, Joey W. Hill still reigns as an author who renders me speechless with pretty much every new release she puts out there. She is in a league all by herself and that is God's honest truth.

I often feel like I am floating and/or having an out-of-body experience while reading her books. The way she makes me FEEL ... I have no words to describe it. I find that it's easier to highlight stuff in her books that doesn't blow my mind vs stuff that does.

Her writing, her knowledge of the subject matter, the ease with which she delivers the story, the demons she makes her characters battle until the knights (pun definitely intended!) in shining armor show up so they can help slay those demons ... everything about her books [to me] is flawless. The sincerity of her stories ... it blows my mind. I feel like I get a glimpse of Joey's own soul when I read her books because it really does feel as if she shares part of her heart and soul with us through these stories.

This book is super special because it concludes the Knights of the Board Room series.

The story is about Leland Keller (a cop we meet briefly in Afterlife) and Celeste (a reporter who gave five K&A men their famous nickname and who, a while back, shared one night at Club Surreal with one and only Ben O'Callahan in Retribution). You don't have to read "Afterlife" but I strongly suggest you read "Retribution" (it's a free vignette available on Joey's Fan Forum ) because there is a lot of reference to that night in this book and I think it will give you a deeper understanding of what went on then and stuff that happens in this book.

I am not going to recap the plot but for those of you who read and loved the entire series, I will say that Celeste is a female version of Ben when it comes to letting people close. The way Joey made these two characters (Ben & Celeste) entwine and draw from their knowledge of one another that comes partially from their previous club experience and from simply looking into each other's eyes/seeing each other's actions and recognizing them as their own, the way they help each other understand ... it's once again the brilliance that is Joey.

Every time I pick up a book of Joey's, by the end of it I have a new favorite male lead (although, Ben will ALWAYS remain my favorite). It was no different this time with Leland. The blend of gentle male yet a fierce protector in her leading male is Joey's specialty!

I don't know how she does it but the connection you feel with her characters is absolutely amazing. I feel like I've known ALL the players in this series all my life. One can't talk about this book and not mention THE wedding. One of my favorite couples ever written have finally made it to the altar and because of Joey's amazing ability to have you connect with her characters, you truly feel as if you are watching your best friends taking their vows.

This book will be a hit with those who are fans of the series. It makes me sad that the series is now over but I hope Joey continues to give us little glimpses into the lives of these amazing characters by writing her famous vignettes in the future.

Cheers!

xxx


*** HUGE THANK YOU to the author, Joey W. Hill , for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review and making my year in the process.

[Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++ “Protect, Guide and Control” Stars

Reading a Joey W Hill book is reading a Beautiful Expression of Love.....a story rich in emotions and intense sexual connections. Joey is a masterful storyteller in the BDSM world. I believe that to read her books you must have an open mind. If you do, she is exquisite at explaining all aspects of BDSM and what motivates and drives the characters in the lifestyle. I adore and appreciate the depth she goes into when writing that gives her the ability to immerse me into the story with my entire heart and soul.



Celeste Lewis is a strong woman but she has darkness that surrounded her growing up. She is a smart, witty, sassy and knows how to compensate for her feelings of self doubt. Sergeant Leland Keller is strong, sexy, confident and also a Dom. Soul Rest is their story, their connection, their desire and their love. It's not easy and it's not pretty at times but it's a story about meeting that one person who fits your soul. Once again, Joey explores their needs and wants and desires to the fullest. This book is a BDSM book and it is very explicit. Their Dominant/submissive relationship is deep, erotic and sensual. I love that Celeste is strong yet broken and Leland is strong and nurturing. He gets her, he stands strong and never wavers........it’s absolutely beautiful and a true testament of love. This story is an awakening of one’s SOUL to the trust and love of another. Together their souls rest.



For those of you who are Knights of the Boardroom fans, Soul Rest incorporates them into this story. I loved Celeste and Leland's story but getting all the Knights and their incredible ladies added to this story is Absolutely Priceless!!! The wedding of Ben and Marcie brings everyone together. I love the community that Joey creates with the Knights of the Boardroom......their stories are all encompassing and their connection is quite remarkable. Their love for one another supersedes everything. I love that Celeste and Leland are an extended family to all of them. I must mention the song that Marcie selected to walk down the aisle is so perfect for them and really for all the couples, As Long As You’re There by Chairce, was amazingly perfect……https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEwTe...

Joey W Hill is not for everyone. I hate saying that because what she writes is very breathtaking and moving. While I don't practice BDSM, I appreciate what it stands for and what drives those who practice that lifestyle. It's beautiful, sensual, erotic, and loving.......so I thank Joey W Hill for always enlightening me and for being an incredibly moving author that I ADORE AND LOVE.

[TeriLyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Sounds like fate to me, darlin'." Stars

Soul Rest waited patiently to be read on my Kindle for longer than I care to admit. Part of the reason why comes from knowing when I start a book written by the brilliant Joey W. Hill there's going to be a major moment for me when she rocks my whole world. This moment I wait for and relish with open arms and most importantly an open mind. Joey W. Hill books need to be savored especially Soul Rest.

First my disclaimer ----> This book, as with the entire Knights of the Board Room series, builds around the BDSM lifestyle. If this lifestyle is something you don't agree with or can't open your mind enough to try and understand it, I strongly suggest you try another author or series. This great author deserves only the utmost respect for her craft, her words, her brave journeys into a world unknown by most.

In addition, if you're reading Soul Rest hopefully you've read at least Hostile Takeover and Willing Sacrifice first, if not the entire series. There are crucial plot points, in my opinion, that help navigate the flow of Soul Rest within the pages of those books.

I'm not a part of the BDSM lifestyle, I feel it important to say. I don't champion the life. However, nothing is more intriguing than these types of relationships. The utmost of unforgiving, and solid trust between two people falling in love. It's amazing to read. The main characters of this book, Celeste Lewis and Sergeant Leland Keller, meet and embark upon building a relationship revolving around the rules of a Dom and his sub. Rather than give you any plot points or even an in depth explanation of the characters I'm leaving it at that and instead telling you how I felt in my Soul Rest experience.

Celeste and Leland embody the brilliance of this story. But we also meet old friends, spend time with them, we're so freaking lucky to bear witness to some of their most intimate moments. I laughed, I cried, I hurt, I struggled, and I soared.

Celeste drove me insane for about 10% of this book, I was 40% in and starting to get antsy about the heroine berating myself for getting annoyed with a Joey W. Hill heroine. Blaspheme! I could hardly believe it. Well remember the moment I mentioned above? BAM! Literally, BAM! And in that passage, that understanding, that exquisitely painful, classic Joey W. Hill moment, it all changed. It all became so much more clear. That's the beauty of Joey's writing, the slow chipping away at the block, peeling back a person layer by layer to discover their motives, their hurts, their needs, their desires. Joey W. Hill bulldozed her way through my barrier of feelings about this heroine much in the way Sergeant Keller bulldozed his way into Celeste's life and soul. She peeled back a layer of my own self, my own understanding and opened my mind even more the complexities of this kind of giving and taking in a relationship.

Sergeant Leland Keller knew all along. He's no dummy. His patience, his care, his steady hand, his unrelenting willingness to give - all these traits were making me alive even when I didn't understand. But when I did? Believe you me Sergeant Leland Keller became almost God-like. This author makes everything feel so organic like constellations perfectly aligning. People falling into each other so naturally, even when Celeste was fighting the pull of the attraction there was no question about their basic need for each other. There is no question they belong together and that he's the man who will help her find herself while she's the woman who will compliment him in the best possible way.

I'd be remiss not to mention Ben O'Callahan and Marcie Moira. The first JWH book I ever read was Hostile Takeover. HT will forever remain one of my all time favorite stories because of the story itself and the way I felt when I read it. So as an avid Ben O'Callahan lover Soul Rest feels full circle to me, almost like it's a sequel to Ben's story only not starring him. Like it's a tribute to this man, to his kinds of struggles, to his whole aura as a human being in love and a part of a complex relationship that in reality is truly quite simple. Ben and Celeste are kindred spirits as Celeste embodies and shows in Soul Rest, much her to dismay, all the emotions Ben held caged for so long.

"Maybe because when you feel like nothing, you can't believe someone who's everything could possibly see the real you."

Poignant writing such as the above quote can be found throughout the text of Soul Rest. Soulful, spiritual writing coercing your heart and mind to open to these characters and this author. Passages revealing the inner most demons of ourselves. With their exquisite feeling they force each of these characters to find their true selves find their demons. The above quote provides the perfect guiding light into the souls of Celeste Lewis and Ben O'Callahan. It's shows the true self-deprecation of two damaged people fighting for survival within a love so deep, so pure that they don't feel they deserve.

Hostile Takeover and Soul Rest alike feel as though they are an extension of the author herself. An extension of which she bares her most inner demons, her most painful struggles, her greatest glories and triumphs. Sergeant Leland Keller and Celeste Lewis feel like a tribute to the barriers broken down by Ben O'Callahan and Marcie Moira - a reminder that love is pain but when you surrender to it your mind, body and heart will soar.

Soul Rest provides an experience I'll always cherish. This story of loss, love, trust, and redemption is beautifully poignant as we explore the basic carnal needs of two mates perfectly suited to each other. Thank you, Joey W. Hill and BRAVO - Soul Rest is transcendent.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Joey W Hill’s talents in her story telling is giving us secondary characters that in only a few pages capture our hearts, minds and souls. Sargent Leland Keller and Celeste are a couple of those characters. I have waited for years for this story and it has proven so worth the wait! I have to admit I was a little upset that the Knights of the Boardroom series has come to an end but WOW, Joey nailed it! It is an ending that satisfies every emotion, thought and heart beat this series has affected in Joey’s readers.

We met Leland (yes I am on a first name basis with this sexy golden eyed Dom) in Afterlife book four in this series, Jon and Rachel’s story. He was the off duty Officer who found and helped Rachel after her foray into Club More to experience what she longed for. That is all I can say about that because if you haven’t read Afterlife – increase your TBR List NOW! In those eight pages Sargent Leland Keller made an appearance, even though Jon and Rachel’s fate was up in the air, our chivalrous dark Knight sealed his fate. He had to have a story in the Knights of the Boardroom Series.

Oh Celeste, she is one of those characters that at first you aren’t sure if you like her or not. She is the reporter who gave the Kensington Associates team the title Knights of the Boardroom. We actually started having feelings of one type or another for her before we ever knew her name. Her name wasn’t revealed to us until book three Honor Bound, Peter and Dana’s story. Joey being the gracious author she is even gave us a vignette about our lovely reporter, Retribution; this is a treat that gives us a better look at Celeste. It is set before Hostile Takeover book five but you can read it at any time but if you have the chance read before or at least after you read Soul Rest. To read this tid bit you need to go to Joey W Hill’s fan forum here is the link to her web page on it you will find directions to her fan forum and other fun things. I must say it is a must read one way or another!!
http://www.storywitch.com/community

Now what could be more perfect than the way our main characters meet in this story? I mean where else would you expect to find an officer of the law and a reporter? No it isn’t a crime scene but a convenience store! I will bet the farm that nacho sales go up after this story is released! BOL You are going to love Jai the clerk and owner of the convenience store. Joey knows how to add a touch of humor that makes her stories so believable, even though it is all fiction. Hey we can dream. After all stories are supposed to fire our imaginations, dreams and sometimes nightmares.

In the professions of Law Enforcement and Crime Reporter you often see the worst of people either in their actions or what they have to deal with after a crime has been committed. Leland and Celeste deal with both. Celeste also has a few secrets that affect not only the way she does her job but how she lives her life. She has rules she keeps just like all of us to keep her personal and professional life in order. This story may make you rethink some of those rules for both Celeste and yourself. *wink wink*

There is so much I want to spill! But alas once again we have been given a story that everyone should experience one word at a time. I will let you know Joey may not write crime stories often but she has done as well with that aspect of this story as she has with the hot steamy romance part. We also get a look at some of our favorites from the Knights of the Boardroom and the Nature of Desire series. I love how these chance meeting with other series characters links the worlds and bring about parts of our characters that we would never have known. Needless to say Joey is going to have a whole new list of vignettes for her to write from her fans.

So with a tear in my eye and joy in my heart, I bid these glorious Knights adieu, at least until they make an appearance in another story down the line.

Thank you Joey W Hill for bringing the Gallant Knights of the past into our present.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Joey's Knights of the Boardroom series!!!

I won't get into all the details of this story, so just read the synopsis to see what it's all about.
This story, IMO, was more about the psychological aspects of a D/s relationship, which was honestly a breath of fresh air AND Joey did NOT disappoint.

I was frustrated a little with Celly but I completely understood her mindset; this poor woman really needed a man to take control over her, and I mean over everything; from her mind, her heart and most importantly her mouth!

What made me give this a 5* rating though was the appearance of all the K&A members and their women.

Joey, you really know how to get your fans coming back for more and I can only say Thank You!

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Rebecka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exquisite story of the bond between a Dom and his sub. Even though it is a story, the deep level of trust and commitment expressed in the pages are so real that I feel it in my soul each and every time. I have profoundly been affected by each story JWH writes and have loved every minute of the journey she has taken me on with Knights of the Board Room Series

BIG BONUS!! I saw Ben again!!

Thanks JWH!! Looking forward to finishing your Nature of Desire & Vampire Queen Series!

[~ Cariad ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

UPDATE!!: OMG I love that JWH joined in on these fab videos!!

Holy fuck!
Just when you think that you might be over the whole BDSM thing, Joey W Hill brings out another UNMISSABLE Knights of the Board Room read!!!

That's made my day!!!

Cheers April for letting me know:)

[☾ Dαɴιyα ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars: 4 for Celeste & Leland plus one extra, special star for getting more of all the characters from the previous books, making this the perfect series ending.

Another winner from Joey W. Hill!

Since I'd already read Retribution, a free vignette available on Ms. Hill's fan forum, Celeste was not a new character to me, but one I was looking forward to reading more about. After everything I found out about her in her session with Ben--which I would recommend reading before Soul Rest--I was glad she was finally getting her happy ever after. I had wondered if she would go on to further explore her submissive side, and if she would find a good Dom for herself, and because I had been in a matchmaking mood, Leland had occurred to me. I had only met him briefly in Afterlife, but it'd been enough to think he and Celeste could make a fine couple, so needless to say, when Soul Rest was announced, my reaction was: YAY!!! However, I did have one teeny tiny concern: reading Willing Sacrifice did not go as well as I had expected, and I thought that perhaps one of the reasons for that was that I'd grown too fond of the Knights' stories that I didn't care much about the secondary characters, so I was a bit afraid that would happen with Soul Rest, but as it turned out, I had nothing to worry about. Celeste and Leland both proved to be one of those characters I love reading about most in Joey W. Hill's stories.

A submissive who wanted to be a submissive so badly she fought it like a trap.

That is who Celeste was. I had wondered if she would go into BDSM, and for the most part I believed she would, but that was probably just wishful thinking. I should have known it would take a lot more than one great session for her to completely embrace it, even if that session was with Ben O'Callahan. Five years after that night, that session still remained the first and the last she'd had, and Celeste had given up on experiencing that again. Then he showed up, and made her re-think everything, and along the way proved to be a worthy hero in a series about Knights.

Sergeant Leland Keller had come to a point in his life where he didn't care to date anymore until something real, special, serious came along. He had thought that when he found his special someone she would be a sweet, docile submissive, but then he met Celeste, and showed him a bratty, challenging sub was what he needed all along. That she was what he needed. That conviction served him well in the battle for Celeste's heart as she was not the easiest sub to work with, but he made it. Ms. Hill's Knights always make it.

I complained that it took me a week to read this book, but it wasn't because I had problems with it. I was out of reading shape, but that wasn't the main reason, either. It was because of something that always happens to me when reading Joey W. Hill's books: they just pull me in, the characters' emotions are so well described, everything is so vivid, most of the times intense, I just have to absorb the words slowly and savor them. And this book had a lot of words, a lot of amazing words. So now I can happily say that even though I'm kind of ashamed I spent a week reading one book, I spent a week reading one amazing book.

From the moment they met, both Celeste and Leland knew the attraction they felt for each other was only the beginning of something more serious and long-lasting, only one of them had more trouble accepting that. Celeste was difficult; any step forward with her was usually followed by two steps back. It could've been frustrating, if I hadn't felt terribly sorry for her for denying herself what she most desired, and if I hadn't believed Leland wouldn't give up on her no matter what.

Every time I read anything penned by Ms. Hill, I feel like I'm learning something new about the many aspects of D/s relationships, or rituals, scenes or toys. All the scenes Leland and Celeste had were special for something, but one stood out: the Ichinawa session.

“Ichinawa is about the connection between Dom and sub using that one length of rope. I’ll tie only one end of it to one part of you. Your wrist, your ankle, your thigh…wherever I’d like, and then wrap you up in it. Then I’ll unwrap it and do it again. Different ways, the same way, over and over. Every time I wrap you in the rope and then unwrap you, it reinforces the choice. For me to take you, then let you go. For you to submit and then come back to me to submit again. It’s as organic as breathing.”

It was incredible. The cover reminds me of it. Speaking of, this is my favorite cover in the series. One of the good things about this being a self-published book is that it got this beautiful cover. I don't think I've ever found a cover of a book published by Ellora's Cave that I liked. This is a nice change. Plus, it reminds me of one my favorite scenes in the book.

I've said that what swayed me to give Soul Rest the highest possible rating are the parts involving the characters from the previous books. Those are the characters that have over the course of six books and two vignettes become one of the characters I love reading most about, so when they became a part of this story, I... well, I squealed like a little girl. What can I say, I'm a fangirl of the Knights, and, yes, even while writing my review, I couldn't wait to get to the part about them...
Okay, I couldn't wait to get to the part about Ben and Marcie.

Both Leland as a police officer and Celeste as a reporter were involved in investigating murders that happened recently. That investigation didn't take up much space in the book, but did put Celeste in danger. While I was sad she had to go through that, I couldn't have been happier that it led her to my aforementioned dear characters. Since this is the last book in the series, I couldn't have imagined it without them. I liked seeing them all once more, but as always I had my favorite scenes. (They are listed in the order they happened in the book.)

First, it's Ben and Celeste's night chat before the big day. It was interesting seeing them interacting in a normal situation when the only one I've read about was that night in club Surreal. Even more interesting was finding how much in common they have.

Second, the wedding! With all the couples in the series, we'd get to the end of the book before they'd tied the knot; all the weddings happened in between installments. That is why having a wedding in this book was one more thing on a long list of what I loved in this book. And the wedding being none other than of Ben and Marcie made it one my favorite parts.

Third was the after party, of course! If you read it, you'll know why. ;) But in all seriousness, that intimate gathering of the main couples from this series (minus Janet & Max) and some others that I haven't had the pleasure of reading about was a lovely farewell. To see them all, happy and in love and lust one more time before the ending was wonderful. Most of all, I was happy to finally see Matt and Savannah engaging in a more public play. They are the couple that's always kept to themselves the most, and I've always craved to get more of them, since their book Board Resolution won't miraculously become longer no matter how much I wish it.

I'm sad we've come to the end, but I'm happy with how it ended. Only fitting to end it with a story starring the reporter who dubbed our heroes the "Knights of the board room".
All the books in this series are dear to me for some reason, but my favorites are Hostile Takeover, Afterlife, and Board Resolution, and now Soul Rest.


***This review is also posted on Way Too Hot Books blog.***

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

YAY for Christmas Gifts! I received this book for Christmas and I scarfed it down like a famine survivor at an all you can eat buffet. This book is so good. I loved it from beginning to end. The cameos from Ms. Hill's other series is a surprise treat.

Celeste survives a tough childhood. She could have turned out like her greedy mother. Instead, she worked hard to be an investigative reporter. She walks the talk. I respect Celeste and find her to be an admirable character. Whilst I do not have her life experiences, the way Ms. Hill gently lays it out, it gives me insight into how it can be for others. Celeste possesses several hang ups which she fully acknowledges. She does the best. She is currently in a good place in her life with a job she loves. The control she has in her life is precious. This is sorely tested when she finally crosses paths with Sergeant Leland Keller.

Sergeant Leland Keller is a man who embodies what law enforcement officers should be. He is that hero who works every day to help make life safer. He is committed to bringing justice and he also walks the talk. He is also a devastatingly handsome sexual dominant. Ms. Hill does create some of the sexist dominants around. I fall in love with them and Leland is no exception. He is exceptional with his patience.

The relationship between Leland and Celeste is so good because it shows how people who feel they are unworthy and damaged are still lovable. The similarities between the two's past helps bring them together even when the contrasts make them worlds apart. It is good to see how choices people make can impact a person's life. Leland's parents chose different than Celeste. And still both turns out based on their own choices.

My favourite scene which touched me in this story is the following:

Celeste glanced up at him. He’d put the bottle down behind her, had his hand clasped on it. His eyes hadn’t left the dance floor, but his expression said that wasn’t what he was seeing at all.

“When she smoothed my shirt and stepped back, I said, ‘Mama, why do you always look at me like I’m dressed in a fancy suit?’ She said, ‘Because I see your soul, Leland Keller. Your soul is as a spick-and-span and sharp as a man in his church suit. That's what’s important in life. Make sure your soul is dressed right, always in its church clothes. That's the only thing that matters to God.’” -- (pg. 138)

Ms. Hill's writing style always provides a gem of how to live life. I love her perspective. This story is a wonderful testimony to how one can achieve their dreams.

The sex in this story is hawt. The BDSM is seductive, smooth and makes me weak in the knees. Leland is the type of dream dominant who appeals to me. Between his actions and words, there is no reason I would brat out with him. Now, Celeste does not exactly brat out. Ms. Hill shows how triggers cause Celeste to lash out. This is well done. Sometimes the scenes do not go as expected. The way it is shown here is nicely done. I also want to point out safeword dilemma. Celeste's inability to use a safeword in the way it is meant to be used is pretty accurate. The way Leland handles it and helps Celeste is a good example of how to help a submissive become both more comfortable and responsible with it.

This book is a delight to read. Returning to the Knights of the Board room is a lovely treat. Highly recommended to bdsm lovers who enjoy love conquers all themes.

[Debi Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not easy to open your heart to love when you feel that you’re broken in some way. Those that aren’t generally don’t understand how crippling it can be, especially if for all outward appearances you seem to have it together. That Joey W Hill could have such insights to what that struggle is like speaks of her gift of understanding not only the human heart but what lies deep within the human soul as well.
Celeste’s insecurities and her feelings of unworthiness are so truthfully expressed, I found myself crying as she struggled to break free of the past that had held her a prisoner for so long. When we learn just what that past involves, it’s easy to see why Celeste can’t allow herself to depend on anyone but herself. Convinced that she’s too broken to have any kind of meaningful relationship with Leland, Celeste resorts to trying to control her feelings by acting out and bratting when he gets too close. She refuses to believe that he’s really in it for the long haul, and keeps waiting for the proverbial “other shoe” to drop.
Leland Keller can rightly be called one of the “Knights” we’ve come to love so much. Honorable and grounded, he’s tired of the fishing games we all call dating. He’s more than willing to bide his time and wait for the one who’ll fulfill his desire for the submissive he’s always wanted. A chance meeting at a convenience store late one night brings Celeste into his path. Rather than being put off by her sass and quick wit, he finds himself drawn to the vulnerability he sees in her eyes. Determined to get to know the real Celeste, he patiently breaks through her barriers, and helps her as she struggles to accept what he’s offering and deal with her fears. He recognizes that although the bite of pain can silence those voices in her head when needed, it’s through pleasure and praise that Celeste is able to finally feel loved, wanted and needed.
Their sexual relationship is erotically charged (read HOT) from the start. Leland’s Dominance is intense yet there’s a quiet quality to it as well. A deeply private man, he prefers to play with Celeste outside of a club setting. Fully in control, he takes the reins and shows her just how good it can be when she lets go. During one night of play, Leland uses rope to bind Celeste to him, and it’s through that bondage we see the first cracks in that hard fought suit of armor she wears to protect her heart. Constant and sure, over time Celeste comes to believe she’s finally found her Master.

Soul Rest is such a beautifully written final story for the Knights of the Boardroom. Whether new to the series or one of those who’ve pestered Joey for more, this story will satisfy you all. When Leland and Celeste attend the wedding of the last of the original Knights, it brings all the Men of the KOTB and the women they love back together for one final event. We’re there when Ben and Marcie take their Vows, and we finally get the additional glimpse into Matt and Savannah’s D/s relationship we’ve all wondered about when, along with Lucas, Cass, Peter, Dana, Jon, Rachel and a few surprise guests, there’s an afterparty at Ben’s loft Dungeon you won’t want to miss.
For me, Joey W Hill is the author I will ALWAYS go to when I want an erotic tale full of steamy sex, believable characters, well thought out plot and above all else a story that speaks directly to the Heart.

5 out of 5 stars!!

[Rose He · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down, Leland and Celeste story is so emotional, with Joey`s way of writing I could feel all of the joy, sadness, angst and love of them, Celeste is strong, determined and she has a damage soul, Leland is so dominant, caring, and the way he calls Celeste “Darlin” is just fabulous, a good friend told me he vision him as Shemar Moore from criminal minds and with that image in my mind…

We get to see all of the Knight of the Boardroom with their wife on one of the most emotional and anticipated scenes, Ben & Marcie´s wedding, we are also invited to the after party, it was really a great surprise seeing Lyda, Gen &Noah.

This is a romantic /erotic / BDSM story with amazing and intense sex scenes, that will stay in my hart, it´s sad this was the last book of this great series,
This book can be read as a standalone, but I RECOMMEND to read all of the series.

Thank you Joey for this amazing book!!

[Marilicious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celeste and Leland know they have a connection the night meet. She is the sub to his Dom. Celeste isn't sure she can handle a Dom or the lifestyle. As much as Celeste wants it, her past hurts interfere in the possibility of what she can have with Leland. Leland knows he has to show Celeste he is a man, a Dom she can put her trust in. That he can help her move beyond the hurts that are buried deep.

Joey W. Hill puts her characters through the emotional wringer. The scenes between Celeste and Leland were tender, heartbreaking, hard and hot. Whether he was tying her up or working her over with a willow branch, he did not hold back but pushed her to see that she could trust him to take care of her and give her what she needed. I appreciate that we get both the Leland and Celeste's thoughts- especially when they are sceneing. it allows a connection to the characters that we might not otherwise get. We are shown that BDSM is a way to connect, to heal and not just for titillation.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is because of books like this that Joey W. Hill is on my auto-buy list. She has an incredible gift with words. In this Knights of the Board Room finale we are treated to the multi layered tale of Baton Rouge police Sergeant Leland Keller and journalist Celeste Lewis. We have met both of these characters briefly in other KOB books but if you haven’t read them this book stands alone just fine. Soul Rest is an erotic journey of discovery with BDSM elements. There is also romantic suspense as Leland struggles to save Celeste from a gang member who feels she is getting too close to exposing him as a murderer, her past and from herself. He needs to prove to her that she is worth loving long term and that he isn’t going anywhere. And then of course we are treated to Ben & Marcie’s (Hostile Takeover -Knights of the Board Room #5) wedding and after party where we get to touch base with the original Knights of the Board Room and guests. As with any Joey W. Hill book if beautifully recounted kinky sex is not your thing- skip this book. But if you want to read a super hot scintillating erotic romance give this book and Joey W. Hill a try.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really thought we were done with this series. So when I saw that this book was in that series I was happy. I liked Celeste and Leland, both were so different. I loved how they met and the initial flirting. I even liked how Leland was able to crack Celeste's walls, giving her space to adjust to him and the whole idea of BDSM as a reality in her life.

I loved that Celeste and Leland went to Ben and Marcie's wedding. It was a great way to bring the "old" group in. The conversations that were had made me laugh, but the best was the middle of the night conversation between Ben and Celeste, it was so sweet.

I liked how Celeste kept digging for the story and then gave the cops what she knew. I figured things would happen about the way they did, but loved how the whole group and Leland were there for Celeste.

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I really enjoyed any of the Knights Of The Board Room books. They just are to brutal and come across as abusive. The relationship between Leland and Celeste was just to one sided. Leland's constant punishment of Celeste was a turn off, especially him putting his foot on her neck to keep her down. Joey Hill is a great author but her characters live, eat and breathe the lifestyle. To me this is just to one dimensional. Why would a grown woman allow a guy to punish her for some imagined infraction? What about the Dom insisting that the subs Only job is pleasing her Master and never think about her needs and wants. Seriously?
I need to feel some romance with the kink and I did not feel it with any of the "Knights".

[Dicina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
Leland was the perfect Master for Celeste, I loved how he was with her.
But mostly I enjoyed seeing the other characters from the previous books, watching them together, having some insight into their lives now as established couples.
It made me want to re read the whole series.

I definitely recommend this book to the fans of the series!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben and Marcie are still my favorite - but Leland/Celly could be a very close second

[Marie Ritzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say that I have been both highly anticipating and dreading the coming of this book for some. This book is part of the incredible Knights of the Boardroom series. It is hands down my favorite series out there in erotica world, but I have also been dreading it's coming since alast I know that there will be no more. It is the finale and Joey knocks this one out of the park and then some!

We have known of Leland since he helped out Rachel, Jon's lady, in Afterlife. the moment we met him I had an idea that he could be getting his own book. What an great Dom he was and he was perfect for what Celeste needed to feel wanted and I was happy to see him finally get the sub that he had wanted so much since then.

Celeste was first brought to out attention in Honer Bound, when we discovered it was here that gave the "Knights" their perfect name. Of course, she did not like them very much at the time. In order to stop her from writing, in the novella "Retribution" on the JWH forum, we got her read of her having a very memorable evening with one Irish Panther that we all know and love, Master Ben O'Callahan.

Every since that night, Celeste was haunted by it and how it made her feel. She know what she was and not how to deal with that fact and Leland was the perfect Dom and lover to show her that yes, she too deserves love.

Of of you KOTB fans, will love, love, love the ending with we are asked to attend the Wedding of Marcella Moria to her beloved Master Ben. Utterly outstanding! And the afterparty at their loft apartment was one of the best erotica scenes I have ever read.

This book is utterly fabulous!! I highly recommend it to all you love good BDSM erotica. Joey is the best there is and this book is a fitting conclusion to one of the best series out there. Of course, I am weepy that it is the end, but here is hoping that Joey does not forget out her beloved Knights and lets us see what they are all up to from time to time. Thank you, Joey!!

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

I found this book a long time ago and had added it to my 'to-read' shelf. I put it off for so long even though I was quite excited to read about the book. And now, finally, I'm really happy that I read it.

Unlike the previous six books, this one doesn't feature a billionaire Alpha Male or an over-the-top-hot Navy SEAL. What it does feature it a regular cop and a reporter. The combination seems so odd because it's very widely known that cops and reporters don't get along too well. In my opinion, this showcased two ordinary people (with a messed up past) as they felt their way through a BDSM relationship.

Leland is just an ordinary man despite being a cop. He's an Alpha Male, without doubt. Celeste is a broken woman, who thinks she'll never be good enough for anyone. As we all know, a Dom's job is to change exactly that.

What I liked the best about this story was that it didn't focus entirely on their relationship. Considering Celeste's attitude, it would have ended up being a little tiring to read her beating herself up all the time. It would have made a flat character. Instead, the book focused on a lot more - the other characters mentioned in the series, Leland's and Celeste's job.

The book is an easy read despite how many days it took me to read it. The characters flow out very easily and their interactions (a lot of them sexual) are fun to read. Celeste isn't a 'brat' per see, but when fear sets in, she'll definitely choose flight over fight.

Leland for his part, does seem really easy going. He knows exactly what he wants in his life and now that he's met Celeste, he knows that's exactly it. As a Dom, while charming, he's sticking to safe-word-three-times-only rule. [Spoiler] Although, Celeste doesn't really need to use it three times.

I'm a little sad that this is the last novel of the Series but at the same time, I'm glad because otherwise, there would be an introduction of characters who meant nothing to the Knights and it would lead the series away from 'Knights of the Board Room' as the title is.

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

This was my first book of this series (of course I didn't realize that until I had started it but luckily they can be read as stand alones). So far the series is truly amazing; Joey W. Hill did an amazing job of weaving this twisted tale. There are so many insignificant things that we don't see or think about but Celeste being the awesome reporter that she is does. Not only that I think it's a very inviting way to reveal hidden clues. Some books you get the feeling of being an idiot because you didn't piece things together. In this book though, everyone but Celeste feels like an idiot, too.

Now, on to the beefy-man-cake that is Leland. He is an Alpha male with a capital A. once a Marine now a police sergeant. He sees Celeste and knows that she has the spark he wants and needs in a relationship. He also knows what he will do to get it. Celeste refusing to submit while being naturally submissive, as you might guess it causes some problems. Those infractions are solved by Leland’s 'master'ful hands. He was a very well written and rounded character.

The book kept bringing up the fact that he is black, I don't mind the description reminders but it just seemed forced at times. If you read the book, you know he's black we don't need to be reminded every few paragraphs. Also, Celeste is told to have a pixie cut in the very beginning but for the life of me I was not picturing her with one. She had longer hair that she loved to wear up out of her face. A pixie cut didn't work with who I saw her as. (Obviously the author saw her with a pixie but I couldn't reconcile the two.) There were things like this that made this book read slow to me. I just wasn't as engaged as I wanted to be.

I enjoyed the book, no doubting that, however there was something that stopped me from sinking fully into this book. I don't know what it was, but that's what knocked down the rating for me.

[SweetsP · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so satisfying. I can't wait to reread it.

At this point anything by Joey Hill is an automatic purchase and I am always so completely blown away with her characters...and the sex. (I can't believe she can think of all of this stuff).

I loved both Celeste and Leland. Usually bitchy characters make me want to pull my hair out, but with Celeste, I understood her motivation and was moved by how brave she was by forcefully pulling herself out of the self-protection spiral.

Leland was amazing and displayed such inner strength he made ME want to be a better person. His domination felt all encompassing and tied to who he was as a character.

I was also impressed with how well the discussions surrounding race, inner city crime, and the police force were handled. The conversations felt real and nuanced.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is between a 3 and 4 star for me. As always, Joey W. Hill writes hot scenes between complex adult characters. That part is great, what isn't so great in my opinion is the amount of internal dialog on Celeste's part. Her thoughts are used to explain actions when it would have been more interesting to show more action.

Joey W. Hill's writing tends to be heavy on psychology and angst, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. The reader does get a clear picture of Celeste and how her demons from the past control her present behavior, but Leland tends to be more one dimensional. He is almost too perfect and seems to know what Celeste wants and needs at all times - great fantasy, but not anywhere near as realistic as Celeste's character.

[Firstpella · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one writes intimacy via BDSM like Hill. From how quickly Leland and Celeste connect upon first sight to how they ultimately fit it's all about that.
And there's a lot to really like in their story...minus the for lack of better phrasing...BDSM terminology and logistics detailed, the actual interactions were profound...tears flowed for Celeste and this reader.
But.
Ultimately there's the public viewing of everyone having at it and some threesome touchy feely which other than a few genius stories, doesn't work for me. The tie in to the Knights and the side story of the murdering punk lessened the focus on the main couple as well.
Worth a read, as with most Hill's, absolutely.

[Smut Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't plan on reading this unless you can give it your undivided attention, because, trust me, putting it down is next to impossible!! This has always been one of my favorite series. Full of emotion, love, intensity, fantastic characters, and hot, hot, hot sex. I'm a greedy reader and just want Joey W Hill to keep writing books for this series so that I can keep visiting with The Knights and their loved ones. Another fantastic addition with Soul Rest. Now I'm feeling the need to re-read the series, even though my TBR pile is ridiculous....that's how much I love this series!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, of course I love everything by Joey W. Hill. I was greatly anticipating this book from the first mention of Leland in Afterlife, kept checking her website to see if and when she would write Lelands' story. This is the final book in what, for me, was an incredible series. So hard to let all the characters go, so glad to see them one last time. If you haven't read this series and you are comfortable with BDSM themed books, this is a must read.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG HOT HOT HOT!!! First I love this whole series, no one writes BDSM like Joey! I love how Leland and Celeste meet, the whole scene makes the later issue that much more heartbreaking. Leland is the perfect Dom for Celeste and the inclusion of the whole group of Knights is a great wrap up for the series. Start at the beginning and make sure to read this whole series!!!

[Toi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waited for a while for this book - I loved Leland and Celeste - he took care of her when she needed it most and taught her that love can move that wall around her heart that she had built due to a childhood that most of us can't imagine. Joey W. Hill does not disappoint with this book, hoping it's not the last of the Knights of the Board Room books.