Bound by Desire

by Mackenzie McKade

Breaking the rulesto heal a broken heart. Years of neglect and disappointments have molded Jessica into a strong, independent woman, determined to live life by her rules. The only place she's willing to relinquish control is in the bedroom. Even then, it's only on her terms. A safety net of multiple partners keeps anyone from getting too close. That is, until one sexy cowboy throws a snag in that net, big time. Not only does Wade make her body burn, he's crossed the line. The damn man wants to marry her. For Wade, sharing her with another man is almost more than he can bear. But if he pushes too hard, he could lose her for goodsomething he refuses to allow to happen. Jessie's rejection isn't the end of it, not by a long shot. He's back, and he's hell-bent on seducing her right back into his arms. Then her past comes back to drop a bomb in her lap, and Wade sees a part of her he didn't know existedand another obstacle that could drive her to push away her only chance for love.

Genres: BDSM, Menage, Erotica, Erotic Romance, Contemporary, Anthologies

290 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Born and raised in Arizona, I guess you'd call me a desert rat. Well, actually, I'd be a desert rat that loves the mountains and lakes. Arizona gives me great pleasure, because if I'm not at the computer writing or buried nose deep in a book you'll find me on a four-wheeler, or a jet ski, or being pulled behind my 26’ Monterey boat on an oblong tube called a ‘hot dog’ laughing my ass off. In fact, my family says I have an unnerving cackle cutting through the waves--similar to a witch!

Yes, that's right this witch has a family... Bill is my wonderful husband of twenty-two years. Tia, Samantha and Ashley are my three beautiful girls and my greatest accomplishments to date. And the light of my life is a devilishly handsome grandson, Dusty.

As writing is a passion with many—it’s an obsession with me. Who knew that the wild things going on in my head someone would actually read? But I'm thankful you do and I hope you find joy and entertainment in my sometimes—okay most of the time—risqué ramblings.

Reviews

[Auntee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm torn how to review this book. There were parts of it I really enjoyed, and parts that were just okay for me. Strangely enough it was the sex scenes that were just okay. They were well written and had the potential of being really hot, but I think it was the placement of the scenes that threw things off for me. In each of the two stories, the characters were going at it almost right off the bat, before I knew much about them at all. And we're talking some serious bondage (not my favorite to read about) and menage action. I hadn't really had a chance to connect with the characters, didn't know much of their backstories, and already they were getting intimate. I'm guessing that may have been done to get the reader's attention, but it sort of backfired with me. I would have liked to know more about the characters before they hit the sheets, that way I may have been more emotionally involved. I will say that after all the sexcapades died down, and we got to know a little about the characters and why they acted the way they did, the story got a lot better for me. And I'm mainly talking about the second story, "Bound By the Past", about Jessie and Wade. The first story, "Bound for the Holidays", was very short, not too believable, and to me it was only important because it introduced the character of cowboy Wade Peterson (the third in the menage between Angela and her boss (and Wade's best friend) Ryan). I did find it rather odd that Wade had just proposed marriage to Jessie (who turned him down) and he was participating in a menage with Angela and Ryan. Then he goes back home to try again with Jessie and participates in a menage with her and her good friend Clancy. Apparently Jessie and Clancy shared similar backgrounds of abuse and neglect, and became good buddies, but they weren't 'in love'. Because of her past, Jessie finds it difficult to love or trust anyone, and protects her heart by having multiple sex partners--that way any one man can't get too close to her. I guess that works for her. But then somehow Wade worms himself into her heart, but she gets scared and tries to shut him out. But Wade doesn't give up easily, and is there for Jessie when her no-account dad returns to town with a big surprise for her. By this point I had gotten to know (and like) the characters better (especially Wade), and I was rooting for them to get their lives straightened out. There was a nice romantic ending, and by this time the love scenes appeared hotter, because not only did I know the characters better, but I also felt connected to them.

So fortunately, the book did turn around somewhat for me. I am interested enough to read Clancy's story (if there is one), because he was sort of left high and dry. I'd like to read more about him, and find out a little more about his past.

This book may not be for everyone, especially if you don't like to read about menages or BDSM, but if you do, you'll probably enjoy it. I fall somewhere in the middle, so I'll have to give this one 3 1/2 stars.

Warning: This book contains explicit language and sex, including oral and anal, m/f/m menages, food play, bondage and spanking. Not for the faint of heart.

[D.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not into anthologies but got this one because McKade is one of my favorite erotica authors. This book had two interconnected stories about 2 friends. The first story is downright silly (see summary below) and the second one got too mushy.

Bound for the Holidays (first story)
Him: Hi, I'm your new boss. Would you like to sleep with me?
Her: Sure!
Him: Oh drat! My buddy just came to visit early. We share everything so are you up for a threesome?
Her: Oh yes!
Him: Just to warn you though that my buddy is into bondage. Are you up for that?
Her: Why not?
Him: Wow! You're really awesome! Have you done this stuff before?
Her: Not at all! But there's a first time for everything, right?
**He thinks: I need to introduce this gal to my Mom.**

(Yes, he thinks that for real.)

Bound by the Past (second story) had great potential. The heroine avoids commitment like the plague and enjoys herself with multiple partners after a horrible childhood. One of those partners falls in love with her and proposes. She declines and he decides to change her mind, which happens in like a week. At the beginning it seems as if he'll have a real hard time convincing her to give him a chance but then some other stuff happens, he shows himself to be a great guy and years of distrusting men just fall by the wayside.

[Danielle Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second story bored me to sleep.sorry

[Cherie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book ,loved the live between these people. Sexy cowboys and lots of love.☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆♡♡☆☆☆

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bound by Desire by MacKenzie McKade
Bound for the Holidays
Bound by the Past

I enjoyed both short stories equally.

The description of the stories I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page only depicts one of the stories.

Bound for the Holidays
Angela Clarke expected to spend Christmas alone, not in the arms of her new boss. To her surprise, she finds herself bound for the holidays, literally. Not by one, but two gorgeous men—a powerful executive and one sexy cowboy.

Ryan Tyler has never thought twice about sharing his women with his best friend—until Ryan touches Angie. What starts out as one night of pleasure revolves into something more. She stirs something deep inside him. But it’s too late to stop the decadent night from unfolding. After tonight, Ryan knows he’ll never be satisfied with just one taste.

Bound by the Past
Years of neglect molded Jessica into a woman determined to live life by her rules. The only place she’s willing to relinquish control is in the bedroom. A safety net of multiple partners keeps anyone from getting too close, but Wade Peterson has crossed the line. The damn man wants to marry her.

For Wade, Jessie’s rejection isn’t the end of it, not by a long shot. He’s back, and he’s hell-bent on seducing her right back into his wicked arms. But her past threatens to push away her one chance for love.

Can their love prevail?

[Mary Gramlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOUND BY DESIRE – Jaymie Holland

Does love always have to tie you down?

Being a gifted artist Annie Travis has always been able to visualize what she wanted to paint. Right now she is going attempting to paint a place she has never seen with a man walking toward her that she has never met. Then on a night when she least expects it the King of Diamonds, Karn reaches out his hand to her and draws her into his kingdom.

Annie has no idea what to expect from this man except an intensely sexual relationship. His kiss is a powerful aphrodisiac that is so intoxicating she is unable to resist him or his dominant requests. The more time she spends in his kingdom the more Annie realizes her future is here with this man and perhaps she truly is going to be the Queen of Diamonds.

Jaymie Holland has written a sexually charged, wild, and edgy book of life in another world that seems right at home.