Ruby Scott is a beautiful, quiet event planner who leads an oh-so-respectable life. Yet the things that go on in her secret fantasies are anything but. She has every intention of keeping her hidden desires under wraps-until she meets a gorgeous, hard-muscled man ten years her junior. Mark St. Crow is a gifted, up-and-coming musician who collects erotic art and loves to “play” women as much as his piano. After one night of uninhibited passion, Ruby realizes there’s no turning back. But as she surrenders to her deepest needs and lets Mark control every forbidden thrill, her passion for him builds. Can the wild, intoxicating nights they share lead to a love that will last forever?
Bound to Please – Lilli Feisty
Erotica
May 1, 2009
352 pages, paperback
Forever
Book received from a friend
Bound to Please is the first BDSM book I have read. My friend, Fiction Vixen sent it to me, otherwise I don’t think I would have ever tried it. But getting into the spirit of the book, like a good little submissive, I said yes, Ms. Vixen I will read the book – of course now, I think I would have liked to risked disobeying for maybe a spanking ;)
I am so happy I read it! This book did funny things to my insides. It is hot, and naughty, and romantic, and everything good a book should be. Since I don’t read a lot of BDSM, I don’t have really anything to compare this book to, but I do think the BDSM is on the lighter side in this book, but since it was my first, it was a good place to start.
Ruby is in her late thirties and is an event planner. Her current event which she is planning with her best friend Meg, is a party featuring an up and coming band. Mark St. Crow is the lead singer, ten years Ruby’s junior, and they immediately notice each other. Ruby’s ex-boyfriend, Ash, is into BDSM and Ruby thoroughly enjoyed that part of their relationship. So much so that she wished they could have explored it even more. Ash also is a professional photographer and Mark has just happened to have bought a picture of Ruby bounded by rope.
Ruby is shocked that he owns that picture but she is also very intrigued. After a very impromptu make out session at the club, Mark promises to show Ruby his skills as soon as his gig is over. That night, Ruby’s submissive dreams come true, as the dominant Mark plays out her sexual fantasies. She is blindfolded and spanked, and she loves every minute of it. Mark gives it to her good, but always taking the utmost care in her desires.
After several intimate nights, Ruby starts realizing Mark is much more than just fun in the bedroom. She yearns to find out all about him. However, Mark has a very demanding schedule, and is travelling on a consistent basis. Ruby’s parents abandoned her when she was a teenager, and finds it very difficult to and scared to become close to Mark. They both want more, but they both need to take that final step to make a commitment a reality.
I love this couple and I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this Bound to Please. I love their relationship – Ruby wants to be oh so naughty, always dreaming of all the fetish toys but she is still a bit shy to admit it. She wants to be possessed and have someone else in control. In the bedroom, or on the kitchen table, she is into it. But it still embarrasses her when Mark leaves her notes that tell her not to wear underwear on their date.
Puzzled, she unfolded the not and read.
Take off your panties and put them in your purse. M.
For a second she just stared at the note. Did Mark really want her to do this? Here? Now?
She kinda wanted to.
[…]She smiled and savored the anticipation of waiting for his show to end. She was going to leave her panties on. And find out for herself what happened when she disobeyed an order from Mark St. Crow.
I’ll give you a hint – her punishment involves a naughty spanking.
Mark is a dominant, all the way and damn does that make him sexy. His flirting with Ruby the first night they met sealed the deal for me. I love how Lilli Feisty writes him – so in control and confident from the moment he meets Ruby. His control of Ruby in the bedroom is hot to read, just as his sweet comforting nature that takes over as well. I also really enjoyed that they both have careers and they both are serious about them. They can’t see throwing their careers away, but they also want a relationship. I really think it was handled in a mature way and even when they were in despair, and they didn’t think they could ever work it out, they still held true to their characters. Mark still had his eye out for other subs, although you knew deep down he wanted Ruby. I was put off that Mark’s eye roamed the minute he and Ruby got into an argument, but that is what his character does. Ruby knows this, and they make it work.
The only little thing I didn’t love in this book is the side story of Meg and her husband and their marital problems. I thought the book would have been just as good as Meg as a best friend without all of her drama.
Fiction Vixen mentions this in her review, but I have to hit upon it too. There is a scene with a strawberry, and it is one of my favorite smexy scenes I have read this year. You are going to have to read it to get the full satisfaction from this scene , but I don’t think I will ever be able to look at a strawberry the same way again. And it is not just what is done with the strawberry, but the way Mark makes her do it, and just when you think he is in complete control of the situation, he even gets cocky and tells her how easy she is to submit, she reverses it and bam – Ruby is in for another naughty punishment. Hot stuff.
Bound to Please is great for a novice BDSM reader like myself, and I am interested to take it up a notch. Suggestions are welcome!
Rating: Four Stars
Recent Reviews:
Leontine’s Book Realm 3 stars
Fiction Vixen 4 stars
Romance Book Wyrm Highly recommends
I picked this one up on a whim one day when it first released and I loved it too. Great characters, and like you said, it did funny things to me as well! I loved Mark with his bald head and black rimmed glasses…very "smexy" indeed!
Here's my thoughts on the book, if you were interested…http://romancebookwyrm.blogspot.com/search/label/Lilli%20Feisty
Hi Amy!
I totally fell for Mark with his bad ass look ;) Really looking forward to Ash's story in Feb! I added your link, you wrote a great review :)
Thanks, Mandi!
Totally bad ass! And yes, I have the next book on my list, too :)!
Great review, Mandi. :D
This book has sparked my book tingly senses. Off to BOB or Book Depository I go. :D
Oh yes, the famous strawberry scene, it is one of the best scenes in this book and loved it from start to finish. I have her second book on my wishlist too, though the BDSM didn't rock me in BtP, I do love the overall erotic vibe of what Lilli Feisty portays ;)
Now I truly wonder what that strawberry scene might be about, hm, I can't think of anything lol.
Great review, could be a book to start with in thsi genre for me one day
Lou – hehe – tingly senses :)
Leontine – I remember your review and you had some probs with Mark's Dominance. But yes, overall this book is good!
Blodeuedd – Well – the strawberry it involves verra naughty things…LOL.
I've only read one BDSM and that was by Jaid Black-I may have to give this one a try…if only for the strawberry scene.
The strawberry scene was very – juicy…HA! ;)
*looks at wach to see if it's too early to leave for lunch to run to bookstore*
I've read one BDSM I liked and one I didn't. I'll have to check this one out for *ahem* research purposes.
Yes Patti – all books I read are for research purposes…of course ;)
Hi Mandi, I just discovered your blog and wanna say that I loved your review. It gives a good understanding of the book and still makes me curious to wanna check it out myself.
Thanks,
ERreader
After reading Bound to Please (FYI many thanks for loaning me your copy) I've launched a new mission. New mission is project nipple rings. Mark has nipple rings and glasses and I want my husband to get a pair of glasses despite his 20/20 vision and nipple rings. I won't go into the spanking :)
Loved this book!
Gosh, I got all giddy reading your review. LOL. I loved Bound To Please. Author did a great job of allowing the reader to understand Ruby's desire to submit and be possessed and Mark's need to dominate and care for his sub. *shiver* So sexy! I'm so excited for Ash's story. Great review Mandi, glad you enjoyed the book and shared the love.
I finished this one this weekend, I liked it too, like you said this is a good story for a novice BDSM reader, but I also liked Feisty's style of writing, it is so easy to read, before you know it you're at the last page. Great review!
Great review, Mandi!
As for BDSM recs… Have you ever read any books by Lauren Dane? I read a couple of her books recently and really enjoyed them. 'Laid Bare' is particularly good. It features a 3-way relationship including some BDSM. It was the first erotic romance I read which contained BDSM and I thought it was well done. I'm behind on my reviews but I hope to get it done this week.
Fab review, Mandi! It's been forever since I've read a true m/f erotic romance, one with no extra m's thrown and one with the f. LOL. But I just might have to pick this one up on my next visit to the bookstore.
Hi ERreader – Thanks! Your site is pretty fab too!
Smokinhot – I just had a nipple ring discussion with my husband this weekend and I wasn't even thinking of this book! He would look so hot with them..need to wear him down.
FV – Can't wait for Ash's story!! You are to blame for my BDSM obsession now ;)
Marissa – She does write great – besides the smexy characters, it is an overall great story!
Sarah – I just bought my first Lauren Dane book and pretty sure it was Laid Bare! Can't wait to read your review!
Ava – I have to say, after I read this book, I read both of your Bound books – m/m AND BDSM..I was in heaven.
I love the author's pseudonym!
I'm probably going to buy the book just to find out about this infamous strawberry scene… hmmmm.
Great review.
P.S. – I actually bought 'Soulless' last weekend, and the cover has been calling to me from my bookshelf. I'll start reading it, since you pimped so well. But, tic-for-tac, I feel the need to pimp Richelle Mead's 'Succubus Blues' :)
Oh dear. That sounds like a NSFW read. :D
My review of Succubus Blues is coming…in January. I know I am slow. It is going to be a fun review though!
Heidenkind – LOL..yes, this isn't one to play as the audio version at work;)
Loved reading your enthusiasm in this review, just great! I'm keeping this one in mind in case I feel the need for something different. ;)
The strawberry scene was very – juicy…
*faints*
*grabs fan*
So unfair to make comments like that :) Oh, I have Lauren Dane on my TLOF (To Look Out For) list…might have to add this book as well :)
Oh damn, I do not see it in the sea of TBR pile… Damn you Mandi!! Credit card is running now… Must… Go… Chase…. IT!!!
**Back… whew…**
If you are liking the light BDSM, Graceful Submission is an awesome read. Light, playful and you will fall in love with Toffer…
Oh… and I saw you jumped ship on me… Team Jacob!!! Uh-huh… I saw at, lol!!! Edward was not happy, I had to "settle" him down, lol!!!
Have a great night honey!
Thanks for the new book!
My word verif. is hoesp!
I so love the Name "Lilli Feisty" and the books sounds good. Me wants!
And I want to read this Strawberry thing!
it is one of the best scenes in this book and loved it from start to finish
Lingerie Access
I picked this one up when it was released and I really, really liked it. I can't wait to read the next one by Ms. Feisty.
I hope I like Ash as much as I liked Mark!