Stripped and Bound by Rebecca Moon
Series:  The Warnum Bailiff Series, Book 3
Contemporary Romance
Released: July 6, 2016
Self Published

Reviewed by Sheena

Nick Escrow is the most eligible bachelor in the Warnum-Bailiff district. The handsome vet is suave, sexy and intelligent, and considered the ultimate gentleman. But Nick has a dark, sexual side to him that he discovers after his brother is incarcerated for supposed sex crimes. In an attempt to understand his brother and the girls Jamie had been found with, Nick discovers a depravity of his own.
Guilt over Jamie’s conviction and subsequent jail term plagues Nick and creates an inner beast that demands attention. The type that can be found at the hands of a dominatrix. Very aware that his two worlds need to be kept separate, Nick plays the role of the complete gentleman in public, maintaining a flawless persona, whilst his activity behind closed doors gives him the outlet he requires to hold all the pieces together.
Creating and ideal that he tries to live by, Nick starts dating Kiera, a quiet admin assistant, who’s breeding and upbringing make her the perfect partner to raise him higher in aristocratic circles. Kiera is sweet and pretty but when Nick meets Sue, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. Nick is driven to distraction with his own feelings for Sue and finds that he needs to rethink his whole life plan. Does he want the “perfect” life, or does he want to be truly happy?

So, suffice to say, the blurb is not what cinched this as a must read for me.  I typically do not go for love triangles, I much rather my couples drama not involve a significant third party. I can also be a bit of a sore loser, so if the hero/heroine should dare NOT select my chosen one, well, lets just say the HEA isn’t all that happy for me!  Lucky for me, trust was on my side, as this is the third Rebecca Moon novel I’ve read to date and each time, I’ve enjoyed her Warnum Bailiff set world.

Nick’s brother was wrongfully convicted of sex crimes, specifically keeping female sex slaves in his basement- one of which is the daughter of a prominent judge in the community.  Nick is unable to shake his confusion and thirst for knowledge and understanding of his brother’s crimes, and launches his own investigation…of sorts.  Before he is ready, he finds himself cock-deep (I couldn’t resist, heh) in the dark and pleasure-pain world of bondage where his dominatrix becomes his dark obsession. It is such a juxtaposition to his public persona that his discomfort is palatable.   This is not a particularly woeful novel, but there was some significant sadness in watching Nick hide and stuff way a part of his life that he was just starting to explore.  But when your brother is in prison for sex crimes, and you are  beloved member of a small busy body community- you tend to want to obscure any perceived depravity. I get it but I didn’t like sweet Nick, living in the shadows and being shady. After all, this is a love story, yet, who can truly find love when they live their life hiding their true face?

Kiera was but a blip on the radar.  More like a prop, a vehicle to show “This is your life”  so I won’t spend much time on her at all.  The real  action is between Sue and Nick.  If Kiera is good for Nick on paper.  Sue is good for Nick’s soul.

And I hate her!

Fine, hated  her…initially.  Sue was a complicated woman.  Easy to take for granted and easy to dismiss.  Luckily for Nick, he did neither and had the ride of his life. Their relationship was honest and pure, as opposed to just going through the motions of a polite courtship high on decorum, low on insatiable, combustible lust!

Arms encircled her from behind, hands rubbing from her hip to her pelvis, sending delicious tingles to her core.  As a soft sigh escaped her lips, he took it as a sign and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her torso so that his long arms crossed over and cupped her breasts.  Plucking at her nipples through her shirt and bra, he teased them as he pushed his hard length into the small of her back, having released it from his pants…

Holding her wrists with one hand, Nick deftly ducked out of her backward embrace and promptly spanked her on the bottom.

Yes. Spanked.

Ahhh, before long, the student went from grasshopper to sensei and found pleasures in dishing out his own sensual punishment much to Sue’s (and my!) pleasure.  Not that I am not down with men who exclusively submit, but it is certainly categorically more…fun for me when my heroes take the reins, especially when it feels coming of agey. *shrug.*

The plot in Bound and Stripped extends beyond the scope of Nick’s love life. Jamie, Nick’s wrongfully convicted brother also has a huge plot twist and prominent role in the story that sets up the next book (I think/hope) quite nicely.  I really enjoyed the ease of the story development.  There is a lot packed into these 220 pages, however, it never feels cluttered or wasteful. Each of these novels stand alone, yet the characters and perspectives change in a way that really makes you feel as if you could totally be a local townie, observing the shenanigans from your own living room window- shades drawn of course!  Ultimately, Stripped and Bound, unveils its true potential in layers, we meet Nick and the sexy monkey on his back, then we pull back and see how respected and sweet and kind Nick is and investment is locked in, then we pull back more and see his meddlesome, matchmaking mother and we see the why behind how Nick and Jamie became who they were, then the reader’s lens expands and more is revealed.  We meet Kiera and she fits Nick like a puzzle- but too picture perfect. Sue comes into play and I’m repulsed then compelled to like her.  Sex kitten with the heart of gold underneath all of her..complications.  This happens more and more and the build up is a crafty story where nothing is at it appears and everything falls into place. Twisty and turny, but not overtly exciting.  It is a very easy, simple and satisfying read and I appreciated it’s ease without devolving into fluff.  Stripped and Bound is a sexy, smart romance that has a solid foundation and continues to grow and entice readers to linger longer in the world of Warnum Bailiff

Grade: B-

Previous Rebecca Moon Reviews:Stripped Bare, Stripped Raw

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