Sanctuary by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Beards and Bondage #2)
Released: August 29, 2017
Erotic BDSM
Self Published

Reviewed by Mandi

I quite enjoyed Haven, book one in this series earlier this year (both are stand alones) and Sanctuary was a hit for me as well. As in Haven, this book starts with quite a suspenseful scene. Our heroine, Liz, an attorney, who goes home one day after a long day of work, to find a man in her apartment, waiting to kill her. Liz is able to eventually take the heel of her stiletto, and slash the intruder’s throat, resulting in some minor injuries to herself. Before her attacker dies, he mentions a former client of Liz’s, who lost his court case, resulting in him having to pay fines. Liz can only assume this angered him to the point that he hired someone to kill her. Liz tells all of this to the police, who don’t rush to confront the wealthy businessman in town.

Scared for her life, she turns to a close co-worker, Scott, who tells her he has a place out-of-town that she can crash at for a while until the police do their business and she feels safe to return home. Although she is extremely close with her sister and has a really good group of girlfriends. she doesn’t want to burden them – or put them in harm’s way. She agrees to Scott’s offer, and off she goes.

She assumed she would be going to some deserted cabin, but instead, ends up on a farm owned by Scott’s brother..and this man is none too happy to have a visitor. Silas or Si, is a huge, hunkin’ farmer, and likes his peace and quiet. He is estranged from Scott and isn’t pleased that Liz has arrived on his door step. But after some intense conversation between the brothers, Scott leaves, and Liz warily accepts Si’s gruff invitation into his home. Awkward conversations happen (I love an awkward conversation) and eventually these two act on their physical lust, and a romance develops.

I really enjoyed this story, but let me just say the weakest point for me is the fact that Scott drops Liz off at his brother’s, big, working farm without telling her that was the destination. And then she ends up sleeping in bed with Si the first night. It just felt – unrealistic.

But once the first night was over and done with, the story settled down and I felt better about Liz being there. I adored Liz. She likes to be in control. She is very responsible, and takes a lot on her shoulders. She is confident and sexy and although respectful to Si since she doesn’t really know him, she is also honest with him when his gruff nature doesn’t always bring out his best side. The attack and the fact that she killed someone definitely rattles her and the author takes her time at the beginning of the book making that traumatic day and the next for Liz very realistic. I think I mentioned something similar in my review of book one. The crime and the repercussions are not glossed over, which I appreciate.

Si is a hard worker, not the best with words, and fumbles his way around Liz for some of the book. He is also sweet and had good intentions, even if he reacts without thinking sometimes.  And he has a significant farmer’s tan! I love a farmer’s tan.

He really likes being alone so it takes him a while to get used to Liz in his space:

People think people who live alone are lonely because they can’t wrap their minds around the idea that they could possibly enjoy being alone. I do. I like being alone. It’s fucking glorious.

He’s a big man, with big forearms and a beard and other big, manly things. When their physical attraction cannot be denied any longer, Liz gives out her rules, and they are a little specific:

“You were saying something about ground rules?”

“Right.” I stand and face him, put on my courtroom exterior. “Over the years, I’ve come to learn that I enjoy sex a certain way. I like to be in control. In complete control. How does that—you know what? Sorry. I’m trying to ease you into this with sugar coating and that’s not gonna work ’cause that’s not how you work. Here’s the deal. I was a dominatrix for a really long time and now it’s the only way I enjoy having sex. I’m open to negotiating because consent is amazing, but I just need to set your expectations.You’re not going to throw me on the bed and pound me into next week.”

And Si has no problem with that at all:

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“I’m just—can I just say what I’m thinking?”

“Sure.” I brace myself for the worst.

“I would love for you to dominate me,” he says. The genuine enthusiasm in his voice catches me a little off guard.

I love that Liz takes control in the bedroom – their chemistry is hot and done really well. Plus I giggled a few times:

“Don’t come. Don’t you dare come until I say so. Think about farm equipment and next quarter’s sales projections if you have to.”

This book, along with Haven are well done. They blend suspense in with an erotic story very well. And as I briefly mentioned above, Liz has a great relationship with her sister and girlfriends – they have an ongoing group text string going on in the book, and it’s something I related to. I enjoyed it.

Looking forward to more.

Grade: B

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