Shiver by Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank #LGBT #Audio #RGRGiveaway #Review #MM #BDSM #Darkerotic

Erryn reviews ‘Shiver’ by Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank. The ebook was published October 14, 2017.The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Biff Summers, released by ListenUp Audiobooks on November 22, 2017 and is 9 hrs and 20 mins long. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

***Check out the giveaway at the bottom of this review for a chance to win a copy of ‘Shiver’ on audiobook***

Why I read this book: I am always intrigued by dark erotic BDSM books.

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Wide-eyed and innocent, you stumbled into my world, never knowing the danger that lurked within. The Wolfe’s Den is no place for a little lamb, but you came anyway, and from the moment you stepped inside, you were mine.

In my life there are no happy accidents. Every move is carefully orchestrated. Every situation premeditated. That’s what makes the hunt so intoxicating. What you need, I become. What you crave, I will give. Except the one thing you desire above all else – love.

Everything I told you is true – I’m not a good man, but you choose what you want to hear. You shouldn’t have come that night. Maybe then you’d be safe. But it’s too late now. I want you because you remind me of him. I need you to give me back what I lost.

Warning: This is not a love story. It is not a romance. This is an obsessive stalker lust story that contains darker themes that may serve as a trigger to some readers. Shiver is a standalone novel.

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Book Links: Audible | Amazon  | Add to Goodreads

 

 

My Review: 

When this book dropped a little while ago, it immediately went to the top of my want-to-read list.  Now, I don’t like to read anything about the book before I listen to it.  I like going in without preconceived ideas.

That being said – to potential listeners – READ THE SUMMARY.  I have read dark erotic m/m BDSM with dubious consent before, but I wasn’t really prepared for this book.  And just to be clear, I never blame the author because I choose not to find out what I’m reading.

This is the first book I’ve read by either Brooke Blaine or Ella Frank.  The book was well-written and Biff Summers certainly did a competent job of narrating the book.  The contrast between the two main characters was unquestionable as Wolfe is described as having a deep voice.  So Biff was a good choice for this book.

So, that leaves content.  Specifically, the non-consent consent.  This occurs when the submissive agrees to let the dominant do whatever he (or she) wants.  It is growing in popularity as writers push the envelope of what is acceptable.

The thing is, in BDSM, consent is critical and you could argue Jesse provided consent, but it wasn’t informed consent.  I’m specifically thinking of the scene with edge play, although several others come to mind.  And why does this matter?  Most readers would feel it doesn’t – because this is fiction.  And as long as the reader and writer agree to that distinction, keeping these activities on the pages of the books, then there is no real harm.

So why does Jesse subject himself to this?  Over and over it’s about Wolfe’s magnetism.  There is a bit of the ‘wounded soul’, but that hardly justifies how Wolf treats Jesse, whom he refers to as his ‘lamb’.  We all know the story of the big bad wolf and the innocent lamb.  This just happens to be an extreme example.

The other disturbing aspect of this story is Wolfe pushing Jesse and isolating him, impressing him with his 5-level BDSM club/dungeon, as well as his obscene wealth.  Fortunately, Jesse isn’t swayed or impressed by money and he also maintains his friendship with Brayden.  Another tenet of BDSM is that isolating a submissive can be dangerous.  Subs need to have people outside the relationship who can view it for what it is.  And Brayden sees Wolfe for what he is – a predator.  But Jesse is too dazzled by the sexual prowess and enjoys the pain infliction, which is totally legit.  There are plenty of masochists who derive great pleasure from being in pain.  Often, though, there is so much going on that Jesse can’t process everything.

So while Wolfe is protective of the subs in his club, his obsession with Jesse blinds him to his own inappropriate behaviour.  Manipulating people and growling at them are not acceptable behaviours.

But that is the point of this book.

Back to the blurb.  Wolfe admits he isn’t a good guy and is, in fact, a stalker.  So readers who have encountered someone like Wolfe in real life may find this story distressing.

And, as promised, this book does NOT have a happy ending.  In fact, the ending is as disturbing as the rest of the book.  Will there be another book?  It is a stand-alone, but it leaves the question open. Brooke and Ella swear not, but I, for one, am saying I wouldn’t mind seeing more.

So why am I giving the audio 10 Pots of Gold?  Because the book is pretty much as advertised and for all its faults, it is an interesting read.  Fun?  Absolutely not.  Disturbing?  Very much.  And there are times when that is what listeners are looking for.

So if you’re willing to heed the warning, enjoy.  I’m interested in finding out if we haven’t seen the end of Wolfe and Jesse.

My Rating:

10/10 Points of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars

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Comment on this post for the chance to win a copy of Shiver in audiobook.

You must be 18 years or older to participate in this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Etc.

This giveaway ends on December 24, 2017 at 11:59 PM CST. GOOD LUCK!

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @BrookeBlaine1 | Goodreads

You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a-holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her ‘quiet time.’ Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas.

She is the author of Flash Point, a romantic suspense standalone, as well as the co-author of the erotic series, A Desperate Man, with Ella Frank. The latter has scarred her conservative southern family for life, bless their hearts. Licked, a romantic comedy, will be released November 11th, 2015 and is the first in the L.A. Liaisons series. 

If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find – just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for ten years.

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @EllaFrank2012 | Goodreads

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, Sex Addict. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction.

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.