The descriptive bit: To Love And To Cherish is the most recent addition to the Enchanting Encounters series penned by Tamryn Eradani. It’s available on May 13 from NineStar Press. You’ve got time to go and pick up the first two novesl!
This series focusses on a BDSM relationship between bisexual, graphic designer, Kyle and his art professor Dom, Aiden. The series follows the sensual and complex way that the relationship between these two men plays out.
These books may not be for everyone as BDSM is the primary focus of the series and the main relationship in the books. That being said, if you’re interested these are definitely good!
My thoughts bit:
To Seek And To Find: Enchanting Encounters, Book One
Kyle works from home as a graphic designer which allows him a lot of flexibility and freedom in his personal life. He needs that flexibility because he has a very healthy sex life and is very involved in the BDSM community.
Kyle does demos at the local club: Enchanting Encounters. He has some casual encounters and a few people he likes to scene with including best friend Jenny. But what he really wants is someone who will enter into something more permanent with him, something emotional and physical at the same time.
New Guy appears at the club and Kyle is interested instantly. The problem is that it’s a small club and an even smaller community so Kyle has to have a plan if he wants to attract the Dom’s attention. Kyle isn’t shy about public demos and loves having attention on him in a scene. New Guy has an intensity about him that is something Kyle wants. Seems like a good match, right?
Jenny agrees to help Kyle with Project: Notice Me by showcasing him in a demo at the club… which Kyle describes as “… like a karaoke night except with less public humiliation. Well, depending on the scene.”
Finally, Kyle participates in a session with a new Dom and his friend Renee. New Guy, now known as Aiden sees the demo. Kyle approaches him and it seems it’s only the yellow-post-scene caution bracelet that stops them from acting on the draw they feel between each other.
They agree to a two-week contract and begin the intriguing push and pull of figuring out how compatible they are. The BDSM is accurate and well thought out. If you’re unfamiliar with the world of BDSM, this is a great book to enter into a short-term contract with. (did you see what I did there?)
Kyle’s bisexuality is woven seamlessly throughout the text; his feelings are fluid and described really well. In fact, I think this is one of the first times I’ve read a bisexual character that wasn’t defined by his sexual relationship throughout the book. Kyle just is bisexual, like he’s a bit of a brat and loves attention.
I liked that the book stayed on course for exploring the Ds relationship of Kyle and Aiden rather than the often-committed error of falling into the story being a run-of-the-mill romance. Eradini makes it clear early on that these two men are attracted to one another, they quickly learn they are very compatible when scening, but it’s also very clear that there are things in each of their pasts that they will have to discuss if they want to stay together.
As a Dom, Aiden is very conscientious and perceptive. His character isn’t expanded upon a great deal in this story but that didn’t bother me. I have a feeling there is much more to come in the future installations.
On the other hand, Kyle is a lovely creature! Even in the too-short 146 pages of this book, I was able to realize how much I liked him. He’s pushy and mouthy, vulnerable and still learning about himself. He’s a free-spirited sub and his confidence is only rattled when he feels himself beginning to want more from Aiden. I loved the way he was written. He’s had a bad experience in his past that is a real challenge to him when it comes to trust and being restrained even though it’s something he clearly craves.
To Have And To Hold: Enchanting Encounters, Book Two
So… Kyle was successful in his plan to get noticed by Aiden and in this second installment the two men are in a three-month contract to make sure that they click. The problem for Kyle is that he’s continuing to do more than just click. He’s having feelings…the kind of feelings that make him question what Aiden actually wants from him.
When Aiden becomes busy and withdraws from Kyle, the time spent apart doesn’t go well in terms of Kyle’s confidence. He sees the time apart as a warning of an upcoming breakup and tries to separate himself a little bit from Aiden. The problem is that once he’s in the presence of his Dom, he finds it almost impossible to keep any distance between them.
To Love And To Cherish: Enchanting Encounters, Book Three
Kyle and Aiden had been together for a couple of contracts and things seem to be going well. The thing is that Kyle hasn’t changed. He’s well aware that he wants something permanent with Aiden but he lacks the courage to go ahead and talk about it. He seems to think that he should just enjoy the contracted time they have together and prepare himself for the potential for everything to fall apart.
Because the focus of these books stays with Kyle and his thoughts, I found it difficult to determine much about what was going on in Aiden’s head. It’s not necessary for the plot, in fact, I think the fact that Aiden is a bit of an unknown quantity simply makes it easier for the reader to understand what Kyle is going through. Don’t get me wrong, there are some revelations about Aiden, particularly in this third installment. Aiden has some baggage from a relationship with an inexperienced sub that has left some dents in his armor. There are some very subtle shifts in Aiden’s moods that demonstrate cleverly how he has moments of feeling unworthy.
The two men find themselves having to spend some significant time apart in the final novel. While they’re certainly creative with their sex life and their ability to maintain their power dynamic while apart, Kyle becomes even more certain that he wants more.
I won’t ruin the end of this novel for you, I think the natural progression of their relationship is lovely.
The warnings bit: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of.
In these books: past mentions of inappropriate and potentially dangerous scenes in the BDSM community, consensual pain during sexual encounters & scening. Brief mentions of anxiety & panic.
I received ARC copies of these three titles by Tamryn Eradani from NineStar Press via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Kinzie Things 