ARC Review – Temptation’s Edge (Edge Series #3) by Eve Berlin

Description:
What happens when you let yourself fall over the edge…and into temptation?

Mischa Kennon isn’t one to take it lying down, at least not until she meets sexy Connor Galloway, a green-eyed Irishman with an air of authority she finds hard to resist. While performing duties as maid of honor to her best friend, Mischa indulges in a casual relationship with Connor. She’s surprised by the thrill of his dominance, and lusts for more feisty battles before surrender.

It’s all fun and games in the BDSM Pleasure Dome Club, until Mischa realizes Connor could master her heart. If she gives in to desire, will it be too much to handle, or will it open her to a kind of love she never thought possible?

ARC Review

While I admit that I am an avid book addict, it is only so often that a book comes along and completely floors me. I am a proud fan of BDSM erotica but am only lucky enough to find one of these gems on rare occasion. Temptation’s Edge is one such gem. The third story of a series written by Eve Berlin works well with its predecessors yet can stand beautifully well by itself. It involves three of my favorite things: tattoos, Irish accents, and sexy Dominants.

Mischa Kennon is a tattoo artist that is visiting Seattle for her friend Dylan’s wedding while working on the possibility of opening a new tattoo shop. She is well aware of Dylan’s and her fiance Alec’s BDSM relationship and has had some playtime of her own on occasion. She is strong and independent and doesn’t mind trying out new things for the sake of excitement. Too bad, most guys have not managed to be all that exciting to her. A tragic past of watching her mother deal with endless heartache while she and her sister were abandoned left Mischa hesitant when it comes to relationships. Thus, having some fun with one of Alec’s Dominant friends for some quick play time without strings attached is certainly not out of the question.

Connor Galloway, is one of Alec’s close friends. Hanging out in the same BDSM circles as many of the wedding guests, Connor is not afraid to admit that he is a Dom as well as a sadist at heart. When he lays eyes on Mischa and her beautifully tattood body, he sees not just a woman, but someone who may enjoy his brand of pleasure with a bite of pain infused. With some flirty and very suggestive introductions, Connor charms his way into an evening with Mischa and shows her how Dominant he truly can be. When it is clear that one night is not enough, they both find themselves in a whirlwind of emotions mixed with pleasure and pain that bring up difficult memories of the past, and certain fears for the future. Can Mischa learn to trust a man with her heart? Can Connor learn to finally trust himself? You will have to read this magnificent, mindbending love story to find out.

Eve Berlin has created two painfully deep characters that you will fall in love with. I simply fell for these tortured souls and felt as though I was right there with them throught the story. Connor with his heavy Irish accent and Dominant presence hovers over you throughout each page. He gives a strong and safe feeling that makes you feel like the one being cherished as you follow the story. His command over Mischa is overwhelming and you simply melt with her every time he goes Dom. I also enjoy that the story has a little bite to it. I have read so many BDSM stories where they touch on spanking and maybe a toy or two. This one moves into pinching and clothespins, and rather than overwhelming the reader with it, it is done in such a way that you can’t help but be curious. In addition, the sadist enjoys his own pain in the form of a tattoo. Having quite a bit of ink myself, I can attest to the fact that it is an almost meditative experience when that much pain is involve due to a large piece. Eve Berlin turns it into a very sensual experience and shows how personal even a tattoo can be. I love that both Connor and Mischa share in their pleasure and pain. The passion and magnetism these two characters have for one another is beautifully written and sexy beyond belief. Mischa’s response to Connor is dreamy, and when he pushes her beyond her comfort zone it is as if you are in that subspace state with her.

Such a beautiful, sensually sadistic, story that one simply has to savor when reading. Each page is like the most sinful dessert that you know you shouldn’t have, but you also know you can’t resist. I don’t know what else to say except WOW! Eve Berlin, you have made me a fan and I can’t wait to read more.