Blog Tour! Tamie Reviews: Bound by Lorelei James With Giveaway!

The synopsis:

Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.

Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession.

My review:

I hadn’t read anything by Lorelei James before reading Bound. New favorite author alert, cuz I loved this book!!!!!!!!!

Yep…this book is powerful and explosive! One of those that you don’t want to put down until you’ve reached the very last page.

First off there’s Ronan Black…you think his name is sexy?!? Yeah…me too, but the man himself is wayyyy more than just hot ladies! As it says in the synopsis he’s also enigmatic… in the extreme…which of course will make you want to get to know what lies under the mask he wears most of the time. He’s a black belt in jujitsu and owns his own dojo, but wait…there’s more. He’s also a skilled master in the art of Shibari/Kinbaku which is a Japanese artistic form of rope bondage. Is it also sexual? You bet! How about I share a physical description with you?!?

What an absolute feast this man’s body was. Hard, sinewy muscles covered with tawny skin. He wasn’t bulky, which didn’t mean he wasn’t completely ripped. His pectorals? Incredible. His six pack abs were completely lickable.

Helping to uncover those layers O so slowly is Amery. She’s smart and feisty which is something that attracts Ronin to her even tho he doesn’t let her know that immediately. She too owns her own business as a graphic designer which plays into the story several times. She was raised in a very strict religious family, and even tho she isn’t a virgin when she meets Ronin, she’s never been with a man who pushes her boundaries in the ways Ronin does.

“…Have I not made myself clear that it will be more than self-defense training and business between us?”
“Why me?” she blurted. “To hear people talk, you’re some kind of martial arts god. You have that whole scary, mysterious Zen thing going on. And you are one of the hottest guys I’ve ever met.”
“One of?” he repeated.
“Okay, the hottest guy I’ve ever met, but I didn’t want to admit that because I didn’t want you to get a swelled head.”
Ronin smiled. “Thank you for the compliment. But I’m just a guy, Amery. A guy who works too hard and plays too little. And after meeting you?” His heated gaze roamed over her face. “I’m more than ready to play.”

I loved reading how the relationship builds upon the intense sexuality of this couple. I love discovering all the facets of Ronin Black, and whenever Amery calls BS on his evasiveness, or when Ronin goes after her because she’s afraid. Most of all I love that it’s a book that goes way beyond just great sex scenes. It’s as complicated and multilayered as Ronin is in the best possible way. I had a love/hate relationship with several of the secondary characters…mostly on Amery’s side because I love the other men of the dojo and how much they care about Ronin. They have his back unconditionally.

I feel like I need to add a disclaimer of sorts because this book is labled as BDSM, and I disagree with that tag for this one. Yes, there is bondage, but it’s not just about the sexual aspect of the rope play…it’s also about the artistry and I think that’s important for you to know. There is no DSM in this book. Ronin is a true Alpha and controlling as Alpha’s are, but the relationship is not one of a dom/sub. This book however is most definitely erotica with graphic sexual scenes that are very well written, and it is certainly a romance book.

You need to know that this book ends on a cliffhanger. Luckily, the second book comes out in March.

I’m giving this book a very high recommendation. A lot of research went into this book and I have to give huge kuddo’s for that. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to know more about several things in the book and end up googling like I did :)

My rating for Bound by Lorelei James:

A big, fat 5 very happy hearts!

**I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and honestly I loved it**

Giveaway:

1 lucky winner will receive a print copy of Bound. To enter just leave a comment.

Giveaway will run through Feb. 7th.

Winner will be chosen by Random.org

Giveaway is US only.

**No purchase necessary**

Many thanks to Erin at Penguin Books for the giveaway!

Lorelei James is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Blacktop Cowboys and Rough Riders series as well as the steamy new Mastered series. She lives in the Black Hills of western South Dakota with her family. Visit her online at www.loreleijames.com, www.facebook.com/lorelei-james, and www.twitter.com/loreleijames.

Buy Links:

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Mastered-Series-Lorelei-James/dp/0451467302/ref=tmm_pap_title_0&tag=theblaserocaf-20

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bound-lorelei-james/1116247715?ean=9780451467300

Books-A-Million – http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Bound/Lorelei-James/9780451467300?id=5908362454132

Lastly, I wanted to share some images with you of Shibari/Kinbaku…