“Three scorching tales of BDSM to delight your senses”

Two Days, Three Nights by Dominique Adair (a.k.a. J.C. Wilder)
Victoria Brittain runs the marketing department of Olive Street Designs. She is confused as to why her latest boyfriend dumped her, after she had surrendered to his desire for some light BDSM. Left for a younger woman, she decides to take a relaxing cruise and escape the cold weather. But first, she must attend a company party for OSD clients. Dressing in her office, a mysterious package is delivered with a note daring her to wear this provocative lingerie.

Unable to discern who the unknown gift giver is during the party, she retreats to her private office. There awaits one of her company’s most important clients, who confesses his wanton desires for her. He begins to seduce her and shows her everything she has been longing for but never finding.

Anne’s Birthday Bachelor by Jennifer Dunne
Anne Logan calls all the shots at her own advertising company but is starting to feel frustrated and does not know why. So many demands are made of her time and energy; she begins to resent all the pressure and wishes someone else could make all the decisions.

Her friends come to the rescue and buy her a “special” bachelor at a charity auction. His instructions are to take command of this date and make all her sexual fantasies come true. As Anne opens the door to her apartment, a 6’2”, dark, luscious Adonis with just the right attributes steps through to assist her to the exciting world of dominance/submission.

Power Play by Madeleine Oh
Annie is a teacher who indulges in a D/S relationship with her dominant lover, Mark. When he is out of town, he keeps her enthralled by contacting her through her computer. Even over the Internet, he can persuade her to engage in a private bondage game.

For her birthday, Mark promises to delivery Tom Baldwin, the TV actor heartthrob and fellow submissive for her dominance. Only one condition...Mark and Tom’s Dom must be in attendance to direct them through their experiences. Annie is highly aroused just anticipating the upcoming weekend. Wondering what exciting intimacy will transpire; she waits with baited breath.

These are three great stories of women awakening to their hidden, erotic desires by caring sensitive men. I really enjoyed the fact that all the women were strong, mature and successful but still willing to experience a world of sexuality that allowed them to enjoy a new level of sensuality. ( )

Anne's Birthday Bachelor By Jennifer Dunne
Advertising executive Anne is tired of making all the decisions for her company, day in and day out, and confides in her best friend that her secret fantasy is to have a lover make decisions for her. Her friend takes her at her word, and for her birthday buys her a date with a very special bachelor, introducing Anne to the exciting world of Dominance/submission, where all of her fantasies come true.

Power Play By Madeleine Oh
Annie's dominant lover, Mark (Power Exchange), gives her Tom Baldwin, the TV actor heartthrob and fellow submissive, as a birthday present. Annie has plans for Tom, but the best laid plans can derail—in extreme and satisfying directions.

Two Days, Three Nights By Dominique Adair
After ending a disastrous relationship, Victoria longs to take a cruise and indulge in her favorite pasttimes, reading and margaritas. Instead, she receives an anonymous gift of lingerie with a handwritten note daring her to wear the garments to a company party. Intrigued by the command, she complies. When she meets her gift-giver in the flesh, Victoria knows she has found the perfect master.
( )

I got this anthology because somebody had recommended Madeleine Oh. I don't remember who, or why--just her name was in my little book of recommendations. As is obvious from the title and the cover, this is BDSM erotica.

* **** "Two Days, Three Nights" by Dominique Adair. Erotic romance.

Victoria Brittain has a secret admirer. She receives a gift of lingerie with no name, just the instruction to wear it to the company party that evening. She complies, enjoying the anticipation, and wondering who it is.

It's good news and bad news. The good news is it's William Hunter, whom she's lusted after for the past year. The bad news is, he's a client. He takes charge of an incredible sexual encounter in her office during the party, then invites her to his home for the weekend (the 2 days, 3 nights of the title).

This was my favorite of the stories. It's pointed out that Hunt had known from Victoria's ex-fiance that she enjoyed "kinky sex," so you know his approach didn't just come out of the blue. The romance is sweet, with both of them being surprised by the strength of their feelings for each other, and the emotions are realistic. The sex scenes are hot, clear, and plentiful, while still leaving enough space for a believable story.

* ***½ "Anne's Birthday Bachelor" by Jennifer Dunne. Erotic romance.

Workaholic Anne Logan hasn't had a date in far too long, and because she's responsible for every little detail at work, what she wants most is for a man who'll take charge of everything. So when her best friend Sarah attends a bachelor auction and bachelor Garrett describes taking care of a woman's every need, she knows exactly what to get Anne for her birthday.

According to the rules of the auction, there's no sex allowed on the date, not even a good-night kiss, but between Garrett being completely in charge (he'd even asked Sarah about Anne's food preferences so he could order for her), and the "accidental" touches and friendly flirtatious conversation, Anne's more than willing to have a second, more private date beginning immediately after the official date is over.

This story gets props for having the most fun and unusual description of an orgasm I think I've ever read: "You mean, does playing the game while you make love always feel like someone's opened the top of your head and filled your brain with Pop Rocks?" But that also brings me to my main objection. Despite that great description, the characters remain matter-of-fact, nonchalant, casual. They might as well be discussing the weather or a grocery list. The actions are steamy, but their thoughts and dialogue are tepid. And calling their D/s play "the Game" started bugging me after a while. I appreciate the point that it's a game rather than a lifestyle for them, but it started feeling like I was being bashed over the head with it.

The ending, though, was clever, happy, believable, and fair to both of them--and unusual, at least to me, and I read enough to be thrilled by an unusual ending.

* **½ "Power Play" by Madeleine Oh. Erotica.

Annie's master Mark and Tom's mistress Claudine give Annie the gift of Tom for her birthday. Sub Annie had planned to dominate Tom, but he dominates her instead.

This story is all about the sex. Which is hot, but there wasn't enough emotional context for me to really enjoy it. There's a brief bit confirming Annie's devotion to Mark and Tom's to Claudine, but as Mark and Claudine are perfectly fine with the arrangement, there's no conflict there, and no conflicted emotions from Annie or Tom.

Maybe I'm jaded, but I need more story with my sex scenes. ( )