Dark Needs

These two engrossing stories by the writing duo of Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael are now together in one novel, Dark Needs, but each novella is reviewed separately below: In The Power of Two Dominic and Griffith are both dominant vampire Masters who live and work together, training their two human slaves Jason and Tage. However, Grif was not always a Master. Before he met Dominic he was once a submissive to a Master who cruelly betrayed him, but Grif refuses to speak of the trauma and the still lingering effects it has on his ability to trust completely. Dominic has wanted his old friend Grif for some time and there is quite a test of wills with teasing undercurrents between the two of them. Lately that hunger is threatening to change their relationship. Dominic has cared for Grif since he rescued him long ago and subsequently took him into his home; he has been the one constant for Grif over the years. This has led to tender feelings which are beginning to blossom between them. But at the same time there is also a power struggle going on because Grif will not allow anyone to control him due to past betrayals at the hands of his old Master. The tenor of their relationship changes when Dominic signs a contract with a new sub, Tristan, a vampire who was once a sub to Grif's old Master. Tristan was one of those that cruelly abused Grif who is still too traumatized to confide in Dominic about his past with Tristan. As Grif struggles with his desire to submit to Dominic, which conflicts with his role as a Master, this dichotomy leads to a situation where Tristan seizes power during Dominic's absence. Dominic returns home in the nick of time and the brutal climax between him and Tristan plays out, crafted in true vampire fashion with lots of blood, and a dénouement that is really clever. The Power of Two is a very powerful, intense book that is never over the top. The scene where Dominic whips Grif in the dungeon in D/s play, at his request, will resonate with me for a long time. What makes this so poignant are the emotion and tenderness between them. Afterwards, Dominic holds Grif in his arms and the reader knows that, above all, this is about love. This scene gave me chills. In Dominion, the sequel to The Power of Two, Grif is recovering from the physical and emotional scars left by the brutal treatment he endured at the hands of Tristan, but he is still traumatized. To add another complication, he is having nightmares brought on by his treatment at the hands of his former Master, Quinn. He also continues to be conflicted by his need to submit to Dominic as well as to dominate. Jason and Tage are now sharing the stage with Dominic and Grif as their characters come alive. No longer in the shadows, they interact much more during D/s play and their bond and feelings for each other are heightened. The love between Dominic and Grif is now clearly evident. Both vampires are more demonstrative as Dominic tenderly cares for Grif who welcom

Both of these connected novellas deliver the goods as far as smart,sexy, erotic writing is concerned! I love Grif and Dominic and all the secondary characters! Well developed story offers a good insight into the BDSM lifestyle, abuse that can happen in this lifestyle and vampires to finish off this intoxicating cocktail. I couldn't get enough! Erotic,sexy, sensual and poignant.

I have reviewed each novella separately: POWER OF TWO - A very intense tale of BDSM, and healing love. The two concepts may seem contradictory, but the authors have skillfully married them. Grif and Dominic are vampires. They are also Dominant masters living and working together to train their two subs. A teasing test of wills has been growing between them, and is ready to blossom into much more. But Grif is hiding deep emotional wounds. He wasn't always a master; he was once a submissive. And he was cruelly betrayed; his master went beyond Grif's safe limits, allowing others to violate him. But the need to submit is still within. As he struggles with this, Dominic takes in a new sub - Tristan. Grif knows Tristan. Tristan was one of those that hurt him. And he's here to hurt Grif again if he can. Unlike some BDSM-themed novellas which charge in with the whipping and handcuffs, but lack true emotion, "The Power of Two" has a surprising depth. There is good character development, and a deeper look at what dominants and submissives gain from such relationships. What I liked in particular was the subtle emphasis on touching. At one point Grif allows Dominic to whip him, and he enjoys it. But, he needs Dominic to hold him afterward to keep their relationship grounded outside of the pain. Since these are vampires the S & M takes on the darker aspect of blood, but that is expected. The interplay between Dominic and Grif swings between intensity and playfulness, with thoughtful dialog and erotic bondage/sex scenes. Having the vampires communicate telepathically enhances the romance and the sex. Vampires and BDSM are often bed partners in fiction, but here it has a more specific purpose. The authors don't chicken out on the reader - Dominic and Grif will embrace their love, but disaster will strike before that happens. When the situation with Tristan reaches a climax, the scene is brutal. Only a vampire could heal extreme physical damage. Their nature allows the authors to go to a darker place with the story, but it makes the love and romance that much brighter. I would say this novella is as well done as the Deviations novels by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne. BDSM becomes more than a kink, and is examined as a way of life that fulfills someone's needs. Despite not practicing such a way of life myself, I could identify with the characters, and feel for them. Highly recommended. DOMINION - This sequel more than lives up to its predecessor. Grif hasn't accepted his need to submit as well as dominate, nor faced the horror in his past. The past is about to become his present again when his sire petitions the vampire ruling council to take him back. Can Dominic save him before he is broken permanently? The first novel unsettled readers with a rather brutal scene that left Grif terribly wounded before he and Dominic finally found some happiness. "Dominion" takes the reader down an even darker path, delving into emotional as well as phy