First Kiss
Author: Ann Mayburn
Reviewer: B.
Rating: A-
What I’m Talking About:
Once again, when it comes to writing stories about love in all its complicated, frustrating, glorious forms, regardless of any labels that may be attached to it, Ms. Mayburn proves that she’s among the most capable authors out there. In this BDSM novella, we’re introduced to Emma Simonov, a gorgeous, confident pro-Domme who knows exactly what she wants, as well as what her weaknesses are. She’s got responsibilities and a plan, and takes every precaution to ensure that she’s always in control. She loves her job and cares deeply for the happiness of her subs, never allowing the lines that demarcate their respective positions to blur. It’s safer that way all around—especially for her heart.
Ryan Darwish, on the other hand, is the epitome of the high school geek who’s made himself over into a god. Although awkward and uncertain as a teenager, he’s become wealthy, gorgeous, and sure about what he needs: a woman he can truly love through his submission. Ever since their first, stolen kiss during their senior year, however, he’s known that no other woman will ever satisfy that hunger like Emma. A self-described “high-power submissive,” he’s just as certain that he’s the only one who will ever be able to both challenge Emma, as well as worship her the way she deserves.
As a work of BDSM fiction, First Kiss certainly lived up to my expectations. From their first session together, Emma and Ryan are scorching together, both determined to maintain the control they’ve worked so hard for, yet neither able to do so. Emma is a wonderful Domme, teasing and pushing Ryan in all the right ways, and solidifying his notion that she’s the perfect woman for him in the process. Ryan, on the other hand, meets Emma head on, not giving his complete submission too easily, but making her feel truly worshipped, just as he should. She keeps him on edge, and he keeps her off balance. They truly are a good match for one another.
Another thing Ms. Mayburn is very good at writing is intimacy. First Kiss has some highly explicit scenes that are about so much more than penetration. Emma and Ryan have set out on a journey together, the first step being to explore one another, to learn about the other’s needs and limits, and to take time for a little romance along the way. They both work so hard to make each moment count—Ryan because he wants to convince her to give them one more night together, and Emma because she is determined not to do so. If these two ever meet in the middle, there will be fireworks aplenty.
I was very excited to read First Kiss, being both a fan of the author, as well as the genre, and was definitely not disappointed. Once their needs as Domme and sub are established as fundamental parts of their personalities, Emma and Ryan spend a good portion of the story trying to reconcile their feelings with the lifestyle they were both born to live. While it does explore a tiny sampling of the myriad possibilities to be found within BDSM, First Kiss is primarily a tale of missed opportunities and second chances. Overall, I thought it was a great story, except that it was over too soon. Thankfully, with two more titles still to be read, it doesn’t have to be over yet.
Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
About the Book:
Ryan will never forget that fateful night when he kissed his high school crush, Emma, and lost his heart to her forever. Six years later Ryan finds Emma again, but she’s a different woman than the bossy and joyful girl he used to know. She is now a professional Dominatrix and makes her living by dominating a very select clientele of submissives at the Kiss of Blue dungeon.
When Emma graduated from college with her teaching degree three years ago she had no idea how hard it would be to find work as a teacher at a decent school. To make matters worse, her elderly parents both lost their jobs and their pensions in one fell swoop. Out of options, Emma had no choice but to turn her passion into her profession and go pro-Domme. She enjoys her work and her clients, but cannot allow herself to fall in love. Monogamous by, nature she knows that if her heart belongs to a man she’ll no longer be able to work at the dungeon and without a good paying job her parents will soon be homeless. When Ryan appears in her life she finds herself tempted by the one thing she cannot have- the man of her dreams.
Ryan will do anything to make Emma see that he belongs in her life, including being everything that she ever wanted in a submissive. But when he begins their relationship with a lie he may never win another night with his reluctant Dominatrix.
Release Date: December 12, 2013
Publisher: Honey Mountain Publishing
Series: Emma’s Arabian Nights #1
ISBN: #978-1311183668
Genre: Contemporary BDSM, FemDom, novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
Purchase Info:
First Kiss (Emma’s Arabian Nights #1)
