Monday, April 20, 2009

Soft Focus


Title: Soft Focus
Author: Reno MacLeod and Jaye Valentine
Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Publisher URL: http://excessica.com/
ISBN: N/A
Genre: GLBT M/M, M/M/M, Contemporary, BDSM
Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Freelance Photographer Ethan Bouwer enjoys a life of adventure. He also is an author of erotic novels and strives to bring fresh ideas to his readers. Ethan needs a new subject for his latest project and stumbles upon the answer in the form of David Turner, a man known for his BDSM lifestyle. Ethan arranges to meet David for a bit of research and gains more than he bargained for.

David loves his beautiful partner Kiyoshi and is shocked to discover they are both attracted to Ethan. Sharing their perspective with Ethan allows him to gain insight into the BDSM realm while Kiyoshi and David gain a new lover and friend.

Soft Focus takes us to a BDSM weekend convention where Ethan decides to spread his wings. Ethan has always liked a bit of risk in his life, so his job as a freelance photographer is perfect for his character. David has a calm but strong personality, while Kiyoshi has a hidden strength that leaves you awed. The combination of the three men is a perfect balance of edgy, sweet, sassy, and power that makes their mutual attraction understandable. Reno MacLeod and Jaye Valentine gingerly sprinkled BDSM subject matter in the story without turning the information into a lecture. I think I appreciated that the most about this book. David wanted to teach Ethan but not overwhelm him. There is a bit of suspense that draws you on the edge of your seat and has you hoping for the best and elements that add texture to the story, which kept it from becoming bland. The relationship between David and Kiyoshi is already complex; the addition of Ethan supercharged the relationship and took it up a notch. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and hope there is a sequel to this wonderfully written story.

No comments: