Cherished [Paperback]

Exiled - M.Banks - 2.25 stars

(Warning - Some details could be considered spoilery)

Banks' contribution to the duology was okay. I've definitely read better from the author, especially when a dom/sub relationship is involved. I think the circumstances of how Talia (lead female) ends up with the Prince and his most trusted men is a little controversial.

As "good" as the intentions were for the Prince to have and love Talia, to have her sign a contractual agreement where she essentially became his and his men's sexual toy for six months in exchange for her mother's medical help and paying for her to go to university the past four years, it was a little much for me. Talia, a virgin I might add, clearly struggles with this agreement and what it essentially implies, and quite frankly I'm glad she did as it gave her character some depth. I just wish our Prince would have been a little more aware of how that kind of an agreement would impact a young innocent woman. Not the brightest bulb in the socket at times with regards to women this Prince.

This was also a BDSM story with only the Dom/Sub part of the acronym. The Dom, the Prince, left a lot to be desired as a character and was really one of my least favourite characters in the story. From his over-the-top demanding ways, to his bizarre thought process when it comes to Talia (see contract and when he decides to go back to his country as examples), he was a flawed character but not in a good way. I definitely preferred his 3 best friends/bodyguards/most trusted men, and wish the Prince would have taken their advice more often.

I have to say that once the introductions were done, there really wasn't much else but 4 guys having their way sexually with Talia throughout the story. I mean for the most part she is treated quite well, which was what allowed me to like this story even a little bit, however at the same time I was constantly thinking, you can pamper someone all you want but to have sexual expectations on that level and sometimes a little agressively with a character like Talia, eh, I definitely struggled with it at times. Like I said, it was okay, but for me this is FAR from Banks' best work.

*****

Sway - L.Dane - 4 stars -
Book 1 of Delicious Series (spin-off from Brown Siblings)

I really really liked this story... It's only 150 pages so it's a quick read, and although it's quite well-rounded, I do feel this could have been a full length book (I would have loved a full-length book, but then I'm always greedy for more of Dane's work). That being said, it wasn't, but I still really enjoyed it and am now even more excited for Tart (book 2).

When we first meet Daisy, a 24 yr old dancer/artist/business woman/consultant/friend extraordinaire, among other things, I honestly wasn't expecting such a well-rounded character, but was really happy for it. Especially since Levi is a 40 yr old successful lawyer, if Daisy had been young, super flaky, and god forbid an immature individual, I don't think I would have liked this book at all. For a couple with 16 years apart, except for the moments where it was a source of contention when they were figuring out what they were to one another (especially on Levi's part), age really wasn't a factor, and this book exquisitely exemplified that age can matter very little if both parties are on the same page mentally and emotionally. I sincerely hope we will see a lot more of these two in the future, as it felt a little open-ended towards the end and in terms of what the future might hold for them.

After the Delicious series concludes, I also really hope Dane considers giving each of Levi's brothers a book. They don't get a lot of air-time in the story, some more than others, but what you do get definitely peaks your interest. Most are single and clearly need a strong woman to reign them in, and with Dane as the writer, and as one of the best at hashing out lead characters with qualities and traits that I value very highly (specifically being an excellent friend and being close to family), I just know their stories would be so hot and so great!

Hope others enjoy this story as much as I did!

Love this book by Maya Banks. Really enoy her work. Will certainly buy more books by this author and have..