A promising encounter takes a dark turn.Captain Sami Soros and Father Jay Blackstone cross paths at a major European hub. When systems shut down due to a cyber-attack, flights are delayed and the resulting chaos is unprecedented.After having served three tours in Afghanistan, recently discharged Sami struggles with his new civilian status. Emotionally depleted, and dangerously edgy, he views most … edgy, he views most of his fellowmen with utter contempt.
Jay is returning to his parish in San Francisco after a month-long retreat meant to shore up a crumbling vocation. All vestiges of spirituality melt away when he sets eyes on Sami.
They begin a clandestine affair fueled by a shared addiction to extreme forms of BDSM. Their relationship goes off the rails, and Jay reaches out to Rino Duran, a former seminarian. With the help of Dr. Ethan Marshall, Rino’s full-time Dom, the established couple attempt to separate truth from lies to give Jay and Sami a shot at happiness.
Although Yield is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
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5+++ Jay and Sami (and actually Rino and Ethan too)
What an incredible layered story this was. Stunningly written with memorable scenery, extraordinary circumstances, and a baffling good plot.
A story about a priest and an ex-military. Every turn in this read was unpredictable, I got somewhat delirious by it, all this awesomeness on my screen!!
Jay and Sami meet each other at the airport, continuing their delayed flight together.
Jay isn’t honest about who and what he is, and he just goes with the temporary flow called Sami.
Sami is lethal and strong; he has a military past where he interrogates the enemy. Ending up with PTSD and a lot more, his life takes unwanted turns and he struggles to handle those.
Also with Jay’s life getting out of track, their time is up. Their actions with extreme forms of BDSM is something they can’t handle.
Their connection has no ground to survive, it’s unmanageable, harsh, cruel, and destroying.
“my stubborn soul refused to give up”
As a fallen angel, Jay has no one he can reach out to but Rino.
Besides Jay and Sami there is a story with Rino and Ethan, respectively sub and Dom 24/7.
Rino, as a novice, has trouble obeying without questioning. Ethan is quite the right Dom and he is honest with so much unconditional love! To watch them compromise and work through every bump in their road is magnificent. They are of enormous help to Jay and Sami.
Both men, and a network of competent people, are the saviors for Jay and Sami to see the light. The healing process was heartbreaking, devastating, and worrisome.
The proficiency of writing was excellent. The profoundly worked out characters were breathtaking. A deep look in their beautiful minds let us understand them. We are witness to extremely complicated behavior, disturbing lies, deception, despair, damaged souls and strong furious language, and at the other side we see hope, light, submissiveness, dominance, redemption, rising above themselves, and love with a capital L.
An intriguing, intelligent, consistent, and respectfully written expedition, taking us to the utmost corners of the human mind and their behaviors. This was quite a masterpiece!!
Highly recommended
Read and reviewed for Diverse Reader
Sadistic priest kink. Not so SSC, and aware of it.
More going on that you realize. The priest is an absolute masochist, so know your interests before you bite into this one.
I’m enjoying the edgy story lines in Mickie B. Ashling’s Bay Area Professionals series; and the wonderfully taboo plot in this newest edition, Yield, just adds to my pleasure. It’s my favorite so far.
The characters in each novel have to work through some intense issues, but they have a strong support network to help guide them. Made up of friends and co-workers, this tight knit community grows throughout the series. That said, Ms. Ashling does a wonderful job of keeping us in the loop, and you can read each book as a standalone.
I didn’t expect to get so wrapped up in the lives of these men so quickly, but from the moment Jay and Sami meet their chemistry is compelling. An Army interrogator suffering from PTSD and a priest questioning the very foundation of his vocation… what a combination.
Jay tries to ignore his desires but no amount of prayer or penance can absolve him. As his feelings of self-loathing and failure become overwhelming, this masochist depends on pain to distract and refocus him. Once he gets a taste of Sami’s sadistic brand of pleasure, it’s too alluring to resist.
An interrogator in the army, his questionable methods led to Sami being dubbed “the Hun” by his fellow soldiers. After three tours in Afghanistan his rage is intense. Between his explosive anger and the abuse he heaps on Jay, I wasn’t sure these two could make a relationship work.
As their relationship progresses, both men have serious emotional damage to overcome, and call a time-out for some healing. By Ashling moving the focus off the pair, we get to check in with the main characters of Forged in Trust (book 4 in the series). Three years later Rino and Ethan are involved in a loving D/s relationship and we’re treated to some beautiful scenes. Rino is an adorable submissive and watching Ethan guide him is extremely hot. Together this established couple uses their experiences to help guide Jay and Sami to a healthier place.
Mickie B. Ashling’s novels always push boundaries and she amazes me with her insight. Yield is no exception. Tackling subjects like discrimination, self-harm, abuse, and organized religion, she explores these aspects of our society and the human experience. As the Bay Area Professionals series continues to expand, and the relationships develop, Ms. Ashling always leaves us with a hopeful message: We’re all entitled to acceptance and internal peace, and with the right community to support us, we can all find love.