It started with Piggy. It escalated with Kitty. It ends with Puppy.
For almost a year, Ethen O’Dowell has been locked behind bars and yet Puppy is far from free. A legal ward of her parents, she shares her bedroom with Pony, the only part of her old, submissive life that she has left… apart from the guilt, the fear, and the weekly punishments Ethen dishes out every time they visit him. Escape … him. Escape is all Puppy dreams about. Escape and somehow finding the courage to once more become the person she used to be–someone who lived life on her own terms and never let herself be afraid. Sadly, those days are long over, and as the old saying goes, there’s just no getting them back again. Or is there?
It’s a dead night at Black Light when ex-military man Carlson Garvey decides all he wants is a quiet drink and some downtime to practice his Shibari. What he isn’t expecting is the petite brunette who plops down at his table, squeaks out a terrified hello, and promptly flees again. There’s a story here and although he doesn’t know it, Carlson doesn’t need to. He recognizes a broken soul when he sees one.
Sometimes the only thing a broken person needs is the right Dom willing to intervene.
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I love the Black Light Series books and Brave was so good. I was always wondering what happened to Pony and Puppy and now I know more about them, and what they went through. My goodness, but I want to pummel Ethen!
I think Carlson is my new BBF! The man has the patience of a saint, and the authority of a Dom, all wrapped into a beautiful, masculine package.
Brave is a wonderful story, a page turner, with some shocking oh my moments, but it is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys these books!
Black Light is one of my favorite series to read so when I heard “Puppy” was getting her story, I jumped at the chance to read it. I’ve read Piggy and Kitty’s stories and was definitely intrigued by Puppy. After her “Master” is put in prison, Puppy is back home with her mother. Pony is also with her as t hey are the last two of Ethan’s “stable” of pets. You can feel the emotions that Puppy is going through, trying to be brave to step out into the world again but you also feel the damage that has been done to her mentally. She meets Carlson at Black Light and while they connect, she is still terrified. He’s interested but knows there is more going on with her. This whole story is riveting and I couldn’t stop reading it. Emotions of all kinds well up. One minute I was mad and the next I was crying!! Can Carlson help her overcome the abuse she suffered at Ethan’s hands? Can I just say that I LOVE Carlson. He’s the perfect Dom for her. And be sure you have tissues or a crying towel out because the last two chapters…………………WOW!!!!
The Menagerie has been one of the most interesting bunch I’ve read about.
Puppy is trying, and kinda failing, at being out in the world with just Pony left. Her anxiety is now dominating her life. Ethen is getting out soon and we all know what fresh hell that’ll be. Puppy decides one night to get out of the house and talk to anyone other than Pony and her mother.
Carlson is out of the military and just trying to get his life in order. While working at Black Light he meets Puppy and his whole world changes.
This book is the most emotional book in the Black Light world! Puppy (and Pony) go through the most intense emotional roller coaster I’ve ever read. I’m definitely going to need a breather after this book. Spencer at times had me wanting to wring his neck (but it’s Spencer so what can we do), Pony truly had me wanting to lock her up and Ethen, he is just a waste of oxygen.
Be ready to go through the emotional wringer and buckle your seatbelts, there are some twists I NEVER saw coming!!!!!
Building back up
Puppy is one of those characters that you immediately connect with and want to see only the best for her. The author was really able to channel the emotional devastation of an abusive relationship and the aftermath that takes a while to shake. I love that the author gave her what she needed to grow into who she was meant to be. Be prepared with a box of tissues because you are going to need them. I can’t wait to read the next book by this author.
Wow what an emotionally impactful story Ms. Smith wrote.
Puppy’s story is so intense and soul shattering.
It’s thought provoking and unforgettable.
To see how one evil man can take a way of life that is built on trust and turn it into his own personal abuse system was devastating.
How he took Puppy’s desires and her needs and used them against her was crushing.
Although she suffered a lot and was under extreme pressure.
I found Puppy a strong determined lady.
Her inner strength and will to survive never died.
Carlson is the definition of what a real dom should be.
He never gave up on Puppy.
Nor did you ever try to wash his hands on her.
Carlson showed her how real trust and real relationships are supposed to be.
That a real dom will uplift and always buildup his submissive.
He helped Puppy slowly want to be the woman she once was.
Carlson and Puppy touched my heart.
I was gutted by them.
But never lost hope because they never did.
Now as for Pony I didn’t like her.
She may have also been a victim.
But she was a first class manipulator as well.
She used herself knowing she was Puppy’s weakness.
I think if it wasn’t for her.
Puppy would have found herself and fixed her brokenness so much sooner.
But even with how I feel about Pony I certainly hope she gets better.
This book is so stunning and so unforgettable because all the characters involved,either directly or indirectly,were effected by one cruel evil man.
I loved how Ms. Smith wrote this story.
How she highlighted the building of trust and honor.
How she showcased the emotional and spiritual aspect of a BDSM relationship.
As opposed to the physical side of it.
Not that it’s not included.
But the author stressed,in the way it’s written,the importance of a true trusting bond.
With having that bond the physical side will come next.
And will have more meaning and more value.
An excellent addition to The Black Light books.