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 am a Black Light stalker. I look for these books and devour them as soon as they are available. This one is another fine continuation of the story line. Having read the previous novels containing these characters, I already have a healthy dislike for Ethan. But even if you haven’t read the other books, you will find yourself pulling for Puppy. You will cry and scold and stand up and cheer for her as she discovers exactly what true bravery is.
Oh man this was such a sad story. pulls on all the heart strings. Puppy was such a messed up girl. So full of doubts, despair, and so much anxiety and low self esteem. It just broke my heart reading this, and the struggles she went thru trying to find herself again. Realizing that where she was, was not where she wanted to be. That first step she took was so huge putting her on the road to where she wanted to go. Every step of the way fighting all the panic and anxiety never realizing just how brave and strong she was. So very heartbreaking to read and so very heartwarming to see her reach get those victories.
Wow, just WOW!…..and breathe!
This one gripped my head, heart and soul from the very first word and would not let me go until the last.
Heart wrenchingly written, beautifully broken, but stunningly hopeful!
Loved, loved, LOVED IT!
Oh my word this book is a whirling maelstrom of all the feels.
I think Maren Smith has left me a little bit broken after reading, Brave. I cries so many times, so many tears, as my heart broke repeatedly for the heroine’s suffering. She may also have created the most perfect and amazing Dom in Carlson. She isn’t a little, and he isn’t a Daddy but he was as gentle, caring and nurturing as any girl could want and as the heroine definitely needed.
I don’t want to keep referring to her as Puppy, even though this is how she refers to, and thinks of, herself for a LOT of the story. However I don’t want to ruin any special moments of the book, so do forgive me for referring to the heroine as ‘her’. Puppy feels like I’m giving power to Ethan, and even though he is, in fact all of them are, fictional characters in a book, I just can’t bring myself to do it.
Every moment of suffering, every kernel of hope, every second of joy, every tear, every smile, every touch, hug and kiss was suffused with emotion, the depths of which had me reeling. We’ve lived through Piggy and Kitty’s tales and THEY were both powerful reads but this, this one touched the very depths of my soul and to my mind is one of Maren Smith’s best works ever.
There’s actually very little BDSM play in this, and I stress the word play because it’s very much a story of domination and submission. Carlson identifies as a Dom, but acknowledges that he is more of a Head of Household, responsible for his submissive, ensuring her health and wellbeing at all times. So the BDSM aspect was more mental, more emotional, more about forging a connection and forming a bond between the Dominant and his submissive. And boy oh boy was that beautifully done.
Brave is a story of overcoming fear, learning to trust again, believing in oneself and taking control by giving up control. I highly recommend this to all those who’ve enjoyed any Black Light book, enjoy books in the BDSM genre or enjoy a well written story that is full of feels. It can be read stand alone and whilst it does mention spoilers for both previous stories (Black Light Fearless and the short story Shameless in the Roulette Redux anthology) there is enough information provided here to follow the story easily. Roll on Pony and Marcus’ story.
This book held me in emotional bondage… The Black Light series puts the gold seal on anthologies and individual stories that bring together a diverse group of authors who play in the same enticing, exciting, and captivating world. This book is by far the most emotional, and the author expertly envelops her readers in what it means to be part of The Menagerie. I felt the pain, the frustration, and the underlying spirit that glimmered in a Puppy; and the strength of the Dom who refused to give up on breaking through the seemingly unbreakable chains that Ethan had mentally and emotionally locked around these women. Phenomenal read – please never let this series end.
This is one of those reads that wrings every single emotion that it possibly can out of you. Puppy’s (or Cynthia’s) story is not always an easy read. If you are familiar with the other two stories about the other members of the menagerie (Shameless & Fearless) you know that this trio suffered horrifying, graphic abuse while in a toxic Master/submissive relationship. If you are new to this series, please be warned because there may be content that could be major triggers for you in here. Each of these stories have been intense, emotional and powerfully moving. My heart ached for Cynthia because of the pain she had suffered and the struggle she faced trying to overcome her past and become who she wanted to be. For me it was a split-decision on Carson. I liked him but I did not always like or approve of his actions as a Dom. Despite this fact I thought that this was a gripping and involving read.
B is for Brave! What an intense story. We find Puppy on her own with Pony as her roommate in an unforgiving situation after so much time. She’s trying to break free from Ethan, the man that broke her and others. He’s in jail, but he’s getting out! There are so many wonderful points about how strong a person can be in the story, it’s so great to read about success. It doesn’t have to be a huge “success”, but one small tidbit at a time and just see how far a person can go. Ms. Smith has shown us that in this story. It’s inspiring. Carlson Garvey is the perfect guy for Puppy. I loved reading about what happened after Piggy and it provides closure if you read the earlier book.
Well done!
I received this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Holy Shit. This was so worth the wait. It all started with Piggy escaping which led to Kitty getting Now the evil man is in prison and puppy might finally get her happily ever after the problem is even in prison the binds that Ethan kept her captive are still there. Read to find out what happens.Is puppy able to escape
This book ripped me apart!! Truly. It grabbed me right away and hit all my buttons. Oh my, Puppy. She broke my heart. So broken, so fragile… her strength buried deep. Carlson is just so perfect for her. Gentle, but firm. GAH! This book is so amazing! There were some of the best scenes I’ve read in a long time… the restaurant bathroom…the parking lot… Whew! And Spencer! Man I wanted to rip Spencer (and the BL staff) some new ones the way they treated Puppy. (But there is redemption.) I cannot say enough good things about this book. I just did not want it to end.
There are no true words to fully describe how incredibly beautiful and heart wrenching this story is. I had been hoping there was a book written for Puppy as she truly deserved her own. What I didn’t expect was how amazing it would be. My heart flip flopped, my emotions ran, my tears ran, and with the way this author wrote, I could feel every bit of anxiety, sadness and anger and even hopefulness that Puppy expressed. I cheered for her and prayed for happiness for her. Puppy may have her issues, but with this story, she is a strong woman who wants things to be the way they were before the evil of Ethen. When she starts to come out of her shell and tries to distance herself from Pony and meets Carlson, my heart leapt as I hoped that he would see beyond her issues. Let me just say that Carlson is everything a man should be. He is kind, caring, yet stern and is perfect for Puppy. I don’t want to say too much more as not to give away any spoilers, but this story will captivate you from beginning to end. You will, no doubt, fall in love with Puppy and Carlson as I have. The author touches on quite a few sensitive subjects, but she handles them with grace and dignity. I am a lover of the Black Light series, and this is one of the best additions yet. A truly phenomenal story that will pull at every emotion you have and to me, that is a sign of a truly spectacular book.
Oh boy, where to start with Brave….
Brave is a rollercoaster of emotion from the start. After reading about Puppy in both Kitty’s and Piggy’s stories, it was so nice to get to the heart of her and discover what her life with the Menagerie Master was like–both Kitty and Piggy had markedly different experiences with him yet suffered the same cruelty at his hands.
Puppy makes my heart ache. She’s so full of so many emotions and misconceptions about herself, all stemming from Ethan. As the story progressed I at times found myself wanting to stroke the screen in sympathy, give it a hug, and tell the girl inside it everything was going to be okay and she wasn’t as worthless as she thought. At other points, the kindle nearly went through the window.
I’m a huge fan of the Black Light books, have been since they first started, and Brave is yet another fabulous addition to the series. I’ve got my fingers crossed Pony’s fate will come soon.
Another exceptional book in the Black Light Series and the third in Maren Smith’s menagerie series. This book was breathtakingly beautiful and honest in it’s emotions. The honesty that the characters are written with is truly what makes this book special. You really feel like you’re going through the struggles with Puppy that’s how fantastic the writing is. I don’t like to put spoilers in my reviews but I will say this, you really need to read this book and go on this journey with Puppy it’s definitely worth it. I can’t recommend this book highly enough and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this AMAZING series !! I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
Puppy is a submissive who has been abused. She is trying valiantly to get herself and life together. This is a story that sucks you in and doesn’t let go. Puppy is such an incredibly strong person. One never thinks about how hard it is to submit but Maren Smith shows us how difficult it really is. The fears, anxiety, bravery and fulfillment are felt throughout.
This is the latest entry in the Black Light series and while it could be easily read standalone, is probably best read after (at least) Black Light Fearless. This is the story of Puppy, the third of the Menagerie girls trying to piece her life back together after years of physical, emotional, sexual and psychological abuse at the hands of their former ‘Master’, Ethan. In a moment of bravery Puppy meets Carlson who does his best to help Puppy take back her life. This is not a happy, gentle read and is very dark in places that mean it may not suit all readers. However, it is a story of strength and bravery and power – our own and those we grant power to.
I love this series and every book had been mind boggling, intense, dark, twisted, eyes glued to the pages good. This one was no different. Looking forward to more books in this series.
There is a scene in the story where Carlson confronts Puppy’s mother. “It’s hard for me to understand. The only thing I do understand is that no one who thinks they have a choice would have stayed. To them, there was no choice. But they clung on until they got through it, and they’re still clinging, because there still isn’t any choice.” The damage caused by an arrogant and narcissistic Dom is difficult to break. Especially when cult-like training is used. Puppy’s physical escape was only step 1. Her emotional escape from past tortures will require Carlson’s determination to help, his dedication to his actions, and his emotional support
I have read and loved all the Black Light books, but this final story about the menagerie girls, featuring Puppy and Pony, really puts you through an emotional roller-coaster. Puppy is fearful but brave, pushes herself to break free of her abuser and his mind control, and re-establish herself as a fully functioning adult. Even though her abuser is in prison, he still exerts control over his two remaining “pets”. Pony is a bully in hiding, and she fancies herself in love with the abuser, so she accepts her self-administered punishments and uses Puppy’s guilt to control her. So really, Puppy has to break free of two abusers. With the help of a new Dom (thanks to a very brave visit to Black Light), Puppy finds her voice and makes a new life. And the ending – all the feels. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
How do you go about searching for a strong Master/slave relationship? Does the slave tell her potential Master what she needs? Should he care? How much is dependent on what he needs as opposed to how much the slave can accept?
Ethan built up a menagerie of pets. He had four beautiful pets—Kitty, Piggy, Pony and Puppy. First Kitty, then Piggy managed to escape causing him to be arrested, tried and placed into jail. Every week Pony and Puppy visit him in jail and leave with a list of punishments. Puppy is absolutely miserable, but not sure what to do to thoroughly escape from his influence, yet still satisfy Pony’s destructive obsession to please her master.
Since the incarceration of her brutal master, Puppy has been a repressed, depressed, panic stricken human who craves a better life. One night, she allows herself to walk into Black Light and say, “Hi” to a Dom sitting quietly at a table. She flees immediately. Will this Dom care? Will he be able to take her on a journey that might slowly and beautifully help her to eventually morph into a brave, intelligent, whole individual who can embrace and welcome a new submission and a new Dom?
This story is way more intricate, complex and heart-wrenching than I could ever write here. But, while I battled fear and frustration, it also made me laugh and enjoy the realm of human emotions vividly displayed by these two caring individuals. Even though I have read the previous two stories, this is a standalone that can be easily read and understood by all.
I’d like to be all eloquent and say what this book made me feel but I don’t have the words. If I had the words they would include……Amazing…..Emotional……Gut Wrenching……Hot as sin……Perfection!
Been waiting on this one since Piggy and then Kitty and now I need Pony!!
I mean Maren Smith could make me read anything but when I hear her name and Black Light combined…..its an automatic one click for me.
This one had a Dom who far exceeded what I thought Puppy would need and I have no idea how she will ever salvage Pony. Looks like I’ll be stalking and stalking and stalking. Sigh, emotional book hangovers are the best.
Puppy’s story will pull every single emotion from you its devastating you cry and cheer and I am so so proud of her she is so brave and kept going and tried so hard go become the person she thinks she can be with Carlson’s help god bless him he is an angel just for his patience and understanding and strict but comforting I loved his character you could feel it all through the story. Just fantastic writing and so real I enjoyed it so much.