Rory has grown up in a small North Carolina town. In high school, he was the popular football player. When he graduated, he saw himself running the general store his father started. Maybe eventually getting married to one of the pretty cheerleaders who liked him in school, having kids. His siblings can live big lives in big cities. He’s not that complicated.Then an accident puts him in a … a wheelchair for the rest of his life. And Daralyn, a neighbor with a horrific past, comes to live with his family. Everything is suddenly a lot less simple. Because the way Rory wants her is keeping him up at night.
He wants her to belong to him. He wants to command her, protect her. Hell, he can barely say it to himself. He wants to dominate her. The craving is a primal drumbeat in the center of his soul.
How does he deal with that? Especially when her need to trust is so desperate, and her eyes are so full of hunger for what love should be. But he’ll figure it out. He’s going to make sure Daralyn finds everything she needs in his arms.
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WOW!!!! This book was beyond what you expect. The journey that both Rory and Daralyn had to go through was hard , but the growth of them both was profound. There was times I had tears in my eyes a times I was smiling like a cat. I wish I could tell you in words how this book was. It is touching heart felt book. A must read!
Joey W Hill never disappoints when it comes to emotional impact. IN HIS ARMS is no different. We finally get Rory and Daralyn’s story, and it is well worth the wait. Rory is more comfortable with being in a wheelchair, and the challenges he faces inline, and in love and sex are dealt with wonderfully. As are the challenges of discovering and embracing his Dominant nature.
Daralyn has had a rough life, and I absolutely love the way Joey deals with her past, her present and her future.
Those familiar with the Nature of Desire series will love this story even more because of the appearances of so many characters we’ve come to love showing up here, and lending their love and spirit to the story.
Highly Recommend
In His Arms by Joey W. Hill is part of her “A Nature of Desire” series. While this is a standalone novel, Ms. Hill has artfully taken characters from past novels in this series and grown them into more than you could have imagined when reading them previously. Rory was very much in need of healing and redemption, and not just because of a physical accident. Daralyn was similarly in need of healing, though hers was more buried. These two characters very much needed each other in order to become their better selves. The imagery and artistry of storytelling that Joey Hill puts into this story makes it come alive and feel real and connected. Her characters can be so broken, but that makes them all the more real, and pulls at your heart to read their story and pull you along deeper. I have loved so many of Ms. Hill’s books and this one was an amazing addition that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Book Review:
**Disclaimer: I was provided an advance reader copy by the author in exchange for my unbiased review and opinions**
There are few subgenres as polarizing as erotic romance. There’s a level of disdain that one doesn’t find towards say, Paranormal or Sci-Fi Romance. Let me call out that bullshit right now. So you’re okay with fucking aliens, but you have a problem with spanking or bondage? Spare me the scorn. It’s not “mommy porn”, it’s not porn…we all know how to access porn and this ain’t it. (Pretty sure I saw my brain with that epic eye roll I just did)
So let’s talk about this book. Let me start by adding some content warnings to this book. The female protagonist, Daralyn, is a sexual abuse survivor. Although there’s no explicit description of the actual abuse, her dealing with her trauma is intrinsic to the story, so there will be mentions of the abuse she suffered. If this isn’t something you can’t deal with, this might not be the book for you.
The story: This is a story that needed to be written and we didn’t know we needed it until we read it. Usually, we read about BDSM in the context of billionaires, sex clubs, and dungeons. However, Rory and Daralyn are right in the middle of a tiny Southern town. They’re salt of the earth, everyday people with wants and needs more similar to yours and mine than any billionaire in New York City.
Rory uses a wheelchair, as he has a spinal cord injury. I really enjoy reading about diverse characters. Not everyone looks the same or experiences life the same way and we need more voices that amplify and affirm this reality.
I enjoyed reading Rory and Daralyn’s journey…how they not only discover their true selves in each other’s arms but how their D/s relationship evolves. This is the true, pure, erotic romance: a gripping story, relatable protagonists, side characters that enhance the story, and spice & heat to set your panties on fire. You have to use your brain and your heart to read and enjoy this book. It ain’t about the cheap thrills. This is a romance.
In His Arms is a story that you’ll think about long after you’ve finished the book.
Five shining stars for In His Arms and Joey W Hill!
Another wonderful book in the Nature of Desire series. Very well written. I love her voice.
Life never really goes as you planned it. Rory and Daralyn find this out the hard way. Their lives may not be picture perfect but when fate throws them together their lives are not complete without the other.
Once again Joey Hill takes readers on a beautiful and emotional ride. I was pulled right into this story from the start and felt every emotion that that the characters did. Both Rory and Daralyn have demons of their own to deal with but together they can face them and the world. I loved seeing the two find their way. Watching their relationship take shape and deepen into something special made for a wonderful read. I loved that someone saw the pain Daralyn was living and rescued her from that life and because of that she also found Rory. It was nice to see the two find the trust in not only each other but themselves as well. I also enjoyed seeing some of the other characters in this series. They play a significant role and having read the previous books will have you understanding and enjoying this book all the more.
This is a beautiful story that will pull on your heartstrings. It has strong characters that are well developed, and it moves at a good pace making this a great addition to this series.
I just finished reading ‘In His Arms’ and I’m trying to find the right words to convey how wonderful this book is and how grateful I am to get to spend time in another one of Joey W. Hill’s amazing worlds. From the first chapter I felt myself pulled in and hating reading the last page knowing I had to leave and try to find the right words to share with others.
Daralyn Moss was abused and traumatized by her father and his half-brother since she four until Elaine Wilder realized something was wrong and rescued her. The Wilder family took her into their home at fifteen and she has become part of their family while she healed.
Rorik ‘Rory’ Andrew Wilder was a high school football star until a tractor accident put him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He’s gone through a lot of emotional struggles learning to deal with his new reality. He’s loved Daralyn for a long time. When a kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas makes them both more aware, he still holds off acting on it until he sees she desires and needs him too. He questions himself and his motives and even his ability to give her all she needs, not only because he’s in a wheelchair but whether being her dominant is best for her.
Rory is a natural dominant and Daralyn is a natural submissive, their path to self discovery with each other and their obvious love while they learned and grew together touched my heart.
With the help of her doctor, Rory and his family, Daralyn bloom’s from a terrified, abused woman to a woman who can face the world again. Rory learns to believe in himself and trust he is the right man for her. The road wasn’t always smooth and they stumbled but they had each other to catch them before they fell to far. Watching these two grow in their own ways, learning to believe in themselves and finding their own strengths was so inspirational. Rory realizing he’s a dominant and learning how to properly care for his beautiful submissive Daralyn and their shared exploration was brilliantly done.
Hill shines a light on having a relationship and living life in a wheelchair, the challenges they face and the amazing successes, she seamlessly blends these things so well into the story, I felt like I could feel everything going on in Rory’s head. The successes and the mistakes, the emotional traumas, the setbacks and the victories and the love and support, it’s all there to pull your heartstrings.
Thank you Joey W. Hill for another amazing story, a must read in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book and I’m voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
I would like to give this book a whole sky full of stars!
Ms Hill tells a story of two deeply wounded souls healing each other in painfully slow, careful steps. Learning themselves and each other.
They both have a core of steel and love that helps them survive devastating circumstances.
As for all her books, the mundane necessities of life with a disability are carefully researched and told with insight and honesty. From the visceral feast of a party at Tyler Winterman’s house, to things like hair curling on damp skin, or desperate screams echoing off bathroom walls.
When the careful building of their relationship is brought to a sudden halt by a cruel hurt, it is clear that a love that lives so deep can un-moore a person, but also teach them to fly.
I always need at least a day after finishing one of Ms Hill’s books to gather my thoughts, remember all the little details, how they made me feel and put them into words.
And they always make me feel full to the brim with love, with sizzle, with knowledge, with sadness that the book is finished!
Every one of Joey’s book is a treasure trove of emotions, passion, friendship and love on so many different levels. Rory and Daralyn are both wonderful, damaged, warm characters whose budding D/s relationship is filled with potential red flags and flash points needing both compassion and patience.
Having other favourites from the Nature of a Desire series is a huge bonus. I loved spending time with Marcus, Thomas, Julie and Des and, be still my beating heart, Tyler and Marguerite. This all adds to the weave of this complex, deeply charged story which takes you through so many emotional states and reactions. My heart was in my mouth at times and, as always with Joey’s books, I felt the emotions of the characters in my own heart and fell completely in love with them.
Joey always brings you the beauty of the human heart and I love her for it. She writes hope.
5 Star Review In His Arms – A Nature of Desire Series Novel by Joey W Hill
This is one of my all time favourite series and I was so excited to be given a chance to read an ARC of In His Arms. Nobody writes characters that need so much work like Joey W Hill. Rory and Daralyn, what a wonderful couple, two souls who have so much baggage .
The scenes are hot, yet emotional, drawing the reader in so much that you almost feel that you are witnessing it first hand. The road they travel to get to their HEA is long, winding and bumpy, but they do eventually get there. This book was such an emotional roller-coaster that at times, I feared that Rory and Daralyn might not get the happily ever after that they both deserved
It was also great to see some of my favourite people from the series make an appearance. In His Arms was at times a hard and distressing story to read, and although predominately about a BDSM and D/s relationship, to me it was love story, one of courage, and sheer determination to over come what fate has thrown at you.
In His Arms from The Nature of Desire series by Joey W. Hill completely captivated me. A remarkable story about two damaged people; one physically and one psychologically who find healing in love and acceptance. A love story that is deeply emotional and at times both heartbreaking and heartwarming not to mention tear inducing. Also Ms. Hill’s ncredibly detailed insights into what it’s like to be wheelchair bound added a another dimension to this story.
Rory’s need to care and protect Daralyn has the Dom in him roaring to life in full force. But, learning to be the Dominant that Daralyn needs is like tring to navigate a field filled with tripwires, IEDs and landmines. Her upbringing was filled with abuse and neglect. She had no freewill or choices. Rory is determined to teach her how to live her best life even if it means letting her go. Daralyn recognizes the love she has for Rory but putting those feelings into words and feeling worthy enough to say them is another matter entirely.
In His Arms is a heart wrenching tale of two broken people finding love and redemption in each others arms. I didn’t much like Rory in Rough Canvas. He was angry, selfish and cruel to Thomas. He has grown a bit since then. Daralyn’s story made my heart hurt. I loved watching her find the strength to overcome her past and find herself and love. I liked the new Rory. I really enjoyed reconnecting with characters from earlier books. This is part of a series but can be read standalone. I can’t recommend this story enough.
my friend Joey W. Hill has a new book out!