Strong Enough

What I Think: I was writing the themes for this review and interracial came up. I remembered making a comment about it being one human race. I’ve read about it before but now I really needed more information so I can make up my own mind. Aaanndd, off I went! You know things are good when research comes up. Now, I have read 2 Cardeno C. novellas and absolutely loved them. Fell in love with just 1 novella! Then, while writing this review, I realised that I never wrote reviews for those. Da horror! Cardeno, I owe you 2 novella reviews. On to the tale! I started this tale falling in crush with Spencer’s friend and colleague, Alicia, even as my heart hurt for Spencer. To have such low self esteem as a result of being so battered made me want to breathe some dragon flames hither and thither. Then, to find out that the man is actually so sweet and lush! Come on. Emilio really needs to teach Spencer a thing or two about going around and wreaking havoc. Here I was thinking he’ll be boring as hell then he turns out to be a gorgeous sex kitten without any warning. Do you see why I need Emilio to turn him inside out? I deserve an apology. By the time Emilio stepped on the scene, I began to take notes. My man Emilio is so smooth he just glides, making my brain melt with that irresistible sexy, confident and true combination. This is who my 22 year old self wanted to be but I was apparently too busy trying to survive. Aarrgghh, I want my 20s back just for this. And this tale reminded me of how much I loved kissing. I miss it so much that I’m about to turn mad, bad and dangerous (not a word, Mme. Zak). Spencer embodies everything I love about gentle strength. He is so brave as he lets Emilio come that close in spite of all his been through. I would run from such perfection, my flaws playing a permanent beat in my head. Cardeno’s tales are always perfect comfort tales that are sweet, real and fill you with longing. This is so unfair. How can I love Emilio and Spencer so much? How can Emilio be so young yet possess a maturity beyond his years? So attentive and nurturing, deserving of a timeless love. You already know how I feel about Spencer’s age. If you don’t, its this simple – the finest vintages get better with age and so does true beauty. Throw in a loving heart, experience and willingness to learn and voila, irresistible package! Spencer has been hurt so bad that Emilio has a lot to fix. But my guy has got this covered. Warning – Rant ahead! Please, can we talk about Emilio’s sister talking to him about consent? If we teach our kids everything, why not teach the importance of consent? Why not teach our sons and brothers that a woman in a sexy dress is not asking for it? That the same way a man can change his mind when he’s got into a sexual encounter, a woman can too. That women and men can be victims of sexual, emotional and physical abuse. It has nothing to do with sexuality but being fucking humane. I’ve been abused as a child and as an adult and I’m just getting to the point where I can say it without opening that darkness drowned drawer. I’ve finally accepted that those scars might fade but I will always carry them. If awareness can avoid others having scars like mine, isn’t it our duty to raise our children, siblings and friends right? End of rant. Where was I? Ah yes, taking notes on how to be devastatingly sexy. The doubts that sweet, sweet Spencer has come from a lifetime of doubts and his society reinforcing them. I want to charge out in dragon form and lay peeps to waste for him, but I’m pretty sure Emilio has me beat. This boy is a master planner, prepared and ready because, as Mama Ru says, if you stay ready, you aint got to get ready. This boy is ready! I just changed my tactics on chasing Her when I find Her. Do you know that feeling of always being out of line and thinking you’ve got to dial yourself down, then you read these amazing characters with a similar (think scorched earth – throw it all in) attitude and your soul expands because you live? Ha, she won’t know what hit her. I need to pace off this anger. Someone broke my Spencer, broke him so bad that I’m so fucking glad he’s got Emilio to slay those demons. Please, let there be a point where the personification of those demons appears so that they can get the thrashing they deserve, please. I just realised this is why I don’t bother talking to the people I find a little attractive. I want the lightning bolt that’s faster than Cupid’s arrow, that makes me thrill to the chase, that strikes my greyhomosexual heart and makes me burn… Otherwise, why bother? Oh goddess, Emilio and his brothers are going to kill me. Is family transplant a thing? If not, why not?And, the ex shows up. Lovely. I’ve got my coffin nails, my beer shandy and I’m settling in for the showdown to come. Emilio might like to think he’s just ordinary but his behaviour could easily be that of a Dom or even a Daddy. It just goes to show there’s a place on the BDSM spectrum for us all and age has nothing to do with it. The simplicity of Spenser, the way his emotions are openly telegraphed, the way he’s an open book has me in love and lust. Please, can that idiot ex get his thrashing now? Some lessons can only be taught through violence, with a loving intention, of course. Lissandra, stop cackling (you know your demons are real when they have a name). Its no wonder that Emilio is the fantastic man he is. I haven’t met one single member of his family I don’t love and you know its true when it includes the in-law. Parents and parents-to-be, are you taking notes? And then Alicia made waterworks I didn’t even realise were gathering spill over. We all need a friend like this. Now, I’m hoping with all my soul that Spencer can move beyond his trauma and give his everything to the one that wil die protecting him. There’s nothing as awful as being abused by someone you know or care about, in the privacy of your home. You will never feel safe again. Ever. Trust me, I know. Then Emilio has me laughing out loud as he wonders why people need gadgets when good old conventional sex is good while he’s enjoying dominating Spencer but without the title. I love his simple heart. Spencer takes power bottom to a whole nother level. Again, when does the ex get his thrashin? But, this Author shows me that even more than a thrashing is the power to walk away from someone who once had power over you. I couldn’t help my squeal of yess! when it happened. Like the gift that keeps on giving, which I can truly use when talking about tales, the show down was simple yet glorious which had the song Glory by The Score screaming in my head. The joy of watching Spencer bloom is so deeply personal that Emilio deserves every smirk and yet he’s only too grateful that it gets to be him that witnesses all that. Be still, my heart. Finally, Cardeno, you’ll be proud to know you just finished my sister’s argument. How can I even say I won’t date anyone in her age bracket when Emilio’s mix of swagger, maturity and youthfulness is so scintillating that it makes my inner Domme lick her lips? Cher’s Strong Enough was my overall soundtrack for this. I think it’s rather apt, don’t you?

Verdict? A sweet, soothing, comfort-keeper of a fairytale that proves it’s never how long but how well because love creates permanent bridges through every gap!