His dream girl lives right next door, but can she handle his needs?Rick Winter is tired of playing empty scenes with submissives, only to return home alone. He wants what he sees his friends getting – a real relationship with submissives who love them. Unfortunately, since his move to be closer to his friends and Stronghold, the BDSM club they all frequent, the only woman who has really sparked … the only woman who has really sparked his interest not only isn’t a submissive, she’s his neighbor. Since he’s always had strict rules for himself about not becoming entangled with women that he can’t avoid (just in case things go badly), Rick’s doing his best to ignore the distractingly gorgeous and curvy Maria.
Maria Arias is the oldest of four sisters; the middle two are married and her baby-sister just got engaged. That doesn’t bother her though, what bothers her are the assumptions everyone else seems to have about how it SHOULD bother her. She’s just looking for some fun and maybe a few hot nights when she meets her sexy new neighbor, but he’s staying aloof – mostly. After a series of mixed-signals, and one very clear warning to stay away from him, this tease is about to find out what happens when she flirts with a Dom who demands more than just a casual affair.
Heat Level: Play with fire and you’ll get burned
more
I loved Maria and Rick’s story
I love me a good BDSM romance, so I’m not quite sure why I’m so late to the party with this author. However I am determined to make up for lost time and work my way through the Stronghold Doms series, since both books I’ve read thus far have been not only well written, but had strong plots and lots of super steamy scenes to enjoy.
Maria is the eldest of 4 daughters, yet the only one NOT in a long term relationship or married. As an independent and confident woman, this doesn’t generally bother her – though the interference of well meaning family she could live without! She’s also a voluptuous beauty, happy enough with her size to wear a bikini, but still with body hang-ups that every woman seems to suffer.
There wasn’t a thing to dislike about her character. She didn’t play games or keep secrets, she was upfront and honest and was just totally fun to read about. Maria reacted to situations in a very genuine and honest way, I loved how I never found myself thinking “oh as if you’d say/do that!”. Here was a character whose actions and reactions I believed in.
Rick is bored and looking for a special someone to spend his life with. Trouble is the only woman who catches his eye isn’t in the lifestyle. Can he risk his heart chasing after a woman who might not be able to give him what he needs? Well these worries lead to Rick making a really stupid decision regarding Maria. The way his fellow Dom/mes and even the subs called him out on his actions was so . I find it wonderfully refreshing that BOTH the Dom and sub are allowed to make errors and be finding their way in the relationship. Too many authors write ‘perfect and perfectly in control’ Doms, I much prefer Golden Angel’s real men.
The book is a longer than average read, which I found to be a really good thing. It allowed time to be given to establishing and growing the relationship, as well as including lots of hot play scenes. I can’t pinpoint why I enjoy these books so much, other than to say that the author seems to have thought about how to make the relationships plausible. Throughout the book both the characters and the situations they find themselves in feel realistic. I’m off now to read Lexie and Patrick’s story.
The story of Maria and Rick is another beauty in the Stronghold series. Rick wants what his friends have and his neighbor Maria looks só good….Maria’s sisters have all settled down and she really wants the same…..could that hot guy Rick,who is her neighbor be interested at all? Rick hopes Maria is interested in his lifestyle,she does act like a submissive at times…..Maria is new to all that BDSM stuff and would like some time to find out what she likes…..and if it’s the same thing Rick likes. One thing is for sure…..i loved them both!
Another excellent installment in the series. Realistic bdsm relationships where everything is not cookie cutter perfect and love still finds a way.
OMG, Golden Angel has a way of writing that just exudes with personality!! The storylines are so personally relatable with characters that draw you in and make you want to become part of their circle. The BDSM is in varying levels with scenes so hot you might need extra panties. This is only the second book in the Stronghold Doms series and I’m hooked, enthralled, and so vested. I can’t wait to start the next one.
Rick finds that he’s not enjoying the club as much as he used to and seeing brunette, he knew there was chemistry, but she maybe vanilla and she lived in the same complex, which could end badly.
Rick found that although he’d just finished a scene, and made sure she’d got what she needed, it hadn’t done much for him, and after seeing his friends decides to head home early.
Maria wasn’t going to give up on Rick, because he seemed shy about his bedroom likes, she just had to think of how to approach him, she just needed some fun for a while. Rick can’t believe Maria got past him getting in his door, and apparently curious, letting him know she was open minded. When Maria lets him know they can have a good time.
Rick is pissed, when she assumes, he’s a player, and lets her know the type of guy he isn’t to make it clear to her, and have her stay away, letting her know he will spank her if she shows up again.
Maria’s tired of Rick pushing her away when she gets close and decides to change her approach.
Heading out the only thing Rick tells her is that they are at Stronghold, it’s a BDSM club.
Rick thought it was going well until they get to the dungeon, he should have checked before taking her down there, she was heading but up the stairs to the bathroom before he knew what was happening.
Olivia lets Rick know exactly what he’s done wrong, and he keeps saying he wants a relationship, but he keeps trying to make Maria run, he knows he’s already emotionally involved, but is it too late, did he push her away for good this time, or can he change her mind
This has everything you want in a good erotica book. A girl who really has no idea about the lifestyle and A Dom who wants to make her his.Neighbors who become so much more. Some very tender moments but at the same time some very hot sexy moments. I loved how patient he was with her while falling for her.An enjoyable book from beginning to end.
Rick and Maria’s story had me smiling through out it and even shaking my head. Rick is a Dom at Stronghold but wanting to find that connection with someone and have a serious relationship is hard. Maria sees this handsome man at the pool and wishes someone like him would give her a real chance. Will Maria submit to Rick or will loss communication bring it all tumbling down? Loved there story and wanted more! 5/5 stars
It strikes me that there doesn’t seem to be a explanation for the stars that are given. So I thought I’d start giving my take on it.
1 horrible no redeeming qualities. So far I’ve never given a 1.
2 blah but there are redeeming qualities.
3 ok worth reading.
4 great but there’s something off.
5 loved it.
So now about this story. This is the first book I’ve Listened to in this series. I get the feeling that it crosses over to another series as well as being the second in this series. It can be read/listen alone but I’m one of those people who enjoys things in order. Unfortunately I really can’t read anymore, as I get debilitating headaches when I read for more than about 15 minutes. That said I can’t wait for more of this series, I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won’t do it to you by going into details.
The narrator brings the story to life.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Happily Ever After, Witty, Romantic, Wonderful characters, Page-turner, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Easy-to-read/listen, Entertaining, Sexually Action-packed, Steamy, Funny.
Bookshelves/tags:
adult, anal, angst, bdsm, bondage, club, contemporary, dom-sub, favorite, humorous, panty-wetting, romance, series, spanking.
This Audio book was given to me at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
A very slow slow burn!
The introduction of a complete BDSM newbie takes it’s sweet time in this story. And when “it” finally happens, the miscommunications and misunderstandings that follow, made my hair stand on end.
What I really loved was the easy way the h was accepted into the “Sisterhood of the Subs”, their irreverent, bratty attitude. And the way the Doms among themselves were ribbing each other over their shortcomings.
This is light BDSM, sweet, funny, with a satisfying end.
The second book in the Stronghold series and this is the story of Rick and Maria.
I really liked Maria, she was a wonderful characters. I loved how comfortable she was with herself and didn’t take any **. Her reaction to Rick’s confession felt real, just like her journey into the lifestyle.
And it was wonderful to see how the other took her in and she found a great circle of friends.
I liked Rick too, but I didn’t want to slap him on the head a few times. Men….
It was a very enjoyable read.
Great story! I have been waiting for Rick to get his sub since I read the Venus school.
Rick is ready to settle down. Seeing more and more of his friends in commited relationships he realizes that’s what he wants too. Maria is the oldest sister and the only one still single, not that she can forget it with family and friends always giving her dating tips. She and Rick live in the same apartment building. After a few false starts they become friendly but Maria pushes for more. Rick is not sure she can handle more and decides to take her to Stronghold. She’s shocked when she sees a woman being whipped and screaming. Maria balks and runs for the safety of the bathroom. When the group discovers that Rick has not really talked to Maria at all about the lifestyle all the woman chide him and set about rectifying his mistake. Maria is reticent but interested. Eventually they do an Introduction Scene at the club and it’s really hot. However afterwards miscommunication leads to both of them shuttinf down. Fortunately things get straightened out and a true relationship begins. Maria gifts Rick her submission and he in turn gives her the love they both are craving.