Desire's Edge [Paperback]

Desire's Edge by Eve Berlin
Contemporary Romance -Sept. 6th, 2011
4 stars

Desire's Edge is the second in this author's BDSM, erotic series and does not need to be read in order. (The first book was Pleasure's Edge.) In this book, the unattainable Dante finds love unexpectedly with a woman who is more than his match.

Dante De Matteo is a master of control and he likes it that way. He loves his dominant role at the Pleasure Dome where he can play out his fantasies and not become emotionally involved. However, a chance meeting at a friend's party reunites him with his old high school crush, Kara Crawford. They have a hot one night stand that turns into another and another... Dante is disturbed by the best sex he's ever had and his growing attachment. Will Dante ruin the one thing that could bring him peace?

After her boyfriend dumped her Kara has been feeling dissatisfied. Kara can't believe it when the man she had been fantasizing for years asks her out. Their steamy nights together are wild and she loves that she can finally play out her secret dreams and be a submissive with Dante. He doesn't make her feel ashamed of wanting more in the bedroom. But as Dante slowly seems to distance himself and their games make her feel increasingly vulnerable, can she take a chance on love again?

In this book, the author pushes the envelope with some rather shocking scenes at the Pleasure Dome. (Erotic fans who enjoy a bit of exhibitionism and BDSM will enjoy this story.) But this story also delves into Kara's and Dante's troubled childhoods that they do not like to share. As they both become closer, they fear commitment and the loss of their hard won control. Dante is especially torn. I liked how the author explores both characters and adds `spice' with their steamy scenes together. (Although I did find a couple a bit too shocking for my taste.) I also enjoyed how the book really focused on the main characters and didn't delve into other side stories that often tend to detract from the real relationship and romance of the main characters.

This is definitely a quick, steamy read that erotic fans will love.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Reading this book was like trying to watch a show behind a thick pane of glass. What do I mean by that? (Because what a weird metaphor). Basically, I felt like I never really got what was promised. I was given this potentially interesting story, but it was always a little out of reach, always only skimming the surface. Some of Kara's and Dante's issues were never fully explored and we're given pat explanations for their feelings and actions.

There also weren't any to-dos in the plot, so that when their relationship is going through highs and lows (usually because of Kara, mind you), it seems completely random and out of the blue: Wait, why is she storming out right now? Didn't they both just admit they might have feelings for one another? Wasn't she happy two seconds ago?

If I'm giving the impression I didn't like anything in the book, that wasn't the case. The chemistry was definitely there, and if Berlin can write sex scenes that I find sizzling when I don't even like one of the lead characters, then she's obviously doing something right. The constant mention of Kara going into "subspace" did get on my nerves though, and sometimes it read a little awkwardly when Dante called her "beautiful girl," his favorite pet name for her (in CRs, I'm more of a "baby" fan myself ;-).

OUR HERO:
I found Dante to be very likable. He's a Dom and I don't read much BDSM, so though I sometimes found him too overbearing or controlling (I know, he's supposed to be, apologies!), I also thought he was sweet and sexy. Throughout the book, Dante is much more open and honest than Kara, both with her and with himself (and thus the reader). Some parts of his backstory are very cliché, but he's interesting and I think even more could have been done with him.

OUR HEROINE:
Kara, on the other hand, was rather prosaic. She was a little bland for the first part of the book and towards the end outright annoying. She goes on and on about not wanting to be the stereotypical clingy and emotional girl, that that's not who she is. Not only was this sexist in my view (yes, a woman can say something sexist against other woman), but the truth is that she does come off as clingy and emotional. Kara obsesses, stomps off, goes quickly from being super happy to very sad. She doesn't give Dante clues as to what she's thinking, but I guess expects him to use his ESP powers to figure it out.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP:
Kara has the common romance heroine role of decrying the hero's unwillingness to express his feelings and commit to her, but here it is completely misplaced and if anything the situations should be reversed. Dante puts himself out there, admitting that he is feeling things he didn't expect and that this relationship is like none other he's ever had. He steps way out of his Dom role and makes himself vulnerable to her. Kara gets upset that he hasn't said "I love you," but neither has she. What also drove me nuts was that twice Kara tells him to do something--"don't stop me" or "leave me alone"--and is then sad and angry when he obeys.

The ending was melodramatic enough to induce serious eye-rolling (reads like a therapy session) and rang false for me. They've been doing it like rabbits on steroids, but have yet to really go on a date with one another and have only gone to three meals together in public in 2 or 3 months--one of which was a rabbits-steroid demonstration. They've apparently had nice long talks in bed in between the rabbit rounds, but most of what we hear throughout the book--especially from Kara--is admiration for the physical beauty and sexiness of the other ...

... So how is it, exactly, that these two supposedly emotionally closed-off people went from being cold loners to having crazy amounts of no-strings-attached-sex to realizing their deep and profound love for one another? The answer is: I have no freaking idea.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you like erotic romances with strong alpha-type heroes, you might like ...
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James
Wicked Burn by Beth Kery
Release by Beth Kery

* Originally reviewed for Fiction Vixen Book Reviews. This review is of a copy provided by the author/publisher to FVBR.

I loved this book! I have been struggling to find a good BDSM book for awhile now. I thought I would give this one a try and oh boy I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between Kara & Dante is super hot through the whole book. This is a definite re-read for me!