re-read review:

I guess maybe the Anwyn character, a cool and controlled Domme, goes through a total loss of control and then learning to regain that control. I guess we should be riding that rollercoaster of crazy with her and relate to her or identify with her. I get it. I do. But Anwyn isn't written as a woman losing control and gaining it. She's written as a woman filled with self loathing and self pity because she gets everything that she wants but not in the way she wants it. She's written as an immature brat who lashes out at the one person who unconditionally loves her. And thus, we're stuck with a character who is supposed to be a controlled Dominatrix but is actually a petulant, whiny pain in the ass with manacles and a St. Andrews Cross.

The burgeoning relationship with Daegan and Gideon absolutely redeems this book. But, and there is always a but, the Anwyn character serves as a bridge between the two men. Probably more like a link but therein lies the problem. Anwyn's needs and desires define the Daegan and Gideon relationship. Hill creates a conflict between Daegan and Gideon exterior to the whole Anwyn crap and it could have been exploited to create a romance of the heart breaking, earth trembling variety. Sadly that awesomeness only exists in my brain. Maybe I'll write a fanfic. ( )

Gideon is a vampire hunter, lost and seeking something he goes to Anwyn's BDSM club. Anwyn has been involved with Daegan for five years but he never made her his servant. Daegan is the vampire's executioner. Theirs ugly violence, but these men put aside their differences to help Anwyn survive her attack. These characters have so much depth, incredible dynamics between these three and I sooo want to be a Daegan/Jacob sandwich.
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Due to the subject matter -- including a plot-driving sexual assault and fantasy!BDSM which is not necessarily safe, sane OR consensual -- I don't exactly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. But I did thoroughly enjoy it. ( )

What to say about this book? I am not as fond of Mistress/male sub books as I am about Master/female sub stories. Joey has always been able to over come that and get me involved with the whole Domination/submission concept and blurring who is doing what to whom. This story is not any different from those other books. She begins bring you into the story, ease your way to understanding each character and what they are seeking. Anwyn wants someone to be her full time slave, someone she can love and nurture. However things are more complicated than just female and male because she has fallen in love with a vampire assassin. Daegan is all alpha male vampire who has fallen in love with Anwyn but has never made her his servant. Wanting her to make the decision. Wanting her to realize that she won't lose herself, who she was deep inside, if she gave up control to Deagan. Into this cauldron of intense emotion comes a vampire hunter on the verge of losing his soul. Gideon is losing his way and he is looking for redemption.

This is an outstanding first part of a bigger story. I loved watching each one of the central characters struggle to overcome the adversity of Anwyn being turned as well as Jacob becoming a third marked servant. There is so much emotion and violence throughout the story. So much pain and uncertainty and decisions being made that are based on guilt instead of logic and love. I can see that Gideon would be a difficult character to write. He is opinionated and arrogant and very, very lost. Daegan has been on his own so long he has been able to open up to Anwyn and tell what he feels for her. Anwyn is so afraid of losing control she can't see how much these two men care for her, especially Daegan. I was torn between wanting to shake each of them and hugging them until it was better. This story is very much a Joey W. Hill creation. It you like her work you will enjoy this. Be warned that there is a lot of violence and some very strong BDSM in this story so it won't be for those that don't like that kind of stuff. Although there isn't any male on male sex there is touching and a working toward that in the next book. ( )

Gideon, brother of Queen Lyssa's lover and servant, Jacob is in for an interesting week or so. When he walked into Club Atlantis for the fourth time, he assumed things would be the same as always, some Domme woman would take him back, they would do what they always did and he would leave as unsatisfied as he always did.

Not this time. The Boss, Anwyn, has taken a personal interest in the vampire hunter. They connect on many levels, the least of which is the Dom/sub one.

After their first "session", Gid is getting ready to leave when he sees Anwyn stopped by three vamps. The threats are real, they want to meet the real club owner, Daegan Rei, the mysterious man who shares the rooms below with Anwyn. He's not the owner but he IS something much more dangerous - an assassin employed by the Vampire Council to eliminate vamps who go astray. He's very good at it. He's also in love with Anywn.

Tragedy happens. When all is closed up tight, Anwyn goes to the alley to feed her growing brood of feral cats and is attacked. Gid, in his hotel room, realizes too late what the threat she received means and makes it to her side while she is dying. Daegan is there as well - the ancient vampire bending over his love.

How these three connect is the perfect story of vampire lives. Gideon, killer of vampires, may have more tha met his match with Daegan and vice versa. Joey W. Hill has done it again and created a little bondage world for us to enjoy as we eagerly await the coming (oops!) of her next book. ( )