Commanding Casey by Nicolina Martin
This story has more depth and complexity than most Domination/submission/spanking stories.
Having read, and loved, most of this author’s Russo Saga series (and if you haven’t read it yet you need to rectify that!) I of course couldn’t resist reading this story. Whilst it doesn’t have the darkness, the grittiness, of that series it DOES have the same great writing and a hero who needs the love of a good woman to save his sorry ass.
Nicolina Martin sure can write a damaged, cranky, dangerous but utterly sexy and totally desirable alpha-hole hero. Cole was both loveable and smack-around-the-head-able at the same time. No wonder Casey couldn’t resist him! His constant blowing hot and cold could have become irritating BUT I felt that we got enough of his mental battles, his emotional struggles to understand his inability to not be a complete dick most of the time.
Casey living, working and surviving in what was very much a man’s world meant that she never felt weak. Even when she maybe made silly choices (especially regarding Alex) they came from a desire to protect, or to not be dictated to. I really liked her, and her bravery in going after what she wanted, what she needed, from Cole.
I’ve read a fair few Stormy Nights books and you sort of get to know the ‘formula’ of them. However, whilst this stayed within their remit, it also felt like it offered so much more. More complexity in its characters, more depth from them, more conflict both between them and within them, more story, just… more.
I started reading this last night and gritty, tired 1 a.m. eyes were the only thing that stopped me completing this in one sitting. If you’re looking for a great story, with themes of power exchange, a redeemable bad boy and a tough take-no-prisoners heroine then you need to be reading this book right now.
Casey Keagan is fleeing from a man hellbent on destroying her.
I couldn’t care less. She needs to run somewhere else. Being a mechanic at a construction site in Alaska is no job for a girl, and I intend to put her on the next flight out.
She claims that she hates my guts, but her eyes tell a different story and her big mouth is going to get her into so much trouble one day. Trouble spelled Cole Hooper.
When her submissive side calls to the Dominant in me, it’s only a matter of time before she becomes my latest addiction. The dirty games we play are forbidden, and if we’re caught it will ruin us both.
I keep telling her it’s only temporary.
But telling her is one thing. Convincing myself is another.
Life in the Book Lane 