Review: Leashed

Leashed by Candace Blevins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Buy this book now and be prepared for an erotic thrill ride. For those who have read the Only Human Series, Abbott finally receives his own book. This book can be read as a standalone. It is highly recommended to read the Only Human Series first because it sets up the reason why Abbott behaves the way he does.

Abbott is an ancient vampire master who owned quite a bit of the South Eastern region of the States. He just recently added another territory and with it, a slew of abused and abusive shifter slaves. Abbott maintains a strict policy of consent. The slaves he receives were not only blood bonded against their will, but forced into becoming a werewolf. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Whilst working through the mess left by the former Master of Maryland, Abbott is intrigued by one slave, Spencer. Spencer is a quiet and unassuming slave who tries to stay under the radar. The problem? Vampires can read minds. What Abbott discovers in Spencer's mind is astonishing. Spencer should be a complete wreck of a shifter. Instead, he's developed independent thought and a morale code that is unheard of in slave turned at the tender age of twelve.

Both Spencer and Abbott are fantastic in this story. Ms. Blevins shows another side of Abbott that many fans have been wanting and hoping to see. This is the Abbott who showed a hint of vulnerability in Only Human. Abbott who learned that just because he has the power to make someone bend to his will, doesn't mean he should. Spencer is Abbott's second chance at finding the elusive connection he has long since given up experiencing again. The courting dance between Spencer and Abbott is sweet and tender. It is unexpected of Abbott and makes his sadistic side even more intense. Spencer balances Abbott's tendency to be heavy handed.

The sexual tension between Spencer and Abbott is delicious and intoxicating. Ms. Blevins does what she best. She heats up the pages with erotic edge play. The build up is filled with restrained passion. When she finally lets her characters orgasm, it is a shove off a high cliff. The sexual free fall is a rush of pleasure that hits kinky readers in all the right spots. The BDSM in the store is dare I say mild, for Ms. Candace. It leans more towards the sweet and tender rather than the cruel and sadistic. Yet even in this softer side, it is a twist of sadism as Spencer is yearning for rough sex, only to be kept in denial.

This story is more than just a love story. It is also more than explosively hawt kinky sex. The plot is a character growth journey for both Spencer and Abbott. This progressive style of writing is appealing to me because it ads another rich layer in this supernatural world. Ms. Blevins loving adds another missing piece to this world and it fits so well. I can hardly wait for the next sizzling piece. I also enjoyed the tie ins between the different series and the cross over characters. I love seeing cross over characters because it feels like I'm being visited by old friends. It also renews my sense of delight in the other books and I rush to re-read them again. Leash is highly recommended to m/m paranormal readers who are kinky and enjoy sweet torture mixed with rough love.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.