CD Reiss: Beg, Songs Of Submission
Now that Fifty Shades of Grey survived its opening weekend, the first round of reviews are starting to pour in for the most anticipated movie for women. Granted, it has shattered box office records earning over 80 million dollars (official numbers will be out soon) and most viewers do not post reviews of movies they watch (especially a movie that snapped a lot of pearls) the ones that have come out, do not look good. In fact, they look terrible. So terrible that at the time of this post, Friday The 13th Part III has more stars on IMDB than FSOG.
I do not plan on going to see the movie. I didn't like the first book and couldn't get into the second book, I gave it a serious go, but it wasn't for me. Not because it is not true BDSM (I'm pretty sure most people know that by now), not because the characters barely spoke above a murmur (they must have excellent hearing), and not because it was made for Twilight fans (who doesn't have that one song/movie/book that isn't pure mind candy). No, I don't like it because there are so many other excellent BDSM series out there that do the "submissive poor woman meets dominant rich man" plot better than FSOG. For instance:
The Submission Series by CD Reiss is about a red head "bazillionaire" named Johnathan who falls for cocktail waitress/singer Monica. Their tale begins at Monica's place of employment, a swanky LA roof top bar Hotel K where Monica spills a drink on Johnathan and promptly gets fired. Fortunately for her, Johnathan (who owns a string of international hotels) is able to get her a job with a friend of his that owns another roof top bar, the Stock.
"The rooftop bar thing in L.A. had gotten out of hand. You couldn't swing a dead talent agent without hitting some new construction with a barside pool on the roof and thumping music day and night."
While Monica is working at the Stock her tempestuous relationship with Johnathan really developes. It starts with a casual ride up Mulholland where they make out on the hood of his Merceded convertible (and getting caught by the cops) and by the end of the first book she is at his home for the first time, beginning her rise into submissiveness.
"When I thought I couldn't take another minute of his attention without falling down from the pleasure of it, he stood straight and put his mouth over mind, sucking the ice back. He crunched on it and said, 'Come on in.'"
Throughout the series Monica's personal life is engulfed with her music. She is a talented singer for the band Spoken Not Stirred with her ex Darren, his sister Gabby, and random Harry. Although Darren is her ex, the two of them are quite good friend bounded by their need to keep Gabby from attempting suicide again. Johnathan's life is consumed by keeping his hotels running smoothly and sorting out his feelings for his ex-wife Jessica. The book ends with Monica quietly leaving Johnathan's home with no intention on start a relationship with a man that still jumps through hoops for his ex-wife.
This series is much more gratifying than FSOG in the fact that it takes all of the best parts of FSOG (wealthy man whose night moves include leather and ropes, falls for attractive unknown woman beginning whirlwind BDSM relationship) and gives it a logical plot, with realistic conversations.
Why I prefer SOS: Everyone who knows who Johnathan Drazen is, knows that he is a freak. They know that he womanizes, they know he's into some kinky stuff, and his image is plastered all over the internet. This is logical and expected in America where our laws regardng paparazzi are not as strict as the UK. Monica has numerous people tell her "You'll be fine as long as you do not get attached." Again, logical. (Go have some fun girl, he is a PRO! But the instant you start feeling anything above of the groin area then you better back off.) Teasing is a game people play, because having someone beg for you gives the impression of importance. People like to feel important, it is a psychological fact. This is logical.
Call me Spock, I just prefer some logic in my fiction. If you are still interested in some BDSM reading but FSOG didn't quite do it for you then I suggest you try this series. Right now Beg is free on Amazon Kindle and for a few bucks on paperback. If you like the first then I strongly suggest you buy the entire series. You will not regret it!
Now I'm going to go put on Yael Naim's version of Toxic, grab some wine and get to reading. I've read this series twice, loooove it! Let me know what you think of it too and be sure to pass it on. Until next time amigas, adios!