I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Resistance
on April 6, 2012 and has 254 pages.
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First in the Power Play supposedly BDSM gay series. The couple focus is on Brandon and Jonathan.
I received this story from the publisher, Riptide Publishing.
My Take
This is sick. If this is what BDSM is about, I so do not want any! Brandon needs a chunk of change to pursue his dream and when Jonathan makes him a deal for six months of his time for the money, Brandon figures, what can it hurt.
Turns out, it can hurt A LOT. Jonathan starts out by wanting to be friends and get to know each other. But what he really means is I will break you any way I can and the more painful the better. He treats Bran like a dog, like a thing. He pays no attention to how or what Bran feels. He simply wants to make himself happy even though he seriously believes he’s being considerate. Hah! How can Jonathan possibly expect Bran NOT to flinch?? He thought he was being nice?? How dumb was he that he thought he could just take Brandon in and immediately start treating him as he did. He knew the man was clueless about the whole thing. He thought he wasn’t dehumanizing or objectifying him? Could’a fooled me.
How Jonathan can be so incredibly clueless about what he’s doing and how he’s damaging any chance of this relationship going where he wants it. Then he gets pissy because he hasn’t considered anything really about Bran. And he’s angry because Bran isn’t giving him what he wants.
Well, duh, Jonathan sure ain’t giving Bran what he wants. I don’t care how much the guy comes. That’s a physical response. EVERYthing Bran shows him is simply growing with hate. How can Jonathan miss this?
I can’t speak for the accuracy of the portrayal of this lifestyle, but I do think Grant/Haimowitz did a great job of creating the atmosphere and portraying the characters. Their needs, their desires, their passions. I liked the effort the authors put into creating a background for these two principal characters and the care which they put into their emotions.
Pulling this together into a story which I just couldn’t put down. Yes, part of me wanted to smash Jonathan and I understood Bran’s pride. His need for that money to fulfill his dream.
The ladies start this with a quote that I agree with completely:
“For everyone who’s ever felt shame at their desires.
Don’t.
Be proud; you are perfect the way you are.”
We’re taught to be ashamed of so many silly things, desires, wants. Why? People are individual and they are entitled to their feelings. As long as they don’t hurt anyone else, why can’t they enjoy what pleases them?
Admittedly, this is not my cup of tea, but then what I like probably wouldn’t suit a whole lotta other people either! Still, I have a hard time (no pun intended) at seeing how Jonathan treats Bran as at all loving. He’s abusive, dismissive, oh heck, he’s an asshole.
At first, I thought Jonathan encountering Brandon was a chance thing. Later I got to wondering if Jonathan had orchestrated their encounter, especially since it seemed that Jonathan knew who Brandon was at the bar. How did he find him? It’s never clear.
Bran cracked me up with his butchy inquiry as to whether Jonathan had butchered his own tofu!
Oh man, I LOVED the info on building green!! It gets me all excited. Hmmm, what a weird thing to get excited about when I’m reading an erotic story. It’s ‘sposed get me excited about other things…and, nope, I liked Bran’s enthusiasm for LEED and, while I appreciated Jonathan wanting Bran to relax and enjoy…no, savor…life, he never gave him the opportunity to relax into it. Heck, all that flinching all the time should have told Jonathan something!
Jesus, it’s too bad that Brandon didn’t thoroughly read over that bloody contract and do some research on the possibilities. Although, I doubt if I’d have figured out half the “demands” I’d’ve put into it. Heat for one! And the freedom to be as snarky as I wanted!! And be able to bark at him! I don’t think I’d fit the submissive role at all.
Whoa, Brandon really sums it up well at the end. Exactly what I was thinking, only I didn’t know I was thinking that.
The Story
Brandon has the chance to buy his boss’ company at the end of the year and he has so many ideas for what he wants to do. He’s already running half the company! Now, if only he can get a loan for three million dollars. Right.
Jonathan, a billionaire, is a self-confessed sadist and Dominant looking for a new challenge.
Together, they might be able to give each other what the other dreams.
The Characters
Brandon McKinney had a horrible childhood, a father who beat him. With the years he’s spent in Chinatown in San Francisco, he’s taught himself to speak Chinese and understand their culture. Now, he’s struggling to make something of himself. To pursue his dream of becoming an architect.
Jonathan Watkins is a self-made billionaire. Brilliant with a kink. Sabrina is his chef.
Mike is one of Bran’s coworkers. Mr. Sung owns the company, Sung Integrated Design, and wants to sell it at the end of the year. Jian Li is the bartender where Bran drinks. Mrs. Chan is Bran’s neighbor. Devon Turner is a Dom Jonathan turns to for advice.
The Cover and Title
The cover’s colors just don’t suit the story. It’s all lurid greens and oranges and it’s not Jonathan or Bran with these harsh colors. And the cover should really be about Jonathan and an appreciation for the joys of life. Whatever those may be for you. The pose that Brandon holds, the swing, yes, those reflect the story.
The title, oh yeah, this story is all about Resistance.
