Reviews
Branded Sanctuary
BDSM/Contemporary Erotic Romance
© Copyright 2010 - All Rights Reserved
Whipped Cream/Long and Short of It
Reviewed by Fern
April 2010
Rating: Best Book
http://whippedcream2blogspot.com
Sometimes when you anticipate the release of a particular story, you worry that it might not be all that you hope for. Perhaps the path created won’t be what you envisioned, or maybe the characters won’t come to life as you’ve seen them in your head. So when the moment arrives, and you have the story in hand, there is a level of nervousness involved. Thus was the case with Branded Sanctuary, the seventh book in Joey W. Hill’s unforgettable and eagerly anticipated Nature of Desire series.
This time around, we finally get to share Chloe and Brendan’s story.
What occurs is a journey of discovery, revelation, and healing. Not only does Chloe carry hidden scars, so does Brendan. While each need to come clean and tear away the bandage that allows the misery to fester, fear keeps them tethered, a prisoner to their own torments. The path to salvation is paved in pain, anger, and uncertainty, which is gut-wrenching, yet necessary, to witness. Joey W. Hill is the Mistress of forcing the soul to bleed in order to heal, tearing at the foundation of the human condition until she not only grips your heart – she owns it. That is her power, and her mastery flows across each and every page.
Fans of Ms. Hill will devour this story and start all over again once the journey is completed. The characters are more than mere sums of parts on paper, they are people who live, breath, hurt, crave, and love. Unlike others who will delve into the technical aspects of the work, focusing on the eccentricities of the plot and how it affects the characters, I am intentionally avoiding doing so. The blurb is more than enough reference. Go into it with what you know and allow the story to consume you – as it was intended.
I’m rating this Branded Sanctuary as a best book. Once upon a time, I swore no story would ever compare to my favorite JWH title, Beloved Vampire, but this one is causing me to reevaluate that stance. This is the kind of book that lingers with you for days, until the compulsion to return to the pages lures you in and you read it all over again.
Two Lips Review Site
Reviewed by Victoria
May 2010
Rating: 5 Stars / Recommended Read
http://twolipsreviews.com
When I was first introduced to the possibility of Chloe and Brendan becoming a couple at the end of Joey W. Hill’s fourth book in her Nature of Desire series, Mirror of My Soul, I wondered just how she would be able to get two totally different people from diametrically opposed sexual spectrums—a BDSM newbie and a bi-sexual submissive—together. Chloe desperately wants her ‘white knight’ fantasy to come true and feels Brendan embodies this, knowing he’ll come in and drive all her nightmares away. Brendan is a special man, craving to the marrows of his soul to be sexually submissive to one person. As Brendan strives to be everything Chloe ever wanted in a man, she still holds her innermost self back, thinking she cannot be loved because of the deep shadows that resound within her soul.
I must admit while reading Branded Sanctuary, I felt at times Chloe didn’t deserve Brendan’s unconditional love. After I finished this latest installment of Ms. Hill’s Nature of Desire series, it made me rethink my personal meaning of what does desire mean. With each and every book in this series, Joey W. Hill treats us to the wide spectrum that is BDSM, which is the reason why I feel her Nature of Desire series is the greatest BDSM series I have ever read. Many BDSM authors lace their novels with gratuitous though steamy sex scenes, but leave the reader lacking for true emotion in their plots.
Should Branded Sanctuary be read with a man, fan, or plenty of sex toys in the vicinity? Yes, it should, but the core of this novel is not sex but two souls merging as one. Ms. Hill has a rare talent of putting characters together who at first glance would never seem to suit but by the story’s end, fit flawlessly together. While I knew their road to romance would be rocky and full of angst, when Chloe ‘claims’ Brendan in front of his whole community, I knew these two were meant for one another. I may not have thought their romance would play out the way it did and squirmed a bit in my seat while reading, but I’m sure glad I went along for the ride and will willfully saddle up whenever the next installment of Joey W. Hill’s Nature of Desire series makes its way into my eager little hands!
The Romance Studio
Reviewed by Michele
May 2010
Rating: 5 Stars
http://theromancestudio.com
Joey W. Hill is a creative and inspiring story writer. "Branded Sanctuary" has a solid plot with strong character development and wonderful dialogue. This is a gripping story about pain and recovery. Chloe is a charismatic personality with a damaged soul you will enjoy getting to know and cheer her on as she begins to reclaim her life and looks toward a future without pain. There are many layers to Chloe which are revealed and which will invoke strong emotions in the reader. Brendan wants to help Chloe on her journey of recovery, a knight in shining armor. He is the ultimate good guy whose pleasure is defined by his gift to ensure the happiness of those around him. He is a sexual submissive who reveals his true nature in his caring and giving actions. Yet he is selfless to the point of frustration for Chloe who wants to know if he really wants her or is only seeking a new Mistress. This is a glorious romance which includes spicy and sensual love senses between the main characters. It also includes some graphic sex and BDSM senses. "Branded Sanctuary" is book VII in the Nature of Desire Series. I highly recommend everything written by Joey W. Hill. She is truly an exceptional story witch!
The Book Binge
Reviewed by Kati
May 2010
Rating: 4.75 Stars
http://thebookbinge.com
This book was an absolute revelation for me. I have always said that I didn't understand pain with sex, and I never really identified with the D/s life. But this book explored it in a way that I could relate to. Joey W. Hill never uses the D/s scenes to titillate. She focuses on Brendan's motivations, how he struggles to reveal not just what he wants sexually, but to make Chloe understand his relationship with Marguerite. Personally, I could identify completely with Chloe's bewilderment, her attraction to Brendan, and her slow identification of how her pain and difficulties getting over her attack might help her to understand better Brendan's life and choices. The book is emotionally packed and paced gorgeously, with Hill never, ever rushing a moment, and allowing the reader to relish the slow development of Chloe and Brendan's relationship. Branded Sanctuary is a lovely, resonant, emotional romance that I recommend without equivocation. I can tell you that I finished the book and immediately turned back to the beginning to read it again.
Joyfully Reviewed
Reviewed by Talia
April 2010
Rating: Joyfully Recommended
http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com
Joey W. Hill continues her highly popular Nature of Desire series with Branded Sanctuary. Brandon’s devotion to his mistress Marguerite is absolute and his desire for Chloe is unconditional. That much is more than evident in the pages of this erotic novel. Having met Brandon in both Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul, I yearned for him to have his own story told – especially after seeing him with Chloe at his mistress’s wedding. Brendon’s desire to be what Chloe needed was more than evident in every single touch, look, and kiss.
Compelling and passionate, Branded Sanctuary by Joey W. Hill is definitely a must read. In fact, I joyfully recommend it!
Romance Readers Connection
Reviewed by Sarah Silversmith
April 2010
Rating: 4 Stars
http://theromancereadersconnection.com
Joey Hill (as usual) does an absolutely amazing job at character portrayal. The emotions, thoughts, feelings, story – everything - was very well done. I could FEEL Chloe’s pain and terror. Her struggle to accept Brendan and be what he needs her to be, while he struggles the same. Beautifully written.
Naughty in the Backseat Blog
Reviewed by Terry Kate
July 2010
Rating: 5 Stars for story, 4 stars for reviewer
http://naughtyinthebackseat.com
The story is touching, the romance between Chloe and Brendan is sweet, the emotional level that Joey Hill raises the book to is as usually unmatched. It is a hard to put down read that takes us through a dark time in a woman’s life and the journey is what makes this a powerful read.
