Book Review: Bound By Honor

Bound By Honor: Men of Honor, Book 1

Author: S. E. Jakes

Published by: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Release Date: March 1, 2011

Source: Kindle Edition owned by Reviewer

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Reader Store

Audience: Persons 18+

THE RUNDOWN: One year ago on a mission gone wrong, Tanner James failed to save the life of Jesse, his Army Ranger teammate. Before dying in that South American jungle, Jesse extracted a promise that won’t let Tanner rest until it’s fulfilled—no matter what it costs him.

Damon Price loved Jesse, but problems in their relationship had come to a head right before Jesse left on his final mission. Now a reluctant Dom and a man still in mourning, he’s not happy when Tanner appears at his BDSM club. And even less happy with Jesse’s last request—that Tanner sub for him for one night.

After a rough start, Damon realizes that the tough soldier, despite his protests, aches for someone to take control. And Tanner senses a hesitance, an insecurity in Damon that makes him wonder if he’s simply a placeholder for Jesse, or if their tentative connection could grow into something more.

For Jesse’s sake, they agree to try one weekend together. Then duty calls, and a series of attacks that have been happening near the club hits too close to home, making both men wonder if giving their hearts is a maneuver fraught with too much risk…

WHAT WENT DOWN:

Male/Male BDSM relationships are not what anyone would deem as mainstream when it comes to romance novels. But, I say to you, give it a chance.

What Jakes did here in the first installment of the Men of Honor series was exhibit how romance can bloom regardless of gender, preference, or even occupation. That's exactly what I loved about this book; it was not your run-of-the-mill, damsel-in-distress romance novel. The relationship between our two male protagonists progressed naturally...well, as naturally as a relationship can in an atmosphere of mourning, reluctance, and ultra kinky spanking between two servicemen.

This book is about a love story, plain and simple. The gay status of the men as well as the BDSM are simply devices used to broaden the reader's horizon. The book does not focus on those things, but rather uses them to tell a story from a different angle.

To be perfectly honest, the plot did drag at times, but never too long that I became disinterested. The subplots, such as Law and his former and current love life and the mysterious violent acts taking place, did well to move the story along and render intrigue to the reader.

True this book may not be for everyone, but you never know what you like until you try it (a lesson well-taught by Jakes).

THE "DOWN LOW":

Straight up, the sex was pretty damn hot in this book. Men tend to be more vocal when it comes to the good ol' bump n grind and Jakes did not falter here; the sex talk was so hot you'd think it came straight from the furnace. YOWSA! The only gripe I had was there needed to be much, much more of it.

And to finish, here is my favorite quote from the book: "No, baby-you'd prefer someone to take all that control from you until you're moaning like a sweet little b****." Damon to Tanner