Book Review: Ties That Bind

Ties That Bind: Men of Honor, Book 3

Author: S. E. Jakes

Published by: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Source: Kindle Edition owned by Reviewer

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

Audience: Persons 18+

THE RUNDOWN: When helo pilot Glen Rhodes flies Navy SEALs into the most dangerous places on earth, he has nerves of steel. Since his trusted Dom’s death three years ago, though, the thought of submitting makes him panic.

Determined to move on and long past ready to release the adrenaline rush from his job, Glen returns to home ground—and to the bar he hasn’t had the heart to enter for three long years. There, he meets a man who seems to fit naturally into the void.

Derek Mann has suffered his own losses, and he isn’t looking for permanent. Easy conquests don’t interest him, either. One look at Glen’s proud military bearing and sad eyes tells him that he has a challenge on his hands. And that winning Glen’s trust will unleash something wild and beautiful.

The plan is to tread lightly. But from the first touch of skin on skin, there’s no holding back…except when it comes to their deepest emotions. A Christmas Eve crisis pushes them both to their limits, leaving them no choice but to let go of the past...or let it pull them apart.

WHAT WENT DOWN:

I can sum up this book with two words: short and sweet. Unlike her two previous books, this one got straight to the point and straight to the loving, which is why I gave it a better rating than the other installments. This author has a tendency to drag out plot in the story, making it too long-winded, but she had no time to do so here what with it being only ten chapters. And I think that it made her writing shine.

Jakes’s strength is definitely detailing those steamy romance scenes, and to a slightly lesser extent writing about the budding feelings between her protagonists.

Since the series is named Men of Honor, our two romantic leads are an ex-Marine and Navy pilot, respectively. This always plays a part in her books and is effectively used as it affects time, characteristics, and relationships. And picturing these men in uniform isn’t so bad…

Another thing Jakes did was to reference a character from a previous book, keeping us in the world she’s created and depicting the interrelationships among all of the characters.

I very much am looking forward to the next installment of this series.

THE "DOWN LOW":

Ok. This book…is like ALL SEX, ALL THE TIME.

I really, really do love that in a book.

Derek and Glen are a glorious combination of sweet and spicy! And much tastier than Chinese food, if you follow me. They are just incredibly hot together and it was easy to see that click straight away. Though BDSM may not be MY thing, it definitely helped this Marine and Navy pilot…salute each other.

This is probably one of the sweetest Dom/sub relationships I’ve read to date, but even with all of its romantic undertones, the book still managed to be so hot I had to put it down and fan myself.

Fave quote from the book: “I’m going to let you come in your pants. Bury your face in my neck when you come and apologize.” ~Derek Mann

*deep breath* I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!

But so NOT sorry that I read this book. Thanks, S E Jakes!