The Deep End

January 16, 2017
At excruciating length, Ashley (Ride Steady) immerses readers in the flimsy world of Phoenix’s exclusive, no-boundaries Bee’s Honey club, where men explore erotic submission. After an extended and boring meet-cute, Amélie, a trained and experienced dominatrix, repeatedly tests alpha-submissive Olivier in the private rooms to see whether their sexual chemistry will persist outside of their relationship in the club. Risibly calling him her “chevalier” and “steed,” Amélie wastes no time exploring Olivier inside and out. Scene after scene in the club and at Amélie’s ranch might be enjoyable if readers felt invested in the characters, but little is revealed about their history, family, work, or motivations. Amélie has great wealth and hates that her job requires her to travel; beyond that, her actual career is vague. Working-class Olivier hangs out with a group of guys at a lower-end BDSM club; some of his buddies, whose connection is only clarified late in the book, will inevitably star in future installments. Endless scenes of naked bodies interrupted by scant and awkward conversation make for tedious reading and will limit Ashley’s ability to build a series whose readers care about the characters. Agent: Emily Sylvan Kim, Prospect Agency.

March 15, 2017

Ashley's "Honey" series opener sees seasoned Dominatrix and Bee's Honey Club member Amelie Strand growing bored with the scene and realizing that she wants to play with a permanent partner for the first time in her life. As if on cue, in walks broad, buff alpha-sub Olivier Hawkes. Olly shores up excitement and a deeper feeling Amelie hasn't had in a long while. Although his submissive demeanor is unpracticed, his cheeky nature makes him difficult to break, much to Amelie's delight. Little does she know that Olly's membership to the elite club started as a con, a shortcut into a world that had long piqued his interest. He was unprepared for stunning, commanding Amelie to enter his life, nor for the effect she has on his libido. But will their connection survive complications when it's taken beyond the walls of Bee's Honey? VERDICT Though the slightly lengthy prose occasionally complicates the raunchy action, overall, this latest from Ashley (Motorcycle Man) is an enjoyable title for femdom fans.

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