“Sweet Restraint”, is Beth Kery’s first book published under Berkley’s “Heat” label which is synonymous with erotic romance. This is a BDSM themed story and is sexually explicit so if that isn’t your cup of tea, I would suggest your reconsider reading it. That being said, as with “Wicked Burn”, Beth Kery’s 2008 publication, “Sweet Restraint” was a highly emotional read for me. I found Shane Dominic and Laura Vasquez’s story suspenseful, passionate and compelling.
Sweet Restraint
At 38 years of age, Shane “Dom” Dominic has climbed rapidly up ranks of the FBI to be ‘Special Agent In Charge’ of ‘Operation Serve and Protect’, an investigation into the largest organized police theft ring in known history. The FBI uncovered evidence that indicates the corruption stretches back at least 10 years and involves senior officers in the Chicago Police Department.
Dom is an absolute ‘force of nature’. He is handsome, brilliant, driven and has an innate ability to comprehend people’s motivations and to predict how they would act in a certain set of circumstances. This is one strong, enticing hero and I can say without hesitation that I fell in love with him. Dom is soon to be married to Clarissa, a smart and successful financial analyst, who has been extremely patient with his long hours and obsession with the investigation. Dom, however, is having second thoughts about his marriage to Clarissa who, in the short glimpse we are given of her, is a lovely woman.
When Dom was in his twenties he was involved in a short, very intense relationship with Laura Vasquez, a beautiful, very reserved and brilliant artist. Dom had been besotted, head over heels in love with Laura, however it ended in betrayal when she suddenly married Huey Mays, a cop and creepy slimeball ten years her senior. Laura never explained to Dom why she did it. He only knew she left him devastated. He tried hard over the years to extinguish the torch he carried for Laura. However, it continued to smolder and at times burn brightly.
Ironically, Huey was the linchpin for the FBI’s continued investigation into the corruption at the Chicago Police Department. He was arrested, jailed and then makes bail. He subsequently commits suicide leaving a note. It is in these unlikely circumstances that Laura and Shane meet again and their explosive passion is rekindled. As a side note, she is one of only three people on the planet that call Dom, ‘Shane’.
Here is a short sample of the passionate erotic prose that permeates the narrative of this novel. Shane has rescued Laura from a crush of press at the hospital following Huey’s death. At her insistence he takes her to her home instead of somewhere he feels would be safer. After Shane makes a surprising and powerful admission with respect to his knowledge of Laura’s intimate relationship with her disgusting husband (details that he learned through FBI wire-tapping) an angry, bitter exchange of words turns fiery.
“He saw her eyes go wide but he didn’t give her a chance to respond to his totally irrational proclamation before he covered her mouth with his own.
He drank from her furiously. Pain vibrated through his flesh. Not the discomfort of a wound or an injury, but the raw, searing pain that came from exposing a desire that had long been denied.
At that moment he needed Laura Vasquez just like he needed to breathe.
Later he wouldn’t be able to say at what point she stopped struggling, precisely when her tongue began to tangle with his, or when her hands rose to caress his neck and her fingers delved through his hair. She pressed against him almost frantically, the abrupt appearance of her need shocking him. . .and nearly blinding him with lust.”
Sweet Restraint © Beth Kery
After 13 years of pent up desire detonates between them resulting in an intense scene of spontaneous lovemaking, Laura refuses to talk or meet with Shane. He then devises and institutes an unorthodox plan to force her to acknowledge her desire for him, trust him and finally divulge her secrets. Shane knows in his bones Laura is a natural sexual submissive. Shane is a sexual dominant who has found satisfaction practicing a BDSM lifestyle over the years.
Needless to say, Shane calls off his marriage to Clarissa.
Risking all, Shane handcuffs Laura and takes her against her will to a remote cabin in northern Illinois. There, he nurtures her desire for him by making love to her. The scenes at the cabin are emotional, tender and sexually explicit. There is bondage and submission and Laura does respond to Shane passionately. IMHO, the character development in this novel is exemplary; I got to know these two people, felt the pain of their lost love, their frustration and their joy at finally being able to touch and become reacquainted with one another. There is one particularly powerful scene where Laura’s pent up anger bubbles to the surface with such fury she lashes out at Shane. He, in turn, feels remorse and questions his belief that he has done the right thing in essentially kidnapping her.
Laura is a very stubborn and private woman. She has dark secrets that she keeps locked deep inside because she feels she must. There were times where I, along with Shane, was very frustrated with this heroine because she cannot give him her trust and refuses to confide in him. However, as the story progresses to its riveting conclusion, I came to understand and respect why she felt she had to keep her secrets so close, literally bricking up a thick wall around herself.
Readers are also introduced to Elizabeth and Alex Dominic, Shane’s kind and understanding parents. There is a particularly poignant exchange between Laura and Elizabeth when they are reacquainted after so many years that brought tears to my eyes.
Laura’s only living relative is her brother Joey, also a policeman on the force, who plays a pivotal role in the story’s suspense subplot.
The antagonist in this story is a cruel, powerful man with a Machiavellian complex who has 35 years of tenure on the Chicago Police Department. Nothing happens in the city without Randall Moody knowing and he manipulates Shane, Laura and the secondary characters of this story, in surprising plot twists and turns.
The path to Shane and Laura’s HEA is not an easy one but if you are willing to ride the bumpy road with them, I hope you will find reading their story as emotional and special as I did. I will say, I think if you enjoyed “Wicked Burn”, you will find “Sweet Restraint” equally gratifying.
“This time, he’ll never let her go.” As a reader, I was relieved he didn’t.
Order:
Wonderful review, Lea. I can't wait to read "Sweet Restraint."
Hi Lea,
Wow what an awesome review and I definately can't wait to read "Sweet Restraint".
Thanks for a chance to win the book!
Hey Lea…
love the round up on the book..
Have a great day today… we are having a heat wave this week over here…
E.H>
Hi Lea,
thanks for your wonderful review! You really know how to make these books a must read for me! This is a book I'd love to read, I'll be looking for Wicked Burn too.
Thanks for this great giveaway, from one across the big pond!
Eva
Hi Lea!
Great review!
Thanks for this great giveaway and for giving a chance to win to us from the old continent
Have a great day!
Hey Lea!
I'd love to be entered. This one sounds like another great one!
I want this one!!! So many books…
I had to get a cup of coffee before reading. It's a Wonderful review! Even if I don't win, I'll get this one!
Hi Lea
Thanks for the mention but you forgot to mention the part where I had to read it over again because the first time I was too riveted by your amazing review to think about commas. I swear your reviews are like "foreplay" leading up to a great read LOL!!You are truly amazing & I really can't wait to read Sweet Restraint. It sounds like another winner by Beth.
Hi Lea,
You are so lucky to have read an ARC of Sweet Restraint. I have been anxiously awaiting this one since Daring Time and can't wait to read it. I would love to win it!!!!
@Good Morning Jane! Welcome back – Thank you! Good Luck in the contest.
@Hi Razlover! Thank you so much – welcome to the contest and thank you.
@Hey EH: ugh, heat wave – stay cool my friend – I loath the heat… Good luck in the contest.
@((Hugs)) EvaS, thank you so much. Good luck to you.
@Good Morning Host! Thank you, your welcome and good luck to you.
@Hey AmyC! Your in – this was an awesome read for me.
Good luck my friend. ((hugs))
@Hi Cindy – thank you, you have a great day and good luck!
@Hey Mary! Thanks again for the help.
You have a great day, you are too good to me BTW!..
@Hi booklover1335! This book rocks IMHO – good luck to you!!
Have a great day everyone…
L
What a FANTASTIC review Lea! This is a simply MUST read for me.
)
Count me in!
@ Geeze – Thanks so much, Ms.M. – This one was a special one for me, it is still with me actually.
You are in (of course)!! Have a great day…
((hugs))
L
Nice review! I love the cover:) What a fun week at your blog!
Hi Lea,
please enter me in the giveaway.This sounds like a great book.
thanks
lucky1stuff(at)yahoo(dot)ca
Hello Lea. Great review. I cant wait to read this book.
Please enter me.
Cant wait to read this! Count me in.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
I just read Daring Time over the weekend and loved it – looking forward to reading this one!
Since I also have a 'Sweet' series of books shouldn't I like win by default! And if that isn't a good enough reason how about this: I really really want it! So, pick me pick me pick me, cause damn if this book doesn't look scorching hot!!!
Thanks for the review, I have Daring Time by her and I'm looking forward to her latest release!
Am I too late to enter??
Sorry if I am awful with the time zones!!
Hi Lea,
Great review, I have been over at Beth's site, but now I got a real look into the book. It sounds steamy.
Ok Lea don't pay attention to my last post I was having a coffee deprived moment and realised I read it all wrong for the deadline LMAO!
Great review btw
This book has really got me, I cannot wait to read it.
loretta
lbcanton@verizon.net
Hi Lea!!
Fantastic review…..I so can't wait to read this one!!!
Hi Lea
Great review. I'll definitely add this to my to be read list. Thanks for the chance to win.
Hi Lea!
I can't wait to read this one and find out how Beth takes on the BDSM theme! Thanks to you and Beth for another great contest :- )
That's a terrific review, Lea–thanks so much! And thanks for hosting the contest! Please count me in!
The book sounds fantastic! I am anxious for it to come out! Thanks for another great contest!
Amy M.
atc218@aol.com
Wow, beautiful review Lea. I'm really interested in this read. It definitely sounds like my cup of tea.
Count me in for the contest!
I am so excited about this one, it looks so good! Count me in
brandewaldron(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Everyone!
Thanks so much for joining in!! I'll be back later to say hi to everyone. Gotta work right now (ack). LOL
Thank you again and welcome!
L
Fantastic Review – I love reading your reviews. I also loved reading Wicked Burn – so I know this one will be just as good!!!!
Fabulous review. I would love to read Sweet Restraint.
I am so behind… I STILL haven't read anything by Kery. But would love to start with this one
Hi Lea,
You are really spoiling us with all these great contests, so please don't stop!
Good luck to everybody! This book sounds sssooooo good!
*waving* Hello, Lea! I followed Ms Kery's directions to get here.
Thank you for the chance!
Hey Lea!!! Count me in!!!
Hi Lea,
Lovely review…I am so wanting this book. After your review and excerpt I'm in state of want. *sigh, again*
oh wow i love that review and now i really really wanan read this book awesomeness from Beth cant really expect less so yeah please enter me in the contest
What a fantastic review. If I hadn't been looking forward to the release of Sweet Restraint before, I would be after that. Now I'm just more anxious to read it.
I just recently "discovered" Beth's books and just finished reading Wicked Burn and Daring Time which are already on my keeper shelf. The excerpts for Sweet Restraint and smokin' hot and I can't wait to read it.
Lea Lea Lea
What can I say? Your reviews of the books are getting rave reviews LOL!! You totally rock. This is one case where I am happy to say "I TOLD YOU SO!!". Just a reminder that I have Beth's WB & DT & I won SR at another contest.
MAJOR HUGS
Lea, I loved the review! Please enter me for the drawing. I would love to read this book.
HI Again Lea!!!
No matter what I just keep coming back, you always have the best contest.
Great Review! Sweet Restraint sound Great!
~Afshan
Hi Lea,
Thanks for the review. Now I want to read the book even more, if that's possible
Btw, love the widgets!
Tracy
tracyjoe@mac.com
Nice review Lea!!! I can't wiat for Beth's book to come out!
Hi Lea,
Great review, you have me wanting this book in my hands right this second!
Hi Everyone!
Wow, thank you again for stopping by and for all the lovely compliments about the review. However, I have to defer to Beth because she is the one who wrote another great book, IMHO.
Anyway, I'm way behind in welcoming everyone so I'm going to try and catch up here.
@Hi Mandi! Welcome and thank you for entering – Good Luck to you!
@Elaine: Welcome to the contest, so nice to see you here! Good Luck.
@Sarabelle: Welcome back Sarabelle, happy you have thrown your wig in the ring again! Good Luck
@I Heart Book Gossip: Hi there and welcome back! Good Luck to you.
@Hey there Chris! Delighted to see you here – Good Luck to you.
@Hi Nicole: You'll have to throw some good luck dust to the randomizer there! lol Good Luck.
@Hi tetewa! Welcome back – Good Luck in the contest.
@Hey there Amanda! Delighted to see you here – you aren't too late at all! Good Luck!!
@Bloeuedd: Hey there my friend! I'm so delighted you entered! Good Luck to you.
@Loretta: Welcome to closewriter glad you joined in. Good Luck!
@Hi Blanche: So happy you arrived back from you vacation in time to join in on the contest!! Good luck my friend.
@delitealex: Hi there and welcome again. Good Luck to you.
@Hi Cheryl!! So nice to see you throw your wig in the ring again – you are my regular trouper! Good luck girl!!!
@flchen1: Hi there and welcome again! Good Luck to you.
@Hi AmyM: Welcome to Beth's contest and good luck to you!
@Hey VampFanGirl! Nice to see you here my friend! Good Luck to you!
@Book Junkie: Welcome to Beth's contest! So happy you joined in – good luck to you!
@Hi Kara! I'm delighted you joined in. Great to see you drop by.
Good Luck…
@Hey CrystalGB: Welcome again!! So nice to see a returning name. Good Luck in the draw.
@Hi MaijaP: Welcome back, happy you joined in on Beth's contest. Good Luck to you.
@Hey joder: Welcome again: Delighted you joined in and good luck to you.
@Hi Azteclady; ::waving back:: Welcome to Beth's contest and good luck to you.
@Hi Barbara: Great to see you join in girl! Good luck my friend. ((hugs))
@Hi Armenia: Nice to see you here again and good luck to you!
@Hey SiNa: Welcome to closetwriter and Beth's contest! Good luck to you!!!
@Hey there Karin: Welcome to the contest and best of luck to you..
@Hi CathyM: Happy you joined in and good luck to you!
(Weren't WB and DT great?)
@Hey there LisaF: Welcome to the gang and good luck battling the randomizer! lol
@Hi Afshan!! Welcome, so great to see you back and good luck to you.
@Hey Tracy: Welcome to the contest and the best of luck to you! Thanks re the widgets – I'm such a goof. lol
L
@Welcome Back jeanette8042! Thank you and good luck in the contest!
@Hi Susan! Welcome to the contest and thank you. This book was such a great read for me! Anyway, good luck to you.
L
This sounds like such an intriguing book. The more I read the more I want this one.
Larena
Great review, Lea! I'm looking forward to Sweet Restraint, as I do all of Beth's books!
Hi Lea!
Just got home, sorry so late! Your review is great! Please enter me!
Already posted on my blog.
Dottie
gymmom_027@yahoo.com
@Larena: Welcome back! Thank you for entering the contest. Good Luck.
@Hi Lighthouse Sandy! Welcome back and thanks for throwing your hat in the right, Good Luck.
@Hey ther Dottie! You aren't late at all!! Goodness girl I'm hearing heavy breathing through the online link there. Sit down, pour yourself a glass of wine and relax!! Oh, and you are SO in.
(((hugs)))
L
Lea,
I was so thrilled to read that Sweet Restraint hit you emotionally. Thanks for the wonderful review and for sponsoring this contest. Hope everybody has a fun time!
Hi Beth;
You are very welcome. It most definitely was an emotional read and a keeper book for me.
Thanks for taking time to comment Beth!
L
Great review! Please count me in. Thanks!
@Hi Christina: Welcome and thank you for entering Beth's contest! Good Luck to you.
L
Great review! I can't wait to read this one.
If I hadn't read Wicked Burn before and enjoyed the author's writing so much, your review of Sweet Restraint would've sold it for me. Great job on the review! This book is either going in my TBR *wink* or TBB pile.
Awesome review! Sweet Restraint sounds great!
Okay, crossing fingers to win this sweet little treasure!! I will wait patiencely for it… and if I do not win… I will be ordering this one!!!
Awesome review Lea, as always. I always know what author your heart thrives for… you are always so passionate in your review and honest!! LOVED it!!
I will be back everyday, so I am not stalking you… just trying to win…
I hope you have a wonderful day today and a wonderful day tomorrow!
Hi Lea! I'm on a loaner computer for tonight so its touch and go for me each day. But had to come and visit tonight! I adore Beth's books! And now even more excited on this one! Please do put me in for this, thanks bunches!!
Thank you for hosting the contest, I love Beth's books.
Wow Lea! Awesome review as always! This one looks great but you made the book even sound better
rachie2004 AT yahoo DOT com
Please count me in! LOVED the review Lea!
P.S. Punctuation isn't my strong suit either!!
lyoness2009 @ hot mail (dot) com
So it is before 5pm, and I still have a chance….Loved the review and small excerpt of "Sweet Restraint" just begs for more!
lilibethramos@live.com
I'm probably late for this giveaway, but still…
Great review.
teresa.fav at gmail.com
Hi Leah,
I love this review. I am really looking forward to reading the story now. The review was great ! Thanks.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
Sorry it took me so long to find you!!!
@Hey Estella! Good Morning – happy to see you here – good luck!!
@Hi Tabitha! Welcome to Beth's giveaway and best of luck to you.
@Hey AmyS: Welcome – so happy you joined in. Good Luck to you.
@Hi There Cecile! Thank you and so happy you joined in. You can blog stalk me anytime.
lol Good Luck girl!!!
@Hi Caffey! So sorry about your computer girl – ugh.. I hope it doesn't take too long to fix. Thanks for joining in and good luck!!
@Hey Mari – Welcome to Beth's contest and good luck to you.
@Hi there Rachie G: Nice to see you here and good luck to you!
@Hey Lyoness2009; I was wondering if you would join in again – good luck to you.
@Hi Lilibeth! Welcome to the contest and good luck to you, thank you for joining in!
@Hey Teresa! You are not late at all! Your in girl and good luck to you.
@Hi there Carol L: Welcome and good luck to you, so happy you joined in!!
@Hi Amanda! No need to apologize at all!! I'm delighted you found me now.. lol – Good luck in the contest!
Have a great day everyone, don't forget, I'm accepting entries until 5pm EST for this giveaway.
L
Ooh, am i supposed to comment every day? I hope this counts!
Oh, goodness it is so HOT here, this will just make things hotter! LOL
Take care,
Sassy
Sassy.Brit[@]gmail[dot]com (Just in case!)
@Hi Sassy! You got it girl!! Happy you joined in today too! Hope you can pop by tomorrow as well – Good luck to you!!!
L
I hope its not too late for this contest. I would love to win. thanks.
@Hi malleycc: No ma'am, not too late at all! You are in! BTW – love your avatar! Good Luck
L
I hope I am not too late to enter. What a wonderful review Lea. You are making me wanting to run out and get this book. Can't wait to get my hands on this book by Beth Kery. I would love to be enter to win please, thank you.
Thank you Lea & Beth for a wonderful contest and letting us have a chance to win
Hugssss
LindaH
@ Hey Linda! So Happy to see you here.
You are in girl and good luck to you! 
L
Okay All – Entries for the Monday Giveaway are Now closed!!
Thanks Everyone…
L