Comment: Didn't quite follow this book, possibly explained by the fact that I listened to it and dipped in and out a little. But when I was into it, it was something different! Entering this world of doms and submissives was more interesting than I expected, and the overarching story which looked for healing through exposure to this world opened my eyes. It was narrated by Christian Fox whom I've heard a number of times now and his voice was a great match for the story. This is my first Shayla Black novel and I will read her again if the intensity between the lovers in this novel is carried through her other novels. Otherwise, I found the plot kind of twisted and without a lot of meaning/relevance. ( )

I am sorry to say that very little in this book can be saved. The plot was weak, there was virtually no chemistry between Joaquin and Bailey, everything that happened seemed to be pulled out of nowhere . The good part was seeing past and loved characters making an appearance and making me remember why I liked their books so much. How I miss this series when it was good up until book 4. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A murdered family, a missing girl, can he put it all together and save her before it’s too late?

Opening Sentence: “Night pressed in, along with the rage crushing his chest.”

The Review:

Joaquin is on the hunt after his friend is brutally murdered because he took a case and discovered girls were being murdered. Joaquin knows that he is running out of time to find the right woman. After coming to his family for help, he quickly finds Bailey and decides that she is the woman he is looking for. So he kidnaps her, and she is not too happy about it once she wakes up. Joaquin explains that he believes that she is Tatiana, the missing daughter of a murdered Russian scientist. Bailey doesn’t believe him until he starts to describe her dream and he tells her that’s how the murders really happened.

Bailey discovers Joaquin is hiding her in a BDSM club and despite all the danger surrounding her life she is secretly intrigued. As they both delve deeper in the BDSM community and try to unravel why someone is so threatened by what she could remember they find themselves falling in love. Will they be able to figure out all of their deepest desires and help Bailey remember what she has worked so hard to forget?

Whew! This book is hot and steamy and so good. I have reviewed a later book in this series, so some of the names seemed familiar when I was reading this one. I just don’t think the BDSM aspect was in the later book so I was little surprised by that, however, still hot and a great book. Joaquin is a part of the NSA and he overhears some chatter between two people that have a connection to his friend’s death and the client’s death as well. He knows something serious is going, but just can’t get all the pieces together. Bailey is okay, probably one of those rare instances or maybe because the book was told from his point of view, she was just kind of not filled out enough for me.

The mystery though…one never gets tired of Russians doing hinky stuff or spy things. I mean seriously, look at that FX show The Americans, we clearly love this stuff. Bailey was adopted, only she doesn’t know that or remember that fact. She does have a recurring nightmare or dream about being covered in blood and being found by a couple. I want so badly to scream some of the spoilers, but I will hold my tongue. Needless to say, I didn’t see that coming at all.

I enjoyed every minute of this book, the mystery was great, the love was good, the sex was on point. I really can’t complain at all. A great way to spend my afternoon!

Notable Scene:

“It was probably stupid, but a pang hit Bailey’s heart. He’d lost someone he must have loved dearly at a young age. How solitary had he been since? How much had he been hurting because of it? Bailey wished she could help Kata- and Joaquin- because she knew what it felt like to be without family. She knew the pain of holidays spent around a Christmas tree by herself, about passing the milestones of life and not having the people she loved to share them with.

Just like she knew that Kata was subtly asking her to help heal Joaquin. It hurt even more to shake her head.”

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of His to Take. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )