Say Yes by J.R. Gray
Publisher: Self
Release Date (Ebook & Print): July 24
Note: Say Yes was originally published in an alternative form by Omni Lit Publishing on December 1, 2015.
Length (word count): 35K words, 126 pages
Subgenre: Contemporary M/M BDSM
Publisher | Amazon
Book Blurb
James failed.
He tried to be what they wanted.
He tried to deny it.
He tried to be a good Catholic boy…but it’s become too much.
He craves pain, submission.
He’s denied himself far too long, and it’s eating him alive.
Charles thrives off the exchange of power. He knows the world revolves around control. It’s given and taken like currency, in business and in pleasure. He won’t get attached, though, or so he tells himself, until James turns his world upside down. He’s defiant and snarky, but Charles can taste the submission on him.
Charles holds the key to his salvation but James has to Say Yes.
What are other authors saying about Say Yes?
Author Kerry Heavens says: “Yes – to the delicious slow burn which goes head to head with an intense urgency. Yes – to James’ soft vulnerability that meets its match in Charles’ steely determination. Yes – to the forbidden vs the shameless. Yes – to more…I’m saying YES!”
Excerpt
Inside the dressing room, Charles caught James by the tie and yanked him closer. James stood without a hint of fear. With his reputation, there weren’t many left who didn’t fear him.
“Why don’t you stay?” It had to be voluntary. There was nothing if it wasn’t. Any man could get off on force. He wanted the control freely given. It was so much more erotic.
“Need help putting your dick in your pants?” James’ lips curled up a hint.
“I was thinking more along the lines of help with you on your knees.” He stared at the tie on James’ neck. Charles wanted to string him up with it. It had been a long time since he’d let loose with a man.
“I think I’ll ruin my suit if I kneel in here.” He was witty. Another point in his favor.
James was quite a bit younger than Charles was, but he made up for it in cocky. His dirty blond hair fell into his eyes, enough for Charles to grab a handful of. Even if he’d never preferred blonds, there was a first time for everything.
“All the more reason not to be wearing it.”
“It’s my job to get you out of your suit, not for you to get me out of mine.” His dark green eyes shone in the low light behind rectangular glasses. He had such a thing for glasses. Charles knew he was being toyed with. It was an unusual sensation for him as he usually did the toying.
“It’s not going to be any work at all for you to get me out of my suit. I think yours will be the challenge.”
Review
Updated Review on 7/24/17
– As you can see below I loved the original cover…I’m not crazy about the new one. I’m not sure why it changed.
– I love the additional content and where these two guys are headed. I’m anxious to read more about them which I understand is coming later this year.
Original Review
The first thing we have to talk about is that damn cover. That is such an amazing cover! If you can get past that and actually into the book, you will have an intriguing, intensely hot story that you won’t be able to put down.
James is a surprisingly complex 19 year old boy. He’s a snarky and confident submissive with a rich, catholic upbringing. He has the air of money about him, wears suits well and is hidden deep behind a mask. He is really intelligent and reads people, especially Charles, well. He figures Charles out pretty quickly and pushes his buttons because he loves it just as much as Charles does. He’s attracted to older men and loves pain. And deep beneath his armor, he just wants to be accepted and loved.
Charles is a dominant that has been burned. He’s instantly attracted to James and feels a connection that he has to pursue. He wants to have a real relationship with a submissive that needs what he can give but because he’s been hurt he doesn’t want to open up and trust James. But he does…and it’s smoking hot when he does. The pursuit is extremely fascinating and their banter is entertaining.
I have 2 minor complaints: 1) the POV switched unexpectedly a few times and it was hard to keep up with that; and 2) this story was too short…the build up was amazing but then it just seemed to be done. I seriously hope we see more of these men.
Character Interview
The two main characters of J.R. Gray’s kinky m/m contemporary romance, Say Yes, are James and Charles. Today they’re joining BFD Book Blog with an exclusive interview where Charles interviews James…and it gets hot in here!
“Don’t expect this to be easy.” Charles took a seat, crossing his ankle over his knee. He looked like a predator, and with just a look he twisted James’ gut. It had been like this since the first time James had laid eyes on him. To be wanted in such a hungry way was exhilarating. He’d never felt anything like it.
“Nothing with you is ever easy?”
“Is that a problem?”
James shook his head. “No, I like that you challenge me.”
“I’m shocked you answered honestly.”
James shrugged. “I like to keep you on your toes.”
“Indeed.”
“Are you going to get started?” James needed to. He was already anxious.
“When I’m ready.”
James tried not to squirm in his seat. He wasn’t going to say anything else, and feed into Charles’ love to make him wait.
“You’ve learned so much already.”
James nodded, not taking the bait.
“What is one thing we’ve done you’re not especially found of?”
He had to go there. “Come on, that’s like the ‘what’s one thing you don’t like about me,’ crap.”
“And? It’s quite superior to your favorite position question.”
“This isn’t a game,” James groaned.
“Answer the question.”
“That thing with the master coming into my store.”
“I’m not exactly happy with how he acted either.”
“Still not going to tell me what it’s about?” James asked, hoping he would get something out of Charles.
“Maybe you should have asked it as one of your questions.”
James swore under his breath. “Go on.”
“What is one thing you’d like me to try you’ve never told me about.”
James swallowed hard. “Shit, but I’ve told you so much.”
Charles grinned. “I’m sure there is more buried there.”
James dropped his face to his hands. “Do I have to answer?” he whispered.
“You could just let me look at your Tumblr likes.”
“No!”
“I think thou doth protest too much.” He looked so smug.
It killed James. There were just some tastes he wasn’t ready to admit to even himself. “I guess…” He took a deep breath and let his exhale carry the words out. “Puppy play has me intrigued.”
Charles groaned. No, he didn’t just groan, he groaned, closed his eyes, and grabbed his dick, giving it a good squeeze. “You are perfect.”
“Are you into puppies?” Charles had never said as much.
“I’ve always wanted a puppy, I’ve just never found one.”
James kept himself still. “Maybe we should put it on our list.”
Charles tapped his temple. “It’s already there.”
“I think my answers are better than yours.”
“I will give you that much.” Charles leaned forward. “For your final question, pick a number.”
James’ heart hammered into his rib cage. “Between what and what?”
“Oh no, this is entirely up to you.”
If he lowballed it it could end up being something good, but if he went too high it could be painful. James sucked his lip into his mouth. He wanted to be a smart ass, but he didn’t want to make this worse for himself. “Seven. Now what was I picking?”
Charles stood and crooked a finger at him. “That would be telling.”
Author Bio
When not staying up all night writing, J.R. Gray can be found at the gym where it’s half assumed he is a permanent resident to fulfill his self-inflicted masochism. A dominant and a pilot, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. He frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns and conversations, to jot down notes or plot bunnies. Commas are the bane of his existence even though it’s been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder. If Gray wasn’t writing…well, that’s not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave, insanity or both. The idea of haunting has always appealed to him. J.R. Gray is genderqueer and prefers he/him pronouns.
Connect with J.R. Gray: Website | Twitter – Personal | Twitter – Books | Facebook | Facebook Group | Tumblr | Mailing List | Amazon Author Page
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