Sarah McCarty~ Caine's Reckoning

This book came just in time to save me from the blahs. Thanks Sarah. To think I didn't buy it the first time I had it in my sweaty little hands because of the cover. My husband, "Only a gay man would wear his shirt like that." Me? "Baby, only a gay man would look this good with his shirt like that." Much laughter ensued, I assure you.

So, this book brings to mind a recent conversation between my husband and I about the evolution of the sex scene in the romance genre. Well, actually, I talked endlessly, passionately about the subject while he drove us, dressed to the fucking 9's, on our way to be bilked by our son's prep school on parent's weekend. I know for a fact that he wasn't listening to a word I said (my beauty had him enthralled? Hardly.) until I mentioned anal sex. And then, my friends, he was all ears.

I'm sure Sarah is now cringing that I mention anal sex right off the bat in discussing her book. But she shouldn't. Caine's Reckoning is wonderful. It's like the holy fucking grail of erotic romance: A story I liked. Characters I liked. Actions that made sense. Character motivated sexuality. McCarty's book delivered wicked hot sex, naughty OMG sex, wonderfully wild bring it on sex, while maintaining a phenomenal love story with all the tenderness of those old romance books that addicted me to the genre back in the day. There is so much more here than lusty butt love (although, lordy, it's there and it's excellent). This book illustrates exactly what I was trying to tell my old man: We've come a long, long way, baby.

Years ago the most we could hope for in a "sex" scene was some bodice ripping and maybe a quick grope and then fade to black. Do you remember that? Sex wasn't even described!! We were given a long involved lead up to a consummation we were never going to see. Read. Whatever. Goddamn I hated it. But now? Evolution! The bountiful loving throughout this book isn't tacked on, or tacky, it's essential to the development of a trusting relationship between the Hero and the Heroine. For this couple sex isn't the end point, it's a beginning.

Caine's Reckoning is a character driven story about a strong, hard, loving man, Caine, and an abused, young, spirited woman, Desi. Caine delivers Desi from a life of forced enslavement, brutality, and rape. Through his patience, love and unfailing respect, she learns to live again. What a pleasure to watch Desi's spirit rally. She is one tough little nugget. Given all her troubles, she still has grit. I respect her defiance, her perseverance, and her ingenuity, as much as I enjoy Caine's gentleness with her and his commitment both to their marriage and to helping her soul heal. I love that Caine makes huge, whopping mistakes with his young bride and never, ever holds her to blame. As he strives to protect her from the danger dogging them, Caine guides her from anguish, from her confusion over the way he makes her feel, and into the security of his protection and love. Beeee-u-tiful.

McCarty poignantly illustrates the dichotomy between the violent sexual subjugation experienced by Desi before she meets Caine, and the romantic sexual submission and surrender that evolves through her husband's love, protection, and encouragement. In a word, it's all about trust. Caine gains dominion over Desi's body and she begins to hope again. Desi learns to trust her husband, her new found passionate sexual nature, and in doing so, her indomitable spirit soars.

One finger eased under the ribbon trim at the collar. "Did you think you'd get out of trouble this way?"

She couldn't find her voice as his eyes stared into hers,seeming to go so much deeper than the surface, playing with the truth in her soul the way his finger played with that ribbon. She shook her head.

His right eyebrow quirked up and that touch of a smile deepened as his callused fingertip skimmed downward, following the path of the lapel but not disturbing it, crossing the ridge of her collarbone, gliding over the swell of her breast. "Were you looking to get your spanking sooner by being disobedient?"

She wrapped her fingers around his wrist, not stopping him, just holding on. As soon as she touched him, that shaking uncertainty inside died. This was Caine. She had nothing to be afraid of. The feeling welled, warming her from the inside out. And that inner wildness surged to the fore.

Caine's Reckoning outclasses those old school romances in exquisite execution and blistering sexuality. It's beautiful and, holy ever loving smokes, it's hot enough for me. And there will be sequels!!! Cue the Alleluhia Chorus .

A. Freakin' A. Keep it, but, er, hide it from the kids.