Reviews
Afterlife
Erotic Romance
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Just Erotic Romance Reviews
Reviewed by Amber
January 2011 Newsletter
Rating: 5 Stars / Gold Star Award
http://justeroticromancereviews.com
Afterlife is pure raw emotion and you can feel it in every word. Ms. Hill is a Master of crafting realistic characters and she has an uncanny way of connecting with her readers through the power of her words on a level that few authors can. Rachel’s story is complex, emotional. Jon is perfect for her, knowing when she needed a firm hand and when she needed a tender caress. I found myself so easily relating to Rachel’s situation that my heart broke for her. This is a character study of two people who both find themselves in situations completely foreign to them. Jon is a Dominant, used to being in control of himself and the situation around him. Rachel has deprived herself of any emotion for so long, the thing she desired most scares her to death. The sex scenes are Orgasmic! And it has nothing to do with the sex and everything to do with the emotional bond between these two characters and their fragile budding romance. Even when Jon enlists the services of his brothers, the love and emotion show through, even from Ben the most dominant of them all. Afterlife is part of Ms. Hill's Knights of the Board Room series and it does stand alone, although I am running out to get all the others in this series. I believe this book deserves the Gold Star Award because of the excellent plot and character development of the main characters as well as the secondary characters. If there were a higher award to give this book I would triple that! Also because of the emotions and psychologically sound concepts this book attempts to address in regard to common issues that women especially have when exploring the BDSM lifestyle and the concept of serving a Master. Ms. Hill knows this topic well and it shows. I always enjoy a book by Joey Hill, this one did not disappoint. Thank you, as always, Ms. Hill for making me feel.
Black Raven Reviews
Reviewed by Lea
March 2011
Rating: 5 Stars / Recommended Read
http://www.blackravensreviews.com
Afterlife is a tender love story between a woman afraid to trust her judgment about love and a man determined to help her work through the fears rooted in her past so she can truly be his. This book is part of the Knights of the Boardroom Series, but it is not absolutely necessary to have read the other books in the series to understand and appreciate this book. The author of Afterlife, Joey Hill, is a strong writer. By that I mean that not only are her writing skills well-honed and solid, but she writes her characters with clear, clean strokes. The plot is both believable and enjoyable, and the story is told in a manner that pulls the reader in to feel connection to the action.
I thought the characters in Afterlife were magnificently presented, and that is just one area of this book that is outstanding. The plot comes next. It is intriguing and twisted. The action moves forward in a way that makes perfect sense for the characters and the storyline. I love that this isn’t a plot where one event takes place and suddenly all problems and obstacles disappear and life is perfect. This is about the process, the struggles, the acceptance of how things are and the internal fortitude required to follow through on the choice to move forward.
Now we reach that point in the review where I try to help people decided whether they might enjoy reading Afterlife. As long as you are comfortable with BDSM scenes, I really think you will love this book. The BDSM scenes are handled in the touching and loving manner of adults who know who they are and what they need. This is a marvelous story, well told. The writing flows, the story is poignant and the characters unforgettable. I really don’t think you can go wrong in reading Afterlife.
The Romance Studio
Reviewed by Gabrielle
March 2011
Rating: 5 Stars
http://theromancestudio.com/
I loved this story right from the start. Rachel is a stunning older woman who has been too hurt and degraded in the past to enjoy or even wish for a man like Jon. She is much stronger than she gives herself credit for and I enjoyed watching her find her true self with the love of Jon. He is a patient and loving man who is all alpha and Dom, which is just what Rachel needs. He will never leave or give up on her and he will fight till his last breath to prove this to her. The bond that grows between the two is a wondrous thing to see. Not only do we see Rachel and Jon's bond bloom but we also get to see the bond between all the other couples as well as the tight bond between the men. The bond between everyone is a nice touch, not only do these men care about each other and their own women but each other's women as well. Each woman has her own problems but finds camaraderie with each other. Making them all a family and including a few select close employees into their trust and embrace as well.
Joey W. Hill writes a wonderful story about trust and love that takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster. The characters endear themselves to you especially when they come together to help one another as we see when the woman help Rachel after the club scene or when Rachel's ex angrily attacks her outside of the club and the men surround her. Showing the depth of love that courses through not only this story but the whole series as well.
Night Owl Reviews
Reviewed by Chris
December 2010
Rating: 4.5 Stars / Top Pick
http://nightowlreviews.com
Very poignant and sensual, this was at times painful to read. The author evoked a lot of emotion from the characters and subsequently the reader as well. A must read if you’ve read the previous books, this furthers every woman’s fantasy of a Knight in Shining Armor.
Literary Nymphs Reviews Only
Reviewed by Amazon Nymph
January 2011
Rating: Golden Blush Award - Recommended Read!
http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blogspot.com/
Wow! The author keeps you on a roller coaster of emotions and sexual heat that factor into Afterlife. My heart kept pounding as Jon made Rachel face her fears because I could identify with a lot of what she was going through. I felt in a lot of ways I was Rachel waiting for someone to really understand her. Jon had so much patience even though sometimes he got very frustrated with Rachel.
The men from Kensington & Associates support each other and go out of their way to help Jon in his quest to make Rachel understand he is there for the long haul, despite their age difference. In the fourth book of the Knights of the Board Room series, the men enlist their wives to help Jon try to break through Rachel’s walls. The incident with her ex brings things to a head and I felt that the author had a wonderful grasp of what it took to make Rachel finally face the fact that she was a beautiful and lovable woman.
Afterlife is also somewhat of a textbook in learning some of the basics within BDSM, though this was more about the submissive/slave side of serving a Master. Ms. Hill did a wonderful job weaving the elements together in the story. The secondary characters were an intricate part and I can’t wait for Ben’s story. This book can be read alone, though you will get the most enjoyment reading the first three in order. Be aware that books two and three are in print. I, for one, will be reading this series again.
Whipped Cream Blogspot / The Long and Short of It Reviews
Reviewed by Peppermint
February 2011
Rating: 4 Stars
http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/
Rachel’s story is one that will pull at even the toughest heart strings. It was obvious to me from the beginning why no ordinary relationship would work for her. She needed a man who would help build up what her ex-husband tore down so she could become the confident woman she deserved to be. Everything about her screamed submissive and she doesn’t need just any dominant to accomplish this -- she needed Jon.
I have a feeling that anyone would submit to Jon. The author did a great job displaying his strength without making him harsh. As a reader I found myself wanting to do whatever he demanded along with Rachel; that is how much power he wields. His character had me asking myself if men like him really exist and if so where can they be found? Even better? Jon isn’t the only dom in this series -- there are five of them.
This story has a strong yoga/tantric/Buddhism element to it. This helped to demonstrate why Jon was so comfortable with who he is and how he lived his life. Rachel also respects and follows the same beliefs so it helped with the relationship development also. I will say that the author gets pretty technical when it comes to the various yoga positions, which became occasionally bothersome -- since I am not a follower of the belief I couldn’t fully understand what was going on. I do however think that this belief increased the story and enhanced the BDSM element of the story.
This BDSM story has an intense D/s element to it. So even when Rachel does not know or want to admit what she needs, Jon is there to show her. That is the reason I labeled this a forced seduction. This was not done in a malicious or hurtful way, just a men giving a woman what she needs. There is also a lot of petting and foreplay between various characters, but actual penetration is left for Rachel’s master. Many of these encounters are almost more about reassurance than sex.
This was a very sweet story that should touch anyone’s soul. Sex and sexuality play a large role in this story, but it is always intimate, emotional and something that should be cherished. Even when more than one party is involved you can see the caring and love coming from all participants. It is a nice mixture that left every part of my body feeling warm and tingly.
I have read stories that have left me envious of the relationship and love a couple share, but none as deeply as this story. Fabulous.
Siren Book Reviews
Reviewed by Cia
December 2010
Rating: Siren's Best Book Stone
http://sirenbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Afterlife by Joey W. Hill is a heart-wrenching story of learning to return to the land of the living, not simply existing. And that is just what Yoga instructor Rachel’s pattern consists of after losing a son, and a marriage that she shouldn’t have shouldered the guilt for the break up. Instead of picking up and moving on, she locks herself away in solitude only letting people see what she wants them to see while hiding away privately, wearing a false token to keep her distance. Petrified of hurting again she finds it’s the only way she can survive. Instead of embracing her needs she ignores what her soul cries for, the divinity of being owned.
Jon joins a yoga class and finds himself drawn to the older woman teaching. Her only saving grace in him not approaching her is the token she wears, until he finds it’s a ruse and sets about changing the direction of their lives the way he knows best. A Master in the fine art of strategy his craft works for him in the beginning. Until an act of ill fate shreds the progress he’s made in getting Rachel to tear down her walls. He must find a different avenue to win her heart and surrender to his will. The passion that exploded between these two vibrant and sexy characters added a new level of intimacy that reminded me of Kismet.
I found myself experiencing the highs and lows of their lives both singularly and together as a couple. The pain Rachel experienced from past tragedies, the insecurities she exhibited were easy to relate to. The horror of having history repeat itself made me cringe inwardly only this time she wasn’t alone she had a wall of strength not by just one person, her Master but by a wall of Masters and others in the lifestyle to draw strength from. My heart went out to Jon for his journey with her wasn’t going to be an easy one, though his character and his unwavering love made me hope they’d have a fabulous journey.
I can’t wait to read this again.
Coffee Time Romance
Reviewed by Delane
Month 2010
Rating: 5 Stars
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/
Two strong-willed people come together in an epic clash between master and submissive, each determined they will be the victor. Each unaware that the meaning of victory just may not be so easy to define.
Joey W. Hill creates an excellent world in which an emotionally scarred woman may learn how to live again. I found the story well written and the careful handling of real life tragedy to be poignant and moving. Afterlife is a moving introduction into the BDSM community and what it truly means to be a master and a submissive. I must warn you though that the integration of past characters into Afterlife will have you rushing to find the first three books in the series, because though this can be read as a standalone, you will be compelled to see how the whole story comes together.
Romance Readers Connection
Reviewed by Sarah
March 2011
Rating: 4 Stars
http://theromancereadersconnection.com
Joey Hill has a way of getting into the heads of her characters. Not only do we see the characters evolve, we learn what makes them tick. D/s is not the easiest genre to write, especially making it feel realistic…as if the situation the people find themselves in can happen. AFTERLIFE is Rachel and Jon’s journey to find love, understanding and inner peace. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their journey. There are some heart wrenching scenes in this book, but it makes the entire reading experience that more enjoyable overall. If you like this genre, then be sure not to miss this one.
Joyfully Reviewed
Reviewed by Shayna
March 2011
http://joyfullyreviewed.com
The aptly-titled Afterlife is a beautiful journey of healing, passion, and love. Rachel is a woman who will tug at your heartstrings with all that she has suffered. She’s independent and possesses an inner strength which has helped her survive the loss of her son and the verbal attacks of her ex-husband. What she learns in Afterlife is that sometimes you need to be willing to open yourself up again, to learn that it’s okay to lean on someone. She’s scarred internally, no doubt about it, but watching her journey unfold kept me avidly reading Afterlife. Jon, in turn, is a quiet, creative Dom that would make any woman go wide-eyed even as she melts. He’s perfect for Rachel and their road to happily ever after was engaging from start to finish.
Afterlife is the fourth Knights of the Board Room book, but having only read the first story, Board Resolution, I can safely say that Afterlife fully stands on its own. The other Knights of the Board Room all appear, as do the heroines of the previous three books. The only niggle I had when it came to Afterlife concerns a few scenes where both Jon and a friend of his on the police department cross the line and invade Rachel’s privacy. The reasoning they gave just didn’t hold up and drew me out of the story, much to my disappointment. Still, it didn’t dim my overall enjoyment of Afterlife. Joey W. Hill blends the erotic and emotional perfectly in Afterlife, providing readers with a gorgeous romance.
