Relationships don't end precisely, with all the ends tied neatly, everything wrapped up, folded and put away forever. The raw edges of the dead romance stay raw edges until healed by time. Even then something can revisit the scar, bam, and all the old feelings come right back. So it isn't surprising to find fantasies out there that deal with old relationships.

Set in some future time where there is the DNMA (Development of Natural Medicine Association, an assortment of futuristic gadgets, The Game is one of those settle-up-old-score fantasy scenarios, with some vendetta and ancient history thrown in to lend the characters angst to back up the BDSM. In the story premise, model Chastity Ambrose and athlete Seth Allen are former lovers who are thrown together in the context of the Voyeur II, a survivor type game show with a week-long BDSM situation Chastity can't get out of because of her contract--though the hundred million dollar prize is a definite incentive. The voyeur/exhibitionist fantasy elements are satisfied by the game show being played to a live audience. In the words of Monty the game show host, “... it is challenge to tame the warrior...break her will. Make her your subservient slave.”

I fully expected those words, "Make her your subservient slave" to make this book a shoo in. I mean, Face it readers, --say those words to me, and I'm halfway—depending on who's saying them, maybe all the way—there. But I had a real problem with the way this book panders to the audience. In the best writing, as you read, at first you admire how the words are put together, and after a time, you and the writer disappear, and there is nothing there but the story as it thrums thru to its own end. I could not get to that level with this book. The audience cheering section kept intruding into my cozy little fantasy. At one point, Chastity says “...I’d say it was the billion plus pairs of eyes that puts me a little on edge.” Never mind the uncomfortable subject/verb number agreement. I wanted to crawl thru the pages and shake poor Chastity's hand for hitting the nail on its proverbial head. McKade added every possible drum beat where the reader could be reminded that there were all these extra eyes watching--and every time she did it, that pulled me out of the story and stopped me cold. People in the audience roar their approval, rip off their clothes and play with themselves; backstage eyes are riveted on the pair.

So I am just making the point here that this is not just a BDSM title. It is also involves voyeurism and non-consensual exhibitionism. If you are a lucky reader who likes all of these elements together (and I know there are many of them!) then you'll love this book and it is a must-read. Even if you like just one of those elements—the BDSM, or the voyeurism, or the non-consensual exhibitionism, it's pretty potent stuff.

Reviewed By Maitresse
© October 2005