There are more than two types of erotic/romantic BDSM books, but right now I classify them into two categories. In one, D/s is a historical or situational (as in speculative fiction) situation. Generally, the situation is non-consensual, but since this type of book is written in the romance genre, there is a strong element of love that is at the core of the story. In the other, the contemporary culture of playing D/s in a club is fundamental. Sometimes there's a mystery involving a club, or someone is pretending to work at a club; or gets a job there and finds out they're actually a sub or dom; and sometimes, as in
Nick's Lady, the club is a location where the author has an opportunity to present a variety of fantasy scenarios, and meet people who practice D/s to one degree or another. There's a lot of public play and voyeurism, and sometimes multiple partners, so this kind of book appeals to a lot of people who like that sort of thing (in addition to or instead of BDSM.)

To catch a glimpse of what is in Nick's Lady, picture this scenario: you're at the office all wrapped up in doing your job when your ex storms in, handcuffs you and tries to haul you off to a BDSM club. Wait, back up a step. He's not your ex; he's a bad date gone worse and you should have known better than to go out with him twice last year. A guy you met at a club, a jerk who is convinced you're his. So you threaten him and get him to leave. No, back up a step again. You don't threaten him because he never listens to you anyway. Of all people, your BOSS (over whom you're suffering a secret crush) threatens him after this guy has shrieked to all and sundry that you're his trained submissive. After hearing that, your boss tells him to take a long walk off a short pier, or words to that effect; then he takes you into his office where you expect to be fired; only instead of firing you, he makes plans to protect you and invites you to join him at his BDSM club. What?

The wannabe sub is Andrea Fasselli and her boss--who is no wannabe but as interested in power play as she is--is Nick Tysinger. After he rescues her, he follows thru with the date at the club, where they see several fantasy enactments and take the first steps that could lead them into a relationship. To this point, I was pretty much interested in the story. Of course that's not all there is to it. In addition to the gymnastics that go on at the club, there are a couple of plot twists that I can't even express my reaction to. Once the characters hit the club, the story slipped into type two mode, and focused a lot on scenarios instead of relationship, and that's where it lost me. I know that's just my taste though; so those of you who are into club play, etc, then Nick's Lady, will strike the right note.

Reviewed by Maîtresse
© March 2008