Review: Tucker's Fall by Eliza Gayle

Title: Tucker's Fall
Author: Eliza Gayle
Series: Purgatory Masters, #1
Release Date: January 4th 2013
Publisher: Gypsy Ink Books
Genre: Erotica Romance
Rating: 3.5 Hoots
Reviewer: Karia
Buy From:  Amazon/ Barnes and Noble
Given by: Net Galley

Sum It Up! This was the first book in a new series for Ms. Gayle and I felt that it suffered a bit from first book ‘set-up’.  

Scandalized professor Maggie Cisco returns to her hometown to lick her wounds and reconsider her future. Her years of personal and professional research into the BDSM lifestyle has landed her in jail, in divorce court and now in the headlines of more newspapers than she cares to count. The worst of all? The entire debacle is being blamed on a bestselling book she hasn’t even read!

Just when she thinks her only solution is a tell all memoir, a snowstorm puts her in the path of stunningly handsome, insanely rich and equally intense, Tucker Lewis.

Tucker remembers Maggie well. They once shared a mind-numbing kiss at the annual St. Mary’s carnival when her boyfriend wasn’t looking. No stranger to scandal, he looks past public opinion to the submissive craving a master’s touch and decides then and there what he wants. He’s going after Maggie and her heart’s kinkiest desires.

Unfortunately, no amount of money can change the sins of the past and when they’re certain they know everything there is to know about each other, one discovers a secret they aren’t prepared for. (Goodreads)

Review:

This was the first book in a new series for Ms. Gayle and I felt that it suffered a bit from first book ‘set-up’.  At times I felt that the relationship between Maggie and Tuck was forced and other times I was genuinely confused as to the type of Dom Tuck actually was.  Seriously, I have never heard of a scene starting without a plan in place, esp with a newbie!  Granted, Maggie is supposed to know the ins and outs of the lifestyle, but the ground rules were not established.

The characters somewhat redeemed themselves when they began to talk to each other.  Talking and trust are huge in normal relationships, but in this scenario (from what I am told, and here I am like Maggie in the book gained knowledge of D/s relationships) trust and communication are everything!  I loved the part when they go out to dinner and Tuck has her wardrobe delivered…I just love a man that accessories a gown with Louboutin’s.   While their dinner was lovely and slightly voyeuristic….their play turned ugly.  Again…TALK!

I was so glad when Tuck took over and fully controlled their situation, Maggie’s emotions and both their pleasure.  I felt that this book was an exploration for each of the characters as they learned each other and began to establish the type of relationship they were going to have.  The book came to a close, but in no way is their story over.  The series will involve Tuck’s two friends and his sister and the big mystery that is merely eluded to throughout this book.  Enjoy!