Joel has finally walked away from his abusive ex and is ready to meet new people. But that isn’t easy for a guy who’s shy, self-conscious, and struggling with his body image.
Andre has wanted Joel since the first time he laid eyes on him, and finally Joel is single. But Andre is a Dom and a sadist, and Joel is unapologetically vanilla. There’s no happy medium—either Andre reins in the kinky side that took him years to accept, or Joel grits his teeth and subjects himself to kinks that aren’t his thing. No matter who bends, someone’s going to be unhappy.
They agree to walk away, but they keep circling back to each other. Though their kinks might not line up, the chemistry between them sizzles and the emotional connection keeps getting deeper. But none of that will get them anywhere if they can’t find some kind of middle ground in the bedroom.
Welcome to the Riptide Publishing/L. A. Witt blog tour for Kinky Sprinkles!
Amazon
Riptide Publishing
I can’t remember the last time I had such a hard time summing up my thoughts on a book. Kinky Sprinkles combines two things I love: LA Witt and kink, which should make for a very happy day. But it is a novella, and I ran into some of the things I don’t love about shorter stories.
First, what I did love about this book:
Andre and Joel
Andre was written so well. His status as a Dom wasn’t about how he controlled anyone or how he dressed. It was simply the man he was. As Joel said at one point, he could’ve been wearing Hello Kitty pajamas and still been Dominant. It’s hard to find books where the author truly understands what makes a Dom.
On top of that, he was always mindful of his role as a Dom. There’s one scene that solidifies him as one of my favorite main characters in a BDSM story.
Joel is a bit more of a mixed bag. His visceral reactions to the lifestyle made sense given what he’d been through. At the same time, there were glimmers which led me to wonder what the future would hold for them. I give him props for being open and honest about what he was and wasn’t willing to do.
Tightly written
One of the benefits of a well-written shorter story is everything is stripped down to the bare bones. There’s no time for the author to wander along the garden path. And Kinky Sprinkles was one of those books.
Now, for what didn’t work for me:
Too many unanswered questions
If I hadn’t gotten wrapped up in the characters, I don’t know that I’d be as upset as I am at the end of the book. But I did. And I am. In the end, it felt more like the first portion of a book, where they go from being strangers (or in this case, acquaintances) to deciding they’re going to be together. But I’m still not certain they’re going to make it and there are going to be plenty of bumps in the road. My only hope is that maybe, just maybe, LA Witt has plans we don’t know about, because there could easily be a follow-up for these two.
Joel’s struggle
Yes, I know I just said I loved Joel for being honest, but by the time I read the last page, it felt more like he was sticking to his guns because he was holding onto the past. There were these passing thoughts that make me think everything will be okay in the future, but not in the way they agreed to proceed. I wish we’d had more time to see how the relationship progresses.
Even though I have mixed feelings, I’m giving this book 4 pieces of candy. LA Witt delivered what she promised and it was well written. It would’ve been a 5 for me if only there weren’t so many unresolved issues.
Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a choice of two eBooks off my backlist (excluding Kinky Sprinkles) and a $10 Riptide Publishing store credit. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on October 1st. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Don’t forget to leave your contact info, and thanks for following the tour!
L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…
L.A.’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).
Trix says
I appreciate the review!
vitajex(At)aol(Dot)com
Jen says
Thank you for the review! The premise for this one is interesting and I appreciate your thoughts on it.
jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
Curly says
I saw this pop up today and I wondered about it. I like the premise and I understand how Joel might have a problem with the concept and how he might have a problem getting over it. I wasn’t too sure about the name actually, but it does sound like a good book.
Veronica says
Thank you for the review!
Cindy says
Great review, excited to read the story. I love BDSM books, especially when done well, and delivered with panache. Have loved every L.A. Witt book I’ve read; look forward to exploring more stories by this author.
mztikicat@gmail.com
Ami says
Thanks so much for the review. I don’t read many BDSM book, but this blurb intrigued me
amie_07(at)yahoo(dot)com
Missy C. says
I love BDSM books, and having it be M/M is a super bonus, despite the unresolved issues you mentioned I think I will definitely be giving this book a read it sounds too good to pass up.
pringlez22(at)yahoo(dot)com
H.B. says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book!
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Lisa says
Thanks for your review.
legacylandlisa(at)gmail(dot)com
Debra Guyette says
The more I see, the more I like
debby236 at gmail dot com
Lisa1269 says
I bought this with the intention of putting it on the weekend’s TBR, but am weak and ended up staying up waaay past bedtime inhaling every single word of it. What a gifted storyteller 🙂
Buck says
Just do me a favor and keep writing such tranchent analyses, OK?
versicherung augsburg öffnungszeiten says
That’s a well-thought-out answer to a challenging question
http://autofinanzierungz.pw/ says
I hope you and Littlest are feeling better now.Your dress is lovely, the neckline really suits you. Floofy!I was so sorry to miss you and the others at the blogger meetup. Next time! And big thanks for reminding me about this ace song! xx