The Fabulous @kallypsomasters #author of the #RescueMe Series #Military #BDSM #EroticRomance

Where do I even begin?

I read all kinds of books, but until my friend and fellow Kentucky author, Kallypso Masters started working on her Rescue Me Series, I hadn't really ventured too far into reading erotic romances. Yes, I've read other books with very sexy relationships and alternative lifestyles (vampires, dragons, weres, menages, poly-amorous relationships) but I just hadn't been brave enough to dip my toe in the more sensuous and most certainly more adventurous waters of erotic novels that include bondage, ropes, whips, chains, handcuffs and so much more.

Not that my freaky flag doesn't flutter (trust me it does!), but because I wasn't sure where I draw the line at what's sexy/romantic and what goes too far, I veered away from books of that vein for a while. There are certain genres I could never read and I know this much about myself, but reading this kind had me a little nervous, but eager. I'd heard awful things about some of the other books in this genre, so, what if I didn't like it?

Or the bigger what if- what if I did like it, A LOT?

I mean, I write contemporary romance, for the most part, with very "open-door" sex scenes and description, but the kinky stuff? I figured there are others who are more well-versed in that sort of thing and I can leave it to them. Hehe. (If I ever DO write erotic romance, I will most likely take on a different pen when I'm wearing my sex kitten writing cap. {paws up, claws out} Rawr...)

But like most everyone says, you never know what you'll like until you try it.

I had all kinds of ill-conceived notions about what I might discover within the pages. This "lifestyle" is not one I'm accustomed to or acquainted with and I figured for sure it would make me blush and perhaps squirm a little, though I'm far from being prudish. It's Kally's enthusiasm as a writer, interacting with her readers, introducing and discussing these characters from the beginning of her journey to self-publication that brought them to life for me. And for many of her readers, who eagerly anticipate the release of each book. Her hands on approach and friendly personality made me want to read them.

And then I did. I started at the beginning, with Masters At Arms because, as Kally will point out, these stories have continuum- you can't just pick up in the middle and hope you understand what's going on with each couple because they all have intricate connections that bind them together from the beginning, first as comrades in arms, to friends, to heroes, to family. For me, this is no ordinary series of books.

Now this is not so much a review as it is me just singing the praises of a fellow author who inspires me, with her writing, the depth of her characters and the storytelling that is grounded in reality. I'm not going to break down a review of each book or give away spoilers- mostly because if I wrote it, I would want to post it to Amazon and dang their policies, they'd probably take them down, as I am also a writer and they'd smack my knuckles with a ruler for even trying....but I will say right here that I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the next book and I will definitely keep you posted when Kally releases it!

Now, what I will say is life isn't easy, but we all just keep going because we have to, because others expect it, or they "rescue" us from that edge when we're most vulnerable. Most often it's the strongest folks who have the softest hearts, the most haunted pasts and the invisible wounds that need time, tenderness, and sometimes the discipline to learn to cope instead of burying it so deep that it hurts us more in the long run.

Kally is a master at shaping this world into a virtual reality that you can grasp- that you can envision and understand. You will grow to love these characters. Every sympathetic and empathetic fiber of my being traveled this journey with them and I adore each of these books. They must be read in order, but they stand alone when it comes to the power behind each story, the journey toward healing and I have a feeling these will definitely become my re-reads.

I haven't gone through the things these characters have, but my heart aches for the pain they've suffered, the feelings of inadequacy, of not feeling worthy of love, of not feeling capable of loving again, whether because of self-image, mistakes in the past, physical ailments or deep dark secrets too painful and embarrassing to share with another living soul for fear of rejection. The Rescue Me series is truly that, a rescue mission to help each one of these men, and women, find healing and their true power- it might be hidden, and hidden deep, but they are all strong, even when they don't think they are. And luckily, these stories give us romance in the form of reality, of seeing that sometimes old wounds don't heal overnight but with someone who loves you beside you, someone you trust with every particle of your being, you can begin to heal and continuously find strength to replace those feelings of helplessness, weakness and fear in order to find that ongoing Happily Ever After.

Yes, these books center around the "Kink" lifestyle, but I know Kally's research is in-depth and if her representation is anything like most of those in the lifestyle- it doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me. I love sexy and sensual. I love down to earth REAL romance and real passion. You can say what you like about it, but these books went straight to my heart. In fact, reading these books, I've had some very eye-opening revelations about myself. Mind you, you won't find me in a kink club anytime soon (if ever) but there are definitely sexy and sensual things I hadn't considered... {wink}

To that, I say, THANK YOU KALLYPSO! You are awesome!

Okay, people, so here's my final thoughts on the matter- If you enjoy satisfying reads, stories that grip you, have you on the edge of your seat, that are sexy as hell, packed with emotions and utterly good for your soul, you have 4 VERY good reasons here to start reading The Rescue Me Series now to get caught up before Kally's next release! And best of all- The first 2 Books are FREE on Amazon!!! So hurry- get over there and get reading! You can click the images of each book to go to their Amazon buy pages.

USA Today bestselling author Kallypso Masters writes emotional, realistic Romance novels with dominant men and the women who bring them to their knees. She also has brought many readers to their knees--having them experience the stories right along with her characters in the Rescue Me series. Kally knows that Happily Ever After takes maintenance, so her couples don't solve all their problems and disappear at "the end" of their Romance, but will continue to work on real problems in their relationships in later books in the series. Kally also loves showing how there is never anyone so wounded that he or she can't find true love. Readers often write to tell her how the books have changed their lives or their perceptions of what matters in life.

Click Kally's picture to go to her website.

Friday Spotlight- Men in Uniform Anthology @FictionWitches #TMPress

We admire a man in uniform, and what better way to celebrate it than a collection of stories inspired by men fighting to defend our country, and the women who love them? This sweet collection of romance spans the generations of men of valor from present day dating back to World War II.

The Authors: 
The Imposter, Jennifer Johnson
String of Pearls, Margaret Ethridge
Mind over Matter, Ruth J. Hartman
Dorthea’s War, Lozi Hart
Faith, Love, & the Coastguard, Julie Anne Lindsey
Knight in Armor, Jennifer Anderson
Lightning Always Strikes Twice, Patricia Marie Warren

Excerpt from The Imposter by Jennifer Johnson
Ding.
Paige wrinkled her nose as she stared at Giana’s cell phone sitting on the crate they used as a coffee table.
It was Liam again. The poor guy was deployed in Afghanistan, and Giana was blowing him off refusing to answer emails or calls when Liam’s number came up.
“Giana?” she called to her roommate who was in the bathroom dolling up to go out. “Liam’s emailing you again.”
“I wish he’d get a clue,” her friend replied.
“I don’t see how you can treat him like that, Gi.”
“It’s easy when he’s half a world away.” She walked through the room wearing four inch heels and a tight dress, grabbed her purse, and walked back into the hallway. “Liam’s a sweet guy, but who knows what is going to happen when he gets back, or even what he’s doing over there.”
“He’s probably sleeping in a sand pit somewhere wondering how come you won’t talk to him.” Paige picked up the phone and pressed the Internet email icon.
G, ur on my mind. L.
Paige bit her lip. The poor sweetie.
Glancing back toward the bathroom, she pushed the keys on the screen.
I’m thinking of you too. Miss you.
She pressed send and set Giana’s phone down quickly. In less than a minute, the phone signaled an incoming email.
Y cold shldr?
Why the cold shoulder indeed? What should she say? Because I’m a heartless bitch?
Paige glanced behind her to be sure Giana was still occupied with her reflection in the bathroom mirror.
“Are you sure you’re done with Liam?” she asked aloud.
Giana marched out of the bathroom, and Paige hid the phone under her thigh. “Look. I just can’t deal with him fighting a war for a year, and he told me most of the guys are having to turn right around and get redeployed within two years of coming home. That’s not the kind of life I want. He’s a nice guy, but even he’s not worth it.”
“Can’t you wait until he gets home to break up with him?”
“I am waiting until he gets home to break up with him. How mean do you think I am?”
Paige gestured to Giana’s attire with a raised hand.
“Oh, spare me, Miss Goody Two Shoes. It’d be easy for you to love him. You don’t have a life anyway.”
“Thanks a lot. I think you do enough socializing for both of us.”
Giana smiled wickedly. “That’s right. You go hit the books while I hit the bars. I had two men fighting over me last night.”
Paige resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was pretty sure they both had won seeing as how Giana had stumbled in about eleven o’clock this morning wearing last night’s prowling clothes.
“Where’s my phone?” Giana’s gaze scanned the room.
Paige’s grip tightened on the phone while she, too, looked around as if searching. “Maybe it’s in your bedroom.”
“I haven’t been in my bedroom except to get my dress.”
Paige didn’t resist the eye roll this time as Giana stalked toward the hallway—probably to the counter in front of the bathroom mirror—her favorite spot in the apartment.
Quickly Paige pulled out the phone and sent another message:
I’m changing emails. Will email you from my new account.

Here's a link to a book review which includes a review for each of the stories. Another Look Book Reviews

Here is a portion from another review: Men In Uniform is great for the reader that just wants something quick, sweet and warmly romantic. Those that have a little thing for our men that serve and those uniforms they don daily.
I give the Men In Uniform anthology 4 stars