Review: Safeword: Davenport by Candace Blevins

Dana has never submitted to anyone but her husband -- he trained her, taught her to submit. He's been dead a year and a half though, and she's beginning to consider the possibility of dating again. She sticks to vanilla at first, but quickly realizes she's going to need more. As she's considering the idea of finding someone who would enjoy hurting her without requiring her submission, her life is complicated by a Dom who pushes all of her buttons

Safeword: Davenport is the first half of Dana's story, it's the personal part of her journey, and has a Happy for Now ending. Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon is scheduled for release August 3, 2012, and will give the rest of her story.

Warning: This title contains graphic language, consensual BDSM, bondage, intense sensory deprivation, extreme electrical play, and the use of toys including clamps, canes, plugs, cages, paddles, whips, and floggers.

Date Published: 7/6/12

My Rating:

My Review:

When even the parts of the story that are not directly involving sexual acts are steamy, you know its going to be a STEAMY read! Candace Blevins really delivers a multi-layered BDSM novel in this book. 

Dana lost her husband, who taught her everything she knows about submitting and her masochistic tendencies 18months ago. She has come to terms with the fact that the part of her life that contained her submission for another was over. 

The very first meeting with Zach makes her face her undeniable attraction for another man in ways she hadn't felt since her husband. The more she learns about Zach, the more she is turned on.

Zach had to bury his wife and is in the process of making changes in his house so that her presence is not so strong in every single room. He has no idea the chemistry he will feel for the interior designer he hires. 

The descriptions of the difference between Masochism and Submissiveness is great to read about. Often times its one or the other and authors don't go as in depth as Blevins does. The journey of self-discovery for Dana really makes this story. She goes through so many ups and downs and second guesses everything while learning so much about herself and her needs. 

Just when you think you understand where this story is going, Blevins throws you for a loop in the form of Brent and Jacob. Being able to have a secondary relationship to dissect really adds to the story as a whole. The complicated relationships between all couples in this story really feels like just the tip of the iceberg and the sequel will definitely be on my Next To Be Read list! 

There is some hardcore TPE (Total Power Exchange) that may not be for the faint of heart when it comes to BDSM, but everything in this story adds to it as a whole. Pay attention to this an the Warning in the Synopsis to make sure this is the story for you. If you do not have an issue with any of these things, you will definitely find this a Fantastic Read!