Bran's Story (The Slave Breakers, #1)
What a pleasant surprise this book was, loved it...
Bran is a "Pleasure Slave" undisciplined in the eyes of his Master, for continuously trying to run away. His solution was to sell him to the the "Slave Breakers" to be re-educated and re-trained. His body damaged and his spirit broken, by the abuse of Dunear and his cronies, Bran fears he may be swapping one bad Master for another when the handsome man in his forties, Holden and his wife, Alix arrive to pick him up. Instead, he is confused when his new Master treats him with kindness, he is caring and gentle with him, which only makes Bran more fearful as he knows not what to expect!
What Holden was expecting, was not this frightened 18 year old boy, wide eyed, scared and trembling, unsure of what was expected of him. Bran had been sold into slavery at the age of 15 and had ended up with two Master's that used fear and punishment to try and control him. So when Holden was nothing but kind, caring and affectionate, something so unfamiliar, he was confused! yet his body responded in the only way it knew how, as a submissive, wanting only to please his Master.
The story is told from Bran's POV, he almost comes across as younger than his 18 years, he is so innocent and gentle, his character and disposition so well defined as sweet and caring, desperate to please and straining for physical affection, just comfort of any kind and with Holden being the first man to show any tenderness and compassion towards him, Bran's adoration for his master turns into a kind of "Hero Worship"! or is it love? he certainly thinks so!
Only, in this world, or should I say in this household, all is not what it seems and gets a little complicated but exciting, we were almost getting into soap opera territory! I won't go into the family dynamics as it is a giggle to discover it all as you go along, but suffice to say, that Bran is not the only man or woman, slave or master that is in love with Holden! Damn... I think I am also in love with Holden!
A friend recommended this book/series today, it's a free download so I thought I would have a little peek to get the feel of the book, well... I couldn't put it down and here I am a few hours later writing the review. It is not great world building, in fact there is none. The world in which they live is is focused on Holden, but all about Bran and the relationship they build together, with some really well developed secondary characters, whom I love... except for the daughter - Valor, spoilt, petulant and just plain rude! she got on my very last nerve! There were times I felt uncomfortable reading this and not because it was graphic or hardcore in any way, but simply because of the circumstances of the relationship and Bran, he just broke my poor little heart, absolutely, adorable he is.
Would I recommend this book... Ohhh Yes! It's free to download you have nothing to lose. It's not a great literary masterpiece, the world building as I said, is really non existent, but it is a compelling read, got the emotions going as did the sex scenes HOT, HOT, HOT and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book is the first in the series and is a HFN, but I can see with the other books also free downloads in the series there is more fun ahead... in fact that is where I am going. Off to start Jesse's Story
