PRE-RELEASE REVIEW: 'Shaded Chains' by Jack L. Pyke
Title: Shaded Chains
Author: Jack L. Pyke
Release Date: June 13, 2017
Cover Artist: Siol na Tine
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Dark Erotic Romance
Length: 139 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; BDSM; Tattoos/Piercings; Dub-Con; D/s; Established Couple; Disorder: Dementia/Alzheimer’s; Novella; HFN; CW: Abduction; Kink: Bondage, Genital Torture, Masochism, Orgasm Denial, Sadism, Flogging
About Shaded Chains
“Say my fucking name.”
Alex Gardner is a psychiatric nurse, Ross McKendrik a tattoo artist: both know the fears and strains of caring for an old man with dementia: Ross’s father. When lines between father and son are crossed and trust is broken between Alex and Ross—between a sub and Dom—Ross is in a fight for his life to earn the right to hear his sub say his name again. Only having grown up in the Scottish Highlands, Ross’s methods are a little... dangerous, his methods a little... dark. Love is about to get very, very tough.
5 HEART READ
REVIEW:
Shaded Chains is rewritten from the short story by Jack L. Pyke, His, penned for the 2014 Goodreads M/M Romance Group’s ‘Love’s Landscapes’ event. In this rebranded release Pyke has added depth to her characters and their relationships, as well as expanded the background of the novella.
The erotic romance opens with Alex, a caregiver in the psychiatric facility where his lover Ross’ father is a patient, observing an emotional moment between father and son. Alex ponders Ross’ obvious dismay as his father rebuffs his attempts to engage him. He catches a glimpse of Ross’ sorrow at his father’s reaction, and ponders his lover’s self-perceived inadequacies of being able to care for his dad.
In just a few paragraphs Pyke delves into the complexities of these relationships and sets the stage for the conflicts to come.
When Ross’ frustration over his dad’s condition manifests itself in his anger over the loss of a special pencil, Alex is left hurt both emotionally and physically. I enjoy the way Pyke uses the treasured pencil as an allegory for the relationship between Ross and his dad and the loss it represents.
“The boy still wanting to hold his father’s hand but now settling for what his father had held over the years instead. Understanding and contact, just by a different medium, by a missing link that usually sparked good moments to be lived, shared… remembered, not lost.”
Ross, reeling from his inability to stop his confused father from hurting Alex, feels his failure as Alex’s Dom.
This, in conjunction with his feelings of helplessness over his father’s decline, cause him to lash out at Alex and start a huge quarrel. As far as Alex is concerned, Ross’ insensitivity requires some serious groveling which Alex is unwilling to allow.
Ross’ method of ensuring Alex will listen to his apology is absolutely fantastic! I’ll just say it is one of the most creative BDSM scenes I’ve read making this book 100% worth a read just for that alone.
In comparison to His, I like the extra depth into the backstory of Ross and his father provided in Shaded Chains. Pyke gives greater insight into the reasons for Ross’ feelings, as well as his father’s despair as he realizes his dementia is getting worse. Additionally, elaboration regarding the nuances of Ross and Alex’s relationship helped me gain a greater feel for the intensity of their connection.
Pyke’s intriguing characters and their dynamics, coupled with the beautiful message “to focus on what matters” created a very meaningful story which I highly recommend.
An advanced reader copy Shaded Chains was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Jack L. Pyke, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
Want more form Jack L. Pyke? Check out some of KEBB’s other read recommendations HERE!
Meet the Author
Jack L. Pyke blames her dark writing influences on living close to one of England’s finest forests. Having grown up hearing a history of kidnappings, murders, strange sightings, and sexual exploits her neck of the woods is renowned for, Jack takes that into her writing, having also learned that human coping strategies for intense situations can sometimes make the best of people have disastrously bad moments. Redeeming those flaws is Jack’s drive, and if that drive just happens to lead to sexual tension between two or more guys, Jack’s the first to let nature take its course.
For more from Jack be sure to visit her website.
