Format: eGalley
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: Erotic Suspense | BDSM
A woman who refuses to be tied down...
Investigative reporter Rachel Dawson is always looking for her next big story. While working on a feature about BDSM, she lands a one-night, no-holds-barred pass into the exclusive sex club, Benediction. Rachel doesn't have a deviant bone in her body—or so she thought—until the infuriating, ex-soldier Logan Bradford convinces her to try rope bondage under his capable hands. But a steamy night turns deadly when Rachel and Logan witness a gruesome murder.
A Dom who's determined to bind her to him...
Framed for a crime they didn't commit and hunted by corrupt FBI agents, they flee. As Rachel and Logan search for evidence to clear their names, the attraction they've been fighting ignites into fiery passion. Love is the last thing Rachel wants, but night by night, as Logan binds her body, he unravels the knots around her heart. And when they uncover a shocking political conspiracy, Rachel will stop at nothing to reveal the truth…and it just might kill her.

BLUE BLOODED, the third book in Shelly Bell's erotic suspense series, Benediction, was absolutely thrilling from the conspiracy theory down to the romance between Rachel Dawson and Logan Bradford.
What you'll get when you read BLUE BLOODED:
- There's a government conspiracy of sorts at play here. A terrorist attack with Senators and government agents at its helm. A big and dangerous enemy to have with only your wits to defend yourself. It wasn't much of a mystery, but I did love how current the conflict was.
- It's a whirlwind romance. I can't call it "insta" as Rachel and Logan are acquainted. Things did developed fast after they got framed for a murder they didn't commit and was on the lam from the cops.
- I'm not the biggest fan of "insta", I liked how SBell gave us the illusion that the romance between our couple developed at an even pace. There was great sexual tension between the two and the boinking didn't really happen until maybe halfway. Illusion... whoosh.
- I loved how BLUE BLOODED took on the theme about control. Duh, BDSM erotica right? The thing is, Logan is a Dom and Rachel is a control freak. So how do you figure out which side is up between the two? This part you gotta read/experience for yourself. This reader is very satisfied with how the "figuring out" part went.
- It's Fall yet BLUE BLOODED turn up the heat to triple digit temperatures! Boy, oh boy, oh boy! I had to stop in between intense scenes lest I start fanning myself. I also want to underscore that the kink here shibari or rope bondage. Not unusual but a good break from the run off the mill spanking.
So if you want to get warm (or hot) in this weather, you know what to read next. *wink wink*
Name: Rachel
Dawson
Age: 28
Height: 5’7
Hair: black
Eyes: Brown
Job: Television
reporter for Detroit Channel Five
Hobbies: Pilates
Favorite Music:
Taylor Swift and Brittany Spears
Favorite TV
Show: 60 Minutes
Heroes: Walter
Cronkite and Christiane Amanpour
Turn-offs:
health food and overbearing men
Turn-ons:
chocolate covered potato chips and getting the un-gettable story
Career goals:
Anchor at a New York news station
When I began
writing the first book in the Benediction series, White Collared, I planned to
use the character of Rachel Dawson as an example of the press’s invasion of
privacy into private citizens’ lives. But as I wrote her scenes, I saw deeper
into her psyche. Rachel was headstrong, independent and career-driven, much
like the White Collared heroine, Kate Martin, and both of them sought the same
things—truth and justice. By the end of the book, I knew she deserved her own
story and that there was only one man who would truly challenge her—Logan Bradford.
Despite having
close girlfriends for the first time since childhood, Rachel doesn’t really let
anyone know her. Because of that, it’s easy to believe the worst of her, but
she truly has a big heart and she’s extremely defensive of those she cares
about. She grew up in a strict religious household where her father’s rules
were law and in her perception, her mother was weak. As a result, Rachel
doesn’t allow anyone else dictate her actions. Her need to be self-sufficient
and independent has prevented her from opening her heart to the chance at love.
She does not
consider herself kinky, but she wants to understand her friends’ attraction to
BDSM. She uses her position as a television news reporter to give her the
excuse she needs to investigate both the lifestyle and the sex club,
Benediction, intending to do a positive story on it rather than a judgmental
one.
She’s had
several one-night stands, but no relationships and has problems climaxing with
a partner. Logan recognizes that she has trouble giving up control and because
of that, has a problem relaxing. When they go on the run together, they agree
to a short-term sexual relationship in which Logan will help her “turn off her
brain” and surrender. Initially, he does this by tying her up, gagging, and
blindfolding her, but he gets a bit more creative as the book unfolds. Logan
and Rachel don’t label their relationship as one of Dominant and submissive.
They’re just two people who enjoy bondage…and an occasional ménage. Does that
make her kinky?
I think it just
makes her Rachel Dawson.

A sucker for a happy ending, Shelly Bell writes sensual romance often with a bit of kink and action-filled erotic thrillers with high-emotional stakes for her alpha heroes and kick-ass heroines.
She began writing upon the insistence of her husband who dragged her to the store and bought her a laptop. When she’s not working her day job, taking care of her family, or writing, you’ll find her reading the latest smutty romance.
She currently writes for Avon Red Impulse, Loose Id, and Soul Mate Publishing.
Follow Shelly:


Oh that's how I like seeing a quickie romance happen. Looks good, Braine!
ReplyDeleteFast, furious, and wet!
DeleteI haven't tried a erotica suspens. I'm not that much into erotica but maybe. I should try to see if it's for me or not.
ReplyDeleteI like it better than romantica.
DeleteGood, cos insta is so ugh
ReplyDeleteYup. Ugh :<
DeleteOooh Erotica BDSM, I think this one sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteThe series is really good.
DeleteThanks for hosting Blue Blooded! I was thrilled that you enjoyed Logan and Rachel's story. They were so much fun to write!
ReplyDeleteI can tell you went to town with these two. ;)
DeleteRachel sounds great, and clearly I need to add this series to my tbr pile...totally persuasive review Braine!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I try. Sometimes it works ;)
DeleteNot sure this is for me but Rachel does sound like a fantastic character.
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Erotica is hit or miss with some. Let's stick with Kate Meader's firefighters for now
DeleteThis sounds perfect to heat those chilly days coming soon - and a great escape! I like that the conflict and mystery were current feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the guest post, too! :)
Gotta keep warm somehow lol
DeleteI am loving how Blue Blooded sounds! I first spotted it on Edelweiss and knew it sounded good and your review only tells me I need to read it asap :)
ReplyDeletePlus you can totally read the books as standalone ;)
DeleteI could use some "hot" reads because the last few have been duds in the heat department. Def will check this out! Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThis will definitely fire you up
DeleteThis sounds like it was fabulous! Great review and so glad you loved this!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ali. It's not exactly horror, but some people consider BDSM as terrifying so I guess it still fits Something Wicked...
DeleteHaven't read any suspense erotica yet but this sounds HOT! HAHA!
ReplyDeleteThere's always a first time for everything ;)
DeleteInteresting mix of things, what with the government conspiracy and all... I'm curious :) Happy Monday, lovely!
ReplyDeleteHappy week, Ramona! So late with my replies
DeleteThese sound good with the combo of suspense and erotic romance. I'm not usually one for a reporter heroine, but it sounds like she uses her snooping for good. ;)
ReplyDeleteShe was great in figuring things out. She wasn't annoying like the usual reporter archetype
DeleteI'm a bit more critical on erotic than most romances and I'm not a fan of insta either. However, this really sounds successful and I'm curious as to how things work out. Might have to add this one to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way with new adult romances. I have to be honest, I didn't like the second book, this one won me over again
Deleteoh mine, the plot seems like it had a lot involved , glad you loved the romance
ReplyDeleteSure did, kept things interesting all the time
DeleteThe control aspect and whirlwind romance sounds nice in this one
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking it out, Brandi.
DeleteOh la la! It DOES sound hot. I want to know how they worked it out.
ReplyDeleteyou think you're going to read it?
DeleteYay for no insta!! :D
ReplyDeleteBig sigh of relief
DeleteThis sounds like a suspenseful hot romance book! Even though the romance was a bit insta, it still sounds like the author tried to give the illusion the romance developed at a steady pace. Great Review!
ReplyDeleteI appreciated getting tricked because I really loved the other parts too. If it was insta from the get go, I think I'll quit it before the plot starts developing
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed it. It's a bit to steam for me, but looks good. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to remember that.
DeleteI'm not a big fan of the insta love, but it sounds like Dawson handled this aspect well. Great review Braine!
ReplyDeleteIt helped that they already know each other sort of
DeleteI can't wait to read this, Braine. I pre-ordered it so long ago I'd forgotten...so it was such a treat to see it magically appear on my kindle. ;) I really enjoyed the interview. Dawson seems like a worthy crush. ;)
ReplyDeleteYipee!!!!
Delete