Lena Austin Reviews

Added July 29, 2004

Black Widow

Author: Lena Austin
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC
Available At: www.loose-id.net
Publishing Date: June 2004
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Contemporary/BDSM
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $4.99
ISBN: 1-59632-001-X
Author Email/Website: lena.realmsoflove.com/
Reviewer: Melissa Levine

Lena Austin gives readers a course in BDSM 101 in her novel, Black Widow. The story is a mind-opening look into the world of bondage, discipline, dominance, and sado-masochism that leads its characters on a journey of trust and voluntary submission.

When Calder, an ex-cop turned freelance writer, gets an assignment from his agent to write an article on the clinical take of BDSM for Psychology Today magazine, he is hesitant and a little frightened. The agent then suggests he compile enough material to also submit a book proposal and the struggling novelist accepts the job.

After doing as much research as he could on his own, Calder calls up his college roommate, Brad and lobbies for an induction into the BDSM community by a long time member. Brad agrees to Calder attending a party that he is hosting with his wife, Angie, only after his old friend promises to observe and to not ask any report-like questions of his guests.

Calder keeps his promise until he sees the Black Widow demonstrate the use of flogs on one of her submissives (subs). The Black Widow, Kelly, is a semi-retired professional mistress. She is a Dominant (Dom) and served by several subs. When Kelly notices Calder observing her work, she asks her friend Angie about him and is told he is a "virgin". Calder and Kelly take immediate interest in each other. Kelly entertains his questions and invites Calder to her home for coffee and more specific answers to his inquires.

From their first night together, Kelly and Calder's relationship moves swiftly. Kelly opens the world of BDSM up to Calder, explaining that subs are treated with care by being warmed up and cooled down between activities and that all Doms must experience submission to know what their subs go through. Secretly, Kelly takes Calder through Dom training with each demonstration of the trade. Calder struggles with his own deception concerning the article and book proposal he is writing. The couple's steamy sexual escapades lead to intense feelings that develop into love.

In Black Widow, readers are introduced to Dom and sub personalities, the frailty of subspace, and the effects of pain and pleasure on the mind and body. I found Austin's work both titillating and informative. The author did a wonderful job of demonstrating how the acts of dominance and submission are "about trust, not sex." I recommend Black Widow for the curious virgin and the seasoned Dom in need of a refresher course.

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Added July 29, 2004

Unicorn Valley Book 1: Gryphon's Heart

Author: Lena Austin
Publisher: Changeling Press
Available At: www.changelingpress.com
Publishing Date: July 2004
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $3.49
ISBN: 1-59596-030-9
Author Email/Website: lena.realmsoflove.com/
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Welcome to Unicorn Valley. The home of Gryphons, Unicorns, Vampires and more magical creatures. In the first of her new series, Lena Austin takes readers on an unforgettable journey.

The last male Gryphon, Lionel needs a mate to ensure his race will not vanish. He has searched outside of his home Unicorn Valley and found not a single Gryphoness. After speaking with his foster brothers Brolly (Werewolf) and Shadow (Unicorn), he realizes he will have to take a mate outside of his species, asking her to give up her form to give him cubs. As he ponders his choices in the valley, one name springs to mind above all others, Teema. A female Werewolf, she was one of his closest friends and he did love her.

Teema was thrilled Lionel had returned home. In love with him since she was young, she wanted nothing more than to be his mate. When he announces his plans to marry her so matter-of-factly and without regard for her emotions, she is furious. She knew Gryphons were logical creatures, but as a Werewolf, she wants love and if not that, at least, passion and desire. For someone who professed to be her friend, he really knew nothing of her.

Lionel couldn't understand why Teema had reacted the way she did. It was only when his foster mother Kella explained Werewolf ways did Lionel and his mother Nin-Kaa understand they'd offended her by choosing his mate with calm deliberation rather than emotion. How could he prove his love?

Nin-Kaa teaches Teema how to shift into a Gryphoness and encourages her to fly and flirt with Lionel, knowing his honor will not permit him to be unfaithful to Teema. Teema loves the Gryphon form and enjoys teasing Lionel immensely. Later that evening, she appears in her human form and seduces him, without revealing she was the Gryphoness. She slips out the next morning while Lionel sleeps, easily assuming her Gryphoness form.

Unfortunately, Lionel sees the change and is furious. She had lied and deceived him! He confronts her and is further astonished by her attitude. In no uncertain terms, she tells him what she thinks of him, his proposal and his honor. Totally clueless, it is only when his foster brother Brolly explains the Werewolf nature and how Teema was willing to give up her form for him, does Lionel begin to understand. But will his understanding come in time?

Simply amazing. Gryphon's Heart is fantasy romance at it's best. Ms. Austin gives readers a world where creatures of all kinds roam, filled with duty, friendship, family, passion and love. While this is a romance, it is the hero's journey to understanding and becoming more than what he is that makes Gryphon's Heart truly unforgettable. Even when he was furious, you could sense him restraining out of love; he just didn't know how to show it properly. I'm glad this is the first book in a series because Brolly and Shadow are very captivating characters.

It's rare to find a novella with fully developed characters and even more rare to find one with a rich, detailed world. Unicorn Valley: Gryphon's Heart is ripe with beautiful word choices; every word paints a picture of a world you wish you lived in and can't wait to revisit. Add the high sensuality and eroticism and you have a magnificent tale.

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