Review Tuesday: Spirit by @AsheBarker (#bdsm #eroticromance #homelessness)

Spirit by Ashe Barker

Stormy Night Publications, 2015

Beth Harte has been on the street, sleeping rough, for more than a year. She knows her way around Leeds—the trash heaps where she can scavenge, the corners and alleys where she can crash, the over-crowded shelters where she can find a cup of watery soup or maybe even a roof for a night. It’s a difficult life, but Beth is a survivor. On a frigid night in December, though, her luck seems to be running out. Burning up with fever, unable to breathe from near pneumonia, desperate for a bit of warmth, she risks sneaking into an office building car park and is caught by one of the building’s tenants.

Affluent executive Matt Logan is annoyed. when he catches sight of the filthy vagrant crouching against the wall, but his irritation turns to sympathy when the skinny girl collapses in his arms. He takes her home, calls a doctor friend, feeds her and nurses her back to health. Beth starts out being suspicious of his kindness, but soon her emotions shift, first toward trust, then toward strong attraction.

Thinking her far too young for a man of his age and vices, Matt tries to resist Beth’s advances, but it doesn’t take her long to overcome his scruples. Sparks fly as Matt teaches Beth about pleasure—and learns a few things himself. As the year spins to an end, they become increasingly close. Then a traumatic event shakes Beth’s trust. Disturbed, frightened and disgusted, she runs away from the man she believes has deceived her.

When they meet again, eight years later, Beth has fought her way to independence and self-sufficiency. She knows what she wants, and is not afraid to go after her dreams. She’s no longer the innocent eighteen year old whom Matt rescued from the streets. Neither she nor Matt is sure they can recapture the magic of their past relationship—or whether she’s ready to take the next step, into his secret world of dominance and submission.

I bought this book after reading the first few pages, an incredibly vivid and moving description of Beth’s experience as a homeless woman. This isn’t typical romance material. It’s dark, gritty, painful, a bit terrifying, and absolutely gripping. Ms. Barker captures the details that make it all real: Beth’s care in hiding the cardboard sheets and bubble pack she uses to keep warm, the way she wears multiple pairs of socks, her embarrassment at her own rank smell.

The first section of the novel is totally believable. In particular, I really appreciated the way the author managed the sex scenes. Beth isn’t a virgin, but at eighteen her experience is limited. With Matt, she’s learning all the time, exploring her sexuality, trying new things—first time “doggy style”, first time being on top, first oral sex and so on. She’s eager, no doubt overflowing with hormones, but realistically uncertain. I’m so tired of erotic romance featuring virgin heroines who after their first experience with the hero turn into lusty, self-confident sluts.

The incident that drives Beth from Matt’s home is also handled really well. It dovetails nicely with the information we get later in the book, explaining how Beth ended up homeless in the first place. Furthermore, it reveals a lot about Beth’s character, both her strengths and her frailties.

Matt’s and Beth’s reunion later steps a bit more into fantasy territory, but Ms. Barker keeps the story grounded with telling details, for instance the fact that Beth still uses the rucksack she was carrying the night Matt rescued her. I rather expected a bit more conflict—greater difficulty in their regaining their mutual trust. They fall back into their relationship a little too easily for my tastes.

On the other hand, that gives the author more opportunity to bring the two of them together in her glorious sex scenes. And glorious they are—intense, creative, varied, full of emotional nuance as well as physical sensation. Beth turns out to be an enthusiastic submissive, at least when Matt is the Dom. And Matt manages to be delightfully stern while still considerate and respectful. Anyone who has the mistaken notion that BDSM involves some sort of abuse should read this book.

Indeed, this novel deliberately contrasts consensual kink and abuse. Furthermore, the abusers get exactly what they deserve. The ending of this novel ties up every loose end in a happy bow. I actually would have preferred a bit more ambiguity, at least a hint of shadow. Readers who thrive on HEAs, though, will be thoroughly satisfied.

Overall, I loved this novel. Considering the writing, the characters, and of course the erotic encounters, it’s among the best erotic romance I’ve read in the past year.

Body and Spirit

By Ashe Barker (Guest Blogger)

Thank you so much for inviting me over to Beyond Romance today to give a shout out about Spirit, my latest release.

Much of the story takes place against the backdrop of Le Grand Départ, the start of the Tour de France cycle race which in the summer of 2014 took place in Yorkshire in the North of England. Maybe took place is the wrong description, took over is closer to the mark. It was a massive international occasion, and I suspect the sheer scale of the event, and the audience it attracted, took most of us by surprise. Roads were closed, Yorkshire was a no-go area, unless you were on two wheels. Or two feet.

Somewhere between 2.5million and 3.5 million people turned out to watch. It’s impossible to know the number for sure as no one had to buy a ticket. They just turned up, often hiking across miles of moorland, and lined the route, local communities and international visitors alike. Ice cream sellers reported a whole year’s trade in two days! The audience on television was 3.5 billion, a truly spectacular showcase for this little bit of England.

The whole thing was fabulous, a wonderful atmosphere and it was a weekend we won’t forget. One of the features I most enjoyed though was the way bits of artwork popped up all over the moorland landscape as the race got nearer. Farmers decorated their fields, and their sheep, in the race colours. The route was decorated with bunting, spotted jerseys, and the iconic yellow bicycles. We saw specially designed crop circles, painted cows, and of course some fabulous sculptures. All of these bits of public art were free to be enjoyed by the billions watching. Most of these pieces were transient and have now gone, though a few remain. One of these more permanent sculptures is featured in Spirit, and gave me the title of the book.

Spirit is first and foremost a sexy romance, but with some serious issues underpinning it. It’s a story about one young woman’s route to homelessness, and about childhood abuse. For all that though it isn’t really a dark tale. This is a book about kindness, generosity, and moving on.

Spirit has its lighter side too, with some endearing minor characters of the human and non-human variety. Look out for Ethel, the exuberant little Westie dog, and rather bad-tempered macaw. Ethel is modelled on my own little dog. I just had to put her in a book somewhere and this seemed like a good home for her. George the macaw is inspired by my husband’s grumpy cockatiel. There are other creatures in our menagerie too, so I probably need to find places in my future books for a couple of tortoises, and some rabbits.

Enough of the Noah’s Ark, here’s the back cover stuff for Spirit…

When Matthew Logan offers a homeless young woman a bed for a few nights, he expects the girl to eat, sleep, recover from the flu, and then move on. Instead, in no time at all eighteen-year-old Beth Harte has captured his affections completely. Though Matt wants only to protect her and has no intention of sleeping with her, Beth has other ideas, and she proves to be very persuasive.

But after Beth is attacked by a friend of Matt’s and subsequently learns for the first time that Matt is an experienced dominant, she is unable to separate the man she is growing to care about from her hateful memories of previous exploitation. Confused and frightened, she runs away.

Almost six years pass before Matt sees Beth again, and in that time his vulnerable little waif has reinvented herself as an artist. Now she has a stunning proposition for him and his environmental engineering company: to collaborate on a project fusing art and science to promote one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. But when Matt demands to know what went wrong before, she tells him the truth, both about her childhood and about his friend’s actions.

Matt is determined to make Beth’s abusers pay for their crimes, but he’s also not about to let her run away from him again. Can Beth bring herself to trust Matt despite her fears and give him the chance to love her and show her the pleasures of being his submissive, or will the wounds of her past keep her from trusting anyone ever again?

Publisher’s Note: Spirit is an erotic romance novel that includes spankings, sexual scenes, anal play, BDSM content, and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

And of course a sexy excerpt from Spirit, to whet your appetite.

* * * * 

"Will you fuck me now?"

"Mmm, that's the plan, though I'm considering spanking you first."

"Why?"

"For fun, and to get it out of the way. A girl's first spanking is a big event, I'm thinking you might be nervous about it. Having another wobble maybe."

"Maybe, but..."

"But?"

"But I'm sort of excited too. I want it to hurt."

"I see. I can manage that I reckon."

"But I want you to fuck me as well. At the same time. Could you do that?

"Oh yes."

"I hoped you'd say that."

"Get on all fours then. And spread your legs wide."

I scramble into position as Matt reaches for his bedside drawer. There's a snap of foil, then the head of his cock is at my entrance. He waits, poised, and I quiver with anticipation.

He doesn't move, just holds that pose. I wriggle, roll my hips and try to shuffle backwards. I'm rewarded by a resounding whack, and a sharp pain resonates through my right buttock.

"Too impatient, girl. Keep still."

"Oh, oh Matt.."

"I think you mean Sir. I've been lax until now, but you need to start obeying the rules."

"Sir, sir, sir!"

"Don't overdo it. And if you move again, you'll get another slap. Harder next time."

"Yes Sir....oh, oh my God!" Matt drives his cock deep into me, right to the balls. My body offers no resistance, so well prepared and utterly ready am I, but he holds still as I stretch around him and I'm glad of the moment's respite to gather my wits.

He withdraws, then sinks his erection into me again, long and slow. I grasp the duvet under me and cling on tight. My pussy squeezes around him, and he slaps my bum again, this time on the left side.

"I told you to keep still. That means on the inside too."

"I couldn't help it. I...oh, oh!!

Two more hard slaps land, the sound harsh in the otherwise silent room. My pussy convulses again, and I tense, expecting more punishment.

It doesn't happen. I turn my head to look at Matt behind me.

"I don't understand, why didn't you spank me? I squeezed."

"Have I unleashed your inner pain slut? How interesting. But I spank when I choose to. And right now, I choose to fuck."

He pulls back, almost out of me, then drives his cock forward again, pounding into my cunt. Several more swift strokes and I lurch forward, my face buried in the mattress and my bum held up high for him. He manages to find that perfect angle to hit my G-spot with each hard thrust. My cunt is spasming, my inner muscles well beyond any conscious control of mine. I want him to spank me, and I'm afraid of it too, Afraid of wanting it.

Matt drops several more swift slaps onto my buttocks, each one making me squeal and writhe under him. The conflicting sensations are a heady cocktail, confusing signals scrambling my ability to think straight. In this moment though reason seems over-rated. I relinquish any residual hold on sanity and allow myself to sink into a submissive fog where all that matters, all that counts, is what Matt wants, what he chooses to do.

The slaps continue, each one sharp, stinging, the pain beautiful in its purity. My clit is quivering, swollen beyond belief. I want to feel his touch there, but don't know if or how to tell him. But I need, I need so badly.

"Sir? I, may I..."

"Do it."

The curt command answers my unspoken question. I reach down to caress my clit, then slide my fingers further back to feel the fast motion of his cock plunging into me, the lips of my pussy splayed wide to receive him. I let out a groan as I return to caressing my swollen bud, rubbing harder as he picks up a pounding rhythm. He slaps my bottom again, really hard now, and I scream, the perfect blend of agony and ecstasy so intense it fills my consciousness. Suddenly I'm spinning, weightless, my body collapsing into helpless spasming as my orgasm washes over and through me, reaching every corner, every nerve and muscle and melting my bones.

You can grab a copy of Spirit from wherever you like to buy your ebooks.

Spirit Buy Links

Amazon US Amazon UK All Romance Kobo Barnes and Noble

More about Ashe Barker

I’ve been writing seriously for about two years but I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, erotic and other genres. I love reading historical and contemporary romances in all pairings – the hotter the better. But now I have a good excuse for my guilty pleasure – research.

My stories are often set in the north of England where I live but I draw inspiration from all over. An incident here, a chance remark there, a bizarre event or quirky character, any of these can spark a story idea. But ultimately my tales of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of my own lurid and smutty imagination.

On the rare occasions I’m not writing my time is divided between my role as resident taxi driver for my teenage daughter, and caring for a menagerie of dogs, rabbits, tortoises. And most recently a very grumpy cockatiel. I’m a rural parish councillor too.

My other titles are many and varied, and include the ‘Black Combe’ trilogies, The Dark Side, Sure Mastery, The Hardest Word and A Richness of Swallows, all set in the atmospheric moorland of West Yorkshire or Cumbria and with a strong BDSM theme. My stand alone novels are The Three Rs, Chameleon, Red Skye at Night, and Faith but this list grows all the time. The Widow Is Mine is a full length medieval erotic romance which I wrote for The Conquered Brides collection. I’ve also written several short stories, including Re-Awakening, a raunchy pirate tale, Right of Salvage, and a MM story, Bodywork, which was included in the Amazon best-selling collection Brit Boys on Boys. You can find all my stories on my author page on Amazon.

I have a pile of story ideas still to work through, and keep thinking of new ones at the most unlikely moments, so you can expect to see a lot more from me.

I love to hear from readers. You can find me on my blog, and I’m on Facebook, and twitter too. And more recently on Tsu

Journaling

Thanksgiving tends to make me nostalgic. This year found me digging out one of my old journals, from more than thirty years ago, an extremely critical period in my life. This was the era I might call my sexual awakening, when I first discovered my interest in dominance and submission. In fact, my first BDSM experience occurred on Thanksgiving - hence some of the nostalgia!

I was also making up for lost time as something of a shy wall flower. Over the course of about two years, I had multiple concurrent relationships as well as a number of more casual sexual encounters.

I guess my hormones were really raging.

I hadn't looked at these diaries in quite a while. In some ways, it's like reading the confessions of a stranger. It's hard to recall exactly how I felt back then. On the other hand, I'm impressed by how articulate this young woman seems to be, and also how concerned she is with the deeper meaning of things. The two primary topics in the journal are God and sex. The two get about equal time, and indeed are closely linked. I felt a strong connection between sex and spirituality, that my lovers were teaching me not only about myself but also about the nature of reality and the divine.

I'm still convinced of the existence of that link. That much at least is a constant. However, I have to smile at young Lisabet's intensity (and stamina!)  She asks so many questions. How can I stop judging myself and others? How can I be truly creative? Is it really possible for me to love, in a sexual or romantic sense, more than person? Is my interest in submission something to fear or to celebrate? How can I be in the world and walk a spiritual path? How can I capture these peak, transformative experiences in words?

Re-reading my ruminations (along with the interspersed poems full of crossed-out words, the quotes from books I was reading, the description of my dreams), I'm struck by two revelations. First, I was writing erotica even then. I've always considered that the fantasies I penned in the nineties were my first forays into erotic authorship, but this diary contains quite a few accounts of my sexual adventures, more than a decade earlier. Second, even then I was much more interested in the emotional and psychic aspects of sex than the physical. I rarely write about what I and my lovers did together. Instead I wrote at length about how I - how we - felt together, what was running through my mind, the sense of communion I sometimes managed to achieve, or occasionally, the sense of alienation.

This remains characteristic of my erotic writing. Anyone who has read my work knows that although I can be graphic, I tend to focus on what is going on in my characters' heads and hearts. It's a bit funny for me to recognize this continuity with the soulful, horny young woman who wrote these journals. Perhaps I haven't changed as much as I thought.