Category: The Connaghers

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Review: Hurt Me So Good

Pearl was kind enough to read Hurt Me So Good in its early stages and has now written a lovely review:

The way Joely Sue Burkhart describes the feelings and the dynamics, the hunger and need, is mesmerizing. The way she describes insecurity, vulnerability and pain is simply out of this world. I have no words to do it justice with a description. I had the pleasure and honor of proofreading HURT ME SO GOOD many months ago and was utterly impressed with the way Joely Sue Burkhart wanted to bring Victor’s story to her readers. Now having read it with a reviewer’s eye I can only be even more impressed. From the first to the last word she reeled me in with a poignant and emotional story within the realm of D/s that is a more than worthy successor of DEAR SIR I’M YOURS!

Thank you, Joely Sue, for another great installment of the Connaghers, a family that has found a firm place in my reader’s heart and on my (digital) shelves. I can’t wait to see what Vicki will bring to the table.

Thank you so much, Pearl!  I’ve never written a m/m book, but for Leon and Brandon…. hmmm.  Maybe.  🙂  You and Sherri’s great minds are thinking alike.

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Reviews from The Romance Reviews

MichelleR has written several wonderful reviews on The Romance Reviews site.  First up, for Dear Sir, I’m Yours:

Holy guacamole ladies and gents, I have another winner! Seriously, if you are a fan of masterfully written characters, smokin’ hot sex, tender romantic men and strong independent women you really need to check out Dear Sir, I’m Yours by Joely Sue Burkhart.

With tender moments that brought tears to my eyes, hysterical moments that had me gripping my sides, and Oh My Gawd moments that had me searching for a hand fan, I was up well into the night unwilling to put this amazing read down. The story was fast-paced, engaging, complex and well-rounded. Joely Sue Burkhart was a new author to me. She has talent in spades and I just can’t wait to check out more of her books.

And for Victor in Hurt Me So Good:

 I can take a whole lot of hawt in my stories. Bring on the meneges, tie-em-up, and go places only the most wicked have gone before, but the idea of sadomasochism wasn’t revin’ my good-read engine at all. Quite the opposite. I found myself way outside my comfort zone.

That is, until Victor and Shiloh stole my heart.

Hats off to Ms. Burkhart as she has once again proven herself a master of developing complex, likeable characters in a world most view as unpalatable.

Thank you so much, Michelle!

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Review and Another Chance to Win!

Fern at Whipped Creme Erotic Romance Reviews gives 4/5 to Hurt Me So Good:

After enjoying Dear Sir, I’m Yours by author Joely Sue Burkhart, I was extremely excited to get my hands on the second installment, Hurt Me So Good. Although vastly different from the first, I found similar elements and themes present and, of course, the writing was wonderful.  Ms. Burkhart pens memorable stories with tortured characters that are impossible to forget.

Also, Nicole donated a copy of HMSG to Stumbling Over Chaos, so stop by and comment to win!

Thank you so much, Fern and Nicole!

P.S. You still have time to enter the Pride & Prejudice book handbag and charm bracelet giveaways.

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Review: Hurt Me So Good

Mrs. Giggles reviews Victor and gives HMSG 83!

While I’m no expert on BDSM and therefore I cannot say for certain how accurate the author has been in the depiction of that lifestyle in this story, she manages to sell me the fantasy in a most believable and very intriguing manner. The psychology behind the use of the riding crop is fascinating, and the love scenes are erotic. The author also gets bonus points for a rather dignified treatment of the hero’s ex-sub without degrading her into merely another notch in the hero’s bedpost. The hero has control issues when it comes to being a Dom, and I have to admit I raised an eyebrow at that scene where he pleasured himself while whacking his thighs with the riding crop. But Ms Burkhart sells the whole deal to me nicely despite my unfamiliarity with the BDSM scene.

She does have concerns about the reality TV aspect, about whether insiders receiving the prizes is illegal or not.  There is no “million dollar prize” offered to the winner of ANTs — only the Master’s collar, if he chooses to give it.   It’s not a true reality show, but more of a parody of a reality show.  Too bad that part bothered her, but overall, she enjoyed the rest of the story, so yay!

Thank you, Mrs. Giggles!

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Review: Hurt Me So Good

My beloved Sister might be just a tad biased ::ahem:: but she has some lovely things to say about Victor:

See, it’s not just about the “kink”. It’s not even about the sex. It’s about what two people need. It’s about trusting their partner to provide that need. It’s about two people finding their perfect match and then fighting for that perfection.

If I had a rating system, this one would be off the charts. Not just because it’s excellent reading with snappy (occasionally blush-worthy) dialogue, killer setting, and smokin-hot romance, but because it… I dunno… shows that you don’t have to be damaged in some way to want this lifestyle.

This is really important to me, and it’s important to Victor, which is why he chose to start VCONN, an erotic cable channel dedicated to BDSM lifestyles.  Sadist can have so many negative connotations, usually applied to perverted villains of the story who want to commit vile acts against the snowy pure heroine.  Victor is a sadist, but he’s not perverted and most definitely not the villain, but yeah, I guess he does want to do vile things to Shiloh…even though he feels terrible guilt at the same time.  The key, here, is that she wants him to do these painful things.

Thank you, Sis.  I love you!

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Interview, Review, and Giveaway!

Tanya at Among the Muses gave me the incredible opportunity of an interview and giveaway on her blog to help me celebrate release day!  Please hop on over to her blog and ask any questions or simply comment to win a free download of HMSG or a print copy of DSIY!

In addition, she gave such a lovely review:

The plot of the story can be easily described as HOT, fun, and unconventional. I absolutely loved the fact that the author has taken a slightly avoided topic, and woven it in to a fun, lovable, passionate, and tasteful context of a BDSM reality show. During the course of the ‘show’, there’s an educational aspect taking place, shedding light on the S/M part of a lifestyle, causing for a healthy balance of smexiness and learning. As with the first story, each chapter starts off with a first person POV from the female lead character which allows us to really grasp what’s going on in the mind of masochist. Add to that the easiness of the author’s writing style, and you have one hell of a tastefully done erotic story. All I can say is if Texas is this hot, I’m putting in for a job transfer ASAP!

Thank you so much, Tanya!

P.S. Don’t forget to stop by Susi’s blog for another giveaway!

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Reviews: Hurt Me So Good

What a way to start off release day (buy your copy here) !  I have two great reviews to share:

From the HEA Lover at Book Lovers Inc, 5 Bookies!

All in all it was a very mind-opening book. I couldn’t stop reading and never once did I think it was too much. Joely wrote very believable and complex characters and made me understand why they did what they did. This is a great story, I really love Victor and I found the ending perfect. It could have easily turned into too much for me but it didn’t. I felt more educated and more open-minded after reading Hurt Me So Good. I keep thinking about this book, I even dreamed about it. It is one of those books that stays with you for a long time after you’ve finished it. I cannot wait for Vicky’s book now. I’m already wondering what wickedness she could be hiding , since it seems to run in the family. *wink*

From Susi of the Geeky Bookworm, 4.5 cubes!

 I think it speaks highly of Joely’s writing that she didn’t lose my attention even when her characters did thinks I wouldn’t even consider in my darkest moments. It was always really erotic and sometimes also shocking. A fascinating combination that caught me unguarded at moments. How can I find something erotic and at the same moment think it must be hurting too much.

Joely drew me in no matter where the action went. Her story-telling is compelling and fascinating. I loved her characters and I can’t wait to read more about the other characters we met in Hurt Me So Good. I highly recommend this book to all erotic lovers with at least a bit of inclination towards BDSM in their books.

Extraordinaire writing with a compelling fascinating and highly erotic story- Victor just won’t lose you attention. It’s not his name for nothing. 😉

Thank you so much, Susi and HEA Lover! I’m giving away a copy of HMSG on The Geeky Bookworm so head on over and comment to win! Later today I’ll giveaway a copy here, too.

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Review: Hurt Me So Good

Sherri Meyer writes a lovely review for Victor:

Joely Sue Burkhart is a master, and I do mean MASTER, at character development. I always feel like I might be able to meet one of her characters in real life. They have hopes and dreams, fears and worries, had highs and lows. They are human. I love a great character.

In a nice twist for a romance this really is Victor’s story because he has the most to lose. I loved watching him struggle with who he is. On the surface Victor is powerful, seemingly on top of the world. But he has flaws both real and imagined. Shiloh knows what she wants, sets out to get it, and knocks poor Victor’s world on its axis.

I have to give Sherri full credit for helping me tie up a subplot so neatly and wonderfully that it has become a favorite of several people who’ve read it since and loved it.  The acknowledgements say it all:

Sherri, Brandon is forever in your debt.

Thank you so much, Sherri!

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Guest Post and First Victor Review

I’m at Kait Nolan’s today blogging about When the Well Runs Dry.  Comment on the post to win an early copy of HURT ME SO GOOD, which doesn’t release until 10/5!

Soleil of Black Sun Reviews is the first to review Victor:

Nobody makes my reader’s heart sting like Joely Sue Burkhart. I’m not usually one to enjoy contemporaries but with Joely’s quirky sense of humor and passion for the forbidden or the politically incorrect, I get lost in the magic every time.

Hurt Me So Good is a sweltering hot read even without the mention of crops, whips and collars. The passion between Shiloh and Victor is addictive and I do believe I’m going to miss reading about a heroine who isn’t afraid to talk dirty. She’s not a doormat. She’s not a shrinking violet or the epitome of fragility. She’s a damned proud Submissive and she totally won my heart.

Soleil also mentions Mal (Malinda Kannes, Mistress of Dallas) and I’m happy to say she will definitely get her own story, tentatively titled MINE TO BREAK.  I already know who her hero is, too, and he makes a brief appearance in Vicki’s YOURS TO TAKE.

Thank you so much, Soleil!

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Review: Dear Sir, I’m Yours

Tanya at Among the Muses has some wonderful things to say about Dear  Sir, I’m Yours:

Conn, imo, is the perfect Dom. He knows what he wants – control and complete and utter happiness and trust from his sub — Rae Lynn. He’s always loved and wanted her back, so after she ran, he, too, went on a personal journey of learning how to master his control. He’s attentive, caring, protective, and wants more than anything for Rae to submit to his control and give him her trust, all while quoting, Shelley, Lord Byron, Blake, and Shakespeare. *swoons* Seriously, a sexy hot, dominate Professor who can quote classic poetry while licking your inner thigh? Just sayin’.

Ha, that totally put a smile on my face!  You can read the whole review here.  thank you so much,Tanya!