Power Exchange (Power Exchange #1) Paperback – August 26, 2013

I actually enjoyed this one for the most part. I really enjoyed Gavin and Ben's story.Gavin went through some personal stuff early on that pulls at your heartstrings. You could tell he has an attraction to Ben right away. Ben is a therapist that is brought in because of his specialty in the BDSM community to help consult. These two really are perfect for each other.What I didn't enjoy so much was the case aspect. Gavin really isn't a very smart detective. He's probably one of the worst I've read in a book. It was glaringly obvious who the killer was on from the minute he was introduced. Even up until the end, where it was even more obvious, and yet Gavin hadn't picked up on anything. That was a little irritating.I could appreciate the epilogue. I still wanted a little more with these guys so I'm glad to see the next book is still with them.

"It takes more courage to kneel before another than to stand beside them." - Ben, Power ExchangeWhen AJ Rose posted this quote from Power Exchange as his status on Facebook, I was instantly drawn to it. In the comment thread, I told him that one line is all the promotion his book(s) needed, for me at least. I bought Power Exchange and Safeword as soon as he gave me the links to them and I moved them to the top of my TBR list. It was a very good decision. My mind and heart are still reeling from the experience, but in the best possible way.I really wanted to devour this book in one sitting, but real life gets in the way sometimes. Turned out to be a good thing. I needed a little time to decompress and process everything this book did to me. It is such a good read, just difficult at times, but that makes it all the more satisfying, I think. This is going into my re-read pile, for sure. I think it'll take several readings to get everything out of the story that I missed the first time. (Not that I'm complaining about reading it again. ;) )"I could truly be myself with Ben, and he'd hold me while I fell apart." - Gavin, Power ExchangeThis book is like an intro to BDSM. I really appreciated this aspect of it. There are so many badly written books about BDSM or books that represent BDSM poorly, and I've become quite choosy about which BDSM books I read as a result. It's hard to decide which ones are "safe" to read and which ones aren't. But this one is excellent.Because Gavin is new to the lifestyle, Ben is very patient and thorough in explaining how things work. I love how the book digs deep into the psychology of the power exchange. I've struggled for quite a while to work out what true submission is, and seeing it play out in Ben and Gavin's relationship has gone a long way in helping me understand it. Not just Ben explaining submission, but also getting into Gavin's head and seeing it blossom in him in their scenes. Due to the very nature of BDSM relationships, there is a lot of emotion and intimacy in this book, and not just between Ben and Gavin. There are a couple very emotional and intimate scenes with Dom Zach and sub Nick at Collared as well. The love and mutual respect, the care, the trust, and the need that the Dom and sub each have for the other - all of that is beautifully written in Power Exchange.Others have said that the mystery is predictable... I had an idea who it was fairly early on, and I was certain I had the killer pegged during a certain scene that had me holding my own breath with my eyes bugging out while I was reading it. (OMG, AJ, how did you survive writing this book???) I was right, but that didn't diminish the mystery for me. I was kind of proud of myself for figuring it out, lol. For me, the developing relationship between Ben and Gavin was more important than, and in a lot of ways dependent upon, the mystery/crime that needed solving. Maybe it wouldn't satisfy someone looking for a hardcore mystery, but for those looking for a good plot to go along with the romance, it's an excellent read. As for whether Gavin should have figured it out...well, maybe, but I highly doubt that he's the first good cop to ever miss a clue. Why do you think police departments have boxes and boxes and boxes of cold cases?Can I just say how much I love Myah? LOVE. HER. I love seeing a strong female secondary character in a M/M book. She made me laugh several times, and she had more brains than all the men. (Hear that, boys? Listen to Myah. It's good for your health.) I really hope there's lots more Myah in the second book. (And Cole...'cause I think they belong together.)There was one thing that I've really been mulling over. (I'm not sure if this part is actually very spoilery, but I'm going to warn you just in case - potential spoilers ahead!) I questioned the wisdom of Ben taking Gavin to Collared as his sub and having him behave like a sub while Gavin was still working on an active case on murders in the BDSM community. I get that Ben wanted to show him off, that Ben was proud of him, that Gavin had nothing to be ashamed of, and that Ben wanted Gavin to understand that his Dom's opinion was the only one that mattered. But they were concerned that the killer was in the BDSM community, though perhaps not very experienced and/or disregarding the rules of the community. I just can't understand why either of them thought it would be a good idea, and it was obviously wasn't. The things they suffered later were set in motion because of that night. It could have all been avoided! *sigh* (End potential spoilers!)This deserves every one of the five stars I rated it. It was well written so that I read and read and read without being pulled out of the story for any reason excepting for the potentially spoilery one I mentioned above. But even that was okay because I love a book that makes me think, makes me emote, makes me react, makes me feel as though I've learned something. I love it when I get attached to characters (except for Victoria and Trent - you two can just piss off). I love a book that challenges my way of thinking and my comfort zones. I love a book I can get lost in for hours without coming up for air or nourishment or bathroom breaks. Power Exchange was such a book. Thank you so much, AJ. I can't wait to dive into Safeword.

Before I say anything about this story I need to say that this book contains what is probably the most beautiful and heart-warming dedication I have ever seen. Never have I been this grateful that I took the time to scroll back from the start of Chapter one, where Kindle took me when I opened the book, to the cover page. It would have been a crime to miss those lines of pure love.And after that sentimental introduction it’s time to get to the business end of what is, after all, supposed to be a review of a book, not a dedication.Is there anything more enjoyable than reading a book that provides a combination of favourite genres, past and present? Up until about two years ago 90 out of every 100 books I read would have been mysteries or thrillers. Even these days, when about half my reading is erotic in some way, shape or form a large percentage of the other half consist of murder and mayhem. So how wonderful to find a mystery-thriller that hits all my spots when it comes to erotic content, or, to find an erotic M/M romance which fulfils all my crime-related needs.As you may have noticed, I rated this book 5 out of 5, and that’s despite the fact that the story contained one of my pet hates. I had the killer identified the moment he was introduced. I can’t say why because it may not be as obvious to anyone else, I never had any doubts. And that really is one of my pet hates. It just didn’t seem to bother me in this book, probably because I was far more invested in Gavin and Ben and their developing relationship than I was in the murders.Sigh…Ben and Gavin. That is such a wonderful love story. Watching Gavin as he gets his opportunity to be true to himself and having the courage to grasp it with both hands was wonderful. Seeing how Ben deals with Gavin’s insecurities and carefully steers him to where he needs to be, even if Gavin isn’t completely sure about where that is, left me with a feeling of wonder and bliss.“Ben had become my lighthouse after I’d been adrift for years.”If I ever want to find myself a Dom he would have to be a Ben. Of course that means I would have to be a man, but now we’re talking semantics.I was equally impressed with the descriptions and explanations of BDSM. This book doesn’t give its readers a fairytale like fantasy about Domination and submission. This story paints a real, at times raw, honest and descriptive picture of the lifestyle and the community.“It takes more courage to kneel before another than to stand beside them.”The following quote of one of Gavin’s insights took my breath away:“I wholly understood the words power exchange. In giving up my power to him, he was, in turn, giving me the power to realize my value, that what I had to offer of myself was worth giving to someone, and I had to trust that particular someone to cherish it.”The descriptions of Gavin’s experiences and feelings as he submits to Ben are so well written that I felt I understood what it might be like to submit, could see the attraction.“Train me, Ben. Let me submit to you.”And to end this section of the review let me just say that if I needed proof that I should stay well away from even attempting to write true BDSM, this book provided it.Over the course of reading this book I fell in love with three men; Ben, Gavin and their creator. I love a book where the author combines profound and beautiful sentiments like:“…exquisite torture, absolute trust, and the knowledge that new heights could be reached by letting oneself go that far, trust in another that deeply.”with lighter hearted but no less revealing sentences such as:“…before dreams of being spanked in front of a crowd swallowed me whole.”I think I’ve said enough. You get it. I loved this book, loved the writing, loved the characters, loved the story. It won’t be long before my review of the sequel “Safeword” shows up here. I can’t wait to see how Ben and Gavin’s story continues.I’ll end with one more quote; just because it’s beautiful and I can. “Ben mapped the evidence of my submission as though inking our mutual desires into my flesh.”

Have enjoyed reading this story, my second by A.J.Rose. He gives you a background detective story and whodunit along with the meeting and developing relationship of two endearing male characters in Gavin DeGrassi, detective and consult, Psych, shrink Dr Benjamin Matherson.Plenty of life problems from societal and familial influences to overcome as well as a killer on the loose to stop, whilst still becoming emotionally and physically involved in their male romance and D/s dynamics brought into the relationship. Gavin has been in the closet and this shows how difficult it can be even without BDSM leanings, especially with some families and careers where homophobe was and probably still is entrenched within some folk, though hopefully this will one day be totally eradicated and people comfortable to choose their sexuality and partners to be.I liked the main characters and some of the subsidiary ones. However, most detectives I know are sceptics and pounce on any clues and links as guilty until proven innocent, so I felt it a little weak that Gavin and Ben ended in the situation they did considering what evidence links Gavin had at that point no matter how tenuous.Lot of issues to do with relationships, and BDSM with scenes from SSC to risk aware play covered in this story quite well and thoughtfully.On star rating it has to be just in 5 stars for me...and I want to read Safeword soon and more of these characters.

Goodreads review dated 10th June....Loved it.I got into this one in a very roundabout way. My 'Precog in Peril' books that I love so much are by Theo Fenraven, who by a strange quirk of fate is the real-life partner of AJ, so when I saw his books mentioned on Theo's website, I took the plunge...and am so glad I did!Right, first things first...the worst part of the book for me...guessing who the bad guy was so early on!! No red (or dead) herrings were thrown into the reader's path to obscure who the villain was, so for me that was the biggest disappointment of the book. Everything else I really enjoyed.I adored Gavin and the 'will he, won't he come out of the closet' saga. Gavin, the youngest of 4 boys all of whom have some connection to the St Louis police force, if not actually in uniform, is a detective and is investigating some grisly murders whose victims embraced a BDSM lifestyle. His relationship with his wife was not the best it has to be said.... Once he tells Victoria to 'sling her hook' after catching her and Trent (Gavin's partner) doing the dirty at home in their bed, he immediately starts divorce proceedings and is so relieved and light headed at the thought that he no longer needs to play a role but instead can be true to himself, he visits the club 'Collared' where the guys who've been murdered 'play', and there he chats with Dr Ben Haverson who has been asked to consult and act as liaison/advisor between the BDSM community and the police. Ben recognises straight away that Gavin is a born submissive, and it just so happens that Ben is an experienced Dom....The actual amount of information in the book about BDSM was extremely educational albeit from a gay perspective, as you would expect.

This is the first book I have read by A I Rose, but it won't be the last. From the first page I was booked. The crime scenes were admittedly uncomfortable reading, but the crimes were meant to be disturbing.I found the characters well written, and enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gavin and Ben both interesting and heart warming.The descriptions of bdsm practices and terms informative and the sex scenes not.Well worth the read.

I bought this book and its sequel after hearing so many good things about them. I am usually not a fan of this genre at all, but love a good murder mystery, which this has. Gruesome murders, but all linked to the fantastic plot of the whole book. I totally adored Gavin and Ben from the start, was so glad Gavin found out his true calling so to speak. Not giving away any spoilers,I loved that the killer was revealed - cause for for me it all lead upto the suspense of what would happen!! And I wasn't disppointed as that scene just has to be read as it's so good! You don't want to read it but you can't stop yourself!! I couldn't read it quick enough in fact towards the end!I loved the family dynamics in this story also! Gavin and his brothers and various partners added to the story for me.Such a good read, with lots of drama and suspense...and I did I mention the very very hot sex scenes?!? No...well they sizzle!So what are you waiting for? Buy it! :-)

All 3 books in this series are 5 Star reads for me.Gavin and Ben are a beautiful couple who meet when cop Gavin needs a BDSM expert for a case.Each book has it's own dramatic suspense story dragging Gavin and Ben into danger. Their relationship changes over the 3 books, it grows in love and the BDSM dynamic changes after the harrowing events of book 1. They have to find new ways for their D/S relationship to work.The plots are excellent with danger lurking around every corner keeping me on my toes. I fell more in love with Gavin and Ben as the books went on.I blame AJ Rose for having bitten my fingernails & worn a tread in my carpet from pacing but also say thanks for such fabulous books.