Kick (Forbidden)

“I knew who I was. I was a celebrity without talent. I was an heiress. I was a wh**e. I was a party waiting to happen. I was an addict. I was his, and in that last definition---that I was owned by Deacon. I knew my place in this chaos.”Books in Songs of Perdition series should be read in order:Part 1: KickPart 2: UntitledKick (part 1 in Songs of Perdition series) starts off with celebutante, heiress, drug and sex addict, Fiona Drazen (Jonathan and Teresa’s sister) waking up and Westonwood Acres. She has no idea why nor any recollection of events leading up to her admittance to this secluded addiction treatment center.As it turns out she was brought their after allegedly stabbing her master and lover, Deacon Bruce in the chest. For the next 72 hours, under the watchful eye of Doctor Elliott Chapman while the police continues investigate whether charges should be filed, Fiona will be evaluated as to her mental state of mind.Kick follows Fiona in her attempts, including hypnosis sessions with Dr. Chapman, to recall what happened. Her flashbacks take us back a year prior when she first met Deacon and their tempestuous relationship leading up to that fateful night of the stabbing. And also offering glimpses into events in her youth that helped form the person she has become.FIONA MAURA DRAZEN: 23 years/celebutante & heiress /$$$$/red hair/blue eyes/addict/slave-submissive/horseback rider.Fiona Maura Drazen has a long journey ahead, but the fact she can admit and identify many of her addictions and issues is a step in the right direction. Seven words to describe Fiona: Reflective, smart, broken, conflicted, manipulative, strong and lost“And shame is not my thing. Privacy isn’t a prerequisite; I’ll come right front of you, So that rule is a f******* joke.”DEACON BRUCE: 39 years/artist/$$$$/dark hair/blue eyes/Master & Dom.Deacon Bruce is still an enigma, but he looks to be everything I could ever want in a hero [swoon!] Seven words to describe Deacon: Commanding, jaded, unattainable, worldly, self-assured, nurturing and enigmatic.Dr. ELLIOT CHAPMAN: 35-40 years/doctor-therapist/ordained priest/$$$/blond hair/gray-green eyes.I have a feeling we have only scratched the surface of doctor and ordained priest, Elliot Chapman. Seven words to describe Elliot: Collected, in-control, elusive, nurturing, focused, guarded and complex.Needless to say Kick ends with a cliff-hanger. This story is a teaser leading the way into the series. I’m very much looking forward to part 2 of the Songs of Perdition series.Brilliant and addictive plot! Effortless and spellbinding story-telling! Not one, but two swoon-worthy and enigmatic heroes! A compelling and interesting heroine. I am h.o.o.k.e.d.!“I’m not a jealous man. I’ve seen too much. And you, it was always a choice to share you or not have you.”***Fiona’s rating: 5 starsHero rating: 5 starsDeacon’s rating: 5 starsSexual tension rating: 5 starsSex scenes rating: 4 starsSex scenes frequency: 4- starsPlot rating: 5+++ starsDialogue rating: 5 starsStorytelling rating: 5 starsStory ending rating: N/ABook editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A************************************************Overall rating: 5 starsWould I recommend this series: Yes.Would I re-read this series: Yes.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

This story follows Fiona Drazen whom we first met in Songs of Submission. The seeming wild child alcoholic/drug addict older sister to Jonathan. The setting of the story is just after the car accident involving Jonathan's teenage girlfriend, Rachel, that scarred him. You DO NOT need to read Songs of Submission, this series can be a stand alone series.While anything involving a Drazen you just know is going to be terrific, this series started off a little slow for me and I didn't connect with the characters like I have in this authors previous books. When you get to the end of the serial and don't realize it's a "cliffhanger" until you read the authors note stating it is-yeah, that.It just seemed to have so many flashback tidbits, and no real character or plot development for me in the present. Maybe that is due to the length or the story set-up involved, I can't pinpoint it.I loved Songs of Submission and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in Theresa's story from Spin, so I will give this one more chance with the next book.

I feel conflicted about Kick. On the one hand, the writing is amazing: engaging, exciting, intense, and evocative. On the other hand, the main character, Fiona, deeply disturbs me. The fact that this is a novella with a well-rounded plot and a multi-dimensional main character, let alone a short story that causes discordant emotions, is a testament to C.D. Reiss’s skill as a writer.The story opens with Fiona Drazen, who wakes up incarcerated in a mental institution without any recollection of the events that preceded her arrest. Fiona is a celebrity who is famous just for being an heiress. She’s addicted to drugs and sex, and she’s in love with her dom, Deacon. She makes no apologies for who she is. She has no shame.Fiona is treated at the mental facility for the wealthy by Dr. Elliott. The psychologist has 72 hours to evaluate Fiona and determine whether or not she is a threat to herself or others. At the end of that time period, she will either be released or sentenced to an extended stay. Elliott uses hypnosis to help Fiona recall the events that led to her arrest and it’s through hypnosis that we relive her past.We learn a little bit about Fiona’s history of drug abuse, but not how or why it started. We find out how she meets Deacon and we get glimpses of their BDSM relationship and I’ve got to say that Fiona’s level of willing debasement made me uncomfortable. Fiona’s life is ruled by her need for sex. I’ve read books where characters are sex addicts before and I’ve had a vague understanding of the concept. However, in this book I could sense Fiona’s cravings. Her degree of desperation for sex, both in the past and present, repulsed me and made me ashamed on her behalf. However, it also created in me great compassion. As I said, I felt conflicted.Conflicted or not, Kick ends on one heck of a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read what happens next in Use.

Cd Reiss has such a way with words. In this book we get Fiona Drazen's story, it pulled me in and I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with this messed up girl. Love her! Another great story I will re read for sure.

Songs of Perdition is another great addition to the Drazen saga albeit a more gritty and hard core one. A gripping read from beginning to end.

Again I fell I to the pages as C.D. Reiss takes you on another journey .You continue to read and absorb about this mess of a woman Fiona Drazen.You can't help really liking her & wanting to know how show can be helped & by whom.Her master or the doctor .The next novella perhaps will tell .

I have to be honest, although I have loved all of C D Reiss' books, I didn't enjoy this as much! I can't say why because I don't really know. I think one of the reasons maybe because I found it hard to follow, I was jumping around from Mental Ward, to nightclub, stables and I got a bit lost in it all! I also found myself having to think about the characters because again I didn't really have much info to relate to! I have no idea what any of these people look like, Deacon looks good in a suit, Fiona likes sex but is she tall? Is he dark or fair? I don't know and its these little details that hook me into a book.Having said that I'll still be getting Use lol!

Kick is the first book of Fiona Drazen's story and it's off to a fantastic start.It's also a bit of a prequel to Jonathan's story as well which is a bonus.Good writing as usual from this author. Looking forward to the next book in the series.